Vettim89 vs Greasylake - Reversal of Fortunes

[vettim89]

A/C Losses. Bad cut and paste job on my part

[vettim89]

Situation in southern PI and NEI. All islands north of the image in PI are Japanese held. All of Java is held except for the one base on the map

[vettim89]

Situation in the Coral Sea area. Don't know if should expect more in the next month here or not

[vettim89]

The situation in the Banda Sea region north of OZ. Here is the curve ball. The TF I thought was bound for Lautern is obviously heading for OZ. I have no forces in the area to really contest this as I have never seen an Allied player's AAR where he held Darwin in 1942 against a determined assault. I did not want to risk losing an Aussie Div or 2 up here because they got trapped. I am moving units to Alice Springs and Cloncury to act as blocking forces until I see how determined Larry is on conquering the land down under

[vettim89]

2 June 1942

Darwin is indeed the target. His TF's are now just 2 hexes away. Also, Moulmein was invaded. At present I outnumber Larry here. He took 1200 casualties during the landing. As I fgure his troops are highly disrupted I took the chance and ordered a shock attack. Be nice to force them up the road to Tavoy with little or no supply

My units will be at Pago Pago in 9 days and then another ten to NC. Man it takes time to move units in the Pacific.

[Alfred]

With the enemy closing in on Darwin, it's time to start thinking about evacuating Wyndham and Broome before their escape/supply route to/from Katherine is closed off.
 
Alfred

[vettim89]

3 June 1942

Yes, Alfred, I have considered the evac of the other bases. I tought about trying to reinforce Broome but I don't see the Allies being able to hold NW Austalia at this point in the war. So far only the Japanese 10th Inf Div is ashore and it took 1500 casulaties in the off load

On the good news front, my attack at Moulmein was a great success and the Japanese stay at this outpost lasted one day. The attack went off at 20 to 1! [:D] Added bonus: the retreating units went up the road towards Rahaeng as opposed to the rail line heading towards Tavoy. So now they are out in the jungle with virtually no supplies and having to travel by road either back to Moulmein or retreat to Rahaeng

[vettim89]

4 June 1942

Before I forgot, Larry took Victoria Point and the sBF that only had a SCR-270 radar left (wouldn't fit on the sub don't you know)

AT Moulmein:

Larry revealed his TF got spread out and let the first one go in alone. These are the units now in the jungle between Moulmein and Rahaeng. Today a very powerful force landed including 48th ID, a tank Reg, 2 FA rgts, and engineers. These units took 3400 casualties coming ashore. Still there are now 27 k troops in place. In addition, no fewer than 5 Japanese ships hit mines today (4 of them VH2 variety) including 2 Ak,s and an AP. While I have no dillusions about holding Moulmein, I already have made Lrry pay a pretty high price. SS Shark got caught laying mines and is heading to Rangoon to pump out her 74 Flot damage (ouch)

At Darwin:

Again more troops coming ashore. Japanese units suffered 2400 casulaties here. Also the escorts are getting chewed to pieces by CD. Forgot to mention it, but this also happened at Moulmein. The 3 BF's at Derby, Whyhalla, and Broome are all mving towards Tenant Creek. I hate to just give up these northern Aussies bases but I think I'd rather save the units vice delaying Larry maybe a day at each base.

Elsewhere

One of my biggest problems right now is the number of subs I have in port repairing. Fortunately I have only lost 2 Dutch SS but that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of dinged up subs out there. I try to get syst damage below 5 before sending them to sea again. This may not be a luxury I can afford much longer - just get them to green and send them out. On the ship repair front, BB Oklahoma is green now as is CA Houston. CL sumutra is fully reapaired waiting for some of her sisters to get in similar condition. The Dutch Navy may fight yet again. My large group of TF's will be south of Canton Island tomorrow. I have decided to risk making the turn to NC then to save a few days. The invasion of Oz has forced my hand. Several Japanese subs are shadowing these TF but they are being pretty beat up by PBY's and SBD's on ASW patrol. Knowing at least a portion of KB is near Darwin makes me think I can go for the sortcut with relative safety. Lastly, Larry revealed his Navy Pilot Pool is empty already. This is a very good thing as his replacements are coming in at like 40% exp.

[vettim89]

5 June 1942

At Moulmein:

More troops are pouring ashore and my CD is becoming much less effective (I suspect this is a supply issue). Nonetheless, two more AP's hit mines. Image attached. The battle of Burma has begun in earnest.

At Darwin:

Some more troops come shore and again CD is much less effective. Still 1300 casualties here today. Only 10th INF Div is ashore here still. Is this just a diversion? Time will tell.

At Balikpapan:

Here TV-2 scored hits on 2 AP's and an AK but miss CL Kuma. Troops are ashore and heavy casualties from CD. Lots of supply here so hopefully guns will keep on firing.

Elswhere:

Well I ran the combat replay twice, the first time it said S-31 put a torpedo into CV Shokoku west of Maeolap. Second time, it just showed an intense ASW attack. Regardless, I know some CV's are in the area of the Gilberts. They are well over 20 hexes away from my TF's bound for NC. I am lots of NavSearch units now reaching far beyond where the TF's are now; so if Larry is Pursueing, I'll see him coming.

[vettim89]

6 June 1942

Two years from game date the Allies will storm the beaches at Normandy (or will they is this alternative reality?)

At Moumein

More troops coming ashore. Larry now has 37 k troops here. His first Deliberate Attack went off at 0 to 1 and didn't touch the level 5 forts. I suspect he will rest his troops now and probably take the base in 3 to 4 days. CD has become largely ineffective and the minefield is clear.

At Darwin

Only a bombardment attack here today and still only 10th Inf Div present. An S-boat manage to put a torp into an AK running some supplies in. At this point Larry doesn't seem to be commiting very much force here.

At Balikpapan:

A single Brigade is ashore here. No where near enough force hear to resist. I was looking to see if there was somewhere to transfer my remaining Dutch air assets but there are no bases with Av Support and supplies in range. Looks like they will die here. Still the TV-2's are doing some damage and torpedoed ML which sunk. I think Larry is feeling the pinch on his escort forces as he is using his ML's as escorts now. Fine by me.

Near Canton Island

My TF's have stalled - I suspect they needed to refuel. They are now directly east of Canton Island. A SS suffered a heavy ASW attacked 5 hexes WNW of Baker island so I assume his CV's are there now. Yet, my PBY's at Canton Is and Palmyra have not yet detected them. The question is: has Larry just put his CV's in position to intercept my TF in case I am invading or is he really trying to intercept my forces. Still at least 15 hexes separate our TF's at this time. Hopefully I will know in a day.

[vettim89]

7 June 1942

AT Moulmein:

More troops come ashore. Larry now has almost 50 k strong here. CD is no longer a factor. His deliberate attack came off at 1 to 1 and reduced forts to 3. I think 3 more days should do it.

At Balikpapan:

More troops. The Dutch AF morale is so low the didn't hit anything. No attacks here

At Darwin:

Japanese have withdrawn all ships. The only unit here is 10th Inf Div. No support troops, no engineers, no help. Unfortuantely My paltry garrison here probably still isn't strong enough to hold them off. Help is on the way but is weeks away.

In the South Pacific

His CV's are now close enough to be found by my landbase patrol planes. As you can see, there are 120 nm due east of Howland Island right now. I am splitting my CV's off the TRANS TF and having them rendevous 240 nm West of Sydney Island with a REPL TF. They will top off and then head NW to engage the Japanese. Even if Larry's carriers are just out there to protect the apporaches to the Gilberts, I have too many cargo TF's out in that part of the Ocean to let him go unchecked. I I lose a CV battle here, it will change my whole strategy. If I win, it will only accelerate my plans. I know there are at least 2 CV's in the Darwin area. So KB is not intact. Depending on his CVL and CVE disposition, I think the worst case here is an even odds fight

[vettim89]

8 June 1942

First Balikpapan fell and Paratroops took Djambi. NEI is wrapping up for Larry.

At Moulmein:

All but one Japanese TF has left so the 50 k or so troops is it for now. The two Dutch ML subs are leaving Trico today bound to Moulmein to leave Larry a frsh surprise when he returns. Only a bombardment attack today. I suspect the coup 'd grace will come in 2 to 3 days.

At Darwin:

No Japanese attack at all today. Cursor intel reveals 15 K troops at Darwin which seems a little small for a full ID. More subs are leaving to mine and or patrol the waters north of Darwin.

Near Canton Island:

The japanese launched an attack today on Canton and killed my AVD posted there. Minimal port and airfiled damage done too. I-175 unfortunately ran afoul of my CV TF and is sunk (confirmed by Larry). My CV's will refuel tomorrow and then move west to try to get into position for an attack. Wondering if Pago Pago is a big enough base for my Devaster squadrons to upgrade to TBF.

[vettim89]

9 June 1942

Very quiet. Still more troops unloading at Moulmein but no attacks. No attack at Darwin either. In the South Pacific my CV's are refueld and have 100% sorties rebuilt. I am sprinting them toward Gardner Island. It will probably take two days for tehm to get there. With the advantage of my LBA NavSearch I can set this up pretty well. Here's hoping

[vettim89]

10 June 1942

On 3-4 June 1942 in RL the USn engaged and defeated the IJN near Midway Island. The resulting US vicotry opened the door for the the turning of the tide in the War in the Pacific. Exactly one week later in this game the USN engaged the IJN WSW of the Phoenix Islands with no where near as spectacular but still war changing results.

Setup:

On 25 May, a large group of TF's sailed from Hilo heading to Noumea to enplace among others 2nd Marine Div and Americal Div on New Caledonia. These units wre escorted by all 5 US CV's and were detected by IJN subs almost immediately. So Larry knew I was at sea but had to be wondering where I was going. On 5 June SS S-41 encountered Japanese CV's near Maeolap. About this time my group was approaching Canton island and were again detected by IJN subs. I replenished my CV's on 9 June after herding the TRANS TF's south towards Pago Pago.

The Battle

Both sides detected each other in the AM phase but heavy thunderstorms prevented air operations. SO everything happened in the PM phase. The US strike hit first. FOW considered, the following hits were reported:

CV Zuikaku: 12 bomb hits (confirmed sunk)
CV SHokaku: 18 bomb hits (on fire/heavy damage)
CVL Shoho: 4 bomb hits (on fire)
BB Hei: 8 bomb hits (on fire)

The Japanese counter struck and hit two US CV's hard. The combat replay reported 12 bomb and 6 torped0 hits on Lexinton and 2 torpedo hits on Hornet. Well Lady Lex is fine with 4 syst damage. Enterprise and Yorktown are hurt and heading for Pago Pago which is a level 3 port. Is that a big enough port for them to pump out? I organized a TF at PH with 2 AR's but that is more than a week away. Attached image of that TF. CA New Orleans is also in extremis and is heading for Pago Pago.

The remaining Japanese are split into 2 TF's (one with I would assume badly damaged Shokaku). My remaining CV airgroups llook good with sorties all over 85% and only Lex with less than 25 F4F's avalable (she has 19). I choose to pursue to try to finish off Shokaku and Shoho and maybe get some CA's and DD's too.

[vettim89]

Continued from above. I forgot to mention a I-boat snuck into Trico 2 days ago and torpedoed one of my remaining Dutch ML. I disbanded her into port but she sunk today anyway. A Deliberate attack was launched at Moulmein and came off at 1 to 1 reducing forts to 2. I think Larry should have waited one more day to recover disruption. One thing the Carrier action has done is to cause Larry to pull some air assets out of CBI. The attacks at Rangoon ended and the airbase is fully repaired. I returned 242 and 243 squadrons to Rangoon today.

Cursor intel at Darwin now puts Japanese force elvel at 22 K which is probably more accurate for a full ID.

Did include one more image so you can see exactly where the carrier battle took place

[vettim89]

11 June 1942

The carnage continues as Lexington, Saratoga and Yorktown slip west and finish off the crippled Shokaku and Shoho. Still some Japanese TF's in the area which I think are one containing his escorts from the now ill fated ACTF and one with BB Heii with some escorts. As sorties are 75% or better and F4F's remain at bearable levels I will pursue one more day than call it a solid US victory. The fires are almost out on Hornet and Enterprise and they will make Pago Pago tomorrow. Meanwhile New Orleans is in a bad way and may end up being my sole vitim of this otherwise one sided battle

In Burma, Larry launched a chock attack and dislodged the defenders there. Rangoon is next on the list. Amazing how one battle can change the complexion of the war. Knowing that a deep strike into India or Ceylon is no longer a viable option for Larry, all my troops in NW India packed up and are heading towards Dacca. I will soon have 2 UK Divisions, one Indian Division plus lots of support troops, tanks, and arty available to counter Larry in Burma. My only hope is that I can get them there in time.

In China Larry launched an offensive and has dislodged the Chinese defenders 2 hexes NE of Changsu. Fortunately I put all my non-static Chinese units in motion last week and they should arrive at Changsu in a few days. If Larry pushes further west, I will try to move this force north and cut him off.

[vettim89]

Here are Enterprise and Hornet's states as they approach Pago Pago

[vettim89]

The second day of the Battle of the Phoenix Isldands was the last turn I received from Larry. I hope he is just trying to fiugre out a way to regroup

[vettim89]

12 June 1942

The Battle of the Phoenix Islands comes to a close with the mauling of poor CA Chokai. Have no idea why this ship was left behind. Perhaps she was damaged or perhaps she was left behind on purpose to divert my attention. The reamining IJN forces are 120 NM ENE of Tarawa heading presumably to Kwajalein Remaining US CV's retire south towards Pago Pago. At Pago Pago CV's Enterprise and Hornet are pumping out nicely adn have upgrade their VT's to TBF. Remaining CAG's will upgrade on arrival at this base. I checked and was surpised to see that the Avenger I is not available to 12/42. Guess the USN got first dibs on the new TB's.

CBI:

There are now 72 K strong troops at Moulmein. Anticipate an offensive towarsd Rangoon very soon. A IJA offensive has started in central China also. I have troops on the way to blunt this move.

PI

Larry forced all remaining Allied troops on Mindano into the last Allied held base (Catabro ?). Only this base and 3 or 4 others remain in PI.

[vettim89]

13 June 1942

At Pago Pago:

Hornet is completely pumped out. Enterprise is down to 28 Flot and 34 Syst. Once Enterprise is pumped out, I will send both carriers back to PH for repairs. The three remaining CV's have their airgroups rebuilt and are upgraded to TBF's. The TRANS TF are WSW of Suva at the moment and should make Noumea in a few days.

CBI:

Larry has have his forces out of Moulmein and they are now in the hex directly east of Rangoon. A SCTF hit Rangoon and between that and the renewed aerial attacks, Rangoon AB is shut down.

Australia:

Another TF is approaching Darwin, presumably to reinforce the IJA 10th ID located there.