Racing the Sunrise: RA 4.0--Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

My repaired CVs finally re-enter the fight around Cocos! Good sinkings today with fully loaded APs and AKs getting nailed. I detach a CA and 6 DD to go hunting while the CVs prepare for another ay of sinking targets of opportunity...

[John 3rd]

Here are the final Offensive Operations being planned by Imperial General Staff

We wind down in Australia and begin ramping up for in and around Cocos as well as the more distant Line Islands Operation.

We need to look at Operational Planning for a moment. Back on April 6, 1942 the Combined Fleet finished its study of potential 'Final Phase' Operations with the decision to (1) invade Cocos Isle (Operation Maikaze--Whirlwind) and (2) invade the Line Islands (Operation Tachikaze--Wind from a Swinging Sword). Here are the current plans five weeks later:

Operation Maikaze (D-Day July 1, 1942)
1. Christmas Isle IO is being built-up rapidly and now has a Lvl-3 AF with an Air Flotilla and Southern Army HQ on it. Will need that extra bonus with the landing so Southern Army MUST be in range.
2. Naval Build-Up to smother the island with bombardments and interdict any TF approaching the Isle. There are 3 BB with Support Ships now making regular bombardment runs and they are doing considerable damage. Three more BB are on the way to help with this. The reconstituted Western Pacific KB is now operational with CarDiv2, Ryujo, and Shoho at sea causing trouble. Zuiho is about to join them. May bring CarDiv5 to add punch to this group--just in case Lew elects to bring the American CVs all the way around to the IO.
3. Nearly 18 SS prowl the seas around Cocos and are doing serious damage. Plan to reorganize them into groups of 6 and set their patrol patterns farther away from the target. Will use them as Scouting Line to warn me of the approach of the enemy.
4. Four Infantry Divisions began planning for Operation Whirlwind on April 6th and are all now in high 30s/low 40s for prep. Will not land with them until their prep is at least 75-80.
5. Have moved 4 Betty--Nell Daitai into Oosthaven and Christmas Isle to run regular bombing missions. They are covered by 36 Zero that have been making daily sweeps of the island.
6. Starting June 1st I will allow Palembang to stockpile Supply to provide for the Invasion. BUCKETS of fuel here so that is not a concern.

Operation Tachikaze (D-Day August 1, 1942)
1. Have began a systematic reinforcement of Tabitueau, Tarawa, and the Marshalls. Numerous Base Forces are landing and working on AF and improving facilities.
2. Fuel IS a concern here and right now I have TK and AO shuttling from Babeldoap to Truk and from Truk to Jaliut and Kwajalein. Will need all the big AOs of the Fleet to Support the Operation.
3. Slowing bringing in more SS to begin an interdiction of the area.
4. Just finished a JEB Stuart ride around Christmas and Palmyra Isles with the Jaliut Strike Force WITHOUT BEING SPOTTED. Think Lew sees this as a serious back area of the war. This means that surprise might be achievable.
5. Am building up Carrier strength here. Only Junyo and Nisshin are currently present. Kaga, Shokaku, and Zuikaku with all 4 BC are now moving north to Truk. Plan to base Junyo--Hiyo with CarDiv1 at Truk for the time being. Will send CarDiv5 west to join Maikaze.
6. Four ID will also be used in this Operation.


The CVs are the key right now:
1. They are approaching their major upgrades during summer 1942. These are IMPORTANT in RA because they get radar and exchange their useless 5" AA guns for the far superior 3.9" guns. This is an extensive overhaul that will pull out the KB Divisions for most of the summer.

2. All three of the CS will be pulled June 1st yo begin conversion to CVLs.


More I think about it the more I think that I'll shift ALL CVs into the Maikaze Operation just to make sure I have Operational supremacy over the area in question. It is time to concentrate and score a big naval victory in the IO if possible.

[John 3rd]

Looks like TWO people have their CVs back in fighting form in the IO. I lose a DD and should lose a CA but--thankfully--my carriers were too far away. Looks like--by the Strike Combination--he has Enterprise and two Brit CVs...

May 17, 1942

[John 3rd]

May 17, 1942

Until more CVs arrive I choose to DECLINE the engagement. Yamaguchi ordered (over his strident protects) to make for Sabang to stay clear of the CV TF.

He'll get a chance to go hunting in about 10 days when Kaga, Shokaku, and Zuikaku arrive in Java...

[John 3rd]

....but he does inflict some serious damage BEFORE being ordered away...

[Cribtop]

That shows the importance he places on Cocos. He's probably worried about losing all the troops and air groups trapped there. This is a sort of meeting engagement where you have found something he HAS to fight for. A useful thing for Japan.

[MAurelius]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

That shows the importance he places on Cocos. He's probably worried about losing all the troops and air groups trapped there. This is a sort of meeting engagement where you have found something he HAS to fight for. A useful thing for Japan.

reinforcing defeat??? - well.... it sure looks like it...

[John 3rd]

I think you guys are dead-on. He KNOWS there is trouble coming and wants to try and get more troops there. My CVs must have JUST missed his the day before because I nailed a set of AK and AP carrying troops and aircraft. It isn't good to lose a CA but I am happy as all Hell that that STF was covering my rear. He has enough aircraft with those CVs to make it very bloody. Pretty sure I'd win the fight but why risk it when I KNOW overwhelming CV strength is but days away?

Cocos is an Allied death trap and if he wants to add more to the bag then so be it. I'll be there to pick-up the surrender flag when it flies over Cocos...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
May 11-18, 1942

The appearance of Allied CVs in the IO is welcome news. There is now a true opportunity to score BIG here. Patience shall be the key for the next 7-10 days until I can get my CVs all together and ready to wipe out the Allies.

North Pacific
Nothing

Central Pacific
Nearly all of my reinforcements are now digging in on their islands and atolls. Given another month of peace and quiet the Marshalls, Wake, Midway, and Marcus shall be mini-fortresses ready to duke it out with the enemy.

Just sent several small Base Forces to Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima to begin the process of base expansion.

The Jaliut Strike Force makes its circuit around the Line Islands without being spotted and heads for Truk. Operation Tachikaze looks very promising since it appears that there are no recon/air search elements within the Line Island area. The Kaigun is slowly adding I-Boats to the area and shall use Glens to do some recon of the bases.

Kaga, Shokaku, and Zuikaku reach Truk on thr 17th and refuel. They immediately depart for Soerabaja.

South Pacific
Calm

Australia
As I have been saying, the Fat Lady has sung here and the final phase of operations is now well underway taking out units in NE Australia.

NW Australia
Everything taken through Tennant Creek. 65th Brigade holds TC and the 3 TK Reg that were supporting it now are at Cloncurry.

Western Australia
Aussie units are now surrendering instead of retreating. This area shall be clear of ALL enemy forces within a week.

Southern Australia
ALL Bases taken and troops are working to finish off some units that are now homeless.

Eastern Australia
Troops driving west and north. There are now 3 Inf Divisions and 4 TK Reg closing in on the NE portion of the continent. The Bowen roadblock shall be dealt with in a few days and then we shall capture Townsville.

As mentioned earlier Cloncurry and Normanton are captured.

There are now units traveling by ship to takeover garrison duties at Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Geelong. Once these troops arrive then the forces for Operation Maikaze can be loaded and head for Soerabaja.

DEI
Cocos Isle is now being hit daily by Betty--Nell flying out of Christmas Isle IO and Oosthaven. Zeros from X-Mas are keeping any Allied planes down. During this week of Operations, Cocos is bombarded by 3 BB on the 15th destroying 15+ planes and totally cratering the AF. The cursor states that Cocos' AF and Port are 80%+ damaged.

Another BB run has begun but with the Allied CVs showing up, we need to be a bit more careful so the TF is diverted to X-Mas where it shall receive 27 Zero and 42 Oscars for LR CAP and THEN proceed to Cocos and return to X-Mas. Should have aircover the whole way...

IO Action!
KB-2 sweeps into the IO and makes its presence known on the 16th. It appears that Lew was leading a major reinforcement TF with his CVs out ahead by about 10 hexes.

May 16th
My CVs (Hiryu, Soryu, Ryujo, and Zuiho) slip in behind the CVs and PASTE the convoy! We get pretty lucky here. The carriers launch 27 Zero, 45 Val, and 53 Kate who then sink 4 AP and 5 AK while damaging another 3 AP and 1 AK. There are over 2,000 Allied Casualties and two Squadrons sunk (Hurricanes and Swordfish). Figuring he would retreat towards Ceylon I THANKFULLY order the CVs to move towards that location while detaching CA Nachi and 4 DDs to sink survivors of the aerial attack.

May 17th
Nachi and company do very well during the night sinking two loaded APs, a KV and spar with DD Foxhound.

The Carriers sink two more AKs causing serious casualties and vehicle losses (869 Cas and 108 Vehicles). Unfortunately weather closes the CV's decks for the afternoon.

In Canoerebel's favorite words I cry out a "HOLY CATS!" when a massive Allied strike appears over Nachi and her escorts. Two attacks (morning and afternoon) thunder in a cripple Nachi with 4 Bombs and 2 TT while sinking DD Inazuma. Definitely appears to be Enterprise and two British CVs. CRAP! Thankfully the strike does not appear over my CVs! Order the remaining ships to scatter and RUN!

My Carriers are ordered to Sabang. Want to be clear about this. I KNOW I could maul the Allied Force but I don't want to lose CVs in exchange. This thinking leads me to exercise something I don't have a lot of and that is PATIENCE. Within 10 days I can field a force of 5 CV and 3 CVL against his THREE. Should make the Battle of New Caprica look like NOTHING!

May 18th
Japanese CVs successfully detach and move away.

Allied CVs disappear while two detached STF (CL and DD+CA Salt Lake City, Hobart, Danae and 3 DD) sink Nachi and 2 DD. Should note that the 3 Japanese ships were all crippled but managed to land 2-3 hits each before being sunk. Much nicer then being crushed by bombs and TTs.

Normal Bomber Raids hit Cocos but I then order everyone to rest to see if LR CAP appears over Cocos.

Burma
Akyab gets the attention of two large TK Brigades on the 16th. My love TK Reg holds for one attack and then is forced out on the 17th. The Allied units were the 244th and 245th TK Brigades.

The 4th ID crushes 7 Allied units due east of Katha on the 17th and drives them across the river away from Myitkyina.

Reinforcements are about to arrive with the 35th Inf Div beginning to unload at Rangoon on the 18th. It will rest and get some strength back from its China Operations. Glad this is here. It provides a thin reserve to meet any Allied movements over the next 6-8 weeks while I await Operation maikaze's results at Cocos.

China
Continue cleaning up the area around Nanchang.

SS Ops
5-12 I-156 sinks AK Michael Livanos at Cocos

Engineering
5-11 Derby AF-2
5-12 Efate AF-1
5-13 Tabiteuea Pt-1
5-15 Merak AF-3
5-16 Paramushiro Jima Pt-4
5-17 Corunna Downs AF-6
5-18 Changchun AF-7

Reinforcements
We are down to less then a dozen days for Hiyo, a CVE, and 2 DDs to be completed.


That is the news around the Co-Prosperity Sphere!

[Kitakami]

Heh... if I am half as successful in my current game, as you are in this one, I'd feel quite happy. That gut move of the CVs, and your willingness to be patien for another week or two, may pay off BIG.

[ny59giants]

Just sent several small Base Forces to Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima to begin the process of base expansion.

Use the trick to change commands and have one of the bases be "General Defense" command. In case Lew comes over at a later date, you can send all those planes from Yokohama over to 'greet' him. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Thanks Kitakami. Just got darned lucky to come in far enough BEHIND his CVs to not trigger a reaction. Goes against my aggressive grain to NOT immediately attack but this seems to me to be the better choice. I want a DECISIVE victory and not simply swap CVs.

Michael: FANTASTIC thought on your part. Your role of Advisor is most assuredly cemented yet once again.

[zuluhour]

AFB

Supreme Allied HQ TWIT

Only up to page 8. This is very scary story for allied AFBs. While I follow Mike S to learn the details of production and the Imperial mindset, I stumbled on your AAR by virtue of the great pics the other day. I will pay close attention as I catch up in here. I am glad you documented this so well. I think...[X(]

[Q-Ball]

No doubt, the strategic fixation on the Cocos is a mistake. Allied players should feel free to put units there you don't mind losing; it can be a very irritating speed bump. But attempting to hold it over the long haul is a mistake. It's doomed.

[John 3rd]

May 21, 1942

Charleville, Australia FALLS. Troops batter on Bowen's door. Armor approaches Townsville from the west. We are at Game--SET--MATCH in Australia!

[John 3rd]

May 24, 1942
Cocos Area

The Cocos Isle area has long been a friend to the Japanese submarine arm as it has scored repeated successes. May 23rd bring a string of sinkings that buoy a nation and results in an immediate deployment of the Japanese Carrier Fleet from Singapore.

Three I-Boat contact reports and SINKINGS occur:
1. The night begins with I-157 sinking Tanker Gulf King six hexes south of Cocos. No ASW Attack for this sinking.
2. I-154 sinks large Tanker L.P. St. Clair just four hexes from Cocos. Ineffective ASW attack.
3. About an hour later I-154 finds BIG GAME as CV Indomitable crosses its path. The Captain fires all four bow Torps and THREE of them HIT! BANZAI! The 3rd Torp adds an Ammo Storage explosion to the rest of the damage. SEEING the CV slip beneath the waves, I-154 counts 3 CAs, 3 CLs, and 8 DD in the TF as it successfully dodges the ASW Counterattack.

How about that??!!

What was USS Enterprise and two Brit CVs is now reduced to only two carriers. From Singapore CVs Hiryu and Soryu plus CVLs Ryujo, Zuiho, and Shoho raise anchor and head up the straits to the towards the tip of Sumatra to cut the enemy off as it heads home towards Ceylon.

Time for TOTAL victory...

[John 3rd]

This sight tends to make it all real...

[wege80]

Congrats!

Nothing better than destroying some of those damn Albacores!

[janh]

Congrats, indeed! Unbelievable! Luck is with the courageous...

[Kitakami]

Gratz! That sub captain should be promoted!