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After completing the 1st AE Tournament...with a couple of months of multiple turns/day.....I took a sabbatical from AE to get reacquainted with my family and resume my career.....LOL.

I never did thank Canoerebel for organizing the tournament so I will offer my profuse thanks now!. Overall, the 3 tournament games provided perhaps the best WitP gaming experiences Ive had since downloading this fine piece of software in 2004. I think that we have a tendency to rush into the long campaign scenarios and ignore the shorter scenarios which are really undiscovered gems....at least for me...lol.

Kudos to all my opponents in all 3 round for providing spirited and challenging competition. Nomad opposed me in the Coral Sea scenario....I was surprised at how well the USN carriers could stand up to the Japanese in that scenario and found it to be much more balanced than I originally assumed. Two USN CVs with 72 SBDs do quite well thank you against 2 IJN CVs and a CVL even with a couple extra land based squadrons of A6M2s....you really see how pitiful Japanese CAP was in early 1942 without radar.

The 2nd round was the 1000 mile war scenario...I wasnt very familiar with that piece of Pacific history. Rader was my opponent in that scenario and again it was a very hard fought scenario that went to the very end....you use EVERY ship you receive in that scenario and the outcome wasnt determined until the last couple days of the scenario. Another bonus was I learned a lot about virtually forgotten history here.

The 3rd round was the Marianas Campaign. This was by far the most imbalanced scenario......its a cakewalk for the Allies. My opponent here was Erstad who is an expert in surface combat. In this scenario, it was basically just game where you had to take all he Marianas islands ....Saipan/Guam/Tinian....and kill the IJN fleet better than your oppoent kills the IJN Navy. Even though Japan has virtually the entire combined fleet that was still available in mid 1944....its just target practice for the USN carrier pilots. Again our match went down to the final couple of turns. I took Saipan and Tinian early and finally captured Guam on the next to the last turn. Erstad took Tinian early, captured Guam on the last turn and just narrowly missed taking Saipan.
Overall, all 3 games were exciting, absorbing and challenging experiences. For me, all 3 matches were decided by operational planning prior to starting the game rather than tactics.


So that gets us to the present. I offered Erstad a rematch after we completed the AE Tournanent......either the Guadalcanal scenario or a campaign game. Erstad waited a couple months and then accepted a campaign game for a rematch. I offerd Erstad either Scenario 1 with no restrictions or Scenario 2 with 1st turn invasions limityed to historical invasion sites. Erstad decided on playing scenario 1...he felt that with scenario 2 Japan would have an extra 1 million supply and 2 million fuel and that would take the focus off the DEI......which was Japans' primary objective.

So we will play scenario 1. We are using all the usual settings including:

2 day turns
Advanced weather........on
FOW..............................on
PDU...............................on
Realistic USN torpedoes...on
realistic R&D.....................on
USN damage control........on
Auto sub ops...................off
Very variable reinforcements



House rules are minimal......invasions and paradrops only at bases and dot hexes/pay PPs for restricted units/4Es naval bomb over 10,000 feet,etc.

This thread will be primarily a strategy thread on WitP AE scenario 1. Id also like to use this thread to discuss tactics/operational plans that were involved in the AE tournament if anyone has any interest.

The winner of this campaign game will have a dinner for 2 at Erstad's famous cousin's restaurant in Tustin, CA...The Winery Restaurant.


Let the festivities begin......

12/7-12/8/41



Actually Erstad had a pretty conservative Japanese 1st turn.

Elements of the 18th Division landed at Kota Bharu. Paratroops were dropped at Butuan, Vigan and Legaspi so that follow on troops will land undisrupted.

SS KXII sinks AK Ryoyo Maru off Kompong Trach and forces thousands of IJA troops to swim for their lives.

Erstad also invaded at Miri and Batan. Patani on the Malay peninsula was heavily reinforced.

The main Japanese attack was at Pearl Harbor. First, an IJN midget sub put a torpedo in BB California:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 07, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Midget Sub attack inside harbor of Pearl Harbor!!!

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-14, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB California, Torpedo hits 1
PC Reliance



SSX Ha-14 eludes PC Reliance by hugging bottom
PC Reliance loses contact with SSX Ha-14




Then the main KB attack on Pearl Harbor decimated the US Pacific Fleet as the Kates attack from 3000-5000':


Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 69
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 135



Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 24 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 7 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
AV Tangier
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB California, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1
SS Tautog, Bomb hits 1
DM Sicard, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DM Pruitt, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Repair Shipyard hits 19
Airbase hits 34
Runway hits 115
Port hits 13
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 26000 feet
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
13 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 24000 feet
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
City Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th PG/44th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
18th PG/73rd PS with P-40B Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



BB Nevada, BB Maryland, BB Oklahoma and BB Pennsylvania are all totally destroyed. The Oahu airfields and port facilities are heavily damaged as well. I was a bit surprised that these low altitude Kate attacks werent torn up by flak but maybe thats been affected by a newer patch.



Here is a screenshot of USN combatant ships still salvageable at Pearl Harbor:

12/9-12/10/41



CHINA


IJA troops are repulsed with heavy losses in a 1:2 attack at Hong Kong.


The MTBs sortie from Hong Kong and attempt to interdict Japanese shipping off Takao and Laoag but come up empty:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Takao at 84,65, Range 22,000 Yards
nd
Japanese Ships
AV Kunikawa Maru
xAP Kitano Maru

Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8
MTB 9
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 12
MTB 26
MTB 27



Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 82,70, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Tatsumiya Maru
xAKL Ryoyu Maru #21
xAKL Sasago Maru
xAKL Hidaka Maru
xAKL Raizan Maru

Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8
MTB 9
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 12
MTB 26
MTB 27



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 18,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,71, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
MTB 7, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 8
MTB 9
MTB 10
MTB 11, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 12
MTB 26
MTB 27, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 27 at 19,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 27 at 19,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 9 at 19,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 8 at 19,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 27 at 19,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 9 at 19,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 8 at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 27 at 17,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 7 at 17,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 7 at 17,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 9 at 17,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 9 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 9 at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 9 at 14,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 7 at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 27 at 13,000 yards
MTB 11 sunk by DD Yudachi at 13,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 8 at 13,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 7 at 13,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 13,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 9 at 13,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 8 at 13,000 yards
MTB 7 sunk by CL Naka at 13,000 yards
Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 12 at 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 10 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
MTB 27 sunk by DD Minegumo at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 9 at 9,000 yards
Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,72, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
MTB 8, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB 9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 10, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
MTB 12
MTB 26



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards
MTB 8 sunk by DD Minegumo at 14,000 yards
Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 26 at 7,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 10 at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 26 at 7,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 7,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 10 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 9 at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 10 at 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 10 at 8,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 10 at 8,000 yards
Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 10,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 10 at 10,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 9 at 10,000 yards
MTB 10 sunk by DD Murasame at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 9 at 14,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards
DD Murasame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards
MTB 9 sunk by DD Minegumo at 14,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 14,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 26 at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 12 at 15,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 15,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 15,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards
Rice D. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 17,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 26 at 17,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 12 at 17,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
DD Samidare engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards
CL Naka engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards
DD Harusame engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages MTB 26 at 16,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages MTB 12 at 16,000 yards
Task forces break off...





CENTPAC/SOPAC


IJN troops capture Ocean and Nauru islands.



CA Chicago and DD Porter are detached from the CV Lexington TF and are sent to Wake to interdict any possible IJN landings. Sure enough, an IJN invasion TF arrives and CA Chicago drives them off:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Wake Island at 136,98, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Katori, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 1
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kisaragi
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Shell hits 3
DD Porter, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 57% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Bode, H. crosses the 'T'
CA Chicago engages DD Mutsuki at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards
CA Chicago engages CL Tatsuta at 9,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards
DD Mutsuki engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Chicago engages CL Yubari at 7,000 yards
DD Mutsuki engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Mochizuki at 7,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 6,000 yards
DD Mochizuki engages DD Porter at 6,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages CA Chicago at 6,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards
DD Mutsuki engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards
CL Tatsuta engages CA Chicago at 9,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Mochizuki at 9,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages DD Porter at 9,000 yards
DD Mutsuki engages DD Porter at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 10,000 yards
CL Tatsuta engages DD Porter at 10,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages CA Chicago at 10,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 10,000 yards
DD Mochizuki engages DD Porter at 10,000 yards
DD Porter sunk by DD Kisaragi at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Chicago engages CL Katori at 7,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Mochizuki at 7,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Yayoi at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards
CL Tatsuta engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Mochizuki at 8,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Yayoi at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards
CL Katori engages CA Chicago at 7,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Mutsuki at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Yayoi at 8,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Kisaragi at 8,000 yards
Bode, H. orders Allied TF to disengage
CL Tatsuta engages CA Chicago at 8,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Mochizuki at 8,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Mutsuki at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi


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


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Yubari
CL Yubari firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion
CL Tatsuta firing at Wake Island
CL Tenryu firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion
1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Tenryu
DD Mochizuki firing at Wake Island
DD Yayoi firing at Wake Island
DD Kisaragi firing at Wake Island


The IJN invasion of Wake is cancelled for now.



CL Adelaide bravely stands by at Rabaul to interdict possible IJN landings but is easily blown away by an IJN cruiser force:


Invasion Support action off Ocean Island
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Nagata Maru
xAK Kamikaze Maru



PB Nagata Maru fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Kota Bharu
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 7
AK Sasako Maru



SC Ch 7 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 22,000 yards
CA Myoko launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards
CL Nagara launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards
DD Yamakaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards
DD Yukikaze launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Adelaide at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages CA Myoko at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 16,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Yukikaze at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages CL Nagara at 13,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Tokitsukaze at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 11,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 13,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Tokitsukaze at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 21,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 21,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CL Adelaide at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 20,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages CL Nagara at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages CA Myoko at 18,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Tokitsukaze at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 15,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 15,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Yukikaze at 15,000 yards
Showers, H.A. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages CA Myoko at 12,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Yukikaze at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CL Adelaide at 9,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CL Adelaide at 12,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Yamakaze at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Adelaide sunk by CA Myoko at 10,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


After blowing away CL Adelaide, Japanese troops storm ashore at Rabaul:


Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

30 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Nanrei Maru

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



DD Shiokaze firing at Rabaul Det. Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force firing at DD Shiokaze
DD Suzukaze firing at Rabaul Det. Base Force
Rabaul Det. Base Force firing at DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze firing at Lark Battalion
6" Mk V/VII Gun Battery engaging xAK Kyusyu Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Shiokaze firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
DD Shiokaze fired at enemy troops
DD Suzukaze fired at enemy troops
DD Umikaze fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Rabaul

TF 13 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 106,125

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF /2
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of Sasebo 2nd SNLF /2





PHILIPPINES


Erstad lands 34 LCUs at Vigan in 1 day.....obviously Japan will be making an early attempt to overrun Luzon.

Japanese paratroops also secure Legaspi.


Erstad parks an IJN surface TF with 2 CAs and a CLs off Manila bay to interdict Allied shiiping attempting to flee Manila. Only a few Allied ships are able to flee Manila before Japan closes the door:

TF 396 encounters mine field at Calapan (78,79)

Allied Ships
AM Bittern



1 mine cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
CL Kuma
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Shell hits 12, and is sunk




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 67% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 12,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
DD Asakaze fires at xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 10,000 yards
CA Maya engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 7,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 7,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 7,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Im gonna have to figure out a way to get these IJN cruisers off the exit to Manila bay so I can evacuate shipping.



The 4 USN DDs fleeing Manila bay somehow intercept an IJN amphbious TF en route to invade Jolo and breaks up the landings:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 73,88, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Kasasagi, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Meiten Maru, Shell hits 37, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nojima Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 1
DD Peary, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope, Shell hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
1862 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 31 (21 destroyed, 10 disabled)



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 12,000 yards
DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 12,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 11,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 11,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Nojima Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Nojima Maru at 10,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 10,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
TB Kasasagi engages DD Pope at 7,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 7,000 yards
TB Kasasagi engages DD Peary at 7,000 yards
DD Peary engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Peary engages xAK Meiten Maru at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 7,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Nojima Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 5,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Peary engages xAK Meiten Maru at 5,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Peary engages xAK Nojima Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 2,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Nojima Maru at 2,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards
xAK Nojima Maru sunk by DD Pillsbury at 2,000 yards
DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 2,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 2,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Peary engages TB Kasasagi at 3,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Pope engages TB Kasasagi at 4,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 8,000 yards
DD Pope engages xAK Meiten Maru at 8,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 13,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 73,88, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Kasasagi, on fire
xAK Meiten Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford
DD Peary, on fire
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
496 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
DD Pillsbury engages xAK Meiten Maru at 12,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages xAK Meiten Maru at 12,000 yards
Musak, F.V. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 8,000 yards
xAK Meiten Maru sunk by DD Pillsbury at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Pillsbury engages TB Kasasagi at 13,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages TB Kasasagi at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


With the Japanese invasion of Jolo postponed, it will be a few turns now until Erstad can gain aerial supremacy over these waters.




DEI

Japan captures Miri and invades at Brunei and Morotai.


Force Z leaves Singapore and takes up station just off the coast of Singkawang.






MALAYA


IJA troops overrun Kota Bharu:

Ground combat at Kota Bharu (51,75)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9695 troops, 99 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 456

Defending force 3730 troops, 40 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Japanese adjusted assault: 274

Allied adjusted defense: 52

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
250 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units pursuing 1


Allied ground losses:
2521 casualties reported
Squads: 123 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 128 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 27 (27 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
5th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
FMSV Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
3rd ISF Base Force




The Allies mass over 30 torpedo bombers at Kuala Lampur but inflict token damage on IJN invasion forces at Kota Bharu:



Morning Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 32



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
Swordfish I x 5
Vildebeest III x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 5 damaged
Vildebeest III: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1
BB Kongo
xAK Ayatosan Maru
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
5 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
2 x Vildebeest III bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 14 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-27b Nate (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
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 22



Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 3
Vildebeest III x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 51,75

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 40



Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
Swordfish I x 5
Vildebeest III x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Vildebeest III: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
xAK Kyokusei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Isuzu
BB Haruna



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
5 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
2 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (22 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
22 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
10 planes vectored on to bombers
64th Sentai Det with Ki-27b Nate (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
Raid is overhead


The Allied torpedo bombers have shot their bolt and will now be evacuated as Im sure Erstad will level the airfield at Kuala Lampur next turn.

Allied shipping at Singapore begins loading key elements of III Indian Corps for withdrawal back to India.

Good luck on the game!

I know Erstad is kicking my behind on our game! [:D] ..you got yourself an good opponent.

aztez......thanks for the comments! Dave is a great player so Im really looking forward to a very competitive game.



12/11-12/12/41



CENTPAC/SOPAC


KB disappears into the vastness of the Pacific Ocean so Pearl Harbor begins to rebuild. The shipyard at Pearl has been heavily damaged.....only has a capacity of 40,000 tons now so most of the damaged ships will be placed on pierside repairs before they enter the shipyard.


Convoys leave the US west coast to begin the buildup of the Allied island bases across the Pacific.

Rabaul is captured after 2 assaults.

Japan conducts additional landings at Gasmata so it looks as if Erstad may be making an early move into the south Pacific. I normally make my stand at New Caledonia with early reinforcements but if Erstad makes a major effort here I may need to fall back on New Zealand instead.



DEI


Erstad captures Morotai, Brunei and Ternate.


IJA troops begin landings at Jesselton and Vanimo.

With a massive aerial buildup at Kota Bharu.......it is no longer feasible to keep Force Z on the northern coast of Borneo. Force Z is ordered to redeploy to the southern coast of Borneo at Balikpappan. As Force Z retires to Balikpappan, SS I-153 lands 2 torpedoes on CL Danae. Danae is in danger of sinking and she will try to make port at Batavia for repairs.



MALAYA


Moving with stunning speed from Patani, Japanese troops isolate and then invest Alor Star. 15th Indian Brigade is now trapped there. With the pounding of 2 other Indian Brigades at Kota Bharu last turn.......Japan has already compromised the equivalent of an entire Indian division in just 3 turns.

Japan has massively built up the airfields now at Kota Bharu, Singora and Patani and now has total control of the air over all of the Malay peninsula. The remnants of the Allied air forces will be withdrawn to Burma and India. Singapore is now too hazardous for Royal Navy and all shipping there will be evacuated.

I normally withdraw most of III Indian Corps from Malaya for redeployment to India. Now I think I will just evacuate cadres of the III Indian Corps units to India but keep most everything in Malaya to try to slow Erstad down just a bit.



CHINA

Chinese troops capture Paotow and invest Ichang.

No major Japanese offensives here yet. In fact....it seems as if Japanese troops are pulling back. Maybe Erstad is falling back in order to concentrate a massive army to steamroll the Chinese...we will see.

The Chinese air force is beefed up with 2 squadrons of the AVG and one squadron of P-40Es withdrawn from the Philippines.

Hong Kong still holds out and Chinese troops begin to mass on Canton.



PHILIPPINES


SS S-39 sinks PB Akitsui Mari near Vigan.

Japan continues the buildup at Vigan and invests Laoag.

Most of the USAAF fighters are withdrawn from Luzon to China and Mindanao.

Erstad leaves the 2 CA blocking force off Manila to keep Allied shipping bottled up inside. USN subs and PT boats are massed against the IJN blocking force but with no effect.

12/13-12/14/41



SUBS


SS I-122 sinks AK Fatshan off Hong Kong.

SS KXI puts a torpedo in AK Tihuku Maru near Patani.

SS I-122 sinks AKL Soochow off Hong Kong.

SS I-121 pumps 9 shells into AK Palawan near Donggala.

SS I-122 scores a hat trick by sinking its 3rd vessel this turn.....AKL Yat Shing.....off Hong Kong.

SS KXI lands a fish on AK Hukuyo Maru near patani.



NAVAL BATTLE OF BATAAN


The Allies have a lot of shipping trapped in port at Manila.....and some of the AKs in port have loaded elements of the Cavite Base Force. One of the most important ops for me in the Philippines at the start of the war is to extricate the Cavite and the Cebu base forces.....I use these units to help build up Noumea and usually Port Moresby and then as the Allies advance across the Pacific I move these 2 base forces forward into the Marianas and the Paulaus. Cadres of both units have already been flown out of harms way but I like to get as much of the parent unit out as possible. Meanwhile.....IJN bombers at Vigan are hammering the Allied shipping in port at Manila:

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 15
Ki-36 Ida x 9



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 3 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
xAKL Paz, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yu Sang, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PG Asheville, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
PG Tulsa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Corregidor, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



Somehow I have to get rid of the IJN blockade off Manila with 2 CAs and 2 CLs. The subs and PTs I have sent to hit the IJN blocking force have been ineffectual so far.


Force Z had just arrived at Balikpappan. I stripped away some of the lower endurance RN DDs and augmented the force with CA Houston, CL Boise, CL Marblehead and 4 longer ranged USN DDs. They are ordered to sail at full speed to Manila and hit the IJN cruiser blocking force off Bataan. P-40Es are flown in to Bataan and Batangas to LRCAP Force Z when it arrives at Manila. Force Z will refuel at Manila and then race back to Balikpappan. A fresh P-40B squadron at Tarakan will LRCAP Force Z on the return trip to Balikpappan. The only problem with this plan is I will have no LRCAP for Force Z on the end of the 1st day of the high speed run to Manila. Force Z should be in the southern Sulu Sea approximately 3 hexes NW of Zamboanga. Mini KB is currently in the Clebes Sea and should be out of range of Force Z at the end of the 1st day. The only other Japanese airfield that is within range of Force Z is the level 3 airfield at Vigan.

Well at the end of the 1st day of the run to Manila, Force Z is hit by Betties flying from the level 3 airifeld at Vigan....at the extreme range of 15 hexes no less.....and they are carrying torpedoes:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 74,86

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 8



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Prince of Wales



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



Unfortunately....after BC Repulse is hit by torpedoes it is detached from Force Z with DD Electra as an escort and is sent back towards Balikpappan.....right into the sights of the Kates from mini KB:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tawi Tawi at 71,89

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 5
B5N1 Kate x 4



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



BC Repulse is lost with all hands. Bloodied but still undeterred, Force Z races up to Luzon and pummels the IJN blocking force off Bataan:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
CL Kuma, Shell hits 3
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 3
CA Houston
CL Marblehead
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Stewart
DD Tenedos



Reduced visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 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
CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards
CA Maya engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Boise at 2,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Ashigara at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CL Kuma at 2,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 2,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Stewart at 2,000 yards
DD Bulmer engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Matsukaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Ashigara at 6,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara sunk by CL Boise at 6,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Tenedos at 6,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Bulmer at 6,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Maya at 7,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CL Boise engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages DD Asakaze at 7,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Tenedos at 7,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Bulmer at 7,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...



CA Ashigara is sunk and CL Kuma is damaged. Force Z arrives at Manila and is covered by USAAF P-40E LRCAP from the IJN bombers at Vigan.


Now its time for Force Z to go home....and for all the Allied shipping in port at Manila to get the hell out of Dodge. Not only is mini KB waiting back in the Celebes Sea......but Erstad has placed a surface TF with 4 BBs in the Celebes Sea to block any ship from exiting to the south.

So Force Z has 2 options:

1) Withdraw along the northern coast of Borneo under Allied fighter cover at Singkawang and then proceed to Batavia or...
2)Withdraw through the center of the Philippine archipelago.....through the San Bernadino Straights and into Leyte Gulf and then to a point 2 hexes NW of Sorong and thence into the Banda Sea.

I decided on the 2nd alternative......USAAF P-40Bs and P-40Es are staged into Mindanao to cover the withdrawal. BB PoW doesnt have quite enough fuel to reach Darwin so Force Z will sail from a point just NW of Sorong to Tamerfane Island......just north of Darwin...where there are some pre-positioned tankers waiting at anchor to refuel the thirsty capital ships.


As far as shipping in port at Manila.....I have some very high value targets including 3 AS ships and several AKs carrying the Cavite Baes Force. These will be sent through both the San Bernadino Straight and the Sulu/Celebes Seas back to safe harbor. As luck would have it....several AKLs are also just leaving Cebu with the Cebu Base Force. Mini KB will have a field day tomorrow. I staged 2 squadrons of Dutch medium bombers into Tarakan with B-339s and P-40Bs as escorts just to put a little caution into the Japanese. I will also flood the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea with a horde of low value AKLs and AKs just to keep mini KB busy.



MALAYA

IJA troops capture Alor Star and retreat the 15th Indian Brigade in the wrong direction.

Additional IJA troops advance along the Kota Bharo/Temuloh highway and hammer the former defenders of Kota Bharu yet again.



CBI

Erstad drops paratroopers at Lashio but is defeated by the defending base force. I bought a Chinese 11th Army Division that is a couple days out from Lashio so hopefully they arrive in time.

The Chinese capture Ichang as Japan withdraws from the town.

Japan merely bombards at Hong Kong.

The entire south of China is strangely quiet.



DEI


Japan captures Vanimo but is repulsed at Jesselton.

Additional IJA troops land at Manado.



SOPAC


IJN troops invade at Lunga. Now Im really starting to become concerned about the rapidity of the Japanese advance in the south Pacific but at this point there isnt very much I can do about it.

12/15-12/16/41



CENTPAC/SOPAC


Japan launches its 2nd invasion attempt at Wake:


Pre-Invasion action off Wake Island
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Terushima Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Okiyu Maru



5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Terushima Maru at 7,000 yards
PB Okiyu Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Terushima Maru at 7,000 yards
PB Okiyu Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Terushima Maru at 7,000 yards
PB Okiyu Maru firing to suppress enemy battery at 7,000 yards
PB Okiyu Maru fired at enemy troops
5in CD Gun battery firing at xAK Terushima Maru



This time around, Erstad brings some BBs in support and at least 3 CVs for cover:

Pre-Invasion action off Wake Island - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Aoba
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
PB Santos Maru
xAK Aratama Maru
DD Urakaze

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)


BB Kirishima firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion
1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Kirishima
BB Hiei firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion
1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Hiei
CA Aoba firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion
1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Aoba
CA Chikuma firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion
1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Chikuma
CA Tone firing at 1st Marine Defense Battalion
1st Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Tone
PB Santos Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Wake Island

TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 136,98





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Wake Island
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Okiyu Maru
xAK Terushima Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage



PB Okiyu Maru fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Wake Island
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Toyotsu Maru, Shell hits 2
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
PB Santos Maru
xAK Aratama Maru


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


5in CD Gun Battery engaging xAKL Toyotsu Maru at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
PB Santos Maru fired at enemy guns
5in CD Gun battery firing at xAK Aratama Maru


Afternoon Air attack on Wake USN CPNAB , at 136,98 (Wake Island)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 76



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 16 damaged


Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ...
Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ...
Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ...
Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ...
Also attacking 1st Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Wake USN CPNAB ...



Wake surrenders aftere the initial Japanese assault:



Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1418 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Defending force 892 troops, 26 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 31

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1025 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 118 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (35 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2


Assaulting units:
53rd Nav Gd /1

Defending units:
Wake USN CPNAB
1st Marine Defense Battalion





Not far away, a USN CV TF accidentally runs across an IJN surface raider TF NE of Hawaii:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 186,91

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Awata Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yugure, Bomb hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Awata Maru




Looks like Erstad was trying to get these surface raiders astride our convoy routes from the west coast to Hawaii. While Im happy about hitting the IJN ships hard and forcing them to at least retire.......Im not excited about exposing the position of one of my precious carrier TFs.....especially when there are IJN CVs off Wake. The USN CV will retire at high speed and not remain around to finish off the IJN raiders. Instead....CA Portland will be detached from the CV TF to finish off the Japs with naval gunnery.


In the south Pacific, Japan captures Lunga.




CBI


Japan captures Kweiteh but is once again repulsed with heavy casualties at Hong Kong:

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24742 troops, 337 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 745

Defending force 6593 troops, 132 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 230

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 616

Allied adjusted defense: 1233

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1007 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 81 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled


Allied ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Inf.Group
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
38th Division
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
1st Middlesex Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kweiteh (90,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11762 troops, 102 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 908 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 190

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 47 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiteh !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
466 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
32nd Division

Defending units:
69th Chinese/B Corps
69th Chinese/A Corps
69th Chinese/C Corps



At Lashio in Burma, the IJA paradrops are again beaten back by the base forces.


An IJA tank unit approaches Moulmein and is being hit repeatedly by Allied bombers flying out of Rangoon.




MALAYA


Japan invades at Kuantan.

IJA troops overrun Georgetown.

Pretty much the entire Malaya Army is now falling back on Singapore.



DEI


Lots of action in the DEI this turn. Japan invades at Singkawang but is again beaten back at Jesselton.



Manado is captured:


Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3771 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Defending force 1633 troops, 2 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Japanese adjusted assault: 99

Allied adjusted defense: 23

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manado !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
662 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
33rd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Manado Garrison Battalion
Manado Base Force


Manado is key to Japan's advance.....Erstad now has a level 3 airfield in the middle of the central DEI.

Allied shipping tries to flee to the Java Sea....2 transport TFs engage in surface combat with mini KB:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Gorontalo at 71,96, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CVL Zuiho
CVE Hosho
CVE Taiyo
CS Chiyoda
CL Yura
DD Mikazuki
DD Yakaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
xAKL Lepus



Low visibility due to Rain with 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 10% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range increases to 7,000 yards...
Range increases to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


Night Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CVL Zuiho
CVE Hosho
CVE Taiyo
CS Chiyoda
CL Yura
DD Mikazuki
DD Yakaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
xAKL Escalante R
xAKL Taurus



Reduced visibility due to Rain with 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 3% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat



An IJN surface TF with 4 BBs patrolling the Celebes Sea hammers Allied shipping:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
PT TM-10
PT TM-11, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-13
PT TM-14, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT TM-15, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 12,000 yards
BB Ise fires at PT TM-15 at 12,000 yards
PT TM-12 sunk by BB Nagato at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Nagato engages PT TM-11 at 11,000 yards
PT TM-15 sunk by CA Haguro at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages PT TM-14 at 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages PT TM-14 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards
BB Nagato engages PT TM-11 at 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages PT TM-11 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
PT TM-14 sunk by BB Hyuga at 9,000 yards
PT TM-11 sunk by BB Nagato at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Nagato engages PT TM-10 at 14,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT TM-10 at 14,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT TM-10 at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages PT TM-10 at 19,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages PT TM-13 at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages PT TM-13 at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
BB Ise engages PT TM-13 at 28,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Legazpi, Shell hits 2, and is sunk



Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Takagi, Takeo crosses the 'T'
xAKL Legazpi sunk by BB Fuso at 14,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
xAK Ping Wo, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Taiyuan, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Liran, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
BB Nagato engages xAK Ping Wo at 13,000 yards
CA Nachi engages xAK Liran at 13,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages xAK Liran at 13,000 yards
xAK Liran sunk by DD Hatsukaze at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Nagato engages xAK Ping Wo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
xAK Taiyuan sunk by CA Nachi at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages xAK Ping Wo at 7,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAK Ping Wo at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
xAK Ping Wo sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Donggala at 69,96, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Mauban, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
xAKL Montanes, Shell hits 14, and is sunk



Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages xAKL Mauban at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards
BB Nagato engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards
BB Fuso engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages xAKL Mauban at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages xAKL Montanes at 11,000 yards
BB Ise engages xAKL Mauban at 11,000 yards
xAKL Mauban sunk by BB Fuso at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages xAKL Montanes at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAKL Montanes at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAKL Montanes at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAKL Montanes at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages xAKL Montanes at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages xAKL Montanes at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
xAKL Montanes sunk by BB Fuso at 10,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...



The naval bombers of mini KB get in on the action:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Madjene at 65,101

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N1 Kate x 12



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Latouche, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (5 destroyed, 14 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Latouche


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 73,92

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
B5N1 Kate x 9



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Lepus



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 72,93

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
B5N1 Kate x 4



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Escalante R



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jolo at 74,90

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
B5N2 Kate x 3



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Sagoland, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb


Even the IJN subs get in on the bloodfest:


Submarine attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
xAK Ravnaas, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



xAK Ravnaas is sighted by SS I-121
SS I-121 attacking on the surface
SS I-121 low on gun ammo, Chiyoshima V. breaks off surface engagement and submerges





For Allied retribution, Dutch level bombers flying out of Tarakan manage to scatch the paint on one of the IJN BBs:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 69,96

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 14
A6M2 Zero x 20
F1M2 Pete x 6



Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 11
B-339D x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-339D: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Hyuga
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 24000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers




While all this is going on .....Force Z and many of the high value ships fleeing from Manila manage to force the San Bernadino Straights and escape out though Leyte Gulf into the Philippine Sea. As the turn ends......mini KB is uncomfortably close to Force Z....the DDs ran low on fuel and slowed Force Z down. The DDs will be detached ......some will refuel at Sorong and some will refuel at Tamerfane...and the rest of Force Z with BB PoW, CA Houston, CL Boise and CL Marblehead will continue south at full speed to refuel off tankers waiting at Tamerfane.

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

....My opponent here was Erstad who is an expert in surface combat....

I was not happy to see this. I am playing as Japan currently in a game against Dave (Erstad). He is certainly an expert in the air and ground combat systems too....

Good luck!

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

This thread will be primarily a strategy thread on WitP AE scenario 1. Id also like to use this thread to discuss tactics/operational plans that were involved in the AE tournament if anyone has any interest.

I am interested both in your overall strategy for the Allies in Scenario 1 and the tactics/operational plans in the tournament. You noted that the pre-game planning for each of the tournament games was the primary reason for victory. Can you give some insight?

thanks, Mike

Nice to see you back AdmSpruance, love reading your reports

sbetsa....thanx for your comments!


Wirraway_Ace.....i will try to briefly give you some insight on the operational planning than went on in all 3 AE Tournament games. Then if you have other questions go ahead and fire away.

The 1st round was the Coral Sea scenario and I was playing Nomad. On paper.....it appeared that the USN and its 2 CVs were no match for the IJN with 2 CVs, 1 CVL, 3 land based squadrons of A6M2s and 2 squadrons of Betties. I figured the only US advantage was mobility....the USN starts with 2 AOs vs 1 IJN AO plus it has fuel stored up and down the eastern coast of Oz.

I left 1 AO out the the middle of the Coral Sea and 1 AO with the USN CV TFs off the coast of Oz. When Nomad tried an end around invasion of Efate/Luganville I was able to detach some cruisers for a high speed run from OZ....across the Coral Sea......and destroy the IJN invasion force. Then the cruisers were able to race back to Oz...refueling at the AO in the middle of the Coral Sea on the way. Meanwhile.....the USN CVs were manuevering back and forth between the east coast of Oz and the middle of the Coral Sea watching the IJN invasion force approach Port Moresby......just at the extreme range of IJN search AC.....topping off every turn from the escorting AO. When Nomad finally decided to send the IJN carriers after what he thought he had spotted in the middle of the Coral Sea....all he found was AO Neosho and a few escorts. Meanwhile, the USN CVs were topped off on the east coast of Oz just N of Townsville and they raced N at full speed to the Torres Straights.....NW Of Port Moresby. The USN CVs were able to hammer the IJN invasion transports and surface TFs while the IJN carriers flailed around in the middle of the Coral Sea. Nomad's CVs were low on fuel and wouldnt have been able to get into position to either protect his transports or attack my carriers for at least a couple more turns so he conceded.

When I played as Japan, I took the 1 IJN AO and kept it with my CV TFs/surface TFs/invasion TF stack and again topped off my CVs every turn. I sank the 2 USN AOs with my subs and now it was the USN that had the mobility problem. My invasion force made it ashore at Port Moresby in good order and I was about to take the base when Nomad sent the 2 USN CVs at me in a very short ranged bar room brawl. The USN CVs were both sunk and while Ryujo was sunk and Shokaku and Zuikaku were both heavily damaged....they were still just barely able to conduct flight ops and the remnants of the USN were forced to flee the field of battle.


The 2nd round of the AE Tournament was the 1000 mi War......I didnt know very much about this aspect of the Pacific War other than that the Allies recaptured Kiska and Attu. I was surprised to learn from the OOB that half way through the scenario Japan receives 2 CVs and a CVL vs a single Allied CVE. Japan also gets BB Yamato and BB Musashi and a horde of CAs ready for Adm Tanaka to command. Basically....the Allies have to capture both Attu and Kiska before the IJN carriers arrive and then all the USN fleet has to hide somewhere on a small map. So for the Allies to capture Attu and Kiska as quickly as possible....the key to the game is building up the forward Allied base at Adak. I sent every combat engineer regiment and battalion there ASAP. ADAK starts out as a 2/2 base but can be enlarged to a 5/5. Once the airfield is enlarged to level 4/5 you can bring up the medium and heavy bombers from Dutch Harbor and pound Attu and Kiska. However......FAR MORE IMPORTANT..... is to build up the port at Adak to level 5. The USN amphibious transports dont arrive until a few weeks into the scenario and there simply isnt enough time to run amphibious transports twice from Dutch Harbor to the Japanese held bases before KB shows up. So you need to move all you assault forces and supplies forward to Adak with xAPs and xAKs so that when the APAs/AKAs finally arrive you can quickly assault both islands.

My opponent Rader only tried to take Kiska...the closer island to the Allies. I took Attu and would have been able to also take Kiska but the CD unit at Attu shot up a couple of my assault transports.

Then the IJN carriers showed up. Rader made his last stand with all his Allied ships and AC at Adak. I had been planning all along as the Allies to make my final stand at Dutch Harbor with all its AA guns. As Rader moved his IJN carriers past Adak to hit me at Dutch Harbor I was able to stage bombers to Adak to hit him as he approached and also as he retreated. I had been training my medium bombers on naval attack for almost 2 months and scored repeated hits on Zuiho, Shokaku and Zuikaku.

When it was my turn to move the IJN carriers and BBs to Adak to finish off the Allies I was able to naval bombard Adak and destroy most of the Allies air force...over 150 AC.....on the ground and even though I also lost Zuiho the remaining American naval forces were pretty much hor's de combat.

The final round of the tournament was the Marianas Scenario and my opponent was Erstad. The Japanese have a pretty big navy in this scenario but they are hopelessly outclassed with both obsolete fighters and poorly trained pilots. On the other hand....the US has an extremely powerful navy with Hellcats and Avengers and good pilots....but they have to capture heavily fortified Saipan/Tinian/Guam with insufficient ground forces. The easiest island to take of the 3 is Tinian....and that is the first island that Erstad went after as the Allies.

Instead....my 1st assault objective was Pagan.....its lightly defended and has a level 5 AF and I think that the port can be expanded to level 5 also. I think Pagan is the key to this scenario.....read Captain Mandrakes AAR on the Marianas.... he too went after Pagan 1st with exactly the same reasoning and forces as I did. Once you take Pagan....you have an immediate level 5 AF with 250 land based AC.......naval bombers to keep KB at bay, recon platform for Iwo Jima....where most of the Japanese AC reinforcements enter from.... and a naval search PBY platform that can search up to the northern map edge and keep the IJN from going around your northern flank. Pagan also serves as a fuel/supply/LCU dump and I just kept dropping TKs/AKEs/AEs there for rearmament and refueling. I never once had to send the USN back to the Marshalls for rearm/refuel/replacements as Erstad did until he could take Tinian. Once I had defeated the Japanese navy I was able to bring up more medium and heavy bombers to Pagan to help wear down the defenses at Saipan/Tinian/Guam.

Erstad finally did take Tinian and then he was able to build up both the port and airfields there. By the time he did that, I was able to move the Japanese surface fleet around his northern flank and I was able to attack him in the rear in the Marianas. The IJN is at such aerial disadvantage that ......just as for the US in the Coral Sea Scenario...their only advantage is mobility....something very difficult to achieve when half their navy arrives on the map with no fuel. I think the IJN starts with 1 AO and 1 TK....I loaded these with fuel at Babeldaob and sent them up to Iwo Jima to support future ops. My ships were able to do high speed runs between Truk and Babeldaob...refueling at each base....and then between Babeldaob and iwo Jima. When Erstad sent the US carriers out to Babeldaob to try to force combat with the IJN....I sent half the carriers on a high speed run to hit unprotected USN surface TFs and transports in the Marianas behind the USN CVs while the other half of the IJN CVs quietly refueled at Iwo Jima and departed for Hawaiian waters. I detached CAs from the IJN CVs headed for Hawaii to conduct surface intercepts with USN convoys carrying reinforcements from Hawaii to the Marianas.

I apologize for rambling a bit here but to sum up....the operational plan to take Pagan was key to the Allied success in this scenario. As Japan....you are so outgunned that the only thing you can try to exploit in the Marianas scenario is speed and manuver....sort of the same thing as what I did with the out gunned USN CVs in the Coral Sea scenario.

12/17-12/18/41



CHINA....THE SOUTH


This is perhaps the quietest opening I have seen from Japan in over 30 games of stock WitP/CHS/Big B/AE. The Japanese army is most conspicuous by its absence.

Erstad finally takes Hong Kong this turn but there is no other action in the southern half of China. No offensive moves from Hankow/Wuchang/Nanchang. No assault on Changsha. No mopping up attacks on the scattered bastions of SE China such as Wenchow or Chuhsien. In fact....Erstad withdrew from Ichang before I could mount an attack. Now that Erstad has taken Hong Kong he has sent a recon mission over Wuchow....its almost undefended as I moved everything forward to invest Canton. Sinyang is also invested with 1500 Chinese AV. I normally take Sinyang as China early on but Erstad has reinforced it with troops and engineers and is building up the forts so I will be content to dig in here with heavily prepped troops in 2x terrain.

If Erstad does move on Wuchow, I have a strategic reserve in the south of aboiut 2500 AV around Ichang and another 2400 AV resting in the rail yards at Changsha and Hengchow...ready to redeploy anywhere in the south where China has the railroads and the mobility advantage.

Until Erstad shows his hand in the south.....Im content to sit back as the Chinese and rest the units to undisrupt the squads and gain morale and eventually experience.

CHINA....THE NORTH


Things are a bit more ominous up in northern China. Erstad has evacuated Paotow and Ive been able to invest Kweisui but Im not feeling secure about the overall situation. In the north, Japan has all the railroads and the mobility advantage. Last turn there was 1 IJA LCU in Taiyuan....now Japan has just railed in 5 more LCUs this turn. Estad also appears to be massing around Kaifeng....I sent a recon in force into Kaifeng this turn so next turn I should know what he has there.

Normally Japan can easily overrun Tsiatso before China can reinforce it but Erstad has allowed me to reinforce here. I have about 2500 AV between Tsiatso/Loyang/Chengchow and another 1000 AV at Nanyang but the open plains of central China are difficult to defend...especially if Japan buys some armor from Manchukuo to commit here. Ive got the AT guns from Chungking on the way but this battlefield will be decided long before they arrive. I always try to hold on as China in these central plains due to all the resources and supplies that they produce.

I havent gotten much sigint on China yet but Im starting to be concerned that Erstad is planning a massive 2 prong offensive towards Sian. If thats the case, then its incumbant on me to withdraw from the plains and dig in in the forests and rough terrain.

12/17-12/18/41


DEI


Japan captures Jesselton.

The new Japanese airfield at Manado poses a mortal threat to Allied naval activity in the central DEI. Two B-17 squadrons at Ambon are sent to hit the airfield at Manado but inflict minimal damage.


Newly arrived Betties at Manado wreak havoc on Allied shipping in the Makassar Straits:

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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 23



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AO TAN 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AO TAN 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO TAN 5



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manado at 74,96

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Hai Lee, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo


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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO TAN 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AO TAN 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AM Pieter de Bitter



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo







Two IJN DD flotillas patrolling the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea ravage Allied shipping attempting to flee the area:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 74,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Escalante R, Shell hits 2
xAKL Taurus, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage



Poor visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 2,000 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
DD Wakaba engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Taurus at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Escalante R at 2,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAKL Escalante R at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages xAKL Taurus at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
xAKL Taurus sunk by DD Hokaze at 3,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 74,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Taurus, and is sunk



Low visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% 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
Night Time Surface Combat at hex 74, 91, Range 2000 yards
Allied Escort TF evades combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Jolo at 74,91

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Hokaze
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack



SS Skipjack is sighted by escort
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Day Time Surface Combat, near Cotabato at 76,91, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Don Jose, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAKL Sagoland, Shell hits 20, and is sunk



Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Sagoland at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Don Jose at 11,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAKL Sagoland at 11,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAKL Sagoland at 11,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAKL Sagoland at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Sagoland at 9,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAKL Sagoland at 9,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAKL Sagoland at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Don Jose at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages xAKL Sagoland at 5,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages xAKL Sagoland at 5,000 yards
xAKL Sagoland sunk by DD Hatsushima at 5,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAKL Don Jose at 5,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Don Jose at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Don Jose at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Don Jose at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAKL Don Jose at 3,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAKL Don Jose at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Day Time Surface Combat, near Basilan at 75,91, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
xAK Hanyang, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Nanning, Shell hits 24, and is sunk



Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 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
DD Yugumo engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAK Hanyang at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAK Hanyang at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages xAK Hanyang at 9,000 yards
xAK Hanyang sunk by DD Nenohi at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Nanning at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAK Nanning at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages xAK Nanning at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAK Nanning at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAK Nanning at 3,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages xAK Nanning at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages xAK Nanning at 2,000 yards
xAK Nanning sunk by DD Wakaba at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tandjoengselor at 70,94, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
xAK Capillo, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 4,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAK Capillo at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAK Capillo at 5,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAK Capillo at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages xAK Capillo at 2,000 yards
xAK Capillo sunk by DD Hatsushima at 2,000 yards
xAK Capillo sunk by DD Hatsushima at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengselor at 70,94

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Hokaze
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
SS Sealion



SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at DD Yugumo
Sealion diving deep ....
DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Samarinda at 68,96, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
PG Asheville, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAK Yu Sang, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 5,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAK Yu Sang at 5,000 yards
xAK Yu Sang sunk by DD Wakaba at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages PG Asheville at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages PG Asheville at 2,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages PG Asheville at 2,000 yards
PG Asheville sunk by DD Hatsuharu at 2,000 yards
PG Asheville sunk by DD Hatsuharu at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Night Time Surface Combat, near Siargao at 88,88, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Yamagumo
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Tachikaze

Allied Ships
AM Lark, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Tantalus, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 20 (11 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 6,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 6,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
DD Tachikaze launches Torpedoes at xAK Tantalus at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Naka engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages xAK Tantalus at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
AM Lark sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages xAK Tantalus at 2,000 yards
xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Hokaze
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
SS KIX



SS KIX is sighted by escort
KIX diving deep ....
DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Night Time Surface Combat, near Siargao at 88,88, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Yamagumo
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Tachikaze

Allied Ships
AM Lark, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Tantalus, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 20 (11 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 6,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 6,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
DD Tachikaze launches Torpedoes at xAK Tantalus at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Naka engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages AM Lark at 4,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages xAK Tantalus at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
AM Lark sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages xAK Tantalus at 2,000 yards
xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
xAK Tantalus sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu
DD Hokaze
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
SS KIX



SS KIX is sighted by escort
KIX diving deep ....
DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub




PHILIPPINES


Japan captures Tueguegaro and Aparri.

Allied shipping has mostly evacuated Manila but unfortunately a lot of it now lies on the bottom of the Celebes Sea.

12/17-12/18/41



CENTPAC/SOPAC


Japan lands troops at Ndeni....Erstads not too far away from Luganville now.....or even New Caledonia for that matter.



East of Kauai, CA Portland runs down the damaged IJN surface raiders:



Day Time Surface Combat, near Pearl Harbor at 186,91, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Portland
DD Lamson, Shell hits 2, on fire



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 16,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 12,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 10,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 8,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 12,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 16,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Shiratsuyu at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Lamson at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 23,000 yards
Yoshimura, Matake orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 27,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 27,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 29,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 29,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Shiratsuyu at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Day Time Surface Combat, near Lihue at 176,99, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
DD Lamson, Shell hits 1, on fire



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Kamo, Kiyoshi crosses the 'T'
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Yugure engages CA Portland at 13,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Yugure engages CA Portland at 9,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 13,000 yards
Perlman, B. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugure at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 17,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 18,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lamson at 18,000 yards
Kamo, Kiyoshi orders Japanese TF to disengage
CA Portland engages DD Yugure at 18,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Yugure at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugure at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
Task forces break off...





MALAYA



And here is a screenshot of Malaya. Kuantan has just been captured and Malaya Army is in full retreat back to Singapore.

Farther north, IJA troops invest Victoria Point.

12/17-12/18/41


THE PURSUIT OF FORCE Z


With mini KB and 4 BBs hot on their tail, Force Z detaches the DDs that are running low on fuel and BB PoW and the USN cruisers continue south at full speed to Tamerfane Island in the Banda Sea where they are refueled by a waiting tanker. The DDs are forced to travel at cruising speed to conserve fuel and one by one they are run down by both mimi KB and the 4 BBs:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 80,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 1
B5N1 Kate x 12



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Bulmer



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 80,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N1 Kate x 9



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Stewart, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 82,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 3



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Tenedos, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



Day Time Surface Combat, near Gebe at 79,105, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
DD Bulmer



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
Allied Surface Combat TF evades combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Gebe at 80,104, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Ise
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 1
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
DD Barker, Shell hits 11, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Natsushio at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 19,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Barker at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Hatsukaze at 15,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 15,000 yards
BB Nagato engages DD Barker at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Barker at 14,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Barker at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Barker at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Barker at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Barker engages BB Hyuga at 8,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Barker at 8,000 yards
DD Barker engages DD Oyashio at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Barker sunk by BB Hyuga at 12,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...



The BBs also run down AS Otus trying to flee from the Philippines:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Boela at 81,110, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
AS Otus, Shell hits 4, and is sunk



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 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
Takagi, Takeo crosses the 'T'
BB Hyuga engages AS Otus at 9,000 yards
BB Nagato collides with DD Amatsukaze at 81 , 110
Range closes to 6,000 yards
AS Otus sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards
AS Otus sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


DD Bulmer has escaped from both the Kates of mini KB and the 4 BBs of the pursuing IJN surface TF. The crew will have quite a story to tell if they make it back to port.


Erstad had chased Force Z from the Philippines down nearly to the northern coast of Australia.....looks like he will chase them to the ends of the earth if he has enough fuel.

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

12/17-12/18/41



CHINA....THE SOUTH


This is perhaps the quietest opening I have seen from Japan in over 30 games of stock WitP/CHS/Big B/AE. The Japanese army is most conspicuous by its absence.

Erstad finally takes Hong Kong this turn but there is no other action in the southern half of China. No offensive moves from Hankow/Wuchang/Nanchang. No assault on Changsha. No mopping up attacks on the scattered bastions of SE China such as Wenchow or Chuhsien. In fact....Erstad withdrew from Ichang before I could mount an attack. Now that Erstad has taken Hong Kong he has sent a recon mission over Wuchow....its almost undefended as I moved everything forward to invest Canton. Sinyang is also invested with 1500 Chinese AV. I normally take Sinyang as China early on but Erstad has reinforced it with troops and engineers and is building up the forts so I will be content to dig in here with heavily prepped troops in 2x terrain.

If Erstad does move on Wuchow, I have a strategic reserve in the south of aboiut 2500 AV around Ichang and another 2400 AV resting in the rail yards at Changsha and Hengchow...ready to redeploy anywhere in the south where China has the railroads and the mobility advantage.

Until Erstad shows his hand in the south.....Im content to sit back as the Chinese and rest the units to undisrupt the squads and gain morale and eventually experience.

I very much like the move to invest Canton. Japan is very weak in the South. He can do very little.

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

sbetsa....thanx for your comments!


Wirraway_Ace.....i will try to briefly give you some insight on the operational planning than went on in all 3 AE Tournament games. Then if you have other questions go ahead and fire away.

The 1st round was the Coral Sea scenario and I was playing Nomad. On paper.....it appeared that the USN and its 2 CVs were no match for the IJN with 2 CVs, 1 CVL, 3 land based squadrons of A6M2s and 2 squadrons of Betties. I figured the only US advantage was mobility....the USN starts with 2 AOs vs 1 IJN AO plus it has fuel stored up and down the eastern coast of Oz.

I left 1 AO out the the middle of the Coral Sea and 1 AO with the USN CV TFs off the coast of Oz. When Nomad tried an end around invasion of Efate/Luganville I was able to detach some cruisers for a high speed run from OZ....across the Coral Sea......and destroy the IJN invasion force. Then the cruisers were able to race back to Oz...refueling at the AO in the middle of the Coral Sea on the way. Meanwhile.....the USN CVs were manuevering back and forth between the east coast of Oz and the middle of the Coral Sea watching the IJN invasion force approach Port Moresby......just at the extreme range of IJN search AC.....topping off every turn from the escorting AO. When Nomad finally decided to send the IJN carriers after what he thought he had spotted in the middle of the Coral Sea....all he found was AO Neosho and a few escorts. Meanwhile, the USN CVs were topped off on the east coast of Oz just N of Townsville and they raced N at full speed to the Torres Straights.....NW Of Port Moresby. The USN CVs were able to hammer the IJN invasion transports and surface TFs while the IJN carriers flailed around in the middle of the Coral Sea. Nomad's CVs were low on fuel and wouldnt have been able to get into position to either protect his transports or attack my carriers for at least a couple more turns so he conceded.

When I played as Japan, I took the 1 IJN AO and kept it with my CV TFs/surface TFs/invasion TF stack and again topped off my CVs every turn. I sank the 2 USN AOs with my subs and now it was the USN that had the mobility problem. My invasion force made it ashore at Port Moresby in good order and I was about to take the base when Nomad sent the 2 USN CVs at me in a very short ranged bar room brawl. The USN CVs were both sunk and while Ryujo was sunk and Shokaku and Zuikaku were both heavily damaged....they were still just barely able to conduct flight ops and the remnants of the USN were forced to flee the field of battle.


The 2nd round of the AE Tournament was the 1000 mi War......I didnt know very much about this aspect of the Pacific War other than that the Allies recaptured Kiska and Attu. I was surprised to learn from the OOB that half way through the scenario Japan receives 2 CVs and a CVL vs a single Allied CVE. Japan also gets BB Yamato and BB Musashi and a horde of CAs ready for Adm Tanaka to command. Basically....the Allies have to capture both Attu and Kiska before the IJN carriers arrive and then all the USN fleet has to hide somewhere on a small map. So for the Allies to capture Attu and Kiska as quickly as possible....the key to the game is building up the forward Allied base at Adak. I sent every combat engineer regiment and battalion there ASAP. ADAK starts out as a 2/2 base but can be enlarged to a 5/5. Once the airfield is enlarged to level 4/5 you can bring up the medium and heavy bombers from Dutch Harbor and pound Attu and Kiska. However......FAR MORE IMPORTANT..... is to build up the port at Adak to level 5. The USN amphibious transports dont arrive until a few weeks into the scenario and there simply isnt enough time to run amphibious transports twice from Dutch Harbor to the Japanese held bases before KB shows up. So you need to move all you assault forces and supplies forward to Adak with xAPs and xAKs so that when the APAs/AKAs finally arrive you can quickly assault both islands.

My opponent Rader only tried to take Kiska...the closer island to the Allies. I took Attu and would have been able to also take Kiska but the CD unit at Attu shot up a couple of my assault transports.

Then the IJN carriers showed up. Rader made his last stand with all his Allied ships and AC at Adak. I had been planning all along as the Allies to make my final stand at Dutch Harbor with all its AA guns. As Rader moved his IJN carriers past Adak to hit me at Dutch Harbor I was able to stage bombers to Adak to hit him as he approached and also as he retreated. I had been training my medium bombers on naval attack for almost 2 months and scored repeated hits on Zuiho, Shokaku and Zuikaku.

When it was my turn to move the IJN carriers and BBs to Adak to finish off the Allies I was able to naval bombard Adak and destroy most of the Allies air force...over 150 AC.....on the ground and even though I also lost Zuiho the remaining American naval forces were pretty much hor's de combat.

The final round of the tournament was the Marianas Scenario and my opponent was Erstad. The Japanese have a pretty big navy in this scenario but they are hopelessly outclassed with both obsolete fighters and poorly trained pilots. On the other hand....the US has an extremely powerful navy with Hellcats and Avengers and good pilots....but they have to capture heavily fortified Saipan/Tinian/Guam with insufficient ground forces. The easiest island to take of the 3 is Tinian....and that is the first island that Erstad went after as the Allies.

Instead....my 1st assault objective was Pagan.....its lightly defended and has a level 5 AF and I think that the port can be expanded to level 5 also. I think Pagan is the key to this scenario.....read Captain Mandrakes AAR on the Marianas.... he too went after Pagan 1st with exactly the same reasoning and forces as I did. Once you take Pagan....you have an immediate level 5 AF with 250 land based AC.......naval bombers to keep KB at bay, recon platform for Iwo Jima....where most of the Japanese AC reinforcements enter from.... and a naval search PBY platform that can search up to the northern map edge and keep the IJN from going around your northern flank. Pagan also serves as a fuel/supply/LCU dump and I just kept dropping TKs/AKEs/AEs there for rearmament and refueling. I never once had to send the USN back to the Marshalls for rearm/refuel/replacements as Erstad did until he could take Tinian. Once I had defeated the Japanese navy I was able to bring up more medium and heavy bombers to Pagan to help wear down the defenses at Saipan/Tinian/Guam.

Erstad finally did take Tinian and then he was able to build up both the port and airfields there. By the time he did that, I was able to move the Japanese surface fleet around his northern flank and I was able to attack him in the rear in the Marianas. The IJN is at such aerial disadvantage that ......just as for the US in the Coral Sea Scenario...their only advantage is mobility....something very difficult to achieve when half their navy arrives on the map with no fuel. I think the IJN starts with 1 AO and 1 TK....I loaded these with fuel at Babeldaob and sent them up to Iwo Jima to support future ops. My ships were able to do high speed runs between Truk and Babeldaob...refueling at each base....and then between Babeldaob and iwo Jima. When Erstad sent the US carriers out to Babeldaob to try to force combat with the IJN....I sent half the carriers on a high speed run to hit unprotected USN surface TFs and transports in the Marianas behind the USN CVs while the other half of the IJN CVs quietly refueled at Iwo Jima and departed for Hawaiian waters. I detached CAs from the IJN CVs headed for Hawaii to conduct surface intercepts with USN convoys carrying reinforcements from Hawaii to the Marianas.

I apologize for rambling a bit here but to sum up....the operational plan to take Pagan was key to the Allied success in this scenario. As Japan....you are so outgunned that the only thing you can try to exploit in the Marianas scenario is speed and manuver....sort of the same thing as what I did with the out gunned USN CVs in the Coral Sea scenario.

Thanks for the excellent summaries. Any lessons from the Tournament you will specifically try and apply to the campaign game?

Wirraway_Ace....I dont think that there is a whole lot that I can take from the tournament and apply it to this campaign game.....we determine the place and time and the OOB for our battles in the campaign game. One thing I will definitiely remember is the lethality of the Saipan Defense Fortress unit vs minesweepers......when I attack Saipan in this game I will just send in a lot of DDs/DMS/CLs and just take my lumps from the minefields rather than lose 25-30 AMs to CD guns like I did in the Marianas scenario. The Marianas scenario also raises awareness of the lethality of both subs and ASW by mid 1944.
And after playing as Japan for the 1st time in AE in the Coral Sea scenario and staging in 2 land based A6M2 squadrons to complement the CAP of 2 CVs and a CVL.....perhaps some 45-50 A6M2s on CAP....I saw for the 1st time the futility of JAP carrier CAP pre-radar and I will not shy away from an early war carrier battle as the Allies if I can ever get something close to even odds.




12/19-12/20/41



MALAYA


Japan captures Taiping and Victoria Point.

Im still finding myself able to sneak small fragements of LCUs out of Malaya to Sumatra by individual xAK/xAKL from Singapore right under the nose of IJN naval bombers.



DEI


Japan captures Singkawang. A large surface TFs with BBs/CAs stands by off Singkawang.....looks like there is a chance Erstad will either try to hammer my transports evacuating troops from Oosthaven or shipping at Batavia or maybe even bombard the crowded airfield at Batavia......all shipping from the area is evacuated and land based air at Batavia is dispersed.



PHILIPPINES

IJA armor overruns Bayombong.



CENTPAC/SOPAC


Japan captures Ndeni.

This turn Im finally getting some of my DEW(Distant Early Warning) line set up in the south Pacific as both supplies and an AVD reach Luganville and PBYs are staged in. Next turn I will be able to start flying PBYs from Funafuti and then perhaps I can spot KB and other IJN fleet movements before something bad happens.

Erstad tried to sneak yet another surface raider TF into my convoy lanes and this time its a group of DMS's that stumble across it:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Pukapuka at 155,159, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru
AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DMS Zane
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 1
DMS Boggs
DMS Lamberton, Shell hits 1



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 9,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 9,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
Koh, A. orders Japanese TF to disengage
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru sunk by DMS Lamberton at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 10,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 15,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 15,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Pukapuka at 154,159, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
DMS Zane, Shell hits 1
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 1, on fire
DMS Boggs, Shell hits 1
DMS Lamberton, Shell hits 2, on fire



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards
Unoike, M. crosses the 'T'
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 14,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 14,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 8,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Boggs at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 7,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 7,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 7,000 yards
Barker, J.R. orders Allied TF to disengage
Unoike, M. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 10,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Lamberton at 10,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Trevor at 10,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DMS Zane at 18,000 yards
Task forces break off...



Im a bit surprised how well the DMS ships performed against the bigger gunned IJN AMCs but I will take it.



THE PURSUIT OF FORCE Z


Erstad finally calls off the dogs as Force Z reaches Australia. DD Stewart and unscathed DD Balmer also make it out of harm's way but DD Tenedos and DD Barker were lost in action. Force Z will need some time in the repair yard from all the high speed runs its conducted over the last few days.



BURMA


One of the most important early war ops for me as the Allies is to send 150,000-250,000 suppies to Rangoon and then have the supply sucked into China. So far I have dropped off some 50,000 supplies already in Rangoon with more on the way.

Unfortunately, after days of dropping paratroopers on Lashio, Japan finally captures the important road hub between Burma and China:


Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 459 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 32

Defending force 608 troops, 5 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 21

Allied adjusted defense: 10

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)


Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /2
1st Raiding Rgt /3

Defending units:
102nd RAF Base Force



There is no way now for me to move the additional supplies into China plus the intrinsic supply from the Burma road is also cut.

I had bought the 88th Chinese Division from 11th Army and it was only 1 turn out from Lashio when it fell. I will fly some of the AVG and some Buffaloes on LRCAP over Lashio to try to stop aerial reinforcments as the Chinese and the Burma Corps move in to try to recapture the town.

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance


THE PURSUIT OF FORCE Z


Erstad finally calls off the dogs as Force Z reaches Australia. DD Stewart and unscathed DD Balmer also make it out of harm's way but DD Tenedos and DD Barker were lost in action. Force Z will need some time in the repair yard from all the high speed runs its conducted over the last few days.

How would you rate the operation? You lost a modernized battlecruiser and a couple of old DDs. You sunk a big CA. How much of the Asiatic Fleet actually escaped after Force Z uncorked the bottle?