Who's afraid of the BigBadWolf? - Invasion of Darwin

[BigBadWolf]

Well, this was rather unpleasent surprize, Force Z plus all cruisers from DEI escorted by a dozed DDs, showed up and almost ruined my day. Fortunatly, the troops were on shore and only few hundreed supplies were lost aboard those ships. The base force that was coming to Amboine was two days away, together with some 30k suppies. If they were there, then it would really be ugly. Still, hat off to carny, made me choke on my coffee. But revenge was looming around the corner... [8D]

[Yakface]

Here's the last Liz attack I made on ChungKing
 
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
G5N Liz x 149
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 63
Ki-46-III Dinah x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G5N Liz: 69 damaged


Allied ground losses:
1109 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 85

Bombers at 10,000ft
 
Only 2 Lizzies didn't make it home.
 
However bear in mind that flak effectiveness varies wildly between mods.  This is the old version of scn 157 in which flak had it's teeth pulled.  If I tried the same thing in the new version of the mod the results would not be pretty.
 
 

[BigBadWolf]

Thanks, yakman [:)]

Altough, I must say, I never saw so many casualties from aerial bombardment.That extra payload gets the job done.

[Yakface]

Hes got about 50 units at the base with losts of engineers.

[ny59giants]

Check the bomb load on the Liz. My CHS opponent stated they carry 1000kg AP. YIKES!!

[BigBadWolf]

Well, can't wait to give them a try. I'm sure my opponent miller41 feels the same way.

Now, back to bussines.

My dear readers,

It has come to my attention that the quality of this AAR has been somewhat unsatisfactory.

Audience: Booooo!

Ok, ok, it was, shall we say, not as good as some AARs out there.

Audience: Hahahahahaha!

All right, you bastards! Its down right appauling!I suck at this, you happy now!

Audience:Drop dead!

(regaining composure) Therefore, as a reward for putting up with me and my scribbling, I have decided to do something extraordinary for you in return.

Audience:Kill your self?

...

You ungrateful son of a....
Ahem. After much negotiations with his agents and lawyers (and accountant, mind you, these things don't come cheap), I have managed to get one of the most acclaimed writers on this forum to make a guest appearence in this AAR.So, without further ado, I give you the man, the writAAR him self...

(roll drums)

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Cuttlefish!!!!

in the episode "Hibiki and Admirals Kondo nightmare"

[Cuttlefish]

*taps microphone*

Is this thing on? Hello?

*a loud feedback squeal erupts, quickly cut off*

Hello?

[Cuttlefish]

December 21, 1941

Location: 60 miles southeast of Singapore
Course: Southeast
Attached to: TF 5
Mission: Shore Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 369

Orders: Bombard enemy positions at Palembang

---

The Dutch torpedo planes are ugly and ungainly looking things, but the torpedoes they carry are deadly nonetheless. Bursts of flak from Kongo and other ships in the task force appear around them as they begin their attack run, but the fire does not seem to deter the Dutch pilots. Kongo begins to turn towards them, seeking to present the smallest possible target.

On Hibiki’s bridge Captain Ishii is watching Kongo, not the incoming planes. Kongo does not have time to signal her intentions in advance and it is up to the destroyer to match the battleship’s maneuvers. Hibiki is between the battleship and the incoming strike, and if Kongo rams Hibiki the destroyer will fare about as well as a lamb struck by a locomotive. Ishii snaps orders to the helmsman, and Hibiki turns with the battleship.

The Dutch planes, now obviously targeting Kongo, circle to try and preserve their beam shot at the battleship. Hibiki’s two 13.2 mm machine guns open up as the Dutch planes close with the Japanese ships, but Ishii knows they are at best a feeble help to Kongo. “Where are our goddamn planes?” he mutters. These fat Dutch bombers would be easy prey for any Japanese fighters that crossed their path.

One by one the planes release their torpedoes. The resulting splashes are clearly visible. The Dutch planes bank away, still harassed by the ineffective anti-aircraft fire. Kongo continues to turn, and as the guns fall silent a tense wait begins.

“Torpedo wake ahead!” calls a lookout. The ship’s two machine guns depress and open fire, but it would take a lucky shot indeed to stop the torpedo. It passes 100 meters ahead of Hibiki and intersects remorselessly with Kongo. The battleship is struck about two thirds of the way aft. There is a faint “klonk” that can be distinctly heard on Hibiki’s bridge, and the torpedo breaks in two and sinks, a dud. Captain Ishii breathes a sigh of relief.

“Kongo is slowing, sir,” says a voice beside him. “Should we cut our speed to match?” Ishii turns and sees an unfamiliar man in a lieutenant’s uniform standing beside him.

“Who the hell are you?” he demands. The lieutenant blinks at him.

“Um, Lieutenant Saburo Shindo, your executive officer, sir,” replies the officer in confusion. Ishii looks around. He recognizes no one on the bridge. What is going on? He rubs his hand over his eyes.

Perhaps a man named Yossarian could explain it to him. A former US Navy lieutenant and current aeronautical engineer named Robert Heinlein might have some interesting speculations. Whatever it is, things suddenly snap back into place. He looks at the suddenly familiar Shindo again.

“Match Kongo’s speed,” he says. “Secure from combat stations.”

“Yes sir!” says Shindo with obvious relief. As he turns away to carry out these commands Captain Ishii sighs. He has the sudden feeling this is going to be a long war.

[BigBadWolf]

Lets hear it for Mr. Cuttlefish, ladies and gents!
[&o][&o][&o][&o]

[Dino]

Oh, and a "comment"...[:'(]

[princep01]

The Cat That Could Wall Through Walls. RH
 
Great Cuttlefish....

[BigBadWolf]

[center]

No Carny beyond this point![/center]

We are getting really close to actual game date, and the intel disclosed here becomes sensitive, so I have to ask my esteemed opponent to leave now. Thank you.

[BigBadWolf]

December 24th 1941
Bangkok

Bangkok airfield was buzzing with activity, even though it was still three hours till dawn. In an hour, the first airborne operation in the history of Japanese Army will commence. The target: Andaman Islands.
Major Takeda, CO of 1st Para regiment was going through the plan one more time with his subordinates. Although the members of the Provisional Government of Free India were supposed to meet them in Port Blair, the recent intel suggested that British have reinforced the islands defenses. But how many and of what type, nobody knew. Takeda didn’t like uncertainties, especially those that can cost lives of his men. Not that he cared too much about those peasants, but every man he lose means one rifle less to shoot at the enemy, and that was unacceptable. But there was no time to check the facts. 40 transport planes that will carry the first wave over have started their engines almost simultaneously, right on schedule. In half an hour, they will take off with the members of Teishin aboard.

Kuantan

Rear Admiral Matsunga was unhappy. He was looking at the paper on the desk in front of him, pondering how he ended up in this mess.

Southern Area Army
Saigon
To:
Burma Army, Gen. Kawabe
25th Army, Gen. Yamashira
3rd Air Division, Gen. Akiyami
5th Air division, Lt.Gen Tadaki
22nd Air Flotilla, RADM Matsunga

Due to the recent incursions of so called American Volunteer Group, band of mercenaries fighting for the Chinese, decision has been made to speed up our operations toward Burma. In the light of enemy collapsing defenses in Malaya and former Dutch possessions, we can start transferring some of our forces north, in the preparations of the upcoming offensive at Rangoon. There fore, the following organization of air units will be implemented.

3rd Air Division will transfer to Tavoy, and prepare that air field for the strikes against British bases north of Rangoon. As soon as our forces capture Rangoon, all forces from Tavoy will transfer there. Primary task in this phase of the operations will be to secure air supremacy over Burma.

Disposition:

3rd Air Division
HQ: Tavoy

Airfiled: Tavoy
Support: 15th Aviation Regiment
Units:
F2/Ominato Daitai
F1/Tainan Daitai
R1/51st Reckon Chutai
R2/51st Reckon Chutai
R2/50th Reckon Chutai

22nd Air Flotilla will provide support for the 25th Army in their attack on Singapore. Groups of the 3rd Air Division will transfer under the command of 22nd.

Disposition:
22nd Air Flotilla
HQ: Kuantan

Airfield: Kota Bharu
Support: 22nd Aviation unit
Units:
R1/50th Reckon Chutai

Airfield:Kuantan
Support: 7th Aviation Regiment
Units:
50th Fighter Sentai
59th Fighter Sentai
75th Light Sentai
90th Light Sentai
98th Heavy Sentai

5th Air Division will deploy to Palembang and Kuching, providing air cover and support for invasion of Java.

5th Air Division
HQ: Palembang

Airfield: Palembang
Support: 18th Aviation Regiment
Units:
77th Fighter Sentai
64th Fighter Sentai
7th Heavy Sentai
62nd Heavy Sentai
60th Heavy Sentai
12th Heavy Sentai
R3/Yamada Reckon Chutai

Airfield:Kuching
Support: 9th Base Force
Units:
F2/64th Fighter Chutai
F2/Yamada Daitai

This organization will be implemented no later then January 1st, 1942. All commands will coordinate their efforts to ensure full efficiency of our units.

Commander of Southern Area Army
Hakushaku General Terauchi Hisaichi
寺内 寿

This OOB was a mess, concluded Matsunga with a sigh. Army units under Navy command, and vice versa. Nothing good will come of this. It was yet another confirmation that Terauchi was an idiot. But newly promoted commander of all Japanese Air forces in Malaya had bigger problems. The rumor has it that General Akiyami was very unhappy about the fact that he has to give up all his air crafts to the Navy. Apparently, he said that Matsunga couldn’t command his wife, let alone such huge operation as attack on Singapore will require. This was, naturally, a matter of great concern to Matsunga, as it is well known fact that Akiyami was well connected with Prime minister, and could have Matsunga transferred to Mandzuria in a second. Matsunga visited Mandzuria once, and didn’t like it one bit. So he made a firm decision not to give Akiyami a reason to call General Tojo.

[Gen.Hoepner]

This thread is becoming fast a MUST!

[BigBadWolf]

Thank you, good Sir. Forza Italia! [:)]

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: BigBadWolf

My dear readers,

It has come to my attention that the quality of this AAR has been somewhat unsatisfactory.

Audience: Booooo!

Ok, ok, it was, shall we say, not as good as some AARs out there.

Audience: Hahahahahaha!

All right, you bastards! Its down right appauling!I suck at this, you happy now!


(roll drums)

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Cuttlefish!!!!

in the episode "Hibiki and Admirals Kondo nightmare"

Actually, I don't think there's anything wrong with your AAR that a spell-checker couldn't fix. (Hint: it's supposed to be "appalling".) But I'm always happy to see Cuttlefish at work!

[BigBadWolf]

Yeah, I typed that in Fast reply box, and for some reason, FF spell checker doesn't work there.
Anyway, welcome to the therad Captain.You are just in time for another exciting episode. [:D]

[BigBadWolf]

December 27th 1941
Port Blair

Transport plane was making its final approach towards the Port Blair airfield, in preparations to land. It carried important passengers, General Loganathan of the Indian National Army, and members of his staff. General was newly appointed Governor of Andaman Islands, or as they were now called Shaheed and Swaraj.

Major Takeda greeted the General as he exited the plane.
“Welcome to Port Blair, General.”

“Thank you, Major. Tell me, did you have trouble in securing the island?”

“Not too much, General. The drop was very successful and we encountered only light resistance, so are losses were acceptable. And your men did a great job in helping us.”

“Excellent, I’m glad to hear that.”

For the next half an hour, Takeda gave the General brief tour of Port Blair and its facilities. When finished, they signed the formal contract that transferred the Islands to the control of Provisional Government of Free India. Most of the 1st Para Regiment was already withdrawn from Port Blair, with only one squad left behind with Takeda, but there were two companies made of local population that would act as guarding policing force, but Takeda hoped that the British wouldn’t attack. Their job would be even easier then his in capturing the Andamans, considering the quality of the troops of Indian National army.
But that wasn’t his problem any more, he thought as he climbed into plane that will take him and his men back to Bangkok.

[center]
INA soldiers celebrating liberation of Andamans[/center]

[BigBadWolf]

January 1st 1942
Darwin

Group of 45 G3M and G4M1 bombers, escorted by 40 Zeroes was fast approaching Darwin, led by Captain Araki. Soon, the town was in sight, but so were the enemy fighters. Escorts immediately dived and quickly dispersed them. Several air duels raged beneath Captain Araki’s group, and he used the opportunity to designate targets in port to his planes. Reckon was correct. 9000 feet beneath, at anchor were three destroyers, most likely the ones that took part in another bombing of Amboine, several days ago. But this time, Japanese troops were ready, and inflicted heavy losses on enemy ships. Several fires were seen on them, as they left Amboine in hurry. These three were probably too damaged to continue with the Prince of Wales force, in hope of recovering enough to make it on their own later. But Captain Araki had other planes for them. He quickly checked his escorts and saw that they have neutralized enemy fighters. The bombers now had a clear way to the port. Araki issued the command for attack, and watched as one after another, all three destroyers get hit by torpedoes. One of them capsized, while other two wouldn’t make it till morning.

Satisfied, Araki ordered his pilots to return to Amboine.

[ttjhowell]

[8D] Next stop, land invasion of Aussie? Nice work! [:)]