The Reluctant Admiral, Mk 2

[Nomad]

So, is this what prompted Michaels email?

[John 3rd]

December 18, 1941
0915

Admiral Nagumo has little to worry about. The target of the Japanese Strike is the USS Saratoga. This CV and her 8 DD escort are moving to Pearl to link-up with the Enterprise and have no idea what is about to occur.

She carries 33 Wildcats and 24 Marine Buffalo who are training throughout the time of the journey from San Diego to Pearl. This day is no different. The fighters are flying mock dogfights and interceptions. No one spots the Val that tracks the TF.

Commander Akira's Strike Force pounces on the American force with only a couple of minutes warning. Luckily the Americans are dealing with somewhat more inexperienced pilots then those that fly elsewhere. In the excitement of the moment the Strike breaks-up with many planes attacking American DDs instead of the primary target: Saratoga.

Nearly half of the Attack Force breaks away and only manages to plant a bomb on DD Cushing. The other half bore in on the huge American flattop who is cutting the water at over 33 Knots. The rapidly manuevering of the carrier makes many of the initial drops miss, however, it is only a matter of time before the weight of the attack scores. First one, then another, and finally a third 250 Kg bomb crash through the deck of the carrier. Staggered, the CV then takes a single torpedo on the starboard side. Severely damaged but not sunk, the carrier is still very much full of fight as Akira re-forms and heads for his command.

As his planes pull away the Marine Buffalos pounce a section of Zuikaku's Kates that had become separated and were arriving late to the fight. These old planes manage to shot down 10 Kates before being forced to ditch alongside their flaming carrier.

1325 Hours
As quickly as possible the planes are re-armed, the pilots debriefed, and they are fed. Though damaged, the Saratoga must be finished before Enterprise can enter the fight. A second Strike departs. This Force carries 8 Zero, 33 Val, and 39 Kate. It is everything AND the kitchen sink!

Roughly 55 minutes later the planes arrive and rapidly finish the job they started in the morning. Seven more bombs and 3 Torps finish off the Saratoga. DD Smith is hit hard by two bombs and Cushing takes another as well.

Conclusion
The Americans lose 24 Buffalo, 33 Wildcats, 19 SBD, and 8 TBD for a cost of 12 Kates to the Japanese. There was once three American Carriers in the Pacific. Now there are two!

Nagumo elects to stay one more day and try to finish off cripples. Maybe there is more game for him and his Sea Eagles to hunt...

BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Nomad

So, is this what prompted Michaels email?

To what do you mean Good Sir?

[John 3rd]

The screenshot showing the positions of the two American TF is clear. I am certain Michael will pull back the Enterprise after the surprise loss of Saratoga. If he does do that, I have changed the patrols of six I-Boats so there is a chance to hit Enterprise as she races to the safe lair of Pearl Harbor.

Can the Japanese get lucky again? The next turn will tell that story!

Leaving CarDiv5 up here all alone was a huge risk. IF I can score anything more AND get away then the war situation has assumed a very promising beginning. I can keep the KB split for a longer period of time without fear of being hit by more then one or two American flattops.

As soon as I grab Palembang, I plane to detach a CVL to join CarDiv5 to add some more Zeros to that TF. For the time being I will settle on a distribution of of three CTF (plus the 2 CVE in their own TF) along the lines of:

KB-1 Akagi--Hiryu--Soryu
KB-2 Shokaku--Zuikaku--CVL (Shoho probably)
KB-3 Kaga--Ryujo--Zuiho

The end of February sees the addition of CVL Nisshin and CV Junyo to the OOB. Will reorganize the carriers for the spring of 1942 at that point...

Prior to that I need to bring CarDiv5 home. THAT is the main objective after the next turn.

[FatR]

As about Luzon, I advize concentrating airpower and naval bombardments on Allied troops at Iba, to shatter them before they can retreat to any of the Allied strongholds. Fighting at a base which can be freely bombarded from the sea is not the wisest move for the defender. A landing as San Fernando to cut them off if they loiter is another option. Do remember, that air attacks force units into combat move, therefore you can restrict Allied mobility.

[John 3rd]

Great Thought Stanislav! Pulling two BBs right now...

[John 3rd]

Michael has elected to leave all three of his PBEM Games. This will close our game, I guess the 2x2, and his game with FatR.

Will be looking for a new opponent to continue testing RA and see how well it holds up over the long run. If anyone is interested in playing the Allies, please email me and let me know.