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December 19th

Another relatively quiet turn at sea and in the air. Looks like a major op going on at Kendari and they are pumping more troops into Malaya ad the PI I am guessing.

A small win for the good guys near Timor.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Babar at 77,115, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kosho Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Barker
DD John D. Ford
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury

Why a solitary AKL is wandering around there I am not sure. Reconning with their chin? Couldn't see any other vessels in the area so it may have been a speculative vessel to see if it attracted air strikes. Clever move if it is. Having DD's intercept it will confuse them hopefully.

Just north of there, off Kendari, one of our subs finally delivers

ASW attack near Taliaboe at 72,105

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Ashigara
CL Kuma
DD Yamakaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Asakaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
SS KVIII

On our side we lose an AO off Darwin to a sub and an AK off Pt Blair to Betty's.

As expected, Kendari is invaded. Will probably fall next turn. A win for us in Malaya. Another attack goes in on the isolated brigades in Alor Star. Again the lads stand tall and throw the attackers back. I wonder if that will force him to move significant infantry assets to deal with the problem. If so mission accomplished.

Ground combat at Alor Star (49,73)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4021 troops, 18 guns, 210 vehicles, Assault Value = 197

Defending force 4911 troops, 54 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 192

Japanese adjusted assault: 110

Allied adjusted defense: 129

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 47 (2 destroyed, 45 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
368 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Assaulting units:
22nd Recon Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
6th Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
109th RAF Base Force
137/155th Field Regiment

In the PI, Jolo falls. Japanese seem to have paused in front of Clarke. Once they have built up will be interesting to see how many troops they have deployed here. We are well prepared but the Philipino troops are a worry.

Elsewhere all quiet. Have to make a call soon on what to do with my CV's. Raid, withdraw or deploy south. No idea where KB is at the moment so withdrawing seems like a good option.

Regards
Andrew

Dec 20th

We got hammered at Pt Blair last turn. Lost a bunch of AK's

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 25



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Silverwillow, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Thyme, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Tricolor, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Tanda, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
22 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

and then again :

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 4



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Silverwillow, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK British Destiny
xAK Troja, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

All a bit painful.

The Japanese also landed at Mersing trying to cut off our blocking forces from Singapore. we had left it unoccupied but have just moved an Australian Brigade back in when Mark realized the risk. Luckily for us they arrived at the same time as the invasion so it might be an interesting fight. If we lose it, Singapore may fall early. Finger nails being chewed here.

Kendari fell as expected. Intel shows a bunch of engineers in transit there so he may be planning on turning it into a major staging base for the attack on the rest of the DEI. Not sure there is much we can do about it other than spectate.

The PI saw some air action. My P-40's are being nailed by his zeros at the rate of 3 to 1. Looks like we lost a dozen or so that turn and only shot down 3 or 4. Still....the ground situation is good and Clarke is well defended.

In PH I have decided to send the first 2 BB's back to the West Coast. They will have to run a gauntlet of subs so its a dangerous voyage. The depart in a few days.

A bit of a grim turn. Lots of merchant shipping losses and the landing behind our flank are a worry.

Regards
Andrew

Dec 21

Just a quick post as a but distracted by being underwater in Brisbane!

Main event was our shock attacking the Japanese landing at Mersing. We got our arses well and truly kicked.

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4394 troops, 44 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 189

Defending force 8369 troops, 56 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 314

Allied adjusted assault: 42

Japanese adjusted defense: 397

Allied assault odds: 1 to 9

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

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1051 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 97 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled


Assaulting units:
27th Australian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
5/2nd Punjab Battalion

Defending units:
148th Infantry Rgt /2
II./124th Infantry Battalion
56th Recon Rgt /3
56th Engr Rgt /1
113th Infantry Rgt /1
56th FA Rgt /1

It means he has major forces ashore and our position in Malaya has been outflanked. The troops who were in position south of Malacca are now retreating full speed for Johore Baru. Its only one hex so and we have a turns headstart so hopefully we can get there before he kicks us out of Mersing and advances in. Still, looks like an early fall of Singapore is possible.

Elsewhere sub O16 performed with great elan off Singkawang

ASW attack near Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Tsuta

Allied Ships
SS O16



SS O16 launches 4 torpedoes at APD Fuji
O16 bottoming out ....
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

and

Sub attack near Singkawang at 56,87

Japanese Ships
xAK Okuni Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PB Shuko Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS O16



SS O16 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Okuni Maru
O16 bottoming out ....
PB Shuko Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shuko Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shuko Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shuko Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shuko Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

We lost an AK and a couple of motor launches that were stooging around off Singapore looking for unescorted merchant ships I think.

Not much action elsehwere. Looks like a bunch of ships moving towards Rabaul. Wondering if KB is amongst them.

Our CV's are sitting in Pearl at the moment. Don't want to risk them unless I know where his CV strength is.

Back to the floods.
Andrew

Dec 22-23

Dec 22
We were bundled out of Mersing this turn very unceremoniously

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9962 troops, 80 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 356

Defending force 3429 troops, 44 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Japanese adjusted assault: 133

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 44 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
622 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1869 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 50 (50 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
148th Infantry Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
II./124th Infantry Battalion
113th Infantry Regiment
56th Engr Rgt /1
56th FA Rgt /1

Defending units:
27th Australian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
5/2nd Punjab Battalion

The troops defending the hex south of Malacca are running hard and should get to JB next turn. That will save the bulk of the Malaya defence force and allow a credible defence of Singapore still. Disaster narrowly avoided. Very sneaky move those guys made to jump in strength into our rear. Not sure how we could have avoided it other than defend Mersing in srength. Even then the force they put ashore would have been difficult to counter. There are a lot of various troops north of Johore Baru, not least of which is the Alor Star garrison, the mopping up of which should slow him down some. Still its a long way to mid Feb when the garrison historically fell.

Elsewhere
- We lost a couple of AK's to Betty's near Rangoon
- I formed a force around Prince of Wales which left Sorebaja via the Eastern route. He had subs there protecting the narrows but we swamped them with search and asw air assets and put 4 Dutch DD's out as an ASW force. That seemed to keep his head down and the force is now clear well West of Java and headed for Colombo. A small victory for us. Its a sad sight - a damaged BB, 2 damaged CL's, a damged DD and 3 heathy DD's as escort. Mark could use the escorts as he is short of DD's.
- We laid a big mine field at Balikpapan with Dutch minelayers
- I can't seem to get on top of his subs at SFO. I have them spotted and ASW TF is attacking them, just no hits.

Dec 23
Not a pleasant experience this turn. Our convoys off Rangoon got nailed by Betty's and a CV TF turned up off Darwin and caught some fleeing convoys. A BIG Betty raid also hit Darwin port. The casualty toll is 2 AK's, 2 AG's, 2 AKL's, an AR, an AVP and an AM all sunk, with another 4 AK's, an AS, an AG and a small Dutch AO shot up. A steep bill and the survivors are running like hell. It looks like the Darwin TF attack came from mini KB (recon shows CVL's and CVE's) and I fear its big Daddy is south of Rabaul heading for the Australian coast. There is some radio intel hinting at a TF there, so everyone is running - headed south. I have a nice cruiser force in Townsville but no combat air in all Australia so no way of fighting back. Just have to run and limit the losses.

On the plus side we laid a minefield at Merak near Batavia and nailed one of the damned subs he has been patrolling the straights with. he he he he (meant to sound like an evil laugh)

TF 55 encounters mine field at Merak (48,97)

Japanese Ships
SS I-157, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

In the Philipines we had a big air battle over Clarke and I got spanked again. 9-1 losses in the air this time with another couple written off on the ground after landing. Yikes.

Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 34,810 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40



Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-35A x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed


Back at the home front, at PH I have formed a TF with the 2 least damaged BB's and 8 DD's to head to Seattle for repair. They will make 14kts. I have also now replaced most of my prewar squadron leaders with people who don't have their heads up their arse, so hopefully training will start to pick up.

Where o' where to send my CV's? Suggestions?

Regards
Andrew

Where ever his CV's aren't. Keep them away from serious LBA and if you know where KB is- go hunting. Otherwise at this stage their value is in making sure he escorts all his invasion forces. You could try sneaking in behind his carriers (once you're sure you know where they are) towards the Marshall islands and try to pick off some merchant shipping. Otherwise you could transit south of Oz and come up sth of the DEI and try and pick off some surface assets- bit risky going that way though if you think he's going to raid Oz.
 
Have you got all 4 carriers together yet?

4th carrier doesn't arrive for 8 days or so. Also still have Buffaloes on at least one of the 3 CV's at Pearl so am a bit nervous of Betties. Maybe a raid to Wake for a test run. Could rattle their cage a bit.

Dec 24-25

The past two turns have felt a bit like a trip to the dentist.

Dec 24
Japanese invaded Davao and Rabaul this turn. Didn't see Davao coming but was pretty obvious Rabual was for it. Have pulled the Lark Bat and the base force out by air and sea so only a nominal force there resisting and it fell straight away.

The tough news was mini KB and a small surface TF reaped havoc to the west of Darwin plundering the escaping convoys. Fortunately for me I split the Darwin ships into two TF's one slightly faster one full of tankers and the other the slower AK's. the slower TF got annihilated but the tankers got away I think.

The Surface TF did this

Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 74,123, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Sipirok, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
xAKL Sipora, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
AM Jan van Amstel, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Abraham Crijnssen, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG Deneb, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAKL Wollongbar, Shell hits 20, and is sunk


Mini KB did this in the morning :

Morning Air attack on TF, near Derby at 66,123

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B4Y1 Jean x 2
B5N1 Kate x 15



Japanese aircraft losses
B4Y1 Jean: 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Tjikarang
DD Isis
AG Albatros, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Bittern
xAK Tjikandi, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Taiyuan

and then this in the afternoon.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Derby at 66,123

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B4Y1 Jean x 9
B5N1 Kate x 20



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Pinna, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
AM Bittern, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Whipple, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Isis
AVP Pollux
xAK Doryssa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AVP Poolster, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Total losses were horrible. The good news is they were mainly Dutch and expendable, but it would have been nice to get them out. I was a day too late leaving Darwin and paid the price!!

Over the other side Mark has been pumping in supplies to Rangoon and Pt Blair. This has become very expensive as the Betty's are now carving up the convoys. He has CAP from the AVG but so far it has been largely ineffective


Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 105 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G3M2 Nell x 26



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
xAK Penrith Castle, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Matiana, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
KV Jasmine, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Mulbera, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Some more onesided air combat over the Phillipines topped the turn off nicely

Dec 25th

No merry Christmas here I am afraid.

To set the tone, last turn I despatched the least damaged two BB's at PH with 8DD's escorting to go back to Seattle to complete repairs. First thing that happens is one rolls over and sinks more less the moment it left PH. Merry Christmas. Elsewhere mini KB mops up the ships that he hadn't sunk near Darwin, another disaster in Rangoon harbour and to cap it all off Alor Start folds like a house of cards when he brings up an infantry regiment to attack. Can we please jump forward a year, this is getting painful. Combat reports follow. The only solace I have is that revenge is a platter best served cold.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Broome at 63,126

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B4Y1 Jean x 5
B5N1 Kate x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Encounter, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Isis
AVP Pollux, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Augustina, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
-------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 107 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G3M2 Nell x 21
G4M1 Betty x 13



Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak


Allied Ships
xAK Kutsang, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
PG Hindustan
xAK Hosang, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Nora Moller, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DE Sutlej
-------------------------------
Ground combat at Alor Star (49,73)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9243 troops, 47 guns, 296 vehicles, Assault Value = 394

Defending force 4645 troops, 54 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 176

Japanese adjusted assault: 282

Allied adjusted defense: 29

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Alor Star !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
5243 casualties reported
Squads: 192 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 348 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 36 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 75 (75 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

What were the damage stas of the BB that foundered?
 
BTW another option for your CV taskforce (if his is highly visible) is to raid the island chain and/or resource chain NE of the Jap home islands (I can mention this now as I've just finished doing this to my opponent). [:D]
 
Didn't catch much- I didn't get in close enough to hit is resource convoys because I ran into a small amphib/transport TF first that was moving a BF out to the islands to build up the airfields to stop these sorts of raids. I got them though [:)]

What were the damage stas of the BB that foundered?

Something like
Sys 70
Float 30
Eng 18

Speed was 14 or 15 kts. Thought it would be OK despite the sys damage.
You live you learn

Dec 26-27

Dec 26
Not a happy day for the Royal Navy. The Repulse battle group sortied from Sorebaja towards what I thought was a convoy or a cruiser TF to the NW. They ran in to a BB, 3 CA's and 6 DD's. Too much firepower for the TF. Result was Repulse shot up (not too badly) a CL sunk and another shot up (badly) in exchange for one enemy DD. Not at all what was planned.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Soerabaja at 56,101, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
CA Atago
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Arashi
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 8, on fire
CL Danae, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Dragon, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Alden, Shell hits 1
DD Pope, Shell hits 1
DD Banckert, Shell hits 1
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 2
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein
DD Van Ghent

As the Repulse force retreats back to Singapore recon is picking up a multi BB surface TF approaching Soerabaja from the SE. The mighty Dutch air force is swinging into action and is attacking it and I have vectored all available PT's and a few DD's in to try and attrit them in the narrows if they decide to go for a bombardment

The remnants of the Darwin convoy are wiped up by mini KB. What a mess.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Broome at 62,127

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N1 Kate x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Tjikarang, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC Formalhaut, on fire, heavy damage
TK Harpa, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Numerous Japanese air attacks over Malaya, PI, Darwin etc have little effect.

On the ground front, Rabaul falls. At Toungoo in Burma the Japanese launch a teleport attack, dropping an SNLF on our fighter base killing a squadron of the AVG. British troops are moving to recapture the base but this sneaky attack has cost us a valuable fighter squadron.


Dec 27
Revenge of the Nerds

That IJN BB force swept in from the East and ran straight at Soerabja. Our PT's and DD's heroically threw themselves at the enemy losing half a dozen PT's and a Dutch DD. Put a torp into one BB though so not all was lost. The real excitement came when the BB's blundered into our minefield.

TF 139 encounters mine field at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Mine hits 1
BB Yamashiro, Mine hits 1
BB Fuso, Mine hits 1
BB Mutsu, Mine hits 1
BB Nagato, Mine hits 1
CL Oi, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
DD Hokaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yukaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yakaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Okikaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sawakaze, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

and also

TF 20 encounters mine field at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Kuretake, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
DD Wakatake, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

I had laid several hundred VH MkII mines in Soerabja earlier in the month so it was pleasing to see some success. No idea how badly the BB's are hit but there must be 7 or 8 very sick DD's and CL's. BB Fuso also took a torp from the DD attack so it at least should be seriously hurt. Maybe our air can actually pick a few of them off over the next few days. Fortunately Repulse and the damaged CL made it back safely into harbour.

More wide ranging air attacks over the map with little effect. The main ground action is in China. Will try and get Mark to update over the next few days.
Regards
Andrew

Intel suggests 3 BB's (Fuso, Hyuga and Yamashiro) sunk; 1 CL (Oi) and 4 DD's sunk. Dare I dream? I suspect the reports may be just a tad optimistic.
Rgds
Andrew

Good foresight on the minefield- your opponents made a serious blunder there.
RE that BB that foundered- did you have it set to cruise speed?

Didn't adjust speed so it would have been the default of mission speed. Mysterious isn't it?

As the BB's don't show any damage or fires in the report, I doubt they are hurt much at all.  The VH II's aren't especially powerful as well.
 
The CL & DD's should be in trouble though - it's always good to attrit the IJN DD'sa, they never have enough!

I am hoping that the combination of a torpedo and a mine hit on the Fuso might have screwed her up nicely.

Just noticed looking at my airstrikes that he has a TF including the BB Kongo out to the West of Soerabaja. Must have been hoping to clean up vessels fleeing from the port. My ancillary ships are fleeing, but trying to get around to the East, behind him and through the Lombok straights. If he catches them it will be another Dutch bloodbath.

Dec 28 - 29

Dec 28
A brave ship goes down. The Repulse TF sorties from Sorebaja in a damaged state looking to clean up the mess left by the Japanese BB's blundering into the minefield. In poor viz she runs into a fresh IJN CA and DD TF that obliterates almost the entire friendly TF in a devastating short range long lance attack.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Pamekasan at 58,105, Range 1,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
DD Alden, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 1
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 1, on fire



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 75% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
BC Repulse engages CA Ashigara at 1,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages DD Yamakaze at 1,000 yards
DD Piet Hein sunk by DD Shiokaze at 1,000 yards
DD Evertsen sunk by DD Yamakaze at 1,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Alden at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages DD Alden at 2,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages DD Shiokaze at 2,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Suzukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Alden sunk by DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Van Ghent at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Ashigara at 3,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Van Ghent at 3,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Van Ghent at 3,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Van Ghent at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BC Repulse at 4,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages DD Yamakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Suzukaze at 4,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages DD Matsukaze at 4,000 yards
BC Repulse sunk by DD Yukikaze at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages DD Van Ghent at 5,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Kortenaer at 5,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Van Ghent at 5,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Brave HMS Repulse did well and will be missed. Elsewhere the subs I am vectoring in on the damaged Jap ships score a hit with Dutch SS putting a torp into the BB Hyuga and another one putting 3 into CL Kitakami. My air does not do well however showering bombs everywhere but on Japanese ships. On the plus side the minefield at Merak (the passage NW of Batavia) claims another sub. Thats two now although I am not sure if they are dead or just badly damaged. My most effective weapon system thus far is the VH Mk II mine!!

TF 53 encounters mine field at Merak (48,97)

Japanese Ships
SS I-156, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

My fleeing Ancillary TF gets caught by Betties south of Bali and the slaughter is horrible. 20 torps score 10 hits.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 58,111

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 20



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Mindanao, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO TAN 5, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AO TAN 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Pope
PG Soerabaja, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

On land the Japanese are reconning Manila with a bombardment attack and will probably attack next turn. Mopping up in the NW of Borneo continues and an attack on Kavieng is defeated by the 2/1st Ind Coy!!

Dec 29th

A quieter turn with no major surface action. The remnants of my fleeing Soerabaja ancillary fleet now get worked over by mini KB. The poor old Dutch are taking a battering in this game.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 55,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B4Y1 Jean x 5
B5N1 Kate x 15



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Pope, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO TAN 4, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
AO TAN 3, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk

Hard to believe but the Merak minefield claims a 3rd victim!!!

TF 58 encounters mine field at Merak (48,97)

Japanese Ships
SS I-162, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

I hope they don't make it home. My attempt to harass the damaged Japanese ships at Soerabja has no success with both air and subs missing.

The main news is the assault in the Phillipines starts. My delaying force at Manila was annihilated in one attack - disappointing to say the least.

Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 10860 troops, 91 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 376

Defending force 5150 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 226

Japanese adjusted assault: 483

Allied adjusted defense: 95

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

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

Japanese ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
7107 casualties reported
Squads: 406 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 270 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 68 (68 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2


Assaulting units:
9th Infantry Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
16th Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
71st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division

On the other hand his assault on Clarke hits the wall. He has a huge force deployed. 3 complete Infantry divisions and at least another one in parts giving him 4+ divisions. With this force are 3 tank regiments and 13 artillery units. He has come in hard. Results is good though...

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 63789 troops, 674 guns, 572 vehicles, Assault Value = 2334

Defending force 39312 troops, 537 guns, 504 vehicles, Assault Value = 1358

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1001

Allied adjusted defense: 3187

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2807 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 286 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 281 disabled
Engineers: 47 destroyed, 21 disabled
Vehicles lost 108 (27 destroyed, 81 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
676 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 148 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 127 (11 destroyed, 116 disabled)


Assaulting units:
48th Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
21st Division
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
65th Brigade
Kanno Detachment
Tanaka Detachment
III./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Tank Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
38th Division
Sasebo 1st SNLF
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
14th Army
2nd Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
192nd Tank Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
14th PS Engineer Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
Subic Bay Defenses
91st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
Manila USAAF Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force
South Luzon Force
Far East USAAF
USAFFE
PAF Aviation
North Luzon Force
1st PI Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment

I hope that slows him down a bit.

In Malaya the force north of the Japanes blocking force that landed at Mersing is attacking to get through to Johore Baru. Should be action in a turn or two.

Oh....and I forgot to mention. After much debate I finally have sent my 3 CV TF's off on a raid. They are sneaking around north of Wake via Midway to see what they can see. I am not sure where KB is but I think its south. I am seriously considering recalling them though. They may catch a few merchants and get some training but maintaining the enemy uncertainty of their position is probably more valuable. Once the Japanese know where they are then they can be more aggressive where they aren't. I am vacillating and being indecisive......

I doubt that the number 1 priority for the KB at the moment is hunting the American CVs. Its priority will be to support what ever its main goal is. IOW in strategic terms, nothing you can threaten at this stage will be as valuable as what he can threaten. For example, in the worst case scenario an Allied recapture of Wake will advance the Allied cause far less than a comensurate Japanese capture of its planned stage one objectives will accomplish for the Japanese side.

You would be most unlucky to find that the move on Wake bumps into the KB being in the area because its next objective is nearby. Of course if you dawdle at Midway, if the KB is nearby, a change in priorities for the KB to hunting the Allied CVs could be in order.

Alfred

You are probably right, but what worries me is that if he knows my CV's are at Wake, he doesn't have to cover his operations in the south as carefully or with as much force and can accelerate the pace of his operations. He knows PoW and Repulse are out of the picture. My Dutch are all but wiped out. The US BB's are floating hulks. All he really has to worry about is my Australian based cruiser force (currently hiding in Melbourne as I thought KB might raid Brisbane and Sydney) and the US CV's. I now have 4 btw with the arrival of Saratoga at San Diego. Showing him where I am, shows him where I am not and free's him up. Maybe. Striking Wake then running South is also an option. Decisions decisions.
Rgds
Andrew

Think logically through what you are saying.[:)]

I have detected (Bullwinkle58 has too) a growing trend where Allied players are repeating this mantra of having a fleet in being. Sometimes it is the correct course of action, but often it is just wrong. Every situation needs to be individually assessed. There is no point in hiding in port if that does not stop Japan from accomplishing its goalsor overlooks targets of opportunity.

You have used the oft repeated excuse that if the whereabouts of your CVs remains unknown, the enemy will have to be more carefull. Let's look at the validity of this statement.

1. Having your carriers hidden hasn't prevented the enemy from penetrating to the Java and Arafura Seas.
2. Allied surface assets in the DEI has been smashed but the enemy remains largely intact.
3. The deep Japanese raids past Timor would most likely have discovered the Allied CVs if they were in the area.
4. Japan has already acquired valuable airbases in the DEI.
5. The DEI is not optimal ground to deploy the KB, nor for that matter the few Allied carriers. It is not needed and the current in theatre naval and air assets will suffice to deal with what is left of Allied air and navy.
6. Time is of the essence for Japan. At this stage of the war strong Japanese opponents will conduct several operations simultaneously into the DEI running the risk that even if the Allied carriers appear (highly unlikely for the reasons already adduced) they are a one shot wonder, not yet having deep airframe replacements and flying much inferior aircraft.

Ergo, keeping your carriers in port as a "fleet in being" will do nothing to stop the enemy in the DEI.

7. If the Allied carriers decloak now, the enemy is not going to alter its invasion timetable and redirect the KB to hunt your carriers. Unless, as I said in my previous post, you uncloak near to where the KB is or remain long enough in the same spot that a KB ambush becomes attractive.
8. Why would the KB be near Wake, or for that matter any other atoll. Answer is only to escort an invasion fleet across the Pacific to invade an atoll. That escort will occur irrespective of whether your carriers remain cloaked or uncloaked for the reason that he will need carrier airpower to neutralise your LBA at the invasion site. So care to nominate which of your 6k stacking limit atolls is such a tempting target for Japan at this point in time?
9. There is also the possibility the KB may go hunting for all those ships you have hidden in furtherance of your "fleet in being" concept. Where would your carriers and escorts be safer, at anchor receiving a visit from Ms Val and Ms Kate or out in the open sea?

I'm not saying Wake is the best raiding option. I am saying targets of opportunity are not to be missed particularly when a fleet in being has no real impact on Japan. Less skilled Japanese players may be spooked by your "fleet in being". Your current opponents are very skillful and a class above most Japanese players. If you read their current Allied AAR, they were most definitely not afraid to decloak their carriers in January 1942.

Alfred