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Muddling through as the UK in HOI2

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Session 26A - August 1, 1940

Action:
June 2, 1940 - We captured Dortmund for France. This isolates Essen.
1744486209568.png
June 10, 1940 - We captured Kassel.


Production:
Engineer 21 - June 2, 1940
Infantry 55 - Guards Infantry Division
Infantry 56 - 36th Infantry Division
Artillery 32 - June 5, 1940

June 6, 1940 - Iverness Rocket Test Site - Level 1/3
Light Cruiser 4.20 - HMS Cleopatra - June 17, 1940
Infantry 57 - 28th Infantry Division - June 18, 1940
Infantry 58 - 18th Infantry Division - June 18, 1940
Transport 41 - 3rd Transport Flotilla - June 18, 1940
Transport 42 - 4th Transport Flotilla - June 18, 1940

Engineer 22 - June 23, 1940
Artillery 33 - June 30, 1940
Motor 10 - July 3, 1940

Engineer 23 - July 13. 1940
Infantry 59 - 19th Indian Infantry
Infantry 60 - 20th Indian Infantry

Submarine 4.11 - 31st Submarine Flotilla - July 19, 1940
Artillery 34 - July 26, 1940
Spitfire 7 - No 37 RAF Fighter Group - July 21, 1940

Infantry 61 - 34th Infantry Division - July 29, 1940
Infantry 62 - 37th Infantry Division - July 29, 1940
Transport 43 - 5th Transport Flotilla - July 29, 1940
Transport 44 - 6th Transport Flotilla - July 29, k1940

Upgrade Parade:
6/10 Tactical Bomber - July 8, 1940
7/10 Tactical Bomber - July 10,, 1940

New Research Projects:
Project 40G - Improved Strategic Bomber
Start: 40.06.14
Vickers Armstrong, Skill 8, Cost 2.32, Research 54.6, 109.2
19 days - Engine
19 days - Airframe
19 days - Armament
38 days - Radar
38 days - Test
131 days total - October 21

Project 40H - Improved Interceptor
Start: 40.07.14
Supermarine, Skill 9, Cost 2.61, Research 58.5 / 117
18 days - Engine
18 days - Airframe
16 days - Machine Gun
35 days - Radar
35 days - Test
122 days total - October 16

Project 40I - Improved Naval Bomber
Start: 40.07.16
de Havilland, Skill 7, Cost 2.03, Research 101.4
20 days - Engine
20 days - Airframe
20 days - Armament
20 days - Navigation
40 days - Test
120 days total - November 16

Completed Research Projects:
Project 40-7 Improved Tactical Bomber - June 14, 1940
Time: 121 days - 16 days ahead of schedule and we had changes in computer technology and ministry
Cost: 245.63

Project 40-8 Improved Escort Fighter - July 14, 1940
Time: 114 days - 6 days ahead of schedule - We will blame ministry changes.
Cost: 297.54

Project 40-9 Improved CAS - July 16, 1940
Time: 126 days - 5 days ahead of schedule
Cost: 219.24

Promotions:
June 2, 1940 - Air Marshall Coningham - We should have done this long ago, but we now have a Skill 4 Air Marshall.

Here is what is left of Germany:
1744497434345.png
 
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It turns out we are missing a couple of CAS. It turns out we moved them to Bratislava and got run over in a German counterattack. Most likely I was not using them well, which is unfortunate. I am thinking for the UK, Tactical Bombers are simply more versatile with their longer range. I am told the Dive Bombers are more suitable when coupled with forward air bases and in this game, we are not in control over where these air bases go.
 
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Riel Hamard said:
It turns out we are missing a couple of CAS. It turns out we moved them to Bratislava and got run over in a German counterattack. Most likely I was not using them well, which is unfortunate. I am thinking for the UK, Tactical Bombers are simply more versatile with their longer range. I am told the Dive Bombers are more suitable when coupled with forward air bases and in this game, we are not in control over where these air bases go.
Click to expand...

I've never found CAS to be long enough ranged to be worth their cost... especially early.
 
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Session 27A - The End of the Reich

August 2, 1940 - We destroyed some German units in Saarbrucken that were surrounded. The Germans are down to 10 Divisions - 7 Infantry, 3 Garrison. They have 3 Air Divisions remaining - 2 Escort and 1 Fighter. It is almost over.

August 4, 1940 - Our Motors rolled into Munich, marking the end of the Luftwaffe.
August 7, 1940 - Denmark captured Innsbruck and now it should be all over
August 9, 1940 - We crushed a few more divisions in Freiburg. Germany is down to 3 Infantry and we are not sure where they are. We captured it a few hours later.

Production:
Engineer 24 - August 3, 1940
Light Cruiser 4.21 - HMS Sirius - August 8, 1940
Destroyers 4.28, 4.29, 4.30 - 81st, 82nd, 83rd Destroyer Flotilla - August 10, 1940

August 12, 1940 - Who ever thought they would see this in a game of HoI?
1744555063206.png

So far, it looks like Denmark gets the MVP Award. They also won the BB race with a grand total of 65.
 
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Session 27B - September 1, 1940 - Preparing for Peace

Now how do we get all the Air Squadrons we deployed in Denmark? Most likely it will not matter until we are in a war again.
We figured it out. It's kind of weird. When we move troops to the province, we can access the air wing.

Production:
Motor 11 - 100th Infantry Division - August 15, 1940
Artillery 34 - August 21, 1940
Engineer 25 - August 23, 1940
Infantry 63 - 41st Infantry Division - August 23, 1940
Infantry 64 - 58th Infantry Division - August 23, 1940
August 27, 1940 - Scapa Flow Air Base Size 7

We will add in a final war tally.

636 Manpower at September 1, 1939
+140 - 7 months at 20
+125 - 5 months at 25
901 - Expected Manpower
350 - Actual Manpower
551 - Manpower to account for. We hope we did not kill 551k.

340 +26 Infantry and 8 Motor Divisions added
14 +2 Armor Divisions added
26 +12 Artillery and 1 SP Artillery Brigades added
40 +16 Engineer Brigades added
16 +16 Air Divisions added
19 +6 Light Cruisers and +13 Transports
12.5 +21 Destroyers and +4 Submarines
467.5 put in uniform

83.5 is what we get for a final tally. This is only 10k more than the tally we had at the start of 1940 and I have trouble believing that. It might have something to do with the initial assumptions we made. Add in 4 more for the Dive Bomber Divisions we lost and we have a final score of 87500.
 
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Session 28

World Politics:
September 8 1940 - Bulgaria claimed Constanta from Romania.
November 6, 1940 - FDR got reelected POTUS.
November 10, 1940 - Neville Chamberlain died and we now have Winston Churchill as our new PM.

Production:
Infantry 65 - 60th Infantry Division - September 9, 1940
Infantry 66 - 62nd Infantry Division - September 9, 1940
Transport 45 - 7th Transport Flotilla - September 9, 1940
Transport 46 - 8th Transport Flotilla - September 9, 1940 - We cut these lines in half in an effort to match production with Manpower
Engineer 26 - September 14, 1940
Artillery 35 - September 17, 1940
September 19, 1940 - Iverness Rocket Test Laboratory 2/3
Motor 12 - 101st Infantry Division - September 21, 1940

Engineer 27 - October 4, 1940
Infantry 67 - 63rd Infantry Division - October 4, 1940
Infantry 68 - 67th Infantry Division - October 4, 1940 - We cut these lines of Infantry.
Submarine 4.12 - 32nd Submarine Flotilla - October 11, 1940
Artillery 36 - October 12, 1940
Spitfire 8 - No 38 RAF FG - October 13, 1940
Light Cruiser 4.22 - HMS Scylla - October 16, 1940
Destroyers 4.31, 4.32, 4.33 - 84th, 85th, 86th Destroyer Flotilla - October 17, 1940
Infantry 69 - 68th Infantry Division - October 20, 1940
Transport 47 - 9th Transport Flotilla - October 20, 1940
Engineer 28 - October 24, 1940

Artillery 37 - November 8, 1940
Motor 13 - 102nd Infantry Division - November 11, 1940
Engineer 29 - November 14, 1940
November 19, 1940 - Scapa Flow Level 10 Air Base
Carrier 4.01 - HMS Illustrious - November 21, 1940
Battleship 4.03 - HMS Duke of York - November 21, 1940
Transport 48 - 10th Transport Flotilla - November 30, 1940

Artillery 38 - December 3, 1940
Engineer 30 - December 5, 1940
Light Cruiser 4.23 - HMS Argonaut - December 7, 1940
Destroyer 4.34, 4.35, 4.36 - 87th, 88th, 89th Destroyer Flotilla - December 20, 1940
Motor 14 - 103rd Infantry Division - December 24, 1940
Engineer 31 - December 25, 1940
December 26, 1940 - Iveness Rocket Test Laboratory 3/3 Complete - December 26, 1940
Submarine 4.13 - 33rd Submarine Flotilla - December 27, 1940
Artillery 39 - December 29, 1940
Spitfire 9 - No 39 RAF FG - January 1, 1941

New Research Projects:
Project 40J - Improved Air Transport - Started September 13, 1940
Avro, Skill 6, 93.6 Research
Estimate: 22 + 22 + 18 + 22 + 43 = 127 days - January 20

Project 40K - Fighter Veteran Initiative - October 20, 1940
Hugh Dowding, Skill 8, 100.8 / 201.6 Research
Estimate: 2x12 + 3x6 = 42 days - December 2

Project 40L - Basic Marine Division - November 2, 1940
Enfield Arsenal, Skill 7, 93.6 / 187.2 Research
Estimate: 9 +9 +22 +10 +12 = 62 days - January 4

Project 40M - Improved Decryption Device - November 10, 1940
Alan Turning, Skill 9, 108 / 216 Research
Estimate: 4x10 +19 = 59 days - January 9

Project 40N - Advanced Oil Reining - December 2, 1940
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Skill 9, 234 Research
Estimate: 4x9 +19 = 55 days - January 27

Project 40O - Home Defense Doctrine - December 2, 1940
Hugh Dowding, Skill 8, 50.4 / 100.8 Research
Estimate: 2x24 +3x12 = 84 days - February 26

Completed Research Projects:
Project 40-10 - Pre-planned Defense Doctrine - September 13, 1940
Project 40-11 - Improved Strategic Comber - October 20, 1940
Project 40-12 - Ship Assembly Line - November 2, 1940
Project 40-13 - Improved Interceptor - November 10, 1940
Project 40-14 - Fighter Veteran Initiative - December 2, 1940
Project 40-15 - Improved Naval Bomber - December 2, 1940

Cabinet Changes:
September 1, 1940 - We put Sir Cyril Deverall back in charge of the Army.
December 2, 1940 - We put Sir John Simon back in charge of Armaments.

We made it to 1941. There is still a hot war going on in China:
1744575205635.png

Will Japan still go to war with the USA? If they are, then they might be on their own.
What about the USSR? Are they going to start a war?
Italy is down to 7 in BB. It is unlikely they will start a war.
Meanwhile, Denmark sits on top of the world with 64 BB.
Where should we be moving our fleet?
 
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Chamberlain got to be the savior of Europe?

Hah!

Winston has to deal with the postwar world...now that could be a fun story...
 
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Session 29 - May 1, 1941

We are kind of rushing through the year to see if Japan still attacks the USA.

World Politics:
January 7, 1941 - Japan DoW on Guana Clique. Holy sheepshears, Batman!
March 25, 1941 - We had another Great War Demonstration. It was as if the last one was not what it was reputed to be and the people are demanding another fight to pick. Who should it be? Italy? Japan? USSR?

Production:
Transport 49 - 11th Transport Flotilla - January 11, 1941
Engineer 32 - January 15, 1941
Artillery 40 - January 24, 1941

Engineer 33 - February 5, 1941
Motor 15 - 104th Infantry Division - February 6, 1941
February 7, 1941 - Glasgow Air Base Size 7
February 20, 1941 - Artillery 41
Engineer 34 - February 26, 1941
Transport 50 - 12th Transport Flotilla - February 28, 1941

Spitfire 10 - No 44 RAF FG - March 14, 1941
Artillery 42 - March 15, 1941
Engineer 35 - March 16, 1941
Motor 16 - 105th Infantry Division - March 19, 1941

Engineer 36 - April 6, 1941
Transport 51 - 13th Transport Flotilla - April 6, 1941 - We set up 3 more production lines.
Artillery 43 - April 11, 1941
Engineer 37 - April 26, 1941

New Research Projects:
41A Advanced Battleship - January 4, 1941
John Brown and Company, Skill 6, Research 93.6
4x20 +39 days = 119 days - May 3

41B Basic Electronic Computer - January 5, 1941
Alan Turing, Skill 9, Research 54 / 108
3x19 +34 +38 = 129 days - May 14

41C Advanced Air Carrier - January 19, 1941
Harland and Wolff, Skill 8, Research 50.4 / 100.8
2x36 +3x18 = 126 days - May 25

41D Rocket Engine - February 1, 1941
Frank Whittle, Skill 7+30, Research 309.6 - Closer to 180 and less than 200.
5x7 = 35 days - March 6

41E Small Arms Assembly Line - February 26, 1941
English Electric Company, Skill 8, Research 100.8 / 201.6
3x11 +2x22 = 77 days - May 13

41F Turbojet Engine - March 21, 1941
Frank Whittle, Skill 7, Research 187.2
5x11 = 55 days - May 16

41G Advanced Destroyer - April 28, 1941
John Brown and Company, Skill 6, Research 93.6
4x15 +30 = 90 days - July 28

Completed Research Projects:
41-1 Basic Marine Division - January 4, 1941
41-2 Improved Decryption Device - January 5, 1941
41-3 Improved Air Transport - January 19, 1941
41-4 Advanced Oil Refining - January 29, 1941
41-5 Home Defense Doctrine - February 26, 1941
41-6 Rocket Engine - March 21, 1941 - We were way off.
41-7 Advanced Battleship - April 28, 1941 - We were way off because we forgot how to add.

Ministry Changes:
January 4, 1941 - We put Sir Ernle Chatfield in charge of Armaments. He brings a 10% boost to our upcoming Naval projects.
 
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Both in this Normal Level game and the one in the OP, it felt like the UK was too powerful for the Axis AI, and I got intrigued and distracted by a VH game. Going over the differences again, these stand out:

-40% to Production and Resources:
This is 40% of the base 147 IC the UK gets. What I estimate is:
1320 days to the start of the war
147 Base Production
40% Difficulty Penalty
2/3 Approximate production dedicated to projects
51774 approximate production lost

At the start of the war in this game, it appears we built:
20 Infantry, 3 Motor, 6 Armor, 2 HQ
5 Escort, 2 Fighter, 7 Interceptor, 3 CAS, 3 Naval, 5 Tactical Bombers
2 Battleships, 1 Carrier, 15 Light Cruisers, 31 Destroyers, 19 Submarines, 18 Transports

Most likely, this list will be cut in half and it will feel more like we got caught unprepared for the war. We can itemize this list and determine priorities and cut out 50k from the budget and that is where we could expect to be.

I checked my post and this is where we got on VH:
83 UK - 41 Infantry, 3 Armor, 29 Garrison, 9 Militia, 1 HQ
20 UK - 3 Fighters, 9 Interceptors, 3 Strategic, 5 Tactical Bombers
172 UK - 7 Carriers, 12 Battleships, 3 Battlecruisers, 17Heavy Cruisers, 37 Light Cruisers, 48 Destroyers, 12 Submarines, 36 Transports

So we had 3 more Infantry built, but no Motor and 3 fewer Armor and only 1 HQ.
We built 9 Air instead of 25.
We traded 2 Battleships for 1 Heavy Cruiser, 8 fewer Light Cruisers, 14 fewer Destroyers, 16 fewer Submarines, 5 more Transports.

Research gets a 20% penalty. It might be kind of like we are running with 4 research teams instead of 5. Again, we can choose priorities. For the UK, this is a mixed blessing, in that the AI gets a research buff and France should be progressing as if they had 6 research teams. Canada and Australia with 2 teams will eventually be running blueprints and that would make them effectively 4 teams and the research buff will make it like 4.8.

It would be nice to start a game on the long weekend coming up - but finishing with this one will take a while, because we still have nearly 7 years to play out.
 
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Session 30 - January 1, 1942

World Politics:
July 10, 1941 - War between Ecuador and Peru was averted as Ecuador gave in to territorial demands.
July 17, 1941 - Our economic policy came under attack by the Opposition. Instead of taking a 10% hit, we struck a deal with the Liberals, then turned around and flipped the domestic policy back to Free Market. The next change is 4 dissent and 1 left. It should take us a single month to clear up the dissent.
November 19, 1941 - We outlawed the Communist Parties. On the surface, this seems harmless, compared to getting attacked by the opposition. Stalin might disagree when he finally decides to go after Europe.

Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a day which will live in infamy...
Sir John Dill retired.

Production:
Motor 17 - 106th Infantry Division - May 2, 1941
Motor 18 - 107th Infantry Division - June 15, 1941
Motor 19 - 108th Infantry Division - July 27, 1941
Motor 20 - 109th Infantry Division - September 10, 1941
Motor 21 - 110th Infantry Division - October 23, 1941
Motor 22 - 111th Infantry Division - December 6, 1941
Infantry 70 - 69th Infantry Division - July 5, 1941
Infantry 71 - 71st Infantry Division - August 16, 1941
Infantry 72 - 72nd Infantry Division - September 25, 1941
Infantry 73 - 73rd Infantry Division - November 8, 1941
Infantry 74 - 74th Infantry Division - December 19, 1941

Engineer 38 - May 17, 1941
Engineer 39 - June 7, 1941
Engineer 40 - June 27, 1941
Artillery 45 - May 6, 1941
Artillery 46 - June 2, 1941
Artillery 47 - June 27, 1941

Spitfire 11 - No 45 RAF FG - May 22, 1941
Spitfire 12 - No 46 RAF FG - July 27, 1941

Transport 52 - 14th Transport Flotilla - May 18, 1941
Transport 53 - 15th Transport Flotilla - May 22, 1941
Transport 54 - 16th Transport Flotilla - May 22, 1941
Transport 55 - 17th Transport Flotilla - May 22, 1941
Transport 56 - 18th Transport Flotilla - June 25, 1941
Transport 57 - 19th Transport Flotilla - July 3, 1941
Transport 58 - 20th Transport Flotilla - July 3, 1941
Transport 59 - 21st Transport Flotilla - July 3, 1941
Transport 60 - 22nd Transport Flotilla - July 29, 1941
Transport 61 - 23rd Transport Flotilla - August 12, 1941
Transport 62 - 24th Transport Flotilla - August 12, 1941
Transport 63 - 25th Transport Flotilla - August 12, 1941
Transport 64 - 26th Transport Flotilla - September 1, 1941
Transport 65 - 27th Transport Flotilla - September 19, 1941
Transport 66 - 28th Transport Flotilla - September 19, 1941
Transport 67 - 29th Transport Flotilla - September 19, 1941
Transport 68 - 30th Transport Flotilla - October 3, 1941 - Just how many Transports do we need?
Transport 69 - 31st Transport Flotilla - October 23, 1941
Transport 70 - 32nd Transport Flotilla - October 23, 1941
Transport 71 - 33rd Transport Flotilla - October 23, 1941 - We are on an island. So a lot.
Transport 72 - 34th Transport Flotilla - November 6, 1941
Transport 73 - 35th Transport Flotilla - November 25, 1941
Transport 74 - 36th Transport Flotilla - November 25, 1941
Transport 75 - 37th Transport Flotilla - November 25, 1941
Transport 76 - 38th Transport Flotilla - December 8, 1941
Transport 77 - 39th Transport Flotilla - December 27, 1941
Transport 78 - 40th Transport Flotilla - December 27, 1941
Transport 79 - 41st Transport Flotilla - December 27, 1941

Destroyer 5.01 - 90th Destroyer Flotilla - November 14, 1941
Destroyer 5.02 - 91st Destroyer Flotilla - November 14, 1941
Destroyer 5.03 - 92nd Destroyer Flotilla - November 14, 1941
Light Cruiser 5.01 - HMS Nigeria - December 25, 1941
Light Cruiser 5.02 - HMS Kenya - December 25, 1941

HMS Illustrious CAG - September 5, 1941

Technology:
41-8 Basic Electronic Computer - May 8, 1941
41-9 Turbojet Engine - May 11, 1941
41-10 Advanced Air Carrier - May 11, 1941
41-11 Small Arms Assembly Line - May 20, 1941
41-12 Infrastructure Destruction Doctrine - July 22, 1941
41-13 Advanced Destroyer - July 23, 1941
41-14 Recon Skirmisher Doctrine - July 30, 1941
41-15 Flying Bomb Development - August 1, 1941
41-16 Advanced Light Cruiser - August 5, 1941
41-17 Basic Tank Destroyer - September 5, 1941
41-18 Improved Infantry Division - September 15, 1941
41-19 Aircraft Assembly Line - October 6, 1941
41-20 Advanced Heavy Cruiser - October 27, 1941
41-21 Combat Unit Destruction Doctrine - November 16, 1941
41-22 Improved Field Artillery - November 24, 1941
41-23 Improved Medium Tank - December 13, 1941
41-24 Vehicle Assembly Line - December 21, 1941

October 3, 1941 - Technological Breakthrough - We can now research Flying Bomb.

Not this is a lot of upgrades.
1744679034415.png

Well we're into 1942. I guess that puts us half way through the campaign. Here is what China looks like:
1744682488418.png

None of the events occurred concerning the escalation of Japan / USA tensions. I'm tempted to take a peek at them to see how advanced they are. The same applies to the USSR.
 
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Maybe at a certain point you feel like you want to take on the Soviets yourself?
 
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Session 31 - February 21, 1942

I suppose it would be a shame to build such a massive force, just to see it do nothing. We can start working as the world's policeman and we started to move naval and air units to the Far East.

Production:
Infantry 75 - January 28, 1942

Naval 4 - No 205 RN CNC - January 2, 1942
Strategic 4 - No 1 RAF SG - January 12, 1942

Transport 80 - 42nd Transport Flotilla - January 10, 1942
Transport 81 - 43rd Transport Flotilla - January 30, 1942
Transport 82 - 44th Transport Flotilla - January 30, 1942
Transport 83 - 45th Transport Flotilla - January 30, 1942
Transport 84 - 46th Transport Flotilla - February 12, 1942

Singapore Level 10 Air Base - January 13, 1942
Hong Kong Level 6 Air Base - Level 6, 1942

Convoy 1050 - February 16, 1942
Escort 160 - February 17, 1942

Technology:
42-1 Basic Self Propelled Artillery - January 4, 1942
42-2 Hunt and Destroy Groups Doctrine - January 27, 1942
42-3 Deep Vehicle Repair Organization - February 1, 1942
42-4 Basic Rocket Artillery - February 4, 1942
42-5 Advanced Encryption Devices - February 14, 1942

Well, we thought we could do it the roundabout way by getting China to join the Allies, but there might be a few things wrong with that.
1744743068887.png

It looks like to do this, we have to prepare for a 10% hit to Dissent.
1744743156464.png
 
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Session 32 - March 1, 1942 - War with Japan

February 21, 1942 - We declared war on Japan.
Wait, what? No penalty to BB?

Here is what we are up against:
299 Land - 132 Infantry, 11 Cavalry, 70 Garrison, 81 Militia, 5 HQ
121 Navy - 4 Carriers, 6 Battleships, 4 Battlecruisers, 14 Heavy Cruisers, 21 Light Cruisers, 44 Destroyers, 8 Submarines, 20 Transports
32 Air - 25 Interceptors, 5 Tactical, 2 Naval Bombers

Since we got the jump, we believe we can hold the Islands, but Hong Kong might be doomed.

February 22, 1941 - What a diplomatic result!
1744745845717.png

1744745898684.png

February 23, 1942 - Now Japan carried out its surprise attack in Pearl Harbor.

Here is our first naval battle with the IJN:
1744747800815.png

February 27, 1942 - We slunk away from the Shenquan Gulf against a massive IJN Armada. We managed to sink 7 more of their ships, but all of our Carriers had to return to Singapore for repairs and all 4 IJN Carriers are at full strength.

Sunk Ships:
IJN Yamashiro BB2 Fuso Class sunk by HMS Courageous in the North Spratly Sea February 25, 1942

IJN Furutaka CA2 Furutaka Class sunk by HMS Illustrious in Shenquan Gulf February 27, 1942
IJN Kako CA2 sunk by HMS Hermes
IJN Asigara CA3 Nachi Class sunk by HMS Eagle
IJN Hiei BC2 Kongo Class sunk by HMS Illustrious
IJN Kirishima BC2 sunk by HMS Glorious
IJN Kongo BC2 sunk by HMS Furious
IJN Chokai CA3 sunk by HMS Eagle

Singapore Ship Hospital:
45 HMS Eagle
46 HMS Hermes
58 HMS Argus
58 HMS Ark Royal
59 HMS Courageous
59 HMS Illustrious
72 HMS Glorious
99 HMS King George V

Our Naval Bombers got butchered by Interceptors. They are at 64, 68, 73.

We will take note of a start at about 600 Manpower at February 21, 1942 and we are gaining about 25 Manpower per month.
 
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Session 33 - April 1, 1942

March 1, 1942 - On loading the game, we lost 2 Transports to Hong Kong. We are at 1048/1050 and we will cut the convoy for now, like we should have before we logged off. We believe Hong Kong is doomed, along with its brave defenders, but the attack has not yet started. We stationed our Destroyers far away and will not have any Destroyers in the area for about 3 days. We found 4 Submarines operating in the area and have identified 6/8 Submarines. In about one week's worth of engagements, we have identified:

4/4 Carriers - All are fully operational
6/6 Battleships - 1 has been sunk.
4/4 Battlecruisers - 3 have been sunk.
12/14 Heavy Cruisers - 4 have been sunk.
26/28 Capital Ships - 8 have been sunk.

16/21 Light Cruiser
29/44 Destroyers
45/65 Escort Ships

6/8 Submarines
20 Transports

It looks like they threw quite a lot at us in the first week or war.

March 2, 1942 - We identified all 8 Japanese Submarines. They have 2 SS1 L Boat, 5 SS3 KD Boats, and 1 SS4 J Boat.
We also found their main force in the North Spratly Sea and have a limited time to evacuate our navy and recover.

March 3, 1942 - 4 of their Submarines jumped our main Battleship fleet in the South Spratly Sea. It did not end well for them. They have 2 Submarines left, 5 and 6 SSKT, both SS3 KD Boat type.

March 8, 1942 - Their main fleet appears to be charging our main fleet at Singapore. We will try to run and hide. The Duke of York got hit down to 56 and Royal Sovereign to 85.

March 11, 1942 - We regained contact with the IJN Main Battlefleet in the North Spratly Sea and we now have the AI Combat Pattern. We will bomb them and then bait them.

March 16, 1942 - Both of our exploits appear to have worked. We managed to sink one Japanese Carrier and we smuggled in 456 Supplies to Hong Kong with 258 Transports and 160 Escorts the hour before. Sure enough, one of the battlegroups found us off the coast of Malaya with 1 or their 2 Carriers, but it was raining.

March 18, 1942 - They are zerging us, allright. A group of 13 Destroyers charged our Battlefleet of 10 Battleships and 20 various escorts. They sent a few more ships to the hospital in Singapore.

Production:
Infantry 81 - 81st Infantry Division - March 5, 1942 - We cut our line off here. We aren't even sending more Infantry to the front.

Transport 85 - 47th Transport Flotilla - March 2, 1942
Transport 86 - 48th Transport Flotilla - March 2, 1942
Transport 87 - 49th Transport Flotilla - March 2, 1942 - Enough is enough. We will cut these lines.
Transport 88 - 50th Transport Flotilla - March 15, 1942 - We will see if we ever use all of them.

Destroyer 5.07 - 96th Destroyer Flotilla - March 30, 1942
Destroyer 5.08 - 97th Destroyer Flotilla - March 30, 1942
Destroyer 5.09 - 98th Destroyer Flotilla - March 30, 1942 - We are up to 99 Destroyers.

Naval 5 - No 17 RN CNC - March 24, 1942
Tactical 12 - No 222 RAF TG - March 30, 1942

Convoy 1100 - March 21, 1942
Escort 170 - March 25, 1942

Technology:
42-6 Improved Armored Car - March 4, 1942
42-7 Improved Motorized Division - March 4, 1942
42-8 Flying Rocket Development - March 5, 1942
42-9 Improved Mountain Division - March 25, 1942

March 10, 1942 - Strategic Rocket Breakthrough

Sunk Ships:
1 Sensukantai SS1 L-Boat Class sunk by HMS Liverpool in the Central Spratly Sea March 2, 1942
2 Sensukantai SS1 sunk by 61st Destroyer Flotilla

8 Sensukantai SS3 KD Boat Class sunk by HMS Dido in the South Spratly Sea March 3, 1942
7 SSKT SS3 sunk by 63rd Destroyer Flotilla
10 Sensukantai SS4 J Boat sunk by 61st Destroyer Flotilla
9 SSKT SS3 sunk by HMS Phoebe

IJN Kingusa CA2 Furutoka Class sunk by Tactical Bombers in the Central Spratly Sea March 7, 1942
IJN Hyuga BB2 sunk by aircraft probably along with the Ryujo and I did not see it - I was sloppy.
IJN Nagato BB3 Nagato Class sunk by aircraft, probably along with the Ryujo
IJN Ryujo CV2 Akagi Class sunk by Naval Bombers in the Central Spratly Sea March 15, 1942

33 Kuchikukantai Akitsuki Class sunk by HMS Nelson at the Straight of Singapore March 18 1942
44 KKKF sunk by HMS Malaya
31 KKKF sunk by HMS Valiant
24 KKKF sunk by HMS Ramillies
29 Kuchikuchikoo sunk by HMS Liverpool

The USA sunk the following:
IJN Maya CA by USS Lexington
IJN Mikuma CL by USS Quincy
33 KKKF by USS Chester
39 by USS Colorado
28 by USS Maryland
30 by USS West Virginia
6 Yuso Sintai by USS Ranger

We are now up against the following:
3 Carriers - All identified
3 Battleships - All identified
1 Battlecruiser - Identified
8 Heavy Cruisers - 7/8 identified
20 Light Cruisers - 16/20 identified
39 Destroyers - 36/39 identified
2 Submarines - Both identified
19 Transports
95 Ships Total

Here is our ship hospital:
48 - 37th Destroyer Flotilla - Good screening job - They took one for the team.
75 - HMS Queen Elizabeth - Admiral Pound's Flagship
76 - HMS Eagle
79 - HMS Duke of York
80 - HMS Hermes
86 - HMS Gloucester
86 - Ark Royal
87 - HMS Valiant
87 - HMS Illustrious
88 - HMS Courageous
91 - HMS Argus

6 Carriers in the Hospital means we have 2 available to fight. The RN CNC is also in very good shape and this means we should be ready for another round with the IJN. Here is a look at the political picture:
1744771648598.png

Hong Kong is still on the map and we can use it to make our enemies hurt. We still have to supply it a couple times per month. We are also having challenges keeping a massive fleet supplied in Singapore.
 
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Nice!

Once that enemy fleet is whittled down to size...then it's just a matter of picking off any strategic locations and deciding where to help China while getting forces close enough to hit the home islands with invasion.
 
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Session 34 - June 1, 1942 - Breaking IJN Back

April 5, 1942 - Never mind that we handed control of all sea routes to Hong Kong, we were still able to smuggle 690 Oil and 556 Supplies into Hong Kong and supply our forces there for a few more days and a few more missions. Actually, we have a small fleet operating in the Spratly Sea and we have our Aircraft patrolling. If the Japanese are not invading, then they really have no business in that area, except the AI seems to like charging large fleets.

April 16, 1942 - HMS Ramillies got wounded to 42 in another carrier duel with the IJN near the Shenquin Gulf. We limped to Hong Kong for repairs.

April 23, 1942 - We resupplied Hong Kong again. We appear to be gaining control over the southern seas.
Meanwhile in Taiwan, we discover the entire island is defended by a single Militia. Guess what we are doing next!

April 25, 1942 - The entire Japanese Submarine Force now rests beneath the waves, and not in the way it is meant to. It seems the best way to find Submarines is to have Transports in the area.

May 1, 1942 - We established our beachhead in Taiwan, capturing Kaohsiung and a Level 10 Naval Base, a Level 8, Air Base, and the Taiwanese Supply Depot. It appears there is a defending Japanese Militia and a Manchurian Expeditionary Force. Either we were not paying attention or they were not paying attention. With the capture of the Air Base, the Japanese are down to 11 Air Divisions, 4 Interceptor, 5 Tactical, and 2 Naval Bombers. On securing the island, we should be able to secure air supremacy. Manchuria also has 3 Interceptors, but most likely, they do not really count.

May 10, 1942 - Taipei captured, along with another resource depot.
May 11, 1942 - We secured Taiwan. Now there are just some resistance forces to take care of, but we have all of the defensive positions.
May 13, 1942 - Okinawa captured. This gives us another Level 6 Naval Base and a Level 6 Air Base, when we manage to repair them.

Production:
Strategic Bomber 5 - No 5 RAF SG - April 14, 1942

Light Cruiser 5.03 - HMS Trinidad - April 14, 1942
Light Cruiser 5.04 - HMS Mauritius - April 14, 1942
CA 5.01 HMS Surrey - April 30, 1942
BB 5.01 HMS Anson - May 1, 1942
CV 5.01 HMS Victorious - May 24, 1942

Hong Kong L10 Air Base - April 16, 1942 - Not only does it still exist, but they have been busy!
Convoy 1150 - April 23, 1942
Convoy 1200 - May 24, 1942
Escort 180 - April 29, 1942
Escort 190 - June 1, 1942

Technology:
42-10 Basic Synthetic Oil Plant - April 6, 1942 - With so much oil, we really have no use for this.
42-11 Basic Mechanized Division - May 4, 1942
42-12 Faculty of Nuclear Research - May 10, 1942
42-13 Infiltration Bombardment Doctrine - May 28, 1942

Sunk Ships:
IJN Fuso BB2 Fuso Class Battleship sunk by Naval Bombers in the Central Spratly Sea April 2, 1942
IJN Akagi CV3 Soryu Class Carrier sunk by Naval Bombers in the South Spratly Sea April 3, 1942
IJN Ise BB2 Fuso Class Battleship sunk by Naval Bombers in the Central Spratly Sea April 3, 1942

23 KKKF DD4 sunk at Babuyan Channel by 41st Destroyer Flotilla April 24, 1942
22 KKKF DD4 sunk by HMS Furious April 24, 1942

5 SSK SS3 KD Boat Class sunk at Seragan Straight by 92nd Destroyer Flotilla April 25, 1942 - We have a Class 5 Destroyer with a Submarine kill!
6 SSK SS3 sunk by HMS Illustrious

29 KKKF DD4 sunk at Seragan Straight by the Scapa Scrappers April 29, 1942
19 KKKF DD2 sunk at North Spratly Sea by HMS Revenge May 2, 1942

IJN Takao CA3 sunk at South Ryukyu by the Scapa Scrappers May 12, 1942
IJN Hirado CL1 sunk by HMS Courageous
19 Kuchikukantai sunk by HMS Valiant
IJN Kaga sunk by HMS Eagle - This leaves the Japanese with 1 Aircraft Carrier.

IJN Tatsuta CL1 sunk at South Ryuku by HMS Illustrious May 13, 1942
14 KKKF DD2 sunk by HMS Queen Elizabeth

IJN Mitsu BB3 sunk at North Ryuku by HMS Resolution May 16, 1942 - That was their last Battleship
IJN Nagara CL2 sunk by HMS Valiant
KK15 DD2 sunk by HMS Valiant May 18, 1942
IJN Izumo CA1 sunk by HMS Courageous
KK32 DD4 sunk by the Scapa Scrappers

IJN Nachi CA3 sunk at Hangzhou Bay by HMS Queen Elizabeth May 21, 1942 - This qualifies Grand Admiral Pound and the HMS Queen Elizabeth as an ace.


The USN Battleships struck, sinking 8 ships by April 7:
IJN Haruna BC2 Kongo Class sunk by USN Arizona
IJN Asama CA sunk by USN
IJN Natori CL sunk by USN Pennsylvania
IJN Kinu CL sunk by USN Nevada
IJN Yuru CL sunk by USN Arizona
35 KKKF sunk by USN Boston
46 KKKF sunk by USN North Carolina
IJN Aoba CA2 Furutoka Class sunk by USN Quincy
This explains why we were not finding the Japanese fleets. They were busy charging the USN.
April 23 - KKKF 27 is also down, but so is USN Oklahoma

Promotions:
Admiral Layton of HMS Argus, Skill 2 Spotter - Promoted April 14, 1942 to command a Task Force led by HMS Argus.
Lt General Bateman, Skill 0 Logistics - Promoted April 23, 1942 and we learned the hard way we need skill to keep promoting.
General Blaxland, Skill 0 Logistics - Promoted April 23, 1942 to manage a Singapore group.
Admiral AB Cunningham, Skill 5 Tactician - Promoted after the capture of a Taiwanese Port.
Admiral JHD Cunningham, Skill 4 - May 24, 1942 to take command of the North Ryuku Fleet

This is what the IJN has left:
1 Carrier - CV1 Koku Sentai Hoshu Class
3 Heavy Cruisers - We believe these are all CA3 Nachi Class, the IJN Nachi, IJN Haguro, and IJN Myoko
14 Light Cruisers - Either we have them all named on a scrap of paper, or we made some mistakes looking them up.
CL1 Tenryo Class - IJN Tenryo, IJN Hirado, IJN Yahagi
CL2 Kuma Class - IJN Kuma, IJN Tama, IJN Yubari, IJN Sendai, IJN Jinsu, IJN Naka, IJN Kiso, IJN Abukuma, IJN Oi, IJN Kitikama, IJN Isuzu
When we were taking these notes, we wanted to know how many ships we had left to identify and have some idea how powerful they are. When their last Carrier is down, we will have a lot more freedom in the Japanese home waters near our new air base in Taiwan. Seeing a bunch of USN also helps.

29 Destroyers - It looks like we are missing 5 from this list, but we have a pattern. Anything up to 10 is DD1, up to 20 is DD2, anything else is DD4 and as they build replacements they are DD4.
8 DD1 Minekaze Class - KK1, KK2, KK3, KK4, KK5, KK6, KK9, KK10
8 DD2 Fubar Class - KK11, KK12, KK13, KK15, KK16, KK17, KK18, KK20
9 DD4 Atitsuki Class - KK21, KK24, KK25, KK26, KK27, KK31, KK32, KK34, KK42
29 Destroyers is still quite a lot, but no match against a battlefleet full of battleships. Once they are gone, then we can have our Submarines wreak havoc on their logistics. They are on their way to Hong Kong and should arrive June 3.

16 Transports
63 Ships Total

We managed to drag Dissent back below 1% as our people get used to the idea of being at war again. Here is the political map.
1744858289837.png

France grabbed a distant island in the Pacific. Japan has control over an island in the Philippines and we did not see it.
We also did not see the USA grabbing Toyuhara where they are storing a massive fleet.
 
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