Racing the Sunrise: RA 4.0--Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Weekends are pretty spotty for me to get anything done. Work and the family come first on Sat--Sun. Am running Lew and I's current turn and will make a full Posting!

[seille]

Sorry for beeing that impatient [:'(]

[ny59giants]

Juergen,

For John just bring out the to get his attention.

[John 3rd]

Sorry for not Posting yesterday and this morning. Things are pretty crazy--in a GOOD way--at the Cochran House right now.

Don't have time until this evening to do what will undoubtably be a very long and detailed Post. How about I simply be EVIL and tantalize you with a screenshot taken from the just played Dec 23, 1941 turn?







The words "AMMO storage EXPLOSION" followed. Is that a GOOD thing???

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 18-20, 1941

Just got the December 24th turn done and plan to update the AAR with several entries. As can now be expected with Lew, things have been wild and hairy!

North Pacific
No action.

Central Pacific
The Midway Invasion Force moves slowly towards its target with the KB operating about 8 hexes SW of the Invasion Force. The TF is spotted approaching Midway on the 20th. Oder the KB to slice in from SE of Midway and attack shipping. We'll see if the fleet can bag any major American units.

South Pacific
Continue running Fast TF to Madang to develop that AF.

Form a Fast TF to grab Lunga.

Have got a bunch of shipping and units at Truk that is over-stacking the base. Load a bunch of them and wait for the KB to move down into this area.

Philippines
Luzon: Troops are three Inf Div are moving down the west coast and another is moving through central Luzon. The 33rd, 2nd, and 65th Brig are coming up from the south. Lingayen falls on the 20th.

Mindanao: The prongs of the Japanese assault capture Davao on the 20th with units moving into the western edge of the island as well as driving on Cagayan.

Western DEI
Moving troops and equipment to Ternate with the Kendari, Manado, and Ambon Invasion Forces embarking troops.

Have 6 CA working here and they bombard Kendari and Ambon several times.

Central DEI
The Tarakan and Balikpapan Invasion Forces are at sea and moving towards their destination. Don't have a lot of surface assets so they are somewhat thinly covered. Makes me a little nervous but it 'appears' Lew has abandoned the Central DEI for the moment.

Eastern DEI
As mentioned above, damaged Shoho and Zuiho make port at Singkawang on the 18th. THANK GOODNESS! When they disband I immediately unload their 60 warplanes so they can be put to good use. Nearly 75 fighters fly CAP over the base with 25 flying at night just in case Lew tries to get creative. Thanks for that suggestion Michael! There is an AR and Southern Fleet present. Things work amazingly well! Here are their stats over the three day period:

Shoho: 25 Sys-59 Flot-5 Engine and by the 20th it is 24-48-5
Zuiho: 25 Sys-50 Flot-42 Eng and by the 20th it is 23-38-39

Capture Pontianak on the 18th

Hiryu--Soryu--Ryujo get replacement aircraft and fly CAP during these days at Singkawang.

Sumatra
Things move quickly here. Palembang fell on the 17th, Praboemoelih falls on the 18th, Lahat falls on the 19th, and troops are approaching Oosthaven. Taking those armored Regiments with the Palembang Invasion Force is EXCELLENT. I recommend doing it to anyone who cares. They move fast and easily overpower anyone in their way.

Start loading the 4th ID for Merak on the 20th.

Malaya--Burma
Troops moving out from Alor Star and Kota Bharu. Have fighters and bombers hitting Singapore's AF. Lew has abandoned this base. Load troops for a hook down to Kuantan.

Tavoy falls on 20th.

China
I begin an encirclement move around the Central Plains Chinese cities. Lew does not appear to moving troops up here...

Attack Changsha and drops the Forts by 1. No additional Chinese troops here---YET.

Summary:
1. Getting those CVL into Port is a massive PLUS! Will keep them there for a few days and then gradually move them away from the combat zone. Will probably end up at Hong Kong for repairs.

2. Normal sinking of ships continues to occur over these days but nothing major is bagged.

3. Am working to get the economy settled for the first phase of expansion. Michael is helping there some and I expect him to jump in and add comments whenever he feels like it.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 21-22, 1941

The Midway Operations gets rolling and landing occur throughout the board!

North Pacific
Peaceful

Central Pacific
The KB swings in on the 21st just west of Laysen Isle and destroys a small convoy of 2 DD and 2 AK. Were they moving West bringing in troops or going East AFTER having dropped off troops. Lew now knows where the rest of my CVs are. Might be a bad thing...

The 22nd sees KB sink another DD and 2 AKL at Midway. The Kates fly an AF Strike during the afternoon. Recon picks up a 3rd unit on the Atoll. Probably not good but order the landing to continue on. Detach my 2 Fast BC to bombard Midway on the 23rd.

South Pacific
Capture Hansa Bay on New Guinea.

Lunga falls on the 21st.

Philippines
Luzon: Lucena is taken by the 65th Brigade on the 22nd.

Mindanao: My Zeros have been Sweeping Cagayan and shooting down P-40s. Nice to see. I have a Regiment attack Cagayan on the 22nd and get a 1-4 result. Will have to wait until the Tanks arrive for another crack there.

Kates from Cotabato sink USS Edsall in Port at Cagayan.

Western DEI
CRAP! USS Lexington and TF appear SW of Ambon. Brassy move by Lew. Two Strikes are flown by severl useless Buffalo and a single squadron of SBD. I lose 4 AK with another 3 damaged. There are Zeros on LR CAP and they clip Lex's air group for 3 Buffalo and 2 SBD.

The Kendari IF is too close to Kendari to pull back and NOT get hit by Lex so I order the Invasion anyway and HOPE the lightly loaded ships can drop off their troops and then move away. Order all other shipping away. This means the Ambon IF and follow-on Kendari FT need to run AWAY. Let the Manado TF continue with its planned landing.

Bring down a 2nd Daitai of Zero to Ternate. Perhaps I can clip some more of Lex's planes to make getting her far easier.

Central DEI
Landings to begin within days at Tarakan and Balikpapan.

Western DEI
No attacks at Singkawang. CVL Status:

Shoho Sys 24-Flot 48-Eng 5 and by the 22nd it is 22-48-1
Zuiho 23-38-39 and by the 22nd it is 22-38-34

Merak Invasion Force departs on the 22nd.

Ketapang is taken on the 22nd.

Form-Up CarDiv2 and Ryujo to go after Lex. Order a FULL Speed move to get past Java and intercept the lone American flattop.

Sumatra
The Tanks keep on rolling! Take hex 46,91 and Djambi on the 21st, hex 47,88 on the 22nd. Oosthaven will be attacked tomorrow.

Java
Bombers hit CLs Tromp and Java at Soerabaja on the 21st.

My pair of CVEs have been operating south of Java and have managed to sink several ships. Don't know why Lew didn't go after this tempting plum with Lexington FIRST! The Dutch fly a strike at the TF on the 22nd. I have 22 Zero flying CAP and they face off against 9 B-339 and 5 PBY. SHOULD be easy pickings. It isn't. Three Dutch fighters fall but my Zeros don't even get the PBY. Taiyo is hit by a Torp but--THANKFULLY--it is a dud. Hosho is not so lucky. She takes a Torp that WORKS! Damage isn't bad at Sys 15, Flot 37, and Eng 1.

Can't retreat towards Lexington. Hmmm.... Order them to head towards Oosthaven where, hopefully, they can slip into Port while Merak is getting invaded.

DOES CAP WORK AT ALL?!! I've had three incidents where lots of Zeros should have made mincemeat of raids coming in but haven't. Two times in three my Fighters didn't even get to the bombers. Strange and a little frightening.

Malaya--Burma
Troops moving and will land at Kuantan tomorrow.

China
There are two major operations happening around the Central Plains cites and Changsha. Positive results occur in both areas these two days.

I move a bunch of Base Force units to Jehol in Manchuria and then add 4 Sentai of bombers. They make their presence known by hitting Chinese troops in the north. Nice, easy practical experience being gained instead of just simply training.

Summary:
1. CAP!

2. Lexington moving into the area off Ambon is GREAT! I will certainly lose some ships but there is an opportunity here if I can reach her...

3. A third DAMAGED carrier. I can only hope that she can make it to Oosthaven.

[FatR]

Interesting developments...

Also, John, please change the link in your signature, to the link leading to the new RA site. The current one points to the old 3.X version.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 23-24, 1941

A tale of frustration and excitement follows for this two day report.

North Pacific
The three convoys I sent to Etorofu, the island in the central Kuriles, and Paramushiro Jima have all returned. Tomorrow I will begin loading the Attu, Adak, and Umnak Invasion Forces.

Central Pacific
Midway Lew tries to sneak in a DD TF to harrass my Landing here and pays for it when two more DDs are sunk by the KB. So far this operation has netted 6 DD, 3 AK, and 2 AKL. I have two BCs bombard Midway and sink DD Jarvis on the 23rd doing some damage and then they merge with the Invasion Force and provide gunfire support on the 24th with the landing. As feared, he was able to rush in an Engineering unit that raised the AV on the island above 80. My SNLF and Naval Guard unit won't be able to take the atoll. CRAP. OK. With a 1-19 result on the landing I elect to be prudent and lift the troops off and pull back to Truk. Maybe I'll come back and maybe I won't. Midway is nice as a sub base and early tripwire but not much else. Will have to think about this some.

KB departs for Truk and then the Coral Sea.

South Pacific
I have two TF moving on Madang and Lunga. So far there has been no interference. If Enterprise is down here then there could be issues, however, the LOGICAL thing is for Lew to link-up Lex and Ent together so we'll see. I form-up two Bombardment TF with BBs to hit Rabaul and see what is there.

Philippines
Luzon: Troops move into Clark and Iba hexes.

Mindanao: Take Oroquinta on the 23rd.

Western DEI
Against ANY form of SANITY, Lew moves the Lex TF into the area near Ternate! Holy CRAP! OK. The bloodbath that follows during the day is sad, however, the Captain of CL gets promoted when he leads his flagship and 3 DD against the Lexington's TF. He rapidly closes the range and launches a full spread of Torps. Lexington is hit by a Long Lance and then there is a fuel storage explosion. BANZAI! Solid work. The warships then manage to flee the scene of the crime without being hit. Pretty cool.

Lex is still able to fly strikes during the day and manages to sink 6 AKL, 4 AK, and 1 PB. Luckily none are carrying troops. In return for this my Zeros (flying LR CAP) shoot down 2 Buffalo and 19 SBD! NICE! Lex gets hit by a Torp and loses half of her dive-bombers. On the 24th she flees southward as I hope to get in a lick or two prior to losing her by air search.

Lose old CLs Tatsuta and Tenryu to some of Lexington's Screen that Lew detached.

During this chaos, Kendari falls on the 24th. I immediately send 3 Daitai of Betty and 1 Daitai of Zeros to try and slow down the wounded CV.

Attack at Manado and lower Forts from 2 to Zero on the 24th. Will fall next turn.

SS are sent to the corner of Australia heading for Perth (escape route) and SS ML are loaded up to mine both sides of Horn Island to effectively seal that possible route of egress.

Central DEI
Land at Tarakan and the base above Balikpapan on the 24th. No aerial interference YET.

Eastern DEI
Ketapang falls and the Inf Reg there loads to join-up with the TF bound for Merak.

The two damaged CVLs are sitting in Singkawang waiting for a chance to buy out to Miri.

CRAP! CarDiv2 and Ryujo are heading to get the Lexington when Dutch SS KXII raises her scope and plants a Torp into Soryu. This is then followed by ANOTHER one! I begin to pull out what little of my hair that I have left. My CVs cannot fly CAP and don't know how to deal with SS! Look at the damage and see it is Sys 29, Flot 59, Eng 2, and Fires 22. Hmmmm...shift to cruise speed and make for Pontianak. Safely arrive on the 24th where I fly in the Southern Fleet HQ and move the AR down to. She is OK for the moment but I am down yet another CV. CRAZY. Offload her planes on the 24th. They will get good use in a day or two.

The Hiryu and Ryujo continue east and are attacked on the 24th by 23 Dutch Fighters and 3 Vildebreest. A CAP of 40 Zero greet them and shot down 18 Fighters and 1 Vild while the remaining two (OF COURSE) get through. No damage done but my CAP is so useless I don't know what to think right now. The CV and CVL will cut through the Malay Barrier tomorrow looking to cutoff Lex's Retreat toward Perth.


Sumatra
Take Oosthaven on the 24th and use three Topsy units to begin flying in Base Force. Load an Air Flotilla at Palembang by RR to get there quickly. In come 1 Sentai of Oscars and two Zero units to provide cover for the Merak Landing.

CVE TF of Taiyo and Hosho are making for Oosthaven and sinking several ships as they do so.

Malaya
Land at Kuantan and will take it on the 25th. Am just outside of Temuloh in central Malaya.

China
Take Tsiaotso on the Central Plains on the 24th. The cities directly below are nearly encircled at this point...

Current Damaged Carriers:
Shoho Sys 23, Flot 51, Eng 1
Zuiho Sys 22, Flot 38, Eng 33
Soryu Sys 32, Flot 59, Eng 3--FIRES are out on the 24th.
Hosho Sys 15, Flot 32, Eng 0

Have decided that drinking heavily prior to and during turn is an OK thing to do...

[BigBadWolf]

That's a lot of banged up flattops, John. Better get them to port soonish.

[John 3rd]

Boy you have THAT right! Just played out the Dec 25th turn and everyone is doing fine at the moment. Everyone is in Port with the exception of Hosho. They're just beat to all HELL. Never seen anything like it before: NUTS!

FatR: Could you email me the correct link and I will copy it into my Footer.

[FatR]

You can just copy the link from my own signature.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: FatR

You can just copy the link from my own signature.

Done!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 25, 1941

The Christmas Holiday finds no major present under the Japanese tree. Operations are calming down somewhat after the excitement of the last few days.

North Pacific
The Adak, Attu, and Umnak Invasion Forces begin loading.

Central Pacific
The Midway IF successfully loads the remaining troops from the failed invasion and are not harassed as they begin their return to Truk.

KB is well on the way for Truk.

South Pacific
The Lunga Construction TF (covered by 5 DD) runs into CA Canberra and CLs Achilles/Perth. The action is fairly inconclusive as a PB and AK are sunk in return for significant damage to Perth. Pull the TF back and wait for the KB to deal with these pests!

Pay a visit to Rabaul with BBs Hyuga/Ise, 2 CA, 1 CL, and 5 DD/ Good results from the bombardment and no aerial reaction whatsoever.

Capture the base at the southern end of New Ireland

Philippines
Luzon: Bombard at Clark and have 889 AV to 753. Have 5 more Artillery units due to arrive tomorrow and will launch an assault at that point.

Land at Tablas as I begin to take the Central Philippine Islands.

Eastern DEI
Lose two more damaged AKs at Ternate.

A strike flies out of Kendari and misses a Birtish CL near Ambon.

No sign of Lexington and her TF. My remaining CVs are starting a search.

Manada falls to a 5-1 attack.

Central DEI
Tarakan is attacked by the 4th Mixed Regiment and drops the Forts to ZERO.

Landing at Balikpapan without too much aerial opposition. Have BB providing Cover if needed here.

CVs Hiryu and Ryujo piece the barrier due south of Makassar and are now in full search mode for shipping and Lexington.

Western DEI
The Merak Invasion Force is spotted just two hexes from target. Two strikes are flown at it and the CAP is adequate to prevent the planes from getting through. Landing will take place tomorrow. There are four units at the target and they will be bombed tomorrow. The Landing Force consists of the 4th Inf Div and a Regiment. SHOULD be enough to blast the enemy out of the hex and gain a lodgement on the Island.

Malaya
Kuantan falls without issue to the 5th ID. AF in good shape. Will move in two Base Forces to staff it tomorrow.

China
Changsha Launch a Direct Attack that scores a 1-3 result, however, drops the Forts to 1. Progress...

Lew had better do something about the Central China Plain's cities. I will have them completely encircled within 2-3 days.

Wounded Carrier Watch:
Shoho starts the day at 23--51--1 and ends it at 23--48--1
Zuiho stays the same at 22--38--33
Soryu goes from 32--59--3 to 32--44--3: NICE!
Hosho goes from 15--32--0 to 15--30--0


Need to find the Lexington. She took a Long Lance and had a fuel storage explosion NW of Ambon. If you were in charge, where would you send her? I have several SS heading for the NW Corner of Aussieland to cover Perth. Hiryu and friends is headed to the same location. What do you think? Darwin? Koepang? East towards Horn Island? Thoughts would be highly appreciated here...

[BigBadWolf]

When are you planning an assault on Rabaul and PM?

[seille]

Ok, when do we get a update ? Weekend is over. [;)]

[John 3rd]

Thanks Seille. This case is that the boys had a FOUR day weekend (Fri-Mon). Lordy--I do wish for those days of High School teaching when you got three day and four day weekends interspersed with a week off here and two weeks off there along with 3 MONTHS in the summer. Probably a reason I didn't believe in the Teacher's Union! Am also baby-sitting my Father-in-Law who had a knee and hip replacement last week. Not too easy when you're 72.

Will do a comprehensive catch-up tomorrow morning when I have NOTHING planned!

Appreciate the desire to keep-up the Postings from the readers. LOTS of insane action between me and my opponent!

[John 3rd]

Getting ready to do a comprehensive update and just wanted to Post this picture from the last turn:




Scratch CA Canberra and CL Achilles!

[John 3rd]

Since I have to catch-up from December 26-January 2, 1942, I think I will do a region by region update with current screenshots.

[John 3rd]

The Operations grabbing the Aleutians are fully underway with landings occurring at Attu, Kiska, Adak, and Amchitka. Troops landed will get plenty of supply and begin base expansion. Once the cold weather moderates we'll then go after Umnak and Dutch Harbor in the Spring. This Region is a side show and diversion for the most part.

Troops are building up the Kuriles to make that a true defensive line if the Allies try anything in the north.

Current Forces tapped here are: 13 older DD, an SNLF Assault Brigade, and the Kawafuto Brigade on Sakhalin. Small construction and Base Force units round out the commitment up north.

Lew has the great benefit of KNOWING the initial moves and so he places BB Warspite and 3 DDs in the area. There is a short engagement on the 1st between these ships and an AMC. The AMC hits two DDs twice each before sinking. My DD units are divided into 6 and 7 DDs respectively and so I hope they get a shot at Warspite if given the opportunity...

[John 3rd]

My expansion in the Central Pacific (with the defeat at Midway) is complete for the moment. I've grabbed Ocean, Nauru, Tabit, and Tarawa. Small Construction units are expanding the AF and building Forts.

I've got about 24 small AKL moving to Truk to begin lifting off the resources at Nauru and Ocean. These ships will convoy their cargo to Eniwetok for regular transport back to the Home Islands. I use Eniwetok because it is not a sub magnet like Truk can be...

Had an AMC run into a large convoy NE of Christmas Isle on the 31st. It was/is a juicy target protected by 3 DD. Several I-Boats are vectored in as well as two more AMC. The DDs held off my 1st AMC damaging her in exchange for DD Rathburne getting smacked by 6 shells. Probably more action to come here...