Defenseless: Between the Storms Japan

[ny59giants]

I can let you do the Allied turns for me until you get a turn.
It's Nov 2nd '43, the siege of Pegu is almost over as last attack whipped out 11 LCUs bring total down to 16 and probably the 13 divisions trapped there; Death Star is getting some much needed R&R after Mindanao landings, Taytay, and Jesselton have been captured; there is always lots and lots of logistics and prepping for future objectives you can do, old man.

[John 3rd]

I did a very mild re-write of the Circle Plans description reflecting on adding a pair of B-65 and a pair Aratami-Class Command Cruisers to the immediate pre-war build. The changes are BOLDED and ITALICISED.


Japanese Pre-Circle and Circle Plans
Changes/Additions

BB Kaga and Tosa
BC Takao and Atago
LBC Chichibu
CVL Ryukaku and Karasu
CVE Ibuki and Hosho
CA Yoshino, Miyako, Chishima, and Seiki (Myoko-Class)
CL Minase, Otonase, and Ayase (Jintsu-Class)
DD +4 Minekaze-Class
SS +3 ML SS and 4 I-Boats

The Capital Ships and SS have already been detailed in the Washington Conference description.

There is no Ryujo here. The sister ships, Ryukaku and Karasu, have smaller air groups and are stable CVLs.

Two ‘experimental’ carriers are allowed by Treaty so Japan has Hosho and Ibuki.

The construction of 4 follow-on Myoko-Class CA comes PRIOR to the London Conference. The 3 additional CLs were planned but never built. These are. Ditto for the Minekaze DDs.

Circle One Plan (1930)
CA Kako, Aoba, Furutaka, and Kinugasa are down-gunned to 6” Light Cruisers (3x3 6”)
CL Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuyu, and Kumano built as planned (5x3 6”)
CAV Kushiro and Tokachi
6 Hatsuharu-Class DD
10 Shiratyuki-Class DD

The London Conference of 1930 goes slightly better for Japan. The Americans get their Flightdeck Cruiser agreed to and Japan then builds her CAV to the maximum allowable by Treaty and then some…

The oldest CAs are down-gunned due to the Conference allowing for the actual 15-15-12 numbers to still stand-up. A number of old CLs are phased out of active Fleet service and are converted to fast minelayers and training ships. Japan starts with 12 nearly matching CAs with 8 newer and/or more modern CLs added to her strength.

Two additional Shiratyuki-Class are ordered over the original 8 planned.

Circle Two Plan (1934)
2 Hiryu-Class CVs
2 CC Aratami-Class
3 CS Chitose-Class
4 DD Shiratsuyu-Class
18 DD Asashio-Class

Japan KNOWS it is leaving the Treaty System so Soryu and Hiryu are built as true sisters of the Hiryu-Class. The Japanese lay down two cruisers of exceptional size. The Aratami-Class Command Cruiser (21,000 tons) are built as an experiment to test new technologies that will be incorporated into the next generation of Japanese capital ships featuring triple gun turrets, better compartmentalization, differing AA armament, etc… Four additional Asashio-Class are ordered over the planned 14.

Between the Storms—Air takes hold with the next Circle Plan. Admiral Yamamoto becomes Vice-Naval Minister and begins promoting air-minded, younger officers to higher rank so their presence becomes more and more noticeable over time. Work begins on increasing/building an additional naval slipway at both Port Arthur and Shanghai.

Circle Three Plan (1937)
CV Shokaku and Zuikaku
CS Nisshin built as CVL
2 BC B-65-Class
2 CC Aratami-Class
2 Niitaka-Class CA
2 CL Tokoro-Class
22 DD Kagero-Class

The Fleet Faction of the IJN are sold on two fast BC with plans made for the monster Yamato-Class BBs pushed back several years. They will, in fact, never be built.

The Natori-Class Training CLs are scrapped as well as the Tone and Chikuma Aircraft Cruisers.

The B-65 requires no extra yard expansion and are built as larger, tougher and more capable successors to the Aratami-Class CC (two more of this design are also ordered). The new Niitaka-Class CA is built to provide escort to carriers freeing up the 12 early CAs for surface warfare. Tokoro-Class CL are a slightly smaller Mogami-Class CL that is fast and capable and are destined to replace the elderly World War One CLs. The 4 ‘fake’ Kagero-DDs (hiding the cost of the Yamato-Class) are built as real DDs.

In 1939, Yamamoto accepts, at grave risk to his life, the position of Naval Minister. He immediately begins moving Fleet-minded individuals into retirement or other less critical positions within the Kaigun. The Yamato-Class BB, in fact ANY BB, is scrapped.
The lessons coming from the European war are taken to heart. The Bismarck’s end and Taranto demonstrate the power of the aircraft carrier.

Circle Four Plan (1940)
4 CV Shokaku Kai-Class
2 BC B-65 Class
2 CA Niitaka-Class
2 CL Tokoro-Class
5 CLAA Teshio-Class
4 DD Shimakaze-Class
32 DD Yugumo-Class
24 DD Akizuki-Class

No Taiho or Unryu in the 4th Circle. Four slightly improved Shokaku Kai-Class are ordered with 2 follow-on B-65. Niitaka and Tokoro continue their builds. The Japanese take strong notice of the war in Europe and see the advent of the Dido-CLAA cruiser. A similar design is quickly worked out and the Teshio-Class is put into the order cue.

A total of 60 DDs are ordered in Circle Four. Historically the order was for 29 Yugumo, 3 Kagero, 12 Akizuki, and 1 Shimakaze—Total 45. This number is bounced to 60 due to streamlining each class to ONE manufacturer allowing for specialization and quicker building.

As Japan counts down to war, the Americans pass the Two-Ocean Bill and the Japanese have to counter it with SOMETHING.

Circle Five Plan (1941)
8 CV Hiryu-Class
3 CVL Aso-Class
2 CA Niitaka-Class
1 CL Tokoro-Class
4 CLAA Teshio-Class
8 DD Shimakaze-Class
24 DD Akitsuki-Class

Slow to build and expensive Shokaku-Kai are moved away from and Japan orders eight of the far easier to build Hiryu-Class carriers. Four can be built by 1944 with four more in 1945. Four Tokoro-Class are ordered but three are converted into CVLs. The remainder of cruiser construction comes in the form of four more CLAA.

In RL the Japanese ordered 16 Shimakaze- and 16 Akitzuki-Class DDs. The number is left the same but shifted towards the Akitsuki-Class to see how many the Japanese can build by the end of hostilities.

New Ship Classes for Between the Storms
Aircraft Carriers
Shokaku-Kai: 28,155T, 32 Knots, 81 Planes (36F-24DB-21TB), Belt 165, Deck 60, and Tower 25

Aso (Tokoro Conversion): 12,000T, 33 Knots, 36 Planes (27F-9TB), Belt 75, D 25, T 0

Battlecruisers
B-65: 31,500T, 32 Knots, 3x3 14”, 4x2 3.9”, B 190, D 125, T 180

Heavy/Command Cruisers
Aratami: 21,000T, 3x3 12”, 4x2 3.9”, 6x3 LL, B 160, D 100, T 200

Niitaka: 16,000T, 4x3 8”, 3x2 3.9”, 8x4 LL, B 140, D 75, T 100

Light Cruisers
Tokoro: 9,700T, 33 Knots, 4x3 6”, 4x2 3.9”, 8x4 LL, B 140, D 60, T 100

Teshio: 8,500T, 32 Knots, 16x2 3.9”, B 75, D 25, T 75

[ny59giants]

Admiral,

Going back with our discussions over the years of having a CarDiv being 2 heavy and one CVL does the math work out here?

Plans for small CV TFs with say 2 CVL, 4 DD, and maybe a CLAA to be able to cover for invasion TFs at wars beginning.

Is there a particular DD/DE Class that is ASW focused versus AA? Can an old DD Class be upgraded for serious ASW work?

Circle 3 & 4 have just ONE CVL, but now four B65. How about identifying a CL hull to use for CVL like USA did for their CVLs that were about 10k ton. These would be the precursor to the Aso Class and if there are enough slips available, go for two each Circle. If they carry 30 airframes, then it would be 21 F and 9 DB/TB with just 9 TT.

[John 3rd]

Nice thoughts Michael.

Will give that some serious thinking. The upgraded ASW platforms are PB/PG that Stanislav worked on years ago. You are correct though in that all the oldest DD convert over to ASW platforms and form the back of the Unified Coastal Command in early-43.

[John 3rd]

Got a turn finally and have run and sent it back. Will Post in the morning.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
January 4, 1942

BUSY--excellent turn--to talk about this morning. This is a pretty long report.

NoPac
After sweeping Dutch Harbor and bombarding Umnak, my little STF of 4 old CL and 6 DD decides to refuel and drop two of the CL to ZERO fuel. OOOPS. We are stuck at Amchitka...not good...HOPE there is nothing Allied up here...

I have three small convoys approaching Attu, Amchitka, and . They are bringing about 2000 supply to each base to take care of them for a while. Will use those TF to refuel the stupid STF so it can go home.

CenPac
Midway
Two SNLF Assault Brigades begin loading. Will start loading the BF and Engineers after that.

Wake
Begin loading two ID and a SNLF Brigade into separate assault TFs. Same note for BF and Engineers.

My Second Kido Butai (2 CV and 4 CVL) has departed Midway and will reassume a blocking position NE of PH. Once the Invasion TFs get close enough to be spotted, the carriers will move to join them and provide direct aircover. All TFs will rendezvous near Johnson for the final run in.

The only thing slowing this is my BBs from the DEI. The 4 BB just passed through the Philippines. They will be at Truk for fuel in a few days and then head to join the Wake TFs. This will then have all 8 of Japan's BBs together for the assault on Hawaii.

SoPac
Rabaul
The Imperial Guards Brigade is one hex from Rabaul. The TF is just now spotted. It lands tomorrow. A BC, CL, and 3 DD will join it and provide fire support.

New Caledonia
The Kido Butai positions itself one hex from LaFoa on the eastern shore. The TF will remain there for 2-3 days then head to Tulagi reprovision and refuel.

Koumac's AF goes to 1 and opens. Noumea's damage is all repaired so base expansion begins tomorrow.

Will have a Fast TF start loading tomorrow for the capture of Norfolk Isle.

Have LOTS of Air Search flying both east and west. Want to have warning WHEN the Allies are coming back!

DEI
South of Java sees a STF of 2 CL and 2 DD SINK HMS Valiant with shells and 2 Long Lances. NICE!

Another small STF sinks a pair of TM.

Order these three TFs home to Kendari to reprovision. The CVL/CVE TF is just a hex from Kendari and will reload tomorrow.

Toboali falls.

Philippines
The enemy makes a colossal mistake. Dugout Doug send most of the Manila troops to Cabantuan and take the base from an engineer units there. This move opens Manila and it FALLS (JDA: 18-1) to an ID today! BANZAI! That ID now moves towards Cabantuan because those troops are now cutoff and will be forced to surrender. A second ID will arrive at Clark tomorrow and the Japanese will attack there in two days.

Luzon COULD be done in less then two weeks. I--will--take--that!

Surigao goes to AF-2

Malaya
Singapore
On January 4, 1942 Singapore FALLS! BANZAI!! Three IDs immediately shift there prep to Colombo. This is fake but I need him looking elsewhere... The attack scores a 4-1 and 35,380 troops surrender.

Just have central Malaya to mop up.

Burma
Pegu
This entryway to Manila falls to a two ID attack. Rangoon is next.

China
VERY busy! The Chinese are moving in a mostly retreat fashion.

In the south Chuhsien falls to a two division assault. The Chinese retreat towards Wuchow. The IJA follows.

The city of Hengyang is hit by nearly 125 bombers during the day and the lone Japanese ID assaults the base. Unfortunately, a half strength Chinese Corps arrives and the attack scores a 1-2. DRAT! Will try again in 2 days.

At 86,43 in the Northern Plains, two ID assault 13 Chinese units and just barely miss a 1-1 attack. A third ID will arrive from the east in a couple of days and that should be enough to force a retreat.

Have troops arriving at two bases in the south tomorrow. I hope that the Chinese are soooooo occupied with the action in the center and north that not much is here. We shall see...

THOUGHTS
The twin jewels of the DEI fall on the same day! So far...nothing is causing serious issues. I really think that Luzon and Malaya will be done in 10-14 days. If so, this creates opportunities...there are 3 ID in Luzon and 5 ID in Malaya.

I shall need to load one of the Malaya ID for Hawaii. Three ID should be enough to take Pearl Harbor.

There is an ID loading at Cagayan to deal with the Allied troops at LaFoa.

The Allied Fleet MUST make an appearance. My hope to have both AF on New Caledonia expanded and holding enough aircraft to make this a risky venture. Would really, REALLY like to pull the 4 CV from the South Pacific but don't think I have a real choice at the moment. Need about a week to have this area reasonably prepped to attack.

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[John 3rd]

Questions or Thoughts??