Forlorn Hopes: The Japanese Respond

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Operation Nakri[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Order-of-Battle[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kaigun[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]                        Ftr--DB--TB[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-1             Adm Nagumo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Akagi         24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Kaga         24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Ryuho      18—00—12[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB Yamato[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Atago, Chokai[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL Oyodo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-2             Adm Nobutani[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Hiryu         21—21—21[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Soryu         21—21—21[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Ryujo      28—00—19[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Kongo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Tone, Chikuma[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-3             Adm Yamaguchi[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Shokaku    24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Zuikaku     24—24—24[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Shoho      18—00—12[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Hiei[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Myoko, Takao[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-4             Adm Ozawa[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Unryu        24—24—16[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Amagi        24—24—16[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Zuiho       18—00—12[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Haruna[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Nachi, Ashigara[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-5             Adm Kusaka[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Taiho         27—27—18[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Chiyoda   27[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CS Nisshin       24 FP[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB Nagato, Mutsu[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Maya[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 6[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-6             Adm Inouye[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Shinyo     33[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Taiyo       27[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CS Mizuho       20 FP[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Haguro, Mogami[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-7             Adm Yoshino[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Unyo       27[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Chuyo     27[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Suzuya, Kumano[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF 8              Adm Kusakabe[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Hosho     05—00—05[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Kaiyo      18[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Furutaka[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 6[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]STF-1              Adm Tanaka[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Aoba[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 4[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 13[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]All TF will follow the STF.  Aoba’s TF will be set on minimal speed so everyone can keep up.  All CV TF will have react set to ZERO.  The goal is to make the Americans launch everything they have at the Fleet and shoot it down with a massive CAP.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]I have changed out the CVEs.  There will be 9 TF operating together and 5/9 of them will be bait.  Any attack that chooses my the 3 CVE TF is wasted on them.  Any attack that goes after Taiho's TF will be dealing with an armored Flightdeck as well as thick BB skin.  Lastly, any attack on the STF is wasting all of its bombs and torpedos.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]This is the OOB fighting in a conventional manner with Air Groups unchanged.  Aircraft composition would be:  460 Fighters, 216 Dive Bombers, 248 Torpedo Bombers.  I will repost this OOB with the Fighters changes made once I finish gathering all the planes and ships at Saipan.[/font]

[heenanc]

[font="times new roman"]"All CV TF will have react set to ZERO"[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]That could mean 2 things after looking at your plan [:D][/font]

[John 3rd]

Combined Fleet HQ
Saipan Harbor
September 17, 1943
 


After what seems an eternity to the Japanese crews, the last Task Force of the Kaigun arrives on September 17th. After a 4 day sprint around the American presense in the Bonins, BB Nagato/Mutsu and their escorts drop anchor in the chocked full Harbor. Two large Tanker TF arrive as well carrying nearly 100,000 fuel for the Fleet. Orders are sent from Combined Fleet for immediate action.

Throughout the small anchorage of Saipan, anchors lift from the silt, and the long lines of Imperial Warships top off with fuel and begin to organize themselves into TF. Twenty Aircraft Carriers and 6 Battleships/Battlecruisers form the nucleus of this armada.

There is so much air activity, no one can keep track of what planes are landing aboard the carriers and which ones are landing on the congested field on Saipan, the full AF at Guam, or the newly opened AF at Tinian. Even now mechanics are still quickly placing the finishing touches on the new Jacks and A6M5 that are arriving in large numbers from the freightors docking in Saipan everyday. There are well over 2,000 aircraft within the area of Papan, the Marianas, and Kido Butai.

All hopes rest on the outcomes of this battle. It is being fought in a manner contrary to Imperial Fleet Doctine. Adm Yamamoto knows that the enemy fighters must be destroyed or crippled before any true, damaging strike can be launched.

At about 1500 local time a lone American reconaissance plane is spotted over the island. This is the first Recon done of any sort since they landed int he Bonins. Many officers, men, and airmen smile and say 'let them know what is coming...'

[John 3rd]

September 18, 1943
 
That lone American Recon planes ushers in an attack the next day as all the Admirals and Captains meet for their final pre-battle briefing.  The Fighters at Saipan's large, paved AF and the numerous Carrier Decks rise to meet the incoming strike of 19 Liberator bombers.
 
There a total of 252 Fighters that attack.
 
Needless to say the net result greatly encourages the Admirals as every single American plane is shot down for the cost of 2 Tojo.  If the Americans attack tomorrow their losses will be the same as there were 5 Daitai of Fighters finishing training up in their new aircraft.  Several Japanese CVs hadn't seen fit to launch their planes since they had also been engaged in training exercises. 
 
A quick message of Vc-Adm Yamamoto's displeasure changes EVERYTHING for tomorrow...

[John 3rd]

Here it is:

[John 3rd]

September 19, 1943
 
With solemn ceremony befitting its significance to the Imperial Navy, Adm Yamamoto presents to Adm Nagumo the Z Flag.  Not used since the Pearl Harbor attack, this heirloom of Japanese naval history creates quite the stir as Nagumo orders it to be flown tomorrow when the Steel Fist of Japan sets sail at sunset.
 
Every AF in the Marianas is crammed full of Dive Bombers and Torpedo Bombers awaiting the order to fly out to their respective carriers after American Fighter and Bomber strength has been broken by the 700 Fighter now held within these ships...
 

[Nemo121]

Good luck. Remember, you are General Lee. The strategic offensive but tactically defensive ( at least for the first day or so )

[Blackhorse]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Good luck. Remember, you are General Lee. The strategic offensive but tactically defensive ( at least for the first day or so )

or, Muhammed Ali and "Rope-a-Dope" [:)]

[ny59giants]

While War Minister John is focused on the "big" battle, the Economics Minister send this PM.

War Minister,

TF 131 @ Palembang will UNLOAD those supplies right NOW!! [:@][:@]

OK, I can get off my soap box. [;)]

However, its time to take you back to class for Economics 201.

Palembang has 249 damaged Oil centers. That means over the next 249 days as long as the supply level there remains over 10000, they will get repaired. This will cost 249,000 in supply. [X(] There are 675 Resource centers, so the cost is about 325 supply points per day (more or less). Right now, I shouldn't have to import supply. If you take them, I will have to go get them from somewhere else. Thus, I will need to burn up more fuel. "IF" you need supplies, go to Batavia (27k) and/or Soerabaja (34k). Leave Palembang alone!!

Next lesson: Japan.
In the Home Islands, there are now 11 bases out of 27 below the magic level of 10,000!?!
The consequences are the following factories will NOT be repaired:
Nagasaki (9314) - Jack
Sasebo (5101) - Grace, Rufe, Irving
Okayama (8564) - Zeke, Betty, Betty (r&d)
Osaka (7015) - Frank, Nick
Nagoya (8501) - Jack, Zeke, Kawasaki, Aichi
Kanazawa (8310) - Vehicles, Nakajima
Gumma (7425) - Frank (r&d) x 2, Jack x 2

Thus, for the last few turns, I have been sending AK's to Korea/Manchuria for supplies. If you need supplies, then route those that I have filled with supplies. "WE" cannot take supplies out of any part of Japan. A few turns ago, I stopped you taking supplies out of Sapporo (Hokkaido). Why?? The AI finally moved them from Asakigawa to Hakodate (18,418) and thus the Jacks will get repaired. [:)]

Changes for you to make:
Naval Ship Building: change BB Hyuga back to normal and she will arrive with BB Ise in 12 days (10/1/43). Halt I-361. Re-start CV Aso and Kasagi.
Merchant Ship Building: Turn off Nagasaki and turn on Tokyo (an increase in 50 points).
Send the one TK at Fusan to Sapporo.

Economic Minister Benoit

Too harsh?!? [&:]

FYI - John took out 25k in supplies from Osaka for Okinawa, that is why we have made a bad situation in Japan worse. [:(]

[String]

Damnit, cycle those turns faster, i want to see that battle! NOW! [:D]

[jumper]

Yes, me too!

[USSAmerica]

Good luck, John! 

[John 3rd]

BANZAI!
 
Coded Transmission
Combined Fleet HQ--Saipan
Adm. Yamamoto
 
"Attention all units.  Attention all units. 
 
The American Fleet has moved away from Iwo Jima and has headed in a NW direction towards Kyushu/Okinawa.
 
They are now out from under any form of LBA from Iwo Jima.  Commense Operation Nakri.  I repeat Commense Operation Nakri. 
 
This is a heaven sent opportunity to deal the Americans a blow from which they cannot recover.  The fate of our Empire rides with the Tide."
 
Adm Yamamoto Isoroku
 
 
Admiral Nagumo smiles at receipt of this message and orders the raising of the Z Flag.  Nearly 95 % of the Imperial navy starts their turbines and set course NW...
 
Here we go gang.
 
(Can you believe I have to go to work right now!)  [:o][:o]
 
  

[Nemo121]

LOL! So he's raiding north while you are also raiding north .
 
Question: Can you draft in any fighters over the Home Islands so as to try to mount a CAP over whichever base he is most likely to hit? Every fighter or strike aircraft you can kill now is one less fighter or strike aircraft which wil be hurled at your fleet in days to come.

[Lameduck]

I just want to say good luck also. I've been sitting back lately trying to understand all the economic lessons, but the upcoming battle is intense. I find myself checking back a couple times a day to see if there are any reports from the front yet.

[bigbaba]

i wish you good luck and want too see the outcome of this epic battle asap.

[John 3rd]

Readers:  Thanks so much for the comments and encouragement.  Just got back from a 10 hour work day and am shot but will try to run the next turn. 
 
Prediction:  The Americans are going to either...
A.  Realize that I am sailing (I told Dan as much) and retreat back to Iwo
 
or
 
B.  Hit Okinawa.  I have an Infantry Division unloading at Kadena and I think he will attack here.  I HOPE he attacks here!  There are 72 80+ Experience Tony based here with an equal number at Naha.  I place the Naha Tony on LRCAP 100% over Kadena and Kadena's is 100% overhead.  IF Dan attacks he will hit over 100 highly trained army bad boys who want to test themselves against the Hellkitty.
 
If Dan retreats then the battle will go as scripted.  My Fleet is moving slow due to the CVEs with me.  This isn't a problem since everyone is fully fueled and I will add LR CAP from Pagan this turn.  The Fleet will sail directly past Iwo and try to draw an attack wiping out its offensive capabilities...
 

[John 3rd]

Dan choses Option A!  I knew he would fall back on Iwo Jima.
 
Out of a force of nearly 200 Japanese warships a TF of 6 (CS Nisshin and Mizuho + 4DD) decide--by themselves--to charge the entire American Fleet on the 21st!  They get clobbered by strikes of 60-80 F6F, 15 Corsair, 30 SBD, and 15 Liberators.  WHY did they do this and the rest of the Japanese Fleet SIT at Saipan?  I don't know.  That is the way of things though.
 
TRIPLE checked that all TF are set to follow my slowest CVE TF and all Fighters are at 90% CAP.  Will post a detail layout of planes in a few minutes.
 

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]Operation Nakri[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Final Order-of-Battle[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]As many of you have watched, I posted the original plane complements of my CVs.  Now with them actually going into battle I will list their TRUE complement as they put to sea:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kaigun[/font]
[font="times new roman"]                        [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-1             Adm Nagumo                           Total:  72 A3a--48 A5--1 Jack=121 Fighters[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Akagi         27 A3a--24 A5[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Kaga         27 A3a--24 A5--1 Jack[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Ryuho      18 A3a[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB Yamato[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Atago, Chokai[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL Oyodo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-2             Adm Yamada                           Total:  55 A3a—42 A5—27 Jack=124 F[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Hiryu         27 A3a—21 A5[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Soryu         21 A5—27 Jack[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Ryujo      28 A3a[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Kongo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Tone, Chikuma[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-3             Adm Yamaguchi                       Total:  27 A3—52 A3a—48 A5=127 F[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Shokaku    27 A3—7 A3a—24 A5[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Zuikaku     27 A3a—24 A5[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Shoho      18 A3a[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Hiei[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Myoko, Takao[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 8[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-4             Adm Ozawa                             Total:  64 A3a—46 Jack=110 F[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Unryu        24 A3a—27 Jack[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Amagi        24 A3a—19 Jack[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Zuiho       18 A3a[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Haruna[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Nachi, Ashigara[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 1[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-5             Adm Kusaka                            Total:  27 A3a—54 Jack=81 F[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV Taiho         27 A3a—27 Jack[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVL Chiyoda   27 Jack[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB Nagato, Mutsu[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Maya[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 6[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-6             Adm Inouye                             Total:  27 A3a—27 Jacks=54 F[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Shinyo     27 A3a[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Taiyo       27 27 Jack[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Haguro, Mogami[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF-7             Adm Yoshino                           Total:  54 Jacks[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Unyo       27 Jacks[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Chuyo     27 Jacks[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Suzuya, Kumano[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 2[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 7[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CTF 8              Adm Kusakabe                        Total:  23 A5[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Hosho     05 A5[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CVE Kaiyo      18 A5[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Furutaka[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 6[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]STF-1              Adm Tanaka[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Aoba[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL 4[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD 13[/font]
[font="times new roman"]

The original OOB fighting in a conventional manner with Air Groups unchanged.  Aircraft composition would be:  460 Fighters, 216 Dive Bombers, 248 Torpedo Bombers for a total of 924 Planes.  My normal CAP would be set for 60% and that would yield 276 Fighters.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The All-Fighter plane complements are now:  27 A6M3+299 A6M3a+151 A6M5+218 Jack=696 aircraft.  CAP is now set for 90% and that yields a total of 626 fighters!  I have lots of room on my decks for any CVs planes to divert who are knocked out of action during the battle.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]All the Dive Bombers and Torpedo Bombers are spread through Saipan, Tinian, and Guam.  They are all flying ASW Missions and in the last 4 days have sunk 1 SS and hit 3 more.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]As mentioned earlier, there are 4 Sentai of Tony (144 planes) and 1 Sentai of Tojo (36 planes) at Pagan flying LRCAP over my Surface TF.  This adds the potential of 180 more fighters flying over my TF.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Altitudes are set for:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M3/A6M3a             20,000 Ft[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M5                          22,000 Ft[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Jacks/Tojo                   25,000 Ft[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tony                            29,000 Ft[/font]
[font="times new roman"]  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I will let the Americans throw everything they have at me.  I expect to decimate his flying formations and—hopefully crush his DB—TB Squadrons.  Don’t know what Dan likes for CAP % but should be able to take at least 50% of his total fighter strength…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Comments Folks?[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Given another week I could have upgraded at least 3 Daitai from A6M3/A6M3a to A5M5 and jack but such is the fortunes of war.  At least I had enough time to put 370 far better aircraft on my decks before battle...[/font]

[castor troy]

you have Jacks on your carriers? [8|]