RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/2/2017 10:28:38 PM

Lowpe

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This sub was savaged way south of Noumea. Her flotation at one point was 97%!

I have managed to get her back to Rabaul, and now a little north of Kavieng where she will meet up with an AS for emergency systems repair. I have high hopes she will be able to make it all the way back and rejoin the war effort.

For her, I immediately dispatched another sub to join her, and cruise speed back stopping at the closest dot base I owned. Flew some Naval Squads in and prayed.

Often times she was only a few days ahead of invading Allied troops...Shortland and Buin were close run things.

So far so good!

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Post #: 2581

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 3:24:57 AM

Lokasenna

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Sorry Lok, misread you

Here is a picture illustrating the point you bring up, and of course you are quite correct.

I'm not sure what Alfred means by IRP, I imagine it's a label he's applied to a concept. And the AR's, if a repair points number has been specified for how much they add, then it's added in the part you highlighted here. Which is not Alfred's IRP.

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Post #: 2582

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:17:09 AM

Lowpe

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Lok,

I was looking at more examples last night in the hotel room, and I can't get Alfred's math to work right, so I am definitely doing something wrong.

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Post #: 2583

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:19:50 AM

Lowpe

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June 26, 1943

Two big cruiser task forces in the Bay of Bengal...plus lots of ships ready to run down the coast to Ramree.

I dispatched two more tank regiments to Sumatra, the 21st Div started loading on fast AP for Singers.

Merauke invaded...perhaps have a chance to sting him, my bad, as I saw this coming and since I forgot to start the necessary ships in the right direction last turn, so I am not it a position to put a lot against him for another turn.

Off to Gettysburg all day...

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Post #: 2584

RE: And now for something completely different - 3/3/2017 11:26:25 AM

adarbrauner

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From: Zichron Yaaqov, Israel; Before, Treviso, Italy
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

This is a screenshot of my other current MP game, EU4. I am playing Very Hard, against my eldest son (the Army Officer). He is a much better player than me, but I started as the Ottomans who are the strongest nation in the game.

Currently I am in first place in most categories and my troops are starship troopers. My War Galleys reign supreme in the Med; and my War Galleons aren't too shabby in the Spice Islands either.

Russia and Ottomans were involved in a huge war, with Spain and France as leaders of the coalitions (I was allied to France at the time). It saw huge battles between Russia and Ottomans, Ottomans and Austria, Great Britain and Spain. After about 10 years of extremely costly fighting France and Spain settled for 7 ducats and a minor province somewhere plus annulling France and the Ottomans from any alliance.

So I picked up Denmark/Norway/Sweeden and am simply waiting for an opportunity to war with Russia when Spain won't join the cause.

A fun game, we have played it since EU2.

The day I saw, for first time, in a youtube gameplay video, EU IV, and realized that Hearts of Iron IV is no more and no less than a transposition of EUIV in world war II, based and scavanging on the mythical and up until now unsurpassed HOI3, I stopped playing that game. And sincerely cannot start it again. I know that scores of "hard core" afisonados share the very same thoughts, but as long as Paradox keeps cashing good on their current version, no close hope for a change of direction in the game's design. A pity.

I also tried to lobby a little in Paradox forum in favor of a simultaneous turn based game, WITP likewise, to no success .

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Post #: 2585

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:20:21 PM

Lowpe

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Cranked out a turn first thing this morning before leaving the hotel room. All day, while standing at Devil's Den looking up at Little Round Top thinking..."Did I leave my precious battleships hanging out to dry?" How about that convoy over by Christmas Island...I meant to move it.

And then there is the pervading sense of doom I have about a major invasion of Sumatra or Java. Some of my Carriers were spotted at Truk...I did move them out; but now I have come to the conclusion to send everything to DEI pronto.

I get the feeling the Allies have pulled back a little in Burma...and it worries me. Little things, like his troops having movement arrows but never actually moving.

Paranoid I am. But I am right to be paranoid.

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Post #: 2586

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:39:47 PM

Lowpe

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June 26, 1943

I let the Allies get Merauke very easily. But nothing super bad happened other than that. I think the Allies are starting to cotton on to just how weak Japan is currently.

Over in Burma the Tojo IIc and Frank A sweep Silchar together to find no CAP. Argh, blew my surprise with the Frank, to the degree there was any.

An American sub catches an un-escorted cargo ship and sinks her. Empty and no fuel so no real loss.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:48:22 PM

Lowpe

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Allies feel so confident here...

What I am going to do is narrowly focus naval search up north, where there is no fighters. Sweep, LRCAP, Escort and attack those task forces hopefully. I am going to hope I can...not sure that I will be able to actually pull it off.

This time no Iboats in the area gathering intelligence to confuse my strike planes.

If it doesn't work, I will lose a lot of planes, or if he relocates his fighter coverage.

But, it is war!

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:52:27 PM

Lowpe

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I have pushed the panic button here...very vulnerable.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:54:08 PM

Lowpe

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See the above comments.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/3/2017 11:57:48 PM

Lowpe

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Hopefully the Allies will take six months pushing up in a low risk manor thru New Guinea, take Pearl and Alaska back.

I am so woefully short troops and so overextended.

The poor Emperor see's a sword hanging by a thread over his head every night! Not good!

On the good side, the economy is strong now (barring an invasion); the air force is strong; plane research strong; the navy a mess with upgrades. China pretty much taken.

But the Emperor wants his legions back from Hollywood!

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Post #: 2591

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 12:23:50 AM

Lowpe

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Plane builds:

looks like I will get the Oscar IV Aug 1, 1943. That will free up six size 30 factories.

I am planning of creating:

1. Frances NF
2. Dinah NF
3. Peggy NF

These are more to get ready to make them than of course to accelerate them. That leaves three to fiddle with. I definitely don't need the Oscar production.

The Judy or Zero NF? Doesn't feel right to me.

I could put one on the Randy FB. The others I could put on the Frank B, which could be a fairly important plane if memory serves there are a lot of squadrons that upgrade to it.

I hate all these twin engine planes, but what are you going to do. PDU off really puts Japan behind in NF and I feel given the Allied past life that NF will become very important.

Or of course I could just save the supply!

< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/4/2017 12:24:20 AM >

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Post #: 2592

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 1:48:12 AM

Lowpe

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I have never really pulled this off, but it doesn't stop me from trying. I go whole hog...last time a goofy Iboat reported back sigint, and the local commanders launched into a protected port. This time...will we prove the theory?

A very narrow selected search.

2 Lilly IIb sentai
1.3 Betty sentai
1 Jill sentai
3 Nick Sentai on low level attack (just expecting they can deplete the AA on the ships)

8 Fighter Squadrons providing sweeps (Tojo and Frank), LRCAP (Oscars), Escort (Zekes and Oscars).
4 Dinah Sentai providing recon and naval search

Your mission: avoid the 130 fighters and strike at the soft underbelly of the Allied dog's naval shipping. If you should carry the day the goal: tankers, cargo ships, military troop transports. In short, Glory!

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Post #: 2593

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 12:03:58 PM

Lowpe

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June 28, 1943

Here, I can see and forecast the Allied response for the rest of the game. The sweep by Franks yesterday of Silchar is responded with a huge fighter presence. The Allies have two concurrent tactics in play...and one is overwhelming force. The other is the low risk invasions in the New Guinea area.

Very solid tactics, and my job will be to get him to spread out...and pick him off at the edges. Japan cannot afford to simply go hammer and tongs at Allied strong points and still be able to keep a credible force in being that causes the Allies to slow down, prep, and move ahead slowly.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 12:20:36 PM

Lowpe

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I usually spend a lot of time looking at Allied detection levels. I wish there was an overlay map, like for the weather, which reported on it rather than a mouseover.

I really wonder at what goes thru the Allied mind when they see Japanese shipping in such numbers. Two days ago, he spotted CVs, BB, CAs, DD which are all now gone. Does he say:

1. The Japanese are reinforcing, I need to hurry my dot base invasions up.
2. The Japanese are reinforcing, I need to be more cautious and slow down.
3. The Japanese are giving me a great opportunity, lets move in subs and is there anyway I can hit that port with bombers, destroyers, or the kitchen sink?

And, in addition to this great opportunity, I am going to attack in Canada where Japan isn't, or the DEI where he isn't and even if I don't achieve all my goals I get him to burn up all that fuel chasing me like a ping pong ball across his enormously bloated Empire.

Or does he think all of them.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 12:28:09 PM

Lowpe

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Mark 6 mines don't scare me too much...we sweep a few and hit one. I don't know what it is, but Allied dropped mines like this are incredibly effective against Japan. Allied forces seem really adept at missing mine.

My last game, my losses to mines was astronomical.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 12:34:30 PM

Lowpe

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Buin is a pretty neat place to fight. I can run supplies by fast transport in -- at Torokina. The supply swiftly moves the one hex to Buin and keep the soldiers in rice and bullets.

I don't risk my fast transport to accidentally blundering into an Allied bombardment force. I guess at some point they will cotton on to it, and drop mines, or run a destroyer squadron in at night.

But for now it is working!

Just in time supply.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 12:39:48 PM

Lowpe

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Moving towards Darwin by sea...

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 12:43:00 PM

MakeeLearn

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I've only played the Allies so far, and your above posts are interesting and informative perspectives.

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Post #: 2599

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 2:58:12 PM

Lowpe

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June 29, 1943

The A/B and C thirds of the 3rd Australian are landing now at Buin. I am sure originally only one of the splinters was tasked with taking Buin, while the others were targeted at different bases.

But the arrival of the 17th IndepMxdBde ruined those plans. I guess the Allies really want Buin.

I am debating about sending in a strong SAG here, but if the past holds true the Allies won't be there tomorrow morning...so I would just tip my hand, expose my ships to subs, and spend fuel.

CR calls this kind of warfare friction.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 7:09:38 PM

Lowpe

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Future is looking good for the stricken Iboat.

Nervous eyed lookouts are keeping a keen eye for Allied scouting planes, but so far so good.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 7:20:12 PM

Lowpe

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I believe the Noshiro goes straight in for radar upgrades, but the Shinano will join the Kagi, Akagi, Hiyo (all now with Radar) and steam to meet the carriers already out.

This is a dangerous time for the KB; Radar is such an important upgrade. Not just for the CV but all ships. Plus Allied fighters hold the balance of power...so I will be trying my best to avoid any kind of CV clash for the rest of the game except on very friendly terms.

I get a handful of these Agano class CL, and I really like them. They can take on Fletchers, and are also suited for single ship operations since they have some ASW ability. Can't think of any single ship missions for them, but perhaps I will.

The workload on the shipyards will lighten a little with all these points coming off.

EDIT: Somewhere I lost a line of text. Noshiro comes in 1 day, Shinano and Yu-3 (sst) comes in 2 days as per graphic.

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/5/2017 12:36:47 AM >

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 7:31:39 PM

Lowpe

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The 25th Sentai got upgraded to Frank A -- from Oscar Ic!

All crack pilots, they are entrained to Uttardit for some training and repair on the new planes before being tasked with the defense of industry in Burma and perhaps the occasional sweep.

The plane is not a game changer, no plane is in pdu off, but I am expecting it to impact the Allies psyche and perhaps their mere presence will change Allied operations.

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/4/2017 7:32:50 PM >

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Post #: 2603

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 7:55:24 PM

Lowpe

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End of June Economy:

7 million fuel
3 million oil
5.5 million supply
192K arm
47K vehicles
HI 800K

Basic fort building in a lot of areas is done. I am now going to turn off all expansion of runways, ports (probably 0 already unless something escaped me, all fort building. Then I will selectively go thru each area of the map over the space of a about a week and turn it back on where I deem it needed.

A stronger effort will be made to drain the ship bunkers of fuel.

In addition I will examine all my CS covnoys and really take pains to optimize them. I am unsure at the moment how Olorin's expansion of LI at game start will impact resource needs here at the end game.

Logistics.

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Post #: 2604

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/4/2017 9:34:13 PM

obvert

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

End of June Economy:

7 million fuel
3 million oil
5.5 million supply
192K arm
47K vehicles
HI 800K

Basic fort building in a lot of areas is done. I am now going to turn off all expansion of runways, ports (probably 0 already unless something escaped me, all fort building. Then I will selectively go thru each area of the map over the space of a about a week and turn it back on where I deem it needed.

A stronger effort will be made to drain the ship bunkers of fuel.

In addition I will examine all my CS covnoys and really take pains to optimize them. I am unsure at the moment how Olorin's expansion of LI at game start will impact resource needs here at the end game.

Logistics.

Very good numbers!

That supply and those ARM/VEH points will have some big jobs coming up soon, but the Oil/fuel numbers are surprisingly good for so much extended work on the West Coast.

If you can hold back the major Allied thrusts into mid-44, you're very well set up for the endgame.

Hope you're saving PPs like a madman to buy out troops. Make sure to turn off replacements when the understrength divisions arrive.

Hey, did you get fragments flown out of the West Coast troops at all? If he doesn't kill them off what are you going to do?

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/5/2017 12:21:09 AM

Lowpe

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quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

End of June Economy:

7 million fuel
3 million oil
5.5 million supply
192K arm
47K vehicles
HI 800K

Basic fort building in a lot of areas is done. I am now going to turn off all expansion of runways, ports (probably 0 already unless something escaped me, all fort building. Then I will selectively go thru each area of the map over the space of a about a week and turn it back on where I deem it needed.

A stronger effort will be made to drain the ship bunkers of fuel.

In addition I will examine all my CS covnoys and really take pains to optimize them. I am unsure at the moment how Olorin's expansion of LI at game start will impact resource needs here at the end game.

Logistics.

Very good numbers!

That supply and those ARM/VEH points will have some big jobs coming up soon, but the Oil/fuel numbers are surprisingly good for so much extended work on the West Coast.

If you can hold back the major Allied thrusts into mid-44, you're very well set up for the endgame.

Hope you're saving PPs like a madman to buy out troops. Make sure to turn off replacements when the understrength divisions arrive.

Hey, did you get fragments flown out of the West Coast troops at all? If he doesn't kill them off what are you going to do?

Most units on the West Coast will be fully destroyed. I think i got out portions of 2 divisions before the end.

I was going to Banzai the troops into the Allied lines, if the Allies wouldn't attack. But I must say, Jocke is a good enemy in that I don't think he is into playing meta games like that and he has systematically, and responsibly, worked to destroy my troops -- saving me the need for the banzai attack. Feels a little realistic. Probably only one attack or two attacks left.

I can see Patton getting a Hollywood star for his efforts!

The Manchuko Garrison is drained to about 108% of requirements, and I fear drawing anymore AV out of it. China has plenty of good experience, good divisions to pull from once the PP free up. I am using my PP now for very select leadership changes, and buying back the units from the west coast.

Replacements are of course turned off globally in Manchuko, and now also in China.

I have worked hard to get those numbers, being careful both before and after the West Coast excursion. Alfred, wisely, warned me that probably all the troops were toast (I had a very good exit plan, that went to heck when I couldn't take San Diego)...and before making the attack I calculated the supply cost for replacing them, and wondered if I could risk it. My estimates showed that Japan can really take one drubbing like that and in a scen 2 game still be ok...if you could prevent the Allies from capitalizing on the disaster. That the Allies didn't storm into the DEI burning industry has really saved me.

In fact, Magwe, Rangoon, Medan -- all still in pristine shape, which to me is unbelievable. Each day those guys crank out I add more endgame fighters to my calculus.

I, again, have stolen from your playbook and withdraw air units the first moment I can.

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Post #: 2606

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/5/2017 12:55:25 AM

Lowpe

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Finished the turn.

I turned off all port/runway/fort building. I want to see the impact on supplies tomorrow (accounting for r&d repairs). I will then look to turn them back on very selectively by region over the next game month. I do this every now and then, because I always find things on that shouldn't be. I also always check the op report each day to see what completed and turn them off as needed.

In thinking that everyday you need to hit the Allies, I am bombing some moving Allied troops in Burma with 5 medium bomber sentai. LRCAP, Sweep to occur of course. I am hoping my really great veterans of the China War can do a repeat performance and hit his moving troops hard. I don't think there is any point in bombing the stationary troops as the terrain is just too nasty (except for the 2 surrounded divisions).

There is a lot of Allied movement pips in Burma...so he is pushing forward again. And I am digging in offbase x3 like mad.

Over in New Britain area, I decided to send in 4 destroyers to Buin and see whats what. With a little luck they will tangle with a post bombardment task force or if the Allies get sloppy his xaps unloading heavy equipment for the Aussies slugging it out on Buin proper. The destroyers will have some LRCAP, and hopefully won't hit mines (since Buin is mine, the Allies would be in danger of hitting their own minefields I think).

If I had troops here, I could really counter invade and destroy some nice Allied troops. I think this is the proper Japanese counter to the tactics the Allies are pursuing right now. However, I don't, so I will be satisfied with simply slowing him down and avoiding friction losses on my side.

The A6M5c are flowing, as is the Frank A. Soon Oscar IV will join the fray, and that will mark an extreme improvement in my Air Force as the Oscar IV is a very good plane for this time period. The next fighters to look for won't be until August to October time frame when the Ki61c and Ki61d arrive along with a very few J2M3 and George. That is a long time to wait...but in this mod they are all practically 400 mph fighters.

< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/5/2017 12:56:58 AM >

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Post #: 2607

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/5/2017 2:31:31 PM

Lowpe

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Allies leave Buin before the destroyers showed. Bombers did hit Buin...

Big CAP over Chittagong today, and when you add in Silchar and Calcutta it is well over 700 fighters present. There is a APA convoy heading in to Chitt...so that can't bode well.

Noshiro showed up and is sent back into the yard to get radar. Shinano tomorrow.

I got the four INA units and will use them for rear area paratroop defense. Their morale is the pits, so they will rest and enjoy Singers for a while before doing anything.

My bombing of the troops in Burma does only light damage. I think my recon flight got scrubbed so dl wasn't where is should have been.

The 2nd Sentai of Franks is in Uttaradit repairing. That will take a week, but then I will able to try and sweep some of these strongholds with 80 Franks and 40 Tojo IIcs. I bet they can get 1-1 perhaps better. We will find out.

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Post #: 2608

RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/5/2017 7:07:37 PM

Lowpe

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July 1, 1943

New planes. Can't remember which because they are so memorable, but I know I get a few today. The Judy 2 is one I do recall. Switching to that production line asap.

Let us ring in the New Month, with a CAP trap that features one small Sentai of A6M5c. The A6M5 are really showing their age...but we get a good jump on the Allied bombers. Damage would have been worse, but we were flying at 20K so as not to get savaged by the Allied sweeps. Pointless precaution today, since the sweepers came last.

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RE: Fun and Games in the Solomons - 3/5/2017 7:08:31 PM

Lowpe

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Did well here. Despite our CAP altitude of 20K and the bombers coming in low.

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< Message edited by Lowpe -- 3/5/2017 7:14:11 PM >

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