LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[BBfanboy]

It's real easy to mix up the tonnage figures on APs. The total load capacity is usually a little under the actual displacement tonnage of the ship.
This is the reverse of most AKs and TKs which are usually a little lighter than the load capacity.

[IdahoNYer]

28-29 Dec 1941

Jpn ships sunk:
PB: 1

Allied ships sunk:
xAKL: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 12
Allied: 24

Subwar:
Jpn: 2xAttack: no ships hit
Allies: 7xAttack: 3 ships hit; xAK:2 dam, PB sunk

Amph Inv:
Aitape (SWPAC)
Lae (SWPAC)
Wewak (SWPAC)
Zamboanga (PI)
Kendari (DEI)

Bases lost:
Lingayen (PI)
Aitape(SWPAC)

Bases Liberated:
Patani (Malaya) - very temporarily retaken….still…

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

Continued heavy air attacks against Singapore and increasing activities in the Eastern DEI highlight the last two days. KB has vanished - presumably back to Truk to re-arm/refuel.

West Coast. One I-Boat hit by a DC is the good news, but two still are lurking off San Diego, waiting for CV Yorktown which just arrived. Convoy AS-1 with 30 ships sailed from LA as scheduled without incident.

In NOPAC. NSTR

In CENPAC its mostly quiet, except for sub sightings and trying to hunt down the subs within 300 miles of Hawaii - without much success for either side so far. Lex and Enterprise still loitering off Christmas Is.

In SOPAC, Marines offloading at Suva and now Noumea. Saratoga TF refuels south of Noumea and a CA TF loiters south of the Solomons awaiting the next move from the IJN.

In SWPAC, Lae is invaded as I’m sure is a prelude to more activity aimed at Port Moresby. KB has disappeared, which is better than moving south raiding the Australian coast. Still anticipating moves south toward Moresby as well as the Solomons. Not much can be done to prevent that at this point - have about half a dozen subs now trolling around the Rabaul-Truk areas hoping to catch a break.

In the Philippines, Jpn army gets closer to Clark on Luzon and also lands at Zamboanga which was being used as a sub transport resupply base. He’s working on choking off the ability to resupply and he’s gradually succeeding. In the air, the last P-40s and P-35s tangle with Oscars over Manila and while aren’t mauled, failed to interdict the intended targets of bombers that were active over Lingayen.

In China, much the same with heavy pressure in the eastern areas

In Malaya, continued air attacks on Singers do little as the Royal Air Force stays on the ground as long as Zeros are used in force. The isolated Indian Bde up north manages to secure Patani base which was evacuated -if nothing else, this will take some forces to chase this brigade down and retake the base. To reduce the xAKL supply runs out of Palembang to Singers, IJN subs mine the approaches to Palembang and sink an xAKL. Sweepers out of Singapore will attempt to clear, but supply right now in Singapore is plentiful (70k+).

In India/Burma, December has been a pretty quiet month. No air activity over Rangoon yet - and this has allowed a large amount of supply convoys to offload without issue (and minimum escort). Jpn forces are moving slowly towards Moulmein and we’ll only attempt a delay in Burma - to keep the Burma road open as long as possible.

In the DEI, the Mini-KB (Likely Zuiho and Ryujo) continues to prowl east of Celebes, supporting both the current landings at Kendari and the likely projected invasion of Ambon, but does not strike at any targets. Nells out of Manado do hit ground units at Kendari in support of the invasion there. With the weather bad, I’m going to sortie the bulked up Force Z (BB,BC,4xCL,DDs) out of Soerabaja against the Kendari landings. Air cover will be minimal (some P-40s out of Makassar), but I’m counting on bad weather, a shortage of carrier carried torpedoes from previous attacks, and a whole lotta luck. Its only going to get worse as the IJN tighten its noose around Java, and with some luck, I might get into a good scrap with his covering force (estimated to include 2xKongos and CAs) and give him a bloody nose. Western approaches to Java remains covered by a CA/CL TF in Batavia.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

"Convoy AS-1 with 30 ships sailed from LA as scheduled without incident"

Be careful with the size of convoys, it helps ASW but increases the chances of collision

[IdahoNYer]

Be careful with the size of convoys, it helps ASW but increases the chances of collision

Understand.

I've had a few collisions now and again, but bearable. I'm more concerned with port size, escorts and ship availability to determine convoy size. I seldom go above 40, but usually 20 is minimum for resupply convoys.

[Capt. Harlock]

I’m going to sortie the bulked up Force Z (BB,BC,4xCL,DDs) out of Soerabaja against the Kendari landings. Air cover will be minimal (some P-40s out of Makassar), but I’m counting on bad weather, a shortage of carrier carried torpedoes from previous attacks, and a whole lotta luck. Its only going to get worse as the IJN tighten its noose around Java, and with some luck, I might get into a good scrap with his covering force (estimated to include 2xKongos and CAs) and give him a bloody nose. Western approaches to Java remains covered by a CA/CL TF in Batavia.

Any update on this? [:D]

[IdahoNYer]

30-31 Dec 1941

Jpn ships sunk:None

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1
AM: 1
xAK: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 9
Allied: 12

Subwar:
Jpn: 4xAttack: 1 ship hit; DD Stronghold sunk
Allies: 5xAttack: 1 ship hit; CVE Taiyo hit w/1torp off Rabaul by SS Pollack

Amph Inv:
Ambon (DEI)
Gasmata (SWPAC)

Bases lost:
Patani (Malaya)
Baler (PI)
Tagbilaran (PI)
Brunei (DEI)
Kendari (DEI)
Mergui (Malaya)
Lae (SWPAC)
Wewak (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel:NSTR

As 1941 closes out, the KB has shown itself in the Solomon Sea hitting Moresby hard with naval air - likely next stop on the Tokyo Express. Force Z’s sortie against Kendari finds an empty anchorage. Lastly, pressure in NW China increases.

West Coast. Continued lack of success against I-Boats off San Diego and Los Angeles.

In NOPAC. NSTR

In CENPAC, Lexington TF heads away from Christmas Is towards PH and Enterprise sets course for Auckland.

In SOPAC, still quiet so far. Need another month plus to bring more troops in to hold a defensive line of Noumea-Suva - Pago. Not sure if he’s going to give me that time. Right now, with only a regiment of Marines at Noumea and Suva, its not nearly enough.

In SWPAC, the KB comes calling by sending large strikes against Port Moresby from the Solomon Sea - catching and sinking an AM and two xAKs offloading on the docks. Not really surprised here, it’s the logical next step. Moresby is at fort Level 2, but no reinforcements have been landed. A number of FA Bns, an AA Bn and some initial infantry units have been assembling at Townsville, but nothing to stop a determined attack on Moresby, nor, with the KB prowling will they be able to be safely transported there. Horn Is has been reinforced by the evacuations of the various New Guinea/Kavieng detachments. Priority focus now is more the defense of NE OZ than New Guinea.

In the Philippines, Jpn air focuses on Clark Field defenses, obviously his next major objective. While I have forces in Clark - they won’t hold despite the good terrain. My question is - will they withdraw to Manila or Bataan?

In China, continued pressure in the east - especially east of Sian. AVG is brought into Sian to see if we can disrupt some enemy air ground support. Still pulling back west to use terrain, but not as fast as the Jpn are advancing in many places.

In Malaya, Patani is retaken without much extra effort, and the isolated 15th Indian Bde there surrenders. Was hoping for another turn or two, but not totally unexpected. What was unexpected was no air attacks against Singers - bad weather is a good thing!

In India/Burma, Jpn forces have closed on Moulmein and the AVG squadron in Rangoon will fly patrols in support expecting some Jpn ground support there.

In the DEI, Force Z’s sortie to Kendari is picked up by subs shortly after departing Soerabaja; I-155 fails to penetrate the screen three times, but the force is sighted. I-158 has better luck, sinking a DD off Makassar, but the main body is successfully screened. By the time Adm Palliser arrives off Kendari, both the invasion and covering forces have departed. With no orders to bombard, Palliser changes course back to Java. SW of Makassar on the return leg to Java, Palliser receives new orders to turn about and strike Ambon….

[IdahoNYer]

Any update on this?

CPT Harlock - looks like you might have to wait a bit longer - although Force Z had no surface contact on the 30/31 Dec turn, here's what I got from Large Slow Target on the turn back:

"Bring some popcorn and lots of patience for this turn - long surface battle ahead."

Should prove interesting - will get to it tonight!

[IdahoNYer]

1-2 Jan 1942

Jpn ships sunk:
CVE: 1; Taiyo - torpedoed earlier, listed as sunk
CA: 2; Haguro and Takao sunk at Ambon
xAK: 1

Allied ships sunk:
CL: 2; Mauritius and Dragon sunk at Ambon
DD: 2; sunk at Ambon

Air loss:
Jpn: 17
Allied: 11

Subwar:
Jpn: 3xAttack: no ships hit; (including CV Lex missed off Palmyra)
Allies: 3xAttack: 1 ship hit; xAK sunk

Amph Inv:
Kavieng(SWPAC)
Madang (SWPAC)
Sorong (SWPAC)
Port Swettenham (Malaya)

Bases lost:
Dinagat (PI)
Long Island (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

1942 starts off on the right foot by severely bruising the vaunted IJN Cruiser fleet in the Battle of Ambon! Was a good two days as the CVE Taiyo was reported as sunk from her previous torpedoing and the CV Lexington being missed by 4xtorp off Palmyra.

West Coast. I-Boats off San Diego appear to be moving west as the CV Yorktown prepares to sail.

In NOPAC. NSTR

In CENPAC, only the near miss on the Lady Lex.

In SOPAC, xAP Queen Elizabeth arrives at Auckland after a quick unescorted crossing from LA carrying the 53rd (Sep) IN Reg, headed for Koumac.

In SWPAC, it as quiet for a turn as the KB apparently moved north toward Truk - at least that is what I think was the KB which was sighted by SS Trout just south of Truk.

In the Philippines, Jpn air focuses on Manila this turn. Jpn army forces reach Clark AB. P-40s out of Cagayan strafe and bomb IJN shipping off Zamboaga and manage to put a 500lb bomb on the CL Natori, penetrating armor and starting fires.

In China, same as previous - heavy pressure in the east….still hating China….

In Malaya, another barge landing on Malaya’s west coast is intercepted by a lone motor launch with less than stellar results. The Jpn army slowly closes on Singapore - again, no air raids.

In India/Burma, another supply convoy reaches Rangoon.

In the DEI, Force Z turns about and heads to Ambon to intercept the reported invasion force there - which includes the BB’s Nagato and Hyuga in the amphibious TF. I figure Repulse and PoW can make short work of two old BBs in an amphibious TF! Enroute, Force Z is sighted by yet another sub, I-164, which fails to penetrate the screen twice and misses a DD each time with torps. As the sun rises on the 2nd of Jan, Palliser’s Force Z manages the unthinkable - surprising a large cruiser TF off Ambon! So much for the old BBs, even with surprise, this is going to be a tough fight!

[IdahoNYer]

Due to Thunderstorms, visibility is limited and fire is opened up by the CL Mauritius at 6000yds on surprised IJN. Although Allied gunnery is again less than desired, hits are quickly scored against the CAs including the PoW landing a 14” shell on the Nachi. While the Allied cruisers score hits, the 6” shells fail to penetrate the cruiser’s armor, but the British CLs also carry torps, two of which launched by the old CL Dragon, hit the CA Takao setting her ablaze. But the cheering on the British ships is short lived as the fleets close to within 3000yds and the CL Mauritius becomes the target of the Myoko, Haguro and Atago - one of which puts an 8” shell into the British CL’s magazine and the Mauritius is blown to bits. By now the IJN has fully recovered from their surprise, and torpedoes and gunfire from both sides continue to strike home. CL Java becomes a favorite target, as does the CA Haguro. While Java struggles under 8” guns, so does Haguro against the 14” and 15” British guns. IJN torpedoes begin to hit home, sinking two British DDs in quick succession. But luck stays with Palliser as the Repulse is also hit, but just scratches paint. His luck continues as CA Myoko collides with a DD, but Palliser decides to break off the action. In doing so, two Allied DDs collide, but are not seriously damaged.


By the time the battle is over, PoW and Repulse are barely scratched. The Heavy’s screen has done their job, protecting their charges, but the cost is high. Besides Mauritius blowing up, CL Dragon will succumb to her damages that day, and CL Java will be scuttled that night. The remaining DDs are all banged up to some degree, but with some luck, all should make Darwin. As for the IJN, two CAs are known to have been sunk (by float losses) - Haguro and Takao are listed as sunk. CA Nachi has to be a floating wreck, struck by at least a couple of heavy caliber shells. Myoko and Atago are likely lightly to moderately damaged. The two CLs and all but one or two DDs should be fully seaworthy.

While the tactical results are probably a draw or slightly in favor of the Allies, strategically the battle remains an IJN victory - Ambon will still fall (although the defenders on the ground held off two assaults!). Still in Jan 1942, I’ll take these results any day. Repulse and PoW will initially head to Darwin, and then, most likely, back to Java. The problem now being a severe shortage of DDs in the DEI and without a sufficient screen of CLs and DDs, the capital ships are too vulnerable to torpedoes - either sub or surface launched. Will consider whether to pull the PoW and/or Repulse out of the DEI altogether once they return to Java. Still, keeping at least one of the two capitals in theater will serve as a “Fleet in Being” to keep the IJN cautious. A number of DDs will have to be sent to the yards - some may continue to Java, others (especially the US four pipers) will detach in Darwin for repairs elsewhere.

[Mike McCreery]

Bravo on the heavy cruisers!!!

Overall I am coming to the conclusion that they are the primary surface combat threat for the Japanese and not their battleships. The battleships have the downside of being fuel and ammo pigs and are much less versatile.

[HansBolter]

I would disagree that it was a strategic victory for Japan.
Ambon is not strategic.
Japanese CA losses early are since they are a limited commodity.

[offenseman]

I agree. The loss of two CAs trumps a non-factor base like Ambon. Well done by the allies

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Congrats on the cruisers. As already mentioned, these are irreplaceble for the japanese

He will likely throw everything to persecute your tf. Next turn will be interesting to watch. I hope they'll all make it to Darwin and/ or there are no night battle

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

Bravo on the heavy cruisers!!!

Overall I am coming to the conclusion that they are the primary surface combat threat for the Japanese and not their battleships. The battleships have the downside of being fuel and ammo pigs and are much less versatile.

+1!
If any of those heavy caliber hits on Nachi were belt penetrations, I wouldn't give much for her chances. If she goes that is four of the 14 large CAs (including Ashigara) - a disaster for Japan.
I wonder how he is using his BBs?. Bombardment should be down the list from SCTF protection of his invasions. The CAs are great KB carrier escorts because they have the speed needed and can fight off most Allied SCTFs at this stage.

EDIT: P.S. - he had too many ships in his TF. Two TFs of eight ships would have performed better than a single one of 16 ships.

[Capt. Harlock]

one of which puts an 8” shell into the British CL’s magazine and the Mauritius is blown to bits.

Pity -- she's one of the more useful Brit cruisers. You don't want to get that close until you have a supply of Fletcher-class DD's.

[IdahoNYer]

All - fully agree about the value of IJN cruisers. Their loss will hurt the IJN for a long, long time. Was too bad about the Mauritius - she went down early in the fight too - and she was dishing it out 6" shells fairly effectively beforehand. But that was the only "tough" loss in the fight - I'll take that. Especially in Jan '42.

So far, I've been extremely lucky in the two surface engagements. LargeSlowTarget has been very "deliberate" in his amphibious operations - extremely heavy surface escort. Very different from the AI, and has taken some getting used to "this ain't the AI!". No easy pickings for a quick strike. In being deliberate, he's massed a lot of combat power to protect his force - each and every time. However - a couple of lessons I've taken away from that so far. First, its slowed his tempo down. Second, CA covering force is vulnerable to Capital Ship gunfire, and third he has been using his assets more defensively - focusing on protecting his amphs, rather than aggressively hunting down the threat. Granted, luck has greatly favored my operations so far - the sheer volume of torps launched in both surface engagements should have crippled the Allied TF.

However, the most significant takeaway is that I've got to maintain some type of "Fleet in Being" as long as possible - just maintaining the threat might slow his moves in the DEI. With a little more luck, maybe, just maybe, I can draw the KB into the DEI and away from where I'm still very vulnerable - SWPAC and SOPAC.

[KenchiSulla]

Prince of Wales and Repulse are a major threat to the early Japanese expansion... Very well done!

[IdahoNYer]

3-4 Jan 1942

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1; Arashi off Kendari from damages at Ambon

Allied ships sunk:
CL: 1; Java scuttled after crippling damage at Ambon

Air loss:
Jpn: 16
Allied: 9

Subwar:
Jpn: 0xAttack: no ships hit;
Allies: 1xAttack: no ships hit;
SS Tuna hit by ASW a/c south of Truk - should make port
SS KXII damaged by convoy escort off Saigon - should make port

Amph Inv:
Buna (SWPAC)
Manus (SWPAC)

Bases lost:
Burias (PI)
Siargao (PI)
Atimonan (PI)
Port Swettenham (Malaya)
Madang (SWPAC)
Gasmata (SWPAC)
Kavieng (SWPAC)
Sorong (SWPAC)
Ambon (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel:
3/4 Div loaded on CM Okinoshima headed for Rabaul - 4th ID seems to be assembling at Rabaul

After the excitement of the last few days, it was pretty quiet. Allied subs fail to intercept the withdrawing IJN from Ambon, but the Allied TF limps into Darwin without issue.

West Coast. xAP Lurline with 1xDD as escort prepares to depart LA for Auckland with the 138th (Sep) In Reg in a quick transit run. CV Yorktown to provide ASW cover and shuttle some Marine squadrons to PH.

In NOPAC. NSTR

In CENPAC, Lexington docks at PH and changes out her Buffaloes for Wildcats.

In SOPAC, things will pick up here shortly - at least from the Allied perspective, and hopefully the IJN will give us a couple of more weeks. Marine regiments have been successfully unloaded at Noumea and Suva, and their fast xAPs are headed to Auck, then back to LA. A NZ Eng Co is enroute to Koumac to begin defensive preparations for the 53rd (Sep), to reach Noumea within a week or so. Just clearing the Pago-Pago area are the two fast convoys from LA carrying the much needed everything for the intial defenses of SOPAC (and some SWPAC units). Once these arrive at Auckland in the next week, there will be plenty of activity moving them to Noumea, Suva and Pago, with the Saratoga and Enterprise providing cover. The greatest resource we need right now is TIME.

In SWPAC, the amph TF off Buna is hit by the half dozen or so Banshees at Moresby and the big AMC Kongo Maru is hit by 2x1000lb bombs and left burning. No Jpn fighters so far!

In the Philippines, the last PBY squadron is withdrawn to Java as the Jpn ground forces close on Clark. The first of two B-17D squadrons (the third will disband) flew off to Java as well. Heavy Jpn raids on Manila go unopposed. What’s left of the USAFE (handful of fighters and recon/search planes) limits itself to a couple of Seagulls bombing the invasion of Digos - and manage 2x250lb bomb hits on an xAK!

In China, nothing to see here, move along…..

In Malaya, weather clears and the raids resume against Singapore. Allied a/c stay on the ground. Damage is minimal, but enough to prevent forts from expanding. Jpn land forces continue to close on the positions in the south.

India/Burma: The first Capetown-Perth convoy is forming up.

In the DEI, Force Z limps into Darwin and will await 3xDDs outbound from Java. Repulse’s damage isn’t severe (15/4/2), but enough for me to decide to bring her to Colombo to repair. She’ll depart with 2xdam DDs as escort in the morning. PoW will return to Soerabaja.

[BBfanboy]

Is Soerabaja still safe? If Ambon is threatened Soerabaja has to be on the target list soon.

[IdahoNYer]

Is Soerabaja still safe? If Ambon is threatened Soerabaja has to be on the target list soon.

So far, all of Java is still "safe" - at least from LBA. As I'm waiting for the turn, here's a quick screen shot of the situation in the DEI. After Jolo fell, I expected a quick move toward Tarakan and then Balikpappan. Didn’t happen - IJN went further east toward Ambon and Kendari. On the western side, nothing at all since Kuching fell a while ago. I still have some time until he can bring Soerabaja in Zero fighter range - and that’s Makassar (albeit at long range).

Will be interesting to see what’s next on the list - and it’s a long list to choose from. Palembang is an option, but that’s risky and I don’t see that for a while. Tarakan is on borrowed time, and that’s my bet for the next landings. More concern is whether he goes for Makassar (focus to Java) or landings on Timor (focus on NW OZ). By landing on Ambon and Kendari simultaneously, my worry is that he’s leaning toward isolating the DEI from Australia, and then landing at Darwin. Not much I can do about Darwin if he wants it (at least until I Corps arrives), so I’ll focus on maintaining Java for a while. If he goes for Makassar, that’s probably the target of the next Allied naval sortie.