West Wind, Clear - Rybka (J) vs. Skipjack (A)

[Skipjack]

AAR Time - Ah, yes, good to be back at it [8D]

12/7/41: The day of infamy breaks first over the mainland of China, as massive waves of Japanese aircraft fly sorties over Nationalist bases. The AVG wards off attacks on Kunming, but elsewhere their is little resistance. General Chenault sends alerts to other U.S. commands but they are not received in time to be heeded.

Pearl Harbor: Japanese CVs launch a dawn strike - first destroying 156 aircraft on the ground, then 2 waves of Zeros, Kates and Vals deliver devestating blows to the Pacific Fleet - outboard BBs Maryland, Tennessee, California, and West Virginia are sunk, along with Nevada, which managed to avoid blocking the harbor before beaching. Pennsylvania takes heavy damage despite being in dry dock; only the inboard BBs Arizona and Oklahoma survive without heavy damage.

Southwest Pacific:
Bombers appear over Singapore and begin a Taranto-like port attack - a Danae CL plus a DD, DE and several MCS are dispatched in the harbor; Buffalo air cover is ineffective. Admiral Phillips has left with Force Z to interfere with landings off the coast of Malaysia - but air strikes hit his TF before they can offer any resistance. The first target is Prince of Wales, which suffers 3 Torp hits. Disabled, she is detached while Repulse is ordered to continue the mission. It is a fateful decision - further Nells and Betties from Saigon finish the Battle Cruiser along with the remaining 3DD escort. Afterwards Khota Bharu and Kuantan fall to Jap Amphibious assaults.

Clark Field: Air strikes from Formosa destroy 57 aircraft on the ground - wrecking any hope of warding off initial attacks. That is quickly realized as Lagaspi and North Luzon fall to Japanese ground forces - Gen. MacArthur announces War Plan Orange is in effect. Despite this B-17s strike Saigon, shooting down 11 A6Ms while delivering bombs to the base there; later they hit Keelung and shoot down 11 A6Ms air-to-air and destroy 5 more AC on the ground. Unfortunately losses are heavy - 12 forts are lost in these 2 missions.

Wake Island: The Mai 2/Bn lands unexpectedly and quickly subdues the Marine defenders - losses are Jap 343 squads vs 450 U.S.

[Skipjack]

12/14/41:  As Chester Nimitz takes command of the Pacific Fleet on the deck of the submarine Grayling, he realizes the enormous task facing him.  The fleet has suffered a massive blow and must now somehow gear itself up for follow up strikes by what is obviously a potent and aggressive advisary.   His first job is to keep what the Japanese did not sink on December 7th afloat - dispatches are sent to all TFs at sea - to protect Pearl after critical LBA losses, the CV TFs are ordered to cover the Hawaiian Islands before retiring to Palmyra.  Meanwhile he orders ships repaired and works to repair the confidence of his officers as they prepare for what could be a long, drawn-out war - if hopefully not a quick Japanese victory.

SWPac:  Tarakan falls to overland assault ... but the Asiatic Fleet shows up and bombards the enemy troops before withdrawing towards Timor ... Kuantan is taken by IJA forces, but the defenders refuse to give up, and the fiece fighting claims the Japanese commander, Gen. Horii - his ashes are shipped back to Japan by the IJN in an undesclosed vessel.  At the end of the week, the Indian troops finally withdrawl to Kuala Lumpur.

Other Malaysia Action:  Air strikes from Singapore hit IJN resupply efforts off Khota Bharu - 2 MCS and a TK sunk.

Elsewhere:  Hong Kong, Bangkok, Davao and Leyte fall.

[Skipjack]

12/21/41: The tempo of war accelerates - Rangoon and Cagayan fall ... Manila is invaded with 3 Divisions + 1 Bde and falls ... Palawan and Moratai also fall.

Central Pacific - Midway is bombarded by KB and a SCTF (4BB, 4CA, CLs). U.S. Aircraft (Vindicators) give no reponse.

CINCPAC is concerned - Signal Intelligence can offer no clues but the IJN could be targeting Midway, Johnson Island or the Hawaiian Islands for invasion - or it could all be an attempt to draw the U.S. Fleet out for decisive combat far from friendly air cover. The U.S. CVs remain at Pearl Harbor watching for the enemy's next move.

12/28/41: Manalay falls, KB-light arrives off Darwin for an air raid - Martins, Hawks and Buffaloes cannot break throught the Japanese CAP. Halmehara, Kendari, Makin and Palembang fall ... Surface Combat off Timor - Japanese arrive with 2BBs and several CAs, the ABDA force of Houston, Java, DeReuter, Boise and Marblehead take it on the chin - only Marblehead and a few DDs stagger out still afloat.

Midway - Japanese continue the bombardment then the 29th Inf Div lands, and takes the base - odds 2 [:@]

[zamli]

Oh my - surface combat at Timor??
How come Japanese fleet found out where the ABDA was?
Just one question - what KB stands for?

otherwise - Japanese forces move really fast [8D]

[Skipjack]

ORIGINAL: zamli
Oh my - surface combat at Timor??
How come Japanese fleet found out where the ABDA was?

He must have seen my TFs congregating there and boldly came after them - it worked out, I wasn't prepared for a direct assault on my fleet units, was geared more to stopping invasions [:(]

ORIGINAL: zamli
Just one question - what KB stands for?

Kido Butai - the 1st Air Fleet, usually refers to any TF containing multiple fast jap CVs.

[Rybka]

It was simply luck. This fleet was sent to support landing on Timor, but that cowardly commander of transport TF retired, when heard first shots [:@]

[Capt. Harlock]

This fleet was sent to support landing on Timor, but that cowardly commander of transport TF retired, when heard first shots

Looks like the gallant sacrifice of the ABDA fleet wasn't completely in vain. But I imagine it's just a question of time before Timor falls.

[Skipjack]

1/4/42:  Oosthaven is taken by troops marching from Palembang ... Air battles rage over Batavia and Singapore, Japanese gain the upper hand, but bombers from Singapore strike at an IJN Transport TF in Kaula Lumpur - 3 APs and 3 DDs sunk.  Meanwhile the Hermes covers an evacuation effort and manages to survive several air strikes (only 1 included G4Ms).

Timor:  IJN regroups and resumes the assault - after bombardment by BBs several units land and drive off the Gull Force Bn at the end-of-turn.
Phillipines:  The 48th Inf Div lands in Lingayan and takes the base ... Panay, Jolo and Cebu also fall.

Elsewhere, Rabaul falls ... Imphal & Khomo fall as the Japanese continue to advance in India ... Transport TFs spotted in Midway, there mission is still not clear.

1/11/42:  Phillipine Div surrenders in Panay ... Laosho, Balikpapan, Lae and Manikowori fall.

Broome - KB-light (2-3 CVL/CVEs, 1-2 CVs) appear off Broome attempting to kill off survivors escaping from Indonesia - 1AP, 2MCS sunk.
Central Pacific - Several TFs move on Johnson Island, but only the KB gets close - no air strikes - did they retire?  Admiral Halsey has a great deal of nerve but even he does not choose to react into a major CV duel - yet.  B17s from Pearl attempt to bomb KB but get no hits.

1/18/42:  Japanese advance in the south Pacific - Gasmata, Owen Stanleys taken.  Fighter sweeps hit Cairns, Port Moresby.

Indonesia:  Japanese air strikes hit Batavia, Surabaya, and Singapore - air cover over Singapore weak but still resisting.  KB2 hits Java - Tjilijap airfield bombed, bombers do a return strike (B17s, Martins) but they cannot break thru the Japanse CAP - few bombers make it back.  Wirraways from Bali make a few attempts, but they jettison their ordinance and duel with the A6Ms - not pretty.   Surabaya is then invaded and falls.

Hawaii - KB has remained off Johnson Island and launches air raids on the island's airfield - then a bombardment TF shows up and pounds away thru the night - no response from the squadons based there.   Halsey again decides to stay at Pearl, B17s again attempt hitting KB - a couple of bomb hits, no asterisks.

General Mutaguchi launches an end-of-turn attack on Kaula Lumpur and takes it - defenders retreat to Singapore.

[Skipjack]

1/25/42:
India - Myitkyina falls as the Japanese advance continues, both sides launch air strikes on troops in Dacca.
Phillipines: Japanase aircraft from Manila pounds Clark Fields with 180 2engine bombers (probably Sallys/Helens). Negros is taken.
Indonesia - air raids hit Batavia, Tjilijap, and Singapore. Then Kongo-type BBs bombard Batavia and the Japanese 2nd Guards Div takes it. Bali also falls. Meanwhile the British Eastern Fleet hovers off Jitra where an evacuation effort is made successfully [:)] - despite the loss of 2DEs.

Elsewhere - Sorong, Port Morseby, Cape Glouchester fall ... Gullforce Bn surrenders in Timor ... Combined Fleet still has a large presence at Midway, U.S. Pacific Fleet still at Pearl Harbor, the two fleets appear to have a stand-off going.

2/1/42:
Tjilijap falls and 2 Dutch Divs surrender, ending all resistance for Java ... 150 2E bombers hit Clark Field ... Buna taken, Bouganville invaded ... a Kashii-type IJN CL is sunk by subs off Midway [:D] Tokyo Rose pledges vengeance on U.S. Subs - Betties sink a Leander-type CL off Milne Bay, where the Aussies were trying to interfere with the takeover of Papua New Guinea [:(] ... Combined Fleet appears to have abandoned the Midway/Hawaii gambit, so the Pacific Fleet departs Pearl in an attempt to counter its next move ...

2/8/42:
South Pacific: Bouganville falls ... New Georgia, Milne Bay also taken. Cairns hit by A6M fighter sweep - P40s offer meager resistance.
Dutch East Indies: Ambon Island taken by 65th Ind Bde, Air strikes hit Darwin followed by CVs, BB bombardment and an invasion by 2 Divisions and a Bde - which overwhelms the AUS Bde and Dutch Rgt defending it, they retreat - to Broome?? Argh! [:@][:@] Talk about marching off to a death trap ...

India: Dacca attacked by Gen. Mutaguchi & the 33rd Div, but the 18th Brit Div and an Indian Div hold.
The Eastern Fleet decides to interfere with the resupply of Rangoon - Indomitable & Hermes launch multiple strikes on supply TFs and sink 7 MCS. [8D] 3 BBs bombard Rangoon and destroy 71 aircraft and 200 Jap troops Betties from Malaysia retaliate with a **** torpedo hit on Hermes.

[Capt. Harlock]

Those Betties are getting nasty -- do you have any B-17's that can bomb their airfields?

[Skipjack]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Those Betties are getting nasty -- do you have any B-17's that can bomb their airfields?

I'm B17 challenged right now - I have to pick and choose where to use them. BTW, I was wrong about the G4M loadout - 250 Kg bombs did the job.

[Skipjack]

2/15/42: Tenimbar Island, Rennell Island and Hollandia taken, otherwise just air missions and TF movements. And BTW Singapore fell [:(]

At the sun sets on 2/20/42, TF50 pulls into Espirtu Santo with 3CVs under Halsey's command. They have been ordered here to patrol the South Pacific and await intelligence reports on the Japanese plans.

They don't have long to wait. In the morning orders arrive - Combined Fleet is sending a major strike force towards the New Hebrides - at least 4 of the Carriers that struck Pearl Harbor. Halsey is to take command of the South Pacific Fleet, while Adm Spruance takes command of TF50 and is proceed to Fiji. Halsey reviews the orders and shakes his head. "Is he nuts?" he asks Spruance. "This Texan they put in charge sends us here to look for the Japanese, and when we find them, he orders us to withdraw?". "He is concerned with the lack of air cover in the New Hebrides", Spruance comments, reading his own orders. "He wants us to have friendly air support before taking on the Jap Carriers."

"Well, I will fly out to Fiji today by PBY" states Halsey. "When can your TF get underway?" "I can leave Luganville tonight, Admiral." replies the Rear Admiral. "No," rebuffs Halsey with a wry smile, "Lexington is still loading critical fuel and supplies. It will be at least 3 days before you can leave." The two exchange looks and nod. Halsey continues: "Monitor the coast watcher reports from the Solomons, and coordinate with the local patrols. If you can hit first and hit hard, do it." The two men shake hands. "And I'll see you in Fiji when it's over."

[Skipjack]

Admiral Spruance learns of the approach of KB, and throws everything he has at them - a 200+ airstrike. Over 100 bombers break thru the Japanese CAP, but the results are not as good as hoped - Shokaku takes a critical hit, and Kaga a one-asterisk hit. Leaving Yamaguchi 3 CVs to strike back.

[Skipjack]

Yamaguchi strikes back and delivers heavy punishment to CVs Enterprise and Saratoga - fortunately no U.S. CVs sunk.

[Capt. Harlock]

If I'm reading that right, the IJN lost 18 planes for the downing of 28 wildcats. (I generally try not to engage the KB until I have Avengers and 36 fighters per CV -- you've got guts.)

[Skipjack]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

If I'm reading that right, the IJN lost 18 planes for the downing of 28 wildcats. (I generally try not to engage the KB until I have Avengers and 36 fighters per CV -- you've got guts.)

I actually ordered my CVs away from Espirtu (Brave Sir Robin - "Run Away!") when I saw KB was on the way - and replaced Halsey with Spruance hoping my orders would be followed - they engaged anyway - it appears KB moved to Espirtu before my CVs moved to Fiji.

[Skipjack]

Meanwhile, Combined Fleet hits Ceylon and punishes the Eastern Fleet for it's sneaky operations in the Indian ocean thus far - Indomitable, 3 CA, 1CL and 6DD sunk in carrier strikes and surface combat.

[Skipjack]

3/1/42:

1st Combat Phase:
Massive assault on Singapore results in 1 Indian Division surrendering.
Massive assault on Clark Field results in several Philippine Divisions surrendering and the fall of the base.

Movement Phase:
Jap CVL/CVEs hit Colombo airfield, Allied LBA cannot break through for any hits.
The following bases taken by Amphibious assault: Tagula Island, Flores, Andaman Islands, Shortlands, Kolombangara, Wewak.

2nd Combat Phase:
Remaining defenders in Singapore (Malaya Bdes, 8th AUS Div, Ind Bde, Eng) surrender as the fight is wrapped up.
Remaining defenders in Clark Field (U.S. Div, Tank Rgt, a few PI units) are forced back to Bataan.
Broome defenders (Sparrowforce Bn, AUS Bde, Dutch Rgt) surrender along with Gen. Short as NW Oz is wrapped up.

3/8/42:
Jap CVL/CVE TF remains off Colombo; the Allied LBA get through this time [:D] - Hosho and Ryojo sunk, another (Zuiho?) damaged. Dutch Martins, British-operated Hudsons and the AVG are greeted with cheers as they return from their successful sorties - Hip, Hip, Hooray!

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Skipjack

Jap CVL/CVE TF remains off Colombo; the Allied LBA get through this time [:D] - Hosho and Ryojo sunk, another (Zuiho?) damaged. Dutch Martins, British-operated Hudsons and the AVG are greeted with cheers as they return from their successful sorties - Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Jolly good, lads! You transferred the AVG there? Good idea (even if it's a bit ahistorical).

[Rybka]

My pilots meet AVG anywhere, ony in Kunming or Burma not. Singapore, Calcutta, now Colombo - Britons would be lost without them.