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John 3rd -> A Surprise Result (8/16/2008 11:42:00 PM)
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The day of January 3, 1943 is a rather ugly turn in northern Japan. I could also make the case that it is a bi-polar turn with both good and bad news for the Japanese. These were the salient developments for the round:
1. Naval Battle at Wakkanai I send a small STF of CL Agano and 6 DD to this area looking for AP/LCT/AK. They find FAR bigger game in the form of BB Pennsylvania, a CA, 2 CL, and 4 DD! There are two separate clashes and the Japanese get surprise both times. Torpedos slam into Pennsylvania and CL Helena as well as heavy damage to 3 American DDs. At this point I lose 2 DD to the fight. The important note is that this attack keeps the American TF from attacking the 20 AP that are unloading the 39th Infantry Division. This is important later int he day.
2. Allied CVs The American CVs are hovering 1 hex east of Toyohara and they fly strikes at shipping approaching or leaving Sapporo. A damaged DD from the surface fight sinks as well as 3 ML, 2 MSW, and 2 AP. These strikes are met by about 25-30 Japanese Fighters who manage to shoot down a dozen enemy planes. Considering their skill that isn't too bad. What must be mentioned again is that the American CVs hit these targets but NOT the APs unloading at Wakkanai. I cannot believe that!
3. Toyohara Strike I get every plane in Aomori, Hakodate, and Sapporo to launch a combined strike at Toyohara's AF. The incoming strike is THUNDEROUS! In the largest strike I've ever seen by the Japanese LBA, 95 Fighters escort 440 Sally and Helen to the target. They easily dispatch the 8 Fighters (only 8!) for a cost of 5 Japanese Fighters and 3 Bombers. After the CAP is gone the bombers drop load after load of bombs onto the AF. A massive number of American aircraft are destroyed on the ground! The turn recap showed 119 planes destroyed on the ground! The strike itself reported 34 Fighters, 24 4EB, 5 TB, and 4 Recon destroyed. The airfield took 29 Airbase Hits, 15 Supply Hits, and 421 Runway Hits---100% Damage plus 230 Casualties.
How about that??!!
4. 4EB Strikes on Japan Two attacks are launched from Iwo Jima against Sendai and Tokyo. For the loss of 4 Fighters, the Americans lose 12 4EB with another 30 damaged out of 48 launched. Numerous planes turned back before dropping bombs. They scored a couple of hits on BB Ise at Tokyo.
5. Wakkanai Holds!!! Due to the APs unloading a Shock Attack by the Americans fails to get even a 1-1 attack and the base stays Japanese.
Thanks to the advice given me earlier, I re-ordered the Japanese Army to advance and am rewarded to see about 8 units out of 16 move 45 miles in the single day. There is still the slight chance with these developments that I might get there in time. I still doubt but we'll see...
CRAZY Day! [:D][:o][:D]
Planning
I order all Japanese Bombers, Dive Bombers, and Torpedo Bombers to attack the shipping gathering at Wakkanai. Dan clearly expected the Port to fall today. Mixed in with the attacking planes is one Sentai of Kamikazes set at maximum altitude. I hope to smother the American ships offshore with an attack of at least 500 planes.
Dan must rest his troops at Wakkanai a round due to launching 4 straight days worth of attacks. If I can clear the sea of ships, hold for another day at Wakkanai, then I have a chance for a significant victory.
Anyone got any thoughts???
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