vini and bfj, thanks for the comments! I like buzzing Japan now and then....
Combat Report, June 18-21, 1943
Dual Advances: I am picking up the pace now, advancing on both sides of Borneo. I am puzzled about the lack of reaction to Billiton and Ketapang landings, as the IJN could use the aircover of Singapore to set-up surface attack runs.
Oh well...Billiton is building, and when it's done, Palembang will be closed for business. I suppose the Empire could life Oil/Fuel out over another port; that might do the trick. If not, the Empire will be running out of gas in a few months.
I think Cuttlefish has stockpiled ALOT, so I'm sure there is a supply in Japan. His losses have been low, so he could also turn down aircraft production, which burns the most HI.
Phillipines: Puerto Princesa has fallen, and Paras will land tommorow on Taytay. Once Palawan is built, that will be a springboard to Luzon.
I am already prepping troops for landings on Luzon, which should take place in the Fall. I plan landings north and south of Manila, with the largest at San Fernando; this hex I selected because it can be defended easily, yet offers clear paths to other terrain.
Borneo: Jesselton will fall tommorow. Brunei is undefended, and will become a large base.
I am also thinking of establishing an airbase on Groote Natoena, which would put a stopper on the South China Sea. Thinking....
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Ready to RUMBLE!: I have been avoiding a head-on confrontation with Combined Fleet up until now. It's time though: It's GO TIME! With several CVs due in the next 60 days, I can afford losses. Let's tussle with the bad boys!
I have some convoys I want to run to Palawan to build the bases. I will get them through, come hell or high water. If I have to fight the IJN, so be it.
All my CVs are headed to the Sulu Sea, including 5 USN CVs (Lex, Sara, York, Wasp, Essex), plus HMS Victorious, and a bunch of BBs.
I hope we get a battle. If not, we at least get closer to Luzon.
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Battle of Sulu Sea: We lost one today, and judging by the number of sudden posts on Cuttlefish's AAR, you probably already read about it. Here is what happened:
I moved 2 CV TFs, 1 CVE TF, and 2 Surface TFs closer to engage with the IJN fleet concentrating off Busuanga. I backed it up with LRCAP from Jolo, and bombers at Jolo. The nearest airbases for him are Manila and Legaspi, so I went ahead, figuring that it was neutral from an LBA standpoint, which is as good as I can get this point in the game, when I am bringing the battle to him.
Problem is I got a night battle instead of day battle. He cleverly sent in the surface ships, and the result could have been better, or worse, depending on your perspective. IJN Surface units found my CV TFs (!), and peppered SARATOGA with shells! Maybe I should have left the 8-in turrets on, that would have been interesting. IJN surface ships also found the CVEs and sank one, leaving another in bad shape.
BBs also tangled; the night went to the IJN, as NAGATO sank both REPULSE and CHESTER to magazine explosions (lucky!), and beat up PRINCE OF WALES.
We landed enough hits though that in the day phase, we finished off some cripples via SBD; CHOKAI and YURA, plus 4 modern DDs.
This was a tactical IJN Victory, in that I lost a BC, CA, DD, CVE, and another CVE is in danger of sinking. In return I sank 1 CA, 1 CL, and 4 DD.
On the combat report, Saratoga took 13 shells and caught fire, but the damage was superficial; only 6 sys, and fires are out. She is operational.
What Next?: We should probably count our lucky stars, cut our losses, and go home. Live to fight another day. Not take any risks, and keep the fleet intact. After all, we don't want to do anything TOO dangerous.
One problem though: We are the freakin' Navy! Are we going to take this? NO! There is only one thing left to do: ATTACK!
Way I figure it, he expended his surface ships. Mine that survived still have full magazines. The CVs are intact. He's probably figuring I'll go away. Fat chance. The deciding factor: I have a pile of CVs that are about to show up. So if I lose a few? No big deal. An even exchange at this point will favor me, so why not?
Our CVs are turning around, and taking position off Puerto Princesa. I think he'll keep the CVs around to cover the damaged ships he needs to recover. If he doesn't, we'll sink those anyway (AOBA is in there and struggling to get home).
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One problem though: We are the freakin' Navy! Are we going to take this? NO! There is only one thing left to do: ATTACK!
Way I figure it, he expended his surface ships. Mine that survived still have full magazines.
But do you have any serviceable BB's? (I don't think I'm telling you anything by mentioning that his AAR shows hits on Massachusetts as well as on Prince of Wales.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock
But do you have any serviceable BB's? (I don't think I'm telling you anything by mentioning that his AAR shows hits on Massachusetts as well as on Prince of Wales.
Yes, though not escorting the CVs at this point, only cruisers are. MASSACHUSETTS is still escorting the CVs (just a little float damage). PRINCE of WALES took hardly any major damage, but her aft turret was knocked out; that means a trip to the yard unfortunately. 4 guns is too much to miss.
SARATOGA took little damage, except several AA mounts were knocked out. She is overdue for the 10/42 upgrade, so as soon as we're done, she is headed out. It's just as well.
I am still short BBs. It's a problem. NEVADA and ROYAL SOVEREIGN are close-by and 100% OK. NORTH CAROLINA is also handy. INDIANA is repaired, and in transit. COLORADO is close to repaired, and SOUTH DAKOTA, WASHINGTON are transiting to fix minor damage. But I still have a real problem there. Losing PoW/REPULSE hurts (PoW only for a couple months). The only near-term reinforcement is ALABAMA, though 1944 features more, including the NEW JERSEYS. Problem won't be 100% solved until the RN BBs show up in late 1944.
I am in great shape in CRUISERS though; CHESTER was only the 2nd USN CA lost in the war, the first being HOUSTON way back in Jan 1942. Losses have been very light, so I can rely on them.
A very very very bad day for the Empire. Almost too ugly to watch; I am surprised Cuttlefish sent the turn back so quick. But he took it well......
Combat Report, June 27, 1943:
Battle of Sulu Sea, Day 2: This was a decisive Allied victory. So decisive, it is bordering on sheer ugly. I don't know if all later-war CV engagements work this way; hope not, as I usually play the Empire. Avert the children's gaze, because if you like Carrier Carnage, pull up a chair:
First, the IJN AM Stirke:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Puerto Princesa at 73,84
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
A6M3a Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 43
B6N1 Jill x 26
D3A1 Val x 9
D4Y1 Judy x 19
Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 12
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 87
97 Strike planes and 56 fighters ran into a buzzsaw of over 100 fighters, mostly Hellcats. (NOTE: The Corsairs were NOT on the CVs; they were flying LRCAP from Sandakan). MASSACHUSETTS sank; SARATOGA has 65 Float Damage; she will make it, unless she runs into a sub, in which case it's bye bye.
USN AM Strike:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Busuanga at 76,78
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3a Zero x 14
Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 33
SBD-3 Dauntless x 108
TBF-1 Avenger x 73
Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Oyashio
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kuroshio
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Natsushio, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Susuzuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Agano
DD Kiyonami
DD Makinami
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 2, on fire
OUCH! It gets even worse though in the PM Phase. AM strike had only 56 Zeros on CAP, not near enough for over 200 strike planes.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Busuanga at 76,78
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 27
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30
TBF-1 Avenger x 17
Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Makinami
I didn't even show the IJN PM Strike, which was 15 Zeros, 13 kates, and 2 Jills, and was completely wiped out by my CAP. Over KB, only 9 Zeros on CAP; clearly, huge losses. I had only 50+ stike planes, but with the AA magazines emptied, and no CAP, we scored alot of hits.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Busuanga at 76,78
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 6
Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze
CA Nachi
That's it. HEAVY SMOKE was reported obscuring every Japanese Carrier. Based on the disappearance of CVs from successive combat reports, the HEAVY FIRES reported, and smoke, I am pretty sure this is a complete wipeout: Every Japanese Carrier in the Pacific is sunk. I didn't see TAIHO which may have been accelerated into July, but that's it. Kido Butai is gone, toast, kaput.
My losses? 100 planes, MASSACHUSETTS, and SARATOGA is pretty banged up.
I will wonder if Cuttlefish wants to continue after this disaster. He is a gracious opponent, so I would leave it up to him.
I don't know why the IJN Airgroups were so weak. With AKAGI, KAGA, JUNYO, HIYO, RYUJO, RYUHO, ZUIHO, SHOHO in the hex, that's space for roughly 420 planes. Yet, the AM strike was only 150-ish, and there were another 60 or so on CAP. Only 100 strike planes, when there should have been around 200+. I wonder if the airgroups were very depleted.
I had 6 CVs total,(one being HMS Victorious), with roughly 470 plane spots. I was completely full though, I had 470 A/C.
as in real life the Saratoga continues to be a torpedo sponge. Looks like the Massachusetts was unlucky. Was this just bad luck or did she draw more than her fair share of attention? 6 torpedo hits on your task force is pretty good, dive bombers didn't do much. Your dive bombers........not so bad
Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly
I think he made a dread mistake of all CV's in single TF. Due to penalty 9no more then 200 carrier planes in TF) flew maybe only half of his bombers and torpedo planes.
Game is over, without oil and fuel from DEI, without any CV's Japan is finished. He must surrender.
What can I say, you tottaly suprised him with sudden thrust into DEI and he reacted too slow and too weakly at the beginin (maybe he thought this is deception move), that cost him war.
Carnage Indeed.......and very well played Q-ball.........the game is over in some senses....but I would expect Cuttlefish to play on.....he may need a day or twos grace.......but the rather masochistic fun of playing Japan is seeing how long you can hold on in these kind of situations......great game.....great AARs.......I hope it is seen through to the bitter end.
It appears 2 Japanese CVs of some sort made it to Manila. Going back through the damage logs, i would guess HIYO and RYUJO. Doesn't matter anyway, that's not enough to do anything more than annoy or raid.
In the meantime, SARATOGA should survive barring a run-in with a Sub, and same for PRINCE WILLIAM, which is already docked. That means the only permanent losses in that whole sequence for me were REPULSE, MASSACHUSETTS, CHESTER, a CVE, and a DD. Other than the BBs, not really much. Certainly worth taking the IJN CVs out.
Next Steps: In the aftermath, we have successfully unloaded base troops and supplies at Jesselton and Puerto Princesa. I am sending fuel to Puerto Princesa to turn this into a major base. I have invasion troops heading to Pontianak and Brunei. At this point, my objectives are these:
1. CUT OFF OIL/FUEL: I am in position to cut off all the Oil in the DEI from Japan, at least from straight-forward routes. Billiton is size 3 now, and DBs are flying over Palembang. That harbor is closed. I don't know if there are maybe overland routes open; pull fuel out of Medan, for example, move to Kuala Lumpur, and suck it out via Cam Ranh Bay. There can probably be some of that. But this is a problem for Cuttlefish now. I plan to send CV raiders up toward Vietnam to look for tankers, but I hope to end shipping in the DEI.
2. LUZON: An invasion of Luzon is inevitable. I am prepping units and plan to move within 30 days on Busuanga and San Jose, which will establish several airbases within range of Luzon. We will use those to pound out Japanese LBA, prior to invasions at San Fernando and Batangas, south of Manila. I have 6+ divisions beginning their preps for this move. I hate to go straight in, but look at the map........it's the only way to go at this point.
I am picking up and moving forward every base force, Seabea, and combat unit i can get my hands on. Between Noumea and Pearl Harbor, there are only a handful of units and PBYs keeping an eye on things, but 90% of my combat strength is somewhere in the DEI.
