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RE: Morning Star, Midnight Sun (BTSL 2.0)

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 9:33 pm
by John 3rd
Just sent the Dec 9th Turn. Will do an update this evening.

RE: Morning Star, Midnight Sun (BTSL 2.0)

Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 12:20 am
by John 3rd
December 7, 1941
DEI

Malaya
The northern AFs are all hit hard: Kota Bharu, Georgetown, Kuantan, and Alor Star take it on the chin.

The landing for Malaya is a massive beast hitting Kuantan.

Topsys fly an Army Para unit into Singora.

Hidden within the Invasion TFs are two massive Fast Transport TFs.

12 Nells (flying from Saigon) sink three AKs moving up the strait between Malaya and Sumatra.
Western DEI
Allied Air Patrols spot several Japanese Invasion Forces moving towards Singkawang.

Central DEI
Japanese TFs and SS move into a blockading position.

Eastern DEI
TFs moving west from Babeldoap.

Ternate is taken by Paratroopers.





RE: Morning Star, Midnight Sun (BTSL 2.0)

Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 12:38 am
by John 3rd
December 8, 1941
Overview


SS Ops
The Japanese SS strike in large numbers. There are 17 attacks yielding 13 damaged/sunk ships. For the day, the Allies lose an 2 AP, 2 TK, 1 AK, 2 AKL, a CMc, and an AMc. No damage to Japanese boats. Good.

Hawaii
Kido Butai strikes doing little-to-nothing. The enemy--intelligently--keeps his planes down as I sweep the AF at PH.

Both Lahaina and Hilo are hit with the Ports and AFs getting smacked decently. Hope this makes an impression on Jorge...

Move the KB and refuel tomorrow with SWEEPS again scheduled. We'll Port strike on the 9th.

Philippines
Thundering Herd: The normal mayhem occurs here as the bloodletting begins. Goal is to sink 200 ships by January 1, 1942. We get nearly 30 this day as six STF hit the fleeing ships.

Biggest excitement is the LBC Chichibu, 2 CA, 3 DD fin CA Houston, Chicago, CL Boise, and 6 DDs emerging from the San Bernadino Straits. A spirited fight occurs in three different engagements. End result is John D. Ford sinking and both American CAs in sinking condition. Nearly all the American ships are hit several times. A Japanese CA takes 3 8" shells and is beat-up and now headed for Babeldoap.

The enemy sits his fighters again here. SWEEPS encounter nothing. Bombing raids hit Iba again destroying more damaged P-40s. Betty Port Strike tomorrow.

Landing at Antimonan with an entire ID.

Malaya
Kuantan falls to an 18-1 assault. Move Fighters in immediately.

Air attacks still on Alor Star, Georgetown, and the other northern base up there.

The Topsys finish bringing in the Para unit at Singora.

Western DEI
The two Fast Transport TFs breakaway from Kuantan and head directly for Palembang. They carry entire Japanese Infantry Brigade and two Base Forces. They drive through enemy TFs and arrive at three hexes from Palembang. Surely the enemy must realize that we are making a quick grab at this most important target.

STFs move SW towards western Borneo.

Invasion Forces push towards Miri and Singkawang.

Eastern DEI
The 3 CVE begin making themselves noticed attacking several ships.

A Fast TF heads for Manado with an Invasion Force directly behind it.

Pacific
Guam is taken.

Two Invasion Forces depart Saipan and Tinian heading east and northeast.

Tarawa is taken in the South Pacific.

RE: Morning Star, Midnight Sun (BTSL 2.0)

Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 12:55 am
by John 3rd
December 9, 1941
Overview


SS Ops
The I-Boats and Ro-Class of the Imperial Fleet continue to do well. There are ten attacks causing damage to seven ships. Sunk vessles include 2 TK, 1 AK, 2 AKL, 1 CM.

Hawaii
Pearl Harbor
The games begin! The Japanese SWEEP with four Zero Daitai of 24 planes each. The attacks come in one at a time. They encounter 85 mixed Fighters. End results are 8 Zeros lost for 29 destroyed. NICE! Re-fuel today. Move KB west and plan on SWEEPS and then Port Attack.

Philippines
Manila
Same occurs over Manila. Three Sweeps of 30 Zero, 20 Zero, and 24 Zero hit 55 P-40s. Here the results are more one-sided. Lose 5 planes for over two dozen enemy. We'll do it again tomorrow!

This day find seven STFs hunting the enemy and they continue to feast on the poor, helpless merchants. Almost feel bad---NOT! Losses end up being 25 ships. Best sunk are the big AP from Manila and AS Otis. Don't find the American cruisers until the afternoon. Surprisingly they move SE towards the gap between the Marianas and Babeldoap. CARDIV2 will fix that...

Invasion Forces approaching Northern Luzon.

Malaya
In an attempt to quicken the Japanese capture of Malaya, nearly 60 Japanese Transports appear over the vital town of Malacca. Parachutes blossom and descend. Unfortunately, the 90 planes ordered to bomb troops here decide to NOT FLY--CRAP!--so the Paras score a dratted 1-1 result. We'll try to finish the job tomorrow.

Western DEI
Fast TRansports unload at Palembang and knock the crap out of the enemy with their 8", 6", and 5" guns. Looks good. Will take the base tomorrow. We HOPE!

Three STF make themselves a nuisance sinking three TK, a PG, and encounter the Dominion Monarch, 2 AMC, and 2 AP. An AMC and AP are sunk and all the other Allied ships take shell hits at least one Long Lance. Good but not great.

Eastern DEI
Manado
Landing occurs with an Air Flotilla and Inf Regiment. Should fall tomorrow.

Invasion Force moving down the eastern side of Celebes.

South Pacific
Lae
A Fast TF lands a Naval Guard here.

Madang
Ditto

Ocean and Nauru Ilses are taken.


Summary: Things look pretty good so far. No big surprises and--more importantly--no disasters. Things are so balanced on a knifes edge when one is using Japan's assets in the Opening Weeks. A single bad development can cause immense trouble. We'll see what Jorge has in mind for me!

RE: Morning Star, Midnight Sun (BTSL 2.0)

Posted: Mon May 25, 2020 8:37 pm
by Bif1961
Good luck, looking forward to seeing how this plays out with the new and enhanced assets on both sides.