http://www.squadselectseries.comNew map and inflight DDS.
Frame 4 saw the IJ again mass and move down against the east side this time. The Allies were no where to be found having all scattered out to strike distant targets across the sea in New Britain and on the northern coast of New Guinea. In the central Solomon Sea roving fighters found some small Japanese convoys and single boats racing for cover sinking several over the night. The Japanese after bombing allied airfields spread out and swept the area finding a few smaller groups of enemy fighters and scattered B25s. Fear of the superior Japanese fighters kept them running and only those low and slow were caught and shot down.
The IJ closed two allied airfields 79 and 80 putting a crimp in air operations for them in the east. Allied attacks closed two ports(40\43) and a village(31). The front continues to move slowly up the spine of New Guinea with 67 now in allied hands. Allied shipping has moved to support this and is plentiful from 67 SE to 97. Sinking these ships should be an important goal of the Japanese fighters and bombers. Japanese shipping continues to support their major base at Lae but has withdrawn into more northern waters off New Britain especially. As in the previous two frames he Allies need to continue sinking these ships and targeting isolated outposts.
Summary Updated - Allies lead 472 to 449 going into the final frame.
Allies have changed tactics and are going after shipping and isolated targets leaving the IJ boring holes in the sky protecting bombers that are hitting high value targets but only a limited number of them. IJ need to either protect their assets better with fighter patrols or do some fighter attacks themselves on Allied shipping and smaller locations like the Allies have been doing. The Ki43 carries a useful bomb loadout. The Betty can also be employeed as a torpedo bomber taking on the increasing number of allied ships to the east of New Guinea. With strong fighter cover down low they have a chance of survival now, a first in any S3. Fighter vs fighter the IJ is winning scoring good points on the Allies but this does not make up for the damage the same allied fighters are doing deep in their territory over the oceans and jungles of New Britain.
jabo
