In many respects I think one wants them to keep attacking Wellington. It is a good waste of their manpower.
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True. The most telling accounts about Tech-advance I listened to, were; on World at War, there is an interview with Vaniver <sp> Bush (I think he was head of the US Appropriations Dept. - that talks about crazy ideas that worked or something to that affect. iirc, on the "Morning" episode, Mountbatten talks about the two floating docks they brought with them since they did not have a port yet. and everyone thought they were mad.
And the final memory came from an RN commander of Convoy Escort Group and I regret I do not remember his name; he said; Allied scientist & engineers where working with the commanders and their men to navigate the problem or need. (my words)
About that dry-dock...I have not looked at how that thing worked but when that bottom came in to view (I assume they were air-bladders of some sort and those few small sheds housed large compressors) the first thing I thought was the Persian-army's boat-bridges over to Greece.
That's my view. If I can't attack them across the water, (and I get heavy losses trying) then I continue with my war of attrition and supply-prevention. I think we've already passed the point "where we could have lost the war in a single day"
Vannevar Bush was a fascinating fellow. If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend giving "As We May Think" a read; it's amazing how far-sighted his predictions turned out to be about the future of computing.
Thanks. No kidding; I had no idea but I suppose being in charge of a large body of scientist would be a great vantage point. I only remembered his comment about sending a fragile glass tube inside a bomb/missle and not breaking sometime before hand. iirc regarding the development of the proximity-fuse.
Chapter 54
“Even”
AJCO 27 January – 1 March, 1942
AJCO 27 January – 1 March, 1942
We begin this episode of torn-asunder down-under with getting more BB guns than we have yet had, which means we nabbed two USN BBs. After losing the HMS Valiant in a head to head with 4 IJN Heavy-Cruisers and only sinking 1 CA, it made no sense to do the same a third time. Since, I had the picks and had shown the USS Idaho in a sidebar to our yarn, she is in the mix now along with one of her sister-ships of the New York class, the USS Nevada. These two BBs have a top speed of 18.5 kph and a range of 3,100km. Their escorts are 2 Leander-class Light-cruisers – 24.5 kph & 2,500km and 3 Destroyer-Divisions of the Farragut-class – 27kph & 1,900km range. As I’ve said, I cannot do a thing with compositions of fleets transferred to me and I will keep the fleet name of the remaining ships of Valiant TF, in recognition of her Valiant fight.
In addition, I saw the Dutch still had some warships and when I investigated most were sitting in South American Ports with no fuel. I asked for a small squadron consisting of a CL & DD-flotilla and our allies were glad to see them put to use.
At the start of the report, Lexington’s planes were still repairing from the last fleet-action, as I chanced the return of our RN-raiders to Pegasus Bay. Valiant TF was still in repair, the new/old BB-fleet in-route to Wellington and the Dutch raiders to Rabaul.
Wellington HQ
01 February – Another enemy spoiling-attack; we lost 26 men, they 245 dead.
– Greek partisans rose in Giannitsa.
– Italy retakes Tirane from British-Infantry.
– British tanks roll into Jerusalem.
04 February – USN BB-Force NZ sailed into port at Wellington. With the RN-Raiders at work, I sent the BB-Force into Canterbury-Bight to see what enemy ships might be docked at Christchurch; upon arrival we could not tell. I ordered the fleet to Raiding.
05 February – The small Dutch ASW fleet arrived in Rabaul and needs rest.
06 February – 2nd NZ arrived on Java.
07 February – We sank 2 enemy supply-transports headed to Christchurch.
– Heavy rains fell and made the German/Soviet front 100% mud everywhere.
Hornet Swarm
08 February – Unknown enemy ships appeared southbound in Cook-Strait. Playing it safe, I sent our Raiders to Gisborne and sent the BBs into Pegasus-Bay; no ships sighted when they arrived; I sent them into Canterbury-Bight but the fleet was now leaving our fighter-cover. Even though, one of our CAG-wings was not yet healthy, I ordered the Lexington into Pegasus-Bay to screen the approach from Cook-Strait.
09 February – Seeing only 2 enemy vessels in Christchurch, I returned the RN-Raiders to Pegasus-Bay to seek more convoys.
The tiny fleet came out but fled back.
– On a hunch, I sent Valiant TF away to Auckland to finish repairs.
10 February – I wanted an earlier warning and order USS Lexington into Cook-Strait and sent Tasman Transport over to Sydney for safety.
14 February – The small enemy fleet sallied out and USS Idaho sank 17. TP and 32. LC. The CL Sendai fled back to port.
1.As Lexington was moving north into Cook-Strait, the skies grew full of CAGs.
2. I frantically order our raiders back to Gisborne and sent the BBs towards Dunedin.
3. I am glad we fled asap...we stood no chance...whatsoever.
1. My orders were too late for the RN-Raiders and they were caught.
2. Thankfully my evasion-order to the US BB-fleet proved successful.
Well boys...it’s back to the repair-yards once again.
Now this; the Fighters can finally reach Christchurch and I have to pull them back.
I needed to save them to fight over Wellington and no further or lose them.
With so many enemy CAGs next-door, we sent the BBs away for safety
With the American’s holding the Philippines but losing all but two ports behind, we have not been able to complete Op-Sever. Now with so many CVs in our region, it looks to be a long time before we can control our own seas.
However, we are not in serious danger yet, because we have a full Corps in Wellington that will not be easily dislodged. The difficult bit is that once again, the enemy-army occupying South-Island will likely restock Supply and we cannot halt those convoys.
Fortunately, we only have two warship-fleets that need repair this time, instead of every ship we have.
Punch for Punch
With the unexpected rising on Java taking the port of Soerabaja, we have sent the US 41st Infantry Division to the port and started supply. In order to insure we would be supplied, the port is under our control. The only forces there were two single Militia brigades, so soon I would tag and get them to the port to form another EXP-force. Soerabaja is a level 7 port, so it is well worth my expanding our strike there.
Many may wonder, why do this and it would be a good question, since we lost this theater early in the war. The reason I am risking this is we have Fortress-Wellington and the enemy will break themselves on it but we have had no luck at getting that large enemy army off South-Island. In addition, I have hoped for an Allied victory over the central Pacific but at this time the battle is not looking good; I fear for the US hold on the Philippines because it seems nearly all islands between have been lost.
With the Dutch East Indies supplying vital strategic resources for Imperial Japan, I decided since I cannot knock them out at home, why not make them pay a very heavy price for this adventure of theirs and strike a major blow to the war-industry?
In order to give some strength to this assault, I sent 2nd Australian (Robertson) to guard Sydney and soon shipped 2nd NZ-Infantry-Div. led by General Inglis to Soerabaja where I now created a Java HQ & 3rd AG commanded by General Tukcr, who is nearly a level 5 battle-master. It is likely most units will directly report to him. Back home, 6th NZ is now led by General Gentry.
So far, so good; allied-forces are having success on Java; let us hope we can succeed.
[Note: With Barbarossa a near non-starter after several months now, I brought Romania into the war. Also, I tagged to the three Baltic states and set each to Prepare for War. With Finland knocked out, Romania sitting on the sidelines and years from joining, I decided since we are heading well into 1942, I would try to adjust the earlier mess of so much of the Front being in marshland. I am mostly interested to see if any Baltic nation joins either side but I am not expecting it. I did the same for Com-China in the far-east]
Well that is a very large enemy carrier fleet paying you such close attention! You should feel honoured. Kinda.
Hmm, speaking of exiled fleets sitting unsupplied in distant ports ... whatever happened to the French Fleet? Are they sitting in some tiny port off Newfoundland without supply as well? An invitation to join AJCO could be issued - they have an interest in the South Pacific, after all. You could tag over and EF them if you think you could supply them (or at least some of them). If they express reluctance, just tell them to remember Villers-Bretonneux!
You should feel honoured. Kinda. Hmm, speaking of exiled fleets sitting unsupplied in distant ports ... whatever happened to the French Fleet? Are they sitting in some tiny port off Newfoundland without supply as well? An invitation to join AJCO could be issued - they have an interest in the South Pacific, after all. You could tag over and EF them if you think you could supply them (or at least some of them). If they express reluctance, just tell them to remember Villers-Bretonneux!
The waves may crash against its roots and the Divine Wind may buffet its crown, but Fortress New Zealand yet weathers the storm.
Java might be a risky play, but if it takes the pressure off of New Zealand itself and / or the Allies elsewhere then it may be well worth the risk. The Dutch East Indies certainly appear to be the "soft underbelly" of the Japanese Empire at present, with all their attention focused on other fronts.
Java might be a risky play, but if it takes the pressure off of New Zealand itself and / or the Allies elsewhere then it may be well worth the risk. The Dutch East Indies certainly appear to be the "soft underbelly" of the Japanese Empire at present, with all their attention focused on other fronts.
Please make sure to keep your massive Japanese Carrier Fleets in your own AAR Universe please.
That was some very rapid naval battle avoidance, followed by a bold attack on Java... very impressive, and surely very annoying to Japanese High Command, just the way we like it...
Yes, great thinking... the French usually have a decent fleet left, for NEw-Zealand standards at least, even after Vichy is formed and Mers-el-Kébir is triggered, they are usually stuck in some small port for the rest of the war...Hmm, speaking of exiled fleets sitting unsupplied in distant ports ... whatever happened to the French Fleet? Are they sitting in some tiny port off Newfoundland without supply as well? An invitation to join AJCO could be issued - they have an interest in the South Pacific, after all. You could tag over and EF them if you think you could supply them (or at least some of them). If they express reluctance, just tell them to remember Villers-Bretonneux!
What was that old definition of insanity...to repeat the same action expecting a different result, I think?
I am glad I had that inkling...something wicked this way comes. I could have lost much.Well that is a very large enemy carrier fleet paying you such close attention!
Fine idea mate. I know that some Subs are about but have not looked closely.Hmm, speaking of exiled fleets sitting unsupplied in distant ports ... whatever happened to the French Fleet? Are they sitting in some tiny port off Newfoundland without supply as well? An invitation to join AJCO could be issued - they have an interest in the South Pacific, after all. You could tag over and EF them if you think you could supply them (or at least some of them). If they express reluctance, just tell them to remember Villers-Bretonneux!
Solid observation...without our defense there, we could not take this present gamble on Java.At least the North Island is unsinkable!
Well, Japan has us divided, we may as well divide their possessions. If we can take and hold those vital strategic-resources and the naturals...we will do great damage to their industry; that would be a lousy trade for occupying South-Island.
Please make sure to keep your massive Japanese Carrier Fleets in your own AAR Universe please.
When I nabbed the New Yorks, the USA had a gigantic fleet too. I did what I could but of course could not undo the empty flat-tops.Btw, the way, the black-screen shows 16 CAGs and not the 14 in the battle-screen. I take it they held 2 wings in reserve.
Hell that's all I have is 2 wings. Outgunned indeed.I've a feeling you'd made the same call. Let's hope it pays-off. I look at as if we lose...more time goes on the clock but if we win, we may cause serious problems for their pacific war-industry. This is the first step, because if we succeed, then I hope Britain will answer my summons to Borneo.
Great insertion. Now what to do about handling that last enemy fleet?<LOL>What was that old definition of insanity...to repeat the same action expecting a different result, I think?
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Ahhhh revenge is a dish best served cold eh? Let’s see the dice thrown high and see where they might fall eh?
Chapter 55
“A Mixed Bag”
AJCO {1 March – 26 March, 1942}
AJCO {1 March – 26 March, 1942}
We begin this chapter with two consecutive attacks on Wellington.
11:00 hrs. 1 March – The enemy attacks Wellington.
04:00 hrs. 2 March – We lose another 123 men and Japan another 535 troops.
16:00 hrs. 5 March – Another assault from South-Island began.
05:00 hrs. 7 March – The enemy army takes another serious loss. 397 of our lads were killed and another 1.697 attackers are added to an ever-increasing death toll.
Head west, young American men.
The enemy makes use of all those CAGs and forced us to re-base Tasman-Transport.
The newly formed US-Militia are given “shiny” new orders.
00:00 hrs. 16 March – The enemy attacks Wellington again.
06:00 hrs.– Enemy assault ends after another 109 Allied troops vs 533 enemy are killed.
09:00 hrs.– Once again the only two Marine-divisions we have, board LCs, this time bound for Soerabaja. Depending on 2nd NZ to hold Soerabaja – we plan for Oosthaven.
– The US 40th sails to Gisborne and 6th NZ is called from Reserve and enters Wellington.
17 March – “The St. Patrick’s Day Parade”
– As Stratton’s LC-flotilla heads NW out of Cook-Strait, he sees unknown IJN vessels at great distance behind him. He alters course and sees the vessels fade; he radios; “They appear on a course for the Australian mainland.” At Sydney, after the recent port-strike and now this discovery, Robertson is ordered to prepare 2nd AST for a surprise attack.
– With Brisbane wide-open, Studholme-Brownrigg is ordered to bring RN-Destroyers out of port into Moreton Bay. Hilliard’s single LC-Flotilla is routed to Auckland. With CVs possibly in the IJN-fleet, this is a huge risk for the DD-Raiding Squadron but if we can engage the enemy’s “likely landing force” and it proves to be a small one, we may well save the port of Brisbane.
1. 05:00 hrs on the 18th, the four RN-Destroyer-flotillas bravely wait in Moreton-Bay.
2. 20:00 hrs. The enemy warships {CLx2 & DD} escorting two troop-transport flotillas avoid the naval-engagement and head NE. Our DDs absorbed only minor damage.
After we received the news of this invasion-force changing to a NE-heading in the direction of Noumea, Luganville or possibly Masako, we had to dissuade the enemy from approaching our weak x2Garrison on Luganville. Even though repairs to USS Lexington were not yet completed, the CV & her 2 damaged escorts were sent into Detroit de Selwyn just offshore of Luganville. It was very unlikely, the enemy target was Noumea, since we yet have two US infantry divisions protecting that port.
07:00 hrs. 19 March – Lexington’s planes were on CAP-missions but the invasion force must have detected the threat because the enemy did not come this way.
06:00 hrs. 22 March – Our Marines arrived in Soerabaja to go back on the LCs and immediately into Sunda-Strait (off Batavia) to make a rapid assault on Oosthaven.
18:00 hrs. 22 March – We receive the terrible news that the major port in the Admiralty Islands has fallen to an enemy invasion-force. We gave the warning but have no knowledge of the battle. We have to assume that the US Paratroopers stationed there were overrun. Our allies keep losing ports because of having too many x3 units w/o support. We verified there were two transport-flotillas, so they may have faced more than double their number but we’ve seen too many times a single Japanese marine division with Engineer-support will outlast one of our under-strength units. We have such a situation in Sydney, with 2nd AST being a INFx3 division. You may remember that early in the war ANZAC-command was able to get ART to support three Australian infantry divisions but I think all three have been lost during the war. Not having full-command, I’m not sure what happened but I do know, one was lost in our unsuccessful defense of Oosthaven quite some time back, when we also lost a NZ division, after being outnumbered in a three-pronged attack there.
1. We met only a CAV-Division; hmm, like my special Kiwi strategic-defense early on?
2. In addition we sent the CA & Co. in case they are needed later.
We are not powerful but we may be strong enough?
1. The green 6th New Zealand Infantry Division receives its baptism of fire.
2. During this report, the Dutch bombing-runs on Blenheim killed another 1,453 enemy troops. However, thus far, the enemy units remain in-supply.
[Next-up: I need to report on matters around the globe and other aspects of our situation, before we continue the fight in our own waters and our new Allied-Front on Java.]
[I should also mention this: I had not intended to drag-this-out but this AAR took a turn that I did not expect and what began as my last bit of fun has turned out to be an interesting challenge to fight and consequently I hope a good story to tell. Cheers all]
Wellington continues to bleed the Japanese -- hopefully at a rate favorable to the defenders. The Lexington is also proving its worth as well, despite not engaging a single foe this update.
Wellington is becoming the Japanese Stalingrad: you may actually want to let them keep doing this for a while, while you have fun elsewhere, gathering up bits and pieces of spare Allied capacity and using them to pester them - as in Java, hitting them in the resources, where it hurts.
I love it to read this story although I don't post often.
That so many japanese carriers are in your neighbourhood means that there couldn't be many to fight the US navy during the island hopping west of Hawaii. And that can only be good.
That so many japanese carriers are in your neighbourhood means that there couldn't be many to fight the US navy during the island hopping west of Hawaii. And that can only be good.