Though this map is dated by two turns, one sees the landing force taking Canton and the route of the KB to Cover those Landings.
The moves did catch the Americans off guard as the KB located and sank the large AP President Madison and Ro-66 SANK CA Louisville with 2 Torps followed by 9 bombs from the CVs.
With the old BBs delayed for a week while hunting the Thundering Herd, I am a little thin of Screening Ships so I plan to detach the two BC (Hiei/Kirishima) and 4 DD to augment the 3 CL and 8 DD currently at Canton.
Attachments
CentPac21218.jpg (54.86 KiB) Viewed 234 times
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Pretty surprising to see such light Pearl stike losses after all changes. On test runs against AI 20 planes was about the lowest I've seen. On the other hand, Allies seem to lost few planes on ground... What your LBA was attacking on Turn 1? I think Navy planes from Taiwan can plaster Manila pretty hard, if this is allowed.
I was quite surprised at my lack of loss from both strikes. It was quite pleasant compared to what I expected.
Our HR govern Port Strikes only from CV aircraft. Since we took the speed bonus away from the 3 CVL I could only use CarDiv1 for the attack.
Have also been watching for reduced efficiency due the reduction in IJN pilot experience. For those who haven't read up on the RA debate/discussion we decided between 2.0 and 3.0 that creation of the 9th Air Fleet and expanded training system as well as filling out the existing units would require a dilution of the starting Japanese pilot experience. Nearly every lnad-based IJN Chutai or Daitai starts the war with a 10-15% reduction in their skill level. Since many of the Betty/Nells have been on Port Attacks or AF Attacks, I haven't had much of a chance to see the results of this. The Zeros are still superior but I have lost a few more then I would expect over Luzon.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
My opponent has numerous ASW DD TF operating around Pearl and around San Francisco. They managed to sink I-1 along the West Coast a couple of days ago. It has been frustrating as my I-Boats have taken a bunch of shots but either missed or hit with a dud. I've seen more Japanese duds at this point then in my fight with Lew in early-1943! CRAZY. Well the hunter became the hunted today when I-174 put a Torp into DD Dale probably sinking her near PH.
I am certain the Americans recieved a jolt today when an AD and AVP were hit by Kates at extreme range about 8 hexes south of Pearl. I split CarDiv2 to go NE and CarDiv5 to go slightly farther north. We'll see what his reaction is. Did see SBDs attack two subs NE of Pearl. Safe to assume Saratoga is not in the area.
In China, Bill abandoned Loyang without a fight. It appears that the central Plains may NOT be a battlefield as the Chinese are moving out across the whole area. I'll continue to drive on Sian in the North and that city SW of Loyang (cannot think of its name right now).
Landed at Singakawang and should take the base tomorrow. Same can be said for Manado.
Alor Star fell to a 4-1 attack and Tavoy also fell.
Singapore got its first air attack attack today. I've swept it with Zeros and Oscars for a few days and down a decent number of Buffaloes. This day sees 18 Oscars escort 66 Bombers against no opposition. They drop at 12,000Ft and take no casualties as they hit the AF. Looks like he won't fight at all north of the base. GOOD!
In Luzon the Allies have fallen back into the normal location of Bataan, Clark, and Manila. We'll see how that goes in the next week or so...
Phase Two:
1. Forces depart Ambon to take Koepang. They are Covered by the CVLs.
2. Forces leave Canton and head for Christmas Isle and Palmyra.
3. The 33rd Inf Div will land at Merak in about 4 days. 4th ID is now almost two hexes SW of Palembang and now has Zeros flying LR CAP. It was attacked by 36 unescorted Dutch bombers today so I'll try to bag some easy kills for my Zeros.
Those are the major events for the day.
Will Post a comprehensive SS Report later tonight.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Thanks SuluSea! Am quite hopeful for something less stressful that pays better. Made some connections while at the hotel so we'll see if they pay off.
December 19-20, 1941
Right now it appears I am getting free passes in the Philippines, China, and Malaya. My opponent is withdrawing faster then I can advance. Makes things easier without a lot to fear for the moment. I've always been so much more inclined to FIGHT as the Allies for every inch of soil. Sure you'll get crushed but any losses inflicted on the Japanese CANNOT be made up whereas the Allies easily can. Probably just a difference of perspective...
Philippines
The Allies appear to be withdrawing to Clark and Bataan. It even appears that I may get Manila without a fight. I'll push to get Clark and then just let them sit and rot in Bataan. Have shifted the air campaign over to mostly Army aircraft. The Zeros, Bettys, and Nells are splitting with a good number moving south and aircraft starting to move towards the Central Pacific to aide in the offensive there.
Eastern DEI
Landings at Manado get ashore without issue but troops are not enough. Will have to bring another small Infantry unit to take the base.
My Koepang Invasion Force will land tomorrow.
Central DEI
I moved one of the Mixed Brigades from Hanoi down to Cam Rahn Bay and they are now departing for Tarakan and Balikpapan. Am keeping decent Cover Forces present just in case...
Western DEI
Singkawang falls on the 19th. Order the two Infantry units and Tank Regiment to move NE and SW to grab nearby bases.
As hoped my Zeros on LR CAP intercept 37 Dutch Bombers and manage to shot down over 20 of them! Nice. This is my first indication of Bill's possible tendencies. He should have known I would move Zeros there ASAP and shifted those bombers to a different target. Since he didn't it makes the Merak Invasion much more simple.
The Merak Invasion Force is not spotted and will land tomorrow. My air search spotted a small ML in the hex so I know I'll be dealing with mines. We'll see if they can handle it.
4th ID is now over 50% of the way to Oosthaven. Once there they will be picked up and shuttled to join the 33rd ID to take out Java. The 2+ ID should be enough to take all but the stoutest Java defense.
Two Tank Regiments and a Naval Guard are moving out of Palembang to take all bases nearby. I forgot to mention that damage here was pretty slight. Had about 100 Refineries and 50 Oil damaged. I can live with that. They are already being repaired with enough supply to get it healthy pretty quick. Having learned economic lessons the hard way, I'll begin hauling fuel/oil out of here to the Home Islands ASAP.
Malaya
Mersing Landing will occur tomorrow and all troops are moving to the western side of the peninsula. Similar to the Philippines, Army units begin taking over the air side of this region.
Central Pacific
Wake is BLASTED by BBs Ise and Mutsu on the 19th and the base falls on the 20th.
Two SNLF are pretty chewed up so they will move to Truk for R&R while the remaining pair wait to be reinforced by two Naval Guard units for the Midway Landing. Figure four units landing with a combined strength of about 240 Assault should bring that island into the Co-Prosperity Sphere.
This invasion will be escorted by the two BBs also.
Christmas Isle Invasion Force will land there in two days. Once I take Christmas the same force will then take Palmyra. Two Base Forces, 4 Construction Btn, and an Air Flotilla will give the Christmas some teeth and begin base expansion.
Aleutians
My two CVE are a day out from Paramushiro Jima. They sank an AO on the 19th and will provide Cover for the landings at Attu, Adak, and Dutch Harbor.
CV Activities:
KB-1 (CarDiv2 and 5) My Strike Force splits into CarDiv and sink 5 Tankers over the two days as they edge closer to Hawaii from the south and southeast. They shall combine and refuel from the AOs tomorrow and then interdict the sea lanes between the WC and Pearl.
KB-2 (CarDiv1 + Ryujo) move south of Java and also continue to pick-up sinkings. They sink a big AP, two more AP, and 3 AKL. More to come there as they move westward. A pair of smaller AOs will refuel them tomorrow or the day after.
CVLs are Covering the Koepang Landing and then will resupply at Babeldoap.
SS
My dratted SS continue to get attacks on DDs and other ASW ships and keep getting DUDS. Driving me nuts. Stanislav--Did you change out the Japanese Torps for American???? [:D][X(][:D]
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Very nice to get Palembang so soon (and so little damage) as we've witnessed it can get ugly quickly if one of the Emperor's boys are dozing off at the helm [;)] and the allied player capitalizes.
"There’s no such thing as a bitter person who keeps the bitterness to himself.” ~ Erwin Lutzer
Darned right about that! Dan's AAR has made me positively terrified of the idea.
I'm moving differently this game. All my moves (Palembang, Ambon, Koepang, Canton, Christmas) are being made under cover of CVs. The moves are riskier then the 'standard' set and I am feeling pretty good at the moment. Bill's counters have been swept aside for the moment. We'll see what the reaction is as it becomes more plain as to what my true objective is...
The goal is to make a 25,000+ man landing on Hawaii no later then January 15, 1942.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Michael is sooooooooo right. I truly hate the 'game within the game' of economics. THIS time I already have ships formed into TF moving resources from Sakhalin, Pt Arthur and Fusan, as well as just formed up TF leaving Eniwetok for Ocean and Nauru. The TK are all together as well and ready to start hauling from the oil centers once the coast is a little clearer. I've started my fighter research (Tojo II and George), am expanding engines, and have done slight expansions to HI, vehicles, and Shipyards (Naval and Merchant). NOT getting carried away here. Will let everything build for a month and then take another serious look.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
About the last thing a person might expect is a carrier clash on Christmas Day 1941 but that is exactly what happened in our game. Didn't think anything would happen since my search planes were spotted on the 24th but nothing flew due to poor weather.
Battle Log
The search planes depart the Fleet at 0430. CS Chiyoda launches her full complement of 24 Jakes while the four CVs add another 20 Vals.
24 Zero launch for CAP at 0515
0548 Chiyoda Scout 7 Contact Report: "Enemy Bearing 350* Range 125 Miles Speed 24 Knots. 1 Yorktown-Class CV, 3 CA, 8 DD Course 235*."
0615 An SBD is spotted over the Kido Butai
0633 Scout 7: "Enemy Launching Planes"
0655 A Hiryu Val gets off another Contact Report: "Enemy Bearing 240* Range 200 Miles Speed 14 Knots. 2 Large AP and 1 Escort Course 220*."
0658-0710 CarDiv2 and Cardiv5 turn into the wind and launch a combined strike of 50 Zero, 54 Val, 63 Kate. Leading them is Cmr. Fuchida.
0812-0837 Japanese Attack: Fuchida orders over 50% of the strike to attack the CV that appears to be the Enterprise. The Sea Eagles begin dueling with a CAP of 16 F4F. They appear to two differing squadons made up of Marine and Enterprise fighters. No Wildcats get through to attack the bombers.
The Enterprise avoids the first 20+ Vals and Kates when her luck begins to run out. Quickly 1, 2, and then a 3rd Bomb strikes her flightdeck causing at least one secondary explosion. As her AA fire weakens a pair of TTs smash into her port side in the engine spaces. The Carrier slows to a crawl.
Fuchida trains his glasses throughout the TF and he watches at least 3 bombs hit two CAs (Salt Lake City and Northampton), while a 3rd CA is destroyed by at least 6 bombs and a Torpedo. At least two DDs are burning from bomb hits as well.
As he brings the panes back into formation the tally of losses equals only 1 Zero, 1 Val, and 3 Kates. Not bad!
0803-0825 The American Attack actually arrives prior to the Japanese Assault. For the Japanese this is a rough moment a small strike is being spotted at this time. The Strike of 11 F4F, 25 SBD, and 15 TBD is met 20 miles from the Kido Butai by almost three dozen Zeros. The Wildcats heroically sacrifice themselves and manage to shot down 3 Zeros and--more or less--keep the Japanese from tearing into the American formation. The Zero do manage to shot down 9 F4F, 5 SBD, and 3 TBD before they attack.
It is a panic moment for the inexperienced Americans. many choose to attack the fast Battlecruisers Kirishima and Hiei as the remainder bore in on the leading CVs (Shokaku and Hiryu). Though mangled they do quite well!
Kirishima is struck by 3 1,000lb bombs causing some damage to her topworks. Hiei is struck by 2 1,000lb bombs and 1 Torpedo: damage isn't bad but it is there.
With the BCs fighting off their attackers the leading Japanese CVs, with plane guard destroyers, put up all their limited firepower. Hiryu is struck by a Torpedo but luckily it is a DUD! Shokaku staggers under 5 near misses and then is hit by a 1,000lb Bomb causing a small Ammo Locker to explode and demolish the starboard aft heavy AA platform. Luckily fires are smothered pretty quickly.
0835-0842 Kaga and Hiryu launch a small combined strike of 6 Zero, 12 Val, and 18 Kate at the APs to the SW.
0904-0923 Japanese recover their 1st Strike and immediately begin rearming them. Few, if any, Torps remain on the carriers so the Kates are armed with bombs.
1007-1022 The small American TF carrying what appears to be an RCT is smashed as the seasoned Japanese Sea Eagles attack. A PC is smothered under 3 bombs and sinks. The large APs (identified as President Polk and Wharton) are crushed. The Polk takes 3B and 3 Torps and sinks. Wharton explodes with 4 Bombs and 1 Torp. Nearly 4,000 troops drown!
Basking through the morning victory, the Japanese are sadly disappointed as terrible weather closes in and further strikes are cancelled...
CRAP!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Well, the American strike was more accurate than Japanese this time, but I don't think that Enterprise is going anywhere except down with that sort of damage. You'll get her the next day. If Shokaku remains fit for combat, this is a very timely victory, that should greatly improve your chances of success at Hawaii.
This fight proves that CAP has certainly been changed. A battle of 1 vs. 4 odds should--and was--a bloodbath but the Americans did quite well. If that TT had detonated against Hiryu then life might have been highly exciting.
We got in the 12-26 turn and it appears that Bill is trying to retreat towards the West Coast. No strikes flew at all. CarDiv5 is now in pursuit while CarDiv2 moves to a range of 10-11 hexes from PH to hit anything that might be out there. This is a risk, however, I am willing to take it if I can bag any cripples. Also have 6 I-Boats working the area as well.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Even more satisfying than catching the Big E with another air strike! Very well done. I'm sure you're not, but don't overlook sinking the RCT either. Those boys were pulled out of the defenses of your main target - Hawaii!
I think you are totally correct. Knocking out Enterprise truly helps with command of the seas around Hawaii, however, the loss of that unit is quite serious to the American defense. Michael and I were talking and he thinks it might have been a fillout regiment to one of the Hawaii IDs. Regardless, this is one less unit I will have to contend with in Hawaii.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
[/center]
