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Hi all
A month ago or so we started a game (me japan of course) with quite an extensive set of house rules -the most important being number of airgroups cannot exceed airfield size, max 40% Cap for all units, and a preperation point rule for movement.

We are up to feb 42
I did the KB struck the phillipines gambit, then detached 2cv and a CVL for ops all over the DEI -while KB after some support -went for a cruise down the solomons to cover the ops there, and destroyed all naval opposition by hitting Brisbane -caught by total surprise

On land the main thrust was Kuching, then a very risky para drop into the middle of java -stopping the sir robin into soerabaya
Only by a fingernail was this successful
At months end palembang, batavia, borneo, soerabaya, and timor are under my control
In Burma I have been stopped at mandalaby, rangoon fell easily
I am at the gates of singapore
The solomons and PM are mine

Sounds like I have gone berserk -but it was not really like that.
The air carnage has not happened -he still has operational planes , and I have suffered quite heavy bomber losses
There has been no case of closing down a field in one go at all -its been a long process in each case -to close a field generally i have had to capture it.

The prep point rule has actually slowed things down, especially where he has foiled an attack -one has to wait ages (it seems) before bringing in extra troops
And planning has to be so precise now!

Overall my opponent seems to be very pleased- as I am -with the house rules.
The 40% CAP rule is stopping mass slaughter of squadrons so far -and I really think a CV battle will not be so one sided -so far the bombers always get through - LBA has hit one of my CVs, and poor Shokaka and Zuikaka have dodged countless bombs dropped by inexperienced pilots -the bombers do get through the CAP

So, so far so good.

Well, we finally reached the end of febuary

japan is starting to stall -(I suck at land combat)
Singapore holds out still against 5 divisions!
manilla holds against 3 more
Mandalaby holds at a stalemate.

Notable things after 2 months -
The prep point rule rocks -really adding enjoyment to the game, and slowing it down quite a bit.
The 40% CAP rule also is working a treat -the Dutch airforce still holding out here and there.
Airfield max no of groups rule also working a treat -air combat not too bloody so far.

Notable events this month
KB slaughtering a convoy in the Indian ocean
KB slaughtering the aussie navy at Brisbane
The jap sub campaign has about 15 AKs to its name for 1 sub lost -operating in no plane zones vastly increases lifespan.
I learnt a trick
Park a AO deep, deep in enemy waters -and I mean deep - and support your subs from it!

BZpanzer is not playing sir robin -he fights hard at Mandalaby -the AVG is active , and the british navy has bombarded a few places too

Conclusion, house rules are so far very successful.
Burma - Akyab and Mandalaby yet to be captured, lashio is held by paras
Malaya - singapore holds out
DEI -are basically secured -and oil is well on the way to being 100% -for a change[8|]
Solomons -were grabbed quickly
wake is in Allied hands
China -not a unit has moved -lots of bombing though
Phillipines -allies are going to hold for months -Jap units terribly disrupted crossing a river[:@]

My opponent seems to be reliable -which really helps!
The plan remains to conquer Singapore by april 1 -then India I suppose[8|]
A convoy hit by 2 CVL between noumea and brisbane

‚q?@‚t?@playing stock or Nikmod?
 
 

Stock!

Well I guess I will give you an update on the Allies situation.

At the end of February 42, the Allies are not in that bad of shape yet.

I still have all my BB and CV intact, the heaviest ship I lost so far was the CA Houston in the Java Sea

With my opponent taking Java in a bold Para drop early, through me off a bit. I got a little more conserveitive than I normally am, to see my oppononets next intentions. Singapore and the Philippinnes still hold out, though Singapore may not last another two weeks, supply is starting to get low, they have put on a great effort holding out a slong as they have. The Philippines could hold out awhile until he commits more troops to the area, I have good supply and forts built.

Burma- We are battleing for Madalay, I don't think he can take it until he pulls in more troops, probably when Singapore falls, but that will take time.
DEI- Is basically his, I do have a few airbases, they will pop up in hit a transport.
China- Not a base has been taken, hey bombing campaingn by the Japs so far, but lots of troops on the move, this will really heat up in the coming months.
Solomons- Are his, and there is nothing I can do about that.
Australia- Building up supply levels and fuel levels nicely, starting to get air groups from the USA
South Pacicfic-Building ports and airbases, with the house rules, it's really important to build ports greater than 4, and the larger the airbases the better. Also the Austrailain Navy is't as hurt as he thinks it is.
India-The British are putting up a nice fight so far, moving troops to good defensible positions. Bombing his troops in Mandalay is hurting him.
Mainland USA-sending out lots of supply and troops, not enough transports actually.

Basically I building my rear area, startng to move to forward bases, and take some risks like my heavy cruiser raid to PM, hit alot of lightly escorted transports, good results.

My opponent probably has 1 more large offensive coming up, could be India, Northern or Eastern Australia, or maybe Nomuea or Fiji.

It has been a fun game, the house rules really make a big difference, 42 & 43 should be alot fun for both sides.

Good as time as any for the next month update.

The month opened with pretty intensive SS operations between Brisbane and noumea -several convoys attacked
2CVL and a CVE joined the party, sank a ship or 2, ran away.
Then I got greedy, sighting what appeared to be several BBs also going to Brisbane, and sent Shoho, Zuiho and taiyo to have a go.
They struck a convoy 1st in the am phase, then in the PM phase attacked the real target -CS float planes struck the enterprise[X(], but the Kates all missed.
The 40% Cap rule gave a very historical feel to the attack..........
As I had sent the entire flight deck loads to attack, the allied response from 2 CV was deadly, over 2 days lost all the carriers in this op, but by frantic dodging got the CS and escorts away.
2cvl, 1cve, 3 dd lost in that little adventure[8|]
Amazingly right amongst this battle 3 AOs remained totally undetected by cruising in the same hex, and got home

The month saw the 1st chinese offensive, a very deliberate advance on Yemen.
After 100% preparation, heavy gathering of air support, was a bit disapointed when BZ simply ran away -probably the correct move though.
So China has now settled back down as we re plan our next move
I admit that I am bombing industry in China -I have no intention of trying to conquer all of it, but definately will not permit china to be a danger to me in 43[:@]

Singapore fell about 10 days into the month, at this point 6 divisions there are now finally fully recovered, most have the job of taking Mandalaby assigned to them.
In Burma Mandalaby is surrounded on 3 flanks, yet holds.
Here our house rules are really shining -as I can only base 1, or 2 squadrons on the fwd fields, (only 4 at rangoon so far), and BZ much the same, the air combat has been real fun, lots of LRCAP on my behalf trying to shoot down dakatos, and intercept his Indian based bombers.
His bomber force does have heavies -but I feel a lot more realistic level of operations are occuring.
The Imperial navy raided the bay of Bombay in revenge for the 1st battle of Adaman island.
The POW and 2 county class CA encountered a trap of 6 BBs and escorts there.
POW hit Yamishiro at 22000 yrds, and crippled her with one shot[:@][:'(] (very realistic battle), and then using superior speed got away
KB was refuelling at the time, and missed by 2 hex range in getting revenge[:@]

Spent a week hunting the british, and then covered the invasion of Akyab -fast transports allowing the troops to take it.
The indian ocean is quiet again, lots of recon, as I hunt for the british navy.

The DEI are slowly being consolidated, far too many troops still building in Japan for my liking that should be there now, they are depending on a screen of Betties and Nells for protection at the moment
His Dutch planes were still active, and still a lot of bases to be cleaned up yet.
His SS are finally getting into the war, mine are still hunting in packs nicely.

The solomons are quiet, he tried to raid with his CAs, and possibly his CVs, but "seagulls" gave him away. He tells me the Betty threat plus 40% cap rule put a brake on plans of that -seems realistic to me, in March 42 CV raids were pretty risky things.
Im building like crazy the captured islands, his CVs have forced a cancellation of a grab further south, for the moment[8|]

The gilberts are quiet -just building up

In the Northern reaches a small naval raid by 2 CL is all that has occured.

The phillipines still hold easily, in fact an allied victory down at naga is developing, where 4 phillipine divisions have 3 NLF units bottled up.
Clarke AV slowly drops under daily bombing, I have a lot of troops, but like I said -I suck at land combat, a divisional aattack (1 div, 3 tank regiments, 4 Eng regiments, everyone else bombard) saw a tank regiment totally destroyed[X(] -1st time Ive seen a unit basically wiped out -1 tank left, just 1!
Forts still at 9!
So its going to be a long road here, but I have time, only 2 major objectives left in the grand plan, and I reckon I have until sept 42 to get around to them.

Overall the game is great, I have really tried to not be gamey, as has BZ, and the game mechanics seem to go better.
We are communicating pretty well, so, so far, so good.
Looking forward to the next 3 months of the game as the Burma adventure gets really underway.

Finally, air losses are very even -I cannot , and have not been able to achieve any lets have masses of zeroes clear the skies in a day type days because of our AF stacking rules, and BZ has been able to fight a lot longer.
Its been a good game.

Well it's time to update the Allies situation as 03/42.

Well the major action of the month, was the first CV clash, and with the 40% cap rule, it was a tense battle, even though I had more planes. I was actually quite lucky actually, I had planned an op with the Enterprise & the Lexington, but canceled it due to Nell & betties threat, so I decided them to shadow a convoy from Nomuea to Brisbane. I actually didn't know he was, so I was lucky I spotted them in the afternoon pm air phase. The result was 2 CVL& 1CVE are now coral reefs off Norfolk Island.

Well Here is an update from each theater.

Burma- Lots of action, both on the ground & Air. Herbie is right, the max number of airgroups rule, really seems to be working quite well. Mandalay still holds out, but he is brining up some troops from the fall of Singapore, probably won't last the month. Also has some nice action on the sea. Herbie sprung a nasty ambush at Adaman Island on the POW and 2 CA, he had 6 BB waiting for me. I was lucky, POW hit Yamishiro with two 14" shells, then was able to escape with really no damage.[:)]
DEI- He is consolidating the last few Dutch bases, with the loss of Java early, the Dutch were really hard pressed to put up much resistance after that.
China- Yenen has fallen, but I really had no choice but to retreat to fight another day. Moving lots of troops around for future ops. The AVG jumps up every in a while to make sure he is escorting all of his bombing attacks.
Solomon's- Are still his, and still there is nothing I can do about that, but that will change in the coming months.
Australia-Is now overflowing with supply and fuel, many air groups are now assembling there.
South Pacicfic-Building forts, ports and airfields.
India- I am really worried here, He has six divisions to use since the fall of Singapore, almost all his BB's and CV's are in the Indian Ocean.[&:]
North Pacific-reinforcing some Northern bases, to protect from Northern threat.

I just received the mighty CVE Long Island, so I am sure the Japanese Empire will have many sleepless nights worrying about that ship.[:)]

The game has been alot of fun so far, the house rules have added alot of enjoyment, I am really looking forward to the next few months.

Overdue for a April 42 update

the game continues to be a great deal of fun.
Mimicking the mighty PZB 6 divisions and the KB sailed from Singapore

In what I can only be pleased to call a very successful invasion, the south west corner of India has been taken -only dacca holds , and it has only 3 days left.
My esteemed opponent has basically pulled out, and into the interior of India

In Burma he quit mandalaby -and ran successfully to myrityika, it and lashio are firmly garrisoned
He has a trapped division of Indians at Imphal

Dbasically the India / burma operations are finishing, and I am consolidating.
I promised that I would not do a un realistic conquer of India.
Now our CAP rule should be fun, that and the number of air units cannot exceed the size of the field.
Im expecting an interesting time soon from his bombers

In the DEI , progress of consolidating the dots continues - several bases hold out still in Borneo

Solomons/PNG, BZB bombed PM several times -9 B17 at a time -and the air combat was bloodless both ways.
Moved zeros in, and into dobodura -and he has not been back

The war has quietened down a lot towards the end of this month, and into May -subs are doing OK -a big campaign between Noumea and brisbane claimed about 6 ships.

Still very happy with the house rules -40% CAP, fixed planes to field size is making it pretty good
As japan, one more offensive to go -Clarke fell, manilla holds -just I think -when it goes, I think July will see our next major clash.
Though I think he might try to grab marcus to try to invoke my attention there..

China is quiet, Im going to prep to 100% before I attack again.
Home islands very full of reinforcements -I am imposing a home rule on myself of not deploying until at 100% strength.
Just for once I captured Oil in fair shape -massive supplies being spent trying to repair what was busted.

Just what are some of the house rules you didn't mentioned. I'm interested. Some of mine would limit the size of pure ASW forces. Blam0 and I play 6 or 8 can't remember. You can use mulitple ASW in same hex. I have been playing the AI in later games and made up H/K groups around some American CVE's like IRL.

Hi

max 6 ships asw
max 40% Cap -CVs and LBA

AF size equals number of groups allowed

must have 5 prep points before marching to a base, 10 before sailing for a base
some night bombing restrictions

and port size equals 1=max 5000 fuel, 5000 supply
2= 10000/10000
3= 15000/15000
size 4 port, no limit- excludes home islands, australia,usa

They are the fundamentals
We are both eagerly looking for the CV on CV clash -as we know the bombers will get through -and LBA cannot be ignored by CVs now -especially for japan!

Well it's time for another Allied update through 04/30/42.

This has been a very trying month for the Allies, I am still catching a beating. I am trying small scale local counter attacks, but I am trying to resist actually starting any major offensives right now. There are many tempting targets, but I instead am building up my position, supplies, and fuel stocks are abundant in many areas now.

The month was actually pretty quiet except for the Invasion of India. My opponent launched a six-division invasion of India at Diamond Harbor & Calcutta. I had to withdraw my forces from the coastal area, I remembered what happened in Java with his BB’s giving me a real beating. The withdrawal went well, most of the forces got back untouched. I am building forts and AF in central India.

Well Here is an update from each theater.

Burma- Well the area is cutoff from India, so it's not looking good for the troops in the Burma pocket.
DEI- Well he holds just about every base now, not good times for the Allies here. In the Philippines, Clarke has finally fallen, and has retreated back to Manila. Troops here probably won't last the month. Herbie, noticed many of my American subs were on rescue missions getting troops out of the Philippines, and has vowed to stop it. Have saved alot so far, hopefully will be able to get many more saved.
China-Lots of movement of troops behind the lines, but only Yenen has fallen. Lots of air activity by the Japanese, hopefully the AVG will get back into action.
Solomon’s- There are still his, and I still can't do much about it.
Australia- Lots of supplies and troops, building up for a counter offensive at some point.
South Pacific- Building all area's up, feeling confident that the area will hold out now.
India-He owns southern India, I am building up central India for a long fight.
North & Central Pacific-Just building & reinforcing bases.

Have been busy upgrading many ships, that now are out and ready to meet the enemy with radar, and improved AA.

The game has been alot of fun, and I really look forward to the coming months, when both the Allies and the Japanese are on more equal ground.