Iron Storm (Scenario 50): Playtest
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
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Captain Cruft
- Posts: 3741
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:49 pm
- Location: England
RE: 12/31/41
Yes it did, the Japs took a fair amount of casualties too. I would love to know what the planning objectives are for those 5 divisions ...
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Captain Cruft
- Posts: 3741
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:49 pm
- Location: England
Allies fight back!
I just played the latest turn. It was quite busy.
Alikchi-san will no doubt provide details later. The only thing I will say is that I shot down 22 elite carrier-based Zeros in A2A combat today, and that four of them fell to RAF Buffalos. Go tubbies!
Alikchi-san will no doubt provide details later. The only thing I will say is that I shot down 22 elite carrier-based Zeros in A2A combat today, and that four of them fell to RAF Buffalos. Go tubbies!
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51st Highland Div
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:30 pm
- Location: Glasgow,Scotland
RE: Allies fight back!
Zero's falling to Buffalo's ? Ouch indeed
RE: Allies fight back!
Until you've seen them fall to Lysanders, you haven't seen ouch...
We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.
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Captain Cruft
- Posts: 3741
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:49 pm
- Location: England
RE: Allies fight back!
Needless to say, far more of the tubby ones fell than Zeros. It was still pleasing though
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51st Highland Div
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:30 pm
- Location: Glasgow,Scotland
RE: Allies fight back!
ORIGINAL: Terminus
Until you've seen them fall to Lysanders, you haven't seen ouch...
Lysanders ? Now ive seen everything [:D]
RE: Allies fight back!
It was only one Zero, but it was mine, and it WAS shot down by a Lysander. Not something you forget in a hurry, let me tell you!
We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.
1/8/42
Well, today was DEFINITELY interesting, as promised!
1/8/42
The day began with a holycrap massive raid on Kota Bharu! Launched from Johore Bahru, the British strike consisted 78 medium and heavy bombers escorted by 40 Buffalo fighters. Long-range CAP from the Kido Butai was about the same as yesterday, but it could have been higher - I had actually diverted a few Daitais because I feared he might try to concentrate his fighters and torpedo bombers (with perhaps some help from the RN CVs, on the other side of Malaya) against the KB.
[center]
A "Wimpy" (Wellington III) on the way to pound Kota Bharu.[/center]
So, the attack met about 24 Zeroes on CAP. Although they took a significant number of Buffalos down, the enemy sheer numbers allowed most of the bombers through. 56 runway hits and 7 airbase hits mean that it's going to be that much more difficult to make Kota Bharu operational. Until it is we are vulnerable!
[center]
The raid.[/center]
The Zeroes that should have been CAPing Kota were sitting on standby. Recon had reported "CA CA CA CA CA" ad infinitum in the Malacca Strait a few days ago and I had kind of expected some kind of combined RAF-FAA strike on the KB. This was not the case - the Kido Butai launched the prerequisite massive strike - about 100 Vals and Kates, escorted by 65 Zeroes - but the target was a transport convoy off Georgetown - unloading supplies, perhaps? Whatever they were doing, they aren't doing it anymore. Destroyer Napier and two PCs, escorting three AKs, all took severe damage and should sink.
[center]
AK Orestes burning.[/center]
A minor sideshow to this was the simultaneous raid against Clark Field by IJAAF forces based at Vigan. It netted us a few P-35s and Peashooters but the real action was happening on the other side of the Pacific. CarDiv 5 had sailed into a trap!
[center]
Uh-oh.[/center]
A series of strikes and counter-strikes ensued. The Americans spotted first, and launched first. A few minutes after Ozawa (commander of CarDiv 2) had watched his strike fade into the distance, 49 SBDs escorted by about two dozen Wildcats arrived overhead. Ozawa had kept about half of his Zeroes - 26 - on CAP, and they tore through the Wildcats, taking down a few Dauntlesses as well. Not without taking losses, though. The Wildcat and its pilots were much more formidable than any opposition yet encountered. 39 Dauntlesses broke through the CAP and began their diving runs at 2000 feet.
Soryu, Donryu and Hiei - the escorting battleship - twisted and swerved desperately but hits were scored almost immediately. A 9-plane group of Dauntlesses came screaming through the 5" and 25mm flak and scored 5 1000-pound bomb hits on Soryu's semi-armored deck. None penetrated to the carrier's vitals, but a massive fire began forward. Damage-control teams rushed out to hose it down even as the bombs were still falling. Hiei shrugged off 4 bombs with, again, only minor fires.
[center]
Left - an SBD Dauntless bomber lands a hit on Soryu's flight deck. Right - Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa, Commander, CarDiv 5.[/center]
About half of the Zeroes ran out of ammunition in the fight against the first strike - only 17 Zeroes were in the air when the second, composed of a dozen Wildcats escorting 39 Dauntlesses, arrived. This one scored 2 hits on Soryu (the flames attracting Dauntlesses like flies) and one on Hiei. Things still seemed under control.. a final raid, 15 Dauntlesses and an equal number of Wildcats, hit Soryu another SEVEN times, and yet the ship was still functioning. The 3" deck armor was doing its job well, even if much of the flames were lapping at the superstructure ...
At about this time Ozawa's strike arrived on target - Enterprise and Saratoga, sailing together about 200 miles south. Like the Americans', the strike came in piecemeal, although luckily each one was at least moderately escorted. The first was the most powerful - 40 Vals, 18 Kates, and 19 Zeroes.
[center]
The Japanese attack.[/center]
The Japanese made it through the CAP with only minor losses and immediately scored hits. 7 250 and 60kg bombs hit Enterprise in quick succession. A Kate managed to score a hit as well - and a nasty one, too. An explosion deep in the bowels up the ship erupted through the deck - it seemed obvious that the ship was gutted from the inside. Saratoga fared no better. 6 bombs smashed into the deck, and over the series of strikes, 3 torpedo hits were made. We do not expect either ship to make it back to Pearl.
[center]
Bwa ha ha ha![/center]
Yorktown escaped unscathed, but we can live with that - we've lost nothing and came out of the whole mess much better than we'd imagined! Two American carriers probably sunk. That leaves only Yorktown operational, with Lexington probably out of the war for months still (Pearl Harbour damage).
The enemy lost 168 aircraft altogether today. The road to the Pacific is open again. CarDiv 5 is returning to Kwaj, but we will be back. Banzai!
1/8/42
The day began with a holycrap massive raid on Kota Bharu! Launched from Johore Bahru, the British strike consisted 78 medium and heavy bombers escorted by 40 Buffalo fighters. Long-range CAP from the Kido Butai was about the same as yesterday, but it could have been higher - I had actually diverted a few Daitais because I feared he might try to concentrate his fighters and torpedo bombers (with perhaps some help from the RN CVs, on the other side of Malaya) against the KB.
[center]
A "Wimpy" (Wellington III) on the way to pound Kota Bharu.[/center]
So, the attack met about 24 Zeroes on CAP. Although they took a significant number of Buffalos down, the enemy sheer numbers allowed most of the bombers through. 56 runway hits and 7 airbase hits mean that it's going to be that much more difficult to make Kota Bharu operational. Until it is we are vulnerable!
[center]
The raid.[/center]
The Zeroes that should have been CAPing Kota were sitting on standby. Recon had reported "CA CA CA CA CA" ad infinitum in the Malacca Strait a few days ago and I had kind of expected some kind of combined RAF-FAA strike on the KB. This was not the case - the Kido Butai launched the prerequisite massive strike - about 100 Vals and Kates, escorted by 65 Zeroes - but the target was a transport convoy off Georgetown - unloading supplies, perhaps? Whatever they were doing, they aren't doing it anymore. Destroyer Napier and two PCs, escorting three AKs, all took severe damage and should sink.
[center]
AK Orestes burning.[/center]
A minor sideshow to this was the simultaneous raid against Clark Field by IJAAF forces based at Vigan. It netted us a few P-35s and Peashooters but the real action was happening on the other side of the Pacific. CarDiv 5 had sailed into a trap!
[center]
Uh-oh.[/center]
A series of strikes and counter-strikes ensued. The Americans spotted first, and launched first. A few minutes after Ozawa (commander of CarDiv 2) had watched his strike fade into the distance, 49 SBDs escorted by about two dozen Wildcats arrived overhead. Ozawa had kept about half of his Zeroes - 26 - on CAP, and they tore through the Wildcats, taking down a few Dauntlesses as well. Not without taking losses, though. The Wildcat and its pilots were much more formidable than any opposition yet encountered. 39 Dauntlesses broke through the CAP and began their diving runs at 2000 feet.
Soryu, Donryu and Hiei - the escorting battleship - twisted and swerved desperately but hits were scored almost immediately. A 9-plane group of Dauntlesses came screaming through the 5" and 25mm flak and scored 5 1000-pound bomb hits on Soryu's semi-armored deck. None penetrated to the carrier's vitals, but a massive fire began forward. Damage-control teams rushed out to hose it down even as the bombs were still falling. Hiei shrugged off 4 bombs with, again, only minor fires.
[center]
Left - an SBD Dauntless bomber lands a hit on Soryu's flight deck. Right - Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa, Commander, CarDiv 5.[/center]
About half of the Zeroes ran out of ammunition in the fight against the first strike - only 17 Zeroes were in the air when the second, composed of a dozen Wildcats escorting 39 Dauntlesses, arrived. This one scored 2 hits on Soryu (the flames attracting Dauntlesses like flies) and one on Hiei. Things still seemed under control.. a final raid, 15 Dauntlesses and an equal number of Wildcats, hit Soryu another SEVEN times, and yet the ship was still functioning. The 3" deck armor was doing its job well, even if much of the flames were lapping at the superstructure ...
At about this time Ozawa's strike arrived on target - Enterprise and Saratoga, sailing together about 200 miles south. Like the Americans', the strike came in piecemeal, although luckily each one was at least moderately escorted. The first was the most powerful - 40 Vals, 18 Kates, and 19 Zeroes.
[center]
The Japanese attack.[/center]
The Japanese made it through the CAP with only minor losses and immediately scored hits. 7 250 and 60kg bombs hit Enterprise in quick succession. A Kate managed to score a hit as well - and a nasty one, too. An explosion deep in the bowels up the ship erupted through the deck - it seemed obvious that the ship was gutted from the inside. Saratoga fared no better. 6 bombs smashed into the deck, and over the series of strikes, 3 torpedo hits were made. We do not expect either ship to make it back to Pearl.
[center]
Bwa ha ha ha![/center]
Yorktown escaped unscathed, but we can live with that - we've lost nothing and came out of the whole mess much better than we'd imagined! Two American carriers probably sunk. That leaves only Yorktown operational, with Lexington probably out of the war for months still (Pearl Harbour damage).
The enemy lost 168 aircraft altogether today. The road to the Pacific is open again. CarDiv 5 is returning to Kwaj, but we will be back. Banzai!
RE: 1/8/42
A few more screenies:
[center]
I doubt either carrier will make it home. I'm between them and home, anyways!
[center]
Heading home! Damage is surprisingly light considering the multiple bomb hits. Thank God for that deck armour.
[center]
Today's losses. This is probably one of the best days since December 7th.[/center]
[center]
I doubt either carrier will make it home. I'm between them and home, anyways!
[center]
Heading home! Damage is surprisingly light considering the multiple bomb hits. Thank God for that deck armour.
[center]
Today's losses. This is probably one of the best days since December 7th.[/center]
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Captain Cruft
- Posts: 3741
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:49 pm
- Location: England
RE: 1/8/42
Yes. I was a fool, though a clever one. The "ambush" itself worked quite well except for not quite being able to close the range enough for multiple TBD strikes. My plan was to trade 1 or 2 of my CVs for 1 of his and, just as importantly, get the buggers to go home. It looks like I have achieved that at least.
Fourteen 1000lb bombs were delivered onto the Soryu, which would have sent any "normal" Japanese CV to the bottom in short order. Of course I had not anticipated that these new-fangled Kairyu class CVs would have taken a leaf out of the Royal Navy's carrier-design pamphlet. D'oh! I have since learnt that pressing 'V' will bring up a list of all Japanese ships and their capabilities ...
We will see whether my damaged carriers make it home. Right now I'd say it was 50/50.
--
Over on the other side of the world, the Kota Bharu strike worked exactly as I had anticipated. Many Buffs lost but the airfield seriously damaged. I must prevent it becoming operational for as long as possible.
Fourteen 1000lb bombs were delivered onto the Soryu, which would have sent any "normal" Japanese CV to the bottom in short order. Of course I had not anticipated that these new-fangled Kairyu class CVs would have taken a leaf out of the Royal Navy's carrier-design pamphlet. D'oh! I have since learnt that pressing 'V' will bring up a list of all Japanese ships and their capabilities ...
We will see whether my damaged carriers make it home. Right now I'd say it was 50/50.
--
Over on the other side of the world, the Kota Bharu strike worked exactly as I had anticipated. Many Buffs lost but the airfield seriously damaged. I must prevent it becoming operational for as long as possible.
RE: 1/8/42
Next turn is in your inbox now. Kota Bharu is still hurt pretty badly but with 650+ engineers around, things get repaired quickly... The night strike was more or less ineffective and the runway is nearly clear. 100% damaged port makes for rather slow unloading, though.
Poor Buffalo pilots.. they deserve better aircraft.
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The Kairyu's armour definitely saved me. Soryu should have, would have sunk. Actually, looking through the stats (comparitively, with US and RN CVs) the armour may be overdone! The editor manual states that Deck Armor is "the maximum thickness in millimeters of the ships armoured deck". The Kairyu has 76 (3" deck), while the RN's Implacable has 75! I'll cut it in the next version of IS, probably, if I can figure out the formula used.
Damage to Hiei and Soryu has increased to about 15 sys each, I assume due to the fires.
Kota Bharu is still hurt pretty badly but with 650+ engineers around, things get repaired quickly... The night strike was more or less ineffective and the runway is nearly clear. 100% damaged port makes for rather slow unloading, though.Poor Buffalo pilots.. they deserve better aircraft.
==
The Kairyu's armour definitely saved me. Soryu should have, would have sunk. Actually, looking through the stats (comparitively, with US and RN CVs) the armour may be overdone! The editor manual states that Deck Armor is "the maximum thickness in millimeters of the ships armoured deck". The Kairyu has 76 (3" deck), while the RN's Implacable has 75! I'll cut it in the next version of IS, probably, if I can figure out the formula used.
Damage to Hiei and Soryu has increased to about 15 sys each, I assume due to the fires.
RE: 1/8/42
Final quick illustration - Kairyu versus Yorktown in the editor. Kairyu trades belt armour for deck armour. Not to mention a complete lack of tower armour .. If those TBDs had landed a torpedo or two.. erk!
versus
versus
1/9/42
We are slightly stalled while I try and get the beta patch installed. I've forgotten my password, and my email is being a bit evil - but I'm working on it ..
Here's a quiet day for you in the meantime. [:)]
1/9/42
During the night the survivors of the carrier battle fled in their separate directions. CarDiv 5 sped west for Kwajalein. The status of Saratoga and Enterprise is unknown. Yorktown, however, was almost caught! We had moved subs in the area into positions to intercept and sure enough, Yorktown and her task force waltzed into Lieutenant Commander Tagami's periscope aboard I-25. Sadly, before he could get a shot off, an alert destroyer spotted the wake. Tagami was driven off, and the enemy is probably safe in Pearl. At least for now.
[center]
Intrepid submarine commander Meiji Tagami, of I-25. Information and picture from >here<.[/center]
As mentioned earlier, the RAF tried for a night bombing of Kota Bharu with Wellingtons, Blenheims and Hudsons. It was not terribly successful at all, but it did keep up lots of men who needed their sleep.
I should note that the Dutch are still doing their best to keep Kuching pinned down by Martin attacks from Singkawang and elsewhere - and they're doing a good job. Since the base can't be supported, they've had a few weeks to practice now, and their aim has improved immensely. Our engineers are still repairing the airbase, ever so slowly, but supplies are an issue, as always.
[center]
Sergeant-pilot Theo de Waardt of 1-VlG-V (Brewsters) at Singkawang, East Borneo, preparing to take off and escort a strike of 16 Martins.[/center]
Other than a few scattered raids in the Philippines - I feel comfortable about Clark being shut down again - things were quiet today, both sides catching their breath. I'm sure the war will resume in earnest tomorrow.
(Getting a patch should not be this difficult.)
Here's a quiet day for you in the meantime. [:)]
1/9/42
During the night the survivors of the carrier battle fled in their separate directions. CarDiv 5 sped west for Kwajalein. The status of Saratoga and Enterprise is unknown. Yorktown, however, was almost caught! We had moved subs in the area into positions to intercept and sure enough, Yorktown and her task force waltzed into Lieutenant Commander Tagami's periscope aboard I-25. Sadly, before he could get a shot off, an alert destroyer spotted the wake. Tagami was driven off, and the enemy is probably safe in Pearl. At least for now.
[center]
Intrepid submarine commander Meiji Tagami, of I-25. Information and picture from >here<.[/center]
As mentioned earlier, the RAF tried for a night bombing of Kota Bharu with Wellingtons, Blenheims and Hudsons. It was not terribly successful at all, but it did keep up lots of men who needed their sleep.
I should note that the Dutch are still doing their best to keep Kuching pinned down by Martin attacks from Singkawang and elsewhere - and they're doing a good job. Since the base can't be supported, they've had a few weeks to practice now, and their aim has improved immensely. Our engineers are still repairing the airbase, ever so slowly, but supplies are an issue, as always.
[center]
Sergeant-pilot Theo de Waardt of 1-VlG-V (Brewsters) at Singkawang, East Borneo, preparing to take off and escort a strike of 16 Martins.[/center]
Other than a few scattered raids in the Philippines - I feel comfortable about Clark being shut down again - things were quiet today, both sides catching their breath. I'm sure the war will resume in earnest tomorrow.
(Getting a patch should not be this difficult.)
RE: 1/9/42
Too bad it's to big to fit in a PM, or I could hook you up there, Alikchi-san...
We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.
RE: 1/9/42
I am all fixed up now, after a bit of wrangling with the Members section. Onwards we go!
This AAR dropped off the front page real quick.. [X(]
1/10/42-1/11/42
The fight is still raging in the SRA but for once I'm starting to feel like I have momentum.
On the Malaya front things have been proceeding rather smoothly. The enemy's night bombing of Kota Bharu has proven completely ineffective - we have lost, I believe, one Dinah in total - and our troops are already on the move. The airbase is completely repaired and now the IJAAF can participate more effectively.
Our first job for the IJAAF was a strike on Johore Bahru, from which the enemy was launching his night strikes! The Sallies and Lilies had a path cleared through the defending Buffalos by their Zero escort and the bombing was quite accurate. Even though their bombloads are small, they did well enough to destroy ~6 miscellaneous British bombers on the ground. Raids like this will continue.
[center]
This one won't be bombing our airbases anymore.[/center]
As our troops begin marching out of Kota Bharu, Spitfires and Zeroes dogfight overhead. Beauforts caught in the crossfire fall into the ocean in flames...
Over in the Philippines, General Homma has arrived to oversee the situation at Clark Field. The enemy is heavily outnumbered - it seems that he's concentrated most ofhis force at Manila. Homma orders a deliberate attack for tomorrow!
[center]
Declassified photo, 1/4/42: General Masaharu Homma steps ashore at Lingayen Gulf after his troops have secured a beachhead.[/center]
==
Another update in about an hour or so - errand running time - Cruft, your turn should arrive around then. [:)]
This AAR dropped off the front page real quick.. [X(]
1/10/42-1/11/42
The fight is still raging in the SRA but for once I'm starting to feel like I have momentum.
On the Malaya front things have been proceeding rather smoothly. The enemy's night bombing of Kota Bharu has proven completely ineffective - we have lost, I believe, one Dinah in total - and our troops are already on the move. The airbase is completely repaired and now the IJAAF can participate more effectively.
Our first job for the IJAAF was a strike on Johore Bahru, from which the enemy was launching his night strikes! The Sallies and Lilies had a path cleared through the defending Buffalos by their Zero escort and the bombing was quite accurate. Even though their bombloads are small, they did well enough to destroy ~6 miscellaneous British bombers on the ground. Raids like this will continue.
[center]
This one won't be bombing our airbases anymore.[/center]
As our troops begin marching out of Kota Bharu, Spitfires and Zeroes dogfight overhead. Beauforts caught in the crossfire fall into the ocean in flames...
Over in the Philippines, General Homma has arrived to oversee the situation at Clark Field. The enemy is heavily outnumbered - it seems that he's concentrated most ofhis force at Manila. Homma orders a deliberate attack for tomorrow!
[center]
Declassified photo, 1/4/42: General Masaharu Homma steps ashore at Lingayen Gulf after his troops have secured a beachhead.[/center]
==
Another update in about an hour or so - errand running time - Cruft, your turn should arrive around then. [:)]
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Captain Cruft
- Posts: 3741
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:49 pm
- Location: England
RE: 1/9/42
Yes things are not looking so rosy on the Malayan peninsula now. Still, we fight on. As long as Singapore has 20,000+ supplies so I can replace aircraft anyway ...
1/12/42
My posts are getting shorter and shorter - anyone else miss summer? [>:]
Today's post made out of character!
1/12/42
Another night raid over Kota! They may not be doing much damage to the airfield but they still net a few aircraft every night. I almost wish I had night fighters, but after seeing their performance in a few AARs, I think it might not have made a difference either way..
Other than this raid, Malaya was quiet today. The first of our two divisions heading north to Singora arrived today and should be in position to contribute tomorrow.
Today's main attraction was the Philippines theatre.
For starters, I sent Nagato and Mutsu on a merry trip over from Saigon to Cagayan, which they blasted away at with their 16" guns. In retrospect I should have reconned the base with Babsies beforehand because it was mostly ineffective. Still, that should scare them a little - and hopefully reduce the usefulness of the level 4 airbase. 56th Brigade is moving into position to attack soon - more support troops are already landing at Davao to help out. In fact, one of my transports hit a VH2 mine at Davao this turn, and looks like it might not make it. Sneaky...
[center]
Gotta love those pagoda towers, huh? Nagato at Hashirajima pre-war. Hope she doesn't randomly blow up! Yet![/center]
Over at San Marcelino, I've flown in the Tainan Zero boys to provide CAP for the nascent airbase. 16 of them were in the air to meet the 12 Fortreses sent to attack APDs in the harbour, escorted by 4 P-35s and 6 Warhawks. We took down a couple fighters, but those B-17s are nasty - they shot down two Zeroes and seemed hardly hurt at all! At least they didn't hit anything...
Finally, Homma launched his first deliberate attack at Clark Field. In short it was a failure - Not enough bombardment (from the air or the ground) and not enough time for our troops to recover from their march. I was hoping my numbers would make the difference, hrmph. At least we know how many forts he has.. 3. Interesting.. I have another division moving to land next turn so we will bombard until it is available to support the attack. Another division is standing reserve on Hainan Island - not sure if I should commit it to the PI or Malaya. A large chunk of my AP capacity is currently tied up sending the 33rd Div from Shanghai to Burma...
[center]
0-1 odds, fort level 3, lots o' casualties. Could be better![/center]
Over in the Pacific, submarine USS Pompano was in position to attempt an attack on CarDiv 5 as it returned to Kwajalein. The American commander penetrated the reduced destroyer screen (only 4 DDs) and launched a full spread of torpedoes at cruiser Ashitaka, on close escort with Soryu. All torpedoes were duds! Another two torpedoes were fired at Soryu. These also scratched our paint and sank apoligetically. Embittered, Pompano's commander gave up the chase.
[center]
Pompano in happier times.[/center]
Even if the enemy didn't sink our carriers he at least has introduced an element of caution into our planning. No way I'm going to drive over the next sub I see, sorry Charlie. Repairs are going to kill any raiding plans I have for a bit, too. Hrrm.
On a final note - recon reported something like 70 enemy fighters on CAP at Singapore. All of them Hurricanes and Spitfires. It also reported a further 60 fighters on the ground, plus 30 bombers and 100+ auxilliary aircraft, 37,000 troops, and general impressiveness. Fortress Singapore deserves the name...
==
OOC comments -
I'm still pleased that my troops are on the ground in Malaya! I didn't lose 6 priceless capital ships this time, either, whoopee
With this in mind IGHQ is looking south towards Borneo and Celebes. Again. The Dutch are keeping Kuching well supressed - their bombing accuracy just keeps getting better which will have bad consequences for me in the long term. I need to run in some supplies and engineers ASAP but I suffer from Stringbagitis! Perhaps it's a job for the KB...
Either way, if I stray to close to Singapore, my ships have a tendency to become Stringbait.
In the meantime I have established a seaplane base at Brunei to keep an eye on the Dutch. A lot of SNLF units and base forces arrived in Tokyo and I'll be sending them out over the next few days to pick up lots of little bases in eastern Borneo, Celebes, the Philippines and New Guinea.
Speaking of Celebes and New Guinea - Manado, Tarakan, Amboina, Rabaul and Kavieng still stand. The reason being a lack of assets on my part - particularly aircraft. 4 CVLs that would have been invaluable here were sunk and I am waryt to bring my my unprotected capital ships and transports into range (I recall heavily damaging and sinking several ships from Rabaul in our other game).
However I should be able to begin moving in these areas again soon. Soryu and Donryu and returning from CENTPAC and can support the drive towards New Britain and the Solomons. The need for protection in Malaya is much lessened now that we have an operational airfield and perhaps Akagi and Kaga can be detached from there as well. Nagato and Mutsu are already on their way to join Tanaka's Fuso and Yamashiro at Palau.
The worst thing I could do is try to fling myself at Manado and get two more battleships sunk under me, perhaps by Hermes and Eagle? That would not be fun. We wait for support.
It should also be noted that HMS Hood arrived today according to our intelligence (I am the scenario designer! I know all! Raah!). I believe that RNN De Zeven Provincien arrives at Middle East today as well. I wonder what the enemy will do with his capital ships... time for gunnery practice at Hashirajima!
Today's post made out of character!
1/12/42
Another night raid over Kota! They may not be doing much damage to the airfield but they still net a few aircraft every night. I almost wish I had night fighters, but after seeing their performance in a few AARs, I think it might not have made a difference either way..
Other than this raid, Malaya was quiet today. The first of our two divisions heading north to Singora arrived today and should be in position to contribute tomorrow.
Today's main attraction was the Philippines theatre.
For starters, I sent Nagato and Mutsu on a merry trip over from Saigon to Cagayan, which they blasted away at with their 16" guns. In retrospect I should have reconned the base with Babsies beforehand because it was mostly ineffective. Still, that should scare them a little - and hopefully reduce the usefulness of the level 4 airbase. 56th Brigade is moving into position to attack soon - more support troops are already landing at Davao to help out. In fact, one of my transports hit a VH2 mine at Davao this turn, and looks like it might not make it. Sneaky...
[center]
Gotta love those pagoda towers, huh? Nagato at Hashirajima pre-war. Hope she doesn't randomly blow up! Yet![/center]
Over at San Marcelino, I've flown in the Tainan Zero boys to provide CAP for the nascent airbase. 16 of them were in the air to meet the 12 Fortreses sent to attack APDs in the harbour, escorted by 4 P-35s and 6 Warhawks. We took down a couple fighters, but those B-17s are nasty - they shot down two Zeroes and seemed hardly hurt at all! At least they didn't hit anything...
Finally, Homma launched his first deliberate attack at Clark Field. In short it was a failure - Not enough bombardment (from the air or the ground) and not enough time for our troops to recover from their march. I was hoping my numbers would make the difference, hrmph. At least we know how many forts he has.. 3. Interesting.. I have another division moving to land next turn so we will bombard until it is available to support the attack. Another division is standing reserve on Hainan Island - not sure if I should commit it to the PI or Malaya. A large chunk of my AP capacity is currently tied up sending the 33rd Div from Shanghai to Burma...
[center]
0-1 odds, fort level 3, lots o' casualties. Could be better![/center]
Over in the Pacific, submarine USS Pompano was in position to attempt an attack on CarDiv 5 as it returned to Kwajalein. The American commander penetrated the reduced destroyer screen (only 4 DDs) and launched a full spread of torpedoes at cruiser Ashitaka, on close escort with Soryu. All torpedoes were duds! Another two torpedoes were fired at Soryu. These also scratched our paint and sank apoligetically. Embittered, Pompano's commander gave up the chase.
[center]
Pompano in happier times.[/center]
Even if the enemy didn't sink our carriers he at least has introduced an element of caution into our planning. No way I'm going to drive over the next sub I see, sorry Charlie. Repairs are going to kill any raiding plans I have for a bit, too. Hrrm.
On a final note - recon reported something like 70 enemy fighters on CAP at Singapore. All of them Hurricanes and Spitfires. It also reported a further 60 fighters on the ground, plus 30 bombers and 100+ auxilliary aircraft, 37,000 troops, and general impressiveness. Fortress Singapore deserves the name...
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OOC comments -
I'm still pleased that my troops are on the ground in Malaya! I didn't lose 6 priceless capital ships this time, either, whoopee
With this in mind IGHQ is looking south towards Borneo and Celebes. Again. The Dutch are keeping Kuching well supressed - their bombing accuracy just keeps getting better which will have bad consequences for me in the long term. I need to run in some supplies and engineers ASAP but I suffer from Stringbagitis! Perhaps it's a job for the KB...
Either way, if I stray to close to Singapore, my ships have a tendency to become Stringbait.
In the meantime I have established a seaplane base at Brunei to keep an eye on the Dutch. A lot of SNLF units and base forces arrived in Tokyo and I'll be sending them out over the next few days to pick up lots of little bases in eastern Borneo, Celebes, the Philippines and New Guinea.
Speaking of Celebes and New Guinea - Manado, Tarakan, Amboina, Rabaul and Kavieng still stand. The reason being a lack of assets on my part - particularly aircraft. 4 CVLs that would have been invaluable here were sunk and I am waryt to bring my my unprotected capital ships and transports into range (I recall heavily damaging and sinking several ships from Rabaul in our other game).
However I should be able to begin moving in these areas again soon. Soryu and Donryu and returning from CENTPAC and can support the drive towards New Britain and the Solomons. The need for protection in Malaya is much lessened now that we have an operational airfield and perhaps Akagi and Kaga can be detached from there as well. Nagato and Mutsu are already on their way to join Tanaka's Fuso and Yamashiro at Palau.
The worst thing I could do is try to fling myself at Manado and get two more battleships sunk under me, perhaps by Hermes and Eagle? That would not be fun. We wait for support.
It should also be noted that HMS Hood arrived today according to our intelligence (I am the scenario designer! I know all! Raah!). I believe that RNN De Zeven Provincien arrives at Middle East today as well. I wonder what the enemy will do with his capital ships... time for gunnery practice at Hashirajima!
RE: 1/12/42
Would be a very cool match: The Mighty Hood against the best of the Japanese BB's. As long as she can keep from blowing up 10 minutes into the fight, that is...
We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.
RE: 1/12/42
It would indeed.. if only the best of the Japanese BBs weren't all rather beaten up at the moment..
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I lost Hyuga and Ise, Fuso and Yamashiro are occupied down south, Nagato and Mutsu are too slow to catch Hood and friends (Repulse and PoW?), Harima and Inaba, my best and most modern, are damaged, Inaba severely. It may come down to a few Kongos (I have 3 in the vicinity of Indochina) in a surface engagement. Two 15"-gunned Brit BCs and one 14"-gunned Brit BB versus three 14"-gunned Japanese BCs. Hood and PoW are infinitely better ships than any of the Kongos. Could be messy.. but damned if I don't try.
Also, Terminus, do you ever sleep?
[;)]
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[/center]I lost Hyuga and Ise, Fuso and Yamashiro are occupied down south, Nagato and Mutsu are too slow to catch Hood and friends (Repulse and PoW?), Harima and Inaba, my best and most modern, are damaged, Inaba severely. It may come down to a few Kongos (I have 3 in the vicinity of Indochina) in a surface engagement. Two 15"-gunned Brit BCs and one 14"-gunned Brit BB versus three 14"-gunned Japanese BCs. Hood and PoW are infinitely better ships than any of the Kongos. Could be messy.. but damned if I don't try.
Also, Terminus, do you ever sleep?
[;)]
RE: 1/12/42
ORIGINAL: Alikchi
Also, Terminus, do you ever sleep?
[;)]
Not much, no, I'm too old for it...[8D]
We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.