European battle for the Pacific - No Sebastian!

[terje439]

December 13th 1941 e

Palembang
By now the IJN screening force had realised that, while they were celebrating their valiant success against defenceless tankers, our surface ships had arrived. Both sides wanted to have words with the other, and the result was a boring draw.

[terje439]

December 13th 1941 f

Palembang
Then the cowards, erm IJN, called in aerial support, ending the engagement for the day. DCF has been ordered home to Batavia for now.

[terje439]

December 13th 1941 g

Talking abot submarines
As we allready mentioned, our submarines should be thankful for the sinking of the E-class, and atleast one skipper knows how to say thank you in a proper way.

[terje439]

December 13th 1941 h

Off Borneo
As mentioned yesterday, we sent the reinforced Force Z out in an attempt to kill an IJN CVL, well, THAT failed. We did however encounter an IJN surface TF and battle broke out. In my oppinion the battle was won by the IJN thanks to two things.
1. Nighttime fighting
2. LL torpedoes
We did have some success however.

[terje439]

December 13th 1941 i

Summary
Well, we pulled some hairs out of the Japanese scalp this time, but things could have been better. Then again, they could have been worse.
In the PHI, our fighters are all but gone, so we transfer our Catalinas and Fortresses to Port Moresby before sending them further on to Oz. The P40 squadrons are disbanded to save the last 7 fighters there as well as some average quality pilots.
The IJA has shown that it will take Palembang and Hong Kong tomorrow, and there is not anything we can do about it, but that was expected. Actually I had expected Palembang to be attacked earlier, but in the end the outcome there was given from the start.

We have also spotted a TF some 10 hexes off Rabaul, so I think I will be too late so save the garrison there as well, but some Oz cruisers are not too far away, so we might try to send them in if we can get a better detection level on the enemy TF. I do not want to waste them attacking BBs and the like.

Now what
I have a gut feeling that the enemy will be going south after he secures the DEI. I do not know why, just a feeling. If the enemy goes for Oz, I will not fight to the death for Darwin as it cannot be supplied if the enemy controls the DEI.
Time will show.

[terje439]

December 14th 1941

Overall
The day started as expected, then got really enjoyable, then there was a moment of "¤%#&!!!!" before some thoughts along the lines of "I knew it, I knew it!".

Japanese Invasions
The IJA capture Palembang and Sinkawang, and they land at Kavieng. At Kavieng however no escorts are spotted, so the Oz Cruiser Force will move ahead and try to inflict damage to the IJN.

Fighting on land
Surprisingly Hong Kong held for the day, and even better the fort still stands. This is due to a vastly reduced IJA combat value modifier.

Singapore
For some strange reason the Japanese keeps sending in Nates over the city. We are grateful as this is one fighter our Buffalos can handle. Although our guys only shoot down 2-3 planes per day, this is good since they lose none themselves.

Naval actions
Where do we start... Well, after yesterdays battles, the Dutch Cruiser Force split up into two units, the damaged ones and the undamaged ones. I was happy sacrificing the damaged ones to allow the undamaged ones to get away. The IJN however did not block the exit from Palembang, but rather chased our TFs down towards Batavia. The result was very one-sided and painful to watch.
Then, the commander of Force Z, espesially picked for his agression, decides to not return to Soerebaja as ordered, but heads further towards the PHI. He then attacks and mauls a Japanese invasion force. Something that was well recieved. Repulse however took ONE hit, and this was enough to give her a TF of her own. The remaining cruisers then found two IJN flattops, and I thought I could get lucky even if the IJN did have a BB in the TF. Instead our cruisers and destroyers decided to abourt the battle, as did the IJN. I guess we all know what the result of that ended up as...

Given orders
Force Z is now broken into 3 parts. Repulse and escort is ordered back to Soerebaja at flank speed, as is the un/lightly damaged cruisers and destroyers. The badly damaged cruisers (Boise being among them, she is not a lucky ship under my command, ever [8|]), are ordered to sacrifice themselves by driving at the enemy flattops, hoping to either engage them, or force them to back off, or to use their flights on these cruisers. We will see how it unfolds.

Summary of the last two days
A clear IJN victory for sure. They have sunk alot, and themselves not lost that much. We did however stop an invasion of the southern coast of Borneo, but that is only delaying the inevitable.

[terje439]

December 15th 1941

Invasions
Our forces at Kavieng still holds, but the enemy forces there grow every day. We also have intel that an invasion force is enroute to Rabaul.
Tokyo Rose now entertains our stories with the tales of the fall of Wake. her claims as to huge Allied losses however is absurd as most of the free world knows. The good news from Wake, if they can be called such, is that KB once more reveals herself.

Bases lost
Naga, Lingayen and Beaufort are all lost to the Japanese today, this too was expected, and came as no shock. Espesially in the PHI, as all troops have been moved to Clark AF.

Submarine warfare
Our ASW forces at both PH and at Batavia claim to have attacked and damaged enemy submarines, these claims are not believed to be accurate however. As for submarine sinkings, the IJN submarined have made no success today while our brave men have sunk two IJN AKs. Let us hope this is how things will work throught the war.

Naval actions
Things have slowed down, mainly because most of our surviving ships are running away. Some actions were fought off Borneo however, and we did lose some more cruisers, but for those that remember yesterday, this too was expected.

Hong Kong/Singapore
It seems our defence at HK has scared the IJA as they are now only using bombardments against our troops, so the city is still ours. The enemy Nates still struggle with our Buffalos over Singapore, I really thing Oscars and Zeros are needed for the Japanese here. We are very happy with the effort of our fighter pilots even if they do not shoot down too many enemy planes, they do throw off the enemy bomber aims.

Disgrement in Washington
The decision for a "Germany first" policy is not too well recived by our commanders in the Pacific as the first planes are sent from the Pacific theatre to Europe. Those P40s and B17s are badly needed in the Pacific...

[terje439]

December 16th 1941

Invasions
The IJN appear off Tarakan and try to land some troops. Although they succeed in doing so, our CDs cause some severe damage on a few IJN AKs, and the forces landed were too weak to take the base this turn.

Bases lost
Japan secures Surigao, Kavieng and Puerto Princesa today. Tokyo Rose remains strangely quiet on the subject though.

Information aqquired
The invasion force heading for Rabaul does indeed have support of atleast 1 CA and 2 CLs. The Oz cruisers turn back towards Sydney as they lack heavy cruisers.

Summary of the day
A quiet day in the Pacific as neither side wants to push hard anywhere. We readjust the shipyard usage at Soerebaja, Sydney, PH and Colombo to make the best use of what yards are available. Apart from that nothing really happens, but we take a look at our AC pools. The sight is not a cheery one...

Current events
Troops and supplies are being shipped around the Pacific, but we currently lack both the ships and the PP to make any huge shifts in our forces. For a time things will depend entirely upon the Japanese assault speed. Every day gained is a small strategic victory for us.

[terje439]

December 17th 1941

General
Nothing really happens this turn. We get the first sub attack off the WC, I am sure more will follow. Anyway the loss of an AKL off San Fransisco is the only naval loss today.

Bases lost
The enemy takes Sidate and Kuching.

Invasions
More troops land at Tarakan and the enemy also invades Kuching.

Considerations
With the rather slow speed the enemy is appearing at in the SoPac, I am considering moving some units from NZ to Noumea in an attempt to hold that base. Doing so would make the supply path to Oz alot easier, but it also means NZ is lightly held.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

NOTE TO SELF

US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!

IMHO, the USN can do it as long as:

1) Wildcats have been upgrade to F4F-4 and full 36-plane complements are on board.
2) At least five (5) U.S. CV's are available.
3) All torpedo bombers have been upgraded to TBF Avengers.
4) Two or more Atlanta-class CLAA's are available.

This should be possible by the end of October 1942.

I might add two more constraints that help in the engagement ..

1) Conduct the operation in an area where PBY patrols are in interlocking zones and the Mavis patrols are at least extended range.
2) Conduct the engagement within LBA range. 4E's are great "fighters" and absorb CAP. [;)]

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

NOTE TO SELF

US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!
US CVs can not take on the KB during the first few years!

IMHO, the USN can do it as long as:

1) Wildcats have been upgrade to F4F-4 and full 36-plane complements are on board.
2) At least five (5) U.S. CV's are available.
3) All torpedo bombers have been upgraded to TBF Avengers.
4) Two or more Atlanta-class CLAA's are available.

This should be possible by the end of October 1942.

I might add two more constraints that help in the engagement ..

1) Conduct the operation in an area where PBY patrols are in interlocking zones and the Mavis patrols are at least extended range.
2) Conduct the engagement within LBA range. 4E's are great "fighters" and absorb CAP. [;)]

Appreciated, will try to keep that in mind. Only problem is that most IJ-players tend to avoid those zones [;)]

Terje

[terje439]

December 18th 1941

Overall
Another dull day, and this one is not even worthy of a screenshot (aka print screen would not work for me...again).
There is no real fighting anywhere, and I found this turn to be good for not much more than a sigarette while waiting.

Invasions
(More) Japanese troops land at Tarakan, Kendari and Rabaul today. Once more our CD at Tarakan damage some Japanese AKs.

Bases lost
Japan seizes control of Iba, Cabanatuan and Praboemoelih today.

Hong Kong
A deliberate Japanese attack brings the fortification down to 1, the base is expected to fall soon.

Batavia
Japanese Oscars sweep the base today. The dutch fighters scramble and shoot down 1 of the enemy AC, but lose 3 of their own.

Sub warfare
A successful day for the IJN subs as they torpedo and sink DD King off San Fransisco. Seems the hunter became the hunted there. Our own subs do nothing but dodge depthcharges throughout the day. They have been ordered to redeploy as it seems the enemy knows where they are.

Plea
I see that Sebastian has opened his own AAR now, if anyone reads both sides, please make no comment on our opponents input in the opposing AAR. Thank you.

[terje439]

December 19th 1941

Invasions
The enemy keep landing troops at Kendari, Rabaul and Tarakan. At Rabaul our CDs only comes into play after the 3rd IJN wave reaches the shore and damages a CM. At Tarakan another AK is damaged and set on fire.

Bases lost
Japan captures Temuloh, Kweiteh and Kendari today.

Hong Kong
The enemy makes a deliberate attack and reduce the fortification there completely.

Singapore
Our Buffalos perform wonderfully today (see below).

Batavia
The base is swept by Oscars and Zeroes. The Dutch fighters cannot stand up to these fighters, and we lose 3 AC while shoting down none. It is a matter of time before the Dutch airforce will be wiped out. I guess it is about time to send all ships away to safer locations than Soerebaja.

Sub warfare/ASW
Off San Fransisco, more and more subs are spotted, and the USN is unable to do anything about it, as their ASW ability just is not up to the task. The Royal Canadian navy has sent 4 KVs to act as ASW off SF. Hopefully this will deter the IJN subs somewhat more than the USN DDs.
Subs are now also spotted off Oz, so ASW patrols are now needed off Sydney as well.

Sightings
Carriers have been spotted north of Rabaul, caution is adviced in the area.

[terje439]

December 20th 1941

Invasions
The enemy keeps landing troops at Rabaul and Tarakan, but today they also started invasions of Jesselton and Ocean Island.

Bases lost
Japan seizes control of Sibuyan, Atimonan and Ocean Island.

Submarine warfare
Two enemy submarines sink a TK and an AK north-west (by map directions, not compass directions) off Darwin today.

Hong Kong
Our engineers did a tremendous job during the night, and manage to rebuild the fortification to level one, which means the enemy attacks during the day only manages to reduce the fortification once more.

Singapore
The enemy has finally realized that his Nates are no match for our Buffalos, and have started to sweep with Oscars instead. The result is not too bad really, as we shoot down 2 Oscars for the loss of 3 Buffalos.

Sightings
The enemy has based Betties and Zeroes at Kendari, this is worrying as it threathens the route between Soerebaja and Darwin.

Main concern
A letter has been sent to Washington and London where the map below was posted. We try to explain to the politicians the need for the following;
1. Fighters, and not outdated ones, but frontline fighters.
2. Ships with an ASW rating of atleast 4.
3. More medium level bombers with decent range for ASW.
4. More B17s for raiding/harassing enemy bases.
5. More PPs to better adjust our defences.

For now the need for 1, 4 and 5 are rated as high, while the need for 2 and 3 are rated as critical. As can be seen below, the main issue for now is IJN submarines. They appear in the "correct" spots, causing alot of concern. Espesially since THEIR torpedeos work properly.

Acknowledgement
Yes, my free drawing skills with a mouse is abysmal at best [:D]

[terje439]

December 21st 1941

Invasions
More Japanese troops land at Tarakan, Rabaul and Jesselton, while reports now also claim invasions at San Jose and Mersing. The enemy is still not able to take Rabaul or Tarakan, it seems our shore defences there are harder to overcome than anticipated by the Japanese. We expect this to change soon, espesially at Rabaul where reports claim battleships and cruisers are now aiding the IJN landings.

Bases lost
The enemy capture Butuan, Tsiatso, Djambi and Jesselton today.

Sinkings
The submarines open the show as two IJN submarines sink a TK and an AO before one of our Dutch subs responds by sinking a Pb. Hardly a fair trade, but we will take any sinkings nevertheless. Then the Japanese air force wants in, and launch a huge raid on Batavia where our fighters are unable to stop the bombers. 4 AKs, 3 AVPs and 5 AMc are sunk in the harbour.

Hong Kong
Once more the day belongs to the Royal Engineers who once more rebuilt the fortifications. The IJA must be getting frustrated by now.

Singapore
The enemy now sends in Zeroes followed by Oscars, the result is 7 downed Buffalos to no Japanese AC downed. The decision has been made to spare the remaining AC and send them to Oz and India as we are too low on airframes to throw them away for nothing.

[Baby-KB
Appraoching Soerebaja.

KB
Has not been seen for some days now, she is probably rearming and refueling. Might have been seen off Rabaul a few days ago, but no proper intel.

Total Allied ships sunk
-BB Arizona
-BB Prince of Wales
-CA Houston
-CL Java
-CL Tromp
-CL Dragon
-CL Durban
-CL Marblehead
-CL Boise
-9 DD (3 USN, 3 RN, 1 RAN, 2 Dutch)
-5 AP
-45 AK
-2 AO
-12 TK
-3 SS
-4 AVP
-1 AS
-6 AMc
-4 AM
-2 CM
-4 HDML
-4 PT
-1 PG

Total Japanese ships sunk
-CA Nagara
-CL Kinugasa
-1 DD
-1 AP
-12 AK
-1 SSx
-1 CM
-1 E
-3 Pb
Remember however that FoW is on, so some of the sinkings might not be true.

Aerial war so far
The Allies has lost a total of 430 AC to all causes so far, this can be compared to the Japanese loss of 317. Also worth noting here is that the difference is roughly 100 AC, which is also what the Japanese has destroyed on the ground, so all in all we have to be satisfied with this.

[terje439]

December 22nd 1941

Invasions
More enemy troops land at San Jose and Tarakan. Strangely enough, no more troops are reported to land at Rabaul for now.

Bases lost
The enemy takes Mersing today, and our valiant defenders at Tarakan are finally subdued.

Hong Kong
The enemy deliberate attack ends in 1:3 in odds, but we take more losses than the IJA, so it is only a matter of time before our troops are too worn down and will have to surrender.

Baby-KB
Baby-KB is still lingering off Soerebaja, but it appears it might not be at full strength.

Submarine warfare
Japanese submarines sink a Dutch AMc, no big loss. Our submarines however finds a worthy target. Sadly only one torpedo hits the target.

[terje439]

December 23rd 1941

Invasions
The enemy finish unloading his troops at San Jose today, no new invasions have been reported.

Bases lost
Japan seizes Lucena, San Jose and Manilla, all located in the PHI. The loss of Manilla is not at all a big blow as the plan was always to defend at Clark AF, and supplies and troops have moved there.

Hong Kong
Our glorious engineers once more build up the fortification levels of the base, making sure the city remains in our hand for another day.

Rabaul
The enemy forces here are too weak for the time being, but as we know there are enemy flattops around, I do not want to risk anything by shipping in reinforcements.

Sub warfare
Our Bolo's at PH keep bringing in reports about hits scored on enemy subs. At HighCommand however, we doubt those pilots are even able to tell a submarine from an octopus.

[terje439]

December 24th 1941

Christmas time
Seing as it is Christmas, both sides find something to cheer about during the day. Granted, the Japanese may have the most to cheer about, but the Allies rejoice at the effort of the Dutch airforce (see below) as they make a sneak attack.

Invasions
The IJN arrives with another convoy off Rabaul, offloading a regiment.

Bases lost
Mauban, Lahat, Oosthaven and Rabaul surrender to the Japanese today.

Hong Kong
Once more the British show that unlike the Chinese, THEY are prepared for combat, as they repell a deliberate japanese attack on the city. However the battle has become one of attrition, and with no way to bring in fresh troops, the enemy will take the city, but for now we are thankful for every day gained.

Baby-KB
She seems to have adapted an interception position between DEI and NE-Oz. Since no ships travel there anymore, this is a good place for her to linger.

Whops-factor
Forgot to check on one of my CV TFs last turn, good thing I did today, as all the DDs were out of fuel. The TF is located at Palmyra, so they will divide the fuel from the carrier and the cruisers and await the arrival of two AOs sent down from PH (I do not dare send my CVs into PH at this time due to enemy subs).

[terje439]

December 25th 1941

Invasions
Japanese troops are reported to be landing at Makassar, Balikpapan and Nauru Island. At balikpapan our forces claim that a Japanese AK hit one of the mines in the harbour.

Bases lost
Japan captures Cotabato, Malacca and Nauru Island today.

Hong Kong
Although the garrison hold today as well, several units simply ceased to be today. The end is near.

Sydney
It is a concern that the ASW ships we have patroling the harbour, and sealanes just off the port, themselves are targeted and sunk by the IJN subs. Today we also got reports of mini-subs in the harbour. Guess we better start moving ships away from Oz...

[terje439]

December 26th 1941

Invasions
More ships unload at Balikpapan today, and the reports we recieve from the base is that all CDs should have more big guns and fewer of the 75mms. Although the 75mm score more hits, their damage is simply too low, while the 150mm scores fewer hits but cause alot more damage. This intel has been sent to Washington.

Bases lost
Japan gains control over Batangas, Balikpapan, Kudat and Makassar today.

Hong Kong
Our engineers have all been awarded the VC now, as they once more manage to build the fortification level up to 1, meaning the city holds yet another day.

Darwin
Baby-KB launches a minor raid on the port, but as this was somewhat expected, no ships were in port. The arrival of a surface TF off Darwin is bad news for the ships bound to Sydney though....

Sydney
It has been decided that ships have no value whatsoever in Sydney, and the ships there are being shipped to PH/US WC.

Lae
Our forces report a Japanese landing force approaching.

Submarine warfare
Our ASW ships are still being targeted by enemy subs, luckily none are hit today. But we really need our lads to learn how to use the equipment at hand better, and then we need to get them better equipment to fight off these pesky subs.