Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

May 25, 1942

Even though Sho-1 consumes IJHQ currently the battle for the Chinese Heartland continues. Hex 78,53 is a clear hex where over 30 retreating Chinese units have retreated to. They are trying to get further west and into those nice tree hexes. Having been driven out of the hex to the east, the Chinese are closely followed by 3 INA ID. ALL IJA bombers are focused on this hex to slow the retreat. Here are the results of the May 25th Bombing Campaign:

29 Bombers 302 Cas 58th Corps,
36 B 171 Cas 4th Corps,
41 B 254 Cas 46th Corps,
10 B 36 Cas BF,
45 B 239 Cas 3rd New Chin Corps,
16 B 104 Cas 3rd New Chin Corps,
35 B 208 Cas 26th Corps,
16 B 305 Cas 49th Corps

This is a 'normal' day right now. We slow them down enough (WE HOPE) to get a Shock Attack in tomorrow. This will be the last opportunity for the Jpaanese to get a solid lick in on the troops out in the open. HIGH Hopes!

[John 3rd]

May 25, 1942

Sho-1 sees its troops begin to move ashore. Results are pretty varied:

At Luganville a month of recon and several bombardments GFAIL to reveal the presence of an Aussie Brigade. Despite fire support from two BBs and three CAs the answer appears immediately to be WHOOPS! The Sendai Division storms ashore (taking 1,500+ casualties) to find that Brigade, a CD unit, an Engineering unit, and a pair of Base Forces. This is WAAAAAY too much for the 2nd ID. The ID is immediately lifted from the beach and sent to Efate. We'll be back but with overwhelming support and augmented troops.

Efate proves to be a cakewalk. The Imperial Guards Brigade comes ashore and easily crushes a lone NZ Engineering unit present here. The 2nd ID begins unloading from its aborted Luganville landing so it can rest, rebuild and continue preparations for the taking its objective.

Koumac looks excellent as the landing begins a day behind the other two with three full strength Inf Div coming ashore in very good order. Resistance appears to consist of two small units working on Forts and the AF. We shall take the base tomorrow and move down the island. Pending on recon of Noumea, one ID will immediately begin prep for Luganville. We'll let it get to 30-40 and then add it to the 2nd for taking that base.

Follow-On units are moving across the Coral Sea. An Air Flotilla, 4-6 Engineering units, and a few other small units are headed to begin base work. An Allied response is pretty much a guarantee...


The KB stay moving along an axis of Norfolk Island to King Edward's Island. Not much is spotted, however the Japanese SS around New Zealand and Melbourne--Sydney are having LOTS of target to shoot at. Allied Warships are spotted at several locations around New Zealand. GOOD. Once we have secured everything but Luganville, the Fleet will refuel, reprovision, and then move south to engage the enemy...

[John 3rd]

As China continues to its massive battle and we see Sho-1 begin to yield its results, plans continue to move forward on other fronts.

1. Aleutians: The North now has plenty of Ground Power to take Dutch Harbor, Akutan, and Cold Bay. We buy out the 7th ID from Hokkaido to provide the punch in taking Akutan (where a Marine Regiment is). Figure landings up here shall take place near mid-to-late June.

2. Cocos: The Allies are sniffing about south of Cocos. Several DDs have been spotted loitering about 12 hexes away. I move a STF of CLs and DDs to Cocos as a bit of protection but do nothing more for the moment. Junyo and three CVE are presently at Singapore. Form them up and get ready to move them so that they would be north of Cocos and able to provide distant Cover over the Island if needed. Don't want to get too risky here since within 10 Days I shall gain CV Hiyo, CVL Ryuho, CL Yahagi, and 4 new DD. Want to add them to what is presently in Singapore. Those additions will make the mini-KB strong enough to cause some serious heartache if crossed. Cocos is now stocked with 27 Zero, 27 Kate, and 18 Emily. I can fly in 27 more Kate if needed. AF is at 3 with an Ar Flotilla packing 80 TTs. Supply is low so I have about 12,000 of it due to arrive in two days to augment things. Ground Defense is an Atoll Defense Unit, the 4th ID, and an Air Flotilla.

3. Burma: I think Dan wants to set a trap in Burma. This has probably been his goal all along. There are numerous units in the jungle along the edge of Burma. I have 4 recon units taking pictures and studying the deployment. Am slowly moving IJA aircraft into Burma raising my Fighters and bombers to a respectable number. Troops are thin but OK. There are 3 ID, 1 Brigade, 1 Regiment, and 3 TK Reg present. If this is a trap, he should have moved about 3-4 weeks ago when I was driving on Myitkyina...

[John 3rd]

May 26, 1942

Time is up for new goals and movements within the Japanese HQ.

China
OK. The offensive in China is now--more or less--done. Four Japanese ID crush the remaining Chinese Corps in hex 78,53. They get driven west into the forrest. Casualties resulting from the 10-1 assault are 1,562 Japanese to 6,840 Chinese. I nice total when added to the previous troops driven out of Changsha, Shaoyang, Hengyang, and other hexes.

We begin a massive redeployment of troops. Will now take out the Southern Army Command soldiers of ALL types. The HQ itself, 9th Air Fleet, Base Forces, 3 Infantry Divisions, a Brigade, and a Regiment. YES--We could continue the Offensive but I think the Japanese have done all that might be perfectly POSSIBLE at the moment. The troops mentioned above are needed immediately in other theatres namely: Burma, Australia, Noumea, and the Aleutians.


Sho-1
Koumac falls to massed 93-1 attack.

Two Inf Div are ordered to pursue while a third ID shifts its prep to Luganville. It is being lifted over to Efate where it shall train for a bit and get some R&R.

Since there are no major combat troops at Efate or New Caledonia these Inf Div will be pulled as soon as Luganville is done. Really want to capture Luganville so I get that Brigade and other four units. LOTS of support troops moving to begin serious base work...

KB is essentially freed up with nothing to do. Order my 6 AOs to move SE of Noumea to refuel the CVs where they shall then proceed due south to try and find some convoys. Don't really want to accomplish much here but WANT Dan to be concerned about raiding. Will move 2 days SE and then return to Port. WANT to provoke Dan into a move so I think I will make it look like I'm pulling out after a short swing SE.


Cocos
Continued sightings of several DDs makes me decide to shift my Emily to 60% Air Search and 40% Naval Attack carrying Torps. We'll see if there is much of anything else in the area.

Form-up Junyo and 3 CVEs and send them to Oosthaven to be closer to the possible action.


Those are the essential developments...

[Prydwen]

Hey John,

I'm just dropping a note to say I'm still trying to keep up. They dropped a short notice deployment on me so I'm working to get ready for that and it's eating up my time. I'll be able to keep subscribed while I'm away though.

The only other comment I have is to say I would keep pushing in China. If only for the reason that you can keep wearing down the Chinese and any of your combat troops that get beaten up can be bought out for cheaper. Even if they don't immediately leave China they'll be available down the road.

Joe

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: ItsAMadhouse

Hey John,

I'm just dropping a note to say I'm still trying to keep up. They dropped a short notice deployment on me so I'm working to get ready for that and it's eating up my time. I'll be able to keep subscribed while I'm away though.

The only other comment I have is to say I would keep pushing in China. If only for the reason that you can keep wearing down the Chinese and any of your combat troops that get beaten up can be bought out for cheaper. Even if they don't immediately leave China they'll be available down the road.

Joe

Glad to know i have several readers. With life being what it is (managing the store eating up BUCKETS of time) it is difficult for me to have discussions and make meaningful additions to the AAR. I look at Dan's and see triple the Postings and 4-5 times the hits and it makes me feel a bit down that I am not holding up my end of the bargain!

I am working on taking Changteh. It appears that he is giving me an absolute GIFT! Troops are pulling out of Liuchow and Kweilin! I have units moving into Liuchow tomorrow so that base will be mine. Will take a few days for Kweilin.

[Cpt Sherwood]

I read your AAR too John, but I also read CRs AAR, so I do not comment in either.

[John 3rd]

June 2, 1942

Not much has been heard about the Japanese submarine arm to this point in the war. There have been definite successes but WAAAAAY too many duds within the first six-seven months of war. In many ways it has felt like the problems the American's have with their Torps has also impacted the Japanese. To say that NONE of that applies this day is a delight to share!

SE of Melbourne patrols I-7 under command of LCDR Mayasaki. Little has been heard from this boat during six months of war patrols. This day finds the boat rocking from a rain squall when his lookouts spot American warships approaching. Quickly submerging the sub brings the unmistakable silhouette of an American battleship into its crosshairs. Mayasaki fires all four tubes and is gratified to see and hear THREE explosions on a New Mexico-Class BB. Ineffective American ASW allows him to make another approach after reloading his bow tubes. Just as he prepares to fire, the battleship shudders from not one, not two, but THREE more Torpedoes from the OTHER side of the formation! Little does I-7 know but I-9 was stalking the same TF and LCDR Takigawa puts an end to battleship Mississippi.

Two I-Boats and six torpedoes later BB New Mexico slips down to a watery grave just off of Sale, Australia.

BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

Reluctant Admiral
Islands of Destiny
SS Sinkings/Damaged

June 2, 1942

The Japanese Sub Arm continues to have excellent success in preying on Allied shipping to this point of the war. As long as the Subs keep getting moved along to differing areas they do pretty well. Have FOUR Submarine ACES right now! The best hunting grounds are pretty obvious from the list below.

Only 3 Japanese SS (2 I-Boat and one Ro-) have been sunk at that point. Have been lucky to get a number of boats home that were severely damaged but lived to fight another day.

Here are the numbers:

Ro-Class
Ro-33
CMc Pro Patria Parmakasan 12-24-41
AS Janssens Banjoewangi 01-13-42

Ro-34
AKL Luzon Jolo 12-09-41
CL Marblehead Soerabaja 01-16-42

Ro-60
AKL Fiona Newcastle 05-25-42

R0-61
AKL Lady Isabel Luganville 02-17-42

Ro-62 Mine at Midway 01-17-42

Ro-66
AM Kingfisher Yasawa 12-20-41

Ro-67
DD Voyager Newcastle 05-23-42

Ro-68
AP Murada (D) Noumea 12-19-41
AK Corinda Noumea 12-19-41

Minelayer SS
I-121
AP Dominion Monarch (D) Georgetown 12-09-41
AK Neleus Georgetown 12-09-41
AP Dominion Monarch (D) Sabang 12-10-41

I-122
AK Wing Sang Langsa 12-09-41

I-123
AMc Cochin 02-16-42
AKL Selma City Cochin 02-19-42

I-Boats
I-1
AKL Surigao Wellington 12-26-41
AKL Corrimal Waipapakauri 01-05-42
AKL Canopus Auckland 01-06-42
AK Dardanus Waipapakauri 01-22-42
TK Falkefjell Auckland 01-23-42
AKL Kohala Gisborne 02-08-42

I-2
AP Mataroa Waipapakauri 04-18-42

I-3
AKL Carlisle Brisbane 12-17-41
AVD Williamson Alliford bay 03-14-42
AKL Pacific Coal Harbour 03-15-42
AKL Coloradoan Coal Harbour 03-15-42
AK Chickasaw City Kodiak 03-27-42

I-6
AK Royal T Frank San Clemente 01-04-42
AKL Atlantic Suva 05-23-42

I-7
BB Mississippi (D) Sale 06-02-42

I-8
AK West Cactus (D) Wellington 05-30-42

I-9
AKL Malama Coal Bay 12-19-41
AKL Tennessean Coal Bay 12-19-41
KV Chiliwack Coal Bay 12-19-41
KV Wetaskiwin Victoria 01-04-42
TK H M Storey (D) Sale 05-15-42
BB Mississippi Sale 06-02-42

I-15
AV Curtiss (D) Christmas Isle 12-11-41
DD Mugford Christmas Isle 12-28-41

I-16
AKL Hamakua Luganville 12-22-41
AKL Darvel Luganville 12-22-41

I-17
AV Curtiss Palmyra 12-15-41

I-19

I-21
DD Cassin Kodiak 02-19-42
BB New Mexico (D) King 05-11-42
AK Nurmahal (D) King 05-11-42

I-23
AK ??? (D) Wellington 05-09-42

I-24 Wake (Mine) 01-12-42

I-154
AG Canopus Denpasar 12-13-41

I-155
AKL Bast Oosthaven 12-21-41

I-156
AMc Cochin 03-13-42
DD Van Ghent Cochin 03-27-42

I-157
AK Federlock Koggala 12-13-41

I-159
TK Iris Muntock 12-08-41
AKL Kentuckian Port Blair 03-21-42
AK West Ivis Annette 04-20-42

I-160
AMC Kanimbla Batavia 12-09-41
AKL De Haan Toboali 12-10-41

I-162
AKL Nordhual Goa 02-08-42
KV Fritillary Karachi 02-14-42
AK Robert Luckenbach Karachi 02-16-42

I-164
AK Havildar Rangoon 12-15-41
AKL Honoluluan Rangoon 12-16-41
AK Nord (D) Mangalore 02-08-42
AKL Wasang Goa 02-09-42
AKL Santa Ana Goa 02-09-42

I-165
TK Spirilla Enggano 12-12-41
AKL Belawan Trivandrum 03-13-42
AMc Cochin 04-16-42

I-166
CL Durban Toboali 12-16-41
AK Clan MacIver Koggala 02-01-42

I-169
AKL Columbian Nagai 02-18-42
AK Wind Rush Wellington 05-30-42

I-170
AKL Mapele Sanak Isle 02-16-42

I-171 Adak (DC Damage) 02-20-42
CA Chicago Akutan 02-11-42

I-174
CL Phoenix (D) Akutan 02-11-42
AK Steel Navigator Akutan 02-11-42
CA Chicago (D) Akutan 02-11-42
PG Sacramento Palmerston North 05-20-42

[John 3rd]

June 2, 1942

As the Japanese pull back the unloaded first wave of Operation Sho-1 Invasion Forces, the High Command is totally stunned when the garrison at Tarawa, Makin, and Abemama radio that they are under attack from American Forces who are LANDING at that very moment!

WHAT THE HELL??!!

Dan has chosen to land and take these three bases with a fairly serious amount of troops KNOWING the entire Kaigun is only two days steaming from this region. That he possesses BIG BRASSEY SHINY ONES is beyond question but HERE??!! What an opportunity for the Japanese. Wow. OK. Let me cover the landings quickly and move to the response:

Tarawa: 7th Marine Regiment, 804th EAB, a TK Bn, and an Engineer Regiment---BBs Warspite and Nevada Bombarding

Makin: 21st Inf Reg and a TK Bn

Abemama: 19th Rgt and 3rd Marine Bn

Makin and Abemama were undefended and undeveloped. Tarawa had a small Base Force with a CD unit on the way at sea. AF is not operational there.

There is no apparent aircover...

Response:
LET'S GO GET 'EM!

1. The KB immediately raises anchor at Tulagi and moves NE.

2. Two BB depart to bombard Tarawa to prevent Forts and AF work.

3. Transfer three Daitai of Betty to Rio Namur and 2 Daitai of Zero to Kwajalein. Have an Air Flotilla present with 100 TTs available for 'use.'

4. The 14th ID was about to be unloaded at Lunga. That is halted and the ID sets sail for Tarawa.

5. A group of AOs are at Nauru. I pull them away from the activity but grab the 4 escorting DDs and order them into a Full Speed attack run at Tarawa. Don't expect much other then to slow down the unloading.

Thinking:
If this is a distraction to draw me away from Sho-1's Objectives, it is too late. My troops are unloaded and moving down New Caledonia. Engineers will have Koumac at AF-1 within a couple of days. Efate is solidly Japanese with an ID and Imperial Guards Brigade prepping for Luganville.

If he is doing this hoping to get an easy grab then Dan is terribly mistaken...


COMMENTS???

[John 3rd]

Just so ItsaMADhouse can see, here is the latest China screenshot. If you squint enough you can see the arrows at Kweilin showing troops leaving to the NNW. Liuchow is deserted and I am moving in as fast as possible before he changes his mind!

[CaptBeefheart]

Just letting you know I'm reading both AARs and find it quite interesting, especially the different writing styles.

Cheers,
CC

[janh]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Glad to know i have several readers. With life being what it is (managing the store eating up BUCKETS of time) it is difficult for me to have discussions and make meaningful additions to the AAR. I look at Dan's and see triple the Postings and 4-5 times the hits and it makes me feel a bit down that I am not holding up my end of the bargain!

I am working on taking Changteh. It appears that he is giving me an absolute GIFT! Troops are pulling out of Liuchow and Kweilin! I have units moving into Liuchow tomorrow so that base will be mine. Will take a few days for Kweilin.

No need to worry. I read only the Japanese side of things and like style of presenting. Unfortunately most of the time your thinking and analysis is so spot on, it is hard to come up with any better ideas!

Be sure I am looking forward to see your invasions in the Coral Sea and Hebrides unfold... I hope there'll be a good CV battle! One that the emperor can speak with bride about [;)]

[pws1225]

Another avid reader here too, John. I'm following both AARs so I have no comments, but am enjoying the match between you and Dan. Go get'em!

[witpqs]

Ditto - following both so can't comment on this.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Reluctant Admiral
Islands of Destiny
SS Sinkings/Damaged

June 2, 1942

The Japanese Sub Arm continues to have excellent success in preying on Allied shipping to this point of the war. As long as the Subs keep getting moved along to differing areas they do pretty well. Have FOUR Submarine ACES right now! The best hunting grounds are pretty obvious from the list below.

Only 3 Japanese SS (2 I-Boat and one Ro-) have been sunk at that point. Have been lucky to get a number of boats home that were severely damaged but lived to fight another day.

Looks like you've had great success with your I-boats and their ilk thus far, John. I'd be pleased with those results too! Now see if you can nick a few CVs! [&o]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
COMMENTS???

Yes. KILL! KILL! KILL! That is all. [8D]

[Prydwen]

Hi John,

Thanks for the picture. I notice quite a few cut off Chinese units. Some of them are well behind the front lines. What does Dan tend to do with them? Is he leaving them to rot or trying to make a nuisance with them? Will you make an effort to destroy them and have them re-spawn in a month or will you let them wither?

Joe

[John 3rd]

He makes a total nuisance of them. I cannot get them to surrender. It always seem that they get an open hexside and manage to be forced to retreat but live to be a pain another day.

[John 3rd]

Thanks for the comments readers. It helps a bit.