Shattering the Sword (AE Edition), Cantona 2 (A) vs 1275psi (J)

[cantona2]

In China the 26th Army Group initiated its assaults on the suburbs of Ichang as the last Japanese troops were evacuated. Tomorrow the bulk of the infantry will move into the city centre and establish control before moving onwards to woods to the East.

[cantona2]

Eslewhere in the theatre,

It has been a disastrous day at sea. Two fuel laden tankers were once again sunk by Japanese submarines in the Bangka area. Despite strenuous ASW efforts these underwater pirates are wreaking a terrible harvest. Here is a list of the sub victims so far.



Allied misfortunes were further higlighted by the loss of SS S-36 off Appari as she attempted to attack the Japanese invasion fleets. Caught by the escorts in shallow coastal waters she virtually stood no chance. Likewise, the Thanet was aslo sunk being the last of the Takao raiders to stay afloat. A ship launched torpedo sunk her to the west of Hong Kong.

The only Allied victories off note were in the air, especially over Manila. The 17th and 21st Pursuit Squadrons (P-40e) and the Clark Field based 20th Pursuit Squadron (p-40b) have accounted for over 15 carrier borne torpedo planes that were targetting shiiping escaping from Manila. Though Morale was greatly boosted the news was tempered by the fact that contact was lsot with Aparri and the news that a second Japanese carrier group was also operating in the Phillipine Sea.

[Fletcher]

Hello Cantona2!
Are you planning any counterattack in the Pacific Area ? ... With all your USN battleForce and CarrierForce I think you can try a diversionary attack over enemy outer areas (like Marshalls - Gilberts or Wake). I tried that in a old vanilla WITP game, and it worked.. you know KB is now on NEI.
Best of lucks
Best wishes.
Fletcher

-PD: excuse me, my english is worst than my spanish-

[cantona2]

Fletcher

The Lexington Battle Group is approaching the Marshalls and the Enterprise is heading for the Tarawa area in case Japanese shipping is moving troops or supplies to the atoll.

[cantona2]

Sit Rep 15th December 1941

Shipping fleeing the threatend areas is being massacred by a mixture of submarines and carrier planes. Herb has 3 different carrier groups at work and they are making an excellent job of evading the Dutch submarine fleet that is desperately hunting them. One is off the coast of Borneo. The mini KB lies off Naga while the Hiyo group is in the Sulu Sea. As a side note on submarines. I'm getting a very low level of detection by my aircraft. Will bombers on naval search fly from a size 1 field?

In Malaya he is about to cut off Georgetown and is almost at Temuloh. Singapore is now fully garrisoned and is receiving regular supply shipments from Palembang. In the Phillipines he has landed at Naga and is moving southwards in northern Luzon. While in China he is tentatively probing int he direction of Changsha but I doubt he will press harder until he has secure his rear areas and the flank of the approach to Changsha.

My immediate priority is to secure my shipping lanes from the West Coast to Australia and clear the sea lane between Batavia and Singapore of submarines. The 6th HAA Btn is loading in Capetown for Trincomalee while the base forces for Palmyra, Pago-Pago and Christmas Islandd have just passed Pearl Harbour.

[Xxzard]

I've had the same problem chasing CV forces around with Dutch subs. The problem is that the CV's seem to slip right through sub screens, and the Dutch don't seem to care to attack very often.

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: Xxzard

I've had the same problem chasing CV forces around with Dutch subs. The problem is that the CV's seem to slip right through sub screens, and the Dutch don't seem to care to attack very often.

I know exactly what you mean! I have also had two dud hits on destroyers escorting the KB. Maybe sometime should be spent having a close look at Dutch sub captains the next time they are in port.

[cantona2]

Current locations of Japanese carrier groups in the Sulu and Phillipine Seas.

[cantona2]

Meanwhile far to the East the carrier Lexington was building up speed and steaming north by north east before heading to Pearl Harbour after successfully carrying out a raid on the Japanese airfield at Roi-Namur. During the afternoon she was attacked unsucessfully by G3M2's. Her CAP of F2A-3's accounted for 8 bombers and 2 fighter escorts allowing the USN ships to safely steer away from hostile waters.

Afternoon Air attack on Roi-Namur , at 132,114

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 7



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 2 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground


Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 10000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre:

Hong Kong was heavily bombed with 9 different air raids hitting the city, port and main defence lines. A second Japanese assault was beaten back but the outlook is bleak.

Ocean Island was occupied by the Japanese and Tarawa is expected to be the next target. Hopefully the Enterprise can be within range when this happens. There is a lot of shipping traversing this area of sea at the moment so the timely arrival of search planes and ASW assests at Palmyra and Canton Island are most welcome.

[cantona2]

Hong Kong has fallen and Tokyo Rose was on the airwaves taunting our troops across the Pacific. They had their hands full with Japanese troops all over the theatre as Jolo Island was also occupied by Japanese Marines on the evening of the 17th. Any ships left to make the run from Manila would now find it very difficult anf Japanese aerial presence over the DEI would be expected to increase.

Radio intercepts suggest an attack on Kuching and Japanese carrier forces were observed heading westwards to the north of Brunei while Dutch submarines stumbled upon a large convoy in the middle of the South China Sea. That convoy will be shadowed and two more submarines are being vectored in.

In the Eastern Pacific the Lexington has been ordered to hold station around Wake Island as a resupply convoy has just arrived there and is unloading. The tired carrier pilots will be asked for one more effort before returning to Pearl.

[cantona2]

The AVG ground echelon has been airlifted from Lashio to Kunming and will travel by road to Henyang while the 2nd AVG Group will also be deployed in this area to support the bombers at Changsha.

Meanwhile supplies, reinforcements and equipment are starting to arrive. An artillery regiment has boarded and left San Francisco with a destination of Christmas Island. A ine of Catalinas stretches from Suva to Pearl Harbour keeping the seas under observation. Convoy WS.12/OS.13 docked at Cape Town delivering a mass of ammunition, food, medical supplies and fuel. This is already being transported to Melbourne, Colombo and Delhi and should soon be arriving at the front line.

In Malaya the Jap is pushing hard and is at the gates of Temuloh. Advanced recon parties have also been spotted to the north east of Cabanatuan. It is clear that opening phase of operations is to subdue Malaya, Luzon and Borneo as quaickly as possible in order to push into the DEI. There Force Z, the Royal Dutch Navy and the USN lie in wait...

Supplies arrive from the West...

[Fletcher]

I like both of your naval ops (Wake relieve and Marshall raids). Probably the Japanese player will must to reinforce the Marshalls ...you would try to probe him if not.
Best of lucks
Fletcher.

[cantona2]

Thanks Fletcher there is more coming up.

The action in Luzon is hotting up. Advanced Japanese units captured Bayombong yesterday and a SNLF unit also captured Mauban. The pincers are about to shut around Manila, but not if the Phillipine Army can help it. An immediate counter attack at Mauban has been ordered before the Japanese marines can be reinforced. The 51st PA Infantry Division, has been ordered to Mauban to eject the Japanese and then take up the position on the 41st PA Infantry Division's left flank. Further troop deployments from Bataan and Iba will fill the gap left by the 51st PA. Manila is being subjected to very heavy air raids targetting the airfields and supply depots. The Phillipine fighter arm is stretched to breaking point and little can be out into the air to deter the Japs.

[cantona2]

Several Japanese Task Forces are descending on Kuching and Singkawang. Several abortive attacks were made by Dutch B-339D's, one unit being shredded by the KB's CAP. The Wirrays of W Flight, based at Kuching, however were able to sink two bombs into a Japanese transport to the north of their base. Singapore has been put on full alert and a maximum effort will be put in tomorrow in the hope of blunting the Japanese advance here.

The 45th Indian Brigade, enroute to Singapore, has begun unloading at Batavia and will aid the defence of Java. The presence of enemy carriers in the South China Sea prevents them from reaching Singapore and it is feared they will be lost at sea if the attempt to reach Malaya is reached. The 44th Indian Brigade will make its way to Northern Australia.

Meanwhile, SS Plunger far to the south, in the immediate environs of Truk reports contact with destroyers and sea plane tenders. Rabaul and the CL Adelaide have been put on full alert while a unit of Wirraways has been deployed to Port Moresby.

[cantona2]

In the Gilberts the Enterprise Battle Group had the honour of sinking the first enemy ship with carrier borne planes as its strike group located and sunk a Japanese transport unloading at Ocean Island. Seagull search planes however detected and engaged a Japanese submarine to the east of the island and the Enterprise had set course to a point just north of Tarawa. Away from the expected course of the enemy sub but still within range of possible shipping movements by the enemy in the Gilberts.

Elsewhere in the theatre, the S-39 struck at Appari hitting an enemy transport. The enemy responded in kind by deploying his submarines astride the West Coast-Pearl Harbour shipping lanes and the AP Hugh L.Scott was heavily damaged by torpedoes. In New Guinea, Japanese troops that had taken Sorong yesterday were hit by the Abon Patrouille (B-339D's) and the 13th RAAF Sqaudron (Hudson I's). Though the Base was lost all shipping and GVT-2 (Do-24K) were evacuated. In China, a nation of nearly a billion people had one hero to toast. 2Lt K.Chun, flying the Soviet made I-16-III, based at Kweiyang with the 41st Fighter Sqaudron was credited with the shooting down of two enemy bombers, type Ki-48. The kills were confirmed by observers with the 44th Infantry Corps whom the bombers were attacking.

CV Enterprise takes the fight to the Japs!

[Fletcher]

Hello Cantona2... I think a heavy counterattack vs the south pincer in the Luzon Island could be an interesting idea, isn´t it ?. About the naval force off Truk heading SE probably could be the Kavieng Invasion Force, ... Do you know where is the KB ?.. If is not in the area could be interesting a press hard defense in Bismarcks to avoid Port Moresby falls in IJA hands. I don´t know about allied defense assets in this area, but you can support with your USN Fleet. Wake was relieved ?. If it was could be intertesting lay minefields and support with more aircrafts.
Best of lucks. I am taken an eye on your AAR periodically, it´s very interesting and your maps sincerely amazing.
Best wishes.
Fletcher

[cantona2]

Hi Fletcher

The KB is currently supporting Japanese operations off Borneo. Wake has been resupplied and the Lexington is standing by covering theresupply convoy. Herb, my opponent, didnt go for Wake in our Witp game either so I do not know if not going for Wake is part of his general strategy or not. What worries me is if he decides to descend on PM from the North and East, using the KB to support his push. He already has Sorong so going for Abon is the next logical step. In the area i have Force Z and both USN Cruiser task forces so it may get very interesting.

PM has been reinforced by Gull Battalion and I am in the process of dumping supplies and fuel from the DEI there. I am also getting an Aus Brigade to concentrate in Sydney so it can be reformed and sent into PM when i have enough PP's.

As to Wake, there are far too many Japanese subs still roaming my sea linea. Once i have the line Palmyra-Christmas-Canton-Pago-Suva established as a strong defensive/search line I will ship a RCT to Wake as well as a base force if i have any spare.

Thanks for the comments and taking an interest in this AAR

Muchas Gracias, y se eres del Xerez, que pena que el Madrid los goleo el fin de semana

[cantona2]

The weather has been very bad curtailing most aerial operations. Landings have been made in Singkawang and Kuching. Once these fall Singapore will no doubt be subjected to intenese aerial bombardments. The KB is supporting these landings but must have her planes in a naval attack role os no air support was given to the troops landing ashore. Maybe the Japanese High Command expects Force Z to intervene and thus get hammered by the KB's planes. A small task force of light transports stealing away from Singpaore however was sunk by Vals.

At Appari a second Japanese ship was sunk, according to reports from S-39 the vicitim was identified as a light mine layer. The 51st PA Division is still making its way to Mauban while the 8th Indian Brigade in Malaya gave into relentless pressure and was pushed into Temuloh. In China the Japs have started a push onto Nanyang spearheaded by armoured units.

[cantona2]

CV Enterprise, 22/12/1941

Post Action Report

SBD-2's on naval search report sightings of enemy vessels at Jaluit and one AP class ship unloading at Kwajalein Island. VB-6 and escorting elements of VF-6 immediately bombed up and set into the air. Detachment of VF-6 to fly CAP over4 task force, which shoots down enemy search plane at approx O9:37. All planes airborne by 11:15.

At around 12:40 observered on picket ships pick up two flights of unidentified aircraft, later confirmed as enemy torpedo bombers type G3M2, escorted by A6M2's and A5M4's. Aircraft approached in tandem from north west and north east seeking to divide CAP and flak. Vf-6 immediately engages at 8,000 feet. One A6M2 confirmed shot down, one F4F-3A lost pilot confirmed KIA. G3M2's engage both Enterpise and CA Salt Lake City in torpedo attack but aggressive maneouvering by task force makes all Jap torpedeos miss their mark. Flak accounts for one shot down bomber though several damaged.



Reports from VB-6 begin to arrive at around 14:00 that target has been spotted and that escorting Wildcats have shot down 1 A5M4 on CAP. Attack lasts 15 minutes and 10 direct hits are scored on a Japanese AP class vessel which is seen sinking at about 14:18. Planes head home by 14:30 with no interference from any enemy fighters. Flak reported to be light and no aircraft return with damage.