Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[ny59giants]

Why can't it be both?? [:D]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
lots of chicken**** stuff to do have totally prevented me from getting anything done.

I hope that's an epithet and not some personal slander? [;)]

Can go one way or another...

[John 3rd]

OK. There are a BUNCH of Posts and screenshots coming.

[John 3rd]

January 14, 1945


China--Korea
In a surprise move, Dan moves the NE of Shanghai and launches Port strikes at a number of targets as well as two valuable convoys nearly at their destination. CRAP! Not used to the Allied Carrier Fleet being used OFFENSIVELY! It is only late-January 1945...call me crazy but don't you think this is way too early for offensive use of American CVs??!! (Sarcasm...) Losses add up to an E, 3 SC, 15 AK/AKL. 1 AMc, and a CMc.

Home Islands
39 B-29 hit Kanazawa. This is the first appearance of B-29s in two weeks. AA is othe only thing that greets them. They hit Resources, Vehicles, and some LI. Not too much damage taken.

SoPac
Lunga
Three DDs brazenly enter this anchorage and sink a PB. My search planes did not pick them up so this is a surprise. Could have been FAR worse as a convoy left yesterday for Truk and another convoy arrives tomorrow. BB Ise and 4 DD arrive in two days and they should provide a bit of detriment if Dan wants to get frisky this way.

AO TF
In a boneheaded move, I refueled my CVs on the 14th and meant to keep the AOs snugly attached to my CV TF but I forgot to tell them to follow so they separate and head for Ontong Java Atoll. BAD MOVE! A small group of SBD catch them and sink 4 empty AO and 5 E-Class. Thankfully, two were the small 1,800 AOs and the others were 8,000. Had four more of the BIG AOs. Bad but could have been far worse. Five more large AOs are approaching and we'll link everyone together. Still have plenty of fuel and AOs to continue operations for quite a while.

[John 3rd]

January 16, 1945

Yellow Sea
The Allied Fleet continues to do Port Strikes in the Yellow Sea. Lose 2 E and an AK.

Malaya
Dan has finally moved aircraft into Malaya to interdict oil/fuel coming out of Sumatra. We are ready for this as a raid of 38 Fighters escort in a squadron of 21 DB. They are met by 46 SAMs and FRANKs who tear thru the CAP and shot down all but four of the DB. NICE!

Okinawa
With Dan's force up in the Yellow Sea, I sense opportunity. AKs/APs/AKLs raise anchors from several Ports in the HOme Islands and head for Okinawa. Load 3 Brigades to take down and plan to lift out three Infantry Division. Need those boys elsewhere!

[John 3rd]

January 17, 1944

Harbin
FUN DAY! An attack by 46 B-29s is met by 56 Fighters. The Fighters POUND on the -29s before they drop their loads. They do 8 Factory Hits and that is it. This was a botched raid because directly after the attack SWEEPS from the American CVs come in. Eight Corsair Sweeps come in and gradually beat down the CAP but only AFTER we have had our way with the B-29s. Fly more Fighters in to see if he does it again.

SoPac
For the moment the American CVs withdraw in the SoPac. Order Junyo's TF to head due south in an attempt to get into the sealanes. Just might surprise Dan...

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

January 17, 1944

Harbin
FUN DAY! An attack by 46 B-29s is met by 56 Fighters. The Fighters POUND on the -29s before they drop their loads. They do 8 Factory Hits and that is it. This was a botched raid because directly after the attack SWEEPS from the American CVs come in. Eight Corsair Sweeps come in and gradually beat down the CAP but only AFTER we have had our way with the B-29s. Fly more Fighters in to see if he does it again.

How did the Ki-61-1a and Ki-44-IIc airframes perform against the B-29s and subsequent corsair sweeps? If they held their own, that's an effective use of (at this point in the war) very dated airframes-putting them where they can do the most seeming good against bombers.

[John 3rd]

January 18, 1945

Shimonoseki
In something even better then the previous day, 56 B-29 (at 7,000Ft) arrive over this busy Port and are met by nearly 80 Fighters. These are GOOD Sentai and Daitai! They CRUSH the American Attack. Only 39 B-29 drop their loads, deal with heavy FLAK and then they are hit again on their way out. A second wave of 14 B-29 come in and they fight their way thru 44 Fighters. Total damage is 69 Resources and 9 LI in exchange for a BUNCH of -29. NICE!

We'll call a BANZAI out on this one!

Aust--NG
On a whim I have re-occupied Hollandia, brought in an Air HQ, and added 10,000 Supply. Next came 2 Fighter units and a large Nell and Frances group of TB. A small force of 11 NELL announce their pretense by sinking two AKs. Will he retaliate and crush the AF?

SoPac
Junyo slips south and we'll see if there is anything to attack.

[John 3rd]

Here is a YUMMY report on aircraft losses this day:

[John 3rd]

Downed nearly 80 B-29 in two days. How about that??

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Here is a YUMMY report on aircraft losses this day:

Delicious. [8D]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Downed nearly 80 B-29 in two days. How about that??

Nicely done, John.

[John 3rd]

January 19-20, 1945

Okinawa
Various TFs of nearly 100 AK/AKL/AP are approaching this set of bases. We'll see if Dan comes down. Augment defenses with 3 more Sentai of Fighters.

DEI
A HUGE TK TF is in final preparations for departure. We're talking over 400,000 Fuel--Oil. We're using the remaining CVs in this are to cover this mass move. Have also loaded 45,000 Supply and nine LCU to leave Java as well. We're saying goodbye to Java.

There are a bunch of Allied SS between Mindanao and Sulawasi. Move the CVs up to begin ASW suppression.

SoPac
The Junyo TF continues a slow move SW into deep waters prior to getting ordered home. Three heavy CVs move past Mindanao on their way to Lunga.

SS Ops
I-201 SINKS LCM-135 with two Torps near Wessel

China
This whole dam isn't too far from falling apart. When the serious defense is done, I'll show a screenshot and add my plans to it. Sticking to the belief that we'll occupy the Allies at least to March 1st before he gets near Manchuria. Think that looks pretty realistic as he does appear to be moving north with ALL his forces and not pulling the Allied LCU out to prepare for the Home Islands. Barring a HUGE surpise there can be no serious Home Islands landing until at least May 1st.

[John 3rd]

January 21, 1945

SoPac
Auckland, NZ
In a crazy thing to see, a strike of 31 SAM and 33 Judy sink a pair of AMc and smack to SC just outside of Auckland Harbor. NUTS!

Spot Dan's replenished CVs moving in from the east so we order Junyo's TF to retire to the west of New Caledonia. Want to meet-up with our reinforcements and then DESTROY this group of CVs. Maybe we can get a victory at sea in late-January 1945? That would be COOL!

Hollandia
My NELL fly again and sink two more AK and a DE. The DE was rammed by a NELL who turned Kamikaze...

Okinawa
Loading is occurring at Nago, Naga, and the base NW of Okinawa. Goal is to pull three IDs and Engineers while dropping off 3 Brigades to hold the bases. Dan's CV TF is moving SW and may jump into this. YIKES! Should be a fast load out so we'll see. Order my Midget SS, PTs, E-Class, and MTBs to be ready.

Balikpapan
Three TK TF are ordered up and out. Here is their composition: 5 E and 16 TK, 5 E and 15 TK, 2 CVE--10 E, and 13 TK. They are carrying 202,600 Fuel and 238,739 Oil. Nine CVs in two TFs will escort them out.

[John 3rd]

January 22, 1945

Okinawa
The enemy is coming and tries to get at all the shipping. In a couple of small strikes, Japan loses 2 AK and 3 AKL. In return we lift out two IDs and 4 Engineering units. Have a pair of TFs still unloading and loading so we'll see.

In a possible rehearsal for the Home Islands I order all my small forces to be ready, sortie some towards the 1.0x10^6 and fly in some regular and Kamikaze units.

Malaya
Finally lose Victoria Point this day. The delaying action here has been masterful. Have held up the Allies using just small Infantry units while loading BUNCHES of Oil and Fuel from Sumatra. That is solid work.

Java
Several TFs depart Soerabaja this day carrying supply, troops, and some more fuel. Soerabaja is nearly empty of aircraft for the first time in a year. Feel sad but there may be a little more use down here but it is time to bring everything home and prepare for the end.

SoPac
Junyo's TF reaches the area west of Noumea. They shall avoid the enemy TF if at all possible and then make for Tulagi.

[John 3rd]

Air losses this day:

[John 3rd]

January 23, 1945

Okinawa
Sea Action
The forces deployed to occupy any incoming TFs do their job. Three groups of 2E meet up with and die valiantly against two US DD TFs. An SSX takes shot but misses. Several PT/MTB TFs then mix it up with the American DDs and don't do much but also are not sunk. The layering works because the sun comes up without any Japanese AK/AKL/AP sunk.

Air Action
The enemy concentrates his air against Naha and meets up with 101 Fighters. Results are pretty good due to the SWEEPS coming in in small groups to start with. It is not until the 5th (of 9) that a serious amount of fighters deal with my CAP (168 F6F and 180 F4U). Several strikes are flown--that is CORRECT US CVs flying OFFENSIVE strikes with TB!!!--several smaller TFs are caught and losses are taken.

Operational Success
All the troops that I wanted lifted out have been and are on their way to their new destination. All three Brigades landed intact and these are the empty ships that were hit by the 1.0x10^6. Well done here. Losses for this day in all areas are 6 E, 1 AMC, 1 SSX, 4 AK, 3 AKL, and 3 SC.

Hollandia
A strike of 10 FRANK and 12 NELL fight off 11 Kittyhawks at Horn Island and sink two LCI. When is he going to attack Hollandia??!!

China
OK. The end of this phase of the War in China is about over. Lose Wuchang (after evacuation to the other side of the river), Pengpu, and Kiangtu. Kukong nearly falls to a 4-1 attack. It will be gone tomorrow.

[John 3rd]

That is it. I am caught up. Wow. That was a lot of Posting. You may have at it with thoughts and commentary.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

That is it. I am caught up. Wow. That was a lot of Posting. You may have at it with thoughts and commentary.

Busy update. Thanks. Can you address my comments about plane types from my earlier (today) post?

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

January 17, 1944

Harbin
FUN DAY! An attack by 46 B-29s is met by 56 Fighters. The Fighters POUND on the -29s before they drop their loads. They do 8 Factory Hits and that is it. This was a botched raid because directly after the attack SWEEPS from the American CVs come in. Eight Corsair Sweeps come in and gradually beat down the CAP but only AFTER we have had our way with the B-29s. Fly more Fighters in to see if he does it again.

How did the Ki-61-1a and Ki-44-IIc airframes perform against the B-29s and subsequent corsair sweeps? If they held their own, that's an effective use of (at this point in the war) very dated airframes-putting them where they can do the most seeming good against bombers.

They weren't horrible. Good vs. the bombers and I did not lose many when the Sweeps began. Weren't very many flying at that point but I was satisfied with their performance on the day. I am using them in backwater areas for combination CAP and Training.