28 July - 1 August 1944
Kuala falls and troops arrive at Menado. Was incorrect and I do have enough lift to move on Moratai. Those troops are loading now. Only 3 Emily's came against force off Menado. The push down the east coast of Sumatra seems to be a cakewalk. Once all the way down I will start amassing the lift to jump the strait to likely Malocca. Trying to get some more supply into Ban Don to apply some pressure there.
Sara II arrives SF in 5 days. CVL Belleau Wood finally arrives there this turn. Her 50 SYST damage will take a while to repair.
Vettim89 vs Greasylake - Reversal of Fortunes
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: Here it comes
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Here it comes
Just to add to the number of reader of this AAR, thanks for the entertainment. [:)]
RE: Here it comes
2-3 August 1943
Well.....
Menado falls under a 142 to 1 attack. One Japanese unit is wiped out; the rest are stuck in the hex about to be obliterated.
But.......
Larry managed to sneak a small force of Kamikaze's into Kendari and roughs up a convoy heading to Macassar with fuel. Well now that my 4e are moving forward the hoard of 2E that was at Darwin waiting for an AB has moved forward. Kendari will be bombed every day from now until the end of the war. The 12 enemy units there will find there life miserable. I bypassed this base as there are 57k troops here and a nearly limitless supply source due to the now reduced resource center. Obviously I cannot let this stick in my side remain. As I do not want to divert troops to take it, I will just bomb it back to the stone age. Moratai Force has sailed. Should take about a week to get in position.
CV Sar II arrives next turn. She will upgrade at SF then bee line it for PH. I give two week max before the Malumute Force sails to Marcus
Well.....
Menado falls under a 142 to 1 attack. One Japanese unit is wiped out; the rest are stuck in the hex about to be obliterated.
But.......
Larry managed to sneak a small force of Kamikaze's into Kendari and roughs up a convoy heading to Macassar with fuel. Well now that my 4e are moving forward the hoard of 2E that was at Darwin waiting for an AB has moved forward. Kendari will be bombed every day from now until the end of the war. The 12 enemy units there will find there life miserable. I bypassed this base as there are 57k troops here and a nearly limitless supply source due to the now reduced resource center. Obviously I cannot let this stick in my side remain. As I do not want to divert troops to take it, I will just bomb it back to the stone age. Moratai Force has sailed. Should take about a week to get in position.
CV Sar II arrives next turn. She will upgrade at SF then bee line it for PH. I give two week max before the Malumute Force sails to Marcus
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
A new Day
4 August 1944
The sleepy port city of Hokodate is disrupted in the early afternoon by the air raid sirens. Despite the best attempts of the Japanese Military, news of the devasting raid on Sapporo's port last week has trickled into this city. The residence therefore do not discount this raid warning like so many others they have endured through the war. Those away from the city's center look up to see what seems like an endless stream of silver bodied USAAF bombers as nearly 200 B-29s rain destruction down on the industrial sections of the city. The first raid on the already strained Japanese industrial complex has occured. The Japanese citizens stand in confusion as what they once thought was the invincible power of their air force offers no resistance at all. Far to the south residents of Taihoku on the island of Formosa are greeted with simliar fate as the small Oil producing facilities are hit there. The conclusion which will filter through the Japanese population slowly over the next few weeks is obvious: the war has come to Japan proper and the ever tightening noose of the Allied advance is now squeezing on the heart of the empire directly. The Allies end the day with 192 Strategic Loss Points to their credit.
Little do the Japanese in the Home Islands know but far to the east the last piece of a complicated puzzle has arrived in the port of San Francisco. Japanese spies report CV Saratoga II is now there having her AAA armament rapidly upgraded before deploying west. At the ever bustling naval base at PH on Oahu, a similar occurance transpires as CV Hancock arrives from her journey through the Panama Canal. Nestled in the shipyard and lochs of this huge base are now 6 CV's, 5 CVL's, and 19 CVE. Rapidly approaching from the east are an additional two CVE. CinCPAC has also just received confirmation that the US shipbuilding industry is now up to full war production and he can expect a new CVE every two to three days for the next 60 days including five in the next 14 days alone. After eight long months of biding his time after the first Kamikaze attacks hit Allied forces in the Banda Sea, CinCPAC is finally conviced that he has amassed enough striking power to counter this threat. He orders the shipyard master to expedite the upgrades of CV Hornet II and CV Intrepid. It is time the USN got itself back in this war.
Adding to CinCPAC's pleasure is a brief message from Lord Mountbatten. The RN feels that while the joint Allied force clears northern SUmutra, they can spare their carriers to help support the move on the Phillipines by the US/Australian forces. Mountbatten throws in a bonus and is sending four battlships to aid the effort. It is the least he can do as the US has practically permanently loaned him CA Houston, CL Boise and about half a dozen destroyers.
(Author's note: I decided that the currentplans for SEAC can be accomplished with LBA alone; ergo, I am sending almost the entire RN Eastern Fleet to Darwin. This will give me three more carriers plus the BB's I need in case the IJN tries a Surigao Strait on me when I move on Mindanao. That will give me 4 US CV, 3 RN CV, 3 CVL and about a dozen CVE to use. As this op will be timed to coincide with CENTPAC ops, Larry will be forced to either meet one threat with maximal force of disperse his units to try to meet both. The LBA support for the PI op should be enough to help out the limited naval assets there while the raw power of the rejuvenated USN should be able to handle about anything Larry throws at me in the CENTPAC)
The sleepy port city of Hokodate is disrupted in the early afternoon by the air raid sirens. Despite the best attempts of the Japanese Military, news of the devasting raid on Sapporo's port last week has trickled into this city. The residence therefore do not discount this raid warning like so many others they have endured through the war. Those away from the city's center look up to see what seems like an endless stream of silver bodied USAAF bombers as nearly 200 B-29s rain destruction down on the industrial sections of the city. The first raid on the already strained Japanese industrial complex has occured. The Japanese citizens stand in confusion as what they once thought was the invincible power of their air force offers no resistance at all. Far to the south residents of Taihoku on the island of Formosa are greeted with simliar fate as the small Oil producing facilities are hit there. The conclusion which will filter through the Japanese population slowly over the next few weeks is obvious: the war has come to Japan proper and the ever tightening noose of the Allied advance is now squeezing on the heart of the empire directly. The Allies end the day with 192 Strategic Loss Points to their credit.
Little do the Japanese in the Home Islands know but far to the east the last piece of a complicated puzzle has arrived in the port of San Francisco. Japanese spies report CV Saratoga II is now there having her AAA armament rapidly upgraded before deploying west. At the ever bustling naval base at PH on Oahu, a similar occurance transpires as CV Hancock arrives from her journey through the Panama Canal. Nestled in the shipyard and lochs of this huge base are now 6 CV's, 5 CVL's, and 19 CVE. Rapidly approaching from the east are an additional two CVE. CinCPAC has also just received confirmation that the US shipbuilding industry is now up to full war production and he can expect a new CVE every two to three days for the next 60 days including five in the next 14 days alone. After eight long months of biding his time after the first Kamikaze attacks hit Allied forces in the Banda Sea, CinCPAC is finally conviced that he has amassed enough striking power to counter this threat. He orders the shipyard master to expedite the upgrades of CV Hornet II and CV Intrepid. It is time the USN got itself back in this war.
Adding to CinCPAC's pleasure is a brief message from Lord Mountbatten. The RN feels that while the joint Allied force clears northern SUmutra, they can spare their carriers to help support the move on the Phillipines by the US/Australian forces. Mountbatten throws in a bonus and is sending four battlships to aid the effort. It is the least he can do as the US has practically permanently loaned him CA Houston, CL Boise and about half a dozen destroyers.
(Author's note: I decided that the currentplans for SEAC can be accomplished with LBA alone; ergo, I am sending almost the entire RN Eastern Fleet to Darwin. This will give me three more carriers plus the BB's I need in case the IJN tries a Surigao Strait on me when I move on Mindanao. That will give me 4 US CV, 3 RN CV, 3 CVL and about a dozen CVE to use. As this op will be timed to coincide with CENTPAC ops, Larry will be forced to either meet one threat with maximal force of disperse his units to try to meet both. The LBA support for the PI op should be enough to help out the limited naval assets there while the raw power of the rejuvenated USN should be able to handle about anything Larry throws at me in the CENTPAC)
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: A new Day
5-8 August 1944
Nothing exciting these days even though a lot is going on. Highlights as usual:
* LBA turned Kendari's AB to rubble and no more strikes came out of there. THe resource center will be taken to single digits. Something I should have done a while ago
* I detected another Japanese air build up at Balikpapan so I sent in the USAAF with some help from the RAAF and RNZAF. One Port strike was launched by the IJAF against Makassar (????). This base is about rubblized too
* Lots of idle a/c finally have homes. Hundreds of B-25's, A-20's, and Beaufighters are moving into the Banda sea region as the 4E's move forward .
* Both Menado and Weda have nearly 200 fighters stationed at their AB's
* The Mars Bar Force sailed this turn. ETA Moratai in 4 days.
* CV Saratoga II has already fallen to 2 SYST Damge. I am sending her to PH next turn. Unfortunately neither CV Hornet II (6) nor CV Intrepid (5) will move as far as SYST damage. Hornets damage is from her upgrades. Intrepid still needs hers but refuses to fall below 5. GRRRRRRRRRR.
* I am trying a very low level invasion of Jaluit which only has a BF present. I sent a single poorly prepped USMC Para BTN. There are ashore but the disablements were high. Fortunately the BF was starved. I turned all the LBA in the area on them
Larry remarked in his turn e-mail about where the next blow will fall. Thought I would outline my plans for the next five months or so
Operation Mars Bar: Moratai in progress
Operation Malumute: Marcus - about a week away
Operation Tutti Fruitti: Talaud Is - troops loading
Operation Milky Way: Mindanao recon started - my primary landing point is presently empty
Operation Akita: Attu - troops moving up
Operation Hydra (the seven headed monster): in order Pagan, Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, Tori Shima, Naha, Kadina, Formosa
Operation Bull Frog: Malacca (once Sumutra is secured.)
Operation Little Mac: Central PI (I now have four airborne units in SWPAC - may do some leap frogging with these guys)
Operation Big Mac: Luzon
Lastly Superbees are targeted for Formosa and Hokkaido again this turn. Weather will tell when these strikes fly.
Nothing exciting these days even though a lot is going on. Highlights as usual:
* LBA turned Kendari's AB to rubble and no more strikes came out of there. THe resource center will be taken to single digits. Something I should have done a while ago
* I detected another Japanese air build up at Balikpapan so I sent in the USAAF with some help from the RAAF and RNZAF. One Port strike was launched by the IJAF against Makassar (????). This base is about rubblized too
* Lots of idle a/c finally have homes. Hundreds of B-25's, A-20's, and Beaufighters are moving into the Banda sea region as the 4E's move forward .
* Both Menado and Weda have nearly 200 fighters stationed at their AB's
* The Mars Bar Force sailed this turn. ETA Moratai in 4 days.
* CV Saratoga II has already fallen to 2 SYST Damge. I am sending her to PH next turn. Unfortunately neither CV Hornet II (6) nor CV Intrepid (5) will move as far as SYST damage. Hornets damage is from her upgrades. Intrepid still needs hers but refuses to fall below 5. GRRRRRRRRRR.
* I am trying a very low level invasion of Jaluit which only has a BF present. I sent a single poorly prepped USMC Para BTN. There are ashore but the disablements were high. Fortunately the BF was starved. I turned all the LBA in the area on them
Larry remarked in his turn e-mail about where the next blow will fall. Thought I would outline my plans for the next five months or so
Operation Mars Bar: Moratai in progress
Operation Malumute: Marcus - about a week away
Operation Tutti Fruitti: Talaud Is - troops loading
Operation Milky Way: Mindanao recon started - my primary landing point is presently empty
Operation Akita: Attu - troops moving up
Operation Hydra (the seven headed monster): in order Pagan, Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, Tori Shima, Naha, Kadina, Formosa
Operation Bull Frog: Malacca (once Sumutra is secured.)
Operation Little Mac: Central PI (I now have four airborne units in SWPAC - may do some leap frogging with these guys)
Operation Big Mac: Luzon
Lastly Superbees are targeted for Formosa and Hokkaido again this turn. Weather will tell when these strikes fly.
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
Operation Mars Bar
9-13 August 1944
A quiet few days as the Allies land at yet another Japanese base. Operation Mars Bar is underway with 2/3 of the troops now ashore. Odd here that there were neither mines no CD. I had peppered the base with a SCTF that hit it twice before the landings. Maybe supply is just that bad there.
Other highlights:
* The RN CVTF is now west of Java. Just a few more days and they'll be in the clear
* CV Sara II is five days out of PH
* CV Intrepid finally upgraded but sits at 6 SYST as well as Hornet II. They'll go in what ever state there are in.
* I will start loading Malumute Force in 3 days.
* CVE's are flocking into Panama City at a rate of 2 to 3 every week now.
* Jaluit falls to the Paramarines assault.
* Superbees hit Formosa last turn and Hokkaido on the 11th. Stratetgic points now stand at nearly 300
* The IJA tried a deliberate attack at Kungchang on the 13th which came off at 0 to 1 and cost Larry 20,000 casualites to 900. [X(]
A quiet few days as the Allies land at yet another Japanese base. Operation Mars Bar is underway with 2/3 of the troops now ashore. Odd here that there were neither mines no CD. I had peppered the base with a SCTF that hit it twice before the landings. Maybe supply is just that bad there.
Other highlights:
* The RN CVTF is now west of Java. Just a few more days and they'll be in the clear
* CV Sara II is five days out of PH
* CV Intrepid finally upgraded but sits at 6 SYST as well as Hornet II. They'll go in what ever state there are in.
* I will start loading Malumute Force in 3 days.
* CVE's are flocking into Panama City at a rate of 2 to 3 every week now.
* Jaluit falls to the Paramarines assault.
* Superbees hit Formosa last turn and Hokkaido on the 11th. Stratetgic points now stand at nearly 300
* The IJA tried a deliberate attack at Kungchang on the 13th which came off at 0 to 1 and cost Larry 20,000 casualites to 900. [X(]
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Operation Mars Bar
14 AUgust 1944
Well I think I may have overdid it. I assume Larry lifted the combat troops out by air because the numbers were much higher than this when I was planning the op. Oh well, better too much than too little. Only good news is that these troops are now forward positioned to go to the PI.
I need to do the OOB for Mindanao. Its a lot.
Well I think I may have overdid it. I assume Larry lifted the combat troops out by air because the numbers were much higher than this when I was planning the op. Oh well, better too much than too little. Only good news is that these troops are now forward positioned to go to the PI.
I need to do the OOB for Mindanao. Its a lot.
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Operation Mars Bar
15 AUgust 1944
Moratai falls under all that weight. Laughing to myself becasue I just notice I left 10% of both the 6th Aus ID and 6th AUS CAV BGD at Darwin. Guess I got lucky cause that missing AV could have hurt here[:D]
So the plan is to move on Talaud Is within the next week with FastTran and Barge TF. Once that is built up to Level 4 AB (tracker told me this dot has an SPS of 1/1), I will move on Mindanao. While Talaud is building up I am going to be moving a lot of the troops currently at Darwin, Amboina, and Weda up to Moratai. This will be the launching point. I hope to have this coincide with the Pagan/Iwo Op.
Lookie what SS Ray found between the Marianas and Iwo Jima. Perfect! I need to kill these dudes. Hopefully they will be in the neighborhood for Marcus Op in a few weeks
I have solved my Kendari problem. There is a base one hex south of kendari that is not accesible by land from the north. I will move some ENG and a few BF's in there to allow me to put some DB and TB at the AB. These will permaently bombard the AB to make sure Larry never bases a/c there again. I am so glad AE eliminated the whole resource centers producing free supply thing. THis base should be rotted out by now but the supplies keep coming
Moratai falls under all that weight. Laughing to myself becasue I just notice I left 10% of both the 6th Aus ID and 6th AUS CAV BGD at Darwin. Guess I got lucky cause that missing AV could have hurt here[:D]
So the plan is to move on Talaud Is within the next week with FastTran and Barge TF. Once that is built up to Level 4 AB (tracker told me this dot has an SPS of 1/1), I will move on Mindanao. While Talaud is building up I am going to be moving a lot of the troops currently at Darwin, Amboina, and Weda up to Moratai. This will be the launching point. I hope to have this coincide with the Pagan/Iwo Op.
Lookie what SS Ray found between the Marianas and Iwo Jima. Perfect! I need to kill these dudes. Hopefully they will be in the neighborhood for Marcus Op in a few weeks
I have solved my Kendari problem. There is a base one hex south of kendari that is not accesible by land from the north. I will move some ENG and a few BF's in there to allow me to put some DB and TB at the AB. These will permaently bombard the AB to make sure Larry never bases a/c there again. I am so glad AE eliminated the whole resource centers producing free supply thing. THis base should be rotted out by now but the supplies keep coming
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Operation Mars Bar
16 August 1944
Malumute Force is loading:
1st Marines
27th ID
25 ID
708th Arm Amph BTN
2nd ARM Amph BTN
1st ARM Amph BTN
AMPH FORCE HQ
The Mindanao Force is as follows:
1st Wave
2x AUS ID
1x US Cav DDIV
1+1 AUS/US CORP HQ
2x AUS Tank RGT
1+1 AUS/US Tank BTN
5x ARTY units
Second Wave
4x AUS ID
4x AUS Tank RGT
Two US ID are prepping for Cebu. The remaining US forces are prepping for Legasapi (sp?)
I need to scrounge up some AV support. I have enough for Marcus and Iwo but not Pagan. Can rustle up some BF to cover Pagan OK but the stickler comes when I move towards Okinaw. Then I need some help. Going to check where I can pull more out of. I know I can take one Av RGT off Wake becasue once Marcus falls, I will reduce my needs there. Need at least one more and preferably two. Need to check SoPac. May have to pull out of the Marshalls. Hmmm
Malumute Force is loading:
1st Marines
27th ID
25 ID
708th Arm Amph BTN
2nd ARM Amph BTN
1st ARM Amph BTN
AMPH FORCE HQ
The Mindanao Force is as follows:
1st Wave
2x AUS ID
1x US Cav DDIV
1+1 AUS/US CORP HQ
2x AUS Tank RGT
1+1 AUS/US Tank BTN
5x ARTY units
Second Wave
4x AUS ID
4x AUS Tank RGT
Two US ID are prepping for Cebu. The remaining US forces are prepping for Legasapi (sp?)
I need to scrounge up some AV support. I have enough for Marcus and Iwo but not Pagan. Can rustle up some BF to cover Pagan OK but the stickler comes when I move towards Okinaw. Then I need some help. Going to check where I can pull more out of. I know I can take one Av RGT off Wake becasue once Marcus falls, I will reduce my needs there. Need at least one more and preferably two. Need to check SoPac. May have to pull out of the Marshalls. Hmmm
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Operation Mars Bar
I assume the Amphib Force HQ is to be loaded on an AGC for the invasion bonuses. It's an Amphib CORPS HQ you want to unload on the beach. [;)]
RE: Operation Mars Bar
Yes all three AMPH Force HQ's are on AGC. INersting that I have more AGC's that AMPH FOrce HQ's - odd. Perhaps I should split them up so a lucky hit does knock out one of these valuable units.
Lift is filtering into SF but the pucker factor will be high as I move on Iwo. I am planning like an eight division lift for that one plus Armor, Arty, HQ, and ENG. Gonna be tight. I am considering hitting Iwo first and then Pagan as opposed to my originle plan to do them in the opposite order. I will check the lift reinforcement schedule. the one advantage of hitting Pagan first is that there may be enough extra lift for Iwo simply by waiting another three weeks or so
Decisions, decisions ......
Lift is filtering into SF but the pucker factor will be high as I move on Iwo. I am planning like an eight division lift for that one plus Armor, Arty, HQ, and ENG. Gonna be tight. I am considering hitting Iwo first and then Pagan as opposed to my originle plan to do them in the opposite order. I will check the lift reinforcement schedule. the one advantage of hitting Pagan first is that there may be enough extra lift for Iwo simply by waiting another three weeks or so
Decisions, decisions ......
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Operation Mars Bar
17 August 1944
Well I found my Av Support. There is a full MAW at Savali with no a/c based there. In addition there is about 400 AV support at Pago Pago in various BF's. These will be moved back to Hawaii for use in future ops.
USN fleet boats intercept a convoy headed to Marcus Is and sink an AK. Question is: is this a supply convoy or an evacuation convoy. At present there are nearly 35k troops at Marcus (again over our HR limit for Atolls). If I were Larry I might think about pulling a few units. Marcus will fall sooner or later and all those guys will die there if that is Larry's desire
A convoy was interecepted by LBA at Singers. Three AK and a PC sunk. Four more chewed up. Not a wise decision.
Just a random thought I would throw in here to let you know some long term thinking. The Aussie army presently prepping for the PI will eventually be targeted at Mersing on the east coast of Malaya. THis is only after the PI are cleared. That will hopefully put a wrench into the works for Larry.
B-29's hit Hakodate's Repair Shipyard today. Going to run out of targets real soon up here. I need to check the manual to see if I get Strategic Points for hitting Sakalin Is. If so that will give me some nice targets to hit.
Moratai was cleared today of the last pocket of Japanese resistance. Jaluit is approaching the same status.
The RN CVTF arrives Darwin in two days. THe SCTF TF will arrive there in about two weeks. As soon as fuel arrives at Moratai, I will sart fast transports to Talaud with CB/EAB.
Well I found my Av Support. There is a full MAW at Savali with no a/c based there. In addition there is about 400 AV support at Pago Pago in various BF's. These will be moved back to Hawaii for use in future ops.
USN fleet boats intercept a convoy headed to Marcus Is and sink an AK. Question is: is this a supply convoy or an evacuation convoy. At present there are nearly 35k troops at Marcus (again over our HR limit for Atolls). If I were Larry I might think about pulling a few units. Marcus will fall sooner or later and all those guys will die there if that is Larry's desire
A convoy was interecepted by LBA at Singers. Three AK and a PC sunk. Four more chewed up. Not a wise decision.
Just a random thought I would throw in here to let you know some long term thinking. The Aussie army presently prepping for the PI will eventually be targeted at Mersing on the east coast of Malaya. THis is only after the PI are cleared. That will hopefully put a wrench into the works for Larry.
B-29's hit Hakodate's Repair Shipyard today. Going to run out of targets real soon up here. I need to check the manual to see if I get Strategic Points for hitting Sakalin Is. If so that will give me some nice targets to hit.
Moratai was cleared today of the last pocket of Japanese resistance. Jaluit is approaching the same status.
The RN CVTF arrives Darwin in two days. THe SCTF TF will arrive there in about two weeks. As soon as fuel arrives at Moratai, I will sart fast transports to Talaud with CB/EAB.
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
Happenings
18-19 August 1944
This turn took nearly two hours to do. Almost all of them are taking at least that long these days. Jaluit is the sole property of the USMC now. Should see a few dot bases fall to the "row boat corps" soon.
Moratai is fully operational and has a couple hundred fighters there. The three big bases up here are now loaded for bear. AS my 4E's repair from the closing of Kendari, they are moving up. Fuel will arrive at Moratai over the next two to three turns. Then the FastTran TF will move the engineers to Talaud. The RN CVTF arrives Darwin next turn. The RN battleline arrives in 10 days.
Malumute force sets sail. Everything on the attached image with the exception of the subs and the one TRAN TF with fuel at the bottom is Marcus bound. OOHRAH!!!! I make D-Day on or about 2 September.
This turn took nearly two hours to do. Almost all of them are taking at least that long these days. Jaluit is the sole property of the USMC now. Should see a few dot bases fall to the "row boat corps" soon.
Moratai is fully operational and has a couple hundred fighters there. The three big bases up here are now loaded for bear. AS my 4E's repair from the closing of Kendari, they are moving up. Fuel will arrive at Moratai over the next two to three turns. Then the FastTran TF will move the engineers to Talaud. The RN CVTF arrives Darwin next turn. The RN battleline arrives in 10 days.
Malumute force sets sail. Everything on the attached image with the exception of the subs and the one TRAN TF with fuel at the bottom is Marcus bound. OOHRAH!!!! I make D-Day on or about 2 September.
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Happenings
20 August 1944
Well Larry for some reason is now moving ships around the SCS and Gulf of Siam. LBA hits convoys at Brunei, Singers, and Kota Bharu. Lots of dead and damaged AK's and escorts. Cannot believe Larry is risking what I consider to be his most precious asset right now - those PC's with all those DC's. Is this desperation? Time will tell.
The CV's and SCTF should arrive at Midway within two days. I will send them in first to soften up the base. AMPH TF will follow shortly thereafter. First I will close the AB. Then I can use 4E from Wake to add to the misery there. First FastTran TF will depart Moratai for Talaud Is next turn. The AB's at Jolo, Davao, and Palau are loaded. Sweeps ordered over all those bases next turn. Then my almost repaired 4E's will hit these bases.
Well Larry for some reason is now moving ships around the SCS and Gulf of Siam. LBA hits convoys at Brunei, Singers, and Kota Bharu. Lots of dead and damaged AK's and escorts. Cannot believe Larry is risking what I consider to be his most precious asset right now - those PC's with all those DC's. Is this desperation? Time will tell.
The CV's and SCTF should arrive at Midway within two days. I will send them in first to soften up the base. AMPH TF will follow shortly thereafter. First I will close the AB. Then I can use 4E from Wake to add to the misery there. First FastTran TF will depart Moratai for Talaud Is next turn. The AB's at Jolo, Davao, and Palau are loaded. Sweeps ordered over all those bases next turn. Then my almost repaired 4E's will hit these bases.
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Happenings
21-23 August 1944
The Japanese seem to want to come out and play. The image shows IJN SCTF in the Celebes Sea. There are PT's at each base in the area. A SCTF is at Menado and is moving to Moratai at flank speed. The FastTran TF moves on Talaud again. This is where bad things could happen. If the Japs hit here then my poor DD's and APD's will get creamed. I am hoping they are heading for Moratai which is the most like target and therefore where I am concentrating my strength. Even if we have an even up battle it plays into my hand as my TF is scheduled for withdraw for R&R as soon as the RN shows up. The Japanese do not have such a luxury. My LBA hit both Palau and Davao ding quite a bit of damage. His LBA died trying to hit convoys at Menado. Next turn should be interesting as we may see the first SCTF battle in a very long time.
Meanwhile, the Malumute BB's and CVTF have arrived Midway. They all refueled today and will head for Marcus next turn. They should be spotted within two days for sure. I have a hunch Larry may wish he hadn't stocked Marcus so heavily when this mammoth force appears on his radar.
Sorry for the dirty image but there was a lot to show
The Japanese seem to want to come out and play. The image shows IJN SCTF in the Celebes Sea. There are PT's at each base in the area. A SCTF is at Menado and is moving to Moratai at flank speed. The FastTran TF moves on Talaud again. This is where bad things could happen. If the Japs hit here then my poor DD's and APD's will get creamed. I am hoping they are heading for Moratai which is the most like target and therefore where I am concentrating my strength. Even if we have an even up battle it plays into my hand as my TF is scheduled for withdraw for R&R as soon as the RN shows up. The Japanese do not have such a luxury. My LBA hit both Palau and Davao ding quite a bit of damage. His LBA died trying to hit convoys at Menado. Next turn should be interesting as we may see the first SCTF battle in a very long time.
Meanwhile, the Malumute BB's and CVTF have arrived Midway. They all refueled today and will head for Marcus next turn. They should be spotted within two days for sure. I have a hunch Larry may wish he hadn't stocked Marcus so heavily when this mammoth force appears on his radar.
Sorry for the dirty image but there was a lot to show
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Happenings
24 AUgust 1944
The Japanese came in force with a SCTF built around BB Mutsu. I lost four DD and four AK. My SCTF did not arrive in time to intervene. There are more IJN TF's out there and I expect more bloody action. Fortunately my LBA has shut down Palau and Davao so all LBA is put on naval attack. Doubt the 4e's will do much at altitude but it should scare Larry a little. Down at Darwin, two US and one RN CVTF are ordered to sprint north to hopefully be able to turn back some of this carnage. Unfortunately, it will take two full turns for them to be in position. This could get real ugly real quick. One cursor intel suggests an IJN CV in the area. I doubt that.
The BB's and CVTF leave Midway for their first run on Marcus Island. The troops are still two days out of Midway. Will be a little tense for a few turns here
The Japanese came in force with a SCTF built around BB Mutsu. I lost four DD and four AK. My SCTF did not arrive in time to intervene. There are more IJN TF's out there and I expect more bloody action. Fortunately my LBA has shut down Palau and Davao so all LBA is put on naval attack. Doubt the 4e's will do much at altitude but it should scare Larry a little. Down at Darwin, two US and one RN CVTF are ordered to sprint north to hopefully be able to turn back some of this carnage. Unfortunately, it will take two full turns for them to be in position. This could get real ugly real quick. One cursor intel suggests an IJN CV in the area. I doubt that.
The BB's and CVTF leave Midway for their first run on Marcus Island. The troops are still two days out of Midway. Will be a little tense for a few turns here
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Happenings
25-28 August 1944
The AMPH are still about a week away from Marcus but the BB TF (two of them) will hit the island next turn. Just sparing going on so far but the AB is about to be shut down. The RN BB's are less than a week out of Darwin. Talaud Is is now a level 1 AB and well on the way to level 2. Troops finally arrived at Medan and will bombard for one turn the attack. Only one more base after that on Sumutra's NE coast.
The AMPH are still about a week away from Marcus but the BB TF (two of them) will hit the island next turn. Just sparing going on so far but the AB is about to be shut down. The RN BB's are less than a week out of Darwin. Talaud Is is now a level 1 AB and well on the way to level 2. Troops finally arrived at Medan and will bombard for one turn the attack. Only one more base after that on Sumutra's NE coast.
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
RE: Happenings
29 August - 3 September 1944
No posts this week as Larry and my schedules fell out of synch. Hence very few turns. As most of the time was spent moving units towards marcus, I did not feel the need to post. The BB TF hit the island then raced back to Midway. Unfortunately, they will be one day late getting back. That is because I missed one TF as far as telling them to halt one hex out and as you can see, all my CB's came ashore. Everyone else hits the beaches next turn.
In an effort to sucker punch Larry a little, the Attu force (Akita) sets sail this turn. Hopefully Larry's attention will be on Marcus and these guys will get a safe passage.
Talud Is is now a level two AB and Av support is unloading. I have two small BF's there giving me 60 AV support. I think I may move one more up. This base is more of a way point than a real base as far as future ops. Probably will sart loading troops for Mindanao in about a week.
No posts this week as Larry and my schedules fell out of synch. Hence very few turns. As most of the time was spent moving units towards marcus, I did not feel the need to post. The BB TF hit the island then raced back to Midway. Unfortunately, they will be one day late getting back. That is because I missed one TF as far as telling them to halt one hex out and as you can see, all my CB's came ashore. Everyone else hits the beaches next turn.
In an effort to sucker punch Larry a little, the Attu force (Akita) sets sail this turn. Hopefully Larry's attention will be on Marcus and these guys will get a safe passage.
Talud Is is now a level two AB and Av support is unloading. I have two small BF's there giving me 60 AV support. I think I may move one more up. This base is more of a way point than a real base as far as future ops. Probably will sart loading troops for Mindanao in about a week.
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
There was another big kablosion in the Pacific
4 September 1944
Marcus Island according to the Allies (the Japanese call it Minami Torishima) is a triangular shaped island with a land mass of only one sq. KM. Nonetheless, the Japanese high command managed to fit over 30k troops on this little speck (lets see that works out to 30 sq. m per man). The poor Japanese soldiers and engineers were literally crammed shoulder to shoulder when the US fleet appeared on the horizon. First eight old US BB's roughed them up a week ago accounting for over 8 k casualties alone. The transports began unloading in the predawn hours of the 4th. The Japanese commander knew his only defense was to drive the marines and soldiers into the sea before they could even gain a beachhead. So he orders an all out atack which is mercilessly driven back by US MG, artillery, and tank fire. The US command orders his own attack later in the day as his troops get organized on the beaches and by nightfall it is over as the entire Japanese force is wiped out in a single day. The US 27th ID is still mostly on its transports but the US commander orders them ashore to aid in the cleanup. It will be a short stay as most of the US force will be ordered back aboard within three days. There are bigger fish to fry.
Ground combat at Marcus Island
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 24116 troops, 209 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 390
Defending force 40091 troops, 440 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 1314
Japanese max assault: 585 - adjusted assault: 0
Allied max defense: 1075 - adjusted defense: 694
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
and
Ground combat at Marcus Island
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 37826 troops, 422 guns, 145 vehicles, Assault Value = 1300
Defending force 17783 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12
Allied max assault: 1474 - adjusted assault: 1844
Japanese max defense: 3 - adjusted defense: 8
Allied assault odds: 230 to 1 (fort level 9)
Allied forces CAPTURE Marcus Island base !!!
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
943 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
1st Amphibious Brigade Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
28th Aviation Unit Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
12th Ind. Mixed Regiment Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
3rd South Seas Det. Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
126th IJN Base Force Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
152nd IJN Base Force Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
Having read several AAR's where the Japanese used Marcus as a base of operations for raiding the US SLOC, I decided this base must be captured a while ago. Added bonus is the Japanese are now almost completely blind to what the US is up to east of the Iwo Jima/Marianas line.
Marcus Island according to the Allies (the Japanese call it Minami Torishima) is a triangular shaped island with a land mass of only one sq. KM. Nonetheless, the Japanese high command managed to fit over 30k troops on this little speck (lets see that works out to 30 sq. m per man). The poor Japanese soldiers and engineers were literally crammed shoulder to shoulder when the US fleet appeared on the horizon. First eight old US BB's roughed them up a week ago accounting for over 8 k casualties alone. The transports began unloading in the predawn hours of the 4th. The Japanese commander knew his only defense was to drive the marines and soldiers into the sea before they could even gain a beachhead. So he orders an all out atack which is mercilessly driven back by US MG, artillery, and tank fire. The US command orders his own attack later in the day as his troops get organized on the beaches and by nightfall it is over as the entire Japanese force is wiped out in a single day. The US 27th ID is still mostly on its transports but the US commander orders them ashore to aid in the cleanup. It will be a short stay as most of the US force will be ordered back aboard within three days. There are bigger fish to fry.
Ground combat at Marcus Island
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 24116 troops, 209 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 390
Defending force 40091 troops, 440 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 1314
Japanese max assault: 585 - adjusted assault: 0
Allied max defense: 1075 - adjusted defense: 694
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
and
Ground combat at Marcus Island
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 37826 troops, 422 guns, 145 vehicles, Assault Value = 1300
Defending force 17783 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12
Allied max assault: 1474 - adjusted assault: 1844
Japanese max defense: 3 - adjusted defense: 8
Allied assault odds: 230 to 1 (fort level 9)
Allied forces CAPTURE Marcus Island base !!!
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
943 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
1st Amphibious Brigade Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
28th Aviation Unit Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
12th Ind. Mixed Regiment Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
3rd South Seas Det. Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
126th IJN Base Force Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
152nd IJN Base Force Wiped Out at Marcus Island by attrition!!!
Having read several AAR's where the Japanese used Marcus as a base of operations for raiding the US SLOC, I decided this base must be captured a while ago. Added bonus is the Japanese are now almost completely blind to what the US is up to east of the Iwo Jima/Marianas line.
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
Day late, dollar short
5 September 1944
Well, in the too little too late category, the IJN shows up 360 NM ssw of Marcus in force. Two SCTF as far as I can tell and a CVTF. Just out of range of the USN CVTF and they did not react. Ergo no counter strike but the IJN air arm was creamed today. No leakers (349 F6F-5 will do that don't you know. I fear Larry may try to push the SCTF into Marcus anyway so everybody out of the pool! All AMPHTF are ordered to cease unloading and proceed north 60 nm. THe USN SCTF with 4 old BB, a couple of CA's and a CL are left behind. Even if this force takes it on the chin, hopefully there will be targets next turn. Of course Larry may simply choose to run.
Meanwhile, down in the SWPAC, the previously detected build up on Mindinao (forget to mention that last post) is creamed. THe 4E hit Davoa and again creamed the AB. Meanwhile numerous conventional and Kamikaze strike are directed at the TF unloding at Talaud Is. No leakers
Troops have arrived at Bankha and are ordered to Bombard. Same for the troops up at Attu. I have AMPH TF, FastTran and barges moving units from AMchitka to Attu. Already have a base AV advantage of 350 to 180. THis will continue to build. Expecting some action up here soon. The Superbees hit Amori's resource. Strategic points cross the 1000 point threshhold. Score is now just shy of 50 k to 36 k. A autovictory first of 1945 may be in my grasp yet. Troops will start loading for the Mindanao invasion next turn.
Image - just missed 20 to 1 darn it. Don't know how I'll survive without those 8 F6F's.
Well, in the too little too late category, the IJN shows up 360 NM ssw of Marcus in force. Two SCTF as far as I can tell and a CVTF. Just out of range of the USN CVTF and they did not react. Ergo no counter strike but the IJN air arm was creamed today. No leakers (349 F6F-5 will do that don't you know. I fear Larry may try to push the SCTF into Marcus anyway so everybody out of the pool! All AMPHTF are ordered to cease unloading and proceed north 60 nm. THe USN SCTF with 4 old BB, a couple of CA's and a CL are left behind. Even if this force takes it on the chin, hopefully there will be targets next turn. Of course Larry may simply choose to run.
Meanwhile, down in the SWPAC, the previously detected build up on Mindinao (forget to mention that last post) is creamed. THe 4E hit Davoa and again creamed the AB. Meanwhile numerous conventional and Kamikaze strike are directed at the TF unloding at Talaud Is. No leakers
Troops have arrived at Bankha and are ordered to Bombard. Same for the troops up at Attu. I have AMPH TF, FastTran and barges moving units from AMchitka to Attu. Already have a base AV advantage of 350 to 180. THis will continue to build. Expecting some action up here soon. The Superbees hit Amori's resource. Strategic points cross the 1000 point threshhold. Score is now just shy of 50 k to 36 k. A autovictory first of 1945 may be in my grasp yet. Troops will start loading for the Mindanao invasion next turn.
Image - just missed 20 to 1 darn it. Don't know how I'll survive without those 8 F6F's.
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"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry