So it appears that War is inevitable, evil herbie, has issued a decree that all American Forces must quit the pacific, so that we can bring independence to the South East Asian area. Capitalist Rob of UV fame has ignored the call.
This war will be between us and the British, those weak Americans will never dare to interfere.
My Admiral, Herbisan, appears confident of victory. I spend the night preparing my little red pins, the map is ready , imperial HQ is very quiet tonight, the work and planning is done, tomorrow is the day.
I spare a thought for my Brothers
LTJG Bando, a zero pilot on the Akagi, private bando, Imperial Division, my smallest brother zui, he serves with the South sea detachment as a medic.
And my Brother in laws, Kawamurar, F2 Yamada, he is at saigon piloting a Claude, and KIZA, seving in the fwd turrent on heavy Cruiser Kako
May the Gods smile on us and our families.
Imperial staff officer Bando, for Admiral Herbisan
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
Imperial staff officer Bando, for Admiral Herbisan
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Negotiations fail
Negotiations between Admiral Herbiesan and Rob fail, war is declared.
The Admiral is displeased, many allied forces in the phillipines are seen moving the day before we strike.
But worse is to come.
The Americans declare war upon us!
Now we have the Pacific fleet at our throats, if only we had followed Yamatos suggestion of a strike on pearl , but too late now.
Admiral herbiesan overuled it
"Ships sunk at pearl can be raised, I intend to deep six them forever"
He has a risky plan, it depends on the usual over aggressive, impatient allied response that war brings.
So, we are committed
Brother Bandow is in action day 1 over Manilla, did he survive?, did he strike well?
I will have to wait.
The 1st day sees Kido Baru striking hard at Manilla, and heavy airaids on the Malayas.
Results are some what dissapointing, about 12 subs sunk, and a few escorts and auxillaries sunk.
Losses are reported as very light.
KB is ordered to fade away to her ambush point.
The atmosphere here at HQ is very tense, I cannot believe that a final strategic plan has NOT been decided upon
Much shipping many,men are gathering at Kagoshima
One thing to our eternal advantage. Cooperation Navy and Army is complete, the purge of last week has ensured that.
I tell my Mother to begin hiding rice under the house.
I fear much for the future, can we really destroy the american fleet now, and force him to the negotiation table.
I finish the night looking at my little red pins. One represents a brother marching boldly into Thailand with the imperial guard.
Sleep well, the jungle should hold no fear for you.
The Admiral is displeased, many allied forces in the phillipines are seen moving the day before we strike.
But worse is to come.
The Americans declare war upon us!
Now we have the Pacific fleet at our throats, if only we had followed Yamatos suggestion of a strike on pearl , but too late now.
Admiral herbiesan overuled it
"Ships sunk at pearl can be raised, I intend to deep six them forever"
He has a risky plan, it depends on the usual over aggressive, impatient allied response that war brings.
So, we are committed
Brother Bandow is in action day 1 over Manilla, did he survive?, did he strike well?
I will have to wait.
The 1st day sees Kido Baru striking hard at Manilla, and heavy airaids on the Malayas.
Results are some what dissapointing, about 12 subs sunk, and a few escorts and auxillaries sunk.
Losses are reported as very light.
KB is ordered to fade away to her ambush point.
The atmosphere here at HQ is very tense, I cannot believe that a final strategic plan has NOT been decided upon
Much shipping many,men are gathering at Kagoshima
One thing to our eternal advantage. Cooperation Navy and Army is complete, the purge of last week has ensured that.
I tell my Mother to begin hiding rice under the house.
I fear much for the future, can we really destroy the american fleet now, and force him to the negotiation table.
I finish the night looking at my little red pins. One represents a brother marching boldly into Thailand with the imperial guard.
Sleep well, the jungle should hold no fear for you.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Dissapointments
More grim faces today, the main threat to the malaya invasions have dissapeared, how we wanted to nail the Prince of wales.
Now every invasion MUST have naval cover.
The invasions of Malaya begin, Khoto, Soprano,and in the Phillipines Landings at Vila and Aparri
Heavy air battles over both invasions, are our fighters up to it?
Akagi reports nill casualties, so my Brother Bando survives his first action.
His ships now go silent, and head south east
Herbiesan angrily orders all air and land forces in China to go to the defensive, he does not want that theatre sucking supplies and men.
51st division is marching towards Hong Kong, it remains un attacked until it arrives.
I bet Private Bando feet hurt, I see the imperial division meets its reputation for hard marching.
The afternoon sees our first small crises, the landing at Tugero hits trouble, 2 phillipine divisions are there, how did that happen?
Now every invasion MUST have naval cover.
The invasions of Malaya begin, Khoto, Soprano,and in the Phillipines Landings at Vila and Aparri
Heavy air battles over both invasions, are our fighters up to it?
Akagi reports nill casualties, so my Brother Bando survives his first action.
His ships now go silent, and head south east
Herbiesan angrily orders all air and land forces in China to go to the defensive, he does not want that theatre sucking supplies and men.
51st division is marching towards Hong Kong, it remains un attacked until it arrives.
I bet Private Bando feet hurt, I see the imperial division meets its reputation for hard marching.
The afternoon sees our first small crises, the landing at Tugero hits trouble, 2 phillipine divisions are there, how did that happen?
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Decisions
There were violent arguments at HQ today, but the grand strategy was settled.
The four divisions gathering at Kagoshima will be landed at the phillipines, we are to push the allies into Bataan ASAP, then leave them bottled up and used as target practice until at least April. The four Divisions will then be redeployed for the lower dutch east indies.
Borneo will be taken by forces now at Hong kong and Siagon.
Herbiesan is attempting to gain favour I believe to get another division released from China sometime next month.
More air battles over Manilla, it appears that our zero has the advantage over the american fighters, Manouverability is the key !!!.
At Khota Bahru the british counter attacked, but we hold, vast numbers of troops are getting ashore
At tugero, it appears the phillipine troops are as good as we suspected, not very, we hold against the attack.
Moral is rising again at HQ
KB is headed to the paluas.
Regrettably we can gain no clue of the where abouts of the American fleet, especially its carriers.
The four divisions gathering at Kagoshima will be landed at the phillipines, we are to push the allies into Bataan ASAP, then leave them bottled up and used as target practice until at least April. The four Divisions will then be redeployed for the lower dutch east indies.
Borneo will be taken by forces now at Hong kong and Siagon.
Herbiesan is attempting to gain favour I believe to get another division released from China sometime next month.
More air battles over Manilla, it appears that our zero has the advantage over the american fighters, Manouverability is the key !!!.
At Khota Bahru the british counter attacked, but we hold, vast numbers of troops are getting ashore
At tugero, it appears the phillipine troops are as good as we suspected, not very, we hold against the attack.
Moral is rising again at HQ
KB is headed to the paluas.
Regrettably we can gain no clue of the where abouts of the American fleet, especially its carriers.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Intelligence
Ahh, the face of the enemy is revealed, codename Tabpub
What the hell does that stand for
Admiral herbiesan is still pleased with the progress, our opponents seem to be very passive in the defence
No fighters rise in malaya to combat us
Khota bharu falls, aircraft are ordered to move into the assualt
Down south baker island reports recon, target for KB
We invade Jolo, trying to cut off the phillipines
4 divisions sail for Naga
What the hell does that stand for
Admiral herbiesan is still pleased with the progress, our opponents seem to be very passive in the defence
No fighters rise in malaya to combat us
Khota bharu falls, aircraft are ordered to move into the assualt
Down south baker island reports recon, target for KB
We invade Jolo, trying to cut off the phillipines
4 divisions sail for Naga
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
12/12, the AVG show up
AVG at Mandaly.
We have established the army air on the Malaya peninsula.
Meanwhile 124 nell and 24 Zeros hit Johore Baru, my brother in law does not fly, his claudes have too short a range.
In the phillipines 172 bombers hit Clarke, Aparri falls.
The Army air begins to transfer to forward bases.
The Army begins the assualt on hong Kong
It appears the strategy is clear, a steamroller of troops at only 2 points, Malaya, and the Phillipines, a quick crushing, then onwards.
And KB to ambush the americans in the gilberts
I still fear the american battlefleet.
We have established the army air on the Malaya peninsula.
Meanwhile 124 nell and 24 Zeros hit Johore Baru, my brother in law does not fly, his claudes have too short a range.
In the phillipines 172 bombers hit Clarke, Aparri falls.
The Army air begins to transfer to forward bases.
The Army begins the assualt on hong Kong
It appears the strategy is clear, a steamroller of troops at only 2 points, Malaya, and the Phillipines, a quick crushing, then onwards.
And KB to ambush the americans in the gilberts
I still fear the american battlefleet.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
13/12
Little to report, strange how the avalanche has taken on a life of its own. Even had time to go to lunch today, life appears still the same here in Tokyo, the streets busy. No signs of shortages.
Mother writes, she is distressed, the park near her home is being turned into a new factory.
She asks, where will the cranes live now?
Kb is at Truk,
Attention is turning to the Celebes, the Mini KB is going to cover the invasions there.
I see heavy Cruiser Kako is also covering, more family members headed to battle.
Mother writes, she is distressed, the park near her home is being turned into a new factory.
She asks, where will the cranes live now?
Kb is at Truk,
Attention is turning to the Celebes, the Mini KB is going to cover the invasions there.
I see heavy Cruiser Kako is also covering, more family members headed to battle.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 13/12
Nice to have you with us on the WitP board as well Herb [:)]
Looking forward to your AAR....too bad about your continued puter problems though.
Seems like Murphy has paid you a lot of attention lately.
Looking forward to your AAR....too bad about your continued puter problems though.
Seems like Murphy has paid you a lot of attention lately.
"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
RE: 14/12
In the face of the war crises, the home front is requested to release funds for urgent repairs to HQ power supplies.
Once rectified, the war continues....
Herbiesan expresses disquiet as a new bomber, designated B17 operates against us.
I fear this may be a portent of the capabilities we have so rashley committed against
The 1st crises is overcome as Tugero falls, and the attack on Hong Kong continues well
Some reports of submarines operating near Vigan
The air foce settles into the fields at Khota bharu (oh to be able to spell[8|])
Troops there are ordered to march south.
Once rectified, the war continues....
Herbiesan expresses disquiet as a new bomber, designated B17 operates against us.
I fear this may be a portent of the capabilities we have so rashley committed against
The 1st crises is overcome as Tugero falls, and the attack on Hong Kong continues well
Some reports of submarines operating near Vigan
The air foce settles into the fields at Khota bharu (oh to be able to spell[8|])
Troops there are ordered to march south.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 15/12
The army air force begins to operate to full extent, 127 sallies are operating against ground troops there.
In the Phillipines all planes attack Manilla harbour again, we lose 8 betties, but many more ships are reported hit
I move another pin on the map. CA Kako is bombarding Menando, hot work I suspect for My brother in law in her fwd turrent
A bold move, we drop para troops into San Mercalio, behind enemy lines, the plan is to draw troops out of manilla to attack them
China is very, very quiet now.
In the Phillipines all planes attack Manilla harbour again, we lose 8 betties, but many more ships are reported hit
I move another pin on the map. CA Kako is bombarding Menando, hot work I suspect for My brother in law in her fwd turrent
A bold move, we drop para troops into San Mercalio, behind enemy lines, the plan is to draw troops out of manilla to attack them
China is very, very quiet now.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 16/12
Anaval battle, and another family member escapes with out harm
CA kako, Aoba, Kinugusa, Furatako and 4 DDs encounter 4 US 4 stakers near menando
Our ships and traing seem far superior, we escape with out a scratch, and claim all 4 enemy sunk
We invade Jolo soon, and subs attack this fleet 3 times for no hits
Over Manilla Nates take on P40s, a worry this, but we seem to get away with it
The phillipine invasion seems to be going well, Vigan falls.
Imperial guard division in action!
Fight well brother private bando!. Victoria point falls!
Admiral herbiesan has ordered a fast transport TF operating out of Palua to take points on the North coast of papua, biak is captured.
The war seems to be going to plan, Hong kong is crummbling
CA kako, Aoba, Kinugusa, Furatako and 4 DDs encounter 4 US 4 stakers near menando
Our ships and traing seem far superior, we escape with out a scratch, and claim all 4 enemy sunk
We invade Jolo soon, and subs attack this fleet 3 times for no hits
Over Manilla Nates take on P40s, a worry this, but we seem to get away with it
The phillipine invasion seems to be going well, Vigan falls.
Imperial guard division in action!
Fight well brother private bando!. Victoria point falls!
Admiral herbiesan has ordered a fast transport TF operating out of Palua to take points on the North coast of papua, biak is captured.
The war seems to be going to plan, Hong kong is crummbling
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 17/12
17/12
The enemy plans seem to be forming, reports of shipping at Port Moresby.
We have long term plans for that place
Menando still being consolidated
We invade Jolo to isolate the phillipines totally
Hong Kong has fallen
Troops land at davao
A big air effort over manilla today, 107 zeros, 98 sallies, results are poor, the enemy air seems to be finished already
In China a final plan has been given approval.
Troops from Hong kong are given orders for the next objective, tarakan and Balikapapan.
Where are the enemy CVs?
A very big nasty surprise for the Americans in the phillipines tomorrow.
The enemy plans seem to be forming, reports of shipping at Port Moresby.
We have long term plans for that place
Menando still being consolidated
We invade Jolo to isolate the phillipines totally
Hong Kong has fallen
Troops land at davao
A big air effort over manilla today, 107 zeros, 98 sallies, results are poor, the enemy air seems to be finished already
In China a final plan has been given approval.
Troops from Hong kong are given orders for the next objective, tarakan and Balikapapan.
Where are the enemy CVs?
A very big nasty surprise for the Americans in the phillipines tomorrow.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 17/12
18/12
Troops continue to unload at davao
The big news of the day is the invasion of Naga, 4 divisions now are unloading there.
Massive anti sub forces sink several subs attepting to interdict
We lose our 1st ship of the war, an AP sinks
The Naga invasion is attacked at night by catalinas, but escapes harm
The plan is this, and I think it a good one, a rapid forcing of enemy divisions into the bataan peninsula, then leave them there to starve, these 4 divisions will then head due south, Darwin, Thursday isalnd, PM, Gilli, Gilli, these are the targets
At Jolo we begin landing, several BBs covering this invasion
Our brave troops late in the day report Davao taken, we suffer bad damage to at least 5 transports.
The B17s again attack, no hits, but they way they brush us aside is a woory.
Darwin must be taken or taking the oilfields will only give them nice targets.[8|]
Troops continue to unload at davao
The big news of the day is the invasion of Naga, 4 divisions now are unloading there.
Massive anti sub forces sink several subs attepting to interdict
We lose our 1st ship of the war, an AP sinks
The Naga invasion is attacked at night by catalinas, but escapes harm
The plan is this, and I think it a good one, a rapid forcing of enemy divisions into the bataan peninsula, then leave them there to starve, these 4 divisions will then head due south, Darwin, Thursday isalnd, PM, Gilli, Gilli, these are the targets
At Jolo we begin landing, several BBs covering this invasion
Our brave troops late in the day report Davao taken, we suffer bad damage to at least 5 transports.
The B17s again attack, no hits, but they way they brush us aside is a woory.
Darwin must be taken or taking the oilfields will only give them nice targets.[8|]
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Imperial staff officer Bando, for Admiral Herbisan
19/12
Naga invasion continues
(Rob reports privately that he saw a kitchen sink, refridgerator and cooker there, yes mate all that and more is being thrown at you in the phillipines)
The phillipine troops are ejected, a full division retreats to Legaspi, and enemy troops are reported by the paras, yes, he did march some men north!
Can the paras hold until relieved.
Herbiesan gambles, more paras are to be flown in tomorrow
I note that Brother in Law Kawamura is recieving brand new zeros in siagon, I am sure he too will soon see action
Cofirmation (as staff officer I have lots of contacts) that Brother Bando on the Akagi did fly over Manilla, no kills though.
He must be fretting for action, wher is he now? KB is in total radio silence.
Naga invasion continues
(Rob reports privately that he saw a kitchen sink, refridgerator and cooker there, yes mate all that and more is being thrown at you in the phillipines)
The phillipine troops are ejected, a full division retreats to Legaspi, and enemy troops are reported by the paras, yes, he did march some men north!
Can the paras hold until relieved.
Herbiesan gambles, more paras are to be flown in tomorrow
I note that Brother in Law Kawamura is recieving brand new zeros in siagon, I am sure he too will soon see action
Cofirmation (as staff officer I have lots of contacts) that Brother Bando on the Akagi did fly over Manilla, no kills though.
He must be fretting for action, wher is he now? KB is in total radio silence.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Imperial staff officer Bando, for Admiral Herbisan
20/12
Several Fiascos today
We land troops on Lunga via sub, but the guns are lost in the surf, they will have to be withdrawn.
Admiral herbiesan must have been mad to order that
Unescorted sallies and Nells attack Singapore, losses are light, results are poor
24 buffalos intercepted, the british fighters appear to be crud
The invasion force for rabual approaches, some air attacks
The South Sea detachment approaches Ambonia
In Malaya the allies without any move on our behalf seem to be retreating south . Alor star is occupied by a single patrol of 10 men
Disaster on the east coast, the entire invasion force appears to have gone bush, they have left the road.
In despair 2 more regiments will have to be sent there to retrieve the situation
Also in Burma, another full division seems to have taken a "Shortcut", and gone bush
Disconcerting!
We have planes operating out of Jolo and Davao now, the phillipines are cut off
Mini KB moves to cover the Ambonia invasion
Several Fiascos today
We land troops on Lunga via sub, but the guns are lost in the surf, they will have to be withdrawn.
Admiral herbiesan must have been mad to order that
Unescorted sallies and Nells attack Singapore, losses are light, results are poor
24 buffalos intercepted, the british fighters appear to be crud
The invasion force for rabual approaches, some air attacks
The South Sea detachment approaches Ambonia
In Malaya the allies without any move on our behalf seem to be retreating south . Alor star is occupied by a single patrol of 10 men
Disaster on the east coast, the entire invasion force appears to have gone bush, they have left the road.
In despair 2 more regiments will have to be sent there to retrieve the situation
Also in Burma, another full division seems to have taken a "Shortcut", and gone bush
Disconcerting!
We have planes operating out of Jolo and Davao now, the phillipines are cut off
Mini KB moves to cover the Ambonia invasion
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
Disaster!!!!
A Black, black gloom fills HQ today
BB Kongo has been sunk, with all hands[:(]
3 PT boats closed to 2000 yards at Jolo last night, struck by a single torpedo she went up in a single massive explosion
She was one of Herbiesans favourites.[:(][:(][:(]
In another battle CL Adelaide tries to intercept our forces at rabual, and is sunk
South seas detachment unloads at Ambonia, our family seems to be heavily committed in this war already
In China an action at Henchow
Herbiesan and his staff go get drunk in memeory of a fine warship and crew.
BB Kongo has been sunk, with all hands[:(]
3 PT boats closed to 2000 yards at Jolo last night, struck by a single torpedo she went up in a single massive explosion
She was one of Herbiesans favourites.[:(][:(][:(]
In another battle CL Adelaide tries to intercept our forces at rabual, and is sunk
South seas detachment unloads at Ambonia, our family seems to be heavily committed in this war already
In China an action at Henchow
Herbiesan and his staff go get drunk in memeory of a fine warship and crew.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
The war must go on
The invasion of Ambonia continues
We hit Legaspi hard, and troops landing there (yesterday) easily take the place
We bomb Cagayan, attempting to cull the B17s, no luck.
He recon baker island, where are his CVs????, KB is waiting in Ambush now
In Malaya, he continues to withdraw, we wait for the Imperial division before marching south.
In the east coast the mess continues, and it appears that troops are being moved there , maybe to take advantage of our misfortune.
Never mind, when the imperial division arrives that steam roller wont be stopped.
Nearly all troops from Taan will be unloaded at Sopharno? by then, maximum effort and concentration of forces should give minimal losses.
Brother Zui reports, he is Medical officer for the South Sea detachment, the casualties from the successful Ambonia invasion have been light.
Our next invasions take shape.
Our troops approach manilla, and advance towards Clarke
The paras will hold, he marched North, attacked weakly once, must be fleeing south again.
Too late friend!
Invasion rabual continues, reports are confused.
We hit Legaspi hard, and troops landing there (yesterday) easily take the place
We bomb Cagayan, attempting to cull the B17s, no luck.
He recon baker island, where are his CVs????, KB is waiting in Ambush now
In Malaya, he continues to withdraw, we wait for the Imperial division before marching south.
In the east coast the mess continues, and it appears that troops are being moved there , maybe to take advantage of our misfortune.
Never mind, when the imperial division arrives that steam roller wont be stopped.
Nearly all troops from Taan will be unloaded at Sopharno? by then, maximum effort and concentration of forces should give minimal losses.
Brother Zui reports, he is Medical officer for the South Sea detachment, the casualties from the successful Ambonia invasion have been light.
Our next invasions take shape.
Our troops approach manilla, and advance towards Clarke
The paras will hold, he marched North, attacked weakly once, must be fleeing south again.
Too late friend!
Invasion rabual continues, reports are confused.
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
2nd great crises
Rabual is a mess
Heavily disrupted during the landing massive casualties are reported.
What to do?
We invade Brunie and Miri, The zeros great range allows fighters from Jolo to break up the Martins counter
Wewak falls to us
KB may have given her position away?, sights a sub near Baker using a Jake
If it had been by a Val we would have given the game away for sure.
If so this is a disaster!
Heavily disrupted during the landing massive casualties are reported.
What to do?
We invade Brunie and Miri, The zeros great range allows fighters from Jolo to break up the Martins counter
Wewak falls to us
KB may have given her position away?, sights a sub near Baker using a Jake
If it had been by a Val we would have given the game away for sure.
If so this is a disaster!
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Disaster!!!!
dont cry for BB. Its seems that's a rule[:(] for us japanese freedom fighters...
My glass-hulled Ise strucked with a single torpedo too, and you guess what....?[;)]
massive explosion... and she is now a home for sharks...
My glass-hulled Ise strucked with a single torpedo too, and you guess what....?[;)]
massive explosion... and she is now a home for sharks...
