No Wind Sunshine - forecast: need more beer - Strawb vs. LST AAR

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
01/25/42

Enough supplies have finally been accumulated to continue our offensive against the US forces on Bataan. 14th Army troops were eager to show their rivals of 25th Army that they too know how to overrun the enemy in night bayonet charges. The Allies suffered a humiliating defeat and lost 16127 men, 117 artillery pieces and 84 AFV, while our assault force lost only 50 men! General Horii accepted the surrender of General Buckner.
Other ground forces captured the villages Buna & Gona and Gasmata.

Air operations in the New Guinea area saw attacks exchanged between Allied forces at Port Moresby and our IJA air group at Lae. Our Setsu fighters have encountered P-40 fighters, losses favor our side.
The second center of air operations is Java. Navy aircraft operating out of Singapore struck at the enemy heavy bomber base at Tjilatjap and destroyed 14 B-17 bombers and several fighters on the ground and more fighters in the air. 16 B-17s that bombed Miri caused no damage.

Scout planes have observed enemy concentrations at Darwin. The same TF that had achieved the victory off Java three weeks ago was sent to intercept. Our 6 CA, 2 CL and 16 DDs found an enemy task force consisting of a fleet CV, a small CV, an 'R' class battleship, two heavy cruisers of the County class and three DDs. In a fierce night battle all enemy ships were heavily damaged and one DD and the CVL were confirmed sunk, but the enemy battleship hit back and scored heavily on two of our Myoko class cruisers. Both sank after taking several 15inch shells and numerous smaller calibers. Retreating from Darwin, our force was attacked by Hudson bombers and lost CL Kuma to a single 500lbs bomb. It is hoped that more enemy ships have sunk from the damage sustained, as the price for our Navy in this operation has been heavy.

In the South Pacific, our decimated and demoralized carrier force has withdrawn. In a desperate attempt to even the score, the battleline was sent in to catch the enemy ships spotted around New Caledonia, hoping that this foray would be as successful as the similar move against Espiritu Santo a week ago. Unfortunately, our force was spotted and attacked by air when still two hundred miles away from the destination. Judging from the strength of the strike (9 fighters, 18 bombers), it was launched by the missing enemy carrier known to be in the area. The enemy planes obtained (guess what) a single hit - a Devastator torpedo bomber managed to hit battleship Hiei directly under the 'B' turret. Powder bags of the ready ammunition ignited and the resulting flash touched off the forward 14inch magazines, demolishing the ship. Our DDs picked up very few survivors. The task force reversed course in shock and awe and has fled the area.

Emperor LST bangs his head on the keyboard in utter frustration .

*****
Hey strawb, meticulous planning may optimize PPs and thus raise the chance for reaction moves and surprises, but this should have no influence on the durability of my ships and their ability to withstand single hits. It seems the Gods of war unfortunately are on your side. If the current trend continues, Combined Fleet will run out of capital ships in about 20 turns, LOL!

deVada, thanks for your condolences, but I fear my incompetence coupled with bad luck will cause even more grief in the future.

boba: [8D][:)]

Capt. Harlock: Looks like we both have this small dark cloud resting directly above our houses in an otherwise perfectly clear sky - but my horror with the scope said that <Good luck's a-comin'>, so let's see what the next turn will bring...

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
02/01/42

Operations have slowed down this week due to the string of disastrous actions in recent times.

Air forces at Singapore and Java respectively traded blows, IJN aircraft destroyed more than 40 planes on Tjialatjap air base, including 12 Catalinas. Of 36 B-17 attacking Singapore, 16 were shot down at the the cost of six of our Zero-Sen fighters.

Submarines are active off Japan and sank one DE, one TK, one large and two small freighters.

A small ground force has occupied Cape Gloucester. The only big operation this week has led to the capture of the important oil center of Palembang. Supported by a substantial part of Combined Fleet which softened up the target by bombardment and attacking nearby airfields, elements of 2nd Guard and 21st division routed the weak unit of the Dutch defenders who retreated to Oosthaven and are pursued by our troops. About 50 enemy planes were shot down or destroyed on the ground by carrier aircraft. Due to this air support, the enemy aircraft repeatedly attacking our convoy sank only one freighter. Operations to capture the rest of NEI are planned for the next month.

Emperor LST is amazed and happy that no IJN capital ship has been sunk this turn.

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
02/08/42

This week our forces occupied Manokwari on the Vogelkop peninsula and captured Oosthaven against slight resistance.

Our air forces at Lae and Rabaul launched heavy attacks on Port Moresby, and our force at Singapore again raided Tjilatjap. Smaller attacks were staged against Hengyang, Kohima&Imphal and Darwin. The enemy hit back at Palembang and moderately damaged the oil facilities, 5 out of 18 B-17s were shot down by our fighters. Other enemy attacks were directed against Lae and Kendari as well as against a convoy off Palembang, no hits are reported. For the first time B-17s operating from New Caledonia have bombed Guadalcanal. The score for this week is 190 enemy planes shot down or destroyed on the ground for 80 of our aircraft lost from all causes.

Our recon planes have spotted at least two carriers and a convoy of transports and freighters assembling near New Caledonia. GHQ has warned C-in-C Combined Fleet that the enemy might prepare for a counter-offensive in the Solomons area.

Imperial naval forces took a break this week, ships are undergoing R&R (repair & replenishment) while the crews were given liberty for well-deserved I&I .

Enemy submarines continue to wreak havoc among the convoys off Japan despite the reinforcement of our patrol planes tasked with ASW. One patrol craft and four freighter sank withing sight of Osaka and Nagoya.

Emperor LST has promised a keg of beer for for each pilot or crewmember involved in sinking an enemy submarine.

[strawb]

LST does such fine AAR I feel no need to add to it very oftenl...

First up - Thank you Capt Harlock; at last recognition that for allies, pre -1943 tactic is to RUN AWAY until you get to bases that are size four or more AND have a another size four AF in range for mutual support AND you have a fully functional three CV TF. Seems to me that there are too many arm chair posters who suggest that if you have not captured Taiwan in 1943 by a attack launched from a Battaan that never fell, you are some kind of idiot. Human oponents are both more unpreidcatble than the AI and less likely to get obssesed with a specific target base.

Second - luck - ah well it is ulimately a dice game and about time dice went my way. It was torp hit and those things don't cost loads of $ for nothing - I refer you to Barham et al. But then again I have just had a CV TF, led by a admiral with Naval skill 8 and initiative 7, get slaughtered by a IJN cruiser sqn. Luckily (!!) said TF contained RN ''I' class and dear old Hermes, not Sara, but still, they were acting as goalkeeper off Darwin, so that Bull and Lexy could wander around SOPAC. Said TF was operating under cover of two airbases with four sqns capabel of Naval spotting. IJN stealth tech to the fore there, or a very real feeling of typical allied rubbish air spotting. Will post screen shot of battle sometime. I even put an 'R' BB with the TF to give it more oomph just in case it got jumped - but that was probably what stopped it reacting.

Third - any body mention the IJN Aleutian disaster regarding troops as well as Yamato? And the first allied counter attack landing was not on the 'Canal but in the Aleutians. The first mile on the long road has been walked.

Fourth - troops. Actualy I now have loads of Aussies, BUT they need training. Forces on DEI are er.. mixed crowd, weak but they will need more than an ad-hoc TF and and SBF to defeat. Meanwhile my B17s get training, sometime costly when bombinmg singapore airbase, bu cheaply when damaging oil wells/resources at Palembang, miri etc , all within range. Oh yes - counter attack over Kokoda trail has begun (slowly).

Someone mentioned damaged RN BBs/CAs - lots of mine are circumnavigating Australia to west coast ports who are otherwise unoccupied. I know they will get withdrawn at somestage but they might get to support landing or two first and they, with surviving USN BBs, are enough of gunline for tackling atolls I think.

What I do lack is fighters/fighter bombers - need those Corsairs asap, and ANY aircraft in india. Can't face hauling air by convoy to calcutta.

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
02/15/42

This week we record air attacks from both sides, with the usual concentration on the Lae/Rabaul - PM/Milne Bay and Singapore/Palembang - Java areas. Smaller raids were conducted from Rangoon against Kohima&Imphal and from New Caledonia against Guadalcanal.
Our carriers were back in operation off Java and contributed heavily to this week's score by bombing airfields and beating off Allied counterattacks. Bombardment runs of BB and cruisers also destroyed many planes on the ground. At the end of the week, aircraft losses were 280 Allied planes destroyed vs. 87 of our planes lost.

Allied air attacks managed to sink a destroyer off Tjilatjap and two small freighters at Lae. Enemy submarines sank three more freighters in home waters.

One enemy submarine has been sunk by air near Singapore. Unfortunately we have lost contact with one of our subs operationg in the New Caledonia area.

The only ground action this turn worth mentioning was the capture of Green Is. by the Mai 2nd Bn.

Emperor LST is happy that his promised reward (of one keg of beer per crewman for the first sub kill) has yielded instant results. He is even happier that the enemy submarine has been sunk by aircraft - this will cost him only a few kegs of beer for the aircrew, as opposed to the dent the far more numerous crew of a ship would have made in his beer reserves...

*****
02/22/42

Air attacks continued in the now familiar patterns. Bombardment runs also destroyed many planes on the enemy bases at Java. The score at the end of the week is 76:324 in our favor. The only Allied success has been the bombing of Palembang by 30 B-17s. They were met by 45 interceptors, but lost only 5 bombers, shot down 10 of our planes and caused moderate damage to the oil facilities. Something has to be done against this menace. GHQ has ordered the development of better fighter planes with heavier armament.

Instant measures to protect the vital oil supplies and capture the rest of the DEI area were launched this week. Protected by our carriers and surface forces, five divisions and one Para Bde landed at various points on the coast of Java. Surabaya was captured after a brief fight, but Tjilatjap and Batavia are still held by the enemy. Two enemy APs fleeing from Tjialtjap were sunk by air attack.
Minor landing operations were also conducted against Buka, Bougainville and Noemfor Is. All these locations were occupied unopposed.

Emperor LST has a few cold ones on the successful operation against Java.

*****
Thanks strawb. I agree with the arm chair thing. Playing the Allies in another PBEM game I also ran like a chicken, esp. after losing three CVs... Playing the Japanese against the AI, I should be sitting in Pearl by now...

Okay, now here is the story of how the Java operation this turn should have turned out according to my plan. The bombardment runs a week earlier against all three bases on Java had discovered that Surabaya was held by the US Philippine as well as the Dutch 2nd and 3rd divisions, and Batavia being defended by the 8th Aussies and 1st Dutch Div. Tjialtjap was empty. Since the B-17s were based at T., I planned to take that base first with a Tokyo Express of CLs and DDs bringing in the Para Bde. They should have taken the base, destroying the heavy bombers and and blocking the retreat paths for the flanking bases. In the same turn, regular transport convoys were to move two divs to Batavia and three to Surabaya, with one div held in reserve at Singapore. I hoped that the low-numbered Tokyo Express TF would move first and the higher numbered transport would then follow, in order to take T. first. Well, instead the Surabaya TF moved first and captured the base, the enemy troops retreated to T. - so my weak Para Bde arrived too late and had no chance to take the base against three enemy divisions. Too bad. It is also disappointing that Batavia wasn't captured, I should have played save and assign the reserve division at Singapore to help at Batavia. Would have been a nice move to capture all three bases in the same turn and wipe out those dreaded bomber groups. Now strawb will evacuate them, too bad...

[Capt. Harlock]

So far LST really seems to have the upper hand for control of the skies. The Corsairs are highly useful, all right, but personally I'm even more anxious for the Lightnings: it makes a big difference to have a decent range 4 fighter.

As for planes in the China-Burma-India theatre, Version 3.2 is rough on the Allies. Jeremy Pritchard deliberately reduced the number of available squadrons so as to match the maximum number operating at one time, rather than the number historically available. Personally I think the Allies should have been allowed to decide which go to the front lines, and which were held back for rest and training.

Perhaps worse yet, all the Commonwealth planes are bloody expensive. Even the Hurricane costs 10, and some of the fighters cost 15! You just can't get a decent number of replacements unless you convert some of the British squadrons to the Wildcat.

LST's desire for fighters to go after the heavy bombers is sound. Unfortunately, he's going to have to wait a while. The J1N Gekko, the first Japanese fighter with a double-digit cannon rating, doesn't come on-line until turn 40 on avaerage. A word of advice: powerful armament is good against the heavily armored American four-engine bombers. But even more important is the durability rating to withstand the defensive fire from all those .50-calibers.

[LargeSlowTarget]

****
03/01/42

Ground operations on Java have come to a speedy conclusion. At Tjialtjap, the IJA 5th, 16th and 18th divisions with elements of the 1st Para Bde overran the enemy units identified as Dutch 2nd and 3rd divisions and elements of the US Philippine division - it seems that the HQ and key personnel of the Philippine Div have been evacuated with the APs our forces failed to sink last week. Nevertheless, our attack surprised the ABDA HQ - General Wavell and staff are now our guests. At Batavia, the 21th division reinforced our 2nd and 4th divsions holding the beachhead. Supported by battleships and carrier aircraft, the troops forced the surrender of the Australian 8th and Dutch 1st divisions. Thousands of Allied soldiers were killed our captured in those two battles. One of our freighters off Batavia was sunk by an enemy submarine
On Timor, the enemy unit known as Gullforce finally surrendered after putting up a gallant fight against two of our elite SNLF Rgts and an Army Rgt.
The very active Mai 2nd Bn has captured the Shortland Is.

Air attacks concentrated on the Papua area, with lesser attacks against Hengyang and Kohima. One enemy AP of the KPM class was sunk by air near Tagula Is. at the southern tip of PNG. The enemy hit back at Guadalcanal supply dumps again. Air losses this turn are 58:166 in our favor.

A small naval force of one CL and 4 DDs have reconnoitered Attu Is. and have found it occupied by the US 201 Rgt.

Emperor LST has even more cold ones on the successful conclusion of the Java operation.

*****
03/08/42

This week, our ground forces have occupied Wewak, Biak, Soembawa and Kolombangara. Enemy forces advancing on Mandalay have been beaten back and are retreating towards Kohima again. The 48th division - rested after helping to capture Bataan - has captured Ambon Is. and wiped out the weak Dutch garrison.

Air attacks at Darwin, Port Moresby and Milne Bay have destroyed large numbers of enemy planes in the air and on the ground, including 25 Marauders at Darwin. An attack by IJN aircraft against the port of Calcutta managed to sink one DE and ten freighters. Two more freighters were sunk near Dacca. Another attack against an enemy TF off Tenimbar Is. sank one enemy AP.

Several bombardment TFs have struck various bases in the DEI and Northern Australia still held by the enemy. At Tenimbar Is., the Australian 30th Bde and the Blackforce Rgt have been identified, Broome is held by the Aussie 1st Mot Bde, and Darwin by the Aussie 3rd div, 23rd Bde and the Sparrowforce. Our carriers were covering the operation against Darwin and repeatedly attacked the airbase, nevertheless the enemy managed to hit back and again damaged carrier Akagi with one bomb hit. The resulting fire has destroyed vital facilities and the carrier needs repairs at a major naval yard.

A patrol plane has sunk an enemy submarine near Kendari. Other enemy subs sank one tanker and three freighters in the South China Sea. Our submarine force in the Indian Ocean retaliated by sinking at least four DEs and two transports or freighters.

Our submarine forces conducting defensive patrols in the approaches to Guadalcanal sighted multiple enemy task forces, indicating that the expected enemy counterattack is indeed aimed at the Solomons. Repeated attacks against two enemy carriers and cruiser TFs failed to yield results, but our submarines scored against the enemy transports, sinking two APs and four freighters.
The enemy carriers launched strikes against ground forces and facilities on Guadalcanal, the obvious target of the invasion. Our naval aircraft based at Rabaul hit back. Unfortunately the Zero-Sen escorts had to turn back for lack of range and the first raid of 27 G4M bombers suffered heavy losses against enemy CAP. Only half of them returned after the unsuccessful strike. The second attack of 35 G4M fortunately managed to elude the 24 F4F fighters protecting the enemy carriers, but lost four planes to flak and obtained only one hit on a carrier. A third raid of 19 planes was met by 28 enemy fighters. Only six planes survived, but added another hit to the already damaged enemy CV which started to burn. The enemy carriers were last seen retreating south. Our fourth wave therefore concentrated on the enemy cruisers near Guadalcanal, one Northhampton class heavy cruiser has been confirmed sunk, another CA is reported heavily damaged.
Undaunted, the enemy landed his ground forces. The first wave consisting of the US 27th and the Australian 2nd divisions failed to dislodge our garrison. The brave men of the 35th Bde also stopped dead a second attack after the Allied forces had been reinforced by the 24th US and 1st Australian divisions. Nevertheless, the issue is in doubt and GHQ has ordered reinforcements into the area.

Emperor LST is pleased that beer has proved to be a very good incentive for subhunters. He will use the same method to motivate his troops engaged in the Solomons to give their utmost to repell the invaders.

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
03/15/42

Our forces on Guadalcanal continue to hold off the Allied invasion force. Light bombers based at Guadalcanal itself sank one AP off the coast. Other aircraft from Rabaul sank another AP and two freighters at or near the island. A submarine contributed an additional freighter sunk. These losses apparently have curtailed the supplies reaching the Allied troops, which seem to be unable to press their attack. B-17s from New Caledonia made their now familiar bombing run against our supply stocks. An attempt to land reinforcements from Rabaul by Tokyo Express failed. Our three CL and eight DDs were intercepted by an enemy task force of five CAs and 4 DDs. CL Yubari and CL Tenryu as well as one Mutsuki class DD were lost to overwhelming enemy gunfire.

Action in other theaters was limited to air attacks against enemy airfields at Darwin and Port Moresby and enemy ground forces at Akyab and Hengyang. The enemy flew attacks from Milne Bay to support his ground forces at Kokoda. Enemy submarines off Singapore have sunk one DE, one large and one small freighter.

Emperor LST prays that his troops on Guadalcanal may hold out long enough for the Tokyo Beer Express to reach them.

*****
03/22/42

This week opened with renewed ground attacks of four divisions against our lone brigade at Guadalcanal. The enemy again failed to dislodge our valiant troops from their entrenchments, despite air support by the B-17s from New Caledonia. Kakutasu Air at Guadalcanal sank two more enemy freighters near the island. Our carriers - called over from their raid on Darwin posthaste - catched an enemy cruiser force of seven CAs and 6 DDs patrolling off Lunga. One CA of the Northampton class was sunk, other ships damaged. Our battleline - also fresh from pounding Broome and Darwin - charged in to finish off enemy cripples. Admiral Nishimura has reported the sinking of two vessels of the New Orleans class, two more Northamptons and one each of the Portland and Pensacola classes. Gunfire and torpedos also sank 5 enemy destroyers of the Mahan class. A single DD was allowed to escape to tell the tale and spread fear and terror into the hearts of the enemy sailors. Several enemy convoys thus aborted their supply runs into Guadalcanal. Before he ordered his TF to retire, Nishimura spent the remaining ammo on the Allied beachhead. Our garrison at Guadalcanal has confirmed that the enemy suffered heavy casualties and massive disruption in this bombardment.

Operations in other areas included air attacks from Milne Bay and Port Moresby on our convoy resupplying Lae. Several AV and a tanker were damaged. Our ground forces at Kokoda also report slight losses from air attacks. Nevertheless the South Sea Bde killed 173 enemy soldiers and lost only 10 themselves. Our planes at Lae and Rabaul hit back at the airfield of Port Moresby and a convoy unloading in port, sinking one AP. A fighter sweep from Mandalay against Dacca destroyed 37 enemy planes at the cost of nine of our own. Elements of the 56th div at Lashio conducted recon-in-force and found the 11th and 34th Indian divisions as well as the Chinese 6th Army defending the Burma Road. The 1st Para Bde captured the Andaman Is. Enemy submarines sank a tanker near Singapore and a freighter off Osaka.

Emperor LST is confronted by his Empress Dragonlady with the accuse of spending too much time conducting the war effort. To avoid trouble at the home front, the Emperor must embark on a good-will tour immediately.

[strawb]

To depressed to AAR - thought he (and his BBs/Cvs) were pushing on Darwin - nice move And my CVs were set to react to a Canal counter move but no joy.

S (locked in my command tent with large whiskey)

[boba]

Originally posted by strawb
To depressed to AAR - thought he (and his BBs/Cvs) were pushing on Darwin - nice move And my CVs were set to react to a Canal counter move but no joy.

S (locked in my command tent with large whiskey)

Well, LST was bound to have some good luck after so many deadly 1 hits. Go Japanese, go !
On the other hand, to have Allies in counteroffensive so early mean that pretty soon LST will be in a trouble (no wonder, after so many loses of his capital ships). But nevertheless, I'm still supporting Japanese team

[strawb]

together with entire general staff. huge re-think in war effort...
As LST not posted I should inform a (laughing) forum that I just surrendered two US and two Aussie Divs on the Canal. If I was Japanese I would be sharpening the old blade right now, but as I am Allies I am off to command HMS Stinkie (she'e the garbage tender at Calcutta harbour..)

So: what happened so far then in my so called strategy. As planned a rapid but staged withdrawal. I rescue the best part of four Divs from the Singapore/PI fighting, two go to India (where they have been vital in staving off a big IJA push), two go to defend DEI. DEI is a useful thorn in his side/training ground for aircraft, and I damage his resources/oil supply a bit with the B-17s based there.

All over steady withdrawal of naval forces (and merchant shipping) and armies BUT keeping small forces of AF around in several bases (lots of air zones, better reaction chances and more air raids on a target). This pays off with lucky hits on a CV, but generally attacking CV is bad news: I hope these multiple AF units will catch the odd transport, which they did a bit, and drown IJA as this only reliable way for me to kill of IJA at moment!

Also by having only one or two AF units per air base means that when lost as base is captured I only lose a few units and they reappear in a steady flow (if they can reappear, I make use of well equipped Dutchies, who in DEI became quite experienced, as last ditch units).

So far so good and, I think; no genius but doing handling onslaught Ok within the principle of RUNNING AWAY.

DEI falls but I extract for second time the US Philippines Div (ie one that can get replacements) and get the air force mostly away (B17s were gone turn before landings - good call eh?)

Darwin, Broom, Moresby, New Cal and neighbouring islands, and the air chain link islands from PH to Rockhampton all stacked with Aussie and US reinforcements, engineers busy expanding bases. All I have to do is wait for LST to come south, get my CVs to react so that their lack of numbers is balanced by a first strike advantage (and with my current luck with TDBs that could hurt him) and/or come in range of my LBA based on size four or larger mutually supporting airbases. AlI I need is nerve and patience - no way should I be counterattacking with landings, right?

Only its late one night you see, LST has all his forces pointed at Darwin, the Canal looks a bit out on a limb, only a bgd garrison , I have four 'spare' divs on New Cal, would be useful training for them, get some engineers in quick and stack on some air and limit his movement a bit, I'm a bit bored with running..... I ignore the quartermaster and G2 bits of my brain that are telling me 'but you don't have quite enough supplies in the nearest ports, the enemy bgd is probably 90%+ experience, you don't have quite enough CV power to keep providing cover for all the re-supply convoys you will need...'

I now return to my tortoise impersonation and hide under my shell of Havocs and SBDs - unless of course another excellent counter strike opportunity comes along (cries of sobbing from my army commanders...)

S

[LargeSlowTarget]

EDIT: I wasn't aware that strawb has already posted a report, was busy writing my own. Anyway, here we go:

*****
03/29/42

Small units have captured Sarmi and Aitape, the entire northern coast of PNG is now in our hands. Enemy units in the vicinity of Lashio were routed by a determined attack of the 33rd div, the enemy retreated. Other enemy units near Akyab - two British and one Indian div - managed to hold their ground and caused siginificant casualties to our attack force.
Air attacks followed the standard pattern - Darwin, PM, Kohima, Hengyang, Guadalcanal, Kokoda all received their share of bombs and bullets. Enemy planes damaged an AV off Lae. An enemy sub sank a tanker off Nagoya.

Our carriers and battleships continued to pound the enemy beachhead on Guadalcanal. No enemy air or naval units dared to challenge our forces and so major ground reinforcements were able to land unmolested. By quick decision and swift action, the IJA 2nd, 4th, 5th, 21st, 38th and 48th divisions - fighting on Java and Ambon Is. only two weeks ago - have been moved to Guadalcanal in order to nip the Allied ambitions in the bud. It is expected that these battle-hardened units will make short work of the inexperienced and undersupplied Allied troops.

Emperor LST is tired after his good-will tour with the ol' lady, but was able to stabilize the situation at the home front.

*****
04/05/42

TENNO HEIKA BANZAI!!! As expected, our counteroffensive at Gudalcanal has wiped out the Allied foothold in an irresistible shock assault. Helped by carrier air, LBA and heavy bombardment runs, 10616 Allied troops, 177 artillery pieces and 57 AFV have been wiped out, countless men were captured and the debris of battle litters the once-lovely shores. The Aussie 1st and 2nd and US 24th and 27th divisions are no more. MGen Horii accepted the surrender of USMC General Vandegrift. In recognition of his brave service, Horii was promoted to LGen on the spot.

The usual air attacks continued. Our G4M bombers at Rabaul hit back at the heavy bomer base at New Caledonia, but were met by heavy CAP. Nine bombers were lost, but they managed to destroy 10 planes on hte ground. An enemy submarine sank a large 10000 ton Maru in the South China Sea, but another sub had to pay the price as it was sunk off Singapore by one of our patrol planes.

Originally posted by boba On the other hand, to have Allies in counteroffensive so early mean that pretty soon LST will be in a trouble (no wonder, after so many loses of his capital ships).

Upon receiving the report from Guadalcanal, Emperor LST chuckles and with an evil grin whispers to himself:
"Well boba, never underestimate the power of the dark beer..."

*****

Originally posted by strawb
To depressed to AAR - thought he (and his BBs/Cvs) were pushing on Darwin - nice move And my CVs were set to react to a Canal counter move but no joy.

S (locked in my command tent with large whiskey)

[...]

Only its late one night you see, LST has all his forces pointed at Darwin, the Canal looks a bit out on a limb, only a bgd garrison , I have four 'spare' divs on New Cal, would be useful training for them, get some engineers in quick and stack on some air and limit his movement a bit, I'm a bit bored with running.....

Hey strawb, no reason to be depressed. I told you, in my PBEM game as Allies I get my butt kicked around far worse - Japs sitting in Perth, Broome, Darwin, PM, New Caledonia, Dutch Harbor, almost all of India, have lost 4CVs, 1 CVL, 5 BBs etc. and it's only March 42...

Your guess was actually correct. My troops and transports were ready to attack Northern Australia when you invaded Guadalcanal. No big deal to redirect my forces to the Solomons, LOL!

Btw, your Whiskey won't beat my beer - but the real stuff may do. Get some Scotch and I may find myself in trouble .

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
04/12/42

After the exitement of victory has calmed down a bit, the usual air action continued this week. Air losses were 59:232 in our favor.

Small bombardment TFs headed out to reconnoiter Allied positions in the South Pacific. Unfortunately, the TF sent to Tagula Is. was intercepted by Hudsons out of PM and suffered two DDs sunk. The survivors reported that Tagula is garrisoned by the Aussie 13th Bde.

Since our assault troops are now concentrated at Guadalcanal, the offensive plans of GHQ have been changed. Milne Bay was selected as the next objective. Pounded by carrier air, LBA and the surface ships, the 29th Australian Bde offered determined resistance but was finally overwhelmed by the veterans of the 4th and 16th divisions. Another thousand Allied soldiers have been killed and the remainder captured.
Unfortunately, the Allies managed to hit back and struck another severe blow to our carrier force. Repeated air attacks by unescorted Hudson bombers based at Port Moresby led to heavy enemy losses, but a few bombers managed to break through our CAP and flak and score. Hit by two bombs, carrier Hiryu lit up like a torch. The crew was unable to contain the blaze and had to abandon ship. CVL Zuiho also received some damage and is forced to retire for repairs. This new disaster has finally convinced C-in-C that special efforts should be made to capture a Hudson bomber intact, to allow our engineers to copy this successful design.

Emperor LST wonders why each victory must be followed immediately by a setback...

*****
Actually LST wonders what will happen to his floating zippos if they ever encounter well-trained USN SBDs and TBFs...

[boba]

Originally posted by LargeSlowTarget
Upon receiving the report from Guadalcanal, Emperor LST chuckles and with an evil grin whispers to himself:
"Well boba, never underestimate the power of the dark beer..."

Dark beer is my favourite It was a very good move at Guadalcanal and I'm delighted that "my team" is in a lead again .
But, price was high to Japanese and when Allied reinforcment start to come in summer... thing will get interesting again!

[strawb]

whoops map went wriong see next post

********
See attached for maps and scores - note the big loss number, largely from that Canal disaster.

Oh yes and we apologise for any problems the maps might cause IJN radio tracking and sub location teams.....
***********

[strawb]

try now

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
04/19/42

Little action this week, an Allied ground attack at Myitkyina has been repulsed with single-sided losses to the attacker. The usual air attacks in the Birma and Papua area continue to yield a favorable exchange rate of 36:97 aircraft lost this week. This includes a number of B-17s in an ill-fated raid from Cloncurry against Lae, where over a hundred IJA fighters are assembled... The only real excitement has been an air raid from PM on one of our convoys at Milne Bay - the dreaded Hudsons sank one DD and one AP. The enemy submarines had no success this week.

Emperor LST is cursing the heat in his palace and wonders whether the reserves of cold beer will last through this summer. 95 degrees Fahrenheit and rising...


*****
04/26/42

Air attacks continue with strong Japanese formations shooting weak Allied CAP out of the skies and weak Allied counterattacks that sometimes manage to plant one or two bomb hits which usually will sink the target... To give the Allies a dose of their own medicine, our air forces in Burma have repeatedly raided Calcutta port and managed to sink 2 DEs and 11 freighters as well as one LSI.
Land action this turn includes the capture of New Georgia and costly Allied ground attacks against Myitkyina, Kohima and Akyab, which were all repulsed by our forces.
Allied naval operations have stepped up again in the Coral Sea, a TF of 5 BBs, 2 CAs, 1 CL, 1 CLAA and 16 DDs has been spotted and attacked by waves of LBA from Rabaul, Lae and Milne Bay. One CA was moderately damaged by a bomb hit and one BB received two torpedo hits, which apparently had little effect.
Enemy submarines heavily damaged CVE Taiyo on convoy escort near Palau, unfortunately this ship could not be saved. Our patrol planes in the home islands sank one enemy sub off Osaka in return.

Emperor LST finds out that the beer supply is running low because the fellow occupants of his palace have helped themselves without permission. The emperor is not amused and is thinking about reinstating capital punishment.

*****
05/03/42

The aerial battle of attrition continues with a score of 38:103 in our favor. Air attacks include raids on Calcutta harbor and convoys in the Gulf of Bengal, sinking three freighters. An Allied air attack from PM against Lae sank another one of our DDs. One DE, one tanker and a large freighter were sunk by enemy submarines.
Patrol planes have spotted an enemy TF containing three carriers in the Coral Sea as well as the battleship force already sighted last week. Despite the enemy presence, light forces managed to capture Rennell Is. C-in-C believes LBA can handle the situation and has decided not to interrupt the upkeep and shore leave activities of Combined Fleet at Truk.

Emperor LST declares that due to the high temperatures dress code inside the palace has been relaxed and that wearing little more than undies is now considered acceptable behavior for the duration.

*****
05/10/42

The usual air attacks have netted 6 freighters off Calcutta and 102 enemy planes destroyed. Our forces lost 46 planes this week from all causes. This includes 18 out of 30 B5N torpedo planes which attacked the enemy carriers in the vicinity of Milne Bay. The unescorted planes obtained but one hit, which left an enemy carrier ablaze. It was last seen retiring towards Espiritu Santo. Our air flotilla at Rabaul added a DD sunk and several hits on a battleship and a heavy cruiser.
Our ground forces continue to mop-up DEI and captured Flores.
Enemy submarines sank three freighters and one tanker in home waters. The enemy submarines start to become more than a nuisance. GHQ ponders over countermeasures.

After having seen the fellow (female) occupants of his palace in undies, Emperor LST takes a cold shower and is thinking about adopting the temporarily relaxed dress code as a new permanent and mandatory code.

[Capt. Harlock]

Interesting game so far--both players have done serious damage to each other. I would say it looks good for Emperor LST so far except for the situation in the India-Burma theatre. The failure to close the "Burma road" could come back to haunt the Japanese later.

And you might want to know that the Allied ground attacks could start doing better very soon. While going over the code, Mika discovered that there is an artificial "monsoon effect" in the Burma area bases. During March, April, and May, attacker readiness is reduced to 25%. (Yes, I know this isn't the actual monsoon season--but it's what is in the game.)

[LargeSlowTarget]

*****
05/17/42

The ground war in Papua has brought us another success - Kokoda fell to our forces and the Aussie 4th division retreated towards PM. Landing forces have captured Bali - now only Tenimbar Is. remains of the former Dutch colonial empire in the Pacific. An Allied ground attack at Myitkyina has been beaten back with little effort, heavy casualties were inflicted on the attackers.
Air attacks on convoys near Calcutta and Port Moresby have sunk a total of seven freighters. Calcutta and PM stockpiles have been repeatedly attacked. The total air losses this week were 45:148 in our favor.
Enemy submarines sank four freighters in home waters, one enemy submarine was sunk by our patrol planes in return.

Emperor LST currently spends more time at the swimming pool than in the war room.

*****
05/24/42

This week has seen the usual heavy air attacks in the Rabaul-Lae-PM triangle and the Rangoon-Calcutta area. Near Calcutta, eleven freighters have been sunk by our brave naval airmen at Rangoon. Army flyboys paid their usual visit to the Calcutta depots. Near Port Moresby, five more freighters were sunk by our planes based at Lae. A special long-range attack force of our naval airforce based at Maloelap Atoll struck a blow against a TF of crippled enemy ships retiring from the South Pacific towards CONUS. A BB and a DD shared ten bomb hits which caused additional damage to these vessels.
Enemy ground attacks against Myitkyina and Hengyang have been stopped cold with heavy losses to the attackers.
Enemy submarines sank two freighters and one tanker in home waters, one enemy sub was sunk in a counterattack.

Emperor LST now realizes how useful a base in the Aleutians would have been - as a summer residence to escapte the stiffling heat.

*****
05/31/42

The heavy air attacks in support of the PM operation continue. The Allied airforce now targets our troops advancing on PM. A bombardment force of seven battleships and several cruisers and destroyers is supporting the enemy garrison of PM and has severely pounded our forces, causing massive disruption.
Air attacks are also going strong in the Birma-India area, eleven more freighters have been sunk by our planes near Calcutta, and depots in Calcutta and Kohima also received a few sticks of bombs. The enemy flew weak attacks from Dacca against Mandalay. The air losses favor the enemy for the first time, 92:71 planes being lost this week.
Our carrier forces are active again and have left Truk to conduct a raid in the Palmyra area. The goal is to intercept a damaged enemy CV spotted by our patrol planes retiring towards the US west coast. The enemy carrier was missed by a few hundred miles, but our carrier pilots found an enemy troop convoy near Palmyra and sank 5 APs.
Enemy submarines sank one DE near Osaka, but lost one of their number to counterattacks.

Emperor LST is planning a sit-in in the fridge if the current weather continues.

*****
06/07/42

The air offensive against PM has been augmented by the activation of a new air base at Wewak. 60 Zero-Sen fighters covering 60 G4M bombers have hit PM airfields, losing eight fighters and eight bombers to CAP and flak while destroying 17 enemy planes in the air and 26 on the ground. Not a brilliant but still a decent score for this debut. More attacks against PM were flown from Lae and Rabaul. Our torpedo planes at Milne Bay sank two APs south of PM.
The enemy continues to strafe and bomb our ground forces advancing on PM with medium bombers and fighters from PM itself and with heavy bombers from Cairns. The heavy naval bombardment force again shelled our troops, but repeated air attacks from Wewak, Lae and Milne Bay have scored several torpedo and bomb hits and left one BB burning. Undaunted, our ground forces launched a probing attack on PM and have identified the Australian 4th division as well as the 11th and 14th brigades. A tough fight is expected.
In the Birma-India area, our air force has sunk five more freighters near Calcutta. Heavy attacks were flown against the enemy air base at Dacca. The overall air losses this week were 130:183.
Our patrol planes have spotted many enemy submarines concentrated in the Coral Sea. It seems the enemy is expecting a fleet action in this area.

Emperor LST finally realizes that the time of easy conquests is over and that further expansion will meet stiff resistance. Nevertheless, he insists that the operations aimed at the Australian beer breweries must be continued.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Well, the war has slowed down due to frequent absence of one or both opponents - work, family and so on...

*****
06/14/42

This week opened with a an attack of four Allied divisions against our lone division at Kohima - which stood firm like a stonewall. Heavy air attacks against PM and Dacca continued. In addition our bombers managed to sink a few freighters off PM and Calcutta. An enemy battleship force off PM was also attacked and the enemy suffered six hits on two different vessels. The enemy struck back from Cairns, sending 55 B-17s to our base at Lae. 110 of our IJA fighters intercepted, shooting down 21 B-17s while losing 28 planes themselves in the air and 14 more on the ground.
Our carrier forces in the Palmyra-Canton area unfortunately failed to locate the retreating enemy carrier. On the way back to Truk, our carriers were engaged by medium bombers based at Canton and two carriers suffered several bomb hits, causing moderate damage.
Air losses from all causes this week are 185:339. Enemy submarines sank two freighters this week.

Emperor LST blames the carrier admiral for failing to provide decent CAP in the vicinity of enemy LBA.

*****
06/21/42

An attack by one British, two Indian and 2 Chinese divisions near Mytkyina has been repulsed with one-sided losses by one of our divisions holding the Burma front.
Port Moresby has been captured against determined but futile resistance, but the Australian 4th Division as well as two Aussie Brigades are refusing surrender. Our airforce continues to bomb the enemy troops hiding in the jungle. Our planes also sank ten freighters off Calcutta and a dozen more in the Coral Sea area. Air losses again have a comfortable margin of 25:158.

Emperor LST is happy that with PM he now owns a stepping stone to the breweries of Northern Australia.

*****
06/28/42

In Burma, our airforce continues to pound enemy troops and facilities. An enemy ground attack at Imphal has been repulsed with heavy losses to the attacker.
Mopping up at PM continues with ground and air attacks. The enemy tried again to interfere with his heavy bomber force and lost another dozen B-17s to our fighters over PM. He also tried to evacuate the remnants of his troops under the cover of a battleship force composed of six BBs (including three from the RN), one CA, one CLAA, two CL and three destroyer divisions, but this move was intercepted by the Main Body of Combined Fleet consisting of nine BBs, two CAs and twelve DDs. In the ensuing brawl, a New Mexico and a Tennessee class battleship as well as a Heemskerck CLAA and a Danae class CL were sunk. On our side, battleship Kirishima was mortally wounded by accurate fire from HMS Warspite. Most other ships of both sides suffered heavy damage.
Follow-up airstrikes from our bases at Lae, PM, Rabaul and Milne Bay the next morning caught crippled CA Portland and a BB of the Colorado class and sank both. Furthermore, three APs of the evacuation force were also sunk and the convoy turned back. Total air losses this week favor the Allies this time - 94:60. Finally, one IJN and one USN submarine have been sunk by air in the Coral Sea.

Emperor LST is elated, but he also reminds his Admirals that they will face more modern battleships soon.

*****
07/05/42

The air campaign in Burma continues as usual. The battle for PM isn't over yet, both sides continue to bomb the opponent's ground troops in the area. In order to destroy some of the dreaded B-17 bombers, Combined Fleet has sent a fast bombardment force of seven CAs, three CLs and 14 DDs from PM to Cairns. The bombardment has destroyed dozens of enemy planes on the ground, but counter-attacks by air damaged several vessels and sank one DD. Air losses from all causes this week were 35:89.

Emperor LST has summoned his war council to review the strategic situation and to decide on the next steps towards victory.

*****
From the Emperor's diary: "I think the strategic situation is not too favorable. Okay, we have captured the Southern Resource Area and the stocks of raw materials and crude oil are ample for the time being (but the enemy submarines are a more than a nuisance already) - but we have failed to close down the CBI theater - our back door -, we were unable to secure the Northern Defense Anchor at Dutch Harbor and we also haven't captured or at least isolated Australia to prevent a counterattack from the South. Furthermore, we have already lost four big carriers while the USN carrier force is intact and will grow even more powerfull. We have also lost four BBs, including Yamato, and the ten enemy BBs we have sunk in return were old and will be replaced with many modern ships soon. On the other hand, our shipyards are well occupied with repairs alone. The Central Pacific (and all other areas) could use more garrison troops, and our fighters lack the punch and durability to keep the heavy bombers at bay. Mmmh, maybe I should start stockpiling more beer for the hard times ahead... and put all blame for eventual setbacks on the folks at GHQ, LOL!"