Shattering the Sword (AE Edition), Cantona 2 (A) vs 1275psi (J)

[cantona2]

Much further to the East submarines laid siege to Canton Island as important reinforcement convoys passed to and from this area. CINPAC was so worried about the situation that it ordered to squadrons of B-17's currently at Canton enroute to Australia to remain at Canton and reinforce the ASW efforts there.

[cantona2]

Last day of Jan 42 and heres the score board. I'm finding it much harder in AE to engage with subs as opposed to WitP. Japs have exploded all over the south china sea in Jan.

[KenchiSulla]

Great AAR Cantona, really enjoyed reading it!

[cantona2]

Many thanks.

[cantona2]

Another day, another confirmed sighting of Japanese carriers on a south easterly heading near Jolo Island. This together with intensive air raids on Balikpapan and Menado augers the start of the invasion of the NEI.

[cantona2]

Further to the north two sets of allied raiders had sailed undetected to the Japanese coast. A taskf force led by the BB Arizona sailed to within 80nm of the main Japanese convoy routes before her own search planes gave her away. Her captain ordered his ships eastwards rueing a missed opportunity to hit enemy shipping lanes where he thought he was safe. Slightly to the north a candaian AMC, the Prince Robert was able to infilitrate convoy routes leading to shikuka. She sighted a numerous convoy on a southernly heading but wasn't able to engage due to the bad weather. This same bad weather came to her aid when she was engaged by 4 enemy destroyers but was able to hide in the rough seas and torrential rain. Her captain set a course to the east into the shiiping lanes to and from Paramushiro-Jima trusting the weather to keep an strike planes grounded.

Encounter 1:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Toyohara at 125,47, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Hachijo
E Kunashiri
E Ishigaki
xAK Chicago Maru
xAK Omi Maru
xAK Wales Maru
xAK Toko Maru
xAK Bengal Maru
xAK Italy Maru
xAK Koki Maru
xAK Kenzan Maru
xAK Muroran Maru
xAK Uga Maru
xAK Syunko Maru

Allied Ships
AMC Prince Robert



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 100% moonlight...
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 100% moonlight: 1,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards......
Range increases to 12,000 yards......
Both Task Forces evade combat...

Encounter 2:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Toyohara at 127,48, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Yugure
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
AMC Prince Robert



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms...
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 28,000 yards......
Allied Surface Combat TF evades combat...

[Fletcher]

Hi Cantona !
Great AAR ... what about the main allied TF in the Kurile Island raid ?
Best wishes
Ramón

[cantona2]

Ramon

I made a mistake with the range setting of the Seagulls onboard. I set their range to one hex more than react range. They spotted two task fores but the SCTF didn't react. I was just south of Etorofu and I thought that having compromised my position I withdrew the TF eastwards towards Adak where I have a replenishment TF waiting for them to arrive

Jonathan

[Fletcher]

Hi Jonathan !
No carriers in your raid, I suppose.. BB Arizona like flag in a SCTF, but what was your purpose ? intercept enemy unescorted convoys to Honshu from Hokkaido ?  ... Bad boy !!![:-] (joke from a JFB)

[Xxzard]

Boy would that have been a surprise! But, even without any specific gains, you'll likely force him to divert some aircraft and/or ship resources to guard up there.

[cantona2]

Just a note to let all readaars know that the AAR will be discontinued as we've decided to restart when Patch 2 hits the frontlines. The game will continue as a purely learning exercise till we start our new game when a new AAR will also be posted. Thanks to all readeraars, lukaars and posteraars!