Shattering the Sword. Cantona2 (a) vs Herbiesan (j)

[cantona2]

Yet it all hasnt been our way. Japanese submarines still ply their trade in the sea lanes between Pearl and our CENTPAC bases. Despite recent success, the sinking of the I-33 and I-7 as well as the damaging of the RO-33 and I-20, the I-11 was able to torpedo a tanker enroute to Canton Island that was fuel to the brim with aviation fuel. The destroyer escorts counter attacked but to no apparent avail.



Sub attack at 97,89

Japanese Ships
SS I-11, hits 3

Allied Ships
TK Larry Doheny, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dale
DD Dewey
DD Selfridge

The Larry Doheny managed to stay afloat and is trying to make Johnston Island at 70/68/49.

[cantona2]

The daily attrition over Tarawa continued today. 6 Zeroes for none of our own but the damn Betties got through and sunk one torp into a transport unlaoding at Tarawa.

ay Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 84,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
Kittyhawk I x 3
P-38F Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged (FOW 6 reported shot down in the air losses screen)
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 damaged
P-38F Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Makena
AK Jefferson Myers, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Yet the second Allied 'Ace' of the war was born in the bloody skies over Tarawa.



The following is a synopsis of the units involved in the battles over Tarawa:

VMF-221 (F4F-4 Wildcat) currently on Tarawa. Kills 18
VMO-251 (F4F-4 Wildcat) currently on Tarawa. Kills 6
37th Fighter (P-38F Lightning) currently resting on Abemama. Kills 2
48th Fighter (P-38F Lightning) currently flying LRCAP from Abemama. Kills 13
No 16 Squadron RNZAF (Kittyhawk I) currently resting on Abemama. Kills 4
VMF-211 (F4F-3 Wildcat) currently resting on Nukufetau. Kills 10
VF-71 (F4F-4 Wildcat) currently flying LRCAP from CV Wasp. Kills 23
No 111 Squadron RCAF (Kittyhawk I) currently stationed at Suva. Kills 1
57th Fighter Sqaudron (P-39D Airacobra) currently stationed at Suva. Kills 1
VF-8 (F4F-4 Wildcat) currently on CV Hornet in San Francisco. Kills 6
VF-6 (F4F-4 Wildcat) currently on CV Enterprise in Canton Island. Kills 15

All of these units have been either on Tarawa or involved in its defence at some point in the last 8 weeks. As you can see they are slowly eating away at the enemys strength bit by bit.

[cantona2]

Catalina's of VP-71 based at Baker Island, recently operational as a fighter and float plane base, spot what appears to be a Japanese task force of capital ships. CV Saratoga has been pulled out of drydock at Pearl Harbour and is steaming south west with her TF at full speed. Likewise the Enterprise is sailing at full pelt from Canton Island in the hope of catching the Japanese between the hammer and the anvil.

[cantona2]

No second sighting of Japanese ships but a very bloody day with 39 allied planes shot down for 10 Japanese. Oscar's over Akyab tore into unescorted Beauforts, their Hurricane escorts opted to stay at home while over Tarawa 80 zeroes escorted Sallys and Betties and tore into the CAP the USNAF and USAAF put up. Their target was a small troop convoy that was shuttling the last of the 25th Infantry's support squads. Recon of Kwajalein revealed the presence of 3 Japanese carriers docked there. Promises to be interesting!

[cantona2]

Well the carriers found something, though it wasnt what i expected. Enterprise will now head SW back to Canton Island and ASW resources are moving to the area in question.

[cantona2]

Recon has detected several movements of Japanese shipping in the Marshall Isalands all headng in a SE heading. Long range Lightning planes were able to bring back this valuable nugget though. Two Dauntless units have been moved to Tarawa an a small PT sqaudron (4 boats) moved from Abemama to Tarawa. The TF that is furtherest south seems to be heading straight for Tarawa, i hope to engage tomorrow.

[cantona2]

China is still very fluid. I have a third infantry corps marching to relieve a pocket of troops to the East of Changsha. Further south an Infantry Army is trying to march its way out of the Wenchow pocket.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre Wake Island based bombers struck Kwajalein's port installations and post raid recon suggested two submarines had been heavily damaged and an oiler left burning and listing in the water. SIGINT later intercepted a message from a salvage company to headquarters stating they had given up any hope of salvaging the ship.

Day Air attack on Kwajalein , at 81,84
 
Japanese aircraft
no flights
 
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
LB-30 Liberator x 8
 
Japanese aircraft losses
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-166, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
SS I-153, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AO Shoyo Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage *sinks later*
 
Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

The Japanese payback the raid with an attack on the heavy cruiser Minneapolis in the North Pacific. The Minneapolis was being accompanied by two destroyers on a raid on the Japanese held islands west of the aleutians. The weather forecast had been for heavy rain and snow which were expected to ground the aircraft at Parashimo Jima. Unfortunately the weather cleared and Ki-49's were able to acore several damaged hits on the ship. Though floatation damage was minimal she received a damaging hit to her control centre and can make slow speed, yet enough to enter the fighter umbrella of Attu Island tomorrow. The two destroyers were not attacked and will make Attu tomorrow. Their original target were several Japanese transports at Onnekotan Jima.

Day Air attack on TF at 88,34
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
E13A1 Jake x 4
Ki-49 Helen x 24
 
Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
 
Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Aircraft Attacking:
 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 1000 feet
 4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
 1 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 1000 feet
 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 1000 feet
 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 1000 feet
 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 1000 feet
 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 1000 feet
 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 1000 feet

[cantona2]

Seems Herbie is intent in pushing a raid into my shipping lanes. I bumped into his sub screen last turn but once again VP-71 is worth its weight in gold and spotted a task force heading East out of the Marshalls. Sighting reports make ths task force the same one that was heading towards Tarawa yesterday. B-25's from Tarawa made an unsuccessful attack on a destroyer and light cruiser. The carriers spotted yesterday are nowhere to be seen. I have three carriers in the immediate vecinity of Baker Island and all three are moving into a positon where they might be able to strike at the Japanese ships tomorrow. I have niggling feeling at the back of my mind that these might be bait to lure out my ships, yet no CAP was flying over them as the Mitchells attacked. There is also a surface unit task force at Baker Island should an opportunity to engage presents itself. The sreenies below shows the movements that the three carriers will make to try and engage the Japanese ships

PS CA Minneapolis made Attu Island and repir crews are pumping put the flooded areas of the ship.

[cantona2]

The carriers found nothing [:(]

The next day the same Japanese task force was spotted heading west back into the Marshalls. Wasp headed back to her station around Tarawa, Enterprise to Canton Island and Saratoga to Pearl to finish of her minor repairs.

Allied bombers had a very active day. Firstly B-17's from Wake once again attacked the port installations at Kwajalein. Two more submarines were hit and sunk at port. Its surprising that the Japanese High Command had no fighters flying patrols over the base. The bomber pilots will be rested after a week of non stop raids.

Day Air attack on Kwajalein , at 81,84
 
 
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-166, Bomb hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage *sinks later*
SS I-28, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage *sinks later*
 
Port supply hits 5
 
Aircraft Attacking:
 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
 2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet

Likewise the Liberator sqaudron at Wake also engaged Japanese shipping at the atoll of Wotje. Sighting reports included the presence of a Japanese carrier at this location. The only ship the planes engaged was a small patrol craft, that despite its size and height from which the planes dropped their bombs, which was bracketed with 4 bombs.

Day Air attack on TF, near Wotje at 84,85
 
 
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6
 
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese Ships
PG Chokai Maru, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Aircraft Attacking:
 6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet

In Northern Australia Allied planes celebrated the exapansion of Darwin's aerdromes with a very successful raid on enemy ships unloading at Lautem, Timor. It seems from post-raid recon photos that the Japs have moved in a base force as several light aircraft and float planes were identified by the recon pilots whereas before no planes had been reported as operating from this area.

Day Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 33,77
 
 
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 14
B-26B Marauder x 14
B-17E Fortress x 8
LB-30 Liberator x 11
B-24D Liberator x 6
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
DD Akizuki, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AP Conte Verde, Bomb hits 2,  on fire
AP Asaka Maru, Bomb hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Aircraft Attacking:
 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
 3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 4000 feet
 6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
 5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
 3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 4000 feet
 3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
 2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 4000 feet
 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 4000 feet
 4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet

Yet again there were several hits by the 4 engined bombers from 15,000 feet.

[cantona2]

Its been a quiet couple of days with a lot of US aeroplanes chasing shadows in and out of the Marshalls. Recon pilots kept reporting the presence of aircraft carriers to the north east of Kwajalein and submarine captains were monitoring the coming and goings of oilers around Wotje. Yet despite long range search efforts from Wake Island, Baker Island and Johnston Island nothing was found. Still the possibility of a Japanese carrier raid into my shipping lanes is still a vivid possibility therefore search and destroy efforts will be maintained for a while.

However SS Permit, snooping around Kagoshima, literally bumped into an old adversary whose wounds were now healed and i am sure is out for some payback.

The result: predictable!



Sub attack near Kagoshima at 58,43

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
DD Uzuki
DD Minekaze
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
SS Permit

Slighty to the East a couple of bored destroyer Captains made a raid on Japanese gun boats in Ketoi Jima. Several Japanese ships were engaged, one sunk and several damaged. DD Dunlap received one light hit.



Night Time Surface Combat, near Ketoi Jima at 80,36

Japanese Ships
PG Hakkai Maru, Shell hits 2
PG Hong Kong Maru
PG Seikyo Maru., Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Santo Maru, Shell hits 2
PG Yoshida Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Mustin
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 1

Unfortunately a break in the weather allowed G3M's and E13A1's from Paramushiro Jima a strike on the destroyers as they stole back to Midway. The injured Dunlap took the only torpedo hit and is limping back to Attu while the Mustin steams onto Midway Island.

Day Air attack on TF at 84,39

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9
E13A1 Jake x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 4 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Mustin
DD Dunlap, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

[cantona2]

SS S-33 hit an AS at Truk with a couple of torpedoes, no confirmation of sinking but thats one tender that won't be tendering any time soon.

DD Dunlap once again got hit by Paramishro's bombers and this time was sunk. The Mustin is almost at Midway.

The first of two P-38 sqaudrons earmarked for Australia finished reforming at Townsville. It will now redploy to the Northern Australian coast. Two aviation regiments are also approaching as well as several base and engineering units. I want to take the fight to Timor and PNG as soon as i can but ill need the infrastructure in place first.

I made a rookie mistake this turn. Nells out of Koepang were able to sink one of the two transports carrying the 78th LAA Regiment to Wyndham and damage the other. It was a stupid error as the convoy was within LRCAP range of Wyndham where i have two sqaudrons of Kittyhawks [:@]

[cantona2]

SS Shark was reprorted missing today. Its last report yesterday had said it was under aerial attack to the East of Milne. The news, however, was balanced by an intercepted radio signal from Truk saying that a submarine tender had sank in the approaches to the harbour after being hit by a submarine [:D]

SS O-19 claimed another victory for the Allied Silent Services as she sank the AP Asaka Maru at Kendari. The Asaka had been hit at Lautem by B-25's a couple of days ago. The sub managed to intercept the ship as she traveresed her patrol area. The Asaka Maru is the 47th confirmed Japanese troop transport sunk during the course of the war.



Sub attack near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese Ships
AP Asaka Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

The squadrons at Wake Island were kept very busy today. The Catalina's of VP-12 brought back the news of tankers and oilers just East of Bikini atoll. Two flights each from the 427th Bombardment (B-17) and 435th Bombardment (LB-30) endured a two hour flight to drop their bombs on a minesweeper escorted convoy of fuel carrying ships.



Day Air attack on TF at 81,79


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
LB-30 Liberator x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AO Mitsu Maru
AO Goyo Maru
MSW W.12

No bombs managed to hit any of the Japanese ships but the latest location reports were put to very good use by LCDR Stevens, CO of the SS S-35, in whose patrol area these Japanese ships now found themselves.



Sub attack at 81,79

Japanese Ships
AO Goyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-35

The remaining flight of the 435th Bombardment, joined the 65th Bombardment (B-17) on a raid to attack enemy shipping at Kwajalein. A new type of Japanese fighter, hitherto not seen in the Pacific Theatre, but one that had already locked horns with the air force in China, rose to meet the attack, but due to a very well kept tight formation did no damagage and the planes were able to carry out their attack run hitting an auxiliray tender with a couple of bombs.



Day Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
LB-30 Liberator x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AV Kunikawa Maru
AR Yamabiko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet

[cantona2]

The situation in China is once again fluid. See the map below.



1) 4 Chinese Infantry Corps are attempting to relieve the pocket to the East in order to extract those units now cut off.

2) The Hankow Army Group has been slowly withdrawing back to Ichang before all opportunity to escape has been cut off.

3) Cut off 32nd Army Group in good state of health and supply are tying down several Japanese units while awaiting relief from the West.

[cantona2]

A very quiet week in game terms. 32nd Army Group in China were able to extract themselves from the pocket after relief from the West was able to fight its way towards them. The Army Group at Hankow will tie down as many Japanese units as possible and inflict as many casulaties as possible.

Burma has recently been subject to strong sweeps by Ki-43's and there are signs that the Japs are about to up the ante again in this hitherto quiet sector. DD Akebono was sunk after hitting the sub laid minefield at Port Blair.

In the Pacific Japanese raids on Tarawa have stopped and this has allowed for the withdrawal of the CV Wasp. She has admirably provided overwatch in very hostile waters and noe goes home for a well deserved rest and repair time. SS-47 has been reported missing, its last transmission was during an air attack 120 miles north of Kwajalein.

More worrying is the confirmed presence of the Kito Butai approaching Wake Island. Two days ago search planes spotted a large Japanese convoy of ships counting one carrier. Yesterday 12 Wake Island bombers attacked this convoy, now confirmed as having at least 4 carriers. None of the bombers got past the veritable cloud of fighters. It seems that the Japanese High Command has learnt the lessons of the Battle of the Gulf of Carpentaria and has provided a tighter CAP over its flattops.

Day Air attack on TF at 79,72

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 147

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 3
B-17E Fortress x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 24 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 3 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

The Japanese ships seemed to have stopped just short of their bomber range to Wake Island. This has allowed me to withdraw the valuable submarine tender based there as well as some of the four engined squadrons that had been based there. Likewise the Wake Island light cruiser sqaudron is already at Midway awaiting developments. Im not to sure if this is a raid or an invasion. Im not committing my carriers as the Lexington is still at 16 Sys in Seatlle while Saratoga, Hornet and Yorktown are still in dry dock. Enterprise is nearing the Solomons and Wasp is heading for a rest. Should he try to invaded then Saratoga and Hornet (Pearl) might be within range to disrupt his operations. In any case there are two CD units on Wake, over 2,000 mines and and extensive range of fortifications (Level 9).

[cantona2]

Wake Island has become the focal point of the Pacific War. The quiet night was disrupted by various large explosions in the immediate approaches to the atoll. Japanese surface units had tried to sneak in under the cover of darkness and using the heavy weather but has run straight into one of the many minefields covering the main sea lanes into Wake. The gunners of the 1st Marine Coastal Defence unit immediately came to but the weather beat any efforts to shoot at the burning Japanese ships.

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Uranami, Mine hits 2
DD Shirayuki, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Nagara, Mine hits 1

Further west heavy swells and precipitation meant that any strike the Japanese admiral had intended stayed on the decks of his carriers. SS Bass was repeatedly attacked by planes on ASW patrol and had a run in with some destroyer escorts that left her wounded.

As the day progressed the weather cleared in patches, but thankfully for the soldiers at Wake, not over the carriers. B-17's from the 65th Bombardment Squadron were joined by B-26's of the 71st Bomardment on a raid over one of the Japanese convoys making their way east. Using a channel of clear weather between storm fronts they spotted and attacked a cruiser led sqaudron. The B-17's missed from their lofty height but the Marauders, bombing from a lower altitude, were able to score a hit on a light cruiser and left her burning. Should these ships come closer tomorrow they will be in range of the Dauntless's of VMSB-241.

Day Air attack on TF at 80,73


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 6
B-17E Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Harusame
DD Kasumi
CL Kitakami, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 29000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 5000 feet

[cantona2]

[font="Times New Roman"]Flash Message sent to all Allied Commands in the SEAC/CENTPAC/SOPAC/CAEC Commands[/font].

New Japanese fighter spotted in skies over Burma. Photograph taken from B-17 attacked by fighter. Codename 'Tony'

[witpqs]

Aren't there house rules against this or something? [:D]

[cantona2]

What do you mean?

[witpqs]

Bad joke. There should be a house rule against your enemy's strong units.