Japan takes on the allies 1944 AAR

[lionhead]

Japan Takes on the Allies.

HOI2: DD Armagedon 1.3a
Difficulty: easy/normal
mods: GIP 0.6, vanilla
challange: Its just a story, not a challange. Enjoy it as that.


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June 20th 1944., 5 days ago the island of Saipan was invaded and taken by the Americans. As a result of the defeat the Japanese government went through some changes. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo resigned as head of the army and Inanba Saturo took over, Tojo also had to give up his position as Armaments Minister and was replaced by Fujiwara Ginjiro.



This caused a great uproar in the Japanese empire, but Emperor Hirohito was able to silence the population by announcing to start peace negotiations with Chiang Kai-Shek.

On the 6th of June Allied forces had also landed on German occupied France, things where looking grim now for Japans ally in the war. Germany would surely loose and thus Japan was on its own.

After Japanese forces where able to take out several Chinese divisions in the south of China the Chinese government proposed a peace agreement that would give a large part of Northern China to the Japanese. Hirohito accepted on June 23rd.



Now the Japanese army could be rerouted towards the Pacific and help in the battles on New Guinea and reinforce the islands in the Japanese sphere of influence.

A large transport fleet was assembled and ordered to take as much troops off the Japanese home islands and onto New Guinea. On their first run they encountered a group of British submarines and where able to sink a substational amount of them. In the mean time all Japanese Subs where ordered out of their docks and start Convoy raiding north of New Guinea. The Subs met with little succes as most where destroyed by large American carrier fleets.

The large transport fleet was able to send 3 Divisions to New Guinea by the end of June and the Transport fleet returned home.



Immediately an attack on US forces on New Guinea was started but it failed. However, New Guinea wouldn't fully fall into enemy hands any time soon.

In the end of June Wake island was lost to American attackers though. This was anticpated and no ship was docked at the ilsand at the time. They could recapture the island as soon as New Guinea and the solomons are recaptured again and the US navy is at the bottom of the sea.

To counter the vastly superior American fleet the Japanese fleet was assembling in Palawan, Phillipines, they needed to get their main fleet carriers together with enough planes. After the defeat at Midway the Japanese navy lost 4 of its best carriers and they had to take a few carriers out of training early with inexperienced seamen and pilots. These carriers are now under Grand Admiral Nagano's command, who ordered them to start Patrolling North of New Guinea from Palawan while a Battleship fleet(among them the Yamato) would protect the Phillipines.



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I just like writing stories, so don't bother giving me tips on how to play Japan in 1944, it doesn't matter if i lose or win. Though i hope i would stay alive at least long enough for this to become a proper story.

[Jape]

Excellent choice of scenario! Good stuff so far, lets see how your stretegies pan out

[Ksim3000]

A good start and funnily enough, we must share thoughts as I was thinking about a Japanese '44 campaign and what it would be like to land forces on New Guinea.

If you are looking to tell a story, I would recommend you do what Remble has done and that would be to perhaps write a fictional discussion in the Japanese cabinet about what tactics to use, what to construct next, etc, that kind of thing.

Just an idea for a story.

And in regards to tactics, I won't say if you are doing better or not but I would like to add that American airpower will certainly be an issue. A good load of strategic bombers and HQ's, Garrisons and other divisions can quickly either be destroyed or severly weakened. I believe that U.S airpower is a problem in the South Pacific so if you want to try and stay alive as long as possible, it would be an idea to counter that.

Anyway, looking forward to your next update!

[Middelkerke]

This will be interesting.

[rcduggan]

good luck!

[lionhead]

Ksim3000: Still building up colour in the game. Must know what i can work with you know.

thanks for the replies all.


Update:

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Other then a severe lack of personell and airpower the Japanese aren't beaten yet. There are still some pretty good soldiers running around there and their remaining fleet has still gotten out of so pretty tough situations before.

Admiral Nagano had full convidence in the ability of his men and ships. Whatever was the weak spot of the Americans, they would find it. More carriers where still on their way, giving much hope needed.



American carriers kept attacking Japanese islands near New Guinea and attacked the runways to take out the few naval bombers the Japanese where using to destroy transports and destroyers.



The few naval bombers stationed at New Guinea where the only thing left of Japanese bombers and where protected very well indeed. These naval bomber had been stationed there at first to target enemy shipping around Australia. The American carriers however made itsm ore and more difficult too be able to go out into the seas, as the bombers didn't have any eascorts and where clay pigeons for enemy AA. Their duties where narrowed down to taking out large transport ships that could reinforce New Guinea. But as they where truly the only bombers in the vicinity they frequently where ordered for ground attacks against American positions on New Guinea itself. Particulairly on the closeby island of Biak where an American division threathened to outflank Vogelkop peninsula when the Japanese would march through towards the Australian side of the island and help the troops there.

The Battleship fleet a Palawan was suprisingly attacked by an American Carrier and escorts on July 6th. The Battleships fleet engaged the American division.

The Carrier Saratoga was going at slow speed past the island towards the north, while launching dive bombers and torpedo bombers. The Japanese battleships however where already out of the port when the bombers arrived there. Most planes where too far away from the Battleships to attack them. They had to attack the port and return but couldn't sink any enemy ship. When the Japanese Battleships Yamato, Musashi and Nagato where sighted by the American destroyers they had to steam in front of the carrier to protect it so it had time to turn around and land its planes. The Battleships however where fast and quickly took care of most enemy destroyers and the Musashi took the score of sinking the carrier shortly after.
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I got hopes still, gonna be tough though. I'm surprised at the amount of IC i got. I'm worried about my supplies and oil though.

[Ksim3000]

I must say! That was a good victory, taking out the Saratoga! It may be one carrier but nevertheless, one carrier down for the U.S.

Did you lose any ships or was it just the U.S in that particular battle?

[noobermenschen]

Very interesting! I agree this is a good choice for an AAR

I'm pretty sure the extra IC is for game balance so it isn't a "player gets repeatedly slaughtered and gives up" scenario. Once you become grognard with this game you could come back and try it again with a historically accurate IC total...

[Middelkerke]

Don't you think that it would be cheaper (in IC i mean) if you traded supplies for money?

[Remble]

Nice start and good luck

The Soviet Union is a good country to trade with for oil.

[lionhead]

Update:


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This small victory however didn't do anything against American sea might. 10 days later, July 16th the large Transport fleet that was carrying Japanese soldiers back and forth onto New Guinea was attacked by the American “San Fransisco squadron”, a Carrier fleet. 1 Carrier, 3 battleships, 1 battlecruiser, 1 heavy cruiser, 4 light cruisers and 9 destroyers.

Vice Admiral Iwamura, who wasn't very experience in carrier combat heard from his radio officer that an American fleet was spotted to the East. However, this fleet wouldn't intercept their transport fleet with the speed it was currently going, they would be close but never visible on the horizon. So, Iwamura continued his voyage. It was very important his ships would make it back in time so the new army of soldiers could be loaded up and transported south as soon as possble, Iwamura didn't have time to worry about carrier fleets approaching. Besides, Iwamura had 2 light carriers at his disposal too, and although they lacked any bombers they had lots of zero's that could protect
the fleet well. The Carrier USS ranger that sailed in the “San Fransisco squadron” however was much more advanced than the light carriers that where escorting the transports. It had much more advanced planes aboard too, which marked the doom of the Japanese fleet. The fleet had spotted the Japanese transports by scout planes, early enough for their dive bombers to load up extra feul to make a long flight. Very early in the morning the planes took off from the USS Ranger and arrived at their targets a few hours later. They attacked quickly and sunk the 3 old Battleships Ise, Hyuga and Yamashiro who where steaming ahead of the main fleet. Iwamura was furious of this and ordered to load up the fighter planes with bombs as well. Without bombsights or real penetration bombs they couldn't possibly make the same score as the Americnas did however. They also had to take off at the time the USS Ranger had already loaded up his planes again and they went out for a second go.
The planes met eachother in the air, the zero's where unablt to take out any planes though as they where too slow to react and couldn't pursue or else they would be out of feul too soon. The zero's attacked the american fleet they where able to sink the Battleship Wisconsin and a light cruiser. But the second US aireal attack took out a lot of transports and all light cruisers and even was able to damage both carriers. When the zero's returned on their carriers a half dozen where damaged by landing on the rubble of the decks. They did manage to launch again once the rubble was cleared up though, even though they had to leave 9 planes on the ships. This last aireal attack of the 2 Carriers Zuiho and Zhiyado took out the battlecruiser USS Alaska and some destroyers, but it wasn't enough. The battle was lost, most planes got back but they had the planes from the USS Ranger right behind them. The whole Japanese transport fleet of 2 Carriers, 3 Battleships, 9 light cruisers and 9 transports was whiped off the map after the USS Ranger's planes passed the zero's in mid-air and sunk the 2 carriers before the zero's could even land.

Even so, the Japanese where able to land a sufficient amount of troops onto New Guinea to protect it again.



There where more troops on the home islands waiting too though, which could be picked up by the smaller transport divisions who only need a little protection to get there safe(currently stationed in Singapore). Near the coast of New Guinea the carrier fleet of Nagano was engaged into battle with British subs and some ships where heavily damaged which forced the fleet to return to Palawan. This meant that the Battleship fleet, under Admiral Kondo has to take over Nagano's patrols and moved their patrols north to the Caroline islands. The fleet was later recalled however to add the Light carrier Chitose to the fleet.





Meanwhile the attacks on British forces in Burma and beyond met with heavy casualties and troops from Vietnam where rerouted there to assist, as well as Siamese troops. Would take a while before a victory would be visible though.




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[Edzako]

Another brave man This only second Japan 1944 AAR, as far as I know. Good luck.

[Sybot]

Good luck. I'm planning to start a Japan 44 AAR after exams, so hopefully I'll get some hints from this.

[Ksim3000]

Let us hope you can defeat the Allies in New Guinea and Burma but it could indeed be a possibility.

[lionhead]

Update:


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More to the north Chiang Kai-Shek declared war on Mao Zedong and hoped he could take their lands before Japan would. Japanese forces tried to break the communist army but failed to do so, more reinforcements where first needed.

At the end of July the Japanese forces in New Guinea where finally organized and started attacks on American troops. They succeeded in their first attempt and where on their way to take the Naval base Lae.



On August 7 1944 the Japanese Battleship fleet spotted an American carrier fleet and engaged.
They where able to keep the battle short neough so the American Carriers couldn't launch their plane armada. They managed to heavily damage an American Cruiser and a small Carrier before they fled. Naval Bombers helped damage a Destroyer as well. Surely this American fleet would now have to retreat to port and lick its wounds, giving room to the Japanese Fleet.



Japanese scientist had made blueprints for an Advanced Cruiser now, as soon as the 2 Carriers in the build where ready they started build of 2 brand new Heavy cruisers. The 2 new Carriers are being added to the Carrier fleet of Nagano.



As there where no American ships spotted while going to the Phillipines by the carriers the Transports that where based at singapore where rebased to Tokyo without any escorts. This proved to be a mistake as they met a large American carrier fleet of the coast of Okinawa. All but 1 ship where sunk.



Meanwhile things where going bad for Germany in Europe. Best to get as much blueprints from germany now they still exist.


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[Middelkerke]

Prepare yourself to face the full might of the Allies

[Ksim3000]

One word of warning my good sir, as has been noted with Japan '44 AAR's, the Americans have used the atomic bomb before. Just a heads up but hopefully, that shouldn't come to pass.

[lionhead]

Thanks for the heads up Ksim3000. i'll check out the American reasearch from now on.

Alright, lots of pics coming

Update:

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As it is shown right now the Americans are well under way of retaking France, while the french army had started with an early landing in the Netherlands and have retaken Rotterdam. Meanwhile the British are expanding their territory in Yugoslavia while the Russians are closing in on Warshaw.

Meanwhile in China the Japanese forces had begun their 3rd attack on the Communist army. With tactical bombers breaking the Communist army they finally succeed. They will arrive at their capital by the end of September.





The Germans where very generous to give us more blue prints, perhaps to make sure they don't fall in Communist or Capitalist hands. Japan could surely use blueprints. But they actually need ships even more.



Back in New Guinea, American soldiers have once again landed at Biak Island. This is what the Japanese hoped for and they where immediately bombed and taken out by the small tank force waiting on the mainland.



Another American division gone. On the east of the island Japanese soldiers reached the naval base of Lae and defeated an American corps.



Meanwhile at sea the Japanese fleet was taking care of lots of transports. Hopefully filled with enemy soldiers. However, shortly after this the American fleet found them, a battle started.



Finally, this is the moment. Japanese scout planes reported the enemy fleet north of their position. The weather was favorable and 3 of the 6 carriers started launching their bombers into the air, the Zuikaku, Unryu and Amagi where clearly the 3 most advanced of the 6 so they had the newst planes on board as well.

It appeared the American didn't know the Japanese fleet was close because once the Japanese dive bombers arrived there they seemed to be totally unprepared for an engagement. The divebombers went straight after the carriers which where identified as the USS Enterprise and USS Lexington. 2 more Light carriers where spotted too but they couldn't be identified.

The Lexinigton took the most hits, being at 50% of its remaining strength after the attack. It was unfortunate however the Japanese planes didn't have enough feul for a second go. They first had to transfer it from some of the cruisers to be able to fight again. Meanwhile the americans launched their planes as well and with their aireal attack damaged the 2 least advanced carriers of the Fleet, the Hiyo and Hyuho who also lost a few planes.

Next to that they heavily damaged one of the cruisers and thus the Japanese fleet had to retreat itself. The word was spread to Admiral Kondo and his Battleships immediately went for an intercept course. Unfortunantely the American planes took out a few scout planes so the Japanese didn't really know where the American fleet went.

Konodo went south and searched the sea. And by god, they found something. It wasn't the USS Enterprise and USS Lexington but another fleet under Vice Admiral Kinkaid with the USS Bunker Hill and USS Wasp leading some light carriers and heavy advanced light cruisers.



Admiral Nagano's retreat was cancelled then and went north to join the battle. If by any chance the Enterprise and lexington where aware of this battle then Kondo needed some help.

There where submarines at the spot too the Japenese noticed when one of their cruisers was hit by a Torpedo. They managed to locate them and took out the larget part though, hunting down the last running one. Kondo's light carrier managed to protect the battleships from the first wave of planes arriving, then managed to heavily damage one of their cruisers while they hwere in the air anyway. It got seperated from the group. 4 hours into the battle the fleet of Nagano joined in and launched it planes.



A second American aireal attack damaged Kondo's light carrier and a cruiser but nothing serious yet. Things where looking well when they finally managed to sink one of the American light cruisers. This also meant however that the American fleet retreated, as it was fast enough to do so.
Oh well, this proved the Japanese fleet could hold its own in the water, time to lick its wounds.

Nagano's retreat was cancelled again however when it was found that a large number of american transports where hiding in a small port on New Guinea and so they stopped there a while and destroyed about 5 or 6 of them.



When they attacked the port there at Sarmi they where surprised to find the USS Enterprise and USS Lexington had been licking its wound there. Still heavily damaged this aireal attack by Japanese carriers could prove to be fruitfull. They where certainly able to damaged the carriers with their first run, then they launched their second run(as they had transported enough fuel on the carriers to launch many times). Their second run damaged the carriers even more, unofficialy they reported 1 carrier sunk, but it was in drydock so it didn't really go down. During the second run 1 airgroup had been engaged heavily in combat with the Americans and where done fighting, so the Japanese carriers fleet retreated back to Palawan and refuel.


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Tried everything i could to keep my carriers attacking the americans, but no matter what i did they kept on retreating, even when i took out all the damaged and disorganized ships from the group. Guess something else caused them to go back to base.

[Lord Finnish]

beat those damn amerikans!

[lionhead]

Update:

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What was expected, Chiang Kai-Shek, now i full control of his country again declared war on Tibet. With the imminent defeat of the Communists all he could do was expand his borders as much as he could. Hopefully the russians won't intervene though.



A deal was struck with germany, Japan would give them rare materials and metal in exange for 2 troop transport ships. The germans accepted, won't be untill next month they would arrive though.



The Americans seem to be up with something, japanese spies report there is a brilliant german scientist working on a secret project for them, project Manhattan is the codename. If only they could figure out what it was. Must be some secret weapon like rockets or nuclear explosives as the scientist in question is a physicist.



Doesn't really concern the Japanese ministry yet, as the new minister of Security feels the US could never get a german scientist to work for them fully willingly. He was positive that Oppenheimer would delay his research, at least untill the end of the war at which time he would return to Germany.

Besides, Japan was going to start a nuclear program as soon as they had working turbojet fighters and bombers.

Finally, after a month of marching the Japanese troops have entered the Communist capital. Mao Zedong was nowhere to be found however, he left a while ago. But from the south it was reported that Chinese forces had captured the man and he had surrendered to them, instead of the Japanese.



Chiang Kai-Shek and Hideki Tojo met in Nanjing where the trial of Mao Zedong would be held. He was convicted of high treason and sentenced to death. While he was dragged off he was shot. Chiang Kai-Shek left the communist capital to the Japanese while he took the rest.
So, now Japan could really focus on the Pacific. Again the Carrier fleet of nagano was send out to attack the port of Samri. The same american fleet was still stationed there as scout planes where able to confirm when they arrived. All planes from all carriers where launched right away and again they where able to damage 2 carriers in drydocks and 3 cruisers. Then they returned back to base.



Word from europe at the end of September reported a puppet governemnt was installed in the “liberated” Poland.



Hitler was looking worse and worse and his communications with Japan was totally severed when he locked himself in his bunker. Japan now didn't know what went on in Hitlers mind and they slowely detached themselves from Germany, feeling that Germany had failed and are too weak to represent the Axis. Japan tried to get this through to the British and Americans but they didn't buy it, calling Germany incompetent and a failure wouldn't obsolve their connection with them and they won't recognize Japan as the leader of the Axis now, not untill Hitler is dead.

After 4 mayor negotiations with German officials finally the Germans gave in and with exchange of some small arms troops and a lot of resources the germans gave up their navy to the Japanese. The Battleship Tirpitz and 4 Heavy cruisers to be exact. These would arrive very soon at Tokyo, ready and willing. These ships will be used for escorting the new troop transports. Who definitly need protecting. The current carriers and battleships couldn't possibly be used for this option, now tht is going so well.
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Next update some pressure will be released for me. stay tuned.