Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[Cavalry Corp]

Remember Japs also have 200 plane or more coordination issue?
For me by Dec 42 in your or scn 2 I do not want to let one small group of carriers race off after something and probably get hit by LBA. By Summer 42 the speed of carriers is not so important to me, unless its a deep raid where I do not expect to meet LBA especially. Having said that in your mod you have more and better fast escort ships over stock scn 2.

I tend to put 2 cv and 1 cvl as main groups and these follow each other but sometimes I put them a hex apart to confuse the allies. I put a CVE behind with Zeros on LRCAP ( all my other CVE ferry planes or are specialist ASW spread over the map. I use Hosho as main fleet support ( usually just behind with an oiler or in same hex if she catches up)with 20 Jeans on specialist ASW. In both my games RA and scn 2 the Hosho has sunk around 6 - 8 allied subs by Dec 42. The Jean has performed well in this roll for me carried 2 x 250kg, not bad.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Well, you certainly won't be surprising him with your carriers, especially after you've eaten the steady feed of picket ships he's been giving you. So, the calculus has changed IMO, John. Since you're unlikely to surprise the enemy now, what is your goal in the IO for KB? In the absence of surprise, are there any tactical concerns that you now have for this foray?

He has seen two (now) small little 12 plane strikes. Pretty obviously from CVEs.

KB finishes R&R at Soerabaja and raises anchor. They leave and head for Cocos.

GOAL? CRUSH his shipping west of Sumatra. Simple. This is not Jousting and/or fencing right now. It is the hammer arriving to clear the sea for a while so everything else can arrive. We can fence once I've gotten the troops safely ashore.

His shore bombardments are killing me right with Victoria Point and Georgetown. Got 5 DD, 4 CA, and 8 CL involved currently doing this.

Langsa and Sibolga fell this turn (Nov 22nd). MUST get my three arriving ID into the fight.

[pws1225]

Hey John, I have a question for you. Dan had landed in both northern Sumatra and Malaya. Which of the two landings do you believe to be more threatening, and which do you intend to deal with first?

[John 3rd]

Man. It is a tough question. I vote Sumatra as the more serious for the moment. He has elements of the 18th Brit ID, an Indian Brigade, and a TK Bn (as of yesterday) in Malaya (+Paras). I can deal with that. I cannot allow him to get dug-in in Sumatra.

[janh]

Absolutely Sumatra. And absolutely stunning move from Dan. Very creative. You said he'd be aggressive, but this was brilliantly set up and brilliantly supported by the guise in the Coral sea. In retrospect one could perhaps have guessed it as he did neither strongly (CV) contest your landings in the Hebrides, nor attempt to fight for his poor guys in the Marshals, but instead kept a very aggressive forward posture in Burma at such a time, including having US ground assets and CVs deployed. Hell, this guy's not to be underestimated! He really has now grown a huge center of gravity for his main push. Look at all these TFs!

You need to get him away from Singers and Palembang, from your tanker routes. If he can securely set up some bases in Sumatra, he'll substantially shorten his sub roundabouts, and in addition he can rather easily send some short-legged DD raiders into the Indochinese sea.

I also agree with the above posts, the islands West of Sumatra are as important as the main island. If Dan expands them and starts a serious air campaign here, the war will be over within a year, if not sooner. Without retaking the Malayan slot, you'll only be able to run resupply convoys to Burma with a long detour around the IO, and likely only under heavy cover such as KB. Burma would essentially be lost, but actually there wouldn't be any point in holding any further than the Thai border anyway. The theater would be obsolete at the moment you'd have to concede that you cannot drive Dan back this time.

Worse would be that Singers, Oosthaven, and Palembang would be under continuous air threat and getting oil and fuel home...? The further south and east he can advance and set up airbases (that is if not thrown into the sea within the next 2-3 months), the worse the air threat to bases in the whole DEI gets. And without Sumatra's, Northern Borneos, and Javas oil and resources... how long can you last?

Fingers crossed. Dan certainly brought tons of supply, and I bet he is putting the whole USAAF on Sumatra soon. Not sure if he plans on keeping the CV in action other than fleet cover, I rather expect that he'll rely on the supply brought ashore to sustain him while his LBA will probably soon provide cover from at least 1/4 the way to Colombo. I think you really need to bring about a decisive CV encounter now, one that allows to isolate Sumatra for at least 3-6 months even with CVE/BB forces. Even assuming a crushing victory in a CV encounter (which I do very much hope you'll soon be able to report!), having to keep KB around for a lengthy investment would sound to me like inviting trouble elsewhere...

Good luck and good hunting, John!

[Miller]

You would have to be very careful if the decide to go after his CVs IMO. He will have the advantage of LBA (assuming you approach in the IO). You could of course have Nettys based in Southern Sumatra and Malaya in range, however they are very unreliable for launching at long ranges....lots of failed to find target messages in my experience. Be warned!

[John 3rd]

Very conscious of this issue. I want to move up the west coast of Sumatra about 7-8 hexes from the edge so I don't get caught in Sabang's CAP. He has about 200 fighters there (WHERE do they all come from???!!!).

So far he has moved NOTHING into Alor Star or Singora and I am bombing those AF everyday. The only other airbase he has taken is Langsa (Lvl-2). Nothing there yet either.

LESSON FOR ALL JFB: I did not build-up ANY of the west coast AFs above Padang. Didn't touch the islands either. This is a Godsend. Nothing there for him to use presently. This will change but right now it works well for the situation.

[John 3rd]

November 22, 1942

For the second time in three days the Kaigun's DD Force fights a pitched battle and comes off the victor. Four DDs were sent to provide some cover at Tand??? and they ran into a pair of Brit DDs and 3 American DMS. A series of fights erupt that shatter the pleasant night and at the end of it the Japanese sinks DDs Napier and Vampire plus at least one or two of the DMS. In exchange for this action, one Japanese DD takes moderate damage (SYS 40). NICE!

Infantry Division Status:
1. 14th ID is fully unloaded at Singapore and will load into 40+ AK--AKL tomorrow to reinforce Tand???. BB Yamato and Musashi will Cover this convoy.
2. The 2nd ID is unloading at Batavia and shall depart in a day or two once more AK--AKL arrive. It will land on the west side of Sumatra.
3. The 4th ID has nearly 50% of its strength at Medan now. Medan might be a fairly hard nut to crack for Dan. Forts are nearly 3 and there is an AV of 275 present.
4. The 48th begins loading at Rangoon with its destination set of Phuket and Langkari.
5. The other ID (cannot remember the #) is passing Koepang presently and headed for Singers at the moment.

KB prepares to round Merak and move on to Cocos. Detach a pair of BC and 2 DD to form a STF where we shall find the BEST darned Admiral possible. Am thinking of detaching all 4 BC on a run into Sabang when we get close. Tanaka will command Yamato and Musashi. Anyone got a recommendation for a solid and MARVELOUS Admiral to place in command of a force that is truly going in Harm's Way?

[The Sandman]

Kurita, perhaps? [;)]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: The Sandman

Kurita, perhaps? [;)]

Funny...

[John 3rd]

Worked from 7am--9pm today. Nothing done with the game. Tired enough to really be STUPID so I shall sleep and tackle a turn early in the morning.

Happy 4th!

[Schlemiel]

Happy 4th. We shall patiently await our fireworks whenever they shall occur (no need to create a suboptimal timetable on our account).

[John 3rd]

Here is 25251 all dressed up for the 4th along with the switches and lanterns we've been picking up:

[John 3rd]

How about that??!!

[:'(]

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
November 22-24, 1942

Things continue to stabilize in Sumatra--Malaya. The first Japanese counter-punches are now launched and we'll have to see how they go.

Dan has moved about 10,000+ SS into the Strait of Malacca. I've moved large groups of aircraft as well as 2-3 ASW TF to pound on them in the shallow water.

REINFORCEMENTS/MOVEMENT:
1. Let us roll the die gang. The 14th ID and an Air Division load onto 60 AK--AP to go to Tand??? Last turn a pair of CAs and 5 DDs moved there to prevent any rudeness by Dan. They did not encounter anything. Tonight they will be joined by Yamato and Musashi with 6 DD. The two TF will combine and guard the reinforcement TF. These troops MUST get there. There are 60+ Tojo present to cover things as well as 75 Val.

2. After watching Georgetown get pasted day after day I finally GROW A BRAIN and move everything to Taiping. It is Sz-3 and cannot be bombarded. DUH! An Air Flotilla is headed there to reinforce the IJA Base Force and large IJN Base Force present there. Move 100 Fighters and 48 Vals there.

3. Landed 60% of an SNLF Assault Brigade at Batoe-Eil and Dan has not attacked with what little he has present so we shall BLAST the troops there tomorrow. BB Fuso will hit it as well as three Sentai of Bombers.

4. Have a pair of THAI units at Singora. BB's Nagato and Hyuga will hit the base tonight as well as three Sentai of bombers. Will attack bombard and then attack on the 25th and see what we're dealing with (Marine Paras and elements of an American Rgt)

5. Fast TF carrying 1000 troops from the 4th ID shall hit Phuket tomorrow. There is not much there. Order a bomber group to hit it and CAP the FTF. They have about 75 AV with them and it SHOULD be enough...

6. 2nd ID unloading at Batavia and will then combat load to land at Sibolga.

Naval Action:
1. BB Revenge is caught in the middle of the Strait and gets pummeled by nearly 100 Vals during the turn. She takes over 12 bomb hits and is left burning. DD Crosby is sunk from the same TF. WHAT I wouldn't have given for some TTs! Still an SS might get her yet.

2. Wrote about the DD Action at Tand a few days ago. It was nice to see a pair of Brit DDs go down as well as two DMS.

3. An SS takes a shot at BC Kirishima about 3 hexes from Oosthaven. Pretty much tells Dan KB is here...

4. CVEs refuel two hexes from Cocos. KB will arrive at Cocos tomorrow and then begin its move.

5. From the Fuso group detach 1 CL and 4 DDs to move directly into his supply line west of Sabang. Could be a surprise and draw out his CVs!

SS
11-22 I-27 sinks AK Makawao near Great Nicobar
11-23 I-22 MISSES BB South Dakota! CRAP!! Would have been nice to see...
11-23 I-32 sinks CM Kung Wo near Great Nicobar
11-23 I-18 sinks AK Mendoza near Sabang
11-24 I-Boats shot and MISS four times!

[Saros]

You're using the minisub carriers (I-18, 20, 22, 24, 26 from memory) on the front line? There are only 5 of them and I would much rather they be carrying minisubs into and out of the combat zones.

[jeffk3510]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Combat Report
November 22-24, 1942

Things continue to stabilize in Sumatra--Malaya. The first Japanese counter-punches are now launched and we'll have to see how they go.

Dan has moved about 10,000+ SS into the Strait of Malacca. I've moved large groups of aircraft as well as 2-3 ASW TF to pound on them in the shallow water.

REINFORCEMENTS/MOVEMENT:
1. Let us roll the die gang. The 14th ID and an Air Division load onto 60 AK--AP to go to Tand??? Last turn a pair of CAs and 5 DDs moved there to prevent any rudeness by Dan. They did not encounter anything. Tonight they will be joined by Yamato and Musashi with 6 DD. The two TF will combine and guard the reinforcement TF. These troops MUST get there. There are 60+ Tojo present to cover things as well as 75 Val.

2. After watching Georgetown get pasted day after day I finally GROW A BRAIN and move everything to Taiping. It is Sz-3 and cannot be bombarded. DUH! An Air Flotilla is headed there to reinforce the IJA Base Force and large IJN Base Force present there. Move 100 Fighters and 48 Vals there.

3. Landed 60% of an SNLF Assault Brigade at Batoe-Eil and Dan has not attacked with what little he has present so we shall BLAST the troops there tomorrow. BB Fuso will hit it as well as three Sentai of Bombers.

4. Have a pair of THAI units at Singora. BB's Nagato and Hyuga will hit the base tonight as well as three Sentai of bombers. Will attack bombard and then attack on the 25th and see what we're dealing with (Marine Paras and elements of an American Rgt)

5. Fast TF carrying 1000 troops from the 4th ID shall hit Phuket tomorrow. There is not much there. Order a bomber group to hit it and CAP the FTF. They have about 75 AV with them and it SHOULD be enough...

6. 2nd ID unloading at Batavia and will then combat load to land at Sibolga.

Naval Action:
1. BB Revenge is caught in the middle of the Strait and gets pummeled by nearly 100 Vals during the turn. She takes over 12 bomb hits and is left burning. DD Crosby is sunk from the same TF. WHAT I wouldn't have given for some TTs! Still an SS might get her yet.

2. Wrote about the DD Action at Tand a few days ago. It was nice to see a pair of Brit DDs go down as well as two DMS.

3. An SS takes a shot at BC Kirishima about 3 hexes from Oosthaven. Pretty much tells Dan KB is here...

4. CVEs refuel two hexes from Cocos. KB will arrive at Cocos tomorrow and then begin its move.

5. From the Fuso group detach 1 CL and 4 DDs to move directly into his supply line west of Sabang. Could be a surprise and draw out his CVs!

SS
11-22 I-27 sinks AK Makawao near Great Nicobar
11-23 I-22 MISSES BB South Dakota! CRAP!! Would have been nice to see...
11-23 I-32 sinks CM Kung Wo near Great Nicobar
11-23 I-18 sinks AK Mendoza near Sabang
11-24 I-Boats shot and MISS four times!

My heart always starts racing in the sub action when a capital ship appears...I doubt I am the only one

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510
My heart always starts racing in the sub action when a capital ship appears...I doubt I am the only one

Amen to that, dude. [:)]

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
November 25, 1942

A solid and good round in all respects this day.

BURMA
Dan's Death Star of troops 42nd U ID, 2 Aussie ID, and several TK Bn are moving SW towards Prome. He is going to cut-off the troops near Ramree. Not much I can do here. Prome has AV 500 with Ft-4. Troops have taken position along the east bank of the Irrawaddy and are digging in. I predict he shall try to cut SW from the last clear hex to the jungle cutting the road to Prome. An Inf Regiment and two TK Reg will be there (hopefully) to greet him and the TK he leads with.

Up north at 60,44 (above Mandalay) the 12th ID is about to crush a pair of Indian Brigades and six other small units. Once it does that the ID shall move to Prome and bolster defenses.

SUMATRA-MALAYA
Batoe-Eil is the first target to get retaken from the Imperialist swine. It gets smacked by BB Fuso and then nailed by three different Sentai of Helen/Sally. The SNLF Assault Brigade (at 50% strength) goes in and scores 13-1! Scratch some Seabees and Infantry. First step and ONE DOWN. The SNLF unit immediately begins prep for Siberoet. It will join-up with its other half and land there in 3-4 days.

Begin bombing Siberoet, Nias, and Sinabang.

BB's Yamato and Musashi link-up with the pair of CA and DDs at Tand???. In a remembrance of Akyab, I do note that moonlight is GREAT! The Convoy carrying 10th ID and an Air Flotilla get 3/4 of the way to their target. They gain the embedded escort of 3 CA and 2 DD. Need 1-2 days for unloading.

My blocking force just north of Medan gets kicked out and Dan makes small mistake in having the Tanks there follow in pursuit. They will be crushed by 4th ID tomorrow. 4th ID has 210 AV present with an Army HQ, and 3 Engineering units. Forts should move to 3 before the Allied Attack force arrives. They are led by 1st Marines and 27th US ID. There AV is terrible in they only managed about 200 total to drive out the Imperial Guards Blocking Force.

Once the TF finishes unloading at Tand??? my heavies shall provide a taste of Dan's medicine my making a Bombardment on this stack. Have almost got enough Base Force support in the area to begin a serious bombing campaign on troops moving along the roads and in bases.

Phuket will be landed upon tomorrow.

While doing that a Convoy carrying the balance of the 48th ID is sneaking along the coast. If possible I shall bring it down the coast and counter-land at Alor Star. Doubt if Dan would EVER expect that.

Singora will be attacked tmorrow by my pair of BBs, 3 Sentai of Tojo, and then two Brigades of THAI troops will assault the position. SHOULD work!

2nd ID is loaded and now moving up the coast near Oosthaven to counter-land at Sibolga. He is moving his units from there towards Tand???. Want to cutoff his supply and MOVE on the rear of his attack column.

Port Blair gets the unkind attention of 56 B-17 and B-24. They are met by 30 Tojo. The AF takes some damage and 9 planes are destroyed on the ground by INTEL shows serious losses to the Allied 4EB. When they come back tomorrow they shall meet 50+ Tojo and 30 Zero.

NOTE: Two sets of CV TF are spotted about 8-10 hexes from Diego Garcia. Without even looking I KNOW this is his major staging base. Dan LOVES that island! 4 CVs are spotted and a separate TF with a pair of CVEs are seen to...

The Kido Butai DEPARTS Cocos. It is fully fueled and shall join up with the CVEs who have already moved north for two days. The Game BEGINS readers...

[John 3rd]

Sumatra's Situation: