Scen 2, Wirraway (Allies) v Miller 41 (Japan) - No Miller

[Wirraway_Ace]

We have restarted our Grand Campaign after the patch. We are going to use Scenario 2 with PDU on. It is going be ugly for the Allies...

He starts with more pilots and both is Army and Navy pilot training rates are doubled to approximately 300 a month each and the quality of the training is improved so his pilots will be better coming out of training than mine.

With PDU on, he will have plenty of the latest planes.

I will have to be much more careful as the Allied player with my air forces.

Game settings:
PDU - On
FOW - On
Weather - On
Real R&D - On
Allied DC - On
Reliable Torps - Off
No Withdrawals - Off
Reinforcements - Either +/- 15
Dec 7th Surprise – On

[Wirraway_Ace]

Strategy: If the Japanese really want to take something and use massed air, naval and ground forces, there is really little the Allied player can do stop it until late 42. In a scenario 2 game, the transition to parity and eventually Allied superiority will be even slower. However, if the Japanese player violates the principle of mass, then some chances for a counterstroke can arise. The trick is to be able to achieve a local superiority long enough to inflict a defeat (or at least significant losses) but still be able to extract key forces before the enemy can return with overwhelming strength. To have a reasonable chance to do this, I must keep my carriers alive until I have enough to defeat a mini-KB if the enemy fragments his carriers. Additionally, I must have fuel available to support flexible employment of my carrier TFs.

CENPAC: He will probably make multi-day strikes at Pearl. I will flee South with everything that can make good speed on the 8 Dec. I hope to be able to save most of the CAs, modern CLs, DDs and anything else that will make a decent escort.
I will only use my CVs in mass—until I have 4, they will hide.
I intend to develop a chain of bases to support operations in SWPAC by June 42. I will focus on bases with unlimited troop limits—these bases must both be well defended and provide adequate Air and Naval support. I will develop Christmas Island, Pago Pago, Suva and eventually Noumea.

SOPAC: ANZAC cruisers will try to harass any lightly escorted invasion TFs in the Solomons.

SWPAC: No forces available currently.

Australia: Develop Perth as a possible base for major fleet elements trying to support combat operations in Java. Defend Darwin and North Queensland.

DEI: consolidate forces to defend key bases the enemy will use to isolate Java (Kendari, Ambon, Keopang and Palembang). Leave engineers behind to destroy resources at other sites. Prepare Java for major effort.

PI: Retreat to Bataan and die slowly. Asiatic Fleet to Java. B17s to Singapore.
Malaya: There will be no reinforcements. Every effort will be made to keep the back-door open (Palembang) to allow for the air evacuation of key units when the end comes.

Burma: No plan for significant reinforcements.

India: British strength will be consolidated and readied in India for campaigns in 1943. A key decision point will come early with whether any significant effort will be made to reinforce Java.

China: Attempt to take Ichang and Sinyang while harassing the roads outside of Anking and Hangchow. Hold Nanyang – Changsha line in Central China. North and South China we will have to wait and see. Watch for any indications that veteran 38th and 21st IDs are going to remain in China.

Strategic submarine campaign: All fleet boats will be used on offensive patrols in the South China Sea and Empire waters. I want him to feel nervous about any unescorted movements. Pearl Harbor will be the major base and Midway will be developed as a refueling station. Asiatic fleet boats will initially operate from Java. Perth may be used as another interim base.
S-boats and dutch boats will be used more defensively, patrolling choke points and off key bases.

[Ketza]

Whats the plan ih he hits Manila? Are you limited him to one port strike?

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: Ketza

Whats the plan ih he hits Manila? Are you limited him to one port strike?

We don't have any house rules on the number of port strikes. I am usually thankful if an opponent hits Manila the first turn. What is left of the Asiatic Fleet in Manila Bay is not important in a strategic sense. There are a large number of subs, but these are all older classes, and the U.S. builds many hundreds of excellent fleet boats and the loss of 20 or so older boats during the period of unreliable MK14s means very little. The Asiatic Fleet submarines cannot stop the invasion of the PI, nor the rapid Japanese conquest of the DEI. The other shipping in Manila bay is not very critical either. If he shifts his attacks from Clark Field to Manila Bay, I will have more B17s as a trade-off.

Bottom Line: I think the historical Japanese target selection for the openning phase of the war were excellent (if you wanted to start a global war).

[Wirraway_Ace]

For those who like to study others 1st Turn attacks, I have included the combat report. I don't often include such a monster...

Bottom Line Up Front: a pretty traditional Dec 7 target list. The attack on PH was a middle of the road result. I lost California and Maryland, two of the "Big Five", and all other BBs were heavily damaged and will be out of action until late 42. Clark Field was hit hard and shipping in Rangoon was targetted. I did not sorte Force Z until I can coordinate air support.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 07, 41
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ASW attack near Kota Bharu at 52,75

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
SS KXI, hits 1 (She is badly damaged)

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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 126



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 18 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 11 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 5 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 8 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 4 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
DM Sicard
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CL Helena, Bomb hits 2
BB Nevada, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AV Tangier
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SS Dolphin, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT-21, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Manini
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DM Breese
CM Oglala
BB California, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1
AV Wright, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1
DD Blue, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DM Gamble, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Repair Shipyard hits 5
Airbase hits 41
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 217
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A6M2 Zero attacking from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
17 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
14 x A6M2 Zero attacking from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
17 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
8 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
25 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x D3A1 Val diving from 10000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *



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Morning Air attack on Wake Island , at 136,98

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 27



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 damaged



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 2000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-211 Det with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Iba , at 78,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
G4M1 Betty x 54



Allied aircraft
P-26A x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 102

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 6000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 6000 feet

CAP engaged:
6th PS PAAC with P-26A (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 27



Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 1


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
P-35A: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 52

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
15 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 6000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th PG/Hq Sqn with P-40B Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead



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Morning Air attack on Iba , at 78,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 6000 feet



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Morning Air attack on Davao , at 79,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 12



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Mauban, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires



Port fuel hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 29



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 2
Buffalo I x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 35

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-27b Nate attacking from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Airfield Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-27b Nate attacking from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 3 plane(s) with no ordnance
Airfield Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-27b Nate attacking from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
1 x Ki-27b Nate attacking from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 plane(s) with no ordnance
Airfield Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
No.27 Sqn RAF with Blenheim IF (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead



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Morning Air attack on Tuguegarao , at 82,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 27



No Japanese losses



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,200 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 52



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 93

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1200 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1200 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 25



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 22nd Group Army, at 85,45 (Nanyang)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 12



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Kowloon Brigade, at 77,61 (Hong Kong)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 7
Ki-36 Ida x 27
Ki-44 Tojo x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 24



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-36 Ida: 1 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 17



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses



Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar attacking from 100 feet



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Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 22
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 16th Construction Regiment, at 88,56 (Chuhsien)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 12



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 36
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 25



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Mundra, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Chaksang, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Chilka, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Indira, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G3M2 Nell x 27



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 66

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
17 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 6000 feet

CAP engaged:
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

Training flight from 35th PG/34th PS has been caught up in attack


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 77,61

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 15



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Thanet



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 51,79

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Buffalo I x 22
Hudson I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 53,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 4
Buffalo I x 8
Hudson I x 4


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson I: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
3 x Blenheim I bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 4



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sakura Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 51,79

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 11


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vildebeest III bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
9 x Vildebeest III bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 51,79

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 4


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wirraway bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 51,79

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
BB Kongo



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo



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Afternoon Air attack on Guam , at 106,95

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 15



No Japanese losses



Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



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Naval bombardment of Kuantan at 51,79

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Atago
CA Takao
CL Jintsu


Allied ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16

BB Haruna firing at Kuantan
BB Kongo firing at Kuantan
CA Atago firing at 3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
CA Takao firing at Kuantan
CL Jintsu firing at Kuantan


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Pre-Invasion action off Kota Bharu

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Shikinami
DD Isonami
PB Tatsumiya Maru
SC Ch 9
SC Ch 7

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



CL Sendai firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Shikinami firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Isonami firing at FMSV Brigade
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing at enemy troops
SC Ch 9 firing at enemy troops
SC Ch 7 firing at enemy troops
DD Isonami firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft


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Amphibious Assault at Kota Bharu

TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Kota Bharu, 51,75

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 56th Infantry Rgt
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost overboard during unload of 12th Engr Rgt


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Batan Island

TF 90 troops unloading over beach at Batan Island, 85,70





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Batan Island

TF 96 troops unloading over beach at Batan Island, 85,70



15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 24th JAAF AF Bn


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Pengpu (90,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6405 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 182

Defending force 1645 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Japanese adjusted assault: 326

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 163 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1099 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
89th Chinese Corps


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4139 troops, 36 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Defending force 5471 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
FMSV Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
3rd ISF Base Force

Defending units:
56th Infantry Rgt /1
12th Engr Rgt /1
5th JAAF AF Coy /1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Batan Island (85,70)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1771 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 55

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 55 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batan Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+)

[Wirraway_Ace]

Damage to the Pacific Fleet:

[Wirraway_Ace]

We have done 10 turns in 4 days so I am behind in writing for the AAR.
 
I will catch up as quickly as I can.
 
One thing for sure, luck is a fickle friend.  The KB was weathered-in for its 2nd day strikes against Pearl; however, I20 stumbled into my CV TF link-up and put a torpedo into both Enterprise and Lexington in two separate TFs with an 8 ship screen in each, all the while toting a mini-sub that it could not launch due to mechanical issues on Dec 7th!  Now the KB has got the bit in its teeth and is coming on hard to try and catch the two wounded giants. 

[Wirraway_Ace]

CENPAC & SOPAC Situation: Well, I have been playing the IJN my last few games of WITP and UV. USN damage control is a thing of beauty! Lex and Big E worked their way back to 28 knots within a few hours and the KB never got even a sniff of them as they headed south in the general direction of Fiji. They have now linked up with Sara and are going in search of fuel.

The Japanese assualt on Wake failed. No thanks to the Navy. The invasion TF went right through the patrol zones of 2 submarines and the skippers never sighted anything. The marines killed the raiders on the beach during one or both of the defensive fire phases prior to the actual shock attack. The IJN marine AV went from 61 to 0 in the blink of an eye.

SS Trout sank an AO from the KB's refueling TF near Midway on 8 Dec; however a big I-boat sank an old four-stacker (one of two escorts) and then sank an AO out of LA. I had routed the Replenishement TF away from the normal approaches to the West Coast ports so it was a nasty surprise to find an I-boat waiting. It may have just been bad luck.

I have lost contact with the KB as of 13 Dec. I assume he has gone Truk to refuel. He may be heading to the DEI or trying to slip down the Solomon chain between by air search arcs and get into my convoy routes between OZ and the US. He will be disappointed if he tries that route. All my shipping is SE of Fiji by now. TFs are finished loading Army troops for Fiji and Marines for Pago Pago. Each TF has a separate TF with a naval support unit that will unload first. The CVs will escort these TFs and ASW TFs will move ahead of the convoys.

[Wirraway_Ace]

19 Dec 41, The Philippines:

Defense of Luzon: The enemy appears to be making a major effort to take Luzon. He has landed at Aparri and Vigan in the north and Legaspi in the south. Recon aircraft have reported 145 AFVs in the column advancing from Aparri.
I don’t really know what to do. Do I try and concentrate at Clark Field with the intent to retreat to Bataan? Will the units retreat to Bataan of will some go to Manila.

I have a motorized cavalry unit in the NE to contact the Aparri column and confirm its strength and composition. He has advanced 4 units to Lingayen where I have 2 regiments. If the Aparri column is strong, it can advance directly on Manila.
Then there are the units advancing from Legaspi. I have two weak divisions to block them, but I may be better off just retreating to Manila.

I have been able to slip in 3 resupply convoys to date.

What to do?

He has figured out the by using sweeps with zeros at 20,000 feet, my P40Es really struggle. He started off at 12,000 and was getting 1.5 to 1. He then kept climbing the ladder each turn until at 20k, the Tainan Datai (or so I assume it to be) was shooting down about 5 P40Es per sweep while rarely losing an aircraft. I have tried putting the P40Bs on high altitude cap (31,000) and kept the P40Es at 6,000 to catch bombers, but no sweeps the last few days. He had the PI Airforce on the ropes, but maybe his fatigue was getting too high.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Northern China, 18 Dec 41:
The enemy rapidly moved a full Div into Ichang, but tried to secure the key wooded hex to the SE with a small unit. 3 Chinese Corps were able to easily eject this unit. Meanwhile, the Division in Ichang proved more than a match for 5 Chinese Corps and drove them out of the hex.

A Japanese mixed bde tried to shock attack my forces at Sinyang and were repulsed with heavy losses. We will try and attack this turn to take advantage of his disruption.

Further to the North a major Japanese offensive appears to be developing through the mountains towards Sian. His initial attacks have been held, but more units are moving to support.

My artillery units have rested and been filled out with men and equipment at Chungking and are now moving to reinforce Sian and Changsha.

[Wirraway_Ace]

19 Dec 41, The Malaya:
Lt Gen Percival (yes, he is still in command) is faced with a two prong Japanese attack into Malaya. His plan is to retreat into central Malaya and concentrated into a defense in depth. In the first belt, 2 Indian Bdes (6th and 15th) will be in the West along the coast road/rail line reinforced with AT guns and artillery (155th Rgt) to face what appears to be the enemy main effort advancing from Singora. To the east, a single Indian Bde (22nd) reinforced with the Argylls Bn and the 5th Field Artillery Rgt will attempt to hold at Temaloh against the smaller force advancing from Kota Bharu.
The Gurkha Bde with a unit of AT guns will be in the 2nd belt at Kuala Lumpur with one battalion to the east.
2 Punjab battalions will be at Malacca to defend against a vertical envelopment by paratroopers. 2 Aussie bdes will hold the back door (Mersing) against a major amphibious operation to cut off our forces north of Singapore.
The air war has been relatively quiet in the first two weeks of hostilities. The IJA has recently started major bombing operations against the airfield at Singapore. 60+ Sallys escorted by 40 Oscars have been the norm since the 17th. Losses have been moderate on both sides. Combat Report Extracts of the stikes on Singapore are shown below.
Combat Reports:
17 Dec
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 79
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 36


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 2 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 59
18 Dec
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 77
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 32


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged (The RAF and RNZAF boys did better this raid)

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 27

[Wirraway_Ace]

A little excitement in the Celebes.

The enemy had two invasion TFs but appeared to only have one covering force. The TFs split, one to Manado and the other to Ternate. The Asiatic Fleet was lurking nearby.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 19, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ternate at 78,102, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Hagi, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
TB Hayabusa, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Atago Maru, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Meiyo Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAK Santos Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Zyuyo Maru, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Hidaka Maru, Shell hits 2
xAKL Raizan Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 3
CL Boise
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope, Shell hits 1
DD Stewart
DD Piet Hein
DD Van Ghent



Low visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
CA Houston engages xAK Zyuyo Maru at 1,000 yards
CA Houston engages APD Hagi at 1,000 yards
xAK Santos Maru sunk by CA Houston at 1,000 yards
CA Houston engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 1,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Atago Maru at 1,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Zyuyo Maru at 1,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAKL Hidaka Maru at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 2,000 yards
APD Hagi sunk by CA Houston at 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Zyuyo Maru at 2,000 yards
xAK Meiyo Maru sunk by CL Marblehead at 2,000 yards
DD Stewart engages xAK Atago Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Zyuyo Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
CL Boise engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
xAK Zyuyo Maru sunk by DD Pillsbury at 2,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Atago Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages xAK Atago Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages xAK Atago Maru at 2,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


I had MTBs (from Hong Kong) patroling off Manado. I made a mistake however...The MTBs were moving from Manado to Kendari when I sighted the enemy TFs four hexes from Manado. The MTBs were 3 hexes to the south. I set them to Patrol off Manado, but failed to set their home base back to Manado

Day Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
TB Hiyodori
AMc Toroshima Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7
xAK Syoka Maru
xAK Rokko Maru
xAK Igasa Maru
xAKL Ryoyu Maru #21
xAKL Sasago Maru

Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8
MTB 9
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 26
MTB 27



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Japanese Amphibious TF evades combat

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 20, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
TB Hiyodori
AMc Toroshima Maru
PB Heiei Maru #7
xAK Syoka Maru
xAK Rokko Maru
xAK Igasa Maru
xAKL Ryoyu Maru #21
xAKL Sasago Maru

Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8
MTB 9
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 26
MTB 27



Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 3% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

Day Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,98, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8
MTB 9
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 26
MTB 27



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 19,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Allied PT Boat TF evades combat

The MTBs were unable to get back into Manado to refuel, so they eventually run out of fuel and are sitting ducks.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze

Allied Ships
MTB 7, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 8, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 10, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 11, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 26, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB 27, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 26,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
MTB 9 sunk by DD Oyashio at 20,000 yards
MTB 7 sunk by CA Haguro at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
MTB 27 sunk by CA Nachi at 17,000 yards
MTB 11 sunk by DD Oyashio at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
MTB 10 sunk by CA Nachi at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages MTB 26 at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
MTB 26 sunk by CA Nachi at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages MTB 8 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
MTB 8 sunk by CA Nachi at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

[Wirraway_Ace]

20 - 26 Dec 41.

It has been very quiet. I have only seen a handful of zeros in the last few days across the entire Theater. No sign of the KB since the 14th. He must be building up for something...

CENPAC: I was able to evacuate half of the Marines from Wake with an amphibious TF. They were sighted on the 2nd day of loading and had to pull out leaving about 800 brave defenders behind. All but one Wildcat was evacuated. The Marine Wildcats flew onto Big E operating 400 miles to the East; I imagine that was an exciting deck landing…

SOPAC: Reinforcement convoys are headed to Suva and Pago Pago with Army and Marine combat support troops. Army and Marine air units are a few days behind them. The Army will have primary responsibility for Fiji and the Marines for Pago Pago.

SWPAC: P40s are enroute to Brisbane

Australia Cmd: Perth is building up to be a major hub for operations in support of Java. Fuel stocks are now nearing 100K. They would be higher, but I forgot to set many of my initial convoys bringing fuel from the DEI to “minimal refuel”.

DEI: I have approximately 150 AV at Palembang, Kendari and Ambon.

PI: His attempts to secure Mindanau have been temporarily stymied by a stiff defense by all available Philippine forces of Cagayan. On Luzon, he is trying to bring up enough force to threaten Clark Field.

Malaya: he has yet to make contact with my main defensive belts in central Malaya.

China: He is still trying to extract the division encircled at Ichang

[Wirraway_Ace]

1 Jan 42: Japanese attempt a landing at Mersing in southern Malaya. The strength of the landing is still unclear, but part of 1 division has been identified in the first wave. The fate of the defense of Malaya north of Singapore rests in the hands of the 2 Aussie Brigades dug in at Mersing.

In Java, Force Z slips to sea at night headed towards Malaya.

At Singapore, RAF Torpedo bombers, escorted by Aussie Buffalos and the AVG, strike at the three light carriers covering the landings. Jubilant pilots report putting a torpedo into both Zuiho and old Hosho along with a large transport.

40 miles to the North, 3 squadrons of Blenheims are weathered-in and unable to strike the enemy transports.

_________________________________________
Morning Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 52,82

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 14
Buffalo I x 22
Vildebeest III x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Vildebeest III: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 10
Vildebeest III x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 2 destroyed
Vildebeest III: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamahagi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

[Wirraway_Ace]

The Mersing Debacle, 2 Jan 42:Lieutenant General Arthur E. Percival, GOC Malaya, sat enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the Raffles Hotel on the morning of 2 January 42. He was still feeling the results of the revelry from the day before (New Years). So far, Singapore seemed unaffected by the invasion of Northern Malaya by the armies of Imperial Japan and the celebration of the turning of the year had appeared as bright and gay as always. Some even joked that the Japanese Air Force had been contracted to add to the celebration with its daily bombing of the aerodromes.

A young major rushed to the GOC’s table in a thoroughly unseemly manner. The General started to quietly reprimand the young gentleman (thinking Camberley’s standards most surely had fallen since his day) but was somewhat nonplussed when the staff officer presumptuously held out a folded sheet of foolscap. General Percival, sighing at the thought of his poached eggs growing cold, pulled the folded missive from the staff officers tight grip and placed it unread on the table.

The Major sputtered (now seeming very young indeed), “but General, …”

GOC Malaya, Lieutenant General Arthur E. Percival, waved the young man off and resumed eating his breakfast. 15 minutes later, guests of the elegant hotel dining room (mostly military officers of the Malaya armies), were startled to hear the GOC squawk, “Bloody hell, the Aussies have buggered us all!”

The outcome of the battle for Mersing was an enormous shock to the entire ABDA. Two of the best trained and equipped brigades in the Army had been routed from their dug-in positions by an amphibious attack of single IJA Division. While the stroke was fully anticipated, the competency differential between the Army of Malaya and the IJA was completely underestimated. And the worst was still to come-- most of the effective combat units of the Malaya Army were over 100 miles north of Mersing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 16261 troops, 124 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 474

Defending force 6153 troops, 57 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 193

Japanese adjusted assault: 369

Allied adjusted defense: 39

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1896 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 81 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 22 (22 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
38th Division

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
30 Battery/3 HAA

[stldiver]

From what I can see preperation being (-) means you were not in combat mode.
You probably moved there strategically or move mode and did not switch back.

Thus it would have affected them the most.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: stldiver

From what I can see preperation being (-) means you were not in combat mode.
You probably moved there strategically or move mode and did not switch back.

Thus it would have affected them the most.

Thanks stldiver. I think it shows "opmode (-)" if you are in move or strat move. Both Bdes were in combat mode, set to defend--I double checked before I sent the turn. However, one Bde was 100% prepared for Mersing while the other was prepped for Singapore. I can only assume the the Preparation (-) was applied to the AV of the that one Bde. Hard to tell though...

I would have thought the adjusted AV of those 2 Bdes would have been well over 200 behind level 2 forts. He had bombarded three or four turns before which obviously disrupted and fatigued those units much more than I realized. I thought I had checked...

[Wirraway_Ace]

3 Jan 42: Optimism returns to the Philippines:
Maj. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright walked to the next foxhole in the line of the 31st Philippine Division. Nearby a platoon of M3 tanks sat idly, their crews crawling about the steel beasts performing maintenance. The bodies of Japanese soldiers could be seen within 50 yards of the position and a Japanese light tank burned , its smoke marking the high-water mark of the enemy’s failed assault. The North Luzon Force had won its first battle.

Many hundreds of miles to the south, on Mindanao, Brig. Gen. William F. Sharp surveyed the latest intelligence report on the enemy’s strength. The IJA had been trying for weeks to dislodge his forces from Cagayan. They clearly lacked the combat power for the time being. Maybe his isolated forces could hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive….

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 26560 troops, 252 guns, 99 vehicles, Assault Value = 1054

Defending force 25226 troops, 293 guns, 478 vehicles, Assault Value = 660

Japanese adjusted assault: 362

Allied adjusted defense: 877

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2007 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 62 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
655 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (6 destroyed, 22 disabled)


Assaulting units:
7th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kanno Detachment
65th Brigade
Tanaka Detachment
48th Recon Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
4th Division
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Tank Rgt /3
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Field AF Construction Battalion

Defending units:
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
4th Marine Regiment
Subic Bay Defenses
31st Infantry Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
I Philippine Corps
Cavite USN Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1642 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Defending force 10375 troops, 74 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 252

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Assaulting units:
II./4th Infantry Battalion
I./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Engineer Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment

Defending units:
3rd/101st PA Battalion
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
III Philippine Corps

[Wirraway_Ace]

Captain Walter Edward Doyle sat aboard Tender Holland docked in Freemantle Australia. He was reviewing the results of the first war patrols of the Asiatic Fleet Submarine Force. For the moment, he was struggling with the outcomes of Division 201 (S-36, S-37, S-38, S-39, S-40, S-41). The division included the two top aces: Frank Townsend in S-36 (two ships, 10,450 tons) and Paul Dwight in S-37 (two ships, 8550 tons). Both boats were operating off northern Luzon on anti-invasion patrols. The division also included two boats who’s commanders had failed to make a single attack in the same patrol zone dense with enemy shipping. Doyle shook his head in frustration. Nick Lucker in S-40 and George Holley in S-41 had to go. Doyle called in his Chief of Staff, James Fife, and said, “Jimmy, get Bledsoe and Sprecht in here, and tell them to pack their sea gear.”

An hour later, Doyle sat down to write a letter of condolence to Mary Jacobs, wife of LCDR Tyrell Jacobs, class of ’27. Jacobs, Sargo, and all her crew were lost transiting the Luzon Straights en route to empire patrol area 10 south of Okinawa.

At Pearl Harbor, a staff officer prepared a report for Admiral Nimitz. During the month of December, the Asiatic Fleet submarine force achieved 11 victories for 30,000 tons while Pacific Fleet subs added 2 victories for 7,000 tons. Of these sinkings, 10 were confirmed. The Dutch boats reported 5 victories, 0 confirmed.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Bloody Excellent, British Torpedo Bombers over Mersing 2 - 4 Jan 42:
Dawn was breaking over Singapore by the time Squadron Leader Gaskell led his tired airmen in their antiquated biplanes on what Air Vice Marshall C.W.H. Pulford had termed, “an all out effort against enemy shipping at Mersing”. 7 aircraft from 36 Squadron and 5 aircraft from 100 squadron were all the RAF could muster this morning. Above, Buffalos of 243 Squadron and a few Americans of the AVG circled impatiently, waiting for their slow charges to form-up.

The target was less than 100 air miles to the north, but the ancient Vildebeest IIIs would take an hour to get there. On board each Vildebeest, 3 men (Pilot, Navigator and Gunner) wrestled with fear, waiting for the moment sleek Japanese fighters would pounce on them.

The fear of Japanese fighters was pushed to back of SLDR Gaskell’s mind. He was too busy worrying whether he could get his bombers over the target. The cloud cover was heavy, and dead-reckoning had never been his greatest strength. His navigator, Sgt MacDonald, was fortunately an experienced man. At 6,000 feet, he could see nothing for reference. There was a heavy band of clouds, pregnant with rain, at about 4,000 feet. Looking at his watch, minute by minute, and checking with MacDonald, they finally came to a decision. He signaled to the nearest aircraft to descend, and he pushed the nose down. At 1,000 feet he came out of the clouds to the sight of a gray sea below him. They had overestimated the head wind and flown too far or had missed their proper vector.

He looked back to see most of the formation emerging behind him when SGT MacDonald exclaimed, “that is a bloody carrier!”

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 52,82

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 14
Buffalo I x 22
Vildebeest III x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Vildebeest III: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1


Two days later, 36 and 100 squadrons, with the few remaining Swordfish of 4 AACU, would score another outstanding success.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 4
Buffalo I x 8
Swordfish I x 3
Vildebeest III x 7


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 damaged
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
xAK Yuzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)