NOT JUST Submarines in the Pacific: FDRLincoln (Japan) vs. Bakerman (Allies)

[FDRLincoln]

About 42,000 Chinese troops were killed in Operation Black Dragon, for the loss of 3734 Japanese and about 10 tanks. This disrupts his defense lines in North China.

Questions...do I drive west on Sian, or do I swing south towards central China, where I've been bogged down for months?

[jeffk3510]

That carrier battle sure had to take the wind of out his sails for a while...nicely done.

What have you finally decided for China?

Hope as is well in our great state of Kansas.

[FDRLincoln]

June 8th, 1942....off the western coast of Australia, the Support Carrier Force (Junyo, Hiyo, Zuiho, Shoho, Ryujo) takes on the British Far East Carrier force consisting of Formidable, Indomitable, and Illustrious.


This is another glorious day for the Japanese carrier force.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 46,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 84 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
B5N2 Kate x 16
D3A1 Val x 27



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Ammo storage explosion on CV Formidable
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Formidable

[FDRLincoln]

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 47,121

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N2 Kate x 22



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1
CV Illustrious, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

[FDRLincoln]

I also used Jake floatplanes in the attack, hoping to draw some of the British CAP away from the Kates and Vals.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 47,121

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 19



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 5 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, heavy damage
BC Repulse
CA Devonshire



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
2 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

[FDRLincoln]

British torpedo aircraft valiantly counter-attack, but arrive without fighter escort and are savaged by my CAP.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 49,118

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M2-N Rufe x 1



Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 3 destroyed



CAP engaged:
5th Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Taiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 49,118

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M2-N Rufe x 1



Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 17


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 8 destroyed
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo



CAP engaged:
5th Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Raid is overhead
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Raid is overhead
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
Taiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

[FDRLincoln]

One section of Kates arrives in time to witness the sinking of Indomitable.


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 46,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 5



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed
Albacore I: 12 destroyed
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

[FDRLincoln]

Overall, the battle resulted in the destruction of two British CVs and damage to a third, in exchange for virtually no loss to the Japanese.

Currently, the only undamaged allied carriers in the entire Pacific and Indian Oceans are Saratoga and Wasp, known to be operating southeast of Tulagi. Hornet survives but is under repair following the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Zuikaku is under refit in Japan. Soryu has just finished repairing her Coral Sea damage and will be heading to Truk soon to join KB and replace Shokaku, which will head back to Japan for refit.

I now have significant carrier superiority. How shall I use it?

[FDRLincoln]

June 17, 1942....it was a dark and stormy night in Milne Bay. Four Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers patrolled the harbor while cargo ships unload.

Suddenly, in the dark, appear the looming form of United States Navy Cruisers!

But the Japanese are not deterred....the samurai of the sea launch a Long Lance attack! The destroyer Urakaze sinks the American CA Vincennes and cripples the CL Nashville!


Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 1,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CA Vincennes, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Helena
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Drayton
DD Reid
DD Cassin
DD Balch, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Farragut



Low visibility due to Rain with 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 14% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
Magazine explodes on CA Vincennes
CA Vincennes sunk by DD Urakaze at 1,000 yards
CA Astoria engages DD Tanikaze at 1,000 yards
CL Nashville engages DD Urakaze at 1,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Balch at 1,000 yards
DD Urakaze sunk by DD Reid at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages CA Astoria at 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Balch at 2,000 yards
DD Reid engages DD Hamakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Drayton at 2,000 yards
Shiraishi, Nagayo orders Japanese TF to disengage
CA Astoria engages DD Tanikaze at 2,000 yards
CL Nashville engages DD Tanikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Balch at 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Farragut at 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Balch at 2,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Reid at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

The Urakaze sinks...but her heroism goes down in the annals of the Imperial Japanese Navy!

[FDRLincoln]

In the afternoon, Bettys from Rabaul find and sink the crippled Nashville.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,136

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 16



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Farragut



Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

[FDRLincoln]

I haven't updated this in over half a year, but the game is still alive. It is now December 25th, 1942.

General situation: I have conquered almost all of China. Only Chungking and a few isolated outposts remain under Nationalist Chinese control.

However, in order to do this, I left Burma virtually undefended after seizing it quickly. He has taken about half of Burma back, although I seem to have him stalled in the jungles short of Rangoon.

USS Wasp was sunk by a submarine a few months ago. He still has Hornet and Saratoga left. But the Essex hulls will arrive soon enough.

KB is fully intact. Most of my veteran pilots are still alive, or in TRACOM.

I am stripping China and the DEI of oil, fuel, and resources as rapidly as my merchant marine will allow.

I have not done much in the Solomons, establishing outposts at just Shortlands and Tulagi. He hasn't pushed me here, but I expect he will soon.

He is bombing the crap out of Port Moresby and surrounding bases almost every day.

More details later.

[jeffk3510]

Do you mind posting some screens?

What is the plan with KB?

[FDRLincoln]

Screens tomorrow along with a summary of each theater. My biggest defeats have been in the Aleutians, where I took Attu but he retook it. He has some assets up here, enough that I've wondered if he will take the northern route once he gets more CVs.

KB is at a secret location under strict radio silence!

[obvert]

Good to see you back![:)]

[FDRLincoln]

After I defeated the American carrier force in the spring of 1942, I used the breathing space to throw everything possible into China. My plan was to wipe out the Nationalists by January 1943, then begin withdrawing experienced troops to garrison and build up my defenses against the inevitable Allied counterthrust.

I am close to obtaining my goal. Most of the summer of 1942 was spent in bitter Stalingradish fighting around Changsa, but when it finally fell his army seemed to collapse and I chased him all the way to Chungking. He has 600,000 troops in his capital, but I have cut it off from the rest of China. I am bombing it daily and moving my infantry into position, although I have also begun withdrawing some of those units to hold him back in Burma and the Central Pacific. He outnumbers me, but my troops are very experienced now with high levels of morale. Supply is tenuous however, at the end of long lines of communication.

Sian fell recently, with my army of about 80,000 troops plus supporting engineers and artillery defeating about 200,000 of his troops.

He still has the normal stuff in Western China and Mongolia, but overall I am extremely happy with how China has gone.

[FDRLincoln]

I adopted the China First strategy since the whole point of the war is to defeat the corrupt Nationalists (who are nothing but the tools of Western imperialism) and establish the Greater East-Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere to benefit Japan and all of Asia. With the resources of China at our disposal, we will prevent the imperialists from re-subjugating and humiliating the Asian peoples.

[jeffk3510]

I would be very pleased with those results, even though I haven't ever played as Japan. What do other theatres look like?

Burma, Solomons, Auz, India?

[FDRLincoln]

BURMA: I took all of Burma by May 1942, but my forces here were VERY thin since most everything was in China. I knew I could not hold it if he wanted to take it back. He counterattacked in August and has re-taken about half of Burma. He cut off one division in Lashio, but they still have plenty of supply and are dug in, and so far he hasn't been able to break the seige there. Right now I have him stalled in the jungles at Toongoo and outside of Rangoon. I will get a map up tonight or tomorrow. It looks like a stalemate right now. There is a lot of bombing going on, fighter sweeps, etc. I got the best of this for awhile, but lately his aircraft are doing better.

SOLOMONS: I hold Tulagi and Shortlands as advanced airbases for search planes. Both are well-garrisoned, dug-in, and supplied, but have otherwise not done much in the Solomons We have both launched a few raids and a few months ago a recon-in-force by KB slaughtered a supply convoy. Rabaul is held in force and well-developed.

NEW GUINEA: I hold Port Moresby. He tried to outflank me a couple of months ago by landing at Milne Bay and defeating the SNLF I had there, and he holds it, but he hasn't been able to develop the base or supply it well since I keep bombing it. He keeps bombing PM and the other bases in this area with B-24s. He also conducts frequent fighter sweeps with P-38s. I shuffle air units in and out of these bases, trying to keep their morale up and preventing any one unit from being shattered by sweeps or bombing attacks.

AUS: I haven't done much here besides some harrasment bombing of Darwin. Timor is well-garrisoned. I did send a cruiser sweep down the west coast of AUS a few months ago and destroyed a convoy of TKs and AOs, which was nice.

[FDRLincoln]

He has a base at the Cocos Islands. I bombarded it with cruisers a few times, but one time he had Saratoga in the area and I paid for my impudence with the loss of two CAs.

I don't like the fact that he has stuff here. Too close to Java and Sumatra. I have troops prepped to invade it. KB may be deployed here soon to support an invasion.

[FDRLincoln]

I also have troops prepped to re-take Milne Bay, so KB could be used there as well. At this point, I am not going to launch invasions without KB or at least mini-KB around. Mini-KB is somewhat weak right now however, since Hiyo ate a submarine torpedo a few months ago and is still in the yard for repairs.