Historical AE. Cantona2 (A) vs Fletcher (J)

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 19tn May 1942

A quiet turn, well more than usual. The bulk of the 1st Marine Division has started to arrive from the American hinterland and is entraining to Los Angeles before being dispatched to the battle area. Escorts will have to gather as the APD Kennison, escorting the City of Ranville into San Francisco, reported depth charging a Japanese submarine. After weeks of absence on the West Coast they seem to be back.

VP-61 has been transferred to the command of the USN Forward AIRCENPAC Command and has left San Francisco heading towards Pearl. Once there its Catalinas will make the transfer to the South Seas under their own power.

Dacca was hit today by enemy aircraft, 3 of our planes were reported destroyed on the ground. Tomorrow a CAP of around 30 fighters will fly over the base.

More alarming news came from TF 272 carrying the 30th Cst AA Regiment to Ndeni. Its escort, the DE Humphreys reported the sighting of a B5N2 type bomber during the early hours of the morning. There were no Japanese land bases within range to host this craft so it must have come from a carrier. Ndeni was notified as well as II Fighter Command on Efate. A course change was ordered but not before Japanese planes carried out an attack from the NWN. 5 A6M2s were observed escorting 8 B5N2s. Aggressive maneouvering by the Humphreys made the Japanese bombs miss their mark while it leant its AA guns to the defence of its charge, the Heywood Class AP Fuller. The troop laden transport was also lucky to avoid any hits. Later on in the day Catalinas operation from Efate spotted a small enemy carrier 138 nms NE off the Duff Islands. The pilot's reports and the observations made on the attacking Kates suggest the light carrier Hosho as the main culprit. Is this a light raid or is bait to lure an attack into the range of more dangerous craft?

TF 272 had made a new course due south while landings on Vanikoro have been temporarily suspended. Fighter cover from Lugnaville has been increased to protect the ships around the island. VMSB 241 has sent a detatchment to Ndeni and the Warhawks of the 68th Fighter Squadron have been detailed to escort any strike they Dauntlesses may launch. 93rd Bomber Sqaudron on Luganville has also been ordered to carry out attacks on the Japanese carrier as well.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

@Roger

At this point of the game the Argonaut has upgraded to SST during its April upgrades. I never upgraded the Argonaut in vanilla as its minelaying capacity was lost but with the dirth of mines in AE I thought it was a worthy conversion. The other sub that will convert to SST is the Narwhal.

There is a third sub (name escapes me) which you can also convert to SST if you are so inclinded. The grand total potential Allied SST fleet is 3, sufficient to carry a significant part of a single Raider Bn.

Alfred

[USS Henrico]

Nautilus is the other sub that can convert to an SST.

[cantona2]

Thanks for the contributions.

[cantona2]

Lull in the normal intensity of the action. Ramon continues his bombing of Northern Australian Bases. Fenton has developed a small strip and the damaged planes from Katherine are being lorried there in the hope of repairing the planes and then transferring them to Daly Waters and south.

More air-air action over Ndeni and Dacca results in a parity of losses on both sides. Wellingtons attack Prome and Blenheims once again hit Myitkyina.

The only action of note came to the North of Sian. Two days ago the 41st Infantry Divison crossed the river and cut the road from Tienshui to Sian. A similar move by an infantry regiment was rebuffed last month. 7th Group Army, under LGEN Tso-yi held the line with three weak corps, resting from the defensive line south of Sian. General Chih moved the bulk of the 5th War Area Army from the north to aid Tso-yi. The 5th War Area is a formation that has been kept in reserve. In its OOB it contains the fresh and fully equipped 57th and 76th Corps. After a day of preparatory bombardments and skirmishes, the reinforced Chinese threw the 41st Infantry back and once again cleared the road. Indications from casulaty reports suggest that the enemy formation was largely routed and soundly defeated. South of Sian however, a massive Japanese army is gathering...

Ground combat at 83,40

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40913 troops, 332 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1573

Defending force 11512 troops, 102 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 431

Allied adjusted assault: 1219

Japanese adjusted defense: 171

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4165 casualties reported
Squads: 94 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 89 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 12 (7 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
424 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

[traskott]

Nice !!! Every japanese attack halted helps !!!

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 22md May 1942

Fenton has been built up to a size 1 AF thereby giving me a clear strip to refit the units shattered at Darwin and Katherine. Already a unit of the 49th FG has been refitted and redployed south to Sydney via Alice Springs in order to rest and build up its strength. The 2nd RAAF (Hudsons) has also evacuated to Normanton via Fenton. There it will carry out some recon missions over Horn Island and then transfer to Sydney to upgrade its planes to Hudson III's with its longer range.

B-17s from Luganvilee carried out a nightime raid over Munda but reported damage was very light. The most remarkable news was the identification of a new, hitherto identified enemy twin engined fighter. Though two of these new planes were shot down for no losses on our side, they were observed to be of a hardier construction than the Japanese fighters encountered so far.



Picket submarines around the Tulagi and Munda areas also reported the sighting of many Japanese ships approaching the southern Solomon Islands. Though no positive id could be made due to heavy fog, the sonar graphs certainly recorded the turning of many screws! The presence of the main Japanese carrier force, last seen at Singapore a week and half ago, cannot be discounted! SS Pollack also reported the sinking of a Japanese submarine on the surface near the enemy base at Shortlands.



The Chinese forces at Paoshan were also subjected to intense air raids as enemy units approach from the West. The CAF was once again in action. Its small and depleted numbers only being able to conduct small scale operations. One Ki-27b was reported shot down by I-15-IIIs.

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 24th May 1942

A Japanese offensive opens across China. Troops from Burma capture Paoshan, despite the attention of Indian based B-25's. Chinese troops withdraw east from the town to good defensive terrain in the foothills of the Himalayas. South of Sian the expected Japanese attack starts on the 23rd May. 22,000 Japanese casualties are inflicted on the enemy force, a large concentration of troops hitherto not seen in China. Extensive, deep defensive lines in the forests south of the city so far favour the defending Chinese. They have reinforced with one Corps from the 5th Area Army.

Intensive dog fights over the Santa Cruz Islands as well. Despite the length of their flights Japanese fighters have so far bested American pilots. Efforts on the part of the bombers on Luganville to disrupt operations on Munda have come to naught, despite showing a superiority over the new defensive night fighter being deployed by the Japanese. Attacks continued on Horn Island but an aggresive sweep by Ki-43s over Cooktown accounted for 5 P-40s. A nightime raid on Port Moresby has been ordered for tomorrow.

Less lucky were Ki-43s on CAP over Japanese troops on the Indian border. 15 Hurricanes shot down 7 enemy fighters. They were based out of Chittagong but they have rebased to Comilla in expectation of enemy air raids on Chittagong tomorrow. We hope to set a LRCAP trap for any incoming enemy planes.

[traskott]

Well, how Ndeni goes ? ?? 

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: traskott

Well, how Ndeni goes ? ?? 

Ive been away for most of the last week traskott.

As a quick summary. I think that the night raids by B-17s on Munda has disrupted the intensity and scale of Ramon's attacks on Ndeni. What I am worried about is the supply level. I have a 1,700 ton AKL currently unloading there, 9 Hudsons flying in supply from Efate and the Argonaut ferrying supplies. Yet the supply level currently stands at a paltry 181! 95% of an AA unit has also unloaded which means a massive reinforcement of the islands AA capability. Vanikoro is also in action as a base and a very efficient sqaudron equipped with P-40bs (exp~63) has already downed a number of enemy planes on their last raid a few days ago.

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 30th May 1942

6 months of war have rocked the Pacific and a more detailed update will follow this one in the following days. Just a quick synopsis of all theaters of war.

• China - Three pronged attack by the IJA. On Sian, from Burma towards Tyusun and it appears that they move on Luichow in the South as well!
• Santa Cruz - daily aerial battles over Ndeni. Currently being resupplied but fighter units there suffering from attrition. Secondary strip on Vanikoro assists.
• Burma - night time raids on main enemy fields at Mandalay and Schwebo. Main bases of enemy units attacking China.
• New Guninea - sparriong continues across the Coral Sea. Portland Roads now hosts a basic fighter strip.
• Landings are planned on islands south of Tarawa to start an air campaign against the Marshall Islands.
• India - air war continues as Commonwealth forces build up on southern border areas.

[cantona2]

Turn Synopsis 1st June 1942

June breaks out across the Pacific Ocean. Allied forces everywhere, bar China fight back against the Japanese aggressor. In the main Pacific Theatre there has been no more Japanese expansion and it is clear that the enemy is consolidating his gains. His different air arms provide him with an offensive weapon across long distances. Enemy planes have been engaged regularly over the Santa Cruz Islands and the India/Burma frontier. RAF and USAAF fighter squadrons here have made a good account of themselves against primarily aircraft of the IJAAF.

The IJNAF is responsible for the Santa Cruz operations and facing them are various USAAF and USMC squadrons. Solid and well stocked bases can be found at Efate, Luganville, Suva and Noumea and a secondary base at Tanna provide support and resting fields for those units in action.

The IJN's submarines have the Santa Cruz Islands in a strangle hold despite extremely strenuous efforts by aerial and naval ASW assets. Our Silent Service captains are constantly getting into excellent fire positions but are still suffering from a chronic level of dud hits. Despite the hard evidence, the Armaments Board refuses to acknowledge the problem and as such the enemy's ships continue to sail the seas.

USN Carrier Division 1 (Enterprise and Saratoga) is heading towards the island group to the south of Tarawa. A network of bases will be built up here with a view of striking at Tarawa. Elements of the 1st Marine Division have ebmarked at Los Angeles and San Diego and will be the spearhead of the assault on Tarawa. CV Yorktown has received the first batch of the new Grumman torpedo bomber, the Avenger. It totally outclasses the Devastator in range and speed and boasts impressive defensive armaments.

[cantona2]

End of May scorecard - a good month for our fighter pilots but his sub captains as well [:(]

[cantona2]

Top allied aces - the 30th of May saw the death of Major W.Larson. KIA over Ndeni

[cantona2]

USN Plans for the Gilbert Islands

[traskott]

Oh, my !!! Chinese ace pilots !!! Poor Fletcher.....[:D][:D]

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: traskott

Oh, my !!! Chinese ace pilots !!! Poor Fletcher.....[:D][:D]

Early on in China his Nates were chewed by the CAF and AVG. Once he flew in larger number of planes that was it. Massive offensive on three fronts in China, it all hinges on his Sian attack! Two assaults have already been beaten back!

[traskott]

China MUST hold !!!! [:)]

[cantona2]

Air Raid Adak *** This is not a drill***

For the second time this war Japanese carrier forces attacked American soil, only this time they did not have the element of surprise with them. From the cold depths of the Barents Sea, light Japanese carrier forces launch an unexpected attack on the USN installations at Adak Island. However, unlike Pearl Harbour, American forces were not caught flat footed. A RCAF Kittyhawk squadron carrying out training and liaison duties with USAAF was up bright and early on CAP training. Several of its pilots, flying CAP at about 50 miles out from the base reported seeing sunlight glinting off metal close to the surface of the sea. The consistency of the glimmers and its speed and heading could only mean one thing, an incoming raid hugging the waves to avoid the radar. Orders were dispatched to the Canadaian pilots to shadow the enemy planes and not to engage them, while 19th Fighter Squadron (P-40B) was scrambled at Adak.

The first visual was made by Canadian Navy corvettes on ASW patrol to the NW of Adaka. 10 enemy fighters and 6 Kate Type bombers were identified at approx 08:43. By 9:30 the air raid sirens were sounding at Adak and flak guns vectoring on the bearing of the incoming planes. At 10:36 19th FS engaged Japanese planes 42 miles off Adak. The early warning given by the RCAF Kittyhawks had proven invaluable. The first vees of P-40s got the bounces on the escorting A6M2s. Two P-40s were damaged but one Japanese fighter was confirmed shot down. As the fighter pilots on both sides descended into individual combat the majority of the second flight of the 19th FS were directly vectored onto the B5N2s. All 6 enemy planes were shot down before they could reach Adak Island. The USAAF had made sure that no enemy bomber would return to its carrier. It was a proud day for the pilots of the 19th.. They had been there at Pearl on December 7th, frustrated at the lack of opporutnity to engage the Japanese then. They had vinidcated thier honour and the base commander turned a blind eye to the numerous victory rolls carried out over Adak's main aerodrome. It was hoped that a flight of B-18s could engage the enemy carriers tomorrow and maybe sink a bomb or two into them!



The 19th Fighter Squadron appeases its honour after Pearl Harbour

[cantona2]

Extract from 'Japanese Carrier Operations, by G.Marshall, Oxford Press, 2003
Chapter 6 The Santa Cruz Operations.

'...Adak Island once again. But the main carrier operations during June were carried out against the American rapier thrusting at the Solomons in the Santa Cruz Islands. The full might of the Kito Butai and the Mobile Fleet hit Ndeni and Vanikoro between the 4th and 5th June 1942. Approaching undetected from the North East, Japanese carrier planes surprised American shipping in the area. Light merchants were sunk at Ndeni and the AVD Ballard, whose intended mission had been to support a Catalina squadron at Vanikoro, was sunk by Kates while the DD Whipple was severely damaged by dive bombing Vals. Strikes were also carried out on both airstrips. USAAF P-40s on Vanikoro fought valiantly against the Japanese tide. The Marines on Ndeni hunkered down and it was good that they did.

The night of 4th-5th June was suddenly turned into day as the main guns of the IJN's Mobile fleet opened up on Ndeni. The defensive minefields were bypassed and the Marines on the island subjected to a murderous pounding that lasted most of the night. 250 men lost their lives and another 400 injured. The main field was plastered and most of the base infrastructure destroyed. Daytime brought no respite as carrier and land base planes once again hit Ndeni and Vanikoro. Marine Grumans had joined the Army pilots in the latter base and shot down 4 enemy fighters, losing the same number of planes. B-17s from Luganville, Suva and Efate unsuccessfully attacked the BB Nagato. They had more success, downing two patrolling fighters, than they had with their bombs that all missed.

Further to the West, in the Southern Gilbert Islands, a Japanese float plane was shot down over the carrier Enterprise. The opeartions to the south of Tarawa were still going ahead despite the presence of the Japanese carriers in the Santa Cruz Islands. However this new development forced Nimitz to rethink his original strategy. There was no guarantee that the pilots on the shot down plane had not sent out a report of a sighting and as such he ordered two of the three landing groups back towards Canton Island, while ordering the carriers NNE. He was in no doubt that the Japanese would now steam westwards if his two carriers had been spotted...'