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(This is going to be an informal, and (sometimes) occasional account of my DaBigBabes, Campaign B against Roger Nielson II. I'm sorry but I find it very hard to get motivated to write these AAR’s after spending hours on a game turn. But I will give it my best shot, and endeavor to pull my finger-out. Also I will try to include situation maps, and screen-shots of WitPTracker as much as possible. Because I think that maps and Witptracker charts are better at getting the story over.

So please bear with me and my spelling/grammar (which I don't really care about), and I will attempt to write an interesting and informative AAR.


December 8th;


4th Fleet Area.

The Main Carrier Striking Force (KB) is now retiring to the west after a second air strike on Pearl Harbour launched today. There was an engagement with a USN Cruiser/destroyer force overnight, and some of Striking forces units were damaged. These damaged units will leave the main force when clear of the Hawaii Islands area, and processed to the Home Islands for repair. Meanwhile the remain units of the Striking force will cover the upcoming Wake operation.

Troops from a SNLF unit landed on Guam on the 7th of December, and successfully assaulted and took the Island today. The US force holding the Island being forced to surrender, but a USN minesweeper managed to escape the harbour.

14th Army Area.

Heavy Air strikes have been launched against US airfields on Northern Luzon, destroying many enemy aircraft, and damaging the airfields. These air raids are to cover the upcoming landing operations, that will begin tomorrow.

In the south off Mindanao, aircraft from our light-carrier force have attacked, and sunk some Allied shipping trying to flee south.

25th Army Area.

We have been striking at the main Commonwealth airfields in the north of Malaya, in support of the landings at Singora , and Kota Bharu. These landings commenced on the 7th, with a division landing at both locations. The RAF/RAAF have launched air raids on these 2 beachheads, but not hit any ships, and have suffered heavy losses to our protecting fighters. The division that landed at Kota Bharu successfully assaulted the port/town today ejecting the British defenders.

Elsewhere off Hong Kong; our naval forces have sunk a RN destroyer and a freighter in night actions.

Air Losses to Date -

Aircraft Production-

Naval Shipyard Production-

December 9th;


4th Fleet Area.

The US pacific fleet, or what was left of it continued trying to close with the Carrier Striking force today. The Striking force is retiring northwest from Pearl Harbour, and is covering the tanker refuelling force to the north. Morning air search from the carrier force detected 3 USN cruiser /destroyer forces to the south, and southeast of it’s position. During the day the carriers launched multiple air-strikes on these enemy task forces, and sunk or damaged numerous USN units. This aggression from the USN has been noted by DivePac Command, and will have to be expected in the future. Also it was noted today how well co-ordinated the air-strikes launched from the carriers of the Striking force.

Also in the 4th fleet area today; Nauru Island was overrun by a Naval Guard unit that landed overnight, and forced the Australian force defending the Island to surrender.

14th Army Area.

We begun landing on Northern Luzon today at Laoag, with the an infantry regiment, and 2 JAAF airfield units. This landing is being supported by fighter aircraft operating from Batan Island, which was occupied yesterday.

We continued air-raids launched from Formosa on the American airfields at Clarke Field, and Manila again to day. We will have to continue these raids for sometime to suppress enemy air-power, as He launched a B-17 raid on our shipping off the Laoag beachhead today.

Hong Kong.

Ground units that had closed up on Hong Kong yesterday began to bombard the British defences around the city today. This artillery barrage is also being supported by air-raids launched from Canton, and Formosa. We will not assault here unit we consider the defences are sufficiently softened up.

25th Army Area.

Our forces have started to move inland from the landings at Singora, and Kota Bharu today. Both these divisions will advance to the east coast of Malaya, and on to their next objective, which is Kuala Lumpur.

We continued air-raids again today, on the RAF airfields at Alor Star, Georgetown, and kuantan. As reconnaissance still shows aircraft operating from these bases.


The situation northwest of Pearl Harbour late today-

No Roger, Please.Allied shipping losses to date -

December 10th,



4th Fleet Area.

The US pacific fleet has given up it’s chase of our forces withdrawing from the Pearl Harbour, with no contacts overnight, and morning air-search detecting no enemy units. The plan for the now for the Carrier Striking, and Fuel Supply forces, is to steam west toward Wake for one more day, then refuel the next day.

While overnight 2 damaged USN destroyers passed over our submarine patrol lines northwest of Pearl Harbour, but unfortunately the torpedo attacks on both destroyers failed to obtain any hits.

It is being reported by intelligence; that the USN battleship USS West Virginia has now sunk at Pearl Harbour. This would bring the total of battleships sunk at Pearl Harbour to 5, along with 1 heavy cruiser. Divepac command is treating these reports with some scepticism, and thinks that it is more probable that 3 battleships were destroyed.



Southeast Fleet Area.

During the night the American heavy cruiser USS Houston attack a landing force off the Admiralty Islands sinking the patrol cruiser IJMS Kashima, and a Patrol boat. But because of the brave sacrifice of our escorting vessels, the troop carrying ships managed to escape undamaged. Then in another night engagement the covering force of the light cruiser IJMS Yubari and 2 destroyers managed to damage the Houston and force her to withdraw.



16th Army Area.


Overnight a naval force consisting of the heavy cruiser IJMS Ashigara and 2 destroyers intercepted, and sunk south of Davao a small Allied freighter carrying troops.

We began our operations on Mindanao today, with a landing of a SNLF unit at the port of Davao. This force was put ashore with the support of naval gunfire, and will assault the enemy defences tomorrow.

Meanwhile at the American base at Cagayan on northern Mindanao, a small USN transport was sunk by aircraft from our Light Carrier support force , which is covering our landing at Davao.



14th Army Area

Laoag on northern Luzon was occupied today, by our units that had landed there yesterday. A division and a brigade of infantry, plus supporting units will now land at Laoag over the next few days. A JAAF fighter unit has now been based at the airfield here, to cover our shipping off the landings, and troops coming ashore.

Overnight a force of fast USN torpedo boats attack our shipping of the landings at Laoag, but the enemy was driven off by our escorts, while losing 2 of their fast attack boats. Unfortunately in the confusion of the enemy attack, our shipping attempted to get underway to escape the enemy boats. This led to several collisions in the poor advisability, with 1 of our light PB’s being sunk, and 3 other ships damaged.

We also launch heavy air-raids on the American airfields at Clarke Field, Manila again today, with aircraft operating from Formosa. But there was no enemy air activity over Northern Luzon today, not even defensive fighters over his airfields.



Hong Kong.

The artillery and air bombardment continued here again today, and we will try a probing attack tomorrow so sound out the British defences.



25th Army Area.


Overnight and during the day IJN submarines patrolling the waters south of Singapore to the North Java Sea, intercepted and attacked several Allied vessels. These attacks led to the sinking or crippling of 8 frighteners and 3 transports, with some of these loaded with troops.

Our ground combat units continued to close-up with there next objectives here today, with reconnaissance detecting that the Commonwealth units are withdrawing to Southern Malaya.

We continued to suppress the RAF airfields at Georgetown and Kuantan today, with bombing raids launched from Thailand . But there was one alarming instance today, when a detachment of 9 JNAAF medium torpedo bombers lost 5 of their number attacking British shipping of the port at Georgetown.


Ki-21-IIa medium bombers based from Thailand operating over Malaya -

December 11th,



4th Fleet Area.

The Main Carrier Striking Force is now clear of Hawaiian Islands area, and undercover of the air-search umbrella from the Marshall Islands. All the ships of this force will refuel south of Wake Island tomorrow, from the Fuel Supply Force.


6th Fleet Submarines.

No surface ship contacts today, but some of the submarines observed American air-search aircraft. All the Submarines of this command are now on their patrol lines, to the east and south of Pearl Harbour.



Southeast Fleet Area.


No sign of USS Houston today by the air-search from Truk, but reconnaissance has revealed enemy shipping at Rabaul.

Naval landing parties today landed at Hollandia, Aitape, Wewak on the east coast of New Guinea, and also at Manus in the Admiralty Islands. But the landing operation at Kavieng in the Bismarcks was postponed because of the presents of USS Houston in the area.


16th Army Area.


The Assault to take the American base at Davao commenced today, and while some enemy defences continue to hold-out, it is expected that the town will fall tomorrow. Naval medium bombers from the Pelelui Islands struck at enemy ground positions at Davao today, in support of the assault there.



14th Army Area.


Overnight off Laoag a USN Submarine attacked, and succeeded in hitting the heavy cruiser IJMS Chokai with 1 torpedo. The Chokai was only moderately damaged however, but will still have to return to the Home Islands for repair.

2 Allied fast torpedo boat flotillas attack our shipping off the Laoag beachheads again last night; While one of 8 British motor torpedo boats attempted to attack the main landing convoy, and was driven off by the close-escort with no loss to either side. The other of 3 USN fast torpedo boats was intercepted by the covering force, and was also driven off with the loss of 1 of the American boats.

Most of the aircraft on Formosa were grounded today, because of bad weather. With only a detachment of 9 naval medium bombers with a JAAF fighter escort, attacking enemy shipping in the port at Manila. But unfortunately they scored no hits, and lost 2 bombers to defending USAAF fighters.


Hong Kong.


The Probing attack today did manage to destroy some of the enemy fornications around the city, so the infantry will rest for 2 days before assaulting again. Meanwhile the artillery and aerial bombardment will keep ponding the defenders.



25th Army Area.


2nd Fleet Submarines had a quieter night last night with only 2 contacts; With I- 153 tangling with some RN destroyers just south of Singapore, but escaping without damage. Then off Toboali I-164 puts 1 torpedo into a Medium sized British tanker.

Because of bad weather over our airfields in Thailand today the only air-activity over Malaya , was an overnight air-raid on the airfields at Singapore by JNAF medium bombers from Saigon.



The Heavy Cruiser IJMS Chokai -

I find it useful to halt the building of Musashi until Yamato is completed. You can use the 233 Naval Shipbuilding points to accelerate some of your early 42 carriers.

Be careful detaching CV Hiryu as he might try to position Enterprise and Lexington north and west of Midway to try to finish her off.

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I find it useful to halt the building of Musashi until Yamato is completed. You can use the 233 Naval Shipbuilding points to accelerate some of your early 42 carriers.

I would go so far as to halt both of them and accelerate Taiho and all 6 Unyru class CVs, helps to keep CV parity until early 44.

Yamato and Musashi both take an eternity to repair just a single torpedo hit and spent most of my last game in drydock.

The Probing attack today did manage to destroy some of the enemy fornications

Words fail me . . .

Thanks ny59giants and Miller, as it is great to have some input, I was getting lonely in here. I will take your idea up about halting Musashi till Yamato is completed. I did permanently halted Shinano on turn 2, but was only able to accelerate Shoho with the naval capacity available. I have been since racking my brain trying to figure-out how to accelerate Taiho, without expanding some naval shipyards.

ORIGINAL: Blackhorse

The Probing attack today did manage to destroy some of the enemy fornications

Words fail me . . .

Well I don't profess to being the world's greatest smart-person, when it comes to spelling and grammar. Also it made me laugh when I read you reply, so I think maybe I'll keep it that way. Sort of makes for an individual style that nobody else can copy.

December 12th,



4th Fleet Area.


There was no action in this area today, as the USN appears to have withdrawn all it’s surface units from west of Pearl Harbour. The Mobile Striking Force refuelled today from the supply tankers south of Wake Island, and will strike at the airfield on Wake tomorrow. The Carrier force will move well northwest of Wake over the next two days, then it will detach the damage units with a destroyer escort for the Home Islands.

The reinforced Wake Landing Force is still reloading at Kwajalein, and will head toward Wake in two days time. This will give the Mobile Striking Force time to detach the damaged units, and steam south again to soften up the defences on Wake.


6th Fleet Submarines.


No action with these I-boats today, apart from the occasional sighting of patrolling enemy aircraft in the area of Pearl Harbour.



Southeast Fleet Area.


The RNZN cruiser HMNZS Achilles attacked a small landing convoy off Manus in the Admiralty Islands last night. The escorting Patrol Ship IJMS Kure Maru bravely sacrificed itself to hold off the Allied cruiser, allowing the 2 small unloaded transports to escape.

Hollandia, Aitape, Wewak, and Manus were all successfully occupied by the naval landing forces today.



16th Army Area.


The American/Filipino Forces at Davao held-off another attack by our SNLF battalion again today, but the enemy did suffer heavier casualties. Our unit is still in good shape so the ground assault will continue here again tomorrow.

Naval medium attack bombers from the Pelelui Islands also struck at the enemy ground defences around Davao today, in support of our assault there.

An American submarine tried to close and attack our heavy cruiser IJMS Myoko south of Mindanao today, but the submarine was successfully driven off by the escorting destroyers.



14th Army Area.


Allied Fast torpedo boats tried to disrupt our naval landing operations off the Laoag beachheads again overnight. In the first of two engagements; 2 enemy boats were driven off by the close escort, but not before the enemy boats managed to lightly damage 2 of our transports. In the second engagement of the night; a force of 3 American boats attacked our heavy battleship covering force. Unfortunately the enemy managed to torpedo the destroyer IJMS Asagumo before they were driven off, losing 1 of their number. The destroyer is very heavily damaged, and is being escorted back to Formosa.
Overnight a night bombing raid by naval medium attack bombers on the American airfield at Manila managed to hit and damage the runway. Then in the air over Luzon today an offensive fighter sweep by naval fighters from Formosa, against Clarke Field netted 10 enemy fighters for no loss to us.

The Troop build-up continues at Laoag again today, and they will start to advance south when fully-unloaded in the next few days. But a regiment that has already reached Vigan, will assault the town tomorrow.



Hong Kong.


No ground attack hear today, but we continue to pound the Commonwealth defences with artillery and from the air.



25th Army Area.


An overnight night air-raid on the British airfield on Singapore by Naval medium bombers based in Saigon, managed to damage base buildings and the airfield, and also cause personnel and aircraft casualties.

During the day JAAF medium bombers strike at enemy troops withdrawing from the airbase at Alor Star causing some casualties. Then later in the day Naval medium bombers with escorting naval fighters stuck at enemy shipping off Georgetown. Unfortunately no hits were scored against the enemy light craft, but 4 of the defending RAF fighters were shot down.

Our advance mobile ground forces have have closed up on the British base at Alor Star today, and will assault the town/airfield tomorrow. Meanwhile our advance ground infantry regiments continue to move down the jungle railway line from Kota Bharu to Temuloh.



2nd Fleet Submarines.

I-156 which was operating just southeast of Singapore, was attacked and damaged by what appears to be an enemy ASW force operating in that area. Fortunately the damage to I-156 is only light, but she will still have to return to Saigon for repairs.

The only other enemy contact by one of I-boats in this command, was off Oosthaven to the south. When I-164 launched 4 torpedoes at a big British transport identified as the Dominion Monarch, but unfortunately all the torpedos missed their target.



Naval Medium Attack bombers on their way to Georgetown to strike at enemy shipping -

Current Naval Shipyard Build set-up -

ORIGINAL: DivePac88

I have been since racking my brain trying to figure-out how to accelerate Taiho, without expanding some naval shipyards.

You could halt production on a few submarines to free up some more points as they require quite a few.

December 13th,



4th Fleet Area.

There was no action in this area, mainly because of the weather in the Wake Island area. The Mobile Striking Force was unable to launch any of it’s plan air-strikes on Wake, because of the storm weather over the carriers. In-fact a few of the carrier force’s aircraft were lost in deck landing accidents, just trying to keep standing patrols up.



Southeast Fleet Area.

Overnight Rear Admiral Goto’s South-sea Cruiser Force raided Rabaul’s Simpsons Harbour, but only found a USN minesweeper present in the Harbour. Goto’s force promptly sunk the minesweeper USS Penguin, before retiring undamaged from the area.



16th Army Area.

Rear Admiral Hirata’s Celebes-sea Cruiser Force bombarded the American defence around Davao overnight, in support of the our naval landing force’s attack there again today.

Some of our naval medium bombers from the Peleliu Islands, also raided the enemy defence at Davao during the day in support of the infantry assault.

Finally later in the day the American base fell to our assaulting naval infantry, forcing the surviving enemy troops to retreat inland.



14th Army Area.


The news was better off the Laoag landings last night, with three strikes by Enemy Torpedo boats being driven off by the warships of the close escort, and heavy covering forces. These actions lead to the sinking 5 of the attacking torpedo boats for no damage to any of our ships. Then some of our close escorts managed to severely damage and drive off an enemy Submarine trying to attack the transports.

Also overnight the little port town of Vigan south of Laoag was occupied without enemy resistance by our troops.

Over 30 JAAF bombers with fighter escort raided Clarke Field again today, doing more damage to the runway and buildings.



25th Army Area.


Our advance units successfully occupied the British airfield at Alor Star today, after the enemy had evacuated the area overnight. This air-base will be put back into service as soon as possible, as it is to be the main bomber field for our raids against Singapore.

It was a mixed bag in the air over Malaya today; As a Ki-48-Ib medium bombers from Kompong Trach in Thailand suffers heavy losses against RAF/RAAF fighters, when it losses it’s escort in a raid south of Alor Star. Then a low-level strafing attack on the airfield and shipping by Ki-27 fighters from Singora, dose damage to the enemy at Georgetown.




Ki-48-Ib medium bombers operating over Malaya -

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon


You could halt production on a few submarines to free up some more points as they require quite a few.

Hi SqzMyLemon, and thanks for the imput...

I thought about halting some of the big I-boats, because they use so-many building points. But I decided against it, as I want to pursue a vigorous anti-supply shipping campaign against Roger. But later I might halt some of the smaller RO-boats, as I dislike their short range and low torpedo load.

Air-loss statistics to date -

December 14th,



4th Fleet Area.


With better weather today in the Wake Island area, the Mobile Striking Force was able launch a raid on Wake’s airfield. The Carriers launched half the Force’s aircraft at the Island's airfield, causing significant damage to the airfield buildings, and runways. But it was noted that the USN fighters that were present before December 7, appear to have been withdrawn.


6th Fleet Submarines.


Last night I-9 patrolling east of the Hawaiian Islands sighted, and attacked an American supply ship. But unfortunately the 2 torpedoes launched at the enemy ship both missed.

Then again overnight, and now west of Pearl Harbour I-10 sighted, and attacked a Large USN transport identified as the President Coolidge. But again the 2 torpedos launched at the this enemy transport both missed, or did not run correctly.



14th Army Area.


Naval action off the Laoag landings again last-night, with 4 British motor torpedo boats attacking our transport convoys again. In a furious night action the RN boats managed to close and put torpedos into a minesweeper and a freighter, sinking both. But there was some consolation, in the fact than our close escorting units managed to sink 3 of the enemy boats as they were withdrawing.

Also off Laoag overnight our escorting vessels managed to detect and attack an American submarine. It is thought that after our attack on this submarine, that it was at-least seriously damaged, if not sunk.



Hong Kong.


The ground attack went well here today causing double the casualties to the British than on us, and the assault will continue again tomorrow with the air and artillery bombardment.




25th Army.


Our ground units pursuing the enemy south of Kota Bharu, attacked these British units today. Our troops managed to force this enemy to withdraw south again, while infecting heavy casualties on them.

In the air over Georgetown today an offensive fighter sweep by the JAAF failed to find any defending any RAF/RAAF fighter operation. DivePac Command wonders if the Allies have now withdrawn their fighters from Georgetown.

Then again during the day at Georgetown the JNAAF launched two medium torpedo bomber raids, which managed to sink 2 British transports off the port.



2nd Fleet Submarines.


Overnight a RN/RAN destroyer patrol southwest of Singapore was able to sight and attack I-157. But fortunately our submarine managed to escape the enemy without sustaining any damage.

Then again during the night to the South off Billiton, I-122 Managed to sight and attack a British tanker. The I-boat was able to fire 2 torpedos at the tanker, 1 of which hit putting the enemy ship’s fuel cargo on fire.



Afterthought!
I think that I might have made a major operational blunder on Northern Luzon in this campaign. Because in this DaBabes scenario there is a new American base at Subic Bay, and Clarke field has been moved inland. I had completely forgotten about this new base, and have not sent any air-raids there yet. But because Roger seemed to be rearming his torpedo boats very quickly, I decided to recon this base. Now as you can see from the map there are Allied ships there, which are torpedo boats I suspect. So I will now have to rectify this mistake, and shut-down this port as soon as possible.