Cribtop
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Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
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January 31, 1942
Genda Minoru was anxious, his mood completely at odds with the balmy afternoon weather on the bridge of Carrier Akagi. The late afternoon weather. The glorious strike force of the Imperial Japanese Navy was about to launch possibly the most absurdly mismatched strike package in the brief history of carrier aviation, and it was Genda’s decision to do so. 130 Type 97 attack planes had just finished launching to assault the Australian port of Darwin. They would be accompanied by exactly seven Type 0 fighters, meaning that the strike would suffer extreme losses if the enemy had even a semblance of fighter cover at the base. Unbidden, his mind went over the arguments from earlier in the day again and again…
“We are more than happy to die for the Emperor!” urged Fuchida Mitsuo for at least the tenth time. His voice rose in volume, also for at least the tenth time.
“No one doubts your pilots’ bravery, Mitsuo, but there are strategic considerations at work,” replied Commander Daigo Yoshino, a promising young officer with a gift for diplomacy assigned to Genda shortly before the outbreak of war. “We must launch the strike not later than 1600 hours in order to recover our planes during daylight. We are faced with the choice of launching an incomplete strike immediately or waiting for the fighters to spot and launch well after that.”
“An unescorted attack is foolishness. We will find a way to recover or even ditch near the fleet if necessary.”
“Which will leave Kido Butai helpless in enemy waters, cost us at least an entire month’s production of aircraft, and significantly delay the invasion of Java.”
“This discussion would not be necessary if your destroyers had kept better track of their fuel consumption.” This remark was acidly directed by Fuchida at Lieutenant Torii Sosuke of Des Div 6, part of the screening surface forces for the carriers.
Torii remained stoically silent, as there really was no possible reply. A few days ago, Kido Butai had been ordered to transit the Torres Strait and assist operations in the Southern Resource Area, and Admiral Nagumo had requested additional anti-submarine support given the aggressive actions of the Dutch sub fleet in recent weeks. However, the final decision to transfer into Dutch waters was not made until after the successful amphibious operation at Port Moresby. On the fly, Combined Fleet had allocated an additional Des Div to the escort screen out of the Port Moresby invasion force, increasing available destroyers by 50% for both Carrier Divisions.
However, no one had thought to ask the new vessels their fuel status. As a result, when Kido Butai diverted to the west to attack significant enemy shipping observed in harbor at Darwin, a seemingly innocent request for mid-ocean re-fueling created an unexpected crisis. The poor weather on January 30 prevented both the planned air assault and the re-fueling. Unfortunately, by January 31 the screening force commander was forced to admit that due to insufficient reserves several of his destroyers would be unable to continue normal operations. Worse, delivery of this news was put off until the last moment, forcing the capital ships of the mighty fleet to waste the entire morning and much of the afternoon re-provisioning their small protectors. Despite all efforts at haste, the hours had slipped away, while the valuable targets in Darwin, including tankers, sub tenders and various important support vessels, rested safely at anchor. The southern hemisphere’s long summer days were the only reason a strike of any kind could take off today, despite the relatively short range to Darwin.
Genda broke the deadlock. “Gentlemen, please! We have three choices: Forgo the attack and retire on Ambon, launch the strike late with adequate fighter protection, or launch now without it. The first option would cover us in shame while allowing vital targets to escape; the second ensures the loss of our air groups. Only the third option will allow for success, albeit with risk.”
“But what if the recon reports were wrong? We have only been flying over the port since yesterday, and in poor weather,” exclaimed Fuchida.
All eyes turned to Genda. “True, but three search planes launched from Cruiser Tone and several Type 97s reported no fighters despite circling the harbor several times over the past 30 hours. The enemy’s odd dispositions are in all probability the result of the hasty flight of his shipping from the Southern Resource Area ahead of 16th Army’s advance. Furthermore, I know Tone’s air group commander personally. He would never let the Imperial Navy down.”
With far more conviction in his voice than in his heart, Genda spoke on. “This discussion is concluded. I will recommend to Admiral Nagumo that we launch immediately with what fighter escort can be in the air by 1600 hours.”
Later that day, Genda and Daigo waited nervously by the radio operator’s station on carrier Akagi, when at last the receiver crackled to life with Fuchida’s voice. “Target now in sight. Visibility excellent. Estimate 43 enemy ships of various classes at anchor. No enemy aircraft aloft. Repeat, no enemy aircraft aloft. Commencing attack immediately.”
Yoshino was extremely surprised to receive a most undignified hug from the commander of Kido Butai’s strike aircraft.
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A very busy day. Cribtop HQ is deeply relieved at the news from both Darwin and Samarinda.
Subs
The ASW TF leading the Samarinda invasion, and the invasion TF's close escorts, both DC K XVIII, keeping the sub's head down and avoiding an attack on the transports. The enemy TF headed for Canton Island likewise slips by our I-boats.
4th Fleet
No change.
SE Fleet
A base force sails for Wake Island to enable basing of search aircraft there. Rabaul makes level 4 port and will shift to building up the airfield again. The Operation LPM fleet departs Rabaul for Truk. Two paratrooper LCUs finish unloading at Lae and will launch attacks as soon as that base's airfield hits level 2.
14th Army
Taytay falls.
16th Army
The big news of the day is the combined strike on Darwin by KB's Kates along with Nells from Kendari and Ambon. Not sure why so few Zeroes flew in escort, but we assume low ops points had something to do with it. There are sinking sounds after the strike. Here is an excerpt from the combat report:
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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
TK Semiramis, Bomb hits 1
AVP Reiger, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO TAN 6, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
TK Manvantara, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AM Cairns, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Deneb, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AS Platypus, Bomb hits 1
AGP Aldebaran, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Port hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 11000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
AVP Bellatrix, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Angelina, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
26 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 15000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 130
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Allied Ships
xAP Koolama, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAP Marella, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PC Zeeman, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Aroe, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PG Isabel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO TAN 2, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AS Platypus, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AD Black Hawk, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Zealandia, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AVP Arend, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Mijer, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO TAN 5, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Koolinda, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
TK Francol, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAKL Lepus, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK British Sailor, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Deloraine, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Strix, Bomb hits 1
TK Manvantara, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AS Janssens, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Meroendoeng, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Gemma, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO TAN 3, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL De Klerk, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Halldor, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1
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KB will retire ENE and remain in range for a follow up strike tomorrow. The Nells are coming back as well. Lots of good tankers and support ships (particularly the two sub tenders) worth finishing off. Unfortunately the AOs were the dinky Dutch types, but they're still worth sinking. Commander Genda promises Cribtop HQ there will be more fighters on escort tomorrow. 
Samarinda is invaded without major incident, although 6 B-339's are shot down by LRCAPing Zeroes while trying to attack the invasion fleet. There is a moment of terror as the invasion fleet reports being overflown by a dive bomber, but it was not a Dauntless as we feared. Allied BA shows raw AS stands at 225:19. We still have some troops and supply to unload tomorrow, but our pickets report no enemy aircraft, so we will proceed.
25th Army
We sweep Singers and pound the airfield. The bulk of 25th Army reaches Johore Bahru and will take it tomorrow as the enemy has abandoned it. Kuala Lumpur makes level 4 airfield.
15th Army
We accidentally forget to cancel port attack orders for our Nells at Chumphon, so we put more bombs into two damaged xAKs. No CAP at Rangoon, either, thank goodness. During two distinct repair phases before the attack on Darwin we hear sinking sounds, presumably the merchants at Rangoon.
Other
Lots of reinforcements arrive in China.
< Message edited by Cribtop -- 5/31/2011 3:27:34 AM >
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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 
We have lots of LRCAP and LBA in place, along with picket ships watching for any sniff of enemy CVs or surface ships. None so far. Assuming all goes well, phase 2 of the Op, the invasion forces for Makassar and Bandjermasin, will load at Jolo. 
We are not driving on the communist north as in our opinion there is little of value behind all the good(ish) troops and rough terrain up there worth taking, Sian excepted. 
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