An Irishman sings the blues/By Przemcio

[Przemcio231]

Nik Mod me playing as Allies ageainst Nemo who will write his part of the AAR
Some Standart House Rules
like 6 ASW TF's or one Port attack on turn one we are playing with Sub doctrines off to make the Sub war more interesting.

[Przemcio231]

7-8/XII/1941

Pacific

Japan wanted to sneak attack ouer Pacific Fleet in Pearl... but by some Miracle their plan was foiled by the weather. The telgram from Washington reached Adm. Kimmel about 9 am in the Morning when he was playing Golf with Gen. Short... Imiedietly the base was set on the Full Alert and the Us Air Force planes were fueled and armed just in case the Japs show up... In the afternoon houers one of the SBD's send on Patrol Spotted Japanese Strike force some 180 miles from Pearl. US aircraft were send to intercept in the Firce battle over the Jap TF we lost 10 P-40 6 Wildcats and some bombers but a brave SBD crew put a 1000lb bomb into CV Akagi[:D] in the Afternoon the Reports came that japs are Landing on Attu , Wake , Midway , Canton , Gilberts , Lunga and Rabaul. Lady Lex and Enterprise were dispatched to attack japs landing on Midway. Near Canton a Convoy was attacked by planes from a secound Jap CV TF and Ca Pensacola was reported Sunk... When the Morning came Jap flag was flying over Attu , Canton and Wake... Midway is still holding out and the CV Air groups send to attack Jap ships in the area around Midway Claim one CA sunk , 2 CA badly Damaged + numerus transports set on Fire[:D] Jap KB is winthrawing from Hawaii so War Plan Orange will be executed as soon as the Fleet will be Asambled 1st target will be retaking Canton Is...

Philipines

Japs begun from a heavy Air attack on Clark Field but the attack did not inflict any serious damage to US planes[:)] later that day japs landed in Davao , Jolo , Legaspi , Vigan , Appari and Laong. When the Morning came Japs succeded in taking Jolo , Davao plus a new invasion in Lingayen[:(] Planes From Clark were rebased to Cayagan and ordered to strafe Jap shipping in the Area they menaged to hit few Transports but not to badly[:(] 24th FG from Manila was ordered to attack japs landing in Lagaspi. USAsiatic fleet ships were ordered to make top speed to the DEI and seek a safe heaven there. During the Retreat CA Huston was sunk when she tryed to intercept jap convoy in Jolo[:(] The inteligence showed that the Lnding in Lagaspi was carried out only by a small unit of jap naval inf so 2 PI Div were ordered to push them back... rest of the US/PI troops will make their stand in Clark Field[:D] PT boats from Manila were sent out to attack jap shipping in Lingayen and the SS were send to the Jap shipping Lanes[:)]

DEI

In the Morning of the 7th Jap ships showed up in the Northern Part of Borneo and Bases from Jesselton to Kuching were invaded , On Celebes the Bases in Kendari and Mendo and base in Ambonia was also captured. Here newly assambled ABDA command ordered all combat ships in the area to make haste to Soreboja and begin Raiding operations from there. Dutch Planes made numerous attacks on Jap shipping but the crews are to unexperienced to do any damage[:(] Soon the Area will be reinforced by RN ships from Cejlon and Force Z from Singapore[:)]

Malaya/Burma/India

Suprisingly there were no Jap Landings in Malaya[X(] only some units were spotted unloading at Songkhila some minor Air Raids took place but nothing Serious Brit Units are send to Alor Setar to make their Stand and allow more reinforcements to be brought to Singapore[:D] 2 Large Convoys carrying Supply left Karachi And Bombay one bound for Singapore the other Bound for Batavia[:D] Jap paras landed in Pagan... well my LR Cap should prevent any reinforcements there. the another Suprising thing was Landing of a small jap Airborne Force near DACCA[:-][:-][:-]

China

[>:][>:][>:][>:][>:][>:]

[wild_Willie2]

NO landing in BURMA ??. He must be sending troops overland. Get more troops to aloa star, prefeberaly a australian brigade. Think about changing preppoints to aloa star and start digging fortifications there, also start digging forts in singapore. Reinforments to java should arrive without problems with NO opposition in the area. Pull out your swordfish bombers from Singapore to preserve them, use them only to attack shipping. If you ARE playing NIK mod, singapore should be relativly safe from air attacks, anny attempt by betty's WILL be costly as the zero's cant escort them there (range of 11). Put a disposable TF in singapore hex with lots of fighter cover at variable hight and see if some betty's take the bait..... pull back B17 from PI and sttion them on singapore to hit his AF (you been on the other side of them and know how effective they can be )

good hunting

[Przemcio231]

9/XII/1941

Pacific

Midway is Holding[:D] the brave Marines withstood the jap Assalut and still CentPac is able to get the valuable recon data from Catalinas operating from Midway[:)] Base on the Information that the KB is closeing in Lex and Enterprise were ordered to avoid KB and return to Pearl for the Refit. Jap fleet at Midway is now scatered and runs W... Today Brave US pilots hit numerus Transports and 2 CA's:

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 4
SBD Dauntless x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 12


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 2, on fire
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On of the AP's near Canton was Attacked by Bettys this is Disturbing news....
War Plan Orange will begin with operation "Mine" callig for mining and reinforcing Johnston and Palmayra[:D]

Phillipines

Japs in Legaspi were pushed back into the sea[:D] but more and more troops is beeing unloaded at Lingayen... US PT's were send to intercept the landing but only managed to hit an ASW TF sinking an APD with no losses on my side[:)] the other action took place near Jolo
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lingayen at 44,50

Japanese Ships
APD APD-32, Shell hits 5, on fire
APD APD-33, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD APD-34, Shell hits 2
APD APD-35
PG Aso Maru
PG Shinko Maru #1

Allied Ships
PT PT-31
PT PT-32
PT PT-33
PT PT-34
PT PT-35
PT PT-41
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 38,59

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 1
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Natsushio
AP Gyoko Maru
AP Heiwa Maru
AP Horai Maru
AP Igasa Maru
AP Kiko Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Peary, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
DD Pillsbury, Shell hits 1
DD Pope

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I plan to hold in the Philipines for a long time till some relive force will be send... the US air force is hitting enemy shipping in the area and bombing enemy ground troops to gain some experience[:D]

DEI

Kendari and Ambonia were taken... and now Japs are bombing Maccasar with small surface TF... On my side only action today was sending 2 AK's loaded with supply to Manila well i hope it will work. Tommorow ABDA force will be concentrared in Soreboja and will be send to intercept Jap Ships in the Area...[:D] some US subs from Manila will take positions and try to sink enemy shipping nearby[:D] Numerus attacks by DAF were unsucessfoul in damaging Jap ships.

Malaya/Burma/India
[>:][>:][>:][>:][>:][>:] exept for some Paras who landed in some bases in India...well this is odd what is he trying to achive by this...

[wild_Willie2]

He Przem, a small tip. Do not post al your moves on this tread BEFORE you make them, it is not called an AFTER ACTION report for nothing, the enemy might be reading this to [;)]

[Przemcio231]

10-11/XII/1942

Pacific

Midway is Holding!!!! i don't know how but my brave troops were able to stand their ground... alrought some Nell's started to bomb Midway from Wake... More bad news here as Japs Landed in Pago-Pago and other small ungarissoned islands[X(][X(] Well i will concentrate now on Reinforceing Pearl , Palmayra and Johnston... no hurry sooner or Later KB will have to move to the DEI and then it will be my time to Strike Back[:D] My CV's appear to be safe now as KB is still visible near Midway... i need to weait some time till the number of Wildcats in pool will rise[:)] but i dubt that Japs will come close to Pearl now...

Philipines

Lots of Scattered Landing around Luzon... i will post a screan next time... B-17's in Cayagan were stand down to allow the damaged planes to be repaired and will be rebased to Singapore... Fighters from Cayagan continue their Strafing missions hiting a CA and 2 DD's... 24th FG in Manila is conducting Daily Ground Attacks as my Pilots are still to green to fight A2A[:D] PT's were ordered another Run to Lingayen and US Subs took position N of Luzon To intercept enemy shipping

Malaya/India/Burma
Well soon those pesky Paras that landed in india will be dead[:D] as for Burma Japs are moveing but as for now nothing to serius...[:D] And Chinise Divisions were send to reinforce Burma... well i hope they will make it in time... as i plan to hold Burma. In Malaya few Jap units entered Alor Setar but they are making no progress... well if the situation holds i will send 18UK div to Singapore as soon as it arrives[:'(]

DEI
Not much happening only few AK's fleeing Manila were hit by Nell's from Davao. ABDA forces under Adm Paliser including POW and Repulse were send to sea to hit Jap shipping[:D][:D][:D]



Conclusion

This is the first time i play ageainst some one concentrating in the Pacific i know those islands will fall as i can't do anything about it... but i need to be patient and every thing will work out fine[:D]

[Przemcio231]

12-18/XII/1941

Pacific

KB is running from Pearl... i wounder why...[:D] I was ready to fight a carrier battle near Pearl 2 BB's were atached to 3 CV's TF's to Improve AA Defence and maybe draw some Jap Planes from the Carriers... There was also a BB surface TF set to react maybe it would draw some enemy attention... the LBA in Pearl was set to low level Air Attack and Fighter Squadron's in Pearl were set to CAP the carriers... and nothing happened[:(] Japs are reatriting... good this will enable me to reinforce Johnston and Palmayra[:D] In other News Japs landed in Lugganvile and Etafe... CA Luisville blasted the transports but some japs made it ashore[:(] Japs subs are active around Pearl... one of them sunk a transport carrying some Bolos[:(] Midway is still holding and im seriously think about sending some Reinforcements there....

DEI

Japs are Invadeing Maccasar... i cant help it as my ABDA strike forc was Mouled badly POW , Repulse and 2 Dutch CL's were sunk by Air strikes after a battle near Kendari... i hit coupple of CA's but not badly enough[:(] DAF is gaining some exp... last day Martin put a bomb into Hiei... well probably scrathed soem paint of it[:)] in a week or so a large convoy carrying 30k supplies will reach Batavia[:)] A sub of Kendari was able to put its fishes into two Jap transports[:D]

Philipines
Japs moved into Clark... but i think i will be able to hold there for long... Last Reamaning US Fighter Units followed the B-17's send to the DEI exept for the 24th FG wich was send to China to combat Jap Nates there[:D][:D] My subs created a picket line N of Luzon and are intercepting Jap shipping... Few transports were hit last days and some of them went to the Bottom[:D][:D]

China
Yenen Is being besieged by Japs but the Reinforcements are on their way[:)] Japs also entered Changsha but have not attacked... odd[:'(] Chinese troops entered Canton and took Nanging and now are moveing in to Pakhoi[:)] Chinise Air force is sitting in its bases... maybe after some Bases will reach lvl2 airfield i will move them foward[:D]

Malaya/Burma

Alor Setar Fell[:@] my troops are falling back to Kuala lumpur to establish another line there[:D] well my air force in Malaya is grounded becouse the bad weather[:@] In Burma AVG from Mandalay is making ground attacks on Japs that are moveing from Raheng it looks like they have pushed me out to the hex N of Rageng but i think this is the end of their progress here [:D]

[Przemcio231]

19-22/XII/1941

Pacific

Well Midway Finnaly fell[:(] after he brought up a full Inf. Division... i wounder what will be his next move... I hope Johnston will be the target[:D] as i already leaid over 1000 Mines there and another Mining run will be completed Tommorow[:D] Unfortunetly ML Oglala was sunk by a submarine returning from a last Mine run[:(] any way i have a troop convoy heading to Johnston carrying a USMC Def Bn. plus another one carrying supply. i also have Pac Fleet on Standby consisting of 3 mixed BB/CV TF's and a surface BB TF ready to react on any jap attacks... if i get lucky and my planes from the island will damage a CV i will move in for a kill[:D] Elswhere In Rabaul CL Perth hit 2 jap AK's probably carrying in supply to the units besieging the base...
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
AK Hokkai Maru, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tien Lee, Shell hits 26, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Perth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

in the Area Lae was invaded. My opponents strategy calls for captureing every Pac Island so i will have to retake them early on[:D] Any way i just send about 16 Subs to mine Waters around Midway[:)]

Phillipines
Japs send ASW groups to hunt for my subs... as for now one will probably sink so its time to relocate my sub assets to the DEI where his ASW forces are small[:D] and maybe i will get lucky and put a fish into one of his Warships in the Area. Jap forces are concentrating around Clark[:)] Mindanao is now in Jap Control as Cayagan fell today[:(]

DEI
I send most of the DEI Transport Assets to Australia anly a coupple of AK's are left[:)] Japs took Sinkawang and Maccasar DAF is making Daily raids on jap ships but the only succes today was hitting an MSW
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Ranzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaya/Burma

WiTP Ground combat model Sucks[:@][:@][:@] i set the units north of Mulemin to move to Rangoon they made good progres like 45 Miles and then japs Shocked attacked them and they happily moved to Mulemein where they were destroyed on the other Day[:@][:@][:@] In Malaya Japs took Taiping and moved to Kuala Lumpur[:@] of course my froces in Gorgetown moved stoped moveing to Taiping when they traveled 45 miles[:@][:@][:@] WTF[:D] Brit Air force is making daily raids on JaP Ground units gaining Exp. Some jap Ships bombarded Kuantan but with ill effect[:D]

China

Brave Chinise Units reached Pakhoi but then a strange thing Happened... suddenly i saw a comment "Nannging was occupied by the japanese[X(][:-] whats with this Crap[&:] any way Chinise forces Moved to Canton to bloc jak Resource production there... Jap Forces besiege Yenen , Changsha and Homan. 24th FG moved to Chinia from Phillipines ambushed a Jap Raid over Changsha 4 P-40 were lost but jap losses were over 20 Nate's and DB's[:D]


Ship Losses
Allied 1BB , 1BC , 2CA , 2CL , 12 DD's + over 20 Transports and some AUX vessels
Jap 2CA , 2CL , 4 DD's , 8 APD's 15 Transport of wich 7 were sunk by Subs and some AUX[:D]

[wild_Willie2]

Anny unit you can get to the DEI (java) will significantly increase the difficulty for the japs to take it.....

[Przemcio231]

Well kind of know that... any way next turn there should be large battle near Johnston as KB Aproaches i got 14 P-40B . 11 Wildcats , 16 SBD's and 50 Marauders 37 Bolos and 11 Mitchels all set on 2000 feet Naval Attack , PAC Fleet sailed out of Pearl Consisting of 4 TF's of wich 3 consist of CV , 2xBB , 2xCA 2xCL and coupple od DD's and the last cosnsists of 2xBB and few CA and DD i dispresed the fleet so maybe jap airstrikes will be devided and massive AA will disallowe the japs to do significant damage...[:D]

[Przemcio231]

NEWS FLASH 26/12/1941

Today in the Afternoon houers great Air Battle took Place near Johnston.
The island was probably another target of Japanese agression. When enemy Carriers were spotted heading twards the island Pac Fleet has been ordered to Intercept. the action of 25th January when Land base bombers attacked enemy carriers was a failure with no hits japs shot down over 30 Marines and Army planes...[:(] Today at 4pm. when the Enemy forces were spotted by the SBD planes from all of ouer 3 CV TF's a strike command was given. A total nr of 100 SBD's and 44 TBD's 5 Bufflos and 12 Wildcats left the Deck's of Enterprise , Lexington and headed West... The first to reach the enemy were combined groups from Enterprise and Saratoga... the spotted 5 enemy Carriers with numerous other vessels + 76 Zero fighter flying CAP...
Due to the sacrifice of the Fighter Pilots the bomber and torpedo squadrons were able to mount a cordinated attac ageainst enemy carriers. The Lexington air groupd used the confusion on the Japanese side and joined the fighting... when ouer planes headed home Jap CV's were:

Hiryu hit by 6 Bombs and Burning
Soryu 3 Bomb hits and Burning
Zuikaku 3 Bomb Hits and a Torpedo hit and Burning
Shokaku 2 Bomb Hits
Kaga with 2 Bombs plus 2 Torpedos Burning

US losses 15 Fighters , 33 SBD's and 13 TBD's

In the mean time Japanese Air Group consisting 20 Zeros , 86 Val's and 90 Kates attacked CV Enterprise... Caped by 35 Wildcats and Few P-40's from Pearl... The heavy AA fire destroyed many planes but they were able to put a bomb and a torpedo into Enterprise and 5 Torpedoes into West Wirginia[:(] but the japs lost 7 Zeros , 15 Vals and 32 Kates mostly from AA fire[:)]

[wild_Willie2]

Wel done, this game is already over before it even began.

Next turn, hunt down and destroy the damaged jap carriers that should be limping home at 10-15 knots..... Even if you loose al three carriers next turn (Highly unlikely now), you should be able to finish of at least 3 of them. That, combined with the damage already done to akagi should render the KB useless for the next 12 months.....


....................game over ........................................................................................

[Nikademus]

Nice job.

sounds like another Japan player found out the hard way that you can't count on KB beating off a determined attack by massed enemy carriers (esp if LBA is helping)

Quite the setback for him if any of those CV's sink this early in the game.

[Przemcio231]

Well NiK LBA attacked a day erlier with no resoult's i think the error he did was not bombing Pearl[:D]

[Nikademus]

That would do it. Pearl Harbor as an airbase not in suprise status is one of the more formidable bases in the game....as aptly demonstrated.

[Przemcio231]

Well to be honest the battle took place near Johnston... any way my opponent surrendered[:(]

[Nikademus]

thats a shame. You guys restarting?

[Przemcio231]

nope he dosen't want to play your mode...[:(] i need to find myself anothe jap[:)]

[Nikademus]

i see. It is a bit of a learning curve shock from Stock, especially as Japan since the "Happy time" is less guarenteed.

[Nemo121]

Hi I've decided I can pop in here since I've called the game... I would like to commend Przemcio for his play but again, Nikademus, I'd like to state that my issue is NOT with the loss of the happy time... I just find it insane to need over 4 times the Japanese planes to get the same number of hits in late 41 AND I think that bodes very ill for the Japanese in 1943 and 44...

Can you point me to any AARs using your mod in 1944 as I'd love to check them out to see if my fears about the overwhelming impact of the increase in ship-based AAA in terms of disrupting Japanese strikes is justified. Like I said, I'm open to being proven wrong but so far no-one has come out with examples from 1944 which show that the increased number of leakers isn't offset by the increased ability of ship-based AAA to disrupt strikes in an excessive manner.