Quote:
Originally Posted by Ostfriese
So, either there are ongoing computer problems, or both Molon Lobe and his opponent are planning major operations and have imposed strict radio silence  |
The first. Sorry, guys. But yeah, I was successful making the transition to Windows 10, but my opponent hasn't. I was hopeful the solutions that worked for me would work for him since the problems seemed so similar, but it hasn't helped. As it stands he considers WITP unplayable and he's working on reverting an old system to Win7 to continue the campaign.
That said, there has been some progress, so let's get caught up:
23-25 December 1942
Babar Island Campaign: The KB parked between Timor and Babar and drew airstrikes from Darwin on 23 and 24 December. We lost 3 F4Fs and 27 SBDs on the 23rd and 2 F4Fs and 16 SBDs on the 24th with not even a Zero shot down to show for it. We got some payback on Christmas as unescorted Vals attacked cargo ships delivering supplies--we got 19 of them and the ships were not attacked. The situation remains fluid with neither side's army apparently strong enough to attack, just defend, and I'm sure we're both having supply issues. My supply problems extend to Darwin as well, though, the overland routes unable to provide enough support for the current OpTempo and cargo runs having been disrupted by the naval battles in the area.
We lost the S-37 and KXV to the KB's Kates, and several more subs are limping to Darwin or Brisbane for repairs.
Burma and Thailand: All evacuating units have reached our fort at Uttaradit, and the whole group has been ordered north through the mountains towards Burma/China. SIGINT reports a tank regiment rebasing from Singapore to Bangkok that's likely intended to chase us, not along with the 40,000 or so troops already on the other side of the frontline at Uttaradit. Left behind are about a dozen unflyable aircraft at Pisanouke.
The Beaufort torpedo bombers did manage to sink a loaded transport off Cox's Bazaar, and one of the level bombers even managed to get a hit which appeared to cost them a transport as well. The torpedoed transport ship had some kind of support unit aboard. This cost me, though, the squadron is now down from 12 planes to 5, I only have 5 more defending Colombo, and I have no replacements on the way. I pulled the torpedo bombers out on 12/24, and the transports left by 12/25 anyway. He landed enough troops to take Cox's Bazaar, but I really don't see the point. I suppose he could push northwest and take an airbase from me, but after that any further push into India would take a major commitment.
Mandalay is still in my hands, for now--he clearly has enough troops to take it. Right now I'm essentially fighting a delaying action, fighting here because that's where my fortifications are so that's where I can cause the most casualties to him. We'll eventually be forced to retreat to Lashio, near the Chinese border. If Lashio falls, we probably won't have any chance of saving the evacuating armies from Thailand, as this base and the roads near it are at the source of the supply line through those mountains.
CENTPAC
I have Marines on the way to Wake. I don't expect much resistance. Midway is coming along nicely and now has a submarine tender, and its bunkers are being filled with fuel for submarine operations. A pair of PCs are now on patrol to try to prevent enemy subs from setting up a minefield. I have Marines prepping for Tarawa and even Saipan now, but I'll probably give Canton another attempt while those are prepping. Basically, I'm trying to take advantage of the KB being parked off Timor to take back space and threaten to reach the Philippines. My major strategic goal for the moment is to enable multiple options for major amphibious operations somewhere with industry that could make a invasion at least partially self-sustaining. As long as the KB says together, he can only defend one such option, and right now he's essentially denying Java as an option.
SOUTHPAC
We've achieved air superiority over Rabaul and Guadalcanal, as P-38s sweep both bases with only token resistance, our bombers hit both bases unopposed, and few aircraft are being detected at either base by recon sweeps. We haven't actually knocked out either airbase though, so this is far from a permanent state. But, it should mean supplies on both bases are dwindling, and there's another opportunity for me to cause damage while the KB is occupied. I've had my eyes on the Shortlands for awhile, so I'll probably greenlight that operation in the next 2-3 days--I just need to make sure the garrison is still as weak as it used to be and organize the task forces. The purpose will be to set up a strong airbase there that should make it nearly impossible to resupply Guadalcanal or Rabaul.