SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - War in the Pacific AAR Thread

Molon Labe · 12-26-21, 12:05 PM

15 September 1942
Major enemy naval activity in Bay of Bengal

Sumatra
Palembang got shelled by 2 cruisers and 5 destroyers, causing light damage and casualties, but starting some major fires in the city.

CENTPAC
I'm retaking Lihue, Hawaii. We've confirmed there are no minefields. Marines hit the beach this morning, Arizona and New Mexico supporting.

Bay of Bengal
Yesterday I spotted a large task force near Moulmein and started clearing aircraft out of there to avoid taking heavy losses on the ground. They only ended up hitting it with 2 light cruisers and failed to do any damage. Most of the task force kept heading west, up the coast towards India. My Vengeance dive bomber squadron made an attempt on them, but it was again disorganized. They flew in 2 groups, one with 12 bombers and 8 escorting Hurricanes, the other with 3 bombers and and 13 Hurricanes. They each ran into CAPs of 30-40 planes over the target, presumably flying very long range out of Bangkok, but I can't rule out carriers. The first wave shot down 1 Zero, but lost 2 Hurricanes and 3 Vengeances to the Zeroes. One more was lost to flak over the target--the Hyuga. The second wave shot down 6 Zeroes while losing 3 Hurricanes and a Vengeance--the other 2 bombers aborted and ran.

I was going to convert another squadron of British bombers to Vengeances, but these losses will postpone that at least a week.

My best guess is these guys were encouraged by the paratroopers not all getting wiped out right away, so they're going to try to land troops in real numbers up here. Which isn't a good idea because I've got at least 2 divisions of restricted troops sitting in Calcutta that can get into the action without spending PP if the enemy lands in India. And lots more elsewhere in the country that can be sent in by rail in a few days. But if they have a better purpose, I can't think of it.

I'm evacuating a transport task force from Calcutta in case they want to shell the port. They'd delivered anti-tank guns to Calcutta after being diverted from their original destination of Rangoon due to developments there; I was hoping to switch them to phibs and drop them off in western Burma. If the enemy forces includes carriers, though, these guys will probably get killed at sea.

Burma
The enemy paratroops have been routed from Bassein, Burma (a base near Rangoon of little importance).

Reinforcements
AM Swallow arrives at Eastern USA
SC-741 arrives at Balboa
SS Blackfish arrives at Balboa
SS Runner arrives at Balboa

12-26-21, 12:05 PM	#386
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	15 September 1942 Major enemy naval activity in Bay of Bengal Sumatra Palembang got shelled by 2 cruisers and 5 destroyers, causing light damage and casualties, but starting some major fires in the city. CENTPAC I'm retaking Lihue, Hawaii. We've confirmed there are no minefields. Marines hit the beach this morning, Arizona and New Mexico supporting. Bay of Bengal Yesterday I spotted a large task force near Moulmein and started clearing aircraft out of there to avoid taking heavy losses on the ground. They only ended up hitting it with 2 light cruisers and failed to do any damage. Most of the task force kept heading west, up the coast towards India. My Vengeance dive bomber squadron made an attempt on them, but it was again disorganized. They flew in 2 groups, one with 12 bombers and 8 escorting Hurricanes, the other with 3 bombers and and 13 Hurricanes. They each ran into CAPs of 30-40 planes over the target, presumably flying very long range out of Bangkok, but I can't rule out carriers. The first wave shot down 1 Zero, but lost 2 Hurricanes and 3 Vengeances to the Zeroes. One more was lost to flak over the target--the Hyuga. The second wave shot down 6 Zeroes while losing 3 Hurricanes and a Vengeance--the other 2 bombers aborted and ran. I was going to convert another squadron of British bombers to Vengeances, but these losses will postpone that at least a week. My best guess is these guys were encouraged by the paratroopers not all getting wiped out right away, so they're going to try to land troops in real numbers up here. Which isn't a good idea because I've got at least 2 divisions of restricted troops sitting in Calcutta that can get into the action without spending PP if the enemy lands in India. And lots more elsewhere in the country that can be sent in by rail in a few days. But if they have a better purpose, I can't think of it. I'm evacuating a transport task force from Calcutta in case they want to shell the port. They'd delivered anti-tank guns to Calcutta after being diverted from their original destination of Rangoon due to developments there; I was hoping to switch them to phibs and drop them off in western Burma. If the enemy forces includes carriers, though, these guys will probably get killed at sea. Burma The enemy paratroops have been routed from Bassein, Burma (a base near Rangoon of little importance). Reinforcements AM Swallow arrives at Eastern USA SC-741 arrives at Balboa SS Blackfish arrives at Balboa SS Runner arrives at Balboa __________________