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December 15-18, 1941

I've been quite busy these past few days so I haven't had the chance to update the AAR until now. To sum up the past few turns, Wirraway appears poised to land on Palembang, Wake, and Manado.

China has also been very quite compared to my previous games. Mostly a game of maneuvering for now, but I think this is about to change. I am quite pleased that through some deft movements and some bluffing I should be able to extricate every Chinese Corps that starts in a vulnerable position on December 7 bar about 500 AV. As mentioned previously, they are too far behind enemy lines and will seek to distract and disrupt till they are hunted down.

We also continue to skirmish in the air where I am trying to make up for the bad loss ratio from the first ten days of the war. Besides my losses in attempting to attack his Mersing landing, I also lost quite a few aircraft at Pearl, Luzon, and on the ground in Singapore. Today however was a good day thanks to a successful ambush over Clark in Luzon.

December 20, 1941

The big day has arrived, but before we get to that, something else to share that happened this turn: My CVs were cruising in the Northern Pacific while preparing for a strike on the Japanese home islands, so they were on hand when some of my Clemson class destroyers encountered Japanese vessels in the area the previous turn. The fact that an AO was with them made me think that some warships were also in the area which the tanker was slated to support. I decided to send my carriers forward to investigate and lo and behold their air search picked up enemy vessels including two battleships. Unfortunately, weather interrupted the bulk of the attempted air strikes (none occurred in the morning phase for instance), but enough went through on to sink a light cruiser, the notorious AO, an armed merchant cruiser, and some smaller vessels. The battleships took a combined 8 1,000lb hits but none penetrating.

The plan is to detach some destroyers and cruisers to harass the battleships and slow them down while my carriers get into better position. The key is to get within devastator range and for them to actually score hits. To that end, my carrier task forces will drive generally westwards where I expect him to try to race towards home waters.

popcorn time !!!

The even bigger story for me is what is happening in the Java Sea. Since the first day of the conflict I have been assembling the fleet here and biding my time. It took a tremendous amount of patience and numerous opportunities that I intentionally let go to stick to my strategy. I saw how aggressively Wirraway intended to advance so I decided to pretend like I went full Sir Robin to encourage him to overextend himself before he was ready. To that end I let some of his convoys virtually sail past me without attacking them. I also decided not to bombard his airfields from the sea to not show my hand. Some deception was also used such as sailing my vessels away from Java intentionally over some of his subs to be detected before looping them around to the area.

With his invasion of Palembang underway, I thought about attacking his transports before they unloaded but decided against it because I want him to capture the airfield before he is ready to well protect it. His troops have landed and I assume they will take the base this turn (which I intentionally evacuated - another ruse to draw him in early), so it's time to act. The Prince of Wales and Repulse as well as three heavy cruisers, sixteen light cruisers, and 25 destroyers will attack towards his transports but mostly towards his 2-3 carriers in the area. To be clear, this might end up in a great big disaster for me. While he appears to be lacking in surface forces and many of those have depleted their ammo on MTBs that I set forth to that purpose, he still does have an untouched big covering force of what appears to be battleships and heavy cruisers around his carriers. He also of course has plenty of airpower in the area, and to add some more issues to the mix moonlight is none existent... So yeah, could very well go very bad, but either way I think it's going to be a very fun turn!

Here is the map of the situation, the enemy carriers and battleships are just south of Pontianak. My warships are sailing forward from Merak, Toboali, and Billiton. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

Whats your TF organisation have you split POW and Repulse to lead separate TF's

And which one is Pallister leading ?

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Whats your TF organisation have you split POW and Repulse to lead separate TF's

And which one is Pallister leading ?

My task force organization is as follows:

- Various MTB units to interfere around Palembang.
- POW and Repulse + 6 British DDs.
- Heavy cruisers Exeter and Cornwall, light cruisers Enterprise and Glasgow, and two British destroyers.
- Heavy cruiser Houston, light cruisers Marblehead and Mauritius, and four American four piper destroyers.
- Light cruisers Danae, Durban, and Dragon, and two British destroyers.
- Light cruisers Dauntless, Ceres, and Caledon, and a single American four piper.
- Dutch task force of light cruisers Java, De Ryuter, and Tromp, and three Dutch destroyers
- Three separate skirmishing task forces of 4, 2 and 2 destroyers.

I would have preferred to reorganize them better with the all the heavy cruisers together for instance, but did not want to move them too much to prevent being picked up by naval search and SIGINT. Couldn't find Pallister anywhere, not sure where he is hiding.

December 21, 1941

I have the replay and the CR but not the turn. I don't usually do this but I will display the relevant parts of the CR below just because so much has happened in the turn. Comments in red.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 20, 41
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Billiton at 53,92, Range 5,000 Yards

First significant action of the night. Excellent Japanese night fighting skill and low moonlight prove powerful advantages. Scratch one friendly destroyer.

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
DD Alden, Shell hits 2
DD Barker, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Bulmer
DD Whipple

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Moran, E. crosses the 'T'
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Alden at 5,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Tokitsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages CL Mauritius at 5,000 yards
DD Alden engages DD Yukikaze at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Tokitsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Whipple engages DD Yukikaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages CA Houston at 5,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Whipple at 5,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Tokitsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Whipple at 5,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Alden at 5,000 yards
Nakahara, Giichiro orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Tokitsukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Alden at 7,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Whipple at 7,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
DD Barker sunk by DD Hayashio at 7,000 yards
DD Alden engages DD Hayashio at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Tokitsukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages CL Marblehead at 9,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Alden at 9,000 yards
DD Whipple engages DD Yukikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Tokitsukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Alden engages DD Hayashio at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Tokitsukaze at 13,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Bulmer at 13,000 yards
DD Whipple engages DD Yukikaze at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Billiton at 53,92, Range 5,000 Yards

Thankfully round two goes in my favor

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Mauritius
CL Marblehead
DD Alden, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Bulmer
DD Whipple

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Alden at 5,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Tokitsukaze at 5,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Amatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Alden at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Tokitsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Alden at 2,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CL Mauritius at 2,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Alden at 2,000 yards
DD Alden engages DD Tokitsukaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Amatsukaze at 5,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Yukikaze at 5,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Alden at 5,000 yards
DD Whipple engages DD Amatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Alden engages DD Amatsukaze at 5,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Amatsukaze at 5,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hayashio at 5,000 yards
DD Alden engages DD Hayashio at 5,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Whipple at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Alden at 8,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Amatsukaze at 8,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Alden at 8,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Alden at 8,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Bulmer at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Whipple at 12,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Alden at 12,000 yards
DD Whipple engages DD Hayashio at 12,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Bulmer at 12,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Alden at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CA Houston at 13,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Alden at 13,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hayashio at 13,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Whipple at 13,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Hayashio at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...



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Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 49,89, Range 3,000 Yards

More Japanese destroyers encountered

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes
DD Witte de With

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages CL De Ruyter at 3,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Van Nes at 3,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Banckert at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Tromp engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Tromp engages DD Akatsuki at 5,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Banckert at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Tromp engages DD Akatsuki at 9,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Akatsuki at 9,000 yards
Aoki, Kikuji orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Petropavlovsk at 143,47, Range 2,000 Yards

Destroyers successfully conncect with the Japanese battlewagons, Drayton takes a 36cm shell and is dreadfully damaged for its efforts

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
DD Yugao, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Mahan
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lamson
DD Flusser, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Ishizaki, Noburu crosses the 'T'
DD Flusser engages BB Hyuga at 2,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Flusser at 2,000 yards
DD Flusser engages DD Yugao at 2,000 yards
DD Flusser engages DD Yugao at 2,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Lamson at 2,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Yugao at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Drayton at 4,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Drayton at 4,000 yards
DD Mahan engages DD Yugao at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Lamson at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,89, Range 2,000 Yards

Got one!

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 1
CL Ceres
CL Caledon, Shell hits 2
DD John D. Ford

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 2,000 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...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
DD Akatsuki sunk by CL Dauntless at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Hibiki at 5,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DD Hibiki at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD John D. Ford at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Tambelan-eilanden at 53,91, Range 21,000 Yards

Ouch! Houston goes down!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna, Shell hits 9, on fire
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 4
CL Marblehead
DD Bulmer, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA Houston at 21,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Houston at 21,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Houston at 21,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Bulmer at 21,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Houston at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Houston at 17,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Bulmer at 17,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Arashi at 17,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Bulmer at 17,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Bulmer at 17,000 yards
Moran, E. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA Houston at 11,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Houston at 11,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Kumano at 11,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CA Houston at 11,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Houston at 11,000 yards
DD Bulmer sunk by DD Hagikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages CA Houston at 11,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages CA Houston at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA Houston at 9,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Houston at 9,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 9,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Houston at 9,000 yards
Massive explosion on DD Hagikaze
CA Houston engages DD Hagikaze at 9,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Arashi at 9,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Nowaki at 9,000 yards
Moran, E. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Massive explosion on CA Houston
CA Houston sunk by BB Haruna at 10,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Suzuya at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 8,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mogami at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Marblehead at 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 11,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hagikaze at 11,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Nowaki at 11,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Maikaze at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 15,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 15,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 15,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hagikaze at 15,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages CL Mauritius at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 20,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 20,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mikuma at 20,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 23,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 23,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 23,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 23,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Maikaze at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Marblehead at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 26,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 26,000 yards
Moran, E. orders Allied TF to disengage
BB Haruna engages CL Marblehead at 26,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 26,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 26,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Mauritius at 27,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 27,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 27,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Marblehead at 29,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 29,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Marblehead at 29,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 29,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 29,000 yards
Moran, E. orders Allied TF to disengage
BB Haruna engages CL Marblehead at 29,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 29,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Tambelan-eilanden at 53,91, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 3
CL Marblehead

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 22,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 22,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mikuma at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 23,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 23,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 23,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 24,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mikuma at 24,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 25,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 25,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 26,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Kumano at 26,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 26,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 29,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mikuma at 29,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Billiton at 52,91, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Marblehead

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Marblehead at 25,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 25,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 25,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 25,000 yards
Stephens, W.D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 20,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Kumano at 20,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 17,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 17,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages CL Mauritius at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 18,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 18,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Marblehead at 18,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 18,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages CL Mauritius at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 21,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 21,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mikuma at 21,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 21,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Mauritius at 21,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 21,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mikuma at 21,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Marblehead at 21,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Nowaki at 21,000 yards
Stephens, W.D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 23,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 23,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mogami at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 22,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mogami at 22,000 yards
Minami T. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Nowaki at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 20,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 20,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Mauritius at 20,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Nowaki at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 22,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Marblehead at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 30,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Mauritius at 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 148,59, Range 23,000 Yards

Previously damaged Japanese DD sunk in the North Pacific

Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Chester
CA Salt Lake City

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages DD Mikazuki at 23,000 yards
CA Chester engages DD Mikazuki at 23,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages DD Mikazuki at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
CA Chester engages DD Mikazuki at 21,000 yards
CA Chester engages DD Mikazuki at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages DD Mikazuki at 18,000 yards
CA Northampton engages DD Mikazuki at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Mikazuki sunk by CA Northampton at 15,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,89, Range 20,000 Yards

Pretty sure this one is toast too

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Ceres
CL Caledon, Shell hits 1
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Hibiki at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Hibiki at 19,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Hibiki at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Hibiki at 16,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Hibiki at 16,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DD Hibiki at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Hibiki at 14,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD John D. Ford at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Hibiki at 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DD Hibiki at 13,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DD Hibiki at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DD Hibiki at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DD Hibiki at 8,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD John D. Ford at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Hibiki at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Hibiki at 12,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DD Hibiki at 12,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Hibiki at 10,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DD Hibiki at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD John D. Ford at 15,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DD Hibiki at 15,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DD Hibiki at 15,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 16,000 Yards

The slaughter of the convoy begins

Japanese Ships
DD Hasu, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Kuri, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Fuji, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
APD Hagi, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DD Susuki, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
PB Heiei Maru #7, Shell hits 3
xAK Johore Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Toho Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Syoka Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Iburi Maru, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Tonegawa Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Yagi Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Hachirogata Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Azuchisan Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Amakusa Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP Manzyu Maru
xAP Koan Maru, heavy damage
xAP Huso Maru
xAP Kobe Maru

Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 2
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes
DD Witte de With

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 16,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 16,000 yards
CL Tromp fires at DD Kuri at 16,000 yards
CL Tromp fires at DD Tsuga at 16,000 yards
CL Tromp fires at DD Kuri at 16,000 yards
DD Van Nes fires at DD Kuri at 16,000 yards
DD Van Nes fires at xAK Azuchisan Maru at 16,000 yards
DD Van Nes fires at xAK Iburi Maru at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages DD Van Nes at 10,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Kuri at 10,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages DD Witte de With at 10,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Hasu at 6,000 yards
CL Java engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 6,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages DD Banckert at 6,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAKL Tonegawa Maru at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Hasu engages CL Tromp at 4,000 yards
DD Susuki engages CL De Ruyter at 4,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Kuri at 4,000 yards
DD Susuki engages DD Witte de With at 4,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Tsuga at 4,000 yards
CL Java engages APD Hagi at 4,000 yards
CL Java engages APD Fuji at 4,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAK Iburi Maru at 4,000 yards
xAK Johore Maru sunk by DD Van Nes at 4,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAKL Tonegawa Maru at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Susuki engages DD Witte de With at 3,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Susuki at 3,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Susuki at 3,000 yards
DD Hasu engages DD Van Nes at 3,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Hasu at 3,000 yards
CL Tromp engages APD Hagi at 3,000 yards
CL Tromp engages APD Fuji at 3,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Azuchisan Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Iburi Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Susuki at 2,000 yards
DD Susuki sunk by CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards
DD Kuri engages CL Java at 2,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Tsuga at 2,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages DD Banckert at 2,000 yards
CL Tromp engages APD Fuji at 2,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAKL Hachirogata Maru at 2,000 yards
Bueninck, H.J. orders Allied TF to disengage
DD Tsuga engages DD Banckert at 2,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Tsuga at 2,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 2,000 yards
APD Hagi sunk by DD Van Nes at 2,000 yards
DD Hasu engages DD Banckert at 2,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAKL Tonegawa Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Huso Maru , xAP Koan Maru ,
xAP Manzyu Maru , xAK Amakusa Maru , xAK Azuchisan Maru ,
xAK Iburi Maru , xAK Syoka Maru , xAK Toho Maru ,
xAKL Hachirogata Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Tsuga , DD Kuri , DD Hasu
CL De Ruyter engages APD Fuji at 8,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAKL Tonegawa Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages APD Fuji at 8,000 yards
APD Fuji sunk by DD Banckert at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
xAP Kobe Maru , xAP Huso Maru , xAP Koan Maru ,
xAP Manzyu Maru , xAK Amakusa Maru , xAK Azuchisan Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Kuri , DD Hasu
CL Tromp engages xAK Toho Maru at 12,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAK Iburi Maru at 12,000 yards
CL Tromp engages xAK Syoka Maru at 12,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Tsuga at 12,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 12,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAKL Tonegawa Maru at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CL Tromp engages DD Tsuga at 17,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Tsuga at 17,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Kuri at 17,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Kuri at 17,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 17,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hasu, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Kuri, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Heiei Maru #7, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Toho Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Syoka Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Iburi Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Tonegawa Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Yagi Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Hachirogata Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Azuchisan Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
xAK Amakusa Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Manzyu Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Koan Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAP Huso Maru, Shell hits 2
xAP Kobe Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Java, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes
DD Witte de With

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Massive explosion on DD Kuri
CL De Ruyter engages DD Kuri at 19,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Hasu at 19,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 19,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages DD Banckert at 19,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAP Koan Maru at 19,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Azuchisan Maru at 19,000 yards
CL Tromp engages xAKL Hachirogata Maru at 19,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Hasu at 19,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Hasu at 19,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Hasu at 19,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Tsuga at 19,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAK Iburi Maru at 19,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAKL Hachirogata Maru at 19,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Tsuga at 16,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Tsuga at 16,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Kobe Maru at 16,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Tsuga at 16,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Azuchisan Maru at 16,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAK Syoka Maru at 16,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAKL Hachirogata Maru at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Tsuga at 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Kuri at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Hasu at 15,000 yards
DD Hasu sunk by DD Witte de With at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Kuri at 15,000 yards
CL Tromp engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAK Azuchisan Maru at 15,000 yards
xAK Iburi Maru sunk by CL De Ruyter at 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAK Toho Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAKL Hachirogata Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAKL Tonegawa Maru at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 11,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAP Kobe Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Kuri sunk by DD Van Nes at 11,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 8,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Tsuga at 8,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Huso Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 8,000 yards
Bueninck, H.J. orders Allied TF to disengage
CL Tromp engages xAP Kobe Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Koan Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Azuchisan Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Java engages DD Tsuga at 11,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Huso Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Koan Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Toho Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAKL Tonegawa Maru at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 15,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAP Kobe Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Koan Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Tsuga at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Azuchisan Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAK Syoka Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAK Toho Maru at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Tsuga at 18,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAK Syoka Maru at 18,000 yards
CL Java engages xAK Syoka Maru at 18,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages DD Witte de With at 18,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages DD Van Nes at 18,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAK Toho Maru at 18,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAP Huso Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
xAP Kobe Maru, Shell hits 31, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Java, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes
DD Witte de With

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 18,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAP Kobe Maru at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAP Kobe Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Java engages xAP Kobe Maru at 17,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAP Kobe Maru at 17,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Kobe Maru at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CL Tromp engages xAP Kobe Maru at 15,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAP Kobe Maru at 15,000 yards
CL Java engages xAP Kobe Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAP Kobe Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Kobe Maru at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Kobe Maru at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Tromp engages xAP Kobe Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Tromp engages xAP Kobe Maru at 8,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAP Kobe Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Java engages xAP Kobe Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Kobe Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Kobe Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAP Kobe Maru at 9,000 yards
CL Java engages xAP Kobe Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAP Huso Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Huso Maru at 9,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAP Kobe Maru at 9,000 yards
CL Java engages xAP Kobe Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages xAP Huso Maru at 9,000 yards
Bueninck, H.J. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Kobe Maru at 10,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages xAP Kobe Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Java engages xAP Kobe Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Huso Maru at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages xAP Huso Maru at 15,000 yards
CL Java engages xAP Huso Maru at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages xAP Huso Maru at 15,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Heiei Maru #7, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Toho Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Syoka Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAK Amakusa Maru, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Manzyu Maru, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Ceres, Shell hits 1
CL Caledon
DD John D. Ford

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAK Syoka Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAK Syoka Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAK Toho Maru at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAK Toho Maru at 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 13,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAK Toho Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Tsuga sunk by CL Dauntless at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 10,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAK Syoka Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Toho Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAK Syoka Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Toho Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Syoka Maru at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Toho Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Caledon engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAP Manzyu Maru at 10,000 yards
xAP Manzyu Maru sunk by CL Dauntless at 10,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Syoka Maru at 10,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Toho Maru at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 11,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 11,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAK Syoka Maru at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 13,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 15,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 15,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 15,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CL Ceres engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 18,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CL Caledon engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 19,000 yards
CL Ceres engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 19,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Heiei Maru #7, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Amakusa Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Ceres
CL Caledon
DD John D. Ford

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CL Ceres engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CL Caledon engages PB Heiei Maru #7 at 14,000 yards
xAK Amakusa Maru sunk by CL Ceres at 14,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Paramushiro-jima at 137,44

The battleships were too fast. Despite destroyer interception, they are beyond Devestator range

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 3
SBD-3 Dauntless x 10

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

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Paramushiro-jima at 137,44

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 12

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

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise

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




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 15,000 Yards

Final naval combat of the day

Japanese Ships
DMS W-1, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
DMS W-6, Shell hits 16, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 1
CL Ceres, Shell hits 1
CL Caledon, Shell hits 2
DD John D. Ford

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Hewitt, J.G. crosses the 'T'
CL Caledon engages DMS W-6 at 15,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 15,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-1 at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DMS W-6 at 9,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DMS W-1 at 9,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 9,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-6 at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 7,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-1 at 7,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-1 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 8,000 yards
Massive explosion on DMS W-6
Massive explosion on DMS W-6
CL Ceres engages DMS W-6 at 8,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 8,000 yards
Isomura, C. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 11,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DMS W-6 at 11,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-6 at 11,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-1 at 11,000 yards
Massive explosion on DMS W-6
CL Caledon engages DMS W-6 at 11,000 yards
Massive explosion on DMS W-6
DMS W-6 sunk by CL Ceres at 11,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-1 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-1 at 8,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-1 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DMS W-1 at 11,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-1 at 11,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-1 at 11,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DMS W-1 at 11,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-1 at 11,000 yards
Hewitt, J.G. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DMS W-1 at 10,000 yards
Massive explosion on DMS W-1
CL Ceres engages DMS W-1 at 10,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-1 at 10,000 yards
Isomura, C. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DMS W-1 at 13,000 yards
Massive explosion on DMS W-1
CL Ceres engages DMS W-1 at 13,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DMS W-1 at 13,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages DMS W-1 at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DMS W-1 sunk by CL Ceres at 16,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


Palembang falls - now the work to reduce the oil fields begins

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3802 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Defending force 753 troops, 16 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Japanese adjusted assault: 64

Allied adjusted defense: 10

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
124th Infantry Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
21st Fld AA Gun Co

Defending units:
Bintan Det. Base Force
Palembang Base Force

Ok, let's unpack this a bit. Somewhat bizzare that the POW and Repulse did not engage. It looks like they and the British heavy cruisers landed just one hex away from the Japanese heavy ships. Furthermore, where did the Japanese carriers go? I look forward to the turn to try to figure out what happened here.

Overall decent results but some missed opportunities on both sides. I lost the Houston, two old Clemsons, and will likely lose the Drayton in the north (Mahan class). Mauritius is also badly damaged but I don't think she is in sinking condition. The Japanese lost the convoy and some ten DDs and APDs. I missed delivering a finishing blow to his heavy warships who exhausted their ammo on the Houston task force, but I also didn't get hammered by air strikes. Unfortunately I also couldn't catch the fleeing battleships in the northern Pacific.

To me, you had an overall Naval victory for the turn. Congratulations.

Note: That one hex closer could have caused problems for them, who knows? But at least they should have full ammo loads and if they really have not been spotted, they can finish off the enemy before they leave.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

To me, you had an overall Naval victory for the turn. Congratulations.

Note: That one hex closer could have caused problems for them, who knows? But at least they should have full ammo loads and if they really have not been spotted, they can finish off the enemy before they leave.

I think overall the turn went in my favor. But now the element of surprise is lost so let's see what happens.

I got the turn back. Force Z and and a bunch of cruisers (all with full ammo) ended up two hexes away from the Japanese heavy force with just a couple of IJN destroyers between the two groups. The IJN force is very low on ammo and in no fit state for a fight, so it will undoubtedly attempt to flee away to safety. Interestingly, the IJN carrier force is all the way down near Batavia.

Now I have several choices here.

1) I can attempt to hunt down the Japanese ships but that would expose me to subsequent Japanese air strikes that this time are sure to come.
2) I can attempt to strike south towards the carriers but they are a fair distance away from me and are likely to skirt my attacks.
3) I could call it a day and race away at flank speed towards the safety of a friendly port and dense fighter cover.

Hmmm.....

In terms of losses. Mauritius is battered but will survive unless attacked again. Drayton is 96 Float and 98 Fire damage so will be scuttled. So that's a total of 1 heavy cruiser and three destroyers (two old and one new) lost last turn.

Even after so much fighting last turn, slightly more than half of my original force is still fully loaded and battle ready while the enemy in the immediate area is depleted. I want to keep fighting, but what happens when the air phases come around?

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

In terms of losses. Mauritius is battered but will survive unless attacked again. Drayton is 96 Float and 98 Fire damage so will be scuttled. So that's a total of 1 heavy cruiser and three destroyers (two old and one new) lost last turn.

Even after so much fighting last turn, slightly more than half of my original force is still fully loaded and battle ready while the enemy in the immediate area is depleted. I want to keep fighting, but what happens when the air phases come around?

Depends how you look at it. If he gets good weather and has Air HQs in the area he could hit your heavy ships heavily during the air phase, almost certainly ensuring they do not escape to fight again. That will limit your ability to interdict short term.

OTOH, if your ships hit his major warships and sink a few, those are losses he cannot make up and it will limit his ability to defend a perimeter or protect his shipping. This is a longer term pain for him and IMO makes staying worthwhile.

You can set a patrol hex away from the area with a reaction of 2 or 3 hexes. Having float planes on night search may allow your ships to react to his, then return to the patrol hex.

Ok I think I figured out why Force Z did not engage. It had stopped to refuel its escorts. I found it with significant ops points consumed at the start of the turn. That changes everything. Hmm, I will have to improvise.

December 22, 1941

The Prince of Wales is hit!

With Force Z's ops points sky high at the start of the turn, (something which tbh I did not even know was possible since I thought every task force started with clean ops points), I was clearly in a bit of trouble. I therefore decided to forget about the Japanese covering force and instead focus on suppressing the enemy airfields in the area that could strike back. I also ordered Force Z to head to Tambelan, a dot base a single hex away, and disband there.

Unfortunately for me things didn't work out as planned. Force Z headed to the next hex but refused to disband until the air phase was over, and both my bombardment task forces didn't suppress the airfields. One slammed into the fleeing Japanese ships and was thus slowed down, and the other refused to move from its hex despite being only four hexes from its target, Sinkawang.

The result was that Prince of Wales took three torpedo hits and is badly damaged and is only able to make 9 knots at flank speed. Light cruiser Enterprise also took a torpedo but is mostly fine. Rounding out the band news of the day, I move Hermes's Swordfish squadron to Singapore but they failed to score any torpedo hits on the fleeing Japanese heavy ships due to bad weather.

In terms of the good news, some of my destroyers ranged out and sank a three troop laden Japanese ships, and my fighters took a heavy toll on Japanese Sallys and Bettys thanks to a CAP trap and some LRCAP over my cruisers. Days air losses were 14 to 41 in my favor.

Will have to carefully think through next steps. I will very likely have to write off Prince of Wales here. The overall goal has been met though, which is to throw the Japanese into disarray and to put the Palembang oil fields at severe risk. If I play my cards right I think I have a very good chance of inflicting severe damage to them.

A suggestion for the next time, put in a "Do Not Refuel" order!

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

A suggestion for the next time, put in a "Do Not Refuel" order!

Lesson learned! [:D]

December 23, 1941

Having lured Wirraway into an early attack on Palembang and driven his fleet from the area (not to mention finally solved my Ops points problem), I moved this turn to accomplish the next step of my plan which is to shut down the critical Japanese airfields in the area. Both Sinkawang and Palembang were heavily hit by cruiser bombardment, destroying 19 aircraft on the ground and shutting them both down. I also noticed a heavy cruiser force moving in from the north so I sent the 4 Clemson class destroyers operating in the area to interfere with and delay it. At the cost of the 4 old destroyers, I forced the cruiser force to expend what I am pretty sure was all its torpedoes and the vast majority of its ammo. This will force them to turn back to Indochina to rearm which buys me another 4-5 days of critical operations around Palembang without significant Japanese naval interference.

Speaking of Palembang, I now have 60 ready heavy bombers in Java who will be tasked, along with Dutch and Commonwealth medium bombers, to strike at the oilfields. In almost perfect timing, Soerabaja's airfields will reach level 5 next turn which should dramatically increase the effectiveness of my heavy bombers. Allied naval forces will be tasked with keeping the airfield at Palembang closed over the next four days. If weather holds, I will have hopefully inflicted some very good damage by then which will allow me to shift some of the bombers operations to keeping the airfields closed and thus free up the cruisers.

To sum up, at the cost of 6 Clemson class destroyers, the Houston, and a damaged POW, I am now in a great position to go all out against Palembang. Unfortunately weather over Palembang shows thunderstorms, so it can't be all perfect...

Oh, with regards to POW - it made 6 turns and is close to Java. The biggest risk to the ship now is IJN submarines. I still have 14 destroyers in the immediate area. I am hoping that I can keep her safe over the next few days to get her out, but I am not counting on it until it happens.

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

A suggestion for the next time, put in a "Do Not Refuel" order!

Lesson learned! [:D]

At sea refuelling is not determined by those settings.

Alfred