Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Keep it up. I like your format and look forward to comparing your results to your your plans. Banzai!
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Thanks Blackhorse & Rondo. DSwain and I cranked a lot of turns so far this weekend (we both had Friday off) and there are more to come!
I have to say some good things about my opponent. He seems a very stand up guy so far - quick with the turns and no gamey moves (but too many clever moves for my taste [;)]). In his e-mail sending the first turn he said: "Good luck on the war... see you in about four years in Tokyo Bay. Bring a pen." Ahh, dry British wit and all.
Dec. 18, 1941
An action packed replay with something to like for both sides. We gain vital intel in the DEI.
Subs
I-155 sinks xAK Ellenga near Palembang. I-3, harrassed twice by escorts in the night phase, lines up a shot on xAP President Taylor in the afternoon but it's a misfire! [:@] Looks like she stumbled on a big troop convoy headed from San Diego to San Fran. S-36 misses a DD near Laoag. SS Shark gets a hit but no bang on a troopship ferrying forces to Samah for the upcoming chain invasions. Whew! The escorts claim 4 hits with DCs but only one seems real.
And now, the news of the day! I-153, cruising in the Java Sea near Bandjarmisen (I'm sure my Dutch spelling leaves much to be desired), gets the dreaded Boise in her sights and scores a hit! [X(][&o]. Unfortunately, the combat report does not indicate heavy damage so it may have been a minor hit or outright FoW. Still, hopefully we stung her. Most importantly, we know the USN/KNIL SCTF has left the eastern DEI headed for the Singapore area (there were enough Dutch DDs that attacked I-153 without success that we are pretty convinced this is the full Davao TF). This is valuable intel indeed. Analysis in the Malaya AO section below.
4th Fleet
With the fall of Wake, our command is altered in accordance with pre-war planning. 4th Fleet will be moved to Kwaj. As a command HQ, even with a 1 hex range, it will torp enable Roi Namur & Kwaj. This will allow 24th Air Flotilla to redeploy to TB once it is taken. 6th Fleet & Combined Fleet HQs will move to Truk. SE Fleet will move to Rabaul to torp enable numerous bases.
We now have 4CL & 4DD escorting the Tarawa and TB invasions, plus organic escorts in the invasion TFs. We breathe a little easier. KB is one day north and will shadow the rapid fire capture of these undefended islands. KB will then jaunt over to SE Fleet AO as mentioned.
SE Fleet
The Madang Invasion TF hightailed it out of town 2 days ago, leaving 1xAKL and 2 PBs to finish unloading needed supplies. Unfortunately, as this smaller TF leaves for Truk, they are intercepted near Manus by the ANZAC cruisers, plus USN CA Louisville. The inevitable outcome is the loss of our 3 ships, but they were considered expendable and on the whole we feel we kept one step ahead of DSwain in the early, shoestring op to capture four bases in NG. Fortunately, it takes a lot of shells to sink our vessels, so perhaps the enemy will need to re-arm, although we will not count on this. Most importantly, Cribtop HQ can now answer questions regarding the location of the ANZACs. Furthermore, Louisville's presence reduces the likelihood that a USN CA Sqdn with Pensacola and Pearl CAs is prowling the Gilberts. Best of all, our decision to hold the Rabaul attack until KB arrives is vindicated. The ANZACs are out of position to intercept our attack on Tulagi. However, we may hold off on hitting Munda or Shortlands until KB gets in the neighborhood. Frankly, it would be nice to bag some of these ships if we can.
16th Army
Quiet, but reinforcement and re-supply TFs are within a day of Babel. We should be able to get an Air HQ into Davao very soon, which will alter the local balance of forces.
14th Army
Troops unload, troops march on abandoned bases, US forces gather at Clark and Bataan for a last stand. Film at 11. [>:] We decide to give the Nettis & Zeros a rest from bombing Manila's port as there is little left afloat and the weather is bad.
China
Numerous DMS appear to clear all mines from HK's harbor. Curious that the "DMS-xx clears 26 mines at Hong Kong!!!" messages require THREE exclamation points. Really? [:D] Unfortunately, DMS-20 clears one mine with her keel and now graces the harbor as an artificial reef. We will stick around one more day to make sure we got all the mines, but the little yellow allied mine symbol is gone. 38th Div will be shipped out. The main issue is - use her for Java or hit bases in the Makassar Strait before using her for Java. We will decide soon.
Elsewhere, our Nanchang spoiling attack army had arrived in the first enemy occupied hex. We set all to deliberate attack but then got cautious and set all to bombard to see what we were up against. Unfortunately, two small armored units can't bombard and were left on deliberate attack orders. [8|] Fortunately, these overexuberant units alone were sufficient to get a 2:1, force the enemy's 130th Corps to retreat, and thoroughly trashed it with hundreds of squads destroyed! [:'(] I had heard that officers of the Kwantung Army and China Exp. Force sometimes took matters into their own hands without waiting for orders. Fortunately, this little screw up has a happy ending. We caught the enemy in move op mode, which helped. Other Chinese units in the area appear to be moving defensively, which is welcome news. The timing is perfect as it will draw DSwain's eye right as the 12th Army gets ready to move on Chengchow. We can't move much farther towards Nanchang with the spoiling attack, however, as the enemy is already reconning Hankow and Wuchang. DSwain is probably watching for a chance to attack if we stray too far away.
Malaya/Borneo
Analysis of the Boise intel. What is the enemy doing moving the USN/KNIL TF west through the Java Sea? Falling for our Maskirovka, perhaps? We have moved a small Babs Chutai to Miri and have been aggressively reconning Kuching & Sinkawang. We don't plan to invade until Siam Sqdn is ready, but hope to keep the enemy focused where we aren't. Cribtop HQ thinks it likely that DSwain believes invasion of Kuching is imminent and that he knows the size of Siam Sqdn from aerial recon. He may have decided to commit both Force Z AND the USN/KNIL forces to a big gun fight. This seems most likely as the B-17s & several Hudsons bomb the airfield at Miri today. The B-17s appear to have shifted to Batavia. Interesting.
Elsewhere, the AA and BFs have railed into Alor Star. Fighters & Imp. Gd over the next few days. Then we attack Taiping.
Burma
15th Army machetes its way closer to Tavoy. Otherwise, [>:], except that a second recon to Rangoon shows the enemy TFs have fled and the port now has a big airfield symbol. Maybe we spooked the enemy yesterday. This bug out slightly increases the odds that the TFs were troopships, which in turn slightly favors the "DSwain reinforced Burma" theory from the 12/15 Strat Analysis. PS - While preparing the next turn, I looked at the intel again and it shows no less than 9 xAPs in one convoy. Pretty sure the enemy is either reinforcing or evacuating troops.
Overall a good day with great intel. If only we'd put more fish into Boise.
I have to say some good things about my opponent. He seems a very stand up guy so far - quick with the turns and no gamey moves (but too many clever moves for my taste [;)]). In his e-mail sending the first turn he said: "Good luck on the war... see you in about four years in Tokyo Bay. Bring a pen." Ahh, dry British wit and all.
Dec. 18, 1941
An action packed replay with something to like for both sides. We gain vital intel in the DEI.
Subs
I-155 sinks xAK Ellenga near Palembang. I-3, harrassed twice by escorts in the night phase, lines up a shot on xAP President Taylor in the afternoon but it's a misfire! [:@] Looks like she stumbled on a big troop convoy headed from San Diego to San Fran. S-36 misses a DD near Laoag. SS Shark gets a hit but no bang on a troopship ferrying forces to Samah for the upcoming chain invasions. Whew! The escorts claim 4 hits with DCs but only one seems real.
And now, the news of the day! I-153, cruising in the Java Sea near Bandjarmisen (I'm sure my Dutch spelling leaves much to be desired), gets the dreaded Boise in her sights and scores a hit! [X(][&o]. Unfortunately, the combat report does not indicate heavy damage so it may have been a minor hit or outright FoW. Still, hopefully we stung her. Most importantly, we know the USN/KNIL SCTF has left the eastern DEI headed for the Singapore area (there were enough Dutch DDs that attacked I-153 without success that we are pretty convinced this is the full Davao TF). This is valuable intel indeed. Analysis in the Malaya AO section below.
4th Fleet
With the fall of Wake, our command is altered in accordance with pre-war planning. 4th Fleet will be moved to Kwaj. As a command HQ, even with a 1 hex range, it will torp enable Roi Namur & Kwaj. This will allow 24th Air Flotilla to redeploy to TB once it is taken. 6th Fleet & Combined Fleet HQs will move to Truk. SE Fleet will move to Rabaul to torp enable numerous bases.
We now have 4CL & 4DD escorting the Tarawa and TB invasions, plus organic escorts in the invasion TFs. We breathe a little easier. KB is one day north and will shadow the rapid fire capture of these undefended islands. KB will then jaunt over to SE Fleet AO as mentioned.
SE Fleet
The Madang Invasion TF hightailed it out of town 2 days ago, leaving 1xAKL and 2 PBs to finish unloading needed supplies. Unfortunately, as this smaller TF leaves for Truk, they are intercepted near Manus by the ANZAC cruisers, plus USN CA Louisville. The inevitable outcome is the loss of our 3 ships, but they were considered expendable and on the whole we feel we kept one step ahead of DSwain in the early, shoestring op to capture four bases in NG. Fortunately, it takes a lot of shells to sink our vessels, so perhaps the enemy will need to re-arm, although we will not count on this. Most importantly, Cribtop HQ can now answer questions regarding the location of the ANZACs. Furthermore, Louisville's presence reduces the likelihood that a USN CA Sqdn with Pensacola and Pearl CAs is prowling the Gilberts. Best of all, our decision to hold the Rabaul attack until KB arrives is vindicated. The ANZACs are out of position to intercept our attack on Tulagi. However, we may hold off on hitting Munda or Shortlands until KB gets in the neighborhood. Frankly, it would be nice to bag some of these ships if we can.
16th Army
Quiet, but reinforcement and re-supply TFs are within a day of Babel. We should be able to get an Air HQ into Davao very soon, which will alter the local balance of forces.
14th Army
Troops unload, troops march on abandoned bases, US forces gather at Clark and Bataan for a last stand. Film at 11. [>:] We decide to give the Nettis & Zeros a rest from bombing Manila's port as there is little left afloat and the weather is bad.
China
Numerous DMS appear to clear all mines from HK's harbor. Curious that the "DMS-xx clears 26 mines at Hong Kong!!!" messages require THREE exclamation points. Really? [:D] Unfortunately, DMS-20 clears one mine with her keel and now graces the harbor as an artificial reef. We will stick around one more day to make sure we got all the mines, but the little yellow allied mine symbol is gone. 38th Div will be shipped out. The main issue is - use her for Java or hit bases in the Makassar Strait before using her for Java. We will decide soon.
Elsewhere, our Nanchang spoiling attack army had arrived in the first enemy occupied hex. We set all to deliberate attack but then got cautious and set all to bombard to see what we were up against. Unfortunately, two small armored units can't bombard and were left on deliberate attack orders. [8|] Fortunately, these overexuberant units alone were sufficient to get a 2:1, force the enemy's 130th Corps to retreat, and thoroughly trashed it with hundreds of squads destroyed! [:'(] I had heard that officers of the Kwantung Army and China Exp. Force sometimes took matters into their own hands without waiting for orders. Fortunately, this little screw up has a happy ending. We caught the enemy in move op mode, which helped. Other Chinese units in the area appear to be moving defensively, which is welcome news. The timing is perfect as it will draw DSwain's eye right as the 12th Army gets ready to move on Chengchow. We can't move much farther towards Nanchang with the spoiling attack, however, as the enemy is already reconning Hankow and Wuchang. DSwain is probably watching for a chance to attack if we stray too far away.
Malaya/Borneo
Analysis of the Boise intel. What is the enemy doing moving the USN/KNIL TF west through the Java Sea? Falling for our Maskirovka, perhaps? We have moved a small Babs Chutai to Miri and have been aggressively reconning Kuching & Sinkawang. We don't plan to invade until Siam Sqdn is ready, but hope to keep the enemy focused where we aren't. Cribtop HQ thinks it likely that DSwain believes invasion of Kuching is imminent and that he knows the size of Siam Sqdn from aerial recon. He may have decided to commit both Force Z AND the USN/KNIL forces to a big gun fight. This seems most likely as the B-17s & several Hudsons bomb the airfield at Miri today. The B-17s appear to have shifted to Batavia. Interesting.
Elsewhere, the AA and BFs have railed into Alor Star. Fighters & Imp. Gd over the next few days. Then we attack Taiping.
Burma
15th Army machetes its way closer to Tavoy. Otherwise, [>:], except that a second recon to Rangoon shows the enemy TFs have fled and the port now has a big airfield symbol. Maybe we spooked the enemy yesterday. This bug out slightly increases the odds that the TFs were troopships, which in turn slightly favors the "DSwain reinforced Burma" theory from the 12/15 Strat Analysis. PS - While preparing the next turn, I looked at the intel again and it shows no less than 9 xAPs in one convoy. Pretty sure the enemy is either reinforcing or evacuating troops.
Overall a good day with great intel. If only we'd put more fish into Boise.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 19, 1941
We planned to post a screenshot, but will have to do it later as we are getting too close to air time for Episode 2 of "The Pacific."
Subs
We sortie an ASW TF from Takao as this is the turn our big reinforcements, watched over by China Sea Sqdn, are clearing the straits. The TF attacks both S-39 and Seadragon. No hits, but the big transports sail past unharmed, so the little SCs did their job. Recall we sent two I-boats to keep tabs of any moves in the NORPAC area. I-160 encounters and guns down xAKL Columbian sailing unescorted near Dutch Harbor. This was probably an unescorted re-supply. Hopefully it will make DSwain paranoid about escorts and stretch his convoys thin. Sealion attacks our last cripple from Davao, an xAK limping home to Babel. Somehow Sealion misses despite the fact the ship can only make 7 knots. Shame on the USN skipper! [:-]
Elsewhere there is little action, although our many invasion TFs close in on the Gilberts and Solomons. A few highlights:
- At Babel, 23rd Air Flotilla and other reinforcements for Davao rendezvous. In addition, the re-supply TF containing the big AKE arrives at Babel. Sulu Sea Sqdn is one day north. We are ready to change the game in the Sulu and Celebes seas.
- Naga is undefended and falls to 16th Recon Regt. Legaspi is next.
- Most of 21st Div is ashore at Laoag.
- Guam is invaded by Shanghai SNLF. Is her next target in the New Hebrides?
- We attack and defeat Chinese 88th Corps 1 hex SW of Hangchow. The enemy retreats with 1237 casualties and the way to Chusien is open.
- 12th Army begins its march to envelop and invest Chengchow. This should be the main event in China for a while.
We planned to post a screenshot, but will have to do it later as we are getting too close to air time for Episode 2 of "The Pacific."
Subs
We sortie an ASW TF from Takao as this is the turn our big reinforcements, watched over by China Sea Sqdn, are clearing the straits. The TF attacks both S-39 and Seadragon. No hits, but the big transports sail past unharmed, so the little SCs did their job. Recall we sent two I-boats to keep tabs of any moves in the NORPAC area. I-160 encounters and guns down xAKL Columbian sailing unescorted near Dutch Harbor. This was probably an unescorted re-supply. Hopefully it will make DSwain paranoid about escorts and stretch his convoys thin. Sealion attacks our last cripple from Davao, an xAK limping home to Babel. Somehow Sealion misses despite the fact the ship can only make 7 knots. Shame on the USN skipper! [:-]
Elsewhere there is little action, although our many invasion TFs close in on the Gilberts and Solomons. A few highlights:
- At Babel, 23rd Air Flotilla and other reinforcements for Davao rendezvous. In addition, the re-supply TF containing the big AKE arrives at Babel. Sulu Sea Sqdn is one day north. We are ready to change the game in the Sulu and Celebes seas.
- Naga is undefended and falls to 16th Recon Regt. Legaspi is next.
- Most of 21st Div is ashore at Laoag.
- Guam is invaded by Shanghai SNLF. Is her next target in the New Hebrides?
- We attack and defeat Chinese 88th Corps 1 hex SW of Hangchow. The enemy retreats with 1237 casualties and the way to Chusien is open.
- 12th Army begins its march to envelop and invest Chengchow. This should be the main event in China for a while.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec 20, 1941
Had to travel a few days for work, so no turns since Tuesday. As we resume, the storm begins to break as our attacks are getting organized and co-ordinated in China, the DEI and the SE Fleet AO. Important decisions are made and the next few turns will be very interesting.
Subs
SS Pike is attacked by convoy escorts near Pt. Arthur. Some Allied players fail to send subs into the resource rich Yellow Sea. Unfortunately, DSwain is not one of them.
SS Stingray launches torps at the I-154, still limping home after her crippling encounter with a mine at Singapore. The enemy gets a hit but no bang. With 92 FLT dmg, it's a wonder even the impact of a dud on the ruined hull didn't sink the IJN sub, but she lumbers on at 1 knot. I'd scuttle her, but the office pool at Saigon is up to Yen 50,000 and I've got the over. [:'(]
4th Fleet & SE Fleet AOs
The invasion of Tarawa goes in tomorrow. KB is in distant cover, and originally planned to stay. However, we mull a few things over: Intel in the Gilberts from numerous subs, Mavis and Nell running overlapping search patterns into the Baker/Canton area pick up nothing. Presence of CA Louisville with the ANZAC squadron lowers the likelihood of a USN cruiser force lurking here. Finally, if the TB force moves full speed they will hit TB on the 22nd, covered by the 4CL & 4DD of the temporary Gilberts Sqdn. Both the Tarawa and TB attacks should unload and take their objectives quickly.
Bottom line, Cribtop HQ considers the risk in the Gilberts low, while the local force of 4CL and 27 Nell provide backstops in case the Americans intervene. Elsewhere, we estimate the ANZAC cruisers are in Rabaul expecting that we will invade here next. As noted previously, we are in fact approacing Tulagi, with follow on invasions of Munda Pt and Shortlands in tow. It is likely the ANZACs will move against Tulagi. While the 2BB, 4CA and 6DD of SE Fleet are considered equal to the threat, KB is only 2 days' sail from Tulagi. If KB were to leave the Gilberts one day early, we just might bag the ANZACs from the air. After much thought, the low risk in the Gilberts is deemed not to warrant KB's presence. She steams west to sweep up the NE side of the Solomons, hunting for prey while covering these invasions.
Elsewhere, Shanghai SNLF attacks at Guam but the enemy has had time to build up two forts. We take one down but don't quite get the needed odds. Only a matter of time, but we will take the 21st off to recover a little disruption.
16th Army
We continue to approach Davao with an air HQ. After that, we will hit numerous bases here. Sulu Sea Sqdn, after covering the landings at Davao, will pay a night time visit to Cagayan, still occupied by enemy fighters.
China
Our forces are in position and begin the move over the river with 2300AV. The battle for Chengchow begins. Tomorrow our hidden Sallys and Nates will forward deploy to Kaifeng and begin round the clock bombing. Organizing time is over. It's on.
Malaya
Imp Guards have railed into Alor Star and begin the march south. We are ready to attack Georgetown and Taiping. It's on, the sequel.
Burma
Recon reveals that Rangoon has gone up to 14 units present. This is close to confirmation that at least a good chunk of DSwain's reinforcements are landing here. Fortress Burma is the likely effort of the enemy. Should be interesting.
Had to travel a few days for work, so no turns since Tuesday. As we resume, the storm begins to break as our attacks are getting organized and co-ordinated in China, the DEI and the SE Fleet AO. Important decisions are made and the next few turns will be very interesting.
Subs
SS Pike is attacked by convoy escorts near Pt. Arthur. Some Allied players fail to send subs into the resource rich Yellow Sea. Unfortunately, DSwain is not one of them.
SS Stingray launches torps at the I-154, still limping home after her crippling encounter with a mine at Singapore. The enemy gets a hit but no bang. With 92 FLT dmg, it's a wonder even the impact of a dud on the ruined hull didn't sink the IJN sub, but she lumbers on at 1 knot. I'd scuttle her, but the office pool at Saigon is up to Yen 50,000 and I've got the over. [:'(]
4th Fleet & SE Fleet AOs
The invasion of Tarawa goes in tomorrow. KB is in distant cover, and originally planned to stay. However, we mull a few things over: Intel in the Gilberts from numerous subs, Mavis and Nell running overlapping search patterns into the Baker/Canton area pick up nothing. Presence of CA Louisville with the ANZAC squadron lowers the likelihood of a USN cruiser force lurking here. Finally, if the TB force moves full speed they will hit TB on the 22nd, covered by the 4CL & 4DD of the temporary Gilberts Sqdn. Both the Tarawa and TB attacks should unload and take their objectives quickly.
Bottom line, Cribtop HQ considers the risk in the Gilberts low, while the local force of 4CL and 27 Nell provide backstops in case the Americans intervene. Elsewhere, we estimate the ANZAC cruisers are in Rabaul expecting that we will invade here next. As noted previously, we are in fact approacing Tulagi, with follow on invasions of Munda Pt and Shortlands in tow. It is likely the ANZACs will move against Tulagi. While the 2BB, 4CA and 6DD of SE Fleet are considered equal to the threat, KB is only 2 days' sail from Tulagi. If KB were to leave the Gilberts one day early, we just might bag the ANZACs from the air. After much thought, the low risk in the Gilberts is deemed not to warrant KB's presence. She steams west to sweep up the NE side of the Solomons, hunting for prey while covering these invasions.
Elsewhere, Shanghai SNLF attacks at Guam but the enemy has had time to build up two forts. We take one down but don't quite get the needed odds. Only a matter of time, but we will take the 21st off to recover a little disruption.
16th Army
We continue to approach Davao with an air HQ. After that, we will hit numerous bases here. Sulu Sea Sqdn, after covering the landings at Davao, will pay a night time visit to Cagayan, still occupied by enemy fighters.
China
Our forces are in position and begin the move over the river with 2300AV. The battle for Chengchow begins. Tomorrow our hidden Sallys and Nates will forward deploy to Kaifeng and begin round the clock bombing. Organizing time is over. It's on.
Malaya
Imp Guards have railed into Alor Star and begin the march south. We are ready to attack Georgetown and Taiping. It's on, the sequel.
Burma
Recon reveals that Rangoon has gone up to 14 units present. This is close to confirmation that at least a good chunk of DSwain's reinforcements are landing here. Fortress Burma is the likely effort of the enemy. Should be interesting.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Cribtop HQ has improved its screen shot technology! Below is the situation in China. We move on Chenchow with flank cover while the enemy moves into Sinyang. He is not there in sufficient force to eject us from level 4 forts, but we will reinforce and drive him out anyway. The stack to the West of Sinyang is our spoiling attack. Enemy moves in this area indicate we have kept their interest here, which is all we were trying to achieve.
- Attachments
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- China Dec22-41 Final.jpg (250.35 KiB) Viewed 441 times
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 21, 1941
Subs
Our sub captains seem to miss today. I-10 misses DMS Elliot near Raoul Is., I-26 hits no bang on AM Chignecto near the W. Coast, and I-169 misses AM Robin off Pearl. I-162 is DC'd to no effect near Singers.
4th Fleet
4th Fleet is packing to move to her new home. Tarawa falls and the much traveled 51st Nav Gd, which took Makin, Nauru, Ocean and Tarawa, can finally settle in to a more permanent home. TB invasion will hit tomorrow as planned.
SE Fleet
Tulagi is invaded. KB is in position to cover. Operation TS, the chain invasion from Tulagi to Shortlands with KB & SE Fleet in support, looks good so far. KB should be in position tomorrow to fully cover the next invasions and attack anything in Rabaul or the Solomons Sea. We cross our fingers that the ANZAC cruisers fall into our trap.
16th Army
Reinforcements and an Air HQ approach Davao. A Zero Hikotai from Takao moves to Aparri so they can make the jump to Davao next turn. We should have an air battle for the skies over Mindanao soon. Enemy ships are sighted at Manado - a lurking SCTF? Recon says it's two small mine ships, but you never know. KBL, having upgraded to Zeros & B5N1 Kates, is returing to the area to provide additional firepower. Recon shows Tarakan empty. Hmm. We will recon again from Miri to confirm. Many TFs converge on Samah and Camn Ranh Bay. Operation PPT, the chain invasions of Pt. Princesa, Jolo, Manado & Ternate, will ship out tomorrow, escorted by the China Sea Sqdn, a light cover force of CL & DD and an ASW TF. We are concerned that Manado's defenses may require more assets and have an extra SNLF ready to reinforce from Babel if needed. If Tarakan is really empty, we may move up the attack there too.
14th Army
We march on undefended bases. Manila & Legaspi should fall in a few days' time. DSwain is passively waiting in Clark & Bataan. We prepare to move paras, base forces, Zeros, Netties and an Air HQ to SE Fleet AO.
Borneo
Siam Sqdn will take the handoff of major reinforcements tomorrow. Once these forces are safely unloading in Bangkok, Siam Sqdn will be free to begin the dangerous chain invasion of Borneo's west coast.
Malaya
We order IJNAAF bombers into Khota and Alor Star. They will establish air superiority, escorted by Oscars & Nates. Numerous AA and BF forces are in position. 5th Div marches on Georgetown, Imp Gds marches towards the main army. Intel indicates 6 LCUs and 22K enemy troops in Taiping.
Burma
Marching on Tavoy. Enemy troops reconned in Pegu and Rangoon in large numbers, along with 40 fighters & 40 bombers. DSwain is ready for us here.
China
We messed up our river crossing orders near Chengchow and 15th Tank Regt shock attacks 90th Corps alone. Despite this, the attack goes well. Tomorrow should see the rest of the army smash this unit. Our Kwantung bombers shift up to Kaifeng and launch attacks on enemy units near Chengchow marching to the 90th's aid. They will be too late. Did we catch the enemy napping a little here? Perhaps.
Industry
Our new PBs and several ACMs (all conversions started on Dec. 7) will be ready tomorrow. Resources pour into the Home Islands. Production looks good so far.
Below: Screenie of Operation TS in the Solomons (PS - Can anyone tell me why the text on these is low res?):
Subs
Our sub captains seem to miss today. I-10 misses DMS Elliot near Raoul Is., I-26 hits no bang on AM Chignecto near the W. Coast, and I-169 misses AM Robin off Pearl. I-162 is DC'd to no effect near Singers.
4th Fleet
4th Fleet is packing to move to her new home. Tarawa falls and the much traveled 51st Nav Gd, which took Makin, Nauru, Ocean and Tarawa, can finally settle in to a more permanent home. TB invasion will hit tomorrow as planned.
SE Fleet
Tulagi is invaded. KB is in position to cover. Operation TS, the chain invasion from Tulagi to Shortlands with KB & SE Fleet in support, looks good so far. KB should be in position tomorrow to fully cover the next invasions and attack anything in Rabaul or the Solomons Sea. We cross our fingers that the ANZAC cruisers fall into our trap.
16th Army
Reinforcements and an Air HQ approach Davao. A Zero Hikotai from Takao moves to Aparri so they can make the jump to Davao next turn. We should have an air battle for the skies over Mindanao soon. Enemy ships are sighted at Manado - a lurking SCTF? Recon says it's two small mine ships, but you never know. KBL, having upgraded to Zeros & B5N1 Kates, is returing to the area to provide additional firepower. Recon shows Tarakan empty. Hmm. We will recon again from Miri to confirm. Many TFs converge on Samah and Camn Ranh Bay. Operation PPT, the chain invasions of Pt. Princesa, Jolo, Manado & Ternate, will ship out tomorrow, escorted by the China Sea Sqdn, a light cover force of CL & DD and an ASW TF. We are concerned that Manado's defenses may require more assets and have an extra SNLF ready to reinforce from Babel if needed. If Tarakan is really empty, we may move up the attack there too.
14th Army
We march on undefended bases. Manila & Legaspi should fall in a few days' time. DSwain is passively waiting in Clark & Bataan. We prepare to move paras, base forces, Zeros, Netties and an Air HQ to SE Fleet AO.
Borneo
Siam Sqdn will take the handoff of major reinforcements tomorrow. Once these forces are safely unloading in Bangkok, Siam Sqdn will be free to begin the dangerous chain invasion of Borneo's west coast.
Malaya
We order IJNAAF bombers into Khota and Alor Star. They will establish air superiority, escorted by Oscars & Nates. Numerous AA and BF forces are in position. 5th Div marches on Georgetown, Imp Gds marches towards the main army. Intel indicates 6 LCUs and 22K enemy troops in Taiping.
Burma
Marching on Tavoy. Enemy troops reconned in Pegu and Rangoon in large numbers, along with 40 fighters & 40 bombers. DSwain is ready for us here.
China
We messed up our river crossing orders near Chengchow and 15th Tank Regt shock attacks 90th Corps alone. Despite this, the attack goes well. Tomorrow should see the rest of the army smash this unit. Our Kwantung bombers shift up to Kaifeng and launch attacks on enemy units near Chengchow marching to the 90th's aid. They will be too late. Did we catch the enemy napping a little here? Perhaps.
Industry
Our new PBs and several ACMs (all conversions started on Dec. 7) will be ready tomorrow. Resources pour into the Home Islands. Production looks good so far.
Below: Screenie of Operation TS in the Solomons (PS - Can anyone tell me why the text on these is low res?):
- Attachments
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- Operation ..ec 23-41.jpg (111.09 KiB) Viewed 441 times
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 22, 1941
Subs
The reverse of Dec. 21 as we rack up kills! I-166 sinks xAK Itria near Toboali, then shells and torpedoes xAKL De Klerk under the waves. I-165 sinks xAK Kiangsu near Singapore. Our ASW TF near Pescadores attacks Tarpon and claims 5 hits (doubt it). The Salmon gets a hit no bang on a resource convoy near Korea. The only bad news is that I-154 finally sinks.
4th Fleet
TB invaded and is taken by shock attack. The IJN TFs will get north fast just in case there are things that go bang in the night nearby. Phase I in this AO is complete. We need to get BFs & supplies in position and identify forces for Phase II, namely Baker and Canton.
SE Fleet
Tulagi falls. Our forces move toward Munda the long way east of the Slot. KB lurks and will end the turn within 7 hexes (torp range) of Rabaul. At Truk, auxiliary ships, including two ARs, arrive from Japan. We have over 160K supply in place. 4th Div has unloaded and waits to attack PM. 144th Rgt. will load for Rabaul very soon, as that is the next op after Shortlands falls. At Guam, we knock forts to 0 with a 2:1 attack. Shock attack tomorrow should finish this charade.
16th Army
We begin to unload 23rd Air Flotilla at Davao. 45 Zeros jump in from Aparri. Several are damaged but no planes or pilots are lost. We set at 80% cap and await DSwain's daily raid on the airfield. This time he will be opposed! KBL approaches from the NE but is still several days out. The Operation PPT TFs move SE.
14th Army
Some excitement! The enemy laid a sub minefield at Takao. By good luck, the first TF to enter the harbor are the DMS returning from HK. Two ports cleared for the price of one! [:D] We leave local MSW TFs in place at Takao and at other key ports to counter this in the future.
Elsewhere, we arrive at Lingayen and will take the base soon. Armor is moving down the northern Luzon valley from Aparri to make sure there are no guerillas in the mountains. 16th Div arrives at Batangas. Manila is next.
Borneo
More recon of Tarakan, still no enemy sighted. Are our pilots blind or has DSwain abandoned the base? Why do this when he may be able to damage the facilities if he leaves a BF?
Malaya
Unfortunately, weather over Kuala Lumpur spares it our bombing raid. We'll try again tomorrow.
Burma
[>:]
China
Our bombers hit the enemy again, their reinforcements don't make hex 87,45 (1 hex SW of Chengchow). Most of 12th Army moves over the river and shock attacks 90th Corps. The corps is absolutely shattered with a 1650:1 attack. Supplies must be low. We lose 1250 casualties with only 2 squads destroyed, while the enemy suffers 11,036 casualties with over 650 squads destroyed [X(]! Banzai!. The enemy in Chengchow is in danger of being encircled and destroyed.
In the south, 38th ID's transports are moving to HK to lift them to the DEI. Other units prepare to march on Kwangchowan.
Subs
The reverse of Dec. 21 as we rack up kills! I-166 sinks xAK Itria near Toboali, then shells and torpedoes xAKL De Klerk under the waves. I-165 sinks xAK Kiangsu near Singapore. Our ASW TF near Pescadores attacks Tarpon and claims 5 hits (doubt it). The Salmon gets a hit no bang on a resource convoy near Korea. The only bad news is that I-154 finally sinks.
4th Fleet
TB invaded and is taken by shock attack. The IJN TFs will get north fast just in case there are things that go bang in the night nearby. Phase I in this AO is complete. We need to get BFs & supplies in position and identify forces for Phase II, namely Baker and Canton.
SE Fleet
Tulagi falls. Our forces move toward Munda the long way east of the Slot. KB lurks and will end the turn within 7 hexes (torp range) of Rabaul. At Truk, auxiliary ships, including two ARs, arrive from Japan. We have over 160K supply in place. 4th Div has unloaded and waits to attack PM. 144th Rgt. will load for Rabaul very soon, as that is the next op after Shortlands falls. At Guam, we knock forts to 0 with a 2:1 attack. Shock attack tomorrow should finish this charade.
16th Army
We begin to unload 23rd Air Flotilla at Davao. 45 Zeros jump in from Aparri. Several are damaged but no planes or pilots are lost. We set at 80% cap and await DSwain's daily raid on the airfield. This time he will be opposed! KBL approaches from the NE but is still several days out. The Operation PPT TFs move SE.
14th Army
Some excitement! The enemy laid a sub minefield at Takao. By good luck, the first TF to enter the harbor are the DMS returning from HK. Two ports cleared for the price of one! [:D] We leave local MSW TFs in place at Takao and at other key ports to counter this in the future.
Elsewhere, we arrive at Lingayen and will take the base soon. Armor is moving down the northern Luzon valley from Aparri to make sure there are no guerillas in the mountains. 16th Div arrives at Batangas. Manila is next.
Borneo
More recon of Tarakan, still no enemy sighted. Are our pilots blind or has DSwain abandoned the base? Why do this when he may be able to damage the facilities if he leaves a BF?
Malaya
Unfortunately, weather over Kuala Lumpur spares it our bombing raid. We'll try again tomorrow.
Burma
[>:]
China
Our bombers hit the enemy again, their reinforcements don't make hex 87,45 (1 hex SW of Chengchow). Most of 12th Army moves over the river and shock attacks 90th Corps. The corps is absolutely shattered with a 1650:1 attack. Supplies must be low. We lose 1250 casualties with only 2 squads destroyed, while the enemy suffers 11,036 casualties with over 650 squads destroyed [X(]! Banzai!. The enemy in Chengchow is in danger of being encircled and destroyed.
In the south, 38th ID's transports are moving to HK to lift them to the DEI. Other units prepare to march on Kwangchowan.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 23, 1941
Subs
I-155 attacks xAKL Lemantang with guns and 8 torps near Pontianak. Needless to say, the little merchie sinks under a hail of wasted lead.[8|]
4th Fleet
Our invasion fleets retire to the north unmolested. A base force loads at Kwaj for Wake. We have 8 SSX loitering at Kwaj and decide to deploy them as mine fields at TB, Tarawa, Wake, Nauru and Ocean.
SE Fleet
Invasion forces move for Munda with KB sheparding. No sign of ANZACs yet. If they are still at Rabaul they are running out of time to leave. At Takao and Babel, various base forces and small SNLF (including two small para units) load for transfer to the SE Fleet AO. Netties, Zeros and Tinas are headed towards Truk. UPDATE: Forgot to mention that Guam falls today. Tokyo Rose did not forget to crow about it in her nightly broadcast, however.
16th Army
DSwain's P-40s sweep the now occupied Davao airfield (no airfield bombers this turn - can the Allies still see the airfield symbol while preparing their turn? I thought that was fixed). Numerous Zeros meet them for a dog fight in four parts. Hard to tell the exact losses but it looks to be about 4:3 in shoot downs in our favor. The entire 23rd Air Flotilla HQ unloads in one turn, which is very important. KBL is enroute and Sulu Sea Sqdn will bombard Cagayan once we have finished unloading troops. The second big Zero Hikotai will stop by Davao on its way to SE Fleet AO tomorrow and fight the P-40s for a while. We are unloading enough ground force to clean up the island and besiege Cagayan, but may not have enough to actually take the place. Enemy planes, ships and troops are all huddled there - cleaning up this viper's nest will be a high priority over the next two weeks. Elsewhere, the Engineers and Arty that assisted with taking Hong Kong load for a move to the Malaya front, while 38th ID is prepping for targets in Celebes and Timor. The Operation PPT fleet sails towards its first objective - Puerto Princesa.
14th Army
An FT TF unloads a few heavy items from a construction battalion flown into Laoag on Dec. 8. We mention this because it is the last unit that will be sent to Luzon until the fall of Bataan (unless reinforcements are needed). Lingayan and Batangas fall. 16th Div marches on Manila itself. It won't be long at all until we back the Amis into Clark and begin the siege in earnest.
Borneo
Still no enemy seen in Tarakan. More recon.
Malaya
Our Kuala Lumpur airstrike goes in with middling results. No one was home anyway. The enemy B-17s revisit Alor Star to face Oscars, Nates and four flak units. Results: 10 B-17 damaged for 9 runway hits and 1 Nate destroyed on the ground. 5th Div, assisted by our Sallys, will attack Georgetown tomorrow. The rest of 25th Army lumbers towards Georgetown and then Taiping. 2nd ID and various other elements from Japan should be unloading in Bangkok in 3-4 days. Large numbers of base forces and AA units continue to rail into Alor Star and Khota Baru each day.
Burma
The agony of moving 1 hex continues. 15th Army is 30 of 46 miles to Tavoy, long ago abandoned by the enemy. Recon shows large forces in Rangoon and Pegu, but Moulmein is empty. 33rd ID will arrive soon, as will 1st Raiding Regt.
China
We bomb the enemy near Chengchow and are jumped by 10 planes of the AVG! Our 10 Nates actually give good account, and although 5 are lost, only 2 bombers are shot down and we consider ourselves fortunate. Further aerial offensives will have to await the arrival of the Tojos and a Sentai of Oscars, both of which were already en route. One of our probing Tank regts. manages to blunder into an enemy corps moving up from Nanyang. We will retire in combat op mode - so far the Chinese lack the supplies and experience to scare me much even at these odds. The main force moves on Chengchow itself.
In an interesting development, the enemy is falling back from Sinyang and positions partially surrounding the city. Our spoiling attack, plus two strong units advanding toward Sinyang's flank from the Nanking area, have apparently convinced DSwain to withdraw. We can't move too much farther here for fear of a counterattack on Wuhan/Hankow from Central China. However, we probably have enough force to roll up the plains closer to Nanyang from the eastern side of Sinyang, keeping the pressure on and hopefully preventing wholesale reinforcements of the main fight at Chengchow.
Home Front
Not much to report except that we have rationalized production of airframes and engines a bit and that all categories (HI, resources, supplies, etc) continue to go up. So far, so good. 5th Fleet air defenses and picket ships are in place. Would love to reinforce the Kuriles and will soon, but currently have neither the transport planes nor the PPs to make it happen.
Subs
I-155 attacks xAKL Lemantang with guns and 8 torps near Pontianak. Needless to say, the little merchie sinks under a hail of wasted lead.[8|]
4th Fleet
Our invasion fleets retire to the north unmolested. A base force loads at Kwaj for Wake. We have 8 SSX loitering at Kwaj and decide to deploy them as mine fields at TB, Tarawa, Wake, Nauru and Ocean.
SE Fleet
Invasion forces move for Munda with KB sheparding. No sign of ANZACs yet. If they are still at Rabaul they are running out of time to leave. At Takao and Babel, various base forces and small SNLF (including two small para units) load for transfer to the SE Fleet AO. Netties, Zeros and Tinas are headed towards Truk. UPDATE: Forgot to mention that Guam falls today. Tokyo Rose did not forget to crow about it in her nightly broadcast, however.
16th Army
DSwain's P-40s sweep the now occupied Davao airfield (no airfield bombers this turn - can the Allies still see the airfield symbol while preparing their turn? I thought that was fixed). Numerous Zeros meet them for a dog fight in four parts. Hard to tell the exact losses but it looks to be about 4:3 in shoot downs in our favor. The entire 23rd Air Flotilla HQ unloads in one turn, which is very important. KBL is enroute and Sulu Sea Sqdn will bombard Cagayan once we have finished unloading troops. The second big Zero Hikotai will stop by Davao on its way to SE Fleet AO tomorrow and fight the P-40s for a while. We are unloading enough ground force to clean up the island and besiege Cagayan, but may not have enough to actually take the place. Enemy planes, ships and troops are all huddled there - cleaning up this viper's nest will be a high priority over the next two weeks. Elsewhere, the Engineers and Arty that assisted with taking Hong Kong load for a move to the Malaya front, while 38th ID is prepping for targets in Celebes and Timor. The Operation PPT fleet sails towards its first objective - Puerto Princesa.
14th Army
An FT TF unloads a few heavy items from a construction battalion flown into Laoag on Dec. 8. We mention this because it is the last unit that will be sent to Luzon until the fall of Bataan (unless reinforcements are needed). Lingayan and Batangas fall. 16th Div marches on Manila itself. It won't be long at all until we back the Amis into Clark and begin the siege in earnest.
Borneo
Still no enemy seen in Tarakan. More recon.
Malaya
Our Kuala Lumpur airstrike goes in with middling results. No one was home anyway. The enemy B-17s revisit Alor Star to face Oscars, Nates and four flak units. Results: 10 B-17 damaged for 9 runway hits and 1 Nate destroyed on the ground. 5th Div, assisted by our Sallys, will attack Georgetown tomorrow. The rest of 25th Army lumbers towards Georgetown and then Taiping. 2nd ID and various other elements from Japan should be unloading in Bangkok in 3-4 days. Large numbers of base forces and AA units continue to rail into Alor Star and Khota Baru each day.
Burma
The agony of moving 1 hex continues. 15th Army is 30 of 46 miles to Tavoy, long ago abandoned by the enemy. Recon shows large forces in Rangoon and Pegu, but Moulmein is empty. 33rd ID will arrive soon, as will 1st Raiding Regt.
China
We bomb the enemy near Chengchow and are jumped by 10 planes of the AVG! Our 10 Nates actually give good account, and although 5 are lost, only 2 bombers are shot down and we consider ourselves fortunate. Further aerial offensives will have to await the arrival of the Tojos and a Sentai of Oscars, both of which were already en route. One of our probing Tank regts. manages to blunder into an enemy corps moving up from Nanyang. We will retire in combat op mode - so far the Chinese lack the supplies and experience to scare me much even at these odds. The main force moves on Chengchow itself.
In an interesting development, the enemy is falling back from Sinyang and positions partially surrounding the city. Our spoiling attack, plus two strong units advanding toward Sinyang's flank from the Nanking area, have apparently convinced DSwain to withdraw. We can't move too much farther here for fear of a counterattack on Wuhan/Hankow from Central China. However, we probably have enough force to roll up the plains closer to Nanyang from the eastern side of Sinyang, keeping the pressure on and hopefully preventing wholesale reinforcements of the main fight at Chengchow.
Home Front
Not much to report except that we have rationalized production of airframes and engines a bit and that all categories (HI, resources, supplies, etc) continue to go up. So far, so good. 5th Fleet air defenses and picket ships are in place. Would love to reinforce the Kuriles and will soon, but currently have neither the transport planes nor the PPs to make it happen.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
RL issues have prevented posting to the AAR for awhile, but we have still been cranking turns. Let's catch up!
Dec. 24, 1941
A holiday for the Imperialists but not for the brave airmen, soldiers and sailors of the Co-Prosperity Sphere!
Subs
I-162 is DC'd near Singers by a USN 4-stacker DD, but no hits are scored. Other DDs noted in the summary indicate this may be the main USN/KNIL squadron. An IJA DB out of Takao bombs an enemy SS. No hit, but we are encouraged to see these attacks happening more often. Perhaps our pilots are already getting better at ASW.
4th Fleet & SE Fleet
Operation TS ships invade Munda Point, covered by KB and SE Fleet, otherwise [>:]
16th Army
Furball over Davao!
For the second day, our Zeros fight off determined enemy sweeps by P-40E, P-40B and even a few P-35As. Results are very encouraging, as losses in this battle are 7:1 in our favor. The fighting spirit of our pilots rises when Saburo Sakai, injured on the first day of the war over Clark Field, returns to the lists. Total air losses in all theaters today are 22:9 in our favor. The air superiority battle is turning our way. [:D] More Zeros will move to Davao tomorrow, with Bettys moving in to sweep the Celebes and Sulu Seas in time for the arrival of the Operation PPT fleets. Cribtop HQ is pleased with progress in the 16th Army AO for the first time in the war.
We are slightly concerned with sightings of an enemy "float fighter" and "torpedo bomber" reconning the port. Enemy CVs? These reports are discounted because: 1) Our unloading troops are covered in Davao by both Sulu Sea Sqdn and, tomorrow, over 80 Zeros (both big Hikotai from Takao), 2) KBL is moving at speed back into these waters with fully upgraded aircraft, and 3) Cribtop HQ thinks it very unlikely DSwain's CVs are in the area due to distance, exposure to risk and the fact that Yorktown isn't in the war yet. We assume these are planes from Cagayan.
14th Army
We march on Clark.
Borneo
DSwain abandoned Brunei and we occupy it for free.
Malaya
Georgetown falls and Penang Fort surrenders. 25th Army is in position to reduce Taiping and begin the race to Singapore. Banzai!
China
We attack and force Chinese 88th Corps to retreat into Chusien. The enemey suffers 1569 casualties and approx 100 squads destroyed.
Dec. 24, 1941
A holiday for the Imperialists but not for the brave airmen, soldiers and sailors of the Co-Prosperity Sphere!
Subs
I-162 is DC'd near Singers by a USN 4-stacker DD, but no hits are scored. Other DDs noted in the summary indicate this may be the main USN/KNIL squadron. An IJA DB out of Takao bombs an enemy SS. No hit, but we are encouraged to see these attacks happening more often. Perhaps our pilots are already getting better at ASW.
4th Fleet & SE Fleet
Operation TS ships invade Munda Point, covered by KB and SE Fleet, otherwise [>:]
16th Army
Furball over Davao!
For the second day, our Zeros fight off determined enemy sweeps by P-40E, P-40B and even a few P-35As. Results are very encouraging, as losses in this battle are 7:1 in our favor. The fighting spirit of our pilots rises when Saburo Sakai, injured on the first day of the war over Clark Field, returns to the lists. Total air losses in all theaters today are 22:9 in our favor. The air superiority battle is turning our way. [:D] More Zeros will move to Davao tomorrow, with Bettys moving in to sweep the Celebes and Sulu Seas in time for the arrival of the Operation PPT fleets. Cribtop HQ is pleased with progress in the 16th Army AO for the first time in the war.We are slightly concerned with sightings of an enemy "float fighter" and "torpedo bomber" reconning the port. Enemy CVs? These reports are discounted because: 1) Our unloading troops are covered in Davao by both Sulu Sea Sqdn and, tomorrow, over 80 Zeros (both big Hikotai from Takao), 2) KBL is moving at speed back into these waters with fully upgraded aircraft, and 3) Cribtop HQ thinks it very unlikely DSwain's CVs are in the area due to distance, exposure to risk and the fact that Yorktown isn't in the war yet. We assume these are planes from Cagayan.
14th Army
We march on Clark.
Borneo
DSwain abandoned Brunei and we occupy it for free.
Malaya
Georgetown falls and Penang Fort surrenders. 25th Army is in position to reduce Taiping and begin the race to Singapore. Banzai!
China
We attack and force Chinese 88th Corps to retreat into Chusien. The enemey suffers 1569 casualties and approx 100 squads destroyed.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 25, 1941
Merry (virtual) Christmas!
Subs
Off the US West Coast, AM Chignecto continues its vendetta against I-3 to no effect. We move I-3's patrol route a little to try to throw this ASW unit off. I-158 fires on a Dutch DD near Lingga but misses. More evidence the USN/KNIL squadron is lurking here. I-166 sinks xAK Edward Luckenbach near Oosthaven. Yummy. A Betty out of Saigon reports a hit on an enemy sub. Very encouraging for this early in the war.
SE Fleet
Munda falls. Shortlands next.
16th Army
Our planes from Davao move over to the offensive. A sweep of Cagayan is very effective, with 4 enemy fighters downed to no losses on our side. It looks like DSwain is evacuating his planes as there are no P-40E in the fight. Next, in a bit of a surprise, KBL returns to these waters with upgraded aircraft and raids the xAKLs that have stubbornly (indeed inexplicably) loitered in Cagayan harbor. The one plane CAP is swept aside and Kates sink xAKLs Saragami, Taurus, Escalante and Elcano. Only the Dos Hermanos survives. What were these ships doing here? I assumed hiding under fighter cover to facilitate making a break for it, but they stayed until the bitter end as air superiority went our way in the last two days. No troops shown as casualties in the replay so I doubt they were pulling fragments. Well, whatever they were up to they are now artificial reefs.
Tomorrow we will move one of the Zero Hikotais out of Davao toward SE Fleet, while Bettys will fly in. This will make the surrounding waters more dangerous for DSwain's ships and provide additional cover for the fast approaching ships of Operation PPT. Two enemy ships are spotted at Tarakan, so the Bettys may help neutralize any threat from that direction. This is a significant development in the conquest of the DEI, and justifies the invasion of Davao, despite all its difficulties.
14th Army
Bayombong falls.
Malaya
97 Sallys pound Taiping. Few casualties, but we are working on disrupting the enemy in case he makes a stand here. That said, the little arrow has appeared and I believe DSwain will rail out some or all of these forces. The B-17s (I hate those guys) bomb recently liberated and unoccupied Georgetown airfield. Leaking CAP from Alor Star damages 15 bombers, they get 28 runway hits.
Logistics
Camn Ranh Bay makes port lvl 6. We will take her to 7.
Merry (virtual) Christmas!
Subs
Off the US West Coast, AM Chignecto continues its vendetta against I-3 to no effect. We move I-3's patrol route a little to try to throw this ASW unit off. I-158 fires on a Dutch DD near Lingga but misses. More evidence the USN/KNIL squadron is lurking here. I-166 sinks xAK Edward Luckenbach near Oosthaven. Yummy. A Betty out of Saigon reports a hit on an enemy sub. Very encouraging for this early in the war.
SE Fleet
Munda falls. Shortlands next.
16th Army
Our planes from Davao move over to the offensive. A sweep of Cagayan is very effective, with 4 enemy fighters downed to no losses on our side. It looks like DSwain is evacuating his planes as there are no P-40E in the fight. Next, in a bit of a surprise, KBL returns to these waters with upgraded aircraft and raids the xAKLs that have stubbornly (indeed inexplicably) loitered in Cagayan harbor. The one plane CAP is swept aside and Kates sink xAKLs Saragami, Taurus, Escalante and Elcano. Only the Dos Hermanos survives. What were these ships doing here? I assumed hiding under fighter cover to facilitate making a break for it, but they stayed until the bitter end as air superiority went our way in the last two days. No troops shown as casualties in the replay so I doubt they were pulling fragments. Well, whatever they were up to they are now artificial reefs.
Tomorrow we will move one of the Zero Hikotais out of Davao toward SE Fleet, while Bettys will fly in. This will make the surrounding waters more dangerous for DSwain's ships and provide additional cover for the fast approaching ships of Operation PPT. Two enemy ships are spotted at Tarakan, so the Bettys may help neutralize any threat from that direction. This is a significant development in the conquest of the DEI, and justifies the invasion of Davao, despite all its difficulties.
14th Army
Bayombong falls.
Malaya
97 Sallys pound Taiping. Few casualties, but we are working on disrupting the enemy in case he makes a stand here. That said, the little arrow has appeared and I believe DSwain will rail out some or all of these forces. The B-17s (I hate those guys) bomb recently liberated and unoccupied Georgetown airfield. Leaking CAP from Alor Star damages 15 bombers, they get 28 runway hits.
Logistics
Camn Ranh Bay makes port lvl 6. We will take her to 7.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 26, 1941
Subs
Searaven is DC'd by escorts East of Luzon. We are relieved there was no sub attack as this small but valuable convoy is moving the two paratroop units that start in Takao to the SE Fleet AO. Pike is similarly chased off near Pt. Arthur. I-162 humiliates a Brit ASW TF near Singers by sinking KV Hollyhock and evading retribution. I-4 sinks AM Robin off the W. Coast.
SE Fleet
Shortlands is invaded. The Rabaul invasion, along with follow on forces for Rabaul and the Solomons, begin loading at Truk. We will refuel KB from the fleet oilers and proceed directly into the Rabaul op once Shortlands is taken.
16th Army
The operation PPT fleet rounds the western end of Palawan Island in hex 70,83. So does an unescorted flotilla of Dutch merchies. China Sea Sqdn sinks 3 xAKs and 2 xAKLs. The only irritant is that the two BBs use up more ammo than we'd like, but still have 50% and 75% respectively. SS Pickerel joins the party and fires twice at escorting DDs. Twice she hits with no bangs.
A few Bettys transferred to Davao attack xAKL Dos Hermanos. Cribtop HQ loves that only a few planes out of two Daitai launch (saves ammo), but we are irritated that the Dos Hermanos avoids all attacks in both the AM and PM phases. I joked with DSwain that he should rename her the xAKL Suerte (Spanish for "luck").
14th Army
Cabanatuan occupied, Iba falls. Elements of 16th Div reach Manila, which will fall tomorrow. The noose around Clark tightens.
Malaya
Another raid on Taiping by 95 Sallys. The Brits attack 56th Regt, which is 1 hex NE of Temuloh. Leaking CAP from Khota Baru engages in small numbers and things go DSwain's way with 2 Oscar downed. The bombing is ineffective. We will re-swizzle Khota's CAP to prevent this from happening again. Undaunted 56th Regt smashes the BF retreating from Khota and forces them to retreat into Temuloh. 3 days of recon confirms that Kuantan is abandoned. We will not bother to invade this base from the sea. Four massive reinforcement TFs will reach Bangkok tomorrow to unload 2nd Div, 33rd Div, 1st Raiding Regt, and elements of 25th Army that start the war in Japan. We have 2 Amphib and 2 transport TFs small enough to dock at the lvl 4 port.
China
The enemy moves two corps into the hex SW of Chengchow where we crossed the river. Most of 12th Army is moving toward Chengchow, but a rear guard of 1 Bde and 3 armored units launches a deliberate attack hoping to catch DSwain in move op mode and wreck these units. It works! The result is a 1:1 with 10:1 casualties in our favor. Replay shows a penalty for op mode is charged against the Chinese. [:)]
Logistics
The ACMs we began converting early in the war finish up today and will be sent to maintain minefields in the Home Islands.
Subs
Searaven is DC'd by escorts East of Luzon. We are relieved there was no sub attack as this small but valuable convoy is moving the two paratroop units that start in Takao to the SE Fleet AO. Pike is similarly chased off near Pt. Arthur. I-162 humiliates a Brit ASW TF near Singers by sinking KV Hollyhock and evading retribution. I-4 sinks AM Robin off the W. Coast.
SE Fleet
Shortlands is invaded. The Rabaul invasion, along with follow on forces for Rabaul and the Solomons, begin loading at Truk. We will refuel KB from the fleet oilers and proceed directly into the Rabaul op once Shortlands is taken.
16th Army
The operation PPT fleet rounds the western end of Palawan Island in hex 70,83. So does an unescorted flotilla of Dutch merchies. China Sea Sqdn sinks 3 xAKs and 2 xAKLs. The only irritant is that the two BBs use up more ammo than we'd like, but still have 50% and 75% respectively. SS Pickerel joins the party and fires twice at escorting DDs. Twice she hits with no bangs.
A few Bettys transferred to Davao attack xAKL Dos Hermanos. Cribtop HQ loves that only a few planes out of two Daitai launch (saves ammo), but we are irritated that the Dos Hermanos avoids all attacks in both the AM and PM phases. I joked with DSwain that he should rename her the xAKL Suerte (Spanish for "luck").
14th Army
Cabanatuan occupied, Iba falls. Elements of 16th Div reach Manila, which will fall tomorrow. The noose around Clark tightens.
Malaya
Another raid on Taiping by 95 Sallys. The Brits attack 56th Regt, which is 1 hex NE of Temuloh. Leaking CAP from Khota Baru engages in small numbers and things go DSwain's way with 2 Oscar downed. The bombing is ineffective. We will re-swizzle Khota's CAP to prevent this from happening again. Undaunted 56th Regt smashes the BF retreating from Khota and forces them to retreat into Temuloh. 3 days of recon confirms that Kuantan is abandoned. We will not bother to invade this base from the sea. Four massive reinforcement TFs will reach Bangkok tomorrow to unload 2nd Div, 33rd Div, 1st Raiding Regt, and elements of 25th Army that start the war in Japan. We have 2 Amphib and 2 transport TFs small enough to dock at the lvl 4 port.
China
The enemy moves two corps into the hex SW of Chengchow where we crossed the river. Most of 12th Army is moving toward Chengchow, but a rear guard of 1 Bde and 3 armored units launches a deliberate attack hoping to catch DSwain in move op mode and wreck these units. It works! The result is a 1:1 with 10:1 casualties in our favor. Replay shows a penalty for op mode is charged against the Chinese. [:)]
Logistics
The ACMs we began converting early in the war finish up today and will be sent to maintain minefields in the Home Islands.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 27, 1941
Subs
I-158 sinks xAKL Shinai off Sinkawang.
4th Fleet
Things have been quiet since the capture of TB. We are shipping a BF to Wake from Kwaj. Another BF from Tokyo heads for TB. The 4th Fleet HQ and 20K supply are headed to Kwaj from Truk. We will pull out the Claudes and convert them to Zeros. Then it's time to identify forces to seize Baker and Canton, which are currently ringed with RO boats formerly used to screen the Wake, Tarawa and TB invasions.
SE Fleet
Shortlands falls, Auki occupied. The Rabaul ships move toward their jump off points. It appears that the ANZAC cruisers have left these waters as nav search from KB over Rabaul and the Solomons Sea doesn't sight anything. [:(] Zeros, Bettys and various SE Fleet LCUs that start the war at Babel and Takao are moving to Truk, including an Air HQ. This will provide forces for future ops in Papua New Guinea and the New Hebrides/New Caledonia.
16th Army
Puerto Princesa is invaded and will fall tomorrow. Bettys finally sink xAKL Dos Hermanos, which still did not flee Cagayan harbor. What the hell was DSwain up to here? The only aircraft lost by either side to hostile fire of the entire day in all theaters is an O-47 search plane downed by our CAP at Davao.
14th Army
Manila falls, along with over 100K supply and over 15k fuel! [8D] Rumors that this windfall was a black market transaction engineered by Milo Minderbender abound (with apologies to Cap Mandrake). [:D] Tokyo Rose taunts DSwain. Most elements of 14th Army are in Lingayen and begin the march to Clark. The siege should begin soon. Cribtop HQ has chosen to deploy almost four division equivalents (16th Div, 48th Div, 21st Div, 65 Bde, armor and arty) to this in the hopes we can deal with Luzon quickly and release forces to other theaters. In WitP, a long siege was fine by me, but in AE it appears that the Clark/Bataan kessel can be cleaned up more rapidly if enough force is applied.
Malaya
We bomb Taiping. They bomb Georgetown with B-17 for 63 runway hits. This airfield is unoccupied and DSwain is welcome to plaster his former subjects here for now. 25th Army is moving on Taiping itself, the enemy appears to be abadoning it by rail. Cribtop HQ is very pleased with the progress of unloading at Bangkok. Numerous reinforcements are already boarding rail cars for the trip to Malaya and unloading should be completed entirely by the 29th.
China
A big sweep by Oscar, Tojo and Nate Sentai is cancelled due to weather. We suspect AVG will get away here. [:@] Most of 12th Army enters the Chengchow hex and is set to bombard. Base AV is currently 1492:878 in our favor with 350 AV yet to arrive in the hex. How many forts has the enemy been able to build? We shall see.
In the center, Chusien falls and the battered 88th Corps suffers another 776 casualties. They have to be running out of men in this thrice trashed unit. Recon shows Wenchow is abandoned. We should be able to complete the objectives of this limited op soon by capturing both Wenchow and Pengpu.
In the south, units move over the river out of Canton, headed for Kwangchowan and Pakhoi. Recon shows both ports unoccupied.
Logistics
Taiyuan and Alor Star make lvl 3 forts and cease construction.
Subs
I-158 sinks xAKL Shinai off Sinkawang.
4th Fleet
Things have been quiet since the capture of TB. We are shipping a BF to Wake from Kwaj. Another BF from Tokyo heads for TB. The 4th Fleet HQ and 20K supply are headed to Kwaj from Truk. We will pull out the Claudes and convert them to Zeros. Then it's time to identify forces to seize Baker and Canton, which are currently ringed with RO boats formerly used to screen the Wake, Tarawa and TB invasions.
SE Fleet
Shortlands falls, Auki occupied. The Rabaul ships move toward their jump off points. It appears that the ANZAC cruisers have left these waters as nav search from KB over Rabaul and the Solomons Sea doesn't sight anything. [:(] Zeros, Bettys and various SE Fleet LCUs that start the war at Babel and Takao are moving to Truk, including an Air HQ. This will provide forces for future ops in Papua New Guinea and the New Hebrides/New Caledonia.
16th Army
Puerto Princesa is invaded and will fall tomorrow. Bettys finally sink xAKL Dos Hermanos, which still did not flee Cagayan harbor. What the hell was DSwain up to here? The only aircraft lost by either side to hostile fire of the entire day in all theaters is an O-47 search plane downed by our CAP at Davao.
14th Army
Manila falls, along with over 100K supply and over 15k fuel! [8D] Rumors that this windfall was a black market transaction engineered by Milo Minderbender abound (with apologies to Cap Mandrake). [:D] Tokyo Rose taunts DSwain. Most elements of 14th Army are in Lingayen and begin the march to Clark. The siege should begin soon. Cribtop HQ has chosen to deploy almost four division equivalents (16th Div, 48th Div, 21st Div, 65 Bde, armor and arty) to this in the hopes we can deal with Luzon quickly and release forces to other theaters. In WitP, a long siege was fine by me, but in AE it appears that the Clark/Bataan kessel can be cleaned up more rapidly if enough force is applied.
Malaya
We bomb Taiping. They bomb Georgetown with B-17 for 63 runway hits. This airfield is unoccupied and DSwain is welcome to plaster his former subjects here for now. 25th Army is moving on Taiping itself, the enemy appears to be abadoning it by rail. Cribtop HQ is very pleased with the progress of unloading at Bangkok. Numerous reinforcements are already boarding rail cars for the trip to Malaya and unloading should be completed entirely by the 29th.
China
A big sweep by Oscar, Tojo and Nate Sentai is cancelled due to weather. We suspect AVG will get away here. [:@] Most of 12th Army enters the Chengchow hex and is set to bombard. Base AV is currently 1492:878 in our favor with 350 AV yet to arrive in the hex. How many forts has the enemy been able to build? We shall see.
In the center, Chusien falls and the battered 88th Corps suffers another 776 casualties. They have to be running out of men in this thrice trashed unit. Recon shows Wenchow is abandoned. We should be able to complete the objectives of this limited op soon by capturing both Wenchow and Pengpu.
In the south, units move over the river out of Canton, headed for Kwangchowan and Pakhoi. Recon shows both ports unoccupied.
Logistics
Taiyuan and Alor Star make lvl 3 forts and cease construction.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 28, 1941
Caught up at last (until I run a turn a few minutes after posting this anyway)!
Subs
xAK Lorrain sunk by I-168 SW of Pearl. This is a good sign as I had almost given up on the patrol routes between PH and the Line Islands. The big xAK is a juicy inducement to stick around for a while. I'm surprised she was unescorted as she was outbound from Pearl. RO-67 guns and torps xAKL Hirondelle under the waves NW of Palmyra. A fine day for our subs in CENTPAC waters! [8D]
SE Fleet
We have some "issues" with unloading supplies into Shortlands, and forgetful staff officers are handed samurai blades and told to "do the right thing." The fleet will stick around one more day because of this, but it won't delay the upcoming Rabaul op as that invasion force is still working its way into position. Elsewhere, Thousand Ships Bay is occupied. Unfortunately, the IJN is not awarded a bonus of 1,000 warships for this capture as we hoped in pre-war planning. [;)] Anyone know where this place got its name?
16th Army
Puerto Princesa falls. Tomorrow the ships head out for Jolo, with Manado on deck. After studying Manado, and knowing that there are coastal guns present, we decide to land at Singate (dot base 1 hex south of Manado). From here there is a paved road into Manado. Using this route will skip the coastal batteries during the landings, and the garrison should surrender when Manado falls rather than retreat. Lawrence of Arabia would be proud of this Aqaba-like plan. It's not just the coastal guns, but the fact that the units of this TF have been aboard ship long enough to accumulate more disruption than we like.
14th Army
All hands march for Clark except for forces needed to garrison Manila.
Malaya
All hands march for Taiping. In the air, a curiosity. Our Sallys were set to ground attack Taiping again, hoping to catch the enemy in strat mode. This works well, but the raid actually occurs many hexes south near Kuala Lumpur. An Aussie Bde apparently moved out this turn and our Sallys followed them down the rails. Interesting. It could have been disastrous as we fly unescorted, but no enemy CAP leaks over from KL and we score over 700 casualties on the entrained enemy!
The B-17s visit Khota Baru, opposed by 42 Nates and four AA units. Results: 1 Oscar destroyed on the ground and 17 runway hits in exchange for 17 B-17 damaged. So far, the dreaded 4Es have not landed a good punch and we are pleased with the damage and ops losses for the monsters in this campaign.
Burma
For the past two weeks, operations in this AO have consisted of 15th Army hacking its way through the jungle toward abandoned Tavoy. They will finally arrive tomorrow! Is it better to have 33rd Div move up the three trail hexes to the east of Tavoy rather than to endure this one hex trek from the hex due east of Tavoy into the base?
Sigint reveals Chinese forces moving towards Lashio. Wow, useful Japanese Sigint for once. [X(]
China
DSwain attacks our rear guard marching into Chengchow from the SW. Results are not encouraging for him as we stayed in Combat op mode. 1:5 odds attack nets 704 Chinese casualties to 7 for Japan. Ouch!
Caught up at last (until I run a turn a few minutes after posting this anyway)!
Subs
xAK Lorrain sunk by I-168 SW of Pearl. This is a good sign as I had almost given up on the patrol routes between PH and the Line Islands. The big xAK is a juicy inducement to stick around for a while. I'm surprised she was unescorted as she was outbound from Pearl. RO-67 guns and torps xAKL Hirondelle under the waves NW of Palmyra. A fine day for our subs in CENTPAC waters! [8D]
SE Fleet
We have some "issues" with unloading supplies into Shortlands, and forgetful staff officers are handed samurai blades and told to "do the right thing." The fleet will stick around one more day because of this, but it won't delay the upcoming Rabaul op as that invasion force is still working its way into position. Elsewhere, Thousand Ships Bay is occupied. Unfortunately, the IJN is not awarded a bonus of 1,000 warships for this capture as we hoped in pre-war planning. [;)] Anyone know where this place got its name?
16th Army
Puerto Princesa falls. Tomorrow the ships head out for Jolo, with Manado on deck. After studying Manado, and knowing that there are coastal guns present, we decide to land at Singate (dot base 1 hex south of Manado). From here there is a paved road into Manado. Using this route will skip the coastal batteries during the landings, and the garrison should surrender when Manado falls rather than retreat. Lawrence of Arabia would be proud of this Aqaba-like plan. It's not just the coastal guns, but the fact that the units of this TF have been aboard ship long enough to accumulate more disruption than we like.
14th Army
All hands march for Clark except for forces needed to garrison Manila.
Malaya
All hands march for Taiping. In the air, a curiosity. Our Sallys were set to ground attack Taiping again, hoping to catch the enemy in strat mode. This works well, but the raid actually occurs many hexes south near Kuala Lumpur. An Aussie Bde apparently moved out this turn and our Sallys followed them down the rails. Interesting. It could have been disastrous as we fly unescorted, but no enemy CAP leaks over from KL and we score over 700 casualties on the entrained enemy!
The B-17s visit Khota Baru, opposed by 42 Nates and four AA units. Results: 1 Oscar destroyed on the ground and 17 runway hits in exchange for 17 B-17 damaged. So far, the dreaded 4Es have not landed a good punch and we are pleased with the damage and ops losses for the monsters in this campaign.Burma
For the past two weeks, operations in this AO have consisted of 15th Army hacking its way through the jungle toward abandoned Tavoy. They will finally arrive tomorrow! Is it better to have 33rd Div move up the three trail hexes to the east of Tavoy rather than to endure this one hex trek from the hex due east of Tavoy into the base?
Sigint reveals Chinese forces moving towards Lashio. Wow, useful Japanese Sigint for once. [X(]
China
DSwain attacks our rear guard marching into Chengchow from the SW. Results are not encouraging for him as we stayed in Combat op mode. 1:5 odds attack nets 704 Chinese casualties to 7 for Japan. Ouch!
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 29, 1941
A good day for the Empire. Probably the first event of truly strategic significance in the war to date.
Subs
xAP Kepong sunk by I-122 near Toboali. Our subs are doing well in this neighborhood.
4th Fleet
We unload supplies and an HQ at Kwaj. The Wake BF is ashore and the ships that brought this unit withdraw. An SNLF is identified to seize Baker and Canton.
SE Fleet
Supplies unload at Shortlands. Operation TS is thus successfully completed except for follow on base forces to be unloaded at Shortlands and Munda. Next up - Rabaul.
16th Army
We have almost finished unloading reinforcements, including a tank regt, an inf regt and a BF at Davao. Jolo will be invaded tomorrow. Bettys prowl the seas alongside Kates from KBL.
China Sea Sqdn runs into and dispatches xAKL Lee Song just north of Jolo, expending only two rounds of ammo to do so.
14th Army
Bit of a mess in the air today. We reconned Bataan yesterday and no planes in sight. Sallys from Takao and Lillys from Laoag were ordered to attack Catalinas at Bataan today. Just to be safe, a Nate Sentai swept the base first - and found 19 P-40Es, no doubt refugees from Cagayan. [:-] The sweep doesn't go well, net loss of 5 Nates to enemy planes and ops losses. The bombers, coming in unco-ordinated due to storms in the hex, also lose 5 planes. Bombing damage is nominal, in the air and on the ground we maybe get 3 P-40 total. Not a good day for 5th Air Div.
Borneo
We finish unloading all troops at Bangkok today. Siam Sqdn and a light cover force of CLs & DDs head for Camn Ranh Bay. It is time to invade Borneo in earnest.
Malaya
Our troops have reached Taiping and bombard. Even before 2 Divs arrive that are en route, AV is 1000+ to 402. We bomb 11 Ind Div again to little effect. No more British troops will escape Taiping by rail.
China
And now, the news of the day!
We order a deliberate attack in Chengchow, fully expecting this to be a siege of several weeks. 15 enemy LCUs, including 9 enemy corps, 3 HQ, 2 construction units and a base force, are present. Raw AV is 1500ish to 900ish. The high command is surprised when the message that enemy forts were reduced to zero flashes up. We expected lvl 2 or lvl 3 forts by now. Then, the real kicker - odds for the attack are 7:1 in our favor! [X(] Chengchow falls in a single attack! Banzai! [&o] This was unexpected by both sides. All 15 LCUs retreat in disarray to Loyang, suffering 12828 casualties to our 1508. Destroyed squads are 6 for the IJA and 1462 for the Chinese! Worse for DSwain, Japanese troops overrun the airfield and destroy two squadrons of Chinese fighters (I-15s and I-16s)
This is a major victory for us and opens up significant options in North China. More on the implications in the next post.
A good day for the Empire. Probably the first event of truly strategic significance in the war to date.
Subs
xAP Kepong sunk by I-122 near Toboali. Our subs are doing well in this neighborhood.
4th Fleet
We unload supplies and an HQ at Kwaj. The Wake BF is ashore and the ships that brought this unit withdraw. An SNLF is identified to seize Baker and Canton.
SE Fleet
Supplies unload at Shortlands. Operation TS is thus successfully completed except for follow on base forces to be unloaded at Shortlands and Munda. Next up - Rabaul.
16th Army
We have almost finished unloading reinforcements, including a tank regt, an inf regt and a BF at Davao. Jolo will be invaded tomorrow. Bettys prowl the seas alongside Kates from KBL.
China Sea Sqdn runs into and dispatches xAKL Lee Song just north of Jolo, expending only two rounds of ammo to do so.
14th Army
Bit of a mess in the air today. We reconned Bataan yesterday and no planes in sight. Sallys from Takao and Lillys from Laoag were ordered to attack Catalinas at Bataan today. Just to be safe, a Nate Sentai swept the base first - and found 19 P-40Es, no doubt refugees from Cagayan. [:-] The sweep doesn't go well, net loss of 5 Nates to enemy planes and ops losses. The bombers, coming in unco-ordinated due to storms in the hex, also lose 5 planes. Bombing damage is nominal, in the air and on the ground we maybe get 3 P-40 total. Not a good day for 5th Air Div.
Borneo
We finish unloading all troops at Bangkok today. Siam Sqdn and a light cover force of CLs & DDs head for Camn Ranh Bay. It is time to invade Borneo in earnest.
Malaya
Our troops have reached Taiping and bombard. Even before 2 Divs arrive that are en route, AV is 1000+ to 402. We bomb 11 Ind Div again to little effect. No more British troops will escape Taiping by rail.
China
And now, the news of the day!
We order a deliberate attack in Chengchow, fully expecting this to be a siege of several weeks. 15 enemy LCUs, including 9 enemy corps, 3 HQ, 2 construction units and a base force, are present. Raw AV is 1500ish to 900ish. The high command is surprised when the message that enemy forts were reduced to zero flashes up. We expected lvl 2 or lvl 3 forts by now. Then, the real kicker - odds for the attack are 7:1 in our favor! [X(] Chengchow falls in a single attack! Banzai! [&o] This was unexpected by both sides. All 15 LCUs retreat in disarray to Loyang, suffering 12828 casualties to our 1508. Destroyed squads are 6 for the IJA and 1462 for the Chinese! Worse for DSwain, Japanese troops overrun the airfield and destroy two squadrons of Chinese fighters (I-15s and I-16s)
This is a major victory for us and opens up significant options in North China. More on the implications in the next post.RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Screenshot of the situation in China after the fall of Chengchow.
Analysis
We have smashed the main defensive army in the north central Chinese plains. There are 10 units in Loyang and 5 in Nanyang, but it is unlikely our 12th Army can be stopped by these forces. SE of Sinyang, we have brought up fresh forces to chase the enemy north of the Yellow River. Nanyang is very much threatened by this move.
While we will not succumb to victory disease, and are aware of the garrison requirements, supply usage and other pitfalls of China, the reality is that Chinese ground forces have proven themselves poorly trained, equipped and led. They are unable to stand against the IJA in the plains. We will seize Loyang while flank protection forces arrayed SE of Chengchow move in a "swinging gate" to link up with elements of our forces from Central China near Sinyang. Cribtop HQ is beginning to study a thrust at Nanyang from this area.
Issues: Large enemy forces are concentrated in Yenan, Ichang and the Changsha region. While we have left strong garrisons, DSwain is likley to counterattack to relieve the pressure on the plains front. We have freed up another brigade near Sinyang, which will be moved to reinforce Wuchang. Additional forces bought out of Manchuria are reinforcing the line in the 1st Army sector near Chengting. We believe we have sufficient force to take Loyang and Nanyang. Going further would probably be overreach, but this news is welcome enough.
Analysis
We have smashed the main defensive army in the north central Chinese plains. There are 10 units in Loyang and 5 in Nanyang, but it is unlikely our 12th Army can be stopped by these forces. SE of Sinyang, we have brought up fresh forces to chase the enemy north of the Yellow River. Nanyang is very much threatened by this move.
While we will not succumb to victory disease, and are aware of the garrison requirements, supply usage and other pitfalls of China, the reality is that Chinese ground forces have proven themselves poorly trained, equipped and led. They are unable to stand against the IJA in the plains. We will seize Loyang while flank protection forces arrayed SE of Chengchow move in a "swinging gate" to link up with elements of our forces from Central China near Sinyang. Cribtop HQ is beginning to study a thrust at Nanyang from this area.
Issues: Large enemy forces are concentrated in Yenan, Ichang and the Changsha region. While we have left strong garrisons, DSwain is likley to counterattack to relieve the pressure on the plains front. We have freed up another brigade near Sinyang, which will be moved to reinforce Wuchang. Additional forces bought out of Manchuria are reinforcing the line in the 1st Army sector near Chengting. We believe we have sufficient force to take Loyang and Nanyang. Going further would probably be overreach, but this news is welcome enough.
- Attachments
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- Chengchow .. (final).jpg (257.55 KiB) Viewed 441 times
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 30, 1941
Subs
All quiet.
4th Fleet
The 4th Fleet HQ is unloaded in Kwaj. Once we finish unloading supplies, 6th Fleet HQ and the Claudes of 24th Air Flotilla head to Truk for upgrades. This will work because another Air HQ is stopping in at Truk before moving to Efate and Truk is a lvl 5 Airfield. Of course, getting a ship torpedoed with planes on it would suck, but there will only be two ships out of ten in the convoy that contain the aircraft. The only alternative is to use CVs, and they have work to do.
SE Fleet
Base Forces move to Shortlands and Munda. The Rabaul invasion TF and a TF containing support units move toward their target under the watchful guns of the SE Fleet. KB lingers East of Bougainville and will refuel from her tankers soon.
16th Army
Jolo is invaded. Air recon of Manado shows no enemy troops present! [X(] With Tarakan and Manado apparently empty, DSwain must have been working his air transports overtime or burning through PPs like the proverbial drunken sailor on shore leave. Perhaps we won't need to land at Sidate after all (still a cool plan if Manado is defended). More recon over the next few days should confirm. Bettys, unable to find nautical targets, bomb Cagayen airfield in the PM phase, 3 planes hit on the ground, 5 supply hits, 33 runway. It appears from recon that all fighters have vacated this base.
Yesterday, Betties spotted several ships, ID'ed as SCs, lurking at Zamboanga. Suspecting PTs, our Operation PPT light cover TF of 2CL and 6DD are dispatched to take a look. In the night surface action phase, under the light of a full moon, we find 7 USN PTs hiding out. They are surprised and at anchor. Minutes later, 6 have been obliterated and one escapes to tell the tale.
FYI, our Chain Invasion doctrine is evolving. Each such force will have a strong SCTF, a "light cover" TF of CL & DD designed to deal with PTs and as emergency surface protection, and an ASW TF of 4DDs to protect against subs. In addition, each Amphib TF will have organic escorts, usually PBs, SCs, the 18kt CLs, TBs, Es, etc. Criptop HQ is pleased with the multi-threat force protection of this configuration. We can afford this lavish escorting because the Chain invasion fleets quickly invade multiple targets in a region. So far, so good. We will be incorporating DMS when we hit bases with suspected minefields (e.g. Tarakan and Balikpapan).
14th Army
Marching toward Clark. A somewhat chastened 5th Air Div takes the day off except for recon.
Borneo
Quiet, but we should begin loading for the North Borneo Chain Invasion soon. Targets include: Tarakan, Kudat (a small SNLF Coy is 100% prepped and they can march to other bases in the area to "clean up"), forces for Brunei (occupied but not garrisoned), a few elements of a BF we couldn't airlift into Miri, and Kuching. We will hit Sinkawang later as we expect DSwain to heavily contest Kuching and want to "get in & get out." Ms. Betty can then base to Kuching and we can hit the other bases nearby.
The B-17s bomb Miri airfield with little effect.
Malaya
Almost finished marching Imp. Gds into Taiping. Should be able to launch a deliberate attack by Jan. 1. We bomb Taiping, the raid has little effect, but it's all about disruption. Troops recently landed at Bangkok are on the move, including 2nd Div.
Burma
Recently unloaded reinforcements move out toward the Burma frontier. Tavoy is finally taken. A cav unit will move down the road to take long abandoned Mergui. 1st Raiding Regt, a base force and multiple transport aircraft are gathering in Victoria Point to drop on Port Blair. We reconned this base one time only so far and saw only the base force that starts the war there. Don't want to recon again until the DDay -1 to avoid tipping our hand.
China
We attack at hex 87,48 (1 hex East of Sinyang). The enemy 21st Group Army HQ, 7th and 84th Corps are routed over the Yellow River. Attack odds 8:1; casualties 5518(363 squads destroyed) to 134(0 sqds destroyed). Banzai! DSwain's combat power in North China is suffering one hit after another. It takes weeks or even months to recover wrecked Chinese LCUs due to supply issues and difficulty getting them off the front lines.
Logistics
Lots of reinforcements today, particularly LCUs for SE Fleet. Six Lima xAKs finish converting to AKEs today. They will load supplies and move out to Babel, Truk and Kwaj. Some will eventually base at Rabaul. AG and AS ships will join them. All ARs are already at Truk.
Subs
All quiet.
4th Fleet
The 4th Fleet HQ is unloaded in Kwaj. Once we finish unloading supplies, 6th Fleet HQ and the Claudes of 24th Air Flotilla head to Truk for upgrades. This will work because another Air HQ is stopping in at Truk before moving to Efate and Truk is a lvl 5 Airfield. Of course, getting a ship torpedoed with planes on it would suck, but there will only be two ships out of ten in the convoy that contain the aircraft. The only alternative is to use CVs, and they have work to do.
SE Fleet
Base Forces move to Shortlands and Munda. The Rabaul invasion TF and a TF containing support units move toward their target under the watchful guns of the SE Fleet. KB lingers East of Bougainville and will refuel from her tankers soon.
16th Army
Jolo is invaded. Air recon of Manado shows no enemy troops present! [X(] With Tarakan and Manado apparently empty, DSwain must have been working his air transports overtime or burning through PPs like the proverbial drunken sailor on shore leave. Perhaps we won't need to land at Sidate after all (still a cool plan if Manado is defended). More recon over the next few days should confirm. Bettys, unable to find nautical targets, bomb Cagayen airfield in the PM phase, 3 planes hit on the ground, 5 supply hits, 33 runway. It appears from recon that all fighters have vacated this base.
Yesterday, Betties spotted several ships, ID'ed as SCs, lurking at Zamboanga. Suspecting PTs, our Operation PPT light cover TF of 2CL and 6DD are dispatched to take a look. In the night surface action phase, under the light of a full moon, we find 7 USN PTs hiding out. They are surprised and at anchor. Minutes later, 6 have been obliterated and one escapes to tell the tale.
FYI, our Chain Invasion doctrine is evolving. Each such force will have a strong SCTF, a "light cover" TF of CL & DD designed to deal with PTs and as emergency surface protection, and an ASW TF of 4DDs to protect against subs. In addition, each Amphib TF will have organic escorts, usually PBs, SCs, the 18kt CLs, TBs, Es, etc. Criptop HQ is pleased with the multi-threat force protection of this configuration. We can afford this lavish escorting because the Chain invasion fleets quickly invade multiple targets in a region. So far, so good. We will be incorporating DMS when we hit bases with suspected minefields (e.g. Tarakan and Balikpapan).
14th Army
Marching toward Clark. A somewhat chastened 5th Air Div takes the day off except for recon.
Borneo
Quiet, but we should begin loading for the North Borneo Chain Invasion soon. Targets include: Tarakan, Kudat (a small SNLF Coy is 100% prepped and they can march to other bases in the area to "clean up"), forces for Brunei (occupied but not garrisoned), a few elements of a BF we couldn't airlift into Miri, and Kuching. We will hit Sinkawang later as we expect DSwain to heavily contest Kuching and want to "get in & get out." Ms. Betty can then base to Kuching and we can hit the other bases nearby.
The B-17s bomb Miri airfield with little effect.
Malaya
Almost finished marching Imp. Gds into Taiping. Should be able to launch a deliberate attack by Jan. 1. We bomb Taiping, the raid has little effect, but it's all about disruption. Troops recently landed at Bangkok are on the move, including 2nd Div.
Burma
Recently unloaded reinforcements move out toward the Burma frontier. Tavoy is finally taken. A cav unit will move down the road to take long abandoned Mergui. 1st Raiding Regt, a base force and multiple transport aircraft are gathering in Victoria Point to drop on Port Blair. We reconned this base one time only so far and saw only the base force that starts the war there. Don't want to recon again until the DDay -1 to avoid tipping our hand.
China
We attack at hex 87,48 (1 hex East of Sinyang). The enemy 21st Group Army HQ, 7th and 84th Corps are routed over the Yellow River. Attack odds 8:1; casualties 5518(363 squads destroyed) to 134(0 sqds destroyed). Banzai! DSwain's combat power in North China is suffering one hit after another. It takes weeks or even months to recover wrecked Chinese LCUs due to supply issues and difficulty getting them off the front lines.
Logistics
Lots of reinforcements today, particularly LCUs for SE Fleet. Six Lima xAKs finish converting to AKEs today. They will load supplies and move out to Babel, Truk and Kwaj. Some will eventually base at Rabaul. AG and AS ships will join them. All ARs are already at Truk.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Dec. 31, 1941
We close out 1941. I wonder how this war will look when we close out 1942?
Subs
I-26 misses DD Russell near the West Coast. I-155 DC'd by UK DDs near Banjermasin. The presence of CL Enterprise (not CV Enterprise, thank goodness) makes us suspect that this is Force Z. DSwain probably thinks our chain invasion will head to the Dutch bases in the Makassar strait after Jolo. This sort of thing is precisely why they are instead heading toward Manado and then Ternate.
4th Fleet
[>:]
SE Fleet
Rabaul will be invaded tomorrow. A Zero Hikotai, a Betty Daitai and a Nell Daitai are ready to move in immediately. The next op will invade bases on the Papuan Peninsula (Lae, Buna, Milne Bay, PM). Cribtop HQ is very pleased with the pace of operations in this AO.
16th Army
Troops have finally unloaded at Davao (note to self - Amphib TFs for lvl 3 ports next time!) and move out for Cagayan. Malaybalay is occupied. Jolo falls. The last surviving PT from the Zamboanga battle blunders into our light cover SCTF as it returns to the main fleet at Jolo. The unlucky PT joins its fellows on the bottom. She almost gets away but a lucky shot at 11,000 yards obliterates her. KBL Kates sink xAKL Luzon near Tawi Tawi.
14th Army
The first bombardment at Clark reveals a surprise. The enemy has pulled USMC and US Army units back to Bataan, only the Philippine Army (plus the static base force and the South Luzon HQ) is present at Clark. Not sure why DSwain would split his AV like that, but then I'm not savvy to early war Allied strategy in the PI. The bombardment itself reveals that raw AV is only 1495(J) vs. 1555(US). Not good. Looks like a long siege after all.
Borneo
Siam Sqdn and a light cover SCTF (hereinafter LCTF) arrive at Cam Ranh Bay. Forces begin loading at Samah and Cam Ranh Bay for the North Borneo Chain Invasion, dubbed Operation TK (Tarakan to Kuching). Base forces for Brunei and Tarakan load at Takao and will move in later. We have the assets to form up both a second LCTF (or one big one) and two ASW TFs. Might as well do it.
Malaya
We bomb Taiping, they bomb the empty Georgetown airfield. 1st deliberate attack on Taiping tomorrow. The Brits won't hold long here, outnumbered 1500:400 in raw AV. Reinforcements pour in by rail to Alor Star.
Burma
33rd Div moves toward the border. More machete practice. The enemy continues to recon bases in northern Thailand occupied by re-shuffled RTA forces. Hopefully we are confusing DSwain as to the avenue of approach to Rangoon.
China
Another victory! Flank protection forces (1 Bde and 3 Tk units) shock attack two retreating corps in the hex SW of Chengchow (hex 87,45). These units previously spent themselves in a 1:5 attack. Today's counterattack devastates them and forces a retreat. Casualties are 6855(429 destroyed) vs. 28(0 destroyed). The 9th and 96th Corps are hors d' combat. There are only 4 enemy units, including these two flat tires, in the hex guarding the road from Nanyang into Loyang. Meanwhile, another brigade has entered hex 87,45 as part of the swinging gate op described in the screenie above. We order the four LCUs who won today to pursue to the NW. We should be able to drive out the enemy and cut the main LOC into Loyang. This move may force the enemy to abandon Loyang or be cut off! The bulk of 12th Army marches on Loyang itself. This could get very interesting indeed unless DSwain pulls out!
Logistics
We are working on a program of "Jakeification" for our nav search units. As TFs return to port they will upgrade.
We close out 1941. I wonder how this war will look when we close out 1942?
Subs
I-26 misses DD Russell near the West Coast. I-155 DC'd by UK DDs near Banjermasin. The presence of CL Enterprise (not CV Enterprise, thank goodness) makes us suspect that this is Force Z. DSwain probably thinks our chain invasion will head to the Dutch bases in the Makassar strait after Jolo. This sort of thing is precisely why they are instead heading toward Manado and then Ternate.
4th Fleet
[>:]
SE Fleet
Rabaul will be invaded tomorrow. A Zero Hikotai, a Betty Daitai and a Nell Daitai are ready to move in immediately. The next op will invade bases on the Papuan Peninsula (Lae, Buna, Milne Bay, PM). Cribtop HQ is very pleased with the pace of operations in this AO.
16th Army
Troops have finally unloaded at Davao (note to self - Amphib TFs for lvl 3 ports next time!) and move out for Cagayan. Malaybalay is occupied. Jolo falls. The last surviving PT from the Zamboanga battle blunders into our light cover SCTF as it returns to the main fleet at Jolo. The unlucky PT joins its fellows on the bottom. She almost gets away but a lucky shot at 11,000 yards obliterates her. KBL Kates sink xAKL Luzon near Tawi Tawi.
14th Army
The first bombardment at Clark reveals a surprise. The enemy has pulled USMC and US Army units back to Bataan, only the Philippine Army (plus the static base force and the South Luzon HQ) is present at Clark. Not sure why DSwain would split his AV like that, but then I'm not savvy to early war Allied strategy in the PI. The bombardment itself reveals that raw AV is only 1495(J) vs. 1555(US). Not good. Looks like a long siege after all.
Borneo
Siam Sqdn and a light cover SCTF (hereinafter LCTF) arrive at Cam Ranh Bay. Forces begin loading at Samah and Cam Ranh Bay for the North Borneo Chain Invasion, dubbed Operation TK (Tarakan to Kuching). Base forces for Brunei and Tarakan load at Takao and will move in later. We have the assets to form up both a second LCTF (or one big one) and two ASW TFs. Might as well do it.
Malaya
We bomb Taiping, they bomb the empty Georgetown airfield. 1st deliberate attack on Taiping tomorrow. The Brits won't hold long here, outnumbered 1500:400 in raw AV. Reinforcements pour in by rail to Alor Star.
Burma
33rd Div moves toward the border. More machete practice. The enemy continues to recon bases in northern Thailand occupied by re-shuffled RTA forces. Hopefully we are confusing DSwain as to the avenue of approach to Rangoon.
China
Another victory! Flank protection forces (1 Bde and 3 Tk units) shock attack two retreating corps in the hex SW of Chengchow (hex 87,45). These units previously spent themselves in a 1:5 attack. Today's counterattack devastates them and forces a retreat. Casualties are 6855(429 destroyed) vs. 28(0 destroyed). The 9th and 96th Corps are hors d' combat. There are only 4 enemy units, including these two flat tires, in the hex guarding the road from Nanyang into Loyang. Meanwhile, another brigade has entered hex 87,45 as part of the swinging gate op described in the screenie above. We order the four LCUs who won today to pursue to the NW. We should be able to drive out the enemy and cut the main LOC into Loyang. This move may force the enemy to abandon Loyang or be cut off! The bulk of 12th Army marches on Loyang itself. This could get very interesting indeed unless DSwain pulls out!
Logistics
We are working on a program of "Jakeification" for our nav search units. As TFs return to port they will upgrade.
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Jan. 1, 1941 Analysis
Today we owed our readers (hopefully there still are a few) an economic summary. Things are early enough that there isn't a whole lot to tell, but here goes:
- Production for A6M2 and Oscar Ic has been increased. Production of Kates and Vals have been increased to lesser degrees. We have just slightly touched up production of Mavis, Mavis transport and Thalia transport aircraft (we are talking tiny increases here, like from 2 to 6).
- Production of Pete, Ida, Sonia, and the small Nate factory have all been turned off. We almost have enough Nates in the pool to turn off the large Nate factory.
- Shinano is halted, Shoho and Junyo are accelerated.
Lots of resources and what oil there is in Port Arthur and Sakhalin are flowing nicely into the Home Islands. All the industrial stats, including HI, are moving up every day. We are running an oil deficit, of course, but nothing more than Japan normally runs until the DEI is taken. Thanks to Mike Solli for his great advice on the convoy system necessary for all this.
A few thoughts on the war:
China
DSwain is mildly lamenting his troubles in China. They are mostly due to the fact that his troops lack supplies, training and modern weapons. That said, perhaps ground combat isn't his forte in AE. Time will tell. Surely he will counterattack soon to relieve the mounting pressure on the Chengchow/Loyang/Nanyang front. We don't think he can stop us short of taking Nanyang, but after this further offensives would move into rough country. Frankly, unless we decide 21 Oil in Sian is worth it, we may be satisfied in China with taking the plains, the coast and the three bases north of Canton. There are enough enemy troops in Ichang and Changsha to deter any moves there for the time being, and Yenan will be a pain in the ass to take for minimal gain (although I virulently anti-Communist so part of me wants to anyway[;)]).
Enemy Tendencies
It appears to our intel boys that DSwain is a fan of mass. For example, he seems to be operating only two very large SCTF in the DEI. His withdrawals at Tarakan and Manado also argue for this. Can't blame him for that approach, in fact, we favor it as well. Battles, whether land, sea or air, have been sparse so far because of this mutual preference for decisive force. The effort to get restricted Dutch troops out of outlying bases means that the enemy MLR, wherever it is, will be tough. Perhaps he is aiming for Fortress Java? We continue to see evidence of emphasis on the UK theaters, with careful and robust deployments in Burma and Malaya. This should be fun as it may make for a different sort of game.
Carriers
DSwain is smart enough to know that he shouldn't show the location of his CVs at this stage of the war. Where are they? CV Yorktown arrives soon and we have to expect the USN CVs will intervene somewhere. DSwain probably knows KB is currently in SE Fleet AO, thus the most likely place to use his carriers would be the DEI. Combined with the likelihood of increased resistance in Celebes, Timor, Java and NW Oz, we must be prepared for this eventuality. It is always possible that DSwain will keep his CVs out of the fight until late spring, but we must assume he will use the original three somewhere before that. Hmm....
Here is the Intel screen for Jan. 1, 1942:
Today we owed our readers (hopefully there still are a few) an economic summary. Things are early enough that there isn't a whole lot to tell, but here goes:
- Production for A6M2 and Oscar Ic has been increased. Production of Kates and Vals have been increased to lesser degrees. We have just slightly touched up production of Mavis, Mavis transport and Thalia transport aircraft (we are talking tiny increases here, like from 2 to 6).
- Production of Pete, Ida, Sonia, and the small Nate factory have all been turned off. We almost have enough Nates in the pool to turn off the large Nate factory.
- Shinano is halted, Shoho and Junyo are accelerated.
Lots of resources and what oil there is in Port Arthur and Sakhalin are flowing nicely into the Home Islands. All the industrial stats, including HI, are moving up every day. We are running an oil deficit, of course, but nothing more than Japan normally runs until the DEI is taken. Thanks to Mike Solli for his great advice on the convoy system necessary for all this.
A few thoughts on the war:
China
DSwain is mildly lamenting his troubles in China. They are mostly due to the fact that his troops lack supplies, training and modern weapons. That said, perhaps ground combat isn't his forte in AE. Time will tell. Surely he will counterattack soon to relieve the mounting pressure on the Chengchow/Loyang/Nanyang front. We don't think he can stop us short of taking Nanyang, but after this further offensives would move into rough country. Frankly, unless we decide 21 Oil in Sian is worth it, we may be satisfied in China with taking the plains, the coast and the three bases north of Canton. There are enough enemy troops in Ichang and Changsha to deter any moves there for the time being, and Yenan will be a pain in the ass to take for minimal gain (although I virulently anti-Communist so part of me wants to anyway[;)]).
Enemy Tendencies
It appears to our intel boys that DSwain is a fan of mass. For example, he seems to be operating only two very large SCTF in the DEI. His withdrawals at Tarakan and Manado also argue for this. Can't blame him for that approach, in fact, we favor it as well. Battles, whether land, sea or air, have been sparse so far because of this mutual preference for decisive force. The effort to get restricted Dutch troops out of outlying bases means that the enemy MLR, wherever it is, will be tough. Perhaps he is aiming for Fortress Java? We continue to see evidence of emphasis on the UK theaters, with careful and robust deployments in Burma and Malaya. This should be fun as it may make for a different sort of game.
Carriers
DSwain is smart enough to know that he shouldn't show the location of his CVs at this stage of the war. Where are they? CV Yorktown arrives soon and we have to expect the USN CVs will intervene somewhere. DSwain probably knows KB is currently in SE Fleet AO, thus the most likely place to use his carriers would be the DEI. Combined with the likelihood of increased resistance in Celebes, Timor, Java and NW Oz, we must be prepared for this eventuality. It is always possible that DSwain will keep his CVs out of the fight until late spring, but we must assume he will use the original three somewhere before that. Hmm....
Here is the Intel screen for Jan. 1, 1942:
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- VP Screen - 010142.jpg (169.37 KiB) Viewed 441 times
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
And here are the air losses to date. Very happy to see that 3 out of the top four categories are P-40E, P-40B and Catalinas!
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- Aircraft L..s 010142.jpg (141.54 KiB) Viewed 441 times
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Grfin Zeppelin
- Posts: 1514
- Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:22 pm
- Location: Germany
RE: Basejumping the Learning Cliff - Cribtop(J) v DSwain(A) No DSwain Pls
Very nice AAR I must say, please continue. What are your phase 2 plans ?
