Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:18 pm

1941 December 12

KB shows itself 32 hexes from its December 7th position. 32 / 5 = 6.2 hexes per day. Did KB spend a day loitering out of sight? SigInt this day shows Akagi backtracking 4 hexes ENE. What is KB waiting for?

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:19 pm

1941 December 12

The Sulu Sea is badly infested! One SCTF at Jolo with an invasion convoy, three more SCTF north in the Sulu Sea, and KB2 following the lead SCTF. It was wise to pull back the USN cruiser group.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:02 pm

Looks like Wednesday night for the next turn to arrive here. Fortunate because the Allies need to recover from the "Night of the Tankers".

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:39 pm

There are two questions rolling around in my mind about Imperial plans right now.

1) What is the KB doing? SigInt indicates that the KB will backtrack by 4 hexes. If true, why?
- Midway invasion force is on the way and the KB is loitering while it approaches, holding position where it can intercept any US movement toward Midway.
- Hawaii invasion force is on the way and the KB is loitering while it approaches. Low probability.
- Loitering to move back and catch one or more USN carriers. With DL on Lexington and Enterprise only Saratoga could be a target for an eastward KB movement. Unlikely.
- Wake Island invasion force is on the way but location on the USN carriers shows they are not a threat, so KB is loitering opportunistically.

2) Will the current wave of invasions in the Philippines continue south into the DEI at this time or not until the Philippines are more secured than they are now?

The only meaningful Allied build up in the DEI is naval. Dutch air units are training. An air HQ has begun airlift out of Singapore and the other air HQ will follow, those will allow for forward placement of RN torpedo bombers in the eastern DEI. The two TB squadron now at Singapore will get no real opportunities there and the one now at Tarakan has only bombs available. TB with torpedoes can pose a serious daylight threat to IJN cruisers and at least a small threat to IJN carriers.

USN and RN cruisers and battleships at this time are the greatest threat to the IJN carriers, but KB2 is so far remaining carefully out of reach. If the Dutch squadron can deny a grab of Ternate perhaps that will cause KB2 to edge farther out to support the next invasion.

A bunch more RN cruisers are inbound but have to rendezvous with ASW protection before attempting to enter the Java Sea. The passages on both sides of Java are patrolled by IJN subs and so are the waters just south of Java in the Indian Ocean. Some USN DD might have to lend a hand but they are presently poorly equipped for ASW.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:27 pm

1941 December 13

INVADED
Amphibious TF 121 offshore of Zamboanga
Digos is invested by enemy forces.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Camiguin is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

• KB is not spotted.

• The forces on the way to Pago Pago have cleared first likely area to be spotted by enemy submarines and reported no sightings. Saratoga also reports no sightings.

• Most of the B-17E's in the world have begun flying from Hawaii to Australia. First stop: Canton Island. We were lucky this day suffering no ops losses.

• The pirate ships which landed brigands at Buin are making their way northeast. Our CA/CL TF will head for Tulagi intending to ambush the next invasion.

• Twice during the day Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Truk. Too soon for KB to have made that base but something big is up. The most likely seeming thing is a more heavily supported invasion of Kavieng and Rabaul. We really haven't the forces to oppose it with only 1x CA and 3x CL spread across two TF. Speculating on an ambush at Tulagi is a better plan.

• With supply there waning, the commandos at Kavieng will be airlifted out by flying boat.

• KB2 is not spotted but its fighters provided CAP over Zamboagna.

• Two enemy TF are in the Celebes Sea. One is 2 ships spotted, 1x CL and is just SE Tandjoengselor (next to Tarakan). The other is 4 ships spotted, 1x CA, 1x BB and is 2 hexes N Sangi. My best guess is a small invasion with escort bound for Tandjoengselor and a strong SCTF looking for our cruisers. With KB2 CAP over Zamboagna IJN carrier strike aircraft are also in range of most of the Celebes Sea and could destroy any Allied cripples there.

• There is also a convoy 2 hexes NW Jolo heading there, 6 ships spotted, 1x xAK, 1x TB, 1x PB. Now with stout protection about the invasion of Jolo is imminent.

• Manila airbase damage is r:89% and s:56%. The remaining B-17's have railed to Cabanatuan as a last option to repair and fly out. Units with air support will follow as fast as possible. Also enemy unit(s) of unknown strength are moving directly on Manila from Mauban. In 3 days the 1st PA Infantry Division will arrive at Manila to bolster defenses.

• Batangas withstood an assault.

Ground combat at Batangas (79,78)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 360 troops, 0 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 4694 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 144

Japanese adjusted assault: 34

Allied adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division
4th PAAC Avn Sup

The op mode (-) was the base force marching out.

• Only 1 ship torpedoed today, near Soerabaja.

• 6th Indian Brigade got off the trains and into defensive positions. There are now two enemy LCU present.

• Many sweeps took a few AVG airframes and the squadron is pulling out of Wenchow.

• We are effectively abandoning Loyang and Chengchow and moving forces back to the more defensible terrain before Sian.

• Our troops held in some places in China and were pushed back in other battles.

• We continue to take partisan losses at Mandalay in Burma and Srinagar in India but both situations must wait until forces present repair squads.

Complete combat report attached.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:28 pm

1941 December 13

Entering orders for December 14th and already Luzon is toast.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:29 pm

1941 December 13

The TF near Sangi is thought to be centered on a battleship.

BBfanboy · Post by **BBfanboy** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:35 pm

Can bombers transport troops at all? Might be a way to remove the air support from Cabanatuan as the bombers are repaired.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 5:41 pm

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Can bombers transport troops at all? Might be a way to remove the air support from Cabanatuan as the bombers are repaired.

I don't recall that I have ever used bombers for that. Anyhow the LCU involved are restricted so would burn PP and there is no place useful within range. Any base they would be brought to is just as likely to be overrun with troops and planes in place. But the air support can be captured/retreated at Manila or captured/retreated at Cabanatuan, so it's all good.

BBfanboy · Post by **BBfanboy** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 6:00 pm

The big BFs there are US and I have bought one or two out on occasion and transported them to Australia where they moved to inland bases to work with US bombers and to help develop airfields. Once the threat of Japanese invasion of Oz passes they move to the coast and follow the path of invasions going back to Japan. But I know the allocation of PP is always tough so I understand that you will have other ideas. I will be reading and learning - thanks for the AAR! [&o]

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 6:26 pm

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

The big BFs there are US and I have bought one or two out on occasion and transported them to Australia where they moved to inland bases to work with US bombers and to help develop airfields. Once the threat of Japanese invasion of Oz passes they move to the coast and follow the path of invasions going back to Japan. But I know the allocation of PP is always tough so I understand that you will have other ideas. I will be reading and learning - thanks for the AAR! [&o]

Last game I pulled out near as many units as I could both from the Philippines and from Malaya, then from the DEI when the time came. This time I am mixing things up (we both are!) and am going to use those PP to release units from CONUS faster and some other things.

When I did that last time I used ships and flying boats, hence not really sure about bombers. BTW my plan is the same with Dutch units - leave all/almost all in place to save the PP. In all three cases I am hoping that the forces last as long as possible and slow down the Empire. With the rapid pace of advance and large forces seen on Luzon I think the devious one is bent on eliminating resistance on Luzon by speed and power as quickly as possible. That will free up large units to smash Singapore and the DEI in whichever order he chooses. A good plan. How can I counter it?

Back on salvaging units, I am pulling out the 223 and 224 RAF Air HQ's from Malaya by flying boats to Java. They and the (most or all non-Dutch) air units will be pulled out of Java when the end is near if the Empire does not thwart the effort.

Devious Admiral Wa has also mixed things up by deploying a fleet carrier to work with the small carriers covering Philippines operations. Small, expendable invasions are being used for many places where larger forces and air support can follow, and for secondary theaters like New Guinea, New Ireland, and the the Solomons. Doubtless that will continue. Many of the invasions have succeeded with only punitive interference as our combat groups destroyed ships after most troops were ashore. Only Kavieng was actually (for now) saved from invasion by our surface forces (Jolo was an accidental encounter and will be invaded tomorrow, I think).

What I really want is a shot at the carriers with our cruisers and battleships, but the IJN is watching very carefully. Last game we nearly got them and you can bet he remembers that.

BBfanboy · Post by **BBfanboy** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:21 am

I just checked - the only transport option the game offers for bombers is supply transport.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:51 am

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I just checked - the only transport option the game offers for bombers is supply transport.

That might have been a change at some point after release. At any rate I'm not sure if I even used it in WITP (non-AE), so I just don't recall.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:23 pm

1941 December 14

INVADED
Amphibious TF 121 unloading at Zamboanga
Amphibious TF 132 offshore of Wake Island
Victoria Point is invested.
Clark Field is invested (as of yesterday).
Wuchow is invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Kwangchowan is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hwaiyin !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Naga !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Buin !!!

• Our CA/CL group reacted out to pursue the ex-BUin invasion taxi.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Ontong Java at 114,125, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Choko Maru #2, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
PB Kosin Maru #3, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Perth

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAKL Katsuragisan Maru at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 18,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAKL Katsuragisan Maru
CL Leander engages xAKL Katsuragisan Maru at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CL Perth engages xAKL Katsuragisan Maru at 15,000 yards
CL Leander engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 14,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 12,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 12,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAKL Katsuragisan Maru at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 8,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 8,000 yards
CL Leander engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 8,000 yards
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 9,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 9,000 yards
CL Leander engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 11,000 yards
CL Leander engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 8,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 8,000 yards
CL Leander engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Kosin Maru #3 at 8,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Choko Maru #2 at 8,000 yards
PB Choko Maru #2 sunk by CL Leander at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
PB Kosin Maru #3 sunk by CL Perth at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Even though I would rather catch troops aboard ships at Tulagi (which might be spooked now if they were on their way) a bird in the hand is had.

• Batangas and Zamboanga held today.

• Makassar Strait = Dire Straits.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 67,98, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
CL Kiso, Shell hits 1
DD Kamikaze
DD Okikaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 3
CL Marblehead
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Stewart
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards
CL Boise fires at CL Kiso at 9,000 yards
CL Marblehead launches Torpedoes at CL Kiso at 9,000 yards
DD Parrott launches Torpedoes at DD Kamikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Stewart launches Torpedoes at DD Kamikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Bulmer launches Torpedoes at DD Kamikaze at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Kiso at 7,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Boise at 7,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Stewart at 7,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Kamikaze at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CA Houston at 3,000 yards
CL Boise engages CL Kiso at 3,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Stewart at 3,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Paul Jones at 3,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Bulmer at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CA Houston at 6,000 yards
CL Boise engages CL Kiso at 6,000 yards
DD Parrott engages DD Okikaze at 6,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Parrott at 6,000 yards
DD Paul Jones engages DD Kamikaze at 6,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Stewart at 6,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Barker at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Kiso at 10,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Houston at 10,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CL Kiso at 10,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Paul Jones at 10,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Kamikaze at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 67,97, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CL Natori
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Stewart, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Marblehead at 9,000 yards
DD Parrott engages DD Nagatsuki at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Parrott at 9,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Parrott at 9,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Harukaze at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Houston at 5,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages CL Marblehead at 5,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Parrott at 5,000 yards
DD Paul Jones engages DD Fumizuki at 5,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Paul Jones at 5,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Bulmer at 5,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Barker at 5,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Maya at 5,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Barker at 5,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Barker at 5,000 yards
DD Paul Jones engages DD Hatakaze at 5,000 yards
DD Stewart engages DD Fumizuki at 5,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Bulmer at 5,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Barker at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Houston at 4,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CL Natori at 4,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Parrott at 4,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Parrott at 4,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Paul Jones at 4,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Parrott at 4,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Bulmer at 4,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Barker at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Houston at 8,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Houston at 8,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Paul Jones at 8,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Parrott at 8,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Paul Jones at 8,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Barker at 8,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Bulmer at 8,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Paul Jones at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Stewart collides with DD Parrott at 67 , 97
CA Maya engages CA Houston at 12,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CL Natori at 12,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Barker at 12,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Stewart at 12,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Paul Jones at 12,000 yards
DD Stewart engages DD Hatakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Barker at 12,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Stewart at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 67,98, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CL Natori, Shell hits 2
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, on fire
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 5
CL Boise
DD Barker, Shell hits 1
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 7,000 yards
CA Maya launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
CL Natori launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
CA Maya fires at CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
DD Harukaze fires at CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki fires at DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Fumizuki fires at DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Minazuki fires at DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Satsuki fires at DD Barker at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Marblehead at 3,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Paul Jones at 3,000 yards
DD Paul Jones engages DD Nagatsuki at 3,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Barker at 3,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Paul Jones at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Marblehead at 7,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Boise at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CL Natori at 7,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Paul Jones at 7,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Nagatsuki at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Maya at 10,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CL Natori at 10,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Paul Jones at 10,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Minazuki at 10,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 67,98, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CL Natori, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Marblehead
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Dockery, L.R. crosses the 'T'
CL Natori engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Natori at 7,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Hatakaze at 7,000 yards
DD Paul Jones engages DD Harukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Hatakaze at 7,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Minazuki at 7,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Harukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Paul Jones at 7,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CL Boise engages CL Natori at 7,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Paul Jones at 7,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Satsuki at 7,000 yards
Dockery, L.R. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Houston engages CL Natori at 9,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Houston at 9,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Hatakaze at 9,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Barker at 9,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Bulmer at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Paul Jones at 9,000 yards
DD Paul Jones engages DD Minazuki at 9,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Paul Jones at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 66,98, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CL Natori, heavy fires
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, on fire
CL Marblehead
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Marblehead at 11,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Marblehead at 11,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Hatakaze at 11,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Bulmer at 11,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Bulmer at 11,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Fumizuki at 11,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Minazuki at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,98, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CL Natori, heavy fires
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
AM Whippoorwill, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AM Finch, Shell hits 2

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
CL Natori engages AM Finch at 9,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages AM Finch at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Maya engages AM Finch at 11,000 yards
CL Natori engages AM Finch at 11,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages AM Finch at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Maya engages AM Finch at 8,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages AM Finch at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Maya engages AM Finch at 6,000 yards
DD Hatakaze engages AM Whippoorwill at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Maya engages AM Whippoorwill at 8,000 yards
CL Natori engages AM Finch at 8,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages AM Whippoorwill at 8,000 yards
AM Whippoorwill sunk by DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Maya engages AM Finch at 11,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages AM Finch at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 66,98, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, on fire
CL Marblehead
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CL Boise engages CA Maya at 12,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Paul Jones at 12,000 yards
DD Harukaze engages DD Bulmer at 12,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Paul Jones at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Day Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 66,98, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 2
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 2
CL Boise
DD Barker, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Fumizuki at 22,000 yards
Dockery, L.R. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CL Boise engages CA Maya at 16,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Marblehead at 16,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Nagatsuki at 16,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Fumizuki at 16,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Minazuki at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Boise at 12,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Bulmer at 12,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Barker at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Boise at 9,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Maya at 9,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Nagatsuki at 9,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Bulmer at 9,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Barker at 9,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Bulmer at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Boise at 12,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Harukaze at 12,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Bulmer at 12,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Barker at 12,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Bulmer at 12,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Barker at 12,000 yards
Sasaki, Seigo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Marblehead at 16,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Bulmer at 16,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Bulmer at 16,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Barker at 16,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Satsuki at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Maya at 23,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Harukaze at 23,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Fumizuki at 23,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Minazuki at 23,000 yards
CL Boise engages DD Satsuki at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...

It seems the problem was the Empire scouted Force Z at Balikpapan, and we did not know it. Behind the two SCTF came KB2.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 67,98

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
D3A1 Val x 5

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Parrott, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
2e-1-VI.G.V Groep with B-339D (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Parrott

Morning Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 10
B5N2 Kate x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 2
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 2
CA Houston, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,100

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Walrus II x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Walrus II bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 67,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
D3A1 Val x 5

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Parrott, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Stewart

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
2e-1-VI.G.V Groep with B-339D (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 11
B5N2 Kate x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 14
AM Eland Dubois, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 6
AM Abraham Crijnssen, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on AM Eland Dubois
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Abraham Crijnssen

Repulse and Prince of Wales are in remarkably good shape and will make full speed for Soerabaja. Boise/Marblehead will head there too, but Houston is in port at Balikpapan with heavy damage. She can make 17 knots but with hostile surface forces about would not get far. Her main guns have 1 ammo each. The good news is that all the enemy mines at Balikpapan have been cleared.

For all the smoke and fury, we lost 1x DD and 3x AM on the day. Clearly more ships will be lost in this battle but things could have been much worse already.

• The Dutch squadron should make Ternate by the end of tomorrow.

• One flight of B-17's got 5 Oil hits on Miri, but we need to pull back those groups for logistical reasons.

• Imperial sweeps over Singapore hurt today. That plus need for CAP at Soerabaja has resulted in most fighter groups moving.

• Our ground troops held in two spots on Malaya.

Complete combat report attached.

An Intel Monkey Moment
To obtain the all of the battles in the combat report which were surface combat:
- Click the "Battle Reports" button to call up the Battles Report.
- Leave the Date field filter at the default of [LAST |1|].
- Make the Action field filter be [INEM |Day Time Surface Combat|][INEM |Night Time Surface Combat|] (that's right, two filters!) and make sure that filter is Active. You can do that right from the main screen but I clicked Edit, used the pick list to select "Day Time Surface Combat", used the pick list to select "Night Time Surface Combat", clicked Done.
- Execute Active Filters & Sorts.

To obtain the all of the battles in the combat report which were air attacks on task forces:
- Click the "Battle Reports" button to call up the Battles Report.
- Leave the Date field filter at the default of [LAST |1|].
- Make the Battle field filter be [INCM |Air attack on TF|] and make sure that filter is Active. You can do that right from the main screen but I clicked Edit, changed the radio button to change "Exact" to "Contains", clicked Done.
- Execute Active Filters & Sorts.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:24 pm

1941 December 14

KB2 is the Japan TF closest to Tarakan.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:25 pm

1941 December 14

Force Z is still battle worthy. Boise is too. Despite loosing many salvos she landed just one.

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:25 pm

1941 December 14

It's sad when you see this and think "Oh, these guys are pretty good."

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Tue Dec 12, 2017 2:37 am

1941 December 15

INVADED
Amphibious TF 121 unloading at Zamboanga
Amphibious TF 15 offshore of Nauru Island
Amphibious TF 120 offshore of Jolo

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Bayombong is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Alor Star !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Victoria Point !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nauru Island !!!

• Shokaku was sunk by one of our submarines. Sorry: make that "seen" by one of our submarines.

Sub attack near Wake Island at 136,100

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Kagero
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Triton

SS Triton launches 4 torpedoes at CV Shokaku
Triton diving deep ....
DD Kasumi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arare fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Tanikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hamakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hamakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tanikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Tanikaze is out of ASW ammo
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I am judging this to be a sighting of Shokaku operating alone. Where is KB?

• An IJN CL has turned up at Kavieng. There are three other ships there but I don't know what.

• There are now 4 enemy units at Clark Field.

• Batangas held but the additional attackers just arrived make the force large enough to get the job done.

Ground combat at Batangas (79,78)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 360 troops, 0 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 321

Defending force 4209 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Japanese adjusted assault: 14

Allied adjusted defense: 25

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
16th Recon Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division

• In the first of several encounters our expendables landed one.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 73,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Ise
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 1
CL Yura
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
PT-32
PT-33
PT-34
PT-41

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 10% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CL Yura engages PT-41 at 2,000 yards
CL Yura engages PT-41 at 2,000 yards
DD Kuretake engages PT-41 at 2,000 yards
DD Wakatake engages PT-41 at 2,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages PT-34 at 2,000 yards
BB Nagato engages PT-33 at 2,000 yards
CL Yura engages PT-32 at 2,000 yards
DD Kuretake engages PT-41 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Yura engages PT-41 at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

In the third encounter - but not the second - Hyuga was seen afire. In the fifth encounter our expendables were expended.

• Miri now has fighter protection, and we swapped one bomber for 2 Oil hits.

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Oil hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing from 5000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

• Our units were pushed back from both Alor Star and a jungle line near Kota Bharu.

Complete combat report attached.

Rio Bravo · Post by **Rio Bravo** » Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:18 am

*chuckling about the wishful thinking mistake regarding the Shokaku*

witpqs · Post by **witpqs** » Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:55 pm

1941 December 15

• Repulse has several inoperative AA mounts and both torpedo mounts. Prince of Wales has some inoperative AA mounts. Given the heavy system damage to Repulse and the risk presented to POW operating with increased visibility and alone (as a BB), they shall withdraw to Cape Town for repairs. Their destroyers will peel off past the submarine danger zone and return to the battle area.

Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

RE: 1941 December 12

RE: 1941 December 12

RE: 1941 December 12

RE: 1941 December 12

1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

RE: 1941 December 13

1941 December 14

RE: 1941 December 14

RE: 1941 December 14

RE: 1941 December 14

1941 December 15

RE: 1941 December 15

RE: 1941 December 15