AE Historical Game Project. Cantona2 (allied) vs Fletcher (Jap)

[Fletcher]

FROM: Marquis Kido, Lord Keeper of Prival Seal. Tokyo
TO: XXV Army HQ. LTGEN. Tomoyuki Yamashita. Singapore.
SUBJECT: CONGRATULATIONS FROM EMPEROR
DATE: Feb 12nd, 1942.

The Emperor sent a congratulations message to LtGen Tomoyuki Yamashita and all XXV Army chiefs, officers and soldiers for the capture of Singapore. It´s not needed to say that the liberation of this Fortress into our preplanned timeline is strategic to follow up with our D.E.I. and Burma Operations. SUPREME WAR COUNCIL will gathered tomorrow at early morning to talk about the capture of our main target in Western Area.
It´s mandatory a casualties report for all our available units into our XXV Army at SINGAPORE.
2nd FLEET HQ under VADM NOBUTAKE KONDO will be transfered at once from Samah to Singapore.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END //

[Blind Sniper]

Go Fletcher! [:)]

[Fletcher]

Hello Blind Sniper, thank you very much for your support words!..
Best wishes
ramón

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM.SHIMIZU. 6th Fleet C-in-C. Kwajalein Is.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, Combined Fleet HQ. Kure.
SUBJECT: SUB WAR REPORT
DATE: Feb 13rd, 1942.

(1) Feb 12nd, 1942

RO-67 sent to bottom enemy XAK WIHELMINA near Enderbury Island (nearby to Canton Island) after 4 torpedo hits on a surface attack at night time.
RO-61 was lighty damaged after be attacked by enemy Flush Deck Destroyer off Wake. 4 near misses were reported.

(2) Feb 13rd, 1942

xAP MARIPOSA was torpedoed and 2 hits reported by I-160 near Brisbane. 8 torpedoes were launched. Enemy ship is not confirmed sunk. NO enemy retaliation.
I-170 was lightly damaged after enemy USN destroyer attacked her near Newcastle.

(3) Reattachments.

2 large SS have been redeployed from Kwajalein to Singapore.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. INOUYE, 4th Fleet C-in-C. Truk.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET HQ. KURE.
SUBJECT: ENEMY CARRIER BASED AIR STRIKE OVER SHIPPINGS AT SOUTH SEAS.
DATE: FEB 12nd, 1942.

AMC BANKOK MARU, E SUSUKI and AK KINKA MARU have been sunk by enemy carrier based dive bombers off Port Moresby. 3rd Heavy Arty Bn have been sent to bottom. Meassures to avoid more air attacks from enemy carrier must be taken.
I am in a must to request NAGUMO CARRIERS to erase the serpents nets (probably at Brisbane or Sydney) to avoid more attacks over our shippings to reinforcement this strategical area.

All convoys to Port Moresby suspended awaiting a Carrier battle against the enemy !

One enemy submarine was reported hit by B5N2 from HIJMS SHOHO near Rabaul.

Long Live to the EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: GEN. HATA, CHINA EXPEDITIONARY ARMY HQ. WENCHOW. SOUTH CHINA
TO: GEN. HEJIME SUGIYAMA. IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY GENERAL STAFF. IGHQ. TOKYO.
SUBJECT: GREAT VICTORY NEAR NANYANG.
DATE: FEB 13rd, 1942.

40 miles southeast of Nanyang our forces have smashed enemy bandits. 7.298 enemy have been killed (270 enemy squads destroyed confirmed) vs 280 IJA casualties. Our forces are marching to Nanyang to join with NORTH CHINA AREA ARMY backbone to capture this strategical city. Enemy forces fleeing from battlefield: 48th, 84th and 85th Chinese Corps with 21st Group Army HQ.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTGEN. IIDA, XV ARMY C-IN-C. PROOME. BURMA
TO: GEN. SADAMU SHIMOMURA, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY HQ. SINGAPORE.
SUBJECT: BURMA CAMPAIGN REPORT.
DATE: FEB 13rd, 1942.

(1) Feb 12nd, 1942

14 ki-27 escorted 25 Ki-30 to strike enemy airfield at Magwe. 7 runway hits were reported. NO enemy aircrafts at CAP.
3 enemy B-17s were intercepted over Proome by 4 Ki-43. Enemy turned back.

(2) Feb 13rd, 1942

15 H81 escorting 8 enemy bombers strike our forces near Proome. 35 casualties were reported by 33rd Infantry Division. Meassures have been taken to avoid more enemy strikes against our troops.
A second raid over Magwe AF: 24 Ki-43 escorting 20 Ki-30 reported another 7 runway hits.

Our forces are awaiting XXV Army tranfered units after fall of Singapore.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[seydlitz_slith]

Good job on taking Singapore. It definitely will free up forces for elsewhere.

How are you coming with taking the island of Mindanao?

Did you divert any forces normally used in the Philippines campaign to start taking Celebes and the other southern islands? I ask this because I seem to be a month or so ahead of your schedule in the conquest of the Philippines and I am thinking that it is because we prioritized what we the sequence that we were hitting some targets differently.

[traskott]

Nanananananana...No advices to my dear enemy, Mr.Fletcher.  [:'(][:'(]

[Fletcher]

Good job on taking Singapore. It definitely will free up forces for elsewhere.

How are you coming with taking the island of Mindanao?

Did you divert any forces normally used in the Philippines campaign to start taking Celebes and the other southern islands? I ask this because I seem to be a month or so ahead of your schedule in the conquest of the Philippines and I am thinking that it is because we prioritized what we the sequence that we were hitting some targets differently.

Hello Seydlitz, thank you very much for your comments and post. XXV Army will be split in two forces:

a) Southern Force to be attached to XVI Army in Java landings (mainly 2nd and Guards Division)
b) Burma Force to be attached to XV Army and Southern Area Army.

About Mindanao, this Island is in my hands from middle of January when my forces captured Malaybalay and all allied forces surrender there. My primary target was Cagayan like a main Airfield to transfer my 21st Air Flotilla. Davao like secondary target to capture the port to supply my field ground units. My starting plan like following (Dec 1941):

When Cagayan falls, orders to transfer 21st Air Flotilla from Formosa will be dispatched (with air complements from Kanoya Ku K-1 and Toko Ku-1 Det).

Miura Det (33rd Inf Reg) aboard xAK Kyusyu Maru and 146th Infantry Regiment (xAP Hakone Maru, CM Itsukushima) will head to Davao. Miura will be Davao´s garrison and 146th will advance to Malaybalay.

After Davao falls in our hands, 2nd Base Force will be shipped at Takao to this port.

2nd Kure SNLF will landing at Dadjanjas aboard xAK Teiryu Maru, after it will land at Cotabato, Dumanquillas, Zamboanga and Oroquieta.

Nagara Flotilla covered landings with Ryujo TF like indirect protect.

Now sit map report like you can see with following comments about:

- 9th JNAF Coy was landing at Surgao to deploy there 16th Ku K T-1 to ASW aerial support ops with a ASW Hunter-Killer Group to cover the landings at Cagayan (the main target).
- Landings at Cagayan with XVI Army and Sasebo 2nd SNLF followed in a second wave with labor units (1st Naval Construction Bn from Takao), AA (45th Field AA Bn from Formosa) and Garrison (8th Indpt. SNLF Coy). When secured, 21st Air Flotilla was transfered from Formosa to support antishipping ops from this AF with two G3M2/G4M1 daitais escorted by 1 A6M2 Daitai.
- At Davao my forces landing with 146th Infantry Regiment (after captured, releaved by 2nd Base Force). 146th Infantry Regiment was shipped there to capture Jolo, then Tarakan and lastly Balikpapan. Now ready to be shipped to Samarinda.
All ground forces from Zamboanga (Kure 1st), Dadjanjas (Kure 2nd), Cagayan (I/33rd I.R) and Davao (Miura and Kimura Dets) assembly at Malayabalay to end with enemy resistance. After captured all forces marching to Davao to be shipped for new targets.

I have not diverted any forces from my primary targets on P.I. (Luzon or Mindanao) to capture Celebes. To this task I sent the following forces:

- IJA : Det A from 38th Infantry Division (after Hong Kong captured)
- IJN : Sasebo 3rd and Sasebo 8th SNLF. 23rd Air Flotilla HQ (2nd echelon).

With BATDIV 1 and CARDIV 2 like direct support, Ambon was an easy target and fallen in few days. This operation was coordinated with Koepang landings supported by CARDIV 1 & CARDIV 5 and BATDIV 2 & 3.

I hope this help
Best of wishes and best of lucks in your game
ramón

(1) Screenshot with MINDANAO SIT MAP REPORT Feb 14th, 1942

[traskott]

Remember me Fletcher, not to play against u. Too much dangerous organized oponent...

[seydlitz_slith]

Fletcher,
thanks for the update. I see exactly where the differences are in our two offensives.

Tip: The most painless way to capture all of those undefended Philippine islands is to use one of your paratrooper units and the unit of H6K2-L Mavis seaplane transports.
The Mavis unit can fly enough troops in to plant the flag on day one, then fly back in on day 2 and pick the troops up. Rinse and repeat to your heart's desire.
Just be careful not to do this where the enemy has fighters as you only have one Mavis transport unit.

Traskott, you must pretend that you have not read that tip.[:-]

[traskott]

My indestructible single P-40E at Bataan will patrol all the islands to destroy your puny Mavis [:D]. Be careful. I'm about to achive another ace, and this would be really funny: One agains hundreds !!!!

[Fletcher]

ORIGINAL: seydlitz

Fletcher,
thanks for the update. I see exactly where the differences are in our two offensives.

Tip: The most painless way to capture all of those undefended Philippine islands is to use one of your paratrooper units and the unit of H6K2-L Mavis seaplane transports.
The Mavis unit can fly enough troops in to plant the flag on day one, then fly back in on day 2 and pick the troops up. Rinse and repeat to your heart's desire.
Just be careful not to do this where the enemy has fighters as you only have one Mavis transport unit.

Traskott, you must pretend that you have not read that tip.[:-]

Thank you very much for the advice ! Nice strategy if house rules about 1 unit -> 1 target are observed. I am capturing the small phillipine islands around Luzon with a Fast Transport TF with a N.G.U. 1 day to be shipped, 1 day to arrive and another day to capture and go on with same strategy.
My H6K2-L unit are working in my southern perimeter to avoid shippings so risk with enemy carrier battle group in this waters.

Best of wishes
Ramón

[Fletcher]

FROM: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET C-IN-C, KURE.
TO: ADM. NAGANO, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY GENERAL STAFF. IGHQ. TOKYO.
SUBJECT: S.R.A. WAR REPORT.
DATE: FEB.14th 1942.

(1) ASW WARFARE

DD SUZUKAZE, screening BATDIV 1 off Kuching reporting 6 hits or near misses (with 1 direct hit) on enemy electric boat. Enemy electric submarine identified like S-38 is reported SUNK.
PB EIFUKU MARU reported 1 hit or near miss on enemy USN P Class submarine off Cagayan.
I-166 reporting 2 enemy destroyers (1 british and 1 dutch) nearby to Perth. No ASW Attack. Probably they are part of British-Netherlands Flotilla destroyed near Koepang.

(2) SUMATRA

Our paratroopers advant guard have arrived to Palembang. Engineers and 38th Division elements will be awaited before launch assault on this strategic target.
21 G3M2 from Genzan Ku K-1 have attacked Palembang B.F. reporting 14 enemy casaulties. 60 IJA Bombers strike the same unit flying from Singapore AFs reporting another 13 enemy casualties. IN a third air raid, 13 G4M1 from Kanoya Ku K-1 flying from Singapore in an afternoon raid reported another 4 casualties.

(3) LUZON

14th infantry Division have assembly with XIV Army elements at ClarK Field. LTGEN HOMMA will launch a first assault over enemy positions to probe them. Enemy Assault identified like 540 Assault strength.

(4) BURMA

Air Raid over Magwe with 3rd Air Division assets have become in a disaster. 40 Ki-27 escorting 25 Ki-30 attacked Magwe AF. Enemy was awaiting us with 11 H81A3 flying pirates and 13 R.A.F Hurricanes Trop. 13 Ki-27 and 5 Ki-30 were downed by dogfight with no enemy aircrafts reported downed by our fighters. LtGen Sugawara have retired 77th sentai of first line to Saigon to be redeployed in defense/training duties. This unit will be releaved by another Daitai from malaya with Ki-43Ic IJA fighters.

(5) SOUTH SEAS

4 Carriers have been redeployed in Truk-Rabaul area ready to ambush enemy Carrier TF raiding this waters against our shippings.


LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR!!
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. SHIMIZU. 6th Fleet HQ. Kwajalein.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO. COMBINED FLEET HQ. KURE
SUBJECT: SUB WAR REPORT
DATE: FEB.15th, 1942

(1) SINKINGS

I-170 reporting enemy freighter XAKL NOORA was torpedoed and sunk near Sydney after two torpedo hits. She sank with all hands.

(2) SIGHTINGS

Our screening patrol submarines in Eastern Australia Coast have sighting enemy carrier task force heading southwest bearing 195, speed 20 knots, 80 nm east of Brisbane. Probably the same TF that attacked our shippings off Port Moresby.

Long live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. INOUYE, 4th Fleet HQ. TRUK
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET HQ. KURE.
SUBJECT: BUNA LANDINGS. SOUTH SEAS REPORT.
DATE: feb 15th, 1942.

4th Fleet assets have landing 144th Infantry Regiment at Buna. Enemy forces identified there are: Port Moresby Brigade, 49th Aussie Bn, Lark and Gull Bns and A & D Coy of NG Rifle Bn.

82nd and 84th N.G.U. will support IJA at Buna to end with enemy resistance there.

2 Type-0 Daitais will cover landings operations with 2 carriers awaiting orders in Rabaul nearby area to ambush any enemy carrier operation. G3M2 and G4M1 Daitai from 11st Air Fleet ready at South Seas Airfield to attack enemy raiders if spotted by our H6K4 naval search unit. A H8K4 chutai have be assembly at 11st Air Fleet to Long Range recon duties.

This message must be relay to VADM CHUICHI NAGUMO, 1ST AIR FLEET C-IN-C, ABOARD HIJMS KAGA.

Acknowledge to message income from IGHQ, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY GENERAL STAFF, about transfer of Combined Fleet Main body to assembly with 1st Air Fleet to attack enemy nest at Noumea and South Australia ports. Reinforces from 11st Air Fleet have arrive to South Sea AFs to suppor our operations at Coral Sea.

Long Live to the EMperor !!
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTGEN. SUGAWARA. 3rd Air Fleet HQ. SINGAPORE.
TO: LTGEN. IIDA, 15th Army HQ. Southern Burma.
SUBJECT: AIR WAR OVER BURMA
DATE: Feb 15th, 1942.

This morning enemy air forces have been surprised near Toungoo. 9 enemy level bombers (Blenheim IV) have been intercepted by 9 Ki-43Ic from 1st Sentai. 3 enemy bombers were downed with another one more probably.

3 Ki-43 Daitias have been deployed with near to 100 fighters ready to air supperiority fights over Burma skies. 3rd Air Division bombers assets will be redeployed at Burma AFs after Java campaign will end.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. NOBUTAKE KONDO, 2nd Fleet C-in-C. In transit to Singapore.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET HQ. KURE.
SUBJECT: D.E.I. -JAVA-
DATE: FEB 15th, 1942.

BAT DIV 1 and CVL ZUIHO will assembly at North Borneo to support our second stage of D.E.I. campaign: landings at Java to end with dutch resistance.

At Sumatra, Djambi have falls in our hands (Yokosuka 1st SNLF), and Palembang is under siege. In few days backbone of 38th Division will arrive to Palembang and will fall in our hands.

Heavy air support to strike Palembang have been deployed by 3rd Air Division with near 90 IJA bombers from Singapore. All oil and refineries factories must be in our hands without any damage. Propaganda bullets must be air dropped over enemy population to advice them if any support sabotage activities they will pay with their lives and relatives lives. Anybody caught with guns at hands will be shot at once. If enemy governor will not surrender at first intimidation will be hanged until death when captured.

ACKNOWLEDGE to Supreme War Council income message reporting 1ST AIR FLEET WILL ASSEMBLY WITH MAIN BODY FOR A NEW SECRET OPERATION and will not support our landings at Java.

21st, 22nd and 23rd Air Flotillas with 3rd Air Division assets will be our main air support in this stage. Enemy air forces on Java have been smashed in our first raid with Kido Butai.

Long Live to the Emperor !!
END//

[Fletcher]

AIRFRAMES AND ENGINE PRODUCTION
FEB 16th vs FEB 6th, 1942