Slow Death in the Pacific

[joliverlay]

Here is my most recent attempt at an AAR. I’ve started two before. One game died out (probably my fault) and the other was restarted because my opponent have never played as Japanese before. Please give me another chance at an AAR…..I’ll try to keep from boring you to death by not giving turn by turn stuff until something interesting happens. For now I’ll focus on strategy.

The game is 1.602, with CHS 6.0 and Andrew’s Extended Map (After solitaire against Nicks Mod, I’d sure love to see CHS consider his revisions to AtoA combat.

Plans:
Move all possible forces on PI to Baton and from the Malay Area (Except Singapore Garrison) to the hex north of Singapore. In Burma I will delay at Rangoon, and withdraw to India.

For reinforcements:

SEA: I will send the first British Division to Ceylon and then reinforce key cities in India and the India/Burma Border
North Pacific: Everything for now to Anchorage.
Central Pacific: Everything to Pearl except perhaps CDs to Johnson, Palmyra, and Christmas Island and Regimental Combat Teams to the two of the out islands near Pearl.
South Pacific: Auckland
SW Pacific: Brisbane

I may send a small detachment to Nemoea. However I will not send any ground forces currently stationed in Malaysia, the Philippines, or Australia out of their home area or any significant forces to islands where they can be piecemeal destroyed. I will attempt to recover all of the naval forces to central locations out of reach of Japanese LBA.

For logistics I’ve decide to do the following. All reinforcements will march, sail, or fly to the designated port of embarkation. For the North Pacific-Seattle, Central Pacific-San Francisco, SW Pacific or SEA-LA, and for the South Pacific-San Diego.

Action:

The Japanese carriers struck Pearl Harbor and sunk one BB. They immediately moved SSW in search of my carriers. My strategy was to chart a course for New Zealand and cruise there at full speed to link the two carriers.

The Japanese quickly took Canton Island, loitered with CVs across my sea lanes and then disappeared.

It’s now early January; I’m holding bastions in Malaysia and Baton, as well as all of Java and much of the southern NEI. I have no clue what he is up to. Despite taking two torpedoes in to a British BB on turn one; I have safely evacuated most major combatants to Ceylon, Australia, or Java. The U.S. CVs are split to cover both Pearl and the Australia/NIE area. I’ve run about 100K of oil out of the NEI and am about to give that up do to losses of tankers from LBA. I continue to be able to ship oil out of Java. Other than sending my transports well south of Canton, and slowing down the reinforcements somewhat the game progresses normally.

I will report changes in the strategic situation as they occur.

[joliverlay]

Well, we are into mid Feburary.

After taking Canton, the enemy followed with an attack on Palmyra, easilying taking out a CD and base unit and three squadrons of air (P40, SBD, Cats.). I reinforced Christmas Island with a CD, Base unit and Army Engineers to enhance fortification of the Marine CD unit. One assult on Christmass Island failed, but he has come again a week or so later. The first two days, I've held him at bay while forces are steaming south at full speed. Everything I've got. I've even sortied the old BBs. If I cant defend my island garrisons, I'm going to evaculate them. I just cant give units away to by time. I'll fight if I can, and if not start evacuating.
No real general would allow island after island to fall and just do nothing. Since I've not seen KB in a few weeks, I think they are not actually around.

I previously split my CVs into two groups, one at Java and one at Pearl. Since KB seems to have been replaced with baby KB, Ived decided to attempt an ambush of the forces attacking Chrstmass Island, Tonight a surface force (CAs, CLs, DDs) will arrive to challange the Japanese Landing (CAs and APs by Recon) and hopefully prevent last turns 1:1 from becomming a loss of the island. I've decided to go for broke and by dawn I'll have 2 CVs 60 miles west of the island ready for combat. If the marines on this island die, they will do so knowing the navy is risking everything to give them a chance. I'm thinking since my other CVs have recently been harassed by Bettys near Java, he does not realize Ive split my CVs into independent groups. Either way, he will not by morning.

Meanwhile I've got a CD, AA, and two batallions of tanks en route to Tahati. If I don't hold the line here, I'll try needed start shuttling supplies to Panama and then via the southern route to Oz.

Elsewhere I've fortified the end of the Mala penensula and Battan, with neither is likely to fall for a few weeks. I've just evacutated Rangoon, but have a solid line in Burma anchored on 6 Chinese divisions on the east end of the Burma road.

The air talley is something like 800 losses (Allied) to 600 (Japanese). I think I can tolerate this attrition (many of my losses are on the ground) for several months but suspect he cannot.

I've also fortified New Caladonia with Brigade Size Units, and have 4 full Divisions in Pearl. Regardless of the outcome I think I'm in no danger of a quick loss of the war, but wonder what others have done when the enemy blocks the sea lines of commuication soutwest of Pearl, especially after the Tihitian islands fall.

I feel like a real commander tonight. I'm nerviously awaiting the combat reports I'm sure I'll have in a few hours. Knowing that if I lose, two months of cat and mouse (hide and hide) will turn to another 6 months. If I lose 2 CVs and get creamed, I won't take many more risks before 1943.

[joliverlay]

Oh, I just read what I posted, please forgive my poor typing/grammer, etc. Sorry.

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: joliverlay

Regardless of the outcome I think I'm in no danger of a quick loss of the war, but wonder what others have done when the enemy blocks the sea lines of commuication soutwest of Pearl, especially after the Tihitian islands fall.

Well, I'm far from an expert, but I have one game (May 42 start - now almost August) where my opponent has taken most of So Pac. I hold Noumea, Luganville, Efate and Pago Pago. He holds just about everything else, including Papaete.

My general plan is to keep looking busy in So Pac to hold his forces down there, then strike Wake-Eniwetok-Ponape. I hope to cut off his SLOCs. Once that's done it should be relatively easy to re-take my lost territory. At least that's my theory. [:)] We'll see.

Good luck around Christmas Island!

[joliverlay]

I'm killing time waiting for reports from the front. This shows my battle plan. The CVs will move to withing 60 miles of Christmass Island while a large and small force will approach the island at full speed. A third force (Ca and DD) and another larger force (BBs, CAs, CLs, DDs) is just off screen to the north.

This is my attempt to rescure my men. Wish me luck.

[joliverlay]

Trying to embed the picture. Please help.

[joliverlay]

Losses so far.

[joliverlay]

Mr. President

I have just recieved a cable from Admiral Nimitz, it summarizes the results of the sea battles near Christmas Island yesterday. I'll be brief and simply give you an annoted summary:

Summary: Operation Faithful Warriors, Relief of Christmass Island by TF 21 (Air), TF (31) Surface, TG (31a) Surface. and TF 32 Surface/Heavy.

We got in the first blow, our Air TF launch a combined strike from 2 CVs and we encountered approximaely 27 Claude and a handfull of Zeros. Three light carriers (CVL, CVE) were spotted, belived to be Taiyo, Zuiho and Hosho with escorts. It appears the first part of our force (missing many dive bombers) contentrated heavily on Tiayo, scoring 4 confired hits. Our losses were heavy 5 planes downed and about 20 damaged. Follow up strikes by straglers were limited to relatively small groups of 5-10 planes each. One group reported three bomb hits on CA Aoba, the second group got another hit on the burning hulk of CVE Taiyo, and the third group spotted CVL Zuiho and CVE Hosho steaming, Taiyo presumed now sunk or crippled. Losses were heavy to the attackers, mostly shot up aircraft.

The immediate counter strikes by the enemy was attributed to 28 Claude, 5 Zero and 38 Kates. Our cap was supprisingly effective and only 1 torpedo hit was scored on Saratoga.

In the afternoon we got off another relatively large strike, this time the fighters seem to make it with the bombers. In the enemy task force we spottede CVE Hosho and CVLs Zuhio and Ryuho. Single bomb hits were reported on Hosho and Ryujo, and an escorting DD was set ablaze by 2 hits.

Unfortunately Japanese land based air was also present in the battle. BBs Mississippi and New Mexico were hit by two waves of Nells. The first wave damaged both ships and the second sunk New Mexico.

Loss of life was serious. However, the expected assult by enemy land forces on Christmass Island did not materialize. The army and marine units on Christmass Island are very greatful for the sacrafice made by the Navy today. Moreover, moral on all the pacific garrisons is improving area commanders have gotten the word. It seems that there is a feeling that not only can we defeat KB, but that the men on the garrisons know they are not being used simply to delay the enemy.

Anticipating this reaction we have leaked news of our successful relief of the defenders at Chirstmass Island to our Allies. While we do not anticipate a relief effort to Battan or Singapore, the simple fact that we have pulled off our first victory, no matter how small, has been well recieved indeed.

Respectfully Yours,

Adm. King.

attachment: Maps of situation 2/11/42 midnight local time.

[joliverlay]

Dear Mr. President.

I am submitting my resignation effecively immediately. I can no longer serve you, the country or the Navy. My failure to order departure from our skirmish with baby KB at MAXIMUM speed has let two a disaster of the highest order. Some 1000 miles SSE of Pearl Harbor, and two days after our skirmish our retiring task force was caught by the combined fleet carriers over 1000 miles inside what we had considered the spotting range for our patrol craft. As a result the 2 CVs of the Central Pacific have been sunk with loss of all hands, all aircraft, and no counter strike. I repeat we were not even able to launch a return strike. We did however spot the enemy after the attack. While it is not likely we would lose our position at Pearl Harbor, it is possible we will be unable to supply our Allies, and the american public may eventually demand we negotiate with Japan, after the horror of my mistake becomes well known.

I will pass comand Admiral Lay, whom is one of our most cautious commanders, and skilled in logistics. At the moment our primary concern is the development of a convoy system throught the South Pacific via the Panama Canal zone and the development of convoy routes from the Middle East to Australia. This will be a long and costly war, and it is unliely we will be able to consider any effective counter attack before mid 1943. It will be a difficult 500 days ahead. I wish I had not been so hard on Admiral Kimmel.

Admiral King



Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 80
D3A2 Val x 146
B5N2 Kate x 158

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 49, on fire, heavy damage
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 53, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 3

[joliverlay]

Memorandum,

Feb 15, 1942

Status Report Pacific Theater

Areas outside the current Japanese offensive to cut our lines of supply and prospects for slowing ememy progress.

The attached map of the areas around the Dutch East Indees, The Phillipines, Malysia, Burma, and India who local forces, instillations and ships for Allied and Enemy Forces.

While we have suffered sevre losses associate with movement of KB into the Central Pacific, we have used the relative freedom of movement to secure significant areas in this resource rich regions.

Burma/China. A solid line of forces have developed in northern Burma. This line is anchored on large Chinese forces that have occupied parts of the Bruma Road. The front is stable here.

Malysia. We continue to maintain extremely strong sources in and around Singapore. Large numbers of supply runs in December allowed the accumulation of major stockpiles. Moreover, the airfields can be reached by supply transports directly from Java. Current enemy efforts are based on ariel bombardment which is costing the enemy approximatley 10 bombers per day.

Java and the DIE. This area is now well fortified and supplied. Be belive forces initally allocated to the conquest of this area were transferred to the central pacific and that and their need to keep KB there has led to the current stalemente. While he have lost two CVs we ahve stockpile approximately 6-12 months of crude oil and resources in Australia. We are no longer attempting runs from Plambang, but are currently bringing crude oil in from Batavia and Soriebo. We are able to transport 100% of the production on Java and have sufficient transport to carry supplies directly to industrial regions on Java.

Australia: Austrialia has sufficient land forces to defend the industrial areas. The garrisons from Rabul were move to Port Morsby and these will be used in leu of movement of new forces into NG.

Summary: While loss of two carriers by CINPAC was a servere blow, our economic and industrial analysis suggests that we have benefited in some ways from the current reverses on a stragic level, namely we have slowed the conquest of resource rich areas by 2-4 months. The arrival of major air units will force KB to operate within range of significant LBA if they attempt to project force in this region.

Signed: Admiral Lay

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

March 7, 1942

From: Admiral Lay, Chairman, Board of Inquiry
To: Navy Department

Re: Reevaluation of the naval Defeat at Christmas Island

While the loss of 2CVs and 2BBs was clearly unacceptable, the accompanying reinforcement of Christmas Island has had positive unexpected strategic consequences. Our brief control of the seas around the island has been followed by a constant albeit small flow of supplies of men and material to the island. As of now we have added fully a reinforced regimental combat team and replentished the CD, AA, and engineering units. We also maintain constant ariel recon from the airstrip.

In the subsequent three weeks the Japanese have returned to the island several times. On each trip they bring forces comparable to what we have added over the same time frame resulting in a stalemate that favors the defender. Their forces are bottle up on a small part of the atoll and subjet to daily bombardment. We have temperariorly halted Japanese expansion.

Our ability to deny the Japanese control over this vital area has given us time to fortify several other islands in the vicinity, and send several large convoys 500 miles south of the island en route to ANZAC. If and when the island falls we will have a considerable force, including infantry, CD, AA, and even tanks deployed in the Tehitian Islands, guarding the supply route via the Canal Zone.

It should also be reported that the strategy of attrition against enemy aircraft may also be weakening the enemy air arm. Since December 7th we have lost slightly over 1000 aircraft to all causes. Enemy losses have increased to the rate that they are just shy of 1000. Within a few days we expect Japanese air losses to exceed our own. Our strategic planners report that this will result in a serious decline in the Japanese air forces by years end.

In summary the review pannel judges that the actions of Admiral Nimitz were warrented under the circumstances. He should be returned to command immediately. This decision was unaminious.

[saj42]

A very interesting read.
Is the pace of play sufficient for you to do a weekly (game time) report rather than just significant events - to summarise the action ?

With so much of DEI still in your control, your opponent will be running out of Oil soon. IMHO your opponent has badly miscalculated. THe DEI is strategically critical - the Pacific islands are not.

I look forward to reading more

[joliverlay]

Thank you for the comment. I am so pleased someone is reading.

The pace of our game is fast in turns per week (typically 10-15) but not in terms of decisive actions. Unless there is significant CV or Surface action I think it is hard to sustain an AAR. Especially if you are new to writing them. I also think most readers would perfer a summary. In some ways the flow of the game is easer to judge in periodic reports. My sence of how things are going is not very accurate on a day to day basis, but looking back after a week or so, you can get a better picture. I was crushed after the loss of my CVs, but holding Christmas Island three weeks later, I'm much more optimistic.

My opponent (Halsey I think is his screen name) is probably best know as an Expert Allied player. As a Japanese player he less experienced but is very methodical. He claims he is not running out of oil. Of note, neither am I. I have moved about 300,000 units of oil to Oz. That makes lots of supplies. The only thing I'm short of in Oz is aviation support.

I also agree the DIE is more important, as I can move large quantities of supplies via the Middle East or the Panama Canal Zone. One interesting observation is that the presence of the Society Islands on Andrews map is a mixed blessing. While it give me a southern outpost, it could become very annoying if he takes it. In the regular map I can stay out of range by hugging the map, in this game I cannot. The darn island could become a betty base.

[ADM Halsey]

I am a sneeky player as well. You just never know what I am up to or where I will hit next. I have a few surprises that should be showing themselves shortly.

I have not forgotten about Borneo or the DEI. They well be coming up on the list of things to do. [:D]

[joliverlay]

Halsey, It is good to see you reading my view of the war effort. I am honored.

------------------------------------

New Flash: RKO Radio News: Honalulu HI, 03/13/42

Rumors leaked at Pearl Harbor that another great battle has taken place in the Pacific Last Night, it seems are boys are itching to avenge the loss of two carriers and battleships. Cables are flying between CINCPAC and the war department, and the mood is reported to be very up beat. It seems that a surface force lurking of Christmass Island timed a perfect day time raid, daring KB to catch them. One night after the Japanease Battle Line withdrew for refuling, the navy sent it a rag tag force with nothing bigger than two heavy crusers and one light. After a week pounding by several Jap BBs, what a sight that must have been.

The marines on the island were notified and they got there licks it too! Seems the Nips were unloading a divison sized unit on the atoll at the same time in two waves, and we let lose with over 100 guns from a Marine CD unit.

Talk about rockets red glare. Here is a blow by blow report.

Around Noon local time 148 Coastal guns open up: Hits are reported as follows:
AP Kotobuki Maru #3, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yugure many near misses
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 2

The bores on the guns are so hot they have to reduce fire for the second wave:

Just 43 Coastal gun shots fired but reported the following hits:

AP Katsura Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire


Just Before Dark the Surface Forces Sight Each other. The ships and reported hits include:

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta
DD Yugure, Shell hits 1
DD Ariake, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hayate, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Kashima Maru
AP Chifuku Maru
AP Kaito Maru
AP Katsura Maru, on fire
AP Kotobuki Maru #3, on fire, heavy damage


Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CA New Orleans
CL Trenton
CL Phoenix
DD Jarvis
DD Cummings
DD Shaw
DD Reid
DD Tucker
DD Downes
DD Parrott
DD Lawrence

This force turned and ran out to sea so the Navy concentrated on another group inshore. After blowing throught teh outer force the lead ship signals the task force and Pearl Harbor "Damn the tropedos, Damn the Japanese Naval Air, Fire at Will, Shoot em if you got em and keep going till enemy is sunk or ammunition expended!

Japanese Ships
MSW Shonan Maru #7, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
MSW Shonan Maru #8, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PG Daido Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
PG Fukui Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
PG Hakkaisan Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
PG Ikunta Maru, Shell hits 14, on fire
AK Aratama Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK Tatuharu Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CA New Orleans
CL Trenton, Shell hits 2
CL Phoenix
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 2
DD Cummings
DD Shaw, Shell hits 1
DD Reid
DD Tucker
DD Downes, Shell hits 1
DD Parrott
DD Lawrence

After three weeks the United State Marine Corps on Christmass Island has now repulsed 10 japanese landings! Who says this is just a delaying action. We are all wondering if maybe the rush of Japanese victorys is finally becomeing an ebb tide.

[ADM Halsey]

Halsey, It is good to see you reading my view of the war effort. I am honored.

I am enjoying it. My plan of attack is laid out and in motion. I hope this next turn does not hold to many surprises for you. I do hope Tallyho! stops in again to check on things.

Good Luck to you!

[ADM Halsey]

Greetings everybody! This is your Number One Enemy, your favorite playmate, Orphan Ann on Radio Tokyo—the little sunbeam whose throat you’d like to cut! Get ready again for a vicious assault on your morale, 75 minutes of music and news for our friends—I mean, our enemies!—in the South Pacific.

Uncle Tojo wanted me to tell the orphans fighting on Christmas Island to lay down your arms and stop fighting. You have been left all alone by your comrads. Uncle Tojo said he will give you a nice place to stay if you just give yourselves up.

Now sit back and enjoy the music we have for you tonight.

[joliverlay]

Flash Message: Urgent 2 Jap CVLs sunk south of Nomea by Halsey!

Relayed via CINPIC to War Department: Operation Home Run

Situation Report 3/23/42


Despite series losses in the opening phases of the battle for Christmas Island, including 1/2 the then total CV strength in the Pacific Theater of Operations, Admirals Nimitz (CINCPAC) and Lay (Chief Naval Operations) authorized Admiral Halsey to seek an engagement with baby KB south of Nomea. Operation Home run places task force 1 consisting of CVs Enterprise and Lexington, and TF2 (surface force, Grace, RAN in command) SSW of Nomea covering Convoys from the Society Islands to Brisbane and Auckland. Upon air attacks on supply convoys returning from Brisbane and simultaneous attacks by KB on Borneo Halsey was authorized to engage the enemy with the only provisio that he keep TFs 1 and 2 together in case of surface engagement. Having trailed the enemy for three days without a good launch position, it was possible to make a coordinated launch in the pre dawn hours of March 23. Unfortunately in the confusion the strike broke into two groups. The first wave of 17 Dauntless of 12 Devestators encountered 14 zeros at about 8:45 am. While the strike lacked fighter cover, the Zeros were suprised and perhaps fatigued from two days strikes against the empty convoy returning to ConUS. For the loss of three aircraft a 1000 lb bomb holed CVL Shoho and started major fires. As the first partial strike departed the main group of 9 Wildcats, 51 Dauntless and 15 Devestator home in unmolested. This group reported 10 bomb and 1 Torpedo on burning Shoho (which was reportedly sighted sturn up and sinking) and another 8 bomb hits (1000 lb) on Zuhio. The japanese were only able to put up 16 Zeros and 18 Kates in a counter strike. This force did manage to put two torpedos into Lexington and 1 into Enterprise. While the damage to Lexington has started fires and halted air operations her air group diverted to Enterprise and Nomea. In the afternoon, Enterprise was able to continue flight operations launching 44 aircraft all of which contacted the enemy. These put another 3 1000 lb bombs into the burning wreck of Zuhio which exploded and sank.

Halsey has dispatched Lexington with escorts away from the area and is attempting to place the reminants of TF1 and TF2 between the Japanese Escorts and their home bases. While risking very long range Betty Strikes, he feels he has the opportunity to damage or skink several CAs and discourage additional reinforcement of Nomea. It is expected that reinforcements will arrive NZ, OZ, and Nomea before KB can return from the DEI.


Current summary of CV losses based on intellegence: Japan: CVE, CVL, CVL (sunk) US: CV, CV (sunk).

[Roger Neilson]

Very enjoyable, keep it up guys

Roger

[ADM Halsey]

Combined Fleet Headquarters 3/23/42.

Adm Yamamoto "Have we received a stauts report yet from VADM Kusaka?

Staff Officer "Yes Sir, So far Operation Z is on schedule. Our transport fleet was able to to disembark ground forces and take Koumac and La Foa. Then was also able to land a sizeable force at Noumra. CMDR Obayashi's covering force has moved south after spotting enemy transport ships."

ADM Yamamoto "Are there any signs of the American carriers?"

Staff Officer "As of yet, there has been no reports of them in the area Sir."

ADM Yamamoto "Good. Keep me informed if any thing changes" turns to leave the room.

beep beep beep beep *wireless starts going crazy* ADM Yamamoto stops and turns

Staff Officer "Sir we are getting a message in from VADM Kusaka."

ADM Yamamoto "Well what is it?"

Staff Officer "Sir, he is reporting that CMDR Obayashi's covering force fell under attack by carrier based planes. He has since lost contact with CMDR Obayashi."

ADM Yamamoto "Send a message to VADM Kusaka to establish contact with CMDR Obayashi and report what is happening!"