RE Palembang, Singapore fall

RE Palembang, Singapore fall (Full Version)

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kaleun -> RE Palembang, Singapore fall (4/18/2014 2:59:23 PM)
昭和 17 2月二十五日 Day 25 広島 Kido Butai reforms in Hiroshima Bay. Admiral Nagumo commanding. The task force consists of CV Akagi, flag, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Battleship Haruna, Cruisers Takao, Atago, Aoba and Kako and two destroyers Arashio and Akatsuki. The task force sets sail heading south, towards Truk. Meanwhile, at Palembang, Japanese forces begin landing. 昭和 17 2月二十六日 Day 26 Palembang falls to Japanese shock attack. Oilfields and refineries captured intact! After operating in support of the Palembang invasion, the surface combat task force and Kido Butai 二 return to Manila to refuel and rearm. 昭和 17 2月二七日 Day 27 Winter in the northwest coast of North America is cold, foggy and wet. Among the waves, a periscope rises, marks its target and sinks underneath the waves. Many times. SS I-4, patrolling these waters is hungry. She has seen no targets in more than 2 months of war. She will make sure of this one. 4 torpedoes streak and one scores. PC Atalanta will not return to harbor. At Singapore, the 2nd, 5th, 18th and Imperial Guard Divisions, together with the 41st,112th, 113th, 143rd, and 148th infantry regiments, the first tank regiment and assorted combat engineers cross the causeway and shock attack catching the defenders by surprise. The garrison lays down their arms and surrender. Engineers at Aichi report progress on their work on the Aichi Ha-60 engine. They expect to begin production in August.

kaleun -> RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall (4/19/2014 4:01:53 PM)
昭和 17 2月二八日 Day 28 広島 A map on the wall shows the extent of the empire on this date. [image]local://upfiles/6626/4AB38115AA11480DA19C0D65CA0F0257.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall (4/19/2014 4:02:33 PM)
Another report on a corkboard gives a rough overview of the economic situation. [image]local://upfiles/6626/F38DC4DD01CB48A6BE7E9938EC13F286.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall (4/19/2014 4:03:20 PM)
And yet a third one, marked “Secret” shows upcoming operations in the Southern Resource Area. [image]local://upfiles/6626/7227743B9C0442BD9113ACB154F7901A.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall (4/20/2014 12:32:58 AM)
昭和 17 3月一日 Month 3 Day 1 東京 Yamashita and Kobayashi step off an airplane at a small, non-descript airfield in the outskirts of Tokyo. An engineer appearing type, wearing a blue labcoat greets them at the bottom of the stairs. “Ojaio gosaimasu, Yamashita-san.” “Ojaio Narihari-san,” “You’ve met my assistant, Kobayashi-san?” “Hai. Thank you very much for coming.” “I wanted to see the airplanes for myself.” “We captured two models. One is probably a functional prototype; the second is the type that the enemy is deploying.” The engineer guides the two men towards a huge hangar. “How did we come by these machines?” “One we captured at Clark, the second one crash landed near Manila and we captured it when we took the city. My crew flew down and managed to repair both of them, we used parts left over by the Americans when the airbase and city fell.” The aircraft are hidden inside the cavernous hangar. “They are really big,” Kobayashi observes. “Indeed. This is the prototype model. As you can see there are no machine guns at the tail, so it is vulnerable to attack from the rear.” Both men nod their assent. “Now this one is the one that we believe the Americans are deploying. Captured prisoners call it the B17F.” The engineer points towards a hatch near the nose of the plane. “The crew pulls themselves up through here. We have a stepping ladder to help us.” “As you can see there is one machine gun on each side of the nose. The pilot and co-pilot sit here. Here is the dorsal turret with two, 50 caliber machine guns. These are the bullets they fire.” “Kuso!” says Yamashita holding the shell in his hand. “Yes,” the engineer agrees. “There is another machine gun here for the radio operator. The bombs go here.” The men walk back to the waist of the aircraft. They see the waist 50 cal positions and see the tail twin 50 cal. Mount. “What range does this bomber have?” “It is a very long range machine, but it depends on load, weight and altitude.” “The problem is,” the engineer continues, “that it is very hard to shoot down, and with so many guns, it can defend itself very well.” “I can imagine that.” Yamashita nods. “There is something else.” He shows them a device, it’s function unclear. “We found this on the crashed unit. It is a very sophisticated bombsight. It allows the bomber to attack from very high altitude. Beyond the reach of our anti aircraft cannon. At the limit of our fighter’s reach.” “Thank you for showing this to us,” Yamashita bows deeply. A car waits for them. They get in, their faces inscrutable. “Yokohama, Kawasaki research center.” Kobayashi tells the driver.

kaleun -> RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall (4/21/2014 4:52:07 PM)
昭和 17 3月二日 Day 2 フィリピン諸島 The second strike force, 機動部隊二 cuts a fine shape leaving Manila harbor after being refueled and rearmed, not without some unavoidable delays due to there being only a single AKE in harbor that could handle the ammunition required. Now, the force, composed of the small carriers and Kaga heads south to support the invasion of Java. The task force will steam ahead, clearing the way of any enemy shipping. A day behind, the Battleships Nagato, Fuso, Ise, Hyuya, with cruisers Mogami, Suzuya, and escorts will accompany the first invasion force. ラバウル機動部隊一 Kido Butai one, refueled at Truk leaves for Milne Bay. 広島 At Hiroshima orders go out to double the research effort on the Kawasaki Ha-60 engine. The appropriate amounts of strategic metals, supplies and manpower are assigned to the task. At Tarakan, the oilfields and refinery are reported repaired and functioning full time.

kaleun -> RE: RE Palembang, Singapore fall (4/21/2014 10:02:02 PM)
昭和 17 3月四日 Day 4 広島 “Ojaio gosaimasu,” A small, young and bright appearing young man scratched at the door. Ito looked up from his desk at the young man. He wore a dark suit and carried a small leather briefcase. He stood up. “You must be Hattori-san. Please come in.” Both men bowed and Ito continued, “My name is Kobayashi Ito. Please be welcome.” “Domo, Watashi no namae wa Juichi.” The young man responded. “Here is your desk.” The two men spent a few minutes making small talk before their boss, Yamashita arrived. They both stood up to receive him and followed him to the inner office. “Sit down gentlemen,” Yamashita said. “Hattori-san, you know already why you are here. Explain to Kobayashi-san your role kudasai.” Hattori’s eyes sparkled between his round glasses. “We face some critical issues, regarding the economy, and the conduct of the war. One of them is fuel. Up to now, we have been shipping supplies, and some fuel out of Japan, to cam Rahn, Truk etc. We loaded resources on homebound ships coming from Cam Rahn. Escorts and ships were assigned mostly based on availability.” Ito, nodded, “Hai.” Hattori continued, “This is very inefficient. Much fuel is wasted using ships that are too small, and there is also a speed mismatch where slow ships are mixed in convoys with faster ones that now have to move at the slower vessel’s speed. Also there have been large ships trying to load in small harbors and so on.” Hattori looked at Yamashita, “My job is to organize the shipping of resources, fuel, oil and supplies, to and fro the home islands, in a more rational and efficient way.” “Wakarimasu,” Ito said. Yamashita handed Ito an envelope, “Kobayashi-san, here are your mobilization papers.” He ignored Ito’s surprised expression and continued, “I need you to have an officer’s commission. You will report to the naval academy for expedited training under the new emergency officer’s training program. Once you graduate as an ensign you will return here. It will only take 90 days.” “But my leg?” “You won’t be doing much climbing here. Once you graduate, everyone will think your limp is due to an injury. Take a few days to help Hattori-san assume some of your duties until you return.” “Are there any questions?” Both men shook their heads, “Ie.” “To work then.”

geofflambert -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/22/2014 1:00:57 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kaleun Cover [image]local://upfiles/6626/416EA052438146F69BBB6B191AAC8484.jpg[/image] This is the kind of blossom we have on Gorn. It's watching you [image]local://upfiles/37002/92D15738F5514110BA1049F17AE006D6.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/22/2014 4:05:02 PM)
It looks rather...naughty.

Coach Zuck -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/22/2014 4:08:33 PM)
GREAT READ!

Lecivius -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/22/2014 4:38:28 PM)
Yeah, it's making me ponder on going to The Dark Side [;)]

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/22/2014 5:24:52 PM)
昭和 17 3月五日 Day 5 ラバウル The shame of it! Twice, the twin engined bombers from Rabaul attack enemy shipping at Milne Bay. In the first attack, 7 G3M2 with 6 A6M2 escorting met 12 P40E fighters on CAP. The fighters destroyed one bomber and one more was lost to AA, one P40 was destroyed by the Zero-sen. 5 G3M2s attacked CL Capetown. All missed. The second attack involved the 12 Hamaki, which did no better. Escorted by 21 A6M2 Zero-sen, they met a mere 8 P40s. Only one cigar was lost, 4 were damaged and one enemy fighter was splashed. The cigars attacked AMC Westralia, CL Ceres, PG Soerabaja, and DM Thracian. All missed. 昭和 17 3月六日 Day 6 ラバウル Shame continues to haunt the Rabaul air groups. Once again, they attack the enemy at Milne Bay, and once again they miss. This time the light cruisers Capetown and Ceres, and the armed merchant cruiser Manoora escape their torpedoes. 機動部隊一 does not miss though. 55 carrier based Zero-sen, 31 B5N2 level bombers and 18 D3A1 dive bombers scream out of a sky free of enemy fighters. The dive bombers score one hit on Ceres, 4 on Capetown, and one on xAP Macdhui. The torpedo bombers score 2 hits on PG Soerabaja, blown out of the water, one on xAP VanOuthoorn that sinks, and 2 on Westralia. The carriers launch again in the afternoon. 45 B5N2 and 51 D3A1 come with an escort of 55 Zero-sen. This time they meet 6 P40-E. The fighters damage 2 level and 7 dive bombers at a cost of 2 P40 destroyed. Ceres, on fire escapes further damage, as does DD Nizam. Not so lucky were DM Thracian, 2 bomb hits, xAP Macdhui, 4 bomb hits and AMC Manoora, one torpedo. Kwajalein Commander Fukada,M standing at the bridge of I-8, a J3 type submarine, conning the boat into the harbor wonders at the cheers he receives. The decks of the navy ships moored in the roads, light cruisers Tenryu and Tatsuta, and destroyers Mutsuki, Kisaragi, Yayoi and Mochizuki are lined with white uniformed sailors standing at attention saluting the boat as it passes. Mutsuki and Kisaragi fire a cannon each in salute and, as soon as the noise dies away, all the sailors cheer: “ばんざい! ばんざい! ばんざい!” Fukada orders all men not on duty to dress the deck. On the deck of the submarine tender, he recognizes Vice Admiral Inouye Shigeyoshi, commander of 4th fleet and in charge of all the submarines in Kwajalein. The admiral stands at attention and salutes. As soon as the gangplank is placed the admiral and his followers rush on to the submarine. Fukada’s salutes and finds his hand pumped by the admiral and his men. “Omedeto, captain Fukada, a great victory. A carrier no less.” Fukada tries to stammer a reply. “Come,” the admiral hits Fukada’s shoulder with his fist, “Let’s go down to your cabin and you’ll tell me all about it.” He takes a white bottle from one of his aides, “From Hokkaido, I saved it for something special.” Before going down he addresses the ship’s company: “There are two cases of Sake for this ship’s crew. Yatta!” This time it is the crew of I-8 that yells “Banzai!" In the cramped cabin that passes for captain’s state room, Fukada and Inouye toast each other. “Yorktown, sunk, by one of my submarines. I have proposed you for a medal Fukada-san.” “Admiral Inouye,” Fukada replies, “I only scored one torpedo hit on the Yorktown, with respect, I don’t think it sunk. A carrier that size should easily survive a single torpedo.” “I thought so too, but the men at Hiroshima keep reporting that it sunk. In any case, the shipyard at Sidney is not large enough for the Yorktown. If it did not sink, they’ll patch her up and send her to Pearl or the West Coast. I have redeployed submarines to cover those routes. We’ll get her yet, if you haven’t already.” “I’m sending you on leave to Tokyo, to get your medal. Commander Oyama E shall take I-8 in your absence.” (Fukada M, Cmdr Aggression 58. Oyama E Cmdr Aggression 80)

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/22/2014 5:26:05 PM)
quote: GREAT READ! Thanks. Glad that you like it. quote: Yeah, it's making me ponder on going to The Dark Side I'm more of an AFB myself but wanted to try the economic model.

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/23/2014 3:35:25 PM)
昭和 17 3月七日 Day 7 広島 An hour before leaving the office, Yamashita, Kobayashi and Hattori meet to discuss the latest news from the empire so they can ponder, overnight what actions if any need to be taken. “The new bomber, the Storm Dragon will be ready to start production next month,” Konayashi announces. Hattori pulls out a paper with figures, “It uses Nakajima Ha-34 engines. We have 39 on stock, producing 23 a month, with seven more in progress. This will not be enough for the bomber, or for the Shoki fighter when it, too enters service in June. Specially if you convert the expanding Harbin factory to Shoki production.” “There is the Ha-31 factory in Sapporo. It is currently not producing. Let’s expand it and convert to Ha-34.” Kobayashi pulls a memo and writes down the orders, “Hai, Yamashita-san.” It is too late today to have it transcribed and transmitted. All the secretaries have already gone home but it will go out to them first thing in the morning. “One more thing, the airfield at Singapore has been repaired and is fully functional.” Kobayashi adds. “How about the harbor?” Hattori asks. “72% damaged.” “I do wish they get it done soon,” Hattori mutters, “I need that harbor to move all the resources from Palembang.” “Why not send them directly from there?” Yamashita asks. “Palembang harbor is too small for large convoys. It is more efficient to send them to Singapore and load up a large convoy there,” Hattori replies. “Wakarimasu.” “By the way, we’ve experienced a drop of 3000 tons in our stores of heavy industrial metal,” Hattori says. “Probably due to the engine and research factories we’ve expanded.” Yamashita says. “I am not sure of that, There should not have been a drop.” “Well, Hattori-san, I’m sure you’ll look into it. Now it’s time to go. Oyasuminasai.”

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/23/2014 6:22:21 PM)
昭和 17 3月八日 Day 8 The Coral Sea. Kido Butai 1 steams deeper into the Coral Sea. The radio announces the position of an enemy task force and the strike package departs. 55 fighters, 22 level and 18 dive bombers find the enemy ships. They are the same task force that KB had savaged at Milne Bay, fleeing to the southeast. Tracian and Ceres sink, the former from two direct bomb hits and the latter from a single bomb and two torpedo strikes. DD Nizam blessed by the sea gods, apparently, once again escapes unscathed. Cheribom captured. 昭和 17 3月九日 Day 9 Truk. The ensign stands at attention in front of the admiral in command of the South East Area Fleet and the Truk submarines. He hands him a message flimsy. Vice Admiral Kusaka Inichi reads it aloud. From: IJN submarine I-153, Cmdr Maki E. At sea. To: South East Fleet submarines. Sir, last night, patrolling 80 miles East Brisbane met enemy submarine on the surface. Launched 4 torpedoes and hit with one of them. Enemy submarine exploded. From debris found later on the surface identified it as USS Nautilus. Low in fuel. Returning to base. “Sasuga, Commander Maki,” the admiral mutters. Kwajalein. Fragment of a letter from Lcdr Ohashi Katsuo to his wife. "Have to write in a hurry. Departing for patrol. Of course I cannot tell you where, but I hope to bag an aircraft carrier..." He hands the missive to a friend, a Mavis pilot who will drop it in the mail at Tokyo thus avoiding military censors. SS I-26 departs Kwajalein to patrol between Noumea and Sidney. Ohashi stays in the conning tower until the ship submerges. SS I-174 Cmdr Hamano S commanding, also departs on the heels of I-26 and heads for Brisbane. CV Junyo enters service in Sasebo. She will join a task force with the seaplane carriers and head for Manila.

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/24/2014 4:06:53 PM)
昭和 17 3月十一日 Day 11. 広島 “Ojaio, Hattori-san,” Kobayashi greets his colleague when the bookish young man arrives at work. “Tadaima,” he replies. “Oteri nasai. I got news that the port at Singapore completed its repairs yesterday. The shipyard will be operational soon.” “Excellent. I shall start re-routing convoys. Heavy industry numbers keep dropping, and I think this is in excess of what we are using up retooling and expanding factories.” “Can you solve it?” “Yes, I am sure. Soon.” SS-159, off Newcastle. “Pass the word for the captain.” The order is given in a hushed tone, as if the shadowy form, two or three miles away, on the dark sea would hear if the officer of the watch spoke in an ordinary tone of voice. He gave further orders that turned the bow of the submarine in the direction of the, as yet unidentified contact and increased the sub speed. The KD 3 class submarine obeyed its rudder and the growl of its diesels raised by one or two octaves. “Captain on the bridge.” The lookouts, and the executive officer saluted. Commander Yoshimatsu Tamori acknowledged the salute with a grunt. “As you were. What is it XO?” “There is a ship, right ahead.” The captain peered at the blacked out shape through his binoculars. “Looks like a converted troop transport.” He mumbled. “Hai, that’s what I thought too, sir.” “Two miles?” “No more than that. They have not seen us.” The plot was clearer now. The enemy ship was traversing across the submarine’s bows, unaware of the low, dark and sleek shape that knifed through the waves towards her. “Make it two, no, four degrees starboard, and let’s go all ahead standard.” “Any escorts XO” “We’ve seen nothing sir. She’s traveling alone.” The plot points for a torpedo attack begin to be read down to the team in the control room. “Let’s go to battle stations torpedo,” Yoshimatsu ordered. “Battle stations,” the XO spoke into the speech tube and the reply came immediately. “All men at battle stations. All sections ready.” The men had gone, unordered, to battle stations as soon as the captain had been called. The XO described the ship to the tracking crew who, in turn, looked her up in their ship ID book. This early in the war, it was quite likely that they could get a good ID on her, at least her class. An ensign climbed the stairs with the identification manual open, “xAP Koolinda, we think sir.” “Solution checks out sir,” the voice pipe said. “Fire one, two, three, four.” The four torpedoes streak towards the ship, now less than a kilometer away. Time passes slowly and, right on time, the first torpedo strikes the enemy ship with a loud clang. But no explosion follows. “Kuso!” swears the captain, but seconds afterwards the second torpedo strikes and a great explosion shakes the target followed by a second one. The fourth torpedo missed ahead. The target on fire, rolls on her side. “Yatta!” the XO and lookouts yell. Commander Yoshimatsu smiles, “Well done, men. Send off a report: Sunk, off NewCastle one Koolinda class converted transport.” “Hai!.” “Make our course north northeast, and go to full speed. I want to be well away from here when the Australian search planes arrive.” At Milne Bay, two brigades attack the two SNLFs which hold on to their beach head by the skin of their teeth. Reinforcements in the way of 2 SNLFs are arriving anytime, and there is a full division en route to Truk from Manila. They just need to hold on a little more. Gambatte!

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/26/2014 7:44:17 PM)
昭和 17 3月十二日 Day 12 広島 Juichi Hattori sits on his chair. On the desk, a spread of reports covers the surface while the young man, slide rule in hand, works through columns of figures with incredible speed. Yamashita, who had been worried at first about the bookish man’s ability, now feels reassured. Hattori mumbles something unintelligible. “Naniga Hattori-san?” Yamashita asks. “I am not sure yet of what is happening with the heavy industry but,” he points to a line on a small sheet of paper, “this may have something to do with it.” “What is it?” “Tokyo’s heavy industry failed to produce anything yesterday due to lack of resources. The light industry at Sendai and Tokyo also failed to run for the same reason.” “But we’ve been shipping resources from Shangai into Nagasaki and from Shikuka into Ominato all this time.” “I don’t know yet if there’s just not enough been shipped or whether Tokyo is using them faster than the trains can bring it from Ominato and Nagasaki.” “What do you suggest?” The voice of Yamashita drifted in from his office. “I suggest we land the next resource task force directly in Tokyo, and also set the capital to stockpile resources. That way they will not ship them out.” “Make it so.”

PaxMondo -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/26/2014 8:05:57 PM)
Oh Ko! Short of resources in the HI? At this point you should easily have +5M resource in the HI if your convoys are set up right. Check Hokkaido and Port Arthur to be sure you are pulling all that you can.

Lowpe -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/26/2014 11:21:50 PM)
You should be able to easily remedy you resource shortfall, and do it quickly. You will miss that supply later in the game... Logistics are priority number one for the Empire, if boring unless you are an accountant or a jfb. Gozans are the most efficient out of Ominato, but for now, you should use anything that can haul a load...

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/27/2014 4:32:40 AM)
The problem will be solved soon. Stay tuned[;)] Thanks for reading and commenting.

1275psi -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/27/2014 7:40:01 AM)
you are doing well, and I wish i had such a command of the japanese lingo as you........a fine skill

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/28/2014 4:21:34 PM)
昭和 17 3月十四日 Day 14 The 56th infantry division reassembles at Singapore. At Manila, the carriers and seaplane carriers of the second strike force disband to repair Kaga and Zuiho will require 6 days to repair. The rest less. Only Tokyo’s heavy industry failed due to lack of resources today. 昭和 17 3月十五日 Day 15 Milne Bay Kido Butai hits an enemy task force reinforcing Milne Bay. Light cruiser Perth takes 3 bomb hits, xAK Liran 9, DD Napier one. DD Isis and xAK Centurion escape unscathed. Osaka/Kyoto and Tokyo HI fails to produce again due to resource shortage. Tokyo LI also paralyzed for the same reason. In Manila Taito upgrades it’s A5M1 to A6M2. Production of Zero-sen restarted. 昭和 17 3月十七日 Day 17 Tokyo and Sendai LI fails due to lack of resources. Tokyo LI is paralyzed too. However, a convoy bearing 32045 tons of resources shall arrive at Tokyo tomorrow. Medan captured with oilfields almost intact.

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/29/2014 6:00:25 PM)
昭和 17 3月十九日 Day 19 Tanaka’s surface combat task force sucked Singapore’s fuel tanks dry. As a result, the heavy industry shut down for lack of juice. Osaka’s and Tokyo light industry also failed to produce due to lack of resources. As a temporizing measure Tokyo and Osaka are ordered to stockpile resources. The plan is to have separate cargo task forces unloading at this two important locations while the rest of the country will be served from Nagasaki, Ominato and Maizuru. Additional changes made in the aircraft industry include allowing the factories researching the A6M2 floatplane fighter to convert to production factories, expanding the production of the D3A1 dive bomber as well as a very heavy expansion in the production of the Ha-32 engine. The 264 Sendai using Ki 45KAia 屠龍 fighter bomber has formed up in Nagoya. It transfers to Tokyo from where, soon, it is hoped to send to Truk It is hoped that the Toryu will live up to its name and slay many dragons. The 16th Infantry Division will arrive tomorrow at Truk from Manila. There it will reorganize into three brigades, and proceed to Milne Bay where the four SNLFs are holding their own against the enemy.

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (4/30/2014 4:00:14 PM)
昭和 17 3月二十二日 Day 22 The 58th Infantry Division captured Tjilajap on the 20th. Submarines I-15 and I-159 found that their damage, slight though it was, was too much for the rudimentary facilities at Truk to handle. They departed Truk for Japan on the same day. "The enemy submarines seem to have a problem with their torpedoes. Almost daily reports are received of torpedoes passing harmlessly underneath our ships or banging against the hulls and not exploding." “I am not the one to complain about good fortune Hattori-san, but please send a note to all the shipyards. I want every small ship that can carry a depth charge to be converted. Even if the sailors have to toss the depth charges by hand, every ship that can be converted to kill subs must be converted.” “Hai!” Since Kobayashi’s departure for his training camp, Hattori added Kobayashi’s duties to his own. “Stop production of the Ki 27b at Harbin. We have 90 on stock and there is no way we need more. Shutter the factory until it is time to retool for Shokis.

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (5/1/2014 4:44:06 PM)
昭和 17 3月二十三日 Day 23 フィリピン諸島 Ships repaired, Rear Admiral Yamaguchi Temon’s second strike group, 機動部隊二, departs Manila for Singapore. The ships form a stately line steaming behind their destroyer screen. The carriers Kaga, Junyo, light carriers Ryujo, Shoho, and Zuiho, seaplane carriers Nishin, Chitose and Chiyoda, and the heavy cruisers Myoko, Haguro and Nachi, slowly make their way past Corregidor and so to the open South China Sea. Once they reach open water, the carriers turn into the wind and the combat patrols begin to launch. In this particular stretch of ocean the probability of an air attack on the carrier group is infinitesimal so the B5N1 and N2 launch first, loaded with bombs and, remaining at 1000 feet, they follow their assigned patrol routes looking for enemy submarines. The fighters launch next, their combat air patrol a training exercise, followed by the dive bombers that, also at low altitude, look for submarines around the task force. 昭和 17 3月二十五日 Day 25 広島 “Sumimasen,” Hattori knocks at the open door to Yamashita’s office. The minister waves him in. “Take a seat, Hattori-san. What’s on your mind?” “I think I have found the problem with the decreasing heavy industrial material production.” “Is it not the delivery of resources?” “Hai, that is part of it, and that part is coming under control. I am pulling resources out of Shikuka, Sapporo and Port Arthur as fast as the convoys can take them. But that will not be enough to reverse the shortage.” Yamashita steepled his fingers underneath his chin, “so desu ka?” “The problem is that expanded engine production swallows up more and more of the heavy industry available, to the extent that, even at full production with no resource shortages we can barely keep up, if at all.” “Shōganai, we had to increase engine production. We surely will need to increase it even more.” “I know, we need to expand our heavy industry.” “Will that be possible, we can barely keep what we have supplied as it is?” asked Yamashita. “What we need to do,” Hattori replied, “is to expand industry in Manchukuo. There are lots of resources there.” Yamashita raised his head, “Ahh.” “Also, we should expand the heavy industry in Singapore. There is just about everything they need in that peninsula.” “Make it so.” “Hai, I will hold off on expanding Singapore until they are done repairing the damage. They are taking their sweet time fixing things up.” “Sasuga Hattori-san, Well done.”

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (5/1/2014 8:53:22 PM)
昭和 17 3月二十六日 Day 26. At sea. Commander Ikeda runs a tight ship, or submarine. The KD4 class submarine I-162 distinguished itself on his first patrol by sinking TK Hufru near Batavia with two torpedo hits. That was then. This is now. Now is a rough cold sea, even in summer. Hard to see anything through the periscope, hard to keep the submarine at periscope depth in these latitudes. The roaring forties they used to be called. But there is a nice juicy tanker dead ahead, and four of I-162s torpedoes have the tanker’s name, British Duchess, written on them. Unfortunately the name must have been misspelled because the tanker zigs at exactly the wrong time and the torpedoes miss her entirely. “Kuso!” Ikeda sends his ship chasing after the enemy tanker but, on the surface, he spots a second ship, way to the west. Another tanker! The enemy ship steams directly towards him, towards Perth. Loaded with fuel, surely, from Capetown or perhaps all the way from Aden. He orders the ship to periscope depth. Two torpedoes slam into TK Peik. That load of fuel will never arrive at Australia. In these stormy seas, there were no survivors.

kaleun -> RE: ÷ “]—Ž‚·‚é. Falling Cherry Blossoms. No CrackSabbath (5/1/2014 10:07:39 PM)
昭和 17 3月二十七日 Day 27 Cl Naha bombards Milne Bay covering the landing of 16th Division A Brigade. In the skies over Milne Bay A6M2 Zero-sen fighters meet the fire dragons, the B17 for the first time. The pilots report mixed feelings. The big, lumbering aircraft have no maneuverability at all, yet they sport many guns. Also, they are fast, and tough. No enemy bombers were lost, though several were hit, many times. 東京 A convoy docked in the harbor. An army of coolies swarm over the ships unloading on their backs sacks of minerals while a forest of cranes extracts bales, boxes and what have you from the cavernous bowels of the merchant ships. 27000 tons of resources from Sapporo head to the waiting Tokyo heavy industries. No industry failed their production requirements today. HI 210,839 昭和 17 3月二十八日 Day 28 The Japanese forces shock attack at Milne Bay and dislodge the American and Australians forces that retreat in disarray. East North East of Milne Bay, Kido Butai steams in circles while overhead searching seaplanes from Rabaul scout the seas surrounding them. The American carriers, last seen at Ocean Island, could be anywhere. They could be here, waiting to pounce on the transports that are now evacuating one of the SNLF that needs to recover and rearm in Rabaul, as well as the A brigade of the 16th. 東京 SS-I-15 and SS-I-159 disband at Tokyo for repairs. HI 213796 

kaleun -> RE: Battle off Taluga Island (5/2/2014 2:10:36 PM)
昭和 17 3月二十九日 Day 29 The transports sit at Milne Bay under a series of tropical rainstorms that obscure the sky. At least today, the enemy airplanes will not come. Further to the East, an H6K4 seaplane comes out of a cloud into a small open area of sky. The radio crackles with code. “Enemy in sight! Main Body. Two carriers, several cruisers 40 miles south Tagula Island.” The large seaplane darts ponderously back into the clouds before the enemy fighters get a chance to catch him. Kido Butai had planned for a day of flying cap over the transports but the dive and torpedo bombers had been armed, ready and fueled for the whole morning in expectation of just something like this. 105 B5N2 and 68 D3A1 fly off the decks with an escort of only 52 Zero-sen. The rest of the fighters has to be held back to repel the enemy strike that will surely be on its way. [image]local://upfiles/6626/EA9635C8CDC24569B680027681B9E93C.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: Battle off Taluga Island (5/2/2014 6:34:08 PM)
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tagula Island at 104,138 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 30 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 54 B5N2 Kate x 105 D3A1 Val x 68 Allied aircraft F4F-3A Wildcat x 11 F4F-3 Wildcat x 18 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak D3A1 Val: 20 damaged D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed Allied Ships CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Canberra, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage CA Australia CA Portland, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Houston, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires DD Helm, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Blue DD Drayton DD Dunlap, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires DD Mahan CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1 Over Kido Butai the fighters circle in succession keeping a constant vigil but no enemy carrier strike comes. Only three ponderous b-17E find the task force and drop their bombs from 16,000 feet. The four engine bombers target Akagi, but the carrier, at full speed, easily evades the three sticks of bombes. 35 A6M2 Zero-sen tear into the bomber formation but despite many hits, all the bombers return to their bases. 9 B5N2 bombers that had become disconnected with the strike package arrived over the enemy task force. 12 F4F fighters immediately tore into the unescorted bombers splashing 2 and damaging 5 others. Even so, 6 bombers attacked and hit Enterprise once more with a single 250Kg bomb to add to her fires. 9 D3A1 stumble unescorted into the melee and are met by 9 F4F. 3 bombers destroyed, the rest return to their carrier. In the afternoon, 6 Hamaki from Rabaul attack. Flak damages 2 and destroys one. All the torpedoes miss CA Australia and CA San Francisco. The second carrier raid of the day finds no enemy fighters. Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 50 B5N2 Kate x 96 D3A1 Val x 68 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged D3A1 Val: 19 damaged Allied Ships CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires CA Astoria, Bomb hits 3, on fire CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1 CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires DD Lamson DD Tucker, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires CA Australia DD Jarvis, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Ralph Talbot, Bomb hits 2, on fire DD Selfridge, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Dunlap, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage In the evening the men count coup big time. A double ration of sake was doled out to pilots and ground crews and even the sailors got some. On the bridge, Nagumo signs the message he will send to Hiroshima: Have destroyed enemy carrier task force in the Coral Sea. One Enterprise class carrier, 2 heavy cruisers and 2 light cruisers sunk. Many other ships damaged. Minimal losses. Returning to Truk to rearm. Nagumo. [image]local://upfiles/6626/C79FEB8029E944E5BAAD15F059130C60.jpg[/image]

Lowpe -> RE: Battle off Taluga Island (5/2/2014 7:41:38 PM)
The pm strike finds no enemy fighters! I wonder why? Banzai...classic...well done!

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