A Collision of Empires: Walker84(J) vs AU Tiger(A) Scen1. No AU Tiger please

[Walker84]

As AU Tiger and I have just kicked off a new Scen 1 game I thought I would start an AAR to add to the illustrious JFB roll call on this page. I am now into my third PBEM as Japan so do not consider myself a rank beginner but I will still need to learn a lot as I go and comments will be most welcome.

We agreed to play Scen 1 using the latest patch with Andy Mac's additions. Standard HRs and the usual professions of wanting to avoid anything 'too gamey', clearly something that is open to interpretation. One thing I agreed to is not to go for Mersing on the first turn, something that I am happy about as I think it spoils some of the thrill in the Malayan campaign. I have a couple of other surprises up my sleeve however (hopefully...)

I'll post about my strategy later on but the initial Dec 7 attacks went in pretty well, apart from some heavy losses due to AA at PH.

[Walker84]

EDITED HIGHLIGHTS

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

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-18

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits 1
PC Taney

PC Taney loses contact with SSX Ha-18
SSX Ha-18 eludes ASW attack from PC Taney


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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 86 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 126

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 10 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 26 damaged
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 7 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 9 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 2 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
DM Preble
AM Vireo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires
CM Oglala, Bomb hits 1
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 5, on fire
SS Dolphin, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 3
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DMS Zane, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Blue, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Phelps, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Repair Shipyard hits 3
Airbase hits 43
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 83
Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Magazine explodes on BB Oklahoma
Supposedly sunk...

The question is whether to go in for a second strike after quite heavy KB air losses once the damaged planes are factored in as well.

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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 64
G3M2 Nell x 36
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 18
P-40B Warhawk x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 5 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 77,65

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MTB 27, Shell hits 9
MTB 12

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 43

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 3 damaged
Hudson I: 12 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-27b Nate bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Experimenting with using fighters in naval and ground attack roles - with pretty promising results.


Malaya


Escorted bombing attacks on Georgetown, Alor Star, and Kota Bharu netted a good tally in destroyed and damaged RAF planes for virtually no loss. No sign of Force Z, so I have to assume they are on their way south. Troops are ashore safely at Kota Bharu as well as unloading at my controlled ports further north preparing to push on Alor Star.

[Walker84]

I let the Midway bombardment go ahead as planned...

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Naval bombardment of Midway Island at 158,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-4 Catalina: 4 damaged

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 21
Port hits 1

DD Ushio firing at Midway Island
DD Sazanami firing at 6th Marine Defense Battalion
6th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Sazanami


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Pre-Invasion action off Kota Bharu (51,75)

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Ayanami
DD Shikinami
DD Isonami
PB Tatsumiya Maru
SC Ch 9
SC Ch 7
AK Sasako Maru

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

Allied ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

CL Sendai firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Ayanami firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Shikinami firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Isonami firing at 8th Indian Brigade
PB Tatsumiya Maru fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 9 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 7 fired at enemy troops
DD Shikinami fired at enemy troops
DD Isonami 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


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Amphibious Assault at Kota Bharu (51,75)

TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Kota Bharu, 51,75

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

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 56th Infantry Rgt
16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of 12th Engr Rgt


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Amphibious Assault at Laoag (81,72)

TF 90 troops unloading over beach at Laoag, 81,72



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Amphibious Assault at Laoag (81,72)

TF 96 troops unloading over beach at Laoag, 81,72

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

7.7mm T99 AAMG lost from landing craft during unload of 24th JAAF AF Bn /2


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Pre-Invasion action off Jesselton (68,86)
This is the most risky invasion but I wanted to get an air group in quickly to help spot and interdict the escape from Manila. I have a SCTF hightailing it across to provide cover in case the US cruisers turn up to spoil the surf party.

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Eiko Maru
xAK Nojima Maru
AV Sagara Maru

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

PB Eiko 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


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Amphibious Assault at Jesselton (68,86)

TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Jesselton, 68,86

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

17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 91st Nav Gd
17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 91st Nav Gd /2


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Ground combat at Pengpu (90,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5599 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 182

Defending force 1464 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Japanese adjusted assault: 172

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 86 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1459 casualties reported
Squads: 85 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
89th Chinese Corps


Not shown are various bombing strikes on HK and Chinese units caught in the open...

That completes the first turn overview. Now I need to examine all my recon and search reports before starting to plan the next move in detail...

[pws1225]

I'll be following your AAR hoping to pick up a few ideas too. Good luck!

Regards, Paul

[Walker84]

Thanks Paul,
Welcome aboard, and please feel free to chip in with ideas and suggestions.

Richard

[ny59giants]

Where were Japan's front lines be on July 1st?? Always important to know where your goals are.

[Walker84]

Great question!

It might be easier if I describe the stages I envisage in getting there at the same time. Although I am setting some clear objectives, I plan to keep a strategic reserve and remain flexible enough in my approach to enable me to exploit any sudden opportunities. Plus, I have no idea whether or not Ward will be adopting a Miller-style defence (see his recent 1942 victory) or something a tad less aggressive.

PHASE 1
The initial focus will be on a quick and massive allocation of force to Malaya to take Singapore. We will also capture Port Blair, and Rangoon if it is left undefended. The Philippines will be bottled up with sufficient force and will be dealt with properly after the fall of Singers. I will also be heading straight into the DEI in a pincer movement, quickly taking Singkawang/Kuching at one end and Manado/Sorong/Ambon at the other (supported by mini-KB which will also seek targets of opportunity fleeing Manila). I also want to take Palembang quickly before it can be reinforced (if indeed that is Ward’s plan). Rabaul and Wake will also form part of this phase, and the KB is heading west in support right now. PM will be a target of opportunity once I have determined how strongly it is defended. In China we will be chasing the opposing forces out of the plains and exploiting any weaknesses with a view to making a breakthrough in the Sian or Changsha theatres. Finally, we will take the westernmost Aleutian Is as a forward defence and interdiction post to guard against incursions into the Kuriles.

PHASE 2
Head into Burma as far as Akyab and annex the rest of the DEI. As far as Oz is concerned I see two potential plays depending on my opponent:
1. Darwin and its environs to protect my DEI flank and provide a massive road bump.
2. Perth to interdict his LOCs with Cape Town and India.
Create a network of bases in the Marshalls and Solomons for spotting and naval interdiction purposes. Contest the Coral Sea - hopefully if he tries to build up here too early I can deliver a bloody nose and, if I’m lucky, even gain a decisive carrier battle on advantageous 1942 terms.
Continue to build pressure in China. I have never knocked China out in my games so far so, again, this will be a target of opportunity. Generally shore up my MLR.

PHASE 3
Mostly defend what I have taken.


What do you think?

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Walker84

Great question!

It might be easier if I describe the stages I envisage in getting there at the same time. Although I am setting some clear objectives, I plan to keep a strategic reserve and remain flexible enough in my approach to enable me to exploit any sudden opportunities. Plus, I have no idea whether or not Ward will be adopting a Miller-style defence (see his recent 1942 victory) or something a tad less aggressive.

What do you think?

Miller's defence was certainly a well-executed move. Not to detract from his notable achivement, but I'll take some credit for helping him out by losing the MKB and slaughtering my pilots in dribs and drabs.

I think the best indicators of an Allied forward defence is the placement of the AVG. Seeing as they're probably the most competitive Allied asset (bar the USN CV's) on Dec 7th, their presence represents a serious commitment.

In retrospect to my game, the best hard and fast counter to an Allied forward defence is getting the KB over to the DEI as fast as possible to interdict any possible reinforcements. Combine that with some air search over the Torres Strait and the southern approaches to Java and you can be fairly sure of locking out any possibility of reinforcement.

Forget the Solomons or the Gilbert's, they're irrelevant compared with the DEI. Alas, in my game with Miller, the KB dallied escorting tinpot task forces around the Central Pacific while Miller's carriers destroyed the Mini-KB and fresh aircraft were being off-loaded in Java. The lesson was learned, but not before it cost me the KB, MKB and later the game.

[ny59giants]

Australia - I would go from Horn Island in east to at least Exmouth. I lost western Australia in my current game (2/44) and IMO taking this early in the war really helps secure those valuable economic interest in SRA. Now, I'm forced to channel my attack through Horn and Merauke. I did land in western Australia, but I messed up. The Allies can only counter here if they use their CVs. Again, it increases the buffer zone for Japan.

China - I've played both sides and if the Allied player is smart (see my current AAR vs Mr Kane), pull back to the jungles and rough to set up MLR. Option one is to go for the northern oil (Lanchow and Urumchi - starve his HI of fuel). Option two is for the southern approach and maybe keep the highly experienced 38th Div after taking Hong Kong to take Wuchow and Kukong before the Chinese can build them up. Pull back from Ichang as you don't have enough there to defend in 12/41. I would then try to isolate Changsha with a pincher movement through Ichang to SW and then drive up from Kukong. In China, you need to destroy supplies to kill the Chinese. Think about getting close enough to hit the AF at Chungking to destroy his supplies there, thus limiting was can get to the troops.

Gilberts - Tabiteuea is the key base here.

Good Luck!!

or

BANZAI!! [&o]

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing


Miller's defence was certainly a well-executed move. Not to detract from his notable achivement, but I'll take some credit for helping him out by losing the MKB and slaughtering my pilots in dribs and drabs.

In retrospect to my game, the best hard and fast counter to an Allied forward defence is getting the KB over to the DEI as fast as possible to interdict any possible reinforcements. Combine that with some air search over the Torres Strait and the southern approaches to Java and you can be fairly sure of locking out any possibility of reinforcement.

Forget the Solomons or the Gilbert's, they're irrelevant compared with the DEI. Alas, in my game with Miller, the KB dallied escorting tinpot task forces around the Central Pacific while Miller's carriers destroyed the Mini-KB and fresh aircraft were being off-loaded in Java. The lesson was learned, but not before it cost me the KB, MKB and later the game.

Thanks for the good advice, I will certainly develop my air search capabilities and keep the KB handy to counter any incursions into the DEI. I agree that Cenpac can become a diversion - so many tropical islands to visit! - and perhaps I have focused too much here in previous games.

I actually owe you a debt as reading the AAR has convinced me even more to go all out for Singers with maximum force. I'm also going to keep my fighters in 'big wings' as far as possible and try to keep his air force off balance so that he can't amass his fighters to the same extent. If the AVG becomes embedded in Malaya / DEI, my bombers will have more or less free range to create carnage with his limited supplies in China too.

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Australia - I would go from Horn Island in east to at least Exmouth. I lost western Australia in my current game (2/44) and IMO taking this early in the war really helps secure those valuable economic interest in SRA. Now, I'm forced to channel my attack through Horn and Merauke. I did land in western Australia, but I messed up. The Allies can only counter here if they use their CVs. Again, it increases the buffer zone for Japan.

China - I've played both sides and if the Allied player is smart (see my current AAR vs Mr Kane), pull back to the jungles and rough to set up MLR. Option one is to go for the northern oil (Lanchow and Urumchi - starve his HI of fuel). Option two is for the southern approach and maybe keep the highly experienced 38th Div after taking Hong Kong to take Wuchow and Kukong before the Chinese can build them up. Pull back from Ichang as you don't have enough there to defend in 12/41. I would then try to isolate Changsha with a pincher movement through Ichang to SW and then drive up from Kukong. In China, you need to destroy supplies to kill the Chinese. Think about getting close enough to hit the AF at Chungking to destroy his supplies there, thus limiting was can get to the troops.

Gilberts - Tabiteuea is the key base here.

Good Luck!!

or

BANZAI!! [&o]

Thanks ny59giants,

Very sound indeed. I'm looking for maximum buffer zone around DEI without overreaching so will give this some serious thought.
I also appreciate your thoughts on China which is probably the most underdeveloped part of my game. One mistake I have made in the past is not to kill enough supply through bombing. It wasn't until I played as the Allies recently that I appreciated how precarious the Chinese position can be.

[Encircled]

Big trade off though with the KB in the DEI

Almost every allied submarine in the region has working torpedoes

[Walker84]

Well, the 12/8 turn was sent this afternoon and now I'm waiting as Ward said this one might take a while.

I haven't been in too much of a hurry to change aircraft production as a few days here or there won't make too much difference. So far we have:

1. Converted the larger Nate factory to Oscar 1cs. Still making them in Harbin for training and replacement plus have a lot of engines to use up.
2. Restarted the B5N2 line to produce 10 a month. I'll build these almost until the end as they will be ASW platforms even when superceded on carriers by B6Ns.
3. Converted the Pete line to a small line of B5N1s (to use up the Hikari engines and enable the earlier Kates to provide MKB back-up, plus fulfil early war training and ASW duties).
4. Decided to produce the Jakes as my main short range float plane. They fit on ships plus evolve into a radar-equipped version later.
(just from memory so may have got some numbers wrong)

I also halted the Musashi and Shinano to save build points and might accelerate the odd CV next turn.

Finally, having re-read my Mike Solli, I remembered that Honshu requires 110k resources each day so started getting my convoys into the right places.

More on production planning next turn.

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Big trade off though with the KB in the DEI

Almost every allied submarine in the region has working torpedoes

Agreed, and I would avoid deploying the KB here especially as, in normal circumstances, Japanese LBA should be sufficient to achieve air superiority, but where the Allied CVs are deployed in 42 the KB needs to be prepared to go too.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Walker84

ORIGINAL: mind_messing


Miller's defence was certainly a well-executed move. Not to detract from his notable achivement, but I'll take some credit for helping him out by losing the MKB and slaughtering my pilots in dribs and drabs.

In retrospect to my game, the best hard and fast counter to an Allied forward defence is getting the KB over to the DEI as fast as possible to interdict any possible reinforcements. Combine that with some air search over the Torres Strait and the southern approaches to Java and you can be fairly sure of locking out any possibility of reinforcement.

Forget the Solomons or the Gilbert's, they're irrelevant compared with the DEI. Alas, in my game with Miller, the KB dallied escorting tinpot task forces around the Central Pacific while Miller's carriers destroyed the Mini-KB and fresh aircraft were being off-loaded in Java. The lesson was learned, but not before it cost me the KB, MKB and later the game.

Thanks for the good advice, I will certainly develop my air search capabilities and keep the KB handy to counter any incursions into the DEI. I agree that Cenpac can become a diversion - so many tropical islands to visit! - and perhaps I have focused too much here in previous games.

I actually owe you a debt as reading the AAR has convinced me even more to go all out for Singers with maximum force. I'm also going to keep my fighters in 'big wings' as far as possible and try to keep his air force off balance so that he can't amass his fighters to the same extent. If the AVG becomes embedded in Malaya / DEI, my bombers will have more or less free range to create carnage with his limited supplies in China too.

I would go as far as to say that the KB should head for the south of Java straight after Pearl. Send it to support the Wake invasion, by all means, then a quick refuel at Truk or Babeldoab and then head for the seas south of Java to block reinforcements and kill fleeing ships. Sure, it exposes a great deal of the Central Pacific, but the vast majority of your forces there are trash that you can afford to lose (mainly auxillary ships or PB's) should your opponent be aggressive enough to chance a raid.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that benefitted from the learning experiance that was my AAR. Excess force at Singers doesn't do you any harm, once Singapore falls it's in a perfect position for Palambang, Sumatra, Java and elsewhere.

Regarding fighters: you have it spot on. Japan (the IJN in particular) has so few competitive airframes (ie, Oscars or Zeros) that the temptation to split the big units down to cover everything is strong. Resisting that temptation and relying on Nates and Claudes to hold the line while the competitive aircraft are used en masse is the best option.

In my own AAR I phrased it along the lines of "They're the cutting edge, not the sheild", which I think rings true.

[Walker84]

Dec 8 report


Some promising developments to report on the 8th. First bases captured are Kota Bharu, Jesselton, and Laoag (diverted the Batan Is TF here to establish our first PI mainland airbase).

Sweeping at 25k over Clark in severe storms, my Zeros do exceptionally well in bagging 35 x P40s and 9 other types for only one combat loss. I have decided to conserve my Netties from bombing Clark for now but will commence hitting the A/F again once I have established air superiority.

This was also a heartening sight:
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TF 223 encounters mine field at Bataan (78,77)

Allied Ships
PT-41, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
PT-35, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
PT-33, Mine hits 1, heavy damage


And now, the extraordinary adventures of SS I-121, captained by CDR Kotani J, on Dec 8 1941:
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Submarine attack near Lingga at 51,87

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
AMC Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-121 is sighted by AMC Kanimbla
SS I-121 launches 2 torpedoes at AMC Kanimbla

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ASW attack near Lingga at 51,88

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
DD Vendetta
CL Mauritius
DD Jupiter
DD Isis

SS I-121 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Vendetta
I-121 bottoming out ....

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Submarine attack near Lingga at 51,88

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
xAP Hong Kheng, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

xAP Hong Kheng is sighted by SS I-121
SS I-121 attacking xAP Hong Kheng on the surface

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Submarine attack near Palembang at 49,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
xAKL Marudu, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAKL Marudu is sighted by SS I-121
SS I-121 attacking xAKL Marudu on the surface

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CDR Kotani J and SS I-121 are now making their way back to Saigon, almost completely out of ammo.

[Walker84]

Dec 11th report

With most of the action still focused on Malaya, the Philippines and DEI, suddenly US Carriers are sighted SE of Tarawa. There are a couple of patrol subs in the vicinity and the KB is 2 - 3 days sailing away, currently steaming due West towards Wake to support a planned landing.

An early Allied incursion in the Gilberts was always deemed a high probability so any potential landings had already been put on hold. I doubt my opponent will hang around once he realises I am not making any landings at Tarawa or Makin but if he is tempted to sail further into the Marshalls it could all become very interesting.[:D]

As a precaution all shipping in the Marshalls is now being routed north towards Eniwetok. And, now that I know where his carriers are located, I have decided that it is a good time to order the reinforced Wake invasion TF to sail. It will pass to the north of the KB which will now steer SW on an intercept course. Now the big question is whether naval search will pick up the Allied flattops again on the following day.
Ah, the turn has just arrived in my inbox so its time to sign off and see what will happen next...

[Walker84]

Status report, Mr Sulu

Captain... Star date 12.12.41. The Klingon carriers are holding position SE of Tarawa but wait...something else has just appeared on our screens. It looks like a Task Force of enemy cruisers has just warped in... and they're on a collision course with the KB [X(]

[Walker84]

Other updates Dec 8 - Dec 11, 1941

Allied bases captured so far include: Vigan and Aparri on the 10th and Manado and Miri on the 11th. First deliberate attack on HK lowers the Forts to level 2. Guam is invaded by a Naval Guard unit, the original TF having being re-routed towards Rabaul.

Next couple of posts will show the air and naval losses to date. Most IJN air losses were due to exceptionally heavy flak at PH. Next time I will reset the A6M2s so they will not strafe again. My opponent tried to evacuate Manila by sailing East but was unfortunate enough to run into several SCTFs that I had routed into this area to guard against this possibility before eventually making their way south to support the DEI landings.

[Walker84]

Naval losses (making allowances for FoW...)