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

Molon Labe · 06-20-21, 02:45 PM

27 December 41
The Empire advances

CentPac
I made the decision--I can't leave the fleet at PH while it's being encircled. It could even be captured--I'm now counting as many as 5 divisions landing in and around Hawaii. The forward HQ of our fleet will be Sydney. The bulk of our undamaged cruisers and destroyers slipped away at night during a rainstorm. What's left are mostly auxiliaries--quite valuable, but also slow. I couldn't risk endangering the evac of the combattant fleet by including them.

He landed on Johnston and took it immediately. The Patrol squadron based there was destroyed before it could evacuate. I would expect Palmyra and Christmas Island will be next.

The KB launched air raids over Kona to support the landings there.

Wake has been captured, along with the Wildcat detachment based there that had no where in range to fly to.

Dutch East Indies
I sent PT boats to raid Ambon and sank a cargo ship loaded with troops. The PTs escaped with only minor damage.

The task force evacuating Philippine base forces was engaged again, this time by a SAG that was ready for combat. One transport and an escorting minesweeper were sunk, three more transports were damaged. I had 4 DDs escorting but they only managed one hit on the attacking warships. He followed that up with air attacks with Betties from Palau and probably Ambon. None were carrying torpedoes. They managed one hit each on a cargo ship and minesweeper (both of which were previously damaged).

I have lost track of the CVLBG. I expect it's either going northeast to help the surface group intercepting my escaping base forces, or northwest to go after surface traffic passing through the Oosthaven strait.

Philippines
He launched a shock attack on Manila, which failed. It's just a matter of time here, though. I've pulled my aircraft out.

Malaya
Johore Baru has been captured. I had my bombers avoid the area, favoring strikes on less-well defended ships. Only lost one bomber.

The Imperial Guards Division was spotted in Mersing. This is the last major division that was unaccounted for.

China
In the north, enemy reinforcements arrived at Paotow and pushed my troops out. I'll regroup to the West.

Japanese bombers have picked a new target, an army near Hwianan that I am hoping to use to hit a smaller enemy army here in the riverlands. Fortunately it was just 19 light bombers, probably not enough to protect their troops from me.

I had a rare victory on the southeastern coast at Chaechow. The enemy attacked first only to find I had more troops, the damage he took made my attack all the more effective. I should be able to take at least one more city down here before he can regroup and counter.

Elsewhere
-The Allied submarine fleet came up completely empty today. I was getting spoiled by 1-2 ships sunk per day.
-The Soryu showed up off Guam to try to give the stalled invasion a little push. The terrain seems to be working against them.
-I tried to take a little base in Thailand I thought would be undefended. It wasn't. The battalion has been ordered to retreat, but the only retreat path has an enemy unit now as well. So that's not going well.
-Japanese marines have taken Tulagi (next to Guadalcanal)

Japan's opening force allocations:
Malaya: 3 divisions
Luzon: 3 divisions (including the 38th from Hong Kong)
Burma: 0
DEI: 1/3 to 1 division (plus marines)
Hawaii/CENTPAC: 5 divisions

I'm hoping the price he's going to pay for putting a plurality of his forces into Hawaii is that his operations in Luzon and Malaya are going to grind down as they become proper sieges. I should look into areas in the DEI to reinforce since he isn't going to be able to take Java or Malaya anytime soon.

06-20-21, 02:45 PM	#55
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	27 December 41 The Empire advances CentPac I made the decision--I can't leave the fleet at PH while it's being encircled. It could even be captured--I'm now counting as many as 5 divisions landing in and around Hawaii. The forward HQ of our fleet will be Sydney. The bulk of our undamaged cruisers and destroyers slipped away at night during a rainstorm. What's left are mostly auxiliaries--quite valuable, but also slow. I couldn't risk endangering the evac of the combattant fleet by including them. He landed on Johnston and took it immediately. The Patrol squadron based there was destroyed before it could evacuate. I would expect Palmyra and Christmas Island will be next. The KB launched air raids over Kona to support the landings there. Wake has been captured, along with the Wildcat detachment based there that had no where in range to fly to. Dutch East Indies I sent PT boats to raid Ambon and sank a cargo ship loaded with troops. The PTs escaped with only minor damage. The task force evacuating Philippine base forces was engaged again, this time by a SAG that was ready for combat. One transport and an escorting minesweeper were sunk, three more transports were damaged. I had 4 DDs escorting but they only managed one hit on the attacking warships. He followed that up with air attacks with Betties from Palau and probably Ambon. None were carrying torpedoes. They managed one hit each on a cargo ship and minesweeper (both of which were previously damaged). I have lost track of the CVLBG. I expect it's either going northeast to help the surface group intercepting my escaping base forces, or northwest to go after surface traffic passing through the Oosthaven strait. Philippines He launched a shock attack on Manila, which failed. It's just a matter of time here, though. I've pulled my aircraft out. Malaya Johore Baru has been captured. I had my bombers avoid the area, favoring strikes on less-well defended ships. Only lost one bomber. The Imperial Guards Division was spotted in Mersing. This is the last major division that was unaccounted for. China In the north, enemy reinforcements arrived at Paotow and pushed my troops out. I'll regroup to the West. Japanese bombers have picked a new target, an army near Hwianan that I am hoping to use to hit a smaller enemy army here in the riverlands. Fortunately it was just 19 light bombers, probably not enough to protect their troops from me. I had a rare victory on the southeastern coast at Chaechow. The enemy attacked first only to find I had more troops, the damage he took made my attack all the more effective. I should be able to take at least one more city down here before he can regroup and counter. Elsewhere -The Allied submarine fleet came up completely empty today. I was getting spoiled by 1-2 ships sunk per day. -The Soryu showed up off Guam to try to give the stalled invasion a little push. The terrain seems to be working against them. -I tried to take a little base in Thailand I thought would be undefended. It wasn't. The battalion has been ordered to retreat, but the only retreat path has an enemy unit now as well. So that's not going well. -Japanese marines have taken Tulagi (next to Guadalcanal) Japan's opening force allocations: Malaya: 3 divisions Luzon: 3 divisions (including the 38th from Hong Kong) Burma: 0 DEI: 1/3 to 1 division (plus marines) Hawaii/CENTPAC: 5 divisions I'm hoping the price he's going to pay for putting a plurality of his forces into Hawaii is that his operations in Luzon and Malaya are going to grind down as they become proper sieges. I should look into areas in the DEI to reinforce since he isn't going to be able to take Java or Malaya anytime soon. __________________ Last edited by Molon Labe; 06-21-21 at 10:51 AM.