RE: Briefing 29th October

RE: Briefing 29th October (Full Version)

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Miller -> RE: Briefing 29th October (3/31/2007 3:35:17 PM)
Hi Roger, nice AAR. I notice both you and your opponent like to put 20+ ships into your surface combat TF's. Is this wise? I thought any more than 15 ships would have a lesser chance of firing a shot. Would 3 x TF of 8-10 ships get better results than one 25 ship TF?

Roger Neilson II -> RE: Briefing 29th October (3/31/2007 6:53:59 PM)
I 'think' you are right, but have never actually checked it out. It seems logical given the game mechanics. There is part of me always thinks cram as much in as possible though - and another part of me that says.... lets get the turn done and back - so I tend to take some shortcuts and just pull TFs together. I shall have to try this though some time..... Another scintillating display by the lads this afternoon, who'd support the Toon eh? Roger 6 hours and 20 minutes without a goal now.........

Miller -> RE: Briefing 29th October (3/31/2007 7:25:20 PM)
We are total ****e at the minute tbh.....

Roger Neilson 3 -> Briefing 30th October (4/1/2007 11:38:10 AM)
Gentlemen, they are still there! Indeed their battleships turned round and came back for another visit to Batavia. They were met by our tired but game air boys and dealt a severe blow. In a series of of air attacks on the battleships steaming off Batavia and the KB off Teloetbetoeng the following damage was confirmed: CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1 (flight deck penetration secondary explosions) CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1 (flight deck penetration secondary explosions) CV Junyo CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, on fire (flight deck penetration secondary explosions) CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2 CVL Ryujo CVL Shoho CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (massive fuel explosion) BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1 BB Hiei BB Kirishima BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2, on fire BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (magazine explosion – sinks) BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3 BB Ise, Bomb hits 1 BB Fuso, Bomb hits 3 BB Kirishima CA Haguro DD Murakumo The enemy continue to land troops at Singkawang and this situation remains delicately balanced. If we should lose the base it is a small setback in comparison to what has been achieved in the destruction of the major Japanese offensive. In other areas we continue to move with our plans, of some significance is the Chinese recapture of Hengchow which has cut the Japanese forces in two and has now stopped any rapid deployment of troops along the central railway. [image]local://upfiles/19256/1FD509D547384A6CB0E16CEE16E6AC8B.gif[/image] Aaargh, logged in on wrong login!

Roger Neilson II -> RE: Briefing 30th October (4/1/2007 12:54:33 PM)
A slightly more pleasant/unpleasant graphic, depending on which side you are on.... [image]local://upfiles/21586/4177416E9A934D0DB1970A2B86326472.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 31st October (4/2/2007 1:34:20 AM)
Gentlemen, the war continues at a pace. The Jap does not give up.... indeed he continues to press us. A Division plus supports has been landed at Merak under a weather front that stopped our planes from attacking them there. His battleships lie off Batavia now, again untouched for the moment. Our prize was the KB. You will see from the attached report that this is now severely damaged, with only two CVLs untouched. It is to be expected that some of these ships will sink, but even if they do not they will be out of the war for a considerable time. Tomorrow will be a significant day. if the enemy can gain a lodgement on the island at Merak then he can move on Batavia. if our aircraft defeat his supply ships then the situation becomes very different - he will not be able to resupply. Singkawang looks in some danger... but this would not be a significant loss. While this is all going on we must announce that a substantial force, supported by heavy surface units has begun landing at Balikpapan. We are encountering harrying raids from enemy bombers, but the garrison at Balikpapan is a base force with less than 2K of men - we are landing, I repeat, in force! One wonders what the next few days will bring.... even if we are reversed in places the final victory is assured. It is only a matter of time! [image]local://upfiles/21586/DE8D9F8A3ED24ADCA040C95C9B7A9DE5.gif[/image]

Terminus -> RE: Briefing 31st October (4/2/2007 1:36:29 AM)
Nice one, Roger![8D]

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 1st November (4/2/2007 6:37:14 PM)
And still we continue gentlemen.... one can be quite amazed at the Jap's tenaciousness and his willingness to pay any price. The battle rage, the damage mounts. At Merak his unloading continues, we feel there are now two divisions plus supports here. had we not sent most of two other divisions to the bottom in their approach we may well have been in serious trouble here. Two divisions will be a handful, but we should hold them and they may well become stranded without hope of supply or evacuation. it is likely the Merak defenders will not however hold this force, they really were only intended as a coast watching body. While this landing continues his battleships remain at Batavia, off shore of our guns, but not of our aircraft. Today's action saw the following success by Beauforts flying short hops from Batavia airfield. B Hiei, Torpedo hits 2, on fire BB Kirishima BB Ise, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1 a follow up raid by bombers added to their discomfiture: BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1, on fire BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1 CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 1 The landing force did not go off 'scot free' at Merak: P Monji Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Hikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1 AP Keisyo Maru AP Aratama Maru AP Kyuma Maru AP Kashiwa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Iwaki Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Arizana Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Nichiryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 1 AP Kamikaze Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage MSW Hakata Maru #7 AP Keizan Maru AP Koshin Maru, Torpedo hits 1 AP Kidokawa Maru AP Juko Maru AP Mizuho Maru Our estimates are that some 8000+ men have been lost in this landing to date... not counting the troops that never got sight of the coastline. Not too far from sight of a home port the CV Kaga was found again by our bombers, belching smoke, lying low in the water and making slow headway. We made sure she did not make safety with another 43 bombs hitting her, many 1,000 lbers. She was seen to turn turtle and sink this afternoon. Doubtless many aircraft and aircrew went to the bottom with her. Although all this is good news we have learned recently that the Japs have broken the defence at Merak and the dutch defenders are now in retreat. Additionally the Singkawang defenders are being very hard pressed by at least three Naval Guard units. Meanwhile the troops landing at Balikpapan are encountering little resistance and only sporadic air attacks - we expect to repossess this base within two days. [image]local://upfiles/21586/02B39B78F9884A3998CFB32463E1285C.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 2nd November (4/2/2007 8:07:24 PM)
Gentlemen, as usual good and not so good news. Let us deal with the bad news first. two of our battleships have taken torpedo hits. The Arizona was attacked by Betties around Balikpapan and has sustained some damage from a single torpedo, we also had the Resolution on bombardment mission at Sabang suffer a similar fate. Both ships are expected to make it back to repair facilities under their own power. These are crumbs of comfort to the Japanese. Our aircraft report a steady flow of ships crawling northwards from Java to Singapore. Some of the Carriers are now berthed there and our F-5A Lightnings are keeping an eye on the port. Limping that way are the Japanese battleships, in a strung out line as they are all capable of different speeds and with may levels of damage. The Ise seems to have particular difficulty in steering and took another 12 hits from bombs dropped by Fortresses and Liberators east of Teloekbetoeng. The Kongo is no more, she was observed to sink just after dawn just north of Batavia. In the waters round Batavia the sharks must be feeding well. Without the battleships to attack our Beauforts, Mitchells, Fortresses and Liberators enjoyed 'milk runs' all day against the Japanese troop transports off Merak. AP Africa Maru AP Argentina Maru, Bomb hits 2 AP Baikal Maru AP Baikal Maru, Torpedo hits 1 AP Hakone Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Hikade Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Hikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Hokuhi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Horaisan Maru AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Kaiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Kasui Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1 on fire, heavy damage AP Keisyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1 AP Kenzan Maru AP Kiyoshima Maru AP Koshin Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP La Plata Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire AP Meiten Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Mexico Maru AP Mikage Maru #2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Mikage Maru #20 AP Mitsu Maru #3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Miyadono Maru AP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Monji Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Nichibi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire MSW Bisan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage PG Hakkaisan Maru PG Unkai Maru #1 Many were observed to sink. Probably the most 'killed' ship was the DD Asagiri, in company with other destroyers off Georgetown she was attacked by planes from Kuala and Swordfish managed to hit her with 5 torpedoes. On land the Japs continue to batter away at Singkawang and it is likely we cannot hold it much longer. On the other hand the remnants of the Japanese landing forces destined for Batavia, now identified as the 38th Divn, 65th Brigade and the 1st Guards Mixed Brigade - numbering around 3000 troops in total were decisively routed today and their surviving men are in headlong retreat to Merak. [image]local://upfiles/21586/B306BA5C64454CB3BEAF9F333E5C86CA.gif[/image]

Moondawggie -> RE: Briefing 2nd November (4/2/2007 9:50:04 PM)
Ay Carumba! This recent action in the DEI is unbelievable! Great AAR!

Roger Neilson II -> RE: Briefing 2nd November (4/2/2007 10:14:29 PM)
Its certainly nailbiting stuff - every move there's new issues to deal with. I never expected such a ferocious attack.... This is what makes WITP so great, and as long as you have a good opponent its never dull! Roger

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 3rd November (4/3/2007 1:03:00 AM)
Well Gentlemen, here we area again. there is no cessation of the relentless rhythm of the war at the moment. It has been a good day for us. Recce of Singapore indicates a vast number of the enemy ships are now back there, most showing clear signs of extensive battle damage.One that did not quite make it was the BB Hyuga, which was seen to sink near the straits, almost in sight of some safety! We surmise the BB Ise is struggling northwards at a very slow speed and may not make it. The last 24 hours have ben the round the clock destruction of any Japanese shipping in sight. We have now created a semblance of orders out of what had been improvised. At Soerabaja our long range bombers are based, whilst at Batavia we have the short range torpedo equipped planes mainly. We have also now brought fully into service the airfield at Madioen and Wellingtons from there have joined in the action. A summary of intel shows the following results at close of play. AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Baikal Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire AP Eiko Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Gosei Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Hakone Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits31, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Hikade Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Hikawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Hokuhi Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Horaisan Maru, Bomb hits 3 ,Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kaiko Maru, Bomb hits 3,Torpedo hits 2, on fire AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kasui Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Keisyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kenzan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Kiyoshima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Kizan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Meigen Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Meiten Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Meiu Maru, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage AP Mexico Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire AP Mikage Maru #20, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Miyadono Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Monji Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Nichiryu Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage AP Nissen Maru AP Nissho Maru AP Seattle Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage MSW Aoi Maru MSW Himejima Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage PG Hakkaisan Maru Up near Georgetown another Japanese destroyer gets sunk: DD Fubuki, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage We believe the advance forces of the Japanese landed at Merak are now arriving at Batavia, we can assure them of a warm welcome. Bombing of our TF at Balikpapan was attempted, but unsuccessful. Reports from Singakwang suggest time is running out for us there. As predicted Balikpapan fell during the night and already we have planes landing on the airfield. This is a large airstrip and from here the remaining oil bases of Miri, Brunei and Tarakan are easily within range. You will see we are taking a massive toll of the enemy shipping - the last few days have been a 'close run thing' but we are over the worst, our pilots are being rotated and the Japs face massive fortifications at Batavia with no supply replenishment. If you will permit me a moment of whimsy - I love those Hollywood films where the cavalry ride over the horizon just when the Indians are massing for their final attack! Let us see what tomorrow will bring, and what may appear over the horizon... [image]local://upfiles/21586/7DB9766371B7418CBB0350947218AE13.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: Briefing 4th November (4/3/2007 9:35:05 AM)
Gentlemen, another day, another list.... Merak is continuing to drain the Japanese shipping capacity severely. AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Argentina Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Arizana Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Azuchi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Baikal Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Batavia Maru AP Choko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Eiko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Hakuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Hikade Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Hikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kamikaze Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kanayamasan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Keisyo Maru, Bomb hits 3,Torpedo hits 2 on fire, heavy damage AP Keizan Maru AP Kensho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kitano Maru AP Kiyoshima Maru AP Kizan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kuraido Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Kureha Maru #3, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kyuma Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP La Plata Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Meisho Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Mexico Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Midori Maru AP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage AP Neikai Maru AP Nichibi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Nichiryu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Nihonkai Maru AP Nissho Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Aoi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage MSW Asahi Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage MSW Atsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage P Kenzan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage PC Hachijo, Bomb hits 1, on fire PG Hakkaisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PG Unkai Maru #1 At the same time a surface TF led by the CA Houston raided Teloekbetoeng and sunk some AGs there... is this the cavalry arriving? BB Ise continues to crawl northwards..... The Japs fail to take Singkawang this move. They do however catch some empty tankers off Bekoelen and plant some torpedoes in them. [image]local://upfiles/21586/1363BE4140C04EC9AD9FA0176EE7480C.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 5th November (4/4/2007 12:36:50 AM)
Gentlemen, more of the same, more slaughter on the high seas. Essentially we have now split our air forces, with a core of , now very experienced, 60+ Beauforts attempting to remove every transport ship in sight. At the same time our heavy bombers are now tasked with interdicting the supplies and infrastructure that supports the Japanese advance on Batavia. Results observed in the last 24 hours are as follows: Day Air attack on Merak , at 18,59 Allied aircraft Brewster 339D x 6 B-17E Fortress x 32 LB-30 Liberator x 44 B-24D Liberator x 27 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 368 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Airbase hits 15 Airbase supply hits 10 Runway hits 96 At Merak and Teloetbetoeng AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Aratama Maru AP Arizana Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Azuchi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 1 AP Choko Maru AP Eli Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Kanayamasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kasuga Maru #2 AP Katsura Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Keizan Maru AP Kensho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kidokawa Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Kinjosan Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Kuraido Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kureha Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kuretake Maru AP Kyosei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Neikai Maru, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Nihonkai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire MSW Choun Maru #8 MSW Wa 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Oi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage There is a growing force at Batavia, we hope a growing force needs a growing amount of supplies, which may not be available! Of interest is the third shock attack at Singakawang, but this time a poor overall attack, suggesting perhaps the Japs here are running out of steam..... Elsewhere there is the usual harrying of Jap ships in the Singapore straits, and a steady pounding of their land forces in China. More of the 'US cavalry' has just arrived...... Gentlemen I think the next move, and hence the next briefing may well be a little while in the creating. [image]local://upfiles/21586/62FC2CEFC22646888BE1F5F0EFB65F1F.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 6th November (4/6/2007 1:58:48 PM)
Gentlemen another 24 hours of intense fighting around Batavia. The enemy were obviously perturbed by our surface Tf that raided Teloekbetoeng and sent a counter force led by the CL Oi to deal with us. The Oi has proved a charmed ship, undergoing air attacks almost every day and never having its paintwork scratched. The interception took place and at night it is still obvious the Japs have the superior training. CL Oi, Shell hits 2 DD Yukaze DD Wakatake DD Fuyo DD Kari DD Kiji CA Houston CL Java, Shell hits 1 DD Stuart, Shell hits 1 DD Le Triomphant, Shell hits 27, on fire, sunk As dawn exposed the jap transports to our bombers there was renewed attacks which went on throughout the day – there are fewer targets these days though. A key initial target was the CL Oi and escorts, this time it must not have brought its lucky charm with it. Allied aircraft SBD Dauntless x 16 Beaufort V-IX x 54 P-40B Tomahawk x 5 P-40E Warhawk x 23 B-25C Mitchell x 15 Allied aircraft losses Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese Ships CL Oi, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage, sunk DD Kari DD Kiji DD Yukaze It will not return to attack us again! Our aircraft then turned their attention to the troopships and supply vessels: AP Aratama Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Azuchi Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kaihei Maru, heavy damage AP Kanayamasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kasuga Maru #2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Keizan Maru AP Kiyoshima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kizan Maru, heavy damage AP Kuraido Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Kureha Maru #3, heavy damage AP Kuretake Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Kyosei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kyuma Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP La Plata Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Meigen Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage AP Meisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Nihonkai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Choun Maru #8 MSW Wa 6, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PC Hachijo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Oi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Thinking that all major Jap bombers were now at Singapore we launched a bombardment raid on Rangoon – sadly there were Betties closer at hand and the CA Exeter took two torpedo hits. On the other hand the DD Uranami took 7 bomb hits and 2 torpedo hits off Georgetown and is presumed sunk. On land there was no attack at Singkawang, we assume he is resting his troops after several days of assaults. At Batavia we estimate there are now 70+K enemy with another 20K at Merak. They are attempting to take a city that has maximum fortification, has 25K troops defending it and is well supplied. This is an interesting situation and we await their first assault to guage how well they are prepared to take the location……Meanwhile we pound their supply base of Merak with our heavy bombers. One of our submarines located the BB Ise just outside of Singapore but had no need to attack it as it was seen to capsize and sink. The Jap has played his cards, he has made his intentions clear. We are yet to see what comes of it other than the major destruction of large amounts of his navy. We, on the other hand have yet to play our cards – though they will be produced when the time is right. [image]local://upfiles/21586/9ADC29728FBE49B2B23F49300770548C.gif[/image]

alaviner -> RE: Briefing 6th November (4/7/2007 3:06:16 AM)
This is a great AAR Roger [&o][&o] You have quite a game going - I think The tide has clearly turned. You should be able to hammer his supplies and troops around Batavia from the air. Getting some reserves moving from southern Java would be the on other thing but I am sure that is part of the classified plans

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 7th November (4/7/2007 9:44:12 AM)
Gentlemen, business as usual. Though perhaps there is a change in the air.... As you will see from the area map all the Japanese detected forces are now pursuing courses away from Batavia, apart from a couple of ships at Batavia itself. This may have some significance. There are no, repeat no identified inbound convoys. perhaps the Jap forces have enough supplies to sustain a few weeks of attacks, perhaps they are being left to be hung out and dried by us.... time will tell. What is significant is the much smaller number of targets we have and the destruction wreaked upon them as you will see from the 'scorecard' for this innings: AG AG-5141, Shell hits 2, on fire AG AG-5142, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Batavia Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Choko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Eli Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Keizan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AP Keizan Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Kitano Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Kuretake Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Kyuma Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Midori Maru AP Nissen Maru #3, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Choun Maru #8 MSW Choun Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage MSW Fumi Maru #2 MSW Fumi Maru #2 MSW Hakata Maru #7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage P Kureha Maru #3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage PC Hachijo, on fire, heavy damage PG Unkai Maru #1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire On average about 10-15 ships are reported sunk each day over the last week, tallying these sinkings against damage assessments is not easy. it seems fair to assume that a torpedo hit on a smaller merchantman or troopship will sink it...... Following a massive air bombardment the Japs renewed their assault on Singkawang but made no headway here. At Batavia a ferocious assault was met with steadfast defence. Some elements of our defences were penetrated, but no serious damage was done and we estimate close to 4K Japanese to be out of action after the attack. You will notice the map has a classified area on it, I must apologise, but there are elements there that we must, for the moment keep secret. [image]local://upfiles/21586/5A14EC390FAB4C0D90B9C20A8345F73A.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: Briefing 7th November (4/7/2007 5:33:49 PM)
Gentlemen, the day by day briefings may mask an interesting overall situation. Smithers, who sadly cannot deliver this in person, has been doing some 'sums'. Japanese troopships used in operation NoGo to date: 94 identified Troopships identified and not damaged: 4 Troopships hit by torpedoes: 75 Average torpedo hits per Troopship: 1.97 Average bomb hits per Troopship: 3.1 Most bombed ship: AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 31, Torpedo hits 2 Most torpedoed ship: AP Neikai Maru, Torpedo hits 5, AP Africa Maru, Torpedo hits 5, AP Kasuga Maru #2, Torpedo hits 5 We feel safe in assuming that many of these ships will not sail again - no matter what the outcome of the current campaign we feel it is the end of any large scale Japanese invasion forces. [image]local://upfiles/21586/BC67DE3C603C4CEA98486AB9F7C3751C.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 8th/9th November (4/8/2007 11:44:19 AM)
Gentlemen, given the pace of the action is slackening I do not feel the need to disturb you every day and take you away from your tasks. So, let us have a round up of the two days of activity. Firstly it would appear that the seas round Batavia have become a Jap free area. All the transports and escorts observed are now either sunk or heading back to Singapore. This leaves his forces at Batavia in an interesting position. He has amassed a sizeable force through his determined landings: 4th Divn, 1st Gds mixed brigade, Kure 2nd SNLF, Sasebo 2nd SNLF, 38th Divn, 65th Brigade, 56th Divn all are lined up as an assault force, with support from the 20th Engineer Rgt, 8th Hvy FA Rgt, 1st Engineeer Rgt and 26th Base force. In total there are around 90 thousand troops. They are attacking our forces, well fortified and dug in with ample supplies. We control the air and the sea. We have now faced two days of attacks, the last one of which was particularly violent and sustained. In these attacks he has destroyed elements of our defences so we are around 60% of how we began. If he can sustain these attacks he will, we are sure, take the city. As a way of interfering with his plans we are bombing his forces as they form up, and last night a BB TF conducted a bombardment from close to the shore. So if we examine the worst case scenario, he takes Batavia. What then? He holds a major base, he holds a level 5 airfield. He has his forces there…… We would of course immediately destroy the airfield with our massed heavy bombers, if he wishes to stay there we simply starve him out. If he moves down the island we defeat him. He has not got the naval capacity to mount further seaborne invasions so his progress will be slow, and he will be vulnerable to seaborne incursions behind him. As it is we already think he has abandoned Merak. Best case he fails to break into our defences and the supplies he has brought with him diminish significantly with each attack. He then starves outside the city and some of his finest troops are lost. We do not know yet which way this will go, the next few days will be an indicator – if the attacks continue with the same ferocity then he has managed to bring a lot of supplies into his invasion. As expected he finally overwhelmed the defenders of Singkawang, who are retreating to Pontiak. His forces here are all naval Guard with no base elements so the level 4 airfield he has captured will serve little purpose at present. We are making arrangements to ensure it will not serve him at all. While this is happening do not worry, we are not idle. However at present it is best if what we are ‘up to’ is on a need to know basis. We will let you in on the developments when it is safe to do so. Elsewhere a reconnaissance raid on Ponape was repulsed with heavy losses to the Americans, but yielded valuable information. In China there are few movements, but the general grinding down of enemy forces in four areas where they are trapped all proceeds. Significantly the forces that captured Homan have yet to detect any attempt by the enemy to eject them from the position sitting astride the main link between North and South China. A massed raid by Liberators from Akyab was staged on Bangkok in reprisal for the attack on CA Exeter mounted from there. We lost 9 planes in the raid, but intelligence photographs show they lost: A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 11 destroyed, 8 damaged Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed Ki-49 Helen: 5 destroyed Last night the CVL Shoho was observed approaching Honk Kong harbour by SS KXIV. She was one of only 2 CVs/CVLs not seriously damaged during recent actions off Batavia. Luckily the torpedoes loaded into this submarine were not as faulty as the ones in most of our subs at present. A clean hit amidships and the pictures from the periscope show the result. [image]local://upfiles/21586/F5B238C054D5404EB8B100A887A1E09B.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 10th/11th November (4/9/2007 10:14:33 AM)
Gentlemen, little actual 'on the ground' action to report. That is not to say there is not fierce fighting, but that nothing really has changed. I do however have a memo from Capt Smithers that make interesting reading. I can't for the life of me work out how he does these sums of his, but he has some strange way of calculating the likelihood of success, and the relative strengths of the two sides in any battle. I think its all above me, but anyway, this is what he says: 9 November 1942 Batavia assaults: Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 71266 troops, 574 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1345 Defending force 32962 troops, 266 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 358 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 7 Japanese max assault: 1256 - adjusted assault: 959 Allied max defense: 348 - adjusted defense: 642 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 7) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 7 Japanese ground losses: 3146 casualties reported Guns lost 67 Allied ground losses: 599 casualties reported Guns lost 24 10th Novemnber 1942 Batavia Assaults Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 66396 troops, 416 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1111 Defending force 32067 troops, 225 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 345 Japanese max assault: 960 - adjusted assault: 548 Allied max defense: 331 - adjusted defense: 505 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 7) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 6 Japanese ground losses: 933 casualties reported Guns lost 24 Allied ground losses: 691 casualties reported Guns lost 24 11th November 1942 Batavia Assaults Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 61610 troops, 357 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 973 Defending force 31484 troops, 208 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 341 Japanese max assault: 822 - adjusted assault: 391 Allied max defense: 326 - adjusted defense: 600 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6) Japanese ground losses: 1879 casualties reported Guns lost 38 Allied ground losses: 358 casualties reported Guns lost 14 Vehicles lost 1 As I say, I'm dashed if i can understand all his squiggles on his blackboard down in the basement, but he drew me a graph and I can at least understand a couple of lines and the direction they are moving in.... [image]local://upfiles/21586/802FCE863D31445F82278AF70B6EF498.gif[/image]

Roger Neilson II -> Halt in proceedings ; be back soon (4/9/2007 12:39:31 PM)
Both myself and my honorable opponent are away from Tuesday to Friday so no updates until the weekend folks.

Yava -> RE: Halt in proceedings ; be back soon (4/9/2007 2:59:54 PM)
Good God! This is a slaughter!

USSAmerica -> RE: Halt in proceedings ; be back soon (4/9/2007 5:27:03 PM)
It sure does feel a lot like a WWI battle in France! [X(] I hope I can convince my opponent to march his troops and fleet into a meat grinder like you have been able to do, Roger! Congratulations! [8D]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: Halt in proceedings ; be back soon (4/9/2007 5:51:21 PM)
Well from previous games I know when my opponent commits he commits big time.... I put this current battle down to a lot of luck on my part. I cannot claim I knew it was coming, because I didn't. I was expecting something elsewhere actually. I did think that initially it was an attempt to dislodge my forces from Toboali and it was only as it developed that the full scale of the attempt was becoming clear. The turning point was the presence of some PTs at Batavia, these delayed the arrival of the transports and indeed annoyed the BBs so they didn't get their bombardments in. I have benefited enormously from interior lines, and have had large air support at both Batavia and Soerabaja. Having said that I have not had it all my own way, he did catch a convoy delivering a very large RAF air support unit at Soerabaja and they all were lost! I also was a bit short of transports but all of this has now been remedied. Beauforts have been the key element here. I have over 60 regularly flying out of Batavia and all are in the 70's now in experience terms. [image]local://upfiles/21586/A9596FFD08E74DFFAADF2A6A20A6715E.gif[/image]

kaleun -> RE: Halt in proceedings ; be back soon (4/10/2007 8:21:46 PM)
Still an excellent AAR. Brilliant defense I must say.

kaleun -> RE: Halt in proceedings ; be back soon (4/15/2007 5:26:14 PM)
It is the weekend![;)]

Roger Neilson II -> RE: Halt in proceedings ; be back soon (4/15/2007 9:07:03 PM)
Yes, I have had one move, but nothing radical happened. As soon as there are developments I will post the latest. I don't believe in the posting the combat text school of AArs myself...... Roger

Roger Neilson II -> Briefing 12th to 14th November 1942 (4/17/2007 12:10:41 AM)
Gentlemen, we are becoming more and more convinced that the momentous struggle for Batavia has cost the Japs dearly. Several days have passed with no attempt to send any resupply to their troops marooned at Batavia.Following some artillery bombardments while his assault troops rested the Japanese commander threw a furious assault against our defences last night. This cost him heavily in losses to his troops, in use of supplies and did not gain an inch of penetration of our defence lines. If Smithers is right in his calculations we should see a daily diminishment of strength and the 90K troops will become, to all intents and purposes, a bunch of prisoners of war in waiting. Light naval forces operating out of Toboali are now making runs against the damaged shipping 'sheltering' in Teloetbetoeng harbour. Our bombers make daily attacks on the Japs at Batavia whilst our gallant Beauforts remain ever watchful of the seas around - they have now been joined by some squadrons rested after their initial efforts.... Meanwhile Batavia has seen the arrival of some forces from both Australia and the USA, with more on the way. Please note on the situation map displayed that advance forces from Balikpapan have now arrived on the outskirts of Samarinda and we expect to take possession of this tomorrow. Of note is the development in China. After an arduous march a force has managed to insert itself between Sian and Homan, ensuring a large Japanese force that has been besieging Sian has now had the tables reversed. In Northern China the Japanese are entangled in a series of locations, and given the need to hold their lines facing the Russians do not seem to have the reserves to extricate themselves from the mire in this area. Two of these pockets are now being systematically eliminated, and following this these troops will become available for redeployment elsewhere. You may note no mention of several other areas of the overall conflict at present.... those words are chosen carefully! I look forward to a further briefing over the next few days, at our time of choosing - no longer will the enemy dictate when I have to brief you. [image]local://upfiles/21586/77429B15B29F418B88CAB37E3C78854E.gif[/image]

kaleun -> RE: Briefing 12th to 14th November 1942 (4/17/2007 12:16:34 AM)
That was some great defense. Without the oil from Soerabaja, Balikpapan and tarakan, I do not see how Japan can pursue the war. Pretty impressive.

Mike Dixon -> RE: Briefing 12th to 14th November 1942 (4/17/2007 1:25:41 PM)
Wow, I havent checked your AAR for a while - it gets better and better!

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