Hyuga's Odyssey - Xxzard vs. Lockmart

[Xxzard]

The problem with the combat reports is solved, it was in fact as simple as flipping a switch.

When the campaign started, we were having trouble with combat reports due to a bug which causes some problems when using the historical first turn option. So in trying to fix this, I must have flipped the combat reports preference to off, and promptly forgot there was ever such an option! I didn't think too much of its absence in the PBEM game, it seemed maybe that was a result of the different game mode.

So, I think I will at least post highlights from the combat report from now on, and I will try to play that odd Dec. 15th turn on another computer.

[Xxzard]

This picture tells the story of the battle on the previous turn.[:D]

[Xxzard]

Still waiting at the moment, I don't know what the delay is on his side. I'd really like to see this turn too, so I can see what happened to the big evac convoy. I feel I have a strong chance of hitting it again in the next few days and I'd like to get on with it.

[Xxzard]

So, I finally got the turn, and it was interesting after all!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/16/41

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ASW attack at 37,59

Japanese Ships
SS I-123

Allied Ships
DD Pillsbury, on fire, heavy damage
DD Peary, heavy damage
PG Isabel
AK Governor Wood
AK Governor Taft
AK Capillo
AP Basilan
AVD Childs
AS Canopus
PG Luzon
MSW Whippoorwill
MSW Lark
MSW Quail, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tanager
MSW Finch
PG Asheville
DD Pope
DD John D. Ford

This isn't even the whole convoy!
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TF 99 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 67,100


Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on Sasebo 1st SNLF, at 45,49


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 44,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 15000 feet

As you can see, I am not helpless against these B-17 attacks, but even the Zeros are hardly an effective counter. I feel the reason he does not attack more often is probably low morale other than anything else.
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Day Air attack on TF at 37,60

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Fortuna, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AV Langley, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Gertrude Kellogg
PC Napa, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

CVL Ryujo hits the Manila convoy with good hits, Langley and Napa confirmed sunk!
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Day Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 44,74

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Stewart
DD Parrott
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet

I didn't exactly expect this, but I knew it was a possibility. Unfortunately, CVs are 5 hexes away, and the Kates carry 250kg bombs instead of torps. 1 Hit does knock out a torp launcher, all the better.
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Day Air attack on TF at 37,60

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AV Langley, on fire, heavy damage
AK Compagnia Filipinas
AK Candesa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 44,74

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Stewart

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 36,73

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
B5N2 Kate x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

A solid hit on Boise, it won't be in much of a shape to engage in surface combat.
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TF 136 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 67,101


Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported


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Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7365 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Defending force 4602 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese max assault: 172 - adjusted assault: 49

Allied max defense: 34 - adjusted defense: 73

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

They still take heavy losses, and I have the supply for it, the attacks must continue.
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Ground combat at Brunei

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3333 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 97

Defending force 1052 troops, 10 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 95 - adjusted assault: 89

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Brunei base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at Hong Kong

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4314 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 845

Defending force 16433 troops, 87 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 295



Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


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Ground combat at Alor Star

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22482 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 503

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese max assault: 522 - adjusted assault: 524

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 524 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Alor Star base !!!

He has moved his forces to georgetown, and sent the rest to attack the troops at Kota Bharu. That was fortunately a failure.

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Ground combat at Jolo Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8844 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese max assault: 59 - adjusted assault: 11

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Jolo Island base !!!



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Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1307 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Defending force 7325 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

-------------------------------
So the decision is: I have 4 old BB's, supporting Cls and DD's, with the Zuiho and Hosho operating 1 hex away from Amboina. He anticipated my move to take this base, and has at least moved the Cl Boise and the Cl Marblehead to the area to defend, but another TF has been spotted, bringing the total in the area to 3, which I would presume are all Allied Surface Combat TFs. Now, I want to take Amboina, yes, but I am unsure if I want to proceed with landings right now, with so many groups swarming around the area. I don't think he yet knows I have moved the 4 BBs to the area, so it is likely he will attack soon. I don't want to expose my transports and light CVs unneccessarily, nor expose BB's to any lucky torps from the Allies. So should I go ahead and invade to secure the island, with BB and light CV support, or move and let the CV torp bombers take their toll without risking any ships. What does everyone think in this situation.

[Xxzard]

Well, I think given the forces in play, the odds are on my side. The only thing which would ruin everything would be Force Z somehow sneaking into the picture, but although I have spotted Walruses in the area, I would be greatly surprised if he did make such a move. Therefore I have ordered the invasion of Amboina to go forward. For extra insurance, G3Ms have been flown to newly captured Jolo Is. and Manado, though they won't be able to use torpedos. With two of the enemy surface ships already damaged, he may think twice about engaging at all, but if he does I will meet him with a powerful surface force.

Time for a surface battle? We'll find out soon.

[Xxzard]

The result of the surface battle at Amboina is not good. I made the decision to go ahead and invade, expecting to have better air cover than I ended up with, and expecting the surface force to perform better than it did. [:@]

It turns out my opponent moved in Force Z to the DEI area, and that was quite a surprise. The search planes did not see it at all, and I thought for sure even if he did attack with a significant force I had four battleships covering.

Well I guess nothing is ever certain in surface combat....

Night Time Surface Combat, near Amboina at 40,74

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro
CL Kinu
CL Oi
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 1
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 3
BC Repulse, Shell hits 1
CL Danae
DD Tenedos
DD Vampire
DD Electra
DD Express

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Amboina at 40,74

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
BB Fuso, Shell hits 3
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu, Shell hits 1
CL Oi
DD Mikazuki
DD Sawakaze
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 4
BC Repulse, Shell hits 2
CL Danae, Shell hits 2
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 2
DD Vampire
DD Electra, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Express, Shell hits 1, on fire

Hyuga took multiple 15 inch shells, and Ise took 1, then rather annoying, Hyuga took a torp from the british ships. Meanwhile the Kitakami class Oi apparently launched all torpedos onboard and only managed to sink the DD Electra. I had 4 battleships with a total of 48 14" guns, and how many hits did I get? Only one! This battle was at very close range, between 6000 and 10000 yards too, so I was expecting some kind of return fire on the British ships but I guess no luck. The Hyuga is very badly damaged, may have to be scuttled.[:(] The Ise will make it back to Palau, but this whole thing has shifted the balance of power in that area. The commanding officer of the task force will certainly be relieved of duty after this debacle. My only hope now to complete the operational plan is to immediately take at least one lvl 4 airfields so I can get some torp bombers in. I may have some chance to hit the BBs with the thirty or so Kates on small CVs in the region, but I know I can't count on that. Even Palau isn't a lvl 4 airfield!

Deliberate attacks at Rabaul and Hong Kong fail utterly, despite all available units in the area attacking these locations, and only fort level 2 at each of the bases. I hope tomorrow goes a bit better!

[Xxzard]

Update to Dec 20th
--------------------------------------------------------------
Well, things haven't been going quite according to plan. The operations in the DEI have run into a serious snag with force Z thrown into the mix. If I could get a fix on their location I would feel much safer, but at the moment, it is difficult to make the decision to launch a large slow invasion TF when those BBs are in the area. Small groups managed to land on Amboina, but not enough to take the base. A SCTF made up of 7DD and 1 CL ran into a Dutch-US group with 4-5 cruisers, they were fortunate to lose only 1 DD, and a damaged kuma class cruiser. I was hoping they would engage the fleeing Manila evacuation force that day, but it proved to be one day too many for them. Also the light carrier zuiho took a bomb from a Hudson, but will remain on station with around 20 system damage. I really need all the torpedo capable aircraft in the area right now.

On the plus side, despite escaping air attacks, surface combat, and sub attacks, the AR Dewey Dry Dock was sunk by a submarine moving towards Soerbaia. It turns out that only counts as a whopping 1 victory point though. Amazingly it looks like the Hyuga will at least make it to a friendly port, fires are out, and floation damage is massive, but not really going up anymore. It would be amazing to be able to save that ship. Many G3M's and G4M's are moving into the Tarakan and Manado airfields, but they can only use bombs, as no torpedos are available at those bases. Tarakan was captured with resources/oil fully intact at least. The maylaya operation has gone perfectly, and the Phillipines operation, although slow, met little resistance, and now has the enemy forces contained to Bataan and Manila proper. Heavy artillery and land based bombers will be brought in to pound the city until they surrender, as I have no intrest in attempting a costly assault immediately.

The surprise invasion in the south pacific is probably no longer a surprise as the island has been scouted for a few days prior to the landing. I can only hope all goes well on the beaches of Canton Island, recon reports a lot of guns, but only 1 unit, so we will see.

There are just not enough forces in the South Pacific, and not even enough transports. I can't make a move on places I would really like to seize because there are just no units available for it!

Overall my opponents play confuses me. From what I have seen, his ground unit handling is decent, although he has mostly stayed on the defensive. His naval abilities at organizing and fighting seem quite good, as he hit me quite well with the few available ships in the DEI. Yet, he has time and again left ships and aircraft he could have moved from his bases on the ground to be destroyed in my advance. When I took Lingayan, I was amazed that 24 P40E's had been left sitting on the runway. About 20 B17's plus other A/C were destroyed at an abandoned Clark Field! Many ships had to be scuttled when my troops overtook Naga and Tarakan, despite the fact he had significant warning this was going to happen. So I don't know what is going on at his end.

[Xxzard]

Well, its going rather slow, we both have some other obligations, but we'll try and keep it going.

On December 21st, the "Surprise" Force finally arrived at Canton Island. My greatest fear was twofold, one, that he would keep the crusier escorted convoy that starts the war there at the base. Secondly, that he would unload that convoy's units onto Canton, which contained four or five artillery units. Either one would be just awful for the invasion.

I confirmed the CA wasn't there when it was hit by 2 torpedoes in between the island and pearl. As for the second, floatplane recon began about 3 days before the invasion hit the beaches, and reports showed a lot of guns, but only 1 unit, so I decided to go ahead with the plan.

I've shortened this down a bit, but it was a busy turn.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/21/41


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Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu


Allied ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Runway hits 1
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 4

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TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Canton Island, 100,100


Japanese ground losses:
181 casualties reported

Luckily no coastal gun fire, I was worried that it could be an absolute slaughter...
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TF 130 troops unloading over beach at Madang, 55,87


Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported

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TF 130 troops unloading over beach at Madang, 55,87


Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

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ASW attack near Aparri at 45,49

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 32
APD Patrol Boat No. 33
APD Patrol Boat No. 34
APD Patrol Boat No. 35
APD Patrol Boat No. 36
APD Patrol Boat No. 37
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
APD Patrol Boat No. 39

Allied Ships
SS Porpoise, hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

That sub is sunk, and not going to resurface

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Sub attack near Soerabaja at 23,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
DD Express, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

This DD was with Force Z. I would have prefered this torp to go into the Prince of Wales or Repulse, but at least I have an idea where they are now. I am moving in the Taiyo loaded with a daitai of Kates, freshly transfered. Hopefully I can somehow draw the enemy into a battle without risking more ships.


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Day Air attack on TF at 31,65

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Finch
PG Tulsa
AP President Madison, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bisayas, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mayon, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
1 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 8000 feet

The evacuation tf has still not escaped yet!
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Naval bombardment of Canton Island, at 100,100 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 4
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 4


Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Attu Island, 91,35


Japanese ground losses:
260 casualties reported


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Ground combat at Canton Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3043 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Defending force 1336 troops, 24 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 234 - adjusted assault: 188

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 94 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Canton Island base !!!



Allied ground losses:
1569 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 1

Apparently there wasn't much of anything at this base after all. I will capture Baker Is. with part of one of the invasion units, the transports will then move back to pick up a base force at Kwajalein to transfer here. I just didn't have enough transports to do both!

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TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Attu Island, 91,35


Japanese ground losses:
260 casualties reported

This also happened today, I don't plan to make this a major theater, but I will do everthing I can to make him think I'm doing something in Alaska. I briefly contemplated a massive attack into Alaska, but there was just too little to gain, despite the originality.


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Ground combat at Tavoy

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1428 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Defending force 1148 troops, 12 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 45 - adjusted assault: 33

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tavoy base !!!



Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

I paradropped on this base a few days earlier, but the transports were brutalized by the rather strong british AAA. So the force that is there is less than half of each regiment, but at least they are well supplied for whatever reason.[8|] In any case I am glad to take this base and get moving on the other port in the area, victoria pt.

By the way, Wake Island will be invaded next turn....

[Xxzard]

Boy this can be difficult to keep up with.

Update to Dec 27th

Lockmart raided the newly captured Canton Is. with at least 1 CV, 3 CL's sunk!

KB is looking to engage but it is probably already too late. Will cover Canton from invasion and other raids until base force can be brought in.

I'm moving in on Kendari with 4BB, 4CVL/CVE with about 120 a/c and 12000 men, infantry and a base force. Capturing a level 4 Airfield base is essential.

Baker Is. also fell, undefended. Some progress has been made at Rabaul, Hong Kong has fallen, and the China offensive is beginning.

Hyuga's floatation damage went up to 95 before dropping to 89, but it has gone up since it has been docked!

Lockmart has been launching daily air attacks from Singapore on the base at Kota Bharu, but even with A2A adjustments, the 59th fighter sentai and others have been racking up kills on blenheims and hudsons.

I'd really like to destroy the aircraft and ships that are still at Singapore, but I know with as much flak as is there any bomber attack will be costly.

[Xxzard]

Well, Kendari invasion is going forward, it has more covering forces than I had before, and I think it ought to make a difference. This time his incoming surface combat tf has been spotted beforehand, and it seems, (I'm HOPING and PRAYING) that it is only a Dutch/US SCTF I ran into a little while ago. The CVL torp bombers went in, but dropped no torps at 5 range, however, the CL Tromp and the CL Java are probably out of action, and this should be a good indication that the British BB's are not with this group. If they choose to attack, they face 4 BB's several CA's and multiple CL's. Of course thats what I thought was a sure thing last time.[8|]

Kendari is lightly defended, and the ground troops could well take it on the first day, so hopefully this will be shorter than the Amboina affair. Taking this base is very important to the overall plans.

On the bright, if not truly useful side, it looks like the BB Hyuga will be saved, barely! I even transfered its floatplanes to the base in case it sank, and appointed a less talented captain.

Here's the damage on the Hyuga according to WITP Tracker:
Turn 12 (takes several 15in shells): Sys 75, Flt 67, Fires 32
Turn 13 Sys 84, Flt 83, Fires 11
Turn 14 Sys 88 Flt 85 Fires 4
Turn 15 Flt up 1
Turn 16 no change
Turn 17 (ship gets into port) Flt up 8 !!
Turn 18 Flt down 2
Turn 19 Flt peaks at 95 !!!
Turn 20 Flt down 6 points
Turn 21 Flt down 2 points
Turn 22 Flt down 1 point to 86.

So I'm not exactly sure how repair routines work in the game, but it is honestly a little odd that the greatest threat to a severly damaged ship is sailing into port. Its like the guys at the base start pumping out water but then the crapper overflows and adds some more damage that almost sinks the ship.[8|]

[Xxzard]

Well, I don't think the British BB's will be much of a threat now, the Dutch SCTF turned tail and ran, and the Brits never showed up to oppose the Kendari landing. Now I will have a level 4 airfield to station the torp bombers at, and I will own the area around Sulawesi and southern Borneo. This means the Balikpapan invasion can go forward, and will as soon as possible. As long as the weather is good, this is the death knell of all enemy naval forces in the area.

Moving on to preparations for Timor and Java landings, I have decided to divert two divisions to the South, since there are many objectives I consider essential down there. There ought to still be plenty enough force to take Singapore, even with this change of plan.

Hyuga is down to 81 float, looking good, but a long way from operational. [8|]

[Xxzard]

Dec 29th is a very bad day for the Allies!

I launched a massive attack with 150 med and naval bombers on Singapore, Zeros performed perfectly even in low numbers, flak was not horrific as I was worried it might be,

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 44
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20
Ki-21-II Sally x 106
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 8
Buffalo I x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Buffalo I: 12 destroyed, 11 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 5 destroyed
Catalina I: 2 destroyed
Swordfish: 2 destroyed
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 35
Port hits 1

We did miss the med bombers because they were off attacking my base while I attacked theirs. They are still on naval attack, so even with depleted cap they only score one hit on a minor PG.

In other news, we capture Amboina, with its lvl 4 airfield!

Nauru Island Falls! ---- Sorong falls, with no resistance, but a few patrol craft and an AVD were still there.

Their total A/C losses for the turn: 54 to my 9. I lost 7 bombers to flak and ops, but they lost many fighters in the air, and it looks like almost all Vildebeasts at Singapore are destroyed in addition to everything else.

[Xxzard]

Gah! Hyuga's flt damage goes up 10 points in one day! After falling to 79 it suddenly jumped to 89!

On the plus side, Rabaul will soon fall, it has no fortifications left.

[Xxzard]

Its the first day of the New Year.

Rabaul finally fell, the final attack managing 15:1 odds compared to not even 0:1 when there were forts. Well, thats just the way things went. This seems a little slow to me, but with the historical 1st turn it took a little longer to much of anything going. The grand strategy does not require capturing Rabaul too quickly, so I'm not worried.

Operations to the south of kwajalein have to be suspended until Canton gets air reinforcements. Not to mention I just don't have too many troops available. Against the computer AI it wouldn't be any problem to deploy every combat unit I have and let transport convoys go unescorted, but caution is much more advisable against a human opponent.

Things are going more smoothly in the DEI though, multiple invasions are moving out, and troops are streaming into the area. The only bad news is that Hyuga is still at 89 Float! At least it didn't go up though...

In the Phillipines, Zero sweeps have managed a 20:1 kill ratio over the past two days against P-40E's.

To the west, Georgetown fell with the loss of some 10,000 Brits captured. Many more are stuck in a trail hex between Georgetown and Kota Bharu, only 1 hex from hundreds of level bombers. [:)] Johore Bharu is secure, and I am moving in an AV regiment to provide some air cover in case he shifts target as he probably should.

On an industry note, I am really hoping to see factories switch over to new aircraft. And for shipbuliding, I am planing to keep 3 Unryu class CV's accelerated until they are completed, but Taiho is not accel'd at the moment. This will mean 3 more CV's sometime in mid 43 or so, which would certainly be helpful---if we get that far in this slow game. [:D]

[Xxzard]

January 1st brings a sweep that wipes out most of the rest of the P-40's at Manila, and plenty of air action, albeit one-sided, in China as the weather momentarily cleared up.

Hyuga flt went down 1 point, Ise is back in Japan at 42 sys.

This is merely the lull before the storm. Soon multiple invasions will reach their targets. After these invasions more will come, but this is confidential information for now!

[Xxzard]

Well how wonderful, some ten or fifteen days after the battle, the BB Hyuga suddenly decided to sink!

---The sinking of the battleship was attributed to a single damage control party member from the repair ship who accidently turned the water pump to suck in water instead of pump it out. The captain, a replacement serving on the heavily damaged ship decided it would be a good idea to go down with the ship, but the shallow water in port was barely deep enough to submerge the weather deck, let alone the bridge. Taking this as a good sign, he spontaneously decided to go for a swim and was subsequently eaten by a shark.---

Seriously... the repair routine is rather odd-to say the least[:@]

The damage went up, down, up, down, and then sank...

The effect of the loss is fairly minor though, since at 88 system damage it would have taken a long time to repair anyway. Nevertheless I was hoping to save the ship, but the fickle nature of Flt damage strikes again.

[Xxzard]

Jan 4th 1942,

The offensive in China has been launched. This should be fun!

Massive airstrike on Singapore again, destroying some bombers on the ground, and quite a number of Buffalos and Wirraways are killed by the sweep and escorts.

Airstrike on Manila shoots down some more p-40s and there are several 800kg hits on subs, but amazingly most are only on fire!

Total losses: 56 Allied losses to 11 Japanese.

The light CV's covering the Balikpapan invasion sink five or so four piper DDs, I don't know why he sent them, sacrificial attack possibly? He could be trying to feel out my strength, or it could be he doesn't really have anything else.

Troops hit the beach at Lautem, no return fire.

A small force also lands at Aru island, for use as a scout base covering the Torres Strait until Thursday Is. can be secured.

I have some strength available now in the South Pacific, but it will take time to get organized.

[Xxzard]

January 6th, 1942

The Balikpapan invasion went well, and the garrison was forced to retreat today. Losses were very minimal, and soon the remaining Dutch ships at Soerabaia will be completely destroyed by land based air from Balikpapan. Balikpapan was captured with very little collateral damage done to the facilities, so that represents a valuable gain to oil production.

Lautem has fallen as well, very little resistance.

Aru Is has of course been taken.

China is finally heating up a bit, but despite some minor gains the Chinese are as ususal proving tough-- and numerous.

Things will get very interesting in the next two weeks I promise! [:)][:)]

[Xxzard]

The first air attack from Balikpapan hit Soerbaia today, the zeros really did their job and slaughtered the Dutch cap. The bombers scored a few bomb and a few torp hits on some cargo ships and a sub. I am still getting reports of ship-launched seaplanes there, but those TFs aren't "in port" I guess. On the naval side, every sub I have sent there has used up all of its torpedoes in attacks, and I am having trouble keeping subs on station there because I guess there are just too many targets!

One of his subs missed a crucial transport that was carrying a fragment of the South Seas Detachment, needless to say I need them at full strength. In that same area sub planes have reported a large convoy at Midway, just in case I have stepped up minelaying and other precautions at Wake Is. Also some torp planes have arrived at Canton to protect remaining ships there.

My opponent says some "new fighters" are coming online, but considering the success the zeros have had against the P-40E's, I'm not very worried.

[Xxzard]

huh... Soerabaia attacks have been less that fantastic. Although huge numbers of Buffalos are destroyed on cap, in the latest attack about 40 very high exp bombers hit nothing at all from 15k. And there are still flak losses!

Another strike from Kota Bharu hit Singapore, and despite things being exactly the same as before, we took losses several times higher! 7 Sallies lost, although thankfully not all with crew. For some reason it seems the flak fire was more intense than ever despite Singapore being cut off. The G4M's took losses too, but at least they hit the CL Mauritus in port, but that must be some sort of super ship because it has absorbed about 5 800kgs and 3 or so torps!

Oh well, I shouldn't complain, things are definately still going my way. Operation Win should launch within five days.[:)]