Huh, if the Emperor is avaricious (like every other boss I know) his offer of lifetime beer supply reveals that he doesn't have much hope on long life perspectives of his pilots. [:D]
But if I were a A6M5 pilot I'll take the bait ...
What is the situation in Australia ? Who is in control of it ?
Ahh, uhm, well - yes, that's exactly what emperor LST had in mind - few if any pilots will survive combat long enough to accumulate five B-29 kills, so he won't have to share his beer supplies with anyone. He now hopes that the pilots won't even survive long enough to figure out his evil ulterior motive...
Unfortunately Australia is under Allied control completely - Imperial soldiers have never set a foot on its soil because the planned invasion of Darwin had to be canceled and the designated troops rushed to the rescue of Guadalcanal, winning a stunning victory and destroying four Allied divisions on this island. Unfortunately events in this and the following campaigns forced the Emperor to postpone his plans to add Foster's and XXXX breweries to his collection. At the moment prospect for a hostile takeover in the future are not too bright...
AAR notes piling up, the game is not dead, just so slow due to real-life-commitments - but in 15 years my son will be old enough for a hot-seat-game of PW against the Emperor, LOL! Dunno if anybody is still following this thread, but what got started has to be finished...
*****
07/24/1944
The amputation of the once-mighty Empire continues... Today Emperor LST has to announce the fall of Lae on the norther coast of PNG. Furthermore, our heroic defense of Tinian came to an end as well as the last remnants of the IJA 4th, 30th, 42nd and 102nd divisions were finally overwhelmed by massed firepower. One bright spot is the continuing spirited defense of the Lashio area against massive air and ground attacks. The enemy dealt more death and destruction by bombing our outposts at Hollandia, Buna, Milne Bay, Port Moresby, Bangkok and Paramushiro. Massive strikes led by B-29s have hit Guam, the loss of the island seems to be only a question of time. Tokyo has been hit at night by 50 to 80 B-29s from Wake, our night-fighters and AAA downed 24 bombers, 1000 civilians have been killed and oil industries suffered moderate damage. Another B-29-raid from Kweilen against Nagasaki by 54 bombers has cost the enemy two more planes for only slight damage to supply depots. Combined Fleet HQ only reports having lost contact with one of our submarines prowling near Tinian.
Air losses this week totalled 23 for our side and 143 enemies downed. Enemy subs had no success.
Emperor LST fears that air attacks on Tokyo will become more frequent and more severe and has ordered the dispersion of breweries and beer supplies in order to minimize losses of these valuable strategic assets.
*****
07/31/1944
Renewed ground attacks at Lashio have been beaten back once again. Night bombing raids have been flown from Ambon against Darwin, and a daylight fighter sweep from Palau against Woleai has destroyed a few PBYs on the ground. On the receiving end, Tokyo suffered several night bombing attacks by B-29s from Wake and Tinian – 28 bombers have been shot down for 16 night-fighters lost, and a total of 6000 civilians have been killed and light damaged caused to Heavy Industry, Artillery factories and oil refineries. Other enemy air attacks continue to hammer our forces in the Burma area, PNG, the Kurile Islands and the Marianas. Especially hard hit has been Guam, which was bombed and bombarded by carrier and surface TFs, followed by invasion. The enemy forces consisted of the 1st, 3rd and 4th Marine Divisions, the 33rd and 93rd US Army Divisions, later reinforced by the Australian 6th Division. Our brave defending forces – the IJA 5th, 43rd, 48th and 103rd Divisions – could not hold against this onslaught and have withdrawn to positions in the interior of the island. The Navy reports the loss of three submarines to patrol planes in the Truk-Marianas area and the sinking of an enemy sub near Osaka by air bombing.
Air losses this week stood at 28 of our planes lost against 110 enemies brought down. Enemy subs had no success.
Emperor LST has ordered a submarine load of beer being rushed to Guam to cheer up the defenders.
*****
08/07/1944
Enemy air attacks mercilessly pounded numerous locations still belonging to the Empire, most heavily our ground forces at Kokoda, Buna and Hollandia. The latter location was lost to the US 43rd Division and an Aussie brigade, but our troops still hold some positions in the area. Tokyo has again been hit by waves of night-bombing B-29s from Wake, Tinian and from recently-captured Guam. 7000 civilians died, several factories sustained moderate damage and we lost 55 night-fighters, the enemy lost a total of 68 bombers.
Enemy carriers and surface ships continued to pound Guam and have hit Saipan as well. Another enemy CV-TF launched a surprise attack against Palau, where we lost more than 200 fighter planes in dogfights, on the ground and in futile counterattacks. Enemy losses are estimated at 120 planes. No hits were obtained on the enemy TF.
Enemy planes from Darwin catched a cruiser-destroyer force near Tenimbar and sunk one destroyer. Our submarine force suffered losses, too. One sub has attacked an enemy CVE in the Marianas area with unknown results, the sub failed to report in as scheduled. Another sub attacking a fleet-type CV in the same area has been sunk by escorts - as confirmed by enemy news reports. Enemy submarines have sunk two APs and damaged a CL near Nagasaki, routine convoys lost one freighter and one tanker to sub torpedoes. Air score this week 293:244.
Emperor LST is shocked by the abysmal performance even of the newer Japanese fighter planes.
*****
08/14/1944
This week the tough enemy detachment known as the Blackforce has recaptured the base facilities on Tenimbar Is. after the evacuation of our garrison – enemy P-51 fighter damaged one of the DDs in the evacuation force with air-to-surface rockets. Repeated attacks at Kokoda led to the loss of this jungle village, but our troops continue to defend the trail leading to Port Moresby. The Regiment d’Infanterie Marine of the Free French Forces landed unopposed on Tagula Is. , while part of the 4th Australian Armored Brigade landed at Milne Bay only to be contained by the 1st Regiment of the 35th Independent Brigade. After heavy air attacks and naval bombardment enemy forces landed on Saipan, where our 2nd, 29th, 52nd and 100th Divisions fought gallantly but in vain against an entire enemy army consisting of the US 6th, 24th, 31st, 32nd, 38th, 77th and 11th Airborne Divisions as well as the 5th, 7th and 9th Australian Divisions. The 17th Army HQ has been overrun but General Huyakutake rather killed himself than surrendering. The remnants of our forces continue to resist.
Combined Fleet HQ reports having lost contact with three more submarines in the Marianas area. It is considering redeployment of the remaining boats.
Heavy air attacks continue at the hotspots of PNG, CBI and Marianas as well as in the Ambon-Timor-Darwin-triangle. Tokyo has been visited in broad daylight by 84 B-29s from Guam, met by 210 interceptors, and by 125 B-29s from Tinian countered by 204 fighters, as well as two weaker follow-on attacks. 93 bombers have been shot down by CAP and AAA for 41 fighters lost, 11.000 civilians died, a shipyard and supply depots sustained light damage and a tank factory has been almost destroyed.
Air losses this week totalled 42:129. Enemy subs sank no less than 14 Marus and two tankers. One enemy sub has been sunk in return by escorts.
Emperor LST’s attempt to cheer up the defenders of Guam with a beer run has failed as the submarines sent to the Marianas have all been sunk.
*****
08/21/1944
A comparatively quiet week – our ground forces at Hollandia, Guam and Lashio held against heavy assaults supported by air attacks. The Free French landed at Milne Bay to support the stalled Aussies, but made no headway either. Ambon has been attacked by about sixty fighters and bombers from Darwin, our bombers at Ambon and Timor retaliated at night. The oil wells at Medan have been heavily damaged in a night-attack by heavy bombers based at Akyab. 120 B-29s from Eniwetok raided Minami Tori Shima and heavily damaged supply depots. CVs and surface ships continued to support the hostile ground forces on Saipan and Guam. A small clash over Palau has cost us 11 Shoki fighters for three P-47s downed. Air losses totalled 13:21. Only one Maru has been sunk by an enemy sub.
Emperor LST slept well this week because the dreaded B-29s did not show up in Tokyo skies this week thanks to the spirited defense put up by fighters and AAA.
*****
08/28/1944
Another quiet week with ground attacks directed at Hollandia, Kokoda, Guam and Saipan, heavily supported by LBA and in the Marianas by naval units as well. Saigon has been hit by a night-bombing raid, causing no damage, and Minami Tori Shima again suffered heavy damage to depots when 120 B-29s came visiting. At Milne Bay, the enemy reinforced his troops by more elements of the Aussie 4th Armored Brigade, but still failed to capture the base. Air score 12:11, one DE and eight freighters having been lost to subs.
Emperor LST begins to miss the sound of air raid sirens at Tokyo he came so accustomed to.
US 6th, 24th, 31st, 32nd, 38th, 77th and 11th Airborne Divisions as well as the 5th, 7th and 9th Australian Divisions.
Jeez--how can Strawb put together such massive invasions after losing so many divsions at Guadalcanal and elsewhere? I take it you have no house rules limiting the sizes of invasion forces.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
IIRC strawb lost four divisions on Guadalcanal and one on Ponape, he has still enough units left. And the captured ones come back: he has used the 24th US ID on Saipan - I sacked it on the 'canal, but it got reconstituted.
Only house rule on invasions is that atoll defenses must not consist of more than one division or equivalent combination of smaller units, and can only be attacked by one LCU per invasion TF, i.e. if you attack with three divisions, they will attack in three waves, not all at once. Landings on other locations are unrestricted in size.
This is a list of suggested house rules - can't retrace its origin, I found it on the web and made some changes. IIRC Strawbuk and I agreed on #1, #2, #4, #6, #7, #8 and #10. Recommend you also use rule #3 to simulated the shortage of landing craft until after the landings in France.
Hope this helps...
1. No amphib assault on Singapore, Bataan and Manila (all those shore batteries and
defences). This means no allied assualts also.
2. Dacca and Calcutta as well as West Coast between Seattle and San Diego are safe
havens and cannot be attacked by amphibious assault. The Japanese can attack overland.
3. Allied Amphibious landings per turn
1942 1 division
1943 2 divisions
1944 3 divisions
1945 no limit
4. The Japanese home islands and Japanese islands to the north are offlimits until 1945.
5. All USN Casablanca CVE's must use FM2 wildcat. Other CVE's are free to use what ever.
6. No 'foreign' units not organic to the China theater allowed in the China theater, except
Allied Engineers allowed after Jan 1st, 1943. (Old Chang very suspicious of
foreigners). That includes Japanese units not organic to China Exp. Army or 6th Army.
7. Carrier TFs limited to 12 carrier points, a CVE TFs to 8 points.
Allied CV = 3 points
Jap CV = 2 points
any CVL = 1 point
any CVE = 1 point per ship
8. Special Atoll Warfare rule: 1 div max garrison not counting genuine ENG
units, attacks on an atoll with one div (or equivalent) max per TF (2 Divs = 2 TFs etc.)
9. Human production control optional for Jap player, computer control for Allies
10. No Corsairs on carriers until mid-43.
11. British may not use F4U Corsair's or US Army planes until 1944.
11. British may not use F4U Corsair's or US Army planes until 1944.
12. ANZAC may not use US planes until July, 1943.
This has probably been squabbled over before, but I have to strongly disagree with rule #12. The Aussies can and did use the P-40 in 1942. (Also, be sure to agree on whether or not the Hudson is a US aircraft.)
Another point: rule 11 means the Brits can use the Hellcat before the Corsair. Is that realistic?
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
Finally found the time to update this slow-motion-AAR - if anybody cares...
EDIT: Ooops, wrong report, here is the correct one...
*****
09/04/1944
The Empire continues to shrink: US and ANZAC forces pushed our tired troops out of Hollandia and forced them to retreat towards Sarmi, on Saipan the enemy gained more ground and our brave defenders of Guam were finally overwhelmed, fighting to the last man. Enemy air, carrier and surface naval forces heavily supported the ground fighting. Enemy LBA and carriers raided Minami Tori Shima, a weak counterattack by 15 IJA bombers failed to return due to heavy CAP over the enemy TF. Other air attacks have hit Kokoda, Milne Bay, Tinian, Haiphong (oil industry slightly damaged), Ambon and Lashio. A small force of a dozen DDs has bombarded Darwin and destroyed several aircraft, but the remaining fighter-bombers and bombers managed to sink six of our precious destroyers as they retired towards Ambon. Our bombers operating from Java and Sumatra have attacked a small convoy off the coast of Malaya, sinking one MCS.
Air score this week is only 36:51, two of our freighters fell victim to submarine torpedoes.
Emperor LST mourns the loss of so many brave men of the four divisions lost on Guam and promises to have a drink on each of them.
*****
09/11/1944
In the PNG area, the survivors of Hollandia and Aitape gathered at Sarmi, but were unable to fend-off the pursuing enemy which swiftly occupied the few small base facilities. The 1/29 Rgt was overrun, leaving only the weak 1/28 Rgt to contest the Allies. Ground attacks at Kokoda continued, but were beaten off by our brave defenders. Attacks at Milne Bay again failed to dislodge our troops. At Bangkok, enemy units have followed our retreating troops to the outskirts of the city, but for the time being the enemy does not seem ready to attack in force.
On Saipan, the remnants of four IJA divisions made a last stand and died for the Emperor. To the North, Pagan was captured unopposed by the 93rd and 98th divisions, supported by surface and carrier forces. Now the entire Marianas chain belongs to the enemy.
Another invasion force lead by the 4th Marine Division and followed by the 6th Australian Division captured Minami Tori Shima, despite the resistance of the IJA 6th Division. A third group of carriers made a feint against Iwo Jima, bombing our ground forces.
Land-based air attacks continued to hammer our positions, the heaviest blows were directed against Tokyo. A total of six waves of B-29s (100 – 175 planes each) from Guam, Saipan and Tinian bombing at night killed at least 11.000 civilians and caused damage to oil industries, artillery factories, tank factories and supply depots. Our night-fighters and AAA downed about 80 bombers and lost 50 planes to defensive fire or operational accidents. 50 night-bombers from Akyab bombed Saigon and caused moderate damage to oil facilities. Our bombers in the Java/Sumatra area sank several MCS and a tanker from Australia-bound convoys venturing into range.
One of our submarines was reported lost in the Central Pacific, and one Allied submarine was sunk near Okinawa by air patrols.
Total losses in the air for this week reached 120:141. Enemy submarines sank 15 freighters and one tanker.
Emperor LST keeps drinking in order to honor the fallen heroes of Saipan as well.
*****
09/18/1944
In the PNG area, the cornered troops near Sarmi were destroyed by Allied forces. Air attacks against our positions continued all over the place. Tokyo was raided again, this time in broad daylight by B-29s flying from Guam, Tinian, Pagan and Minami Tori Shima. 22.000 civilians died and oil facilities, shipyards and aircraft factories suffered considerable damage. CAP and AAA shot down no less than 192 bombers, for the loss of 105 interceptors. Saigon was raided by 50 heavy bombers at night, causing slight damage to supply depots, the enemy lost a dozen planes to CAP and AAA.
Enemy carriers and surface forces pounded Iwo Jima and the Bonin Is. against no resistance but AAA fire by ground forces. Our gallant Navy sent five CAs, four CLs and ten DDs to bombard Darwin once more, destroying close to 70 planes on the ground. A weak counterattack obtained only one hit on a CA. Off Sumatra, our land-based bombers sank four tankers.
Air score this week 158:408 in our favor. Enemy subs sank two DDs, one DE, one CD, nine MCS and five tankers.
Emperor LST belatedly but justly decides to include the fallen defenders of Tinian in his toasts. He hopes that this mammoth effort will inspire his remaining troops to fight even harder.
*****
09/25/1944
A renewed ground attack at Lashio has been repulsed despite heavy air support thrown in by the enemy. Other air strikes were directed at Ambon, Timor, Biak, Kokoda, Milne Bay, Palau, Haiphong and Medan. From Minami Tori Shima 84 enemy fighters of the P-38 and P-47 types raided Tokyo and engaged 111 of our fighters on CAP – 52 enemies were shot down for 66 of our interceptors lost. A weaker follow-on attack moderately damaged oil refineries and shot down 15 fighters of the CAP for 29 enemies downed.
Allied naval forces pounded the Bonin Is. and Iwo Jima in preparation of landing operations. At the Bonins, the US 3rd Marine Division and two US Army divisions (41st and 98th) captured the base against determined but futile resistance of the IJA 14th Division and the 9th Independent Rgt. The 25th Army HQ has been destroyed. At Iwo Jima, several divisions landed in four waves, including the 1st Marine Div, the US Army 6th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd and the Australian 6th, 7th and 9th divisions. Our defending troops – the 16th and 53rd IJA divisions, the 65th Bde and the 13th Independent Rgt – had no chance against this onslaught and the base was lost. The remnants of our troops in the Bonins and on Iwo continue resistance from prepared positions in caves and dugouts.
The submarine forces have been very active, our subs sank a CA of the Dorsetshire class, a Bayfield class AP, an AO and damaged a CVE in the Iwo Jima/Bonins area. An enemy sub has torpedoed and almost sunk the already damaged BB Fuso near Nagoya, as she was transferred to a safer port to finish repairs. Other subs sank several MCS off the Home Islands. South of Mindanao, enemy subs intercepted our carrier force on its way to Darwin, and torpedoed Amagi and Taiho. Former sank, latter received moderate damage. The carrier sortie was aborted and Combined Fleet returned to base, but only after heavy surface forces bombarded Darwin again and destroyed scores of aircraft on the ground, including B-25s, C-47s, P-51s. Aerial counterattacks scored a few hits without causing much damage.
The air score this week was in our favor – 153:286. Enemy subs sank two freighters and one tanker.
After three weeks of drinking and toasting to honor the gallant defenders of the Marianas posthumously, Emperor LST suffers from the greatest hangover in the history of hangovers.
*****
10/02/1944
The enemy fleet continues to support the mopping-up of Iwo Jima and the Bonin Is. A weak counter-attack by 17 Tokyo-based fighters against a Transport-TF scored no hits. The balance of our air force was drawn to Nagoya, which was hit by several consecutive attacks by B-29s from Pagan, Guam, Saipan and Marcus, the latter with fighter escort. 308 heavy bombers were shot down by CAP and AAA, we lost 391 interceptors in the process, over a hundred alone to the escorting fighters. 16.000 civilians were killed and heavy damage suffered by heavy industries and tank factories.
In all, air losses reached 432:452. Enemy subs sank 5 freighters and one tanker.
Emperor LST is glad that his beer stores in the Nagoya area had been evacuated before the devastating air raids came in.
*****
10/09/1944
Ground combat on Iwo Jima ended with the elimination of our remaining troops. Enemy carriers and battleships attacked Milne Bay to help the invaders who are still bogged-down. At the other end of PNG, the island of Biak was invaded by two Australian brigades and captured, the defending Rgt of the 27th Indep. Bde was wiped out. Our planes guarding the NEI area have sunk two AOs venturing too close to Batavia.
The main show this week was fought between enemy LBA and carriers attacking the Home Islands and our air forces defending and hitting back at carriers and airfields on Iwo and the Bonins. A series of strikes left sunk in Nagoya port two BBs (Fuso resp. Nagato class), one DE, four AP, 19 MCS and many other ships heavily damaged. Furthermore, airstrikes from Marcus and Iwo against Tokyo have killed 2000 civilians and lighly damaged a tank factory.
Not surprising, the air score reached 894:628 planes destroyed this week. Enemy subs sank one patrol craft, six freighters and one tanker.
Emperor LST is hard-pressed to explain to his people why the once-mighty forces of the Empire cannot prevent the enemy from bombing the Home Islands at will.
*****
10/16/1944
A relatively quiet week. Apart from the usual side-shows of Allied bombing attacks on all fronts we have to report the elimination of the last defenders on the Bonin Is. and – finally – of the last troops of the 33rd Div holding-out in the Lashio area. Enemy carriers and surface ships concentrated on supporting the Bonin operation. One carrier group of four CV and supporting ships made a stab in the Timor/Batavia area and destroyed about 60 bombers which had bravely launched an attack without fighter escort. Port Moresby was bombarded by surface ships, indicating a bleak future for this isolated outpost of the Empire.
Air losses totalled 278:152, enemy subs sank two patrol craft and three freighters.
Emperor LST begs his people to endure the dark days and continue beer production at all costs, for he has devised a cunning plan for snatching victory in a last-ditch effort involving lots and lots of beer.
*****
10/23/1944
The Home Islands found themselves under a hail of bombs again, enemy planes hitting Tokyo and Nagoya from bases at Pagan, Guam, Tinian, Saipan and Minami Tori Shima. 47.000 civilians died in these raids, various aircraft, arty factories and supply depots suffered considerable damage. Again, large numbers of enemy planes have been shot down and many of our interceptors have been lost in return. Enemy troops landed unopposed on Noemfoor Is. in northern New Guinea. PBY patrol planes have sunk two of our subs in the Bonin Is. area.
The enemy carrier operating in the NEI area have attacked Surabaya and caused moderate damage to oil facilities and supply storages.
Air losses this week 348:403. Enemy subs sank three Des and seven MCS, one sub was sunk by vengeful escorts.
Emperor LST briefly considers to honor each civilian victim with a toast but then remembers the horrible hang-over he suffered when he honored the less numerous defenders of the Marianas that way...
*****
10/30/1944
This week the bombing attacks against the Home Islands were limited to a raid from Bonin against defenseless Kagoshima, where a Hayate factory suffered moderate damage, and a raid from Marcus against Aomori, where 4000 civilians dies and a Shiden factory suffered moderate damage. In China, the enemy activated a new front with air attacks from Kweilen against Hong-Kong, but our fighters there were alert and destroyed 54 of 66 attacking planes for 50 own losses. One hotspot of enemy naval action this week concentrated on the strategic island of Formosa. This bold move surprised GHQ, which had expected the next blow to fall on the Philippine Islands. Numerous carriers, escort carriers, surface ships and transports were observed in the sea lanes between Formosa and Iwo Jima. In furious air actions and naval bombardments we lost many planes, but the enemy suffered considerable losses of aircraft, too. Since we had only fighter-planes in the area, we were unable to launch a meaningful counter-attack. The enemy landed the 1st Marine Div and the 32rd US Div near Takao, but our brave defenders spearheaded by the 3rd Armored Div managed to contain the beachhead of the invaders.
The second hotspot that developed this week was the long-anticipated move of the British Forces against our positions in the Malaya-Sumatra area. An enemy carrier-TF consisting of one CV, three CLAA and eight DDs raided Medan and Kuala Lumpur and destroyed a few planes. Our remaining pilots took to the air to bomb the enemy and scored one hit on the CV and damaged a CLAA. Under cover of a bombardment force of one BB, two CA, three CL and six DDs, the Poms invaded Medan with the 81st African Div, 34th Indian Div and the 3rd Commando Bde, but our crack troops of the 1st Para Bde cooly held their positions around Medan base.
Air losses this week reached 927:576, one DD and three freighters fell victim to submarine torpedoes.
Emperor LST is exasperated over the surprise suffered at Formosa. Knowing that the fall of that island will cut-off most of the vital resources needed for beer production, he has ordered to resist to the utmost.
One hotspot of enemy naval action this week concentrated on the strategic island of Formosa. This bold move surprised GHQ, which had expected the next blow to fall on the Philippine Islands. Numerous carriers, escort carriers, surface ships and transports were observed in the sea lanes between Formosa and Iwo Jima. In furious air actions and naval bombardments we lost many planes, but the enemy suffered considerable losses of aircraft, too. Since we had only fighter-planes in the area, we were unable to launch a meaningful counter-attack.
You must have Kamikazes available by now--and what about Ohkas?
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget
Air losses this week reached 927:576...
...the air score reached 894:628 planes destroyed this week...
How long can this be kept up before Japan is down to fighting with gliders and slingshots?
What's your weekly aircraft production... if its not a personal question.
Well, it is almost impossible to destroy Japanese bomber stocks if Emperor is cautious, but You can try to disable his fighters with carrier raids to all areas where they were reported.
Destroying Japanese industry shall take a year of intensive bombardmets from Iwo Jima, Marianas and Okinawa but then You shall be able to reduce Japanese industry to 250 or less.
In our latest game with Graham the skies were clear in early 1945. I musn't say that my fighter pilots weren't happy about that [:D]
the more You play - the less You understand ... :p
After a loong break, I finally took the time to update this AAR...
*****
11/6/1944
The enemy is bombing at will our outposts at Milne Bay, Port Moresby, Kokoda, Waigen Is., Ambon, Kendari, Timor, Balikpapan and Bangkok. Waigen Is. was invaded by the Australian 11th and 23rd Brigades which pushed our defenders of the 28th Independent Brigade into the interior of the island. At Milne Bay, the enemy landed the 43rd US Division, but our forces still hold. Emperor LST regards all this as a mere nuisance, compared to the main action at Medan, Formosa and in the skies over the Home Islands.
Tokyo has been repeatedly bombed by B-29s from the Bonin Is. (with P-51 fighter escort), Pagan (with P-47s escorting) and Marcus Is. (also with P-47 escorts). Each attack consisted of about 90 bombers and 20-30 fighters. Our defenses consisted only of two dozen Hayate fighters, all other fighter units being used in the Formosa area. CAP and AAA managed to down about 20 bombers, but most of our fighters were shot down. The bombs created a firestorm which killed more than 33.000 civilians and heavily damaged aircraft factories and heavy industries. Some precious beer supplies have been lost, too.
Around Formosa, several big and confusing air-to-air, air-to-surface and surface actions have been fought. Enemy carriers attacked Takao, Keelung and Okinawa - which after the surprise attack last week we had hurriedly and heavily reinforced with aircraft, including Special Attack units of the Kamikaze Corps - resulting in huge air losses for both sides. Our fighter-bombers, bombers and Kamikaze units on Formosa, nearby air bases on the China coast, in the Ruyukus and even on the Home Islands struck back at enemy fleet carrier, escort carrier and transport task forces, sinking at least one CVE and damaging a few more, sinking a DD and damaging some freighters as well as damaging two CVs and two CVLs with bomb or torpedo hits. Losses were heavy though, especially amongst G4M bombers which attacked unescorted.
On the surface, our remaining carriers managed to evade enemy fleet carriers but catched an escort carrier task force, sinking five CVEs for no damage in return. An enemy surface task force of 3 BBs, 2 BCs, 2 CAs, 2 CLs and 4 DDs repeatedly bombarded Takao, destroying 70+ aircraft on the ground. Our surface striking force tried to intervene, but was intercepted by another enemy task force comprised of 4 BBs, 3 CAs, 3 CLs and 4 DDs. On our side we had Musashi, a Kongo class BB and a collection of CAs and CLs plus DDs. Although Vice-Admiral Mikawa managed to sink a Southampton class CL, his force was totally outgunned and so we lost Musashi, two Mogami class CAs, a Kuma class CL and a Tenryu class CL. Thus nothing could stop the enemy from landing reinforcements at Takao, and the 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th Australian, 6th, 31st, 33rd US Army and the 6th Marine Divisions joined the 1st Marine and 32rd US Army Divisions in their beachhead and captured Takao. Since a permanent establishment of the enemy on Formosa would severe our supply line to and from the SRA, all measures will be taken to recapture Takao or at least to make it unusable for the enemy.
Fortunately the situation looks more promising at the other hot spot at Medan. A small enemy carrier task force covering a reinforcement convoy to Medan dared to attack Kuala Lumpur. Air groups rushed to Malaya and Sumatra during the last week responded happily with some conventional and many Kamikaze attacks, scoring 17 hits on a Royal Navy fleet carrier which left it blazing and listing, and sinking 5 DDs and at least two CLAAs of its screen. Our 'eagles' then turned their attention to the surface and transport task forces in the area and reported 40+ freighters, 7 APs or APAs, 10 DEs, 5 DDs sunk and damaging hits on BBs and CAs. Against weak or no CAP at all, Kamikazes have proven to be devastating.
Total air losses this week 1639:1091. Enemy subs sank three freighters.
Emperor LST is mourning over the loss of some of his beer supplies - oh, and over the loss of so many brave sailors and airmen, too.
This week the enemy has launched unsuccesful ground attacks at Medan where our vastly outnumbered defender still cling to the base and oil facilities. The Allies also openend a new front in China at Hengyang, where General Stilwell attacked with four Chinese Armies, the UK 36th Division and two US Army units knowns as Mars and Gallahad - the 3rd, 13th and 34th IJA Divisions stopped this attack cold. At Kokoda, our brave defenders were finally overwhelmed.
The enemy continued his bombing campaign against our outposts without mercy. Waigen Is. was bombed and bombarded by carrier and surface task forces. One of our old, slow light crusiers was sent on a futile suicide bombardment mission to Iwo Jima, just to show that the Imperial Navy is still willing to fight.
As another side show, an enemy carrier TF of 4 CVs and screen raided Surabaya on Java and inflicted moderate damage to supply depots. Brave G4M units at Palembang scheduled to hit medan switched targets and attacked the CVs without escorts - 137 out of 138 planes were shot down by the 80+ strong CAP, a second wave lost all 59 planes. Not a single hit was scored in this gallant but futile attack.
Tokyo was again subjected to repeated and severe bombing attacks. Some 18.000 civilians died and factories as well as supply depots suffered heavy damage.
At Formosa the enemy ground forces pushed the last remnants of the Takao garrison back to Keelung. Land-based and carrier-based air groups again traded numerous blows with each other and with carrier, surface and transport task forces. After the smoke had cleared and heads were counted it became clear that our once-proud carrier force has been shattered. We lost Taiho, Chitose, Zuiho, Junyo and 2 Unruyu class CVs, as well as 3 Aoba class CAs, a Sendai lass CL and several DDs, APs and MCS running in reinforcements to Keelung. The enemy lost only 1 CVL (through a Kamikaze-Judy), 4 CVEs, 2 DDs and 2 MCS sunk. 2 CVs, 2 CVLs, 2 CVEs and several DDs and MCS suffered heavy damage. Our submarines sank 1 DD and 1 MCS and moderately damaged a CVL. An Allied submarine and 2 of our subs were reported lost this week. Finally, a surface action at Takao between a destroyer force and an enemy transport task force led to the sinking of a Benham class DD. Our destroyers also bombarded Takao and destroyed 17 aircraft on the ground. Despite this interference, enemy ground forces landed at Keelung (1st Marine Div, 32nd, 41st and 98th US Army Divs) but failed to dislodge the freshly reinforced defenders.
Near Medan, our air forces on Sumatra and Malaya sank a dozen freighters, 2 DDs and another Dido class CLAA.
Air losses this week 1363:768. Enemy subs sank 4 freighters.
Emperor LST seeks solace in beer and in drunk sincerity publishes a list of remaining units of the Imperial Navy (although their operational status remains classified):
The established pattern continues - enemy air attacks all over the place, Tokyo bombed repeatedly with 24.000 civilians killed and industry damaged, heavy fighting around Formosa and Medan - both sides try to reinforce their ground forces on Formosa and to establish air superiority. Keelung has been bombarded by enemy surface TFs but no ground attack developped. Enemy carriers bombed places as far apart as Waigen Is., Jitra, Medan, Keelung and Okinawa. They also hit surface and transport task forces operating in the Formosa area. G4Ms operating from Clark field attacked carrier and surface forces in the Philippine Sea, suffering heavily but heavily damaging a CV. Another sucide single-slow-CL bombardment at Bonin Is. actually managed to destroy 3 B-29s! Small surface action between BB force and transport TF at Keelung. Submarines made numerous contacts. In the end the score was as follows:
IJN losses
5 subs sunk while attacking Allied CVs and transport convoys
1 CA, 2 CLs, 2 DDs sunk by CV air near Takao
1 CL Katori class sunk by air near Iwo Jima
1 DD Fubuki cass sunk by sub near Keelung
2 DDs sunk by LBA near Takao
Allied losses
1 CVE sunk by Kamikaze near Okinawa
1 AP sunk by sub near Formosa
3 DDs Benson class + 3 MCS sunk by surface action in Formosa area
1 CV heavily damaged by G4M in Philippine Sea
1 CV moderately damaged by sub near Formosa
1 BC superficially damaged by G4M near Guam
Air losses 1077:635. Enemy subs sank 8 MCS and 1 tanker.
Emperor LST is near despair - his Navy sunk, his air forces shot down in droves, factories destroyed, air and ground replacements running low, link to the SRA soon cut, beer supplies running low - what can he do?
Emperor LST is near despair - his Navy sunk, his air forces shoot down in droves, factories destroyed, air and ground replacements running low, link to the SRA soon cut, beer supplies running low - what can he do?
Which version are you using? If it's V. 3.2, you're sunk: the kill point multiplier doesn't kick in until 1946. If earlier, try to hang on until January 1945, when the kill point multiplier goes from 1.5 to 2.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
Funny, despite the spanking I gave the Allies (many more ships sunk than historically, at least six Australian and US divisions destroyed) I'm in a worse position than Japan was at that date. But still it's much more fun than spanking the AI, LOL!
Replacement planes are about 200 for Hayate and 500 for Shiden - I'm converting low-experience IJA air groups to obsolete planes and then to Kamikaze groups, keeping the better fighters for the few experienced groups left for escort and CAP. Maybe I can damage or even sink a few more capital ships. If I have counted right, the Allies have only half a dozen fleet CVs and 4-5 CVL plus 6-7 BBs operational, the rest is either sunk or damaged (at the current date 12/18/44, which I hopefully will post tomorrow). From time to time I still have a success, like a Kamikaze sinking a CVL and such. Oh, and CVE are really "Combustible, Expendable, Vulnerable" ).
I'll update the AAR tomorrow, as soon as I find the notes I have taken (Strawbuk and I only manage 1-2 turns a month due to real-life-restraints).
Tokyo suffered another devastating air attack , and unfortunately the notes and records for this week's actions have been destroyed when bomb hits started a big fire in the GHQ. Firefighting was impossible due to the fact that - by order of Emperor LST - all water supplies are exclusively reserved for beer production. The Emperor refused to reconsider priorities on the grounds that (Quote) "Those jerks at GHQ are useless anyway, look how they screwed-up the war effort...". The Emperor's remark seems to verify the rumor that this week the important island of Okinawa was invaded and promptly occupied by enemy forces, and that the Imperial forces continue to suffer heavy losses on land, on and under the sea and in the air.
(I somehow lost the notes I had taken of the combat replay, when I played the turn weeks ago. Sorry...)
*****
12/04/1944
Ground combat continues at Keelung, Okinawa and Waigen Is. with enemy attacks halted by our brave soldiers. Contrary to older reports, Imperial units were still fighting at Takao, but this week the remnants of the 3rd Tank Division, 50th and 109th Divisions and the 9th SBF have been overrun, LtGen Yokoyama committed suicide. Far down in the South, enemy troops of the 4th Aussie Division advanced from Kokoda to Port Moresby, but our outnumbered defenders of the 3/38th Brigade managed to hold.
Heavy air attacks were directed against Osaka this week, fighters and B-29s from the Bonin Is., Iwo Jima, Pagan, Guam, Tinian and Minamo Tori Shima in waves 70+ to 140+ planes strong dropped hundreds of tons of bombs, killing at least 47.000 civilians and damaging shipyards, heavy industries, aircraft factories and supply depots. About 170 B-29s and 130 fighters were downed by CAP and AAA, but we lost 335 interceptors in the process.
Our air forces in China, at Keelung, the Ruyukus and the Philippines repeatedly struck Takao with daylight fighter sweeps and night bombing raids, destroying about 50 enemy planes in the air and on the ground and damaging supply depots. We will continue to slow down Allied air and ground operations on Formosa by attacking the air base and supply depots.
The naval war once more kept the submarine forces busy - one of our subs in the Formosa area sank a Fletcher class DD, 2 more operating in the Ruyukus claimed sinking a Cleveland class CL (unconfirmed) and a large APA. In counterattacks we lost 2 subs. Enemy subs also made succesful attacks, sinking a Yugumo class DD near Hongkong, 2 freighters and a DE near Kagoshima and 5 MCS near Keelung.
Enemy battleship-cruiser TFs bombarded Takao and Keelung without interference of our few remaining fleet units.
The air-sea war showed the familiar picture of enemy carrier and land-based aircraft attacking our task forces trying to resupply Keelung and hitting air bases and ground installation in the contested area (including a carrier raid on Kagoshima), and the IJAA and IJNA hitting back at carriers, surface battle groups, replenishment groups and transport convoys in the Formosa/Ruyukus area (no action was reported from the Sumatra/Malaya front). As usual, the enemy's attacks were rather successful and his losses are moderate, while our attacks were more or less futile and produced only heavy losses for us.
IJN losses by air attacks
2 DDs sunk
1 AP sunk
10 MCS sunk
6 MCS damaged
Allied losses by air attacks
2 DDs sunk
1 APA sunk
several CLs damaged
1 DD damaged
2 MCS damaged
Air losses 993:612. Enemy subs attacking our routine convoys sank 9 freighters and three precious tankers.
Emperor LST authorizes more Kamikaze groups while husbanding the few remaining experienced fighter groups for the protection of the beer producing facilities.
This week opened with a massive ground attack by our troops at Keelung, designed to push the enemy back to Takao and then into the sea. The IJA 8th, 10th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 32nd, 35th, 46th, 66th and 105th Divisions, the 38th, 39th, 128th Independent Brigades and the 31st SBF plus several detachents from various divisions had been tranferred from the Philippines and the Home Islands for this attack. Pitted against them were the 1st and 4th Marine Divisions and the 32nd, 41st and 98th US Army Divisions. Unfortunately, despite the numerical advantage and superior spirit, our troops were unable to dislodge the enemy force and suffered grievious losses from enemy artillery and air attacks. The offensive has been temporarily halted in order to reorganize.
The enemy launched ground attacks at Okinawa (where LtGen Morizumi was killed in action), Waigen Is. Port Moresby and at Hengyang, but made no headway. Especially at Hengyang he suffered many casualties amongst the Chinese, British and American soldiers.
The air war concentrated on Kagoshima this time, with repeated air attacks launched from the Bonin Is., Pagan, Guam, Tinian and Minami Tori Shima. Thousands of civilians were killed and heavy damaged suffered by aircraft factories and oil refineries. About 50 bombers were downed by CAP and AAA.
Our air forces retaliated with night bombing raids from bases in China and the Philippines against supply depots at Takao, causing moderate damage.
Land-based aircraft in the Ruyukus, Home Islands, Keelung and China launched conventional and special attacks against Allied shipping in the area, sinking one APA and one Fletcher class DD and damaging an AV and several freighters. Enemy fighter-bombers from Takao, Okinawa and bases in the interior of China strafed, rocketed and bombed our supply convoys to Keelung and the covering surface forces, causing some damage.
Enemy carriers appeared again off Sumatra and Malaya, launching attacks against our airfields in the area. Our bombers at Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan and Jitra counterattacked although the range was to great for escorting fighters - not surprisingly, they were shot to pieces by strong enemy CAP. No hits were obtained and very few pilots returned to base.
Appart from this carrier raid, the naval war was restricted to submarine actions. In the Formosa area, our submarines sank a Bristol class DD and a large freighter. Enemy subs lurking in the same area sank 3 MCS.
Air score this week 1106:446. Enemy subs operating against our routine convoys sank 4 freighters and 2 tankers.
Emperor LST is upset that the big counterattack at Keelung failed to produce results. He has threatened to cut the beer rations for all units on Formosa if they fail again next time.
Ground combat on Okinawa and on Waigen Is. ended when the last defenders were eliminated by the enemy. Six of our new Independent Brigades were destroyed on Okinawa, another one on Waigen Is. At Hengyang, the enemy tried another unsuccesful attack which was repulsed with heavy losses.
In the air, the enemy superiority is overwhelming. Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya have been hit by heavy bombers, killing 29.000 civilians and damaging many heavy industries, shipyards and aircraft factories. Our war economy is suffering heavily, the stockpile of resources and the still incoming oil imports are useless if the factories are only heaps of smoking rubble.
Our air forces based in the Philippines and the China coast continue bombing Takao at night, reducing Allied supply depots.
The air-sea war around Ryukyus again saw our LBA attacking enemy carriers and convoys with little to show but heavy losses to CAP and AAA. The Allied forces on the other hand launched numerous attacks from bases in inner China, Takao, Okinawa and carriers, sinking numerous freighters and 2 DDs. Furthermore, a PBY sank one of our subs off Takao.
Off Medan, enemy carriers continued their destructive air raids and our LBA in the area continued their futile counterstrikes. The enemy ground forces at Medan, although greatly outnumbering our defenders, have made no attempt so far to capture the base. Apparently they are lacking supplies. The enemy carriers most likely are covering resupply convoys trying to reach Medan.
The biggest clash this week was reserved for the surface navies. At Keelung, our remaining capital ships tried to bombard the besieging Allied ground forces, but ran headlong into enemy capital ships preparing to perform a bombardment mission on their own against our troops and installations. 3 Fuso class BBs, CA Tone, the 4 Myoko class CAs, 2 Agano class CLs and a dozen DDs slugged it out at night with a North Carolina class BB, a Ramillies class BB, BC Repulse, a new, very large cruiser of the USN, a Baltimore class CA, a Dorsetshire class CA, 4 light cruisers of the Cleveland, Hawkins, Omaha and Oakland types respectively and 4 DDs of the Fletcher class. The effective gunfire of the North Carolina and R class BBs left BB Yamashiro and CA Tone in a sinking condition, other ships received considerable damage, but we replied in kind with torpedoes and scored several hits on HMS Repulse and the very large US cruiser. Both vessels capsized and sank.
A second night surface battle took place off Okinawa. Unfortunately, our raiding force of 18 DDs was unable to close to torpedo range before being slaughtered by acurate long-range gunfire of 2 BBs (New Mexico resp. R class), HMS Renown, another new large cruiser, a CA of the New Orleans type, 5 CLs (3 Clevelands, 2 Fijis), an old Omaha class CL and 8 Fletchers. No less than 10 of our DDs were sunk and only superficial damage was dealt out to the enemy. The Admiral in charge of this TF has received instructions to report to GHQ and to bring his sword along...
Air score this week 1092:798. Enemy subs sank 1 DD, 1 MCS and 1 TK.
Emperor LST has granted a life-long beer supply to the torpedo officers responsible for sinking Repulse and the large USN cruiser.
So, "Alaska" and "Guam" have joined the party! I always had a fondness for those two (they would have been perfect counters for the German pocket battleships). And your DD's couldn't close the range against the older Allied BB's? A shame, indeed. What does the score look like now?
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
).