Spence vs Dixon - The first year scenario

[Mike Dixon]

Spence (Allies) and myself (Japanese) are embarking on the first year scenario. A historical start with most options on except Allied Sub Doctrine. We havent yet discussed whether this is a joint AAR or if we are operating solo threads.

Anyway Lady Luck has somewhat favoured Yamanato's boys in the first turn.....

[Mike Dixon]

Japanese photographs of destroyed F4F's at Wake island

[Mike Dixon]

Clark field suffered devastating blows

[Mike Dixon]

again....

[spence]

Having just returned from the Caribbean where the U-boat threat has somewhat abated in the last 64 years I am met with wanton death and destruction. Oh my!!!

Losses are of course classified but without question much exaggerated by the propanda ministry in that brutal and invidious regime. Have to give them credit for excising GODZILLA from those photos so skillfully though.[:D]

[Mike Dixon]

Following the sinking of the maryland, the KB continues to pound Pearl one day later

[Mike Dixon]

The Pennsylvania sinks at the end of the second day. Yamamoto gives the go ahead to Nagumo for a third days strike

[Mike Dixon]

Nagumo sends in the 2nd strike for the 9th December

[Mike Dixon]

Nagumo decided to retire after three days of strikes. The California is reported sunk, leaving a tally of three BB's destroyed. Five others are heavily damaged although intelligence believes that none are in immediate danger of sinking and further strikes would be fruitless.

[Mike Dixon]

Battleship 'Musashi' is now undergoing sea trials prior to overseas commitment

[spence]

Three days of Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor left the place something of a shambles but even as his carriers disappear into the West (towards Kwajalein) the place is getting back into shape. Approxiamately 75 Japanese planes were shot down near Hawaii.

In the Philippines the Japanese landings at Aparri and Vigan suceeded in putting a large force of Japanese on Luzon. The landing at Legaspi however was stymied with heavy losses incurred by the SNLF that landed there. Most of the B-17s stationed in the PI have withdrawn successfully with relatively light losses.

Several Japanese transports have been sunk by Allied submarines. Enemy landings at Brunei and Miri have gone ahead however.

In China a Japanese advance on Changsha was repulsed with heavy losses to the Japanese. Chinese forces also liberated Nanning in SE China. The Japanese attack on Hong Kong has bogged down as Chinese forces pinned the 104th IJA Div to defending Canton.

[spence]

Battleship 'Musashi' is now undergoing sea trials prior to overseas commitment

Nice Ship














[:D][:D][:D]

[Mike Dixon]

China Expeditionary Army HQ communiqué

'Today his Imperial Majesty's force took the key Chinese city of Yenen. Several Chinese armies were captured and other forces are reported fleeing from the city. In other areas, our troops continue to advance in Hong Kong and a light enemy thrust on Nanning was beaten off with heavy enemy casualties. Changsa is predicted to fall soon'

[spence]

Been kinda neglecting this AAR for a bit...

The same turn that Yenen fell to the Nips, Chinese forces captured Nanning (Imperial Headquarters lives in a dreamworld where the Lts only report triumphs to the Generals apparently). Fighting continues in China on several fronts...the Japanese are advancing West from Yenen toward Kungchang...one IJA division is advancing on Ichang but is taking a mauling on the outskirts of the city...a Japanese thrust North of Changsha has been stymied while one South of Changsha made some headway at the cost of heavy losses...fighting rages in Canton and HongKong with decisive results elusive to both sides.

Meanwhile Japanese landings on northern Luzon succeeded in lodgements at Aparri and Vigan. IJA forces have remained within their bridgeheads apparently consolidating their positions. The situation on southern Luzon is confusing. An initial landing at Legaspi has been held and the IJN SNLF is under heavy attack there suffering heavy losses. Another landing at Naga has made no progress against the defenders. NW of Naga the IJN landed another SNLF which has made no progress off the beaches and is under heavy pressure from tank supported Philippine Army units.
In a small naval action near Vigan 3 PT boats engaged about twice their number of IJN gunboats and minesweepers. Several gunboats were severely damaged and a minesweeper sunk. All the PTs returned safely to base.

A Japanese landing at Menado in the DEI has put major forces ashore and the garrision is hard-pressed. Allied submarines did score on the IJN though sinking a destroyer and torpedoing several transports.
Other Japanese landings at Brunei, Miri and Kuching on Borneo succeeded in establishing beachheads.

In Malaya, the Japanese are advancing on Georgetown. The beachhead at Khota Bharu has been consolidated but no advance down the peninsulas East coast has as yet begun. Allied forces are dug in solidly on the Kuantan-Malacca line. Bombing raids on Singapore resulted in heavy casualties to both sides.

The KB has retired to the West. Several IJN submarines have been damaged or sunk in the waters around Hawaii.

[Mike Dixon]

4th Fleet update

Rabual has been liberated from the Australian colonial oppressors.

Today light elements of 4th Fleets naval guard routed several brigades of Australian troops.

The people of New Britain greeted their liberators with traditional flowers and wine.

The emperor has sent a message welcoming all peoples of the Southern Islands, an equal and everlasting share in the Greater Japanese co-prosperity sphere.

[Mike Dixon]

Betty's over Rabaul

[Mike Dixon]

Rabaul falls

[spence]

Canberra, 18 December, 1941

The government announced today that very powerful enemy forces have landed at and captured the outpost of Rabaul on the island of New Britian. The small garrision withdrew from the area of the port and airfield after tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers landed and a number of damaged aircraft were abandoned.
Although unable to directly challenge the invasion fleet, which included several battleships, HMAS Adelaide met and defeated a smaller force of enemy ships the night before. One enemy warship was sunk and several others were left burning when Adelaide retired.

[Mike Dixon]

Southern Army HQ 20th December 1941

Today our Emperors marineers sunk a British submersible in the South China Sea. The wreckage identified the submarine as HMS Truant, see stock photo below. Further developments in the Phillipines, include the capture of Naga with the surrender of several divisions of American and Phillipino troops. The Hawaii Islands are believed to be cut off, although several of our beseiging submarines have had to retire from the area, due to engine troubles.

[spence]

DATELINE CHUNGKING: 20 DECEMBER, 1941
The government today announced the recapture of Kaifeng. Widespread evidence of atrocities against the Chinese people were uncovered. Several captured Japanese officers in the former garrision were tried and convicted by summary courts martial and shot.

Once again word of a defeat fails to penetrate the dream world occupied by the Japanese High Command.