RHSEBO Test 10A vs Panzerjaeger: Cleaning up and consolodating

[el cid again]

This is a thread for a game whose first turn is now forming up. It is the first test game using the new submarine and ASW values introduced with 7.8 and 7.9 updates. There are also revised load values for land unit devices introduced by 7.91. It is intended to be a long test - and to be complimentary to test 10B vs OSO - in which I play the Allies with the help of several advisors. In this game - I am playing the Japanese -
and will attempt a full scale Japanese autarky - siezing the Central Pacific area to keep the USN out of the vital areas (and to have a bargaining chip for end of war negotiations) - and siezing both the SRA and adjacent areas (Ceylon, Northern Australia, NE India) to prevent enemy bombers from destroying everything too soon. We also intend to drive the Russians back to Lake Baikal - both to gain resources and industry - and to forsall a serious offensive from their nearby base complexes. A full plate as it were.

Anyone interested in playing such a game as the Allies can have the same start turn - but a separate game - as test 10C. Just ask.

[el cid again]

Test 10C will use the same opening - but Chicken of the Sea will play the Allies.

[el cid again]

7 December 1941 (8 December Tokyo Time)

Panzerjaeger desired what he regarded as historical play - and in his view there should be first turn surprise - so except for giving carrier TFs movement orders - he changed nothing (according to his note attached to the turn).

The night turn began with 5 IJN submarine attacks on 3 AKs, DD Litchfield at PH, and CA Exeter at Singapore. Exeter was missed. Litchfield and the 3 AKs were set on fire with heavy damage. 6 torpedo and 7 shell hits were scored.

9 Ki-48s scored 7 runway hits at Hong Kong
9 Ki-51s did minor damage at Victoria Point, but missed ships in port
6 Ki-51s did minor damage at Tavoy, but missed ships in port
8 Ki-51s did minor port damage at Kota Bahru and caused 15 casualties

64 IJA bombers of 2 types, escorted by 11 Zeros, destroyed 2 Hudsons on the ground and caused 268 casualties, 2 gunsl lost, 8 vehicles lost, and 63 other hits at Kota Bahru. 43 Ki-21s followed up, unescorted, and destroyed 1 more Hudson, 11 casualties, and 81 other hits. No Japanese planes lost or damaged.

60 Ki-21s escorted by 14 Zeros raided Singapore. They met 10 surprisingly effective Buffalos. 1 Zero and 5 Ki-21s were lost. 4 Buffalos were shot down and 9 planes destroyed on the ground. 11 casualties and 45 other hits.

100 Bettys and Nells escorted by 90 Zeros raided Clark AAF. They met 17 fighters of 4 types. 1 Betty was lost. 48 Allied aircraft were destroyed in the air and on the ground. There were 21 casualties, 1 gun lost, 1 vehicle lost and 294 other hits - surely closing the field.

KB sent an uncoordinated (no fighters) into PH with 110 carrier bombers. They met 2 P-40Bs. 110 Allied aircraft were destroyed on the ground. 9 Vals and 4 Kates were lost. There were 29 casualties and 211 other hits. All battleships except USS Nevada were hit - a total of 12 torpedoes and 11 bombs hit 8 BB, 1 CA, 1 DM and 1 AVD.

11 raids hit Chinese ground units - only 1 had no effect and 1 other caused only 2 casualties. Otherwise reasonable damage was done to demoralize the targets. No losses or damaged aircraft.

15 Kates went into Manila to attack PG Isabel - met 7 P-40Es - lost one of their number - and failed to hit the target. These came from the San Butai (3 Force) of CVEs and a CVS.

Ni Butai (2 Force) of CVLs did better: 50 Kates put 4 torpedoes into CA Indianapolis and 1 more into DMS Elliot - 2 Kates were lost - and 2 more DMS were attacked but not hit. This near Johnston Island - where the CVLs cover the landing force there.

KB launched some minor strikes:
11 Kates failed to find a target
22 Vals and 24 Kates - escorted by 55 Zeros - went into PH - shot down a P-40 (2 were on CAP) - and put 2 torpedoes into AV Wright
25 Kates went back and put 3 torpedoes into AP Jaegersfontein
25 Kates went back and destroyed 5 aircraft on the ground and scored 20 other hits - for a loss of 2 Kates
21 Kates and 22 Vals put 3 bombs and a torpedo into AVD McFarland at PH

35 JAAF light bombers of 2 types out of Shanghai put 21 small bombs into PG Peteral and PG Wake. Later they put 8 more bombs into Peteral.

20 Betty's out of Palau raided Amboina. Met by 3 Buffalos, they shot one down, and 3 Betty's were damaged. 14 airbase hits were scored.

24 Kates and 7 Jakes out of Saipan attacked Guam. They put one bomb into AO Barnes and MS Penguin, and scored 2 port hits.

21 Bettys out of Maleolap scored 10 airbase hits on Johnston Island.

5 B-17s out of Cagayan missed CA Furutaka and a DD at Jolo. 9 more hit BB Yamato at Legaspi - but did no damage whatever (0 damage in all categories). 5 B-10s missed CA Achigara and CA Nachi at Kuching. 12 bombers of 2 types came back and missed them again - but did put 1 bomb into DD Samadare.

9 Kates from the Ni Butai failed to find whatever ship they were hunting - no doubt a DMS as that is all there is in the area.
38 Kates from Ni Butai attacked 4 DMS and put a torpedo into one of them - near Johnston Island.

to be continued

[el cid again]

Late in the afternoon KB launched another PH strike:

18 Vals and 34 Kates (escorted by 59 Zeros that would have been nice in the early morning air strike) put 3 bombs and 7 torpedoes into AO Sepulga - which certainly will sink.
Then 32 Vals (unescorted) put 27 bombs into AP President Johnson - which must be eqaully doomed.
Then 40 Kates put 4 torpedoes into AK Lahaina, which probably also is lost.

5 Ki-51s out of Pisanoluke Thailand put 5 bombs into AK Vitorlok at Rangoon.

14 Kates from San Butai put 1 bomb into an AK at Cebu - but missed a second one. This was a 250 kg bomb. The Kates on CVEs don't use torpedoes.

I-165 at Port Moresby - which already sank an AK in the night phase - hit CL Adelaide with 2 torpedoes - and sank her outright.
Ro-28 missed CL Kinimbla at Singapore.

to be continued

[el cid again]

Landings occurred at Kompong Pfet Thailand, Nauru Island, Johnston Island, Kavieng, Rabaul, Lahaina, Kona (Hawaii),
Wake Island, Raheng, Legaspi, Aparri, Naga, Hollandia, Stroeng Trang (Cambodia), Kendari, Jolo, Brunei and Kuching.
Significant opposition occurred at Rabaul, Wake, Kendari, Brunei and Lahaina. At Wake six ships took a total of 54 gun hits (out of 530 shots fired at them). Three were badly damaged: DD Oboro, DE Sanae and AP Toko Maru. At Rabaul four ships were targeted by 35 shots, and three of those took a total of 6 gun hits. One was badly damaged: APD Patrol Boat No 33. At Lahaina, 11 ships were targeted by 119 shots, and 4 of those took a total of 5 gun hits. One was badly damaged: AK Kyokko Maru. At Brunei Japanese PT Unit No 1 (Gyoraitei Division 1) took one gun hit (of 26 shots fired at it). At Kendari, 17 shots were fired at DD Yugiri, but none hit.

1596 Japanese naval infantry attacked 1826 US Marines and civilians at Wake Island, achieved 33:1 odds, and took the island. 6 Wildcats were destroyed. 46 guns and 2 vehicles were lost.

Almost 19,000 IJA troops attacked 15,000 Allies at Wuchang, Wuhan, China. 0 to 1 odds were achieved, 1124 casualties, 46 guns and 4 vehicles were lost. 52 Allied casualties and 1 gun lost were suffered by the Allies.

28,000 IJA troops attacked 16,000 Allies at Sinyang, China. They achieved 7:1 odds and forced the enemy to retreat.

36,000 IJA troops attacked 14,000 Allies at Hong Kong. Fortifications were reduced to 5. 306 to 160 casualties.

3500 IJN naval infantry attacked less than 600 US Army support troops on Jolo, achieved 24:1 odds, and captured it. The unit there retreated to Zamboanga across the channel.

2100 IJN naval infantry attacked less than 700 US Army and civilian support people on Johnston Island. 4:1 odds were achieved and the island was captured. The unusually successful Japanese bomber raid had taken down the airfield badly - so it wont be useful until repaired.

404 IJA paras of the First Raiding Regiment, First Raiding Brigade, shock attacked 462 British support troops at Tavoy, Burma, but failed to take it. 8 Allied casualties were suffered.

[el cid again]

The 336 Allied aircraft destroyed on the field is an all time first turn record for me to see. No Japanese aircraft were lost on the ground.
In the air the losses were 22 Allies and 6 Japanese - a ratio of 3.67 : 1 - acceptable but not great. Attrition was - of course - the other way around: 2 vs 28 or 14:1. Totals were 360 Allied to 53 Japanese aircraft lost: better than 6:1. Ship losses were 17:1 - with the only major warship sunk being CA USS Indianopolis. Because Panzerjaeger elected to run the first turn from peacetime dispositions, this is just about the best possible Japanese score possible for turn one.

[el cid again]

Hey Sid,
I just wanted to tell you that Im in awe of what you have achieved with RHS. Im still working on the first turn, but it is a real joy. I am very much looking forward to playing this game with you.

Later he sent:

Here comes the second turn. It took a while, but it was a real pleasure to do that turn. A really outstanding mod Sid!



Time to process a turn - and take a break from working up the first turn as Allies for 10B - which OSO has used for a Japanese first turn.
The Allies have so MANY units.

[el cid again]

8 December (Hawaii Time) - 9 December (Tokyo Time)

The turn began with continuing landings at Kona, Aparri, Legaspi, Guam, Rabaul, Lahaina, Brunei,
Kuching, Hollandia and Kendari. There was coastal defense gun firing at Rabaul (no damage),
Lahaina (1 shell hit), Brunei (1 shell hit) and Kendari (no damage). The landing at Kona was interrupted
by a surface raid - CA Minneapolis led CL Raleigh and 5 DD into the port for a brief, sharp action
which scattered the Japanese ships into several groups running Eastward. DE Hokaze torpedoed
Minneapolis, and she and other ships scored 8 hits - albiet only with 3 inch/60 AA guns - on 4 ships -
DD Jarvis being set on fire by 3 of these hits. The Allies scored 8 hits on 3 ships, and all were set on fire,
but none seriously damaged (so far - it is a long way home). Hmmm - Minneapolis didn't have enough -
torpedo in her belly or not - and she let her entire group back in for a second go. This time they found
just one of the enemy ships - the TF had disintegrated - and together they put 21 shells into ML Ginyo
Maru - which was already on fire - but now shows heavy damage. She MIGHT reach Lahaina to go into
port (which is captured later in the turn).

Two ancient WWI RN DD out of Hong Kong sailed into Takao harbor and put 8 shells into AO Kuremente Maru -
which might have been fatal in any less of a port - and might still be if there is enough flooding. One
wonders why they were not detected and attacked by aircraft the day before? Not having had enough, these
ships (Scout and Thanet) went after another ship - putting 4 rounds into AK Mayati Maru. Wow.

4 old CA and 8 DD out of Jolo bombarded Zamboanga - where the Jolo air support unit retreated - and where the
Philippine Constabulary has formed up a combat unit (on the site of an ancient walled Spanish city - which was used
in combat vs Morro's in the 20th century). 85 casualties, 31 other hits.

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

8 December (Hawaii Time) - 9 December (Tokyo Time)

The turn began with continuing landings at Kona, Aparri, Legaspi, Guam, Rabaul, Lahaina, Brunei,
Kuching, Hollandia and Kendari. There was coastal defense gun firing at Rabaul (no damage),
Lahaina (1 shell hit), Brunei (1 shell hit) and Kendari (no damage). The landing at Kona was interrupted
by a surface raid - CA Minneapolis led CL Raleigh and 5 DD into the port for a brief, sharp action
which scattered the Japanese ships into several groups running Eastward. DE Hokaze torpedoed
Minneapolis, and she and other ships scored 8 hits - albiet only with 3 inch/60 AA guns - on 4 ships -
DD Jarvis being set on fire by 3 of these hits. The Allies scored 8 hits on 3 ships, and all were set on fire,
but none seriously damaged (so far - it is a long way home). Hmmm - Minneapolis didn't have enough -
torpedo in her belly or not - and she let her entire group back in for a second go. This time they found
just one of the enemy ships - the TF had disintegrated - and together they put 21 shells into ML Ginyo
Maru - which was already on fire - but now shows heavy damage. She MIGHT reach Lahaina to go into
port (which is captured later in the turn).

Two ancient WWI RN DD out of Hong Kong sailed into Takao harbor and put 8 shells into AO Kuremente Maru -
which might have been fatal in any less of a port - and might still be if there is enough flooding. One
wonders why they were not detected and attacked by aircraft the day before? Not having had enough, these
ships (Scout and Thanet) went after another ship - putting 4 rounds into AK Mayati Maru. Wow.

4 old CA and 8 DD out of Jolo bombarded Zamboanga - where the Jolo air support unit retreated - and where the
Philippine Constabulary has formed up a combat unit (on the site of an ancient walled Spanish city - which was used
in combat vs Morro's in the 20th century). 85 casualties, 31 other hits.

CA Chokai, CA Maya, Kumano in a CL form (a Japanese Brooklyn with 15 six inch guns - her original form) - and 4 DD - shelled
Rabaul. During the fight with CD guns AK Malaita took 2 hits, was set on fire with heavy damage. 45 casualties, 1 vehicle lost,
42 other casualties.

The Main Body (4 BB of the Fujimoto class, 1 CL, 3 DD) bombarded Lahaina (doing way too much damage to the airfield - but probably hurting the defenders at the same time): 434 casualties, 6 guns lost, 2 vehicles lost, 60 other hits.

[el cid again]

Day landings occurred at all the above locations except Kona - where the landing force had fled the hex - and in addition at Zamboanga.
Coast defenses were active at Rabaul (no hits), Brunei (no hits) and mines were encountered at Kendari (no damage).

Ro-27 sank AK Munlock at Batavia (1 shell, 3 torpedo hits).

12 Zeros swept Rangoon, met 15 Buffalos, and shot 2 down.

90 JAAF bombers of 4 types attacked Georgetown Malaya (with 3 Ki-49 flying recon and 8 Ki-27 escorts). They met 7 Buffalos,
damaging 3 of them, and destoyed 2 Blenheims on the ground. 388 casualties, 7 guns lost, 7 vehicles lost, 57 other hits.
2 Ju-88s were damaged.

51 Bettys out of Formosa hit Cagayan unescorted. They met 12 P-40s (which must have transferred there). 3 Bettys and 2 P-40s were shot down. The defense limited damage to only 11 hits.

51 bombers (half Army, half Navy) escorted by 44 Zeros hit Clark AFB again - to kill planes likely to be on the ground due to massive airfield damage the day before. 1 Betty was lost, as were 1 P-40 and 1 B-17. 325 casualties, 6 guns lost, 9 vehicles lost, 33 other hits.

8 B-17s out of Cagayan hit Jolo. Met by 10 Zeros - they shot one down (only 1 B-17 damaged). We used to say in UV days "the best fighter is a B-17". But only 1 runway hit was scored - most B-17s were unable to drop their loads.

6 JAAF raids on ROC ground units caused moderate casualties.

10 Ki-21s out of Saigon caused 18 casualties to the Sarawak Force at Kuching. 20 Ki-21s from a different regiment also at Saigon
caused 55 casualties, 3 guns lost and 1 vehicle lost to the Brunei Fortress (a composite unit involving coast defense guns,
air support elements, ground security and a supply sink).

20 Kates based on Saipan caused 15 casualties, 1 gun lost and 1 vehicle lost to the Guam Insular Force.

7 B-10s escorted by 3 Dutch Buffalos raided Kuching. Met by 2 Petes, they missed CA Nachi and an AK. One bomber was shot down.
The British then had a go with 18 bombers of 2 types out of Singapore. They too missed CA Nachi and DD Yudachi, but put a bomb into
CA Ashigara. They also met 2 Petes which didn't stop them. Again one bomber was lost.

KB was socked in at Lahaina - unable to fly missions in the afternoon phase.

3 Hudsons missed an AP at Kendari.

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

Day landings occurred at all the above locations except Kona - where the landing force had fled the hex - and in addition at Zamboanga.
Coast defenses were active at Rabaul (no hits), Brunei (no hits) and mines were encountered at Kendari (no damage).

Ro-27 sank AK Munlock at Batavia (1 shell, 3 torpedo hits).

12 Zeros swept Rangoon, met 15 Buffalos, and shot 2 down.

90 JAAF bombers of 4 types attacked Georgetown Malaya (with 3 Ki-49 flying recon and 8 Ki-27 escorts). They met 7 Buffalos,
damaging 3 of them, and destoyed 2 Blenheims on the ground. 388 casualties, 7 guns lost, 7 vehicles lost, 57 other hits.
2 Ju-88s were damaged.

51 Bettys out of Formosa hit Cagayan unescorted. They met 12 P-40s (which must have transferred there). 3 Bettys and 2 P-40s were shot down. The defense limited damage to only 11 hits.

51 bombers (half Army, half Navy) escorted by 44 Zeros hit Clark AFB again - to kill planes likely to be on the ground due to massive airfield damage the day before. 1 Betty was lost, as were 1 P-40 and 1 B-17. 325 casualties, 6 guns lost, 9 vehicles lost, 33 other hits.

8 B-17s out of Cagayan hit Jolo. Met by 10 Zeros - they shot one down (only 1 B-17 damaged). We used to say in UV days "the best fighter is a B-17". But only 1 runway hit was scored - most B-17s were unable to drop their loads.

6 JAAF raids on ROC ground units caused moderate casualties.

10 Ki-21s out of Saigon caused 18 casualties to the Sarawak Force at Kuching. 20 Ki-21s from a different regiment also at Saigon
caused 55 casualties, 3 guns lost and 1 vehicle lost to the Brunei Fortress (a composite unit involving coast defense guns,
air support elements, ground security and a supply sink).

20 Kates based on Saipan caused 15 casualties, 1 gun lost and 1 vehicle lost to the Guam Insular Force.

7 B-10s escorted by 3 Dutch Buffalos raided Kuching. Met by 2 Petes, they missed CA Nachi and an AK. One bomber was shot down.
The British then had a go with 18 bombers of 2 types out of Singapore. They too missed CA Nachi and DD Yudachi, but put a bomb into
CA Ashigara. They also met 2 Petes which didn't stop them. Again one bomber was lost.

3 Vals (and 2 Zeros) put 3 bombs into MSW Seagull - fires - heavy damage - at sea near Hawaii.

3 Hudsons missed an AP at Kendari.

3 Kates missed DD John D Ford at Cebu. They met no less than 16 P-40s but lived to tell the tale.

16 Bettys out of Palau put 2 bombs into PG Genessee, and missed PG Oahu. fires and heavy damage. 9 more from the same unit
went into Manila Bay - met no fighters - and put 2 bombs into AO Alfred Klegg - but missed a DD with her. The long range probably forced bombs to be used instead of torpedoes.

13 Vals and 17 Kates (escorted by 24 Zeros) attacked USS Arizona at sea. 6 bomb hits, 3 torpedo hits, fires and heavy damage (duh).
3 Kates were lost. 3 more Kates showed up late - and all 3 put a torpedo into Arizona - probably the coup de grace - although she has not yet sunk.

14 Vals and 14 Zeros put 5 bombs into 2 DD at sea near Hawaii. Both set on fire, one heavily damaged.

36 Vals, 36 Kates and 46 Zeros hit the main remaining division of the United States Fleet North of Hawaii - apparently running for San Francisco.
2 Vals and 3 Kates were shot down by AA fire. 6 torpedoes and 20 bombs hit 3 BB, while 2 more torpedoes hit CA San Francisco. Two other ships were missed entirely.

6 Kates and 6 Zeros put 2 torpedoes into DD Jarvis in the same area.

12 Kates and 10 Me-109s from the CVE force put 6 bombs into 3 AKs at Cebu - and also missed another AK altogether. 16 P-40s flew CAP and they managed to shoot down 1 Mike - and all P-40s survived. 77 casualties and 1 gun were lost (as ships cargo). Then 10 land based Kates came back with 5 land based Zeros out of Jolo - met the same 16 P-40s - no planes were lost by either side - 5 more bombs went into 1 AP and 2 AKs. 74 more casualties (again as ships cargo).

[el cid again]

4 Kates and 9 Ki-51s escorted by 24 fighters of 3 types (out of Singora Thailand) attacked airfields at Georgetown.
9 Buffalos were on CAP. 1 Pete, 1 Ki-27 and 1 Ki-51 were shot down. So was 1 Buffalo. 3 bombs put into 2 AKs there.
101 casualties, 2 guns lost, 2 vehicles lost, apparently as ships cargo.

3 Vildebeeste out of Hong Kong attacked CLAA Tenryu at Aparri. 23 Zeros were on LR CAP and they shot down 2 - but the
last one did penetrate to make an attack which missed its target.

2 B-10s and 3 Buffalos out of Palembang hit Kuching. Meeting the same 2 Petes as in earlier attacks today - no planes were lost and CA Ashigara was not damaged either. Then 21 British bombers of 2 types out of Singapore had a go. Nachi's luck ran out and she took 2 bomb
hits. 2 other warships were missed. Then 3 Hudsons came in and missed a DD.

Then 10 Kates and 6 Zeros out of Jolo put a bomb in CA Houston at Cagayan. 6 P-40s flying cap did shoot down 2 of the Kates - pretty good considering there were Zeros present. Houston was set on fire. Then 5 Kates and 2 Me-109s put 2 bombs into AP Adrianne Moller right in Manila Bay. Not sure I understand - but that is what happened.

7 Jakes (from the CVE force which has a CVS in it) and 7 Claudes put 3 bombs into AO Robert L Barnes at sea in the Visayas.


37 light JAAF bombers put 18 small bombs into PG Cicala in the South China Sea. 12 more bombers missed PG Tutulia entirely.

6 Bettys out of Palau put 3 bombs into PG Luzon at Lucena, Luzon. Then 11 more flew into Manila Bay, missed 2 ships and put 1 bomb into DD Pillsbury.

KB was not able to fly afternoon strikes due to cloud cover over the Lahaina hex.

Then 5 Kates and 5 Me-109s put 4 bombs into PG Genessee at Lucena. Not sure WHY Kates flew with bombs? If Me-109s were in range it should have been a torpedo load. Possibly these were land based Kates out of Legaspi and carrier based fighters?

2 Kates missed CL Boise at Cagayan. Met by 6 P-40s, both got damaged, but both also penetrated.

24 JNAF bombers of 2 types (unescorted) raided Singapore - hunting ships. 5 were lost to 14 Buffalos on CAP. BB Prince of Wales and BC Repulse were both missed entirely.

8 Ki-51s with 21 JAAF fighters of 2 types went into Rangoon. Meeting 6 Buffalos, they shot down 3, and put 4 bombs into AK Federlock.
3 Kates came back (with 2 Ki-27s on escort) - but no enemy CAP remained. They put a bomb into AK Victorlock.

[el cid again]

I-166 got one shell hit on AP Induna Star. 1 casualty and 1 gun lost on board.

ASW attacks at Balikpapan on I-153 and Singapore on Ro-24 both failed. Later another attack on
Ro-24 failed.

Ro-31 put a torpedo in TK Ebonol at Johore Bahru, setting her on fire.

DE Hokaze - with 4 APs and 1 ML in company - put 28 small shells into PG Sonoma - and sank her
at Kona. Not bad for a force which had fought two surface actions with a cruiser destroyer
force in this very turn.

3 RN PT divisions out of Hong Kong attacked 3 landing craft divisions at Amoy, sinking one, damaging another.

Ground attacks took Aparri, Lahaina, Naga, Kona, Kuching, Guam, Legaspi, Kendari, Kavieng, Strong Trang, and Tavoy.
Guam, Kuching and Kendari were not likely to fall to a first assault, but did anyway.

Ground attacks at Rabaul and Brunei and air assault on Lae failed. The attack on Lae essentially wiped out almost the landing force with 111
casualties (120 survived).

[el cid again]

9 December (Hawaii Time)

The night turn began with four unexpected surface actions at Lahaina and Kona. There was only one undamaged captial ship left in the United States Fleet based at Oahu (that is its formal title): USS Nevada. She led two modern CL and 4 DD into Lahaina - the Main Body and KB were both absent (on the thought the few remaining surface ships were unlikely to be aggressive) - and got into both the replenishment TF and the landing TF. Meanwhile, an old CL led five other DD into Kona - and prevented both supply landings and minelayings from happening. For reasons unclear Main Body changed its mission and destination - and ended up doing nothing at all near Hilo - en route to Kona - apparently hunting the raiders. KB was hunting - and sinking - cripples to the NE. Land based Bettys stayed on the ground - likely due to field damage and/or weather. So it was a very exciting turn for the Allies - very like the mentality of USN in the period - and of Kimmel himself. It might have been wiser to stay in port - or flee the area - but the latter would not have worked out (KB would have done its job in that case).

Technically the night turn began with continuing landings at Brunei. Its coast guns did well - scoring 2 night hits on a transport - and the ground troops did better still: resisting yet another ground assault. This in spite of increased bombing by 2 Sentais of Ki-21s.

The first night action was vs the Replenishment TF 2 - CL Tama and 2 DD took on 7 warships - scored 5 hits on three of them - and torpedoed CL Phoenix, setting her on fire. The Allies scored 27 hits on 3 ships - 24 of those sinking DD Akibono - and 1 of the 14 inch hits setting CL Tama on fire. No tankers were damaged. The second night action was better for the Allies. Taking on the gigantic landing TF - they scored 98 hits on 5 ships, sinking 2 and setting 2 on fire - INCLUDING a transport (the point of the raid). DD Uzuki and Yuzuki were sunk outright. DD Kisaragi and AP Ukishima Maru were set on fire. 5 Japanese DD and 2 DE scored 38 gun hits on 6 ships setting DD Helm and Ralph Talbot on fire. They also put 2 torpedoes into previously undamaged CL Helena - along with 18 shells - causing heavy damage as well as fires.

The first action at Kona saw DE Hokaze score first blood - 2 hits on 2 ships - one of these setting DD Dewey on fire. But then the Americans torpedoed and sank her. Still - she did her job - and the transport she escorted got away clean. The second action was vs ML Syoka Maru. She did manage to hit CL Detroit with a 3 inch - but took so much damage from 37 hits I had to scuttle her. I-23 - set up as insurance to ambush such raiders - tried to do her job - but her torpedoes missed - and in turn 4 DD attacked without damaging her. 2 of those did drop DC on her.

Ro-26 missed CA Exeter at Singapore.

CA Maya bombarded Rabaul - causing 55 casualties and 4 other hits in spite of needing ammunition.

End of night turn.


Minor landing craft landed troops and supplies at Kompong Pfet Thailand - to start building a port there (to create a port chain for logistic reasons up the river system).

Coast guns at Brunei fired 13 shots - more than the night before - but didn't hit anything at the continuing landings there.

USS Pollock got off a shot at CV Akagi - East of Molokai - but the torpedoes failed to do the job. 8 DDs counterattacked - but did no damage to her.

I-5 missed a tanker at Victoria BC - and in turn was not damaged by her escort.

Ro-32 torpedoed and sank TK Ebonol in the South China Sea.

[el cid again]

12 Zeros swept Rangoon - met 5 Buffalos - but nobody got hurt.

93 JAAF bombers of 3 types hit Georgetown, Malaya - escorted by 8 Ki-27 - they met 4 Buffalos.
1 Buffalo destroyed, 3 Blenheim night fighters destroyed on the ground, 945 casualties, 18 guns
lost, 14 vehicles lost, 139 other hits. This effectively protected the ships landing at Singora from
major interference.

25 B-10s attacked Kuching - graphics failed to indicate from where - but it must be a Dutch base.
They scored only 1 airbase hit in spite of no opposition of any sort.

48 Zeros swept Manila but met nothing in the air.

71 bombers of 3 types (1 JAAF) escorted by 44 Zeros hit Clark again - to kill planes on the ground.
2 B-17s were indeed destroyed. 1 Nell lost. 717 casualties, 21 guns lost, 10 vehicles lost, 58 other
hits.

3 B-17s attacked Jolo out of Manado. They met 4 Zeros, 2 Petes and 1 Rufe. No one got hurt on either side.
The main reason is they came in higher than the fighters - were almost impossible to intercept - but also
had almost no chance of hitting anything.

8 JAAF attacks on ROC land units caused moderate casualties.

2 Raids by 12 and 4 Nells out of Truk on Rabaul caused moderate and light casualties, respectively.

3 Vildebeeste out of Singapore put a torpedo into AK Seitai Maru in the SW South China Sea - on the approach to Kuching.
8 Blenheims followed up, but missed two ships in the same TF.

4 Kates and 11 Oscars went into Bassein hunting a large ship (too far upriver - it is a player error) - met 17 AVG P-40s -
a surprise - why up there? - 1 Kate, 1 Oscar and 1 P-40 lost - no hits.

more to follow - going to work now

[el cid again]

22 Kates (and 5 Mikes = Me-109s) put 7x250 kg bombs into AS Holland near Maasin, Leyte, the Vasaya's, probably fatally damaging her.
These must be from the San Butai = 3 Force = CVE force.

19 Vals and 21 Kates (and 50 Zeros) got revenge on USS Nevada - putting 4 bombs and 4 torpedoes into her East of Molokai. They also put 4 bombs and a torpedo into already hurting USS Phoenix. 21 more Kates and 21 more Vals (and 8 more Zeros) followed up - putting 2 more torpedoes into Nevada and no less than 21 bombs. [Some 250 kg bombs penetrated her deck] By the end of the day, Nevada was listed as sunk. This is a classic naval story for 1941 - similar to Force Z and several from ETO earlier: why was such a force operating without fighter cover??? It was an operational necessity - whatever the cost - and it was also possible out of Molokai and/or Hilo. Yet not many admirals in 1941 were as adament about it as they would be just a year later. The cost for both actions was 4 Kates lost.

45 Kates and 28 Vals went after the force that had raided Kona. They put 4 torpedoes into CL Detroit, eventually sinking her, and 2 bombs into DD Farrigut, but missed two other DD. 2 Kates lost. These two actions - sinking the heavy ship of both TFs - and messing up Phoenix so she is not likely ever to leave the area - make the victories of the night before phyrric - and to look slightly less brilliant. They were my fault - I knew Nevada and 2 or 3 CL were undamaged - but it was my judgement they were not going to commit suicide. And I did leave escort units - and these did do their job - rather better than might have been expected.

Alor Star suffered 81 casualties, 1 gun lost, 2 vehicles lost when 9 Ki-51s out of Singora did a ground strike. This to weaken the units there - which location had been reached by support units but not a combat formation. [18th Division had moved 60 miles but remained in the Singora hex, whatever that means]

5 Allied bombers of 2 types out of Singapore missed 2 transports inbount for Kuching. 3 Vildebeeste followed up - putting another torpedo into AP Sentai Maru - it is not likely she can survive.

11 Vals from KB put 5 bombs into AK Arctic far to the east of Hawaii. She sank at the end of the day. 16 Vals put 8 bombs into BB West Virginia, NE of Oahu. 6 Kates put 2 torpedoes into CA New Orleans, in the same area. Then 17 more put 2 torpedoes into DD Allen. 21 Vals and 37 Kates put 1 torpedo and 2 bombs into BB Oklahoma and 4 bombs into BB Maryland. Total cost for all these actions: 1 Kate lost.
This is WHY KB left Lahaina - damaged units were running sans air cover for San Francisco. If let go, they would be repaired and come back to fight again - likely in 1942. So the opportunity existed - for one day - to go after them.

More to follow: back to work.

[el cid again]

The Main Body finally got into action at the end of the day - vs two sections of PT boats - probably assigned to defend Hilo.
It hit one of the two sections 9 times - presumably enough to take it out. This force reminds me of the Iowa's at Coral Sea:
charging around just a little too late to achieve anything. It isn't clear to me exactly what happened - but apparently this force spent the
turn reacting to detections of enemy task forces - but wasn't quite able to get there in time. It ended the term with "orders" to go to Kona -
and actually in the Hilo hex - in spite of the fact I really told it to go to Molokai and return to Lahaina. It is ironic that it was never very far from USS Nevada - but never engaged her force.

At the end of the day, the AP that had escaped in the night action from the force led by CL Detroit, ran into the four surviving DD of that force - and they put 17 shells into her - still in the Kona hex. These being 5 inch - Kinjosan Maru might survive.

At Victoria, BC - I-5 tried again to torpedo TK St Claire - her second attempt today - but missed again. The escorting DD also failed to hit I-5.

In the South China Sea, Dutch sub KXVII tried to torpedo CLAA Kashii - but missed. Two escorts failed to damage her. Another Dutch sub - O-20 - intercepted and torpedoed Nachi north of Borneo. She had shed Ashigara and damaged DDs at Kuching and was headed to Brunei on a bombardment mission - but now she will need to go to port for repairs.

An SNLF with 2307 men engaged survivors of a air support unit at Zamboanga - apparently the Philippine Constabulary was not present as only 194 defenders were reported. They retreated up the arm of Mindinao - conceeding the port to the Japanese.

Nanyo Detachment (144th Regiment) plus an SNLF - with a combined total of 6400 men - took Rabaul from 1500 defenders. 34 casualties, 3 guns lost vs 674 casualties, 10 guns lost and 20 vehicles lost for the Allies. The mobile unit retreated, the static unit surrendered.

On the main rail line two hexes West of Shanghai, 34,000 Japanese in two divisions attacked just under 20,000 ROC troops in three Field Armies. 2:1 odds was achieved. 492 casualties, 17 guns lost vs 253 casualties, 30 guns lost for the Allies.

Ground assault a Hong Kong reduced fortification levels to 4. 544 to 46 casualties. Near the Indochina border, 6200 men in two regiments attacked 600 men in a ROC Guerilla Regiment, forcing it to retreat. 50 Allied casualties, no Japanese.

In East China almost 6000 troops in a RCT attacked 1200 men in the Hopei Militia Regiment. 5:1 odds were achieved, but the location did not fall. 30 Japanese casualties, 66 Allied casualties. One hex to the West, 2600 men in a demi brigade took on 748 in a ROC Gureilla Regiment. 2:1 odds, no retreat, 10 Japanese casualties, 49 Allied casualties.

268 men of the 2nd Airborne SNLF landed at Wau - to give their comrads at Lae a line of retreat and a supply source.
This undefended base fell.

[Hortlund]

Am I allowed in this thread or do you want me to stay out?

[el cid again]

10 December 1941 (Hawaii Time) 11 December (Tokyo and Western Pacific Time)

The night turn began with continuing landings at Brunei. 10 coastal gun shots were fired, but scored no hits. 14 casualties.

SS Triton torpedeoed AP Kongo Maru South of Wake - returning to Kwajalein. She was so badly damaged she might not make it.

3 DD attacked I-2 at San Diego - and failed to harm her. But each such attack uses up ops points and fuel, reducing the chances of detecting a target today and the number of days on station.

Small PG Tutulia sailed into Taan harbor, surprised AO Erimo, and achieved tactical surprise. Nevertheless, Erimo scored first blood - with a 3 inch 60 hit - and Tutulia then fled. The 3 inch 60 was a remarkable gun - a companion to the 100 mm gun - using the same fire control system - it had performance similar to a US 3 inch only fielded post war. Designed in 1938, along with the 100 mm, only 12 saw service - a battery 4 at Maizuru and 8 on the never completed CA Ibuki. In EOS we mass produce them in leiu of older, less capable 3 inch guns - and their high ROF means they are likely to do well. This is a case in point. Most warships and the largest auxiliaries have this weapon in historical twin mountings. It can mount on any flat deck.

WWI RN CL Dragon and Durban raided Kuching. 3 IJN DD - Shiratsuyu, Shigure and Harusame - had just arrived (survivors of a cruiser destroyer force which saw most of the units damaged by submarine and air attacks). In a brief sharp action Dragon took 2 hits and the British withdrew. Shigure was the first command of Takishi Hara - Japan's greatest destroyer captain - and he is present here. He was a master of night surface action and the literal author of IJN's torpedo manual.

Troops landed at Kompong Pfet Thailand

SS Snapper engaged in night surface action with AK Kosyu Maru at Takao. The AK took four shell hits. She then hit a mine - probably laid by the same USS Snapper.

[el cid again]

The day turn began with 2 Sally's bombsarding Moulmein Burma. 1 Runway hit.

19 Allied bombers of 2 types, escorted by 12 Buffalos, came in on Kendari - probably from Soerabaja- which has not surrendered.
4 Zeros, 2 Petes and 1 Rufe met them. 2 Zeros were lost = 1 Hudwon destroyed on the ground. 6 B-17s out of Ambon followed up. 6 Zeros were on CAP. No planes lost. 2 runway hits. Later 4 B-17s came back - and 2 were lost facing the same 7 fighters. No damage to the ground and 2 Zeros damaged.

48 Zeros swept Manila but no CAP encountered.

12 ROCAF SB-2s hit the 2nd Yobieki Regiment on the Indochina border. 24 casualties.
2 JAAF attacks on guerilla regiments in China caused moderate casualties.

16 Ki-21s caused 44 casualties, 1 gun lost and 2 vehicles lost to the Brunei Fortress unit.

5 Anson out of PM caused 2 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Yokosuka 2nd Airborne SNLF at Lae.

5 Blenheims put 2 bombs into AP Miosho Maru in the South China Sea en route to Kuching. They later missed an AP in Kuching harbor.

10 Ki-48s out of Legaspi but 1 bomb into DD Pope at Cagayan. Later 17 went back and put 5 bombs into AK Norse Carrier and 2 more into AP Van Diemen but missed DD John D Ford.

33 Kates and 12 Vals from KB put 4 torpedoes into BB West Virginia and 1 more into DD Preble (sinking both) several hundred nautical miles NE of Hawaii.

32 Ki-27 fighters from Taan missed all three RN PT boat units they strafed near Hainan Island - these in transit from Hong Kong to I have no clue where? 9 more put a bomb into ML Redstart right in Taan harbor - so I assume the PTs may have been refueled by her. Then 8 Nells came up from Cam Rahn Bay - and put 2 torpedoes into the same ML. She was sunk - because a later strike of Ki-48s out of Hanoi could not find her any more.

Also in the South China Sea 15 Bettys put 4 x 250 kg bombs into PG Tutuila.

32 Nells covered by no less than 59 Zeros went right into Manila Bay putting 15 bombs into 2 TK and 2 DD - plus 2 torpedoes into TK Gertrude Kellog. All on fire with heavy damage. These came from Takao. Later 16 Nells covered by 71 Zeros went back and put 3 torpedoes into 2 DD (Pillsbury and Peary). 10 more followed up and put 1 torpedo each into TK Alfred Klegg and DD Peary. DD Pillsbury could not be found (= sunk) and later attacks on these two had the same indicator they too had sunk.

16 Bettys out of Lahaina put 1 bomb into DD Henley and missed 2 DD at Kona, the Big Island.

17 Vals from KB but 6 bombs into DM Sicard. Later 14 Kates put 2 torpedoes into her.

9 Nells out of Indochina put 3 bombs into AK Taiping near Miri, Sawawak.

10 Bettys with 1 Ki-49 recon plane and 28 Zeros met 33 Buffalos over Singapore. 1 Zero, 1 Betty and 1 Ki-49 lost vs
8 Buffalos. No penetration.

5 Vildebeestes put a torpedo into a MSW unit at Brunei. 5 B-10s missed 2 AKs in the same raid. 3 Buffalos had nothing to do but watch.

2 Hudsons missed AK Mexico Maru en route to Kuching.

15 Vals from KB put 5 bombs into DD Ralph Talbot. Later 11 put 4 bombs into CL Phoenix.

3 Bettys out of Lahaina - covered by 13 Me-109s - put 1 bomb into DD Phelps right in Pearl Harbor. 2 P-40s were on CAP but no air losses.
10 more Bettys - unescorted - from the same unit then put 5 bombs into CA San Francisco well to the NE of Hawaii. 15 Kates from KB followed up - put 3 torpedoes into her - and they could not find her any more.

11 Nells missed an AK near Miri, Sarawak.