Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 3, 16th - 31st January 1942

 

A reminder of the situation at the end of turn 2 with objectives captured by the Japanese circled.

For this turn it will be a priority for the Japanese to complete tier 2.

Continued -

What now follows is the preliminary set up for turn 3. The sequence of play is taken from the scenario book:

1. General Intelligence.

By order of the Allied Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS), ABDACOM is activated 15 January 1942 with British General Sir Archibald Wavell as the overall commander, and Admiral Hart (USN) as the commander of ABDAFLOAT. Admiral Chester Nimitz assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet earlier on 1 January. In Malaya, the Battle of Slim River is fought from 6-8 January; two Indian brigades are virtually annihilated by the Japanese, using surprise and tanks to devastating effect in a risky night attack. On Luzon, Japanese troops have begun to assault the USAFFE troops dug in on the Bataan peninsula. Japanese troops invade Burma in earnest.

2. Japanese Theatre Events.

Japanese air forces bomb Singapore. No ship repairs this turn.

3. Allied Theatre Events.

Convoy escorts needed. A total of 4 convoys have assembled requiring the following escorts:

RN – (1) Tenedos, Thanet (destroyers)

RNN - (0)

RAN – (1) Perth (cruiser)

USN – (2) Boise, Stewart, Pilsbury, Edwards, Alden (cruiser + 4 destroyers)

None of these vessels will be available this turn

4. Weather Forecast.

Dice rolls were made to determine any adjustments to the weather during the engagements phase. For both the WAF and the EAF it was +1 to be added to weather dice rolls. More of this later during the engagement phase.

5. Japanese Command Decisions.

The Japanese receive 3 CD's (Command Decision points) for the WAF and 4 for the EAF to be split between the central and eastern axis. Each CD 

WAF
1. A large replenishment convoy to Kota Bharu supporting the advance on Singapore. 12 transport ships escorted by 2 floatplane carriers, 3 cruisers and 8 destroyers.

2. A very small invasion convoy to Jesselton, Borneo, of just one ship transport escorted by 1 floatplane carrier and 3 destroyers.

3. A patrol by the Distant Cover Group commanded by Vice Admiral Kondo. Consisting of 1 cruiser and 4 destroyers.

EAF
The destruction of the Chitose convoy shook the Japanese high command. They could not afford to lose another convoy so comprehensively and decided to call in additional reinforcements. This meant sacrificing a tasking and this instant translated into the cancellation of a planned carrier strike.

Automatic reinforcements this turn consisted of 6 destroyers and a floatplane carrier.

1. Reinforcement - the 16th Cruiser Squadron consisting of the light cruiser Nagara and heavy cruiser Ashigara. Both will be available for tasking this turn.

2. A patrol to the Centre Axis consisting of that 16th Cruiser Squadron and 6 destroyers

3. A medium sized invasion convoy to mount another attempt to take Ambon and avenge the Chitose convoy. 8 transports with a heavy escort of the aircraft carrier Ryojo, 2 heavy cruisers and 5 destroyers.

4. A medium sized invasion convoy to Balikpapan, Borneo, consisting of 8 transports escorted by 1 floatplane carrier, 1 light cruiser and 7 destroyers.

6. Allied Intelligence.

Photo recon! Repair status of all IJN ships at Cam Ranh Bay are revealed.

7. Allied Command Decisions.

A combination of losses, ships in repair and the requirement to provide convoy escorts has severely depleted the allied inventory. They receive 4 CD's and it is decided the emphasis will be on calling in reinforcements and transferring ships between commands. It is in this turn ABDA has been created allowing for the intermixing of ships from different nations. It takes a full turn for the reinforcements and transfers to take effect.

The Dutch fleet are the only force able to mount an effective sweep this turn so they will be the sole offensive unit.

The CD's are spent as follows:

CENGROUP (Dutch Navy)
Sweep mission - target WAF with the intention of disrupting the advance towards Singapore.

CENGROUP
Reinforcement - Jacob van Heemskerck (light cruiser) and Isaac Sweers (destroyer)

EASGROUP (US Navy) based in Tarakan, Borneo. 
No orders this turn. 

WESGROUP (Royal Navy) based in Singapore.
No orders this turn

DARWIN (RAN & RNZN)
Reinforcement - Destroyer Division 'A'. Consisting of 3 new 'N' class destroyers Napier, Nestor and Nizam.

DARWIN
Transfer - RNZN light cruisers Achilles and Leander to be transferred to the USN at Surabaya.

8. Japanese Intelligence.

Loose lips… Reveal any losses, or reinforcements received, this turn by the ABDA Theater Events and/or CDs (including ships transferred by Transfer CDs).

9. Engagements.

These are the planned movements for turn 3.

This section is split into 7 phases played through in order:

i  CG v CG
II CG v Surface
iii LBA v CG or Sweep
iv Patrol v Sweep
v  Sweep v Convoy
vi CG v Crippled/Disabled Group
vii LBA v Crippled/Disabled Group

i and ii will not apply in this turn as no carrier strikes ordered.

iii There is only one possibility and that is a Land Based Air strike on the Dutch force moving towards the Kota bound convoy. The weather is good with clear skies aiding the Japanese aircraft in spotting the Dutch warships.

A total of 6 fighter and 21 bomber flights have located the Dutch and will mount an attack.

The bombers will arrive in two waves. First, 17 Nell bombers followed by 4 Bettys. Only possessing 12 Nells I have had to substitute 5 Bettys to make up the numbers. The photo shows the first wave arrival.

The 3 Dutch cruisers form the central column with Java in the lead followed by the flagship De Ruyter and the Tromp. They are surrounded by 7 Admiralen class destroyers who will provide all the AA defence. The cruisers have little or no long range AA capability.

Dice rolls are made to determine how many aircraft attack the various targets. It broke down to 7 on the Java, 7 on De Ruyter and 3 on Tromp. All will be high level bombing runs with medium bombs.

The De Ruyter was the main target and its 2 escorting destroyers threw up long range AA fire failing to hit any of the bombers. All bombs however fell wide.

3 destroyers escorting the Java had more success shooting down one bomber. Again all bombs fell wide.

The 3 Nell bombers targeting Tromp survived AA fire and were rewarded with a direct hit on the Dutch cruiser. The lightly armoured Tromp suffered badly losing 3 of its 5 hull boxes.

The wave of 4 Betty bombers targeting De Ruyter was faced with the collective AA fire from 4 destroyers (the maximum allowed) and suffered accordingly with one shot down. The surviving bombers missed their target.

The crippled Tromp escorted by the destroyer Witte de With peels away to make the long trek to safety.

The rest of the fleet continue their journey hoping to intercept a Japanese convoy.

iv. In the next phase the Dutch CenGroup are the only allied forces attempting to intercept a convoy. First they must either avoid or defeat a Japanese patrol.

As they begin to move up the coast of the Malay peninsular the weather turns with a Force 7 near gale and overcast limiting visibility. During the night a Japanese patrol generates a contact test. Fortunately for the Dutch they successfully pass the Japanese force without being spotted. They now aim for the Kota convoy.

v. The weather greatly improves to force 2 with clear skies. Visibility is good giving the Dutch the best chance of spotting and intercepting the convoy.

Despite everything being in their favour, the Dutch fail to locate the convoy and will return to base empty-handed.

vi. There are not carrier group strikes planned so not applicable this turn.

vii. The final action of the turn is the WAF LBA attempt to locate and bomb the crippled Tromp. Success! 7 x Nell and 2 x Betty bombers escorted by 5 Zeros spot the slow moving Tromp and its single destroyer escort. 

The Japanese bombers attack in 2 waves with Tromp being the principle target. The first wave consists of 7 Nell bombers, 6 of which target Tromp and 1 Witte de With. No aircraft are hit by AA fire and all bombs fall wide.

Both Betty's target Tromp with one damaged by AA fire. The single bomber misses its target. The LBA actions merely demonstrates how difficult it was for high level bombers to hit their targets. It kept them out of range of the more numerous close range AA weapons but rendering their operations almost pointless. Although they did strike it lucky earlier with the hit on Tromp. 

This brings to an end a rather uneventful turn 3

A summary of movements in turn 3 highlighting additional objectives captured by the Japanese.

Japanese objectives summary. They have yet to complete tier 2 for the EAF unlike the WAF. Ominously for the allies, the Singapore index has increased to 4 meaning the Japanese land forces are now approaching Singapore. If they are not prevented from capturing Endau in the next Singapore will fall.

A tally of Victory Points at the end of turn 3. 

Allies: 101.25 - 11 (expended VP's for 'purchasing' reinforcements) + 2.5 this turn = 92.75

Japan: 66.25 - 10 (expended VP's for 'purchasing' reinforcements) +1.5 this turn = 57.75

The scene is set for a rather more interesting turn 4 with both sides benefitting from repaired ships and for the allies completed transfers. I will summarise the total ships available to each side in the next turn which will depend on any new reinforcements.