Rising Sun over the Rockies - F.K. vs OSO - Wake captured by US

[FeurerKrieg]

March 9th, 1942
The landing at Pago Pago went okay today. Over 2200 coastal shots were fired against our ships and many were heavily damaged. The troops got ashore well enough though, and our recon was not wrong. We expect the base to fall tomorrow, so the Suva invasion force has been orders to head south. 111 Vals hit the enemy forces on the atoll today, and they will launch one more attack again tomorrow before sprinting west to provide air cover for the invasion fleet at Suva.
[center]
The assault goes well.[/center]

[center]
But several ships may not make it home.[/center]

In Burma, Sallys attacked the enemy at Akyab and this helped the paratroopers there finally capture the base. The remnants of the enemy unit fled south in hopes of finding their way to Akyab or perhaps they will try to flee via submarine on the coast. Our troops will eventually head south after them once a sufficient force has been put in place at Akyab to prevent its easy capture by the Allies.

Also in Burma our fighters gathered in the air over our forces across the river from Mandalay expecting bombers to attack again. Instead, 16 P-40Es of the AVG flew in on ground attack. Our fighters easily shot down all of these fighters which was great. It would have been nice to also have a crack at some bombers, but we will take what we can get. 3 Oscars lost for 16 P-40Es shot down.
[center]
Good results near Mandalay.[/center]

A light cruiser and two destroyers are now parked east of Adak and will attempt a raid Umnak tonight. Enemy patrol planes did spot our ships though, so it is likely Umnak will be evacuated or a stronger force than ours will be waiting. Lets hope luck is with us on this sortie.

Two AMC ships that have been at sea just out of sight of Norfolk Island for the past two months spotted 2 enemy ships at the Island today with their float plane. They will close to coast tomorrow to see if they can catch some prey.

Ruteng base was also captured today.

[Alikchi2]

I am following and very much enjoying this, sir. [:)] Please continue!

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

I am following and very much enjoying this, sir. [:)] Please continue!

I'm following it too! Really a well done aar...love the format!

Alikchi! Nice to see you back among us[:)]

[String]

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

I am following and very much enjoying this, sir. [:)] Please continue!

He is alive!!! [X(]

[Alikchi2]

Alikchi! Nice to see you back among us

Thank you General! [:D]

ORIGINAL: String

He is alive!!! [X(]

Yes, I have been resurrected. [;)]

[FeurerKrieg]

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

I am following and very much enjoying this, sir. [:)] Please continue!

Hey! Nice to see you again!

No turns this weekend as OSO will be gone, so maybe I'll finally catch this AAR up the game date. Then I need to do some operational planning for NZ....

[FeurerKrieg]

March 10th, 1942
A cargo ship attempted to run the blockade from Java and was hit by our dive bombers at Bali. Our forces continue to advance on Soerabaja and our air units continue to pound the city. The airbases there are definitely closed down now.
[center]
Another blockade runner hit.[/center]

In the South Pacific, our Vals and ground forces worked together to force the Allied units on the atoll to surrender. 5200 POWs were captured. Hudson's from Suva attacked our battleship Hiei as it steamed towards Fiji. And IJN garrison is standing by 60 miles off shore and will land immediately. Mavis planes will fly in immediately also to recon the islands of the Society and Cook chains. Our faster ships will load up NLF units to head down and seize these outposts.

Our raid in the north was uneventful as no enemy ships were found at Umnak. Several were spotted by floatplane at Dutch Harbor though, so our cruiser and destroyers will circle back to Adak and possibly sprint to Dutch Harbor to look for targets the night after tomorrow.

Likewise, at Norfolk Island, our surface raider AMCs didn't find any ships. However, now that their presence was already known, they flew their floatplanes on a much wider radius and spotted the enemy ships fleeing west, what looks like a course to Brisbane. Our ships have used the enemy course and speed to plot an expected intercept path and hopefully we will be able to engage these ships tomorrow - out in the ocean far from LBA threats or enemy ports that can repair the ships if we hit them.
[center]
Surface Raiders attempt to catch the enemy.[/center]

50 Betty bombers from Port Moresby attacked Townsville today seeking to disrupt their various material production areas there (resource bombing). Since there was only 1 Wirraway on CAP our bombers were not attacked, but they failed to inflict any damage. We won't attack tomorrow as enemy CAP will probably be alerted now.

[FeurerKrieg]

March 11th, 1942
SS Grayback hit a loaded transport on the main shipping route from the Home Islands to Truk. Our ASW forces have been engaging enemy subs but largely without results over the last couple weeks. More escorts will start to be sent with our convoys now.
[center]
The US submarine menace grows.[/center]

The cargo ship near Bali was sunk.

The exciting action of the day was far from Japan as our surface raiders, Akagi Maru and Ukishima Maru managed to intercept the Allied ships they spotted - which turned out to be a minesweeper and minelayer! The MSW was sunk easily after taking thirteen 5.5" shell hits. The minelayer was a large ship (hopefully a valuable one for the Allies) and it was hit with several 5.5" shells as well and although it didn't sink immediately, it will be surprising if it makes it back to Australia. Our ships cannot linger as enemy carriers could show up anytime. Our ships will head back to Rabaul to reload their main guns and torpedo stocks and then head out again to set out another spider web in another part of the ocean. The only hit suffered was when Akagi Maru took a 4" shell from the Bungaree. Damage was superficial.
[center]
Our raiders claim two victims![/center]

[center]
Following her conversion HMAS Bungaree had a capacity of 423 naval mines and was originally armed with two four inch guns for self protection.
[/center]

Also captured today was Tomini.

[TheElf]

Good to see you back in action Feurer Krieg! You also managed to coax Alikchi out of retirement. Good to see you both back.

Keep up the great work Bob. No one makes my tops look as good as you do.[:)]

[FeurerKrieg]

ORIGINAL: TheElf

Good to see you back in action Feurer Krieg! You also managed to coax Alikchi out of retirement. Good to see you both back.

Keep up the great work Bob. No one makes my tops look as good as you do.[:)]

Thanks, but the AAR just wouldn't look as good without your tops. [:D]

I should probably update my ships graphics as well since I've started an AAR on this CHS game. One of these days maybe.

[FeurerKrieg]

March 12th, 1942
Hudsons from Suva again attacked out fleet nearing Fiji, however, KB fighters were on hand this time and all the Hudsons were shot down. Recon shows no enemy troops at Nandi, so we will land there and establish a local airfield (an IJN Base Force is en route already) and then the SS Detachment, and the 51st Ind Bge will assault Suva. Some Naval units may also join in if they arrive from Pago Pago in time.
[center]
Fleet approached Nandi.[/center]

Nearby, at Tongatpu, our brave soldiers successfully overcame a blunder on the part of senior command (i.e. me). Without doing any recon flights, it was mistakenly assumed that Tonga was without any garrison. Therefore an IJN Garrision force was sent directly to the island so that it would be captured according to our timetable. There was however, a small garrison at the island! Thankfully, the landing force had brought several destroyers and frigates with it, and their gunfire support was enough to allow the assault elements of the garrison to overcome the defenders and capture the atoll. If they had been force back out to sea, the entire unit could have been lost! Because of this action, recon flight will be made on the Society island to ensure we don't get anymore surprises.
[center]
Close call at Tonga.[/center]

In China, Ichang was cleared of a Chinese unit.
[center]
Clearing Ichang.[/center]

In the Philippines, Cebu Island, Tacloban and Dumaguete were all captured easily and 6,700 POWs were captured in all across the three islands. The Philippines campaign is officially over now and this last division will head to Truk for R&R before our summer offensive.

Other bases captured: Torokina and Biak

[FeurerKrieg]

March 13th, 1942
One of our transports, hit a few days ago, was declared a loss at Kendari and sunk today.

An SNLF unit marching from Palembang, through the mountains, arrived finally at Benkolen and was able to successful capture the base. 1600 more POWs and 7 captured CW-22 Falcons.

At Suva, the invasion fleet is less then 60 miles off the coast of Nandi and will land this evening. Hudsons attacked the fleet to no available again, as Zeros from KB provided effective cover. Two of the Hudsons did get through, but Mutsu's AA fire fended those two off. Meanwhile, Vals from KB were sent to Suva to look for ships in the harbor and they found two minesweepers which were easily sunk with the Vals' 250kg AP bombs.
[center]
Action near Fiji.[/center]

In China, the road to Sian has been reopened! In coordination with heavy air support, our forces finally forced back the Chinese units into the mountains west of Sian. One unit will move west to keep the road clear and the rest of our forces will move to Sian to assist with the battle there. Our units in Sian are now all fully supplied.
[center]
The offensive at Sian may now resume.[/center]

Makale was also captured today.

[FeurerKrieg]

March 14th, 1942
Our forces landed at Nandi without incident. It would seem the Hudsons either left Suva or they have all been shot down.

As the end draws near at Soerabaja, several ships have fled the port and are trying to run past our planes at Bali. Today 5 cargo ships and 2 tankers were hit by Kates and Marys. The Ann bombers were on ASW patrol but tomorrow will be given order to attack enemy shipping as more ships look to be coming. The two tankers were confirmed sunk and the other ships are all heavily damaged and on fire after several 100kg AP bomb hits each.
[center]
Dive bomber happy times.[/center]

Also, one of the troops ships damaged at Pago Pago sunk today.

Other bases captured today: Vanikoro and Noemfoor

[FeurerKrieg]

March 15th, 1942
At Columbo, the DD Express hit one of our Type 88 mines left there by submarine.

The SS Trout attacked one of our cargo ships on the surface, but all torpedoes failed to hit or were duds. The sub did damage our ship a bit with some 50 cal machine gun fire.

The I-173, given the dangerous mission of entering the shallow waters near Umnak to scout out enemy forces, was found and sunk by enemy destroyers. Our own cruiser force (1 cruiser, 2 destroyers) is again at Adak and will try another raid this evening east of Umnak.
[center]
A valuable submarine is lost.[/center]

Nandi was captured easily as there was no opposition to our landing.

At Bali, Kates, Anns, Marys and even Oscars rained bombs and torpedoes down upon enemy ships everywhere. Several were sunk and many more heavily damaged. Our ground forces are mostly in place at Soerabaja and begin shelling the city today. Enemy strength looks to be low enough the we can take the base in a few more days. Just in case though, reinforcements are still arriving at Kragen and Batavia and will continue to move to Soerabaja.
[center]
Easy targets everywhere.


Ki-32 Mary dive bombers


Ki-30 Ann dive bombers[/center]

A subchaser and cargo ships from Pago sunk today.

[FeurerKrieg]

March 16th, 1942
Our cruiser raid at Dutch Harbor scored some success tonight! Five enemy cargo ships were found undefended at the harbor. Light cruiser Nagara, and destroyers Ikazucki and Nagatsuki hit the AK Sidney Hauptmann with two torpedoes and several 5.5inch shells, sinking the ship. The AK Crown City was hit with many shells and will likely sink. Our ships then headed west at full speed. They will return to Attu, then Tokyo to reload torpedoes. A torpedo tender is being sent from Kwajelein to Attu so our cruisers won't have to make such a long trip after using their torpedoes.
[center]
Action at Dutch Harbor


Light cruiser Nagara[/center]

At Noumea, we now have three SNLF units and they have begun to shell the defenders of the base. One more SNLF unit is on the way and once it arrives the assault on the base will begin.

At Dobodura, some remnants of the Papuan Infantry Battalion made it to the coast and were eliminated by our forces there. They are trying to evacuate as many Allied subs have been spotted on the northeast coast of Papua. Several ASW groups are patrolling the area.

At Soerabaja our first major assault was launched and results were encouraging. Our troops made it past the outer fortification of the base and enemy casualties are estimated to be twice our own. (1 to 1, forts 5 -> 4). The attack will continue. All bombers in the area (except those at Bali) are working with the ground troops to hit enemy positions. The planes at Bali continue to sink enemy ships.
[center]
The assault on Soerabaja begins.[/center]

Intel reports minelayer Bungaree, attacked west of Norfolk Island, did sink.

Other bases captured: Tabar Island, Waigeo Island

[FeurerKrieg]

March 17th, 1942
The assault on Soerabaja continues to make progress. (1 to 1, forts 4 -> 3)

One of our cargo ships hit a VH2 mine at Bataan while heading to Manilla. Minesweepers from Hong Kong will head there to clear the approached to Manilla.

Another cargo ship from Pago Pago sunk today.

In Burma, some of our forces are now on the road between Lashoi and Mandalay. Enemy air units continue to attack.
[center]
Air attacks in Burma.[/center]

Other bases captured: Manokwari, Banks Island, and Ha'apai

[FeurerKrieg]

March 18th, 1942
US Submarine S-41 hit one of our APD's at Goodenough Island. The APD may not make it back to Rabaul. Our ASW forces certainly need to do better than that.

Soerabaja continues and enemy casualties are definitely climbing. (2 to 1, forts 3 -> 2).

A small Dutch unit from Palembang was destroyed south of Padang.

Our air forces at Rangoon and Moulmein, based on a good weather forecast, launched a major attack against Mandalay to damage facilities and engage enemy fighter there. Coordination was excellent and 283 fighters and 64 bombers went in on the first wave. 20 some Nell bombers followed up and by then no enemy fighters were present. Four P-40Es and nine Hurricanes were destroyed in the air, and another seven Hurricanes were hit on the ground along with a Lysander. The airfield there were damaged, but will likely be repaired quickly. We will continue to be sporadic in our usage of our fighter force at Rangoon to keep the enemy off balance. In this action we lost 2 Zeros, 2 Oscars, and 2 Nates.
[center]
First major air attack on Mandalay.[/center]

Our four SNLF units successfully attacked and captured Noumea today, securing the island of New Caledonia for the Empire of Japan. 1850 POWs were captured also. A base force is already at Koumac and another is at La Foa, marching to Noumea already.
[center]
New Caledonia belong to the Empire now.[/center]

Papaete in the Society Islands and Rarotonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands were all captured today. The naval landing units there will stay at those bases as there is no where farther south to advance in that area. Aviation support is on the way and patrol planes will be based there ASAP.

[FeurerKrieg]

March 19th, 1942
The fall of Soerabaja is imminent as our troops continue to push the defenders back. Cargo ships and troop transports are being sent from Singapore to be ready to load up the combat units and ship them to Burma or other theaters as needed. (2 to 1 odds, forts 2 -> 1)

At Dobodura, another unit, the 2/1 Ind Coy was eliminated.

The AK Crown City (hit at Dutch Harbor) was confirmed sunk today.

In Burma, half of the 21st Bge has entered the jungle north of the Irrawaddy river, near Magwe. It will attempt to encircle Mandalay from the north west so any unit there cannot retreat to India. The enemy has begun launching air attacks to slow this action, but this is okay as this means less planes attacking our units heading for Lashio.
[center]
Burma air attacks[/center]

Emirau Island was also captured today.

[Alikchi2]

Some very nice progress, sir.

How far do you intend to advance in Burma/India? They do have a lot of bombers, but it seems that hasn't stopped you from taking many bases.

On a similar note, do you plan to fortify Noumea?

[FeurerKrieg]

I plan to take Mandalay and Myitkina, but stop there. I'll hold Akyab with enough to force them to bring a fair bit in to take it, but I won't make a stand for it.
If I see any openings at Imphal, Jorhat or the other bases on the other side of the mountains, I'll throw some paras in there and then pull them out, but I doubt that OSO will leave anymore bases totally empty given that he knows all my Para units are in the Burma theater. The 1st Para rgt is back in Rangoon and whole so it is ready to drop where needed.

Noumea will be reasonably fortified, but the amount of troops I station there will really depend on how things go at New Zealand in the summer.