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In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success. - Isoroku Yamamoto

Well, we shall see about that.

I hope there is less ranting in this thread. [:D]

Act 1, scene 1 - Best laid plans.

I thought Id start with going over the initial plans for the first month of war. First area of operations is the Southern Pacific. This is a mostly overlooked area because of the lack of crucial resources to Japan, the distance from the SRA, and the impossibility to hold this area beyond the mid-war period. Basically all land units put into this area risk being caught out of position by an allied counterattack into centpac or into southern NEI. All units put into this area are also units that will not aid Japan in the most vital of all objectives - securing the SRA.

However, I want this place in this game because I want to make it harder for the allies to reinforce Australia. I see Australia as the key to the allied offensive war effort before 44. Or to put it in other words, I doubt Castor will launch an Allied counteroffensive pre44 without LBA-cover. By making it harder to ship forces and supplies to Australia, I think I will make it harder for Castor to build up the neccessary infrastructure for a counterattack. Perhaps I can get him to reinforce islands here deep in the south instead of having those units shipped to Australia or other actually important areas.

So, here are my plans.

4th Division embarks and heads towards Fiji. After that, they will secure and defend the rest of the Southern Pacific islands. Suva, Pago-Pago and Tahiti will act as bases for air and surface forces to interdict shipping to and from the US to Australia.

I will grab Midway early as a buffer. Midway will be a good "canary in the coal-mine" to warn me if Castor plans to go on the offensive in the central pacific. By all logic, he will take Midway first, because of the ability to use Emelies to recon Pearl Harbor.

I want to establish a crushing superiority in Southern Pacific as soon as possible, so taking out all the BBs at Pearl is a priority. KB-planning will be 2 days of strikes at PH, after that cover the Midway invasion in case he has CVs left in the area. After that I want to fake returning to Truk and NEI, so the KB will head towards Kawajelein, and then form up with 4th Division and move south.

So much for the plans...

Upper NEI and Malaya

Nothing fancy here. I choose not to use the Mersing gambit since I consider it borderline cheating..

One twist is that I use the warp CVL from Badobaeng to move to a position just off Kuching. This to provide aircover to an early Palembang invasion. Im also using the BBs that originally cover Kota Bharu to warp to Menado, to cover the invasions of Menado and Kendari against Boise/Houston or Force Z.

All major LCUs to move to Singora, and then march south. Im bringing in 3000 AV to finish off Singapore as fast as possible.

Lower NEI.

Surface cover will be provided by two BBs warping in from Malaya. I want a good and solid surface combat TF here because I have no air combat TF here, and we could run into the Boise, Houston, and Force Z.

BBs will meet up with the Menado invasion, and then cover the landings at Kendari. After that they will meet up with another invasion force coming from Ambon moving towards Timor.

After securing Timor, the invasion force will move back up towards Balikpapan. I do not want to move down to Australia before I know where the US CVs and Force Z are.

Just wanted to say I havent forgotten about this AAR, I want to wait until a certain operation is safely ashore before posting about the plans, since it would be absolutely dreadful if any information leaked. I will do a rather big update in a couple of weeks though.

What I can say is that Im about 2 weeks behind schedule due to Singapore putting up a defence I have never seen before...

It would be interesting to get more informations about your attack on PH!

PH was pretty straightforward. I wanted to take out the battleships because Im planning to take command over the southern pacific. In order for that to work, I needed to remove as much of the surface forces in Pearl as possible.

First strike

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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 135

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 14 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 10 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 29 damaged
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 40 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 2 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 13 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 10 damaged
O-47A: 7 damaged
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 4 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 3 damaged
P-26A: 7 damaged
P-26A: 1 destroyed on ground
C-33: 4 damaged
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ward, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1
DD Conyngham, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AV Curtiss, Torpedo hits 2
DD Aylwin, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 1
DD Litchfield, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Reid, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Raleigh, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 73
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 1

Massive explosion on DD Litchfield
Massive explosion on CL Raleigh

Comments:
The attack on battleship row went pretty good. Though I only got one confirmed sinking, and you never know whether those hits are FOW or not. Two torpedo hits on modern CLs were nice to see aswell.

Really awful results on the airfields though. Despite the fact that I put all my Vals on airfield attack, 12k, the results were apalling... no B17s, just 4 P40s? What the hell..?

That was the cause of some very big concerns for me. I wanted to return for a second strike to finish off whatever I could and perhaps hit more modern CLs or DDs. But if I go for a second strike, I would face alot of USAF fighters...50-80 P40s can ruin anyones day...



But...fortune favours the bold. Its not like Im going to get many more chances striking the USN at anchor. And I really want to quickly get a decisive edge in surface forces in the central and south pacific. So...another strike went in on day two...

I set two Zero wings on sweep on max alt, and the rest to escort. I had a minimal CAP over the carriers figuring the US fighters would be mostly flying CAP over PH anyway, and there really are not that many anti-shipping bombers that start at PH.

I didnt want to send in the Vals again against the PH flak, so they were on anti-shipping and search duty.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 08, 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 37,810 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 10
P-36A Mohawk x 10
P-40B Warhawk x 65

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 2 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, and is sunk

Turns out it was a good think I sent the Zero sweep. I was also lucky enough to have the sweep arrive first over target. This sweep removed alot of the defensive CAP and cleared the way for my strike pretty good. I dread to think what would have happened if the strike had gone in against an 80+ CAP...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 96 NM, estimated altitude 34,810 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 78
B5N2 Kate x 105

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 6
P-36A Mohawk x 7
P-40B Warhawk x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 18 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 2 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Tern, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1
SS Dolphin, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Wasmuth, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DM Breese, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Neosho, Bomb hits 1
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1


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


Repair Shipyard hits 5
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
10 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 32810 feet
Ground Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance
Ground Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 32810 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th PG/6th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
18th PG/19th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
18th PG/44th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 32400.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
15th PG/46th PS with P-26A (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 22640 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
15th PG/47th PS with P-40B Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
18th PG/73rd PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
15th PG/45th PS with P-36A Mohawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
18th PG/78th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

Also attacking Oahu Harbor Defense ...
Also attacking Pearl Harbor ...
Also attacking Oahu Harbor Defense ...
Also attacking 3rd Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Oahu Harbor Defense ...
Also attacking Pearl Harbor ...


Im pretty satisfied with this strike. 3 hits on 3 modern CLs should at least put them out of action for the first months of the war. Should be enough time to secure the south pacific. Also a couple of the BBs should be gone or at least out of action for a long time.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pearl Harbor at 180,107

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 38



Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
18th PG/6th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
15th PG/47th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28810 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
18th PG/19th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 23230 and 34810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
15th PG/45th PS with P-36A Mohawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
18th PG/73rd PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 31810 and 35810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
18th PG/44th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
15th PG/46th PS with P-26A (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 28810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes


I have no idea what happened here. The Vals went after some surface combat TF at PH, but for whatever reason, they went in completely unescorted.

Fortunately the majority of my Vals failed their morale-checks and most of the unescorted bombers turned back, those who pressed on were all shot down.

I ment your invasion of the Hawaii Islands [;)]

Reading and commenting on Castor's so I won't comment here. It will be interesting to get your perspective. The time delay is a good idea.

Australia

The pros:
It is already cut-off thanks to Diego Garcia and the South pacific. Reinforcement convoys will take much longer to get there.

Darwin must be neutralized in order to defend against attacks into the southern NEI.

Without Australia, the next major staging area for the US is New Zeeland, that should buy me at least 6-12 months.

He will try to recapture Australia, meaning he will spend more time outside the NEI.



The cons:
The Australian army is already there.

Its big

He expects me to attack Australia.
(I was going to feint an attack on Ceylon, making him think I would attack India, however, the delay at Singapore made that impossible due to the amphib bonus running out in March)

Best laid plans.

Judging from my recon, he is defending Darwin and Port Moresby heavily. I think I can use that. All Japanese players attack Port Moresby and Darwin. All allied players want to delay/defend at Darwin and Port Moresby.

So, therefore I will attack at Port Augusta and Marlborough instead.

If I manage to cut-off the units at Darwin and Port Moresby from the battle of Australia, I think I will have a much easier fight. Judging from my recon, he has 25-30 units at Darwin, and 20-25 at Port Moresby. I would not be surprised to see something like 1000 AV at Darwin and perhaps half that at Port Moresby.

If I manage to attack at Marlborough and Port Augusta, then there might be a real possibility for me to capture the southern parts of australia before he can reinforce with forces from the north. Wouldnt that be funny.

Maskirovka
So during the months of January and February, I want him to think that Im going to attack Darwin and Port Moresby. Several divisions are ordered to plan for attacks there in case his sigint picks something up. I landed parts of a division at Buna and started moving overland to Port Moresby. I sent several suicide-TFs into Darwin as if I was clearing minefields and clearing out PTs. I even loaded a convoy of 20-30 xAKs with troops, put several BBs and a CVE as escort and moved them towards Darwin, and then when I took the first losses I retreated.

At the same time, the invasion convoy sailed in the same hex as most of the KB, moving slowly south, well outside air-search-range from Perth... As the ships passed Exmouth, the Marlborough invasion force started embarking their ships at Noumea and Suva.

Oh, I almost forgot. When the fleet passed exmouth, a secondary landing force embarked at Batavia. 2 divisions and support troops to clear out the west coast, from Geraldton and south to Perth.

So, all in all:

West coast/Perth:
2 divisions, 2 eng regiments, support units
Cover: 2 BB, 2 CA

Port Augusta
4 divisions, 6 tank regiments, 2 paratrooper regiments, Nav, Army and Air HQ, 10 fighter, recon and transport wings, support units
Cover: 4 BB, 3 CV, 3 CVL, 6 CA, fleet tankers.


Marlborough:
2 divisions, support units.
Cover: 2BB, 2 CA, 3 CV