From Here It SEEMS Like an Eternity...Imperial Japan's Thoughts

[John 3rd]

Thank you again Kind Sir!
 
I am going to bomb those damned B-17s into oblivion.  Just got another turn donw where I made some progress doing just that!  Will update the AAR later this evening.
 

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]December 24, 1941—Christmas Eve[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea/Air                        [/i]No major developments.  Glens spot ships at PH and Los Angeles…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]

[font="times new roman"]Landing at Nauru Island[/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.  Rabaul         NAVAL BATTLE—Day Two!  Japanese Forces:  4CA (Kako, Aoba, Kinugasa, and Furutaka), 2CL, 11DD vs.  2CA, 4CL, 1DD.  The battle goes for 5 gunnery rounds—there is a lot of shooting but not a lot of hitting!  At the end of it, CL Perth takes 2TT from CA Kako and CL Kashima is heavily damaged.  Hits spread around but nothing TOO serious.  Could have been better since I outnumbered him 2-1![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1.  Rabaul         Deliberate Attack:  4-1 but don’t take the base.  Forts drop, Jap  321 Cas, 9G, 1V for 128 Allied Cas and 2G.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2.  Landing at Lae, New Guinea[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Philippines[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea:[/font][/i]

[font="times new roman"]Spot several AK-AP moving about but don’t attack with my bombers…grrrr…[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1.  Tuguegarao Del Att:  0-1  Fort 3, Jap 496 Cas, 15G, and 1V for 114 Phil Cas and 8G.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2.  Naga                       Bombardment:  19 Phil Cas and 1G—only 1 Phil Division—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"]Kendari            DD Asakaze Hits Mine  Bombardment:  1 Recon plane destroyed, AV Langley hit 3 times, 166 Cas, 5G, and 1 V.  AF/Pt hit as well.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]North of Jolo—Balikpapan Invasion Force—runs into 4 Dutch TB and sink 3 of them![/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Air:[/font][/i]

[font="times new roman"]Balikpapan       4 Nell hit AF—No CAP to stop them…[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"]2.  Tarakan       5FB and 3 TIV from Balikpapan hit an AP with 1TT[/font]
[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 1TT into an already damaged AP and sinks it.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Air:[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1.  Strikes fly at Palembang Invasion Force       20B—11B attack lose 1B for no damage to shipping.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2.  Miri, Borneo            Two strikes attack shipping there from Kuching—12B total ttack and hit 2 AP with 1B each at a cost of 3 Bombers.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malaya[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Sea:[/font][/i]

[font="times new roman"]SS Trusty AK 1TT East of Kuantan—6 Cas[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Air:                                          Heavy Air Battles!!![/font][/i]

[font="times new roman"]Johore Bharu    10F and 158B CREAM the AF!  Destroy 2 Buf, 6 Bombers, 5 Transports, 67 Cas, 2G, and AF.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Singapore         MASS FIGHTER SWEEP!  70 Oscar, 52 Zero, and 9 Tojo with 16 Bombers vs.  23 P-40 and 12 Buffalo—lose 1 Oscar and 2 Bombers for 11 Buf and 6 P-40!  NICE![/font]
[font="times new roman"]Mersing            10 Hudson hit an AP with 3 Bombs for 49 Cas.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ground:[/font]

[font="times new roman"]Landing at Mersing with reinforcements.[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]
[font="times new roman"]1.  Moulmein    I attack with my 2 Tk Reg vs. 3 Inf Brig and 2 Base Forces—BAD IDEA!  0-1  Jap 115 Cas and 9 V for 241 Brit Cas, 4G, and 1V.  Will wait for help…[/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    21B vs. 3 AVG P-40s  destroy 3 P-40, 61 Cas and AF damage[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2.  Homan        60B do 18 Cas and hit AF[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Land[/font][/i]

[font="times new roman"]Homan             Del Att:  0-1  Jap Cas 2,013, 38G, and 4V for 922 Chin Cas and 27G[/font]
[font="times new roman"]50,27 Japan Bombardment:  65 Chin Cas and 3G[/font][/ol]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sunk Ships[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Japan[/i]  AP[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies[/i]   3 Dutch PT[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Comments[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Over Malaya, the Allies lost over 30 aircraft.  VERY nice the 3 Day total is now approaching 100 planes.  They will HAVE to abandon Malaya pretty soon…[/font]

[Wolfpack_MatrixForum]

Congrats on a great AAR and the new son!
 
This from your clearly better opponent in another PBEM game. [:'(]
 
The Allies better watch out for you. You can be a very able and cunning opponent.

[John 3rd]

Hey Sir! 
 
You are only my 'better' opponent because we are in June of 1943!  Thansk for the thoughts though.  Do you have any strategic advice on how to handle this one as compared to ours???  [8D]
 

[John 3rd]

Am trying a different method for writing the AAR. Let me know if this works better then the earlier version. THANKS!


December 25, 1941—Christmas!!!

Central Pacific
My movements here continue to proceed at a somewhat slow pace:

Baker I have initiated a build-up at Baker Island to use as a springboard for Canton in about a month. Have 2 Chutai of Mavis present, a small BF, SNLF unit, and Nvl Construction Btn. Am expanding facilities and bringing in supplies…

Midway Midway Invasion Force is halfway there from Wake. I simply reloaded the 3 Naval Guard units and 50% of the Aviation Regiment for this attack. As already mentioned, they have an Escort Force of 4CL and 6DD.

Gilberts Have taken Nauru Island and should take Tarawa tomorrow. Same small NLF unit will take all these islands. Will move forces into Tarawa as soon as I can so then I can move on Suva in about a month.

KB-1 Shokaku and Zuikaku are moving back towards Kwajalein for refueling.

SE Pacific
Rabaul Shock Attack! Get 8-1 and capture base.
Japanese Casualties are 768 men, 22G, and 1V
Aussie Casualties are 1 Wirrway, 262 men, and 1G

Immediately have the 4th Infantry Division begin prepping for Port Moresby and the South Seas Detachment prep for Noumea. I will have them do this for about a week and then ship them out.

At Truk, I begin loading the SE Fleet HQ, a CD unit, and fuel/supplies to add to Rabaul.

Lae Capture base with an SNLF, Nvl Con unit, and small Base Force.

New Guinea Land at Sarmi and Hollandia.

Philippines
Naga Grab base from Philippine Inf Div for:
Japan 252 Cas and 2G
Allies 3 PBY, 67 Cas, and 2G

With taking this base, I will hold until reinforcements arrive from Malaya and Mindanao. I have all of northern Luzon (yet to capture Tuguegarao though) and Naga-Legaspi.

Bombard Tuguegarao: Japan 9 Cas and 1G for 31 Phil Cas and 2G

Mindanao Capture Butuan with a Tk Regiment. Sendai Division heading SW from Cagayan and 35th Brigade moving SW to take Dadjangas. Anticipate all of Mindanao to be mine by January 1st. Both of these powerful units will then move to help the Luzon Force.

Eastern Dutch East Indies
Tarakan, Borneo Get a 1-1 on my first attack. Forts drop from 2 to 1, Japan 72 Cas and 2 G for 52 Allied Cas and 5G. Will take this next turn.

Balikpapan, Borneo Bombard Balikpapan with 1CA, 2CL, and 4DD—destroy a Recon plane, 400 Cas, 9G, and 1V.

Amboina Koepang Invasion Force departs Amboina with BB Escort. Using all 3 SNLF units and a large Base Force for this assault.

Palua Start loading an Invasion Force for Lautem, Timor.


Western Dutch East Indies
Landing at Jesselton, Borneo

Palembang, Sumatra Begin landing there and will try to take base tomorrow.


Malaya
Continue my landings at Mersing. It appears that he is trying to retreat from this hex as my main forces descend from the north towards Johore Bharu. Order an attack in the hopes of fixing him in place.

Singapore The AF is pounded by a large Air Raid of 137 Sally! No CAP rises to stop my attack—would have been bad for Allies as I have nearly 90 F flying over Singapore! I lose 4 Bombers to AA and destroy 4 B-17 (always like KILLING those things!!!), 3 Buffalo, 5 P-40, and 1 Blenheim on the ground, inflict 170 Cas, 2G, and hit AF hard. Very nice…

East of Mersing, the KXVII hits an AK with 1TT causing 37 Cas and takes (in return) 2 Depth Charges.

Burma
Moulmein Small Allied Air Strike of 7 Buf and 7 Wirraway hit 6 Cas and 1V. There are 3 Inf Brig and 2 BF present here and they bombard my 2 Tk Reg for 83 Cas and 6V.

China
Homan Hit by 62 Bombers as 6 I-16 try to provide CAP. Destroy 2 Fighters, inflict 13 Cas, and hit AF.

Wuchow is hit by 20 Bombers.

At 50,27 (SE of Yenen) 8 DB do 4 Cas and 1G while the bombardment yields 95 Cas and 3G

Sunk Ships
Japan None
Allies CL Perth sinks from Rabaul surface battle of yesterday.

Comments
After 3 heavy days of strikes, it appears that my opponent is pulling out his Air from Malaya. That has proven to be a success. Still have a chance to make the January 1st deadline for taking Singapore…

[John 3rd]

December 26, 1941

Central Pacific
Tarawa Landing and Capture.

KB-1 Shokaku and Zuikaku are moving back towards Kwajalein for refueling and replacing aircraft..


SE Pacific
Rabaul Move 1 Daitai of Nells and a Chutai of Mavis into the AF. Nothing else available yet…

Tulagi Land and Capture

New Guinea Capture Sarmi and Hollandia.


Philippines
Manila An 88 Sally strike hits the AF destroying 2 P-40, 58 Cas, 3G, and AF Damage.

Tuguegarao Bombardment does 30 Phil Cas and 2 G


Eastern Dutch East Indies
Tarakan, Borneo Capture Base! Shock attack at 4-1—16 Jap Cas for 108 Allied Cas and 1G. Immediately move 1 Daitai of Zeros, 1 Chutai of Vals, 1 Chutai of Kates, and a Chutai of Lily to begin operations from that field.


Western Dutch East Indies
I-164 is hit by LBA near Batavia

Kuching I hit this base with 25 Zero and 12 Bombers—no CAP and damage AF

Palembang, Sumatra 6-1 Attack and Capture base! Take 115 Jap Cas and 4G for 75 Cas and 7G. Order 4th Brigade south towards Teloektetoeng and the 4th Regiment north towards Jambi. Both begin prepping for Batavia. 25th Army HQ and 2 Aviation Regiments remain in Palembang. Move 57 Fighters (Oscars and Tonies), 63 Nells/Bettys (2 Daitai and 1 Chutai), and 3 Recon Chutai to make my opponent’s like HELL! The western door to the DEI is CLOSED! BANZAI! BANZAI!! BANZAI!!!


Malaya
Mersing Continue my landings at Mersing. He is retreating out of the hex and my attack catches nothing except the base…grrrr…

23,48 (North of Johore Bharu) Shock Attack against a single Indian Inf Brigade and get 51-1! 150 Jap Cas, 4G, and 1V for 498 Brit Cas and 19 Guns.

Johore Bharu My Tk Regiment bounces into this hex from the successful shock attack and is bombarded for 20 Jap Cas and 2 V. While this is happening, an Air Strike comes in of 38F and 24B who destroy a fighter and a bomber on the ground.

Singapore Do a Fighter Sweep of Singapore and meet NO RESISTANCE!

ALL his units are in Johore Bharu now. It will probably take about 3-4 days top get everything ready to drive him back into Singapore.


Burma
Rangoon I-156 hits an AK with 1TT (9 Cas and 2G) and, in return, takes 4 DC. A raid of 12 Nells (WOW…my bombers CAN fly…) hit a CL Force there with a single TT hitting CLAA Columbo.

Tavoy Have a Daitai of Nells and a Chutai of Zero present.

Moulmein Allied Bombardment does 19 Cas and 2V

Krung Thep The British 2nd Burma Brigade takes this town and is threatening Bangkok. I have a Base Force there and the 33rd Inf Div is 60 miles out…hmmm…

China
Homan Hit by 60 Bombers as 2 I-16 try to provide CAP. Destroy 2 more Fighters, inflict 20 Cas, and hit AF.

Yenen On the eastern outskirts of Yenen, guns can be heard. At 50,27, I attack and get a 0-1 for 190 Jap Cas, 6G, and 1V for 70 Chin Cas and 1G. While at 51,26, I bombard and get 4 Chin Cas.

Sunk Ships
Japan AP (from Buin Battle) and DD Asagumo (from Force Z Battle)
Allies AK at Balikpapan

Engineering (New Addition)
Sapporo Air Field to 2

Comments
Everything looks pretty good. If my Bombers could fly and attack, things would be GREAT! However, having Amboina and Palembang closes the eastern and western approaches for the DEI.

Nearly all Phase One targets have been taken. I am waiting on the capture of Balikpapan by the 38th Inf Div and that seals it.

Some Phase Two started with Timor about to come under attack.

PLEASE NOTE---I have done all this without abuse of the Turn One accelerator! Simple planning and execution have achieved an excellent opening to the war.

Thoughts from my readers???

[John 3rd]

I have started a Thread on the Turn One Movement question in the War Room.
 

[VSWG]

Your old AAR style was good, now it is even better, very easy to read. [:)]

So you took Palembang already. What's the status of the oil wells (probably the most important question to ask in a Scen15 game)?

[John 3rd]

It would appear that I have gotten VERY lucky!  The airfield and port weren't hardly touched and the Resource/Oil production facilities look to be in great shape. 
 
This is why I flew in Fighters immediately.  I do not want any damage from Allied attacks now that I have the fields and base.
 
Thanks for your thoughts on readibility.  I THINK this style is better then the previous one.
 

[USSAmerica]

I guess by now I'm officially one of your readers.  LOL  The new style of AAR is an improvement on the already excellent old style.  I must admit that I started following this and your opponent's AAR based on the amazing work of Cap Mandrake's previous AAR.  His story telling with maps is a very different animal, but it pulls at the heart of this "map geek."  [:D]  I am very impressed with the amount of detail that you are able to include in such concise posts. 
 
Now, your performance in the game thus far.......way beyond impressive!  It's only been 19 days of war!!![X(]
 
Keep up the great work, John!

[ctangus]

The new style of your AAR is easier for me to read, as well.

I have a couple questions (it might be too early to ask, but I'm curious):

1. Do you have a set defensive perimeter that you want to establish, or do you plan to play it by ear a little? Or both?

2. Along the same lines, by when do you want to finish your expansion & start digging in?

I'll also add:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Had to spend the last couple of day sin the hospital with my wife. We delivered a healthy baby boy yesterday!

[John 3rd]

Thank you Gentlemen!  We are not getting too much sleep here with a 2 1/2 year-old and an infant.  Life is...interesting...
 
I re-read my last couple of posts and do like the different style a lot more.  I will stick with it and add more as I go.  I have heard of Mandrake's maps and am jealous.  My wife is to help this computer illiterate idiot with improving his skills so a map or two might go in.
 
As to the specific questions:
1.  Specific Perimeter   I have one in mind.  Imagine what the Japanese wanted and then add Noumea, Suva, and Canton.  The NW Section of Aussieland will also become targets.  I HATE 4E Bombers so I will keep them away!  How will I garrision these outposts?  Simple--as soon as Political Points build-up enough, I pull an Inf Brigade out of China.  It works out to a Brigade about every 6-8 weeks.  Have done this with Wolfpack and my Campaign, now June 1943, and I have strong garrisions (meaning 600-700 Assault Points--Intel for Wolfpack when he reads this!  [8D]) throughout the area.
 
2.  My goal for this is to have it all by June 1942.  If I can do that, then I will look for places to FORCE battle upon my opponents...  If I can destroy troops or sink valuable shipping, I will lunge and then pull back.  With Enterprise and Lexington already sunk, my job is easier at the moment.  I want to sink at least 2 more US CVs in 1942.  To do that I need to get lucky or force a battle...
 
Does that help...

[John 3rd]

I just wanted to post a quick note that our campaign has moved forward.  We are at January 1st and I have not had a chance to update my AAR.  Our newest addition hasn't been sleeping well which means Mom and Dad are not sleeping well...hmmm...
 
Will post as soon as I can!
 

[John 3rd]

It is my earnest desire to get my AAR updated! 
 
As many of you have experienced, LIFE has gotten in the way of the AAR!  It has been little things like:
1.  A baby boy, born on Aug 6th, that does not sleep at night.
2.  My hard drive completely failing when it has 3 years of warrantee left...
3.  My Fall Semester of teaching classes starting yesterday at the Community College
4.  Working 40 hours a week at my casino as a Manager-in-Training
 
Beyond that...
 
I have my notes from Dec 27th--Jan 3rd and, if something doesn't happen in the next few hours, will begin posting them!
 

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]December 27, 1941[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]San Diego       Off the coast of San Diego, the I-2 misses an AP and takes two separate depth charge attacks for a total of 5DC hits.  She isn’t in too bad of shape and is ordered home to Kwajalein.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Midway           The Midway Invasion Force is spotted about 2 days from landing.  I move the Cover Force of 4CL and 6DD to Midway to see if anything is present there.  Hope I have brought enough troops to take the island quickly…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Apamama        Capture[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]SE Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Buin, Solomons           My opponents continue to drive me up the wall with their 2-5 ship Surface TF!  My small supply convoy of 1AK and 3PG is attacked by CA Canberra and CL Achilles.  I lose a PG and have the AK hit by a TT.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shortlands, Solomons             I announce to my opponents that there are now bombers at Rabaul when 13 Nells attack and miss those two cruisers!  AF at Rabaul is only a Lvl 3 so they attacked with bombs.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tulagi, Solomons        Capture it.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Philippines[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Manila             Manila is hit by 89 bombers doing 110 Cas, 2G, and AF damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Clark               Fighters Sweep it without seeing any aircraft.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Roxas              18 Betty hit and sink an AK with 4TT causing 110 Casualties to the troops that were on board.  At least my bombers DECIDED to fly…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tuguegarao     Bombard and take HEAVIER casualties!  18 Jap Cas and 1G for 14 Phil Cas and 2G[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]East DEI[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Tarakan, Borneo          9Z vs. 7 P-35 trying to attack my shipping.  I shot down 4 P-35.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]West DEI[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Kuching, Borneo         Raid with 6Z and 12B—destroy a TB on the ground, 14 Cas, 1G, and AF damage.  Landing there!  Fairly heavy CD damages 2PC, 2AP, and 1DD.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Miri, Borneo                Allied counter-attack at Miri by 3B slightly damages a Jap AP.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malaya[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Mersing           Just to the east of the base, an ASW TF hits HMS Truant with 1DC[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Johore Bharu   The day begins there with a bombardment by BCs Haruna and Kongo inflicting 980 Cas, 7G, 3V, and AF/Pt damage.  Johore is raided by 18B causing some damage to the AF.  This is followed by a desperation Allied Shock Attack!  In a vain and forlorn attack, the Allies get 0-1, I lose 24 Jap Cas and 2G for 1346 Allied Cas and 39G…  NICE! [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Singapore        A massed strike by 88B destroys a B-17 on the ground (the BEST way!), inflicts 171 Cas, 1G, and AF damage.  The AA is terrible!  I lose 6B…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Rangoon          Spot shipping there!  Move to Tavoy a Daitai and Chutai of Zeros as well as 2 Daitai and 1 Chutai of Bettys/Nells.  That should cause some damage…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Moulmein        Allied Strike by 7F and 7B causes 46 Jap Cas and 2V[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]27,33               East-Northeast of Rangoon—7Z and 6N MISS 2 CL![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sensing an opportunity, I order the Johore Bharu Bombardment group to Tavoy to strike at Rangoon.  Perhaps I can eat some unescorted Allied shipping…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Changsha        This base is hit by 21F and 29B causing 143 Chin Cas, 1G, and AF.  I open a bombardment by the troops there and get 65 Chin Cas.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Homan                        A strike of 51B destroy an I-16 on the ground, 45 Cas, and AF damage.  I attack there again and get ANOTHER 0-1 result!  Stats:  Forts 2, 1969 Jap Cas, 20G, and 6V for 1461 Chin Cas and 49 Guns. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Moses has taught me that Chinese artillery production is woeful.  Anytime I can destroy a batch of guns is a GOOD thing![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Wuchow          Air Raid by 25B[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]East of Yenen             The battle in the two hexes east of there continues.  An airstrike by 8DB does 13 Cas and a bombardment adds 59 Cas and 1G to the total.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ship Losses[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Japan[/b]              I lose 1 PC, 2AP, and 1AK to the Buin strike and previous damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies[/b]               1 AK[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Comments[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Nothing new here.  I expect to bag some shipping at Rangoon.[/font]

[John 3rd]

[font="times new roman"]December 28, 1941[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"] [/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Midway           My Midway Covering Force finds some game at the atoll.  My small TF encounters TK Manatawny and easily dispatch her.  They stay patrolling the island with the Invasion Force due tomorrow.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]SE Pacific[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Landings occurring at Dagua and Aitape, New Guinea[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Landing at Lunga, Sol[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shortlands, Solomons             HMAS Canberra and Achilles come under air attack by Nells in Rabaul.  In two waves of 18 and 11 Nells, Canberra takes 2 Bombs and Achilles gets 1.  There were secondary explosions seen on the Achilles hit.  I lose 2 Nells for this effort.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Philippines[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Manila             Manila is hit by 89 bombers doing 50 Cas and AF damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Clark               Fighters Sweep again without seeing any aircraft.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tuguegarao     Bombard:  26 Jap Cas and 2G for 41 Phil Cas and 2G[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]East DEI[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Soerabaja, Java            KB-3 hits a pair of damaged Royal Navy DDs and sinks them.  HMS Jupiter and Express succumb to raids by 31Z and 27K.  There is heavy fighter opposition!  A total of 38 Allied fighters intercept but 14 fall to my Sea Eagles—I lose 4Z and 5K.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]KB-3 also hits and sinks a TK south of Java.  These CVs are operating about 2 hexes southwest of the Java Coast.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]West DEI[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Kuching, Borneo         Raid with 17Z and 21B—AF damage.  CAPTURE BASE!  Shock Attack:  10-1  249 Jap Cas and 4G for 1755 POWs.  Get the bonus of destroying 2 Recon/3 Bombers/3 TB.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Miri, Borneo                Start loading Aviation Regiment to move to Kuching.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]27,54   NW of Kuching 9 Swordfish attack an AK and hit it with 2TT—sunk.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malaya[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Johore Bharu   A strike of 11F and 48B hit the AF and cause 6 Cas.  I lose 1 bomber.  An Allied bombardment during the day causes 17 Jap Cas and 1G. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Singapore        A massed strike by 74B destroys another B-17 on the ground, inflicts 97 Cas, 1G, and AF damage.  The AA continues to be bad!  I lose 5B…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Burma[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Moulmein        Fighter Sweep!  23 Zero vs. 7 Buffalo and 7 Wirraway—for no losses, I shot down 2 Buf and 3 Wir.  An Allied Bombardment there yields 18 Jap Cas and 1V.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]NW Rangoon              Attack a convoy--13Z and 15B vs. 15 P-40 (AVG!!)  Lose 9Z and 1B for 2 P-40 (Don’t like that!)—my remaining bombers put 2TT into an AK.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Changsha        Bombardment by the troops there and gets 182 Chin Cas.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Homan                        A strike of 25B destroy does AF damage.  I bombard and get 26 Chin Cas and 2G.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]East of Yenen (50,27)             The battle in the two hexes east of there continues.  An airstrike by 15B and 8DB does 31 Cas and a 1G.  Try another attack there and get 0-1:  390 Jap Cas, 11G, and 1V for 155 Chin Cas and 10G.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ship Losses[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Japan[/b]              1 ML and 1 MSW to earlier damage.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies[/b]               2DD (Jupiter and Express) and a TK[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Comments[/font][/b]
[font="times new roman"]Things are shaping up nicely in the DEI.  I now have all of Northwestern Borneo and am poised to come around the corner.  The Balikpapan Invasion Forces are not too far away.  Once I have Balikpapan then things are sealed.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Koepang/Dili/Lautem, Timor Invasion Forces are moving as well.  As soon as I grab that base, my opponents will be in DEEP trouble.  I expect a strong reaction from the Allies.  I have good, solid forces covering these convoys in the air and at sea.   [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Will land at Midway tomorrow.  We’ll see what happens there…nervous about that Marine CD![/font]

[John 3rd]

December 29, 1941
 
 
Central Pacific
Midway     I commence my landing operations at Midway! As expected, there is heavy CD: 1AP/2PG/1AK heavily damaged. My initial Shock Attack is beaten off at 0-1: 616 Jap Cas and 11G for 103 US Cas, 7G, and 1V. Hope I have enough to take the island. If not, I start loading a large Nvl Guard unit in Kwajalein.
 
 
SE Pacific
An air strike by 2 Hudson from Port Moresby hits an AP with 1 bomb doing 3 Cas and 1G at hex 58,94.
 
Capture Aitape and Dagau, NG as well as Lunga, Solomons.
 
 
Philippines
The Philippines have no Allied airpower whatsoever anywhere in them.
 
Tuguegarao Bombard for 53 Phil Cas and 2 G
 
 
Eastern DEI
Timor Convoys and Escort forces moving towards Timor: Koepang, Dili, and Lautem all to be taken.
 
 
Western DEI
Sandakan, Borneo 2 US Pts are sunk by 2 Jap Dds.
 
KB-3 SW of Batavia locates and sinks a TK. Am getting low on sorties and fuel so I will chance running by Batavia to Palembang.
 
 
Malaya
Johore Bharu 11F and 47B inflict 5 Cas and good AF damage to base.
 
Singapore 89B 33 Cas, 1G, destroy a B-17, and moderately damage AF for 7 bombers lost to AA.
 
 
Burma
NW of Rangoon, a strike of 46Z and 21 Betty sink an AK with 6TT.
 
Moulmein Allied Bombardment causes 21 Jap Cas
 
Bangkok Allied Shock Attack nearly captures city! Forts 3 down to 2 17 Jap Cas for 97 Cas and 2G. 33rd Inf Div should be there tomorrow to turn this attack and keep all those supplies that are located there. I will then attack northwards up that RR and try to get to Rahaeng.
 
 
China
Changsha Air Strike and Ground Bombardment causes 358 Chin Cas and AF damage
 
Homan Same combination does 391 Chin Cas and AF damage
 
50,27 East of Yenen, same combination does 105 Chin Cas and 5G
 
50,26 Bombardment gets 11 Chin Cas
 
 
Ships Sunk
Japanese None
Allied A Tanker and AK

 
 
Comments:
I am involved in attacking three separate locations within China and that is STUPID! Have I learned nothing from my mentor--Moses??? The Homan battle is a meeting engagement. I should have ignored his move down into my territory there and gone after Changsha with everything. Grrr…will have to try and fix this.

[John 3rd]

December 30, 1941
 
Central Pacific
Midway Finish landing at Midway and rest a day before another attack. Order KB-1 (Shokaku and Zuikaku) north from Kwajalein (just refueled) and cover in case there is a US response.
 
 
SE Pacific
Normanby Isle 15Z and 15 Nells hit CA Canberra with 2 bombs and CL Adelaide with 1 bomb. Lose 1 bomber and, hopefully, convince him to leave the area…
 
Landing at Wewak, NG
 
Philippines
Cotabato 3 Jap DD sink 2 US PT during the day.
 
Tuguegarao Have most of my bombers within Philippines hit this base: 21F and 75B 92 Cas and 6G. This is followed by a Shock Attack: 3-1!!! Forts to 0, 938 Jap Cas, 25G, and 1V for 40 Cas and 1G. Will take base on next attack.
 
 
Eastern DEI
Timor Near Timor I experience a heart attack as Force Z gets into my AP Fleet heading into Koepang! I get off fairly lightly; however, I lose 1MSW and 3AP with 1795 Jap Troops. My Battleship Escort was nowhere to be seen! DAMN… Divert convoy to Dili and I will regroup.
 
KB-3 sinks an AK near Batavia
 
 
Western DEI
Kuching Off this base a group of 9 Swordfish sink and AK.
 
 
Malaya
Johore Bharu 11F and 52B inflict AF damage. An initial attack here by me nearly get s 1-1: 476 Jap Cas, 28G, and 4V for 378 Cas and 21G.
 
Singapore 63B attack: lose 6 bombers to AA, 45 Cas, and AF damage
Will rest my Malaya bombers. They have been taking casualties and need to rebuild their morale some.
 
 
Burma
Tavoy Spoil a British Bombardment attack by putting 1TT into BB Revenge and 2TT into CLAA Ceres! The AVG covers this force and I lose 12 Zero and 7 Betty for 4 P-40 and the damage described to ships.
 
Moulmein Allied Bombardment causes 50 Jap Cas
 
Bangkok As hoped, the 33rd Inf Div saves the day! 0-1 attack by British--490 Cas and 14G. Will counterattack tomorrow.
 
China
Changsha Del;iberate Attack gets 0-1 but LOWERS the Forts from 4 to 3. 2194 Jap Cas, 86 Guns, and 5V for 1006 hin Cas and 26G.
 
Homan Bombard: 63 Chin Cas and 2G
 
50,27 Bombard: 64 Chin Cas and 5G
 
50,26 Bombardment gets 6 Chin Cas
 
 
Ships Sunk
Japanese 2 MSW, 3AP, and 2AK
Allied An AK and 2PT

 
 
Comments:
I got lucky that Force Z didn’t sink my entire Koepang Invasion Force! Notice my LBA out of Amboina DIDN’T fly again…

[FeurerKrieg]

Good stuff John, and I like the bold font on the section headings, makes it much easier to read.

[John 3rd]

Thank for the thoughts!  The AAR style continues to evolve as I go.
 
I have a long casino weekend coming up where I can REALLY get the AAR caught up.  It should help a lot.  We just got the January 8, 1942 turn done so I need to catch up by about a week of time...