Scen 2: Spence vs Bendarek

[spence]

Scenario 2 covers the Japanese conquest of Malaya, the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies and potentially Burma between Dec. 1941 and mid-March 42. The Allied Player starts with a pretty large VP (from bases) lead but gets little in way of reinforcements. The Japanese Player is pressed for time to conquer the SRA and although has a good portion of the IJN doesn't have the Kido Butai to help until mid-February.

In this game the current date is 12/13/42. FOW, US DC, Wx Effects, Historical 1st Turn and 1st Turn Surprise are ON. Both Sub Doctrines are OFF.

The timeline runs more or less thusly so far:

12/08 ( or 12/07 if you like):
Clark Field got flattened, Japanese forces landed at Khota Baru, Vigan, Aparri and Batan Island (which fell that turn). Such Allied air attacks as occurred were ineffective. All CW warships sortied from Singapore and Hong Kong for safer Javan ports. US subs surged from Manila. All major Asiatic Fleet units sortied to evacuate the Philippine Islands.

12/09
Clark Field battered again. Japanese bombers hit Vigan, Aparri, Clark, and Manila as well. In A2A combat over the PI my pilots faired right poorly vs the Zero
(image that).
In Malaya the Japs continued landing at Khota Baru. Allied air attacks accomplished nothing against either the Japanese Fleet units or the invasion fleet.
Ryujo's bombers sank several freighters attempting to escape the PI.

12/10
The Japanese take Aparri and Vigan in the PI. In spite of heavy bombardment by IJN fleet units the defenders at Khota Baru hold off the initial assault by the Japanese landing force. RAF Buffalos on a sweep engage IJA Nates in the skies above and are unable to drive off the CAP. 36 Sqdn, flying Vildebeests, attacks and is roughly handled scoring no hits. Alor Star fell to the 5th IJA Division.

12/11
At sea, USS Peary and Bulmer attempted to intercept a pair of transports (believed bound for Kuching) detected the previous turn in the South China Sea. HMS Thanet separately also attempted the intercept. In two pathetically quick surface engagements they were surprised by an undetected covering force of HIJMS Chokai, 6 DDs and assorted PGs and sent to the bottom. Air attacks by Dutch bombers flying from various Borneo bases landed one 500 lb bomb on Chokai and a Dutch submarine torpedoed a transport.
Japanese bombing of Clark Field kept it closed. Other raids inflicted significant losses on various forces all over Luzon. Elements of 65th Bde were repulsed in their first attack on Lauong (whatever the small base between AParri and Vigan).
Off Khota Baru, an AM raid by 3 Vildebeests from 100 Sqdrn slipped by the CAP and put an 18" torpedo into HIJMS Kumano. That afternoon another group of 100 Sqdrn Vildebeests snuck by the CAP again scoring 2 more torpedo hits on Kumano.
When last seen she was flaming brightly and listing to starboard. If there is any honor in the IJAF several fighter pilots should have committed seppukko.
The momentary successes of 100 Sqdrn could not prevent the IJA 18th Division from sweeping over the defenses of Khota Baru. Badly battered, the garrison retreated towards Kuantan.

12/12
Several Japanese submarines are detected North of Java. One sinks the AK La Paz after 2 attacks. Another is located by USS Pope and USS Ford which make an inconclusive attack. Another is sighted in Makassar Strait.
On the North coast of Borneo, a Dutch sub torpedoed the already damaged Hakusan Maru sending her to the bottom and elements of 35th Bde into the water.
Dutch bombers managed to score hits on several more transports. Just as the setting sun was about to bring a respite from the air attacks; 3 Dutch PT (TM) Boats raced in amongst the transports and torpedoed yet another. Possibly disorganized by the attacks, no landing actually occurred but the roadstead remains packed with Japanese ships.
Meanwhile the 5th IJA Division was repulsed in its first attack on Georgetown.

[spence]

13 Dec 1941
SINGAPORE: The Allied Command announced today that heavy air and submarine attacks by Allied Forces have turned back a major enemy landing attempt at Kuching.
In the far North an enemy push on Georgetown was repulsed though Allied forces suffers some casualties.
HONG KONG: Allied forces are consolidating their position on Victoria Is. An enemy landing attempt was repulsed with heavy losses to the invaders.
MANILA: Large raids on various Allied positions resulted in numerous enemy bombers damaged. Filipino and American forces continue to improve their positions. A large enemy task force including many transports has been sighted North of Luzon - destination unknown.
BATAVIA: Sources close to Gen Wavell's Headquarters stated today that an enemy task force consisting of at least two battleships was sighted just Northwest of Borneo. Air attacks by various Allied units produced inconclusive results. The enemy forces are thought to be reinforcements for the enemy's attempted grab for Kuching. The destroyer Thracian arrived today in Batavia after an epic voyage through enemy dominated waters from Hong Kong.

[spence]

12/14/41

SINGAPORE: Gen Percival's Headquarters today announced that very heavy fighting is continuing in the far North. Enemy forces advanced today near Georgetown but suffered heavy casualties. In other war news, RAF fighters brought down or damaged nearly 25 enemy bombers in the skies over Singapore. One fighter was lost but the pilot is reported to be safe.

MANILA: Gen MacArthur's Headquarters announced that an enemy landing force was intercepted North of Luzon by naval patrols and turned back. Heavy enemy air attacks continued on various Allied bases though several bombers were shot down or damaged.
American and Filipino pilots attacked a naval force East of Samar.

BATAVIA: Gen Wavell's Headquarters had little to report today. The Japanese landing force previously reported near Kuching has continued to retire. Dutch bombers again attacked the enemy battleships North of Borneo though no hits were reported.

HONG KONG: Heavy fighting was reported today. Enemy losses were heavy and our forces held all their positions.

[spence]

Between my computer problems and those of my opponent the game has been progressing in fits and starts and has now reached 12/26/41.

HONG KONG still holds out. Sporadic ground assaults have been beaten of though casualties are mounting. There have been intermittent heavy air attacks. [:'(]

In Malaya a large Japanese force has pushed down the West coast to Kuala Lumpur. It was subjected to several heavy air attacks by B-17s, Blenheims, and TIVas and has seemingly stalled. The Japanese landed at Kuatan on the East coast around the 18th. Although subjected to very heavy bombing attacks the defenders managed to hold out until the 24th when the rearguard 12th Ind Bde finally withdrew. Most Malaya Army forces have withdrawn now to their final defense positions in Johore Baru and Singapore. [:D] Air attacks against the landing fleet and supporting vessels near Kuatan were almost universally ineffective.[:(]

In the DEI the Japanese have captured Brunei and Sandakan. The Yamato and several crusiers and destroyers conducted a bombardment of Kuching as a Christmas Surprise but as yet no transports have been detected approaching. Several Dutch MTBs engaged the Yamato force and were quickly dispatched.[:(]

Meanwhile the Dutch Fleet, commanded by Adm Doorman surprised a Japanese landing force at Davao. Although they were unable to prevent the IJA 56th Bde from landing several transports were sunk or damaged and the landing fleet was driven off. Air attacks by Dutch and Australian bombers and even a few P35s and P26s scored on several other transports. Several assaults on Davao by the IJA 56th Bde were held off by the 101st PA Div with heavy losses to the attacker.

Elsewhere in the Philippines the Japanese consolidated their hold on Northern Luzon. American and Philippino forces are withdrawing in good order towards Clark Field and Manila. Due to constant heavy air raids and sweeps by Zeros most Allied a/c have withdrawn from the Northern Philippines. Several Jap surface TFs roamed the central and southern Philippines for about a week sinking half a dozen or so small freighters attempting to bring supplies to Manila. One TF ventured under the guns of Bataan to sink a pair of freighters but the forts charged a heavy toll: 2 DDs so heavily damaged that they sank enroute Formosa. A P-40 flyer contributed to one of them's travail but hitting it with a 100 lb bomb.

On the Burma Front Tavoy fell and the base force was destroyed. A large Japanese force has advanced to just south of Moulmein and been subjected to repeated air attacks by the AVG and a small force of Blenheims. Several small convoys have made it in to Rangoon with much needed supplies and reinforcements (14th Ind Div).[:)]