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31 Oct 43

On 20 Oct 43, the IJN handed the Australian Celebes operation a sting. With all eyes on Kendari etc, an IJN TF of two CAs, a CL and a DD surprised two Allied convoys unloading in Koepang. The first convoy, comprised of venerable 4-Piper DE Humphries (5 pts) and xAK Nabena (9 pts) were quickly sunk while unloading supplies. The second convoy of two APs, also unloading supplies, thankfully escaped in the darkness of a moonless night.

The following day, Koepang's PBYs wrought retribution. The reknown Prowling Kats of Koepang quickly sank CA Takao (58 pts) and CL Natori (28 pts) with torpedoes. CA Mikuma was also hit, but she escaped, or so it seemed. The following day, 10/22, Dutch Submarine K-XI found and attacked the limping cruiser. Three torpedo hits, plus a magazine explosion, ended Mikuma (52 pts).

In China, Japanese ground forces have been handed a few defeats. Through a variety of circumstances, some Japanese units were wiped out when they wound up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thousands of casualties were claimed.

Continuing the litany of good fortune, Allied Fleet Command in Soerabaja was notified of a possible IJN TF just south of Malang off the southern coast of Java. The only ships available to check things out were a Squadron of DDs, but it was enough. Two small escorts and the two small transports they were guarding were sunk with no Allied losses.

Operation Forager (Guam)
About a dozen TFs comprising @70 ships is milling in and around Midway. One factor holding up the parade is a small CVTF (CVL x3, CLAA, 6 DDs) escorting a medium cargo convoy of 8 xAKs (50K supplies 4K fuel) nearing the Marshalls Islands. The convoy, without any escort, had been heading to NZ from San Diego. I've altered it's course to NAF Ponape now roughly 27 hexes NWW. The CVLs will pass the convoy off to Corsairs on Ponape then continue NW to the Marianas. Two other key factors are the heavy surface units. The Mariana Amphib convoys will sail after the Surface/bombardment TFs arrive at Midway in the next two days.

In Thailand, Allied forces have retaken half the Mandalay peninsula south of Tavoy, including Mergui, Pra. Kiri Khan, Chumphon, Victoria Pt, Surat Thani and Nak. Si Thammarat.

And at long last, Fleet Submarine USS Snook made berth at Balikpapan a week ago, after just increasing speed to 2 knots. Outstanding. Her current remaining damage is 11 Sys, 65 Flt and 6 Eng. Repair ship Castor reports not much more beyond topside work can be done for Snook without a drydock. I guess I have a week to ponder her next plan.

Also Noteworthy, AFRD-2's convoy is now within a weeks run to Pearl. I'd like to get it to Darwin or Soerabaja. Perhaps via Canton Island, Suva, Brisbane. Hmmm.

31 Oct 1943 Stats

Allied base points: 11,705
Japanese base pts: 5,012

Allied a/c pts lost: 6,175
IJA/IJN a/c pts lost: 13,329

Allied Army loss pts: 11,986
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 9,129

Allied Ships sunk: 299
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 2,120

IJN Ships sunk: 1,623
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 18,188

Political pts: 3074

Japanese score: 25,293
Allied score: 51,977

By the way...

I have recalled a couple skeleton sized units for rebuilding a Division. I'm getting them to all meet at the same place. In the screen to sort out their HQ, and modes, three (?) are annotated "no parent!". What does that mean, but more importantly. how can I "sort" them out?

Thanks in advance.

Just get them all in the same place under the same HQ and combine them. When they are taking replacements, split the divisions into thirds since each part will take replacements.

15 Nov 43

At Kendari, the Aussies were startled and roused from their sleep, by what sounded like an armoured division landing. Nay. It was the 47th US Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) disembarking and about to once again start another miracle of base transformation.

To the east, HMAS Canberra was once again about to enter Soerabaja for repairs. This time was to put right damage after a gunfight with an IJN CA. A small IJN TF of two cruisers and two destroyers had forced their way into Palembang Harbour. Canberra, her sister and four destroyers met them and chased them off. Although apparently the Allies had come off the worse, if for no other reason Canberra and two destroyers had to make their way back down to Java for repairs. But Canberra would have to wait her turn. After a week long journey from Balikpapan, gallant USS Snook had just come in with the tide, ending a harrowing odyssey, and was gently guided into drydock.

Back in the Marianas, Operation Forager is under way. The Marines (2nd MARDIV) have landed on Guam, while the US Army 25th Infantry Division has landed on Tinian. Enemy forces are much stronger than recon/Intel had indicated. Each landing had been backed with armor and arty. Combat Engineers, and two more NCRs are en route. Intel was also way off the mark with regard to IJN/IJA aircraft. The Operation included three CVs, three CVLs, and four CVEs. The CVs and CVLs had doubled up on fighters and left their Avengers at home. The CVEs only brought Fighters, plus the CVE assigned to provide CAP to the AMPHIB HQ TF also had the Fleet's only Recon F4F-7s of VMD-154 embarked in USS Santee.

But the skies above Guam and Tinian were no one's friends. Over 200 Japanese planes of all types were shot diwn. Forty or more USN fighters, and dive bombers were also shot down. Damaged and scattered groups are spread out over several carriers. But the Japanese aircrews left their mark.

Sunk
CVE Casablanca (with a dozen F6Fs on board)
xAK Edwin Stanton
LST-32
LST-335

Seriously Damaged

CVL Independence Sys - 16, Flt 84, Eng 9
CVL Belleau Wood Sys -54, Flt - 42, Eng 6
CVE Santee Sys - 44, Flt - 60, Eng 18

Independence is in trouble, for sure. Worse, her flight deck is OOC with 12 F6Fs and 28 DBs still onboard. Her speed is 5 knots (2 hexes per turn?) and is 17 hexes from Eniwetok.

Belleau Wood will (likely) make Eniwetok tomorrow where there is brand new modern Repair Ship Hector. Eniwetok also has an AG and AKE. In six days AFRD-1 and escort will pull into Eniwetok.

Santee can make Eniwetok in 4 days, or Wake in five days which is safer, and then closer to Pearl. Her flight deck is also OOC

Minor damage on another dozen ships. I also have a couple damaged ships, including two mortally wounded LSTs left behind to maybe finish unloading their supplies.

I've released/scooted my four fast BBS with escorts to Wake which has two AKEs and an AR. The heavies will rearm, then meet/escort a reserve Amphib carrying another Infantry Division en route to Tinian.

Did the Japanese expand Soerabaja's dry dock? It starts out as 7 or 8 K and could not take Canberra for float repairs.

BBFanBoy,

I lucked out, Java, particularly Soerabaja, never fell entirely to the Empire. My "Rebel" STFs shot up/sank dozens and dozens of Japanese transports etc as they closed the Java coast. The Empire did finally make multiple landings. I was able to throw our "undocumented" visitors in a couple minor landings on the SE end of Java back into the sea easily enough. But the Imperial hoards did take the NE half of Java, and it took the combined Allies a long long time to finally evict them; largely because I cut them off from seabourne support.

Back to Canberra, wholly wack a molely - I forgot I moved my AR out of Soerbaja up to Balikpapan for Operation Snookerdoodle. Well. My wee Dutch AR is headed back now, but lQQks like Canberra and a couple escorts have a trip back to Columbo in their near future. My thanks sir.

21 Nov 43

Operation Forager, D-Day +10

No significant losses, or gains for that matter, on Tinian and Guam. At least as pertaining to ground units. On the naval side, the following additional vessels have been lost at near Guam:

AK Ascella
LST-16
LST-21
LST-23

At Eniwetok, CVL Belleau Wood is now nestled inside of AFRD-1 with current damage 55 Sys, 17 Flt, 6 Eng. But she might get the boot, predicated if Indy stays afloat. and/or shares the nest. The AFRD is rated at 55,000 tons and CVEs tip the scales around 10K each. I reckon we will sea if I can stuff two into the AFRD. CVL Independence is 2 or 3 days out with 16 Sys, 79 Flt, and 9 Eng damage. Corsairs from Eniwetok have assumed CAP for Indy, relieving CVL Princeton's diminutive CVTF. Princeton needs some minor repairs herself, and to rebuild her halved F6F Squadron but not at Eniwetok; probably Wake or farther east.

Further SW, Ponape Fwd Base now has a Level 5 Airfield (with a Level 3 Port) and B-24s based there have started limited strat bombing of Truk's Airfield. Limited means only 24 Liberators are currently avail, but more are coming.

Speaking of Wake, CVE Santee arrived without incident, as well as three well shot up LSTs. They will all be hustled down to Pearl in a few days.

Essex, along with veteran Lady Lex plus their escort of CAs and DDs, is currently providing local CAP over Guam/Tinian. A report stated IJN Kates were noted attacking shipping of the Landing Force a few days earlier during a lapse in Carrier CAS. This would still be a bad time for the USN if any long absent IJN Carrier decides to make a guest star appearance.

Also approaching Tinian is the 2nd wave of the Forager Amphib Assault, including 40th US ID and Seabees. It is covered by CVEs Copahee and Breton, each with 20ish F6Fs. The Landing Force includes Standard BBs Maryland, Tennessee, New Mexico and Mississippi. Escorting more Seabees, the returning Amphib HQ, and Base Force units is the relieving Fast CVTF, including CV Bunker Hill, CVLs Cowpens and Monterrey plus Fast BBs North Carolina, Washington, South Dakota and Indiana.

30 Nov 43

There is a new USN CVTF in action in the BTO. Having used the Northwest Passage, it's heavies now include CVs Hornet, Yorktown II, Lexington II, and BBs Massachusetts and Alabama. During it's transit to Batavia, through the Malacca Strait, it's combat debut included being a bandit magnet and sinking several small ships. Two notable ships sunk were a pair of medium tankers near Kota Bharu on the far side of Malaya.

Allied forces made a surprise attack on the IJN unit, NE of Oosthaven, and during a morning shock attack, wiped it out. This leaves only the far most cities of Sabang down to Medan of Sumatra in Japanese hands.

There is a rather annoying IJN TF that has made two additional night sorties into Palembang out of Singapore. It has now sunk a pair of Commonwealth medium tankers with both escorting destroyers as well as a pair of very valuable British AKVs. It is presumed to have also knocked HMAS Canberra about.

The USN has suffered another CVE loss. While transitting NE through the Makassar Strait, six torpedo wakes were sighted by USS Suwanee of Taffy One. Too slow to get out of their way, Suwanee was hit by three torpedoes, and she quickly sank. A vigorous ASW attack was launched, but the submarine escaped. Two days later, a three ship ASW HK TF was hunting in the same area between Balikpapan and Donggala. Suddenly, destroyer escort HMS Electra sighted and avoided two torpedoes. Again, a vigorous counterattack was launched. During the attack, Japanese Submarine I-160 surfaced, showing signs of damage, and chose to fight it out on the surface. The submarine was sent back to the deep, permanently. (Side note. A very strange and slightly haunting sound bite played as I-160 sank. Definitely not the usual gurgle, gurgle with voices. Don't recall hearing it before.)

At Auckland, there was another submarine attack, but the torpedoes missed. Destroyer Escort USS Ward attacked the intruder, but there was no evidence of any sinking. And there was another submarine attack off the coast of Victoria. This time, US destroyers, PBYs, and Canadian Cansos (aka Canook PBYs) joined forces. Post War records would show this was Japanese submarine I-4's last patrol zone, presumed lost.

Taffy One, minus Suwanee, with CVEs Chenango and Sangamon, were patrolling in the southern part of the Celebes Sea, keeping watch for the Aussie operations at Kendari. Recon from RAAF Catalinas at Kendari reported enemy shipping in and near Ternate. Taffy One altered course to attack. RAAF Mitchell bombers also flying out of Kendari reported hits on two coastal tankers. Taffy One did not make contact, but must have flushed the IJN vessels south. USN PBYs from VP-52 and 101 out of Koepang found and sank several small freighters/tankers and two small escorts near Ambon over the next few days.

To close out November, another bit of bad news for the US Submarines blockading Japan. Submarine Whale, reported numerous depth charges exploding near USS Runner's patrol area, after Runner had made a contact report. Again, a sudden and effective attack and Runner is now listed overdue, presumed lost. (Side note. Again the sound bite which brings to mind a sub sinking into the depths, yikes.)

30 Nov 1943 Stats

Allied base points: 12,219
Japanese base pts: 4,843

Allied a/c pts lost: 6,828
[End of Oct 43] 6,175
IJA/IJN a/c pts lost: 14,185
[End of Oct 43] 13,329

*@700 Allied and @800 IJN/IJA aircraft points increases over last month from Marianas Blood Bath and Bangkok Escalation. This includes at least a dozen US 4E and as well as many twin engine bomber losses. If memory serves, each point represents an engine of a downed plane.

Allied Army loss pts: 12,070
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 9,346

Allied Ships sunk: 325
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 2,514

IJN Ships sunk: 1,662
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 18,437

Political pts: 3782

Japanese score: 26,255
Allied score: 53,903

Yes, the submarine sinking sounds are different since the crew is highly unlikely to escape into the water, which I consider the surface ship sinking sounds as either water lapping softly at the beach with or without people n the water playing and having fun. Rather, it is more like creaking doors at Halloween which are the bulkheads giving way along with the hull deforming.

Instead of loading tankers at Palembang, use Osthaven near the Sunda Straits (which formed around 500 AD after one volcano blew up) to load fuel as well as any other port nearby.. You can sometimes get some oil there as well but you may have to "prime the pump" by unloading a load of oil there, then have small tankers in a CS tanker TFs set to load it, bringing it to Java where it can either be used or loaded onto larger tankers.

Tinian Liberated!

08 Dec 43

So, with two years into the war, the tide has obviously turned. Tinian, in the Marianas, has been declared officially secure. The harbor facilities in Agana as well as airfields on Guam are in the hands of the US Marines and Army, though the fighting is ongoing on Guam. There are still four US (1 USMC, 3 USA Reg Inf) Infantry Divisions fighting on Guam and Rota. More Seabees, two Base Forces, and an Air HQ are en route. Six CVEs have been doing their jobs as air ferries. Three have flown off fighter replacement squadrons to Essex Class CV Bunker Hill, and CVLs Cowpens, and Monterrey. Three other CVEs flew their fighter detachments off to Tinian and Guam. The Dets will recombine, one each on Guam and Tinian, but those two squadrons will be on the clock; as no Aviation base personnel have yet been landed. So damaged birds will be sitting ducks, and losses can not be replaced until sufficient supplies stockpile. But as I noted above, these resources are on their way. have also rerouted the Amphib HQ TF back to Tinian in support of the forthcoming Saipan Invasion, as well as to coordinate troop/equipment replacements.

In the DEI, Makassar has been liberated by Australian forces. But the base is a wrecked mess, pretty much unusable as is. No wonder after numerous air raids and shore bombardments over the past year. The most recent of which was at the hands of temporary loaned battleships, Massachusetts and Alabama; using 16" HE ammo with "use by Christmas 43" dates. New future job site for the Bees of the 47th NCR.

Operating SE of Port Blair, TF 13, (Taffy 6) including USS Wasp, HMS Hermes and HMS Battler, has been providing air cover for cargo transports along the NE coast of Malaysia. Battler, though the slowest, has an enormous refueling ability. Finishing one patrol, Taffy 6 temporarily detached its heavy escorts to bombard Sebang. This bombardment proved to be very damaging after a BDA Recon flyover. Speaking of flyovers, Allied Bombers from Port Blair have started Strat bombing Bangkok's airfields with 70+ aircraft, mostly B-17s and B-24s.

With regards to B-24s, a third Squadron of the long legged warbirds has found roost in NavFac Ponape. RADAR vectoring from Ponape, Eniwetok and Wake has determined occasional Betty flights flying out of Wotje in the Marshalls. Wotje just moved into the sights of Ponape's B-24s. There is way too much scattered/damaged/largely unescorted shipping between Guam and Eniwetok/Wake/Pearl to tempt Bettys etc.

Down in the Solomon Sea, TF 34 with Enterprise, Yorktown and Saratoga is investigating two Coastwatcher sightings of Japanese Carrier Hosho.

There have been frequent IJN submarine sightings in all theaters. Although now with literally hundreds of AKs available there still seems a large lack of escorts to go around. But thanks to the amazing US shipyards the situation is improving. A dozen new DDs/DEs are accompanying various ships to Aden via the Northwest Passage. Additionally another two dozen DDs/DEs are sprinkled between USA EC and NAVFAC Balboa. They will form up with new capital ships as they get commissioned and get deployment orders.

Suggestions:

1) Fly in some Aviation Support to Guam and Tinian. Air HQs would be good for this, especially if you are planning to use those bases for strategic bombers.

2) Make some very large Cargo and Transport TFs of 100 ships each of pretty much the same class and speed such as the Liberty and Victory ships. They can have some escorts but also follow a lower numbered ASW TF. Any combat ships with float planes can fly Naval Search if they are also going to war AND in with those TFs, If the enemy has Glen aircraft on subs doing Naval Search, the Float Planes can also do a percentage of CAP as well. If you have enough Float Planes with experienced pilots, put some on Night Naval Search as well.

Bump to remind myself to read this later

Not far East of Singapore, HMS Trespasser at periscope depth.


"Fire One!...Fire Two!, Down scope. Officer of the Watch, prepare to dive!", ordered the Executive officer.

Climbing up the ladder well, into the Control room, Trespasser's Commanding Officer suddenly barked "What the devil is going on! Number one, who are we shooting at!"

"Just sighted and snap fired at Japanese I-Boat running on the surface...I believe we missed Captain", explained Number One.

"I have Control, dive the ship, make depth 100 feet, rig for silent running, all ahead two thirds!" ordered the Captain. A series of aye ayes answered his orders.

"Commander, are you quite sure it was Japanese?", the Captain asked. "His Majesty has several subs about, the Dutch likewise have some mucking about, the Yanks have more submarines here than Piccadilly has pubs, indeed the Admiralty has reported even Jerry U-boats are in this area! Diving Officer, level the ship out as she comes to 100 feet. Sounding Petty Officer, report all contacts!"

"Leveling out at 100 feet, aye aye Captain ".

"Slow, to ahead one third."

"Slow to ahead one third, aye, sir".

"No contacts Captain!"

"Very well", said the Captain.

"Quite sure, Captain, very distinct sail silhouette, older class," answered the Executive Officer.

"Well", sighed the Captain, "at least it wasn't another whale. Number One, you have Control. You may secure from Action Stations as you please, resume our patrol pattern, carry on."

"Aye, aye Sir."

Thus both Trespasser and I-122 live to fight another day.


31 Dec 1943

In the Marianas, the islands of Rota and Guam have been liberated and secured. Very busy skies. Japanese planes continue attacking US shipping in the Marianas despite heavy losses. IJA/IJN aircraft include Kates, Sonia and Bettys - with fighter escort. Fighters must be coming from Saipan and/or Pagan.

In the BTO, Indian and British forces have crawled their way down the Malay peninsula, and have just liberated Kota Bharu. But, this may have been a trap. A Japanese ground unit, from God only knows where, snuck in and retook vacant Singora - cutting off the head of the Allied drive south from any possible supplies. Need to sort this out.

The Singapore IJN Ghost fleet has struck again - and perhaps for the last time. While unloading in Palembang at night, British cargo ships Mahout (12 pts), Marland (12) and Samcalia (13) were sunk by the IJN marauders, which once again evaded the Allied Naval escort. But the interlopers took too long to do their work this time. In the morning, USN TBF Avengers flying out of Pelambang found the Japanese as they ran for Singapore. CA Kako (40 pts), and CL Yahigi (30) were sunk by torpedoes, with the screening destroyers being too evasive for torpedoes. HMAS Australia's guardships finally showed up sinking DD Shiokaze (6). And to finish the action, USN Helldivers, also out of Pelambang found the beautiful brand new DD Shimakaze (12 pts). Hit with eleven very explosive thousand-pound bombs, her short career was abruptly ended.

- - - - - -

Two years ago, the Allied Navies had four (?) USN Fleet carriers with the Brits having a mixed bag of three (?) fleet carriers and HMS Hermes. The IJN had at more than a dozen carriers of different sizes.

CVL HMS Hermes is still fighting, assisted now with CVE HMS Battler. The USN presently has six older CVs, five new Essex Class CVs, seven CVLs (two under repair*), and 18 CVEs (one under repair), with CVEs Suwanee and Casablanca sunk.

There are three CVs (Sara, York and Big "E" working out of Sydney, as well as Hornet, Lex II, York II and two CVEs working out of Java and Wasp supporting the Royal Navy out of Columbo.

I don't know how many IJN carriers are still at large, at least one for sure - the diminutive Hosho - which has been sighted in the Solomons. What I do know is the IJN carrier fleet has been wrecked with the sinking of eight CVs, six CVLs and two CVEs. But I am operating with the mindset more enemy carriers could strike from anywhere.

*CVL Independence is in AFRD-1 moored at Eniwetok with 16 sys, 56 Flt and 6 Eng damage.

Stats as of 31 Dec 43

Allied A/C pts lost: 7,281
IJA/IJN A/C pts lost: 14,774

Allied Army loss pts: 12,201
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 10,270

Allied Ships sunk: 339
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 2,687

IJN Ships sunk: 1,717
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 18,866

Political pts: 4120

Japanese score: 26,900
Allied score: 56,594

And for perspective, snapshot of Allied PTO submarine force(s).

Allied Subs on patrol, enroute and/or repairing:

137 US Subs plus SST Argonaut
(with 46 homeported out of Soerabaja and Pelambang)
16 Dutch
11 British

Sunk
USS S-36
USS Spearfish
USS Porpoise (3 IJN DD kills)
USS Halibut
USS Runner
Dutch KVIII
Dutch KXII

No exact count at the moment, but several warships and hundreds of Marus sunk by Allied Subs to date.

15 Jan 44

The 14th Indian ID, turning north, has retaken Singora so the Allies can resume their drive south, wherever that may lead. In support of that quest, the USN has dropped the 184th USAAF Base Force and so far, part of the 43rd NCR into Kota Bharu. This will turn KB into a proper support (and if necessary evacuation) base. The Aussie 9th ID is making sure they are not disturbed. So far that is a combined 109 engineers. Britain's Operation Mailfist seem to be taking on a life of it's own.

To the east, HMS Canberra is two days out from Columbo to sort out her damage. Back in the DEI, escort carrier USS Sangamon and company are limping to Soerabaja. While on Bandit Magnet Patrol, her escort let a Betty through, which hit the carrier with a torpedo. Nice coincidence as AFRD-2's group is finally just about a week out from Soerabaja. That will make exactly three months of transit from West Coast, USA.

Back up in the Marianas, D-Day for Saipan should happen in the next day or so, depending on troop loading. PB4Ys, out of Guam, have flown recon over both Iwo Jima and the island of Babeldaob, north and west of Guam respectively. I will likely bypass Pagan, for now. Then it is probably Babeldaob's turn for USN Amphib Assault. A few USN CVs, including Bunker Hill, are overdue for (10 day) AA refits. I want to get them finished b4 setting sights on and setting course for Iwo.

A bit south, I really want to get CVL Independence out of Eniwetok (AFDB-1). Seems very exposed, although no bandits have been seen in a month or so. But Indy still has 54 floatation damage. My guess is six sys and one float damage get repaired - per week! So another month (?) before I boot her out towards Pearl. Speaking of Pearl, AFDB-3 is about halfway to Pearl, though I will likely herd it to Guam, via Midway, then Wake.

On the topic of damage control, submarine Snook is back on the line. Just to make sure, she is on Breadcrumb Duty taking supplies to Allied ports on the East coast of the Malay Peninsula. Usually this is a milk run. Tell this to the Yard Master at Soeabaja. Two subs in company on the way home from a milk run, collided and so, yeah. They will be off line for about a week. This is getting more accomplished than normal war patrols. Over a dozen boats have returned for fuel, without firing a single torpedo. Open season on Marus is definitely slim on targets. Might have to reduce blockading islands/ports and tighten patrols near Japan.

Of note, intel from China indicates Japan is using a new bomber, it has been given code name Peggy.

Carriers and Battleships lost to date 31 JAN 1944

Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawai'i
CINCPAC HQ

"Thank you Sergeant", said ADM Nimitz's Admin Chief after signing for classified message traffic.

"Admiral, Flash traffic from HYPO, it's been decoded," said the Chief.

"Read it chief", said the admiral.

"From Wasp, bird strike, sierra india delta, break, mike tango foxtrot," said the chief. "That's all, sir."

"Situation in doubt, more to follow," mused Nimitz. "Wasp got hit by aircraft, doesn't sound good," Nimitz said.

02 Feb 44

Land the landing force, away all boats! went out the orders. So began the taking of Saipan from Japan. And immediately, things started to go awry. I've launched several Amphib assaults to date and never saw some of this (non-combat) weirdness. LCI-83 ripped up her bottom while landing, LST-29 broke her back (keel) while landing, etc. Some good news, though. The Japanese naval fortresses on Tinian and Guam badly shot up several of my transports. But at Saipan, the supporting/escorting warships absorbed all the defensive fire so far. Something else new to this amphib assault is U.S. Marine 708th Amphibious Tanks. So far, they seem to be doing their job.

U.S. Navy fleet submarines have renewed their campaign closer to mainland Japan. But, so far, no confirmed sinkings. However, IJN ASW patrols have jumped Wahoo, Pogey, and Robalo. Wahoo and Pogey got off lightly. Robalo, on the other hand, has been critically hurt with 70 flotation damage as well as severe damage to engines and systems. She was diverted from patrol back to her homeport of Wake. Now she is heading to Guam, though she's looking at long odds of making it there. There are no naval services at Guam yet, except two small AVPs. And Japanese planes still occasionally buzz Tinian, Rota, and Guam. But Guam does have a beach, which is somewhat dryer than the bottom of the Mariana's Trench.

In the BTO, the Allies won a great land battle at Lashio. Due to being greatly outnumbered, over the last 18 months or so, there has been little Allied action aside from frantic Allied engineering efforts. In the past week, the 4th MarDiv and the 11th (East African) Division rumbled into Lashio, up from Rangoon. The fresh divisions were joined a couple of days later by the IV Indian Corps HQ. This is the first Allied HQ to join this fray. With fingers crossed, the whistles were blown. Amazingly, the IJA was routed! My second or third thought was wondering if the Burma road is now open? IJA troops are still adjacent, but the railway in/through Lashio is open. Ground losses of Japan and the Allies are nearing parity.

Down south, Wasp's Task Force was patrolling in the Andaman Sea, SE of Port Blair, providing aircover for local shipping as well as drawing off IJA twin-engine bombers. But a communications mix-up led to Wasp's 40 Hellcats escorting an airstrike on Sabang's airfield, while 9 Wildcats and 6 Marlet IVs from HMS Hermes provided CAP for the carrier group. Then the Betty's (from Sabang) came in, low and fast. Wasp absorbed three torpedo hits from the first wave, and then she was hit by four more from the second wave, albeit one did not explode.

Wasp is a mess. Speed 4. Severe engine damage and floatation damage at 72. And flightdeck OOC, maybe because no steam?Curiously, part of the group escort is USS Birmingham, as if she was destined as in real life with Princeton to provide assistance to a crippled carrier. Hopefully, things go better for Wasp than Princeton.

So. Wasp's fighters scattered in handfuls to Port Blair (PB). Similarly, I then sent Hermes' F4 types to PB and sorteed 16 of Wasp's F6Fs back out to replace them on Hermes for CAP. I set PB'S P-51As as long-range escorts for Wasp - though it might be one or two days before Wasp can get under their umbrella, predicated she doesn't sink. I also set all PBs B-25s and B-24s for airfield strike at Sabang. The US bombers might get chewed up, but Wasp needs a diversion, and any results will persist. Then I formed up a Support TF out-of Columbo, including Columbo's heavy AR HMS Artifex, bound for PB. Lots of crossed fingers.

Carrier ops are suspended when total damage to the carrier is over 99 points. I hope you are not dealing with fires on Wasp too - that will increase the system damage and absorb some of the flood control efforts so she would be even more likely to sink. Also, no way Wasp should survive 6 torp hits - there must have been some FOW in those combat results.
For initial repair efforts, put in to Pt. Blair immediately and put the carrier in stand-down or pierside mode. Not moving greatly reduces the chances of flooding increasing and even allows the crew to start pumping out some of the minor flood damage.

Bring the AR to the carrier. Do not try to move the carrier to Colombo until the system damage is lowered under 50 for sure, but preferably under 30. When you do move her, use Cruise speed, not Mission speed. The latter allows the carrier to increase to full speed if there is a threat, and that is deadly to flooding repairs. Accept that Wasp may be off-line for months before you can even move her. At this point you are trying to prevent the VPs loss from her sinking, not get her back in the fight.

Move the planes off of the carrier once it reaches port. Move in Naval support to help with repairs as well.

If it is in readiness mode, it can flee if necessary but in pierside mode it will get help with repairs. Be careful of night port strikes if the daytime is secured.

04 Feb 44

Sub Wars, Battle Stars, and the beginning of the Divine Wind.

Japanese defense has collapsed on Saipan. All airfields and the port fly the American Flag. However, there are still several IJA units present with thousands of troops that still bear arms. Seabees have traded their carbines for tools of construction, and have started rehabilitation of facilities. I plan on using shock tactics with other infantry, armor and arty over the next few days to officially secure Saipan.

The combined Marianas are starting to pull together as a Frontline base. AVDs USS McFarland and USS Thornton moored at Guam the day before the 12 PBYs of VP-34 and VP-72 settled into Apra Harbor, all the while enemy aircraft are still flying overhead. A few days later, the modern AV USS Curtiss arrived in Tinian with a light escort. For starters, she will be the mothership to the 17 Kingfishers of VS-49 transferred up from Ponape; flying in the day after Curtiss arrived.

Multiple support ships have also arrived. An overwhelmed AKE has been reinforced with AE USS Red Jacket. These two are going to get really busy, real soon. Likewise, two AGs, an AD, an AR, and an AS have moored among Guam and Tinian. AFRD-1 has been ordered up from Eniwetok to Guam, and AFRD-3 from Wake to Tinian. Base Units, HQs, and more Seabees are all enroute to the Marianas. As an aside, I've located several AE/AS/AR types, which are overdue refits. I even found a smallish AK in Alaskan waters, more than a year past due an AKE refit. More than a dozen loaded AKs are bringing in supplies to the Marianas, while a handful of tankers are bringing in lots of fuel. Two tankers are unloading, one at Guam, the other at Tinian, each with a solitary destroyer for defense. This reminds me of an incident about a week ago. A handful of Japanese aircraft flew into each Guam and Tinian, likely from Pagan. Also, on that day, I had an AK unloading emergency fuel at Tinian and a fleet tanker unloading at Guam. Despite each port flying @36 F6s as CAP/escorts, the raiders hit their targets. But not in a conventional way. One Sonia dove directly into the AK, and another Sonia, after being damaged by CAP, dove into the tanker. Boom! Both ships sank. One sank immediately, the other a few days after the strike. WTF?

US Fleet Sub Robalo has drifted in with the tide at Guam and has initiated the ancient art of careening. Basically, half rolling onto her side literally on the beach, to de-water and coordinate repairs with AS USS Orion until AFRD-1 arrives. Continuing the Pacific Sub War, US Submarine S-39 fired a torpedo at a small Maru, only to find out it was a PB/ASW escort. Brutally mauled, S-39 is limping towards Pelambang, prospects not looking good. Near Singapore, US Fleet Sub Sailfish correctly identified a small IJN Patrol Boat and sank escort W-28 with torpedoes.

Just east of Singapore, again.
IJN Submarine I-122, is stalking a small Allied task force. Her captain believes he has a battleship in his view.

"Dózo, Dózo...Hée!"

"Híte!" And three torpedoes were fired, at light cruiser USS Denver.

A few weeks earlier, a small Allied Amphibious task force was landing the 184th USAAF Base Force at Kota Bharu. But the AK, bearing a pair of mule-stubborn RADAR units and their operators, could not be fully unloaded. The Amphib group was recalled as the risk to the ships outweighed any utilitarian value of the RADAR unit and a small amount of supplies. Now the RADAR units and balance of the Base Force were loaded on AMC HMS Hector, guarded/screened by Denver, a DD, and two APDs - destination Kota Bharu.

Incredibly, I-122's torpedoes all missed. This most likely having not taken into account the differences in speed, size and draft - through a periscope - between a battleship and light cruiser. Denver's escorts all pounced. Some oil and debris floated up, while all escorts expended all their ASW ammunition. The Allied TF resumed course, and delivered it's cargo without further incident or stubbornness.

I-122 suffered damage to her engines, her forward torpedo tubes, etc, but would live to see another sunrise, again.

A bit further north, USS Wasp and friends, have crawled a few hexes closer to Port Blair (PB) - about halfway between where the aerial attack happened and PB. Some engine damage has been repaired by the crew, but floatation damage has increased a few points. Likewise, HMS Artifex's relief/rescue TF is about half-way between Columbo and PB. But no Japanese aircraft have been sighted overhead for two days, which is good news indeed.

Back at the West Coast of the US, venerable battleship California has finally rejoined the fleet after being nearly sunk. She is the last of the BBs, that were damaged at Pearl @25 months ago, to finish her airstrike damage repairs; including refitting. She and "standard" battleships Arizona and Pennsylvania are the only USN BBs, which have been in commision since the attack on Pearl, having earned only a single Battle Star.

Coincidentally, on the day Seattle's Yard Master booted California out of dry dock, two new US battleships have also joined the Pacific Fleet. Brand new fast battleships Iowa and New Jersey, along with their escort of six new Fletcher Class DDs, inchopped to the Pacific. They are speeding to their new homeport of Pearl Harbor.

Finally, something frightening happened at Rangoon, late in the day of February 4th, just as I felt things were settling down and a small convoy was docking. A handful of Japanese aircraft swooped into the anchorage through three different fighter groups providing CAP. Solo twin-engine bombers, each targeted a separate target, and just like the Marianas, dove without warning, straight down into the ships.

xAP Filleigh - Heavy (red) system damage, medium float and eng damage - on fire
xAP Waiotapu - same as above
DE Cauvery - medium system, light eng and heavy (65) floatation damage. On fire
xAK Tarantia - heavy damage across the board - ablaze.
Rangoon has no AR, no Shipyard, I don't think there is even any naval support.

Fahrvergnugen!

[As an aside, I was both irritated and amazed how the game designer brought the Divine Wind into play as 1944 has opened. To date, I have not yet read or watched any other WITP-AE AAR featuring Kamikaze attacks. Impressive, and as noted - irritating. Grrrr]

If a Japanese aircraft is mortally wounded, it may crash into a ship no matter the date. You might want to consider having a low CAP.

I would not shock attack with infantry at Saipan, maybe just the armour if that. Or just attack with the armour especially if the Japanese have few if any guns but have the other units bombard.