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

[Fletcher]

NAVAL SHIPYARD WORK LOAD.
APR. 06TH, 1942

[Fletcher]

REPAIRING SHIPS.
APR.06TH, 1942

[Fletcher]

VICTORY POINTS SUMMARY
APR 06TH, 1942

[Fletcher]

SUPPLEMENT TO FIRST AIR FLEET SECRET FILE #36

PART 1.
EXISTING CONDITIONS AND TRENDS

Because the development during the First Phase Operations, the enemy´s outpost which he had relied on to be first line of defense, collapsed one after another until he begar to feel direct threats even to such areas as Northern Australia and India. The enemy was exerting every pressure to stem this tide by stepping up his submarine strenght in the waters controlled by us and by increasing his air strenght in the Australia area. He employed these to carry on guerrilla type tactics.

These seemed to indicate that the enemy was planning on more positive actions than theretofore.

2. Situations in the Ceylan Area

After the sunk of 1 of RN carriers and several cruisers, the enemy would have on Bay of Bengal two carriers (HMS HERMES - HMS INDOMITABLE), a number of battleships (HMS WARSPITE and several "R" Class), and several cruisers (many of them have been sunk at DEI or at Nicobar Battle).
One enemy submarine was reported sunk several days ago near Palembang (HMS TRUANT).

Our Indian Ocean SubRon reported 2 cruisers (HMS EMERALD, HMS ENTERPRISE) have sortie from Colombo Naval Base. Four "N" Class Destroyers were sighted in ASW duties in the Colombo nearby waters.

a. Air Strenght:

Enemy estimated strength would be several Hurricane fighter Sqdrns, Blenheim and Vildebeest/Swordfish landbased units and Catalina flying boats. We have not idea if the estimated strenght could be double in an emergency, due enemy is heavily engaged in the Burma-Indian border.

b. Some surface vessels patrolled the area like the Hunter Killer reported before.

c. Enemy surface units in the Ceylan area were estimated to be in abouth strenght noted below. It was likely that these units would sortie in the event of an attack on CEYLAN.

Aircraft Carriers 1
Escort Carrier 1
Battleships 4-5
Type A Cruisers 3-4
Light Cruisers 6-7
Destroyers about 10
Submarines 2-3

d. Shore defense installations on Ceylan

Large number of various types of level and high angle large caliber guns as AA guns has been installed at Colombo and Trincomalee. Colombo itself must ver very strongly defended by Indian ground forces.

3. 1st Air Fleet Commander´s Estimate of the situation

a. Althought the enemy lacks the will to fight, it is likely that he will counter attack if our attack progress satisfactorily from several consecutive days.

b. The enemy´s patrol radius is about 500 miles.

c. The enemy is aware of our plans after the Nicobar engagement. WE have been discovered by HMS FORMIDABLE TG at early in the morning of the 6th.

d. It is not believed that the enemy has any powerful unit, with carriers as its nucleus in the vecinity of Colombo/Trincomalee.

e. After attacking Colombo and Trincomalee facilities by air and destroying the enemy´s shore baed air strenght to facilitate our operations, we would still be able to destroy any enemy task force which may choose to counter attack.

f. The enemy´s attempt to counterattack with use of shore based aircraft could be neutralized by our cover fighters and AA fire.

[Fletcher]

SUPPLEMENT TO FIRST AIR FLEET SECRET FILE #36

PART 2
PLANS

1.Fleet Organization and Composition Inmediately Prior to Motivation of the Operation.

a.Organization:

1ST CEYLAN STRIKING FORCE (CarDiv 2) under RADM Tamon Yamaguchi

CV HIRYU, CV SORYU, CV AKAGI (Flag)
BB HIEI
CA CHIKUMA, CA MIKUMA, CA MOGAMI
CL ABUKUMA, 7 DDs

2ND CEYLAN STRIKING FORCE (CarDiv 5) under VADM Chuichi Nagumo

CV SHOKAKU, CV ZUIKAKU, CV KAGA (Flag)
BB KIRISHIMA
CA TONE, CA SUZUYA, CA KUMANO
6 DDs

CARDIV 4 (-)

CVL ZUIHO
CL SENDAI, 5 DDs

REPLENISHMENT TF

4 AO, 3 DDs

b. Organización of Attack Units:

1. Attack on Ceylan.

CARDIV 2 will strike with 2/3 aircrafts enemy air facilities and shipyards at Colombo. 1/3 will be at reserve to face any enemy surface/carrier threat.

CARDIV 5 will strike with 2/3 aircrafts enemy air faciities at Trincomalee and Madras. 1/3 will be at reserve to face any enemy surface/carrier threat.

c. Organización of Reconnaissance Units

CA TONE and CA CHIKUMA Floatplane units will fly recon missions over Colombo, Triconmalee and Madras one day before strikes.

Any other Floatplane from Cruisers and Battleships will works at naval search duties looking for west-southwest like prioritary search arcs.

2. HIGH COMMAND´S OPERATION ORDERS.

a. Secret Combined Fleet OpOrd #2 -COMBINED FLEET´S SECOND PHASE OPERATION ORDER
b. Secret Combined Fleet OpOrd #3 -Communications plans of Combined Fleet for Second Phase Operations.
c. Secret Combined Fleet OpOrd #4 -Co-ordination of Movements of Various Forces involved in the CO (CEYLAN) and BB (BAY OF BENGAL) Operations.

3. PREPARATIONS FOR THE OPERATION.

Upon their return to home ports on ending March, the ships inmediately underwent repair and maintenance operations at Singapore dock and shipyard. 04 days would be needed to repairs on HIJMS KAGA. Another 4 would be needed for CA CHIKUMA.

From the latter part of March-beginning April, the carrier planes engaged in training at Singapore and Georgetown (torpedoes and bomb training). Several pilos and aircrafts were taken from reemplacements.

Float plane training was conducted at Georgetown from March 31st, 1942.

Although the flight training program was conducted without any major incident, since there hd been a considerable turn-over in personnel, practically no one got beyong the point of basic training. Inexperienced fliers beraly got to the point where they could make daytime landings on carriers. it was found that even some of the more seasoned fliers had lost some of their skill. No opportunity was availabel to carry out joint training, which, of course made impossible any coordinated action between contact units, illumination units, and attack units. The likelihood of obtaining any satisfactory results from night attacks, therefore, was practically nil.

4. Outline of Movements of Commander and Men during the Period of Preparation for the Operation

Since the KAGA was undergoing repairs the Flag was transfered to SHOKAKU during the first days of April. The Flag was moved back to the KAGA Apr 03rd, 1942 at Georgetown.

During the early part of April, CRUDIV 9, BATDIV 2 assembled with CARDIV 1, 2 and 5 at Georgetown, and then in ordeer DESRON1, and DESDIV1 (ASW) arrived at same anchorage. It was not until only a few days before the force was scheduled to sortie during the first part of April, that all units were assembled.

At 0600z Apr 04th the force departed for its operation area to coordinate the movements with landing expeditionary forces to Andaman Islands.

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. SHIMIZU, 6th Fleet CINC, Kwajalein.
TO: VADM. CHUICHI NAGUMO, CEYLAN STRIKING FORCE CINC, ABOARD HIJMS KAGA. BAY OF BENGAL WATERS
SUBJECT: CEYLAN SUBRON DEPLOYMENT
DATE: APR.06th, 1942

Colombo Picket Line: I-21, I-162, I-30, I-29
Madras Recon Unit. I-165

I-21, I-30 and I-29 with G4Y1 available. These will fly a recon mission over Colombo and Trincolamee tomorrow.

Order to intercept any RN sortie from Colombo have been dispatched to all boats.

Every man in the Empire hopes that your High Task will be accomplished and serpents of sin will be pull out from his roots. The Glory of the Combined Fleet and this Empire is in your hands !.

Long live to the Emperor!

[SoliInvictus202]

great AAR, have been following it for quite some time now
I am learning a lot from your actions and moves - thanks for posting so frequently

- all the best for the upcoming attack!

SolInvictus

[Fletcher]

ORIGINAL: SoliInvictus202

great AAR, have been following it for quite some time now
I am learning a lot from your actions and moves - thanks for posting so frequently

- all the best for the upcoming attack!

SolInvictus

SoliInvictus202

Thank you very much for your kind word...I am pleased and honored if you are learning from my humble AAR.
I hope the upcomming attack will be another success...many Commonwealth aircrafts are engaged at Burma-India front, and I will coordinate my raid over Ceylan with massive air strikes over their airfields at India from my 3rd AirDivision assets to stress as much as possible Jonathan´s air assets.

Best of wishes,
Ramón

[Fletcher]

FR0M: VADM. SHIMIZU, 6TH FLEET CINC, KWAJALEIN.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: SUBMARINE WAR REPORT, BAY OF BENGAL.
DATE: APRIL 07TH, 1942

HEAVY ENEMY ACTIVITIES AT CEYLAN WATERS.
ENEMY FREIGHTERS HAVE BEEN ENGAGED BY OUR SUBDIVISION AT WAR PATROL IN THIS WATERS:

-AK LULWORTH HILL WAS ENGAGED AND SUNK AT SURFACE BY I-30 NEAR TRIVANDRUM. ENEMY SHIP WAS STRUCK BY 5 SHELL HITS AND 2 TORPEDOES.
-AK MICHAEL LIVANOS WAS TORPEDOES AND SUNK BY I-21 NEAR TRIVANDRUM.

I-29 WAS DEPTH CHARGE ATTACKED BY TWO ENEMY KORVETTES NEAR COLOMBO AFTER SHE TRIED TO TORPEDO THEM.

AT NORHT, I-26 SENT TO BOTTOM XAK MARY LIVANOS NEAR DIAMOND HARBOR AFTER TWO TORPEDO HITS.

IT IS CLEAR THAT ENEMY IS FLEEING FROM NORTH INDIAN AND CEYLAN PORTS.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END //

[Fletcher]

I-30 SINKS LULWORTH HILL NEAR TRIVANDRUM.

[Fletcher]

MARY LIVANOS SUNK NEAR DIAMOND HARBOR by I-26.

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM. TAMON YAMAGUCHI. CEYLAN STRIKING FORCE. ABOARD HIJMS AKAGI.
TO: VADM. CHUICHI NAGUMO. CEYLAN STRIKING FORCE. ABOARD HIMS KAGA.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SUBMARINE ENGAGED
DATE: APRIL, 07th, 1942

CA MAYA BLINKER TO SCREENING DESTROYER: "ENEMY SUB SPOTTED BEARING 210, SPEED 6 KNOTS".
STARTED ASW MANEUVRES, HIJMS KAMIKAZE AND HIJMS YAKAZE LAUNCHED SEVERAL DEPTH CHARGES OVER ENEMY COASTAL SUBMARINE (DUTCH) NEAR THE OUTER SCREENING OF OUR CARRIERS. NO HITS OR NEAR MISSES WERE REPORTED.
DESDIV 1 (ASW) HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO CHASE ENEMY SUBMARINES IN OUR TRANSIT.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC, RABAUL
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC, KURE
SUBJECT: NORTHERN AUSTRALIA STRIKES
DATE: APR 07TH, 1942

FIRST WAVE OVER KATHERINE AF:

20 G4M1 take off from Koepang to strike Katherine, reporting 4 casualties, 2 airbase supply and 17 runway hits. 1 G4M1 was downed by Flak.

SECOND WAVE OVER KATHERINE AF:

22 G4M1 escorted by 24 A6M2 take off from Koepang to strike Katherine, reporting 4 casaulties, 4 airbase and 16 runway hits. No own losses reported.

AIR RAID OVER DARWIN:

31 Ki-21-IIa take off from Koepang to strike enemy ground positions at Darwin reporting 20 enemy casualties from 19th Aussie Bn.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: GEN. SADAMU SHIMOMURA, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY CINC, SHWEBO.
TO: GEN. HAJIME SUGIYAMA, IJA GENERAL STAFF CHIEF. IGHQ. TOKYO.
SUBJECT: JAVA
DATE: APR 07th, 1942

GEN IMAMURA HAVE BEEN NOTICED THAT HIS TIMELINE TO CAPTURE JAVA WILL END APR 15TH, 1942.
NEW DELIBERATE ATTACKS WILL BE LAUNCHED THE NEXT DAYS TO CAPTURE BATAVIA UNDER HEAVY CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.

AIR STRIKES OVER SOERABAJA AF:

- 13 G3M2 strike Soerabaja flying from Balikpapan AF (23rd Air Flotilla). 1 B25 was destroyed on ground. 1 airbase and 9 runway hits were reported too.
- 19 G3M2 strike Soerabaja AF flying from Balikpapan AF reporting 5 casaulties, 2 airbase hits and 21 runway hits.
- 6 Ki48 strike Soerabaja AF flying from Djojakjarta reporting 2 airbase and 5 runway hits.

AIR STRIKES OVER BATAVIA TO SUPPORT GROUND FORCES:

- 26 IJA LB strike Batavia Coastal Bn reporting 25 enemy casualties.
- 18 IJA LB strike Batavia Coastal Bn too.
- 45 IJN LB strike KNIL Army Command reporting 52 casaulties.
- 18 Ki-21-IIa strike Batavia Coastal Gun Bn

GROUND ASSAULT

Our forces launched a new storm against enemy position. 1.553 IJA casaulties vs 1.766 allied casaulties were reported. Forty was reduced to size 0. New deliberate attacks will done the next days.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !!
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTGEN SUGAWARA, 3RD AIR DIVISION CINC, RANGOON.
TO: GEN. SAMODU SHIMOMURA, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY CINC, SHWEBO.
SUBJECT: BURMA AIR WAR
DATE: APRIL 07TH, 1942

AIR STRIKE OVER CHITTAGONG AIRFIELD:

1st Wave: 39 Ki-43 escorted 47 Ki-21-IIa to strike Chittagong AF. 16 Hurricanes were met on CAP over enemy base. 2 Ki-43 and 7 Hurricanes were downed in the dogfight. Our pilots reported 6 airbase, 2 airbase supply and 18 runway hits.

2nd Wave. 13 Ki-21 escorted by 6 Ki-43 strike Chittagong AF. 1 airbase and 12 runway hits too.

CLOSE AIR SUPPORT MISSIONS:

11 Ki-43 and 22 IJA Level bombers strike 46th Indian Brigade near Shwebo reporting 12 casualties.
23 Ki-48 strike 46th Indian Brigade in the Shwebo frontline reporting 20 enemy casaulties.

ENEMY AIR STRIKES:

4 B-17 strike Port Blair port, 1 hit on port was reported but not damages.

Where are the enemy assets ? probably after the naval engagement in the Andaman Island, enemy is redeploying to defend their ports and naval bases ! It´s a good opportunity to launch a massive strike against enemy bases in the indian-burmese border...

Long Live to the Emperor !!
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: GEN SHUNROKU HATA, CHINA EXPEDITIONARY ARMY CINC. NEAR SIAN.
TO. GEN. HAJIME SUGIYAMA, IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY GENERAL STAFF CHIEF. IGHQ . TOKYO.
SUBJECT: CHANGCHA AIRFIELD STRIKE
DATE: APRIL 07th, 1.942

AIR STRIKE OVER CHANGCHA, 1st Wave:

73 IJA level bombers escorted by 61 IJA fighters strike Changcha reporting 6 casualties, 13 airbase, 1 airbase supply and 42 runway hits.

AIR STRIKE OVER CHANGCHA, 2nd Wave:

18 unescorted Ki-51 strike Changcha air facilities reporting 4 airbase, 1 airbase supply and 18 runway hits.

SIAN FRONT REINFORCEMENTS:

One Tank Regiment have been transfered from Kwantung and will arrive to Nanyang by R&R tomorrow. A second Tank Regiment will be transfered in few days. A Heavy arty regiment is ready to be transfered there too.

XIV Army reported one Tank Regiment will be shipped soon to Shanghai to reinforce our offensive against Sian.

Long Live to the Emperor !
End//

[Fletcher]

FROM: GEN. SHUNROKU HATA, CHINA EXPEDITIONARY ARMY CINC. NEAR SIAN.
TO: GEN. HAJIME SUGIYAMA, IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY GENERAL STAFF CHIEF. IGHQ. TOKYO.
SUBJECT: 13RD ARMY OFFENSIVE CENTRAL CHINA
DATE: APRIL 07TH, 1942

13rd ARMY HAVE SMASHED ENEMY 88TH CORPS IN THE CENTRAL CHINA AREA. OUR FORCES MARCH AT DOUBLE TO PURSUE ENEMY FLEEING FORCES. 1.200 ENEMY CASUALTIES (79 squads destroyed) WERE REPORTED VS 367 IJA MEN LOST (3 IJA Squad destroyed).

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Saburo Kurusu]

Dear Fletcher-san,

as we can see, things are doing very well on the behalf of your beloved Nation! We, the Imperial Senior Diplomatic Staff, are also very pleased to witness that the High Command in your responsible hands doesn't try to waste our extremely valuable assets in a desperate move to conquer the Australian continental land mass for no result in the long run. Instead of that you follow tradition and intend to fullfil our long time and many centuries old dream of a combined Sino-Japanese World Power under Holy Imperial Reign! The vast lands of China with its huge resource and manpower base are ripe for pacification and economic development under our rule in order to create an unsurmountable power house of wealth and progress for the glory of our Nation and the Greatest Imperial Dynasty of which we have the privilege to serve to with all our strength, wisdom and intellectual capabilities! We live in happy anticipation of the day of Final Victory and bow our heads in respect for the necessary sacrifizes to be made to accomplish that!
WITH MANY CHEERS TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY!!! BANZAI, BANZAI, BANZAI!!!!

[Fletcher]

Dear Saburu Kurusu

Wise words !..The Sino-Japanese World Power will be able when Chungking will be cleaned of bandit bands under terrorist Chiang-Kai-Chek regime.

Many efforts, sacrificies and japanese lives will be needed to get the great prize!

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. SHIMIZU, 6TH FLEET CINC, KWAJALEIN IS.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC, KURE.
SUBJECT: SUB WAR REPORT
DATE: APR 08th, 1942

PG LAWRENCE WAS TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY I-26 NEAR DIAMOND HARBOR AFTER ONE TORPEDO HIT. ANOTHER ENEMY PG WAS SPOTTED WITH HER. SHE WAS IDENTIFIED LIKE PG HINDUSTAN PROBABLY FORWARD ESCORT OF ENEMY FLEEING SHIPS FROM NORTHERN INDIAN PORTS.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//