LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[IdahoNYer]

25-26 Jan 1942

Highlights - Jpn take Nanyang in China and the Chinese collapse is total with the forces surrendering instead of withdrawing. Possible KB sighting near Luganville.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk:
MTB: 6
xAKL: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 20
Allied: 14

Subwar:
Jpn: No Attacks: no ships hit
Allies: 3xAttacks, no ships hit
- a sub laid mine hits a PB in the Marianas

Amph Inv:
Boela (DEI)
Tarawa (CENPAC)

Bases lost:
Russell Is (SOPAC)
Treasury Islands (SOPAC)
Tarawa (CENPAC)
Nanyang (China)
Pare Pare (DEI)
Sidate (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: PBY air search has picked up a “CVE” in a TF near Luganville - with the Mini-KB in the eastern DEI, I have to assume worst case and this is the KB moving south to interdict the reported shipping at Noumea.

West Coast. NSTR

In NOPAC. NSTR

In CENPAC Tarawa is invaded and lost - this leaves Makin as the likely next target. Until I can confirm that the KB is not in the vicinity, the Lex and Yorktown will loiter near Baker Is. If it turns out that the KB is in fact moving on Noumea, I can release the CVs to a more aggressive patrol around to interdict the amphib of Makin.

In SOPAC, two IJN subs (and their Glens) in the vicinity of Noumea have apparently “discovered” the activity of offloading at the port, and a TF reportedly consisting of a CVE was sighted by PBYs off the west coast of Espiritu Santo. While the offloading at Koumac is complete, unloading at Noumea is still underway. Regardless, all but three ships still offloading troops and an AMC will weigh anchor and head south of Norfolk Is incase this is in fact the KB. CVs Enterprise and Saratoga will also move toward Norfolk Is, but only after Sara transfers its F4Fs to Noumea to bolster the two P-39 squadrons there. This gives Noumea almost 75 fighters as potential CAP. Perhaps I can give the vaunted Nippon Eagles a fight for a change if they go after the remaining ships in the harbor.

In SWPAC, Quiet around Darwin. IJN activity around Moresby subsides, and recon has not yet confirmed or denied that the 4th ID is still in place. Could the CVs approaching Noumea be a prelude to an invasion with the 4th ID?? That would be a worse case scenario for SOPAC.

In the Philippines, with the PI division forced to retreat from Clark, Bataan is now overstacked - so I’m sending the PI Div back to Clark! IJA air attacks Bataan Port, losing 5 Sonias to remaining P-35s and flak in exchange for sinking a crippled xAKL. What the IJA did not attack was the two xAKLs offloading at Bataan. Four IJN DDs are apparently trolling the Sulu Sea in search of xAKLs heading to Bataan, and one is caught and sunk near Cebu.

In China Nanyang falls in the second attack. The first major disaster in China, 4xCorps are destroyed with all troops surrendering - was hoping they could have pulled out since I had troops (including uncontested hexes without IJA troops) in adjacent hexes. In any case, with Nanyang lost, the withdrawal of troops towards Sian will be sped up.

In Malaya, Singers undergoes heavy air attacks from 20k feet, but the effects are better than previous attempts. As the weather is clearing, CAP stayed on the ground - they have a better chance in bad weather as sweeps are sometimes grounded.

India/Burma: No air attacks against Rangoon as 6 xAKs begin offloading. I pull the AVG out of Burma to Calcutta to refit - just short of planes at the moment.

In the DEI, the Houston, De Ruyter, a number of auxiliaries and attending DDs reach Batavia from Soerabaja without issue. Netties hit Soerabaja port hitting CA Exeter undergoing repairs twice. Getting Exeter out of Soerabaja will be challenging. Heavy Zero sweeps and good weather keep the CAP on the ground.

[IdahoNYer]

27-28 Jan 1942

Highlights - KB comes a calling at Noumea and is met by a very lethal CAP, Singers port is hit hard, and looks like Balikpapan is next on the hit parade.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (by mines at Balikpapan)
AMC: 1
xAKL:1

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 2 (S-36, KVI sunk at the shipyards while undergoing repair at Singapore)
AMC: 1
xAP: 1
xAK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 65
Allied: 29

Subwar:
Jpn: 2x Attacks: no ships hit
Allies: 7xAttacks, 2 ships hit; AMC, xAKL sunk
SS-36 and KVI sunk by bombs while undergoing shipyard repair in Singapore.
SS O-20 heavily dam by DCs off Makassar while laying minefield.

Amph Inv:
Kirakira (SOPAC)
Salamaua (SWPAC)
Tawi Tawi (DEI

Bases lost:
Tawi Tawi (DEI)
Boela (DEI)
Lautem (DEI)
Auki (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. Another fast convoy to Auckland begins to form up.

In NOPAC. NSTR

In CENPAC with the KB confirmed off Noumea, Lex and Yorktown move west of Baker Is to strike at any sightings near Makin/Tarawa.

In SOPAC, the KB does in fact come calling at Noumea. With all but four Allied ships dispersed to the south, the KB launches two large strikes at the four ships left behind at Noumea and are met with a robust CAP. Despite being well escorted (reportedly one strike had 75 Zeros) the CAP over Noumea does extremely well - total losses (via tracker) when the dust settled: 25 Zeros, 10 Kates, 9 Vals in exchange for 9 P-39s and 9 F4F-3s. That includes both air to air and ops losses for both sides - have to figure most of those IJN pilots didn’t survive - most US pilots did. Nice debut for the P-39!! The cost was an AMC, xAP, and xAK sunk outright, with another xAK on fire at Noumea. Still a great trade off - the KB lost a good slice of fighters (and likely pilots) far away from Truk - I’m hoping this will cause the KB to retire, but we’ll see. As commented by LargeSlowTarget in his email sums it up well, “And yes, KB got bloodied. My Glens did spot a convoy at Noumea two turns ago and since you did not react to the Ocean Island Invasion, I did sent KB over for a look-see. Did not expect to find carrier planes on land-based duty!”

In SWPAC, activity picks up around Darwin with the Mini-KB’s air hitting the port without great effect. My concern is that this is a prelude to invasion - perhaps this is the destination of the 4th ID pulled from Moresby??? Time will tell.

In the Philippines, IJA air turns to attack shipping off Bataan without great result. Another xAKL is 80 miles out, and I can expect another air onslaught as she docks. With a number of xAKLs making the gauntlet to Bataan in recent days, the supplies have actually increased to over 37k!!

In China no major disaster occurred - both sides seem to be regrouping after Nanyang’s loss.

In Malaya, Singers port undergoes heavy air attacks from 20k feet, and this time with dire results - 2xSS are sunk while undergoing repairs and a number of lesser vessels (AMc, Patrol etc) are also sunk. IJA closes on Johore and I’m forced to reposition the air assets there back to Singers. Dispersing a Buff and 3 bomber squadrons at Johore was effective - at reducing losses to bombing and the bombers made a number of good runs at the IJA airfield at Kota Bharu, including this turn which destroyed 4 Zeros and 7 Netties on the ground. I can expect Johore to fall rapidly as I’ve only left one Bde there to delay - the troops from Kluong have withdrawn back to Singapore to refit - Johore is only to buy some time. Mersing has only a single reduced battalion and will also fall shortly.

India/Burma: No air attacks against Rangoon again as another 4 xAKs begin offloading. These supply runs are pushing a sizable amount of supply up the Burma road into China. 1/AVG re-equips to P-40s at Calcutta.

In the DEI, Balikpapan is bombarded by 2BBs, but the CL Marblehead escapes additional damage - but she needs to depart post haste as I expect Balikpapan to be invaded shortly. CA Exeter prepares to depart Soerabaja with DDs freshly arrived from Batavia.

[IdahoNYer]

29-30 Jan 1942

Highlights - I’m surprised by a renewed air and sea effort against Noumea, and the Jpn air arm is given a serious blow above Singers.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (by sub off Makassar)
SS: 1 (I-9 off Rennell Is; likely from damages from DCs off Noumea)

Allied ships sunk:
CA: 1 (Exeter loses its fight against the sea just off Batavia)
AM: 1
xAP: 1
xAK: 1
xAKL: 4

Air loss:
Jpn: 104
Allied: 37

Subwar:
Jpn: 2x Attacks: 1 ship hit; xAP (small PI) sunk
Allies: 5xAttacks, 2 ships hit; DD sunk, xAK dam

Amph Inv:
Milne Bay (SWPAC)
Talasea (SWPAC)
Samarinda (DEI) - for overland attack on Balikpapan?

Bases lost:
Johore Bahru (Malaya)
Mersing (Malaya)
Tioman Is (Malaya)
Kirakia (SOPAC)
Salamaua (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: 6/16 Div planning for an attack on Palembang - first indicator of an attack on Palembang. 16th ID should still be on Luzon, and with Bataan still holding, I’m surprised to see a shift in planning objective for the division - as well as the division already broken down for sea movement.

West Coast. Convoy AF 5 continues to load.

In NOPAC. IJN sub sighted SE of Kodiak - first sub sighted in this theater.

In CENPAC its still quiet, but I’m sending the Lex and Yorktown TFs NW of Baker Is to range both Makin and Tarawa and see what’s lurking there….

In SOPAC, I get caught flat-footed. I expected the KB either to withdraw, or send fighter sweeps to clear the CAP off Noumea, so I keep the CAP on the ground and don’t reinforce with fighters staging in Brisbane or off the CVs. Instead, LargeSlowTarget hits Noumea with a large balanced strike - that was reportedly only escorted by about 40 Zeros. So instead of chewing up some more IJN carrier air, my CAP sits on the ground and Noumea gets pounded, hitting the airfield hard and sinking a number of merchies in the port. In addition, a Kongo-BB TF bombards, adding to the mayhem. End result - Noumea’s runway is over 50% damaged and I lose 8 planes on the ground. The question is - is this still a raid, or a prelude to invasion??

In SWPAC, the highlight is the first Cape Town convoy docks at Perth with supply and fuel, and the xAP West Point also arrives carrying the initial contingent of the Aus I Corps, hopefully bound for Darwin - how to get them there by sea is the big question for the moment. Darwin was only swept by Zeros and the CAP stayed on the ground.

In the Philippines, IJA air misses the small AG offloading at Bataan. Otherwise quiet.

In China still quiet for the moment.

In Malaya, as CPT Parmenter of F Troop once did, we “turn defeat into victory”. Both Johore and Mersing fall to the first IJA ground assault were the defeat - not totally unexpected. The victory resulted when all the Jpn air supporting those attacks automatically shifted to the only ground target remaining - Singapore - which I had the CAP up at 100%. Just coincidence, I figured the poor weather over Malaya might ground some escorts/sweeps. Instead, wave after wave of lightly to unescorted bombers came in - some, such as 72 unescorted Sallys - came in at low 6000 ft altitude - got chewed up by both fighters and Flak. Tally was 34xSally (14 to air, 16 to flak, 4 ops), 41xNetties (32 to air, 1 to flak, 8 to ops) and 13 Zeroes for a cost of 9xBuff and 1xHurri. Most Allied pilots of course survived. This should keep his air off balance out of Malaya for a turn or too, so combined with the bad weather, I’m going to sortie a CL TF raid up the west coast of Borneo to Miri. Also pushing a big xAK with a Corvette escort from Palembang to Bataan with supplies. She might make it…

India/Burma: Still quiet, and a convoy of xAKLs from Calcutta begin offloading at Rangoon. I’ll send the CAP back up next turn (less the AVG squadron still re-equipping with P-40s)

In the DEI, CA Exeter has “its engine room open to the sea” 40 miles out of Batavia and sinks. She almost made it! Otherwise, Jpn airstrikes continue against Soerabaja airfield with moderate effect. Before the airfield gets shut down, and to take advantage of the poor weather currently over Java, I’m going all out next turn in the air over Soerabaja. With Zeros in sweeps (although small in number) and on escort, this could go badly….

[IdahoNYer]

Here's the big picture at the end of January 1942. We could certainly be doing worse.

NOPAC Little enemy activity since the start of hostilities. Remains a backwater theater for reinforcement priorities.

CENPAC Little activity since the initial assault on Wake Is. Priority is slowly building up Midway as a forward sub base. Most of the forces avail are to safeguard PH.

SOPAC Priority theater for reinforcements and until recently, little activity other than subs. With 2xReg on New Caledonia, a Reg and a Bde on Suva, and only a CD Bn on Pago Pago, we are still very vulnerable here.

SWPAC Follows SOPAC in priority for reinforcement. Remains vulnerable until reinforcements arrive. NW and NE Australia have little in the form of major defenses.

DEI Still retain SE Borneo, Java and Sumatra. Holding these areas are the best defense of Australia.

Bataan Last bastion in the PI. Supplies currently over 37k and defenses are good. How long can it hold?

Singapore Last bastion in Malaya! Supplies plentiful, but defenses (morale/experience) not as good as Bataan. Does have some airpower remaining. As with Bataan, these positions buy time for the rest of the Allied defenses.

Burma/India No major move on Rangoon yet is a godsend allowing much supply up the Burma Road. Ceylon has been a priority here, and is fairly well defended - at the expense of India.

China I still hate China. Major enemy push is in the NE, and my goal is avoid disaster by pulling back toward Sian and likely beyond.

[IdahoNYer]

Here is the roll-up of air and naval losses so far. Other than losing the PoW, my naval losses have been moderate, and have cost the IJN some valuable assets. In the air, I've been lucky. Predominately bad weather has considerably helped the air effort. Having downed more planes than lost at this point will go a long way in 1942.

[IdahoNYer]

31 Jan - 1 Feb 1942

Highlights - Doorman sails from Batavia, quiet returns to Noumea and CAP has some success over Soerabaja and Changsa. B-17s debut over Moresby with less than stellar results.

Jpn ships sunk:
DMS: 3 (2 by surf action off Singkawang)
TK: 1 (small)
AK: 1 (confirmed - sunk earlier off Kuching)
xAK: 1

Jpn ships un-sunk:
DD: 1 (Nagatsuki)
SS: 1 (I-173)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 60
Allied: 25

Subwar:
Jpn: 1x Attacks: no ships hit
Allies: 4xAttacks, 2 ships hit; TK and xAK sunk

Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Choiseul Bay (SOPAC)
Milne Bay (SWPAC)
Talasea (SWPAC)
Emirau Is (SWPAC)
Samarinda (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. Convoy AF 5 departs Los Angeles with 32 ships bound for Auckland.

In NOPAC. NSTR

In CENPAC, Lex and Yorktown move to within 160 miles of Tarawa and find no targets, but are detected by a patrolling Mavis. With no targets and being detected, I’ll withdraw the TF back to PH to replenish and conduct some minor repairs after a lengthy time at sea.

In SOPAC, quiet returns as the KB has apparently departed the area to the north. With the KB hopefully out of the area for a while, we’ll resume pushing troops and supplies to Noumea, Suva and Pago-Pago.

In SWPAC, the first B-17 strike on Moresby is a fiasco. Three squadrons get mauled in daylight over Moresby by 21xZeros losing 6 B-17s.

In the Philippines, to reduce the over stacking at Bataan, a weak PI Div moves to Clark. Sonias hit Bataan AF with moderate results. So far, the high density of engineers has managed to repair all damages and still slowly expand the fortification. Two subs arrive with supplies.

In China IJA raid Changsa AF where I just re-located 3/AVG. 19xSonia and 4xNates are downed in exchange for no Allied planes! 3/AVG will re-locate once again to Wenchow where the IJA has been sending unescorted bombers hitting ground targets for the past few days - there is a risk here as I can’t easily move out damaged planes, but it could bring some good results as well.

In Malaya, with the previous heavy losses, no enemy air appeared over Singapore - for the first time in many, many days. Troops rest and refit and prepare for the inevitable attack. I relocate the TBs to Sumatra and Java as well as some bombers to refit and keep out of the bombers eyes. B-17Ds out of Palembang strike Kota Bharu AF at night with poor results, and meet Zeros flying night cap which also have poor results.

India/Burma: Still quiet.

In the DEI, the “CAP Trap” over Soerabaja works better than I envisioned - only a single 15 plane Zero sweep precedes an unescorted Nell raid with predictable results. Although the Zeros don’t do poorly, the 50+ fighters on CAP push through and down 21xNells. 7xZeros also fail to return in exchange for 7xP-40 and 6xB-339s. Also, the crippled CL Marblehead manages to avoid a surface TF roaming the Java Sea and is still making progress toward Batavia. Lastly, Adm Doorman sets sail from Batavia undetected with 3CL,9DD and sinks 2xDMS off Singkawang enroute to Miri where a sub has identified a TK convoy uploading. Hopefully, the IJN thinks the Allied TF that raided Singkawang has returned back to Batavia - by the end of the turn, Doorman is 80miles off Miri with no detection level. This could work out well.

[IdahoNYer]

2-3 Feb 1942

Highlights - Doorman’s wild cruise around Borneo is the one and only highlight.

Jpn ships sunk:
TB: 2
DMS: 1
PB: 1
TK: 3 (small)
xAP:1
SSX:1 (off Brisbane)

Allied ships sunk:
AG: 1 (small, scuttled from air dam off Puerto Princesa - Bataan run)

Air loss:
Jpn: 21
Allied: 6

Subwar:
Jpn: No Attacks: no ships hit
Allies: 3xAttacks, 1 ships hit; DMS sunk; sub laid mines off Rabaul hit (1)PB and (1)xAKL

Amph Inv:
Babo (SWPAC)
Bandjermasin (DEI)
Gorontalo (DEI)
Langsa (DEI)

Bases lost:
Masbate (PI)
Tassafaronga (SOPAC)
Loyang (China)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. NSTR

In NOPAC. 2 IJN AMCs are again sighted and attacked by PBYs 160 SSW of Adak Is.

In CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, Sara’s F4Fs are flown out of Noumea back to the CV and are replaced by Marine fighters. Two convoys depart Auckland for Noumea carrying 138 IN (Sep) Reg and supplies. A fast convoy from LA reaches Auckland with troops, aircraft, supplies and fuel. From that offload, another convoy with a Marine Def Bn and a Port Maint Bn begins loading/forming to head to Noumea. Also, a convoy with the 201 IN (Sep) Reg begins loading for Pago-Pago. Auckland is a very, very busy port at the moment.
In SWPAC, the lead Bde of the Aus I Corps begins a partial load into an AMC and an xAP for transport to Darwin. With some luck, these troops as well as a Militia Bde will reach Darwin in a few days. Enemy activity seems to have shifted from Darwin back toward the DEI.

In the Philippines, the Clark Field excursion is pushed back to Bataan resulting once again to overstacking. We’ll send them out to Clark again. IJA air hits Bataan port with minimal effect. Remaining 3 US fighters stay on the ground.

In China, Loyang is abandoned and falls undefended to the IJA. We continue to pull back toward Sian and try to stay one step ahead of encirclement. Quiet in the air.

In Malaya, the bombing of Singapore changes focus with heavy attacks on ground units as well as sweeps by Oscars. Raids are dropped to 14k feet, which allows AA to down 6 IJA bombers. RAF CAP stays on the ground, but will come up in the next turn. Changing to ground targets means only one thing - the softening up is coming to a close, assault is imminent - all ground units on rest are changed to combat and await the inevitable assault on “Fortress Singapore”

India/Burma: Still quiet, no air over Rangoon. BC Repulse and 2 damaged DDs arrive at Cape Town. BB Warspite transits the Panama Canal enroute to Cape Town.

In the DEI, While the eastern DEI has heavy IJN activity supporting the invasion of Bandjermasin, Adm Doorman’s sortie to disrupt shipping around Miri takes a strange turn - literally - by turning NE and attempting to sail completely around Borneo - not at all what I had ordered!

[IdahoNYer]

Doorman’s raiding force successfully engaged shipping off Miri with good effects and also bombarded the port - all without loss. 3 Small TKs and a PB were sunk outright, and the other TKs and another PB are also likely to sink. So instead of just sailing back to Batavia as intended, Doorman decides to strike shipping along the north coast of Borneo and return via the Makassar Straits!!

[IdahoNYer]

Off Kudat, Doorman finds a lightly protected troop convoy, assuming they are safe well in the rear area - 2 TB and an xAP are confirmed sunk and the other two xAPs are likely to sink as well.



A nice haul for the cruise so far, but finding the TF ending the turn just north of the Makassar Strait after the replay was startling to say the least. Instead of allowing the TF to continue south into the heart of the IJN, I’ve broken down his TF into three TFs, each with a CL and 3 DDs and will turn about in an attempt to return via the north and western side of Borneo. And keep my fingers crossed that somehow they make it (lack of fuel aside, the enemy air will be likely in an all out effort to destroy this raiding force). With a lot of luck, the IJN will think Doorman will try and make either Balikpapan or Soerabaja, not take the long way back to Palembang.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Congratulations! very well played

[IdahoNYer]

Congratulations! very well played

Much more luck than skill with Doorman's rounding Borneo!

[IdahoNYer]

4-5 Feb 1942

Highlights - Doorman’s wild cruise back around Borneo continues without interference but while he’s away with the fleet, Java is invaded.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-61 listed as sunk - from previous action with ASW Grp off Brisbane?)
AMC: 1

Allied ships sunk:
KV: 1
xAK: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 33
Allied: 28

Subwar:
Jpn: 1x Attack: no ships hit
Allies: 8xAttacks, 6 ships hit; AMC dam, then sunk, 2 xAK, AMC and large TK dam. Also 3-4 barges sunk by SS Truant off Langsa, Sumatra. Best day of the war for the Silent Service so far.

Amph Inv:
Loemadjang (DEI)

Bases lost:
Tapu (PI)
Finschhafen (SWPAC)
Babo (SWPAC)
Langsa (DEI)
Bandjermasin (DEI)
Gorontalo (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. NSTR

In NOPAC. IJN roaming AMCs are tracked down and torpedoed by S-18 south of Attu - one confirmed sunk and one damaged.

In CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, 138 IN (Sep) Reg begins offloading at LaFoe and transports begin discharging supplies at Noumea. Additional convoys prepare to depart Auckland for Noumea, Pago and one empty to return to LA. Only enemy seemingly in the vicinity are subs.

In SWPAC, P-39s arrive in both NW and NE Australia. Small convoy loads engineers at Cairns bound for Cooktown.

In the Philippines the long awaited for large xAK with KV in escort are both sunk 40m from Bataan by 4 PBs lying off shore. So close! S-39 torpedoes and damages three ships (TK, 2 xAK) in convoy in the Sulu Sea.

In China NSTR

In Malaya, heavy raids pound Singapore AF. Raids preceded by Zero sweeps - he’s reinforced the Malaya air contingent for this push on Singers. With the sweeps, the RAF CAP is fought to a draw - downing 8 Zeros in exchange for 11 Buffs and 1 Hurri. Flak claims 9 IJA bombers. Many additional Allied fighters are damaged - it will be a while before we can mount another 30+ plane CAP; perhaps too late.

India/Burma: NSTR. No action over Rangoon.

In the DEI, While 2 major IJN surface groups patrolled the southern exit of the Makassar Strait in wait, Doorman’s squadron successfully turned about and reaches the Miri area again - this time heading SW to Palembang. The only contact was with 2 DMS which were brushed aside after taking a few hits. Doorman may just pull this off! However, while Doorman is circling Borneo with the bulk of the remaining Allied DEI squadron, the IJA lands troops on the SE end of Java at Loemadjang unopposed. Also sighted are the Mini-KB NW of Christmas Is and another TF - likely amphibious heading for Tijilatjap. Most ground defenses in Java are oriented on the northern bases - not the south. Will attempt to redeploy ground forces to meet these threats, as well as throw in available air. The end is nearing for the Allies in the DEI.

[IdahoNYer]

6-7 Feb 1942

Highlights - Doorman’s luck runs out off Kuching! Hv Java based air loss against the Mini-KB for no returns.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-1 (or I-157 in the combat report) sunk by gunfire off Kuching; I-175 reported sunk off Luganville)
xAK: 1
xAKL:1

Allied ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Dauntless in surface action off Singkawang
DD: 1 (Kortenaer by sub off Soerabaja)
PT: 1 (mine)
xAP: 1 (small)

Air loss:
Jpn: 18
Allied: 45

Subwar:
Jpn: 2x Attack: 1 ship hit, DD sunk. I-1 (or I-157) sunk by escorts DCs, then gunfire.
Allies: 3xAttacks, 1 ships hit; xAK dam by SS Sargo on the surface after firing 20 (yes TWENTY!) torps which either failed to hit or explode on the single, unescorted merchant.

Amph Inv:
Basilan (PI)
Djokjakarta (DEI)

Bases lost:
Basilan (PI)
Maiana (CENPAC)
Kokoda (SWPAC)
Loemadjang (DEI)
Melak (DEI)
Madjene (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: 4th ID is located landing in Java; reduces immediate threat to SWPAC/SOPAC.

West Coast. Slow convoy of 37 xAKs and escorts prepares to depart LA for Auckland. Queen Elizabeth also prepares to depart on a solo run from LA to Auckland with the bulk of the 164/Americal Reg on board.

In NOPAC. AMCs have departed, no further contact.

In CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, with the IJA 4th ID positively ID’d landing in Java, we can breathe a little easier in SOPAC - don’t see any other major IJA formation capable of threatening Noumea, Suva or Pago with the present US forces available. Good news - more time to continue to build up.
In SWPAC, Convoy begins offloading engineers at Cooktown, so far no enemy air response. Also quiet at Darwin.

In the Philippines it looks as though the IJA will focus on starving out Bataan rather than an immediate assault. Two of the thee IJA IN divisions landing in Java were known to have been engaged in Manila. While this gives the Bastards of Bataan more time to fortify, I made a crucial mistake - I didn’t leave an Air HQ capable of supporting torpedo carrying PBYs which would have made Bataan more of a threat. I still will probably bring in some PBYs for naval attack/ search on his merchies transiting near Formosa. Lastly, two subs arrive and begin offloading supplies.

In China two Chinese corps defending east of Sian in rough terrain behind a river are easily pushed back by a shock attack with heavy loss. Sian is doomed, its just a question of time, and how many troops I can pull out from the SE of the city.

In Malaya, the attack on Singapore is imminent - as reported by a “source” inside the IJA command. Troops are all set to combat stance and we’re as prepared as possible behind level 3 forts with good supply. The troops are well rested and other than the 3 Bdes that fell back from Kluong are in good shape. I give it a week…

India/Burma: Reading Jorge_Stanbury’s AAR has made me realize just how vulnerable India is early in the war. While I’ve re-routed all Singapore’s reinforcements to Ceylon, everything else is very, very weak. To that, I’ve begun pulling out of Burma - slowly as I’d like to have two more resupply convoys land at Rangoon to push supplies up the Burma Road. These Burma troops are badly needed for the defense of North Eastern India. All political points now are being saved to release the US 27th ID for India - and two additional US Ind Regiments (Mot and Mtn) will move toward Cape Town for deployment eventually to India.

In the DEI, the action heats up. Doorman’s squadron’s luck finally runs out off Kuching. While passing 80 miles off the port, IJN sub I-157 sights one of the CL TFs, but fails to penetrate the screen and is sunk after being forced to surface by the escorts. But the sub managed a contact report as at first light Nells attacked and put 2 torps into the CL Caledon. Caledon is heavily damaged (59s/76f) but not sunk. While Doorman’s own De Ruyter TF makes it safely to Palembang, the other CL TF runs right into the IJN TF (2BB, 4CA, CL, DDs) hastily redeployed from Makassar Strait to intercept them. While the escorting DDs escape, the CL Dauntless is sunk in the one sided engagement.



On the south side of Java, Dutch air valiantly attacks the Mini-KB, and although is able to break through the Zero escorts, no bombers hit anything. Casualties to the Dutch bombers are severe. I managed to leave the Brit Vildebeast TBs at Batavia on training and US P-40s didn’t fly either. Not a good synchronization of effort! The IJN lands a small SNLF force at Djokjakarta, and Swordfish manage to sink both the xAK and xAKL, but only after troops were put ashore. This effectively will split Java in two. The major landing at Loemadjang is not attacked, and the 3 IN Div landed easily take the port. While the Dutch will rush forces to Malang, it won’t be enough to stop a 3 division assault from advancing and taking Soerabaja. Now we just need to buy time to slow the IJA forces down - hopefully the clear weather will break, allowing some additional ships to depart for the safety of Ceylon or Darwin. With clear weather and the Mini-KB patrolling south of Java, the chances of any ships escaping are slim indeed.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Be careful of putting a lot of effort on Ceylon, it is an island, so really nowhere to hide if he decides to do a full invasion.

The terrain is very bad; Colombo being "clear = x1" and the rest "jungle = x2"; all coastal terrain so perfect for naval bombardment.

Moreover, he can grab Colombo and then use it to for rearming his BBs/ CAs and then he can repeat the naval bombing before every deliberate attack

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Be careful of putting a lot of effort on Ceylon, it is an island, so really nowhere to hide if he decides to do a full invasion. The terrain is very bad; Colombo being "clear = x1" and the rest "jungle = x2"; all coastal terrain so perfect for naval bombardment. Moreover, he can grab Colombo and then use it to for rearming his BBs/ CAs and then he can repeat the naval bombing before every deliberate attack

I fully agree - AND unfortunately think this applies to any area the IJN/IJA sets out to take in the first 6 months or so of the war - I've got the same issue - and I'm gambling there too - in New Caledonia.

For Ceylon, I've got 4 IN Bdes in Columbo, 2 ea in Trincomalee and Koggala and one more in Jaffna. All at level 3 forts and building. I figure it will take 3 Div to take Ceylon with that force defending. So, if he wants to invest 3 Divs...fine - 3 Divs not going against Calcutta or SOPAC. Same theory for New Caledonia. Currently have a regiment in each of the three bases there. I'll have another Div by the end of Feb. also figure that will take 3 IJA Div to take.

What else can you do? Just make his goals harder to achieve, slow him and wear him down - and preserve your striking power (CVs).

[IdahoNYer]

8-9 Feb 1942

Highlights - Singapore holds off the first two attacks and the IJN attempts to completely isolate Java, but loses heavily in the skies over Batavia.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-173 reported as sunk again from previous action)

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Paul Jones off Batavia)
AG:1 (small)
xAKL: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 91
Allied: 51

Subwar:
Jpn: No Attacks
Allies: No Attacks

Amph Inv:
Loewoek (DEI)

Bases lost:
Munda (SOPAC)
Thousand Ships Bay (SOPAC)
Pontianak (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel:
- A/7th ID planning to attack Amchitka Is - first indication of offensive in NOPAC.
- Many units reported planning attacks on Lanchow in NE China

West Coast. Queen Elizabeth departed as scheduled. Slow Convoy still loading at LA for Auckland and another slow convoy begins forming at SF for PH.

In NOPAC. With the intel of Jpn intent toward Amchitka, CL Phoenix and 2DDs to depart PH for Dutch Harbor. DDs will also depart PH for West Coast to escort 2-3 BBs from San Fran to NOPAC - first planned commitment of US Battlewagons!

In CENPAC, CVs Lex and Yorktown TFs arrive back at PH without incident. Will conduct repairs on accumulated damage to TF ships and then head back to sea

In SOPAC, Noumea port area becomes congested again as 4th Marine Def Bn and 5th Port Maint Bn start offloading. The only IJN activity so far is a number of subs off Noumea, Suva and Pago - two of which off Noumea were reportedly hit by TBDs flying ASW patrols.
In SWPAC, still quiet.

In the Philippines two more subs begin offloading at Bataan, and IJA Sonias hit Bataan with minimal effect.

In China more of the same - looks like the IJA objective isn’t just Sian, but includes Lanchow as well.

In Malaya, heavy air attacks preceed the ground shock assault. Remaining serviceable RAF CAP amounts to barely 15 a/c can’t get passed the heavy fighter sweeps, and 7 Allied a/c are lost for an equal number of Oscars. Flak does better - 11 Sallys, 3 Anns, 3 Sonias, 3 Nells and….while dropping paras, 9 Thalias are downed. The two shock attacks prove costly to both sides - but at the end of the second day, Singapore still flies the British Flag. Forts were reduced to 1, but the IJA took very heavy losses in engineers destroyed as well as much infantry disrupted. Hopefully this “setback” will give the IJA pause to immediately attack again and allow time for the forts to get at least to level 2. Regardless, all serviceable a/c will be moved to Palembang.

[IdahoNYer]

India/Burma: Troops begin pulling back - perhaps just in time, or perhaps too late…an enemy formation is spotted just east of Tongoo which may cut the rail line out of Rangoon.

In the DEI, Jpn forces look to be closing in on the kill - but it hopefully won’t be as easy as thought. The Mini-KB launches its expected air strikes on Batavia, but this time are met by about 35 US/Dutch fighters. The Allies lose 5 P-40s, 4 B-339Ds, and 5 Hawks in the melee, but the IJN loses far worse - 8 Zeros, 13 Kates and 14 Jeans. Not just to leave this to the air forces, the IJN TF (2BB, 5CL, DDs) bombard Batavia causing some damage to the facilities (none to ships in port) but do not close down the AF. On the ground, the IJA landings in the east advance to the Dutch defenses hastily being established at Malang. Two Dutch Regiments against the 3+ IJA Divisions isn’t going to go well. At the other landing at Djokjakarta, Dutch reinforcements arrive just prior to the Jpn assault, and hold the town against two attacks. Even so, its just a question of time before the main IJA attack threatens Soerabaja. With some luck, weather will change allowing some ships to breakout of Batavia and Soerbaja. Against the IJN naval and air forces in clear weather, chances are nil.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I am puzzled about two shock attacks on Singapore. one is required for sure due to the "river" crossing. but why the second one?
is it due to the 2-day turns?

he might want to capture it quickly. a pitty you get 1:1 as that means he just need a good roll to defeat the fort level 1

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL Jorge_Stanbury:

I am puzzled about two shock attacks on Singapore. one is required for sure due to the "river" crossing. but why the second one? is it due to the 2-day turns? he might want to capture it quickly. a pitty you get 1:1 as that means he just need a good roll to defeat the fort level 1

I think you're right - pretty sure its due to the 2 day turns. Bad rolls or mistakes can twice as painful!

Just did the replay for the next turn - he held off attacking and Singers is back up to fort level 2![:)]

Still doomed of course....

[IdahoNYer]

10-11 Feb 1942

Highlights - No IJA ground attacks on Singapore give the defenders a respite while the IJN pounds Batavia with a very effective naval bombardment.

Jpn ships sunk:
BB: 1 (Fuso is reported as sunk, from a torpedo in a prior action - I have absolutely no recollection of it)
DD: 1 (Harusame hit a mine during Batavia bombardment)

Allied ships sunk (all from Batavia bombardment):
CM: 1
xAKL: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 25
Allied: 24

Subwar:
Jpn: No Attacks
Allies: 2 Attacks, no ships hit. (CVL Zuiho missed off Java!!)
SS Sealion hit a mine on the Bataan supply run; heavy damage - may not make port.

Amph Inv:
Fergusson Is (SWPAC)
Kiriwina Is (SWPAC)
Woodlark Is (SWPAC)
Medan (DEI)

Bases lost:
Davao (PI)
Saidor (SWPAC)
Wuchow (China)
Djambi (DEI)
Medan (DEI)
Probolinggo (DEI)
Tandjoengselor (DEI)
Tandjoengpinang (DEI)
Loewoek (DEI)
Malang (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. Slow Convoy departs LA for Auckland as a Fast Convoy arrives back in LA from the trip to Auckland. A sub is sighted off San Diego which will attract the attention of ASW forces shortly.

In NOPAC. Umnak Is AF now at level 2 and a IJN sub is sighted off Adak.

In CENPAC, 2nd USMC Para Bn convoy departs PH for Canton Is.

In SOPAC, Noumea Port remains very active as offloading continues. US CV TFs continue to loiter to the south and provide ASW air support, reportedly hitting 2 more subs.

In SWPAC, small IJN amph TFs secure islands east of New Guinea. 14th Bde, 2nd Aus Div reaches Darwin via overland march. Still quiet off Darwin.

In the Philippines, SS Sealion hits a mine off Lubang, just south of Bataan. Sealion is heavily damaged and a long way away from a secure port - she’ll try and make for Darwin. Two additional subs, SS Sargo (at Darwin) and SS Sturgeon (off Saigon) will move to carry supplies for the Bataan run.

In China I manage to “abandon” Wuchow somehow by moving off a corps and of course the IJA reaches and takes the city before I can fix this problem….I hate China….

In Malaya, no ground attack on Singers is a welcome break - forts back to level 2! IJA air does maintain the pressure from the skies, but flak claws down over 10 bombers.

India/Burma: Troop pullout continues, but lead troops moving north arrive at Tongoo along with the lead IJA elements. Blenheims attempt to interdict the IJA flanking advance, but are pounced on by CAP, losing 6 bombers in short order. The last two convoys carrying supply into Rangoon begin offloading. Lastly, a British CA Bmb TF (2CA,CL, 4DD) bombard IJA units assembling at Moulmein with limited effect.

In the DEI, IJN Bmb TF (2BB,4CA,CL,DDs) effectively bombards Batavia, sinking a CM and a couple of xAKLs, but worse is the damage inflicted on CA Houston (now at 68sys/6float). IJN carrier air doesn’t hit the port, but the Mini-KB as well as surface TFs keep the noose tight on any exodus. IJA ground forces take Malang in the first assault, despite mountain terrain being held by 2 Dutch Reg - Soerabaja is next. Djokjakarta remains in Dutch hands, as an IJN SNLF did not attempt to attack this turn - and should be isolated. The first “failed” invasion??? For future operations, clear weather appears to be changing to overcast, so we’ll try and break remaining ships out in the next few days. With the IJN actively patrolling the south of Java, remaining naval units in Palembang (CL De Ruyter, DDs) will attempt a run through the Malacca Straits! CL Sumatra and a DD will depart Soerabaja for Australia and lastly CA Houston, CL Marblehead - both heavily damaged - will attempt the run from Batavia to Palembang. Remaining auxillaries and the few sizable civilian ships remaining will also attempt a run from Batavia and Soerabaja for safer ports. Will also try and lay mines at Merak on the west coast of Java to impede the strait between Java and Sumatra. Even with the projected weather, it’s a long shot.