Bison Frontier -> RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM (1/16/2005 11:08:53 AM)
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Situation update August 1st to 27th, 1942 On August 1st, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Hirohito bestowed an Imperial Rescript upon Kido Butai for its services rendered to the Empire (read: for sinking all those big bad Allied ships and shooting down countless hundreds of enemy aircraft). Vice-Admiral Nagumo was also promoted to full admiral for his inspired command of said force. That same day, Prime Minister Tojo addressed the Diet. After acknowledging the great accomplishments of the imperial armed forces, the premier adopted a slightly more somber tone in his appraisal of the strategic situation. While Japan retains the strategic initiative on all fronts, there is no questioning the enemy’s resolve and increasing ability to defend his remaining possessions in the south and central Pacific. The heavy battles in the Gilberts and Marshalls amply demonstrated that. To counter the enemy’s reliance on the proverbial “wall of steel”, it is no longer pragmatic to merely rely on yamatodamashii. Spiritual vigor must be accompanied by industrial/economic prowess. Going forward, Japan’s economy must be placed on a “total war” footing – full mobilization, especially of hitherto untapped resources, and also increased production of more and better armaments. Only then can we be assured of final, total victory. By the first week of August, Imperial General Headquarters assessed that the enemy had (despite suffering unbelievable losses) over 80,000 troops on Tarawa, backed up by at least a thousand land-based aircraft on Tarawa (including over 250 heavy bombers), Apamama and Baker. In light of such strength, Tokyo has decided to postpone the invasion of the Gilberts until such time as conditions warrant a resumption of offensive moves there. While the troops that managed to land at Tarawa are very badly outnumbered and outgunned, we are nonetheless confident that they will give the enemy forces an endless headache with their resourcefulness and valor. In the meantime, the fighting around Tarawa was winding down but wasn’t quite over. Despite long lines of communication and supply, and many of our valiant crews’ exhaustion, our forces still had plenty of fight left in them. On Aug 1st, USN and IJN carriers clashed for the third time. This time, however, the enemy had the invaluable assistance of the hundreds of land-based planes at Tarawa and Apamama to further distract Kido Butai’s harried pilots. Superb coordination and tactics helped our fighters destroy some 240 aircraft, including 115 SBDs, 68 Wildcats and 42 TBFs. By this time however, Kido Butai’s own Val and Kate groups had become quite worn down and were only able to mount a relatively weak counterblow, which was defeated by the enemy’s fighters. At sea, the opposing fleets clashed yet again. On Aug 5th, Admiral Tanaka’s battleship TF (including the unsinkable Yamato) attacked the enemy at Tarawa, quickly sinking the damaged (from earlier battles) BB Arizona and the heavy cruiser Portland. A day later, not having quite recovered from the third clash with enemy carriers, Kido Butai’s Zeros destroyed another 100 enemy aircraft in fierce air battles near Tarawa and Apamama. Before retiring, KB’s Kates put an end to DMS Long and DMS Elliot, and a stray enemy transport. From Aug 9th to 10th, our surface forces braved incessant enemy LBA attacks to sink enemy heavy cruisers Chester and Vincennes, DD Waters and also 13 transports at Tarawa. CA Northampton was also hard hit. Our own losses from enemy air and sea action included two light cruisers and eight destroyers. Again, our LRCAP from the Marshalls made the enemy LBA pay a heavy price for their success. Almost seventy aircraft were shot down. By mid-August, Tokyo decided on a temporary disengagement from the Gilberts. While Tarawa remained in enemy hands, our forces had inflicted severe air and naval losses on the enemy, including savaging the USN carrier air arm three times. Our forces took losses too, but since the bulk of our losses was in destroyers, transports and light craft (all easily replaceable), we must conclude that the Gilberts campaign was on the whole a stunning strategic and operational victory for Japan. Meanwhile, throughout our newly won empire, Imperial forces continued their consolidation moves, taking Kuala (Aug 8), Singkawang (Aug 12), Gasmata (Aug 15), Russell Islands (Aug 20). Major combat vessels confirmed sunk during the Gilberts campaign (July 7th to to August 27th, 1942) Allied: 8 BB (New Mexico, Idaho, Maryland, Tennessee, Mississippi, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona), 6 CA (Pensacola, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Portland, Chester, Vincennes), 2 CL (Hobart, Concord), 30 DD, 4 DMS Japan: 2 BB (Mutsu, Hyuga), 3 CA (Takao, Suzuya, Kinugasa), 4 CL (Sendai, Tama, Yura, Natori), 37 DD
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