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After these two fights, both Nagara and Marblehead were depleted... and Doormans Dutch (Java, Tromp, DeRuyter + 7 DDs) had a field day

Japan ended losing all ships in Manado; but nothing critical for the Japanese war effort; mostly the very easily replaceable *AKs, PBs, *AKLs, *AMc

Still one less Yusen-N, one less Kyushu... and more important... the possibility of slowing operations for a day or 2



No troops were lost, as he had 3 phases to unload, but I am sure he lost some supply

Nicely done! Good morale boost for the Allied Cause one week into the war!

These battles early on also provide valuable experience gains for ship crews. Makes them shoot better and deal with damage better next time.

Cheers thanks! It certainly helped my morale [:D]

So operation Surprise Surprise! #2




I had Boise and Houston hidding in the Celebes; I also moved the 2 DDs from Hong Kong there

in yesterday's turn, I spot an invasion force, likely going to Jolo, the plan is the same as yesterday's: try to engage and then disappear

But this time, the transports are filled with troops. Fingers crossed

Manado situation after yesterday's victory

I had another surprise move.. but I decided to cancel it as there is no fuel left

Tomorrow the RAF will strike Mersing; I have high expectations for a bloody outcome

I am particularly hopeful because neither Kuching nor Kuantan fell yesterday
This means his only CAP cover will be what Kaga/ Akagi can provide + very long range LRCAP from KhotaB and SocTrang

I will keep sending SubMine TFs, even though I have few mines in Mersing. the fact that he is putting so many ships there means hit probabilities are good

A great turn; Operation SurpriseSurprise #2 was a complete success



The Battle of Jesselton started with a night combat between IJN Ushio vs. 2 AMs, from the Manila exodus fleet
I think Ushio might had been short of ammo as it just damaged one AM and the action ended

Then another inconclusive night fight; the "surprise" TF composed of CA Houston, CL Boise, DD Thanet and DD Scout found Ushio, and again action ended after few shot fired

then early morning: Ushio was spotted close to Jesselton, and this time promptly sunk (One less Fubuki II)

then "gotcha"; the objective TF was found: 15 fully loaded ships + 1 DD ... yes only 1 escort [:-] TF composition: 15 *AKs: 6 Aden, 4 Akasi, 5 Ehime, DD Yomogi). Coming from Samah according to my intelligence dept.

Coming from Samah, a L4 port, means that I just sunk the equivalent of 3 full days of loading; under ideal conditions that TF could carry 4,845 troops and 33,328 cargo.

I sunk 3 ships only, but the rest were under heavy fires. I will send some submarines to patrol the area just in case some survived

Casualties reported: 3,884
I believe I destroyed the 22 JAAF Bn, the 8th Field Const Bn and some assorted AA and Const companies headed to Manado to establish an airbase

Last action of the battle: diversionary force (2 AVDs) found the lone intact survivor

Great plan, well executed! [&o]
Now you just have to get your ships outta Dodge before his carriers show up!

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Great plan, well executed! [&o]
Now you just have to get your ships outta Dodge before his carriers show up!

Thanks, I am not too worried about the carriers as they depleted torpedoes. But still, I will need to run the gauntlet against significant surface forces, including 4 BBs

TF status is :
- main battery ammo depleted
- fuel not an issue
- minor/ no damage

I have two options :
- Run full speed to Manila, to rearm and refuel; it is a shorter distance, but then I give him more time to position his forces and Manila is under daily port raid, so high risk of getting bombed. Good chances of reaching Manila, and rearming means I can hit back if I get caught later

- Run full speed to Balikpapan, knowing that if I get caught, I won't be able to respond with anything other than secondary battery. Very high risk for 1 turn, then I am safe

I haven't decided yet

Well, they got caught. Houston was hit by two torpedoes and went to the bottom; Thanet also got damage, but I think it should be OK (I jsut got the combat replay, but no turn yet)

I chose to run to Balikpapan, and I think it was the right decision, as Manila got heavily pounded this turn. and then he would had blockaded it. Kudos to Houston, who saved the rest of the fleet

And remember:
"There will be another USS Houston, and yet another USS Houston if that becomes necessary, and still another USS Houston as long as American ideals are in jeopardy"
FDR

Still looks like you're doing a heck of job keeping your opponent off balance in the Celebes Sea early on. Nicely done!

Fully agree with heading toward Balik vs. Manila - PLUS you've still got CL BOISE!

Other than Houston, it was a quiet turn. I believe Boise is out of danger.

Marblehead TF and the Dutch are refueling; then they will go to Palembang for rearming. Tomorrow will be interesting as he is sending Mini-KB in direction to Tarakan.
I believe without torpedoes. He might be waiting for the lone AKE to reach Babeld. We will see

Malaya
Enough of good news... and back to grim reality. Situation in Malaya is bad. In the last 2 turns I tried to to strike the invasion at Mersing with poor results.
On the 1st day: Akagi/ Kaga shot down around 30 Buffalos and 12 Vildebeest and this only one *AK on fire
2nd day: Akagi/ Kaga were gone, probably rearming at CamhR. Oscar's CAP was not so impressive and around 15 Swordfish/ Vildebeest were able to shot torps, but all misses.
Round #3 comes tomorrow. Good news: Singkawang resisted the 1st attack. This means more day without Zeros/ Betties in Singkawang




Intersting note: He is using the starting Malaya regiments (those that usually go to Patani/ KhotaB) to assault Mersing. This means he is not yet capable to cross into Singapore
But he didn't take AlorStar, Georgetown or Taiping... does it means he sent the Imperial Guards to Burma? Tomorrow I will use the Hong Kong patrol to recon Chiang Mai and Rahaeng. They recently arrived to Rangoon via China.

Allied ship loses so far are:

Surface combatants:
- CA Houston sunk
- 3 heavily damaged Clemson DDs. One will almost certainly sunk, the other 2 have 50-50 chances
- 10 SS sunk. around 6 heavily damaged but with good chances to survive.
- 2 *APs (from Manila)
- 3 AOs, 3 TKs
- 3 AS, AV Langley, again all from Manila
- 4 CM, 1 CMc, 1 DM: These guys deserve a medal. always on the first line of fire. So far I don't know how succesful they had been in their mining operations (I played without sound).



Japanese loses:

- 2 DD: Ushio (Fubuki II) and Yomogi (Momi)
- Around 20 *AKs
- 5 PBs
- 1 DMS, 4 AMc

So far his loses are very light. Lets hope next turn my submarines and TPs bombers get more lucky

I think I have a 3rd chance to inflict some pain to my friend PresterJohn

I spotted a fleet in Sorong. I assume a landing will come in place tomorrow. And I have Repulse close by

I am not 100% on this one to be honest, as this turn's Repulse DL jump from 0 to 8 ... he might cancel the landings and sent anything available to the welcome party

Advice?

EDIT: I think I am chickening out
Some turns ago he had 4 BBs east of Luzon. I have no clue where they are now... if they arrive to the welcome party, Repulse is done

Repulse and POW rack up system damage fast at just Mission Speed. If you need to run them at High Speed they go right into the red and speed falls off and they slow down.

you got it going to be sure. Counterpulse is the key in DEI. I always divert major portions of the allied fleets if the empire goes historical.

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

A great turn; Operation SurpriseSurprise #2 was a complete success



The Battle of Jesselton started with a night combat between IJN Ushio vs. 2 AMs, from the Manila exodus fleet
I think Ushio might had been short of ammo as it just damaged one AM and the action ended

Then another inconclusive night fight; the "surprise" TF composed of CA Houston, CL Boise, DD Thanet and DD Scout found Ushio, and again action ended after few shot fired

then early morning: Ushio was spotted close to Jesselton, and this time promptly sunk (One less Fubuki II)

then "gotcha"; the objective TF was found: 15 fully loaded ships + 1 DD ... yes only 1 escort [:-] TF composition: 15 *AKs: 6 Aden, 4 Akasi, 5 Ehime, DD Yomogi). Coming from Samah according to my intelligence dept.

Coming from Samah, a L4 port, means that I just sunk the equivalent of 3 full days of loading; under ideal conditions that TF could carry 4,845 troops and 33,328 cargo.

I sunk 3 ships only, but the rest were under heavy fires. I will send some submarines to patrol the area just in case some survived

Casualties reported: 3,884
I believe I destroyed the 22 JAAF Bn, the 8th Field Const Bn and some assorted AA and Const companies headed to Manado to establish an airbase

YOu are doing it well.

It is the cumulative impact of all the naval losses, especially merchants that make the game. IMHO, expense naval forces until he consolidates LBA and makes it prohibitive.

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I think I have a 3rd chance to inflict some pain to my friend PresterJohn

I spotted a fleet in Sorong. I assume a landing will come in place tomorrow. And I have Repulse close by

I am not 100% on this one to be honest, as this turn's Repulse DL jump from 0 to 8 ... he might cancel the landings and sent anything available to the welcome party

Advice?

EDIT: I think I am chickening out
Some turns ago he had 4 BBs east of Luzon. I have no clue where they are now... if they arrive to the welcome party, Repulse is done

Thanks!

more on the reasons for canceling the Sorong operation:

- Repulse is at DL8... he knows exactly what I have and will prepare accordingly

- I caught him pants down 2 turns ago, if he has an invasion fleet there, which I am not certain, then it is now running away

- He might try to setup a trap, he might have BBs close. Moreover, Houston was lost to "Long Lance" torpedoes. So even DDs and CLs are dangerous

- Repulse is high value. Sorong is not, thus his invasion force will be modest; most likely some NavGrds and AF coys

UPDATE: I might end lauching it [;)]
- The Japanese BBs were indeed spotted last turn, somehow I missed them while writing this; they are far away, even at max speed the can't catch me

Malaya update

There was no 3rd naval attempt at Mersing.. he left... Either yesterdays' near misses scared him or maybe he just finish unloading

He is now aiming for Palembang, with Akagi/ Kaga and the 2-Kongo covering force closing
Singkawang didn't fail last turn and this is a big plus, as he won't cover with anything other than carrier based fighters
Moreover, he run out of supplies there, which means he will need to do another beach assault on those heavily mined beaches



Then, I have the Danae and Mauritius TF escorting a fast *AP to Batavia; he doesn't know it is a transport fleet; all what he has seen in the combat replay are either DDs or CLs
He might be thinking that I somehow anticipated his moves and wanted to position my fleets ready.
That *AP, the Dominion Monarch is carrying 223 RAF group (torpedo enabled) to Batavia, so that my Swordfish/ vildebeest have a chance to hit him where he doesn't expect it