Racing the Sunrise: RA 4.0--Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

That would be?????

[John 3rd]

I should be ready to go about September 1, 1942.

[Cribtop]

Winter is backwards in the Southern Hemisphere, ie it occurs in the northern hemisphere's summer months. Thus, Sept 1 is a good start date, IIRC.

[John 3rd]

August 21, 1942 and Alice Springs is about to fall. Lew and I's turns have slowed to 2-3 a week but we ARE moving forward.

New Zealand planning is about to move to the ATTACK.

[John 3rd]

August 24,1942

In a breath-taking move, American troops storm ashore in Hobart, Tanzania! Not just one or two here but fifteen different units. A full Birgade and Base Force behind Sz-3 Forts await the attack. A group of 54 Transports fly into Melbourne and begint o directly ferry troops from the Imperial Guards Brigade to Hobart. Another group of Transports begin flying in a Base Force on the north edge of Tanzania where two well-trained Sentai of Tojo's arrive.

HOLY CATS! Another great opportunity. KB had already sailed two days ago SE from Sydney and is almost behind the Allied TF. They change course and clear the decks for battle.

Guess this one aint't over people...

Start sharpening the bayonets!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Another group of Transports begin flying in a Base Force on the north edge of Tanzania where two well-trained Sentai of Tojo's arrive.

Wow! What sort of range to your transports have to fly from East Africa direct to down under? [X(]

[John 3rd]

Tanzania is where my FISH come from!

OK. These are 4th Generation TInas with intercontinental flight ability.

They flew to Tazmania. Is that better Boy of Chicken??!!

[John 3rd]

August 26, 1942

The Allied Landing takes the base. Mission Orders are cut for two full strength ID to load into fast APs, move from Sydney, and off-load in Launceton. This is uncannily familiar to his Benkoelen Landing when I was already deep into mission planning for taking Cocos. The Fleet was concentrated, airpower was ready, and a bunch of troops were nearby.

SAME...STORY...HERE!

The CVs move into strike range next turn. He has two CVs operating there. We bring CVs Kaga, Shokaku, Zuikaku and 3 CVLs to the party. Two STF consisting of 4 BB, 7 CA, 4 CL, and 20+ DDs begin their approach to the Landing Zone...

Unfortunately CarDiv2 and Akagi are just finishing upgrades and repairs at Singers. They shall miss the party!

Well...here are the troops he landed:





Dead-On correct. Here is my future POW List!

[traskott]

Looks like he doesn't understand 1942 is not the time of allied assaults, and less with OZ in japanese lands !!!

[John 3rd]

Gonna be bloodily FUN! Wish I had all my heavies together to deal with Wasp and Hornet (guessing on the CVs)...

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: traskott

Looks like he doesn't understand 1942 is not the time of allied assaults, and less with OZ in japanese lands !!!

Tell DAN that in my OTHER Game!

[Cribtop]

Wow, this will seal the deal on Auto-Vic. That's a lot of Allied ship and troop points you are about to harvest. Kudos to your opponent for not hiding in LA, but goodness this won't be fun for him.

[John 3rd]

Is this a GOOD thing???

[John 3rd]

August 27, 1942
Battle of Hobart: Day ONE

Admiral Yamaguchi Tamon worked for two days to get into best position for an intercept of the remaining American Carrier Fleet. The morning of August 26th dawns bright and clear for aviation purposes.

Within 45 minutes of launching, the Japanese jakes spot the American CVs. USS Saratoga and USS Wasp, escorted by the fast BB North Carolina, are spotted NE of the Japanese position. The Japanese immediately launch a strike of 54 Zero, 41 Val, and 61 Kate. It is not a massive strike but it certainly carries tremendous weight and experience behind it. The American Fleet is caught in the midst of launching its own strike against the Japanese Carriers.

The Japanese easily sweep aside the paltry 12 F4F flying CAP (ONLY 12??!!) and begin their attack runs. Commander Tomonaga sees immediate hits within the first few moment of the attack upon each American CV. He diverts all of Shokaku's Kates to attack the Fast Battleship. Hits are scored everywhere as the Sea Eagles take their toll on the Americans. Calculating carefully Tomonaga tallies the following:

CV Saratoga 3 Bombs and an AMMO Storage Explosion
CV Wasp 4 Bombs and 3 TTs in Sinking Condition
BB North Carolina 6 TT and is SUNK!
CL Detroit takes a Bomb and a TT
DD Sims blows up and DD's McCall, Lardner, and Bancroft are all hit.

The American Strike comes in nearly an hour after the Japanese attack. Indeed, the returning Japanese Strike has to wait to see the results of their enemy's attack before landing. The American attack consists of 36 F4F, 42 SBD, and 21 Avengers. They are met by 96 Sea Eagles! The F4F's valiant attempt to defend their charges but are quickly overwhelmed as more and more Zeros arrive. By the time the Americans begin their final runs, only 25 SBD and 19 Avengers remain. The question remains though: HOW good are they??? Anxious moments pass as 44 planes attack, 7 being shot down by AA. and drop their deadly loads. Results:

CVL Zuiho 1 Bomb
CVL Shoho 1 TT and AMMO Storage Explosion
CVL Ryujo 1 TT

Only Shoho is in serious shape (21 SYS and 41 FLOT). All the BIG BOYS are not hit. BANZAI!

The remaining American planes are swarmed over by 70 Zeros and only 5 SBD and 3 Avengers survive. A second strike by 12 SBD is crushed under 78 Zeros.

The Afternoon begins...

Japanese Strikes continue with the following results:

CV Wasp SUNK under 2 more Bombs
CLAA San Juan SUNK under 6 Bomb hits

A Strike by 7 Zero, 12 Val, and 39 Kates sink an AK, CVE Hammondsport, and CVE Long Island.

Yet another Strike sinks two AK and damages CL Phoenix, an AG, an AP, AV Curtiss, and another AG.

CV Saratoga is not seen...


The day closes with the following US Ship CERTAINLY SUNK: CV Wasp, BB North Carolina, CVE Hammonsport, CVE Long Island, CLAA San Juan, and 3 AK.

ORDERS:
1. Shoho is detached and tries to make Port. This is doubtful but the attempt will be made.
2. KB moves SE to cutoff retreat from the area towards NZ.
3. At Sydney and Melbourne orders are opened allowing 81 Kates and 72 Betty to attack under the Cover of 200 Fighters.
4. Two BB TF move in to hit the TF at the beaches...

What a DAY BABY!

BANZAI! BANZAI!! BANZAI!!!

[Saros]

I don't understand how he keeps managing to feed such enormous amounts of ships, planes and troops right into the strongest Japanese concentrations.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Saros

I don't understand how he keeps managing to feed such enormous amounts of ships, planes and troops right into the strongest Japanese concentrations.

I just got the next turn from Lew and wrote him about his absolutely horrible luck at invading right where I am preparing to launch an offensive from. Just terrible choices and the worst luck I have seen...

[John 3rd]

August 28, 1942
Battle of Hobart: Day TWO

Japanese CVs move SE towards New Zealand and are rewarded for their move by spotting the damaged USS Saratoga during the afternoon. It is at extreme range so a killer Strike of Kates is launched carrying bombs. The Strike (29 Zero 69 Kates) plaster the Saratoga with 6 Bombs (+Fuel Storage Explosion) and add hits on 3 DD escorting her. Though possibly sunk, the 3 heavy CVs move towards her position to MAKE SURE.

Surface groups sink 4 AK, CA Quincy, and 3 DDs. Two Bombardment TF will hit Hobart tomorrow.

Melbourne's airpower is unleashed as over 80 Kates and 27 Betty make morning and afternoon strikes against shipping in Hobart. There is no aerial opposition this day. Another DD is sunk as well as heavy damage inflicted upon CL Phoenix, CL Detroit, several more DDs, and a BUNCH of APs and AKs (estimate 24-30 total). Not sure how many sink but those glug-glug sounds are heard each phase.

The day is not totally one-sided as a Japanese DD is sunk during surface action. CVL Shoho is also sunk by refugee planes of Wasp flying from Hobart. The tough little CVL take 4 Bombs in the morning and 1 Bomb in the afternoon before going down. Luckily her entire air group had transferred to Launceton yesterday after she had taken a TT.

That is the news!

More carnage to be reported tomorrow.

Imperial Guards Brigade unloading at Launceton and two full strength IDs (4th and 48th I think) will begin unloading there tomorrow.

[traskott]

CVs and CLs will be replaced ( although in 1944 ) but troops on Hobart are doomed !!!!

[Cribtop]

Banzai! Ouch to Lew, though... Rough game for him.

[John 3rd]

Those comments are spot-on. Here is my future POW List!

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

August 26, 1942

The Allied Landing takes the base. Mission Orders are cut for two full strength ID to load into fast APs, move from Sydney, and off-load in Launceton. This is uncannily familiar to his Benkoelen Landing when I was already deep into mission planning for taking Cocos. The Fleet was concentrated, airpower was ready, and a bunch of troops were nearby.

SAME...STORY...HERE!

The CVs move into strike range next turn. He has two CVs operating there. We bring CVs Kaga, Shokaku, Zuikaku and 3 CVLs to the party. Two STF consisting of 4 BB, 7 CA, 4 CL, and 20+ DDs begin their approach to the Landing Zone...

Unfortunately CarDiv2 and Akagi are just finishing upgrades and repairs at Singers. They shall miss the party!

Well...here are the troops he landed:





Dead-On correct. Here is my future POW List!