The Ever Rising Sun - Chuck vs Pat - Banzai!

[ctangus]

SRA

I'm in the process of taking the final oil/resource centers in the SRA. Toboali & Bankha fell with no damage. Batavia fell with moderate damage - not great, but not disastrous.

The only two resource bases left are Medan which I'm currently assaulting and Palembang which I've started to bombard. I have troops & ships at Singapore ready to invade there now, but I want to soften it up with naval bombardment first. (3 BBs & 7 CAs in 3 TFs are assigned.) At the latest I'll land before the end of the month.



Burma

The bombing campaign against the advancing Chinese has started. No allied response yet.

China

Mostly still moving about. I think I'll have the area between Nanchang & Shanghai free of Chinese within 2-3 weeks. I also just ordered marching orders for the attack against Yenan.

[ctangus]

Mar 12 - Mar 17, 1942

This game slowed down due to real-life concerns but is now going forward. A CV battle might be coming soon...

4th Fleet

SS I-1 put a torp into a troop-laden AK near Christmas Island. Otherwise it's been quiet.

Southeast Fleet

This is where the action is heating up...

I sent 2 AVs to recon the New Hebrides and New Caledonia. Near the New Hebrides AV Kiyokawa Maru was attacked by carrier-based planes. Before she went out of radio contact (in other words, sunk) she reported hearing call-signs from Enterprise & Yorktown based planes.

The other AV, Kimikawa Maru, spotted another allied naval concentration NW of New Caledonia. One CV was reported. My AV is now running away.

Yamamoto is trying to lay a trap by attacking Munda, hoping to draw in the allied CVs, and then ambushing with the KB.

Meanwhile troops continue to sail to take Port Moresby...



SRA

Some mopping up. The Palembang invasion starts loading tomorrow.

Burma

Continued bombing of the Chinese troops marching towards here, but again mostly quiet.

China

Pucheng was liberated by the IJA. Just one Chinese division remains in the pocket east of Nanchang.

[ctangus]

Mar 18- Mar 19, 1942

More posturing in the Coral Sea.

Southeast Fleet

Well, I've taken Munda and the allied fleet is slowly approaching. As far as I know the allies haven't spotted the KB but Admiral Pat must suspect or fear KB's nearby. I'm tempted to sprint KB and attack, but it mission is to cover the landings. I'll let the allies come to me if they want. Might get exciting...

KB will cover the Munda landings for one more day as more supply is dropped off and then swing west to cover the Port Moresby invasion.



Elsewhere

The Palembang invasion has sailed from Singapore. And while it probably won't last long, the overall points have exceeded 4:1.

[ctangus]

Mar 20 - Mar 21, 1942

It remains tense in the Coral Sea.

Southeast Fleet

A patrolling Mavis reported 4 BBs, identity unknown, with the allied fleet. An enemy Hudson was spotted over our forces as well.

The last few days we've both been like a kid paired with the fat girl at dance class - neither of us wants to get too close. Admiral Chuckamoto (me) wants to make sure the Moresby invasion occurs safely before tangling with the allies. I suspect Admiral Pat is waiting for a gap to show up in my defenses.



SRA

The initial Palembang landing has occurred and most troops are ashore. I'll wait 2-3 days before attacking - I want to time my attack with a final battleship bombardment. I should be able to take the base in the first attack.

Burma

Enemy 2E bombers from India attack my troops at Myitkyina, causing no damage. Meanwhile Rangoon based Nells attack an allied resupply convoy at Akyab. Out of 6 allied transports, 5 are hit by multiple torpedos and 3 are reported sunk.

[ctangus]

Mar 22, 1942

Will the allies come out to play?

Southeast Fleet

The enemy naval forces are now reported to be a mere 500 miles from my fleet. I'm damn tempted to engage but I won't. There might be 1 CV in that fleet or there might be 4. I decided that my priority for now is to guard the Port Moresby invasion.

Also, I'd love for Pat to attack me. If he comes one hex closer he's within Zero range of Lae where I have 2 Daitais each of Bettys & Zeros. If I rush him I'm closer to LB-30s which are flying out of North Oz. They just put 3 bombs into AK Fugi Maru unloading at Milne Bay. [:(]



SRA

The first deliberate attack against Palembang is ordered for tomorrow. I definitely expect to take the base - I'm going for a large overkill here. Hopefully it won't be too damaged. I've been pounding it from the air for a month or more and its been getting 1-2 bombardments daily for about 2 weeks. 2 Dutch battalions and 2 Dutch base forces are facing 2 reinforced Japanese divisions.

Burma

Enemy raids against Myitkyina continue. I stupidly forgot to send a base force there (one's on the way) so A6M2s based at Mandalay will fly LRCAP tomorrow.

[ctangus]

Mar 23, 1942

No naval battle, but still a momentous day for the Empire. Multiple screenshots today.

Southeast Fleet

Well, it doesn't look like the allies are coming to play. One of my I-boats was run over by a destroyer screen southeast of the last known location of the allies. Well, the Moresby invasion is on for tomorrow and should be unmolested.

Also, a single allied MSW seems to have gotten lost and was promptly sunk by the brave airmen of Kido Butai.

[ctangus]

SRA

Well, Palembang fell promptly. I brought lots of overkill because I had the theory that it would help in capturing the resources. Wasn't to be - 162 of 600 resource points are destroyed and 560(!) of 1200 oil points. Bugger...

Still, it's good to have the final resource base and have some better prediction on how my economy will go. I don't think we'll be starving soon, but I won't be expanding HI either.

[ctangus]

Burma

Zeros shoot down 3 Hurricanes for no losses over the skies of Myitkyina.

The majority of the air units that were suppressing Palembang will be coming to this theater.

China

Some final good news - the last Chinese resistance east of Nanchang was eliminated. Changsha here I come! [:'(]

[ctangus]

Mar 24 - Mar 26, 1942

Port Moresby falls! [8D] Now what do I do???

Southeast Fleet

The allied fleet was last spotted in the early morning hours of the 24th. Still headed southeast - towards Noumea or Auckland.

That same day landings started at Port Moresby. The first assault was launched on the 26th and promptly took the base. Considering the odds, it looks like a couple months of preparatory bombing were worthwhile.

The Combined Fleet will retire for now but I'll grab the rest of the Solomons soon.

Elsewhere

Mopping up operations continue in the SRA and I'm pondering future moves.

[ctangus]

Apr 16, 1942

It's been a while since I've done an update. The last few turns have been exciting.

4th Fleet

The Ellice Islands invasion has sailed, with 2 CVEs in close escort. Kido Butai will provide distant cover. They should land in 4 days.

Southeast Fleet

I wasted a grand ambush opportunity here. After spotting US CVs in the Coral Sea, I sent Glen subs to recon Noumea, Auckland and Brisbane to see if I could find where they were based. Carrier air was spotted over Noumea and I managed to sneak KB to within 300 miles of the base before I was spotted...

And Admiral Chuckamoto forgot to order his planes on port attack! ACK! What a bonehead...

I did sink a Royal Navy DD that was on ASW duty. And gained a little intel - there's at least 2 Royal Navy CVs in the area. I'm not interested in a fair fight over 1200 miles from my nearest port, so KB's retiring to cover the Ellice Islands invasion.

Elsewhere in the theater naval infantry will land at Thursday Island in two days. 14th Army is preparing for an invasion of New Caledonia. I haven't decided if I'll launch it yet or not, but need to start prepping the troops now.


SRA

Digging in and repairing resources/oil. I'm still running a deficit of both resources and oil that's slowly improving.

Burma

Some light aerial skirmishing is going on. I bomb Akyab daily and he bombs Myitkina daily but no large damage is being caused. 15th Army is planning an amphibious invasion of Akyab.

Some slow RN BBs showed up near Port Blair. Resolution ate 1 torp from a Nell, while Royal Sovereign took a total of 3 over 2 days and was sunk. [:)]

China

The IJAAF is starting to soften Changsha's defenses but it'll be a couple months before I'm ready to attack.

Two units of bad guys entered Sinyang but I have 1000 + AV there and should easily bounce them out.

Yenan is, at least temporarily, surrounded and the first assault goes in tomorrow.

[ctangus]

Apr 16 -17, 1942

The ground war in China & Burma is heating up a lot, with the good guys getting the better of it.

4th Fleet

The Ellice islands will be invaded tomorrow. As far as I can tell they're ungarrisoned & so should fall on the first attack.

Southeast Fleet

My troops land unmolested at Thursday Island & should take the base tomorrow.

The allied fleet has disappeared despite a bunch of sub pickets. I'm sending Glen subs to recon Brisbane & Auckland again.

Burma

Allied troop reinforcements have been spotted on their way to Akyab. Army bombers attacked the convoy with some damage caused, though 4 nearby Daitai of navy bombers stayed on the ground.

Also, Chinese crossed the Salween river on their way to Lashio. Their shock attack was stuffed & a counter-attack has been ordered.

[ctangus]

China

And there's been a lot of ground combat in China, with offensive moves from both sides.

Chinese attacked at Ichang & were stuffed. They also entered Sinyang piecemeal. The first elements were routed but I need to rest a day or two before trying to route the follow-on forces.

At Yenan, Mao's fortifications were lowered and the Chinese way in the north were routed for a second time. I won't chase them any further - they're no longer a threat to my flank.

[ctangus]

Apr 18, 1942

Well I took Thursday Island, kicked the Chinese out of Burma and sunk a ship carrying part of the British 59th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. But the real news is the battle of the Ellice Islands.

I thought I'd maintained operational security on the Ellice Islands operation, but I guess not. When dawn broke a patrolling Val spotted 2 USN CVs and a RN battlecruiser 300 miles away from the Kido Butai. Great, I thought. A chance for a range 5 strike.

But then both forces closed with the enemy...



...but weather over the allied fleet kept either side from launching a strike.

[ctangus]

In the afternoon, Nagumo & friends decided to stay in place but the enemy closed once again...



... and once again weather shut down flight ops.

In the meantime my assault forces all landed safely and have secured the Ellice Islands. Follow-on forces and supplies still need to get ashore.

Today, pilots spotted CVs Yorktown, Saratoga, Enterprise and Hornet as well as BC Repulse. I have to assume Lexington and POW are around as well. CV air from at least 2 RN carriers was spotted over Noumea a few days ago. So I'm up against anywhere from 4+2 to 5+3 CVs - so 420 to 550 planes. It's possible that the earlier losses over Noumea (about 40 planes) haven't been made up.

KB currently carries 502 planes, 490 of which are operational. I made up my fighter losses by flying in portions of land based daitai. I have another 47 planes (43 operational) nearby on Hosho & Taiyo.

So at worst I'm facing equal numbers & I should still have a quality advantage. However I'm 1500 miles from my nearest port while the enemy has both Suva & Pago Pago nearby - yikes. And the threat of Force Z may force me to weaken the screen for KB. I didn't want to fight a CV battle under these circumstances but I think I will. I'll post my plans once I figure them out.

[ctangus]

Okay - here's the plan.

1. KB will retire 60 miles behind the Ellice Islands. This will keep me within range to counter-strike any attacks against my landings but might prevent a retaliatory strike. While I'm not counting on it I've set my CV TFs to follow their replenishment TF to hopefully keep them from reacting. 50 and 60% CAP. 45% escort should be plenty to get their bombers through.

2. Inspired by Leyte Gulf, I'm sending Hosho & Taiyo forward as a decoy force. Perhaps they'll absorb some strikes that would otherwise be aimed at the KB. 30% CAP in order to give their kanko half a chance to do some damage.

3. Overnight Tanaka will cover Funafuti with BBs Nagato, Mutsu, Kirishimi, Hiei; CAs Kako & Furutaka and a screen of 7 destroyers all armed with long-lances. I did weaken the screen of KB by 2 BBs & 3 DDs but I want a surface force that greatly outnumbers Force Z.

4. I'm purposely leaving Funafuti & Nukufetau without aircover. Hopefully my other distractions will keep my transports safe.

[Local Yokel]

Not sure how this works, but is there a danger of KB reacting into one of the 2 Ellice base hexes and consequently suffering an 50% air ops penalty?
 
Watching this with much interest, as it has the makings of a major scrap.  Good luck!

[ctangus]

Thanks for the good wishes!

ORIGINAL: Local Yokel

is there a danger of KB reacting into one of the 2 Ellice base hexes and consequently suffering an 50% air ops penalty?

I don't think so, because the AI won't route a CV TF through a land hex. At least it didn't work out that way. Maybe I just got lucky - I certainly didn't think about it when I made my plans.

[ctangus]

Apr 19, 1942

Battle of the Ellice Islands, Day Two

The day dawned with the opposing navies 240 miles away from each other. Both fleets tried to close with the enemy, though the Kido Butai headed southeast, skirting around Funafuti.

The evil imperialists struck first, with a small raid of 34 SBDs and 15 TBDs, escorted by 6 F4F-4s attacking Carrier Division Two. 92 Zeros rose to oppose the strike and though they shot down the entire escort and over half the bombers 5 TBDs and 8 SBDs got through to make runs against Hiryu, Soryu and Kongo.

A 1000 lb. bomb started a minor fire on Kongo's deck, but caused no major damage. Another penetrated Soryu's flight deck, causing moderate damage. Hiryu went unscathed.

Next the enemy's main strike came in, this time against Carrier Division Five. 84 SBDs, 30 TBDs and 35 Albacores. Again 92 Zeros intercepted but 30 enemy fighters (mixed type) tangled with them. 69 SBDs, 24 TBDs and 25 Albacores attacked and devastated the IJN's CVs. Shokaku took 11 bombs, many of them 1000 lbers. Zuikaku took 9 bombs and 2 torpedos. 4 escorting ships were also attacked but went unharmed.

Two more small strikes came in against Car Div 5. Sho took 6 more bomb hits, Zui 4. CA Aoba also took a bomb (penetrated) as did Kinugasa. (Bounced).

[ctangus]

Our counter-strike was already in the air, however the initial Japanese raids were a nightmare of uncoordinated strikes.

First 23 Vals escorted by 6 Zeros attacked but were intercepted by 83 enemy fighters. 6 Zeros and 15 Vals were shot down to the loss of no enemy planes. None of the Japanese planes made attack runs.

Then 22 Vals and 25 Kates escorted by 9 Zeros attacked. Again the raid was turned back by the enemy CAP. A total of 32 planes were lost to 2 enemy.

Finally the main strike came in. 61 Vals, 78 Kates escorted by 37 Zeros. While 10 more Zeros were lost they did their job - 56 Vals and 74 Kates made attack runs against 3 US CVs - Hornet, Enterprise & Lexington. My pilots reported 7 bombs and 2 torpedoes into each of Hornet & Enterprise. Lexington took 2 bombs and 5 torpedos. CA Chicago also ate 2 torpedos, DD Lamson 4 bombs while 2 other escorts were attacked unsuccessfully.

2 smaller strikes flew against the same TF, putting 2 more torpedoes into Enterprise, 1 into Lexington and 3 bombs, 1 torpedo into Hornet.

The morning ended with 2 IJN and 3 USN flight decks closed, but none was yet reported sunk.

[ctangus]

In the afternoon, British carriers continued to close with our samurai, though the USN & IJN CVs stayed in place.

The British launched a feeble attack against Carrier Division one. 11 Albacores escorted by 2 Fulmars attacked Akagi, but no hits were cause.

The dastardly Americans then launched a small strike. 9 SBDs and 2 Devastators, unescorted, slipped by the CAP. Haruna & Kaga were missed but Akagi took a 1000 lb. bomb.

My CVEs then finally got into the fight and launched against the British. (They didn't work as a decoy, though.) 16 Kates missed Indomitable but put one torpedo each into POW & Repulse.

A follow-on strike from the KB put multiple torpedos into both Formidable & Indomitable as well as hit them with bouncing bombs. POW was also hit with 2 bombs and CA Canberra with one.

Radio intercepts of US communications indicated that both Lexington & Enterprise sunk in the late afternoon. Remarkably both Shokaku & Zuikaku were still afloat at the end of the day.