2/7/45
This turn opened under the darkest of clouds; the clouds cleared; a number of favorable things happened; but one looming storm worries me above all else.
The Next Big Thing, D-Day Minus 1:
1. With each new turn, the first thing I do is read the combat report. This turn wa to begin with two surprise fast transport landings in the non-base hexes W and N or Kushiro. I was dismayed - devasted might be a better word - when the combat report showed no landings had taken place. What had happened? Where had those TFs gone? How much of my plan did Erik pick up on by all the other moves? Would there be any chance of getting troops ashore tomorrow? I was crushed.
2. But upon opening the turn, the FT TFs were in the right place and all the troops were ashore. Interction of the rail lines was succesful! Kushiro is (temporarily) isolated by land!
3. The transports loading key units at Wakkanai completed the process in a single day and still had sufficient movement points left to join DS near Bihoro. This means the invasion is on schedule, with the key units and ships in place to strike for the beaches tomorrow.
4. Several Allied DD and DE TFs took station W and SW of Kushiro, meaning Erik's ships will have to get through them to interdict at Kushiro. Also, various YMS, AM and other TFs patrolled key passes and ports to clear mines and check for other obstacles. The way to the beach looks clear.
5. Allied bombers targeted the two island airfields east of Hokkaido, with modest effect. Bombers and a small bombardment TF hit Bihoro with minimal effect.
6. Tomorrow, DS takes position a hex west of Kushiro (I hope). Hopefully this will draw any enemy strikes. Also, Erik won't be able to sweep DS, since it's in a non-base hex.
7. If that works, DS should "insulate" the assault shipping at Kushiro from attack. But Erik can sweep there, so if strikes do bypass DS, my assault shipping may be savaged beyond belief. I'm toying with whether to land troops tomorrow or wait a day, so that the assault ships can unload early, but leaning towards the former.
8. Elite enemy LBA destroyed what should be elite Allied LBA at Wakkanai. Nothing I have - not even my best fighters piloted by my best pilots - can stand against his air force. There is a chance the game is blown by the wonkiness of Japanese air power. Of course, things always seem darkest after a bad event, so I haven't lost hope yet. But I know of nothing I can do against his massive fighter forces.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.