Gaishu Isshoku: John 3rd vs Cribtop Between the Storms

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 21, 1941

North Pacific
The Kawafuto Brigade begins loading for Dutch Harbor.

Central Pacific
Guam
Belatedly Guam falls.

Midway
A Convoy carrying a CD unit and two Engineering units is about 3-4 days from unloading there.

Line Islands
Christmas
A 3rd TF begins unloading another BF.

Palmyra
Load two full Nvl Guard units and they will land here tomorrow. Should easily finish resistance.

Canton
SNLF Assault Brigade due here in 2-3 days.

South Pacific
The crippled Perth is attacked by 12 Betty but no hits. The CL is only moving 1-2 hexes a turn. Send 4 DDs to finish her off.

Philippines
Nothing Major

Eastern DEI
Kolaka, Celebes
Paras take the base. No retreat from Kendari now.

Central DEI
Damn. CRAPLOADS of subs lurking all around the narrow strait.

Malaya
Massed bombing raids everyday. The 33rd ID is fully unloaded at Mersing. Total of 4 IDs with Imperial Guards and 38th ID still to come. We'll cross once we have all six Infantry Divisions.

Java
Batavia
A bombing raid by 38 Betty/Nell is attacked by 36 Dutch Fighters. YIKES! Luckily the Dutch cannot shoot and we only lose five bombers with four more cracking up upon landing. Could be MUCH worse! Directly after the fight, my Zeros and Oscars decide to appear and they waylay the enemy losing one for at least 10 enemy planes.

KB-2 (CARDIV2/CARDIV3)
These six CVs (2 CV and 4 CVL) link-up south of Java. Tomorrow they will hit Soerabaja. Set Kates to Naval Attack/Port Attack and have two Fighter Daitai assigned to Sweep Soerabaja. Order four float plane units from the BCs and CAs to recon major eastern Java bases.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 22-23,1941

The game of psychological warfare continues as I attempt to keep Cribtop guessing about Japanese intentions for the later phases of expansion.

North Pacific
CVE TF
The three little CVEs arrive at Tokyo to upgrade their planes (Total Air: 39 Fighters, 15 Val, and 12 Kate). Hosho, her sister Ibuki, and Taiyo arrive without issue. Hosho and Ibuki will change out their complement of 12 Claudes and 6 older Kates for new Zero and Kates. These Daitai are the least trained for the starting Japanese forces so I have had them training at some sort of level since Day ONE. These little carriers, 2 CL, and 5 DDs make-up the rather pathetic 'Striking Force' that shall cover the Aleutian landings.

In two days we'll get the spanking new CVL Nisshin and I just might add her to the Force so there is some fighting potential here.

Invasion Forces
The Kawafuto Brigade is loaded and departs northern Japan. Another TF is finishing loading of an SNLF Assault Brigade at Etorofu while the 3rd Invasion Force shall begin loading support troops at Paramushiro Jima. Fighting forces to protect these TFs consist of 11 DDs. A Fast TF consisting of 8 of these DDs has already formed and is carrying a small Base Force will grab Attu so we can move Mavis there and then refuel and become escorts.

PLAN: I thoroughly expect to find resistance here. Cribtop constantly reminds me he has read my previous AARs. EXCELLENT! He knows I come up here early and like to grab certain bases. Fine. We'll lay a trap and see what we might bag. Thinking it through in my head, I will add CVL Nisshin to the force. The addition of her air complement (21 Zero and 9 Kate) should fix it so we can stand-up to an American CV if one appears. Total Air will go up to 60 Zero, 15 Val, and 21 Kate.

Central Pacific
Reinforcements TF
There are several TF plying across the Pacific bringing reinforcements or additional troops to Midway and the Line Islands.

Palmyra
GOODNESS! Land two additional Naval Guard units. One promptly collapses upon landing. The Forces bring the Forts down to ZERO. I choose to lift out the collapsed unit and wait for the other two's disruption to improve to finish off the defenders. Stupid...

South Pacific
Tahiti
In the category of HEAD GAMES, I detach two BC and 2 DDs to attack Tahiti. They sink a little AMc and toss a few shells at the base. Certainly should grab his attention!

KB
Waiting for the AOs to arrive. Shift speed to cruise and will make a thrust westwards between Pago Pago and Suva to catch shipping that has been spotted by I-Boat Glens. Lots of radio traffic occurring now at or around New Caledonia. Hmmmm....

Rabaul
LOTS of supply and fuel unloading here.

Lae
The base is about to go operational with its AF nearly 2.

Invasion Forces
1. Am forming 2-3 small IF to grab dots and small bases around New Guinea and the the Solomons.
2. The Imperial Guards Brigade is 3-4 days from Rabaul.
3. 2nd ID is resting and preparing for Port Moresby.

Imperial Guards and 2nd ID will take this location with 10-14 days.

Philippines
Everything looking good in Luzon and Mindanao.

Eastern DEI
Timor
Mavis and Emilys spot an Allied STF near this location. Shift my landing from Boela to that small oil base (Babo?) in western New Guinea. Hope to fake Cribtop out with this move and if he moves eastward then the more important landing force can begin unloading at Namlea.

KB-2
The 2 CV and 4 CVL BLAST shipping on the 22nd: AD Blackhawk, 3 AVP, an AG, an AVP, 7 HDML, and an AMc are sunk. On the 23rd, KB-2 leaves southern Java waters and heads this direction to catch whatever surface forces are over here. There is GREAT excitement when USS Swordfish launches 4 Torps at IJN Hiryu. One hits but--THANK GAWD--does not explode.

Central DEI
SS
Cribtop's SS concentration allows for the opportunity to damage his sub forces. Form two ASW TF to hunt subs and change over 30 Float Planes to ASW Attack. The move is immediately felt by Allied subs as S-38 is nailed by 6 DC and heavily damaged on the 23rd. A Dutch SS is hit by 3 DC as well as aircraft attack.

Celebes
Paras have now taken all of Southern Celebes except for Makassar and Kendari. An Invasion Force and support ships (AKE/AR/AS) are about to begin unloading at one of the western coast Celebes bases. There are two infantry units present with this force and they will march down to take Makassar.

Malaya
The 5th and 18th ID reform at Johore Bharu. Need 5-6 days for the rest of the troops to arrive for the assault crossing.

Burma
Tavoy
Base falls.

Moulmein
A TF Reg blasts the two Base Forces retreating towards Moulmein. Three more TK Reg are coming from the east.

SS Ops
Ro-64 SINKS AGP Sirius
I-164 hits AK Texan near Goa

Engineering
Jehol AF-4
Fusan Pt-5

That pretty much covers the state of things. Comments? Questions??

[John 3rd]

Couple of LONG days at the store. Worked 12 and then 14 hours and am bushed. Cribtop and I have gotten a turn a day in and I need to do an update.

After dodging a few punches, my opponent has landed a few light blows that have my attention. Want to get a punch in but am trying to entice more of this behavior so we can reap a bigger possible reward. If possible will try to Post an update tomorrow morning before Turkey Day gets into full swing with having family over to the Cochran House.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
December 24-26, 1941

Been a pretty exciting couple of days as Cribtop works his 'counter punch strategy' (as he calls it). He has landed a few punches but nothing horrific, telling, or important (at THIS point).

North Pacific
CVE TF
CVL Nisshin enters the Kaigun on the 25th (what a nice Christmas present!) with 21 Zero and 12 Kate. She joins the three CVE, 2 CL, and 6 DD waiting in Tokyo and they head north. CVE's Hosho and Ibuki upgrade their Claudes for Zeros and we are now in business. The TF departs Tokyo Bay for Paramushiro Jima to refuel and head east. Don't have any AOs so these guys will be on a semi-short tether.

Aleutian Invasion Forces
All troops are loaded for Dutch Harbor, Cold Harbour, and Umnak.

Fast Transport TF
11 DDs will land a Base Force at Amchitka tomorrow. We have 12 Emily ready to fly over and man the seaplane base for intel.

Central Pacific
Canton
The 24th sees the unloading of a Japanese SNLF Assault Brigade. The initial landing scores a 3-1 and drops Forts to ZERO.The plans for the 25th go terribly wrong when the skies show an ALLIED Strike Force of 15 Fighters, 12 SBD, and 6 Swordfish. The new 'toys' of the Mod are put into use for the first time as at least 3 of the 4 available CAV/CLV strike this base. A total of 4 AK are hit and one sinks. There isn't much else done. Withdraw the TF back towards Christmas Isle to see if a Surface TF follows it up. The attack accomplishes nothing as the base falls on the 26th. Move in 18 Mavis so we can get some eyes out there looking.

Palmyra
Still cannot get the magical combination to take the base. The three Naval Guard units screw the pooch when one completely collapses during an assault on the 25th. Two days will see the landing of the SNLF Assault Brigade used at Midway. THAT should easily finish the job.

Christmas
A Base Force finishes unloading and so more recon moves into the area (12 Mavis).

South Pacific
Rabaul
The base is gaining bunches in supply and units are unloading to begin expansion of the base. The 2nd ID is resting and the Imperial Guards Brigade will land here in 2 days. Once KB moves into the area, they will load and take Port Moresby.

Lae
AF goes to 2 so we can now operate out of here.

Buin
I kept getting coast watcher sightings of something in port. Decide to act on this intel and find CL Perth hiding there! A force of 4 Zero and 14 Betty plant 5 Bombs on the target: NICE!

KB
The CVs go to EMCON. They refuel about 12 hexes SSW of Pago Pago (where are the Catalinas?) and head west. I plan to move three days west and get within strike range of Noumea. Plan to interpose the Fleet between Noumea and New Zealand and then open up the search planes and turn 'on' the strike aircraft. Really HOPE to bag something major. Plan to stay below the air search range of the PBYs and try to slip into the target area unseen. Be QUIET---we are hunting WABBITS!

Capture Kavieng and land at Milne Bay and Namatanai.

Philippines
Luzon
Damn. I am taking all of Luzon with less than two ID.

Capture Dadjangas on the 26th with the 65th Brigade.

The 48th ID is moving on Bataan where there are only two units waiting.

Mindanao
ALL of Mindanao is now Japanese with the exception of Malaybalay. The 56th ID will take care of that within a few days.

Eastern DEI
Babo
I am SOOOO glad I diverted my Boela IF to Babo! The troops get unloaded (on the 24th) and I order the TF out when they are caught be Force Z. The TF contained 24 ships and all I can see in my mind is 24 lost ships. DOESN'T HAPPEN! Force Z does OK by sinking 2 PB, 4 AK, and 2 small AP but that is it. They bug out when the entire TF could have and should have been sunk. Small blessings! Babo falls the 24th.

Namlea
Another TF is unloading on the 25th when the Dutch make an appearance. Java, DeRuyter, Tromp, and 7 DD are intercepted by an old CL and 4 DDs. A spirited fight breaks out but they get past the scort force and into the nearby Convoy. The Dutch sink a DMS and 2 small AP before running away. A second fight occurs with the escorts as they retire and more hits are scored on the Dutch CLs.

KB-2
The combined CARDIV2 and CARDIV3 find the Dutch on the 26th and plaster CL Tromp.

Looks like Force Z is retiring east along the northern coast of Aussieland. Spot them on the 26th.

Central DEI
Samarinda
Form 3 ASW TF and begin to aggressively go after the SS concentrated in the strait near there. These SS haven't really done much but they are his good Dutch, British. and American S-Boats. Have already sunk an S-Boats and heavily damaged a Dutch so I hope to plaster them more so they have to reitre to Soerabaja where I might sink them in Port.

Balikpapan
This base will be assaulted tomorrow by two Infantry Brigades.

Malaya
Capture Pt Swettenham and Taiping. Just one base left and all Malaya is taken.

There are 4 ID now at Johore Bharu, a 5th is unloading at Mersing, and Southern Army HQ will arrive at JB tomorrow.

Sumatra
Palembang
The AF is fully stocked with Torps and Betty--Nells begin ranging around sinking ships: an AM, AVP, and 4 CM are taken off the Allied rolls.

Burma
All bases south of Moulmein are now Japanese. Heading for that base with 4 TK Reg presently.

NOTES
Dwain and I exchange lots of info as we write back-and-forth. He refers to his counter punch strategy as something he is experimenting with. Seems to be working. I've figured out that he is using small out of the way base to disband his TFs into while waiting for my TF to wander into known attack areas. Makes a lot of sense and I like the thought behind the strategy.

Am going to spend the next week or so of the game getting my surface assets re-arranged for the next set of invasions. Gonna hit Java and try to take Singers within the next 10 days. The Aleutian Campaign will get underway by then as well. These moves should continue to provide insight for me with my opponent. Hopefully, we can turn the tables on him somewhat...

Been a pretty good and exciting match for this early in the festivities!

[John 3rd]

Got in the December 27, 1941 turn last night and have come to the conclusion that Cribtop is abandoning the South Pacific. His CAV/CLV Strike Force that hit Canton was spotted moving north towards Johnston Atoll AND his American BCs attacked a pair of Japanese DDs (without sinking them) about 6 hexes SSW of Christmas Ilse. They are moving north as well.

Looks like he is planning to pull a Michael and concentrate nearly everything into one massed CV TF at Pearl Harbor or on the West Coast for the time being.

Leaves the South Pacific wide open but is worrisome...

[ny59giants]

Allied "Death Star" rules!!

[John 3rd]

Pretty much means I can do whatever I want in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Like that part...

[ny59giants]

Pretty much means I can do whatever I want in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Like that part...

SoPac until mid to late January if he goes DS on you. IO has always been easy for Japan in early '42. Might be a reason many Japanese players head there.

[John 3rd]

My opponent confirms my assessment of his abandoning the South Pacific taking any---apparently---noteworthy Naval presence towards Hawaii and/or the West Coast. This was his comment within our email:

John,

Sorry for the delay, we had family stop by unexpectedly.

As for SOPAC, well things always look different from the other side of the fence. Here are a few insights into why I’m moving where I’m moving:

1) Fleeing your carriers spotted near Pago Pago and Suva a few days back
2) Trying to relieve the poor lost souls at Canton and the Line Islands, or at least bag a few scalps in the process of losing those garrisons
3) Moving in accordance with a larger plan
4) All of the above
5) None of the above

Hope that helps. J

Dwain

Though not ruling out things, it is apparent what he is attempting. The timing is quite interesting. The Allied TF nearest Christmas contains the two American BC. My air search picked up the CAVs/CLVs just to the west of this screenshot.

What does Japan have in the area? Well...we have the Palmyra IF about to land there. Interestingly there is a BB, 3 CL, and 6 DD protecting the Invasion Force. Could be quite the tussel if he comes that way. If he moves on Christmas, hoping to catch shipping, he'll run into 7 Japanese I-Boats. They had been recalled for fuel and reprovisioning. Now they happen to be in a GREAT location. Order four to stay directly at or close to Christmas while three move South to catch the TF if it heads due east.

I've got the turn and will run it later tonight. We shall see...

[John 3rd]

December 28, 1941

Ahhhhhhh rat farts! I get a surface engagement, as hoped, but it is against a different set of ships. BB Hyuga, 3 CL, and 4 DD run into 4 American CAs and 2 DDs. The Japanese hit three of the four CAs and both DDs but fail to draw substantial blood. Little damage to Japanese wessels.

Nothing else happens for the round near the Line Islands.

Hyuga and her Invasion Force TF will land an SNLF Assault Brigade at Palmyra and finish off the resistance there...

[John 3rd]

We've made it to January 1, 1942. I've had a pretty busy time with work and family over the last week so I've been remiss in updating. Hope to do so tonight.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
North Pacific
January 2, 1942

The North Pacific is about to get pretty hot. In a calculated choice, I have held off the invasion of the Aleutians to allow for Cribtop to move some warships into this arena. He KNOWS I come up here early and I am counting on him assuming my normal planning.

I've changed the normal mode of Ops to reflect the profound hope for laying a trap and bagging some American shipping. The hope is for warships!

The Invasion Fleet:

Carrier Command Adm Takagi
CVL Nisshin and CVEs Taiyo--Ibuki--Hosho (Air Total: 60 Zero, 12 Val, and 24 kate), a CL, and 9 DDs

Invasion Forces
Umnak Invasion Force: Karafuto Brigade
Cold bay Invasion Force: 2nd China SNLF Assault Brigade

Cover Force: 11 DDs

PLAN
The 3rd will see a group of AMC unload a Base Force at Amchitka. The base will fall on the 4th and 12 Emily will fly in to do some scouting. IF there are American warships up here, I expect them to make an appearance at Amchitka on the 4th/5th. The Carriers shall be ready at that point.

On the 4th, the Invasion Forces will get the go/no go order and then we'll move east with the carriers covering the way.

This is way more complicated then I usually plan but am hoping to surprise my opponent. If an American CV appears 60 Zeros should be enough to protect my little carriers and still allow for a punch back. Two US CVs and things will be bad but there will still be chances of success. I wouldn't put my CVs up here if I was the Americans and I am led to believe (after seeing the Hybrids and BCs move north) that the Americans are concentrated at Pearl Harbor.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Dec 27-January 2, 1942
Central Pacific

After the passage of the American BCs and Hybrids there is very little excitement here. Now that we have Midway, Palmyra, and Christmas Isle, time turns to garrisoning, stocking, and expansion of the bases.

Midway
The 8th CD unit is based here as well as a Base Force. AV is about 90 and I would like it higher. Once I get an Atoll Defense Unit as a reinforcement I shall move it here and pull the purely CD unit. Should raise AV to about 120. Have an AS disbanded here with 9 SS assigned to the base for replenishment. Supply is over 20,000 and have several small 1,250 TK shuttling fuel in to take care of the SS. Have laid about 200 mines here and have an AMc coming in to tend the minefield. There are 12 Mavis flying from here.

Palmyra
Base only has a Base Force and Naval Guard for the moment. Will eventually buyout a Chinese Regiment to base here as well as a small Base Force. Six Jakes fly out of here.

Christmas
Main base in the Line Isles. Have three Naval Guard, 2 Engineering units, 2 Pioneer Bns, a Base Force, and an Air Flotilla presently here or within a few days of arrival. Just bought out a Chinese Infantry Regiment to be placed here. If given enough time I will, eventually, add a Brigade here so that it will take a major effort to regain this valuable real estate. An AS is also here and there are 10 SS assigned to her. Have sent 8 of those SS due east to set-up a Scouting Line hunting for shipping. They shall take-up station in a few days. Half are Glen Boats. Have an 18 plane Mavis group working out of this location. Supply is excellent and once all the Engineering units are ashore, we'll build the AF and Forts FAST (by Japanese standards)!

Wake
When I lift off that CD unit at Midway it shall move here and join the Base currently present.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
South Pacific
January 2, 1942

Tying into the Line Islands I-Boats line is the KB about to conduct a 'sweeping' operation. The KB splits into three TF to cover a lot of territory. We place a CARDIV on each wing and a CVL--CAV in the Center. These ships have been totally on EMCON and have not been detected. Once in place tomorrow they will be set to cruise speed and slowly move NNE. There HAVE TO BE major convoys heading this direction! I've never really tried this so we'll see if it is a total waste of fuel or not.

I detach a pair of BC to sweep into Tahiti (just in case there is something there) and then will have them return to there normal TF.

The Fleet will move NNE for 5-6 days then reform and go to Christmas for R&R and replenishment.

[John 3rd]

Here is the other end of the South Pacific. The screenshot is a day out of date where the landing at Lunga is occurring and Port Moresby has fallen. YA!

The Imperial Guards take Port Moresby and will then move on to Normanton, Aust (this is part of the fake covering for India). The 2nd ID is loading at Rabaul to take Horn Isle. It will then move on to land near Darwin.

[John 3rd]

Here is Luzon and the Central Philippines. The three western hexes of Luzon each have one unit in it. Total troops in Luzon 2.5 ID.

[John 3rd]

This screenshot covers a bunch of territory. Balikpapan was captured without any damage and Tarakan will fall tomorrow. The two Brigades there will then swing around and take southern Borneo prior to the landing at Java.

Mindanao has the 56th ID making short work of things there. After the last base falls the 56th will join the 2nd ID in NW Aussie landings.

[John 3rd]

January 2, 1942

Waiting for a turn from Cribtop...

Here is the Western DEI and Malaya.

DEI
1. Form three small Fast TF to start grabbing the empty bases.
2. The 21st ID is up to 83% strength after it took casualties from one of Cribtop's counter punches and it shall lead the landings in Java.
3. Para drop tomorrow at TJ (that super long name circled in red. An Inf Reg will follow the Paras and we'll begin marching up the east side of Sumatra.

Malaya
1. Couple of odd units left and the massed TK Reg I bought out from China and Manchuria are now chasing them.
2. The 38th ID finally reaches Johore Bharu and now six ID and an Army HQ starts marching for Singapore.
3. Southern Army is at Johore Bharu to lend its' bonus for the assault.

[John 3rd]

January 2, 1942

Sir Robin in Burma. Four TK Reg will advance to the dotted line and then sit until reinforcements arrive.

[John 3rd]

January 2, 1942

Our truce date ends on January 7th. We plan to economically cripple China by taking everything in the north. The prize is the oil. A total of 6-8 ID will avance along several routes to take the Northern China Theatre. In the south we'll clear the coast and be reasonably happy.