RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/17/2015 7:23:49 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Allied 4

No DoW.

US & CW Naval. Others Land.

The Allies make the heart-warming discovery that 3 of their Trans and 2 Amph are iced in up in the Baltic ports.

The CW attends to convoy escorts, moves an empty CV from Gib to UK, replacing it with 2 full ones, puts BB's and CA's into the Baltic a CA loaded with a Div in the Red Sea and brings an Aussie HQ to Basra A couple of loaded Trans are in the North Sea.

Apart from convoy escorts, the US deploys to the Baltic and returns the main fleet to off Pearl. Transports continue the process of getting units to Europe.

The US subs in the Marianas have a go for the Jap CP but neither side can find each other.

The CW CA in the Red Sea runs into the Italian CP and sends it to the bottom.

In Cape St Vincent the Italian subs try for the CP's but are caught on the surface by the outer screen (3-box). One sub is sent home damaged, while one of the CW CL's has to return to Gib. The Italians persist but are again surprised on the surface and the sub is sunk for no loss.

The Italian sub in the Arabian Sea does slightly better by aborting the CP but is also sent back to port.

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Post #: 331

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 10:58:06 AM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Allied 4: Groundstrikes

None

No rail movement

In China, the ChiComms start heading North, their goal Manchuria and Korea, leaving behind one unit to prevent the Nationalists from taking Siam.

The Russians close up to the German lines. In the North, a decent sized force begins an end-round of the German line.

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Post #: 332

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 11:14:57 AM

AllenK

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The RAF send a Typhoon to Denmark and a Tempest to Estonia. The RCAF Mossie flies to Iceland.

The USAAF rebase two fighter-bombers to the front in Spain and a B-17 arrives in England from Greenland.

The Soviets rebase 2 Lnd and a Ftr closer to the front.

Alexander reorganises 3 CP's and a CV in Liverpool.

That concludes the impulse.

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Post #: 333

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 12:03:59 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Axis 7

On a 5, increased to 7, the weather is Snow, Arctic and Nth Temp; Rain Med and Sth Monsoon; Fine elsewhere.

All 3 Axis go for Land actions.

The Japs launch a 2 bomber (8 factors) port attack, escorted by a Ftr and CVP, against Kwajalein. Their target the two CL's, which would temporarily strand the two US Mar Divs. The US just about picks up the incoming raid (surprise US 1, Japs 3) and scrambles its P-38 to intercept. It'll be fighting at a disadvantage (-2:+2) which could have been slightly improved through use of the 2 surprise points but I think these would be better employed reducing damage.

As the P-38's form up, the Jap P1Y2 sweeps through to target. The Jap fighters miss an early opportunity to deal with the Yankee's (both rolled a 9). The second Jap bomber sweeps through to target, while the P-38's are forced back to base (both rolled 13). AA fire caused 40% of the P1Y2's to drop short (2 point reduction). The US had just enough time to start getting the CL's underway (2 points of surprise used to reduce damage by one column).

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Post #: 334

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 1:01:05 PM

AllenK

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Air-raid sirens announce the Luftwaffe is back to the populace of Manchester. Warehouses storing materials for both factories are destroyed, causing 2 BP loss.

The Mussolini Arm rails to Toulouse.

The Japs move some units inland in China.

The Italians prepare to have another go at the partisan unit they botched last time.

The Germans continue their withdrawal in Russia.

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Post #: 335

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 1:20:34 PM

AllenK

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This time, at +21, nothing can go wrong and the Spanish partisan is destroyed.

The Italians rebase a Dardo to Barcelona.

The Germans rebase two aircraft back behind the lines in Russia.

Yamashita reorganises the P1Y2 from the port attack.

The turn continues on a 10.

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Post #: 336

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 2:24:05 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Allied 9

No DoW

CW Combined, others Land.

The CW puts 3 CP in Biscay and Illustrious re-joins the fleet at Gibraltar with her new air-wing.

Bomber Command sends 4 groups to bomb Lodz. The USAAF send 4 groups plus 2 P-38's to Cologne. The Luftwaffe counter with 2 Bf-109's, giving them +1:-1.

While the Luftwaffe form up, the first B-17 group gets through to target (Germans 13, US 8). The Bf-109's first pass sends a B-17 group back to the UK without loss (Germans 7, US 11). The escorts then tangle with the Bf-109's resulting in one group from each side RTB (both rolled 14). Odds improve for the US to evens. The fighter duel continues resulting in a P-38 group shot down and the remaining Bf-109 forced back to base (Germans 18, US 8). The US bomb-aimers think their bombs hit the ground but nobody could really pin-point where (1 rolled). Bomber Command could show where their bombs hit ... just nowhere near the target (2 rolled).

The RAF take a punt at an OOS German Arm up on the North Baltic coast with their Tempest. If it works, they would get a good odds attack to expand the bridgehead. Plumes of smoke from blazing Armoured vehicles signify a successful strike (1 rolled).

Gen Blamey rails to the end of the line West of Baghdad.

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Post #: 337

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 3:49:46 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Allied 9: Land movement

The Soviets close up to the retreating Germans.

The ChiComms continue NE, although they won't get much further until Mao is rebuilt.

In the Baltic the CW prepares to follow up on the ground-strike.

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Post #: 338

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 4:33:15 PM

AllenK

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The Soviets declare a lowish odds attack on a German Mech NW of Smolensk. They have a cheap Militia unit to absorb a loss. The CW declare their Baltic attack.

The Soviets find they haven't reckoned on the range of some of the German bombers as a Ju-88P unloads its bombs on their attacking columns (2 points defensive support). The Soviet Blitzkrieg forces the German Mech to retreat for 2 disorganised Inf units.

The CW attack is a formality against a disorganised and OOS Arm reduced to 1 point. Exit the XLI Arm.

The Soviets rebase 3 aircraft forwards and that ends the impulse but not the turn as it continues on a 6.

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Post #: 339

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 5:19:28 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Axis 11

On a 9 (10), the weather turns horrible everywhere with Blizzards, Snow, Rains and Storms across the globe.

No DoW

Italy Land, Germany Naval, Japan Combined.

The Japs have a go at finishing the job they started at Kwajalein with another two bomber port attack. Surprising the US (3 vs 6) the planes swoop out of the rain drenched clouds and claim multiple hits on the CL Brooklyn, sinking her for sure. It later turns out most of these were near misses (X saved to D).

The Deutschland and Koln attempt to run the blockade and break out into the Atlantic. They are intercepted and elect to fight it out in Biscay (3-box). The Kriegsmarine, less the old coast defence BB's, sorties into the Baltic along with 3 subs.

The Japs move 2 Trans to the China Sea and load Inf units for China.

Several sea areas are available for combat.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 6:28:32 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Axis 11: Naval Combat

The Japs decline in the Marianas and Solomons but take a shot in the Marshalls. Nobody finds each other.

In the Baltic events get off to a bad start for the Germans when US F4F-3's dive out of the clouds and damage their U-boat in the 4-box, sending it back to port (search rolls Allied 3, Axis 9, naval air combat, surprise points used to increase damage). The US pilots return happily to the CV Bearn and don't spot the remainder of the approaching German fleet (searches 1 vs 10). They are reminded of their error as German shells bracket and then plunge down upon the hapless CV, turning her into a blazing wreck. BB Texas explodes in a fireball when shells from the Scharnhorst penetrate to the main magazine. The Allied return fire sinks CL Nurmberg and damage the Blucher in return. With attention diverted to the surface action, the U-boats stalk to within firing range of the CP. The first the Allies know of their presence is when torpedoes strike the doomed freighters. The U-boats were deep and gone before the Allies could respond (searches Axis 3, Allied 8; sub combat; Allied damage reduced to 0). Mission well and truly accomplished, the CV and BB were a bonus to the CP, the Kriegsmarine call it a day and head back to port.

In Biscay, the Allies prove as blissfully unaware of the Germans' presence as in the Baltic (searches Allies 6, Axis 4). The Repulse take heavy damage and a CL is forced to retire but they fight off the Germans (both aborted).

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Post #: 341

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 7:04:42 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Axis 11: Air phases

No strategic, carpet bombing or ground strikes.

With the growing Allied force in Iraq, the Italians decide to concentrate their defence of the East Med in Egypt, to maintain the block on the Suez Canal. They rail an Inf back to Egypt, leaving just an HQ-Inf in Beirut. That too will be withdrawn in time.

The Italians move into position for an attempt to break through to Madrid. The Japs position themselves for an attack on a Nationalist Mech.

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Post #: 342

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 7:34:53 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Axis 11: Land Combat

On the outskirts of Madrid, Gen Crerar adds HQ support to the defence. Gen Cavallero does likewise for the attack. In China Gen Terauchi follows suit.

The Japs throw 4 Lnd, escorted by a Ftr into their attack. The Chinese P-40 scrambles to intercept and defensive artillery support is called for. The Italians commit every available bomber to their attack.

The P-40 could cause the Japs some difficulty (+2:-2). The fighters dog fight until, low on fuel and ammo, they both return to base (Axis 5, Allied 7, both AA). The Jap bombers clear through to target, as do the Italian ones.

With the various bits of support taken account of, the final odds look like this.

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Post #: 343

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 8:03:05 PM

AllenK

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The Italian assault (chosen by CW) in the mountains of Spain proceeds to rapidly take its initial objectives (fractional made) before rolling on to smash the VIII Inf (14 at +9). Fresh supplies are sent forward to the grateful XLVIII Arm and Stukas.

In China, the superiority in Armour allows the Japanese a Blitzkrieg, which destroys the Chinese 3rd Mech.

In the air rebase phase, the Japs restock the CV Akagi with 2 x 2-factor CVP's. The Germans move two bombers off the front line. The Italians send a Nav to Melilla to keep the pressure on Gibraltar.

Kesselring reorganises two OOS Mechs that would be vulnerable if the turn continues. However, on a 4 it ends.

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Post #: 344

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 9:32:32 PM

AllenK

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N/D 1944 Axis 11: End of turn

A partisan appears in Finland and takes up occupancy in Tampere. Another partisan appears in Zagreb (as CW I must try and do something with all these).

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Post #: 345

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/18/2015 9:41:13 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945

Initiative Axis 1, Allies 6. The Allies, needing to get the usual convoy escorts and supply back to the Baltic elect to go first.

On an 8, modded to 10, the weather remains pretty lousy everywhere but Nth Monsoon which turns out nice again.

No DoW.

CW and US, Naval. Others, Land.

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Post #: 346

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/20/2015 8:40:32 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Allied 1

No port attacks.

The US sends a Nav to patrol the Marshalls (4-box).

The CW attends to the usual convoy duties in Biscay, St Vincent and Nth Atlantic. Force H (7 CV, 2 BB, 2 CA) sails into the West Med. An NZ and RSA unit are brought towards Burma. Subs deploy to the Italian coast.

Short of CP's, the CW call on the US to deploy a slow Amph to run supplies in the Baltic. It's taken a while to get together but 8 Trans assemble off the East Coast and load a variety of units for Europe. CA's, protected by storms go CP hunting in the Solomons. Subs are sent to the Marianas and Bismarck Sea to go for the CP's there. Their goal being isolating the Jap Navs and main naval base at Truk.

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Post #: 347

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/21/2015 5:10:29 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Allied 1: Naval Combat

After all the various shipping moves are complete, 6 areas are available for combat.

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Post #: 348

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/21/2015 6:18:43 PM

AllenK

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The US Subs initiate combat and go CP hunting in the Bismarck Sea. The Japs send a Nav to the 0-box for some protection. The searches are unsuccessful.

They try the same in the Marianas, forcing the Japs to commit another Nav to the 0-box. A typing error on the last position report for the CP sends the Nav to the wrong place. Before the mistake can be rectified, torpedoes explode on the sides of the freighters sending them to the bottom. The escorts charge down the torpedo tracks, launching a pattern of depth charges, which causes enough minor damage to send the sub back to port (searches US 5, Japs 9. Surprise used to choose sub combat and reduce US damage). Both sides elect to continue but, with no targets left, the US declines to commit its remaining sub and the combat ends.

A similar attempt is made in the Solomons. Storms prevent any air involvement. The searches are unsuccessful.

The US declines the Marshalls.

The CW initiates combat in the West Med. The Italians commit 4 Navs to the 2-box, joining the 2 already there. 2 Ftr's, including the Dardo, fly to the 0-box to defend the CP. Both sides find each other (CW 3, Italy 2). This is unfortunate for the Italians who now have a lot of Navs but no escort. They organise themselves as best they can for defence and hope to be able to flee at the first opportunity.

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Post #: 349

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/21/2015 7:14:17 PM

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As the CW Seafires prepare to attack, they are spotted by the leading Navs who scatter and dive away heading for home. The Seafires are ordered not to pursue as radar has picked up more incoming (Italy 10, CW 9 at +5:-5). Hearing how many fighters oppose them, the remaining Navs decide not to press matters for the time being. The Italians briefly consider continuing to contest the sea zone but reckon they stand to lose too much. They declare their innings and retire to the pavilion.

CW subs go CP hunting in the Italian Coast. The Italians fly a Nav they have kept spare for this purpose to the 0-box. It arrives too late. The CW subs strike, sinking the CP without loss (searches CW 1, Italy 6; surprise used to select sub combat and reduce damage). The subs stay around but decline to commit any further, which ends proceedings.

Facing 3 CL's and a patrolling Nav, the Jap sub in the Marshalls realises the task ahead could prove tricky. As the Captain ponders his best move, his lookouts get lax and fail to spot the patrolling aircraft until it is well into its attack run. A frantic crash dive becomes a one-way trip to Davy Jones as the air-launched depth charges strike home (searches US 2, Jap 8, surprise used to increase damage).

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/21/2015 7:54:26 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Allied 1: Air phases

No strategic, carpet bombing or ground-strikes due to poor weather.

No rail movement.

Mao and the ChiComms start concentrating their forces around Peking.

The Russians bring their recent reinforcements to the front.

The Russians launch two attacks, one in the South and one in the North. The southern one isn't at particularly good odds but they have a low quality Inf as a sacrificial lamb.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/21/2015 8:14:34 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Allied 1: Land combat

Starting with the riskier southern attack, the Soviets force the LVI Mech to retreat at a cost of half the attacking force disorganised (11 at +7 Blitzkrieg).

The assault on Novgorod succeeds with only one Inf disorganised (11 rolled).

Two US Ftr's begin the Greenland-Iceland-UK shuttle. The Can Mossie arrives in London and a Lanc flies to Denmark.

Three units disorganised in the southern attack in Russia are reorganised by Gen Vatutin.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/24/2015 4:34:39 PM

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J/F 1945 Axis 4

No DoW.

Japan, Naval. Others, Land.

The Japanese attend to CP escorts, put 2 subs into the Marshalls, shift 2 units to Manchuria and put two more on Trans into the China Sea. Their main move is sending the CA force into the Solomons in pursuit of the US CA's.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/24/2015 5:06:23 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Axis 4: Naval combat

Japan declines Bismarck Sea and the Marianas.

Combat is initiated in the Solomons. The US commits its subs for a potential go at the CP if searches go in favour. Nobody can find each other.

In the Marshalls, the Japs commit a Ftr to the 3-box to go against the US Nav. Searches are unsuccessful.

The US tries in Bismarck Sea but, again, searches unsuccessful.

Finally, the Marianas. The US sub locates the Japs (2 vs 8) and gets off its torpedoes before the patrolling aircraft can intervene. A newly arrived CP is sunk but the sub is damaged (sub combat chosen with surprise points and damage reduced as much as possible). With no CP targets left, the US skipper sees no value in pushing his luck against CL's and retires from the field.

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Post #: 354

RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/24/2015 5:37:37 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Axis 4: Air phases.

None due to the weather.

The Italians rail a Mot to Spain and the Germans 2 HQ-Arm and an Arm to Russia.

The Germans complete their withdrawal to their planned defensive line along the Dnieper.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/24/2015 5:57:48 PM

AllenK

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The Italians find most of what they wanted to move is OOS, so don't bother.

The Germans rebase air units behind the front. The Japs shuffle a couple of CVP's around to optimise loads.

With no re-orgs, the impulse ends.

< Message edited by AllenK -- 1/24/2015 7:06:20 PM >

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/24/2015 7:56:02 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Allied 7

On a 6, modded to 8, the weather is blizzards in the Arctic, Snow in Nth Temp, Storms in Med and Sth Monsoon, Fine elsewhere.

No DoW

CW, USSR and China, Land. US, Air with O-chit.

The US declines naval combat in the Marshalls.

Noticing the absence of fighter cover, the US 8th Air Force sends two large bomber armadas to strategic bomb Paris and Lille. AA fire aborts one of the Lille B-17's but the rest carry on and plant their bombs into the factory district, destroying 1 plus a further BP loss (9 rolled at 25 factors). Over Paris, a similar result is achieved (10 with 12 factors).

No carpet bombing.

The Nationalists ground strike a 2 unit stack with their 105mm and A-20 but are nowhere near their targets (rolls of 7,7,8 & 9).

The ChiComms decide they would be too weak and vulnerable to being cut off if they try a substantial advance into Manchuria. They settle for keeping up the pressure in the home country.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/24/2015 8:37:30 PM

AllenK

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The Russians close up to the German line. They are able to pull out four low value (4 point) Inf Corps ready for breaking down into loss-taking divisions.

The Nationalist 2nd Cav moves threaten Jap supply again.

CW forces begin their moves on Burma and Syria and to deal with the Finn partisan. At +21, it is soon finished off.

Air transport and Hodges reorganise the entire 8th Air Force.

The turn continues on a 3

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/25/2015 4:06:51 PM

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J/F 1945 Axis 10

No DoW

All opt for combined.

Two loaded Jap Trans put into Tsingtao. CV Akagi and 2 CVL join the main fleet at Truk. The Italians put 2 CL and 2 CP into the Italian Coast. After some thought, the Germans decide not to use their naval move, preferring to keep the ships at Brest and Stettin as a threat.

Four sea zones have possible combats.

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RE: Decline and Fall The Long Way Round - 1/25/2015 4:20:32 PM

AllenK

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J/F 1945 Axis 10: Naval combat.

The Axis decline the Italian Coast and Bismarck Sea.

Jap CA's go hunting in the Solomons. The US Sub stays deep. Emerging out of a squall, they surprise the US CA's reducing 1 to a blazing wreck and send 2 others back to port, 1 seriously damaged (searches 3 vs 8. Points used to increase damage).