Codename Sydney, Mogami(J) vs sveint(A)

[sveint]

(READER NOTICE: I write this as an AFTER action report - no info on current TFes and plans; sorry! you get those after the action).

Allied SITREP - December 19, 1941

(Player note: This is against Mogami's prepared first turn.)

Well December 9 hits us hard in Pearl Harbor and we lost 4 battleships and had a number of other ships damage (none critically, they will all be operational in a few months). The Japanese also launched major offensives against Singapore and the Phillipines. In Singapore we've had some success, for now he only holds one beachhead and a paradrop behind the lines was easily beat off. In the Phillipines however, we've been unable to offer much resistance and suffered quite a few ship sunk during the evacuation. A few PT boats scores limited successes.

The BIG surprise however has been how quiet the chinese and southern pacific theatres have been. We're really liking this and defensive operations are underway. Seems the sly fox Mr Mogami is going for oil and more oil.

(Player note: Not much do do as the Allies at start except evacuate and prepare defenses.)

[sveint]

Ships sunk by December 19, 1941

Japan
AKx2
APx2
PC

Allies
BBx4
DDx3
AKx11
AOx2
AV
MSWx3
PG
PT

[mogami]

Hi, Persons looking at my turn 1 will note the Paratroops located at Siagon. They have an objective set but prior to the time they are used there they are on standby for missions as needed.
Either my recon failed me or the enemy moved forces to the hex the same turn I dropped. There was a recon on turns prior to dropping that failed to show enemy units present. Because the enemy was retreating from Kuantan I hoped to cut off this retreat.
You can't make an omlett without breaking a few eggs.

[mogami]

Hi, Up to Dec 19 1941

Allied-Japanese
A2A 80-18
DOG 205-0
AA 10-38
Ops 17-30
Sortie 24958-9114

[mogami]

More strange than true: I never may believe
These antique fables, nor these fairy toys.
Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,
Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend
More than cool reason ever comprehends.
The lunatic, the lover and the poet
Are of imagination all compact:
One sees more devils than vast hell can hold,
That is, the madman: the lover, all as frantic,
Sees Helen's beauty in a brow of Egypt:
The poet's eye, in fine frenzy rolling,
Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven;
And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.
Such tricks hath strong imagination,
That if it would but apprehend some joy,
It comprehends some bringer of that joy;
Or in the night, imagining some fear,
How easy is a bush supposed a bear!

[sveint]

December [EDITED, not Jan] 29. Japanese offensive in DEI continues. No Japanese moves or even recons anywhere else.

Allied theathre-wide operation 'Defense' is now complete. While I cannot go into specifics, all my ships and troops are now where I want them. A few surprises are (hopefully) in store for Japan.

PS: KB is currently in the Banta (sp?) Sea, not sure what their plans are but they've been hanging around for a few days.

[mogami]

Hi, Sveint meant Dec 29th in his last post.
Current status

A2A 114-43
DOG 238-0
AA 17-67
Ops 35-79
Sortie 81367-29297

Score
Japan 4511
Allied 6949

Ships sunk (FOW)/Victory points
Japanese 21/134
Allied 34/928

Ground units loss
Japan 42
Allied 1558

Japanese advance contiues in Malaya and Borneo. Massive arty duels in China. Japanese suffered very heavy damage to a number of ships landing on Wake. First feelers out in South Pacific. (I have not spotteed USN CV entire game)

[mogami]

"Greetings all you poor misguided soldiers, sailors and airmen who have been left behind to die in a vain attempt to prevent the Japanese Empire from finding it's rightful place in the sun. Today you have no doubt heard the news broadcast by your armed forces radio bragging of how your mighty carriers have sank 4 Japanese transport ships near New Brtain. Before I resume our regular program of dance music for the troops fighting in the hopeless defense Philippines and Malaya let me assure you the pirate carriers have all been located and soon will join the rest of the US fleet at the bottom of the sea. Now here is some Glen Miller for you. Bye till next time Tokyo Rose"

[mogami]

Hi, The Japanese CV caught the USN CV (Enterprise and Lexington) with a long range strike. Enterprise and CA Chicago known to have been sunk. Status of Lexington unknown but believed to be also badly damaged. The USN airgroups had launched strikes against the fleeing remains of the strikes from yesterday.

I had been concerned the USN might run south at high speed to escape (Their strikes the day before had both encountered Japanese A6M2 flying CAP and these TF were located farther from Japanese airfield then the 8hex range a A6M2 can fly LRCAP So the CAP had to have been provided by IJN CV that had not been spotted. Had they done so I believe they would have reached the strait by Gili Gili and been out of range. I could not omit the fact they might remain so I had to decide run south to cut them off and protect my transports. I protected my transports. Lucky for me, Instead the USN CV moved east to oppose the coming Japanese landings at Rabaul (The Landing TF's had retired east as well and were covered by LRCAP from Truk during todays action.

Now it remains to be seen if any further damage can be inflicted tomorrow. The USN TF is now between Truk and the IJN CV.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/22/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AM
Day Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 60,83

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 47


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PC Tama Maru #8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Toshi Maru #3, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 17


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Daihachikyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 51
B5N Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 17 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 10 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 22 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 48
B5N Kate x 48

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A Val: 11 destroyed, 20 damaged
B5N Kate: 9 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 17 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 45
B5N Kate x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A Val: 4 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 1
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland
CA Chester, Bomb hits 1
CA Indianapolis

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 21
B5N Kate x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PM
Day Air attack on TF at 58,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 84
D3A Val x 99
B5N Kate x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Mugford, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Maury
CA Portland, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Chester, Bomb hits 5, on fire
DD Bagley
DD Patterson
DD Helm, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
1 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
4 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet

[sveint]

Well if I was playing the Russians I would have several Catalina crews massacred in the worst way possible... I had for 2 days straight confirmed the presence of KB near Bornea. How could they be that wrong? I don't know... but scratch 2 carriers and their entire task force.

Bitter... yup. Intelligence that wrong just shouldn't be possible.

[mogami]

Hi, That is CVL Zuiho and Ryujo watching Balikapapan. (The A5M's let you know that)
Also the distance from Wake to Borneo makes it unlikey KB would have arrived there yet.
Both your strikes yesterday encountered A6M2 on CAP.
Both Japanese TF are beyond range of any landbased CAP
Each TF required a group of A6M2 (so you know 2 groups of non land based A6M2 are flying the missions)

intell galore.

[sveint]

See picture... this turn the count is 'only' 4 cvs, were 5 on previous turns.

I discounted cap as landbased from Truk (there were few of them). Anyway, I guess I just learnt not to trust air recon...

[sveint]

Also the distance from Wake to Borneo makes it unlikey KB would have arrived there yet.

I never saw KB near wake, in fact I had it confirmed in the DEI area earlier.... up until now I was pretty sure it was there. Pretty sucky intel.

[mogami]

Hi, There was a carrier strike on Wake the turn before the landing took place.
When I set up the turn I said I would never send a TF beyond my air cover.
A6M2 only fly 8 hexes on LRCAP (LRCAP for any aircraft is it's normal range not extended)
The hexes of your strikes yesterday are 11 for one and 12 for the other from Truk.
So yesterday you should have known that at least 2 IJN CV were within 8 hexes of the 2 Japanese TF you were attacking. Only around a third of a group assigned to LRCAP will be over the target unless the target is within 2 hexes of the base of the group flying CAP.
Since both TF you attacked had 8xA6M2 on station, the groups flying the mission had to be at least 24 AC in size. The 2 CVL have been operating in the SRA almost without let up from turn 1. (They provided the cover for landings in Mindano )


KB has never been west of Truk. After PH strike it moved west to point 300 miles northwest of Wake and provided cover for movement of transports from Marcus. After Wake captured KB provided cover for movement of forces heading for Truk where after refueling it moved south to cover all the operations that have been occuring recently.


Unless a TF is spotted by submarine or patrol aircraft report a ship by name their reports have to be considered shaky at best. High experiance patrol groups will report contacts by name. They never lie. But they often report AP as BB or CA or CV. A CVL is reported as a CV often and they add or subtract as well (they report 2 CV in TF with 4 or 4 CV in TF with 2)

[sveint]

Ok well I've learnt, but just to refute all the "I should have been able to tell"...

Hi, That is CVL Zuiho and Ryujo watching Balikapapan. (The A5M's let you know that)

Assumed they were with KB or at least several other carriers (see pic).

Also the distance from Wake to Borneo makes it unlikey KB would have arrived there yet.

KB never spotted outside DEI... would see "5" carriers in DEI regularly.

Both your strikes yesterday encountered A6M2 on CAP.

Assumed from Truk (in range).

Both Japanese TF are beyond range of any landbased CAP

Assumed from Truk (in range).

[Each TF required a group of A6M2 (so you know 2 groups of non land based A6M2 are flying the missions)

Again, assumed to come from Truk.

In the end, yes it was my fault, but I NEVER thought the game could mislead me that much. No way my carriers would have been out there if not for the "spotted" carriers in DEI.

[sveint]

Enjoy killing the rest of that TF. You won't ever get a chance like that again. [;)]

[mogami]

Hi, I think I am understanding you used A6M2 extended range for LRCAP missions.
They only fly 8 hexes on LRCAP not 11.

(But Arawe is 12 hexes from Truk)

[mogami]

ORIGINAL: sveint

Enjoy killing the rest of that TF. You won't ever get a chance like that again. [;)]

Hi, I'm certain I will. But it will take a bigger piece of cheese next time then 2 TF with 2xAP and 2xPC to bait the trap.

[sveint]

In fact I never checked the range because I'd 'spotted' KB in DEI for 3 days straight.

My fault in the end, but I still find it hard to believe that (in the real WW2) anything could have been reported this wrong. At least now I know it happens in the game.

[mogami]

Hi, It was not reported wrong. The reports were interpted as set of facts that had not been confirmed. There are in fact at least 2 CVL in the hex your pilots report a CV force in.
Because they were counting wrong other "hints" were not realized.

(Like Nagumos scout reporting his contact TF (with no CV) changing course. Had the scout said the TF contained CV Nagumo would have known instantly the enemy TF was turning into the wind. And dispite his not knowing it contained CV he should have thought (why would surface TF change course at a point 150 miles from my TF and the light "into the wind" would have told him it had CV even though he had been told there were none present.