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Well since Rob has his private Thread I will have mine [:)]

We have done like 9 turns - man are the allied turns easy when Japan controls everything. The biggest shock to me was that Japan does control everything - that and I have no reserves of anything... just like turn 1 except Japan controls 90% of the Pacific now...

Well I have begun massive defensive works everywhere I want to keep. I have also pulled troops back from threatened areas to what I feel are safer.

I have started the supplies flowing from Karachi and the West Coast - but it will be a month before any reaches Oz - and they have like 2-3 months of basic supplies only - so I hope there will not be much fighting there.

90% of my air units are standing down and training, with mostly patrol and fighter units operating only.

I have located dozens of ships all over the place and sent them to their respective area of operations - Karachi, east coast of Oz or West Coast of US.

The biggest pain is that almost none of my air groups are near to being full and I have no reserves of planes at all - it will take at least a month to fill them out - not counting combat losses.

I have drawn first blood. A US sub - yes a US Sub - hit an IJN MSW with 2 torps blowing her out of the water.. a few moments later 2 US subs (including the one getting the first ship kill of the war) were pounced on by IJN ASW forces. Both ships were minorly damaged, with one having like 40 flt damage - that sub is heading for the closest friendly port for repairs.

In china, I have forced an IJA Brigade to retreat back to Nanning as I pour 8 Chinese Corps down the rails towards the city.

In a bold sneak attack in Burma, I have landed elite Indian commando troops at Tavoy and ???? (whichever base is south of Tavoy). I have captured Tavoy - no enemy troops there - but the other men were hurt getting out of the sub and cannot attack. They will get reinforcements soon.

This attack behind Rob's line should prompt some sort of response from him - probably bombings followed by some tanks or something quick to recaptured the bases before I reinforce them.

We have no Coral Sea event so far, but intel reports at least 2 IJN fleets north of the Solomon Islands heading south. I would guess he has diverted from PM to invade Lunga - he has at least 2 CVs and a CVL (Coral Sea forces if memory serves) to support it.

I have 2 CVs in the area (at Noumea) and not much else. I am moving them north slowly to try to catch the troops ships - I do not want a confrontation with his CVs as I am sure he will win at this point in the war - plus he has 5 other CVs lingering somewhere - not to mention like 4 baby CVs too.. That could be bad to run into them.

I would like to hit his invasion TFs once and then run away before his escorts can catch me.

I have another 2 US CVs making port at Dutch Harbor for refuelling. They will then head West to make the historical "Operation Doolittle" (not sure exactly when that took place, but I have always wanted to raid the Jap Home Islands as the US early in the war as I know from my own Jap experience how easy it is to pull all air assets out of the Home Islands). I plan on hitting one of the northern cities - just not sure what to aim for - most likely will aim for industries of one sort. I will raid for 1 day and then run away before he can move overwhelming air power within range.

My mining campaign has kicked off as well. I have sent 20 or so subs to the Home Islands to mine the ports of Tokyo and Osaka. Also have smaller TFs heading for Kwajalein and Truk to mine those as well... even if 1 ship hits a mine it will be worth it.

I do have a question about the war though. I am in a position to bomb some resources in DEI (with Oz-based B-17s) and in Burma with RAF units. How much actual bombing of oil / resources did the allies do in WW II ? I know we flattened cities / industry in Japan, but did we actually conduct bombing raids on oil centers ? And if so was it a major effort or just something to do once in a while ? I know we have the ability to bomb the oil centers flat (given enough time) but I don't want to do it unless it was historic - my point of view is that I will own those centers again and don't want to damage my own property.

Let me know what the Allied (US) beliefs were on that..

Thanks,

Xargun

not very many. Airops in Burma mainly focused on ground support missions. Heavy bombers based on Calcutta would occasionally raid Rangoon....usually at night, pinprick attacks.

the RN attempted several Palembang operations culminating in the largest UK multi carrier operation of the war.....that time they finally did some decent damage but it was a hard contested fight.

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

not very many.

I see you don't suffer from the same scruples......[8|][:'(]

Got milk?

We have had 3 weeks of action - its nice to have easy 15 min turns as the allies [:)]

Looks like Rob is gobbling up all the Solomons and is continuing to head SE. I wonder if he'll make a play for Noumea or Canton Island next.

We have both been hitting mines - I've hit several IJN mines and he is hitting mine and his own [:D] So far only a IJN AK (or AP) has sunk from the mines, but even damages is good.

He hammered Ndini Island the other turn and I moved 6 PTs up there to defend it. They arrived just in time for what seems like a fast transport group to arrive.. My PTs engaged it at night, and landed some MG hits on 2 ships, as well as landed a single torpedo hit. In return I lost a single PT boat. The good news is that the invasion TF fled.. I'm sure they will be back as I did not inflict much damage on them. The problem is now the PTs are kinda stuck there - no fuel and nothing at the base to rearm / refuel with. I have ordered them to limp back to the nearest base with fuel to try to save them.

At this point in the war I am trying to stunt Rob's offenses without lossing much. Especially since I am down 2 CVs already, but damaged 2 of his.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of fighting over the Solomons and surounding islands - and will be the highpoint of the war for the next couple months so I am planing accordingly.

My raid against Japan bagged me 2 DDs and the BB Ise - as well as damaging a CS and a CL. My fighters there also bagged a bunch of enemy aircraft - good for points and good for skill. Now the CVs flee back to Dutch Harbor for refuelling and rearming.

I have several old US BBs racing to Dutch Harbor - where they will become part of a raider TF. I plan on invadion the northern Japanese islands - this will allow me to base some bombers there and hit the northern cities. Rob can't allow this, so he will have to come and play - thats what the BBs are for - to hammer anything he brings... In the north he can't count on any air power due to weather so it will come down to a more naval battle.

I am shipping out supplies almost daily from the west coast - the problem isn't with enough supplies, but with enough AKs to carry them. I am using TFs of 10 AKs, which will carry 55k supplies. I have 5 of these TFs at sea right now - 2 will unload at PH to replenish supplies there. Another one will break up to supply the smaller islands (Johnston, Palmyra, etc...). Another one will load Canton with supplies while the 5th is heading for Noumea / Oz.

I am posting mostly from memory and will post more this weekend as I have time.

Xargun

Very nice job with sinking Ise. [:)]

Well its been a month + in the war and the Imperial Japanese Navy is scoring victory after victory. I am being far too aggressive - but I can't just sit back and wait for overwhelming numbers .... I don't believe the allies did that in real life, why should I ?

I have gotten a few victories in against his overpowering Air and Naval forces.

IO / Burma

RN BBs have said hello to IJ troops on Adaman Island twice. My first visit was by far the best and really hammered the enemy there. The first trip escaped without damage.. the second trip did not fair so well.. My intel showed his CV in Singapore so I went for it again. Unfortunately the CV was near Adaman Island and struck back. The CV-based planes did little damage, but the Betties from Rangoon got in some good hits.. So now I have 2 RN BBs limping back to Ceylon. One will make it for sure unless something drastic happens, the other I'm about 75% sure it will make it.

OZ

Not much going on here. I am using the engineers here to enlarge everything I can.. The northern bases are all building fortifications (just in case), while the rest either expanding ports or airfields according to their need.

I am slowly moving air groups where I want them and trying to move what little supply I have to the top priority locations - mostly Port Moresby.

The OZ repair yards are coming up to steam, repairing some damaged warships with a bunch of DDs and merchies limping in from the battles around Noumea.

Noumea Area

The hotspot has been the southern Solomon Islands and around Noumea. I have seen nearly every IJN Carrier (CVs, CVLs and CVEs) around, as well as 5+ IJN BBs, numerous Cruisers, dozens of destroyers and probably a hundred auxillary and merchies.

Rob beat me to Lunga, although my hastily laid mines did claim a few hits. Once the Solomon's were his, he kept moving south. Without any CVs in the area, he had free reign. He has taken everything in the area, except the island Noumea is on (New Caladonia ??). I think he was going to try, but the 40k + troops I have there persuaded him against it.

I actually have 2 Divisions on the island - 1 at Noumea and most of 1 at the base on the northernmost tip. I plan on using at least one of these to retake Efate, once I get more units in the area.

I am finally getting more AV support to Noumea, as well as unloading a group of army fighters - first fighters in the area. Once the AF and AV support is builtup I will bring in more planes and begin making life difficult on Efate for him.

Despite losing a bunch of ships I feel Noumea is safe from him. I doubt he'll bring the 2+ divisions he would need to take Noumea.

Canton

I am worried Rob may try to take Canton and really cut the lifeline from the US to OZ. I have recently landed a CD unit along with a full division of US troops there. I am just finishing up a resupply / refueling mission there bringing the total of fuel & supply over 20k and 50k respectively.

Not to worried about the fuel, but I want to be sure the island can hold out on its own for a month plus if needed.

Logistic Situation

Well the starting position is pretty crappy for logistics. The Burma area is fairly self sufficient and I don't expect much combat there for at least 6 months - other than air raids.
OZ (and area) is down to 1 month or less supplies overall. I have 2 convoys about a week away carrying over 100k in supplies. These are destined to land at Brisbane. These 2 TFs should provide ample supplies for the coming month or more and enable the units to come to full strength. Another convoy is unloading currently at Noumea, dropping off 50k of supplies. This will be plenty of supplies for roughly 2 months.
I have been sneaking 1 AK TFs into PM to drop off 5k supplies at a time. Its not much but it is slowly building up a stockpile. I still want another 10k+ there before I feel safe for a bit. Its hard as Betties from Rabaul patrol overhead - but so far they are leaving the single ship TFs alone.
As I shipped supplies towards OZ, other TFs have been stopping at the islands along the way and unloading supplies and fuel. At least 10k exists on each island with troops between PH and Noumea, along with roughly 10k fuel as well.

I have a small TF (2 TKs: 24k units of oil) full of oil slowly heading to Oz. This oil will help the HI in Oz produce more supply locally - no sense it letting it all stockpile in the US and be wasted.

Future Plans

I have told Rob that I expect the Solomons to be the main area of contention between us for the next few months - he is not sure if I am lying or not.. I am not. I plan to island hop up the islands and either take Rabaul or isolate it.

The Solomons are a good place for my average pilots to skillup. Plus it is a long way from Japan for any sort of repairs for him. I plan to apply a lot of pressure in the Solomons while chipping away from other directions. He cannot be everywhere at the same time.

My next two missions are already in planning stages.

Hammer & Anvil

Hammer & Anvil has two objectives: Wake and Marcus Island. I believe both are lightly defended and since they are so far out (at least Wake) if I strike quick I should be able to take the island and retreat my naval assets before his CVs can respond.

Hammer is Wake. Anvil is Marcus Island. I am forming up the TFs in Dutch harbor and will land several units to take the island. The pre-plans involve the slow 20 knt US BBs to say high to the defenders while landing a RCT or such to take it, followed up with a base force (plus a possible EAB) and perhaps a CD unit for a surprise punch back when the IJN shows up.

I definately want Wake.. Be a good forward base for subs and recon - will force him to head more west before south from Japan.

Marcus Island is more important to us both. Not worth much to him, but I can base some Medium Bombers there to harrass shipping.


Reclamation

Reclamation begins with reclaiming Efate and the islands south of the Solomons: Ndini, Espiritu Santo (sp ??) and Efate. This will give me more bases for aircraft and keep him from harrassing my supply lines from the US.

This mission will happen after I strike Wake - as I hope that mission will pull off some IJN CVs. Right now Rob has at least 7 CVs: 2 should be either in port (or heading there) for repairs from our CV battle - One should be there at least 1 month, and the other at least 2 months [gauging from the estimated damage I think I inflicted with the number of hits reported]. He has 1 CV in the IO area, so he has 4 CVs, plus half a dozen or so baby carriers. If I can pull 2 CVs to Wake I will serious contemplate the invasion of Efate with a full Division.

Allied Carriers

The RN CVs are currently in port. I plan on using them to support and amphibious invasion of Adaman Island sometime in the next 6-8 weeks - once I feel I have sufficient naval / air strength.

2 US CVs are approaching Canton on their way to the SW Pacific. The third US CV is fast approaching PH, where it will refuel and head to the SW Pacific as well. The Long Beach is carrying a load of SDBs performing ASW duties, while escorting a convoy to the SW Pacific.

Reinforcements

In 10 game days I will recieve a ton of reinforcements: something like 8 air units, 15 or so ships and like 8 ground units all arrive on the same day. In roughyl a month I get another CV as well.

These units will be quickly put into plans as I make new ones up - mostly concerning the Solomon Islands.

Random Thoughts

This game has been odd. We are playing 1.795 so the ASW efforts are not as bad as they were, yet we have both lost subs so far. We are both playing the mining game with subs and this has lead to roughly 10 ships (between us both) hitting mines in roughly 30 game turns - I haven't hit any of my mines.. but Rob has hit his own several times. I have played other games much longer than 30 days without so much as a single mine hit. So far nothing but merchies of Rob's have been hit, whereas mostly Destroyers of mine have struck them.

I think this early threat will force us both to be more careful about moving into enemy ports without MSW support - kinda historical.

I have no doubt I will win (Allies always do) but I don't want to pull back and give Rob the luxury of free time anywhere. When he moves ships and troops around I want him to really think if he needs to or not - make him second guess his moves. This will hamstring him much more than any small invasion I make.

I plan on several more sub invasions to keep him on his toes - even thinking of a big one using like 20 subs somewhere the Home Islands - but I will have to think on this.

Unknown to Rob (who wiped out a RCT on Efate) I managed to pull a fragment of it off with a sub to Noumea. The fragment has successfully turned into the parent unit and is pulling reinforcements - its already tipled in size So give me 6-8 weeks and the RCT will be back in full strength.

Not much more here to report. I plan on installing Photoshop or such so I can edit some pics and post em so stay tuned.

One thing to my advantage right now is that Rob is short on AOs. I have sunk 3 AOs and damaged a fourth. This isn't a real big deal, but it will hurt his attempts to project power far from bases. This will keep my rear areas safe from harrassing CV raids.

Xargun