Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: Terminus
When I call Speedy "chicken" it's actually a reflection of the fact that he's a very good buddy of mine. He's also an acknowledged expert on submarine use, so one would assume that he'd find a way to do what he said he wouldn't.

Aaaw

Dumbass[;)]

Now it has been mentioned about me using Subs in the HI/Formosa/China 'cauldron'. I am now thinking of rising to that challenge. There will be shipping there. Little crucial (merchant) but it's a challenge. I think I will try it in a month or so's time, if I am to try it[;)]

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
I concur with your thoughts re Iwo - a 65k garrison would need too much preparation.
 
With only 11k on Tori Shima, it definitely looks like a candidate but for it to be worthwhile I think you would have to invade there well within the month, both to prevent it from being reinforced and to give you sufficient time to build an air field from zero.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - Agreed. The problem will be to have troops ready enough within a month. I expect another 2-3 weeks heavy fighting on Iwo Jima. I may have to end up not taking Bonin and Tori and just to go for it.

-----------------------

Siam/Malaya -

Still waiting in Siam whilst my forces cut off the enemy escape route to the east of Rahaeng-Bangkok rail line.

In the meantime progress has been made in Malaya.............

Probes and bombardments on 10th identified an Ind. Mixed bde and 4 x BF present in Alor Star. By sheer weight of numbers it was clear the Allies should atttack on 11th November. By mid-afternoon on 11th the enemy was reeling back from Alor Star and (as always from Alor Star) retreated in disarray towards Georgetown where they will be cut off by ARM to the SE and annihilated by Allied infantry racing on their heels.

Basically the infantry will elminate the Georgetown pocket whilst Armoured forces rush down the peninsula towards Singapore.

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SRA -

BB Yamato/Kongo & Co visited Jesselton on the night of 10th. 4 x PT's were destroyed but DD Hatsuyuki was tagged by a torpedo and left dead in the water by a Helldiver bomb during the day. No damage was sustained on the base and my CV's are doing well. One is free of water and the other down to 38 FLT.

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CentPac -

The tough cave by cave fighting continues at Iwo Jima:

Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 211256 troops, 1780 guns, 750 vehicles, Assault Value = 4691

Defending force 42097 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 666

Allied max assault: 4528 - adjusted assault: 5384

Japanese max defense: 574 - adjusted defense: 1381

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1668 casualties reported
Guns lost 23

Allied ground losses:
497 casualties reported
Guns lost 24
Vehicles lost 8

A force of 9 Zeroes tried to attack shipping during the day of 11th but the patrolling Mustangs shot them all down.

A further 3-5 Mustangs are arrving every day and within a week another 72 plane FG will be based there. When it lands the strategic bombing of Japan begins again.

A lot of shipping beginning to head back to PH now for R&R. Since I have 2 fresh Essex class CV at San Francisco I am very tempted to send this to SRA to help out there with 3 x British CV's/3 x British CVE's and 3 x US CVE's. Recon has identified over 1000+ planes at Hong Kong and what looks like CV's in port. I suspect HK is the Combined Fleet base.

SS Hawkbill was heavily damaged by 3 x DC hit and 3 x DC and 3 x near miss 180 miles ESE of Leyte - 36/82/0.

SS S-18 heavily damaged AP Africa Maru with 2 torpedoes 120 miles west of Paramushiro Jima.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly quiet day today as bad weather hampered many air operations and in CentPac navy forces are mainly leaving the Iwo Jima area for Saipan of PH and airforces are either resting or flying to Iwo Jima/Saipan for the offensive against Japan.

In Malaya the Georgetown Japanese salient has been cut off by Allied armour reaching Taiping.

Jesselton's port has reached level 4 and the FLT of my CV is down to 35.

[Alfred]

Speedy,

Just noticed you had some recent success with SS S-18.  In your opinion, how do the old "S" class boats compare with the fleet boats by this stage of the war?

Alfred 

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - In general pretty poorly IMO. By 1944 the fleet boats have almost fully functional torps that are more powerful than the Mk10's. Coupled with a greater range, better durability and AA protection......Fleet Boats are the winner. S-Boats can always hit the enemy though just not as effectively as Fleet Boats IMO.

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Siam/Malaya -

Allied armour stormed through Taiping today heading further south into Malaya.

Heavy air raids pounded Bangkok.

The Chinese have launched their first attack for a long time! They smashed into 4 Japanese units stationed 60 miles NW of Kweiyang. They will pursue into Kweiyang to test the enemy strength there:

Ground combat at 40,34

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 142463 troops, 234 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4593

Defending force 32250 troops, 308 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 644

Allied max assault: 4406 - adjusted assault: 2662

Japanese max defense: 513 - adjusted defense: 394

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
2109 casualties reported
Guns lost 71

Allied ground losses:
1263 casualties reported
Guns lost 39


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

------------------------

SRA -

The Japanese conducted another commendable night attack on the Allied outpost of Jesselton. CL Yura and CL Kiso headed 4 destroyers. They blew up 3 x PT's and then engaged my TK convoy unloading fuel! Chaos ensued when the 2 x DE escorts were smashed aside and the cats were amongst the pigeons! By the end of the night TK Connecticut was sunk and 3 x TK were damaged with their fuel burning.

The only consolation was that DD Hayashimo took a torpedo from the PT's Bad weather ensured LBA did not finish her off in the day.

This will probably the last convoy that will only have PT's as protection. Within 2 weeks RN units will be heading through the Malacca Strait and repaired heavy units will begin sailing from Southern Australia to SRA.

------------------------

The invasion of Kwajalein has begun. The enemy men are clearly starved and ready for capitulation:

Ground combat at Kwajalein

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14250 troops, 116 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 669

Defending force 12684 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Allied max assault: 552 - adjusted assault: 85

Japanese max defense: 105 - adjusted defense: 11

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 9)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
1049 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
1005 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
Vehicles lost 6

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Siam/Malaya -

The Allies continue to push south into Malaya. Malacca has been reached and the enemy has lost Georgetown with the remnants of the 5 units fleeing to the outskirts and surrounding countryside.

I've attached a screenshot of the current positions including the advance on Kweiyang, China.

---------------------

SRA -

No enemy interference duing the night but during daytime SS I-11 left the already damaged (from previous night's surface action) TK Cities S. Boston sinking with 2 torpedoes 120 miles WNW of Jesselton.

Recon identified an IJN heavy TF approaching Jesselton 240 miles to the NE. SB2C's were scrambled along with heavy fighetr cover to attack the force. It turned out to be the BB Yamato and BB Kongo TF! 24 enemy Zeroes were shot down providing cover for the loss of 1 x Hellcat. The heavy armour of the BB's prevented any serious damage being sustained. Yamato was hit by 7 bombs throughout the day but only 1 destroyed a 5" mount. Grrrr. Flak was very intense though. 11 of 34 SB2C's were shot down throughout the day![X(]

I have had enough of invulnerable ships! I have flown in 16 x TBM. Another 16 will follow tomorrow. When we reach a 4th airfield some Beauforts will be in action also.

AK Shoryu Maru was finally sunk today harbouring at Biak. SB2C's planted 2 bombs into her which turned her turtle.

-----------------------

CentPac -

Kwajalein was taken today and over 14,000 enemy men either surrendered, were killed or committed suicide. The rest will be mopped up over the next week. From there we move to liberate the Solomans and New Guinea.

A further 54 P51D's will arrive at Iwo Jima tomorrow. We then begin bombing Japan again to her death.

My Aleutians SC TF (CL Trenton + 3 x DD) swept into Paramushiro Jima over ngith and found the damaged AP Africa Maru. They finished her off with 4 shells before departing back to Attu Island.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Siam/Malaya -

The Allies have taken the Malayan capital - Kuala Lumpur without a fight. Next stop is Malacca (got this confused). The Japanese remnant at Georgetown came under heavy attacks today by Allied ground forces:

Ground combat at Georgetown

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 73056 troops, 670 guns, 139 vehicles, Assault Value = 1818

Defending force 10964 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 153

Allied max assault: 1751 - adjusted assault: 1106

Japanese max defense: 94 - adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 221 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
547 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 2

Allied air commanders have decided to mount a risky B29 raid from Rangoon.....target Hong Kong! Recon reports over 1500 enemy aircraft based at Hong Kong's airfields....one of Japan's last few supposed safe havens.............we'll see.

---------------------

SRA -

A fairly quiet day in this region. 16 more TBM's have arrived at Jesselton.

2 x heavily damaged Essex CV's are on the way from Jesselton to the safer haven of Kuching. One of the crewman recently got the attached photo developed of early damage sustained after the initial Kamikazi attacks on Hancock..............

---------------------

CentPac -

More havy fightings in the hills of Iwo Jima. The Japanese are fighting hard:

Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 213423 troops, 1717 guns, 785 vehicles, Assault Value = 4677

Defending force 37385 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 597

Allied max assault: 4673 - adjusted assault: 7433

Japanese max defense: 438 - adjusted defense: 1411

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1090 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
473 casualties reported
Guns lost 26
Vehicles lost 13

The time has come for the obliteration of Japan to begin...............188 x B29 will bomb Tokyo's HI. 135 x P51D Mustang will sweep the skies clear of enemy planes before they arrive over their target.....that's the plan anyway.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

I'm back from Paris and the war continues................

---------------------------

Siam/Malaya -

A fairly quiet day with the only action coming from Allied land and air bombardments on Japanese positions at Bangkok. The Japanese positiopns at Georgetown are beginning to crumble with 2000 Japanese casualties being sustained today of a force of 10,000.

----------------------------

SRA -

The raid on Hong Kong took off but the Japanese CAP proved too heavy and the B29's headed back:

Day Air attack on Hong Kong , at 43,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 32
J2M Jack x 12
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 24
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 20

Allied aircraft
B-29 Superfortress x 161

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
J2M Jack: 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 5 destroyed, 51 damaged

--------------------------

CentPac -

The first P51D's were seen over the skies of Tokyo today. Phwoar what a sight:

Day Air attack on Tokyo , at 66,43

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 21
J1N1-S Irving x 24
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 33
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 4
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 32
Ki-102a Randy x 32

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 131

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 21 destroyed
J1N1-S Irving: 24 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 30 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 32 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 27 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 11 destroyed, 6 damaged

These guys are aces as the screenshot below shows! Don't mess!

Unfortunately Saipan was clouded in and no B29's took off. Tomorrow's sweep and B29 target is Hamamatsu's HI.....................

Japanese G4M's snuck into Iwo Jima and put a torpedo into BB Iowa (8/27/13) and CA San Francisco. Gits...............

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
Was your trip to Paris a recon for 8th AF in your BTR testing?
 
Alfred

[veji1]

tsss... ttssss..

No bombing of Paris M. Alfred.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

LOL guys. I did conduct a River reccie in Paris Alfred to check out 22 of the 27 Seine bridges[;)]

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Siam/Malaya -

Malacca fell today. Next stop Johoire and then Singapore in Malaya. A large contingent of enemy troops (4000) surrendered were obliterated outside Georgetown today. Just the Ind. Mixed Bde men left (c.2000).

100+ FB's have landed at Taung Gyi to provide ground support against eemy troops on the Rahaeng-Bangkok rail line. My troops are still slogging through the jungle to encircle this batch before we attack them.

------------------------

SRA -

A fairly quiet day here as my damaged Essex CV's slowly make their way back to Kuching (will arrive in 2 days time). Jesselton's port and airfield continue to expand. Within a week i'll have a level 4 airfield there.

A lone PG was spotted trying to sneak towards Palembang (god knows why!) 27 x Helldiver/Mossie strafed and bombed her to bits - 16 shell hits and 3 bombs hit home.

--------------------------

CentPac -

The intense battle of Iwo Jima continues with over 1000 Allied and 1000 Japanese casualties being sustained today:

Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 212974 troops, 1662 guns, 779 vehicles, Assault Value = 4633

Defending force 34876 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 567

Allied max assault: 4647 - adjusted assault: 7293

Japanese max defense: 377 - adjusted defense: 841

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1149 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1179 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 8

The first daylight raid of the new campaign was launched against Hamamatsu, Japan today. 100 x P51D swept the skies of enemy Jack's and Irvings (47 enemy destroyed for he loss of 2 x P51D). 170 x B29 then bombed the HI causing 230 HI damage for a total of 410 Strategic Points for the Allies. Tomorrrow's target is Nagoya.

On the sea things are fairly quiet since we're in the quiet phase in SRA (awaiting RN and damaged ships to return from Australia, and for Jesselton to expand. Then we conduct para landings and begin to prepare for Hainan invasion) and in CentPac (ships/damaged returning to PH/WC). Need some R&R before the next invasion. Troops also need to prepare for the invasion.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Siam/Malaya -

The final remnants of Japanese scum were killed or surrendered outside Georgetown today. In total there were more than 7000 enemies taken care of today!

Allied armoured spearheads are reaching the outskirts of Johore Bharu!

Chinese elements are 60 miles west of Kweiyang. Allied LBA is attacking the enemy base from Chungking and Kunming.

A SitRep is attached below.

------------------------

SRA -

A fairly quiet day in this region. I'm readying ships and crews to begin sail from Melbourne/Sydney towards Darwin in preparation for joining the RN when Singapore is beseiged.

No Japanese response in the region but patrols are tracking an IJN TF near Taytay.

-------------------------

CentPac -

The main action in this theatre was the B29 raid on Nagoya. P51D's engaged the enemy first and shot down 54 x Nick/Tony/Frank's for the loss of 5 x P51D's. 145 B29's were then free to bomb the HI plants. 195 of 1198 HI was damaged during this raid netting the Allied almost 400VP's.

After 2 days of deep pentration raids my men will rest tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly routine day again so I thought it about time I show the overall sit map of the region.

---------------------

Siam/Malaya -

Allied forces have reached Johore Bharu and will take the place tomorrow.

More of the same in Siam with Allied bombing.

----------------------

SRA -

Faber snuck in a CL/DD force into Jesselton to no effect. All forces (other than PT's) have evac'ed the place. The PT boats were alerted and did well in putting a torpedo into DD Kasumi and DD Ayanami. Both DD's were located during the day and sunk by TBM's from Jesselton.

Every day Jesselton is becoming a more equipped fortress[:)]

-----------------------

CentPac -

A quiet day and no bombing by B29's. All naval forces returning to PH.

The sit map shows the region well. NG and Solomans are empty and cut-off (will be taken within 2 months). As you can see with the taking of Saipan and Iwo Jima Japan is now under threat.

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
Your Hainan invasion plan is good.  Just wondering whether you have sufficient assets to capture Taytay, Puerto Princesa, San Jose (sp - the base west of Manila) prior to the Hainan operation.  If you can, without pushing out the Hainan invasion timetable, there would be a few advantages:
 
1.  It covers your flanks, particularly when sending resupply convoys to Hainan.  This is particularly useful if the penguin has built up any of these airfields.
 
2.  Forces the penguin to consider whether you might be aiming for Manila.  Remember Manila is worth a lot of VP to the Allies and therefore he might reinforce the PI instead of Hainan.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - It's something already in the works[:)] These bases are all un-garrisoned. As such Para's will take the bases. I will try to find some avaiation support to build these places up. It will lead to substantial air battles (I believe) since they will be within range of short legged Japanese Fighters from Luzon.

---------------------

Siam/Malaya -

An empty Johore Bharu is taken today. There have been no sightings of a single Japanese soldier since leaving Georgetown. Now the fortress of Singapore is all that remains of Japanese occupation on Malaya. Aviation personnel have the airfields operational already and a host of Spitfires and FB's landed first thing to begin the bombing of the Japanese in Singapore.

A host of 4 x DD are escorting an CLAA to Columbo. Upon arrival the RN will begin to sail towards the Malacca Strait and their US colleagues.

Rangoon's B29's are scheduled to bomb Canton's airfields tomorrow.

----------------------

SRA -

Fairly quiet throught the region today. Both of my Essex class CV's are harboured safely in Kuching[:)] The RN will move to Kuching and escort them back to Repair Yards in India.

----------------------

CentPac -

The tough fighting on Iwo Jima continues:

Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 211546 troops, 1515 guns, 771 vehicles, Assault Value = 4522

Defending force 31366 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 517

Allied max assault: 4439 - adjusted assault: 6592

Japanese max defense: 316 - adjusted defense: 388

Allied assault odds: 16 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
557 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
922 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 6

Shimizu's HI will be targetted by B29's tomororw. P51's will obviously sweep the skies first.

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

A host of 4 x DD

Since when do 4 destroyers constitute a "host"?[:'(]

[Speedysteve]

When I choose them too. You know other than wrecking my hit/post ratio and slating do you have anything positive to contribute to my AAR?[;)][:'(]

[DuckofTindalos]

Wrecking your post/hit ratio IS a positive contribution...[:'(]

[Feinder]

You seemed to have rounded 3rd base on Iwo.  Defender's AV is dropping fairly rapidly during the last 3 turns, if you watch it over time.
 
-F-