Blue Skies and Blood: John 3rd vs 1275psi

[John 3rd]

December 16, 1941
Western DEI/Philippines/Malaya

PINK--Philippines
Brought in small landing forces to begin with and it appears Herbie decided to try and stop me at the beaches. He did not count on my landing heavier forces at Iba. His troops have been hurled back fro Laoag and San Fernando while two ID are about to enter Clark and CUT OFF the Allied troops in Northern Luzon. If this can be accomplished Dear Readers then it will be a QUICK Luzon Campaign!

Strange note here. Herbie never sortied the Thundering Herd out of Manila Bay. Kaga and Ryujo as well as about 80 Betty have been resolutely crushing and sinking and Allied shipping present there. NICE! Total is upwards of 40 ships since Dec 7th.

RED--Malaya
Landing at Kota Bharu and simply waited until I could consolidate those two Inf Div before moving south. Imperial Guards is moving on Alor Star while two Tank Regiments move toward Temoluh. Just this turn the two reformed ID from Kota landed in great shape at Mersing. If you look at the screenshot, three more IDs are coming by sea to add to the weight of the assault. If he does not pull back ASAP, Malaya might also be VERY QUICK!

Allied Air has been pretty badly beaten up. My Mersing move is covered by only about 12-18 LR Fighters and they easily held off the initial aerial attacks on the 16th.

A group of British CLs was spotted moving to Singers and they were all hit by single TTs on this day. Durban, Dragon, Danae, and Mauritius all were smacked. NICE! Cannot get away if they are seriously damaged...

ORANGE--Palembang
Tried an immediate grab of this base with a Fast TF and Inf Reg. It just barely failed. OK. Fine.

CV Kaga with Ryujo and Zuiho are about to head down there and sink anything moving on the waves while two Brigades from Northern Indochina load to take the important base.

Here is the screenshot:

[John 3rd]

Here is the Allied warship sunk ships list. Pearl Harbor was VERY good for Japan!

[John 3rd]

That is it for an initial update...

Questions?

[amon15]

take good care of CA Maya [:)]

I like that cruiser a lot[:D]

[ShockoPopper]

Plans for China?

Following...

[Lecivius]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

That is it for an initial update...

Questions?

When will we get the next update? [:D]

[John 3rd]

We've been getting in about a turn a day. Things are about to be VERY BIG this turn. CV's moving into the Singers--Singkawang--Palembang triangle. Gonna be bloody...

Will Post in a bit...

[John 3rd]

December 20, 1941
The Western Dutch East Indies

The Japanese made an attempt at a quick grab for Palembang near the start of the war. That assault landing by an Inf Reg came within inches of taking the base. Once it became apparent that my opponent was forward deploying and FIGHTING for everything, I adjusted. Several STF were prepped and KB-2 (Kaga, Ryujo, and Zuiho) refueled and re-provisioned at Cam Rahn Bay. Two Infantry Brigades loaded and departed for their objective: Palembang.

The Allies were obviously preparing for a major move and so the stage was set.

The action opened on the 19th:
1. A Fast TF of 4 CA, 1 CL, 10 DD dropping off an Inf Reg and several support units at Singakwang. Only one small unit opposes the landing.
2. The carriers spot several AP TF sitting at Kuching. Three Air Strikes follow seeing 10 AP, 1 PG, and 2 AKL sunk. There are well over 3,500+ casualties caused by these sinkings. A number of Allied troops are cleared off the board.

The 20th:
1. KB-2 moves into a position SW of Singkawang, SE of Singers, and five hexes from Palembang. The Carrier TF is protected by a STF (1 BC, 1 CA, 6 DD) as well as the Singakwang Fast TF from the previous day. I make sure the STF have lower TF numbers then KB-2 and the CVs are set to follow the BC TF.

The plan works beautifully as the 4CA, 1 CL, and 10 DD TF runs into two smaller Allied STF. In quick, decisive actions, CL DeRuyter, CL Java, and DDs Evertsen and Van Nes are sunk. No danger to the CVs. NICE! The carriers sink a CM at Singers and wreck a TF of 4 AK and 2 AP.

2. Singakwang falls as a second TF unloads two Base Forces. Two Chutai of 9 Zeros arrive as well as a laerger 27 plane Daitai. Added to the invaluable fighters are 27 Kates. This undamaged airfield is now projecting Japanese power.

3. I-165 plants two TTs into CL Danae near Semarang and sink her. Nice bonus.

Planning:
1. The carriers move closer to Palembang and prepare to deal with any air assaults in this area as the Invasion Force makes its approach.

2. While eyes are focused here, a large Amphibious TF carrying 27,000 troops moves to Mersing to add weight to taking Singapore.


Am sure of much more action next turn!

[John 3rd]

December 22, 1941
Western DEI

My opponent is NUTS! He is throwing everything (AND the kitchen sink) into a fanatical defense of the Western DEI. We're bagging LOTS of ships and dodging fairly well.

Ships sunk for this day: 9 AMc, 6 TM, 3 TK, CL Ceres
Damaged: Hermes 1 Bomb, Repulse 4 Bombs and Prince of Wales 2 Bombs

Bases Captured: Moulmein, Malacca, Surigao, and Kendari

Screenshot:

[John 3rd]

December 24, 1941
Singakwang

Scratch ONE Battleship! This brings our total up to FOUR so far...

[John 3rd]

...and numerous Light Cruisers and DDs...

[John 3rd]

December 25, 1941
Port Moresby

TWO can play at catching vulnerable troop convoys. Final tally here are 3 (of 5) APs sunk and two AMs.

[John 3rd]

It has taken a bit of getting used to seeing this massed, desperate forward defense. Before changing up, I lost more ships then I wanted and have now changed tactics dropping those losses. The Allied Offensive is now approaching prohibitively costly. Here are the sinkings to date on Christmas Day 1941:

[amon15]

"Christmas Day 1945?"

[John 3rd]

December 29, 1941
DEI--Philippines

This is a crazy game so far. The enemy is banking of all-out offensives, attacking different locations, and reinforcing other locations at great expense/risk for others.

In short...I am LOVING this craziness! More importantly, I am seeing great OPPORTUNITY presently.

December 28, 1941
MANILA Falls. The entire Philippine Army is up in the Luzon Mountains. Bizarre!

Mindanao is fully Japanese. The two Infantry Divisions there are now on there way for Eastern Java. Wow.

December 29, 1941
The EASTERN Door to Java is closed with the loss of Denpasar. The Japanese easily take the base with an Air Flotilla and 2 large Base Forces. Two Daitai of Bettys fly in along with 36 Zeros.

The CENTER Door shuts with Balikpapan falling.

The WESTERN Door slams shut when--GET THIS--Singapore Falls! Three ID and two Engineers crossover and the base falls to a 23-1 attack. Damn baby.


Re-entering the area is Kaga, Ryujo, and Zuiho. All now carry Zeros and are ready to rock and roll...

South of Java CVE Taiyo and Hosho with 4 BBs slowly move westward towards Christmas Isle.

Order Sweeps over Oosthaven (where reinforcements have been landing) and Batavia to be followed by Port Strikes against these two bases as well as Palembang. There are LOTS of damaged Allied warships hiding in these Ports...

[ny59giants]

Where are your 4 minelaying subs? A TF of them laying mines at Merak would work nicely! [;)]

[John 3rd]

December 30, 1941

Those four SS ML are two days from planting more of their little eggs at Merak.

Another Day, another British Light Cruiser. The Royal Navy is DYING! I cannot go through the list of sunken Royal Navy ships presently. IT is LARGE and growing.

Today--with Oosthaven his Port of entry--Kaga and consorts as well as Singkawang damage or sink a bunch of ships: AP Dominion Monarch, an AK, CL Colombo, DDs Van Ghent and Isis are sunk. Port strikes add damage to two Dds and an AP in Palembang. The CVEs, operating south of Java--sink an AS while each taking a bomb that does NO damage. Wow. That is a pleasant surprise.

With the Indian Brigades at Palembang, I have had to change my strategy. Paras are presently landing at Singkawang. They will immediately be put to use. Must provide a retreat path for the troops at Palembang quick. The three ID at Singapore (Minefields being cleared presently) will advance with one landing at Merak and two going into Oosthaven.

CONCERNS
1. I've lost 1 CL and 8 DDs in this fight and it bothers me with the DDs. Am being a bit more careful about them.

2. He LOVES mines. Got to include more minesweepers with my operations.

3. With this all-or-nothing approach in the DEI, there is a real possibility that he'll bring the US CVs west. Recall the KB with DEI and follow-on Operations.

PLANNING
I now profoundly HOPE he is trying to bring in the British 18th ID. The sinking of Dominion Monarch and that AK resulted in the loss of over 3,000 troops. NICE!

If he does, in fact, bring in the 18th that means the door is wide open for THE PLAN.

All these ships and troops I am sinking/destroying in the DEI are critical for fighting the main offensive for the spring.

TARGET: India.

[John 3rd]

January 1, 1942

The New Year dawn's upon the glory that is the Japanese Empire.

The Japanese Fleet is operating below the Barrier in great strength and the Allies desperately try to knock them away. The phrase "the center does not hold" has truly come into play. After throwing everything into a wild-n-crazy defense of the Western DEI it all begins to fall apart...

Oosthaven
Five Japanese DDs sweep in and sink a pair PTs as well as an AK.

Soerabaja
Bettys/Nells Operating from Denpasar hit CL's Mauritius and Durban with TTs.

Banjoewangi
This base falls to a Japanese Inf Division and Army Air Division.

Loemadjang
Just 90 miles to the west, 27 Tinas line up in twin columns and drop 550 Naval Paratroopers over the field at this base. The small Dutch Base Force flees and the base falls.

Djambi, SUM
A similar scene plays out in the skies over Djambi as 800 Army Paras take this base.

Far to the south of Java runs CVL Hermes and DDs Stronghold and Edsall. Hermes Swordfish were all shot down the previous day trying to attack the Japanese CVEs south of Java. This day finds FIVE Jap DDs closing on this small convoy. At an amazing range of 20,000 Yards, two Long Lance TT slam into the Hermes. She sinks as does her gallant defender Edsall.

The Philippines
Luzon
The fall of Manila has allowed for the two ID there to move north into those mountains. On this day they attack and capture Cabanatuan gaining the surrender of nearly 10,000 troops. Just to the north of them a pair of Japanese TK Reg are wiped out by the remains of the Far East Army. To their north is the 48th ID driving south and now--from Cabanatuan--come two more ID. The war in Luzon shall be DONE in 3-4 days. Amazing...

Mindanao
Zamboanga falls this day. ALL of Mindanao is Japanese and the 16th ID can now reform into full Division strength to move on Western Java.

Malaya
The Japanese 48th ID blasts the Allied army out of Alor Star and now turns its attention to Georgetown.

The ENTIRE British Army lies just north of Kota Bharu. They have nowhere to go. CRAZY!

Singapore
Mines are cleared this day as 130 transports move into the harbor and begin loading three Inf Divisions. Two will land at Oosthaven and the third has Merak. The Merak Invasion Force has six MSW attached to clear the mines that certainly block this location. The Oosthaven IF will depart in two days allowing for Merak to be taken and then hit Oosthaven.

Kido Butai
The Kido Butai have successfully sold the enemy on thinking that Hawaii is an objective. They cross Midway from the north heading for the Marshalls. Once far enough south, they will turn east and head for the DEI...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 2, 1942

North Pacific
Have occupied Umnak, Adak, and Attu.

Central Pacific
Guam
Have sent a pair of small Infantry units here and they should take the base tomorrow.

Have taken Midway, Tarawa, Ocean, Nauru, Baker, and Tabiteuea.

South Pacific
Have taken Gasmata, Finshhaven, Kavieng, Shortlands, and Lunga.

Philippines
Luzon
Antimonan falls without a fight.

Am driving on Bayombang where all remaining American/Philippino troops are. Three Inf Div will make very short work of this situation.

Mindanao
Should be able to reform the 16th ID tomorrow and throw it into Eastern Java.

Malaya
Imperial Guards driving on Georgetown.

Georgetown
This base has a convoy arrive today and I move Kaga, Zuiho, and Ryujo's Kates to Northern Airfields. They do GREAT! A total of 10 AKL are sunk.

5th ID moving north along the Western Road. Am directly across from Temoluh and about to attack six small units there.

Sumatra
Djambi
Fly in two Base Forces this day and move 27 Topsy in to use for capturing Benkoelen with Paras tomorrow. Once we have both bases an airlift will carry a Brigade to each base. Will also grab the 'dot' hex near Djambi and the then the Allied troops in South Sumatra are cutoff from retreating northwards.

Oosthaven
Two ID begin loading at Singers for this target.

Java
As detailed in the earlier Posting, a number of damaged Allied warships are at Batavia and Soerabaja. We get after them this turn!

Soerabaja
13 Zero and 53 Betty hit this Port throughout the day. By the end of it, 7 AMc, 1 AG, and SS Sargo and Sturgeon are sunk. CL's Durban and Mauritius are nailed with 6-8 bombs each as are DD's Whipple, Edwards, and Piet Hein and 1 TK, 1 AR, 2 AGP, 1 AG, and 1 AS. NICE! Will nail it again tomorrow.

Batavia
12 Zero and 18 Betty hit this Port and hit CL Enterprise and DD Van Ghent repeatedly. Solid work.

Merak
The Merak Invasion Force departs Singers.

Probolinggo
Paras grab this base so my ID can move strait there without a march.

Naval Activity
Numerous TFs of warships are moving along the coast of Java and Western Sumatra. DD Stronghold and a TM are sunk. Numerous Allied TF trying to get away and we should begin to sink them tomorrow and the day after.

Those are the major events!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 13, 1942
Milne Bay

The Australians have had a nice time to reinforce Port Moresby and have been starting to land at Milne Bay. Their relative peace is shattered when Kido Butai enters the arena. Two massed strikes are flown at the plentiful targets located in the Bay and devastation is the result.

AM: 28 Z, 44 V, 92 K--SINK an AM, AP, AK and damage eight other ships. Casualties: 869 Cas, 40 G and 58 Vehicles

Small Strike: 7 Z, 9 V, and 9 K sink 4 AKL to the south.

PM: 35 Z, 112 V, 108 K--SINK 3 AP, 2 AK, and 2 AM. Heavy Damage done to CL's Marblehead and Adelaide. Casualties: 1143 Cas, 36 G, 196 V.

Looks like we just killed an Armored unit as well as, perhaps, some other smaller units.

BANZAI!