Mad66
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Joined: 10/21/2007
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I am Rainer's hapless Allied opponent, playing Big B's version 1.5 of his Scenario 15 mod on Andrew Brown's extended map. Many thanks to Big B both for his painstaking work in creating this excellent mod, and for generously supplying the 1.5 version to us slightly ahead of a general release. Rainer has begun an AAR, which I am sure will make for excellent reading (Not for me, for obvious reasons :) ). So I've started this, to share my view of events, for comparison if nothing else.
Sitrep, 28-12-41
Overview – On 7-8 December, Japanese Imperial military forces struck at United States and allied targets across the Pacific Rim, with the most damaging initial strike occurring at Pearl Harbor. The carrier air attack sunk the USS Tennessee, and crippled all other battleships of the US Pacific fleet, except the USS Arizona, and the USS Oklahoma, which was damaged significantly. The USS Colorado was at Seattle at the time of the attack.
In the three weeks since that initial wave of attacks, the Japanese attacks have continued, in the Philippines, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Allied forces in general have been outclassed by their attackers, who are in large part better equipped, more prepared, and in greater numbers at the decisive points of attack. The allied response has been limited to falling back, and preparing viable lines of defense. A few skirmishes have been won, but the Japanese are still advancing steadily in all Pacific areas, and can be expected to do so for at least the next nine to twelve months.
West Coast – Numerous land units have been dispatched to either reinforce or garrison bases seen as crucial to forming an inner perimeter. In addition damaged vessels from Pearl Harbor have been streaming into shipyards up and down the coast, to begin repairs. So far, there has been little to no perceived Japanese activity near the West Coast, though search and anti-submarine air operations are ongoing, as a precaution. The three fleet carriers of the US Pacific Fleet are also remaining on the West Coast, till more decks, and more capable aircraft, become available, or until a true opportunity for their use becomes available.
North Pacific – Air transports are engaged in an air reinforcement of Dutch Harbor, and a base force, infantry regiment, and coastal artillery regiment have been dispatched to Attu island by sea. Additional engineering assets will be sent to Attu, along with air units, as sealift, and appropriate assets, become available. Attu forms the northern end of the inner perimeter desire by allied planners, and is intended as a major base for naval patrol and ASW aircraft, and later, for strategic bombers. No Japanese activity has been detected in this area of operations.
Central Pacific – Since the strike on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese seem to have been content with grabbing up Wake and Guam, as well as Tarawa and the surrounding atolls/islands. Baker Island, as well, is under Japanese control. Numerous sightings of Japanese submarines have occurred, and Glen overflights of USN operations are a common occurrence. Its a safe bet that the enemy is at least to some extent aware of our movements. Midway, and the Line Islands, form part of the inner perimeter, and are being reinforced. Notably, the 2nd Marine Division has been dispatched to garrison Palmyra and the rest of the Line Islands, along with an infantry regiment of the US Army. Units of the 24th Infantry Division have spread out to garrison the Hawaiian Islands, and efforts are underway to improve the various Hawaiian airfields so that a mutually supportive network of strong air forces can be ready in case of need. Johnston Island has also received minor reinforcements, though it lies forward of the planned initial perimeter.
South Pacific – Very little Allied activity here, a RNZA brigade dispatched to Noumea, and a US Army regiment, base force, and USMC defense battalion dispatched to Papeete. Another regiment from Panama will also be going to Papeete shortly after the first of the year. Papeete is the southern end of the planned defensive perimeter. Early in 1942, depending largely on perceived Japanese movements, steps may be taken to begin building an air bridge to Australia/NZ, using Penrhyn, Suva, Pago Pago, etc. Japanese forces have taken Rabaul, and moved to occupy Shortlands and Lunga.
Australia/New Zealand – Again, limited activity here, at least on the Eastern seaboard. An Australian battalion, USN base force and heavy supplies have been sent to Thursday Island, in hopes of building up that location into a base for Beaufort torpedo bombers, arguably Australia's best currently available weapon. A brigade will be dispatched there to further bolster the defense, early in 1942. Port Moresby has been deemed indefensible, and its air units and garrison will be evacuated as soon as practicable. Darwin is being fortified, though its unlikely to be held. Secondary positions are being prepared in Katherine, and points south, as rapidly as possible. Perth is growing rapidly as a naval base, with a large mixed force of RN, USN, and ABDA naval forces. It also is a focus for numerous shipments of oil, resources, fuel, and supplies, as every effort is made to prepare Australia for what looks like an oncoming siege. A few USAAF bombers from the Philippines have arrived in Australia, and fighter units and more bombers will be transferring down from the DEI as Japanese advances continue. So far, Japanese operations in this area have been limited to occupying bases and locations along the northwest coast of New Guinea.
DEI/ABDA – A lot going on here. Palembang has been largely evacuated, save for a base force to perform demolitions, and occasional tankers moving in and out to move oil down to Perth, Australia. Two squadrons of transport aircraft are here, taking supplies to Singapore. Force Z engaged a Japanese force at Kuching, and didn't come off well, despite having significant advantages in throw weight and armor. However, it did manage to disengage, despite some damage, and headed off to Oz for repairs. Three squadrons of Martin bombers are operating out of Balikpapan, attacking Japanese shipping. Both Batavia and Soerabaja are being fortified and reinforced, but like elsewhere, there really isn't enough force on hand to do more then slow down the Japanese. The enemy has taken all of Northern Borneo, Tarakan, Amboina, and is threatening the rest of Borneo, while moving on Timor. Strong enemy air elements are operating at Kuching. Japanese shipping has begun to penetrate the sea area near Palembang, and submarines are operating in the vicinity.
Malaysia – Only Johore and Singapore are effectively still in British hands, though most of the personnel assigned to Malaysia made it to the temporary safety of the trenches. One Indian brigade, and one base force, are on the east coast road, slowly making their way south, but cut off by the Japanese advance, and low on supply. Johore Baru will hold as long as possible, then the forces there will withdraw into Singapore for the final stand. More tranport aircraft will be flying out fragments of base forces and combat formations to rebuild in India and Australia.
India/Burma – Lots of moving around and shifting of forces here. Burma itself is largely being abandoned, all the way up to Mandalay and Lashio. Those two places, along with perhaps Taungyi, will form the southern edge of the Burma Perimeter. Akyab is just too hard to supply, and too open to amphibious assault. Rangoon has been largely abandoned, leaving only the static coastal defense unit in place. The southern coast of India is being garrisoned by brigade strength forces. While this won't stop a determined attack, it may buy time to shift forces and engage any seaborne invasion. Most of the RN has withdrawn to Aden, until useful carriers and carrier aircraft become available. Before then, the RN will see service mostly as convoy escorts between Aden and Karachi and Perth. The RN is being augmented by USS Houston and Boise, as well as a number of USN destroyers, and Dutch light cruisers and destroyers, though the latter are depressingly short ranged. The decision has been made to avoid seriously contesting the skies above India until modern aircraft have arrived in numbers. The large Hurricane reinforcement in January will be a strong step in that direction, and may allow for at least competent point defense of a couple of key locations.
China – Aside from the siege of Hong Kong, so far the Japanese seem content to assault guerilla forces behind their lines. The opportunity is being taken to withdraw as many mobile units as possible from Khansien/Pucheng/Wuchow. A strong Chinese reinforcement of 8 divisions and an Army Headquarters are on their way to reinforce the Lashio/Mandalay area. Attempts are under way to gain experience for the rather third-rate Chinese air units, and three USAAF fighter squadrons from the Philippines have been assigned to stiffen Chinese air defenses. This will free the AVG to remain in Burma, and continue its work as fighter cover there.
Philippines – Arguably the most intensively active battle area. An initial attempt was made to hold a perimeter Lingayen-Baguio-Lamon Bay-Leguio, but the line was turned at Lingayen, after initial Japanese attacks at Lamon Bay and Baguio were stopped cold. Currently the regiment at Lamon Bay is cut off, and it is very possible that when Clark falls, the defense of the Philippines will be split in two, and be defeated in detail. The Philippine air forces were crippled during the initial air attacks, and while they did recover, they have been largely evacuated to other operations areas to continue the fight against the Japanese. A number of fragments or complete fores, especially from the southern Philippines, have escaped to Australia, or the DEI. The Far Eastern Fleet almost completely slipped the noose of the IJN, and will fight another day, as will most of the sea lift capability from the area.
< Message edited by Mad66 -- 2/18/2009 2:45:42 PM >
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