Matrix Games Forums

December 22, 1941

Subs
SS Tarpon hit by ASW DD force--1 DC.

A TK of mine sinks from an earlier hit while struggling to reach port.

Land Action
Land at Sag Sag, NB and Namlea (near Amboina)

Spot a new British Brigade at Johore Bahru. It appears that my opponent anticpated my move and I will have to slug it out there to catpure the base. Once I do capture, it will be important if the units retreat into Singapore or move north. The Japanese FERVENTLY hope for the latter option!

Air
Wolfpack starts night raiding Tavoy from Rangoon.

B-17s seem to have a regular route established from Mandalay to Hanoi trying to hit my resources there.

DD Inazuma hit by Chinese bombers while at Pescadores. Light damage.

15 Oscars escotring 57 Bombers hit SSVF Brigade at Johore Bahru (JB)--100 Casualties

JB attacked by Brit Bombers--No results. Order Oscars to LR CAP the area.

An AP of mine is hit with 3 bombs NE of Kuching.

Naval Activity
Bombard Kendari and Medado. At Kendari, I destroy 7 P-40s!

KB2 leaves Davao and heads for the Indian Ocean for a raiding and sightseeing cruise!

December 23, 1941

Subs
SS Saury and O16 both damaged by LBA ASW.

I really damaging his subs! I cannot seemingly sink them but I am putting them into the yard.

SS Seadragon hits AP with 1TT

Ground
Land at Singkawang, Borneo

Malaya
Make 3-1 attack at Georgetown with 4th Brigade and a Construction unit

Take Taiping with out a fight. I am getting the northern portion of Malaya for very little cost.

Spot a 5th Brigade at JB! My opponent has informed me that THIS is the Battle for Malaya right here. OK. In the next 2-4 days, I will be landing another 45,000+ troops. He wants--he gets it!

Philippines
Take Laog in the Phil.
Paratroopers attack land and attack Jolo, Phil

Truk/New Britain
2nd Sendai Division is about to make Truk. They will be sent againt PM in a few days.

Rabaul Invasion Force is close to its target.

Air Action
Another Mandalay to Hanoi run by B-17s. They will be met by a squadron of Zeroes tomorrow to stop this foolishness.

Over 50 bombers hit the JB British Brigades--decent results.

My LR CAP puts 30 Oscars over JB and theyu do VERY well! Over a dozen bombers and fighters fall with twice that damaged! NICE!

11 British/Dutch planes fall over Palembang as they encounter Zeroes, Oscars, and Tojos.

A raid of 12-15 bombers hit a follow-on JB Invasion Convoy carrying another Inf Division. They manage to hit two ships (AP-AK) with 1TT each...[:@] Air Cover will be provided to for tomorrow. Both ships carrying troops but should make JB before going down.

Naval
Bombard Makassar

KB1 ATTACK! The KB1, who are retiring towards the SE portion of the map before heading for Kwajalein, plant a lonely AK traveling the high seas.

The Japanese AP hit in yesterday's raid near Kuching sinks.

Summation
Things will get hotter when I land at Rabaul and head for PM. We'll see if there is any response...

December 24, 1941 Christmas Eve

Sub Action
SS Searaven is hit by 1DC from my DD ASW Group.
I-16 (near Suva) hit by aircraft.
I-121-124 mine Pearl Harbor and get hit by an ASW Force.
I-124 Sunk and I-123 damaged by 2DC.
That SUCKS! [X(] They do lay their mines though...

Ground
Still landing at Singkawang, Borneo, Saidor, NG and Lamon Bay, Phil.

Capture Georgetown, Mal Get 2 planes and 2,900 POW

Capture Jolo, Phil by Paratroopers 1,200 POW

Air
The B-17s at Mandalay shift their target to Saigon and get a resource hit.

Nearly 100 bombers hit Changsha. I am hitting this place freely and have not seen the Flying Tigers. Wonder...where they are??? Should I ask?!

Supporting the attack at Georgetown was 45 bombers.

My Oscars continue to make a killing against his planes from Singapore. He raids JB and loses 4 planes with a dozen damaged. NO HITS!

Naval Action
Bombard Samarinda with Hyuga and Ise Group: 3 planes and 168 Casualties

I am bringing the KB1 home to Kwajelein. This port should suffice. I have sent extra BF and Engineering troops as well as TONNES of supply and fuel.

KB2 is near Makassar headed through Java to cause havoc on the South side of Java and Sumatra. They haven't been spotted and will pass Java on the east side. A RAIDING WE WILL GO!

I am not sure how I will do the next set of combat logs. Wolfpack and I cranked out over a dozen turns this weekend. I'll go day-to-day and see if that works. We have had a TON of action!

December 25, 1941 Christmas Day

Subs
A BANNER Day for Japanese LBA ASW! SS Perch, Truant, and O16 all hit! [:D]
SS Porpoise takes 2DC from an ASW TF FOUR SS in one day--WOW!

Air
B-17 Raid Bangkok from Mandalay. Got to do something about them...

Singapore Harbor is hit by 23Z, 78N, 23B Shot down 7 Ftrs and put 3 bombs into SS Sturgeon
Lose 7 bombers for raid.

Johore Bahru The Brits continue costly attacks on my shipping there: 5 Dead and 16 Dam.

JB is hit by over 100 Japanese Bombers and they do 225 Casualties to two Brigades

Wolfpack's Bombers are improving, 7 AP/AK hit during round. None serious...yet...

Ground
Land at Rabaul (Lark and another Inf Unit detected)

Continue unloading at JB

Lamon Bay, Phil, Saidor, Phil, Singkawang, Born, and Malacca, Malay all fall.

Changsha Bombardment has a good day: 690 Chinese fall.

Naval
IJN PG and ML sink due to earlier damage.

A British TK sinks from earlier damage.

IJN TF bombards Rabaul and does 100 Casualties

KB2--Slipping into Indian Ocean.



December 26, 1941

Subs
SS Trusty sunk by 4DC from ASW TF.
SS Snapper hit by ASW LBA. I am REALLY hurting his SS!
SS KXV hits TK with 2TT This being said, he is still hitting my ships.

Air
Raid Manila Bay

Changsha I set my Nates on LR CAP this round and they shot down 6 Chinese planes. Additionally, 135 planes raid Changsha and create decent casualties--232.

JB 24O escort 102 Bombers and they hit the Brits/Aussies there--175 Cas. Shot down 2 Brit planes.

Ground
Continue Landings at JB and Rabaul

Start landing at Guiuan, Phil and Tarakan, Born

Changsha Bombardment nets 229 Chinese

JB, Malay (FINALLY), Tuguegarao, Phil, Lingayen, Phil, and Kuala Lampur, Mal all fall!

Naval
Bombard Rabaul and do 75 Cas

PG damaged from Wake Invasion sinks

CVs in IO make course towards Darwin and Kupang--still not noticed!

Summation:
With just a few forces deployed in Phil (1 Div and 1 Brig + Support), Wolfpack has ceded to me all of Northern Luzon. I wonder if he realizes that a counter-attack could devastate my diversionary operation?

He has done the same in the Malaysia. With the exception of Khota Bahru, I now have all of Malaysia to Singapore. I will cross over to Singapore in a few days.


December 27, 1941

Subs
KXVIII hits an AK with 1TT

Air
Move Zeroes to Bangkok to try and catch his B-17s on one of their raids.

Singapore hit by 23Z and 32N. Shot down 2 fighters and inflict 150 casualties.

Start the bomber migration to Amboina. The AF was badly damaged but is now operational. With Palembang and Amboina, I will have air supremacy throughout the DEI.

Ground
Landing at Tarakan, Born and Finschafen, NG

Take Rabaul!

Take Tawi-Tawi with paratroopers

Attack at Tarakan, Born but they hold for the moment.

SHOCK ATTACK at Changsha (0-1) 204,000 Jap vs. 138,000 Chin 9,000 J to 3300 Ch Fall! [8|] Ouch! Back to Bombardment from air and ground...

Naval
I had sent a small group of 4 3500T Japanese AK towards Dili, Timor hoping to lure out anything. IT WORKS! An ABDA Cruiser-DD force attacks and sinks ALL four...

KB2 Strikes!!!! In a perfect trap...two large strikes are flown at this Striking TF. 51K and 22V followed by 33Z, 32V, and 52K manage to sink CLs Tromp, Dragon, and Durban--additional damage done to another CL and several DD. All this for the loss of 3K!

Amboina makes its presense known by flying 11B in who hit a CL.

KB2 also finds time to sink 2AK and destroy 4 Ftrs at Kupang.

2PT's sink in Phil due to earlier damage and I lose a TK from earlier SS attack.

Summation:
Don't like losing the 4 small AK but the return was worth it. I suspected there was a surface force over here and had to lure it out. I should kill more of it tomorrow.


December 28, 1941

No SS Activity--All my ASW Groups are refueling...

Air
Changsha Battle Nates claim 5 more Chinese planes.

The AVG FINALLY appears over Wuhan and knocks down 12N on CAP!

Allied Air Raid on Convoy approaching Java: 17 Ftr, 9TP, and 26 Bombers hit 4AP. I forgot to assign it LR CAP! STUPID OF ME!

Ground
Unloading at Tarkan, Born, Buin, Sol, and Cotabaka, Phil

Take Tarakan, Born, Finschaven, NG, and Guiuan, Phil

Changsha Bomb nets 100 casualties

Naval
Bombardments of Menado gets 223 Cas and Tarakan gets 178 Cas.

Hanoi Port attacked by Chinese Air: 2AK and 2TK hit. None serious but VERY annoying!

KB2 and Amboina LBA continues the slaughter of the CL-DD Group. For losing 1V and 1K, down go CL Java and 3DD--damage to others done as well.

Detach a STF from Amboina to Darwin in an attempt to finish off any stragglers.

Combat Reports

December 29, 1941

No noted SS Activity

Air
AVG Sweep at Wuhan again! I was stupid and forgot to turn off my CAP. 14 more Nates fall. I HATE THE AVG!

11 B-17 hit Bangkok (from Mandalay) and get 2 resource hits.

The convoy that got hit yesterday appoaching Java gets LR CAP and still takes damage. My Zeroes and Oscars shoot down 7 planes and damage 3 more but they hit 2AP and 2AK. [:(]

Ground
Land at Talasea, NB, and Tacloban, Phil

Take San Marcelino, Phil, Buin, Sol, and Cotabato, Phil

Bomb Changsha 217 Cas I now have 11 Inf Div, 5 Art Units, 2 Eng, and 2 Tk Reg there.
Chinese have 12 Corps, 3 Cav Corps, 2 Div, and 1 BF.

Naval
KB2 continues pounding the remnants of that CA-DD TF: for NO losses--down goes CL Mauritius.

Appears that Wolfpack is withdrawing all his eastern DEI forces towards Port Moresby and NE Australia. Vector in 4 subs to intercept.

That convoy that WAS headed for Java will now land at Toboali. This is the FIRST crimp in my planning. His LBA has damaged enough units that I will offload there, wear down the Dutch AF a little and then try again.

DD Uranami gets creamed by 5 bombs near Palembang. Will probably lose her.


December 30, 1941

No SS Activity of note.

Air
Several Chinese Bombers hit Shanghai and lightly damage an AP.

Bangkok B-17s Raid from Mandalay and I FINALLY make an interception: 20 O vs 11 B-17. Damage 10 of them.

Ground
Land at Shortlands, Sol, Toboali, and Lae, NG

Take Talaseg

Changsha Bombardment nets 291 Cas

Naval Action
My TF sent from Amboina hits Darwin and sinks CL DeRuyter.

KB2 is now moving westward below Kupang

Lose an AP at Kuching from earlier damage.

Summation
The KB2 Raid has been VERY satisfactory in sinking a total of 6 CL and 3 DD. More DD were damaged. VERY NICE!


December 31, 1941 New Year's Eve

Subs
Ro-34 sinks AK Sagoland in that narrow straight between Australia and NG.

Air
Very light Air round with minor attacks and sweeps.

My Darwin Attack Force heads back in again and is hit by some LBA from there: CL Oi and DD hit twice each. Not serious but headed for Amboina and then home.

Ground
Landings at Cagayan, Phil, Toboali, Salamaua, NG, Shortlands, Sol and Lae, NG.

Take Cagayan, Toboali, Shortlands, and Lae.

Singapore The game begins!
Successful River Crossing! Shock Attack: 1652 Jap for 399 Brit. Cross the Johore with 4 Inf Div, 2 Tk Reg, 1 Art Reg, and 2 Eng Reg. They will duel with 10 Aussie/Brit/Indian Brigades, 10 BF, and Sing Fortress. I predict it to fall by January 15th...one month ahead of REAL time.

Changsha Deliberate Attack--0-1--212,000 vs. 134, 000--Fort 5. Take 6300 Jap Cas for 1900 Chin Cas. FRUSTRATING....will keep it up.

Deliberate Attack at Moulmein with 1 TK Reg vs an Inf Brigade. Get 2-1 but not enough to kick him out of hex.

Naval
After the Darwin Bombardment Force got hit by LBA, they still managed to sink two Dutch DD! A OK...

KB2 destroys an AK SW of Timor. Bringing them home for fueling...

CVL Shoho is finished in Toyko. I will let her air groups fill out and then send her to join KB2.

KB1 has been sitting around East of PH. Have decided to take a calculated risk and detach CarDiv 2 Hiryu and Soryu to send to Kwajelein. Will keep CarDiv5 (Sho/Zui) up in that area for a few more days.


January 1, 1942 New Years Day

Subs
Have 3 ASW TF working area near Singapore and Palembang. Appears that many of his SS are headed to the IO. Will try to hit a few of them.

KXVIII hits AK w/1TT and sinks it east of Singapore

Air
Sorong and Tavoy hit by B-17s. Nuisance Raids but troublesome.

Singapore is hit by 23 O and 128 Bombers. They nail AF, Port Fac, and Troops--230 Cas. This will go on everyday. Cannot let him raise his Fort Lvl!

Amboina LBA take a shot at 4DD leaving DEI and entering Coral Sea. They miss!

Ground
Occupy Mersing

Land at Torokina, Sol, Baker Island, Jesselton, Born, and Ormoc, Phil.

Take Salamaua and Baker!

Tank attack at Moulmein. Achieve 2-1 again but don't kick troops out.

Changsha Bombardment nets 140 Cas.

Naval
Re-Route a convoy headed for Canton to meet with Convoy at Baker to coordinate attack at Canton.

DD Uranami sinks at Palembang after being hit a few days ago.

12 Dutch PTs hit convoy at Toboali. ASW TF intercepts with 2DD, 2 MSW, and 1PG--3 Dutch PTs sink for no losses or damage!

Combat Report

January 2, 1942

Subs
For the first time in two weeks, ships leave PH and make an ASW Sweep towards my scouting line of SS. My remaining two carriers there are not spotted and do not give themselves away. Will move SS line back two hexes NE.

Air
B-17s attack Tavoy and Sorong again. No real damage.

Raid Manila Bay I have a squadron of Lilys and a squadron of DB hitting Manila Harbor whenever they chose to fly. Uses up supplies and doesn't cost me TOO much.

My Zeroes sweep Mandalay at 100Ft but don't get anything...

Ground
Singapore More troops move in and have to cross the Johore. SHOCK ATTACK! (0-1) 1961 Jap for 378 Allied

Changsha Bombardment yields 229 Cas

Capture Jesselton, Born, Moulmein, Burma, Torokina, Sol, and Ormoc, Phil

Naval
Bombard Kupang, Timor with Hyuga and Ise Group 5 Planes destroyed and 500 Cas

Bombard Rangoon, Burma with Nagato 2 Planes and 170 Cas

5 US PTs attack at Vigan and put a TT into one AK

Bombard Port Moresby, NG and get 1 Plane and 58 Cas.

Port Moresby Invasion Force, comprising 2nd Inf Div, leaves Truk for target.

January 3, 1942

No real SS activity this round

Air
B-17 raids on Sorong (6 Planes) and Tavoy (11 Planes)

Singapore is hit by 23 O and nearly 133 Bombers for a total of 355 Cas

Ground
Landing at Gasmata, NB, Vella Lavella, Sol, and Balikpapan, Born

Singapore: More troops cross Johore--Shock Attack (0-1) 286-255 Cas

Changsha Bombard yields 291 Cas

Naval
Bombard Samarinda and kill 3 planes as well as 129 Cas Fuso/Yamashiro


January 4, 1942

SS KX hit by 1DC by ASW TF.

Air
Changsha hit by 35 Nates and 40 Bombers--100 Cas

Singapore hit by 23 O and 80 Bombers--320 Cas

B-17s hit Sorong. I have an AAA Outfit headed there to make his -17s accountable.

Rangoon First Raid there by a squadron of Lilys w/Zero escort. 10 Cas

Ground
Bombard Singapore and inflict 272 Cas

Bombard Changsha and inflict 314 Cas

Take Balikpapan, Born, Gasmata, NB, Vella Lavella, Sol, and Teloekbetoeng, Sum.

Naval
Bombard Balikpapan, Born for 76 Cas

KB2 enters Amboina Harbor and refuels. They will get a couple of days and then head for the IO and the Bay of Bengal.

CarDiv2 (Hiryu/Soryu) approaching Kwajelein. They will be used to spport PM and other SE Pac Operations.


The capture of Balikpapan, Born closes out my Phase One Operations. I will do a summation of the war to date on the January 7th turn. After that, I will do a monthly summary at the beginning of each month.

January 5, 1942

SS
My sub line NE of Pearl Harbor (about 5 hexes) spot approaching ships. There are 5 SS in this line. I vector 3 more from my secondary line towards the approaching Task Force--My Glens report them to be 4 CA.

Air
11 B-17 raid Hanoi and are met by 9Z--They shot down 1 and damage 6 more.

The Dutch stage a raid from Batavia towards Palembang: 20F and 16B are bounced by 29 Jap Fighters. My fighters shoot down 4 and damage 11 more. I lose 3 Oscars.

Another raid from Batavia heads for Toboali: 7F and 3B are met by 23Z--6F go down in flames.

Ground
Land at Munda, Sol and Sandakan, Born

Bombard Singapore and cause 251 Cas

Bombard Changsha and cause 127 Cas

A Japanese version of General George S. Patton launches his Armored Regiment into Rangoon, Burma single-handedly and CAPTURES it! Wolfpack abandoned it and is retreating northwards with two Brigades.

Instead of moving into Rangoon, I order my 2 Inf Div, 2 Eng groups, and my tank Reg to lunge for Mandalay before he can occupy it in force. Patton called this 'bouncing the Rhine.' We will try it!

The 16th Mixed Brigade moves into Shanghai--Threy are already prepping for the invasion of Dutch Harbor. As soon as I shift their Assignment to Northern Force, I will do the same with another Brigade--They will get Anchorage as their assignment.

Naval Action
Bombard Samarinda twice and do 84 and then 134 Cas.

A Brit TK damaged earlier coming out of Batavia sinks.

CarDiv5 is moved further NE away from PH. If Wolfpack is actually coming out of Pearl, I want a REAL chance at getting some sinkings! Sho and Zui only have 90 attack planes so everyone will have to count! I'll move away this turn, see if he is truly heading out, and then move in for the kill next.

January 6, 1942

Subs
SS Sargo hit by 1DC by ASW DD Group near Palembang
I-170 sunk by ship group that left Darwin and is traveling southwards down the coast of eastern Australia.

Air Activity
Numerous small raids by the ABDA Forces with no result

Raid Changsha with 67F and 100B for 125 Chinese Cas

Raid Singapore with 36F and 77B for 150 Cas Lose 7 planes while doing this.

Ground
Landing at Sandakan, Born and Lunga, Sol

Capture Sandakan, Born and Munda, Sol

Bombard Changsha for 198 Cas Current totals are now 252,000 vs. 133,000 Chinese I am ordering an attack there. My forces are now strong enough to begin the reduction of the city. If Wolfpack follows form, the moment he realizes I can take the city, he will start to pull out of the town.

Bombard Singapore for 124 Cas Order my first serious attack there. We'll see if I can start to bring down the Fort Lvl...

2nd Inf Div is rounding the coast of MG and heading for PM. South Seas detachment is tw days behind that. Once I have PM, then I will LUNGE for Noumea! If I can take it NOW then I have a chance later in the game to control approaches to Australia. We'll see what he has available...

Naval Action!
Bombard Samarinda for 94 Cas

CarDiv5 Attacks! As I thought, Wolfpack retreated back to PH after checking out my SS line. In moving Shokaku and Zuikaku back towards the east, I bump into a westbound convoy! Sho and Zui launch morning and afternoon strikes sinking 3 large AK! Not warships but sinkings nevertheless...order CarDiv 5 southwards for return to Kwajelein.

Hiryu and Soryu have made good their plane losses and are getting ready to support my Canton Invasion.

KB2--Akagi, Kaga, Zuiho, Ryuho, and Hosho are leaving Amboina after a few days rest to raid IO.

January 7, 1942

Subs
O20 attacks CA Atago at Singapore and takes 2DC

Ground
Landing at Lunga, Zamboanga, and Russell

1 Hex North of Rangoon Shock Attack! 1 Jap Div plus some support vs. 2 Brigades 221 J vs. 47 UK
Singapore Attack Reduce Fort Lvl to 5--108,000 vs. 63,000 2300 Jap and 1000 UK Losses

Changsha Deliberate Attack 266,246 vs. 133,000 Fort 5 7300 J vs 1370 Chin
FRUSTRATING! I cannot seem to bring down his Fortification! Back to bombardment...

Air
Changsha 38 Nates and 38 Bombers followed by 32N and 52 DB cause 69 Cas

Rangoon (1 Hex North) 8Z and 20L cause 23 Casualties

ABDA Raid at Toboali LR CAP 22Z intercepts 14F and 19B For no losses, my Z shoot down 9F and 9B

Naval
Bombardment at Makassar 75 Cas Fuso/Yamashiro Group

Comments
Changsha is driving me nuts! I have the combat power there but seemingly cannot make any headway against the Fortifications...

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

On the Subject of the KB:
While the Japanese have the initiative, I like to split the KB into two and then three Carrier TF. Right now I will have two of these working:
KB-1 Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku 270 Planes
KB-2 Akagi, Kaga, 2 CVL, and little Hosho 230 Planes

Within two months I will add Shoho, Junyo, and Hiyo to the fleet. I will reorganize at that point and put Junyo, Hiyo, Hiryu and Soryu together. The CVL will be split between the remaining two TF. Each of the three TF should then have 4 Carriers with about 200 planes each.

This organization gives me flexiblity to be in multiple area at once and have enough striking power to handle anything short of 3 American CV.

Thoughts?

I'd suggest two carrier groups - one fast and one slow. Otherwise I think you leave yourself exposed to being defeated in a similar manner as Midway.

The First month of the war is in the books! Here are some of the statistics:

Japanese Ships Sunk: 26 Total for 191 Victory Points
Breakdown--2 DD, 3SS, 2 PG, 1 ML, 2 TK, 8 AP, and 8 AK.

Allied Ships Sunk: 88 Total for 900 Victory Points
Breakdown--1 BB--Arizona, 6 CL, 14 DD, 3 SS, 3 PG, 2 AS, 10 MSW, 7 PT, 42 AP/AK

The sinkings have been good. I don't have enough warships sunk for my tastes yet but I will bring him to battle sooner or later.

Aircraft Points Lost: 701 for the Allies and 463 for the Japanese
The only mistake I have made is that raid on Pearl (inadvertant) that cost me 40 plane.

Score Allies 6927 vs. Japanese 4602

Industry Numbers
Naval Ship Building 1217 (3)
Merchant Ship Building 992 (4)
Shipyard Repair 745
Aircraft Assembly 656 + (55-Rd)

Things are looking pretty good. I have grabbed more of the Philippines then I expected. Since Wolfpack has retreated back into Clark and Manila, I will happily take this.

Singapore looks good. I should have it within 2 weeks. That will be a month ahead of what the Japanese actually accomplished.

The DEI is in good shape as well. I have Borneo, most of the Celebes, and am heading into Timor and Java. Will be landing in Java within the week.

SE Pac
I will have PM within a week. At that point I will make a quick grab for Noumea by landing at La Foa with 1 1/2 Divisions. I don't know if that will be enough to take it, but I should be able to get Koumac and La Foa within TOO much difficulty. Have Lunga and am building it up.

The Pac
Will be grabbing Canton Island this week.

North Pac
Have taken Kiska and am building it up. Will lunge for DH and Anchorage by Feb 15th.

That is the situation! I will do this evey month, on-the-month, from here on out.

Any thoughts???

January 8, 1942

A CARRIER CLASH EAST OF PEARL HARBOR!

No serious SS activity--VECTOR 7 SS to intercept crippled CV.

Air Action
Changsha Raids: 66Ftrs, 43Bbrs, and 52DB cause 44 Cas

A small raid of 9 B-17s hit Rangoon

Singapore Attacks: 21Ftrs and 64 Bbrs caus 89 Cas

Ground Action
Occupy Apamana

Capture Russell Islands, Sol, and Zamboanga, Phil

Singapore Attack: Troops crossover the Johore and cause an attack to occur--788 Jap for 483 UK.

1 Hex North of Rangoon Deliberate Attack--503 Jap for 152 Brit

Changsha Bombardment causes 299 Casualties

Naval Action
Bombard Macassar inflicting 67 Cas

Carrier Fight! CarDiv 5 (Shokaku and Zuikaku) were headed for Kwajelein when Wolfpack sorties out of PH. In a HUGE surprise, 2 US CV (Enterprise and Lexington) cover what looks to be all the damaged BB leaving PH and headed for West Coast. Nagumo reacts and the two CV throw 3 extreme range (5 Hexes--DAMMIT No TT!!) raids against this force.

Raid 1--6Z, 20V, and 22K
Raid 2--7Z, 16V, and 24K
Raid 3(Afternoon)--10Z and 5V

Results:
CV Enterprise 2 Bombs ON FIRE!
CV Lexington 8 Bombs Serious Damage (probably in sinking condition)
2 CAs hit by 1 Bomb each.

Air-to-Air
54 Wildcats--27-3 and 27-4 [X(] rise up to meet them! My Sea Eagles shoot down 15 Wildcats...

I had my CAP set on 70% and make Bombers get creamed making their runs! I lose 8Z, 23V, and 16K...[8|][8|] OWWWW!

The BEST news here is that Lexington is crippled and I have a shot at Enterprise. I think it is worth the risk and order Nagumo to continue the fight. The 2CV still have 80 effective planes (40Z, 15V, and 25K). If I can sink two CVs in exchange for crippling two ari groups, I will TAKE IT! Even just getting Lex and damaging Ent is not a bad deal...

He did not launch a single strike! I wager he didn't think I was there and his bombers are set for Search/ASW. With Enterprise damaged, he will high-tail it back to PH.

If my CVs don't finish off Lexington, I am pretty certain my subs will!

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

That is the situation! I will do this evey month, on-the-month, from here on out.

Any thoughts???

You seem to be spreading yourself too thin. How does taking Alaska fit into your overall strategic plan for the war?

I agree with your thought WITP_Dude but I also want the slower group to have some firepower. Placing Akagi and Kaga there adds a REAL punch.

Figuring my CV Battle east of PH finishes decently, I will bring Sho/Zui home to refit their air groups. They can get experience while things are still relatively easy at the start of the war.

Shoho is finished and headed down to join KB2. I may divert her to join KB1 until Sho/Zui are back up to speed. We'll see...

January 9-10, 1942 "Scratch TWO Flattops!"

The action continues with the Hawaiian Carrier Battle. I have decided, due to far-reaching implications to cover the naval battle seperately in this entry.

January 8, 1942 Day 1
We left off after the first day's battle with CarDiv5--Shokaku and Zuikaku having engaged the American Lexington and Saratoga. While taking EXTREME air group losses, the Japanese Sea Eagles had managed to hit Enterprise twice and Lexington 8 times with bombs.

I wrote Wolfpack why his CVs didn't counterattack and he told me they were set to '0' react. I hit from a range of 5. There you have it! I'm glad Nagumo hit from long range because the image of 60+ SBDs diving onto my 2CV, 1BB, and 5DD was arather frightening.

Risking it all, I sent the TF closer to Hawaii to get another shot at the CV's. My air groups were down to a combined 80 planes (40Z, 15V, 25K).

I also vector in 7 SS to try and raise havoc.

January 9, 1942 Day 2
No SS action

Morning
CarDiv5 launch two strikes of 5Z, 17V, and 8K followed by 8Z and 17K. These strikes all attack Enterprise. Enterprise puts up 15 F4F.
Once the attacks are over, my Sea Eagles leave the Enterprise in shambles! They plant 2 more Bombs and 2 TT on her.
They shot down another 2 F4F. For this, my planes lose 1Z, 5V, and 10K.

Enterprise counters with one strike. 2 F4f and 24 SBDs come over CarDiv5. I have 17Z to counter them and my planes do WELL!
The Zeroes shot down 1 F4F and 10 SBD while all the rest are damaged by Flak and guns. Though valiant, the American pilots
manage only to hit BB Haruna (I think itas Haruna--might be Kongo) twice for no real damage...

I was having kittens as those SBDs nosed over...

Afternoon
CarDiv5 launches all that is available--11Z, 6V, and 5K attack the crippled Lexington. At a cost of only 1K, they hit Lex with 2 more
bombs and 2 TT!

Neither CV sinks during the end of the round and I am forced to contemplate continuing the attack. The answer MUST be YES!

Janaury 10, 1942 Day 3
My SS get into the action:
I-4 attacks CA Chester and puts a TT into her. For this, she is sunk.
Operating against the same TF, I-5 puts 3 TT into DD Phelps and blows her out of the water!

Morning
I panic when my CVs don't fly a strike! My poor air groups have, understandably, poor morale.

Afternoon
CarDiv5 launches everything it has repaired at Enterprise--10Z, 15V, and 2K. These survivors SINK the USS Enterprise (and her
Captain) after the third Bomb hits! Lose no planes--THANK GOD!

Evening
The USS Lexington SINKS as she slips beneath the waves taking Captain Miles Browning with her.


Summation: Though I have two gutted Air Groups, this 'incredible victory' shall make the Pacific War SO much easier for the next six months. Only CV Saratoga remains to contest me in the immediate picture. HOT DAMN!

I send CarDiv5 northwards to rendezvous with the tanker train and then head for Japan to refit their air groups.

How about that! BANZAI! BANZAI!! BANZAI!!!

Summation: Though I have two gutted Air Groups, this 'incredible victory' shall make the Pacific War SO much easier for the next six months. Only CV Saratoga remains to contest me in the immediate picture. HOT DAMN!

I send CarDiv5 northwards to rendezvous with the tanker train and then head for Japan to refit their air grou

You had better hope that the "Sara" isn't steaming in from the north at this point...[;)]

Anyway, gutsy play and good shooting!

Congratulations -

Dave Baranyi

Thanks Dave!

I REALLY debated on pulling out and being content with hitting both CVs. Having them in port for repair for a couple months sounded Ok but I HAD to take the risk and try to finish them off! I play the Japanese, at the start, highly aggressively because if I am to do better, then I need to take those extra risks. Dangerous but worth it.

Now I just have to get away. I have plenty of Zeroes there--38 of 48 possible so that is OK. I raised my CAP to 80% and am headed away!

This result should open things up for you. The Saratoga alone isn't much to prevent you from moving where you want.

I have successfully pulled CarDiv5 out of the theatre and they are headed west. My final aur group numbers for those two Cvs are 38 of 48 Z, 18 of 48 V, and 23 of 48 K. These numbers are sad but NOT terrible. I can rebuild the bomber groups and I am VERY happy about having most of my fighter pilots still around.

I should only have Saratoga to deal with for about a month. I know that Yorktown and Hornet will come in over the next couple of months. During that time, I will try to run the table...

Later today I will post the last four days of action (outside of the CV battle).

January 9, 1942

Subs
SS Saury hit by LBA

Air
Normal Changsha Raids doing 39 Cas

Singapore Raids doing 114 Cas

Ground
Landing at Canton Island

Landing at Port Moresby

Changsha Bombardment--181 Cas

Singapore Bombardment--250 Cas

Naval
Carrier battle east of Hawaii.

January 10, 1942

Subs
I-4 and I-5 attack American TF approaching PH: sink DD Phelps with 3TT and damage CA Chester with 1TT. Lose I-4 to 2DC.

Air
Raid Changsha for 56 Cas

Raid Singapore for 299 Cas

Ground
Landing at Canton Isle, Tulagi, Sol, take Babo, Phil, and landing at PM, NG

Bombard at Changsha for 195 Cas

Bombard at Singapore for 122 Cas Good combined day at Singapore!

Attack at Canton and get 1-1 result--could be a problem and might have to reinforce attack.

In the Philippines my one Inf Div and Inf Brigade successfully cross the river to enter Clark AF hex.

Naval Operations
Carrier Battle results in victory with Lexington and Enterprise sinking! [:D]

An AP of his hit near Java sinks while nearing Perth, Aust.


January 11, 1942

Subs
SS Pickeral sinks a MSW west of Singapore and takes 1DC for the effort.

Air
Resting most planes this day.

Am upgrading my Kuantan bombers from Lily to Helen to get better bombload.

Ground War BUSY DAY!
Bomb Changsha for 247 Cas

Bomb Singapore for 243 Cas

Take Tulagi, Sol

Take Port Moresby, NG! [8D] First attack takes it. Two Brigades and 1BF retreating towards Buna, NG

Attack at Samarinda, Born and reduce Forts to 1

Shock attack fails to take Canton Island. Will send another small Inf Unit.

Naval News
All that is left about CarDiv 5 (retreating towards fueling TKs in the north) hits two US DD and sinks DD Patterson! Lose 1V out of a strike of 10Z, 15V, and 14K.

First Naval Bombardment of Batavia yields: 9 planes and 180 Cas.