Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 17-19, 1941

Malaya
Port Dickson falls on the 18th.

Johore Bharu FALLS on the 18th crushing its defenders (two Aussie Brigades) and opening the way to Singers.

Alor Star falls on the 19th.

On the 19th, 3 Japanese ID, 1 Engineer Reg, and 3 Artillery units begin moving towards Singapore. WE want this done QUICK!

[John 3rd]

Crushing enemy TFs between Hawaii and the WC:

12-19-41 WCa.png (224.91 KiB) Viewed 308 times

[John 3rd]

The DEI is a MESS!

12-19-41 DEI.png (896.56 KiB) Viewed 306 times

[John 3rd]

Last Screen.

SoPac--doubt if I can lure Gregg within 14 hexes of either Truk or Roi Namur but it is worth the try...

12-19-41 SP.png (298.51 KiB) Viewed 306 times

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 17-19, 1941

SS Operations
I tend to do pretty well with my subs so this is a regular Posting in Combat Reports.

17th--
I-168 AK Jacob Luchenbach 1TT near Moala doing 48 Cas (2 Squads)
Ro-65 AKL Hai Sang 4 Shells near Donggala

18th--
I-75 SINKS TK Pat Doheny with 3 TT and hits TK Alfred Clegg with 1 TT near San Diego
I-10 SINKS AK William Luchenbach with 4 Shells and 1 TT near Anatom doing 18 Cas (1 Squad)

19th--
I-155 hits TK British Duchess with 1 TT near Exmouth

LaFoa
Have three SS ML on their way to mine LaFoa and slow down the Allied landings here.

[John 3rd]

OK?? Done.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 20, 1941

A slightly calmer day after several frantic days of action.

CenPac
Hawaiian Interdiction
CarDiv1 continues to blast shipping East/NE of Hawaii. This day sees 7 AK, 1 PC, and 1 AG sunk. Sorties on the CVs are excellent. We can do this for a few more days without issue. YUMMY!

Midway
As Kido Butai moves SSW from Wake, I decide to make sure that Midway can defend itself. There is an Air Flotilla present so I fly off most of Hiryu's air group to give Midway some teeth. The enemy can fly B-17 up here and I don't want them to have a free shot at scoring on the disbanded ships present. There are 2 SNLF Brigades, an Air Flotilla, 4 Engineer units, and 2 more Base Forces. It is WAY OVERCROWDED!

Wake
The troops are fully ashore and get a day of rest as the Japanese curl up for a massed punch. The afternoon sees a strike of 29 Zero, 55 Val, and 73 Kate do 173 Cas to the defenders. Tomorrow will see all 4 of the old BBs hit the base, then 4 BC from the Kido Butai escort will nail it, a carrier strike follows, and, finally, a Shock Attack should finish resistance.

SoPac
The enemy pulls back.

Lunga goes to AF-1 and gets 36 Zero and 27 Betty.

New Caledonia
The enemy is trying to get troops into LaFoa but Japan's subs score TWICE! Minelaying commences tomorrow and that should help. An SNLF Brigade arrives at LaFoa and will bombard tomorrow to see what is present. An IJA Brigade arrives in two days if needed. Order 5 SS into the LaFoa hex to SINK the enemy!

The enemy bombards Noumea as well as LaFoa to little effect. Should note that the Noumea bombardment had the Lexington-Class BCs present. Those 20 16" guns are formidable!

DEI
Ambon
A Japanese Shock Attack by the 90th Infantry Regiment scores 3-1 taking Forts to 0. Base will fall tomorrow.

Kendari
A Fast TF drops off a small Infantry unit that will take the base tomorrow. Day after that will see an Air HQ land and then Java is DONE!

No real naval action this day.

SS Action
I-10
Hits AK Exmoor with 1 TT (12 Cas--1 Squad) near Noumea
Hits AK Dorothy Luchenbach with 1 TT (7 Cas and 7 Vehicles) near Noumea

I-155
Hit AK Tarifa with 1 TT near Exmouth

12-20-41.png (740.41 KiB) Viewed 278 times

[John 3rd]

December 20, 1941
Malaya

12-20-41 Malaya.png (771.4 KiB) Viewed 276 times

[John 3rd]

December 20, 1941
Luzon

12-20-41 Phil North.png (436.35 KiB) Viewed 276 times

[John 3rd]

December 20, 1941
Mindanao

12-20-41 Mindanao.png (647.13 KiB) Viewed 275 times

[John 3rd]

The SoPac Operation is over. The troops are ashore and the Allies are transfixed by the trust to the south. Now--time will tell--we will see how quickly he figures out the Hawaiian Operation. Once Wake falls, I will allow the Wake troops 2-3 days to rest then we pick-up the troops and head for the Big Island and Lihue for our first assaults.

The 16th Army will unload at Wake in two days.

A massive TF will begin loading at Tokyo in 2-3 days. There will be 2 ID, 2 Army Brigade, 3 Army Engineering Regiments, 2 Air HQ, 2 large Base Force, and 2 small Base Force. This is the Iron Fist of the assault. Am certain to need another ID so will stockpile points to buy another ID from Manchuria.

My AK conversions are almost done. I converted 7-8 AK into AKE as well as a few to AG, AS, and--of course--several AR. The AKE are done in 2-3 days. Will need them to keep the BBs/BCs fed!

Am moving forward Combined and 4th Fleet. These will also aid in reloading!

[RangerJoe]

I suggest getting some ADs since they can also help to repair DDs and smaller and it appears that they will also load the ammo for the smaller guns on the larger ships as well as their torpedoes.

[John 3rd]

I suggest getting some ADs since they can also help to repair DDs and smaller and it appears that they will also load the ammo for the smaller guns on the larger ships as well as their torpedoes.

Excellent thought! Adding it to the list.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 21, 1941

This is the first semi-calm turn of the war.

NoPac
Fast TF will land troops on Adak tomorrow.

CenPac
Midway
Enemy TF of CL Helena and some DDs approaching. A strike of 12 Zero and 16 Kates flew and hit Helena with a single bomb. Order all ships out of Port and move to Kure just in case he comes on with a Bombardment.

Laysan
Fast TF lands a Japanese BF here. Will use it for advanced air search/recon.

Wake
Four BB hit the island. They don't have a lot of ammo but do 116 Ca and sink the remaining 4 PT-Boats. The SNLF Assault Brigade does a Shock Attack and scores 4-1 dropping Forts from 3 down to ZERO. Base will fall tomorrow.

SoPac
LaFoa
As said yesterday, move 5 Japanese SS to the LaFoa hex. They do well and sink two AK. First load of 50 mines are dropped off in the hex by an I-Boat ML. Two more loads are coming.

My Brigade bombards and finds two small Inf units as well as a small Base Force. The Army Brigade arrives tomorrow and will double Japanese firepower. Will attack tomorrow.

Spot the American BC TF and two CVs. Just watching them for now...

DEI
Ambon FALLS!

Kendari sees a 2-1 Japanese Shock Attack drop Forts to ZERO. It falls tomorrow and an Air Flotilla lands to bring in MISS BETTY to raise some Hell.

Philippines
Legaspi falls.

Lingayen
Three Philippine ID defend this base and they are crushed by my ID and 3 Artillery units. The Philippine army loses 11,221 Cas (559 Squads) and 3 units are destroyed. NICE!

SS Ops
I-8 SINKS AK Dorothy Luchenbach with 2 TT (15 Cas and 2 Guns) at LaFoa
I-1 SINKS AK Exmoor with 2 TT at LaFoa
Ro-33 SINKS AKL Hai Sang with 23 Shells near Balikpapan
I-160 hits AK Jalaratna with a TT near Rangoon
Ro-34 SINKS AGP Niagara with 3 Sh and a TT at Zanboanga

NICE SS Round!

12-21-41 Laysan.png (772.91 KiB) Viewed 246 times

[John 3rd]

OK. Time for a new set of updates. LOTS of action!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 22-27, 1941

NoPac
After the quick capture of Amchatka, the Japanese Fast TF (3 CL and 5 DD) return to Paramushiro Jima. A pair of small AK are sent to bring supplies to the new base.

In a short time, will form a set of small TFs to grab all the bases from Adak west.

CenPac
Wake
The base FALLS on the 22nd bringing 2133 POWs to the Japanese fold. TFs move in to unload supplies and allow the SNLF Brigade a chance to re-provision and make good on casualties sustained in the landing and base capture.

Midway
Shipping continues moving to this base. The Americans must have 8-10 SS stationed around the island. They are being a pain-in-the-butt!

Kure
Fast TF takes the base on 12-24.

Laysan
Fast TF takes the base on the 27th. A Base Force is present and prepare to move a Mavis group in to begin systematic air search and recon of the Hawaiian Isles.

CarDiv1
The carriers begin a slow withdrawal towards Midway. Goal is NOT to be seen. Need fuel and supplies.

With the developments down south, I am re-organizing the Hawaiian CV support. CVL Shoho arrives on Christmas Day at Kure. It is dispatched with 3 DD to Midway. CVL Zuiho is detached from the Kido Butai on the 25th as well. These two CVL will combine with Akagi-Kaga-Karasu to form a strong 2 CV and 3 CVL TF to cover the upcoming landings in Hawaii.

Invasion Force
On the 24th, the main forces to be used in capturing the major targets in the Hawaiian Isles departs Tokyo. Two ID, two Brigades, and a host of support units depart and head for Truk. I purposefully set it as Truk to make any intelligence pick-up by the Allies THINK this TF is moving SE. On the 28th, the TF will be redirected to Midway...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 22-27, 1941

SoPac
We all know that when operations begin that they can take on a life of their own.

The initial plan has worked PERFECTLY. Lunga, Tulagi, Luganville, Efate, Tanna, Koumac, and Noumea all fell. Unfortunately, the enemy was able to get some reinforcements into LaFoa before I could grab that base. CRAP! OK. Got two Brigades on the island so not too big of deal. As hoped, the entire US Scouting Force arrived and did some damage making the operation painful but not horrible. Japan lost about a dozen ships including 2 CL and 2 DD. With control of the sea, the Allies have then scrambled to move more units to LaFoa to stage a counter-offensive. LOTS of shipping and warships staying in the area...

...what does that mean?

OPPORTUNITY!

As detailed in the previous report, Kido Butai leaves the Wake Operation and head to Kwajalein. AOs and supplies await their arrival. The 24th sees carriers Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, and CVL Ryukaku head south. Additionally, several TFs carrying Base Forces and Engineers depart Truk and the Marshalls to aid in base development and strengthen our hold on the area.

The hangars of Hiryu are empty since I left her air group to defend Midway. To aid the carriers, two land-based Zero Daitai (69 Zero) fly to Hiryu and take-up residence. We will try to use them here long enough to make them carrier trained and not just carrier capable.

On December 26th the TF is a hex north of Ndeni. I order a FULL SPEED jump that should place them on the other side of Koumac at dawn on the 27th. All strike planes are shifted from training (as they have been for almost 10 days) to attack status. Though this jump will use up a BUNCH of fuel, I want surprise. Set their home port as Koumac so nothing can go wonky. Have a STF with 2 BC, 1 CA, and 5 DD following by about a day and set them to head for Koumac as well. Need to be able to combine them on the 28th if needed.

December 27, 1941
Weather looks pretty good for the day with scattered clouds and small storms. Over 40 Mavis and Recon Nells lift off from Luganville and Noumea. These are joined by about 10 FP from Kido Butai. The full speed run is perfect. Within minutes of dawn breaking, reports begin to flow in as to Allied TFs at LaFoa, bombarding Noumea, just off the New Caledonian Coast, and to the west moving towards Australia.

A TARGET RICH ENVIRONMENT and Kido Butai is HUNGRY! Vice Admiral Yamaguchi takes the unusual step of sending strikes out in Daitai-sized attack groups.

Morning Strikes
1. Two Flushdeck Cruisers are spotted supporting the LaFoa TFs. 35 Zero and 14 Val attack this TF and easily brush aside 9 Brewster Buffalo to hit CAVs Wellington (2 B) and Melbourne (1B).
2. The TF bombarding Noumea gets 19 Zero and 14 Val seeing CAs Northampton (3B) and Salt Lake City (2B) hit.
3. 11 Z and 24 Kate hit the TF to the west and sink 2 AP, damage am AP and AMC.
4. 4 Zero and 24 Val attack a group of 4 American DDs within sight at 30 miles from the KB. DD's Fanning, Flusser, and Fanning are sunk by 2-3 bombs on each.
5. The TFs unloading troops at LaFoa receive 12 Zero, 12 Val, and 12 Kate for their strike. Four AP and an AMC are hit hard. Troops are trying to unload but do not make it to shore.

Afternoon Strikes
1. Continuing to punish the ANZAC Flightdeck Cruisers, a strike of 34 Zero and 16 Val further damage these valuable ships by hitting both of them with two more bombs each.
2. 20 Zero and 39 Kate go after the the American cruiser TF hitting Salt Lake City with 3 TT and Northampton with 2 TT. Both CAs are left in sinking condition.
3. LaFoa shipping is hit with 12 Zero, 24 Val, and 20 Kate doing enormous damage. 2 AM, an AMC, and 4 AP are SUNK!
4. 11 Zero and 19 Kate hit the shipping to the west sinking 2 AP and damaging 2 more.

TOTAL probable sinkings for the day is 2 CA, 3 DD, 6 AP, 2 AMC, and 2 AM.
DAMAGE is done to 2 CAV, 1 DD, and 6 AP.

NICE WORK and a strong: BANZAI!!!

ORDERS
KB will move NE a hex or two and add the STF into its screen. This should help things from getting out of hand. Shift Shokaku and Zuikaku's Kates to Torpedo from the bombs they carried today. Shift CAP up to 50% just in case Lex and Enterprise want to appear and play!

12-27-41 SoPac.png (429.67 KiB) Viewed 164 times

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Dec 22-27, 1941

Philippines
Luzon
The IJA is driving from the north and south on Luzon. After mauling 3 Philippine IDs at Lingayen, the 18th ID arrives at Clark with 6 Artillery units, and an Army HQ on the 27th.

Antimonan falls on the 24th and the southern drive continues north.

Eastern DEI
Ambon
This base is proving to be a thorn in my IJA Regiment's side. Three attacks during these six days lowering Forts to zero. Base should fall on the 28th.

Kendari
Base falls on the 23rd and immediately move Miss Betty and Nells as well as 30 Zero here.

The bombers find immediate targets on the 24th sinking an AP and BB Valiant! Valiant had 10 Betty attack and they planted 4 TTs and put PAID to this old BBs life!

While the waters within 14 hexes of Kendari is dangerous, it is much more dangerous farther to the south where the two CVL/CVE TF have joined together forming a single CTF with 1 CVL, 2 CAV, and 3 CVE. Operations on the 26th/27th:

26th: 2 ARD, 3 AMc, 1 AG, 2 AP, 1 AGP sunk at Port Hedlund.
27th: 1 AR, 1 AS, 1 TK, 2 CMc, 1 CM, 1 AMc, and 3 AK rounding Australia's NW corner.

ORDERS: Carriers move around the fleeing Allied column of TFs while detaching a CA and 5 DD to hunt all that they can.

Western DEI
A TF of 4 Japanese BB are prowling around south of Java and they sink a large TF of modern ships. Down go 1 PG, 2 TK, and 7 AK. BBs return to Merak afterwards.

The days for the Royal Navy stay bad when 18 Zero and 33 Betty/Nell from Palembang find a STF at Tjilatjap. CA Exeter takes a Torp but BB Queen Elizabeth is SUNK by 5 TT. NICE!

Malaya
Singapore
Three ID have crossed over as well as 25th Army, 2 Artillery units, and 3 Engineering Regiment. Two attacks have brought Forts to ZERO and the base will fall on the next attack. How about that???

Batu Pahat falls on the 22nd.

Troops will take Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

Hong Kong
This location finally falls on the 23rd.

12-27-41 Aust.png (623.75 KiB) Viewed 156 times

[RangerJoe]

If the fighter units on Hiryu lose aircraft, don't necessarily replace them so you can put other air units such as bombers on them if you so desire. You can transfer them to other carriers and keep their flight training going, even if the carriers are in a shipyard.

[John 3rd]

Last Port for this set of days:

SS Operations:
12-22
I-154 SINKS TK Josefina with 2 TT off Denpasar
12-24
I-165 SINKS AKL Sagoland with 1 TT near Exmouth
12-25
I-166 SINKS AKL DeKlerk with 2 TT near Geraldton
12-27
I-159 SINKS AM CMMSA with 1 TT at Exmouth

Summary
This has been a banner set of days. Two Brit BB sunk with another 12-15 warships hit and/or sunk. Add another 30-40 support and transport ships and life has been OK. Only Japanese loss during these five days are 2 DDs. Not bad whatsoever.