June 8th.
On June 6th, the enemy captured Tjipajap. A task force of BB including Yamashiro and Fuso bombarded Broome in North Australia. In addition 12 Kate bombers attacked the 2/1 AIF Pioneer battalion at Port Hedland.
In a strange turn of events, the next day, SS Halibut launched torpedoes at DD Shigure, missing. That would not be worth reporting except that the location, SE of Tonga was a strange place to find a Japanese surface asset.
Sandaukar captured by the enemy.
June 9th. Pregnant Pause.
Blenheim bombers hit the 6h RTA/B Division at Cox Bazaar.
A Vincent bomber reported an imaginary hit on a totally fictitious submarine east of Christchurch.
On a better light, CV Wasp and BB North Carolina arrived at Balboa and were sent sailing to Pearl Harbor. CV Indomitable sent back to Cape Town.
June 10th.
Near Suva, SS Grayback misses on DD Hatsukaze. Early wind responded by hitting the submarine with a depth charge near Suva.
Over Cox Bazaar a minor air battle rages. First enemy bombers hit allied troops approaching the village, then 15 Blenheims escorted by 26 P40E hit the enemy positions. 6 Nick twin engine fighters interfere and a single P40 is lost.
Alice Springs now has level 2 fortifications. Further construction on the defenses is stopped and resources switch to enlarging the airfield.
Lexington has 20 days to go.
June 11
Palmyra’s defenses reach level 3 and construction of further fortifications is stopped. Tahiti has level 1 defenses.
Rumble in the N. Pacific. Kaleun vs Alex L
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Pregnant Pause
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: TF 195, The gamble that failed?
The S-boats are the only US ones that DO have working torpedoes! Their torps are a different mark than the fleet boats' and should be getting 80% boom [:)] to 20% clang[:(].ORIGINAL: kaleun
...
US submarines continue their practice of hitting the enemy with dud torpedoes. The admirals are thinking of withdrawing all but the S class subs rather than providing the enemy with free ASW training! ...
If you are not getting results with them, check the naval skill and aggression of the skippers. Skill should be 60+ and aggression 65+, if you can get the leaders. Having the sub at a major base will give more leaders to choose from.
Their short legs are a problem, but you do have quite a few ASs to base forward at secret locations ...
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: TF 195, The gamble that failed?
That's the secret plan, as you will see.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: TF 195, The gamble that failed?
July 12 42
Admiral Nimitz hated Washington in general and politicians in particular. Furthermore, he hated traveling to DC because it took him away from trying to fight a war that, all things considered, was not going well at all. The suspicion that, the same politicians whose fault it was that the country was caught woefully unprepared for a war, were now about to berate him for the failure to gain the initiative, did not help his humor. His only defense was the triplicate report he carried in his briefcase.
He was escorted into the Oval Office where three men waited. Two he knew, Secretary of War Henry Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. The third one was a chubby man in his late thirties or early forties with a receding hairline and glasses, he’d never met him before and no one introduced them.
A door opened and a secret service agent wheeled the President in. They all stood up to receive him.
Franklin D. Roosevelt took his seat at the desk created for his cousin, when he was President and gestured the men to sit down.
“Gentlemen,” he said.
“You’ve met George Mr. President?” Stimson said.
“He predicted my victory in 36,” the president said, “how could I forget him?”
“He’s made an interesting discovery. Tell him Horace.”
“Sir,” George Horace Gallup said, “I have been polling people since even before the war started and have established that there is a way to quantify public opinion. Each casualty, each ship, each piece of land has a value, on people’s minds; I call them “Victory Points””
Nimitz’s eyes rolled back in his head and he contemplated the office’s ceiling as the pollster droned on.
“…. I have concluded that, if by next year the enemy has more than four times our value, the public opinion will make it impossible to continue the war.” Gallup sat down.
Mention the words “Public opinion” among politicians and you are sure to get their attention.
“How many?” The President asked.
“27900 Japan, 6800 us.”
“Thank you George, you may leave us now,” Stimson said.
After the pollster was ushered out the door by the mute secret service agent, the President spoke.
“We need a victory.”
Nimitz opened his briefcase and took out the three manila folders inside, “Perhaps this might help.”
Admiral Nimitz hated Washington in general and politicians in particular. Furthermore, he hated traveling to DC because it took him away from trying to fight a war that, all things considered, was not going well at all. The suspicion that, the same politicians whose fault it was that the country was caught woefully unprepared for a war, were now about to berate him for the failure to gain the initiative, did not help his humor. His only defense was the triplicate report he carried in his briefcase.
He was escorted into the Oval Office where three men waited. Two he knew, Secretary of War Henry Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. The third one was a chubby man in his late thirties or early forties with a receding hairline and glasses, he’d never met him before and no one introduced them.
A door opened and a secret service agent wheeled the President in. They all stood up to receive him.
Franklin D. Roosevelt took his seat at the desk created for his cousin, when he was President and gestured the men to sit down.
“Gentlemen,” he said.
“You’ve met George Mr. President?” Stimson said.
“He predicted my victory in 36,” the president said, “how could I forget him?”
“He’s made an interesting discovery. Tell him Horace.”
“Sir,” George Horace Gallup said, “I have been polling people since even before the war started and have established that there is a way to quantify public opinion. Each casualty, each ship, each piece of land has a value, on people’s minds; I call them “Victory Points””
Nimitz’s eyes rolled back in his head and he contemplated the office’s ceiling as the pollster droned on.
“…. I have concluded that, if by next year the enemy has more than four times our value, the public opinion will make it impossible to continue the war.” Gallup sat down.
Mention the words “Public opinion” among politicians and you are sure to get their attention.
“How many?” The President asked.
“27900 Japan, 6800 us.”
“Thank you George, you may leave us now,” Stimson said.
After the pollster was ushered out the door by the mute secret service agent, the President spoke.
“We need a victory.”
Nimitz opened his briefcase and took out the three manila folders inside, “Perhaps this might help.”
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
He gave each man a map and a single, typewritten sheet of paper.
“The Aleutian islands are a chain of remote, cold and dreary specks on the map, of little importance. Most Americans could not place them on a globe if their life depended on it.”
“When we began to understand that there was a serious problem with our Mark 12 torpedo, we decided to build a submarine base at the westernmost island, Attu, to allow our S-class submarines to reach the enemy’s home islands and thus take the war to them. The S class uses Mark 10 torpedoes that are more reliable but they are short ranged.
For reasons unknown, the enemy decided to invade Attu. Their first effort was repelled easily. We reinforced the garrison, but did not expect him to try again; after all, there was nothing there. Unfortunately he did, in force, and he seized not only Attu but several other islands to the east. The press has reported it but emphasized how remote and unimportant the islands were, after all, this is the only American territory the enemy holds, and we did not want morale to be undermined.
We want the Attu back, we want the submarine base there, and I think we have a good chance of taking it.”
He pointed to the map.
“I give you, Operation North Star.”
He paused for effect.
“The invasion force will carry the 32nd Infantry Division, the 24th and the 161st Infantry regiment and the 106 USN Base force. A Replenishment force will accompany them with the oilers. Both task forces will depart Pearl Harbor and sail to point A, to the southeast of Dutch Harbor. That way we hope to keep them away from enemy air search and submarine recon.
The carrier force will consist of CV Wasp en route to Pearl at this time, Hornet, currently at Pearl and Lexington who is in dry dock, also at Pearl Harbor. She is expected to complete her repairs and upgrade her torpedo bombers shortly before the mission.
The carriers will take a direct route to Attu and support the landings. In addition they will form a blocking force against enemy naval attempts to interfere.
There are currently two submarine picket lines to the west of Attu. The westernmost one will be reinforced by a large number of fleet class boats currently en route to Dutch harbor. They are useless at this time as attack boats but will serve quite well as scouts. Their addition will extend the western line half way to Midway.
We also have a group of B17 bombers at Midway. The runways are too short for them to operate with a full load of bombs, but they are effective,” Nimitz crossed his fingers behind his back, “search assets.”
He sat down.
“The Aleutian islands are a chain of remote, cold and dreary specks on the map, of little importance. Most Americans could not place them on a globe if their life depended on it.”
“When we began to understand that there was a serious problem with our Mark 12 torpedo, we decided to build a submarine base at the westernmost island, Attu, to allow our S-class submarines to reach the enemy’s home islands and thus take the war to them. The S class uses Mark 10 torpedoes that are more reliable but they are short ranged.
For reasons unknown, the enemy decided to invade Attu. Their first effort was repelled easily. We reinforced the garrison, but did not expect him to try again; after all, there was nothing there. Unfortunately he did, in force, and he seized not only Attu but several other islands to the east. The press has reported it but emphasized how remote and unimportant the islands were, after all, this is the only American territory the enemy holds, and we did not want morale to be undermined.
We want the Attu back, we want the submarine base there, and I think we have a good chance of taking it.”
He pointed to the map.
“I give you, Operation North Star.”
He paused for effect.
“The invasion force will carry the 32nd Infantry Division, the 24th and the 161st Infantry regiment and the 106 USN Base force. A Replenishment force will accompany them with the oilers. Both task forces will depart Pearl Harbor and sail to point A, to the southeast of Dutch Harbor. That way we hope to keep them away from enemy air search and submarine recon.
The carrier force will consist of CV Wasp en route to Pearl at this time, Hornet, currently at Pearl and Lexington who is in dry dock, also at Pearl Harbor. She is expected to complete her repairs and upgrade her torpedo bombers shortly before the mission.
The carriers will take a direct route to Attu and support the landings. In addition they will form a blocking force against enemy naval attempts to interfere.
There are currently two submarine picket lines to the west of Attu. The westernmost one will be reinforced by a large number of fleet class boats currently en route to Dutch harbor. They are useless at this time as attack boats but will serve quite well as scouts. Their addition will extend the western line half way to Midway.
We also have a group of B17 bombers at Midway. The runways are too short for them to operate with a full load of bombs, but they are effective,” Nimitz crossed his fingers behind his back, “search assets.”
He sat down.
- Attachments
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- NorthStarplanbis.jpg (219.65 KiB) Viewed 337 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 13th, 1942
After Thai troops invaded Cox Bazaar, a strong diplomatic effort by the foreign office resulted in profuse apologies from the Thai government, received via the Swiss embassy. His Gracious Majesty King George VI will forgive this trespass and allow the Thai forces to withdraw unmolested. A total of 2 Thai divisions will withdraw from Cox Bazaar.
June 14th.
All available submarines are ordered to proceed to Dutch Harbor at best speed. The objective is to isolate the island and to provide warning of approaching enemy naval forces. The S boats will operate closer to the island while the fleet subs will form the more distant picket line.
At a meeting of the Tactical Allied Coordination Committee, TACALCORC, an informal (and mostly unauthorized) organization that includes the low level officers that actually organize everything, several decisions were made. These officers will then present this decisions to their admirals while making sure that the brass believes they were their own ideas all along.
The Royal Navy will sortie her carriers from Perth to make a cameo appearance off NW Australia. The objective is twofold. First, the enemy might believe a major attempt to retake Port Hedland is in the offing (The aborted Operation Staggering Koala) and deploy Naval assets to counter it. Second, after a couple of fake attacks without follow through, when the real Stumbling Koala comes off his eucalyptus tree, it might catch the buggers by surprise.
A tentative schedule for operations for the remaining 1942 was drawn up.:
#1 July 1942. Operation North Star by the US Navy, with the RN acting as a red herring.
#2 After success of North Star, (Late august or September) Operation Massive Hammer. Invasion of Baker Island with the RN, once more, acting as a red herring.
#3 November or December, the real Staggering Koala. The US carriers will join up with the RN carriers and retake Port Hedland.
Much beer was consumed after this was agreed upon, and all the young officers hoped no one else saw their fingers crossed behind their backs.
One rubbed vigorously a rabbit’s foot secreted in his pocket while the British commander was seen throwing salt over his shoulder at every opportunity.
After Thai troops invaded Cox Bazaar, a strong diplomatic effort by the foreign office resulted in profuse apologies from the Thai government, received via the Swiss embassy. His Gracious Majesty King George VI will forgive this trespass and allow the Thai forces to withdraw unmolested. A total of 2 Thai divisions will withdraw from Cox Bazaar.
June 14th.
All available submarines are ordered to proceed to Dutch Harbor at best speed. The objective is to isolate the island and to provide warning of approaching enemy naval forces. The S boats will operate closer to the island while the fleet subs will form the more distant picket line.
At a meeting of the Tactical Allied Coordination Committee, TACALCORC, an informal (and mostly unauthorized) organization that includes the low level officers that actually organize everything, several decisions were made. These officers will then present this decisions to their admirals while making sure that the brass believes they were their own ideas all along.
The Royal Navy will sortie her carriers from Perth to make a cameo appearance off NW Australia. The objective is twofold. First, the enemy might believe a major attempt to retake Port Hedland is in the offing (The aborted Operation Staggering Koala) and deploy Naval assets to counter it. Second, after a couple of fake attacks without follow through, when the real Stumbling Koala comes off his eucalyptus tree, it might catch the buggers by surprise.
A tentative schedule for operations for the remaining 1942 was drawn up.:
#1 July 1942. Operation North Star by the US Navy, with the RN acting as a red herring.
#2 After success of North Star, (Late august or September) Operation Massive Hammer. Invasion of Baker Island with the RN, once more, acting as a red herring.
#3 November or December, the real Staggering Koala. The US carriers will join up with the RN carriers and retake Port Hedland.
Much beer was consumed after this was agreed upon, and all the young officers hoped no one else saw their fingers crossed behind their backs.
One rubbed vigorously a rabbit’s foot secreted in his pocket while the British commander was seen throwing salt over his shoulder at every opportunity.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
So I'm curious about Operation North Star. To me it sounds like a good plan with a high probability as the winter freeze will prevent an Japanese counter invasion until 1943. But IMO success of the invasion will depend on support from the other Aleutian islands. Building up Adak or Amchitka air bases will prove immensely beneficial if you do not seize victory easily and rely on air attack for disruption. Also, do you have any intelligence about what the Japanese garrison looks like? Lastly remember that it is only June 1942. Japanese very well could - and probably will - expand its holdings in the Aleutians before November to acquire a real air base (Attu is too small). So be prepared to stop that and/or have units in place to retake it.
Its nice to see that despite all the setbacks so far this game you're still thinking offensively this morning. But still don't let that become the end of you; Japan still has a few good punches left so always keep an eye open!
Its nice to see that despite all the setbacks so far this game you're still thinking offensively this morning. But still don't let that become the end of you; Japan still has a few good punches left so always keep an eye open!
RE: North Star
June 17, 42
The Royal Navy doesn’t like to play second fiddle to any other naval force, much less to the US Navy. The debate is how little to risk that would show enough support so that the US Navy will not skimp on their efforts to help Staggering Koala.
In the end, the admirals decided that honesty was the best policy and that a real effort would be made to attract the enemy’s attention.
To that effect, in addition to the transport task force sighted yesterday by an enemy submarine near Carnavon, a surface combat task force will head north to bombard Port Hedland.
At Pearl three bomber groups that have been training most of the war, trade their B17D and Bolo for B17E and embark towards Oz.
June 18th.
SS-I 158 fires on CL Hobart off Carnavon and misses.
SS S-45 misses on xAK Akasan Maru off Medny Island in the Aleutian chain.
The enemy invades Amchika Island.
In San Francisco, the 27th infantry division prepping for Attu in case reinforcements are needed for the invasion, changes to combat status and prepares to load up to reinforce the Attu garrison.
June 19th.
The enemy occupies Corunna Downs, south of Port Hedland. Near Kembla, APD Whipple takes a torpedo hit and sinks. Amchika is occupied by the Japanese and Cox Bazaar, now that the RTA has withdrawn, by the Brits.
June 20.
The Japanese occupy Kiska.
Canton Island now sports level 5 fortifications.
The first part of Northern Star sets in motion. A replenishment task force departs Pearl towards point A. In a final refinement to Northern Star, the replenishment task force will lurk at Point A, wait for the invasion and surface covering force and refuel the combat force. The invasion forces will then approach Attu from the East, while the carriers will take the direct route and, after the action is over, also refuel from the waiting oilers.
Fingers are crossed and rabbits feet rubbed at Pearl.
The Royal Navy doesn’t like to play second fiddle to any other naval force, much less to the US Navy. The debate is how little to risk that would show enough support so that the US Navy will not skimp on their efforts to help Staggering Koala.
In the end, the admirals decided that honesty was the best policy and that a real effort would be made to attract the enemy’s attention.
To that effect, in addition to the transport task force sighted yesterday by an enemy submarine near Carnavon, a surface combat task force will head north to bombard Port Hedland.
At Pearl three bomber groups that have been training most of the war, trade their B17D and Bolo for B17E and embark towards Oz.
June 18th.
SS-I 158 fires on CL Hobart off Carnavon and misses.
SS S-45 misses on xAK Akasan Maru off Medny Island in the Aleutian chain.
The enemy invades Amchika Island.
In San Francisco, the 27th infantry division prepping for Attu in case reinforcements are needed for the invasion, changes to combat status and prepares to load up to reinforce the Attu garrison.
June 19th.
The enemy occupies Corunna Downs, south of Port Hedland. Near Kembla, APD Whipple takes a torpedo hit and sinks. Amchika is occupied by the Japanese and Cox Bazaar, now that the RTA has withdrawn, by the Brits.
June 20.
The Japanese occupy Kiska.
Canton Island now sports level 5 fortifications.
The first part of Northern Star sets in motion. A replenishment task force departs Pearl towards point A. In a final refinement to Northern Star, the replenishment task force will lurk at Point A, wait for the invasion and surface covering force and refuel the combat force. The invasion forces will then approach Attu from the East, while the carriers will take the direct route and, after the action is over, also refuel from the waiting oilers.
Fingers are crossed and rabbits feet rubbed at Pearl.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 21st.
Well, that didn’t take long. One day out of Pearl and SS I-23 launches on DM Tray, one of the escorts of the replenishment task force. How much did the sub captain see? Perhaps the enemy will think this just an ordinary fuel run.
Well, that didn’t take long. One day out of Pearl and SS I-23 launches on DM Tray, one of the escorts of the replenishment task force. How much did the sub captain see? Perhaps the enemy will think this just an ordinary fuel run.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 22nd.
The invasion and the covering force depart Pearl Harbor.
One by one, the last bastions of Dutch rule in Asia fall to the enemy. Battalion sized parachute forces, special naval landing forces and raiding battalions take Kai Eilanden and other tiny garrisons where the only European presence is a flag, flying proud on a wooden mast.
In Java, Batavia, Soerabaja and Medan still hold out.
Off North Australia, a small carrier task force harasses allied shipping. The Red Herring seems unnecessary now, the enemy is paying attention. DD Paul Jones takes a 250 Kg bomb dropped by a Kate at 2000 ft. A second raid targeted DD Dewey but the Kates drop their ordnance from 10,000 feet and, of course, miss.
D-Day -8.
The day the carriers depart is 8 days away. All the carriers are at Pearl. CV Hornet has no damage and CV Wasp picked up 2SD after her high speed run to avoid lurking submarines. Wasp upgrades VT-71 to TBF-1 Avengers. Takes replacements for her F4F and SBD-3 groups. Repairs will take three days.
Lexington is still 8 days away from being ready. That is cutting it too closely. She still has SBD-2 for dive bombers. There are not enough SBD-3s for her to upgrade at this time.
The invasion and the covering force depart Pearl Harbor.
One by one, the last bastions of Dutch rule in Asia fall to the enemy. Battalion sized parachute forces, special naval landing forces and raiding battalions take Kai Eilanden and other tiny garrisons where the only European presence is a flag, flying proud on a wooden mast.
In Java, Batavia, Soerabaja and Medan still hold out.
Off North Australia, a small carrier task force harasses allied shipping. The Red Herring seems unnecessary now, the enemy is paying attention. DD Paul Jones takes a 250 Kg bomb dropped by a Kate at 2000 ft. A second raid targeted DD Dewey but the Kates drop their ordnance from 10,000 feet and, of course, miss.
D-Day -8.
The day the carriers depart is 8 days away. All the carriers are at Pearl. CV Hornet has no damage and CV Wasp picked up 2SD after her high speed run to avoid lurking submarines. Wasp upgrades VT-71 to TBF-1 Avengers. Takes replacements for her F4F and SBD-3 groups. Repairs will take three days.
Lexington is still 8 days away from being ready. That is cutting it too closely. She still has SBD-2 for dive bombers. There are not enough SBD-3s for her to upgrade at this time.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
Thanks for the read Sangeli.
It is early in the war but it is primary season in the US and FDR needs to be seen to be doing something.[X(]
It is early in the war but it is primary season in the US and FDR needs to be seen to be doing something.[X(]
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 23rd
Action continues along Australia’s western shore. Enemy carriers hit shipping at Carnavon and Geraldton. At Perth, bombers set on naval attack wait. They wait for the enemy to reach their range.
A large enemy cruiser task force (Mikuma, Kumano, Kinugasa, Takao, Aova) accompanies the enemy carriers and hits crippled ships at will. AP Leonard falls to these wolves, Dewey manages to escape them as well as to evade the torpedoes that SS I-153 launched at her, only to fall to the carrier Kate bombers who, this time, score 2 hits on the plucky destroyer.
June 24th.
During the night, the enemy carriers stumble on the lone DD Decoy. Yamashiro and Oshio open fire on the destroyer while Oshio and Kasumi launch torpedoes. Even CVE Unyo fires her guns at the lone destroyer that escapes in the darkness. On the wireless she sends an unencrypted message.
“Fired upon by enemy carrier force. Have identified CV Junyo, CVE Hosho, Taiyo and Unyo, CS Mizuho, BB Fuso and Yamashiro. Evading.”
While evading the carriers, Decoy stumbles on the cruiser force. Mikuma, Kumano, Takao and Aoba fire on the tin can but miraculously, she escapes and sends another contact report.
Her luck runs our near Geraldton. The cruisers finally catch up with the heroic destroyer and sink her. In a later action the cruisers also sink DD Paul Jones.
In the middle of the north Pacific SS I-18 meets the replenishment task force and is depth charged by the escorts who claim one hit.
Bandoeng falls.
Action continues along Australia’s western shore. Enemy carriers hit shipping at Carnavon and Geraldton. At Perth, bombers set on naval attack wait. They wait for the enemy to reach their range.
A large enemy cruiser task force (Mikuma, Kumano, Kinugasa, Takao, Aova) accompanies the enemy carriers and hits crippled ships at will. AP Leonard falls to these wolves, Dewey manages to escape them as well as to evade the torpedoes that SS I-153 launched at her, only to fall to the carrier Kate bombers who, this time, score 2 hits on the plucky destroyer.
June 24th.
During the night, the enemy carriers stumble on the lone DD Decoy. Yamashiro and Oshio open fire on the destroyer while Oshio and Kasumi launch torpedoes. Even CVE Unyo fires her guns at the lone destroyer that escapes in the darkness. On the wireless she sends an unencrypted message.
“Fired upon by enemy carrier force. Have identified CV Junyo, CVE Hosho, Taiyo and Unyo, CS Mizuho, BB Fuso and Yamashiro. Evading.”
While evading the carriers, Decoy stumbles on the cruiser force. Mikuma, Kumano, Takao and Aoba fire on the tin can but miraculously, she escapes and sends another contact report.
Her luck runs our near Geraldton. The cruisers finally catch up with the heroic destroyer and sink her. In a later action the cruisers also sink DD Paul Jones.
In the middle of the north Pacific SS I-18 meets the replenishment task force and is depth charged by the escorts who claim one hit.
Bandoeng falls.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
Interesting that Japan has decided to occupy Kiska and Amchitka. If you're going to do Operation North star, you are definitely right in doing it before Japan can build up those bases. And if it were me, I would be sure to wipe out those island garrisons before winter to prevent him from building them up and cutting off Attu. Otherwise you could be looking at a campaign in the Aleutians lasting through the spring of 1943 as Attu lacks the airfield to base bombers out of.
RE: North Star
Actually...
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 25th 42
No battle plan survives contact with the enemy and North Star will not be the exception. SS I-7 scores one hit on CL Nashville, off Dutch Harbor. The light cruiser was escorting an amphib force landing a Coastal Defense unit.
A fast transport task force drops an invading force on Adak Island.
The 27th US infantry division sets off from Frisco to garrison Dutch Harbor. This is considered insurance in case of failure of North Star, and in case the enemy continues island hopping towards Alaska.
No battle plan survives contact with the enemy and North Star will not be the exception. SS I-7 scores one hit on CL Nashville, off Dutch Harbor. The light cruiser was escorting an amphib force landing a Coastal Defense unit.
A fast transport task force drops an invading force on Adak Island.
The 27th US infantry division sets off from Frisco to garrison Dutch Harbor. This is considered insurance in case of failure of North Star, and in case the enemy continues island hopping towards Alaska.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 27th
- Attachments
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- Mississippi.jpg (126.83 KiB) Viewed 337 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
The cat is out of the bag!
In the middle of the North Pacific, a Japanese submarine hits Mississippi with a single torpedo. The mighty battlewagon shrugs off such damage but the coverage force has now been spotted and, shortly after the surface combat force passes, a coded radio transmission was picked up. Direction finding equipment places the transmitter aft of the task force. The Japanese might, just might, think that this is an attempt to slow down their advance but, later in the day, the same sub scores on APD Hatfield and detects the invasion force.
3 days remain before the carriers leave Pearl Harbor and Nimitz must now decide: Press on or turn back?
West of Attu, a long line of submarine pickets extends half way down the Pacific. Any enemy task force should be detected by the submarines and give enough warning for the transports to get out of harm’s way, and for the carriers, once they join, to perhaps pounce on an unsuspecting enemy.
“We go on,” Nimitz says, “surprise or not, so long as we think we can win.”
In the middle of the North Pacific, a Japanese submarine hits Mississippi with a single torpedo. The mighty battlewagon shrugs off such damage but the coverage force has now been spotted and, shortly after the surface combat force passes, a coded radio transmission was picked up. Direction finding equipment places the transmitter aft of the task force. The Japanese might, just might, think that this is an attempt to slow down their advance but, later in the day, the same sub scores on APD Hatfield and detects the invasion force.
3 days remain before the carriers leave Pearl Harbor and Nimitz must now decide: Press on or turn back?
West of Attu, a long line of submarine pickets extends half way down the Pacific. Any enemy task force should be detected by the submarines and give enough warning for the transports to get out of harm’s way, and for the carriers, once they join, to perhaps pounce on an unsuspecting enemy.
“We go on,” Nimitz says, “surprise or not, so long as we think we can win.”
- Attachments
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- capture_00..5641bisd.jpg (256.18 KiB) Viewed 337 times
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 28th 42
At Tahiti AKV Kirkland sinks after being hit by two torpedoes. The attacking submarine suffered 9 depth charge hits, or so it was reported and was presumed sunk.
Assuming the success of North Star, the Navy command begins the gestation of the next operation, Pacific Dawn.
The first target, and not directly part of the operation is to liberate Baker Island. This will deny the island base to enemy recon flights.
The objective of the operation will be Tarawa and the Marshall islands.
Meanwhile, Lexington is now 9 days away from readiness!
June 29th
The invasion task force reports being shadowed by Japanese float planes. In the South Pacific, BB Ramillies reports the same.
Off Amtchika Island, SS S-18 fires on PB Hakkaisan Maru and misses.
Unable to wait for Lexington any longer, Wasp and Hornet are ordered to depart Pearl Harbor.
At Tahiti AKV Kirkland sinks after being hit by two torpedoes. The attacking submarine suffered 9 depth charge hits, or so it was reported and was presumed sunk.
Assuming the success of North Star, the Navy command begins the gestation of the next operation, Pacific Dawn.
The first target, and not directly part of the operation is to liberate Baker Island. This will deny the island base to enemy recon flights.
The objective of the operation will be Tarawa and the Marshall islands.
Meanwhile, Lexington is now 9 days away from readiness!
June 29th
The invasion task force reports being shadowed by Japanese float planes. In the South Pacific, BB Ramillies reports the same.
Off Amtchika Island, SS S-18 fires on PB Hakkaisan Maru and misses.
Unable to wait for Lexington any longer, Wasp and Hornet are ordered to depart Pearl Harbor.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
June 30th 1942
North Star unravels like a ball of yarn.
After an unsuccessful attack by a submarine on the surface covering force, a Catalina float plane reports an enemy task force south of Amtchika. The task force, previously undetected, had slipped through the submarine pickets and the air search arc. The nature of this task force becomes apparent later in the day when 22 Kate bombers escorted by 33 Zero fighters tear into the invasion fleet.
AP Hunter Liggett, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk, AP President Monroe, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage, AP President Jackson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire.
62 Kate bombers follow with an escort of 57 AGM2s.
BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk.
AP George F. Elliot, Torpedo hits 1, DD Cushing, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk, xAP Rangitiki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, xAK Fairland, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk, AP President Jackson, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk, CLAA Atlanta, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Thomas Jefferson, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk.
The invasion fleet sets course for nearby Dutch Harbor and will unload the troops there. The task force bearing the 27th Division changes objective for Kodiak Island.
North Star unravels like a ball of yarn.
After an unsuccessful attack by a submarine on the surface covering force, a Catalina float plane reports an enemy task force south of Amtchika. The task force, previously undetected, had slipped through the submarine pickets and the air search arc. The nature of this task force becomes apparent later in the day when 22 Kate bombers escorted by 33 Zero fighters tear into the invasion fleet.
AP Hunter Liggett, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk, AP President Monroe, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage, AP President Jackson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire.
62 Kate bombers follow with an escort of 57 AGM2s.
BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk.
AP George F. Elliot, Torpedo hits 1, DD Cushing, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk, xAP Rangitiki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, xAK Fairland, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk, AP President Jackson, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk, CLAA Atlanta, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Thomas Jefferson, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk.
The invasion fleet sets course for nearby Dutch Harbor and will unload the troops there. The task force bearing the 27th Division changes objective for Kodiak Island.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
Oh boy that is unfortunate to have run into a sub in that part of the Pacific. And honestly I probably would have done the same thing; gone on with the mission. From the screenshot it seems that at least your carriers are out of danger. But right now I would be *very* careful about losing those infantry units on-board. You don't get many unrestricted divisions and its important not to waste them.
Also, now that you know that the KB or at least part of the KB is there you should be moving in other areas. Like it would be a good time to go get Baker island if that's what you want to do.
Also, now that you know that the KB or at least part of the KB is there you should be moving in other areas. Like it would be a good time to go get Baker island if that's what you want to do.