Spence vs Dixon - The first year scenario

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 30th July 1942

Akyab, Burma

A large enemy TF wrecked havoc in residential quarters of Akyab on the 28th July, with a heavy night time bombardment. No military targets were hit. Many civilians were killed and maimed. BB's Royal Sovereign and Revenge were spotted at dawn, heading towards Chandpur. A flight of G4M1 (Bettys) recorded a number of 'probable' hits on the said vessels.


Kiska, Aluetians

In the early hours of the 29th, several large American TF's attacked Kiska. In an attack similar to the previous 20th July Allied disaster, many enemy vessels were sunk by brave gunners of the 17th Coastal gun battery. However, this time the enemy pressed forward, with scant regard to military casualties. Elements of at least an U.S. Army corps landed during the day, and encountered devastating fire from the small garrison. Thousands of dead American soldiers littered the beaches of Kiska but the reckless U.S. Army continued to feed troops into the meatgrinder. Undoubtedly the censored government mouthpiece American press will proclaim a victory in due course.

Bloody 'Kiska' details:-


Night casualties

817 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Quatsino, Shell hits 38, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Guysborough, Shell hits 35, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Kelowna, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Courtenay, Shell hits 22, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Lockeport, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wasaga, Shell hits 42, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bungaree, Shell hits 50, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Vireo, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Turkey, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Skylark, Shell hits 36, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hovey, Shell hits 48, on fire, heavy damage
APD Manley, Mine hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Morning casualties

DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 379, on fire, heavy damage
APD Manley, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Colhoun, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Brooks, Mine hits 1
DD Monaghan, Mine hits 1
AP Westralia, Mine hits 1
DD Selfridge, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Henley, Mine hits 1, on fire
AK Alcyone, Mine hits 2, on fire
AP J. Franklin Bell, Mine hits 2
AK Fomalhaut, Mine hits 1, on fire
AP Henderson, Mine hits 1
AP Royal T. Frank, Mine hits 1
AP Harris, Mine hits 1, on fire
AP Van Overstraten, Mine hits 1, on fire

Afternoon casualties

APD Colhoun, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 3
DD Clark, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Van Neck, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Alhena, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Henley, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Downes, Shell hits 12, on fire
AP President Madison, Shell hits 7, on fire
AP President Monroe, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Concord, Shell hits 2
AP J. Franklin Bell, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Harris, Shell hits 6, on fire
AP President Adams, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Worden, Shell hits 5
AP Hunter Liggett, Shell hits 1
AP American Legion, Shell hits 3
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
2448 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

[Mike Dixon]

Grieving widow:-

[Mike Dixon]

Allied victory

[spence]

ALLIES STRIKE BACK

DATELINE HONOLULU - 2 August 1942

In a surprise move Allied Forces have wrested control of island of Kiska in the Aleutian Chain from Japanese forces. Overcoming fierce resistance, American troops supported by US and Canadian air and naval forces landed on the remote island on the 29th of July overrunning the enemy base on the 31st. Remnants of the Japanese garrison, estimated at around 6000 crack troops, have been driven into a small pocket on a remote corner of the island.

Japanese prisoners taken on Kiska

[spence]

DATELINE CALCUTTA - 2 August 1942

A Southeast Asia Command communique issued this morning reports that in the past week the enemy has suffered materially in several important areas.

Two japanese submarines suffered considerable damage and may have been sunk by RN ships in the approaches to Chandpur. A third submarine was attacked and reported hit by aircraft operating in the same area.

Royal Navy ships, including several battleships, bombarded and smashed the enemy's positions near Akyab on the Burma coast. The aerodrome there suffered massive damage and appears to have been abandoned.

Enemy air activity in southeastern India, which was intense for several weeks earlier in the summer, has decreased to nothing more than occasional reconnaisance flights.
Allied bombers on the other hand have attacked numerous enemy positions and troop concentrations in northern Burma.

[Mike Dixon]

Kiska

[Mike Dixon]

Situation report to August 1st 1942

Batavia

On the morning of 30th July, the residents of Batavia were awoke by a terror air attack from a British fleet of CV's, based some sixty miles offshore. Heavy damage to civilian quarters was sustained over a two day period, but the Japanese Naval air arm was soon able to score multiple torpedo hits on both the Indomitable (31st July) and Illustrious (1st Aug). The enemy carriers soon decided to flee and are currently being shadowed by our recon aircraft. Political analysts in Tokyo think that this latest attack will result in the weakening of the gangster Churchill and with the resulting strengthening of the position of doves such as Lord Halifax, it could prompt peace talks in the near future.


Kiska

On the 31st July, the gallant Kiska garrison retired into the hills. A long partisan campaign is planned against the several U.S. Army corps that landed recently.


Kiska garrison moving into the hills

[spence]

DATELINE HONOLULU - 4 August 1942

Pacific Headquarters announced today that all Japanese resistance on Kiska has come to an end.  Remnants of the garrison, cornered in a remote area of the island, were wiped out by US Army forces yesterday.  The bodies of approxiamately 2000 enemy dead were buried in a mass grave which they had apparently prepared for their final stand. 

Enemy dead on Kiska

[Mike Dixon]

Update of the situation to 4th August 1942

Burma/India border

The culmination of a several week long operation, was completed on the 3rd when a large British force, including an armored brigade, was routed. This force had been encircled at one stage but these self proclaimed 'Chindits' managed to slip through an undefended sector in late July but their reprieve was only short lived.

Captured 'Chindit' badge - these insurgents will be treated harshly when captured:-

[spence]

R 051835Z AUG 42
FM HMS NIZZAM
TO COMSEACFLT
BT
UNCLAS //N09851//
1. RECOVERED ONE SURVIVOR OF JAPANESE SUBMARINE I-159 CLINGING TO WOODEN DEBRIS APPROXIAMATELY 120 MILES ESE CHANDPUR. SURVIVOR, IDENTIFIED AS HIDAWA SEIJI LATER SUCCUMBED TO WOUNDS.
2. NIZZAM CONDUCTED DEPTH CHARGE ATTACK ON UNIDENTIFIED SUBMARINE CONTACT IN APPROX SAME LOCATION AT 031330Z AUG 42 WITH UNKNOWN RESULTS. BELIEVE SUBMARINE ATTACKED AT THAT TIME WAS I-159.
3. REQUEST REPLENISH SHIP'S ALLOWANCE;
A. 42 MKVII DEPTH CHARGES
B. 1 .455 CAL PISTOL CARTRIDGE.
BT

[spence]

DATELINE CALCUTTA - 7 August 1942

A spokesman for Allied Headquarters here announced that Allied bombers had smashed a large enemy air concentration on the aerodromes near Mandalay in Burma. "It is quite clear, that the enemy had planned to resume his terror bombing attacks against southeastern India", the spokesman said. "It is equally clear that his intentions were completely foiled by the devastating attacks of our air forces".

The spokesman continued citing several recent damaging attacks against enemy submarines operating in the Bay of Bengal. "The submarine I-159 was confirmed sunk the other day somewhat more than 100 miles off Chandpur and at least another two were seriously damaged and perhaps sunk in the same area within the last week."

[Mike Dixon]

Sitrep to 7th August 1942

China

A further devastating bow to the illegal U.S. sponsored Chiang Kai-shek junta in China, was landed on the 6th August. An early morning infantry attack burst into Kweilin with minimal casualties, and by 10.23am the Chinese garrison agreed an unconditional surrender of the city. This further military defeat is thought by military analysts to bring peace talks closer, as one of the pretexts of the American war of aggression, China, will soon all be incorporated into the benevolent Greater East Asian co-prosperity sphere.


Mandalay aerodrome

On the 7th August a further enemy terror air raid was beaten away, with heavy Aliied casualties.

[Mike Dixon]

BREAKING NEWS

Southern fleet announcement.

8th to 10th August 1942

Over the past few days, the British enemy carrier TF, that attempted to raid Batavia last week, has been identified and attacked by the Kido Butai 'B', some six hundred miles South of Sumatra. On the 8th, sub I-27 identified three taskforces, each containing enemy carriers, attempting to flee to Ceylon. Several tropical rainstorms on the 9th prevented attack but as the weather cleared on the 10th August, a number of devestating air attacks were made. Nearly twenty bomb hits of the 'Formidable' were observed and the carrier is now burning furiously. The midget 'Hermes' was also struck several times and may well sink shortly. The 'Indomintable' TF is thought to have reversed course or even been scuttled, leaving thousands of sailors adrift in mid-ocean. Frantic enemy air activity over Ceylon has been noted, as Churchill's henchmen attempt to form some sort of aircover for their sinking carriers.

The weather forecast is poor for the 11th August, only inclement weather can now save the enemy terror carriers from complete destruction.

Meanwhile somewhere in the mid pacific the Kido Butai 'A' is on constant patrol to protect the outer defence perimeter.



Hermes in some trouble:-

[spence]

Commentary on game

I seriously screwed up royally a few turns ago. Though Mike has played an excellent game to date I did basically offer up the RN CVs on a platter to him through a dumb mistake.

About 10 turns ago the RN carriers raided Batavia (a success though minor) concurrently with my invasion of Kiska. After making my next move I read here in the forums about somebody who had their transports reset to "do not unload" in the middle of an invasion because of some attack or other. Since his CD guns had done some serious damage to my invasion TF, just to be sure I reloaded the original turn and checked my invasion TF which, sure enough, had stopped unloading. So I reset them to unload and ended the turn (again). Big time OOPS. Forgot all about everybody else. Needless to say I did not get another "free shot" at Batavia...the G3s showed up and the rest is "history".

Good thing this is almost just a game.[:)]

[Mike Dixon]

Tokyo times release to Reuters:-

Two British CV's - the 'Formidable' and the 'Illustrious' were sunk on the 11th and 12th August respectively. Operations are still ongoing to hunt down the 'Indominatable'.

A Foreign office spokesman believes that British Parliment could well be now recalled to, at minimum, censure Churchill and his gangster cabinet.

[spence]

DATELINE HONOLULU:  12 August 1942

Headquarters here announced today that the island of Attu in the Aleutian Islands has been occupied by American forces without significant ground opposition.  Following the successful Battle of Kiska, Attu had constituted Imperial Japan's only beachhead on the North American continent.  The new Allied bases on Kiska and Attu put Allied bombers within range of the Imperial Homeland.

[Mike Dixon]

Sitrep week of 11th to 17th August 1942

Destruction of British Carrier fleet

On the 11th August the final nails in the British SE Asia Air Fllet arm were hammered home. In a desperate move, a dozen Swordfish took off from the blazing carriers, in complete darkness, but were all destroyed by local CAP. At dawn, the CV Formidable was hit six times with torpedoes and at least ten times by 250Kg bombs. The carrier was confirmed as sunk, before noon. In a further strike, the burning hulk of CVL Hermes was struck a further four times with torpedoes. The dwarf ship was seen to explode and several minutes later, not a single trace remained. The next day, CV Illustrious was sunk with some six torpedo hits.

This grevious blow confirms Imperial hegemony over the Bay of Bengal, and with the East of India effectively isolated, the British Raj are now in considerable danger.


Island port of Akyab

On the 12th August, a large British terror bombardment force, including BB Resolution, Ramilles, Valiant and Royal Sovereign, was attacked by torpedo bombers. Several strikes are believed to have been made.


Central Pacific

Some American manouvering was observed near several key outer defence perimeter bases. A show of force with local air and Naval units was sufficent to send the Yank gangsters home to the lair at Pearl.


Tokyo

Tokyo 'Rose' is ready to begin broadcasting to Allied forces shortly. In her first message, the former American citizen is believed to launch an appeal to U.S. forces to lay down their arms, to avoid certain death in the Pacific ocean.

[Mike Dixon]

18th to 24th August 1942 - Digest

Darwin

On the 19th August, an enemy PT boat flotilla was wiped out at Darwin. After the enemy fighter defences were destroyed by Zero's, a number of Sally's, with pin point accuracy, land a 250Kg bomb in four separate PT boats. Each vessel was confirmed as sunk. This action was necessary, to prevent a campaign of piracy near Timor.


Perth

On the 20th some one thousand miles north of Perth, the SS I-32 spotted and torpedoed CLAA Columbo. This vessel is believed to be from the remenants of the ex British carrier fleet. A strong Naval force is being despatched to the area from Java.


Pagan

On the 24th a dozen Wellingtons were shot down, in the latest enemy terror bombing raid.

[Mike Dixon]

Update to 27th August 1942

China

The days of the illegal Chiang Kai-Shek junta are now numbered. On the 26th August a preliminary attack in Sian made substantive gains at a high cost to the Chinese militia. A conclusive attack is being prepared. The 27th August saw the collapse of the enemy citadel in Hengchow. At least a dozen enemy divsions were wiped out in an early morning assault. The road to Chungking is now wide open. With the imminent collapse of Roosevelts Chinese puppet, foreign office officials believe that an end to the Greater East Asian defensive war of liberation, could be close.

[Mike Dixon]

Update to end of August 1942

Darwin, Australia

On the 29th August, the battered remains of the British carrier fleet were surprised by a TF based around the BB Haruna. After only 30 minutes combat, four British ships were sunk, including the CLAA Columbo. In the afternoon the final nail was driven home, with the sinking of the support oiler, Trinity. The Japanese fleet now rules supreme from India to West coast of America.


Lashio

On the 30th August, a dozen Wellingtons were shot down by Zero's at Lashio. Meanwhile in Rangoon, the latest advanced Japanese fighter has formed several air wings. The Ki-61 fighter is believed to be superior to every Allied fighter in existence. This high performance plane will also be able to shot down the massed Allied terror bombers.

Ki-61