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July 14, 1942

Holy CATS! I had sent Junyo--Hiyo--Nisshin--2 CVE down to cover the Carnavon action and they run into FOUR Allied CVs. THe British Illustrious and Formidable with the twin sisters of Yorktown--Hornet. No one spots each other during the morning but we catch each other in the afternoon. FOUR CVs. Crap. OK. Brace and get some alcohol!

Japanese Strike: 34 Zero, 42 Val, and 26 Kate vs 87 Allied F4F/Martlet. Looks bad for the good guys. A bunch of planes fall but the Zeros do their job and get 31 Val/Kate through the CAP. Every Strike Plane goes after the CVs. Very quickly a single Torp strikes BOTH British CVs. Illustrious takes two useless bombs while Hornet gets hit with a bomb as well. At least it did something.

OK. Did something. Those Torp hits will be worrisome.


Allied Strike: 59 Japanese Fighters meet 61 Allied Fighters escorting 85 SBDs. After 8-10 firing passes, the Japanese Fighters pass through the Allied Escorts (those Allied squadron leaders did a piss poor job!) and nearly 40 Zeros get into the SBDs. Nearly 30 fall to the Sea Eagles before they tip into their dives. To clarify--that would mean 55 SBDs get through to attack--YIKES!

The Japanese observer keeps count as he sees 28 of those 55 attack the three Japanese Command Cruisers escorting the carriers. CB Kiba takes 2 1,000lb bombs and is still capable of 25+ Knots. This leaves 27 SBD to drop on the carriers. Junyo: MISSED! Hiyo: MISSED!! Nisshin: MISSED!!! CVE Ibuki: MISSED!!!! CVE: Taiyo: 3 1,000lb bomb hits. Hmmm...
All things being equal, this is pretty damned good in my eyes. What is wrong with the American SBD pilots? Not complaining. Just saying... As the SBDs race away another 8-10 fall to Japanese Zeros.


No Allied TB were spotted during the entire fight. We certainly laid the hurt upon the American DB.

What will he do? He has two CVs that took a Torp. Probably not terrible but it is an issue. The American CVs are OK but their main weapon has been devastated. I bet 60-40 that he lunges for another attack.

Japanese Moves:
1. Fly in another 36 Zero from Broome to augment the Japanese CAP.
2. CVE Taiyo splits off at 18 Knots heading for Broome and passing near Exmouth if needed. Considering 3 1,000lb bombs, damage is not bad at all (SYS 28, Flot 18, ENG 16, and NO FIRES!). Her flightdeck is barely operational.
3. Retire the CTF towards Broome as well fly in a second Betty Daitai and 48 Carrier-Based Zeros from Soryu/Hiryu. Set the combined group to 14 hex strike range.

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

The final disposition of the Hybrids on Dec 7th:

USN CLV Charlotte and Jacksonville (11,500 T) carrying 12 Buffalo and 6 SBD--Conversion to CVL with 36 Planes (18 F and 18 DB)
ANZAC CAV Melbourne and Wellington (9,990 T) carrying 9 Buffalo and 6 Swordfish--Conversion to CVL with 36 Planes (24 F and 12 TB)
Japan CAV Kushiro and Tokachi (16.900 T) carrying 21 Zero, 6 Kate, and 3 Recon Planes--Conversion to CA with 63 Planes (21 Z, 21 DB, 21 TB)

I think there is an error in deck armor of the G6's, as that is not the same as flight deck armor. The hangars would be built ontop of the deck armor. If the Kaga used her deck armor for the flight deck, it would be impervious to bombs.

Hmmmm...

How is this reflected in other warship conversions? These ships carry cruiser armor and so shouldn't that apply to all of them? Am curious about that. I built all of the CLV and CAV like that. If this needs a correction lets hash it out. Anyone?

My opponent truly surprises me this day. He withdraws his TF. Must have done OK with those hits.

Looks like Taiyo is OK. Just passed Exmouth heading to Broome and temporary repairs.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

John, I'm glad you received it! Now, take a look at the address label on the back cover. Is it missing your city, state and zip?

Everything was right and proper Sir.

Let me bring the facts from Editor on the inability to penetrate the G.6 CVL with some bombs.

Belt - Deck - Tower:

G.6 CLV = 140 - 60 - 100
G.6 CV (conversion) = 140 - 60 - 25

Shokaku CVs = 165 - 60 - 25

Akagi Class = 250 - 57 - 25


Indomitable Class = 112 - 75 - 0

Lexington Class = 128 - 50 -50

Yorktown = 100 - 37 - 100

Bombs:
1000 lb SAP = 117mm (penetration)
1000 lb GP = 58mm
500 lb GP = 37mm

250kg SAP = 71mm
800kg SAP = 174mm

*Note*
When you look at the armored deck value (75) of the Brit CV you see the 250kg (71) is not enough to penetrate.

The 1000 lb GP value is 58, so unable to penetrate the deck of the G.6 (60).

Am, I wrong here?

Was gone for the weekend with my wife and I running a marriage retreat for our church. It went well and I am dragging!

Thanks Michael for Posting that. This looks pretty decent to me. Do we have an issue here?

July 17, 1942

It appears the skirmish/battle off Carnavon is over. The Taiyo is a hex from entering Broome. It will, hopefully, disband and repair. The AF has been reinforced with over 100 fighters to provide CAP for WHEN Sean takes a swipe at Broome with B-17s or whatever.

If Taiyo is OK then we end the engagement with Two Brit CVs taking some (hopefully moderate) damage as well as CV Hornet taking a solitary bomb. This will take time for the CVs to repair.

Perhaps the most important event within the engagement is the decimation of the American DB pilots.


Over in Singapore, all six Japanese CVs reach the mid-point of their upgrades. This was the main issue. All six starting heavies are upgrading and are out nearly 45 days. As soon as they are done, we shall seriously think of what to do next AS ONE UNIT.

July 18, 1942
Broome

CVE Taiyo makes it to Port. Pretty good accomplishment considering how many 1,000lb bombs she took. Will stay in Port 10-14 days and then head for Soerabaja and real repairs.

India
July 18, 1942

The enemy tried to surprise the Japanese by attacking the Left Flank. The Allies were allowed to take Cocanada, move towards Viza, and then (WOW!) two full strength ID appear and CRUSH his armor.

Here at Cocanada we see a 19-1 assault that yields +144 Cas, 3 Guns, and a WHOPPING 472 Vehicles.

GOOD work.

NOTE: July 20, 1942 makes the first appearance of the P-38 in the skies over India. On the BRIGHT side half of the eight deployed are shot down...

July 22, 1942
China

I cannot believe China. Have never done serious work here because I HATE LAND WARFARE but things look great. We are now advancing on Chungking. There are two surrounded stacks of Chinese unit (11 and 13 units total) that I intend to destroy and then we'll completely surround the capital and then move in. CRAZY!

This is one direct benefit of the much more frustrating India Campaign. China has no supply. We'll see how it goes.

Any advise in taking the capital?

Have declared the day a mental health day. Plan to watch the funeral, update the AAR and get some turns done...

July 24, 1942
Indian Campaign

The realization that I have about achieved all that I am willing to achieve in India began to settle in on about the 20th of July. My opponent has brought in sooooooo many reinforcements and uses the RRs so well, I cannot knock him out without great sacrifice. Those Railroads are the key and it drives me batty!

Identified BIG units in India:
7th Aussie ID
18th/70th Brit IDs
40th US plus another just arrived (didn't write down its number)
A HUGE AMOUNT of Armor.

I am not giving up. Just have to get somewhat creative.

We tried the RIGHT but the open ground is a killer. Have had the 4th and 5th IDs mangled in two engagements.

The CENTER is tough with Jamshedphur and Asanol being substantially garrisoned with Sz-4/5 Forts.

This leaves the LEFT. Might be a good idea to enlarge the war here. A Japanese version of OPERATION COBRA. Major Units:
1. The 1st and 2nd Japanese Armored Divisions will begin unloading in Calcutta within 3-5 days.
2. The six TK Reg are refitting at Calcutta presently.
3. Three full strength ID are at or near Cocanada.
4. Am Combining the 1st SNLF Para Brigade

As stated earlier, I crushed five Tank units at Cocanada and Viva. Time to move west. We will use the above units to assault Bezwada and then turn north or south (Madras) in a massed attempt to draw reinforcements from the eastern theatre. Once the Offensive gets truly rolling then we shall make another attempt at gaining ground in the CENTER.


This will be Japan's last Offensive Thrust. If it fails, then we shall shift to the defensive and hold the ground as long as possible. We have engineer units moving into the bases from Calutta to Ledo and they will be DIGGING.

The longer I can hold eastern India, the greater the chance to knock out China. Capturing Chungking is the PRIZE!

What's your objective in India?

Here are the remaining Japanese major warships under construction. We have the first Shokaku Kai (Kaimon) coming in prety soon. After that we wait for 1943...

On this turn I accelerated the 1944/45 construction to bring it in in 1943.

When Kaimon is christened, the Kido Butai will be consolidated into four CTF and will meet the next Allied thrust AS ONE UNIT.

Possible targets:
1. Amchitka/Aleutians
2. Canton/Baker
3. CenPac

The Fleet--with AOs--will base out of Kwajalein or Paramushiro Jima. With weather being an issue up north, my personal bet sits at Canton/Baker.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

What's your objective in India?

Hi Dan. Did you see or listen to the funeral?


Two Goals:
1. I wanted to gain the Eastern India cities forming that triangle: Calcutta, Asanol, and Jamshedphur. We've got the prize with Calcutta.

2. Cut China off from supply enabling the massed Offensive that is going so well there.

If we can get Chungking surrounded and then eliminated, I will pull out of India ASAP.

It sounds like you already accomplished your objectives in India, then? If so, what're you doing now? [:)]

I didn't listen to or watch the funeral. I'm at work today - it's my busiest month, due to holiday business volume and a looming deadline for the spring issue. So I didn't pause to pay my respects to President Bush, but I did during his presidency and afterwards. He was a decent man. How about you - did you watch/listen? How was it?

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

It sounds like you already accomplished your objectives in India, then? If so, what're you doing now? [:)]

I didn't listen to or watch the funeral. I'm at work today - it's my busiest month, due to holiday business volume and a looming deadline for the spring issue. So I didn't pause to pay my respects to President Bush, but I did during his presidency and afterwards. He was a decent man. How about you - did you watch/listen? How was it?

I thought it was delightful (in a strange way). I honored the man. I proudly first voted for President Reagan in 1984 and gladly cast my vote for him in 1988. A decent, strong, caring man. A military vet who never forgot about that. Watching the Canadian PM speak was enlightening, Alan Simpson was a funny riot to watch, and Bush 43 was everything an eldest son should be. Very emotional...

Need to hold on to India as long as is reasonable so I can finish China.

Upon consultation with the Economics Minister, we came upon some good ideas.

Am converting 10-12 Standard AKs to TKs. The conversions only take 21 days and can really help move the fuel/oil around. Right now I do not have enough TKs with decent range to haul all my oil/fuel.

We had a good chat about the Japanese Strategic Air Force. I have 2 36 Plane Liz Daitai presently with a 3rd one due in about a month. Am currently building about 24 a month. The planes are not very good, compared to a B-17 or B-24, but they do have a good bomb load and long range. Used them to train up in China until May and then moved them into India. Since then I've nailed AFs and troops with good success. Have decided to actually use them for some DEEP STRIKES to force Sean to defend rear area bases. Am looking at Bombay, Delhi, and several other locations. We're going to hit Ports, Heavy Industry, and anything else that looks good.

As stated many times, I want PERMANENT VP. Doing some Strategic Bombing will help with that.