Racing the Sunrise: RA 4.0--Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Carrier Clash
Cocos Island
March 4-5, 1942

Rr-Adm Yamaguchi Tamon is thrilled to be back out to sea after spending nearly a month in Batavia. His mission to interdict shipping while the defenses of Cocos Island are 'felt out' by a landing there is right to his liking. The enemy has shown a strong desire to keep shipping in the area and his fliers are rested and ready. The only true concern this Admiral has is that his Hiryu and the undersized Ryujo are all he has to strike with. Considering the knowledge that Enterprise has been in this area and the very real probability that the British have reinforced the Indian Fleet makes this assignment rather potentially hazardous. To counter this, the Admiral orders an early morning search by every floatplane in the Task Force as well as 3 Val and 3 Kate.

It is a beautiful day. The planes are launched without issue and so the daily game begins.

After only about 50 minutes of flight a Val on air search makes contact with an enemy TF and he reports what appears to be a combined British-American TF due west of the Yamaguchi's CVs. A few minutes later the report is amplified to state that there is an American carrier, British CV, and a smaller CV escorted by 12 cruisers and DDs.

This is a sobering report. Yamaguchi--ever aggressive--orders the on-deck strike launched as fast as possible. He MUST get in the FIRST Strike!

0655 Amplified Contact Report received

0705-0715 Combined Strike launched consisting of 18 Zero, 22 Val, 22 Kate.

0740-0745 CAP raised to 33 Fighters. Hiryu's fly top cover at 20,000 Ft while Ryujo's are low at 10,000 Ft. The ring of 2 CA, 1 CL, and 6 DD prepare for the inevitable strike from the Allies.

0830-0840 The Japanese Strike spots the Allied Carriers and finds only American F4Fs flying CAP. Cmd. Tomonaga issues orders for 1 Chutai of Val to Atack the American CV, 1 Chutai to attack the smaller CV, and the remaining DB to hit the British armored deck CV. Kates are to concentrate on the two largest carriers. The Zero immediately engage the 16 F4F and with the exception of a single American fighter manage to protect the Strike from any harm. Two Zero, 1 Val, and 2 Kates are lost in the approach while 9 American fighters are shot down.

0841-0858 "All Planes Go In."
These pilots from the Hiryu are the BEST Dive-Bombing pilots in the world and they demonstrate that skill in this opening attack. Nine Vals attack CV-6 USS Enterprise and THREE of the first four drops score hits on the American carrier. The ship staggers under the pounding. Little Hermes watches as nine Vals hold their dives to the last moment and see there carrier CRUSHED under the weight of SEVEN bomb hits. Another hit is added to CA Salt Lake City by a stray pilot. 21 Vals attack and score 11 hits: EXCELLENT. The Kates don't fair quite so well. Enterprise dodges the 8 TTs launched at her, while CV Indomitable is saved from certain damage when CL Capetown interposes itself and takes a pair of TTs meant for the carrier she protects. Capetown explodes and sinks instantly.

Justly proud of his pilot's work, Tomonaga clearly sees Enterprise burning and Hermes in sinking condition. He reports it as so. Losses for the strike: 3 Val and 3 Kate with many damaged due to AA. Finishing the report he is told that HIS TF is under attack.

0904-0918
CL Agano's radar picks up the incoming strike and reports it in plenty of time for the Japanese CAP to be in position and ready to meet the attack.

The Combined Strike from the three Allied carriers is quite impressive in size and composition. 11 F4F protect 30 SBD, 15 TBD, and 12 Swordfish. They are met by over 30 agile Zeros. The dogfight is pretty one-sided. The Zeros make short work of the Wildcats and slash in among the bombers. Once reports are filtered through, it is believed that 6 F4F are shot down in dog-fighting while 5 SBD and 6 TB are added to the list.

This still leaves over two dozen SBDs and 20 TB to attack two Japanese CVs: NOT GOOD.

0918-0932
What happens at this point is somewhat difficult to describe. A total of 12 SBD attack Ryujo with 11 attacking Hiryu. Inexplicably the vast majority of the TB attack screening vessels. The Dauntless's pummel CV Ryujo with 3 1,000lb hits. Luckily two of the bombs burst with low-order explosions while the 3rd does serious damage. She is out of the fight but saveable. Across from her the Hiryu rings up flank speed and hits nearly 36 knots. The nimbleness of this CV confounds the American's aim and NO HITS are scored on her vulnerable flightdeck! One flight of TB do, however, attack her and hit her with a TT. Luckily--this is an American TT--so it does not explode! CA Atago also takes a stray 1,000lb bomb during the attack. Several more Allied aircraft are shot down during the assault.


End of morning with the resulting looking pretty favorable to the Japanese. Enterprise hard hit with 3 Bombs, Hermes in sinking condition, but Indomitable in fine fighting form. Japanese have Ryujo out-of-action but Hiryu still in the fight undamaged. What does the afternoon bring?

1012-1038
Japanese strike and CAP are recovered on Hiryu. Many planes from Ryujo join the Hiryu's landing circle keeping her fighting complement at above her rated full strength of 69 planes. The problem is that many of these planes are damaged.

1325-1348
Everything that can fly is put together into a combined strike of 8 Zero, 14 Val, and 21 Kate. Tomonaga leads this strike as well.

1503-1528
NO CAP greets the Japanese strike as it arrives over the Allied carriers! Good News to say the least. Of Enterprise there is no sign so he elects to send one group of Kates to finish Hermes and everything else against Indomitable. Once again the Val pilots demonstrate their skill as the British CV is hit by 6 Bombs. Some damage is done but not much. Hermes is finished by a pair of TT hits. The British make stout, fast CVs as Indomitable then avoids all 10 TT aimed at her. It is a somewhat disappointing strike but it still manages to inflict damage.


There is NO return strike from the Allies.

Summation/Plans:
After shuttling some aircraft to Batavia, Yamaguchi has 70 planes available for action. What should he do? His natural impulse is to charge into the enemy, however, he is down to only one deck. He elects to order the two BC, 2 CA, and escort ships at Cocos to charge into the midst of the Allied Fleet while he retires towards Australia for the evening. If the Allies retreat that direction he'll be in position to hit them. If they run for Ceylon the big surface ships will have a chance and then he can pursue the next day.

Ryujo is capable of 18 knots and is at 39 SYS, 30 Flot, 7 Eng but there are NO fires! She and 2 DD are set to cruise speed and dispatched Christmas Island (hopefully out of the way of any Allied warships. Solid chance of saving her.

March 4th-5th

The orders are issued about 1750 hours that night. At Cocos two STF are formed with a BC, CA, CL, and 2 DD. They are to steam directly towards the Allied Fleet and attack anything they can find. Before they can fully depart, a small reinforcement convoy is spotted approaching Cocos and BC Hiei's TF easily sinks 3 AK as they depart on their mission.

To say that they have an eventful night is an understatement.

BC Kirishima, CA Haguro, CL Kinu, and 2 DD exchange shots with CA Northampton, CL Dauntless, and 2 DDs in an inconclusive engagement. Beneficially this probably twarts the Allied hopes of encountering the Japanese CVs. Near dawn, the TF spots another Allied TF of CA Cornwall and CL Emerald. This time Hiei's guns thunder out for effect with Cornwall being hit by 4 14" shells and 3 8" shells. She is believed to have sunk.

BC Hiei, a CA, and 2 DD find BIG GAME! They fight three differing engagements against CV Indomitable, CA Salt Lake City, and a DD. In those fights, Indomitable is hit by a 14" Shell, 3 8 Shells, and several smaller 5" shells. Salt Lake City is hit by 1 14", 2 8", and 4 5" rounds. The DD is crippled. Have assume there is significant damage to the Brit CV.

As these TF are searching for shipping, 3 more CAs punish Cocos's AF and destroy several SBDs and Swordfish there. Does that mean Enterprise is hit harder then I imagined? Hmmm....

CV Ryujo makes 8 hexes and damage does not get worse. This is a good sign. Two days will have her home. MAYBE!

Yamaguchi gives orders to pursue and attack!

BANZAI BABY!

[John 3rd]

Took several screenshots during the battle. Am Posting them now. Her is the TF positions with Yamaguchi's movement for the end of Day One:

[John 3rd]

This is a DELIGHTFUL picture!

[John 3rd]

Plans for March 6th:

[John 3rd]

Anyone notice anything really ODD about that battle?

[John 3rd]

Losses:

ALLIES: CVL Hermes, CA Cornwall, CL Caledon SUNK!
Damaged: CV Enterprise, CV Indomitable, CA Salt Lake City, 2 CL and 3 DD

Japanese: Moderate Damaged to CV Ryujo and light damage to CA Atago.

I shall take that exchange without issue!

[SierraJuliet]

Well done. Is there some more glory here. Can Hiryu account for Enterprise?

[Dan Nichols]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Anyone notice anything really ODD about that battle?

Didn't look like Indomitable had any aircraft flying at all.

[John 3rd]

My point exactly! Where were the remaining TB and British Fighters? They may be crap but for CAP over the TF they would have truly helped out the Enterprise. Shouldn't that TF have had about 60 British planes (Indomitable and Hermes)? I saw exactly 12 of them during the fight.

We are still pursuing and how about THIS for confirming the sinking of a carrier?

[John 3rd]

Enterprise is spotted trying to get away from the Japanese pursuit. Hiryu is ordered to close in and attack. She has 30 Zero, 19 Val, 20 Kates available. No Torps left but bombs will do...

[Squamry]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

My point exactly! Where were the remaining TB and British Fighters? They may be crap but for CAP over the TF they would have truly helped out the Enterprise. Shouldn't that TF have had about 60 British planes (Indomitable and Hermes)? I saw exactly 12 of them during the fight.

The only 2 things tha that half makes sense:

1) Poor moral/fatigue for the Brit crews.
2) Brit carriers were being used to transport land based air groups, either picking up locally or to transfer to Cocos.

Any clues on plane losses when hermes and Indomitable sank in the combat reports?

[John 3rd]

I don't know what he was trying to do. The total absence of British fighter planes was the thing that I really noticed. That the other squadrons of TB didn't fly is somewhat understandable due to Ryujo's TB not flying either. MAN that would have made a difference if I'd had 18 more TB in that first strike. At least her fighters flew CAP and helped there.

This coming turn (3-8) will show if I can truly turn this into a major Japanese victory. There has been more action and sinkings but I will detail that in the next Post.

[seille]

Can´t await to see what the "M"-path brings [:)]

[John 3rd]

"M" Path?

Am talking with Michael on the phone right now and he's asked if there are any BF in Sumatra that Bombers could fly from. Short Answer: NO! However, I have enough TR to fly one in to Sabang on the northern tip. Even if they only carry bombs it is worth the idea. Will do that next turn.

There is risk in engaging Enterprise but my 30 Zeros are set at 70% CAP. His strike yesterday was only 11 SBD so 20+ Zero should effectively deal with that.

Don't know Indomitable's condition but she has taken 4 Val's Bombs and 3 8" Shell hits...

[MateDow]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

"M" Path?

If you look at the highlighted red route on your screenshot...

[John 3rd]

Don't have time for a detailed entry but want to do a day-by-day synopsis of the battle:

March 4th "Carrier Battle and Surface Action at Cocos"
Allies: Enterprise 3 Bombs, Indomitable 4 Bombs, Hermes 7 Bombs and 1 TT, CL Capetown SUNK, CA Salt Lake City 1 Bomb---around Cocos---CA Cornwall 2 8" Hits, CL Emerald 1 14" Hit, 2 DD 1 Hit each

Japan: CV Ryujo 3 Bombs and 1 DUD TT, CA Atago 1 Bomb

March 5th "Surface Actions"
Allies: CV Indomitable 2 8" Shells, CA Salt Lake City 2 8" Shells, CA Cornwall 4 14" Shells and 2 Others---Possibly SUNK, CL Dauntless 2 8" Shells, DD Damaged, 3 AK SUNK

March 6th "Hiryu back in it"
Allies: CA Northampton 8 Bombs and presumed SUNK

March 7th "Scratch ONE CVL!"
Allies: CVL Hermes SUNK, DD Tjerk Hiddes SUNK, CL Dauntless 4 Bombs, DD Craven 3 Bombs

Japan: BC Hiei 2 Bombs

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: MateDow

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

"M" Path?

If you look at the highlighted red route on your screenshot...

Ahhhhhhhh...now I understand...

It will be interesting to see what I encounter.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
March 4-11, 1942

The excitement of the Cocos Island Battle has been documented so this regional report with mainly focus on other areas as well as summarize the implications/results of the battle in the IO.

North Pacific
Everything here gears up towards the Umnak landing by the Kawafuto Brigade while CV Junyo-CVL Nisshin-BB Yamato lie in wait to the SE forming the trap. Feeding off of 2 AO, the CV TF reaches its jumping off point SSE of Dutch Harbor (12 hexes or so) and now readies for the American response to the landing. The landing force, escorted by 1 CL and 8 DD, is passing Adak and should be two days away from landing. NOTHING has been spotted as of yet.

Adak is about to move to AF-2 so I am lifting the Air Flotilla at Attu and moving it closer to the impending action.

So it doesn't look too suspicious, 4 DD sweep through Dutch Harbor on the 4th and sink 4 YP.

Central Pacific
My Jaliut Strike Force arrives at Pago Pago on the 7th where it wreaks havoc upon an Allied TF. A TK, 1 AP, and 5 AK are sunk with a DMS and PC being hit heavily. NICE! CL Abukuma and her 5 DDs make ways for Jaliut where they shall rest and strike again.

South Pacific
KB The KB swings all the way down towards the south end of New Zealand without spotting anything. Conversely it isn't spotted either. The TF turns NW and approaches Melbourne where it launches a massed strike at the Port on the 10th. Surprise is complete, however, the harbor is mostly empty. The Strike of 37 Z, 101 V, and 100 K only sink 2 AMc and 3 AK. On the bright side, I don't lose a plane. While the CVs hit the harbor, each ship with FP does photo recon of nearly 12 Aussie locations. This recon provides valuable intel for the upcoming landings!

Newcastle and Port Kembla have only ONE unit in them (same for Melbourne) while Sysney has 3 units in it. HOLY COW! We could be on the verge of something BIG.

The Rockhampton Invasion Force gathers itself in the central Coral Sea and is ready to sail to its target as of the 11th. Landing Force consists of 2 ID, 2 Inf Brig, 1 Air Flot, 3 BF, and 3 Con Bn. From the moment I say GO they are 4 days from target. Will wait 3 days for the KB to get within cover range and then we begin the great adventure.

I am taking a major risk in the north. At this moment 2 Inf Div, an Army HQ, and several smaller units are about to pass Horn Island and Port Moresby. There are no aircraft present--for the moment--so this should be OK. They are all headed for New Caledonia for the main landing at Sydney.

Philippines
The last major base in the Philippines falls on the 4th and the Philippines Campaign wraps up.

Java
Bandoeng falls on March 10th as the Java Campaign also concludes.

The 3 Inf Div present in that base immediately head for Soerabaja by RR where they will load and move out for Geraldton. Should have enough time to get them ashore.

Cocos Island Battle
The battle wraps up when I order CV Hiryu to stop her lone charge on the 10th. She detaches 2 CA and 2 DD from the Screen to get closer to Ceylon and perhaps bag something. CV's Enterprise and Indomitable get away to fight another day. At least I know they cannot help interfere with the west side of the Aussie Landings. The Battle went WELL:

FINAL TALLY
Allies: SUNK--CVL Hermes, CA Northampton, CL Capetown, 2 DD, and 3 AK DAMAGED: CVs Enteprise and Indomitable, CAs Salt Lake City and Cornwall, CLs Dauntless and Emerald, and 2 DD

Japan: SUNK 1 DD DAMAGED: CVL Ryujo (arrives at Tjilitjap with SYS 40, Flot 29, Eng 7), BC Hiei, CA Atago, and 1 DD

Australia
Bombers flying from Wyndham hit the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Aussie ID each day.

Take Daly Waters with a TK Reg on the 7th

The Japanese arrive at Darwin on the 8th and attack. The Forts drop to 1 and so the SNLF Assault Brig (plus two Tk Reg) strike on the 11th and ALMOST et a 2-1. The troops will rest a day and then take the base on the 13th.

Exmouth Bay gos to AF-1 on the 11th and 30 Float Planes move in to provide air search and recon of the area.

Burma
Shwebo falls on the 11th and all Japanese forces converge on this town before moving NE towards Katha. There are 6 units in Katha and 12 in Myitkyina. It is now clear that Lew allowed to to take nearly of all Bruma while he plans to fight for the northern bases. Could be a good strategy. It will depend. Two Inf Div shall begin loading on the 12th to move up to Rangoon. They will drive north and see what may be done.

Four DD sweep into Chittagong on the 9th and sinks 4 HDML. Nells, flying from Rangoon, sink a small AKL on the 11th. Notice is served as to the Japanese being in this arena now.

China
The Sian Offensive grinds its way towards the objective. The hex stacking limits really serve to slow things and this is good.

While that is happening I am booting the Chinese out of Japanese territory east and SE of Ichang.

Bases Taken:
4th: Duff Isles, Sorong
5th: Abemama, Lord Howe, Madjeno (Celebes), 85,48/86,42 (China)
6th: San Jose (Phil), Lifou
7th: Roti, Boela, Daly Waters (Aust), 43,73/46,80 (Sumatra)
8th: Groote Eylandt
9th: Kirawina, Reef Isles, 85,46/85,44 (China)
10th: Babo, Bandoeng (Java), 49,100 (Java)
11th: Ndeni, Shwebo (Burma)

Engineering:
4th: Shortlands AF-1, Noumea Pt-3
5th: Shanghai AF-9
7th: Nagasaki AF-6, Port Hedlund AF-3, Koumac AF-2
11th: Exmouth Bay AF-1

Reinforcements:
8th: DD Makinami at Pt Arthur


The impact of the Cocos fight is quite important. I cripple his striking power here and sink--YET MORE--cruisers. Hiryu is sitting pretty so I still have a good flightdeck and--ONCE AGAIN--I get a crippled CV/CVL home for repairs. Have gotten very lucky here and it is a GOOD.

The recon of bases in SE Australia demonstrates a place RIPE FOR THE PICKING!

[seille]

@John

I follow with interest your small raids with Cruisers/DDs to locations like Dutch Harbor or Pago Pago.
You don´t fear minefields or are attacks like this using smaller warships not that vulnerable to mines ?

[John 3rd]

The small raids have worked pretty well to this point. It is only a matter of time before I get caught by bigger game. As to minefields, I tend to avoid them when I know about them. Lew places them in high-value targets (Suva and Port Moresby). I've avoided them to this point but am likely to send the smaller ships in when given a chance...