East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies)

East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (Full Version)

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Rybeck -> East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/23/2007 11:09:47 AM)
This will be a joint AAR. We are playing scen 155 with Andrew’s extended map. We are both new to PBEMs - usual house rules in play, and we have also agreed to avoid major land offensives in China to concentrate on the naval war and the Pacific theater as a whole. The narrator from the Japanese side will be Commander Takumi Kobayashi. First, a little background on Takumi… Takumi Kobayashi is a young (just turned 34 in August 1941) officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy’s General Staff, the Gunreibo Socho. He is attached to the First Bureau (Operations), where his chief responsibility is to formulate deployment plans for the Combined Fleet. An atypical naval officer, Takumi is distantly related to nobility (Marquis Kido on his mother’s side). His father had served as an ensign during the war with China in 1894, commanded a destroyer at Tsushima and had made rear admiral before his retirement in the late 1920s. Graduating cum laude from Yale University with degrees in political science and history, he had generally enjoyed his time in the United States and arguably understood America and the West better than many, if not most other IJN officers. Access to a certain level of classified information and a solid network of contacts both political and military has its privileges. Despite his relatively junior rank, Takumi could thusly observe and get updates on the escalating war from an enviable vantage point - this doesn’t mean he always gets it right, of course. [;)] The narrative will encapsulate some of his more salient thoughts about the overall military situation.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/23/2007 11:32:26 AM)
The unthinkable has begun. In our earlier planning sessions, I had advocated confining our initial attacks to just the British and Dutch empires, skirting the Philippine islands and completely ignoring Hawaii. Admiral Yamamoto claims to know his Americans, but I suspect that if it comes to open war, it would be infintely better to let them come to us, rather than the other way around. Who knows, their generally isolationist Congress may not even agree to declare war on us if we stick solely to just British and Dutch targets. After all, it is the rich resources of the Southern Resource Area that we want. The Americans, with their superior industrial base, will almost surely prove troublesome in the long run. I did manage to win over a few superiors to my ideas, but Admiral Yamamoto and his backers were quick to shoot down my recommendations. Besides, stuffy old admirals never really take three-stripers seriously. It would be all or nothing. Initial reports indicate that the First Air Fleet’s attacks against Pearl Harbor were anything but stellar. The American carriers were not in port, and none of their battleships or major warships were sunk or irreparably damaged. As I understand it, no torpedoes were launched in the first strike and most of our 250kg bombs simply bounced off the capital ships! [image]local://upfiles/15194/86E51AD5A0D8460E8C247F533FDA5FDD.jpg[/image] Rendezvous with destiny - the first A6M2 taking off from Akagi Not surprisingly, Admiral Nagumo decided to launch further strikes, but strategic success continued to elude him. Of the battleships, only Nevada and Pennsylvania were badly damaged. General Short was not tardy in responding. Enemy fighters quickly scrambled, and all available bombers and attack planes from every airfield in range were hurled against First Air Fleet. Our Zeros shot down dozens of enemy marauders, taking only slight losses, but the enemy managed to score a bomb hit on fleet carrier Hiryu. With surprise lost and the enemy fully alerted, Nagumo decided to withdraw Kido Butai from Hawaiian waters.

Emilio -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/23/2007 5:07:23 PM)
Hello boys, sorry for my poor english knowledge. Here we go, The allied side of this AAR will be post by Heywood L. Tipps, F.D. Roosevelt personal advisor. It seems that as last class governement employee he doesn't have influence in the country decissions. You cannot be more wrong. This lazy, inept and stupid boy, 35 years old, is the most beloved advisor for FDR. So his oppinions counts "a lot". So much that against any other oppinions (mainly generals and admirals), he was in possition to convice FDR about the japanese peaceful intentions. Because that, and due to his (apparentely) outstanding knowledge of Japan culture, he has been promoted to a very high place in the White House, directly attached to Defense. Last 7th of December, when someone strike PH, Woody found some irrefutable proofs that the attack was conducted by an alien civilization, coming from a distant rising red sun. However, despite the incontestable true, military staff, looking for an opportunity to declare martial law, and start a dangerous arms race, make a conspiration in Washington, and was able to convice to FDR and Congress declare war agaisnt the peaceful Empire of Japan. Poor Woody was forced to abandon his job in Defense, but still he is the main FDR advisor. This is the boy who will conduct FDR in war time. I will follow this AAR. Please, do not miss it. [image]local://upfiles/17592/95ED161EDE7340C3862CB59C22CCBD07.jpg[/image]

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/23/2007 7:26:19 PM)
The first month of the war (Dec 7th, 1941 to Jan 8th, 1942) MALAYA/BURMA Taking advantage of enemy unpreparedness, the spearhead of 25th Army (5th and 18th Divisions), supported by armor, aviation and engineering units, left their jumping off points in Hainan and Indochina and sailed for Singora. Fighters, bombers and recon planes were also staged in to protect the transports and attack enemy shipping, air and troop concentrations throughout Malaya. [image]local://upfiles/15194/A8462685C01E46AC8443CCA11565A2F7.jpg[/image] Malaya and southern Burma, Jan 9th 1942 From bases in Indochina, our paratroops managed to secure Tavoy and Victoria Point by Dec 11th after a brief skirmish with the brave but outgunned defenders. After some stiff resistance, Alor Star was secured on Dec 14th. Four days later, Georgetown was taken. I understand that the Allies suffered over 4,000 casualties there, including prisoners. Taiping fell on Dec 22nd, and by Dec 30th, Kuala Lumpur too. 25th Army also managed to cut off and force the surrender of 12th Indian Brigade and No. 113 RAF Base Force at Malacca on Jan 7th, 1942. The Allies sustained over 5,400 casualties (mostly prisoners). As of Jan 9th, the reinforced 25th Army (of no fewer than five infantry divisions) is on the approaches of Johore Bahru, the last major township before Fortress Singapore. A small IJA detachment was forced back from Kota Bharu on Jan 5th. It seems we underestimated the isolated Allied garrison there. It fought well and launched a convincing counterattack. More forces will be brought in to subdue them – meanwhile, our bombers from Alor Star and Singora will continue to pound them.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/23/2007 9:26:22 PM)
PHILIPPINES/BORNEO/DUTCH EAST INDIES Our air attacks from Formosa against Clark Field went off to a good start. In the first attack alone, 19 aircraft were destroyed in the air and on the ground. The airbase and runway were also heavily damaged. Still more aircraft were destroyed in the days to come. Within a week, Japan had gained ascendancy in the air over the Philippine islands. While I was unsuccessful in getting the bigwigs to avoid declaring war on the Americans, I did manage to get my way in that the initial amphibious assaults would avoid Luzon. Instead, all available forces would land at Cagayan in the south Philippines. From there it would be easier to move directly against southern Borneo. The invasion of north Borneo would fall first on Brunei, which was taken on Dec 9th. Kuching, with its good-sized airbase, was declared secure on Dec 17th. From Kuching, Nell and Betty Daitai could then make the shipping lanes around Singapore and Palembang very dangerous for the Allies. The Allies put up a good show at Cagayan but were forced to abandon the town on Dec 10th. Betty and Nell bombers were immediately staged into Cagayan to interdict enemy shipping. After a brief period of consolidation, transports ferried our troops across the Celebes Sea to Tarakan, which fell on Dec 17th. The seizure of Balikpapan required a little more preparation, as the enemy was known to have fairly strong cruiser and destroyer forces within easy reach of that base. In the event, the enemy’s navy did not intervene, and Balikpapan duly fell on Dec 30th. The airbase at Balikpapan was captured intact but even so, I felt that Balikpapan was still too far from Java for our aircraft to comfortably dominate the airspace. A closer base was needed – Bandjermasin, just over 200 miles from Java. Taking this base would be risky, as it was within easy reach of enemy air bases in Java. I pushed for a strong naval force of battleships and heavy cruisers to escort the transports, and a heavy escort of land-based Zero fighters from Balikpapan to cover the operation. No enemy surface ships interfered with the operation, but air attacks came in fast and furious. Despite heavy losses (an estimated 40-50 aircraft shot down) to our Zero fighters, enemy air succeeded in badly damaging several transports and patrol craft. Bandjermasin fell on Jan 8th. [image]local://upfiles/15194/DB2DB2D95864490DABDE1B157DFFC87A.jpg[/image] Borneo and southern Philippines, Jan 9th 1942

Emilio -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/24/2007 1:15:04 AM)
Ok. What to say about that 3 weeks of war? For the Pacific I will wait for Matt post, since it will be more interest than mine. So lets go for our allies, british, dutch and chinese. Woody hsa been succesful keeping his place as advisor, despite the initial disasters. In China almost no movement. Hong Kong was taken with serious casualties for Japan, but finally it fall to its destiny. British fleet has succesfully escaped, and now it is on way back to UK. Malaya has been almost completely conquered. Now only Johore Bahru and Mersing stands before Singapore. Kota Bharu and Kuantan are isolated. Some land units have been evacuated to India, with an high cost. Some transports were sunk by Japanese planes. All air fleet has been evacuated also. Dutch situation is not better. Even when japanese attacks are not generalizated, they are very concentrated, avoiding any opposition. Borneo is lost, but Sumatra, Java, Celebes and Amboina still are in dutch hands. Now with Bandjermasin conquered by Japan, the situation in Java has become really difficult. A heavy air attack against his fleet has been repulsed without any score. Dutch fleet has been evacuated. I will try to stabilize th front in India. And finally, Philippines. It start with a disaster. Clark Field was devastated the first day. I tried to snake 31st USA RCT but it was almost destroyed at sea. Better luck for 4th Marines. First they were forced to land in Jolo, but finally it could be evacuated. Luzon is not yet invaded. All remain US planes were sent to Australia. Fortunately most B-17 and P-40E were saved. CA Houston and CL Marblehead are safe. CL Boise was sunk by a stupid mistake. All subs were off Manila, and 5 of them are sunk by Matt. My plan is to stabilize the front in Timor and Darwin. I have to think about Amboina. So situation is normal as this stage for allied player. I'm being conservative, since Matt is invading every base with a lot of forces, making impossible any kind of stand.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/24/2007 6:39:04 AM)
The war at sea (1) Despite the inauspicious start at Pearl Harbor, our naval and air forces (especially 2nd Air Fleet operating off Borneo and the southwestern Philippines) performed admirably. Scores of transports and light vessels (patrol craft, minesweepers) were sunk in the Southern Resource Area, in several instances with numbers of troops aboard. On Dec 8th, the US light cruiser Boise was conducting an aggressive naval patrol in the vicinity of Cagayan and chanced upon our transports busily unloading troops and supplies there. Notwithstanding the presence of our powerful screening force (which included battleships Kongo and Haruna), the valiant cruiser captain decided to attack. Before she really had a chance to fire her guns in anger, Boise was promptly sunk by an overwhelming hail of shell from our capital ships. The last fight of the Boise was simply American daredevilry at its finest. [image]local://upfiles/15194/1DA6A2CA9C4047B78D27B5CD666FFB94.gif[/image] CL Boise in happier times Between Dec 9th and 10th, land-based air in Indochina and Singora also sank the British light cruiser Mauritius and four destroyers in the Strait of Malacca. The British ships had no air cover and were essentially sitting ducks.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/24/2007 7:39:13 AM)
The war at sea (2) After refuelling at Kwajalein, the First Air Fleet sailed southwestwards towards New Caledonia to prey on Allied commerce sailing to and from Australia. On Dec 21st, searchplanes from Kido Butai detected a large concentration of Allied ships off Santa Cruz, including what appeared to be the fleet carrier Enterprise! [image]local://upfiles/15194/9A3771E1F6EE4CD58D0E0BF84B9EA181.jpg[/image] Calm before the storm - Val bombers on carrier Akagi; Shokaku is in the background In the event, the Americans had the carriers Enterprise and Lexington at Santa Cruz, supported by cruisers and destroyers. Unbeknownst to us, the Americans had already spotted Kido Butai and got their strikes off first. The Zeros of our combat air patrol shot down, damaged or drove off about 80 enemy planes, but an SBD dive-bomber got through fighters and flak to hit Zuikaku with a bomb. The actual damage was not serious, but the fires had to be extinguished before they could spread. With their carrier airgroups badly reduced, the American ships split into two task forces and fled, the Enterprise TF towards Ellice Islands and the Lexington TF towards Fiji. Leaving Zuikaku behind with a destroyer escort, the First Air Fleet gave chase at full speed. Our carriers launched their first strike at extreme range on Dec 22nd against the Enterprise task force. Enterprise took 19 bomb hits (many penetrating), heavy cruiser Salt Lake City took 4 bomb hits, and CA Northampton took one bomb hit that bounced off its deck armor. Subsequent strikes finished off the blazing Enterprise and CA Chester (bombs set off the magazine), with severe damage to heavy cruisers Northampton and Salt Lake City. Destroyers Dunlap and McCall were also left flaming wrecks.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/24/2007 7:57:54 AM)
The war at sea (3) On Dec 23rd, after a report from a Jake searchplane that the Americans had split their forces into two groups, First Air Fleet also divided its ships, with the faster carriers heading southeast to try and catch the Lexington TF, while the remaining carriers headed east to finish off the badly mauled Enterprise task force. First, Kates finished off CA Salt Lake City with four torpedo hits. Next, a second strike hit DD Craven with two torpedoes, and also damaged DD Maury, Gridley and Fanning. A final series of air strikes sank DD Fanning, Maury, Benham and Gridley. Preliminary reports indicate that the fire-eating Admiral Halsey elected to go down with his shattered fleet. The crippled CA Northampton was also put out of her misery on Dec 24th. The next day, Dec 24th, our carriers caught up to Lexington trying to rebuild her airgroups at Fiji. Lady Lex’s last strike was token – a handful of SBD and TBDs – quickly decimated by our air patrol. Retaliation was swift in coming. Destroyers Balch and Ellet were sunk, and Lexington was plastered with over 30 bombs and 7 torpedoes. The Allied damage control crew performed countless small miracles, but Lady Lex was beyond saving, and sank shortly thereafter. Our Val bombers also hit heavy cruiser Portland with three bombs but no significant damage was reported. Two enemy transports were also sunk at Fiji. Our losses were 6 Vals and 6 Kates destroyed, and several other aircraft damaged. [image]local://upfiles/15194/666A312B2D10499FA52CCE524A817D0A.jpg[/image] Abandon ship! The end of Lady Lex Further attempts to locate the remaining cruisers and destroyers off Fiji were not successful, and in any case, our ships were running low on fuel. The chase was reluctantly called off. Most of the aggressive initiative in the carrier battle was actually displayed by Rear-Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi (previously commanding Carrier Division 2 – Soryu and Hiryu), in contrast to the nervy Nagumo who showed bad strains of indecisiveness after the sighting reports of enemy carriers. Yamamoto took this opportunity to ease out Nagumo as commander of Kido Butai, and Yamaguchi was promoted to command the First Air Fleet. I was extremely relieved to hear of Yamaguchi’s new appointment. At this juncture, he had more practical experience and flair than any other carrier admiral in the Combined Fleet. First Air Fleet's 'bag' of confirmed and assumed kills, Dec 21st to 24th, 1941 2 fleet carriers (Enterprise and Lexington) 3 heavy cruisers (Salt Lake City, Chester, Northampton) 9 destroyers (Dunlap, McCall, Craven, Fanning, Maury, Benham, Gridley, Balch, Ellet) 2 AP Japanese losses about forty aircraft, carrier Zuikaku lightly damaged but able to launch/recover planes; carrier Hiryu light damage from bomb hit off Hawaii.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/24/2007 9:13:29 AM)
SOUTH PACIFIC Following the successful carrier battles, our troopships moved first against undefended Tulagi (taken Dec 30th). Next up on the agenda was the invasion of Rabaul, which would prove rather more difficult. The enemy had moved a good A-24 Dauntless group there, and our transports came under heavy attack as they entered the Bismarck Sea. One transport (AK Siberia) was lost and several others damaged. The enthusiastic coastal guns at Rabaul also caused light-moderate damage to several of our transports and light craft. Fortunately, most of the troops got ashore safely. By Jan 6th, the small Rabaul garrison had been overwhelmed. [image]local://upfiles/15194/4BFD72BAAACE480889E5E3C10FBE3357.jpg[/image] South Pacific, Jan 9th 1942 Moving back up the Solomons chain, First Air Fleet surprised several Allied transport groups and sank no fewer than 7 AK ships.

Emilio -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/24/2007 4:38:54 PM)
Hello boys, Woody speaking. So far we are satisfied in the Pacific front. PH strike was not good for the aliens as no capital ship was sunk. I advice to the president to ambush japanese transports trying to invade Rabaul or Shortlands, so he gave orders to our carriers to move to Santa Cruz, waiting for them. They were happily chasing for native girls when KB was detected. Our pilots launched an outstanding attack, damaging lightly CV Zuikaku. For unknown reasons most of our pilots didn't come back to our carriers. We are speculating about a general abduction. Enemy counterstrike was unsuccessful, and we are glad to say that our carriers are safe in 2 new underwater bases. However we are experiencing technical problems with that underwater bases. Our carriers cannot sail away from them. We are working on it, and our staff has given around 500 days to fix that problem. Our surface fleet is now splitting in 2 opposite directions. Half will be hidden in a new secret megabase in Anctartica, called Penguin 1. The other half will sail to a twin base in Arctic Ocean, called Polar Zebra Station. In yellow you can find (I think that its obvious, so no real news for Matt) where I will try, if I can, to stop or delay him. Stay tuned for more updates... [image]local://upfiles/17592/35D79F10DE94421EA0CD351A5B06A7AD.jpg[/image]

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/25/2007 10:22:12 AM)
MALAYA - THE END OF THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN January 10th, 1942 The harried and demoralized Allied defenders, some of whom had been fighting a losing battle since Alor Star in north Malaya, were finally hustled out of Johore Bahru today. Enemy casualties in the fighting exceeded 1,000 men. Our troops are fatigued too, having advanced hundreds of miles through jungle-ridden territory. They will be allowed a brief moment of rest before preparing the assault against Fortress Singapore. [image]local://upfiles/15194/844A8DD41037462880EE43B6D8350316.jpg[/image] Japanese Army troops storming through Johore Bahru

Emilio -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/25/2007 3:58:42 PM)
That poor japanese soldiers are coming to a colossal ambush in Malaya. West side of Malaya is in their hands, but I keep completely the east side. Most of his troops are in Johore Bahru, ready to launch a strike in Singapore. Well, they doesn't know that our fellow british allies have a new secret weapon, the Mini Tank... In the other hand, a strong fleet (part of KB included) is approaching to Port Moresby. Is Matt willing to seize PM so soon? [image]local://upfiles/17592/EE5C91924018485C81BD2EF1C88335AF.jpg[/image]

Feinder -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/25/2007 11:33:22 PM)
OMG. This one is a riot. I'll keep an eye on this one as well. Keep it up guys! -F-

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/27/2007 11:09:27 AM)
Jan 13th, 1942 MALAYA The first echelons of 25th Army crossed the Straits of Johore into Singapore, landing on the northern and northwestern parts of the fortress. The defenders had not been idle, fortifying their positions well (to level 5). Our forces were subject to a curtain of artillery and machine-gun fire as they waded ashore. [image]local://upfiles/15194/A5CA9C86476149B29A29BA74D80DC99E.jpg[/image] Combat engineers from the 18th Division landing on Singapore Once ashore however, our troops easily defeated enemy attempts to push them back into the sea. The beachheads were expanded. Tanks and heavy artillery soon followed. Enemy fortifications were forcibly reduced (to level 4). The enemy suffered over 2,000 casualties and 80 guns were also destroyed or captured by our troops. The British Empire is not thought to have any armored forces in Singapore, but recent rumors of a secret "Mini Tank" brigade manned by hopelessly eccentric tankers have surfaced. We must be on our guard ... [:D] Apart from various support, headquarters and flak units, the enemy’s main infantry force consists of six brigades: 6th and 15th Indian (badly mauled, fatigued and demoralized) 22nd and 27th Australian (fresh but thought to be inexperienced) 2nd Malaya (indigenous troops, probably poorly equipped) Straits Settlement Volunteeer Force (SSVF - enthusiastic but untried in battle). Overhead, our aircraft flew sorties with near impunity against the beleaguered defenders. Enemy Buffalo I fighters bravely attempted to intercept our raids, but our Zeros proved a strong deterrent. 13 Buffaloes were shot down without any losses. Enemy flak did however account for several bombers and recon planes. SOUTH PACIFIC At Port Moresby, our landing forces were greeted with a devastatingly intense (446 coastal guns) barrage. Our intelligence had erred here, estimating enemy strength here to be no more than battalion strength, when there was actually a full brigade (30th Australian), a Papuan battalion and 112 RAN Base Force well dug in. Two minesweepers were heavily damaged and several transports set on fire. Despite losses, most of our troops were safely landed ashore. Enemy attempts to bombard us on the beaches were generally unsuccessful.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/29/2007 9:06:55 AM)
Jan 15th MALAYA The end came surprisingly quickly at Singapore. Our planners had estimated the fortress to hold for at least a week, but they had apparently underestimated General Yamashita. Brushing off weak enemy counterattacks, the 25th Army launched a two-pronged assault that had quickly seized the fortress’ main water reservoirs. Hemmed into an increasingly shrinking pocket in the south, battered incessantly by our air and artillery, General Percival bowed to the inevitable. [image]local://upfiles/15194/520A33215BC2445782778E5C7B611EA4.jpg[/image] General Percival (far right) surrenders Fortress Singapore Almost 35,000 prisoners were taken. Our troops also came upon 18 destroyed Buffalo I fighters at the airbase. Just before the final surrender, the enemy also scuttled six LCVP, a minesweeper, and 3 patrol craft in the harbor. WAR AT SEA The enemy enjoyed some success in the South China Sea when SS Rover managed to mortally hit destroyer Satsuki with 2 torpedoes. Sally bombers from Bandjermasin also sank minelayer Krakatau at Soerabaja. SOUTH PACIFIC At Port Moresby, both sides trying to wear each other down with (not particularly effective) artillery duels. We do have more troops at hand however, and once they recover from the disruption suffered in the fiercely contested landings, the outcome cannot be long postponed.

Rybeck -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (7/30/2007 11:50:31 AM)
Jan 18th DUTCH EAST INDIES Apart from auxiliary aircraft, Allied airpower in and around Soerabaja appears fairly weak. Our bombers hit the port there unopposed. Two Dutch submarines, the KX and KXIV were sunk yesterday, and two other submarines KIX and KVII were also heavily damaged. BURMA Our fighter sweeps accounted for 14 Buffalo Is in fierce aerial combat over Rangoon from Jan 17-18. Another 2 Buffaloes were destroyed on the ground by our bombers. The airbase there was also hit but damage was reportedly slight. SOUTH PACIFIC Following a heavy air attack from our carrier-based Vals, our land forces at Port Moresby succeeded in breaching enemy defenses there. The base was declared secure on Jan 18th, and the routed defenders were pushed back north along the Kokoda Trail, which links the northern and southern coasts of New Guinea. Intelligence reports indicate that the tough 30th Australian Brigade took quite severe losses in the last fight for Port Moresby before retreating. (300-400 casualties) [image]local://upfiles/15194/A8DD3E31FE54454397E934482E13B8BA.jpg[/image] A deceptively tranquil picture of Port Moresby after the fighting...

AdmFletcher -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (8/28/2007 1:30:40 PM)
Unlike Admiral "Bull" Halsey who opted for Davy Jones' locker, Admiral Fletcher had miraculously survived his task force's watery demise. Ole Fletch transferring his flag to a lesser ship (a destroyer) and hastily commandeered it from the Fiji area towards a nearby friendly Allied continent. This destroyer speedily and successfully made its destination. Unfortunately, Lady Luck did not shine on Fletch. While physically safe from the marauding forces of Kido Butai, he was overcome by the sudden heat and humid weather of that geographical latitude. Considerably disheartened and demoralized that he could not return to the United States in the foreseeable future (no thanks to the tenacity of the still undamaged and relentless prowling Kido Butai calling the Pacific Ocean its playground), Fletcher suffered respiratory problems and was breathless for several days. Fletcher's health still remains delicate as the weather and the strategic map remain unpleasant. Without new carriers, and not surprisingly, Fletch is really looking forward to and seeking a permanent assignment to a much cooler climate, such as the "Penguin 1" secret megabase, as depicted on Woody's map. So, as Fletcher is out of commission due to respiratory illnesses, it looks like the Allies will have to either look at Admiral Chester Nimitz or Rear Admiral Spruance to succeed as Commander of the Pacific Fleets against the voracious and unsatiated wicked Forces of the Evil Empire of the Nips. A good thing Woody has, for the foreseeable future, designated Admiral Fletcher on permanent hiatus. Indeed, there will be no Battle of the Coral Sea.

Emilio -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (6/2/2008 7:21:20 PM)
Hi boys, Despite the time the game is still played, we are now in February, 1943. Yesterday my opponent (Rybeck as Japan), achieved a Decisive Victory (4-1), due to a dissaster offensive to retake Noumea. However we have decided to continue the game to have fun, so now that I don't have to worry about VPs I can be more aggresive. I loss 2 CVs (Enterprise & Yorktown), with 3 CAs during the first weeks of the war, trying to catch some transports in the South Pacific. The front has been stabilized from some months ago. In Burma I held Mandalay (hard fighting there in 1942) and Akyab. Also India and Ceylan are safe. DEI are japanese by now. He tried to land in Australia (a really small invasion, actually), and he only owns Thursday Island, besides Port Moresby. Australia is now well defended and with enough forces to stand (and more). In the Pacific I managed to held NZ, Suva, Canton Is., Palmyra, Johnston Is., PH and Midway. However he owns Noumea, Efate, Louganville and Wake. The north front is quiet, with no action. It is now well defended from my side, and most of the bases are well built up. China, as agreed, is just a training camp for pilots. We agreed to don't launch big land offensives and to focus in the Pacific. Yesterday (5th of 1943), I launched my first counter offensive with 2 axis of attack. Main one was for Marcus Island and a "diversion" for Noumea. For Marcus I detached 4 CVs, a lot of BBs and CAs with 2 divisions. For Noumea I detached 7 CVEs, 4 BBs and some CAs, with also 2 divisions. Because my opponent skill he had some carriers in station between Suva and Noumea, and my carriers were all sunk, without any hit in his ships. Also I loss an old BB and 30-40% of Americal Division. My sub force has suffered a lot, since I didn't manage properly during the first year (automatic moves). So now I have to lick my wounds and to plan a new attack. Fortunately Corsairs, P-38G and Spitfires are arriving and my fighters can stand his Zeros. 3 CVs are coming in 100 days, plus some CVLs. [image]local://upfiles/17592/D275C5A482804376BA22C6A97460C7C2.jpg[/image]

Chimaera -> RE: East Wind, Rain - CHS scen 155, Rybeck (Japan) vs Emilio (Allies) (6/16/2008 12:22:12 PM)
Admiral Rybeck withdrew from the game some months ago for personal reasons, so I agreed to take over the reins playing Japan. Game-date is now Feb 23rd, 1943. I actually got rather lucky in the south Pacific. My carriers were operating south of New Caledonia hoping to catch Allied transports but chanced upon his CVE force, with battleships and an invasion armada heading towards Noumea. After defeating the escort carriers, Kido Butai pursued the fleeing remnants back towards Fiji. Many transports went down, as did battleships Oklahoma and Maryland. Despite these great victories, the Allies remain dangerous, with new ships and planes continually arriving to replace losses. Stay tuned.

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