Shattering the Sword. Cantona2 (a) vs Herbiesan (j)

[cantona2]

Interesting couple of days.

The CV Yorktown and her task force had been within striking range of the Japanese ships unloading at Milne Bay. As morning dawned Catalina's from the 20th Squadron RAAF operating out of Port Moresby spotted a large Japanese convoy heading north-east through the Solomon Sea, the dockimg areas of Milne Bay were reported as empty. A disappointed Commander Buckmaster turned his ships aroundnot wanting to pursue and enemy that was now under the cover of his land based aircraft. Those Japanese ships however would not escape unscathed as Mitchells from Port Moresby were able to attack and hit a couple of transports. SS Finback and SS Gato were persuing and hoping to catch and sink the crippled ships. The 91st Bombardment Squadron (A-24), that was already forging a formidable reputation, accounted for two patrol craft at Finschhafen on ASW duty, they were hunting the Gar. Milne Bay will now be reconed to establish how much strength Herbie has there

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre,
 
The AA gunners at Singapore certainly earned their keep. 17 enemy aircraft were shot down over the fortress and the intell screen suggests that another 16 were damaged enough for them not to make it home. Most of the casualties were Nells, though Helens and Sallys were also seen falling from the sky. Today no Nells particiapted in the bomardment of the sieged fortress but the AA once again accounted for several aircraft. Two attempts to storm Singapore have failed and the garrison is dug in deep tying down as many Japanese troops as possible. The same strategy is in effect on Luzon where Baguio, Bataan and Manila hold out.
 
ASW efforts in the shipping lanes between Canton Island and Suva will be stepped up after the AK Minnesotan was attacked by a Japanese submarine. Herb has made a landing at Nanumea, no doubt to base float and patrol planes there. A DD task group will hit the atoll tomorrow hoping to catch the Japanese ships there. Im thinking of deploying one of the carriers at Pearl Harbour to interdict supply and reinforcement missions but the large number of enemy subs in these waters makes me think twice about this.
 
SS Grenadier was hit at Kwajelein and has been ordered back to Pearl Harbour for repairs. I now have 24 subs at PH in different states of repair and another 7 at Sydney and 9 at Colombo. The offshoot of my aggressive use of submarines is the large number that receive damage. Its therefore difficult to achieve the 1/3 ratio of deployed/deploying/in dock. Still those subs that arrived at Panama City a few turns ago are now reaching the battle zone and they should soon start making their presence felt.

[cantona2]

[font="Times New Roman"]After Action Report, 28th February 1942.
TF 1079, Commander Walker OIC


Last night the ships under my command (DD's Blue, Helm, Mugford, Henley and Patterson [flag]), successfully engaged Japanese ships near the atoll of Nanumea. Acting on intelligence gathered by No 4 Squadron RNZAF, flying out of Suva, TF 1079 detached itself from ASW detail in the Suva-Canton Island shipping lanes to engage and destroy Japanese ships unloading at Nanumea. Our orders were to disrupt the Japanese build up on the atoll where it was suspected a float plane and patrol boat base was being developed.

At 03:27 TF 1079 approached the atoll in battle order, DD Blue taking the lead. A Japanese transport, later identified as the AP Kashima Maru, was encountered 6 miles out of Nanumea. DD Blue immediately engaged with her main forward armament and was soon joined by DD's Helm and Henley. Despite the darkness our gunnery was quite good with upto 16 hits and secondary explosions recorded on the Japanese ship. The enemy fired one single salvo against us but missed by a long way. No casulaties were recorded on our side. The Kashima Maru was left burning with a heavy list as the task force proceeded to advance closer to the atoll.[/font]



Japanese Ships
AP Kashima Maru, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Blue
DD Helm
DD Mugford
DD Henley
DD Patterson

[font="Times New Roman"]TF 1079 again advanced on battle order and a second target was engaged, this time a fleet auxiliary ship. DD Henley took the lead and it took a few salvos before the aft main gun found the targets range and several hits were scored. Henley also fired a torpedo salvo, and scored a devastating hit on the Japanese ship, now identified as an AV. I moved Patterson to torpedo range but the enemy's guns found our range and we weren't able to launch our fish. Yet, our main guns scored repeated hits on the enemy's superstrucutre and fires were observed. Mugford and Helm also joined Patterson and the Japanese ship was seen to list heavily and largely ablaze. Satisfied with our work a course with a heading towards Suva was ordered at around 04:48 in order to make use of the remaining darkness to steal away from Naumea.

We suffered no hits and no casualties and still have enough fuel and ammunition to remain active. Helm. Mugford and the engineering officer on the Patterson reported several electrical and engine damage reports and I ordered the Task Force to head to Suva at full speed. No enemy ships were visually recorded as sunk but both were heavily damaged to be considered out of action and presumed sunk.

Commander F.Walker, OIC TF 1079.[/font]



Japanese Ships
AV Kinagawa Maru, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Blue
DD Helm
DD Mugford
DD Henley
DD Patterson

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre
 
The IJA once again unsuccessfully asaulted the British at Singapore but for the first time began to erode the defensive lines, at great cost it must be said. In Manila, US positions were once again subject to massive Japanese bombardments but no assualt followed the hail of artillery shells.
 
Cebu Island was bombarded by the BB's Fuso, Hyuga and Isa. Though the coastal guns hit the BB's several times they were simple mosquito bites against the hulls of the steel giants.
 
SS Finback caught up with the Japanese ships that had been at Milne Bay but could not engage with her torpedoes but was able to score two hits with her deck gun at extreme range as dusk settled around the approaches to Rabaul. SS Gato lies in wait at the harbours entrance in the hope of scoring a hit on the several crippled transports in the convoy.

[cantona2]

Game has reached end of February 1942.
First the score board.

[cantona2]

Strategic Situation 1/3/1942

Most of the DEI and Phillipines are under Japanese control and so is Malaya. Manila, Bataan and Baguio hold out on Luzon and Singapore is on its last legs. In Borneo Tarakan remains the only viable defensive position and i assume that Herb will be mopping up these areas in the coming month. This will allow me to pres on the slight advantage i have in China and will also give me the time to further reinforce the Noumea, Efate, Suva triangle.

I also envisage a big Japanese push in Burma and i will be extremely surprised if Mandalay isnt occupied by the end of the month. Likewise i also expect Herbie to make a thrust for Port Moresby at some point during the month. Ive routed the CV Enterprise to join with the Yorktown to operate out of Sydney to help with any Japanese incursion into the area. Hornet, due to arrive 11/3/1942, will also reroute to Fijian waters.

I reckon March will be a big month in China, especially around Hankow but i am optimistic of my chances if i can cut the city and its units off from supply.

[cantona2]

Japanese forces finally made a crossing of the Irrawady River yesterday. The 2nd Parachute Regiment forded the river 60 miles north-east of Mandalay. The 2nd Burma Rifles opposed the crossing but despite the good defensive position were not able to prevent the enemy from gaining the north bank of the river. That said the 2nd Burma held on to its positions doggedly and were bolstered by the news that the KGVO Tank Regiment would soon be bringing its armour to bear as it was on the railway heading West. It is of paramount importance not to let the Japanese gain an early foothold north of the Irrawady as it would unhinge the whole of the Mandalay position.

The screenie below shows the movements and air units around Mandalay. In the city itself there are a Buffalo unit and a squadron of Lysanders carrying out recon of the Jap movements around the city. The Blenheims at Imphal have been detailed to bomb the Jap paras while the AVG at Diampur will support the ground troops engaging the Japs. The KGVO should arrive day after tomorrow and this should be enough to repel the lightly armed paras.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre,

SS Gato twice engaged but fail to damage ships at Rabaul while the SS Dolphin missed on an attack on a merchant ship entering the port at Ominato. SS Sculpin went head to head with an armed AP off the coast at Batavia and though she damaged the enemy ship she also received 2 hits. She is now heading to Colombo for repairs and r'n'r.

The Solomon Sea once again sees a Japanese troop transport heading south-west. Catalinas out of Port Moresy spotted the convoy but the B-25's that followed failed to hit any ships as they were flying at 15,000 feet. As from tomorrow the bombers will fly at 6,000 feet in order to try and hit the targets. I suspect that this maybe a reinforcement convoy to Milne Bay but i cannot ignore the fact that they may be carrying the SSD to Port Moresby, SIGINT picked up signals a few turns ago of Herbs prepping for PM. The Yorktown, heading back to Sydney, has turned around, will refuel at sea tomorrow after rendevousing with some tankers, and head northwards again hoping to get a launch against this convoy. As of yet no escort has been detected, hopefully it will remain this way.

In China a second Japanese attempt to attack the bridghead east of Honan was beaten back and chinese forces still hold onto this precious bridghead. Lancer sqaudrons are beginning to come on line and the CAF will welcome this reinforcement. Though not a great airframe it is much better than the bi-planes that many chinese pilots are flying.

CV Enterprise is heading to Palmyra before steaming to the South Seas.

[goodboyladdie]

Likewise, btw (in reference to your kind words on my AAR).[&o]

I really like the way you illustrate.

ps - great new sig!

[cantona2]

Cheers GBL
 
Kudos about the sig go to rougeusmc

[cantona2]

Commander Musak heard the artillery shells falling on the outskirts of Manila. Despite the heroic defence of the city by the cut off US and Philippine units, Musak could see the writing on the wall. As a lifelong mariner he would be damned if he died on land or ended up as a prisoner of the Japs. The Asiatic Fleet HQ had already given secret orders for the evacuation of all seaworthy ships left in Manila Bay. As the IJAAF was intent on bombing Manila into the ground, and as the weather for the next few days suggested very little flying time, Admiral Hart had divided the remaining ships into two groups. One that would run the gauntlet north, then south east to Wake Island and one that would run south, then south east. Though very few ships were expected to survive at least it gave them a slim chance, their only other fate was to have been scuttled when the inevitable fall of Manila happened. Indeed AS Holland reported to have already made Batan Island without being detected.

Patrol gun boats and minesweepers would provide scant escort and sparse AAA cover. The Pope was the largest remaining battle worthy ship. This despite the fact that she had received several bomb hits during the innumerable air raids the docks at Manila had been subjected too. Her captain, Commander Musak was determined to have his ship go down fighting rather than having her bombed out from under him. He gathered the crew on the fore deck and gave them the option to stay behind or join the crew of one of the other ships fleeing Luzon.

To a man the crew opted to stay with their ship. Musak’s chest swelled with pride and his exec clapped his shoulder in a show of support. The only crewmen to have been posted to other ships were the wounded. As such an almost full complement of crew patched up as many holes as they could and during the night of the 3rd of March 1942 the DD Pope stole out of Manila Bay and steamed south-south-west. The atmosphere on board was tense but the ties of comradeship kept things together and in check. Regular reports from the boiler room of the venerable Clemson class destroyer kept the Commander up to date. She could make a maximum of 15 knots more than enough to get her near any enemy ships in and around the inner Philippine Islands.

[cantona2]

[font=calibri]As dawn approached the Pope was off the coast of Boac when a coded message from coast watchers at Roxas reported the presence of Japanese ships unloading troops over the beach. Musak gave the order to go to General Quarters and the DD Pope ploughed to Roxas.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]She got there just after 17:00 and had mercifully been spared the attention of Japanese planes. The lookouts had their binoculars trained on the horizon looking for their prey. Smoke was already visible on the horizon and the radar had made several contacts but still they had no visual until,[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]“Ships ahead, 20,000 yards. I can see transports and smaller escort ships. So far I can count 4...” and so it went as more visual reports came into bridge. It seemed a group of transports escorted by minesweepers were occupying the town of Roxas. The DD Pope ploughed straight into the enemy with her forward guns firing the first salvo of the fight.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]4 inch shells began to fall among the Japanese ships. They reacted with complete surprise as their high command had assured them that no American ships were left and that their air forces had assured total air and naval superiority. Hot lead steel from the Pope’s guns soon ripped a small minesweeper apart and the Japanese ship began to make evasive maneouvers.[/font]
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[font=calibri]“Helmsman, bring her around for a broadside,” ordered Musak, his glasses glued to the Japanese ships ahead of him.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]“Aye, aye sir,” responded the helmsman as he turns the ships wheel sharply. The Pope began to make  a tightturn, so tight that Musak was forced to hold onto the banister in front of him in order to remain on his feet. Accustomed to quick, smooth turns the damaged ship resisted the turn and only did so sluggishly betraying the damage to her guidance systems. Gradually she turned prompting both Captain and helmsman to mutter ‘good girl’ under their breaths.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]“FIRE!” roared Musak and the Pope delivered a full broadside on the Japanese ships now barely 9,000 yards away.[/font]

[cantona2]

[font=calibri]A veritable rain of shells fell among the Japanese ships. Geysers of water rose up around them showing where the aim of the Pope’s gunners had been off, explosions and sheets of bright red flame rewarded those shells that struck home. Two more minesweepers were hit hard and now the transports were also receiving hits from the Pope’s broadside.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]“Fire at will,” shouted Musak into the comm. Link. “Close to torpedo range. Lieutenant Cooper, up to you,” went on Musk. [/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]Cooper was the Pope’s torpedo officer and even before his Captain had give the order his crews were ready with their deadly payloads. Only two of the Pope’s launchers were operational but they were trained on the targets so close to them. At 6,000 yard Lieutenant Cooper gave the order to fire and 6 sleek, silver torpedoes jumped into the water heading towards their target as fast as lighting.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]That’s when things started to go wrong. Closing to torpedo range had brought the Pope within range of the guns mounted on the Japanese transports. The first warning Musak had were smaller flashes on the decks of the enemy ships, to small to be hits from his own guns.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]“The bastards are firing on us, take evasive act...” the rest of the order was lost in a cacophony of sound as shells began to hit the already battered destroyer. Smoke filled the bridge and all the windows erupted into shards. Though no one was hurt the Pope had received a hit on mid deck that had gone through the armour. [/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]“Everyone OK?” asked a concerned Musak. Affirmatives came from all around. On the deck it was a different story. Lieutenant Coopers torpedo crew had been right of the middle of the impact and the deck was awash with flames and dead crewmen and their body parts.  A gaping hole now replaced the fore torpedo mount and black smoke was billowing from it indicating a hit on one of the boilers. Still the Pope kept firing scoring a couple more hits on the Japanese ships. Suddenly the lights on the bridge went out at the tower was hit by two consecutive shells.[/font]
[font=calibri] [/font]
[font=calibri]Helmsman Perkins lay propped over the wheel, blood flowing freely from a wound on his head. The Executive Officer lay at Musaks feet, his sightless eyes staring at the roof of the bridge, his dead hands still holding onto his binoculars with a stony grip. Musak himself was wounded by some shrapnel in his arm and his uniform jacket was torn. The fire control and damage teams quickly made the bridge to assess the damage and assist the wounded. The shocked Captain realised further fighting was futile. His battered ship had been able to damage and possibly sink Japanese ships, the sacrifice of his men was not in vain. They had fallen like true warriors facing the enemy’s fire. The order to make smoke was given and the Pope began to limp into the gathering dusk.[/font]

[cantona2]

In Game terms:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Roxas at 43,55

Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #56, Shell hits 4, on fire
MSW Choun Maru #18, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW Musashi Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Kashi Maru, Shell hits 3
AP Komeyama Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Kuroshio Maru
AP Ryuosan Maru
AP Tainichi Maru, Shell hits 2
AP Yoshinogawa Maru

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Shell hits 11

[cantona2]

Taking advantage of the fact that Japanese aircraft are pounding the crap out of Manila ive tried a brave, but foolhardy sortie of all ships left at Manila that can either fight or flee. So far so good, just the small AK Governor Taft was sunk by Anne's near Leyte. All the ships leaving north-north-west have so far escaped detection so fingers crossed and pray for bad weather. To be honest its the three AS's i want to save the rest is expendable. PG's and MSW's have been divided into single ship TF's to absorb air attacks when they come.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre:

SS Sculpin once again engaged targets off Batavia. This time she missed in her first attack but was able to score one torpedo hit on AK Kyosei Maru. Sculpin is in the early 20's of Sys damage so once she exhausts her torps she'll head back to Colombo for some much needed repairs.

Japanese assaults once again went in at Manila and Singapore. Both failed once again but i feel Herb is noticing the lower number of casualties hes taking which indicates my low level of supply in both bases.

Herb has also began landing forces at Tarakan and so begins the End Game on Borneo.

In Burma bombing of the 2nd Parachute Regiment began but with little effect. IM hoping the KGVO Tank Regiment gets there tomrrow to help throw the paras back across the river where they belong.

[Alfred]

cantona2,
 
The end of February scorecard has, as an annotation, the Allies having lost 14 bases but japan having gained 16 bases.  In a zero sum situation the losses should equal the gains unless perhaps Japan upgraded during February 1942, 2 beaches into bases.
 
Alfred

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

cantona2,

The end of February scorecard has, as an annotation, the Allies having lost 14 bases but japan having gained 16 bases.  In a zero sum situation the losses should equal the gains unless perhaps Japan upgraded during February 1942, 2 beaches into bases.

Alfred

Alfred

I think Herb has developed two beach dots into level 1 airbases during the course of the game upto now.
Cheers

[cantona2]

Commander Musak couldn't believe that has ship was still afloat. He couldnt believe that his 4 inch guns were once again firing and he couldn't beleive that for a second day the Pope was dishing out destruction upon vessels of the IJN.

The Pope had buried her dead at sea before heading on an easterly heading towards contacts spotted by the few remaining patrol craft at Manila. As she approached the recently occupied base of Ormoc her lookouts could spot three distinct glows on the horizon. She built up speed until the remaining boiler was at full pelt, all of 13 knots and soon was within range of three MSW's, the same three she engaged yesterday.

Musak tried to maneouver his ship but the guidance systems were pretty much shot up and she ploughed on like an arrow and crossed the 'T'. The closest Japanese minesweeper fired and score a hit on the front of the Pope but the aggressor was soon engulfed in 4 inch shells. The other two ships began to steer away from the Pope at a slow speed and Musak decided to finish of his target. A massive fireball suddenly engulfed the Japanese ship and she blew up, disappearing beneath the waves, but not before she scored another hit on the Pope's superstructure.

Musak then ordered the guns silent and the lights turned off, he steered the destroyer to the south west and away from the two fleeing minesweepers.

Later in the day her lookouts spotted a large number of Japanese planes patrolling the airspace. Sometime during midafternoon a flight of 9 medium bombers approached from the North. General Quarters was sounded and the AAA guns, well those left operational and with enough crews to man them, swivelled around to fire at the planes. Black tufts began to dot the sky while around the ship tall geysers of sea water erupted denoting the explosion of bombs being dropped by the bombers. They attacked in 3 waves of 3 and scored no hits. As they turned back north the crew whooped and shouted some obscenities at the fleeing Japs, even Musak couldnt restrain himself and uttered a few expletives himself.

Naval Battle
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ormoc at 44,56

Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #56, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Choun Maru #18, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Musashi Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage *sinks later*

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Shell hits 2

Air Attack
Day Air attack on TF, near Ormoc at 44,56

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Pope, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet

[cantona2]

DD Pope (DD-225) 4-3-1942