11 Dec 41
Sub War
My subs around the Hawaiian Islands did nothing today, nor did the Allied ASW TFs. I can see a TF a hex south of Pearl that is showing a carrier and aircraft in it. Did one of the US carriers make it through my net? Probably.
The I-166 damaged and later the I-155 sank CM Rigel near Tobali.
Off Takao, the Pike surfaced and attacked an unescorted xAK. She pumped a shell into the cargo ship then the cargo ship promptly put a shell into the Pike. She then dove and disappeared.
Two different US S class subs damaged an xAP and sank an xAK south of Davao.
There are a LOT of ships in Palembang, probably loading fuel/oil. I’m vectoring 3-4 subs there to intercept as many as I can.
Not very exciting today.
5 Fleet
Nothing.
4 Fleet
The Wake invasion force is still sitting 3 hexes south of Wake. They’ll invade tomorrow. KB is 8 hexes to the SW, unspotted. They will cruise west, 4 hexes south of Wake for the next 2 days supporting the invaders. Akagi will provide LRCAP to the invasion TF while the bombers will look for any ships in the area then bomb Wake’s troops in the afternoon should there be no ships around. The invading force is an SNLF and a Naval Guard. That should do the trick.
Mike has been using his Wildcats at Wake in an attempt to bomb my ships over the past 2 days without success. Wonder if he’s going to withdraw them. If he doesn’t, he’ll lose them and give KBs fighter pilots a little target practice, especially if he uses them as naval bombers.
SE Fleet
Kavieng’s invasion force is sitting there waiting for the order to go. They’ll attack tomorrow.
Shortland Islands was invaded today. Unfortunately, it was with a construction battalion with no AV. [8|] The infantry was in a different TF and will arrive tomorrow. Another instance of troops invading and doing nothing for a day. They won’t attack until 14 Dec. [:@] This 2 day turn thing is going to take some getting used to. Maybe the base will auto convert to Japanese control during the next 2 day cycle. Yeah, wishful thinking, I know.
SRA
The surface TF (3 CA, 1 CL, 4 DD) stationed in the choke point east of Balikpapan had more fun today. They sank the xAP President Madison and the AO Pecos. There are a flood of enemy ships to their east fleeing toward them. I expect the horde to flee SE to escape their clutches, so I’m sending my TF on a convoluted route to the east to catch whatever they can and send them to the bottom. Rereading this, I decided I’m going to split the TF in two and send the 2 CAs and 2 DDs on the trek and leave a CA, the CL and 2 DDs there in case some of the ships go that way.
Ryujo is still sitting a hex to the south of Jolo. She sent her Kates after the AM TF from yesterday sinking a couple more. There are at least 9 TFs all around her running for their lives and they pick some AMs about 5 hexes away. Really?!
I have 4 DDs that just finished replenishing at Babeldaob. They're heading back out and will try to cut of and sink more ships.
Philippines: The Zero sweep of Manila shot down 7 of 9 remaining P-40Es. Almost done. I see 3 enemy fighters on Luzon.
Bombers hit Manila, Clark and Bataan’s airfields again.
The 48 Division combined and is marching on Clark Field.
The 65 Brigade landed to the east of Manila at Mauban and took that base. They’re staying put for the time being.
I noticed something interesting. I think Mike is going to make his final defense at Manila. I see 8 units at Clark Field (including those that were trashed in the San Fernando and Lingayan attacks), 1 at Bataan, and 27 in Manila. If that is the case, 48 Division, along with the artillery that is moving up, can take out Clark Field. Right now, I don’t see any enemy units in any of those locations moving.
Mindanao: Some Petes attacked an Allied xAK hitting her with 2x 30kg bombs. I’ll bet that hurt! [:D]
Troops landed at Cotabato yesterday and will attack tomorrow then begin pushing inland.
Borneo: The infantry battalion at Kuching will attack tomorrow.
Malaya: Seven Buffalos rose against the Zero sweep over Singapore. Two were shot down. Almost gone. I see 5 fighters and 66 bombers at Singapore. I'm sending my Betties and Tells to bomb the airfield.
Same bombing of Alor Star, Georgetown and Kuantan. The AVG (17 planes) is still sitting there.
Another 12k troops will land at Mersing tomorrow. I was going to build an airfield at Mersing but changed my mind. Johore Bahru has a nice, level 4 airfield that I’ll use. Everything at Mersing is moving there. The 12k troops landing tomorrow will backfill them, and most of them will move south too.
In the mean-time, I’m landing an infantry regiment and 24 AS at Kuantan, which has a level 4 airbase. I’ll station some fighters there to cover Mersing until Johore Bahru is running.
Finally, I’m sending an infantry battalion, 72 AS and a bunch of engineers to Muntok, just 2 hexes NE of Palembang. Once the airfield is up to level 2, I’ll station 2E bombers there to interdict the shipping at Palembang.
I learned something in this game. It’s practically impossible to successfully perform the Mersing Gambit with 2 day turns. There are too many delays for the Japanese allowing the Allies to run if they choose. Just about all of the troops from northern Malaya are in Singapore. I see 30 units there. There are 10 in Johore Bahru, including 3x Indian brigades from up north. I suspect they are all in Strat mode, so I’m going to try a shock attack with the tank and recon units there. I’m hoping to trash some of them. Keeping fingers crossed on this one. Even if I take serious losses, it really won’t hurt me in the grand scheme of things.
My intel says there are 5 Buffalos and 66 bombers at Singapore. The bombers are pretty ineffective. They usually go after the two BBs I have at Mersing as a covering force, and always miss. Flak and/or fighters whittle them down too.
Burma
Still heading north.
China
The Chinese bombers went after Taihoku’s oil again. It was already destroyed so there was no damage. Hopefully, they try again tomorrow. They’ll meet 9 Zeros.
My Hong Kong invasion force was happy to just bombard today. The 38 Division fatigue is 18 but disruption is only 7 with only 1 infantry squad disabled. The whole group will attack again tomorrow.
Other Stuff
2 Division left Sendai headed for Malaya.
33 Division is loaded and will head to Burma tomorrow.
4 Division is loading and will head to Malaya (most likely).
Elements of other divisions are also at sea heading to the SRA.
Next time you see a post from Mike (USSAmerica), take a look at his signature. Brave Sir Robin Fanboy. I am pretty sure he’s living up to that. I haven’t seen a warship bigger than a PG in the SRA (other than the British DDs that started in Hong Kong, but they’ve vanished too). They’re out there though. Just not sure when they’ll rear their ugly heads. As a response to that probable event, I’m trying to capture level 4 airfields and put a Naval Flotilla HQ there so I can plop some Betties/Nells to cover my fleets.
Johore Bahru is important for that. Betties/Nells there with torpedo carrying capability will nullify Mike’s ability to pull oil/fuel out of Palembang.
; Julia Child
