The Storm Will Consume Us.....

[RangerJoe]

It is too late now to do it but if someone concentrates on sinking the Thundering Herd from the Philippines, then keep them in port as long as there is some CAP and AAA protection. Send out subs to interfere and possibly lay minefields. Then, send the ships singly with a safer routing, disbanding at small ports at the end of of a night move, and possibly go east to Midway. Many small TFs and some may escape.

[rook749]

It is too late now to do it but if someone concentrates on sinking the Thundering Herd from the Philippines, then keep them in port as long as there is some CAP and AAA protection."

Not a bad idea to keep in mind at all..

Send out subs to interfere and possibly lay minefields.

Both are being done, I used the damaged subs to lay mines as they ran away and the rest to hunt for the BBs, BCs and CVL. No Luck but I still think it was worth the effort.

Then, send the ships singly with a safer routing, disbanding at small ports at the end of of a night move, and possibly go east to Midway. Many small TFs and some may escape.

Most are single-ship task forces, some north of Boreno, some south of Boreno, and some towards the west coast.

[rook749]

Singapore

He slipped by Force Z and landed her Malacca. He will get Singapore faster than any of my other PBEM opponents, which was expected as (1) He is a Better Player than my previous opponents (2) It is his Mod which he knows better than I ever will, (3) He starts with more toys, and (4) is far more aggressive.

I have a surprise at Mersing, but not sure if I can get it there in time...

Intel Reports

114th Infantry Regiment is loaded on a Kyushu Cargo class xAK moving to Mersing.
1/2nd Division is loaded on a Japanese AMC moving to Mersing.

[RangerJoe]

I don't think that he likes the land war in China, check out how Lowpe supported China.

He is very aggressive and will sometimes stretch a little too far.

Mersing and adjacent waters look like a good place for minefields!

[rook749]

Mersing and adjacent waters look like a good place for minefields!

Yes, I am a little too late as he landed this turn, but never overlook Allied intel......

[rook749]

December 11th

He landed at Mersing as expected but with less force than I expected on Day "1" but it looks like two divisions and one regiment will be coming ashore. Let's see what I can do about that.....

Midway with troops already in route, we will see how we can welcome him. With the CV Saratago out of action for three weeks, not sure what with the fleet but I will have what I can ready to make it more costly.

Intel
13/1st China Assault Division is loaded on a Toho Cargo class xAK moving to Wake Island.
5/1st Sasebo Assault Division is loaded on a Aden Cargo class xAK moving to Midway Island.
8/1st China Assault Division is loaded on a Japanese xAK moving to Wake Island.

-----------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing (51,82)

TF 124 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

Japanese ground losses:
389 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

-----------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 129 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 863
Defending force 3341 troops, 57 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 78

Japanese adjusted assault: 0
Allied adjusted defense: 47
Allied adjusted defense: 47

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Div /4
2nd Div /3
1st Raiding Rgt /3

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
30 Battery/3 HAA
113th RAF Adv Base Force

[rook749]

Midway

There are a number of airfields that can be used to crush and isolate Midway should it be lost. With Air HQs we can bring in the Heavy Bombers from Johnson Island and French Frigate Shoal.

I intend to fight to hold, but if it falls, it looks like a nice point to fight a set-piece battle far from Japan's lines, costing him a lot of fuel.

[rook749]

Overall Comments

His strategy seems to drive for Oil/Fuel at full speed. Given this setup of the mod and the reduction of starting oil, fuel, and resources for Japan expected. Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java will be first, and then he will fall back to clean up the Philippines.

I suspect his plan to advance to India or Australia, with a less likely possibility of Pearl Harbor.

[rook749]

Noumea

As there is nothing here in this mod, I am sending some Kiwi's that can be bought out ASAP.....

[rook749]

Once Correction, at some point, someone asked if there were more Allied land units. As I said, I had not seen any, but I would look around.

Outside of a number of Training Air Units for the USN, USA, USMC, and Brit. New units come in the scenario setting of no unit withdrawals with a number of Air and Ground units for the Allies.

[Cheesesteak]

Once Correction, at some point, someone asked if there were more Allied land units. As I said, I had not seen any, but I would look around.

Outside of a number of Training Air Units for the USN, USA, USMC, and Brit. New units come in the scenario setting of no unit withdrawals with a number of Air and Ground units for the Allies.

[rook749]

December 12th

So the KB that he split, he moved the half that ended up east of Pearl Harbor off of the West Coast and sunk some stuff. While annoying and a little painful, it will cost him a lot of fuel. I expect he will hang out for a day to two to hunt down some more items.

We have authorized our first operation of the war -- Operations Starscream.....

[rook749]

December 13th

The KB did more damage on Day 2, but I think it will bug out and then swing back to support a Midway landing. I have PTs boats supplies, and mines so at least we will put up a fight at Midway.

Mersing fell and Singapore is a mess, very nice plan John has here.

Operations Starscream is looking very good.....

[rook749]

December 14th

The KB moved off, presumably to support the attack on Midway. To be safe, all ships on the west coast will remain in port for a couple of days. It is unlikely but possible his goal would be to take or isolate Pearl Harbor.

John does not know I am a maniac vs his aggressive play style. If he is going to use the Combined Fleet to support secondary operations to "keep me on my toes," then I will hammer him hard everywhere else without fail. He must pay a price for failure to concentrate his forces on this objective...

Operations Starscream is the full Allied assault on Truk to forestall all of his invasion plans in the Southwest Pacific.

---------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 112,108, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Aoba, Shell hits 2
CL Kinugasa
CL Furutaka, Shell hits 3
CL Kako, Shell hits 1
CL Kitakami
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 1
DD Wakaba
DD Oboro
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kikuzuki
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
BC Chesapeake
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 10, heavy fires
CA Salt Lake City
DD Preston
DD Cummings
DD Case
DD Conyngham
DD Reid, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tucker, Shell hits 1
BC Constellation, Shell hits 2

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
TBD-1 Devastator x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AO Katsumoto, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Tateyama Maru
AO Shiramoto , Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Katsumoto
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Shiramoto

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
TBD-1 Devastator x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Tateyama Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 111,109
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
F4F-3A Wildcat x 20
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 24
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
TBD-1 Devastator x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Furutaka, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kitakami, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Kako, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Kikuzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Wakaba
CL Aoba, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Hatsuharu
CL Oi, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
CL Kinugasa
DD Uzuki, heavy fires

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Kitakami
Magazine explodes on CL Kako
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Furutaka
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Aoba
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Oi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Uzuki

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 111,109
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Aoba, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kikuzuki, heavy fires
DD Nenohi
CL Oi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Kitakami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Aoba
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Kikuzuki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Oi

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 111,109
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kinugasa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsuharu

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 111,109
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
F4F-3A Wildcat x 20
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 30
SBD-2 Dauntless x 51
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
TBD-1 Devastator x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kinugasa, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Uzuki, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
CL Aoba, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hatsuharu
DD Wakaba, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yuzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Kitakami, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Oboro
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Kinugasa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Aoba
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Kitakami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Uzuki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Wakaba
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Yuzuki

[BBfanboy]

Most excellent target practice for your naval aviators! What kind of experience gains did they get?

[CaptBeefheart]

Excellent! Way to keep this interesting. I look forward to further strikes of this nature.

What's the detection on your TFs around Truk?

Cheers,
CB

[rook749]

Most excellent target practice for your naval aviators! What kind of experience gains did they get?

The average is running now in the very high 60s to the very low 70s....

[rook749]

December 15th
It's the end of the month at work, updates will lag behind the turns for a while. I also have a conference Monday - Wednesday of next week so it will be a while until I catch up.

The KB is about to crunch Midway, but I don't see any forces that are going to yet land on Wake. It looks like he will land on Miday then move the KB to support the attack on Wake. I am more mines, PT boats, supplies, and submarines in the area for both targets hopping to get a mine to torpedo into something. I think he is making a mistake. By doing one and then the other, he may be out of ammo to support Wake to the extent he is Midway.

In the DEI, it appears the remainder of his CVL, CS, and CVE will shoot past Java to hunt down shipping that continues to flee, I will let it pass and then unleash the A-24s and some US Fighter units which rebased from the Philipines. I am going to try to "ambush" anything that trails behind.....

Singapore is a mess he was able to cut off the troops from the north from reaching the south, but we have 15K of supplies in George Two, Level two forts, and will fall back and fight there.

We stuck around for Day 2 at Truck, and our luck crapped out. It was always 60/40 (in my favor) as he was going to move fighters and bombers in....

However, on Day 1 the fleet was supposed to Bombard the Airfield with the BCs and CAs and hit the airfield in the afternoon from the air. On Day 2 we tried to Bombard again, but also crapped out.... Leaving the Airfield intact cost me the Lexington (or it will in a day or two). There were only two ships I cared about, the Enterprise & Lexington, and he was able to find only that task force and hit it with everything. Out of the Six CV/CVLs, he found only one and it was one of the two that could hurt. Sometimes the dice just don't like you....

I look forward to thoughts and comments from the forum and why I should not have been there on Day 2.....

I can't even scuttler her, I will stick around on Day 3 to see how much damage I can do with her as bait!

---------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 110,110
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 12
F4F-3A Wildcat x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 110,110
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
F4F-3A Wildcat x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

[rook749]

December 16th
It's the end of the month at work, updates will lag behind the turns for a while. I also have a conference Monday - Wednesday of next week, so it will be a while until I catch up. I am four turns behind the action currently....

Midway falls.

In the DEI, it appears the remainder of his CVL, CS, and CVE will shoot past Java to hunt down shipping that continues to flee, I will let it pass and then unleash the A-24s and some US Fighter units which rebased from the Philipines. I am going to try to "ambush" anything that trails behind. Still biding my time as I will only get one shot.....

I suspect he is about to land in Palembang, as I have moved a Gurka Bde there, I might hold for a round or two, and maybe it will take damage in the fight. If he comes in on the cheap, he will also not take it without bringing in more force.

We did not do much of anything at Truk, but he is moving more air assets in, so we will run south and leave Lexington to her fate. I can't even scuttler her, grrrrrrrr.

---------------------------------------------
TF 13 encounters mine field at Midway Island (158,91)

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Mine hits 1

---------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Midway Island (158,91)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 6372 troops, 96 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 190
Defending force 2903 troops, 62 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Japanese adjusted assault: 184
Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Midway Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3305 casualties reported
Squads: 133 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 80 (80 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
1st Sasebo Assault Division
1st Naval Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
1st/298th Infantry Battalion
6th Marine Defense Battalion
116th Base Group

[rook749]

December 17th

I am still four turns behind the action currently, and it's not going the way I would like it, but that is WITP:AE.

The Lexington sinks.......

The remainder of his CVLs, CSs, and CVEs shot past Java to hunt down shipping that continues to flee, I will let it pass and then unleash the A-24s and some US Fighter units which rebased from the Philipines. I am going to try to "ambush" anything that trails behind. Still biding my time as I will only get one shot.....

I suspect he is about to land in Palembang, as I have moved a Gurka Bde there, I might hold for a round or two, and maybe it will take damage in the fight. If he comes in on the cheap, he will also not take it without bringing in more force.

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 111,112

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 11 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 11 destroyed
TBD-1 Devastator: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Cushing, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Lamson