"The First Team"--Japanese Perspective

[John 3rd]

I would never have thought about that Mike.  I'll remember that for future campaigns.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

It's been awhile since I did a 7 Dec turn (and never in this mod) but I used to deploy a NLF from Iwo Jima (?) to Guam and us the 7 Dec move to get the SSD out into the Pacific toward Tarawa or Rabaul (or wherever you want it).  I shipped the NLF on DDs (the ones attached to the 4 CA TF that includes the Furutakas) from Iwo Jima to Guam.  Saves the SSD for something more important.

It also depends on the mod, in Big B there is actually a bit much for one NLF to handle; maybe 2 though.

[John 3rd]

We go the results from Dec 7th and they are pretty decent.  Will do a full overview later tonight.

[Q-Ball]

December 7th Start

John will likely comment, but we exchanged some thoughts. Overall it went fairly well, though the losses in aircraft were a bit high.

Manila Raid

We conducted a port raid on Manila, consisting of Baby KB to the West, and Car Div 2 (Hiryu,Soryu) to the East. 5 subs went down, and many ships were heavily damaged. The Baby KB strike went first and suffered heavy Kate losses, maybe 10, but the Car Div 2 pilots shot down most of the cap. These ships are well positioned now to pretty much sink any surface ship attempting to escape from the Phillipines

Pearl Harbor

This raid was conducted by Car Div's 1 and 5 (Akagi, Kaga, Sho, Zui). 7 BBs were heavily damaged, and other ships took hits, but nothing went down (yet). Of course many planes were destroyed.

Those were the two port raid. Other than that, we raided the airfields at Clark (which went very well), and Singapore (which suffered heavy losses). Had I to do it again, I would run that Singapore raid from Kompong Son to get Zero escort, or not at all. I wanted to damage the UK Torp bombers, that did happen, we got some hits there.

Landings

The only landings were at Guan, Batan Is., and Appari. We have a house rule against aggressive turn 1 landings. We have several landings ready to go however, for quick follow-up.

In the DEI, we will be landing within 10 days at Kuching, Jolo, and Amboina. The idea is to set up an umbrella of Bettys and Zeros.

Additional troops will land on the PI. The base at Appari will be built up enough to release all the Bettys/Nells on Formosa, so they can move to the Eastern Pacific, and turn over the heavy work to the IJA.

Wake and Rabaul are also early targets, John is more in tune there.

[John 3rd]

The battle been joined in our 2x2!  Q-Ball made some comments and I will add to them here:

Pearl Harbor  0830-1035 Hours

Over Pearl Harbor appears a Strike Force of 68 Zero, 99 Val, and 107 Kate that flew from CarDiv1 and 5.  Taking a huge risk, Adm Nagumo leaves only 8 Zeros to fly CAP over his flattops. Surprise wasn't complete as nearly 30 Fighters took to the air to attack the aerial armada.  The Kido Butai's elite Zero-sen pilots were up to the challenge as they shot down 25 American Fighters.  Five managed to pierce the CAP and shot down 3 Kate at this point.

With aerial supremacy, two Daitai of Zeros (CarDiv 5) attack the AF while one Daitai of Val (Shokaku) support by nailing Hickam Field with their bombs.  At the end of the AF attack, the totals for destroyed planes (air and ground) are 45 Fighters, 6 PBY, 6 2EB, 1 B-17, and 4 SBD==62 planes.  The AF are hit a total of 72 times.

The Harbor suffers as all remaining elements of the Japanese Strike (3 Val and all 4 Kate Daitai) crush Battleship Row.  Unfortunately, the Japanese were unable to solve the shallow harbor issue so no torpedos were used in the attack (BLASTED---STUPID--AI!!!  [:@][:@][:@])  The Akagi Kates went in first and managed to land 16 of 26 800 Kg bombs on their hapless targets.  The Battleship California was hit no less then 6 times by this Daitai alone.  Soon after all other planes contributed to the carnage.  Under Commander Fuchida's carefully reconstructed accounting, these were the results:

Battleships
Arizona  6 800 Kg and 3 250 Kb Bombs---Heavily Damaged
Oklahoma  3 800 Kg and 1 250 Kg Bombs---Heavily Damaged
Nevada  5 800 Kg and 2 250 Kg Bombs--Heavily Damaged
Pennsylvania  4 800 Kg and 3 250 Kg Bombs---Heavily Damaged
California  10 800 Kg and 4 250 Kg Bombs---Sinking Condition
West Virginia  5 800 Kg and 3 250 Kg Bombs---Heavily Damaged
Maryland  5 800 Kg and 4 250 Kg Bombs---Heavily Damaged
Tennessee 6 250 Kg Bombs

CA
New Orleans  1 800 Kg and 1 250 Kg Bomb---on Fire
San Francisco  1 250 Kg Bomb

CL
Honolulu  1 250 Kg Bomb
Detroit  1 250 Kg Bomb
Raleigh  1 800 Kg and 2 250 Kg Bombs---Sinking Condition

Other Ships
2 DD, 1 AS, 1 AV, 1 DM, 1 PT

Considering the debate that occurred within this AAR, I think this set of results speak strongly in favor of a 4 CV Strike to open the war.  Had ANY of my Kates have dropped TTs then there would have been sinkings!  As is I will wager on a decent chance of California sinking.  I like to judge a PH attack by other factors and, in particular, I like to see CA/CL get hit so they cannot help CV Saratoga when she arrives.  This attack accomplished that pretty well with hitting five cruisers.  Losses were not bad at all for the attack:  7 Zero, 8 Val, and 12 Kates.

I don't believe in double PH attacks so the victorious Kido Butai sails directly for the Marshalls to support landing operations in the Central Pacific.   

Manila Bay  0630-0745 Hours (local Time)
Despite over two hours of warning regarding Pearl Harbor's attack, the Americans move very slowly to get the word out to clear the Harbor and establish a strong Combat Air Patrol over the harbor.  The 9 P-40 that do lift off just happen to blunder into the Japanese dawn strike coming in from 120 miles west of Manila.  The initial Japanese attack of 5 Claudes and 44 Kate mistime their attack and do not link-up with the other wave of aircraft coming from the east.  The Claudes prove to be totally ineffective as the P-40s slash through the Japanese bombers.  Nine Kate fall for no loss to the Americans.  The shaken Japanese pilots still bore in and launch their torpedos.  In a few short minutes torpedoes score multiple hits on the old Langley and 5 submarines.

Had the attack ended here their would have been great disappointment from the Japanese High Command.  Fortunately the decision to detach CarDiv 2 of the KB pays off handsomely!

Before the Americans are able to reset their CAP, the main strike from Hiryu and Soryu arrives over the harbor.  The highly experienced team of 22 Zero, 36 Val and 36 Kate move in for the attack.  The Zeros shoot down six of the nine P-40s and not a single Japanese plane falls in air-to-air combat.  The Kate make high level bombing runs while the Vals concentrate on the American subs.  Roughly 30 minutes later the Strike Force regroups and heads home having only lost one Val and one Kate for their effort.  The final tally for their attack ends up at:  12 SS, 2 S-Boats, all 4 DD present, 1 AO, AV Langley (again), 1 AVD, 1 MSW, 1 AS, and 3 AK.

As the pilots return to their respective commands they can see smoke along the northern horizon as Clark Field is crushed.

Three Subs sink and an S-Boat goes down with many more terribly damaged.  The Asiatic SS Force is out of the war for the next few months!  The Japanese Admirals (Yamaguchi in the east and Yamada in the west) move slowly southwards in anticipation of easy pickings the following day.  They, too, do not worry about a second port attack on Manila Bay.  IT is known that nearly 150 Nells/Betty plan to hit the damaged ships remaining in the harbor on the 8th.

Clark Field  0815 Hours (local time)
The beginning of the war finds Clark Field horrifically unprepared.  Though they have had 3-4 hours of warning, the American planes are caught largely on the ground as the fury of the Formosa Strike crushes the American base.  Just 9 P-40s are on CAP when 54 Zero, and 133 Nell/Betty sweep down from the northwest.  All 9 fighters in the air are destroyed as well as another 27 fighters and 5 B-17s on the ground.  The AF is hit nearly 250 times during the attack.  Clark Field is out for the remainder of the Philippine Campaign.

Malaya
Throughout the morning many British AFs in Malaya are hit.  Georgetown, Alor Star, Kota Bharu, and Singapore are hit.  Only at Singapore is there any real resistance when 9 Brewsters get into the 99 Nells hitting the AF there.  A strong AA display adds to the carnage as the Japanese formation is ripped apart and at least a dozen Japanese bombers fall.  In return for this the British Far Eastern Air Force loses 5 Fighters, 5 Blenheim, 3 Hudson, 6 Torpedo Bombers, and 1 Recon plane.  Each targeted AF gets hit and is damaged.


Throughout the Central Pacific numerous convoys carry Japanese troops, supplies, and fuel to Truk, Kwajalein, and Palau. 

Landings are made on Guam, Batan Isle (captured) and at Aparri.

British Recon spots huge numbers of Japanese troops unloading from a myriad of ships at Singora.

Intelligence reports a similar situation at Bangkok.

At Kwajalein, troops begin to load onto the Wake Island Invasion Force...

THAT is the first day of this campaign.  Any thoughts/questions???

[1EyedJacks]

Hi John,

Well, since you asked for thoughts... <grin>

A quick return visit (Kwajalein and back to PH) with KB might net a CV... They will probably bring air units in too... Smashing those base fields would help if you plan to take Hawaii and would probably net a lot of ground kills...

[John 3rd]

Here is the major goal I am actively thinking about for long-term strategy.

I've outlined the initial thinking to my partner but would like to draw as much input as possible from those who are crazy enough to try something like this:

[Canoerebel]

This plan would freak out inexperienced opponents, but I'll bet your opponents are aware of the problems that exist in that area.  The Allies have alot of SEAC Chinese available and by using PP can boost that number considerably.  Too, the Allies usually develop the ability to move alot of troops by air transport, allowing them to reinforce weak areas or, if push comes to shove, pull out troops threatened by envelopment. Your plan is a bold one and might succeed, but I suspect it will end up as a vortex drawing men and material and turning into a battle of attrition in India, which isn't a bad thing for the Allies.  But the fun of the game is to devlop bold strategies with a chance of success and to then give it a shot!

[Alikchi2]

I rather like it, but if I was you I'd make the seaborne landing just before or in conjunction with the paradrop. Lowers their chances of getting surrounded and destroyed, and forces him to choose where to reinforce.

[John 3rd]

Dan--I freaked out when I saw you on the site and then realized it was the new AAR!&nbsp; I'm a little jumpy over life issues...&nbsp; You have done so well in this Mod attacking me in this area, what do you think is possible?&nbsp; I really want to try to force the Allies back to that line shown above so we can grab the resources, oil, heavy industry, and manpower benefits.&nbsp; In our campaign, I was able to pull 50,000 resources every ten days from Perth.&nbsp; Even keeping these territories for a year would be an enormous help with our economy.

Alikchi--Good thinking.&nbsp; I keep wondering if they should be done TOGETHER?&nbsp; We could land at Cuttack with several Inf Div and drop Paras at Patna and Jamshedpur.&nbsp; If we grab those three locations then everything east and south (Burma would be cut off.&nbsp; Hmmmm...&nbsp; It is a thought.

What would you guys do?&nbsp; Is there a better route?&nbsp; Idea?

Just got a note from Paula saying he was finishing our turn.&nbsp; Be good to get one done.&nbsp; Dan I just sent ours a little while ago.

[John 3rd]

Dan--You just got me thinking.  There are a lot of Chinese that can transfer into Burma.  What about staging a quick Para landing in Lashio to prevent that?

If could grab the hex and reinforce it ASAP then the Chinese would have to look at a much farther walk in going to Myitkyina.  By the time they got there we should already have it too...

I am not wedded to any specific idea yet other the making a major push into Burma/India.

[Q-Ball]

I sent John a note on the Ledo operation. I didn't think we could to it from Hanoi, not enough Tina's available, and at any rate that is very tenuous way to supply forces.

I agree that the objective needs to be to kill large numbers of Allied units. I think an amphibious landing needs to be loading up in Singapore before capturing Ledo. The idea with that incursion, I think, it to draw units toward Ledo, and land in their rear. If many Allied units are destroyed, we can then either go for the whole subcontinent, or dig-in. If it's successful, I doubt the Allies will try to hold central or southern India, so we may as well clear it.

Ledo wouldn't hold terribly long on it's own. I think we have to land along the coast there to make it work.

[John 3rd]

That sounds like a fine idea.&nbsp; Alikchi is on the same wavelength.

[Q-Ball]

Our notes crossed! Not sure how long a Para landing would last against the Chinese, but Lashio is a thought. The SEAC units are about 1400 AV, so we would need at least a Mix Bde right away to hold it. That could be attempted earlier.

Isolating the Chinese from India is another objective. One of the main reasons to send them over the pass is to draw supplies from the UK. If everything goes well, the Chinese will have an escape route back to Tsuyung, but they won't be drawing supplies.

[John 3rd]

IF we land BOTH Para Regiments and then elements of an Aviation Regiment, we can immediately move Zeros there.&nbsp; Lashio starts at AF 2 so we could move a substantial number of fighters there to hold it.&nbsp; The AVG starts in Mandalay so that could be an issue.&nbsp; After the Paras we could begin airlift of an Inf Brigade to strengthen the defense.&nbsp;

If we can keep the Chinese separated from the rest of Burma then that will be VERY helpful.

The range to Lashio should enable a drop with nearly all Transports from Hanoi right?&nbsp; There should be enough Engineers and Aviation troops at Hanoi to kick that AF up to 3 within a week or so.&nbsp; When it reaches that level, we can fling the attack against Lashio.
&nbsp;

[John 3rd]

The Japanese opening effort is proving to be slightly behind expectations.&nbsp; A combination of weather and zillions of single-ship TF slow down the number of sunken Allied ships.&nbsp; There are no major surprises and things are going according to plan.&nbsp; I'll cover by region:

Northern Pacific
If ANYTHING has been taught to me by Dan in our Forlorn Hopes AAR it is never too late to start fortifying and moving into the Aleutians.&nbsp; An Invasion Force built around the Japanese Special Base Force in Ominato will begin loading and head for Attu.&nbsp; It is the winter season there and so the Allies won't expect it.&nbsp; There won't be any resistance so it should be OK to take and expand the AF for the eventual Spring Campaign.

Central Pacific
Kido Butai
While retiring towards the Marshalls, the Japanese reveal their movement by making a Port Attack on Johnston Island as they pass to the north of it.&nbsp; A MSW is hit by the attack and the Americans now know that I am withdrawing SW.&nbsp; My CV air groups are in great shape with hardly needing any planes to fillout their Daitai.

Wake Island Invasion Force
This force of 2 Naval Guard units with a Strong Close Escort (2 CA, 2 CL, and 6 DD) should land at Wake on the 12th.&nbsp; They should overwhelm the Marines there fairly easily.

Tarawa Invasion Force
Another Naval Guard unit shall land here about the 12th also.&nbsp; A Special Base Force will land to begin AF expansion and support the aircraft that will move into that base fairly quickly.

Nauru Invasion Force
An SNLF will occupy this island.

South East Pacific
Admiralties Invasion Force
This small TF has already departed carrying a small infantry unit.

Kavieng Invasion Force
There is no fooling around with Kavieng.&nbsp; I send an Infantry unit and the Engineering Regiment to take this base.&nbsp; There should be no resistance but the Rabaul landing will happen over a week after this one so I want the AF expanded to level two by the time the Rabaul Force approaches.&nbsp; Since there might be naval resistance here, these ships will have 2 CL and 3 DD providing cover.

Northern Solomons
Two small forces are loading to take Buin and the Shortlands.

SE Pacific Strike Force
In a true tip off to the Allies, 2 BC (Kongo and Haruna) and their escorts depart Truk to hit Rabaul.

Philippines
KB-3 (Mini-KB)
These ships hit 3 US DDs with torpedos on the 8th as well as a MSW, AO, AS, and an AK on the 9th.&nbsp; The AK had troops on it so we know that the Allies are trying to get some troops off the islands.

KB-2 (CarDiv5)
Unfortunately this ships are too far east to attack on the 8th but they decisively move into the center of the Philippine Islands and hit a PG, AS, and AK on the 9th.&nbsp;

Manila Strike
On both the 8th and 9th the Nells and Bettys hit Manila Bay.&nbsp; Each time they (154 bombers on the 8th and 93 Bombers on the 9th) are escorted by 27 Zero who tangle with 12-15 P-40s.&nbsp; There aren't any really important notes on the exchange of planes but the bombers do hit 10 ships on the 8th and 2 ships on the 9th.

The bomber concentrations is spread around on the 9th.&nbsp; A Daitai moves to Okinawa to catch anything taking the NE escape route.&nbsp; Another Daitai goes to Saipan for the same purpose.&nbsp; Palau already has 36 bombers flying out of it.

Orders for the 10th
Both KB TF will move southwards to keep hitting the shipping.&nbsp; The Japanese move half-a-dozen SS to follow as well as two small STF.

Aparri
This northern base falls on the 8th and Nates are moved in to provide CAP.

Hong Kong
My esteemed partner noticed that the 3 DD in this harbor were apparently forgotten by the Allies.&nbsp; A large Port Strike hits here on the 9th and hits all three British DDs with 4-6 bombs each.&nbsp; Additional troops arrive to bolster and speed the attack.

Burma
Unloading at Bangkok continues to go well.&nbsp; The 55th Inf Div reaches Raheng on the 9th.&nbsp; They will stay there a few days until some Artillery arrives then they will march towards Moulmein and Rangoon.&nbsp;

Malaya
Unloading at Singora continues and the initial ground units are moving towards Alor Star.&nbsp; The AF here is flying at full capacity with Fighters and Lily Bombers.

DEI
Invasion Forces are loading at Saigon, Cam Rahn Bay, and Palau for all the traditional opening moves.

SS Action
Ro-34 sinks MSW Finch
I-165 sinks an AK
I-156 gets a PG
I-155 hits CL Java with a Torpedo NW of Soerabaja
A Dutch DD hits an SS-laid mine at Batavia

Sinkings for the two days total out to be (confirmed):&nbsp; 1 DD, 2 AVD, AV Langley, 2 AK, 2 MSW, 1 PG, 2 AS, and an AO.
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[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

[/i]While retiring towards the Marshalls, the Japanese reveal their movement by making a Port Attack on Johnston Island as they pass to the north of it. A MSW is hit by the attack and the Americans now know that I am withdrawing SW. My CV air groups are in great shape with hardly needing any planes to fillout their Daitai.

John;

Just wondering why you would do that. Seems better to keep them guessing about KB's whereabouts.

[John 3rd]

Hey Sir!

I wanted them to know where I was.&nbsp; Now the KB will shift course and move to a new location where--perhaps--I can take out a few of those BBs that are being pumped out at PH!

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Hey Sir!

I wanted them to know where I was. Now the KB will shift course and move to a new location where--perhaps--I can take out a few of those BBs that are being pumped out at PH!

Fiendish, but have you considered they want you to think that they think that KB is going to Truk so that they can tempt the KB into an ambush of 24 brightly painted Brewster Buffalos, some TBD's with a range of 100 miles and a couple of squadrons of B-18's?

[John 3rd]

I am SOOOOOOO scared of those Buffalos!&nbsp; I will probably lose sleep over this fear later tonight...

It is always an experience when two players take each side.&nbsp; Brad and I have had a couple of foul-ups that wouldn't have normally occurred if just one of us were playing.&nbsp; This tends to make it even more fun to play!&nbsp; We can only hope the same thing happens with our opponents.&nbsp;

Playing the Japanese is always about planning and the two of us are exchanging ideas and thoughts all the time.&nbsp; This is an email I just sent Brad for his thinking.&nbsp; If any Forum people have a thought please jump in!

Brad,

Hope you have a fun time at the party.&nbsp; I don't know hardly anything about you.&nbsp; What do you do?&nbsp; Married?&nbsp; Children?&nbsp; My delightful life has been fully detailed in Dan and I's AAR...

Production Thoughts/Questions:

1.&nbsp; Army Fighter--I have found if you change the research on Frank at Gumma you stand a good chance of bringing in either Tony or Tojo a month early.&nbsp; Frank is so FAR away that I usually get one of the newer 2nd Generation Army fighters in as fast as possible for our poor Oscar/Nate pilots.&nbsp; Thank goodness Brian's Mod improves them slightly so they are a bit more effective at the beginning.

2.&nbsp; I have expanded Heavy Industry some in Indochina and Manchuria.&nbsp; Those areas generally can take care of themselves and are not primary bombing targets later in the war.

3.&nbsp; Looks like you did a major expansion of nearly everything (HI/Naval Shipyards/Aircraft Production/Repair Yards/Aircraft Engines) in Hokkaido.&nbsp; I like that.&nbsp; Generally do the same thing.

4.&nbsp; When we get Hong Kong/Manila/Soerabaja/Cebu we should massively expand those repair yards.&nbsp; They are quite useful.

I upgraded the Claude Chutai in the Marshalls as you suggested.&nbsp;

We should move a Glen-SS to keep an eye on Suva, Palmyra, and Canton Isle.

I am swinging the KB through Johnston Isle/Palmyra with the possible thinking of hitting the damaged BBs coming out of PH.&nbsp; The 4 AOs at Kwajalein are fully loaded and will move to support this possiblity.

CarDiv5 will move south one more day and then rendezvous with an AO from Kwajalein to support the Amboina Invasion.
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We need to come to some sort of resolution regarding Burma and Para Operations.&nbsp; The Lashio Jump holds merit if we do it within 7-10 days.&nbsp; We might panic the Allies into abandoning Rangoon without a fight AND keep the Chinese from moving into the Theatre quickly.&nbsp; What do you think?