Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 6, 1st - 15th March, 1942

 

The start of turn 6 with just a handful of objectives remaining for the Japanese.

The Java targets will be critical and being large convoys will need a good deal of escorts. The Japanese of course must still capture Timor and Bali.

Continued -

The current strength of both sides:

JAPANESE

WAF

Floatplane Carriers x 3
Heavy Cruisers x 3
Light Cruisers x 1
Destroyers x 8
LBA - 8 x fighters, 23 x bombers 

EAF

Aircraft Carriers x 1
Floatplane Carriers x 1
Heavy Cruisers x 3
Destroyers x 11
LBA - 17 x fighters, 28 x bombers

ALLIED

ROYAL NAVY
Destroyers x 4 

DUTCH NAVY
Light Cruiser x 1 
Destroyers x 4

US NAVY
Light Cruiser x 1
Destroyers x 8

ANZAC 
Light Cruiser x 1
Destroyer x 1 

The following sequence of play is as detailed in the scenario book:

1. General Intelligence.

Admiral Hart is replaced by Dutch Admiral Conrad Helfrich in command of ABDAFLOAT. On Luzon, Japanese troops continue their assault on the Bataan peninsula. Rangoon falls on 7 March 1942.

2. Japanese Theatre Events.

Admiral Yamamoto intervenes! Add two to the total number of CDs available; may be allocated to either Attack Force.

3. Allied Theatre Events.

Submarine attack! Allied submarine attacks random IJN mission. Roll a D12: 1-6 Dutch submarine • 7-11 U.S. “fleet boat” submarine • 12 U.S. “S-boat” submarine. 

4. Weather Forecast.

Dice rolls were made to determine any adjustments to the weather during the engagements phase. For the WAF +3 and the EAF +1 to be added to weather dice rolls increasing chance of rough weather. 

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 allows for one action. 2 further CD's may be added (see '2' above)

WAF

1. A large invasion convoy to Batavia, Java. 12 transports escorted by 2 floatplane carriers, 2 cruisers and 4 destroyers under the command of rear Admiral Hashimoto.

2. A Patrol group consisting of 2 cruisers and 4 destroyers under the command of Vice Admiral Ozawa.

Consideration had been given to using all available warships to escort the convoy but the convoy would be at risk of being caught at anchor. Conversely the risk of depleting the force to mount a patrol being that the patrol fails to intercept any sweep. The latter route was decided with the calculation that should the worst happen the escorting force should be sufficient to defeat any allied force.

EAF

1. A large invasion convoy in the centre to Surabaya, Java. 12 transports escorted by 1 floatplane carrier, 2 cruisers and 6 destroyers under the command of Vice Admiral Takahashi.

2. A very small invasion convoy on the central axis to Bali. 1 transport escorted by 1 destroyer.

3.  A very small invasion convoy on the eastern axis to Dili, Timor. 1 transport escorted by 1 destroyer.

4. Carrier Group strike by the Ryojo on one of the allied sweeps escorted by 1 destroyer.

5. A Patrol by the Distant Cover Group newly transferred from the WAF. Consisting of 1 cruiser and 2 destroyers under the command of Vice Admiral Kondo.

The same reason for mounting a patrol as with the WAF.

6. Allied Intelligence.

PatWing 10 reports contact! ABDA receives a Report on a randomly determined IJN Patrol/Convoy mission, and may add or deduct 2 from Sweep intercept rolls increasing possibility of intercept. Surabaya bound convoy contacted.

7. Allied Command Decisions.

3 CD's are allocated but only 2 will be required. 

The sole Dutch cruiser, Heemskerk, has been repaired allowing for a sweep to be made by the CenGroup. Heemskerk is escorted by 4 Dutch destroyers, 3 RN destroyers and the RAN destroyer Vampire.

EASGROUP (US Navy) will sortie a sweep targeting the EAF centre axis, consisting of 2 light cruisers (1 of which is RNZN whose speed is slightly reduced due to unrepaired hull damage) and 8 Clemson class destroyers.

8. Japanese Intelligence.

11th Air Fleet reports contact! A Japanese reconnaissance plane spots and shadows one ABDA Sweep. Add or deduct 2 to any one IJN roll for CG, LBA or Patrol forces contacting/detecting this ABDA Sweep mission. EasGp spotted.

9. Engagements.

Planned ship movements.

Engagement phases:

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. N/A

ii. Ryojo plans an air strike on EasGp but unfortunately for the Japanese a gale is whipped up leaving their aircraft in the hangar.

iii. The Western Attack Force LBA failed to locate the Dutch CenGroup through the significant cloud cover. The EAF LBA successfully made contact with the US EasGroup and will be the sole Air to Surface attack for this phase.

Map updated with air movements.

3 waves of Japanese bombers attack the US group on level medium bomb runs. The first wave consists of 5 flights of Nell bombers targeting HMNZS Leander. AA fire fails to register any hits and no bombs strike their target.

7 Betty bombers in the second wave attack USS Boise. AA fire damages 1 who peals away leaving the remaining 6 to complete the bombing run. 3 out of the 6 successfully straddle Boise which could spell disaster for the ship. It was exceptionally lucky with only one registering a 'near miss' causing minor hull damage.

The 3rd and final wave saw 4 more flights of Bettys targeting Boise. One was shot down with the surviving 3 failing to inflict any damage.

Surface actions will be covered in the following posts.