RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (Full Version)

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kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (12/13/2007 9:41:48 PM)

Thanks. I appreciate that.



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (12/14/2007 12:52:00 AM)

I am going to be out of the country for three weeks. Let's just say I'm going of to consult with Wimpey about the conduct of the war.


Thank you for your patience. Your hits are important to us.



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (12/26/2007 1:40:31 PM)

July 2nd 42
Operation Daring Thrust finally sets out.
Adm. Spruance, in Hornet and Adm Train, in Lex will provide air support and attack the garrison at Tarawa. Rear Adm Drexel leads the invasion task force. He is not at ease in his quarters. There has been only minimal recon of the atoll. He faces an unknown, with two Regimental combat teams. There has been no time for more.
At Tricomalee, the sun rises, and with it, new hope. All the damage has been repaired; mechanics work feverishly on the damaged aircraft. A new wave of ships has been detected approaching the island.
In Bombay, the battle cruiser Repulse has reached dry dock, and repairs are on the way. LGen Pownall and VAdm Sommerville have also moved their HQ to Bombay. The teeming city easily accommodates the HQ staff. The naval officers pay close attention to the shipyards trying to assure maximum effort on the Battlecruiser’s repairs.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/C4C250EA82D04AB09EC02CC800B4D23A.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/8/2008 6:32:50 PM)

July 3rd 1942
The enemy battleships bombard Tricomalee during the night. In the besieged city, soldiers hunch down under the pounding of the big naval guns. The big ships will be far away, away from torpedo bomber range in the morning, an immune from attack.
The search aircraft take off in the morning. To everyone’s surprise, the enemy ships are loitering nearby. No one knows why, but the bombers take off immediately. They are not after transports today, and they attack the enemy with fierce determination.
One after the other the big battlewagons are attacked. Yamato takes three torpedoes, and one bomb bounces off its armor. Hyuga, two torpedoes. Nagato three, and one bomb. Haruna takes one and so does Ise.
The news rapidly leaks to the infantry. The grunts face the enemy today with a sly grin. It may be days before the battlewagons return.
Far away, on the other side of the world, a large ship slips into harbor at Suva. A flat top.
Captain Reeves looks over the anchorage from the bridge as Wasp takes on fuel. Later on, the carrier will slip its moorings and proceed to join the fleet at Noumea.



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/9/2008 8:00:21 PM)

July 4th 1942
In Pearl Harbor the, somewhat muted, celebrations of the US national holiday go on, the admirals are encouraged by the news that Operation Daring Thrust has finally set out, with the ships two days short of their target: Tarawa.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, in Colombo, lines of men disembark from their transports: The 2nd British Division is landing at the harbor and with nary a moment’s rest, sets out towards Triconmalee. The morale is high. Soon the enemy will be pushed back into the sea, where it belongs.
At Tricomalee the morale is not so high. It is true that the enemy battleships were roughly treated yesterday by the allied torpedo bombers. It has not prevented the Japanese from assembling yet another bombardment task force and giving the defenders a once over. The bombardment is weaker since only one enemy battleship is able to participate: The Ise, apparently none the worse for the wear.




[image]local://upfiles/6626/75E7115B80B4418695C16A6E96B88931.jpg[/image]



1275psi -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/11/2008 3:24:17 AM)

Also a nice read from here as well
Good to see a game where the japanese advance seems to have been pretty historical -and the same with the Allied defence
Looks a fun game -well done.
Hope it continues.............



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/12/2008 5:29:43 AM)

July 5th 1942
The message arrives at Pearl.
“Tarawa taken. Minimal resistance. Losses are negligible.”
Nimitz exhales. He walks over and looks at the map.
“The Japs seem committed to their attack against Ceylon. We can attempt another landing, if we do not lose time”
Capt Wayne suggests: “How about Nauru sir? It would be a good seaplane base”
“So it would” mumbles the Admiral. “So it would”




[image]local://upfiles/6626/1DE174865D46401D93A2423E4C654F1D.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/12/2008 1:26:40 PM)

July 6th 1942
RAdm Williams looks out of the bridge of his flagship, HMS Resolution. The old R Class battleship leads a 14 ship task force into the vicinity of Tricomalee. The Admiral has very little hope for his task force. Several large enemy formations have been tracked approaching Tricomalee. Doubtless they bring reinforcements for the enemy that has clung tenaciously to the beachhead. It is pathetic, he thinks that the best the Royal Navy can send to protect such a vital position consists of two superannuated battleships, and four heavy cruisers, plus assorted escorts. If only he could get lucky and the enemy did not bring carriers…
Of course, the enemy will bring carriers but perhaps the land base air can get a lucky hit and knock them out of the picture, then he might, just might play old Harry with the transports; if they do not bring battleships, or even heavy cruisers. Resolution and Revenge might not do well against modern heavy cruisers either. So many ifs.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/CC5CBD58E44C4A22A1C29C8BB11FBAC2.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/13/2008 10:01:23 PM)

Even before first light the search airplanes take off from Tricomalee and Colombo. The attack aircraft are already loaded for bear with bombs and torpedoes. They await only the signal from the scouts to take off in search of the enemy ships.
The news arrives. Two enemy carriers are identified: Hosho and Unyo. Adm Williams feels lucky. Those two small carriers might be enough for his CAP to handle. For the first time in this mission he feels a shade of optimism. He orders his task force ahead.
The bombers find their targets and bore in. The enemy CAP is up in numbers. The bombers push through though and drop their ordnance. All misses.
Williams maneuvers his task force to engage the bombers that are sure to come.
The incoming strike is detected by radar, and shortly afterwards by the lookouts. The destroyers open up with their AA guns. The admiral raises his binoculars to his eyes but stops. Those planes are not coming out of two escort carriers. They are coming at him in huge numbers. The torpedo bombers bore in, shrugging the ineffective CAP aside. The old, slow and ponderous battleships cannot avoid the bombers. Revenge takes 4 torpedoes and Resolution is hit by another four. Only the close proximity of the harbor at Trincomalee saves the heavy ships from destruction.
On the other hand, the allied bombers score many hits on the transports.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/AA0B44BB7588428BBFD136E16E957B89.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/15/2008 6:06:40 AM)

July 9th 1942
Admiral Sommersville and General Pownall look at the map on the wall of the British HQ in Bombay. Little red icons denote the enemy task forces and ships. Yellow icons would designate the allied task forces; if there were any. A bunch of red icons appear at Tricomalee as the IJN reinforces their beachhead, oblivious to the allied air force efforts. The coastal batteries at Trincomalee score hit upon hit on the enemy ships. The bombers score again, with bombs and torpedoes; but there is no ending in sight. More and more men and materiel are landing in Triconmalee. Farther offshore, the recon birds show yet more enemy forces approaching. Wordlessly, Sommersville snaps a pencil between his hands.
The two officers look at each other without words. Nothing need be said.
After a long pause Pownall asks:
“Perhaps the Americans can put some pressure on the Pacific?”
“They have taken Tarawa” Sommersville answers “They have also raided Rabaul a number of times with carriers and surface forces. They are also planning another operation; ‘Threatening sponge’ they call it”
“What is their objective?”
“Some pissing island named Nauru, I believe”
“I don’t think the Japs are going to be paying much attention to that” Pownall states.
“No; I don’t think so. Not yet”



[image]local://upfiles/6626/3AAA8B9E936A4B45A4DC640D4719535A.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/15/2008 8:51:45 AM)

July 11th 1942
A small transport task force unloads supplies at Tarawa. It arrived during the night and immediately started to unload supplies. As the sun rises, the men work feverishly. They know that Tarawa is within range of the obnoxious G3M Nell and G4M Betty bombers from Kwajalein. At this time, they have no fighter cover since the airfield is not ready yet. They also know that the carriers that covered the invasion have withdrawn. It is a dangerous time.
Shortly after daylight, twin engine bombers make their appearance. In rapid succession they form up and attack. The ships are sitting ducks. AK Adm Cole and Coast trader are sunk with 4 torpedo hits each. The enemy planes then leave. The men can only shake their fist at them.
An hour later a second alarm. This time it is single engine aircraft. Val and Kate bombers with a zero escort. The numbers are estimated at a score of Kates and the same number of Dive bombers. The AVD Mackinac, that was supposed to support the Catalinas is hit from all sides and sinks.
Back in Pearl, the orders go out. Lexington is ordered to sail up and attempt a sneak attack. Only one large carrier and perhaps an escort or light carrier are thought to be operating in the area. It is a calculated risk. In Lexington, Adm Train crosses his fingers as the large ships steams towards Tarawa. In Pearl Nimitz does the same.
In Trincomalee, the enemy reinforcements continue to disembark, and the enemy continues to lose ships. It does seem like their supply is inexhaustible though.



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/21/2008 10:23:55 PM)

July 12th 1942
The day starts auspiciously for the British Navy. The heavy cruiser Devonshire raids enemy shipping off Tricomalee. Two troop transports are sunk, later identified as Ural Maru and Mizuiho Maru. A second maru is heavilydamaged. Also the task force bringing the 18th British Division and the 14th Chindit brigade is expected to arrive at Colombo tomorrow.
Two minelayers are sent from Colombo to mine Trincomalee harbor. After their mines are laid they should withdraw to Bombay since there is no minelayer tender at this time in Colombo. The Americans have promised to send a minelayer tender and some repair ships to assist with the defensive effort.
“It would be better if they sent us some carriers” Pownall is heard to say.
In the Gilberts, a large enemy surface task force is bearing down on Tarawa. No transports are identified, so this is not a counter-invasion force. It is expected to be a bombardment task force, trying to make a nuisance of herself, and perhaps bait our carriers.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/760846547EFA4ED998506637C66B73A0.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/23/2008 4:58:53 PM)

July 15th 42
Adm. Ghormley is ecstatic. His raid on Rabaul was a great success. The carriers approached the anchorage and surprised the enemy task force unloading. There were 12 Zero on CAP and only 3 F4F-3 escorted the raid of 34 Dauntless and 12 Avengers. In the final score, A seaplane tender, the AV Kamoi took 6 bomb hits and one torpedo, and is presumed sunk; also sunk was AP Taizan Maru from two bomb and torpedo hits. Another transport was hit by one torpedo, and a fourth took one bomb hit. The carriers are now withdrawing to Noumea.
In Colombo, the British are enjoying a respite. Their bombers out of Colombo and Tric attack enemy shipping and score two torpedo hits on DD Hayabusa and three on DD Yugure. Those two will not make it back. All over the Indian ocean, reconnaissance aircraft report only withdrawing ships. An air of optimism seeps through the defenders. “This is where they stop” Is the prevailing thought at the command center.



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/23/2008 8:18:43 PM)

July 17th 42
Amboina falls
July 18th 42
Enemy carriers are detected appear off the Solomons. The Wasp and Lexington task forces are ordered to intercept. Since the majority of the enemy carrier based effort seems to be concentrated in the Indian Ocean, it is thought that these carriers are probably only one full size carrier and perhaps one or two smaller ones.
Meanwhile, in the Indian Ocean another wave of ships approach Tricomalee. At least two escort carriers accompany this task force. The pilots and aircraft prepare themselves for combat on the following day.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/24CD2D715AC54168B89C0764C8FC0BE6.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/29/2008 5:02:59 PM)

July 19th 42
The enemy task forces continue their approach to Ceylon. Allied bombers attack with some effect, but not enough to impede the well escorted task force from continuing its course. At least 4 carriers are spotted, but not successfully attacked.
In the Solomons, febrile efforts continue to reinforce, entrench and fortify the PM-Gili-Lunga line. An enemy task force is seen north of the Solomons and the two carriers are ordered to intercept.
In Pearl, Nimitz and his staff confer on Japanese intentions in the SWPAC.
“With all the effort they are expending in the IO, they cannot have much in the way of carriers in SWPAC” Nimitz says
“So, perhaps we should try to hit them again” Capt Wayne, who by now has become a sort of Nimitz personal sounding board, suggests.
“We need to help the Brits; take some pressure off them” Nimitz rubs his chin.
“Nauru Is. Seems like a good choice” Wayne floats the idea “If we establish a seaplane base there, it would prevent any sneak attacks on the Solomons from the flank, when they shift their attention to us”
“Yes. Let’s send in that Marine raider battalion that is cooling its heels in Noumea”
“I’ll get right on it” Wayne answers.
“We need a name for the Ops”
“Threatening Sponge”


[image]local://upfiles/6626/C5E6B86FD96F4984B7820D8575991996.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/29/2008 5:17:57 PM)

July 20th 1942
General Pownall is sitting on his chair, pondering how to get the darned Japs out of Tricomalee when an orderly knocks on his door and hands him a message slip.
“#@DD!MMNIT!” His face turns beet red, he gets up off his chair that crashes to the floor and storms out of the room.
Sommerville looks up when the general enters.
“I know” He says “We suspected they were up to something and now we know what it is. It could have been much worse. They have Soryu, Shoho, Zuiho and Taiyo covering; we are hitting them as hard as we can.Can you do anything about it?”
“It looks like the landing force is not too large. I’m sending the 14th Chindit Brigade that is now at Colombo to intercept them. I have the 26th Indian Division loading up at Trivandrum. If needed I’ll send that too.”
“Sneaky b@stards, they are trying to outflank us”


[image]local://upfiles/6626/E24C4EB677AA4E2F834B65BE18F2F2A6.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (1/29/2008 5:26:38 PM)

“Why are you smiling?” Pownall asks.
“I got some intelligence reports on from our cousins. They seem pretty sure of this. We have bagged three of their battleships, Kongo, Mutsu and Ise have been confirmed sunk”
“That’s something”
Back in Pearl, Wayne hurriedly sets up operation “Threatening sponge” The number of troops assigned is small, but the support should compensate for it:
The troops assigned are the 1st Marine Raider Battallion. The transport task force will be led by RAdm Shefroth on DD Russell. Admiral Pallisier will lead the bombardment task force on Missisipi; Idaho, New Mexico and Warspite are also attached to the bombardment task force. Fletcher on Wasp and Halsey on Yorktown will provide the air cover.
The task forces will depart on the 25th, with DDay scheduled for the 30th.
In Noumea, the 2nd Marine Division is now prepping to land at Buin.



ADM Halsey -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (2/29/2008 5:43:12 PM)

Looks like you have your hands full again my worthy Adversary.



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/14/2009 8:11:06 PM)

Well. Warspite has returned after a yearlong hiatus and we are at war again. Unfortunately, I deleted the AARs from the last until now.
Stand by. We are on again



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/14/2009 8:34:54 PM)

The Japanese Empire on November 12th 1942

[image]local://upfiles/6626/D41993220D73464A814A2C0CE7E6C2B2.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/14/2009 8:46:53 PM)

Noumea. November 12th 1942
The air at headquarters is stale with the smell of endless cigarettes. The officers at the US naval HQ look upon their new commander. It is true that no one was happy with Ghormley, specially the way he sucked up to the French rulers of the island. Still, he was a known factor. Vice Admiral Carpenter, on the other hand, was the unknown; come to topple the apple cart.
The Admiral stepped in and went immediately to business.
“The British have turned back the Japanese in India,” he explained. “Thanks to the misguided attempt by Japan to knock India out of the war, they have been unable to push in our direction.”
A murmur of agreement rolls through the room.
“Though they have all but kicked the Japs out of mainland India, our cousins are still hanging on by a hair in Ceylon. The enemy has strong forces in Tricomalee and Colombo and, between them; a full division is being held back by a brigade of Chindits.”
He pulls out a map of the Solomons.
“The Brits have carried most of the weight of this war over the past year. It is time for us to take the offensive gentlemen. Now, Yamamoto must come and tackle with us. When he turns our way, our British cousins can kick his yellow butt out of the island, once and for all.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/99410AD49A7D491CB795255831B3DC0C.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/14/2009 8:53:42 PM)

In India Pownall has his hands full trying to defend Ceylon and at the same time eject the Japanese expeditionary force from Mannagurdi. Despite his repeated attacks, the enemy is holding on, at a great cost. He has recovered the city and port, but he is still using forces there, that are direly needed in Ceylon.
Still, he has to send reinforcements to Ceylon, otherwise the island’s defenders at Tricomalee and Colombo might be overcome. He does not even want to think about what would happen if just one of those large airfields fall into enemy hands.
The 23rd Indian Division sets off to Trivandrum.
“Let’s hope the enemy can’t get more reinforcements in,” he bangs his fist on his desk.
“Where are they getting all those ships?” his aide de camp wonders, “we are sinking them by the truckload.”
“That should help the Yanks, if they can get their heads out of their arses in time to take advantage of it.”


[image]local://upfiles/6626/D57A738956F74760996DB0CD66581D09.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/15/2009 5:11:11 PM)

11/13/42

The Bay of Bengal continues to teem with enemy shipping, going to, or returning from the besieged island of Ceylon. All efforts are centered here.
UK Blenheims, Beauforts, Vengeance, Albacores and Swordfish, sortie after sortie, encounter a target rich environment and score multiple hits. The young men manning these airplanes will be counting coup tonight, in the bars and pubs of Colombo. Maybe the hostesses will be impressed, and the young men may count another kind of coup tomorrow. Colonel Bellamy, in charge of the remaining Eastern Fleet HQ can feel optimistic. Yes, he can hold Colombo; he can even spare the 23rd Indian to reinforce Trico, he just needs the enemy fleet to be away for a couple of days, and the allied transports can run around the island into Tric.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/BC7D7E5CF31B42C69216781CAB48A592.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/15/2009 5:12:51 PM)

LTCol. F. Pringle, in command at Tricomalee would feel more optimistic if his forces were not so outnumbered by the enemy; on the other hand, the enemy must be running low on ammo, since they cannot seem to attack very effectively. Still, he will breathe easier if he can get some reinforcements. He does not know yet that the 23rd Indian Division has arrived at Trivandrum and is only awaiting transport, to set out to reinforce him.

In the Indian mainland, at Mannargudi, the allied forces continue to whittle down the remainders of the Japanese expeditionary force, however, they continue to resist, holding down forces sorely needed elsewhere.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/94FDDB62725246B1AD6A9964C7D67275.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/15/2009 5:13:17 PM)

In the Solomons, Bettys, Helens and Sallys from the Admiralty Islands attack the base in Kavieng. Heavily escorted by AGM2s and AGM3 and some Tonys, the bombers crater the runway, almost destroying the service shacks. Despite them, transports get through to the US base and begin unloading much needed supplies. Lae has a small working airfield, but lack of supplies impedes its use. Supplies, supplies; that is the Bane of the US forces in the SW Pacific. There is never enough  



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/18/2009 8:31:49 PM)

“What are all those contacts reported on the Indian Ocean, heading to and from Mannarpudi?” Gral. Pownall asked, pointing at the map. “The enemy seems to be trying to supply his forces there with these small barge convoys. Some of them have been attacked by our subs, on the surface. They are not worth a torpedo.” “Looks like we should try and hurt them, shouldn’t we?”  



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/19/2009 4:29:37 PM)

11/14/42
With the withdrawal of the enemy fleet forces away from striking range, Bellamy dares to ask for a naval bombardment of the enemy positions at Colombo. The old battleship Valiant and its escorts makes a “fast” run from Trivandrum and hits enemy positions at the beleaguered city. Aided by shore spotters, the fire is effective and the Japanese can do nothing but hunker down and take it. By dawn, the battlewagon is steaming away, far from any possible enemy retaliation.
In Akyab, Capt Manning watches his one flight of Hurricanes dish it out with the enemy Tonys that come visiting every day. Outnumbered, the plucky Brit fighters keep the enemy at bay in what is, for now, a backwater to the major battle being fought far to the south. In his hands a report on the two additional flights of fighters that are being prepared in nearby airports.
He has the feeling that his post will not be a backwater for long. His requests for infantry however have been, up to now, ignored.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/BC4D0B3D6DC24272AF0E12ECAB908B4B.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/19/2009 4:30:18 PM)

On the Bay of Bengal, for the little ships resupplying and perhaps helping evacuate the five Japanese divisions trapped at Mannargudi, the day opens up completely routine. Recon aircraft, enemy ones, cross the sky at irregular intervals, the enemy planes not bothering with them.
This changes as the evening approaches. The B25 bombers, flying low, cannot bomb the little barges, but their 50 caliber machine guns strike true and though unable to create much damage, they do irritate the sailors and occasionally do some damage.


[image]local://upfiles/6626/4812BE362BEA4CBDB798EC7C67BB501D.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/19/2009 4:31:19 PM)

And finally, over Kavieng, the enemy daily raid continues to keep the airfield out of action, but the flak is murderous and the Japanese pay a heavy price in damaged and lost planes to keep Kavieng field closed down. Only a single P38 out of Bruin can provide CAP.

In Noumea, the 72 US Field artillery is dispatched to reinforce the RCT at Lae. Supplies slowly trickle down to the SWPAC. Very slowly.



[image]local://upfiles/6626/2676C78E1FD24CD0ADB1AA170E17231C.jpg[/image]



kaleun -> RE: Shame and Execration Part Deux! (5/22/2009 4:46:11 AM)

November 16 1942
The base at Buin is slowly expanding, and fortifications are being developed as fast as the combined American and Royal Australian Navy engineers can manage. The brass expects a Japanese thrust in the direction of the Solomons at any time. LtC Livinston of the Royal Australian Navy and Commander Keller of the USN find that they work well together. The Australian however disagrees on the decision to send the Marine flak battalion forward to the base at Kavieng.
“Kavieng is too isolated and indefensible. The Marines are our best flak unit, and we could lose it if Kavieng is overrun.”
Keller shakes his head, “The airfield is unusable; they only have one flak unit, and despite that, the enemy is losing planes there every day. Let’s make it even more costly for them.”
Livinston chews on his pipe, “Bollocks! I still don’t like it.”
“We had one of the supply ships torpedoed there today; Betties from Truk. If we cannot unload supplies, then they will really be up ****’s creek.”


[image]local://upfiles/6626/672EEDA1609B49918EAC50496702C9FD.jpg[/image]



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