The Master and the Student - Tankerace vs. Terminus

[Tankerace]

Just to clarify, the opening fire is a threat and a warning. The Regminet will cease fire until July 1. Now to do the turn [;)]

[Tankerace]

A slow turn. Destroyer Bulmar was hit by three torpedoes and turned turtle.... and it seems that our secret is out, the Battle fleet has been discovered (or at least 2 BBs).

In addition, after a quick bombardment, the 15th has ceased fire in accordance with the truce offer. To further show our understanding, if toops are still loading on the 1st, we will not engage them. But if no troops are taken off, or if more are landed, we will charge bayonets fixed. (Hey, I need SOME Good news army wise.... getting my a** handed to me in the PI, and at sea).

[Terminus]

Wireless intercepts picked up SOS's from the destroyer Edsall and the minesweeper Lapwing today, both sinking after submarine torpedo damage. Another minesweeper was also torpedoed at Midway, and is sure to sink shortly.

Elsewhere, the ASW efforts around the Home Islands and Saipan continues unabated.

On Luzon, the last remnants of enemy forces outside of Bataan have been eradicated, and a date has been set for the assault on the enemy fortress. Simultaneously, troops landed at San Jose, and will have secured the place by tomorrow.

[Terminus]

Destroyers Bulmer and Edsall were reported sunk over the last two days. Interestingly enough, the Bulmer was reported sunk at Shanghai in the beginning of the month.[&:]

[Tankerace]

Still a quiet turn, more of my ships going down to Terms subs. Mostlys MSWs and a few tin cans. The Truce for Shanghai has been extended to July 3. My men want fireworks for the 4th [:D]

As to the Bulmer, turns out she was sunk at Shanghai, however, the destroyer Broome was sunk by submarine torpedoes near Wake, so I bet that is the one that went down. It has to be, she is the only tin can whose name begins with a B that was sunk by sub torpedoes (Bulmer was blasted by predreads in the opening days of the war).

[Terminus]

My fault, it was the Broome.

Anyhoo, the cruiser New Orleans succumbed to her wounds west of Manilla this turn, and San Jose was secured by Imperial troops.

The US battlefleet is creeping ever closer to Saipan. Today, the battleship Tennessee was the target of another failed submarine attack some 200 miles east of the island. Methinks they want a scrap!

[Tankerace]

OUr secret is out, he has discovered the battlefleet. However, they can still perform a reconaissance in force, to guard against anything attempting to move towards Wake. Not really seeking a large battle right now, just some payback for the Asiatic fleet.

[Terminus]

This was another turn of submarine actions. The enemy lost a cargo steamer southwest of Manilla, and the cruiser Huron, last major surface unit of the Asiatic Fleet, was torpedoed (again) southeast of Shanghai. East of Saipan, the battleship California joined the club of torpedo evaders.[:@]

At Saipan itself, the underwater interloper R-2 sustained an estimated four depth charge hits today. We are confident that we'll soon have heard the last of her.

[Tankerace]

God I freaking hate submarines [:D]

A Filipino Merchant was sunk, and the Huron heavily damaged. Huron will make port, but it is doubtful that she can be put back into service in under a year at a full dock yard.

In other news, our battlefleet should make Saipan tomorrow morning, and the R-2 has kept us updated as to enemy concentrations there. While I don't expect a Jutland, I hope to inflict some payback for the Asiatic fleet.

[Terminus]

Well, five of our destroyers suffered slight damage at Saipan today, fighting a few American warships, but no biggie...

Erhem...

In reality, those five destroyers were sunk. They should have been removed yesterday, but the meatbag behind the keyboard "forgot".

[Tankerace]

Well, a US Battlesquadron composed of South Dakota, North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington together with four destroyers engaged five Japanese destroyers at Saipan. All five Japanese destroyers were sunk, but I am determining the battle a draw. 3 US destroyers were heavily damaged (2 may not make port), and the Japanese suceeded in putting a torpedo each into Maryland and Washington. They will survive, but it will be some time before they can reenter service. If I were Terminus, I'd sight the battle a victory, because in a few days he may have almost broke even on tin cans, and will have put two dreadnoughts out of action for months.


In other news, the Japanese have evacuated all troops from Shanghai. There is mass disapointment in the 15th Infantry, citing "We see no truce for the soldiers at Bataan."

[Terminus]

Torpedoed battleships or not, the last few turns have not gone according to my expectations. Well, that's friction for you...

Tanker's submarines have basically disappeared. The only one positively identified is about 50 miles west of Tokyo, and is being dealt with.

The campaign on Mindanao is all but over. The Philippine Reserve Division is a burnt-out shell of its former self, being chased from rathole to rathole by our forces. They'll soon run out of places to hide. Elsewhere, troops landed at Guiuan and will have the town secured by tomorrow.

[Tankerace]

And now that our transports are out of the area, it is time to let loose a secret. The USN base force and most of the Philippine Reserve Division (now rebuilt to regimental strength) have been evaced to Bataan. This should make the siege a little more difficult.

In sad news, the battleship Maryland which was hit by one or two torpedoes by Japanese battleships yesterday is blazing out of control, will probably have to be scuttled tomorrow. She can make only 3 knots, and is flooded out. The North Carolina, damaged, is steaming fine.

The entire force of the battlefleet, sans BatDiv2 and CCDiv1 was with that force, and with a Vought UO-1 Spotted the battleship Mutsu arriving at Saipan, have turned around 180 degrees. Their desire is to score revenge for the Maryland. Our force numbers 8 battleships and 8 destroyers. May God go with them. "For the Maryland! For Bataan!"

[Terminus]

Well, the promised 8 enemy battleships did not materialise, but we found the four that savaged our ASW vessels a few days ago.

It might not have been a Jutland, but it was, on the whole, satisfactory. The only member of our battleline to receive damage from enemy battleship fire was the Yamashiro, taking a single 16" hit, but more than able to steam away on her own. As for the enemy, the battleship Washington took the most damage, but the whole enemy squadron was beaten up to one degree or another.

And finally, our submarines got into the act. The South Dakota was hit by a single fish east of Saipan, and the Maryland, burning from stem to stern, was hit by two.

In the Philippines, Guiuan was secured according to plan.

[Tankerace]

Well, it seems I am on the defensive for several months at the very least. Today 3 Destroyers and the Maryland were scuttled, and what remains of the battlefleet is retreating. all in all, the navy has 10 dreadnoughts in full commission, 6 that need yardwork, plus about 6-10 predreanoughts.

However, given the damage, it is unlikely that I can contest an invasion of Wake or Midway (Which was the goal at raiding Saipan in the first place, to sink what intel told me were his transports). All remaining US battleships are expected to survive, providing they are not intercepted again. Meanwhile, no less than 30 submarines are ordered to throw up a screen between the Marianas and Wake. It seems that now we must fall back, regroup, and once again hand the ball to the Japanese.

[Terminus]

The first encounter between US and Japanese battleships is over, and the victory (such as it is) goes to our side. We have decided to forego a chase of the fleeing enemy battleships, since it would be unwise to sail over an unknown number of his submarines. Our time will come.

Might be sooner rather than later; three US battleships bombarded the base on Marcus Island today, causing little damage.

[Tankerace]

The US Fleet is in full retreat, and our submarines are now our main line of defense. The initiative has since passsed to the Japanese.

In a diversionary maneuver, to pull the Japanese away from our damaged battleships, BatDiv2 raided Marcus island.

The status of our fleet is dire. Four damaged battleships SHOULD make Pearl, but all bets are off at this point. Two others, critiically damaged, have a 50/50 chance at making it. 4 BBs damaged (1 or two of which may founder), 2 more BBs out of action that may sink, plus 1 sunk (In addition to 4 or 5 DDs), all for nothing (Yamashiro may be heavily damaged, and 5 puny tin cans). We haven't lost the war, far from it. Our Predreadnoughts are superior to the Japanese, and we still can match them in dreadnought firepower. But, at least for a month or two (if not all of '26), we will have to content ourselves with small operations.

In other news, two admirals have been fired from their positions, and a court of inquiry is being held over why the Japanese have bested us in naval battles (especially 5 DDs putting 1 BB out of action and forcing another one to be scuttled).

[Terminus]

The game is temporarily on hold whilst Tanker has to perform some college-related chores. Should be back early to middle next week.

[Terminus]

Further delays... Tanker seems to have become frightened... Are you a little girlyman, Prince?[:D]

[Tankerace]

No, finally getting squared away after having the flu. Will try to send the turn today.