I've decided to put out an AAR for the battle that LordHawke and I are having.
Note that my original request for an opponant said "Insane n00b wants to get butt kicked" - should know better than to say things like that.
Okay.... here it is.
LordHawke - IJN
Neuromancer - Allies
Scenario 19
- 120% IJN Naval commitment
- 100% Allied Naval commitment
- Japanese sub doctrine off (note, historically the Japanse didn't always ignore non combat vessels, so this isn't as non-historical as it appears).
- Variable Reinforcements
- Allied Damage Control
- Fog of War
- 1 Day turns
(I think that is everything)
Admiral Loken (me) is a Canadian Admiral that for some bizarre reason has become the Allied Theatre commander stationed in Brisbane.
The AAR begins:
Battling n00bs!
-
neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
RE: Battling n00bs!
This article has been censored by SOuthern Pacific Allied Command under the wartime general 'D' media classification.
When Admiral Loken assumed command of SOPAC - under circumstances which most still consider a classic bureaucratic screw up - he was less than thrilled with the motley assortment of USAAF, USN, US Army, RAN, RAAF, RAA, RNN, RNAF, and RNA forces under his command.
But the allies were hard pressed in the Pacific, and going nowhere in Europe (technically they were barely in Europe with England the only piece of Europe they held), and so they just had to make do until the US could gear up for the war. Not expected really until early '43.
On the airforce side of the equation, in the area is a squadron of land based US Marine Dauntless dive bombers, two squadrons RNAF Hudsons, several squadrons of medium bombers from the USAAF (B25s, B26s, and some A20s), and some heavy B17s (of which Allied command has yet to find a use for in this theatre, as they are only really good at pounding strategic targets - like a large base or a city).
The B17E is however about to be pressed into service for Naval Attack, at which all are confident the Flying Fortress will perform dismally.
Further there is a selection of USAAF P-400 and P-39D fighters (not enough to adequately defend all the critical areas), plus a single squadron of RAAF P-39Ds, and a couple squadrons of P-40E Kittyhawk and Wirrway fighters also from the RAAF. These squadrons provide inadequate interceptor cover - being both few in number, and inferior aircraft when facing off against the well armed and nimble (but fragile) A6M Zero.
And of course there are the USN and RAAF 'Flying Boats' and USAAF F5s for Recon and Patrol duties.
For ground defence there are 4 divisions of infantry to spread across 9 bases. Not enough to stop a determined assault by Japanese forces. But - theoretically - enough to delay any assault to the point that the LBAs can seriously damage any forces that attack anywhere except Port Moresby.
At sea the allies have maybe a dozen old S class subs (short range, don't take damage well, only 12 torps in four tubes, but at least the damn torpedoes work!) and 1 newer Gato class subs with the unrelaible Mk 14 torp. The surface assets in the region consist of a number of heavy and light cruisers from the USN, RAN, and RNN, and a collection of minesweepers, mine sweeper destroyers, destroyers, sub chasers, and patrol gunboats from the three navies. Plus of course odds and ends of transports.
The pearly among this is the redesignated TF 201 under Fleet Captain Sherman, a carrier group consisting of the fleet carriers Lexington and Yorktown, escorted by four heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers. Maximum capacity on these ships is 180 planes, but the interceptor wings in both CAGs are under strength.
With the Japanese war machine rolling south, seemingly unstopable, SOPAC decided to withdraw to just Port Moresby in New Guinea, the Australian mainland from Cooktown to Brisbane (the only parts of Australia in this operational theatre, and seriously threatened by the Japanese), and the islands in the New Caledonia area (primarily bases at Noumea and Luganville).
On May 2nd, Guadalcanal falls without a shot being fired.
Strategic discussion had decided that to try and defend anything more - including possibly this much - is to invite disaster. Noumea and Brisbane are critical bases, and to lose them while defending anything else is to lose the campaign.
Right from the start the allies set to reorganization. Some units are withdraw from Port Moresby (those not considered expendable), and other units are pulled back to Port Moresby, and set to making sure there is at least enough defences at each of the other 8 bases to slow down any attack. The decision is that while a determined Japanese attack on Port Moresby will probably succeed, it is decided that the base should be well enough defended to ensure the Japanese have to at least fight for it, possibly expending more resources than they can really afford in the process.
The goal is to delay the Japanese until US military production and training can bring overwhelming force to bear. Unfortunately heavy reinforcements are not expected until 1943. It is going to be rough until then.
From May 2nd on the attack on New Guinea progresses with long range air engagements from both sides. This quickly resulted in a Japanese armed personnel transport (AP) being sunk with several hundred Japanese troops aboard, but in return 5 armed cargo transports (AK) and some minesweepers that were pressed into escort duty, are lost while making supply runs to Port Moresby (all but one is sunk in Port Moresby harbour). Japanese marines quickly seize Buna and Gili Gili.
Random bombing of Port Moresby airbase by Japanese air units commences. Minor damage to base facilities and aircraft is caused.
At first the carrier group is kept near Noumea in case Tojo tries to slip an assault force in towards Noumea or Brisbane, but attention seemed to be concentrating on the port Moresby area. So slowly the carriers are diverted towards that area. By moving relatively slowly (less than 100 miles a day) and staying close to the Australia coast - but still in deep water - Fleet Captain Sherman hoped to be able to avoid stumbling into the enemy carrier group that may be lurking out there, and hopefully stay within land based air (LBA) support range.
On May 11th, 1942, the Japanese revealed their hand and began an amphibious offensive against Port Moseby. A carrier group consisting of at least two carriers, possibly three moved into the area south of New Guinea and begin attacking Port Moresby with Val and Kate bombers, while the Betty and Nell bombers continued to provide support from Rabul. The carrier group is also escorting a flotilla of transports (probably loaded with troops), and a cruiser group sets up the Tokyo Express (night time shore bombardment runs against the port, and then run out to sea away from LBA response in the day).
The Tokyo express extensively damages the airfield, knocking it out of use for a couple days.
The Yorktown and Lady Lex which had quietly slipped into position near the Australian coast several hundred miles south of the Gili Gili gap (a narrow channel between the tip of New Guinea and a group of reefs and atolls that are difficult to navigate), are presently standing by. Admiral Sherman orders the task force to move north, cutting off the retreat of the enemy carrier group, and possibly moving into strike distance of the cruiser group.
Three possibilities are foreseen.
1. The cruiser group will make another run and return to the area the Task Force is moving to while the carriers continue to support the APs and bombard Port Moresby. This will result in a strike against those cruisers, probably dealing serious damage.
2. The cruiser group will not make another run, and the IJN carriers will not respond to the appearance of the USN carriers. This will result in the IJN carriers being cut off from their path of retreat, allowing the USN carriers to dictate range, and attack on the 13th with fresh pilots who have not been performing bombing runs against ground fire for the past two days.
3. The carrier group will respond (and hopefully whatever the cruisers do is irrelevant) and a carrier battle will ensue.
On the morning of May 12th the cruiser group makes another run to Port Moresby, and then retires to within 180 miles of the USN carrier group that had moved up at the same time. The IJN carrier group barely moved, while the IJN APs moved into Port Moresby harbour and began to unload troops.
The Gato class submarine USS Greenling (SS 213) made a torpedo run on the IJN fleet carrier Shokaku, but the torpedoes either missed, or failed to detonate. LCmdr Bruton suffered a minor injury when he slammed his fist into the port bulkhead after the torpedoes failed to damage the juicy and critical target.
Back at SOPAC, Admiral Loken is preparing to send a company of marines to the factories that built the Mk 14 torpedoes carried by the Greenling.
Meanwhile the S class submarine S44 slipped into Port Moresby harbour, and over the course of the evening and the next morning, managed to torpedo the Japanese transport ships Morsue Maru, and Yamakuni Maru. The Mk 10 torpedoes - while hardly perfect - perform more reliably, and three torpedoes strike the two ships. Neither was sunk, although Yamakuni Maru is reported burning.
The Japanese air and surface attacks on Port Moresby resulted in some minor damage to the air field, 43 men killed, and 3 aircraft destroyed on the field.
The revenge of the Yorktown and Lexington is swift and bloody. Out of range of the Japanese carriers, the two Carrier Air Groups launch several waves of attacks upon the nearly defenceless cruisers.
The Light Cruiser Tenryu is hit by eight bombs and is reported burning fiercely, the heavy cruisers Kinugasa and Aoba are also hit. Kinugasa is reported hit by fifteen (!) bombs, while Aoba is reported hit by seven. Both are indicated to be burning heavily.
Eleven Navy Dauntless dive bombers are damaged, two Navy Devastator torpedo planes (obsolete pieces of junk that they are) are also damaged, and a third shot down.
LBA bombers from Cairns and Cooktown will be brought to full alert, hopefully performing strikes against the transports at Moresby and anything else in the area.
The US and Japanese carrier groups are now locked on a collision course for a direct engagement. The superior range of the IJN attack planes means that the USN carriers cannot retreat, they have no choice but to close and engage. The crews of the carriers pray that the Wildcat fighters are able to keep the Val dive bombers and the deadly Kate torpedo fighters from dealing fatal damage to the Lexington and Yorktown, while the flag officers at SOPAC bite their nails wondering if the Dauntlesses can seriously damage or even sink the dangerous Japanese carriers, without the loss of any of their own limited carrier assets.
The superstitious worry about this crucial battle occurring on the 13th. The more pragmatic simply know that the Japanese aircraft are superior, and their pilots both experienced and fanatical.
When Admiral Loken assumed command of SOPAC - under circumstances which most still consider a classic bureaucratic screw up - he was less than thrilled with the motley assortment of USAAF, USN, US Army, RAN, RAAF, RAA, RNN, RNAF, and RNA forces under his command.
But the allies were hard pressed in the Pacific, and going nowhere in Europe (technically they were barely in Europe with England the only piece of Europe they held), and so they just had to make do until the US could gear up for the war. Not expected really until early '43.
On the airforce side of the equation, in the area is a squadron of land based US Marine Dauntless dive bombers, two squadrons RNAF Hudsons, several squadrons of medium bombers from the USAAF (B25s, B26s, and some A20s), and some heavy B17s (of which Allied command has yet to find a use for in this theatre, as they are only really good at pounding strategic targets - like a large base or a city).
The B17E is however about to be pressed into service for Naval Attack, at which all are confident the Flying Fortress will perform dismally.
Further there is a selection of USAAF P-400 and P-39D fighters (not enough to adequately defend all the critical areas), plus a single squadron of RAAF P-39Ds, and a couple squadrons of P-40E Kittyhawk and Wirrway fighters also from the RAAF. These squadrons provide inadequate interceptor cover - being both few in number, and inferior aircraft when facing off against the well armed and nimble (but fragile) A6M Zero.
And of course there are the USN and RAAF 'Flying Boats' and USAAF F5s for Recon and Patrol duties.
For ground defence there are 4 divisions of infantry to spread across 9 bases. Not enough to stop a determined assault by Japanese forces. But - theoretically - enough to delay any assault to the point that the LBAs can seriously damage any forces that attack anywhere except Port Moresby.
At sea the allies have maybe a dozen old S class subs (short range, don't take damage well, only 12 torps in four tubes, but at least the damn torpedoes work!) and 1 newer Gato class subs with the unrelaible Mk 14 torp. The surface assets in the region consist of a number of heavy and light cruisers from the USN, RAN, and RNN, and a collection of minesweepers, mine sweeper destroyers, destroyers, sub chasers, and patrol gunboats from the three navies. Plus of course odds and ends of transports.
The pearly among this is the redesignated TF 201 under Fleet Captain Sherman, a carrier group consisting of the fleet carriers Lexington and Yorktown, escorted by four heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers. Maximum capacity on these ships is 180 planes, but the interceptor wings in both CAGs are under strength.
With the Japanese war machine rolling south, seemingly unstopable, SOPAC decided to withdraw to just Port Moresby in New Guinea, the Australian mainland from Cooktown to Brisbane (the only parts of Australia in this operational theatre, and seriously threatened by the Japanese), and the islands in the New Caledonia area (primarily bases at Noumea and Luganville).
On May 2nd, Guadalcanal falls without a shot being fired.
Strategic discussion had decided that to try and defend anything more - including possibly this much - is to invite disaster. Noumea and Brisbane are critical bases, and to lose them while defending anything else is to lose the campaign.
Right from the start the allies set to reorganization. Some units are withdraw from Port Moresby (those not considered expendable), and other units are pulled back to Port Moresby, and set to making sure there is at least enough defences at each of the other 8 bases to slow down any attack. The decision is that while a determined Japanese attack on Port Moresby will probably succeed, it is decided that the base should be well enough defended to ensure the Japanese have to at least fight for it, possibly expending more resources than they can really afford in the process.
The goal is to delay the Japanese until US military production and training can bring overwhelming force to bear. Unfortunately heavy reinforcements are not expected until 1943. It is going to be rough until then.
From May 2nd on the attack on New Guinea progresses with long range air engagements from both sides. This quickly resulted in a Japanese armed personnel transport (AP) being sunk with several hundred Japanese troops aboard, but in return 5 armed cargo transports (AK) and some minesweepers that were pressed into escort duty, are lost while making supply runs to Port Moresby (all but one is sunk in Port Moresby harbour). Japanese marines quickly seize Buna and Gili Gili.
Random bombing of Port Moresby airbase by Japanese air units commences. Minor damage to base facilities and aircraft is caused.
At first the carrier group is kept near Noumea in case Tojo tries to slip an assault force in towards Noumea or Brisbane, but attention seemed to be concentrating on the port Moresby area. So slowly the carriers are diverted towards that area. By moving relatively slowly (less than 100 miles a day) and staying close to the Australia coast - but still in deep water - Fleet Captain Sherman hoped to be able to avoid stumbling into the enemy carrier group that may be lurking out there, and hopefully stay within land based air (LBA) support range.
On May 11th, 1942, the Japanese revealed their hand and began an amphibious offensive against Port Moseby. A carrier group consisting of at least two carriers, possibly three moved into the area south of New Guinea and begin attacking Port Moresby with Val and Kate bombers, while the Betty and Nell bombers continued to provide support from Rabul. The carrier group is also escorting a flotilla of transports (probably loaded with troops), and a cruiser group sets up the Tokyo Express (night time shore bombardment runs against the port, and then run out to sea away from LBA response in the day).
The Tokyo express extensively damages the airfield, knocking it out of use for a couple days.
The Yorktown and Lady Lex which had quietly slipped into position near the Australian coast several hundred miles south of the Gili Gili gap (a narrow channel between the tip of New Guinea and a group of reefs and atolls that are difficult to navigate), are presently standing by. Admiral Sherman orders the task force to move north, cutting off the retreat of the enemy carrier group, and possibly moving into strike distance of the cruiser group.
Three possibilities are foreseen.
1. The cruiser group will make another run and return to the area the Task Force is moving to while the carriers continue to support the APs and bombard Port Moresby. This will result in a strike against those cruisers, probably dealing serious damage.
2. The cruiser group will not make another run, and the IJN carriers will not respond to the appearance of the USN carriers. This will result in the IJN carriers being cut off from their path of retreat, allowing the USN carriers to dictate range, and attack on the 13th with fresh pilots who have not been performing bombing runs against ground fire for the past two days.
3. The carrier group will respond (and hopefully whatever the cruisers do is irrelevant) and a carrier battle will ensue.
On the morning of May 12th the cruiser group makes another run to Port Moresby, and then retires to within 180 miles of the USN carrier group that had moved up at the same time. The IJN carrier group barely moved, while the IJN APs moved into Port Moresby harbour and began to unload troops.
The Gato class submarine USS Greenling (SS 213) made a torpedo run on the IJN fleet carrier Shokaku, but the torpedoes either missed, or failed to detonate. LCmdr Bruton suffered a minor injury when he slammed his fist into the port bulkhead after the torpedoes failed to damage the juicy and critical target.
Back at SOPAC, Admiral Loken is preparing to send a company of marines to the factories that built the Mk 14 torpedoes carried by the Greenling.
Meanwhile the S class submarine S44 slipped into Port Moresby harbour, and over the course of the evening and the next morning, managed to torpedo the Japanese transport ships Morsue Maru, and Yamakuni Maru. The Mk 10 torpedoes - while hardly perfect - perform more reliably, and three torpedoes strike the two ships. Neither was sunk, although Yamakuni Maru is reported burning.
The Japanese air and surface attacks on Port Moresby resulted in some minor damage to the air field, 43 men killed, and 3 aircraft destroyed on the field.
The revenge of the Yorktown and Lexington is swift and bloody. Out of range of the Japanese carriers, the two Carrier Air Groups launch several waves of attacks upon the nearly defenceless cruisers.
The Light Cruiser Tenryu is hit by eight bombs and is reported burning fiercely, the heavy cruisers Kinugasa and Aoba are also hit. Kinugasa is reported hit by fifteen (!) bombs, while Aoba is reported hit by seven. Both are indicated to be burning heavily.
Eleven Navy Dauntless dive bombers are damaged, two Navy Devastator torpedo planes (obsolete pieces of junk that they are) are also damaged, and a third shot down.
LBA bombers from Cairns and Cooktown will be brought to full alert, hopefully performing strikes against the transports at Moresby and anything else in the area.
The US and Japanese carrier groups are now locked on a collision course for a direct engagement. The superior range of the IJN attack planes means that the USN carriers cannot retreat, they have no choice but to close and engage. The crews of the carriers pray that the Wildcat fighters are able to keep the Val dive bombers and the deadly Kate torpedo fighters from dealing fatal damage to the Lexington and Yorktown, while the flag officers at SOPAC bite their nails wondering if the Dauntlesses can seriously damage or even sink the dangerous Japanese carriers, without the loss of any of their own limited carrier assets.
The superstitious worry about this crucial battle occurring on the 13th. The more pragmatic simply know that the Japanese aircraft are superior, and their pilots both experienced and fanatical.
-
neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
Disaster in the South Pacific!
This article has been censored by SOPAC under the wartime general 'D' media classification.
After the elation of yesterdays success against the Japanese cruisers, today comes as a crushing blow to morale.
For the allies, May 13th was a very unlucky day.
The Japanese light cruiser Tenryu was confirmed sunk over night. As the remnants of the cruiser group fled the scene, the S class sub S38 approached the battered Japanese task force, and delivered a pair of Mk 10 torpedoes into the side of the light cruiser Yubari. She then slipped away from the confused escorts.
Yaburi is reported heavily damaged, but not expected to sink at this time.
Another raid by Japanese air units on Port Moresby resulted in no damage to the allied base, but the RAAF Kittyhawks, finally able to use the damaged airfield once again, were able to damage several Rufe fighter-bombers, and shoot down another.
20 B-26B Marauders performed a bombing run against the Japanese troops landing at Port Moresby, but reports indicate that the majority of the bombs only hit the water, or the beach. Observers report minimal casualties to the Japanese forces.
And then it happened.
Fleet Captain Sherman having realized that despite the success of his raids yesterday, his flight crews were very weary after the stress of the combat. He was not confident in the ability of his pilots to engage the elite Japanese pilots. He turned his task force south, and fled for Cairns.
He didn't make it.
Shortly after dawn on May 13th, his patrol planes reported that the Japanes carriers had moved to intercept, and he realized that he had made a mistake. A mistake that would get many men in his command killed.
In retrospect Sherman realized that he may as well have gone towards the enemy carriers and been able to fight with everything, he may have been able to take more of the enemy down, as it was, his Devestators were going to be out of range, and his other planes would be operating at extreme range.
Either that or he should have ran directly away from the enemy carriers - towards Noumea or Brisbane - an end chase would have been unsuccessful as their speeds were comparable, and he already had a significant lead. By the time they did engage, his pilots should have been rested enough to at least fight the Japs on semi-equal terms.
But instead they were going to engage while his pilots were still physically and mentally fatigued from yesterdays bombing runs.
Realizing that the Japanese carriers were going to be in range to attack, and not having time to lament his gross tactical error, Sherman desperately launched his bombers and fighters, but were unfortunately out of the range of the obsolete Devastators. The two strung out groups of fighter and bombers pass each other, and attack their targets.
In the exchange, both Lexington and Yorktown are critically injured. Lexington was hit by 13 bombs, and 5 torpedoes, Yorktown by 7 bombs and 6 torpedoes. With this frightening damage, neither is expected to make it back to port. They will try for Cairns or Townsville, but many fear neither will be afloat by morning.
Their squadrons were shot to pieces, the survivors - unable to land on their carriers - limped towards Australian airfields. At this time it is unknown if any made it.
In exchange, only the Japanese light carrier Shoho and two destroyers were hit by 1000 lb bombs from the Dauntless dive bombers. The trio are reported burning, but none are expected to sink.
The Japanese aircraft suffered relatively light damage, almost all bombers were reported hit, but few of the Zero fighters were reported damaged. Kills on the Japanese air units are reported at 3 Zero fighters, 9 Kate torpedo fighters, and 10 Val dive bombers.
Meanwhile the medium and heavy bombers attacked the transports at Port Moresby. As expected, the B25 and B17 bomber attacks on the transports accomplished absolutely nothing, except perhaps to get some of the crews of the ships wet.
At Port Moresby the assault began. The Japanese troops - barely outnumbering the entrenched Allied defenders, at least for now - began to move toward the waiting Australian and New Zealander troops. A preliminary barrage by the defenders did minimal damage to the Japanese troops. The subsequent Banzi charge by the assaulting force was repelled with heavy losses to the enemy (estimated at around 250 to 300 killed), to 62 defending soldiers killed.
Admiral Loken at SOPAC, reading the battle reports was quoted as saying "The Aussies and Kiwis at Port Moresby could teach those damn Yank pilots something about how to fight!"
After having an ensign arrested for reminding him that the day before he had been pretty happy with those pilots, he remarked that yesterday they were winners. Today they were losers. And they didn't just lose, they were crushed like farm league rookies facing the World Series champions.
In war, it isn't how you play the game, it is whether you win or lose.
With the destruction of his carriers, Admiral Loken has lost his only real offensive strength. He now has no choice but to 'turtle', going onto a purely defensive stance. He will harass the enemy with his land based bombers, and his submarines, but until significant reinforcements arrive, he will be almost incapable of inflicting any significant damage on the enemy unless they attack. And with the enemy's ability to concentrate his attacks, Admiral Loken is unsure of his ability to protect any of his crucial ports.
A dark cloud is settling over Australia, and it remains to be seen when the sun may shine again.
After the elation of yesterdays success against the Japanese cruisers, today comes as a crushing blow to morale.
For the allies, May 13th was a very unlucky day.
The Japanese light cruiser Tenryu was confirmed sunk over night. As the remnants of the cruiser group fled the scene, the S class sub S38 approached the battered Japanese task force, and delivered a pair of Mk 10 torpedoes into the side of the light cruiser Yubari. She then slipped away from the confused escorts.
Yaburi is reported heavily damaged, but not expected to sink at this time.
Another raid by Japanese air units on Port Moresby resulted in no damage to the allied base, but the RAAF Kittyhawks, finally able to use the damaged airfield once again, were able to damage several Rufe fighter-bombers, and shoot down another.
20 B-26B Marauders performed a bombing run against the Japanese troops landing at Port Moresby, but reports indicate that the majority of the bombs only hit the water, or the beach. Observers report minimal casualties to the Japanese forces.
And then it happened.
Fleet Captain Sherman having realized that despite the success of his raids yesterday, his flight crews were very weary after the stress of the combat. He was not confident in the ability of his pilots to engage the elite Japanese pilots. He turned his task force south, and fled for Cairns.
He didn't make it.
Shortly after dawn on May 13th, his patrol planes reported that the Japanes carriers had moved to intercept, and he realized that he had made a mistake. A mistake that would get many men in his command killed.
In retrospect Sherman realized that he may as well have gone towards the enemy carriers and been able to fight with everything, he may have been able to take more of the enemy down, as it was, his Devestators were going to be out of range, and his other planes would be operating at extreme range.
Either that or he should have ran directly away from the enemy carriers - towards Noumea or Brisbane - an end chase would have been unsuccessful as their speeds were comparable, and he already had a significant lead. By the time they did engage, his pilots should have been rested enough to at least fight the Japs on semi-equal terms.
But instead they were going to engage while his pilots were still physically and mentally fatigued from yesterdays bombing runs.
Realizing that the Japanese carriers were going to be in range to attack, and not having time to lament his gross tactical error, Sherman desperately launched his bombers and fighters, but were unfortunately out of the range of the obsolete Devastators. The two strung out groups of fighter and bombers pass each other, and attack their targets.
In the exchange, both Lexington and Yorktown are critically injured. Lexington was hit by 13 bombs, and 5 torpedoes, Yorktown by 7 bombs and 6 torpedoes. With this frightening damage, neither is expected to make it back to port. They will try for Cairns or Townsville, but many fear neither will be afloat by morning.
Their squadrons were shot to pieces, the survivors - unable to land on their carriers - limped towards Australian airfields. At this time it is unknown if any made it.
In exchange, only the Japanese light carrier Shoho and two destroyers were hit by 1000 lb bombs from the Dauntless dive bombers. The trio are reported burning, but none are expected to sink.
The Japanese aircraft suffered relatively light damage, almost all bombers were reported hit, but few of the Zero fighters were reported damaged. Kills on the Japanese air units are reported at 3 Zero fighters, 9 Kate torpedo fighters, and 10 Val dive bombers.
Meanwhile the medium and heavy bombers attacked the transports at Port Moresby. As expected, the B25 and B17 bomber attacks on the transports accomplished absolutely nothing, except perhaps to get some of the crews of the ships wet.
At Port Moresby the assault began. The Japanese troops - barely outnumbering the entrenched Allied defenders, at least for now - began to move toward the waiting Australian and New Zealander troops. A preliminary barrage by the defenders did minimal damage to the Japanese troops. The subsequent Banzi charge by the assaulting force was repelled with heavy losses to the enemy (estimated at around 250 to 300 killed), to 62 defending soldiers killed.
Admiral Loken at SOPAC, reading the battle reports was quoted as saying "The Aussies and Kiwis at Port Moresby could teach those damn Yank pilots something about how to fight!"
After having an ensign arrested for reminding him that the day before he had been pretty happy with those pilots, he remarked that yesterday they were winners. Today they were losers. And they didn't just lose, they were crushed like farm league rookies facing the World Series champions.
In war, it isn't how you play the game, it is whether you win or lose.
With the destruction of his carriers, Admiral Loken has lost his only real offensive strength. He now has no choice but to 'turtle', going onto a purely defensive stance. He will harass the enemy with his land based bombers, and his submarines, but until significant reinforcements arrive, he will be almost incapable of inflicting any significant damage on the enemy unless they attack. And with the enemy's ability to concentrate his attacks, Admiral Loken is unsure of his ability to protect any of his crucial ports.
A dark cloud is settling over Australia, and it remains to be seen when the sun may shine again.
RE: Battling n00bs!
Aboard the BB Yamato, Hashirajima, Japan. May 14th 1942. 0600h
"Good News, sir!" The ensign breathlessly handed a piece of paper over to the lonely figure, waiting on the ship's bow, smoking his favourite "Cherry" brand cigarette.
Almost wearily, the Admiral took the report and began to read.
"
To CinC Combined Fleet
From OC Ops MO
Expeditionary Force successfully landed on MO May 12th.
Enemy counterattacked with carrier force on May 12th. CL Tenryu sunk. CA Kinugasa and CA Aoba heavily damaged.
OC Carrier Striking Force released from escort duties to counterattack May 13th. Two enemy CVs (1 Lexington and 1 Yorktown class) sunk by our planes. Shoho lightly damaged.
Enemy cruiser group attempted night surface attack on May 14th but engaged by Tanaka Force. Confirmed 2 enemy cruisers (believe Chester and Portland) sunk. 2 damaged destroyers sunk by submarine. Heavy damage sustained to own forces, but will make port for repairs.
End Report.
"
"Baka des." The Admiral silently cursed. The Americans had shown more pluck than he had given them credit for. A good thing about the Shokaku/Zuikaku airgroup. They had done very well indeed.
"Sir?" asked the ensign expectantly.
A faint smile now over his normally inscrutable face. "A great victory. But not without cost. Assemble the staff at 0700 for a planning session." He turned back to gaze at the soft glow of the rising sun, now turning the dawn sky a fiery red.
The ensign saluted and hurried off.
"Good News, sir!" The ensign breathlessly handed a piece of paper over to the lonely figure, waiting on the ship's bow, smoking his favourite "Cherry" brand cigarette.
Almost wearily, the Admiral took the report and began to read.
"
To CinC Combined Fleet
From OC Ops MO
Expeditionary Force successfully landed on MO May 12th.
Enemy counterattacked with carrier force on May 12th. CL Tenryu sunk. CA Kinugasa and CA Aoba heavily damaged.
OC Carrier Striking Force released from escort duties to counterattack May 13th. Two enemy CVs (1 Lexington and 1 Yorktown class) sunk by our planes. Shoho lightly damaged.
Enemy cruiser group attempted night surface attack on May 14th but engaged by Tanaka Force. Confirmed 2 enemy cruisers (believe Chester and Portland) sunk. 2 damaged destroyers sunk by submarine. Heavy damage sustained to own forces, but will make port for repairs.
End Report.
"
"Baka des." The Admiral silently cursed. The Americans had shown more pluck than he had given them credit for. A good thing about the Shokaku/Zuikaku airgroup. They had done very well indeed.
"Sir?" asked the ensign expectantly.
A faint smile now over his normally inscrutable face. "A great victory. But not without cost. Assemble the staff at 0700 for a planning session." He turned back to gaze at the soft glow of the rising sun, now turning the dawn sky a fiery red.
The ensign saluted and hurried off.
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Cruisers in the Shortlands
Bridge of the DD Uzuki, Shortlands, May 15th 1942, 1500h
"Enemy ships to port!"
Captain Asano held his breath. The lookout's warning was not unexpected. As a matter of fact, he'd been expecting it all day now.
His little destroyer force had received orders to perform an ASW patrol just the night before. A milk run by any measure. Then that sighting report of enemy battleships running up from Noumea heading for their base in Shortlands had changed everything.
Rear Admiral Tanaka was too far away to help. Besides, his forces were all used up in that big fight down in Port Moresby. Asano had heard rumors of a great victory. Well, however it went, it didn't matter to him now. He was in command of the only surface action group for miles and they had to turn the blasted gaijin back.
From early morning, he diligently shadowed the enemy force. There were 4 cruisers, 5 maybe 6 destroyers. He couldn't engage them yet. The flyboys from Kasumigaura will have to whittle them down first.
And they did. Asano and his crews had a grandstand view of the morning's action as the land-based attack planes went in, to be followed by ... carrier attack planes! Where did they come from? The Carrier Striking Force was supposed to be covering Port Moresby. He didn't expect to see them here. Well, neither did the enemy, it seems.
The gaijins just kept coming on. They didn't stop despite the aerial torpedoes hitting 4 of their cruisers, and 1 destroyer. Even when he maneuvred to cross their 'T'. Even as he gradually closed the range.
"Fire all guns!" shouted the gunnery officer.
Strangely, all Asano could think of at that moment, was what a long day it had been and what he would like for dinner tonight.
A big bowl of ochazuke and pickles would be nice, he thought.
"Enemy ships to port!"
Captain Asano held his breath. The lookout's warning was not unexpected. As a matter of fact, he'd been expecting it all day now.
His little destroyer force had received orders to perform an ASW patrol just the night before. A milk run by any measure. Then that sighting report of enemy battleships running up from Noumea heading for their base in Shortlands had changed everything.
Rear Admiral Tanaka was too far away to help. Besides, his forces were all used up in that big fight down in Port Moresby. Asano had heard rumors of a great victory. Well, however it went, it didn't matter to him now. He was in command of the only surface action group for miles and they had to turn the blasted gaijin back.
From early morning, he diligently shadowed the enemy force. There were 4 cruisers, 5 maybe 6 destroyers. He couldn't engage them yet. The flyboys from Kasumigaura will have to whittle them down first.
And they did. Asano and his crews had a grandstand view of the morning's action as the land-based attack planes went in, to be followed by ... carrier attack planes! Where did they come from? The Carrier Striking Force was supposed to be covering Port Moresby. He didn't expect to see them here. Well, neither did the enemy, it seems.
The gaijins just kept coming on. They didn't stop despite the aerial torpedoes hitting 4 of their cruisers, and 1 destroyer. Even when he maneuvred to cross their 'T'. Even as he gradually closed the range.
"Fire all guns!" shouted the gunnery officer.
Strangely, all Asano could think of at that moment, was what a long day it had been and what he would like for dinner tonight.
A big bowl of ochazuke and pickles would be nice, he thought.
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
IJN Situation Assessment
The following report is censored for sensitive information.
From: CinC Combined Fleet, IJN
To: CoS Naval General Staff, IJN
IJN Combined Fleet Operational Appreciation
General Strategic Situation
In the 5 mths since Pearl Harbor, our forces have dealt several body blows to the Allies. We continue to maintain our superiority in carriers & are firmly in control of several key bases in the Pacific. In the S. Pacific we are within striking distance of Australia & Noumea.
Combined Fleet has identified the South Pacific theater as critical to the security of our Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. A linkup between Australia & the US would strengthen the hand of our enemy & jeopardise the integrity of our defences.
The recent battles in the Port Moresby area have effectively neutralised the effectiveness of the USN. With 1, perhaps 2 cruisers left, it is believed that the enemy cannot risk further attrition in his current state.
Enemy Intention
The enemy's intention is to first wrest the strategic initiative from us by attriting our forces along the line PM-GG-LG, while building up their forces in Australia & Noumea. This will be followed by counterattacks to reassert aerial superiority over the Solomons.
Enemy Strengths
1. Overwhelming LBA strengths.
2. Superior engineering assets.
3. Superior naval AA.
4. <censored>
5. <censored>
6. <censored>
7. Australia has good supply lines by road.
Enemy Weaknesses
1. Piecemeal deployment of CV assets
2. Weak CV fighter wings up to Jun '42
3. Limited CV & merchant shipping assets
4. <censored>
5. Ships have poor night fighting capabilities
6. CV wings hv short range
7. Poor torpedoes
Own Forces Intention
Our intention is to <censored> [:D]
This is to be achieved in 2 ways.
1. Capture & secure bases as far as the line PM/IR to launch LRLBA/submarine attacks on Allied shipping.
2. <censored>
Targets in order of priority:
a. Carriers (CV/CVL)
b. <censored>
c. <censored>
d. <censored>
e. Submarines
f. ASW vessels
Own Strengths
1. Better trained CV aircrews
2. Good Zero replacement rates
3. Nell/Betty bombers give good LR anti-ship capability
4. Zero fighters near invincible till Nov '42
5. CV airgroups well-balanced, long range, & good anti-ship capability
6. <censored>
7. From Rabaul, LBA can cover PM-GG-LG
8. <censored>
Own Weaknesses
1. <censored>
2. <censored>
3. <censored>
4. <censored>
5. <censored>
6. Lack of engineering vehicles
OCA Phases
1. Isolate PM/GG from seaborne resupply & prevent enemy attempts to break blockade.
2. Occupy GG/Buna/<censored>/<censored> & buildup
3. Ops MO-invade & secure PM
4. <censored>
5. <censored>
From: CinC Combined Fleet, IJN
To: CoS Naval General Staff, IJN
IJN Combined Fleet Operational Appreciation
General Strategic Situation
In the 5 mths since Pearl Harbor, our forces have dealt several body blows to the Allies. We continue to maintain our superiority in carriers & are firmly in control of several key bases in the Pacific. In the S. Pacific we are within striking distance of Australia & Noumea.
Combined Fleet has identified the South Pacific theater as critical to the security of our Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. A linkup between Australia & the US would strengthen the hand of our enemy & jeopardise the integrity of our defences.
The recent battles in the Port Moresby area have effectively neutralised the effectiveness of the USN. With 1, perhaps 2 cruisers left, it is believed that the enemy cannot risk further attrition in his current state.
Enemy Intention
The enemy's intention is to first wrest the strategic initiative from us by attriting our forces along the line PM-GG-LG, while building up their forces in Australia & Noumea. This will be followed by counterattacks to reassert aerial superiority over the Solomons.
Enemy Strengths
1. Overwhelming LBA strengths.
2. Superior engineering assets.
3. Superior naval AA.
4. <censored>
5. <censored>
6. <censored>
7. Australia has good supply lines by road.
Enemy Weaknesses
1. Piecemeal deployment of CV assets
2. Weak CV fighter wings up to Jun '42
3. Limited CV & merchant shipping assets
4. <censored>
5. Ships have poor night fighting capabilities
6. CV wings hv short range
7. Poor torpedoes
Own Forces Intention
Our intention is to <censored> [:D]
This is to be achieved in 2 ways.
1. Capture & secure bases as far as the line PM/IR to launch LRLBA/submarine attacks on Allied shipping.
2. <censored>
Targets in order of priority:
a. Carriers (CV/CVL)
b. <censored>
c. <censored>
d. <censored>
e. Submarines
f. ASW vessels
Own Strengths
1. Better trained CV aircrews
2. Good Zero replacement rates
3. Nell/Betty bombers give good LR anti-ship capability
4. Zero fighters near invincible till Nov '42
5. CV airgroups well-balanced, long range, & good anti-ship capability
6. <censored>
7. From Rabaul, LBA can cover PM-GG-LG
8. <censored>
Own Weaknesses
1. <censored>
2. <censored>
3. <censored>
4. <censored>
5. <censored>
6. Lack of engineering vehicles
OCA Phases
1. Isolate PM/GG from seaborne resupply & prevent enemy attempts to break blockade.
2. Occupy GG/Buna/<censored>/<censored> & buildup
3. Ops MO-invade & secure PM
4. <censored>
5. <censored>
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
-
neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
Avoidable Mistakes
This article has been censored by SOPAC under the wartime general 'D' media classification.
News from SOPAC has became significantly harder to come by since the loss of Lexington and Yorktown. But it is not impossible to get.
It seems that Admiral Loken continues to agree that an informed public - even of bad news - is likely to cause less panic than one kept in the dark, and allowed to let their imagination run wild over rumours.
Since the 13th, the Combined Allied Fleet has continued to suffer misfortune. A night raid on the Port Moresby harbour with the intent of engaging the transports there, ran into a screening force of cruisers and destroyers. The force was surprised by the Japanese force, and while they managed to deal significant damage to the enemy, they suffered worse, and didn't manage to engage the transports before being forced to withdraw. Chester and Portland were sunk, followed by Aylwin and Dewey to an enemy submarine.
Astoria was later torpedoed by another Japanese submarine, but managed to limp into Cairns port.
Meanwhile Fleet Captain Good who was ordered to attack Shortland Island with a night time bombardment, and engage any units at the port, made a gross miscalculation, and entered the harbour during daylight! If Captain Good had survived the ensuing attack by Japanese bombers he would have been asked to explain how he could have so catastrophically fouled up his orders. But he had the good grace to die when the heavy cruiser New Orleans sank beneath him. Also lost were the light cruiser Hobart and heavy cruiser Chicago.
After a skirmish with a Japanese destroyer squadron, the survivors limped towards home.
At Port Moresby the combat with the Japanese marines continues, and while the Australian and New Zealander troops have been holding out well, it is only a matter of time unless something can be done to break the Japanese attack. Supplies are good, and the air units are being withdrawn to Australia in good order, but an estimated 15000 Japanese troops with 160 guns are facing the 11000 allied troops supported by only 65 guns. And more Japanese could come in it any time, such as the 1000 troops that captured the nearby Lea Lea beach.
On the positive side, the submarine service continues to do well. S44 delivered 2 Mk10 torpedoes into another Maru troop transport, sinking her. Unfortunately it appeared that she was empty. USS Greenling encountered the heavy cruiser Kako damaged at Port Moresby, but her Mk 14 torpedoes once again failed to detonate on impact.
And the last piece of good news, what little there has been of it, is that the Japanese heavy cruiser Aoba has also sunk.
It is May 17, 1942. The fate of Democracy hangs in the balance, it is anyone's guess what will happen.
News from SOPAC has became significantly harder to come by since the loss of Lexington and Yorktown. But it is not impossible to get.
It seems that Admiral Loken continues to agree that an informed public - even of bad news - is likely to cause less panic than one kept in the dark, and allowed to let their imagination run wild over rumours.
Since the 13th, the Combined Allied Fleet has continued to suffer misfortune. A night raid on the Port Moresby harbour with the intent of engaging the transports there, ran into a screening force of cruisers and destroyers. The force was surprised by the Japanese force, and while they managed to deal significant damage to the enemy, they suffered worse, and didn't manage to engage the transports before being forced to withdraw. Chester and Portland were sunk, followed by Aylwin and Dewey to an enemy submarine.
Astoria was later torpedoed by another Japanese submarine, but managed to limp into Cairns port.
Meanwhile Fleet Captain Good who was ordered to attack Shortland Island with a night time bombardment, and engage any units at the port, made a gross miscalculation, and entered the harbour during daylight! If Captain Good had survived the ensuing attack by Japanese bombers he would have been asked to explain how he could have so catastrophically fouled up his orders. But he had the good grace to die when the heavy cruiser New Orleans sank beneath him. Also lost were the light cruiser Hobart and heavy cruiser Chicago.
After a skirmish with a Japanese destroyer squadron, the survivors limped towards home.
At Port Moresby the combat with the Japanese marines continues, and while the Australian and New Zealander troops have been holding out well, it is only a matter of time unless something can be done to break the Japanese attack. Supplies are good, and the air units are being withdrawn to Australia in good order, but an estimated 15000 Japanese troops with 160 guns are facing the 11000 allied troops supported by only 65 guns. And more Japanese could come in it any time, such as the 1000 troops that captured the nearby Lea Lea beach.
On the positive side, the submarine service continues to do well. S44 delivered 2 Mk10 torpedoes into another Maru troop transport, sinking her. Unfortunately it appeared that she was empty. USS Greenling encountered the heavy cruiser Kako damaged at Port Moresby, but her Mk 14 torpedoes once again failed to detonate on impact.
And the last piece of good news, what little there has been of it, is that the Japanese heavy cruiser Aoba has also sunk.
It is May 17, 1942. The fate of Democracy hangs in the balance, it is anyone's guess what will happen.
-
neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
Avoidable Mistakes - Player comments
I've screwed up, bad.
I made two hideous mistakes.
1. I sent my carriers the wrong damn direction. They should have ran directly away from the enemy carriers. The results of that mistake are obvious.
2. I set the cruiser group to 'not retire', when it should have been 'retirement allowed'. And because of that my cruyiser group was pounded to hell, instead of crushing five destroyers and pounding the base at Shortland Island.
These two mistakes may well cost me this game.
Oh well, what can you do, hm?
I made two hideous mistakes.
1. I sent my carriers the wrong damn direction. They should have ran directly away from the enemy carriers. The results of that mistake are obvious.
2. I set the cruiser group to 'not retire', when it should have been 'retirement allowed'. And because of that my cruyiser group was pounded to hell, instead of crushing five destroyers and pounding the base at Shortland Island.
These two mistakes may well cost me this game.
Oh well, what can you do, hm?
A Love Letter
Outskirts of Port Moresby, May 19th 1942, 2100h
Lieutenant Tadamatsu Seibei settled down in his trench and took out his notepad. It had been yet another long day. Dinner, which consisted of rice, pickles and dried sardines, had been gratefully wolfed down. And now, there was a little peace and quiet, away from the madness of the fighting and dying of the day, to collect his thoughts and write a bit.
He thought a little about his men, the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment, South Seas Detachment, and how they felt then. They were in a line of freshly dug trenches. No more than 100 yards away was the enemy. After a week of continuous combat, he knew their name, Kanga Force. And he knew to respect their ability to fight.
Opening his notepad, he began to write.
"
19th May
Dear Ryoko,
Just a few words tonight, my little sakura.
We've been fighting non-stop for a whole week. Everyone's tired out. Already some of my men are coming down with malaria. The heat and humidity here is unbearable. How I wish for a nice hot bath in Beppu!
We've got the enemy surrounded. 3 days ago, we broke through his main defenses and pushed them into the town, but they counterattacked and stopped our advance. We've been trying to get organized for another big push, but their bombers delay us with their daily raids. If we attack anyway, those big white gaijin fight like crazed oni to stop us. But don't worry, we'll soon overcome every last one of them and your Seibei will be home soon.
Food is aplenty here thanks to our invincible Navy. Just yesterday, we were heartened by news that a great sea victory had been won. Nevertheless our trip in was not without incident, a transport was attacked by submarines and nearly sank. Luckily, we managed to offload it first. Otherwise, I'd not be enjoying my dinner tonight!
Tonight the big guns will be pounding the gaijin. That'll weaken their resolve a little. This always means we're getting ready for a big attack. Tired as they are, my men are still in good spirits. They know they'll triumph soon. No gaijin can stand for long before the soldiers of the Imperial Army!
Pray for us, my love. Pray that your Seibei will soon be in your arms.
Your brave soldier,
Seibei.
"
Behind him, the whoomp whoomp of the 75mm howitzers came, and up ahead, the flashes and thunderclaps of the artillery explosions. Everyone was shouting to take cover. The enemy's response was always swift and sure.
Seibei calmly folded his latest letter, kissed it silently, then tucked it into the little bundle of unsent letters he always kept with him, which was bound with a red silk cord. After stuffing it back into his pack, he crouched in his trench and closed his eyes, as the first enemy shells crashed around their position.
-----------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/19/42
Weather: Rain
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 170th Regiment, at 10,40
Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-17E Fortress x 9
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39
Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 30th Aus Brigade, at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25
Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
9 x G3M Nell at 3000 feet
9 x G3M Nell at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 6271 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10521 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 5351 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 19012 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lieutenant Tadamatsu Seibei settled down in his trench and took out his notepad. It had been yet another long day. Dinner, which consisted of rice, pickles and dried sardines, had been gratefully wolfed down. And now, there was a little peace and quiet, away from the madness of the fighting and dying of the day, to collect his thoughts and write a bit.
He thought a little about his men, the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment, South Seas Detachment, and how they felt then. They were in a line of freshly dug trenches. No more than 100 yards away was the enemy. After a week of continuous combat, he knew their name, Kanga Force. And he knew to respect their ability to fight.
Opening his notepad, he began to write.
"
19th May
Dear Ryoko,
Just a few words tonight, my little sakura.
We've been fighting non-stop for a whole week. Everyone's tired out. Already some of my men are coming down with malaria. The heat and humidity here is unbearable. How I wish for a nice hot bath in Beppu!
We've got the enemy surrounded. 3 days ago, we broke through his main defenses and pushed them into the town, but they counterattacked and stopped our advance. We've been trying to get organized for another big push, but their bombers delay us with their daily raids. If we attack anyway, those big white gaijin fight like crazed oni to stop us. But don't worry, we'll soon overcome every last one of them and your Seibei will be home soon.
Food is aplenty here thanks to our invincible Navy. Just yesterday, we were heartened by news that a great sea victory had been won. Nevertheless our trip in was not without incident, a transport was attacked by submarines and nearly sank. Luckily, we managed to offload it first. Otherwise, I'd not be enjoying my dinner tonight!
Tonight the big guns will be pounding the gaijin. That'll weaken their resolve a little. This always means we're getting ready for a big attack. Tired as they are, my men are still in good spirits. They know they'll triumph soon. No gaijin can stand for long before the soldiers of the Imperial Army!
Pray for us, my love. Pray that your Seibei will soon be in your arms.
Your brave soldier,
Seibei.
"
Behind him, the whoomp whoomp of the 75mm howitzers came, and up ahead, the flashes and thunderclaps of the artillery explosions. Everyone was shouting to take cover. The enemy's response was always swift and sure.
Seibei calmly folded his latest letter, kissed it silently, then tucked it into the little bundle of unsent letters he always kept with him, which was bound with a red silk cord. After stuffing it back into his pack, he crouched in his trench and closed his eyes, as the first enemy shells crashed around their position.
-----------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/19/42
Weather: Rain
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 170th Regiment, at 10,40
Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-17E Fortress x 9
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39
Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 30th Aus Brigade, at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25
Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
9 x G3M Nell at 3000 feet
9 x G3M Nell at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 6271 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10521 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 5351 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 19012 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
-
neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
Temporary Stability
This article has been censored by SOPAC under the wartime general 'D' media classification.
May 24, 1942
The word is that the situation has stabilized, things are at least not getting worse. Right now, that is probably as much as can be realistically asked for.
The battered remnants of the allied surface fleet has withdrawn for repairs, and apparently so has the Japanese surface combat forces. This leaves the Japanese carriers able to act uncontested, assuming they don't make an error and stumble into strike range of allied land based air units. It appears that the Shoho has withdrawn for repairs, but the two remaining carriers have been sighted supporting the Japanese invasion at Port Moresby.
The only allied fleet assets that are making their presence felt is those of the submariner service. The small S boats continue to strike at ships all over, sapping Japanese strength in lost material, and making them waste resources trying to hunt down the silent hunters. Even the unreliable Mk 14 torpedoes of the USS Greenling finally worked, sinking a Japanese seaplane tender!
Port Moresby continues to be a bloody fight. Almost daily bombing raids by both sides sap strength, morale, and lives. The daily battles as the Japanese push forward only to be repelled by the fierce defence of the men of the 30th Australian Brigade and 'Kanga Force' claim even more lives. So far the over all balance is in favour of the defenders, but it still seems unlikely that they can be reinforced in time to prevent the fall of the port.
But the brave souls still fight on, understanding that if they don't they will die. For as long as there is life, there is hope. At the least they buy time for the rest of the Southern Pacific theatre, time to reinforce, build up, and prepare to strike back. And there is a slim hope that they may be able to hold out long enough to be reinforced, that Port Moresby is where the Japanese advance is stopped, and pushed back.
Reinforcements continue to arrive. It is still just a trickle of men, planes, and ships. But the flow is increasing. As the United States ramps up its wartime production, the trickle will become a flood. A flood that will drown the Japanese invader.
- - - -
Author's note:
Incidentally, I am trying to write this report in the style of a article I've found on the second world war. However I am also doing it as if written by a historian chronicling the events as they happen, publishing it as a (semi-)dispassionate article in some journal or newspaper in 1942.
The article I am basing the style on is here, for those that are interested:
WW2 +55
May 24, 1942
The word is that the situation has stabilized, things are at least not getting worse. Right now, that is probably as much as can be realistically asked for.
The battered remnants of the allied surface fleet has withdrawn for repairs, and apparently so has the Japanese surface combat forces. This leaves the Japanese carriers able to act uncontested, assuming they don't make an error and stumble into strike range of allied land based air units. It appears that the Shoho has withdrawn for repairs, but the two remaining carriers have been sighted supporting the Japanese invasion at Port Moresby.
The only allied fleet assets that are making their presence felt is those of the submariner service. The small S boats continue to strike at ships all over, sapping Japanese strength in lost material, and making them waste resources trying to hunt down the silent hunters. Even the unreliable Mk 14 torpedoes of the USS Greenling finally worked, sinking a Japanese seaplane tender!
Port Moresby continues to be a bloody fight. Almost daily bombing raids by both sides sap strength, morale, and lives. The daily battles as the Japanese push forward only to be repelled by the fierce defence of the men of the 30th Australian Brigade and 'Kanga Force' claim even more lives. So far the over all balance is in favour of the defenders, but it still seems unlikely that they can be reinforced in time to prevent the fall of the port.
But the brave souls still fight on, understanding that if they don't they will die. For as long as there is life, there is hope. At the least they buy time for the rest of the Southern Pacific theatre, time to reinforce, build up, and prepare to strike back. And there is a slim hope that they may be able to hold out long enough to be reinforced, that Port Moresby is where the Japanese advance is stopped, and pushed back.
Reinforcements continue to arrive. It is still just a trickle of men, planes, and ships. But the flow is increasing. As the United States ramps up its wartime production, the trickle will become a flood. A flood that will drown the Japanese invader.
- - - -
Author's note:
Incidentally, I am trying to write this report in the style of a article I've found on the second world war. However I am also doing it as if written by a historian chronicling the events as they happen, publishing it as a (semi-)dispassionate article in some journal or newspaper in 1942.
The article I am basing the style on is here, for those that are interested:
WW2 +55
-
neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
A tiny revenge
This article has been censored by SOPAC under the wartime general 'D' media classification.
May 25, 1942
The weather is once again playing hell with military planning, as it is want to do. It saved the Russians earlier this year, and may have saved the Japanese yesterday.
The remnants of the Lexington and Yorktown air groups had been moved to Port Moresby and husbanded carefully. The Infantry kept the attacking Japanese back from the airfield while the planes were repaired and the crews rested up. The plan was to launch a strike from Moresby Airbase against the carriers North of Buna, who had been supporting the ground attack on Port Moresby.
On the 24th the heavy rains began, and the operation did not go nearly as well as was hoped. The Dauntlesses flew, searching for the carriers they knew were there, covered by the Wildcats. The weather apparently kept the Japanese Zeros on the deck because they failed to put in an appearance, thus the Dauntlesses, as well as Hudsons and Flying Fortresses were able to make their bombing runs unmolested by the nimble well armed Japanese fighter.
Unfortunately the rain further hampered performance, causing the attack runs to be sporadic and uncoordinated. Less than half the planes launched actually found their targets, and out of the scores of bombs dropped, only one 1000 pound bomb found its target. The carrier Zuikaku was damaged, fires were spotted on the ship, but she is not believed to be crippled.
It was a small victory, but it is at least something. The Zuikaku may well have to withdraw from the theatre for repairs. If so, the crews of the bombers lost to AA fire accomplished something with their sacrifice, they bought a little more time. And time is what the allies need desperately.
May 25, 1942
The weather is once again playing hell with military planning, as it is want to do. It saved the Russians earlier this year, and may have saved the Japanese yesterday.
The remnants of the Lexington and Yorktown air groups had been moved to Port Moresby and husbanded carefully. The Infantry kept the attacking Japanese back from the airfield while the planes were repaired and the crews rested up. The plan was to launch a strike from Moresby Airbase against the carriers North of Buna, who had been supporting the ground attack on Port Moresby.
On the 24th the heavy rains began, and the operation did not go nearly as well as was hoped. The Dauntlesses flew, searching for the carriers they knew were there, covered by the Wildcats. The weather apparently kept the Japanese Zeros on the deck because they failed to put in an appearance, thus the Dauntlesses, as well as Hudsons and Flying Fortresses were able to make their bombing runs unmolested by the nimble well armed Japanese fighter.
Unfortunately the rain further hampered performance, causing the attack runs to be sporadic and uncoordinated. Less than half the planes launched actually found their targets, and out of the scores of bombs dropped, only one 1000 pound bomb found its target. The carrier Zuikaku was damaged, fires were spotted on the ship, but she is not believed to be crippled.
It was a small victory, but it is at least something. The Zuikaku may well have to withdraw from the theatre for repairs. If so, the crews of the bombers lost to AA fire accomplished something with their sacrifice, they bought a little more time. And time is what the allies need desperately.
RE: A tiny revenge
Off Dobadura, May 25th, 1942, 1700h
Chief Engineer Ogata shook his head in dismay. 'This is going to take some work.' he thought.
The SBDs had appeared a few hours ago, seemingly out of nowhere with a small fighter escort. A sharp lookout on the cruiser Haguro had spotted them and in seconds, every gun in the Carrier Striking Force was trained and firing on the menacing black dots, carrying their deadly 1000lb bombs. They covered the sky with black and orange bursts, whilst below the ships themselves worked up a full head of steam to battle speed. They managed to blast 6 or 7 of them out of the sky. The rest were all buffeted so badly by the fierce fire, their bombs were poorly aimed and missed the frantically twisting carriers altogether. That is, except the last SBD, pressing on despite a smoking engine and tail all but shot away. Ogata could still picture the gray 'egg' falling away towards the Zuikaku's stern and the ensuing explosion...
The gaping hole in the smoldering flight deck of the Zuikaku was just a few feet shy of the stern. A few more yards towards the centre, and it could have penetrated the aft hangar and caused untold damage to the Air Group's precious planes. Not to mention touching off the bombs and torpedoes in the armoury. That last thought gave Ogata the shivers.
'How long will you take? We'll need to be operational by morning.' The Zuikaku's usually stoic Captain was just that little bit more agitated this evening. But who could blame him? The gaijin divebombers had caught the Carrier Striking Force napping this time. They had assumed, wrongly as it turned out, that the rain would keep the Americans battened down. And anyway, hadn't they sunk those two carriers just 2 weeks ago? Now they know better. The crazy gaijin fly in any weather. Their carriers had been sunk but NOT their planes. And they were still spoiling for a fight...
The Chief shrugged his shoulders. 'I'll do my best, sir.' The repair crews were already at it with their torches and hammers and saws. There would be no sleep tonight for them. Overhead, the rain clouds closed in again and a light drizzle began to fall...
-------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/24/42
Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Dobadura at 13,38
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
SBD Dauntless x 12
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 6 damaged
LCDR R. Dixon of VS-2 is KILLED
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chief Engineer Ogata shook his head in dismay. 'This is going to take some work.' he thought.
The SBDs had appeared a few hours ago, seemingly out of nowhere with a small fighter escort. A sharp lookout on the cruiser Haguro had spotted them and in seconds, every gun in the Carrier Striking Force was trained and firing on the menacing black dots, carrying their deadly 1000lb bombs. They covered the sky with black and orange bursts, whilst below the ships themselves worked up a full head of steam to battle speed. They managed to blast 6 or 7 of them out of the sky. The rest were all buffeted so badly by the fierce fire, their bombs were poorly aimed and missed the frantically twisting carriers altogether. That is, except the last SBD, pressing on despite a smoking engine and tail all but shot away. Ogata could still picture the gray 'egg' falling away towards the Zuikaku's stern and the ensuing explosion...
The gaping hole in the smoldering flight deck of the Zuikaku was just a few feet shy of the stern. A few more yards towards the centre, and it could have penetrated the aft hangar and caused untold damage to the Air Group's precious planes. Not to mention touching off the bombs and torpedoes in the armoury. That last thought gave Ogata the shivers.
'How long will you take? We'll need to be operational by morning.' The Zuikaku's usually stoic Captain was just that little bit more agitated this evening. But who could blame him? The gaijin divebombers had caught the Carrier Striking Force napping this time. They had assumed, wrongly as it turned out, that the rain would keep the Americans battened down. And anyway, hadn't they sunk those two carriers just 2 weeks ago? Now they know better. The crazy gaijin fly in any weather. Their carriers had been sunk but NOT their planes. And they were still spoiling for a fight...
The Chief shrugged his shoulders. 'I'll do my best, sir.' The repair crews were already at it with their torches and hammers and saws. There would be no sleep tonight for them. Overhead, the rain clouds closed in again and a light drizzle began to fall...
-------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/24/42
Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Dobadura at 13,38
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
SBD Dauntless x 12
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 6 damaged
LCDR R. Dixon of VS-2 is KILLED
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
-
neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
Moresby Falls
This article has been censored by SOPAC under the wartime general 'D' media classification.
May 29, 1942
The mood at SOPAC HQ was not good. Admiral Loken had looked to be ready to burst a blood vessel.
The preceeding few days had not been good ones. It turned out that the Japanese carrier Zuikaku was not as severely damaged as was first believed. She was still capable of flight operations, and had continued sending her planes to attack the troops at Port Morseby.
A follow-up sorte the day before had accomplished nothing, completely missing the carriers, even the damaged Zuikaku.
Admiral Loken had been heard yelling into his phone "What do you mean they missed? Not one hit? It's a huge bulky grey thing! How can you miss it? The Japanese didn't seem to have any problems when they blew Yorktown and Lexington out of the water!"
The rant had continued "Don't tell me about Zeros! Those damned mercenaries in China seem to be doing all right, and they are flying old P40s, not Wildcats! Why in God's name cannot our pilots do as well as them? Do I need to hire mercenaries to show the United States Bloody Navy how to fight?"
Bombing runs by B17s and B26s out of Australia had also been less than successful against the Japanese landing at Port Moresby. Casualties were starting to mount on the ground, Japanese reinforcements had begun arriving, the decision had been made to start pulling people out. Two squadrons of C47s were sent in to start airlifting troops out, and instead were destroyed on the ground when the defenders lines suddenly collapsed. The surviving Wildcats from the Lexington and Yortown were also destroyed.
Over 6000 men were beleived to be killed or captured when the lines fell, mostly Engineers, airfield support crew, and the support staff from the New Guinnea HQ. Their fate is unknown at this time.
The valiant men of the Kanga Force were all lost when their position was over run. The Australian 30th Infantry Brigade fights on, but it is not believed they can hold out long. Extracting the survivors of the unit is believed to be impossible, although options are being considered.
With Port Morseby gone, the Japanese can now turn their attention to New Caledonia, or even Australia. The battle for Port Moresby had lasted almost a month, but it was not long enough, not nearly.
May 29, 1942
The mood at SOPAC HQ was not good. Admiral Loken had looked to be ready to burst a blood vessel.
The preceeding few days had not been good ones. It turned out that the Japanese carrier Zuikaku was not as severely damaged as was first believed. She was still capable of flight operations, and had continued sending her planes to attack the troops at Port Morseby.
A follow-up sorte the day before had accomplished nothing, completely missing the carriers, even the damaged Zuikaku.
Admiral Loken had been heard yelling into his phone "What do you mean they missed? Not one hit? It's a huge bulky grey thing! How can you miss it? The Japanese didn't seem to have any problems when they blew Yorktown and Lexington out of the water!"
The rant had continued "Don't tell me about Zeros! Those damned mercenaries in China seem to be doing all right, and they are flying old P40s, not Wildcats! Why in God's name cannot our pilots do as well as them? Do I need to hire mercenaries to show the United States Bloody Navy how to fight?"
Bombing runs by B17s and B26s out of Australia had also been less than successful against the Japanese landing at Port Moresby. Casualties were starting to mount on the ground, Japanese reinforcements had begun arriving, the decision had been made to start pulling people out. Two squadrons of C47s were sent in to start airlifting troops out, and instead were destroyed on the ground when the defenders lines suddenly collapsed. The surviving Wildcats from the Lexington and Yortown were also destroyed.
Over 6000 men were beleived to be killed or captured when the lines fell, mostly Engineers, airfield support crew, and the support staff from the New Guinnea HQ. Their fate is unknown at this time.
The valiant men of the Kanga Force were all lost when their position was over run. The Australian 30th Infantry Brigade fights on, but it is not believed they can hold out long. Extracting the survivors of the unit is believed to be impossible, although options are being considered.
With Port Morseby gone, the Japanese can now turn their attention to New Caledonia, or even Australia. The battle for Port Moresby had lasted almost a month, but it was not long enough, not nearly.
RE: Moresby Falls
Aboard the CV Zuikaku, off Port Moresby. May 29th, 1942. 0600h
Lieutenant Okajima yawned sleepily as he climbed up the steel steps leading to the flight deck. His briefing had been short and to the point. "Kill gaijin. As many as you can."
For the past 3 days they had been pounding Port Moresby over and over again. Their losses had been light, but the slow grind was taking its toll on everyone's nerves. It seemed like the stubborn base would never fall. The Striking Force was spending way too much time exposed on this side of New Guinea.
"The damned Army's taking its own sweet time," thought Okajima, as he stepped onto the flight deck, bathed in the cold dimness of dawn. He looked worriedly overhead. Maybe today there would be no divebombers screaming down towards them. Ahead, his A6M2 was being revved up for takeoff. The CAP was already in position high above the Striking Force. Okajima's squadron would be escorting the first attack of the day. The bombers would give close air support for the Army reinforcements landings to the east of Port Moresby.
An orderly tapped him on his shoulder. "Sir, the Captain wants you on the bridge immediately."
"Huh? What the hell's going on?" Okajima wondered aloud. Impatiently, he made his way to the bridge all the while thinking about the precious fuel his fighter was burning up, revving on the deck. He was sweating freely under his flight jacket by the time he got to the bridge. The Captain and the watch officers looked up as he came in and saluted.
Dispensing with the usual formalities, the Captain simply waved him in and handed him a note. This intrigued Okajima considerably, as he took and read.
"
From: Comdr, Ops MO
To: OC Zuikaku
Hinomaru flies over MO. Enemy surrendered. Ceasfire effective 0600. Maintain CAP operations in case of LRB. Well done.
"
Okajima couldn't suppress the tears. They had done it. He looked up to see the Captain grinning from ear to ear.
The first rays of dawn lit up the Eastern sky, bathing the grey ships of the 6th Carrier Striking Force in a warm, red glow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/28/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on 30th Aus Brigade, at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 46
B5N Kate x 43
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged
LTJG J. Baker of VF-42 is credited with kill number 3
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 42
Attacking Level Bombers:
11 x B5N Kate at 3000 feet
16 x B5N Kate at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 13348 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 9522 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 24
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6613
Guns lost 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lieutenant Okajima yawned sleepily as he climbed up the steel steps leading to the flight deck. His briefing had been short and to the point. "Kill gaijin. As many as you can."
For the past 3 days they had been pounding Port Moresby over and over again. Their losses had been light, but the slow grind was taking its toll on everyone's nerves. It seemed like the stubborn base would never fall. The Striking Force was spending way too much time exposed on this side of New Guinea.
"The damned Army's taking its own sweet time," thought Okajima, as he stepped onto the flight deck, bathed in the cold dimness of dawn. He looked worriedly overhead. Maybe today there would be no divebombers screaming down towards them. Ahead, his A6M2 was being revved up for takeoff. The CAP was already in position high above the Striking Force. Okajima's squadron would be escorting the first attack of the day. The bombers would give close air support for the Army reinforcements landings to the east of Port Moresby.
An orderly tapped him on his shoulder. "Sir, the Captain wants you on the bridge immediately."
"Huh? What the hell's going on?" Okajima wondered aloud. Impatiently, he made his way to the bridge all the while thinking about the precious fuel his fighter was burning up, revving on the deck. He was sweating freely under his flight jacket by the time he got to the bridge. The Captain and the watch officers looked up as he came in and saluted.
Dispensing with the usual formalities, the Captain simply waved him in and handed him a note. This intrigued Okajima considerably, as he took and read.
"
From: Comdr, Ops MO
To: OC Zuikaku
Hinomaru flies over MO. Enemy surrendered. Ceasfire effective 0600. Maintain CAP operations in case of LRB. Well done.
"
Okajima couldn't suppress the tears. They had done it. He looked up to see the Captain grinning from ear to ear.
The first rays of dawn lit up the Eastern sky, bathing the grey ships of the 6th Carrier Striking Force in a warm, red glow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/28/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on 30th Aus Brigade, at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 46
B5N Kate x 43
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged
LTJG J. Baker of VF-42 is credited with kill number 3
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 42
Attacking Level Bombers:
11 x B5N Kate at 3000 feet
16 x B5N Kate at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 13348 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 9522 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 24
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6613
Guns lost 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
-
Shadow of the Condor
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
RE: Moresby Falls
Excellent AAR gentlemen, a pleasure to read. [:)]
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
A small battle
Rossel Island. June 2nd, 1942. 0900h
The destroyer had completed disgorging Captain Horii and his men the day before and had left the vicinity in a hurry. A periscope had been spotted in the bay, so it was possible a submarine was lurking about, trying for an easy kill. There had been far too many of those in recent days and the Imperial Navy was understandably nervous.
Except that Horii could now understand perfectly what the sub's mission was. His jungle-trained scouts had found an abandoned fireplace the night before. Enemy troops, possibly a squad or two, were sharing their piece of real estate. "Well, this god-forsaken island simply isn't big enough for both of us," thought Horii, as he briefed his platoon commanders.
It was a simple plan. It had to be. His men, the 'Rossel Force' were just a bunch of conscripted country hicks, quite bewildered at the heat and humidity that was the stuff of South Seas combat. Luckily, his officers were already acclimatised, battle-hardened and reliable under fire. 1st Platoon, his best, would find and fix the enemy's position quietly. 2nd and 3rd would then work round them and cutoff their escape. He could not waste precious ammunition just rounding a party of coastwatchers, so everything depended on stealth and speed.
A runner came creeping back within half an hour of 1st Platoon's dispatch. "They're near the Eastern beach. Lieutenant Suboi thinks they're still unaware of our presence."
"Alright, let's go."
2nd Platoon crept off to the right, while Horii personally led 3rd to the left. After the past 2 days of rain, the jungle was bathed in sweltering heat. It took them 2 long hours to slowly creep up to the small gaijin party in the clearing.
They were cleaning their weapons and amazingly, had neglected to post a lookout. For a while, Horii suspected a trap. While he wrestled with the possiblities, his men sweated and tried to ignore the mosquitoes and ants. Finally, Horii made up his mind. He passed the word by hand signal.
A low whistle, and then the 10 Australians in their shorts and bush hats were scrambling for their weapons as some 200 Japanese infantry came screaming out of the jungle with fixed bayonets. The shock paralyzed them and their hands were up in a flash. One of his men was about to stab with his bayonet, when Horii shouted, "Iye! No!" The commanding tone of his voice quickly established order, and while 2nd and 3rd Platoons went into all-round defence, the 1st began restraining the still very surprised gaijin and collecting their weapons and equipment.
Horii almost felt sorry for them. He had had some English lessons from a missionary when he was much younger, and these men reminded him of those days. He sighed and said in halting English, "For you, war over."
Thus satisfied, he holstered his pistol.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/02/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Ground combat at Rossel Island
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 244 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rossel Island base !!!
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The destroyer had completed disgorging Captain Horii and his men the day before and had left the vicinity in a hurry. A periscope had been spotted in the bay, so it was possible a submarine was lurking about, trying for an easy kill. There had been far too many of those in recent days and the Imperial Navy was understandably nervous.
Except that Horii could now understand perfectly what the sub's mission was. His jungle-trained scouts had found an abandoned fireplace the night before. Enemy troops, possibly a squad or two, were sharing their piece of real estate. "Well, this god-forsaken island simply isn't big enough for both of us," thought Horii, as he briefed his platoon commanders.
It was a simple plan. It had to be. His men, the 'Rossel Force' were just a bunch of conscripted country hicks, quite bewildered at the heat and humidity that was the stuff of South Seas combat. Luckily, his officers were already acclimatised, battle-hardened and reliable under fire. 1st Platoon, his best, would find and fix the enemy's position quietly. 2nd and 3rd would then work round them and cutoff their escape. He could not waste precious ammunition just rounding a party of coastwatchers, so everything depended on stealth and speed.
A runner came creeping back within half an hour of 1st Platoon's dispatch. "They're near the Eastern beach. Lieutenant Suboi thinks they're still unaware of our presence."
"Alright, let's go."
2nd Platoon crept off to the right, while Horii personally led 3rd to the left. After the past 2 days of rain, the jungle was bathed in sweltering heat. It took them 2 long hours to slowly creep up to the small gaijin party in the clearing.
They were cleaning their weapons and amazingly, had neglected to post a lookout. For a while, Horii suspected a trap. While he wrestled with the possiblities, his men sweated and tried to ignore the mosquitoes and ants. Finally, Horii made up his mind. He passed the word by hand signal.
A low whistle, and then the 10 Australians in their shorts and bush hats were scrambling for their weapons as some 200 Japanese infantry came screaming out of the jungle with fixed bayonets. The shock paralyzed them and their hands were up in a flash. One of his men was about to stab with his bayonet, when Horii shouted, "Iye! No!" The commanding tone of his voice quickly established order, and while 2nd and 3rd Platoons went into all-round defence, the 1st began restraining the still very surprised gaijin and collecting their weapons and equipment.
Horii almost felt sorry for them. He had had some English lessons from a missionary when he was much younger, and these men reminded him of those days. He sighed and said in halting English, "For you, war over."
Thus satisfied, he holstered his pistol.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/02/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Ground combat at Rossel Island
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 244 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rossel Island base !!!
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Bridge and Shogi
Aboard the BB Yamato, Hashirajima Bay, Japan. June 4th 1942. 2100h
"C-in-C on the deck!" The Admiral was already half-way through the doorway of the junior officer's mess when Ensign Matsuyama caught sight him. Several of the younger officers jumped to attention immediately. Cigarette smoke filled the cramped mess, but that scarcely obscured the fact that there were two tables in the room, with mahjong tiles arranged on the tabletops in the characteristic square pattern, and the yen notes piled neatly at the table corners. Two games were obviously afoot. Matsuyama could feel himself breaking out in cold sweat. They were going to get it for sure.
Lieutenant Goto, one of the older hands, was seated at one of the mahjong tables, grinning away. He stood smartly, "Good evening, Sir. Come to watch as usual?"
Oddly, the Admiral was grinning too. "I really ought to rewrite the damned Fleet Regulations, but those bakas in Naval General Staff would probably sack me first."
There was a audible sigh of relief from the younger officers. They had heard the rumours of course, that the Admiral had a penchant for, to put it politely, 'games of chance', particularly gaijin ones. It was quite another thing altogether to see the rumours confirmed in the flesh.
"Mahjong again?" asked the Admiral, casting a disapproving eye on the tables. "All luck. No challenge in that at all. Who's for a round of bridge?"
"What's that?" Too late, Matsuyama wished he could contain his curiosity, or his tongue, for once.
The Admiral snorted, tongue-in-cheek. "Ignoramus. Don't know how to play bridge? Sit next to Goto, he'll teach you." Then to Goto, "How about it? You still owe me 50 yen from the last time." Goto's heart sank. The Old Man wasn't easy to beat, especially at bridge. Shortly, another two officers were (reluctantly) roped in and they began to deal the cards. The rest of the ensigns settled (a little uneasily) back to their noisy games of mahjong.
Just then, the mess radio blared out the "Battleship March" and the NHK newsreader's irritatingly high-pitched voice came on to declare the litany of recent naval victories in the South Seas.
"One No Trump." The Admiral began bidding. He looked up nonchalantly from his hand, "Matsuyama, yes? Could you tune that radio to Allied radio news? I want to hear what the enemy thinks of our 'victories'. It'll be educational for you too."
Matsuyama, visibly surprised, nonetheless complied. Soon, the soft strains of a big band somewhere in America was filling the cramped space of the Yamato's junior officer's mess. The news came on shortly.
"The war in the Coral Sea area continues to rage. While we mourn the loss of Port Moresby, our brave sailors and airmen have exacted a toll on the enemy. CinCPac reports that 2 enemy carriers are damaged, and a number of cruisers sunk and damaged as well. Our submarines, too, have accounted for several troopships.
Our forces are now marshalling in order to counterattack the enemy and halt his advance. It has been confirmed this morning, that as of this moment, the carriers Enterprise and Hornet are now operating in the Coral Sea. This will give a tremendous boost to our forces, land, sea and air, operating in Australian waters..."
"Four Spade" Lieutenant Goto gave a carefully considered bid. "These American fools. Reporting their ship names over the news like that. Don't they know we're listening?"
"Five No Trump. They're playing shogi with us Goto, that's all. Not to worry." The Admiral however, did not tell him of the searchplane reports just in this morning from Rabaul. Yes, the carriers are there, all right. They had been spotted in Noumea harbour, marking time. "A ruse to lull us into complacency before a surprise attack? Or were they trying to lure us into a trap?" the Admiral thought briefly, then turned to consider his bid.
"Well, I hope Sir," said Matsuyama at last, more calmly than before. "We'll be able to see some action at last."
"Pass." Goto, in as even a tone as he could managed.
"Oh you will, young man, you will." The Admiral peered at his cards, then smiled mischieviously.
"Seven No Trump."
Goto knew then, that he had lost another 50 yen.
"C-in-C on the deck!" The Admiral was already half-way through the doorway of the junior officer's mess when Ensign Matsuyama caught sight him. Several of the younger officers jumped to attention immediately. Cigarette smoke filled the cramped mess, but that scarcely obscured the fact that there were two tables in the room, with mahjong tiles arranged on the tabletops in the characteristic square pattern, and the yen notes piled neatly at the table corners. Two games were obviously afoot. Matsuyama could feel himself breaking out in cold sweat. They were going to get it for sure.
Lieutenant Goto, one of the older hands, was seated at one of the mahjong tables, grinning away. He stood smartly, "Good evening, Sir. Come to watch as usual?"
Oddly, the Admiral was grinning too. "I really ought to rewrite the damned Fleet Regulations, but those bakas in Naval General Staff would probably sack me first."
There was a audible sigh of relief from the younger officers. They had heard the rumours of course, that the Admiral had a penchant for, to put it politely, 'games of chance', particularly gaijin ones. It was quite another thing altogether to see the rumours confirmed in the flesh.
"Mahjong again?" asked the Admiral, casting a disapproving eye on the tables. "All luck. No challenge in that at all. Who's for a round of bridge?"
"What's that?" Too late, Matsuyama wished he could contain his curiosity, or his tongue, for once.
The Admiral snorted, tongue-in-cheek. "Ignoramus. Don't know how to play bridge? Sit next to Goto, he'll teach you." Then to Goto, "How about it? You still owe me 50 yen from the last time." Goto's heart sank. The Old Man wasn't easy to beat, especially at bridge. Shortly, another two officers were (reluctantly) roped in and they began to deal the cards. The rest of the ensigns settled (a little uneasily) back to their noisy games of mahjong.
Just then, the mess radio blared out the "Battleship March" and the NHK newsreader's irritatingly high-pitched voice came on to declare the litany of recent naval victories in the South Seas.
"One No Trump." The Admiral began bidding. He looked up nonchalantly from his hand, "Matsuyama, yes? Could you tune that radio to Allied radio news? I want to hear what the enemy thinks of our 'victories'. It'll be educational for you too."
Matsuyama, visibly surprised, nonetheless complied. Soon, the soft strains of a big band somewhere in America was filling the cramped space of the Yamato's junior officer's mess. The news came on shortly.
"The war in the Coral Sea area continues to rage. While we mourn the loss of Port Moresby, our brave sailors and airmen have exacted a toll on the enemy. CinCPac reports that 2 enemy carriers are damaged, and a number of cruisers sunk and damaged as well. Our submarines, too, have accounted for several troopships.
Our forces are now marshalling in order to counterattack the enemy and halt his advance. It has been confirmed this morning, that as of this moment, the carriers Enterprise and Hornet are now operating in the Coral Sea. This will give a tremendous boost to our forces, land, sea and air, operating in Australian waters..."
"Four Spade" Lieutenant Goto gave a carefully considered bid. "These American fools. Reporting their ship names over the news like that. Don't they know we're listening?"
"Five No Trump. They're playing shogi with us Goto, that's all. Not to worry." The Admiral however, did not tell him of the searchplane reports just in this morning from Rabaul. Yes, the carriers are there, all right. They had been spotted in Noumea harbour, marking time. "A ruse to lull us into complacency before a surprise attack? Or were they trying to lure us into a trap?" the Admiral thought briefly, then turned to consider his bid.
"Well, I hope Sir," said Matsuyama at last, more calmly than before. "We'll be able to see some action at last."
"Pass." Goto, in as even a tone as he could managed.
"Oh you will, young man, you will." The Admiral peered at his cards, then smiled mischieviously.
"Seven No Trump."
Goto knew then, that he had lost another 50 yen.
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Dinner on the Akagi
Author's Note: Nothing much happening in our game these past 2 game weeks. So here's a teaser...
[:D]
Aboard the CV Akagi, Shortlands, June 19th 1942, 1900h
"Gentlemen, your attention please. The C-in-C."
The Admiral climbed atop the makeshift stage on the flightdeck. He was dressed in his best navy whites for the special dinner tonight, having flown down specially from Truk to see them off, and wanted to look his best. On such occasions, he could be extremely formal. The Akagi, after all, used to be his ship.
The assembled throng was no less glittering. The foremost general officers of His Majesty's Army and Navy were present, sipping sake, enjoying the good spread of sushi laid on by the Akagi's mess. The late afternoon shower had stopped and everyone was relaxing and chatting happily in cool evening breeze.
The Admiral gazed intently at them. They had not all been his friends before the war. The Army men were dedicated political enemies of the Navy, it was all their fault that Japan was now in this war. Yet, their decision to give all-out support for the Southern drive was now paying off handsomely. General Imamura and him had forged a good working relationship, and were on cordial terms off-duty.
There was Yamaguchi, a brilliant man by any measure. "Just a little too brash sometimes." thought the Admiral. And Tanaka, the "God of Surface Combat". Nagumo, the victor of Pearl Harbor, still very much tied to the traditions of big guns and big ships. Fujita and Ozawa, waiting in the wings for a chance to show their mettle. Hosogaya, with his sharp knack for cruiser operations.
Then, a little ways off, there were his 'flyboys'. He had patiently watched over them, groomed them, Fuchida, Murata, Sakai, and the rest. And they had done him so proud. They had proven him right many times over these 6 months. The unspoken truth, the truth everyone implicitly knew but dared not express, was that it would take no more than a single squadron of their deadly torpedo bombers to make short work of the vaunted Battleship Yamato.
"Gentlemen, it is my honour to dine with you all tonight. Tomorrow, you embark on what could be THE decisive battle of this war. You yourselves know the risks involve, for while we have been victorious over America up to this time, we cannot count forever on good fortune. All I can say has been said by Admiral Togo 37 years ago. 'On this battle rests the fate of the Empire, let everyman do his utmost.' I wish you then, Godspeed and victory in tomorrow's battle."
"Let us now turn towards Tokyo, and give three cheers to His Majesty."
As one, the officers turned North solemnly.
"Banzai!"
"Banzai!"
"Banzai!"
The cheers echoed across the anchorage, then died away in the starry night...
[:D]
Aboard the CV Akagi, Shortlands, June 19th 1942, 1900h
"Gentlemen, your attention please. The C-in-C."
The Admiral climbed atop the makeshift stage on the flightdeck. He was dressed in his best navy whites for the special dinner tonight, having flown down specially from Truk to see them off, and wanted to look his best. On such occasions, he could be extremely formal. The Akagi, after all, used to be his ship.
The assembled throng was no less glittering. The foremost general officers of His Majesty's Army and Navy were present, sipping sake, enjoying the good spread of sushi laid on by the Akagi's mess. The late afternoon shower had stopped and everyone was relaxing and chatting happily in cool evening breeze.
The Admiral gazed intently at them. They had not all been his friends before the war. The Army men were dedicated political enemies of the Navy, it was all their fault that Japan was now in this war. Yet, their decision to give all-out support for the Southern drive was now paying off handsomely. General Imamura and him had forged a good working relationship, and were on cordial terms off-duty.
There was Yamaguchi, a brilliant man by any measure. "Just a little too brash sometimes." thought the Admiral. And Tanaka, the "God of Surface Combat". Nagumo, the victor of Pearl Harbor, still very much tied to the traditions of big guns and big ships. Fujita and Ozawa, waiting in the wings for a chance to show their mettle. Hosogaya, with his sharp knack for cruiser operations.
Then, a little ways off, there were his 'flyboys'. He had patiently watched over them, groomed them, Fuchida, Murata, Sakai, and the rest. And they had done him so proud. They had proven him right many times over these 6 months. The unspoken truth, the truth everyone implicitly knew but dared not express, was that it would take no more than a single squadron of their deadly torpedo bombers to make short work of the vaunted Battleship Yamato.
"Gentlemen, it is my honour to dine with you all tonight. Tomorrow, you embark on what could be THE decisive battle of this war. You yourselves know the risks involve, for while we have been victorious over America up to this time, we cannot count forever on good fortune. All I can say has been said by Admiral Togo 37 years ago. 'On this battle rests the fate of the Empire, let everyman do his utmost.' I wish you then, Godspeed and victory in tomorrow's battle."
"Let us now turn towards Tokyo, and give three cheers to His Majesty."
As one, the officers turned North solemnly.
"Banzai!"
"Banzai!"
"Banzai!"
The cheers echoed across the anchorage, then died away in the starry night...
Lord Hawke
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
Qui desiderat pacem, preparet bellum.
"He who desires peace, prepares for war."
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UndercoverNotChickenSalad
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neuromancer
- Posts: 630
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A quick aside
Glad you guys like the report.
And the Japanese (my esteemed opponent) were reporting Enterprise and Hornet in theatre for no less than a week before they actually arrived!
I had a little fun with some counter-intelligence with that.
Although I did also warn him not to trust his recon flight pilots, they tend to
exaggerate (I've seen subs identified as battleships).
He asked me to put them out to sea. I told him that they already were.
What I didn't tell him was that the sea they were in was the Pacific Ocean, somwhere between Noumea and Pearl!
[;)]
Otherwise things have been pretty slow on my side.
And the Japanese (my esteemed opponent) were reporting Enterprise and Hornet in theatre for no less than a week before they actually arrived!
I had a little fun with some counter-intelligence with that.
Although I did also warn him not to trust his recon flight pilots, they tend to
exaggerate (I've seen subs identified as battleships).
He asked me to put them out to sea. I told him that they already were.
What I didn't tell him was that the sea they were in was the Pacific Ocean, somwhere between Noumea and Pearl!
[;)]
Otherwise things have been pretty slow on my side.