Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Been doing caboose work, celebrating B-Day, and FINISHING remodel work within our house so I have not been able to Post much.

Date: September 2, 1942

Postponed the attack on Ramree and Akyab Shipping for the arrival of some BIG GUNS. The Mini-KB is at Georgetown and it has just been joined by 4 BB, 4 CA, and 10 DD fresh from the Home Islands. Game Plan: We'll move back to Pt Blair and then move to six hexes distance from Akyab to attack shipping. Once this attack occurs we send in the CAs to kill shipping and the BBs to blast the AF. This is the plan now and it shall hold.

Currently control the air over Ramree and will throw the entire kitchen sink at Akyab.

Staged a good raid on Imphal a couple of days ago that knocked down over 20 Fighters and blasted some B-17s on the ground. NICE!

Not much of a report but it gives some ideas of things happening...

[John 3rd]

September 4, 1942

This has definitely gotten fun in the Burma Area! The ground war is some manuever with straight in fighting resulting in little-to-no change. The air war, however, has become the highlight of nearly every turn. For those of you I doubted regarding SWEEP, SWEEP, SWEEP (Michael) I thoroughly apologize. The Tojo has turned the Burma Theatre around.

There are now 6 complete Sentai of with two Chutai of Tojo (270+ planes) CRUSHING aerial opposition. Over the last four days Dan has been forced to abandon Imphal after its fighters were broken and the AF hit by 100 Bombers. Ramree has been cleared, Dan moves Fighters in, I crush them (like today), he leaves it, I sweep, he comes back, I crush him, etc...

The only difference presently is that I have now committed my bombers to the task of closing Ramree PERIOD. I have 6 Sentai of Helen--Sally operating from Moulmein flying daily strikes here for the last couple of turns. AF is now at over 50% damage and climbing.

Here was today's action over Ramree:

25 Tojo vs. 69 Fighters
18 Tojo vs. 51 F
13 Tojo and 103 Bombers vs. 29 F
50 Tojo vs. 23 Fighters
13 Zero 9 Kate vs. 10 Fighters
3 Tj and 17 B vs 1 F

The Bombing raid came in and I had kittens watching it but the 13 Escorts kept the enemy from shooting down a single bomber. They blasted the AF and destroyed 9 planes on the ground. The second smaller raid added more to the first's totals. NICE! The Kates bagged an AKL for the second day in a row.

Total Losses for the Day:
Japan--1 Zero, 4 Kate, 13 Tojo: 18 Planes
Allied--24 Hurricanes, 4 Kittyhawks, 3 P-38, 2 P-39, 24 P-40, and 5 Sea Hurricanes: 62 Fighters


PLANNING:
I am letting Dan think I am target fixated at Ramree. Just landed the 9th Air Fleet HQ and 1st Air Flotilla HQ. They will arrive at Magwe and Mandalay on the 5th or 6th and then deploy. These units will vastly bolster my air support at these bases. Once ready, the Vals, Kates, and Betty--Nells move in and the Mini-KB sweeps up the coastline to sink anything at Ramree or Akyab. The STF of 4 CA, 2 CL, and 7 DD will move into Akyab waters followed by a bombardment TF of BBs Ise--Hyuga, Fuso--Yamashiro, 2 CL, and 8 DD.

[ny59giants]

For those of you I doubted regarding SWEEP, SWEEP, SWEEP (Michael) I thoroughly apologize. The Tojo has turned the Burma Theatre around.

Its been about time that you listened to your counselor and General Staff.

[John 3rd]

I DO pay attention to my loyal readers and advisors...SOMETIMES...

[:D]

[John 3rd]

Hello All. We're at September 9th. Life has been beyond chaotic and I feel it is really impacting my game play/planning/quality of game oversight. Sent this email to Dan just this afternoon and I thought I'd like to share it before going back to work tonight:


Hey Dan.

Wanted to write this separate of a turn.

Life here has gotten crazy busy as we move towards summer. The store business has picked up—this is good and bad—and it is demanding more time. Paula and the boys are also demanding more time. My gaming requires more time and it seems sleep is the biggest loser within the equation. It is impacting my mood and I am much more irritable of late.

I find myself halfassedly doing the turns trying to keep a good pace up for you and the campaign. Due to this, I am short-cutting the turns from my side. While this has not cost me horrifically yet it is only a matter of time until it does. You have become such a masterful opponent since our last contest that I am continually impressed with your thinking, tactics, and work. Your opponent needs to be at his best to effectively give you the game that both of us want and deserve. This leads me to a proposal to see if we can keep on track but improve my playing abilities. On Sun—Mon—Tues I generally have the time to truly devote to each turn and can, therefore, do several without issue. It is during the week on Wed—Thurs--Fri—sometimes Sat that I need to slow down our play. If it is OK with you I’d like to drop down to a turn a day on those days so I can give the turns what they deserve.

How does that sound?

My AAR fits a similar description. I can only do entries on Sun—Mon in any detail and this also is driving me nuts. My readers/OUR readers deserve better as well. They need to ‘see’ inside BOTH of our minds as the game develops and right now that is not happening.

Perhaps I am stressing on this too much but I felt like I needed to throw it out before it becomes something much more serious. Right now there are portions of the ‘board’ that I only look at once every 4-5 turns and this is not good. With YOU, my Southern Gentleman, it could be DANGEROUS and fatal.

Thoughts?

John

[Prydwen]

Hi John,

I think it's a perfectly reasonable course to take. I imagine Dan will agree. The game and the AAR are for entertainment and it does a good job of keeping me entertained, for one. I would hate to see it come to a premature end because you didn't have the time you require to do it right and something got rushed or missed. That would be no good for either one of you. If the pace is too slow for Dan and he wants or needs more WitP than you can provide then he always has the option to start a second game. He's a real class act. I don't expect he'll have any issues with a slower pace.

Joe

[John 3rd]

Thanks.

Dan wrote back and is A OK with things. I was just getting depressed because I've been 'pushing' the game and it hasn't been very fun because I feel rushed on every turn. When I load, watch, and do orders in 30 minutes MOST OF THE TIME then that isn't good at all. Big thing is fully developing the AAR. Haven't been able to do that and I apologize to the readers for that. Dan gets about 4 Posts in for my every one and this needs to change. Want to provide more details, planning, and THINKING within the AAR and, perhaps, now we can. We shall have to see about that!

[JohnDillworth]

Big thing is fully developing the AAR. Haven't been able to do that and I apologize to the readers for that. Dan gets about 4 Posts in for my every one and this needs to change. Want to provide more details, planning, and THINKING within the AAR and, perhaps, now we can. We shall have to see about that!

Thanks for keeping up the AAR. Don't feel compelled to keep up with Dan, he is a verbose son of a gun . It's just interesting to see different points of view from 2 excellent players. If this has been your "rushed" game it's going to be fun to watch when you are taking your time. Good luck!

[janh]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Thanks.

Dan wrote back and is A OK with things. I was just getting depressed because I've been 'pushing' the game and it hasn't been very fun because I feel rushed on every turn. When I load, watch, and do orders in 30 minutes MOST OF THE TIME then that isn't good at all. Big thing is fully developing the AAR. Haven't been able to do that and I apologize to the readers for that. Dan gets about 4 Posts in for my every one and this needs to change. Want to provide more details, planning, and THINKING within the AAR and, perhaps, now we can. We shall have to see about that!

It is fully understandable. Rather than rushing turns when I don't quite have the time to enjoy them, I would and do oft simply not play for weeks at a time, but that's of course not a fair option for PBEM. Fortunately little brother AI is an understanding partner and never complains.

Your games and AARs have been most enjoyable and fun to read and contribute. Not to mention all the amusing side stories popping up now and then, Caboose and wives and what not. It's been a great game to follow, and I am sure there are many exciting surprises waiting in the near future in Burma and NorPac. I hope you'll find fun with and from this game again soon, as much or more than we have reading your AAR!

[pws1225]

No worries, John. All of us voyeurs out here watching your match with CR understand the demands of RL. You will do us the highest service, and Dan too, by giving RL the time it demands so that when can flip a turn, you are not rushed. If the pace slows, so be it. Better to have a good match than a fast one.

Best regards, Paul

[John 3rd]

Appreciate the sentiment guys.

This is what Dan wrote and I thought it would be OK to copy it down into the AAR:

John,

My weekend unexpectedly became a whirlwind - an unplanned trip to Atlanta today, daughter came home from college this evening, and day away tomorrow to spend with family. So, where I had expected to do several turns, I'm now down to one hope. I'm going to try to get up early enough tomorrow to get the turn back to you. That will probably be all I can do.

Your schedule requests are fine by me! Mondays and Tuesdays are good days for me too. Sundays are usually tough, though sometimes I can get in as many as two or sometimes even three turns.

Our gaming will undoubtedly relax a bit during the summer, too, as we both get involved in family vacations. We'll be gone for a week in mid June. I'm hoping to be gone another week in July.

I'm having a blast with this game, so I appreciate you playing so steadily and making it so much fun. It was all I had hoped it would be when we started.

Happy Mom's Day to Paula and blessings to both of you and your boys.

Dan


Slowing things down will be GOOD.

I want to do a serious region-by-region update going through planning, defense status, and strength of each major area. Like to do this about every 4-6 months of game time. Also need to focus on the economy because A LOT has happened since the last time we did. A serious discussion about future aircraft would be a good too...

SIDE NOTE:
Dan is now sniffing around the perimeter with DDs and small ship TF. I KNOW he wants me to commit the KB to the IO. I would LOVE TO, however, NOT! Every fiber of my being says to send the KB out and LOOK for trouble but I am fighting that tendency. Am moving my longest range air search aircraft around trying to spot movement to gain an idea of where the hammer shall fall.

Am getting pretty strong feelings that the Aleutians may not be on the list. He doesn't have much time to move before the winter sets in up there. Thinking about moving KB to Eniwetok. It is still out of the way (not the normal choices for placement of Fleet) but allows for movement in various directions.

Dan should be done with his summer AA upgrades for the US Fleet CVs. I KNOW he shall show up with all SIX of them now. Have been waiting for the CLEAR forecast of the weather to hit Akyab but really want to bring Junyo--Hiyo to the KB. I'm gonna pull the trigger regardless of weather within the next 2-3 turns. Bet Dan doesn't expect me to field over 250 CV-Based Aircraft!

That should be enough to wet you guys appetites for the current thinking in a nutshell.

[John 3rd]

For newer readers and members I think it important for me to explain a little bit about Dan and I's relationship.

We started YEARS ago with Uncommon Valor and moved to WitP. While learning that game my life blew apart and while that was starting, Dan and I began our campaign. he was there for me (he is a former Prosecuting Attorney) and provided lots of support and legal advice as my life went into the crapper for roughly two years. Longtime readers and members know all about this and I will not go back down amnesia lane. While we played (5-6 turns a day) and kept up magnificent AARs, Dan and I bonded to each other. During this same time Michael and I became quite close as well as a good former opponent in South Carolina. All three were quite helpful and long-time friendships have developed.

This provides a bit of background to our game. I care deeply for this noble Southern opponent and want to provide the best game possible while STILL HAVING FUN!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
I care deeply for this noble Southern opponent

Gee, that's touching, John. Now will you please cut his guts out and serve them to him piping hot?!!? [:@]

[;)]

ETA: As a reader of both AARs, I appreciate how well you both know each other's tendencies, proclivities and tastes. You are both pretty good at getting into your opponent's heads and relaying this to your readers. Such a knowledge of one's opponent provides another layer to the game, IMO. It's entertaining reading too. [8D]

[zuluhour]

[John 3rd]

Reluctant Admiral
Islands of Destiny
SS Sinkings/Damaged

September 10, 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 SEVEN Submarine ACES right now! I-3 has nine kills and two of them are DDs. How about that??!! The best hunting grounds are pretty obvious from the list below.

Six Japanese SS (four I-Boat, one ML- 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
AP Ormiston Carnavon 06-17-42
AK Jehangi Ramree 07-20-42

Ro-34
AKL Luzon Jolo 12-09-41
CL Marblehead Soerabaja 01-16-42
AK Steaua Romania Chittagong 07-20-42
KV Freesia Cox’s Bizar 07-25-42

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-65
HDML Trincomalee 08-02-42

Ro-66
AM Kingfisher Yasawa 12-20-41
AKL Georgian Suva 06-13-42

Ro-67
DD Voyager Newcastle 05-23-42
AK Bhima Koggala 07-23-42
AK Livington Court Koggala 07-23-42

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
AM Whyalla Lord Howe Island 06-24-42

I-122 Akyab (Mine) 09-05-42
AK Wing Sang Langsa 12-09-41

I-123
AMc Cochin 02-16-42
AKL Selma City Cochin 02-19-42
AKL St. Quentin Akyab 08-20-42




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
ACM Abatis Seward Isle 07-26-42
DD Monaghan Seward Isle 08-03-42
AK Ohioan Seward Isle 08-29-42
DD Wilson Seward Isle 09-10-42

I-4
TK Norfold Karachi 06-08-42

I-6
AK Royal T Frank San Clemente 01-04-42
AKL Atlantic Suva 05-23-42
AKL Georgia Suva 06-14-42
AK Somelsdijk Lahaina 08-26-42
AKL Honomu Lahaina 09-07-42

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-10
AKL Wawa Gau Isle 08-19-42

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
AK Liberty King Island 06-25-42

I-17
AV Curtiss Palmyra 12-15-41
PG Moresby Burnie 09-08-42

I-18
PG Charleston Lihue 06-28-42

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-22
TK British Energy Karachi 06-08-42
KV Thyme Koggala 09-05-42

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

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

I-25
AL Olopana Christmas Isle 08-02-42

I-26
AO Cuyama Christmas 06-03-42

I-27
HDML Trincomalee 08-15-42
AK Ima Koggala 08-17-42
AMc Koggala 08-22-42

I-29 Akyab (DC Dam) 07-04-42
AK Johilla Akyab 06-11-42

I-153
AK Tweedbank Exmouth 06-16-42
AK Testbank (D) Exmouth 06-16-42
AP Ormiston (D) Exmouth 06-16-42

I-154
AG Canopus Denpasar 12-13-41
AK Dorothy Philips (D) Cold Bay 06-22-42
AK Walter Luchenbach Kodiak 06-29-42

I-155
AKL Bast Oosthaven 12-21-41

I-155
YP-197 Victoria 07-28-42
TK Camden (D) Victoria 08-01-42
TK William H Berg Victoria 08-01-42

I-156
AMc Cochin 03-13-42
DD Van Ghent Cochin 03-27-42
AK Oakbank Busselton 07-21-42
BB Warspite (D) Busselton 08-16-42

I-157
AK Federlock Koggala 12-13-41
AK Trieste Carnavon 06-18-42
AK Arcturus (D) Caranvon 06-18-42
CA Astoria (D) Exmouth 06-20-42
SS KXVIII Koggala 07-22-42
CA Australia (D) Koggala 08-11-42

I-158
AK Alchiba (D) Exmouth 06-15-42

I-159
TK Iris Muntock 12-08-41
AKL Kentuckian Port Blair 03-21-42
AK West Ivis Annette 04-20-42
AK Nightingale Cordova 08-17-42
AK Hawaiian Seward Isle 08-29-42

I-160
AMC Kanimbla Batavia 12-09-41
AKL De Haan Toboali 12-10-41
DD Gilmer Sit Kinak Isle 08-16-42

I-162 Akyab (ASW) 06-23-42
AKL Nordhual Goa 02-08-42
KV Fritillary Karachi 02-14-42
AK Robert Luckenbach Karachi 02-16-42
AK Jaladurga Akyab 06-11-42

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
AK Steel Engineer Chittagong 08-27-42

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

I-175
AK Diamondhead French Frigate Shoal 08-29-42


One of the areas I love to watch are the desperation fights of SS vs. DD. From May 1st--September 10th, the IJN SS have managed to sinks DDs Monaghan, Gilmer, and Wilson. Pretty good work if you ask me.

[Chickenboy]

Very nice work by your Silent Service, John. Very nice.

[John 3rd]

Sept 11, 1942

Queries from Rangoon: Give me a GO---NO GO for Operation Shimakaze.

Prome (AF-3) GO!
Magwe (AF-4) GO!
Mandalay (AF-4) GO!
Rangoon (AF-6) GO!
Moulmein (AF-5) GO!

TF 81 (Junyo--Hiyo--Ryuho) GO!
TF 145 (Hosho, Chuyo, Unyo, Taiyo) GO!

Weather REPORT: No Go!



FROM: Southern Army Command
TO: All Aerial HQ in Burma Theatre

We are 'GO' on Operation Shimakaze.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Sept 11, 1942

Queries from Rangoon: Give me a GO---NO GO for Operation Shimakaze.

Prome (AF-3) GO!
Magwe (AF-4) GO!
Mandalay (AF-4) GO!
Rangoon (AF-6) GO!
Moulmein (AF-5) GO!

TF 81 (Junyo--Hiyo--Ryuho) GO!
TF 145 (Hosho, Chuyo, Unyo, Taiyo) GO!

Weather REPORT: No Go!



FROM: Southern Army Command
TO: All Aerial HQ in Burma Theatre

We are 'GO' on Operation Shimakaze.

John,

What a nice opportunity to bang on some of those Allied (dog) subs SSW and WSW of Rangoon in your image. They're detected (I assume) by your aerial naval search, but still in coastal (shallow) hexes? Can you detail some small ASW craft to go and beat on 'em? Be a great way to train up some of your small SCs.

[John 3rd]

Five SWEEPS come over Akyab and LAY WASTE!

We lose 23 Tojo for, perhaps, triple that number. Many Allied planes disengage instead of stay to fight. Morale issues...

The Fleet moves in and all IJN Vals, Kates, Betty, and Nell are loaded with bombs and Torps. We'll see if the British IO Fleet stays at Akyab or flees. If it flees, 7 SS move into good position to bag a few ships.

[zuluhour]

Are you using any "Flying Circus" style Chutai, stacking the deck as it were, with the A-Team? Leading LBA ace? I am of the "romantic" mind when it comes to action reports as well as the "hard" facts.