The First Team: Take Two!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Hornblower

John is latin for brash..

I PREFER Japanese for brash! [:'(]

[John 3rd]

Waiting...

Wating for...

Waiting for turn!!!

[modrow]

Not sure about my loyalties, specifically as I pop in occasionally when I find the time rather than on any new post. But yeah, I'm a reader.

Hartwig

[John 3rd]

FROM:  Vice Adm Sakamoto, Northern Area Force Commander, HQ Unmak
TO:  Lt Gen Enbu, 2nd Army Commander, HQ Unmak
 
September 28, 1942
 
RE:  Operation Aurora Borealis
 
MISSION:  You will facilitate the landing of nearly 100,000 troops at Cold Bay Base, move your HQ there, and then destroy the American--Canadian Forces presently at Cold Bay. 
 
FORCES ALLOCATED:
Infantry:
56th Infantry Division--at Unmak
1st Imperial Guards Brigade--at Adak
7th Ind Brigade--at Cold Bay
12th Ind Brigade--at Cold Bay
8th Mixed Brigade--on Ship approaching Attu
 
Support:
21st Reserve Engineer Regiment--at Cold Bay
25th Eng Reg--at Umnak
5th CD Reg--at Amchitka
A Heavy AA Unit--at Sea
1st Mortar Regiment--at Sea
2 IJA Base Force--at Sea
 
Aerial Support:
120 IJA Helen and Sally Bombers
72 IJA Fighters (36 Tony/36 Tojo) flying out of Cold Bay
 
Naval Support:
1.  Regular Bombardment runs at Cold Bay are now starting.
2.  4 CVL shall operate in close proximity to provide Naval Air coverage and convince the Americans that the Kido Butai is present covering the Operation.
3.  All 8 Fleet Carriers of the Kido Butai shall stage a commerce raid into the Gulf of Alaska to draw attention away from your troops landings and initial operations.  
 
DEADLINE:
1.  You are to have all your units ashore and ready for action no later then October 10, 1942
2.  Offensive Operations shall commence no later then October 15, 1942.
 
(Signed)
Vc-Adm Sakamoto

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
September 28, 1942
 
The American SS are thick as fleas in and around the Aleutians!  Michael had started ASW Operations and I am accelerating them.  The KB and all other Naval TF are recalled to Adak for some R&R and re-orginization for the upcoming Operation AB.  In moving back to Adak, I order all KB Kates to ASW Attack 30% Range 4.  As the TF pullback, the Americans immediately feel the results of this change.  The USS Nautilus is seriously damaged during two ASW attacks by DDs and the USS Silversides is hit by Kates twice.
 
The Operational Order for AB has just been posted so that explains the immediate goals up north.
 
I am moving two Daitai of Vals southwards for Brad's CVEs.  Once present, those 4 CVE will be able to raise some Hell since the Brits have lost their CVs.
 
Brad and Michael had started moving troops to Luzon so we can finish off the Philippine troops there.  Figure an Offensive can start there in as little as a week to ten days.
 
We are going for the KNOCKOUT of Autovictory.  To do this I feel we need to get a mass surrender at Cold Bay as well as in the Philippines.  If we can take Bombay then that would be GREAT but I don't expect it,
 
Comments?
 

[flaggelant]

no real comments, only that we're still reading!

[Alikchi2]

Looking excellent!

[ny59giants]

I think their is a full division at Port Arthur prepping for Manila that just needs PP and then shipping to head there. If not there, then it is close by. [;)]

[John 3rd]

The turns are CRAWLING!  I keep hoping to see a turn in my inbox...
 
[>:]

[John 3rd]

The Fleet retires to Adak while reinforcements begin their run into Cold Bay.

Sinkings: SS Nautilus and CA Portland (crippled from CV Battle)

We strike Honan, China and drop the Forts to 8 with a 680--2434 adjusted assault. Not BAD but not too great either! It is a start though and with the Forts falling we will probably do well there.

Cold Bay did a bombardment and the adjusted score was 489--624. I don't THINK it will be too hard to induce a surrender up there once the fresh troops arrive.

Ordered several of the CVEs at Soerabaja to move and intercept a pasky Aussie Bombardment TF of a CA, CL, and several DDs that have been hitting Exmouth Bay. Am positioning these ships to nail the Allied vessels as they round the tip of Australia moving to hit the Port.

[John 3rd]

We limp into a new month as the clock winds towards January 1, 1943.
 
The Brits take a 2600 Political Point hit as we roll the new month.  Is this because they cannot withdraw their SUNK CVs?  [:D]
 
Working on a Screenshot...
 

[John 3rd]

Am OFFICIALLY tired of the Allied Bombardment/STF attacks at Exmouth and so the Japanese CVE gain aircraft and move SE to rumble! They should encounter about 1 CA, 1-2 CL, and up to 6 DD. Their small complement of planes carry fantastic pilots including the Val Dive-Bombing Daitai from CV Zuikaku.

Here is a screenshot:

[John 3rd]

September 30, 1942
Combat Report
 
I have already detailed the little fight at Exmouth and the Japanese counter there.
 
Bombay gets hit by 2 BBs who inflict a little over 1,000 Casualties as well as a Fuel and Supply Point of damage.  The base is then hit by nearly 400 planes of all types during the day.  They attack troops as well as the AF.
 
The Philippines:
Troops are starting to arrive and the final capture of Bataan and Manila is not too far away.  This days sees the completion of unloading for the Vietnamese Inf Div.  These new troops will gain some experience in capturing the two objectives.  A Japanese Brigade is also on the way from Burma to help.
 
Operation AB gets moving with:
1.  The CVLs departing Adak (moves to Port 4 this turn) and moving to a position NW of Cold Bay.  Their job is to be SEEN.  Hopefully this will deter the Americans from engaging the reinforcement convoys that are beginning to unload there.  The 4 CVL will have 50% of their Zero flying CAP over the convoys for added protection.
 
2.  All 8 Fleet Carriers sortie due south.  The 4 CV TF are screened by an average of 2 CA, 1 CL, and 8 DD each.  They will move south for two days and then swing about eastward to move into the Gulf of Alaska.  They are ordered to go to 'EMCON' for this operation.  NO recon, ASW, ANYTHING while they move towards their goal.  They SHOULD be about 2-3 hexes south of American recon flying out of Kodiak.
 

[John 3rd]

I have to thank Adm/Retired Economics Minister Benoit for helping get a turn done BY PHONE yesterday.  I ran short of time and he jumped in, issued orders, and fired it off.
 
NICE!
 
Ever give WitP Orders over the phone???
 

[John 3rd]

Current deployment of the Fleet, ASW assets, and numerous transports:

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
October 3, 1942

Cold Bay
Troops continue unloading at Cold Basy without issue.  The Imperial Guards Brigade is unloaded and the 56th Inf Div will be done tomorrow.  The Assault Strength of the Japanese is now approaching 1,200 to the Allies projected 600.  Tomorrow will see a Base Force and CD unit begin unloading. 

The American and Canadian forces get hit by a BC-led TF during the night, are then hit during the day by 80 Fighters escorting 20 Kates and 36 Helens, and during the day they get periodically bombarded by Japanese artillery as it moves into assault positions for the coming attack.  With no opposition, the assult will be advanced from the scheduled date of October 15th.  The first attack is scheduled for October 10th.  This should allow for nearly everything left (including another Brigade of Infantry) to arrive.

Adak
A powerful Surface TF of 3 BC, 1 CA, 2 CL, and 9 DD depart Adak for Cold Bay.  They have been given the assignment of making a sweep of the seas around Kodiak.  The redoubtable Tanaka commands this TF.  The American BBs have not been seen for a while and there at least 3-5 TF present at the target site.  This attack will be covered by LR CAP and will be timed with the CV Raid in the Gulf of Alaska.

KB
Turning 90*, the KB begins a move due east towards its intended raiding waters.  The 4 CV TF will rendezvous with the Replennishment TF and refuel tomorrow.  Expect the TF to be in position to attack by October 7th or 8th.  In staying under our 450 plane in-one hex rule, the CVs shall operate in two pairs each.  The first will be the faster CVs of Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu, and Soryu (270 planes) and they will operate 2-3 hexes further east of the slower sets.  The western prong of the attack shall have Akagi, Kaga, Junyo, and Hiyo (246 planes) for its core.

ASW Action
ASW TF damage both the Whale and Shark with no TT fired against them this day.

Exmouth Bay
The first two CVE will be on-station tomorrow waiting for Allied warships to hit Exmouth Bay.  The second pair of CVEs left Soerabaja today to rendezvous.  A small freshly repaired TF of 1 CA, 1 CL, and 3 DD arrive from Singapore in time to strengthen the screen around the cumbersome Escort Cvs.

Bataan
The starving troops of Bataan will be attacked by the Japanese forces for the first time in nearly 8 months.  The Vietnamese Inf Div arrived and so it will form the core of the attack.  Considering how long this seige has lasted, I have NO IDEA as to whether or not this will end quickly quickly...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
October 4, 1942

Cold Bay Area:
A wild turn takes place near Cold Bay this day!

My TF of 4 ML thickens its minefield at Cold Bay only to be surprised by a STF of BB NOrth Carolina, 5 CA, 3 CL, and 6 DD. YIKES! Needless to say I lose all four of my ML! Drat...

On the OTHER hand the fight causes the STF to not get beyond Japanese Strike Range. The Screenshot shows the fight as 78 Zero and 59 Torpedo Bombers vs. 15 P-38. LOVE watching those planes fall... We severely damage North Carolina with an excellent chance of hitting her again tomorrow.

Luckily the TF finished unloading the 56th Inf Div BEFORE that STF arrived. A very good thing...

Kaigun
The 4 CV TF rendezvous and now head due east with a refueling to take place over the next two days. The goal shall be to get SE of Kodiak and then sprint forward to see what can be hit. The attack will be timed to coincide with Tanaka's sweep of Kodiak's waters...

Bataan
The assault goes in and finds the skeletons defending the line very weak! The initial assault gets a 1-1 and lovers Forts from 7 down to 6. The attack score was 753--589. I'll wager after a couple days rest we will get a 2 or 3-1 on the next attack. Looking good there...

No other real news...

Here is the Air Battle Screenshot:

[John 3rd]

Here is the direction of the Kaigun's movement for the next 4 days:

[John 3rd]

This Operation into the Gulf of Alaska is designed to be a Merchant killing operation. There is a chance we might meet the remainging US CVs but I rate this as doubtful since we have only been seeing about 25 F4F over Kodiak. The hope is to get SINKINGS and scare the Americans with this display of naval power.

Here are the options:





Thoughts?

[Q-Ball]

John gave some good updates, I can't really add much other than a couple comments:

1. COLD BAY: I think we should attempt at attack at Cold Bay as soon as the 56th Division recovers fatigue, which appears to be about 3 days or so. If that attack doesn't work, then we can sit tight, bomb the Allies, and wait for winter to work on those units before trying again. But I think it might work right out of the box. I would advocate bombing the troops a couple turns as well to cause disruption and soften them up.

2. BATAAN: This looks like it's close to cracking. If it does, we are immediately marching everyone to Manila, to get the other half of USAFFE.

I am firmly convinced now that the right strategy in the PI, and I think this is true in AE as well, is to land substantial troops early on North and South Luzon to drive the Allies back and make them commit to an "Alamo" somewhere; once that happens, leave a screening force, and move on with all the other troops. We invaded Luzon with 3 divisions, but I picked up almost all the troops and had them landing at Vizingapatam by 3/15/42; I didn't want to wait to clear the place. Now, we basically just have a hodge-podge of rear area troops that are able to clean up, because the Allies have been rotting for months. I am a fan of the "PI Bypass".

3. BOMBAY: I am attempting another attack shortly. We had to rest alot of troops who became too disrupted from a series of attacks that dropped the forts to 5 or 6 (can't remember); we are rested, and need to try again weekly, to hopefully get to a point where the forts are at Zero and we can work on the troops.

The Allies are no longer Bombarding our troops at Bombay; the only reason can be that they are low on supplies. Not surprising, since the last supply convoy visited in May or June approx. Bombay will not fall until the forts are at ZERO and supplies run out, I think we are a couple months away from that. But if it falls, this game is over; that's over 100K British POWs.