14 replies to this topic

[W. Clark]

I'm flying this one solo.

 

Defending the Malay Barrier (DTMB) Campaign

This is the standard start option. There are no capital ships, Force Z is sunk and the Singapore Index is at 1.

GT 1 16-31 December 1941

The ABDA has not formed yet and the Americans, Brits, Australians, and Dutch are all operating independently. They may not combine excerpt that the USN could transfer a division of Flush Deckers to Singapore. I’ve never seen that done and I’m not going to do it now.

Weather Forecast DR: 6 That results in a +0 modifier in both the WAF and EAF areas this GT.

Japanese

TE (Theater Event) DR: 9        Random ship damaged in the EAF and Oyashio is not available this GT as a result.

WAF 3 CDs

CD 1: Convoy (L) against Kota Bharu-Singora (3^rd Malayan) under VAdm Ozawa (Vet)

CA Chokai; CS7 (RAdm Kurita) CA Kumano, Suzuya, Mikuma & Mogami; 3^rd DesFlot (RAdm Hashimoto) CL Sendai; DesDivs 11^th, 12^th, 19^th & 20^th 14 Fubuki DDs, 12  APs & AV Kamikawa Maru

 

CD 2: Convoy (L) against Kota Bharu-Singora (2^nd Malayan) under VAdm Kondo

CS4 (VAdm Kondo) CA Takao & Atago; DesDiv 4, 4 Kagero DD; DesDiv 6, 2 Akatsuki DD; DesDiv 8, 4 Asashio DD; 12 APs & AV Sanyo Maru

EAF 4 CDs

CD 1: CG in the Center Axis under RAdm Kakuta

CVL Ryujo & DD Shiokaze

 

CD 2: Convoy (M) against Davo under RAdm Takagi

CA Haguro; 2^nd DesFlot (RAdm Tanaka Vet) CL Jintsu; 15^th DesDiv 3 Kagero DD, 10 APs & AV Chitose

 

CD 3: Convoy (M) against Jolo

CS5 CA Myoko & Nachi; DesDiv 16 (-), 2 Kagero DD; 8 APs & AV Mizuho

Aillies

TE: 7    Houston gets her SW radar installed; SW – radar

Singapore: Brit CD used to transfer HMAS Vampire to Darwin

Tarakan: American CD used to transfer Marblehead and DesRon 29 to Surabaya

 

GT Results: All objectives taken and Singapore index now at 2.

 

GT 2 1-15 January 1942

The ABDA still not formed and the Allies are stuck operating independently.

Weather Forecast DR: 12       That results in + 4 modifier in the WAF and a +2 in the EAF

Japanese

TE DR: 1           Admiral Yamamoto intervenes, add 2 CDs to either Attack Force as desired.

WAF 4 CDs (1 from TE)

CD 1: CD Reinforcement of CL Yura to WAF

 

CD 2: Convoy (S) against Miri/Brunei under RAdm Hashimoto

3^rd DesFlot (RAdm Hashimoto) CL Sendai & Yura ; DesDiv 11 &  19, 7 Fubuki DD; 4 APs & AV Sagara Maru

 

CD 3: Convoy (S) against Kuching under VAdm Kondo

CS4 CA Takao & Atago; Desdiv 12 & 20, 7 Fubuki DD; 4 APs & AV Sanyo Maru

 

CD 4: Convoy (L) against Kota Bharu-Singora (4^th Malayan) under VAdm Ozawa (Vet)

CA Chokai; CS7 (RAdm Kurita) CA Kumano, Suzuya, Mikuma & Mogami; DesDiv 4, 4 Kagero DD; DesDiv 6, 2 Akatsuki DD; DesDiv 8, 4 Asashio DD, 12 APs & AV Kamikawa Maru

EAF 5 CDs (1 from TE)

CD 1: CG in Center Axis under RAdm Kakuta

CVL Ryujo & DD Shiokaze

 

CD 2: CD Reinforcement CL Nagara (RAdm Hara)

 

CD 3: Convoy (M) against Tarakan under RAdm Hara

CS16 CL (RAdm Hara) CL Nagara; DesDiv 2, 4 Shiratsuyu DD & 8 APs

 

CD 4: Convoy (M) against Balikpapan under RAdm Takagi

CA Haguro; CL Jintsu; DesDiv 15 & 16, 6 Kagero DD, DesDiv 24, 4 Shiratsuyu DD 8 APs & AV Chitose

 

CD 5: Convoy (VS)

CS5 CA Myoko & Nachi; DesDiv 9, 4 Asashio DD, 1 AP & AV Mizuho

Allies

TE DR: 9 Marblehead has run aground and not available this GT.

Singapore: Brits take Mauritius as a CD reinforcement

Batavia: Dutch transfer to Surabaya

Surabaya: Americans transfer DesRon 29 & DesDiv 59, 5 DD to Darwin

Darwin: ANZACs sortie a sweep in the Eastern Axis under RAdm Crace

CAs Australia & Canberra, CLs Perth, Hobart, Leander & Achilles & DD Vampire.

 

Weather was overcast and Japanese LBA failed to contact the ANZAC sortie. All objectives were taken. The Singapore Index is now a 3. WAF LBA Tier 1 is complete. EAF LBA Tier is still at 0.

GT 3 16-31 January 1942

The ABDA has now formed. The Allies may combine forces and share CDs.

Weather Forecast DR: 4 resulting in +0 modifier.

Japanese

TE DR: 10 Carrier raid against Ambon, does not cost a CD, counts as CG in the Eastern Axis

CV Hiryu & Soryu; DesDiv 7, 2 Fubuki DD & DesDiv 27, 2 Shiratsuyu DD

WAF 3 CDs

CD 1: Convoy against Jesselton (VS) under RAdm Hashimoto

CL Sendai & Yura, DesDiv 20, 4 Fubuki DD & 1 AP

 

CD 2: Convoy against Endau (VS) under VAdm Kondo

CS4 CA Takao & Atago; DesDiv 19, 4 Fubuki DD, 1 AP & AV Sanyo Maru

 

CD 3: Convoy (M) against Bangka Island under VAdm Ozawa (Vet)

CA Chokai; CS7 (RAdm Kurita) CA Kumano, Suzuyu, Mikuma & Mogami; DesDiv 4, 4 Kagero DD, DesDiv 8, 4 Asashio DD, DesDiv 11, 3 Fubuki DD, 8 APs & AV Kamikawa Maru

EAF 4 CDs

CD 1: CD Reinforcement CA Ashigara (VAdm Takahashi)

 

CD 2: Convoy (M) against Menado under RAdm Hara

CL Nagara; DesDiv 2 & 24, 8 Shiratsuyu DD & 8 APs

 

CD 3: Convoy (M) against Ambon under RAdm Tanaka

CL Jintsu; DesDiv 15, 4 Kagero DD; DesDiv 21, 4 Hatsuharu DD, 8 AP & AV Chitose

 

CD 4: Convoy (M) against Kendari under VAdm Takahashi

CA Ashigara; CS5 (RAdm Takagi) CA Haguro, Myoko & Nachi; DesFlot 4 (RAdm Nishimura) CL Naka; DesDiv 9, 4 Asashio DD; DesDiv 16, 4 Kagero DD, 8 APs & AV Mizuho

Allies

TE DR: 7           HMS Emerald at Singapore as a 1 GT reinforcement

Singapore: Sorties a sweep against the WAF under RAdm Palliser

CA Exeter, CL Mauritius, Emerald, Danae, Dragon & Durban; DesDiv 1, 3 E class DD & 1 J class DD; DesDiv 2, 4 S & T class DD

Surabaya: Americans and Dutch sortie a sweep against the Eastern Axis under RAdm Doorman

CL DeRuyter, Java & Tromp; DesGrp 1 & 2, 7 Admiralen class DD; TF5 (RAdm Glassford) CA Houston, CL Boise & Marblehead; DesDiv 57, 4 Clemsen class DD

Darwin: Using the Dutch CD, the Aussies take the 3 N class DD as a CD reinforcement

Darwin: The ANZACs sortie a sweep against the Eastern Axis under RAdm Crace

CA Australia & Canberra; CL Perth, Hobart, Leander & Achilles; DD Vampire & DesRon 29, 5 Clemsen class DD. Pope & Pillsbury breakdown and fail to sortie.

 

WAF Japanese LBA attacked the RN sweep but failed to straddle and lost a bomber to AA fire from Stronghold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RN Sweep vs Bangka Island Convoy

0400 Hours (12 GT of dark before dawn) Dawn at 0436 hours. Dawn Reduction: 4,000 yards

Wind: Force 2 North eastly at 4 knots.         Cloud Cover: Overcast            Smoke: lasts 2 GT

Moon State: Full but overcast reduces to new.        Sea Haze & Squalls: None at start.

Max Visibility during dark: 20,000 yards but Night Acquisition DR determine.

Max Visibility after 0436 hours: 24,000 yards

RN Sweep on a heading of 45 degrees at 25 knots

Relative Bearing to convoy: 4 points to starboard.

IJN Convoy on a heading 315 degrees at 11 knots and crossing the RN’s Tee.

RN Sweep’s Formation

In a column, cruiser divisions leading, then DesDiv 1 & 2, 3,000 yards between divisions

Cruiser Division 1 RAdm Palliser (RN)           DesDiv 1                      DesDiv 2

CL HMS Mauritius FF                                      DD HMS Electra DL     DD HMS Stronghold DL

CA HMS Exeter                                               DD HMS Encounter    DD HMS Scout

CL HMS Emerald                                             DD HMS Express         DD HMS Tenedos

Cruiser Division 2                                           DD HMS Jupiter          DD HMS Thanet

CL HMS Danae DF

CL HMS Dragon

CL HMS Durban

Bangka Island Convoy’s Formation

In a column, Cruisers than DDs followed by APs in two 4 ship columns and then the AV. There is 3,000 yards between the cruisers, DDs, APs and AV.

Convoy: VAdm Ozawa (Vet)               DesDiv 4                      DesDiv 8

CA IJNS Chokai FF                               DD IJNS Arashi DL       DD IJNS Oshio DL

Cruiser Sqdn 7: RAdm Kurita             DD IJNS Hagikaze        DD IJNS Arashio

CA IJNS Kumano SF                            DD IJNS Maikaze         DD IJNS Asashio

CA IJNS Suzuya                                   DD IJNS Nowake         DD IJNS Michishio

CA IJNS Mikuma DF                            8 APs                           DesDiv 11

CA IJNS Mogami                                 CV Kamikawa Maru   DD IJNS Hatsuyuki DL

                                                                                                DD IJNS Fubuki

                                                                                                DD IJNS Shirayuki

The opposing forces are laid out with 20,000 yards between their lead ships. No one can change course or speed until they contact or acquire the enemy.

 

Mauritius rolls an 8 for radar and ranges out to 12,000 yards. Both Mauritius and Chokai roll 4s for night acquisition. Chokai can see 12,000 yards in the new moon state and Mauritius can see 8,000 yards. However, Exeter has a broadside arc at the Japanese lead ship and rolls a 1 for radar allowing her to detect out to 24,000 yards and contact is established immediately. But Exeter has to report the contact and a 1 GT delay is imposed on RAdm Palliser.

 

0406 hours, the IJN at 11 knots has closed the range to just under 18,500 yards. Palliser ordered an in increase in speed to 29 knots and a two-point turn to starboard as he intended to cross the Japanese Tee.

0412 hours the range was down to just under 16,600 yards.

0418 hours the range was down 14,500 yards.

0421 hours the range was down to just under 12,500 yards.

0424 hours, Chokai acquires a long line of ships crossing her bow and broadside to her but the detection occurs to late in the turn for her to respond immediately. The range is down to 9,500 yards.

0427 hours, Chokai turns two-points to starboard and Ozawa orders an increase in speed to 16 knots. Ozawa orders the APs and AV to reverse course and the DesDivs to 21 knots and a turn in succession to port to strike the enemy rear. The range is down to 8,000 yards.

0430 hours, Palliser orders everyone to fire all their torps off, make smoke and turn away to 270 degrees.

Ozawa also orders his cruisers to fire off their bearing torps, but his destroyers are not yet in position.

0433 hours, neither side can see each other due to all the smoke the Allies are laying down.  Palliser is waiting to hear any torpedo impacts before turning to investigate.

0436 hours, Palliser is trying to maneuver west to take advantage of the dawn reduction. The RN cruisers and DesDiv 1 targeted the IJN cruisers while DesDiv 2 targeted DesDiv 4. The IJN cruisers split their torps between the two RN cruiser divisions.

Mauritius and Exeter both targeted Chokai with triple mount each and Chokai failed to evade but both missed completely. Emerald targeted Kumano with two quad mounts and she failed to evade but both missed. Danae, Dragon and Durban each targeted Suzuya, Mikuma and Mogami respectively with two triple mounts each. Suzuya evaded one mount but all other attempts to evade failed. Danae missed.  Dragon hit Mikuma once and Durban also hit Mogami once. DesDiv 1 targets the Mogamis with one mount each. Only Mogami successfully evaded. Electra missed but Encounter hit Suzuya once. Express missed but Jupiter overcame Mogami’s evasion to hit her once. DesDiv 2’s torps (all twin mounts) missed.

The IJN torps were attacking the rear aspect of the Brits and all 10 mounts missed.

It was dawn now and Palliser rethought his idea of returning to attack to that of preserving his force and aborted the sweep (I rolled for morale and he failed).

The RN had fired off 1 Quin, 5 quads, 8 triple and 8 twin mounts and hit 4 times. But they were intact and could try again. Mogami lost her fore and aft turrets and 5 hull hits.

Suzuya lost her aft turret and suffered 3 hull hits. Mikuma suffered 2 hull and a fire that took her 3 turns to put out and she suffered a third hull hit for it. The bottom line is that 3 of the Mogami class are forced to undergo repair, reducing the WAF CAs available to 4.

 

But the convoy was not aborted and all objectives were taken and the Singapore Index now at 4. All other WAF objectives were also taken. So, a nice try for the Brits but no cigar.

 

The rest of the turn will be completed in a follow up and we’ll go turn by turn from there on.

 

WMC

[simanton]

Most interesting and intriguing!  The combat results look perfectly plausible to me!  I note with interest that the overall scenario has no role for American or Dutch submarines.  Given the high hopes that the Allies had for these units, is there a reason beyond simplifying things that they are not addressed?

[W. Clark]

Submarines for both sides are theater events. You make or receive random attacks, make a DR and apply the results. For me, who personally does not want to game subs and mines it is perfect as their effect is there but only take up minimal time from my game. It is the same with grounding, collisions and other odd ball things that happened historically. The Allies (and the Japanese to a lesser extent) can get really hurt if they get really unlucky in this area. So, it is there but not with a lot of effort on your part while playing it.

 

The odds of what happened are pretty low. The watch table (it gives your contact scenario start time in 4-hour blocks) only has two dedicated nighttime time bands (2000 & 2400 hours) and you need to roll a 10-12 to get one of them against a convoy. Your chances (DR range) of making contact go down at night. But if you a roll a 1-2 (on the watch table) then you get a start time of 0400 hours and there is a random amount of predawn night game turns. In this case I rolled a 12 (the maximum possible) and it took every one of them to get into firing position at the outer edge of the second range band. In addition, the weather completely cooperated in that a series of DR resulted in a dark night with smooth seas. Now, once you get there (inside 8,200 yards under those conditions) your odds of causing the IJN some real problems are just about 50-50. A normal target aspect on a cruiser (and cruisers are what you need to damage) the to hit range for your TT mounts is not bad. Your one quintuplet is 1-7, your 5 quads are 1-6, your 8 triples are 1-5 and your 8 twins are 1-3. That is one broadside. If you manage to launch unseen, then you can reverse course with your cruisers and add 2 quads and 8 triples to the chaos. In this case that was not possible without risking a great deal of damage that would give Japanese LBA another chance at crippled ships trying to RTB. To keep me honest I made Palliser make his morale (1-8) to be more aggressive and I rolled a 9, so no go. I use little tricks like that when I have a split in who is making the map move and who is pushing tactically. I get the map player to lay out his preferences for me and I only allow the tactical player to be more or less aggressive if he makes a morale roll. That is not in the campaign RAW but I see it, or some similar mechanic as needed if the player making the map move is not who is pushing the lead on the tabletop.

 

WMC

[W. Clark]

GT 3

EAF Area Results

Initial Weather Roll: Clear

Japanese LBA found both the Allied sweeps out of Surabaya and Darwin

USN/Dutch Sweep attacked by 3 flights of Nells & 10 flights of Bettys, USN AA knocked down 2 Bettys. The remaining 11 flights level bombed the sweep and failed to straddle.

The ANZACs were attacked by 9 flights of Nells and 9 flights of Bettys. The cruisers knocked down 1 flight each of Nells and Bettys. 1 of the flush deckers also knocked down a flight of Bettys. The remaining 15 flights level bombed the sweep and managed to straddle Vampire but missed her in the end.

 

The US/Dutch sweep struck first (per the RAW the Allied player gets to pick which sweep goes first) contacting the Convoy against Kendari at 0800 hours.

The wind was a Force 4 Northeasterly at 15 knots. Max visibility was 30,000 yards.

There no sea haze or squalls at the start. Smoke lasts 1 GT.

The sweep was steaming at 25 knots on a heading of 315 degrees. The relative bearing to the convoy was 8 points to port. The convoy was steaming at 11 knots on a heading of 45 degrees and crossing the sweep’s tee.

The Allied sweep was comprised of:

Far East Fleet Striking Force: RAdm Doorman

Cruiser Squadron: RAdm Doorman  TF 5 Cruisers RAdm Glassford            DesDiv 57

CL HrMs De Ruyter FF                         CL USS Boise DF                                  DD USS J. D. Edwards

CL HrMs Java                                      CA USS Houston                                 DD USS Alden

CL HrMs Tromp                                   CL USS Marblehead                           DD USS Edsall

DesGrp 1                                             DesGrp 2                                             DD USS Whipple

DD HrMs Evertsen GL                         DD HrMs Banckert GL

DD HrMs Van Ghent                           DD HrMs Kortenaer

DD HrMs Van Nes                               DD HrMs Piet Hein

                                                            DD HrMs Witte de With

Glassford’s cruisers led the column followed by the Dutch cruisers, Dutch destroyers, and American cans.

The convoy consisted of:

CS 16: VAdm Takahashi          DesFlot 4: RAdm Nishimura  DesDiv 16

CA IJNS Ashigara FF                CL IJNS Naka FL                       DD IJNS Amatsukaze DL

CS 5: RAdm Takagi                  DesDiv 9                                  DD IJNS Hatsukaze

CA IJNS Haguro SF                  DD IJNS Asagumo DL              DD IJNS Yukikaze

CA IJNS Myoko DF                  DD IJNS Minegumo                DD IJNS Tokitsukaze

CA IJNS Nachi                         DD IJNS Natsugumo               8 APs

                                                DD IJNS Yamagumo                AV IJNS Mizuho

The convoy’s sailing formation was, CS 16, CS 5, DF 4, DesDivs 9 & 16 in a column, followed by the APs in two 4 ship columns and trailed by the AV.

 

Glassford reported immediately to Doorman upon sighting the Japanese. Doorman at 0806 hours ordered and increase to 30 knots and a two-point turn in succession to port by division and an immediate two-point turn together back to starboard by division to get into the previously agreed quarter line.

 

Takahashi ordered a two-point turn to starboard in succession, an increase in speed to 16 knots. Takahashi also ordered the APs and AV to reverse course until he had sorted the Allies ahead.

 

Everyone launched their float planes as much for the reduction of fire as for observation.

 

0812 hours, the Japanese increased speed to 21 knots and the range had closed to 21,000 yards. The Allied quarter line and everyone making smoke meant that only Boise was visible to the Japanese. Ashigara and Boise opened fire on each other.  Ashigara missed and Boise hit her twice. The first hit knocked out Ashigara’s starboard forward SB and the second hit knocked out her fore turret and Takahashi began to understand the Allied quarter line and smoke tactic.

 

0818 hours, the Japanese had increased speed to 26 knots and the range was down to 17,000 yards. Glassford ordered a two-point turn to starboard to keep the range and the rest of the Allied quarter line followed suite. Ashigara missed again and Boise hit her twice again just to be consistent. Ashigara took a hull hit and lost another fore turret.

 

0824 hours, the Japanese had again increased speed to 30 knots (Ashigara’s new max) while Boise again turned two-points to starboard in attempt to keep the range over 15,000 yards as Glassford was liking the fight so far. But in vain as the range had decreased to 14,500 yards.

Ashigara finally hit Boise (the EDR failed to get her a second hit) and Boise again got her two hits on Ashigara. Boise lost her fwd PSB and Ashigara took a hit in a/c facilites that started a fire and damage to a bulkhead that immediately slowed her to 26 knots. Takahashi remarked to his flag Lt. that this two-timing American dog was getting on his bad side.

 

0830 hours, the Allies increased speed to 31 knots (Java’s max) and turned away 90 degrees together to open the range while their smoke covered their fan tails. The move caught Takahashi by surprise and the range opened to 17,500 yards. Ashigara repaired her bulkhead but the fire now caused minor hull damage.

0836 hours, Ashigara failed to put her fire out and slowed to 21 knots falling out of line as CS5 increased speed to 31 knots on their way to 33 knots. The Allies continued straight ahead and then turned together 90 degrees back to port to end up with Boise back to paralleling the Japanese with the range now 20,500 yards. Haguro now opened on Boise and Boise fired back but her turn caused her gunnery to worsen and both missed each other.

 

0839 hours, Ashigara failed to put her fire out and suffered more minor hull damage. Takagi ordered a two-point turn together to close the range while Boise settled on her new course. The range closed to 18,000 yards. Haguro, Myoko and Nachi all fired at Boise and Boise targeted Haguro. The concentrated Japanese fire made harder to discern each ship’s shell splashes. All 30 8-inch missed (I could not buy a 1). Boise on the other hand had sorted out her fire solution and hit Haguro twice. Haguro lost two fore turrets.

 

O842 hours, Ashigara failed to put her fire and was slowed to 18 knots. Takagi turned Haguro away under smoke and left the fight to Myoko and Haguro. Boise made a two-point turn to starboard in an attempt to keep the range but it still reduced to 16,500 yards. Myoko and Nachi both fired at Boise and Myoko hit her once. Boise fired back at Myoko and hit her twice. Myoko’s hit bounced off Boise’ fore turret. Boise bounced a hit off Myoko’s belt (rolled a 9 with a nonpenetrating hit) and knocked out Myoko’s fore turret.

 

0848 hours. Ashigara put her fire out. The Allies turned away together 90 degrees to open the range under smoke leaving the Japanese with no targets and opened to range back up to 19,000 yards.

 

0854 hours, The Allies continued straight ahead before turning together 90 degrees to port and ending up with Boise paralleling the Japanese again. The range was now 22,000 yards. Nachi fired at Boise and missed.

 

0900 hours, the range dropped to 20,500 yards. Nachi fired at Boise and hit her twice. Boise fired back and hit Nachi 4 times in response. Nachi’s first hit bounced of Boise’ fore turret and the second caused minor hull damage. Nachi lost her fwd starboard TT and suffered a fire. 1 hit bounced off her belt and she lost 2 of her fore turrets.

 

0906 hours, Nachi put her fire out. Takagi at this point got gamey and turned towards the Allies but under smoke and turned away 180 degrees at the end so his smoke covered his fan tail and denied Boise a target.

 

0912-1600 hours, Takagi repeated the above and the Allies gave ground, unwilling to fight within 15,000 yards. As night approached the Allies withdrew with the intent of not giving the Japanese any chance to balance up the damage through gunnery or torpedoes.

 

The Japanese avoided contact with the Allied sweep (really bad DR for the ANZACs). Ashigara, Haguro, Myoko and Nachi are all down for repair as is Boise. The EAF can take Maya as a CD reinforcement next GT but it does not look good for the EAF at the moment. Nevertheless, Menado, Ambon and Kendari all fell to the EAF. 

 

WMC

 

[W. Clark]

DTMB GT 4 1-14 February 1942

Weather Forecast DR: 9          WAF +0            EAF + 2

Japanese TE DR: 1       Add 2 CDs to either Attack Force, may be split

WAF 3 CDs

Suzuya, Mikuma and Mogami are under repair.  Suzuya repairs completely (DR5), Mikuma repairs completely (DR3) & Mogami repairs completely (DR4). None are available this GT.

The Singapore Index is 4. Singapore will fall on GT5.

 

CD 1: Convoy (L) against Batavia under VAdm Kondo

CS4 (Vadm Kondo), CAs Takeo & Atago. CS7 (Radm Kurita) CA Kumano & CA Chokai (Vadm Ozawa); CL Yura; DesDiv 4, 4 Kagero DD; DesDiv 6, 2 Akatsuki DD; DesDiv 8, 4 Asashio DD; Des Div 11, 3 Fubuki DD, 12 APs & AV Kamikawa Maru

 

CD 2: Convoy (M) against Palembang under Radm Hashimoto

DesFlot 3 (Radm Hashimoto) CL Sendai; DesDiv 12 & 19, 7 Fubuki DD; 8 APs & AV Sanyo Maru

 

CD #: Convoy (VS) against Sandakan

DesDiv 20, 4 Fubuki DD; 1 AP & AV Sagara Maru

EAF 6 CDs

Ashigara, Haguro, Myoko & Nachi are under repair. Ashigara still has hull damage & a TT out (DR4), Haguro repaired completely (DR5), Myoko repaired completely (DR2) & Nachi repaired completely (DR12). None of the are available this GT.

 

CD 1: Take CA Maya as a CD reinforcement

 

CD 2: Sortie a CG under RAdm Kakuta in the Central Axis

 

CD 3: Convoy (VS) against Banjermasin under RAdm Tanaka (Vet)

DesFlot 2 (RAdm Tanaka) CL Jintsu; CA Maya; DesDiv 15, 4 Kagero DD; 1 AP & AV Chitose.

Allies

TE DR: 8 Random ship runs aground and is not available this GT. A DR of 9 applies it to Darwin.

 

Singapore: Sortie a sweep against the WAF under RAdm Palliser

CA Exeter, CL Mauritius, Danae, Dragon & Durban; DesDiv 1, 3 E & 1 J class DDs; DesDiv 2, 4 S&T class DDs

 

Surabaya: Boise is under repair and repairs completely but is not available this GT.

Dutch CD: used by US to take Pheonix as a CD reinforcement

US CD: Sortie a sweep in the Center Axis under RAdm Doorman (RNN)

RNN FE Fleet, CLs DeRuyter, Java & Tromp; TF5 cruisers, CA Houston, CLs Phoenix & Marblehead

DesGrp 1 & 2, 7 Admiralen class DD; DesDiv 57, 3 Clemson class DDs (another broke down and could not sortie).

 

Darwin: Achilles ran a ground and is not available this GT

Sortie a sweep against the Eastern Axis under RAdm Crace (RAN)

CAs Australia & Canberra; CLs Perth, Hobart & Leander; ANZAC DesDiv, Vampire & 3 N class DD, DesRon 29, 5 Clemson class DD

GT 4 Resolution

Initial Weather DR: 12 & 6 Overcast & Stormy           All air operations are grounded

WAF

The RN sweep (DR 1) makes night contact (Watch DR 12) with the WAF convoy against Batavia.

But the weather makes torpedoes ineffective and gunnery nearly so. Palliser withdraws upon contact (I checked his morale and he failed with an 11).

All Japanese objectives are taken and Singapore falls. Palliser’s ships transfer to Surabaya.

EAF

Dutch/US sweep makes daylight contact but the weather makes combat impossible and the Allies abort. Banjermasin falls.

 

One of my wonderful weather rolls where it went off the charts and left both sides just trying to survive the storm.

 

WMC

 

[W. Clark]

DTMB GT 5 15-28 February 1942

Weather Forecast DR: 3         +0 modifier to the WAF & EAF Areas

Japanese TE DR: 11    Kido-Butai      the EAF gets a CG from the 1^st Carrier Division

WAF-3 CDs

Singapore has fallen and all WAF objectives have been taken.

 

CD 1: WAF transfers all its forces (cruisers, DDs, AVs & APs) to the EAF

EAF-4 CDs

Ashigara repairs completely but in not available this GT.

 

CD 1: CG in the Eastern Axis (No CD expended)

CD1 CVs Akagi & Kaga; CD2 CVs Hiryu & Soryu; BS3 BBs Hiei & Kirishuima; CS8 CAs Tone & Chikuma; DesFlot 1 CL Abukuma; DesDiv 17 4 Kagero class DDs; DesDiv 18 1 Kagero & 1 Asashio class DDs; DesDiv 27 2 Hatshuharu class Dds

 

CD 2: CD reinforcement CVBL Zuiho & DesDiv 27 (-) 2 Shiratsuyu class DDs

 

CD 3: CG in Eastern Axis under RAdm Kakuta

CVL Ryujo & Zuiho; 2 Shiratsuyu class DDs & DD Shiokaze

 

CD 3: Convoy (VS) against Dilli under RAdm Tanaka (Vet)

DesFlot 2 (RAdm Tanaka) CL Jintsu; DesDiv 15, 4 Kagero DDs; 1 AP & AV Chitose

 

CD 4: Convoy (S) against Koepang under RAdm Takagi

CS5 (RAdm Takagi) CAs Haguro, Myoko & Nachi; DesDiv 9 4 Asashio DDs; DesDiv 16, 4 Kagero DDs; 4 APs & AV Mizuho

Allies

TE DR: 11         Air Attack 3 USAAF A-24 flights from Surabaya attacks random IJN sortie

Singapore: The RN force after its sortie makes a free transfer to Surabaya and is available (w/its CD) this GT.

Surabaya

US CD: Sortie a sweep against the Eastern Axis under RAdm Glassford

TF5 Cruisers (RAdm Glassford) CA Houston, CLs Boise, Phoenix & Marblehead; RN Cruisers (RAdm Palliser) CA Exeter & CL Mauritius; DesDiv 1, 3 Elass & 1 J class DDs; DesDiv 2 4 S&T class DDs; DesDiv 57 4 Clemson class DDs

 

Dutch CD: Sortie a sweep against the Center Axis under RAdm Doorman

Dutch Cruisers (RAdm Doorman) CLs DeRuyter, Java & Tromp; RN Cruisers CLs Danae, Dragon & Durban; DesGrps 1 & 2 7 Admiralen class DDs; DesDiv 58 3 Clemson class DDs (a fourth broke down).

Darwin

Aussie CD: Sortie a sweep against the Eastern Axis under RAdm Crace

CAs Australia & Canberra, CLs Perth, Horbart, Leander & Achilles; Aussie DesDiv 3 N class DDs & Vampire; DesDiv 59 3 Clemson class DDs (a fourth broke down)

GT Resolution

Initial Weather DR: 10 & 6     Overcast

Japanese LBA (DR 12 +4) failed to contact Dutch/RN/USN sweep

Japanese LBA (DR5 +4) contacted USN/RN sweep w/16 flights but only straddle once and that missed

Japanese LBA (DR10 +4) failed to contact Aussie/USN sweep

CG1: (DR11 +4) failed to contact USN/RN sweep

CG 1: (DR8 +4) failed to contact Aussie/USN sweep

CG 2: (DR5 +4) contacted the USN/RN sweep w/7 TB flights. AA fire killed 1 & damaged 1 Randon target selection (by division) caused the sinking of DDs Thanet and Edsall

CG 2: DR4 +4) contacted the Aussie/USN sweep w/6 TB flights. AA fire damaged 2. Again, random target selection (by division) resulted in the sinking of DDs Vampire and Peary

A strange phenomenon was heard throughout the Java Sea and was later identified as a very large collective Allied sigh of relief that was not spelled R-O-L-A-I-D-S.

Now it was the Allied turn

The Dutch/RN/USNN sweep found nothing

The USN/RN (DR6 +/-1) sweep contacted the Convoy against Koepang at 0400 hours. There were 9 GT of dark before dawn. Dawn would occur at 0427 hiours

The wind was a Force 5 Northern at 20 knots and smoke lasts 1 GT. The moon state was full but the overcast reduced that to a new moon effect.

Max visibility during dark was 20,000 yards but each side’s night acquisition DR would determine their visibility. The dawn reduction was 3,000 yards and max daylight visibility was 18,000 yards.

There was a large (6,000 x 6,000 yards) squall 8,000 yards into the area from the northern edge and centered in the playing area at the start. A new squall (size to be determined upon entry) would enter from the north every GT until there was a weather change. There was no sea haze.

The Allied sweep was steaming at 25 knots on a heading of 315 degrees. Their relative bearing to the Japanese was 8 points to port. The Japanese convoy was steaming at 11 knots on a heading of 45 degrees and crossing the Allied Tee.

 

The Allied Sweep’s sailing formation was; (3,000 yards between divisions)

Allied Cruiser Division: RAdm Palliser (RN)              RN DesDiv 2

 CL HMS Mauritius DF                                                DD HMS Scout DL

CA HMS Exeter                                                           DD HMS Stronghold

CA USS Houston                                                         DD HMS Tenedos

TF5 Cruiser Division: RAdm Glassford (USN)            DesDiv 57

CL USS Boise FF                                                           DD USS John D. Edwards DL

CL USS Phoenix                                                          DD USS Alden

CL USS Marblehead

RN DesDiv 1

DD HMS Electra DL

DD HMS Express

DD HMS Encounter

DD HMS Jupiter

The Japanese Convoy’s sailing formation was; (3,000 yards between divisions)

Cru Sqdn 5: RAdm Takagi       DesDiv 9                                  DesDiv 16

CA IJNS Haguro FF                  DD IJNS Asagumo DL              DD IJNS Amatsukaze DL

CA IJNS Myoko DF                  DD IJNS Minegumo                DD IJNS Hatsukaze

CA IJNS Nachi                         DD IJNS Natsugumo               DD IJNS Yukikaze

                                                DD IJNS Yamagumo                DD IJNS Tokitsukaze

                                                                                                4 APs

                                                                                                AV IJNS Mizuho

0400 hours, the two forces started out 20,000 yards apart. All the Allied radar was able to roll for contact as the Japanese were in their broadside arcs. Allied contact DRs were as follows; Mauritius (9), Exeter (8), Houston (2), Boise (6), Phoenix (2), Electra (11), Encounter (10), Express (3) & Jupiter (4). Houston, Bosie, Phoenix, Express and Jupiter made radar contact immediately, but had to report their contacts to Mauritius.

0403 hours, the range had closed to 16,000 yards. Glassford an increase in speed to 30 knots and a two-point turn in succession to starboard. Glassford also ordered the DesDivs to flank and for them to overtake the cruisers on their unengaged side and informed Palliser of that fact. Allied acquisition DR allowed the Allied Cru Div to see 12,000 yards, TF5 6,000 yards, RN DesDiv 1 6,000 yards; RN DesDiv 2 8,000 yards and DesDiv 57 12,000 yards. CS5 could see 12,000 yards, DesDiv 9 12,000 yards and DesDiv 16 8,000 yards.

0406 hours, the range had closed to 12,000 yards. Palliser now acquired Haguro but Haguro also acquired Mauritius. Haguro opened fire at Mauritius and Mauritius replied. Haguro hit Mauritius twice and Mauritius hit Haguro twice. Mauritus took a hit to her hull and a hit to her engineering. Haguro took minor damage to her hull and lost her fore turret. Mauritius fired star shell at Haguro, illuminating her and Haguro fired star shell at Mauritius, illuminating her in turn.

0409 hours, the range had closed to 8,000 yards. Mauritius repaired her engine hit but her hull damage slowed her to 29 knots. Takagi ordered a two-point turn to port and an increase in speed to 16 knots. Glassford ordered the DDs to continue to overtake the cruisers but to remain 3,000 yards to starboard as he anticipated the cruiser needing to turn 90 degrees together to starboard to avoid torpedoes. Mauritius launched her port TT at Haguro and Haguro replied in kind.

Mauritius targeted Nachi and firing rapidly hit her 5 times. Exeter targeted Myoko and missed. Houston targeted Haguro and hit her twice. Haguro fired at Mauritius and hit her thrice. Myoko fired at Exeter and missed. Nachi fired at Houston and missed. Haguro lost a SSSB and a second fore turret. Nachi took 2 hits to her FP facilities that started 2 fires (full strength due to the FP being present), a SSSB, damage to bulkhead and an engineering hit. Mauritius lost her SSTT, a SSSB and her fore turret and suffered an EDR fire.  

The Japanese cruisers fired star shell at the Allied cruisers and illuminated all three. The Allied cruisers fired star shell at the Japanese cruisers and illuminated all three. In addition, Houston’s fire had self-illuminated her (no flash less powder).

0412 hours, the range had steadied at 8,000 yards, both sides were paralleling each other. Mauritius failed to put out her EDR fire. Nachi repaired her bulkhead but her engine hit slowed her to 21 knots and she suffered 2 hull damage from her fires as well as an EDR fire. Palliser in compliance with Glassford’s orders had the Allied Cru Div turn 90 degrees to starboard under smoke to avoid the torpedoes they both thought was coming. Exeter fired her port TT at Myoko before turning. Myoko and Nachi fired their starboard TT at Exeter and Houston respectively. Mauritius’ torps missed Haguro.

Boise, Phoenix and Marblehead now opened on Haguro, Myoko and Nachi respectively and the Japanese cruisers replied. Boise firing rapidly hit Haguro thrice and self-illuminated herself doing it. Phoenix fired rapidly at Myoko and hit her 8 times, self-illuminating herself as she did it. Marblehead fired at Nachi and hit her once while also self-illuminating. Haguro fired at Bosie and missed. Myoko fired at Phoenix and missed. Nachi fired at Marblehead and hit her thrice. Haguro lost her last fore turret, suffered minor hull damage that slowed her to 30 knots and an engine hit that slowed her to 21 knots. Myoko lost her remaining fore turret and another one aft, she lost a SSTT that started a fire, 3 hull hits and damage to bulkhead that slowed her to 18 knots. Nachi lost a SSSB. TF5 cruisers fired star shell as did CS5.

0415 hours, the range remained at 8,000 yards. Haguro actually broke her engine trying to repair it (requires a dockyard). Myoko failed to repair her bulkhead or fire and the resulting hull damage slowed her 10 knots.

0418 hours, Glassford turned TF5 cruisers 90 degrees to starboard under smoke to avoid the torpedoes he was sure were in the water ahead. The Allied cruisers continued straight ahead in line abreast while the DDs turned 90 degrees together to avoid the cruisers.

Exeter’s torpedoes hit Myoko once (she could not evade) causing enough hull damage to sink her outright.

0421 hours, Takagi ordered his DDs towards the Allied smoke in an effort to turn the tide with torpedoes as his cruisers’ torps had missed astern. Glassford continued to open the range and await dawn to see what needed to be done next.

0424 hours, same o-same o.

0427 hours, dawn and Takagi recalled his DDs to await what the Allies would do next. Glassford decided to cut his losses (he failed his morale roll) and withdrew.

Crace’s sweep failed to contact the Japanese. Dili and Koepang fell.

Haguro & Myoko were withdrawn for repair as was Mauritius.

 

WMC

 

 

[healey36]

Wait, was Myoko sunk or managed to limp away? Sounds like she took a dreadful pounding.

[W. Clark]

Sunk. But sunk or withdrawn for repair, she and Haguro are out of it on GT6. But then, so is Mauritius. That pits the 10 remaining Myokos, Takaos and Mogamis against 17 Allied cruisers in the Java Sea and as usual that is what will decide the common fate of either side's fortunes in the campaign. It will go down to the wire again as it has 9 out of 10 times before and be decided by a three-part (for the 3 Allied sweeps) battle in the Java Sea. I expect blood, sweat, tears and loads of drama in the next and final installment of DEFENDING THE MALAY BARRIER. Stay tuned and see why if this was the only game in town; it would leave very satisfied in my craving to campaign.

 

WMC

[W. Clark]

DTMB GT6 1-15 March 1942

Weather Forecast DR: 10       +1 modifier to weather DR

Japanese TE DR: 2       N/A only applies to WAF

Allied TE DR: 1            Dutch morale is veteran this GT

EAF 4 CDs

CD 1: Sortie a Patrol in the Eastern Axis under VAdm Ozawa (Vet)

CA Chokai; CS5 (RAdm Takagi) CA Nachi; CS7 (RAdm Kurita) CAs Kumano, Suzuya, Mikuma & Mogami. DesDiv 4, 4 Kagero DDs; DesDiv 8, 4 Asashio DD & DesDiv 20, 4 Fubuki DDs

 

CD 2: Sortie a Convoy (L) against Surabaya under VAdm Kondo

CS4 CAs Takao, Atago & Maya; CS16 (VAdm Takahashi) CA Ashigara & CL Nagara (RAdm Hara);

DesFlot 3 (RAdm Hashimoto) CL Sendai; DesDiv 19, 4 Fubuki DDs; DesDiv 16, 4 Kagero DDs; DesDiv 9, 4 Asashio DDs, DesDiv 24, 4 Shiratsuyu DDs, 12 APs & AV Chitose

 

CD 3: Sortie a Convoy (VS) against Bali under RAdm Tanaka (Vet)

2^nd DesFlot CL Jintsu, DesDiv 15, 4 Kagero DDs, 1 AP & AV Mizuho

 

CD 4: Sortie a CG in the Center Axis under RAdm Kakuta

CVLs Ryujo & Zuiho; DesDiv 27 (-), 2 Shiratsuyu DDs & DD Shiokaze

Allied

Surabaya-US CD: Sortie a sweep against the Eastern Axis under RAdm Glassford (USN)

TF5 Cruisers, CAs Houston & Exeter (RAdm Palliser), CLs Boise, Phoenix & Marblehead; RN DesDiv 1, 3 E class DDs & 1 J class DD; RN DesDiv 2, 3 S&T class DDs & DesDiv 57, 3 Clemson class DDs

 

Surabaya-RN CD: Sortie a sweep against the Center Axis under RAdm Doorman (RNN)

RNN Cruisers CLs DeRuyter, Java & Tromp; RN Cruisers CLs Danae, Dragon & Durban; DesGrps 1 & 2, 7 Admiralen class DDs & DesDiv 58, 4 Clemson DDs

 

Darwin-RAN CD: Sortie a sweep against the Eastern Axis under RAdm Crace (RAN)

Hvy Cruisers CAs Australia & Canberra; Lt Cruisers CLs Perth, Hobart, Leander & Achilles; Aussie DesDiv, 3 N class DDs & DesDiv 59, 2 Clemson DDs (a third broke down)

 

Here it is. The final chapter in the campaign. The Japanese must take Bali and Surabaya to win or they lose. Nothing else matters now. The Allies must abort one of the convoys or fall under Japanese rule and no one in their right mind wants that in 1942.

 

Initial Weather DR: 5 & 5       Overcast

Japanese LBA (DR 11 +2) failed to contact the Dutch/RN sweep

US/RN sweep, (DR 12 + 2) Same O-Same O

Aussie/US sweep (DR 12 +2) I need new D12s. They only needed a 1-9 on a D12 each time.

 

CG vs Dutch/RN sweep (DR5 +4) gotch ya The CG is down to 5 TB flights from previous losses.  AA fire killed 1 and damaged another. 1 hit randomly determined by division resulted in Danae getting the fish. 3 hull and a fire she put out immediately. Danae withdrawn for repair with 1 Clemson DD as escort.

 

Japanese Patrol vs ANZACs DR 5 +1 = contact at 1200 hours

Wind is a Force 4 Northeasterly at 15 knots and smoke lasts 1 GT.

There is no Sea Haze but there are 2 squalls on the table at the start.

Squall 1 is 4,000 x 4,000 yards and is located about 30,000 yards from the north edge and just west of center.

Squall 2 is 4,000 x 4,000 yards and ended up over lapping the first squall, so I’ll combine them into one big 8,000 x 8,000-yard squall.

Max Visibility is 21,000 yards.           The opposing forces are 30,000 yards apart

ANZACs are steaming at 25 knots on a heading of 315 degrees. Relative bearing to the Patrol is 4 points to port.

The Japanese patrol is also steaming at 25 knots on a heading of 45 degrees and crossing the ANZAC Tee.

The ANZAC sailing formation is:

Hvy Cru Div: RAdm Crace (RAN)        Aussie DesDiv

CA HMAS Australia FF            DD HMAS Napier DL

CA HMAS Canberra                            DD HMAS Nestor

Lt Cru Div                                            DD HMAS Nizam

CL HMAS Perth DF                              DesDiv 59

CL HMAS Hobart                                DD USS John D. Ford DL

CL HMNZS Leander                            DD USS Pope

CL HMNZS Achilles

The Japanese sailing formation is:

CA IJNS Chokai FF (VAdm Ozawa)     DesDiv 4                      DesDiv 20

CS 5: RAdm Takagi                              DD IJNS Arashi DL       DD IJNS Yugiri DL

CA IJNS Nachi SF                                 DD IJNS Hagikaze        DD IJNS Amagiri

CS 7: RAdm Kurita                              DD IJNS Maikaze         DD IJNS Asagiri

CA IJNS Kumano SF                            DD IJNS Nowake         DD IJNS Nagiri

CA IJNS Suzuya                                   DesDiv 8

CA IJNS Mikuma DF                            DD IJNS Oshio DL

CA IJNS Mogami                                 DD IJNS Arashio

                                                            DD IJNS Asashio

                                                            DD IJNS Michishio

1200 hours, the range is 30,000 yards and the closing rate is about 6,000 yards per GT at the speed and angles they are on.

1206 hours, the range is down to 24,000 yards.

1212 hours, both sides spot one another at 18,000 yards and Chokai has a broadside arc on Australia, but is in Australia’s fore arc. Chokai opens on Australia and Nachi opens on Canberra, who fire back with their fore turrets. Chokai and Nachi miss as do Austalia and Canberra.

1218 hours, Crace has his cruisers increase speed to 30 knots while he turns them away together to a heading of 90 degrees under smoke. Crace orders his DDs to flank speed and has Aussie DesDiv to cross his cruiser’s bows under smoke while DesDiv 59 crosses their sterns under smoke. Crace intends that DesDiv 59 get infront and lead his cruisers in under smoke while he holds the Aussie DesDiv to his unengaged flank as a reserve.

Ozawa orders his cruisers to 30 knots and makes a two-point turn to starboard while his DDs follow.

1224-1230 hours, the above shakes out and DesDiv 59 now leads the ANZAC cruisers who are quarter line (echeloned to the right) with the Aussie DesDiv paralleling the cruisers and the who shebang under cover of smoke while Crace tries to close the range while avoiding being pounded on the way in. Ozawa maintains his heading as he wants a gunnery fight under 18,000 yards to improve his shooting without compromising his armor protection.

 

1236-1242 hours, The Japanese cruisers have banging away at John D. Ford when Chokai finally hits her (60 D12 to get a single 1) but the EDR makes it 2 hits. Edwards to slowed to 30 knots and loses her fore 4-inch popgun. But the range is down to 15,000 yards.

 

1248 hours, DesDiv 59 continues to lead but stops smoking (Doctor’s orders for their lungs), Australia and Canberra pop out from behind while continuing to cover the light cruisers with smoke. Chokai and Nachi target Australia while the Mogamis target Canberra. Both sides have launched all their a/c to spot and to reduce the fire hazard from their decks.

Chokai misses but Nachi hits Australia thrice. The Mogamis hit Canberra thrice also. Australia and Canberra hit Chokai and Nachi thrice each. Chokai sufferes damage to her FP facilites that start a minor fire. She loses her fore turret and suffers damage to a bulkhead. Nachi loses two of her fore turrets and a critical hit to her engineering. Australia loses a SL and a PSSB and suffers damage to her hull. Canberra loses her fore turret and takes 2 hull hits.

 

1254 hours, the range is down to 12,000 yards. Chokai fails to repair her bulkhead and that combined with minor fire damage hull twice more slowing her to 21 knots. Nachi fails to repair her engine hit and is also slowed to 21 knots. The ANZACs stop smoking and the entire line erupts at the Japanese.

Australia targets Mogami and misses. Canberra targets Mikuma and hits her once. Perth fires rapidly at Suzuya and hits her thrice. Hobart fires rapidly at Kumano and hits her thrice. Leander fire rapidly at Nachi and hits her thrice. Achilles fires rapidly at Chokai and hits her twice. Chokai fires at Australia and misses. Nachi fires at Canberra and misses. Kumano fires at Perth and hits her thrice. Suzuya fires at Hobart and misses. Mikuma fires at Leander and misses. Mogami fires at Achilles and hits her thrice.

Chokai loses a SSSB and the other hit bounces off the belt (nonpenetrating engineering critical). Nachi loses her last fore turret and the other hits (2 nonpenetrating engineering) bounce off her belt. Kumano loses her fore SSTT and a major fire, a rudder jam to port and the other hit (nonpenetrating bulkhead) bounces off her belt. Suzuya loses a SSSB, minor hull damage and the other hit (nonpenetrating bulkhead) bounces off her belt. Mikuma suffers damage to her hull.

Perth loses a fore turret, a PSSB and hull damage. Achilles suffers hull damage, an engineering hit and loses her fore turret.

1300 hours, Chokai fails to repair her bulkhead and that slows her to 18 knots in addition to more minor hull damage from her fire. Nachi breaks her engine repair attempt (needs a dockyard). Kumano fails to repair her fire and suffers hull damage from while her rudder jam forces her to turn wildly to port and she swings out of line. Achilles fails to repair her engine hit and is slowed to 21 knots and falls behind.

The range is down to 9,000 yards. Australia fires at Mogami and hits her 5 times. Canberra fires at Mikuma and misses. Perth fires rapidly at Suzuya and hits her twice. Hobart fires rapidly at Kumano and misses. Leander fires rapidly at Nachi and hits her 4 times. Achilles fires rapidly at Chokai and misses. Chokai fires at Australia and hits her 4 times. Nachi fires at Canberra and hits her thrice. Kumano fires at Perth with aft turrets and hits her once. Suzuya fires at Hobart and hits her 7 times. Mikuma fires at Leander and hits her 5 times. Mogami fires at Achilles and hits her 5 times.

Nachi takes a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, she loses an aft turret and another engineering hit and a critical hit to her FC. Suzuya loses a fore turret and hull damage. Mogami takes a hit to FP facilities and a minor fire, loses her fore SSTT and a major fire, loses a SSSB and hull damage.

Australia takes a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, she loses 2 turrets and hull damage. Canberra takes hull damage, damage to bulkhead and her rudder jams to port. Perth suffers hull damage. Hobart loses her PSTT, PSSB, hull damage, damage to a bulkhead and 2 engine hits as well as critical engine hit. Leander loses her PSTT, 2 turrets and 2 hull. Achilles loses all her TT, 2 turrets and hull damage.

1306 hours, Chokai repairs her bulkhead but her fire causes hull damage that slows her to 15 knots. Nachi fails to repair her engine hit and goes DIW, suffers hull damage from her fire. Kumano repairs her rudder. Mogami fails to put her major fire out and that and her minor fire cause 2 hull damage that slows her to 21 knots. Australia puts her fire out. Canberra repairs her bulkhead but continues to circle to port. Hobart repairs her bulkhead but her engine hits knock her DIW.

The Japanese cruisers launch all their bearing SSTT at the ANZAC cruisers. Australia fires at Mogami and misses. Canberra fires at Mikuma with her rear turrets and hits her thrice. Perth fires rapidly at Suzuya and misses. Leander fires rapidly at Nachi and hits her once. Achilles fires rapidly at Chokai and misses.

Chokai fires at Australia and hits her once. Kumano fires at Perth and hits her 13 times. Suzuya fires at Hobart and misses. Mikuma fires at Leander and hits her thrice. Mogami fires at Achilles and hits her 6 times.

Nachi suffers hull damage. Mikuma suffers a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, she loses a SSSB and hull damage.

Australia loses an aft turret. Perth loses all her turrets, takes a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, suffers 4 hull and damage to a bulkhead, a hit to her engines and a magazine hit that she succeeds in flooding. Achilles loses a turret, all her TT and a PSSB and 2 hull.

Perth fails her morale (over losing all her MB). But Crace is not deterred (he made his morale)

1312 hours, Chokai fails to put her minor fire out. Nachi repairs an engine hit but her minor fire continues to burn. Mogami fails to put her major fire out and her minor fire still burns slowing her down to 18 knots. Perth fails to repair her bulkhead and coupled with her minor fire sinks. Canberra fails to repair her rudder and continues to circle to port. Hobart repairs an engine hit.

The range is under 8,000 yards and the ANZACs launch a bearing PSTT at the Japanese cruisers.

Australia fires at Chokai and misses. Canberra fires at Nachi and hits her 7 times. Hobart fires rapidly at Kumano and hits her once. Leander fires rapidly at Suzuya and hits her 8 times. Achilles fires rapidly at Mikuma and hits her twice. Chokai fires at Australia and hits her thrice. Nachi fires at Canberra and misses. Kumano and Suzuya fire at Perth and hit her 14 times. Mikuma fires at Leander and hits her 4 times. Mogami fires at Achilles and hits her 6 times.

Nachi loses all her turrets, hull damage and damage to a bulkhead, an engine hit and a bridge hit. Kumano takes hull damage. Suzuya losses her fore SSTT and a major fire, all her SSSB, 2 turrets, 2 hull and an engineering hit. Mikuma loses a fore turret and her fore SSTT and major fire.

Australia takes a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, loses her last turret and a critical engineering hit. Perth takes 6 hull in addition to other damage and sinks. Achilles takes 4 hull and other damage and sinks.

But Crace presses on (he made his morale) until he checks for the loss of Australia’s MB when he decides discretion is the better part of morale and tries to withdraw.

Nachi checks and passes.

1318 hours, Nachi fails to repair her bulkhead and that and her minor fire sink her taking RAdm Takagi with her. Suzuya put her major fire out but is slowed by her engine hit to 21 knots. Mikuma put her major fire out. Australia fails to put her minor fire out. Canberra breaks her rudder (requires a tow).

The ANZACs (Australia, Leander and Achilles) turn away under smoke. Japanese torpedoes sink Canberra.

Japanese LBA find the ANZACs and sink Australia along with RAdm Crace.

Ozawa’s patrol is crippled and withdraws.

 

Two more Allied sweeps to resolve.

 

WMC

 

[Peter M. Skaar]

Hi WMC

It looks like an interesting campaign.  Do you have any pictures of the action?  That would be really cool if you did.

[healey36]

Loss of Crace and Takagi...that's a lot of brass. Who takes over?

[W. Clark]

No, I do not have pictures. I've never replaced the charger for my camera's batteries that burnt during that wildfire in 2020.

 

The ANZACs are done. They have no cruisers left to sortie with 4 sunk and 2 withdrawn for repair, but this was their last sortie regardless. As for the Japanese, VAdms Takahashi and Kondo are with the Surabaya convoy as are RAdms Hara and Hashimoto (of Cheech & Chong fame). The Allies need to abort 1 convoy, or they lose. They have 3 sweeps sortied between the Center and Eastern Axis and therefore three chances at the Surabaya convoy (2 now). Only the Dutch sweep (sortied in the Central Axis) gets a shot at RAdm Tanaka's Bali convoy in Tier 5. That is because the EAF area is divided (north to south) into 6 tiers (0-5). The area is also divided (west to east) by the island of Celebes. What that boils down to is that the terms center and eastern really depict Japanese sorties through the Makasser (center) and I believe Flores straits (eastern) down either side of Celebes. The way the table mechanic depicts that is that in the northern most Tier (Jolo & Davao, Philippines) and in the southernmost Tier (Surabaya, Java) there is no division between center and eastern because Celebes is not in the way. So, any sweep sortied against the EAF (center or eastern) if it can reach it is active in either axis in Tier (0 & 5). This is the basis of my operational advice to the Allied players to preserve their cruisers in the WAF and get them to Surabaya for GT6. They can then sortie 3 sweeps each with 6 cruisers and get 3 chances at stopping the Japanese in the Java Sea. The allies by the RAW get to pick the order in which the sweeps roll for contact with the Japanese. I thus went with the ANZACs first (most rounded for day or night combat), then comes the Americans, who are second best IMHO and finally the Dutch who are happy taking on Japanese light cruisers and do not want to see any heavies.

 

So, far the Allied plan is working (although it is at great cost). The ANZACs have stripped the Japanese Patrol away and died doing so. If the Americans can kill or cripple the remaining 4 Japanese CAs then the Dutch can play clean up. Of course, all the Allied sweeps need to make contact (subject to DR) in order for this to work. As that is not guaranteed, each sweep that makes contact has to fight to the limits of its morale just in case it turns out to be all up to them. This is why I love this campaign above all others. As long as the Japanese have a shot it is not over. But when it is over, it's over. It almost aways goes down to the wire and when using the standard start option the win loss ratio is 50/50. In this case I might actually have to figure VP as they might very well adjust the outcome up or down a level and give one or the other a draw instead of a loss. I've never had to do that before.

 

WMC

[healey36]

Just curious, WMC, how long does it take you to play the campaign through to conclusion, typically? 

[W. Clark]

It depends on the people making the map moves and how long it takes to resolve the fights if I'm putting it on with players. But I've done it in a long month in the past when I had a tactical team that was free to quickly resolve the table tops. The map moves only take a few minutes and I normally get them by email and resolve what needs to happen quickly. The max number of campaign turns is 7 if you play out Force Z instead of auto resolving it and 6 if you auto resolve Force Z. The WAF and EAF get 3 and 4 CDs normally (TE could add as many as 2 more to either or be split between them). So the Japanese are normally only sortieing a max of 7 convoys, patrols, or carrier groups in total for a turn. The Allies get 1 CD each for the Brits, Dutch, Americans and who ever is operating out of Darwin (ANZACs or Free French). The ABDA does not form until GT3 and the Allies can not share (transfer) their CDs or combine forces (except for 1 division of American DDs and you have use a CD to get them to Singapore) until the ABDA has formed.

 

But the reality is often less activity than the max potential for several reasons. The Japanese often feel compelled to take CD reinforcements and that subtracts from they ability to sortie (unless TE made up the difference). Allied theater events are weighted towards escorting convoys to Singapore (at least until it falls around GT 4). By weighted I mean that on a D12 a 1-5 on GT1 requires convoy escorts from both the Brits and the Americans (all that is available on GT 1). GT 2 is another 1-5. GT 3 & 4 is a 1-3. If a TE requires convoy escorts then a D6 is rolled; results of 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 require escorts for 1, 2 or 3 convoys respectively. A convoy escort is 1 cruiser and 2 DDs. Each Allied base (Singapore, Batavia, Surabaya and Darwin) is thus required (if they have them) to commit 1-3 cruisers and 2-6 DDs to convoy duty. It just guts the Allied ability to sortie full (6 cruisers) sweeps on a GT where this occurs. The above is random and there are other TE that hinder your ability to sortie, such a groundings and other odd ball occurrences that occurred in the historical campaign. Things normally settle down about GT5 as the Allies by the fall of Singapore and Batavia have been forced to concentrate the Brits, Dutch and Americans at Surabaya. In other words the scene is set for Java Sea.

 

Exceptions can occur, like a successful Brit torpedo ambush of the WAF on GT 3 but that is luck and there is no accounting for it. Otherwise the campaign follows a familiar historical path and gets decided in the Java Sea on GT 5 & 6 and who wins is determined by weather and set up as well as each player's tactical ability.

 

WMC

[W. Clark]

DTMB GT 6

The US/RN sweep out of Surabaya contacted the Surabaya convoy at 0400 hours. There are 9 GT of darkness before dawn. The dawn reduction is 3,000 yards. Max visibility during darkness is 20,000 yards but their night acquisition DR will determine the visibility for each group of ships. Dawn is at 0427 hours.

The moon state is new. The wind is a Force 3 Westerly at 10 knots. Smoke lasts 1 GT.  There sea haze to the North that reduces visibility by 1,000 yards. There are 6 squalls on the table at the start. Squalls reduce visibility by 3,000 yards.

Squall 1 is 6,000 x 6,000 yards and is located 24,000 yards from north edge and 4,000 yards from the east edge.

Squall 2 is 4,000 x 4,000 yards and is located 48,000 yards from north edge and centered in playing area.

Squall 3 is 2,000 x 2,000 yards and is located 27,000 yards from the north edge and over laps Squall 1 so they are combined into an 8,000 x 8,000 yards squall.

Squall 4 is 2,000 x 2,000 yards and is located; Squall 4 also overlapped Squalls 1 and 3 is now 1 10,000 x 10,000 yards squall.

Squall 5 is 4,000 x 4,000 yards and is located at 27,000 yards from north edge in the center of the playing area.

Squall 6 is 6,000 x 6,000 yards and id located 18,000 yards from the north edge in the center of the playing area.

Daylight max visibility is 23,000 yards.

TF5 was steaming at 25 knots on a heading of 45 degrees. The TF was comprised of:

TF 5 Cruisers: RAdm Glassford (USN)

CA USS Houston FF                             RN DesDiv 1                RN DesDiv 2

CL USS Boise                                       DD HMS Electra DL     DD HMS Scout DL

CL USS Phoenix                                  DD HMS Encounter    DD HMS Stronghold

RN CruDiv: RAdm Palliser (RN)          DD HMS Express         DD HMS Tenedos

CL HMS Mauritius DF                         DD HMS Jupiter          DesDiv 57

CA HMS Exeter                                                                       DD USS John D. Edwards DL

CL USS Marblehead                                                               DD USS Alden            

                                                                                                DD USS Whipple

Relative bearing to the convoy was 8 points to starboard.

The Allied sailing formation was the RN CruDiv followed by the RN DesDivs, then TF 5 cruisers and DesDiv 57.

The Surabaya convoy was steaming at 11 knots on a heading of 315 degrees.

The range was 20,000 yards

The convoy’s sailing formation was: CS16, CS4, DesFlot 3, DesDivs 19, 16, 9 & 24, the APs in three 4 ship columns followed by the AV. Both side had 3,000 yards between groups.

The convoy under VAdm Takahashi was comprised of:

CS 4: VAdm Kondo                             DesDiv 19                                DesDiv 9

CA IJNS Takao SF                                 DD IJNS Uranami DL               DD IJNS Asagumo DL

CA IJNS Atago                                     DD IJNS Ayanami                    DD IJNS Minegumo

CA IJNS Maya DF                                 DD IJNS Isonami                     DD IJNS Natsugumo

CS 16: RAdm Hara                              DD IJNS Shikinami                  DD IJNS Yamagumo

CA IJNS Ashigara FF                            DesDiv 16                                DesDiv 24

CA IJNS Nagara SF                               DD IJNS Amatsukaze DL         DD IJNS Umikaze DL

DesFlot 3: RAdm Hashimoto             DD IJNS Hatsukaze                 DD IJNS Kawakaze

CL IJNS Sendai DFL                             DD IJNS Yukikaze                    DD IJNS Suzukaze

                                                            DD IJNS Tokitsukaze               DD IJNS Yamakaze

                                                            12 AP                                      AV IJNS Chitose

0400 hours, the range was 20,000 yards. Mauritius SW radar contact DR (6) allowed her to contact out to 16,000 yards. Exeter’s contact range was 8,000 yards; DesDiv 1 16,000 yards; Houston 20,000 yards. Mauritius made immediate contact. Acquisition DR for the RN cruisers 6,000 yards; DesDiv 1 6,000 yards; DesDiv 2 8,000 yards; TF5 cruisers and DDs 6,000 yards.

The Japanese night acquisition DR gave CS16 6,000 yards; CS4 2,000 yards; DesFlot 3 8,000 yards; DesDiv 19 2,000 yards; DesDiv 16 8,000 yards; DesDiv 9 4,000 yards & DesDiv 24 4,000 yards.

0403 hours, Palliser reported the contact to Glassford and Glassford ordered the speed increased to 30 knots. Glassford ordered all FP launched. The range was down to 16,000 yards.

0406 hours, the range was down to 12,000 yards.

0409 hours, the range was down 7,000 yards. Glassford ordered a two-point turn to port. Ashigara acquired Mauritius while DesDiv 2 acquired CS16 and part of CS4. Ashigara opened on Mauritius and missed. DesDiv 2 fired star shell at CS16 and the fore part of CS4 and illuminated Ashigara, Nagara, Takao and Atago.

0412 hours, Takahashi ordered an increase in speed to 16 knots and a two-point turn to starboard. Glassford ordered another two-point turn to port. The range was down to 6,000 yards.  Ashigara fired her PSTT at Mauritius. Takahashi ordered all FP launched. DesDiv 2 fired 2 mounts each at Ashigara, Nagara, Takao and Atago. Mauritius division had now acquired CS16 and the fore part of CS4. Mauritius fired rapidly at Ashigara and hit her 6 times. Ashigara fired back and missed. Exeter fired at Takao and hit her thrice. Nagara fired at Exeter and hit her once. Marblehead fired at Nagara and missed her.

Ashigara took a hit to her FP facilities and suffered a minor fire, she lost her fore turret, 3 hull and a hit to her engines. Takao lost her fore turret, took an engine hit and a critical hit to her FC. Exeter lost her SSTT.

0415 hours, Mauritius and DesDiv 1 fired off their bearing TT at Ashigara, Nagara, Takao, Atago and Maya. TF5 turned away together 90 degrees under smoke. Ashigara’s TT arrived but Mauritius was presenting a rear aspect and they missed. DesDiv 2’s TT arrived. Ashigara took a hit; Nagara took 2 hits; Takao took a hit and Atago took 2 hits. (Given that I was rolling for 1-3 IMHO that is hot. As the gunfire died down the night sky lit up. Ashigara suffered 2 hull and lost another fore turret. Nagara took 7 hull as well as other unresolved damage and sank taking RAdm Hara with her. Takao suffered another hull hit and lost another fore turret. Atago took 8 hull as well as other unresolved damage and sank. Marblehead had fired off her PSTT but they were duds as was becoming usual.

0418 hours, the range was opening rapidly as TF5 steamed directly away from the Japanese. Glassford intended to wait for daylight and then reengage when his cruisers would come into their own and not self-illuminate.

0421-0424 hours, Glassford began reversing course and rearranging his column (TF5 cruisers leading the RNN cruisers followed by the DDs to reenter the fray.

0427 hours, dawn and visibility is reduced looking west 3,000 yards and that will lessen by 1,000 yards per GT. The range has opened back out to 18,000 yards.

Houston targets Ashigara and misses her. Boise targets Takao and hit her twice. Phoenix fired at Maya and missed. Ashigara fired back at Houston and missed. Takao fired at Boise and hit her once. Maya fired at Phoenix and hit her thrice.

Takao suffers minor hull damage and the other hit bounces off her belt. Boise takes a hit to her FP facilities that starts a minor fire. Maya’s 3 hits on Phoenix all bounce off her turrets and belt.

0430 hours; Boise puts her fire out before it can cause any real damage. The range is not down to 16,000 yards.

Houston fires at Ashigara and misses. Ashigara fires back and hits Houston once. Boise fires at Takao and hits her thrice. Takao fires back and hits Boise thrice. Phoenix fires at Maya and hits her twice. Maya fires back and misses.

Houston loses her fore turret. Boise takes another hit her FP facilities and another minor fire but the other 2 hits bounce of her turrets and belt.

Takao loses a PSSB, minor hull damage and the other hit bounces off her belt. Maya loses a PSTT and a major fire that causes immediate hull damage and the other hit bounces off her belt.

0436 hours, Boise puts her fire out. Maya fails to put her fire out and suffers further hull damage. The range is down to 14,000 yards.

Houston fires at Ashigara and hits her thrice. Ashigara fires back and misses. Boise fires at Takao and hits her thrice. Takao fires back and hits her 4 times. Phoenix fires at Maya and hits 4 times. Maya fires back and hits her 4 times.

Ashigara loses a PSTT and a major fire, she loses her last fore turret and a critical magazine hit that she floods but costs her yet another turret. Takao loses her last fore turret, takes minor hull damage and the last hit bounces off her belt. Maya loses a PSSB, 2 turrets and the last hit bounces off her belt.

Boise takes yet another hit to her FP Facilities and a minor fire, a hull hit, damage to a bulkhead and an engine hit that slows her to 21 knots. Phoenix also takes a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, she loses a fore turret, hull damage and a critical hit to her bridge.

0442 hours, Ashigara puts her fire out. Boise fails to fix her bulkhead and takes hull damage that slows her to 18 knots. Phoenix put her fire out. The range is down to 12,000 yards.

Houston fires at Ashigara and hits her 6 times. Ashigara fires back and hits Houston thrice. Boise fires rapidly at Takao and hits her 5 times. Takao fires back and hits Boise twice. Phoenix fires rapidly at Maya and hits her 5 times. Maya fires back and hits Phoenix thrice.

Ashigara takes a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, loses her last turret, suffers 2 hull hits and a hit to her engines. Houston takes a hit to her FP facilities and a minor fire, loses her last fore turret and a hit to her engines. Takao loses a SSSB, another turret and 3 hull hits. Boise loses a PSSB and a critical hit to her rudder that has her circling out of control to starboard. Maya loses all her turrets and takes hull damage. Phoenix loses a SL and takes 2 hull.

Maya makes her morale as does Ashigara and the fight goes on.

0448 hours, Ashigara fails to put her fire out and takes hull damage. Houston fails to put her fire out and takes hull damage. Boise fails to fix her bulkhead and slows to 15 knots. Phoenix puts her fire out. The range is down to 9,000 yards.

Houston fires at Ashigara and hits her 5 times. Takao fires at Houston and hits her twice. Bosie fires at Takao rapidly and hits her thrice. Phoenix fires rapidly at Maya and hits her 7 times.

Ashigara gets the rubble of her turrets stirred trice, loses a SSSB and a PSTT that starts a major fire. Takao loses her last turret and a TT that starts a major fire and other hull damage. Maya also gets the rubble of her turrets stirred thrice, takes 3 hull hits and a hit to her engines. Houston loses a SL and takes a hull hit.

Glassford remarks to his flag LT. that the Japanese morale must still be good because he can see officers fixing their samurai swords to the bow.

0454 hours, Houston puts her fire out. Boise fixes her bulkhead but the minor fire causes hull damage. Ashigara fails to put her fire out and suffers further hull damage. Takao puts her major fire out but the minor fire causes further hull damage. Maya breaks her engine (requires dock yard). Houston makes a two-point turn to slow the range reduction and the US cruisers stop making smoke and uncover Exeter, Mauritius and Marblehead who now open up as well.

Houston fires at Ashigara and hits her 5 times. Boise fires rapidly at Takao and hits her 8 times. Phoenix fires rapidly at Maya and hits her 4 times. Exeter fires at Ashigara and hits her thrice. Mauritius fires rapidly at Takao and hits her 7 times. Marblehead fires at Maya and hits her twice.

Ashigara loses a TT and another major fire, a magazine hit that she floods and three bulkhead hits that sink her. Takao has the rubble of her turrets stirred 6 times, takes 3 hits to her FP facilities that start 3 minor fires, a hull hit, damage to bulkhead and an engine hit that knocks her DIW and her rudder is jammed to center. Maya takes a minor fire, loses her last SB, a hull hit and a hit to her engines. VAdm Takahashi is gone and VAdm Kondo takes over and fails his morale. The Surabaya convoy is aborted.

 

But what of RAdm Tanaka’s Bali convoy? RAdm Doorman found it and with his 5 cruisers versus 1 Japanese light cruiser went so gangster on it that the US sailors in DesDiv 58 nicknamed him “Dutch Shultz”.

 

The Japanese took 22 of their 24 objectives, including Singapore and Batavia but that did not save them as they had to take all 24 to win.

 

WMC