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

[Wirraway_Ace]

Captain’s Bridge, USS Lexington, Near Darwin, 27 Dec 41
 
“Why is the Bull turning back towards Darwin, Sir?”  We were completely fueled and ordered to Perth two days ago.”
 
“Well, we were also ordered to follow that destroyer TF (points towards the horizon), and they turned back to Darwin after reaching their ‘destination’” the Captain responded.
 
“Well I sure hope the Admiral knows what he is doing, because by my plot, the whole damn Jap Carrier Mobile Strike Force can reach Darwin about now.”
 
Do to sloppy game play, I failed to reset the home port for the destroyer screen, so the surface TF dutifully brought Halsey’s carriers back to Darwin after reaching their destination (set to bypass a I-boat that was patrolling nearby Darwin).   I will almost certainly lose both Big-E and Lex.  I may be able to save their bulk of their airgroups.
 
Only good news in a series of sloppy turns, is I may save Repulse.  She is well away from Java, cruising to Cape Town.  Her float damage is steady.

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]USS Enterprise, north of Cairns, New Years Day, 1942[/font][/b]
 
The powerful engines strained to push the big carrier as fast as she would go.  She was down slightly at the bows and one engine room was off-line, but she was making more than 20 knots and had no list.  The skies were gray and overcast, but to starboard, the Northern Queensland coast was clearly visible.   But other than the sea birds, her only company was a small tramp steamer also fleeing south.  Her escorts were scattered or sunk.
 
She had limped into Darwin harbor, after the battle 3 days ago, her flight deck wrecked, listing to 10 degrees to port from a torpedo hit forward, and with fires raging in one engine room from a 250KG bomb that had plunged obliquely through the hull side just below the armored hanger deck.  While damage control crews fought the fires threatening to engulf the ship, the doomed Lexington had continued the one-sided battle with 6 Jap carriers.  Lady Lex and 4 damaged DDs drew the Japanese to the West.  DD Lawson, Big E’s only remaining escort, was patrolling outside the harbor and was sunk by 2 enemy fast battleships along with numerous lighter vessels, but her valiance was not in vain; the IJN did not venture into the harbor.  Enterprise, her fires quenched, slipped out of Darwin harbor under cover of nightfall and sprinted East.  The weather forecasters had predicted correctly, and Big E found herself protected by heavy overcast skies and was well out of range of the enemy by the time dusk fell on New Year’s Eve.

[bspeer]

Do to sloppy game play, I failed to reset the home port for the destroyer screen

This is what always worries/frustrates me in this game so far. I miss one thing and it leads to catastrophe!

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: bspeer

Do to sloppy game play, I failed to reset the home port for the destroyer screen

This is what always worries/frustrates me in this game so far. I miss one thing and it leads to catastrophe!

Which is uncannily like RL. Commanders make one cock up and it all goes up!

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

ORIGINAL: bspeer

Do to sloppy game play, I failed to reset the home port for the destroyer screen

This is what always worries/frustrates me in this game so far. I miss one thing and it leads to catastrophe!

Which is uncannily like RL. Commanders make one cock up and it all goes up!

bspeer, at least when playing the Allies, such mistakes are usually not a disaster.

On the other hand, as Cantona pointed out, this type of thing happened over and over, particularily when trying a risky or overly complex operation.

The operation (running 2 CVs west to the Philippine Sea if the KB loiters at Pearl) had a very small margin of error. 2-day turns made even smaller that margin--which I exceeded. One lapse in attention to detail, and scratch 2 flattops. I was fortunate to lose only 1 (at least so far). But I have had a lot of practice in trying to save crippled US CVs in AE after every brush with Japanese carriers. If anything, the battles are even more one sided than in WiTP.

In WiTP or UV, if the you could match USN CVs deck for deck with their smaller IJN counterparts, even pre-Avenger upgrade, the outcomes were generally pretty close. More durable ships with better damage control and larger air groups going far to balance the greater IJN offensive capabilities in terms of skill and the deadly Kates. From what I have seen in WiTP AE, this balance seems to have shifted in favor of the IJN.

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]Situation Overview, New Year’s Day, 1942[/font][/b]

Philippines:  MacArthur has declared Manila a free city and fallen back on Clark Field.  The Asiatic Fleet has been withdrawn from the Theater and his air force is down to a handful of P40B’s and E’s.  The enemy entered Manila on New Year’s eve and is advancing on Clark.  Mac still has an intact Army with over 60,000 tons of supplies.  Forts on the Bataan are at 4.  Depending on the enemy strength, Luzon should hold for a while.  On Mindinao, the enemy is making little effort.

DEI:  Borneo has been the focus of the enemy effort.  The northern coast is completely in enemy hands.  On the east and south, Tarakan is invested and Balikpapan has fallen.  The enemy has also landed troops at Makassar.  Most of the Dutch defenders have already been evacuated so this base will fall soon.  On Sumatra, the Dutch have consolidated all their available forces at Palembang in the South and Langsa in the North.  These two bases remain the key routes for air evac of units from Singapore.  Palembang is heavily mined (for AE).  On Java, the Dutch are preparing to mass their available strength at Batavia.  The Dutch airforce is intact and training heavily.  A heavy bomber group of B17s and Marine Dive Bombers have been forward deployed on Java.  All naval forces have been withdrawn due to the enemy air threat from Borneo.

Malaya:  Northern Malaya has been evacuated except a few Malay Bn’s to delay the enemy.  The Japanese main axis of advance appears to be from Thailand via.   He has been slow to get moving against very light resistance.   The British forces are concentrated on Singapore Island.  The entire 11 Indian Division has already been evacuated along with the bulk of the 2 Aussie Bdes of the 8th Aus Div.

[font=calibri]Burma:  The 17th Indian Division is rebuilt and defending the jungle terrain hex between Moulmein and Pegu against the Imperial Guards Division +.   The 1st Burma division is consolidating at Rangoon.  4 weak Chinese divisions have occupied the Shan States.  The British will not make a significant fight for Burma.  As soon as the enemy brings sufficient pressure on the only reasonable competent combat formation in Burma (17th Ind Div), the retreat towards India will begin with alacrity.  [/font]

India:  Forces are consolidating at Chittigong (in Bengal) and Ceylon.  The Ceylon garrison is being augmented by the III Indian Corps units evacuated from Singapore.  The long term strategy calls for British forces in India to counterattack by the end of 1942.

Australia:   RAAF units are training, training, training.  I have the Wirraway’s split doing training on ASW, Airfield Attack and Ground Attack.  I will pull these pilots into the front line squadrons when their skills are above 60.  The Cebu and Cavite USN Naval Base forces have been evacuated to OZ and will be used to increase the capacity of Darwin and Perth.

SWPAC:  Marines will reinforce Port Moresby if possible.

SOPAC:  Suva has received to RCTs and 3 Arty Bns.

Pacific Ocean Areas:  Christmas Island, and Canton Island have been reinforced with a Mar Def Bn and an Inf Rgt (sep) is on the way to Christmas Island.  Tahiti has received an engineer unit and is being expanded as a mid-ocean refueling point for convoys on the southern route.

[font=calibri]NORTHPAC:  [/font][font=calibri]Troops are on the way to reinforce Dutch Harbor and (eventually) Adak Island[/font]

I will do a separate update on China soon.

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]Off Batavia, Java, 4 Jan 42[/font][/b]
RAF Wildebeests caught a large enemy surface TF in the straights between Sumatra and Java after it sank a small Allied transport convoy trying to reach Oosthaven.  A Fuso Class BB, reported to be Yamashiro, went down from 6 torps.  In follow-up attacks over the next two days, one of her CL consorts was hit by bombs but not critically.   The escorting RAF and RAAF Buffalos were shredded by a small number of Oscars on LRCAP.  The Buffalos, who outnumbered their nimble opponents 2 or more to 1, never the less, lost 15 of their number to 0 for the IJA.

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]The Celebes and Java, 6-10 Jan 42[/font]
 
Carnage surprised me a bit with his aggressiveness in the southern DEI given his very slow progress in Malaya.  He has simultaneously invaded Kendari, Ambon and the southern tip of Java!  He has plenty of strength to take Kendari and Ambon.  He landed 2 big SNLF units at Banjoewagi (I am not making this up) on the southern tip of Java.  I have an Indian Bde there, but in Strat mode, so I will retreat to mountain hex of Malang through which he must pass to move on Soerabaja.  I actually have 2 decent bdes of the 11 Indian Div on Java at the moment.  I will consolidate them at Malang with a rgt or 2 of Dutch, and see what he intends.  If he is content to simply establish a foothold on southern Java, I will continue the planned evac of these two formations.
 [/b]

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]The Sittang River Bridge, 10 Jan 42[/font]
 
[font=calibri]The last of the 17th Indian Division crossed the bridge into Pegu with the enemy pushing them hard.  The Division came under heavy air attack but withdrew in good order.   However, with only a single combat effective division available (1st Burma is too green to be committed to combat), the withdrawal to Pegu signals the beginning of the planned British retreat from Burma and the severing of the US supply route to China. [/font]

[nicwb]

Malaya: Northern Malaya has been evacuated except a few Malay Bn’s to delay the enemy. The Japanese main axis of advance appears to be from Thailand via. He has been slow to get moving against very light resistance. The British forces are concentrated on Singapore Island. The entire 11 Indian Division has already been evacuated along with the bulk of the 2 Aussie Bdes of the 8th Aus Div.

Wirraway_Ace, as someone south of Briz Vegas I'm glad to see you evacuating the the Aust 8th Division - even in a game I'd hate to leave them to the to the mercies of Changi once again.

On a more serious note are you pulling them back towards India, the DEI or even further south ?

Am enjoying your AAR - it's really helpful to us noobs (me) to see the picture develop from both sides.

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: nicwb

Malaya: Northern Malaya has been evacuated except a few Malay Bn’s to delay the enemy. The Japanese main axis of advance appears to be from Thailand via. He has been slow to get moving against very light resistance. The British forces are concentrated on Singapore Island. The entire 11 Indian Division has already been evacuated along with the bulk of the 2 Aussie Bdes of the 8th Aus Div.

Wirraway_Ace, as someone south of Briz Vegas I'm glad to see you evacuating the the Aust 8th Division - even in a game I'd hate to leave them to the to the mercies of Changi once again.

On a more serious note are you pulling them back towards India, the DEI or even further south ?

Am enjoying your AAR - it's really helpful to us noobs (me) to see the picture develop from both sides.

nicwb,

"south of Briz Vegas" is a pretty big area [:D]

Right now, both Bdes are on northern Sumatra. One (I think it is 27 Bde) is loading on transports for a quick trip to Colombo. I will try and get them both back to OZ as quickly as possible. But Carnage is so active around Java, they are probably going to India first and then to Perth when things are safer in the Indian Ocean. It would be politically unrealistic to leave them in India with the Japanese hammering Port Moresby, just 500 miles from Queensland. The DEI are doomed in Scen 2, no matter what I would like.

For the same reason (political), I will do everything possible to get the entire I Aus Corps back home as quickly as I can. I will also ship an RAF Air HQs and some AA units to OZ; assets with which the British are rich, while the Aussie's poor.

[nicwb]

Wirraway_Ace,

'tis indeed - but easy enough to find - its that town due South with all the cockraoches - oh and the large bridge [8|]

[Wirraway_Ace]

[font=calibri]Malang, Java, 14 Jan 42[/font]

[font=calibri]The Japanese 38th Division easily took the mountainous base of Malang from an Indian Bde and KNIL Regiment.  There is no longer any chance of holding southern Java.  All KNIL units will retreat to the prepared positions around Batavia.  The 2 weakened Indian Bdes of the 11th Indian Division still on Java will be flown out to the island bases south of Java and then onto northern Australia.  We are unlikely to be able to get out much more than a Bn each.  The battle at Malang is a good reminder that the Dutch and Commonwealth Regiments and Brigades respectively, are very inadequate combat formations.  They begin poorly trained and have no heavy weapons.[/font]

Off the Coast of Southern Java, 16 Jan 42

The main enemy Mobile Strike force of 6 fleet carriers continues to loiter 200 miles of the southern coast of Java, supporting the continued enemy reinforcement of their beachhead.

There has been no sign of the enemy light carriers in the past week.  ABDA HQs assumes they are operating in the Indian Ocean trying to intercept Allied attempts to evacuate Java and Sumatra.

Meanwhile, BC Repulse made Perth.  She will be hastily repaired and then moved.  An enemy carrier raid on Perth and Colombo seem likely.

Far to the East, CV Enterprise docked at Wellington, NZ.  Her damaged flight deck will be repaired so that she can conduct flight operations before she departs for the West Coast ports of the US.  Her system damage is currently 52.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Prime Minister’s Residence, #10 Downing Street, 18 Jan 42

The Prime Minister only grunted as he reviewed General Sir Archibald Wavell request to execute OPERATION WICKET—the withdrawal of British forces from Burma. After a moment, he spoke, “I wonder how I shall phrase this? Maybe, ‘Never have so many fled from so few, for so little…’ I bloody well hope Wavell can advance as well as he seems to be able to retreat.”

[Wirraway_Ace]

Headline, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan 42

NAVY REPORTS ANTI-SUBMARINE SUCCESS.
Hunter/Killer teams of aircraft and destroyers, led by some of the most aggressive young leaders in the Navy, have put a dent in the Jap sub campaign off southern California. In the last few days, the Navy reports sinking one I-boat and damaging another. Shipping losses in the sea lanes off Los Angeles and San Diego have also declined.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Melbourne, Australia, 22 Jan 42

In the first combined USN/RAN operation, a surface TF (designated TF11) of cruisers and destroyers, departed Melbourne for the Solomon Island chain. The enemy has been steadily advancing south along the Solomons and coast watchers report only light escort units.

Enemy Situation: The main enemy carrier mobile strike force is SW of Java. Enemy light carriers have not been sighted since early January, but are not believed to be supporting the Solomons operations.

Mission: The TF mission is to move to the southern Solomon Island chain and destroy the enemy shipping operating in the area.

Concept of Operations: The TF will approach the Solomons from the south

Task Organization: 1 New Orleans class CA (flag), 2 Kent class CA (RAN), 1 Brooklyn class CL, 1 Porter class DD (leader), 5 Bagley class DDs.

Service and Support: Suva is available for refueling in the area of operations.

Command & Signal: RADM Shafroth (USN) is in command

Historian’s Note: The USN and RAN withdrew from forward operating bases after the loss of the Lexington and damage to Enterprise provided the enemy the opportunity to form 2 Mobile Strike Forces and achieve local air/sea superiority at will. Bases on the southern coast of Australia are the only ports considered reasonably safe from carrier or surface TF raids.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Southern Solomon Islands, 1 Feb 42
RADM Shafroth’s TF11 engaged what appeared to be enemy picket forces in the southern approaches to the Slot.  His forces sank 2 PBs and then engaged 5 small DDs (Minekazi or Kamikaze), sinking 2.  He was forced to withdraw after his DDs expended their torpedoes.  He was unsuccessful at penetrating the Slot and reaching any of the transports in the area.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Luzon, Philippines, 5 Feb 42
Gen MacArthur withdrew his forces on Northern Luzon from Clark Field to Bataan in good order.  He will now await the arrival of the US Pacific Fleet…
[/i]

Game notes: Bataan has 30K supplies, level 5 forts and about 1000AV. My guess Bataan will probably fall in early March.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Headline 7 FEB 42, “JOHOR BAHRU FALLS TO JAPS”
 
The London Times reports that the forces of Imperial Japan have taken control of the southernmost city on the Malayan Peninsula.  Only the Straits of Johor separate the enemy from the Singapore.  Approximately 26,000 Commonwealth troops remain on Singapore Island after the withdrawal of III Indian Corps last month.  The Government reports that every effort will be made to evacuate the remaining British forces over the coming days; however, the fall of Singapore appears imminent.  With British forces in full retreat throughout the Far East, the Prime Minister is considering a number of key leadership changes.

[Wirraway_Ace]

Combat Intelligence Office, Pearl Harbor, 10 Feb 1942

Commander Joseph P. Rochefort scanned through the SIGINT summary from the overnight take.  One item caught his eye and he rushed out of his office without his hat...

a Japanese TK is moving to Tarawa (136,128).
6/24th Infantry Regiment is loaded on a Ehime Cargo class xAK moving to Mataram.
Radio transmissions detected at Tsingtao (95,47).
43rd Const Co  is located at Miri(64,87).
3rd Cavalry Brigade is located at Hailun(111,37).
Eastern Army is located at Tokyo(114,60).
NCPC Army is located at Peiping(95,39).
Radio transmissions detected at Maizuru (110,58).
Radio transmissions detected at Nanchang (85,54).
26th Fld AA Machinecannon Company is located at Sunwu(113,34).
Radio transmissions detected at Mutankiang (111,42).
36th Const Co  is located at Pescadores(84,63).
144th Infantry Regiment is loaded on xAP Ukishima Maru moving to Midway Island.
12703 men are based at Osaka/Kyoto (109,59).
146 men are based at Shikuka (126,43).
62nd Infantry Group  is located at Chiba(114,61).
22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment is located at Yenki(110,44).
7th RF Gun Battalion is located at Hailar(107,30).
34th Ind.AA Gun Co  is located at Akita(117,55).
Radio transmissions detected at Goodenough Island (101,131).
52nd Road Const Co  is located at Sinyang(86,48).
Radio transmissions detected at 85,33.
5056 men are based at Kotou (116,42).
7th Border Defense Fortress is located at 114,32.
729 men are based at Rahaeng (58,56).
6th Mongol Cavalry Division is located at Kalgan(95,37).
1145 men are based at Shimizu (112,61).