Fear and loathing - Japanese style

[AdmNelson]

quote:

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi Faber,

What sort of scale airstrikes were there over Java?

Any thoughts of shooting down south to smite the Limeys?

This is Lew's theatre....but I assume the 3 carriers at Kedari will this turn take up hunting the Brit flat tops......

The airstikes on KB.....came from Soerabaja and Bali........16 swordfish(two strikes).......three strikes from Beauforts.......some 36 aircraft......one Hudson strike.....12 aircraft.......two Martin strikes(iirc) say another 20 aircraft.....and two more stikes I can't remember the aircraft makeup............70+ Flying Forts hit Kendari.......most of the allied airgroups on JAVA are at Batavia...supporting Palambang against the northern arm of RESOLVE........so we got off lightly...only one hit on a MSW.........

Yes KB2 is going hunting for Brit carriers. Penguin 1(with 4CVs) now has additional 45 zeros flying cap. Cap at about 100 zeros. 3 transport TFs one surface TF(4 BBs plus CAs) and Penguin 1 are now 240 miles from Soerabaja. We will land straight at Soerabaja and not Kragen. Dutch moved 2 Regs to Kragen after air drop. I believe Soerabaja can be sea assaulted, with 3 divisions and many engineers including baseforces. This should be interesting. Operation "RESOLVE" will continue.

[fabertong]

The allied response to RESOLVE is now in full swing........
Over 300 allied aircraft attacked the soerabaja invasion force........
At least 75 allied aircraft were shot down including 30+ b17s........
We lost around 40 zeros......
The Hiyo was hit by allied torpedo planes twice......she'll not see many more days.....
The Yamato was also hit by 15+ bombs....no penatrating hits by over 50 seperate fires raging......all 6 inch mounts destroyed......main guns intact

[fabertong]

The southern wing of RESOLVE was today attacked by a Dutch Task force who forced aside our own Surface combat group....to sink several transports......

[fabertong]

The landings at Soerabaja begin tommorow.....will the allies send in their big guns.....with our battleships on fire?
Will they move in their Carriers........?

[Speedysteve]

Ouch with the Hiyo

[AdmNelson]

Ouch with the Hiyo

The price we are going to pay. The transports all 4 of them will be landing on top of Soerabaja this turn. Yamato battlegroup will bombard and leave this turn. Both carrier groups are moving together. A new battlegroup( 2 BBS and 3CAs plus 9 DDs) has left Palau and move to Kendari. Operation "RESOLVE" will continue.

[fabertong]

As I think Lew(AdmNelson) has said before this operation is not called RESOLVE for nothing(excuse grammer)........We expect to pay a high price for such a late Invasion of Java.......I believe the allies think they can hold Java and have reinforced it.....we are determined to take it and trap any allied forces there....interesting times.

[fabertong]

Op. RESOLVE continues.....with massive surface action.......off Soerabaja

[fabertong]

Followed by this........

[fabertong]

then this.......

[fabertong]

And this....

[fabertong]

And this......with picture

[fabertong]

Even more.....

[fabertong]

and this too......

[fabertong]

The upshot of the surface action......We lost all the destroyers engaged.....20+ transports.....and the Chikuma will sink in the next turn or so........Kirishima and the other cruisers should make port....but will be out of action for at least 6 months......The allies lost a couple of destroyers......The Revenge is badly damaged, as is a CA and 2 CLs........

[fabertong]

When dawn finally came.....our carriers were socked in by the weather......so no attacks on allied cripples....but the weather over soerabaja was clear and bright...hence this....one of many attacks......

[fabertong]

and this....the end of the Hiyo

[fabertong]

We also lost the CL Kitakami(sp) to allied air attacks north of Kragan.......Lews' plan was good and if the weather had been kinder this turn we could have sunk a fair few of the allied cripples....instead you have to figure the Allies will be happier than us......if we can just get a few more troops ashore we can take Soerabaja.....but that is a big if with all the allied SAGs in the area.......we need the winds of fortune to change ....and blow a bit in our direction.

[AdmNelson]

Update on Soerabaja--Over 1100( that is with some units disruted to 60-80%) assault points a shore with 3 divisions one tank reg a few SNLF units at least two baseforces. In the area 6 CVs and arrivivng in the next few days a CAs battle group and few days after that a battlegroup with 2BBs and 3CAs plus 2CLs and 10DDs(THey are at kendari now). Will be prepping for a new air drop in Java to put more pressure. Losses have been high on ships and men. Operation "RESOLVE" will continue.

[fabertong]

9th/10th July 1942.......
The last 2 days have seen over 30+ of our transports sunk by sea and air action......as RESOLVE continues.....but we managed to get more troops ashore at Soerabaja.......
These losses are not unexpected, when RESOLVE began we knew the likely cost..........
The weather seems to be being unkind to us Japs......no launch from our 6 carrier TF for the last four days...as cloud cover seems to favour the Allies..I know it's random, but feel like moaning anyway.........
A new SAG is approaching the area...not sure of it's composition....maybe Lew can brief later
RESOLVE will continue.......

In China Kweiyang has fallen....and the 23rd and 12th armies are marching for Kunming.......Tom still has 20 units south of the river....I've decided to ignore them for now......and carry on into the heart of China.......
Tom has spotted my northern flanking attack and has moved 7 units to hold Langchow.....he probably will.....