For the second straight day, Admiral Nagumo ignores a direct order to close up and protect IJN Hiryu! GRRRRRR...
The "Escort TF" title can be misleading. It is not used to order a TF to "escort" another.
It is used to place damaged ships into, and that TF will then attempt to "avoid" combat (i.e., to not react to enemy TF's) while it returns to base.
What I think you want to do:
The TF containing the Hiryu is set as an "escort TF". Destination selected.
The others (Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku?) in an "Air Combat TF". Set CAP to desired Levels. Set TF to "follow" the Hiryu TF... Just for giggles I would make sure that both TF have the same home base...
Eastern/Southeastern PacificSea:
1. Bombard Rabaul with 4 CA and 6 DD: 53 Cas, 1 Gun, and AF/Pt damage
2. Send CV Soryu Home with 23 Sys damage—shouldn’t take TOO long to repair
3. Surviving Hiryu Air Group (20 Zero—7 Val—11 Kates) to be based at Kwajalein until I need to disband them into other Carrier Groups or place them on a CVE.
Philippines
Sea:
1. Jolo I-159 misses CL Dragon (with 4DD) and takes 2DC for minimal damage
2. KXVI hits an AP with 1TT causing 22 Cas and 4 Guns to be lost.
3. Order 3 STF to head for Jolo, Cagayan, and Davao to attack enemy warships. Hopefully, the results of this will drive the Allies southwards towards the KB-3.
Air:
1. San Marcelino is hit by 21F and 46B destroying 2 P-35 on the ground and damaging the AF
2. 7 B-17 hit an AP north of Cagayan with 2B and cause 30 Casualties
3. 3 TIV attack the Davao Invasion Force at (42,63) from Menado, score no hits, and lose 1 TB.
Land:
1. Landing at Vigan
Eastern Dutch East Indies
Sea:
1. KB-3 ordered to swing around Kendari and head for Balikpapan area to cut off retreat of Allied Surface TF. They will form the Anvil for the Hammer I am about to swing in the Jolo—Mindanao area.
Land:
1. Landing at Sorong
2. Capture Morotai, Wasile, and Talaud Island
Western DEI
Sea:
1. Invasion Convoys diverted from Kuching react (avoid) Surface TF at Brunei.
2. There is an ineffectual attack by 6 Dutch PT Boats on a PC north of Kuching.
3. Force Z bombards Brunei causing 312 Cas, 5 Guns, and AF/Pt damage. Prince of Wales, Repulse, and 7 DD spotted.
Air:
1. BAD WEATHER shuts down Saigon as well as Kuantan! No bombers fly at Force Z…
2. Two Allied Air Strikes (5 Demon/3 TIV & 9 Demon/7 Swordfish) go after the Kuching Invasion Force as it moves towards Brunei. 1 AP takes 2TT and a PG takes 3 Bombs—there are 35 Cas aboard the AP which then sinks and requires the other ships to rescue members of the 23rd Mixed Brigade.
Land:
1. Capture Brunei, Borneo! Move a Daitai of Zeros there to cover other TF.
Malaya
Sea:
1. SS Trusty hits an AP at Mersing with 1TT and causes 7 Cas
2. KXVII hits an AK with 1TT east of Kuantan
Air:
1. As mentioned bad weather closes nearly all Japanese AF.
2. A small strike (6 Hudsons) from Singapore hits the Convoy at Mersing causing 1 AP to be hit by 2 Bombs—53 Cas
Land:
1. Landing at Mersing: 16th Inf Div + 1 Base Force vs. a Brigade and Base Force
2. 23,47 My cut-off of the Malaya Peninsula is looking decent. I have two Inf Div there versus 4 Brigades. Another Inf Div will be there tomorrow and I will attack. Do a bombardment attack: 27 Jap Cas and 1 Gun for 31 Brit Cas and 9 Guns
China
Air:
1. Launch strikes on Changsha and Homan
Land:
1. Bombard 50,27--1 Jap Brig vs. 1 Chin Corps—do 15 Cas
Comments
1. The bad weather REALLY helps my opponents out this turn!
2. It certainly appears that the DEI is spread with a thin carpet of warships. I will pick my time-and-place for the battles. They should start occurring tomorrow. My use of STF to flush some of these small TF towards the KB-3 should clear some of this up.
3. Taking Brunei will help as I should be able to now CAP my TF. Must deal with Force Z before I can take Kuching.
4. Brit/Dutch SS are a PAIN! Didn’t damage a single one this round!
5. The Allied Aircraft are doing better then I anticipated. Am trying to compensate for this issue.
6. Am happy to have saved over 60% of Hiryu’s experienced flyers!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
December 15, 1941
Pacific
Sea
I-170 Hit by LBA near Suva
SS Lines: I thought readers might want to know what I am doing with my SS.
1. Pearl-West Coast I have a group of about 12 SS NE of PH. Half carry Glens and I have them spread about to pick-up any convoys leaving Hawaii or the West Coast. If anything is spotted, I can then move KB-2 into the attack.
2. The rest are deployed around the following islands (each has a Glen I-Boat): 4 SS Johnston Island, 6 SS Palmyra, 4 SS Canton, 6 SS Suva, and 5 SS moving from Wake to Midway.
Air
Land
Invasion Planning and Loading:
Truk
1. 3 Escorts +AP/AK Nvl Construction Btn to Lae
2. 3 Escorts +2AP/AK Nvl Con Btn and NLF to Buin
3. CL, 2 DD, 6 Escorts, 12 AP, and 2 AK South Seas Detachment, 15th Nvl Guard, Mortar Battalion, and 4th Fleet HQ to Rabaul.
Kwajalein
1. 7 Escorts, 1 AP, and 8 AK 7th Base Force and SNLF to Baker
2. 4 Escorts and 1 AK NLF to Makin
As soon as these invasions start, I’ll separate this entry into Central Pacific and SE Pacific.
Philippines
Sea
1. PTs @ Vigan: 5 PT vs. 4AK/5AP 2AK/1AP take 1TT each! Ouch! 64 Casualties
2. KXVI 1TT into AP at Legaspi
3. I-159 at Jolo takes 2 DC for missing a Dutch CL
Air
1. Bad Weather! Tainan Air Ops cancelled
2. Jolo 4 P-40 vs. 3 Betty Surface TF present--no hits or losses.
3. An AP at Tacloban draws the attention of 4 B-17s from Legaspi and takes 2 Bombs
4. I move 200+ aircraft from Formosa to my new bases at Laoag and Aparri
Land
1. Capture Vigan! The northern portion of Luzon is now mine.
2. Landing at Tacloban and Legaspi
3. Will land at Davao tomorrow
4. Order 65th Brigade, a TK Reg, and 3 Art Units to Tuguegarao to capture it.
5. Start loading a small force in Formosa to capture Lamon Bay
6. Start loading an additional Base Force to go to Davao from Formosa
Malaya
Air
1. Air Raids at Georgetown (54 DB--lose 3), Malacca, and 25,46 (28F/138B doing 235 Cas and 4 Guns).
2. Brits counter at Mersing with 37 P-40 and 28 B doing 32 Cas and 1 G
3. Move 50+ planes into Alor Star
Land
1. Landing at Mersing Try a quick Shock Attack but cannot do it! Lose 550 Cas and 16 G for only 159 Brit Cas, 9 G, and 1 V. Will wait two days and try again.
2. Capture Victoria Point
3. Occupy Alor Star
4. The Brits, as hoped, are in full flight down the peninsula! Hope to catch a couple of units. Order a 3 Inf Div assault against the 4 Brigades blocking me at 25,46.
5. In northern Malaya, order the 55th Inf Div to take Georgetown and the Imperial Guards + TK Reg to continue south from Alor Star.
6. I expect to be at Johore Bharu within a week! High Command has ordered that Singapore FALL by January 1st!
Eastern DEI
Sea
1. KB-3 launches two strikes and sinks an AK NE of Kendari
Land
1. Capture Sorong
Western DEI
Sea
1. Force Z stays and bombards Brunei AGAIN! Totals: 234 Cas and 2 G
2. Bombard Palembang with two STF: a total of 4BB, 4CA, 1CL & 10DD participate and gets disappointing results--76 Cas, 2 G, and AF/Pt hit. Had hoped to catch some shipping here…
3. O16 hits an AP with 2TT near Miri causing 53 Cas
Air
1. Move 2 Daitai of Zeros and 1 Daitai of Sallys to Brunei to provide CAP and a little hitting power against Warships.
Land
1. Landing at Miri, Borneo
China
Land
1. Order a Deliberate Attack at 50,27 with a Jap Inf Div, Inf Brig, and Artie Unit vs. a Chin Corps. Get a 0-1 (for some reason) with 1306 Jap Cas and 30 G for only 42 Chin Cas and 2 G.
Comments:
1. I expect to see a series of surface naval clashes tomorrow and the day after. This should help to clear out some issues.
2. My opponent’s SS are a PAIN. Forming several small ASW TF to move through the shipping lanes.
3. Things are a little frustrating at the moment but should be opening up within 3-4 turns.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Central Pacific
Sea
1. At Kwajalein, SS Tambor gets hit by 2 DC
2. I-169 hit by LBA near Suva
3. Refuel CarDiv 5 (Sho/Zui) and order them to a point between Johnston and Palymra to see if I can catch anything heading in that direction.
Philippines
Sea
1. 6 AK vs. 5 PT at Aparri—No real damage.
2. US Bombardment at Legaspi: 1 CA, 2 CL, 5 DD 93 Cas and 12 Guns
Air
1. Vigan 41 F vs. 11 B-17 and 3 FB—I lose 1 F and shot down 2 B-17 and 2 FB
2. Aparri That TF that hit Legaspi pays for it! A group of 28 Bettys hit it and put 4TT into CA Houston, 2TT into CL Marblehead, and 1TT into CL Boise! FINALLY! I lose 2 B for this success.
Land
1. Capture Legaspi! Lose 6 Cas and 1 G for 86 US Cas, 2 G, 1 V
2. Landing at Davao
3. Capture Tacloban
Eastern DEI
Sea
1. KB-3 in Action! In a series of strikes at Balikpapan and Tarakan, the small CVs launch 61 DB and TB at shipping. I lose 1 Kate for the day and shot down 5 Fighters. Damage is done to 1PG, 4AK, 1AP, and 1TK—the PG and 1 AK sinks.
Western DEI
Air
1. Miri, Borneo 15 Z vs. 4 B and 7 Swordfish TB—I shot down 3 B and damage all the Swords for 1TT into an AP.
2. CL Danae sinks from the Force Z attack a few days ago.
Land
1. Capture Miri, Borneo and grab 335 POW
2. Start loading an Aviation Regiment, 4th Mixed Reg, 4th Mixed Brig, and 25th Army at Saigon for the Palembang invasion.
Land
1. Landing at Mersing, Malaya Shock Attack fails (barely 1-1) against the Brigade there! I lose 933 Cas, 76 G, and 2 V for 220 Cas and 11 G.
China
Air
1. Raid Wuchow and Homan
Land
1. Homan: Del Att: -1 for 391 Cas, 16 G, 9 V against 103 Chin Cas
Comments
1. Glad to finally hit one of his STF!
2. Things will continue to heat-up over the next couple of days. We’ll see what my opponents will try. Pretty aggressive so far!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
I have been having a hard time finding time to write my AAR. My wife is VERY pregnant and due any hour... This is our second son and he is not being very cooperative! Anyone EVER have a wife FINISHED with her pregnancy but no baby YET??? [:@][:D]
Didn't you tip the stork last time? [&:]
Very nice AAR! [:)]
EDIT:
ORIGINAL: mlees
The "Escort TF" title can be misleading. It is not used to order a TF to "escort" another.
It is used to place damaged ships into, and that TF will then attempt to "avoid" combat (i.e., to not react to enemy TF's) while it returns to base.
What he said. The main advantage of an escort TF is that damaged ships never split off from the TF to form their own, slower TF.
Central Pacific
Sea
1. Invasion Convoy is approaching Wake Island.
SE Pacific
Sea
1. Invasion Convoys at sea for Buin, Lae, and Rabaul
Philippines
Sea
1. Legaspi Convoy unloading and attacked by 3 PTs. In an impressive display, for the Japanese Merchant Marine, they sink a PT without any damage taken!
Air
1. All air missions cancelled due to weather. Grrrrr……
Land
1. Landing at Davao 3-1 Attack brings Forts from 3 to 1. 172 Jap Cas, 5G, 1V for 108 Phil Cas and 8G. Order another attack for tomorrow.
2. Landing at Jolo.
Eastern DEI
Sea
1. KB-3 launches strikes at Tarakan and Balikpapan. A total of 33 strikes planes attack and hit a pair of AK and 1 AP. No losses…
2. Surface TF of CL Yura and 8 DD sink 2 AK at Tarakan. Split this TF and send some DD to Balikpapan in search of game.
Air
1. From Menado—2 TIV attack an AP at 40,65 and put a TT into it—27 Cas
2. Balikpapan to KB-3!!! I nearly panic when I see 31 Zero vs. 11 F and 27 B-17! YIKES….I HATE 4EB…everything turns out well though…I lose 1Z for 7 Fighters and 2 B-17s. NO DAMAGE to CVLs or CVEs.
Western DEI
Sea
1. At Brunei—4 Dutch PTs vs. 2AP/3AK and 3 PG. These PTs don’t turn away! Have an AK hit by 1TT for 54 Cas.
2. O16 puts 2TT into an AO near Miri and gets 1 Depth Charge for its efforts.
Air
1. Sinkep Island A pair of AKs are hit by 20Z and 26 Nells from Kuantan. Both AK are plastered and sink.
Malaya
Air
1. Khota Bharu is plastered by 83 Sally—I lose 1 bomber, inflict 137 Cas, 1 G, and AF.
Land
1. Shock Attack at the mid-point hex between Kuantan and Kuala Lampur! Get 0-1…grrrr…974 Cas, 32 G for 154 Cas and 4 G. How 3 full-strength Inf Div and an Eng Reg get this result amazes me!
2. Capture Taiping
3. Mersing My sole Inf Div there is pinned to the beaches! Allied Bombardment gets 6 Jap Cas and 2 G. There are now 4 Brit Brigades there instead of 1.
China
Air
1. Homan Air Raid 53B do 27 Cas and hit AF
2. Wuchow Air Raid 11B and hit AF
Land
1. Bombard 50,27 for 60 Chin Cas and 3 Guns.
Naval Losses for the Day (new addition to AAR) Japan loses an AO and AP. Allies lose ML Krakatau, 5 AK, 1 PT, and CA Houston! Scratch one CA!
Comments
1. I am stalled in Malaya. My attack across the peninsula has bogged down for reasons that I do not understand. The only good news is that I have so scared my opponents that they are retreating down the western side of Malaya faster then I can advance!
2. Bad Weather, yet again, hampers anti-shipping strikes.
3. Should take Davao tomorrow. Hope the AF isn’t hurt TOO bad…
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
[font="times new roman"]December 18, 1941[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Landing at Wake Island! Have a PG, AK, and an AP hit by CD. Nothing can stop the attack! Get 59-1 and 6 Wildcats, 2 Catalinas, and 2,017 POWs! BANZAI! Lose 521 Cas and 12 Guns.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Will let this force completely unload then I will take the 3 Inf Units and re-load them for Midway. The large Base Force stays at Wake where I move a Daitai of Nells and 2 Chutai of Mavis.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]SE Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Start loading follow-on convoys for Buin and Rabaul.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Load Invasion Convoys for Tulagi and Lunga.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Philippines[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Capture Davao Get 12-1 lose 261 Jap Cas and 8 G for 76 Phil Cas. NO DAMAGE to AF! Move 1 Daitai of Zeros, 2 Daitai of Betty, 1 Chutai of Vals, and 1 Chutai of Mavis. RUN little Allied ships!!![/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Capture Jolo Get 101-1 and gain 1,279 POW.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Eastern DEI[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Amboina My BB STF (Fuso and Yamashiro) catch the DD John Ford and sink her.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Landing at Sansapor[/font] [font="times new roman"]2. Landing at Amboina[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Western DEI[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Near Brunei, KXIV puts 2TT into an AP and does 52 Cas[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Near Tobaola, I-155 puts a TT into an AK for 28 Cas[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Air[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. SW Tip of Borneo My 4 Old BB are jumped by 8 FB and 25TB! Japanese gunners shot down 4TB but BB Hyuga does take a TT for minor damage. Send remainder of BBs to Brunei and Hyuga back to Saigon.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. NE of Palembang My Kuantan Nells strike again—29 Nells destroy a convoy of 2 MSW and 3 AK.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malaya[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Air[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Bad weather inhibits my land strikes.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Allied Counter-Strike at 23,47! 2F and 33 Bombers cause 93 Cas, 2 G, and 1 V worth of damage. Will CAP this area tomorrow.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Capture Georgetown 8-1 with 79 Jap Cas, 2 G, 1 V for 3163 POWs[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Capture Kuala Lampur No defenders.[/font] [font="times new roman"]3. Mersing My sole Inf Div there remains pinned to the beaches! Allied Bombardment gets 15 Jap Cas. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Burma[/b] New Theatre of Operations[/b][/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sea[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. British Bombardment of Victoria Point by 1CA, 2CL, 3CLAA for 78 Cas and they destroy 2 Recon planes.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Air[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Changsha 23B do 23 Cas and hit AF[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Wuchow Air Raid 11B and hit AF[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Bombard 50,27 [/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Homan Japanese Shock Attack! 0-1 Fort 3 (forgot the troops NE of town have to cross the river) Jap Cas 2369, 50G, and 2V for 230 Ch Cas and 8 G.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Naval Losses for the Day (new addition to AAR)[/font][/b] [font="times new roman"]Japan[/i] loses an AK.[/font] [font="times new roman"]Allies[/i] lose DD John Ford, CL Marblehead, 5 AK, and 1MSW.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Comments[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]1. I will be at the gates of Singapore within a week if he doesn’t try to make a stand.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Should get real interesting in Central Pacific and SE Pacific as Invasion Convoys approach their objectives.[/font]
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Central Pacific
Sea
1. Start re-loading Wake Invasion Force for Midway.
SE Pacific
Sea
1. ASW Attack on SS Triton—3 DC hit and cause damage. Attack is 3 hexes NE of Rabaul.
Philippines
Sea
1. 2 PT vs APs at Legaspi I take no damage and sink a PT.
2. Cagayan ASW Attack on S-39 and hit it with 3 DC.
Air
1. San Marcelino 6F and 37B vs. 8 P-40 Lose 1 Bomber for 2 P-26 on the ground.
2. Cagayan 19 P-40 and 16 P-40 attack Cagayan Invasion Force for no damage
3. Davao 19 P-40 and 16 P-40 hit an AP with 1Bomb
4. Tawi-Tawi 7 Bettys strike from Davao and hit it with 1TT.
Land
1. Landing at Cagayan
2. Landing at Lamon Bay
Eastern DEI
Sea
1. West of Jolo SS Sculpin hits an AP with 2TT and 3 Shells—Sinks.
2. American Bombardment of Sorong with 5 US DD
3. O20 just east of Tarakan hits an AK with 2TT and 4 Shells—Sinks with 70 Cas and 4 Guns. TWO Surface SS Attacks!
4. KB-3 In a series of strikes, the little CVs hit a CL—DD TF. A total of 34 sorties are flown and I lose 3 Kates in exchange for putting a bomb onto both CLs Durban and Tromp.
Land
1. Capture Amboina! 36-1 3 SNLF and 1 Base Force destroy an Allied Bomber and take 166 Cas and 4 Guns for 980 Allied Cas and 6 Guns. Base is damaged but send 36 Nells and 2 Chutai of Mavis there to begin operations.
2. Landing at Manokwari, NG
3. Capture Sansapor, NG
Western DEI
Air
1. NE of Palembang My Kuantan Nells strike yet again—12 Nells destroy an AK.
Malaya
Air
1. 25,46 (south of Khota Bharu) 22B cause 23 Cas and 2 G damage for 1 B.
2. 23,47 Begin to pound those Brigades there for my next assault. 15F and 76 Bombers cause 111 Cas and 3 Guns.
Land
1. Kuantan Sh. Attack at units retreating from Khota Bharu! 52-1 136 Jap Cas, 1G, 1V for 272 Allied Cas and 10 G.
2. Mersing Allied Bombardment causes 11 Cas and 2 G
Burma
Air
1. 6 Wirraways hit TK Regiment approaching Tavoy and cause 20 Cas and destroy 1V
China
Air
1. Changsha 20B 35 Cas and AF
2. Wuchow 5B Nothing
3. Homan 63B 10 Cas and AF
4. Yenen 8DB cause 5 Cas and destroy 1 G
Land
1. Bombard 50,27 for 35 Chin Cas and 2 Guns
2. Homan Japanese Shock Attack! 0-1 Fort 3 (DAMNED river) Jap Cas 793, 20 G, 4V for 147 Cas and 5 Guns
Naval Losses for the Day
Japan loses 2 AP (sunk at Truk and Hong Kong) and 3 AK (1 at Saigon).
Allies lose MSW Marlborough, 1PT, and 1AK.
Comments
1. Getting Amboina so easily will really help! The Eastern Door is beginning to close. Once I capture Timor, then it will be over…
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Thank you Kind Sir!
I promised my opponents that there would be no 'gamey' opening moves and there wasn't. I think is a better start. You get everything arranged, start with the normal invasions and THEN begin the real work! My opponents got about a week to prepare for the assault but they will not be able to parry the hammer blows. I expect to have the DEI all sown up by mid-January.
A sizable portion of the combat troops will then move to finish the Philippines.
Once the Philippines fall, NW Aussieland will be my next target and then, perhaps, New Zealand...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Central Pacific
Air
My Observation (Glen-equipped) SS was attacked by an SBD near San Francisco…hmmm…is he getting ready to move out of the port???
Land
Landing and Capture Makin
SE Pacific
Invasion Forces moving but no real action.
Philippines
Sea
1. KXVI puts 1TT into an AP at Legaspi and sinks it.
Air
1. Bad Weather!
2. American Fighter Sweep at Laoag! 31 P-40 vs. 10 Oscars and 8 Nates 2 P-40s are shot down in return for the loss of 4 Nates and 1 Oscar
Land
1. Capture Lamon Bay--Will move these 3 Construction Units SW and try to cut-off the forces in Naga.
2. Capture Cagayan--The 2nd Div, TK Reg, and Eng Reg easily crush the defense! Japan loses 46 Cas, 1G, 1V for 7 P-40s, 54 Cas, and 3G! Now I can finish Mindanao off…
3. Deliberate Attack @ Tuguegaro with 65th Brigade and Tk Reg get 0-1 Forts 3 366 Jap Cas and 12G for 37 Phil Cas and 2G. Looks like 2 Phil Inf Div here…
Eastern DEI
Sea
1. KB-3 attacks Perth Shipping In a series of small strikes, DD Whipple takes a bomb, I lose a Kate, and shot down 3 Wirraways. I notice that I am nearly out of srties for KB-3 and send the CVs back to Amboina.
2. FORCE Z at Balikpapan! In a spirited daylight engagement, CL Naka and 9 DD take on a massively larger force in the form of Prince of Wales, Repulse, and 7DD. YIKES!!! My light forces follow the Japanese adage of move close and strike hard! British DD s desperately try to keep my forces from the heavies. As smoke clears, CL Naka and 2 Jap DD sink (3 more are heavily damaged) in exchange for 1 Brit DD (with another 5 heavily damaged). Half of my force escapes (which is better then I thought) and Force Z is stripped of its escort. Interesting…
Air
1. Tarakan Sweep Tarakan with 54Z and 6B--lose 1B and hit AF.
2. Balikpapan 3Z and 6N try to take a crack at Prince of Wales. Nothing! Lose 2N for no damage. LUCKY Capital Ships!
Land
1. Capture Manokwari, NG
2. Am gathering forces at Jolo to take Tarakan, Borneo
Western DEI
Sea
1. BB Hyuga makes Saigon with 28 Sys Damage and is sent to Maizuru for repairs.
2. Palembang Invasion Force on the way! Composition is 1 Regiment, 1 Brigade, 2 Aviation Reg, and 25th Army HQ. Covering Force of 3BB, 4CA, and 5DD…
Malaya
Air
1. In the hex north of Kuantan 11B cause 22 Cas
2. 23,47 68F and 34B inflict 43 Brit Cas and 2G
Land
1. 23,47 Deliberate Attack: 60-1 79 Jap Cas and 5G for 96 Brit Cas and 5G. Finally takes hex as he moves into Malacca for southern withdrawal.
2. Mersing Allied Sh Attack! 0-1 83 Jap Cas and 1G for 362 Brit Cas and 19G. We are both stuck there…
Burma
Land
1. Capture Tavoy! 2 Tk Reg and 4 small Construction Bat get 21-1 and 56 Brit Cas and 2G
China
Air
1. Raid Wuchow with 18B and do 10 Cas and hit AF
Land
1. Sh. Att at Homan (river crossing--again) 752 Jap Cas and 25G for 83 Chin Cas and 1G
Ships Sunk
Japanese CL Naka, 2DD, and an AP.
Allied Nada…
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Central Pacific
Sea
I-24 is attacked by ASW Forces two hexes West of San Francisco! Perhaps he is moving out… Move CarDiv1 NE towards that shipping land. I-24 takes 5DC…
SE Pacific
Land
1. Landing at Rabaul! Brush off several ineffectual air strikes. My TF wasn’t spotted until it actually began landing.
Philippines
Sea
1. Cagayan--Drive off 6 Dutch Pt-Boats
Air
1. US Air Strike at a TF West of Manila--9F 11FB hit an AP with 1B and lose 1 P-40.
Land
1. Bombard Tuguegarao
Eastern DEI
Sea
1. SS KV sinks crippled DD Samidare (from Force Z battle) with 2TT.
Air
1. Tarakan Sweep Tarakan with 54Z and 6B--destroy a TB and hit AF
2. 33,64 Another crippled DD from that surface fight sinks. 3F, 3TB, 5 B-17 hit Inazuma with 2TT.
3. Amboina 9 Allied Bombers attack from Kendari and lose a bomber to my old BB’s AA.
Western DEI
Air
1. 23,57 3B attack my BC TF--down goes 1 Bomber for hitting Kongo with 1B that does no damage.
Malaya
Air
1. Kuantan 5F vs. 17 P-40--Lose 1F
2. 23,47 35 Allied Bombers strike causing 77 Cas and 2G
3. Malacca 79F and 104B hit troops there: 84 Brit Cas and 5G
Land
1. Mersing Allied Bombardment: 22 Jap Cas
Burma
Air
1. Tavoy 22 Allied Fighters attack approaching troops: 29 Jap Cas
China
Air
1. Changsha 19B do 30 Chin Cas and hit AF
2. SE Yenen 8DB do 15 Chin Cas and 1G
Land
1. 50,27 (SE Yenen) Jap Bombard does 42 Cas
Ships Sunk
Japanese 1 AP and 2 DD--Inazuma and Samidare
Allied Nada…
Comments:
1. Am getting tired of Allied Air Strikes…order all available Army bombers to hit Balikpapan, Johore Bharu, and Manila next turn.
2. The storm should break over the Solomons and Eastern NG tomorrow. We’ll see about an Allied Counterthrust.
December 22, 1941
Central Pacific
Sea
1. In a spirited contest, SS I-1 has a crazy day in San Francisco Harbor! The SS takes 4DC from an ASW attack, THEN sinks AK Regulus with 2TT, and then take 4 MORE DC in the later part of the day! I-1 survives and is ordered home…
2. KB-2 Swings into action! A small convoy is hit by a combined strike of 13Z, 41V, 48K. My Sea Eagles sink an AK, AP, and 2 DD--Helm and Mugford. I hoped for bigger game but this is a start. Now he knows I am there…
SE Pacific
Land
1. Rabaul First attempt to quickly grab it fails. Shock Attack: 0-1, Fort 3, 578 Jap Cas and 14G for 34 Aussie Cas and 1G.
2. Landing at Biak, NG
3. Landing at Noemfoor, NG
4. Landing at Buin, Solomons
Philippines
Air
1. Manila 22Z and 47B vs. 8 P-40--I lose 3Z for 6 P-40, do 108 US Cas, 3G, and hit AF.
Land
1. Bombard Tuguegarao: 8 Jap Cas ad 1G for 48 Phil Cas and 2G
Eastern DEI
Air
1. Balikpapan 48Z and 3 Nells vs. 10F--lose no planes and shot down 7F and hit AF.
2. East of Tarakan 3B and 6TB attack the Tarakan Invasion Force--one AP takes 2B and we shot down 1TB.
Western DEI
Sea
1. O19 puts 2TT into an AP arriving at Miri--64 Cas
Malaya
Air
1. Johore Bharu 91F and 147B vs. 5 Buf hit this airdrome! Destroy 7 Buf and 9 Bombers as well as 25 Brit Cas, 1G nad moderate damage to AF.
Land
1. Capture the abandoned Malacca!
2. Mersing Allied Bomb: 34 Jap Cas and 3 G
Burma
Land
1. 29,36 One hex from Tavoy, my troops attack the rear-guard and get 163-1 for 12 Brit Cas
2. In a countermove, the British send a Brigade into and capture Rahaeng. Le thtem sit there and be cutoff…
China
Air
1. Homan 63B cause 12 Chin Cas, 1G, and damage AF
Land
1. 50,27 (SE Yenen) Jap Bombard does 46 Chin Cas and 1G
2. Homan Deliberate Attack! Get 1-1 and reduce Forts from 3 to 2. Casualties are not bad--1,999 Jap Cas, 48G, and 3V for 2,000 Chin Cas and 51G. Will rest and attack again in 2-3 days.
Ships Sunk
Japanese
Allied 1 AP, 2 AK, and 2DD--Mugford and Helm
Comments:
1. My AF attacks do well in destroying over 30 planes. Will keep-up the attacks. Figuring they will move the AVG from CAP over Mersing and Singapore to Johore Bharu, I order my Fighters and Bombers to hit Singapore’s AF. Will keep the pressure on Manila and Balikpapan.
2. Debate what to do with KB-2(CarDiv1). Now that they know I am between West Coast and Hawaii, what will they do? Decide to fade into the Pacific and move back to the middle between the two and refuel.
3. Has anyone noticed how seldom my Betty/Nell force is flying?!! I am so frustrated with my bombers at Kuantan, Davao, and Amboina. Morale is fine, Afs fine, support troops fine, supplies OK…don’t know.
4. KB-3 is repositioned so I will send them out from Amboina and try to sink some of these targets I constantly watch go by without my land-based naval bombers doing anything.
5. Noticed that CVL Shoho is nearly completed. Am debating where to send her…might link her up with the KB-3 and have them remain in DEI waters.
6. Until Soryu is repaired (she is almost at Japan), I will keep my remaining 4CV (Akagi, Kaga, Shokaku, and Zuikaku) in the Central and SE Pacific looking for convoys.
Any readers of this AAR have thoughts on any of these events and/or choices?
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Has anyone noticed how seldom my Betty/Nell force is flying?!! I am so frustrated with my bombers at Kuantan, Davao, and Amboina. Morale is fine, Afs fine, support troops fine, supplies OK…don’t know.
Check supplies. Are AFs over loaded? I then to set my betties and nells at either 15 or 11. At 11 I make sure there are zeros that can fly escort with the Betties/Nells. Air leaders at the bases do make a difference. When I capture bases I want stage out of like Tarawa or Rabaul, I try to get an Hq ther with a good air leader
Had to spend the last couple of day sin the hospital with my wife. We delivered a healthy baby boy yesterday! At the tender age of 40, I am having my second son and FEELING my age...
Will get around to updating the AAR in a few minutes.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
[font="times new roman"]December 23, 1941[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]KB-1 (CarDiv5) is operating with a slow sweep to the SW passing Palmyra to Canton.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]KB-2 (CarDiv1) is about 12 hexes NE of Pearl Harbor and refueling. My opponents know of its existence and I have to be careful to not get caught by more then 1 US CV. Will stay for about 7 days more and then towards Kwajalein.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Landing at Baker Island with a large Base Force. Will grow the base in preparation for capturing Canton.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Midway Invasion Force (3 large Nvl Guard Units and BF) departs Wake Island with a Close Cover Force of 4CL and 8DD.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]SE Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1. Buin, Solomons NAVAL BATTLE: My little invasion force of 2MSW, 1PG, 2AP, and 1AK is jumped by a cruiser force! 2CAs, 3CLs, and 1DD attack and manage to sink the PG, 1MSW, and the AK. The rest of the force is damaged severely. Luckily—all troops were disembarked…nice move though…[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Rabaul Naval Bombardment by my 4CA: 1 Fighter, 132 Cas, 2G, 1V, and AF/Pt damage[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Air[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1. Rabaul Planes operating from there attack my Invasion Force—4 Wirraway and 5 Hudson make attacks. I shot down 2 Wir for no damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1. Rabaul Continue Landing and Bombard: 75 Cas and 1G[/font] [font="times new roman"]2. Landing at Lae, New Guinea[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3. Capture Buin, Solomons[/font]
[font="times new roman"]4. Capture Noemfoor, NG[/font]
[font="times new roman"]5. Capture Biak, NG[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Philippines[/font][/b] [font="times new roman"]Sea:[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Lingayen A small Surface TF of mine sinks an American PT.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]ASW Attack on KXVIII hits it with 3DC at 40,54[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Cagayan 6 Dutch PT-Boats attempt to attack 26 AK/AP with 12 Escorts and 1 PT is sunk for no damage to Japanese Forces.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Air:[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Manila 20 Zero and 60 Bombers destroy 5 P-40, 89 Bas, 1G, and damage AF. Will attack again and try to keep this up.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1. Tuguegarao Japanese Bombardment: 47 Cas and 2G. Will attack tomorrow.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Eastern Dutch East Indies[/b][/b][/font] [font="times new roman"]Sea:[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]KB-3 Sails towards Kendari hunting for targets…[/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB Bombardment to hit Kendari soon[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL-DD Sweep of Koepang leaves.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Air:[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Sweep Balikpapan and find nothing…transfer 2 Daitai of Zero to Malaya to combat AVG.[/font] [font="times new roman"]Amboina Just after my rant about bombers not flying! 16 Zero and 13 Nells sink TK Mindanao. Lose 1 Nell…[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ground:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Landing at Tarakan, Borneo[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Loading Koepang Invasion Force at Amboina (3 SNLF and 1 Base Force).[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Western Dutch East Indies[/b] [/b][/font] [font="times new roman"]Sea:[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]KXV puts 3TT into an AP north of Miri, Borneo and sinks it. Nearly 100 troops are lost.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malaya[/font][/b] [font="times new roman"]Sea:[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]SS Truant puts 1TT into an AK east of Kuantan and I lose 30 cas[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Air: Heavy Air Battles!!![/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Kuantan Allied Bomber Attack! 37 P-40 (AVG), 46 B-17, and 3 Blen attack AF and cause me to have kittens! WHERE did all the B-17s come from THIS early??!! Lose 3 bombers on the ground, 307 Cas, 1G, and AF hit (not bad though…) [/font] [font="times new roman"]Singapore The strikes must pass in the air! Hit the AF with 85F and 113 Bombers vs. 14 Buffalo. I lose 1F/6B in exchange for 13F (all Buffalo), 6 P-40, 1 B-17, 156 Cas, 1G, 2V, and moderate damage to Singapore’s AFs.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Mersing 3 Hudsons slip through and hit an AK with 2 Bombs.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ground:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Landing at Mersing with reinforcements.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Brits re-capture Khota Bharu.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Air[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1. 13 Buffalo strafe my forces one hex below Tavoy and I lose 12 Cas.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Air[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1. Changsha 23B do 61 Cas and AF damage[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]Homan Bombardment nets 8 Jap Cas and 1G for 234 Chin Cas and 9 Guns[/font]
[font="times new roman"]50,27 Japan Bombardment: 412 Chin Cas and 2 G[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sunk Ships[/font][/b] [font="times new roman"]Japan[/i] PG, MSW, AP, AK from the Buin fight.[/font] [font="times new roman"]Allies[/i] TK Mindanao[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Comments[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]I destroyed nearly 30 Allied aircraft again today! If I can do this for several more days, then the air situation will rapidly shift more and more to me. Plans:[/font] [font="times new roman"]1. Will hit Manila again! [/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. I expect to encounter the AVG over Singapore tomorrow, so I transfer 3 Daitai of Zeros to Kuantan. A Fighter Sweep of nearly 150 planes will hit Singapore tomorrow. Hopefully, I can cripple the AVG…[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3. I move about 100 bombers (4 Daitai) to Alor Star to releave congestion at Kuantan. They are to hit Johore Bharu’s AF tomorrow.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Phase One [/i]landings are nearly complete in the DEI-Malaya-Phil Theatre. When I grab Tarakan, Borneo—Koepang, Timor, and Palembang, Sumatra---over the next week, things will take a slight pause as I prep for my next set of landings. [/font]
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
The Allies start with a 48 plane BG of B-17's at Pearl (usually gets hit on the 7th), another 48 plane group on the WC (should be the 7th BG which I usually island hop to India). Plus a third in the PI (very understrength) and a 16 plane group in the PI. There may be another, but I don't remember, Those two understength groups from the PI can be based in Borneo/Java and cause you to make those new resource/oil centers be well protected. [:D]
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