IJN Summary: Alfred Wong and I have completed our VitP T10 match. Alfred resigned on turn 8 when it became obvious that my IJN would maintain control of the Japanese Islands and I would win by at least 7 POC (3 POC after the bid). The final score was actually 8 POC (4 after the bid) in favor of the IJN as two of my SNLF survived in the Marianas to invade Saipan and the Philippines (disabling the Allied LBA and preventing USN control there).

I was able to sink all of the American ships in Pearl Harbor on turn 1, but Alfred was able to base 4 American carriers in Australia. On turn 2 he used his LBA and all available carriers to prevent my control of Indonesia, but I was able to sink 4 American carriers in return.

On turn 3 Alfred again controlled Indonesia with his LBA and converted Saigon to Allied control, but I was able to sink 2 of his British carriers and exchange Kaga for Enterprise. The absence of Allied LBA in the Hawaiian Islands ensured Japanese control of Pearl Harbor and made it easier to sink the turn 3 American reinforcements.

Attrition in surface ships continued to favor the IJN, and I was able to build a lead of 26 POC by controlling the northeast half of the board on turns 4 and 5. Alfred could only reduce my lead by 1 POC on turn 6 and another 8 POC on turn 7.

Turn 8 saw almost the entire Japanese and Allied fleets arrayed in the Japanese Islands for the final showdown. During the initial day action 13 of 16 American carriers were sunk, disabled, or max-damaged, while 5 of 6 Japanese LBA survived (though some had damage) since much of the American air power was directed against Japanese carriers.

In the follow-up night action the Japanese fleet would have a 3 ship wrap and could shoot at each of the operational American light carriers with a heavy battleship (Musashi, Yamato, Mutsu, or Nagato). However, further bloodshed was avoided as the Allied commander sued for peace.

USN Turn by Turn Summary:

Turn 1

Nick sank all 10 ships at Pearl.

POC = 7

Turn 2

4 CVs based in Australia T1 so I tried 3 LBA and 4 CVs vs. 5 LBA in Indo. I held but it was costly. I killed just 3 LBA while they killed 3 US CVs and the sub killed the fourth. This would negatively affect my play in future turns.

POC = 7 + 11 (JI, Mari, SPO, Mars, CPO, HI) - 3 (BOB, Indo, NPO) = 15

Turn 3

I became too conservative in JI, Mari and SPO and too risky in Indo. I should've patrolled British in the first three zones and not put Hermes or Illustrious in Indo. But my lack of CVs and US BBs made me tentative. I still should've tried to make Mari neutral besides JI and SPO. Again Nick got better damage in Indo. He sank both British CVLs, while they and 6 LBA missed. Kaga and Enterprise died in JI. Major flips were Saigon and Pearl.

POC = 15 + 7 (Mari, Mars, CPO, NPO, HI) - 2 (BOB, Indo) = 20

Turn 4

My tentative play cost me again. Wasp was my last carrier. I kept her in Samoa to avoid Nick's hot sub. If she had made a speed roll to Indo she probably would've sunk Kumano, who got day to avoid death by an LBA. I would've loved to contest Mari with LBA, but Nick had two NLF and I needed them to cover other areas.

POC = 20 + 10 (JI, Mari, Mars, CPO, NPO, HI) - 7 (BOB, Indo, SPO, CS, USM) = 23

Turn 5

Nick's forces in Mars and HI were too strong to contest. I couldn't prevent an NLF in Mari joining another in the Phillipines, so both Marines in Indo based at Lae.

POC = 23 + 10 (JI, Mari, Mars, CPO, NPO, HI) - 7 (BOB, Indo, SPO, CS, USM) = 26

Turn 6

Nick's forces in HI were too strong to contest, but in retrospect maybe I should've gambled. I should've patrolled Mars more and sent a third marine there to invade Midway T7.

POC = 26 + 7 (JI, CPO, NPO, HI) - 8 (BOB, Indo, Mari, SPO, CS, USM) - 25

Turn 7

Nick's forces in JI were too strong to contest but I was out of time and had to try to make it neutral which I didn't.

POC = 25 + 4 (JI, NPO) - 12 (BOB, Indo, Mari, SPO, USM, CS, Mars, HI) = 17

Turn 8

3 LBA returned to give Nick 6 and an overwhelming advantage in JI. Two out of 3 NLF got day to avoid WI and MO, then survived 3 LBA, San Jacinto and Ticonderoga and made SPO neutral by invading Saipan and the Phillipines.

POC = 17 + 3 (JI) - 12 (BOB, Indo, SPO, CS, USM, Mars, HI, NPO) = 8 - 4 bid = 4