Alikchi2
Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
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Well ya know what - it's 8:15 AM for me, but I'm still not tired.
Here's December 7th, part deux.
12/7/41 - Part Two
The Japanese winged away, and Park and Cunningham were left behind to pick up the pieces.
For Cunningham, it was a disaster. Five of his seven capital ships had been sunk by a surprise attack shockingly similar to the one he delivered at Taranto - except in scope. However, there was very little he could have done, given the information he had available. Even if Park had been able to launch all his Spitfires, and Cunningham all his Sea Hurricanes, it would have made very little difference, in the face of 450+ enemy combat aircraft. Cunningham's professional reputation would remain intact.
Park's airfields were virtually untouched after the attack, a source of embarrasment for him. In fact, Park was already on the warpath, venting his frustrations at not having detected the attack on every radar operator and Catalina pilot he could find. After the war, it was determined that very little could have been done - there simply was no thought that the Japanese would or could attack Singapore with so little warning. In the meantime, though, Park had to act. He hastily put together a counter-strike and launched it before firmly pinning down the location of the enemy force.
 Air Marshal Park's impromptu attack in the KB.
The combined RAF-Coastal Command strike force found its way to the enemy fleet - and ran into a solid wall of Zeroes. Admiral Ozawa had held back most of his fighters for CAP. The Spitfires and Beaufighters fought gallantly, bringing down many enemy fighters, but most of them eventually succumbed to overwhelming enemy numbers. Still, 6 Blenheims and 10 Wellingtons were able to penetrate the CAP. No hits were scored.
 A Blenheim IV of No.34 Squadron RAF makes a run on Kaga. You cannot comprehend how much I wanted him to hit.
As the remnants of the RAF force returned to base, events were developing elsewhere in the SRA. Farther north, at Victoria Point, Japanese paratroopers of the 1st Parachute Regiment captured Victoria Point's airfield and port facitlities in a stunning coup de main. Allied transports were scuttled in harbor. Air raids were made on Allied positions in Alor Star, Kota Bharu, Tavoy, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
 Japanese paratroopers jump over Victoria Point. "Topsy" transports are visible.
In the Philippines, the situation was equally dreadful. Thanks to the personal and professional incompetence of General Douglas MacArthur (editor's note: can you tell I hate the bastard?), the USAAF at Clark Field was caught with most of its planes on the ground. The Japanese force included more than 50 of their new G5N1 "Liz" heavy bombers, the heavy bombload of which was devastating.
 The attack on Clark Field. The airbase is effectively out of commission for the forseeable future.
Japanese landings were reported all over the Far East. Although the full extent of the landings is not yet known, Kuching, Legaspi, Davao, Tarakan, Brunei, Vigan, Dadjangas, Tacloban, and Hollandia confirmed being under attack by Japanese troops late on the seventh. Laoag, Lamon Bay, and Jesselton fell almost immediately. A huge swathe of territory in Borneo and the Philippines has already effectively fallen to the Japanese.
In the Pacific, the situation is similar. Although the USN under Admiral Kimmel is ready for action, is has been caught off guard. The enemy has launched a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area, capturing Wake, Nauru, Tarawa, and Baker Islands, the last three without a single shot fired. Wake was hammered into submission. The coast defence guns were systematically knocked out by accurate bombardment from the 12" guns of the old battleship Settsu, apparently now converted into some sort of fire-support ship. The Japanese SNLF troopers landed under cover of a massive aerial bombardment from Kwajalein and overwhelmed the American defenders after a short, brutal struggle.
 Betties of G1/ and G2/Chitose Daitai make their runs over Wake.
Allied commanders have been dumbfounded by the speed and scale of the Japanese victories. Admirals Kimmel, Cunningham, and Helfrich are still unsure as to how to act in these circumstances. The Allies can only hope they make up their minds, and quickly.
 USS Constitution, a Constellation-class battlecruiser, sways idly in Pearl Harbor.
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So ends December 7th! I will have stats on aircraft lost/ships sunk up ASAP. And I promise that following turns won't be nearly as wordy as this 
One last thing. I'd like to point out how awesome the tops and the map look. I owe Ian (TheElf) a lot for doing some special tops for me. I will continue to show them off as much as possible. 
Andrew's map, well, what more needs to be said - it looks sweet!
So kudos to both of them for making my game pretty 
< Message edited by Alikchi -- 3/31/2006 4:20:16 PM >
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RE: Allied naval forces in the SRA - 
Not exactly awe-inspiring force. 
Stupid Feurer Krieg, sinking my stuff! 
Singapore has the largest dry dock in the world, and superb repair facilities... 
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