Forlorn Hopes: The Japanese Respond

[Big B]

Good luck (watch out for those new USN trained Great White Sharks, Feb 42-Jul 42[:D])
Seriously though, it's not radically different...what with AE coming up - then we will see some new mods[;)]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Thanks Brian!

[ny59giants]

Guys,
I have used the email addresses from John's latest PMs to us all to send out 2 PMs.
The first was potential House Rules. Please review and forward any changes.
The second was the newest version of the mod v1.5. I have installed my copy. Please let me know if you need help getting yours up and running.
Michael

[John 3rd]

I just wanted to share that I managed to install Brian's 1.5 Versions without ANY help!  Just doing that (for me) is a victory unto itself.

Let Dan know that I am up-and-running.  Asked him to resend the last turn we played which was the April 1, 1944 turn.  Should get at least one or two in tomorrow as I continue working on our 2x2 game.  Will start a new AAR with that.

[John 3rd]

Brian:

Can we upgrade to the 1.5 an existing game?  If I Dan and I do that will it screw things up?

[n01487477]

I'm not 100% sure, but I thought that all the scenario data was contained in the save file, and it only uses the scenario files when you initially create a new scenario game. So therefore, you should be alright using a different mod version on your game with Dan as long as the map and phex file are the same for both.

Looking forward to the 2X2 game and AAR ... good luck guys

Remember to fill out those air groups [;)]

Who is looking after production ? John let me know when you want me to give you some help if you need it with Tracker...

[Big B]

Hi John,

No - once a game is started you cannot change scenario data, so I'm afraid the option to update is an Official Matrix Only prerogative.

Only Matrix has the capability to change on-going game stats.

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Brian:

Can we upgrade to the 1.5 an existing game?  If I Dan and I do that will it screw things up?

[John 3rd]

Damian--I want to install tracker.  Where is the download site and what do I do?  I WILL get it done today!

Brian--Thanks for letting me know the answer to that.  Will a 1.4 Mod (Dan and I's be impacted if I've upgraded the rest?

I'm opening the AAR right now and since I haven't gotten any feedback for a title, I will use the Heading of "The First Team."  Those books are some of the finest history I've read in quite a while.  We'll (hopefully) honor Lundstrom with this choice!

Dan just sent me the turn from late-November when we last got one in so we should be playing again in just a bit.

[Big B]

Brian--Thanks for letting me know the answer to that. Will a 1.4 Mod (Dan and I's be impacted if I've upgraded the rest?

No, your game with Dan will remain unchanged.[:)]

[John 3rd]

Good!  I am getting ready to run Dan's turn now.

[John 3rd]

I have gotten everything taken care of with new computer and internet so Dan and I got going again last night.  We got two turns in today and so I will update the AAR after I get some sleep.  It is my intention for the next few weeks to try and play 2-3 turns a day and really get moving again.  It willbe depressing but let us see how far we can get prior to 2009!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
April 1-3, 1944

The three week long hiatus in Dan and I's game finally ends yesterday as we get a pair of turns in.  Life is pretty exciting for Japan but I begin to see glimmers of possibility within a couple of theatres that just days ago were is pretty bad shape.  I'll go around the Pacific for the update:

North Pacific
Umnak
Dan begins a major landing at Umnak in the Aleutians.  Starting on the 1st a group of six TF begins dropping off soldiers from the 41st Inf Div, 4 RCT, and a FA Regiment.  There are very troops of any significance in the Aleutians right now.  The Americans attack on the 3rd and a 4-1 against Fort 9 Defenders.  There is about 1,000 Inf and one Base Force present on the island.

I choose to not respond whatsoever to this backwater theatre.  If Dan wants to take these islands back then that will take time and I like that.  Let the Americans recapture Dutch Harbor, Kiska, and Attu.  To do that will require at least 4-8 weeks pending on additional forces used.

Kuriles
The Americans have begun working on expanding their hold here.  There isn't much that I am willing to do.  Paramushiro Jima has strong Forts, a stout garrision, and supplies still over 10,000.  Considering the Fortresses here, a landing would be quite costly and I would welcome that event.  The Island just NE of Hokkaido would also be a target but it is in a similar situation to Paramushiro Jima.  I don't have much CD based here but there is enough to make it a costly proposition. 

Sakhalin
There has been move ship movement out of here in the last days.  I won't do anything major in response.  The fight is elsewhere...

Central Pacific
I have decided to withdraw another pair of Brigades located at Pagan and Marcus for redeployment.  About a week ago I pulled a Brigade from Saipan and it will arrive at Legaspi, Phil on about the 5th.  The units pulled from Pagan and Marcus will be droppoed off at Luzon, Formosa, or Okinawa.  Japanese HQ hasn't made a decision as to where at the moment.

South Pacific
Rarotonga
The Rarotonga Invasion Force is about halfway to its target.  I have let the 200 Betty/Frances in the Society Islands rest for the last two days and ordered them back into the fray for April 4th.  Two Daitai are hitting the AF and 4 Daitai will hit troops.  I expect the landing to occur on April 7th.  I move my CVs up to refuel on the 4th and they will move in once the Invasion Force is discovered.  It should be interesting.  I've done recon every day for the last month and know that there are 3 units on the island with one of them being a large Base Force.  Consistent Intel says 7,000 troops and low Forts.  Since the island was grabbed, I have kept the AF damaged and so I don't expect the Forts to be more then 1 or 2. 

Truk
I have a major CV TF arrive at Truk on the 3rd.  It refuels and heads SE towards Suva to support the Rarotonga Invasion Force and will then do some training by hunting Allied convoys.  These CVs have the worst trained Japanese air groups and they need some real experience.

Logistics
Considering my supply and fuel state, I have spent most of the last two months of gametime slowly leaching fuel and supply to allow these moves to occur.  I have cached about 30,000 Fuel at Truk and Suva with about 50,000 in AO/TK moving around to keep these levels up.  Supplies have been a bit more dicey but I am in OK shape there. 

DEI
Eastern DEI
The Time for Japanese in Australia will end on April 4, 1944.  Nearly 20 Australian units have arrived at darwin where a small BF fragment of 1,500 men have 150,000 Aussies RIGHT WHERE THEY WANT THEM!  [:D]   Japanese defense is completely reset with troops safely digging in at Amboina, Lautem, Dili-Dili, Koepang, Kendari, and Makassar.  The Allies were quite considerate in allowing me to withdraw the final 100,000 Japanese troops from Australia.  We'll wait and see if Dan intends to launch Amphib attacks from Darwin.  Considering all the Political Points he has lost over the last two months, I find this to be fairly doubtful...

Central DEI
Java is beginning to receive troops from my evacuation from Saigon.  I've got about 300 planes here upgrading and training.

Western DEI
Palembang continues to fully function without interference!  Another convoy carrying 50,000 oil and 50,000 resources leaves the port on the 3rd.  I have about 125 Fighters flying CAP here.  The Allies have show no interest in attacking whatsoever.

SS
There must be at least 25 Allied SS patroling between Saigon and Soerabaja.  I have shifted a decent amount of LBA over to ASW Attack.  Allied SS were hit once on both the 2nd and 3rd.  There are three ASW TF patroling around the area right now and they damaged an SS on the 2nd.

Indochina
The Allies have shown no inclination to move south from Hue.  I cannot understand why Dan has stopped!  After the lose of all those troops at Haiphong, I am in no condition to resist a move from Hue to Cam Rahn Bay.  My most badly damaged units are evacuating from Saigon without Allied LBA interference.  Nearly 150 Fighters protect this vital Port.

Rahaeng falls on April 2nd after I evacuate it.  I will fight a delaying action at Pisanluke with a Brigade, HQ unit, and small Base Force.

There are three Divisional Combat Commands moving overland east from the hex just east of Tavoy.  They are crawling eastwards at only 2-3 miles a day.  I hoped to hold on long enough to save these valuable troops.  There are five Allied units in the same hex as these Combat Commands and they have made no effort to attack.

My holding action west of Bangkok continues to occupy the dozen or so Allied units there.  In a contining theme, Dan doesn't attack them.  His LBA is hitting the troops here every day.

Malaya
Johore Bharu
The resistance in this hex FINALLY ends on April 3rd when the entire 14th Indian Division surrenders!  Japan grabs 9,000 Prisoners of War.  [8D][8D][8D]  This surrender immediately opens the supply valve to units north of the position.  I am sure that Dan had no idea that my troops were starving with supplies stuck down in Singapore!  Thankfully those supplies now move northwards.

The surrender opens up nearly 1,200 AS worth of troops for operations.  I order soldiers to move up towards Georgetown and Malacca.  Once they reach these hexes (which should allow me to hold them indefinately) I will see what happens.  This surrender at least provides me a chance to extend the defence of Malaya for a while.  I will still evacuate the most badly damaged troops from Singapore to Java so they can rebuild.

Georgetown
The Allied troops there are sitting tight (Thank God) and don't appear to be interested in moving.  My evacuation from Alor Star and Singora now appears to be wat too fast!  Troops will move back into these hexes tomorrow.  If Dan doesn't want to exploit the success of the landing then I will fight for every base until forced out.

Air Action
There are only a few Allied fighters flying CAP at Georgetown and I have two small Jill raids hit 4 AK that are unloading there.  Hoping for another day of success, I move a good number of planes into the area to conduct strikes on the 4th.  We'll see if the planes fly and do anything.  It seems to be worth the risk if his Fighter strength doesn't change.

Fleet
With Johore Bharu getting cleared out, I disband all my warships that have been running bombardments and let them rest and repair at Singapore.  I have a large fuel convoy arrive at Kuching carrying 48,000 fuel.  I decide to split it so 24,000 unloads there and the aother 24,000 heads for Singapore.  This should be enough for me to refuel all of my warships in Singapore and provide me a location for refueling with nearly 40,000 fuel stockpiled in it.

Home Islands
4EB Raids
Takamatsu (4/2)--30 Tony take on 104 4EB and manage to influict enough damage for all but 27 to abort their attacks.  I lose 2 Tony for 4 4EB and damage to 31 more.  This raid hits 9 Resources in the hex.

Aomori (4/2)--18 Jacks take on 35 P-38 and 127 4EB from Sakhalin.  This is far roughter due to the limited number of planes my CAP puts up (should have been 3-4 times that) and the damned P-38 escort.  I lose 12 Jacks and 54 Resources. 

These attempts at hitting Resources are worrisome but as my Retired Economics Minister would note--they are the WRONG TARGET!  It should be Oil, Oil, Oil...

I got a brand new Fleet DD on the 1st and it arrives at Nagasaki on the 3rd.  If they get about 10-12 days of decent reapirs I will have a substantial TF ready o move out in the form of 1 BC, 3 CA, 2 CL, and about 10 DD.  All these ships (except new construction) were badly damaged when the Americans landed in northern Japan.

Economy
Tracker
SINCE I AM NOW USING TRACKER---Had to say that Damian and Michael!  [:D][:D][:D]  I see where I have supply issues in the HOme Islands.  There are three convoys on the way from DEI to Japan.  Instead of having them land at Nagasaki, I order them to land at points along the north coast of Japan to drop off oil and resources.  We'll see if that helps.

Fighter Production
I shift about 60 Tony over to Tojo to begin conversation to that airframe.  As the shift occurs it should help with my Army Fighter issues as well as set-up a quick conversion into Frank production when that valuable plane comes on line.

Warship Construction
Reality sets in that the 4 Japanese CV I have accelerated will be of little use so I shift them back to normal and, in a few days (Tracker help), will accelerate a variety of DDs.

Merchant Construction
I shutdwon about 50% of my merchant shipyarrds and will stop building on all AK for the rest of the war.  AO and TK will continue.  After a few days I shoudl begin to see some improvement in my HI stockpile and perhaps see faster repairs to engine plants and other things.


Summation
I felt that things were done when Georgetown and Hue fell but Dan isn't taking advantage of his success so I am getting some breathing space.  This won't last long but I will try to take advantage of it and see if I can extend my defense some in this vital area. 

The surrender at Johore Bharu adds a huge amount of hope to my Malaya situation so we'll see if I can use those freed up troops to buttress the Japanese line for a while.

[ny59giants]

No more excuses on your economy allowed. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Michael--I am running the morning Dan turn right now and will send it to you so we can walk through some Tracker questions.

[John 3rd]

How does one actually USE all this info??!!  [:D][8D][:D]

I just went through oil and resources finding them in a number of places that I need to move ships to so I can bring it home.

Went through Air Leaders for my Daitai and Sentai, CV and Surface Captains, and Generals to improve my various ships and units.

Damian---This is AMAZING work!

BANZAI!!!    [&o][&o][&o]

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
April 4-7, 1944

The Japanese are in high spirits having gotten four turns done today with Mister Roper!  Dan was happy as all Hell and so was I.  I have to admit that this is the first time in ages when four days have gone by with minor Japanese successes and NO failures!  Of course that means I just jinxed the whole thing now...

North Pacific
Aleutians
The Americans take Unmak and drive the Japanese troops from the AF on the 5th.  The troops are surrounded on the 7th.  I still possess Cold Harbor, Amchitka, and Kiska.

Kuriles
Dan is staging some sort of diversion around Kunashiri.  A group of CVs, STF, and some APs move out from Sakhalin and act like they intend to land at this base.  The Bombardment TF led by the New Jersey shells the Japanese base on the 6th for little results.  The CD responds with heavy and accurate fire that sinks two US DDs and cripples another!  [:D][:D][:D]  The New Jersey is hit six times and the four escorting CLs all take hits too...

No landings take place (at least yet)...

Central Pacific
Pagan
Five AP arrive and begin loading the 2nd South Seas Detachment (a Regiment) for delivery to Formosa. 

South Pacific
Operation Phantom Wind
My invasion of Rarotonga begins on April 7th.  None of my TF are spotted prior to that day and the American garrision watches in stunned wonder as they get hit with the normal 150 or so Betty from Bora Bora AND nearly 170 Carrier-Based planes!  I order nearly all my Zeros to strafe (48 Z) and 114 Dive Bombers to pound the troops on the island.  When the planes move off, they leave behind nearly 400 Casualties.  To the stunned disbelief, the 52nd Naval Base Force watches a procession of 30+ AP drop anchor and calmly begin unloading troops.  Surprise is total...

We'll see if I can do this for a last hurrah!

DEI
Eastern DEI
Everything is set for whatever the Allies want to do.  April 4, 1944 sees the last Japanese soldier die on the Australian shore.  The Japanese still possess all the towns along the coast west of Darwin but no troops hold them.

Central DEI
The Allied SS in this area are getting hit by LBA and ASW nearly every day.  There are 4 good ASW Attacks and two LBA hits on SS within this arena.  The Lionfish sinks on April 6th.  I'm moving more ASW assets into the area north of Soerabaja to continue this trend.

Troops from Saigon are landing at Batavia.  Two blasted Infantry Divisions and elements of a Tank Division are being offloaded with more to come.

Western DEI
I have a large resource/oil TF assembling at Jesselton right now.  With Tracker I found a group of bases with a lot more resources and oil then I thought.  I figure the convoy will sail on about the 10th with nearly 150,000 resources and 200,000 oil.

Indochina
No sign of movement south of Hue by the Chinese Hordes.  I cannot believe my luck with that!  I am leisurely pulling badly damaged units out of Saigon with no aerial opposition.

Malaya
Thinking that the campaign in Malaya was finished when Georgetown fell, I had withdrawn from Alor Star.  When Allied resistance at Johore Bharu ended right after that, I decided there was a chance I might be able to hold for a while longer.  Unfortunately Alot Star was empty.  I don't think that Dan noticed because there were no Japanese troops there from the 4th-6th.  Four units move back in to hold it on the 7th.

The big news over the last four days in this theatre has been the renewed Japanese aerial and naval campaign.  Flying CAP over Georgetown has never been more the 25 planes during this time.  Several large and small Japanese strikes have gotten through to good effect.  Numerous AKs were hit:  7 AK on the 4th, 10 AK on the 5th, 2 AK on the 6th, and 2 more AK on the 7th.  Beyond this damage was a strike at the British Fleet SE of Sabang.  A strike of 8 Tony, 8 Lily and 20 Jill sweep over a STF holding the BB Queen Elizabeth and venerable BC Repulse.  I cannot tell you how many times I have hit that BC over the last THREE years!  This day finds two Torps slam into her with DD Pakenham taking another.  Though I lose 8 TB for the effort it does have effect since I think this TF was going to provide cover at Georgetown.

While my air attacks were drawing attention and damaging ships I decided to take a risk and throw a STF out of Singapore and aim it at Georgetown.  The problem was that my ships couldn't do the attack in one day.  I chose to form a STF of 2 CA, 2 CL, and 6 DDand send it halfway up the strait to disband and then reform for the final assault.  The ships made it to Kuala Lumpur only to get hit by nearly 50 Liberators before they could disband.  CA Myoko and CL Yura each take several bombs.  I order them back to Singapore and press on with my suicidal assault.  Little did I know that the TF with Repulse was to cover my target!

Early in the evening of April 6/7, my remaining ships (CA Takao, CL Oyodo, and 5 DD) enter the harbor without the Allies having a single warship present!  The turkey shoot commences as guns and torpedo attacks ring out for the next 90 minutes.  The fast-moving TF sinks 2 AK, then 2 more, encounters a group of 4 AK--sinking 1 with another sinking later in the day, and finally nailing 3 more AK as they exit the harbor at full speed.  Nine AK are sunk and the warships manage to get all the way down to Johore Bharu before Allied planes find them.  Nearly 60 Tony fly CAP over the TF and no Allied planes elect to attack.  Excepting the damage to my CA and CL from bombing I am very happy to score an actual victory this late in the game!

This four day period sees Dan lose 9 AK with another 20 damaged by air attack.  He HAS to run low on AK at some point...

Home Islands
Sapporo
Sakhalin's aerial forces strike this AF on the 4th and 5th to cover the naval demonstration near Kunashiri.  I'll wager that Dan is mighty curious as to why I haven't responded strongly to his attack on Umnak as well as his demonstration in the Kuriles.

There are no other Home Islands raids during these days.

Reinforcements
In just a few days I get a massive set of reinforcements!  The Home Islands will receive (I think) 7 Infantry Divisions and 1 Brigade.  This should fix it so I do not have to worry about an assault by the Americans anytime soon.  The irony is that the Home Islands were wide open for attack after Iwo Jima was taken and even more so when Hokkaido and Sakhalin were grabbed.  That window of opportunity has now closed.  Japan proper will be in very good shape once these troops arrive. 

 

[John 3rd]

I cannot believe that I have allowed the AAR to slip to page two! Dan and I have been getting the turns cranked out. I am ten days behind in the action and need to get caught up fast. As I work on the update, this is the current picture of Malaya/Indochina/Sumatra:

[John 3rd]

Dan is moving another HUGE Invasion Force into the Marshalls. It appears that Eniwetok is the primary target. I may have a little surprise for him:

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
April 8-17, 1944

Things continue on at a torrid pace.  The Malaya-Sumatra-Indochina Theatre remains the primary focus but other areas are highly active.  There is action WAY down south at Rarotonga, approaching action at Eniwetok, and possible action at Paramushiro Jima in the frozen north.  Very wide-ranging events with some victoiries as well as defeats for the Empire of Japan.

North Pacific
After getting stung by CD at Kunashiri, an American TF centered around BB New Jersy moves north and begins pounding Paramushiro Jima.  The attacks occur nearly everyday and are made up of the BB, 2 CA, 4 CL, and 1-2 DD.  I hope to cause some mischief by placing 3 SS in Paramushiro Jima's waters to try to hit 1 or 2 of these targets.

Central Pacific
I have been staging supplies and fuel along a Philippines--Truk--Suva line over the last two months to support my invasion of Rarotonga.  While I have gradually pulled back my outer forces, I have kept a decent amount of Recon aircraft in the area to spot trouble.  On April 12th an Emily flying from Wake picks up a large Invasion Force. 

At first I don't think there is much I can do until I think things through.  I've had nearly 250 bombers hitting Rarotonga for nearly two months.  With its capture these highly experienced planes are freed up.  Another 100+ bombers move in to strengthen the attack force.  Biggest problem is a lack of fighters.  Originally there was a single Sentai of 36 Tony at Truk.  I decide to weaken the Home Islands by moving 36 Zero, 27 Zero, and 48 Jack to Tkyo, then Pagan, to Truk. 

By April 16th it is obvious that Dan's target is Eniwetok.  While litely defended, I (as normal) do not understand this decision.  I have powerful bases at Wake, Truk, and Kwajalein.  A landing here will put a crimp into my planning but I have basically abandoned the SE Pacific now.  My forces are coming back up from their Rarotonga Operation but they can move through Rabaul to wherever I want to place them. 

Operational Chance
As Spock might say "random chance has seemingly operated in our favor."  I've detailed the concentration of Japanese Carrier strength around Rarotonga (1 CV, 2 CVL, and 5 CVE) for that Operation.  What I didn't say was that Akagi/Kaga and 3 CVL (Ryuho, Ryujo, and Shoho) went to join them.  They reach Suva on the 12th (same days as I spot the Allied TF).  Immediate orders are dispatched for a rendezvous at Tarawa of ALL these carriers.  The 19th should see a total force of 3 CV, 5 CVL, and 5 CVE at Tarawa where they will top off their fuel.  Carrying 511 aircraft they will join in the attack with nearly 500 LBA. 

I cannot stop the invasion but I might make the withdrawal EXCEEDINGLY costly. 

South East Pacific
Operation Phantom Wind carries itself off FLAWLESSLY!  My troops unload at Rarotonga on the 8th/9th/10th.  After being hit daily by 150 bombers and then by another 150 CV aircraft, the troops there surrender on the FIRST attack!  The 22nd Inf Div accepts the surrender of 6,300 Allied troops on the 10th.  BANZAI!

As planned, I immediately order all units to be loaded back onto ship and head back to the Central Pacific.  When the Invasion Force bearing down on Eniwetok is spotted on the 12th, I order all convoys to head for Truk.  I take the 35,000 men used in the landing as well as another 10,000 of the Society Island troops.  These troops will seriously help to buttress the defense line.

How about getting an American surrender in April 1944??!!  [8D][:D][8D]

DEI
There are Allied SS everywhere right now!  In the 10 game days of this report my LBA hits 5 SS while ASW TF add another 7 attacks.  Two Allied SS are sunk and another 8 damaged.  This said, the Allied SS are now hitting at least one ship a day despite my best efforts.  Not good.

A huge convoy leaves Jesselton on 12th carrying 152,00 oil and 175,000 resources.  This large convoy will really help things in Japan.  Another convoy is forming up now and should leave on about the 19th.

Malaya--Sumatra--Indochina
April 7th
This area starts and ends with Japanese naval victories.  In the middle is a sad defeat.  We last left off with me hding a STF at Kuala Lumpur.  This STF departs on a suicide mission to hit Goergetown at FULL SPEED.  The force comprises CA Tahao, CL Oyodo, and 5 DD.  To my immense surprise there is nothing guarding the shipping within the harbor!  The Japanese TF, not believing its good luck, attacks and sinks 9 of 12 AK unloading there.  After accomplishing this they head back down the coast of Malaya as fast as possible and reach Johore Bharu by sunrise.  Happily no Allied aircraft hit them and they reach Singapore on the 8th.
 
April 10th
British CVs are spotted escorting another set of AK/AP moving slowly southwards into the strait.

April 12th
It appears to be a supply run to help out the trapped soldiers at Malacca.  I order up two STF led by Ise/Hyuga and Yamato.

April 14th
A wild naval battle is fought off the Malacca Beachhead.  The British SHOULD get their clocks cleaned but don't.  The Japanese send in their two TF (Ise/Hyuga, CA Chikuma, CL Oyodo, and 4 DD AND Yamato, CA Maya/Takao, and 4 DD).  The British TF is comprised of BB Queen Elizabeth, 5 CL, and 15 DD.  First Ise/Huga try to get in--are held off--then the Yamato TF tries to slip by--held off again--and finally Ise/Hyuga fail for the second time.  During this wild gun fight, BB Queen Elizabeth manages to hit Yamato at 10,000 Yds with TEN [:@][X(][:@] 15" sheels that all penetrate!  Horrifically damaged, she is sunk the next day by Abvegers from the Brit CVs who put 4 TTs into her and finish the battlewagon off.  Total losses for the battle end up as BB Yamato and 1 DD sunk with BB Ise badly damaged.  The British lose CL Dauntless and 3 DD with heavy damage to several more CLs and 5-6 DD.  Should note Queen Elizabeth sailed through the action taking only a single 14" shell...

BB Queen Elizabeth of World War One vintage sinks BB Yamato.  Go figure...

April 17th
Having to try and do something I decide to send the least damaged ships against Malacca again.  I knew that there couldn't be TOO much left to defend the convoys after the fight on the 14th.  CAs Maya, Chikuma, Takao, Myoko, CL Oyodo and Yura, and 4 DD clash with the remaining British Escort.  The British are gamely led by CL Glascow with 8 DD.  This time the Japanese armor holds up and the results are delightful to watch!  For no losses the Japanese sink 7 British DDs and cripple Glascow for NO LOSS!  They also nail a group of 3 AK before returning to port.

Summary:
My forces are all damaged and eghausted but the Brits are in about the same shape.  I have a group of 2 CL and 5 DD due to arrive having been repaired at Soerabaja, Cebu, and Manila.  These will bolster my fighting force as I pull 1 CA, 2 CL, and 4 DD out of Singapore to repair at the places I just listed.  The battle goes on...

Ground Action
The Allies finally drive my troops from the hex west of Bangkok and they retreat to that city on the 10th.  The Allies then proceed southwards towards Ban Don.  It appears they are going to bypass Victoria Point which is a dangerous move.  I have two full strength Brigades and a TK Regiment trying to withdraw from there.  a group of 4 units appraoch Ban Don on the 17th just as a fresh Brigade arrives to help the two small construction units defnd it.  Forts are nearly at 8 and it should hold.

I have now pulled at least 6-8 units out of Saigon and Singapore for reconstruction.  Several are already in Java refitting.  I don't have a clue as to how long I can hold but I've cobbled together a defense out of nothing for the 4th or 5th time.  I cannot understand why Dan doesn't go for the throat and just end this by concentrating SOMEWHERE!  Until then I can hold (I hope).

Home Islands
The bombing campaign continues as Dan hits cities and targets their resources.  While worrisome, it is the wrong target and my fighter defense continues to improve as his bomber morale stays very low.  He hits the following targets:  9th--Sapporo, 13th--Osaka, 17th--Hakodate and Akita.  The American 4EB losses stay pretty solid 8-15 per raid while my fighter defense is getting stronger.  I've moved another 150 fighters in from China to add to the defense.  I know that the B-29s cannot be too far away!

Strategy
The above statement leads to me to rethink my strategy.  I've been worried about an invasion of the Home Islands, Okinawa, and Formosa.  With the addition of 7 Inf Div to my Home Islands defense (reinforcements) I can safely say that the Home Islands are safe.  Additionally I feel that the same can be said for Okinawa and Formosa. 

Dan seems stuck on the 'bombing me back into the Stone Age' Philosophy and that means he needs more bases that can fly those darned 4EB.  He will need to make room and to do that he needs a large field for it.  This brings things back to the Marianas.  I've decided to reinforce these Islands with an additional force of 2 Inf Div and another Brigade.  All three bases are still well-supplied, have units 100% prepped, and are Forts 9. 

The only other weak area of my line is Palau--Yap--Truk.  The forces used in the Operation Phantom Wind will go here as well as two Brigades from China and Manchuria. 

If I can get a month of time in, these reinforcements will be stationed where I want them and we shall see what happens.
   

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
April 18-22, 1944

The Allies are on the attack nearly everywhere on the map.  They are attacking in the North Pacific at Paramushiro Jima, Central Pacific at Eniwetok, Exmouth, Australia, and Malaya-Indochina.  One wonders where the hammers will fall next right now!

Of course the Japanese are scheming and looking forward to an attempted counterattack whereever possible!

North Pacific
Paramushiro Jima
Starting on the 19th, 5 Invasion Convoys begin landing 2 Inf Div, 4 RCT, and an Art Regiment.  The island is bombarded everyday day by 2 TF of BBs.  New Jersey anchors one and 4 old BBs the other.  There has been no attack as of yet but it is obvious what shall happen.  The island is defended by 2 Fortresses (who did nothing to the invasion forces landing), 2 partial Brigades, and 2 Base Forces. 

There are very few DDs attached to these units so I move a group of 3 SS towards the hex hoping to get lucky.

Central Pacific
Eniwetok
The Americans continue their landing here and easily (287-1) take the island on the 18th.  The Japanese lose just 1,500 men. 

Wake/Truk/Kwajalein
The Japanese conclude their redeployment of air assets to these three islands.  There are 150 Fighters and 400 TB/Lily/Betty/Frances sitting and ready for attack.  I order an Emily to fly from Wake to Eniwetok to catch CAP strength.  Based on this result I will give the order to attack.  I woudl PREFER to wait for him to move away from the atoll first but we shall see.

Tarawa
The Japanese Carrier Force reaches this island on the 20th and refuels on the 21st.  There isn't enough fuel to top off all the ships tanks but there is enough to conduct operations.  I have two Replennishment TF moving up to Maleolap with 40,000 fuel.  The Carriers shuffle themselves and move up towards Maleolap in preparation for attack.

I divide them as follows:
KB-1----CV Akagi/Kaga, 2 CVL, 2 CL, and 6 DD under command of Yamata (246 Planes)
KB-2----CV Untryu, 3 CVL, CA Tone, 2 CL, and 5 DD under Nagumo (157 Planes)
KB-3-----4 CVE, 1 CL, and 5 DD under Kusaka (108 Planes)

The Marianas
If Dan is going to stage another major invasion to support his 4EB Raids over Japan he MUST land here.  I have loaded the 18th Inf Div at Hakodate and it is heading for Guam.  This Inf Div is elite with Experience at 94 and morale at 91. 

Yap and Palau
More troops are moving to strengthen these islands.  There will be no cheap landings for the Americans anywhere west of Truk.

South Pacific
All the convoys carrying troops from Operation Phantom Wind and the soldiers at Society Islands have now passed Suva and are moving NW towards Truk and Rabaul.  There are nearly 50,000 troops in these convoys and I need them to strengthen Truk, Guam, and Yap.

Australia
A small TF lands at Exmouth disembarking an Aussie Brigade.  It falls on the 21st.  I have my 4 remaining CV refueling at Tarakan when this happens.  Since I am short on fuel (just like the Japanese in the summer of 1944), I detach 2 CV that are fully fueled with escorts in an attempt to destroy this TF.  The Japanese still claim ownerships of all those towns west of Darwin so he will move here.  Maybe I can get in a lick!

DEI
Troops are flowing out of Saigon and Singapore to be sent to Java, Kuching, Brunei, Miri, and Davao. 

I have another large Resource/Oil Convoy forming at Jesselton and it should leave within a few days.

SS Action  I sink KXVIII and see LBA hit 5 SS during this time.  Dan has been using the strait between Java and Sumatra for moving his SS around.  This area is now blockaded by two strong ASW TF and bombers flying out of each side of the strait.  This rachets up on the 22nd so I expect some action pretty quickly.

Malaya--Indochina
Ban Don
The Allies hesitate to attack this base for ONE day and it provides time for me to slip in a Brigade from the south.  I hold the base handily against 4 units.

Victoria Point
I am evacuating this base (2 Brig, 1 TK REg, and support units) and the troops retreat into the rear of the units moving into Ban Don.  I cut their supply line and am working to accomplish something here.

Georgetown
I anxiously watch as the units climb in number at Georgetwon.  There are now 22 Allied units there.  When they move IT WILL BE BAD!  I'll wait a few more days and then withdraw from Ban Don to Alor Star or Kota Bharu.  Don't want to get cutoff!

Singapore
B-29s!!!!
The world offically takes step towards HELL when a force of 90 B-29 hit Singapore on the 19th.  Bankha sends 38 P-38s in a Sweep proceeding the attack.  The base places 107 Tony/Jack/George up to fight.  When the aerial duel resolves, the results are fairly grim:  The Japanese lose 38 Fighters (21 pilots) in exchange for 13 P-38 and 5 B-29 with 31 more damaged.  The attack strikes at shipping in the Port where they hit 8 Ships.  To say that this is ominous is an understatement.

Home Islands
Nagasaki
The Iwo 4EB try to hit this base on 18th.  The AF at Nagasaki put up 74 Fighters versus 122 4EB.  The brawl last FORVER!  In the end, only 2 planes drop their bombs and the rest run for their lives.  In exchange for just 2 Fighters the Americans lose 13 4EB with another 37 Damaged.  Those planes based in Iwo need about 10 days to recoup their morale.

B-29s, Part 2!!!!
On the 21st Sapporo is hit from Sakhalin by a force of 30 P-38 (I TRULY hate that plane) and 194 4EB (including 80 B-29).  With the exception of Hakodate, I am not really contesting the air space over Hokkaido sot hey destroy 120 Resources.  The day that Dan figures out that OIL is my issue then I am sunk!


That be the happenings around the Empire.

 

[tocaff]

Good an insightful AAR John.