OPERATION PACIFIC: Przemcio231(J) vs Spruance(A)

[racndoc]

Przemcio requested a restart on our game due to garrison issues in China( evidently partisan revolts with supply loss and HI damage) and a teleport bug with the IJA 48th Division which only 5 days after being thrown off of Clark Field on Luzon magically appeared on Tarawa just as the US Marines were hitting the beach. Hmmm....

Anyway here we go again and this time the rules list is even longer:

Scenario 15
stock map
FoW on
Adv Weather on
Allied Damage Control on
Sub Doctrine off(it was accidently left on last game and my subs fired maybe 10 torps total in 3 weeks)
Non historic 1st turn( you arent kidding!)
Dec 7th surprise on( didnt surprise me at all...same as last game)
Vary setup off(at least for the Allies)
Only 1 port attack 1st turn
Allies can only give orders to Chinese units 1st turn
ASW TF max size 6 ships
No oil/resource relocation out of SRA by Allies
No movement of Japanese units outside their CEF/Kwantung area without paying PPs
Airfield stacking limit 50X airfield size
PDUs on but Allies can only upgrade the 2Es to 4Es that historically upgraded, Japanese DBs cant upgrade to 2Es
No US 4Es in CBI before June 1943
Only IJA AC in CBI....no IJN AC allowed



And then in a moment of temporary insanity I agreed to further limit Allied 4E deployment:

level 4 airfields.....1 4E group
level 5 airfields.....2 4E groups
level 6 airfields.....4 4E groups
level 7 airifelds.....6 4E groups
PH, US West Coast...10 4E groups
CBI......max 4 4E groups on airfields larger than level 6
4E bombers have to drop leaflets on their targets the day before they attack to warn the defenders(just kidding)


Let the games begin!

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-7-41......THE THRILLA IN MANILA

PHILIPPINES:

Japan begins the war with an all out surprise aerial attack on Manila by naval and land based air:

Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
D3A Val x 126
B5N Kate x 143

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin, Bomb hits 1
SS Salmon, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Seal, Bomb hits 1
MSW Bittern, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Shark, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sturgeon, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
SS Stingray, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Seawolf, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Peary, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tanager, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Perch, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SS Saury, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Spearfish, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AV Langley, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
SS Snapper, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Lark, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Pickerel, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Pike, Bomb hits 3, on fire
PT PT-34, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Porpoise, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Asheville, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sargo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Tarpon, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sealion, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS S-38, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pillsbury, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Permit, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-32, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Anakan, Bomb hits 1
AK Paz, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Seadragon, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Skipjack, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SS Searaven, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS S-40, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 1
TK Gertrude Kellogg, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Corregidor, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Whippoorwill, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AS Otus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-41, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ethel Edwards, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Compagnia Filipinas, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Don Jose, Bomb hits 1


Allied ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27


Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 7 damaged

Allied Ships
SS Sealion, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Perch, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Stingray, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS Pickerel, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS S-40, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Isabel, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Then the Japanese land based air worked over Clark:

Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 75
G3M Nell x 36
G4M1 Betty x 52
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 5 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 6 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed
P-26A: 6 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 34
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 147

Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30

Japanese landings commence at Aparri, Vigan, Batan, Laoag, Lingayen, San Marcelino, Jolo and Legaspi. Batan is captured in a shock attack.

CA Houston and CL Boise are ordered to flee east into the Paciifc and then south towards Australia.

Allied ground units are ordered to dig in at Clark Fleld and Manila.

Virtually all the ships in port at Manila are ordered to flee regardless of their state of damage.

US aircraft that survived the initial attacks are ordered to withdraw towards China and the southern PI.



DEI:

The Japanese invade at Kuching, Miri, Borneo, Tarakan, Amboina, Sorong and Bulla.

Dutch Martin 139s scattered throughout the DEI are ordered to engage IJN shipping wherever they are encountered.

With so many small invasions(1-3) ships) without naval or air cover the subs are ordered to engage transports on the beaches.

All shipping in the DEI is ordered to flee south towards Australia.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Small Japanese assault forces go ashore at Lae, Kavieng and Lunga.


MALAYA:

Major Japanese landings commence at Khota Bharu and Kuantan.

Indochina based Japanese bombers work over British aerodromes across the Malay peninsula and at Singapore.


COMMENTS:
BB Kongo, BB Haruna and 2 CAs are escorting the Kuantan invasion. Force Z commanded by Admiral Paliser is ordered to engage the IJN warships at Kuantan in a night action and break up the assault transport TFs.

Only 88 Allied AC are destroyed on the ground on the 1st day compared to my normal 170-230 in a conventional PH attack. Unfortunately, many of the destroyed AC are P-40Es and P-40Bs with the majority of the surviving fighters damaged. I dont know how many I will be able to extract from the PI this time around.

The Japanese are really making an all-out effort to destroy all the Allied shipping that begins in the PI/DEI this time around. The IJN CVs seem to be distributed in a concentric half circle of 4 seperate groups streching from west of Manila to south of the Celebes to SE of Mindanao. With a house rule of 1 aerial port attack on the 1st turn, the Japanese adapt a new tactic....bombardment of ports to destroy shipping:


Naval bombardment of Kendari, at 33,71

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yukikaze
CL Nagara

Allied Ships
AK Belawan, Shell hits 4
AK Liran, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bengalen, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Van Imhoff, Shell hits 5, on fire


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Naval bombardment of Davao, at 41,61 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake
CL Kitakami
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 2
BB Fuso

Allied Ships
AK Mauban, Shell hits 1
AVD William B. Preston, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Montanes, Shell hits 3, on fire

Naval bombardment of Tarakan, at 33,61 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Oi
DD Sanae
DD Kuretake
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 4
BB Ise
BB Nagato

Allied Ships
AK Pasir, Shell hits 1
TK Angelina, Shell hits 1
ML Prins van Oranje, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Sipirok, Shell hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Runway hits 2


Here is a look at most of the Japanese landing sites on the 1st day in Malaya, DEI and the PI:

[aztez]

Intresting start to this one. How many of those submarines actually sunk in the 1st turn?

Good luck to you! [:)]

[Capt. Harlock]

When you say "American" 4E bobmbers are limited in the CBI theater, does this include British squadrons flying Liberators?

[racndoc]

Aztez...Thanx for your comments. The Japanese sunk 17 subs in harbor at Manila on opening day.

Capt. Harlock.....the CBI restrictions on 4E bombers only refers to USAAF.


SITUATION REPORT: 12-8-41


MALAYA:

Force Z races north to Kuantan and engages the IJN surface ships covering the invasion there:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuantan at 24,47

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
BB Haruna, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 5
BC Repulse, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Danae, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 1
DD Vampire
DD Vendetta, Shell hits 1
DD Stronghold
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Electra, Shell hits 1
DD Encounter, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Express
DD Isis
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 1The fal,

BB PoW and BC Repulse score penetrating hits with their big guns on both IJN BBs. The Royal Navy wins the engagement and the IJN surface ships flee from the scene leaving behind the transports as "dead meat" for Force Z:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuantan at 24,47

Japanese Ships
MSW W.3, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PG Chosa Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 8, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PC Ch 9, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AK Aobasan Maru
AK Asakasan Maru, Shell hits 1
AK Atago Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Awa Maru
AP Enju Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Heiyo Maru
AP Higashiyama Maru, Shell hits 1
AK Kansai Maru
AP Kyushu Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sado Maru
AK Sakura Maru, Shell hits 40, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 1
BC Repulse, on fire
CL Danae
CL Mauritius
DD Vampire
DD Vendetta
DD Stronghold
DD Tenedos, on fire
DD Electra
DD Encounter, on fire, heavy damage
DD Express
DD Isis
DD Jupiter

Japanese ground losses:
728 casualties reported
Guns lost 33


The IJN transports retreat from the invasion beaches and the offloading of troops was interrupted leaving the IJA to conduct a 0:1 odds attack on Kuantan with minimal effect. The capture of Kuantan is postponed for at least another day. The IJN BBs are last seen retreating towards Saigon. BB PoW is unscathed from the battle but BC Repulse is holed by 2 14" hits and is detached from Force Z to to put in at Singapore port to put out fires and repair some flotation damage. DD Encounter sinks but the rest of Force Z retires to the protection of their CAP over Singapore.

The Japanese land based bombers from Indochina strike Singapore in retaliation but Allied CAP is waiting and the Nells are butchered:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G3M Nell x 81

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 25
P-40B Tomahawk x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G3M Nell: 33 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 10 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 25 damaged


PI:

The Japanese capture Jolo, Lingayen, Vigan Laoag and Legaspi. With dozens of unprotected IJN transports dropping off troops all over the PI and the SRA, Allied subs and surface ships are sent in close to the beaches to break up the assaults. Several IJN transports are sunk by subs across the area. CA Houston is ordered to break up a large invsion at Legaspi in a night attack:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese Ships
MSW W.7, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW W.8
MSW W.9, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
MSW W.10
MSW W.17
MSW W.18, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Kyo Maru #2
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #12
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Shonan Maru #2
PC Ch 1
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 3
AP Burisuben Maru
AP Hawaii Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
AP Oigawa Maru
AP Sanko Maru
AP Shinko Maru
AK Takao Maru

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported

CA Houston was ordered to put into port at Cayagan but the orders were disregarded and the valiant ship attracts the full attention of the KB:

Day Air attack on TF, near Cagayan at 42,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
D3A Val x 34
B5N Kate x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Bomb hits 30, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Cagayan at 42,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
D3A Val x 47
B5N Kate x 60

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage

CL Boise is just ordered to retreat east and then south from the PI towards Australia but there is no escape from the tentacles of the IJN CVs:

Day Air attack on TF at 44,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Boise

Day Air attack on TF at 44,68

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Boise, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


DEI:

Miri, Tarakan, Sorong and Bulla fall to the Japanese onslaught.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japanese capture Lae, Lunga and Kavieng.


CHINA:

A Japanese shock attack at Hong Kong is repulsed with heavy IJA casualties.

Several Chinese Corps invest Canton to pin the IJA units there and prevent reinforcement of Hong Kong.

The IJA captures Nanchang in a shock attack.

The rest of China is ominously quiet.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-9-41


DEI:

The Dutch torpedo bombers go after CVL Ryujo but arent strong enough to break through the CAP:

Day Air attack on TF at 41,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5
T.IVa x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
T.IVa: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CVL Ryujo

The Japanese capture Kuching and Amboina.



MALAYA:

The British mass 20 Vildebeest and 10 Swordfish at Georgetown to attack Japanese surface ships and transports off Khota Bharu but manage only a single torpedo hit on CA Kumano and a transport:

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


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 10
Vildebeest IV x 2


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Mikuma

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


Allied aircraft
Vildebeest IV x 13


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kasuga Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

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


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 4
Buffalo I x 8
Vildebeest IV x 13


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 damaged
Vildebeest IV: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya


PI:

After taking a terrible beating yesterday, CA Houston, flagship of the US Asiatic Fleet sinks off the northern coast of Mindanao with all hands including Captain Ryker. CL Boise is pursued by an IJN CVL into the western Pacific and finally sinks off the north coast of New Guinea.

With only CL Marblehead and a few obsolescent flush deck DDs left under his control , Admiral Hart dissolves his Asiatic Command and his remaining ships are transferred to ABDA Command.

Aparri falls to the Japanese.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-11-41


PI:

Japanese capture San Marcelino and Dadjangas.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Tarawa and Makin are lost to IJN naval troops.


DEI:

Babo and Brunei fall. The Japanese invade Balikpapan. Dutch PTs intercept the Balikpapan invasion putting a torpedo in CL Oi before losing 3 of their own.


MALAYA:

Japan captures Kuantan but Khota Bharu continues to hold out.


COMMENTS:

The Japanes are making a major hammer and anvil(self described by Przemcio231) attack in the Java Sea. This operation involved splitting off CV Shokaku and CV Zuikaku from KB and sending them through the South China Sea to attack the Java Sea from the north. The other 4 CVs were sent through the Makassar Strait to enter the Java Sea from the south. The intent here was to both trap all Allied shipping in the Java Sea and then to pursue and run down Force Z in the Indian Ocean. All Allied shipping in Batavia and Soerabaja make a run for it. Force Z withdraws deep into the Indian Ocean. CL Mauritius was run down in the Indian Ocean as she attempted to escape and was sunk naval air from CV Shokaku and CV Zuikaku.

With CV Shokaku and CV Zuikaku busy down in the Java Sea, BC Repulse had completed important repairs at the Singapore naval yard and made a run for it down the dangerous Malacca Strait. Unfortunately in the narrow straits she encountered I-121 and took a torpedo hit. With her speed reduced and taking on water, escape from under the nose of Japanese land based air at Kuantan and Indochina looks almost hopeless. The AVG is staged into Sumatra to provide LRCAP for BC Repulse during her desperate withrawal.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-12-41


MALAYA:

Victoria Point falls to Japan.

BC Repulse limps up the Strait of Malacca and Japanese land based aircraft are waiting for it. Fortunately the gallant AVG is up to the task. 35 P-40Bs and 8 Buffaloes fly LRCAP over BC Repulse. A group of Nells escorted by Oscars from Kuantan goes in for the kill. 11 Oscars and 5 Nells are lost with no hits on BC Repulse at a cost of 2 Buffaloes.

Japanese capture Victoria Point.

Khota Bharu holds out against yet anoither IJA attack with heavy Japanese casualties.


DEI:

Balikpapan is captured.


CHINA:

IJA assault at Hong Kong causes heavy IJA casualties. No other action in China at this time.

SOUTH PACIFIC:

Apamama falls to Japan right under the nose of USN CAs.


COMMENTS:

The Allies have no defense against Japanese CV or land based air at the start of the game(notice I didnt say start of the war). Their main defense is speed in running away from the IJN. Unfortunately, the transports dont even have a chance of escaping with their slow speed. When Japan starts with the KB in the PI the Allies need to evacuate all the shipping in Java on the 1st turn. The Allies can evacuate the RN Force Z and also the Dutch CLs and all the DDs but without fuel they must fall back to Ceylon. With the KB starting in the PI, the Allies are taking a huge chance trying to evacuate fuel from Java to Timor and NW Australia. KB can be off Batavia/Soerabaja in 2-3 days at cruising speed so trying to relocate fuel from Java on turn one can cost the Allies dozens of tankers/transports. Here I lost several transports but enough fuel was extricated from Java in the first 2 days to support Allied warships in the eastern Indian Ocean for a couple of weeks.

Borneo and Sulawesi are centrally located to the PI and Java and I normally base my air defenses there. With the KB starting in the PI the Japanese conquest table is greatly accererated. After 5 days of war the only Allied bases left in Sulawesi/Borneo are Makassar, Banjarmasin, Pontianak and Banjarmasin. The fighter air route between Java and the PI is almost cut...and within a week will be absolutely cut off. In my previous game against Przemcio, I was able to convert RAAF Wirraways and Hudsons into Hurricanes and Beauforts at Palembang and Batavia. With the accelerated table of Japanese conquest, there is not enough supply at either location to enable upgrades. I now have to stage all my RAAF into Calcutta to upgrade and then stage them back to Java. With the inevitable Japanese thrust into Burma this route also will be cut.

All Allied warships have been withdrawn from Java a month ahead of schedule. Instead of a layered defense throughout the DEI, there is now a situation of fortress Java with complete Japanese control of everything to the north. The Japanese have been very reckless in their advance...they push a couple of CV spearheads into the Java Sea and drive all Allied warships to withdraw ahead of them....eventually the bulk of IJN CVs will redeploy into the central/south Pacific and then ABDA warships will be able to re-enter the SRA.

The Japanese almost have it backwards....they should have neutralized the US Pacific Fleet at the start and then kept the KB in the SRA until their conquest was complete. Now they will redeploy into the Pacific to contain the US Pacific Fleet while the war in the Far East hangs in the balance.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-14-41


CBI(CHINA/BURMA/INDIA):

Japan captures Tavoy.

One week into the war and Hong Kong holds out against repeated IJA assaults.

Still all quiet in China outside Hong Kong.

All SEAC Buffaloes and Wirraways have been evacuated to Burma from Malaya. They are attacking Japanese LCUs every turn to build up experience.

SEAC and SWPAC Hudsons and Buffaloes have been staged into Calcutta to convert into Beauforts and Hurricanes.

BC Repulse completes its escape to Tricomcolee. After making temporary repairs there it will transfer to USA west coast for complete overhaul.


MALAYA;

Khota Bharu still holds out after a week of Japanese attacks.

Kuantan has been built up into a major Japanese airbase and bombers based there suppress Singapore on a daily basis.


DEI:

Menado, Singkawang and Morotai fall to the Japanese onslaught.


PI:

Japan captures Davao and Tuguegarao.

Allies are entrenching in Manila for their final stand.

All AC have been withdrawn from the PI to China and Java and with almost 30,000 supply in Manila the situation looks good for now.

Almost 30 Allied ships have withdrawn from the PI to the east and are being pursued by a single IJN CVE.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-16-41


CBI:

Hong Kong continues to hold out causing the Japanese heavy casualties. 2 IJA divisions are pinned here....one at Hong Kong and one at Canton.

IJA 55th Division and the Imperial Guards Division are marching on Moulmein.


PI:

Japanese assault at Naga repulsed with heavy losses to the attacker.


MALAYA:

Khota Bharu finally capitulates after holding out fot 9 days.


DEI:

Japan captures Kendari and Nanlea. Japan now controls all the bases on Sulawesi.


COMMENTS:

By commiting the 55th and Imperial Guards Division to Burma, Japan appears to be making the classic mistake of spreading her forces too thin....it appears that they have insufficient force to capture Singapore or Manila outright. Burma will collapse like a house of cards but leaving Singapore or Manila in their rear could cause problems for Japan later.


KB appears to be withdrawing to the east out of the SRA. Its probably headed to the Pacific.

Cv Shokaku and CV Zuikaku have been left behind to patrol the Java Sea while CVL Ryujo, CVL Zuiho and CVE Hosho have massed at Kendari to cover the next Japanese advance....probably Timor as not enough troops are available to invade Java at this time.

The Allies set a trap for the IJN. Torpedo bombers are staged into Soerabaja and Banjarmasin to ambush CV Shokaku and CV Zuikaku if they continue SE on their present course.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-18-41


CBI:

Hong Kong continues to hold out against daily Japanese attacks.

Battle for air supremacy rages over Burma. First Allied bombers from Rangoon attempt to suppress the Japanese airfield at Tavoy:

Day Air attack on Tavoy , at 28,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 19
Blenheim I x 23
Hudson I x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 12

And then the Japanese aircraft from Tavoy launch a counterstirke on Rangoon:

Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20
Ki-30 Ann x 11

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 4
P-40B Tomahawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6

Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 15

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japanese capture Rabaul.


DEI:

CV Shokaku and CV Zuikaku reverse course in the Java Sea and head back north. All the Allied torpedo bombers and 2 squadrons of the AVG are staged into Batavia to ambush the CVs. The Allies have a rare chance to sink 2 IJN CVs in Dec. 1941 as they mass 40 P-40Bs of the AVG and and almost 70 torpedo bombers: 31 Vildebeest, 11 Swordfish, 8 Beaufort V-IX and 8 T.IVa. 50 Martin 139s at Batavia are also placed on naval attack with another 30 obsolete Dutch fighters on escort.

The IJN CV aircraft are placed on naval attack in the AM but the Allied bombers stay on the ground. In the afternoon, the IJN CVs launch an airfield attack at Batavia and catch the Allied AC on the ground with NO CAP as all fighters were placed on escort:

Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 44
B5N Kate x 44

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 5 destroyed, 18 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 3 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed
T.IVa: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
Martin 139: 2 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 6 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 52

19 of the priceless torpedo bombers and several of the AVG AC are destroyed on the ground.

To make matters even worse, the Allies finally launch a counterstrike on the CVs after this but the surviving torpedo bombers stay on the ground. A handful of Martin 139s make an ineffective attack at a cost of 15 AVG AC:

Day Air attack on TF at 21,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 12
Martin 139 x 15
Hudson I x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 9 destroyed
Martin 139: 5 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 15 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CL Abukuma
CV Shokaku

A golden opportunity wasted along with many irreplaceable torpedo planes and AVG AC. Definitely the darkest day of the war so far for Allied air.

A large IJN CV TF as well as a transport TF close in on Timor.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-20-41


PI:

Japanese capture Cotabato.

Naga holds out against repeated attacks. SigInt reports 2 IJA armored regiments in route to Naga.

No attacks at Clark yet.


DEI:

Macassar falls to Japan. Only Allied airbase left in Borneo/Sulawesi area is Banjarmasin.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

Japanese capture Gasmata.


MALAYA:

Kuala Lampur is overrun by the Japanese.


COMMENTS:

2 British Brigades and some support units that had been attempting to withdraw from Kuala Lampur towards Singapore inexplicably retreat to the north and cut themselves off from their supply line. This will really hurt the final stand in Singapore.


The Japanese were set to capture Koepang but a last minute sortie by CL Dragon and and the Dutch CLs to Koepang forced the Japanese to pull back and bring up more support ships. The CLs made good their escape with IJN CVs searching for them and the invasion of Koepang was delayed by 3-4 days.

Even though the IJN attempted to surround the PI/SRA with CVs and destroy all shipping there, over 25 ships made good their escape to the EAST. Here is a screenie of the escaping Allied shipping as they pull into Midway:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-22-41


DEI:

Japanese capture Samarinda and Sansapor.


CBI:

IJA 55th Division captures Moulmein in a shock attack and prepares to cross the Salween River.



AIR WAR:

In the 1st Allied strategic bombing attack of the war, B-17s from Soerabaja and Martin 139s from Banjarmasin attack the oilfields at Balikpapan. The Allies score 20 oil hits but more importantly the Japanese are forced to redeploy 3 squadrons of A6M2s to Balikpapan to bolster the air defenses there.

The air war rages on in Burma as both sides fight for air superiority. RAF Bomber Command launches a big raid on Tavoy from Rangoon destroying 21 Japanese AC on the ground.

The Allies stage 30+ torpedo bombers into Johore Bharu to attack IJN surface ships supporting the invasion at Mersing but no hits are scored and 4 of the valuable torpedo bombers are lost.

All together, 36 Japanese AC are lost today vs 11 Allied.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-24-41 MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE PHILIPPINES



SOUTH PACIFIC:

Buna falls to Japan.

No further moves by Japan in the Solomons yet but they are starting to bomb Port Moresby from Rabaul on a daily basis.

No sign of KB yet though it withdrew from the SRA over a week ago.



DEI:

Japan captures Koepang and Tomimi and invasion forces move in on Lautern under the cover of Baby KB. Java is now completely isolated from the PI and will be also isolated from Australia after Lautern is captured.

Japanese bombers based at Balikpapan and Kuching strike airfields at Soerabaja and Palembang respectively while Allied B-17s and Martin 139s based at Palembang and Batavia hit Kuching.


CBI:

The IJA 55th Division crosses the Salween River into Burma in a brutal shock attack.

Allied air at Rangoon is starting to lose the air superiority battle over Burma as Japan masses over 100 fighters and bombers into Bangkok to support their 70 fighters and bombers based in Tavoy.

All quiet in China.

The RAAF continues to convert Buffaloes and Hudsons to Hurricanes and Beaufort V-IX at Calcutta.


PI:

General MacArthur enjoys a quiet Christmas dinner at Hotel Continental in Manila while his troops hold off 36,000 IJA at Clark and 60,000 IJA at Naga.

Here is a screen shot of thwe situation in the northern DEI and the PI:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-26-41


DEI:

Allies spring their 2nd CAP Trap of the war today at Batavia. CV Shokaku and CV Zuikaku launch an an airfield strike at Batavia expecting easy pickings like their previous attack there that caught the torpedo bombers and the AVG on the ground. This time the AVG and forty of their Dutch friends are waiting on CAP for the CV strike...10 A6M2s, 11 Vals and 10 Kates are destroyed.... nearly one fifth of the 2 CVs air complement. Allied losses are 4 P-40Bs and 5 Hawks.

The Allied B-17s and Martin 139s continue to bomb Kuching while Bettys from Balikpapan bombard Soerabaja.

Japan captures Biak.


MALAYA:

Malacca falls to Japan.


PI:

Naga holds out under daily IJA assaults. 60,000 IJA are tied down at Naga and another 36,000 are at Clark.

Here is a screenie of the southern DEI with IJN transports closing in on Lautern:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 12-29-41 THE GREAT SEAC EVACUATION


Due to vagaries of the game, SEAC troops ordered to retreat towards Singapore are ambushed at Malacca and instead retreat NORTH towards Georgetown away from their supply source. Similarly, SEAC troops in Burma ordered to retreat towards Mandalay instead are attacked and retreat into Rangoon.

With 6 brigades, 2 RAF HQs and multiple base forces cut off and exposed to defeat in detail, the Admiralty orders a huge evacuation effort with 60 transports. 35 transports are sent to Georgetown to evacuate 3 brigades, 1 RAF HQ and as many base forces as possible. Simultaneously, 25 transports are sent to Rangoon to evacuate 3 brigades and a base unit. 3 transport air groups are staged into Akyab to air evac the RAF HQ in Rangoon and as many base forces as possible.

The Japanese air superiority in the region is overpowering. SEAC had been trying to maintain CAP over Rangoon with a collection of Hurricanes, P-40s and Buffaloes. The Buffaloes got hammered several days ago. A squadron of Chinese I-16cs was flown in in desperation. On the 27th a force of 47 Oscars and 63 Sallys from Bangkok hit Rangoon against a CAP of 10 Hurricanes, 6 P-40Bs, 9 P-40Es and 6 I-16cs. The Allies destroyed 10 Oscars and 3 Sallys in A2A combat against 3 Hurricanes, 2 P-40Es and 2 I-16cs. Unfortunately another 8 Allied AC were destroyed on the ground so obviously these losses were unsustainable. However, monsoons rolled in and shut down air operations in the region over the last 2 days giving the Allies a brief respite to rest and regroup.

The other major Japanese airbases in the region are at Kuantan and Saigon.

To support the evacuation operations, 100 RAF bombers are flown into Georgetown and 70 B-17s covered by the AVG are staged into Singapore. Another 35 Beaufort VI-X and Martin 139s are flown into Johore Bharu to create a diversion.

The RAF bombers at Georgetown are ordered to neutralize the Japanese base at Kuantan while the B-17s will hit Saigon. SEAC has no answer for the 200+ Japanese aircraft at based at Bangkok and Tavoy....it will be up to the rabble of CAP at Rangoon and the monsoons to cover the evacuation at Rangoon.

The evacuation is scheduled to take place on the night of 12/30/41. Unfortunately, the transports heading to Georgetown are spotted in the Malacca Straight on 12/29/41. The transports heading to Rangoon are not spotted.

The next 2-3 days of the war will be critical for the Allied war effort. The Admiralty is willing to accept 15-20% shipping losses to pull off this operation.


In other news, the Japanese capture Lautern and Clark Field.

[Capt. Harlock]

I'm cheering for the success of your double operation: it's no fun when the "Fog of War" leads to a disaster that you specifically gave orders to avoid. Do you have any aircraft capable of evacuating the high-value units such as Engineers?

[racndoc]

Capt. Harlock...

There are 2 Dutch air transport groups and a squadron of Dakotas at Akyab and they will be evacuating aviation engineers from Rangoon until the Japanese capture the city.


SITUATION REPORT: 12-31-41 THE GREAT SEAC EVACUATION


On 12/30/41, the evacuation TFs made port unscathed at both Georgetown and Rangoon. Monsoons prevailed across the region grounding all air for both sides over Georgetown, Rangoon and Kuantan.

The weather was much better in Singapore and the B-17s flew to hit the airfield at Saigon. At a cost of 5 B-17s 24 Japanese AC were destroyed on the ground.

On 12/31/41 the hastily loaded transports sailed off in the pre-dawn hours reaching a point about 180 miles NW of Georgetown as the search planes started flying in the morning. With good weather in Singapore the 100 RAF medium bombers were staged in from Georgetown and a combined strike of the RAF and 55 B-17s devastated Kuantan destroying 41 AC on the ground and severely damaging the runways and service facilities there.

Fortunately, the Japanese went for the Allied bomber diversion and sent 28 Bettys and 20 A6M2s from Bangkok to retaliate on the Allied bombers at Singapore instead of hitting the evacuation transports with them. Very minor damage occured at Singapore.

The weather was really bad up at Rangoon and the Allied transports got away with no Japanese interference. However, the transports from Georgetown were spotted and Japanese air from Kuantan attempted to engage them. With LRCAP provided by AVG P-40Bs based in Sumatra, 2 strikes of Lilys escorted by A6M2s went in but only a single ship was damaged.

The 2 evacuations had been successful beyond the Admiralty's wildest dream but the cost had been high....23 of the AVG P-40Bs on LRCAP were shot down by the waves of A6M2s. The AVG will need to be withdrawn from combat for a bit to rebuild.

Overall aircraft losses today were 55 Japanese vs 45 Allied.

[racndoc]

And here is the screen shot:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 1-3-42


SEAC:

All the evacuation transports escape safely to India and 6 brigades, 2 RAF HQs, 1 AA Regiment and 5 base forces live to fight another day.

Alor Star and Georgetown fall to Japan.


PI:

Japan captures Bataan but Manila and Naga still hold out.


SOUTH PACIFIC:

KB with 4 CVs suddenly reappears off Canton Island. A tanker and an AK are sunk by IJN aircraft.