The Dragonfly War -Tone(J) v JonReb(A) Super Secret Japaneses AAR

[Tone]

Brief for December 28

Overnight submarine I-7 attacks and sinks a medium size American cargo ship east of Hawaii. Also several sightings and attacks on enemy submarines off the Home Islands, around Formosa, and in the South China Sea of the coast of Vietnam.

On Luzon it appears that the Americans are going to defend Clark Field with a rough count of over 44000 enemy troops in the area. I think that the 2 and 1 half divisions I have at Clark are enough to contain the enemy, and the 16th division will close up on Manila now.

American PBY flying boats escorted by P-40 fighters attack the docks at San Fernando. Jon was after the damaged torpedo cruiser Oi which is badly flooded and tied to the dock pumping out. The P-40s easy brushed aside the defending army air service Ki-27b fighters, and the PBY flying boats scored 1 hit with a bomb. Poor Oi is now very badly damaged and on fire on top of the flooding, and is expected to sink overnight.

To the South at Malaybalay on Mindanao naval air service G4M1 medium bombers raided American troop positions around the town. These naval medium bombers were operating from Babeldaob, and are set to transfer to Cagayan as soon as airfield support units are in position.

Over 100 army air service Ki-21-IIa medium bombers escorted by Ki-43-Ia fighters raided the airfield at Singapore today. It is my intention to permanently keep the airfields at Singapore so Jon can not move Fighters back in, or use transport aircraft to remove ground units.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

Brief for December 29

Overnight Submarine I-170 puts one torpedo into a medium size American freighter north of Palmyra Island, this is a probable, but is thought to have sunk later in day. Only other activity overnight was in Strait of Formosa, where a sub chaser patrol attacked two deferent enemy submarines.

In the morning over forty American P-36, and P-40 fighters sweep the army air service airfield at San Fernando, but my Ki-27b fighters are luckily not on Cap. It surprises me that Jon still has so many fighters still on Luzon, as I have already destroyed a large number here. I shall attempted to destroy as many of these tomorrow, before he can withdraw them.

In Northern China west of Chengting, Chinese ground force stormed across the Sanggan He River, and ran into a large strategic force I had stationed there. His attack which contained about ten brigade sized formations ran into four infantry divisions I had dig in there. He lost 7336 casualty to my 13, but more importantly he had 315 combat squads destroyed.

I have just been road clearing and tiding up my lines of communication so far, and are just going to sit out his early attacks till I get the extra brigades in the new year. By then Jon would have bleed his combat power white against my fortified cities. Then I will concentrate an offensive in one area, probably toward Sian, and its oil fields.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

Situation of China-

[Tone]

Brief for December 30

Overnight submarine I-164 torpedoes and sinks a small Allied tramp streamer in the north Java Sea area. There are also several contacts and attacks on enemy submarines in the Home Islands, in the Formosa Strait, and in the South China Sea off Vietnam. These enemy submarines were all attacked by anti submarine patrol chasers, but no Allied submarines were reported sunk.

American PBY flying boats struck again today at Aparri attacking four Asashio class destroyers picking up the survivors of the naval pioneer battalion whose transport had been sunk there. The destroyers should have been gone by morning, but somebody forgot to tell them not to load supplies also. The flying boats managed to put two torpedoes into the destroyer Natsugumo and sink her.

Both the airfields at Singapore and Manila were heavily bombed today doing significant damage to the runways, and destroying some aircraft on the ground. G4M1 naval bombers today were intercepted by American P-40 fighters when they raided troop positions at Malaybalay on Mindanao. The G4M1 bombers lost three aircraft shot down, and also lost two more damaged aircraft on the homeward flight. There is no fighter escort available in the Mindanao area yet till I unload the aviation support units at Cagayan.

Meanwhile the Infantry assault was unsuccessful today at Malaybalay, but with casualties being about equal I will try again tomorrow. My counterattack west of Chengting in China today did not go so well today with my casualties being about three times as many as Jons. I have reinforcements on the way here, so will just hold till I am strong enough to throw him back across the river. Elsewhere to day Japanese forces took both Taiping in central Malaya, and Kavieng east of Rabaul.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

Brief for December 31

Overnight I-154 fires eight torpedoes at a small American streamer in the North Java Sea, I think that I will replace this captain when he reaches port. Contact and attacks on enemy submarines at various locations on the map, but no confirmed kills.

Battle of Huon Gulf - A large combined Allied naval force strikes at my transports unloading at Lae in the Huon Gulf. This force was composed of the British battle cruiser Repulse, also containing 4 heavy cruisers, 13 light cruisers, 5 destroyers of various nationalities. The Allied force first fought with Admiral Gotos south seas cruiser force, which was protecting the transport force. In this first gun and torpedo fight the heavy cruiser Houston was sunk, also the battle cruiser Repulse and the heavy cruiser Exeter were damaged and set on fire. On our side the flagship the heavy cruiser Kinugasa was sunk, also the heavy cruiser Aoba damaged and put on fire. The enemy force then got amongst the transports, and despite the brave defense by the light cruiser Naka and 3 destroyers, the enemy managed to sink 7 transports and the light cruiser Naka.

Next morning Admiral Nagumos 1st mobile striking force which was providing air cover to the transport force at Lae from the Bismark Sea. This forces morning search sighted some of the damaged Allied ships south of Lae. The morning strike managed to find the damaged Allied ships despite it being overcast, and sunk the Repulse, Exeter, Caledon, and the Adelaide, also damaging a destroyer. The afternoon search sighted a light cruiser, but sadly the overcast was now to heavy to launch another strike.

Heavy air attacks against Clark Field my have finally broken the back of Allied airpower on Luzon today, with a fighter sweep then bombing raid destroying several Allied fighters. Also the 16th division has arrived at Manila today, and will assault the City tomorrow

Also this day we took Lae in New Guinea, and Moulmein in Burma, both were not defended by the enemy.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

The first clash at Huon Gulf -

[Tone]

Air loss for day, and to date -

[Tone]

Brief for January 1 1942

Allied submarines damage a cargo ship and a fleet ammunition ship in the area south of Shikoku, both will make it back to Osaka and Kobe I think. The fleet ammunition ship or AKE had just finished its conversion and was deploying to South Seas, but will have to return for repair, sometime thinking ahead dose not pan out. As there have been other submarine attacks in this area I have doubled the surface patrols.

There were also more enemy submarine sightings, and attacks on these contacts by patrol forces. But again no confirmed submarine kills, which disappoints me as I spent time and PPs to give these forces good commanders. There still seem to be a lot of Allied submarines around the Home Islands and Formosa area, I would have thought they would be out of dud torpedoes by now.

On the Plus side I-165 put 2 torpedoes into a large Allied freighter off Batavia, then heard the vessel sink. My Submarines a doing quite well lately averaging about 1 sinking a day, mainly in the Java Sea and Hawaii areas. But my Submarines around Fiji and Samoa have seen not much action so far, and I may have to look further south.

Admiral Nagumos 1st mobile striking force sallied down into the Huon Gulf today looking for damaged Allied warships,but found nothing but empty sea. Forgot to mention that I had a E14Y1 from a I-boat of Sydney scout the port, and it found what I suspect is the American carrier force. Then last night the same I-boat patrolling north of Sydney spotted a Allied task force composition unknown at sea. So I wonder if Jon is bringing his carrier force north for some revenge. He might get a shock as Rabaul will be torpedo capable in two days, and I also have 12 H6K4 there on search. So I might just position 1st mobile striking force under Rabaul air cover and wait for him.

On the ground I took Manila today, but Jon had evacuated the day before, there was 55,000 tons of supply left though. Also to the south on Mindanao at Malaybalay, I pushed the American and Philippino troops out.

Combat Report is attachment-

[DivePac88]

Well done Tone... You're doing well, keep it up, love those air loss stats. [:)]

[Tone]

Thank you DivePac88 for your kind words. Yes after the first two days I do not risk bomber frames unless I have suppressed his fighters. Then when I have suppressed fighters I start bombing runs on his airfields. I start the bombers low about 6000 or 7000 feet, because you can kill aircraft at that height. Then I keep bombing the airfield everyday, only upping the altitude to between 10000 and 15000 when the aircraft symbol is gone. I have now bombed the Singapore airfield for eight days strait, and Jon has move torpedo bombers back in now that I am landing at Kuching and Singkawang. Destroyed 1 wildebeest there last turn, and will drop the altitude next turn to kill more.

[Tone]

Brief for January 2

Overnight I-154 surfaces and shells a small Allied steamer off Tambelan-eilanden in the North Java Sea, leaving the steamer heavily damaged and on fire. An Allied submarine attacks a convoy south of Saigon, but its torpedoes miss a cargo vessel, then the submarine is damaged when attacked by an escort. Then escorting vessels of an invasion force on its run in on Singkawang attack and damage 2 more Allied submarines trying to attack the troop transports.

Then at first light a force of 11 American torpedo boats tries to strike at the Transports still at Cagayan unloading supplies. But the torpedo boats retire when confronted by 4 gunboats escorting the transports. Also at Cagayan 2 American scout floatplanes attack the transports in the afternoon, and manage to hit and put on fire a cargo ship.

But the main news today is my landings at Kuching and Singkawang, which started in the morning at first light. Most of the troops managed to get ashore in both operations without too many losses, and will assault the Allied positions tomorrow. The airfields at Kuching and Singkawang were both soften up by naval aircraft from the 2nd mobile striking force which is supporting these operations. There were also several attacks by Allied aircraft against the transport offshore at both Kuching and Singkawang. Naval A6M2 fighters flying from the carriers managed to drive off all the raids, and downed several enemy aircraft.

A suppression operation against the airfield at Rangoon started today with two fighter sweeps by both army air service Ki-43-Ic and naval air service A6M2 fighters. The enemy put up about 25 fighters in defence of the airfield, and we managed to shoot down 7 for the loss of 1.

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[Durbik]

I'm impressed with your low plane losses, wish mine were so low

Jon is a tough opponent, I'm facing him also (but as allied) - good luck to you and keep up that amazing pilot-saving policy of yours!

[Tone]

Hello Durbik, thank you for your luck. Yes Jon is a very aggressive opponent, and seems to watch all by movement, because if I make a unsupported or under supported move he punishes me harshly. I can imagine that Jon would be even more aggressive commanding the Nippon side, that he would be a very hard to stop, or even slow down. I wish you good fortune in your war, and my all your air strikes fly as planned.

Tone.

[Tone]

Brief for January 3

Overnight Allied submarines try to attack the transport convoys off the landings at Kuching and Singkawang. At both landings the escorting ships drove off the attackers, and damaged a submarine off Kuching. Also Allied submarines attacked convoys off the Home Islands and Formosa overnight, but no shipping or Allied submarines were reported damaged.

No Allied airstrikes at the shipping off Kuching and Singkawang, which I found surprising as all my strikes in support of the landing flew today. The ground troops managed to take Singkawang today, but not Kuching. But as my casualties at Kuching were light, and the British fortifications were reduced to zero, I am confidant Kuching will fall tomorrow.

I also managed to capture Kuantan in Malaya and Manus in the Bismarck Sea this day.

Because of sightings and intelligence information I am now convinced that Jon has three American carriers and there escorts at Sydney. Also that a fourth carrier left Pearl Harbor two days ago heading west to join the other carriers at Sydney. I am now wondering where, and if he intends to use them. Because if they could manage to slip into the Dutch East Indies, they could cause some problems.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

Brief for January 4

Overnight a squadron of 11 American devil torpedo boats attack transports unloading supply at Cagayan. 3 old destroyers escorting the transports attempt to drive off the devil boats, but some manage to slip pass put torpedoes into 2 transports. Both transports are badly damaged and one sinks in the morning, while the other manages to dock and maybe saved.

Also in the hours of darkness I-160 fires 8 torpedoes at an old American destroyer heading south in the Makassar strait, but unfortunately all torpedoes miss. I think that this was a damaged vessel that was under repair at Manila, and escaped just before the city fell.

More enemy submarine activity off the landings at Kuching and Singkawang, but none of my ships are damaged. But my escorts badly damaged and maybe sunk a submarine off Kucking. There was the normal Allied submarine night attacks off the Home Islands and Formosa, but no damage to either side. Finally overnight I-6 puts a torpedo into a medium sized Allied freighter east of Hawaii, which maybe sunk later in the day.

The other big news today is the fall of Kuching to a second day of infantry assault, supported by carrier aircraft and naval air service bombers flying from Saigon.

The plan now is to gain air superiority over both Kuching and Singkawang. Phase one of this plan is simple, as I intend to use the airfield at Singkawang as bait. Because Jon will rightly deduce that the airfield at Singkawang is the greatest threat to him, and concentrate his assets on attacking there. I will base my army and naval air service fighters at Kuching only, and longrange CAP Singkawang. This phase I expect will last two weeks and will end when Jon has expended his available longrange bomber force against Singkawang. I will then go to phase two, which is the development of Singkawang into a torpedo capable naval bomber base, along with the development of Kucking into army bomber base. Phase three is the winning, and maintenance of permanent air superiority over Southern Sumatra and Northern Java.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

Brief for January 5

Overnight two Allied submarine attacks off Home Islands, and another off Formosa. All the torpedoes miss their targets in these three attacks, and there is no reports off any escorts damaging the attacking submarines. Also a submarine attack off Kuching, but again no torpedoes hit their targets, and no damage was done to any of the attacking submarines.

But it was very busy off Singkawang last night with three Allied submarine attacks on my shipping there. None of the torpedoes found there mark, but two of the attacking submarines are reported damaged in counter attacks by the escorts.

The other main event for the day, was when naval air service G4M1 medium attack bombers with A6M2 escort sortied against three Dutch destroyers off Tarakan. But unfortunately no bomb his were scored on the nimble Dutch destroyers in this afternoon strike.

Bombing raids continued against the airfield and ground positions today at Manila. But there were no raids on Singapore, as I gave the tired army air service regiments the day off.

Also this day we captured Nadzab in New Guinea, which I took with a unit that came inland from Lae. The plan is that Lae will be the main naval air service base in this area, and Nadzab will be the army air service counterpart.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

Brief for January 6

Last night was a good night for my submarines. North west of Pearl Harbor I-4 puts a torpedo into the American destroyer USS Ellet, which is heard to sunk. Then I-4 manages to evade 4 other American destroyers hunting for her. Then in the North Java Sea I-157 hits a Dutch submarine running on the surface with 2 torpedoes, this vessel is also heard to sink.

Also over night anti submarine patrol forces attack 3 enemy submarines off the Home Islands, and 1 more off Formosa. But in all four engagements no damage is reported to either side.

Only other highlight for the day is the capture of the Shorthand Islands in Southwest Fleet Area.

Combat Report is attachment-

[Tone]

Submarine attack submarine first time for me in PBEM-

[perkinh]

  Excellent AAR, keep on reporting and i will keep reading. Very nice kill ratio, how goes the pilot training program?

[Tone]

Thank you Gabede I appreciate your support, and I am very happy with loss ratio at present. I think that my loss ratio change for bad when I come up against Hurricanes in Burma. I have several army air service units dedicated to training in Kwantung area, and also several naval air service units doing likewise in Homeland.
All these units are set on between 70% and 80% training, and seem to gain 1 experience point every 6 to 8 days. I intend to expand both services training pools as new unit arrive, and would ultimately plan have around 10% of total air units dedicated to training.

Current air loss statistics-