Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel

[Local Yokel]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/13/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Arashi
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Umikaze
DD Usugumo
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
CL Dragon
CL Durban, Shell hits 4
DD Scout, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Thanet, Shell hits 3, on fire
DM Thracian, Shell hits 2, on fire
MSW Deloraine, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Maryborough, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Arashi
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yamakaze, on fire
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Usugumo
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
MSW Bendigo, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Burnie, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
MSW Goulburn, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 5
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Chokai
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 7
CA Kumano
CL Natori
CL Yura
DD Nenohi
DD Wakaba
DD Sanae
DD Kasasagi

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Shell hits 70, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Durban
DD Scout, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Thanet, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DM Thracian, on fire
MSW Deloraine, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

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Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed
Hawk 75A: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
Swordfish: 1 destroyed

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Natori, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 4
CA Chokai
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Haruna
BB Kongo

Allied Ships
AD Black Hawk, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Koolinda, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
TK Longwood, Shell hits 2, on fire
AV Langley, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barossa, Shell hits 2
AK Valentijn, Shell hits 3, on fire
TK British Judge, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Childs, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ben Nevis, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Patras, Shell hits 1, on fire
AS Holland, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tarakan, Shell hits 2, on fire
TK George G Henry, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Malaita, Shell hits 2
AK Van Swoll, Shell hits 1
AK Both, Shell hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
4085 casualties reported
Guns lost 89
Vehicles lost 8

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 28
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 2

...

Day Air attack on TF at 36,80

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 3
A-24 Dauntless x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,80

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 3
Brewster 339D x 3
A-24 Dauntless x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

[aztez]

Hmmm. What is the main reason behind Northern Oz adventure?
 
I guess that it serves its purpose when you think about defending DEI later on but is there other reasons? Just intrested. [:)]

[Local Yokel]

Hi aztez!

The offensive against NW Oz is almost entirely prompted by defensive considerations.

It denies the Allies a jumping off point for a thrust into the SRA.

It denies the Allies bomber bases within range of resource/oil centres (B-29 normal range takes in Balikpapan from Darwin).

It is relatively isolated from sources of Allied power - an overland counterattack is going to use up 55 supply units out of every 100 despatched.

It is close to Japanese sources of power - reinforcements have to come over shorter distances than their Allied equivalents; this gives Japan an advantage in any 'battle of the build-up' and may mean that it can be held with less initially than other vulnerable spots on the perimeter.

It complements my push to Noumea. That must have stretched the Allied SLOC to Oz. In turn that should delay the build-up for any countermove in Oz.

It invites an over-commitment of Allied defenders to the Darwin area - again at the end of a long supply line. My attack on Moresby is currently going in. If that succeeds it will shut down attempts to re-supply Darwin via Torres Strait. Too many Allied defenders committed to Darwin give me raiding opportunities or better against the south coast of Oz.

I've heard it said that forcing Allied attention upon N. Oz encourages a counter attack that comes dangerously close to the SRA. Well, maybe that's so, but I plan to make any such counter attack a very costly exercise for my opponent, and the lie of the land and sea assists me in doing so.

Thoughts, anybody?

[Local Yokel]

Some end-of-month reports coming up, beginning with summary figures for the Japanese economy and aircraft production:

[Local Yokel]

Next, a graph showing changes in the stockpiles of selected items from 19 Dec 1941 to 28 Feb 1942:

[Local Yokel]

And the intelligence summary screen as at 28 Feb 1942. Shown in yellow are the changes since the last set of figures posted at the end of Jan 42.

[Local Yokel]

A few observations on the state of the economy, and Japan's war footing generally:

Fuel production has stood up OK, but that's probably to be expected. Oil stockpiles have fallen by about 500,000. However, Palembang has yet to fall. A good deal rides on how much damage the Palembang oil centres sufffer if and when it is taken.

The rate of fall in resources has slowed, but we took a bad hit when Soerabaja fell with 499 out of 500 resource centres destroyed - not good. Again, the damage sustained if/when Palembang falls may prove significant.

The first oil/resource convoy has already unloaded and the second is en route the HI.

With a bit of tweaking here and there I seem to have been able to grow supply output so as to increase stockpiles by about 200,000. Stockpiles have crossed the 300,000 mark a couple of times and are holding at about the 299,500 mark.

I have been trying to expand Nakajima engine production, mainly by shifting across from Mitsubishi engines. This has become more critical than I had expected following the loss of all Ki-21 production in Dec 41 due to the unwanted upgrade of Ki-21's to Ki-49's that the CHS scenario features. This has also meant that Ki-49 production has had to be expanded, as the Ki-21 sentai's will need to re-equip progressively with the Donryu.

E13A production has been ramped up so that the older reconnaissance seaplane models can be phased out. Most E13A production can then be switched to other aircraft types.

Yes, we are producing G5N's, in small quantities. I have a particular use in mind for them at a later date.

Broadly speaking I have sufficient aircraft stocks to meet current rates of attrition, and have preserved a respectable supply of both IJAAF and IJNAF pilots still, though the latter has only been possible by permitting slow attrition of the land attack kokutai. I have concerns about running out of army bombers, but since there's not a lot I can do about that there's no point in losing sleep over it.

One pleasing point is that Japanese operational loss levels are very close to Allied (it appears that Japanese operational losses are usually twice as great). Partly this is due to I-boat sinkings of US merchantmen carrying bomber groups, and partly it's been an exercise in husbanding air groups, resting them frequently and not sending them out in bad weather.

I have also tried to conserve LCU's so far as possible. Soerabaja fell with minimal loss to the Japanese forces engaged, but they weren't opposed by much. Batavia is probably accommodating 3 Dutch regts, so will be a somewhat tougher nut to crack. The advantage the defenders receive from Manila's urban terrain means that this could be a source of considerable Japanese loss. However, barring a major trans-Pacific relief effort (which would be interesting!), I can pick my moment for the final reduction of the city. Fort levels were found to be zero on an exploratory attack and I expect them to have stayed that way.

[Local Yokel]

Japanese operations in Malaya-Borneo-Sumatra, February 1942:

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: Local Yokel

I've heard it said that forcing Allied attention upon N. Oz encourages a counter attack that comes dangerously close to the SRA. Well, maybe that's so, but I plan to make any such counter attack a very costly exercise for my opponent, and the lie of the land and sea assists me in doing so.

Thoughts, anybody?

Here's some thoughts, though they might not be lucid... [;)]

I'm playing a CHS 1.x game now in Mar. '44. I command the evil allied imperialists in that game. A similar offensive did encourage such a counterattack from me. I grabbed Timor in Jan or so '43 with the hope of isolating units in North Oz. Took Darwin back with a land offensive slightly before then. I didn't isolate any units but I have been able to slowly expand in the area. I have over half of Celebes now and a bunch of smaller nearby islands.

Though I'm not sure if it was worthwhile for me or not. On the plus side it's spread my opponent's defenses out - he needs to defend an arc from Java through Borneo to the Vogelkep. 2Es & 4Es have wrecked most of Balikpapan's oil/resources. I haven't bombed Soerabaja's oil/resources yet, but my opponent needs to maintain a healthy CAP there.

On the negative side it certainly slowed down my New Guinea offensive as I have to divert forces to this theater also. Supply lines are long, even with the Torres strait open.

Anyway, I wouldn't defend North Oz too heavily - the allies will take it back if/when they decide to. I'd more strongly guard against flanking moves - I'd recommend defending Timor-Flores-Soemba. And once the allies take Moresby back you'll need to defend the Vogelkep.

Yes, we are producing G5N's, in small quantities. I have a particular use in mind for them at a later date.

I'm curious what you plan to do with them. I'm not producing them myself - to me they don't seem worth the cost in engines - but I'm a Japanese newb, too, and I'm sure I have a lot to learn.

[Local Yokel]

ORIGINAL: ctangus

Here's some thoughts, though they might not be lucid... [;)]

I'm playing a CHS 1.x game now in Mar. '44. I command the evil allied imperialists in that game. A similar offensive did encourage such a counterattack from me. I grabbed Timor in Jan or so '43 with the hope of isolating units in North Oz. Took Darwin back with a land offensive slightly before then. I didn't isolate any units but I have been able to slowly expand in the area. I have over half of Celebes now and a bunch of smaller nearby islands.

Though I'm not sure if it was worthwhile for me or not. On the plus side it's spread my opponent's defenses out - he needs to defend an arc from Java through Borneo to the Vogelkep. 2Es & 4Es have wrecked most of Balikpapan's oil/resources. I haven't bombed Soerabaja's oil/resources yet, but my opponent needs to maintain a healthy CAP there.

On the negative side it certainly slowed down my New Guinea offensive as I have to divert forces to this theater also. Supply lines are long, even with the Torres strait open.

Anyway, I wouldn't defend North Oz too heavily - the allies will take it back if/when they decide to. I'd more strongly guard against flanking moves - I'd recommend defending Timor-Flores-Soemba. And once the allies take Moresby back you'll need to defend the Vogelkep.

Makes perfectly good sense to me - thanks for your input!

I should be interested to know whether your experience of with an overland offensive refutes my suspicion that the Allies will suffer significantly from being at the end of an extended, low-grade supply line. Of course, the deluge of Allied supply may have been so great that this had no apparent impact upon operations. Alternatively you may have supplemented the overland supplies with an airlift - but if so that implies a loss of air transport capacity for use elsewhere.

If the recapture of a Japanese-held Darwin prompted a perceptible thinning and spreading of Nippon's defences in the south-eastern part of the SRA then the same effect seems likely to result from permitting Darwin to remain in Allied hands in the first place.

I entirely agree about the importance of Timor. If the Allies retake it then Darwin's significance evaporates: nearly everything they can accomplish from Darwin can be equally well accomplished from Timor.

I expect it to be easier to defend against an offensive in the area from Vogelkop to the Lesser Sundas than a leapfrogging offensive along the north coast of New Guinea. To me, naval forces operating in the Banda and Timor Seas seem likely to be vulnerable to LBA operating from Timor, Lautem, Kendari and Ambon. On the other hand an Allied main effort in New Guinea is less threatening than a direct assault into the SRA. Ultimately neither of these is as threatening as the direct drive across the Central Pacific, but I expect to have to deal with that in any event.

The problem with defending perimeters is that you can't be strong everywhere, whilst your enemy can concentrate somewhere. That problem is exacerbated if your enemy can prevent reinforcement of your weak points and your defence has to rely on the forces already in situ. In that case I look for defensive locations with positional advantages, and I regard the area Timor-Darwin-Moluccas as offering them. I hope this will make it possible for me to defend the area effectively with fewer forces, thus freeing defenders to thicken defence densities elsewhere.

Another reason why I should like to take the NW coast of Oz is to forestall the use of its ports as bases for submarine ops. Their transit time into the SRA from anywhere between Darwin and Broome is much too short for my taste.

[Local Yokel]

The Japanese invasion of Java, February 1942:

[Local Yokel]

'MO' Operation - the Japanese lunge for Port Moresby, February-March 1942

When the dust settles after the 'Friday the Thirteenth' engagement the Japanese conclude that Darwin is not ripe for immediate assault. Accordingly, the timetable for the follow-up thrust on Port Moresby is advanced, the Japanese command being acutely aware that resistance to this will harden with every day that passes.

The plan for the MO operation is as complex as any on which the Japanese have ever embarked. In essence it involves the simultaneous convergence upon Port Moresby of two separate invasion convoys. One, originating from Truk, is to carry the brigade primarily dedicated to the attack upon Port Moresby. That brigade will subsequently form a garrison for the base. The other convoy originates from Kendari, and carries forces ultimately intended for an attack upon Darwin.

To pre-empt reinforcement of Moresby, the Japanese are anxious to preserve the element of surprise, but any sighting of Takagi's Moresby Western Attack Force as it traverses the Arafura Sea seems sure to give the game away. Takagi's force is routed close to the southern shore of New Guinea, so as to remain as far as possible from the prying eyes of Darwin's search aircraft. Simultaneously a small force with seaplane tender Mizuho at its core is to land an SNLF on Aru Island. This, however, is little more than a maskirovka: a distraction intended to supply a rationale for the presence of Japanese ships if Takagi's force is detected. In the event he is not.

Matsuyama's Moresby Eastern Attack Force is routed from Truk to the Solomon Sea directly past Cape st George. Thence it is to enter the Coral Sea via Jomard Passage before swinging west towards its target.

At the same time as Matsuyama departs Truk two further convoys bearing the occupation forces for Buna and Lae diverge from his track, headed for Seeadler Harbour in the Admiralties where they will hold until the enemy's attention is distracted by the Moresby convoys' appearance. The Lae and Buna Occupation Forces will then enter Huon Gulf via Dampier Strait and separate into four components aimed at Buna, Salamaua, Lae and Finschafen. The Lae force is the critical element in this part of the operation, since as soon as Lae's airstrip has been seized Navy fighters will fly in from Rabaul to provide LRCAP over the forces operating in the vicinity of Moresby. The necessary air support will be airlifted in from Rabaul by Navy Type 97 Transport Flying Boats.

Next in the roster is Owada's Madang Consolidation Force, consisting primarily of the brand new tender Nisshin. This is tasked initially with delivery of additional supplies that will promote the reconnaissance and search operations to be flown by IJAAF Ki-46's from Madang's strip. Owada's ships are then to transit to Rabaul for refuelling before heading south, being now designated the Cover Force for the operation. With its enhanced complement of Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplanes (plus a group of slightly shorter ranged Type 94's), the Cover Force is to operate in a search and tripwire role in the central reaches of the Coral Sea, in direct support of the operation's last component: 1st Mobile Force.

The carriers of 1st Mobile Force under Nagumo sortie from Truk one day after Matsuyama. Initially routed towards Bougainville the Force then turns south-west through Bougainville Strait and enters the Solomon Sea west of Vella Lavella. From there it is directed to a point slightly south of the Louisiades, where it is planned to lie in wait for any Allied naval move in the direction of Moresby. The Japanese hope is that in this position it will remain undetectable by air search and unlikely to encounter submarines. It is hoped that any Allied counter-move will initially be detected by Owada, who will then retire abruptly, leaving Nagumo's powerful air groups ready to stike from the flank.

The operation as a whole is to be coordinated from Vice Admiral Kusaka's South East Fleet HQ at Rabaul, from which a powerful force of land attack aircraft are to suppress Moresby's air defences. Rabaul will also form the point of departure for a further brigade to reinforce the attack plus a base force to flesh out the Moresby garrison after the base's capture. These units are to be conveyed respectively by a fast and slow transport group, though the fast will depart second and may overtake the slow en route

[Local Yokel]

'MO': Opening Moves

As Takagi's Moresby Western Attack Force passes between Auru Island and New Guinea on 18 February, Mizuho deposits an occupation force on the island. The inhabitants alert ANZAC Command to the Japanese presence, but Allied search aircraft fail to detect Takagi as he moves east. So far the element of suprise has been preserved, and the Japanese invasion task forces continue to converge upon their unsuspecting target.

The Japanese cannot remain unobserved for ever, and they are at last spotted by Port Moresby's search planes on 22 February. By this time Takagi is through Torres Strait and closing rapidly on Moresby. But simultaneously a Type 0 observation floatplane from one of Hashimoto's accompanying cruisers happens upon Allied warships to the west of Thursday Island. Consternation in the Japanese ranks! It is entirely possible that the opposing forces passed within miles of each other during the previous night! The consequences, had the Allied ships encountered Takagi's transports before Hashimoto could intervene, are unimaginable. The composition of the enemy remains uncertain, but they are reported to include heavy units. At Rabaul, the intelligence officers at South East Fleet HQ assess the enemy to include heavy cruisers Canberra and Australia, probably accompanied by light cruisers Hobart and Perth. Or perhaps the New Zealand light cruiser squadron.

Moresby's alerted defences respond with attacks by Hudsons and A-24's upon Takagi and his consorts. Only one transport is successfully bombed, but one of the few minesweepers accompanying the western force is hit and seriously damaged. Later this will have unfortunate consequences.

On the same day, Matsuyama's Moresby Eastern Attack Force is spotted as it enters Jomard Passage. 12 Hudsons attack at mixed altitudes, and transport Monji Maru is hit. Matsuyama diverts her to Milne Bay with orders to seize the settlement there.

The presence of enemy surface units this close to Moresby is an unexpected and unwelcome development for the Japanese. The enemy warships can be expected to return to the defence of Moresby with all possible speed. Whilst Hashimoto is confident that he will prevail in a surface battle off the target, he is likely to suffer damage, and his cripples will then lie at the mercy of Moresby's hostile aircraft. Accordingly the Japanese hastily adapt their plans: Takagi will recoil out of range of Moresby's dive bombers, whilst Nagumo's Mobile Force, which has been loitering south of the Louisiades, will move north to eliminate the Allied surface threat. Nagumo is assigned a dual mission: CarDiv 5's 'junior' air group will hit Moresby's airfields with everything it's got, whilst the first team in CarDiv's 1 and 2 will await morning sightings of enemy surface units. If none are found it will add its weight to the assault on the enemy airfields. These are already receiving a pounding from the substantial force of land attack aircraft now based at Rabaul.

As has happened before, things do not go quite as the Japanese expect. On 23 February the Allied cruisers are detected to the west of Moresby, but outside the range of Nagumo's aircraft, as he has remained sufficiently distant from Moresby to avoid exposure to its dive-bomber's 1000-pounders. Instead, aircraft from CarDiv's 1 and 2 target a couple of merchantmen in Moresby's harbour, together with minelayer Bungaree. All are summarily despatched.

Meanwhile CarDiv 5's airgroups and Kusaka's land attack planes hit the Moresby aerodromes hard, but not hard enough to put them completely out of action.

By the evening of 23 February the cat is well and truly out of the bag so far as the Japanese plan is concerned. Nagumo's carriers have revealed their hand, and the Allied cruisers have regrettably not been caught. On the other hand, unless other undetected Allied forces are in the vicinity, those cruisers seem unlikely to commit to Moresby's defence in the teeth of the threat from the Japanese carriers. Should they do so, Hashimoto can face them with greater equanimity, since the day's air attacks on Moresby have attenuated its ability to pick off any cripples from a surface engagement. Matsuyama ploughs steadily on to Moresby, and Takagi once again reverses course, this time towards the same target.

[Mistmatz]

Great update, especially your very well crafted graphics plus the written text build up good tension. Good luck with operation MO!

[Local Yokel]

Thanks, Mistmatz! Good to see another reader of this thread! Haven't been keeping up with recent postings as I have been distracted by 2 new books just received: 'Midway Inquest' and 'Japanese Destroyer Captain'.

Things have remained tense around Moresby, but nothing earth shattering yet. I hope to post a further update fairly soon.

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Mistmatz

Great update, especially your very well crafted graphics plus the written text build up good tension. Good luck with operation MO!

I do second this comment! [:)]

[Local Yokel]

'MO' - The Conclusion

After the flurry caused by the appearance of an Allied surface unit in the vicinity of Takagi's Moresby Western Attack Force, Japanese operations in the area around Eastern New Guinea unfold in somewhat anti-climactic fashion.

Takagi's transports arrive first off Port Moresby, and begin to unload on 25 February 1942. He is soon joined by the ships of Matsuyama's Moresby Eastern Attack Force. Warned by reports from pilots of 1st Mobile Force that a minelayer was sunk whilst operating in the vicinity of Moresby, the Japanese are expecting the roadstead to be strewn with mines - and they are not disappointed. Minesweeper W16, one of the few vessels hard hit by Moresby's ineffectual air attacks, is sent in ahead of the Western Attack Force, but her crew is preoccupied with damage control and she achieves nothing against the minefields. Takagi has brought with him only two more sweepers, and though these do their best, Bungaree's mines are laid thickly enough to cause widespread damage. Twelve transports sustain injury, as do escort Heijo Maru and destroyer Chidori. However, some of the damaged ships are empty transports brought along to decoy some of Moresby's anticipated air attacks, and consequently the Japanese invasion force suffers surprisingly little loss.

One day prior to the initial landings at Moresby, two other transport groups slip into Huon Gulf past the west end of New Britain. Each of these divides, and the four resulting groups descend upon Finschhafen, Lae, Salamaua and Buna to deliver their landing forces. At all points save Buna the landings are unopposed and the bases quickly seized. At Buna however, the landing force encounters a group of New Guinea riflemen who escaped detection by pre-landing aerial reconnaissance, and who successfully withstand the initial Japanese onrush. Not until 3 March are the Japanese able to dislodge these defenders, who slip away into the Owen Stanleys via the inhospitable jungle trails.

Whilst the transports disgorge their loads at Moresby, Allied submarines gather to prey upon the Maru's. To counter this, the Japanese re-deploy their escorts into dedicated ASW groups that mercilessly prosecute all contacts. Ultimately one Dutch submarine lingers too long in the hazardous shallows and perishes.

The Allied cruisers sighted west of Thursday Island on 23 February hastily retreat towards Darwin as soon as they become aware of the threat posed to them by the Mobile Force's carrier aircraft. Yet this retirement affords them no respite, for as they approach Darwin on 27 February the kokutai of land attack aircraft based at Ambon mount a torpedo attack upon Allied task forces operating in the vicinity. Light cruiser Durban takes a torpedo hit, as do a couple of merchantmen. To escape such attacks the Allied cruisers once again turn east, presumably in the hope that by hugging the Australian Coast from Cape York southwards they can escape the attentions of Japanese carrier air. They are probably encouraged in this belief by the failure of Allied air searches to regain touch with Nagumo, who has deliberately withdrawn from detection range to a point south of the Louisiades, precisely for the purpose of luring such Allied surface units into his grasp.

On 28 February a Type 97 flying boat operating out of Ambon catches sight of the cruisers east of Cape Arnhem, and the following day they are again spotted in their old haunt west of Thursday Island. Informed of their return, Nagumo immediately moves to intercept them. Positioning of the Mobile Force is critical: too far south and it will be exposed to the unwelcome attention of Allied aircraft based on Townsville, too far north and the enemy cruiser group may successfully evade Nagumo by a high-speed run. The Japanese plan is frustrated, for the prey is next observed in the vicinity of Cape Arnhem, apparently heading for Darwin once again.

As the transports off Moresby empty and the minefield takes its toll, groups of damaged and slow empty vessels are despatched in the direction of Rabaul, ultimately to be followed by the remainder of the transport groups once unloading is complete. At the entrance to St George's Channel submarine Grayback engages mine-damaged transport Yamazato Maru, proceeding independently to Rabaul, in surface gun action. Undaunted by the marauder, Yamazato Maru's gun crews give better than they get, and succeed in landing a 3" round on the submarine before the action is broken off.

The New Guinea riflemen encountered at Buna were observed to retire in the direction of Wau, and the Japanese command concludes that there is a real danger of Moresby's garrison retreating in the same direction when the base falls. Unfortunately there remain only a handful of naval troops at Lae, and although these plod wearily into the hills with a view to seizing Wau and denying it as a rallying point for the Allies, it is all too clear that they will take weeks to reach the base. The only alternative is a parachute assault, and, the need for this having not been foreseen, a destroyer transport packed with paratroops is despatched at top speed from as far afield as Kuching. Simultaneously long-ranged L3Y transports are ordered to Woleai Island, from which the drop on Wau can be launched, albeit at maximum range. Perhaps fortunately for the Japanese, the paratroops are on the point of boarding the aircraft for the long and hazardous flight to New Guinea when news comes that Wau has voluntarily delivered itself into Japanese hands!

With the fall of Wau, no reason remains to delay the Japanese attack on Port Moresby. Since 25 March the base has received an unrelenting bombardment by 4 kokutai of land attack aircraft operating from Rabaul, and it appears that this must have had a somewhat demoralising effect upon the garrison. On 12 March the 4th and 21st Infantry Divisions, assisted by an independent infantry brigade and base force troops, open their formal assault upon the base. To their surprise its defenders succumb with unexpectedly little resistance:

Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 51883 troops, 235 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 1085

Defending force 11015 troops, 82 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Japanese max assault: 967 - adjusted assault: 1286

Allied max defense: 134 - adjusted defense: 195

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
316 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
14712 casualties reported
Guns lost 26
Vehicles lost 25

Allied units going into the bag include 2/3 Independent Coy, 30 Australian Bde, Lark Force, a battalion of Papuan infantry, 2/9 Armoured Rgt and 2 base force units. So conclude primary operations in New Guinea, which, with the exception of the Dutch base at Merauke and a couple of potential base sites, is now under Japanese sway in its entirety.

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: Local Yokel
Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby base !!!

BANZAI!!! [:)]

ORIGINAL: Local Yokel

I should be interested to know whether your experience of with an overland offensive refutes my suspicion that the Allies will suffer significantly from being at the end of an extended, low-grade supply line. Of course, the deluge of Allied supply may have been so great that this had no apparent impact upon operations. Alternatively you may have supplemented the overland supplies with an airlift - but if so that implies a loss of air transport capacity for use elsewhere.

I brought a Command HQ (Australia HQ IIRC) up to Daly Waters. At the time my opponent & I started that game Katherine had not yet been introduced as a base to CHS. The HQ pulled enough supply to support the offensive, though certainly slowly.

The HQ drew enough supply to support limited bomber operations and ground attacks roughly every week or so.

Now, in the CHS 2.x versions the Australia Command is static. But the ANZAC or SW PAC command could potentially be sent up there.

However if your opponent doesn't do the same I don't think such an offensive could be supported just by transport planes, at least in '42. Maybe late '43. That's my (halfway) educated guess...

[Local Yokel]

ORIGINAL: ctangus

ORIGINAL: Local Yokel

I should be interested to know whether your experience of with an overland offensive refutes my suspicion that the Allies will suffer significantly from being at the end of an extended, low-grade supply line. Of course, the deluge of Allied supply may have been so great that this had no apparent impact upon operations. Alternatively you may have supplemented the overland supplies with an airlift - but if so that implies a loss of air transport capacity for use elsewhere.

I brought a Command HQ (Australia HQ IIRC) up to Daly Waters. At the time my opponent & I started that game Katherine had not yet been introduced as a base to CHS. The HQ pulled enough supply to support the offensive, though certainly slowly.

The HQ drew enough supply to support limited bomber operations and ground attacks roughly every week or so.

Now, in the CHS 2.x versions the Australia Command is static. But the ANZAC or SW PAC command could potentially be sent up there.

However if your opponent doesn't do the same I don't think such an offensive could be supported just by transport planes, at least in '42. Maybe late '43. That's my (halfway) educated guess...

That's most interesting - I hadn't seen the earlier version of CHS that lacked Katherine, and I certainly hadn't noticed that Australia Command is static in the current version. But, yes, clearly the way for the Allies to go is is to bring in a command HQ to boost supply deliveries.

If, notwithstanding the HQ's presence, supply levels rebuild at a rate that permits ground attacks only at weekly intervals then that looks like a good result for Japan when compared to the conventional 3-day bombard-rest-attack cycle that copious supply levels permit. It requires a scarce HQ to be committed at or near Darwin, and that precludes that HQ from making mischief for Japan elsewhere.

Put another way, the mounting of a land-based offensive against Darwin implies an Allied decision to make the base one of its areas of main effort. Also, such a counter-offensive seems to be one that may be slowed by logistical constraints to such a degree that the Japanese may have the time to develop in-depth defences further back, in the Timor-Celebes-Vogelkop area. The Japanese will need to decide how far to fortify those areas in any case, but a strong Allied move against Darwin rings the alarm bell loud and clear, whilst the absence of such a commitment implies that other areas may have prior claim on scarce defensive resources.

Anyhow, I still treat the prospect of the North Australian bases staying in Allied hands as amounting to a substantial threat, so for the time being I remain committed to operations leading to the capture of Darwin. Since my opponent evidently believes I have designs on capturing the whole of Australia (surely I wouldn't be so rash - or would I?[:)]), I'd also like to encourage that belief, perhaps by a raid on, say, Tasmania, or the Adelaide area.

[Local Yokel]

To bring things further up to date...

Conclusive operations in Sumatra and Java

The end of Allied resistance in Java and Sumatra comes swiftly in March 1942.

The main body of the Japanese 25th Army marches along the north shore of Java from Kragen, and its leading elements take up position opposite Batavia's defences on 1 March. However, the attack upon the city is delayed until the arrival of units involved in the capture of Soerabaja. The Japanese have decided to bring to bear the full weight of their forces on the island, since ABDA command has concentrated three Dutch regiments in Batavia's defence, together with the small Dutch armoured contingent. In preparation for the attack, strong forces of IJAAF bombers based on Madioen relentlessly pound the airfields in the city's proximity.

Meanwhile, on 3 March a modest landing force wrests Christmas Island from its diminutive garrison, whilst naval paratroops are dropped upon Sawahloento in Central Sumatra, seizing it unopposed on 1 March before proceeding to Padang, which they take two days later.

Shortly before the final assault against Batavia commences, a number of Allied merchant vessels are observed heading south-west from Sunda Strait, having evidently fled Java before the final collapse. Rear Admiral Yamada's 2nd Mobile Force, which has been covering the occupation of Christmas Island, moves west towards them, and aircraft from his 4 light carriers succeed in doing extensive damage to the fleeing ships. Subsequently destroyer Hasu distinguishes herself by successfully intercepting a number of damaged ships, to several of which she administers the coup de grace.

At dawn on 7 March Rear Admiral Nishimura comes calling at Batavia with a bombardment force that includes battleships Fuso and Yamashiro and heavy cruisers Myoko and Ashigara. Causing some 4,700+ casualties, their fire severely disrupts the defenders of Batavia, who are left in no condition to resist 25th Army's shock assault, led by 18th, 33rd and the Imperial Guards Divisions. The survivors take to their heels in the direction of Merak, and the Japanese exult as they discover that not one of Batavia's precious resources has suffered damage, so great has been the confusion on the Allied side.

No sooner have the defenders quit Batavia (with 25th Army in pursuit) than the order is given for an invasion convoy to depart Singapore for the richest prize in the Indies: the oil and resource complex at Palembang. From 7 December 1941 onwards 4th Mixed Regt and 91st Naval Guard have been readying themselves for this critical seizure and they are now fully prepared for the task. Landings begin on 9 March, and despite the accompanying minesweeping group's best efforts stores transport Shozan Maru strikes a mine and is heavily damaged. The defenders fire intensively but ineffectually upon the invaders: light cruiser Jintsu absorbs 13 hits with little damage, thereby drawing off most of the defensive fire so that only two transports suffer a single shell hit apiece.

On the same day Japanese forces capture Belitoeng, having landed there the preceding day. They will go on to capture resource-rich Toboali on 12 March, taking intact all but a small fraction of those resources.

Whilst operations against Palembang are moving to their conclusion, moves are afoot against the remaining bases in Western Sumatra that will lead to the fall of Teloekbetoeng on 12 March and Benkolen on 14 March.

On 11 March 25th Army, having caught up with Batavia's defenders at Merak, performs a formal attack upon them. Heavily outnumbered and with no further place to which they may retreat, the ABDA command and its subordinate units surrender. Against some 24,900 Allied losses the Japanese suffer a mere 91 casualties in this final battle in the conquest of Java.

However, by far the most notable event of 11 March in Japanese eyes is the fall of Palembang. Once again preceded by a pulverising bombardment from Nishimura's battleships, the shock of the Japanese attack proves irresistible, and the defending forces are bundled out of Palembang in such haste that, once again, they are denied any opportunity to do further damage to the base, so that its oil and resource production facilities fall intact into Japanese hands, along with some 450,000 barrels of crude!

Thus are Japanese operations against the Netherlands East Indies brought substantially to a successful conclusion, as there now remain unconquered only the Dutch outposts at Lombok and Parmakasan. Although further substantial operations against Darwin and objectives in Burma remain pending, Japan's primary purpose of seizing the rich Southern Resource Area has been accomplished at minimal cost. Now for the harder task of retaining it.