RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A)

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RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/8/2021 11:41:57 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

14 Dec 1941
Quiet turn. Weather kept most of my aircraft on the ground. LRCAP over the 18,000 British troops at Kuala Lumpur did not intercept any transports.

In the Celebes Sea, one of our cruiser division tangled with the two remaining British DDs from Hong Kong, sinking Scout. Thracian escaped south towards Darwin.

Vindicators stationed at Tarakan attacked our cruiser division in the Celebes Sea without success. The cruiser's Petes were on CAP and had some success at breaking up the old dive bomber's attack.

No sign of the enemy carriers. Nav search float planes from Hollandia are watching the Torres Strait
AVG is in Chungking
The enemy has denuded the Philippines of fighter cover

Our Palembang Invasion Taskforce is moving towards its target.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 31

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/9/2021 7:16:56 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

15 Dec 1941

Kido Butai is about 500 NM SE of Wake Island. The Wake Invasion Force of two SNLF and separately loaded supplies is 400 NM west of Wake.

Patrol aircraft from Hollandia sighted enemy transports at Port Moresby and Horn Island.

Philippines:

Bombers from Formosa strike the undefended port of Manila sinking an AVD. Sonias flying from tactical strips on Luzon hit the airfield. Both Clark and Manila airfields are at about 50% damage. The recon battalion of the 16th Division has secured the mountain passes NE of Manila. The enemy has retreated to both Clark and Manila. Due to stacking limits, he will not be able to consolidate his large army solely in the rough terrain of Clark. The Army plans to bottle him up, and leave him to starve.

The IJAAF now has a Sentai equipped with Ki-43-Ic Oscars on Formosa, freeing up the 3rd Ku Zeros for other offensive operations. The 3rd Ku moved south to support the drive into the Celebes and immediately found success. A sentai from 3rd Ku operating from Mindanao swept Tarakan, finding a handful of Dutch Buffalos flying low cap at 6,000 feet over the port where a few ships are hiding. The zeros bounced the hapless Dutch aircraft shooting them all down. Betty's then struck the airfield.

Malaya:
The RAF based at Singapore, with support of USAAF B17s from Java, made an all out effort to close the Johore Bahru aerodrome. Tainan Ku was flying CAP over the airfield along with a datai of Nates. Three squadrons of 15 Buffalos swept at 23,000. The enemy lost 19 Buffalos. One zero was lost to ops. Then the Blenheims, Hudsons and B17s arrived in packets. About a third of the unescorted strikes turned back. The others were badly mauled. At the beginning of the day, recon reported 45 enemy fighters and a similar number of bombers at Singapore. By the end the day, the RAF was down to half that strength and did only minor damage to the field.

Meanwhile, Sallys from Kota Bahru escorted by Oscars hit the Singapore airfield unopposed.

In China, the enemy tried to employ P40Es as long range CAP over the 8 Chinese Corps he massed at Sinyang. Zeros from the Hosho airgroup, operating from land bases in China, swept the skies over the enemy troops, shooting down 5 of the P40Es with no losses. It looks like those two pursuit squadrons from the Philippines are back in China, this time I imagine for good, given the condition of the allied airfields within reach. After the one-sided air battle, Sallys, Anns and Sonias hit the enemy troops in the wooded hex.

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 69
Ki-30 Ann x 12
Ki-51 Sonia x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
573 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

At Adak Island, a base force is unloading. This is one of the base forces that upgrades to include coastal defense guns.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/9/2021 5:38:19 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 32

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/9/2021 7:20:44 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

Still no sign of Force Z or the enemy carriers since their attempted incursion toward Marcus Island five days ago.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/9/2021 5:35:50 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 33

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/9/2021 5:52:05 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

16 Dec 1941

I-157 sinks an xAK entering the Irrawaddy Delta below Rangoon. Recon shows five small xAKs made it to Rangoon.

The enemy does not fly any CAP in theater, and IJAAF and IJN bombers hit Singapore, Clark, Kuala Lumpur, Manado, Wake and ground units in China.

IJAAF bomber pilots report seeing aircraft that match the description of the Vindicators that were at Tarakan on the 14th.

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 17
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 9 damaged
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 2 damaged
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 9 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-4 Catalina: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 34

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/10/2021 5:42:42 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

18 Dec
In the Aleutians, a squadron of old four-pipers show up near Adak and tangle with the single escort of our refueling taskforce in an inconclusive night action, then sink an empty transport. The troops and supplies were all ashore, and the supply ships were withdrawing. I was anticipating he would send a cruiser taskforce instead of the old DDs. Two Fuso class BBs were loitering nearby but sending them after the small destroyers is both a waste, and dangerous. They will withdraw before something like the missing CVs show up.

Philippines.
On Luzon, a squadron of P40b's appeared at Clark and bounced some Nates and Sonias, shooting down ten of the lower performance aircraft. I am going to have to pull the Sonias out of front line services soon due to losses, and use them only as trainers and recon. They are useful little aircraft, but I don't want to have to build more.

Celebes.
The Manado invasion taskforce will hit the beaches on the 18th, escorted by a light carrier division and supported by land-based-air from Cagayan. The amphibious taskforces for Ambon and Kendari are making their way into the Sulu Sea. Those operations will follow on rapidly after Manado. We have good naval search coverage of the Ceram Sea and into part of the Banda Sea, and at the moment, there are no significant threats present.

Off Wake, disaster nearly struck, and it still might. A US submarine put a working torpedo into one of the transports carrying part of an SNLF. We are likely to hit the beaches at Wake with less than the planned strength. The naval and air bombardments over the past two days may have disrupted the marines enough that we can still take the island, but it will be close with only one full strength SNLF and one partial strength.

The Kido Butai is two days out from Truk, where it will rearm and take on replacement aircraft.

Malaya and Sumatra
Our invasion taskforce is 120nm from Palembang. The enemy has flooded the shallow waters with Dutch submarines, but his air force has not challenged the CAP. All the enemy's attention appears to be focused on the modest scale invasion of Palembang, which recon suggests has not been reinforced. Meanwhile, four divisions have landed at Mersing and are moving to their jump-off locations for the assault on Singapore. Due to stacking limits, I will use three divisions to force the beachhead from Johore Bahru and three fresh divisions to take the city.

In the north of the Malaya, the enemy has railed two brigades to Taiping. I suspect he thinks they can jump the lead IJA units coming south.

On the coast, the invasion of Kuantan has begun. We will take that good airfield that sits astride our lines of communication, and drive the understrength British brigade into the jungle to starve.

In China, the AVG and the P40E squadrons are not challenging our massed bombing attacks, yet. 1st Army is advancing through the mountains toward Sian from the east. The enemy has retreated. 12th Army has begun its encirclement of Chengchow. The enemy appears to be retreating from the plain. 11th Army is driving on Nanyang, though the enemy are certain to retreat into the rough terrain. Four enemy corps trapped south of Sinyang are advancing on Luchow. They are in for an unpleasant surprise. Two divisions, 3 tank regiments, and army artillery, are assembled at Luchow as part of the 11th Army forces.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/12/2021 2:02:11 AM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 35

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/10/2021 9:43:45 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

17 Dec

Off Wake, disaster nearly struck, and it still might. A US submarine put a working torpedo into one of the transports carrying part of an SNLF. We are likely to hit the beaches at Wake with less than the planned strength. The naval and air bombardments over the past two days may have disrupted the marines enough that we can still take the island, but it will be close with only one full strength SNLF and one partial strength.

This it hyperbole. It would not be a disaster if the Wake invasion fails. It is, however, a symptom that I am running these early war operations too close to the margin. They need to be more robust, because almost everything has to go right, configured as they are. While the Japanese can dictate many things early in the war, they cannot control everything.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 36

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/10/2021 10:07:41 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

14 Dec 1941
Quiet turn. Weather kept most of my aircraft on the ground. LRCAP over the 18,000 British troops at Kuala Lumpur did not intercept any transports.

In the Celebes Sea, one of our cruiser division tangled with the two remaining British DDs from Hong Kong, sinking Scout. Thracian escaped south towards Darwin.

Vindicators stationed at Tarakan attacked our cruiser division in the Celebes Sea without success. The cruiser's Petes were on CAP and had some success at breaking up the old dive bomber's attack.

No sign of the enemy carriers. Nav search float planes from Hollandia are watching the Torres Strait
AVG is in Chungking
The enemy has denuded the Philippines of fighter cover

Our Palembang Invasion Taskforce is moving towards its target.

Turned out not to be true. I am not sure where he flew those P40Bs in to Clark from, perhaps Panay or Cebu. Not a big deal to have Sonias and Nates bounced, when they are doing worthwhile work suppressing airfields. Men and planes are the coin of war, and I need to keep these airfields damaged. However, I think I can find a way to use this propensity to jump milk-runs against him.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 37

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/11/2021 12:49:56 PM

RangerJoe

Posts: 13450
Joined: 11/16/2015
From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part.
Status: offline

If you LR CAP his airfields, that may increase his OPs losses. Don't forget night bombing either just to use up his supplies. Idas would be good for that, Sonias as well.

_____________________________

Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

�Illegitemus non carborundum est (�Don�t let the bastards grind you down�).�
― Julia Child

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 38

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/12/2021 2:40:20 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

19 Dec 1941
5th Fleet AOR: Two US Carriers attacked our forces on their return from the Aleutians to Hokkaido, sinking the nascent fleet flagship, CL Kino, a small AO, an AK and lightly damaging the Battleships Ise and Fuso. Our pickets ships were too far east to pick them up in time. The BBs should make aircover in the Sea of Okhtosk, but it will be close.

In China, the AVG tried to provide long range CAP over the mass of troops in the open at Nanyang. Zeros of the Hosho airgroup and Oscars of the 24th Sentai made short work of the American Volunteers, then the 5th Air Division's Sallys hit the enemy troops. The 5th Air Division arrived at Hankow by transport from Formosa to take responsibility for the air campaign in China. Five enemy corps continue their doomed advance on Luchow. The 39th Division took Chuhsien, as the enemy retreated towards Wenchow. The AVG tried a CAP trap at Wenchow, but we have begun randomly alternating when we attack and where with bombers, except at the Schwerpunkt where we can achieve overwhelming force. At the moment, that Schwerpunkt is Nanyang.

On Luzon, the enemy has kept his P40Bs at Clark Field. 3rd Ku will sweep and our bombers will hit the airfield on the 20th.

The Manado invasion force is ashore in good order.

In the Malaya, the weather is poor, limiting the effectiveness of our bombers, but the 112th Rgt makes good progress against an understrength and inexperienced 22nd Indian Brigade at Kuantan. The airfield will likely fall tomorrow.

At Mersing, the 2nd, 21st, 33rd and Imperial Guards divisions have all arrived in good order to add their weight to the 5th and 18th divisions for the assault on Singapore. The 18th Div still needs to be reformed, but all the units are now within 40 miles of the line of departure.

(in reply to RangerJoe)

Post #: 39

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/12/2021 3:03:03 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

19 Dec 1941 continued.

At Wake, our SNLFs are ashore. Maizuru SNLF led the assault, many of its men leaping to the beach from the decks of a sinking transport. The SNLF suffered significant casualties, but with Kure 1st SNLF safely on the beach, the outcome of the battle seems certain. <player note: one of the two transports carrying Maizuru SNLF was torpedoed by a US submarine one hex west of Wake, where the amphibious taskforce ended its move on the 18th. The computer formed an Escort TF with the sinking and burning ship (70 float dam, 40 fires) with orders to return to Guam. I could not change it back to an Amphibious TF, only a Transport TF. I ordered the doomed ship to full speed towards Wake (1 hex away, but an enemy base) with absolute threat tolerance. I was unsure whether the game engine would let a Transport TF unload over a beach at an enemy base, an atoll no less, but figured at least when the ship sank, the other ships would rescue some the SNLF troops. As it turned out, I received a message, "Transport TF offshore of Wake Island" and all the squads were unloaded.>

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2925 troops, 38 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 118

Defending force 1036 troops, 25 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Japanese adjusted assault: 46

Allied adjusted defense: 14

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
492 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 17 disabled

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
Kure 1st SNLF

Defending units:
Wake USN CPNAB
1st Marine Defense Battalion

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/12/2021 4:08:24 AM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 40

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/12/2021 3:35:15 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

19 Dec 1941 continued.

Palembang. The enemy had mined the approaches and massed all his available torpedo craft at the base. Our invasion force consisted of a minesweeping task force (2 DMS, 2 small DDs) with absolute threat tolerance, followed by a destroyer squadron (1 Cl and 4 Fubuki class DDs), followed by the amphibious task force of 5 small DDs and the 14 transports carrying 3 BNs of the 124th Rgt, supply and 3 AA units. Airfield engineers and a JAAF BN are in the second wave. Air cover was provided by LRCAP from Johore Bahru and CAP from Hiryu and Ryujo 80 NMs away. These forces were supported by 2 ASW task forces and a heavy cover force (2 Kongos, 2 CAs, 4 DDs). Here is what happened:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,90, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hasu
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga
APD Fuji
APD Hagi
DD Susuki
DD Yomogi
PB Heiei Maru #7
xAK Johore Maru
xAK Toho Maru
xAK Syoka Maru
xAK Iburi Maru
xAK Rokko Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Tonegawa Maru
xAKL Yagi Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Hachirogata Maru
xAK Azuchisan Maru
xAK Amakusa Maru
xAP Manzyu Maru
xAP Koan Maru
xAP Huso Maru
xAP Kobe Maru

Allied Ships
PT TM-10
PT TM-11
PT TM-12
PT TM-13, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-14, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT TM-15


Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Vanden Broek T. gains tactical advantage
DD Tsuga engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
DD Kuri engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
DD Hasu engages PT TM-15 at 2,000 yards
APD Hagi screened from combat
DD Yomogi engages PT TM-15 at 2,000 yards
DD Susuki engages PT TM-15 at 2,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
DD Kuri engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
APD Fuji engages PT TM-10 at 2,000 yards
PT TM-15 engages xAP Kobe Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Yomogi engages PT TM-14 at 3,000 yards
APD Fuji engages PT TM-14 at 3,000 yards
PT TM-13 engages APD Fuji at 3,000 yards
DD Kuri engages PT TM-15 at 3,000 yards
APD Fuji engages PT TM-11 at 3,000 yards
PT TM-10 engages APD Fuji at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
APD Hagi screened from combat
DD Yomogi engages PT TM-13 at 2,000 yards
PT TM-14 sunk by APD Fuji at 2,000 yards
PT TM-12 engages APD Fuji at 2,000 yards
PT TM-10 engages APD Fuji at 2,000 yards
PT TM-15 engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 2,000 yards
PT TM-15 engages xAK Rokko Maru at 2,000 yards
PT TM-15 engages xAKL Yagi Maru at 2,000 yards
APD Hagi screened from combat
PT TM-15 engages APD Fuji at 2,000 yards
PT TM-13 sunk by DD Susuki at 2,000 yards
PB Heiei Maru #7 engages PT TM-15 at 2,000 yards
APD Hagi , APD Fuji , xAP Kobe Maru ,
xAP Huso Maru , xAP Koan Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Susuki , DD Kuri
DD Tsuga engages PT TM-15 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
APD Hagi , APD Fuji , xAP Kobe Maru ,
xAP Huso Maru , xAP Koan Maru , xAP Manzyu Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Yomogi , PB Heiei Maru #7
PT TM-12 engages xAK Amakusa Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Kuri engages PT TM-15 at 4,000 yards
Vanden Broek T. orders Allied TF to disengage
APD Hagi , APD Fuji , xAP Kobe Maru ,
xAP Huso Maru , xAP Koan Maru , xAP Manzyu Maru ,
xAK Amakusa Maru , xAK Azuchisan Maru , xAK Rokko Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Kuri , DD Hasu , PB Heiei Maru #7
DD Susuki engages PT TM-11 at 4,000 yards
DD Tsuga engages PT TM-11 at 4,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Muntok at 50,89

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
SS KXII

SS KXII launches 2 torpedoes at DD Uranami
KXII bottoming out ....
DD Ayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ayanami attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,90, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
MTB 7, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB 9
MTB 26
MTB 27

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
Morioka W. crosses the 'T'
MTB 27 engages DD Ayanami at 1,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages MTB 26 at 1,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages MTB 26 at 1,000 yards
MTB 7 engages DD Shikinami at 1,000 yards
DD Isonami engages MTB 7 at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages MTB 27 at 2,000 yards
MTB 9 engages DD Shikinami at 2,000 yards
MTB 7 sunk by DD Shikinami at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 49,90, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze
DD Namikaze
DMS W-1
DMS W-6

Allied Ships
AM Ballarat
AM Toowoomba, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Ipoh
xAKL Lyemun, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAKL Marudu, Shell hits 1
xAKL Shinai, Shell hits 1
xAKL Tatung
xAKL Beatrice, Shell hits 1
xAKL Buijskes
xAKL Elout
xAKL Bust

<Rats leaving a sinking ship. I am not sure if this was intended as an actual escape or to simply slow the invasion down by burning OPs points. This type of encounter is why I put the small DDs in with the DMSs, so they can fight their way through, but there is a cost...>

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
DMS W-6 engages AM Ballarat at 6,000 yards
DMS W-6 engages xAKL Lyemun at 6,000 yards
DMS W-6 engages AM Ballarat at 6,000 yards
DMS W-6 engages xAKL Beatrice at 6,000 yards
DMS W-1 engages xAKL Shinai at 6,000 yards
DMS W-1 engages xAKL Lyemun at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DMS W-6 engages AM Toowoomba at 7,000 yards
AM Ballarat engages DMS W-1 at 7,000 yards
DD Minekaze engages xAKL Shinai at 7,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages AM Toowoomba at 7,000 yards
DD Minekaze engages AM Ballarat at 7,000 yards
DMS W-1 engages AM Ballarat at 7,000 yards
DD Minekaze engages xAKL Lyemun at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
xAKL Bust , xAKL Elout , xAKL Buijskes screened from combat
- escorted by AM Toowoomba , AM Ballarat
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Beatrice at 9,000 yards
DD Minekaze engages xAKL Lyemun at 9,000 yards
DMS W-6 engages xAKL Marudu at 9,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages xAKL Lyemun at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
xAKL Bust , xAKL Elout , xAKL Buijskes ,
xAKL Beatrice , xAKL Tatung , xAKL Shinai ,
xAKL Marudu , xAKL Lyemun screened from combat
- escorted by AM Toowoomba , AM Ballarat
DMS W-1 engages AM Ballarat at 12,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

TF 82 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
DD Yomogi, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 167 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6
DMS W-1
DD Namikaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

4 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Palembang (48,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Hasu
PB Heiei Maru #7
xAK Azuchisan Maru
DD Susuki
APD Hagi

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

DD Hasu firing at Palembang Base Force
Palembang Base Force firing at DD Hasu
PB Heiei Maru #7 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Palembang (48,91)

TF 82 troops unloading over beach at Palembang, 48,91

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of II./124th Infantry Bn
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of II./124th Infantry Bn
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of I./124th Infantry Bn
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of I./124th Infantry Bn /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of III./124th Infantry Bn /3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 167 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6
DMS W-1

13 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 49,90, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri

Allied Ships
PT TM-4
PT TM-5
PT TM-6
PT TM-7
PT TM-8
PT TM-9

<ASW TF runs into PTs>

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
DD Yugiri engages PT TM-4 at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages PT TM-5 at 18,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages PT TM-4 at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages PT TM-9 at 19,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages PT TM-9 at 19,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages PT TM-7 at 19,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages PT TM-5 at 19,000 yards
DD Asagiri engages PT TM-4 at 19,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 167 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6
DMS W-1

17 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Isonami
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
PT TM-10, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-11, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-12, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT TM-15, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

<The DD Squadron makes short work of the PTs during daylight>

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
PT TM-15 sunk by DD Ayanami at 20,000 yards
PT TM-10 sunk by DD Shikinami at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
PT TM-11 sunk by DD Ayanami at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
PT TM-12 sunk by DD Uranami at 17,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 167 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6
DMS W-1

21 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 167 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6
DMS W-1

7 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Muntok at 50,89

Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS KVII, hits 1

SS KVII launches 4 torpedoes at DD Minekaze
KVII bottoming out ....
DD Minekaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minekaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minekaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minekaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minekaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 41

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/14/2021 4:37:40 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

20 Dec - 21 Dec 1941

Battle of the Java Sea.
The ABDA, including Force Z, threw all its strength at our Palembang Invasion forces, and initially achieved a series of victories.

The enemy sent three cruiser task forces, each containing a Royal Navy ship with radar. These units generally outfought the IJN, sinking 3 of our large destroyers, 5 small DDs, and all the transports (empty of troops) unloading at Palembang. The enemy lost the CA Houston, and four DDs. One of the Kongos was damaged, and the heavy cover force expended nearly all its ammo. Weather kept our aircraft grounded. During the first day's action, there were reports from nav search that Force Z was in the area, but neither of the big enemy vessels were seen in action.
On the second day of the battle, the IJN in full retreat, the Naval Service bombers at Singkawang struck the enemy before they could disband at the dot base off Billington. Prince of Wales was crippled by three torpedo hits that penetrated her armor belt and damaged her engines. Two light cruisers were also hit with torpedoes. Enemy LRCAP shot down a total of 9 Bettys during multiple sortes. Strong enemy CAP over Singapore bounced a Sentai of Sallys after their bombing run, shooting down 10 of the bombers--these are the first significant losses to either Bettys or Sallys of the conflict so far. The enemy sent Swordfish unescorted against our shipping at Mersing. The CAP dealt with the biplanes. An enemy destroyer squadron caught and sank two transports carrying a JAAF BN off Kuching.

While this battle caught most of the media attention, two other significant events occurred with little fanfare. The IJA took Palembang on the 20th, capturing all its facilities intact. The last of the divisions, the 2nd, completed off-loading at Mersing. All six full-strength divisions are moving to the line of departure.

In retrospect, the invasion of Palembang was a strategic success, even though the IJN suffered a tactical defeat. Palembang was captured intact, and the enemy threw all his strength at transports without troops, while two divisions were unloading 400 miles further north, next to his base at Singapore. If he had taken the same aggressive action against Mersing even as late as the 20th, using similar tactics, he might have achieved a significant victory. As it was, he achieved a few tactical successes, but lost his only 8" cruiser in the ABDA, and his only modern battleship is crippled.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/15/2021 6:06:47 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 42

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/14/2021 5:04:31 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

20 - 21 Dec 1941 continued.

In the 5th fleet AOR, the IJN avoided a significant further defeat. The two enemy CVs were unable to catch our battleships, who made it back under air cover and into port. The are very lightly damaged, and will be quickly made ready for follow-on actions. <Player note: I am baffled by what I was thinking. I had AV support on Adak (a base force) and could have easily flown in float planes for nav search, and not relied on pickets. For some reason I was waiting to have a level I airfield finished. Most of the debacle could have been easily avoided.>

In the Celebes, Manado fell. Invasion TFs are a few days out for Kendari and Bandjermasin (or Makassar). With the enemy American CVs in the Aleutians, I have a free hand around Java
for about a month, now that PoW is also a cripple. I will take Denpasar next to establish nav search SW of Java, then prepare to make landings.

The Marines on Wake continue to hold on, but the combat report indicates they are low on supply and disrupted. <Player note: I made the mistake of including the SNLF that had numerous damage squads in the attack, and suffered a lot of unnecessary losses because of it.>

The Kido Butai is rearmed and its airgroups at full strength. The invasion forces for Rabual, Shortlands, and Lunga are already at sea. The division for Port Moresby is a week behind. It should have already been in position, but there was a great deal of confusion at the docks in Osaka, apparently. The original convoy departed for Truk two weeks ago, with no troops on board.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/15/2021 6:27:52 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 43

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/15/2021 6:22:38 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

22 Dec 1941

ABDA cruisers bombarded our forward airfields at Palembang and Sinkawang, shutting them down. <Player note: I really like how aggressive he is with the ABDA>. An ABDA destroyer squadron attempted to continue to operate 200 NM north of Kuching and was caught and destroyed by an IJN cruiser squadron. The ABDA has lost nearly all its destroyers over the past three days. It still boasts a potent force of 1 modern BC, 2 CAs and 11 CLs.

U.S. Marines surrendered on Wake. One SNLF will need to rebuild at Truk. The other is prepping for its Phase II objective: Johnston Island.

Japanese forces have expanded their hold in the Gilberts.

D-Day for Rabual is Christmas Day. If the enemy has not reinforce Shortlands and Lunga, they will be taken in sequential actions. Port Moresby will be invaded around New Year's Day.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/16/2021 5:32:14 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 44

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/16/2021 5:42:33 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

23 Dec 1941

Quiet day. Our bombers in the Malaya are weathered in. The enemy sends Blenheims from Rangoon on a city attack against Bangkok that does not end well. Nates on CAP shoot down half the enemy squadron. Our bombers strike massed Chinese troops in the open and are unchallenged by enemy fighters.

General Yamashita has settled on three divisions to make the initial bridgeheads onto Singapore Island with three divisions, armor and artillery in the second wave. Intelligence indicates the enemy will have approximately 800AV in the city.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 45

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/17/2021 3:30:23 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

24 Dec 1941

The enemy massed his bombers on Java for a coordinated strike against the Palembang Oil Fields. Our airfield was closed from naval bombardments Unopposed and in clear weather, the enemy bombs and fires destroy 15% of the oil facilities.

18th Div is slow getting assembled for the assault on Singapore. Three Divs should cross the line of departure the day after Christmas.

Our invasion TF is hours away from Rabaul. We don't have good intel on what is there. Naval bombers flying recon report the base empty. The soldiers of the 144th Inf Rgt will find out tomorrow if that is true.

Two Walrus float planes showed up as destroyed on field today. CL Mauritius appears to have gone down, joining CA Houston as a casualty of the Battle for the Java Sea. A post operation analysis of the battle shows how close we were to suffering a major defeat. Our recon and nav search did not detect the presence of Force Z, but it was there, along with the entirety of the ABDA. The enemy forces totaled: 1BB, 1BC, 1CA, 12 CL, 12 DDs. The IJN forces were composed of: 1 CV, 1CVL,2 BCs, 8 CAs, 2 CLs, 8 DDs, and 5 small DDs escorting the transports. The enemy also had 6 submarines to our 3. The enemy staged in P40s to small forward bases to provide CAP over some of his taskforces, limiting the effectiveness of our airpower. In the end, the enemy suffered the crippling of Prince of Wales, the loss of CA Houston and CL Mauritius, and 8 U.S. four-pipers. We lost 3 modern DDs, 5 small DDs, and the empty transports. However, the enemy cruiser task forces have been able to sprint from bases in northern Java and bombard our airbases at Sinkawang and Palambang, the latter leading to the loss of oil production. The post operation analysis shows clearly the enemy successfully took advantage of interior lines to mass his forces, and achieved surprise. The fleet should not have proceeded with the operation until the BB squadron had arrived.

The enemy may be using his interior lines to shift the ABDA south to challenge our invasion forces headed toward Kendari and Ambon. We have 1 CV, 2 CVLs, 1 CVE, 2 BBs, 4 CAs, 3 CLs and 12 DDs supporting that operation. If he shifts his main base to Soerabaja, his fast ships can get from port to Kendari in 24 hours.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/17/2021 3:07:59 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 46

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/17/2021 10:13:21 AM

castor troy

Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Austria
Status: offline

That's why I always want to have KB within the SRA right at the start of the war.

_____________________________

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 47

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/17/2021 3:09:35 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy

That's why I always want to have KB within the SRA right at the start of the war.

Yep, strongly leaning that way after doing the math.

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 48

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/18/2021 3:02:34 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

25th Dec 1941

Our first-wave divisions have crossed the line of departure for the assault on Singapore.

Unescorted Dutch bombers arrive before his sweeps of Palembang. 35 enemy machines shot down by LRCAP; however, then came wave after wave of B17s. The CAP was quickly exhausted (though no losses). We have now lost more than 30% of the oil at Palembang.

In the Celebes, our invasion taskforces are two days out from Kendari and Ambon.

The aerial recon of Rabaul was mostly correct. The port and aerodrome are held by about two companies of men and no artillery. The 144th will take the base tomorrow.

In China, the enemy has stopped running, mostly. The 1st Army, driving through the mountains toward Sian, came to grips with six enemy corps <player note: remember this a stacking limit game so you won't see massive armies in a single hex; I believe he was overstacked in the rough terrain hex>. Our massed armor wrecks 25% of the enemy combat power for the loss of 2 armored vehicles. The tanks will rest for a day, the forward repair shops working feverishly, and then we will assault again. Supply is fine at the moment. We are bringing forward four batteries of AA to help cover the tanks from enemy airpower once we break out into the clear terrain of the Sian plain.

Ground combat at 87,41 (near Tsiaotso)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5182 troops, 29 guns, 741 vehicles, Assault Value = 1244

Defending force 33596 troops, 223 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1020

Japanese adjusted assault: 233

Allied adjusted defense: 979

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 45 (2 destroyed, 43 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2277 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 272 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
41st Division
3rd Tank Regiment
37th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
43rd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
8th Group Army

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/18/2021 3:06:17 AM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 49

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/18/2021 12:46:39 PM

ITAKLinus

Posts: 630
Joined: 2/22/2018
From: Italy
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy

That's why I always want to have KB within the SRA right at the start of the war.

Me too. Also, I never ever take Palembang early, I find it extremely risky for little to no reward.

Omar captured it early due to a(n apparent) reciprocal misunderstanding and fair enough, but it's still something I wouldn't do.

Personally, I think the way to go is to capture the oilfields as late as possible. Only Miri might be worth to be taken immediately because of the very long time required to repair its 150 damage. It is a relatively well protected base anyway.

My SOP is to smash as much as possible allied air forces and airfields (with the few allied ENG present, they remain closed for quite a while) and completely avoid oilfields bases.

KB in the area and few advanced dots/bases from where Mavis can fly long range NavS to spot enemy's activities W of Java. The allies can muster a very decent surface force in the area already in DEC-41 and there is no point in risking. Omar is too good to leave you Palembang "for free" if he can strike back.

Against me, Omar had success in heavily mining Toboali and other bases leading to Palembang proper, while leaving heavy forces (a couple of CA-centered TFs plus various DD-TFs) defending the harbor from naval bombardament. He also brought in the base AA units almost immediately after the capture, but I sank his convoy suffering horrendous losses the turn after the strike.
I think I made something like 45 oil damage only. Got more lucky on Tarakan and Miri, at least.

Palembang is basically a huge bunch of gasoline waiting for a spark to become a huge... Torch.

Now the question is whether you can neutralize his surface assets pushing them out of the picture. And, in case, where they will go.

_____________________________

Francesco

(in reply to castor troy)

Post #: 50

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/18/2021 2:18:27 PM

Lowpe

Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013
Status: offline

I never ever take Palembang early, I find it extremely risky for little to no reward.
[/quote]

I am the opposite, generally I like to take it very early, prior to Jan 1.

But, I plan to defend it holistically with diverse AA, searchlights, day and night CAP, and naval dominance before I get it.

In addition to preventing any type of fortress Palembang situation from occurring, I very seldom lose economy in taking the base, and the Allies usually throw away a large percentage of their aircraft very early trying to harm it and it provides a great forward air/naval base.

Either approach can of course work.

To be fair, I mentioned in the Opponents AAR offering the advice of switching mission types while at sea, for example having an ammo depleted SAG switch to escort mode while it flees from a nearby enemy SAG. --it is probably needless but I felt I should mention it.

Good luck in the game Wirraway!

< Message edited by Lowpe -- 10/18/2021 2:19:43 PM >

(in reply to ITAKLinus)

Post #: 51

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/19/2021 12:10:10 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

26 Dec 1941

4th Fleet AOR:
144th Infantry Regiment takes Rabaul and the Kido Butai sinks six transports unloading at Port Moresby. Kaga zeros found no CAP and Val pilots report that at least one of the transports was loaded with trucks, while the others appeared to be offloading supplies. Initial recon suggest the enemy is in brigade strength.

Celebes:
Our Kendari invasion taskforce moved toward Ambon. It will change course at night and make a high speed run for Kendari. A battleship division and a carrier division are covering the modest scale operation.

Palembang:
The enemy staged Dutch and British fighters to the airfield at Praboemeolih, about 40 NM south of Palembang, and swept Palembang. He lost 7 buffalos and a hawk. We suffered no losses. Saburo Sakai was credited with his 9 and 10th kills. After dark, a small convoy arrived at Palembang harbor carrying more engineers.

Singapore:
The enemy pulled his fighters out of Singapore. Intelligence believes they were part of the aircraft that attempted the fighter sweep of Palembang. The airfield is damaged again by Sallys. Our lead divisions will cross the river to the island on the 28th. The follow-on divisions are in assembly areas 40 NM northwest of Johore Bahru (due to stacking limits) and will begin moving tomorrow.

Burma:
Our fighters and bombers don't fly again against the enemy shipping sighted at Rangoon. The leaders offer the typical excuses: the sky wasn't the correct shade of blue, our supply stocks were not where we want them to be, the airfield is not commodious, it could be dangerous, etc.

China:
1st Army is resting its tanks one more day while IJAAF hits the enemy troops in the mountains east of Sian. Our main force of Sally bombers strike the five enemy corps in Loyang. They are withdrawing toward the mountains, and will likely make it there before the 12th Army can intervene. Further west, the route to Ankang appears lightly defended. The theater commander is considering shifting the 11th Army axis west to Ankang, and the 12th Army will assume the drive toward Sian from the south along the Nanyang-Sian axis, since the enemy is abandoning the Loyang area. In the south, the 13th Army has achieved its initial objective, driving the enemy into Wenchow with a single division. The IJAAF has closed the Wenchow airfield, and will now conduct constant aerial bombardment there while two divisions of the 13th Army rest and train to full strength in assembly areas at Hangchow. In southern China, a single division is advancing on Wuchow.

Philippines:
On Luzon, two divisions are investing Manila, and will test the defenses there while a third attempts to pin the larger enemy force at Clark.

5th Fleet AOR:
Engineers begin building up Paramushiro-Jima and Etorofu in the Kuriles, while we load reinforcements for the Aleutians.

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 52

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/19/2021 12:12:10 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

27 Dec 1941

4th Fleet AOR:
Kido Butai strikes the airfield at Port Moresby. Weather is poor and the strike effect is marginal.

Celebes:
Three SNLF are ashore in good order at Kendari. The support troops are also ashore. A force similar in composition will invade Ambon tomorrow.

Palembang:
Enemy bombers come in waves. Our weak CAP shoots down a few . The weather is overcast and we have plenty of engineers so the damage to the oil is modest. The airfield, however, is a wreck.

Singapore:
D-Day is tomorrow.

Burma:
Zeros of the Hosho air group sweep Bangkok and get roughly handled by the AVG on CAP at over 30,000 feet. We lose five aircraft with no enemy loses due to combat. 

China: The enemy staged in P40Es to Wenchow in a bid to keep the airfield open. The escorting Nates do their duty, and the enemy is not able to dent the strike and only shoot down a few Sallys and two Nates. The massed tank regiments of 1st Army will resume their attack tomorrow. The forward repair teams did excellent work, getting all tanks operational in two days.

Philippines: We have a division in Manila accompanied by the army artillery, with a second division a day out. A third division has entered Clark. The enemy has placed 40,000 troops in Clark, 40,000 in Manila, and 20,000 in Bataan.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/19/2021 11:37:39 PM >

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 53

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/19/2021 11:40:46 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

quote:

I never ever take Palembang early, I find it extremely risky for little to no reward.

I am the opposite, generally I like to take it very early, prior to Jan 1.

But, I plan to defend it holistically with diverse AA, searchlights, day and night CAP, and naval dominance before I get it.

In addition to preventing any type of fortress Palembang situation from occurring, I very seldom lose economy in taking the base, and the Allies usually throw away a large percentage of their aircraft very early trying to harm it and it provides a great forward air/naval base.

Either approach can of course work.

To be fair, I mentioned in the Opponents AAR offering the advice of switching mission types while at sea, for example having an ammo depleted SAG switch to escort mode while it flees from a nearby enemy SAG. --it is probably needless but I felt I should mention it.

Good luck in the game Wirraway!

Thanks, Lowpe

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 54

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/20/2021 6:19:07 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

28 Dec 1941

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 37829 troops, 341 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 1335

Defending force 31302 troops, 399 guns, 266 vehicles, Assault Value = 627

Japanese adjusted assault: 719

Allied adjusted defense: 973

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)
Did not reduce the forts, but casualties were modest and the bridgehead established.

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), supply(-)

I am not sure why disruption and supply showed up as negative modifiers. All three divisions were well rested and supplied when they crossed the LD.

Japanese ground losses:
5071 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 492 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 58 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1808 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 176 disabled <enemy loses 1/3 of its combat power>
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 101 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 41 (6 destroyed, 35 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Division <Led the crossing. It lost 2/3rds of its combat power (damaged squads, very few destroyed) and is disrupted and fatigued as expected>
18th Division <Disrupted, but will be able to contribute significantly to the final assault. Is now in reserve.>
33rd Division <Disrupted but combat capable. Will hold the bridgehead against any counter attack.>

Defending units:
2nd Loyal Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
1st Malay Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
1st Manchester Battalion
12th Indian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
SSVF Brigade
22nd Indian Bde /1
Malaya Army
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
Singapore Fortress
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
110th RAF Base Force
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
109th RN Base Force
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
AHQ Far East
2nd ISF Base Force
111th RAF Base Force
112th RAF Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
224 Group RAF
5th Field Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Praboemoelih (48,92)

<Besides Singers, this was the most important operation of the very busy day for the IJA. The regiment that took Palembang shock attacked across the river to seize the adjacent Level 2 airfield for CAP. As suspected, the enemy had reinforced his position with the only available battalion of infantry in the area (from Benkoelen) and the base force from Djambi. The attack across the river was supposed to be supported by bombers and a battalion strength drop of paratroopers, but weather grounded both the attack aircraft and transports, so the veteran 124th had to go it alone.>

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3767 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Defending force 2169 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Japanese adjusted assault: 32

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Praboemoelih !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1050 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 48 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (7 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
124th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Zuid KNIL Battalion
Bintan Det. Base Force
Djambi Base Force
Palembang Base Force

<We will now fly in Oscars Bs and Cs for low CAP and Zeros for high CAP. He has been sending in 2E bombers as low as 1,000 feet, while the B17s have been a bit higher. Our AA units were badly disrupted by the naval bombardments and constant aerial attacks over the past few days, so they are just beginning to take their toll on the enemy. We have lost half the oil at Palembang. The enemy has lost about 80 bombers, mostly Dutch crates that have been arriving first, unescorted, and going down in droves. Of course, the LRCAP gets quickly exhausted. The situation now will be greatly improved for our CAP.>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Enemy sends Vildebeests flown into Makassar unescorted against our ships offloading supplies at Kendari; all the troops landed on D-Day. Zeros and Claudes from Zuiho and Ryujo operating nearby are covering the landing>

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 3
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Hakozaki Maru
AK Kaga Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Vildebeest III bombing from 4000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A5M4 Claude (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4486 troops, 50 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 216

Defending force 856 troops, 10 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Japanese adjusted assault: 111

Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 1)

<Three SNLF turned our to be overkill. I am a bit surprised the Dutch put up so little resistance.>

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
15th Naval Guard Unit
44th Road Const Co
9th Base Force
3rd JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Kendari Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/20/2021 6:55:18 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 55

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/20/2021 6:41:33 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

28 Dec Continued.

I-166 sinks a transport in the Bay of Bengal.

Kido Butai strikes the airfield at Port Moresby again. The weather in the Solomon Sea remains terrible, so the strike again does only modest damage. IJN cruiser TFs will bombard the airfield while the Mobile Force moves on to other objectives.

Lae is invaded and is undefended. We brought lots of engineers and will build-up both Lae and Nadzab. The latter is the most valuable airfield in New Guinea (it is inland and thus cannot be pounded by enemy naval bombardments like all the others...)

Shortlands is undefended and will be taken tomorrow. Tulagi and Guadalcanal also appear undefended.

We land at Ambon with 3 SNLFs and a Naval Guard Unit. His coastal gunners appeared to be sleeping, as they fired nary a shot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 405 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Defending force 5621 troops, 69 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 222

Assaulting units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force

Defending units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
Kure 2nd SNLF
16th Naval Guard Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<In China, the tank regiments of 1st Army disable or destroy another 15% of his combat power. Combat report says we lost 7 vehicles destroyed. They appear to have been trucks, as both or light and medium tanks are in good shape. Only a single regiment suffered disablements among the tanks. Another attack by the armor, then we will send in the infantry too.>
Ground combat at 87,41 (near Tsiaotso)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5182 troops, 29 guns, 739 vehicles, Assault Value = 1292

Defending force 31649 troops, 221 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 790

Japanese adjusted assault: 277

Allied adjusted defense: 895

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 78 (7 destroyed, 71 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1052 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
41st Division
27th Electric Engineer Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
37th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
8th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Also in China, the 11th Army mops up a few Chinese Corps that had originally invested Sinyang, decided that was too tough a nut to crack, marched south to Luchow and ran into one of the reinforcing divisions and armor coming up from the south to join the rest of the army at Nanyang. The armor did not participate in the attack. They arrived in the hex in time to see the 15th Division run the enemy off.>

Ground combat at 87,49 (near Hwainan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12241 troops, 112 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 546

Defending force 15231 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 492

Japanese adjusted assault: 419

Allied adjusted defense: 118

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
235 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1699 casualties reported
Squads: 75 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
15th Division
2nd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
48th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/20/2021 11:46:27 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 56

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/21/2021 8:06:58 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

29 Dec 1941

One of our submarines, part of a wolfpack operating about 600 nm north of Pearl Harbor, fired a spread of torpedoes at a destroyer billowing smoke. Intelligence believes this is one of the four escorts detached by the enemy from his carrier taskforce near the Kuriles more than a week ago. The timing and course are right, and these DDs had been pushed hard by the enemy, trying to intercept our battleships, and their boilers and turbines could be in poor condition. The wolfpack, with Glen float planes is now searching for the carriers. Based on this intelligence, the enemy CVs will be back in port by the first of the year and likely ready to resume operations immediately.

On Sumatra, Hudsons operating from Java try and hit our new airfield at Praboemoelih. They lose 13 bombers for little damage. The B17s do better, though still losing 3 of the big bombers. The airfield is damaged, but not closed. Meanwhile, our engineers have just about reopened the Palembang strip. It is going to be close, but the enemy bomber strength is down by 2/3rds and he is not escorting or sweeping with fighters, while our various fighter sentai remain in good shape. We have been able to rotate them back to secure bases and have two fighter sentai in reserve. More engineers and AA will arrive overnight at Palembang and the Theater Command is evaluating options to seize more airstrips.

Singapore Island:
An armor regiment crosses from Johore Bahru to test the bridgehead over the river at Singapore and finds the perimeter secure. The rest of our infantry divisions and artillery follow a half-a-day behind, moving into positions to attack. It will still be a couple of days before all are ready. The 5th Division will be the last to arrive, coming from its assembly area (due to stacking) north of Johore Bahru. Meanwhile, Sallys and Lillys hit the airfield and troops, though the enemy's AA fire remains effective.

In the Philippines, the enemy moved back in a squadron of P40Bs to Clark before Christmas. Our Nates could not compete with these pursuit aircraft. Japanese industry provided enough new Oscars to upgrade a sentai of Nates and we are ready to resume the attacks on his airfields to limit fort building, though we gave him at least four days. General Homma demanded the IJAAF commander commit seppuku to pay for the IJA lives that will be lost, but also offered to act as second. Both the demand and the offer were accepted.

At Ambon, four SNLF made a dispirited attack and did not take the base, though they suffered almost no casualties. There is no rush here, but the lackluster performance of these elite troops was discussed at the army level.

Recon and nav search from Kendari show enemy shipping leaving southern Java on routes suggesting they are headed for Perth. Our CVL division off Kendari is ordered to intervene, its CAP no longer needed for the amphibious forces.

In the Solomon Sea, Lae and Shortlands are taken. Soryu and Ryujo covered the landings at Lae and will now join the rest of the fleet carriers just to the south. Ryujo is expected to be able to take on Zeros in the next few days, fresh off the assembly lines, replacing her Claudes. Her primary mission will be CAP over the fleet carriers.

The Kido Butai is covering the last of the 4th fleet landings of this phase (at Lunga) and then will move on to its next mission at full strength.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/21/2021 8:10:23 PM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 57

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/22/2021 9:46:01 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

30 Dec 1941
Quiet.
Our fresh divisions and army artillery move into Singapore, which has a stacking limit of 160,000, so we can pack it all in. Bad weather over the island keeps our bombers grounded.
The enemy bombers do not fly against Palembang, though the weather is clear.
Our tanks rest in China.
The enemy does not contest the airspace over Manila.

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 58

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/23/2021 7:35:41 PM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

31 Dec 1941

5th Division finishes its move a few miles short of Singapore, so the attack must wait a day. Our bombers hit the airfield and his troops. He has a handful of Blenheim fighters on CAP which tangle with a sweep of Nates. The Nates win. 38th Division, the theater reserve has landed at Mersing and will be available to further reinforce the attack, if needed.

He sends some Dutch bombers on a night mission against the oil facilities at Palembang. They damage 2 oil.

Paratroopers take Benkoelen on the west coast of Sumatra.

Zuiho chases shipping fleeing Java north toward Christmas Island (IO).

In the Celebes, Ambon falls. The four SNLF/Nav Grd units are in good shape and ready for follow-on operations.

Off Port Moresby, SS RO-62 sinks a transport, and an alert crew aboard DD Oboro spot mines and guides our two CA TFs around the threat. <This was an impatient mistake on my part. I had the DMSs en route, but since RO-62 had been operating in the hex for a number of days, I figured the risk was low. I had forgotten CM Bugaree carries something like 150 VH2 mines. Given the lack of result, I wonder if she laid her initial load-out somewhere else, and only had a small batch for Port Moresby. Though, given the emerging picture of his defensive posture, Port Moresby is the most logical choice for him to have tried to mine.> The four Aoba's and two Tone's bombard the airfields, closing them to all but CAP operations.

Lunga is invaded. No sign of the enemy in the area; however, the transports will withdraw until the air search cover is established.

North of Pearl Harbor, our submarine wolfpack does not catch a sniff of enemy carriers. Intelligence believes they have made port. Glen carrying subs will recon the port.

In the South Pacific, our two AMC raiders have found no sign of enemy shipping between the Marquesas all the way west to Norfolk island. They will rearm and refuel at Truk, and be reassigned to raid the shipping lanes between Perth and Cape Town, operating from Ambon.

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/24/2021 3:03:11 AM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 59

RE: Requiem for Tomorrow Wirraway (J) v DesertWolf (A) - 10/24/2021 2:50:11 AM

Wirraway_Ace

Posts: 1400
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Austin / Brisbane
Status: offline

Situation in China after three weeks:
In general, the enemy retreated into defensible terrain without offering our forces many opportunities for decisive action.
The enemy strategy appears to have been to invest both Ichang and Sinyang, to see if there was an opportunity to catch Japanese forces exposed, while conducting a general retreat into defensible terrain. Neither the move on Ichang or Sinyang were successful. We withdrew from Ichang behind the river to conduct an economy of force operation, allowing the bulk of the China area army to concentrate on the drive north to Sian while heavy bombing has weakened the massed enemy. At Sinyang, the enemy originally concentrated more than 10 corps from the north, east and south, then split his force north and south without giving battle. Since he controlled both the southern and northern hex-sides, he could have moved his entire force north. Instead, he marched half his force south, presumably to threaten the Nanking sector. We were simultaneously assembling armor and infantry in this area to reinforce the 11th Army drive north. These reinforcements were able to defeat the enemy in detail without significantly delaying their move to join the main army.

In the air, the enemy has not been able to coordinate his air units and take advantage of his significant superiority in frontline fighters. Our bombers, coordinated by the 5th Air Division, have been largely able to hit the targets they wish at will. <I shipped in the 5th Air Div from Formosa, not wanting to buy out an Air HQ from Manchukuo, as all my political points are going to buy out a division for the invasion of Midway. That operation is on a tight timetable, needing to occur by the 21st of January. I say all my political points, but that is really after replacing a few morons in charge of an Air Fleet and an Air Division, buying out all the armor regiments, and freeing up the Sallys. Our house rules are to pay full PP cost to transfer units from restricted theaters like Manchukuo.>

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Wirraway_Ace -- 10/24/2021 2:54:47 AM >

(in reply to Wirraway_Ace)

Post #: 60

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