Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[Cribtop]

October 4, 1942

Subs

IJN convoy escorts near Billiton attack and put a penetrating DC hit on K XVII. Lilys report a hit on a UK sub near Palembang. Now we're talking.

4th Fleet

A TF with at least 2 APDs is reported at Canton Island. Probably a re-supply, but if it's the prelude to an attack it will face Combined Fleet.

SE Fleet

No change.

Southern Army

No change.

15th Army

No change.

China

We are about 48 hours from another DA at Changsha. Cribtop HQ then plans to have 17th Army annihilate the 6 surrounded KMT LCUs at Kukong before moving to Hong Kong and thence to Burma (1 Division) and Babel (17th Army HQ plus 3 Divisions plus arty).

Nanchang makes level 4 airfield. We may send the engineers to Fusan next to build up the port.

5th Fleet

Dutch Harbor makes level 5 port. Our fleet assets have re-fueled and will move into position to bombard Umnak Island on the 6th or 7th.

Combined Fleet

CF is doing things in his SWPAC AO, but appears to be skittish due to the spotting of part of MKB and the CL bombardment of Ndeni. It has the feeling he's waiting for the smoke to clear before proceeding. We want to lure him into disaster and thus will hold position for a few days.

[Alfred]

Whilst this sitzkrieg is continuing, nothing is happening over at Baker Island. Eventually Baker island will become too established to allow for a relatively small operation to succeed. In the meantime you are holding station but not actually stopping the Allies from continuing their preparations anywhere.

Alfred

[Cribtop]

An excellent point Alfred, but we have not forgotten Baker. A Brigade of 20th Division is 94% prepped and will load tomorrow. The elements of Combined Fleet hoping for a shot at CF's fleet will pull back, re-fuel at sea, and support the counter-invasion shortly. Recon and "recon bombing" will confirm that only the Raider Bttn and engineers are present, but it seems likely given that there have been no improvements to the base since CF took it. MKB will lurk and provide LRCAP, sticking around to deal a blow to any quick counter-thrust CF has planned.

[Cribtop]

October 5, 1942

ALERT! ALERT! Enemy CVs confirmed in SWPAC!

A quiet day with a big sighting.

Subs

I-35's Glen reports a task force at 125, 158, between Tanna and Nadi, basically. Multiple CVs are spotted and Cribtop Intel feels sure that all USN Fleet Carriers are present. Admiral Nagumo is alerted by wireless as the Sub Captain correctly chooses to break radio silence. All IJN subs are ordered to vector in, but frankly they are probably too far off except for I-35 herself.

The enemy's reign of terror near Palembang is slowly losing bite as we now have two ASW trained Lily groups covering every hex between Singers and Palembang. Several attacks are reported today by our pilots in this area.

4th Fleet

The enemy TF spotted at Canton is gone today, but in which direction? Are CF's carriers preparing to cover a move on the Ellice Islands or somewhere in the Gilberts?

SE Fleet

The Baker invasion will still load, but obviously we need to be careful in the approach. We have both LSDs, as well as numerous AKs, xAKs and xAKLs. Assuming we use the LSDs, what other ships would be best for troops? We plan to use xAKLs to unload extra supply.

Southern Army

Kalao is occupied by rowboat. We twice tried invading this base (once with a traditional TF and once by FT TF), but received messages the TFs could not unload, making the base effectively impervious to invasion other than paradrop. Perhaps this base should be occupied by air and become the new Imperial Capital. [8|][;)]

15th Army

Only a few days from the advent of Mr. Tojo. An elite Sentai is moved to Bangkok to upgrade.

China

The daily BA at Changsha nets a whopping 165(15). Almost all damage is in the form of destroyed squads, a sign that enemy combat power here is collapsing. Next DA soon.

5th Fleet

Our two bombardment task forces are spotted approaching Umnak Island. Normally we'd abort, but today's confirmation of the presence of enemy CVs far away gives us the confidence to proceed. If CF is smart, he will order the real target of the bombardment, the 2 ships spotted in harbor, out to sea. Thus, 3 I-boats will crowd the exit hexes in hopes of an intercept.

Combined Fleet

Today's sighting causes Cribtop Intel to assume we were right all along. Namely, CF was planning to cover an offensive Op and the move of MKB into the area in pursuit of Operation Trident was in the right place at the right time. A shame we got spotted by a sub or perhaps we would have had some real fun. The opposing carrier forces are loitering within their respective LBA ranges, daring the other side to move in. That said, none of the MKB elements appear to have been spotted since the sub encounter over a week ago. We hope that the information available to CF is that the coast is clear, enticing him to move forward into an ambush.

That said, of course we could move forward, stay out of DB range of Luganville or Tanna, and go for an attack. The dangers of an exhange battle weigh on Cribtop HQ, however, and we are disinclined to risk "losing the war in an afternoon," preferring instead to give the enemy time to move into our LBA range from either Munda or TB. What does the reader base think?

[nashvillen]

[Cribtop]

The orders are away. We actually pull back a bit with MKB. Analysis of the intel indicates CF was most likely headed NE, probably to support an invasion by the APDs spotted at Suva recently. We will seek opportunities to engage within our LBA umbrella and avoid sticking the CVs necks out too far. Still, tense times!

[ny59giants]

The Baker invasion will still load, but obviously we need to be careful in the approach. We have both LSDs, as well as numerous AKs, xAKs and xAKLs. Assuming we use the LSDs, what other ships would be best for troops? We plan to use xAKLs to unload extra supply.

You will need to bring along at least one Shipping Engineer unit for the Naval Support. The Naval Support is going to be the most important ingredient for a quick unloading and reloading effort.

[Cribtop]

But will the shipping engineers survive the landing undisabled?

[Cribtop]

October 6, 1942

The enemy CVs fall off the radar screen.

Subs

I-35 moves guessing that the enemy CVs will continue their NE course, but they don't. No sign of the USN birdfarms.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Gasmata hits level 4 forts.

Southern Army

No change.

15th Army

The enemy recon unit finally moved a hex deeper into Burma and is in position to serve as a picket. We will know soon whether it is continuing to advance, but believe it won't because no other large concentrations of troops have been spotted.

China

Not quite ready to hit Changsha with a DA, but it will be soon. No sign of enemy attempts to withdraw or reinforce the beleaugered city.

5th Fleet

Both our CL and BB TFs are spotted today, with a "Main Body" message. Cribtop HQ decides this is a good thing. If CF thinks we are trying to pull a fast one just before winter descends in NOPAC he may assume there is less to oppose him in SWPAC than is in fact the case. We will thus proceed with bombarding Umnak.

Combined Fleet

We don't know where the carriers went, but we do know where they didn't move - namely north, NE or NW - as we would have spotted them for sure in those directions. It seems unlikely they would turn back for Oz, so we assume they went East towards Suva. I-34 will move near that base to try to confirm.

[Cribtop]

October 7, 1942

Subs

Gar misses a DD TF hunting her near Toyohara. These DDs have Mod-2 DC launchers that should be able to reach the enemy. Seal duds on an xAK near Sorong. We will soon have ASW aircraft (one Daitai split in 3) operating from Sorong, Ambon and Ternate to work subs now active in this area. An ASW TF hunts but can't find Truant near Palembang.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Woleai goes to level 4 forts. We have one engineer group devoted to the Inner Perimeter build out on the theory you can never start too soon. They will move on to Guam, the Marianas and the Bonins.

Southern Army

It appears that CF has gone over to the defensive in NW Oz, but he still retains significant armored forces, an Aussie Division and a horde of 4Es and transports here. Thus, we are effectively pinning all this down with 21st Division and a few armored regiments. Nice.

15th Army

Lao Cai makes airfield level 1. An Oscar group begins LRCAP of Kunming tomorrow to intercept the C-47s no doubt flying from Ledo.

China

No change.

5th Fleet

Recall that we sortied 5th Fleet in two SCTFs when an enemy heavy cruiser was reported at Umnak. The enemy withdrew, so we decided to bombard Umnak in the hopes of nailing Cats and the AVD known to be present. The CL TF with Kitakami, Oi and Jintsu (I think it's Jintsu) damages 7 Cats and get good hits on the runway. Then BBs Fuso and Yamashiro, with 4 DDs, really lower the boom in a good old fashioned WitP style nuke. 7 Cats are reported damaged, 1 is destroyed, the airfield is closed and the port trashed. The surprise is that ground casualties are reported to be 169(50). Ouch! The only disappointment is that not a shell hits the AVD in harbor.

This was mostly an attack of opportunity, but given the proximity of Winter weather Cribtop HQ hopes that the enemy will fear a sudden offensive here, sowing a little bit of doubt as to our intentions.

Combined Fleet

Our pickets, AMCs and subs report nothing in the formerly busy waters between Fiji and Luganville.

[Cribtop]

October 8, 1942

Subs

Gar duds on the same ASW TF it went after yesterday, but today we serve notice that Mod-2 DCs can reach this class of sub with a long counterattack. No penetrating hits, unfortunately, but CF knows that the free run is over.

A Nell from Koepang on Nav Search attacks an enemy sub nearby as a bonus.

Glens on nav search and recon turn up a few enemy TFs East of Luganville and discover 7 LCUs at Suva. Cribtop Intel continues to believe that the partial sighting of MKB by the Drum caused CF to abort an FT TF invasion near Guadalcanal, and that the new units at Suva are in part the LCUs dedicated to the aborted attack.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

The Baker invasion loads at Truk. We will probably load the troops, evaluate the TF, unload and then put it all back together for the final show.

Southern Army

We are gratified to spot an enemy sub limping through the Sunda Strait and back toward Ceylon. This seems to confirm that the recent DC hits on O-20 were real and sent her home.

15th Army

Recon reports that many of the fighters and bombers formerly based at Dacca have moved forward to Imphal. This continues a slow drip of Intel indicating that when CF comes, he may well come simultaneously at Burma and SWPAC. Cribtop Intel warns that the worst case move here would be an invasion of Sumatra, the Kra Isthmus or the Andamans. We will take countermeasures, but the ultimate counter will be completion of the siege of Changsha and release of 17th Army into Strategic Reserve.

Tactically speaking, this move presents us with the opportunity to have our new Tojo group (converted today and should be up to speed in 72 hours) to sweep ahead of a major bombing raid on Imphal. 15th Army orders planning for this raid to commence with a target date of sometime this week. The appearance of Mr. Tojo may give CF pause in Burma, which would be beneficial.

China

Oscars out of Lao Cai shoot down one C-47 at Kunming. Let the attrition of transports begin.

Kweilin makes level 3 forts.

We should be ready for another DA at Changsha within 72 hours. We believe it will take two more attacks to capture the base, but there is a shot for the next DA to prevail if we knock forts down to 1 and maintain the 3:1 odds of the last attack.

5th Fleet

Our bombardment TFs retire unmolested. The CLs have enough fuel to proceed directly to Japan. The BB TF needs to RV with our "Aggie Oiler" flotilla of big AMCs west of Attu to re-fuel.

Combined Fleet

Cribtop HQ considers whether a counter-invasion of Baker Island will provoke a strong USN response, and if so how to ambush that response. Obviously, a lurking MKB is available and at full strength. The concern is that the only LBA support available would come from Nettys at TB, which is more than 10 hexes from Baker. Beyond 10 hexes, nav attacks by LBA are not often launched and can't be counted on in a battle plan.

Other

Resources are flowing to Manila and thence on to Kobe quite nicely now. Air frames and engines are in good alignment (in fact, we have a good stockpile of advanced engines we don't really need yet to jumpstart production of second gen aircraft when they come online). HI pool is at 650K and growing by almost 3K per turn. We have drained the Empire of excess Oil stocks to the point that we are now also shipping fuel home in quantity. We are building 2.3 Tojo IIa per day, with 31 factories still to repair to bring production up to 100 per month.

Question: Do R&D facilities actually use up engines when they create R&D "airframes?"

[Cribtop]

October 9, 1942

Subs

No contacts. Cribtop HQ believes the ASW countermeasures to CF's sub offensive near Palembang is beginning to bear fruit.

4th Fleet

Recon shows 3 LCUs present on Baker, up from 2. Tomorrow Bettys from TB will engage in "recon boming" to determine who the interloper is.

SE Fleet

A PB picket recently spotted between Luganville and Nadi reports it is retreating from surface combat, and no combat phase occurs. Not sure what a PB could outrun, however, and there are no enemy SCTFs spotted by search a/c. Could this message have been triggered by an attempted USN sub attack on the surface?

Southern Army

No change.

15th Army

A night raid on Ledo actually flies and then actually damages 7 C-47s on the ground. Nice.

27 of 42 Tojos at Bangkok are ready for action. Won't be long now.

China

Another day's LRCAP out of Lao Cai results in another shot down C-47. Frankly we hoped for more than 1 per day, but even at that rate doubt CF can sustain the losses.

Combined Fleet

MKB, the surface elements of the fleet, and the Fleet Oilers are all loitering in the gap between TB and Tulagi, hoping for prey. If nothing appears soon, the fleet will re-fuel and move into position for the Baker Op, dubbed Operation Spider given that the true purpose is to sit in our web and hit any response by the USN.

[mdiehl]

"MKB"

Does that mean "mini-Kido Butai"?

[Cribtop]

Sorry, Mike Solli uses MKB to mean "mini KB." For me, however, it means "Mega KB" - i.e. every CV and CVL available to Japan grouped into a single cohesive formation.

Edit - note that they are grouped into two different task forces to avoid co-ordination penalties, however.

[Mike Solli]

Uh oh, confusion reigns. I may have to change my acronym. [:D]

How about RRBKB for really, really big KB? [:'(]

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Sorry, Mike Solli uses MKB to mean "mini KB." For me, however, it means "Mega KB" - i.e. every CV and CVL available to Japan grouped into a single cohesive formation.

Edit - note that they are grouped into two different task forces to avoid co-ordination penalties, however.

Maybe Combined Fleet will do [:D]

[Cribtop]

Except that to me Combined Fleet includes the fast BBs and CAs of Tanaka force, the Fleet Oilers and a dedicated ASW TF. Sigh. We'll get through this.

Speaking of which, the latest replay is in. It is worthy of a 1st person account I'm writing as we speak, err, as we type.

[Cribtop]

October 10, 1942

Sailor First Class Ichihara Eizo kept his hands on the wheel of DD Maikaze and his eyes on the dark waters ahead. The thrum of the Kagero class destroyer’s engines was a constant companion as the ship moved through the waters of the South Pacific at high speed. Although he was an experienced seaman and considered the best helmsman aboard, Ichihara was a quiet and retiring person by nature, and being in close proximity with the bridge officers was always unsettling to him. This was especially true tonight, as both the ship’s Captain, Commander Nakasugi Seiji and Lieutenant Bando Iesada were on the Bridge, anticipating action. Maikaze and her sister ship Shiranui had been ordered by Combined Fleet to perform a Reconnaissance in Force at Luganville, the main enemy base in the New Hebrides adjacent to Japanese possessions in the Solomons. When Ichihara had asked a Petty Officer what exactly they were expected to do on such a mission, the reply that “a Reconnaissance in Force means they want us to attack but won’t give us enough ships to win” had not been encouraging.

Eizo’s internal reverie was interrupted as a deeper darkness to port came into view, reported by lookouts as Aore Island, which formed Segond Channel with the larger island of Espiritu Santo just to the north. Tonight had been chosen because it was a new moon, maximizing the chance the small Japanese force could successfully penetrate the channel unobserved.

“Increase speed to 28 knots, and signal Shiranui to conform,” said the Captain. He did not need to add that all personnel should keep their eyes peeled for enemy shipping, expected to be present in quantity. Intelligence from submarines and float planes had reported an enemy cruiser present, but the raid’s primary target was transport shipping, believed to be at Luganville in preparation for an invasion of the Solomons.

The speaking tube to one of the lookout stations suddenly erupted. “Enemy warships ahead, bearing 35 degrees to starboard, range 8,000 yards. Estimate 2 heavy cruisers and 3 destroyers!”

“So much for undefended troopships,” muttered Lt. Bando under his breath.

“Alter course to 330, increase speed to flank, and prepare for torpedo attack,” ordered the Captain.

The Japanese destroyers’ best chance now was to minimize their silhouettes and try to close the range for a Type 93 torpedo salvo. Unfortunately, this tactic meant they would effectively allow the enemy ships to cross the “T,” a very dangerous position when you are lightly armored, outnumbered and outgunned. So much depended on how soon the enemy lookouts spotted the approaching threat.

Almost immediately, Eizo’s grip on the helm was shaken by a blinding light that momentarily stunned his night accustomed senses. As his vision cleared, it was apparent that the enemy vessels had activated searchlights, a sure sign they were aware of the presence of hostile warships.

“Helm, prepare for evasive action,” said Bando.

For about 30 seconds, nothing happened. Then one of the enemy heavy cruisers opened fire, its eight inch guns making a menacing bark, the shells creating a fountain just off the port bow.

“Helm, steer into the shell bursts where possible, but keep our course generally toward the enemy,” said the Captain. Eizo was amazed at the calm tone of his voice.

He didn’t realize it, but an outside observer would have been equally amazed at Eizo’s own apparent calm as he steered toward the splashes. Any of the eight inch shells could be fatal, and even the smaller projectiles from the enemy destroyers could do significant damage if they hit a vital spot. The next several minutes were a personal battle between Sailor Ichihara Eizo and the fire controllers of five enemy combat vessels. The odds were daunting, as at least 33 separate high velocity guns tried to hit the vulnerable Maikaze. Eizo didn’t think about the odds, he didn’t think about his family, he didn’t think about the Emperor. He felt the ship and the ocean, solving an endless series of complicated ballistic equations with the only two weapons at his disposal – the Maikaze’s 35 knot speed and the instincts born of years of service at her helm.

Eizo had no idea how long his personal battle went on, but he knew a moment’s victory when a part of his mind registered voices, whose it did not matter: “Lookouts believe the enemy cruisers to be Pensacola and Australia…, target the Australia… range 3,000 yards… Fire Torpedoes!”

The next two events happened very quickly. First, telltale spouts of water along the side of Australia indicated that two of the deadly Type 93 torpedoes had struck home. Second, the Captain gave a difficult but necessary order: “Signal Shiranui, turn in succession, new course 75 degrees, disengage, repeat, disengage.”

Eizo put the helm down to port, swinging Maikaze around through almost 180 degrees. As the destroyer turned, her guns hit the damaged Australia twice, although the small shells bounced harmlessly off the heavy armor of the cruiser. As the turn was executed, the Bridge faced away from the enemy line. Eizo thought to himself how odd it was to momentarily have a view of a peaceful night on an idyllic South Pacific island in the midst of a battle.

As Maikaze completed her turn, Hell swung back into view, complete with the splashes of enemy shells landing all around the embattled ship.

“Gods,” said the Captain in a hushed tone.

The usually talkative Lt. Bando opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

Eizo looked away from the waters ahead for a split second, his eyes going wide as dinner plates.

Why it happened, no one would really know. Even an inquest after the war was inconclusive, in part because survivors were few, in part due to the chaos of a moonless night battle. Perhaps a secondary explosion; or maybe the two torpedoes hit in such close proximity that her pumps never had a chance.

In the end, the why didn’t matter. The simple fact was that the heavy cruiser Australia had fallen out of line and was listing so badly to port that the tips of her mighty guns were awash. It was clear that she would turn turtle and sink in a matter of minutes.

By the time the catastrophe played out, however, the small Japanese task force had faded into the dark night at 35 knots, its mission more than accomplished.

[Crackaces]

I think the inquest will come to the same conclusion as I .. the RNG came up snake-eyes .. [or whatever improbable number required to duplicate such said situation ..] [8D]

[FeurerKrieg]

Nice write up Criptop - nice die rolls too.