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ORIGINAL: aztez

The game date is 8th of January 1942
 
 
Few intresting developments.

Japanese navy has seized the allied base at Wake Island. The good thing is that our shore batteries fired and damaged quite a few enemy ships.

In Borneo the base at Brunei was lost. ABDA airforce managed to hit few transports with their bombs and torpedoes. No enemy ships confirmed sunk though.

In China 1 Division, 1 Brigade, 1 Chemical warfare unit and 2 supporting engineer units were routed North of Canton! These troops retreated back to Canton.

Also South of Homan Chinese troops routed an enemy Tank Brigade and forced it to retreat.

I will post the current air to air losses once the next turn arrives.

Skyland: SS Surcouf have not yet entered the war. I will keep you informed.

Update from Japanese High Command
 
Brunei was taken by amphibious landing with few losses...oil facilities are intact and will soon be producing fuel and oil for the Empire. Allied forces retreated to Miri and are being hotly pursued by two Naval Guard units.
 
Combined Fleet disputes Allied reports of extensive damage to the Wake Island invasion force. Operation Wild Storm is a success.
 
Allied airpower over Singapore is surprisingly effective, P40s doing very good work against Oscars and even Zeroes in the lsat few days. Several of our units have tired pilots who apparently need a rest. All allied air power has been evacuated from the Phillipines apparently.
 
Tavoy has been seized by the 1st Combined Division and supporting tank regiment.
 
Chinese armies making an aggressive push in the Canton area. Aztez is adopting a forward defense apparently in this area to keep me off balance.
 
Big land battle shaping up in the Clark Field area.

ORIGINAL: Skyland

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

P,S Cambronne ! Imperial guard commander at waterloo? or was there another i'm not aware of ? pls enlighten me , love to learn new stuff.

Yes, he replied with a famous word to a British General who ask him to surrender [;)]

Ah THAT word [;)].. ok i stand corrected and retract my earlier comment on white flags
no offense intended.

The current game date is 16th of January 1942
 
 
Imperial navy launched an invasion againts Kuching. Those poor Dutch defenders did not stand an chance. The good thing was that I managed to damage few transports with my Destroyer TF.

Japanese army is pushing forward in Malaya and Burma. Last turn enemy launched an massive airstrike againts Singapore. Our pilots did very well.

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
G3M Nell x 99

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 49
P-40E Warhawk x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 15 destroyed, 3 damaged
G3M Nell: 36 destroyed, 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 9 destroyed, 18 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed, 21 damaged

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
G3M Nell x 64

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 33
P-40E Warhawk x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 5 destroyed, 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Runway hits 2


In Luzon the battle of Clark Field has begun. Allied forces repulsed the initial ground assault but I wonder how long we can hold on.

At China the Operation Rainbow was halted at Canton. The city was too well fortified in order to capture it swiftly.

As promised here is an screenshot from the overall air to air losses...

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

ORIGINAL: Skyland

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

P,S Cambronne ! Imperial guard commander at waterloo? or was there another i'm not aware of ? pls enlighten me , love to learn new stuff.

Yes, he replied with a famous word to a British General who ask him to surrender [;)]

Ah THAT word [;)].. ok i stand corrected and retract my earlier comment on white flags
no offense intended.

Supposedly there's some dispute about this. According to some sources, Cambronne had already surrendered himself to the English.

Game date 20th of January 1942
 
 
Allied HQ launched an succesfull airstrike againts Kuching. (See below) These strikes were launched from diffrent airbases around the DEI region. This target became available few days back when this base showed up with significant amount of Zero's and Bombers. Needless to say I decieded to deal with this swiftly and once and for all since Kuching did now have any supporting airfields to protect it.
 
 
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 8
Wellington III x 14
Martin 139 x 14
Hudson I x 13
B-17C Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 6 destroyed
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 48
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 7
B-17E Fortress x 77

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Martin 139 x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 11
Martin 139 x 13
Hudson I x 13
B-17C Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 50


The result of this battle has brought a diplomacy efforts on both sides which we need to agree on. (Next turn there will not be massive raids againts Kuching)

FDR stated that is not histrorical to have 4E bomber raids this early. That remains open for discussion. One thing for sure that I have no intention of destroying enemy Resource centers before 1943 begins thus giving Japanese a chance of producing aircraft and such. If I would go againts these centers than game over sooner than later.

Why I'am reluctant of giving too much leeway regarding airfield/naval strikes. Well, it is obvious that +100 Betty's will do massive harm to my carriers if given a chance because of the reduced accuracy ratings for fighters.

Thus meaning I need to scrap the quite a few plans I already have etc. I do intend to make it hard life for the Japanese anyway possible  but not with gamey moves.

My concern here was that an airstrike with 100 B-17s wasn't really historically possible in January 1942, and that the mod tweaks which reduce air-to-air lethality make such raids very difficult to defend against with CAP. At the same time it is also true that Bettys will have the same benefit, so we are sticking with the status quo for now. I appreciate Aztez's restraint regarding bombing of resource centers as well.

Yeah, I will not bomb any resource centers until the game enters 1943. I think that would be "unfair" in this circumstances. Not to say that I wohn't bomb everything else into oblivion though! [:D][:D] ...if I get an chance that is.

We have in place the 50 x per airfield size houserule. Which will prevent quite a lot of things.

I can confirm that none of BB's hit at Pearl Harbour were sunk. This is indeed good news. Some of them are damaged but the fleet should be battle ready sooner than I expected it. I can reveal this since these ships are in safe harbours either repairing or waiting orders.

There are several things happening behind the curtain. These will become obvious to the Japanese once the time is right. I'am in no rush to hurry things up.

Last turn Operation Hawk was commenced. Hopefully the Japanese fleet received some damage. If I'am lucky some Cruisers or even BB's were damaged.

I would love that more frontline fighters at my disposal but that naturally is not the case just yet. So, I'am trying to fight it out with maxium firepower available at this early date.

Personally I'am trying to adopt an flexible and aggressive defense in key areas. The battle of attrition is the key. So far I'am pleased how things have played out. Asiatic fleet and ABDA navy are almost wiped out but these guys went out guns blazing! Actually more than I expected them to do.

In Malaya & Luzon Japanese are very strong. I have counted huge armies in both places. Time will tell whether they are able seize the victory fast. I will do my utmost not to let this happen.

I can guarantee to FDR and all the readers that the blood bath has not even begun yet.

The mod includes the historical Japanese commerce raiders built on freighter hulls. One of them, Amagi Maru, prowling off the coast of Eastern Australia, was recently intercepted by another mod addition, the Australian cruiser Sydney....amazingly, they sank each other....just like in real life when the real life Sydney was sunk by a German commerce raider in a mutually fatal action!! 

Game date is 28th of January 1942


As FDR described above sometimes Witp meets History! [:D] ...I can confirm that CL Sydney was lost in naval action near Sydney.

Operation Whirlwind has been in motion! The intention is to destroy Japanese airbase at Kuantan in Malaya. The initial strike caused me heavy losses but lets hope the final Chapter will cause Japanese even more harm.

At Luzon allied forces have repulsed 2 ground assaults from the enemy at Clark Field. Situation is not good but NOT desperate either.

Japanese army is about to enter Singapore. The "main" force is now just 60 miles North of the base. I think enemy has more than 30 units currently in Malaya.

In Burma Rangoon is doomed. The bad news is that 2 UK Brigades were circled and destroyed at Moulmein.

Here is an score from late January. I think the main thing is to note high aircraft losses for both sides.

Operation Inazuma (Lightning) is in motion....
 
Fierce Allied resistance continues at Clark Field. The allies have snuck some freighters past the blockade to supply Manila but they are being pounded by dive bombers flying from Vigan. Measures to prevent further blockade running are being taken.

Operation Whirlwind - The Final Chapter
 
 
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 24,47
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
Ki-27 Nate x 23
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 54
 
Allied aircraft
T.IVa x 5
P-40B Tomahawk x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 27
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 4 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 10 destroyed, 7 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Kinu
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuantan , at 24,47
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
Ki-27 Nate x 25
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 49
 
Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 8
Wellington III x 15
Hudson I x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 37
B-17C Fortress x 9
B-17E Fortress x 74
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 9 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 26 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 25 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
968 casualties reported
 
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 35
 
 
That was the planned assault. At least these kind  of battles should do much harm to the Japanese pilot pools. The air to air losses were +50 aircraft shot down. My bombers also destroyed +40 aircraft on the ground.
 
Overall I'am happy with the results.
 
In China we routed 2 enemy divisions and few brigades. These troops were forced to retreat into Kaifeng. This operation was also an success.
 
As FDR stated enemy divebombers hit few transports near Manila. No comment whether these ships had already unloaded or not.
 
A lot of things are moving ahead as planned. Stay tuned.

The current date is 2nd of February
 
 
Enemy has launched couple shock assaults at Clark Field. These assaults were repulsed.
 
In Singapore overwhelming amount of Japanese fighters have fought againts brave allied airforce. In the end Japanese are gaining upperhand there. The losses however have been big for both sides. I'am particulary pleased amount of Zero's shot down.
 
Japanese have started landings at Rabaul, Davao and Menado. I did expect these assaults earlier.
 
Otherwise everything is "calm".

The Good: We seem to have established air superiority over Singapore. Losses in airframes were high, but fortunately most of our pilot losses were in the 'not well trained' category and we still have a strong cadre of 70-80 exp. pilots to fall back on.
 
The Bad: Landings at Menado, Davao, and Rabaul are not going well, despite shore bombardment, appropriate prep points, and lots of supply....too few troops may have been committed and resistance is stiffer than expected.
 
The Ugly: I'm moving too slow. Never having played Japan at the start of a PBEM game before, and my inexperience is showing. My economy is doing well but I have to get faster and more aggressive.

The current game date is 11th of February 1942
 
 
The ground assaults in Clark Field continue. So far I have been able to repulse the Japanese juggernaught.
 
In Malaya Japanese have entered the hex in Singapore. Lets see how long I can hold on here.
 
KB has launched few airstrikes againts Port Moresby. Thus meaning the invasion will propably start soon. The allied troops defending Rabaul finally surrendered.
 
In Borneo allied airforce visited Kuching base. Here are the results...
 
 
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
 
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 8
Hudson I x 9
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 4 destroyed
Hudson I: 9 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
 
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 23
Hudson I x 8
B-17C Fortress x 6
B-17E Fortress x 82
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
G3M Nell: 3 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 3 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 14 destroyed
Hudson I: 3 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 18 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
 
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
 
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 7
Martin 139 x 22
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Martin 139: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
 
Runway hits 2
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
 
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Hudson I x 3
B-17C Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 41
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 3 destroyed
G3M Nell: 3 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 6 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
B-17C Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
 
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24

We have now reached the date of 27th of February 1942
 
 
Currently big ground combat action is taking place in Singapore and Manila. The brave allied soldiers are making these bases their final Alamo.

Allied airforce has bombed enemy airfields at Borneo. Particulary at Kuching.

KB is lurking in South Pacific. Port Moresby and Lae has been seized by the enemy.

Overall enemy offensive action is intensive at DEI and Luzon. Maybe the need of resources is building up?

Here is the score at the moment. Aircraft losses are piling up for both sides.

The type of aircraft lost up to date.

The game date is 5th March 1942
 
 
As recon planes indicated there were enemy operations ongoing in DEI. I did try to contest few of these and hit couple of enemy CA's at Tarakan. This ofcourse if the reports were not FOW. The cruisers reportedly hit were CA Nachi and CA Myoko.

Landings took place at Palempang, Tarakan, Singkep Island and Toboali.
 

Manila and Singapore are still on allied hands.

Here are the major combat reports regarding this.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 20,55

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
CA Ashigara
CL Yura, Shell hits 3
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 2
DD Usugumo
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
CL Celebes
DD Barker, Shell hits 2,  on fire
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 1
DD Parrott, Shell hits 5,  on fire
DD Whipple, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Fortune, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 20,55


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
C.XI-W: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
CA Ashigara
CL Yura, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Ikazuchi
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri
DD Sagiri,  on fire
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
CL Celebes, Shell hits 31, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Barker, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Parrott, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61
 

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Ryoyu Maru #21, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61
 

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 11


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire

Cruisers Myoko and Nachi are OK...
 
However, CVL Zuiho took 24 bombs (!!!!) from B-17s flying at 15,000 feet and sank.
 
24 bombs! Wow. The Allies must have Superman or Flash Gordon operating that Norden Bombsight...

ORIGINAL: FDRLincoln

Cruisers Myoko and Nachi are OK...

However, CVL Zuiho took 24 bombs (!!!!) from B-17s flying at 15,000 feet and sank.

24 bombs! Wow. The Allies must have Superman or Flash Gordon operating that Norden Bombsight...

Oh.. there are no Flash Gordons [:D] ...However I did upgrade the bombing crew commanders etc and since we needed some shipwrecks for the scuba divers CVL Zuiho had to go! [;)]

More to come... That I can promise!

Btw, where do want duel with US Carriers.... I'am open to suggestions! Oh, and the fleet is ready to go!... wait... has it already sailed???

Since Myoko and Nachi are ok... I can say that CL Celebes is also safe among other ships.

Currently at work. I will try to do a turn later on!