The Sequel: laxplayer (A) vs. rroberson (J) - NO ROB!

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 19th

US WEST and my off-map Base Logistics:
Over the past few days I've packed up and shipped 14 air units for SWPAC, and primarily defense of northern Oz. 4 Fighter Units and 10 Bomber sqds. It will be at least 2 weeks before they arrive.

During my first turn, I empty almost every port in India of any xAKs/xAPs I can find and ship them to Colombo. From there, I took the largest xAKs and sent them to Capetown where they will be formed into CS: convoys to ship supply to Perth (2 tfs comprised of about 100k each, and 1 for Columbo at 100k). Extras will be sent through the Panama Canal and then to the US West Coast. The xAPs will mostly got to Aden, though a small number will go to Capetown as well. Of the medium and small sized xAKs, about 15 will be put into the Auto Convoy to keep island bases supplied from Columbo. The AKLs will eventually make their way to the DEI to shuttle fuel to Oz.

All small TKs go to Abadan to shuttle fuel to Colombo and Aden. All large TKs go to Colombo to ship fuel to Capetown, where most will stay after the first run and ship fuel to Perth... where TKs from the DEI/Oz will continue the fire line to Sydney and northern Oz.

Subs:
The xAP Agrimonte took a torpedo about 120m WSW of San Francisco today. With 80 FLT damage, it will be tough to get her back. Luckily it was only holding a bunch of motorized support that my tranport TF shipping the 164th Reg to Pearl Harbor had inexplicably left behind. This seems to happen often enough that I usually don't set a destination until I'm completely loaded. Old habit from UV. Motorized support seems to be the most common item left behind.

Overall, I'm very unhappy with my subs. Firstly, the patch reset all of the subs I'd set to at choke points from "Remain on Station" to "Retirement Allowed," causing them to all sail for home. It took me 3 days to figure out what happened, and by then, the South China Sea was nearly empty of subs. The only ones that stayed were about half the subs I'd set to patrol zones. Secondly, I am having the worst luck. Tons of torpedo hits by the USN boats, but only a scant few actual explosions. It seems far worse than the 80% dud rate (or whatever it is) we are supposed to have. Thirdly, the Gato boats and Dutch boats, who don't have the dud issue, keep missing! Here's to my luck turning for the better and soon. One nice thing however was the CA Pensacola got hit with a torpedo near Canton... DUD! First IJN dud torpedo I've ever seen.

DEI:
OK, so it wasn't an invasion of Dili (I thought for sure his troops landed there), it was Koepang and the Kimura Detachment and 1st Kure SNLF landed there. That's about 136 AV off the boat right away. I only have 90 AV at Koepang (I added the Sparrow Bn from Darwin), and the 27th Aussie Bn from Singapore was maybe a day or two away from reaching port there. It's been rerouted to Port Hedland. I'm hoping he has to bring in reinforcements to take it. I'm also hoping the joint Dutch/USN CL force lead by the CL Boise, with CLs Tromp and Java supporting along with 4 USN and 2 Dutch DDs that have been sitting at Makassar will be able to smash this force. He's got a surface force of 2-3 CLs + 5 or so DDs along with the landing TF. I have faith in the Boise! She should arrive with her contingent during the day phase, which is unfortunate, but otherwise, I'd have to park them a few hexes off Koepang and hope they don't get discovered or race in on their own, then bring them in next turn during the night phase.

Ambon was also invaded this turn with 200+ AV off the boat in just one day. It will fall as soon as he feels like attacking.

Singapore:
Rob's favorite past time is night bombing. He does a LOT of it... mostly because he knows it's very hard to counter until the allies get some night fighters, and that won't happen for months. He hit Singapore this turn. First came 18 Betties on port attack, and they put 2 bombs into the BC Repulse who is trying to fix up some SYS damage before heading to Colombo for full repair. Thankfully it wasn't much damage as they didn't penetrate the deck armor.

Because of that, I've hastened my departure. I created 3 transport TFs to ship out ready troops. 1 TF will take the III Indian Corps and parts of the 9th Indian Division to Colombo for rally and redistribution. 2 TFs will grab the 22nd Aussie Bn, the 1st Indian Hvy AA, and some BFs and take them to northern Oz (mostly Port Hedland and Darwin). With Rob's attack on Timor, I need to beef up that area ASAP.

China:
He's moved about 600 AV from Ichang into the rough/wooded hex to the NW. Luckily, it's rough/forest and I've got about 1400AV in it. He did two turns of deliberate attacks, the first of which was at 1:1 and dinged me for about 1k casualties, and him for only 250. The second was at 1:3 and I only took 250 to his 350. I want to force him to fight me in hexes which are wooded, rough, mountainous, urban, whatever... so long as it isn't clear/farmland. Chinese troops get decimated in hexes like that.

Also, the AVG has based the 2nd sqdn in Changsa and the 3rd sqdn in Kweilin. Both have begun to sweep. The first of which shot down 1 Nate.

I'll give the whole picture in China next turn, I promise!! [:D]

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 20th

DEI:
OK, the s#%& is starting to hit the proverbial fan right about now.

• New landings happen at Kendari, Namlea and Kuching.
• Babo, Ambon and Georgetown all fell.
• I see invasion threats to Brunei/Miri, Pontiniak and 2 east of Menado on the horizon.
• Roughly 3 sqdns of Nells/Betties have arrived at Sinkawang and hit several ships this turn.
• Rob used close to 150 night bombers to hit Singapore, smacking the BC Repulse a dozen times and setting her ablaze (along with a DD and an AK)... even though there was "Heavy Rain" in Singapore that night. I would have evacuated her last turn, but she was pierside and it's going to take a few days to get her started. Hopefully I can survive another attack or two. Right now she's in the low 30s for sys/flt/eng.
• My night attack sent 3 Blenheim I's against Singkawang hitting nothing. [:(]

The only good news about the landings was that at least the CD guns at Kuching and Ambon damaged some transports!

More Bad news: my surface group reached a point 1 hex away from Koepang. It SHOULD have reached it during the day, but I had set a waypoint to force it to go around a safer side of the islands, avoiding the Baby KB and approaching Koepang from the west. Unfortunately, it "reacted" to the surface forces there and bypassed its waypoint, so it spent the entire day movement phase doing nothing because while it wanted to go to it's destination, it also wanted to go through the waypoint I set... therefore, not being able to make up its mind, it did neither. So several kates dropped bombs on them from the Baby KB. damage on the 2 Dutch CLs is in the high teens for Sys and low teens for ENG, so I removed the waypoint and sent them on. Hopefully they will arrive this turn. The Baby KB is out of torpedos most likely, so I think I should be able to handle anything they throw at me, for at least one more turn anyways.

I've had to reroute over a dozen small transport TF carrying evacuated troops from Manila and Singapore and northern Borneo in order to avoid the new air threat from Sinkawang. Great move by Rob.... and barring the unscathed survival of Force Z, there was really nothing I could have done about it short of throwing every CL and DD I had against them.

So yeah... Rob is really twisting the knife in the DEI at the moment, and I'm in an all out retreat. I've really got nowhere to base my raider TFs out of now. Since Sinkawang is so central a location that it prohibits using places like Batavia, Palembang, Soerabaja and Balikpapan, even if you've got fighter CAP there, because they still get hit on the way in/out. So he's effectively stopped me from funneling fuel from all but maybe Soerabaja, and with the capture of Kendari, and possibly Koepang, Perth and Capetown are going to be my only real destination options, neither of which is reachable with an AKL from Soerabaja. Nice move, Rob.

Subs:
My subs put many more dents into the sides of IJN transports and screen ships today... plus 2 that actually exploded, and both ships hit had troops on board!

SWPAC:
I see what appears to be an invasion TF bound for Rabaul. It's been quiet here for about a week, so this might be it. I'm wondering if it's going to be supported by the KB, since it's been enough days that it could easily be here by now, even after refueling at Truk. I'm going to take the risk and interdict with the CA/CL/DD tf I have sitting in wait at Finschafen.

USN CVs:
I'm repairing up their sys/flt/eng damage they got from going full speed for a couple turns. It's taking far longer than I expected. But I should be able to hit the seas with all 3 tomorrow. They can't get to the DEI fast enough.

China:
Yeah I know, I said I'd talk about China, but it's late and I'm tired and frustrated with the DEI. Tomorrow for sure.

Here are some pics of my situation:

[Laxplayer]

Situation on the NW end of Borneo. Sinkawang is going to be a serious thorn....

[ny59giants]

A new feature of AE is for the Allied player to keep track of how many torpedoes Mini-KB uses. [:D]

I would add in KB, but that one may be a "WAG." [;)]

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 21st

DEI:
Kendari fell today, as did Kuching, and most importantly Koepang. Landings were made on Sambas between Kuching and Sinkawang.


The Dutch/USN combined naval force that I had sent to Koepang failed miserably. At least none of them were damaged. Cowards.
--------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 1
CL Tromp
CL Boise
DD Peary, Shell hits 1
DD Pillsbury
DD Whipple, Shell hits 1
DD Stewart
DD Van Nes
DD Evertsen

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 7% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
---------------------------------------------------
CL Boise's commander was in charge, and he's mid-60s in both aggressiveness and naval skill... yet half the ships, including his, didn't fire a shot. Even though it was even numbers, we had them outgunned, but still broke away early.

More massive night bombings on Singapore's port... though fewer planes than last turn (we didn't shoot down but maybe 3 planes, but we damaged a lot of them). They hit the BC Repulse a few more times, but no real damage. Thankfully this will be the last turn we have to sit and take it. Next turn I can ship her out to Batavia, then on to Capetown for repairs. Hopefully Rob doesn't get his Air HQ to Sinkawang for another few turns. Right now they are just dropping bombs, most of which miss.

We also had a little bit of luck. The Dutch force I sent to try and catch some transports off NW Borneo ran into the BB Kongo and BB Haruna force who reacted to our ships during the night phase.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 53,88, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Takao, Shell hits 1
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 3
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Van Ghent
----------------------------------------------------
So I guess we're even after the Koepang debacle. He had me way outgunned and outnumbered, but we were still able to break off before too much damage was sustained.

SOPAC:
The Rabaul landing will happen during the night phase of the coming turn, but I have my force of the CA Louisville, the CL Adelaide and DD Triomphante in place and I hope it's enough. Otherwise, it's been VERY quiet here. My AE and other assorted support ships will arrive at Suva next turn, so I will be able to replenish my warships there.

CENTPAC:
Wake Island is still in our hands, and no invasions have been seen. It's not the most important atoll by any means, but nevertheless, it's a given to be taken by Japan early. Sure enough, my SIGINT lit up today with no less than 3 seperate reports of troops loaded on ships headed there. I don't have anything anywhere that can contest it. I will leave the F4F3s there on Naval Attack/CAP and hope for the best. I will try and evac them to Midway before it falls.

China:
Here is the scene in China. Only 3 places he's moved into so far and all seem to be holding well. In fact, after 2 back-to-back deliberate attacks in the wooded/rough hex NW of Ichang, he is retreating back to the city. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before those huge artillery guns from Kwantung begin to show up in the combat reports. [8|]

[Laxplayer]

Northern China:
I'm most worried about the possible (and likely) breakthrough at the two bases you see west of his first two thrusts. If he can break through there--and considering I'm going to have to defend 2 farmland base hexes, it's likely--then Nanyang is in trouble, as is the entire north until Sian. In addition, he can do an end around the mountains and come in the back door to Chungking. While I have a few mountain hexes I can play Battle of Thermopylae at, I'm raher worried about the situation here.

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 22nd

SOPAC:
Rabaul invasion got within one hex of the base before it met my surface force. They exchanged a little bit of fire, where the IJN CL took 8 shells leaving her with heavy fires. Then they broke off and the 20 or so transports got away without a single hit. Dumb. This is like the original WITP naval combat. I've sent this force to Brisbane to replenish (an AE set for Townsville is still a couple weeks away), and replaced it with the CA Australia, who still hasn't seen combat.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,124, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
PB Chiyo Maru #4
PB Choko Maru #2
PB Keijo Maru
PB Koei Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
xAK Hokkai Maru
xAK Kunitu Maru
xAK Ryunan Maru
xAK Kazan Maru
xAK Eizan Maru
xAK Yae Maru
xAK Nittai Maru
xAK Daihachikyo Maru
xAK Daijukyo Maru
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5
xAK Shinkoku Maru
xAK Shinwa Maru
xAKL Ujigawa Maru
xAKL Heiwa Maru
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2
xAKL Tateyama Maru
xAKL Higari Maru
xAKL Kanaiyama Maru
xAKL Konsan Maru
xAKL Taiyu Maru
PB Kosin Maru #3
PB Sento Maru

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 2
DD La Triomphant

Reduced sighting due to 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 14% moonlight: 9,000 yards
----------------------------------------

DEI:
A 3 CA task force ran into a large transport TF of mine that consisted of a bunch of AKLs... and both broke off before a shot was fired. I'm thankful, but again, more inexplicable lack of combat.

More bombs rained on Singapore at night... through heavy rains... and still hit the Repulse several times. Luckily only deck and belt armor were hit, though over the past 3 days, she has taken a few hits to her AA guns. She's finally underway and headed to Capetown with 2 banged up DDs as escorts.

Jessleton and Miri both fell this turn, and another invasion landed at Menado. I've got my Brit 2 CL force that will interrupt that tonight. Hopefully something will actually sink this time.

Overall, most of the DEI looks like roaches scattering when the light comes on. I've got small TFs everywhere loaded with troops and fuel. Thankfully most of them have made it through, but once they've landed where they are going, I've still got to reform them into some kind of fighting force in N-Oz and in Burma/India.


Here's the surface combat at Rabaul... I should have brought more ships [8|]

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 23rd and 24th

Subs: Off the coast of Borneo, the SS Pickerel and the Dutch boat KXVII, both seemingly frustrated with faulty and inaccurate torpedos, decided to attack with their deck guns and torpedos on the surface in daylight. Both had excellent results, likely sinking 2 AKLs, one with troops aboard.

DEI:
2 more landings... one on Iba in the Phillipenes and the second, a large landing of the IJA 4th Division at Palembang. The CD guns at Palembang did a number on a couple of the smaller transports and a couple PB escort ships, and even Martins from Batavia scored several hits on transports! Unfortunately, Palembang will likely fall next turn. One consolation is that because he didn't surround Palembang first, the units will retreat, hopefully leaving the oil fields in a burning twisted heap. This invasion will officially cut off my escapes from Singapore. There were only 2 more units I would have liked to evacuate: an SSVF and an Indian Bde that was part of the 9th Indian Division, both of which started at Khota Baru. I've already evacuated all air units from Singapore, except for 3 Buffalo sqdns still flying CAP, and 1 Catalina squadron for NavSearch.

3 C-class British CLs from Colombo will arrive in Batavia tomorrow. I will send them onto Soerabaja where they will meet with the CL Boise's TF and the CL DeRuyter TF. All will reform into 2 TFs that will hopefully be able to pick off some more transports. I haven't been impressed lately with the lack of aggressiveness from my Navy, and Rob hasn't been too impressed with his. Even when our TFs outnumber and outgun their opponents, they still only fire a few shots, then retreat. It happened again this turn when the IJN TF including the BB Kongo, BB Haruna, and CA's Atago and Takao ran into the Dutch navy TF led by the CL De Ruyter and 4 DD escorts. After some long range shooting, and a few hits, both retreated. That same IJN TF has come into contact with 2 fleeing transport TFs coming from Singapore and have retired before sinking a single ship in both instances. I've got the CL Dragon and the CL Durban, plus 4 DD escorts coming around the east coast of Borneo from Tarakan. I'm hoping to strike the transport TF at Jessleton.

The Baby KB has disappeared from view. Possibly rearming at Peliu/Babeldaob or possibly Truk?

The BC Repulse and two damaged DD escorts have made it to just south of Palembang. They will refuel at Batavia, then I will send the Repulse to Capetown for repairs and the DDs to Colombo for the same.

US WEST COAST:The 3 BBs I sent from PH to the West Coast on day 2 had to be split into 2 seperate TFs as the BB Nevada was slowing everyone else down too much. While the BB California and the BB Pennsylvania and the CL St. Louis will make SF tomorrow safe and sound, I'm not sure about the BB Nevada and AVD Hulbert, both of whom are now above 60 FLT damage. At their rate of speed (cruising at about 4-5 knots) they are still at least 5-7 days from the coast. They might be goners. If so, that will be the first US BB that has sunk. All others have been salvaged.

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 25th, Christmas Day:

DEI:
Palembang fell, and the Dutch units retreated SW towards Oosthaven. However, from what it looks like when I mouse-over the base, the oil fields were taken without a scratch! [X(] I might have to throw a city bombing run or two at the oil there as it might just be FOW.

Another Japanese reinforcement TF is a day away from Menado. His attacks there have stalled. For me, Menado always seems to hold up against the first, and sometimes even the second wave of invaders. The little INF unit there is a tough bugger compared to the rest of the small island bases in the DEI. I've pulled the CL Dragon and CL Durban off of their mission to Jesselton in part because they hadn't even rounded the SE horn of Borneo into the Sulu Sea, and in part because the IJN ships at Jesselton have hopped to Miri, possibly to pick up some oil. It would take at least 2 days for me to arrive there, even on full speed. Menado is less than a day away. Hopefully the Royal Navy will show the USN and Dutch navies how to intercept an invasion force and put the entire task force at the bottom. We should probably add the Aussie Navy to that list as the CA Canberra and CL Perth reacted to an invasion of the Dutch base at Saumlaki, but then withdrew without firing a shot. The Canberra had about half a magazine of ammo, and the CL Perth had about 3/4ths of a mag. "Low ammo" is the only reason I can see why they did that. The leader is average, but I wouldn't consider him a coward. They retreated to Darwin, but cannot rearm there since it's still too small, and I have no AE there. I've sent them to Perth. They will be able to add the DD Voyager and possibly a few dutch ships if they are finished with their repairs.

China:
Wuchow fell today to the 38th Division and a long list of artillery and ENG units.

Assaulting units:
38th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

This looks like what he will make his push with, up into Kweiyang or Liuchow. Last game he focused his efforts at cutting off Changsa by driving through and capturing the immediately adjacent bases to the west. This part of the Chinese line is hard to defend as there are so many places that can be hit, and the Chinese can't be everyhere at once in strength to stop him.

BB Nevada:
FLT damage is up to 76 now and she is still a week away at minimum, only moving a hex or two a day. I'm not holding out much hope.

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 26th, Boxing Day:

Subs:
The Dutch have awoken! Dutch boats put torpedos into no less than 4 different targets. Another 2 TFs were attacked on top of that, but both missed/dud. This was a great day for the allied silent service.

KVI - Attacked the xAK Nansin Maru twice, striking her with a single torpedo in each attack.
KXI - Struck the xAK Kotahiru Maru with a single torpedo. Then attacked and struck the damaged AKL Chosen Maru with a single torpedo. Both ships were carry reinforcement troops and fleeing from the naval engagement at Menado.
KIX - Hit the xAK Tenryu Maru with 2 torpedos while leaving Peliu laden with troops bound for somewhere in the DEI.
KVII - Fired and missed against a large transport TF entering Palembang.
SS Permit - Fired and struck the xAK Macassar Maru, but the torpedo failed to explode.

Fallen Bases:
San Fernando (Phillipenes)
Dabo (east of Timor)
Saumalaki (east of Timor)
Beaufort (Borneo, between Brunei and Jessleton)
Victoria Point (lone outpost along the coast between Burma and Malaya)

DEI:
My surface forces sent to Menado to break up the reinforcement TF fought bravely. Though the CL Durban was lost, numerous transports loaded with IJA/IJN troops were sunk when the Royal Navy was able to catch them at night while disembarking troops.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu, Shell hits 9, on fire
SC Ch 21, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
SC Ch 22, Shell hits 1
SC Ch 23, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AS Nagoya Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Keisyo Maru
xAK Koto Maru, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Toba Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Manyo Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAK Holland Maru
xAK Hukusei Maru
xAK Kotohira Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Yamabuki Maru
xAK Nihonka Maru
xAKL Jokuja Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Kaisho Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Bokuei Maru
xAKL Chosen Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kokuei Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Dragon
CL Durban, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Vampire
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 1
DD Express, Shell hits 1
DD Jupiter

Japanese ground losses:
495 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
---------------------------------------------------------------

I am pleased with what a slightly larger surface force can accomplish. Once a few repairs are finished on the CL Ceres and Soerabaja, it will form up with the other 2 RN CLs there and at least 5-6 DDs. I feel this should be enough surface force to take on future invasions, and hopefully will sink a lot more transports. The CA Houston and CL Marblehead will do the same once they are finished with repairs, which should be within the week in the Houston's case. The Marblehead will require a couple weeks, unfortunately.

CENTPAC/SOPAC:
Lots of troops and support ship movement for me here. I haven't seen hide nor hair of the IJN or the KB here since she disappeared on 12/15. Suva currently has several support ships (AV/AVDs, AS, AR, AG, AGP, AE), with another large contingent on the way, followed shortly by 2 USN Base Forces, a USA Base Force, 2 USMC Def units, and a few ENG units. A USMC Reg is also headed to Pago Pago. All of these should arrive in the next 4-5 days. I will take an AS and an AE and forward it onto Townsville on the Aussie east coast. This will save surface ships and subs several days of sailing when they have to rearm. They've been going to Brisbane and Sydney, but it's a good 12-18 days for a ship/sub to leave station near Guinea and the Solomons and then return rearmed and refueled. Using Townsville will chop 5-10 days off of that.

Lots of work needs to be done to these bases to make them defensible, but I need ENG units for that, and I don't have all that many. Sea Bees can't start coming fast enough.

[ny59giants]

You have an EAB (which is a poor man's Sea Bee) on Annette Island (198,42) which you can use.

I would be careful about putting too many ships in Suva. I think many Japanese players will pay that base a visit. [:-] Two other options which may be better are Vava'u in the Tonga Island group. It's port is 1(3) and is midway between Suva and Pago Pago, but a little further south. Second, is Penrhyu Island which is about 20 hexes due east of Pago Pago. The port is 1(1), but you will get a small USN port detachment there shortly. If you don't use Christmas Island for fuel storage, this may be a possibility.

You will get the usual major LCU reinforcement in mid-January. I'm about to plan who goes where, how much PPs I need, and where the transports from Oz/Nz will be going that are now arriving on the West Coast.

Allied economics - Unless Tracker is wrong, you may need to move some Resources around. There should be some from Hobart, Tasmania  to use those small xAKL to move to Melbourne and then from Hilo to Pearl to help your Light Industry.  There is more at Juneau that needs to get picked up. These are done about once or twice per month. These actions are just nice little things to help keep your economy running at max. [:)]

[Laxplayer]

ny59giants:
I'll check Annette. I remember not finding that until spring in my last game and just assumed it had arrived recently. As for ships at Suva, you are right... which reminds me I need to grab one of the Fighter Groups from PH to send there, and I need to put some DB squadrons there as well. Once these two convoys land, then I will have plenty of AV support to handle them. I've also been hoarding P40E airframes in my pool and I think a couple squadron upgrades are in order. I've always used Christmas as a fuel storage/waypoint. Right now, it just needs to build a bigger port/airfield so I don't run into spoilage. Regarding SOPAC, I built up Suva and Pago Pago, then Vava'u, and finally Rarotonga and Savaii in my previous game. I probably could have stopped after Vava'u, because he never pushed farther than taking Canton and Luganville/Efate. I'm not sure of his intentions in this game, but he is taking the DEI far quicker this game, so he might begin to look elsewhere soon. SOPAC is a wide and empty place at the moment.

I'm looking forward to getting the extra troops... especially the 6th Aussie Division, which will help lock down Port Hedland. The Brit 18th is very close to unloading at Darwin.

Thanks for the tip on the resources. I've basically ignored them, but I'll give it a shot to see if I notice any difference... at least for southern Oz and Pearl.

DECEMBER 27th:

SWPAC/SOPAC:
Convoys are arriving at Suva and Pago Pago, and more are on their way. A few of the USMC air units are headed from San Diego to this area, but will likely be at least a week or so before they arrive. I sent them a few turns ago. I will also grab one of the fighter groups from PH to cover Suva.

North of Rabaul, I had noticed what looked to be that transport TF that retreated from a failed invasion of Rabaul last week, and it had been sitting in the same hex for two or three days. Since I had the CA Australia at Rabaul, I figured I send her in to join the party. Here's the miserable results:
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Manus at 105,114, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PB Chiyo Maru #4
PB Choko Maru #2
PB Keijo Maru
PB Koei Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
xAK Hokkai Maru
xAK Kunitu Maru
xAK Ryunan Maru
xAK Kazan Maru
xAK Eizan Maru
xAK Yae Maru
xAK Nittai Maru
xAK Daihachikyo Maru
xAK Daijukyo Maru
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5
xAK Shinkoku Maru
xAK Shinwa Maru
xAKL Ujigawa Maru
xAKL Heiwa Maru
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2
xAKL Tateyama Maru
xAKL Higari Maru
xAKL Kanaiyama Maru
xAKL Konsan Maru
xAKL Taiyu Maru
PB Kosin Maru #3
PB Sento Maru

Allied Ships
CA Australia

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 64% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Dechaineaux, E.F.V. crosses the 'T'
CL Kashima engages CA Australia at 9,000 yards
Dechaineaux, E.F.V. orders Allied TF to disengage [:@]
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Kashima engages CA Australia at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Kashima engages CA Australia at 12,000 yards
CL Kashima engages CA Australia at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Dechaineaux, as soon as you safely dock at Brisbane, you will be transferred to a desk job in Wagga Wagga where you can no longer shame the Australian Navy with your cowardice.

DEI:
The Dutch Navy did a little bit better when I sent them into Palembang for a quick sneak attack on the large transport TF I saw there.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 1
xAK Goyo Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hitati Maru
xAK Akagisan Maru
xAK Sinsyu Maru
xAK Kasagi Maru
xAK Terukawa Maru
xAK London Maru
xAK Syozui Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sensan Maru
xAK Taikei Maru
xAK Chile Maru
xAK Hague Maru
xAK Havre Maru
xAK Rasin Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Yamahuzi Maru
xAK Mansyu Maru
xAK Syunsei Maru
xAK Yuri Maru
xAK Kiyo Maru
xAK Boston Maru
xAK Bisan Maru
xAK Hokuzyu Maru, heavy damage
xAKL Kokuyo Maru
xAKL Kuwayama Maru
xAK Kusuyama Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Nitiho Maru
xAK Nasusan Maru
xAK Nissen Maru #3
xAK Otori Maru
xAK Sakido Maru
xAK Nitiryu Maru
xAK Nitii Maru
xAKL Shoan Maru
xAK Toei Maru
LSD Akitsu Maru
xAP Asama Maru
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
xAP Huzi Maru
E Uruyame
DD Katsutade, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Uruyuke, Shell hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 1
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Van Ghent
...
LSD Akitsu Maru collides with xAK Kiyo Maru at 48 , 91
xAK Hokuzyu Maru collides with xAK Kiyo Maru at 48 , 91 [:D]
...
...Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
-----------------------------------------------------------------

While the surface engagement only banged up some escorts, it accomplished what I wanted, which was to cause a little havoc. The retreating IJN TF got a nice suprise right outside of Palembang when the same Dutch TF managed to run into them again and further damage the screening DDs. The icing on the cake was when the Dutch sub KVII put a torpedo into the xAP Kiyo Maru. Poor boat... it had already been rammed twice by its own ships, now it had to suffer the indignity of being torpedoed by the Dutch. Later that day, some Martins dropped some bombs on it for good measure, but weren't able to hit it.

The transport that had been beaten away from dropping reinforcements on Menado the previous day have returned and begun to unload the 113th Regiment again. It's only a matter of time. Menado probably falls next turn as I don't have anything nearby that could try to stop it.

CENTPAC:
The invasion of Wake Island finally arrived this turn. The Wildcats there were on Naval attack, but did not fly. The CD guns popped a couple of the escort PBs, but only one was "heavily damaged." An entire IJA regiment landed there (144th Reg) with nearly 130 AV. They shock attacked the same turn and captured the base. I would have liked to evac the fighters to Midway, but I didn't get the chance.

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 28th

Overall:
The opening month is such a chinese fire drill. I've got fleeing transports half full of troops heading every which way and it's impossible to keep track. I've also got a ton of things sitting on the US West Coast gathering dust because I can't afford to buy them out with PPs yet. While I can put a few small surface groups together and try to go shoot stuff, I can't make any real attacks. Plus, I feel vulnerable everywhere right now. I doubt there is a base other than maybe PH that he couldn't take if he wanted it, and he could probably take that as well. I enjoy the little chunks I sometimes take out of him, but honestly, I often feel like I'm just running around with my hair on fire. Hopefully I can make some semblance of a defense over the next few months.

Other than the KB showing up this turn, not much happened.

DEI:
The KB shows up... I think. A strike on a few TKs unloading fuel at Darwin came from the NE, and it consisted of 45 zeroes and 26 kates, so I think it's safe to say it's not the Baby KB. Rob kept the KB intact the entire game last time, so I don't think he's broken it up, and this will be the full KB. I hope he doesn't rake the bases across Northern Oz as I have nothing to defend that at the moment. Just a few small transports he might nail. I've rerouted most, so I should be fairly safe.

I was able to send that same Dutch surface group into Palembang again, much to Rob's consternation. He still can't figure out how I did it and even told me he had cruisers sitting at the entrance. When I opened the turn and looked, I noticed his CA's were sitting on the NE side of that barrier island just east of Palembang. Well no wonder he missed me, I keep sneaking up from Batavia and sailing between the two islands and returning the same way using the "Direct Route" setting. I'm not going to try a 3rd time... at least not until I see something juicy there! This time, I ran into a smoking, burning DD escort that I had shot up the turn before. Somehow, it saw me before I saw him, then was able to outrun me during the day phase. A bit ridiculous. I'd be more upset, but thankfully the SS Perch put a torpedo in him on his way out. I doubt he'll make it home.

Menado fell today, as expected. I now have no eyes in that area other than Tarakan and Macassar. I'm feeling a bit blind... this is one of the reasons the KB was able to sneak in undetected. The other was that I forgot to put the Hudsons at Darwin on NavSearch. Dummy.

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 29th and 30th

Darwin Invasion:
The KB striking Darwin wasn't just a raid. 2 invasion TFs and what looks to be a multi-BB Bombardment group popped up about a days sail from Darwin. Unfortunately, all of my land reinforcements from the south (3 Divisions of Militia troops plus some Armor, MG and a few support units) are still three weeks to a month or more march away from arriving. I only have the original units (minus Sparrow and Gull Bns, but plus the Lark Bn), and that is not going to be enough by far if he lands a division plus support and SNLF troops, which he probably is considering he hasn't done a thing in SWPAC/SOPAC.

The British 18th, was set to arrive in about 3 days, and likely would have arrived tomorrow if I didn't reverse course when the KB first struck at Darwin on the 28th. I am sending them to Port Hedland now, but I'm honestly thinking of sending them all the way to Perth. I don't have the forts or the supporting units at Hedland at the moment to be able to make a stand. It only has maybe 12k supply and no airfield yet, as it's still building at 70% despite 3 base forces.

DEI Japanese Strategy thoughts:

Rob struck hard and early at Sinkawang, then hopped to Palembang. Simultaneously he flooded the Ambon/Kendari area, then Timor. By doing that, he forced me back to Java and Northern Oz. Unlike many Japanese players, he's pretty much avoided SOPAC/SWPAC, and he seems to just be allowing the PI and Malaya campaigns to run their course with the original units involved (or less than original as I tend to believe).

At this point, he has a choice:

1.) He could do what many JFBs do, where they clean up skipped bases at the usual places in Borneo, Sumatra and the many little islands SE of Java while he waited for his troops to conquer Singapore/PI, as well as start pushing into SWPAC/SOPAC by taking Port Moresby and maybe Luganville/Efate/Noumea area or more. He would then use those freed up Singapore/PI troops along with others, to invade Java, push into Burma, or push deeper into SOPAC... especially once the Phillipenes fall. The problem with that strategy, is it allows the allies to build up northern Oz, making it a VERY hard place to invade and allowing the Allies to support strikes from that area with 4E bombing, subs, and/or CV/surface raids. It also allows the allies to continue to take fuel and supplies out of Soerabaja, or potentially reinforce Java at Tjilitjap's port.

OR...

2.) He could skip all that and invade Northern Oz, thereby really cutting off the DEI and Java from Oz Allied support. This also forces divisions that would be tabbed for SWPAC support (or India/Burma) to be shifted to retake Northern Oz, like the Aussie 6th and 7th divisions and USA 32nd Division, and potentially the 18th and 2nd British Divisions. Air support and supply to the area becomes very problematic because of the distances involved. It also forces any Naval support to be based out of Perth which is a long enough sail as to require AOs to support anything more than just a quick hit and run. Any sizeable naval invasions could be reacted to easily, forcing counter attacks to come from an overland route which causes all sorts of supply issues and allows them to be bombed for for much of their march north. It's going to make for a much longer war to retake the DEI.

Unfortunately for me, Rob chose option 2.

DEI:
Also today, Tarakan was invaded. I see it supported by the Baby KB sitting in wait in the Celebes Sea, so while I might have ships in the area, I can't really contest as I'm sure the BabyKB has a new full load of torpedos.

Here's the situation around Darwin at the moment:

[Laxplayer]

DECEMBER 31st, New Years Eve

Darwin Invasion:
The night began with a visit from the IJN bombardment group.
--------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

24 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 8
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CL Kitakami
CL Yura

Allied ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
---------------------------------------------------
The BB Yamashiro took 8 hits from the guns at Emery Point Fortress. All but 1 shell struck armor, but the single shell did find the superstructure and penetrated. No explosions unfortunately. This is Rob's M.O. with regards to large invasions... they always start off with nearly every BB he can find in a single TF, hammering the base.

This was followed up with 2 seperate invasion TFs... both of which were battered around by Emery Point.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Darwin - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

66 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
CL Tama
DD Tatsuyuke
xAKL Aiyo Maru
xAKL Yamayuri Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Yokae Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Choko Maru #5, Shell hits 2
PB Shinko Maru #5, Shell hits 3
PB Shinko Maru #3, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Kozan Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

TF 17 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124

Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Div /2
70mm T92 Howitzer accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Div /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Div /4
20 troops of a IJA HMG Squad lost overboard during unload of 33rd Div /5
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Div /6
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 33rd Div /7
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 33rd Div /7
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Div /8
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Div /9
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 33rd Div /10
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Div /13
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 33rd Div /20

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


...and the second wave:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Darwin - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

32 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Tama
DD Tatsuyuke
AMC Bankok Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAKL Yamabuki Maru
PB Choko Maru #5, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Shinko Maru #5, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kozan Maru, on fire
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Day phase included a visit from the KB's bombers which obliterated the airfield. Then more gun exchange from Emery Point and the invasion fleet:
24 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kakyu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Saiko Maru
CS Chitose
xAK Myoko Maru
PB Myoken Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
PB Edo Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAKL Yamabuki Maru
CL Oi
xAK Yamabiko Maru, Shell hits 2

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

AND

Amphibious Assault at Darwin

TF 89 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124

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

10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 146th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 146th Infantry Rgt /4
Type 89A Medium Tank damaged beyond repair during unload of 8th Tank Rgt /5
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 146th Infantry Rgt /6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In all, the Japanese landed about 650 AV of the 33rd IJA Division, the 146th Inf Rgt, and the 8th Tank Rgt. They should be more than enough to squash the 150 AV or so I have at Darwin, especially with the BB support he has.

The support and transport ships I had docked in Darwin attempted to flee the day before and got as far as just past Wyndham before they were pummelled by torpedo bombers from the KB. 3 of the 10 ships will make it I think. Unfortunately I will lose the AS Platypus.

I have debated whether to bring up the Banshee Bomber Group that arrived several days ago in Brisbane. Unfortunately, the pilots are all in the teens in every skill but defense. Because the A-24 Banshee is such a great dive bomber to base out of land bases, and because they get so few air frames built, I am going to continue training the pilots until I see them at least in their 50s to 60s in NavB skill. Otherwise, they won't hit crap and will just get shot out of the sky until there aren't any planes left. Still, they'd be really nice based at Katherine during this Darwin invasion.

[ny59giants]

Good move by your opponent!! [&o]

I would next invade Broome and come back for the other stuff later. He can now move down to Daly Waters and just dig in.

I'm training my Banshees at 70% for Naval Attack right now at Brisbane. As a side note, I finally have a few pilots in PBY and FP squadrons with over 40 in ASW experience.  

[Laxplayer]

ny59giants:
Yeah it was a really good move. It really took me off guard because in our last game, to be honest, he was very slow to move in the DEI, plus he didn't cover anything very well, so my surface forces tore him up good. This game has been completely different. He's moved much faster and far more decisively. He covers almost all of his invasions now. The more I thought about his invasion of Darwin, the more I realize there was nothing I could have done to stop it.

I'm not sure where he'll invade next. Whether he lands at Broome/Derby or Wyndham doesn't really matter because I can't really stop any of them. Only Port Hedland would be more than a speed bump for him.

JANUARY 1st, New Years Day

Darwin Invasion:
Darwin fell after only 1 shock attack. I'd hoped maybe my CD guns had disrupted him enough to cause him to attack at a much lower AV than he actually had, but that wasn't the case. Bataan BF which I had evacuated all the way from the PI surrendered, so that's one less large unrestricted naval base force I can use in the area. He can now walk leisurely to Daly Waters or possibly Tennant Creek. Looks like I'm going to have to turn Alice Springs into a large airstrip and start pounding him with 4E bombers. Hopefully I can get Port Hedland beefed up quick.

DEI:
Tarakan also fell. I figure Balikpapan is next. Lautem has also been invaded, and will likely fall in the next few days, though he may need to get reinforcements for that if he doesn't pound me with that BB force as our AVs are about the same.

More depressing news:
I had taken the 4 Royal Navy CLs I had, attached 4 DDs and sent them from Soerabaja to Kendari, where I saw what I believed to be a transport TF. Unfortunately they were not a transport TF.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kendari at 70,106, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 1
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Shell hits 2
CL Ceres, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Caledon, Shell hits 2
CL Colombo, Shell hits 1
DD Scout, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Thanet
DD Thracian
DD Jupiter

Poor visibility due to Rain with 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 100% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other than SYS damage in the teens for the 4 CLs, they faired pretty well. The DD Scout took a torpedo and suffered 2 shell hits, the second of which resulted in a magazine explosion. She sank immediately. One of the CA's took a hit in the upperworks and I got the "upperworks carried away" message, so she should have some Sys damage, but other than that, we couldn't penetrate their belt armor.

CENTPAC:
The lone good news for this New Years Day was that the SS Thresher was able to hit the CA Kinugasa with 2 torpedos, one of which actually penetrated and exploded. She got a second shot later in the turn, but the one that hit was a dud as well. Oh well, should be at least a few weeks of repairs on that CA unless I hit the blister.

[scott64]

Been there and do not have the T-shirt [:(]

[Laxplayer]

January 2nd

Subs:
SS I-153 sunk the xAKL Princess of Negros by surface attack at night near Balikpapan.
SS I-16 sunk the AVP Pelican with a single torpedo in the hex just SE of Suva.
The KXIII put two torpedos into the xAKL Nanko Maru, who was carrying troops north of Ambon. I don't see it surviving that attack. The KXIII then got a little too cute and tried to attack the xAKL Turusima Maru on the surface in daytime and got shot and set ablaze for it. She should make Soerabaja for repairs.

DEI:
9 Betties were able to put 2 bombs onto the CL Dragon and the CL Colombo as they arrived at Soerabaja. I still had my CAP on training. That setting has changed. [8|]

Lingayen was captured, as was Pontianak and Kuala Lumpur.

Here is the intelligence screen through the first month of the war:

[Laxplayer]

Here are the air losses. His zeros are doing quite well, especially over the PI. They also ripped the 1st Sqd of the AVG apart over Rangoon. I see he is sweeping in at 5k altitude and while my planes get the first dive, they then get torn to pieces. Anyone know of a way to counter this at all? Even later in the war when I get better planes?