Racing the Sunrise: RA 4.0--Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

July 9, 1942

Just two days ago the crew of the I-7 rejoiced as they hit CV Wasp with a torpedo followed by an ammo storage explosion. After a day of celebrating and getting a complimentary shot of Saki from their capable Captain the crew finds itself in the remarkable situation of staring at another American flattop through the periscope lens. While smaller then Wasp the American Escort Carrier is a fine prize to aim at. Captain Watanabe lets the much larger new Battleship (North Carolina) pass by and then orders ALL bow tubes fired of the carrier. Thsi time his aim is even better as a first, then second, and finally THIRD torpedo detonates against the skin of the CVE!

Goodbye CVE Kittyhawk! It was good NOT getting to know you!

BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

Viperpol is SOOOOOOO concerned about my time to start a new game against Dan when I have spent a week craving turns. Since Sunday I played two turns with Viperpol and two turns with Lew. Not very brutal of a pace. I think there is a strong chance that Lew will throw in the towel. Lordy knows he has been in a brutal game where every turn seemingly comes up with a piece of bad news. We'll have to see...

For RA readers, 5.0 is complete. I am sending the finished files to FatR to be Posted on the RA Site.

Next stop is beginning work on the March 1, 1942 variant of RA.

[Dan Nichols]

What happened to the "Perfect War" mod?

[John 3rd]

FatR has had such a rough time of it over the last 6 months or so I have basically been only focusing on RA and the new Spring RA.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
July 10, 1942

Turns have been few and far between for Lew and I the last couple of weeks. I can understand that since every turn pretty much brings a fresh disaster to the Allies: Wasp gets TTs, CVE Kittyhawk sunk by the same SS, and NOW...

TARGET: Benkoelen

Several weeks ago the Allies lost several hundred ships attempting to make a mid-42 counterattack in Sumatra. They ran into the teeth of the Imperial Fleet and IJN/IJA Air. It was marvelous and terrible to see.

Today the action is FINISHED as the IJA ground forces complete the Allied disaster.

A weary pair of Japanese Infantry Divisions, an Inf Reg, and two Engineers launch a Deliberate Attack focused on gaining the battered crater of an airfield. To the immediate surprise of the Japanese they easily take the base and 23 Allied units surrender! For 1664 Japanese casualties, the Allies surrender 39,617 men including 380 Guns and 845 Vehicles. It is a surrender one would expect late-41 or early-42 NOT mid-42! Gone are the 7th Marines, a Brit ID, an Aust ID, 10 Inf Brigades, and several HQ.

HOLY CATS!

Banzai!!

[John 3rd]

Next Target: COCOS ISLE

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
July 10, 1942

I've already detailed the mass surrender at Benkoelen so I shall hit other areas of interest.

North Pacific
Pull 4 of the 6 DDs up here to move to Tokyo for conversion to APDs.

Central Pacific
Wake goes to Port 2 so I can unload there faster. Have the Ichiki Detachment unloading as the final complement to the garrison there.

A 4 DD STF is about to sweep into Christmas Isle. We'll see if anything remains there. There is a possibility that they might run into BB North Carolina.

South Pacific
A TF carrying 30,000 supply begins unloading at Luganville. It shall be moved around spreading its bounty.

Australia
Hex 91,147 sees a 45-1 attack against a Base Force and 3 Artillery units. The artillery SURRENDERS and the BF will surrender next turn.

Attack Alice Springs with 11 Oscar and 8 Zero vs, 15 P-40s. We lose 2 O and 1 Z for 5 P-40s.

DEI
The fall of Benkoelen brings an immediate redeployment of nearly 400 aircraft as they dispurse to come up to full strength and train. A number of planes will be heading for Australia to end the resistance centered around Alice Springs.

The 2 Inf Div at Benkoelen shift to rest as I will pick them up and take them to refit at Singapore.

Soerabaja has the 2nd Infantry Division for the Cocos Invasion almost unloaded. The 3rd ID just past Horn Island. When it reaches Soerabaja we'll load everyone and SMASH Cocos.

Engineering:
Fusan AF-4
Wake Pt-2

Economics:
Order the expansion of Helen factories from 32 to 70+ so I can build up a stockpile of these planes.

Raise Nick production from 13 to 26.

PLANNING:
Once Cocos is gone, I shall redistribute troops into Burma and Pt Blair as well as Sumatra to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the near future.

New Zealand is next up on the planning board...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
July 11-16, 1942

Just when I think Lew and I's game was winding down, we do a flurry of turns over the last couple of days. Actually did THREE turns on Thursday! Wow. Got in two yesterday.

OK. Let us go around the horn:

North Pacific
I have been running a couple of little 1250 TK between Sapporo and Paramushiro Jima to build a stockpile of fuel up there and totally neglected to place any at Attu. My NorPac Strike Force is based there as well as my SS. Oops. Correct that and send some fuel up there as well as draft two more of the small TKs to shuttle fuel from PJ and Attu.

Central Pacific
After my recent SS successes around Christmas I have a small TF of 5 DD sweep into the base and find nothing present. Too bad.

I order home most of the Fleet assets in the Marshalls. The pair of CAs, 3 CLs, and 8-10 DDs all need repairs and upgrades. Will leave this area bare of warships for about a month but that is OK.

Need fuel badly at Jaliut and have a major TK TF coming with 50,000+.

South Pacific
Major supply convoy unloading at Luganville, Efate, and Noumea.

Spot consistent Allied shipping at Suva and New Zealand.

Australia
FINALLY winding down here.

NE Australia
Cairns surrenders on the 11th and 9,888 troops become POWs: NICE!

More units surrender SW of Townsville over the coming days. A total of 7 more units give it up including the HQ for 1st and 2nd Aust Corps.

Order the 4 TK Reg up here and an Inf Div to jump on trains and head for Adelaide to join the attack going into central Aussieland.

Central Australia
Alice Springs is swept everyday by two Daitai of Zeros and a Sentai of Oscars (cannot wait for Tojo next month!). Losses are only a little better then 2-1 but the P-40s are falling. I've got 81 Kate at Tennant Creek (AF3) that strike here about once every 3 days. When they do they kill SBDs, B-17s, Hudsons, and A-29s. 65th Brigade is advancing from TC towards Alice.

In the south are two ID, an Army Para unit, and a TK Reg driving on the base south of Alice (Oodnadatta). The AF at Port Augusta just went to 3 so I have about 100 planes flying from here hitting troops. There is no Allied supply here so I expect a day or two of serious fighting and then surrenders.

Reinforcements
Three additional Brigades bought from China arrive and they should be enough for me to garrison the continent. Will begin moving everyone around to satisfy requirements and then begin gathering troops for the New Zealand Operation (4-5 ID). Need to do a bit of mopping up as well and take Horn Island and Port Moresby.

DEI
Most of the Fleet is fully repaired and gathering at Soerabaja. Only Akagi and Kaga are doing any repairs right now for the CVs while all BBs and BCs look good except Yamato who just just entered the yard at Singapore. My 3rd Inf Div is about to arrive there and this will give me enough troops to--hopefully-- take Cocos fairly easily.

With the Allied disaster at Benkoelen finished, I move AKs and APs to that base so I can load Imperial Guards for a return to Port Blair after taking a couple of small bases I have skipped in all the action.

Burma
Monsoon quiet.

China
Am happy with my lines here with the exception of hex 86,56 where 7 Chinese Corps have been fighting for a month. Just upgraded all my old Sonias and Mary's to Lilys and Sallys. The increased bomb weight might be enough to disrupt them so I can take the hex.

A group of Chinese units are at Wuchow in a hex I fully control. They cannot retreat and I am attacking them getting 7-1/10-1 right now. Expect a surrender at any time.

Home Islands
CVL Nisshin arrives at Kobe for repairs and CV Junyo arrives a few days later. CVL Ryujo is due to arrive in 10 days. Will form them into their CV TF. Not sure as to where they will go.

Research into future Japanese fighters is humming along. The fighters of 1943 and 1944 look pretty good: George, Tony, and Frank move along.

Will make sure my engines are fine like how FatR describes in my other AAR.

SS Ops
Got probably 20+ SS in repair right now but some are still prowling around.

7-16 While laying mines at Diego Garcia, I-124 gets a DOUBLE sinking! She sinks AK's Borgfeld and Kainalu. Both were carrying troops and equipment so that is nice. She and her sister deposit a gift of 80 mines there.

Engineering:
7-11 Kalgoolie AF-2
7-13 Darwin AF-6
7-14 Taihoku AF-4, Mukden AF-9, Pt Augusta AF-3

Will Post a current Screen shot in a few minutes.

[John 3rd]

Here is the action around Oodnadatta.

[John 3rd]

Wow. Here is the current VP totals:

[obvert]

Yeeeouch!!

That looks like my AI test game entering 43, almost exactly by the VPs.

Has he made any noises about stoping if AV is achieved, or does it appear he'll keep moving forward?

[MAurelius]

honestly I don't see much point in this going on... you could take NZ and then the rest of the Pacific - stay on teh offensive for quite a long time....

[John 3rd]

He is certainly down and depressed. I'd like to finish off Australia and take Cocos and then offer the opportunity for an Allied Surrender.

I think so much of this is attributable to placing those two full Aussie ID in NW Australia at the beginning. That combat power really made the landings much easier and speeded up my taking of the continent.

The Benkoelen counter-landing was a disaster of the first magnitude. Lew simply picked the worst place on the entire map to land since I was already prepping for the Cocos Operation.

[MAurelius]

completely agree - as it is very much possible to halt an early Japanese advance in WA (Geraldton-Busselton)..... not NE Australia though...
if one however falls back to Newcastle/Sydney/Port Kembala and Geraldton/Busselton - then it'll be difficult for the Japanese.... as just proven in my current PBEM....

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
July 17-25, 1942

Been a while since I have updated. Lew and I are averaging a turn a day. No major developments other then the hammer leaving Soerabaja and Singapore to bring PAIN to Cocos Isle.

North Pacific
Nothing

Central Pacific
Nothing

South Pacific
Supplies just dropped off to sustain all major Japanese bases for 6-8 weeks.

Suva is definitely Lew's major base of operations now. Lots a ships and planes spotted repeatedly there. Don't want to mess with that. Prefer New Zealand...

Australia
The Endgame has fully enveloped Oodnadatta and Alice Spring as more planes and troops move into the noose closing in on Australia's last resistance. Tennant Creek has 45 Fighters and 90+ Kates flying from it hitting Alice Springs. No aerial resistance now. Port Augusta flies 36 Fighters and 80 Bombers hitting targets at or near Oodnadatta. There are now 3 Inf Div, 2 Brigades, and 3 TK Regiments closing in. Pnly thing slowing this down is the sheer distance we have to travel.

Land at Horn Island on the 23rd and 25th. Should take the base tomorrow.

All that is left is Port Moresby.

New Zealand
This is the FIRST time I have listed this area on the Combat Report. It is an ominous development for the people of Hobbiton!

Spotted a Cargo TF approaching Wellington and decided to risk the mines there. Send a small STF of 2 CL and a DD to raid it. They sweep into the area on the 25th and find a nice, ripe plum waiting for them. A Tanker TF of 3 DD, 1 PC, 1 AVD, 2 AO, and 10 TK is unloading. We catch them by surprise and in go the Long Lances! Hmmmmm....YUMMY! DD Hughes, the AVD, the PC, and 2 large TK are sunk while another DD and 5 AO--TK are left burning furiously and/or sinking. NICE!

DEI
Land and take Sampit on the 25h.

The Kaigun weighs anchor for the first time in nearly 3 weeks! Soerabaja sees CarDiv2, CarDIv5, 2 BC, a CL, and 8 Modern DDs form-up and follow out of the harbor 3 CVLs, 2 CAs, and 8 DDs. Roughly 400 planes present on the 7 decks. From Singapore two BB TF do the same thing with firm plans on bringing the RAIN to little Cocos.

Three full strength--100% prep--Inf Div get ready to load onto the gathering AKs at Soerabaja. Time to end Allied possession of Cocos BABY!

Burma
Calm

China
Drive Chinese troops out of Wuchow. Four Corps had entered the hex, got heavily bombed, and then pushed out.

SS Ops
Nearly 30 SS are in Port working off SYS damage and getting R&R.

Engineering
7-17 Myitkyina AF-4, Oita AF-4
7-18 Tennant Creek AF-3, Norfolk AF-4
7-20 Enggano AF-1

[MrBlizzard]

Don't feel too safe, got some clues about future release of secret weapons by Allies that will change the war.
It's pretty sure that Godzilla will be soon dropped on Tokyo and you'll have to ask for peace...[:D]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: MrBlizzard

Don't feel too safe, got some clues about future release of secret weapons by Allies that will change the war.
It's pretty sure that Godzilla will be soon dropped on Tokyo and you'll have to ask for peace...[:D]

THAT is a LOOOOOONG ways away ME BOYO!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
July 26-August 2, 1942

This update is dominated by the invasion, assault, and CAPTURE of Cocos Isle.

North Pacific
Calm

Central Pacific
I had gathered nearly 25 SS at Jaliut and allowed them about three weeks R&R to do repairs, reload, and refuel. They depart on the 27th with roughly half moving to Noumea for New Zealand Operations while the other half move east to cover the Line Islands--Canton--Pago Pago. High hopes since my SS Campaign has gone SOOOO well to this point. All the SS have gained in experience and this makes them even deadlier (I hope).

South Pacific
Beginning to gather Fleet elements for the push into New Zealand.

Australia
The 65th Brigade, 2 Engineering Regiments, and 16th Army begin their approach to Daly Waters from the north. Daly is hit (Airfield and LCUs) by nearly 100 Kates (from Alice Springs) each day.

Elements of the 16th ID reach Oodnadatta on the 1st. Do a bombardment and find the 4th Aust ID present. My 2nd ID will reach the hex within a few days. Will attack at that point. Have 100+ Sally, Helen, and Lily attacking troops down here.

Am re-arranging Brigades and Regiments along the coast to cover the garrison requirements. Have 3 ID now in Sydney resting and getting ready for New Zealand.

DEI
Cocos activity begins to spike on the 28th as the Invasion Convoys begin their approach. The island is bombarded EVERY day and 50-75 Betty--Nell attack it during the day. At D-1 the KB (5 CV and 3 CVL) makes its presence known by hurling anywhere from 75-150 aircraft a day at LCUs. Since supply has run out here I fell that using my Vals is OK and I lose nothing in the 4 days the planes are used. The landing occurs on August 1st with 2 Battleships, 2 Battlecruisers, and 5 CAs pounding the target. The 21st and 56th Infantry Divisions land. The 18th is held as a floating reserve. The initial landing sees very little disruption (all ID at 100% Prep along with Southern Army HQ on Christmas. We score a 2-1 dropping Forts from 3 to 1. Casualties are steep in the Japanese losing 4407 to the Allies 663. Looks OK but I am still nervous. The 2nd sees 3 BBs (including Yamato), 2 BCs, and 7 CAs pound the target as well as 53 Betty--Nell and a massed strike of 69 Zero, 71 Val, and 90 Kates from KB. The defenders cannot SURRENDER fast enough! The result is 91-1 with 1684 Japanese Casualties to the surrender of 11,003 Allied troops. Scratch a HQ unit, 3 Brigades, and the ENTIRE 18th British ID!

BANZAI! BANZAI!! BANZAI!!!

Order the entire Fleet to Soerabaja. Will reorganize there and move the vast majority of the Kaigun to Sydney--Melbourne for the New Zealand Operation.

The 56th is in GREAT shape. It stays on Cocos for the short term. The 21st is a mess so it goes to Singapore for R&R. The unused 18th heads for Rangoon to reinforce the 5th ID there.

Burma
Quiet

China
Quiet

SS Ops
7-30 I-20 sinks AS Platypus at Wellington
7-31 I-171 MISSES USS Wasp near Wellington---INTERESTING!!!
8-01 I-171 sinks AK Iron Master near Wellington

Engineering
07-26 Port Blair and Port Augusta AF-4
07-29 Cloncurry AF-2
07-30 Cape Enggano AF-2, Fusan AF-5, Chengchow AF-6
08-02 Launceston AF-2

Reinforcements
07-27 CVL Ryujo
08-01 DD Fuyuzuki

He has NOTHING left in the India Theatre to threaten Japan for at least a year if not two. NICE!

[Cribtop]

Total victory. Amazing.

[ny59giants]

Don't land in NZ until winter is done in the South. [:-]