Pacific War Diary: RA 6.0 Dai Nippon

[John 3rd]

Here is the screenshot. I order 6 of those SS all around the TF to move SE, S, and SW in hopes of getting lucky while KB seals the eastern escape route.

[moore4807]

Lucky! did you plan for Big "E" traveling this way or did this fall into your lap? Very nice start so far. No advice to give, I'm just admiring your work... lol [8D]

[John 3rd]

Just got lucky.

Those SS are returning from PH due to terrible skippers or the midget sub launchers. Will change out their Captains to someone more talented and then send them SE towards Pago Pago, Suva, Tahiti, and New Zealand. Just ONE TT would have slowed her enough to guarantee a hard day for the American Navy. As is, we do have a chance. If he moves her due south the SS will get another chance. If he moves SW then he comes into the crosshairs of 36 Zero and 36 Betty at Noi Namur. SE will find in KB range. I set the Kates and Vals to MAX range. Need to slow her down if we can hit her...

[Sangeli]

Even if the Enterprise gets away, the fact that it was heading east is very meaningful and should impact your plans. It means that clearly your opponent is not planning on being aggressive with a CVs early on in the DEI or SoPac and trying to disrupt you there. In all likelihood he was probably heading back to PH and implementing a more conservative carrier strategy.

[John 3rd]

That is possible, however, the cursor showed the TF moving SW. My guess would be for a link-up with Lexington who started near Pago Pago.

CarDiv1 could handle one CV easily but two would be a bit scary. This is calculated risk. If we can reduce the American CVs by one this early then life would be GREAT! We'll still work to interdict shipping between PH and West Coast as well and see what we bag there too...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 10, 1941

The slaughter of the previous day does not happen this day. Things move along and my opponent does get a shot in.

North Pacific
Gathering shipping at Sapporo.

Central Pacific
The Guam Invasion TF picks troops back up and will move them back to Saipan. At Combined Fleet Forward Command, they'll hook up with the AKs coming from the Home Isles and begin loading both SNLF Assault Brigades for Midway and Wake. The Escort will be considerable.

South Pacific
Capture Ocean and Nauru. Air Search spots an American warship so I order the TF back towards Ponape but the USS Louisville gets into one TF and sinks the PB, 4 AKL, and an AK. It is close enough for my Betty's to fly from Roi Namur but weather plays havoc with the strike. Base closed for the morning and the entire Strike Group gets lost in the afternoon. Grrr...

Land at Manus and will land at Kavieng tomorrow.

A STF of 4 CA and 6 DD bombard Rabaul this turn and find no resistance.

begin loading a Special Base Force and part of a Naval Guard for landing at Lae.

Philippines
TRY to lands at Iba this turn but am held back by 3 TF of PT boats. My STF sink 5 of them and I order the Invasion Force to land no matter what tomorrow.

Land at Dadjangas.

Reinforcements unloading at Cotabato.

Bombing Clark, Manila, and Bataan AF every day.

DEI
Eastern
Nada

Central
BB Yamashiro pays a visit to Tarakan and sinks AS HOlland and an AK

Another STF sinks an AM in the same area

Western
The juggernaut is approaching Singkawang. It is spotted and pretty obvious what I shall attempt to do. Order the BB TF and CA TF to move ahead of the Invasion Forces. KB-3 moves closer and all the Zeros on Zuiho are ordered to fly LRCAP. Won't be a lot but I have to protect my CVs. Will pull off a Val Daitai tomorrow and move another Zero Daitai on in its place to bolster CAP strength.

While approaching the CVs sink DD Thanet and damage DD Scout as well as an AM sunk

Malaya
Have two full divisions ashore at Kota Bharu. Base Forces and engineers unloading presently.

Imperial Guards reach Singora and is now headed for Alor Star.

Victoria Point is stocked with aircraft and a pair of BF. Have got all of my Parachute Regiment there and will send several Sentai of Sallys after Port Blair's troops. After a couple of days, I shall try to grab the base by my Paras.

Burma
Nada

China
Looks like I will get all of the Central Plains and SE China as well as the bases bear Canton for NO FIGHT! Damn. Gotta love that.

OK. Have an Army HQ and 4 ID moving towards Changsha from Wuchow and another ID plus a Brigade coming up from the SE. Moving China Expeditionary HQ closer to the target.

Load a convoy with 40,000+ supply and have it heading for Wuchow and the town acrost the river to provide plenty of supplies for the Opening of this campaign.

Hong Kong
Second attack nets a 2-1 and drops Forts to ZERO. Will fall tomorrow and free up an Infantry Division for Malaya

SS Operations
I-6 hits TK California Standard AND TK Baeu with single TTs near San Diego. NICE!
I-159 SINKS TK Augustina near Oosthaven
I-169 SINKS AP Hugh Scott near Pago Pago with a pair of TTs
I-160 hits AK Maciver near Koggala
I-16 MISSES CV Enterprise
I-121 MISSES CL Dragon at Toboali

Economy
Begins conversions of AKs into 8 AKE and about 30 AK into Transports:
---1 Group are 18 Knot AKs with enough capacity to carry a reinforced ID.
---Another group of 14 Knot AKs should be able to carry two reinforced IDs.

Settle on the Factories to research major airframes and divert supplies to these bases for the changeover.

Shut down the building of the two CB B-64 so I can build Yamato and Musashi at the same time without stopping one or the other. Only need to hold them about a month and then they can restart.

[HansBolter]

NM

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 11, 1941

No sign of Enterprise, however, CarDIv1 is now pretty far south. We're keeping the hunt going for a couple of days before retiring to Kwajalein.

North Pacific
Form a Fast Transport group of 12 DD and 3 TB to carry a Naval Guard to Paramushiro Jima. They will refuel there and then split into three components to grab Attu, Amchitka, and Adak. Slower TF will follow with Engineers. Once the FTF returns to PJ they will load an SNLF unit and grab Umnak. We'll see if there are any reactions before calculating further steps.

The Kawafuto Brigade is prepping for Dutch Harbor.

Central Pacific
Saipan
CVEs return to base and refuel.

We'll have all AKs needed for the Midway--Wake Operation (Sho-1) gathered here in another days and shall begin loading at that point.

CarDiv5
Shokaku--Zuikaku--Shoho are refueling each day from 3 AOs. They are positioned NNE of PH square in the middle of the shipping lanes. Have got about 10 I-Boats (all with Glens) forming up in two lines for the hunt. We'll see what gets bagged.

CarDiv1
As stated in the opening: no sign of Enterprise. DRAT! Was a long shot anyway. Figure he went to Full Speed as well to clear the area. Will prowl for two days and then head for Kwajalein and refueling. Got to position to Cover Sho-1 so this gives me a few days before having to retire.

South Pacific
The Special Base Force with a small Infantry group departs Truk for Lae. It will be covered by 4 CA, 2 CL, and 4 DD.

Philippines
Iba
Get fully landed there with elements of two ID. Surprisingly he attacks with his Philippine ID there and gets a 1-10 result. Will take the base tomorrow and then can begin to move my Betty out and replace with Army Aircraft.

Dadjangas
Take this Mindanao Base but not before 15 A-24 arrive in the morning and afternoon sinking three AKs. Transfer 18 Zero down to Cotabato for CAP.

A dozen Kates from Cotabato plaster the Dewey ARD and a ACM trying to leave Manila.

DEI
Eastern
Nothing

Central
A STF of 3 CA and 4 DDs runs into CL Boise and Marblehead with 4 DDs between Tarakan and Balikpapan. Wager he saw my CVs move to support the Singkawang Landing and decided to try and do something over here. There are two engagements lasting a total of 18 rounds between them. At the end, DD Pope is sunk, two Americans DDs are seriously damaged, and Boise takes 6 Shells (3 8"). Japanese have 1 DD moderately damaged. Vector two I-Boats to try and bag damaged ships.





Western
The Hong Kong ships are sunk this turn as CA Chokai with 4 DD and CL Nagara with 3 DDs sink a total 5 AK, 5 AKL and an AM.

Singkawang
The Invasion Force gets within a hex of its target. NO OPPOSITION. Order the BB TF to lead into the hex, the CA TF to provide Cover, and the Transports to unload no matter what. Am landing an Inf Regiment, 3 Base Forces, and some Engineers.

CarDIv2 closes to three hexes away. Rotate Fighters. From Kota Bharu 27 Zero fly in and swap with Hiryu's Vals. I split them into 50% CAP and 50% LRCAP over the Invasion Force. All reimaining Strike Aircraft set to attack--range 8 hexes.

Malaya
Finally have both ID organized and consolidated at Kota Bharu. Order them off for Temoluh...

Imperial Guards reaches Singora but I leave it in Strategic Mode due to my TK Reg about to enter an empty Alor Star.

The first lift's shipping is about to return to CRB. They will pick-up a fourth ID and deliver it to Mersing.

Burma
He may spot troops moving from Pisanloke NW towards this region.

China
INSANE! I am going to get 80% of ALL I EVER WANTED of China without a fight. Wow.

Hong Kong falls to a 3-1 attack. Move China units back to Canton and have the remaining rest and rebuild strength. Got 60,000 Supply and almost 300,000 fuel. Don't remember the stockpiles being that high.

SS Operations
I-158 hits AK Jaladurga with a Torp near Koggala
I-4 SINKS AMc Hornbill near the Channel Isles

[John 3rd]

Dec 12, 1941

Is this NICE??!!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 12, 1941

ACTION this turn!

North Pacific
A Fast TF of 15 ships departs Sapporo heading for Paramushiro Jima and then on to the Aleutians.

Central Pacific
KB-1 moves SE of Baker and prepares to cut due west in hopes of catching SOMETHING before moving on to Kwajalein for fueling.

KB-2 activates Jakes for searching purposes NE of PH. Nothing is given away and nothing is seen. Ten Glen I-Boats fan out moving towards the West Coast...

South Pacific
CL Adelaide bombards Kavieng just prior to my troops taking it.

Lae IF is roughly 2/3 of the way there. Surface TF moves into position to Cover.

At Truk I bring in 32 Nells and 12 Mavis to begin search and attacks of anything within range.

Philippines
Iba falls and becomes Japanese. A group of five PTs try to interrupt things. They sink a DMS in exchange for two of their own. Must wiat for the 48th to be fully formed and will then march on Clark.

Mindanao has troops forming up and moving out towards Davao and Cagayan.

Eastern DEI
Nothing

Central DEI
3 CAs bombard Manado with little results.

Western DEI
Singkawang
As expected Sherwood does hazard a naval fight for this base. Force Z arrives in true form (BB, BC, 3DD) to find Nagato and Mutsu, CAs Atago and Takao, CL Jintsu and 6 DDs. The fight BEGINS at 1,000 Yds! Luckily shooting is so-so. Nagato and Mutsu each take two large shells while crushing Prince of Wales with EIGHT (and 15 8" hits) and slightly damaging Repulse (3 Hits: two large shells).

A full squadron of A-24s is thrown at the Invasion Force and gets WIPED OUT by 34 Zeros on CAP. A second strike of 7 Buffalo and 2 A-24 is wiped out as well. Nice to crush one of those three Squadrons.

We shall take Sinkawang tomorrow. I have 60+ Oscars ready to fly to the AF and then escort the Palembang TF in...

Prince of Wales tries to retreat to Singapore but is SUNK by a strike of 20 Zero, 11 Val, and 11 Kates. DD Express takes a pair of bombs as well. No sign of Repulse.

Malaya
The AF at Kota Bharu is now fully repaired. More TF unloading here.

Tank Regiment arrives at Alor Star and will have it tomorrow.

Port Blair
A Chutai of 12 Vals sink an AMc approaching the base.

China
Japanese Forces drive out Chinese in hexes 86,47 (SW Sinyang) and 84,55 (near Nanchang). They inflict nearly 6,000 casualties.

SS Operations
I-158 hits AP Tairea near Koggala

[John 3rd]

Air Search did pick-up this set of targets. KB-1 is ordered to move as the arrow shows. Just north of the screen are 6 I-Boats moving south.

[John 3rd]

December 13, 1941

Pulled my hair out (what little I have left) with my SS shooting and missing or shooting and getting DUD results with the opening month of Dan's Game. NOT SO HERE! IJN SS have an excellent day!

I-154 hits CL Boise with a TT near Balikpapan
Ro-63 hits CL Adelaide with a TT near Rabaul: perhaps SUNK.
Ro-66 SINKS CL Raleigh at Naumea

NICE!

[Cribtop]

Wow, that's a heckuva day indeed! Banzai!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 14-16, 1941

My opponent is willing to fight and this is a good thing. We've had several clashes over the last couple of turns.

North Pacific
Have 15 ships carrying a pair of Naval Guards leaving for the Aleutians. The first TF (7 DDs) heads for Umnak. The second (2 AMC and 2 PG departs for Attu. Tomorrow we'll split the remaining ships into two TF grabbing Amchitka and Adak.

Central Pacific
My three Glen I-Boats near San Diego note a bunch of Convoys leaving for Pago Pago (probably) and I order KB-2 to go for it. Have sat between WC and PH for a week with nothing. Order three more Glen I-Boats to move towards the prospective area and then the CVs should be in range with 2 days max.

Baker
Land on the 14th and take it on the 15th. Move 12 Mavis there immediately and have the search SSE.

Canton
The Canton IF has departed and is carrying two Japanese Naval Guard.

Sho-1
The Midway--Wake IF force departs Saipan on the 13th and slowly works its way towards Midway. The two SNLF Assault brigades have an assault value of just over 400. Should EASILY take the targets. These troops are escorted by two CVE and two BBs.

South Pacific
We've found the French! The Lae Invasion Force runs into a mess of trouble on the 14th and 15th. A small STF of CA Canberra and CL Perth slip past the STF protecting the convoy and smacks the Assault Shipping pretty good. The total ends up being 5 PB and 7 AK by the end of the day. The only GOOD thing I can say is that the ships were so lightly loaded (knew I had to zip in and zip out) that only about 500 troops from the Special Base Force were lost. Adding another wrinkle into the mix is a flight of 5 Buffalo and 8 SBD that arrive to plant a 1,000Lb bomb on Kitakami's deck. CLV Charlotte makes its appearance on the map!

Order the TF to pull back to Manus and contemplate killing the Cruiser Force Admiral for not fulfilling his duty. The 15th brings another clash as my four old CAs duel with a small French squadron: CL Jean De Vienne and 2 French DDs. The fight is done in two battles and the by the end of it, DD Le Hardi blows up from a Long Lance and the CL probably sinks from 16 shell hits (9 8" shells). The convoy unloads at Manus and everyone heads for home by the 16th. Will build the AF up there and fly in 8 Jakes for Air Search. Not coming back done here with AKs until I have SERIOUS CV help!

Philippines
Luzon
The 48th ID leaves Iba for Clark.

The 2nd ID takes Naga and Legaspi

Mindanao
A BUNCH of troops are now ashore and are working on taking the entire island and then they'll go south for Aussieland.

Eastern DEI
A FTF lands on Namlea the 16th. The small Inf and Engineering units come ashore without issue. Will take the base tomorrow and have a Lvl-2 AF. Form-up another FTF to carry a full Base Force to staff that AF. They should land on the 18th. We'll move Zeros and Vals there at that point.

The Kendari IF departs Babeldoap on the 16th. It is carrying the 90th Inf Reg and two Base Forces.

Central DEI
Another FTF departs Cotabato to grab the base next to Balikpapan. The landing there will be helped by a Parachute drop.

Western DEI
Singkawang
Very calm here after grabbing it. Have 80+ Oscars flying LRCAP from here to the Palembang IF.

KB-3
Hiryu--Soryu--Shoho risk themselves covering the Palembang IF as well and they get in some nice strikes against Allied Warships. The 14th sees CL Tromp take a Torp. The 15th has the Tromp take 3 bombs. Two Ditch DDs also get hit between the days. Order a Port Strike with all kates for tomorrow. As soon as Palembang falls I shall pull these vulnerable ship out of the tight waters and move back to Babeldoap.

Sumatra
The Palembang IF lands on the 16th and find only the small Inf and BF units present. Thank GOODNESS! We'll take it tomorrow. Have an AK and DD hit a mine. Lose one and possibly the other. We'll see about that.

Malaya
A TK unit will take Taiping tomorrow. Imperial Guards is waiting to train in and then they shall deploy.

An Infantry Division leaves Kota Bharu moving towards Temoluh. The other ID is loading to swing down on Kuantan.

Load 21st ID at Takao and order it to head for Mersing.

Burma
Three TK Reg are moving towards this theatre. Nothing else is following them. We'll see how far I can bluff my way into Burma!

China
About to grab nearly every objective but Changsha within 2-3 days. Changsha shall have an HQ and 6 Inf Div investing it within a couple of days.

Sherwood brought the AVG to Changsha and had a good day shooting down old bombers. Easy Kills. The 14th sees two full Daitai of Zeros SWEEP and drop 15 AVG! NICE! Glad they moved over here instead of somewhere important.

Engineering
Fusan Port 5

Here is a screenshot with the French in it:

[John 3rd]

Here is KB-3 in action hitting a Dutch DD at Batavia:

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 17, 1941

Good work this turn as the Offensive begins to pick-up steam.

North Pacific
TF are now moving toward Umnak, Adak, Amchitka, and Attu. Should have the islands with 3-4 days.

Central Pacific
KB-1
Refuels and rearms from Kwajalein and prepares to move out and interdict Allied movements during the Sho-1 Attacks at Midway and Wake

KB-2
DEEP in INDIAN COUNTRY! KB-2 slides towards San Diego hunting for Allied TF. We'll move here for 2 days, refuel and move towards the SSW tracking possible targets heading for Pago Pago--Suva.

Baker--Canton
The Mavis at Baker find nothing in two days of searches. Canton Invasion Force gets the green light to land there. Two Naval Guard SHOULD be enough to take this forward base.

South Pacific
Manus now has a small Infantry unit and large Special Base Force. It is also stocked with Mavis and flying recon. A group of nine SS pass the Solomons where five will set-up patrols around Milne Bay and Port Moresby. The remainder will move to patrol the east coast of Australia.

Philippines
Planes flying from Cotabato sink a TK, two YO-, and AVP Heron

Eastern DEI
Namlea becomes Japanese and gets 18 Zero to fly LRCAP as a second Fast TF bring in a full Base Force.

The Kendari IF is well along. It shall be closely guarded by 2 BB, 2 CA, and DDs. Namlea will provide CAP.

Central DEI
A TF is approaching Samarinda, Borneo. Order the SNLF Para Brigade to land there this turn for an easy capture and landing for the TF.

Western DEI
Troops arrive at the bases east and SE of Singkawang.

Sumatra
Palembang
FALLS easily on the first attack. Some damage is done to the facilities (Oil 775 Good and 125 needing repair---Refineries (879 Good and 141 needing repair). Not bad but not good either. There goes 250,000 supply! Order the 4th ID to split and pursue in all directions to grab southern Sumatra.

KB-3
A small strike of 29 Zero, 11 Val, and 10 Kate SMASH CL Java as it tries to flee. An afternoon Port attack by 29 Zero and 29 Kate fight through 33 Dutch Fighters and hit the there. Nothing major to write home about. Just hit a couple of AMc.

Merak IF
KB-3 stays where it is so it can Cover the Merak Landing in 3 Days. Once Merak falls we're out of here. Had planned to move away once Palembang fell but need to cover this divisional landing...

Malaya
Taiping will fall next turn.

Landing at Kuantan next turn.

Burma
No developments

China
87,44
(South of Loyang) Drive the two Chinese units out of this hex gaining 2,450 Chinese Casualties

Tsiaotso
A Shock Attack gains this base and inflicts another 3,000 casualties on the bad guys.

SS Ops
I-155 is the one who slowed CL Java with a Torp hit allowing the carriers to finish her off.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 18-19, 1941

I am coming to really hate the Allied toys that have been allowed into RA! [8D]

North Pacific
All four TF shall land tomorrow and grab Umnak, Adak, Amchitka, and Attu. Two follow-on TF carrying engineers are about to depart Paramushiro Jima.

Central Pacific
Sho-1
The Invasion Force for Midway and Wake is slowly moving east.

KB-1
CarDiv1 departs Kwajalein on the 18th moving to take position SE of Midway to block any Allied activity.

KB-2
CarDiv5 slips into position SW of San Diego and WAITS for something to fall into its lap...hope I haven't wasted 35,000 fuel trying this....

Canton
Invasion Force will land tomorrow. No Allied activity whatsoever in this arena.

South Pacific
Have got everything back at Truk and am awaiting developments. A TF of nine SS splits apart to prowl and look for targets.

Philippines
Legaspi falls on the 19th. 2nd ID sets out to head for Manila.

Iba
Both ID start moving out of the hex to threaten Clark.

An S-Boat makes THREE excellent attacks on the 18th hitting a large AP and sinking another that would have been a CVE conversion. HATE that! Have decided to pull out all my CVE conversion APs from the front and bring them home. They will only work SAFE runs with a solid escort protecting them.

Eastern DEI
Took Namlea on the 17th and that base gains a BF on the 18th. The Kendari Invasion Force swings by on the 19th and is attacked by 16 A-24s. Sure my opponent thinks they are headed for Ambon but they'll move west towards Kendari. The A-24 are met by 16 Zeros and MUNCHED! Mmmmm...tastes good!

Central DEI
Took Samarinda by Paras on the 18th and a TF arrives on the 19th to unload two Base Forces and small Inf unit. Dutch Strikes on the unloading TF run into 9 Zero flying CAP over Samarinda and they manage to shoot down over 15 planes during the morning and afternoon phases. Some of those DRATTED A-24 come in and manage to plant 1,000lb bombs on 4 AK sinking one and crippling the remaining three. Move in two Chutai of Kates to see if they can attack anything in the area.

Start loading the 4th Inf Reg at Cam Rahn Bay for Tarakan and then Balikpapan. They'll land at Samarinda and then walk to Balikpapan.

Western DEI
The British suddenly wake-up in Singapore and several bomber strikes come towards Singkawang on the 17th and 18th. They are met by Oscars and a good number are shot down for no real damage.

Capture Sambas on the 18th.

Sumatra
Take Praboemoelih on the 19th and head for Oosthaven and Benkoelen.

KB-3
Spots and sinks DD Van Bes on the 19th.

LRCAP from Palembang and CVs are covering the Merak IF and it should land on the 20th.

Malaya
Kuantan
No air search spots this invasion force as it begins unloading on the 18th. Several strikes encounter 33 fighters (Oscars and Nates) some Hurricanes, Blenheims, and Swordfish are shot down. Nice work. TOTALLY SCREW UP on the 19th. The TF that unloading the 18th ID departs and the follow-on TF carrying four BF unloads with no aircover. Forgot that the LRCAP was directed at the other TF and not flying over Kuantan. Stupid. His Vildebreest play HAVOC with the TF and I lose two AK and have Torps delivered into 5 more. Don't know how many will sink. Stupid boneheaded rookie mistake on my side.

The 21st ID departs Takao on the 19th headed for Mersing. This will make the 5th Infantry Division dedicated to Malaya.

Burma
TK Reg approaching various targets. We'll see if he shall fight here or not.

China
Capture Chuhsien, Nanyang, and Loyang.

The Chinese manage to capture Ichang from me in a stunning result! Lose to a 4-1 assault where Japan loses 5,558 troops to 2,008 Chinese. Wow. Ooops.

Engineering
Babeldoap AF-5

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
KB-2
CarDiv5 slips into position SW of San Diego and WAITS for something to fall into its lap...hope I haven't wasted 35,000 fuel trying this....

Not every AFB uses this route frequently. Some players like to use San Francisco as the source of all convoys or send everything to PH first. Probably should have gotten a few subs that have float planes with naval search first and figure out what routes he's taking.

[John 3rd]

Good Point.

My Glen Boats have picked up all sorts of activity here so I moved from the traditional area of operations between PH and West Coast.

[ny59giants]

I am coming to really hate the Allied toys that have been allowed into RA! [8D]