::Felix, Ferdinand and FRUPAC:: obvert (A) v Greyjoy (J)

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 9, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The KXII hits again near Kota Bharu.

IJN subs get in the action as well, sinking the CM Kung Wo.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Malaya: [/font]A paradrop on Fort Dickson takes the base, cutting off the movement to Singers from the north. A very good move. This will spell an early end to the British hold on Malaya. About 500AV total will make it into Singapore unless something very lucky happens in the next weeks. The rest will attempt to get to Kuala Lumpur for a last stand. This also means Japanese troops will be more healthy and ready for any later objectives, so I'll have to begin fortifying India even more quickly.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]Tarawa is taken. The US CVs swing back to the east toward PH. The Saratoga heads north along with a regiment and engineers for Adak. A small force leaves Pearl also heading up there. Small patrols are placed to the west of Attu and Amchitka and subs will be in the area in the next few days.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]The running is ring well so far. The Japanese are not bombing much on the plains where the majority of Japanese troops in the clear are moving. The forces in the east are also moving well toward Kukong and Psingyiang, and should be able to set up defenses before the Japanese forces mobilize. Wenchow will be fortified to about 700AV with forts building while supply lasts.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] Singkawang is taken as expected.

The IJ launches an early assault at Jolo. They get in to land and should easily take the base, but the cover force gets tangled in the general retreat from the PI. It might be low on ammo, and I'll send in the USN to find out. Boise, Houston and Marblehead with some old four stackers will run in tomorrow. The Dutch will move into a holding position to assist the day after.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Well, the paradrop and this SIGINT pretty much tell the story on Malaya. Should work now that Force Z is heading to Cape Town for repairs. I'm happy though that they are active still, and that some Japanese units are also heading back to the barn. A quick Singers means Nic may be tempted to reach out farther, or head to Java and Sumatra more quickly. That is not all bad, as defenses can react in those areas to at least make it tough.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]11/5th Division is loaded on a Ansyu-C Cargo class xAK moving to Mersing[/font]

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Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of AO Pecos on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAP Legaspi on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Cebu on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Latouche on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Magallanes on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAK Si Kiang on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Fortuna on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Princess of Negros on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of AM Bittern on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted
Loss of CM Kung Wo on Dec 09, 1941 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]xAK Hikosan Maru is reported to have been sunk near Kota Bharu on Dec 09, 1941[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is the scene in the Eastern DEI. A quick bold move to Jolo. [/font]
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[BBfanboy]

Did you manage to get Force Z through the Strait of Malacca? Most who try run into Netties ...

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Did you manage to get Force Z through the Strait of Malacca? Most who try run into Netties ...

I prefer a southeasterly exit for Force Z, even in a damaged state. Especially with Singkawang in IJN hands. It's just a long ways from Oosthaven to Colombo, whereas you can port-hop your way to NW Oz or Perth if you go SE: Batavia, Soerabaja, Denpasar, all the Flores in an emergency, Koepang... The biggest hop is Koepang to Australia, which takes a heavily damaged ship about a week, but a week is still small compared to the long haul to Ceylon. Obviously that's just an emergency measure as you can't fully repair the ships of Force Z anywhere but Sydney, CT, or Colombo... but it's to get out of dodge.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Did you manage to get Force Z through the Strait of Malacca? Most who try run into Netties ...

I prefer a southeasterly exit for Force Z, even in a damaged state. Especially with Singkawang in IJN hands. It's just a long ways from Oosthaven to Colombo, whereas you can port-hop your way to NW Oz or Perth if you go SE: Batavia, Soerabaja, Denpasar, all the Flores in an emergency, Koepang... The biggest hop is Koepang to Australia, which takes a heavily damaged ship about a week, but a week is still small compared to the long haul to Ceylon. Obviously that's just an emergency measure as you can't fully repair the ships of Force Z anywhere but Sydney, CT, or Colombo... but it's to get out of dodge.

They're still making 6 hexes a day, so they are one hex from Batavia and Singkawang isn't even going yet. They're going to refuel and head to Cape Town, not Columbo. Both PoW and Repulse need significant yard time, so Columbo is not an option. They should be back in a few months, though. I'll just make sure they're CAPed from Java on their way out for the one day they'll be at risk. The Buffs actually have good range for that kind of stuff and can handle Netties unescorted.

I'm pretty pleased they got into the action but were saved. With the paradrop on Malaya and the SIGINT that there will be a landing at Mersing, they could have made a difference, but most likely would have been lost. I'd rather see if they can be used around Java later if they're back in time, or saved for the counter offensive when it comes. Those fast BB/BC are priceless for the Allies later.

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[/u]

[font="Times New Roman"]December 10, 1941

Near Jolo, Sulu Sea

Seaman Wilson was lookout in the perch just over the bridge as Boise drove ahead toward their first action of the war. Ahead was Houston and behind Marblehead with five old four stacker destroyers coming up behind. They looked plucky back there bobbing through the chop, but not too sturdy compared to the cruisers. Oliver scanned the horizon in a regular pattern with the 7 x 50 glasses, then checked again with his eyes, mainly for the hint of smoke, then back to the glasses. It was an overcast morning, but visibility was decent with little haze after a good shower in the night had cleared the tropical air of its humidity.

Suddenly he saw what he both wanted and didn’t want to see. His heart did cartwheels and he slammed home the button on the comm.

“Smoke bearing two four five!” he shouted. Only twenty seconds passed before the general quarters whistle. This was real. Not a drill.

They were near a small island in the Sulu Sea called Jolo where the Japanese had just landed a force to take the airfield, and there was reported to be a sizable force including cruisers there as cover. No troops were on the island and it was probable the Japanese had already set up a rudimentary force at the airfield. As he scanned the smoke he could see multiple masts now and separate areas of smoke rising from the ships.

“My God, there has to be a dozen of them.” He hit the comm again, “Masts and at least ten, maybe twelve ships still bearing two four five.”

He could feel Boise begin to make better speed, probably getting up to twenty knots for the run in. Men scrambled across the decks below in battle gear, with helmets, and manned the guns and all other necessary stations. Oliver suddenly felt he was going to be sick, then uncontrollably threw up all over the deck below. No one even bothered to look up. He felt better.

The ships were distinct now. Twelve for sure. Three cruisers. Looked like two big heavy cruisers, too.

“S***.”

The enemy was crossing their battle line, a maneuver known as crossing the “T.” This allowed them to bring all guns to bear, especially on the forward ships, while only the forward guns of the front ships could engage in return. He felt Boise jerk and shudder, and she swung into a hard turn to port, leaning slightly against the pressure of the ocean on her flank. As Oliver braced he saw the first flashes from the still distant dark gray forms. Time seemed to stop, and he couldn’t tell if it was a few seconds or minutes until water shot up from all around the Houston.

Having gained an angle to bring all guns to bear as the two fleets maneuvered, he almost fell as Boise shot back. All hell broke loose as fifteen six inch guns went off in quick succession, and the five inchers continually pounded away at an even faster pace. Spouts rose close on both sides of the ship and water drenched his position. When it cleared he saw that the forward enemy cruiser had taken several direct hits. A different kind of smoke and the dull glow of fire lit the side of one of the towering superstructure. A smaller form, a destroyer just behind the light cruiser, was also belching smoke and looked to be falling out of the column.

Boise maneuvered again, now seemingly at flank speed, and Oliver was almost thrown off of his perch. They were much closer now, he estimated around 7-8,000 yards, and as he scanned with the glasses he saw the other big ship had also taken a few solid hits. The din below was terrible, and as he brought the glasses down the ship was rocked by an explosion just aft of the rear funnel. It sent one of the launches lurching over the side and lit a small fire under the broken pile of the others. There was gas there in the those boats, so they had to be quick and careful. The damage teams were well trained, and only a minute later hoses were already out and getting to work as another smaller caliber shot almost bounced off of the hull armor amidship.

The Japanese were getting the range, but their big cruisers were burning furiously and as he looked out he could see their silhouette grow sharper.

“They’re turning, goddamnit! Yeah! They’re running away!”

Another shell burst just under the bridge but must not have penetrated, thankfully, as the ship continued firing and putting the hurt on the now retreating Japanese ships. He was so elated by the retreat he hardly could contain himself, and whooped into the air like a crazy man.

He hadn’t looked back during the whole battle, and when he did now his breath caught in his throat. The destroyers were well behind and burning brightly under a huge black pall except one, the Barker, which was stopped and appeared to be picking men out of the sea. As he looked more closely he realized there were only four destroyers now. The Bulmer was gone completely. The Paul Jones was listing at least twenty degrees to port and what appeared to be the Parrot had no superstructure left at all. The bridge was simply gone, and the black hole that was left was engulfed in crimson flame. The Stewart was burning aft of the rear stack, luckily far enough from the torpedoes not to cook them off, he thought.

Oliver fell to his knees as elation turned to sorrow. This was nothing he could have prepared for, and nothing he could ever forget. The smell of gunpowder, burned rubber and paint, something even worse he couldn’t identify, were all mixing in the dirty air. Boise had slowed and was turning back to the area of destruction behind. He raced down to the starboard hose station and took up a position to assist as they came near the Parrot.

It was all he could do to keep the hose going at the flames while seeing the charred bodies of fallen sailors all over the deck and in the water near the ship. Men were still fighting there though, still putting water to the blaze, still carrying the wounded to the side into waiting boats. The Parrot was a hulk. This was her last battle, but only his first. Oliver shuddered as the water moved out under his hands forming an arch that caught the sun, a rainbow lit beneath its arc.
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[BBfanboy]

Great storytelling! Keep it coming!

PS - how'd you like to be the (choke) lookout assigned on the rear mast (gasp) of that Japanese cruiser? (hack)

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Great storytelling! Keep it coming!

PS - how'd you like to be the (choke) lookout assigned on the rear mast (gasp) of that Japanese cruiser? (hack)

Yeah, not so fun, huh?

[Capt. Harlock]

Great storytelling! Keep it coming!

+1

Any hits on the Houston?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Great storytelling! Keep it coming!

+1

Any hits on the Houston?

Update coming with that part of the CR. The Houston s in good shape! [:)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 10, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] The major news of the day is the battle fought near Jolo. Amazingly, Houston, Boise and Marblehead plus the 5 four-stackers took on Maya, Ashigara, Natori and nine destroyers and came out okay. The IJN had been picking off PI refugees during the turn and the day before, so ammo had to be reduced.

The four-stackers suffered in this one, but the cruisers are almost untouched. After the battle Dornier flying boats hit the remainders and get a solid shot with a 300kg bomb on the Ashigara, which makes me think she doesn't make it. Interestingly, two different float planes, two Petes and a Jake are lost 'on the ground.' Since the newer CA have two float plane groups to start for a total of three planes, I'd bet on Ashigara being a goner. I also don't see stragglers after the battle, so I wonder where the others went to?[&:]

Tomorrow the USN cruisers with the Barker will hit Jolo fields and try to mix things up there with the hope (and risk) that Netties and zeros will move in overnight.

Nearby a stringbag hits Nagara with a 500 pounder too! [:D]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]In more ominous news the 5th divisions and 25th army HQ plus a tank regiment land at Mersing. This will seal off Singers with only less than half of the Malaya forces in the city. The others will try to make for Kuala Lumpur to defend there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]The 020 sinks a DMS at Kuching.

Lots of enemy hits on the fleeing PI ships.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]Forces are getting into good positions. It looks like I'll be able to set a defensive line in front of Changsha, down through Psingyiang, which was the goal. Forces from the east will then move around and form a reserve if they make it through, as will some of the big corps up around Ichang. Only minimal bombing of troops in China, but even Nates are being used, strafing and bombing at 100ft. This is risky, as just today two are shot by 'flak' (the AA MGs of the Chinese).

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 10, 41
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 74,90, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 14, heavy fires
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 30, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Natori, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 1
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 1
DD Nagatsuki, Shell hits 2
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 5
CL Marblehead
CL Boise, Shell hits 5
DD Barker, Shell hits 4
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Stewart, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Parrott, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 16,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 16,000 yards
Hirata, Noboru crosses the 'T'
CL Boise engages CA Maya at 16,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 74,90

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 6

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nagatsuki
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Sanyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg GP Bomb
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Sanyo Maru-1 with F1M2 Pete (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes


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Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of AO Trinity on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of DD Bulmer on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of AV Langley on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of AM Quail on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of TK Hai Kwang on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of YO-41 on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of YO-42 on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAP President Madison on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAP Don Esteban on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAK Fatshan on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Halvdan on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAK Ming Sang on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAK Hai Lee on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Sagoland on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Bisayas on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Corregidor on Dec 10, 1941 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]DMS W-4 is reported to have been sunk near Kuching on Dec 10, 1941[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]With the healthy fire burning there, I would be surprised if Maya made it far either, and if she's hiding somewhere, it'll be tough to make it out of this area either undetected without running into a sub. [/font]
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[font="Times New Roman"]December 11, 1941

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[/u]

Near the Torokina river, Bougainville

The day was settling into the same pattern as most recently. The coconut plantations spread out along the small Piva river near the swampy coastal plains, native workers slowly getting about their tasks, never rushing anything. It was lucky if a job got finished at all. John couldn’t complain though. It was the life he’d chosen. At only twenty-five he was working a piece of land nearly the size of his father’s where he’d grown up near Port Moresby. He liked the work, the days walking through the coconut palms supervising the maintenance and harvest, settling in for the afternoon correspondence and administration, and a long slow evening of reading, radio or cards.

There were only a handful of families working this part of Bouganville Island, and only one other, the Browns, across the Torokina river to the south and close enough for an evening’s entertainment. This area was on the frontier even for the Australians who were raised in Papua, and it did have its challenges. The native Melanesians were mysterious and fickle, but he’d managed through his good nature and determination to develop connections to their leaders, and could even count a few as friends now. He treated his employees well, and there was as little as possible of the colonial arrogance associated with most plantation farmers in these islands. Dean Bown was of a similar mindset, and so the area had developed an optimistic congeniality between settlers and natives. John joined them on fishing trips, in walks to other villages and loved their good nature, often joining in song along the way.

While Dean Brown had brought his wife to the frontier when he came, and was five years John’s senior, already with two young girls, Sarah and Jean, John hadn’t yet married. He’d proposed to his sweetheart in Melbourne, just after they’d graduated from University of Victoria in Melbourne, but she couldn’t see herself living life on a homestead plantation, far from home and without family or friends. It had been a blow, but John had gone forward undaunted, believing in his work and it’s small part of developing this almost untouched part of the Pacific. Although not evangelistic, he did have a strong faith, and his determination came mainly from his confidence in the path laid out before him.

The cabin on the side of this hill, near Puruata and Cape Torokina, was small but comfortable, with a large wooden writing desk and several good chairs in the study. He had a two way wireless for both communication and to listen to the English language broadcasts he could pick up at night from Port Moresby, occasionally from as far as Townsville if the weather was right. He settled into his favorite wingback to read The Razor’s Edge tonight, the first time through. As the sun set the sounds of insects and frogs vibrated rhythmically into the night, but his mind was several thousand miles away, thinking of a previous war and wondering how Europe had let itself fall into another so soon after.

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 11, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] Guam falls. The KB is out of sight, but not out of mind. Where will it pop up next?

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] Another good day for antiquated bi-planes, as the Beasts strike a TF off of Mindanao, hitting Nagara with five 500 pounders, leaving the ship with 'heavy fires, heavy damage.' I think she's a goner so far from port. Nothing is seen limping around after the turn.

The Boise and company visit Jolo, knocking out the airfield and hitting a bunch of planes on the ground. Now a quick run to Java for more bullets.

The Manila DDs finally find pay dirt on the west of Borneo, crushing a small invasion force near Brunei, but with troops already unloaded. Still, every little bit helps.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 11, 41
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Night Naval bombardment of Jolo at 74,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 64 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 12 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Boise
CL Marblehead
DD Barker

Japanese ground losses:
856 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 39

CA Houston firing at Jolo
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Boise
CL Boise firing at Jolo
CL Marblehead firing at Jolo
DD Barker firing at Jolo
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Brunei at 65,87, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kantori Maru, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
xAK Meisho Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Hakka Maru, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAKL Kaika Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
xAP Kobe Maru, Shell hits 30, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 25,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Peary engages xAP Kobe Maru at 11,000 yards

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Talaud-eilanden at 81,95

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kawakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Suzukaze

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Vildebeest III bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

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Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of CM Prins van Oranje on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted
Loss of TK Manatawny on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAP Elcano on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Chengtu on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Kanchow on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Yat Shing on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Lipis on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Cetus on Dec 11, 1941 is admitted[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Dutch will hit Jolo again tomorrow to see what they can do, while some more four stackers will meet up with the cruisers to guide them back home safely.[/font]
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[font="Times New Roman"]December 12, 1941

Dutch Harbor, AK

This was not a good week. First the news out of Pearl Harbor. Everyone was utterly devastated,but their resiliency had shown in the past few days as work picked up and each man felt his duty more clearly now that they were in the war and against the wall. Two days before orders coming up from the West Coast set day and night round-the-clock shifts to improve defenses around the port. Gun emplacements were being cut into the hard cold soil of the island and new fortifications were going up everywhere, barracks being built and existing facilities enlarged. New men had already flown in from Anchorage and Kodiak to help. They were cutting holes for guns that were just now being loaded onto ships in San Francisco and Seattle. Morale was still low though and the weather was not cooperating. Every day was blowing snow or ice fog, and in spite of their good winter clothes, it wasn’t a good time to be outside in the Aleutians.

“Hey Danny, how is it out there?”

Mike was about to start his shift in the dredge, and Danny was just coming back from his on the tractor moving dirt around.

“Downright miserable! This even beats the wind whipping down Broadway in the winter, and that was the coldest wind I ever felt, until now. At least then I could go get a scotch and sidle up next to a warm broad.”

“Yeah, don’t get any ideas Danny.”

“Any coffee left in this joint? ‘Way we’re drinking it we might run out before the next supply drop.”

“News came through while you were out. We got major units moving up here. Another base force, two regiments of Marines, if you can believe that, and all kinds of arty. This place is gonna be downright prikely in a few weeks, not to mention crowded. They’re talking about sending a bunch of ‘em over to Adak.”

“Guess they want to get a little closer to Hirohita, turn down the screws a little. Make ‘em think about it at least. Well, well, with that kind of presence up here, I wonder if we’ll be graced with any real live nurses? I could use a few white skirts swishin’ around here.”

“The only part of ‘em you’ll see after the Marines get here is the back of those skirts walking toward some burly bastard from Alabama!”
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[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]December 11, 1941
...

The native Meanesians were mysterious and fickle... [/font]

No wonder most Australians didn't want to live on those islands. But wait until John meets the Japanese - the Meanesians will look downright friendly![:'(]

[BBfanboy]

Great results on those naval battles! Did you change any of the ship commanders?

After a similar battle in one of my games I managed to save Marblehead plus two burning four-stackers
by immediately disbanding them in the nearest port so that all crew could fight the fires. Once the fires were out they crept away to DEI and then Oz.
Sending the cruisers to reload at Soerabaja is wise, but expect mini KB to come looking for them from the east side of the Philippines down the east
side of Celebes to Java. After reload, I suggest you move them to Djoekarta or Tjilatjap to wait for more opportunities.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 12, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]IJN subs lay mines at Banjowengi and get one tanker before the hordes of AMc get there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] Wake, Tabiteuaea and Ocean island are invaded and fall. The KB hits Wake, so at least I know where it is today.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Malaya: [/font]The RAF gets into it today as Buffs jump the bombing runs on Malaya, moving up to Georgetwon and Kuala Lumpur. I'll now try to consolidate several groups in KL to see what comes. Haven't seen many zeros around yet, and I'm sure retribution will come soon. About 5 Nates and 12-15 bombers destroyed in the air today.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] A bunch of xAK are hit by Dorniers, which is nice. A few with troops on. Jolo is hit by two bombardments and more planes are wrecked.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 12, 41
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Night Time Surface Combat, near San Fernando at 80,74, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
MTB 11, Shell hits 1
MTB 12
MTB 26, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 27

Low visibility due to Rain with 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Nishimura, Teiji crosses the 'T'
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 27 at 2,000 yards

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Night Naval bombardment of Jolo at 74,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 19 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Boise
CL Marblehead
DD Whipple
DD John D. Edwards
DD Edsall
DD Barker
DD Alden

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 14

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Night Naval bombardment of Jolo at 74,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 50 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 16 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
AV Sanyo Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
DD Van Ghent
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 23
Port hits 1

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Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of MTB 26 on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Escalante on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Lepus on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Sarangami on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Taurus on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Princessa on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]xAKL Haguro Maru is reported to have been sunk near Banggi on Dec 12, 1941
xAKL Kaishi Maru is reported to have been sunk near Banggi on Dec 12, 1941[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]So far so good.[/font]
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ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]December 11, 1941
...

The native Meanesians were mysterious and fickle... [/font]

No wonder most Australians didn't want to live on those islands. But wait until John meets the Japanese - the Meanesians will look downright friendly![:'(]

Nice catch![:D]

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ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Great results on those naval battles! Did you change any of the ship commanders?

After a similar battle in one of my games I managed to save Marblehead plus two burning four-stackers
by immediately disbanding them in the nearest port so that all crew could fight the fires. Once the fires were out they crept away to DEI and then Oz.
Sending the cruisers to reload at Soerabaja is wise, but expect mini KB to come looking for them from the east side of the Philippines down the east
side of Celebes to Java. After reload, I suggest you move them to Djoekarta or Tjilatjap to wait for more opportunities.

I did make sure there was a good one in each. The results are mainly due to good timing I think, hitting the IJN after they'd been engaged for days and low on ammo. I've got decent search on Mindanao and at Ternate, so I doubt there will be any complete surprises. The beasts at Davao will likely suffer first if a CVE shows up. [;)]

[zuluhour]

Lurking (in both) but enjoying the narrative.[:)]

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[font="Times New Roman"]December 13, 1941

Vancouver, WA

Martin sat in the room with around fifty other men. They were at the coal Elks Lodge for a meeting about the new Kaiser shipyards planned and already breaking ground in Vancouver, WA. This would be a facility with the most advanced construction methods available to churn out ships at rates never seen before. At least that’s what the Kaiser men were saying up front. They wanted to weld all of the ships, and that is why Martin was here. He had experience enough to run a welding team from training to production. Though he’d never worked on ships, they would all be getting specific training with experienced foreman from the California Kaiser yards.

They were all excited. This was a chance to be part of the war effort immediately, even before most of the soldiers and sailors would see action, they would be making the vessels that would take them there and that they would fight from as well. The day was cold. Most of them looked to be in a kind of uniform already with flannel shirts, padded and wool lined canvas jackets, and baggy workmen’s jeans. It would be hard to find a more capable looking group. They had come from all kinds of industry, from construction to mining to logging. All were here because they’d seen the end of their thirties and some were even pushing fifty. They could not enlist, but had to take part somehow. This new shipyard gave them a way.

Three men in suits stood at the front. They were high up in Kaiser’s ship building enterprise, and the man speaking, Roger Thornton, would be supervising the construction of the yard itself. They would work on that too, learning some of the new techniques that would later be used on the ships.

“All of you will be involved from day one. That starts today. You will be put in teams, each of you a foreman of your own group of men. These men will be from all over the country, from all walks of life. You will be asked to make them into an efficient, hard-working team. You will make this yard function at the highest level, every day.”

He leaned over t o pick up a pointer and turned to tap a chart of the shipyard plan, with new construction highlighted in red. It was nearly all new construction.

“We will assemble here tomorrow for instruction on new welding techniques that will be employed. Rivet teams will still be needed, but most of the construction will be assembled in sections, then welded together. Today you will fill out necessary paperwork, get on the payroll, and find your temporary lockers in the HQ building here.”

Martin looked around him. Everyone was serious and intent. They all wanted this to get going now.

“Thank you men. This is the start of something that will change this war. We will make what our country needs to defeat the Germans and the Japanese. This is just as important as shooting a gun or flying a plane. If we treat it as such, we will change history here, mark my words.”

Martin felt the energy in the room, and in himself, rise up and move forward to the challenge. The men were steeled, as hard as the beams waiting in piles to become the cranes and workshops that would make up this vast area of construction in a few months. They had meaningful work, they were part of the effort now, no longer too old, too flatfooted or too nearsighted to fight. They would fight with a torch and a hammer, as they always had, and it would mean something more than just a paycheck.

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