AEHGP2 Traskott (A) vs. Seydlitz (J) Japanese side AAR

[offenseman]

The Captains of Mizuho and the 4 DDs should be shot.  I like the CS ships quite a bit and used properly, are very effective in the scout role.  This is a good example of the effectiveness of the US Cruiser force.  Too many players underrate it and end up paying the price.  I am sure you did not, but just got unlucky. The starting position of that group can be problematic with Boise and Houston in the area.  

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: offenseman

The Captains of Mizuho and the 4 DDs should be shot.  I like the CS ships quite a bit and used properly, are very effective in the scout role.  This is a good example of the effectiveness of the US Cruiser force.  Too many players underrate it and end up paying the price.  I am sure you did not, but just got unlucky. The starting position of that group can be problematic with Boise and Houston in the area.  

I was worried that Boise might turn up although I thought it more likely that it would be the squadron of old DDs instead. I had detached the cruisers from the Ryuho but with two TF to guard I picked the other TF since it had already been in the hex for a turn and was spotted.

Since the Boise ran after the fight I dispatched my cruisers to Cebu hoping that she ran to there.

I agree that the Mizuho and especially the DD captains should be dismissed. The minesweepers and patrol boats got into the action and not a DD fired so much as a shot. It was the Chitose that did most of the fighting by herself.

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

All those subs going to the home islands gives a nice training job for all those restricted units  .

Btw love your graphical AARs

Ben

That is what I am hoping. I redirected all of my bomber units on Formosa to ASW this turn also just to see how bad the infestation really is. I want to be ready to hammer the subs. Besides, doing this gives me a turn or two to do morefighter sweeps and thin out his P-40s some more without risking bombers.

Thx on the compliment.

[seydlitz_slith]

Turn 6 12 December, 1941

An allied Submarine, believed to be British or Dutch, penetrated my ASW screen and put three torpedoes into the old (1918 built) freighter Hokko Maru, which was carrying a cargo of military vehicles to our beach head at Kota Bharu.

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Submarine attack near Kota Bharu at 52,75

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokko Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)



xAK Hokko Maru is sighted by SS KXVII
SS KXVII launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Hokko Maru

Her crew tried valiantly to save the vessel by beaching her in the harbor but she had to be abandoned and foundered still some miles from the coast after the bulkhead between #1 and #2 hold collapsed. 8 Lives were lost.

[seydlitz_slith]

Two hours after the attack on the Hokko Maru, the enemy sub again penetrated our ASW screen, this time hitting the NIPPON YUSEN KK (Japan Mail Steam Ship Co Ltd) flagged Hikawa Maru. Hikawa Maru was a mixed passenger/mail/cargo vessel of 10,274 tons built in 1930. One torpedo detonated in a troop berthing area on the vessel, causing some loss of life. However, the crew luckily had already been operating with all watertight doors closed since the attack on the Hokko Maru, and they were able to bring the flooding under control before it resulted in the loss of the ship. Hikawa Maru was able to maintain station in the convoy and dropped anchor in Kota Bharu harbor with a 5 degree list. However, it looks as if she will be able to complete unloading and then sail to Saigon with the rest of the convoy for emergency repairs. (She wound up with 30 FLT after the hit.)

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Sub attack near Kota Bharu at 52,75

Japanese Ships
xAP Hikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAP Hakozaki Maru
PB Fuji Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS KXVII, hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)



SS KXVII launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Hikawa Maru
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fuji Maru #3 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fuji Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[seydlitz_slith]

At 11 a.m. local, not long after the convoy had dropped anchor at Kota Bharu, all ships were alerted that English twin engine bombers were inbound. All ships immediately ceased unloading and went to action stations. However, our brave army pilots were able to intercept the bombers before they could make their bomb runs and drove them off. The lack of martial resolve by the British pilots is further proof of the weakness of the western ideology. They shall scatter like cherry blossoms before the storm winds when confronted by our brave troops.

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Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 20



Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

[seydlitz_slith]

Meanwhile, south of Singapore, near Tobali, my submarines continued their grim harvest of escaping allied shipping.

I-165 attacked a tanker on the surface, trying to conserve precious torpedoes. However, the enemy vessel attempted to ram and forced I-165 to dive after a near miss by the tanker's old 5" gun. Luckily I-165 was able to pass along a contact report that was picked up by I-166, the next sub in the picket line.
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Submarine attack near Billiton at 52,92

Japanese Ships
SS I-165, hits 1

Allied Ships
TK British Judge, Shell hits 8, on fire



TK British Judge is sighted by SS I-165
SS I-165 attacking on the surface
Handa I. decides to submerge SS I-165 due to damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[seydlitz_slith]

I-166, warned that the tanker was armed, conducted a submerged approach and put a torpedo into the tanker, sinking her.

Submarine attack near Toboali at 51,93

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
TK British Judge, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



TK British Judge is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 launches 4 torpedoes

[seydlitz_slith]

Not long after the I-166 torpedoed the english tanker, her hydrophone operator reported the sound of multiple screws bearing 345 degrees.
15 minutes later she sighted funnel smoke and the tripod mast of a capital ship on the horizon as well as the smaller masts of two escorting destroyers.
Still in the process of reloading her torpedo tubes, I-166 tried to maneuver for a shot on the capital ship. While doing a short periscope exposure for bearing to target, the captain was surprised by a small seaplane, probably from the capital ship, which flew directly over the sub and dropped a line of smoke pots in the water at the sub's location.

The Captain, with his position exposed, had to abandon his approach and go deep to evade the two destroyers which rapidly approached the smoke pots and began conducting depth charge attacks. The hydrophone operator reported that the capital ship was changing course away from the sub and had an increasing screw count indicating that they were putting on a good turn of speed. Later, along that same bearing, a very loud series of noises were heard similar to the explosion of hot boilers exposed to cold sea water.

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ASW attack near Toboali at 51,93

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
DD Electra
DD Express



SS I-166 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Electra
I-166 bottoming out ....
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[seydlitz_slith]

On the other end of the Pacific, I-15, my sub detailed to keep a distant surveillance on Pearl Harbor with her seaplane, moved to intercept a pair of Yankee destroyers heading for the harbor. She attacked with a venegeance, sinking one enemy destroyer.

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Sub attack near Lahaina at 183,106

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
DD Helm, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Ward



SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Helm
DD Ward attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ward loses contact with SS I-15
DD Ward loses contact with SS I-15
DD Ward fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Then, later in the day she ran into another pair of enemy destroyers. This time the enemy was more alert and was able to dodge the spread of torpedoes.
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Sub attack near Lahaina at 183,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
DD Jarvis
DD Cummings



SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Jarvis
DD Cummings attacking submerged sub ....
DD Cummings cannot establish contact with SS I-15
SS I-15 eludes DD Cummings by diving deep
SS I-15 eludes ASW attack from DD Cummings
DD Cummings fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cummings fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cummings fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cummings attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-15 eludes DD Cummings by diving deep
DD Cummings is out of ASW ammo
DD Cummings is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

[seydlitz_slith]

Off Formosa, my twin engine bombers took a break from bombing targets on Luzon in order to give the fighter pilots a chance to sweep the skies without having to worry about sheperding bomber formations. Instead, they went sub hunting around Formosa, attempting to ascertain how many yankee subs were in the immediate vicinity.

G4M1 Betty from Kanoya Ku K-1 Det attacking a 'T' War Emergency class SS at 83,63
G4M1 Betty reports submarine wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports possible submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports periscope wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports object under water at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports submarine wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports oil slick at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports object near surface at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports periscope wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports shadow in water at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports conning tower at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports suspected submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports submarine wake at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports object under water at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports possible submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports diving submarine at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports suspected submarine at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports submarine at 85, 68 near Hengchun
G4M1 Betty reports suspected submarine at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports shape below surface at 83, 65 near Takao
G4M1 Betty reports turbulence in water at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports diving submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports suspected submarine at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty from Kanoya Ku K-1 Det attacking a Porpoise class SS at 83,63
G4M1 Betty reports conning tower at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports periscope wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports diving submarine at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports turbulence in water at 83, 65 near Takao
F1M2 Pete sighting report: 8 Allied ships at 106,58 near Hiroshima/Kure, speed 13, Moving Southwest
E13A1 Jake reports turbulence in water at 123, 49 near Bihoro
G4M1 Betty reports conning tower at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports object near surface at 83, 65 near Takao
G4M1 Betty reports diving submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports shape below surface at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports turbulence in water at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports turbulence in water at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports possible submarine at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports periscope at 83, 65 near Takao
G4M1 Betty reports conning tower at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports conning tower at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports shadow in water at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports object near surface at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports diving submarine at 83, 65 near Takao
G4M1 Betty reports conning tower at 85, 68 near Hengchun
G4M1 Betty reports conning tower at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty from Takao Ku K-1 Det attacking an Allied SS at 84,62
G4M1 Betty reports shape below surface at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports possible submarine at 83, 65 near Takao
G4M1 Betty reports shadow in water at 85, 68 near Hengchun
G4M1 Betty reports shadow in water at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports submarine wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty from Takao Ku K-1 Det attacking an Allied SS at 83,65
G4M1 Betty reports periscope at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports submarine wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports turbulence in water at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty from Takao Ku K-1 Det attacking a Electric Boat S-18 class SS at 83,63
G4M1 Betty from Takao Ku K-1 Det attacking an Allied SS at 83,63
G4M1 Betty reports possible submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports object under water at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G4M1 Betty reports periscope at 83, 65 near Takao
G4M1 Betty reports possible submarine at 85, 68 near Hengchun
G3M2 Nell reports suspected submarine at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports object near surface at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports submarine at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports periscope at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports turbulence in water at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports diving submarine at 85, 68 near Hengchun
G3M2 Nell reports radio transmissions at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell from 1st Ku K-1 attacking an Allied SS at 85,62
G3M2 Nell reports shape below surface at 83, 65 near Takao
G3M2 Nell reports suspected submarine at 85, 68 near Hengchun
G3M2 Nell reports possible submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports object near surface at 83, 63 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports suspected submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports periscope wake at 85, 68 near Hengchun
G3M2 Nell reports conning tower at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell from 1st Ku K-1 attacking a Electric Boat S-42 class SS at 85,62
G3M2 Nell reports object under water at 83, 65 near Takao
G3M2 Nell reports periscope at 83, 65 near Takao
G3M2 Nell reports radio transmissions at 83, 65 near Takao
G3M2 Nell reports object near surface at 85, 62 near Pescadores
G3M2 Nell reports object under water at 85, 62 near Pescadores
D3A1 Val reports object near surface at 83, 65 near Takao
E7K2 Alf reports radio transmissions at 83, 63 near Pescadores
Ki-21-IIa Sally reports periscope wake at 85, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-21-IIa Sally reports conning tower at 88, 65 near Iriomote
Ki-21-IIa Sally reports submarine at 83, 63 near Pescadores
Ki-21-IIa Sally reports periscope wake at 84, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-21-IIa Sally reports possible submarine at 85, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-21-IIa Sally reports object under water at 83, 65 near Takao
Ki-21-IIa Sally reports conning tower at 85, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports diving submarine at 84, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports possible submarine at 85, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports submarine wake at 83, 63 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports object near surface at 85, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports submarine wake at 83, 63 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports oil slick at 85, 62 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports turbulence in water at 83, 63 near Pescadores
Ki-48-Ib Lily reports shadow in water at 85, 62 near Pescadores

[seydlitz_slith]

We did have one unpleasant surprise this turn. The CL Boise turned up at Morotai where she slaughtered an unescorted four ship landing task force. Luckily the task force had already finished off loading the troops so the operation was not affected. I was shocked that the cruiser had travelled so far south after being at Legaspi the day before. My guess is that the Boise must have moved at full speed to get there. This will limit her next destination to either Ambon, Kendari, or Davao. I figure that she must also be low on ammunition after two battles.

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Morotai at 80,101, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Teiryu Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Macassar Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Boise



Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Kyusyu Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Nittai Maru at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Tenryu Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Nittai Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Teiryu Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Nittai Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Macassar Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Teiryu Maru at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Nittai Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Nittai Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Teiryu Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Tenryu Maru at 2,000 yards
xAK Macassar Maru sunk by CL Boise at 2,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Kyusyu Maru at 2,000 yards
Moran, E. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 3,000 yards
xAK Nittai Maru sunk by CL Boise at 3,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Kyusyu Maru at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Teiryu Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Tenryu Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Kyusyu Maru at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[seydlitz_slith]

During the turn we conducted landing operations at Puerto Princesa, Nauru, Guam, and Kuching.
Our forces captured the following locations during the turn:
Legaspi, Guam, Rambutyo, Hollandia, Wewak, Morotai, Brunei, Aitape, and Nauru.

The fighter sweeps did ok over Luzon and some enemy fighters were downed while my aircraft losses continued to be light.

[Fletcher]

Hi Seydlitz,
It´s a must !... SINK THE BOISE !
I wish you good luck and best wishes
Ramón

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: Fletcher

Hi Seydlitz,
It´s a must !... SINK THE BOISE !
I wish you good luck and best wishes
Ramón

I am certainly going to try! He is moving her over a much wider range than I anticipated much faster than I anticipated. Traskott even sent me a note telling me that she still had plenty of ammo and fuel left.

I must give consideration now that he might be moving her to hook up with the Australian cruisers around Moresby to disrupt my landings there. I have only the three Furutaka class cruisers around Truk and their paper armor would not fare well against the Boise.

[Fletcher]

Hi Seydlitz,  Should be better a slow pace ?
Several unescorted transport lost at enemy hands will damage your sealift capacity in this stage of the war... I think you will lost more time if try to capture at any price your targets if you wait to be on task with appropiate escorts.. IMHO of course
Best of lucks
Ramón

[seydlitz_slith]

Turn 7 13 December, 1941

The sub campaign continues. As you can see from the global map I am working sub ops in several areas.

[seydlitz_slith]

Zooming in on the west coast you can see that I am developing a pretty exstensive picket line that extends all the way to Vancouver. Next turn I will begin making recon flights over the major west coast ports to see where he is gathering his shipping and warships.

[seydlitz_slith]

In fact, I-8, located near the Channel Islands (west of Los Angeles) drew blood when she put two fish into the tanker Hagood.

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Submarine attack near Channel Islands at 216,87

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
TK Hagood, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



TK Hagood is sighted by SS I-8
SS I-8 launches 6 torpedoes at TK Hagood


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Submarine attack near Channel Islands at 216,87

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
TK Montebello



TK Montebello is sighted by SS I-171
SS I-171 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Montebello


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Submarine attack near Channel Islands at 216,87

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
xAK Diamond head



xAK Diamond head is sighted by SS I-168
SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Diamond head


The residents of Hollywood must be fearful of their lives knowing that the sea is alive with enemy submarines.

[seydlitz_slith]

Off of Lahaina, I continued to attrit his destroyer force.

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ASW attack near Lahaina at 183,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
DD Ward, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Mugford



SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Ward
I-15 diving deep ....
DD Mugford attacking submerged sub ....
DD Mugford cannot reach attack position over SS I-15
SS I-15 eludes DD Mugford by diving deep
DD Mugford cannot reach attack position over SS I-15
DD Mugford fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mugford fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mugford fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mugford fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I-15 is out of torpedoes and must now head for Kwaj to rearm. She will enter port flying a broom from her periscope shears to denote that she swept the seas of enemy vessels as she has sunk both DD Helm and DD Ward on this patrol.