Fire across the Pacific,AAR (now a yokel free zone)

[Local Yokel]

Allied ditto:

[Local Yokel]

...and the main intelligence screen:

[Local Yokel]

I wanted to ensure that Hong Kong fell quickly, so 33 Div was transported into Canton early in a big, fast convoy dedicated to division-sized unit lifts. HK fell on 21 December, freeing up both 33 and 38 Divs for further use elsewhere.

In Malaya, 18 Div and 2 tank regiments drove hard down the road from Kota Bahru. The other forces, landed at Singora, made more leisurely progress via Georgetown to Kuala Lumpur, where they were faced by a 2-brigade British roadblock. By now the blocking force's retreat path had been cut, and they capitulated when attacked. The two prongs of the advance came together east of Malacca, and continue their advance towards Johore Bahru.

In the Philippines, the historical opening lands troops in Vigan and Aparri. However, I really wanted my main landing to be in Lingayen Gulf, so this had to be organised for a later date. By the time my forces landed USAFFE units had abandoned the base, in which I have since been steadily building my strength prior to an advance on Clark Field. At the south end of Luzon, matters are proceeding in an entirely conventional way, with 16 Div and Kure 1st SNLF advancing towards Manila on the Legaspi-Naga-Lucena line.

Having noted that Cagayan can be a tough nut to crack, I have made a significant effort in Mindanao. 56 Regt Gp split, with half landing at Butuan and half at Dadjangas, whence have they converged on Davao. To complete Davao's isolation, Yokosuka 3rd SNLF dropped on Cotabato. Other units landed at Butuan are intended for the attack on Cagayan itself.

Currently the attack on the NEI consists of a left-hook directed through the Moluccas, Ambon and Kendari. This triggered a fierce engagement off Ambon from which the ABDA Striking Force emerged the worse for wear. Shortly before this, CL Boise had gone down to carrier-borne torpedo attack. A couple of nights after the clash at Ambon, Force Z came calling on a bombardment mission. Tanaka's Ambon Attack Force having withdrawn to re-ammunition, they were unopposed, but did little serious damage. Subsequently I had a bad moment when I realised that the Kendari Invasion Group had no real cover, but fortunately for me the opportunity went begging.

Further west, 35 Bde occupied Kuching against little opposition, and elements of 22 Air Flotilla immediately flew in to shut down Allied shipping movements in West Java and South China Seas. Here Jonathan scored a good blow with 2 torpedo hits on Mutsu. The BB made it safely back to Saigon, but it was effectively a mission kill for the opening rounds in the SRA.

I've pushed far in the South Pacific, mostly with shoestring forces save at Rabaul, where I arrived with both South Seas Detachment and a Bde from 4 Div. As I pushed down to New Caledonia a moment came when it seems a carrier engagement may have been in the offing. Returned from Hawaii, KB was tagging along behind my light invasion forces. Poor Pensacola was overwhelmed by a massive strike, but Jonathan has dropped a hint that bigger game may have been not far behind. I probably tipped my hand by having some Type 97's flying naval search, but was reluctant to rely on floatplanes alone for search. There were a number of Type 96 flying boats supporting the op. from Luganville, but not really enough to give me the air search density I wanted.

On to 1942!

[cantona2]

So far the Jap blitzkrieg has been nigh on impossible to halt. US forces on the Phillipines are strongly entrenched in Clark, Bataan and Manila with a good stockpile of supplies to keep them going. Most of the areial units from the Phillipines have been redployed, the only sad note is that a few aircraft could not be repaired quick enough on the fields of Mandanao and Kendrai, but enough of the parent units were evacuate to be able to shore up the defences in three other theatres. The Yoke was lucky that my search planes didnot support his Kendrai TF until Force Z was already heading into Sorebaja to resupply, im sure the PoW and Repulse would have have had great fun if they had been spotted [:@]

In China both airforces are pounding on ground units causing disruption and morale. The chinese army is redploying to favourable defence positions and carrying out strategic maneuvers.

Most of the lightly damaged PH raid ships are back in frontline action and all heavy units are safe in repair ports as welders crawl all over them like a rash getting them ready to strike back.

Fortress Java awaits the Jap attack and bombers have been ordered to pound recently lost resource and oil facilities as well as airfields to cause as much damage as possible before the Yoke can have them operational.

AAR should be updated next turn with some action (hopefully)

PS that other unit i was alluring to in the New Caledonia area was a stronger CA/CL task force that was very lucky to avoid the attention of the KB, as for the aliied carriers, their presence and mission are only to be revealed to the higher echelons of the US Command, ie Mr Rossevelt and myself [:'(]

[cantona2]

"Happy New Year gentlemen and welcome to our new base of operations, Singapore was getting far too hot for our stay there to be any longer. Calcutta will be just as accomodating. I'm sure. Captain, whenever you are ready please," indicated the General.

Captain McDermot took the stand, the heat here was sweltering, much more so than Singapore. His RAF uniform hung to his clammy back as he gave the first debriefing in the new quarters of South-East Asia HQ.

"Sirs, we ended 1941 in a very precarious position as I am sure you are all aware. The japs are on the offensive everywhere and there seems to be no end to their advances. His fingers reach Victoria Point in the east and to the outskirts of Noumea in the South. Though he hasnt completely dominated the Phillipines he will soon rule there as well as holding sway over the Solomons and the Moluccas. Singapore still holds fast but its siege is about to begin and Operation Icarus has entered its second phase. Our American friends have been very quiet in the strategic sense but we are still having problems coordinating our efforts and sharing intelligence, though the release of shipping as per Operation Noahs Ark has gone smoothly so far. HMCN has also been put at the disposal of the US Command."

"Tactically our forces are holding their own when meeting the Japs on even terms, but these encounters have been few and far between. Our most effective arm so far has been the submarine service and the Americans seem to have had some success here as well with reports that the SS Triton has scored a hit on a jap ML at Luganville."



"Our coordination efforts with the Dutch fare mcuh better, must be an Old World thing," this was met with muted laughter around the hot and muggy room. "ABDAFloat HQ has successfully coordinated air attacks on Sampit airfield by medium bombers and scored substantial hits on the airfield, the closest the japs have on Borneo and capable of closing the Java Sea to our ships.

[cantona2]

"Of more pressing concern are the reports from GVT-17 flying out of Darwin the reported the sighting of a large armada of enemy ships steaming west out of the Banda Sea, BB and CV's were spotted. Planes from VJ-10 launced a strike and concentrated on the BB Hyuga, BB Isa was also a confirmed sighting. The CV's could not be identified as the Ack Ack over the TF proved too strong."

"This map shows the last known position of the Jap TF, all search planes in the area have been put on alert and 100% readiness."



"The brave Kingfishers paid their dues, though none got downed they returned home with damage to all aircraft involved."



"Finally from America we receive headlines from the San Diego Daily Post which state: Japs receive Rude Awakening. Apparently Wake Island received a pounding from carrier planes, as of yet we do not know which carriers or how many planes were involved, but the American press has obviously latched on to this as a morale booster."

[cantona2]

The Silent Service stikes again, this time SS 020 wreacking havoc in Jolo Island harbour with a dawn and dusk strike hitting a transport and sinking a minesweeper. With the approaching dusk the wily sub commander guides his ship out to the open sea avoiding ASW attacks on two occasions. His crew are the toast of Sorebaja

First strike:



Second strike:



SS O20 surfacing 60 NM SW of Jolo Island after her successful sortie.



Message received on open frequency by Signals Detachment unit Auckland Fortress from BICNM Noumea

***JAPANESE TROOPS DISEMBARKING IN FORCE ***STOP***SOUTH SEAS DETACHMENT IDENTIFIED ***STOP***PREPARING TO DEFEND REQUEST IMMEDIATE AID ***STOP***

[cantona2]

Local Yokel has deployed his submarine fleet enmasse to try and disrupt my shipping movements. The map below shows where most sightings have been made. DD Paul Jones met a watery end on ASW duty outside Sorebaja

[cantona2]

Commodore John Collins thanked his aide for providing him with the information he requested before he met the other heads of the ABDAFloat command. The increased Japanese activity since the turn of the year in the DEI area was of great worry to Australians, as were Japanese incursions into the islands of the South Pacific. It seemed that Australia was threatend with a massive encirclement. Base after base, island after island fell to the seemingly unstoppable Japanese forces, that in Malaya where now at the very gates of Singapore.

Northern Australia was well protected but one could never be too sure. The Commodore, however, was very grateful for the squadrons of search and patrol aircraft that were based along that coast as they provided the intel he carried in his hands. Earlier in the month a large force of CV's and BB's was spotted in the Banda Sea. Initially the target had been thought to be Sorebaja and an invasion of Java. As the days passed and this armada's progress was monitored, it headed past Java and seemed to be sailing into the Eastern Indian Ocean, and perhaps target the West Coast of Australia.

It had already sank a number of transports heading out of Java and was about to give the ABDAFloat high command a headache they could well do without.

The Commodore took a deep breath and opened the door to the room where the rest of his colleagues from the other branches of service awaited their daily briefing. Todays would bring a bigger slice of bad news than normal.

[cantona2]

Debreifing room of GVT-17

"You absoultely sure of this? No chance of this getting lost in translation?" reiterated Flight Leiutenant Walker, the Australian officer attached to the Dutch squadron based in Darwin. "You can confirm sighting of two flat tops and escorts steaming East towards Kendrai?"

The transalator again asked the question and the tired looking Dutch pilots were seen to nod again. They looked tired and dishevelled after a 15 hour long patrol. Their float plane showed signs of flak impacts on the wings and under belly of the aircraft. Walker nodded and dismissed them. He was slightly disappointed that the search effort, earlier in the month had lost the jap carriers three days into their sortie into the Indian Ocean, he was doubly disappointed that the allied aircraft based in Australia could not get a pop at them. Yet their location was good enough information. He now needed to wait for the return of GVT-2 and debrief them as well....

Aboard DD Rathburn

Shouts of joy and whoops of delight came from all areas of the ship as more and more oil and debris floated to the surface. 16 depth charges had been dropped after a late afternoon attack on a convoy she was escorting. From the looks of it the jap sub was not going to strike again but it seemed that according to the latest sighting reports the Rathburn would once again have to lock horns with the underwater killers of the IJN.

Aboard USS Saratoga
Seaman Jones kept on scrubbing his designated area of the flight deck until it gleamed in the sun. With every stroke of the mop he wished for action, he wished for the General Quarters to sound and that he could man his position at one of the aft AA guns, hed even thank God for the sight of jap torpedo bombers dropping out of the sun just to relieve the mind numbing boredom of scrubbing the god damn flight deck.

Seaman Jones's wishes may soon be coming true

[cantona2]

Comments are more than welcome. Im thinking of maybe having sections of the AAR written in a similar way to Cuttlefish's Hibiki's AAR. Would redaars welcome that are are there too many threads written in that way? As a personal choice i prefer the storytelling AAR that is supplemented with plenty of pictures and screenies

[Local Yokel]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

Aboard DD Rathburn

Shouts of joy and whoops of delight came from all areas of the ship as more and more oil and debris floated to the surface. 16 depth charges had been dropped after a late afternoon attack on a convoy she was escorting. From the looks of it the jap sub was not going to strike again but it seemed that according to the latest sighting reports the Rathburn would once again have to lock horns with the underwater killers of the IJN.

Just to put Rathburne's attack into context:

"Sub attack at 123,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-5, hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AP President Polk, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Monroe
DD Rathburne
DD Smith"

And a day later:

"Sub attack at 121,67

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
AP President Johnson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Rathburne
DD Smith

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported"

So we have a convoy containing 3 President Line ships, at least one of which has troops aboard, and two of which also have Japanese torpedoes aboard [:D]

Reminds me of a signal in another ocean:

"BdU to U-402: Forstner well done. Stay there and maintain contact. More boats are on their way. The depth charges also run out. Stay tough. This convoy is extremely important"

[cantona2]

Panic gripped the high command at Darwin after the most recent recon photos had been developed and all the intelligence gathered and discussed.
 

 
A substantial Japanese armada had been spotted just off Raba. Three different aircraft had confirmed the presence of at least 4 carriers as well as troop transports with their escorts. Two more groups of ships had also been spotted but their direction was still not known, though there were still 3 patrols to report in and these might have the information needed to ascertain the direction and therefore possible destination of these ships. Sorebaja had already been informed and its aircraft put on full alert. Likewise, across the aerodromes of Northern Australia, all aircraft had be readied and put on full alert. What worried the commanders was the lack of surface units to counter any possible invasion. Force Z was at Colombo and would need a week to be in station, and the Australian Cruiser force had just docked at Brisbane after a patrol in the waters south of Noumea. Though there were plenty of subs shadowing the japs and patrolling the waters around Northern Australia, they had not met with much success. It would seem the airforce would have to be enough of a deterrent. American aid was too far away and concentrated on the South Pacific.
 
The information brought in by the Catalinas of VP 101 flying recon over Koepang didnt bode well either. Their cameras had snapped the base after yesterdays raid by B-17's out of Darwin and amongst the flames and smoke, enemy bombers and a large number of auxiliary and transport aircraft could be seen. Hitherto recon had only spotted recon planes and the Zeros that tangled daily with the heavy bombers. Was the Jap thinking of a para drop or did he have something else up his sleeve. As a result of this the Hudson squadrons that had been bombing the Ambonia airfields had been appointed the Koepang aerodromes as their new target. If the Jap decided to come to Australia then Australia would give him a warm reception.
 

 
Further inland the 2nd Australian Cavalry Divison and the 31st Australian Brigade sped Northwards to provide some strategic reserve if such was needed.

[cantona2]

Lokel is no longer allowed in this AAR [:-]

[cantona2]

The discussions continued at the highes level between ABDA and Asiatic Fleet HQ's. They had been given command of the maritime aspect of the forthcoming operation. Australia command had been given the repsonsibility to coordinate all air efforts in the hunt for the Japanese carriers. Operation Artemis had been given the go-ahead after a game of cat and mouse with the Kito Butai along the coast of Timor and Soemba that had lasted the better part of a fortnight. It had been fortunate that many submarines were already in the area heading towards Sorebaja after operations hindering the Japanese invasions of Tarakan and Balikpapan.



The japanese heading had been established as North West and with a large landing at Bali, all commands agreed that Sorebaja and Java was the target. All naval and land bombers at Sorebaja had been alerted and ready to fly into action and the Vildebeest Squadron at Batavia was transferring south to add its torpedoes to the attacks. Two PT flotillas were headed towards Bali to try and catch some of the Japanese troop carriers disembarking there, recon puts the number as high as 10. What ever the case, January 22nd 1942 was going interesting!

[cantona2]

Extract from Fire across the Pacific, 1941-1945, by J.F.MacDonald University Press 2005
 
Chapter 4
Operation Secure


Operation Secure arose out of the fear of the Japanese cutting the vital link between the West Coast and Australia. The first month and a half of the war had been on big massive Japanese white-wash. Island after island, base after base had fallen to a seemingly unstoppable Blitzkrieg. Admiral Kimmel had come up with Operation Secure before the war. It consisted of fortifying a series of islands lying across the supply route US-Australia. Hawaii - Johnston Island - Palmyra - Canton Island - Pago-Pago - Suva - Noumea. They could mutually support each other and would provide a solid line of naval and air bases. As it turned out Noumea was quickly occupied by the Japanese but all the other islands were secured and fortified. At the moment Suva and Hawaii acted as strongpoints on the extreme flanks of the line. Baker Island was not included in the plan as it was assumed that the Japanese would quickly occupy it in the event of war using their forces in the Gilberts. As the main assault was directed West and not East, Baker was included into the Secure perimeter as a base for recon planes flying over Tarawa. The Australians played their part by garrisoning all ports in a line Sydney - Port Moresby.

As it stood, Canton Island received the highest concentration of men and materiel in the first stage of Secure. It was envisaged that it would act as a base and lauch pad for an eventual assault on Tarawa before the end of 1942. Most of the Japanese strength was concentrated around Java so the possibility might be there for a quick strike if the opportunity arose. So far recon of Tarawa had proved inconclusive. Furthermore the Americal Division, earmarked for this operation was still enroute from the Eastern seaboard of the US. Its arrival was not expected for another couple of weeks and then the journey to Canton had to be accounted for. Speed was of the essence and the Japanese efforts further West were allowing the US the time it needed to build up its forces.

[cantona2]

In terms of strategy this is how my forces are spread out. I would welcome comments and any ideas you may have
 
India
 
Navy
Force Z - Colombo
Formidable and Escorts - Colombo
Indomitable and Escorts en route to Colombo
6 ML's are mining all possible landing sites in India
Strong ASW elements at Colombo, Bombay and Tricomalee
RAF
Blenhims IV's based at Chittagong
All Hurri Squadrons based in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar
Catalinas and Dorniers based on Ceylon and India coast on Search/ASW duties.
 
Land
Main defence line will be Cox Bazar-Imphal-Kohima-Johart-Diampur-Ledo.
Reserves at Chittagong and Dacca
 
Was able to evac Burma except for two speed bumps at Rangoon and Mandlay.
A force of Dutch cruisers are also going to be based here
 
Australia
Northern Australia is well stocked in aircraft and LCU's are rushing to support the air forces there.
In the south all main ports have one Division sized unit and support troops, with Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville the main hubs. Port Morseby is well supplied and well supported and ready to repel and invasion but it doesnt seem to be coming. Lae was emptied of fuel and supplies and they all lie in PM.
 
 
US
Carriers
 
Car Div 1 Enterprise and Saratoga currently at Pearl on R n R after escorting the initial units involved in Operation Secure
Car Div 2 Yorktown and Lexington. Yorktown is in San Diego awaiting BB's Idaho, New Mexico and Mississippi before steaming to Pearl where Lady Lex awaits her. Lexingtons Buffaloes are being upgraded to Wildcats at Pearl. I aim to keep them safe until some of my BB's in SF are battle worthy after the pounding they received at PH. Im suffering from a lack of heavy surface units at the moment so im lying low until i can meet the IJN on at least equal terms.
 
At least 12 SS are in PH being repaired after heavy engagements with the Jap Navy. The rest are either evaccing Asiatic Fleet HQ from Manila or the 4th Marines from Bataan. The former is heading for Darwin the latter to Wydnham. Most of the US naval resources are being employed in ASW duties, escort duties or upgrading (the ASW upgrade the flush deckers get is great [:D])
 
Dutch Harbour is being built up as a possible base for an attack via the Northern Route. Yokel's large invesment in the South and West has got me thinking that maybe his northern flank is a bit thin on the ground. Thing is despite over 15k supply and 3 engineer units at DH, the pace of airfield construction is sllllloooooooooowww. Any tips here guys? 
 
ML and DM's from Pearl are busy minning all islands and ports in the surrounding areas as Sigint picked up that the 52nd Div was prepping for an attack on PH [:(]
 
Anyhow thats the sitrep at the moment so any help would be very very welcome

[cantona2]

From latest Combat Replay

[:(]

[cantona2]

Despite the obvious threat of a Japanese invasion of Java and the damage to the port installations, the full brass bad was playing, the staff was lined up in their pristine white uniforms and crowds lined the dock as the SS KXII sailed into port, its victory flag flying. 48 hours ago it had finished the job started by the SS 019 and sank two 450mm HI torpedoes into the flank of the CL Isuzu. The already damaged cruiser could not take such an impact and exactly 7 minutes after it was initially hit it sank below the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Its crew celebrated and so did the hard pressed garrison and populace of Sorebaja. Its Comander was awarded The Bronze Cross for his exploits.



The local and Allied press made a lot of this story as it was the first Japanese capital ship casualty of the war. Morale surged and many press photographs of the ship and its crew were released.

From Sorebaja Daily

"SS KXII at dock during medal presentation to Commander Coumou



From Darwin Daily

"Captain and crew celebrate their kill"



Commander Coumou's Bronze Cross, as displayed in Amsterdam's Military Museum.

[cantona2]

Game will continue in earnest after return from holidays.
Any readers out there?