18th August Britsh Advance HQ Foochow

18th August Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (Full Version)

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Roger Neilson II -> 18th August Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (2/24/2008 12:51:38 AM)
Gentlemen, I have to announce that some 30,000 enemy troops are now ashore on Onnekotan Jima. They have paid a heavy price to get there, and quite what military effectiveness they have will be tested over the next few days. It has been a night and day of continued surface actions, both in night and in daylight - it has also seen continued decimation of the enemy shipping by our airforce. There have been no, I emphasise, no significant losses to the allied forces in the last 24 hours. The same cannot be said of our enemy as the following list will indicate. AP Akashisan Maru, Shell hits 1, and is sunk AP Bokuyo Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk AP Daihachikyo Maru, Shell hits 2, and is sunk AP Daijukyo Maru, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AP Giyu Maru, Shell hits 35, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AP Haaburu Maru, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk AP Haruna Maru, Shell hits 19, and is sunk AP Hasuna Maru, Shell hits 36, and is sunk AP Hie Maru, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk AP Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk AP Hotsukawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Jinshu Maru, and is sunk AP Jinshu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Jouban Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AP Kamo Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk AP Karimo Maru, Shell hits 1 AP Kasima Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk AP Keisho Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AP Kenshin Maru, Shell hits 1, and is sunk AP Kiko Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk AP Koshu Maru #2, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Kotobuki Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Minto Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Montoiru Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Nagano Maru, on fire, heavy damage AP Netsuda Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Nichiran Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Nichiren Maru, Bomb hits 1 AP Reiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Ryuosan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Shinyu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire AP Shirogane Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Shofuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Shoho Maru, on fire, heavy damage AP Somedono Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage AP Sumiyoshi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage AP Syoryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Taian Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Taiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Takayo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Tama Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Tanba Maru, Torpedo hits 1 AP Tarushima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire CA Aoba, Bomb hits 1 CL Oyodo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PC Oki, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk PC Sado, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk PG Edo Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk PG Fukui Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk PG Heijo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PG Heijo Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage PG Seisho Maru, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk PG Tamo Maru #6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Toyotsu Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk PG Yoshida Maru, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk PG Zuiko Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage Our own analysis is that tomorrow will see a final attempt by the enemy, and then they will have 'shot their bolt'. [image]local://upfiles/21586/A1C56D51FD0949C790171177437C3B62.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 19th August Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (2/26/2008 9:27:36 AM)
Gentlemen, the battle continues without either side as yet signalling they have had enough. One cannot envisage our forces throwing in the towel, so it is only a matter of time before the enemy calls it a day. The attacks are maintained, but they resemble some form of sacrificial tactic. We have experienced some loss in the last round of combat, one of our ships was sunk, DD Bennet and CL Perth has been badly damaged by a torpedo. However, unlike our enemy none of our ships have far to travel to gain a safe harbour and immediate repair facilities. Sadly CL Glasgow, despite having reached harbour, was lost last night due to accumulated damage. Yesterday an heavily escorted troop convoy left Paramushiro and debarked the 125th RCT at Onnoketan harbour, this gave another 8K troops to the defence of this island, troops with sky high morale and fully equipped for action. This landing was unopposed by the enemy. Our intel suggests in the same period the enemy landed some 5K troops managed to stumble ashore from the burning and sining transports drifting off Onnekotan. An iniital assualt by their forces was easily beaten back, at significant loss to them. Tomorrow will see further reinforcement of our forces. At sea their transports are intercepted during the night by strong surface forces of ours, and by fast slashing attacks by PT squadrons. During the day we rule the skies and our torpedo bombers are scoring particularly crippling hits on their shipping. We did have to divert some of our air attacks to deal with the final appearance on the scene of the (we presume) last two CVs they own. If yopu are interested to see how they fared then you should merely examine the list below of damage since the last reports. AP Amakasu Maru #1, Shell hits 2 AP Daigen Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire AP Hakusan Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk AP Hakusika Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire AP Heian Maru, Shell hits 2 AP Heiku Maru, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AP Higashiyama Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Hino Maru #3, Shell hits 22, and is sunk AP Humburugu Maru AP Husimi Maru, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk AP Kamakura Maru, Torpedo hits 2 AP Kansan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Kashu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire AP Kisaragi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Komeyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Kotobuki Maru #5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kunimitsu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kyuden Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Minto Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Nichiran Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Nichiren Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Reiyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Ryotaku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire AP Sanko Maru, Shell hits 49, and is sunk AP Shinai Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk AP Shinyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Shoho Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Siraha Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Somedono Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Sumiyoshi Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Suwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Tacoma Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk AP Taganoura Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Taian Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Taihei Maru, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Tainichi Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy damage AP Taiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Takunan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Tama Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk CV Amagi, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage CV Soryu, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Arashi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Arashi, Shell hits 10, on fire DD Makinami, Shell hits 4, on fire DD Suzunami, Shell hits 1 DD Yunagi, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage DD Yunagi, Shell hits 3, on fire MSW W.23, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW W.25, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage MSW W.27, on fire, heavy damage MSW W.33, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Wa 102, Bomb hits 1, on fire MSW Wa 103, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PC Gamitsu Maru #1, Bomb hits 1, on fire PC Toshi Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire PG Takunan Maru #10, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage PG Tamo Maru #6, on fire, heavy damage Tomorrow will bring more targets, we have spotted another 50 plus ships in a series of task forces approaching Onnekotan and Paramashiro. [image]local://upfiles/21586/7CCAB3EC5A9C44978AD28A0C4C7F5F2F.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: 24th August Britsh Advance HQ Wenchow (2/29/2008 7:34:42 PM)
Gentlemen, our plans are going well. In China forces that were defending Homan have driven down the rail line and with their occupation of Tsingtao have cut the Japanese continental forces in half. They have pushed down the coast and are now about to attack Haichow. With the occupation of this port the enemy in China proper is left with the only port for any attempted resupply or evacuation at Shanghai - well within our bomber ranges. It was assumed that the enemy would seek to hold Changsha, but this is not the case, advance units driving from Hengchow report the city is open with the enemy withdrawing on Nanchang. We have also cut the rail and road link between Changsha and Hsinyang, leaving 32 units trapped in Hsinyang whose only retreat is overland. All of this is being achieved by the Chinese, supported by our allied air forces. Along the coast our own forces are moving in for the kill, with the 7th Armoured Tank Brigade arriving at Hangchow and potentially cutting the rail link before the enemy forces retreating along the Nanchang route can secure this railhead. All in all we can confidently predict that the enemy is in serious trouble and the end of the campaign in China is in sight. The Central Pacific remains calm and quiet, this is very much the lull before the storm as we build our forward bases before the next island hops. In the Chishima Archipelago attempts to land more troops on Onnekotan have resulted in over 45 transports and support ships being sunk or heavily damaged. The troops landed are in the order of 60K in strength, mixed units with scarce equipment and poorly supplies. They face a roughly equal number of mainly American troops, the core of which is the 3rd USMC Division. Needless to say they have plenty of everything they might need. [image]local://upfiles/21586/43CC82F1AEE74EDDBE0EB5244836DB1C.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 28th August Britsh Advance HQ Wenchow (3/7/2008 12:24:27 AM)
Gentlemen, the net is closing. You will see from the updated situation map that things are moving towards a finale in China. The Chinese blocking force was not powerful enough to halt the retreat from Hsingyang. Some 38 units have now been identified at Wuhan - we do not think they will halt here however. Air patrols have identified a steady stream of units falling back from Nanchang towards Nanking, either with a view to standing there, or moving on down to Shanghai. Ten units are holding Shanghai and this will be a fortified citadel we assume.... Once there we assume either an attempt to evacuate troops to the Home Islands or a last stand by 60+ units in the Bushido tradition. We will not disappoint them, though we will decide how, and when, they are despatched. To the north Chinese forces have reached Tientsin where some 4 enemy units are encamped - interestingly some transports are observed there. Meanwhile a combined airdrop and sea assault has wrested Taipei from the enemy, and this will allow, once sufficient strength is built up, the clearance of this major Chinese island. In the Chishima Archipelago all is quiet, though we have to announce the arrival of a major CV TF in the area fresh from refitting and repairs in San Francisco. The 60K troops on Onnekotan are going nowhere...... In the Central Pacific area landings have commenced on Yap and are encountering the resistance of a single base force. Shipping is also approaching Ulithi, where our recon suggests there are no enemy defences. Truk and Palau are well and truly isolated. [image]local://upfiles/21586/C886A40CA7D64B7582380CFC3B4FF62E.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 31st August Britsh Advance HQ Wenchow (3/8/2008 10:19:30 AM)
Gentlemn, we have a hat trick! American and Canadian troops landed on Etorofo Jima have, after a delay enforced by the recent attempts to retake some of the Chishima Archipelago by the enemy,taken the base and port area there. The enemy, 2 units of approximately 1700 troops with 6 tanks has been pushed into inhospitable terrain and will be dealt with either by our action, or starvation. At the same time troops landed on Yap over the last 48 hours were judged strong enough to break out of their beachhead and have taken the landing stages and the airstrip in an undamaged condition. I understand the new American Hellcat fighters have already flown into the island to begin combat air patrols. Several hundred Japanese have to be 'mopped up' but the base is firmly in our control and 3 SeaBee units are already ashore and working on improving the base which currently can only support single engine planes due to its runway length. Meanwhile the 3oth Australian Brigade, which had been resting at Rabaul for a few months were landed at Ulithi. This island was not garrisoned and whilst it has limited possibility of airfield development, has a good anchorage which will rapidly become a haven for our shipping based in the area. The taking of these two islands has completely sealed Palau off and created an effective prison camp for any troops on there. It also means that, as the bases become more developed, we can commence actions against the Marianas islands. Operation Kraken is now complete, Operation Wakes is about to commence. Of some small significance is the expected arrival at Yap of a large tanker convoy. This is significant in that it set off not from Pearl or Australia or the West Coast, but from Hong Kong and shows the ability we now have to transfer men and materiel through the Philippine Sea without any hindrance from Japanese air or sea forces. The convoy is welcome as almost all of our carrier assets have been in action round Yap, Ulithi, Woleai and Satwal protecting our invasion forces from the large Japanese air presence on the Marianas. None of these enemy planes have attempted to fly against us, showing either a lack or morale, or more likely the enemy are saving them for the expected invasion of Guam/ Tinian that must look a likely event in the near future. [image]local://upfiles/21586/14F890B274E142588ECFC3D0A41A44EB.jpg[/image]

Yava -> RE: 31st August Britsh Advance HQ Wenchow (3/8/2008 2:25:30 PM)
Congratulations Roger! It seems that Operation Kraken was a great success...as the rest of the theatre...[;)]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: 31st August Britsh Advance HQ Wenchow (3/8/2008 2:41:35 PM)
Thanks Yava..... all may not appear to be what it is..... this is not where the war will be decided. [:D] Roger

Roger Neilson II -> 1st September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/8/2008 4:11:35 PM)
Gentlemen, we have to report the loss of the Cruiser Chicago off Shanghai today. A swarm of Betty bombers came in low and managed to surprise our squadron on picket duty off the port. Chicago was struck by 3 torpedoes and sank within minutes. The same day saw a devastating raid by almost 300 bombers flatten the port area of Shanghai. It is expected losses will have been high both among the Japanese and the Chinese population, however it looks increasingly that Shanghai is the destination of the battered remnants of the Japanese mainland armies and we need to take precautions against any evacuation attempts. We must also report the elimination of the remaining Japanese garrison on Yap. [image]local://upfiles/21586/A0C3C74801DF4F7B9BF5D1B4F07EFCAA.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 2nd September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/10/2008 9:30:50 PM)
Gentlemen, the net is closing on the once mighty Japanese forces in China. It must be admitted there are pockets of them still to be dealt with, and that around Peking there are intact and operational enemy units, but the majority of their troops seem now to be in headlong retreat on Shanghai, assaulted from three directions, and with no way to evacuate unless the enemy commits almost every ship he as still in his harbours - and the resultant loss of life. Tomorrow I would hope to announce a new phase of the war....... [image]local://upfiles/21586/21C20DCE521B40EC9F11616B194320BD.jpg[/image]

Yava -> RE: 2nd September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/11/2008 1:08:28 AM)
[sm=00000613.gif] It's getting hot Roger... waiting for the next installment.

Roger Neilson II -> 3rd September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/11/2008 9:58:23 AM)
Gentlemen, a warm welcome to the briefing, especially to our Polish Ally...... Last night our airfields were busy. Over 300 bombers took off and assembled south of Shanghai before making a direct course for Nagasaki. Japanese residents of this city were the first on the 'home islands' to feel the vengeance of the Allies as the airfield was destroyed, and the port facilities were attacked. Over 30 planes were obliterated on the ground, the opposition was identified as obsolete Nate type fighters..... This effort did not diminish out round the clock attacks on other targets closer to our bases...... We trust the Emperor has a few sleepless nights over the opening of our strategic bombing campaign. he will have further bad news in the next day or so. Elsewhere, as expected, Japanese resistance has stiffened. Lead elements arriving at Nanchang have been rudely ejected by the 300K troops that have retreated there. A probing attack at Tientsin was also repulsed. Neither of these was unexpected..... we remain sanguine. On Onnetokan Jima and way back at Pearl there were desperate banzai attacks staged which gained nothing except the piling up of Japanese bodies....... [image]local://upfiles/21586/0F4C84FD6D4D4327BE7DFED17DB8D58A.jpg[/image]

Terminus -> RE: 3rd September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/11/2008 2:49:31 PM)
Keeping busy, I see...[:D] Any problems keeping your seaborne lines of communication open to the northern Japanese islands?

Roger Neilson II -> RE: 3rd September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/11/2008 8:37:28 PM)
Well the Emperor did try to interdict/ throw me off some of those islands recently.... but that didn't work. He has next to no subs left, next to no long legged naval assets left, the air balances up there are Shikka (-318 Jap held) and Etorofu (384) going back to Paramushiro at 4217... so his bombers won't attempt anything - anywise the weather is pretty bad most days. I also have some CV power up there now. What I am finding is that construction work is pitifully slow..... just in case anyone thinks its an easy backdoor to the Home Islands. The reason I am finding it untroubled is the massive losses around Batavia & Davao that really decimated his forward offensive capability. His ability to attack is severely limited. Roger

Yava -> RE: 3rd September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/12/2008 8:54:54 PM)
Yes, Batavia and Davao that few turns were a masterpiece. Seems that your opponent has not much to send against you at all.[:)]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: 3rd September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/12/2008 11:45:26 PM)
Just noticed the AAR past 10K hits.......... glad some of you gentlemen are enjoying it. More to come......

Roger Neilson II -> 8th September British Advance HQ Wenchow (3/15/2008 12:27:18 AM)
Gentlemen, we are on the brink of a major step. Yesterday Chinese forces stormed across the river at Nanking and assaulted some formidable defence works. As yet they have not overrun these but have made inroads on a variety of places along the line. At dawn they will renew their assault and fully expect to be in possession of the City by tomorrow night. The result of this will be that the Japanese forces around Nanchang will have no retreat to the coast and will have to either sit and starve or attempt to punch a hole in our ring of steel. Hengchow is strong, with advance armoured forces probing Soochow now. To the north at Tientsin the enemy seems to be massing forces to try and thrust down the rail line.... we shall see if he can do so. Meanwhile a paradrop by the 1st MC paras liberated Anking. Elsewhere we build and ready ourselves for the next great assaults...... [image]local://upfiles/21586/E2BB55F225114AD49C1E3E6F8FE59CCE.jpg[/image]

Terminus -> RE: 18th August Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/15/2008 12:38:29 AM)
You're really making some good work in China, Roger. I always have the feeling I'm not being all I can be in that particular theatre.

Roger Neilson II -> RE: 18th August Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/15/2008 1:02:17 AM)
Its interesting that its the land war that the enemy is strongest in - he has next to no naval assets and his airforce is held in the HI or stranded on Saipan. I think that the success is due to my being able to cut his large forces off and then leave them isolated. His two major thrusts on Ichang and Sian were neither big enough to win, but nor were they protected from flank actions. More importantly the thrust into Malaya from Indochina almost worked - it was a near run thing at Georgetown for a while - bu ultimately the forces surrounded and destroyed there were the ones that would have held the Commonwealth advance in that area back for a long time - once they were gone the advance along the coastline is what really has been the killer blow. My opponent was so busy holding the Chinese hordes back he did not have the wherewithal to stop the advance along to Hong Kong - once that was open supplies poured in!

Roger Neilson II -> 11th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/18/2008 1:43:24 AM)
Gentlemen, we are on the brink of a major day or two in the war. In the Pacific Operation Kraken Wakes has begun and first news of its progress should be with you by the end of the next 48 hours. In our own area things are looking 'interesting'. The enemy has decided to move to unite his forces and needs to break our grip on Hangchow. We have now detected 12 units in the immediate vicinity, with another 19 on the road snaking back to Nanchang where a rearguard of some 10 units remain. Our recent conquest of Hangchow means that we are still, frankly, tidying the place up and as yet have had no chance to set about any real entrenchments. It could well be a bloody out and out stand up fight. We are aware that as the enemy reaches us he will probably have a 2:1 plus advantage - on the negative side for him his troops are exhausted, have had no respite from a fighting withdrawal for several weeks, and must have poor supplies. if we can hold them then each day will strengthen our position and at the same time weaken him. Of course if he manages to assault from Soochow then we face a further 30 units and that could be decisive. Timing is going to be everything here and we do have our Chinese allies heading down from recently liberated Nanking to pressure the Soochow forces. We also are about to assault Tientsin for a second time and this time we expect to take that city too. Yesterday in the north Chegting was liberated as the enemy retire on Kaigan and, we assume, Peking. Gentlemen, the next few days are going to be fast and furious. [image]local://upfiles/21586/8422503B8A534D178AB8869E6D391550.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 12th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/19/2008 1:52:28 AM)
Gentlemen, we have now had day one of Operation Kraken Wakes. Our Allied Cvs set sail from Yap for a RV W of Tinian. Like most operations it did not go entirely to plan. At first light diver bombers and torpedo bombers from the Allied CVs launched and formed up to attack the assembled shipping in Saipan harbour. Unfortunately due to some SNAFU (an American expression) the fighter escorts did not appear leaving the bombers to go in unescorted. It is reported that almost 50% did not return! This was not good, and indeed the American TF Commander was heard to scream 'Where the *** are the escorts you ** ** of ***, where are you ************?' As expected, the Japanese responded. Their planes, so far grounded whilst Operation Kraken occurred, finally could resist the provocation no more and took off to destroy the Carriers. At least our CAP was in the right place. No Japanese pilot got within striking distance of any of our ships, and no Japanese pilot returned to base! Eleven CVs, three CVEs and six CVLs are now maneuvering in the face of predicted storms to continue day two of the operation - we have to hope the escorts manage to do their job this time round! [image]local://upfiles/21586/12D1B5D4576D4360B66559D356E42697.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 13th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/20/2008 9:44:12 AM)
Gentlemen, after two days aerial warfare SW of Saipan the balance has irrevocably changed. His pilots are no match for the well trained Americans flying vastly superior aircraft. Only in the attacks on Saipan harbour, where we face fierce flak, are we losing appreciable number s of planes - but those that are getting through are steadily reducing any sealift capacity for the garrison there. China slumbers, his forces continue to arrive at Hangchow, they look a miserable, tattered army according to ground observers. [image]local://upfiles/21586/D7E2595268B44B11A38082614AF67E48.jpg[/image]

Gen.Hoepner -> RE: 13th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/20/2008 10:52:36 AM)
Amazing Job Roger...i just caught up with your aar...amazing! Just a question...are all those planes and pilots losses worthy? I mean...the Kraken operation managed till now to sink or damage nothing of particular interest, in terms on naval power...while your pilots are really important... Overall losses, especially of your crack SDB and TBs seems really high

Roger Neilson II -> RE: 13th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/20/2008 8:01:54 PM)
Ah yes General Hindsight has called at my HQ and expressed his opinion on that too. In excuse of it all I would offer the following observations>>>>>>>>> 1. The first strike went in completely unsupported, despite orders! This meant that I assumed I had a lot of planes shot out of the sky - it was only the second strike - supported and effectively uncontested by enemy fighters, that suggested I was throwing my fliers away unnecessarily. 2. My intention was not really the sinking of the naval assets, but the threat to them would force a response - and it did. His planes are now mainly a distant memory on the Marshalls. Maybe I should have just hit the airfield, frankly some of my play at present is 'lets just try it out'. Another time I'd do it differently. Up to then his planes had stood on the ground and I really wanted them eliminated. 3. I lost patience, I got tired of waiting for the airfields to grow sufficiently on Yap etc. Again a note to myself for the future. 4. I agree I lost a lot of good crew, but frankly they are just sitting around anyway. The allied air power I have at my disposal is awesome, and CVs are becoming a little irrelevant once we neutralise these bases. 5. I much prefer to wipe out his air power at Saipan than have them sitting in the home islands. He also has 55 units identified on Saipan - better they stay there for the duration than he manages to pull them back. In these two days he has lost 300 aircraft, mainly in air to air combat - his pilot resources are strained - and overall he has lost 8,235 aircraft in the campaign. He has no real naval assets left (I think) and the fewer planes he has left in the Home Islands the easier the next phase will be for my lads. So, the CVs are, to an extent expendable - but don't tell them they might get upset. His choice now is to accept he no longer has any air power in the Marshalls, or to fly more of his dwindling air in to challenge me. neither I think is a good choice so he's effectively between a rock and a hard place. Whereas Saipan is very heavily defended the other islands are not....... I will say no more at this stage! Happy for any comments and discussion like this - but bear in mind its an open AAR, and Ddog has been, both in this game and our previous one an entirely honorable and gracious opponent. I will not appreciate any comments that have a go at him. That's not aimed at you General H, you are the master of tact and diplomacy as anyone who follows your AAR will acknowledge. Roger

Roger Neilson II -> 15th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/21/2008 12:06:30 PM)
Gentlemen, I have just returned from a flying visit to Hangchow to witness the enemy assault. We knew it was brewing, and I wanted to gauge how things would go personally. With a very minor initial barrage, dwarfed I must say by our defensive one and by the supporting fire from our battleships and cruisers off shore, the enemy came forward. We estimate over a third of a million troops assaulted our lines. We had, as you know, less than a third to defend against them. It was a close call when they got into our lines, but they were beaten back. We estimate casualties to them of over 5,000 troops and a search of the bodies indicates many were only able to fight with a bayonet, not having any ammunition upon them. Our lines have held, further attacks by the enemy will be on less even terms as we strengthen our defences, and his own supplies weaken further. Elsewhere we continue to chew up his land forces, on Onnekotan Jima we now outnumber his invasion troops by a 2:1 ratio, but qualitatively we are looking at a growing gap in the ability to fight here as he burns up his supplies landed a few weeks ago now. Our CVs have ceased the aerial attacks on Saipan and the surroundings, pulling back for some respite and refitting of their squadrons. Yesterday a TF of Japanese destroyers sallied to attack a MSW TF near Satawal. They caused some damage in a night action, but were found at daybreak by carrier based planes. None of the destroyers is still afloat. Gentlemen, the skies above Saipan and the other Marshall islands are ours, daily we fly sweeps over his airfields to engage any planes that are willing to come up and fight - none are appearing to accept the challenge. Operation Kraken Wakes is, so far, a success. Not however so cheap a success as we first thought it might be. [image]local://upfiles/21586/CE20D39E90B44CD78B6A7F8D7C551A9B.jpg[/image]

Yava -> RE: 15th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/22/2008 11:09:46 AM)
Commenting on the Kraken Wakes day one operations Roger. I hate when that happens with the planes. The loses were such a waste, just because some bob tails didn't fly...[:@] However, the whole operation was nicely done! [:)] With the skies free you can technically do what you want.[:D]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: 15th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/22/2008 11:12:22 AM)
Well it wasn't subtle at all..... it was sheer brute force, but it got the job done! Roger

Roger Neilson II -> 18th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/26/2008 1:37:52 AM)
Gentlemen. Operation Intimidate is underway. This is a support to the bigger Operation Kraken Wakes. You will see from the situation map that there is a Transport Tf heading for Guam and one or two of our carriers waiting to see if any jap planes would like to take off and try to make a fight of it. I must inform you that a mine has been detected off Guam, the mine sweeping duties normally allocated to MSWs and DMS was being undertaken by the USS Saratoga. This is an annoyance. [image]local://upfiles/21586/B23D65E9CE5848D485D77AAC7DECE13D.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 19th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/26/2008 9:40:07 AM)
Gentlemen, raise your glasses. I propose a toast. To Singapore, Ours once again! Last night an assault across from Johore Bahru, long time in the planning, was finally made. The troops - a mix of Commonwealth and Chinese forces were expecting a bloody fight of it against 70k of veteran Japanese, cooped up there for months. Evidently our bombing had reduced these fighting formations to the point where their morale broke. For a loss of less than 3000 men we broke their defenses and streamed into the city. There are around 60K of them left to be rooted out, but the city is unquestionably ours. The Port and airfield are totally devastated, but these will soon be restored to civilian use. Singapore was long ago bypassed in our advances, but the symbol of our power, influence and trade has been recaptured. [image]local://upfiles/21586/8734C0EBA7134F4693C041613DC4D710.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 20th September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/27/2008 10:35:41 PM)
Gentlemen, as far as the war goes, mostly it is just a game of waiting, bombing and organising. However in the vastness of the pacific things continue to progress. We can only surmise the enemy, seeing that we were intent on hitting Guam hard, and detecting a series of transport forces heading towards the island, felt the time was right to sortie from under the protection of Saipan harbour. We also feel he had probably seen our Cvs retiring on Yap. In the night the CVs turned, having deliberately done a 'Parthian shot' and arrived west of Guam to detect a strong CA/CL/DD enemy TF bearing down upon what they had assumed would be transports about to unload at Guam. The results were more than satisfactory, as the illustration below indicates. The remnants of the TF have been observed heading back to Saipan. [image]local://upfiles/21586/5FACA0F6312248509AE2756A00677374.jpg[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> 23rd September Britsh Advance HQ Foochow (3/30/2008 10:28:41 AM)
Gentlemen. I am pleased to announce that the Kraken is awake! Yesterday the 25th and 37th US Divisions commenced landings on Tinian. They encountered no opposition and already our base forces are disembarking. The airfield had been developed already to a state where medium bombers can fly from it, and that, plus the facilities were captured intact. American P47s and P38s have flown in to operate from here and they have been joined by the 1 RNZAF Squadron flying Beaufighters. The Marianas are now all dominated by our land based aircraft. The shipping at Saipan is awaiting its destruction, and the 55 units defending the island are trapped with no supply route or escape. Elsewhere fighting rumbles on throughout mainland Asia. We are clearing parts of Singapore street by street. Kuikang has now been taken and it is felt that Nanchang will be soon ours. [image]local://upfiles/21586/69116B30E9C549ECA7BE4DC167FA2981.jpg[/image]

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