Tristanjohn vs ChezDaJez: Lemur's Scen 15

[mogami]

Hi, The ASW rating is used when ships attack but the crew and Captain ratings decide if a ship attacks.
Japanese should avoid Pearl Harbor area simply because that is where most of Allied ASW ships are located early on.
When your putting an ASW TF together only use ships with ratings above 50. Below 50 they will not hit anything no matter the ASW rating.
Like in UV crews train every turn they are in a TF at sea so make sure you place below 50 rated ships into TF and have them sail in "safe" areas.
Getting the Dutch in an easy surface battle can turn them from duds into good ASW ships "overnight" (Just find one of those unescorted transport TF)
Since most submarine attacks occur at night the night rating is most important. (submarines will not usally attack escorted ships in daylight but there are always exceptions)

[Tristanjohn]

There's been a lot of naval and air action around and over Rangoon as the Japanese try to reduce Burma's capital. The Prince of Wales was finally sunk yesterday after participating in a number of bombardment raids of Moulmein and Tavoy, plus a bloody surface action just outside the port. But the Japanese have not gotten off lightly, losing several attack transports, a couple of destroyers, a heavy cruiser and battleship Kongo to air attack. Meanwhile a ragtag collection of fighter assets flying out of Rangoon continue to offer stiff resistance to Japanese bombers based on Tavoy. Thus far the Allies claim a kill ratio of 3:1 in its favor.

[Tristanjohn]

In a running night action north of Morotai a squadron of USN PT boats engaged several IJN destroyers and gave as good as they got. Reports indicate one of the Japanese ships was hit by a torpedo. One of the PTs was, unfortunately, also lost in combat.

[ChezDaJez]

My PBEM with Tris has been very fast and difficult to generate AARs but I will summarize the action to date from my last report.

1/2/42
Conducted bombardments of Tarakan, Moulmein and Mersing. My forces are locked in combat at Moulmein at the moment and they need all the help they can get as the Brits have put up stiff resistance so far. Buin and Georgetown fell, freeing up troops to begin the trek south towards Singapore. I am debating whether to direct any towards Rangoon as I am sure that my forces in Moulmein will be heavily fatigued.

1/3/42
A TF consisting of POW, Repulse and Revenge bombarded my troops in Moulmein, missing by one day my bombardment force that struck the same city. Heavy casualties were incurred. I have moved several squadrons of Oscars up to Tavoy but they have had their nose bloodied by the P-40s and Buffalos in Rangoon.

1/4/42
-I-23 was attacked by surface forces about 10 hexes west of Seattle and received 2 hits. It is unlikely she will make it back to port. In return, however, I-21 torpedoed the tanker Alfred Clegg west of San Francisco with 2 torps. I-19 escaped an ASW attack near San Diego with no hits.
-Naga in the PI finally fell as 11k US troops surrendered. Air attacks continue throughtout the PI also as I prep Clark airfield for assault. Oscars contiune to fall like flies in the skies over Rangoon.
-Moulmein also fell, thank goodness. The 33rd IJA Division had blocked their retreat to Rangoon forcing the surrender of 13K British troopsr. I was on the verge of hunkering down and awaiting reinforcements. Allied airpower from Singapore and Johore Bharu also continue to launch airstrikes against my transports as they offload at Kuantan. One AP was struck by a bomb but all attackers (5) were shot down.
-Continuous airstrikes are ordered in China to reduce troop concentrations and provide air training for low experience groups. Preparations are underway for a surprise blitzkrieg to Chunking. Only a small force of 20K Chinese stand in the way but it is 300 miles away. All troops are resting.
-One of my bombardment TFs encoutered 3 AKs at Amboina and quickly sent them to a watery grave.

1/5/42
-Quiet turn as we both lick our wounds from the ferocious air battles over Rangoon. I estimate he has lost aproximately 20 fighters while I have lost at least that number in bombers and 30 or so fighters. I pulled the Zeros out last week, turning the duties over to Oscar groups but they seem to get shot down in droves.

1/6/42
-Yenen in northern China falls. 19 I-16c aircraft were caught on the ground and more oil, resources and industry to be added to the pools.
-Kuala Lampur falls, its defenders retreating rapidly. Slowly but surely, Malaya is being rolledback to Singapore. With any luck, I shall drinking saki on Singapore beach by the end of the month. japanese forces have begiun landing at Johore Bharu in massive numbers.
-A US sub attempted an attack on my ASW TF near Kwajalein but missed. He was able to avoid the counterattack.
-Menado and Amboina were bombarded in the Dutch East Indies.
-Clark continues to suffer under our bombs in the PI. Meanwhile, a US sub sunk the MSW W-18 with a torpedo near Batan Island. Te remaining ships were unable to exact revenge.

1/7/42
Quiet turn. Some airstrikes in China.

1/8/42
-The SS Saury was attacked near Batan Island and heavily damaged with 2 hits by IJN surface forces.
- Air battles once again heated up in and near Rangoon. An allied airstrike against mini-KB resulted in the reported dowing of 39 Claudes (actual numbers may vary) but no hits. 5 P-40s were downed and 4 Hudsons and 13 Blenheims damaged. Inreturn, an airstrike against Rangoon from mini-KB resulted in one AP receiving 3 torps and DD Thracian hit with 1 torp. Losses were high with 7 Zeros, 2 Zeros and 2 Kates reported downed versus 16 P-40s killed and 1 damaged. Japanese LBA also struck Rangoon in an effort to destroy shiiping moored there. 13 Zeros and 11 Bettys failed to return home while 6 P-40s went down. The CL Dauntless was hit with 1 torp and B POW also received a torp. 31 Japanese planes and 11 P-40s were lost this day (actual).

1/9/42
-Naval bombardment under at Johore Bharu. 2 Wirraways were destroyed and 8 damaged. The base suffered moderate damage. The Royal navy again bombarded Moulmein, disturbing my brave soldiers sleep. 429 Causalties. His ships steam the one hex from Rangoon to Moulmein and back before I am able to much to ward off the attacks. Air attacks have been ineffectual. Malacca continues to hold but its fort lvl is down to 2 and 3:1 odds. Won't be long now.
-The SS Trout attacked a naval force near 77,78 but missed. Two ASW attacks were launched against SS Seal without result near Batan Island.
-The Imperial Japanese Air Forces once again strike at Rangoon. 4 Zeros and 45 Kates were claimed to be shot down while7 Buffalos and 2 P-40s went down in flames.

[ChezDaJez]

1/10/42
More bloody air battles in and around Rangoon. His air force is dealing out tremendous punishment to my air forces. The Oscars expecially seem to be easily handled.
- A large Japanese airstrike against Rangoon resulted in 1 bomb hit on the POW. 29 Zeros, 8 Kates and 20 Bettys were shot down. The Brits reportedly lost 2 Buffalos and 10 P-40s. Also destroyed on the ground were 6 Blenheims and 1 Hudson.
-Brit forces also attempted to strike mini-KB. The CL Oi was strafed but not damaged. 2 Buffalos, 4 Blenheims, 5 Hudsons and 5 P-40s went down in flames while 4 Claudes were destroyed.
-Another Japanese LBA airstrike against Rangoon was launched resulting in the CAs Exeter and Cornwall receiving a bomb each. 4 Zeros and 5 Kates failed to return while 12 Buffalos and 6 P-40s were reported downed.
-Allied forces attempted to strike again at mini-KB losing an additional 5 Buffalos, 2 Hudsons and 2 P-40s. Our losses were 2 Zeros. No ships were hit.
-A third airstrike, this time from mini-KB struck Rangoon but failed achieve any hits. 4 Zeros and 3 Kates were destroyed and 2 Buffalos were downed.
-Malacca surrendered today after heavy ground attacks forced the 17K man garrison to surrender.
All in all, a very bloody day in the sky. Estimated at least 51 Japanese and 31 British aircraft lost. Replacing the aircraft and pilots will take some time.

1/11/42
-Several night naval actions occurred this day.
-British and Japanese naval units clashed at Tavoy as the British fleet attempted to bombard the airfield there. The CL Glasgow was struck repeatedly and took a torp for heavy damage. CA Cornwall and 2 DDs received light to moderate damage. The IJN DD Uranami sank and CL Isuze and 3 DDs received minor damage. Glasgow is expected to sink.
-The Repulse and 5 CLs bombarded Tavoy in a seperate action and Revenge bombarded Moulmein. Little damage was incurred but 2 aircract at tavoy were destroyed and a "few" damaged.
-Multiple Allied TFs located in Rangoon.
-Once again, major air battles occupy the sky in and near Rangoon. Unfortunately, most of the Japanese air attacks were uncoordinated with 2-5 bombers at a time attacking, some without escort.
-In the first airstrike, British CAP engaged 3 Zeros and 4 Bettys with 10 Buffalos and 34 P-40s. 2 Zeros and 2 Bettys were destroyed while downing 5 P-40s.
-An airstrike consisting of 2 Bettys was shot down before reaching their target. 1 P-40 was downed.
-Another with 3 Bettys was intercepted. 1 Betty returned. Brit losses are unknown.
-A large strike consisting of 46 Zeros, 10 Kates and 21 Bettys managed to put 7 torps into the BC Repulse and 1 into the CL Enterprise. 34 Zeros and 2 Kates were destroyed. Several Bettys were damaged. Allied losses were 12 Buffalos and 37 P-40s.
-Airstrikes continued throughout the afternoon hours without additional success. 28 additional Japanese and 19 Allied aircraft were downed during these strikes.
(note: Japanese airpower in Burma is pretty much decimated. Depleted units are being transferred out and additional units flown in.)
The SS Saury evaded 2 ASW attacks east of the PI as did the SS Seal nerar Batan Island.

1/12/42
- The CL Glasgow sank after receicing 2 more torpedoes NW of Rangoon by an unidentified sub.
-Prince of Wales TF bombarded Moulmein again. Ground forces there are being battered substantially.
- 2 Bettys sighted and attacked the AP Empire Chivalry near Chanpur inflicting 2 torpedo hits.
-Jap LBA attacks against Manila have resulted in heavy losses there.
-Once again, several uncoordinated air attacks struck at Rangoon. 9 Japanese and 20 Allied aircraft were lost. BB POW received 3 torpedo hits and was on fire and listing.
-The AP Manoor was torpedoed by a Betty bomber at 27,33 with heavy damage observed.
In the Philippines, Lamon Bay and Tawi Tawi fell.

1/13/42
-Quiet turn. Both sides' air forces are recovering from the last few days air battles.
-The Empire Chivalry sank from damaged incurred 2 days ago.
-Amboina bombarded by IJN forces. 2 Brewsters and 1 Hudson destroyed.

[ChezDaJez]

1/14/42
- British naval forces bombarded Moulmein again.
- 4 ship-based Japanese search planes downed by CAP at Rangoon but managed to get off search reports. Several Brit TFs lay at anchor there.
- Daytime surface actions at Rangoon. IJN surface encountered mines near the harbor but avoided them. In the first action, BB Kongo received moderate damage and Haruna light damage. CA Atago was heavily damaged from 5 shells and 1 torpedo. Mogami received 5 hits but remains battleworthy. CL Sendai was heavily damaged but Jintsu was only slightly damaged. 3 IJN DDs received 1 hit each but are ok. BB Revenge was struck 13 times with fires onboard. The CA Cornwall, also struck 13 times, was heavily damaged. CLs Exeter and Danae were sunk with CLs Dauntless, Ceres and Maritius all heavily damaged. CLs Capetown and Columbo were moderately damaged. DD Express was sunk and 1 DD heavily damaged with 4 others moderately damaged. PG Cyclamen was also sunk.
-In the second round, Kongo received an additional 3 hits, Atago 4hits and 1 torp. She is immediate danger of sinking. Chokai and Mogami each received 3 and 5 hits respectively but mostly from small caliber shells. 3 DDs received minor damage. Revenge was pounded with 12 hits for heavy damage and Cornwall, Dauntless, Ceres, and Maritius sunk. CLs Capetown and Columbo received additional damage. 3 more Dds sank with 3 others heavily damaged.
- Japanese Air attacks against Rangoon were ineffective and 17 Japanese and 34 Allied aircraft were shot down.
- Ground combat continues at Johore Bharu with the defenses there being battered severely.
- Brit ground forces trapped in the interior of Malaya at 23,48 are being pressed hard and their surrender is expected any day.

1/15/42
- Japanese troops land at Jessleton on the NE coast of Borneo.
- AP Moller was struck and sunk at position 24,31 by 3 torpedoes from Bettys. AP Talthibius hit with 2 torps.
- Johore Bharu falls. 6 Wirraways were destroyed. British forces retreat into Singapore. IJA troops begin resting in preparation for a final assault. Additional forces are arriving daily. Trapped British forces held out another day under relentless attack.
- SS Thresher escaped a thrashing near Kwajalein.
- I-164 put 2 torps into the AP Herleik NW of Rangoon.
- Port Moresby was attacked by japanese bombers for the first time. Minor damage but that is just a taste of what is to come.
- Allied planes bombed the CA Atago and CL Sendai as they limped from Rangoon. Atago received 6 bombs and Sendai a torp. Sendai sank.

[ChezDaJez]

where's the %&%&$ Post delete button?

[ChezDaJez]

After Action Report for Period 1/15/1942 through 1/25/1942

1/15/1942
- Johore Bharu fell. 6 Wirraways were caught on the field and destroyed. British units have retreated into Singapore. Additional IJA forces are moving from the north for the final assault on Singapore.
- 1 British unit remains trapped NW of Kuantan (hex 23,48) and is offering stiff resistance after a 37:1 shock attack resulted in only 8 casualties to the defender. An additional British unit is surrounded SE of Alor Star.
- In Indochina, fighting continues east 120 miles east of Hanoi. Neither side is able to gain an advantage here.
- IJA troops begin landing at Jesselton on Borneo. The city is lightly defended and should fall quickly.
- SS Thresher was attacked by ASW forces near Kwajalein but escaped.
- I-164 put 2 torpedoes into the AK Herleik NW of Rangoon as she headed for Chandpur. Damage is heavy.
- IJA air forces attacked 2 transports at 24,31 and 27,32. AP Moller sank quickly after 3 torpedoes and AP Talthibius was hit with 2 torpedoes and heavily damaged.
- Allied air attacks near Rangoon resulted in the sinking of CL Sendai with a torpedo and heavily damaging CA Atago with 6 bombs.
- IJA Bettys attacked Port Moresby resulting in minor damage to that installation.
- Heavy IJA air attacks against ground units at Clark Field continue. Strong IJA LCUs are mustering for an assault on this important airfield.

1/16/1942
- Air attacks continue against Rangoon, catching the AP Talthibius in port and hitting her with 5 more bombs, causing additional damage. 4 Zeros were shot down while claiming 13 Buffalos and 9 P-40s destroyed.
- Heavy air attacks are ongoing against Clark Field and shall remain until assaulted. Casualties there are low but disruption is growing.
- IJN ASW forces caught the SS Narwhal and severely damaged her with a depth charge. Reports list her as a probable kill.
- Strong CAP forces have moved to Yenen as the Chinese have recently begun attacking IJA troops there.
- The Allied land unit at 23,48 in Malaya finally surrendered resulting in 5945 prisoners. They will make great additions to our working parties in the jungles.
- Jesselton fell after a minor attack. Weak Dutch forces were seen running into the jungle as the IJA approached.

1/17/1942
- Quiet day as Japanese forces in Malaya and Philippines rest and refit.
- CA Atago sank near Rangoon while attempting to limp to port after an earlier attack.
- AP Talthibius sank in Rangoon harbor after sustaining major damage yesterday.
-US ASW forces east of Hawaii caught and sank another IJN sub, the I-7. Allied ASW has been very proficient having sunk 9 IJN subs to date.
- Miri in northern Borneo fell quickly. Allied forces retreated into the jungle.
- Clark Field was hit once again by heavy air attacks.

1/18/1942
- Disastrous day for Japanese air forces in Malaya. A major Japanese air strike against Rangoon failed to coordinate as expected. Several groups of bombers, large and small, with and without escort, attacked the city piecemeal. 49 Japanese bombers and fighters were downed while the enemy lost only 14. Our air forces will relocate for replenishment and rest before being committed again. Japanese High Command is locating and forwarding additional air power to continue the attack.
- Japanese land forces continue to rest or move to their planned jump-off points for the planned assaults against Singapore and Clark Field.
- An IJN ASW attack failed to damage the SS S-40 but were able to keep the sub from attacking the convoy.

1/19/1942
- A strong Japanese Naval bombardment force surprised many warships and transports at anchor in Rangoon harbor. In a running nighttime engagement, Japanese ships, led by the CAs Takao, Chokai and Mogami, sank 18 AKs, 1 MSW and 2 PTs. Warships BB Revenge, BC Repulse and CL Columbo, which were docked at the time, were struck many times. The only damage sustained by the IJN was the loss of the DD Asagiri after being struck by a torpedo from a PT boat. Asagiri managed to sink the PT before slipping under the waves.
- Air strikes resumed against Rangoon with fresh air groups. However, once again Japanese air strikes met stiff resistance from British CAP and resulted in the loss of 14 aircraft, 11 of them Oscars. CAP, consisting of 14 Buffalos, 8 I-153cs and 12 P-40s, lost 14 aircraft including 10 Buffalos and 2 P-40s.

1/20/1942
- Quiet day throughout the greater Pacific except Clark Field which continues to be bombed daily.
- A small group of Bettys from Tavoy found the AK Forafric at 27,31 and hit her with a torpedo and 2 bombs. Another ship with her, the AK Nord, was struck by 1 bomb.

1/21/1942
- I-7 finally sank while trying to return to Kwajalein after sustaining heavy damage from ASW forces east of Hawaii.
- SS Thresher and SS Argonaut escaped damage from several ASW attacks directed at them in hexes 77,77 and 76,76 respectively.
- 21 Japanese bombers with escorts struck Singapore today. These units have finally established an airbase at Kuanton in order to facilitate the assault on Singapore.
- One note. Japanese High Command has requested a feasibility study of conducting a fast thrust towards Chungking as Chinese forces appear to be very thin. Only 2 units block a direct transit. The distance is close to 360 miles and would entail some risk but it just be worth it if it succeeds.
- Sighting report indicated an Allied BB and CA steaming east of Fiji, course unkown. A large AP convoy was also sighted vicinity of 134,50 by a Glen search plane.

1/22/1942
- A Japanese Naval bombardment force consisting of 3 BBs bombarded Amboina and caught 10 transports anchored there. 6 were sunk and 4 others heavily damaged.
- I-164 was caught by a British ASW force NW of Rangoon and immediately sunk with 11 hits.
- AK Herleik finally sank near Alkyb after being damaged by a Japanese submarine several days ago NW of Rangoon.
- SS Thresher was attacked by ASW forces at 77,77 but escaped once again.
- Japanese air forces have recovered and launched a very large airstrike against the port of Rangoon seeking to further damage the capital ships moored there. 60 fighters escorted 168 IJA bombers to the target. BBs POW and Revenge received 11 and 10 bomb hits respectively. BC Repulse was struck 9 times and CL Capetown was hit once. 13 IJA fighters and 17 bombers failed to return while 59 Allied fighters were claimed destroyed.- Port Moresby received another airstrike from Rabaul as 24 fighters and 40 bombers attacked, inflicting minor damage. 1 bomber was damaged while 5 of 6 Wirraways were shot down.
- Clark Field captured! In a surprise move, enemy forces successfully pulled back from Clark into Manila and Bataan as IJA forces marched into the area.
- KB #1 continues training operations near Palau. An eastward movement is projected for it.
- KB #2 has departed Kwajalein enroute anti-convoy operations in the vicinity of Johnston Island. Once completed, KB #2 will steam to its new, secret homeport.
- Production of A6M2s is being stepped up as losses have drained the pool to the point that Claude squadrons can no longer be upgraded. Pilot losses have become a concern, as the IJN pool is empty and unlikely to recover any time soon. Air losses over Rangoon now number close to 200 aircraft with about 1/3 of them IJN assets. Current A6M2 squadrons will be withdraw from combat duty in Malaya and Burma in order to increase training levels. A6M2 squadrons in other regions have not been as yet affected.

1/23/1942
- The port of Rangoon was targeted once again by 57 fighters (including 9 Tojos) and 104 level bombers and 12 Kates. A large CAP attempted to intercept with 67 fighters including 26 Hurricanes and 14 P-40s from the AVG. Losses on both sides were heavy but POW, Revenge and Repulse were struck with 6, 6 and 9 bombs respectively. 56 Japanese aircraft (actual losses) including 32 Oscars were shot down while the Allies lost 29 fighters. The Oscar appears to perform very poorly against P-40s and Hurricanes. Pilot experience, morale and fatigue levels were all excellent for the most part prior to the attack.
- A strike against Port Moresby caused little damage but escorts destroyed 14 Wirraways in the air while losing 2 fighters and 1 bomber.
- An Allied airstrike from Rangoon caught one of my troop convoys unloading supplies at Moulmein. luckily all troops had already landed as the AP Anzan Maru was hit 6 times and the AP Matsukawa Maru was hit with 1 bomb.
- No other news to report as air power in the Philippines recovers fatigue and morale prior to resuming air attacks there. All land forces have stood down for a day of rest.

1/24/1942
- AK Nord sank from damage incurred several days ago.
- AP Anzan Maru sank at Moulmein with many supplies still aboard.
- A British air strike failed to inflict any damage on either CVLs Ryujo or Zuiho located at 25,38. Our CAP of 37 fighters engaged shooting down 16 of 18 unescorted Blenheims for the loss of 2 of our own. A second British air strike also failed to score any hits as 2 of the 3 Blenheim attackers were blasted out of the air.
- In return, Ryujo and Zuiho launched 2 air strikes against the AK Nordval as it attempted to flee towards Chandpur. Nordval received a total of 8 bombs and quickly went down.
- In the Philippines, additional IJA troops have begun preparing for the assault on Manila. The object is to overwhelm the defenders quickly and then march to Bataan.

1/25/1942- A IJN heavy cruiser force again bombarded Rangoon inflicting additional heavy losses among the ships docked there. BC Repulse sank after receiving 216 hits of all calibers. CL Capetown, 1 MSW, 1 AVD and 1 AP also sank. BB Prince of Wales received another 159 shell hits along with a torpedo and should also sink shortly. In addition, 5 aircraft were destroted and 4 others damaged. Runway damage was tremendous. Several IJN ships were hit but damage on all of them is very minor.
- In the Central Pacific, KB #2 sighted and attacked AVD Thornton and MSW Robin with aircraft at Johnston Island. 2 convoys have been sighted further east however a submarine report indicates the Allied carriers may be moving into the vicinity. As we are not strong enough to ensure a decisive victory against the US carriers, we will temporarily withdraw.

Imperial High Command- Air losses in and around Rangoon have been tremendous. It is estimated that as many as 250 Japanese airplanes (1/3 Oscars) have been shot down. Allied losses are believed to be about 150 aircraft, mostly fighters.
The Japanese military can not sustain these losses for much longer without dire results down the road. If we are unable to gain air superiority around Rangoon within the next week, I will have to abandon the attempt to take Rangoon for the time being.

On the other hand, Allied shipping losses near Rangoon this past 10 days have also been incredible. At least 22 transports, 4 CLs and a BC have been sunk. POW is imminent danger of sinking. Several other lesser vessels have been sunk or damaged. The Allies may very well decide to abandon the defense of Rangoon if this continues. Its a race to see who caves first.
Long Live the Emporer!!!


Chez

[ChezDaJez]

Status of the War:

So far the Japanese advance has been fairly close to the historical record. The Japanese are currently advancing on Rangoon, Singapore, Manila and Chungking. Operations will soon commence against southern Borneo and Sumatra. Resources will be the primary targets with smaller bases bypassed until later.

The Central Pacific has remained stable in regards to expansion with only the Gilberts, Wake Island and Rabaul having been captured. The idea is to not get over extended as the SE Fleet and 4th Fleets do not have enough infantry units to hold against counterattacks and too few PPs to bring in additional units.

Combat losses for both sides to date are as follows:


Acft.............Allied......Japanese
Air-Air..........391........358
On Field.......319...........3
Flak............. 43........159
Operations... 49........133
TOTALS...... 802.......652

The top five aircraft types suffering the greatest losses are:
Allied...................Japanese
146 P-40B............137 Zeros
99 Buffalo..............92 Betty
78 P-40E................72 Kates
43 P-35..................66 Oscars
37 Blenheim I.........58 Sally

Shipping losses are listed below:
.................Allied.............................Japanese
CV.............0...................................0
BB/BC........1 BC.............................0
CA/CL........2 Ca / 7 CL....................1 CA / 5 CL
DD/DE.......11..................................8
AP/AK........45.................................4
TK/AO.........3..................................0
AUX............1 As, 1 AV....................1 MSW
..................2 AVD, 7 MSW
..................4 PG, 2 PT

Note: POW and Revenge are both heavily damaged.

Army Losses...Allied.......Japanese
Points..............3004.......108

The Japanese supply situation is looking very good with supplies holding at about 95% of prewar levels. Fuel is at 75% but with the envisioned capture of Palemband and Balikipapan, sufficient oil will be present to begin increasing available fuel.

After Action Reports for period 1/26/1942 through 1/31/1942

1/26/1942- A British air attack against Tavoy was engaged by 15 Oscars with all Oscars being reported shot down or damaged. 2 Blenheim Is were downed with 4 fighters damaged. The AP Waura Maru was struck by 5 bombs and 1 torpedo. She sank at pier side.
- A second air attack by British forces was engaged by 9 hurriedly repaired Oscars. 6 Oscars and 6 British fighters were downed. No losses were inflicted on the bombers. Arizona Maru received 1 bomb hit but continues unloading.
- An invasion force headed for Tarakan has set sail from Davao and will rendezvous with a bombardment TF enroute.
- Strong Japanese IJA forces have begun moving on Manila. The IJA has also begun to move into Singapore.

1/27/1942
- Japanese forces begin their assault on Manila, reducing fortifications to level 1. Heavy casualties were experienced by both sides.
- Large scale IJA bombardment attacks on Singapore are creating havoc among the defenders there.
- Air attacks also resumed against Port Moresby as 18 Zeros and 34 Nells attacked the airfield. 2 Zeros were destroyed and 14 Nells damaged. Allied CAP suffered the loss of 7 Wirraways.

1/28/1942
- British air attacks were conducted against Tavoy. 41 Zeros and 17 Oscars engaged a force of 22 fighters and 7 bombers. All fighters were reported shot down and 4 bombers destroyed. Japanese fighter losses were heavy with 15 fighters reportedly down.
- Air to ground attacks were conducted against Corregidor. Defenders suffered minimal casualties.
- Japanese air forces attaked Port Moresby. 17 Zeros and 27 Nells attacked the port facilities and were engaged by 17 Wirraways and 4 Brewsters. 1 Zero and 2 Nells were lost while the enemy lost 8 Wirraways.
- Ground bombardment continues at Singapore, softening uup the defenses there.
- A strong shock attack against Manila successfully destroyed all fortifications. Casualties were heavy on both sides with 2500 Japanese and 2300 Allied troops killed.

1/29/1942
- British Swordfish attacked a small TF near Tavoy at hex 27,37 and resulted in the sinking of the DD Hagikaze and the AP Matsukawa Maru. Interceptors were unable to respond in time.
- Singapore falls!!! 33000 British troops were taken prisoner after a massive shock attack against that city. MSW are enroute to clear enemy mines from the harbor.
- A shock attack against Manila failed to dislodge the defenders. Casualties were again heavy but capture is anticipated shortly.

1/30/1942
- Near continuous air attacks on Rangoon are wearing down the defender at a faster rate than us. 43 Zeros, 37 Oscars and 8 Lilys attacked the POW at dock, striking her with 8 bombs. A strong British CAP of 31 fighters engaged with all being reported shot down. 7 Zeros and 18 Oscars failed to return.All bombers made it back safely. A second airstrike struck the Revenge with 9 bombs. 2 Zeros were lost while 6 P-40s and 1 Hurricane were shot down. A third attack, the strongest this day with 46 fighters and 60 bombers, hit POW with 14 bombs and 5 torpedoes. POW was seen to slowly capsize and sink in the harbor. 4 Japanese fighters and 6 bombers were lost while the enemy CAP lost 14 fighters.
- British air forces attacked the Tavoy airfield in response were but caused minimal damage apart from destroying 7 bombers on the ground. 15 Zeros and 13 Oscars intercepted and succeeded in shooting down 10 fighters and 9 bombers out of a total force of 23 fighters and 59 bombers. 5 Zeros and 5 Oscars were lost.
- Ground bombardments were conducted on Manila as IJA troops rest.
- IJA search aircraft located the BB Royal Sovereign and escorts steaming at high speed towards Rangoon. Her mission has not yet been indentified.

1/31/1942
- The BB Kongo, having been heavily damaged in a raiding action at Rangoon nearly 2 weeks ago, sank enroute repair facilities at Singapore. The ship had been unable to effectively control its flooding.
- Royal Sovereign and escorts conducted a night bombardment on Tavoy. 32 aircraft were destroyed on the ground with an additional 43 damaged. Runways were heavily damaged. All airstrikes were cancelled as a result.

Chez

[ChezDaJez]

After Action Report for the Period 2/1/1942 through 2/6/1942

2/1/1942- Strong Japanese bombardment force with 3 BBs hit Rangoon with devastating results. 84 Allied aircraft were reported destroyed with an additional 101 damaged. Runways were severely cratered and 2400 casualties inflicted..
- Air attacks against ground targets continue throughout China. IJA troops in Chungking are currently resting and should resume the assault shortly.
- In the Philippines, troops are ready for an all out assault on Manila. It is expected to fall tomorrow.

2/2/1942
- A IJN TF force bombarded Balikipapan inflicting minor damage on the facilities there. Forces are being marshaled and should arrive shortly.
- A CA TF bombarded Rangoon destroying more aircraft. BDA indicates a further 22 aircraft destroyed and 20 damaged. 268 casualties were reported.
- Manila falls!!! 34K troops were captured. Japanese forces were seen relaxing after the capture.

2/3/1942
- Japanese troops are landing in Balikipapan. The 35th BDE reports light resistance so far.
- A strong air attack against Rangoon by IJA forces closed the runways once more. 71 Allied fighters were reported shot down and another 38 were damaged. Japanese losses consisted of 25 fighters and 4 bombers. 5 Swordfish and 3 Blenheim IVs were destroyed on the ground.
- I-153 operating in hex 29,27 sighted and attacked the BB Revenge. 2 torpedoes were observed to hit.

2/4/1942
- Several US PT boats were engaged near Mindinao as they fled the Philippines following the fall of Manila. 1 PT was sunk but managed to hit a DD with a torpedo.
- Balikipapan fell as triumphant IJA troops marched through the city. Dutch forces were seen retreating towards Samarinda with our troops in hot pursuit.

2/5/1942
- IJA air forces attacked Port Moresby hitting the AP Van Rees with 3 torpedoes and sinking her. The DD John Edwards was also torpedoed. 4 IJA bombers fell while 15 Allied fighters were reported downed.

2/6/1942
- IJA forces conducted a shock attack against Chinese forces east of Hanoi but were repulsed with heavy losses.
- Rangoon was again bombarded by 3 BBs. 42 aircraft were destroyed on the ground and another 2100 casualties inflicted. The runways in Rangoon have more craters than does the moon.
- Another air attack was also conducted against Rangoon. 2 Oscars were lost as were 6 Hurricanes.

[Tristanjohn]

The Allies have made it a stiff fight for Rangoon where the Japanese army has invested that port with upwards of three divisions. Bombers rain death on the Allied positions daily from Tavoy, while task forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy raid at will along its shores at night, further depleting the defense. Still, the garrison is determined to buy time and continues to hang on grimly.

Yesterday a Royal Navy carrier task force out of Ceylon consisting of HMS Indomitable and Hermes struck hard as the Japanese aggressors launched a further invasion of the city from the sea and managed to damage one of the invader's transports. Unfortunately, a Japanese air counterattack out of Tavoy was able to find the British squadron and reports are that Indomitable suffered damage in the ensuing action, the extent of which was not immediately known. British sources say the Royal Navy force then retired toward the port of Columbo.

[Tristanjohn]

Additional reports from India tell that during yesterday's action off the coast of Rangoon a flight of British Swordfish attack bombers flying off Andaman Island found a squadron of Japanese warships steaming along the coast some distance south of that city and delivered a successful attack on the enemy. It is not known the extent of the damage inflicted, but at least one bomb hit on a Japanese heavy cruiser was indicated.

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Don't put Jap subs up against anything but unescorted transports, they will die 90% of the time. If there are no unescorted transports to be found them use them for minelaying and transport. Except for the ones with Glens, they are very useful for recon.

I wonder how the IJN subs managed to sink all those USN capital ships during the war?[8|]

My conclusion is they were using a different game system. [:'(]

[ChezDaJez]

My conclusion is they were using a different game system.

I wonder if I can adopt that game system here. My subs, more often than not, are the targets, not the targeters!!![:@]

Chez

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: ChezDaJez

My conclusion is they were using a different game system.

I wonder if I can adopt that game system here. My subs, more often than not, are the targets, not the targeters!!![:@]

Chez

Yes, I make that an even dozen now, plus a few more that are in for repairs (assuming they made it back to port).

Now I see why everyone (well, a lot of players) are screaming about the ASW system. It's ca-ca.

[Tristanjohn]

Allied progress toward securing its varied possessions in the central and south Pacific areas from further Japanese aggression moves apace, while Australia mobilizes itself in deadly earnest for the difficult struggle which lies ahead of everyone on the side of truth, justice and the American way.

Meanwhile . . . reports out of China would suggest that all is not going well for Imperial ambitions. It seems an entire army of some 200,000 Japanese soldiers has managed to get itself surrounded [:D] outside the industrial city of Chungking, while another smaller Japanese force is similarily being invested by Chinese forces along the railway which leads from Nanning to Hanoi.

[Tristanjohn]

Further British aerial strikes from Andaman Island caused more damage to the Japanese invasion fleet at Rangoon as it tried to run the gauntlet back to Victoria Point. Multiple bomb hits on three separate attack transports and an escorting vessel were reported.

[Tristanjohn]

[:D]

[Tristanjohn]

[:-]

[ChezDaJez]

Did I ever tell you I hate Swordfish? I do hear that they taste like chicken. I hope to roast a few soon!!!

Chez