Scen 2: Spence vs Bendarek
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 3:24 pm
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.
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.
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.