Turnaround? Lowpe (J) vs Tiemanj (A) Stock

[Lowpe]

This marks the second combat use of the Dinah in a sweeping role. Note the high altitude (for me). Once again, the mere rumor of these planes in theater cause a complete abandonment of enemy CAP.[:D]

[Lowpe]

Across the Empire, the Allies have started up night bombing again in the Marshalls, hit Magwe again only the airfield, and only one sub attack (spoiled), but subs seem to be showing up around the HI again just in time for working torpedoes.

Ready or not, a whole bunch of Helens are switching from ASW training to actual patrolling...

A large Zero CAP trap at Lunga looking for B17s didn't find any. Shame.

The A6m5c is 91% to 1/43. This plane has more firepower than any other for a long time and production will be off the charts for the first month... goodbye 500+ engine bonus for the Ha35. It will be fun to see full fighter groups packing a serious punch with armor! I hope I have enough pilots.

[Erkki]

Sorry Lowpe, but I sandboxed planes with single CL 37 mm cannon(Ki-45KAId to see if the UP-facing cannons work as F, CL or UP in daytime battles) against 4Es. 30 vs. 12 @ 20,000 ft they managed to hit the bombers 3 times in 2 test battles. Both sides with exp-65 crews, 100% CAP and bombers flying at extended range. Might as well use those Ki-46s as paper weights or anchors. [;)] I still need to test how those low accuracy 37mm guns work against ships such as, say, Fletchers.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Sorry Lowpe, but I sandboxed planes with single CL 37 mm cannon(Ki-45KAId to see if the UP-facing cannons work as F, CL or UP in daytime battles) against 4Es. 30 vs. 12 @ 20,000 ft they managed to hit the bombers 3 times in 2 test battles. Both sides with exp-65 crews, 100% CAP and bombers flying at extended range. Might as well use those Ki-46s as paper weights or anchors. [;)] I still need to test how those low accuracy 37mm guns work against ships such as, say, Fletchers.

Argh, like a dagger to my heart that is.[:)] Oh well, haven't invest too much in them. Perhaps there is a penalty for NF during the day?

I was hoping for good news against Fletchers too, but they could always to choose to honor the Emperor too...

[Lowpe]

Dec 31, 1942

Lieutenant General Tanaka was in the fight of his life....the 21st ID stormed across the beaches into Derby and instead of meeting the feckless base forces that Intelligence had told him where here, his troops ran pell mell into the 4th Australian Division supported by 2/10th Armored Regiment.

And to add to his misery the heavy bombardment ships decided to stay offshore and not close.

If he survived this fight Tanaka swore that heads would roll...air raid sirens sounded on the troop transports still offloading and Tanaka swore again!

[ny59giants]

Run in numerous Bombardment TFs to raise the disruption level over 70 and the 4th Aussie will fold. Once base is taken, then bomb the division back into the stone age. That distance from Alice Springs and safety means you have a golden opportunity to destroy a division. From your perspective, you can hope there is another division or some brigades up north to destroy.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Run in numerous Bombardment TFs to raise the disruption level over 70 and the 4th Aussie will fold. Once base is taken, then bomb the division back into the stone age. That distance from Alice Springs and safety means you have a golden opportunity to destroy a division. From your perspective, you can hope there is another division or some brigades up north to destroy.

There you go, spoiling the suspense I am trying to build![:)] Actually, there is a good chance the 21st division is going to get repulsed...

[Erkki]

On the positive side: weren't you R&Ding Ki-100 and the last cannon-armed Ki-43? I tried them too out in the sandbox, against Liberators, and ran it a couple of times. Lets say that you may not be disappointed in their quality-to-price ratio if you ever get them through escorts to attack bombers. Two 55-exp pilots even scored 2 heavy bomber kills in one battle!

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

On the positive side: weren't you R&Ding Ki-100 and the last cannon-armed Ki-43? I tried them too out in the sandbox, against Liberators, and ran it a couple of times. Lets say that you may not be disappointed in their quality-to-price ratio if you ever get them through escorts to attack bombers. Two 55-exp pilots even scored 2 heavy bomber kills in one battle!

Both the planes features strongly in my middle anti-bomber campaign. Perhaps the 43 more than the 100...I also plan to try the 43 out on ships in a strafing role.

[Lowpe]

From all across the Empire, Tanaka's pleas for help were heard: At Wyndham, victorious elements of the 1st Raiding Regiment worked to clear the airfield as transports touched down unloading men and materials...soon IJA fighter planes arrived doing a victory roll over the airfield before touching down. Tomorrow they would be in mortal combat over the contested landings at Derby facing a hodgepodge of Allied fighters: the dreaded Lightning, the Airacobra and Kittyhawks.

In addtion, the IJAAF was sending a very low bombing raid of Helens to hit the Allied airfields, their only escort, the unproven KAI Dinah. This raid was going to go screaming in very low...would there be balloons?

Over the invasion fleet itself, now damaged from some air attacks, the workhorse, the A6M2 would fly, but now joined by the latest IJA fighter the KI43IIa Oscar. Army and Navy rivalries forgotten in the press of the moment.

The IJN was rushing in men and materials, two tank regiments would now steam full speed for Derby...their plans hastily changed to Derby, while Captain Nishidia would bring the Kongo and Hei in to attack the 4th Australian Division, and remain in harms way, looking for a second bombardment or to draw off Allied bombers from the transports.

At Soerabaja, a reserve infantry division, the 38th, one of the four shattered division from early July's debacles on Java, hastily loaded onto waiting ships...their destination Derby!

At Derby, the cauldron of battle swirled, ebbed and flowed. The transports had disgorged all but support squads, the cooks, the division band, were scheduled all land, plus needed ammunition and food. But would they get the chance to...where was the Prince of Wales? And would the fighter coverage be strong enough?

And on the beach itself, struggling under the withering fire from the Australians, the 21st ID stood battered, but dauntless. Their morale, if anything, had improved since their landing for now each soldier had a chance to fight and die for the Empire!

In times of crisis there could be but one call: BANZAI!

And at the center of the hurricane stood one man. He stood tall, sword of his Fathers' at his waist, the Nambu counterbalancing the sword....could he be anything but victorious?

[Lowpe]

Jan 1, 1942

A new year! Maybe it takes a day for the torpedoes to work better[:D]

[Lowpe]

Dawn came, and with it there was still no bombardment by the Navy's big battleships. Tanaka, was worried if they failed he might be overrun by the plucky Australians.

As these thoughts coursed thru his mind, he heard the roar of engines overhead and from the cheering they were ours! At least someone got that right.

On the beaches, troops and sailors still offloaded men and supplies, in fact the division band had made it off the the ships and onto the beach and now it was simply offloading vital supplies. What was that they were playing...Gilbert and Sullivan?

So, somethings had gone right....and wandering outside his CP for a brief look at the fighters overhead Tanaka heard more cheering and not so distant the bark of thunder. Lots of roiling thunder. The thunder of heavy guns. The Navy was finally here...

[Lowpe]

Over at Broome, the KAI Dinahs roared over the Allied fields looking vainly for fighter to engage. Once again, the very presence of the Dinah has made the enemy flee![:D]

Balloons ultimately bring down one plane, but the airfield is hit. But the enemy's bombers are already in the air heading for Derby.

[Lowpe]

And at Derby, Japanese fighter planes jettison their drop tanks and engage in an aerial dance of death and for once they hold their own, even downing more enemy fighters.

But then several waves of bombers appear, and the Japanese fighters start to thin, having to make the long flight back low on ammo and fuel...

[Lowpe]

No Allied bombers make it thru to attack the 21st ID, but several brave the onslaught of the skilled Japanese pilots (almost a first) and attack the ships near the beaches.

Several go after the battleships, where their 500 pound bombs would be ineffective, but skillful sailing and murderous flak prevents any hits.

Not so lucky are the fat, juicy troop transports. At least they had unloaded 90 percent of their supplies as one is picked on and ultimately sunk.

And as evening came the brave 21st braced for an allied assault...could they hold?

[EHansen]

Well? The suspense is killing me. [X(]

[Lowpe]

The Australians sighted their heavy guns in, the light failing late in the day, at Tanaka and the 21st ID dug in now off the beaches and into the desert. The firing started and was building to a crescendo...the general advance was but minutes away. Tanaka, ramrod straight, thought back on the day while his right hand held the family sword, his left a Nambu. He would fight.

The day had gone well over all for the 21st. Supplies, ammunition for the Arisakas had arrived in quantity and the combined IJAAF and IJNAF managed to keep bombers away from Tanaka's defensive positions. Unfortunately, given the quick planning of this attack, the unexpected strength of the Australians, too few men were ready to fight. Would it be enough? Tanaka did what he did best. Led. No one would disappoint the General today.

Offshore, two battleships and the cruiser Maya with her 20 cm guns watched over by circling destroyers on the prowl for enemy submarines trained their guns on the Australians. They seemed like strange hawks circling to pounce. No, like sharks. There was a strength there in those big guns that moved thru the 21st. Morale couldn't get any higher, but soldiers found their units and prepared to meet the enemy. Bayonets were fixed. Order was returning.

However, that strength was offset by the ruins of two transport ships...smoking hulks...there was now not enough ships to take the division away. Well, retreat had never been an option anyhow. The transports had done their duty and were not needed now.

Tankettes made up a mobile reserve, to plug any breakthrough, too few though, while howitzers, mountain guns (in the desert?), mortars and a handful of anti-tank guns were in position. They would fire over open sights if needed. Less than half the 21st normal strength, the rest were bogged down on the beaches, being trundled into position.

Minutes after the firing started, no walking barrage, no heavy concentration, no smoke presaging a general advance by the Australians - it was over. The Australians had contented themselves with a general bombardment.

Quiet followed. Disbelief. Then cheering, over and over and over. BANZAI. BANZAI. The 21st would hold.

Tanaka never had any doubt.

And on the horizon, more Japanese ships appeared...

[Lowpe]

Derby:

What an odd place for the Allies to stuff Australian troops. Why build up Broome and Derby and yet leave Darwin and south not built up? Why build this area up at all...I guess his early success at Java had him really confident.

What will tomorrow bring? Oh, I know: The Endo Detachment. My first night fighters. All two of them.[:)]

[ny59giants]

HQs - Can you or did you start to prep a Corp/Army HQ for Derby?? I think a Command HQ at Koepang is close enough to get its bonus "IF" the Corp/Army HQ passes the die rolls. Even though I tend to play the Allies more than Japan, I was able to get more Command HQs into RA for Japan. They are vital for successful ground combat when used properly. That 90% adjusted AV is great.

The only two that Japan has are Southern and 5th fleet in most games.

[Lowpe]

Jan 2, 1942

We will leave our story narrative of Tanaka for this report.

Bad news: I was having trouble keeping Ramree supplied, lightened the troops there, and then managed to get supply flowing again (I had set up a stockpile I forgot about), but now the Allies have raced down the road and will be able to march in before I can do anything about it. I had set a Tank Regiment to block him, but unfortunately they wandered off the road for some reason, and now are in the open where I expect them to get pounded by Allied Air. 100 Tojo IIa on LRCAP might alleviate the air bombing a little. We will see.

All my fault, I have so much moving towards Rangoon I kind of neglected the front.[:(]

Allied bombers hit Burma and Marshall to no opposition. IJA bombs Port Moresby to no opposition. Lightning sweeps all over the place, but not at my Nick designed anti-Lightning sweep bases (I now have two setup).

The first 1/3 of a sentai upgraded to the A6M5c at Singers. The first group of upgrades are going to Burma, the second the Marshall all in protective missions.

Allies are clearly aware that torpedoes have started working, check out this screenshot of Okinawa![X(] There are two groups of Jakes there, but now they have been joined by 40 Helens with 60 avg ASW. Let us see what they can do on the morrow.