Vettim89 vs Greasylake - Reversal of Fortunes

[vettim89]

2 March 1944

Lost my screeie some how but the Padang force is 360 nm WNW of Sabang and not spotted. I estimate ten days. I preparation for their arrival the AVG is stood down in China and the 51st FG is in Burma. These are my most elite P-38 groups with exp in the high 70's or higher. They will transfer into Padang as soon as AV support is unloaded and the AB will hold them.

Makassar invasion has departed and has three ID, 4 ARM RGT/BTN, and an HQ. Dependig on the Japanese response, they may still land at Pirang. I like this idea not only for the lessened disruption of troops as they land but also to seal off the exit from Makassar.

I decided to send a CV and 2 CVL to Darwin along with about 10 CVE. That will leave 2 CV and a CVL at PH plus a CV at SF. All new CV and CVE will go to PH.

On my list of bases in my last psot I failed to include Moratai. The other difference with the Darwin approach is many of those bases are either empty or very lightly held as opposed to the CentPac approach where every one of those bases is held at least moderately.

[vettim89]

3 March 1944

Highlights of the day

* US FLeet boat killed by ASW at Saipa - got a little too aggressive here

* LBA hits and sinks an AP at Hong Kong (Larry has lost 277 AP/AK total)

* One of the TK's hit a few days ago by SS Guardfish sinks - thats 28 total for Allies (Japan has lost 57 for the record)

* Japan launches a strike against Maumere AB from Kendari. They lose 10 Tojo 9 Val, 8 A6M3a, and 3 Jack to 1 KittyHawk IV and 1 P-47C and no hits on AB. Kendari's AB will be hit next turn

* The Padang Force is 360 NM WSW of Sabang and still hasn't been spotted

* Makassar force is 180 nm north of Darwin

Author was at grocery today, bought a nice bouquet of tulips for gf (psychochic as I call her), and picked up a double DVD set: Kelly's Heroes and the Dirty Dozen! Gonna call my brother Mikimoto (JFB) and see if we ca have a guy's night tomorrow with beer, Eastwood, and Bronson.

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

I am considering two lines of approach:

A. Move as much of CentPac/SoPac forces into the Darwin area as possible and move aggresively forward as indicated on the attached map. Drive hard through western NG and the Celebes and possibly into Mindano

B. Move SoPac Units into the SRA follwing the indicated path at a slower pace while Centpac clears the Carolines and NW NG. This would allow a shortenig of SLOC. I would still have to swing south around the Marianas

While this is ongoing (whichever route), SWPac continues to advance through Borneo. With these goals accomplished, I could take my ever growing strength either NW into Malaya and Indochina or North into the PI and eventually Formosa. As to the SilverBees, they can reduce Oil and resources in SEASIA and conduct counter air ops. If I make Formosa, I can hit Japan from there. To be honest, strategic bombing is not really consistant with my plans other than to accumulate points. I plan to starve Japanese industry rather than destroy it.

It seems to this humble observer that choice B will get you to more valuable resource areas and sooner. Either way, however, Kendari will be a key base. Historically, the U.S. was able to neutralize and bypass the huge bases as Truk and Rabaul by establishing convoy lanes to the north. Bypassing Kendari would be much more difficult: there's not as much ocean to maneuver with. At the minimum, Kendari's ability to host Betty squadrons must be neutralized.

2000th post!

On the other hand, B will probably be the bloodier path to take. If I were in your opponants position I would fight very very hard to keep you out of the SRA due to the resourses there. Personally I'd go with route A, and choke off his lines of communication to the SRA.

[vettim89]

4 March 1944

I am commited to focusing solely on clearing the Celebes and Western NG. The Carolines will be too bloody are weaken me unnecessarily. I addition, I would still have to worry about the Marianas. I instead am commited to the approach from the SE. Once CentPac has more strength I may bull my way through Marcus to Iwo Jima and then Okinawa.

Today:

* The Padang force is finally spotted. Just one Emily saw one ship. Hopefully this gives me one more day unmolested. I make landfall about five days out

* Makassar, Ambonia, and Kendari are empty except for search a/c. I will hit these fields in preparation for the Makassar/Pinrang Op. Leaning towards Pinrang now as this op should fall a day or two after Padang force lands.

* CV Bunker Hill is at SYST 1 and headed for PH. I am going to send this CV force raiding once Bunker Hill arrives

* SS Puffer hits an AP off Hong Kong then LBA puts 7 bombs ito same AP.

* Last of the supplies are unloaded at Maumere and TF heads back to Darwin.

[vettim89]

5 March 1944

At first I thought it was going to be a rather dull turn. A US fleet boat hit an AK off Tarakan and that was about it util the PM air phase was winding down. Then these strikes came in:

* 3 Judy hit the RN TF's and are wiped
* 16 G4M2 hit the US TF off Lautem and are wiped
* 22 Jack escort 22 Judy at the RN and lose 22 Jack and 19 Judy
* 7 Ki-43 IIIb Oscar escort 13 G4M2 against RN and are wiped. (First time I think I have seen the IIIb Oscar)

No leakers

I lost two Corsair IV. The RN will turn toward Padang next turn. Guess I should name the Padang Op - let's call it Thomas the Tank Engine. Makasser Op is Yosemite Sam

[vettim89]

6 March 1943

Thomas TF's are three days out. They are given a destination of Padang with orders to unload. No opposition this last turn. I checked and both the 51st FG and AVG can transfer in one hop once the base is up to speed.

Yosemite Sam TF are NNW of Lautem. Two weak unescorted G4M2 strikes were wiped. I set these TF's with a destination of Pinrang with orders to unload.

Two fleet boats were hit by LBA off the Marianas. Both sides lost a sub today with I-10 and Bang sinking.

[vettim89]

7 March 1944

Big day for air battles. Larry threw the kitche sink at the Thomas TF. Was a little nervous at first, as the TF were split into two hexes, but the Japanese all went for the carriers.

AM Strikes

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5
G4M2 Betty x 7
P1Y Frances x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 16
Ki-48 Lily x 7
Ki-49 Helen x 3

Allied aircraft
Wildcat V x 14
Corsair IV x 74

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 7 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 6 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 14 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 7 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 23 damaged


Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 13
Ki-49 Helen x 13

Allied aircraft
Wildcat V x 14
Corsair IV x 74

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 8 damaged

PM Strikes

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 20
G4M2 Betty x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4
Ki-61 KAIb Tony x 13
Ki-21 Sally x 9
Ki-48 Lily x 10
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
Wildcat V x 14
Corsair IV x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 19 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 9 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIb Tony: 8 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 9 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 10 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wildcat V: 4 damaged
Corsair IV: 18 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Formidable
CV Victorious
CV Illustrious

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 9000 feet
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 3
G4M2 Betty x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 3
Ki-48 Lily x 6
Ki-49 Helen x 3

Allied aircraft
Wildcat V x 14
Corsair IV x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 3 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 6 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wildcat V: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Corsair IV: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Steelhead

TF will start unloading next turn. The Yosemite Sam force is 180 nm SSE of Makassar. LBA hits Saigon's Port hitting a PG and two AP hard. Slow but steady progress at Ban Don as air strikes and artillery combine for over 400 casualties today. The IJA is losig over 3000 troops here i an average week.

[vettim89]

Today's AIr losses

[vettim89]

8 March 1944

Well when I reset the movement orders, the RN CV's headed home instead of following the rest of the TF's. They ended up five hexes north. That problem is remedied and they are sprintig south to be off Padang next turn. This little erro cost me CVE Battler who was set upon by Kamikazes.

Day Air attack on TF, near Padang at 18,51

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 24
D4Y Judy x 3
B6N Jill x 25
G3M Nell x 3
G4M2 Betty x 12
P1Y Frances x 9
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 50
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 33
Ki-61 KAIb Tony x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 41

Allied aircraft
Wildcat V x 10
Corsair IV x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed
B6N Jill: 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
P1Y Frances: 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIb Tony: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 25 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wildcat V: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
Corsair IV: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Battler, Bomb hits 10, Kamikaze hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 1, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CA Hawkins
CL Kenya
DD Rapid, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Glasgow, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

A PM attack did some damage too

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 18
G4M2 Betty x 11
P1Y Frances x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19
Ki-21 Sally x 3

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
P1Y Frances: 9 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
TK Harpa, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Cormorant
CA Sussex
AK Herstein, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Newcastle
AK Empire Housman, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Lionel, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


Both the US CVTF and the RN CVTF suffered strikes that did not result in any hits. I moved in the 51st FG from Tavoy. They need to stand down one day. I just need to get through one more turn. Good news is the forts are already at level 3. Also, Avenger II hit an APD and an AK at Palembang. So it wasn't a complete waste. Three more days before I hit Pinrang. Even though I lost a CVE, are losses were 109 to 18 today. Still, Larry has got to be happy about this

[vettim89]

9 March 1944

Well this time Hermes TF decided to move. She ended up 3 hexes north and is now trashed. Several cruisers are also hurting. Everybody is heading back to Padang to die. If everybody did what they were told for once.

Pirang will be hit next turn. Quite a bit of merchant shipping off Balikpaypan. Hopefully we'll get some kills

[vettim89]

10 March 1944

Well, almost every one moved where they were supposed to with the exception that the Pinrag troops just spu circles i the Java Sea - didn't even move one hex. The my US CVTF were in perfect poistion to slaughter the shippig fleeing through the Strait of Makassar but didn't fly one sortie. That said, this was the side show.

The IJN came calling at Padang and a slug fest ensued. I would have to call this one a draw but I still have a lot of firepower left. Five rounds of combat - summary below:

First Round - RN SCTF vs IJN SCTF (RN is hurt here and RN BB's can't seem to find Hiei)

BB Hiei
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CL Agano
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Naganami
DD Asashio, Shell hits 2
DD Isonami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 1
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asanagi
DD Tachikaze
DD Hasu
DD Kari, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 5
BB Resolution, Shell hits 2
BC Renown
CA Shropshire
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 2
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CLAA Ceres, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pathfinder, Shell hits 1
DD Quality, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Queensborough, Shell hits 1

Second Round (RN finds the range)

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 3
CA Myoko, Shell hits 5, and is sunk (internal explosion)
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Agano, Shell hits 2
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Naganami
DD Asashio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tachikaze
DD Hasu, Shell hits 1
DD Kari, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Shell hits 4
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 5
BB Resolution, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BC Renown, Shell hits 4
CA Shropshire, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 1
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Ceres, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pathfinder, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Quality, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Queensborough, Shell hits 3, on fire

Third round - fought at 9000 yds

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Agano
CL Abukuma, on fire
DD Naganami
DD Asashio, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri, on fire
DD Kikuzuki, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, on fire
DD Tachikaze
DD Hasu
DD Kari, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins
CL Honolulu
DD Cassin, Shell hits 1
DD Decoy
DD Fortune
DD Griffin
DD Isis

Fourth Round - These are Hermes undamaged escorts

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Agano, Shell hits 4
CL Abukuma, on fire
DD Naganami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asashio, on fire
DD Isonami, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri, on fire
DD Kikuzuki, and is sunk (magazine explosion)
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tachikaze
DD Hasu
DD Kari, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Durban, Shell hits 1
CLAA Caradoc, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Norman, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Petard, Shell hits 23, on fire, heavy damage (crippled and scuttled)
DD Relentless

Fifth Round - These are Hermes' damaged escorts

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Agano, Shell hits 1
CL Abukuma, on fire
DD Naganami, on fire
DD Asashio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri, on fire
DD Asanagi, on fire
DD Tachikaze
DD Hasu
DD Kari, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Kenya, Shell hits 1
CL Glasgow, Shell hits 10

Daylight saw massive air attacks. One breaks through the CAP and CV Illustrious, CV Formidible, and DD Kimberly are all hit by Kakikazes. The two CV's are dinged but remain on station. Kimberly is sent to Padang while a CL and DD are sent to replace her. Lots of damaged ships at Padang with likely more to sink. The AB should go to level 2 next turn and two sq of AVG are in position.

Avengers run down CA Suzuya (4 TT), CL Abukuma (5 TT) and DD Asashio. Suzuya and Abukuma sink. So confirmed losses so far are one RN CA, one RN DD, two IJN CA, one IJN CL, and oe IJN DD. I am sure there will be some more to follow.

Air losses were 208 to 18 this turn. How long can this keep up? I need to get the RN CV's into Padang to rebuild the Corsair sq but don't think I dare quite yet.

Lastly, there are two IJN convoys just south of Padang now running South. Another convoy is spotted just South of Palembang heading SW toward the Sunda Strait. I think Larry may be trying to counter invade. I have a full ID equivalent behind level 3 forts. I hope that is enough. I am moving the one land based Avenger II sq down to Padang next turn. This is going to be dicey. I may need to send the US CV's over to turn the tide. For the first time, I am really concerned about this operation being a flop.

[ny59giants]

I think you need to pay a visit to Soerabaja with as much as you can fly there to let him know that "big brother' is coming out to play. [:D]  Then go from there.

[vettim89]

I was thinking that too. Makassar is a level 5 AB already. The 4E could move there almost instantly. Lautem can support them now and Dili and Maumere are already level 4 rapidly moving to level 5. I finally found somewhere that Larry has to defend. I think he is desperate now. If I can get Padang to level 5, Singapore and Palambang are isolated. Larry's loses over the last few weeks have been over 2000 airframes.

[Capt. Harlock]

(RN is hurt here and RN BB's can't seem to find Hiei)

May have to shoot one or two BB captains "pour encourager les autres".[:D]

[vettim89]

11 March 1944

First the bad news. Yenen's defense collapses without warning. Last deliberate attack was 1 to 1 and reduced forts to 8. This turn the attack comes off 9 to 1 and all units surrender. I lose one of the Chinese FS here. I knew I would lose the base as Larry's base AV was 2500 to my 800. Still I thought it would hold for a week or so. Lesson learned I guess.

The tempo finally falls off. No Allied ships hit today and the Japanese lose over 100 a/c. I opened up tracker and in the last four weeks the Japanese have lost just shy of 2000 a/c. Padang is a level 2 AB and is already 13% to level 3. Probably another three or four days before getting there. When that happens, it will probably be the end of it. Larry cannot continue to throw his a/c and the highly experienced Allied pilots now at Padang. I reorganized my SCTF's with all damaged ships going into one TF and the undamaged ones in another. AT present, the three ships in deepest trouble are CVL Hermes, CL Enterprise, and CLAA Ceres which all have FLOT damage exceeding 60. The most severely damaged ships may need to stay here for a while. The FAA launches at a TF 180 nm SSW of Padang and sinks two DD's who were travelig alone.

The Yosemite Sam troops are unloading and should take Pinrang next turn. Once organized here, they will quickly move on Makassar. Dili is at 4(21%) and Maumere is at 4 (51%). An EAB is loaded on barges at Lautem and is sent to Dili to speed up this process.

[vettim89]

12-13 March 1944

The battle for Padang is apparently over. The first strikes went out today and sank some MSW and a ML at Singers. Troops are almost unloaded at Pinrang. USN CV air finally flies and sinks a TK in the Makassar Strait. The RN CVTF made port and the Air groups are rebuilt.

[ny59giants]

Any plans to land in northen Sumatra and start putting pressure on Malaya from that angle??

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Any plans to land in northen Sumatra and start putting pressure on Malaya from that angle??

Yes, the two US ID and a RCT I trasnferred from WCUSA are just arriving at Aden now. I need to keep the RN CV's in theatre until Padang is a level 4 AB. It is 31% to level 3 now (I brought a lot of engineers and 300 k supply). So, once everything is unloaded, the RN CVTF will escort the cripples out and then head home. The above mentioned units are all prepping for Sabang. I will hopefully be able to roll down the East Coast of Sumatra that way. They can be supplemented by an Indian ID and a US Prov. Tank BTN at Colombo.

SWPAC units will load for the "B" (Bandersomethingoranother) base on the far side of the Straits of Makassar as soon as the lift gets back from Pinrang. There is another base further up the SW coast about 180 nm up from the "B" base. From there Singakelp (SPS 3 AB) is the next goal. All the NZAF units have been moved to Cooktown and are repping up. There is a boatload of units still in southern Oz that there simlply is no space for right now. Each of the above bases will give me more room to base all these units.

I could throw the kitchen sink of all the CENTPAC units into the fray too - but I think I will hold them back. SOPAC units will be advancing through the Celebes as all the above is going on so Larry is going to be feeling it from all directions.

Also, first B-29 BG is less than three weeks away. They will turn Mili and Brunei to dust as soon as they are at strength. I am about to become the Oil Nazi - NO OIL FOR YOU!!!!!!! I have no idea how quickly the Japanese Economy will grind to a halt but in the next month, I should have Larry down to the Oil in Japan, Formosa (one 50 facility) and the three in Manchuria. I think this may be a total of about 500.

[vettim89]

14-15 March 1944

Is this a sign of Desperation? The A6M5's were Kamikazes! Not a lot goig on these last two turns. Highlights:

* Unloading of supplies continues at Pinrang. The ground troops move out for Makassar
* Two Kamikaze attacks o the 15th hit the TF off Pinrang. AM strike only 7 F6F CAP. Leakers hit a MSW and an AP
* US CV air hits port at Balikpaypan. ABout half a dozen MS are hit but 10 F6F and 8 SB2C are shot down
* Padang goes to a level 3 AB. More fighters flown in. AT level 4 I will send in the B-25's from Victoria Point
* US fleet boats hit and sink an AK off Leyte.

[vettim89]

16-17 March 1944

Not a lot going on. That may change soon. Highlights:

* Larry moved some fighters and Jills into Macassar and hit a transiting TF. I lost a MSW and an AK was hit

* Recon of Singers shows base loaded for bear with over 100 fighters and 100 bombers

* SS Rasher sinks an AK near Tarakan but then is sunk herself.

* SoPac troops beginning to arrive at Townsville. I will send them in together to Darwin

* Most importantly, IJN CV's spotted NW of Tarakan. I may need to get my forces clear of Pinrang to be safe

* The CVTF in the SoPac is off Townsville and is diverted to Darwin.