Gaishu Isshoku: John 3rd vs Cribtop Between the Storms

[John 3rd]

Here is the Command Cruisers added to the Mod. There are two that come in during 1943:

[John 3rd]

One of the RA/BTS premises is that there is no arguing over the design of the new Japanese CLs. Without that year+ diversion of wasted time, the Japanese CLs enter production. Three are complete when the war starts with five arriving in rough pairs through late-43. You see the final decision is for three triple turrets, heavy Long Lance armament, and decent FP complement. Tonnage rises markedly to do this. Should be noted that THIS design was an actual one that saw a reduced Mogami-Class sized CL...

[John 3rd]

Here is the newest Japanese CA. There are no Tone-Class CAs. Instead the Japanese proceed forward with their continued evolution of the 'normal' heavy cruiser. There are two added at the start of the war with four building during the war. Whether the player elects to build all four is up to them...

[John 3rd]

Here is the Aso-Class CVL. It is built upon a Tokoro-CL hull and has good range and decent air complement. The Japanese gain three of these in 1943/1944. They follow the adopted strategy of a 3 CV TF for carriers (2 CV--1 CVL):

[John 3rd]

In RA/BTS there is no Shinano or Taiho. There are no Unryu CVs either. The Japanese stick to their proven Shokaku-Class carrier. Six Shokaku Kai CVs are build during the war. The first arrives in late-42 with one spread about every five-six months following that. These are tough CVs. Don't get anything else though...

[John 3rd]

On my 4th Day without a turn and am thinking about admitting myself to Wargamer's Rehab. Is there a 12-Step Program? Am seriously go through withdrawal...

While talking about new ship classes yesterday, I forgot to mention the CAVs. Here is the G.6 Class at present:

[John 3rd]

The ships can convert in mid-1942 to a Soryu-Type CV. This is why the CAVs are truly important for japan. If saved and not lost during the first 6-8 months, the Imperial Fleet gains a pair of CVs. Helps promote nastiness in 1943!

[ny59giants]

I got a turn late last night. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Just got one and ran it! Hosannah! No 12-Step program for ME!

Am told there will be another tonight. Be still my heart...

[John 3rd]

Have played two turns so we are operational once more. Will Post an update later today.

We attacked Singers last turn and got a 1-1! HAH! Rest a few and knock 'em down again...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 14-18, 1942

We've gotten back rolling after a rather disjointed Christmas and New Year's week. Looks like we're back to our turn a day play.

North Pacific
Capture Umnak and Adak.

Cold Bay
A little bit of action occurs when one older American DD attacks a convoy finishing unloading supplies there. The DD sinks 2 AK and a PB. It gets hit three times for its effort.

Now have what I want and plan to split my SNLF Assault Brigade into its three component parts to form the garrisons for Cold Bay, Dutch Harbor, and Umnak. The Karafuto Brigade will deploy to Adak and form that garrison. Engineers are beginning to arrive and we now have 12 Emily flying out of Cold Bay, serious AF expansion at Umnak underway, and units headed for other major areas. Far as I am concerned all offensive landing operations are complete here. Will gradually thicken the garrisons as reinforcements come in and prepare for possible Allied counter-invasions.

Am working to make sure all the major bases in the Kuriles are not neglected as well.

There are NO Japanese warships up here presently. The Nisshin, 3 CVE, CL, and 15 DDs are just about to the Home Islands to repair a CRAPLOAD of System Damage. It is not pleasant working there during winter! While the CVEs are in port I intend to re-size about 6 Japanese Air Units to 27 for better training and prepare for deployments where the planes are needed.

Central Pacific
Everything is calm.

Capture Malden, Starbuck Isle, and Starbork Isle.

Christmas
This base is expanding nicely the AF went to 2 about 10 days ago and I have Emily and Betty present. When the base goes to 3 then we'll seriously reinforce it with airpower. The KB and all of its support ships are operating out of here. A major portion of the Island's long-term garrison arrives in two days when the 11th Ind Inf Regiment (from China) unloads.

The Tahiti failure leads to the embarking of an SNLF Assault Brigade to go and handle that base.

SE Pacific
Tahiti
As just mentioned, the Tahiti landing goes OK to start with. Under the bombardment of two BCs, the Naval Gaurds storms ashore without much opposition. Cribtop told me that the Queen Mary was carrying a Marine unit to garrison this valuable base. NOT! They be DEAD!!! The Guards rest a day and then under a bombardment by two BBs, make their assault. It doesn't carry. A large group of French cooks stop the attack with a 1-4 result versus Lvl-2 Forts. The two units present have no offensive value so ANY REAL troops should be able to take the base. Fine. Load the Brigade in fast AMCs to hit this place in 5-6 days.

As the Fleet withdraws from here, I leave 4 DDs patrolling in case he tries to land something to hold the base.

KB
The CVs slowly move north along the map. They are at cruise speed and will get two more days of moving and then head for Christmas. Fuel is OK as 4 AOs reach Christmas 4-5 days ago. I split them to refuel both components of the KB. Three brand new AKEs arrive at Christmas and they will restock all the warships and carriers.

South Pacific
Not much happening. Hold the Lunga--Rossel--Milne Bay--PM line. Engineers arriving to build AFs and Forts.

Form a large STF of 4 CA, 4 CL, and 6 Dds to sweep down and check-out Noumea. Set the Jake's to recon Koumac, Noumea, Efate, and Luganville. Need some intel for future operations.

Australia
The 2nd ID splits into three parts and begins to move out from Normanton. Cribtop is concerned. I have two TK Regiments on the way as well as two JAAF Coy to allow for Fighters to be based here. WANT him worried...


Got to head for work but that updates half of the map.

[John 3rd]

Good day all. We're currently at January 21st and have not had much action happening at all. Have been somewhat remiss in doing my updates so will try to today.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 19-21, 1942

Rather boring turns as we get ready to transition over to the major campaign goal of the war.

North Pacific
Very calm. Have a Chutai of Emily operating out of Cold Bay and Umnak for air search. Have watched a couple of small TFs but nothing important. Am deploying six SS up here as well as 5 AMC for Raiding. We'll see if the Japanese can be annoying up here.

Central Pacific
Midway
Have a couple of TK unloading fuel here so SS can operate from the forward.

Line Islands
Looking good. Christmas just got the 11th Ind Regiment from China so its first major garrison piece is in place. The AF here is not too far from Sz-3. At that point we'll move in 36 Zero and 54 Betty/Nell to complement the 18 Emily flying air search from here.

There are now 8 SS operating in a recon line east of Christmas looking for convoy movement. Two more Glen-Boats are traveling to Christmas to thicken the line some.

Capture Malden and Penrhyn Isle. Will place a Naval Guard at each as well as a JNAF Coy for Air Search.

Marshalls
Have small convoys bringing up resources from Nauru and Ocean to Kwajalein. First regular resource convoys are loading at Kwajalein to ship to Tokyo.

Am using Kwajalein and Jaliut for fuel Tanker TF to unload at and then using my AOs to load fuel for the Kaigun.

South Pacific
Tahiti
The 'cooks' here have now withstood two attacks by my Naval Guard. Have loaded the SNLF Assault Brigade at Palmyra to take this thorn. I want to FORCE the Allies to take this location so we have an obvious beginning point that might be exploited when the time comes.

KB
The CVs have all re-joined each other and are returning to Christmas for fuel and sortie replenishment. Should arrive in two days. After a bit of R&R, they will journey to New Caledonia to cover the invasion of that location.

Australia
The 2nd ID have split up and is driving towards Cooktown and that resource center due south of it. Three TK Regiments are on the way as well as two Base Forces and several small engineering units. Need this to LOOK like a growing threat!

More units are prepping for the west coast of Aussieland. Want to make it LOOK like I am going to take Perth. I might--I might not.

Philippines
Luzon
All of this area is taken except Manila. Just swept all the mines from Bataan. Two BBs and several CAs will begin bombarding Manila within several days.

Central Phil
Have taken Iliolo and Bacolod. Only major target left is Cebu. Will grab that in 3-4 days.

Mindanao
All Japanese.

Eastern DEI
Have all of Timor and am getting ready to jump to the NW Coast of Australia. Celebes is all Japanese as well as Ambon, and those little oil facilities to the east.

Central DEI
Everything taken.

Western DEI
Everything taken.

Java
Landed at Semarang and have cut the island in half. Have an Inf Div and a Brigade present. Two more Regiments are at sea and on the way.

Malaya
All mine except Singers. Have launched two successful assaults and have brought to Forts down to ZERO. Next attack should do it. Once Singers falls, all the troops there will get 10-12 days of R&R before loading for Ceylon and India.

Sumatra
Have taken the entire island except for Sabang. As mentioned earlier, I used Paras to take TJB and Langsa then flew over two complete Regiments of Infantry who have then moved out and taken the bases. Not bad. When Singers falls, all of Sumatra will already be Japanese and we can head for Pt Blair and reinforce Burma some.

Burma
No movement here. My four TK Reg have all they can garrison. Going to be quiet here until I can move up some help from the south.

China
Have taken Chengchow and Loyang. Am working sowly towards Sian and we'll see what happens.

Troops are about to attack Yenan. Looks promising. Have already driven back half of the units at Yenan presently.


Finding any air or water resistance right now is next to impossible. Cribtop is doing a pretty fair imitation of being a turtle presently...

[John 3rd]

Got to thinking someone might enjoy seeing what the effect of working for 18 days in the Aleutians during winter does. OUCH!

[John 3rd]

Here are the warships due out for Japan through the June of 1942. I've accelerated CL Agano so I can get a radar-equipped escort as a support for Junyo.

[1EyedJacks]

So the Radar unit the Agno uses is already available by March of 42?



I am Charlie

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

So the Radar unit the Agno uses is already available by March of 42?



I am Charlie

The new CL-Class comes in with early radar. Radar upgrades for CVs become available in min-42. Numbers stay quite low until 43 when more ships gain it. Basically premised it on the most valuable escort ships to the carriers.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 25, 1942
New Caledonia

As mentioned before, a strong surface task force comprising 4 CA, 4 CL, and Training CL, and 4 DDs were tasked with doing a probe SE towards New Caledonia. As the TF approached Noumea, they are intercepted by an Allied TF comprised of CAs Canberra, Chicago and Houston with 4 old DDs in an escort capacity. There are two phases to the fight:

Round 1
The Japanese TF crosses the Allied 'T' and opens up on the lead cruisers (Canberra and Houston). Five gunnery rounds pass (10--7--5--7--10 K Yards) that see Canberra take significant damage and DD John Edwards sunk from a Long Lance. Several Japanese ships take single shell hits and suffer no appreciable damage.

Round 2
The Americans act as if they are disengaging and then surprise the Japanese with a recommencement of the action. Two Japanese CAs take light damage and two Japanese CL take moderate damage (20-30% SYS and 20-30% FLOT). None are in danger of sinking and in return they sink CA Canberra, heavily damage CA Houston, and sink DD Stewart.

After this clash, the Japanese divide into two TF with the damaged in one and non-damaged in the other.

Wish those two CAs (Canberra and Houston) weren't so darned tough! Each ship scored 5-6 times with 8" Shells before the second round ended. Not a bad result (as long as everyone gets home OK) and it was nice to actually spot some Allied warships...

[John 3rd]

I got an unexpected 'Mother' visit over the last four days. Kept me from doing any major posting.

We have had major developments within the Campaign:
1. In China, Yenan has fallen opening the door to a major northern offensive and some serious broken field running.
2. Singapore fell on January 30th (FINALLY!) and the serious final planning can occur for the capture of Ceylon and Addu Atoll.

TIME TO OPEN THE BALL!

Will fully update when I can...

[John 3rd]

February 1, 1942
IGHQ Tokyo
Operation Shimakaze

The time for final decisions and specific planning is now here. Singapore fell days ago. The defense proved far tougher then the IJA had predicted fully withstanding the general assault of six IJA Infantry Divisions for three weeks. Casualties among the Infantry Divisions have been fair light, however, disruption is really bad. Most of the ID are at 65-75% Assault Strength. The good news is that the AV is increasing roughly 75-90 points per day. Figure the time to launch the Invasion of Ceylon is roughly 7-10 days from now. Loading will begin on Feb 10--12th with a tentative D-Day being set for February 25th.

Assets:
Southern Army HQ, 25th Army, and 14th Army
Six Inf Div (4th, 5th, 38th, Imp Guards, 18th, 33rd): the 18th/33rd are worst off.
Two Brigades and 2 Ind Regiments
Armor: 8 TK Reg and a Cav Reg
6 Engineering Reg
13 Artillery Regiments
Air: 11th Air Fleet, 23rd Air Flotilla----the ENTIRE 9th Air Fleet (HQ, 3 Air Flot, 3 Large BF)

Air ASSETS
9th Air Fleet: 81 Zero, 54 Betty/Nell, 27 Val, 27 Kate, and 36 Emily/Mavis
Other: Three Sentai of Oscars, two Daitai of Zeros, one Daitai of Betty, 100+ Transports, and 150+ Sally/Lily.

Naval Assets
CarDiv2 (Hiryu--Soryu--Shoho), 2 CVL, 2 CAV, 3 CVE, 4 BB, 2 BC, 10 CA, 12 CL, 50 DD, 20 SS

OBJECTIVES:
1. Ceylon
2. Addu Atoll
3. Diego Garcia

THINKING:
1. CEYLON: I think we'll land HQs, 4 ID, Eng Reg, some Armor, and ALL the Artie. The 9th AF wil deploy here.
2-3. Addu and Diego are complete unknowns. I want them. Figure the two Brigades and both Ind Regiments to assault land there.

Longer Term
I've always wanted to take a swing at Eastern India. My thinking is to get fully involved in Ceylon to draw his attention and then grab Viza with 2 ID and redeploy ALL the Armor. We'll add the SNLF Assault Para Brigade and both of the Army Parachute Units to grab bases north to cut the east-west lines. A further 2-3 Ind Regiments, an ID, and a siphoning of ID from Ceylon as they come available.

This portion of the plan is HIGHLY tentative! Would like thinking and/or comments here.