Paradise in flames

[Roger Neilson II]

Honorable typesetter of the Rajastan Times has been given the sack following the misspelling of the island south of Takao. This should of course have had only two letter 'a's rather than three......

Editor

[Roger Neilson II]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]War Cabinet Briefing: Events of 7th/8th December 1941

Malaya:

Landings in force continuing at both Kuantan and Khota Bahru. Heavy air attacks on Singapore airfield with some loss of planes on the ground. Flak defences are causing significant damage to enemy bomber formations. Some attempts at airborne naval interdiction around the main ports. To date Force Z has not been spotted by enemy and proceeding on Operation Coventry.

India/Burma:

All plans proceeding as dictated in Operation Palmerston.

Hong/Kong/ China Seas:

No activity at Hong Kong, though many of the ships that departed from there have suffered severe air attacks and some may not make it to their destinations. Fierce airborne naval interdiction by Japanese here. It is expected upwards of seven merchant ships will have been sunk here by attacks from predominantly Sally bomber attacks. Operations Antheap and WaspNest have had qualified success. DDs Scout and Thanet attacked a large Japanese Transport formation still embarking troops and materiel at Takao and damaged two patrol vessels and a troop transport. They did this with negligible losses to themselves but later the next morning DD Thanet was hit by a torpedo from a Japanese sub off Vigan and is now crippled. In Operation Antheap 10 MTBs and 2 PGs from Hong Kong attacked shipping assembled at Pescadores. Four MTBs were lost but damage was doen to at elast four of their ships.

Philippines/NEI:

Guinan, Naga and Vigan have all been occupied without any resistance by the USAAFE forces. It is expected the Japanese will begin to stage bombers from these bases almost immediately and this will make naval operations around the islands very perilous for our forces. In a night time engagement 15 PG and PT craft from Manila intercepted a Japanese TF comprising CL Naka, DD Asagumo, DD Minegumo, DD Natsugumo. Losses of our vessels were quite high but the Natsugumo was hit repeatedly and was seen to be burning fiercely. The CL Boise was found north of Talaud Island attempting to escape the Japanese air forces and was hit by 5 torpedoes, sinking shortly after. Similarly the CL Marblehead was also attacked by carrier borne Kate torpedo bombers and suffered three separate torpedo hits which sank her. It is to be assumed a light carrier force is operating in this area. Kuching and Amboina landings continue by the Japanese. A group of merchant ships was attacked off Palembang by Nell long range bombers.

Australia/ PNG:

All ordered movements are underway. There has been no enemy activity in this area reported.

Pacific:

Wake Island lost with all troops surrendered. Activity round Hawaii very intense. In the first strike on the American fleet only bombers were used, causing significant damage to the BB s but not endangering any in terms of their loss. The second day saw torpedo planes in action and four battleships have been hit by this attack, suffering floatation damage – it is as yet unclear how serous these hits are. American forces were sent out on desperate missions to locate the Japanese Carriers and also to destroy the Japanese submarines known to be around the shores. The reports of their success are fragmentary, but it is felt that even if there were significant losses in these task forces the split efforts of the Japanese air attacks lessened the major focus that would otherwise have been on the destruction of the Battleships. The American Carriers are on missions that are highly secret in their nature. 44 Japanese planes are confirmed destroyed in their two days of attacks, with over 200 suffering damage of a major or minor nature. It is not expected that they can sustain another day’s attacks on Pearl without having to replenish and repair their forces.

China:

Situation of the ‘sitzkrieg’ continues with no detected new offensive moves by the enemy.
[/font]

[Riva Ridge]

STATEMENT FROM JAPANESE HIGH COMMAND
TO ALL UNITS; JAPANESE IMPERIAL ARMY AND NAVY
09 DECEMBER 1941

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To the loyal warriors of the Japanese Empire, we have engaged in war with the colonialist forces of the United States of America, British Empire, and the remnants of the French and Dutch Republics.  We have struck the first blow not only for ourselves but for the oppressed peoples of Asia that have suffered hundereds of years of tyranny from distant masters who cared little for their welfare.  The divine wisdom of our Emperor wedded to the purpose of enlightenment and advancement of those populations will accomplish in years where the 'advanced' nations of the west were unable to accomplish anything more than the enrichment of their own coffers in the centuries that they have held sway.  Take the example of Korea.  In the mere span of four decades, we have raised literacy and the lifespan of a population that was in desperate need of advancement and had recieved no assistance from the Russians or Christian missionaries that were present in numbers.  If any other proof was needed of our divine mandate, look at the events of the last two days.  Our Soldiers have accomplished the following:

• The Navy has attacked the forces in the United States in their sanctuary of Pearl Harbor, crippling their fleet of Battleships and sinking several of their vessels as they attempted to flee our fleet.  Today, the waters around Pearl Harbor are controlled by our fleet and submarines, the skies are swept clear of American planes, and their Commanders cower wondering if it will ever be safe to sally out.
• Our Navy and Army have attacked the Phillipines, the scene of the most recent humilation of the Asian people by a colonial power.  The liberation of the islands have begun with the crippling of American airpower and landings by our forces on the north and south shores of Luzon.  Even now, the American Fleet is attempting to flee our ever-tightening blockade of the Islands.
• Our Navy and Army have struck at the heart of British Power in the Pacific, the impregable fortress of Singapore.  Our Army has landed on Malaysia and has already engaged the forces of the British Empire, attacking the airfields of Singapore, and our bombers and Navy are making the waters around Malaysia deadly for the British Navy.
• Our Navy has struck into the Dutch East Indies, the last refuge of a degenerate colonial power that lacked the power to even hold their homeland against invasion.  Their avarice and wickedness continues the subugation of foreign peoples when their own women and children cry from their homes for rescue.  Landings have been made at strategic locations and already our Navy has scored successes against American and Dutch naval forces with the sinking of three cruisers.

Brave warriors of the Empire, this struggle is the defining struggle of our age and while we fight to remove the unnatural presence of these foreigners, defeat in this struggle will be the obliteration of our way of life, the loss of Nipponese honor, and a blanket of darkness forever thrown over the people of Asia as the West replaces the ancient and honored traditions of those that have come before with their odious ideologies of Greed.  This struggle will be long, but the efforts of our sailors, airmen, and Soldiers will quicken the day when all of the peoples of Asia will ascend.

[hueglin]

ORIGINAL: VSWG

Looking forward to this AAR! Another vote for a mixed style AAR, maybe "Overview of Operations" and "Newspaper"?

No there are no Canadians in Hong Kong.

Yes there are! [:)] Have a closer look at the Hong Kong Fortress unit, it contains 72 Candian Rifle Squads.

Glad to hear we made it into the game! I guess the next question is then, just because no other Canadians participated until 1945, why exclude them in the house rules? If the units were there, it is possible that political decisions could have been made differently, and they may have been committed. Of course, everyone is entitled to make there own house rules for their own reasons. I am not being critical, just offering another view of things.

[Riva Ridge]

I like the rule because while the Canadians were absolutely committed to the war in Europe, historically, their contributions to the Pacific were much less and I would not imagine that they would have generated much support for Pacific operations while Germany was still in the fight.  I just reasoned that it would be reasonable to see them be used in the theaters under the rule but not elsewhere.  Furthermore, there are literally dozens of other units out there that ANY allied player would be more apt to spend PPs on to make available then the Canadian units listed.  I have no problem with my opponent violating this rule if I do something extremely ahistorical, like land on Canadian territory or begin sustained attacks there.  I would reason that would drive the threat home to the Canadians but I highly doubt that I would execute that sort of strategy.

[Roger Neilson II]

Hot off the press

[Riva Ridge]

MARTIME WARNING ISSUED BY JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY
(Copies delivered to all relevant Embassies)

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A state of conflict now exists between the Japanese Empire, Protectorate of Manchuko, Kingdom of Thailand, and the people of Asia against the United States of America, British Empire and associated Colonies and Protectorates, Dutch Republic, French Republic, and the puppet government of the Phillipines.  The skies and waters of the Pacific are declared part of the area of conflict and all ships and aircraft operating in the region from the British possession of India to the American West Coast and from the American possession of Alaska to the Austalia are considered subject to attack.  The Japanese Empire does not wish to add to innocent loss of life but will not tolerate any material aid to the Allied Forces. 

[Roger Neilson II]

ORIGINAL: Riva Ridge

MARTIME WARNING ISSUED BY JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY
(Copies delivered to all relevant Embassies)

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A state of conflict now exists between the Japanese Empire, Protectorate of Manchuko, Kingdom of Thailand, and the people of Asia against the United States of America, British Empire and associated Colonies and Protectorates, Dutch Republic, French Republic, and the puppet government of the Phillipines. The skies and waters of the Pacific are declared part of the area of conflict and all ships and aircraft operating in the region from the British possession of India to the American West Coast and from the American possession of Alaska to the Austalia are considered subject to attack. The Japanese Empire does not wish to add to innocent loss of life but will not tolerate any material aid to the Allied Forces.

Its quite difficult to think of which other nations could give material aid.......... [8D]

[Riva Ridge]

"Its quite difficult to think of which other nations could give material aid.........."
 
Counter-propaganda to your claims of atrocities.  Besides, all the Allied major powers to owe their position to trade of some sort or the other.  Warning is not meant to scare the Allieds, but those that would trade with them.  I would be loathe to send my valuable cargo on an Allied flagged or even a neutral vessel in the war-zone.

[Roger Neilson II]

[font="Verdana"]Operational orders: TF 'Rattler'[/font]

[font="Verdana"]Proceed with all speed to Gulf of Tomini to intercept Japanese CVL Tf identified as remaining in area over past 36 hours. Attack at night and attempt to sink CVL with torpedoes. Do not, repeat, do not return to base at Amboina. It is expected this will fall to Japanese landing force overnight.[/font]

[DuckofTindalos]

"Operation Could Have Worked"... TeeHee...[:D]

[Roger Neilson II]

[font="Verdana"]Operational orders: TF Partlewrkd[/font]

[font="Verdana"]Proceed with all speed to intercept Japanese landing force at Amboina, inflict as much damage as can be done without endangering your own ships. Retire to base of own discretion at full speed as it is expected Japanese will soon have Betty or Nell bombers flying from base.[/font]

[Ddog]

Kudos Roger! Yet another fine AAR.  Riva looks like a great adversary and I enjoy his remarks as well! 
 
Cheers

[Roger Neilson II]

Thanks.... I am a little upset at the scratches he has made on my nice shiny battleships.... all in all a better opening gambit than my preferred Japanese slaughter of Manila or your one of 'KILL the POW and Repulse at all costs'.

Roger

[Riva Ridge]

I am trying to avoid being fixed on any other task beyond taking ground that I need to take.  Beyond the typical high-sea slaughter of the first week of the war, Roger has actually been VERY successful in getting things out of the way rather than losing them in senseless battles.  I have sunk roughly seventy ships in the opening week (I believe) but out of that bunch, only two CLs and a handful of destroyers (I have nabbed two AVs and two ADs, those were nice) and without checking, I believe that he has lost only about 200 aircraft versus my 100.  I am taking the ground I wanted too in the first week and will do so for a long while more, but the over-arching strategic question raised after a week of war is where is going to draw the defensive line and how long will it take me to reach it and will I recognize it when I see it?

[Roger Neilson II]

Hmm, typical Japanese propaganda.... 56 ships some of which are little more than floating oil drums. On the other hand the Jap has lost 3 critically important major ships the names of which will be released at later stage when the intelligence does not compromise our spies in Tokyo.....

We are winning the propaganda war!

Roger

(currently watching his team getting soundly beaten in an embarrassing way and having had several, repeat several large whiskeys at the end of a very difficult week.)

[Wolfie1]

Great AAR - do I take it you are a Magpies fan?

[Roger Neilson II]

Thanks for the comment, I think we prefer to call ourselves Newcastle United Masochists actually!

Roger

[Ian R]

Second that, great reading.

[Riva Ridge]

And for the record, this AAR is dedicated to my lads in the Red and Black, Bohemian F.C. (Dublin)!  Go Gypsies!