Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider)

[witpqs]

1941-12-09

Kota Bharu and Aparri fell today.

Fade to an old image much like a black and white movie scene that never quite happened this way but could have... George Kennedy and George C. Scott survey the second day's carnage at Pearl Harbor. As their blood rises in unison, so do their voices: "By God, that's ENOUGH!"

This turn opened with the semi-expected nighttime slaughter of fleeing non-combat vessels from the PI and the DEI. An IJN sub took down an AG out of Singapore, surface combat ships dispatched merchants in and southeast of the Philippines. These burdens continued through the night and day, supplemented by air strikes from sKB southeast of Mindinao. Although sKB itself found several fleeing merchants in the dark and early morning, all were allowed to pass. A night attack on Singapore scored, a tanker went down in the Java Sea, and so on.

Still in the wee hours, at GR 80,94 DDs John D. Ford, Peary, Pillsbury, and Pope found an IJ convoy. Launching a surprise torpedo attack, they sunk two escorts (a DD and TB) and hit two xAKs with gunfire before speeding into the darkness. Slightly to the west they paid for their prize, running into a task force including CAs Haguro and Nachi, CL Nagara, and several DD's. All four were sunk by torpedo and gunfire.

Half a world away, the plan hatched by the two Georges was underway. Three surface combat TF's, scratched together with the best ships available this night, were making all due speed toward the scouted rendezvous point of the KB and its oilers. They would find worthy targets.

With clear skies and 67% moonlight yielding 12,000 yards visibility, CA Minneapolis, CL Detroit, CL Helena, CL Phoenix, DD Cummings, DD Case, DD Conyngham, and DD Shaw steaming in that order slid past an IJN sentry and into the refueling armada. The moment they became visible Minneapolis went berserk, taking multiple CV's under fire. When the sun came up there was little main gun ammo left to count!

Night Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 173,101, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Shell hits 4
CV Hiryu, Shell hits 1
CV Soryu, Shell hits 1
CV Shokaku, Shell hits 1
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Arare, Shell hits 1
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Detroit
CL Helena
CL Phoenix
DD Cummings
DD Case
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shaw




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 67% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Shokaku at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Soryu at 12,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages CV Shokaku at 12,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Cummings at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Chikuma at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Tone at 12,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Kasumi at 12,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Conyngham at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages CV Shokaku at 10,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages CV Soryu at 10,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Shaw at 10,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Arare at 10,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Arare at 10,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages CA Minneapolis at 10,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Case at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Shiranui at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CL Helena engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Hiryu at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Tone at 8,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Shaw at 8,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Conyngham at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Abukuma at 8,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CL Helena engages CV Shokaku at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Soryu at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Hiryu at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CL Helena at 8,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Akigumo at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Tone at 8,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Conyngham at 8,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Cummings at 8,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Case at 8,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Isokaze at 8,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Kagero at 8,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Akigumo at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Soryu at 11,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Hiryu at 11,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Conyngham at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 11,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Arare at 11,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Case at 11,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

On the other side of the IJN formation, DD Bagley, DD Blue, DD Helm, DD Mugford, DD Ralph Talbot, DD Henley, DD Patterson, and DD Jarvis sallied amidst the oilers. Their torpedo attack launched at 9,000 yards was too ambitious, but telling gunfire began at 6,000 yards.

Night Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 173,101, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 2
DD Akebono, Shell hits 2
AO Ken'yo Maru, Shell hits 1
AO Kokuyo Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Kyokuto Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
AO Nippon Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
AO Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
AO Toei Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
AO Toho Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires

Allied Ships
DD Bagley
DD Blue, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Mugford, Shell hits 3
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 3




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 67% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards
DD Jarvis launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Henley launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Mugford launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Henley launches Torpedoes at AO Nippon Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Henley launches Torpedoes at AO Kyokuto Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Jarvis launches Torpedoes at AO Kokuyo Maru at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Jarvis at 6,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amagiri at 6,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 6,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Nippon Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Kyokuto Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Jarvis at 5,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Toho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Ralph Talbot at 5,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Mugford engages AO Nippon Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 5,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Akebono at 5,000 yards
DD Bagley engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Blue at 3,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Patterson at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Akebono at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Amagiri at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Helm at 3,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 3,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Akebono at 3,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Toho Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Toei Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Nippon Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Kyokuto Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Toho Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Toei Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Nippon Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 2,000 yards
DD Bagley engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Akebono at 2,000 yards
DD Mugford engages AO Toei Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages DD Akebono at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Bagley at 2,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages AO Toho Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Helm at 2,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Mugford engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 4,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Helm at 4,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Kyokuto Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Helm at 7,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Amagiri at 7,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Toei Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Nippon Maru at 7,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Shortly thereafter, DD Bagley, DD Mugford, DD Ralph Talbot, DD Henley, DD Patterson, and DD Jarvis found themselves facing a fleeing KB. While low on ammo and overmatched, they pressed home the attack and hit one carrier.

Day Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 172,101, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Shell hits 1
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Arare
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
DD Bagley, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Mugford, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley, Shell hits 1
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 5, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu screened from combat
- escorted by DD Hamakaze , DD Urakaze
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu , CV Kaga screened from combat
- escorted by DD Arare , DD Tanikaze , DD Shiranui ,
DD Isokaze , DD Akigumo
BB Kirishima engages DD Jarvis at 20,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Patterson at 20,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Bagley at 20,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Henley at 20,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Urakaze at 20,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Henley at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu screened from combat
- escorted by DD Isokaze , DD Kagero , DD Akigumo
DD Jarvis engages CV Kaga at 18,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Jarvis at 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Henley at 18,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages CV Kaga at 18,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages DD Bagley at 18,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Jarvis at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Jarvis at 16,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Bagley at 16,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Jarvis at 16,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Tanikaze at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Hamakaze at 14,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages CV Hiryu at 14,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages CV Kaga at 14,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Jarvis at 14,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Mugford at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages CV Zuikaku at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Hamakaze at 11,000 yards
DD Mugford engages CV Soryu at 11,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Mugford at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Jarvis at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Jarvis at 11,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Jarvis at 11,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Arare at 11,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Bagley at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu screened from combat
- escorted by DD Kasumi , DD Arare , DD Akigumo
DD Jarvis engages DD Urakaze at 9,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Patterson at 9,000 yards
DD Jarvis sunk by BB Hiei at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Urakaze at 9,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Bagley at 9,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Tanikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CV Akagi screened from combat
DD Patterson engages CV Zuikaku at 14,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Arare at 14,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mugford at 14,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Bagley at 14,000 yards
DD Mugford engages DD Hamakaze at 14,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 14,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Mugford at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu , CV Kaga screened from combat
- escorted by DD Arare , DD Tanikaze , DD Hamakaze ,
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 18,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Henley at 18,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Mugford at 18,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Patterson at 18,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Urakaze at 18,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Henley at 18,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Bagley at 18,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Isokaze at 18,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mugford at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CV Akagi screened from combat
- escorted by DD Tanikaze
DD Patterson engages CV Kaga at 22,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 22,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Bagley at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
DD Patterson engages CV Kaga at 27,000 yards
DD Henley engages CV Kaga at 27,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Patterson at 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...

The third TF, of 5 DDs, reacted to reports of combat but was unable to make contact.

Six combat vessels were lost this day:
DD Jarvis
DD Gridley
DD John D. Ford
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope

In addition, DD Blue is doomed and DD Mugford is questionable.

Enemy casualties deemed certain are 1 x DD, 1 x TB, 6 x AO (considered doomed by heavy fires with fuel cargo aboard). In addition to other vessels, 4 x CV were hit by gunfire but not seen afire. We can assume that they each have some degree of systems and possibly other damage, but are fully operational. Possibly their need for maintenance has been accelerated, which might affect the overall tempo of operations.

Here is the situation after the night battles:

[witpqs]

1st Combat:

[witpqs]

2nd Combat:

[witpqs]

3rd Combat:

[witpqs]

1941-12-10

Boac and Fuchow fell today. Miri was invaded. Hong Kong withstood a deliberate attack and the defenders dealt out casualties at a 14 to 1 ratio, all disablements. Fires at Pearl Harbor are down to 10.

Several ships were torpedoed in the eastern DEI this day, and several more succumbed to surface attacks in the China Sea and in and around the sourthern Philippines. The British MTB's attacked in earnest around Vigan, but close escort and comabt TF escorts kept them ineffective while devastating their numbers. Only four remain, three will try again while one retires to Manila for repairs.

Those 5 USN DDs ordered toward Johnston Island - Downes, Cassin, Reid, Tucker, and Selfridge - found the last IJN AO near Laysan Island. They set her afire with 3 shell hits, while keeping DD Akebono at bay with 2. They later engaged Akebono again, in daylight, and left her a wreck. A short time later they tangled with DDs Akigumo and Urakaze, leaving the latter fiercely ablaze in return for heavy damage to Cassin. And then again, with more of the same for the same two vicitms. When the smoke cleared, the unseen KB announced that it still rules the daylight. Sunset finds all five DDs gone.

Morning:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 77
B5N2 Kate x 109
D3A1 Val x 109

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Selfridge
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Cassin, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Reid, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Downes

Afternoon:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
B5N2 Kate x 20
D3A1 Val x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Reid, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
DD Downes, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

The size of the morning raid indicates that at least 4 of the KB's carriers have operating flight decks. Due to the lack of fires or serious damage seen from the Minneapolis TF, I must assume that all 6 are fully operational.

Here is a view of the situation in and near the Celebes Sea. Unfortunately, I can not fix the location of sKB. Force Y (USN Cruisers and destroyers) is fully spotted (10/10) and is repositioning. Force D is in position at Ambon and refueling. Force Z is nearing Kendari and must refuel.

[Capt. Harlock]

Enemy casualties deemed certain are 1 x DD, 1 x TB, 6 x AO (considered doomed by heavy fires with fuel cargo aboard). In addition to other vessels, 4 x CV were hit by gunfire but not seen afire. We can assume that they each have some degree of systems and possibly other damage, but are fully operational. Possibly their need for maintenance has been accelerated, which might affect the overall tempo of operations.

Bravo! Let that be a lesson to all greedy IJN fanboys who stay for a second round of Pearl strikes!

[witpqs]

Thanks! [:)]

---

1941-12-11

Miri and Camiguin fell. Guam was invaded. Tsang-Hsien was liberated, cutting a rail line near the Manchuria border. The British MTB's had another go at Vigan, losing 2 of their number but finally sneaking into the transport formation and putting a fatal torpedo into an IJN DMS. Hong Kong held out for another day with roughly even casualties lost to today's deliberate attack.

Enemy I-boats plied their trade well, taking 2 Allied tankers plus other ships. Dutch subs returned the favor to a degree bu hitting 2 merchants and sinking 1 of them.

One of two Val-Zero raids on Jolo became separated from its Zeros, resulting in about 6 Val pilots becoming separated from their planes. On the day a Pete, Alf, and Zero were shot down along with the 6 x Vals for 2 x P-40s. Bombing of Davao was ineffective.

On the overview map below you can see KB's location. It seems fueling of the beast was either preempted or interrupted very early. Manado is threatened and Force D is intercepting.

[aprezto]

The loss of the AOs is not terminal to an attack on Hawaii, but it sure allows you to get some reinforcements to Oahu. I wonder, wonder, wonder if he'll continue (or if he ever actually planned) to take on Hawaii...?

[witpqs]

I really don't know. Even in the first run (of about a week) I saw enough transports to believe there was more than needed for Johnston Island, but maybe the excess was for Palmyra? This time around no transports were seen, merely the fact that KB decided to refuel in close proximity to Hawaii. Just too little information to be sure, and of course that uncertainty is making it a better game! [8D]

The other wild card is the damage to those 4 KB carriers. I am sure it's only light overall, but I don't know if they all took 3% or if one carrier (Kaga with 4 hits plus 1 hit later) has 20% or 30% damage.

[witpqs]

1941-12-12

Forgot to mention yesterday that Aitape was invaded.

Guam, Burias, and Vicotria Point fell today. Sidate was invaded by fast transport, presumably to trap Allied forces at Manado when the landing begins. Lingayan was also invaded. Tang-Shan was liberated, cutting an east-west rail line across the northern plains of China. Hong Kong held out yet again, although the squad disablements are bringing the inevitable nearer. The two operational British MTB's were hunted and sunk by IJN DDs.

The I-boats had another good day. So did S-38, finding a loaded troop carrier:

Sub attack near Babeldaob at 87,93

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuun Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

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

And so did KXVIII covering the approach to Menado:

ASW attack near Siaoe at 77,99

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Hakata Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII

There were other successful sub attacks on both sides. An IJN combat force built around Hibiki escorted by destroyers, cruisers heavy and light, and fast battleships took up residence at Jolo. 4 PG/PC class ships were sunk and the joint USN/Filipino PTs driven off, and merchants sunk. There was no bombardment, so perhaps either ammunition or time was lacking.

Air battles raged over Malaya, the DEI, and the southern Philippines. Buffaloes took it on the chin, but otherwise Allied forces held their own. On Luzon and in China the IJA air forces had their way, bombing selected targets at will.

The area east of the Celebes Sea is alive with IJN contacts. The surprise of the day was provided by the plucky Force D, the Dutch major surface units. In daylight at long range Force D intercepted a vastly superior enemy force, closed with the enemy and gave as good as they got!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 4
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3
CA Maya, Shell hits 4
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 2
CL Kuma, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Kiso, Shell hits 1
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Matsukaze
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 2
CL Tromp, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 1
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 1
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Tromp at 20,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kuma at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Banckert at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Van Nes at 20,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Piet Hein at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DD Van Nes at 14,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Banckert at 14,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Kortenaer at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 9,000 yards
CL Tromp engages CL Kiso at 9,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Witte de With at 9,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Evertsen at 9,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Matsukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Evertsen at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 6,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Java at 6,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Ashigara at 6,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Van Ghent at 6,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kiso at 6,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Matsukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Matsukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Evertsen at 6,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Asakaze at 6,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Van Nes at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Java at 10,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 10,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kiso at 10,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Witte de With at 10,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Matsukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Kortenaer at 10,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Piet Hein at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 12,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL De Ruyter at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Java at 12,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 12,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kiso at 12,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Asakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Yugao at 12,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Matsukaze at 12,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Kortenaer at 12,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Piet Hein at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 15,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL De Ruyter at 15,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 15,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Banckert at 15,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Kuma at 15,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Witte de With at 15,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Piet Hein at 15,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Asakaze at 15,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Piet Hein at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 16,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 16,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 16,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 16,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Asakaze at 16,000 yards
CL Tromp engages CL Kuma at 16,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Piet Hein at 16,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Evertsen at 16,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Asakaze at 16,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages DD Mikazuki at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Java at 20,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Banckert at 20,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Kuma at 20,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Mikazuki at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 21,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Java at 21,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 21,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 21,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 21,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Yugao at 21,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Matsukaze at 21,000 yards
de Meester, J.B. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 22,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CA Ashigara at 22,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Java at 22,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kuma at 20,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Van Ghent at 20,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Tromp at 20,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Matsukaze at 20,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Yugao at 20,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Matsukaze at 20,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Asakaze at 20,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages DD Yugao at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 25,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 25,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Java at 25,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 25,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Van Nes at 25,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Kortenaer at 25,000 yards
Task forces break off...

CL Java and DD Banckert succumbed to their wounds. See the screenie for just how well the other ships held up.

So the might of IJN surface forces is now being brought to bear on the southern Philippines and eastern DEI. My surface forces are in the right theater, but can they derail EHQ's plans? sKB is still located in parts unknown, probably just as desired.

[Capt. Harlock]

CL Java and DD Banckert succumbed to their wounds.

It's certainly a better result than the Battle of the Java Sea. Interesting that there were no torpedo hits (on either side) although the range closed to 6,000 yards.

[witpqs]

I made an error last night when i posted that. I couldn't find CL Java and figured she must have been mortally wounded. Au contraire! Java broke off into an escort TF and remained in Menado hex, the icon hidden underneath two red IJN icons. The indignity!

Here she is, with escort, alive and well. In fact, if they can make it away with out being intercepted Java will live to fight another day.

[witpqs]

1941-12-13

Tuguegarao, San Fernando, Lingayen, Sidate, and Wake Island fell today. Fuchow was liberated.

At Fuchow the Chinese gave the IJA 12th Ind.Mixed Brigade, destroying a goodly number of combat squads.

Ground combat at Fuchow (84,55)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 30098 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1060

Defending force 6207 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 180

Allied adjusted assault: 946

Japanese adjusted defense: 50

Allied assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Fuchow !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1855 casualties reported
Squads: 58 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
846 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
86th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
HKCC Pol. Sect.
23rd Group Army
32nd Group Army

Defending units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade

At Lingayan it was the Allies who took the beating, losing the coastal artillery Bn and taking numerous casualties. Hong Kong held again, but one defending unit was destroyed and fortifications are now gone. Carrier air supported the Wake invasion. Allied bases on Luzon, and ground units in China received the usual effective raids. The bases on Luzon remain prostrate.

The IJN gave lots of attention to the troublesome Allied fighter nests, sweeping Jolo repeatedly. The battle wagons left (sinking 2 x PTs on the way out), however they made an appearance at Cagayan and what an appearance it was! Cagayan had only straggler aircraft remaining, as savvy squadron commanders relocated by sunset yesterday. See the graphic for the present state, but the damage was:

(a pre-bombardment attack)
xAKL Fortuna, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Princess of Negros, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
474 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Manpower hits 5
Fires 2634
Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 149
Port hits 29
Port supply hits 11

S-37 struck a valuable target.

Sub attack near Talaud-eilanden at 83,96

Japanese Ships
AR Yamabiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AR Akashi
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
SS S-37

I-16 visited San Diego but came up dry. She also got away.

The opening combat of the turn was, again, the Dutch Navy. The IJN chose to pursue, and the battle-worthy Force D must have shielded the Java group. The Dutch are having trouble sinking IJN major combatants, but they sure are imposing a lot of yard time on them!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 74,99, Range 10,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CL Kuma
CL Kiso
DD Matsukaze
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 2
CL Tromp, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 2
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With



Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 28% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 10,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
CL Kiso fires at CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
BB Ise fires at CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso fires at DD Kortenaer at 10,000 yards
CL Kuma fires at CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
DD Yugao fires at DD Kortenaer at 10,000 yards
DD Matsukaze fires at DD Kortenaer at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 4,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 4,000 yards
CL Tromp sunk by CA Maya at 4,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Kiso at 4,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages DD Matsukaze at 4,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Kortenaer at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Witte de With at 2,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Kortenaer at 2,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Piet Hein at 2,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Kortenaer at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 5,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CA Ashigara at 5,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 5,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Kiso at 5,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Kortenaer at 5,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Kortenaer at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 9,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Evertsen at 9,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Kortenaer at 9,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL De Ruyter at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL De Ruyter at 9,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Kortenaer at 9,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Matsukaze at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Below see the area of current IJN focus. Which contact is the battleship group that twice engaged Force D is unclear. Search is being rearranged in case it has evaded coverage along the northern shore of Celebes.

[Capt. Harlock]

BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards

CA Ashigara engages CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards

CL Kuma engages CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards

And De Ruyter survived!

Those Dutchmen can fight!

[witpqs]

[:D]

---

1941-12-14

Tsang-Hsien, Tang-Shan, Shou--Hsien, and Kienning fell today. IJA forces have now cleared the rail lines where Chinese patriots had interdicted them. Manado was invaded. The sub wars continue albeit with fewer victims today. An I-boat did make an appearance at Kendari. This boat is likely scouting for dangers to sKB, which is sighted 80 miles NE of Ternate. The sighting is tempered by bad weather, so while carriers are confirmed it might not be all of them. Quite surprisingly an IJA shock attack was withstood at Hong Kong. Defenders' casualties were quite a bit higher, though, so how much longer can they last? (Postscript: forts rebuilt to level 1 at turn end.)

[witpqs]

1941-12-15

Legaspi, Aitape, and Cabanatuan fell today. Namlea was invaded, and Manado held off the first assault.

There were lots of Allied sub attacks, but no hits. Singapore port saw a heavy air raid that destroyed many small merchants waiting to move troops out. Luckily a large loaded/loading TF was not targeted. A number of Allied air attacks were brought against IJN shipping off of Manado but there also was a notable lack of hits.

There are now known to be two IJN subs operating off the US West Coast, one near San Diego and one near San Francisco. Saratoga is just about to put in at San Francisco to pick up two single-engine fighter squadrons for transfer to Hawaii, so we'll hold our breath just a little. ASW groups are operating in both areas. Canadian ASW groups.

The real item of interest is the fast transport invasion of Namlea. EHQ is being very cautious here, seeking to get an air base up while holding down risk to naval assets. An operating Namlea would allow search much farther into Allied territory, and of course fighter and even strike plane coverage.

See the graphics in this post and the next for IJN & Allied dispositions related to this area.

[witpqs]

And the Allied side.

[witpqs]

1941-12-16

Catanduanes, Alor Star, Machang, and Namlea fell today. Manado held, but the defense seemed desperate. Hong Kong withstood yet another attack, though defenders' casualties were 4 x attackers'. Most Allied sub action was ducking ASW attacks, except for a maru brought down in the South China Sea. A squadron of Nells came after ships unloading at Rangoon, and though fewer were claimed, Intel reports that all 13 were shot down.

Two brigades are ashore at Rangoon and one more nearly so. The next convoy will arrive tomorrow with another. The components of 18UK are farther away.

An enemy TF, which lost the maru, appears to be approaching the tip of Borneo near Kuching-Singkawang. As there was another port raid on Singapore, it seems EHQ doesn't want us moving troops to Palembang!

IJN TFs are moving west through Surigao Strait. Perhaps they are moving directly on Cagayan, or maybe on undefended Butuan.

All bombers within range of Namlea have been tasked to raid the airfield tomorrow. Flak should not be a problem, so all have been ordered to go in at 6,000ft.

After the intercept of KB at Hawaii, EHQ continues to be cautious with sKB. See the attached graphic. You can be sure that EHQ is comfortable with naval search in the Celebes Sea. If we can suppress Namlea and keep search from operating out of there, then (once it is captured) Manado will be the nearest enemy base to Ambon. Closer search bases will be required to spot our naval combat forces before enemy ships close.

[witpqs]

1941-12-17

Butuan, Ku-shih, and Atimonan fell today. Singkawang and Kuching were invaded. Amazingly, Hong Kong held on yet again. And so did Menado, against a shock attack.

The Battle of the Ceram Sea
Force Y intercepted a large IJN DD flotilla (DD Amatsukaze, DD Tokitsukaze, DD Yamagumo, DD Hatsuharu, DD Nenohi, DD Hatsushima, DD Wakaba, DD Yugure, DD Ariake) near Namlea and Ambon. In spite of the IJN getting the better of the encounter, Force Y pursued for more than 200 miles, ultimately engaging in daylight after a second inconclusive night engagement. The unpracticed USN got the worst of it, but did get their licks in. This DD force was seen to be a fast transport TF, as evidenced by the ground unit casualties.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Waigeo at 82,105, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 3
DD Yamagumo
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 1
DD Yugure, Shell hits 1
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 2
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
CL Boise
DD Alden, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Barker, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Edsall, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stewart, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 3, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
267 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled

Edsall and Paul Jones are in shape to survive, Barker and Stewart are burning stem to stern. The job given Force Y was to forestall the delivery of followup troops Namlea, and that they did.

I-26 was found and hammered by an ASW group near San Diego. She is reported sunk.

In turn, the fighter squadrons at Singapore are now hammered into virtual submission. Maybe it's time to move them back, but the transports have to make at least one more run. AV at Palembang is up to 212 with most of that due to shipping in units from Singapore. The flak at Singapore will have to suffice.

The USN cruisers will bombard Namlea on their way to Darwin to rearm. Two USN DDs did so this turn but the settings were wrong and they only wasted fuel. Those two will try again at point blank range.

[witpqs]

1941-12-18

Iba, Georgetown, Kuching, Singkawang, Yu-hang, and Ternate fell today. Ternate was taken by shock attack, probably by enemy paratroops. The Dutch search squadron there was wiped out. It seems that Allied navies have been making good enough use of search that it became an annoyance. That, and Ternate can now be staffed for naval search by EHQ. Sorong could be next, so assets there will reposition at once.

Hollandia was invaded, and Force SC (Southern Cross) is only 150 miles away and closing. SC, a mixture of Australian, New Zealand, and French warships CA Canberra, CL Leander, CL Achilles, CL Perth, CL Adelaide, and DD Le Triumphant, was to make its way undetected across the northern coast of New Guinea and be in position to cut off sKB from retreating northward if and when it ventured south of the Spice Islands. Force SC itself is undetected, but one of its search planes did spot 2 x CM which landed the assault troops at Hollandia. Surely that plane was spotted in return. Force SC will sally into Hollandia then retire back the way she came.

There is a unidentified TF near Sandakan - perhaps the next invasion. To stiffen Lautem against invasion, transports will bring in Gull Bn from Darwin.

I've been quiet about China. There is just so much movement there that it's hard to give a good narrative. Chinese forces are in Ichang in strength with more than 1,700 AV, and so is the IJA with over 800 AV. Two Chinese corps have cut the IJA supply lines on the road (but supplies can some through the swamp), perhaps temporarily. Chinese forces are also in Nanchang in strength, >1,800 AV, with another 1,300 AV on the way with various arrival dates. IJA troops are rushing to reinforce the city. This push is really serendipity, as the opportunity became apparent when that IJA regiment was routed. Lastly, 800 Chinese AV are in Sinyang with another 2,000 AV on the way. Again, IJA troops are rushing to reinforce the city.