LEMURS! (Imperial Japan)
VS.
TABPUB (Capitalist Allies)
In
Modified Historical Scenario #26
Dear Reader:
Hello. First off, let me thank you for taking the time to read this and any future posts in this thread. Secondly, I won’t be taking the usual tack in this thread; I will be merely posting the “highlights” of the game up to the point we are at, with some items censored for temporary security. I won’t be posting the entire combat report from every move, just what strikes me as being significant that day, in order to keep things brief and to the point.
Thirdly, (is thirdly really a word? I guess it is, MS Word says so) I hope to have LEMURS! come in here and give you some background on the scenario that he reworked. My take on it is this:
1. The Japanese did not build the 3 torpedo magnets (Yamato, Musashi, and Shinano)
2. Hiryu and Soryu were enlarged to a size more like the Zuikaku Class Carrier (or was the class known as Shokaku…I forget.)
3. An additional Taiho class carrier is on the ways, and perhaps some additional later carriers
4. A class of BC was built to replace the “super BB’s” that were not built. I don’t remember the number (2 to 4) and forget the specs on them. I believe them to be similar to the “Kongo” class, but with 15” guns.
5. Finally, he has changed around the “upgrade” routes that some/most of the Japanese plane groups use to what some would consider more sensible. I believe that some Allied things got changed, but I am not that familiar with them to notice right off the bat.
So, in other words, unknown territory for me. But, I don’t have any preconceived notions built in either, so we shall see together what transpires here.
(Edit to say that evidently this is the "normal" scen26. NOT the ahistorical one. My error and I regret any confusion that this might have caused. So, ignore everything that I listed up there in the above paragraph.)
My next post to follow will get everyone caught up to speed. We are using 2 day turns, rather than the traditional one day turn. It seems to make planning more of an integral thing, as you can’t be micro-managing your forces every day; you have to rely more on your local commanders to make the call in the absence of orders from on high.
TABPUB
Japan Strikes! or "Clash of Ideologies"
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
Japan Strikes! or "Clash of Ideologies"
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
Opening Situation Dec13-41
December 13, 1941
In this alternate history, the war began much the same as in our reality…
Combat troops were landed along the Malay Peninsula at Singora and Khota Bharu. British medium bombers attempted to interfere with the landings, striking some merchantmen with several bombs, but nothing significant. The capital ships protecting the landing force were not affected.
In the Philippines, divisional size landing groups landed on the north coast of Luzon. They spent the next 4 days overwhelming the scant resistance there and apparently regrouping. Additionally, a landing at Legaspi forced the base forces there to retire to Naga. An S class boat was lost in the shallow water there as it attempted to interdict the landing. No other landings or forces have been detected near the Philippines as of this report.
At Wake Island, the SLNF force that was landed attempted to overrun the defenders and failed. It has now setup a beachhead and is apparently awaiting either evacuation or reinforcements. The local commander considered a counterattack for the 13th, but cancelled when the island was struck by a massive air raid on the 12th. Evidently, the PH Striking Force had decided to stop by and drop off some greeting cards on the way home.
No local air defense was evident, as the Marine fighters stationed there had departed on the 9th. The XXXXXXX carrier group was ordered to pickup the squadron and return to Pearl Harbor soonest. She and the YYYYYYY carrier group were ordered to rendezvous SW of Pearl after the initial strikes and await orders. They later transited to Pearl and were preparing to re-victual as of this moment. Their future orders and deployments are under wraps.
Speaking of Pearl Harbor…(thought I’d never get there…did you?)
The amount of attacking aircraft was impressive. Their doggedness and skill were apparent. The airfields got a particularly good pasting (as of the 13th, the Service damage is still around the 30’s). Many A/C destroyed on ground, and the Air-to-Air results were not good. Many Japanese planes were damaged due to the low level strafing that they performed, even with the AAA being caught off guard.
In the anchorage, the initial waves used bombs exclusively. Severe damage was inflicted on the battleline by the larger anti ship bombs. The lighter bombs carried by the “Val” dive bombers rarely had any significant effect; showing that the designers of these battleships had done their jobs well, back in the early 20’s, when the 500# bomb was considered to be the biggest airborne threat. Of course, the steady march of time and technology passed these dreadnoughts by, rendering them vulnerable to the larger bombs and torpedoes that had been developed in the intervening years.
And, the second wave of attackers that day did come armed with those very weapons.
The aerial torpedo, which the prewar planners had dismissed as a threat in this anchorage due to the shallowness of the water here, struck home with the strength akin to the lighting bolt of Zeus from mythology. Several of the battleline were hit by them, but not severely, requiring moderate counter flooding to prevent capsizing. But, (and there is always the but) the “Nevada” was singled out by fate that day. Anchored by herself at the end of Battleship Row, she suffered at least one torpedo hit. At least one, because it was difficult to determine at the time. Apparently, she had been listing to starboard, exposing some of her bottom below the torpedo bulge. A torpedo hit just below “B” turret at 0810 local time. Several minutes later, she exploded and sank with great loss of life. Fortunately, as she was far enough away that no other ship was significantly damaged by her destruction.
However, grievous as the loss of the “Nevada” is to the fleet, the news from the Hawaiian Islands is optimistic. While many of the battleline have severe damage to upperworks and turrets, none seem to be in danger of losing watertight integrity at this time. Some lighter units of the fleet were hit, but nothing supercritical.
Expecting the worst, we braced for another attack, but none developed. It seemed that the Striking Force had moved on, either thinking that they had done much better, or more likely, adhering to their master plan from Tokyo and heading off to do more mischief in the Pacific. Plans were made to prepare the damaged ships for transit, but patrols report that there are at least a dozen enemy subs in the Hawaiian waters. Over the 11th and 12th, no less than 7 hits were reported by ASW planes operating out of Oahu. Any plans to operate shipping in this area will have to take this threat in to account. We hope to have this “situation” dealt with in the next day or two.
FLASH----------FLASH---------ALL STATIONS----------------------
Report has come in from the Lingayen Gulf area of the Philippines. A strong Japanese force has entered the Gulf and was engaged by the 2 Patrol Torpedo Boats stationed there. Reports are sketchy, but the following will outline the identified combatants. Evidently, the PT boats were laying in one of the coves off the Gulf when the Jap squadron sailed past. They made a high speed run out, fired torpedoes at long range and reported one hit. They then were able to evade to sea. Damage to the target was not confirmed, but there was no secondary fire, explosions nor discernable list and she was making good headway when the boats left the area, so Asiatic Fleet does not think that the warhead was able to penetrate the underwater torpedo blister with any significant effect. But, it does show the enemy that we will contest his attempt to claim the Philippines and not to underestimate the will of the Allies in this struggle against Fascism
Day Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae
Allied Ships
PT PT-31
PT PT-32
December 13th report ends.
In this alternate history, the war began much the same as in our reality…
Combat troops were landed along the Malay Peninsula at Singora and Khota Bharu. British medium bombers attempted to interfere with the landings, striking some merchantmen with several bombs, but nothing significant. The capital ships protecting the landing force were not affected.
In the Philippines, divisional size landing groups landed on the north coast of Luzon. They spent the next 4 days overwhelming the scant resistance there and apparently regrouping. Additionally, a landing at Legaspi forced the base forces there to retire to Naga. An S class boat was lost in the shallow water there as it attempted to interdict the landing. No other landings or forces have been detected near the Philippines as of this report.
At Wake Island, the SLNF force that was landed attempted to overrun the defenders and failed. It has now setup a beachhead and is apparently awaiting either evacuation or reinforcements. The local commander considered a counterattack for the 13th, but cancelled when the island was struck by a massive air raid on the 12th. Evidently, the PH Striking Force had decided to stop by and drop off some greeting cards on the way home.
No local air defense was evident, as the Marine fighters stationed there had departed on the 9th. The XXXXXXX carrier group was ordered to pickup the squadron and return to Pearl Harbor soonest. She and the YYYYYYY carrier group were ordered to rendezvous SW of Pearl after the initial strikes and await orders. They later transited to Pearl and were preparing to re-victual as of this moment. Their future orders and deployments are under wraps.
Speaking of Pearl Harbor…(thought I’d never get there…did you?)
The amount of attacking aircraft was impressive. Their doggedness and skill were apparent. The airfields got a particularly good pasting (as of the 13th, the Service damage is still around the 30’s). Many A/C destroyed on ground, and the Air-to-Air results were not good. Many Japanese planes were damaged due to the low level strafing that they performed, even with the AAA being caught off guard.
In the anchorage, the initial waves used bombs exclusively. Severe damage was inflicted on the battleline by the larger anti ship bombs. The lighter bombs carried by the “Val” dive bombers rarely had any significant effect; showing that the designers of these battleships had done their jobs well, back in the early 20’s, when the 500# bomb was considered to be the biggest airborne threat. Of course, the steady march of time and technology passed these dreadnoughts by, rendering them vulnerable to the larger bombs and torpedoes that had been developed in the intervening years.
And, the second wave of attackers that day did come armed with those very weapons.
The aerial torpedo, which the prewar planners had dismissed as a threat in this anchorage due to the shallowness of the water here, struck home with the strength akin to the lighting bolt of Zeus from mythology. Several of the battleline were hit by them, but not severely, requiring moderate counter flooding to prevent capsizing. But, (and there is always the but) the “Nevada” was singled out by fate that day. Anchored by herself at the end of Battleship Row, she suffered at least one torpedo hit. At least one, because it was difficult to determine at the time. Apparently, she had been listing to starboard, exposing some of her bottom below the torpedo bulge. A torpedo hit just below “B” turret at 0810 local time. Several minutes later, she exploded and sank with great loss of life. Fortunately, as she was far enough away that no other ship was significantly damaged by her destruction.
However, grievous as the loss of the “Nevada” is to the fleet, the news from the Hawaiian Islands is optimistic. While many of the battleline have severe damage to upperworks and turrets, none seem to be in danger of losing watertight integrity at this time. Some lighter units of the fleet were hit, but nothing supercritical.
Expecting the worst, we braced for another attack, but none developed. It seemed that the Striking Force had moved on, either thinking that they had done much better, or more likely, adhering to their master plan from Tokyo and heading off to do more mischief in the Pacific. Plans were made to prepare the damaged ships for transit, but patrols report that there are at least a dozen enemy subs in the Hawaiian waters. Over the 11th and 12th, no less than 7 hits were reported by ASW planes operating out of Oahu. Any plans to operate shipping in this area will have to take this threat in to account. We hope to have this “situation” dealt with in the next day or two.
FLASH----------FLASH---------ALL STATIONS----------------------
Report has come in from the Lingayen Gulf area of the Philippines. A strong Japanese force has entered the Gulf and was engaged by the 2 Patrol Torpedo Boats stationed there. Reports are sketchy, but the following will outline the identified combatants. Evidently, the PT boats were laying in one of the coves off the Gulf when the Jap squadron sailed past. They made a high speed run out, fired torpedoes at long range and reported one hit. They then were able to evade to sea. Damage to the target was not confirmed, but there was no secondary fire, explosions nor discernable list and she was making good headway when the boats left the area, so Asiatic Fleet does not think that the warhead was able to penetrate the underwater torpedo blister with any significant effect. But, it does show the enemy that we will contest his attempt to claim the Philippines and not to underestimate the will of the Allies in this struggle against Fascism
Day Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae
Allied Ships
PT PT-31
PT PT-32
December 13th report ends.
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Opening Situation Dec18-41
Highlights: December 17-18th:
PT lost to mine off Cebu
Buffaloes from Rangoon claim 5 Ki30’s over Moulmein; negliglble ground casualties.
19 x Ki-30 bombing at 2000 feet
Changsha: After having the intial attack held, the Japanese have settled down to bombardments of the defenders. About 1000 casualties occur.
Canton: In an attempt to probe the Japanese, an attack on Canton is launched; it is a miserable failure….
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 29913 troops, 228 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 52323 troops, 332 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
2164 casualties reported
Guns lost 76
Singapore: In the most massive raid to date, Singapore harbor is attacked by G3’s out of Indochina. AAA takes its toll on the attackers, but several ships are hit. Evidently, the IJN pilots concentrated on the Mauritius, thinking she was a larger target most worthy of their attention.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 27
G3M2 x 93
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2: 18 destroyed, 51 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed
Allied Ships
DD Stronghold, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4
Songkhia, North Coast of Malaya.
2 Hudsons sneak past the building air presence at Khota Bahru and plant a bomb each on a transport. No secondary fires were reported.
Naga, Philippines: Japanese troops landed, reinforcing their comrades that arrived from Lagaspi. They were taken under artillery fire, but not effectively.
General Situation:
China: Major Japanese effort on Changsha appears to be the only notable action right now. Chinese forces have entered Nanning, finding it apparently abandoned. The Japanese are probably attempting to straighten their lines out and coalese their position in the south.
Malaya: Main Japanese land forces continue to occupy their landing sites at Khota Bahru and Singora. Whether they are waiting on reinforcements, supplies or preparing to advance has not been determined as of this time.
Luzon: The northern landings are reinforced; submarines attempt to interdict, but heavy Jap ASW presence turns them away. Skipjack, off Vigan, is forced down at least 4 times during the 2 day period. No other operations, other than the new Naga landing to report.
DEI: Nothing happening here during the period, other than the ABDA commander running around trying to get his house in order. Other than a tanker being torpedeoed off Brunei 3 days ago, there has been no air/sea/land action here as of this report.
CentPac: The notable concentration of IJN submarines here has apparently dispersed. ASW patrol planes were able to keep their heads down and score several hits, claiming at least 2 in the process. There has been a running ASW battle east of the Hawaiians, along the Pearl – SF axis.
West Coast – No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
PT lost to mine off Cebu
Buffaloes from Rangoon claim 5 Ki30’s over Moulmein; negliglble ground casualties.
19 x Ki-30 bombing at 2000 feet
Changsha: After having the intial attack held, the Japanese have settled down to bombardments of the defenders. About 1000 casualties occur.
Canton: In an attempt to probe the Japanese, an attack on Canton is launched; it is a miserable failure….
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 29913 troops, 228 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 52323 troops, 332 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
2164 casualties reported
Guns lost 76
Singapore: In the most massive raid to date, Singapore harbor is attacked by G3’s out of Indochina. AAA takes its toll on the attackers, but several ships are hit. Evidently, the IJN pilots concentrated on the Mauritius, thinking she was a larger target most worthy of their attention.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 27
G3M2 x 93
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2: 18 destroyed, 51 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed
Allied Ships
DD Stronghold, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4
Songkhia, North Coast of Malaya.
2 Hudsons sneak past the building air presence at Khota Bahru and plant a bomb each on a transport. No secondary fires were reported.
Naga, Philippines: Japanese troops landed, reinforcing their comrades that arrived from Lagaspi. They were taken under artillery fire, but not effectively.
General Situation:
China: Major Japanese effort on Changsha appears to be the only notable action right now. Chinese forces have entered Nanning, finding it apparently abandoned. The Japanese are probably attempting to straighten their lines out and coalese their position in the south.
Malaya: Main Japanese land forces continue to occupy their landing sites at Khota Bahru and Singora. Whether they are waiting on reinforcements, supplies or preparing to advance has not been determined as of this time.
Luzon: The northern landings are reinforced; submarines attempt to interdict, but heavy Jap ASW presence turns them away. Skipjack, off Vigan, is forced down at least 4 times during the 2 day period. No other operations, other than the new Naga landing to report.
DEI: Nothing happening here during the period, other than the ABDA commander running around trying to get his house in order. Other than a tanker being torpedeoed off Brunei 3 days ago, there has been no air/sea/land action here as of this report.
CentPac: The notable concentration of IJN submarines here has apparently dispersed. ASW patrol planes were able to keep their heads down and score several hits, claiming at least 2 in the process. There has been a running ASW battle east of the Hawaiians, along the Pearl – SF axis.
West Coast – No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Opening Situation Dec18-41
Um, actually we are playing the historical scenario 26. I am playing an ahistorical scenario vs Highlander.
Now, what my greedy, capitalist running dog opponent has failed to mention is the entrance by my ever victorious forces into Changsha, Hong Kong, and Wake.
The Emperor's Divine Guidance has brought us these victories. All praise to the Emperor!
The Allied ASW is severely annoying my submarine force off of New Honshu (Hawaii). They shall soon be chastized by as yet unnamed forces of Japan.
The so-called ABDA command cruisers attacked helpless transports off Mindanao but the Divine Emperor is not to be caught that easily. A small carrier force teaches his cruisers respect with many torpedo hits.
The Emperor does not believe in over extending his forces as he sees other virtual Emperors do; He feels this leads to unwaranted losses and the frowns of Heaven.
We advance like the Oxen, slow but unstoppable, not like the snake, fast but always vulnerable to having it's head chopped off.
We will continue to update with what information the
Divine Emperor feels is appropriate for the less Heavenly endowed.
Lemurs
Now, what my greedy, capitalist running dog opponent has failed to mention is the entrance by my ever victorious forces into Changsha, Hong Kong, and Wake.
The Emperor's Divine Guidance has brought us these victories. All praise to the Emperor!
The Allied ASW is severely annoying my submarine force off of New Honshu (Hawaii). They shall soon be chastized by as yet unnamed forces of Japan.
The so-called ABDA command cruisers attacked helpless transports off Mindanao but the Divine Emperor is not to be caught that easily. A small carrier force teaches his cruisers respect with many torpedo hits.
The Emperor does not believe in over extending his forces as he sees other virtual Emperors do; He feels this leads to unwaranted losses and the frowns of Heaven.
We advance like the Oxen, slow but unstoppable, not like the snake, fast but always vulnerable to having it's head chopped off.
We will continue to update with what information the
Divine Emperor feels is appropriate for the less Heavenly endowed.
Lemurs
RE: Opening Situation Dec18-41
The Emperor is concerned about the lack of aerial activity in the Indies. We have 200 torpedo bombers stationed there so why the lack of attacks asks the Emperor? The crews every day anounce the spotting of many TF's of enemy transports, and then the next day anounce that, yes, that task force is still apparently there.
The Emperor asks why they have not attacked the TF's?
The unit commanders say "we were unsure of your wishs regarding said transports your emperorship!".
The Divine Emperor sent a Haiku to the commanders, something about One needs not touch the sun to know that it burns.
He also said "if you are to see an enemy ship, sink it to remove their stain from my Ocean".
The majority of his commanders took these little reminders from the Divine Emperor to heart, while the remainder are now in charge of mini sub command.
Lemurs
The Emperor asks why they have not attacked the TF's?
The unit commanders say "we were unsure of your wishs regarding said transports your emperorship!".
The Divine Emperor sent a Haiku to the commanders, something about One needs not touch the sun to know that it burns.
He also said "if you are to see an enemy ship, sink it to remove their stain from my Ocean".
The majority of his commanders took these little reminders from the Divine Emperor to heart, while the remainder are now in charge of mini sub command.
Lemurs
RE: Opening Situation Dec18-41
The "Emperor" needs to get cracking on his turn, rather than posting more poems to the masses....
...and ...um, yes there was an engagement near the quaint city of Davao...the 56th Brigade is missing a battalion or so now...and, yes, we do have some damaged ships....but ships are like eggs.
...and ...um, yes there was an engagement near the quaint city of Davao...the 56th Brigade is missing a battalion or so now...and, yes, we do have some damaged ships....but ships are like eggs.
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Opening Situation Dec18-41
I, Genji, the humble archivist for my Divine Emperor have travelled across Lake Biwa and ascended Mount Hiei so that I may pray for my Emperors sanity. He was informed of a 'setback' when 4 Japanese BBs, 2 CLs, and 4 DDs were surprised by 2 torpedo boats off of the Phillipines, then torpedoed, failed to spot the PT boats, and then fled in the face of a 'superior force'.
The Admiral in charge (I cannot reveal his name, as from this day forward his name has been stricken and no Japanese boy will ever have that name that was not beloved of Heaven again. Probably the name was adopted from the inferior Chinese. Sigh.)
is now the first volunteer for the soon to be formed Kamikaze unit. He attempted to bow out due to age and infirmity, but the Emperor knew that it was only the Admirals modesty that was holding him back from this important and prestigous post.
Yoshida Genji
The Admiral in charge (I cannot reveal his name, as from this day forward his name has been stricken and no Japanese boy will ever have that name that was not beloved of Heaven again. Probably the name was adopted from the inferior Chinese. Sigh.)
is now the first volunteer for the soon to be formed Kamikaze unit. He attempted to bow out due to age and infirmity, but the Emperor knew that it was only the Admirals modesty that was holding him back from this important and prestigous post.
Yoshida Genji
Situation 21Dec-41
Highlights: December 19-20th
Australia: He snuck this one even past the replay! I didn’t notice this until now!
Hmmm….have to do some checking on the situation…--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval Gun Fire at Darwin (36,84) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
ML Yaeyama
ML Ikitsushima, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
Philippines: His reinforcements at Naga help to batter the 2 PA divisions there initially, but are repulsed the next day. Huzzah!
Ground combat at Naga on the 19th December
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25018 troops, 299 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 10604 troops, 112 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Ground combat at Naga on the 20th December
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24814 troops, 292 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 10014 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
1288 casualties reported
Guns lost 46
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
China: Woof! Got hit with the kitchen in Changsha, while the southern warlords pillage the city of Nanning…did I say pillage?…I meant liberate…
Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 94517 troops, 1001 guns, 148 vehicles
Defending force 51571 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Changsha base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
798 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Allied ground losses:
3166 casualties reported
Guns lost 51
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanning
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 31200 troops, 233 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 613 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Nanning base !!!
ABDA command had learned of an apparent transport force heading for Davao.
The following force met and turned back the invasion fleet!
But, which was reported by Tokyo, naval air units struck back. Their presence had been unknown to the ABDA command. ABDA command assures us that our boys won’t be subject to air attack without fighter cover in the future…<yeah, right>
Night Time Surface Combat, near Davao at 41,61
Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #10
MSW Tomozono Maru #3, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Choan Maru #2, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AP Africa Maru
AK Amagisan Maru
AP Anrugu Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK Asakaze Maru, Shell hits 2
AP Astuga Maru, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
AP Dainiunyo Maru
AP Gotake Maru
Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Marblehead
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart
Japanese ground losses:
1212 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Day Air attack on TF, near Davao at 41,61
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 17
B5N x 29
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N : 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Marblehead
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
3 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
Another oddity---they are noted as bombing and during the replay you can hear the “bombs”, but the used torpedoes according to the damage received and the graphics displayed…
General Situation:
China: Confused. The loss of Changsha is disappointing. Have to study this with Chiang later and get our dominoes in order.
Malaya: Quiet. Too quiet. Rumor has it that Heavy Artillery is on the way. Now which AP was it on?
Luzon: The defense of Naga is giving us hope….the buildup on the North Coast takes it away somewhat.
DEI: The stealth AK’s and TK’s are confusing the enemy. A BG with Kongo is seen just north of Brunei. The Sultan has left the country and is rumored to be skiing in Biarritz as we type this. Navy engineers are attempting to wire everything in sight. I even saw a dog with a ½ stick of TNT tied to it’s a**.
CentPac: Based on radio transmissions, our ASW patrol planes are giving the enemy some grief. It has been noted that they have taken up positions that are more…safe, can we say…
West Coast – No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
Australia: He snuck this one even past the replay! I didn’t notice this until now!
Hmmm….have to do some checking on the situation…--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval Gun Fire at Darwin (36,84) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
ML Yaeyama
ML Ikitsushima, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
Philippines: His reinforcements at Naga help to batter the 2 PA divisions there initially, but are repulsed the next day. Huzzah!
Ground combat at Naga on the 19th December
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25018 troops, 299 guns, 7 vehicles
Defending force 10604 troops, 112 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Ground combat at Naga on the 20th December
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24814 troops, 292 guns, 6 vehicles
Defending force 10014 troops, 93 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
1288 casualties reported
Guns lost 46
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
China: Woof! Got hit with the kitchen in Changsha, while the southern warlords pillage the city of Nanning…did I say pillage?…I meant liberate…
Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 94517 troops, 1001 guns, 148 vehicles
Defending force 51571 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Changsha base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
798 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Allied ground losses:
3166 casualties reported
Guns lost 51
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanning
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 31200 troops, 233 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 613 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Nanning base !!!
ABDA command had learned of an apparent transport force heading for Davao.
The following force met and turned back the invasion fleet!
But, which was reported by Tokyo, naval air units struck back. Their presence had been unknown to the ABDA command. ABDA command assures us that our boys won’t be subject to air attack without fighter cover in the future…<yeah, right>
Night Time Surface Combat, near Davao at 41,61
Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #10
MSW Tomozono Maru #3, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Choan Maru #2, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AP Africa Maru
AK Amagisan Maru
AP Anrugu Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK Asakaze Maru, Shell hits 2
AP Astuga Maru, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
AP Dainiunyo Maru
AP Gotake Maru
Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Marblehead
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Stewart
Japanese ground losses:
1212 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Day Air attack on TF, near Davao at 41,61
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 17
B5N x 29
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N : 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Marblehead
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
3 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
Another oddity---they are noted as bombing and during the replay you can hear the “bombs”, but the used torpedoes according to the damage received and the graphics displayed…
General Situation:
China: Confused. The loss of Changsha is disappointing. Have to study this with Chiang later and get our dominoes in order.
Malaya: Quiet. Too quiet. Rumor has it that Heavy Artillery is on the way. Now which AP was it on?
Luzon: The defense of Naga is giving us hope….the buildup on the North Coast takes it away somewhat.
DEI: The stealth AK’s and TK’s are confusing the enemy. A BG with Kongo is seen just north of Brunei. The Sultan has left the country and is rumored to be skiing in Biarritz as we type this. Navy engineers are attempting to wire everything in sight. I even saw a dog with a ½ stick of TNT tied to it’s a**.
CentPac: Based on radio transmissions, our ASW patrol planes are giving the enemy some grief. It has been noted that they have taken up positions that are more…safe, can we say…
West Coast – No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Situation 23Dec-41
Highlights: December 21- 22nd
Australia: Quiet…looking for the mines that were possibly laid there yesterday
Philippines: No Japanese attacks on the Naga front. PA bombardments harass the invader, causing approx. 100 casualties over 2 days.
China: Sporadic air raids of small numbers. Heavy air recon of Hengchow indicates offensive heading that way. Preparations are in the works…
General Situation:
South Pac: Small landings at Admiralties and Emirau. Rabaul Command alerted and troops stand ready.
China: Fire drill # 2 in progress…, oh, and bold flyers attempt to bomb Hanoi. They don’t seem to hit anything and 4 aircraft are damaged on landing…the prognosis for this operation is not good.
Malaya: You can feel the massing of the troops… it is oppressive.
Luzon: Ditto the Malay experience here. More come ashore daily up north.
DEI: The Japanese arrive at Brunei and Miri! Dutch sub O20 attempts to engage Kongo, but torpedoes fail. Other reports of activity in the area are below. Not included are the losses; Skipjack, off Vigan, (after MANY “can not get good position” reports) is sunk. An I boat has torp failure vs. 3 British DD’s off Singapore and pays the ultimate price, buried under DC’s….5 hits reported, no sub reported anymore. Perch, off Davao, spots Myoko in her sights but misses and dives…and finally, a Dutch 9k TK is torpedoed of Palembang. She was in ballast, so she should make port fine…(thinking about it, the only critical hit to an empty tanker should be to the engine spaces. All the rest is empty and designed to have fluid in it normally! At least, that’s how I perceive it.)
Cent Pac: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
West Coast: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Brunei, 32,57, firing at TF 107
TF 107 troops unloading over beach at Brunei, 32,57
18 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37
Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 7
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x IL-4c bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Brunei at 32,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2
Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1
Day Air attack on TF, near Naga at 44,54
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4
Japanese Ships
PG Keiko Maru, Bomb hits 1
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
Japanese Ships
AP Imizu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,63 (south of Mindanao)
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 14
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 0-Sen: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Amagisan Maru
AK Asakaze Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Day Air attack on TF, near Miri at 31,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3
Japanese Ships
AP Haguro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
Japanese Ships
AP Imizu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Australia: Quiet…looking for the mines that were possibly laid there yesterday
Philippines: No Japanese attacks on the Naga front. PA bombardments harass the invader, causing approx. 100 casualties over 2 days.
China: Sporadic air raids of small numbers. Heavy air recon of Hengchow indicates offensive heading that way. Preparations are in the works…
General Situation:
South Pac: Small landings at Admiralties and Emirau. Rabaul Command alerted and troops stand ready.
China: Fire drill # 2 in progress…, oh, and bold flyers attempt to bomb Hanoi. They don’t seem to hit anything and 4 aircraft are damaged on landing…the prognosis for this operation is not good.
Malaya: You can feel the massing of the troops… it is oppressive.
Luzon: Ditto the Malay experience here. More come ashore daily up north.
DEI: The Japanese arrive at Brunei and Miri! Dutch sub O20 attempts to engage Kongo, but torpedoes fail. Other reports of activity in the area are below. Not included are the losses; Skipjack, off Vigan, (after MANY “can not get good position” reports) is sunk. An I boat has torp failure vs. 3 British DD’s off Singapore and pays the ultimate price, buried under DC’s….5 hits reported, no sub reported anymore. Perch, off Davao, spots Myoko in her sights but misses and dives…and finally, a Dutch 9k TK is torpedoed of Palembang. She was in ballast, so she should make port fine…(thinking about it, the only critical hit to an empty tanker should be to the engine spaces. All the rest is empty and designed to have fluid in it normally! At least, that’s how I perceive it.)
Cent Pac: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
West Coast: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Brunei, 32,57, firing at TF 107
TF 107 troops unloading over beach at Brunei, 32,57
18 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37
Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 7
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x IL-4c bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Brunei at 32,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 2
Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1
Day Air attack on TF, near Naga at 44,54
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 4
Japanese Ships
PG Keiko Maru, Bomb hits 1
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
Japanese Ships
AP Imizu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,63 (south of Mindanao)
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 14
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 0-Sen: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Amagisan Maru
AK Asakaze Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Day Air attack on TF, near Miri at 31,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3
Japanese Ships
AP Haguro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Day Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 44,55
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
Japanese Ships
AP Imizu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
RE: Situation 23Dec-41
The heavens have frowned upon the Emperor for some reason... a Catalina on search dropped a bomb on Mizuho... went right into the magazine a blew the ship up! Never seen that before.
The evil Dutch navy finally was torpedoed to death by my chastised torpedo bombers. A little talk goes a longway.
Genji
The evil Dutch navy finally was torpedoed to death by my chastised torpedo bombers. A little talk goes a longway.
Genji
RE: Situation 23Dec-41
Note to the Emperor---I think she (Mizuho) had been hit earlier in the campaign off Luzon. Are you sure that she didn't just succumb to the damage from that?
AAR follows.
Highlights: December 23- 24th
General Situation:
South Pac: No news here other than the action below of the CL Adelaide trying to interfere with Japanese landings in the Admiralties. She didn’t stop them, but was not sunk…
China: The usual reconning and stuff. I am sure that the perfidious Emperor Lemurs has something up his sleeve…
Malaya: The buildup of the landing areas continues. Subs attempt to interdict the movement of the transports, but no success is reported. Rumor in Singapore is that the 18th Division is in the theater now…will it come to Malaya or counter attack from Burma! General Percival’s staff is unavailable for comment.
Luzon: The PA divisions at Naga continue to repulse the 16th Divisions attacks! General Homma must not be pleased. Meanwhile, units of the Vigan beachhead have moved on the Lingayen Plain. General Wainwright leads the armored battalions spearheading a counterattack. The results of this will be known in 2 days. MacArthur’s HQ issued a statement that “he has the utmost confidence in Gen. Wrainwrights abilities in the execution of HIS plan to defeat the Japanese invaders”
DEI: SEE BELOW; END OF AAR
Cent Pac: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
West Coast: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/41
Sub attack at 21,59
Japanese Ships
SS I-165
Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent
The hunter is hunted…
Night Time Surface Combat, near Admiralty Islands at 58,84
Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
PG Nikkai Maru
PG Seikai Maru
AP Amakasu Maru #1
AP Chichibu Maru
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 1
Showing the flag in the Admiralty Islands….
Sub attack at 21,59
Japanese Ships
SS I-165, hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Van Ghent
Revenge for her sister ship..
ASW attack near Songkhia at 24,43
Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Maikaze
Allied Ships
SS KXV, hits 1
Day Air attack on Davao , at 41,61
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 26
B5N x 28
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N : 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
10 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
Ground combat at Naga
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 22871 troops, 222 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 9678 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Hold that line!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/41
Day Air attack on TF at 44,63
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 9
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2
B-17D Fortress x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 0-Sen: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Suzukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,63
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 7
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 9
B-17D Fortress x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 0-Sen: 4 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
17’s just miss the mark….
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Miri at 31,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 5
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Gosei Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
After watching flight after fruitless flight from the Dutch Martins, one flight redeems the day…I think the last one missed due to the smoke and debris in the air from the first 4 hits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 23rd was just another day in the war so far, for the combined Anglo-Dutch squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Karel Doorman. The ships were waiting in Pontianak Bay to counter any move by the Japanese on the Dutch holdings there or at Kuching. That day they were spotted and the expected visitors arrived that afternoon……
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58 on the 23rd
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1: 8 damaged
Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Once again, ABDA command had erred. The fighters that were to be protecting this force were 60 miles away in the base at Sink(you know the one)…
If this were a 1 day per order game, this force would have either moved or had it’s air cover checked again…unfortunately, we do 2 day turns here…sooooo….the Dutch, confident in the security of their bay, stayed in Pontianak…
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58 THESE AND FOLLOWING OCCUR ON THE 24TH
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2: 2 destroyed, 22 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Java, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
The flak was fierce that morning my friend…like an old man that hasn’t had his coffee yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
The more modern and apparently experienced “Betties” fight thru the shell bursts and score several times.
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 1
CL De Ruyter, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
The effects of the damage tells, as the effect of the flak lessens and the “Nells” press home the final attack….
The end result --- CL Tromp rolls over like a well-trained dog from the 4 torpedo hits against her steel skin. CL DeRuyter, hit by 2 torpedoes, counter floods successfully, but is lying quite low in the water. CL’s Java and Dragon, each take a hit but are not horribly impaired. In fact, the hit on the Dragon only causes 1 SYS damage…(33 FLD though). Reports indicate that she took the hit in the forward engine spaces; the torpedo didn’t detonate, but the “black gang” panicked and fled the compartment without dogging the door behind them, allowing the flooding to spread to the compartments nearby. Quick action by the damage control parties stopped the problem before the ship could lose anymore to the flooding. A quick “patch and pump” and she will be ready to fight unimpaired!
Merry Christmas from the front!
AAR follows.
Highlights: December 23- 24th
General Situation:
South Pac: No news here other than the action below of the CL Adelaide trying to interfere with Japanese landings in the Admiralties. She didn’t stop them, but was not sunk…
China: The usual reconning and stuff. I am sure that the perfidious Emperor Lemurs has something up his sleeve…
Malaya: The buildup of the landing areas continues. Subs attempt to interdict the movement of the transports, but no success is reported. Rumor in Singapore is that the 18th Division is in the theater now…will it come to Malaya or counter attack from Burma! General Percival’s staff is unavailable for comment.
Luzon: The PA divisions at Naga continue to repulse the 16th Divisions attacks! General Homma must not be pleased. Meanwhile, units of the Vigan beachhead have moved on the Lingayen Plain. General Wainwright leads the armored battalions spearheading a counterattack. The results of this will be known in 2 days. MacArthur’s HQ issued a statement that “he has the utmost confidence in Gen. Wrainwrights abilities in the execution of HIS plan to defeat the Japanese invaders”
DEI: SEE BELOW; END OF AAR
Cent Pac: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
West Coast: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/41
Sub attack at 21,59
Japanese Ships
SS I-165
Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent
The hunter is hunted…
Night Time Surface Combat, near Admiralty Islands at 58,84
Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
PG Nikkai Maru
PG Seikai Maru
AP Amakasu Maru #1
AP Chichibu Maru
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 1
Showing the flag in the Admiralty Islands….
Sub attack at 21,59
Japanese Ships
SS I-165, hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Van Ghent
Revenge for her sister ship..
ASW attack near Songkhia at 24,43
Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Maikaze
Allied Ships
SS KXV, hits 1
Day Air attack on Davao , at 41,61
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 26
B5N x 28
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N : 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
10 x B5N bombing at 8000 feet
Ground combat at Naga
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 22871 troops, 222 guns, 2 vehicles
Defending force 9678 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Hold that line!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/41
Day Air attack on TF at 44,63
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 9
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2
B-17D Fortress x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 0-Sen: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Suzukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,63
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 0-Sen x 7
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 9
B-17D Fortress x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 0-Sen: 4 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
17’s just miss the mark….
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Miri at 31,57
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 5
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Gosei Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
After watching flight after fruitless flight from the Dutch Martins, one flight redeems the day…I think the last one missed due to the smoke and debris in the air from the first 4 hits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 23rd was just another day in the war so far, for the combined Anglo-Dutch squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Karel Doorman. The ships were waiting in Pontianak Bay to counter any move by the Japanese on the Dutch holdings there or at Kuching. That day they were spotted and the expected visitors arrived that afternoon……
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58 on the 23rd
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1: 8 damaged
Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Once again, ABDA command had erred. The fighters that were to be protecting this force were 60 miles away in the base at Sink(you know the one)…
If this were a 1 day per order game, this force would have either moved or had it’s air cover checked again…unfortunately, we do 2 day turns here…sooooo….the Dutch, confident in the security of their bay, stayed in Pontianak…
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58 THESE AND FOLLOWING OCCUR ON THE 24TH
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2: 2 destroyed, 22 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Java, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
The flak was fierce that morning my friend…like an old man that hasn’t had his coffee yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
The more modern and apparently experienced “Betties” fight thru the shell bursts and score several times.
Day Air attack on TF, near Pontianak at 25,58
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 1
CL De Ruyter, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
The effects of the damage tells, as the effect of the flak lessens and the “Nells” press home the final attack….
The end result --- CL Tromp rolls over like a well-trained dog from the 4 torpedo hits against her steel skin. CL DeRuyter, hit by 2 torpedoes, counter floods successfully, but is lying quite low in the water. CL’s Java and Dragon, each take a hit but are not horribly impaired. In fact, the hit on the Dragon only causes 1 SYS damage…(33 FLD though). Reports indicate that she took the hit in the forward engine spaces; the torpedo didn’t detonate, but the “black gang” panicked and fled the compartment without dogging the door behind them, allowing the flooding to spread to the compartments nearby. Quick action by the damage control parties stopped the problem before the ship could lose anymore to the flooding. A quick “patch and pump” and she will be ready to fight unimpaired!
Merry Christmas from the front!
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Highlights: December 25-26th
(As usual, all the piddling little actions have been edited out for your reading pleasure)
General Situation:
South Pac: Rabaul is about to be invested. Significant IJN ships are now in the area. Combat report below.
China: Still quiet here. A little bombing and a lot of recon.
Malaya: Both shoes hit the floor. A naval landing at Kuantan by a division’s worth of troops. And enemy forces now move onto the position at Alor Star. Holding the front won’t do much if they kick in the porch door, so dispositions are changed and here’s hoping for the best.
Luzon: HEAVY fighting in the Lingayen area (see below); meanwhile the defenders of Naga slap the attackers once more and then hit the road NW.
DEI: Morotai falls with no defense. Kuching/Tarakan is projected to be the next items on the Jap menu. Preparations continue to attempt to block the Japanese advance.
Cent Pac: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
West Coast: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 22,54
Japanese Ships
SS I-157, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
MSW Ballarat, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bendigo
MSW Toowoomba
Ballarat eats 3 torpedoes, but her sister Toowoomba brackets the sub, and sinks her.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,52
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
AK Princess of Negros, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Sub attack at 42,52
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
AK Princess of Negros, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
P of Negros virtually exploded from this last spread. The noose around Luzon is tightening.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Naga
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 22629 troops, 226 guns, 5 vehicles
Defending force 9460 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
471 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
258 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
The 41st and 51st PA continue to hold in Naga; but due to the situation in Northern Luzon, they are ordered to leave and fall back the next day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese forces CAPTURE Taytay base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tuguegarao
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 21651 troops, 265 guns, 17 vehicles
Defending force 7875 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 16380 troops, 210 guns, 83 vehicles
Defending force 16444 troops, 150 guns, 119 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
715 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
513 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 8
The 65th (Summer) Brigade launches an attack at Lingayen, with a tank regiment and Mortar battalion in support. The 31st PA, 3 RCT’s and 2 Tank Battalions meet them on the plain and repulse them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 7045 troops, 61 guns, 19 vehicles
Defending force 4087 troops, 50 guns, 1 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Davao base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
The 56th Brigade storms the 101st PA position and it crumbles like a cookie. Must have been 5th columnists in the defense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese forces CAPTURE Morotai base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15731 troops, 111 guns, 111 vehicles
Defending force 15416 troops, 181 guns, 80 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
The Allied counterattack on the 25th. Heavy casualties, but success is near.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/26/41
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 12
Hudson I x 2
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CA Kako
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
CO at Rabaul: “Uh, where the heck did they pop up from?”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,47
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 8
Buffalo I x 19
Hudson I x 6
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Buenos Aires Maru
AP Ceylon Maru
DD Hatsushima
AP Surabaya Maru
AK Asama Maru
AP Tatuha Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,47
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 8
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba
AP Tatuha Maru
AP Tatuho Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Oboro
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kikuzuki
DD Yuzuki
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
Oops. The Adelaide is trapped and sunk while dodging shell splashes. I think I counted about 80 torpedoes in the water, all fired at 18000 yds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kuantan, 24,47, firing at TF 9
TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Kuantan, 24,47
204 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Nenohi
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
MSW Kongo Maru #2
Japanese ground losses:
394 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
So that is where that TF was heading. A landing at Kuantan. This cannot be allowed to stand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Naga
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1633 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
The PA divisions take a step back and the Japanese kill some vegetation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuantan
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 7802 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10758 troops, 123 guns, 6 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Oh, there are quite a few of the beggars there….looks bad for the home team over here in Malaya.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 800 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 15476 troops, 101 guns, 112 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15450 troops, 100 guns, 111 vehicles
Defending force 15104 troops, 168 guns, 75 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
727 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
The casualties really hurt there at the end; but I MADE HIM RETREAT!
General Wrainwright (better known as “Pyrrhus” to his friends) is known for his disbelief in fortifications. He believes that they sap the men of their fighting spirit. This was quoted in an interview at his HQ at Clark Field, 60 miles from the front.
A fairly good Christmas. Here’s to a Happy New Year!
(As usual, all the piddling little actions have been edited out for your reading pleasure)
General Situation:
South Pac: Rabaul is about to be invested. Significant IJN ships are now in the area. Combat report below.
China: Still quiet here. A little bombing and a lot of recon.
Malaya: Both shoes hit the floor. A naval landing at Kuantan by a division’s worth of troops. And enemy forces now move onto the position at Alor Star. Holding the front won’t do much if they kick in the porch door, so dispositions are changed and here’s hoping for the best.
Luzon: HEAVY fighting in the Lingayen area (see below); meanwhile the defenders of Naga slap the attackers once more and then hit the road NW.
DEI: Morotai falls with no defense. Kuching/Tarakan is projected to be the next items on the Jap menu. Preparations continue to attempt to block the Japanese advance.
Cent Pac: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
West Coast: No discernable enemy activity as of this writing.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/25/41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 22,54
Japanese Ships
SS I-157, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
MSW Ballarat, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bendigo
MSW Toowoomba
Ballarat eats 3 torpedoes, but her sister Toowoomba brackets the sub, and sinks her.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,52
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
AK Princess of Negros, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Sub attack at 42,52
Japanese Ships
SS I-124
Allied Ships
AK Princess of Negros, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
P of Negros virtually exploded from this last spread. The noose around Luzon is tightening.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Naga
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 22629 troops, 226 guns, 5 vehicles
Defending force 9460 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese ground losses:
471 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
258 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
The 41st and 51st PA continue to hold in Naga; but due to the situation in Northern Luzon, they are ordered to leave and fall back the next day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese forces CAPTURE Taytay base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tuguegarao
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 21651 troops, 265 guns, 17 vehicles
Defending force 7875 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 16380 troops, 210 guns, 83 vehicles
Defending force 16444 troops, 150 guns, 119 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
715 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
513 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 8
The 65th (Summer) Brigade launches an attack at Lingayen, with a tank regiment and Mortar battalion in support. The 31st PA, 3 RCT’s and 2 Tank Battalions meet them on the plain and repulse them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 7045 troops, 61 guns, 19 vehicles
Defending force 4087 troops, 50 guns, 1 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Davao base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
The 56th Brigade storms the 101st PA position and it crumbles like a cookie. Must have been 5th columnists in the defense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese forces CAPTURE Morotai base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15731 troops, 111 guns, 111 vehicles
Defending force 15416 troops, 181 guns, 80 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 3
Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
The Allied counterattack on the 25th. Heavy casualties, but success is near.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/26/41
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 12
Hudson I x 2
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CA Kako
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
CO at Rabaul: “Uh, where the heck did they pop up from?”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,47
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 8
Buffalo I x 19
Hudson I x 6
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Buenos Aires Maru
AP Ceylon Maru
DD Hatsushima
AP Surabaya Maru
AK Asama Maru
AP Tatuha Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,47
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 8
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba
AP Tatuha Maru
AP Tatuho Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Oboro
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kikuzuki
DD Yuzuki
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
Oops. The Adelaide is trapped and sunk while dodging shell splashes. I think I counted about 80 torpedoes in the water, all fired at 18000 yds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kuantan, 24,47, firing at TF 9
TF 9 troops unloading over beach at Kuantan, 24,47
204 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Nenohi
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
MSW Kongo Maru #2
Japanese ground losses:
394 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
So that is where that TF was heading. A landing at Kuantan. This cannot be allowed to stand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Naga
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1633 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
The PA divisions take a step back and the Japanese kill some vegetation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kuantan
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 7802 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10758 troops, 123 guns, 6 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Oh, there are quite a few of the beggars there….looks bad for the home team over here in Malaya.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 800 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 15476 troops, 101 guns, 112 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15450 troops, 100 guns, 111 vehicles
Defending force 15104 troops, 168 guns, 75 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
727 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
The casualties really hurt there at the end; but I MADE HIM RETREAT!
General Wrainwright (better known as “Pyrrhus” to his friends) is known for his disbelief in fortifications. He believes that they sap the men of their fighting spirit. This was quoted in an interview at his HQ at Clark Field, 60 miles from the front.
A fairly good Christmas. Here’s to a Happy New Year!
Sing to the tune of "Man on the Flying Trapeze"
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...
..Oh! We fly o'er the treetops with inches to spare,
There's smoke in the cockpit and gray in my hair.
The tracers look fine as a strafin' we go.
But, brother, we're TOO God damn low...