Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Range 15k and "Escorts No Bombard."

DEFINITE 'Escorts No Bombard!' Very bad for little boys...

[John 3rd]

Odds and Ends:

Predictions on Sabang:
1. AF to go to 9 at any time.
2. 500,000 Supply on hand.
3. CRAPLOADS of AA: VERY BAD!
4. Gadzillions of MINES: Very, VERY BAD!

Key is the AF. We knock that back then we're go for winning this campaign. His Naval Element is the weakest link and that is what we shall see about driving out. He has no shipping moving back-and-forth with my partial KB in the area. No more big, bad BBs for a little while. Figure Yamato, Nagato, and Fuso should be able to smother his lone BB...

Dropped off five Engineering units and three Base Forces at Phuket last turn. When that AF hits Lvl-2+ every fighter I have in the inventory will be able to fly without drop tanks. The same goes for Great Nicobar...

We'll see what happens with the bombardment. We must smite Indiana and her consorts. Once she is out of the picture I'll pound the AF again and release nearly 500 ZERO and 600 Army--Navy Bombers.

Just got CV's Zuikaku and Soryu back from repairs. Add two of three CVLs and we will be able to field a serious KB again.

[Lowpe]

I would not night bomb, especially if there is a crap load of AA there.

In thinking about what you say is there....

I might switch everything to surface groups and look to inflict maximum damage with surface ships and then reduce the runways or bombard with only one small group. I am always leery of bombardments...

I also think bombarding for 4 BB in one group is overkill...I think you have better results bombarding twice or in subsequent days.

I don't believe there is any correlation between range and minefields.

DMS will get chewed up either by CD guns or if sent in first by his surface groups, but you may want to sacrifice one or two. A low numbered DMS/DD taskforce might probably get there first and at least spot the minefields helping the TF arriving later a chance to avoid.

Max your detection levels on the base...

Good luck!

[Lowpe]

I have to say I really am careful with bombardments...you have much better information. Range, refuel, etc, etc....

Double check all your settings, and then check them again!

[John 3rd]

Have had an email conversation going with Dan over our agreed upon HR. Out of the blue I get this email a few hours hours ago:

We had one other rule we discussed after the game started - to refrain from night bombing ports.

I don't remember this whatsoever but it is sooooooooooooo long ago, I have to bow to his memories over mine.

[John 3rd]

These are the agreed upon HR from several years ago. They come from page One of the AAR:

RA 5.0
House Rules

1. 1st turn can have multiple port attacks, but ONLY from carriers. Manila and Singapore may have Fighters up and on CAP. Allies cannot transfer new Squadrons reflecting prior knowledge.

2. PPs to move out of national borders (Japan - Manchuria, Thai) and (Allies - India, China)

3. No strategic bombing (Oil, Resources, HI, LI, etc.) on EITHER side until January 1, 1944.

4. Non-historic 1st turn, normal reinforcements, PDUs ON, orders for TF formed already OK, no transfers

5. Aircraft Limitations (reflecting the Mod):
-No A6M3 on CVEs
-No A6M4 on any form of Carrier
-A7M Sam and B7A-D Grace cannot be operated from CVEs

6. Four-Engine Bombers:
a. 4E bombers restricted to 10k or higher for naval and ground attacks (does not include PBY/Mavis type patrol craft)
b. 4E bombers CANNOT bomb troops
c. USN PB4Y Liberators are excluded from the 10,000Ft Naval Attack Restriction.
d. Any 4EB may bomb troops if they are located in a base hex.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Have had an email conversation going with Dan over our agreed upon HR. Out of the blue I get this email a few hours hours ago:

We had one other rule we discussed after the game started - to refrain from night bombing ports.

I don't remember this whatsoever but it is sooooooooooooo long ago, I have to bow to his memories over mine.

You dont have to stick to a rule you dont remember.

[1EyedJacks]

1. You are not bombing the port. Bomb the airfield.
2. Bomb from high above the AA ceiling.
3. How many of those big 4E bombers do you have for Japan?
4. No night attacks VS ports works both ways...
5. Congrats on your Broncos win.
6. X-Files comes on 2night.

[janh]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
We had one other rule we discussed after the game started - to refrain from night bombing ports.

Can't really say much here since I am reading both sides (though I admit I prefer your descriptive style some more, just kind of short on details lately). However, I recommend that you talk to CR very clearly about the topic of night bombing. To me it appears that there may be a bit of misunderstanding whether it was ruled out globally, or for ports only. Might be better to talk this through before sending a critical turn...

[John 3rd]

February 17, 1943

The AF at Langsa is struck by 250 Sally, Helen and Kates this day. They are escorted by 125 fighters and the AF is swept several times before the strikes go in with another 200 Fighters. I've worked to pay attention to Langsa so Dan get get any 'bright' ideas on using it more aggressively. This day's strikes sees it go from no damage to quite a bit for no losses. Not bad at all.

It will be hit again tomorrow. Zeros will escort.

Nearly 300 Tony and Tojo have other orders...they SWEEP Sabang tomorrow.

To the south in Singapore 48 stout, powerful looking planes are taken from their crates. Powerful engines, armor, and great speed demonstrate great potential. The best Naval Fighter Daitai of Japan accept them and begin to make them flyable. Ladies and Gentlemen: George has entered the building!

[John 3rd]

February 17,1943
Late Afternoon

FROM: Combined Fleet
TO: Sabang Sweeping Forces 1 and 2, BatDiv1, and Bombardment TF

"Execute Operational Order 21."



The orders are set and given. From Phuket and Georgetown, anchors are raised as 3 Battleships, 4 Battlecruisers, 5 Light Cruisers, and 27 Destroyers set course for Sabang. This is the moment gentlemen. Battle Ensigns are unfurled, the Emperor is cheered three times and the mighty Kaigun bends a course into history...

BANZAI! (Turn Sent)

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: 1EyedJacks

1. You are not bombing the port. Bomb the airfield.
2. Bomb from high above the AA ceiling.
3. How many of those big 4E bombers do you have for Japan?
4. No night attacks VS ports works both ways...
5. Congrats on your Broncos win.
6. X-Files comes on 2night.

1. Will start that pending on the Bombardment next turn.
2. Darned right I shall. Figure 20,000 Ft or so...
3. Don't have any of the darned Liz's YET. Get those in Between the Storms but not here.
4. Agreed.
5. Am a Chief's Fan. Hate the Donkeys, however, their wins have been great for creating LOTS of business at my store.
6. Was that CRAZY or not??!! Who'd have ever thought of seeing Mulder, Scully, Skinner, and the CSM on TV ever again??!! It was fun and I had a good time. Cannot wait for the second episode tonight.

[Lowpe]

Banzai...

[John 3rd]

That ROCKS!

How about this?

[John 3rd]

...or THIS looks a little more appropriate!

[John 3rd]

Wow. The turn took over an hour to watch (this was even with most of the Naval Combat sped up!)

Here is a taste. Indiana took five large shell hits before ever HITTING with her big guns...

[John 3rd]

How did the Bombardment go you ask? Check the destroyed on the AF line:

[pws1225]

Wow, nice going! [:)]

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
The Battle for Sabang
February 18, 1943

It is a good night for a fight. Moonlight is just strong enough to allow for Japanese spotters to look for enemy ship wakes while dark enough to allow for a decent opening range for gunnery and Long Lance TTs.

0100
Adm Kono is frustrated as he nears Sabang. The two Sweeping Groups have both become entangled with enemy submarines while on their approach course to the target. Each TF had to deal with 2-3 sub attacks and then--foolishly--conducted ASW attacks upon those targets. They will be tardy to the upcoming party.

0122-0145
The pensive Admiral, aboard mighty Yamato, is alerted to the persense of a large enemy TF at a range of 22,000. Radar from Agano makes the initial spot. Quickly his long-eyed observers pick-up the American TF. The powerful guns of Yamato, Nagato, and Fuso train to port tracking the wakes. The enemy appears to be sleeping. Sensing opportunity, the Admiral orders a 30* course correction to starboard. This move quickly brings the long line of American ships to a perpendicular position to his battlewagons and are closing the range. Kono crosses the T. At an astonishingly short range of 8,000 Yards he glances at Yamato's Captain and smiles tightly. "Captain--Open Fire."

0145-0219
Evidently 'Ching' Lee is sleeping. The Opening slavos score FIVE 14-18" shell hits upon the mighty Indiana BEFORE she can open fire. The battlewagon staggers from the first salvos. Examining the long American line, one can see Indiana, CAs Quincy, Wichita, Brit Hawkins, CL Cleveland, and 7 DDs. The Japanese have the 3 BBs, Agano, and 5 DDs. In what turns out to be a long surface battle (17 Gunnery Rounds) the Japanese sink BB Indiana halfway through the fight (17 Large Shell Hits) and pummel the Quincy and Hawkins. Four American DDs are in sinking condition. The Japanese lose the new Agano and three DDs. BB Fuso, the oldest BB in the Fleet, is taken down by a series of 4 16" shell hits that ignite a powder magazine and cripple the venerable battleship. She sinks at 0621.

At cost, BatDiv1 does the job. The DOOR IS OPEN for Rr-Adm Tanaka and his four Kongos!

0133-257
While the titans are exchanging fire, CL Sendai's Screening unit enters the area and immediately engages several Allied STF. The old Destroyer Leader with her 4 DDs quick sink DD Lansdowne and damage two more DD of a small 3 DD TF. They turn towards the battleship engagement and stumble upon the British CA Dorsetshire ans two DDs. Before Dorsetshire can open fire a pair of Long Lances SMASH her. She goes down under o a storm of 19 shells and the two TTs. A pair of quick engagements with groups of 3 and 6 PTs leads to lots of shooting and no damage to either side. For the loss of DD Shigure, this unit sinks a CA and DD while damaging 4 more DDs. They turn and head for Georgetown.

0201-0647
Like an American running back racing through a hole made by his blockers, Rr-Adm Tanaka shots his four Kongo-Class BCs through the gap made by the two TFs. After brushing past 6 PTs boats (sinking 1), 32 14" Barrels train to Port and open fire on the vulnerable American AF at Sabang. This massive AF (now Lvl-9) is packed with aircraft. The gunners have photos of their target and have practiced for days waiting for this opportunity. The gunnery is 'on target' as massive explosions and secondary explosions light up the horizon. Tanaka keeps the BCs shelling until they--literally--run out of bombardment Ammo.

The deed is done. No CD fire bothers the Japanese as they turn to starboard to leave the scene. Fires light up the sky.

Getting in was easy. Getting out is another matter.

Tanaka's TF fights no less then six separate engagements as it runs for Georgetown. Six PT Boats are sunk in the first fight. Two DDs are encountered with DD Duncan sunk and other crippled, one PT is sunk of a trio, The wounded Hawkins, Quincy and 4 Dds are encountered with DD Monssen sunk and every other ship heavily damaged, and finally CA Wichita, CL Cleveland, and 3 DDs are discovered. More damage done to them but none sunk. ALL 14" ammo expended and nearly ALL secondary ammo is used up during these engagements. Wow. The TF suffers very light damage with 3 DDs getting hit slightly. The BC's armor deflects nearly everything the Allies shot at them. NICE!


Dawn.

A massed Sweep of 121 Tojo's encounter 127 Allied Fighters. The Allied planes don't have the stomach for it and a very quick fight occurs with another 10-12 Allied fighters falling in exchange for only 3 Japanese. Rather disappointing!

As wounded ships head for Georgetown damage assessment is done. Everything LOOKS good. The AF has been hit hard. The American Battleship is sunk and nearly everything else protecting the base is crippled or in sinking condition.

The Japanese have Yamato and all four Kongo's available for a repeat once they re-arm and re-fuel.


Losses:
Japan:
SUNK: BB Fuso, CL Agano, and 5 DD.
Moderate damage to Nagato (STS 27(0), FLOT 27(7), and ENG 15(0), CL's Sendai and Sakawa, and 5 DDs.

Allies:
SUNK: BB Indiana, CA Dorsetshire, 4 DDs, and 9 PTs
DAMAGED: CAs Quincy, Wichita, Hawkins, CL Cleveland, and 10-15 DDs.

LETS GO!

[John 3rd]

Orders for February 19, 1943

The Kido Butai (3 CV and 5 CVL--400 Aircraft)) takes position for an Allied 'bugout' West and SW of Sabang. Two CVs and 2 more CVLs are moving up the Sumatra Coast to join them. Five precious CAs and 6 modern Dds detach to bombard Sabang next.

Port Blair
Forgotten in all this is Port Blair. The AF was closed when we re-started now it is totally healed up. Set 81 Betty and 81 Fighters to Naval Attack to close the Northern and NW door from Sabang. CAP over the base consists of 36 Zero, 27 Tojo, and 12 Nicks.

The Second Screening Force never made it to Sabang so CL Tama and 6 DDs enters the waters tonight.

Air
1. Langsa is pummeled on the 18th by nearly 250 army bombers. Same treatment tomorrow.
2. SWEEP both Langsa and Sabang. To the 200 Army Tojos add nearly 100 A6M4 to the assault over Sabang.
3. A force of 108 Betty will attack Sabang's AF at night from a height of 18,000 Ft.