Thayne News Campaign Reports
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Fallschirmjager
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RE: BOMBERS WRECK RANGOON BASE
Excellent AAR. Keep it up.
BRITISH RETAKE MALACCA
January 3, 1942
Thayne's News Network
Editor's Note: In times of war, the news is likely to be filled with all sorts of rumor and exaggeration. The goal of the Thayne News Network is to cut through the fog of war, and provide you, our loyal readers, with as accurate a report of events on the front line as we can.
The Thayne News Network is a special service for the clients in the military industrial complex who need accurate information on the progress of the war. Any disclosure of the contents of these reports is punishable as treason.
BRITISH RETAKE MALACCA
(TN – Singapore) The Malaysian Army recaptured the port of Malacca on the western shore of Malaysia yesterday. The capture came as a surprise, as much to the British as to the Japanese, who had thought that the base was secure behind Japanese lines.
Malaya Army Command reports that the 28th Indian Brigade was originally given responsibility to hold the right flank of the defense against the Japanese during the retreat to Singapore. In the thick jungle that made up this territory, Command lost contact with the unit as it pulled back. The Japanese, in its rush to get to Singapore, followed the British army south. Consequently, the 28th Indian Brigade found itself behind enemy lines. None of its radios were functioning at the time, so the unit could not contact headquarters.
Scouts then reported that Malacca was being held only by a few reserve troops. Brigadier General Carpendale assigned each of his companies a key part of the city, and moved out. The few Japanese police units left in the city surrendered immediately to the British army. One of those targets was the city’s radio station. Once the 28th Indian Brigade captured the station, Carpendale used it to contact headquarters, announce his capture of the city, and ask for instructions.
Elsewhere in Malaysia, the Japanese captured Mersing and forced the surrender of the last unit left holding the area. Virtually all of the British forces at Mersing had retreated to Johore Bharu. Malaya Army Command had originally intended to hold Mersing as a part of its defense of Singapore. However, the Japanese threatened to cut the units off by capturing the bridges to Singapore, forcing the units to retreat. A few allied units remained behind at Mersing to destroy vital installations in the wake of the imminent Japanese victory; they were surrounded and forced to surrender late yesterday afternoon.
SPY PAPERS MISSING
(TN – Washington). In a shocking development out of the War Department, intelligence officials report that they have lost the intercepts and other intelligence files collected on December 27 and December 31. The War Department had gone into these records to review then in the light of recent developments, and was shocked to find that the bins for these two days were totally empty. Not one scrap of paper could be found pertaining to these two days. The War Department is looking into the possibility that this may be due to deliberate attempts to sabotage the intelligence collecting capability of the military. Yet, high-ranking officials have ushered the threat that, even if it is found to be due to negligence, heads will roll over this. A senior War Department official said, “Those documents could have contained vital information that could save soldiers lives anywhere on the front. To have them vanish like this inexcusable.”
11th PHILIPPINE ARMY SURRENDERS
(TN – Manila) The Japanese Army forced the surrender of the 11th Philippine Division yesterday. The 11th Division, along with the 71st, attempted to delay the Japanese attack on Manila by holding the stronghold at Tuguegaro. Then the Japanese capture of Tuguegaro became inevitable, the two divisions snuck out of the region and attempted to join the defenders at Clark AFB. However, the Japanese army caught up with the division short of its goal, cut it off, and forced its surrender in fierce fighting yesterday. The 71st Division remains at large and still has a possibility of reaching allied lines.
The Japanese Army is lining up its forces for the inevitable capture of Manila. For the last two days, it has been bombarding the city defenses, as well as Clark AFB to the north.
DUTCH NAVY INTERRUPTS INVASION AT TARAKAN
(TN – Batavia, Java) As it did at Menado, the Dutch navy rushed forward to intercept the Japanese landing at Tarakan. They caught a Japanese support ship in the harbor and sank it, cutting the landing force off from any further supplies. The Batavia Maru became listed as the 11th Japanese ship sank in the war.
At dawn the Japanese Air Force launched a strike to take revenge on the Dutch navy. However, its Betty bombers were not able to score any hits against allied shipping. The navy, then, took up positions to attack those Japanese forces that had already landed. The allies are hoping to be able to thwart yet another Japanese invasion.
Air Battles over Akyab Continue
(TN – Calcutta) A pair of air strikes against Akyab demonstrated the abilities of the Japanese ‘Zero’ Fighter yesterday. The first strike, a squadron of ‘Sally’ bombers escorted by ‘Oscar’ fighters, suffered a loss of 5 bombers to Allied CAP, mostly victims of the American Volunteer Group stationed at the port city. Later that morning, a second squadron of ‘Sally’ bombers escorted by ‘Zero’ fighters made it to their objective virtually unharmed, as the ‘Zero’ fighters destroyed 4 airplanes in air-to-air fighting.
The Japanese are shifting their strategy at Akyab. Instead of targeting the navy, which is struggling to unload supply in the harbor, they are focusing on the air units in the city. This confirms the suspicion of Southeast Asia Command that the Japanese will focus first on obtaining air superiority in the region.
Japs Expand Conquest Around Rabaul
(TN – Sydney) Japanese forces are proceeding with a systematic conquest of the Bismark Archipelago and Solomon Islands. In recent days, Japanese forces have landed and taken over the ports of Buka and Kavieng. Australians have stationed coastwatchers in the area who are filing daily reports on enemy shipping activity. Japanese shipping through the area is increasing significantly.
Forces Move Out to Occupy Aleutian Islands
(TN – Anchorage) The recent arrival of supply ships from Seattle has given the Northern Pacific command the resources it needed to build up bases in the Aleutian Islands. Cargo ships have recently departed to reinforce the Allied base at Port Arthur, and to begin construction of a new forward base at Adak Island. The Aleutians lie in a straight line like a dagger pointing straight at Japan. Here, mother nature inflicts more damage on men and machinery than the Japanese. This time if year, it is dark through most of the day and temperatures stay well below freezing.
Kimmel Concerned Over Baker Island Operation
(TN – Singapore) While preparations are under way to secure Baker Island, Kimmel is reported to be growing concerned that the Japanese may get there first. Submarines sent to patrol the waters around Tarawa have reported the recent arrival of four enemy ships. The composition of the task force remains unknown. It is possible that the task force contains reinforcements for the island, which Allies expect the Japanese to turn into a major base in the region. This would include air headquarters units for launching air strikes out of Tarawa, with its targets including Canton and Baker Islands, and transports heading to those ports. The era of the unescorted transports to these islands may be near an end.
Allied intelligence have undergone an intensive review of past intelligence reports to find any news relevant to the location. However, other than the initial reports about landings and capture, no information has been forthcoming that mentions these locations. Nor has a review of Japanese reports turned up any mention of Baker or Canton Islands.
In addition, Kimmel is considering an operation to return a garrison to Wake Island. Kimmel’s original decision to withdraw from the island was prompted by concerns to garrison the supply routes to Australia. If Baker Island is successfully garrisoned, that portion of the supply route under Kimmel’s authority would be complete. Kimmel then would be able to focus any additional resources on pressuring the Japanese.
Enemy Subs Continue to Patrol New Caledonia
(TN – Noumea) The presence of Japanese submarines in the area of New Caledonia continue to make allied command nervous. South Pacific Command reports that over 95 percent of the men and materials destined for Esprito Santo and Efate have arrived and been unloaded. However, the enemy submarines in the area remain a threat to allied shipping as it withdraws. The presence of submarines also will require that ASW forces accompany all future shipments. Australia is having trouble mustering a sufficient number of ships with anti-submarine capability as most of them seem to have been sent to Darwin. With the port of Lae in enemy hands, attempts to bring those ships down through Thursday Island would subject the fleet to air attacks. The route through Perth and up along the southern coast would be safer, but take considerably more time.
Australia Turns Queensland Into War Zone
(TN – Sydney) The Australian government began preparations today for what it sees as a nearly inevitable invasion of northern Australia. The government is asking all citizens living in and north of Townsville to relocate to cities further south. These regions can now be reached by long-range bombers flying out of Lae and will likely be the sight of the first enemy landings. Those citizens who remain in the region will be required to obey strict black-out discipline and will be subject to martial law. In some regions, such as the region north of Tully, residents will be required to carry special passes if they wish to remain in their homes. Evacuation plans are being drawn up for the citizens that remain in case of invasion.
While civilians move out of the region, the Australian Military is moving into the region. Air units have already settled into the major airports in the region. Three Hudson bomber groups have been switched over to fly the Beaufort fighter bombers. The Beuforts are a more versatile airplane, capable of delivering over a tonne of bombs to enemy targets on New Guinea, as well as provide fighter protection against enemy attempts to bomb Australia.
Carrier Watch
(TN – Batavia) The Japanese carrier force continues to patrol the waters west of Borneo. Their movements do suggest that they do not have any clear objective. They may be waiting for the Japanese army to neutralize the air units at Singapore before taking that route into the Indian Ocean. The Singapore air force continues to be a menace to Japanese trying to use the Malacca Straight. In the past 24 hours, they hit 4 transport ships. One enemy ship took 2 torpedoes and 4 bomb hits over the course of the day. A number of secondary explosions have been reported, and Allied Intelligence expects to be able to add this ship to the sunk list quickly.
Sunk Ships List
(TN – Washington) The Malta Maru, torpedoed off of the west coast of Malaysia on December 24, joined the list of ships officially listed as sunk. There are reports that this ship was fully loaded with troops destined for Georgetown at when it went down.
Thayne's News Network
Editor's Note: In times of war, the news is likely to be filled with all sorts of rumor and exaggeration. The goal of the Thayne News Network is to cut through the fog of war, and provide you, our loyal readers, with as accurate a report of events on the front line as we can.
The Thayne News Network is a special service for the clients in the military industrial complex who need accurate information on the progress of the war. Any disclosure of the contents of these reports is punishable as treason.
BRITISH RETAKE MALACCA
(TN – Singapore) The Malaysian Army recaptured the port of Malacca on the western shore of Malaysia yesterday. The capture came as a surprise, as much to the British as to the Japanese, who had thought that the base was secure behind Japanese lines.
Malaya Army Command reports that the 28th Indian Brigade was originally given responsibility to hold the right flank of the defense against the Japanese during the retreat to Singapore. In the thick jungle that made up this territory, Command lost contact with the unit as it pulled back. The Japanese, in its rush to get to Singapore, followed the British army south. Consequently, the 28th Indian Brigade found itself behind enemy lines. None of its radios were functioning at the time, so the unit could not contact headquarters.
Scouts then reported that Malacca was being held only by a few reserve troops. Brigadier General Carpendale assigned each of his companies a key part of the city, and moved out. The few Japanese police units left in the city surrendered immediately to the British army. One of those targets was the city’s radio station. Once the 28th Indian Brigade captured the station, Carpendale used it to contact headquarters, announce his capture of the city, and ask for instructions.
Elsewhere in Malaysia, the Japanese captured Mersing and forced the surrender of the last unit left holding the area. Virtually all of the British forces at Mersing had retreated to Johore Bharu. Malaya Army Command had originally intended to hold Mersing as a part of its defense of Singapore. However, the Japanese threatened to cut the units off by capturing the bridges to Singapore, forcing the units to retreat. A few allied units remained behind at Mersing to destroy vital installations in the wake of the imminent Japanese victory; they were surrounded and forced to surrender late yesterday afternoon.
SPY PAPERS MISSING
(TN – Washington). In a shocking development out of the War Department, intelligence officials report that they have lost the intercepts and other intelligence files collected on December 27 and December 31. The War Department had gone into these records to review then in the light of recent developments, and was shocked to find that the bins for these two days were totally empty. Not one scrap of paper could be found pertaining to these two days. The War Department is looking into the possibility that this may be due to deliberate attempts to sabotage the intelligence collecting capability of the military. Yet, high-ranking officials have ushered the threat that, even if it is found to be due to negligence, heads will roll over this. A senior War Department official said, “Those documents could have contained vital information that could save soldiers lives anywhere on the front. To have them vanish like this inexcusable.”
11th PHILIPPINE ARMY SURRENDERS
(TN – Manila) The Japanese Army forced the surrender of the 11th Philippine Division yesterday. The 11th Division, along with the 71st, attempted to delay the Japanese attack on Manila by holding the stronghold at Tuguegaro. Then the Japanese capture of Tuguegaro became inevitable, the two divisions snuck out of the region and attempted to join the defenders at Clark AFB. However, the Japanese army caught up with the division short of its goal, cut it off, and forced its surrender in fierce fighting yesterday. The 71st Division remains at large and still has a possibility of reaching allied lines.
The Japanese Army is lining up its forces for the inevitable capture of Manila. For the last two days, it has been bombarding the city defenses, as well as Clark AFB to the north.
DUTCH NAVY INTERRUPTS INVASION AT TARAKAN
(TN – Batavia, Java) As it did at Menado, the Dutch navy rushed forward to intercept the Japanese landing at Tarakan. They caught a Japanese support ship in the harbor and sank it, cutting the landing force off from any further supplies. The Batavia Maru became listed as the 11th Japanese ship sank in the war.
At dawn the Japanese Air Force launched a strike to take revenge on the Dutch navy. However, its Betty bombers were not able to score any hits against allied shipping. The navy, then, took up positions to attack those Japanese forces that had already landed. The allies are hoping to be able to thwart yet another Japanese invasion.
Air Battles over Akyab Continue
(TN – Calcutta) A pair of air strikes against Akyab demonstrated the abilities of the Japanese ‘Zero’ Fighter yesterday. The first strike, a squadron of ‘Sally’ bombers escorted by ‘Oscar’ fighters, suffered a loss of 5 bombers to Allied CAP, mostly victims of the American Volunteer Group stationed at the port city. Later that morning, a second squadron of ‘Sally’ bombers escorted by ‘Zero’ fighters made it to their objective virtually unharmed, as the ‘Zero’ fighters destroyed 4 airplanes in air-to-air fighting.
The Japanese are shifting their strategy at Akyab. Instead of targeting the navy, which is struggling to unload supply in the harbor, they are focusing on the air units in the city. This confirms the suspicion of Southeast Asia Command that the Japanese will focus first on obtaining air superiority in the region.
Japs Expand Conquest Around Rabaul
(TN – Sydney) Japanese forces are proceeding with a systematic conquest of the Bismark Archipelago and Solomon Islands. In recent days, Japanese forces have landed and taken over the ports of Buka and Kavieng. Australians have stationed coastwatchers in the area who are filing daily reports on enemy shipping activity. Japanese shipping through the area is increasing significantly.
Forces Move Out to Occupy Aleutian Islands
(TN – Anchorage) The recent arrival of supply ships from Seattle has given the Northern Pacific command the resources it needed to build up bases in the Aleutian Islands. Cargo ships have recently departed to reinforce the Allied base at Port Arthur, and to begin construction of a new forward base at Adak Island. The Aleutians lie in a straight line like a dagger pointing straight at Japan. Here, mother nature inflicts more damage on men and machinery than the Japanese. This time if year, it is dark through most of the day and temperatures stay well below freezing.
Kimmel Concerned Over Baker Island Operation
(TN – Singapore) While preparations are under way to secure Baker Island, Kimmel is reported to be growing concerned that the Japanese may get there first. Submarines sent to patrol the waters around Tarawa have reported the recent arrival of four enemy ships. The composition of the task force remains unknown. It is possible that the task force contains reinforcements for the island, which Allies expect the Japanese to turn into a major base in the region. This would include air headquarters units for launching air strikes out of Tarawa, with its targets including Canton and Baker Islands, and transports heading to those ports. The era of the unescorted transports to these islands may be near an end.
Allied intelligence have undergone an intensive review of past intelligence reports to find any news relevant to the location. However, other than the initial reports about landings and capture, no information has been forthcoming that mentions these locations. Nor has a review of Japanese reports turned up any mention of Baker or Canton Islands.
In addition, Kimmel is considering an operation to return a garrison to Wake Island. Kimmel’s original decision to withdraw from the island was prompted by concerns to garrison the supply routes to Australia. If Baker Island is successfully garrisoned, that portion of the supply route under Kimmel’s authority would be complete. Kimmel then would be able to focus any additional resources on pressuring the Japanese.
Enemy Subs Continue to Patrol New Caledonia
(TN – Noumea) The presence of Japanese submarines in the area of New Caledonia continue to make allied command nervous. South Pacific Command reports that over 95 percent of the men and materials destined for Esprito Santo and Efate have arrived and been unloaded. However, the enemy submarines in the area remain a threat to allied shipping as it withdraws. The presence of submarines also will require that ASW forces accompany all future shipments. Australia is having trouble mustering a sufficient number of ships with anti-submarine capability as most of them seem to have been sent to Darwin. With the port of Lae in enemy hands, attempts to bring those ships down through Thursday Island would subject the fleet to air attacks. The route through Perth and up along the southern coast would be safer, but take considerably more time.
Australia Turns Queensland Into War Zone
(TN – Sydney) The Australian government began preparations today for what it sees as a nearly inevitable invasion of northern Australia. The government is asking all citizens living in and north of Townsville to relocate to cities further south. These regions can now be reached by long-range bombers flying out of Lae and will likely be the sight of the first enemy landings. Those citizens who remain in the region will be required to obey strict black-out discipline and will be subject to martial law. In some regions, such as the region north of Tully, residents will be required to carry special passes if they wish to remain in their homes. Evacuation plans are being drawn up for the citizens that remain in case of invasion.
While civilians move out of the region, the Australian Military is moving into the region. Air units have already settled into the major airports in the region. Three Hudson bomber groups have been switched over to fly the Beaufort fighter bombers. The Beuforts are a more versatile airplane, capable of delivering over a tonne of bombs to enemy targets on New Guinea, as well as provide fighter protection against enemy attempts to bomb Australia.
Carrier Watch
(TN – Batavia) The Japanese carrier force continues to patrol the waters west of Borneo. Their movements do suggest that they do not have any clear objective. They may be waiting for the Japanese army to neutralize the air units at Singapore before taking that route into the Indian Ocean. The Singapore air force continues to be a menace to Japanese trying to use the Malacca Straight. In the past 24 hours, they hit 4 transport ships. One enemy ship took 2 torpedoes and 4 bomb hits over the course of the day. A number of secondary explosions have been reported, and Allied Intelligence expects to be able to add this ship to the sunk list quickly.
Sunk Ships List
(TN – Washington) The Malta Maru, torpedoed off of the west coast of Malaysia on December 24, joined the list of ships officially listed as sunk. There are reports that this ship was fully loaded with troops destined for Georgetown at when it went down.
JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
January 4, 1942
Thayne's News Network
Editor's Note: In times of war, the news is likely to be filled with all sorts of rumor and exaggeration. The goal of the Thayne News Network is to cut through the fog of war, and provide you, our loyal readers, with as accurate a report of events on the front line as we can.
The Thayne News Network is a special service for the clients in the military industrial complex who need accurate information on the progress of the war. Any disclosure of the contents of these reports is punishable as treason.
JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
(TN – Batavia) Dutch Hudson bombers struck the Japanese light carrier Ryujo at Brunei yesterday morning. Dutch warplanes have been operating out of Singkowang in southwestern Borneo since the early days of the war, making routine raids against any port on the western shore that has fallen into enemy hands. The attack on Brunei was another routine mission. However, the pilots quickly identified a carrier in the harbor, and made that its primary target. In the raid, they managed to drop a bomb through the deck and into the interior of the ship. The amount of damage is not expected to be significant. However, this means that there are now two carriers out of action in the near future.
The Dutch are bracing for Japanese retaliation, as the Japanese main carrier fleet was last spotted 100 miles west of Singkowang. Some military intelligence officials think that the Singkowang air force stopped a planned invasion against some southern port when it torpedoed a troop transport northwest of the base a couple of days ago. The enemy task force was then seen heading back north to Kuching, where it was attacked again before it could return to port. The arrival of the carrier fleet coincides with spotting another troop transport heading south. The Dutch are expecting new landings in the area in the next day or two. With the enemy carriers present, it will not be possible for the Dutch surface fleet to come to the rescue this time.
Dutch Fleet Defends Tarakan
(TN – Batavia) The Dutch fleet, which sank an enemy supply ship dropping off enemy soldiers at Tarakan yesterday, today turned its guns on the soldiers that had made it onto the shore. While Dutch units defended key locations within the city, the light cruisers in the task force provided aid with a naval bombardment. The Dutch were even able to replenish their depleted ammunition from naval stores on the island from installations that remain in Dutch hands. The bombardment is credited with killing and wounding a sizable portion of the landing force. ABDA Command is expecting that the Dutch at Tarakan will be able to defeat this raid.
This battle, however, has come at a cost. Japanese torpedo bombers from the Philippines attacked the Dutch fleet, and managed to put a torpedo into the light cruiser Tromp. Cammander deMaester reported that the damage to his ship was largely superficial. The torpedo started some fires which he expects to quickly contain, and the flooding was limited to a small portion of the ship.
Two 50-Plane Raids Attack Akyab
(TN – Calcutta) Japanese forces launched nearly 100 airplanes against Akyab today in two raids. Both times, the Allies were able to meet them with a defensive force of less than 20 airplanes. Those defenders destroyed 9 attacking airplanes at a loss of two outdated Buffalo fighters. The Buffalos were based in Calcutta and were flying long-range CAP over Akyab.
The first raid targeted the airstrip, and did some damage to the runway, though construction crews were quickly able to repair it and have the air base operational before the second raid. The second raid went after shipping in the harbor. The supply ships unloading remained undamaged and unloaded another 800 tons of cargo. However, the British gunboat Aricula was torpedoed. The torpedo nearly rippled the small combat vessel in half. At last report, fires continued to consume the ship that was in serious danger of sinking. Captain F.J. Butler, the commander of TaskForce 1028, reports that it is unlikely that the Aricula will see another dawn. If it sinks, it will become the second ship sitting on the bottom of Akyab harbor.
Most of the fighters protecting this harbor are American volunteers belonging to the American Volunteer Group. The pilots are private mercenaries paid for by China, whose duty it is to protect the routes delivering supply into China. With Rangoon in enemy hands, the best supply route available is through Calcutta, into northern India, and across northern Burma. Another possible route of supply involves using airbases in northern India to fly supply into China. Either way, a the defense of Calcutta is essential, and Akyab is the first line of that defense.
Thayne's News Network
Editor's Note: In times of war, the news is likely to be filled with all sorts of rumor and exaggeration. The goal of the Thayne News Network is to cut through the fog of war, and provide you, our loyal readers, with as accurate a report of events on the front line as we can.
The Thayne News Network is a special service for the clients in the military industrial complex who need accurate information on the progress of the war. Any disclosure of the contents of these reports is punishable as treason.
JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
(TN – Batavia) Dutch Hudson bombers struck the Japanese light carrier Ryujo at Brunei yesterday morning. Dutch warplanes have been operating out of Singkowang in southwestern Borneo since the early days of the war, making routine raids against any port on the western shore that has fallen into enemy hands. The attack on Brunei was another routine mission. However, the pilots quickly identified a carrier in the harbor, and made that its primary target. In the raid, they managed to drop a bomb through the deck and into the interior of the ship. The amount of damage is not expected to be significant. However, this means that there are now two carriers out of action in the near future.
The Dutch are bracing for Japanese retaliation, as the Japanese main carrier fleet was last spotted 100 miles west of Singkowang. Some military intelligence officials think that the Singkowang air force stopped a planned invasion against some southern port when it torpedoed a troop transport northwest of the base a couple of days ago. The enemy task force was then seen heading back north to Kuching, where it was attacked again before it could return to port. The arrival of the carrier fleet coincides with spotting another troop transport heading south. The Dutch are expecting new landings in the area in the next day or two. With the enemy carriers present, it will not be possible for the Dutch surface fleet to come to the rescue this time.
Dutch Fleet Defends Tarakan
(TN – Batavia) The Dutch fleet, which sank an enemy supply ship dropping off enemy soldiers at Tarakan yesterday, today turned its guns on the soldiers that had made it onto the shore. While Dutch units defended key locations within the city, the light cruisers in the task force provided aid with a naval bombardment. The Dutch were even able to replenish their depleted ammunition from naval stores on the island from installations that remain in Dutch hands. The bombardment is credited with killing and wounding a sizable portion of the landing force. ABDA Command is expecting that the Dutch at Tarakan will be able to defeat this raid.
This battle, however, has come at a cost. Japanese torpedo bombers from the Philippines attacked the Dutch fleet, and managed to put a torpedo into the light cruiser Tromp. Cammander deMaester reported that the damage to his ship was largely superficial. The torpedo started some fires which he expects to quickly contain, and the flooding was limited to a small portion of the ship.
Two 50-Plane Raids Attack Akyab
(TN – Calcutta) Japanese forces launched nearly 100 airplanes against Akyab today in two raids. Both times, the Allies were able to meet them with a defensive force of less than 20 airplanes. Those defenders destroyed 9 attacking airplanes at a loss of two outdated Buffalo fighters. The Buffalos were based in Calcutta and were flying long-range CAP over Akyab.
The first raid targeted the airstrip, and did some damage to the runway, though construction crews were quickly able to repair it and have the air base operational before the second raid. The second raid went after shipping in the harbor. The supply ships unloading remained undamaged and unloaded another 800 tons of cargo. However, the British gunboat Aricula was torpedoed. The torpedo nearly rippled the small combat vessel in half. At last report, fires continued to consume the ship that was in serious danger of sinking. Captain F.J. Butler, the commander of TaskForce 1028, reports that it is unlikely that the Aricula will see another dawn. If it sinks, it will become the second ship sitting on the bottom of Akyab harbor.
Most of the fighters protecting this harbor are American volunteers belonging to the American Volunteer Group. The pilots are private mercenaries paid for by China, whose duty it is to protect the routes delivering supply into China. With Rangoon in enemy hands, the best supply route available is through Calcutta, into northern India, and across northern Burma. Another possible route of supply involves using airbases in northern India to fly supply into China. Either way, a the defense of Calcutta is essential, and Akyab is the first line of that defense.
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
Great work Thayne. love your AAR.
Sorry you didnt get many replys about leaders from the Forum. Someone did suggest that you can get leadership ratings off a list in the game. They are rated in seeral areas and that should give you a clue as to who are the better leaders.
Sorry dont have game dunno where to find that list.
Interesting this part of your post below. I questioned why in many of the AARs the allied players seem to be sending altitude bombers to attack ships under way (a very difficult target for them) rather than attacking bases where they might be more effect. The answer I got was even if they got ONE hit was better than nothing. This use by you of the B17s seems to me to be a more valid use of assets. Have you found that hitting ground and base targets a more effective use of altitude bombers ? (BTW great idea of flying those B17s above zero fighter cover)
Sorry you didnt get many replys about leaders from the Forum. Someone did suggest that you can get leadership ratings off a list in the game. They are rated in seeral areas and that should give you a clue as to who are the better leaders.
Sorry dont have game dunno where to find that list.
Interesting this part of your post below. I questioned why in many of the AARs the allied players seem to be sending altitude bombers to attack ships under way (a very difficult target for them) rather than attacking bases where they might be more effect. The answer I got was even if they got ONE hit was better than nothing. This use by you of the B17s seems to me to be a more valid use of assets. Have you found that hitting ground and base targets a more effective use of altitude bombers ? (BTW great idea of flying those B17s above zero fighter cover)
BOMBERS WRECK RANGOON BASE
(TN – Calcutta) Allies found a new, effective weapon against the Japanese in Burma. Elements of the 19 th and 93 rd Bomber Squadrons, recently escaped from the Philippines, launched high-altitude bombing raids against the Burma airfields. Using tactics being employed in England in the fight against Hitler, the B-17 bombers dropped their bombs from 35,000 feet. At this altitude, the bombers were well out of the range of enemy flak and the Zero fighters. Initial damage estimates are that the enemy lost 12 planes, including a half-dozen Betty bombers, without taking any casualties. The bombs also did significant damage to the airbase itself, as well as its support facilities at the base. At present, there are only 8 B-17 bombers stationed in India. However, more are on the way.
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
Regretfully . . .
I have just read a report suggesting that in campaign games against a Japanese AI, where the option is set not to automatically accept replacements at the start, the Japanese AI will not replace losses.
I started my campaign with accept replacements set to "off" because I wanted to simulate the historical reality that it would take months for replacements to reach certain parts of the conflict. For example, I did not allow replacements in Hawaii and Anchorage until a cargo ship arrived from the West Coast USA, or in India until 2 weeks after the start of the war.
I "peeked" at my own campaign to see if this bug is afflicting my efforts, and I have found out that it has. As of December 31, 1941, the Japanese player has performed a number of upgrades, but has not replaced any lost airplanes.
I fear the implications of this.
I thank my readers. I have hopes for a fix that would allow me to continue this campaign.
Thayne
I have just read a report suggesting that in campaign games against a Japanese AI, where the option is set not to automatically accept replacements at the start, the Japanese AI will not replace losses.
I started my campaign with accept replacements set to "off" because I wanted to simulate the historical reality that it would take months for replacements to reach certain parts of the conflict. For example, I did not allow replacements in Hawaii and Anchorage until a cargo ship arrived from the West Coast USA, or in India until 2 weeks after the start of the war.
I "peeked" at my own campaign to see if this bug is afflicting my efforts, and I have found out that it has. As of December 31, 1941, the Japanese player has performed a number of upgrades, but has not replaced any lost airplanes.
I fear the implications of this.
I thank my readers. I have hopes for a fix that would allow me to continue this campaign.
Thayne
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
I am looking at ways of salvaging this campaign . . . such as going into the game as the Japanese player and setting every one of the Japanese units to accept replacements. I hope that would be enough.
I suspect that it will take me somewhat more than 11.2 seconds to do this . . . unless somebody knows of a faster way. Plus, I have to see what I can do to prevent myself from learning all of the Japanese secrets. But, it can be done.
And, it is better than starting over.
I shall return . . .
Thayne
I suspect that it will take me somewhat more than 11.2 seconds to do this . . . unless somebody knows of a faster way. Plus, I have to see what I can do to prevent myself from learning all of the Japanese secrets. But, it can be done.
And, it is better than starting over.
I shall return . . .
Thayne
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
Can you use the editor to salvage this ? (dunno if its a save game editor. or if one even exists)
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Splinterhead
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 11:45 pm
- Location: Lenoir City, TN
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
Thayne,
You can turn on replacements for all units from the list all land and air unit screens. (The orange flag and the two aircraft buttons at the top.) Of course you'll have to do it every week or two to turn on the reinforcements. [:(]
You can turn on replacements for all units from the list all land and air unit screens. (The orange flag and the two aircraft buttons at the top.) Of course you'll have to do it every week or two to turn on the reinforcements. [:(]
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
ORIGINAL: Splinterhead
Thayne,
You can turn on replacements for all units from the list all land and air unit screens. (The orange flag and the two aircraft buttons at the top.) Of course you'll have to do it every week or two to turn on the reinforcements. [:(]
Yeah, that's the method I thought of doing. However, there is no button (that I know of) for doing this to all units at once. I still will have to go down the list and select each unit, select "accept replacements", "back", then pick the next unit, and so on, for a few bazillion air and ground units.
Unless somebody knows an option that I am missing.
Unless it gets patched.
And, it gets patched in a way that does not require that I start the campaign over.
Note: I have given some thought to starting over, and playing a PBEM game instead. Such a game would have the benefit of showing enemy moves that are more varied and interesting than the AI provides. On the other hand, the game would require a Japanese player who has the same interest in assuming some realistic limitations -- whose objective is to play an interesting game rather than to see what the rules will allow him to get away with.
Edited to add:
Is it possible to turn a game vs. the AI into a PBEM game at this specific point in time? Would it work (given that the opponent would have full access to this DAR?)
Should I start over yet again, set the "accept replacements" to on, and then go through all of my units that I think should not be getting replacements yet and set them to "off"?
Ponder . . . ponder . . . ponder . . . ponder . . . ponder . . .
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Splinterhead
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 11:45 pm
- Location: Lenoir City, TN
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
At the bottom left of the list all land units screen is a button marked "Allow replacements for units on this list". This will turn on replacements for ALL land units currently in play. The same option is available for the "list all land based air units" and "list all sea based air units" screens.
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Hornblower
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 1:02 am
- Location: New York'er relocated to Chicago
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
Excellent reading. Pulitzer Prize?
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
Perhaps I am not looking in the right place. But I see no such button. (Note attachment. I do not want to display the attachment because I do not want a picture of the Japanese setup in the middle of my AAR)
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- untitled.jpg (175.02 KiB) Viewed 416 times
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Splinterhead
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 11:45 pm
- Location: Lenoir City, TN
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
oh.... I guess the button came with the ver 1.1 patch. As one of the 672 fatal error people I've never seen the unpatched version.
RE: JAP CARRIER RYUJO HIT
Well, then. It looks like I should go for the patch. Thanks.
Edited to add:
Okay, it looks like it is there after the patch.
Ran into another interesting issue, though. I opened my 01/01/1942 saved game as the Japanese so that I could apply this resolution to the problem, and it turned out to be a total disaster for the Japanese. I tried not to see what was happening, but I could not help but notice the announcement of about 10 Japanese transports being sunk. Seems they tried an assault on Manila and got caught in its guns. So, now I have other issues to worry about.
Maybe the game people will come up with a solution in the next day or two that will allow me to continue my game without this.
Thayne
Edited to add:
Okay, it looks like it is there after the patch.
Ran into another interesting issue, though. I opened my 01/01/1942 saved game as the Japanese so that I could apply this resolution to the problem, and it turned out to be a total disaster for the Japanese. I tried not to see what was happening, but I could not help but notice the announcement of about 10 Japanese transports being sunk. Seems they tried an assault on Manila and got caught in its guns. So, now I have other issues to worry about.
Maybe the game people will come up with a solution in the next day or two that will allow me to continue my game without this.
Thayne
Starting Over?
In opening a saved game as the Japanese (to reset 'accept replacements' for all units), the computer insists on taking over the Americans for a turn.
The consequence of this is that it forms task forces I do not want to form, moves air groups, and (most importantly) changes a great many destination locations for LCUs (and consequently, reset them to 0).
So, this is a problem.
There is a patch due out in the next couple of days, so I just may start over at that time. (This time, I will have 'accept replacements' to 'on' and manually turn off all of those in regions that I think should not qualify.
I will also be starting a new DAR at that time.
In that regard, I would like to ask the readers to comment on how I can make the DAR more interesting. What is it that you liked about this DAR? More importantly, what is it that you did not like? What could have made it more interesting? What would make it less interesting?
Note: I am not inclined to repeat the same setup -- so I will not likely use the newsletter format next time.
The consequence of this is that it forms task forces I do not want to form, moves air groups, and (most importantly) changes a great many destination locations for LCUs (and consequently, reset them to 0).
So, this is a problem.
There is a patch due out in the next couple of days, so I just may start over at that time. (This time, I will have 'accept replacements' to 'on' and manually turn off all of those in regions that I think should not qualify.
I will also be starting a new DAR at that time.
In that regard, I would like to ask the readers to comment on how I can make the DAR more interesting. What is it that you liked about this DAR? More importantly, what is it that you did not like? What could have made it more interesting? What would make it less interesting?
Note: I am not inclined to repeat the same setup -- so I will not likely use the newsletter format next time.
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Captain Cruft
- Posts: 3749
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:49 pm
- Location: England
RE: Starting Over?
Shame about this, was a great DAR.
I would humbly suggest that you try again for a PBEM opponent. This will avoid all AI issues, of which this is just one example. There is sure to be someone who is willing to adopt a realistic set of house rules such as you used in this game. I share your anti-gamey sentiments and would put myself forward but am sadly unable to do PBEM right now.
I would humbly suggest that you try again for a PBEM opponent. This will avoid all AI issues, of which this is just one example. There is sure to be someone who is willing to adopt a realistic set of house rules such as you used in this game. I share your anti-gamey sentiments and would put myself forward but am sadly unable to do PBEM right now.
RE: Starting Over?
ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft
Shame about this, was a great DAR.
I would humbly suggest that you try again for a PBEM opponent. This will avoid all AI issues, of which this is just one example. There is sure to be someone who is willing to adopt a realistic set of house rules such as you used in this game. I share your anti-gamey sentiments and would put myself forward but am sadly unable to do PBEM right now.
I would give consideration to a PBEM game if there is somebody interested in playing such a game in the style that I use for my DAR.
Back In Business
It appears that my game is back on.
Using a "head to head" setting, I managed to play through a turn in which the computer accepted my orders for the American player, while giving me access to the Japanese player settings so that I can turn the "accept replacements" options on for all air and ground units.
I had yet another problem in that, if I did this on the most recent turn, the Japanese would send about 18 transport ships into Manilla and get them all sunk. So, I stepped back to January 2nd. I hope (really) that the Japanese do not try this foolish move on the next turn.
The consequences of this is that the news reports above for January 3rd and 4th are not going to be entirely accurate. I did take the town of Minacca. However, for some reason, I have a destroyer burning at Akyab harbor, and not quite as many enemy airplanes shot down as I remembered.
Anyway, unless 18 Japanese transport ships still insist on a suicide run into Manila, I'll catch up a bit, print a correction or two in the local newsletter, and we will continue on. Only, in the next few turns, the Japanese are going to uncrate about 250 airplanes to put in the air against me, as well as begin rebuilding some of its ground units.
That should make things a bit more difficult.
I thank you all for your patience.
Thayne
Using a "head to head" setting, I managed to play through a turn in which the computer accepted my orders for the American player, while giving me access to the Japanese player settings so that I can turn the "accept replacements" options on for all air and ground units.
I had yet another problem in that, if I did this on the most recent turn, the Japanese would send about 18 transport ships into Manilla and get them all sunk. So, I stepped back to January 2nd. I hope (really) that the Japanese do not try this foolish move on the next turn.
The consequences of this is that the news reports above for January 3rd and 4th are not going to be entirely accurate. I did take the town of Minacca. However, for some reason, I have a destroyer burning at Akyab harbor, and not quite as many enemy airplanes shot down as I remembered.
Anyway, unless 18 Japanese transport ships still insist on a suicide run into Manila, I'll catch up a bit, print a correction or two in the local newsletter, and we will continue on. Only, in the next few turns, the Japanese are going to uncrate about 250 airplanes to put in the air against me, as well as begin rebuilding some of its ground units.
That should make things a bit more difficult.
I thank you all for your patience.
Thayne
RE: Back In Business
Excellent! Not only good for your news network, but you identifed a problem in my own AI game and gave me the solution. I wish the people I work with could ID and solve so quickly...