Matrix Games Forums

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 13, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]Damn. The I-25 picked off one of our transports to Canton island. carrying some of a Marine Defense unit there. It's dicey to reinforce it so early, but I'd love to keep that base, just for observation purposes. If I can I'll send a raider unit in soon.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] Lunga is invaded. He's moving quickly down here. This area will hopefully serve as a diversion from more vital theatres.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]MALAYA: [/font]The big zero sweeps come right on schedule. The Buffs do at least as poorly as historical. Maybe worse. Oh, well. Now to save the groups and fly them away. One will go to java, the rest to CBI.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]Hong Kong falls. Just long enough here to make Kukong into a bit of a solid defensive base. I have about 1k AV moving through the east and trying to make it there. I want those troops for the Kweilin-Liuchow area, so I'd really like to get them through unscathed.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PI:[/font] Well, both big elite zero groups sweep Manila and that puts an end to any illusions of competitiveness in the air here. I really wanted to keep up a solid front until the B-17s were all ready to get out. Three planes are still damaged, but I'll cut losses and ship out all air groups now.

I'll be holding Clark with 450AV including the Marines for as long as this seems feasible. Then all will go to Manila. I'd like to wait long enough to let the new PI troops arrive in Bataan. About two more weeks. We'll see what the IJ decides to do in the meantime. Even 450AV at Clark with it's +3 territory and a few forts could cause some problems. There is about 70k supplies now. I unloaded all support ships before they left (and the two of three big AS actually made it through to OZ, with Canopus still moving as it just left Manila).

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] The Dorniers pick off two more xAK. Nice. Other than that, not much new. All RN DDs and the USN four stackers on the loose come back toward the safety of Balikpapan.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Hmmmmmm. Where will this be heading?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]3/2nd Division is loaded on xAP Huzi Maru at Tokyo (114,60)[/font]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 13, 41
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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 6
P-35A x 13
P-40B Warhawk x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 3 destroyed
P-35A: 4 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
37 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Kuala Lumpur , at 49,79

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 47

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 11 destroyed[X(]

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
22 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet


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Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of HDML P 1 on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted
Loss of HDML P 2 on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted
Loss of HDML P 3 on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAK Laida on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAKL Montanes on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]In the early game the zero is still king.[/font]
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Interesting to see some coverage of the home front story. Hope you will introduce some female workers to cover the
sea change that caused among older males with set ideas of roles and capabilities.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Interesting to see some coverage of the home front story. Hope you will introduce some female workers to cover the
sea change that caused among older males with set ideas of roles and capabilities.

This is the storyline that began my interest in writing a narrative to go with the battles. Don't worry. There will be women! [:D]

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[font="Times New Roman"]December 14, 1941

USS Solace, Pearl Harbor, HI

The Solace swung peacefully at anchor in Pearl a week after the devastating attack had sent so many men into her care. Many of them were still here, and the hospitals of the mainland couldn’t cope with the numbers still needing intensive care for burns, shrapnel and other serious wounds. Sally had grown up this week. She was no longer a farm girl from California. She was a US Navy nurse based on one of the most advanced mobile hospital ships in the world. They might see many more days like December 7th in this war, but they now knew they were ready for them.

“Sally, how’s seaman Sanderson doing this morning?

“He’s still in pain and the movement of his right arm is limited, sir.”

“Well, keep the morphine for today, but we’ll have to wean him off of it tomorrow.”

Yes, sir.”

Doctor Hakansson had been a constant presence in the ward since the attack, and he knew each sailor by name and understood their case intimately. They had the best care possible here. Sally too was indefatigable in her attention, and her bright smile helped the men as much as the morphine. The majority of the men would be transferred to land based hospitals soon. There were rumors about the Solace going just about everywhere, but right now Sally didn’t care much for seeing the world anymore. This attack and the work involved bringing these men back to health had changed her in every way.

Now Sally wanted to go only where there was fighting, and only where they could be sure they were close enough to help those in need. She and most everyone on the ship had been transformed. This was not a means to an end any longer; this was her calling. She’d never been very religious, and to even think of her need to help others to survive I the midst of this chaos as a calling was entirely new to her, yet she found herself speaking out loud in her room at night to someone. She didn’t know if she was talking to Jesus, to some other God, or just to some part of herself she’d never known, but she knew she had to speak. She had to voice this change and let it seep through her like the morphine she administered to the damaged men above, and it was nearly as exhilarating and peaceful.

“We just got word, did you hear?” Nurse Fields spoke as if there was a great secret on offer. She leaned in and almost whispered to Sally, “We’re going North. The navy is sending a fleet up there to protect Alaska, and we’re going with them. Can you imagine? Alaska in the winter, on the ocean?”

Sally thought for a second, then said, “I just hope we’re going where we can help.”

Nurse Fields gave her an odd look and walked on, shaking her head.

Sally felt good. She needed to keep moving now, to stay at the front. She couldn’t get the images out of her mind from that day, men floating in the water covered in oil, both alive and dead, and sometimes hard to tell which. She couldn’t sleep some nights. The images just kept coming. She needed to move, she needed to leave here, and she needed to be wherever this might happen again. As much as it had already taken from her, she had to be there.
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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 14, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]The I-157 got into Soerabaja and hit not one but two mines. Scratch one I-boat.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]The patrols set up near Amchitka and Attu made contact today. A small invasion fleet with four transports with only one E as escort tried to land at Amchitka but were scared off by two YP there. I have one AVD on the way and the two CL five DD TF from Pearl is two days out. He moved quickly, but we may have moved fast enough to stop him. The next few days will be critical.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]I flew a P-40 group from the PI to China and they got into the action immediately, hitting some Sonias and Idas. Interestingly, one pilot got all of the kills, five in total, to became the first Allied ace. (Forgot to write down his name of course).

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] Lots of action off of Malaya, but not so much in the DEI. The denial of Jolo as an airbase seems to have slowed that area. A big SAG or air combat TF is near Babeldaob and looks ready to change things there. All ships wil scatter until I find out hat this is, but the bi-planes will stick around in case it is just a surface force.

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of PT-32 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted
Loss of PT-33 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted
Loss of PT Q-113 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted
Loss of MTB 9 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted
Loss of MTB 11 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted
Loss of MTB 12 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted
Loss of MTB 27 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Two of these just stalled an invasion!! [:D][/font]
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I can identify so many of those ships (well, classes), mostly because of this game. Cheers.

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[font="Times New Roman"]December 15, 1941

Toungoo, Burma

The guards at Toungoo air base were posted all around the base in small huts. They were native soldiers of the British Army, mostly from the Karen ethnic group. These were the largest minority group in Burma and about a third as populous as the Burmans themselves. They had a long history in the British Army thwarting the revolutionary interests of the Burman group, who were consistently opposed to the British occupation. As always the British were masters of playing one group against another to reinforce their position.

Major Richard Longstreet was from Manchester. He had served in Burma for seven years and knew the place and its history well. He and Danny were sitting in the canteen having a drink in the evening. The one good thing about the British in Burma is that they always had a good stock of gin and tonic. Richard was giving Danny the rundown on the long saga of Burmese instability.

“The last rebellion was pretty bloody, and there are still some sore feelings. The Burmen and the Karen are not on good terms, and that’s what you’re seeing around the base. The guards here are all Karen. The rice plantation owners nearby are Indian, and the merchants are mostly Chinese. The Burmen feel like they’re getting the squeeze, but they’re just not as keen to get involved in the business available here. The East India Company developed most of this from nothing, and it’s only due to our presence that there is any infrastructure to speak of. This was barely a village two hundred years ago, snake infested and disease ridden.”

“It still is isn’t it? We’re sure getting the works about snakes lately after one of the Chinese cooks got bitten by some kind of a viper last week while pissing on at edge of the woods. He’s still in bed and his leg is the size of tree trunk.”

“That would be Russels Viper. Nasty piece of work, that. It comes with the territory though. Just don’t go pissing on the edge of the woods!”

Danny laughed, but Longstreet wasn’t smiling. Danny took his leave and went back to the cabin where George was sitting up with a book and an oil lantern. He seemed a country hick when you heard him speak, but George was a voracious reader and was well versed in history and geography especially. He’d been accepted to college in Athens, GA but decided to enlist at the last minute. He was in Burma for the adventure, not for the money.

“What are ya readin?” asked Danny.

“Just a novel tonight Danny-boy.” George put it down and got ready to put the light out. “Gotta get ready for an early morning tomorrow. The Colonel wants planes in the air at dawn.”

“I know, it’s getting interesting around here, isn’t it.”

“That’s for sure. ‘Night Danny.”

“Night George.”
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ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I can identify so many of those ships (well, classes), mostly because of this game. Cheers.

The YPs are interesting, as they were of many different varieties. Many were just requisitioned Tuna boats, even with tuna boat crews intact. I have to read more about that. Not sure how it worked. Some were sent all of the way across the Pacific. Crazy.

Here is an article on them. They should really have a small cargo ability in game as they were used for ferrying both men and supplies regularly.

http://tunaseiners.com/online/wwii-tuna-clippers/

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 15, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]Allied subs have encountering 3-5 targets per turn, but have hit a rut in terms of either getting ALL faulty torpedoes or not attacking. I've changed a number of commanders, but probably haven't gotten all of the poor ones shifted yet. There really aren't enough really good ones early in the war for the USN, especially. I hope that changes. The Japanese have numerous high naval and aggressive commanders throughout.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] Crap. The invasion of Amchitka somehow got around my YPs in the same hex, set to patrol Amchitka, and landed troops. The AVD came in during unloading though and roughed them up pretty bad, but it's winter and there is a force on this island that I'll have to now work to liquidate. Luckily I've already sent a surprise up this way that will drive within the week.

At Adak another Japanese force carrying the 7th Base force. This is a large IJN base force with 30AV. Luckily I had sent some Cats up here and I'll be flying in part of a regiment tomorrow. My own troop ships are a day away with another regiment, so as long as these are able to make it in and land, we should keep the base.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]The CAF got into the fight today with the use of the two DB-3M groups going for some Japanese troops trying to cut off passage of one of the big Chinese Corps in the plains near Nanyang. The nice result was to get the troops into combat mode and our intel from the attack, showing an armored car and small tank unit. So these will not be able to do much against a 350AV Corps as long as we get the hex first. As an added benefit they destroy 3 vehicles and disable another 13. Some SB-III also hit a brigade moving to Psingiang, making sure we get reinforcements bringing strength to 1kAV there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] The IJ have been pretty aggressive with the Netties, and about ten more were shot down at Batavia today. This had the dual effect of taking out very good IJN pilots and increasing the strength of the Allied pilots, who are pretty marginal until they get some kills.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 15, 41
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Amchitka Island at 158,52, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Kenzan Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Muroran Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Uga Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Sansho Maru, Shell hits 1
E Omae, Shell hits 3, heavy fires

Allied Ships
AVD Williamson, Shell hits 2

Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
E Omae engages AVD Williamson at 2,000 yards
AVD Williamson engages xAK Uga Maru at 2,000 yards

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Williamson did wonders for the cause up north, single handedly wrecking the Japanese invasion at Amchitka. [/font]
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ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I can identify so many of those ships (well, classes), mostly because of this game. Cheers.

The YPs are interesting, as they were of many different varieties. Many were just requisitioned Tuna boats, even with tuna boat crews intact. I have to read more about that. Not sure how it worked. Some were sent all of the way across the Pacific. Crazy.

Here is an article on them. They should really have a small cargo ability in game as they were used for ferrying both men and supplies regularly.

http://tunaseiners.com/online/wwii-tuna-clippers/

Now there's an idea - go fishing for Jap subs with very large hooks. The harpooning and gaffing parts might need some thought though ...

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[font="Times New Roman"]December 16, 1941

Kanoehe Bay, HI

Since the attack on Pearl the planes of VP-14 had been flying long daily missions scouring the Pacific for Japanese forces. During the first few days after the attack several cats were able to locate and track the Japanese fleet. Two were also lost in these missions, one from VP-14, the 14-P-3. he knew the men on that plane, and this affected the base almost as much as the Pearl strikes themselves. It hit home somehow that their missions were not just a regimented sightseeing tour of open ocean but a deadly game of cat and mouse with the enemy.

The 14-P-1 had been on watch of the Japanese fleet during the last day they’d been able to track them, nearly a week before. They hadn’t encountered any CAP due to heavy cloud cover and rising seas, and as the weather worsened, they also lost touch with the Japanese ships. Frank had been able to get one decent picture of the fleet, and he rushed back to develop them, but in his haste dried them at too hot a temperature, ruining the negatives. He felt he’d failed in his primary purpose, and this sent him into a depression he still felt strongly. Their endless searches of the now deserted water around Oahu hadn’t helped.

Today they were out and it was at least good weather, the sun popping out between big puffy white clouds. Not too much to hide behind though if Japanese patrols showed up. They believed the IJN fleets had continued to move west, however, based on intelligence reports from Pearl. They were returning from a four hour patrol when Frank noticed something dark and straight under the water near the southwest point of Oahu, just out from the first breakers and reef.

He photographed the area, still unsure what he was seeing. As he developed the film later he enlarged the area and found what looked to be a large cigar shape in the water just off the point, obviously man-made, and looking very much like a small submarine. It looked a lot like the one found outside Pearl after the attack, and which had hit Tennessee during the attack.

He rushed the photo to HQ.

“LT Andrews.”

“Yes, Church, what is it?”

“Have a look at this.” He handed over the photograph, and the immediate interest on his group leader’s face showed he had finally done something useful for the war effort. “It’s just to the west of Pearl by a few miles.”

“This is good Church, nice work. I’ll pass it on immediately.”

“Thank you sir.”

Frank walked back to his barracks with a smile for the first time in a week.

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 16, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]Spearfish finds the Hyuga and DDs near Babeldaob, but misses with four TT. This TF has been sitting in one place for a few days and more subs are on the way. The Sculpin finally hits an xAK near San Fernando after days of lingering.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]Two YPs interrupt unloading at Amchitka again, and then form IJN DDs sink them both. The Williamson is also sunk. After this though, four DMs sent in miss the IJN DDs completely and sink two xAK and E Omae.

There is an interesting encounter at Adak when two amphib TFs encounter each other. Both pull out, but then the Helena and Honolulu arrive to hit the Japanese troops hard. The ensuing combat results in a zero modifier for the Japanese attack. As long as the KB doesn't show up Adak should be secure in a few days. Amchitka will take a bit more work. Pieces of the 37th (Sep) Inf Rgt will be sent to Attu to hold that base for a few more days until others can land, also.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]The major MLRs are set. It looks like the Japanese are moving quickly up from Hong Kong as a unit gets in the way of troops heading to Kukong from the wast. i'll bomb it tomorrow to see what it is. The Sian and Changsha areas have defense in depth beginning to dig in. Only the Nanning-Liuchow-Kweillin area is really weak now. I'll send some units around from Ichang to shore it up there. Some Central Reserve troops are heading to the Himalayas to make sure the approaches to China from Burma are secure.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Malaya:[/font] The Japanese paraforces took Port Blair, making transit between the DEI and Burma more difficult.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 16, 41
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Naval bombardment of Adak Island at 162,52

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Henley
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford
DD Helm
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 81 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

CL Honolulu firing at 7th Base Force

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Ground combat at Adak Island (162,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 979 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Defending force 207 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
7th Base Force

Defending units:
37th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /1

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Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of AMc Bantam on Dec 16, 1941 is admitted
Loss of MTB 8 on Dec 16, 1941 is admitted
Loss of MTB 10 on Dec 16, 1941 is admitted
Loss of YP-74 on Dec 16, 1941 is admitted
Loss of YP-92 on Dec 16, 1941 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]xAK Uga Maru is reported to have been sunk near Amchitka Island on Dec 16, 1941
xAK Sansho Maru is reported to have been sunk near Amchitka Island on Dec 16, 1941
E Omae is reported to have been sunk near Amchitka Island on Dec 16, 1941[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Even though the Chinese get only two groups, about 8 planes total of the DB-3M, they seem pretty useful so far de to range. I can bomb out to 13 hexes with only a few planes and slow troops in move mode, also getting some info about their type. Until the Lysanders get here, which will be a few weeks, this is the only recon available. [/font]
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CHINA: The major MLRs are set.

Obvert - really enjoying your AAR - especially the vignettes!

I'm terrible at China - can you show a map showing your MLRs established in China?

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

CHINA: The major MLRs are set.

Obvert - really enjoying your AAR - especially the vignettes!

I'm terrible at China - can you show a map showing your MLRs established in China?

Yes, in a few days I'll have one to post. I have a couple to catch up on here!

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[font="Times New Roman"]December 17, 1941

Dutch Harbor, AK

It felt like the war arrived in full force within a day up at Dutch harbor. Mike was reassigned duties involving building barracks ready for up to 2,000 troops on the way. Some of the army troops here had flown out on Cats for Adak and word had it that they fought a battle with a Japanese invasion force on there the day before. No one could believe the Japanese were so close so quickly, and without warning. They had invaded with a small force on Amchitka as well, but the AVD Williamson, which had left a few days ago from Dutch, had almost single handedly repelled the force until reinforcements arrived. They had, but not before the Williamson was sunk herself. Things really hit home at that point.

The port was now full of unloading transports from San Fran, oilers delivering fuel for the fleet, and a full cruiser TF with the new light cruisers Helena and Honolulu. This made them all feel a bit better. Four converted four-stackers were also mining the approaches to the port. Mike had just hit the mess for another mid-day coffee break.

“Hey Mike. How’s the bedroom construction going?”

“Yeah, right. Wish I could spend some time working on ours, get it as plush as these new ones are gonna be for the Army and Marines.”

“All I want is a heater. Right under my bed. Can you find a way to do that?”

“If I could it woulda been under mine already!”

“Sad about the Williamson, and the two tuna boats. Man, those guys weren’t even navy.”

“Not a good way to go up here. I’ll stick to land, thanks. When there’s ice on the water, I don’t want to be in it.”

“I’d like to see the Japs try to wrangle with Helena and Honolulu. Those new CLs look downright mean. Worth two ‘o theirs I bet.”

"Yeah, Danny, I hope so. Makes me a little uneasy that no one knows where that fleet that hit Pearl is. They could be bearing down on us right now.”

“Mike, you’re a pessimist is what you are. I need some coffee.”

“I guess you’re right, Danny. Maybe I am, but better to wonder what’s behind you than to get your ass whooped while your back is turned, I’d say.”
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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 17, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]The I-21 shows up off of San Fran. PC Bonham sights it and attacks but can't get a hit.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]No more action up North. Our troops came up one hex shy of Adak. I was a bit conservative here, holding them farther back for a day to see if anything shot in to disrupt. Looks like they'll land tomorrow without interference. Nothing is hitting any scout vessels to the west or southwest. I have about 12-15 subs up here now.

Tulagi is invaded. A Marine defense unit for Canton Island arrives. I'd like to get a regiment there in the next week few weeks as well.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Malaya: [/font]Massive bombing of Singapore has begun. This is my first real look at DBB flak. Even though a few big British units didn't make it into the city, many Sallys are damaged and several lost outright, and there aren't many hits fro so many planes.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]The bombing at Kahnsien wasn't needed as the little recon regiment attacked our Corps there. Now we know that for a few turns it should be okay there. The major Chinese force of 1kAV is about 4-5 days away from this base.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] A small CV shows up near Mindanao, and the Claude's do a number on the Wildebeests flying out to greet them. Around ten lost on the day. Those left will move to Java now.

Talud-Eilanden is invaded.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 17, 41
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Davao at 80,93

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 18
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 8 destroyed

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Ground combat at Kanhsien (81,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 920 troops, 4 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Defending force 5410 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 164

Japanese adjusted assault: 16

Allied adjusted defense: 39

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
51st Recon Regiment

Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps

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Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of xAK Nanning on Dec 17, 1941 is admitted[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Nice to see more of these Coast guard cutters in the DBB mod. makes escorting and ASW a little easier in the beginning for the Allies. [/font]
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[font="Times New Roman"]December 18, 1941

Singapore

Singapore had been bombed steadily for nearly a week. Japanese planes hit almost at noon each day. The stench of burning and twisted mounds of rubble throughout the city were constant reminders, as were the many refugees camped in squares and parks throughout the city, that war had come to them. The roads were closed to the mainland. A strong Japanese force had invaded at Mersing and cut the British forces in half. There was now a pocket in Kuala Lumpur and the small army in Singapore.

“This surely isn’t how it was drawn up is it, Ron. How have we bungled it this badly?” LT Charles Maklin was commander of another patrol craft based in the city, and they’d been on almost constant patrol for days now. Each of them were showing signs of exhaustion; sunken darting eyes, cracked lips and slumped shrunken postures. Their uniforms hung limp around them.

“Was it us Charles, or was it them?” LT Clark took another sip of the gin, the only solace available recently. “Did we underestimate them? There has always been so much talk about the impenetrability of the jungle, the unassailability of this fortress, the invincible Royal Navy. Is it us Charles? Are we just another case of Roman decadence and fall from glory?”

“I don’t know. There are a lot of good men here. Maybe it’s just a few at the top who’ve gotten soft. Forgotten what got us here in the first place.”

“Maybe. Maybe we’ve gotten soft, too. Look at us. Drinking gin while there’s a war on. Look at this place. All wingbacks and old books, chandeliers and crystal.”
LT Clark stood up and offered a hand. “If we’re on the way out, lets do it right Charles. Lets make something of what we’ve got.”

“The RAF flew out Tuesday, the navy is gone and the army is spread out all over the Malay peninsula. What have we got?”

“Boats. We’ve got boats Charles, and I intend to use them.”

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[font="Times New Roman"]December 19, 1941

Bintan Island

The five boats rode easily through the Singapore straits, heading for Bintan Island. From here they planned to listen to reports of Japanese ship movements and run in toward Mersing at a good opportunity. They had commandeered an old coastal tramp to bring enough fuel to run the boats for 5-7 days, and it was heading back for more. They had found a small inlet near the tip of the island where they’d stored the fuel and rations and set up basic tents for the crews. The mangroves all around would hide them from Japanese patrols.

They were waiting for reports of Japanese ship movements either sending more troops and supplies toward Mersing or toward Singapore itself. They’d brought grapples and small arms with them in the hope of taking and commandeering a Japanese freighter which they could then use against the others by ramming them. They would use their small boats as an advantage, like the British marauders of old, and be in and out before the Japanese knew what hit them.

They'd set up a makeshift camp near the beach, just at the edge of the trees. The boats were hidden up the small inlet under the overhang of protective branches.

“What a miserable swamp it is out here!” Jones said as he swatted another insect off of his arm, leaving a small speck of his own blood on the surface. “I shoudn’t doubt we’ll be infested by snakes next.”

“At least there are no tigers on the islands.”

They were eating around a fire and Ron felt like a boy again, out in the forest with the scouts, making the most of their surroundings. He’d had such romantic dreams then of the far east, of India and China and Japan. Junks and sampans churning through Hong Kong harbor, silk shrouded ladies and sandled men clacking through dense, narrow alleys. Mists hung on tea covered mountainsides slowly parting to reveal hidden monestaries perched like fortresses over sheer cliffs.

It was hard to remember now what he really felt as those notions had been so trampled by the reality of the present situation. Even his days in Singapore had jaded him to the east. The constant haggling, the debilitating smell of rotting foods, the seediness of nights clouded in opium and debauchery. He’d lost his innocence long before coming east, but there was something else he’d compromised in Singapore. It felt like a lie he no longer believed, and that he needed to purge to return to himself, to find those parts that mattered still.

“Word just out from command, sir,” a young seaman he’d not seen before appeared in the light with a dispatch in hand. As he read his heart raced and a new layer of sweat emerged from his arms and neck.

“The Japanese are gathering a large invasion fleet just south of here. Three carriers and a surface fleet have been seen just off of south Borneo. Subs are stalking them now, but haven't been able to determine the scale and make-up of the fleets. Over fifty ships have been sighted. They look to be moving southeast.” He was confused by the last of what he’d read. They were instructed to shadow the fleet and determine their intentions. “We have to keep a watch on them, but we’re going to do more than that.”

“Southeast? What could that mean?” Charles looked out into the night.

“It could either be a feint designed to keep us jumping, or they are even more bold than we give them credit for. They could be aiming for the Dutch. For Palembang.”

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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 18, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]A little surprise announces itself up North. The Saratoga hit Japanese troops at Amchitka with little result, but this is good timing as the KB just showed itself in So Pac. The Sara will move back now as troops unload and surface ships take over the covering role. Small supply drops are heeding to Kiska and Attu which have flown in troops digging in to hold the bases.

In south Tulagi, Atimonan and Baker Island fall. Atimonan has 180AV in Japanese troops. Looks like a follow on is planned. I'll keep a good watch on Canton with surface ships nearby.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]The AVG get it's first action near Kahnsien against Tojos, Nates, Sonias and Idas. Around 10 Japanese planes are reported shot down for one loss to the AVG.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]PI:[/font] A supported Japanese division attacks at Clark and takes a bit of a hit after a 1:2 result, but knocks forts to 0. This terrain obviously benefits the defender, and if forts go back up to 1-2, it should be a rough road even to get this base. I'd like to keep it until at least the two last units of the Phillipine Army show up at Bataan. Roughly two more weeks at least. The Japanese forces can join at manila, but the portion moving from Legaspi obviously can't get to Clark, which is good.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] A fleet looks to be massing. I think he's trying for an early Palembang! This is good for numerous reasons, but the foremost is that it's a great opportunity to hit Japanese shipping. Battleships can't get into Palembang, so I'l try to get all of the available cruiser forces there supported by 60-70 fighters from surrounding bases. If we can get lucky in the air, this could be tough for the Allies. If they take the base, I'll use the B-17s to hit the manpower immediately. I'm sending every sub in the vicinity to the approaches of Palembang as well.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Three interesting notes in intelligence today. He's bringing a free division to Hong Kong? This early? Seems like China just might be a real target.

7/38th Division is loaded on a Toho Cargo class xAK moving to Hong Kong.
34/38th Division is loaded on a Japanese AP moving to Hong Kong.

Possibility for interception?

3/52nd Naval Guard Unit is loaded on a Yusen N Cargo class xAK moving to Nanumea.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR December 18, 41
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Afternoon Air attack on 49th Chinese Corps, at 81,57 (Kanhsien)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 10
Ki-44 Tojo x 9
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 21

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 5th JNAF AF Unit , at 158,52 (Amchitka Island)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16858 troops, 195 guns, 122 vehicles, Assault Value = 480

Defending force 15646 troops, 264 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 458

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 357

Allied adjusted defense: 427

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
867 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 43 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (3 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
48th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Army
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
2nd/45th PS Inf Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st/45th PS Inf Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
Far East USAAF
North Luzon Force
Clark Field AAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
200th Coast AA Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

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Ships Sunk: Here's a nice note in the op report! [:)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]CA Ashigara is reported to have been sunk near Jolo on Dec 10, 1941[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The fleet of PBY have mostly been training at PH, but will now begin to fan out over the Pacific as the Japanese seem interested in pushing deeply and quickly. A group will move to Fiji and to Brisbane to add to the search at Canton Island as well as to Attu in the North. [/font]
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[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 19, 1941[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]The S-boats are having very little success in spite of good opportunities. Another few misses today against both combat and transport TFs. The Perch though hits several xAKL on the surface at Talaud-Eilanden, likely sinking two.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]At least four CVs of the KB hit the small Aussie unit at Kaveign. A major gift, as now I know at least four CVs are here, while two more could have gone North. With the extra Buffs on board that likely means Sara could hold her own for the next week at least. Unloading ops will continue at Adak and troops will move to Attu and Kiska shortly. Another four cruisers and ten DD arrived at Dutch. They'll commence bombarding Amchitka.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]Japanese forces moving on Kahnsien look to be smaller infantry units. It seems the Chinese will make it through at least unless a few divisions are right behind. Lysanders will move in to have a look in the next few days.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] This looks like an all-out blitz on Palembang. Subs will be in the approaches tomorrow, as well as in Palembang itself. There are 220 mines, the 75mm CD guns, six subs set to be in the hex plus three separate surface forces and two Dutch MTB groups. The Japanese have a mini-KB and several SAGs at least, plus Netties from Singkawang. All of the Allied cruisers are near batavia and unfortunately show a pretty high DL, so there will be no surprise here. They will move in anyway, with Palembang as a home base.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Wow. This is thinking ahead. Am I missing something?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]17th/A Division is planning for an attack on Chihkiang.[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of AMc Ceram on Dec 19, 1941 is admitted
Loss of AMc Djember on Dec 19, 1941 is admitted[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]While attrition due to poor fields and lack of support will be high in China, opportunity is great as well, with lots of fragile light bombers and Nates buzzing around. [/font]
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[font="Times New Roman"]December 20, 1941

Toungoo

The last P-40 took off from Toungoo into the evening haze as George and Danny watched. It was odd to be here in the jungle with no planes. They’d managed to get them all in good condition, and the first squadron’s Adam and Eves had been sent to Kunming days ago already, and now the 2nd and 3rd had been sent farther south in Burma. The Japanese long range bombers had hit a supply run along the Burmese coast. The 2nd would be base at Prome and the 3rd at a small base outside of Rangoon named Bassein. This was all they knew.

“Well, Daniel, this is going to be interesting.” George was sucking on a pipe and looking out at the wing of fighters moving toward the horizon.

“How do you mean?”

“This is the beginning, Daniel, and we’re going to be in the thick of it soon. Those Babs flying over ain’t just sight-seeing. Once they see the ‘Tigers’ are gone they’ll come after the lanbs. That’s us.” He let out two soft puffs on the pipe. “Might want to make good friends with the Brits on those ack-ack over there, and make sure they get a good night’s sleep.”

For some reason Daniel had been more concerned with the surface forces of the Japanese, as that’s all they’d been hearing about for weeks. He knew the Japanese air forces had been pounding Malaya but didn’t think they’d be after them any time soon. Maybe he was just naiive.

They heard a ruckus over by the canteen and turned to take a look.

“What’s all that fuss?” George shaded his eyes against sun and looked out across the field. “Sounds like a fox in the henhouse.”

“More like a Burman in the Brits booze, I’d say!”

They both laughed and walked back to their cabin for a game of Acey-Deucey.
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