European Pacific. Durnedwolf vs Me

[Bif1961]

Thanks giving your AAR some personality.

[anarchyintheuk]

Ditto. Always enjoy narratives. They take a lot of time tho.

[Lovejoy]

I like these short narrative entries as well.

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CPT Bufton's ships arrive on target at 0225, opening up on suspected Japanese positions. 178 Casualities are reported, no AF hits. Gen Pervieal was upset about this. Two Fighter groups are ordered to sweep the hex for enemy fighters. If none bomber may fly the next day. CPT Bufton is ordered to bombard again, he is also told that 3 more heavy cruisers will arrive tomorrow and will join his TF.

American bombers attack the 7th ACEH ID at Padang. Members of the 2VI.G.IV provide fighter escort for the bombers. Oscars try and attack the American bombers. The Dutch fighters engage the 8 Oscars trying to keep them away from the bombers. It was a quick fight, all the bombers drop their bombs unharmed, one Dutch fighter is shot down for 4 Oscars. LTC Van Roalofen CO of Padang watched the fur ball happen from outside his bunker. He ordered an increase in the bases fortifications (2 and 27% to 3). Gen Ter Poorten was happy to hear that Padang had 7700 tons of supplies stockpiled. He was briefed that Java had 120k tons of supplies on hand with another 34k being unloaded at port now, and 20k more 3 days out to sea. It has also been estimated that 150k tons of oil and 200k tons of fuel has been shipped to Java or Darwin, with more on its way. Soldiers or the 53rd USArmy Inf Rgt and the 159th Motorized Inf Rgt have boarded ships at Townsville and were told today that they were shipping out to Java.

FO Ching flying at 12k feet above Luichow calls out the first air raid of the day. It's only his 5th mission after graduating from flight school. He dives on the formation leaving his wingman and section leader Lt Ming behind. Ching concentrates on the lead bomber ands lets loose of a long machine gun burst from his Hawk fighter. The port wing of the Ida rips apart, Ching ecstatically calls out his first kill. Section leader Ming catches up to Ching he shoots down the bomber. Ming calmly lets one small and one medium burst of machine gun bullets tear into another Ida bomber, this was Mings 5th kill of the war. Making him the only Chinese ACE. Ming expertly sets his sights on another Ida and shoots it down claiming his 6th kill. FO Jang sitting in his plane hears the air warning sirens and jumps into action. He guns the engine on his Vanguard and raises into the sky to meet the Sally bombers. He attacks a Sally from underneath sending bullets into the cabing killing botht he pilot and co-pilot, this was his 5th kill of the war also, Now China has 2 ACEs.

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LGen Fu looks over the map of his Chinese sector. Pondering his next moves. He looks outside at the troops drilling in the distance. A few weeks ago they were green troops, now they are turning into veterans, soon they will be combat hardened troops. He is happy how they have fought against the Japanese troops. He wonder's how long they can hold out. Everyday, every bombardment and battle won by his troops makes them stronger.

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Gen MacArthur takes a puff off of his corncob pipe. His mind racing about the new intel he has received. Todays recon has spotted 16 units north of Clark AF. This is up from several days ago. His Philippine troops aren't ready yet.

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Gen Percival looks up from the 1st green of the Singapore country club as 15 Whirlwinds, and 25 P-40Es fighters take off to sweep Johoro Bahru. The Allied fighters are greeted by 30 Oscars, 11 Zero's, and 9 HE 110's. Gen Percival had begun his forward swing on his put on the 17th green, when CPT Carey Mahoney did a fly by, gunning his throttle as he was above the course and performing a barrel roll. The put wen straight off past to cup, as an angry Gen ordered Air Marshall Williams to get that airman's name. AM Williams was counting the planes, he counted 11 Whirlwinds, and 21 P-40Es. Unbenost to Percival, CPT Mahoney had just shot down 2 enemy fighters, brining his count to 16 the leading American ace of the war. Later intel reports state that 23 Oscars, 2 Zero's, and 8 Me 100's were shot down, along with 330 KIA's from CPT Bufton's nightly bombardments.

MacArthur smiles as he reads an "EYES ONLY MESSAGE" from the ABDA commander. The rest of the briefing was lost on him.

CPT Reed celebrates his 5th kill at Tuyun. The 3rd AVG shoot down 5 German Condor bombers today. Fighters over Liuchow rise up and greet Japanese bombers again, they shoot down 5 Sallys, and 1 Ida. Gen Fu is woken up by a massive enemy bombardment and then a deliberate attack by hostile forces. As the battle waxed and wained Fu was worried that his troops might break under the pressure as they have in the past. This was not the case, they stood their ground and repulsed the attack. Gen Fu called for reinforcements from other areas. Troops are on the way, but it will take days to weeks to get them into position. Can they hold, until reinforcement's arrive?

No.9 squadron has been ordered to perform search and rescue operations between Portland Roads and Horn Island, the tanker Sunchaser was sunk by a Japanese submarine. AM Wollongong tangles with I-8 again, neither side are able to score a hit.

Gen Wainwirght sends of his daily report to Pearl. More bombings, several Seagulls were damanged the other day 3 Seagulls were found still in their creates in a warehouse. They have been opened up and are being assembled.

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Dear Diary

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5th, Feb 42

CPT Bufton's TF 134 sails up to Johore Bahru and lets loose another night bombardment. Watching from his bridge of the cruiser Surrey, as several waves of enemy bombers attacks his TF. Allied fighter do what they can, even shooting down 3 fighters with ship flak downing another 2 or so. The night turns to daylight for several minutes as the ships open up on the AF and Japanese troops inland. Bufton was very happy when he read the recon reports later that day, 730 KIA's and 46 runway hits with damaged AC numbering around 15.

AAA gunners at Clark AF, Guam, and several Chinese bases get to fire their guns.

Two Japanese infantry Divisions cross the river above Pegu. The Jap broke through the only line of resistance in the area. All allied units retreated back to Pegu. Intel officers thinks that one of the Jap ID's got chewed up pretty good. Several younger officers wants to take all the AFV's and the Indian ID at Pegu up and attack the 2 Jap divisions. The 44th Indian BDE took the brunt of the attack, the remnants will be withdrawn to India to be rebuilt.

Padang is assaulted by Italian and ACEH troops. Dutch forces repulse the attack but at a heavy toll. LTC Van Roelafsen wonders if they can withstand another attack.

CPT O'Neil of TF 139, has been ordered to investigate Japanese ships sighted at Attu Island. Ten ships are reported there and all 10 are reported to be CL's. This small SAG of 2 CL's and 4 DDs will set sail at the earliest possible time.

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Your daily news!!!!

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8th Feb 42

Gen MacArthur watched from his bunker as the first wave of Betties can under attack. A big smile crept over his face as the first Betty slammed into the jungle. He counted 28 Betties shot down with no allied losses. Cpt Wagner shoots down his 15th and 16th planes, 5 other pilots become aces today. He got word that a TF was at Laoag, could this be the 46th Inf Divison intel has reported moving to Laoag. Cpt Riker of the Houston starts the mission brief for the other 3 ship captains. Their destination is Laoag. Ten ships have been sighted there. Expectations are a night hit and run. Threat from Japanese combat vessels and bombers is considered low.

MGen Smyth is awoken out of his sleep as the 1st and 2nd RTA Inf Divisions attack Pegu. No one saw them coming, but they were ready. The 1st RTA Division was almost wiped out. He looks across the battlefield and see's around 1,800 Thai's casualties, over 256 inf squads destroyed or damaged. There is movement from the 2 Jap divisions up north, it appears they are heading south to Pegu. Gen Smyth is prepping his troops for the coming battles. Chinese bombers attack the 55th and 33rd Inf Divisions moving south to Pegu. Recon has spotted a ship in Moulmeins port, this could be the sub that took 11 hits yesterday. No 62 squadron are tasked with bombing the port of Moulmein tomorrow.

Reports are coming out of Ninagsia, that the Japanese 1st Cav BDE was destroyed. Peasants are saying that another Jap unit is moving towards Ninagsia. Four Japanese units have marched into Chengchow. Gen Hu send out an urgent message for reinforcements. He is told that 450 AV is moving towards Chengchow. They are not going to arrive for several days.

A big sigh of relief came from the soldiers and sailors around Umnak Island. No action noted, Nav Search did note that their could be a CV in the area.

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10th, Feb 42

Gen Percival ordered another sweep on Feb 8th, P40Es and Whirlwind fighters took off for Johore Bahru. Lt Morgan called for help with a Zero on his tail. Lt Hunter hearing his call for help screams head on towards Morgan and the Zero. Morgan breaks hard left giving Hunter a clean shot at the Zero, downing it in a long burst, unfortunately Hunter flies thru the wreckage of the Zero. Lt Hunter was last seen underchute drifting towards the jungle. Lt Mahoney was able to down yet another Oscar that day, bringing his total kills to 17. Three P-40s and 1 Whirlwind, 6 Oscars, 5 Nates, 2 BF 109's, and 2 Zeros would not be retuning home that day. Lt Smith flying his recon plane sighted 39 Japanese units moving towards Singapore. Percival looked around at his fortifications, (3 and 95% to 4), he hoped it would help his troops (1126 AV). Nightly naval bombardments have been doing very little recently. Mid afternoon on the 10th, air warning sirens went off all around Singapore. Fighters scrambled as fast as they could to meet the Oscars sweeping at 33k feet. Shortly after the Oscars are dealt with Bettys are seen on the horizon. The Bettys try and attack a cruiser, but only one of them make it through. In all 12 Oscars and 10 Bettys are lost. I have a bad feeling that Singers will fall on the first attack. I want to pull back my fighters.

Question before I have to leave. The Burma road is closed, but the 2 units who closed it has entered a hex that I own. If I come behind them with my own units and flip the hexs into my control, due I open up the Burma road?

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10th, Feb 42 Cont.

Chinese bombers flew and struck the 55th and 33rd Jap divisions at Pegu. LRCAP caught 4 of them before they could drop their bombs and head towards home. Blenheims I bomb Moulmeims port and sink the sub hiding in it. Half of those bombers are lost. Japanese and Thai units attack on morning of the 10th, the attack is repulsed easily by the allied units. Several Burmese units took the brunt of the attack, but they hold the line against overwhelming casualties. Almost 1,200 Axis troops are killed, 147 inf squads are disabled/destroyed compared to 334 KIA 45 disabled and 16 vehicles disabled.


Gen MacArthur was confidently into the room full of reports, he is grinning from ear to ear. Yesterday, I planned and ordered my ships to go and attack an amphibious TF. They attacked this morning, in what is the greatest naval victory of the war for us. My ships sunk 2 Japanese ships, left 5 with heavy fires/damage and 3 other on fire. We have 2 ships with moderate damage, one with light damage and one with a small dent in the side. I have brought you 2 victories in the past few days, I plan on bringing more in the coming months.



Its kinda hard to keep up the story line, I find myself going back to the bullet statements of the past. Sorry for that.

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13th, Feb 42

On the 11th of Feb CPT Bufton's bombardment TF hits Johore Bahru. The ships open up and plaster the AF with 20 shells, destroying several bombers, and damaging at least a dozen more. Recon showed that over 350 souls were taken that night. That same night, TF 253 bombards Moulmein and kills 105. Gen MacArthur was in a good mode until bombers showed up over Clark and Manila's AFs. Moderate damage was reported at Manila, and Clark's is still closed.

LTC Van Roalofen watched as his KNIL troops fought bravely against a numerically superior Italian and ACEH force. This was the third attack on Padang. KNIL soldiers ran out of AP rounds for their 47mm anti tank guns. The Italian tankettes start to roll across the Dutch defenses. LTC Roalofen walked to the front lines with the 3rd KNIL rgt. He picked up a rifle from a fallen soldier and joined his soldiers in a fight to the death. The 3rd KNIL rgt fought to the last man, only a handful of men from two Dutch units escaped into the jungle.

LCDR Morgan CO of DD Encounter was shocked to hear his look outs yell torpedo's in the water. Both torpedo's missed their mark, word went out quickly that mini subs are in the area. Before word reached Singapore 3 different explosions were heard in the mine field outside the harbor. CPT Bufton was shocked for the second time in one night, his look out's spotted barges, all 12 was sunk quickly. Bombers attack the TF just before they reach their destination. Fighters try and intercept the bombers, but these fighters are not night fighters. Several medium bombers are destroyed by fighters and by ship flak. Just under 100 causalities are reported from the bombardments, while at Moulmein 200 causalities are reported. SSX 26 is able to hit a small xAP in Singapore's harbor, the xAP is damaged but will survive. Minutes after the xAP Hong Kong is hit by a torpedo, and explosion is noted close by from the mine field. The crew of the PG Rousseau hit I-166 3 times near Palembang, and KV gets 3 hits on another sub near Sydney.

MacArthur send out his daily report on the 11th of Feb, more fighters are noted than before. Just as before bombers hit Clark's and Manila's AFs. Gen Wainwright's reports mentions half of each bombing raid is damaged by AA. Float planes attack a Jap DD on an ASW patrol, but all bombs miss. Chaing Kai Shek reports daily bombings around China. Chaing was happy to report that the 4th Mixed BDE was route by 2 of his Corps near Nanning.

BGEN Farwell was shocked when the Japanese and Thai forces attacked again. The 1st and 2nd RTA division is reported to be trashed along with the 33rd Japanese division the 55th is reported at half strength. Intercepted casualty reports from the Thai units mentions, 672 killed with 94 inf squads disabled. Farwell reports to his superiors that he only suffered 113, KIA's 11 inf disabled and 24 vehicles destroyed/damaged. The 43rd Cav took the brunt of the attack CPT Richhpal Ram was put in for the Victoria Cross, he had 3 tankettes shot out from under him, despite being grievously wounded he stayed calm and kept his men in the fight repulsing the main attack from the 2nd RTA division.

Wainwright's Feb. 13th's report mentions that 3 US subs encounters the Jap DD on ASW, 3 Jap SSX tries to penetrate the mine field and is reported sunk. AA is still damaging half the attacking bombers. He request more subs to run supply missions. Supply is 42k and falling.

TF 253 bombards Moulmein again inflicting 50 deaths. Civilians in Prome report that Japanese bombers bombed them. No Allied troops are in the area.

Gen Kung reports to Chain Kai Shek, that Axis forces attacked on the 13th. They had been expecting an attack and was ready for them. Attacked to his report is the causality report below.

[BBfanboy]

And where was that Japanese attack in the combat report taking place?

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BBFanboy: I guess I forgot to put Tsaiotaso, China

Forts were 4 and now they are 2. My little newspaper thing doesn't give me a lot of space to write in. I am afraid that if Wolf attacks again I will lose the base. My Indian Divison are in decent shape one has 337 AV the other 294 (some disablements) and the French BDE has 123 AV, I have a total of 823 AV in the Hex. I am thinking of pulling out all my planes. What do you all think? combat report is in the next post. Will post more on this later.

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Report

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16th, Feb 42

Deep in a smoke filled bunker on Singapore, Gen Percival orders all ships that can leave to set sail, all planes to fly to closest bases. CPT Bufton is ordered to bombard Japanese positions on Singapore along with another TF made up of 2 French BC's. They are ordered to head south to escape the anticipated bombings that will come during the day. After some pointers both TFs arm their weapons and cut loose for a mad minute. Over 600 Japanese are killed in the island shaking bombardment. Before heading south all ship rearmed [:)] and moved out. CPT Williams of the CB Imperieus watched as 3 60kg bomb struck his ship, in 2 days he will be able to get his baby out of dry dock. He knows he is a sitting duck and prays for bad weather. Everyone expected another all out attack by the Japs. Forts raised by 12% and 20 AV was recovered. Several units left by boat and 2 are being flown out that were not needed or was to badly mauled to contribute to the defense of Singapore.

Up north at Pegu Gen Farewell watched as bombers attacked his troop unmolested killing 170. He called for some fighters. After a long Arse chewing of yours truly fighter, were transferred to Pegu. Just like Singapore a few bombers damaged and a couple destroyed.

Gen MacArthur read his evening reports about Clark AF and Manila's AF being bombed again. Gen Wainright sent a report to Pearl stating Guam was attacked by air and sea. Half the bombers are damaged and the SSX that tried to sneak into the harbor struck a mine.


I didn't think Wolf would do another shock attack at Singapore, but couldn't rule it out. I was scared that it would of finished Singapore off and all the planes there. I'm not the best at the ground game. Anyone got any comments or thoughts?

[BBfanboy]

The writing is on the wall - despite a larger number of total casualties, the IJA suffered fewer destroyed combat squads than you and their disabled squads can recover. Even worse, he now has a river crossing hex side that he can use to bring in more troops without a shock attack.

He will likely pause for a day or two and then SA again. Fly out cadres now!

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BBfanboy: You are right. I have already got cadres out of what I want to keep and rebuild. I am glad I flew out my planes. It was hard to do that with a perfectly operating runway and facilities. I am thinking Singapore will fall on the next attack

The date is really the 16th of Feb 42

Chiang Kai Shek received in his daily briefing that the Japs bombed several bases with minimal loses, the worrisome report is that several Jap units have showed up at Kunming. No intel or sighting of these units have been noted. Reinforcments will move to this base ASAP.

Several ASW forces attacks subs around the Pacific. Most notably the French KVs near Sydney land 3 hits on I-8.

Gen Shilling commanding officer of Java, is alerted that the 1st Para Division had dropped on Djambi and captured it. He immediately orders all bombers to attack the oil fields. He is also told that all the survivors of Padang have been killed. Intel officers are telling him that Italian and ACEH forces are moving on Palembang.

Gen Farwell watched as the cruisers opened fire on the Japanese positions. He was told that spotters counted around a 124 KIA's. He was shaving when the air raid siren started to go off. As he was entering the bunker he saw P39s, and Hurricane fighters scream into the air. Lt Hague and Landry flying P39s sighted Nate fighters approaching, they jump on the Nates. Hague downs one on his first pass, but Landry was able to get 2 with is first pass. Both pilots will eventually shoot down 4 planes each giving them both double aces. Lt Farmer also claims 4 kills on the day giving him a tally of 12 kills. AM Stevenson is told that the Japanese loses were 23 Sallys lost to A2A and 4 flak, 12 BF 109's, 11 Ann's, 5 Nate's, 3 Ro 57's, to only 4 Hurricanes, but several Hurri's and P39s are damaged.

CPT Bufton's TFs bombarded the Japanese positions on Singapore Island. Observers from the Allied side conted around 350 casualities. Buftons forces reloaded before they headed south for the day, he vowed he'd be back again during the night.

Lieutenant Adnan Saidi, the commanding officer of the adhoc Indian, Malaysian force, tasked with holding Bukit Chandu, was checking on his men when the second attack on Singapore started. His make shift battalion was attacked by the 3 Thai inf div, and the 2nd Thai inf rgt. Saidi ran from position to position issuing order and calming his men down. Several hours later Adnan stopped and took a look around him as the battle had ended. His battalion was ruined, but they held the line, infront of them lay the decimated 2nd Thai rgt, the 3 Thai divison is shattered with a little more than a battalion worth of infantry soldiers left to fight. A wounded Saidi sent a runner back to HQ for replacements, he watched as a few cooks and clerks marched to his positions. Spotters see the 1st Tank division and the 4th tank rgt moving towards the AF, the two small AFV units move to intercept it with the 2nd Loyal Bn. The 9th Indian Div was moved in to stop the advancement of the 1st Tank division after it destroyed the 2 Indian AFV units. Gen Moore surveyed the leveled city in front him. He was saddened by the number of Daimlers and Marmon Herrington's smoking, the one good thing he can take away from this battle is that the 4th tank rgt is done for a long time and the 1st tank division is hurting. Percival listens to the casualty reports carefully. The 2 Indian divisons and French BDE are in decent shape, but the other combat units are pretty much done for. Intercepted Japanese cables report that the 50th divison is down to 50 combat squands, the Imperial Guards is down to 126 combat squads, a several other divisions are almost as bad as the Imperial Guards division.

Percivial watched as Imperieus was struck by 3 more bombs, he thinks 2 more days and she will be able to sail south to safety. He knows atleast one Jap subs is patrolling south of Singapore. ASW TFs have encountered I-166 several times in the past few days.