BBfanboy wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 4:40 am
After the first clash in the Celebes Sea, heavily damaged DD Pope and DD Parrot left the Allied TF. Since Myoko found Parrot alone, we can be quite sure that Pope went down.
I also think there is little hope for Houston. Crew experience is not yet high on Allied ships and the CA's design is old - less compartmentation etc. Should be less durable than the IJN CAs.
Now you just have to catch that Allied TF with nearly empty magazines ...
Houston defintitely went donw. LST confirmed that he had lost Houston and 2 destroyers with several other destroyers in difficulty.
As for catching Boise and friends with nearly empty magazines... I'd need something useful in the area to do that and I simply don't have it. A couple of submarines in their path is the best I can hope for.
Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'
zebrazwo wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:43 am
Ouch. That hurt a little.
One thing you can be certain of when playing the red side... you are going to see ships go down. In this case I made a receipe for disaster within the first 2 weeks. Ouch is so right. The 2 CS are invaluable and between those 2 and the CVL almost 100 planes went down and no doubt a large chunk of aircrew as well. 25% of the Myoko class also gone. Trading Houston for these 4 is bad news so early in proceedings.
While taking a piece like Houston off the board is nice, the price you ended up paying was, I'm sure you will admit, too high. Are you changing any of your plans now because of the missing assets?
zebrazwo wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:43 am
Ouch. That hurt a little.
One thing you can be certain of when playing the red side... you are going to see ships go down. In this case I made a receipe for disaster within the first 2 weeks. Ouch is so right. The 2 CS are invaluable and between those 2 and the CVL almost 100 planes went down and no doubt a large chunk of aircrew as well. 25% of the Myoko class also gone. Trading Houston for these 4 is bad news so early in proceedings.
While taking a piece like Houston off the board is nice, the price you ended up paying was, I'm sure you will admit, too high. Are you changing any of your plans now because of the missing assets?
The immediate change was the cancelling of BB/CV Shinano. Even though a crippling move to chase this shipyard points guzzler I had decided to give it a go. The mod calls for it to be accelerated until 21.03.43 at 684 points a turn. An absolutely hugh percentage of the 1384 a day that are available. It would not have been unitl Musashi was complete on 13.08.42 that I would have found a spare 233 points to use. I now have 684 naval shipyard points to utilize each turn which now means that DDs Akizuki, Kazegumo, Makigumo and Naganami along with CVL Shoho and CV Taiho have been accelerated. This is the silver lining from the Celebes Sea encounter - no more Shinano but a host of ships back on normal timelines and some good acceleration happening.
Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'
SierraJuliet wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 11:49 am
...
The immediate change was the cancelling of BB/CV Shinano. Even though a crippling move to chase this shipyard points guzzler I had decided to give it a go. ....
I too struggle to build this ship. The $!##$! cost ... I can't remember the last time I did ... a long time ago. I can say it was deflating when I got it though. IIRC, a little after 2 months, it ate 4 torps and spent the rest of the war in RSY ... I was kinda looking forward to seeing if you had better luck ....
SierraJuliet wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 11:49 am
...
The immediate change was the cancelling of BB/CV Shinano. Even though a crippling move to chase this shipyard points guzzler I had decided to give it a go. ....
I too struggle to build this ship. The $!##$! cost ... I can't remember the last time I did ... a long time ago. I can say it was deflating when I got it though. IIRC, a little after 2 months, it ate 4 torps and spent the rest of the war in RSY ... I was kinda looking forward to seeing if you had better luck ....
I just thought of a change for the Shinano. Build an empty hulk at a lower cost and then have an upgrade to the BB or the CV version. Much like the Yamato and the Mushashi entered service earlier than in the game, give them an important upgrade that takes time.
Last edited by RangerJoe on Tue Mar 31, 2026 1:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).” ; Julia Child
SierraJuliet wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 11:49 am
...
The immediate change was the cancelling of BB/CV Shinano. Even though a crippling move to chase this shipyard points guzzler I had decided to give it a go. ....
I too struggle to build this ship. The $!##$! cost ... I can't remember the last time I did ... a long time ago. I can say it was deflating when I got it though. IIRC, a little after 2 months, it ate 4 torps and spent the rest of the war in RSY ... I was kinda looking forward to seeing if you had better luck ....
Yep, that would be more than deflating after spending so much and waiting. At least you saved it from sinking.
I have in the back of my mind to review the situation once Musashi is built and reconsider then. That would push the build back by around 8 months but if I can squeeze the points out of the naval shipyards I may consider it. Of course after another 8 months I'll know how the overall picture of how the contest stands and that will impact on any decision to magic up Shinano.
Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'
SierraJuliet wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 11:49 am
...
The immediate change was the cancelling of BB/CV Shinano. Even though a crippling move to chase this shipyard points guzzler I had decided to give it a go. ....
I too struggle to build this ship. The $!##$! cost ... I can't remember the last time I did ... a long time ago. I can say it was deflating when I got it though. IIRC, a little after 2 months, it ate 4 torps and spent the rest of the war in RSY ... I was kinda looking forward to seeing if you had better luck ....
I just thought of a change for the Shinano. Built an empty hulk at a lower cost and then have an upgrade to the BB or the CV version. Much like the Yamato and the Mushashi entered service earlier than in the game, give them an important upgrade that takes time.
Hi RangerJoe. LST's Shinano option arrives as an incomplete hull without armament which allows for a choice to be made to convert to either BB or CV. The arrival date is set to around April '43 on the understanding that the build is accelerated, for a late '42 arrival of the incomplete hull, in order to burn more construction points (which is to compensate for the fact that conversions do not use construction points). It's not so much the time needed to await the arrival it is the stupendous amount of resources required to produce it which is ths issue.
Now that I've read through LST notes again I definitely will reconsider restoring the build as I'd forgotten that the arrival date pushes forward so much because of the acceleration. It is still a full year of burning up 684 ship build points a day though! The jury will stay out unitl Musashi turns up.
Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'
It is a brutal road to acquire Shinano in this mod.
Here is a teaser for the next turn which I hope to get out tomorrow. I have only just now sent off the turn so LST will not have seen the turn just yet.
Attachments
Battle of Mersing 201241.png (929.48 KiB) Viewed 122 times
Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'
Seems like Ise and a couple of your destroyers are burning nicely! Hope this battle turns out better for the IJN than yesterdays battle of the Celebes Sea.
SierraJuliet wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 12:37 pm
Here is a teaser for the next turn which I hope to get out tomorrow. I have only just now sent off the turn so LST will not have seen the turn just yet.
I had decided almost a week ago in terms of game time that an attempt on Mersing might potentially shorten the Malayan campaign. Today is the day to put that thinking to the test. I’m certain that Force Z will come out to play. Will I get troops ashore and will I get enough to force the issue?
NORTH AMERICA
SS I-4 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Bagley near San Francisco at 217,71 and misses
Allied Ships DD Bagley
DD Jarvis
DD Patterson
SS I-4 is located by KV Chilliwack near San Francisco at 215,70 and escapes
Allied Ships KV Chilliwack
KV Dawson
AUSTRALIA
SS I-10^ launches 4 torpedoes near Coffs Harbor at 96,163
Allied Ships CM Bungaree, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SS I-10^ launches 4 torpedoes near Coffs Harbor at 96,163
Allied Ships CM Bungaree, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
PHILIPPINES
SS S-40~ launches 2 torpedoes at DMS W-16 near Vigan at 80,73 and misses
Japanese Ships DMS W-16
DMS W-15
SS Skipjack~ is located near Vigan at 80,73
Japanese Ships SC Ch-5
Allied Ships SS Skipjack~, hits 6
SS I-123* attacking on the surface near Puerto Princesa at 73,85
Allied Ships xAKL Dai Lee, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS RO-34 attacking on the surface near Pangutaran Island at 73,87
Allied Ships xAKL Paz, Shell hits 20, on fire
SS RO-34 low on gun ammo, Ota Takeshi breaks off surface engagement and submerges
SS KVIII is located by PB Nichi Maru #1 near Peleliu / Angaur at 90,98 and escapes
SS S-40~ is located by SC Ch-5 near Vigan at 80,73 and escapes
Batangas is occupied by the Japanese
MALAYA
Night Time Surface Combat, near Mersing at 51,82, Range 9,000 Yards
Japanese Ships BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Chokai
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Asashio
Allied Ships MGB ML-310, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
MGB ML-310 sunk by BB Haruna at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...
SS KXV launches 2 torpedoes at TB RTN Chandraburi near Mersing at 51,82 and misses
Night Naval bombardment of Mersing
Japanese minefield encountered at Tioman Island (51,83) – 1 mine cleared
Allied Ships DD Electra
Day Time Surface Combat, near Mersing at 51,82, Range 25,000 Yards
Japanese Ships BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 7 BB Ise, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage CL Yura, Shell hits 6 CL Kinu, Shell hits 9, heavy fires DD Minegumo
DD Murasame, Shell hits 2 DD Harusame, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1 DD Hibiki, Shell hits 2 DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 2, and is sunk DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1 DD Shirakumo
DD Yugiri
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Hakaze, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied Ships BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 8, on fire BC Repulse, Shell hits 8, on fire CA Exeter, Shell hits 3 CL Danae~, Shell hits 3 CL Dragon~, Shell hits 2 CL Durban~, Shell hits 2 CL Mauritius~
CL Glasgow~, Shell hits 3 CL Caledon~, Shell hits 2 DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 6, heavy fires DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 1 DD Witte de With, Shell hits 1 DD Van Nes, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Banckert
DD Electra, Shell hits 1 DD Encounter
DD Express, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Isis~, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Jupiter, Shell hits 3, on fire
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
DD Piet Hein collides with DD Jupiter at 51, 82
Range closes to 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
Magazine explodes on DD Ikazuchi
DD Ikazuchi sunk by DD Jupiter at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
Nishimura Teiji orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Exeter collides with DD Isis~ at 51, 82
Task forces break off...
Ise is in dire straits. She nearly uncontrolled, seawater eating away at her stability and fires raging. There will be an attempt to make it to Kuantan and hope that an inordinate number of enemy submarines do not finish her off. Slim chance of success but the order is to try and save her. Screen shot at the end showing how perilous is her situation.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Mersing at 51,82, Range 25,000 Yards
Japanese Ships DD Shinonome, Shell hits 23, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Murakumo, Shell hits 25, and is sunk PB Eifuku Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage PB Eiko Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage PB Nako Maru #2, Shell hits 11, and is sunk PB Tokotsu Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage AV Sanyo Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires xAK Kenyo Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Teiyo Maru #2, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire xAK Noto Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Nissyu Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Koryu Maru #1, Shell hits 4, heavy fires xAK Kokai Maru
xAK Eihuku Maru #1, Shell hits 2, on fire xAK Mikasa Maru #1, Shell hits 4, heavy fires xAK Aso Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk xAK Zyunyo Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage xAK Chihaya Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire xAK Hokuriku Maru, Shell hits 1 xAK Kuroshio Maru #2, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
Allied Ships BB Prince of Wales, on fire CA Exeter, Shell hits 1 CL Danae~
CL Dragon~
CL Durban~
CL Mauritius~
CL Glasgow~
CL Caledon~
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen, on fire DD Witte de With, on fire DD Banckert, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Electra
Japanese ground losses:
1204 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 98 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 65 disabled
Guns lost 54 (17 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (14 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Younger L E orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 15,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...
Day Time Surface Combat, near Mersing at 51,82, Range 21,000 Yards
Japanese Ships TB RTN Surasdra, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
TB RTN Trad, Shell hits 1
Allied Ships BC Repulse, heavy fires DD Piet Hein, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Van Nes, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Encounter
DD Express, on fire DD Isis~, heavy fires DD Jupiter, heavy fires, heavy damage
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BC Repulse engages TB RTN Trad at 14,000 yards
Massive explosion on TB RTN Surasdra
Task forces break off...
Allied minefield encountered at Kuantan – 24 mines cleared
Day Time Surface Combat, near Mersing at 51,82, Range 25,000 Yards
Japanese Ships BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 2 CA Takao, Shell hits 1 CA Atago, Shell hits 1 CA Chokai, Shell hits 2 DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Asashio
Allied Ships CA Exeter
CL Danae~, Shell hits 1, on fire CL Dragon~
CL Durban~, Shell hits 1 CL Mauritius~, Shell hits 2 CL Glasgow~
CL Caledon~, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Witte de With, on fire
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...
After letting Super Force Z maul an amphibious TF at the beachhead this SAG put in a rather poor effort against this enemy SAG.
SS KXV launches 4 torpedoes at DD Uranami near Mersing at 51,82 and misses
Afternoon Air attack on FMSV~ Brigade, at 50,77, near Kampar
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Jubaku x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Jubaku: 2 damaged
Day Time Surface Combat, near Mersing at 51,82, Range 17,000 Yards
Japanese Ships DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 3, heavy fires DD Yakaze, Shell hits 3, on fire DD Kuretake, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied Ships BC Repulse, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Encounter, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Express, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Isis~, Shell hits 14, and is sunk DD Jupiter, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Jupiter sunk by DD Kuretake at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Isis~ sunk by DD Yakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Kuretake engages DD Encounter at 2,000 yards
Ono Shirou orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 6,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Task forces break off...
These 3 veterans took to the field late in the piece and covered themselves in glory. Repulse is still packing a punch and got in enough hits that only one is likely to survive. After 2 big battles in 2 days this is the first torpedo out of the scores which were unleashed that managed to make a hit. Hopefully it was more than just a belt armour hit… I can’t remember now what wording came up with the hit happened.
CL Sendai firing at 8th Australian Division
DD Ayanami firing at 8th Australian Division
DD Arashio firing at 8th Australian Division
DD Arashio fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
Amphibious Assault at Mersing
TF 46 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82
Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing
129 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
E Shimushu
DMS W-5
xAK Uyo Maru
DD Asagiri
E Shimushu fired at enemy troops
DMS W-5 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
Amphibious Assault at Mersing
TF 94 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 5th Mortar Bn
12 Engineers accidentally lost during unload of 96th JAAF AF Bn /1
Ground combat at Mersing
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4759 troops, 102 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 187
Defending force 10495 troops, 207 guns, 48 vehicles, Assault Value = 426
Assaulting units:
8th Australian Division
3 Cavalry Regiment
Defending units:
18th Div /3
5th Mortar Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
96th JAAF AF Bn
HONG KONG
Morning Air attack on Hong Kong Fortress, at Hong Kong
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44 Shoki x 8
Ki-48-Ib Sohkei x 5
Ki-51a Guntei_ x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Sohkei: 2 damaged
Ki-51a Guntei_: 6 damaged
Ki-51a Guntei_: 2 destroyed by flak
Morning Air attack on Hong Kong Fortress, at Hong Kong
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Sohkei x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Sohkei: 1 damaged
12 troops of a SNLF Inf Squad 41 lost overboard during unload of 2nd Sasebo Coy SNLF /2
CHINA
Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 20891 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 79
Defending force 9406 troops, 101 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 408
SS I-160 lays minefield near Donggala (67, 97) and sets course for Legaspi
DD Amatsukaze sinks at sea
This one is from the Celebes Battle. Burnt to a cinder the day before I couldn’t bring myself to scuttle and overnight, she went down. No message saying Captain Hara was lost so hopefully he will return. Perhaps I can get him a squadron to command.
DD Shinonome sinks at sea
DD Amagiri sinks at sea
DD Hakaze sinks at sea
Pumps fail aboard PB Eiko Maru, flooding increases...
PB Tokotsu Maru sinks at sea
xAK Teiyo Maru #2 sinks at sea
xAK Noto Maru sinks at sea
xAK Nissyu Maru sinks at sea
TB RTN Surasdra sinks at sea
Extensive flooding aboard BB Ise
PB Eiko Maru sinks at sea
xAK Kenyo Maru sinks at sea
Difficulty controlling flooding aboard BB Ise
Difficulty controlling flooding aboard DD Kuretake
Extensive flooding aboard PB Eifuku Maru
Extensive flooding aboard BB Ise
Pumps having difficulty controlling flooding aboard DD Harusame
Extensive flooding aboard DD Kuretake
Difficulty controlling flooding aboard PB Eifuku Maru
xAK Zyunyo Maru sinks at sea
Huaishang expands port to size 2
Previous report of sinking of SS KXVII incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Loss of DD Ikazuchi on Dec 20,1941 is admitted
Loss of DD Murakumo on Dec 20,1941 is admitted
Loss of PB Nako Maru #2 on Dec 20,1941 is admitted
Loss of xAK Aso Maru on Dec 20,1941 is admitted
DD Isis is reported to have been sunk near Mersing on Dec 20, 1941
DD Jupiter is reported to have been sunk near Mersing on Dec 20, 1941
CM Bungaree is reported to have been sunk near Coffs Harbor on Dec 20, 1941
xAKL Dai Lee is reported to have been sunk near Puerto Princesa on Dec 20, 1941
MGB ML-310 is reported to have been sunk near Mersing on Dec 20, 1941
AV +Hikawa Maru arrives at Yokohama=+
xAK Sugi Maru arrives at Bangkok"
Attachments
BB Ise damage after Battle of Mersing.png (168.58 KiB) Viewed 61 times
Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'
Mark VII wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 7:20 pm
Seems like Ise and a couple of your destroyers are burning nicely! Hope this battle turns out better for the IJN than yesterdays battle of the Celebes Sea.
'Burning nicely' is not news that GHQ wants to hear about for any of our ships... even the small ones.
The jury may still be out of the result of this battle. A lot rests upon how well that Division with a couple of supporting mortar units does at Mersing. They have their work cut out dealing with 8th Aussie Div and an armoured unit. If I recall correctly Mersing starts with level 2 forts so that may already be up to level 3. Force Z did a great job of despatching 2 engineer units and a couple of artillery units so my division is lacking support.
If Ise does an amazing thing and survives that would be someting.
Plently of damaged ships from both sides littering the ocean. I still have Kongo + 3 heavy cruisers supported by destroyers with decent ammunition supply available. As far as I can tell the bulk of the allied forces moved up the coast and away from Singapore so they will have the run the gauntlet of my remaining surface forces if they intend making a run back to Singers. That is my plan... lets see how it pans out.
Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'
SierraJuliet wrote: Wed Apr 01, 2026 11:25 am
Here is the map at the end of 20 December showing relative positions of surface forces in and around Mersing.
Well, Force Z did their job and made a mess of your landing and your cover forces. As you say though, "Did they do enough?" That does remain to be seen.
In any case, your losses have been bad. Assuming you don't lose Ise outright, she'll be in RSY for a year which for the allies is almost the same. By the time she's back, the allies will have a dozen new BB's ...
But truthfully, this is how it rolls as the IJ. Your naval forces are never enough. You use them as you need, hope to not lose too many, but in the end it's all about your air and land forces. Either you have the quantity and quality to get you through '45 or you don't, ships have little bearing on the outcome .... at least that's my experience.
BTW, your sig line (Brilliant, just brilliant; is one of my long time favorites):
"Kido Butai, although powerful, was a raiding force, and this is exactly how the Japanese understood its usage. 'Shattered Sword'"
is exactly as I understand it as well and generally play it that way. It wasn't designed, nor had the ability, to match up against the Death Star. In game, IMO it is the same way.
So while Force Z did well against you this time, I don't criticize your decision, rather I applaud it. It was a good use of your forces, but GG's odds went against you a bit this time. If you get Mersing, then it was well worth it. If you don't, still a good decision to go for it.
; Julia Child
