Rising Sun, Falling Skies: BTSL Bigred vs John 3rd

[John 3rd]

October 24-25, 1943
Bay of Bengal

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The TFs are ready and make their separation for three bombardments:

(Black) CV TF moves and provides distant LRCAP over the two TFs heading towards Chittagong. Nearly 100 A6M2 are assigned cover with their drop tanks added (14 hexes).

The Sweeping TF (2 Fast BC, 1 CL, and 6 DD) lead the Bombardment TF (3 new BB, CL, and 6 DD)

The seven old BBs divide with the 16" BBs hitting Cox's Bazar and the old, dowagers going after Akyab.

[John 3rd]

As the moves play out, it becomes rapidly apparent that CAP has been screwed up by the Japanese pilots, ALL the LRCAP flies over the 3 BB TF and NONE of it flies over the 2 BC Sweeping TF. NOT GOOD! Though the Japanese have their float REX fighters, they are not enough for the storm that is approaching.

Three morning strikes and two afternoon strikes come in on the Japanese warships. To give some credit, the new Japanese 3.9" AA batteries do well shooting down over 10 of the enemy, but it does not do much. The morning strikes (6 REX vs 28 F and 18 SBD, 4 REX vs. 18 SBD and no REX vs 24 TB) hit BC Kasuga with 1 bomb and 1 TT while BC Kawachi takes 4 Bombs. The two afternoon strikes by 26 SBD and 24 TB (no fighters!!!) add 3 bombs to Kasuga and 1 B to CL Jintsu. LORDY! All I needed was 10-20 old ZEROs flying CAP and these strikes would have been crushed...

NEXT DAY

The Battle off Chittagong starts with the damaged BC TF engaging 5 CL and 2 DD. It--IS--DARK! Fight begins at 2,000 Yards. In a normal situation, I would have expected the BC TF to WHOOP SOME BUTT! Nope. The cruisers (led to two fantastic Brooklyn-Class) do well to simply survive. CL Cleveland takes a pair Long Lance and most of the other ships get hit repeatedly. BC Kasuga takes about 151,251 6" hits! Seriously, the BC is pounded by those American CLs. Nothing gets thru the armor but the ship is badly damaged. The BC TF limps out of the fight.

I thoroughly expect to see the BB TF pop-up vs the CLs and see a SLAUGHTER occur.

Doesn't happen.

The BBs surprise and are surprised by a BC TF with the old Force Z nemesis Repulse leading them. Another close-range slugfest sees Repulse hit BB Iwaki several times with 15" shells and then a pair of TTs add to the assault. Iwaki's pain opens the door for the other two BB to CRUSH Repulse and CL Emerald. Both ships go down under an avalanche of 16" shells and Long Lances. The remaining five DDs attempt to fight but are summarily disposed of by heavy Japanese firepower. the USS Braine, Preston, and Reid are all sunk. A lone DD, the Rotherham, is sunk in a quick, separate action.

Though stunned, the BBs still deliver their bombardment upon Chittagong. Some damage is done but not much.

Losses
Japan: BC Kasuga and BB Iwaki seriously damaged.
Allies: BC Repulse, CL Emerald, and 4 DD. CL Cleveland is seriously damaged.

[John 3rd]

October 26-27, 1943

10-26
The Chittagong TFs move away (in some case LIMP AWAY!) and head up the coast towards distant Sabang.

The Japanese CVs move closer hoping to draw attacks upon themselves while the seven old BBs move in for their attacks.

The Allies work to prevent the withdrawal of the damaged ships and send out the earlier beaten up CL--DD TF. Four CLs and 7 DDs move to attack. There are a number of spirited actions:

1. CL Jintsu, escorted by 2 DD, is sunk
2. CA Tone, CL Yahagi, and 3 DD fight it out and seriously damaged the other Brooklyn-Class CL.
3. Thinking they have the Japs on the run, the remaining 3 CL 6 DD run right into BBs Tosa, Nagato, Mutsu, a CL and 4 DDs. In two separate fights, the Allies see CL Newcastle and CL Kenya CRUSHED. DD Dehaven is sunk by a Long Lance.

Both Bombardments take place and do considerable damage to both AFs and Bases at Cox's and Akyab.

No Allied aircraft play a part in these actions whatsoever.

10-27
NO real serious action occurs as TFs continue to move away.

A number of TFs, including two with carriers, appear coming from Ceylon. A strike by 27 F4F 15 Swordfish sink two damaged Japanese DDs and French SS Pegase puts a Torp into the crippled DD Arashio sinking her.

Losses
Japan: CL Jintsu and 3 DD
Allies: CL Newcastle, CL Kenya, possibly that other Brooklyn-Class and 1 DD

Total Losses in the four day fight:
Japan: BC Kasuga, CL Jintsu, and 3 DD
Allies: BC Repulse, CL's Emerald--Newcastle--Kenya--two possible Brooklyn-Class, and 5 DDs.

Very nasty, close fighting.

[John 3rd]

Here are the current top ship losses for the Allies:

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[John 3rd]

Current VP Board Totals:

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[bigred]

Comparative Analysis. In other words, since april 42 I have 4656ship vp and japs have 6310ship vp.

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[John 3rd]

October 28-29, 1943
Bay of Bengal

Well...the battle begins to wind down as the Allies pull back a small Carrier TF as well as their other Surface TFs. Japan was prepared to engage. Felt my CVE's might be outclassed but was willing to throw the dice. Moved towards Port Blair, gained a BB TF escort, and then moved ENE of Blair. No deal. The Enemy pulls back towards Ceylon.

There is some action though:
28th Day Strike by 42 Fighters and 22 Frances sees a TT put into both DD Rapid and DD Quadrant. THREE Torps were DUDS. Crazy! The afternoon sees a strike from Port Blair of 30 Fighters and 24 Lily DB. The ARMY DB clean house by putting at least six bombs into each of the two crippled DDs. Scratch them!

29th I-155 blasts SS Cero out of the water with a pair of TTs. Nice job there.

FINAL TOTALS for the Battle:
SUNK
Japan--BC Kasuga (B-65 Class), CL JIntsu, and 3 DDs.
Allies--BC Repulse, CL's Emerald, Kenya, Hobart, and Newcastle, 7 DDs, and SS Cero.

DAMAGED
Japan--BB Iwaki (Owari-Class), 1 BB, 1 BC, 1 CA, and several DDs.
Allies--CL's Cleveland, another American CL, and several DDs.

[John 3rd]

October 30, 1943
Aleutians

As one battle winds down, another begins as the enemy approaches the Aleutians. Not sure here but--for ONCE--the Japanese are very ready for this fight. A HUGE reinforcement TF just left after dropping off a Brigade, 2 large BF, and over 100,000 supply. Several Surface TFs are active and there is a very strong air presence here.

We shall see what the Allies bring to this party!

[bigred]

VPs:

[bigred]

43-10-30:

[bigred]

43-10-31:

[bigred]

43-10-31 CV battles:

[John 3rd]

November 1, 1943

Battle occurs in an unplanned area. Looks like the Allies AND Japanese saw opportunity north of Suva and Pago Pago. We have a Meeting Engagement. Want to do another pair of turns before I do a description but I shall show the overall VP Page reflecting the Carrier Action:

[John 3rd]

November 1, 1943

Specific Aircraft Losses:

[John 3rd]

November 1, 1943

Overall VP Page:

[bigred]

43-11-1: special data. I would like to review the reason some IJN CVs have a maneuver rating of 42 ???.

[bigred]

43-11-1:

[John 3rd]

South Seas Battle
October 30-October 31, 1943

As shown in the earlier Postings, a 'meeting' carrier battle has been fought. Neither of us--probably--planned on it. I know I did not!

The original plan was for the Japanese to run a Fast TF carrying supplies to Funafuti. This TF of several CA, CLs, and DDs was covered by a Carrier TF that was supposed to end its two day move at Funafuti. Was considering moving the CTF further south pending on the 30th/31st moves.

The 30th sees the enemy come up from the SE and South. Neither side is close enough to engage so the 1st is when the fight breaks out.

Battle--November 1, 1943
AM Phase
The weather is terrible. My CTF is hidden under protective clouds while my FTF is under sunny skies at Funafuti. The Americans launch a massed attack of 103 F6F and 107 SBD. They are met by 131 A6M2 and A7M1. The Fighters REALLY tangle and over 80 SBD get thru. The Japanese take CA Miyako 2 Bombs, CA Chishima 1 Bomb, and CL Minase 5 Bombs. Considering the number of attacks, the Japanese count their blessings! What is much more important through is the Japanese CAP go after the SBDs once their drops are done CRUSH THEM! Another 35-40 SBD fall to the Sea Eagles.

There is a Cargo TF north of the American CVs and they launch a pair of strikes at it: 14 F6F 18 Avengers and then 14 F6F and 36 SBD. The Japanese put up 13 Fighters and manage to get some damage done to the enemy aircraft. A total of 3 AK and 2 AKL are sunk with damage done to an AMC as well.

PM Phase
The weather clears over the Japanese CVs....ahhhhhh...CRAP! An American strike of 43 F6F, 51 SBD, and 69 Av arrive to fight their way thru 107 Fighters. The raid suffers terribly but attacks are carried out. CV Junyo takes a TT as well as CVL Aso. Of the strike, only 10 SBD and 37 Av get through to attack.

Not BAD. Looks reasonable.

Unfortunately the Japanese CTF launches 68 Fighters, 12 DB, and 45 TB at the Americans. They are met by 161 F6F. CRAP! Only 1 DB and 2 TB get through to attack a pair of CVLs. No hits. NASTY.

A further set of American strikes from the CVEs and Carriers come in: 70 Fighters vs 12 F6F, 26 SBD, and 17 Av followed by 8 Avengers. They...are...manhandled! a total of 11 SBD and 4 Av make their attacks and MISS! Should be noted that they attack mainly screening vessels and not carriers.

A strike of 18 Fighters and 18 Av fight 18 Japan Fighters over Funafuti with 7 SBD getting thru. No hits.

END DAY!

As shown in the earlier Posts, nearly 300 American planes are shot down on this day's events. For nearly crushing American airpower, the Japanese take moderate damage to a CV, ditto a CVL, 2 CA, and a heavily damaged CL. Add to that about 100 carriers planes from Japan.

Thank GOODNESS for the weather. The morning strike would have been BAD had it come at the carriers. As is, nearly 100 SBD were shot down BEFORE they could attack the Japanese carriers.


I'll score this a weak BANZAI!

Now I just have to get the HELL out of here...

[John 3rd]

November 1-2, 1943

Evening October 31st
The evening of the 31st brings all sorts of discussion within the three Japanese TFs. The American heavy carriers are to the north. Though bloodied in the air that day, they are still a potent threat. It is known that a STF also protects them. A CVE TF is just 50 miles to the SE of the Japanese CTF. There are several other American TFs nearby. The Japanese need to clear the area before they are caught by surface forces and get pinned and destroyed.

It is decided that the damaged ships of the cruiser TF will join the screen of the carriers as they pass thru Funafuti. This addition will allow the Captain of the Light Battlecruiser (2x2 14" turrets) Chichibu to peel off with 2 CA, 2 CL, and 4 DD and stage a diversionary attack against the CVE TF. If lucky, they may sink some shipping and then retire towards Luganville. The Captain of Chichibu is naturally very aggressive and relishes and chance at leading this move against the Americans. At the same time, CL Sendai and 4 DD will move directly north to 'occupy' Allied warships coming down from that direction.

The men within these two TFs realize that their missions are likely to result in the loss of their ships and lives. Nonetheless, orders are issued and the TFs move out on their assigned missions.

November 1, 1943
Night and Morning
The Chichibu TF moves at Battle Speed SE and immediately runs into a pair of American DDs. Though game, the Tin Cans are quickly sunk. USS Sampson and Wilson are swept aside. The same can be then said of French DD Le Casque. Much more important game then appears as a lone, lumbering CVE--the Chandeleur--is found, shelled and sunk. Just 40 miles further SE, as dawn starts to lighten the skies, a prize is found. Three running CVE and a lone DE are spotted. The fast Japanese warships close the range and open fire. In a fairly long fight--if one can call it that--CVE Corregidor and Anzio are sunk along with the plucky DE. Unfortunately the last CVE runs into a rain squall and gets away. Three CVE, 3 DD, and a DE are GOOD WORK and the Japanese TF turns to a heading of 270* true and RUNS WEST!

The Sendai TF moves north a 100 miles and encounters the American CL St Louis and 2 DD. The tough American CL dishes out all sorts of punishment, takes some, and then moves away. The Japanese TF is beaten up pretty well and it also turns west to get the HELL OUT OF DODGE!

Amazingly enough the twin thrusts protect the Japanese carriers (3 Medium CVs and 6 CVL) as they link-up with several damaged cruisers at Funafuti and move SW then West to clear the immediate fight zone.

Day
Though the enemy is all around, there are no attacks upon the Japanese. The Chichibu TF is protected by about 10 REX Floatplanes and that is all. The carriers launch a stout CAP and wait...

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

November 2, 1943
With the exception of a miss on CVL Chitose by SS Albacore all Japanese TF move away and successfully disengage.

Battle over!

Battle of the South Seas Totals:
SUNK
Japan: NO warships, 3 AK, 2 AKL
Allies: CVE Chandeleur, Corregidor, Anzio, 3 DD, 1 DE

DAMAGED
Japan: CV Junyo, CVL Aso, 2 CA, 2 CL, several DDs
Allies: CVE, Cl St Louis, several DDs

AIR LOSSES
Japan: about 100 planes...
Allies: nearly 400 planes...

BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

Loss Screen