Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider)

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: aprezto

Yeaooouch!!!

That's one devastating torpedo. Mind you, I suppose she's not a very big ship. Get to anywhere to get those priceless stringbags off. I-158 is one of those 8 forward tubes?

I don't know - she launched 6 torpedoes. We have the split tube model running, so she could still have 8 up front.

[Capt. Harlock]

Boise and Houston both gone -- that's a sad day. But it looks like your opponent is indeed feeling the clock ticking.

[witpqs]

I really think so. It's pretty clear that KB was part of that little stroll through the Central Pacific, and now:

---

1941-01-13

Yen-cheng, Rossel Island, Mergul, and Huai Yan fell today. Ku-shih and Chin Hua were liberated. Sandakan was invaded. This was a day of punch and counter punch in China with numerous small actions. There were also two larger actions, one that saw two moderately sized Chinese corps retreated, and another that saw an IJA division and Ind Mixed Bde retreated. On the whole for the day IJA casualties were about 2 x Chinese casualties.

I-158 finished what she started. The good news is that Hermes will not be taking up any valuable repair shipyard space. It appears that KB has arrived on scene, although the scouting is misleading. It's either KB or the IJN has grown a whole bunch of CS ships all of a sudden. The 2 IJN ships sheltering at Ternate anchorage escaped damage in the Banshee raid, but now they appear to be moving to a safer neighborhood. A much larger exodus is underway among Allied navies and it will be very hard on some ships.

[Capt. Harlock]

I-158 finished what she started. The good news is that Hermes will not be taking up any valuable repair shipyard space.

Well, Hermes never was a very survivable ship. (A pity you can't announce a bounty for sinking I-158.) Did you manage to save any of the airplanes on board?

[witpqs]

Nah. She couldn't fly any off and was sunk outright by the two additional torpedoes before reaching Koepang.

---

1941-01-14

Kuantan and Sandakan fell today. IJN carriers are nowhere to be seen. Either that sighting yesterday was a false alarm, or search missed them in the scattered rain and overcast throughout the Banda Sea and surrounding areas.

The wounded ships are doing OK, although I suppose Enterprise took on more systems damage, signified by this gruesome report.

Damage Control parties trapped in flooded compartment aboard CL Enterprise ...

Kendari held against another attack, but I believe that only 1 or 2 of the 5 units now present participated as the others must have arrived this turn, and could not have received orders to attack.

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3278 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 188

Defending force 1282 troops, 14 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese adjusted assault: 39

Allied adjusted defense: 23

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
1st Raiding Regiment
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
Sasebo 1st SNLF
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF

Defending units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
2/2nd Ind Coy
Kendari Base Force

With no minuses for the attackers the entire force would not have been reduced to less than 25% AV. The next attack will take the base. Aircraft will leave and the Australian commando company will be flown out.

Imperial fighter sweeps over Moulmein were annoyingly effective, and enemy ships are seen SW of Lae. Bombing of Singkawang is pausing to rest the air crews. The Empire now has strike aircraft at Jahore Bahru, so bombing Singkawang will have less effect than before. B-17s will be relocated to Soerabaja and Koepang to commence bombing of Kendari once it falls.

[witpqs]

OK, here is some Intel work. I went the Sunk Ships List first, then the Combat Reports beginning in very late December when this whole Kendari area ruckus got rolling. I think I left out damage to an I-boat but I was really looking at IJN surface ship info.

Sunks Ships List
DD Kagero
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Sagiri
DD Fumizuki
CS Mizuho
CL Sendai
DMS W-2
DMS W-3
BB Kongo (???)
SS I-166
DD Arashi

Reported Damaged in Combat Reports
CA Maya
CL Natori
DD Hatakaze
DD Yugao
DD Kiku
APD Nadakaze
APD Aoi
APD Hagi
APD Tade
DD Nagatsuki (Believed Sunk)
DD Minazuki (Believed Sunk)
DD Satsuki (Believed Sunk)
DD Harukaze
BB Kongo (Believed Afloat)
BB Ise
BB Hyuga (Possibly Sunk)
CA Kumano
CL Naka
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
CA Haguro
CL Kuma
TB Kiji
TB Kamo
CA Suzuya

It looks like I got 10 destroyers plus a few other escort types. As far as other ships on the damaged list that might have gone down, who knows.

BTW, "Damaged" just means took at least 1 hit. Some of the ships listed as damaged were afire, others not.

[aprezto]

Whether it is sunk or just 1 hit, that's pretty impressive.

[witpqs]

1941-01-15

Baler, Kendari, Tioman Island, and Juichow fell today. Manokwari was invaded. The effective sweeps over Burma continue, this time finding our fighters covering supply ships at Rangoon. The Empire sent ships against Kendari again, but they were bearing occupation troops as the ground forces present were sufficient to overwhelm defenses. KXVI missed, but S-38 hit:

ASW attack near Kendari at 71,106

Japanese Ships
PB Chohakusan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Saiko Maru
xAK Mito Maru
xAK Maebasi Maru
xAK Seian Maru
xAK Natisan Maru
TB Chidori

Allied Ships
SS S-38

A flight of Hudsons then missed BB Haruna, but there was more to say.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Tamashima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

[Capt. Harlock]

The wounded ships are doing OK, although I suppose Enterprise took on more systems damage, signified by this gruesome report.

quote:


Damage Control parties trapped in flooded compartment aboard CL Enterprise ...

Wow. It is still amazing to me how a game covering so much can include this level of detail!

[witpqs]

1942-01-16

Tabar Island, Manokwari, and Beaufort fell today.

More deadly sweeps at Rangoon. Dutch forces attacked at Langsa but were rebuffed. Thankfully the rebuff was light. Bombing of Kendari was well defended against by the Empire, apparently correctly anticipated. Very little damage done. There are also replacement mine sweepers in place and lots of heavy cruisers guarding the base!

The wounded ships are moving without incident.

[witpqs]

1942-01-17

Kudat fell today. More Sweeps over Rangoon, the usual bombings in China, Luzon, Singapore, and Palembang. A little bit of activity to and from Kendari seen. B-17s from Koepang and two bases on Java will hit Kendari tonight and tomorrow. A "TK" sighting at Rossel Island (previous lost), and a few ships moving into the Solomons from the NE. Second day in a row of heavy radio traffic at Truk.

Meanwhile, the Allies move things around and the wounded ships creep away.

[witpqs]

1942-01-18

No bases fell today! Boela was invaded. Ambon airfield has been shut down by multiple Imperial air raids. Amazingly, the last B-17 in the Philippines became ready today and transferred out to Java. The aircrew fixed the plane themselves at Cagayan as ground crew has long been evacuated.

CL Enterprise Sunk after frantic damage control efforts could not seal a failed bulkhead. The Allied naval toll for the Battle of Kendari stands at 2 x CA, 5 x CL, and 4 x DD. Add to that 1 x CL in the days before and 1 x CVL in the days after for the campaign around Kendari.

xAKL Bangalow received a stern message from the IJN submarine arm off of Port Moresby: resupply efforts will henceforth be opposed.

In response Dutch and USN subs delivered a strongly worded reply to PB Chosa Maru, xAK Tokuwa Maru, xAK Gyoun Maru, and xAK Bunzan Maru as they neared Kendari. The marus generated bonuses upon the initial hits, and as they all later sank from their wounds the ground losses were certainly greater.

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Intel indicates that one or more AA units are now on board ship at or near Kendari, so the timing was good. Even more so because 3 of the subs are newly commissioned Dutch warships which rushed to the interdiction zone. B-17s hit Kendari during the day, destroying 2 Zeros on the ground and leaving the airfield with 11% damage at days end. The mere 3% moonlight probably scrubbed the night mission.

[witpqs]

"Your subs have been absolutely murdering me the last 2 turns…"

---

1942-01-19

Tandjoengpinang, Chengchow, Boela, Po-hsien, and Watampone fell today. Watampone was apparently assaulted from the air, so the Imperial para units are back in business quickly after their long walk.

xAK Natisan Maru and xAK Mito Maru were torpedoed by Allied subs overnight. Neither ship is known to have sunk. Other attacks failed to strike home but the overall effect elicited the comment at the top. The Allies have a swarm of subs in the waters between Kendari and the rest of the Empire. Coupled with overlapping air search, the steel sharks have good chances.

Fierce bombing of Ambon, Rangoon, Benkoelen, and the Dewey Dry Dock accompanied the usual poundings. Alas, the Dewey Dry Dock is dry no more. Due to the large placards placed flat on the ground whenever an LCU is bombed, EHQ could now know the approximate strength of the force waiting for his army from Chiang Mai to attempt a river crossing. Let's hope that Intel is less apparent than it seems.

The B-17Ds made a night attack. Together with prior day attacks Kendari airfield damage stands at 21%. Their siblings go again in daylight tomorrow.

Graphic: Provide good search coverage for your subs and they will reward you!

[witpqs]

"Enemy carrier planes overhead!" - Port Moresby Radio Operator

---

1942-01-20

Balabac fell today. Madang was invaded. Cagayan withstood an Imperial shock attack, but it cost the defenders to hold on.

xAK Mito Maru was the only Imperial ship torpedoed today, but several other attacks were made. Intel has intercepts of various support units moving to Kendari. The hunt shall continue.

The B-17 operation against Kendari arrived as 3 discreet raids, damaged the base, destroyed 2 Zeros, 8 Topsies, and a Jake on the ground. Airfield damage assessed at 29%. Imperial fighter sweeps over Koepang achieved nothing because adverse weather kept all Allied fighters grounded!

KB has shown itself, bellowing its presence with an all-out aerial assault on Port Moresby. No Allied aircraft or ships were present. Other Imperial forces are trailing KB at a distance, so an invasion of Port Moresby and/or Horn Island must be imminent. Some ground forces at Port Moresby sustained high disruption.

[witpqs]

Imperial Battleships!

---

1942-01-21

Choiseul Bay, Cagayan, Chin Hua, and Madang fell today. Cagayan was teetering, but would have held longer had not EHQ ordered more Imperial forces to pile on. Dutch forces were pushed out of Langsa and Medan on northern Sumatra. Baboo is invaded, and Imperial troops are moving overland on Makassar. The Empire has stirred!

Imperial warships moved on Balikpapan to smite the PT boats present, and killed 2 out of 3. CL Kuma struck a mine and was seen on fire briefly. xAK Natisan Maru became a victim of S-41 just as the maru pulled into Kendari. She is reported sunk. So is cruiser Kuma, but that report is discounted.

Imperial battleships are in the Banda Sea, 320nm sailing from Koepang. They were shrouded by heavy rain so Banshees could not attack!

[Capt. Harlock]

CL Enterprise Sunk after frantic damage control efforts could not seal a failed bulkhead.

Oh, well -- better that one than the other Enterprise.[:D]

[witpqs]

[:D] Captain Kirk would've rammed them!

---

"…oh…and did I mention I hate your subs "

---

1942-01-22

Maiana, Ku-shih, and Babo fell today. Jesselton and Port Moresby were invaded.

Allied subs in the western Celebes Sea and guarding the Makassar Strait have seen little action since the fall of Tarakan. Yesterday's attack on the PTs defending Balikpapan was an affront, having passed right through their cordon. Today CL Kuma and DD Shirakumo were made to pay their rightful toll on the way out. Each demanded a receipt, for the Emperor's accountants are known to be sticklers, and each was provided a large hole in the side with heavy fires above.

B-17s hit Kendari night and day for some effect, including a small number of destroyed planes on the ground, but also lost 3 of their own number. Betties raided Koepang overnight for very little effect. Those Imperial battleships remained more or less in place. So, perhaps they are providing security for the support troops entering Kendari. Having Allied surface forces succeed at darting in from outside of Imperial search range has far reaching benefits!

The Jesselton invasion was via APDs, but Port Moresby was given the full treatment. First, Imperial battleships Yamashiro and Mutsu cleared the beach.

Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu

Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24
Port hits 18
Port supply hits 1

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at 15th RAN Base Force
15th RAN Base Force firing at BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu firing at Port Moresby

In the afternoon, carrier aircraft kept up the pressure they began upon arrival.

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 159 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 59 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 78
D3A1 Val x 110



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x D3A1 Val bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x D3A1 Val bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
23 x D3A1 Val bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
22 x D3A1 Val bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Lark Battalion ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 2/1st Ind Coy ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking Papuan Inf Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 49th Australian Battalion ...

Light cruisers and destroyers shelled to cover the troops, and shore guns hit two of the cruisers for unobserved damage. Part of the 21st Ind.Mixed Bde is ashore, with more expected.

Here is a glimpse of the current top air losses.

[witpqs]

Invasions Shotgun!

---

1942-01-23

Vella Lavella fell today. Yen-cheng and Ch'ueh-shan were liberated today. Salamaua, Terapo, Tulagi, Buna, and Milne Bay were invaded today. Unloading continued at Port Moresby, and now a massive number of Imperial troops are present (part of 4th Div, 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade, part of 4th Ind.Mixed Rgt) with more to unload. Some enemy ships were hurt, including one maru set heavily ablaze.

The Imperial battleships moved in and bombarded Koepang, sinking 4 minesweepers on the way in. While damage is severe the airfield is open for CAP. Extreme overcast kept the Banshees from seeking revenge regardless of airfield state.

The invasion shotgun:

[witpqs]

The Onslaught Continues

---

1942-01-24

Tulagi, Jesselton, Salamaua, Buna, Terapo, and Milne Bay fell today. Ambon, Finschhafen, and Samarinda were invaded. An Imperial TF sank a supply ship at Koepang overnight. Banshees moved to Banjermasin yesterday sought to dissuade the forces landing at Samarinda.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Samarinda at 65,96

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 9


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Asahisan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Meiyo Maru
xAK Imizu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Asahisan Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Imizu Maru

A raid from Kendari did minor damage to Koepang and in return B-17s from Java raided Kendari. Damage to the airfield was minor, although several planes were destroyed on the ground and in the air. 4 x B-17s failed to return, however. As enthusiastic as are many of the current aircrew, it will help when more highly trained crews are available. The air war in Burma is taking a heavy toll on both sides, with a dozen or more fighters lost on both sides just this day.

The Imperial forces ashore at all invasion points are simply overwhelming for the defenders. Port Moresby, the stoutest of all in terms of troops present, is heavily outgunned and saw fortifications chipped away. There goes the neighborhood!

[witpqs]

Turnings

---

1942-01-25

Treasury Islands, Port Moresby, Finschhafen, Samarinda, and Wewak fell today. Lae was invaded. Tzuyang was liberated. Ambon withstood a deliberate attack, but that might well be the swan song for the garrison there. A few marus have been roughed up by shore guns at Samarinda and Ambon. Plus Skipjack nailed xAK Asahisan Maru with a working torpedo. Banshees from Banjermasin were treated badly by Zeros twice with 3 planes lost, total.

Imperial forces in Burma have arrived at Moulmein, and Allied forces are aiming to be withdrawn across the river by tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile the host from Chiang Mai has changed direction and is heading cross-country NE of the defenders. A well-laid trap discovered by EHQ's scouts!

Imperial troops are marching on Balikpapan from Samarinda. It has also proved impossible to get damage down at Koepang. The P-40B squadron has gone on night watch, while all offensive planes have relocated. We simply lack the forces to make Koepang a hard target. A night B-17 strike by only 3 aircraft netted 2 Imperial planes destroyed and a little runway damage. The daylight raid goes tomorrow.

The exact whereabouts of KB is unknown as long range search planes have gone over to recovering troops from New Guinea. Pickups are also being made from Lautem and beginning from Koepang.

Prince of Wales has been in shipyard at Cape Town for several says now and will require more than 4 months of repairs, including the concurrent upgrade. Repulse is on her way to Cape Town, provided that temporary repairs cooperate. Cornwall is in company of a repair ship at Cocos Islands shoring up bulkheads and pumping out water. The light cruisers and destroyers are in various states of repair or, in one case, temporary repair in Australian and Indian ports.