Combat Report
December 30-31, 1941
Two pretty calm turns pass as the Japanese take a short breather and let the ground-pounders pick-up the slack. For the most part the Fleet has taken 3-5 days off and been disbanded in Can Rahn Bay, Davao, or Rabaul.
The heavy air casualties inflicted upon the British and Dutch have led to a total lack of aerial attacks and/or opposition. Imagine that my opponent is resting and re-organizing his forces for the next big push.
Regions:
North Pacific
Very calm as I am now simply building bases and Forts. This are will heat-up again once I have the Political Points to pull a large Inf Unit out and deploy it. Am giving serious thought to Dutch Harbor but want to think about it for a bit.
Central Pacific
My recon has picked-up several single ship TF moving towards Midway. These ships are from Manila and it seems a shame to CRUSH them but I do. The Training Cruiser Katori and an old DD make two mid-ocean intercepts and sink two AKLs on the 30th. Not often one of those fairly useless Training Cruisers does something but here we are.
Marcus--This base is now set with an Engineering unit, 2 SNLF, and a Base Force. There is 15,000 supply and we're working on the AF as well as the Forts.
Wake--Same thing except we have an SNLF, Naval Guard and a Base Force with about 10,000 Supply.
South Pacific
The KB refuels on the 30th at Lunga from its AOs and heads for some R&R at Rabaul. Will re-size a couple of Chutai while there.
The South Seas TF (4 CA, 2 CL, and 5 DD) bombard Port Moresby for minimal damage on the 31st.
Will start loading the PM Invasion Force on January 2nd with D-Day set for January 7th.
Philippines
Luzon is now being taken from both the North and South ends. The Allies have fallen back to Clark and Bataan with only 1 unit in Manila. Looks like Mike will not try to come out and fight. Too bad--I am/was pretty vulnerable to a forward defense.
Mindanao is now completely taken with the except on one base on the western tip and base to the east of Cagayan. This place should fall tomorrow as I have a Regiment who just moved into the hex.
All the remaining Japanese CVs have been disbanded at Davao for a couple of days. I re-size a Zero unit and will do so to another Zero, then a Val, and then a Kate. While Kaga is doing this I form-up Akagi, Ryujo, Shoho, Zuiho, and Hosho with a strong escort of 3 CA, 2 CL, 1 CS, and 9 DD to start a move due south and see what might be happening around Timor.
Eastern DEI
I begin eastern operations by landing on Manado on the 29th and take it on the 30th.
Morotai is invaded on the 30th and taken on the 31st.
An Inf Reg, Base Force, and Artillery unit is loading and moving towards Amboina. This Invasion will be covered by 2 BB, 2 CA, 2 CL, and 8 DD. Add the KB-2 moving through the area and things are going to get hot fast in this region.
Central DEI
Have Tankers at Tarakan and Balikpapan loading oil. There is a Daitai of Zero and two Daitai of Betty present in Balikpapan. Currently planning on starting to load troops for a landing at Makassar scheduled for January 7th.
Western DEI/Java
I've pulled my TF out of this area to avoid more sinkings by Allied SS. This move isn't truly accomplished until I lose an AO and an I-Boat to Allied SS! There are at least 15 present in these waters.
I'm continuing to learn the game. I had three Daitai of Betty-Nell on 50% ASW, Range 10 at 1,000 Ft, and Search 30% when I realized I have the ability to direct the ASW Search.
Hee-Hee! Narrow the Arc to the point I've got a good number of planes flying in a restricted area and the reports of SS hits began pouring in! The 30th sees two hits and the 31st catches three. I don't care if they sink but I do hope to send them to the yards. That is victory enough.
Surprisingly Michael has abandoned Batavia. My troops moved into the hex this turn and next turn will take it. How about that?!! The TF at Merak will pick-up troops and supplies and immediately move them to this far superior base. Everyone will move east and I don't plan on endangering any more shipping until the issue is decided.
Malaya
This area continues looking good. Am about to take Malacca by two TK Reg. It has a very small unit guarding it. Once it falls I will move all the troops at Taiping (still in Strategic Mode) down the RR to this base and begin the approach march to Singers...
Singapore has had its planes taken out of it. I did a Sweep on the 31st and met nothing. The bombers will begin the bombing campaign starting tomorrow.
Home Islands
Expand the Ha-32 and Ha-35 plants for engine production. Not enough of them with the expanded Japanese Naval Aircraft industry.
This is a serious oversight and the Mark 2 RA Mod will have the engines at appropriate levels at the start of the war. We knew it would be bad but I don't think we foresaw it was actually critical. Lesson learned there!