Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider) (Full Version)

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witpqs -> Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider) (3/14/2011 5:05:40 AM)

Treespider has made a mod off of Scenario 28 (DBB). The mod is primarily aimed at the economy, and you can (and should) read Treespider's thread in the Scenario Design sub-forum. A couple of the high points are that the mod gives the IJ merchant fleet more to do. In AE so far IJ has an enormous surplus of merchant ships, so in this context that should be reduced to the point where if I succeed in sinking enough of them it will make a difference. Second, the amount of supply build up in India has been greatly reduced, the idea being to put more realistic constraints on Allied offensives through Burma or otherwise originating from India. Third, the amount of supply available for export from North America has been made to ramp up over an extended period. The desire is to sharply limit supply available to the Allies during the early months of the war thus, again, imposing more realistic constraints. You will notice a bunch of other changes as well, so hop on over to Treespider's mod thread to read up on them.

Attached as a text file are the HR's and settings for those who are interested. This is a test drive of his mod so we might change whatever needs it mid-stream.

We are also using the Beta Patch. [:)]

First turn orders have been exchanged, so Treespider will run the 1941-12-07 turn as soon as he can.



witpqs -> RE: Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider) (3/21/2011 9:58:58 PM)

In addition to the usual first & second turns time investment on both sides, we found a bug in the Beta and got over that with the able help of MichaelM.


1941-12-07

The first turn saw ineffective enemy midget sub attacks on Pearl Harbor, followed up by an air raid with mixed success. The anti-shipping attacks were pretty successful with 2 x BB sunk outright and all the rest damaged for a roughly average result. The airbase attacks seem to get substantially less results than average. Only 11 Catalinas lost at PH compared to well over 30 in most attacks that I recall. A similar number of P-40's were lost. 18 Kates hit Lahaina, no doubt reducing the US aircraft losses at Pearl. DD Ward was attacked by aircraft while on ASW duty in the exclusion zone.

Midway was bombarded, and the 2 DD force is still present at the atoll. What's more, an enemy AO group is sighted very close by. Does this mean that Midway is soon to suffer invasion?

Clark Field's and Manila's airfield were both damaged extensively with Clark being virtually shut down. Aircraft losses were modest. Cagayan's airfield was hit by Kates with Claudes circling overhead.

Hong Kong, Alor Star, Georgetown, and Kuantan all saw sweeps, base raids, and attacks on troops, as did numerous Chinese ground units.

Kota Bharu and Batan Island were invaded, with Batan Island seized by the end of the day. Notably, there were no landings in the Philippines. There is one unidentified TF ESE of Mindinao that could be an invasion force. No invasion forces sighted in the South China Sea save for the force already at Kuantan.


  • Tenatively, 46 Indian Bde, 48 Gurkha Bde, 44 Indian Bde, 45 Indian Bde, along with 18 UK Div (251 Recce Bn, 53 UK Bde, 54 UK Bde, 55 UK Bde) are being detailed to Burma.

  • USN Asiatic forces are gathering at Balikpapan and will form force Y.

  • Dutch surface forces are gathering at Soerabaja and will form force D.

  • Force Z is proceeding to the eastern DEI.

  • The Philipping/DEI exodus is underway. Forces at Manila are loading fuel and will leave in staggered fashion to confound enemy schedules.

  • Forces in Malaya are making for Singapore will all speed. As sufficient forces are gathered in Singapore, some will be transferred to Palembang.


Below is a composite of some first turn results. There were a few more plane losses that scrolled off the page, all singletons.

[image]local://upfiles/14248/19BA5338573444FD9440A2141919DE3E.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> 1941-12-08 (3/22/2011 3:47:42 AM)

1941-12-08

Kweiteh and T'ai-shan fell today.

Kota Bharu held off the initial enemy assault, but took several times the enemy's casualties. Several British MTB's were sunk outside of Hong Kong while opening a pathway for fleeing merchants. They succeeded, as none of those merchants were attacked. Manila and Clark airfields were pounded heavily, and it looks as though an invasion force might be headed for northern Luzon.

The KB is moving west from Hawaii, apparently with a surface combat TF in company.

A small KB is seen keeing its distance to the east of Mindinao.

[image]local://upfiles/14248/FA5D7D1C60DF43089FC78034949EF5CB.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> RE: 1941-12-09 (3/22/2011 10:38:52 AM)

1941-12-09

Aparri, Vigan, Ocean Island, and Nauru were all invaded today. Chien-yang, Ocean Island, and Nauru all fell today. KB hit Johnston Island, Clark and Manila again took heavy attacks. Aerial mayem was also spread around Malaya and China, although Allied attempts to participate were rebuffed. Fires still burn at Pearl Harbor (39 left). In spite of the smoke drifting across the runways, two B-17 groups flew missions against the enemy KB but were unable to locate the force at such long range.

Allied troops at Kota Bharu withstood yet another assault despite heavy casualties. Bravo! Davao was bombarded by an IJN cruiser force, sinking one of two xAKL's present.

In a major surprise, CV Enterprise TF smashed an enemy invasion convoy while on its way to a position for transferring fighters from Wake Island.

@GR 149,113
Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Kinryu Maru
DD Oite
AMC Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PB Hakkaisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
1767 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 33 (33 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

@GR150,112
Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki
DD Yayoi
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Mutsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kisaragi
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Reported as lost:
CL Tenryu (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 150,112)
CL Tatsuta (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 150,112)
CL Yubari (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 149,113)
DD Mutsuki (1000 lb SAP Bomb at 150,112)
AMC Kongo Maru (22.4in Mk 13 Torp. at 149,113)

It seems clear that EHQ decided to seize Johnston Island. Going along with that, certainly Midway is a target, and possibly the Line Islands. Maybe even Hawaii. Of course the immediate problem is for CV Enterprise and consorts to escape.

An invasion force is bearing down on Davao, although the small KB is out of contact (probably due to weather). Several TF's are seen in the South China Sea, coming and going to Kota Bharu and nearby enemy bases. One TF, of unknown composition, is about 200 miles off Brunei, heading also unknown.

A TF is about 40 miles from Kavieng, obviously EHQ wants to interfere with redeployments.

Where shall Enterprise run?

[image]local://upfiles/14248/DEB624B93A0B4334BA764077DE17F15A.jpg[/image]



Capt. Harlock -> RE: 1941-12-09 (3/22/2011 8:17:45 PM)

quote:

Where shall Enterprise run?


A pressing question. Do you have any bases to the south with fuel and search planes? You want to keep track of the KB.



vettim89 -> RE: 1941-12-09 (3/22/2011 8:45:13 PM)

You are between a rock and a hard place with the Enterprise. Your opponent will do one of two things:

1. Run toward Midway to protect his AO's and potential invasion TF there

or

2. Run hard at the Enterprise in hopes of sinking such a juicy target early in the war

Either would be a good strategy. If he does #1 running south or east will get you to safety. If he does #2, running north or less so south will get you to safety. Seems to me that your best move would be to sprint south and hope he runs towards Midway



PresterJohn001 -> RE: 1941-12-09 (3/22/2011 9:56:17 PM)

SW at Full or Mission speed depending on fuel. Head to Solomons/Sydney.

KB is 17 hexes away so needs to make up 9 hexes, thats two turns with him on full speed you on mission if you make it a straight chase. KB ain't going to fancy chasing you to Sydney. Biggest threat to Big E is KB. Sometimes you can outhink yourself, just head away as fast as you can.



witpqs -> 1941-12-10 (3/22/2011 10:27:16 PM)

1941-12-10

Aparri, Vigan, Kota Bharu, and Fou-liang all fell today. I messed up orders and a unit crossed the river into Ichang in move mode. Lots of diablements but very little permanent.

Davao and Miri are invaded, with several other TF's showing up in and at the eastern entrance to the Celebes Sea. They include the small KB, ENE of Talaud-eilanden. This is where we want them but we need more time to get forces into position.

Enterprise was not pursued, and ended up 1 hex NE of Tarawa. The big news is that the invasion convoy that Enterprise & friends broke up was small fry. KB is closely guarding what seems to be a larger collection of invasion assets. Most alarmingly, scouts sighted an AD. Having along such a support ship clearly indicates that EHQ intends to establish a forward base with staying power. While he could be taking the sea-lifted hordes intended for multiple locations to the SE and consolidating them under KB's protection, there is one conclusion that GGHQ must presume and act on:

Target Hawaii!!!


[image]local://upfiles/14248/E89D0A553F234B29B70ADDE578CC7951.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> 1941-12-11 (3/25/2011 4:05:25 AM)

1941-12-11

Teng-hsien, Davao, Miri, Victoria Point, Kavieng all fell today. Aitape on northern New Guinea was invaded. Dadjangas and Cotabato on Mindinao were invaded, so Mindinao is now under a three pronged offensive.

The landings at Cotabato went slightly awry for the IJN when uninvited guests made an appearance:
quote:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Cotabato at 78,90, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Saiko Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
PB Showa Maru #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PB Showa Maru #5, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Shinanogawa Maru, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yasukawa Maru, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
xAK Hasuna Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury, Shell hits 1
DD Pope

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
...

17 Petes and 4 Jakes show as ground losses. [:)]


No troop casualties were reported, so perhaps our boys destroyed vital supplies.

In addition to the ship carnage just mentioned, this was a turn of subs. IJN subs got 3, but so did Allied subs. Perhaps even more, but only 3 known due to FOW.

Hong Kong withstood an attack in splendid fashion, although with somewhat heavy casualties:
quote:


Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19933 troops, 289 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 542

Defending force 8136 troops, 132 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 234

Japanese adjusted assault: 113

Allied adjusted defense: 877

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 7 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1103 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 76 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled


Allied ground losses:
640 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)


The small KB is ENE of Manado and moving SW through the now working patrol zones of at least 3 subs. Other greeters are moving into position.



Capt. Harlock -> RE: 1941-12-11 (3/25/2011 7:49:45 PM)

quote:

The landings at Cotabato went slightly awry for the IJN when uninvited guests made an appearance:


Nice work! Apparently those four-stackers have some fight left in them!



witpqs -> 1941-12-12 (3/26/2011 5:22:22 AM)

Thanks! [:)]

"React" setting with a Patrol zone definitely works.


1941-12-12

Aitape, Cotabato, and Dadjangas. Brunei, Baler (a dot base on the east coast of Luzon), and Shortlands were invaded. Two RAN cruisers will seek the enemy at Shortlands tomorrow.

The joint USN Philippine PT squadron operating in the vicinity of Iba was largely eliminated by several IJN task forces, one of which went on to bombard Iba. The enemy fighter sweeps over Luzon have been murder, and even worse when coupled with the heavy bombing campaign. CLark, Manila, and Bataan airfields are all in ruins. Even still, the last B-17 made it out this turn. The Catalinas are already out. It seems likely that Iba will be invaded tomorrow, perhaps the PT actions pushed back the timetable by a day?

Johnston Island was reconned in both the AM and PM phases toaday, and a sub made contact with an enemy TF a couple of hundred miles WNW of Johnston. So, Johnston is still a target, and we must still assume that Hawaii is a target. No contacts in range of Midway, and Wake Island has had a peaceful war to date.

In the Celebes Sea a train of tankers fleeing from Luzon has been taken under air attack by two small KB's. They dance amongst the subs!


[image]local://upfiles/14248/60196F02BD984D56AC5E9EC897A24906.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> 1941-12-13 (3/26/2011 8:36:06 PM)

1941-12-13

Tang-Shan, Tang-ho, Tuguearao, Baler, Alor Star, Brunei, and Shortlands fell today. Iba was invaded. Cotabato is an active air base and Kates flying with bombs wrecked havoc on Allied ships fleeing east of Mindinao.

Johnston Island continues to be reconoiterred by air. The fickle nature of naval search really adds to this game. Both small KBs have disappeared (in the Celebes Sea) despite good search coverage, likely due to weather.

Enemy air attacks and sweeps over Luzon are most effective, so over the next week I will pull out what fighter units I can. The investment of Mindinao could make that tricky.

In China maneuvering continues, with the changes there really slowing down the IJA juggernaut of other scenarios. Preparations in Burma show progress. The withdrawal to Singapore goes extremely well. EHQ seized Alor Star with 2 armored units, but that is the only enemy rgound action seen in Malaya since the capture of Khota Baru. The DEI prepares as best it can. Hong Kong held off another enemy attack.

quote:


Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19314 troops, 289 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 504

Defending force 7704 troops, 132 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Japanese adjusted assault: 177

Allied adjusted defense: 701

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
628 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled


Allied ground losses:
402 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
38th Division
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress
1st Middlesex Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force


Here is a map of Luzon showing the enemy axes of advance.


[image]local://upfiles/14248/F2301595BAE54D59ADABBA05E02338BF.jpg[/image]



Capt. Harlock -> RE: 1941-12-13 (3/28/2011 12:30:30 AM)

Looks like the defenders at Hong Kong are being worn down. Is anyone building forts in Singapore?



witpqs -> The Restart (3/30/2011 11:44:02 PM)

Captain - Sorry for being tardy on your question!

The answer was yes, forts were/are being built in Singapore. But, alas, that was in an alternate universe and those guys are now on there own. The vagaries of the quasi-dimensional string-thingied quantum mechanical multi-verse! Treespider has made some adjustments to the scenario of things noted during our short run. Such is the way with test drives, so we are now restarting and have a chance to do even better. Only 7 days lost, which actually seems pretty good to me. Treespider clearly had his ducks quacking quite nicely in harmony when he released the initial version of the scenario.

He sent me turn 1 earlier today and I will work through that as quickly as possible.



witpqs -> 1941-12-06 (4/2/2011 1:56:04 AM)

Turn 1 is sent.

Treespider refined the set up in China. His aim is to make the China theater better mirror IRL as to the difficulty of making headway there.

1941-12-06

On-map Intel shows that he might be reinforcing Ichang with other troops moving towards Changsha. So, I am moving troops in what hopefully will seem a 'regular' fashion, but putting them in position to pounce on Sinyang. Chinese troops early game are doubly weak because of low morale. But if I can concentrate a sufficient preponderance of them with surprise, then perhaps we can throw off EHQ's early strategy.

IJA forces in the north are also seen moving west near the Mongolian border, perhaps signalling an offensive against the northern supply route.

Some signals Intel suggests naval activity near Indochina. The rest of the Pacific is quiet, which should give us the time we need to complete activation of forces in the Philippines and fortification of isolated island outposts.



witpqs -> 1941-12-07 (4/2/2011 7:59:40 AM)

1941-12-07

Laoag, Vigan, and Kweiteh fell today. Laoag and Vigan were both seized from the air by elements of the Yokosuka 1st SNLF. Davao, Naga, and Kota Bharu were all invaded from the sea.

There were air attacks all over China. Luzon was hit hard (Clark = 207 runway hits), as were bases in Malaya. Singapore received special treatment:
quote:


Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 72
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed, 19 damaged
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 8 destroyed on ground
Vildebeest III: 8 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 275


A number of strikes from Malayan bases were flown anyway, one hitting home:
AK Sasako Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Sub action at Pearl Harbor from various reports:
quote:


Midget Submarine detected within harbor at Pearl Harbor!!!


Midget Sub attack inside harbor of Pearl Harbor!!!

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-14, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 1
PC Taney

PC Taney loses contact with SSX Ha-14


SSX Ha-14 vanishes at Pearl Harbor, leaving generations to wonder what became of her
Observers report floating object near beach at Pearl Harbor
Observers report object partially submerged in channel at Pearl Harbor


SS KXVII took down xAK Aobasan Maru near Patani in revenge.

KB showed up off Lihue and launched a raid of 18 Vals plus escort at Lahaina. They made 2 port hits and put 2 bombs in TK Gulfland. Her damage looks survivable but the fires are not (92).

Pearl Harbor was hit next:
quote:


Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 132 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 77
B5N2 Kate x 144
D3A1 Val x 108



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 9 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 9 destroyed on ground
B-18A Bolo: 4 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 4 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 7, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 4
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 5
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ARD YFD-2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Castor, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DM Gamble, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Repair Shipyard hits 3
Manpower hits 6
Fires 3768
Airbase hits 43
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 121
Port hits 15

Training flight from VMF-211 has been caught up in attack


Luzon is invaded from the north and the south. Mindinao from the south. Malaya from the north. Midway was bombarded, and there is an unidentified TF 200 miles NW heading straight for Midway. KB is 40 miles NW of Lihue, positioned for a quick move to the west.

Here is a snap shot of the damaged ships at Pearl Harbor:


[image]local://upfiles/14248/998AFD0901CF4A5BAF09F66233C4E584.jpg[/image]



Capt. Harlock -> RE: 1941-12-07 (4/2/2011 8:43:50 PM)

quote:

Here is a snap shot of the damaged ships at Pearl Harbor:


Doesn't look as bad as the historical result. I wouldn't be surprised if the KB stayed for at least another day to get more licks in. What's the damage to the planes and airfields in Hawaii?



witpqs -> RE: 1941-12-07 (4/2/2011 9:18:44 PM)

104 fighters ready, 29 not ready but a number of them are estimated 1 day to repair. Heavy bombers 5-14 with some at 1 day. Medium bombers 35-17 some at 1 day. Dive bombers 12-2. I've already transferred some search aircraft out but there are plenty ready. There will be no problem finding KB.

Here's the base, with 1,322 fires still burning:


[image]local://upfiles/14248/92167A4C6D454EDDA9176909C97EE1A9.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> 1941-12-08 (4/4/2011 5:20:03 AM)

1941-12-08

Davao and Naga fell today. Aparri was invaded.

Second Pearl Harbor Air Raid! I do not have the turn yet, only the replay, so the actual condition of most ships damaged is unknown. DMS Boggs and DD Dewey did sink. In return there were numerous strikes on KB by PH based air, but KB's ships escaped damage. Those raids cost a number of USA fighters along with some bombers lost. In one raid B-18's made runs on two carriers. The heavies did not fly, and the range was too great for the SBD-1 dive bombers. The PH raid itself was quite damaging:

quote:


Afternoon Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 133 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
B5N2 Kate x 90
D3A1 Val x 94

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 12
P-40B Warhawk x 17
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 5 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2
DD Allen, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 2
DD Phelps, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Raleigh, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dewey, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DMS Boggs, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
BB California, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1
DD Chew, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Farragut, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Repair Shipyard hits 1
Manpower hits 1
Fires 1058
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 2


AV Wright, setting up shop on Lihue to support PBY search despite the close enemy presence, was blasted by one severe bomb hit from a string of 15 Vals.

Luzon and Malaya again saw heavy sir raids as did Chinese ground forces. RN DD's Scout and Thanet were caught and sunk by CA Chokai as were freighters traveling separately. Chokai seems to carry a lot of ammunition! Allied air from Manado (Dutch mediums) and Cagayan (USA fighters) attacked IJN ships at Davao and succeeded in making machine gun hits.

sKB sailed straight into the middle of the Celebes Sea, braving two encounters with fleeing merchants. The little beast then launched attacks on Allied shipping, dispatching xAK James Lykes and AG Gold Star. There are a large number of ships fleeing Manila headed straight for their own rendezvous. Allied naval forces will respond accordingly.

The enemy has finished landing 56th Infantry Regiment, 12th Engineer Regiment, and 5th JAAF AF Coy at Kota Bharu, but they only bombarded for no effect and are just modestly superior to defending forces in combat power. Experience and other factors might be quite different. This disposition does raise the question of how EHQ will proceed in Malaya. There are major forces coming in through IJ friendly ports north of Kota Bharu, so my money in on a walk down the west (southern) side of the peninsula.



witpqs -> 1941-12-08 (4/4/2011 6:40:25 PM)

The position of KB and it's fleet oilers is alarming. This indicates that the KB intends to stay in the area for an extended period. The good news is that the KB has a finite number of sorties. The bad news is that the KB intends to stay in the area.

USN carriers are being given courses to allow the offload of aircraft to Hawaii. Fast surface forces will blanket the area around the KB and oilers with the notion that refueling uses many ops points and limits movement. They should be able to find targets!

So far, the KB has lost fewer planes in the two days of raids plus defending the KB than the KB did in real life. Losses of US aircraft at Pearl are probably also still less than historical, but much more than the KB. Any attrition of KB's aircraft, and certainly of KB itself by surface forces, will be very important in thwarting whatever plans it is that EHQ is executing.


[image]local://upfiles/14248/D36D92C23D6647BCAD3C31AF37A7A5C3.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> 1941-12-09 (4/5/2011 8:31:32 PM)

1941-12-09

Kota Bharu and Aparri fell today.

Fade to an old image much like a black and white movie scene that never quite happened this way but could have... George Kennedy and George C. Scott survey the second day's carnage at Pearl Harbor. As their blood rises in unison, so do their voices: "By God, that's ENOUGH!"

This turn opened with the semi-expected nighttime slaughter of fleeing non-combat vessels from the PI and the DEI. An IJN sub took down an AG out of Singapore, surface combat ships dispatched merchants in and southeast of the Philippines. These burdens continued through the night and day, supplemented by air strikes from sKB southeast of Mindinao. Although sKB itself found several fleeing merchants in the dark and early morning, all were allowed to pass. A night attack on Singapore scored, a tanker went down in the Java Sea, and so on.

Still in the wee hours, at GR 80,94 DDs John D. Ford, Peary, Pillsbury, and Pope found an IJ convoy. Launching a surprise torpedo attack, they sunk two escorts (a DD and TB) and hit two xAKs with gunfire before speeding into the darkness. Slightly to the west they paid for their prize, running into a task force including CAs Haguro and Nachi, CL Nagara, and several DD's. All four were sunk by torpedo and gunfire.

Half a world away, the plan hatched by the two Georges was underway. Three surface combat TF's, scratched together with the best ships available this night, were making all due speed toward the scouted rendezvous point of the KB and its oilers. They would find worthy targets.

With clear skies and 67% moonlight yielding 12,000 yards visibility, CA Minneapolis, CL Detroit, CL Helena, CL Phoenix, DD Cummings, DD Case, DD Conyngham, and DD Shaw steaming in that order slid past an IJN sentry and into the refueling armada. The moment they became visible Minneapolis went berserk, taking multiple CV's under fire. When the sun came up there was little main gun ammo left to count!

quote:


Night Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 173,101, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Shell hits 4
CV Hiryu, Shell hits 1
CV Soryu, Shell hits 1
CV Shokaku, Shell hits 1
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Arare, Shell hits 1
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Detroit
CL Helena
CL Phoenix
DD Cummings
DD Case
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shaw




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 67% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Shokaku at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Soryu at 12,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages CV Shokaku at 12,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Cummings at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Chikuma at 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Tone at 12,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Kasumi at 12,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Conyngham at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages CV Shokaku at 10,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages CV Soryu at 10,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Shaw at 10,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Arare at 10,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Arare at 10,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages CA Minneapolis at 10,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Case at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Shiranui at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CL Helena engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Hiryu at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Minneapolis at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Tone at 8,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Shaw at 8,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Conyngham at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Abukuma at 8,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
CL Helena engages CV Shokaku at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Soryu at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Hiryu at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Kaga at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CL Helena at 8,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Akigumo at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Tone at 8,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Conyngham at 8,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Cummings at 8,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Case at 8,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Isokaze at 8,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Kagero at 8,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Akigumo at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Soryu at 11,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CV Hiryu at 11,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Conyngham at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 11,000 yards
DD Cummings engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Arare at 11,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Case at 11,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


On the other side of the IJN formation, DD Bagley, DD Blue, DD Helm, DD Mugford, DD Ralph Talbot, DD Henley, DD Patterson, and DD Jarvis sallied amidst the oilers. Their torpedo attack launched at 9,000 yards was too ambitious, but telling gunfire began at 6,000 yards.

quote:


Night Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 173,101, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 2
DD Akebono, Shell hits 2
AO Ken'yo Maru, Shell hits 1
AO Kokuyo Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Kyokuto Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
AO Nippon Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
AO Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
AO Toei Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
AO Toho Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires

Allied Ships
DD Bagley
DD Blue, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Mugford, Shell hits 3
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 3




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 67% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards
DD Jarvis launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Henley launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Mugford launches Torpedoes at DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
DD Henley launches Torpedoes at AO Nippon Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Henley launches Torpedoes at AO Kyokuto Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Jarvis launches Torpedoes at AO Kokuyo Maru at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Jarvis at 6,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amagiri at 6,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 6,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Nippon Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Kyokuto Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Jarvis at 5,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Toho Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Ralph Talbot at 5,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Mugford engages AO Nippon Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 5,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Akebono at 5,000 yards
DD Bagley engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Blue at 3,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Patterson at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Akebono at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Amagiri at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Helm at 3,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 3,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Akebono at 3,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Toho Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Toei Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Nippon Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Kyokuto Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Toho Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages AO Toei Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Nippon Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 2,000 yards
DD Bagley engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Akebono at 2,000 yards
DD Mugford engages AO Toei Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages DD Akebono at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Blue at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Bagley at 2,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Jarvis at 2,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages AO Toho Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 2,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Helm at 2,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Kokuyo Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Mugford engages AO Ken'yo Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Mugford at 4,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Helm at 4,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Kyokuto Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Helm at 7,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Amagiri at 7,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Helm engages AO Toei Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Blue engages AO Nippon Maru at 7,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


Shortly thereafter, DD Bagley, DD Mugford, DD Ralph Talbot, DD Henley, DD Patterson, and DD Jarvis found themselves facing a fleeing KB. While low on ammo and overmatched, they pressed home the attack and hit one carrier.

quote:


Day Time Surface Combat, near French Frigate Shoal at 172,101, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Shell hits 1
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Arare
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
DD Bagley, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Mugford, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley, Shell hits 1
DD Patterson
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 5, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu screened from combat
- escorted by DD Hamakaze , DD Urakaze
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu , CV Kaga screened from combat
- escorted by DD Arare , DD Tanikaze , DD Shiranui ,
DD Isokaze , DD Akigumo
BB Kirishima engages DD Jarvis at 20,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Patterson at 20,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Bagley at 20,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Henley at 20,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Urakaze at 20,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Henley at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu screened from combat
- escorted by DD Isokaze , DD Kagero , DD Akigumo
DD Jarvis engages CV Kaga at 18,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Jarvis at 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Henley at 18,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages CV Kaga at 18,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages DD Bagley at 18,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Jarvis at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Jarvis at 16,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Bagley at 16,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Jarvis at 16,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Tanikaze at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Hamakaze at 14,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages CV Hiryu at 14,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages CV Kaga at 14,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Jarvis at 14,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Mugford at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages CV Zuikaku at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Hamakaze at 11,000 yards
DD Mugford engages CV Soryu at 11,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Mugford at 11,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Jarvis at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Jarvis at 11,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Jarvis at 11,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Arare at 11,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Bagley at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu screened from combat
- escorted by DD Kasumi , DD Arare , DD Akigumo
DD Jarvis engages DD Urakaze at 9,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Patterson at 9,000 yards
DD Jarvis sunk by BB Hiei at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Urakaze at 9,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Bagley at 9,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Tanikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CV Akagi screened from combat
DD Patterson engages CV Zuikaku at 14,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Arare at 14,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mugford at 14,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Bagley at 14,000 yards
DD Mugford engages DD Hamakaze at 14,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 14,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Mugford at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CV Akagi , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu , CV Kaga screened from combat
- escorted by DD Arare , DD Tanikaze , DD Hamakaze ,
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero engages DD Patterson at 18,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Henley at 18,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages DD Mugford at 18,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD Patterson at 18,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Urakaze at 18,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Henley at 18,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Bagley at 18,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Isokaze at 18,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Mugford at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CV Akagi screened from combat
- escorted by DD Tanikaze
DD Patterson engages CV Kaga at 22,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 22,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Bagley at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
DD Patterson engages CV Kaga at 27,000 yards
DD Henley engages CV Kaga at 27,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Patterson at 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...


The third TF, of 5 DDs, reacted to reports of combat but was unable to make contact.

Six combat vessels were lost this day:
DD Jarvis
DD Gridley
DD John D. Ford
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope

In addition, DD Blue is doomed and DD Mugford is questionable.

Enemy casualties deemed certain are 1 x DD, 1 x TB, 6 x AO (considered doomed by heavy fires with fuel cargo aboard). In addition to other vessels, 4 x CV were hit by gunfire but not seen afire. We can assume that they each have some degree of systems and possibly other damage, but are fully operational. Possibly their need for maintenance has been accelerated, which might affect the overall tempo of operations.

Here is the situation after the night battles:


[image]local://upfiles/14248/CCE6A25F8C404169BEEAA274BEDBC03D.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> RE: 1941-12-09 (4/5/2011 8:33:30 PM)

1st Combat:


[image]local://upfiles/14248/FAFBBF2959614D9BA1FAEEE888F3FF87.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> RE: 1941-12-09 (4/5/2011 8:34:03 PM)

2nd Combat:

[image]local://upfiles/14248/82B2A82CCFE84CC2B7D893D38DEE0A9C.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> RE: 1941-12-09 (4/5/2011 8:34:36 PM)

3rd Combat:


[image]local://upfiles/14248/637CCC2E0FCA4E0FB42CEEBDEA6E9615.jpg[/image]



witpqs -> 1941-12-10 (4/6/2011 6:51:40 PM)

1941-12-10

Boac and Fuchow fell today. Miri was invaded. Hong Kong withstood a deliberate attack and the defenders dealt out casualties at a 14 to 1 ratio, all disablements. Fires at Pearl Harbor are down to 10.

Several ships were torpedoed in the eastern DEI this day, and several more succumbed to surface attacks in the China Sea and in and around the sourthern Philippines. The British MTB's attacked in earnest around Vigan, but close escort and comabt TF escorts kept them ineffective while devastating their numbers. Only four remain, three will try again while one retires to Manila for repairs.

Those 5 USN DDs ordered toward Johnston Island - Downes, Cassin, Reid, Tucker, and Selfridge - found the last IJN AO near Laysan Island. They set her afire with 3 shell hits, while keeping DD Akebono at bay with 2. They later engaged Akebono again, in daylight, and left her a wreck. A short time later they tangled with DDs Akigumo and Urakaze, leaving the latter fiercely ablaze in return for heavy damage to Cassin. And then again, with more of the same for the same two vicitms. When the smoke cleared, the unseen KB announced that it still rules the daylight. Sunset finds all five DDs gone.

quote:


Morning:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 77
B5N2 Kate x 109
D3A1 Val x 109

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Selfridge
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Cassin, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Reid, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Downes

Afternoon:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
B5N2 Kate x 20
D3A1 Val x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Reid, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
DD Downes, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage


The size of the morning raid indicates that at least 4 of the KB's carriers have operating flight decks. Due to the lack of fires or serious damage seen from the Minneapolis TF, I must assume that all 6 are fully operational.

Here is a view of the situation in and near the Celebes Sea. Unfortunately, I can not fix the location of sKB. Force Y (USN Cruisers and destroyers) is fully spotted (10/10) and is repositioning. Force D is in position at Ambon and refueling. Force Z is nearing Kendari and must refuel.


[image]local://upfiles/14248/AFBA9991D83F41B29565F16F784E3E54.jpg[/image]



Capt. Harlock -> RE: 1941-12-09 (4/6/2011 8:42:20 PM)

quote:

Enemy casualties deemed certain are 1 x DD, 1 x TB, 6 x AO (considered doomed by heavy fires with fuel cargo aboard). In addition to other vessels, 4 x CV were hit by gunfire but not seen afire. We can assume that they each have some degree of systems and possibly other damage, but are fully operational. Possibly their need for maintenance has been accelerated, which might affect the overall tempo of operations.


Bravo! Let that be a lesson to all greedy IJN fanboys who stay for a second round of Pearl strikes!



witpqs -> 1941-12-11 (4/7/2011 1:32:34 AM)

Thanks! [:)]


1941-12-11

Miri and Camiguin fell. Guam was invaded. Tsang-Hsien was liberated, cutting a rail line near the Manchuria border. The British MTB's had another go at Vigan, losing 2 of their number but finally sneaking into the transport formation and putting a fatal torpedo into an IJN DMS. Hong Kong held out for another day with roughly even casualties lost to today's deliberate attack.

Enemy I-boats plied their trade well, taking 2 Allied tankers plus other ships. Dutch subs returned the favor to a degree bu hitting 2 merchants and sinking 1 of them.

One of two Val-Zero raids on Jolo became separated from its Zeros, resulting in about 6 Val pilots becoming separated from their planes. On the day a Pete, Alf, and Zero were shot down along with the 6 x Vals for 2 x P-40s. Bombing of Davao was ineffective.

On the overview map below you can see KB's location. It seems fueling of the beast was either preempted or interrupted very early. Manado is threatened and Force D is intercepting.


[image]local://upfiles/14248/664E9A6923A94B1E9C0CF5B06CCA0F9E.jpg[/image]



aprezto -> RE: 1941-12-11 (4/7/2011 2:09:49 AM)

The loss of the AOs is not terminal to an attack on Hawaii, but it sure allows you to get some reinforcements to Oahu. I wonder, wonder, wonder if he'll continue (or if he ever actually planned) to take on Hawaii...?



witpqs -> RE: 1941-12-11 (4/7/2011 2:58:26 AM)

I really don't know. Even in the first run (of about a week) I saw enough transports to believe there was more than needed for Johnston Island, but maybe the excess was for Palmyra? This time around no transports were seen, merely the fact that KB decided to refuel in close proximity to Hawaii. Just too little information to be sure, and of course that uncertainty is making it a better game! [8D]

The other wild card is the damage to those 4 KB carriers. I am sure it's only light overall, but I don't know if they all took 3% or if one carrier (Kaga with 4 hits plus 1 hit later) has 20% or 30% damage.



witpqs -> 1941-12-12 (4/7/2011 5:21:43 AM)

1941-12-12

Forgot to mention yesterday that Aitape was invaded.

Guam, Burias, and Vicotria Point fell today. Sidate was invaded by fast transport, presumably to trap Allied forces at Manado when the landing begins. Lingayan was also invaded. Tang-Shan was liberated, cutting an east-west rail line across the northern plains of China. Hong Kong held out yet again, although the squad disablements are bringing the inevitable nearer. The two operational British MTB's were hunted and sunk by IJN DDs.

The I-boats had another good day. So did S-38, finding a loaded troop carrier:
quote:


Sub attack near Babeldaob at 87,93

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuun Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


And so did KXVIII covering the approach to Menado:
quote:


ASW attack near Siaoe at 77,99

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Hakata Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII


There were other successful sub attacks on both sides. An IJN combat force built around Hibiki escorted by destroyers, cruisers heavy and light, and fast battleships took up residence at Jolo. 4 PG/PC class ships were sunk and the joint USN/Filipino PTs driven off, and merchants sunk. There was no bombardment, so perhaps either ammunition or time was lacking.

Air battles raged over Malaya, the DEI, and the southern Philippines. Buffaloes took it on the chin, but otherwise Allied forces held their own. On Luzon and in China the IJA air forces had their way, bombing selected targets at will.

The area east of the Celebes Sea is alive with IJN contacts. The surprise of the day was provided by the plucky Force D, the Dutch major surface units. In daylight at long range Force D intercepted a vastly superior enemy force, closed with the enemy and gave as good as they got!

quote:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 4
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3
CA Maya, Shell hits 4
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 2
CL Kuma, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Kiso, Shell hits 1
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Matsukaze
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 2
CL Tromp, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 1
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 1
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Tromp at 20,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kuma at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Banckert at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Van Nes at 20,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Piet Hein at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 14,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DD Van Nes at 14,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Banckert at 14,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Kortenaer at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 9,000 yards
CL Tromp engages CL Kiso at 9,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Witte de With at 9,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Evertsen at 9,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Matsukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Evertsen at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 6,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Java at 6,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Ashigara at 6,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Van Ghent at 6,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kiso at 6,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Matsukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Matsukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Evertsen at 6,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Asakaze at 6,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Van Nes at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Java at 10,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 10,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kiso at 10,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Witte de With at 10,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Matsukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Kortenaer at 10,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Piet Hein at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 12,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL De Ruyter at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Java at 12,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 12,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kiso at 12,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Asakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Yugao at 12,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Matsukaze at 12,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Kortenaer at 12,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Piet Hein at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 15,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL De Ruyter at 15,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 15,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Banckert at 15,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Kuma at 15,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Witte de With at 15,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Piet Hein at 15,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Asakaze at 15,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Piet Hein at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Java at 16,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 16,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 16,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 16,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Asakaze at 16,000 yards
CL Tromp engages CL Kuma at 16,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Piet Hein at 16,000 yards
DD Mikazuki engages DD Evertsen at 16,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Asakaze at 16,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages DD Mikazuki at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Java at 20,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Banckert at 20,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Kuma at 20,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Mikazuki at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Tromp at 21,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Java at 21,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 21,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 21,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 21,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Yugao at 21,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Matsukaze at 21,000 yards
de Meester, J.B. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 22,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CA Ashigara at 22,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Java at 22,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Java at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 20,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kuma at 20,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Van Ghent at 20,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Tromp at 20,000 yards
DD Van Nes engages DD Matsukaze at 20,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Yugao at 20,000 yards
DD Witte de With engages DD Matsukaze at 20,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Asakaze at 20,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages DD Yugao at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 25,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL De Ruyter at 25,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Java at 25,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 25,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Van Nes at 25,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Kortenaer at 25,000 yards
Task forces break off...


CL Java and DD Banckert succumbed to their wounds. See the screenie for just how well the other ships held up.

So the might of IJN surface forces is now being brought to bear on the southern Philippines and eastern DEI. My surface forces are in the right theater, but can they derail EHQ's plans? sKB is still located in parts unknown, probably just as desired.


[image]local://upfiles/14248/1AD96404D2A5429A92C915653302468B.jpg[/image]



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