Days of Infamy--RA Scen 70

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 20-28, 1942
North Pacific Region

KB Raid
The KB makes its presence known conducting a week-long raid through the Gulf of Alaska. As noted above the action kicks off on the 20th of January when the Kido Butai attacks several convoys in the area. I will cover the raid day-by-day:

20th--The evening saw the carriers actually stumble on a convoy and I watched as the escorts shot at a group of 6 AK moving SE. One DD sinks an AK with a Long Lance before action breaks off. At dawn the search planes are launched covering all 360*. The convoy from the morning is spotted to the SE, another convoy is spotted at Kodiak, and a third TF is spotted at extreme range (9 hexes) to the West. The results are solid: 4 of 6 Large TK sunk (other 2 are hit), 4 of 5 AK sunk (other hit), and Anchorage is visited by 9 Zero and 20 Kate and damages about half-a-dozen ships.

The weather is bad and saves the TF to the west. I am certain it was the 2 CA and 4 DD TF that sank my AK in Dutch Harbor the previous day. DRAT! Would love to have got those warships...

21st--KB moves in on Anchorage and stumbles upon CL Detroit and DD Reid trying to flee Anchorage. A surface fight occurs between my screen (AGAIN!) and the enemy. My CVs CLOSE the range AGAIN and I cringe as I see Kaga take 6 5-6" shells and Akagi get hit by 3 5-6" shells. They appeared to be leading the formation since no escorts showed up to shoot in the first two gunnery rounds. Luckily these are stout old BB/BC hulls and little damage is done. Lordy--don't need to keep seeing this happen!

A morning attack by 19 Zero and 20 Kate sinks Detroit and Reid.

Anchorage is attacked by 12 Zero, 15 Val, and 63 Kate during the afternoon. At the cost of a single Val 2 PG, 4 AK, and 2 TK are sunk in Port. Not too bad...

22nd--TF move away and to the south searching for enemy shipping.

23rd--A solitary large AP (I lost the name) of the President-Class is spotted and a raid of 25 Zero and 24 Val plant 13 bombs on it. Down it goes!

24th--More APs are spotted and 3 raids take off from the CVs sinking APs Allen, President Jackson, and Crescent City for no loss. These are all big, fast APs and solid kills for the Fleet! Don't know if they were carrying anything or not but their loss will hurt Allied lift capacity somewhat.

25th--Final movement south and spot nothing. Order the Fleet to return to Midway.

26th-28th--retire towards Midway.

The 26th sees notable moment. I-5 MISSES CV Yorktown with 2 Torps just off of San Diego. CRAP! BB Warspite was seen as well as 6 DD. It appears Lew hit DH and immediately headed south. This was wise as I might have had a chance of catching these ships if they had stayed north even for another day or two...

RESULTS: Confirmed sunk: CL Detroit, DD Reid, 9 AK, 4 TK, 4 AP with about a dozen more hit that may or may not have sunk.

LOSSES: I lose a total of 5 aircraft and only 2 crews while in the North during winter. I have CVs Akagi and Kaga as well as a DD in the 9-12 Sys Dam range and they need some down time.

It is time to bring the Fleet home. I will refuel and head for Truk to take care of System Damage and rest everyone. Figure at least a couple week break--pending Allied moves--before another operation.

Allied CVs:
Seeing Yorktown along the West Coast makes me think that Lew will try to link her up with Wasp or Hornet when they become available. He has been much more conservative with the CVs this time. I saw CV Enterprise heading south on the 3rd day of the war but that is about it.

My semi-educated guess is 3 CV (Enterprise, Lexington, and Saratoga) in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean.

I doubt if they are at Pearl. As soon as I can I will move a Chutai of Emily to Johnston and fly some recon over that base and see what I can see...

Carrier Layout and Organization:
I will rest the 4 CV and 2 CVL at Truk as mentioned.

CARDIV2 and Taiyo will be occupied for about two weeks as I invade India. As soon as LBA can carry the burden, I will bring these CVs to Truk.

Reinforcements are coming with CV Junyo and CVL Nisshin due to arrive in roughly a month. Should also have CV Ryujo repaired by then as well.

In THEORY I should have the 6 Big Boys, 2 Medium, and 3 CVL at Truk by the beginning of March. The Fleet will be re-organized and we shall move out to search for the American CVs. This is the plan. Now all the Americans have to do is follow it...

[John 3rd]

January 20-28, 1942

While the KB raids away, I use the distraction to bring in another load of supplies and construction troops:

1. Dutch Harbor gains a Base Force and Engineering Regiment from Manchuria.
2. Adak's AF goes to Lvl-1
3. Attu AF goes up one
4. All three bases have about 20,000 supply with Attu and Adak having 3-6,000 Fuel present. I've got some fuel moving to DH.

I am preparing to move more recon assets into the area. Right now all I have are 6 Jakes flying out of Adak. They are about to move to DH. A Chutai of Emily will move into DH and begin some real air search in about a week.

Would like to grab Cold bay (or is it Harbor) to make DH safe from allied fighters. I've got 3 SNLF at DH so one of them might get marching orders within a week-to-ten days.

My only real naval presence is 8 second-class DD. Am planning to move the 2 CA (Aoba-Class) damaged in the fighting around Rabaul to this area in about a week or so. There is a CL and 2 modern DD about repaired at Kobe also. I think I'll add them to the 2 CA and then leave that force up there. It will base out of Adak and stage from DH periodically for raiding purposes.

Am truly curious as to see if Lew will fight up here or not. His earlier commitment of a CV and a BB made me think so. Will have to see what happens and then make serious decisions as to how badly I want to fight up here...

[John 3rd]

January 20-28, 1942

This region is very quiet. The Marshalls work to expand Forts. Tarawa and that non-atoll base SE of it gain a Base Force to accompany the SNLF that is present at each location. Everything is well stocked with supply and fuel so I am fairly comfortable here.

No action at Midway or Johnston which is interesting. I expected B-17s to get into the action but no sign of them yet. Midway is about to make the Port Sz-2 and both have Forts near 3 at the moment. When Midway's Port goes up I will turn it into an SS Base just like the Americans did during the war. An AS is detailed to move there as well as some fuel. Will raise work to raise the Forts to six and then pull the engineers at that point.

There are 12 Mavis at Midway and 9 Mavis at Johnston. I have the western and northwestern approaches to Hawaii reasonably well covered for the moment.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 20-29,1942
New Britain--Solomons

There has been a short lull in the action within this region. Southeast Area Fleet HQ has been moving in new units, expanding bases, and preparing for the invasion of Port Moresby. After the sharp engagements fought during the capture of Rabaul a time of Allied passivity has occurred as well.

A bombing raid of about 18 Zero and 20-24 Betty hit the PM AF everyday. The damage to the AF averages about 75% with just some PBY flying from there.

Thought I might go base-by-base with their status, size, and major units present:

Rabaul
1. Port 5/0%, AF 7, Fort 3, Supply 123,000, Fuel 55,000
2. Air Support: 190
3. Aircraft: 27 Zero, 54 Betty, 3 Recon Betty
4. Major LCU Units: SE Area Fleet, 21st Air Flotilla
5. Warships: BB Ise/Hyuga, 1 CA, 3 CL, 22 DD

Port Moresby Invasion Force: 144th Inf Reg, 19th ID A & B, an Ind Hv Artillery Bn, and 2 Mortar Regiments. Just got 19th-B dropped off from Korea and now have enough strength to attack.

Lae
1. Port 2, AF 2-93%, Fort 3, Supply 27,000
2. Air Support: 118
3. Aircraft: 9 Zero, 6 Jake
4. Major LCU: 3rd Air Division HQ

Milne Bay
1. Port 1-69%, AF 1-69%, Fort 0, Supply 5,700
2. Air Support: 54

Lunga
1. Port 1-94%, AF 2-66%, Fort 0, Supply 22,000
2. Air Support: 73
3. Major LCU: 4th Fleet HQ

All other bases have small Infantry units present.

As can be seen the supply situation is excellent and base construction is rolling along. The Port Moresby invasion will not take place until Lae and Milne have raised their AF and I have another Daitai of Zero.

Am highly concerned about no CV support. There is every reason to think the Americans may have several carriers in the area. I am not in a rush so we might wait until the KB is rested and repaired...

[SoliInvictus202]

great deployment around the Solomons....you said you were concerned about Allied CV presence? - why? - you have Betties at Rabaul searching the entire Coral Sea and you could order them to naval attack with torps...if you have a sane opponent he will not come into range of these planes - as you could easily increase the number of squads at Rabaul if necessary!
PM should fall without problems - good luck! [:D]

[Mike Solli]

Don't forget to take Buna and Terapo (the base on the coast north of Pt. Moresby).  When you oust the Pt. Moresby garrison, they'll have nowhere to go but rot in the jungle.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 20-29, 1942
The Dutch East Indies

Once again things have been a bit slower over this 10 Day period. After the capture of Banjermasin and Makassar, the Imperial forces start taking bases on the SE Corner of Sulaweisi and Jump to Dempasar.

Dempasar--Knowing that there is still a good amount of Dutch Air, I formed a Fast TF carrying an SNLF to take this island. For some reason the TF decides to unload ALL DAY and it gets hit by Dutch aircraft. CA Kumano takes a Torp, CL Tama gets two TT and sinks, while a DD is nailed by a bomb. Luckily I grab the base that day (22nd) and I disband the damaged ships there. A group of 18 Zero and 12 Oscars arrive to protect them and provide cover for an AK TF bringing in supply and a small Base Force.

Ambon--After running in several CA Bombardments in a row I order a Shock Attack and, finally, capture the base on the 23rd. Immediately begin lifting troops from Ternate to Ambon.

A couple of US SS are in this throughway and I have been forced to create an ASW TF to handle this area and keep the SS occupied. A Chutai of Vals and Kate are flying ASW as well here.

The troops at Ambon are now getting ready to attack Kendari.

Soerabaja--Continue sinking Dutch SS in harbor. O23 is sunk on 1-22.

Color Coding on the Screenshot:
PINK--Finished moves.
YELLOW--Planned moves.
RED--BBs Fuso/Yamashiro, 1 CA, 1 CL, and 8 DD are moving to Singapore, under LRCAP, to join the India Invasion Force.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 20-29, 1942
Malaya and Sumatra

The mopping up of Malaya continues with the light-at-the-end-of-tunnel clearly seen:

50,80--This hex starts with 9 units in it and 3 have surrendered as the Japanese continue attacking. I've just rested my units and ordered an attack for the 30th so the expectation is for this hex fight to end pretty quickly.

Temoluh--Two Inf Reg are about to enter this hex. They, with 3 other units present, will finish the 5 units holding the base. Expect this fight to wrap up within 2-3 days...

Singapore--Everything is repaired and troops are resting. The AF just went to 7 so I plan start changing aircraft pretty quickly. I've got enough Lily, Sally, and Oscar to changeover 2-3 units of each.

THE 'LEFT HOOK' INVASION FORCE
Sitting at or about to arrive at Singapore are the following: an Army HQ, 4th ID, 33rd ID, 8 Artillery units, 3 Ind Engineer Reg, 3 Base Force, and 5 TK Reg. If the Malay mop-up ends more quickly, I should be able to add 1-2 more ID into the attack.

Naval Support: 4 BB, 4 CA, 6 CL, and 20 DD. About 15 SS are filling the area to add to the chaos.

I-20 bags CL Enterprise with 2 TT on the 22nd near Ceylon!

Sabang--The Imperial Guards ID crosses from Georgetown to Sabang and takes it on the 26th. Two BF are headed there as well as supply. The Imp Guards will join the India IF as it passes through.

OFF THE MAP
The 1st Raiding Regiment grabs Port Blair on the 26th as well. A BF is flown in and supplies/fuel is on the way.

I have decided to rest about 100 Fighters so they will be ready to bounce over to the newly captured India. Having Port Blair will enable this move without any serious issue. With limited carrier support for the Invasion these Fighters will be heavily needed for protection.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 20-29, 1942
China Plains

The war in China is going swimmingly! As planned Chengchow has fallen with its defenders forced to retreat to the open Loyang. The troops to the Northeast of Loyang were forced back across the river into Loyang joining the defenders, and the Japanese immediately entered the hex.

A first assault by 4 ID got a 1-1 and dropped the Forts to ZERO on the 24th. I've waited for 4 Brigades to join the next attack. It will undoubtably succeed and drive the Chinese AGAIN across the river. I've got 6 Japanese units moving into that hex to keep up the pressure and drive them further away towards Yenan.

As this is happening the troops west of Loyang are being engaged and chopped up as well. The goal, by FatR's advice, is not surrenders but making all these units combat ineffective for along time to come.

Sian is NOT TOO far from being in my sites! BANZAI!

Here is Loyang on the first attack:

[John 3rd]

This is the situation in Northern/Central China on the 30th:

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: SoliInvictus202

great deployment around the Solomons....you said you were concerned about Allied CV presence? - why? - you have Betties at Rabaul searching the entire Coral Sea and you could order them to naval attack with torps...if you have a sane opponent he will not come into range of these planes - as you could easily increase the number of squads at Rabaul if necessary!
PM should fall without problems - good luck! [:D]

Thanks for the thoughts.

I am concerned when I commit to PM. The Bombardment/Escort TF plus the Invasion Force will be highly exposed for at least 3-5 days as I round the corner of New Guinea, approach PM, and then land. IF--and this is an IF--he has CVs anywhere close, they will have a field day attacking these TF who would be protected only by LR CAP. That is what concerns me.

I'd really like the see the CVs pop-up somewhere so I have a clue as to where they are. Bets--in order of possibility--are South Pacific, Eastern DEI, or India.

With CARDIV2 about to hit Ceylon the India axis is more then a little terrifying to contemplate. This is why I intend to hit Columbo and surrounding area for just two days and then retire towards Port Blair to cover my upcoming landing.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Don't forget to take Buna and Terapo (the base on the coast north of Pt. Moresby).  When you oust the Pt. Moresby garrison, they'll have nowhere to go but rot in the jungle.

Thanks Mike.

I plan to form a Fast TF to grab Terapo with an SNLF about a week before I sail the PM Invasion Force. Perhaps grabbing this base will tip my opponent's hand as to his intentions...

Buna is about to be grabbed by the TF that took Gasmata.

There will be no repeat of the Mindanao screw-up where troops get a chance to retreat. The surrender of an Aussie Brigade, several BF, and other units would be a very NICE haul! Recon of Port Moresby places 6 units and about 10,000 men there regularly.

I should be bringing an Assault Force of roughly 1.5 Divisions. SHOULD be enough to take the base and induce the surrender. Doubt if Forts are very high since the base has been regularly attacked and the AF at 65-90% damage since about January 2 or 3...

[John 3rd]

Once the Indian Ocean Raid is finished for CARDIV2 I will need to rotate out a bunch of pilots from the Kawai Detachment. This unit disbands on February 10th. Thanks to Michael's teachings, I think the pilot training program is something I'm getting a decent grasp of.

There is a pool of 70-75 XP Pilots that have been culled out of units to beef-up the KB's Daitais and raise their XP even higher. There are about 50 pilots (mostly fighter) ready to be added into the CVs. The culling from Kawai will add another dozen or so new pilots to this group. Some need to be held back for Junyo and Nisshin, however, I see at least 20-25 pilots moving into CarDiv2 once it docks.

Will also have to pick a new unit to load onto CVE Taiyo. Kawai and a Val Detachment have been based there since the war started. Need to do some serious re-sizing of units also and, perhaps, this is what the Taiyo will do for a while. She could head for home and re-size units for 6-8 weeks before making another deployment.

[ny59giants]

On Port Moreseby, use a small SC TF of 2 or 3 DDs and have their "Patrol Zone" be close enough to be seen from the south. I would be coming out from Brisbane/Sydney and then due north to PM to attack. That is where the picket DDs should be.

How soon until Milne Bay gets to size 2 AF?? I would base Nell/Betty there. OR, I would take a small dot base around this are and use an AV for Mavis to operate out of.

Remember, naval search and recon are your friend. [:D]

[John 3rd]

VERY GOOD idea Sir Michael!

Milne goes to Lvl-2 within a few days. Can operate some serious planes at that point.

Problem is, as most Japanese players are aware, I don't have ENOUGH Mavis/Emily.

Grrr...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 30, 1942



The end of January is looking to be LOVELY for Japan. January 30th starts well and only gets better as the day moves on!

West Coast
Off the West Coast, I-4 is patrolling when she spots an unescorted convoy. The initial attack sinks AK Waipo with 2 Torps and the Captain decides to surface so he can keep up with the merchants as they race for San Diego. His pursuit is rewarded when he sinks AK Admiral Lewis by gun and torpedo. NICE!

Landings begin at Muntok and Buna.

Columbo, Ceylon
CarDiv2 (with Taiyo) arrives at launching point SW of Columbo without being detected. Admiral Nagumo turns into the wind and launches an afternoon strike at the Port of 18 Zero and 42 Kate. His Jakes have reported the harbor crammed full with nearly 80 ships present.

There is no aerial opposition whatsoever and so the Kates make their runs. While they disappointingly hit only three ships they are quite NICE! CV Indomitable takes 2 large bombs, BB Royal Sovereign is nailed with 3 and left on Fire, and light cruiser Colombo gets 1 bombs also and is heavily damaged. No aircraft are reported at the AF.

With great trepidation, Nagumo orders the range closed as he angles NW so he can hit any fleeing shipping. His Vals are set to naval attack and the Kates will work naval attack/Columbo port attack. Fully expecting aerial opposition he makes sure fully 60% of his 54 Zeros will fly CAP and the rest are escorts. There is argument over this decision as Adm Kusaka fears the risk of staying one more day. The next day could be highly interesting...

Malaya
In Malaya at hex 50,80 a Shock Attack nets a 46-1 result and five out of six British units surrender. Tomorrow will see the last one there surrender.

Combat Loading for the 'Left Hook' begins in Singapore.

China
At Loyang the Japanese culminate their first major offensive with its capture! BANZAI!! A Shock Attack nets a 5-1 result. For only 1,504 Japanese Casualties the Chinese lose a monstrous 22,995 men with over 900 squads destroyed as they desperately flee across the river into the woods NW of the city. This is a massive victory and completes Phase One of the Offensive.

Next step is Sian. All units and HQ shift their Preparation target to Sian. Two Inf Div are detailed to pursue the fleeing Chinese and keep up the skeer with those 29 units.

Reinforcements:
The 9th Air Fleet LCUs arrive in Kyushu. The 9th Air Fleet HQ, 3 Air Flotilla, and 3 large Base Force arrive at 75% strength. They will need a couple of weeks to fillout and then they shall deploy. The aircraft of the 9th Air Fleet arrive on February 1st.

Engineering:
Ominato AF-2
Kuantan Pt-2
Midway Pt-2
Lunga Pt-2

[Q-Ball]

Nice job John! But I have to shake my head at your opponent, who continues to dock ships in harm's way. Colombo is very easy to raid; most players shouldn't dock anything more important than a DD there. The fact that you have sunk so many subs in port is crazy; the only time that should happen is if the Sub isn't seaworthy.

Still, you took advantage of it, which is what you should do.

And your opponent was fortunate to lose only transports and an old CL up in the Aleutians......could have been MUCH worse.

[ny59giants]

Problem is, as most Japanese players are aware, I don't have ENOUGH Mavis/Emily.

Grrr...

Take off your BB & CA the second group of FP. Use a CS to expand them to 10 planes each. Upgrade to Jake. I have Jakes production at 60 per month. They are the "poor man's" solution to lack of Mavis/Emily to cover so much ocean.

[John 3rd]

The last thing I expected was a mass exodus from Ceylon! That is exactly what happened. The Allies run for their lives and do you know what that means?

FIELD DAY!

I-16 Sinks AK Maldiva with two attacks and then hit AP Van Cloon
I-18 Hits an AK and MISSES CV Indomitable---CRAP

CARDIV2 Totals for the day: 6 AP, 3 AK, 1 CM, and an AKL. With 2 AP, 1 PG, 1 KV (what is that?), and 3 AK Damaged.

Losses: 2 Vals (1 Crew)

CarDiv2 moves SE for a Port Attack tomorrow and will then head for the barn.

Picture:

[Q-Ball]

KV = Corvette

Again, your opponent is lucky; CV INDOMITABLE escapes destruction. As one sided as it's been, it should be far worse for him. The Empire has had clean shots at piles of warships, and just missed juicy targets put recklessly in harm's way.

Keep it up, he'll pay with a Carrier before too long, unless he mends his ways......