WAR PLAN ORANGE: Spruance(A) vs Przemcio231(J)

[racndoc]

Ive entitled the game War Plan Orange because Przemcio has informed me that he will not be attacking Pearl Harbor. The US Pacific Fleet should be mostly intact and it will attempt to fight "its way across the Pacific, in order to secure a sea lane for troop reinforcements and begin a reconquest of the islands from Manila Bay".

With total Japanese air superiority early in the war, Im not sure how direct the path will be back to the PI but I will attempt to sail the entire USN BB fleet as a whole and engage in a line of battle with the IJN Battlewagons. At any rate, this should prove to be a most interesting variant on the standard Pearl Harbor attack.

We will be using stock scenario 15 on a normal map with the following rules:

Sub Doctrine off
FoW on
Advanced Weather on
Allied damage control on
Historical 1st turn off
December 7th surprise on
Reinforcements fixed
Vary setup off
PDU on....house rules....only Allied 2E bombers that historically upgraded to 4E will be allowed tp upgrade in this game, Japanese divebombers cannot uprade to 2E Bombers- this rule is fine with me....Im all about Beauforts in the early war
Only 1 port attack on Turn 1.....hmmm, I wonder where that will be
No Allied air, naval or land movement Turn 1 except China
ASW TFs 6 ship maximum
No Allied relocation of oil/resources out of the SRA
No Japanese invasion west of Singapore Turn 1
No movement of Kwantung /CEF troops out of area without paying PPs
Airfield stacking limited to 50X airfield size

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-7-41

" AIR RAID CAVITE. THIS IS NO DRILL."

Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57
D3A Val x 126
B5N Kate x 143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 13 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Corregidor, Bomb hits 1
SS S-38, Bomb hits 3, on fire
SS Sealion, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Mindanao, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Pickerel, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SS Seadragon, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-33, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Perch, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pope, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
SS S-37, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Spearfish, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Peary, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Asheville, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Permit, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sargo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 2, on fire
SS Saury, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Anakan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Stingray, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Pike, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AO Trinity, Bomb hits 2, on fire
MSW Tanager, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Shark, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AV Langley, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AO Pecos, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP President Madison, Torpedo hits 1
SS Seal, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tulsa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Lark, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS S-40, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS S-41, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Skipjack, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Porpoise, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Searaven, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PT PT-34, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Sculpin, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bisayas, Bomb hits 1
SS Seawolf, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Whippoorwill, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Don Jose, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Sagoland, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Isabel, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pillsbury, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Snapper, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

[Capt. Harlock]

Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57
D3A Val x 126
B5N Kate x 143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Why no Allied defenders? Historically, MacArthur did manage to get planes into the air that first day. (But they were back on the ground refueling when the Japanese air strike finally arrived.)

[Fishbed]

Yes but if Im not wrong, they got in the air the moment Mc received the news of PH raid, so after the first real shot - and would have been in time if there had not been fog all over the japanese fields in Taiwan...
Assuming december 7th surprise is on, it is fair not having anything flying I believe

AJ

[racndoc]

Capt. Harlock...Good point on the lack of CAP over Manila on the 1st turn. I dont think Ive ever seen that before. There are usually 8-12 P-40s, P-35s and P-26s over Manila on December 7th . 1941.

Here are photos of Cavite before and after the big Japanese airstrike:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-7-41.....EVENING

In an amazing display of operational planning by Imperial HQ, the Japanese land simultaneously at over 20 different locations across SE Asia and the Pacific:

MALAYA:

The Japanese land in force at Khota Bharu and Kuantan. In the early morning, Japanese bombers based in Indochina strike British aerodromes at Singapore, Khota Bharu and Alor Star:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 99

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 6 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Swordfish: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 33

Day Air attack on Khota Bharu , at 24,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 21
Ki-21 Sally x 22
Ki-48 Lily x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

Day Air attack on Alor Star , at 24,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 57

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 4

Day Air attack on Alor Star , at 24,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-21 Sally x 42

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6

British bombers based in Malaya strike back at the Japanese invasion forces in the afternoon but are too disrupted to score any hits:

Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 10
Blenheim IV x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,47


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 13


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki
DD Ayanami

Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano


DEI:

The Japanese storm ashore at Kuching, Brunei, Miri and Tarakan on Borneo and at Amboina,Menado, Wewak and Sorong. Dutch Martin 139 bombers fight back and score hits on IJN shipping in the Celebes Sea:

Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Koei Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


CHINA:

IJA conducts shock attacks at Nanchang(captured) and Hong Kong(fortress reduced to Lvl 3).


CENTRAL PACIFIC:

IJN forces assault Guam, Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Wake. Tarawa is captured in an unopposed shock attack but the valiant Marines on Wake dish it out on the IJN Naval Landing Guards assaulting the beach:

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 16
TF 16 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


185 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
292 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1457 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1495 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1251 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1897 troops, 39 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


PI:

The Japanese invade at Batan, Aparri, Vigan, Lingayen, Legaspi, Jolo and Cayagan. Batan is captured in a shock attack. Japanese bombers based on Formosa work over MacArthur's airforce at Clark and Manila:

Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
G4M1 Betty x 48
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 7 destroyed
P-26A: 4 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed
P-35A: 4 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 72

Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged


Baby KB misses in their attack on CL Boise as Captain Robinson manuevers the ship violently to avoid the deadly Japanese torpedoes:

Day Air attack on TF at 39,58

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Boise

15 ships sink immediately at Cavite including 12 SS, 1 AV ans 2 PT boats. Over 40 more ships are left burning and/or heavily damaged in the harbor. Virtually all Allied shipping north of Balikpapan is cut off by the Japanese carrier air. The 3 RN DDs in Hong Kong as well as the less heavily damaged ships at Manila are ordered to sortie through the South China Sea. The relatively undamaged ships from Manila are ordered to escape due south through the Sulu Sea towards Australia. Ships from Naga and Cayagan are sent east across the Pacific towards Pearl Harbor and these appear to have the best chance of escape. CA Houston and CL Boise will attempt to escape to the east at full speed to Leyte Gulf and then turn south towards New Guinea.


COMMENTS:

The Japanese will probably score 300-400 points off the 60 or so ships that start in the PI. However the US BBs are untouched and ready for immediate action. Furthermore, the repair yards are vacant so routine maintenance and upgrades will be completed with minimal delay. The ships lost in the PI are not as significant to the war effort as are the USN BBs. But with the IJN CVs surrounding the PI, resupply will be difficult if not impossible for the Allies. After Cayagan and Jolo are captured Davao will be the only US airfield capable of supporting offensive operations not currently being suppressed from Formosa. I see a poor prognosis for Allied air operations in the PI and an early end for Allied troops on Luzon in this game.



However, only 100 Allied AC were destroyed on the ground....I normally lose 170-230 Allied AC on the ground on the 1st day of the war. Furthermore, there are 69 P-40Bs ready at Pearl Harbor and another squadron of 12 F4F-3s that survived Wake....many of these AC will make their way to Java by mid-January 1942.

The Cavite attack is an interesting gambit.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-8-41

PI:

The Japanese captured Jolo, Vigan, Cayagan , Legaspi and Lingayen today. Allied shipping attempts toflee the PI but is cut down by KB....another 10 ships are sunk including 2 DD, 2 AK, PG, AS, AVD and an AO. Having KB stationed offshore Manila to pick off the remnants of the USN Asiatic Fleet is like clubbing baby seals. Japanese bombers from Formosa continue to suppress Allied airfields at Clark and Manila.


CENTRAL PACIFIC:

The IJN captures Guam and Lunga but is repulsed again with heavy casualties by the desperate Marines at Wake:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/08/41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 16
TF 16 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


108 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 1
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 116
TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW Shonan Maru #8, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported

Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2216 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1897 troops, 41 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
357 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

CINCPAC Admiral Kimmel orders the USN CVs Enterprise and Lexington to rendezvous SW of Midway and then proceed to Wake to destroy the IJN assault TFs.

The waters around the Hawaiian Islands are crawling with IJN subs so multiple USN ASW TFs are formed. SS I-23 and SS I-2 are sunk today SW of Oahu.


DEI:

The Japanese capture Wewak, Amboina, Sorong, Miri, Tarakan, Kuching, Menado and Brunei today. Dutch T.IVa torpedo bombers are staged into Samarinda in hopes of catching the IJN BBs off Tarakan.


CHINA:

The IJA is repulsed again at Hong Kong with heavy casualties. Several Chinese Corps around Wuchow are ordered to invest Canton and tie down the IJA units there to prevent an overwhelming attack on Hong Kong. The Chinese order several corps to reinforce Yenen and Changsha. 3 Chinese Corps are sent to liberate Nanning.


MALAYA:

Khota Bharu and Kuantan are taken today in the massive Japanese advance. With the fall of Kuantan, the road to Malacca is open and the defenders of northern Malaya are compelled to begin withdrawing towards Singapore to prevent being cut off. Vildabeest torpedo bombers are staged to Georgetown and Swordfish TBs are sent to Mersing in hopes of catching some IJN capital ships off the east coast of Malaya. Another large Japanese airstrike hits Singapore:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 69

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25


Curiously there was _NO_ A6M2 escort to the strike on Singapore but the hapless Buffalos are brushed aside anyway. The entire AVG had been staged into Malaya yesterday so after resting today a CAP trap will be launched over Singapore tomorrow.


COMMENTS:

As long as the entire KB remains engaged around the PI/SRA the situation looks bleak for a prolonged Allied defense in either Malaya or Luzon.
The entire situation is developing too rapidly for me to entrench, build up proper air defenses or resupply. A diversion will need to be created in the central Pacific perhaps to draw off some of the IJN CVs.

The multiple Japanese amphibious assaults all over the Pacific and SE Asia have been undertaken primarily by 1-3 ship transport TFs without surface or air cover. The Allies will adopt a Surface Raider strategy by detaching individual CLs and CAs to intercept these transport TFs. The 1st raider battle occurred today when CL Danae intercepted IJN ships off Kuching. The attack was inconclusive but CL Adelaide has been sent to Lunga, CA Pensacola to Tarawa, CA Louisville to Nauru, and CL Boise and CA Houston to Sorong.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-9-41


CHINA:

A Japanese shock attack at Hong Kong reduces the fortifications to level 2.
65,000 IJA stage a deliberate attack at Yenen but are thrown back with heavy losses by the 32,000 Chinese defenders:

Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 65072 troops, 776 guns, 14 vehicles

Defending force 31922 troops, 178 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
972 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


MALAYA:

72 unescorted Nells from bases in Indochina strike Singapore for the 2nd day in a row but this time the AVG is waiting and 39 Nells are lost in A2A combat:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 72

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
Buffalo I x 18
P-40B Tomahawk x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 38 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 3 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 12 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3


It should take the Nells a few days to replenish and recover their morale so the AVG can rest and stage to more pressing regions.

The Vildabeests based at Georgetown put a fish in CA Kumano:

Day Air attack on TF, near Khota Bharu at 24,45


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 8
Vildebeest IV x 16
Hudson I x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged
Hudson I: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Mogami
DD Hagikaze
CA Mikuma



DEI:

The Dutch Martin 139s score hits on 2 IJN transports and the T.IVa TBs put a torpedo in BB Ise off Samarinda:

Day Air attack on TF, near Samarinda at 31,63


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 9
T.IVa x 5
Martin 139 x 14


Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged
Martin 139: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 1
BB Yamashiro
CL Oi

In retaliation, the IJN BBs bombard Samarinda airfield but only a single T.IVa is destroyed.

DD Thracian tried to escape from Hong Kong to Batavia through the South China Sea during severe thunderstorm weather. The land based air missed her but she was found by CV air:

Day Air attack on TF at 26,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Thracian, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


The Allied Surface Raider strategy began paying dividends today. First strikes were made by CL Boise and then CA Houston at Sorong as they escaped on their way to Australia:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 42,74

Japanese Ships
AP Hiyoshi Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Boise

Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waigeu Island at 41,73

Japanese Ships
AP Hiyoshi Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Houston

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 1



CENTRAL PACIFIC:

The Allied surface raiders continue their work as CL Adelaide finds an IJN transport TF at Lunga:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese Ships
MSW Hagoromo Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
MSW Noshiro Maru #2, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AP Daijukyo Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Haruna Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese Ships
AK Hokkai Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide

2 MSWs sink immediately as does the IJN AP at Sorong.


Admiral Halsey takes command of the CV Enterprise/Lexington TF 38 and makes a full speed run in on Wake overnight. At dawn the US carrier pilots draw their 1st blood of the war:


Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 64


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oite, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kinryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 25


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Mochizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 11


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kashima Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

CL Tenryu sinks immediately.

Halsey's CVs arrive just in time as a SNLF was unloading to reinforce the Naval Landing Guards already on shore:

Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1820 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1777 troops, 35 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
297 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

The Japanese again suffer heavy casualties in the assault on Wake. Admiral Halsey detaches CruDivs 1 and 2 under the command of RAdm Raymond Spruance to conduct a naval bombardment tonight to break up the SNLF landings. CVs Enterprise and Lexington will draw in closer for tomorrow's attack on the IJN transports.


COMMENTS:

PBYs were flown into Wake on 12/8/41 to ensure that no stray IJN CVs were around before the USN CVs were commited.

The KB has completely surrounded the PI. Apparently at least 1 IJN CV is now operating to the SW of the PI in the South China Sea and it hit DD Thracian today. The main body of the KB has moved south from Manila into the Sulu Sea and at least 1-2 CVEs/CVLs are SW of Mindanao. 36 Allied ships have been sunk in the PI in 3 days.

In China, The Japanese have a great manpower advantage at Yenen but 4 Chinese Corps should arrive within 4-5 days and several more are on the way.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-09-41


Ill try that attachment again:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-10-41


CENTRAL PACIFIC:

CruDivs 1 and 2 strike Wake Island at night .....no IJN transports are found so a bombardment attack is ordered:

Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63

Allied Ships
DD Fanning
DD Gridley
DD McCall
CA Astoria
CA Chicago
CA Chester
CA Northampton
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
274 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


CVs Enterprise and Lexington order another air strike against the IJN transports at daylight but it appears that the Japanese are retreating:

Day Air attack on TF at 83,66


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 32


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hayate, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mutsuki
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 83,66


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 30


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Kongo Maru
DD Hayate, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 83,66


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hayate, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 83,65


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 10


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kashima Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 83,65


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 28


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kisaragi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

CL Tatsuta, CL Yubari , a DD and an AP sink south of Wake.

Surface Raider CA Pensacola finds an IJN transport TF at Tarawa:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 85,91

Japanese Ships
AP Tatuharu Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AP Uji Maru

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Japanese capture Nauru and Makin...CA Louisville was in reaction range of Nauru but no intercept was made.


SOUTH CHINA SEA:

DD Scout and DD Thanet are sunk by land based and CV based air:

Day Air attack on TF, near Brunei at 32,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N Kate x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Scout, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Thanet, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


CV Zuikaku is attacked by Martin 139s north of Borneo:

Day Air attack on TF at 31,54

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

The accuracy of the Dutch bombers improves and they have their best day of the war:

Day Air attack on TF at 33,64


Allied aircraft
T.IVa x 7


Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Fusemi Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on TF at 33,64


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 8
Martin 139 x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kari
AP Kashiwara Maru
AP Hinko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Ryoyo Maru
AP Fusemi Maru, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported


Day Air attack on TF at 28,55


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Martin 139 x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Neikai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamakisan Maru

Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 7
Martin 139 x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hokuhi Maru
AP Josho Maru, Bomb hits 3
AP Hakusika Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
MSW Wa 3, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Hatsutaka, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


CHINA:

Chinese troops capture Nanning in a shock attack as the Japanese defenders retreat towards Pakhoi.
Hong Kong holds out against another Japanese shock attack.



COMMENTS:

How serious is the Japanese offensive in Luzon. There are only 15,000 IJA at Lingayan, 12,000 at Vigan, and 3000 at Legaspi. Perhaps Luzon is to be isolated and bypassed at this time. Virtually all Allied airfields in the PI over size 1 have been taken except for Davao and those on Luzon.

IJN CVs sit to the SW, the South, and the SE of the PI.

[racndoc]

And the attachment:

[Capt. Harlock]

PBYs were flown into Wake on 12/8/41 to ensure that no stray IJN CVs were around before the USN CVs were commited.

A sound move, although you risk losing the precious scout planes. It looks like your gamble paid off in spades!

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-11-41

CENTPAC:

Surface Raider CA Louisville catches an unescorted IJN transport TF at Nauru scoring 2 hits on an AP

The hunters become the hunted as an USN ASW TF finds an IJN sub SW of Hawaii but the sub fire first and lands 2 torps on a DD sinking it immediately. First time Ive seen that happen to the Allies.

CVs Enterprise and Lexington work over the remnants of the Wake invasion force for the 3rd day in a row as it tries to escape towards the Marshalls. DDs Oite and Yayoi are sunk along with 2 APs. Enterprise and Lexington are ordered back to Pearl to link up with CV Saratoga and upgrade the pathetic Buffalo fighters to modern F4F-4s.

The Japanese capture Lae and bombard Rabaul for the 1st time....probably a prelude to invasion.


CHINA:

All quiet at Hong Kong today as the IJA is reduced to making a bombardment attack.

Another Japanese 0:1 deliberate attack at Yenen results in the IJA suffering 3x casualties as the Chinese.


SOUTH CHINA SEA:

Martin 139s score hits on 2 APs off Kuching. CV Zuikaku TF appears to be approaching the E coast of Malaya. Swordfish and Vildebeest torpedo bombers are staged into Mersing along with Squadron "A" of the AVG for escort. They are ordered to strike CV Zuikaku TF tomorrow if it closes the range to Malaya.


COMMENTS:

The Japanese can mass troops at the start at Yenen more rapidly than the Chinese can. Ive tried to increase the quality of the Chinese forces to make up for the deficiency in quantity....all Chinese Corps commanders at Yenen have been upgraded to 50s and 60s. Chinese reinforcements should begin streaming into Yenen tomorrow. No Japanese moves at Changsha yet. 9 IJA units appear to be closing in on Ichang so some of the Chinese Corps previously ordered to Changsha will be re-routed to Ichang.

Allied intel is still trying to fix the location of all 6 IJN CVs.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-12-41


CENTPAC:

SS I-8 becomes the 4th Japanese sub sunk in the Hawaiian Sea Frontier.

Another DD from the battered IJN Wake assault force sinks today.

Down around New Guinea, the Japanese invade at Rabaul and Madang.


CHINA:

Another Japanese shock attack at Hong Kong reduces the fort level to one.

A deliberate attack at Yenen by 93,000 IJA against 40,000 Chinese( 0:1 odds) results in 3013 IJA casualties to 536 Chinese.

25,000 IJA at Canton bombard the 43,000 Chinese investing the city on a daily basis building up the experience of the Chinese units.


DEI:

Japanese invade at Samarinda.

2 IJN APs previously hit by Martin 139s sink off the N coast of Borneo.

CVs Akagi and Hiryu are positively identified off Balikpapan. Vals are launched to attack Dutch bombers on the ground at Balikpapan and Kates are launched to support the assault on Samarinda:

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
D3A Val x 67

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
Martin 139: 4 destroyed

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 29

Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N Kate x 76

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 49

A strike by Kates on Kendari indicates the presence of 1 or 2 CVLs 120 mi SW of Menado:

Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N Kate x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 5 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6




PI:

Japanese land at Cebu and Iloilo.


MALAYA:

4 of the 12 available British torpedo bombers based at Mersing along with 3 of the precious AVG P-40s waste themselves in an ineffective attack on an IJN surface TF at Kuantan.

The remaining 21 AVG P-40Bs and and 8 torpedo bombers at Mersing launch against the CV Zuikaku TF but instead find CV Shokaku:Day Air attack on TF at 24,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 4
Vildebeest IV x 4
P-40B Tomahawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku


COMMENTS:

7 of the 12 torpedo bombers and 5 of the AVG P-40Bs based at Mersing were lost. I know better than attacking IJN CVs covered by A6M2 CAP in Dec. 1941 but the temptation of putting a torpedo in CV Zuikaku and taking it out of the war for 6 months was too great. Maybe the 7 planes that were diverted to the Kuantan strike would have made a difference. The depleted British torpedo bombers will be withdrawn to rebuild and the "A" Squadron of the AVG will be pulled out to Calcutta to take on replacements. Then the "A" squadron of P-40Bs will then be sent to China along with a newly converted squadron of RAAF Hurricanes to bolster the fighter defenses there.

At least the Allies have much better intel on IJN CVs now. CVs Zuikaku and Skokaku are operating in the South China Sea. The Main body of the KB off Balikpapan contains CVs Akagi and Hiryu and at least one other CV according to the strike packages that hit Samarida and Balikpapan. The strike at Kendari indicates the presence of 1-2 CVLs off Menado while some CVEs are positioned SE of Davao. Only 1 CV is unaccounted for. The aggressive Japanese expansion in conjunction with the splitting of the IJN CVs into 3-4 groups could result in opportunities for Force Z down the road.

It appears that the CV Shokaku/Zuikaku TF is covering a transport TF moving south along the E coast of Malaya. The South China Sea is full of IJN Transports. The Japanese look to be preparing for an invasion at Mersing or Johore Bharu to outflank the British defenses.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-13-41


PI:

Japanese land at Aparri.

Japanese shock attack at Cebu at 0:1 odds causes minor casualties.


NEW GUINEA AREA:

Japanese capture Madang.

Japanese shock attack at Rabaul but are repulsed with 3x Allied casualties.


CHINA:

At Yenen, 108,000 IJA shock attack 47K Chinese but suffer 3800 casualties compared to 725 Chinese.

At Hong Kong, 21,000 IJA shock attack 12,000 British at 1:1 odds but are thrown back with 4x British casualties.


MALAYA:

The big IJN invasion lands at Mersing. SEAC forces continue to retreat down the Malay peninsula to avoid being cut off.


DEI:

Japanese invade Jesselton.


COMMENTS:

The main body of KB...3-4 CVs has withdrawn from the Makassar Strait and is moving east through the Celebes Sea. Apparently KB is heading towards Palau to refuel/rearm.....or possibly redeploy to the Pacific. This could open up possibilities of counterattacking in the SRA.

[Roman Jr]

What are your immediate plans for your battleships?

[racndoc]

Roman Jr

This AAR is 3 days behind the actual game turns but I hope to catch up over the weekend. All BBs stayed at Pearl until CV Lexington swapped out the Buffaloes for F4F-4s. A surface TF built around 4 BBs left Pearl yesterday en route to Noumea. By 12/16/41 the Japanese have taken Rabaul, Lunga and Lae and will probably overrun most of the Solomons by the end of 1941. In this game the Allies intend to hold Noumea, New Zealand and Pearl Harbor at all costs(virtually all other island bases are expendable). If the Japanese try to take Noumea they are going to have to fight their way through 9 BBs.

As far as offensive operations it will depend on IJN deployments. To fight their way across the Pacific the US Pacific Fleet will start by retaking the Gilberts. If CVs Shokaku and Zuikaku remain engaged in the SRA, offensive operations could begin as early as April/May 1942. If the entire IJN Death Star moves into the Pacific en masse, offensive operations would not begin until 8/42 and then could be either in the Gilberts or the Solomons.

Look for the BBs now to conduct bombardment raids on overextended Japanese bases to build up their experience levels and prevent the Japanese from taking easy real estate in the New Hebrides/New Caledonia.

The Japanese have already lost 1 BB to the repair yards as BB Ise took a torpedo on 12/9/41. That leaves 9 BBs and I may damage another 2 in the next 48 hours. There is at most 1 IJN BB east of Palau and I will have overwhelming surface superiority until the Japanese redeploy out of the SRA. Im willing to take on a 4 CV KB with 3 USN CVs under the right conditions and IJN CV deployment will determine my use of USN BBs.

As far as the War Plan Orange directives of fighting "across the Pacific, in order to secure a sea lane for troop reinforcements" to Manila, the IJA now appears to be content with isolating Luzon as opposed to outright conquest. If so, then additional troops are not needed in Manila...troops should instead be deployed to stop Japanese expansion southeast and east across the Pacifc. What is needed in Manila now is supply....and a major resupply effort to Manila is now underway....details to follow.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12/15/41


PI:

Over the last 2 days, the Japanese have captured Aparri and Laoag.

Davao holds out under IJA shock attacks.

The IJA 48th Division crosses a river to take up positions around Clark Field and in the ensuing shock attack suffers 1465 casualties.


CHINA:

Stalemate at Hong Kong, Canton and Yenen.


MALAYA:

IJA shock attack at Mersing yields little but 1688 Japanese casualties.

The Japanese airfield at Kuantan is now operational. Buffaloes and Wirraways are withdrawn from Singapore to Burma to bomb IJA troops and gain experience.


NEW GUINEA AREA:

Rabaul falls quickly after 2 days of attacks stunning Allied High Command.


DEI:

Japanese capture Samarinda and Jesselton but Kendari continues to hold out.


COMMENTS:

The first RAAF squadrons are converted into brand new Hurricanes and Beaufort V-IX. This frees up replacement AC to help fill out other Buffalo/Hudson groups. Przemcio is already worried about my 4E bombers and has requested a house rule prohibiting naval strikes by 4E bombers. He should instead be concerned about naval attacks by my Beauforts.

With 2 IJN CVs up in the South China Sea, 3-4 IJN CVs withdrawn from the central DEI and the CVLs down off Kendari, the center of the Japanese position in the DEI is open to Allied naval and air exploitation. With BB Hyuga and Yamashiro resting at Samarinda and an IJN transport TF heading for Balikpapan, a beefed up Force Z commanded by Admiral Paliser is ordered to enter the Makassar Strait under the cover of thunderstorms. Force Z had been slowly cruising just outside the Malay barrier for several days awaiting just this type of opportunity. Allied torpedo bombers with escort by "B" and "C" squadrons of the AVG have been staged forward to Singkawang and Banjarmasin. From here they can concentrate either on the CV Shokaku /Zuikaku TF if it remains in position 120 west of Singkawang or go after the BBs at Samarinda. The 2 AVG squadrons along with 3 other P-40B/P-40E groups are also available to provide CAP for Force Z should it engage IJN BBs on the 17th at either Balikpapan or Samarinda.

[Capt. Harlock]

CV Lexington swapped out the Buffaloes for F4F-4s.

Are F4F-4's really available in mid-December '41? I would have thought you would just have the F4F-3's at this point. (Not that they aren't an improvement on the Buffaloes.)

[racndoc]

Not only are F4F-4s available at the start of the game, their replacement rate is 90/mo vs 30/mo for F4F-3s so its easier to upgrade directly from Buffaloes to F4F-4s than Buffalo to F4F3to F4F-4.


SITUATION REPORT: 12-16-41...." NO PLAN SURVIVES INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY"


Unfortunately things dont work out as planned for the Allies. The CV Shokaku/Zuikaku TF heads south through the Java Sea and is now in a position to cut off the retreat of Force Z if they try to engage the IJN BBs at Balikpapan. Force Z must be recalled and again put on standby west of the Malay barrier.

Not only that but the Kates and Vals aboard the 2 IJN CVs attack Soerabaja port and airfield. AVG "B" squadron had been resting on the ground at Soerabaja waiting to escort the big attack on 12/17. 5 of the P-40B crates are destroyed in the naval air attack.

Fortunately some operational flexibility was built into this trap. Even though Force Z had to retreat to the west, the Allies could be in a posiiton to intercept the IJN CVs if they maintain their current heading. 24 torpedo bombers covered by 42 P-40Bs are staged into Banjarmasin hoping for the IJN CVs to continue on course to the south.

In addition, by heading south with the IJN CVs from supporting the invasion at Malaya, there is a lack of air cover for the IJN BBs, CAs and transports at Mersing. A fresh group of 12 Vildebeests from India is staged into Johore Bharu as is a group of 8 Vildebeests that had been rehabilitating in Sumatra. Escort will be provided by Buffaloes.