Operation Cherry Blossom
Combat Report
March 28, 1942---D-DAY
Wowser. We are ASHORE! Looks like surprise is total. This was a pretty massive turn to watch and log down notes but in ALMOST all accounts the day was marvelous. There is only one 1,000lb reason that it was not a perfect day. We'll get to that in a bit. We'll handle the three Landing/Assaults and then KB.
Port Kembla
Action begins off this base immediately. As the Invasion Force prepares for the landing, BB Ise, CL Yubari, and 2 DD sink 2 AMc that wandered into the area. The Invasion Force itself holds off the lone DD Kennison's attack. While the landing commences SS Sailfish gets into the convoy and sinks an AK carrying troops from 33rd ID. Later in the day another AMc is sunk.
The landing itself goes beautifully well as BB Hyuga supports the troops directly. There is EXACTLY ONE unit based at Port Kembla! The 2/5 Armored Regiment is handled pretty roughly by Hyuga's guns and is soon to be ejected out of the hex (hopefully back towards the trap that Sydney now is). The vast majority of the 48th, 18th, and 33rd IDs as well as 1st Air Flotilla and 91st Base Force are ashore and driving inland ASAP.
During the day, three air strikes come in from Sydney. A fairly small CAP of 15 Zeros handily defend the TFs:
R1 15 Zero vs. 9 Buffalo 6 Wirraway--5 Buf and 4 Wir are shot down for 1 Zero and no damage to the shipping
R2 12 Zero vs. 2 B-17 and 3 Hudson--2 Hudson's shot down and no damage to shipping
R3 5 Zero vs. 2 B-17, 6 Wir, 2 B-26--3 Wir shot down and no damage taken
The Base shall be Japanese TOMORROW! BANZAI!
Newcastle
There was concern within the High Command that the pair of 9.2" CD guns would be a problem here. This is why BB's Nagato and Mutsu were assigned bombardment and direct support of the landings. During the approach to the beaches, the warships fight off a group of 3 PT Boats (sinking 1), sink another AMc, and send DD Kennison to the bottom with 3 16" shell hits. The worries regarding the heavy artillery are justified. The battery is suppressed but not before it manages to hit CA Aoba, CA Kinugasa, and CL Nagara. All three ships are hurt but not too seriously. An AK is hit and it does sink later in the day.
This landing also goes well! While Nagato and the CAs duel with the CD, troops splash ashore to even less resistance then at Kembla. Two units defend this area. It appears the CD unit has a small Base Force attached and THAT IS IT! 25th Army HQ, 21st, 38th, 56th IDs with 15th Engineers and 2nd Air Flotilla wil easily take the base tomorrow.
Air Attacks here are stronger and luckily the Japanese have a much stronger CAP present:
R1 39 Zero vs. 8 P-40 6 Hudson--1 Zero falls to 4 P-40 and 3 Hudson with no damage resulting
R2 38 Zero vs. 7 P-40 18 Wir 4 B-17--1 Zero for a B-17, 3 P-40, and 9 Wir with no damage
R3 31 Zero vs. 3 B-25 3 B-26--1 of each bomber falls and no damage
R4 10 Zero vs. 5 Buf and 12 SBD--1 Buf and 4 SBD drop for no damage
The Base shall be Japanese TOMORROW! BANZAI!
Bathurst
The key to the entire Sydney Operation was the capture of Bathurst by SNLF Paratroopers. This is where the Kalgoorlie Operation failed in that there were not enough troops dropped initially to grab the base. NOT SO this time! As all eyes are locked on the multiple landings and massive air battle to the east, no one is ready for a stream of 70 Tina Troop Transports dropping Paratroopers at twilight directly onto the town and its environs. The 800 troops grab the base within minutes of landing and begin to set-up roadblocks to hold any reinforcements or escaping troops at bay while Sydney is taken.
This IS Japanese! BANZAI!
The KB
While the battles over the Transport are important, the Japanese CVs draw and most dangerous Allied strike aircraft onto themselves. As said yesterday this was Vc-Adm Yamaguchi's plan and intention. Bring the carrier in close enough to draw the pressure off of the Invasion Forces. His plan succeeds and life is rather 'exciting' over the Kido Butai!
R1 68 Zero vs. 8 TBD--None get through and all are shot down
R2 68 Zero vs. 18 SBD--Only 1 gets through, misses, and is then shot down
R3 66 Zero vs. 24 P-40, 18 SBD, 6 Wir
Here is where is truly exciting. The P-40s defend their bombers well. They are swarmed over by the CAP and fully half of the P-40s drop from the sky while taking 4 Zeros. The furball rapidly approaches the Japanese CVs when the Japanese fighters finally fight past the American fighters. As the SBDs enter their dives the Zeros lash into them shooting down 6 before they drop their 1,000lb bombs. The Allied fliers focus on BC Kongo and CV Akagi. No hits are scored on Kongo but one DOES hit the venerable Japanese Flagship. Using 'extreme prejudice' the CAP pounces on the strike as it departs and NOT ONE bomber survives.
The bomb clips Akagi's Port Bow's flightdeck and detonates amid the 5" AA Battery located there. No sooner does the bomb explode then a Ready Magazine detonates as well. The ship staggers under the twin explosions. Captain Aoki turns the ship to bring the wind onto the quarter so the smoke in minimized. Things look bad. One hit and the flightdeck is closed. Luckily--though the explosion really hurt ship systems--the fires appear to be containable and there is only slight flooding. Yamaguchi orders the CV and 2 DDs to Koumac where an AR sits. Speed is reduced and things 'appear' to be OK.
In retaliation for this attack, a strike of 11 Zero 39 Kate are flung at a convoy trying to escape Sydney and 2 AK and 2 AKL are sunk.
This is the day's action. WOW! Over 70 Allied planes are shot down for 6 Zeros. Only ONE hit is scored on a Japanese ship. Not a single transport is struck by aerial attack. Pretty amazing.
ORDERS:
1. Akagi moves off as described.
2. KB pulls back several hexes.
3. Landings to continue and bases will be taken tomorrow.
4. Sydney is scouted and ONLY FOUR units are spotted there with a total of 3,500 troops reported. Looks RIPE for the picking.
5. Ready planes to move onto the soon-to-be-captured bases for an immediate Melbourne Betty--Nell attack and to free-up the 3 remaining decks of the Kido Butai.
6. Sale Invasion Force ordered to close in with Cover to be provided by KB in two days.
7. SNLF Paras ordered to take Tamworth due north of Sydney.
How about that??!!
Love to always push the envelope and, as FatR commented, it appears this has taken the Allies TOTALLY by surprise. I know my opponent. Lew will counter-attack somewhere as quickly as he can to try and divert my attention. The beauty of this operation is that the naval side of it is nearly complete. I should be able to interdict reinforcements from the land AF once I've got Sale and Port Augusta. Can free-up the Kaigun within 7-10 days at that point.