RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (Full Version)

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Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/9/2009 8:48:07 PM)

June 10, 1945

Location: Wakkanai
Course: None
Attached to: TF 21
Mission: Surface combat
System Damage: 5
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Return to Wakkanai

---

Excerpt from "Naval Battles of the Pacific, Volume 9: Steel Sunset" by Morris Elliot Samuelson; Harper, Row, and Fujimori, New York, 1965

Initial gains for the Allied invasion forces were swift. By 10 June Hagi, a port ten miles up the coast from the Nagato landing site, had been secured, while inland American tanks were at Ogori, a mere five miles from the city of Yamaguchi. The only opposition thus far encountered was sporadic civilian resistance (which we will discuss at greater length in the following chapter).

The Japanese, for their part, were attempting to respond as swiftly as possible. Their greatest fear was that Allied troops would reach the vital port and rail center at Hiroshima before they could reinforce the defenses there. This would give the Allies the ability to bring troops ashore at a far greater rate. Throughout Honshu Japanese infantry formations began to move in that direction. Lack of transportation hindered them, however, as did the generally battered state of Japan’s railways. Most Japanese soldiers were forced to move on foot.

On Kyushu the Japanese pulled as many units as they felt they could spare from Kagoshima, Nakasaki, and Sasebo and set them moving towards the Kanmon Strait. While there was some concern among Japanese military leaders that the Allied attack was only a diversion they recognized, after some debate, that they could not afford to treat it as anything but the main attack. While Japan’s defenses everywhere were thus weakened enough troops remained in key areas to at least, they hoped, discourage the enemy from trying an improvised attack elsewhere.

While things were going well for the Allies on the ground trouble was developing elsewhere. The biggest threat to the operation, as discussed previously, was the dangerously long and tenuous supply line through the Korea Strait. The original plan had been for aircraft based at Tsushima Island to protect this supply line. When Japanese efforts to hinder the development of the airfields there proved effective the task of protecting the supply line fell to the Allied carrier forces.

On 9 June the remnants of the Combined Fleet were spotted in the eastern Sea of Japan. Accordingly most of the fleet carriers moved east to screen the vital ports on Fukawa Bay. This left the defense of the Korea Strait primarily to escort carriers. These small but useful ships proved appallingly vulnerable to Japanese kamikaze attacks. On 10 June three were sunk and three others were damaged and forced to retire. With the Allied air defense thus in disarray several freighters and troop transports were also hit.

Allied forces responded by stepping up their bombing attacks on Japanese airfields throughout the region. On 11 June the airfields around Hiroshima received a ferocious pounding, destroying many Japanese planes and leaving the facilities there in shambles. The aerial blitz continued the following day with attacks on…

---

Allied ground movements, June 8 – 10:



[image]local://upfiles/23804/C27A0FF95E454D5AA0F7E425FA1F7325.jpg[/image]



rjopel -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/9/2009 10:24:52 PM)

What's the lines from the south? Has there been a second landing?



cantona2 -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/9/2009 10:25:27 PM)

I think they are Jap troop movements



Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/9/2009 10:48:16 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: rjopel

What's the lines from the south? Has there been a second landing?


Those are Allied movements up from the landing area at Shimoneseki, which I could not quite squeeze onto the map.




Alikchi2 -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/10/2009 7:50:41 AM)

So in game terms - still one hex. Hmmm..

This is getting tense.



funkatron3000 -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/10/2009 7:04:25 PM)

Hello. I've been reading this on my lunch breaks for the past month or so. This is outstanding work Cuttlefish! I know it's been said a lot over the past two years but it bears repeating. I normally hang out on the Carriers At War forum but learned about this AAR from people over there. I may even have to buy WitP to see what it's all about.

Until then, I'll consign myself to the Hibiki addicts group and wait for the next update.



Dave3L -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/10/2009 7:28:18 PM)

Welcome aboard funk, please see canoerebel for your complimentary Hibiki addicts gift bag.



kaleun -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/10/2009 8:26:27 PM)

Just get WITPAE!



Zacktar -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/11/2009 1:49:15 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: kaleun

Just get WITPAE!

But please, don't get it until the invasion of Japan's resolved! [:D]



Marc gto -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/11/2009 4:58:36 PM)

EXACTLTY



Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/11/2009 9:04:11 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: funkatron3000

Hello. I've been reading this on my lunch breaks for the past month or so. This is outstanding work Cuttlefish! I know it's been said a lot over the past two years but it bears repeating. I normally hang out on the Carriers At War forum but learned about this AAR from people over there. I may even have to buy WitP to see what it's all about.

Until then, I'll consign myself to the Hibiki addicts group and wait for the next update.


Thank you and welcome aboard. I will try to keep the updates coming!



Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/11/2009 9:10:42 PM)

June 11, 1945

Location: Wakkanai
Course: None
Attached to: TF 21
Mission: Surface combat
System Damage: 5
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Return to Wakkanai

---

Chief Engineer Sakati’s “office” is just a cubby off the forward engine room. Most of the wall space is taken up with blueprints and diagrams, many of them faded and curled at the edges. Along one wall is a truly impressive collection of empty scotch bottles, carefully cradled to guard against breakage in high seas and with their labels prominently displayed. No two are alike. There are several bins filled with fittings and spare parts and a very small desk.

As Constructor Chief Petty Officer Shinoda steps inside Sakati is standing in front of his desk and leaning back against it with his arms folded. Shinoda salutes.

“You asked to see me, sir?” he says. Sakati nods.

“At ease, Chief Shinoda,” he says. Shinoda is one of his most capable and useful men, the acknowledged master of the ship’s machine rooms. He is equally skilled working with wood or metal and welds the neatest, straightest seam Sakati has ever seen. Sakati sighs.

“You are from Yamaguchi city, Shinoda, are you not?” he asks quietly. It is not often possible to speak quietly here, but the ship is at anchor and the engines are silent.

“Yes sir,” says Shinoda, his weathered face impassive.

“I have just come from a briefing given by Captain Ishii,” says Sakati. “It seems the enemy has launched an assault on Yamaguchi. As there are no Imperial troops in the prefecture yet the civilian population has been ordered to defend the city.”

“I see, sir,” says Shinoda. “I have heard different rumors, but it is good to know the truth.” His face remains impassive but Sakati notes that his fists are clenched and that the muscles in his jaw are bunched.

Sakati knows that Shinoda is married and has several children. “Is your family there now, Chief?” he asks gently.

“Yes sir,” says Shinoda. “As far as I know, sir.” He does not add that this includes his parents, two sisters and their families, and his grandfather.

“Then please accept my prayers for their safety,” Sakati says. “Would you like some time, Shinoda?”

“No sir,” says Shinoda decisively. “We are going to be in battle soon, aren’t we, sir?” Sakati nods.

“Then I should like to return to my duties and help prepare,” Shinoda says.

“Very well then, carry on,” says Sakati.

“Yes sir, thank you sir,” says Shinoda, who salutes and leaves. His back is stiff as a board as he walks away. Grim-faced, Sakati stares down at the deck and then up at the rows of bottles.

“Just between you and me, lads,” he says, addressing the bottles, “we should have ended this damned war a year ago.”





nashvillen -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/12/2009 4:04:53 AM)

Am I seeing a similarity between Sakati and another certain Chief Engineer who also had a taste scotch, but lived several hundred years later?



Marc gto -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/12/2009 11:49:57 PM)

lol...



Capt. Harlock -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/13/2009 2:53:22 AM)

quote:

As there are no Imperial troops in the prefecture yet the civilian population has been ordered to defend the city.”


Not that Imperial HQ cares, but this would seem to be yet another violation of the Geneva Conventions. If every civilian is potentially hostile, most soldiers will respond by shooting civilians first and asking questions later. And from the hints, that's just what is going to happen . . .[X(]



tocaff -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/13/2009 12:26:07 PM)

Another reason Truman opted for the A bomb instead of Olympic. 

I offer this quote from a newspaper interview my father gave about the Nagasaki bombing, of which he was a part of:  About fire bombings...."It was Tokyo and Tokyo was built of wood.  Those bombs killed more people than the A bomb did.  Of course they were conventional weapons..apparently that is OK."





Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/14/2009 7:21:03 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: nashvillen

Am I seeing a similarity between Sakati and another certain Chief Engineer who also had a taste scotch, but lived several hundred years later?


Take a look at this entry from way back on page 9 of this AAR.



Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/14/2009 7:30:09 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

As there are no Imperial troops in the prefecture yet the civilian population has been ordered to defend the city.”


Not that Imperial HQ cares, but this would seem to be yet another violation of the Geneva Conventions. If every civilian is potentially hostile, most soldiers will respond by shooting civilians first and asking questions later. And from the hints, that's just what is going to happen . . .[X(]


My take on this is that, where surprised and overwhelmed, the Japanese civilian population will hide from the American demons and meekly submit to occupation. But where they have time to be whipped into action by the local authorities they will fight fanatically and die in huge numbers. And this will have the effect that you describe. I would imagine that even the best-intentioned troops would become ruthless the first time they see a buddy hacked apart by shovels and bamboo spears. All in all as horrible a situation as one can imagine.



Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/14/2009 7:33:00 PM)

June 12, 1945

Location: Wakkanai
Course: None
Attached to: TF 21
Mission: Surface combat
System Damage: 5
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Return to Wakkanai

---

Ensign Izu goes off duty and, after eating dinner, goes to the small cabin he shares with Konada and two other ensigns. Konada is already there, seated on his bunk. He is writing something and several other papers are stacked neatly beside him.

“What are you writing?” Izu asks as he takes off his jacket. Konada finishes the character he is writing and looks up. His young face is grave.

“A final letter to my parents,” he says. “And my will and other legal papers. I’m just getting everything in order.”

“Prudent,” comments Izu.

“Are you…you know, ready?” Konada asks him. Izu shrugs.

“I’ve been ready for three years,” he says. “But I don’t expect it is going to be necessary.”

“How can you say that?” says Konada quietly. “Sometime very soon we are going to sail out and give battle to the American fleet. Twenty-one ships against the entire American fleet.”

“What of it?” says Izu. Konada just looks at him. Izu sits down on the bunk opposite and considers his words. He and Konada have never become friends. Konada is just too much of a stick and most of all he isn’t Ensign Handa. But Izu knows something about what it is to feel fear before a battle.

“Yes, it seems as if we have no chance of coming back,” says Izu. “But it has seemed that way before, too. This is a lucky ship, Konada. A very lucky ship. And even if we don’t come back I bet you that we will make such an end that they will be telling the tale of our last battle a hundred years from now.” Konada looks down at the letter in his lap.

“I’m not afraid to die,” he says softly.

“Yes you are,” Izu says bluntly. Konada looks up, his eyes hot. “So am I, Konada. So is everyone on this ship. No sane human being isn’t afraid of being torn apart by hot metal, or roasted alive, or drowned. I bet you that even the bravest man in the Special Attack Corps has some part of his mind screaming in terror as he puts his plane into its final dive.”

“Captain Ishii knows no fear,” says Konada stoutly.

“Yes, he does,” says Izu. “Ishii is afraid too, not only for himself but for all the rest of us too. Lieutenant Miharu, even Lieutenant Sugiyura, they all know fear.”

“You cannot tell me Chief Shun is afraid!” says Konada. Izu chuckles.

“You might have me there,” he says. “Maybe Shun isn’t. But look, Konada, there is no shame is being afraid. It is part of being alive. There is only shame in letting it stop you from doing your duty, and that won’t happen.” Konada looks down again.

“Our lives belong to the Emperor,” he says.

“Yes they do,” says Izu. “And we won’t let him down.” He smiles ever so slightly. “And remember this – the enemy is as afraid as we are. Maybe more so.”

“Do you think so?” asks Konada.

“I am sure of it. And if they aren’t, they should be. They don’t have Ishii, or Benzaiten, or Ensign Konada. We are coming for them.”






kaleun -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/15/2009 12:26:11 AM)

Great!



nashvillen -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/15/2009 4:14:22 AM)

I remember reading that one. I hope I have my avatar set right now to see what LtCmdr Kurtis looks like... He is a real Klingon, you know, the kind without bumps on their head!

EDIT: the avatar is not working right, I must have messed up something. Here is the picture:



[image]local://upfiles/21384/67D1D2EB9A1F47AAB2299F408DFA4ADC.jpg[/image]



Cuttlefish -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/15/2009 8:02:35 PM)

June 13, 1945

Location: Wakkanai
Course: None
Attached to: TF 21
Mission: Surface combat
System Damage: 5
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Return to Wakkanai

---

With the city of Yamaguchi secure the Americans begin to establish a defensive line that runs southeast from the Hagi on the Sea of Japan to Yamaguchi and then south to the shore of the Inland Sea. It is good terrain for defense but the line is some 60 kilometers long. This does not give the 60,000 American troops present a chance to defend in much depth.

The Allied plan at this point calls for additional troops to come up to bolster the line. The inevitable Japanese counterattack is to be defeated and Japanese troop strength to be whittled down by artillery and air strikes. Then Allied columns will break out, capture Hiroshima, and then overrun the rest of Honshu and compel a Japanese surrender.

The plan is encountering difficulties, however. The Japanese have managed to impede the progress of troop and supply convoys through the Tsushima Strait. With the Allies still fighting to maintain control of the air over the Strait few of the planned reinforcements have been able to land. In particular the invasion force is short on armor and artillery.

For their part the Japanese are struggling to bring troops forward in the face of heavy air attacks. But several infantry divisions are now in contact or nearing contact with the Allied line and more are coming forward. Within a few days the Japanese expect to have nearly a quarter of a million soldiers ready to attack.

To support this effort the Imperial Navy is ready to send what ships it has to attack the enemy at Fukawa Bay in an effort to close the vital port there to reinforcements. Hundreds of Japanese planes are readied for one final push in support as well. Most of them currently dispersed in small numbers around the countryside, as any large concentration of aircraft is quickly noted by the Allies and destroyed from the air.

A desperate battle for the survival of Japan is about to begin.




Capt. Harlock -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/15/2009 8:16:48 PM)

quote:

In particular the invasion force is short on armor and artillery.

For their part the Japanese are struggling to bring troops forward in the face of heavy air attacks. But several infantry divisions are now in contact or nearing contact with the Allied line and more are coming forward. Within a few days the Japanese expect to have nearly a quarter of a million soldiers ready to attack.


Odds of more than four to one. Fasten your seatbelts. It's gonna be a bumpy ride!



paullus99 -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/15/2009 9:27:22 PM)

Ultimately, this will probably lead to A-Bombs on just about every major Japanese city. Don't think that is going to leave much left for rebuilding after the war.



SireChaos -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/15/2009 11:59:11 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

In particular the invasion force is short on armor and artillery.

For their part the Japanese are struggling to bring troops forward in the face of heavy air attacks. But several infantry divisions are now in contact or nearing contact with the Allied line and more are coming forward. Within a few days the Japanese expect to have nearly a quarter of a million soldiers ready to attack.


Odds of more than four to one. Fasten your seatbelts. It's gonna be a bumpy ride!


Four to one on paper. Those are probably some of the best troops the Allies have, while most of the best Japanese troops have been destroyed on some island or another, or are sitting the war out on Luzon. Plus the Japanese are under constant air attack, while the Allied troops are not.



kaleun -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/16/2009 12:29:22 AM)

quote:

Ultimately, this will probably lead to A-Bombs on just about every major Japanese city. Don't think that is going to leave much left for rebuilding after the war.


My experience with A bombs is that their effectiveness (in WITP) is very, shall we say, limited?



Capt. Harlock -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/16/2009 8:18:46 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: paullus99

Ultimately, this will probably lead to A-Bombs on just about every major Japanese city. Don't think that is going to leave much left for rebuilding after the war.


We're only in mid-June '45. Unless Wolffpack has been seriously accelerating the Manhattan Project, no A-bombs will be available for weeks to come.



paullus99 -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/16/2009 9:24:50 PM)

From the perspective of the narrative only (forgetting game mechanics). The final result of a failed US Invasion of Mainland Japan would have probably have left Japan flat, green & quite possibly glowing at the end of the day.

Just saying....otherwise, this has been a great ride to watch.



SireChaos -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/17/2009 12:14:14 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: paullus99

From the perspective of the narrative only (forgetting game mechanics). The final result of a failed US Invasion of Mainland Japan would have probably have left Japan flat, green & quite possibly glowing at the end of the day.

Just saying....otherwise, this has been a great ride to watch.


They wouldn´t have had the bombs for that sort of thing until years later.



paullus99 -> RE: Assault on mainland Japan: Operation Longbow (9/17/2009 2:08:43 PM)

Not as long as you'd think - combined with an increase in conventional bombing, I bet the US would have run out of viable targets by December 1945 or January 1946 (again, if they had too). But Japan would have surrendered long before that.



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