Lost... As always. Runnersan (A)vs Deaniks (J). No Deaniks Please! :)

[Runnersan]

To loose again

Hello I’m Runnersan and I will try to write AAR. I play as Allies against Deaniks.

Our HR’s

Max fighter altitude 20K in 41-42, 25K in 43, 35K onwards

1st turn: Japan – cannot attack the west coast, otherwise he is free to do as he wishes

1st turn: Allies - air and LCUs remain "as is" without any change done by Allied player. Cannot create new TFs or change TF composition;
No carrier-vs-carrier battles allowed for the first 3 turns

PP paid for transfer continental units across borders with one exception: Thai units can go to Burma, Indochina or Malaysia and any units may enter 3hex's inside said territory

No 4E bombers below 10k

Para units can attack just one target at the time – if the para unit split, it must be united in one base first before another attack.

Troops can be unloaded only in dots/bases (same for para)

Squadron resizing limit: 45 planes

50 planes/target only at night for the entire war

Only submarine designed FPs on Japanese subs

No intentional creation of fragments. fragments should not be used operationally and shall be reunited with parent as expeditiously as possible. NOTE: dividing a unit in 3 (A/ B/ C) is OK

No strategic bombing of china

PS: Please forgive me English it is poor but I will do my best:)





7th December 1941

Central Pacific Command

Pearl Harbor

At dawn unknown number of midget submarines found way inside Pearl Harbor port. Two of them managed to get into right position ant hit two Battleships.

BB Oklahoma
BB West Virginia
Both hit by one torpedo. After first damage assessments local shipyard specialists claims that it will take almost 150 days to repair damages on both ships.

Later that day air patrols discovers dozens of Japanese submarines in waters around Hawaii.
Admiral Kimmel decided to use almost all of his patrol planes to search and destroy enemy. Also 5 destroyers task forces was created to clear way.

It is vital to secure safe route from West Coast to Hawaii and after Japanese attack on Australia US Navy got also new target. Building safe ports for transports form Hawaii to Australia.

Wake Island Garrison reported about Air Attack, but it made minor damages.


Australia Command

At dawn of 7th December 1941, Japanese Empire attacked two ports Brisbane and Sydney. Enemy targeted ships at port and port infrastructure.

Morning Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 83
B5N2 Kate x 117
D3A1 Val x 97

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Corinda, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Gylfe, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK William Sunoco, Bomb hits 4, on fire
TK Erling Brovig, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Wanaka, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Gulfpride, Bomb hits 2
xAK Rona, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Vardaas, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Cycle, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Steel Mariner, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Lady Isobel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Lancaster, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AO Bishopdale, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Esso Balboa, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Melinga, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Goonambee, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Rangitata, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CL Perth
xAK Mangola, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Rangitiki, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Falkefjell, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
CM Bungaree, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Caledon, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Queen Elizabeth, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAK Age, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Elsa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Asphalion, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Lillian Luckenbach, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL William McArthur, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Lewis Luckenbach, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Koomilya, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Mildura, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Wanaka, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Steel Worker, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG King John, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Whyalla, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Time, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Lena Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Victoria, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Samuel Benbow, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Mathew Luckenbach, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Steel Scientist, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Murada, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAKL Lorinna, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Corrimal, Bomb hits 1
xAK Skagerak, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Canberra
xAKL Carlisle, Bomb hits 1
ACM Kookaburra, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Voyager, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Seirstad, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAP Sarpedonia, Bomb hits 1
xAK Macedon, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aeon, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Herstein, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK Vera, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AMC Westralia, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAKL Darvel, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Orara, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Repair Shipyard hits 9
Port hits 32
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 2

Morning Air attack on Brisbane , at 96,160

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Bidelia, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yochow, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Momba, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Morinda, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Beltana, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Nevadan, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Prusa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Silksworth, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Steel Age, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Ormiston, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Lycaon, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Idomeneus, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Merkur, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Anshun, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Dardanus, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 1

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 90,167

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 2
CL Perth

Losses are heavy and air cover for Australia is almost non existent. Australia Command decided to withdraw all possible units to safe harbours and ordered that whole Bomber Force should make almost suicide attack against enemy carriers. But all hope that there won’t be second attack and enemy will withdraw.

Presence of such strong carrier force in this zone, shows, that there is serious possibility that enemy will try quickly cut off US from Australia and invasion of Australian mainland is not so distant possibility.

Malayas

First combat contact was made by Force Z. BC Renown and BB Prince of Wales showed that they are force to be reckoned with.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Mersing at 52,82, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 4
CA Atago, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Asashio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 11
BC Repulse, Shell hits 2
DD Vampire, Shell hits 1
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Electra, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Express, Shell hits 1, on fire

Intelligence claims that Japanese TF was shielding invasion forces, but there was no other contact made until few hours later when planes from light carriers sunk BC Repulse. Remaining TF Z ships are ordered to withdraw to DEI.

Japan also attacked Royal Navy near Palembang.
Two allied CL fight against 1 CA and 4 DD’s

CL Durban was lost after fight.

Almost at the same time over Singapure dozens of enemy planes bombed port.

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 72

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
Vildebeest III: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 8
DD Jupiter, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Klang, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PG Herald, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Sin Kheng Seng, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hong Kheng, Bomb hits 1
xAP Dominion Monarch, Bomb hits 1
TK Pleiodon, Bomb hits 2, on fire
TK Pinna, Bomb hits 1
DD Isis, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
ML No. 310, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Repair Shipyard hits 6
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 11

At the same time several allied bases on Malaya were bombed and enemy planes hited also AVG base in Burma, damaging many planes of the famous Flying Tigers.

Also naval invasion in Khota Baru, Mersing and Kuantan started. Allied air counter attacks were easy halted. According to Naval Intelligence Mersing invasion is protected by light carriers.

Borneo

Japan invaded Miri

USAFEE

Once again all started when Japanese planes showed above Manila and Clark Field.
Lot’s of planes and ships were damaged. Biggest problem is heavy damage of submarine fleet and repairs shipyards. General McArthur asked fleet to withdraw almost all ships from Manila, because there is no chance that damaged shipyards could repair them in safe conditions.
Air Force was put on Alert. B-17s squadrons with only 2 planes ready to fly (others were damaged or destroyed) moved south. First counterattack is being prepared.

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G3M2 Nell x 27
G4M1 Betty x 54

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon, Bomb hits 1
SS Spearfish, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
xAKL Corregidor, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PT-31, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Lark, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Sargo, Bomb hits 1
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AV Langley, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Snapper, Bomb hits 2
DD Pillsbury, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK Mindanao, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Pope, Bomb hits 1
SS Porpoise, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
SS Swordfish, Bomb hits 2
xAK Si Kiang, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS Sailfish, Bomb hits 1
SS Sculpin, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
PT Q-112, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Don Esteban, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS Pike, Bomb hits 2
SS Searaven, Bomb hits 1
SS S-40, Bomb hits 1
AM Bittern, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
ACM Colonel Harrison, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Paz, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Peary, Bomb hits 1
SS S-37, Bomb hits 1
SS Pickerel, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
AM Whippoorwill, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AO Trinity, Bomb hits 1
AO Pecos, Bomb hits 1
SS Stingray, Bomb hits 1
PT-34, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK American Leader, Bomb hits 1

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

Repair Shipyard hits 2
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 67
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 4

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
PG Isabel, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SS Pickerel, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Si Kiang, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
SS Snapper, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
SS Perch, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
SS S-38, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
SS Stingray, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
SS S-37, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

Northern part of Luzon was invaded by Land Forces. It’s to early to estimate it’s size.


Overall first day of war ended with no confirmed sunk Japanese Ships

British lost:

BC Repluse
CL Durban
DD Electra
ML No. 310

US Navy lost
SS-37
AV Langley
PG Isabel
3 PT’s


Air Losses:

[Bif1961]

Good luck against a very unconventional original attack by the KB against eastern OZ ports of Brisbane and Sydney. His mini-subs did do some damage against 2 of your BBs in PH but that leaves 6 undamaged and a very good bombardment force once they can be used around early to mid 43 following their upgrades and your carriers arriving and surviving.

[RangerJoe]

Yes but with a decent Pearl Harbor attack it is likely that those two BBs would have been sunk.

[Runnersan]

Good luck against a very unconventional original attack by the KB against eastern OZ ports of Brisbane and Sydney. His mini-subs did do some damage against 2 of your BBs in PH but that leaves 6 undamaged and a very good bombardment force once they can be used around early to mid 43 following their upgrades and your carriers arriving and surviving.

Thanks. My opponent Decided that he will send Kido Butai on some kind of Australia Tour. I already saw second day replay and he bombed Melbourn.

[Runnersan]

December 8th 1941

Central Pacific

If someone thought that there is some kind of mathematics formula put 12 destroyers add 40 or more planes and for sure You will clean seas around Hawaii then he would be disappointed. Admiral Kimmel was badly disappointed especially when he received telegram that one of hunters become pray of I-1.

I-1 sunk DD Mugford



Over Wake marine fighter pilots made serious mistake. They were flying to high to intercept incoming Nell bombers. Japanese planes once again bombed island and get away without scratch.

There was also naval invasion of Tarawa Island.

Australia Command

Kido Butai. Name decrypted so many times that it can’t be ignored. And it can’t be ignored when this force bombs Australian ports for a second day. Japanese TF divided into two independent units. One bombed Brisbane and Sydney once again. Other moved against Melbourne. Australian Navy Task Force that escaped destruction near Sydney was attacked near Melbourn once more. CL Perth sunk.
CA Canberra is on the run.
There is no hope for Australia. They don’t have fighters, they don’t have AA guns. Reinforcements won’t arrive in time. Their only hope is that Japan will eventually run out of fuel or ammo.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portsea at 81,171

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Malayas

Victorious Japanese TF from Palembang that earlier sunk CL Durban once again crossed guns with CL Dragon (they met in first battle when Durban was destroyed) . This time after exchanging few salvos both sides disengaged. On the way north, Japanese TF spotted remaining ships of Force Z.
Prince of Wales with empty main guns could be in danger, but fortunately this short battle didn’t ended badly for Royal Navy.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingga at 52,87, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
DD Fubuki
DD Sagiri
DD Tsuta
DD Yomogi, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 3
DD Vampire, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tenedos
DD Express, Shell hits 1

In other places.. Over Singapore Zero fighters almost sweeped all allied intercpetors and once again using their air superiority bombed port and ships evacuating Sinapore. Bombs also fallen on other allied bases placed on Malayas and once again attack was made against AVG base in Burma. This time Tigers were prepared. Unfortunately enemy was also prepared and air battle ended with draw.

Allied bombers tried to retaliate and attacked Kompong Trach but they met strong CAP and failed their mission.

USAFFE

McArthur claimed in radio that Luzon is not easy target for Japanese invader and he is right. Over Malayas Japan have clear air superiority, but over Luzon they have to pay price in blood.
American CAP shot down many bombers and fighters and counter attack was made by American and Philippines fighter bombers.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Laoag at 81,72

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Shun Yuan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Hanakawa Maru, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tohuku Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Tientsin Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Tsubame


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 82,82

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Kanko Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CS Mizuho, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 5, on fire
xAK Yamafuku Maru, Bomb hits 1
CS Chitose, Shell hits 3

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vigan at 80,73

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Sanko Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Most valuable hit CS Mizuho was hit with 5 bombs and McArthur is full of hope that in next few days he will send this ship to hell where she belongs.



There was also bad news. While escaping from Japanese bombs two destroyers

DD John D. Ford
DD Peary

found minefield. Both ships hit mine. DD John D. Ford was sunk. DD Peary is heavy damaged.

Borneo

Miri fallen to enemy hands. Air counterattacks against invasion fleet brought only one hit. Blenheim bomber made minor damage to japanese transport ship.


Summary

This day was way more expansive in case of lives (especially pilot lives) then first day of war.





Allied Navies lost lots of transport ships, but also 2 destroyers, one CL and one submarine badly damaged on first day.

Only confirmed allied kill is one transport that met evacuating from Hong-Kong British destroyers.

[BBfanboy]

The USN was not well prepared for ASW battles at the war's start. I do not use the fleet DDs in ASW until they get their first refit with radar, better sonar (at least it seems to work better), and more ASW devices (DCTs mostly). Crew experience is also greatly needed and many ship captains need to be replaced with high Naval, high Aggression ones.

Similarly for patrol aircraft and bombers - they need to up their search and ASW skills and overall experience. Newer aircraft models will start to include airborne radar, and even MAD later in the game. I put half the squadron on mission and train 30% at the same time. The AI puts the best pilots on mission and selects the lowest experience ones for training. The other 20% aircraft are repairing and the crews are resting.

[RangerJoe]

Miri - BOMB THE OIL!

Count how many sorties the KB is using, get your three American carriers together with some extra fighters along with surface task forces with cruisers and destroyers. If he has separated the KB, it can be vulnerable - especially if it is low on sorties and torpedoes!

Until your DDs train up, they will not be that good at ASW. Use all float planes there at 1k feet on ASW, while the Cat's are on Naval Search at 6k. If they are spotted, it is unlikely that they will be able to attack anything.

[Sardaukar]

That is very novel start, me likes.

Interesting opening, I never seen THAT before.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

That is very novel start, me likes.

Interesting opening, I never seen THAT before.

It might very well work against the AI which will then send the undamaged BBs out to sea to be sunk! [:D]

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

The USN was not well prepared for ASW battles at the war's start. I do not use the fleet DDs in ASW until they get their first refit with radar, better sonar (at least it seems to work better), and more ASW devices (DCTs mostly). Crew experience is also greatly needed and many ship captains need to be replaced with high Naval, high Aggression ones.

Similarly for patrol aircraft and bombers - they need to up their search and ASW skills and overall experience. Newer aircraft models will start to include airborne radar, and even MAD later in the game. I put half the squadron on mission and train 30% at the same time. The AI puts the best pilots on mission and selects the lowest experience ones for training. The other 20% aircraft are repairing and the crews are resting.

One reason USN was not prepared for ASW was that Adm King was quite Anglophobic and refused to implement Royal Navy experiences.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

That is very novel start, me likes.

Interesting opening, I never seen THAT before.

I saw him going through my AAR recently - I think I know where he got that idea from

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4842668

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Good luck Runnersan!!

I think there is a lot of opportunities for you after Japan committed the carriers to SE Australia.. I don't think this was the best of ideas? did he strat-bomb?

and for the looks of it, he seems to be using the KB as a raiding force, which is the biggest early mistake a Japanese player can do.. fireworks are fun but costly in the long run

I suggest you take the opportunity to reinforce Sumatra, Java and maybe go after some exposed island; you know you have a short window of opportunity when he can't react fast enough to get your carriers

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Good luck Runnersan!!

I think there is a lot of opportunities for you after Japan committed the carriers to SE Australia.. I don't think this was the best of ideas? did he strat-bomb?

and for the looks of it, he seems to be using the KB as a raiding force, which is the biggest early mistake a Japanese player can do.. fireworks are fun but costly in the long run

I suggest you take the opportunity to reinforce Sumatra, Java and maybe go after some exposed island; you know you have a short window of opportunity when he can't react fast enough to get your carriers

Thanks!

He damaged my shipyards in Australia. I lost lots of tankers and other transports, so he slowed down potential reinforcements for Port Moresby or other bases in region. I'm trying to analize where he is using his land units and I'm starting to believe that he will move against Port Moresby before Rabaul or in the same time... In 4 days in Sydney CA Australia will show up. I hope that KB will be long gone from there...

There is also big risk, that he will move against Darwin, where lots of ships from PI is retreating.

In DEI I hope to reinforce my defence, but I need to check what are his priorities. Borneo first or is he planning to move on Palembang in few next turns. He still have few CVL's an Allied pilots are very badly trained.

In central Pacific I'm trying to gather my CV's I will try to move near Tarawa maybe it lure him out...

[RangerJoe]

If he is South, go North and hit the shipping around Hokkaido . . . [:D]

[Runnersan]

9-10th December 1941

Central Pacific

There is an ongoing anti-submarine war campaign near Hawaii. Patrol planes and ships reports hits, but real effect on enemy submarines is unknown.

On 10th December, Japanese submarine hits with 4 torpedoes AK Cynthia Olson sinking it in few minutes.

On 9th Japanese troops landed on Makin.

Because of high pressure from press and politicians from Capitol admiral Kimmel decided to prepare raid against japanese base near Kwalejin. It is believed that there can be few unguarded troop transports.
Kimmel also hopes that thanks to US Navy Carrier operations, Japanese Combined Fleet will decide to withdraw riding force near Australian shores.


Admiral Husban Kimmel commander of Pacific Fleet

Australia Command

Japanese bombing operations are wreaking havoc among Australians. Enemy is focusing against naval targets but port bomb raids didn’t stopped.

Evacuation from ports to New Zealand is underway, but as it was suspected not every one will get to safe port.

Japanese troops landed on Kavieng. Local garrison will try to hold them. Few Australian squadrons were moved to support defence and attack Japanese ship.

Malaya

Air battle over peninsula is very bloody for allied forces.
Japanese planes cleared sky over Singapore and almost without cost are bombing port and airfields.

Armoured troops from Mersing have moved to Kluong and cut off railway from northern part of peninsula to the Singapore. Lots of Commonwealth forces are cut off.

By order of High Command, Georgetown is being selected as evacuation port for those units. Dutch and Australian fighters will protect sky over base. Also one of Flying Tigers squadron was moved to support evacuation.

Good news come from Royal Navy Hong-Kong Destroyers TF.
DD Tahnet i Scout after sinking on 8th one transport near Samah, moved against Cam Ranh Bay port where they meet two AP’s filled with troops. They sink one AP (5560t) and other one was heavy damaged.
Both ships will end their raid at Palembang port where they start to support operation of evacuating Singapore.



HMS Thanet

USAFFE

Japanese troops are moving south. Air recon discovered few troop transports going against Mindanao Island. Their target is probably Davao.

Air battle is not easy for Japan, as air battle over Malaya. American fighter squadrons noted many enemy kills. Especially among Betty and Nell bombers.

Borneo

Enemy troops invaded Jesselton and Brunei. British Command asked McArthur to allow his B-17 bombers to bomb oil fields in Miri. However Cagayan stationed bombers didn’t commenced attack.

DEI

Japan invaded Talaud-eilanden and heading against Ternate. More medium bombers from Australia and Netherlands are on the way to support defence. Light British bombers from Singapore are also moved to zone.

Dutch Command decided to mine Merak. Blocking strait between Java and Sumatra might be problem for Japanese Navy. According to reports, on 10th unknown submarine hit mine.

Summary

Malaya looks like lost cause. Singapore will fall faster then I could expected. It’s very hard to even build there level one fort.
On good side Japanese Navy bomber losses looks good.

On 10th alone allied forces shoot down 22 Nell bombers (total from beginning of war 30) and 15 Betty bombers total 40).
It is possible that Japanese Navy will put on rest those very dangerous planes. It might give me much needed time for evacuation of Malayas.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Good luck Runnersan!!

I think there is a lot of opportunities for you after Japan committed the carriers to SE Australia.. I don't think this was the best of ideas? did he strat-bomb?

and for the looks of it, he seems to be using the KB as a raiding force, which is the biggest early mistake a Japanese player can do.. fireworks are fun but costly in the long run

I suggest you take the opportunity to reinforce Sumatra, Java and maybe go after some exposed island; you know you have a short window of opportunity when he can't react fast enough to get your carriers

I'm going to agree here....using KB to raid Sydney is not a great idea IMO. It's an easy target that at this point doesn't have much flak and no aircover at all, so he'll sink whatever he wants. But there aren't any strategic naval assets in Sydney....it's empty calories

Even worse, KB is now at the end of the map where it's going to be easy to track for a few turns as it transits the Coral Sea

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Good luck Runnersan!!

I think there is a lot of opportunities for you after Japan committed the carriers to SE Australia.. I don't think this was the best of ideas? did he strat-bomb?

and for the looks of it, he seems to be using the KB as a raiding force, which is the biggest early mistake a Japanese player can do.. fireworks are fun but costly in the long run

I suggest you take the opportunity to reinforce Sumatra, Java and maybe go after some exposed island; you know you have a short window of opportunity when he can't react fast enough to get your carriers

I'm going to agree here....using KB to raid Sydney is not a great idea IMO. It's an easy target that at this point doesn't have much flak and no aircover at all, so he'll sink whatever he wants. But there aren't any strategic naval assets in Sydney....it's empty calories

Even worse, KB is now at the end of the map where it's going to be easy to track for a few turns as it transits the Coral Sea

In my case the strategy has worked very well for me, but it really does depend on what kind of strategy you are pursuing in your game.

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

In my case the strategy has worked very well for me, but it really does depend on what kind of strategy you are pursuing in your game.

[/quote]

I saw Your AAR and my current situation looks similar like in AAR. It looks like that next big move will be Port Moresby grab. I'm thinking what can I do to discourage Japan from doing that.

[DesertWolf101]

ORIGINAL: runnersan

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

In my case the strategy has worked very well for me, but it really does depend on what kind of strategy you are pursuing in your game.


I saw Your AAR and my current situation looks similar like in AAR. It looks like that next big move will be Port Moresby grab. I'm thinking what can I do to discourage Japan from doing that.

The short answer is not much given KB's proximity. Sending forces to Port Moresby with the KB in the area would place them at extreme risk of intercept and destruction. Instead of putting too much emphasis on defending Port Moresby in this case, strike and reinforce where the KB isn't. While your opponent's KB use has followed my strategy to the letter (including breaking off the Kaga to hit Brisbane and dashing for the Melbourne shipping on day two), I am not sure how much he is following along with the rest of my campaign if at all. The trick is finding where the Japanese are not bringing overwhelming force and to leverage those opportunities where you can.

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

ORIGINAL: runnersan

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

In my case the strategy has worked very well for me, but it really does depend on what kind of strategy you are pursuing in your game.


I saw Your AAR and my current situation looks similar like in AAR. It looks like that next big move will be Port Moresby grab. I'm thinking what can I do to discourage Japan from doing that.

The short answer is not much given KB's proximity. Sending forces to Port Moresby with the KB in the area would place them at extreme risk of intercept and destruction. Instead of putting too much emphasis on defending Port Moresby in this case, strike and reinforce where the KB isn't. While your opponent's KB use has followed my strategy to the letter (including breaking off the Kaga to hit Brisbane and dashing for the Melbourne shipping on day two), I am not sure how much he is following along with the rest of my campaign if at all. The trick is finding where the Japanese are not bringing overwhelming force and to leverage those opportunities where you can.

Yes, Japan divided KB to attack Melbourne, but didn't decided to create seperate surface combat units to hunt ships that try to escape.