Matrix Games Forums

---- December 17, 1941. The Australian Navy, in order to protect it's northern border, deployed a cruiser task force to the Bismarck Sea. Headed by the HMAS Canberra it included the Perth and the destroyer Voyager. Reports of landing ships at Rebaul caused the group to cruise to the west in the hopes of intercepting Japanese transports. Unaware of the presence of the Australian warships, a small amphibious group sailed into a surprise engagement with the cruisers. The first hint of warning for the Japanese crews was the ignition of illumination flares. Minutes later all that remained of the two transports was the detritus and bodies on the surface, some few trying to swim in oil coated water.

That same night near Ibsa contact was lost with a small destroyer group, their story would be revealed later but they had intercepted a Japanese destroyer task force twice their size. The HMS Scout exploded from a long range Japanese torpedo prior to the Japanese ships even being sighted. The Thracian and Thanet quickly turned about and fled at top speed, this started a long running engagement that would not conclude until the 18th.

At Wake the defenders coastal guns continued to batter landing craft and transports attempting to relieve pinned Japanese Marines. Intent on making every precious shell count the NCOs set a sterling example of courage under fire. As the sun set on the 17th Wake still held out. ----

---- December 18, 1941. The destroyers Thracian and Thanet had been pursued by a squadron of six Japanese destroyers and a destroyer leader or light cruiser since the day prior. The old S class destroyers were running as fast as their aged boilers could drive them. Nearby a patrol of British MTBs operating out of Ibsa heard the radio broadcasts from the Thracian and responded to the calls for help. Passing through the screen of torpedo boats the Thracian and Thanet split up in order to confuse their pursuers. In the dark the Japanese task force was distracted and lured away from their prey by the MTBs. From near Ibsa to south of Manila the Japanese group chased the darting torpedo boats. Ending the day having caught none.

On the Bismarck Sea the HMAS Canberra task force took on the heading of the transports they had intercepted the previous day. That brought them right into a large Invasion force. Ten transports and three escorting patrol boats. The Japanese escorts attempted to shield their charges. Bravely the Takunan Maru, Sento Maru and Kosin Maru #5 engaged the cruisers and were sunk. The Australian crews paused briefly, perhaps as a salute, and then engaged the transports. Sinking six transports and leaving four awash the cruisers withdrew low on ammunition. The view of the carnage from the decks of the Australian ships was nightmarish especially since all attempts to aid swimmers in the water were rebuffed.

On the map Kavieng, Laoag, Davao and Jolo all were switched to Japanese colors.----

---- December 19, 1941. In Australia the news quickly spread that the HMAS Canberra, along with her escorts, was obliterated by Japanese carrier aircraft. Even as Allied officers debated whether or not the planes were launched from the same group that attacked Pearl. Australia mourned the loss of so many of her sailors. The task force had been headed south following successful raids in the Bismarck Sea and had attracted the wrong sort of attention. While Europe remained the focus of London and Washington for Australia the only war was on her doorstep. ----

In Australia the news quickly spread that the HMAS Canberra, along with her escorts, was obliterated by Japanese carrier aircraft.

Brave lads, though. Those sunk transports should put a hitch in the expansion of the Japanese Empire.

KB Goes Sightseeing in Southern Australia
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto ordered the Japanese Carrier Strike Force to turn to a South Easterly setting. So far the Strike Force had not been spotted. It was pure genius to intercept the Australian cruiser Canberra. But a further stroke of good luck. He was sure the American carriers had made for port near Sydney or Brisbane. [X(]

Morning Air attack on Brisbane , at 96,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 60
B5N2 Kate x 120
D3A1 Val x 72

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged
D3A1 Val: 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
xAK American, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Flusser
CA Astoria, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Mahan, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Drayton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nisqually, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yunnan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Merkur, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Malaita, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Prusa
DD Lamson
DD Porter
xAK Steel Age, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

[:-][:D][:'(]

---- December 20, 1941. The film "Noodle Navy" presented a fleet at Manila that was at best incompetent. Central to the film was the sinking of the DD Asugumo by the USS S-39 monkey mascot "Chips". In reality LCDR Coe managed to sink two torpedoes, four hours apart, into the Asashio Class destroyer Asagumo. The first torpedo was fired despite the presence of five other destroyers. Coe lined up the shot and allowed the tide near Naga to drag his boat into line with his target. Immediately after launch of the torpedo he ordered that the boat settle to the bottom. The sound of the angry escort ships was maddening but Coe managed to maintain control of his men, the vessel rested silently on the bottom. As the enemy ships gave up and attempted to recover the listing and burning destroyer, Lieutenant-Commander Coe ordered his boat to engage the enemy ship. Again aligning his boat carefully Coe launched two Mark-10 torpedoes. One struck midships snapping the destroyers spine, as S-39 pulled away the sound of bursting bulkheads was heard. Donald Sutherland enjoyed his portrayal of LCDR Coe in "Noodle Navy" but also stated that next to riding in a tank with Don Rickles this was his toughest role. ----

ORIGINAL: thegreatwent

---- December 17, 1941. In the early morning hours Australia command was glad to hear word that the squadron led by HMAS Canberra had intercepted an amphibious landing group. Two transports were sent to the bottom and bodies clothed in the uniforms of Japanese infantry were pulled from the water.

Wake Island managed to get some supplies in and mail out. There were also reports that two more Japanese vessels, the CMs Okinoshima and Tokiwa, had been mauled by the defenders guns.

Chang Kai-shek proudly declared that Chinese forces were consolidating positions in order to repel the enemy aggressors. Additionally he related how their bombers had successfully interdicted Japanese supply lines. "With more support from the U.S. and Britain our forces will soon break Japan's will to fight in China" he told reporters. Near the Philippines a detachment of destroyers led by the HMS Thracian radioed Manila that they were engaging a Japanese destroyer squadron, radio contact was lost shortly after that. Later that evening radio contact with Laoag was also lost. ----

HEHE! Great flavor and not far removed from the truth, it was his wife however that was the PR spear point of the Nationalists. I think she was referred to as the Dragonlady.

Chang Kai-shek proudly declared that Chinese forces were consolidating positions in order to repel the enemy aggressors. Additionally he related how their bombers had successfully interdicted Japanese supply lines. "With more support from the U.S. and Britain our forces will soon break Japan's will to fight in China" he told reporters.

---- December 21, 1941. The cat and mouse between torpedo boats and destroyers continued near Manila. Baker Island fell.

---- December 22, 1941. USS Lexington put into Brisbane desperate to refuel after crossing the Pacific. Unfortunately the same Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor were quietly sailing into striking distance of the Australian port.
Scouts from the Lexington spotted the Japanese fleet and the "Lady Lex" turned into the wind in order to launch her strike of 8 F2A-3s, 16 Dauntless and 7 Devastator attack planes. As the strike left the Japanese attackers arrived. Lexington's CAP was swatted aside and the unlucky carrier was burning from several bomb and torpedo hits in just a fraction of an hour. The Lex's strike managed to push through the Zeros guarding the Japanese carriers but the few that survived to attack all missed. A few aircraft from the American carrier found their way to Australian airfields anxious to rearm if possible and attack again. Lacking any coordinating authority the pilots would have to wait til the 23rd.

In China Nationalist troops liberated Ichang from the Japanese.----

The noose tightens on Luzon
Ground combat at Batangas (79,78)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7815 troops, 37 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 286
Defending force 3265 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Japanese adjusted assault: 256
Allied adjusted defense: 17

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batangas !!!

Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1164 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 66 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied Carriers are sighted
Morning Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 152,141

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
SBD-2 Dauntless x 8

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 152,141

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 23

[X(][:'(][:)]

----December 23-25, 1941. Little action as KB withdraws from Brisbane to parts unknown. USS S-39 scores two torpedo hits on another transport in the Sulu Sea. Christmas food drives and war bonds sales are brisk although the mood is somber, many young men enjoy a final holiday at home.----

---- December 26th, 1941. Boxing Day. Aboard the HMS Prince of Wales some wags joke that it should be canning day as they tuck into their ration of bully beef. Near Tarakan, a Do-24 lands two 300kg bombs on the Kosho Maru. As the plane pulls away with all she has, Korporaal Vandenlangdenburger notes Japanese troops evacuating the stricken vessel.----

---- December 27, 1941. In China the Nationalist forces at Pakhoi counter attack. The late afternoon surge surprises the invading Japanese soldiers. In less then four hours the 3rd Yokosuka SNLF is reduced to nothing. The fleeing SNLF troops find little refuge and are butchered.----

---- December 28, 1942. Wake falls. Near Baker Island the Enterprise finds and sinks four transports. ----

What do we have here: [X(]
D3A1 Val sighting report: Allied DD at 131,157 near Yasawa Islands , Speed unknown
D3A1 Val has spotted an Allied CA at 131,157
D3A1 Val has spotted an Allied DD at 131,157
D3A1 Val has spotted an Allied CA at 131,157
:::::::: an Allied DD is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate has spotted an Allied DD at 131,157
B5N2 Kate has spotted a Admiralen Batch II class DD at 131,157
D3A1 Val has spotted an Allied DD at 131,157
D3A1 Val has spotted a Tribal class DD at 131,157
:::::::: an Allied DD is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate has spotted an Allied DD at 131,157

---- December 31, 1941. The Thanet put into Perth spent. Her boilers shot, ammo expended and crew so exhausted they started snoring moments after hitting their bunks. Still they had escaped and the drinks would be "On the house" for New Years. ----

---- January 2, 1942. Near Palmyra USS Crosby succeeds in DCing a sub, a patrol plane later spots an oil slick near the site of the attack. Near Mindenao the Houston, Boise, Dragon and Durban sink two CMs four AKs and three APs. Japanese radio traffic increases dramatically following the attack.

The order has gone out

Sink the Boise

Morning Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 68,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Boise, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Houston, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Durban, Bomb hits 4, on fire

Round 2
Morning Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 68,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Durban, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Right idea, but wrong ship. [X(]

Morning Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 18
B5N1 Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Durban, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Second attempt. [:)]
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 18
B5N1 Kate x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Durban, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

News at 11

Manila falls [X(] on second try.

Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 27950 troops, 268 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 894
Defending force 19874 troops, 261 guns, 47 vehicles, Assault Value = 656

Japanese adjusted assault: 767
Allied adjusted defense: 249

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila !!!

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1676 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 110 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
25319 casualties reported [:D]
Squads: 1726 destroyed, 670 disabled
Non Combat: 2787 destroyed, 754 disabled
Engineers: 62 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 705 (694 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 41 (36 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units destroyed 9