The Armchair General's Tale -IJ SURRENDERS- (dontra85 (IJ) vs modrow (A)) - no dontra85, please

[modrow]

Shortly after midnight, Somerville is pacing up and down his bridge. His TF is almost at Triconmalee harbor. Where is the enemy? Outside, a thunderstorm is raging, leading to poor visibility in spite of 82% moonlight. All of a sudden, just 2000 yards ahead ships appear... 10...20...30... mostly transports, some escorting vessels. His TF opens at short range, but the escorts to a good job protecting the transports, especially AMC Asaka Maru, which sacrifices itself to protect the transports. The Japanese manage to escape after a short battle.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 31,47, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-8
DMS W-19
PB Eiko Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
PB Kiso Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
PB Tatsumiya Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Katsuriki
CM Natsushima
CM Sarushima
CM Kyosai
CM Hirashima
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 13
SC Ch 14
SC Ch 18
AV Kamikawa Maru
AV Kunikawa Maru
xAK Arima Maru
AMC Asaka Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Azumasan Maru
xAK Arizona Maru
xAK Azuma Maru
xAK Kansai Maru
xAK Kashii Maru
xAK Katuragi Maru
xAK Nankai Maru
xAK Asosan Maru
xAK Arimasan Maru
xAK Asakasan Maru
xAK Kenyo Maru
xAK Tatutaki Maru
xAK Teiyo Maru
xAK Shinryu Maru
xAK Sinsei Maru
xAK Kimishima Maru
xAK Koto Maru
xAK Mikasa Maru
xAK Gosei Maru
xAK Hokuriku Maru
xAK Nihonka Maru

Allied Ships
CL Capetown
CL Colombo
DD Decoy

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 21 (13 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 82% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
AMC Asaka Maru engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Kiso Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Eiko Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages xAK Kansai Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Kiso Maru at 2,000 yards
AMC Asaka Maru engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Decoy engages PB Eiko Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Colombo engages PB Kiso Maru at 3,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

[dave sindel]

ORIGINAL: modrow

Shortly after midnight, Somerville is pacing up and down his bridge. His TF is almost at Triconmalee harbor. Where is the enemy? Outside, a thunderstorm is raging, leading to poor visibility in spite of 82% moonlight. All of a sudden, just 2000 yards ahead ships appear... 10...20...30... mostly transports, some escorting vessels. His TF opens at short range, but the escorts to a good job protecting the transports, especially AMC Asaka Maru, which sacrifices itself to protect the transports. The Japanese manage to escape after a short battle.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 31,47, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-8
DMS W-19
PB Eiko Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
PB Kiso Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire
PB Tatsumiya Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Katsuriki
CM Natsushima
CM Sarushima
CM Kyosai
CM Hirashima
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 13
SC Ch 14
SC Ch 18
AV Kamikawa Maru
AV Kunikawa Maru
xAK Arima Maru
AMC Asaka Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Azumasan Maru
xAK Arizona Maru
xAK Azuma Maru
xAK Kansai Maru
xAK Kashii Maru
xAK Katuragi Maru
xAK Nankai Maru
xAK Asosan Maru
xAK Arimasan Maru
xAK Asakasan Maru
xAK Kenyo Maru
xAK Tatutaki Maru
xAK Teiyo Maru
xAK Shinryu Maru
xAK Sinsei Maru
xAK Kimishima Maru
xAK Koto Maru
xAK Mikasa Maru
xAK Gosei Maru
xAK Hokuriku Maru
xAK Nihonka Maru

Allied Ships
CL Capetown
CL Colombo
DD Decoy

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 21 (13 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 82% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
AMC Asaka Maru engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Kiso Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Eiko Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages xAK Kansai Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Kiso Maru at 2,000 yards
AMC Asaka Maru engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages AMC Asaka Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Decoy engages PB Eiko Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Capetown engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Colombo engages PB Kiso Maru at 3,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Is Admiral Somerville disappointed in what appears to be a lost opportunity to sink some transports?

[modrow]

It is immediately clear to Somerville that he has to push on, or else it will be Cape Spartivento all over again. So he goes on, looking for more enemy shipping - and meets what was the original invasion fleet, continuing to unload.

But this means that he also faces superior warships, two IJ CAs, embedded into the enemy TF. They manage to draw most of the fire and deal some damage, especially to CL Capetown. But they, too receive hits, some of them penetrating. All in all, once more the enemy manages to protect the transports successfully.

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
DD Yudachi
DD Fumizuki
DD Minekaze
DD Akikaze
DMS W-1, Shell hits 1, on fire
DMS W-2
DMS W-3
DMS W-13
SC Ch 23
AK Hirokawa Maru
AK Kinka Maru
AK Kyushu Maru
AK Tosan Maru
xAK Atutasan Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kinugawa Maru
xAK Yamaura Maru
xAK Zenyo Maru
AMC Bankok Maru
xAK Ryoyo Maru
xAK Zinzan Maru
xAK Nanko Maru
xAK Hakodate Maru
xAK Awajisan Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAP Tatsuta Maru
xAP Brazil Maru
xAP Argentina Maru
xAP Hikawa Maru
xAP Katori Maru
xAP Miike Maru
xAP Kokuryu Maru
xAP Kongo Maru
xAP Kobe Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Naminoue Maru

Allied Ships
CL Capetown, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
CL Colombo, Shell hits 1
DD Decoy

Japanese ground losses:
203 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 89% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Capetown at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages CA Takao at 2,000 yards
DD Akikaze engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages SC Ch 23 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
AK Kinka Maru collides with xAP Kobe Maru at 31 , 47
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 3,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Capetown at 3,000 yards
DD Akikaze engages DD Decoy at 3,000 yards
CL Capetown engages DMS W-1 at 3,000 yards
CL Capetown engages xAK Kinugawa Maru at 3,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Capetown at 3,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Capetown at 3,000 yards
DD Akikaze engages DD Decoy at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Capetown at 2,000 yards
DD Akikaze engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CL Capetown engages xAP Kobe Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Colombo engages CA Atago at 5,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Capetown at 5,000 yards
DD Akikaze engages DD Decoy at 5,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 5,000 yards
CL Capetown engages CA Takao at 5,000 yards
CL Capetown engages DMS W-1 at 5,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

[modrow]

Somerville curses and decides to try to pursue in spite of dawn and, accordingly, risk of IJ air strikes if he does not retreat. Maybe he can still pick up some stragglers?

The sun has just risen when a burning ship is sighted - but unfortunately, it is just a damaged PB that was left behind. It is quickly dispatched, but the hunt must go on.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 32,48, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Tatsumiya Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Capetown
CL Colombo
DD Decoy

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Somerville, James F crosses the 'T'
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Colombo engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Decoy engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Colombo engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Decoy engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Colombo engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Colombo engages PB Tatsumiya Maru at 7,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

[modrow]

Somerville is desperate now. If he returns with this result, Churchill will go after him again and his career is over. So he sets course to Triconmalee again - where he runs into the TF from the second encounter once more, with quite similar results. Again, the IJ combat ships manage to protect the transports and deal damage to the inferior light cruisers - but these score hits on the IJ CAs that include hits destroying main turrets of both CAs. Atago looks like a burning hulk when Somerville last sees it - before a direct hit smashes into Colombo's bridge and he is thrown into the water, losing consciousness.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 31,47, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Atago, Shell hits 28, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yudachi
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 2
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 2
DD Akikaze, Shell hits 2
DMS W-1, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DMS W-2
DMS W-3
DMS W-13
SC Ch 23
AK Hirokawa Maru
AK Kinka Maru
AK Kyushu Maru
AK Tosan Maru
xAK Kinugawa Maru
xAK Yamaura Maru
xAK Zenyo Maru
AMC Bankok Maru
xAK Ryoyo Maru
xAK Zinzan Maru
xAK Nanko Maru
xAK Hakodate Maru
xAK Awajisan Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAP Tatsuta Maru
xAP Brazil Maru
xAP Argentina Maru
xAP Hikawa Maru
xAP Katori Maru
xAP Miike Maru
xAP Kokuryu Maru
xAP Kongo Maru
xAP Kobe Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Naminoue Maru

Allied Ships
CL Capetown, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Colombo, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Decoy, Shell hits 2

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

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Capetown at 4,000 yards
CL Capetown sunk by CA Atago at 4,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Akikaze at 4,000 yards
CL Colombo engages CA Atago at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 3,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Colombo at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages xAP Hikawa Maru at 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CA Takao engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
DD Akikaze engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Akikaze at 2,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Fumizuki
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages xAP Kongo Maru at 2,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAP Argentina Maru , xAP Brazil Maru , xAP Tatsuta Maru ,
xAK Awajisan Maru , xAK Hakodate Maru , xAK Nanko Maru ,
xAK Zinzan Maru , xAK Ryoyo Maru , xAK Zenyo Maru ,
xAK Yamaura Maru , xAK Kinugawa Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Minekaze , DD Fumizuki ,
DD Yudachi
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages CA Takao at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAP Argentina Maru , xAP Brazil Maru , xAP Tatsuta Maru ,
xAK Awajisan Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Fumizuki
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
DMS W-1 sunk by DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Minekaze at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages xAK Zenyo Maru at 2,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Minekaze
CL Colombo engages CA Atago at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages CA Takao at 2,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAP Argentina Maru , xAP Brazil Maru , xAP Tatsuta Maru ,
xAK Awajisan Maru , xAK Hakodate Maru , xAK Nanko Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Minekaze , DD Yudachi
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru screened from combat
CL Colombo engages CA Atago at 2,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAP Argentina Maru , xAP Brazil Maru , xAP Tatsuta Maru ,
xAK Awajisan Maru , xAK Hakodate Maru , xAK Nanko Maru ,
xAK Zinzan Maru , xAK Ryoyo Maru , xAK Zenyo Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Minekaze , DD Yudachi
CA Takao engages CL Colombo at 2,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAP Argentina Maru , xAP Brazil Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Fumizuki
CA Atago engages CL Colombo at 8,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Minekaze at 8,000 yards
CL Colombo engages xAK Hakodate Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAP Argentina Maru , xAP Brazil Maru , xAP Tatsuta Maru ,
xAK Awajisan Maru , xAK Hakodate Maru , xAK Nanko Maru ,
xAK Zinzan Maru , xAK Ryoyo Maru , xAK Zenyo Maru ,
xAK Yamaura Maru , xAK Kinugawa Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Minekaze , DD Fumizuki ,
DD Yudachi
CA Atago engages DD Decoy at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru ,
xAP Argentina Maru , xAP Brazil Maru , xAP Tatsuta Maru ,
xAK Awajisan Maru , xAK Hakodate Maru , xAK Nanko Maru ,
xAK Zinzan Maru , xAK Ryoyo Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Minekaze , DD Fumizuki
CA Takao engages CL Colombo at 14,000 yards
CL Colombo engages DMS W-3 at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru screened from combat
Range increases to 20,000 yards
LSD Shinshu Maru , AK Tosan Maru , AK Kyushu Maru ,
AK Kinka Maru , AK Hirokawa Maru , xAP Naminoue Maru ,
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Kongo Maru , xAP Kokuryu Maru ,
xAP Miike Maru , xAP Katori Maru , xAP Hikawa Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Akikaze , DD Fumizuki
DD Yudachi engages DD Decoy at 20,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[modrow]

Strong hands pull Somerville onto a raft. When he opens his eyes, he sees some of his crew. CL Colombo is a burning hulk now as well, Decoy fleeing. But after all, the raft makes it to the shore and they avoid capture...

Somerville, James F reassigned

[modrow]

FYI, the current score.

[Bif1961]

It looks like a larger form of the HMS Glowworm against the German Heavy Cruiser Hipper. Stiff upper lip and all that sort or rot.

[modrow]

ORIGINAL: dave sindel
Is Admiral Somerville disappointed in what appears to be a lost opportunity to sink some transports?

Well... perhaps he should also be happy to have reached the transports at all. He could have run into the big SCTF like the two DDs I sent in last turn, so the whole operation is of the "stiff upper lip and all" type Bif1961 referred to.

Of course, wreaking havoc in that first TF would have been great. The hits scored on combat vessels are not bad either, but probably will just take the ships out for some time - especially as this happened in the hex of a lvl6 port in IJ hands and transfer to a shipyard will be a short trip only once Colombo is taken by IJ, which will not take long. For this reason, even Atago has a decent chance to survive, but hopefully it will take a while to patch it up.

Hartwig

[modrow]

Gentlemen,

the following day the action continues.

First, IJ uses its SCTF to eliminate the remaining forces of Somerville after his reassignment. I felt the need to scuttle the remaining CL. So they meet a lone DD, which is eliminated by a direct hit from Hyuga in her very first salvo. Master gunnery !

Night Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 31,47, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Natori
CL Kinu
CL Kuma
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Nagatsuki
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
DD Decoy, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Rain with 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 89% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Ishizaki, Noburu crosses the 'T'
DD Decoy sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

[modrow]

Then, CM Abdiel, which I sent in in an attempt to drop some mines at Triconmalee encounters that TF. Using its superior speed, it evades, but does not deliver the mines [:(]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 31,47, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Natori
CL Kinu
CL Kuma
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Nagatsuki
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
CM Abdiel

Poor visibility due to Rain with 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 89% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Ishizaki, Noburu crosses the 'T'
BB Hyuga engages CM Abdiel at 6,000 yards
DD Fuyo engages CM Abdiel at 6,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages CM Abdiel at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages CM Abdiel at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CM Abdiel at 9,000 yards
CL Oi engages CM Abdiel at 9,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages CM Abdiel at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CM Abdiel at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[modrow]

But now, surely, something good will happen, right ? I successfully intercept a previously encountered TF or part thereof...

No, once more it is not to be. Escorts draw the fire of my ships and the TF manages quickly to escape.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 32,48, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-8
DMS W-19
PB Eiko Maru
PB Kiso Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
CM Katsuriki, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CM Natsushima
CM Sarushima
CM Kyosai
CM Hirashima
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 13
SC Ch 14, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 18, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AV Kamikawa Maru
AV Kunikawa Maru
xAK Arima Maru
xAK Azumasan Maru
xAK Arizona Maru
xAK Azuma Maru
xAK Kansai Maru
xAK Kashii Maru
xAK Katuragi Maru
xAK Nankai Maru
xAK Asosan Maru
xAK Arimasan Maru
xAK Asakasan Maru
xAK Kenyo Maru
xAK Tatutaki Maru
xAK Teiyo Maru
xAK Shinryu Maru
xAK Sinsei Maru
xAK Kimishima Maru
xAK Koto Maru
xAK Mikasa Maru
xAK Gosei Maru
xAK Hokuriku Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nihonka Maru

Allied Ships
CL Ceres
CL Caledon
DD Arrow

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Poor visibility due to Rain with 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 89% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Willis, A.N. crosses the 'T'
SC Ch 18 sunk by CL Caledon at 6,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAK Hokuriku Maru at 6,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAK Hokuriku Maru at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CM Katsuriki at 5,000 yards
CL Ceres engages CM Katsuriki at 5,000 yards
CL Ceres engages CM Kyosai at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Ceres engages PB Kiso Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Ceres engages CM Katsuriki at 3,000 yards
CL Caledon engages SC Ch 14 at 3,000 yards
CM Katsuriki sunk by CL Caledon at 3,000 yards
CL Ceres engages SC Ch 14 at 3,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CM Kyosai at 3,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

[modrow]

And finally, my SCTF runs into the big SCTF. Adm. Willis prudently attempts to disengage three times, but does not manage to do so[8|]. Hits on IJ heavy combatans are superstructural damage only, with the sole exception of one hit on a main gun of Hyuga. If this weapons damage is real, at least the BB will require yard time in a bigger yard.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 31,47, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 11, on fire
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Natori
CL Kinu, Shell hits 2
CL Kuma
CL Kitakami
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
DD Nagatsuki
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Numakaze
DD Wakatake, Shell hits 1
DD Kuretake
DD Asagao, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
CL Ceres, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Caledon, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arrow, Shell hits 2, on fire

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 13,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Ceres at 13,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Arrow at 13,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Isuzu at 13,000 yards
Willis, A.N. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 8,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CA Furutaka at 8,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 8,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Kinu at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 7,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Caledon at 7,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 7,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Kinu at 7,000 yards
Willis, A.N. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 8,000 yards
CL Ceres engages BB Hyuga at 8,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Arrow at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages CA Furutaka at 10,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Arrow at 10,000 yards
DD Asagao engages DD Arrow at 10,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Asakaze at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Ceres at 9,000 yards
CL Oi engages DD Arrow at 9,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Sendai at 9,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Asagao at 9,000 yards
Willis, A.N. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 11,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Caledon at 11,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Oi at 11,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Caledon at 11,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Asagao at 11,000 yards
DD Wakatake engages DD Arrow at 11,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Arrow at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 14,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Caledon at 14,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 14,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Kuma at 14,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CL Caledon at 14,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Fuyo at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 17,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CL Ceres at 17,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Fuyo at 17,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Numakaze at 17,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 17,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Ceres at 17,000 yards
CL Oi engages DD Arrow at 17,000 yards
DD Karukaya engages DD Arrow at 17,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Namikaze at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 18,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Caledon at 18,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CL Caledon at 18,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Asagao at 18,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 18,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Arrow at 18,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Caledon at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 17,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Ceres at 17,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 17,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Sendai at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 15,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Caledon at 15,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 15,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Kitakami at 15,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Kuma at 15,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Arrow at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Ceres at 11,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Oi at 11,000 yards
DD Wakatake engages DD Arrow at 11,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Arrow at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 9,000 yards
CL Kitakami engages CL Ceres at 9,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Arrow at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Ceres at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Ceres at 6,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 6,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Matsukaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 10,000 yards
DD Wakatake engages DD Arrow at 10,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Fuyo at 10,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Asagao at 10,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Arrow at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL Ceres engages CA Furutaka at 15,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Arrow at 15,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Caledon at 15,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Arrow at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Ceres at 18,000 yards
CL Oi engages DD Arrow at 18,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CL Caledon at 18,000 yards
CL Caledon engages CL Natori at 18,000 yards
DD Wakatake engages DD Arrow at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[modrow]

Also, during the air phase my evil plans don't work. A CAP trap for mini KB planes fails, because the enemy air combat TF begins to swing round towards Colombo so that the target is no longer in range. And both my sweeps of Triconmalee and my naval attack with torpedo bombers aimed at shipping present in Triconmalee hex by range limitation simply don't fly. Some LRCAP does fly and is diverted to intercept a strike by mini KB against the retreating former garrison of Triconmalee (which is slowed down but hopefully will still make it to Colombo, where I will have about 300-350 raw AV behind level 3 forts against 4 IJ divisions), but it does not get through the escort, so here, too, no joy.

Enemy has installed fighter planes (60ish according to mouseover) at Triconmalee now, which means I will not continue to make a stand- especially as I do not have any additional naval assets available any more and Colombo is not save against potential bombardment form the see. One of my damaged CLs sinks during the turn, the other one will try to run to safety, but it is not sure that it makes it.

[modrow]

Another turn with only few events, but some amusing tidbits (combat report date 420428). One of them, yet another intercept of the TF that shall not be harmed (even though this time not too much was to be expected anyway):

[modrow]

One of the things I tried this turn was a night bombing port attack on Triconmalee which scored 4 hits on Hyuga - 2 bounces, one hit on a main gun and one destroyed AAA gun being reported as a result.

But something else seems to have happened as well [:)]. Have a look at this pleasing screen



Probably, everyone will see at once why I am pleased anyway. Still, any takers for the trivia why I think it is worth reporting?

[modrow]

As a matter of fact, one of the reasons for the last post was that I wanted to provide you with an easy warm-up question before I ask something more difficult.

The TF depicted in the screenshot shown below was detected in the activated hex last turn. I know from an (ineffective) naval attack by Dutch Mitchell II that it comprises Fuso and Yamashiro. Any guesses where they are heading ?

As a matter of fact, this is part of the puzzle where IJ is going to go. Apart from the Ceylon invasion (be it prelude or raid), I have Intel of one of the regiments used for finishing off the PI preparing for a Koepang invasion. Maskirovka?

[ny59giants]

The TF depicted in the screenshot shown below was detected in the activated hex last turn. I know from an (ineffective) naval attack by Dutch Mitchell II that it comprises Fuso and Yamashiro. Any guesses where they are heading ?

Ambon

[modrow]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

The TF depicted in the screenshot shown below was detected in the activated hex last turn. I know from an (ineffective) naval attack by Dutch Mitchell II that it comprises Fuso and Yamashiro. Any guesses where they are heading ?

Ambon

If so, why not 1 turn earlier from the activated hex (white frame in picture)? Range is 10 hex from both places, and IJ knows I have eyes on the Ceram sea...

[Lowpe]

Ambon is my guess too. I hate that base...take Namlea next to it first.

Pete and Jakes destroyed on the ground as to the plane losses.