Combat Report
December 12, 1941
This is a day that really belongs to the Allies but the end result is a substantial victory for Japan within the DEI. As the turn unfolded I was becoming slightly depressed but that turned to a mild elation as I saw the end. Ready? OK. Let us start:
North Pacific
Most of the TF for Attu, Adak, and Unmak have just departed.
The main TF that will take Dutch Harbor is about to start loading the 1st China SNLF Assault Brigade. With winter rules in effect I will not try to land at the defended base, however, I will deposit this unit at Adak where it can move the moment the weather penalty lifts.
I've gathered 15 of the older Japanese DDs to Cover all this. It is not much and they shall be reinforced by a pair of CAs to provide a little bit of teeth.
Central Pacific
The Wake Island Invasion occurs without an issue. One CA provides a bombardment while another parries the Marine CD from the actual Landing Force. The SNLF Brigade storms ashore and, as hoped, immediately overwhelms the defense. The Americans surrender and I am surprised to see the Wildcat Squadron still present. All of them are destroyed. NICE!
The 2 CAs and 1 CL depart to reload at Kwajalein while the troops immediately begin reloading into their transports for Midway.
CarDiv2 will dock at Kwajalein tomorrow and refuel/reprovision before moving south to deal with the Lexington.
South Pacific
Manus and Shortlands are invaded.
The Lunga Landing gets a nasty surprise while still about 5 hexes from its target. A force of 11 Buffalo and 9 SBD attack it from the USS Lexington. This landing group was only carrying a small Base Force in 5 AKL so I get very lucky to only lose a pair of ships in return for discovering the presence of the CV. Why only this many planes flew to attack I do not know but I shall not complain about that.
Recall the Luganville and Efate IF since they might get involved with Lexington if she retreats towards Pago Pago--Suva.
The Shortlands TF is redirected by way points into the Coral Sea.
The Imperial Guards Brigade plus support units (9,000 men) are only a day from Rabaul and the TF has been spotted. Lexington is within attack range of Rabaul if she moves towards the base. Crap! Fine. Order the TF back above Manus and out of range.
If Lex moves off then I will redirect and make the Landing at Rabaul.
Lae Invasion Force is two days out and allowed to close their target.
BBs Nagato and Mutsu arrive at Rabaul. Rabaul--thanks to the comments from our good player earlier--is overstacked by about 12,000 men. I have to load them up and get them out. If I do any changes to RA after this release this is a place where I MUST take care of a problem.
PLAN: Perhaps I can keep Lew interested by keeping some shipping in the Coral Sea while I get CarDiv2 into the area. Since Lex has those Buffalo for fighters, I will bump my CV CAP up to 70% to crush anything coming in from a Strike and attempt to sink this CV with the battle tested veterans of Hiryu/Soryu Air Groups (68 and 63 planes). Would prefer not to meet at 2-1 but want the chance to score a major early war victory.
Eastern DEI
At Ambon, a surface fight occurs between CA Myoko, 2 CL, and 3 DD vs. CLs Marblehead and Tromp and 4 DDs. The battle is inconclusive with 1 Jap DD taking moderate damage while Marblehead and 2 DDs receive the same. Myoko still delivers a bombardment to help the attack upon Ambon which then succeeds at the end of the day. During the day the Ambon AF is loaded with planes and Hudsons, 139WH-3, and a few PBY harass Japanese forces but cause no damage. The Base resoundingly FALLS to the Japanese attack and nearly 2 dozen Allied aircraft are destroyed! YES!
The CVLs move west to rendezvous with CarDIv1.
Reload the Boela Force to land at Dili, Timor. Other landing forces are shooting the breach to head for Lautem and Koepang.
Central DEI
CarDiv1 ends up a little south of Makassar and delightfully PLASTERS CA Houston with a strike of 19 Zero and 21 Val. The Dutch Fighters flying Cover are swept aside as 6 bombs sink the cruiser making our total TWO US CA sank in the opening days. BANZAI! CarDiv 1 now moves slightly SW to conduct anti-shipping strikes, join the CVLs, and do a Port Strike against Soerabaja tomorrow. CAP is lowered on all 5 carriers so the strike has enough Escort to punch through the Dutch fighters that are certain to be flying CAP over that base. Perhaps we'll see that Squadron of British Hurricanes?
Western DEI
Damned Allied aircraft cause some trouble as a pair of AK are sank (one by A-24 and the other by Vildebreest). Another pair are hit during the day as well. Lastly two damaged by A-24 yesterday also go down. Allied STF did sweep into Singkawang but found nothing for their efforts. All the TF retire towards Miri during the day.
Everything rests with the Battalion of Infantry offloaded yesterday. I ordered a Shock Attack HOPING they would be enough. If not then the timetable is badly damaged as I have to wait 2-3 days for the CVs to arrive. The Japanese Infantry prove UP TO THE TASK as they take the base in a brilliant 3-1 assault! (Thank Goodness) This is one of the things that truly drives me nuts with Allied players. The Japanese Opening is really not so much a case of mass but a combination of dash and audacity. A single defeat can unhinge things significantly. Here the case is perfect. IF I could not take Singkawang then Palembang would get 3-4 more days to set-up a stiffer defense. At least one of those STF should have bombarded my troops to disrupt them. Some of the aircraft could have done the same. A repulse (no pun intended) would have been pretty serious.
DOESN'T HAPPEN Baby! Add to the victory another massed destruction of planes on the Allied AF. several Fighters, 5-6 139WH-3,and--HUGELY IMPORTANT--a full Squadron of those dratted A-24! Yaaaaaa....just what the Japanese Witch Doctor ordered! Move 18 Zero and 30 Oscar there to provide CAP, add a small Chutai of Nells, and order all the TF back to the base to finish unloading and prepare for Palembang. The 4th Inf begins its run to the target...
Malaya
Nearly all of the 2nd Wave TF have unloaded their cargo at Singora. Imperial Guards arrives by train adn begins to redeploy and move west. Two Independent Regiments move into the next hex between Singora and Alor Star while the rest of the column will begin moving tomorrow. Will have to watch out for hex stacking limits!
Two large TF--destined to land at Mersing--are about 4-5 days away from their target.
I've chosen this strategy of a late Mersing Landing in the hopes of making Lew think I am simply coming down from the north in a one dimensional assault. We'll see if this works at all.
Order the 1st Raider Force (Victoria Point) to land at Medan so I can grab the AF there.
Philippines
At Vigan a Philippino Inf Div is routed out of the hex and the 48th ID is given orders to move south. My reinforcements for driving the Allies back into Bataan will be landing over the next couple of days.
From Naga I have 3 Recon units begin checking the Central Philippines looking for any 'hidden' surprises.
China
No developments.
SS Action
Have 3 different attacks on shipping near Batavia fail. Grrr...
I-166 does score a nice victory as she sinks Dutch DD Van Nes as she is returning from the Singkawang sweep.
Summary
The turn was rough to watch because I did not know what the Infantry Attacks would yield. Taking Wake, Singkawang, and Ambon all with planes at the bases is HUGE! I started a Japanese victory dance while watching from the terminal. (You probably don't want to visualize that! [:D] ). Tracker states that the following Allied aircraft were destroyed in the turn: 12 139WH-3, 26 A-24 (BANZAI!), 7 B-339D, 13 F4F-3, 7 Hudson, 6 PBY, and 5 Buffalo----71+ planes. THAT puts a serious dent into Allied capabilities at this early stage.
Perhaps my Soerabaja Raid tomorrow can truly further the cause by crippling the Dutch Air Force? We'll see about that...
How is that for a pretty wild and hairy turn that breaks BIG for the Japanese at the end??!!
