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April 30, 1945

In the RED corner we have--Vc-Adm Tanaka Raizo commanding Battlecruisers Kongo and Kirishima escorted by 6 DD and in the BLUE corner we have Vc-Adm William 'BULL' Halsey commanding BC Alaska, CA Baltimore and 5 DDs.

A dream head-to-head match begins this night of action!

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Starting a new turn. Let us see what April 30, 1945 brings...

That's easy!

It does NOT!

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

April 30, 1945

In the RED corner we have--Vc-Adm Tanaka Raizo commanding Battlecruisers Kongo and Kirishima escorted by 6 DD and in the BLUE corner we have Vc-Adm William 'BULL' Halsey commanding BC Alaska, CA Baltimore and 5 DDs.

A dream head-to-head match begins this night of action!

So you gonna keep us sitting on pins and needles waiting for the juicy details........

April 30, 1945
Fusan, Korea

Vc-Adm Tanaka has been in the thick of this long, long war since its opening. He has a simple job, protect the 80-100 AK-AP loading troops up to bring home to Japan. Numerous units of AA, Base Force Forces, Coastal Defense, and a few Infantry are gathering at the harbor. He MUST stop any American attempt to destroy these assets. To accomplish this, he has two TFs at his call. His favorite flagship, IJN Kirishima, along with her sister prepare for a night of patrolling. With the drubbing that the Americans took in the air over the port yesterday, they MUST come by sea tonight. Figuring this, the crafty, tired Admiral orders the other TF (3 CA and 4 DDs) to hide up the coast about ten miles and wait for his call to attack.

A pair of American TFs enter the area after midnight on the 30th. Tanaka places his DDs to twin columns of 3 off each bow and moves to engage. The opening moments of the fight sees TWO Long Lance TTs strike the new BC Alaska and shells range down on her and her escorts. Alaska is a tough ship and she manages to hit the BCs several times. The Japanese lose DD Tochi and that is it. As the 2nd American TF closes, Tanaka pivots away from the heavily damaged Alaska and engages CLs Phoenix and Columbia with a 5 DD escort. It is at this point he orders the CA TF to come into the fight. The American shells PING off Japanese armor but they relentlessly pummel the escorting DDs. Tanaka loses his entire screen as the range closes to 2,000 Yards. Everything is used (including 25MM) to fight. The BCs, though damaged, lived a charmed life as they dodge torpedoes and manage to SINK CL Columbia while crippling Phoenix and several DDs.

At this point the battle tips decisively into Japan's favor as seven fresh ships enter the fray. The CAs--fantastic vessels--sink BOTH the crippled Alaska and Phoenix as well as DD Kimberly. Little damage is taken by this Japanese TF and it rejoins Admiral Tanaka's BIG BOYS upon re-entering the harbor.

Tonight, April 30, 1945, belongs to the Japanese Navy.

BANZAI!!!

No planes attack Fusan during the day so the Japanese victory remains intact...

Looky:

Does Halsey survive the sinking of his flagship???

Somebody ask Dan!

Well Done Sir!

An important VP point gain in your favor at a critical juncture.

What are the night experience levels for the two BCs?

Who landed the killing blow on Alaska?

Canoerebel sends this dessert to you... Baked Alaska

ORIGINAL: CharlieVane

Who landed the killing blow on Alaska?

That would be IJN Maya with an 8" salvo AND a Long Lance TT. VERY nice!

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

What are the night experience levels for the two BCs?

Kongo Day: 80 Night: 78
Kirishima Day: 81 Night: 85

I admit that there is a soft spot in my Japanese heart for the Kongo-Class. Think they are fantastic older vessels re-purposed to great success.

Here are the BCs and KILLER Maya's state. They are headed back to Yokohoma.

April 30, 1945

VP Status
Japan 78,673 +290
Allies 152,028 +520

Congratulations, for making another month, nix my prediction.

You have done really well![&o]

Kirishima came out of the wrong end of a BB engagement at iron Bottom Sound against two US BBs after they lost thei r escorting vessels and had to dodge long lances to kill the Kirishima.

Well...we have had two enjoyable, LOVELY turns in a row. Am sure the next one will feature the walls blowing in, roof collapsing, and a sink hole opening up!

Dan sent this message with the turn and I laughed pretty good:

The past two turns, while meaning to click the "Vex John by Bombing Zoos" and "Trigger Volcanic Eruption Beneath Hokkaido" buttons, I accidentally clicked the "Stick Nose into Hornet's Nest" buttons.

I was much more careful today. I believe I found and clicked the "Impose Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Performances on Cochran" button. I hope so. The button next to it was "Bare Thighs While Taking Turkish Bath with Anderson Cooper Fan Club" button. I hope I didn't click that.

Holy CATS! We have made it to May 1, 1945.

Thanks for the all the support and long-term help gang. We had a CRAZY May 1st turn. The night naval phase took nearly 30 minutes to play out and that was WITH fast-forwarding through the fighting.

This is the stream-of-consciousness email I sent to Dan with the 007 portion of the turn:


Wow. What a fight! It took nearly 30 minutes just to get through the night Naval Phase.

I am stunned to actually see minefields AND CDs work! Your PTs stuck mines constantly and I counted a minimum of 10 more mine explosions as your STFs swept into the hex. CRAZY! You had at least five STFs come in and I cannot understand how they did not encounter over 100 AK—AP loading troops and taking them back to Japan. I made a host of TFs to try to achieve that and cannot believe it actually worked.

Your B-24 crews, having had horrific times over the last 4-6 turns, must be ready to mutiny.

Those B-29 were horrific to watch what they did over the AF at Sapporo. Glad you haven’t used them against AFs very often. Was told to absolutely dread it and I certainly saw that this turn. SCARY!

Your are 5,000 VP from 2-1. We are talking days but I have loved having a few good days here at the end. Did Halsey survive the sinking of Alaska? What a stellar match: Tanaka vs. Halsey. Wow. That was a great brawl throughout the naval side of the 4-30 turn.

I’ll stop my rambling…

VP Score
May 1, 1945

Japan 78,873 +200
Allies 152,688 +630

Dan has gotten through the turn and wrote this back:

That fight was messy and intense. Once my ships got into your minefields good, I wasn't sure what might happen.

Halsey survived the naval battle. I wasn't sure until I opened the file for the next turn and found him in command of CA Baltimore.

Turn coming your way early in the morning.

May 1, 1945
The Imperial Palace

Whispers within the Imperial Palace begin to get out about the Emperor's displeasure with the conduct of the war. A meeting of the Imperial General Staff is scheduled for tomorrow. The Emperor intends to speak. He begins to write a Hiaku to voice his thoughts.

Those whispers are heard by people loyal to the Emperor and by people who are more concerned with what might be. Action may be needed and must be planned for...