From Here to Eternity 1275psi (J) vs Cantona2 (A)

[cantona2]

SitRep continued

Further to the West a large force of Japanese ships has been holding station off Groot Natoena for two days now. RAF and KNIL search planes have pinpointed the location of the enemy ships that include large surface units as well as landing ships and transports. This could be the main Borneo attack force, the landings on Miri have not yet been followed up on, or the main thrust into the DEI. Dutch submarines yester sunk the large Buenos Aires Maru transport and radio intercepts confirmed that rescue efforts for men in the water were being carried out. Two more boats are converging on the position that lies tantalizingly just out of the range of torpedo bombers at Singapore.

Singapore itself saw its first major action in its skies. Three seperate sweeps by A6M2s and Ki-43s saw them mauling the RAF fighter squadrons tasked with CAP missions. Though 15 enemy fighters were shot down the sheer mass of enemy aircraft (100+) saw at least 30 RAF planes shot down.

[cantona2]

Sit Rep 22nd December 1941

The mass of Japanese shipping observed off Groot Natoena finally moved off in a South Westerly heading and hit the Borneo coast off Singkawang. Search planes began sounding off contact reports since first light as the seas of Borneo and to the south east of Singapore was awash with Japanese hardware. Three major incidents were reported by the end of the day:

1) Crusier led Task Force sinks the minelayer Kung Wo and its attendant minesweeper escorts (Ballarat and Toowoomba). The latter were returning to Singapore after laying a field at Kuching.

2) Blenheims and Swordfish from Singapore hit Japanese shipping off Singkawang with little success. There was only one reported bomb hit on a Kongo Class battleship but little else.

3) Dutch submarines continue to shadow a mass of transport ships, no doubt the invasion force. If these maintain their course they should be in range of Singapore's bombers tomorrow.

Japanese air power in Malaya carried out heavy air raids over Singapore that targetted the various aerodromes. Despite the loss of 6 Buffaloes on the ground and extensive damage, the fields remained open for limited air strikes. Engineering and support units have been put to the task of reapiring the damage to ensure operational continuity.

[cantona2]

Invasion of Borneo - 23rd December 1941

Japanese forces made landfall just before dawn on the 23rd December in the outskirts of Singkawang, Borneo. A heavy shore bombardment preceeded the landing with light cruisers and destroyers doing a great job of suppressing the defensive guns of the Dutch troops manning the beachline. Small craft were seen ferrying a large amount of enemy troops and guns and despite some return fire, to little effect, they had established a small beach head by noon.

The first allied planes appeared over the invasion force with the sun at its apex. The 139WH-3's of 2-VI.G.III based at Palembang took the first pot shots at the Japanese ships but with little effect. Bombs bracketed the heavy cruiser Atagao and the battleship Kongo to little effect. A small flight of Hudsons from No.1 RAAF Squadron also out of Palembang also failed to strike at the Kongo. 10 minutes later Blenheims and Hudsons (No.60 RAF Squadron and No.8 RAAF Squadron) from Johore Baru went in straight for the transports and almost wave height. Depsite braving intesive flak from the battleship Haruna, they scored no hits and many planes returned to base with extensive damage. A third strike was comprised of a pair of Swordfish bombers out of Singapore. Its aerodromes were socked in with a tremendous tropical storm meaning that there was little in terms of coordination as the weather wrecked havoc. That said the Swordfish scored the only Allied hit on enemy ships as one 500lb bomb was seen to hit and set a medium sized transport ship alight.

It was frankly a poor effort considering the lack of covering fighters. There was one bomb hit for a total 28 sorties over Singkawang. Initial recon and radio intercepts ahve identified the enemy's 22nd Air Flotilla as the main HQ covering the landings and a large number of AA guns have been put ashore by the enemy. Another large effort is being planned by ABDA Command tomorrow with the weather forecast in Singapore auguring a better day than today.

[RangerJoe]

OUCH!

[cantona2]

24th December 1941

Singkawang fell on Christmas Eve to an overwhelming attack. Air attacks were once again ineffective with bombers being drawn to the capital ships like moths to a flame. Once again however, it was Singapore's Swordfish that managed the only bomb hit with a second transport exploding following a 500lb bomb hit.

Further afield the Japanese submarine arm is beginning to make itself felt in this war. Though 3 enemy boats have been confirmed sunk by enemy action several groups have been active around choke points and major ports. A pack of at least 4 boats are active off Batavia and Soreabaja. Further units have been spotted and engaged off San Francisco and Los Angeles. Another pair of Submarines are also active off Brisbane and Sydney with the former scoring early on Christmas Eve by sinking the recently converted AKE Liberty Glo. Despite a RAN escort it was sunk by one torpedo hit that caused its cargo of ammunition to go sky high. SS Liberty Glo was embarking straight from the dry docks at Brisbane enroute to Noumea to support operations there.

Submarine warfare is one aspect of the game I thoroughly enjoy. In our last game I drove Herb to despair and he coined the phrase 'bukkas' often when referring to the Silent Service. I think I sank at least 6 carriers with subs in that game. As such this is the one weapon the Allies can deploy early and enmasse despite the dud rate. Though S-Boats and Dutch subs have working fish, US fleet boats provide intel on ship movements, convoy routes and utlimately keep the Jap player honest as 20% of the time those damn duds explode. These are my current dispositons:

Marshall Islands - 3 Boats
Caroline Islands - 2 Boats
Marianna Islands - 2 Boats
Formosa Straits - 12 Boats
Yellow/East China Sea - 6 Boats
Home Islands - 4 Boats
South China Sea - 4 Boats

These do not include S-Boats and Dutch subs directly attacking Japanese ships in the front line of operations.

Deployment of known Japanese Submarines 24-12-1941

[cantona2]

Off Pearl Harbour a large armada of ships was crawling its way out of the anchorage. Venerable ladies of the fleet that leaked oil, had compartments full of water and still wore the blackened marks of the 'Day of Infamy'. They sailed enshrined in a cloak of steel and under an aerial umbrella tasked with sweeping the seas of any undersea menace.

The battleships Maryland, Tennessee and West Virginia had been deemed sea worthy enough to leave Pearl Harbour and make for the extensive ship repair facilities available on the West Coast. Escorted by a large number of destroyers and the USS Salt Lake City and in the caring arms of the repair ship Vestal, they make their way slowly East by North East. Day one of a delicate and perilous operation as the USN strives to get its big gun ships back into the fight.

[BBfanboy]

I don't have much confidence in Maryland's chances. With Flotation damage that high, System damage should have been reduced to zero before she left port. There is no hurry to get these old ships back in action. They need AA upgrades and air cover before they can serve in the front lines (usually on bombardment duty). It will take at least eight months before you get anywhere near the superiority you need to use them.

[RangerJoe]

Three sub attacks is all that it takes. With that much damage, even 1 torpedo can be fatal.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I don't have much confidence in Maryland's chances. With Flotation damage that high, System damage should have been reduced to zero before she left port. There is no hurry to get these old ships back in action. They need AA upgrades and air cover before they can serve in the front lines (usually on bombardment duty). It will take at least eight months before you get anywhere near the superiority you need to use them.

I disagree.

I have moved BBs damaged at Pearl on the first day with flotation damage in the 60s many times with no problems.
As General Patton pointed out in another thread, system damage can be repaired at sea and by moving at cruise speed that outcome is almost guaranteed. I see system damage dropping during the trip, and not contributing to increased flotation damage.
If he does get the flash message that temporary flotation measures are failing, it likely won't result in more than a few points of damage increase. The only thing that should stop those ships from making port on the WC is intervention from the enemy.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I don't have much confidence in Maryland's chances. With Flotation damage that high, System damage should have been reduced to zero before she left port. There is no hurry to get these old ships back in action. They need AA upgrades and air cover before they can serve in the front lines (usually on bombardment duty). It will take at least eight months before you get anywhere near the superiority you need to use them.

I disagree.

I have moved BBs damaged at Pearl on the first day with flotation damage in the 60s many times with no problems.
As General Patton pointed out in another thread, system damage can be repaired at sea and by moving at cruise speed that outcome is almost guaranteed. I see system damage dropping during the trip, and not contributing to increased flotation damage.
If he does get the flash message that temporary flotation measures are failing, it likely won't result in more than a few points of damage increase. The only thing that should stop those ships from making port on the WC is intervention from the enemy.

The ships have already pumped out their minor float damage so that will not improve.

Since the last official patch changed, I have not seen any ship repair a point of system damage while at sea. I monitor most TFs every turn. I will be quite happy if it does occur, but I can't say I have seen it.

I have lost a lot of ships that I had to move from exposed ports while they had float damage over 50 + system damage over 30. The repair ship cannot help at sea AFAIK - the ship at risk must be disbanded in the same port as the AR. Alfred clarified that accompanying ships can help fight fires at sea but cannot help with any other damage control.

That said, I will be happy if you are right - I just haven't seen that kind of luck on such a long journey without any enroute ports to duck into.

[cantona2]

I appreciate the comments Gents. You all make vaild points but I like to play my games almost like a role play or even story driven. I have moved heavy damaged units from PH and points beyond to the West Coast and had them arrive safely and then I have also have had them flounder. My most resounding success was the Wasp, damaged at a battle for Tarawa by torpedoes and limped into PH with these stats. Fingers crossed these ships also share a similar fate!

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I don't have much confidence in Maryland's chances. With Flotation damage that high, System damage should have been reduced to zero before she left port. There is no hurry to get these old ships back in action. They need AA upgrades and air cover before they can serve in the front lines (usually on bombardment duty). It will take at least eight months before you get anywhere near the superiority you need to use them.

I disagree.

I have moved BBs damaged at Pearl on the first day with flotation damage in the 60s many times with no problems.
As General Patton pointed out in another thread, system damage can be repaired at sea and by moving at cruise speed that outcome is almost guaranteed. I see system damage dropping during the trip, and not contributing to increased flotation damage.
If he does get the flash message that temporary flotation measures are failing, it likely won't result in more than a few points of damage increase. The only thing that should stop those ships from making port on the WC is intervention from the enemy.

Yeah, these are allied ships. Now IJN … yeah 50/50 odds at best, but allied should make it ...

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

I appreciate the comments Gents. You all make vaild points but I like to play my games almost like a role play or even story driven. I have moved heavy damaged units from PH and points beyond to the West Coast and had them arrive safely and then I have also have had them flounder. My most resounding success was the Wasp, damaged at a battle for Tarawa by torpedoes and limped into PH with these stats. Fingers crossed these ships also share a similar fate!

I would just add a separate ASW TF trailing your wounded fleet with distance set to 0 and the max react set to 3 or 4. Often this TF will circle around the wounded TF and keep the SS at 2 hex distance ...

[cantona2]

Christmas Day 1941

Not a day full of Goodwill to all men as the war continues to spread across the Pacific.

Singapore saw vicious air battles that raged all day. Ki-21s and Ki-43s tussled with Buffaloes and today the RAF batted hard and defended their wicket well. 25+ enemy planes were reported shot down for 7 own losses as the JAAF tried very hard to close Singapore's aerodromes. Singkawang and its environs is still awash with Japanese shipping and is providing a target rich environment. One, however, that will soon have substantial protection. Recon suggests a massive influx of Japanese planes at the base with A6M2's orginating from Borneo swept Palembang early on Christmas morning.

However, the British planes were eager to share the gifts left for them under the tree. Swordfish out of Singapore were vectored in to a convoy steaming North West from Singkawang and off Terempa. 4 fish carried, 4 fish hitting one unlicky transport. Oh for a weightier target!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Terempa at 56,84

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 4

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Zinzan Maru, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo



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The most important gifts, however, on this Christmas Day were these two nuggest mined by Commander Rochefort's intelligence section:

6/33rd Division is planning for an attack on Rangoon
3/33rd Division is loaded on xAP Kanzyu Maru moving to Cam Ranh Bay
8/144th Infantry Regiment is loaded on a Yusen A Cargo class xAK moving to Bangkok

That the 33rd is ready to invade Burma is no surprise but the presence of the 144th Regiment in the Indian theatre has made me think about Herb's intentions in the South Pacific and any strategic shift he has in mind. I have submarine assets in place off Bangkok and a pair of boats patrolling the Cam Ranh Bay/Saigon area.

[cantona2]

28th December 1941

The South China Sea between the coasts of Sumatra and Borneo has come alive with the presence of the major units of the IJN. Search planes at first light began to fire back paniced reports of enemy aircraft carriers and battleships spread across the sea. Fighter planes bearing tail markings last seen over the attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbour were spotted chasing search planes and later intercepting an attacking trio of Hudsons. As the day progressed the Allied airmen were grateful for the dreadful weather that allowed their bulky search planes many opportunities to hide in the vast cloud banks bracketing the sky. Likewise, it seemed the weather had closed down the enemy decks as though the odd torpedo bomber and vic of Zeroes were seen, there was little else aloft.

The enemy's heading was determined as being WSW with a large transport convoy also spotted late in the afternoon following the main combat ships. All Allied planes and shipping have been put into high alert and a maximum effort has been ordered for tomorrow with the High Command fully aware it may well be a one way mission.

What are the Japs upto? Thier full carrier strength in these waters and the presence of the 144th Infantry Regiment heading to Burma augurs a quick assault on the DEIs and perhaps a strong move Northwards. Thankfully the 18th Infantry Divison has just finished unloading at Bombay, a seemingly well timed arrival!

Sighting Reports 28-12-41

1) Main Carrier Force
2) CAs and DDs - heading West
3) DDs and Av heading South West
4) Transports and escorts heading South West
5) APDs heading West

[cantona2]

29th December 1941

A might hammer descends on Palembang and it is clear that the Sumatran oil fields are a high priority target for the Japanese. Further from yesterdays sightings, the IJN showed its strength by sending a powerful cruiser force into the delta of the Musi River and immedieately began engaing shipping there. First it was two damaged light transports that were sekking shelter by hugging the coast. Suffice to say both ships were soon dispatched. Secondly a trio of PT Boats engaged the cruisers as they skulked further up the coast but depsite launching thier torpedoes from an advantageous position they scored no hits. A force of minesweepers that was following the cruisers literally bumped into the retreating PTs and were able to sink one of them.

The weather, however, was on the Allied side as once again the decks of the enemy carriers remained closed with no offenisve sorties flown. Indeed the weather seemed to be playing foul with the enemy's plans as a large enemy raid plastered Praboemoelih, a largely empty settlement to the South West of Palembang city (I do think Herb misclicked here as 65 IJAAF bombers attacked this location).

Singapore, however was basking in clear weather and its birds were free to fly. Fly they did but the conditions prohibited most planes from locating targets. One flight from No. 36 Squadron flying the obsolete but sturdy Vildebeeest did however find a target for their torpedoes.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lingga at 52,88

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Vildebeest III x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Suwa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

[cantona2]

The weather began to break around midday as the squalls began to move towards the North East bringing calmer seas and less blustery conditions off Toboali. The Japanese admiral seized his opportunity and launched his planes into the air and it was a short hop to Batavia where Java saw it first sight of enemy aircraft.

60 A6M2s escorted a mixed raid of B5N2s and D3A1s targetting shipping around Batavia. The first to receive the attention of the Japanese bombers was the USN Pope that was soon hit by 3 250kg bombs. A small coastal tanker was sunk following one torpedo hit and there was little much to report. This has to be credited to the Brewsters of 1-VI.G.V that engaged the escorting fighters allowing their comrades of 2-VI.G.V a free run against the bombers. The former lost 2 aircraft to the Zeroes while the latter scored two kills among the bombers damaging a fair number of them. 2Lt Van Dyke the toast of Batavia having been credited with both enemy planes that were shot down.

[Bif1961]

I believe the 144th Infantry RGT is a missing RGT to a division that typically is sent to Burma so it appears he wants to rebuild that division in Burma and may use the 4th Infantry and buy out a Home Island Bde or two to fill the void left by the 144th leaving central-south pac.

[cantona2]

Thanks for the input Bif. 4th Infantry on those transports heading to Palembang according to last turn's SIGINT.

[cantona2]

31st December 1941

The last day of the year brings little in terms of news other than the Japanese carrier force moves South West into the Java Sea proper. Search planes are braving the CAP over the enemy fleets as they shadow through the day, dipping in and out of the weather fronts currently holding onto the area. Fatigue levels are rising but a maximum effort has been called as a night time strike by veteran Swordfish flyers out of Batavia has been ordered for New Yea's Eve, maybe a firework show is in order.

1) Main KB force escorted by battleships and heavy cruisers.
2) Late sighting in the day and report from pilots indicate two more carriers, maybe lighter units.