Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:57 pm**

ORIGINAL: Mundy

Thanks. Glad someone's reading this.

24 December 1941

Troops unloading at Rabaul. About a day earlier than expected. I want to make this a tough nut to crack.

I'm gathering Dutch troops at Sabang. Ships are enroute to pick them up. I can flip them to ABDA at a discount, which is nice. ABDA won't die in my game.

KB still MIA -- hopefully nowhere near Rabaul. My CVs just refueled at Brisbane. Saratoga is less than a week from meeting them. I've an extra VMF and VMSB on board them and I'll probably dump them off at Rabaul. I'm working at getting Army A-24s up there also.

I am reading too, but you clearly don't need any advice from me so far! I'll chime in with suggestions when I think I have something to offer. Meanwhile, thanks for bringing us along on your journey/adventure. [:)]

Posted: **Sat Sep 14, 2019 9:54 am**

Thanks.

Two games is probably all I can handle. Glad I have the second one. CT's been pretty cool to play with.

26 December 1941

Troops land at San Fernando, Luzon. I don't know if this means anything big yet or not. Just one SNLF made the landing. I've got troops moving hit to hopefully finish them.

Ground combat at San Fernando (80,74)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 275 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Defending force 54 troops, 14 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 16

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE San Fernando !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1

Defending units:
III/Prov'nl SPM Grp

My B-17s at Darwin relocated back to Clark. They're hitting the port at Formosa next turn. Maybe I'll catch some ships there.

A-24s at Rabaul strike at Kavieng, getting hits. Apparently some of his PBs can't take bomb hits and this one got obliterated. Nothing there now, but my ships in the area are spotted. I may have to strike the port there if he still has AVs around.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AV Kamoi, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 106,122

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AV Kamoi, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AV Kamoi

Posted: **Sat Sep 14, 2019 1:06 pm**

Cam Rahn Bay is another port heavily used by the Japanese early on. I think it is 13 hexes from Clark Field.

Posted: **Sat Sep 14, 2019 2:20 pm**

We think alike, BB. They're heading there next, before I even read this.. I was deciding between there and Hong Kong.

Slow on my reporting. I ran off to the rifle range right after kicking off the last turn. CT's keeping up a quick pace, which I'm enjoying. We'll probably be into late 1944 within a year.

28 December 1941

Messy day.

I hit Takao for two days. Better results on the first, as he probably pulled ships out after that one.

26th:

Morning Air attack on Takao , at 84,65

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 10

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CM Aotaka, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AV Kunikawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Takao , at 84,65

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Boko Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CM Shirataka, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

27th:

Morning Air attack on Takao , at 84,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 16

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AV Kunikawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

A big IJN cruiser force swept into the Rabaul area, pretty much torching all my transports. My escorting cruisers got some hits in before succumbing, but it was pretty one sided. I'm making an effort not to completely trash Australia's shipping like I usually do.

My airpower does get some revenge, with my Army planes doing better that expected..

Morning Air attack on TF, near Buin at 108,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
DD Natsushio, heavy fires
CA Nachi

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Natsushio

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Buin at 108,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 3

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buin at 108,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 12

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Natsushio, on fire
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buin at 108,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Kinugasa

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buin at 108,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 18

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Nachi, on fire
CA Myoko, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

My carriers get in on the action, though weather stopped some of the planes from making it in. I wasn't close enough for TBDs to play a part.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Treasury Islands at 109,132

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 5
SBD-2 Dauntless x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Amatsukaze

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Treasury Islands at 109,132

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 3

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Treasury Islands at 109,132

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 5
SBD-2 Dauntless x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Amatsukaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio

He'll probably pull his ships back at this point. My carriers are returning to Brisbane. Saratoga should get there about the same time. Yorktown will arrive in San Diego in 2 days and I'll have her join the rest. I can't remember but I think she's still carrying SBCs on board. The Vindicators on Lex are now at Rabaul. The VMF on Sara flew to Port Moresby as they can't quite reach Rabaul. I'm shipping a base unit up there, as they're short on air support there. Once his cruisers clear out, I'll hit the port at Kavieng, in case any AVs are parked there, which there probably are. KB's been MIA and I highly suspect they're heading this way.

Once I can free up enough units, I'll kick off a Marshalls campaign as soon as possible. I'll try this if KB is on the other side of the globe. I'm accumulating a lot of combat capable APs and AKs at Pearl.

Queen Elizabeth reached San Francisco two days ago. She's rather maintenance intensive and tends to take awhile to repair. I'll max her use out for the next 4 months.

An armored battalion of mine has reached San Fernando. I'm not attacking yet as I want to feed more troops in first.

Posted: **Sat Sep 14, 2019 3:31 pm**

29 December 1941

Made a stupid-ass mistake at Singapore. I was loading troops onto ships there, but forgot to ensure CAP was up. What appears to be KB, 7 hexes to the NE, struck and wiped out a bunch of ships. Need to watch everything here.

CT's landed more troops at Tarakan. My coast artillery were putting plenty of hits on his ships, but it wasn't enough and he now has the base.

On Luzon, what I thought was a small raiding force turned into being a very major bunch of troops. I lost both armored battalions in the process. I think the writing's on the wall here.

Ground combat at San Fernando (80,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30604 troops, 406 guns, 314 vehicles, Assault Value = 923

Defending force 238 troops, 0 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Japanese adjusted assault: 631

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 631 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 57 (57 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
2nd Tank Regiment
38th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
1st Base Force
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
28th JAAF AF Bn
4th Field Construction Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
2nd Base Force
5th Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Construction Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
9th Field Construction Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
24th JAAF AF Bn
6th Naval Construction Battalion
30th JNAF AF Unit
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
40th JAAF AF Bn
2nd Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Naval Construction Battalion
48th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
192nd Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion

My transports reach Wake and are loading the troops. I can't dock anything to take the planes, so I have to disband the squadron, losing the planes in the process. I hate such waste. Anyways, I have two good units to use elsewhere. I'll still look at helping Guam yet. I've fixed most of the lone outpost islands now.

My ships are nearing Sabang to take those troops off.

My carriers are nearing Brisbane, with Sara reaching next turn and the rest the following one. I think the KB threat is clear for this area now. My dive bombers at Rabaul are hitting Kavieng's port next turn.

My B-17s didn't fly last turn.

Posted: **Sat Sep 14, 2019 5:03 pm**

30 December 1941

CT's picking up pace now. Landings at Mersing this turn. Funny how my searches didn't indicate anything. Looks like the war going like it's supposed to now -- for the most part.

On Luzon, I'm falling back to Manila. I may make my stand there.

KB's 3 hexes from Singapore. Good to know their location. I can be a bit more free with my carriers elsewhere.

I've withdrawn the B-17 units at Clark. They're wearing down and I can put them in the pool. My single P-40 unit has gone to Mindanao. I'll funnel them out through the DEI. I need fighters badly at Rabaul/Port Moresby, since Australia decided to have absolutely none on the continent.

Sara reached Brisbane. The othere will reach next turn. Looking back, I forgot to send York out. I want all 4 together.

Posted: **Sat Sep 14, 2019 9:52 pm**

Deciding where to make major speed bumps is always a challenge, but highly rewarding if they work to slow his offensive. They were expandable comes to mind.

Posted: **Sun Sep 15, 2019 11:25 am**

01 January 1942

A new year. New things.

My surface group at Madjene pounces. An invasion force showed up near Balikpapan. My guys did good. I first encounter his escorting surface group. I have nothing better than CLs, so they did little against his heavy cruisers. This is where I really wish I had Houston yet to give some backbone to this force. Of course, the only ship I lose is Boise, the best of the lot.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,98, Range 9,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 10
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 3
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
CL Danae, Shell hits 3
CL Dragon, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Durban
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
CL Boise, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Alden
DD John D. Edwards
DD Whipple
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Express
DD Jupiter

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 96% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards
CL Marblehead launches Torpedoes at CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CL Durban launches Torpedoes at CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CL Dragon launches Torpedoes at CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CL Danae launches Torpedoes at CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CL Boise fires at DD Shirayuki at 9,000 yards
CL Boise fires at DD Hagikaze at 9,000 yards
CL Java fires at CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
DD Jupiter launches Torpedoes at DD Hagikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Encounter launches Torpedoes at DD Shirayuki at 9,000 yards
DD Van Ghent fires at DD Hagikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Van Nes fires at DD Shirayuki at 9,000 yards
DD Whipple launches Torpedoes at DD Shirayuki at 9,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards launches Torpedoes at DD Hagikaze at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Boise engages CA Kumano at 3,000 yards
CL Boise engages CA Suzuya at 3,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Boise at 3,000 yards
CL Dragon engages CA Kumano at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages CL Danae at 3,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Shirayuki at 3,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL De Ruyter at 3,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Kumano at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Jupiter at 3,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Van Nes at 3,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Encounter at 3,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Electra at 3,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Van Ghent at 3,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Banckert at 3,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Van Nes at 3,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Witte de With at 3,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages DD Shirayuki at 3,000 yards
Kurita, Takao orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Kumano at 6,000 yards
CL Boise engages CA Suzuya at 6,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Durban at 6,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Dragon at 6,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Hatsuyuki at 6,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Electra at 6,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL De Ruyter at 6,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Van Ghent at 6,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Jupiter at 6,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Express at 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Encounter at 6,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages DD Hagikaze at 6,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Van Nes at 6,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Evertsen at 6,000 yards
DD Whipple engages DD Nowaki at 6,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages DD Nowaki at 6,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Alden at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Boise sunk by CA Kumano at 7,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages DD Hatsuyuki at 7,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Electra at 7,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Kumano at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Nowaki at 7,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Shirayuki at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Electra at 7,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Van Ghent at 7,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Hagikaze at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Kumano at 8,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Marblehead at 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Marblehead at 8,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Danae at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Van Ghent at 8,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Van Ghent at 8,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Kumano at 8,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Arashi at 8,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages DD Hagikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD John D. Edwards at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Durban at 11,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Marblehead at 11,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Van Ghent at 11,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Hagikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Electra at 11,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Hatsuyuki at 11,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Encounter at 11,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Electra at 11,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Banckert at 11,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Arashi at 11,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Whipple at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,98, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CL Java, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
CL Danae
CL Dragon, on fire
CL Durban
CL Marblehead
DD Alden
DD John D. Edwards
DD Whipple
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
DD Van Ghent, heavy fires
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Express
DD Jupiter

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 96% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hagikaze at 11,000 yards
CL Durban engages DD Hagikaze at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Shirayuki at 8,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hagikaze at 8,000 yards
CL Dragon engages DD Arashi at 8,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Hagikaze at 8,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Hagikaze at 8,000 yards
CL Dragon engages DD Shirayuki at 8,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hagikaze at 8,000 yards
CL Dragon engages DD Hagikaze at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hagikaze at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hagikaze at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Arashi at 7,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Hagikaze at 7,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Shirayuki at 7,000 yards
DD Alden engages DD Shirayuki at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hagikaze at 12,000 yards
CL Durban engages DD Hagikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Alden at 12,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Encounter at 12,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages DD Hagikaze at 12,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,98, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Hayabusa

Allied Ships
DM Stronghold

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 17,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Japanese Escort TF evades combat

I punch through them and reach the real prize -- his invasion force.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,97, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Hiyodori, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
TB Hayabusa
TB Kiji, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
TB Kamo, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Kogyo Maru, Shell hits 23, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tatutaki Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Mogamigawa Maru, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Koryu Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Atago Maru, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Meiyo Maru, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Java, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
CL Danae, on fire
CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Durban
CL Marblehead
DD Alden
DD John D. Edwards
DD Whipple
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Express

Japanese ground losses:
4213 casualties reported
Squads: 134 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 113 destroyed, 88 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 58 (43 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 96% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Kamo at 11,000 yards
CL Durban engages TB Kiji at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Hayabusa at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Hiyodori at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Koryu Maru at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Encounter engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages xAK Koryu Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Whipple engages xAK Koryu Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Kamo at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Kiji at 7,000 yards
CL Dragon engages TB Kamo at 7,000 yards
TB Hiyodori engages CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages xAK Koryu Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Encounter engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Encounter engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAK Kogyo Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages xAK Koryu Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Whipple engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages TB Kamo at 3,000 yards
TB Kiji engages CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
CL Dragon engages TB Hayabusa at 3,000 yards
TB Hiyodori engages CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
CL Tromp engages TB Kamo at 3,000 yards
DD Encounter engages xAK Atago Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Koryu Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Kogyo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Atago Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 3,000 yards
xAK Meiyo Maru sunk by DD Evertsen at 3,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages xAK Kogyo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Alden engages xAK Koryu Maru at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Durban engages TB Kamo at 4,000 yards
CL Dragon engages TB Kamo at 4,000 yards
DD Alden engages xAK Atago Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Encounter engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Express engages xAK Tatutaki Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Electra engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 4,000 yards
xAK Tatutaki Maru sunk by DD Banckert at 4,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Atago Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Durban engages TB Kamo at 4,000 yards
CL Dragon engages TB Hayabusa at 4,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages TB Kamo at 4,000 yards
DD Express engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Encounter engages TB Kamo at 4,000 yards
DD Electra engages TB Hiyodori at 4,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Mogamigawa Maru at 4,000 yards
xAK Koryu Maru sunk by DD Van Nes at 4,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages TB Hayabusa at 4,000 yards
DD Whipple engages TB Kiji at 4,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages xAK Kogyo Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Alden engages xAK Atago Maru at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on TB Kamo
TB Kamo sunk by CL Marblehead at 2,000 yards
DD Whipple engages xAK Atago Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Java engages xAK Kogyo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Express engages xAK Kogyo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Electra engages xAK Atago Maru at 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on TB Kiji
TB Kiji sunk by DD Van Nes at 2,000 yards
xAK Mogamigawa Maru sunk by DD Witte de With at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Durban engages TB Hayabusa at 3,000 yards
TB Hiyodori sunk by CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
DD John D. Edwards engages xAK Atago Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Dragon engages xAK Kogyo Maru at 3,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,97, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Hayabusa
xAK Kogyo Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DM Stronghold

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

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 100% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Japanese Amphibious TF evades combat

Everyone's going back to Soerabaja. I'm guessing he'll bring more formidable support on the next try, so this is probably a one trick pony affair. All his forces in the area have vanished.

Things are collapsing at Singapore. He's CAPping pretty strongly with KB. My planes strike at his ships at Mersing, but what does get through the CAP fails to hit. I'm now starting to evacuate my aircraft. Some can get to Rangoon, the rest to Batavia. Earlier, I sent some of my better Australian troops north to Alor Star. I'm going to send them north through Malaya, where hopefully he's stripped his bases of any real forces and try to get to Burma. Good thing I sent them earlier, as Johore Bahru falls this turn, cutting off Singapore.

He's consolidating on Luzon. Bombers have been hitting my troops there, inflicting plenty of casualties. So much for any dreams there.

I have more Dutch troops enroute to Rangoon. Troops are still loading at Sabang. I think I've finally cleared all the lone isolated Pacific Island of any troops. My one commando group at the extreme south, south of Kavieng is loading now.
I'll enjoy any victories I can get at this point.

Posted: **Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:58 pm**

02 January 1942

KB, parked right off of Soerabaja, hit my returning ships from the Balikpapan fight, sinking many Dutch CLs. One more turn, I would have been through.

Meanwhile, he's been slowly taking all the small bases on the north coast of Borneo. Only a couple are left at this point.

My carriers are nearing Rabaul. I have to thread the needle a bit, as he has a number of subs about. My cruiser floatplanes are finding them for me. They already tagged a transport carrying a base force there. It'll probably make it, however.

I-5 and I-23 are parked about 10 hexes off of San Francisco. I can't wait until my destroyers upgrade with their K-launcher. They're pretty anemic right now.

The little dork has been dropping mines off Brisbane, which my coastals have been taking care of. Likewise, he's been finding mine at Truk, so I'll probably stop running missions there.

Royal Sovereign and three destroyers arrived at Aden. I can probably cause trouble with them.

Posted: **Fri Sep 20, 2019 8:50 pm**

08 January 1942

KB is parked 2 hexes off Soerabaja, smashing the port daily. I think any hope I might have had evacuating troops out of there is fading quickly. I'm sending some MTBs out to try and catch them. Who knows, maybe I'll win the lottery. A newly arrived sub there is also hunting them -- replaced with a better captain.

We've been having our war of mines. Being evil, he put some at Port Moresby, where I lost a cargo ship. One of his DMSs got crippled at Kuantan. Another one of his destroyers ate one going into Soerabaja.

The above is leaving my carriers free. Yorktown is departing Pearl now for the Noumea area to eventually unite with my other three CVs.

A cruiser group reached Kavieng for a bombardment, messing things up a bit.

Night Naval bombardment of Kavieng at 106,122

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CL Achilles
CL Leander

Japanese ground losses:
313 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Port hits 14

Seagull V acting as spotter for CA Australia
CA Australia firing at Kavieng
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA San Francisco
CA San Francisco firing at I/66th Naval Guard Unit
CA Minneapolis firing at Kavieng
CL Achilles firing at Kavieng
CL Leander firing at Kavieng

Immediately afterwards, my carriers struck the same base. I was hoping to catch any seaplane tenders or the like there, but apparently, there are none.

Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
SBD-2 Dauntless x 52
SBD-3 Dauntless x 53
TBD-1 Devastator x 42

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

I got a bit reckless with Hermes and had her parked west of Singapore, in the strait. She was there a few days until spotted and the Nells finally got her. Not particularly a carrier I will miss, since any USN CVE is better stocked than her.

A fast 20 kt transport has left Pearl, bound for Guam to pick up that base force. They should arrive within a week. The Wake forces are already unloaded at Pearl Harbor.

A big convoy of xAKs at Cape Town are loading with fuel, bound for Perth. Australia gets a bit thin as far as fuel is concerned. More from the States has been enroute. Otherwise, Cape Town is shipping supply to India.

Nothing's approached Balikpapan yet. I think I messed up the timetable good with my surprise strike.

I've been sending lots of my perma-restricted USA forces to the Portland area in the US. That one AAR where the Japanese grab that base has me paranoid about such things.

Castor Troy seems to have a passive-aggressive way to play. Things will seem to slide until he flies in and clobbers it.

Posted: **Sat Sep 21, 2019 9:39 am**

09 January 1942

Finally got a Chinese base force at Ansi, so I can ferry the Rat squadrons out of the north.

Forces are landing at Kendari, in the Celebes. Likewise troops have landed at and taken Wake. Hope I can get to Guam in time.

Some cruiser force is up near Balikpapan. I'm thinking it may be KB, but I'm uncertain.

Aircraft from Balikpapan strike a TF near there, but no hits, as usual.

Cabanatuan falls on Luzon. Taiping falls on Malaya.

Posted: **Sat Sep 21, 2019 11:22 am**

10 January 1942

Forgot to mention, Warspite left Seattle for Pearl. Colorado is due in 5 days.

Landings at Balikpapan, finally. Coast defenses are messing up his transports, but not enough. Another of his transports hits a mine there and is badly hurt.

List of lost bases this turn: Aparri, Kendari, Kuching and Utan Melintang.

I've loaded up some base forces, artillery and defense battalions at Pearl, destined for Australia. As they get near, I'll likely divert them directly to Rabaul. 5th AF squadrons are also loading up and enroute. Need to get the Air Force there going. Once I get Rabaul good and settled in, I can probably take back Kavieng at my leisure. Air support at Rabaul is approaching acceptable levels. One USN PBY squadron has arrived and is giving good coverage.

Ships are in Palembang's hex. I think he'll be landing there soon. He's wrapping up the DEI fairly efficiently.

Posted: **Sat Sep 21, 2019 12:55 pm**

11 January 1942

Landings at Guam now. My arriving transports were still about 5 days out, so they're heading back.

A pack of S-boats from the Philippines arrived some time ago in Townsville. I've an AS there so now that they're fixed up they're sortieing out up north to cover Kavieng.

His troops cross the water into Singapore. Very ugly, brutal fight.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 134790 troops, 1257 guns, 1316 vehicles, Assault Value = 4534

Defending force 46805 troops, 536 guns, 294 vehicles, Assault Value = 895

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2509

Allied adjusted defense: 637

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
4254 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 328 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 233 (56 destroyed, 177 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
8013 casualties reported
Squads: 124 destroyed, 240 disabled
Non Combat: 66 destroyed, 355 disabled
Engineers: 55 destroyed, 68 disabled
Guns lost 125 (32 destroyed, 93 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (5 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
6th Tank Regiment
18th Division
15th Tank Regiment
4th Division
1st Tank Regiment
55th Division
9th Tank Regiment
48th Division
33rd Division
5th Division
7th Tank Regiment
16th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
2nd Division
11th Tank Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
15th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
54th British Brigade
1st Hyderabad Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
251st Recce Battalion
55th British Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
1st Malay Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
SSVF Brigade
2nd Gordons Battalion
53rd British Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
FMSV Brigade
3rd SSVF Battalion
3rd ISF Base Force
110th RAF Adv Base Force
223 Group RAF
11 Battery/3 HAA
29 Battery/3 HAA
30 Battery/3 HAA
1st ISF Base Force
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
AHQ Far East
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
Malaya Army
III Indian Corps
Singapore Fortress
2nd ISF Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
Singapore Base Force
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
111th RAF Adv Base Force
113th RAF Adv Base Force
109th RAF Adv Base Force
112th RAF Adv Base Force
109th RN Base Force

I don't think this will last long.

Likewise, the fight at Balikpapan didn't go well either.

Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2663 troops, 19 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 169

Defending force 2352 troops, 44 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Japanese adjusted assault: 45

Allied adjusted defense: 28

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
612 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
51st JAAF AF Bn
41st JAAF AF Bn
86th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
II Samarinda Cdo
Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan MLD Base Force

---------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Balikpapan (64,97)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1428 troops, 32 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Defending force 5502 troops, 43 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Assaulting units:
VI KNIL Battalion
Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan MLD Base Force
II Samarinda Cdo

Defending units:
13th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
41st JAAF AF Bn
51st JAAF AF Bn
86th JAAF AF Bn

My dive bombers at Rabaul finally fly to Kavieng, despite being ordered to 3 days ago. I'm guessing the added ground support for planes helped.

Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 12
F2A-3 Buffalo x 2
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 18

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Another base force has landed at Rabaul, along with some more infantry. I'll feel better when my USMC defense battalions arrive. I don't really have enough base units in Australia to reinforce much of anywhere right now. Sending stuff from Pearl takes time. He's had lots of subs south of Rabaul, which makes shipments that much harder.

Overall, I'd say CT has done well with Singapore and the DEI. He's made a point of destroying any shipping which could be used for evacuations, so lots of my troops are simply stuck. At least I can withdraw the air groups.

Posted: **Sat Sep 21, 2019 6:52 pm**

14 January 1942

The Japanese seem to have about a million Sallies. They've been pounding the Philippines, Singapore and even Palembang.

Australia's starting to get very thin on fuel. It may reach the point where reinforcing foreign bases gets difficult. Several tanker convoys are enroute. I'm getting more over from Abadan also. I don't seem to have this issue in my Bottleneck game.

The last few days, he's only bombarded at Singapore, after that costly first attack. I think he'll be wrapping this up fairly soon.

More SWPAC aircraft are arriving in the US, and I'll be getting a convoy over to Oz with them.

I'm moving my carriers SE of the Solomons to rendezvous with Yorktown, who's getting near. KB has vanished, so I need to be careful. Fighter cover at Rabaul consists of only one squadron of VMF Buffalos, with 2/3 the squadron broke down yet. Last intel on Kavieng showed fighters having arrived -- about 40-ish.

Victoria Point falls.

I haven't checked the pools in some time. I'm hoping the Wildcats are building up.

Posted: **Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:57 am**

15 January 1942

Minor disaster at Rabaul. A Japanese cruiser force sailed in and wiped out a bunch of cargo ships after breezing through the PT screen. I'd love to know how he got through my PBY search, as they're covering practically everything north of Rabaul.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,124, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
CL Kinu
CL Tenryu
DD Yugumo
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Nenohi
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
PT-20, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-21
PT-22
PT-23
PT-24
PT-25
PT-26, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-27, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-28, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-29, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-30, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-30 at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-30 at 18,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-30 at 18,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-24 at 18,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-24 at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-30 at 16,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-25 at 16,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-28 at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-20 at 12,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages PT-20 at 12,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-28 at 12,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-28 at 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-28 at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT-30 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-30 at 9,000 yards
PT-28 sunk by CA Furutaka at 9,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages PT-25 at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-25 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-24 at 11,000 yards
PT-20 sunk by DD Kawakaze at 11,000 yards
Gallagher O. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-27 at 12,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-25 at 12,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-21 at 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-21 at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT-29 at 12,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-30 at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-30 at 15,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages PT-24 at 15,000 yards
PT-29 sunk by DD Kawakaze at 15,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-30 at 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-27 at 15,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-24 at 15,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages PT-30 at 15,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-30 at 15,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-27 at 15,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-24 at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages PT-27 at 13,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-21 at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-27 at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT-27 at 13,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-21 at 13,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-25 at 13,000 yards
Gallagher O. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-25 at 12,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-24 at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-22 at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages PT-30 at 15,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages PT-26 at 15,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-26 at 15,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-27 at 15,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT-26 at 15,000 yards
PT-30 sunk by DD Kuroshio at 15,000 yards
Gallagher O. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-26 at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT-24 at 16,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT-26 at 16,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-22 at 16,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages PT-25 at 16,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-24 at 16,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
PT-26 sunk by DD Yugumo at 16,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-27 at 16,000 yards
PT-27 sunk by DD Wakaba at 16,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
CL Kinu
CL Tenryu
DD Yugumo
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Nenohi
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
PT-20
PT-21
PT-22
PT-23
PT-24
PT-25
PT-26
PT-27
PT-28
PT-29
PT-30
PT-36, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 7% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-25 at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-29 at 6,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-27 at 6,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages PT-29 at 6,000 yards
PT-36 engages DD Wakaba at 6,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages PT-25 at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-27 at 6,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT-21 at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-25 at 5,000 yards
PT-28 engages CA Ashigara at 5,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-36 at 5,000 yards
CA Kako engages PT-27 at 5,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-25 at 5,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-26 at 5,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-21 at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-22 at 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-36 at 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PT-25 at 6,000 yards
PT-36 sunk by DD Kawakaze at 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages PT-22 at 6,000 yards
orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages PT-30 at 9,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages PT-30 at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-30 at 9,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages PT-27 at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
CL Kinu
CL Tenryu
DD Yugumo
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Nenohi
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
PC Yandra, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PC Bingera, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PC Kybra, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
xAK Yunnan, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Beltana, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Cardross, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Era, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Goulburn, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Koomilya, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Lowana, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Mangola, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Mernoo, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Momba, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Mundalla, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Period, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
CA Kako engages xAK Mernoo at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages xAK Mernoo at 8,000 yards
xAK Mernoo sunk by CA Ashigara at 8,000 yards
CA Kako engages xAK Period at 8,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAK Period at 8,000 yards
xAK Period sunk by DD Kawakaze at 8,000 yards
xAK Goulburn sunk by DD Kuroshio at 8,000 yards
xAK Momba sunk by CL Kinu at 8,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAK Mangola at 8,000 yards
xAK Era sunk by DD Umikaze at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PC Kybra at 7,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages xAK Mangola at 7,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages PC Yandra at 7,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages xAK Beltana at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Kako engages xAK Lowana at 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages PC Yandra at 6,000 yards
PC Yandra sunk by CL Tenryu at 6,000 yards
xAK Mangola sunk by CA Kako at 6,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAK Lowana at 6,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAK Lowana at 6,000 yards
xAK Yunnan sunk by DD Umikaze at 6,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAK Beltana at 6,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAK Beltana at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Kako engages PC Kybra at 3,000 yards
Massive explosion on PC Bingera
CA Ashigara engages PC Bingera at 3,000 yards
PC Kybra sunk by CA Ashigara at 3,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAK Beltana at 3,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages xAK Lowana at 3,000 yards
xAK Beltana sunk by DD Hatsukaze at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
xAK Mundalla sunk by DD Nenohi at 4,000 yards
Massive explosion on PC Bingera

Nothing was left for my dive bombers to find, either. I'm sending a healthy surface force from Pearl to help guard against any more such incidents. I'll also probably send smaller forces for supply and reinforcement. I can't afford to lose tons of Australian shipping, or any efforts there will get crippled.

Posted: **Sun Sep 22, 2019 11:44 am**

16 January 1942

Forgot to mention, troops landed at Koepang yesterday.

Stuff's falling left and right. Fine with me. Less map I have to look at.

Koepang, Mergui, Samarinda and Singapore all fell. He took a shot at Palembang, but failed, though I took heavier losses.

I'm sending more stuff to Port Blair, including a nice coast artillery unit to help fight off any invasions. I'd love to turn that base into a giant air center.

This bit of Intel came in:

4/16th Army is planning for an attack on Port Moresby.

You've got other things to take before you get that far, buddy.

I'm so happy stacking limits are off here. I can be a bit more freewheeling when my offensive starts.

Posted: **Sun Sep 22, 2019 10:09 pm**

Not really, he may take PM and Milne Bay and cutoff Rabual, Buna and Lae, which he will take at his leisure later. that way he cuts off Rabual from any reinforcements and supplies starving your troops out and then he has a less stiff opposition when he does decide to land there.

Posted: **Tue Sep 24, 2019 5:32 pm**

22 January 1942

RatCrap...

About the same turn I decide to withdraw my carriers from the Rabaul, KB swoops in and pretty much blows everything away. I was hoping (praying) I could salvage one or two out of the disaster, but it was not to be. My return strike did nothing, due to his having like 150 planes on CAP in addition to the waves of escorting fighters. I think 2 destroyers are barely alive and they'll most likely die next turn. I'm not going to bother posting the combat reports, as it's too depressing.

If I had left one day earlier, this wouldn't have happened. This game has taken a grim turn.

I did reassure him I wouldn't quit over it. [;)] This is bringing back nightmares of my game with KenchiSulla (Cannonfodder). I really don't want the rest of the war to completely fall off schedule. My goal is still to make my historical invasion dates, where stuff will heat up in 1943. The rate we're cranking out turns, we'll be there before long.

Elsewhere, he's pretty much wrapped up Borneo. Palembang fell a few days ago. He's also swooped south and taken Timor, so evacuating aircraft is nearly impossible. I have *lots* of aircraft on Java, so without something like KB nearby to support, I could get my hits in on any invasions there. Java's pretty much the only holdout in the DEI right now, apart from the minor eastern bases. I haven't checked to see if I have any surviving transports at Soerabaja, so I still may be able to ferry planes out. Most of the DEIAF is perma-restricted. Maybe if I withdraw them and they come back, can I reassign them.

What I need to do:

1) Ship as many troops/airplanes/fuel to Australia as I can. I have 4 fuel convoys enroute, some of which should reach in the next 10 days. Two more convoys with support troops and the entire 5th USAAF are passing Suva, so they should arrive within a week or so. This will beef up defenses on Port Moresby and Rabaul. If I get enough forces handy, maybe eventually get to Milne Bay and Lae.

2) Work my butt off in the Far East. With KB on the other side of the map, I can seriously beef up forces at Rangoon and Port Blair. Some forces are unloading at Blair next turn, including some coastal artillery. Calcutta is basically my main hub where I'm shipping everything from. The Royal navy is based at Diamond Harbor, and I have a battleship present and another enroute from Cape Town. I'm tempted to go bombarding with them, but the Netties will stop such foolishness.

3) Slowly expand on the eastern half. If KB is stuck working on the other side of the map, I can entertain going in and taking the Marshalls. I have had lots of troops prepping for some time now, and I'll have a surplus of battleships to support this. With no stacking limits, I can leave the troops there to prep for the next objective. Any moves west from there won't happen at least until late 1943, when the Essexes show up in force. Kwajalein will make a good forward sub base.

I guess I'll be like the USN, with only 2 active carriers in late 1942, but the downside is that KB is still intact.

My quandary right now is political points. I down to choosing between releasing US troops in the US or releasing Australian troops for redeployment. I've been favoring the latter lately.

Posted: **Sat Sep 28, 2019 9:20 am**

Ed, First off, thank you for allowing me to play IJ in the difficult if not impossible scenario I picked out. Posting to request
a possible phone call together on the current situation you face. I'm not sure where neenah is but I assume it is on the
planet. If I'm wrong on that I'm calling collect. I have some ideas, more tactics than strategy that may work to bring IJ
to heal a bit. Fortunately the date here is good. If it was five months later it would be far more difficult. I am suiting up
for my last golf tourney of the year where I expect to yield a stack of quarters to my usual playing partner so I will have
to check in later this evening EST to see if you're interested.

Zulu HQ: (hungover from billiards and Hendricks and having issues getting my socks on) At your disposal.

Posted: **Sun Sep 29, 2019 5:35 am**

Turns out I get a stack of quarters with a birdie on number ten. Not only countering "his" bird
but taking a big carryover in the process. HUZZAH! Sorry Ed, had to post it somewhere. [:)]

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