John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline
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I got some time in here up in North Park Colorado to do some writing!
Combat Report
May 18-25, 1942
Sorry for the delay with doing updates but with school getting ready to start life SHOULD begin to assume some form of normalcy at the Cochran Home.
The war goes exceptionally well and I cannot but think a major victory is in the offing. Australia has taken longer for Japan to conquer then I imagined but the major reason for that has simply been distance. As stated earlier the endgame is here as the IJA advances into the NE Corner of the continent. The conquest of Tasmania is now underway so these two events will lead to an end to hostilities within 30 or so days.
North Pacific
After all that action we had up here it has been difficult getting used to a lack of ANYTHING in this theatre. That silence is a serious concern and it is why a reasonable amount of aircraft, some warships, SS, and plenty of supply is being kept in the region. The Kuriles continue to be fortified as well. Any Northern Thrust shall be met with pitched battle.
Central Pacific
The plans for Operation Maikaze continue as more Base Forces and Engineers move into Tarawa, Tabiteaua, and Baker Isle. Will attack Canton fairly soon as a diversion to keep attention drawn to the South Pacific.
No warships are in this arena at all. Junyo and Nisshin are now at Truk waiting for the completion of Hiyo. Hiyo will join her sisters within 14 days and then I shall have a force to use if wanted.
More SS are arriving at Jaliut where they are getting some R&R to repair system damage and then heading out to form a cordon around the Line Islands.
South Pacific
All the reinforcement I intend to send have reached Luganville—Efate—Noumea. This is the SE line of the Empire presently.
Australia
NW Australia
The 65th Brigade withdraws to Tennant Creek and awaits the arrival of two Base Force so Fighters can be based here. Once I drive off the bombers flying from Alice Springs I shall then begin base expansion to directly attack this last Allied AF.
Western Australia
There is now nothing left of the enemy in this region. Every unit has surrendered and I am presently working to unite the 4th ID and 2 TK Reg at Kalgoorlie before sending them out of Australia. Two beat-up China Brigades have been bought out and are headed to Perth to takeover garrison duties.
Southern Australia
A few units still resist in this region but they are being driven farther and farther into the hinterland.
Action has shifted to Tasmania as Paratroopers land at both Launceton and Burning. Expect both bases to fall next turn. Two Combat Commands will land once one of the Ports is taken and we shall then take the island with those units detailed above.
Eastern Australia
Last bases fall as the troops move steadily north and northwest.
Bases Taken:
5-18 Cloncurry
5-21 Charleville
5-24 Bowen and Hugendon
The capture of Bowen marks the beginning of the end of resistance in NE Australia. Two Inf Div drive up the coastal road in pursuit while a 3rd ID moves up from Charleville and 3 TK Reg move inform the west.
DEI
The ever-giving region around Cocos continues to be reaped by Japan. Despite being hit by my CarDiv2 and 2 CVLs, a serious reinforcement (perhaps withdrawal?) effort appears to be underway.
After the loss of Nachi and 4 DD NW of Cocos, the Japanese CVs withdraw to Singapore for R&R and are greeted there by CVL Shoho. The freshly repaired light carrier makes the line-up here under Yamaguchi CarDiv2 (Hiryu—Soryu), Ryujo, Shoho, and Zuiho. They pack a strong punch of 109 Zero, 45 Val, and 84 Kate. The TF disbands for 3 days before the electrifying news of I-154’s success reaches them on the 23rd. The TF immediately forms-up and departs up the Strait of Malacca for the tip of Sumatra and then due south to cutoff the retreat of the Allied shipping.
Three heavy carriers are a day away from Surabaja on the 24th. Kaga, Shokaku, and Zuikaku (75 Zero, 75 Val, and 75 Kate) will spend one day refueling and then depart for Cocos. A Daitai of Zeros will be added to Zuikaku while her Vals are offloaded to bolster Zero protection by 27.
They will act as the hammer to drive the Allies away from Cocos while the anvil sweeps into position behind the Allies. Would prefer to operate all 8 CVs together but there is a true opportunity here that must be exploited. If we can sink Enterprise and another Brit CVs then the table is set for no issues within the IO for quite some time.
Burma
Japanese forces get within a hex of Myitkyina but shall now withdraw. The Monsoon starts June 1st and everything will stop in Burma at that point. Got close but am happy with what is here and taken. Using only one full strength ID, elements of another, and 3 TK Regiments we have driven the Allies out of all but a corner of Burma. Not bad.
China
Continue knocking Chinese units out of the area near Wuchang. Nothing really exciting just movement and attack forcing retreats.
Reinforcements and the Economy
Anyone who reads my AARs knows that the economy is my weakest area within the game. I have waited for the arrival of Hiyo and CVE Unyo to really begin a concentrated study of the economy. They are now due within 10 days. Once they are completed I intend to spend a lengthy AAR Posting detailing my plans and status of the economy.
SS Ops
The success that has accompanied the IJN Sub Arm is amazing. It reaches new heights with this report:
5-23 I-157 SINKS TK Gulf King, I-154 SINKS TK L.P. St. Clair AND CV Indomitable (3 TT and an Ammo Storage Explosion)!
5-24 I-159 hits BC Repulse with a DUD! Oh, well….
Engineering
5-18 Changchun AF-7
5-19 Rangoon AF-6, Tabiteuea AF-2, Carnavon AF-2
5-20 Pisanuloke AF-3, Rabaul Pt-5
5-21 Umnak AF-3, Mandalay AF-4
5-23 Prome AF-2, Katherine AF-5, Milne Bay AF-2, Luganville AF-3
5-24 Pt. Blair AF-3, Sydeny Pt-9
5-25 Bihoro Pt-3
Operational Thinking
The Carrier Air that sank CA Nachi and 4DD had to come from TWO Brit CVs and USS Enterprise. There might be a couple of CVEs present but that would be doubtful. With Indomitable SUNK then we are facing two heavy CVs. An American and a Brit are certainly a potent pair, however, they shall be weak in fighters. My CVs MUST be protected so I shall set CAAP at 60-70% and work to crush these two valuable ships. Anything else will be welcome (if he is withdrawing troops and planes then killing then at sea would be GREAT!) but I want warships and a decisive IO Naval Victory.
If this can be done then the Brits are out of it and the Americans enter June 1942 with Lexington and Enterprise sunk to NO Japanese losses. Hang on to your hats and prepare to jump into a slit trench! There shall be incoming…
Thoughts?
< Message edited by John 3rd -- 8/8/2012 10:02:32 PM >
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Printable Version
Indian Ocean Raiding - 
The 3rd Torp adds an Ammo Storage explosion to the rest of the damage. SEEING the CV slip beneath the waves, I-154 counts 3 CAs, 3 CLs, and 8 DD in the TF as it successfully dodges the ASW Counterattack. 
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