GreyJoy
Posts: 6750
Joined: 3/18/2011 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Cribtop GJ, Unless I missed something, you just announced a major new axis of advance into Bali and Java. Have you abandoned the idea of reaching the PI via NG or is this a part of your original plan? I ask because 3 Marine Divisions is a lot to prep for a new advance. I know you have discussed a 2 pronged advance, but I assumed you were proceeding a la the historical Operation Cartwheel, i.e., via the Solomons and PM, then along the northern coast of NG. Yes Cribtop, The Marines aren't prepping yet however. I'm still thinkering my plan. My consideration is the following: The NG (northern Coast from PM-Buna) has been slowed down due to Rader massive reinforcement of the whole area. Ships came and went for the past 2 weeks, bringing so many troops that it's hard to count them all...he doesn't move regiments...he moves armies! The Solomons are clearly more promising and i'm dedicating 6 divisions to this task (while using sep regiments to cover-guard the conquered bases), along with a HUGE portion of my naval assets... However...all the advices given me were sound, and found in me good ears to listen... I need another vector...With NG and the Solomons Rader can defend both using the same allocated assets...interior lines you know... At first i considered the PM-Torrent straits-Mereuake-Western NG. But Janez was right...i'll be exposing my left flank too much...he has so many well built and decently garrisoned bases north of Darwin that i'll simply do his game (obviously if i dedicated everything here probably i'd be able to break his lines...but i cannot just focus on a single vector). Then i analyzed the Obvert's suggestion about Sebang... It is sound...another vector...very distant from SOPAC/SWPAC and able to make Rader sweat... But...i don't feel confortable to the idea of being so far away from my bases...i would be in the middle of thousands of miles of japanese waters...with not a safe port to go...remain trapped there with my whole fleet would be a disaster... But the original idea was sounding fine to my ears... I so tried to find a place that was suitable to obtain the same result but with a more confortable feeling... While southern DEI has been strongly built up and garrisoned (obviously after have learnt all its pros and cons in his game with Jzanez) by Rader, The whole Java seems to have been abbandoned...he has the 61st Division and the 61 Regiment at Coconut Island, and a couple of tank units are reported at Sosarbaja...but nothing more...Bali is untouched since the beginning of the war and also the base in the most southern cape of Java is unbuilt and seems to be undefended...Intel never tells me anything about Java... meaning something me thinks... Also this target is pretty close (well, not so much but still...) to my new bases in N-W OZ...Exmouth, port Hedland, Derby...all these bases are really well built... i have 3 divisions arriving from CT, along with 600,000 supplies... the brits are giving their contribution by lending lots of base forces and support LCUs, along with spitfires and Wellingtons... So the idea is to keep the pressure up in the Solomons and NG...advance in the Solomons and do what i can in NG...at least binding down a good portion of his fighting forces dedicated to SOPAC theatre...and then, in April/May, land with a decent force (but above all with lots of eng, support units etc etc) in southern java...Rader will be forced to react...to move his LCUs from India... and so a new front (India) will finally be open... at the same time Rader will have to divert a good portion of his assets from Sopac to SRA...and this will give more boost to my beloved SOPAC theatre... Ok, now...something new... Rader is acting... a strong BB TF is reported to be moving southeast on the eastern coast of Bouganville....clearly covered by a HUGE LRCAP...what is he up to? My bet? bombing Rekata.... Munda isn't yet a threat to him...and he knows it...the AF and the port are still very damaged and i have yet to bring my support units there (engineers, base forces, CD units etc etc)...while Rekata is a thumb up in his ass at the moment...during the last Munda operation 300 fighters based there run havoc among his bombers...and it's the clear starting point for the next allied advances... so i think that TF will try to bomb Rekata... But he knows i have my cruisers there... Following Nemo's suggestions i have created a very good TF composed of the Boise, 3 cleveland Class CLs and 7 Fletchers DDs, commanded by Dallas...a very good leader in Naval tactic and aggressiveness. So i don't know...why would he want to risk now? However i'll eat the bait. My BB TF composed of 2 Modern BBs, 3 CAs and 8 Fletchers (led by Lee Ching) will move from Tulagi to Rekata to support Dallas, while the Richmond CL, along with 5 DDs will move to Munda, covered by another TF composed of 5 Fletchers...just in case... PTs and subs are flooding every possible access to Munda and Rekata... And, if he doesn't run away after the first night, i have moved to Lunga, Tassa and Auki 100 SDBs highly trained, along with 50 torpedo Bombers. 150 hellcats will provide escorts, while the rest of my 450 fighters should give a good CAP against any attempt of breaking my air lines... The CVs are moving south east of Auki...if he remains in range we'll attack... I know i'm risking a CAP trap... but sooner or later i'll have to use my dive and torpedo bombers...and his BBs have become so rare to be spotted that it's a chance that i cannot really avoid. Wish me luck!
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