Gaishu Isshoku: John 3rd vs Cribtop Between the Storms

[John 3rd]

Got the 12-13 turn done. Am told I might see another tonight. If so I will Post a two day update.

[John 3rd]

Didn't get a turn last night and none for this morning so we'll just have to see.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 13, 1941

The steamroller is ROLLING baby.

North Pacific
Several convoys arrive at or are about to at Paramushiro Jima. A TF of 9 DDs will arrive in two days and they will carry the initial troops to take our first targets in the Aleutians.

Two AMC began the war in the Gulf of Alaska and one of them catches a small TF of 3 PC NW of Oregon. The Merchant Cruiser sinks two and heavily damages a third. NICE!

Central Pacific
Wake
Landing will be tomorrow. A BB is embedded within the TF. The Landing is covered by the 3 CVE.

Midway
Landing in 3-4 days. Same coverage as above.

Line Islands
Five Fast TF are bound for Palmyra and Christmas.

The KB takes up a blocking position ESE of Hawaii. They will slowly sweep NE towards the West Coast hoping to catch a convoy.

South Pacific
Tarawa falls to Fast TF

Reinforcement TFs will begin to arrive at Lae within 3-4 days. The Rabaul Invasion Force is about the same distance away.

Philippines
Luzon
Legaspi and Aparri fall.

Looks like he will stand in Manila. Recon shows Luzon being GIVEN to me without much of a fight until we get there...

East DEI
CARDIV2 moves near the SW tip of Celebes.

Have decided to CARDIV3 to scoot away from the Malaya area and link-up with CARDIV2 then penetrate the Malay Barrier and sink ships. Will have to risk my AOs coming down the west side of Celebes so we stay deployed for a bit.

Central DEI
Nothing

West DEI
A BB TF returning to CRB stumbles upon 4 AKL and crush them.

The 21st ID is loading at Singkawang and then moving over to Mersing.

LOTS of TF moving and bringing in Base Forces and HQ units for Singkawang and Palembang.

Malaya
A TK Reg takes Temoluh severing that RR Line.

Paras to land in western Malaya tomorrow.

CARDIV3 spots a TK TF at Medan and hits it with 21 Zero and 24 Kates sinking three nice, fat TK!

Mersing
Falls to a 6-1 assault and two Aussie Brigades take it on the chin there. NICE!

China
Truce in effect until January 1st. Am moving troops for a planned northern offensive.

Hong Kong
Second attack there draws Forts down to 1 with a near 2-1 assault. Might fall tomorrow...

Strategy
Finish buying out 6 TK Reg and 2 Cav Reg from Manchuria. All eight units are prepping for Normanby, a town just below Townsville, and a town between Canberra and Brisbane. Hopefully, this will lead my opponent into some serious questioning of what is going to happen. All the units will be dropped off in India to wreak HAVOC!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 14, 1941

My foe is working an interesting combination of Sir Robin and fighting. I've been watching as he cedes all of Luzon (but Manila) to the Japanese. Ditto Malaya back to Singers, however, he does want to punch back. In that regard a punch is RUDELY delivered this day.

North Pacific
One of the retiring Japanese AMC encounters a small TF of a PC and AK near Dutch Harbor. Unfortunately, the AMC is out of ammo and nothing results from the encounter.

Central Pacific
Wake
The defenders of Wake Island have had a blissful week of no action to this point. This changes today when a strike of 4 Zero, 12 Claude, and 12 Kate arrives to bomb the island. Surprisingly the marine Wildcats are still present. A sharp little furball develops with the Japanese losing a Claude and Kate in exchange for four F4F. BB Fuso pounds the garrison as an SNLF Assault Brigade and Base Force storm onto the beaches. The result is a foregone conclusion. The Marines surrender to a 11-1 result. Bag the marines AND the Wildkittens. NICE!

Midway
Fuso and 3 DD detach and race to catch-up to the Midway Invasion Force. The CVEs do the same thing. Midway is two days from invasion.

KB
I've kept the KB just at the edge of American PBY range to irritate Cribtop. Would LOVE for him to think I am coming due east and doing something STUPID--like invade Hawaii. NOT!

Line Islands
A set of AMC had followed behind the KB and they are spotted as well. Order them due south to hit Christmas. Christmas will be invaded within 2 days.

Tarawa
Base Falls and that Naval Guard now heads for Canton to grab it.

South Pacific
Lots of convoys moving about.

Philippines
Lingayen falls. The 48th ID heads directly for the abandoned Clark Field.

There are 39 units in Manila.

Eastern DEI
No action

Central DEI
My AOs for CARDIV2 and 3 move carefully along the West Coast of Celebes. Have to be very careful and quiet. Need these boys south of the Malay Barrier.

Western DEI
Singkawang
Here is Cribtop's counterpunch. I have a BB and 7 DDs embedded within this TF as it loads the 21st ID onto it for deployment at Mersing. Along comes an Allied TF of 3 CLs (Durban, Dragon, Danae) and 3 DDs. This SHOULD be a short fight. IT ISN'T! Evidently the entire escorting force is on the other side of the anchorage. Three gunnery rounds eleapse before DDs mix it up and a further 2 rounds pass before my battleship appears. Not good. I lose 3 full AKs and a DMS in exchange for heavy damage to Dragon, Durban, and Vendetta. Nearly 3,000 troops are lost: CRAP! Revenge does occur when I-166 finishes off Dragon during the day.

Malaya
Port Dickson finally falls to Paras. With Temoluh taken and Port Dickson falling the units still north of the line are cutoff from Singers. There doesn't appear to be very many but there are some. Really screwed up there. My Tinas were just short of the range they needed when I took Kuching. Miscalculated the distance. Ended up having to wait for Miri to be taken and THEN move the Paras in two hops to strike range.

Singapore
First air attack hits the Port and AF. 17 Fighters, 8 Vals, and 43 Bombers appear against NO fighter opposition. The AFs take some damage and the Port sees an MMS and 2 AMc sunk as well as an AKL, TK, and AG hit.

Sumatra
Praboemoelih falls.

China
Hong Kong
This base falls pretty quickly to the third attack in three days. DMS sent to clear the mines out.

SS Operations
KXVII MISSES CV Ryujo with FOUR Torps!

I-166 SINKS CL Dragon at Singkawang

I-155 SINKS TK Strix near Batavia

I-153 SINKS AVL Valk near Bandjermasin.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 15, 1941

After the rude surprise of last turn's attack on the 21st ID at Singkawang, this turn plays out a bit more normally.

North Pacific
Paramushiro Jima is filling up nicely. Should be ready to commence offensive operations up here by the end of December.

Central Pacific
After trailing their coats in PBY range, KB and two of the Line Island Invasion TF move to capture those bases. Landing SHOULD be tomorrow and the day after.

Midway
Working on simultaneous attacks here: Line Islands, Midway, and Canton should all fall within two days.

For Midway, the CVEs move up to provide CAP over the IF and a BB TF escorts the Invasion Force with a BB embedded within it. Should be a pretty simple landing...

South Pacific
The Rabaul IF sweeps by Truk. It will be heavily protected by 6 CA and escorts.

While Rabaul draws attention a large set of support troops shall off-load at Lae. Want the AF past 2 before moving on Port Moresby.

Philippines
Capture Tuegagarao and Vigan while landing at Davao.

Reinforcements arrive at San Fernando and get intercepted by 4 PTs. In exchange for 2 PTs, the Japanese lose a DMS. DRAT!

Eastern DEI
Nada

Central DEI
The Tarakan and Balikpapan IF leave Cam Rahn Bay. HEAVY escort is provided by 4 BBs. If anything dangerous appears I want to be ready. Haven't seen Force Z whatsoever.

Am working this backwards by sending in Fast TF to capture the adjacent bases to these two targets. Once those are taken, aircraft fly in and the IF can land without issue.

My AOs working their way down the west side of Celbes are too exposed. I add a couple of DDs to their screen and order them back. CARDIV2 has several days of fuel left so we'll just complete their mission and then come back for fuel in a safer environment.

CARDIV2 strikes several convoys HARD this day. The CVs are near Exmouth and they pound three TF. Confirmed sinkings include an AKL, PC, AS, 2 TK, and an AP. More TK and APs are hit. We'll try to finish off these ships with the next day.

Western DEI
The banged up 21st ID now gets orders to land at the next base south of Singkawang. From there they shall rest a bit before invading Java.

LOTS of TF bringing support troops to Palembang, Mersing, and Singkawang.

CARDIV3 ordered back to Cam Rahn Bay to refuel and replenish before setting out to join CARDIV2.

Malaya
Air Strikes pound Singapore's AF, Port, and shipping there. Two AMc, 2 YP, and an HDML are sunk during the day. Little stuff...

That is the days report.

[John 3rd]

Have been thinking about the probable locations of the Allied Fleet and noticed something. There has been a TON of SigInt around New Zealand and the West Coast.

1. Looking at the map and clicking the hexes leads to to believe that Cribtop has withdrawn and consolidated a good portion of his Fleet at New Zealand. It would be pretty easy to have a pair of US CVs and 2-4 CAV/CLVs down here by mid-to-late December. Add those two beautiful Lexington-Class BC and one would have a dangerous and potent threat. Will keep that in mind as we move southwards...

2. The SigInt on the West Coast is less clear. He certainly has Saratoga there to begin with. Might he move the US CVs there for training and swapping out airframes? Possible. I know a lot of American player like to do that so it does make sense. There are presently 8 Japanese I-Boats working the West Coast so we'll see if they stumble on anything.

3. Aerial Recon is showing most of the shipping fleeing the DEI is moving towards the IO. Makes sense and I would love a shot at bagging it. Not gonna happens although there are 8-10 SS working around Ceylon and the West Coast of India.

[John 3rd]

Noticed Alfred's name coming up over on my opponent's AAR. SCARY. I respect the heck out of his tactical and strategic thinking. NOT GOOD! He always has something important and useful to say/add to a discussion!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 16-17, 1942

Action and pacing continue to mount as the Japanese offensive begins to really click in nearly all areas.

North Pacific
Good. Am bringing up my 3 CVEs to cover landings scheduled at the end of the month. Very visibly showed my AMCs traveling through the Aleutians coming home and hope to lure some Allied small forces up here. The CVEs cannot handle more then that but I am convinced that my opponent has moved most--if not all--of the major Allied forces to Aussieland or New Zealand.

Central Pacific
Christmas Isle
Base falls easily to a Naval Guard and Base Force. Another Naval Guard, two base Forces, and two Pioneer units are headed here for base expansion.

Palmyra
Naval Guard loading and will take this base in two days.

KB
The Kido Butai refuels NE of Christmas and now heads SW towards Pago Pago to try and bag some shipping.

Midway
Landing goes according to plan on the 17th. Base is easily taken by an SNLF Assault Brigade. Only downside here is Ise takes a single Torp from a roving American SS. Disband in Port and will send home in a few days.

Canton
Base will be invaded tomorrow and it should fall easily.

South Pacific
Rabaul
The 2nd ID is about to land. The Invasion Force has heavy coverage of 4 CA, 4 CL, and 8 DDs. Half the cruisers are embedded within the IF to facilitate an easier landing.

Lae
A supply TF is corrently unloading and heavy reinforcement (Air Flotilla and 2 Base Forces) are about to land. Have 18 Zeros flying out of the Lvl-1 base as well as a dozen Air Search.

Philippines
Naga, Oroquieta, Davao, and Clark are taken.

He plans to make the stand at Manila and has GIVEN me Luzon. I only have the two IDs and an Inf Brigade here but I'll take this areas easily and say THANK YOU!

Eastern DEI
Nothing

Central DEI
I am trying new tactics for me. The SNLF Para Brigade (those 'normal' small Para units that start the war are lumped together into one cohesive unit in RA/BTS) is concentrated at Kuching and Cotabato. I use it to pave the way for landings in the Central DEI.

Tandloengselor
Base taken for Paras. Inf Reg lands tomorrow to take Tarakan.

Samarainda
Paras grab this as a Fast TF lands with an Engineering unit and small Inf group. This is fairly deep in Indian Country so I disband the TF (3 CA, 3 DD, and 2 CS) immediately so no counter-stroke endangers my CS. I use these valuable ships very sparingly due to them being able to convert into CVLs within a few months of time.

Will let the dust settle for two days and then shall use the Pars to take SW Celebes bases.

The AOs TF that I started to send down the West Coast of Celebes makes it safely t Davao where it shall wait. CARDIV2 will refuel from it when it heads back from its current raid.

Western DEI
Pontianak
Land the remains of the 21st ID here on the 17th.

Palembang
A Base Force is unloaded (making two present) and a bunch of fighters fly in. A small sweep by 9 Zero found no less then 73 Allied fighters over Batavia. YUMMY! Tomorrow will see 27 Zero and 36 Oscars sweep that base. Could be some tasty results from that!

Malaya
Kloung
Falls on the 16th.

Johore Bharu will fall tomorrow.

Planning
Have 3 complete ID present in southern Malaya now. A fourth willland in 3-4 days. Am loading Southern Army HQ to bring down. We shall wait until that moment for a crossing onto the island. Want that HQ bonus for the move.

Australia
CARDIV2
These CVs are completing their first 'deep raid' of the war. On the 16th and 17th they pound fleeing Allied shipping heading for the future Japanese base of Perth. 5 AP, 7 AKL and 2 TK are crushed under the attack. They shall attack one more day and then head for home.

SS Ops
12-16
I-12 SINKS AKL Tatung near Tobaoli
I-162 SINKS AK Heresford near Cochin

12-17
I-157 hits AK Mundra and Chilka with a single TT each

QUERY
I have never much paid attention to radio signals and such on the Japanese Intelligence Screen. This game has had me seriously following it. This is how I believe that the American and Allied major units have moved to Aussieland and New Zealand. I keep seeing 'heavy radio traffic at' such and such hex or base. Does anyone else use this? Am curious as to opinions here...

Burma
Now have 3 TK Regiments and a small Inf unit moving towards this area. I expect a Sir Robin in Burma. Very few Allied player actually try to defend here so we'll see what Cribtop wants to do.

[John 3rd]

December 17, 1941

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bored! No turn yesterday or today from CT. He was going to Dallas to do some family stuff. No communication since that...

Might as well do some screenshots. Here is the current Central DEI and Mindanao. The visual shows a good look at what has been taken to this point.

[John 3rd]

A slightly different map bringing in the Eastern DEI. A TF carrying lots of Base Forces is headed to Samarinda. A similar TF carrying the same and some Infantry is scooting in on Namlea.

The southern Celebes Bases are going to be taken by Paratroopers. We shall take three bases on the SW side first and then grab to one NW of Kendari. This should make landings far easier where I won't have to worry about defenses. Mightr slow things down a bit by landing a hex or two away but I also want to conserve my AKs, APs, and Small Surface Forces (DMS/APD?DD/CL) from attrition.

Like my FINE artwork Paratrooper??!!

[John 3rd]

December 17, 1941

LOTS of activity in the Western DEI/Malaya:

West DEI
Reinforcements coming to Palembang, Invasion Force at Samarinda, several Surface Task Forces working the area--just in case--there are Allied warships around.

CARDIV3 (3 CVL) moving away from Cam Rahn Bay moving towards the southern coast of Borneo and then scooting acrost it to link-up with CARDIV2.

[John 3rd]

December 12, 1941

Operations in the South Pacific are DANGEROUS. I am working to strengthen my grip on Lae and expand its AF while taking Rabaul. The STF protecting the Invasion Force is made up of 4 CA, 1 CL, and 4 DD. Embedded within the Invasion Force are 4 CA and 3 DD to help handle counter-battery. As I said this is highly dangerous. If Criptop has either of the American CVs or the American BCs then this could be a disaster.

I am making a calculated gamble, based on my SigInt, that he is far to the south. We'll grab Rabaul and then do some minor Operations and then WAIT for CV support.

[John 3rd]

Got to thinking that I might be making myself too clear when I refer to SigInt.

This is what I refer to. Has anyone ever gotten any decent take from this on the Japanese side?

I am marking and tracking the reports. The 17th was the first day in 7-8 that did not point to 2-3 New Zealand areas/towns.

[robinsa]

Im glad youre back with an AAR. I followed your last one with Canoerebel and it was a lot of fun as long as it lasted. I really enjoy the picutres, it gives a lot more understanding of what is going on compared to just text. Ill be following this one for sure, but I will mostly lurk as usual.

[Lecivius]

If your REALLY bored I can arrange a bus load of 5th graders with $8 between 40 of them to stop by the shop? [:'(]

[ny59giants]

Do it!! [;)]

[John 3rd]

Funny...

How about this? My days off are Sun--Mon with leaving the store about 2pm on Saturday. The family is just thoroughly relaxed (watching Star Trek Voyager--Season Four) when the phone rings at 8:45pm. Keep in mind the store closes at 9pm durin gthe winter. Paula looks at the ID and "SH**!" Know right then and there who it is. My closer Ronnie says "ahhhhhhhh...John there is a bus load of college wrestlers coming in. Do you think you might come over?" Crap. OK. I get dressed and go over. Made 30 sandwiches and made about $250.00 in 30 minutes. NICE! Rather ruined a pleasant evening...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 18-20, 1941

Life continues to roll forward for the Empire. No major hiccups these three days and some nice results over that same period.

North Pacific
I have 6 AK converting over to xAK to haul troops up into the Aleutians. Plan to land at Umnak and Dutch Harbor. The Karafuto Brigade gets DH while an SNLD Assault Brigade has the other. Additional landings at Adak, Amchitka, Kiska, and Attu planned. My 3 CVEs will come up here hunting smaller warships and to provide LRCAP.

Central Pacific
Canton and Palmyra
Landings occur at each but I don't disrupt the enemy enough to carry the assaults. Have an SNLF Assault Brigade moving in to take Canton and Two additional Nvl Guard to finish off Palmyra.

Christmas
Two Base Forces and two engineering units are present now and are expanding the facilities. An Air Flotilla will be stationed here.

KB
The carriers pass by Christmas and are now approaching Pago Pago from the east. Two days to make our presence known there.

South Pacific
Rabaul
Landing occurs without issue and 2nd ID takes the base very easily. The day of the assault sees 4 CAs move in for a bombardment when they meet CLs Perth and Leander (and 2 DD). The CAs open fire at 1,000 Yards and crush Leander in the first round (4 8" and 2 Long Lances!). Both DDs are hit several times and Perth is crippled.

Bettys fly in the following day and hit Perth (5 hexes away) with two bombs. Probably sunk...

Lae
The Rabaul landings draw attention while I land 20,000 supply and four more Engineering and Base Force units with an Air Flotilla to add some serious teeth to the base.

Philippines
Rolling! Most of Luzon is Japanese and Mindanao isn't too far from the same state.

Eastern DEI
Capture Namlea and move planes in there.

CARDIV2 and CARDIV3
The Hiryu-Soryu finish their raid along the western Aussie Coast. The three CVLs move along the southern edge of Borneo and head south to link-up with CARDIV2. Once together these six carriers shall attack Soerabaja's Port. LOTS of Zeros look forward to the opportunity.

Central DEI
FILLED with Allied SS! Must be 12-14 subs here. YIKES!

Samarinda
The base looks good and has more troops unloading with a Brigade moving on Soerabaja. A Dutch raid penetrates my Zeros and plants a bomb on CS Chitose. RUDE! Stay away from my CS Cribtop!!! They begin CVL conversion in February...

Western DEI
Have taken all the base on the SW and Southern side of Borneo.

With Palembang operational, Batavia is a dangerous place. Cribtop scatters the shipping in the Port and 8-9 more ships are sunk.

Malaya
Fantastic! Just a couple of bases open in the west central area.

The 4th and 5th Infantry Divisions are unloading at Mersing and things look good. Southern Army HQ and the 38th ID is coming to the party. When they are in place we'll crush the resistance.

Burma
Tanks moving towards the coast in several places.


That is the news to this point!

[Amoral]

I'm not sure I understand the point of moving the KB around in SOPAC. What do you expect to get in return for burning that much fuel?

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Amoral

I'm not sure I understand the point of moving the KB around in SOPAC. What do you expect to get in return for burning that much fuel?

Hello Sir.

You raise a legitimate concern; however, I have never, EVER run low on fuel in an AE Campaign. Even my game that went into mid-45 with Sir Dan (Canoerebel) never saw my Fleet Ops hamstrung for lack of fuel.

Do have to add that usually my opponents make some sort of move with the DEI and so my Fleet gets to stay near the DEI for easy fueling. That does help a lot. Since I am making my India bid, this should also apply through at least late-42.