Bloody Pacific: Pomphat (Allied) vs Amiral Laurent (Japan)

[AmiralLaurent]

This is a Japanese secret thread, Pomphat has sworn to not read this and will be beheaded in case he tries. So any comments are welcome

We just start a PBEM, scen 15, one day turn, v1.60. Submarines doctrines are on for both sides and the starting turn is unhistorical.

Home rules used are:
As for the home rules, I propose an unhistorical first turn.
Japanese may not land anywhere else than in the "historical turn" but may position invasion TFs at 6 hexes from their target. The KB won't chase the Allied CVs on turn one. Either it is in the Pacific and attacking PH from the "historical position" or it is somewhere else and so not near US CVs.
The Allied player has a limited liberty of action for the first turn:
_ British and Chinese forces are totally free but can't go to foreign bases. Chinese were allready at war, the Brits were aware of Japanese convoys in the Gulf of Siam since two days.
_ PI and Dutch air units may receive new orders but won't change base. Warships may move at will if they have no damage at start, warships with some SYS damage at start and merchants can't move. Ground units don't move
_ Australian (except those in Malaya), NZ and US forces outside PI won't change anything.

For the following turns, I use these home rules:

_ on turn one, a Japanese unit will cross the Soviet border or a Soviet base will be bombed. This will allow the Allied player to plan a defensive strategy in Siberia. Japanese forces may leave Mancoukuo, but should change oif command before (or be allready assigned to another command, like the Mongol Cav Div and some BF). Soviet forces won't attack except if the powere of the Kwantung Army goes below 8000. In this case, I will inform my opponent and then he may attack (or not) when he wants, even if the Army power goes up to more than 8000.

_ in China, every rail and road hex under Japanese control should be garrisoned by at least 20 ASS points. Every town should be garrisoned. It is possible for the Japanese to evacuate a town if it leaves an area.

_ Allied bases with HI or ressources/oil should be garrisoned by a Japanese unit with some ASS value once taken.

_ ground troops assigned to China Army (Japan) or China Command (Allied) can't leave the country without changing of command.

_ ASW TFs are limited to 6 ships for both sides.

Now the plan:
Given a choice of either losing the face or starting a war, the Japanese government of course has chosen the second option.

The Japanese Army is mainly concerned with China and Soviet Union and has little interest in the Pacific, so the planning of war was left mainly to the Imperial Navy.

The admiral in charge gathered a staff of young officers who all studied in the States and so knew well the main enemy. The general feeling was that Japan courage will overwhelm everything the Allied powers have at hand, but that in the end American industrial power will crush Japan.

So the objective is set: dealing the Allied enough damage that they will agree to accept Japanese control of SRA before the American industrial might shifted the balance of war on Allied side.

The only chance of Japan is a short war. Political objectives are granted more importance than economical ones. So the seizure of SRA is only the second objective of Japan.

The main idea of the plan is to put a maximal pressure on the Pacific front. Japanese forces will invade Hawai Islands in January 1942 with five divisions. Once it is done, they will occupy under CV cover the atolls south of them. Then all ships, planes, troops and supplies available in the USA will be “trapped” there. With a PH under Japanese control and with the Kido Butai and half of the Japanese surface ships in the area, they won’t be able to ship to the other fronts. If the US CV fleet was defeated during this operation, Kido Butai will even raid US shores.

To do this, troops usually used to take the SRA are diverted from their objectives. Two areas will be conquered later than usual. Luzon won’t be invaded during the first month, the LBA based on Formosa will assure its neutralization. Java landings will occur in spring.
No troops have been diverted from Malaya, so Singapore is excepted to fall in January-February. Four reinforced divisions will operate there under support of a Navy Air Fleet and an Army Air Division.
Burma will be invaded by one reinforced division and the objective is to repulse British forces up to Mandalay, but not to take it in the first drive. They will have close to nil aerial support before the fall of Malaya.
Japan needs oil and the prime economical objective is Borneo. All oilfields of the island will be conquered in December or January. To assure the security of the operations, Mindanao, Jolo and Menado will be taken. The forces available there are 4 Brigades, the mini-KB, several surface TF and planes primary used to neutralize Luzon once this is over.
After the fall of Singapore, the next main objective is Palembang. Operations against Luzon will start at this time.
Then Java and Timor will end the Japanese advance in the area.

In the second half of 1942, it is planned that Japan will hold all the SRA, that the Burma front will be stabilized somewhere in the north of the country and that most of the Pacific will be occupied. Japan will then be able to gather a mobile force of 8 divisions and will use it to knock down one of the Allied countries. Which one will be chosen later.

Japanese economics will adapt to the short war planning. All ships needing more than one year of building are halted. All aircraft research for 1943 and 1944 is stopped. No fortifications will be built on rear aeras to save supplies for immediate use on the front.

[AmiralLaurent]

This post will include a short history of the game.

The first Hawaii campain (7 December 1941 - 4 March 1942) (Pages 1 to 4)

The first goal of the Japanese armed forces was to take PH. For this 5 Div (2, 4, 16, 48 and 56) and numerous support troops were used, together with all available CV/CVL/CVE and many other ships, including all Japanese BB less two used off Malaya. Preliminary operations included captures of Wake (7th Dec), Midway (14th Dec), Johnston Island (29th Dec), Lahaina (7th Jan) and Hilo (18th Jan). The Kido Butai raided PH several times in the period, sinking a BB in port and 2 cruisers and a whole DM TF off Lahaina among other. Lahaina was turned into a major port (with AR and AE) and airfield from which CV, BB and LBA bombard PH. In December 1941 a convoy bringing CD and AA units had reached PH but they still were only two divisions when the Japanese landed in PH on the 25 of January with four divisions. The battle lasted 6 weeks and the 5th Japanese Div that took Lahaina should be sent to PH too. Japanese losses were 1 BB that exploded after hitting a mine, about 20 ships sunk by CD fire and mines off PH and many CV airmen, leaving the KB wrecked.
American losses were all the damaged and slow ships caught in PH, including 4 BB, hundred of aircraft, two divisions and most of the CD and AA units of the US Army. 52 000 POW were counted when PH fell (and 7 000 other during the rest of the campain).
Also during this battle a Japanese CV division raided Palmyra Island on 5-6 February but was repulsed by Allied LBA that sank a CVE and damaged another. It was the first American victory of the war. And ten days later, when the whole Kido Butai returned to this area with a vengeance, they met American Cvs and a battle unplanned by both sides began.

The battle of Christmas Island (15 February 1942) (Page 3)

This CV battle was unplanned by both sides and both sides made mistakes. The Kido Butai (split in 2 big CV TF) was sailing east of Christmas Island to chase Allied convoys and found one, but it was covered by 4 US CVs (each in its own TF) and several surface TF. One Japanese CV TF reacted, and the other don’t, so the battle was engaged with a divided KB that was attacked by a concentrated raid of 136 SBD but TBD were out of range and only 22 escorts were with them. 72 Zeroes shot down 98 Allied aircraft for 4 losses but 55 SBD got trough and damaged all five CV of the TF. 279 Japanese aircraft were sent to attack the US CV in five raids and met 77 Wildcat flying CAP. 62 Japanese AC and 52 Allied were shot down, but the attackers sank the CV Enterprise and Lexington (and damaged a CA) while losing 8 Kate to AA fire. In the afternoon, the CV Yorktown closed to 120 miles while the unhurt Japanese CV TF was out of the battle. But Allied crew were unable to do much more damage (Akagi took a new bomb) while 27 Kate sank the Yorktown aboard which the Adm Spruance was killed. Only 13 Allied aircraft and 4 Japanese were lost in the afternoon. So the score was fairly in favour of Japan (3 CV and 274 AC lost by USN, no ship and 74 AC by IJN) but five CV were damaged, three of them closed and many Allied warships were in the area. They might have avenged their CV the next night, as Japanese surface escorts were rather weak, but fled instead. And all five damaged CV were able to reach Lahaina and were saved.

The Malay campain (7 December 1941 - 27 February 1942) (Pages 1 to 3)

The second most important objective of Japan in the starting months was Singapore. All Japanese troops either landed in Singora or came by the road trough Thailand, and the IJN retired from the area all ships in mid-december 1941 (to use them in the DEI, see below). The British troops retreated to Singapore and the Japanese took without much difficulty Alor Star (12 Dec), Taiping (14 Dec), Georgetown (15 Dec), Kuala Lumpur (18 Dec), Malacca (21 Dec) and Johore Bharu (26 Dec). This last base was then turned into a major airfield to control the sea and sky around and bomb Singapore troops. After preparing there, the 25th Army (4 Div, 1 Bde, 1 Tk Rgt, 2 Eng Rgt, 5 ART units) invaded Singapore on 17 January but the battle was harder than planned and the British base only surrendered on 27 February, leaving 100 000 POWs in Japanese hands.

Preliminary operations in the DEI (15 December 1941-5 March 1942) (Pages 1 to 4)

Limited Japanese ground forces but with powerful naval and air support were tasked to take Borneo and some other bases, both to take oil centers and to have bases to support later operations against Sumatra, Java and Timor. There wasn't much opposition, as all operations were always launched within range of Japanese LBA and Allied ships were elusive (the CA USS Houston was torpedoed by Japanese airmen but escaped, there was no real surface battle). The bases taken include Miri and Brunei (17 Dec), Menado (24 Dec), Tarakan (2 Jan), Balikpapan (30 Jan), Kendari (30 Jan), Singkawang (5 Feb), Macassar (7 Feb), Banjarmasin (12 Feb) and Pontaniak (5 Mar).

Preliminary operations in the Philippines (7 December 1941-20 April 1942) (Pages 1 to 5)

Almost all troops in these areas were sent to Hawaii and this theater saw only limited operations during several months. The original plan was to neutralize Allied aircraft and ships with Formosa-based LBA and the mini-KB sailing south of Mindanao, to take Mindanao with the 56th Bde and then to occupy empty bases here and there with small naval forces. There was not much opposition. Allied bombers and ships began to leave the PI as soon as the war started. Operations against the ships were not very successful and only a dozen were sunk by the mini-KB and its escort. Allied fighters fought over Manila for two weeks, suffered heavy losses and then left too. Mindanao was conquered between the 10/12 and 13/1, with Davao being taken by the 56th Bde on the 15/12. A landing on Luzon was not planned but recon showed that the Allied forces had left the north of the island and naval infantry landed in Aparri on the 21/12 and occupied Tugueragao, Laoag and Vigan before the end of the year. The first base force only arrived one month later, but had almost no aircraft to support. Naval forces conquered minor bases during the period: Batan Island (7/12), Tawi Tawi (3/1), Puerto Princesa (21/1), Ormoc (25/1), Tacloban (27/1), Taytay (28/1), Guian (10/2), San Jose (17/2) and Roxas (25/2). Allied troops didn’t move against the Allied troops in N Luzon for two months and in the end of February, the arrival of the 17th Div from China (first div bought with PP) and of some more naval units allowed more ground to be taken on Luzon: Lamon Bay was occupied on 1/3, the 17th Div took Lingayen on 11/3 in the first major battle of the campaign (a PI Div was defeated) and a SNLF landed in Naga on 15/3 and took in a week this base and Legaspi, capturing a base force. There was still no Allied counter-attack. The next month was spent building Lingayen airfield and waiting for reinforcements.

The Burma Campaign (15 December 1941-22 June 1942)

The invasion of Burma was a sideshow of the Malaya campaign and the 15th Army had only a Div, a Bde, a Rgt and some small units, and most of the time no air support, to do it. Tavoy was taken on 15 December but British troops had advanced in Siam and the first Japanese defeat of the war saw a Rgt being defeated NW of this city on the 16-17. The 33rd Div crossed again the river here on the 27 but was also stopped, and it was only when the undefended town of Moulmein was taken by the 21st Bde on the 31st that the Allied troops retreated, leaving the area but also Rangoon, that was taken on the 15 of January. Two days after a small parachute force took the empty Andaman Islands.

The Japanese goal was now to take Central Burma before Chinese troops reached it. Allied forces were holding Mandalay with most of their ground units and a strong air force, including the AVG, but had also 2 Bde in Pagan and 1 in Taung Gyi. Japanese troops used this scattering of force by advancing in the holes of the Allied lines and then beating them peacemeal. The 33rd Div crossed the Irradawy River west of Mandalay on the 31st and in the next week the other units took Taung Gyi (1/2) and Pagan (7/2) repulsing Allied troops in the jungle. During this period Allied airmen had almost total air superiority over the country. Two Zero Daitai were based in Rangoon for a week, shot down 26 aircraft but lost ten and then left, as this loss ratio was not bearable at this stage of the war.

All units of the 15th Army was preparing for the battle of Mandalay since the start of the war and they gathered in the Japanese beachhead west of the city and then marched to it. The first attack was launched on 17/2 the same day that the first Chinese division reached the city. After 3 days of battle the Allied began to evacuate but were too slow and the city was taken on the 21st with a part of the Allied troops repulsed towards Lashio while the other had gone towards Myitkyina. At this date some Zero returned to Burma and inflicted serious losses to Allied airmen.

Again using the division of Allied troops, the 15th Army attacked Lashio and took it on 4/3, repulsing another part of the Allied forces in the jungle. Then using railway the Japanese Army concentrated against Myitkyina. When they arrived on 15/3 Allied troops tried to counter-attack but failed and the city fell on the 17 after two days of Japanese attacks. This concluded this part of the campaign and the next months should have been used by the 15th Army to surround and destroy Allied units scattered in the jungle, while other Allied units retreated to India or Yunan. But before that an Allied counter offensive from Imphal reached the railway north of Mandalay on 24/3 (with the 18th UK Div, 2 Bde, a HQ, etc..) and surprised Japanese forces. Most of the 15th Army was then involved in jungle sweeping activities. Also at this time Allied airmen from India were able to bomb Burma almost at will.

The first major Japanese reinforcement, the 55th Div, was at the time sailing from Singapore to take Akyab by sea and was rerouted to Rangoon and marched north. This enabled to stop the Allied advance on Mytikyina and both sides forces met 120 miles west of the city on 8/4, when an Allied attack was defeated. The 33rd Div returned from the Salween front and the united Japanese forces defeated on the 23 the Allied forces and sent them back on the trail to Imphal.

During the battle airmen of both sides also fought often. Allied airmen were able to blast any base on Central Burma but were decimated when trying to attack Rangoon without escort. Japanese fighters were able to fly LRCAP over Burma or sweeps over India and usually scored well but suffered heavy losses when the AVG was facing them. They were also unable to defend any airfield in Central Burma and were using guerrilla tactics. The air situation didn’t change much for one year. The F1/3rd Daitai was especially successful during this period and the ENS S. Sugio became the best Japanese ace this spring (24 kills on 27 May 1942) and was just the best of the dozen of aces of this elite unit. Other fighter units were decimated but F1/3rd was always lucky and missed the worst battles.

The Japanese troops then spent some times to reduce the British and Chinese units scattered here and there in the Burmese jungle, the last Chinese division surrendering NW of Lashio on the 3rd of June. At the same time the 55th Div marched on a jungle trail to Akyab and reached it on the 6th of June. It then waited for other troops to surround it and suffered from heavy Allied air raids that the Japanese air force didn’t even try to intercept. On the other hand a Japanese cruiser squadron was able to bombard Akyab and then land troops NW of it, closing the ring, on 20 June. But this landing met a full Allied brigade marching to the rescue of the surrounded base. Anyway Japanese troops were able to create a bridgehead and cut the road, repulsed an Allied attempt to repulse them and the 55th Div took Akyab on 22 June.

This victory ended the Burma campain. Nine Allied units had been captured (4 Chinese divisions, 3 RAF base forces, 1 Indian Bde and 1 Burmese Bde) and around 20 others defeated several times and chased with heavy losses, part of them being pushed in China that was already starving.

The Burma Army (33rd and 55th Div, 21st and 23rd Bde, 4th Rgt, four Tk Rgts and auxiliary units (SNLF and ART)) was now ordered to defend Burma. Akyab will be held by the 55th Div. The SNLF being in the jungle NE of the base will remain there to keep an eye on the trail from India. The 33rd Div will be in reserve in Rangoon and will protect the base against an Allied landing. The 21st Bde will hold Myitkyina, the 23rd Mandalay and the 4th Rgt Lashio. The artillery and tank units will be in reserve in Mandalay ready to march in all directions. The Naval Guard unit guarding the railway Mandalay-Myitkyina will remain there. Pagan and Taung Gyi will be held by SNLF and base forces that should be strong enough to repulse paratroops attacks. Any Allied land offensive will have to march trough jungle and then reserves will be deployed to stop it.

First phase in China (to be written)


Sumatra campain (to be written)


Java campain (to be written)


Operations in the Timor-Amboina-Darwin area (to be written)


The end in the Philipinnes (to be written)


Japan advance in the Pacific (to be written)


A not so quiet front: Kendari vs Darwin (to be written)


Allied counter-attack: the Second Battle of Hawaii (20 July – 5 September 1942)

After the fall of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese began to build defences there while sending submarines and some cruisers patrol in the Eastern Pacific. In the first months the only Allied activity in the area was to lay mines with submarines.

With most of the Japanese Navy and of the Japanese land units sent to the Pacific involved in the Suva campaign, PH remained quiet until mid-July when two Japanese CVs badly needing an overhaul returned to this port with a small escort. The Japanese High Command was not expecting an Allied counter-attack before October and had planned a two-month pause in August and September to repair ships and rebuild air units after the fall of Suva.

But the Allied didn’t follow this schedule, and on the 20th of July a submarine patrolling off California reported a troop convoy sailing towards Hawaii. The next days it was confirmed that it was a major fleet sailing with CV, BB and cruisers.

Pearl Harbor was well garrisoned with two reinforced divisions, but the other islands were weakly held. The port was evacuated while air units were sent from all over the Empire to Hawaii. The Japanese Navy was also ordered to sail to Hawaii but the Kido Butai had then only 6 CV with 250 aircraft aboard, and it was estimated that the Allied CV will be stronger. So the plan was to let the land-based airmen fight the first battles while the Navy will concentrate around Palmyra Island.

While the Japanese in Hawaii waited for the attack, in the south Suva was taken on the 24th, liberating several divisions. Transports were at once ordered to go there to bring them to Hawaii as soon as possible.

After a slow advance during which it sank a Japanese submarine, the Allied fleet arrived in range of Hawaii on the 27th. The Allied CVs launched a small raid against a flotilla off PH but it was intercepted by 99 Zero launched from PH and 46 Allied aircraft were shot down against 2 Zero.

The next day was not so good for Japan. During the night an Allied surface TF sank four Japanese minelayers while the Allied transports arrived off Hilo and began to land troops. At dawn four Japanese destroyers having tried a night raid on an Allied convoy were found by Allied airmen before being able to return PH and all were sunk. And four Allied BB and four cruisers bombarded PH during the day but wandered into the 24000 mines protecting the base. A DD was sunk, the CA Astoria hit two and sank a week later while trying to reach California and the BB West Virginia, CA San Francisco, CL Helena and four DD hit one each. This bombardment did some damage in the port (sinking another ML). In the evening 24 000 Allied men had landed in Hilo with only some ships hitting mines here.

The next night three American CA again pounded PH, destroying a dozen aircraft and sinking another minelayer in the port. These cruisers remained off the base all the day of the 28th and were attacked by Ki-51 dive bombers from PH but without much damage.
More south some Betties from Johnson Island attacked Allied ships off Hilo and managed to torpedo the BB Arizona against 5 losses. But on the ground the 1st US Corps (about the strength of two divisions) took easily the base of Hilo held by a small Japanese base force.
The same day the Kido Butai gathered and refuelled in Palmyra and sailed in the evening toward Hawaii with 4 CV (including both that were at PH before for an overhaul), 4 CVL, 1 CVE, 5 BB, 5 CA, 3 CL, 1 CS and 26 DD. It carried 172 Zeroes, 89 Vals and 90 Kates, all pilots and crews being experienced. They were ordered to engage the Allied forces 2-3 days later.

The 30th was quieter. Allied cruisers again bombarded PH during the night, destroying 6 aircraft, and then retired to Hilo, where Allied aircraft were now based. On the Japanese side, tens of Betties and Nells began to fly in PH for the incoming battle.

The next day was even quieter but in the afternoon a Coronado now based in Hilo saw the Kido Butai sailing towards Hawaii and both sides started drawing plans for the next day. The Japanese plan was to sail close to PH to draw the Allied airmen and use all Zero aboard the CV to defend them, while the land-based units in PH will attack the Allied fleet. Most of the Kate aboard the CV were sent in the evening to PH to take part in this attack. The Val units were kept in reserve to be used against the Allied transports after the victory.

At the dawn of the 1st of August, the Japanese CVs were just SW of PH and the Allied ones just east of Hilo. The weather was perfect and hundred of aircraft were sent by each side.
As planned the Kido Butai was attacked by waves after waves of Allied aircraft (including some P-39 from Hilo) but the CAP (139 Zero and 6 Rufe) decimated them. Only 3 TBF got through and missed the CV Hiyo with their torpedoes. 158 of the 169 Allied aircraft committed for these attacks were shot down while only 10 Japanese fighters were lost.
The air commander at PH launched a concentrated air raid against only one of the three Allied CV TF rather than scattering its strength. The 62 Betty and Nell were escorted by 107 Zero that managed to scatter the Allied CAP (58 F4F-4 and 41 Fulmar), 78 Allied fighters and 38 Japanese being lost in the battle. The undisturbed bombers then attacked the three main Allied ships: the CV USS Saratoga, the only American survivor of the first CV battle of the war, the CV USS Hornet and the BB North Carolina sailing close by to cover them with her AA fire. AA fire shot down 9 bombers but the Saratoga was struck by five torpedoes and was sinking when Japanese crew left the area. The North Carolina was hit by the first Japanese bomber but then dodged all missiles, while the Hornet managed to evade all torpedoes.
In the afternoon only 21 Allied aircraft attacked the KB but were all shot down by the CAP for the loss of one Zero. But the Japanese raids were also costly as they went more and more uncoordinated during the day. 21 bombers and 82 fighters attacked again the Allied CV fleet and for the loss of 3 Betties shot down 12 Allied fighters and torpedoed the CV HMS Indomitable and USS Wasp, and one AO.
But at the same time 61 Kates, 26 Ki-51 and 13 bombers attacked the ships off Hilo in small unescorted groups and were slaughtered by a dozen of Marine Wildcats based here who shot down 38 Kates, 4 Sonias and 2 Betties without loss. Only two AK were hit by a torpedo.

Anyway the battle was clearly a Japanese victory: the CV Saratoga sank, the CV Indomitable and Wasp, the BB North Carolina, two AK and an AO were also torpedoed. No Japanese ship was hit. 282 Allied aircraft and 112 Japanese were shot down, the worst loss for Japan being half of its remaining experienced Kate crews.

In the evening the Kido Butai was split in two to pursue the Allied fleet. The fast CV and BB were ordered to sail at full speed to catch the retiring Allied carriers, while the slow ones were ordered to target the transports around Hilo. During the night a Japanese submarine was sunk by Allied destroyers.
The dawn of the 2nd showed that the Allied fleets was fleeing in disorder, providing plenty of targets for Japanese airmen. During the day they sank the CA Portland and three AK, torpedoed again the CV HMS Indomitable, and hit also 3 AR and a tanker.

On the 3rd, the fast CV TF found Allied CV in range but then sailed under a storm. In the afternoon the weather cleared and the fast TF engaged Allied CVs again. The latter were only able to send 4 aircraft to attack their pursuers and all were shot down while the Japanese attack heavily damaged the CV HMS Formidable and damaged three destroyers, while the HMS Illustrious evaded all torpedoes and was undamaged. This slow CV TF attacked several convoy and hit 6 transports and 2 oilers (one was achieved in the evening by a submarine) and bombed unsuccessfully the damaged BB Arizona.
More west, the land-based airmen started to bombard Hilo airfield to close it but Allied engineers managed to expand it.

On the 4th, the fast CV TF engaged again the fleeing Allied CV that had no more aircraft to retaliate and hit the USS Wasp with four bombs, setting it in fire. Japanese airmen also sank during the day 2 AO, 1 AK, 1 DMS and 1 SC and damaged other ships.
More west, another raid hit Hilo while 15 000 Allied men reached Kona that was lightly held.

The next night a Japanese BB TF engaged a convoy and sank a DD and two AK but the BB Fuso was heavily damaged by a torpedo (and only managed to reach PH a week later after nearly sinking). This day the fast CV TF sailed to less than 700 miles to the California coast and launched a last attack against the retiring Allied CV, missing the Illustrious but sinking the Wasp. And the slow CV TF had the surprise to find the CV HMS Formidable that everyone thought had sunk on the 3rd and achieved her. They also scored another torpedo hit on the BB Arizona. A submarine sank an AK this day while six other Allied ships were hit by bombs.
More west a Japanese convoy unloaded reinforcement at Kona under attack by aircraft from Kona that heavily damaged one AK. Japanese airmen bombed the Allied troops advancing on Kona.

On the 6th the fast CV TF that was now lacking fuel turned back. During the day Japanese surface ships (now detached from the CV TF to chase), submarines and airmen sank 5 AK and 1 DD and hit a dozen other ships, including the Arizona that survived another air attack.
A raid from PH managed to pound Hilo airfield, destroying 15 aircraft on the ground. This base launched no raid during the day and all Japanese reinforcements landed in Kona in time to repulse an Allied attack by three American regiments (also bombed by Japanese airmen), even if some positions were lost by the Japanese.

The next night the Arizona was finally found and sunk the Japanese BB Mutsu and Kirishima. The slaughter of Allied ships continued during the day and 9 were sunk today by aircraft, surface ships and submarines and 10 other damaged.
Also this night a CL flotilla bombarded Hilo and sank an AVD off this base.

There was no more important target at sea but the Japanese seamen and airmen continued to chase transports for several days before running out of targets: 22 Allied ships (transports and destroyers) were sunk and 10 more damaged. The last attack was launched against some AK 1000 miles off California by the CA Aoba sailing alone in the early hours of the 10th. This same day the Allied fleet returned to sea to engage the scattered Japanese warships but too late and found nothing except wrecks and a Japanese submarine that was sunk by DD on the 12th.

Sunk: CV Saratoga, CV Wasp, CV Formidable, BB Arizona, CA Astoria, CA Portland, 7 DD, 1 DMS, 1 AVD, 3 AR, 8 AO, 4 TK, 1 AP, 40 AK
Other important ships damaged: BB West Virginia (1 mine), BB North Carolina (1 torpedo), CV Indomitable (2 torpedoes)

Hilo airfield was crushed on the 9th by a heavy Japanese air raid. For 11 losses, the Japanese shot down 22 F4F-4 and destroyed 44 aircraft on the ground. This day was a total disaster for the Allied forces now surrounded in Hawaii, as a new American attack against Kona failed with heavy losses. Hilo was hit again on the 10th (3 US fighters shot down and 23 destroyed on the ground) and 11th (1 Wildcat shot down, 21 aircraft blasted on the ground). It was also bombarded from the sea, especially on the 12th. The base was then more or less closed and 39 more Allied aircraft were destroyed there on the ground in the next ten days while only 6 Allied aircraft were made flyable (and two were shot down).

At the same time transports from PH unloaded the 56th Japanese Div and supplies in Kona, so assuring that the base will repulse any new attack, while all ships of the KB returned to PH to refuel, emptying all the tanks of the base.

The first convoys arrived off Kona from Suva and on the 21st and started to unload two more divisions, just in time to crush another Allied attack that was a very bloody failure. On the 23rd, it was the turn of the Japanese to attack with 64 000 men and they defeated the 27 000 American and repulsed them to Hilo. In the next days two more divisions landed at Kona and then the whole army started to march to Hilo.

This base was bombed daily from the air and the airfield was closed. The five divisions reached it on the 3rd of September. The base was bombed again from the air and the sea and then the Japanese troops attacked on the 5th. The Allied defences collapsed and 56 000 men surrendered.

So ended the first Allied offensive of the war. The Allied losses were heavy:

Sunk: CV Saratoga, CV Wasp, CV Formidable, BB Arizona, CA Astoria, CA Portland, 7 DD, 1 DMS, 1 AVD, 3 AR, 8 AO, 4 TK, 1 AP, 40 AK
Other important ships damaged: BB West Virginia (1 mine), BB North Carolina (1 torpedo), CV Indomitable (2 torpedoes)
And more than 500 aircraft and 60 000 men.

Japan lost only 4 DD, 4 SS and 6 ML, and around 250 aircraft. Ground losses were low and only the BB Fuso and the CL Sendai were damaged during the battle.

The 1942 campain in Northern China (to be written)


Burma, between the Japanese and Allied offensives (23 June 1942 – 6 April 1943)

This phase started quietly with both sides organizing defences and building bases. The Allied bombers started in July to bomb oil and resources in Burma without meeting much resistance. The next month they tried to raid Rangoon that was the main hub of the Japanese airforce in the area but stopped after some bloody failures.

Also in August a Chinese Div marched south from Kohima and threatened to cut the railway to Myitkyina but was repulsed after a one-week battle in the jungle north of it. Another Chinese Div did the same in October north of Myitkyina and was also repulsed north.

The new fighter Ki-61 was reaching frontline units then and on 15 September the Japanese air commander tried to win air superiority over Central Burma and sent most of his fighters to Mandalay, under AVG range from India. The initial battle was a Japanese victory, but Allied airmen kept coming the next days while Japanese aircraft were not repaired or replaced. After three days, all Japanese units were back in Rangoon. They had lost 61 fighters but only a dozen pilots, as most of their losses were on the ground. Allied losses in these 3 days were 99 aircraft.

After this battle Allied airmen had again air superiority over Central Burma, bombing troops and bases weather permitting, while Japanese airmen reverted to the former tactic of air ambushes and raids on lightly defended Indian targets.

Action flared again at the start of December, when Ledo was used by Allied bombers to support the battle in Northern China. Japanese air units based in Burma moved north to divert some of the pressure and won a clear victory over Mandalay on the 1st (49 victories for 5 losses). In next weeks Japanese airmen raided several times India and defeated the Hurricanes defending it… until the day before Christmas where 99 Allied fighters including the AVG intercepted 46 Nell and 72 Zero over Chandpur. The Japanese lost 35 fighters and 9 bombers, while destroying 54 Allied aircraft in the air and 16 on the ground, so it was not a disaster… But the elite F1/3rd Daitai lost 18 pilots, including 7 aces. One of them was the Japanese top scorer at the time, Ens Sugio S, that scored his 33rd and 34th victories in the battle before being shot down and captured.

In January 1943 Allied airmen could bomb at will Central Burma and, despite not being very efficient on a daily basis, managed to damage or close most of the Japanese airfields here. Japanese airmen raided 3 times Dacca with good results, meeting little resistance.

February began by air ambushes over Akyab and Myitkyina and several raids on Dacca, wrecking half of the undefended city of Jamshedpur, all air battles going well for Japan. On 1st March, a raid on Ledo by Japanese air units based in China was not so successful, with 48 losses against 15 victories and 41 aircraft destroyed on the ground. At the end of the month, another Japanese air defeat saw the AVG shot down 9 Tojo without loss. The attrition war was not going in the good side for Japan.

And then on the 6th of April a Japanese patrol reported that Allied troops had left Kohima and crossed the river to enter Burma again. It was the start of the Allied offensive.

At least, taking Rabaul and the Solomons (to be written)


The fall 1942 campain in Southern China (to be written)


The invasion of New Zealand (to be written)


Final offensive operations in Southern Pacific: Sydney, Noumea, Luganville and Efate (to be written)


Allied offensive in Northern Burma (to be written)


Allied reconquest of Papua (to be written)


Spring 1943 in China(to be written)


Kuriles invaded ! (to be written)


Allied advance north of Australia (to be written)


Slow Allied advance along New Guinea (to be written)


The last Japanese offensive ? The end of 1943 in China(to be written)

[Terminus]

Damn, interesting strategy! Good luck!

[Gen.Hoepner]

Wow Admiral...interesting stuff! I'll be following this AAR[:D]

You gave me the decisive clue for my actual pbem as japan, so i will try to give you some feedbacks ( in the limit that my opponent won't understand much of my strategy reading this).

Operating several divisions in the pacific is surely possible, but it all depends of how many weeks your main ships will be at sea.
What i've experienced is that hundreds of AP/AKs drink more fuel than the whole BB divisions and KB.

I'd suggest to conquer Hawaiis and the rest of the central pacific you'll need at least 1.000.000 of fuel points and enough supplies to R&R your divisions after the first attacks.
Bring with you all your PGs and MSWs...if massed they are as usefull as DDs during landings under enemy fire and they save your big ships from mines.

What map are u using? AB's?

Good luck![&o]

[AmiralLaurent]

Pacific Front

The first shot of the war was fired by the Japanese submarine I-172, that saw the CL St Louis W of Pearl Harbor and attacked her, but missed. The 6-7 DDs of the escort searched her and two hit her with DCs but she survived (with 86 FLT...).
Japanese submarines have been ordered to surround PH and are organised in patrol lines at some distance from the island. Glens are excepted to report any Allied ship and patrol all directions.

The Pearl Harbor raid met about fifteen US fighters airborne but they managed to reach the bombers and shot down 2 Zeroes, 8 Vals and 3 Kates for half-a-dozen losses. AA fire was also murderous and total losses for the raid were 37 planes but the target was badly hit. About one hundred planes were destroyed on the ground by Vals and strafing Zeroes. Six BBs were in the port and were attacked by Kates. Only one Daitai was using torpedoes and she scored 6 hits, 3 of them on the Pensylvannia. 800 kg bombs damaged the other BB and one hit a magzine of the Oklahoma, that blew up and sank. 2 DD, 1 CA and 1 AR were also hit.
The CVs will remain in the area. Half of the Kates Daitais will attack the port again (to try to finish the Pensylvannia) and 2 Vals Daitais will bomb the repair shipyard. Other units will attack any ship seen.

Wake Island was bombed by four CAs (the "Guam" bombardment force) and most CD defences were wrecked with few damage on Japanese side. The 51st Guard Unit than landed and stormed the island with small losses. 3 Catalinas were burnt by the defenders before they surrendered.
Both TF leave the area of the island in the evening, as found documents reveal that an US CV is approaching. Mavis transport are ordered to fly avaition support to this base, to operate Mavis patrol planes.

A small TF from Saipan arrived off Guam and unloaded a NLF on the undefended beaches. They will take it tomorrow.

The South Seas Detachment is sailing towards Midway and is currently about 700 miles NW of the target. A BB TF and a surface TF escort it and will soften the defences. The Kido Butai will also support the operation.

In Japanese waters, the convoy carrying the 48th Div and another bringing support troops (especially 2 Eng Rgt) arrived from Pescadores and load supply. Four transports TF are created to carry the 2nd, 4th, 16th and 56th Div to Hawaii. Two more transports TF will carry support troops. Warships and ASW TF are organised in Tokyo to escort them. Two MSW TF (about a dozen MSW each) sail to Marcus Island and will join later the action.

Philipinnes Island

The only landing was on Batan Island, that was taken easily by a SNLF. A Base Force and 2 Const Bn are loaded in transports and will be carried here to fly operations against Luzon with short-legged Army planes.

Clark Field was attacked in the morning and the afternoon by Formosa IJN planes. About ten Allied fighters were shot down in the air and more destroyed on the ground for no loss. All bombers have probaly left the base for Mindanao.

The mini-KB (2 CVL, 1 CVE) was cruising SE of Davao and found in the area the fleeing AVD William B Preston that was sunk by some torpedoes. About 20 B-17Es from Davao and Cagayan attacked the CVs. The Claude CAP was unable to down one but suffered no loss and all bombs missed.

Mindanao will be attacked in some days. The "Legaspi" SNLF will be landed in Cagayan and its transports are 360 miles E the island. The mini-KB is ordered to cover it (mostly by drawing Allied bombers) and to sink escaping Allied planes.

56th Bde will land in Davao and is boarding ships in Palau with 2 NLFs and a BF.

Borneo

Invasion TF are organised in Camranh Bay, where the convoy carrying the 65th Bde arrived and was joined by supply-carrying ships. The 4th Bde will land in Brunei while the 65th will invade Jolo. The invasion will be launched only after the fall of Davao, so the mini-KB may support it.

A surface TF refuels in Camranh Bay and then sails south to intercept ships fleeing the PI on the north coast of Borneo.

Malaya-Siam

Singapore wasn't bombed but 8 Zeroes flew a sweep over the island and shot down 3 of the 15 Buffaloes met.

Army bombers with Oscar escort bombed the airfields of Kuantan, Khota Bharu and Alor Star. They met no fighters and suffered no loss. 1 Blenheim was destroyed on the ground.

Both the 5th and 18th Div troop convoys arrived off Songhkia. They were covered by a BB TF and a CA TF and covered by Oscars flying LRCAP. In the afternoon, some Blenheims and Buffaloes attacked and one Buffalo was shot down by an Oscar. All bombs missed.

Transport aircraft carried air support personnel to Songkhia and in the evening 3 fighter Sentai (2 Nates and 1 Oscar) flew to this base with 8 Babs to fly recon and naval search).

The main body of troops has crossed the Thai border and will march all the way to Malaya. The 21st Bde, 1st Tk Rgt and 4th Rgt will march respectively to Tavoy, Victoria Point and Rahaeng.

A huge convoy is created in Taan to load troops and will sail to Malaya when escort ships will be available.

China

Japanese forces began to move to cover all roads and rails (as defined in home rule). The only action in the mainland was around Nanchang where the Chinese corps was repulsed from the city area.
The China Army has strict defensive orders except in Yenen area. The 3 divisions W of Chengting will wait the supply line is secured and then march to Yenen with an ART unit and the 1st Army HQ. It is a probing attack, if the Chinese want to defend the town, Japanese forces will just besiege it. A brigade (in two halfs) will hold the road to Yenen.
The other ongoing operation is the evacuation of Nanning and Pakhoi. The Nanning brigade will wait the BF of Pakhoi join it and then march to Canton.
All Mongol Cav Div have been ordered to China to hold the roads. Two SNLF are brought from Formosa to garrison Hankow and Shangai.

Sallies bombed Hong Kong port and hit two old British DD, one being heavily damaged. The 38th Div landed in the island with very few losses and even destroy one level of fortications in the shock attack due to the river crossing.
Same orders for tomorrow. The 38th Div will continue the shock assault as more troops (a Eng Rgt, 2 ART units and the HQ 12th Army) will cross the river tomorrow.

[wernerpruckner]

All the luck of the world to this plan, Laurent !!
This will probably be the most daring PBEM at the moment.

All the best
Werner

[AmiralLaurent]

Pacific

The night was quiet as the Kido Butai sailed west of Hawai and arrived at 120 miles SW of PH. At dawn 30 Val and 32 Zeroes were sent to bomb the repair yards. They met 10 fighters and shot down 3 for one Zero lost. The Vals scored 6 hits (yards damaged 18/100) but two were shot down by AA fire.
It seems that most warships left PH during the night but they were sighted west of Hilo by Kido Butai patrols and attacked all day long. Attacks were flown at extreme range (300 miles) by 114 Kates, 62 Vals and 17 Zeroes in the morning and 95 Kates, 19 Vals and 42 Zeroes in the afternoon with devastating results. Allied AA fire shot down 5 Vals and 4 Kates but the CL Raleigh exploded in the morning after 5 bomb hits, the CA Minneapolis suffered the same fate in the afternoon after 27 hits, the CL Detroit (12 hits) and 5 DD were heavily damaged, 7 other DD were hit and 6 were reported on fire.

Glens reported several Allied TF about 1000 miles SW of PH.

The Kido Butai will rest for one day and sail to 300 miles W of PH. All units will have a max range of 4 and will be ready to engage US CVs or other ships. There is no sign of them.

The Midway invasion convoy was joined by his covering force during the day and sails in the evening towards its target.

Japanese pilots reported two Allied submarines off Wake during the day. A good thing that all Japanese ships left the area allready.

Guam was taken without any resistance. The MSW Penguin escaped and its position is now unknown.

Philipinnes Islands

A very quiet day with only some Japanese recon flights and 4 Jakes launched by CS sailing with the mini-KB that attacked a merchant off Cebu and missed.

The mini-KB will sail W of Mindanao to intercept Allied shipping. The surface TF sent NW of Palawan has no target in range and is ordered to remain there.

Formosa airmen orders remain the same: naval attack and patrol. A Zero Daitai is allready in Saigon to reinforce the air power here.

Malaya-Siam

In the morning, IJAAF bombers hit the airfields of Kuantan, Alor Star and Khota Bharu. The RAF is evacuating N Malaya, except Kuantan.

Two raids were launched from Singapore against Japanese ships off Songkhia. In the morning 12 Blenheim escorted by 26 Buffaloes were intercepted by 8 Oscars and 34 Nates. 11 Buffaloes and 3 Nates were shot down in the air battle, the bombers get through and bombed 3 Ca but missed and lost one to AA fire. 4 Blenheim and 8 Buffaloes returned in the afternoon, met 40 Japanese fighters and lost one Buf to an Oscar, hitting nothing. The 5th and 18th Div landing was not slowed at all by these attacks. Both divisions will march to Alor Star in two days.

In the afternoon, a Sally saw and bombed the SS KXIII E of Kuantan and claimed a hit. Several Allied subs were seen in the area. An ASW TF of 6 DD is ordered to sweep the sea from Songkhia.

A small raid from Rangoon (9 Bufalloes and 4 Blenheims) targetted the Japanese HQ in Luang Prabang with no success. The Vichy representative in Indochina sent a protest to the British authorities in Burma.

Two Japanese BFs arrived during the day at Bangkok whith the troops marching to Malaya and Burma. In the evening the first aircraft (two recon units) arrived there.

China

In Hong Kong, the new assault of 38th Div won ground for the bridgehead and two ART units and an Eng unit landed. The Eng joined the assault and reduced the fort another level (now down to 4). Army divebombers from Canton supported the assault but lost 2 to AA fire. The assault was resolved at 1 vs 1.
Japanese troops will rest and reorganize tomorrow. They reported seing explosions in the port last night. At dawn, they saw the burning wreck of the DD Thanet, that was scuttled by her crew after being heavily damaged by Sallies on the first day of war.

Japanese security troops are almost in place everywhere. Near Chengting, the 1st Army is ordered to advance towards Yenen. But recon flights also showed that the Chinese troops NE of Yenen marched to this city.

[hawker]

Great tactic Amiral.I will enjoy thia AAR.Good luck.

[John III]

I LOVE the idea of taking Hawaii! Thought about it myself. Go and get 'em! BON CHANCE!

[AmiralLaurent]

Pacific

No raid today. Patrol planes reported ships off Lahaina (probably damaged ships coming back to PH or even docking there to avoid sinking) and a Glen reported a TF W of Hawaii, but no more details.

The Midway invasion TF will arrive in 3 days and the Kido BUtai sails in this direction to cover it.

Philippines Island

The mini-KB found a target-rich environment W of Mindanao. It launched no raid in the morning but 3 in the afternoon, all against shipping NW of Jolo, against 3 of the about 10 TF reported between Tarakan and Cebu. The Kates sank the AO Trinity and the MSW Lark and heavily damaged the AS Otus. They missed 2 more MSW and an AO.
There was no action by Allied planes.

The TF will remain in the area for one more day. From its escort, two TF (each one CA and 2 DD) are sent forward to chase Allied ships at night W and NW of Tawi Tawi. The surface TF currently NW of Palawan will also sail at full speed and sweep waters more north.

The Cagayan invasion force will arrive tomorrow. A surface TF (2 cruisers and 6 DD) cover it.

In the north, Formosa airmen will raid Clark Field airbase and Manila port (where 2 AP are reported by patrols) tomorrow.

Malaya-Siam

Landing continued in Songkhia. Singapore airmen launched a new raid against the BB Kongo with 17 Buffaloes, 4 Hudsons and 3 Blenheims. 10 Oscars and 29 Nates intercepted them and shot down 9 Buffaloes without loss. The bombers missed the BB and AA fire shot down a Hudson.

Army bombers raided Kuantan and destroyed 2 Hudsons on the ground. Bad weather grounded the IJNAF airmen in Saigon, that were scheduled to raid SIngapore. A patrol report 3 CA off Singapore.
Saigon airmen are ordered to fly naval attack and Singapore airfield attack as secondary. Two Daitais of Zeroes will escort them.

China
A new shock attack was launched in Hong Kong, probably because the HQ arrived in the hex (or I forgot to change orders). If failed at 0 vs 1 and costed 201 Japanese casualties and 58 Allied casualties. Units are ordered (again) to rest. Sallies will bomb the British troops.

In the north, Japanese troops will reach Yenen probably tomorrow. The Chinese troops NE of the town march partly towards Yenen and partly towards Lanchow.

Siberia
As promised a Japanese unit crossed the border to activate the Soviet side (to let the Allied player plan a defence and move troops inside Siberia). I just forgot it had to cross a river (not visible on the map because of the border) and the small regiment was decimated in a shock attack: 1281 casualties.

[AmiralLaurent]

Thanks to all for the interest.

Gen Hop, I use the standard map, v1.60. I will probably play the same game with the same overall strategy with the AB map and the CHS after the release of v1.02.

I may add that I am thinking about this strategy for some weeks but it has never been tested before, even against the AI.

We just discovered tonight that I f...ed during the settings. Rather than choosing 'player defined upgrade' on and 'vary setup' off, I did it the other way. The end result was that there were only 6 BB in PH rather than 8, and so they were hit harder. Also the US CVs started in PH but were sent away just before the attack (rumor: Roosevelt knew...) by my opponent.

[Mike Scholl]

A most unusual strategy..., go to war to obtain vital resources---but don't go after the resources! Even if/when you take Hawaii, will you be able to take the now reinforced and dug-in SRA? You're bound to see additional forces forwarded from India/Australia to aid the Dutch. Should be entertaining to hear about....

[AmiralLaurent]

Pacific

A Catalina reported the BB Ise 210 miles NW of Midway. The convoy is sailing slower than in the first days due to SYS damage.

The Kido Butai is ordered to sail to a point south of Midway to cover the operation. The convoy carrying Midway occupations forces (a big BF and 3 CB) left Tokyo today with a convoy carrying supply and fuel for the base.

Philipinnes Islands

During the night tens of Allied ships sailed past the waters between Jolo and Tarakan, happy to have survived the aerial attacks of the day before. But suddenly shells began to fall around them and pagoda-bearing warships were reported.
The 3 surface TF sent W of Tawi Tawi and in the 2 hexes NE of it all engaged targets. 5 Allied TF (from single ships to 10-ship convoys) were engaged. Without any loss or damage, the Japanese sailors sank the AV Langley, the AK Kanlaon II and Latouche (both troop-laden), the damaged AS Otus, the PG Tulsa and Asheville and the AK Don Jose and Corregidor. A TK and 3 AK were damaged.
Japanese ships then sailed north to Camranh Bay, except a CA and 2 DD ordered to return to Palau.

During the day, the mini-KB continued to attack these ships and the Kates sank 2 AK and hit 3 others, one very heavily.

In the north, Formosa airmen raided Clark Field, destroying half-a-dozen of unserviceable fighters, and the port of Manila. THe last raid (27 Betties, 36 Nells, 27 Zeroes) met 15 P-40E and 6 P-26A defending the city. 4 P-40E, 4 P-26A, 3 Nells, 1 Zero and 1 Betty were shot down in the battle. The bombers sank 3 PT and hit with bombs a SS and an AS. A nell was shot down by AA fire.

A Japanese SNLF landed in Cagayan during the night. The convoy and its escort TF were attacked during the day by B-17 from the local airfield and from Davao. A MSW was very heavily damaged by a 500lb bomb.

Cagayan will be attacked and taken tomorrow. The mini-KB will sail SE and bomb Davao port, where some AP are hidden. Formosa airmen will rest one day.

Malaya
In the morning, the SS O20 was chased by 5 DDs off Songkhia. In the afternoon, it was attacked by several aircrafts and hit by a Ki-21.

Sallies bombed Kuantan airfield and destroyed several Blenheims.

The Force Z was seen off Singapore and 60 Nells and 24 Zeroes were sent to attack it. They met 16 Buffaloes and the escort shot down 5 for the loss of one Zero. The Nells attacked without loss and put 7 torpedoes into the Prince of Wales, sinking her. The Repulse dodged all torpedoes.
In the evening, the Saigon air commander decided to attack SIngapore airfields. 42 Zeroes and 50 Nells met 13 Buffaloes. 4 Buffaloes and 1 Zero fell in the battle. Around 8 Allied planes were destroyed on the ground. 3 Nells diverted from the raid to attack Repulse but missed again.

Recon flights showed that the British are probably evacuating Khota Bharu.

The desturction is the POW is a really good news. The BB TF proectting Songkhia is relesased, sails to Saigon for refuel and then will go SE to cover Jolo and Brunei operations. Convoys for both of this bases (with both assault troops and BF to use the base) are loading.

The 5th and 18th Div should cross the Malayan border tomorrow and arrive in Alor Star.

New Guinea

A small convoy load a NLF in Palau and will sail to Hollandia. The goal is to create a patrol base here to monitor the Allied shipping off PM and Northern Australia

Soviet Union

We both forgot to change orders for air units. Result was that we exchanged raid around Khabarovsk and the IJAAF lost. 10 Nates and 8 Sonias (6 to AA) were lost for nothing while the Soviet suffered no loss.

[AmiralLaurent]

11 December 1941

An uneventful day

An Allied TK sand uring the night SW of Tawi Tawi and the MSW Takasago Maru sank off Cagayan. It is the first loss of the IJN, the SS I-172 will probably follow (in the middle of the Pacific with FLT 95...).

The most conclusive action of the day in the air was when a patrolling Hudson hit an AP off SOngkhia (damaged 22/0/1). CAP shot down a patrolling Blenheim over here. In other places 15 Sallies bombed Kong Kong defenders and Davao B-17 flew 20 sorties against Japanese ships with no success.

Mindanao is still under attack. The port of Dadjangas was bombed in the night by a CA and a DD but no damage was done. The Kure 1st SNLF took Cagayan during the day but only one unserviceable and sabotaged B-17C was found here.

But Japan advanced everywhere. The Davao invasion TF is 3 days away from the target and the mini-KB will escort it. In the Pacific, the Midway TF is two days of target and will arrive 60 miles off the island tomorrow. The main opposition there is thought to be submarines where it is thought unlikely that US CV come to play at this stage of the war. The KB will sail to 60 miles of Midway too but on the other side and the aircraft of 5 CV will fly ASW patrols. Only one CV will keep aircraft ready for naval attack. The Zeroes flying 70% CAP should be enough to stop any attack.

In Asia, the 5th Div reached Alor Star and will shock attack it tomorrow. Only one Allied unit is here and it will be bombed by all Sallies based in Cambodgia. Khota Bharu has been confirmed empty, while 5 units are in Kuantan. Transports fly paratroops from Hainan to Saigon and they will then be flown from there to take Khota Bharu.

In Burma, the Allied garrison of Victoria Point retreated north. The 1st Tank Rgt was ordered to conquer this point but being the last section of the Army to have been created, armored units are the lowest on the priority list and it is still near the Indochina border, as roads are used by other units !

In China, the former garrisons of Pkhoi and Nanning are almost in Canton. The 59th Bde will join the battle in HK if needed. This city will be attacked tomorrow. In the north, 3 Div, 1 ART unit and the 1st Army HQ arrive in Yenen and will test the defences with bombardment. A Chinese unit is just NE of the town.

The 16th Div convoy leaves Japan towards east. Its goal is to take Lahaina, the second island of Hawaii. It will then be used to reduce PH. A fleet HQ and the Japanese only AR will be based here with as much planes as possible.

In PI, mini-KB is ordered again to raid Davao, as bad weather cancelled today raids. In the north Takao airmen will raid the port of Manila again. THose of Tainan are resting and will be transfered to other theaters shortly.

[AmiralLaurent]

12 December 1941

Pacific

The I-172 sank during the night.

No Allied submarine attacked but after dawn KB planes found two off Midway and one 120 miles SE of the island. The latter was the Argonaut, probably on a minelaying mission, and was hit 4 times by bombs. Off Midway the Tambor was hit once. They didn't sink but should be out of the game.

The invasion fleet is 60 miles NW of Midway and the landing will take place tomorrow. Two bombardment TF (3 BB, 4 CA, 4 CL) will pound the place while the South Seas Detachment land. KB will continue to fly ASW and naval search/attack as main tasks but one CV will bomb the garnison and another the port to help the assault. Midway will be Japanese tomorrow
night.

Philipinnes

55 Zeroes and 43 Betties flew to Manila to bomb the port again. The met 18 P-40E and the F1/3rd Daitai shot down 9 and scattered the rest without loss. The PO2 C Muranaka is the first Japanese ace of the war, with five kills. AA fire shot down 2 Betties but they sank the allready hit SS Seawolf and heavily damaged the AS Canopus. Formosa airmen will rest tomorrow, except one Zero Daitai (grounded today) that will sweep Manila skies.

Numerous Allied submarines were seen between Luzon and Formosa. A Sally hit one and a Ki-30 another. The only Japanese TF in the area was an ASW group that chased unsuccessfully a submarine. The convoy carrying air support and an air HQ to Batan Island arrived tonight and will unload tomorrow.

Off Mindanao, the Davao invasion force is now two days away from target. The mini-KB joined it and sent Jakes and Kates to bomb Davao port, hitting an AK but not seriously. It will only fly naval search/attack tomorrow.

Borneo

The invasion convoys of Jolo (65th Bde) and Brunei (4th Bde) left Indochina with their covering force (Kondo's BB TF and a smaller surface force).

Malaya

45 Ki-21 escorted by 27 Ki-43 bombed the 6th Indian Bde at Alor Star that was then assaulted by the 5th Div. The Indians retreated to Georgetown. 5th Div will continue south to Taiping, while the 18th Div that arrived during the day and didn't take part to the battle, will go to Georgetown to surroung the Indian Brigade and destroy it. More north, the Imp Guard and 55th Div are 60 miles N of Songkhia.
Alor Star base is damaged at 40/2/12 and 19 of the 50 ressources are damaged. That is still the first ressource centers taken.

Saigon airmen are ordered to attack again Singapore airfields. A Nell Chutai flies to Bangkok to fly long-range naval search.

China

Hong Kong was bombed by 16 Sallies and then attacked (deliberate) by Japanese troops and fort were reduced to level 3. Attacks will continue tomorrow. The Nanning/Pakhoi troops are now just N of Canton and safe.

In the north, the Japanese troops at Yenen (3 Div, 1 ART, 1 Army HQ) bombarded and reported 3 Chinese Corps and a BF holding the city. The crossroads NE of Yenen is now empty and Japanese troops in Tatung received orders to join the Yenen operation. A brigade will stay in Tatung, another will keep the road between Tatung and Yenen and the best one, the 10th, will participate in the city assault.

The road/rail network is now fully garrisoned. The first Mongol Cav Divisions arrive in China and will relieve some of the divisions parts used to keep road. In all frontline cities, fortifications are built and ENG troops have been concentrated there, including Base Forces.

[AmiralLaurent]

13 december 1941

Pacific

The Midway invasion fleet arrived off Midway during the night and started to unload while 2 bombardement TF pounded the island. The coastal guns were nevertheless still able to fire and hit hundred of Japanese soldiers and damaged four ships (2 PC and 2 AP, one of both types seriously, the others lightly). After dawn, about 30 Vals and Kates bombed the island, losing 2 Vals to AA fire. The assault of the South Seas Detachment, that was 90% ashore in the evening, destroyed all fortications of the island but the defenders didn't surrender. They will be bombarded and attacked again tomorrow. The two lightly damaged ships leave immediatly for Tokyo.

Off the island, the damaged SS Argonaut sank during the night, propably before being able to drop mines off Midway. The KB patrolled all the day south of the isalnd but reporetd only one contact with one submarine. It will sail again towards the Hawai islands.

East of Hawaii, a patrolling Coronado hit the SS I-4 180 miles E of Hilo (damage 45/50/0) and the submarine was ordered to return to base. More north the I-24 hit with two torpedoes the CA Astoria (that was hit during the PH attack and was propably sailing to the West Coast) and then escaped the 2 DDs of the escort. Another submarine is ordered to intercept the cruiser if it returns to PH. All other subs are ordered to sail more east, to evade Allied air patrols.

PI/Borneo

A Zero sweep over Manila met 10 P-40E and shot down one without loss.

The Davao invasion convoy will arrive at the target tonight. Both TF off Cagayan (a transport TF with supplies and a surface TF (1 CA, 1 CL, 7 DD) will sail also to Davao. The mini-KB will sail W of Mindanao to cover the operation.

More north both Brunei and Jolo invasion TF sailed south. They will arrive respectively in 2 and 4 days.

The SS Searaven was chased by an ASW group N of VIgan but escaped. A Ki-30 claimed a hit on another submarine.

Malaya

65 Nells escorted by 28 Zeroes attacked Singapore and met 12 Buffaloes, shooting down seven for the loss of a Zero. The bombers destroyed a Catalina I and a Blenheim on the ground and hot a MSW in the port but lost 4 of them due to AA fire.

The 5th Div marched to Taiping and reported it undefended. It is ordered to occupy it tomorrow. The 18th Div will march to Georgetown (only 15 miles remaining) to surround here the 6th Indian Bde.

China

Both sides exchanged artillery fire in Yenen, with a slight China advantage. More Japanese troops will come and then the attack will be launched.

In the south, a new deliberate attack in Hong KOng destroyed a new level of fortications (leaving only 2). Troops are in a good shape and ordered to launch a shock attack tomorrow to storm the place.

[AmiralLaurent]

14 December 1941

Pacific

During the night, Japanese troops continued to land on Midway, without losses, while 3 BB, 4 CA and 2 CL bombarded again the island, hitting 178 men and several guns. The SS USS Gudgeon was seen by the escort of the troopship but escaped. The South Seas Detachment took the island during the day and captured 2000 POW (113rd USAAF BF, 6th USMC Defence Bn) while losing 500 more men. In the evening the two badly hit ships burning off the atoll, the AP Monji Maru and the PC Ch 30, were scuttled as they were too far away from a Japanese port to be saved.

More east, another ship sailing from PH to the States was hit. The I-7 hit with two torpedoes the BB Arizona (that was hit by one torpedo and 5 800kg bombs at PH on day one) and reported it was burning. She evaded easily the two DD escorting her. Several submarines are ordered to try to find and finish the damaged BB.

The Kido Butai is now SE of Midway and will sail at full speed to a position near Johnston Island, it will then sail around Hawaii (by the south) to chase Allied ships and then return to Midway. This base will receive construction and air support troops (allready sailing) and around 100 000 supplies and 100 000 fuel. The first planes (8 Mavis) arrive while transport Mavis will bring air support personnel from Kwajalein. They have allready brought 110 air support squads to Wake, that will be used as a staging base. The first 27 Nells from Tokyo arrive here in the evening.

In some days the first Zeroes and Nells will be based in Midway (that is almost intact) and Nells will begin night missions against PH.

Philipinnes-Borneo

During the night, the 56th Bde, 2 NLF and a Base Force began to land at Davao. Coastal gun fire during the night and day hit slightly 3 ships and 800 men. The troops will launch a schock attack against the base and her garrison (a Div and 2 BF) tomorrow.

Formosa aircraft were grounded by weather. They will try again tomorrow to raid Manila. The Batan Island airfield is now operationnal (air support and supplies have been landed) and 80 Nates, Lilies and Idas fly there to operate against Luzon.

The Brunei convoy should arrive tomorrow, with the Kondo's BB TF as cover force. To assist it and divert Dutch planes, the mini-KB (now carrying 18 Zeroes) will sail to a point 240 miles E of Tarakan and search for Allied ships.

Malaya

The 5th Division took Taiping but after the 6th Indian Bde escaped from Georgetown and arrived here. This unit so was able to retreat to Kuala Lumpur. The 5th Div will advance to this city with the 55th Div and Imp Guard, currently at Songkhia. The 18th Div reached Georgetown, where only the static garrison remains, and will launch a shock attack tomorrow.

The reinforcement convoy from Taan is now 60 miles E of Songkhia and will land troops tomorrow. It was attacked unsuccessfully during the morning by 6 Blenheims and 3 Hudsons.

Japanese airmen in the area didn't fly much but a patrolling Ki-30 claimed a hit on the SS Trusty 120 miles SE of Kuantan. A Zero Daitai will sweep Singapore skies tomorrow.

Recons show that the British are probably evacuating Kuantan as they did with Khota Bharu some days ago.

Burma

During the night, 6 Blenheims from Rangoon tried to bomb Bangkok but missed.

The 11th NLF reached Tavoy and reported it empty. It will seize it tomorrow. The 4th Mixed Rgt arrived at Rahaeng and reported an Allied unit NW of the town. It is ordered to march in this direction and engage it. Other troops (21st Bde, 33rd Div, 1st Tk Rgt) will join them but are days away from the frontline. 10000 Allied men are reported in Moulmein. The BF starting in Victoria Point is now 120 miles NE of its home but is allready surrounded.

China

Hong Kong defenders were bombed by 14 Sallies and then attacked by the 38th Div and supporting units and surrendered in the evening. Japanese counted 7500 POW (Hong Kong Fortress, No 102 RN BF) but seized a badly damaged base (84/2/50) and industrial zone (125 of 150 ressources, 24 of 30 ressources and 20 of 25 repair shipyard are damaged). The good news are that they seized almost 40 000 points of fuel and 30 000 of supply. The repair shipyard will be repaired in priority.

In the north, the artillery exchange continued at Yenen. 150 Chinese fell, there were no Japanese loss. Two Chinese units were reported NE of the town and will probably join the battle. Mongol Cav Div arrive in the rear area around Pekin. They will free 2 divisions and 1 Bde for the Yenen operation. This force will march around Yenen by the SW and cut the road between Yenen and the town west ot it (Lanchow?). The Chinese garrison will then have the choice to march north or be surrounded. A Mongol Cav Div of the second wave arriving from Manchoukuo will be used to seize the crossroads NE of Yenen, that is now probably undefended. But only if the Chinese don't fall back before. The idea is to leave them a retreat path and to make my opponent think it will be a good idea to use it when it is time so I may take Yenen without too much effort.

[1275psi]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

This is a Japanese secret thread, Pomphat has sworn to not read this and will be beheaded in case he tries. So any comments are welcome

We just start a PBEM, scen 15, one day turn, v1.60. Submarines doctrines are on for both sides and the starting turn is unhistorical.

Home rules used are:
As for the home rules, I propose an unhistorical first turn.
Japanese may not land anywhere else than in the "historical turn" but may position invasion TFs at 6 hexes from their target. The KB won't chase the Allied CVs on turn one. Either it is in the Pacific and attacking PH from the "historical position" or it is somewhere else and so not near US CVs.
The Allied player has a limited liberty of action for the first turn:
_ British and Chinese forces are totally free but can't go to foreign bases. Chinese were allready at war, the Brits were aware of Japanese convoys in the Gulf of Siam since two days.
_ PI and Dutch air units may receive new orders but won't change base. Warships may move at will if they have no damage at start, warships with some SYS damage at start and merchants can't move. Ground units don't move
_ Australian (except those in Malaya), NZ and US forces outside PI won't change anything.

For the following turns, I use these home rules:

_ on turn one, a Japanese unit will cross the Soviet border or a Soviet base will be bombed. This will allow the Allied player to plan a defensive strategy in Siberia. Japanese forces may leave Mancoukuo, but should change oif command before (or be allready assigned to another command, like the Mongol Cav Div and some BF). Soviet forces won't attack except if the powere of the Kwantung Army goes below 8000. In this case, I will inform my opponent and then he may attack (or not) when he wants, even if the Army power goes up to more than 8000.

_ in China, every rail and road hex under Japanese control should be garrisoned by at least 20 ASS points. Every town should be garrisoned. It is possible for the Japanese to evacuate a town if it leaves an area.

_ Allied bases with HI or ressources/oil should be garrisoned by a Japanese unit with some ASS value once taken.

_ ground troops assigned to China Army (Japan) or China Command (Allied) can't leave the country without changing of command.

_ ASW TFs are limited to 6 ships for both sides.

really, really like the russian rule -logical, honorable, and do able
Go get em

[AmiralLaurent]

15 December 1941

Pacific

4 MSW swept two minefields off Midway during the night and the day.

Numerous Allied TF are east of Hawaii, some sailing west, other fleeing. A convoy is sailing from USA to PH probably and submarines are ordered to intercept it. Ar 120, 68 (480 miles E Pearl Harbor) the I-16 had a busy day, it met first a TF made of 2 CA, 1 CL, 8 DD, missed the San Fransisco with torpedoes and then escaped, despite being depth charged by two DDs. In the evening, she saw the CA Indianapolis in the same area but was chased by 4 DDs. Reports of Glens and submarines report 4 TF in the hex with 1 CV (!), 1 BB, 7 CA, 12 DD. And several more TF sail (probably from the West coast) to this meeting point.

During the day, the KB cruised NE of Johnston Island and reported no Allied shipping in the area. In the afternoon 24 Kates bombed the port of the island. They were unable to report wich ship is docked here but hit several supply dumps.

The KB is ordered back to Midway in the evening. The fuel and bomb situation is not good enough to engage the whole US fleet, that is suspected to gather E of PH.

In the evening 9 Nells arrive in Midway from Wake to fly more naval search missions.

New Guinea

During the night, a NLF landed near Hollandia and will occupy the town tomorrow.

Philipinnes

The 56th Bde and other units continued to land in Davao during the night and day and suffered 321 casualties while Allied guns hit more or less seriously 2 DD and 1 AP. 1 CA, 1 CL, 7 DD supported the landing and bombarded the base all day long. The 56th Bde and 2 NLF took the base and chased the 101st PA Div and 3 BF to Cotabato. Between the bombardment and the capture of the base, 7 P-35A were destroyed on the airfield and the damaged AK Montanes was scuttled in the port. During the day, B-17Cs of 93rd BS flying from Balikpapan flew 9 sorties against shipping off Davao and missed a CL and an AP.

27 Zeroes from Tainan swept Manila skies, met 9 P-40E and shot down one for no loss.

In the evening he 3 damaged IJN ships off Davao are docked to fight against fires. The 56th Bde will march to Cotabato to capture the PI troops while a NLF marches to Butuan. The Claudes based in Cagayan fly to Davao.
In the north, Formosa bombers were grounded by bad weather and are ordered again to raid Manila

Borneo

The Brunei invasion TF is now in range of Dutch airfield and was attacked by 9 Martin 139 from Tarakan and SIngkawang in the morning. No loss was suffered by either side.

The mini-KB airmen reported an AK off Tarakan and a raid of 2 Zeroes, 5 Claudes, 18 Kates and 4 Jakes was sent against it. They met 3 Brewster 339, that were all shot down by the 2 Zeroes. The AK pasir was then dispatched by the Kates of DI-3.

Both Brunei and Jolo TF will arrive tomorrow. Their escort TFs are ordered to bombard both bases to support the landings. The mini-KB will sail W of Jolo to cover the landing. 18 Tabbies will carry paratroops from Saigon to take Miri.

Malaya

During the night 3 PC chased a Dutch SS E of Songkhia, while DDs reported mines off Songkhia.

During the day, 24 Zeroes flew a sweep over Singapore and reported no CAP. 13 Blenheims from SIngapore attacked in the Gulf of Siam convoys returning from Songkhia but scored no hits and lost two to AA fire.

The 18th Div took Georgetown and captured the Penang Fortress garrison (3000 POWs) at the coast of 246 casualties.

Saigon airmen are ordered to bombard Singapore airfield tomorrow.

Burma

During the night 6 Blenheims from Rangoon bombed unsuccessfully Bangkok.

The 11th NLF took the undefended town of Tavoy and reported that the 100 ressources are intact.

China

296 Chinese were hit by Japanese artillery fire at Yenen.

A Chinese unit was reported W of Hsinyang. This town is only held by a half Bde, 2 Const Bn and 1 ART unit. 3 Div and a Naval Gd unit are sent from Wuhan.

[AmiralLaurent]

16 December 1941

Pacific

MSW continued to sweep Allied mines off Midway.

East of Hawaii, the Allied fleet is still gathering. The SS I-22 reported being attacked by 4-5 SBD/TBD during the day, so US CV(s) are definetly here. The submarine wasn't hit.

In the north it is confirmed that a convoy (now reported as 3 CA/DD, 1 AK) sails to PH. Two submarines are chasing it. The KB, that is currently sailing north at cruise speed will refuel east of Laysan Island and then attack this convoy.

A Nell from Midway will recon PH tomorrow. From Japan the first 9 Zeroes leave Sasebo towards Midway. Their first stop is Saipan.

New Guinea

The 21st NLF occupied Hollandia.

Philipinnes

45 Zeroes escorted 12 Betties to bomb Manila port. The CAP of 9 P-40E escaped after one was hit by a Zero and the bombers sank another PT.

In the afternoon, 3 Balikpapan-based B-17 of 93rd BS attacked ships off Davao and hit with 3 bombs an AP (damaged 68/39/16), that is docked in the evening.

Palau is running out of supply. A supply and fuel convoy had loaded since several days in Japan to bring them here and sails tonight. On the other hand, no operation is planned in the area now.

Borneo

The 4th Bde landed in Brunei with an aviation unit (329 cas). 2 BB, 2 CA, 1 CL bombarded the base all day long (134 casualties). During the day, ships here were attacked by 12 Martins (1 shot down by AA) and 6 B-17. All missed.

Paratroops jumped on Miri and took the undefended bases but British civilian engineers managed to damaged 39 of the 100 oil and 2 of the 10 ressources before being neutralized.

The Jolo invasion TF arrived during the day and was attacked by 5 B-17 in the mronoing that get trough the CAP provided by the mini-KB but then missed. 1 CA, 1 CL and 11 DD bombarded the base but reported no movement and no return fire. The base is apparently empty. The 65th Bde lost 133 men during landing operations.

In the afternoon, 9 Zeroes fly from Saigon to Miri, where transport aircraft will bring air support. Troops will take Jolo and Brunei tomorrow. The convoy carrying the 15th Av Rgt will arrive tomorrow off Jolo but will wait the base is taken before unloading.

Recons report 5 TFs (only AP and APD reported) off Balikpapan but no action will be taken against these. The mini-KB will sail back to Palau to refuel and then will sail to the Pacific for the real action.

Malaya

The 5th Div reached Kuala Lumpur and reported one enemy unit here. It is ordered to bombard it to discover if it is a ENG unit ready to sabotage the base or a Bde. This place is too important for ressources to take risks. The Malaya Army will gather there before attacking, or wait for the Allies to retreat. 6 Allied units are reported in Malacca and 3 (coming from Kuantan) east of it.

In the evening the first 75 IJAAF planes arrive in Alor Star. The reinforcement convoy is unloading in Songkhia and the first ART and ARM units immediatly leave the port southwards.

Burma

During the night 6 Blenheims from Rangoon again bombed Bangkok but missed and one was shot down by AA fire.

As ordered the 4th Mixed Rgt marched NW of Rahaeng. The high command has forgotten there is a river here and the local commander ordered a schock attack across it to follow the orders. It met the BFF brigade and the Japanese Rgt lost 176 men and is badly disrupted after a 0 to 1 assault. The 81st Naval Gd unit arrives today ion Rahaeng but will wait for some days before crossing the river too.

The main Japanese forces here (21st Bde) are now NW of Bangkok, will meet the BF retreating from Victoria Point (that will be occupied in some days by a Const Bn) and then march to Tavoy and Moulmein. The 33rd Div is still E of Bangkok and will march to Rahaeng.

China

4 Chinese Corps are now at Yenen and lost 31 men to Japanese artillery fire.