Behind Every Blade of Grass... (no Jwolf Please)

[Malagant]

Picture of Air Losses big enough to actually read...

[Malagant]

and Sunk Ships...

[Lowpe]

Scuttled is probably scuttled, I think.

Sub strategies...sounds good. Be very aggressive with you Iboats now why Allied, especially Yank, ASW is weak. Your 23 knot Iboats are really dangerous.

You will find your strategies will change over time depending upon countermeasures & capabilities of the Allies.

Early on I like to rush small ports with 3-5 subs with no detection level overwhelming what ASW is there and nailing everything in sight including ships in ports. Must be below 3 port level to get those guys.

Good targets: Pago, Xmas Island (PO), Perth, Sydney, Midway, Line Islands, Karachi (nail those tankers).

Have a few subs assigned to the KB and surface groups as they can kill cripples.

You have several important subs: the minelayers, the midget carriers, the glen subs, the super long distance subs.

[Malagant]

Rushing the small ports is a GREAT idea, and I will definitely be doing that particularly in the Celebes area where I think he's 'hiding' some forces waiting to ambush me.

Samoa is a great idea too, I've not poked around in the deep South Pacific much at all, I need to do something to make him feel less than secure running things around down there!

I waited too long to start sending subs in to IO, but getting a 'Wolf Pack' at Karachi and along lines from Aden to India is high on priority list!

Thanks for great feedback!

Jan 1, 1942

A really bad day for the Empire! It could be worse, I suppose...

Java

My amphib group at Merak was finishing unloading Supplies, with the entire Western Fleet "Following" them and set to react range of 3. In 100% Moonlight the Dutch PT boats sortied out of Batavia and laid waste to the Amphib fleet while the Western Fleet floated there and watched, doing nothing:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Merak at 48,97, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kamitsu Maru
PB Taiko Maru
SC Ch 7
SC Ch 9
xAK Yamagiri Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Kikukawa Maru
xAK Asuka Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Akagane Maru
xAK Taiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kinkai Maru
xAK Ume Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Anzan Maru
xAK Yoneyama Maru
xAK Azuchi Maru, Shell hits 8
xAK Shikano Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Oyashima Maru, Shell hits 2
xAKL Bunzan Maru

Allied Ships
PT TM-10
PT TM-11
PT TM-12
PT TM-13
PT TM-14
PT TM-15

He threw more subs in to Merak also. One of them finished off an xAK as the entire group attempted to withdraw:

Submarine attack near Oosthaven at 49,96

Japanese Ships
xAK Ume Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

xAK Ume Maru is sighted by SS S-38
SS S-38 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Ume Maru

While another gets a shot at the Western Fleet as they blindly follow the fleeing Amphib Group, but pays the price:

ASW attack near Toboali at 51,94

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
DD Hagikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Asagumo
DD Arashio
DD Asashio

Allied Ships
SS Porpoise, hits 2

Four xAK lost so far, one more likely to sink. Heading for Palembang now. West Fleet is pulling back to refuel and rearm, and to meet up with the next part of the operation.

I'm very bitter that this big fleet here meant to protect the amphib group did literally nothing when the group came under relatively weak attack. I'm not sure how to best allocate the surface forces to do this. I'm thinking based on reading other AARs and my lessons-learned that the best way might be to include some light force in the actual amphib (CL/DD), and have some DD in ASW TF around as well.

But that wasn't nearly the worst of it...

Borneo

Home Fleet did exactly what I'd told it to do...they charged in to Balikpapan at Full Speed to attack the enemy force there, and found another minefield:

TF 165 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (64,97)

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Mine hits 1
BB Nagato, Mine hits 1

Damage is severe:

Nagato: Sys 18; Flt 8(6); Eng 12(6)
Mutsu: Sys 12; Flt 37(34); Eng 17(13)

Those two immediately split off in to an Escort TF, but had no DD escort join them...

The rest of Home Fleet (which I should point out had expended lots of ordinance attacking Tarakan) duitfully continued on to attack the enemy force there, and despite the damage to the BBs I'm glad I caught them. It's a sizable force led by Houston and Exeter. We bashed each other quite a bit, probably the longest lasting surface battle I'd seen.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,97, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CS Mizuho, Shell hits 2
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 4
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 4
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 3
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 2
CL Oi, Shell hits 4
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 1
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
CA Exeter
CL Enterprise
CL Danae
CL Dragon
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 2
CL Glasgow, Shell hits 3
CL Caledon, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 1
DD Isis, Shell hits 3, on fire

I think my lack of ammo was what kept me from winning decisively, but if nothing else I chased them out of Balikpapan and will push him to return somewhere for ammo. His closest source of ammo is Soerbaja, so I'll try to take advantage of that.

Damage is light, most damaged being Oi and Shirikami with high teens Sys damage. See pic below. I think we both had little/no success with the big CA guns and just peppered each other with smaller stuff.
.
But that's not all...the hits keep on coming...

PI

Bettys had spotted and attacked a CL force that had me scramble for cover. Unfortunately one of my little amphib TF at Davao (a PB and xAK-t) had already started loading an SNLF. I decided to go ahead and let them finish the load...a gamble I regret. He sent one lonely Dutch DD in to Davao...

First she ran in to the ASW patrol I had running around the area, sinking two SC.

Then she jumped on the PB & xAK-t docked at Davao and had her way with them. The cargo ship had finished loading the SNLF right before, and now it's sure to sink with very high fires and float damage. Bummer.

Burma-Malaya

Night bombing of Rangoon commenced, with one Mary damaged...no other effect. About what I expected. If nothing else it's getting my pilots some experience and making him react.

Operation Barge-Fail has me VERY confused now. The Barges had to be split in to two Task Forces (max size is 25 barges). The first got to Langsa yesterday. The Cargo Status was vague (see pic above...the one that's too small to actually see), I wasn't able to change the Cargo Status (usually you get the 'Cancel Unload' button, etc). I assumed this meant that it wasn't able to unload there and I was screwed. The other Barge TF was a day (two hexes) behind, and I ordered both to return to Georgetown.

However, in a rare bit of good news, the first barge DID unload in Langsa, with no loss to the key parts of the Regiment. The followup Barge TF did return to Georgetown and unloaded their part of the regiment...so now for sake of testing I switched that TF from Barge to Landing Craft and they're loading up the rest of the Regiment and will attempt to join them at Langsa.

At least that worked!

I also decided to go ahead and land the 38th Division (part of 16th Army that had taken Hong Kong). Since Singapore airfield is shut down, and encouraged by his seeming reluctance to pull back down the peninsula, I figured landing here would be worthwhile and safe.


And that's it for the turn. No flights flew in Malaya or around Java due to weather. Only one flight hit Clark Field due to weather. Bettys at Jolo did not fly either.

Minor setbacks, but I'm going to try to take advantage of the situation, particularly the increased tip in the balance of sea power in my direction. Home Fleet is limping to Tarakan to recover before heading for a bigger repair yard (Hong Kong and Pescadores currently my plan). West Fleet is taking a quick trip for Fuel and Ammo (note I don't have anywhere handy to reload the BB big guns; AKE are at least a week away). That leaves MKB in the DEI area for me for the next several days. Note that there are reasonably strong surface forces in MKB that are able to be split off if needed (two Kongo Class, Atago & Chokai, etc).

For him on the other hand, his surface forces are dwindling, his air forces are not strong. I strongly suspect he'll head the force from Balikpapan to Soerbaja to reload.

So desiring to keep a bit of pressure on, I'm shifting MKB down the Java sea a bit to get in Port Strike range of the bombers. I am out of torpedoes but I'm hoping to do significant damage to his Balikpapan force and any other vessels there (Naval Search shows a LOT of ships there!). I've also put up ~30 zeroes and 20 Claudes on CAP...hoping his air forces from this end of Java/Borneo will break themselves attacking me here.

That being said, I see another Task Force near Makassar that shows up as two CVE. It's not outside the realm that he's sent the US CVs that hit me at Rabaul over here. I don't think it likely, but if he has then I'm in a bit of trouble. If I counted hexes right, we'll be 7 hexes away worst-case at end of next turn. This should allow me to detect him with Jakes, be outside his Escort range, and I might get attacked by unescorted SBDs (worst case). Scary, but I think risk is minimal, and then it's a race to get back in to LBA cover.

Speaking of LBA cover, I've put more Oscars and two Lily squadrons in Palembang. The Lily Squadrons are ordered to hit the Port at Batavia (which shows a ton of ships still docked). Zeroes are Sweeping, Oscars are resting.

[Lowpe]

It is an open debate which works better following or being followed. What you need to intercept is op points, good to great naval search during the day and night, high aggression commanders.

At Merak you probably could have put your surface group on patrol (1 hex Merak), engagement range 3, set the floats to search day and night, and they might have intercepted the PT boats.

Just from what I see your task forces are very large and have at least one worthless ship in it (the CS). I was unaware you could get the Nagato to Palembang...

Keep plugging away and get even.

[witpqs]

In the words of the immortal George Carlin, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it!"

It is an open debate which works better following or being followed.

Having grown up listening to George Carlin, I pick up the fork, put it in my pocket, and continue straight on! In other words, I use neither follow nor be followed. I have the TF(s) being escorted going to a specific hex that they can make in one day with "Remain on Station" orders, and the escorting TF(s) set to patrol in (or near where appropriate) that hex with whatever "React" range is appropriate for the situation.

What you need to intercept is op points, good to great naval search during the day and night, high aggression commanders.

Spot on!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

In the words of the immortal George Carlin, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it!"

It is an open debate which works better following or being followed.

I have the TF(s) being escorted going to a specific hex that they can make in one day with "Remain on Station" orders, and the escorting TF(s) set to patrol in (or near where appropriate) that hex with whatever "React" range is appropriate for the situation.

I have done that too. It probably works the best.[:)]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Malagant

Dec 29-31

I did an end-of-the-month trainee pilot review. There weren’t very many pilots to cull as they’d only been training a few weeks. I’m not at all happy with the number of Navy Pilots I have training, particularly Fighter Pilots (only 64 currently!). I have a note to sit with Tracker and identify a way to get more Naval groups going on training duty, but I think what will primarily happen is a vast reduction in the number of Float Planes on ASW & Nav Search training and put the bulk of them on Sweep Training. Army training is great with about 250 Fighter Pilots in training.

A shortage of IJN fighter pilot training slots is always an issue early in the war. I recommend being very critical with how you dole out your few fighter pilots in the pool. I pull out all extra fighter pilots from my units and assign them only as needed. Also, be careful about your ASW training program. You will need them later and they don't function well with their ASW skill <70. You'll need more with the IJAAF, but depending on how much you expand your small floatplane units, you may need quite a few IJNAF ASW pilots.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Malagant

I'm a bit confused however as Tracker shows an I-122, but I can't find it in game, nor does it show up on the sunk ship list. Did it sail away and defect to the Communists?

She may be under repair. If she is being repaired by a shipyard, she won't show up as being anywhere in the ship list. When you're in that list, screen out everything except subs then find the button (bottom right) that shows ships being repaired. I'll bet she shows up then.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Malagant

Samoa is a great idea too, I've not poked around in the deep South Pacific much at all, I need to do something to make him feel less than secure running things around down there!

Find his typical route to Australia. Once you do, you'll have a field day killing ships. Unless he tends to plan every individual TF route, they use the same route, a few hexes south of Norfolk Island. Put a couple of Glen subs and some fleet subs down there. Once you find that route, have fun!

Edit: Also, place a couple subs along the hex row SW from San Francisco. You will find TFs going to and from SF. He doesn't have many ASW ships at this point in the war so lots of the TFs you find have no ASW at all.

[Malagant]

A shortage of IJN fighter pilot training slots is always an issue early in the war. I recommend being very critical with how you dole out your few fighter pilots in the pool. I pull out all extra fighter pilots from my units and assign them only as needed. Also, be careful about your ASW training program. You will need them later and they don't function well with their ASW skill <70. You'll need more with the IJAAF, but depending on how much you expand your small floatplane units, you may need quite a few IJNAF ASW pilots.

I hate to say it, but I’m not really clear on the whole resizing thing. I’d like to make the restricted units stuck in Japan, but I don’t know how. I did manage to resize some of the air groups on MKB, but the KB units wouldn’t let me resize (I assumed because they were already scheduled to resize in the future?).

I hadn’t really thought about it, but I’d put all the IJAAF bomber training groups on Ground Attack missions. I have a LOT of bombers in training, so I think I’ll extend their training to try to get GrdB and ASW up high, if needs aren’t super urgent then I’ll work in Naval Search as well. That will extend the training time to about 9 months I believe, but I’m expecting that bomber losses will be light once they slip in to more of an ASW/support role, so hoping I can get away with that. It looks like I have about 230 IJAAF bombers on training missions, and a few others in 1st/2nd Air Division that are actually flying ASW. I still haven’t really figured out if actually flying ASW missions will increase skills/exp at the same rate as training (particularly if there are no/few sub contacts to deal with).

She may be under repair. If she is being repaired by a shipyard, she won't show up as being anywhere in the ship list. When you're in that list, screen out everything except subs then find the button (bottom right) that shows ships being repaired. I'll bet she shows up then.

That did the trick, thanks Mike! She was a big banged up and getting repaired in Pescadores. You’re the man!

Find his typical route to Australia. Once you do, you'll have a field day killing ships. Unless he tends to plan every individual TF route, they use the same route, a few hexes south of Norfolk Island. Put a couple of Glen subs and some fleet subs down there. Once you find that route, have fun!

I have the 8th and 10th Sub Squadrons on the way to Norfolk and Noumea now. Have had a few Radio Transmissions detected at Noumea, going to hit there then work my way east a bit, Fiji and Samoa, then work back towards Brisbane and Sydney. Thanks again, Mike!

Lowpe, I’ve started setting most of my FP on Night Searches, and it has made a tremendous difference. Thanks for that!!

Jan 2-6

Overall things have been relatively quiet. I finally set up my Engine R&D, hopefully I haven’t buggered it up too much. I realized the only engines I need for the planes I intend to build are the Aicha HA60 (why oh why are there two different Ha60s?!), Ha43, Ha44, and Ha45. I don’t know if Ill ever get there, but if so I really want to spam the Ki-201, so I’m actually putting more effort in to the NETurbojet than any other factory. I have two each of the Ha 43, 44, 45, and 60, all set to size 30 (is that a thing for Engine R&D?); while I have three x 30 for the Turbojet.

It looks like the R&D Engine factories are repairing 1/day instead of the way the Airframes work (random). If that’s the case, I’m hoping to get these factories up and running and aiming for the > 500 engine bonus for many of the aircraft I want to build!

More supplies are sent to Malaya (I don’t know how much I’ll need to finish off Singapore, but I only had about 20k there, and thought it better to have too much than too few). Supplies are also sent to Miri (currently 167(133))…Miri will be a supply black hole for awhile, but it’s fuel!

AKEs are almost in place for CRB, Truk, and Kwaj. I sure hope he doesn’t read this, but none of my BBs have had Main Gun ammo for a long time now Although I have to admit I haven’t dug in to things to see if the AKEs I build are big enough for the big guns, I may be disappointed &#61516; At least the CAs will have some bullets!

Supplies in the Home Islands are down to 544k. A dramatic consumption, but I’ve got every Engine and R&D factory upgraded, with the production factories nearly done expanding, and I’ve shipped out a lot to stockpile in Truk, Kwaj, and Malaysia. Manchuria has almost 350k, which I’m hoping will flow to the fighting in China so no need to ship any there. Saigon has over 200k Supply, between that and what I have in Malayasia I hope that will be enough to finish the DEI take over.

Burma

My night bombing went unhindered for a few days, then he put the Buffaloes up on Night CAP. The only thing less effective than those Buffaloes on Night CAP is my Sonias, Anns, an Marys on Night Airfield Attack! I did lose a few planes to them, and have stood the groups down after a few days…my mission to see what he has there is complete. He has the RAF Buffaloes and one AVG squadron there (My Nates tried Sweeping the AVG, which went poorly for me).

In Chiang Mai I have the 77th Sentai and it’s Det A (currently about 30 Nates between them) and the 84th Chutai which I’ve upgraded to Oscar Ic. I’m going to upgrade the 77th Sentai Det to Oscar Ic soon, and that will hopefully let me compete with the AVG.

Netties from Victoria Point have yet to see anything coming or going from Rangoon. Port Blair is almost at level 2.

I’m across the river and moving in to Pegu, but this will probably be as far as I’ll go until forces are made available from other ops…more on that later.

Malaya

38th Division landed at Mersing. 22nd Aus is still there. 38th took the town on the 3rd and is moving to Johore Bahru to complete the isolation of Singapore. Airfield bombings of Singapore continue (maintaining ~70% airfield damage). It looks like his forces north of Singapore are pretty well broken as just the Recon units are able to DA and push things down the road.

Sumatra

41st IR is moving to Medan, hopefully will take it in two days (and I’m hoping it has some Supplies to steal!). 4th Div sub-units are making their way to secure the southern end of the island. Moving 3rd Air Division HQa here, and will shift the bulk of 3rd Air to this area (as it can support operations on Java and still bomb Singapore from here).

Java

21st Division rested several days, and finally got to Batavia on the 6th, with orders to Bombard so I can see what units he has there. I’m preparing a second wave to land at Kalidjati to secure more airfields…the 4th Mixed Regiment and two Tank Regiments are being pulled from Malaya to land here and hasten things along.

The MKB lurked off Soerbaja for a few days. Sweeps of Soerbaja and CAP helped thin out the enemy Air Force here a bit more. I’d hoped to catch the remnants from the naval battle at Balikpapan, but no luck. Almost out of sorties and airgroups getting thin, I flew a few Port Strikes on Soerbaja, but only hit minor vessels.

I did hit Batavia with a nice Port Strike on Jan 3rd, though:

orning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
SS KXVII, Bomb hits 1
SS KXV, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Siberoet, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Sibolga, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Lematang, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMc MMS C, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS S-36, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
xAKL Meroendoeng, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL De Haan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AMc Djampea, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS D, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 4

Nice to hopefully put some subs out of action for awhile!

On the 6th he shifted air from Soerbaja back up north and hit a small fleet I had unloading an Air Support Coy and engineers landing at Merak, and he had fighters up over Batavia again::

Morning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 6

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sagami Maru, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Vildebeest III bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Vildebeest III bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Zeroes have been sweeping the empty sky over Batavia…not so empty on the 6th:

Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 1
Buffalo I x 4
B-339D x 7
CW-21B Demon x 2
75A-7 Hawk x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
B-339D: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 26000 feet

Follow up Sweet saw loss of another Zero for one more Demon and P-40E. At least I know where the P-40E from Philippines went!

Zeroes will shift to LRCAP over Merak while the big Oscar Ic Group will sweep Batavia. If he’s still there tomorrow I expect to end that airforce in one go!

The Western Fleet is reloaded with gas and bullets, and is lurking off Singkawang waiting for the Second Wave. I’m also flooding recon around, hoping to find where the PT boats are lurking and go smash them with some CL/DD before they wreck another Amphib force!

Philippines

Things are actually not going well in Luzon. I don’t know how to get any traction in the attack on Clark Field, last turns DA was horrible:

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19719 troops, 266 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 383

Defending force 8699 troops, 162 guns, 388 vehicles, Assault Value = 111

Japanese adjusted assault: 29

Allied adjusted defense: 313

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 10 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1009 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 9 disabled

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

The 65th Brigade is shattered. My Tank Regiments were pulled out to rest and refit. 48th Div is at 75% TOE, with Fatigue in the 30s, Morale in the 70s.

Recon shows about 20k troops in Clark; about 20k troops in Bataan; and about 50k troops in Manila. I’ll have boots in Manila tomorrow, and then will see if they’re mostly support or if I’m really screwed.

Regardless I’m putting Burma operations on hold; 33rd Div is packing up from Kota Baru heading for Mindanao. They’ll help clean up Cagayan, hopefully that can be done in a few days, then will go up to support Luzon.

Home Fleet is almost to Hong Kong (size 50 Repair). Quickly repaired units will stay here, while the more damaged BBs I suspect will head back to Japan. Lack of Naval Support here may delay things.

South Pacific

KB was refueld, rearmed, and airgroups topped up at Truk, and I’ve relaunched operations around Rabaul. I do not have recon up here yet (KB is doing that as she closes). Naval Search shows he’s abandoned things…I’m sure when he saw KB coming he scattered. 144th IR and GMB landing at Rabaul, along with a Base Force and some Air Support and Eng. Betty and Zero squadrons will shift here immediately to help with Searching. Finschafen, Lae, Buna, and Gasmata are all being hit as well. I have a next step in mind, will discuss below.

Central Pacific

US CLs bombarded my forces on Christmas Island, and an Infantry Regiment has landed. He bombarded on the 5th, and did a DA on the 6th. I survived, but just barely. I’ll die on the 7th I believe. I used a sub to grab some guys so the unit there won’t be completely eliminated…is that a gamey thing to do?

I had a Base Force almost there (was near Baker), along with my entire Eastern Fleet (two CA, two CL, many DD). I have lost sight of the US CVs, so am hesitant to commit this force. I’ve withdrawn the Base Force (aiming for Tarawa), and sent the Eastern Fleet to chase away the ships spotted at Baker…Naval Search showed a DD there…it was a DD AND the Pensacola, and we had a damned nasty fight!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 149,136, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Maya, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Kinu
DD Wakatake
DD Sanae
DD Yugao
DD Hasu
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hishu
DD Kiku, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Susuki
DD Tsuta
DD Yomogi

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 28, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham

Maya damage is light, Tsuga will live but not in great shape. Both are limping towards Truk. Pensacola took a number of good hits, I’m going to linger around for a day to see if I can catch her on her way to Pearl, then will withdraw…for now.

I’m not willing to give up on Christmas yet, and have a plan…

North Pacific

Fuel and Supplies made it to Adak, the fleet was refueled and reloaded, and went hunting. Glen Boat spotted reinforcements coming up towards Dutch Harbor from the South, so North Fleet was sent to intercept, and had great success:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 171,51, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 2
DD Minekaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Akikaze
DD Yakaze, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 2
DD Nokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
DD Reid, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
DD Tucker, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AP President Jackson, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP President Monroe, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
AP President Polk, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Santa Barbara, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAP Santa Inez, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 24 (17 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 93 (34 destroyed, 59 disabled)

Yakaze and Yukaze will need some time, rest of the force is fine.

I’m scratching my head at what he had in AP-type ships that didn’t have any troops on board…all Guns and Vehicles. Ideas?

Northern Fleet then continued its rampage around Dutch Harbor, sinking the DD Fox, and AM Oriole.

I’m very paranoid of the BBs from Seattle coming up here, so will withdraw this force to Adak…the airfield is probably 10 days from level two, then hoping to get some good Naval Search up here (I haven’t sent up any Mavis…most of them seem to be constantly undergoing maintenance anyway…I have a Nell group standing by).

An Infantry Battalion is a day from Attu, I’ll start there and work eastward to suck up every island. Karafuto is loading up and will stage in Adak to attack Dutch Harbor….but I need a distraction first.

Op Planning

Other than feeling I don’t quite have enough oomph in Luzon to finish things off, I’m feeling ok with the way things are going. Malaya and Singapore are paced primarily by how fast I can move down the roads now, Sumatra is the same. Java will have what I think is adequate force in a few days, and 33rd Div should help finish off PI in a few weeks.

But I want to keep pressure on multiple fronts, interfere with him building up bases, and coerce him to allocate forces away from Northern Pacific.

So I have a rough plan to make a lot of noise and push for a decisive battle near Christmas Island while I build up ground and air forces in Aleutians.

Since I feel that LBA and surface forces are adequate for cleanup of DEI and PI, MKB and KB are not needed here. They will be used for two different operations that are intended to disrupt his logistics and interfere with his plans. I’m working with the assumption that these two forces are both adequate to provide overwhelming force to their respective areas of operation.

First is Operation Footsore: very simply, MKB will sail southwest between Java and Sumatra, head for Diego Garcia, and raid the western side of Ceylon. I hope to catch some juicy transport fleets full of troops and airplanes bound for india and Burma, and maybe some nice ripe tankers full of oil bound for Australia. Depending on the response, I may do Port Strikes in Ceylon, but really damage done by this force is secondary…what I really want is for him to feel he has to guard his rear areas.

MKB will include Kaga for this raid, and I have put together six “slow” AOs to support.

I sure hope I don’t run the fleet out of gas…that would be embarrassing!


Second is Operation Santa Clauss…KB will support secuing PM and Horn Island, swing south and east to raid from Sydney up to Samoa, make a show of coming back towards Solomons then try to sneak away to support a second attack on Christmas Island.

144th IR and GMB are the primary forces to be used for Rabaul and PM. Recon of PM has yet to determine if there have been reinforcements, if so PM will be skipped. If it is taken, NG and a Base Force will be left there: 144th IR will then go to support Burma, while GMB will join three SNLF, supported by Eastern Fleet, to take Christmas Island.

The attack on Midway has been called off…can only have KB in so many places at once!

I’m hoping that I can initiate this attack without KB being spotted, and that it will cause him to react with US CV forces. If not, I think the mass bombing of the US Regiment on Christmas should allow my taking it.

I have an AKE, AS, Base Force, and JNAF Bat earmarked to move up here. I’ll have Supplies and Fuel ready in a few days. All this will stage to Truk, then to Kwaj as time gets closer. Nells and Claudes from Kwaj will move to Christmas when it’s taken, and KB will remain in this area and make a lot of noise…I want his eye fixed on what I’m doing here!

And that’s that. Only thing I don’t have a good feel for is what I want to base on Horn Island..I want to make the passing of the Torres something he doesn’t want to do, at least giving me some warning if something scary comes moving thru there.

When those operations are complete, I hope to be in complete control of SRA. I hope to be able to take Darwin (more distraction, and to make it a bit harder to start bombing the SRA) before withdrawing the vast majority of the forces here up towards Alaska.

Thanks to everyone for reading, and thanks again for all the answers and ideas! Keep them coming!

PS Oh, and China...I may be royally screwing up in China! More on that later!

[Malagant]

Jan 7, 1942

A quick update for today's turn!

Burma

Nothing to report. First forces should hit Pegu (from the North!) tomorrow. I have 24 Oscar Ic being repaired with the intent of challenging the AVG, along with 24 Nates who will be escorting ~30 1e bombers that will commence action against Pegu to support the infantry.

Still no enemy ships sited going in or out of Rangoon...

Sumatra

Enemy HDML keeps chasing around my LB forces. We seem to just avoid each other over and over. I'm done with the Barges at this point, the last batch will be in Georgetown tomorrow and returned to the pool. They moved an entire Infantry Regiment and a few loads of supplies...not much, but enough to get the regiment through one battle. The IR is in Medan with DA ordered for tomorrow.

Malaya

Nothing new to report. Advance down the peninsula continues. Singapore airfield and port bombed.

Java

Damn those Dutch PT boats! Despite the West Fleet being 3 hexes away, with Jakes on Night Search and 6-hex react range...and despite two DDs being on Surface (as well as two DDs on ASW), those PT boats zipped through all that and beat up another transport fleet!! Well, wrecked is harsh, but an xAK went down and another is beat up. Those boats are damned plucky!

MKB has withdrawn towards CRB. Kate and Jake losses to CAP while on Naval Search were extreme. Refit of the Air Groups and upgrade of Claudes to Zeroes will be done before commencement of Operation Footsore

21st Div bombarded in Batavia. I'm not super clear on the force he has present, but it looks to be about equal to what I have. I'm not prepared to start Deliberate Attacks yet...I'm going to Bombard and hit with Lily and Sally for awhile, and wait for the reinforcements coming this way.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11137 troops, 87 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 389

Defending force 15473 troops, 171 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 384

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
21st Division

Defending units:
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
1st Regt Cavalerie
2nd KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
1st KNIL AA Battalion
ABDA
ML-KNIL
KNIL Army Command
Batavia Base Force

He's using his Level Bombers to hit the 21st Div in Batavia, which is fine....helping me clear out the Air Force and making more TRACOM guys for me!

Morning Air attack on 21st Division, at 49,98 (Batavia)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 15
CW-22 Falcon x 5
L-212 x 9
Hudson I x 7
Wirraway x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 damaged
CW-22 Falcon: 2 destroyed
L-212: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

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

Those Zeroes are actually getting pretty tired, the Oscar Ic will be flying LRCAP there tomorrow.

Borneo

Nothing exciting. Replacement transports will be arriving in Tarakan in a few days, allowing me to get that Brigade moving again.

Have my first Tanker force loading Fuel in Brunei for Japan. The Port is only lvl 3, but there are many Eng there hoping to get it to 6 asap!

Home Fleet is two days from Hong Kong, FLT damage on MUTSU increased a bit...scary.

Philippines

Continuing bombardment in Clark Field. The Armor Regiments are Resting and took on new devices today. Hopefully they'll be in much better shape in 3 more days, then they'll return to Clark. The Infantry in Clark is Defending and doing their best to relax and recover while the Artillery and Air Force keeps up the bombings.

Manila will be Bombarded tomorrow. It looks like the majority of his forces are here.

33rd Division is loading up, on the way to Mindanao. Lots of SNLF will cooperate with that Division to take Cagayan, then all will move to clear up Luzon.

I don't know if it's the best thing to do, but I'd like to have the PI cleaned up before I move on down to Celebes and western PNG.

South Pacific

Rabaul is captured, 144th IR and GMB reloading to head to PM. KB is sailing around New Britain to poke ahead. Gasmata, Lae, Fin, and Madang will be taken within two days. I'm also pushing an NG Battalion down to Guadalcanal/Tulagi.

9 Bettys and 14 Zeroes move to Rabaul, Zeroes on CAP while Bettys commence Search. Eng and more Av Support is two days out.

Central Pacific

The US Infantry Regiment on Christmas Island wiped out the last of my forces there. Remnants of two NG (now the main force) are on Canton, covered by a large CA/DD force. AV is on the way, and Mavis will fly from here.

Northern Pacific

My Northern Fleet finds and sinks DD Brooks and heads for Adak to rearm. Attu is invaded, will be captured tomorrow.


That's about all there is! Preps for Operations Santa Claus and Footsore have begun, the former to commence after PM and Horn Island are captured (Horn will have 9 Bettys, some Av support, and a Naval Guard btw), the former when I have all the aircraft replaced on MKB, Kaga has linked up, and the AO force is loaded and ready.

Also commencing planning for Operation Orange: Karafuto Brigade attack on Dutch Harbor!

[Malagant]

Question for yall...should I include Kongo and Haruna in the MKB sortie to the IO? They eat lots of gas, and I don't really expect heavy opposition...thoughts?

[witpqs]

Although following, I haven't been reading every word of every post, so this is general.

"Expect" is of often one of those famous last words. [;)]

[Lowpe]

British ships can be pretty darn dangerous in early 42. The cruisers have radar, the crews are decent, and there is always more of them than you think.[:)]

[John 3rd]

Just caught up. You appear to be doing pretty well. Really like your attention to detail and planning.

Keep using the AAR for opinions and as a sounding board. You don't always get answers but it really helps to post the queries. Many us us will jump in from time-to-time and help out.

Keep it up and BANZAI!

[Malagant]

Thanks for the feedback guys! The BBs will be included!

Jan 8-9

Overall very quiet, so just a few tidbits:

Burma is quiet as I get a small force in Pegu. No air action from either side.

Cleanup of Sumatra is underway as Medan and Djambi are captured. Oosthaven will be attacked in a couple days. No air action here either, other than Lilys from Palembang ground-attacking Batavia.

21st Division has bombarded Batavia a few times, giving me some idea of what he has there:

round combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11173 troops, 91 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Defending force 15642 troops, 171 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 391

Assaulting units:
21st Division

Defending units:
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
2nd KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
ML-KNIL
KNIL Army Command
ABDA
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Batavia Base Force

It looks to me like we have about the same amount of force here, but he's sure to be dug in a bit. I'm going to Bombard and Ground Attack for a few more days, then try a DA to see how it goes. If it's not horrible, I'll continue to DA, otherwise will wait for the second wave (which is embarking from Malaya now).

No action in Borneo, but I've got enough shipping in Tarakan now to transport that IMB down to Balikpapan, but that will wait until some surface forces from West Fleet are made available (~3 days to make it around from CRB).

Nothing new in PI, just waiting a few more days for the Armor Regiments to take some reinforcements (I have them in Rest, next to a Base with tons of Supply, and next to the HQc that they're assigned to...I thought they'd check for replacements every day: what am I missing?)

Moving SNLF (on foot) around Mindanao to clean up and besiege Cagayan. These SNLF will then start on Celebes.

Assaults on PNB and New Britain are virtually unopposed (nothing but the stock starting troops there). Some allied Subs are spotted but no surface or air forces. Recon over PM didn't give enough detail yet, will continue. KB is shuffling around southeast of PM, and the GMB and 144th IR are on the way from Rabaul.

SubRon 10 reached Noumea, and found a lot of shipping there. I-16 put down the TK Falkefjell (one torpedo for heavy damage and fires...I'm guessing she was loaded. By the name I'd guess that's a Dutch ship taking Fuel out of Java...but where was it going? Allies building up forward base at Noumea?), then surfaced and put down xAKL Carlisle. Feeling frisky, I-16 then launched a spread at AM Chevreuil, but missed with all four. After PM landing KB will have to swing through here to see what's being built!

After taking Funafuti, 52nd Naval Guard was trying to re-embark when the PB and xAK shuffling them around came under attack by DMS Elliot. The PB and xAK went down, and 156 men from the 52nd died at sea. That DMS looks to be heading towards Tabiteuea, where part of my Eastern Fleet will be waiting for it...

Way up North, Glens have spotted an Allied surface fleet at Dutch Harbor (four CAs are spotted...but I'm skeptical). Everything that floats is getting underway, as even one CA up here is more than I can reasonably handle until the airfield is built up (which is unearthly slow in winter, of course!).

And that's pretty much it. Other than KB (supporting PNB & Solomon invasions) and Western Fleet (trying to avoid having the Dutch PT Boats single-handedly defeat the entire IJN) my other major surface forces are under repair or refuel/rearming.

[Malagant]

Just caught up. You appear to be doing pretty well. Really like your attention to detail and planning

Thanks for the kind words, John! I know your BTS mod has a different starting allocation of forces, but your early use of KB is inspiring my move for Christmas Island and the swing east then north from Sydney along expected allied shipping routes!

Unfortunately, I do NOT feel like I'm planning or paying enough attention to details so far! I consistently feel like I don't have the stuff on hand to take advantage of the positions I've gained, and have to wait for things to catch up (such as Av Support, HQa, etc).

I'm trying to be a bit more methodical with my next attack on Christmas, but I'm hampered here by not having very good recon of the island...and this is because I didn't plan enough ahead to have an AV ready to move to Canton to support some Patrol planes. That AV is now about 4 days out, then hopefully the Mavis can get me some Recon to know if I have a prayer. It's not outside the realm that he's moved multiple Regiments here, in which case I'll really have to re-think how much effort I want to put in to it!

But planning with the assumption that it's ~a regiment plus support, I'm trying to determine how much oomph I'll really need, and what things I want to have on hand to take advantage of the base once it's captured, primarily to make it a viable anchorage to support KB operation here, and have adequate air power here to not be completely vulnerable.

So first, the actual invasion force. I'm planning on using the Guards Mixed Brigade (after it takes PM), but that won't be enough versus a US Infantry Regiment. I want to find a nice Ind. Mixed Brigade or Regiment in Manchuko or China I can buy out, preferably one with reasonable Experience. I found the 90th Infantry broken in to Battalions (which are strangely prepped for Miri?!). They've all moved to Fusan, but I'm not sure that's the force I want to use...having those broken down Battalions are damned handy!

Instead I think I'll pull out the 11th-13th Indpt Infantry Regiments from Mongolia, as well as the rest of 26th Division, and use them. They have nice 80xp, and the Regiments are around 400 Political Points to buy, so available in < 10 days each.

I had not intended to use any Artillery, Armor, or Engineers for this attack. Is this a mistake? The intent is to have KB on hand, hoping her bombing of the island would allow two regiments to take the place against one...?


So having taken the place, what do I want to have there?

I want to be able to withstand an enemy regiment attacking here, so I'm guessing that would mean leaving at least a regiment here. Unless someone thinks this is a terrible mistake, I'm intending on leaving the GMB here.

5th Base Force will go here (currently embarked near Tarawa). 24th Air Flotilla HQa will move here, as will the pointy parts of the 24th Air Flotilla (Chitose Ku K-1 of 27 Nells; Chitose Ku S-1 27 Claudes...hopefully Zeroes soon).

An AKE will be needed to rearm the KB (I need to confirm that the AKEs I'm making will be able to rearm the Kongo-class guns!)

There are a few AS in Kwaj now, one of them will move forward to support sub ops from here.

Engineers will need to move here to build up the base. 5th Base Force has a few, but not nearly enough. I'll need to review what's in Marshals (I think I stripped them out to go to PNG/Solomons). More from Manchuria may need to be bought, or maybe evaluate what's not being used from 14th Army in Luzon...

Fuel and Supply will be needed on-hand to make sure I'm stocked for awhile.

Need to make sure the Base Force and HQa will have be enough Av Support for the planes I intend to fly there. An AV and AG may be needed to help support ASW FP and PB/SC. I suppose FP and PB/SC will need to be earmarked for this, too, then!

Would AA or Art units be helpful to defend the place?

What else is Operation Santa Claus missing?


Operation Footsore is quite a bit easier...sail around, blow stuff up, try to not die or run out of gas, then sail home

[Malagant]

Jan 10-13

Exciting times!

Burma

On the 11th I started Sweeping Rangoon with Zeroes from 23rd Air Flotilla, while the Oscars Swept Pegu (preparing for ground attacks there).

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 41
Buffalo I x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 11
Buffalo I x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 15
Buffalo I x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 2 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 7
Buffalo I x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

For four Zeroes down I dropped 5 AVG and 5 Buffaloes...not terrible for the first day.

On the 12th this continued:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 3 destroyed

Oh the 13th, the AVG and RAF were not to be seen, but the 22nd Air Flotilla (clearly bored from waiting for their airstrip at Port Blair to be completed) finally spotted something...and fortunate timing too. I'd thought I had the range set so they would not attack in to Rangoon (for fear of the AVG), but it's all worked out it seems

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK City of Exeter, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
HDML 1102

There's something of a stalemate at Pegu, as I have pieces and parts of 15th Army scattered all over, I'm a bit short on ooomph here. I'm bringing in an RTA division to help clear the road up through Moulmein to allow supply to flow in to Pegu (I hope). (Note that we do not have a HR about paying PP to cross national boundaries, but I'm not going to go crazy with RTA units here, just hoping for a little support and backup from my Thai brothers!)

Other than some bombing and trying to thin out the AVG, I don't see much happening up here until the other parts of 15th Army can be brought together up here, which will be at the very least after Mindanao is finished off.

Malaya
Extra-delayed Mersing landing was a success as Johore Bahru was captured on the 11th:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13208 troops, 124 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 417

Defending force 6575 troops, 82 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 104

Japanese adjusted assault: 281

Allied adjusted defense: 91

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
S.19 Singapore III: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2585 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 267 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 36 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (29 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 47 (47 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 2

38th Division is divided and has moved to cut the road on the west coast in to Singapore. Recon shows ~35k in Singapore. I'll have four Divisions and a ton of artillery to beat it down with, just need to clear the railway and muster everyone together, reform divisions, and head in! I've kept up the Airfield attacks for a long time now, so I don't expect the forts to be very high (I'm hoping for no more than 3).

Sumatra
4th Division has captured Oosthaven. Attacks on Benkoelen and Padang are a few days away, and that should pretty much finish off this island and I'll start looking at how to garrison & build it up.

Java
21st Division has continued to Bombard Batavia. I had an unfortunate incident with the Lilys flying Ground Attack there...the Oscars swept after the Ground Attack:

apanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 25

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 1
Buffalo I x 7
B-339D x 10
CW-21B Demon x 5
75A-7 Hawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 10 destroyed, 8 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Ouch!

But the Oscars did fly, and got some payback:

apanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 1
Buffalo I x 5
B-339D x 12
CW-21B Demon x 6
75A-7 Hawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 1
Buffalo I x 7
B-339D x 8
CW-21B Demon x 4
75A-7 Hawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
B-339D: 4 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed

A little late, but good job, guys!

Borneo

While part of my Western Fleet lurks near Batavia (looking for those damned Dutch PT Boats!), a Cruiser Force sailed over to Balikpapan to clear the way for 21st IMB to attack there. Recon and Search showed only one DD present and a few thousand troops. I had also learned the hard way that there's a nice minefield here, so I sent in 6 DMS to help clear the way also.

The DD (Piet Hein) tried to dance away, but caught two shells at night.

Then things got very exciting, as the remnants of the ABDA fleet intercepted my Cruisers and we had yet another really nice surface engagement!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 65,98, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 11
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Arashio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 1
CL Danae, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Dragon
CL Durban, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 1
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 1
DD Van Ghent

Arashio and Asagumo have Sys in the 20s, otherwise everything on me is superficial. I was really worried here...I thought all those CLs would tear me apart with concentrated torpedo attack, but none landed.

I think I came out on top of this one tactically, but I'm going to have to withdraw the amphib force (they were coming from Tarakan, heading back that way). This is problematic as the straits there are so full of Dutch Subs I could just hop across on their periscopes! I've sent some PB and SC to try to clear the channel there.

While that nasty engagement was happening, the DMS wandered in to the harbor and cleared some mines, but took some fire from the CD guns and had to withdraw...right in to one of the aforementioned Dutch Subs that put a torpedo in to one of them and it went down. I need to be more careful with these, the upgrade path looks like they become pretty good ASW vessels later!

The rest of the Western Fleet (Ise, Hyuga, Nachi, Ashigara, four DD) are moving towards Balikpapan from the West as the Cruiser force withdraws north covering the amphib group in case the ABDA group gets frisky.

Sure would be nice if Exeter went down!



Solomons/PNG

Base forces and Eng are in Rabaul starting the buildup. KB has escorted 144th IR and Guards Brigade to Port Moresby. Searches from MB have spotted lots of small DDs scattering from PM but has refused to launch any air strikes in 3 days, including Ground Attacks on PM. Only one small strike launched in four days:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AVP Reiger, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

My KB is broken

Initial assault on PM was repulsed, but only just barely. Should be taken tomorrow:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10790 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 386

Defending force 3115 troops, 35 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Japanese adjusted assault: 106

Allied adjusted defense: 27

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
407 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
144th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
49th Australian Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

My subs that had found some success at Noumea stayed too long, and I-171 took 5 DC hits. Sys and Flt in the 30s, she's retiring to Truk (via Rabaul) while the rest of her squadron moves towards Fiji.


Cent Pac
I've taken Tabiteuea and disbanded the PB and xAK there. I'm hoping his DMS that caught me at Funafuti is still around, as I have a cruiser force ready to pounce if it comes up here!

Otherwise not much excitement. Trying to get things together for Operation Santa Clauss, which is still several weeks out. In order to gain some intel I'm sending a Glen boat to recon Christmas, and have two DDs standing by to run in to Bombard to see what they hit.

North Pacific

And the last bit of excitement! Remember my worry that he'd move the BBs from Seattle up here to counter my weak CL force? I was right! However...

Sub attack near Dutch Harbor at 171,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Sands

Well done, I-174! Warspite shows up as sunk, but I don't believe it. Four I-boats are converging on Seattle to try to catch her and finish her off, while I huddle around Adak...though I'm not alone here:

Japanese Ships
CL Tama

Allied Ships
SS Silversides

SS Silversides launches 6 torpedoes

Hit, but no explosion! Yeah for POS American torpedoes! (Note that almost all the DDs from the Northern Fleet are Pierside repairing the Sys damage they've incurred from sailing around this frozen wasteland for a month!)


Operation Footsore is waiting on two things: Kaga is in CRB getting some Sys and Engine damage fixed up (some Full Speed runs last month took their toll!); and my Slow AO fleet is SLOW...still several days away from CRB where they'll fill up their gas tanks, then load up Fuel at Palembang. MKB sortied without Kaga and a few DD to make an appearance in Java Sea (lurking between Palembang and Singkawang in to prevent any funny business). I've got a lot of inexperienced pilots on board, so I intend to get some practice the ground forces in Borneo that got pushed out of their bases and are just lurking around. Kaga is ready in 3 days, but will wait and try to sneak out the Malaca straits without being seen.

Operation Santa Claus preps are going well. GMB is prepping for Christmas while it's attack Rabaul (though it will be spending a lot of time underway, so won't have any other chance to prep). 5th Base Force is ready. NG from Funafuti and Tabiteuea will be loaded up and will join. An AKE from Japan is on the way to Kwaj: the AKE in Kwaj will move to Christmas. I have about 30k Fuel and Supplies loaded up in Kwaj ready to roll. Only thing I've not get ready is Engineers...the only ones I have handy that aren't actively engaged are on Luzon, I'll be picking them up tomorrow and have them there as quick as I can, which will hopefully not be too late!

[Malagant]

Jan 14-16, 1942

The Emperor is pleased! No tremendous setbacks, and our plans continue on schedule!

The Shoho arrived. She’s still in the Home Islands getting her air group sorted out (I messed up the first resize, so taking an extra day! I’m unsure where she’ll be assigned in the short term…more on that later.

I haven’t completely broken the economy yet…supplies in the home island have stabilized as much of my initial barrage of expansion has completed. I’ve sent a lot of supplies out from Home Islands when I should have looked for other sources, but I’ll be more diligent in the future. Notably I’ve dropped off about 50k Supply in Brunei (where it shifts to Miri), and another 30k in Malaya (those air strikes eat supply like crazy! I also want to have some available to ship over to Port Blair when I feel comfortable sailing around Singapore (which I’ll probably do once the base is under attack).

I’ve also got a fair amount of Supply and Fuel staged to support Operation Santa Claus, on slow ‘Aden’ class heading east along with an AKE and some ASW vessels.

Nell pool is still at 61, that production is off; Betty Pool is up to 40, and I’ve now turned that production off too.

With the Shoho being done, I had some Naval SY capacity unused, so have started accelerating some more DD. I’m currently at 1502 Naval SY, and am accelerating:

CVs
Hiyo (7 Apr, 42)
Unryu (11 Apr, 43)
Amagi (27 Apr, 43)
Katsuragi (23 May, 43)

DDs
Akizuki (27 Mar, 42)
Teruzuki (28 Apr 42)
Susuzuki (22 Jun 42)
Hatsuzuki (21 Jun 42)
Kazegumo (22 Feb 42)
Makigumo (9 Feb 42)
Makinami (22 Apr 42)
Takanami (3 May 42)
Naganami (26 Mar 42)

With Junyo and Hiyo coming before summer, I expect to have a very potent Carrier Fleet able to pull off my North American shenanigans, while MKB will have Shoho and Unyo added to either supplement action in North America or keep the British under my thumb in IO.

Burma

Recon showed some Bombers at Moulmein, so I spent a few days bombing the airfield there with 1e and sweeping with Zeroes. No enemy fighters in Moulmein, but the runway got beat up and a few Blenheim IV were hurt.

Sweeps of Rangoon went against me on the 14th, so I’ve committed more new aircraft to the area. He’s either upgraded the Buffaloes there to Hurricanes or moved additional forces in.I nearly emptied the Zero pool, with 36 Zeroes at Rahaeng, and the 77th Sentai has been converted to Oscar Ic, giving me about 50 Oscars here. All the airgroups up here are resting for a few days as their replacement aircraft are uncrated, then Sweeps will commence aggressively and one of my Betty groups will supplement the 1e with Airfield attacks, hoping to shut this place down for good. More focused goal for the airpower up here is to shut down the fighter cover so I can shut down the port…I need to keep him from shipping in supplies here.

Port Blair went to Lvl 2. I’m sending a group of Nells here for Naval Search. I’m not sure how much effect the small airfield will have on the 2e Bomber trying to search, so this is kind of an experiment to see how it goes. I’ve also completed upgrading Unrestricted Transport groups to Topsy (while all the Restricted are in Manchuria on Training). This has given a significant increase in airlift ability here, so hopefully Supply will flow in fast enough to allow these searches.

Malaya
Pretty boring now, just clearing out a last pocket of Resistance at Malacca, then muster everyone in Johore Bahru, regroup Divisions as able, and storm in to Singapore.

Sumatra
Pretty quiet here also. Attacks on Tandjoengbalai and Benkoelen should happen tomorrow. 3rd Air Division and some JNAF Battalions are landing in Palembang to move most of 3rd Air and some “Netties” here…it occurred to me I could be dispersed all over Sumatra while he lands on the south or west of the island in force and I wouldn’t know it!

Java
Also pretty quiet, Batavia is being Bombarded and Ground Attacked every day. 4th IMB should land at Kalidjati in two days (with MKB supporting), with two Armored Regiments a few days behind them. Several JAAF Battalions are right behind them, and I hope to take advantage of some of these lvl 4 airfields. Armor will herd things east down the island while the IMB supports attack on Batavia.

Borneo
After the Second Naval Battle of Balikpapan, the BB-led portion of the Western Fleet is off the city, and the 21st IMB should land there tomorrow. Multiple Hudson attacks on Western Fleet as they approach (seemingly coming from Balikpapan), but no damage yet.

Once this section of Borneo is cleaned up I’ll shift focus to Celebes, where I expect ground force resistance to get thinner.

Philippines
Another DA on Clark Field is repulsed, without even reducing the Fort level. Luzon is at a stalemate.

33rd Div is two days from Cagayan, which is the final place on Mindanao. This Div will be supported by 4 SNLF and a NG, as well as Betty and Nell bombers from Jolo.

I’m hoping Cagayan will fall quickly, the forces on Mindanao can quickly move to take the ‘middle’ PI islands, then all dogpile on Luzon to clear that up!

PNG & Solomons
I have very little Naval Search in the area, just 9 Betty out of Rabaul, so I’ve withdrawn my scattered forces from all over to the Lae/Buna area. I’m shipping in some more Av Support to facilitate searches from more forward bases (I’m thinking Milne Bay and Shortlands for now). Wau is where all the battalions from northern New Guinea retreated to, so that will be cleared out as well.

Port Moresby was taken. 144th and GMB are resting (they spent quite awhile embarked, they need to stretch there legs some!) while Horn Island is taken. KB is still here, bombing the hell out of Horn Island for two days before it was taken by a SNLF. An AF Coy and some Jakes will come here to keep eyes on this strait.

I-16 got to Suva to find ASW patrols (DMS and DD) already there. Withdrawing and waiting for Glens to observe to see if this is some kind of hub for him.

After some cleanup I’ll begin preps for an operation to push down to Noumea, just to be disruptive.

Cent Pac
My Eastern Fleet (led by Takao, with Isuzu and Kinu and 6 DD) chased down the US DDs Anderson and Hammann. Those two DDs were tough as nails, it took three engagements to finally put them down, and not before they put a solid hit on Takao and sunk Susuki (Magazine Explosion!). That fleet is retiring to reload, as another Allied group is spotted heading toward Tabitaeu (which I capatured as well).

Two DDs are on the way to Christmas to bombard and get some intel on what forces he’s landed in the last few weeks.

North Pacific
The other BB from Seattle made its way to Adak. I had a damaged CL and DD forming up to leave (it took them awhile to get out of Pierside Repair) and were caught by Colorado, Louisville, and O’Brien. My little ships fought hard, getting hits on both the BB and CA, but Tama was sunk and Hakaze is in bad shape.

However, my subs continue to dominate the region, as I-6 puts two fish in to the Colorado!

I have 6 subs heading towards Seattle, and 3 to Dutch Harbor, and 2 to Kodiak to try to finish off either of the two BB I’ve torpedoed up here. Banzai!

I’m desperate for some Naval Search up here…Adak just made Lvl 2 Airfield, so 18 Nells are up here to search.

Karafuto is embarked but is hanging back until the surface action stuff is complete.

And that’s pretty much all there is for the last few days! I still have no ideas about China, but I think I’m doing poorly there. I keep saying it, but I hope to write some more details about China soon!

Thanks for reading!