What if... the Japanese just ignored the US pacific fleet?
Lets find out!
At last, something like the No Pearl Harbor move the Japanese should have used. But the strike on Manila would still have been full justification for war, and near-total mobilization. (And after all, 800 kg bombs against subs is serious overkill . . .)
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
With 30.000 troops ashore in Mersing there is not much choice. I am collapsing my defense towards Singapore ASAP. 11th Indian is boarding trains and heading for Singapore, together with parts of the 9th Indian.
The Australian brigades are in position to keep the rail line open for as long as needed. The fact that the Japanese are unprepared for Mersing should help my cause.
The RAF and RAAF are rebasing to Singapore. Damage to the airfield is light and Im putting up CAP at 10k, 15k and 20k. Hopefully I get Lucky and intercept a couple of unescorted G4Ms...
Doesn't look like I'll be able to fortify Singapore so we are looking at a january fall of the city...
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
Saratoga to North Pac. supported by submarines + AS
Lexington and Enterprise heading for Sydney
Battlewagons at Pearl will stay there for now. Planning to do the 1942 upgrade there (a lot of space in the shipyard! positive note)
I am trying to salvage the damaged submarines from Manila (all but two have some degree of damage). Some might not make it but most should. The underwater people are heading for Colombo, Pearl Harbour and Sydney..
Other issues
Used the rest of the turn to organise shipping, pilot training and selecting bases to (possibly) build up.
Cats are redeployed and I now have decent coverage from Midway to Canton Island. Next turn Suva will be included in the loop.
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
The Philippines are locked down by numerous small (two or three DD) TFs. Right now it looks like the Boise might escape (just one torpedo taken but close enough to the edge of the blockade to be able to escape).
But Boise is probably the only ship (besides the submarines) that is going to escape the onslaught. Houston went down fighting. I have hope she took Haguro with her (4 x 8 inch shells and heavy fires)
Day Time Surface Combat, near Morotai at 82,100, Range 20,000 Yards
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 3 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1
Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 43, and is sunk
Invaded bases:
Tarawa (fell)
Rabaul (65th brigade landed, will fall in a turn or two)
Ternate
Tabitauen (fell)
Palembang (will fall in a turn or two)
Wake fell
Kota Bharu fell Mersing fell after a shock attack by 1200 AV
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 32069 troops, 354 guns, 55 vehicles, Assault Value = 1163
Defending force 2353 troops, 25 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 90
Armour and recon units are pursuing the defenders. It looks like Singapore will have to be defended with the few troops already in the city...
I'll update more after I get the turn tommorow
AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
Scanning through the combat report of the 8th of december I draw three interesting conclusions.
- Akagi, Soryu, Hiryu are fighting in the South China Sea, near Singapore, providing support for the Mersing landings.
- That leaves Kaga, Zuikaku and Shokaku in the Philippine sea, or rather right in the middle of the Island group that is the Philippines.
- Quixote knows how to play. Well layered CAP, strong invasion forces to overwhelm local resistance.. Ouch..
AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
Looks like he aims to blitz the DEI as fast as possible. That means he is in a hurry to free up forces for something. Probably a big push into OZ or India?
Yeah, that is what I was thinking.. And both the Indian and Australian coast are long ones. I should pay close attention to the axis of advance and try to determine his possible jump of points for future operations
Air searching will be key and I will look into it even more..
Having most of my subs heavily damaged makes this even more critical. Perhaps I should give him free reign in the South China and Java sea and redeploy available (including dutch) submarines to screen Ceylon, India and Australia.
AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
I'd like a peek at your shipyards in Manila. Your subs should repair quickly there. I got hit at Pearl and Manila turn one and did manage to repair all the damaged boats and retire them east by February. If you require Alfred's ship repair guide just ask.
Allied Ships
AS Otus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tantalus, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Langley, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Capillo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AO Pecos, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
Port fuel hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
29 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
I am desperate to get more troops into Singapore. A fall of the city in december would really ruin my month..
A shock attack by Recon and tank troops on Johore Bahru (27th Australian brigade) failed, partially because troops on the way to Singapore stopped in the Johore Bahru hex.
Palembang is going to fall next turn against the 280 AV landed there. Instead of Palembang I am going to reinforce Sabang. Hopefully that will force an amphib landing there. Anything to buy more time.
Port Blair will receive the 46th Indian brigade. 48th Gurkha and 44th and 45th Indian are going to be sneaked into Rangoon if allowed.
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
Air losses so far are relatively light. I am still running out of fighters quickly.
Most action in the air over Johore Bahru today, in support of the assault (most of the daily Buffalo, A6M, D3A and B5N losses of the day..)
Timeline:
7th december
-
8th december
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Makin !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tarawa !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!
9th december
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nauru Island !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ternate !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ocean Island !!!
10th december
Japanese forces CAPTURE Davao !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!!
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
It is either Zuikaku/Shokaku covering a amphib force or a surface/ASW force covering Zuikaku/Shokaku. To be safe I am positioning what remains of my navy in the Java Sea within striking distance of Balikpapan..
Good news: Boise will live! I hid her at Ambon and she managed to run 8 hexes SE, out of range of anything strike capable...
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages xAP Queen Elizabeth at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages xAP Queen Elizabeth at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages xAP Queen Elizabeth at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...
We all know the Queen is fast.. but look at the location. Raiders sneaked in through the back door. I have some assets in the area I might be able to use to make Quixote a bit more careful...
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
- I lost track of Zuikaku/Shokaku/Kaga
- Palembang is now hosting Nells and Zeroes (but no AirHQ there yet)
- Kendari is now hosting Betty bombers.. (but no AirHQ there yet)
Once he has AirHQs in place and sweeps away the 50+ dutch fighters he has free reign over (the) Java (sea)..
Contemplating if I should move my remaining surface forces or keep them in place for as long as possible...
Also contemplating to strike the Palembang airfield while it has no baseforce there. I might get some decent results as bombers and fighters got damaged from the raid on Singapore and I might be able to catch a few on the ground...
I am emptying Singapore. The airbase is wrecked and the squadrons shot up. Torpedo bombers being moved to Batavia, Brewsters to Burma (using Sabang as a transfer base)
Hudsons made a daring strike against Mersing, hopefully slowing down the advance (I got about 300 AV dying to evade the infantry onslaught and get into the Singapore area). The Hudsons stay behind as they are in good shape and will attempt to repeat yesterday's feat of arms...
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
Luzon is largely bypassed. Only a token force landed in the area. Smart... No need to grab now what you can reduce later..
Malaya / Burma
IJA infantry arrivés at Johor Bahru. Expecting a shock attack by 30.000 troops with tank support against my 300 AV. Troops still left have halted withdrawing as they won't reach Singapore in time. Using the engineers to build up to level 2 forts.
I'll be keeping an eye on his expansion into Burma (none observed yet). This might tell me if he intends to land behind lines in India. Sabang and Port Blair will be important warning signs if attacked and taken.
China
Tanks cross the river at Chengchow and shock attack. Infantry is moving up in support. Loyang will be abandoned now instead of waiting for the inevitable fall of Chengchow. Time to withdraw to the wooded area west.
DEI
B10s bomb Palembang airfield and destroy 8+ Nells on the ground. Quite a few Brewsters are lost to the defending A6Ms..
Ambon and Makassar are expected to fall tommorow..
North Pacific
Adak Island and Amchitka fall. Dutch will receive supplies as well as the 201st infantry from Kodiak. Saratoga will cover the landings..
South Pacific
Quixote is using the absence of defenses in december to maximum effect. Task forces are spotted moving on Port Moresby (curious about the strength of any invading troops) He will have bases to jump on East, or North Australia in january.
Most of the US cruisers and modern destroyers are moving to Sydney. There they will be in a good position to defend Australia, New Zealand, Fiji or move towards India if need be..
Attachments
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AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
North Australia, West Australia, East Australia, India or New Zealand? Pearl Harbour? Which area has the most strategic value and could help provide temporary security for the Empire?
And how would you set your self up to deal with an invasion you don't know if/when or how will take place? The pace of this game is very high so Quixote will have time to push forward.
Currently I am moving most of the US Navy to the Eastern Australian coast. That seems to be a decent staging area to defend at least the Pacific area. It does feel like a gamble. If Quixote decided to move on Pearl I won't have the fleet in place to defend it.. But how bad would it be to (after shedding some blood) lose Pearl?
AKA Cannonfodder
"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.”
¯ Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor
A lot of Japanese players take N. and NW Aus. to provide a delay in allied pressure on the Southeastern DEI. This is easy for them to implement because the Allies in early 1942 do not have the troops/ships/aircraft to defend the area, nor can they get adequate supply there. However, this can backfire on Japan if they overstay their welcome and the Allies trap their troops there in late 1942/early 1943. Meantime, other than some resources from Pt. Hedland, the Japanese get nothing from Oz. I personally feel they would do better to spend the time and effort fortifying the DEI rather than spreading themselves thin in Aus.
PH is a great prize for the Japanese and a greater loss for the Allies because of its dockyard and the huge space of ocean between it and any threat from the US mainland. No LBA help to take it back from there!
But PH can be quickly fortified with a couple of divisions, some fighters, and development of at least three bases within range of each other. e.g. Lihue, PH and Lahaina. Japan would be very vulnerable to have KB hang around the Hawaiian Islands for an extended period trying to reduce LBA defences and support invasion troops. The PH gambit really needs to come as a follow-on to the Dec. 7th raid to have a chance.
Similarly, a bold early move on East or Southwest Aus. can take some valuable bases and maybe all of Australia. However, it would take resources badly needed to defend Burma and Centpac, so it has its risks too.
India seems to be the current favourite target for conquest after DEI/Malaya/Philippines is secured. Getting SE India is easy at first, but the Indian troops get better equipment, better morale, better experience and better numbers so it is hard to take it all without sacrificing efforts in some other theatre. Make sure you fortify Cocos, Socotra and Diego Garcia so you can bring in the reinforcements from Cape Town and Aden, and fuel from Abadan.
Canoerebel's AAR prior to the current one saw his opponent try to win on Victory Point ratio by taking valuable Aleutian and Alaskan bases, plus Noumea and Suva areas. He nearly succeeded but Canoerebel got troops and aircraft into Northwestern Canada in time to stop the southward thrust by the Japanese, and began to hit back elsewhere while the IJN was busy in the North. CR also stripped the Hawaiian Islands defences to hold the line elsewhere, gambling successfully that the Japanese could not scrape up a full invasion for PH.
In summary, I don't know what strategy he might try either, but the Allied response for any of them seems to be:
- begin fortifying/reinforcing/supplying the key locations you don't want to lose, making them expensive to take
- decide what your main vector for attack will be in late 1942 when you get enough goodies, and establish the logistics to support it. Build bases and send out supply and fuel.
-Establish a strong patrol grid. Everywhere that matters.
- set troops preparing for bases as soon as possible. Keep a reserve force ready to sail as soon as Japan's plans are clear. It can either reinforce against the IJ thrust, or hit them elsewhere while they are busy with their own invasions.
- if KB goes on a raiding sweep somewhere, poke the IJ tiger somewhere else. It's good training![:)]
Not a very definitive answer to your question, is it? [:D]
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
