Racing the Sunrise: RA 4.0--Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
March 12, 1942

Fairly calm turn.

North Pacific
The Japanese CV TF reaches its target hex with out being discovered. The TF shifts to cruise speed and waits for its pair of AOs to catch-up. No one is flying air search from here. Total EMCON in effect. The planes will attack if something is spotted by the Aleutian search planes but nothing will tip-off the TF as is sits waiting for an opportunity to attack.

The Unmak IF will land tomorrow. It is not spotted this day.

Central Pacific
My Jaluit Striking Force disbands to repair minor damage. It will sit a few days and then attack an Allied base.

South Pacific
KB moves past the eastern side of Lord Howe's Island as it moves to cover the Rockhampton IF. The 4 AOs assigned to KB will refuel it tomorrow as well.

The Invasion Force was spotted this turn. I order it to move 4 hexes south to make it LOOK like it is heading for New Caledonia. The order to advance shall occur in two days.

The first TF carrying troops from the DEI passes Horn Island without being spotted. GOOD. Have got 3 more that need to get by before we celebrate.

DEI
Ships involved in the Cocos CV Clash are slowly returning to Batavia. Once everyone is back and rested, the TF will reform and move down along the western side of Australia to cover the Geraldton Landing.

Have got LOTS of planes in Java right now. There is a crapload of Japanese Naval Planes due to the damaged Soryu, Shoho, Zuiho, and Ryujo. Plan to keep these planes operating out of this area while their mother ships are repaired. EVERYTHING else (100+ Fighters, 150+ Bombers) shall begin shuttling toward Australia. Some will move up to Sabang, Pt Blair, and Burma.

Burma
Very calm as I gather my forces at Shwebo.

Australia
Bomb the 2nd and 3rd Aust ID. The Aussie IDs don't appear to be moving. Could be a lack of supply? Hmmm...I don't know but am happy for them to be where they are.

The SNLF Brigade and 2 TK Reg at Darwin are ordered to Shock Attack. This SHOULD take care of the defenders present.

China
Wenchow Why is this base SO tough??!! Attack for the 4th or 5th time and get a 1-4. Hmmm...

Blast a Chinese Corps back across the river NE of Ichang. Japanese lose 233 troops in exchange for 5,806. Like those numbers!

SS Operations
I-28 sinks AK Utahan with 2 TT at Dutch Harbor

Haven't seen many SS hits in the last couple of weeks as I redeploy the vast majority of SS to NZ, Suva, and Aussie waters. Things should begin to pick-up now.

Engineering:
Adak AF-2
Rabaul AF-7

Commentary
Once it becomes obvious that Australia is the target it is logical for Lew to decide to hit me elsewhere. The Pacific is a logical choice and right now it is pretty ripe for trouble. The Army will be fully committed to Australia so that shall leave the Kaigun to defend the Isles. Fully plan to test out RA in this area now. I've got SNLF Assault Brigades in the Aleutians, at Truk, Luganville, and one in transit from Australia. A new SNLF Brigade arrived at Maizuru last turn. It is headed to Tokyo. The first Atoll Defense Units are due in a few days and they will be deployed to high priority targets.

Burma will be at 3 ID and 3 Tk Reg here within about two weeks. That should be good for the short term...

[John 3rd]

Operations up north:

[John 3rd]

Here are the vulnerable TF moving about 45,000 troops from the DEI to New Caledonia or Lord Howe:

[ny59giants]

Wenchow Why is this base SO tough??!! Attack for the 4th or 5th time and get a 1-4. Hmmm...

Besides have Army HQs prepping for this base, have you moved the big Chinese Command HQ to be within range of this base and start prepping for it?? You have never been good at remembering to use your HQs to prep for future objectives. [:-] [:D]

[John 3rd]

Here is the NW portion of Australia:

[John 3rd]

Here is the the Burma Front:

[John 3rd]

March 15, 1942

FROM: IGHQ Tokyo
TO: All Commands

Initiate All Phases of Operation Cherry Blossom.




It is time.

1. (NW of Koumac) The 40,000+ Troops that have been sailing in circles for 5 days see their ships turn and take on the heading of due west. Target: ROCKHAMPTON. D-Day will be March 19th.
2. (Soerabaja) Three complete Infantry Divisions and 10 supporting units begin loading for Geraldton.
3. (Port Hedlund) A Brigade and Tk Reg begin loading for Carnavon.
4. (Corunna Downs) 125 Transport Aircraft are checked and re-checked for Parachute Operations.
5. (New Caledonia and at Sea) SIX Infantry Divisions and 15 Supporting Units start loading for Port Kembla and Newcastle.

The Emperor is WATCHING!

BANZAI!

BANZAI!!

BANZAI!!!

[BigBadWolf]

OMG, how many ships have you got in those amphib TFs in total? 1000?

[John 3rd]

Will provide totals in a bit! HOLY COW. It is a BUNCH of ships!

[obvert]

Go git em!

[John 3rd]

Didn't the IJA say it take 12 Inf Div to take Australia IRL? Well...BABY...I am bringing that and a little bit EXTRA!

[seille]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Didn't the IJA say it take 12 Inf Div to take Australia IRL? Well...BABY...I am bringing that and a little bit EXTRA!

Thats music in my ears [:)]

[John 3rd]

A short departure from the main show...

Decided to show some of the new units that are added to RA 4.0. Here is the new AA units. There are a total of 8 of these added to the OOB. As with the anything Japanese do, it isn't much, but it can help against heavy bombers and other aircraft at important bases. I have two going to Noumea and one yet yo be assigned:

[John 3rd]

A number of Naval Guard are taken out of the OOB and replaced with 10 Atoll Defense Units. Roughly a Bn or Inf and a good-sized complement of CD. Hopefully, these 10 units (coming in throughout 1942 and early-43) will be able to rough-up some of the Allied Landings:

[John 3rd]

March 17, 1942

The Japanese approach is not spotted this day. We are two days from landing. CarDiv1 and CarDiv5 are covering the Landing. Right now Akagi's Zeros are flying CAP over the TF. Tomorrow I will pull Kaga's Vals and replace them with 36 Zero and add them to the CAP over the Invasion Fleet. Once again: 3rd and 13th ID, Imperial Guards Brigade, 144th Inf Reg, an Air Flotilla, 3 BF, and a couple of Construction Bn are the landing force. The Invasion Force has Nagato and Mutsu embedded in the convoy.

Troops begin loading at Koumac and Noumea while 3 TF approach from the north to join the Invasion Forces. The Infantry will be backed by 2 Air Flotilla, 2 Large BF, 2 small BF, and several other units as well as 25th Army HQ.

[John 3rd]

March 17, 1942

As planned the Allies respond to the landing at Umnak. As figured, losses are taken on the Japanese side to ensure that the kaigun can score some big game during the day.

Night Action:

Umnak: An Allied STF of BB's Warspite and Colorado, CL's Honolulu and Helena, plus 2 DDs sweep into the raodstead as the Japanese are loading the Kawafuto Brigade for a landing at Dutch Harbor.

They are gamely met by 3 DD and then CL Jintsu and 4 DD. ALL the DDs are older and have been relegated tot his second line Theatre of Operations. Japanese Torps MISS but the ships do manage to damage both DDs and hit each of the CLs a few times. This set of actions costs the Japanese a somewhat steep price of the Jintsu and DDs Minekaze, Hasu, Fuyo, and Asagao. It should be stressed that the Japanese warships serve to protect the Transports safely AND draw the enemy into the trap.

Having done well, the Allied TF returns towards Kodiak and safety. THEY THINK! Just 120 miles south of them sit CV Junyo, CVL Nisshin, BB Yamato, CL Kitakami, CS Mizuho, and 7 DD. Air Search from CS Mizuho spots the Allied TF easily.

Day
Morning Strike:
19 Zero, 18 Val, and 18 Kate attack the STF. For rookies, they do well scoring 3 Bombs and 2 TTs on Warspite, 2 Bombs on Honolulu, 1 Bomb and 1 TT on Colorado. FLAK is nasty!

Afternoon:
19 Zero, 14 Val, 16 Kate do VERY well! Warspite is sunk by 5 TT hits and BB Colorado takes 5 Bombs. DD Dent is sunk by a TT hit.

SCORE:
Allies Lose: BB Warspite and DD Dent
Japan Loses: CL Jintsu and 4 older DDs.

Orders:
The CVs (having lost 5 Val and 7 Kate) move west to cover Umnak and get out of harm's way since 80% of their TTs are gone.

BB Yamato, CL Kitakami, and 3 DD point their bows towards Kodiak in an effort to sink damaged warships.

[John 3rd]

The question was asked regarding how many ships are moving. I took some time to tabulate the Rockhampton, Carnavon, and Geraldton Operations. Here are the specifics:

Western Australia:
Invasion TF total 123 ships
Troops: 2nd, 4th, 16th Inf Div, 4 Ind Mix Brigade, 6th and 8th TK Reg, 4 Artillery units, 2 Con Bn, 2nd Fleet HQ, and 1st Air Div HQ
CTF: CV Hiryu, 2 BC, 4 CA, 1 CL, and 9 DD

Rockhampton:
Invasion TF total 108 ships
Troops: Detailed Earlier
CTF: CarDiv1, CarDiv 5, 2 BC, 3 CA, 1 CL, CS Chiyoda, and 9 DD.

BBs are embedded with each TF going to its location.

The Rockhampton IF is one day out (5 Hex) and WAS NOT SPOTTED!

[obvert]

This should be fun. That was a good couple of opening acts in the IO and now up in the Aleutians. I'm ready for the main show!

[John 3rd]

Has anyone EVER seen a Battleship sunk in exactly ONE surface turn? I have! BB Yamato, CL Kitakami, and 3 DD SURPRISE USS Colorado and sink her before she can even fire a shot. Pretty simple: 8 Shells (3 18.1") and 4 Long Lance TTs. Yamato's opening salvo in her life results in sinking a BB. It is a GRAND beginning...

BANZAI!

Scratch TWO BBs in as many days up north.

Meanwhile the curtain opens on the MAIN ACT...

[Historiker]

It is impöressive how risky you play.
Splitting your CVs into various groups, letting whole divisions ship without serious cover, tiny escorts for BBs and CVs...

What do you do if you face an enemy who reacts on that and destroys your assets early in the game?