Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

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Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 ... - 11/30/2011 1:40:15 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

6 December 1941

"A man awakens. He is filled with a sense of... unease. The sky is crystal clear yet clouds are gathering. His day passes with hurried preparations. Night brings foreboding breezes amid sleepless hours. As darkness whirls about, he finally sleeps just as light faintly beckons. Twilight. Imagine if you will, a man aware of his destiny, yet utterly unaware. A man on the verge of something, yet powerless to stop it. A man who has sent his first turn, and entered that hazy mist between planning and PBM. A man who has entered... The Twilight Zone."

The Empire has turned to the ambitious Admiral Wa (Andav) to lead its expansionist plans. The die is cast. The field of battle is Da Babes Scenario 28-C, Extended Map, Stacking Limits, beginning with Beta 1008r2 and progressing from there. Our house rules, et al:

quote:

- Ignore point totals - you decide your own victory conditions and me likewise. At the end maybe we both consider we 'won' or 'lost'!

========================================================

*** House Rules ***

General:

- Respect boundaries and pay PP's on units belonging to restricted commands as appropriate (pay full PP for all such units). Exceptions:
* Restricted units can go up to 3 hexes outside their border without paying PP.
* US and Canadian units can cross their borders without paying PP in the event of invasion.
* Units restricted to Manchuria/Manchukuo can invade Soviet Union without paying PP.

First Turn Restrictions:

Japan:
- Multiple Port Attacks restricted to areas with somewhat close sunrise times (i.e. no port attacks many time zones apart).

Allies:
- No new TF's formed.

- Orders may be given to TF's already formed.

- Ground units everywhere may be given orders regarding Replacements (on/off), Operations Mode, Targets, etc. but no movement orders.

- Air units everywhere may be given orders regarding Replacements (accept/not), Pilots, and Limited Mission Orders, etc. but no Transfers. Limited Mission orders means that current mission orders may be tailored (change altitude, etc.), but no groups may be given attack orders. In other words, only groups already with attack orders at scenario start may have attack orders.

- China, no restrictions (exempted from all first turn restrictions). China excludes Hong Kong.

Clarifications:

- Invasions are allowed at non-base/non-dot hexes.

'No gaminess' and 'be realistic'.

========================================================
Realism Options

Fog of War = Yes
Advanced Weather Effects = Yes
Allied Damage Control = Yes
Player Def. Upgrades = Yes
Historical First Turn = No
December 7th Surprise = Yes
Reliable USN Torpedoes = No
Realistic R&D = Yes
No Unit Withdrawals = No
Reinforcements - Allied = +/- 15 Days
Reinforcements - Japanese = +/- 15 Days

Game Options

Combat Reports = Yes
Auto Sub Ops = No
TF Move Radius = No
Plane Move Radius = No
Set All Facilities To Expand At Start = No
Automatic Upgrade Ships And Air Groups = No
Accept Air And Ground Replacements = No
Turn Cycle = 1 (1 day turns)

Preferences (Delays and Animations should be set as you like them.)

Map Style = With Hexes
Hexside Detail = Off
Map Scroll Delay = 2
Message Delay = 0.1
Air To Air Delay = 0.0
Air To Ground Delay = 0.0
Air To Naval Delay = 0.0
Naval Vs Naval Delay = 0.0
Sub Vs Naval Delay = 0.0
Troop Vs Troop Delay = 0.0
Bombardment Delay = 0.0
Show Combat Animations = Yes
Show Combat Summaries = Yes
Show Clouds = Yes
Main Volume = 0
Music Volume = 0
Background FX = 0
Unit Sounds FX = 0

The Imperial Leader might grace this ARR before the December 7th post. Treat him harshly!

We're looking forward to seeing how the new stacking limits work out, plus so many other improvements in Babes over the months. We began before the newest version with the devices updated for new bomb devices calculations, so we will update that scenario data soon.

Be sure to participate as you like.

I intend to try the same style as my previous AARs, namely an accounting of what's going on, some planning info (not all - the audience needs surprises!), and a screen shot with almost every post. Combat report excerpts only (and only when relevant).

Wish us luck!

EDIT: Corrected an error in the game's settings. We are using replacements arrivals of +/- 15 Days.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by witpqs -- 2/9/2017 1:16:43 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 11/30/2011 5:18:19 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1941 December 7

"Exit The Twilight Zone, enter the battle zone!"

The day began with submarine samurai strutting their stuff. SSX Ha-22 torpedoed West Virginia, while SSX Ha-19 torpedoed Maryland. PCs Tiger and Reliance defended but the torpedoes ran true.

Here is the Pearl Harbor air strike:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 72
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 126

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 18 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
C-33: 2 damaged
C-33: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 45 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 11 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 125 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 4 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 15 damaged
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 39 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 3 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 34 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 40 damaged
SBD-1 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 9 damaged
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 44 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 6 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 damaged
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Conyngham, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Raleigh, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
BB Maryland, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BB California, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
BB Oklahoma, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
DD Dale, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Florence D., Bomb hits 1, on fire
DM Montgomery, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CM Oglala, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DM Preble, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Bobolink, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AV Curtiss, Torpedo hits 1
DD Litchfield, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cummings, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Helena, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AV Wright, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DM Tracy, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 1
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AG Argonne, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 77
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
15 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Magazine explodes on BB Pennsylvania
Massive explosion on CL Helena

The Pacific Fleet has been hurt badly.

Ships Sunk
BB Maryland
BB West Virginia
BB Arizona
BB Pennsylvania
BB California
CL Raleigh
DD Cummings
DM Tracy
DM Preble
DM Montgomery
AM Bobolink
xAKL Dai Tung (South China Sea)

Ships Damaged (all at Pearl harbor)

...............Spd......Sys.....Flt.....Eng.....Fire
AG Argonne......0.......15......63 (38) 2.......0
AV Curtiss......0.......0.......8 (2)...0.......0
AV Tangier......0.......9.......9 (6)...4 (4)...0
AV Wright.......0.......24......87 (51) 33 (17).0
BB Nevada.......0.......41......94 (68) 10 (4)..25
BB Oklahoma.....0.......20......91 (79) 13 (8)..20
BB Tennessee....0.......39......85 (51) 27 (17).0
CA New Orleans..16......28......51 (40) 1 (1)...0
CL Detroit......27......18......21 (18) 0.......0
CL Helena.......23......8.......26 (22) 1.......0
CL Honolulu.....9.......20......50 (36) 44 (36).0
CM Oglala.......0.......28......62 (45) 23 (20).0
DD Conyngham....19......56......44 (44) 5.......0
DD Dale.........20......52......26 (26) 14 (7)..0
DD Litchfield...10......40......68 (68) 1.......0
xAK Florence D..0.......52......26 (16) 9 (3)...3

As you can see, Nevada and Oklahoma will sink without highly successful damage control efforts. A second day of attacks on Pearl Harbor will most likely sink all three remaining battleships and take a further bite out of the Fleet's cruisers and destroyers.

The Pearl Harbor base complex is in much better shape than in my recent experience.

Port Damage 18
Airfield Service Damage 25
Airfield Runway Damage 46

Air losses also seem lighter than expected, although the same if true of the Empire's forces. Not a single American fighter got off the ground at Pearl Harbor. The screen capture below shows the first page of today's air losses.

The good news is that there are 111 fighters ready to fly at Pearl Harbor. Even though they and their pilots are inferior to the KB's Zeros, they are both competent and numerous enough to put a serious dent in KB's air wing.

Enemy landings were made at Kota Bharu, Batan Island, and Laoag. The peaceful village of Aparri was seized from the air, as was the already besieged Laoag.

British, et al air units made several attacks against the invaders at Kota Bharu and surrounding waters, but despite heavy losses they inflicted no damage on the enemy. This experience combined with the attack on the anchored and moored fleet at Pearl Harbor are conclusive proof that air power is useless against ships underway, while it is quite devastating against a fleet caught in port.

Should I stand pat at Pearl Harbor, under the umbrella of 111 or more fighters? Or should I send the combat-worthy remains of the Pacific Fleet against KB and on an end around to find the tankers that surely must be waiting for the armada? After all, we have learned that air power is useless against warships maneuvering at sea...

The first page of today's air losses:

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by witpqs -- 11/30/2011 5:20:21 PM >

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 2

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 11/30/2011 5:23:49 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

Rod Serling!

Ouch, at Pearl Harbor.

Good luck, witpqs!

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 3

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 11/30/2011 6:12:54 PM

SoliInvictus202

Posts: 367
Joined: 8/27/2010
From: Austria
Status: offline

if you can - put all ships into the repair yard - even if it is overfilled this usually keeps them from sinking, no matter how many bombs fall - I know it's gamey - but 5 BBs is already quite enough...no?

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 4

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 11/30/2011 11:51:58 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Rod Serling!

Ouch, at Pearl Harbor.

Good luck, witpqs!

Thanks!

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 5

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 11/30/2011 11:58:05 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoliInvictus202

if you can - put all ships into the repair yard - even if it is overfilled this usually keeps them from sinking, no matter how many bombs fall - I know it's gamey - but 5 BBs is already quite enough...no?

The yard is empty now so I don't think it would be gamey. The problem is that two of the BBs are still fighting fires and so are not allowed in the shipyard. The last BB and the other damaged ships I might go ahead and put in, and they won't fill the shipyard.

Happily (from an objective standpoint) IIRC ships can be sunk (aka destroyed or whatever) in a shipyard, so I wouldn't feel at all gamey about getting them in there. I haven't addressed that yet, just grinding through the turn.

I get the feeling that DAW (Devious Admiral Wa) concentrated more aircraft on anti-ship attacks and thereby fewer against the airbase complex. There sure were a lot of torpedo hits! Perhaps that's a sign that he plans for KB to set sail tomorrow?

(in reply to SoliInvictus202)

Post #: 6

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/1/2011 9:39:23 PM

aprezto

Posts: 824
Joined: 1/29/2009
Status: offline

Owach!

_____________________________

Image courtesy of Divepac

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 7

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/2/2011 4:44:09 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1941 December 8

A second day's strike at Pearl Harbor. Our CAP suffered mightily, but managed to take a bite out of the attackers and registering a "not worth it" comment from DAW. The day's air losses are again today's graphic.

DMS Chandler, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1
AE Mauna Loa, Bomb hits 1
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AD Whitney, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Battleship Nevada will definitely sink, now at 45-95-14-35. A scratch escort TF of ships fleeing to Pearl from Lahaina was caught short after a sub torpedoed a tanker, and suffered a devastating air attack by Kates and Vals without escort. Unfortunately, our CAP was mauled prior and overwhelmed by their sheer numbers.

USN subs scored their first success in the Far East as S-36 hit xAK Korei Maru with one torpedo.

Makin was invaded and fell. Kota Bharu fell after heavy naval bombardment prior to a shock attack.

The most interesting developments are: 1) an IJN surface group standing off Bataan interdicting the naval evacuation of Luzon, 2) an unidentified IJN force standing 120nm south of Davao (could this be an sKB?), 3) a very large radio contact 320nm east of Davao, 4) two unidentified TFs about 300nm north of Borneo, and 5) an unidentified TF bearing down on Kavieng. CL Adelaide will intercept that last, seeking surprise. DDs, PTs, MTBs (ex Hong Kong), and gunboats will engage the enemy off Bataan, where incidentally many mines were cleared today. SigInt shows Miri and Kuching as targets.

The bulk of USN Asiatic Fleet major combatant ships are leaving Balikpapan tonight bound for Kendari. Force Z, plus 3 x CL, leaves Batavia for Balikpapan. When both forces are in position they will seek to box in the possible sKB, intercept it, and destroy it.

Here are today's air losses. Hopefully many elite KB pilots ended their careers.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to aprezto)

Post #: 8

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/2/2011 9:44:45 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

Will you CAP these ships as they go for the sKB? Do you plan to leave the P-40s in the PI until they're exhausted or move them out?

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 9

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/2/2011 2:22:40 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

Will you CAP these ships as they go for the sKB? Do you plan to leave the P-40s in the PI until they're exhausted or move them out?

I'll only be able to provide an effective CAP for them if circumstances are just right. Bases + aviation support + fighter range + rate of fighter depletion on Luzon by the Devious Admiral Wa make that pretty unlikely. It sure would be nice, though! The Dutch fleet will participate also, but I'm not yet sure which vector they will take.

I'm always torn about the USAAF fighters in the Philippines. Political Points are at such a premium in the early going and those groups withdraw so early that I hate to waste PP on them. On the other hand, fighter units are too at a premium in the early going. I thought about it when processing the turn and decided to make that call later.

So far I've got two of the four B-17 groups freed up, one now at Palembang and the other now at Soerabaya. Due to them being over strength with reserve planes the last two will cost more than the usual 32 points for an 8 plane group (and the HQ group is nominally even smaller). One is >50 points and the other >40 (I forget the exact totals). IIRC I ended the turn with only 2 points and might come up shy after two days (+100 points). On the other hand of course I'm happy to have every B-17 I can save. I want to get those two groups out so I can pull the base forces out of Cagayan. The Asiatic Fleet's PBYs are at Makassar flying guys in like gang busters.

A side note. The Babes guys (gee that sounds like a paradox!?

) have put a couple or three of the nice base forces on Luzon in a sort of 'static until retreated' state. They have some garrison devices which are static. But those devices are not part of the TOE, so if the unit survives being retreated it can then be moved. Very nice way to spice up the flavor of the resistance on Luzon with the defenders' determination to fight it out, yet still allow evacuation when things collapse. I know it's not the first use of this technique, but it's a good one and very appropriate where they applied it.

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 10

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/2/2011 3:31:58 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

Points are the trouble aren't they.

I've been trying to occasionally use the float planes on my IJN BBs for CAP, just a group of three in a TF. Haven't been attacked yet from the air in my current game, so I don't know if this throws the other guys off or not. In the early going there are often just a few unescorted bombers coming in, so it seemed worth a try. That IJN CV won't have zeros yet obviously, and the Claudes are useless even when you are within their pitiful range.

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 11

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/3/2011 6:12:07 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1941 December 9

Some things went well for us, some for the enemy. The attacks on the IJN SCTF off Bataan were costly but seem to have caused it to withdraw. For lack of ammo if nothing else! One IJN DD was seen afire but heavy damage is doubtful. The cost was 1 x DD, 2 x PG, and 2 x PT. The delayed evacuation of Luzon by ships there when hostilities commenced will begin tonight.

The sKB has been positively identified by Intel, standing to the east of Mindinao. Clearly DAW is wary of sending these assets into the Celebes Sea. Forces Z, D, and Y should be in a suitable position to intercept sKB by the time the mass of Exodus reaches the Celebes Sea.

Meanwhile numerous IJ TF/convoys are seen in the South China Sea, many seemingly bound for Borneo and one already there, at Jesselton. sKB might be more or less bait to draw Allied combat vessels away from these landings. Bait must taste good. Our naval warriors shall go taste sKB!

On a vector northeast of Kavieng CL Adelaide overwhelmed the light escort protecting the invasion convoy. PB Chiyo Maru #4, PB Kosin Maru #3, xAKL Kaijo Maru #2, and xAKL Tateyama Maru were all left with heavy fires and two of them with heavy damage as well. Ground casualties over the two attackers were:

quote:

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

224 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)

EHQ has placed his surface and submarine assets well, picking off victims in the Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, and the Java Sea.

More RAF, et al pilots and planes were lost in attacks on IJN warships off Kota Bharu, going in without escort. Over Luzon almost all attacks came in without escort. While the heavy sweep by Zeros cut a swath through the defenders, so did the defenders cut a swath through the earlier arriving bombers.

The 8th New Chinese Corps was mauled on the plains near Kaifeng. In better news, an IJA shock attack at Hong Kong failed to win the base, but the next will likely succeed.

quote:

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 20063 troops, 268 guns, 166 vehicles, Assault Value = 541

Defending force 7674 troops, 125 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Japanese adjusted assault: 591

Allied adjusted defense: 333

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1045 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 103 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
398 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
66th Infantry Regiment
38th Division
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
1st Middlesex Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
Hong Kong Fortress

Speaking of bait, the KB heading west and trailing 160nm behind a partially scouted TF, which is presumed to be their tankers.

BB Nevada: 68-95-35-82. Our subs scored IJ merchants. Here is a map centered on the Celebes Sea showing the location of sKB.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 12

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/3/2011 6:13:17 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

And here are the air losses for the day. Our boys took a nice toll on their bombers!

Attachment (1)

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 13

RE: Rumble in the Southwest witpqs (A) vs Andav (J) {No... - 12/3/2011 7:10:00 AM

DOCUP

Posts: 3073
Joined: 7/7/2010
Status: offline

Nice works. Waiting for your surface action in the PI

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 14

1941 December 10 - 12/5/2011 3:15:43 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1941 December 10

BB Nevada: 78-95-43-95. Surely it will sink?

KB and its bait have disappeared under heavy weather, or perhaps they sprinted out from under search coverage. This puts the Lexington TF at risk, which is about 440nm west of Midway and heading NE. Lexington is not spotted, but Enterprise is firmly spotted about 360nm east of Makin. She will continue SW to draw KB that way. Additional search assets have been deployed to Midway and Johnston Island, and air search commenced from Canton Island. Others deployed to Pearl Harbor from the West Coast.

After Adelaide's feat yesterday a PC is seen offloading a small force at Namatanai, on the shore of New Ireland opposite Rabaul. Adelaide is very low on ammo but will try to intercept. 480 troops are ashore already.

Exodus is in full stride, and a large enemy force has landed at Dadjangas (SW of Davao) on Mindinao, with sKB standing off to sea sinking fleeing merchantmen. Legaspi, Mauban, and Miri also saw landings and additional troops unloaded at Jesselton before that convoy hoisted anchor and made off. A B-17 attack on those attackers at Jesselton missed the mark. Wirraways out of Tarakan also missed shipping at Miri.

There were a bevy of sub attacks on both sides, with Allied subs seeming to outscore the opposition. Remarkably, USN torpedoes and shells were both effective. sKB and various surface groups pushed the overall daily score in favor of the Empire.

What was an IJN AV doing at Busuanga, between Palawan and Leyte?

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Busuanga at 77,80, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AV Sanuki Maru

Allied Ships
ACM Colonel Harrison

Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

The surviving DDs from Manila will sweep that area, but they only have a few torpedoes between them.

Vigan was captured along with Kwangchowan, a small Chinese corps was pushed out of Pengpu, and other bombardments took place. Notably, Hong Kong was only bombarded as the attackers rest from yesterday's shock attack. Air attacks over Luzon were muted compared to yesterday, although some unescorted bombers were mauled, others turned away, and the Zero sweeps still maddeningly effective. Chinese forces have arrived at an open Ichang and will effect capture tomorrow.

Force Y is heading east from Kendari and will veer north along the eastern side of the Spice Islands to cut of the eastern exit of the Celebes Sea. Force D is heading north from Balikpapan to sweep along the islands that bound the Sulu Sea. Force Z is canceling the refueling call at Balikpapan and heading to the entrance of the Celebes Sea from the Makassar Straits. If the three forces can get in position before sKB retires, they will all make high speed runs at sKB.

Here is a look at Exodus.

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Post #: 15

1941 December 11 - 12/6/2011 7:08:11 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1941 December 11

A whole bunch of bases changed hands today. We lost Mauban, Lagaspi, Dadjangas, Jesselton, Miri, Hawiyin, Kweiteh, and Tsiaotso. We liberated Ichang. Nevada was taken by her wounds. The KB and her bait are nowhere to be seen.

EHQ is using surface assets all over the PI and South China Sea, and even near Palembang to sink fleeing ships. Two tankers taken off Palembang were a good catch for DAW, but at least they were full and their cargo lost to the Empire. Wa's subs scored well too. A SCTF composed of CA Maya, CA Ashigara, CL Kuma, DD Asakaze, and DD Matsukaze is chasing Exodus and tore up both the British MTBs and the USN/Filipino PTs in the northern Sulu Sea. As did a 4 x PB TF. Another, of DDs Ikazuchi and Inazuma is in the midst of Exodus at GR74,86.

Enemy forces are ashore at Guam, Atimonan, Aitape, and Wewak. Chinese forces got their butts kicked at Nanchang and near Sinyang, taking the better part of 8,000 casualties (in addition to the losses at bases taken by the enemy mentioned above). An IJA force has reached Victoria Point overland from Chumphon.

The good news: Another IJA shock attack at Hong Kong was repulsed. As it did reduce the forts to 1 the next attack will see Hong Kong capitulate. Two Vildebeests ex-Hong Kong fighting from Manila put a 500lb bomb onto xAKL Hakuyo Maru, causing heavy fires and 88 ground force casualties. Dutch sub KXIV heavily damaged xAK Aso Maru (reported sunk), causing at least 50 ground casualties 40nm out of Kuching. This was after she torpedoed xAP Hakusan Maru for heavy damage and reported 17 ground casualties. An S-boat scored heavy with her deck gun on an xAKL off Luzon. The air war over Luzon was muted, but Clark is repairing only slowly.

The best news is that Enterprise & Co. found some stragglers in the Gilberts.

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makin at 136,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 11
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 18
SBD-2 Dauntless x 24
TBD-1 Devastator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tenyo Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Kamikaze Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CM Okinoshima, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Tokiwa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yunagi
PB Nagata Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Japanese ground losses:
1781 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 71 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Tenyo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kamikaze Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CM Okinoshima
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Nagata Maru

Halsey is now heading SE as two IJN surface raiders have been spotted just north of Canton Island.

There are 2 x sKB operating in the southern Philippines. One is east of Mindanao (160nm dead east of Davao), and the other is 40nm west of Cotabato. Force D and Force Z will both plot intercept patrols at full speed of the Cotabato contact. Force Y will move to a position where the current position of the Philippine Sea sKB can be intercepted on a high speed run. Here is the situation:

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Post #: 16

1941 December 12 - 12/6/2011 6:03:48 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1941 December 12

At this writing I only have the replay and will have to wait for the 100% current situation. A busy day. High level recap: KB is still missing. Forces D and Z missed that sKB, but only just, and all air attacks missed them! Force Y was sighted and attacked ineffectually by a Jake, but of course is now spotted. The foxes are in the hen house that is Exodus, and the chickens are running as fast as they can. The same near and at Palembang as IJN DDs clean out the joint. The Imperial infection on Borneo is spreading like wildfire. Enterprise & Co. found and smote those raiders. Wake is invaded and reduced but holds. I wonder if this third sighting is wrong, or if DAW is carrier hunting?

quote:

TF 497 observes E14Y1 Glen at 182,103 near Pearl Harbor
TF 203 followed by E14Y1 Glen at 182,104 near Pearl Harbor
TF 204 sights Japanese Torpedo Bomber at 182,104 near Pearl Harbor

Some details. Amphibious landings made/continued at:
Wake Island
Shortlands
Mersing
Wake Island
Aitape
Wewak
Kuching
Singkawang

Fell to the Empire:
Langkawi
Guam
Wewak
Atimonan
Aitape

A bunch of merchants, tankers of varying sizes, and at least one AO went down in the DEI and Philippines. This helped a bit:

quote:

TF 334 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
DD Asagiri, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

From Wake Island the USMC CD guns achieved "AMC Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires; xAKL Toyotsu Maru, Shell hits 1; xAK Aratama Maru, Shell hits 1" with 99 total ground casualties. A scratch surface force found some of the Palembang raiders:

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,89, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius
DD Vendetta, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DM Stronghold
DD Jupiter

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hatsuyuki at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hatsuyuki at 17,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DM Stronghold at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Vendetta at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Vendetta at 11,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Hatsuyuki at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DM Stronghold at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Vendetta at 7,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Murakumo at 7,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Vendetta at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DM Stronghold at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Murakumo at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Jupiter at 11,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Hatsuyuki at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DM Stronghold at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Murakumo at 15,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Vendetta at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hatsuyuki at 16,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Jupiter at 16,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Hatsuyuki at 16,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DM Stronghold at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hatsuyuki at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Murakumo at 24,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Admiral Wa mentioned something about running out of ammo on all those tankers!! A scratch ASW force issued new orders at sea as a scratch surface force to protect Exodus instead ran into an Imperial invasion in the Sulu Sea:

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Puerto Princesa at 72,85, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Hagi, Shell hits 1, on fire
TB Hayabusa, Shell hits 1
xAK Atago Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Meiyo Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Santos Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Zyuyo Maru
xAKL Hidaka Maru, Shell hits 2
xAKL Raizan Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Scout, Shell hits 2
DD Thanet, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
514 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 16,000 yards
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 16,000 yards
DD Thanet engages APD Hagi at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 12,000 yards
DD Scout engages APD Hagi at 12,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Santos Maru at 12,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 12,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
APD Hagi screened from combat
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 8,000 yards
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 8,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 8,000 yards
DD Thanet engages APD Hagi at 8,000 yards
APD Hagi , xAK Zyuyo Maru , xAK Santos Maru screened from combat
- escorted by TB Hayabusa
DD Thanet engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
APD Hagi , xAK Zyuyo Maru , xAK Santos Maru screened from combat
- escorted by TB Hayabusa
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 10,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Atago Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
xAK Meiyo Maru collides with xAK Santos Maru at 72 , 85
APD Hagi , xAK Zyuyo Maru screened from combat
- escorted by TB Hayabusa
DD Thanet engages xAK Santos Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Meiyo Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAK Atago Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAKL Hidaka Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 8,000 yards
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 8,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Santos Maru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
APD Hagi , xAK Zyuyo Maru , xAK Santos Maru ,
xAK Meiyo Maru screened from combat
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 7,000 yards
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 7,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAKL Hidaka Maru at 7,000 yards
xAK Zyuyo Maru , xAK Santos Maru , xAK Meiyo Maru ,
xAK Atago Maru screened from combat
- escorted by TB Hayabusa
DD Thanet engages APD Hagi at 7,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAKL Hidaka Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
xAK Zyuyo Maru , xAK Santos Maru screened from combat
- escorted by TB Hayabusa
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 5,000 yards
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 5,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Atago Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 5,000 yards
Davies, E.S. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 4,000 yards
xAK Zyuyo Maru screened from combat
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 4,000 yards
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 4,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Atago Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Thanet engages TB Hayabusa at 9,000 yards
DD Scout engages TB Hayabusa at 9,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAK Zyuyo Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAK Santos Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Thanet engages xAK Atago Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Scout engages xAKL Raizan Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
xAK Zyuyo Maru , xAK Santos Maru screened from combat
- escorted by TB Hayabusa
Range increases to 18,000 yards
xAK Zyuyo Maru screened from combat
Task forces break off...

This day 3 x Vildebeests scored with their preferred weapon, "xAKL Hanakawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage".

And as noted earlier, in successive attacks planes from Enterprise sank AMC Hokoku Maru and AMC Aikoku Maru near Howland Island.

A screen capture will have to wait until this evening when the turn file is available.

< Message edited by witpqs -- 12/6/2011 6:06:59 PM >

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Post #: 17

1941 December 12 - 12/7/2011 11:22:18 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

Wow - there are so many active AARs now this fell to page two in just a day! Go AE!

I have the turn file now and it's mighty interesting. Still no sign of KB. The air losses from today might influence Allied decisions, especially from all the attacks made that sKB.

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Post #: 18

RE: 1941 December 12 - 12/7/2011 11:23:20 PM

witpqs

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Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

Here is the situation in and around the Celebes Sea. What do y'all think?

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Post #: 19

RE: 1941 December 12 - 12/7/2011 11:25:57 PM

witpqs

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From: Argleton
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Things look tough up north.

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Post #: 20

RE: 1941 December 12 - 12/8/2011 4:36:38 AM

witpqs

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Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
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Battle Plans

Here are the battle plans for the Celebes Sea. We have a good chance of engaging the carrier TF near Force Z, and an outside chance of engaging both sKBs.

Miri is an active Imperial anti-shipping air base. All bomber units with range and pilots that won't fly into the ground from fatigue have been tasked to hit the airfield.

Singkawang will fall either tomorrow or the day after. CAs Cornwall and Exeter and CLs Enterprise, Glasgow, and Caledon will make Batavia tomorrow. Unless conditions prohibit it, they will form the core of a Bombardment TF that will hit Singkawang as soon as it is in the Empire's hands. The down side is that while the Sulu Sea and Celebes sea has seen heavy cruisers as the IJN's largest surface combatant, there are man battleships and battle cruisers seen screening the several synchronous invasions of Borneo and Malaya.

This last along with the impending conquest of Kuching and Singkawang make Operation Singapore Sling - the flinging of substantial ground forces from Singapore to Palembang by sea - no more than a dream. The transports that have been held back at Singapore for this purpose will therefore breakout tonight through the Straits of Malacca. Singora and Kota Bharu are believed to have no Imperial bombers present, so ships might get one day of graceful sailing before the onslaught begins.

As there is still no fresh information at all on KB's whereabouts, we must ponder whether they made a high speed sprint out from under search cover during that bad weather, and are now looking for prey.

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Post #: 21

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/8/2011 9:01:51 PM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
Status: offline

1941 December 13

A wild turn - I only have the replay so I don't know how much damage was done to CL Marblehead CA Houston by aerial torpedoes, nor many other details. A powerful IJN battleship force interdicted Force D, which would surely have found CVL Ryujo's TF. Then, however, it might not have been able to handle the IJN heavy cruiser escorts.

Amphibious landing continued or started at:
Mersing
Kuching
Brunei

Lost to the Empire:
Camiguin
Mersing
Victoria Point
Wake Island
Namatanai
San Fernando

Curiously:
"Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Singkawang by attrition!!!"

Kuching saw a small victory as the attacking force stumbled badly.

quote:

Ground combat at Kuching (58,88)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1224 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 1727 troops, 7 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Japanese adjusted assault: 7

Allied adjusted defense: 11

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
III/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Sarawak Force
2/15 Punjab Battalion
106th RN Base Force

The battles at sea raged on several fronts and included some victories. There were the expected summary sinkings of fleeing vessels, from the sea and both under it and above it. The Allies struck back in the same fashions against the invaders.

IJN CL/DD and DD TFs hit the USN DD TF and both the PT and MTB groups causing havoc.

That wayward invasion convoy in the Celebes evaded Force D when the escorts IJN lookouts (fed carrots and blindfolded since they were embryos) spotted the Allied warships in time to change course. Force D then promptly ran into a no-doubt alerted powerful enemy force, and was lucky to get away with no fires burning.

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Jolo at 73,91, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 2
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 1
CL Tromp, Shell hits 1
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
DD Van Ghent

Over near Toboali, CL Mauritius and friends found a group looking for easy tanker prey and held it by the tail until finished.

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Toboali at 51,93, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Saga, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
TB Kari, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Eifuku Maru, Shell hits 22, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Sozan Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
PB Naruto Maru #3, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius
DM Stronghold
DD Jupiter

The mines laid at Mersing were constantly found, but one at Kuching found an xAKL victim. Mine sweeper Penguin, ex-Guam, ran into a light SCTF south of Wake Island and sent her last radio message. S-40 stopped AV Kunikawa Maru from scouting operation Exodus with a cleanly placed torpedo. DDs Scout and Thanet in daylight found themselves 23,000yds from CVL Ryujo, 3 x CA, and 6 x DD and were powerless to do anything about it. Clear across the map CA Canberra and CL Perth found the ships that must have landed troops on Shortlands yesterday and cautioned them about trespassing, with a few warning shots.

quote:

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
PB Keijo Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
PB Koei Maru, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Shell hits 3
CL Perth

The air games began. Zero sweeps are methodically murdering the Allied air forces over Luzon, but there is a cost with some Zeros claimed (who knows the truth?) and unescorted raids hurt. The British and their Commonwealth friends made attacks count at Mersing, only finding the warships more difficult to hit. There were many, here are only the results seen to the IJN.

quote:

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1
xAK Yoshinogawa Maru
xAK Koryu Maru
xAK Teiyo Maru
BB Kongo
xAK Naruto Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyokusei Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Haruna
CA Atago
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo

Japanese Ships
xAK Kokai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kongo
xAK Mogamigawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Tatutaki Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CA Takao

Japanese Ships
xAK Thames Maru
xAK Tihuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Amid the mayhem Mersing's minefield finally scored on DD Asashio. RAAF Hudsons pressed through a Claude swarm to bomb Ryujo, but missed. Nells were thwarted by DD Pillsbury's smoke screen, or was that a real fire? There were several attacks on Force Y, shown together in brief form.

quote:

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Torpedo hits 1
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 1

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N2 Kate x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Boise

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Torpedo hits 1

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Boise

SS Shark was hit badly near Laoag and must be in tough shape. Many ASW attacks still being conducted daily around Pearl Harbor as the DDs of the Pacific Fleet learn a vital part of their trade. A CA in company of unknown other ships was attacked by air near Palembang - interdiction or invasion? No sign of KB for now.

Screen pics and any pertinent details later when I have the actual turn file.

(in reply to witpqs)

Post #: 22

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/8/2011 9:36:06 PM

obvert

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Quite a mess of action there. You're definitely making it a bit hard for the Empire. If he's bringing in 4 BBs with a 3 DD guard it seems time to flood the area with any and every sub available.

Did you sink or damage some of the landing ships at Singkawang enough to have killed of the combat squads leaving only support?

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Post #: 23

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/8/2011 9:48:27 PM

witpqs

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Not that I know of. Certainly not this last turn. Maybe those ships hit a couple of turns ago a few hexes away in the open ocean? But I seem to recall too few casualties for the effect noted, unless they went down later. A minor mystery.

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Post #: 24

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/8/2011 10:41:12 PM

witpqs

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From: Argleton
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OK, Houston is at 15-27-6-0, and Marblehead is 34-45-5-1. Here is the situation map:

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Post #: 25

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/8/2011 10:44:52 PM

witpqs

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Force C is comprised of the cruisers that just made Batavia plus other warships barely combat worthy.

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Post #: 26

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/8/2011 10:59:32 PM

aprezto

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Not sure I'd want Cap'n Man(w)nering in charge of Force D - to add insult to their combat worthiness.

You're giving conniptions to Admiral Wa - no doubt. With the small magazine of torps on the CVLs you can certainly persuade the racing DDs from chasing the Philippine navy. Nells at Brunei another story though.

Keep extracting the pound of flesh

_____________________________

Image courtesy of Divepac

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Post #: 27

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/9/2011 12:37:25 AM

witpqs

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From: Argleton
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Naval 62, Aggression 52. I figured he was good enough without wasting points, and I really don't want someone so aggressive the whole force goes kaput too quickly.

I do still have Phillips in place. With poor leadership and heavy aggression he's likely to slam into that 4 x BB TF at ramming speed. Of course based on seeing our 2x2 I would like to knock down some IJN BBs before those beastly Yamatos start roaming around. Yikes!

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Post #: 28

RE: 1941 December 13 - 12/9/2011 1:42:29 AM

witpqs

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From: Argleton
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Over-stacking one hex east of Changsha!!! Oh crap, like I have extra supplies to waste in China. New stuff to figure out!

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Post #: 29

1941 December 14 - 12/11/2011 6:31:20 AM

witpqs

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1941 December 14

Stricken CA Houston and her escort, DD Whipple, were caught and dispatched by battleships. KB remains elusive.

Amphibious landings continued at Kuching and were seen offshore at Baler. The Empire captured:
Hong Kong
Batangas
Naga
Brunei
Calayan

IJN surface forces continued to sow havoc among Exodus. The bright spot is that CA Kumano was torpedoed by a Swordfish near Palembang. EHQ clearly doesn't know that Palembang is devoid of ships, having been fished out by the previous raiders. Miri airfield was also hit, but cost two Dutch planes and two British. One Sally was destroyed on the ground and the airfield damaged. B-17s did most of the damage. Allied forces retreating from Kota Bharu were caught up and pushed back again.

It seems that most of the ships that broke out of Singapore two days ago through the Straits of Malacca did so undetected. Only one convoy was attacked, the slowest comprised of xAKLs, one of which was hit. A few coastal mine sweepers and motor launches remain in harbor making the largest wakes they can when Imperial recon over-flies.

Saratoga has been spotted making for Pearl Harbor a day out from the east, while Lexington is unseen about two or three days out northwest on a course to evade sub contacts.

Force C is unspotted and will be on station in the Makassar Strait tonight. Perhaps in anticipation or more likely to rearm, the IJN raiders seem to all be withdrawing out of the Celebes Sea.

Only one more B-17 remains to be pulled out of Manila. Miri will be a target again tomorrow. The weather might better, allowing the torpedo planes at Singapore a better shot at the warships at Mersing and near Palembang. Here is a look at Luzon.

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