Matrix Games Forums

Hmm, left this neglected for quite a while, exciting developments in my other PBEM game with Rob and school other games etc, have put this on the bottom of the to do list.

Tomorrow i have a half day at school, so ill try and get the 27th 28th of Feb up then![:)]

ORIGINAL: LittleJoe

Hmm, left this neglected for quite a while, exciting developments in my other PBEM game with Rob and school other games etc, have put this on the bottom of the to do list.

Tomorrow i have a half day at school, so ill try and get the 27th 28th of Feb up then![:)]

Hehe .. you could call sinking 4 US cv's exciting ... nicely done !

keep up th AAR though .. great read and very nice approach [:D]

27-28th February 1942



Japanese invade Naga, Philipines


Japanese soldiers landing at Naga



A medium sized Japanese force landed at the Philipino town of Naga, the southernmost point on the Luzon island, establishing a second front in which the allies must defend, as Allied strategists have been expecting for quite some time, the force is the equivalent of around 2 Brigades worth of troops, the forces are mostly Naval landing forces (NLF)and Naval guard units, well trained Japanese equivalents of the US marines.

With a second front opened in the Philipines, Manilla is left undefended from this southern approach, Allied defenders from Clark must now be relocated south to defend the Capital, it is expected that the allies will fight in the capital of Manilla, no order to make it a "open city" have been annouced as of yet, it is beleived it will be defended as it protects the rear of Allied troops entrenched at Clark.

"We're now surronded from all directions, to the East is the Japanese army, to the North is the Japanese army, to the South is the Japanese army and in the West is the Pacific ocean.." Lt General Wainright commander of Allied forces in the Philipines spoke today.



Other news

B-17s raid Singapore, no cap encountered and a Light Cruises beleived to be the "Kashii" was hit and is burning furiously in harbour.

Batavia airfield has been "evacuated" and palanes scattered to other Airfields around Java, as a Japanese cruiserforce was sighted off Western Borneo.





Finally updated this [:D]

1-2nd March 1942



Fuiyama unleashed


American cap knocked down with ease by Japanese Zeros above Batavia



Today as had been expected snice the Japanese secured the large airfield located at Palembang, a massive air raid involving 200 plus Fighters and Bombers hit Batavia airfield, the Japanese obviously making thier first move in thier eventual invasion of the final bastion in the "Southern resource area", Java.

Several American Army fighters where scrambled as Dutch Radar facilites first picked up the strike, but they where of no match for the still leathal A6M2 Zero, a plane which Allied aviators are having problems keeping up with, all of the allied fighters that came up to meet the threat where destroyed.

The Japanese had obviously hoped to catch the Allies off guard and destroy the majoirty of thier air power in the area by destroying Batavia airfield and all the planes based there in one shock attack, like they had done successfully at Pearl Harbour,Clark field and Singapore. This was not the case today however, ABDA Planes had been previously scattered amongst several other less prominent airfields on the island, after a Japanese cruiser force was spotted off the West coast of Borneo.

There has been no cofirmation of damage inflicted, but many Bombers and fighters where lost by the allies today, however the airfield was left in a good enough state for a flight of unescourted B-17s and Dutch Martins to take off and attack a Japanese Tanker off th coast of Palembang, causing "condiserable" damage to it. From this action, it is clear there is still plenty fo fight left in ABDA forces in the area, and the island will be defended agressively to the bitter end.



Other news

Japanese paratroopers capture Talsea near Rabaul.

Kido Butai??? at Pago Pago.




PS: Nearly a month and a half behind on this, ah well im lazy [:D]

3rd-4th March 1942



Mandalay falls


British prisoners underwatch



The British limited defence of Burma has come to an end, as Commonwealth forces where driven from Mandalay in the past 24 hours.

British, Indian and other assorted Commonwealth troops lay captured in the Burmese town as the Japanese flooded through the already weak and thin allied lines, many however managed to flee onto the thin jungle trail that eventually leads to India, although it will take many weeks forced marching to reach the relative safety of India, and many will not survive the march.

The Dakota pilots that had bravely evacuated soldiers day and night across the border, even when Japanese artilerry shells landed nearer and nearer to the runway as days past.Have also been captured and there planes destroyed, they truly scarificed there freedom for the freedom of others.

India is now being prepared for the worse, as the Japanese advance shows no sign of slowing.



Other news..

Balikpapan, Borneo falls

Batavia pounded from the air again.

5-6th March 1942

Clark field falls


American soldiers begin thier march into Japanese prison camps



Clark field which had been expected to "fall any day now" for nearly 2 months has finally succumb to Japanese pressure, on the night of the 5th the relatively fresh Japanese troops launched a night attack. Tired,hungry and wounded American soldiers where no match forr the skilled nightfighting skills of the Japanese, who soon overan perimeter defensive line after defensive line.

Reports of fierce hand to hand fighting taking place a mere 500 m from the Joint US-Filipino command posts involving gun butts,bayonets and even in some cases fists prompted the Commander of Allied forces General Wainright to issue a telegram to Southwest pacifc headquarters in Brisbane and Macarthur intailing:

"Japanese have launched a massive night offensive at our positions, Communications have broken down and the defence of certain objectives is restricted to Platoon or even squad level command, the first we knew of the success of the Japanese assualt was Artillery shells landing only a matter of feet from the position i type this telegram now, rifle crack followed by American and Japanese shouting pierces through the night stillness.

The Japanese advance has slowed and i beleive they are resting for a final charge come morning, scouts to the south watching the roads imbeteeewn our positions in clark and Manilla have reported a Japanese blocking force holding all roads of about Division strength, this is no doubt the same forces that landed at Naga last week, Bataan is also under attack as Japanese paratroopers have been landed there overnight also, it would seem we are surrounded, my men do not have enough time to organise a breakthrough to eiether the South of the West of our current positions, and fatigue and illness has already wrecked my mens fighting ability so i would doubt the success of an attempted breakout even if we could.

Important documents are being burnt with the masses of aviation fuel we have, Artillery peices are being spiked and food rations are being spread out generously, this could be my mens last meal in quite a while if Japanese reports of brutality are true.

We will hold to the last man, and surrender will not be an option until the situation becomes truly desperate, i expect this place to fold sometime tomorrow most definately"


General Wainwright US Army


After this telegram was recieved the Allied positions where overrun and around 60,000 allied troops are beleived dead,wounded or in captivity, Manilla is also expected to fall in the next few days and weeks.It will go down in history as one of the greatest deafeats in American history, and as one of the greatest Japanese victories, as thier Blitzkreig in the pacific continues.




Other news

Old fields at Brunei captured

Dutch sub sunk off west coast of Borneo

7-8th March 1942

Japanese replused at Chunking


Newly trained Chinese forces march to Chunking



Japanese forces, who had been baring down on the Chinese city of Chunking, made there move on the town over the past few days initiating a savage artillery barrage on the entrenched Chinese defenders on the outskirts of the town.

The Defenders stood firm, and where relatively unscathed from the attack, much to the suprise of the assaulting Japanese, who gave away thier impending attack with cries of "Banzai" and other shouts and screams, much to the delight of the Chinese, who gunned down many Japanese today. The Chinese who posses outdated World War one era weaponry, from there rifles to there artillery can be proud of holding against an enemy with more modern equipment and docterines, and who also outnumber them by 2-1 in and around the city.

This small victory over the Japanese can be thanked on the elaborate fortifications that have been build in and around the city, in preparation for the Japanese arrival. A massive system of trenches have been dug on all sides of the city, with Machine gun positions,concrete bunkers,anti-tank guns and Artillery peices dotted along the perimeter protecting the city.

Also part of the defense is a underground tunnel network linking all vital defensive positions to one another, without soldiers having to appear overgrond, due to this the Japanese cannot successfully gauge how many Chinese are defending a certain area of trenches.

The city is being turnt into a fortress much like that seen in Leningrad in Europe, the 63,000 Chinese defenders have been told to hold against all odds, reinforcements for both sides are piling into and around the beseiged city, the Chinese are aware of the Japanese docterine of attempting to encirle thier positions, and for this reason Divisions are being deployed to the flanks of the city.

The fate of China could well be decided by the defense of this city.



Oklahoma ready for action


Oklahoma pre PH



The Battleship Oklahoma which was in dock during the suprise attacks on Pearl Harbour taking "Medium" level damage at the end of the raid has completed its repairs in San Franciso port today .

The 25 year old Nevada class Battleship, commissioned in Pennsylvania in 1916 is now ready to serve in its Second World war and gain revenge against the Japanese for Pearl Harbour, the Ship will remain in port until a oppertunity arises for the battleship to prove its worth.



Other news

Manilla fall immenent

Suva recevies massive fuel convoy

9-10th March 1942

Philippines all but lost


One of the several Merchant and Auxillary ships fleeing Manilla



The order to "get the hell out of dodge" was issued on the night of the 8th, the few remaining ships left in the harbour that had not yet fled or been destroyed, steamed out of port under the cover of darkness.

The fleeing ships, ranging from Submarine tenders to minesweepers, where required to stay in the Philipines to the end to support Allied resistance there.But now with savage street fighting taking place in Manilla itself and the surrender of Luzon expected any day now these ships are now finally free to go, whether they can escape is another matter, but they have little choice but to make a desperate break for it.

By daybreak the Japanese where soon clued up on the Allied intentions, as scout planes spotted the scattered convoy. G4M1 Betties, the feared long range Japanese naval bomber escorted by A6M2 Zeros where soon sortied from bases in Luzon and Mindano. The Convoy without any Air umbrella was dependant on its limited anti air weapons to stave off the Japanese assualt until nightfall.

But the small calibre machine guns where no protection against the Japanese air attack, and in the carnage that ensued three ships of the convoy sank beneath the waves.

The commander of the taskforce has ordered his men to steam on south towards the Dutch east indies,

"Even if one of these ships escapes to the safety of the Dei or Australia, it will be a small victory for us"

Our hopes and prayers are with the brave heroes of Taskforce 52.



Japanese submarine sunk near Johnson island


Pearl Harbour based ASW groups engage

Yet another Japanese submarine has been confirmed to have been sunk North east of Johnson island this evening, as Japanese sub losses increase.

"Jap subs dont have a long lifespan when they hang around the Central pacific too long, we have Catalinas and other Patrol planes running 24/7 ASW Patrols, which work in conuction with our expierienced Destroyer groups on constant alert to sortie to the area a sub was sighted." Rear Admiral Andrews in charge of ASW forces in the Central pacific spoke today in a interview with LJN.




PS: Need to get more in game sceenshots in this AAR, anyone have any requests on pictures of certain parts of the map?

First of all, very cool AAR, LittleJoe. Second, it's a mistake to put 3 US carriers in one TF at this early stage of the war. There's an organisational penalty for this until quite late in the game.

You're better off organising 1 CV task forces, and set them to follow each other. That way, when the Japs find them, it's also less likely that they'll hit more than one of your carriers. It takes a few more escorts, but it's worth it. A notional Air Combat TF might include:

- 1 CV
- 1 or 2 CA
- 2 or 3 CL/CLAA
- 5 to 8 DD's

ORIGINAL: Terminus

First of all, very cool AAR, LittleJoe. Second, it's a mistake to put 3 US carriers in one TF at this early stage of the war. There's an organisational penalty for this until quite late in the game.

You're better off organising 1 CV task forces, and set them to follow each other. That way, when the Japs find them, it's also less likely that they'll hit more than one of your carriers. It takes a few more escorts, but it's worth it. A notional Air Combat TF might include:

- 1 CV
- 1 or 2 CA
- 2 or 3 CL/CLAA
- 5 to 8 DD's

Thanks for the post, my Carriers just set sail from PH in my game headed for Brisbane, but ill send em back to reorganise.

Would i be able to get away with two taskforces with two Carriers, and one with one?

You probably could, but I maintain that the 1 CV TF works better, especially when considering that it gives the Japanese less of a target. You desperately need to preserve your fleet carriers until the Essex and Independence classes show up in large numbers.

If you're low on escorts, you should consider sending less carriers, or none. You'll get lots of escorts, especially the all-important CLAA's, before the new generation of carriers show up.

Another option is using the British CV's, but that obviously presupposes that your opponent isn't active in the Indian Ocean. With upgraded aircraft, the British carriers can be surprisingly effective and very hardy.

I dont know about the feasability of doing this in your game joe, but how about mixing one US CV and one RN CV .. i dont think that takes you over 100 a/c but does cut down on the need for escorts.

Just a thought [X(]

also means u get decent torp a/c , however the fulmars are sucky.

Not really feasable.

India is on red alert, with a Japanese force of one Divisions and brigade marching towards Ledo. Which well could be a "distraction" for me to pull Divisions into Eastern India, to clear the way for a landing in the south.

The RN is gaining strength in Karachi and will engage the Japanese invasion fleets, whether the Kido Butai is there or not!

US CV's will sit in the "Middle" of my line in the sand in Brisbane, from here they can speed to Port Moresby or Noumea, Fiji quicker if need be, now they have there 4/42 upgrades there not totally useless, but far from effective.


One question for forumites, is it possible for B-17's and LB-30 Liberators to hit Lunga from a level 4 airfield at Luganville?

The range of the LB-30 would allow it...just, but i think four engine bombers need higher than a 4 or they fly at extended?

Bases like Tongatpu and Luganville, are the bases which will "Nibble" at the edges of the Japanese empire, i need to start scoring points myself.

I also fear a invasion of PM is near, 23 units where sighted in Rabaul, too large to be a buildup force, i have 3 squadrons of Beautforts and one squadron of Kittyhawks there, enough to hurt him but not enough to stop him.

Ill get around to updating this at the weekend, ill be on my summer holidays in Three days so ill prob be able to update this a lot more frequently.

I "think" that 4E bombers from a level 4 airbase are only restricted in the carrying capacity not range. I.E always carry reduced load even at non-extended range.

Im not 100% sure though .. 90% is my opinion .. more enlightened folk may know better.[:D]

11-12th March 1942

Rabaul invaded


Japanese infantry unload supplies



The Japanese have made thier first move in the battle for the Southwest Pacific, by invading Rabaul.

The near empty base, apart from a small garrison of Australian soldiers has been invaded by a Brigade sized invasion force, the base will provide the Japanese a solid staging ground in which to threaten Port Moresby, the Solomons and perhaps even Australia itself.
The landings are beleived to have been covered by a Carrier taskforce, as Submarine commanders in the area where attacked by B5N Kate's, Japanese carrier based Torpedo bombers. Whether this is the Kido Butai or a smaller carrier force is yet to be confirmed.



The situation in the Northern Solomons

13-14th March 1942

Mass bloodshed in Manilla



A once desirable Manilla suburb destroyed


Japan launched another assault on US/Flipino positions in and around the Capital of Manilla pushing deep into the city and docks, splitting the defense of the city into two sections, thousands of Japanese and Allied soldiers have dighted amongst the streets of Manilla, also many Flipino Citizens caught in the crossfire, for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time have lost thier lives.

The Japanese seem to show little compassion for human life, indiscriminately opening fire on Buildings that show any sign of Human life within, rather than confirming the target is millitary. This startergy has flushed out my Allies from defensive positions, but has killed thousands of innocent civilians, and made many more homeless and in Japanese captivity, which is infamously brutal and unforgiving.

A once beautiful city is being utterly wrecked street by street, the extent of the damage in some regions is worse than that of the Blitzed London, the Japanese have caused more widespread destruction to the city in a Week, than the Germans have to London in a year.

The defense of the city is expected to collapse any day now, with the Allied commander of the Philpines General Wainwright, given permission by MacArthur and Roosevelt to open Surrender talks.If this is true, it will the largest Surrender of American soldiers in history, Hundereds of thousands of Allied forces will march into captivity.

15-16th March 1942

Manilla falls


Japanese Victory Parade Through Manila, Capital of the Philippine Islands



The Capital of the Philipine Islands, Manilla fell today to attacking Japanese forces, as commander of the Philipine defence force agreed to the surrender of all Allied forces on the main island of Luzon. This means the capture of a further 25,000 Allied soldiers, making the Battle for Luzon the largest lost of American soldiers in history.

The fall of Manilla frees up around 5 Divisions worth of Japanese soldiers to be used in further conquests, most likely the invasion of the Dutch east Indies imparticular Java, it also gives them a valueable port in which to rest and replenish there navy in the Pacific.

Allied world leaders have expressed there Sympathies, to the American people, and there leader President Roosevelt, who is expected to make a speech to the American public later this evening.

With the situation in Europe looking increasingly desperate, the Japanese's advances do little to make the Allies feel secure.





Japanese Cruiser crippled in Jap mix up

Numerous Japanese Cruisers and Battleships, came in range of Bataan bays fearsome Costal guns, beleiving the Port was safe and secure.

The American gunners did not miss this amazing operatunity to hit the Japs hard, in a Battle lasting minutes, encompassing the Japanese suprise at being fired on, thier futile attempts to hit back, and there eventual retreat, 3 Cruisers where confirmed hit, 2 beleived to be Light cruisers and one a Heavy cruiser of the Nachi class.

17-18th March 1942

Noumea attacked


Akagi sighted by a Catalina before the attack



The Japanese continued thier rampant destruction of important South Pacific Allied bases, by visiting the vital airfield and port facilities on New Caledonia at Noumea for the second time in the war.

The peace and serenity of the quiet base was broken at 8:42 am, with the low hum of over a hundered Japanese carrier aircraft hanging over the base,the Kido Butai had returned to flatten the base much like it had done in January.

Although this time they where no ripe targets such as the American Cruisers that had been sunk in the last raid, the Japanese made do with damaging and sinking handfuls of helpless Merchant ships, the air defences once again failed like every other air defense against the Kido Butai had done before.

By the end of the raids late that afternoon, countless numbers of merchant ships had been sunk sunk, and many, many more left stricken and burning intensely, the bases Air defences had been "eliminated" with only a handful of fighter aircraft left to defend the airspace in the coming days, and it does seem likeley that the Kido Butai will stay to cause more damamge to the base in the coming week, as Search planes have confirmed that the taskforce is continuing to sail south closer to the island, rather than "dissapearing" off the map, which would suggest the taskfroce sailing home.

Because of this intel, American convoys headed to Australia, have been told to sail further south, stay away from Noumea at all costs, and use New Zealand to dock incase of emergencies. The Inhabitants of Noumea naval base have been told to dig in and prepare for the worse even a possible invasion of the island.

19-20th March 1942

Kido Butai here to stay


Zeros in flight towards thier desination,Noumea



Japanese bombers continued to raid Noumea for the fourth day running, with merchant and war ships alike caught in the devastation that the Japanese have brung to the base.

Several more Transport ships where sunk in the raid, with many more sunk, the Destroyer Allen was also sunk by two bomb hits from Japanese dive bombers. The waters in the port are jet black with the fuel and oil that flows freely from the sunk and sinking vessels, vital milltary supples such as Ammunition and medical equipment float in thier boxes, blown from the ships that carryed them, PT boats and other small patrol craft drift out imbeteewn raids to try thier best to retreive these supplies , and of course stranded sailors who struggle to swim through the top layer of fuel.

The whole port is a burning inferno, with fires raging up and down the shore, a thick black smoke drifts across the bay creating a landscape that could be described as hell on earth, the wounded and dying have spilled into the roads and fields in and around the base, as the local hospital is already treating twice as many victims of burns, sharpnel and plane bullets.

A Barrack in which 50 plus Soldiers where beleived to be relaxing off duty was bombed and destroyed, leaving the men inside trapped in the rubble a rescue operation is underway, but heavy lifting equipment brought in from the long defunct airfield has very little time to operate before the air raid alarms go off signalling another jap raid.

"The Jap planes strafe the civlian part of town, riddling mothers and children with bullets and bombs, killing them in thier own godamn homes, i heard they bombed a wing of the hospital, killing all inside, and there aint nothing we can do about it, wheres our Navy, wheres our battleships and Carriers to save us, high command dont give a damn about us dying here!" An angry private was quotes saying in a interview with one of our reporters out there.

US Navy high command, has declined inviations to comment on the situation and instead released this statement:

"The USN Carriers and Battleships, are of upmost importance in the secruity of America itself, to throw them into battle with the Kido Butai now would be suicide, have no doubt when the time comes these frustrated airmen,sailors and soldiers will have thier chance for payback, this is a war we cant and wont lose"



Vals attack



Jap sub sunk


The end of I-1

Jap submarine loses continue to rise, as another submarine was foolish enough to stray into the Palmyra-PH-Midway asw triangle, nicknamed bermuda triangle by destroyer squadron commanders.

This attack 360 miles SW of Pearl Harbour was launched as a Catalina flying from Pearl spotted the submarine surfaced late on the evening of the 15th, Destroyer groops from Palmyra where immediately sortied to the area, and after days of stalking the sub, launched thier attack early on the morning of the 20th, firing a spread of Depth charges into the surrounding waters.

The results of the attack became clear when serveral patches of oil appeared on the surface, leaked from the sunken sub.



Other news

British destroyed Isis sunk near Kendari by Japanese submarine

Spearfish attacks AK Taiyo Maru

21-22nd March 1942

Reinforcements


AP's as far as the eye can see docked in San francisco



As Noumea continues to be pounded, an absolutely vital keystone in the America - Australia sea route, these two Allied nations have announced future troop deployments in the Pacific.

American command has released plans to aid their British Allies in the Defence of India by transporting American men and supplies from the West coast through Panama and to the Indian ocean the long way, the first of these units to have been confirmed for the trip are beleived to be Tank Battilions, better suited for land combat in the rolling plains of india rather than sitting in some pacific atoll.

It is beleived that the Americans hope to donate around 3-4 Divisons worth of infantry, along with Heavy bombers and fighters to aid the defence of India against Japanese invasion, and keep the pressure on the Jap enemy on all fronts.


Meanwhile in Canberra ANZAC headquarters announced reinforcements of thier own; the 2nd Australian Brigade would join the many ground and air reinforcements already sent to the vital base.

"The Japanese excel in the air and the sea, but one area in which we have consistantly held our own against the japs is on the ground, thier army is as poorly armed if not worse than that of the Italians, but they posses a great fighting sprit and unbreakable will to win in combat, luckily so do we!" Major General Eichelberger, commander of all Allied forces on Papa new Guinea joked with reporters in his CP inside the busy port town.

With the small garrison at Rabaul haven fallen a few days ago, it will onyl be a matter of time before the action in the Southwest pacific hots up.


Australian soldiers enjoy thier chow