Dateline Tokyo: Pratzen (Allied) vs. Jetjockey (Japanese)

[jetjockey]

Hello! I've been a "Lurker" in the AARs for far too long, quietly enjoying the trials and tribulations of my fellow gamers. No more! I will attempt to join the "Fun" in my new game against My Most Honorable Opponent, Pratzen. The House Rules are simple; there are none. The game is simple; Campaign #1, Historical first turn, and +/- 60 day arrival for each side. WITP Veterans groan: "Does he know what he is getting in to?" It doesn't matter; it's about how you play the game. Besides, if I am lucky, I will benefit from sagely advice from time to time. Enjoy.

[jetjockey]

Argh!!!  Historical first turn, what was I thinking!?!  [:D][:D][:D] Ha-ha! Just kidding!
 
Actually, it was a rather poor showing.  KB did strike Pearl, just not hard enough, Force "Z" was untouched - completely - not a single hit, and who in their right mind plotted the AO Shiriya to move all the way to Midway? (I had forgotten about that gem)  2 X 1000 SAP bombs ended her short career.
 
Alas, the misfortunes of war.  There was one bright spot, though; I managed to sink PT-23!
 
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Pearl Harbor: I could ill afford the losses to aircraft and crew, but I needed to strike again.  On Dec 7th, I suffered light losses (A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged - B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 12 damaged - D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged) and managed to inflict heavy damage (187 hits) to Pearl's airfields, so I hoped for the best.  Considering the results, I think it was a fair trade:
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Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec 8)
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
[font=calibri]      A6M2 Zero x 65[/font]
[font=calibri]      B5N2 Kate x 124[/font]
[font=calibri]      D3A1 Val x 123[/font]
 
Allied aircraft
[font=calibri]      P-26A x 1[/font]
[font=calibri]      P-36A Mohawk x 27[/font]
[font=calibri]      P-40B Warhawk x 48[/font]
[font=calibri]      F4F-3 Wildcat x 2[/font]
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
[font=calibri]      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed[/font]
[font=calibri]      B5N2 Kate: 12 destroyed, 25 damaged[/font]
[font=calibri]      D3A1 Val: 12 destroyed, 46 damaged[/font]
 
Allied aircraft losses
[font=calibri]      P-36A Mohawk: 4 destroyed[/font]
[font=calibri]      P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed[/font]
 
Allied Ships
[font=calibri]      BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      BB Arizona, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      CM Oglala, Bomb hits 1,  on fire[/font]
[font=calibri]      AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      BB Nevada, Bomb hits 8,  on fire,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      BB California, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      DM Ramsay, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      xAP St. Mihel, Bomb hits 1,  on fire[/font]
[font=calibri]      CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      AMc Crossbill, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      AO Ramapo, Bomb hits 1,  on fire[/font]
[font=calibri]      DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage[/font]
[font=calibri]      AMc Cockatoo, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      xAK Laida, Bomb hits 1,  on fire[/font]
[font=calibri]      AM Rail, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      BB Maryland, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk[/font]
[font=calibri]      AV Wright, Bomb hits 1,  on fire[/font]
 
 
Allied ground losses:
[font=calibri]      5 casualties reported[/font]
[font=calibri]         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled[/font]
[font=calibri]         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled[/font]
[font=calibri]         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled[/font]
 
 
Port hits 34
Port fuel hits 2
 
Aircraft Attacking:
[font=calibri]       5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]      14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]      12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       7 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo[/font]
[font=calibri]       7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]      19 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo[/font]
[font=calibri]       9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]      22 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo[/font]
[font=calibri]       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]      12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]      12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               City Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       1 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       1 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 800 kg AP Bomb[/font]
[font=calibri]       3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'[/font]
[font=calibri]               Port Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb[/font]
 
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 Well worth the losses.

[jetjockey]

Dec 14th:

I did not wish to bore those who have tread these paths before. The first few turns of any game, especially a Historical Start, are very predictable, so ...

Wake has fallen, Hong Kong holds.: I sent the Wake invasion Force into a delaying pattern awaiting the arrival of the Guam Escort group and to allow KB to clear the sea to the east of Wake. After a brief morning bombardment, Wake fell with little loss. Hong Kong has resisted three days of attack, but the fortification level has been reduced to zero. I've pulled my troops back; it is time to let the guns do their work.

Philippines: The invasion progresses. I have reduced Clark from the air. Some fighters remain, however he has stopped contesting the airspace; instead he has resorted to attacking shipping. Early on I moved the 50th Sentai to Aparri; though they have no advantage over Pratzen's P-40's, they are doing a fair job defending the fleet. Pratzen has discovered a hole in my air cover though; earlier I moved the CVL Ryujo into the Sulu Sea to interdict fleeing ships. Though he has yet to hit anything at Legaspi, I must quickly refuel at Babeldaob; the CVL Zuiho with the CVE Hosho have taken up position in the Celebes Sea; with Force Z on the prowl I must be careful. I can't wait till the Yamashiro and Mutsu arrive!

China: Still a bowl of spaghetti. I've added the 28th Div to the Mongolian Garrison Army; as PPs become available the Div will move, but for now I can still have it prep for Lanchow.

Malaya: the 1st Tank Rgt has reached Alor Star and has run down the 6th and 15th Indian brigades plus the 109th RAF Base Force; if I am lucky the 42nd Inf Rgt will cut off their retreat tomorrow. With Force Z on the loose, I kept the Kongo and Haruna off the coast of Kota Bharu. This task Force has attracted several air attacks, but it's float planes did a good job on CAP till I could move Nates, and now Oscars, to Kota Bharu.

[jetjockey]

15th Dec

Alor Star has been surrounded! The 6th and 15th Indian brigades plus the 109th RAF Base Force are now awaiting the arrival of the Imperial Guards Div.

Those Dutch subs are becoming an issue. Also, the US subs have more teeth than I expected.

Still lovin' those float planes:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 53,76

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E8N2 Dave x 1
F1M2 Pete x 3
Ki-27b Nate x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Hudson I x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo

[jetjockey]

Dec 17th, '42

Southern China: Ichang falls; I pulled out the on the 16th. The 11th Army does not have enough of a reserve to hold. I pulled back to form a defensive perimeter along the Huan; Let's see him try to cross. My primary strategic objective is the rail line from Nanking to Suchow. I have a mixed set of forces in the area, and will commit whatever is necessary; this line must be secure! The 13th Army will sweep to hold a line SW of Nanchang.

Northern China: The 12th Army is strong but scattered in garrison duties; it will take some time to reorganize. The Mongolian Army presents me with an opportunity. As PPs become available, I will be bringing the 28th Div out of Manchuria. Along with the 26th Div, I hope to push towards Lanchow. Once I break the Chinese units around Paotow, my tank and motorized units will drive them like cattle down the main line of advance.

Mindanao: with the seas clear, I've released the invasion of Davao.

[jetjockey]

Dec 25th, '42

Hong Kong falls! (finally): I had to divert bombers from their targets in the Philippines, and even had IJN heavy cruisers trade shots with the fortress, to no effect.

Kido Butai: My carriers have finally finished R&R in Kobe. I've exhausted my pools of Vals and Kates and still my carriers are short by a few. Worse though is the loss of pilots; one squadron has 13 rookie pilots, and the others have a between two and nine. Training, training, training...
I've divided Kido Butai in two division; KB-1 has three fast CVs and has been dispatched to Babeldaob to relieve the CVL and CVEs there; they are incredibly vulnerable to the American CVs because of obsolete equipment (Claudes, Jeans, and B5N1 Kates). KB-2 is off to Truk to cover the invasion of Rabaul.

Northern China: one more unit and the drive on Lanchow begins!

Malaysia: Alor Star surrendered on the 18th...