A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere

[Cap Mandrake]

South China Sea Maya and escorts, tasked to escort Kaga near Sinkawing, instead run into the retreating DD's from Honky Fidd

Day Time Surface Combat, near Hong Kong at 77,66, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CL Natori
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
DD Scout, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
DD Thanet, Shell hits 19, and is sunk

[Cap Mandrake]

Luzon House rules permitted movement of aircraft in the PI. The Arries do a pretty good job of dispersal
No CAP over Clark either. They are trying to not get all the P-40B's killed on turn 1.

Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
G4M1 Betty x 54

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 4 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 14 damaged
O-47A: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

[Cap Mandrake]

Malaysia Effective raid on Alor Star

Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 4,200 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 52

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 25 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 45

Raid over Georgetwon. The Hoyas are ready. We lose 22 Sallys over Malaysia for the day.

Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 2
Buffalo I x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 13 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6


Imperiarists try to brow up our ships at Mersing. Firecracker exprode harmressry.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3
Buffalo I x 13
Vildebeest III x 9
Hudson I x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Aobasan Maru
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna

Big-ah firecracker brow up on maru. We have more.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Vildebeest III x 2
Wirraway x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ayatosan Maru
AK Sasako Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Kongo

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

[Cap Mandrake]

Force Z This is why Kaga is sitting where she is. The execution frawed. We forget to bring arong Kates

Morning Air attack on TF, near Muntok at 51,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A1 Val x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 15 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 5
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 1

Stringbags from Singers go after Kaga. We fart in general direction.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 55,87

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed

The Netties go after Force Z

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Muntok at 51,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse


Carrier pranes go after rearry skinny battlecruisers in afternoon. D-oh!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Muntok at 52,90

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A1 Val x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
CL Durban, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Now the Kate drivers get out of bunks and attack another rearry skinny battlecruiser even though
a damaged PoW is only 120 m away.[:-]



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Muntok at 51,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Danae, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

[Cap Mandrake]

Amphibious landings at Mersing, Kendari and Rabaul go well.

Landing at Naga goes sluggishry. Curiousry, the SNLF stays on the boats while the air support troops happiry disembark.
I think we will have to suspend landing for a day lest one of the USN cruisers shows up before adequate surface forces arrive.
Probabry the security forces with the ground support troops can take the base tomorrow.

[Cap Mandrake]

********08:28 local time, Dec 7, 1941(d)********


<loud exprosions are heard>

Hirsute USAAF officer <sits upright in bunk, startled awake, looks out window> CLARK! CLARK!!!? Oh, Santa Maria! Not again!

[kaleun]

So we begin.[:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

Where will Force Z go? Singers for air cover? Malacca Strait? For both of those options the BB's at Mersing might be able to intercept the no damaged PoW

More likely toward Batavia.

Kaga still has half her torpedo loadout.

[Cap Mandrake]

Another potential escape route for PoW is out to the Indian Ocean via the strait between Java and Sumatra. However, after 5 or 6 bomb hits, PoW may be slowed. Quite an intersting situation.

What results have people had with a 2nd day of attacks at Pearl?

I am leaning toward allowing the KB to be spotted headed westward then shaking the tail and head SSW to be used as the hammer as we try to bait in the USN carriers to go after transports now headed to Noumea, Fiji, Pago Pago and Canton.

Atacks at Kendari, Naga and Rabaul tomorrow.

[Cap Mandrake]

FYI, I think the Port Hueneme Gambit is out. Too many resources at risk to pursue a moderate chance of success.

Instead we go for isolation of NZ and Oz from the US.

[witpqs]

What results have people had with a 2nd day of attacks at Pearl?

A lot of air losses for KB.

[Cap Mandrake]

5 ft 2 in 17 year old with wispy moustache, hasn't grown 1/4 inch since age 14 1/2, looks like he just came to life after centuries as a Toltec statue: Do you think I will get taller doc?

FAM: I don't think so because you had your growth spurt when you were 12 1/2? (I'm trying to be encouraging but he is almost certainly at his adult height)

Dad: Is there something wrong? Does he need shots?

FAM: Let's find out. How tall are you?

Dad: 5 ft 2.

FAM: And his mom?

Dad: 4 ft 9...or 8 [;)]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

What results have people had with a 2nd day of attacks at Pearl?

A lot of air losses for KB.

That's what I thought. [:)]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Where will Force Z go? Singers for air cover? Malacca Strait? For both of those options the BB's at Mersing might be able to intercept the no damaged PoW

More likely toward Batavia.

Kaga still has half her torpedo loadout.

Too crose for comfort, dude-san. Purr back Kaga, lest she be intercepted on the surface.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

What results have people had with a 2nd day of attacks at Pearl?

I always do 2 days of attacks at Pearl, but then I change the targets too. I send all vals at the airfield on day 1, thus it is thoroughly beat up enough to be safe for day 2 attacks. Then I hit the repair yard for cheap VPs and the port.

Day 2 can have heavier flak losses, but if I usually risk it anyways. You won't have a second chance like this again in the game. Rarely do I run into fighters on day 2 - and then the zeros make quick work of them - easier to kill them in the air than on the ground for the Japanese. Just make sure you have some CAP just incase they get a few bombers in the air.

After Day 2 though you risk the chance that the US CVs might show up and hit your CVs while you're hitting the port. I have never done more than 2 days of Pearl strikes just for this reason.

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
I am leaning toward allowing the KB to be spotted headed westward then shaking the tail and head SSW to be used as the hammer as we try to bait in the USN carriers to go after transports now headed to Noumea, Fiji, Pago Pago and Canton.

I have pulled the KB back from Pearl to refuel and let planes repair and then move 2 CVs between Pearl and the west coast. Sometimes if your opponent is not patient enough they will try to move damaged ships to the west coast for repair and you can easily sink them. But most experienced players wait a month or more before sending anything from Pearl.

[uncivil_servant]

Really dumb question - not trying to hijack the thread but have game operation question in regards to current tactical situation:

In regards to Task Force Z(?) in close relation to the Kaga Air Group Chickenboy said, "Too crose for comfort, dude-san. Purr back Kaga, lest she be intercepted on the surface. "

My understanding of the game is that Surface Combatants are really restricted in acquisition and engagement as the move in the dark, engage if possible, then move during the day but send out scouts AFTER their day movement. the is no reaction allowed should their aircraft spot enemy vessels. Which heavily tilts balance to air forces vs. surface forces. Following each turn I see vessels move, then two rounds of air turns AM and PM.

If the above is true, how can the allied player in this scenario even hope to catch the carrier group as if he:
* Goes to where the Kaga is now the Kaga will not be there and TF Z will likely not know where.
* Goes to area a few hexes south of current Kaga position hoping they guess the exact spot Kaga will go and that their night time movement will leave them there exactly
* Goes well south of Kaga position hoping to catch them post nighttime and daytime naval movements.

It just seems that, even in the close arena of the Java Sea that the kaga group has a huge advantage (except if torpedo bombers get moved and directed to go after her and Kaga's forces are heavily tilted towards supporting offensive actions and not defensive CAP)

If I was the allied player and knew of Kaga's position I might gamble it but would have little confidence whereas if I was the Kaga controller I'd (maybe stupidly) feel confident a wounded TF Z could not accurately guess my exact movement.

Added: As a question was posed as to possible Allied maneuver -If I was the allied player, and my ships could survive it, I'd do a speed run through either of the two straits to get to the IO banking on the fact that the IJE player would likely do a more normal movement as to not overly gamble on one path or the other and also if they did do a full move as well, gambling on one of the two areas, they would be in very close range to bombers/torpedo bombers stationed in Singers or Dutch areas. The dutch bombers might not be much but enough of them flying in very low under CAP only need a lucky hit or two to put Kaga in for repairs making further Java engagements a more surface vs. surface engagement and making the Grand Retreat a little bit easier.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: uncivil_servant

Really dumb question - not trying to hijack the thread but have game operation question in regards to current tactical situation:

In regards to Task Force Z(?) in close relation to the Kaga Air Group Chickenboy said, "Too crose for comfort, dude-san. Purr back Kaga, lest she be intercepted on the surface. "

My understanding of the game is that Surface Combatants are really restricted in acquisition and engagement as the move in the dark, engage if possible, then move during the day but send out scouts AFTER their day movement. the is no reaction allowed should their aircraft spot enemy vessels. Which heavily tilts balance to air forces vs. surface forces. Following each turn I see vessels move, then two rounds of air turns AM and PM.

If the above is true, how can the allied player in this scenario even hope to catch the carrier group as if he:
* Goes to where the Kaga is now the Kaga will not be there and TF Z will likely not know where.
* Goes to area a few hexes south of current Kaga position hoping they guess the exact spot Kaga will go and that their night time movement will leave them there exactly
* Goes well south of Kaga position hoping to catch them post nighttime and daytime naval movements.

It just seems that, even in the close arena of the Java Sea that the kaga group has a huge advantage (except if torpedo bombers get moved and directed to go after her and Kaga's forces are heavily tilted towards supporting offensive actions and not defensive CAP)

If I was the allied player and knew of Kaga's position I might gamble it but would have little confidence whereas if I was the Kaga controller I'd (maybe stupidly) feel confident a wounded TF Z could not accurately guess my exact movement.

Added: As a question was posed as to possible Allied maneuver -If I was the allied player, and my ships could survive it, I'd do a speed run through either of the two straits to get to the IO banking on the fact that the IJE player would likely do a more normal movement as to not overly gamble on one path or the other and also if they did do a full move as well, gambling on one of the two areas, they would be in very close range to bombers/torpedo bombers stationed in Singers or Dutch areas. The dutch bombers might not be much but enough of them flying in very low under CAP only need a lucky hit or two to put Kaga in for repairs making further Java engagements a more surface vs. surface engagement and making the Grand Retreat a little bit easier.

You're mostly right about some of the limitations / restrictions about a prowling SCTF intercepting an air TF at night. The most likely outcome of an attempted intercept would be the attempted interceptors discovered by aircraft in the morning phase and promptly pummeled.

If the Allies were fortunate enough to react into, guess correctly or run through a maneuvering CVTF with a formidable surface force, a disastrous outcome would likely ensue for the carriers. I've sunk an Allied CV with long lances during a daylight intercept. I've had an Allied CVE TF butchered by three IJN DDs showing up at the wrong time and the wrong place. Interestingly enough, the latter caper was pulled off by one Captain Mandrake in the Marianas scenario PBEM. So he's well aware of what can happen in those circumstances.

So my cautionary tale was meant to forestall a less likely but disastrous outcome. It is a minority outcome in this circumstance, but still a notable risk. A definite high risk: high reward prospect for the Allies. In my opinion, a dangerous path for mini-KB.

[Cap Mandrake]

Japan-mens not-ah worried about Force Z. We put-ah sandbags up where captain stay to stop-ah 15 inch rounds. Rook.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
I've had an Allied CVE TF butchered by three IJN DDs showing up at the wrong time and the wrong place. Interestingly enough, the latter caper was pulled off by one Captain Mandrake in the Marianas scenario PBEM. So he's well aware of what can happen in those circumstances.

Haha. Yes. I remember that-ah. Was rearry fun!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Japan-mens not-ah worried about Force Z. We put-ah sandbags up where captain stay to stop-ah 15 inch rounds. Rook.

Are those freshwater eels hung up to dry behind that 100mm battery? Unagi...mmmmm....