The end of the world as we know it?

[Roger Neilson]

And in Borneo....

[Roger Neilson]

Philippines....

[Roger Neilson]

Pacific South.....

[Roger Neilson]

Pacific Central

[Roger Neilson]

Gentlemen, the war progresses at its normal pace. The Jap BB TF that was spotted in the Indian Ocean retired and bombarded Bankha Island heavily on the 8th. Further bombardment from the landing forces (identified as two Jap SNLF formations)occurred on the 9th. An undefended Jesselton has been occupied by the Japs according to local sources.

On the 9th a dutch submarine intercepted the Jap CV/CVL which conducted air attacks on Soerabaja on the 8th. The submarine has not been heard from since it reported the sighting, we must presume it was sunk.

Our bombers continue to raid Palembang oil installations, we estimate almost 50% of the facilities are now destroyed and our bombers are guided from miles away by the thick plume of smoke from the fires that rage.

In China a force of undisclosed strength has attacked a Japanese unit on the rail line above Wuhan and defeated it, this has cut again the rail communications the japs rely upon to move their forces across the countryside.

Small victories at present, but they herald much bigger ones.

We have to report that Operation Poor Dog is now complete, its success far exceeded possible expectations. Operation Nightwatchman is in its final days. When time has distanced these moves enough we will be happy to share their import with those not immediately involved in them. What we must do is say 'well done' to all who took part, especially those who sacrified themselves for the success we have had.

[Roger Neilson]

Good day Gentlemen. We have two notable events to brief you on that have occurred over the last two days. On the 10th the Jap sent a swarm of Sallies, escorted by Oscars to bomb our base at Andaman Islands. This turned into a massacre as they were ambushed by elements of the AVG Squadron. For the loss of two planes we accounted for 25 of theirs. We doubt they will be back, but if they are we assure them of a warm welcome.

On the 11th The base of Medan was heavily bombed by carrier borne planes, we must asusme this is the carrier group that has been on a cruise round southern Borneo, bombed Soerabaja and then slipped away past our recce.

There continues to be major air activity by the Japs in China, they seem to be making this their primary theatre of operations.

[Roger Neilson]

Gentlemen, first of all my apologies. I was on a little tour of inspection and enemy activity forced some replanning of my itinerary! Better late than never as they say.

On the 12th the Japs made a massive attack on the American/Filipino forces entrenched at and around Clark Airbpase on Luzon. Casualties on our side were less than 100, theirs amounted to thousands.

Our main report must be on the situation at the Andamans. You will see from the map displayed the grave situation there. Some of the forces rescued from the Malayan peninsula were shipped here to recuperate and a small base was being established. Over the last three days a large Japanese carrier force approached the islands and has launched three successive days of air raids on the base, targeting the airfield specifically. The average sorties per day have been by 20 Sally, 70 Zeros, 50 Vals and 80 Kates. Jap losses in confirmed destroyed planes is 57. Our losses are high, but the actual number is still classified.

We await developments as to whether they intend to stay or depart for new hunting grounds. As yet we are not able to identify the actual carriers involved - but from the numbers of planes we feel that this is a substantial part of their carrier fleet.

[String]

Very good AAR Roger. One of the best written ones around here, I really like your style .

[Roger Neilson]

Thanks String, I write it mainly just as a challenge to myself... improving the graphics and finding the pictures (or making them up) to try and capture the imagined feel of the times. I don't like the lengthy lines of combat reports myself so I avoid them and try to give anyone reading the pieces almost a sense of mystery.... what really is gong on, what would I feel if I was seeing this unfold... etc etc.

The typing also gives me a break from too much mousing, which is a sort of relief from my RSI problem.

I am constantly in amazement how all you who have English as a second language are so fluent, several players I game against manage to cope with all sorts of little nuances in what i say to them. I struggle to put a couple of french words together!

Cheers

Roger

[Roger Neilson]

Gentlemen, overnight our gallant naval forces based at Andaman Islands sortied out and found the Japanese fleet. We were unable to inflict any damage upon it and in the process lost 3 Patrol vessels and a Minesweeper. We do now know the composition of the force which is as follows:

CVs Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku
CVLs Ryujo, Zuiho
BBs Hiei, Kirishima,
CAs Tone, Chikuma, Myoko, Haguro,
CL Abukuma
14 Destroyers.

Today the weather around the islands has been very poor and this has undoubtedly stopped further raids against the base. The Garrison Commander has sent a message saying he feels honoured that such a mighty fleet has been sent to such a small base and hopes this reflects the Japanese estimation of how tough his troops are!

[Roger Neilson]

Gentlemen, today the weather cleared over the islands. Significant sorties were mounted against our embattled defenders on the Andamans and the Jap target seems primarily to have been some cargo ships in the harbour…. these are no longer in perfect condition! Spotter planes flying from our Indian bases have detected the Carriers have moved past the island group and seem to be on a pursuit heading chasing some other cargo ships heading back to Diamond Harbour for safety. We may have some action for our pilots soon!

[DuckofTindalos]

"We may have some action for our pilots soon..." That's the proper fighting spirit! Good show, old boy!

[Roger Neilson]

Gentlemen, we have very little to report. Almost everywhere there is quiet across the whole theatre of operations. Only near the Andamans is there any activity and that remains a case of the cowardly Japs picking off the odd merchant ship with their air sharks. Their Carriers remain almost stationary NE of the Andamans, and do not look like they are going away. Quite what is going on, I must confess, eludes me. We must assume some major operation is in the process of being conducted, but where, and with what aim we are not sure – this can be the only explanation for nothing happening – something is happening, we just are not yet aware of it.

Our Dutch allies confirm that the town of Bankha has now been evacuated following the landing of a Japanese Division there, we assume as a sideshow the rest of the island will now be methodically subjugated.

[Mike Dixon]

All quiet on the Asian front?

Mike

[Roger Neilson]

Yes real life seems to have intruded big time into the Japs gaming for the moment, hopefully not for much longer.

Roger

[Roger Neilson]

Ok game has resumed.....

[Roger Neilson]

Well Gentlemen we have to report that those Jap carriers seem to have taken up residence in the Indian Ocean. This is, as you would expect, a little annoying and does rather get in the way of some of our scheduled boat trips. Last sighting seemed to indicate that they were headed to Rangoon, perhaps they need some more rice or some sake.... they cetrainly won't find much fuel there as we left the taps turned on when we executed our brilliant strategic repositioning - that is what we had not already removed by sea before the nasty nips got there. This was the often mentioned Operation PoorDog, part of the bigger Operation - Mother Hubbard.

Elsewhere little happens... well little that we are prepared at present to disclose to anyone not in the detailed operations itself.

[Mike Dixon]

Roger,

Is there a way of displaying the Malaria and other Zones, whilst you are doing your move?

Mike

[Roger Neilson]

The map above is basically from Bodhi's utility, and it shows the malaria zones with brown shading.... if you don't use Bodhi's utility its a pretty cool thing to have... its all the bits (well almost all ) that WITP didn't have in terms of a user interface.

I use it cos it doesn't have the actual stuff on from the move in question and I can stamp on graphics where I want them..

Roger

[Roger Neilson]

Gentlemen, I must apologise for my lack of briefings, I have been busy touring our brave lads in the many defences we have now set up. I do believe that Jonny Jap has got wind of this and let me have a brief respite while I do so.

Following some more beastliness around the Andamans the jap carriers have departed, last seen heading down back towards Singers. Quite what their purpose was we may never know, they caused a lot of disruption, destoyed a few planes, but nothing that cannot be remedied... indeed much has been already put back to the conditions that were there prior to their visit.

Elsewhere we note that the Yanks have declared the islands of Tulagi and Guadalcanal their own target firing ranges and are on a daily mission to pick off individual Japs with their 16" guns!