Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
|
4/6/44 John didn't post much, correctly reflecting that the day was (mostly) quiet - and that's very, very good at this point. Fun House: But, oh my, did the Allies flex their logistical muscles. 100,000 men landed at Legaspi, joining 18,000 that landed on D-Day. 2,000 AV is ashore. Must of this will rumble up the road to Naga, shoving aside whatever John has there. Then they'll probably make for Atimonan, unless by then John has reinforced significantly. Five American divisions and one Australian brigade are ashore on Luzon. Just as important, a lot of support troops and supply came ashore. In particular, naval support, aviation support, engineers and flak will mean a lot as the days go on. I'll probably concentrate on airfield building for awhile. But Naga has a level 3 airfield, so that will help a lot. My experience is that good airfields with fighters between my ships and enemy airfields is like clutter on a radar screen. It makes it hard for enemy LBA to target effectively. So getting Naga up and running, and Legaspi growing, is vital. While the situation at Legaspi is encouraging, I'm far, far, far from being secure. If I lose a carrier battle, supply would immediately become an issue. Low supply and susceptibility to enemy bombardment TFs would make quick work of my army. So temporarily and until further notice, it's more important for me to maintain status quo than to take risks by striking even vulnerable looking enemy shipping. Allied landing at Catanduanes unopposed. This is a good base with big airfield potential. It proximity to Legaspi will further confuse John's LBA, once I get the field operational (it starts at "0"). Death Star Helldiver sortied in modest numbers vs. rag-tag shipping at Manila, sinking three or four xAKL. The escort handled modest CAP consisting of 20 Georges. But I don't want this kind of little fry to siphon off sorties and good aircraft. I think I'm going to move Death Star and the Herd away from Legaspi temporarily, a bit to the SW and further from Manila. That'll put me closer to the Mindanao fields, but not close enough to make me ill at ease. Enemy combat ships (CL/DD TF and a CA/DD TF) came through the straits and hit shipping near Samar, sinking five LCI (I tried to get them disbanded - they only had two hexes to go, darn it) and an SC. Allied subs sank an AK west of Borneo and damaged an AO north of Luzon (a bunch of AOs in that TF; ordinarily I'd say, "Ah ha!" but KB shouldn't need oilers really this close to the Home Islands. But I'll watch to see what happens. CenPac: A strong enemy combat TF sighted at Ponape. I think, but I'm not sure, that John was anticipating a move here, too. His patrols sighted the amphibious TF that left Taobali a few days back, but I think it's too close to Hawaii for him to chase. DEI: John is reconning Sansapor and showing increased interest in Sorong. SigInt reports an enemy brigade prepping for that base. I have 350 AV 100% prepped behind five forts in jungle terrain with a tremendous amount of supply and a big air force. So, let him try. If he can afford to send two divisions into the DEI, or if he thinks a division and his BBs (to bombard) can better serve here than in the Philippines...well, okay. John has shows a penchant for chasing ephemera while I'm stabbing his guts. During Big Tent, he kept KB down in the Solomon Sea for months. I don't think he'll make that mistake again - I think he'll react strongly in the Philippines - but I'll watch. If he makes big moves in the DEI and keeps combat ships in the Marshalls, that'll limit him somewhat. Burma: The front lines are static, but this is no sitskrieg. Lots of bombing and troop maneuvering going on.
Attachment (1)
< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 1/19/2017 2:27:01 AM >
|