Allied War Chronicles - WirrawayAce (A) v CarnageINC(J)

[Wirraway_Ace]

CarnageINC and I are starting a new game with using Scenario 2, 2-days turns. I have the underdogs…but more about the Allied war cause later…

Options: FOG-on, AWE-on, ADC-on, PDU-on, Surprise-on, US Torps-off, R&D-on, NUW-off.

House Rules: No allied first turn orders other than TFs at Sea (including Force Z) and Chinese air/ground.

Philippine fighter units can be set at 30% CAP.
No 4E below 10k (except Nav. Search, Transport and ASW)
No Chinese industrial bombing until 1944
No para/invasion of non base/dot hex unless occupied by enemy
Invasions by complete whole units
Restricted commands must pay Pol. Pts. to cross boarders(Manchuria, Thai, Chinese, some Indian) Only soviet units in soviet bases/territory

No gamey moves or tactics, keep it realistic.

We will do head-to-head AARs. CarnageINC’s AAR is titled “Imperial War Chronicles”.

This AAR is closed to my esteemed opponent CarnageINC

[Wirraway_Ace]

The biggest challenge playing Scenario 2, with PDU on, as the Allies, is to forget the historical pattern of the air war in the Pacific.  Given Grigsby’s game design, the Japanese are capable of out-producing the Allies with generally excellent aircraft for most of the war.  Scenario 2 provides the Japanese a larger initial pilot pool and more and better basic pilot training.  Although the quantity of pilots graduating from flight training may not be high enough in the long run, in combination with on map training using rear area squadrons, they are probably capable of putting well trained pilots in the cockpits throughout the long war.  The bottom line is the Allies are more susceptible to attrition of first line aircraft strength than the Japanese until its industry can be choked off. 

[Wirraway_Ace]

I don’t have any sense of my opponent CarnageINC.  The first turn has been sent so we may get some insight into his strategy and tactics soon…
 
My (very) basic strategy for the first 6 months of the war:
1.  Defend only good terrain (forts are no substitute for inherently good defensive terrain)
2.  Defend in strength those areas worth trying to hold (if you can’t put 1,000 AV in good terrain, you can’t hold)
3.  Deploy forces in order to maintain multiple options for future counter attacks (There are many roads to Japan, don’t fixate on one early; take what opportunities the enemy gives)
4.  Take every opportunity for offensive action (sweep instead of CAP, bomb his airfield, raid his ports, etc)
5.  Strike the enemy where he isn’t in strength

[Wirraway_Ace]

 
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, the air and naval forces of Imperial Japan stuck the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, the Asiatic Fleet at Manila, and British shipping in the port of Hong Kong in a series of carefully coordinated strikes.   Air bases were left untouched.  The enemy clearly intended to strike a mortal blow to the Pacific Fleet and Asiatic Fleets.
 
The outcome over the first 48 hours of persistent enemy air attacks on the anchorages was devastating, but it could have been worse.  Weather over the Hawaiian Islands, and the enemy’s decision to carry bombs instead of torpedoes on the 2nd day strikes,  left 3 BBs sunk along with 1 New Orleans class cruiser (the most balanced CAs available to the Allied navies in 1941).  Inexplicably, no American fighter aircraft were on CAP over the anchorage 24 hours after the first attack, even though the Hawaiian air bases were untouched (this is a game mechanic issue for 2-day turns if the KB loiters).   The only good news, is only one of the 3 BBs sunk was of the most modern types, and that a Tennessee.  The Marylands will all survive, and the thunder of their 16in guns will be heard in the Pacific during 1942.
 
The strike on the Asiatic Fleet anchorage at Manila sank 2 submarines (1 old S boat and one fleet boat and damaged 10 others (3 severely).
 
The attacks on Hong Kong harbor sank 6 freighters and crippled 2 others.
 
[font=calibri]The enemy made landings on northern Luzon at Appari and Vigan, at Sinkawang on the nw tip of Borneo, and Kota Bharu along the Malaya coast.  Other small invasion TFs appear headed for the small ports on the northern coast of Borneo.  Additionally, taking advantage of first turn move bonuses and the 2-day turn cycle, the enemy pushed powerful surface TFs deep into the Sulu and Celebes Sea.  Another powerful force is patrolling just off the Bataan.  Two light carriers were also sighed entering  the eastern Celebes Sea on the afternoon of 8 Dec (9 December on that side of the date line) .  Little to nothing of the shipping at Hong Kong or in the Philippines will escape the blockade.  [/font]
 
The 2 most capable units of the Asiatic Fleet, the heavy cruiser Houston and light cruiser Boise, in the Sulu sea, are going to try and slip by the enemy forces at high speed vicinity Manado.

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]A couple of thoughts about 2-day turns with a non-historic first turn.  [/font]
 
We agreed to set the fighters in the Philippines to 30% CAP, consistent with the Brits at Singapore.  It appeared to work pretty well.  Carnage sent a massive LBA port attack on Manila.  The first turn surprise did its trick and only few P40s intervened.  On day 2 the CAP was normal.  However, at Pearl, where we left the Hawaiian AF training, his day 2 strike came in against no CAP, even though he had not attacked the airfields at all.  This did not prove to be a debacle, because bad weather limited him to only 1 strike on day 2, and all his Kates carried bombs.  The outcome was pretty balanced.  3 BBs sunk, and enemy losses of about 45 aircraft including 30 Kates to Flak over the 2 days.  Could have been a real mess though.
 
I don’t really mind multiple port attacks on day 1.  However, the first turn moves and the 2 days that pass before the Allies can give any orders, really doom all the shipping at Hong Kong and throughout the Philippines.  By the time you even can give your first order, the Japanese can have powerful surface TFs , set to react, blockading Hong Kong, Manila, and the exits out of the Celebes to the south (towards Ambon) and to the sw through the Makassar Strait.   
 
None of the shipping losses in these two areas are really critical, but it hands the Japanese player a lot of points for little risk.  I am going to try and make him pay a little...we shall see how that goes... 

[Wirraway_Ace]

Situation in the Celebes Sea 9-14 Dec 41

[Wirraway_Ace]

OPERATION CARTWHEEL 15-16 DEC 41

Admiral Doorman’s Dutch Squadron ( 3 CLs and 8 DDs) will attempt to defeat an IJN surface TF (reported to be 6DDs and PBs) blockading the entrance to the Makassar Strait from the Celebes sea.  Doorman’s squadron is currently at Balikpapan, about 14hrs steaming from the enemy.  At the same time as the Dutch try and break the blockade, Allied shipping hiding at Tarakan will try and evade the enemy during the action by hugging the coast of Borneo.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Meanwhile, at Pacific Fleet HQs 13-15 Dec 41:
 
The Pacific Fleet is trying to reestablish balance after the shattering surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.  By 12 Dec, the fleet has been reassembled (except the Operation Joker forces) at Pearl.
 
Nimitz has directed the rapid development and execution of two initial operations, code named Joker and Batman.  Meanwhile, a Marine Defensive Bn has been dispatched from the West Coast to garrison Christmas Island .  Additionally, troops and tankers (1 AO, 2 Tankers) have been sent to establish an escort Mid-ocean refueling point along the planned convoy route to the SWPAC bases and Australia.
 
In the North Pacific, Dutch harbor is being reinforced and plans for garrisoning Adak Island are underway.
 
1 Regiment each of the 24th and 25th Divisions are loaded on transports headed to Pearl Harbor, however, Nimitz would prefer to send them to Fiji if he can convince ADM King.

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]OPERATION JOKER:  [/font]

ADM Halsey did not appreciate the code name assigned to this operation.  As he was at pains to tell his men, “This is no joke.  You are to kill Japs, then kill more Japs…”

Lexington and Enterprise were not recalled to Pearl after the attack.  Nimitz had something else in mind.  Judging the Japanese attack on Pearl a raid, and the real enemy effort in the Philippines, Malaya and Bismarcks, he ordered Halsey fly off the Marine Vindicators for redeployment to New Guinea, pick up the Marine Wildcats from Wake and proceed north of Marcus Island before turning west for a run at the enemy TFs operating of Mindanao.  His mission is to destroy the small enemy carrier TF operating in the area.  The Dutch Navy is providing small oilers, escorted by Asiatic Fleet DDs, for a link-up in the Celebes Sea.  Halsey is expected to be 300 NM north of the enemy anchorage at Babeldaub by 20 Dec.  Enemy long range patrol aircraft are anticipated to be operating out of Babeldaub but would be unlikely to be searching to the northwest unless the TF stumbles into other shipping before reaching the Philippine Sea.

[Wirraway_Ace]

OPERATION BATMAN: 
 
Nimitz has ordered the 2nd Mar Div (-) to be moved from San Diego to New Guinea to reinforce the Australians.   A balanced surface task force consisting of a New Orleans class CA, 3 Brooklyn CLs, one Porter class DD leader and 3 Bagley class DDs was also dispatched to the SW Pacific.  Fleet operations is also considering a request by the Australian Government to send an additional destroyer squadron (a Porter and 3 more Bagleys) due to the shortage of destroyers in the ANZAC squadron operating in the Coral Sea.

[Wirraway_Ace]

MALAYA, 13 DEC 41
 
At Gen Percival’s HQ in Singapore.
 
“Is it true sir?” a young Lieutenant asks a tired looking Major.
 
“Yes” the Major responds with a sad shake of his head.  “About half the 11 Indian Division is loading transports tonight with much of the III Indian Corps Artillery.  We are evacuating the Peninsula.  About all the Japs will find when they finally get here are a handful of Malay’s trying to look like British soldiers.”
 
“Well, if we are not going to fight them here, where are we going to make a stand sir?”
 
“Lieutenant, I bloody well don’t know.  Maybe Java or Burma.  Even Ceylon if they get that far.”
 
 

[Wirraway_Ace]

OFF IWO-JIMA, 15 DEC 41

Halsey’s CV TF ran into a small enemy troop convoy approximately 400 miles south of Iwo Jima. Enemy Betty’s flew unescorted from Babeldaub and Saipan attacking the task force screen (2 CAs and 4 DDs operating 80 miles ahead of the main CV TF. CAP from Lexington shot down 6 of 8 bombers (4 attacks of 2 bombers). The Betty’s were not carrying torpedoes, suggesting there is no Air HQ at Babeldaub. Meanwhile, Betty’s operating out of Davao on Mindanao attacked fleeing shipping as far south as Ambon with torpedoes.

It looks like operation Joker will not be able to carry out its original intent of entering the Celebes Sea. Instead it will have to steer south towards Babaldaub and make a decision rather to try and enter the Ceram Sea vicinity Sorong or hug the coast of New Guinea and try and make the Coral Sea.
The range of an A6M2 using drop tanks is 700 NM (14 hexes). A Betty can carry torps out to 820 NM (17 hexes).
Game Play notes: I have my CV TFs follow a surface TF at 2 hexes. I am concerned that if the surface screen is crippled or destroyed, my CV TFs may do something crazy. I think I am going to pull the screen back fully inside the CAP (set the CV TF follow distance to 0).

[Wirraway_Ace]

Expected Enemy reaction to Halsey operating in the Philippine Sea.
 
His CVL TF in the Sulu Sea has been happily expending its torps on AKLs fleeing the Philippines.  I doubt he will try and send them against Halsey.  He has multiple Surface TFs in the Celebes Sea, two of which are likely low on ammo.  He may try and get them to Babeldaub to rearm and refuel and try and send them hunting Halsey.  The enemy may not realize that the CVs are escorted by 6 CAs and 14 DDs and have a surface TF screen.
 
Most likely enemy COA is to redeploy all his Betty's and Nells from Formosa to Davao and Babeldaub along with A6M2s set to escort.  The presumed lack of an Air HQs on Babaldaub seems likely to weaken his offensive punch from that air field. 
 
The KB is likely racing towards Truk. 

[Fletcher]

Wirraway_Ace
Best of lucks in your game... I´ll follow closely your AAR and CarnageINC.. Thanks a lot for double !
Regards
Ramón

[Wirraway_Ace]

Thanks Fletcher!

should be exciting...

[Wirraway_Ace]

Makassar Straits, 15 DEC 41
RADM Doorman’s Dutch TF (3 CLs, 8DDs) engaged an enemy surface TF of 1 CL and 5 DDs during a daylight battle as part of OPERATION CARTWHEEL. The 1st Battle of Makassar Strait was an inconclusive affair with the Dutch TF retreating after 2 DDs were moderately damage; however, the 7 transports were able to slip through the Straits while the battle raged.

Gameplay notes: Doorman’s all Dutch squadron had every advantage planning could provide. He outnumbered the enemy almost 2 to 1. The distances involved were gauged to make a daylight battle most likely. The Japanese ships more than outfought the Dutch, taking very little damage while Doorman withdrew with 2 DDs with Sys Dam of 25.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Batavia, 17 DEC 41.
An IJN surface TF raided the Java port where Force Z had established its base for operations to defend Palembang, the back door to Singapore. The capital ships were in port while a DD division was patrolling the anchorage.

3 RN DDs were sunk while the IJN lost 1 DD (Hibiki) and one CA (Takao) was reported sunk—the CA is probably only damaged.

While an RN DD put a torp into the big Takao, the IJN appeared to cause much of the damage to itself in the night action…

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 20,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
CA Atago launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Tenedos at 20,000 yards
CA Takao launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Vampire at 20,000 yards
CL Jintsu launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Express at 20,000 yards
DD Hibiki launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Tenedos at 20,000 yards
DD Akatsuki launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Express at 20,000 yards
DD Arashio launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Tenedos at 20,000 yards
DD Asashio launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Express at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Haruna collides with DD Hibiki at 49 , 98
BB Kongo engages DD Express at 17,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Express at 17,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Oshio at 17,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Express at 17,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Express at 17,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Express at 17,000 yards
DD Asashio engages DD Vampire at 17,000 yards
Cartwright, F.J. orders Allied TF to disengage

Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Electra at 14,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Tenedos at 14,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Tenedos at 14,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Oshio at 14,000 yards
Cartwright, F.J. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Takao collides with DD Hibiki at 49 , 98
DD Express engages DD Michishio at 11,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Express at 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Vampire at 11,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages DD Express at 11,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Vampire at 11,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Asashio at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Electra at 14,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Tenedos at 14,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Akatsuki at 14,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Electra at 14,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Tenedos at 14,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Oshio at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Arashio at 17,000 yards
DD Electra sunk by BB Kongo at 17,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Vampire at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards

[Wirraway_Ace]

The Philippine Sea, 17 DEC 41
Halsey’s Carriers sunk 2 more AKs carrying with combat troops (based on the types of troop losses reported). This convoy did not appear to be escorted. The first convoy encountered had at least 1 escort per transport, suggesting it was a reasonable important (if small) unit.

Betty’s escorted by A6M2s from Guam hit the TF, but the CAP was able to deal with them without issue.

Halsey is now 400 miles NE of Babeldaub. He will skirt the enemy anchorage to the south.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Prime Minister’s Residence, #10 Downing Street, 19 Dec 41
 
The phone wailed plaintively in the middle of the night.  The Prime Minister swore.
 
“Prime Minister”, the First Lord of the Admiralty said.
 
“Bloody well tell me what catastrophe has befallen your damn navy Dudley” came the short response.
 
“hmm, well we lost Prince of Wales to Jap bombers at Soerabaya and Repulse is crippled.  Jap twin engine bombers flew unescorted from northern Borneo, almost 700 miles, with torpedoes.  They pressed their attack right through a light Dutch CAP.  A couple small Jap carriers also attacked the anchorage, but it was the bombers that did most of the damage.”
 
“Where was the bloody RAF?”
 
“Still covering the evacuation of III Indian Corps from Singapore”
 
“Well who told the idiots out there to do that instead of protecting our only capital ships in Asia?”
 
[no response]
 

[Wirraway_Ace]

Halsey caught a large IJN surface TF off Koepang, but the two old BBs took almost all the hits.  12 X 1000lbs were bounced off the deck armor of one of the old battlewagons and 4 off another.  1 hex too far for the short-legged Devastators.  Oh well, such is war.  My CVs will swing by Darwin to fuel up before heading West, probably to Perth.   The KB can't be far behind.