Rising Sun over the Rockies - F.K. vs OSO - Wake captured by US

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 9, 1942
Near Umnak, I-23 finds the DD Kane (damaged yesterday) and puts two torpedoes into the destroyer, sinking it.
[center]
I-23 does its job.[/center]

West of Alaska, our cruiser Tama and destroyer Yugure, speeding away northeast to dodge any enemy pursuit, stumble upon the AK American Packer in the night. One small hit is registered before the cruiser and destroyer turn west to head for Attu.
[center]
An unexpected intercept west of Alaska.[/center]

In China, Liuchow is bombed again, this time with Nate escorts that do okay against hte P-40E Warhawks - well enough that the bombers are not attacked.

Dutch and British planes in Java continuet to extract a toll - a transport each was hit at Amboina and Merak. Also an AK at Balikpapan sucumbed to flooding and sunk.

Davao is attacked and the defenders pushed back. (2 to 1, forts 2 -> 1)

SNLF forces finish unloading at Thursday Island, transports there take additional heavy damage from the coastal guns. However, by the end of the day, the Torres Straight force has surrender and the guns put out of action.

Also captured: Goodenough Island and Luganville.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 10, 1942
I-23 took a bit of payback, getting hit by a depth charge from some destroyers at Umnak. Moderate damage, but it should make it back to port.

Another transport hit by Hudsons in the DEI. Thankfully, the hits tend to be only one or two at a time now, and the ships, although damaged are making it back to port more often now. An Allied MSW and AK tried to escape Java, with little success. Ann and Mary Army dive bombers landed several hits on both enemy ships.
[center][/center]
[center]More blockade runners are sent to the bottom.[/center]

In the South Pacific, KB Vals pounded the coastline (port attack) of Canton Island, looking to disable any coast guns ahead of our landing there.

The Burma air war is slowly heating up. Today enemy LB-30s, B-17Ds and B-17Es attacked our ground forces on the march north. Likewise, our bombers hit the British troops in Moulmein. Ahead of the enemy bombers, Hurricanes swept the airspace and ran into our local CAP from Rahaeng. We lost 4 Oscars and 1 Zero but downed 4 Hurricanes. Several bombers were also damaged, but it is tough to bring those beasties down with 12.7mm and 20mm guns.
[center][/center]
[center][/center]
[center]Air battles in Burma.[/center]

Several units of Oscars are resting up in Sinapore and soon we will bring to bear serious amounts of fighters to try and catch his bombers unescorted. Every 4E taken down is a small victory!

Other bases captured: Catbalogan, Boela, and Adak in the Aleutians.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 11, 1942
Plenty of land based action today.

First the normal though -

In the DEI, Hudsons and Martins got some hits again. 1 transport at Lautem (unloading a Base Force) was hit by Hudsons out of Darwin. The DD Sinonome and a pair of AP's near Merak all took its from Martins and Hudsons. A transport damaged at Amboina a few days ago, sunk en route to Kendari.

Near Java, the AK and MSW hit yesterday were finished off. Kates from Bali sunk the MSW Maryborough at Soerabaja. At Amboina, the 4th Regiment, supplied this time, launched its first assault on the base and made good progress (3 to 1, forts 2 -> 1). A naval landing force is landing on the other end of the island to ensure the defenders have no where to retreat to.

In Burma, the 33rd Div is now at Moulmain and Oscars and Hurricane continue to duel in the air above, while Sallys, Helens and Nells pound the 1st and 2nd Burma Brigades that are there. Once Moulmein falls, the Burma offensive will start to move fast. The 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF para units, as well as the 1st Para Rgt are all in Bangkok with 200 transports. They will attempt to take bases in the northern Burma so the units near Rangoon cannot escape up to Mandalay. We must move quickly there because we will not have help from the Divisions of the Southern Area Army as they are headed to Manilla and then on to Truk for a possible New Zealand campaign.

Canton Island: Hiei, Mutsu and Kirishima pounded the small island ahead of landings by several assault landing teams. After yesterday's pounding, the base was easily overrun. Some of the smaller teams will rest for a day or two and then move out to secure some of the undefended bases in the area. One small force will head southeast to scout those islands. 900 POWs and 2 Catalinas captured. KB and the surface ship are nearly out of gas. Their replenishment TF is also empty. Therefore, there will be a slight pause before attacking the next defended targets (Pago Pago and Fiji) while the capital ships and their replenishment TF refuel. Also, during this time the KB airgroups will be replenished. Several trained pilots have been flying in over the last week in preparation for this.
[center]
An easy victory here.[/center]

At Davao, our forces took the base and its resources center was only slightly damaged. This is good because while our oil stocks are in great shape, we are on a very tight budget for other resources. Just under 10,000 POWs taken.
[center]
Another victory, although tougher.[/center]

At Cagayan, however, our forces were stopped as the defenders were aided by the mountainous terrain. Our troops will hold position on the east of the base and await help from the force now at Davao which will march northwest and attack from the west.
[center]
But here we at stopped.[/center]

Other bases taken: Roti Island was occupied, Normanby Island and Efate were landed on and secured.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 12, 1942
In the far north, DD Ariake finally succumbs and sinks about 400 miles east of Attu. Thus, the score is still positive, but not as good as before. 3 DD, 1 AVD for 1 DD lost. Okay for anyone except Japan, who can't afford to lose any ships.

After fighting through P-40Bs to bomb Liuchow, heavy raids were launched against Kweilin to shut down that airbase. The airbase was hit hard, but the few P40s there were in the air already and none were destroyed on the ground. Still the airbase looks to be closed.
[center]
Chasing off the AVG.[/center]

A small group of B-17E's from Pearl attacks transports at Johnston, putting a 500 lb GP bomb on one of them. Damage was moderate and the ship will head back to Kwajalein after unloading. More AA is being brought in, as well as another BF and more Zeros.

Attack at Amboina continues. (1 to 1, forts 1 -> 0). Yamashiro, Hyuga and Ise bombarded Batavia. Ise will now head to the Home Islands for AA upgrades, the other battleships will park for a while at Singapore. Two brigades of the 2nd Guards Division are now unloaded at Merak and will soon attack Batavia. Progress can't come too soon here as 4 more transports were hit by Martins and Hudsons in the area. Plans for the capture of Java will be developed more fully after we see what kind of resistance is present at Batavia.

To allow for more options, fighters at Bandjarmasin have begun an effort that will continue for some time to clear enemy PT boats from Soerbaja and Kragen. Oscars and Nates with their 30kg bombs will try to knock out these dangerous motor boats.
[center]
Clearing the way for potential invasions.[/center]

Also captured: Wetar Island occupied, Memboro and Sydney Island.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 13, 1942
More large strikes against the other AVG base in China, Hengchow. This time a couple P-40Es were caught on the ground.

Martins hit Bali again, this time destroying 4 of our planes on the ground. Amboina was captured today and along with it 4300 POWs. The 4th Rgt will shortly load up and head to Balikpapan to await developments in Java.
[center]
Amboina, 1941[/center]

On Sumatra, naval landing forces secured Padang and will move inland to Sawahloento. At the same time, the A brigade of the 2nd Guards capture Djambi today. This will trap 6-8 Dutch units in the jungle between these two bases. A Base force will move to Djambi for security while the 2nd Guard A Bge head back to Palembang and on to Batavia to join the Java campaign.
[center]
Dutch trapped in the jungle.[/center]

In the PI, the first of several Divisions from the SAA arrived. Morale was up as the IJA prepares to make the final push into Manilla and claim the PI for the Japanese Empire. Several more divisions are still unloading so it will be a few days yet. The empty transports are then heading to Batan to wait for Manilla harbor to be safe to enter and quickly load up the divisions there and head to Truk for rest and planning for New Zealand.

Near Milne Bay, a tranport that had been hit by the coastal guns at Thursday Island sunk.

Woodlark Island was also captured.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 14, 1942
The fall of Java cannot come soon enough. 3 More of our transports were hit by Martins and Hudsons in the DEI. Ann's sunk 2 PT boats near Kragen. On the south side of Java, the AK Empire Opossum, attempting to leave the doomed island, was found by the I-24 which hit the ships with 3 torpedoes, sinking it.
[center]
Clearing PT boats...[/center]

In China, a large airstike against Hengchow saw Oscars and Nates shoot down three AVG pilots, as well as damage the airfield they were using.
[center]
Nates are still useful in numbers.[/center]

In Burma the campaign finally kicked into overdrive as Moulmein fell. The 33rd Division, reinforced by elements of the 21st Mixed Bde, forced back three Burmese Brigades across the river towards Rangoon. Now that we have a friendly port near Rangoon, the rest of the Burmese offensive forces, which have been sitting in loaded ships at Tavoy for the past couple days, will move in and rapidly unload. They will then follow the 33rd across the river into Rangoon. The forces coming into Moulmein by ship include the 55th Division, the 23rd Eng Rgt, and 3 Mortar Battalions. A large sweep over Rangoon found only 1 Hurricane and 1 Buffalo, both of which were easily shot down.
[center]
The gateway to Burma falls.[/center]

Another transport damaged at Thursday Island sank today just a few miles from Rabaul.

Nanumea was also captured.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 15, 1942
Allied bombers are hard to shoot down, but today we caught a few!

After Moulmein fell, I had a hunch OSO would pound the place hard. I was right and we were ready for him. 57 Ki-43-Ib Oscars, 32 A6M2 Zeros and 3 Ki-44IIb Tojos, LRCAPed from Tavoy and Raheng over Moulmein. Three waves of Allied planes attacked the base. First a sweep of 14 Hurricanes and 2 Buffalos. The sweep was overwelmed and all the enemy planes shot down. Next was a flight of 9 B-25C Mitchell, 2 engined bombers. These were also all shot down. Finally, 9 of those indestructible B-17E bombers came to visit. We managed to shoot down 2 of the big planes, and the rest all took damage and turned back before bombing the place. A small victory but we'll take it. 14 Hurricanes, 9 B-25C, and 2 B-17Es killed and we lost 1 Oscar and 1 Tojo.
[center]
Allies get caught.[/center]

Another transport was hit by a Hudson at Merak. Our first assault on Batavia was launched and went well. (4 to 1, forts 4 -> 3). Once Batavia falls our bombers will be able to focus on Soerabaja and hopefully shut that airfield down. Kates and Marys sunk two more PT boats near Kragen and Soerabaja.
[center]
Batavia begins to fall.[/center]

The AK Kinmo Maru sunk near Milne Bay, this was another returning from Thursday Island.

Also, an SNLF was landed at Koumac to scout the island and determine the level of enemy presence. The landing at Koumac was unopposed, although one of our AK's hit a mine.

Other bases captured: Talaud Island, Babo, Kiriwina Island, and Gardner Island.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 16, 1942
Our first US submarine victim of the war was a minesweeper at canton Island hit today by S-18 with two torpedoes. We managed to get a singular depth charge hit on the sub, but this sub will likely get away.

Johnston Island was attacked again by a large group of B-17Es. Although only 2 were shot down in the air, some 44 hits were scored by Zeros, and more damage was inflicted by our newly arrived AA units (including one B-17E shot down by flak). It will take a bit for these big planes to be repaired, and by then the light damage we suffered will be repaired. We lost 2 Zeros in the air, and 5 more on the ground. We also lost 2 Nells on the ground. Our defenses continue to grow, although we will soon have done all we can with this small island. (Our HR fort limit for Johnston works out to 2 forts, the island is currently at 1).

In China our Army received a surprising set back today. At Luichow, our troops pushed forward only to discover a much stronger enemy force than believed to be in the area. This Chinese Army counterattacked and pushed our troops back from the base. We will retreat to Wuchow for now and consider next steps. We do not have enough forces locally to take on an army of that size, but we may be able to bring some troops from the north depending on how things go there.
[center]
Setback at Luichow.[/center]

Koumac was captured, and Malakula Island near Luganville was secured.

On Java, Batavia was captured! Some Brewster, Martin and T.IVa aircraft were also captured. Around 1500 Dutch troops surrendered, but the rest fled to Bandoeng, some distance to the southeast.

Our Java plans are as follows:
The main force of the B and C portions of the 2nd Guards, along with an Engineer battalion will follow the enemy retreat and keep them running. Meanwhile, the 35th Bge will run as fast as possible to Kragen to cut off the retreat path to Soerabaja. The 35th will split at Kragen with half going to Djakarta to try and block the retreat into the mountains so a large surrender can be forced at Tjiliptap. If the enemy is able to gather in the mountains, it may be difficult to take the base. While that is going on, the 56th Bge is enroute to Malang and if it takes the base, it will attempt to enter Soeabaja, again splitting enemy troops between Soerabaja and Madioen. If it cannot take Malang, the 4th Bge will arrive to assist. As soon as possible, Army bombers will base in Batavia and flatten Madioen and Soerabaja so our transports can move unmolested through the area. At that point, additional Naval Guard and other smaller units will be landed at Kragen to help with the seige of Soerabaja. We are still on our timetable of taking Java by March 15. The A portion of the 2nd Guards is enroute from Palembang as well, and will rejoin the division as soon as possible.
[center]
Java Campaign Plans[/center]

Due to the amount of transports local to the DEI that have been hit by Dutch bombers, even transports that can only make a few knots are being employed to move garrison forces. All our undamaged transports are currently in the PI awaiting the fall of Manila to moved the 7 or 8 divisions that are there to Truk to organize for our summer New Zealand assault.
[center]
Local shipping stretched thin in the DEI.[/center]

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 17, 1942
In the South Pacific, the 6th NLF landed on Penryn Island and found it deserted. They will remain there until a airbase force unit arrives to garrison the island. Near Luganville, Aoba Island was secured also.

In the DEI, the 12 NLF, after marching from Padang, captured Sawahloento, trappinging over 6 Dutch units in the mountains and jungle between Jambi and Sawahloento. South of Bali, a landing force captured Lombok.

Army bombers at Palembang are helping subdue enemy resisance on Java now. Over 100 Sally bombers hit Tjilijap today, destroying 2 C-60A and 2 FK51s on the ground. Liz and Nell bombers hit Soerabaja, destroying 3 Martin 139's. Once the army bombers move to Batavia, there will few airbases left for the Dutch to move around between and we will stop them for good.

In the Phillipines, most of our divisions are in place at Manilla and the bombers at Clark have begun targeting front line enemy troops in preparation for a final push against the city. At Cagayan, the 65th Bge, backed by 3 tank regiments against attacked only to be soundly repulsed. The enemy is dug in well in the mountainous terrain. We will wait for additional reinforcements currently enroute from Davao.

In China, a Bge got ahead of the main offensive and was coutner attacked by the large Chinese army there, forcing it to retreat. The next time our forces attack the base, it will not be so easy to push us back as several divisions are enroute to Sian.

In Burma, the first step to cutting of Rangoon is the 1st Para Regiment attacking Magwe. Their drop went well, although some transports were lost. The British base force was easily routed, and 8 Blenheim IF's were captured on the ground. The transports will be repaired and in two days we will drop an SNLF para unit onto Akyab.
[center]
Map showing plans for Burma. [/center]

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 18, 1942
The Allied heavy bombers immedaitely respond to yesterday's para attack by bombing oil facilities captured at Magwe. We can live with this, as our oil stocks are in excellent shape. Resources however are much tighter.
[center]
Allied heavies go for the oil.[/center]

East of India, the I-166 hit the MSW Romney, but also took a deptch charge hit in return. It should make it back to port though. More subs are enroute to the Indian coast to hamper any reinforcement by sea that the British attempt.
[center]
I-166 finds a minesweeper near India.[/center]

On Java, Army bombers hit the airfield at Tjilitjap, while Nells hit the port there. An AP, an AK and a MSW were all hit with large bombs and will likely sink rather than be used to evacuate enemy troops. The army bombers destroyed several C-60A's on the ground.

At Manilla our first attack went well enough. Over 200,000 troops of the IJA pushed in on the 32,000 defenders. Casaulties were about even and with one more division yet to join the full push, we expect the city to fall very soon. (1 to 1 odds, 0 forts left)

Thousand Ships Bay was secured, and Nukufetau was captured by an NLF landing.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 19, 1942
Manila falls! The IJA finally overwelmed the defenders and captured the tough city. 42,000 POWs and 161 guns, and 26 light tanks were captured. A massive fleet of ships will pull into port and begin loading up the IJA divisions so they can head to Truk and rest up for their summer offensive.
[center]
Enemy forces captured at Manila.[/center]

[center]
Tanks parade through town victoriously.[/center]

At Medan, in Sumatra, a Base Force arrived to assist the 2nd Yokosuka SNLF in clearing out Dutch defenders. The 1st and 2nd NS Garrison Bn's finally surrendered, 1400 POWS taken, but the 2 WS Garrision Bn continues to resist. They will likely surrender in the next day or two. Then the 2nd SNLF will be free to sail to Bangkok and be used for a fifth paradrop into Burma wherever needed.

Our main army enter Sian late yesterday and today the Chinese tried to repeat their success of two days ago. With a massive charge, they threw themselves at our lines, but our army held. The Chinese casualties were 10 times our own and the siege of Sian has begun. Our forces are also crossing the river north and south of Yenan and will soon move into that city as well.
[center]
We hold our ground this time.[/center]

MSW Romney, hit by sub yesterday, was reported sunk.

[FeurerKrieg]

Feb 20, 1942
I-24 took some shots at a subchaser near Tjilitap but scored no hits. Our forces attack the Dutch at Bandoeng and easily took the base. 2 KNIL Rgts, 1 AA unit and 1 NEIAF Aviation unit all retreated towards Tjilijap. The 35th Bge is moving fast and should be able to block these units from reaching the mountains of Djakarta. 2 PT boats were sunk by Oscars near Soerabaja. It is beleived that there are less than 5 of the boats remaining.
[center]
Japanese troops between Bandoeng and Batavia.[/center]

In China, a Chinese Cavalry corp has moved onto the road going from Henchow to Sian, cutting our main supply line to Sian. While we can still get some supplies over land near Yenan, those supplies will not be sufficient for an assault on Sian. Thankfully, we have 1 and a third divisions and an artillery unit on that road. They counterattacked but were not able to push the enemy back into the forest. Airpower will be called in and another attack launched tomorrow. Also, 2 more divisions are already being routed to the area to clear this vital supply line.

The 3rd Yokosuka Para unit dropped on Akyab today. They destroyed the enemy defenses but were not able to force the enemy garrision out of the base. (1 to 1, forts 1 -> 0) Still, our para's have some local control of the area around the base and we believe the LOC to Rangoon has been cut, therefore the assault on Rangoon will go tomorrow, with luck the enemy units there will surrender.

Other bases captured: Kiamana, Saidor, and Roxas

[Gen.Hoepner]

Very very interesting and well done AAR!
Great Work!
 
Just managed to catch up with the last update.
 
What will you do now with all those units from Manila?

[FeurerKrieg]

Hi GH! Glad you have enjoyed the read.

As to the units in Manila - they are enroute to Truk to rest up a bit, and then I plan to use them all to take New Zealand by the end of the summer of 42.

I should be caught up to the game date in a few more days if I can keep up the pace on the AAR. Then I'll be putting together an OOB and plans for the summer offensive (or winter, I guess it would be in NZ).

[Gen.Hoepner]

NZ? Wow...that would be interesting!
Which version of CHS are you playing? 157 or 160?

[FeurerKrieg]

160 and I like what I have seen so far from the air combat, you really have to have a lot of fighters to kill an entire incoming strike, and bombers (especially those 4E's) almost always get through smaller CAPs, which makes sense to me.

I was originally going to try something limited in India, (there is a link to that discussion early in this AAR) but thanks to some sound advice from the forum, I decide it made more sense to go for NZ, based on the rest of my overall strategy.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi, yes 160 is defenetly the best air model available!!
India is a problem for Japan only because it's so easy to mount a clear offensive in Burma for the allies in 1943.
But a heavy strategy into the pacific will mean the allies will have really hard times to get to Japan!
 
Just be aware of defending Burma with enough stuff to prevent an early advance and keep an aye wide open on Northern oz!

[FeurerKrieg]

My goal is to have land assets on the way back from NZ to Burma by late summer to dig in. I don't plan to advance past the mountains so those Allies will have to pull supply over the trails, or come in via sea attack.

It will be interesting I think - and hopefully I'll continue to get some good tips from the readers. [;)]

[cantona2]

Very well presented AAR and very enjoyable. Shades of my game with GH in here, what do you think GH?

[FeurerKrieg]

I see some resemblances, Cantona.