[font="Arial"]There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today, Chatfield.[/font]
- Sir David Beatty, at Jutland
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June 1, 1943
IJN surface forces moved in during the night phase, as promised, and carried the day in desperate night combat. It was a modest enough victory, but at least it was a victory and somewhat redeemed the performance of the air arm on the previous turn.
The first phase of combat featured four battleships (Mutsu, Yamishiro, Ise, and Hyuga) against an Allied heavy cruiser force. The Japanese lost DD Shigure (both Hibiki and Shigure lost now, so much for lucky destroyers in this game) but sank heavy cruisers Exeter and Astoria and probably sank DD MacDonough as well. The Japanese task force then retired in good order.
The second round was the most intense and pitted Yamato and Haruna against Ramilles, Resolution, and Royal Sovereign. Resolution was sunk outright and Ramilles left on fire. On the Japanese side CA Maya and DD Makigumo were heavily damaged and sunk the next day by Allied carrier aircraft. Again the Allied force was forced to withdraw.
This opened the door for a force built around Nagato to cruise in unimpeded and massacre five LSTs and DMS Hopkins.
Q-Ball shifted his carriers a hex or two towards Tawi Tawi during the night but they remained eight hexes from the Japanese carriers. A few Japanese ships have some damage but all are at full speed and so escaped (except for the aformentioned pair). My fleet is now going to retire to refuel and contemplate what comes next.
To add a little sparkle to the turn SS Steelhead was caught in shallow water near Singapore and sunk by two Japanese ASW ships.
As I said, a modest enough victory. Jolo will still fall and the Allied carrier force still controls the seas in the area. I keep hitting back; since the beginning of March I have wiped out four Allied amphibious task forces and sunk or damaged a fair number of Allied warships, all at very little cost to my own surface forces. But all this seems to do is force him to be a bit more cautious and slow his advance a bit.
Right now he has to be running low on available battleships. The battle today may temper his advance until he can cover his landing forces better. At least I can hope so. Losing Jolo is going to hurt, though.
At the moment the only blow I could level at him that I think might really stall his advance is to engage his carrier task forces with my surface fleet. That is a risky move to try but might be what I have to try next. I’ll keep my eyes open for the opportunity, at least.
what you would have needed was at least the same number (preferrable more) of available strike aircraft to fly one or even two turns more air attacks. It´s kind of the same as in WITP, only the numbers are smaller. You´ve got to wear the enemy down and as soon as he tips the edge it´s going to be a massacre and while the Japanese can replace aircraft and pilots, the Allied can´t replace a single sunk ship.
All your succesful sub attacks and the night engagement must really hurt his BB fleet. Without BBs and a CV force that is bled of it´s aircraft in two or three days of fighting he would have to turn back.
The second round was the most intense and pitted Yamato and Haruna against Ramilles, Resolution, and Royal Sovereign. Resolution was sunk outright and Ramilles left on fire. On the Japanese side CA Maya and DD Makigumo were heavily damaged and sunk the next day by Allied carrier aircraft.
Sounds like fun! Any damage to Yamato?
And I recognize Beatty's quote after his second battlecruiser blew up. Your night fight wasn't quite as bad as that.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
Good to see you keep the fighting spirit Cuttlefish! [:)]
Do you have still have pilot reserves to compensate for these losses?
No, I don't. I can make up some of them right away but it will take a bit of time before all the Nettie and carrier units can be filled out again with good pilots. I'll try to look on the bright side - this will be a good time to upgrade from Kates and Vals to Judys and Jills.
ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock
Sounds like fun! Any damage to Yamato?
And I recognize Beatty's quote after his second battlecruiser blew up. Your night fight wasn't quite as bad as that.
Yamato took only four shell hits and is at about 11 sys damage with no fires. Haruna is a little worse off - only three hits, but one was a major-caliber shell from one of the RN battleships. And you're right, the Royal Navy didn't fare quite that badly, but it's a great quote and how often does one get to sink a RN battleship in a major surface engagement?
What you would have needed was at least the same number (preferrable more) of available strike aircraft to fly one or even two turns more air attacks.
Quite right, and it's what I tried to do. But I just didn't have enough bombers available. The main problem was not lack of available aircraft, but lack of nearby bases with enough aviation support. Which is a failure of long-range planning on my part.
[font="Arial"]It is always more difficult to defend a coast than to invade it.[/font]
- Sir Walter Raleigh: Historie of the World, 1615
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6/2/1943 – 6/10/1943
The situation around Borneo continues to deteriorate for Japan, though my forces are maintaining pressure upon the advancing enemy. The result is a fluid situation with my surface units and his carriers shifting rapidly while submarines from both fleets prey on the wounded and the unlucky.
The heaviest blow fell when his carriers raided my shipping near Palembang. They pushed aside the defending Oscars with the loss of only a few fighters and sank eight small tankers, two xAKs, and five small escorts. Meanwhile his forces launched quick raids and seized the undefended bases of Sandakan and Ketapang on opposite sides of Borneo. Tawi Tawi was also captured.
Japanese surface ships hit Borneo in another night attack but all they found were PT boats. Fortunately visibility was good and the PT boats were unable to close the range; six were sunk. Three Japanese midget subs attacked Balikpapan, which is where Q-Ball has been fueling his carriers, but all three foundered. I-122 laid some mines there, though, and CV Victorious hit one of them, damage unknown.
Japanese submarines hit two ships withdrawing from the battles around Jolo. CA Dorsetshire took a torpedo and DD Nizam was sunk. Japanese submarines also sank a tanker, an xAK, and an LST in the area. Japanese surface ships sank Dutch sub KX.
For their part Allied subs countered the hit on Dorsetshire with one on Atago. They also bagged a PB and an xAP and damaged CL Natori and a tanker.
Reinforcements: those CD guns are now installed at Bataan, having made the journey from Yokohama without loss. The 104th Division is now also on Luzon, safely reaching Manila from Shanghai. I also sent more aviation support to Luzon from Tokyo.
The 38th Division is being shipped down from Rangoon to Singapore.
Assessment: I am being squeezed like a grapefruit in a vise. My only advantage is that Q-Ball’s surface forces seem to be almost nonexistent at the moment. This puts the burden of defending his advance on his carriers. Both of us are playing a risky game right now, with his forces striking and trying to get away before my surface forces get there and my surface forces circling just outside his air range, trying to avoid his carriers and looking for chances to hit back.
I am not enjoying the overall strategic situation (in technical military terms I am getting my ass kicked) but this is a fun and fluid phase of the game.
[font="Arial"]It is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past.[/font]
- Clausewitz: On War, 1832
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6/11/1943 – 6/24/1943
The Allies continue to advance around Borneo, taking bases with quick raids and airborne attacks, consolidating, and moving on. During the period they have taken Billiton to the south (just nine hexes from Singapore) and in the north capturing Kudat, Puerto Princessa, and Taytay.
The Japanese fleet has been waiting for an opening but so far no good chances have presented themselves. Allied air superiority in the region is smothering and, combined with his carrier forces, makes operating near the Allied sphere of control very dangerous. Two Japanese destroyers did dash into Billiton, looking for transports, but they ran into some cruisers and retreated after swapping a few shots.
But the confined waters of the Makassar Strait and Celebes Sea have given Japanese submarines chances to wreak havoc. The amazing I-155 finished repairs at Singapore, went back on patrol, and immediately sank CVE Altamaha. Japanese subs have also sunk an AR and an LST and put a torpedo into a heavy cruiser. The work is dangerous, though; Allied ASW has sunk two I-boats in the region. A third (I-179) was sunk off the northern end of Luzon by an Allied submarine.
Mine layers based out of Manila had placed mines at Puerto Princessa before the Allied invasion there and the mines scored hits on CA Chicago and DD Lardner (which may or may not have sunk).
For their part Allied submarines sank a large xAP near Formosa and put a torpedo into CV Kaga in the South China Sea. The damage was minor, though, and Kaga is still with the fleet.
The Japanese carriers have their fighter groups at full complement and their bomber groups at about three-quarters strength. Some carriers now have Judys and Jills aboard, though Kates and Vals still form the bulk of the torpedo and dive bombers. Taiho arrives in about forty-five days. This will be a big shot in the arm for my somewhat reduced carrier force (provided, of course, that I still have a carrier force then). Japanese propaganda can now claim that we have sunk more carriers than have the Allies. It’s true, even. Of course Japan has sunk four CVEs and a CVL while losing four fleet carriers but the propaganda broadcasts don’t have to mention that.
Burma: a large Allied force has been seen moving east out of Akyab. Their objective is unclear and it will take them some time to move through the jungle there. But it seems that a major Allied offensive in the area is getting underway.
Industry: Palembang is now pretty much cut off by air, so the flow of fuel from the DEI has stopped. That this makes things difficult for Japan is an understatement. Within a month or two HI reserves on Honshu will be gone. I will then have to limp along on domestic production.
[font="Arial"]By Heaven-sent opportunity, we are dashing to attack enemy carriers. Our first objective is to destroy the flight decks, then the task force.[/font]
- Admiral Kurita to Combined Fleet upon sighting Taffy 3
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6/25/1943 – 6/26/1943
On the night of 26 June the Sulu Sea was the site of a massive clash between the Combined Fleet and Allied forces. If in the long run the Japanese achieved less than they hoped they nonetheless did some damage and probably gave Q-Ball quite a scare. Was it a victory or a draw? I am not sure. But it was a heck of a fight.
On 25 June the Japanese fleet was positioned at the north end of the Sulu Sea, a few hexes below Manila. The Allied fleet, including both the CVE and CV task forces, was seen massing just south of Jolo. I knew my ships had been spotted and thought that, with his carrier forces massed, Q-Ball might just come into the Sulu Sea and attempt to attack my fleet with his carriers. So I ordered my carriers to hold position and sent every available surface ship I had down what I judged would be the enemy’s likely line of approach.
It worked beautifully. The two fleets met in a series of clashes that lasted most of the night. For a blow-by-blow description I will turn to the combat replay:
Round one. Despite a lucky torpedo hit, sinking DD Perkins, Japan loses this round. CA Aoba is still afloat has a good chance of surviving,and Tatsuta escaped and will also likely survive.
[font="Courier New"]Night Time Surface Combat, near Zamboanga at 74,87, Range 11,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Musashi, Shell hits 2
CA Aoba, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 3
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 1
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Yubari
DD Naganami
DD Nowaki
DD Kasumi
DD Samidare
DD Mutsuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Yayoi
DD Mochizuki, Shell hits 1
Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
CA New Orleans
CA Quincy, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL St. Louis
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Fletcher
DD Beale
DD Mustin, Shell hits 1
DD O'Brien
DD Ellet
DD Cushing
DD Perkins, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Downes, Shell hits 2[/font]
Round two. Allied carriers are engaged – and escape. I was almost tearing my hair out after this one.
[font="Courier New"]Night Time Surface Combat, near Zamboanga at 74,87, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 3
CL Isuzu
CL Kinu
DD Maikaze
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yamagumo
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Uzuki
Round three. This went better for Japan. Saratoga probably will not sink but is pretty messed up. Chokai and DD Amagiri were sunk the following morning by Allied aircraft.
[font="Courier New"]Night Time Surface Combat, near Zamboanga at 74,87, Range 9,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Chokai, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD Tanikaze
DD Asashio
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 1
Round four. The heaviest Allied surface force is encountered. Nagato gets absurdly lucky and detonates magazines aboard both CA Chester and BC Repulse, sending both to the bottom. DD Yamagumo is lost and Uziki and Suzukaze are sunk by aircraft the next day.
[font="Courier New"]Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 74,88, Range 11,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Kinu
DD Maikaze
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Yamagumo, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 6
BC Repulse, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
CA Chester, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
CA Australia
CA Canberra, Shell hits 3
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 1
CL Phoenix
DD Gwin
DD Grayson
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Hammann
DD McCall
DD Benham[/font]
Round five. Japanese DesDiv One engages a superior force and wreaks havoc. CL Yura is lost to air attack in the morning but CVE Suwannee is sunk and CVE Prince William is almost certainly a goner.
[font="Courier New"]Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 73,89, Range 9,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akizuki
DD Kagero, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hamakaze
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1
Allied Ships
CVE Chenango
CVE Suwannee, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Nassau, Shell hits 3
CVE Prince William, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Juneau
CL Columbia, Shell hits 3
DD Taylor
DD Woodworth
DD Bailey
DD Frazier
DD Helm
DD Conyngham
DD Shaw, Shell hits 1[/font]
The Allies lose two CVEs, CA Chester, BC Repulse, and DD Perkins. Japan loses CA Chokai, CL Yura, and four DDs. The Japanese force is retiring to Manila to do triage. The Allied forces are at the moment scattered about the north end of the Celebes Sea.
The Allied carrier force, with Saratoga and CVE Nassau likely forced to retire, now seems to consist of five CVs and a CVE. With four CVs and three CVLs (Ryuho will retire to repair damage from the recent torpedo hit) I am actually close to parity with the Allied carriers. This is likely to be the last time in the war this is true.
Best of all the only two Allied battleships sighted, Massachusetts and Prince of Wales, were both damaged in the fighting. The Allied repair situation must be a nightmare right now. There is nowhere in the region to fix all those big ships and Sydney – which itself is a long way away - must be seriously overtaxed.
The Japanese fleet is looking pretty ragged too after the recent big battles at Jolo and the Sulu Sea. There are three battleships under repair in the Home Islands, along with nine other warships, and more will be headed that way after this fight. But the Home Islands are not that far off. It would be an easy trip if it weren’t for the threat of submarine attacks against cripples. In addition I can repair ships at Manila, Hong Kong, Saigon, and Singapore (though I have to keep in mind the possibility of Allied air attack).
In the final analysis too many Allied carriers got away. On the other hand, my ships did more damage than I had any right to expect. And of course the Allied losses will be replaced while my ships are gone forever. But that is always true and I would rather that my ships go out fighting than end their careers harried and sunk by the Allied fast carriers.
Wow, Cuttlefish, what a fight! Your guys did very well - though missing that one golden opportunity against the Wasp/Essex TF is certainly a hair-puller-outer. I'll bet Q-Ball was "having kittens" (as John III likes to say in these circumstances). This should force him to move more carefully in the future, which will help you.
In my game with John III I had a combat like this up around the Kuriles. I guessed right and had an Allied BB/CA TF meet a weakly escorted (only a handful of DDs) IJN carrier force in combat, but the damage inflicted was very slight to my utter dismay.
Nevertheless, having one's carriers undergo surface combat with enemy battleships and cruisers is a tremendously unnerving experience.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Very high 'pucker' factor combat there, Cuttlefish. Good job on the surface intercepts. Your continued intransigence sparks hope in the hearts of all JFBs. [&o]
Wow, British Battle Cruisers with exploding magazines! Like that would happen in real life!
Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly
I don't know, this picture of the Nagato taken during the action looks awful suspicious!
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Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly
There is a certain beauty to WW I ships. No AA, no radar,only a few radio antennas. All business. The Repulse was a looker in it's original configuration:
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Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. - Yasser Arafat Speech to UN General Assembly
Good to see that you haven't lost your mettle even in this situation, Cuttlefish. That's a good management of surface combat assets and a quite impressive string of surface victories. The element of successful defense which you lack, IMO, is a larger, more focused, plane production (although now it's probably way too late), allowing for strong LBA anti-shipping attacks on the days after the surface battles. I might miss something, but don't remember your LBA sinking anything important troughout the entire DEI campaign. Compare and contrast with the Miller's game against Canoerebel (yes, they play Scenario 2, but while Scenario 2, AFAIK, gives Japanese more airgroups, it actually imposes a heavier pilot training HI tax on them).
Good to see that you haven't lost your mettle even in this situation, Cuttlefish. That's a good management of surface combat assets and a quite impressive string of surface victories. The element of successful defense which you lack, IMO, is a larger, more focused, plane production (although now it's probably way too late), allowing for strong LBA anti-shipping attacks on the days after the surface battles. I might miss something, but don't remember your LBA sinking anything important troughout the entire DEI campaign. Compare and contrast with the Miller's game against Canoerebel (yes, they play Scenario 2, but while Scenario 2, AFAIK, gives Japanese more airgroups, it actually imposes a heavier pilot training HI tax on them).
That's a fair assessment, FatR. I keep winning surface engagements and am still being pushed back anyway, and the reason is Q-Ball's almost total control of the air in the region. I am short on air units capable of performing an anti-shipping role and I failed to build up enough infrastructure in the region to use the ones I do have. Lessons learned: these are not mistakes I will repeat in subsequent games.
And I have to give some credit to Q-Ball here. While his advance has seemed swift we have been fighting it out in the DEI for almost nine months now and he has done a terrific job of planning his campaign to get the maximum use out of his air forces. Managing surface fleets is the strongest part of my game; I think managing air units is the strongest part of his. The results speak for themselves - in the long run air power trumps sea power.
