Empire of the Sun

Turn 2 January 1942 through April 1942

Japanese Objectives:

1. Capture Singapore and Kuantan causing the fall of Malaya.
2. Capture Manila and conquer the Philippines
3. Conquer the Dutch East Indies
4. Establish in the Solomons
5. China

The Japanese commander uses a level 3 operation to conduct an offensive in Malaya. The 15th Army moves to attack the 3rd Indian Corps in Kuantan. The 22nd Air Flotilla is assigned to support the 15th Army. The BB Kongo2 and CA Mogami move to attack the Commonwealth forces in Singapore. The Malaya HQ reacts and changes the intel to intercept. In the battle for Singapore, the Malaysia Air Force is completely spent with no damage to the Japanese ships. In Kuantan, the Japanese 22nd Air Flotilla inflicts heavy losses on the 3rd Indian Corps which then engages in the land battle with the 15th Army. The 3rd Corps is eliminated with no damage to the 15th Army. Kuantan falls to the Japanese. The Japanese naval forces return to port in Indo-China. General Terauchi receives a telegram from the high command.

The Allies conduct the Arcadia Conference. The ABDA HQ is set up in Celebes at the port in Kendari.

The Japanese Commander expends 3 Operations points to continue the battles in Malaya, Burma and the Philippines. In Malaya, Japanese naval units barrage the infantry corps, with little effect. The 15th Army goes ahead with its land attacks. The 8th Corps somehow manages to survive the attack and the 15th Army retires to Kuantan. The Naval units return to base in the Indo-China ports. In Burma, the Japanese 38th Army launches an attack against the 1st Burma Corps along the rail line. The American Volunteers and the Far East Air Force attempts an interception, but this has little effect. The 38th Army conducts its offensive and manages to eliminate all of the Commonwealth’s resistance. In the Philippines, the Japanese 5th Air Division opens an offensive against the American forces in Manila. This has no real effect.

The Allies decide to wait it out and pass.

The Japanese Commander redoubles the effort to capture Singapore and cause the fall of Malaya. The 15th Army makes another attempt with the support of the BB Kongo and its fleet and the 22nd Air Flotilla. The Commonwealth experiences an intel failure and the Japanese make a surprise attack. The naval and air battles manage to reduce the 8th Corps in Singapore. This time the 15th Army over[powers the Malayan HQ and the 8th Corps is wiped out. Singapore falls to the Japanese forces. In other action the Japanese 5th Air Division flies a number of missions against the American forces in Manila. The US Far East Air Force is destroyed.

The Allies again decide to discuss their options and take their second pass.

In the Philippines, the Japanese 14th Army launches a campaign against manila. The navy’s 1st SN brigade also joins in the attack. The CA Nachi and the 5th Air Division support the attack. The US HQ fails its intelligence work and the Japanese have another surprise attack. The US R Corps is reduced from the naval and air attacks. Then the 14th Army moves in with a series of attacks. The American R Corps is eliminated and MacArthur flees the Philippines.

The US commanders launch the Doolittle Raid to give pause to the aggressive Japanese Empire. The US Political Will subsequently rises to 9.

The Japanese make another bold move and the Combined Fleet HQ sets out to capture several strategic points. This activity is discovered via Allied intelligence, but there are no resources to react with. In Borneo, the Nachi and its escort covers the attack on Tarakan by the 19th Army. As a result, the Dutch 3rd regiment is eliminated and Tarakan falls to the Japanese. The 1st SN brigade on the eastern end of New Guinea, in Sarong with assistance from the Ryuho carrier group. The Japanese 16th Army heads for the eastern end of New Guinea and attempts a landing at Biak with the Zuiho carrier group. The US Asia DD’s take heavy losses and are forced to flee. The Japanese now have inroads into New Guinea.

The Allies receive news of a victory in Europe, which they need since things are not going all that well in the Pacific.

The Japanese launches the Ichi-Go Offensive in China and this results in the China track degrading to Unstable Front.

The Allies bank 3 operations points in their Future Operations Queue.

The Japanese Command uses 1 Operation point to launch an attack on Guadalcanal. This is a surprise attack and the South Seas naval brigade lands unopposed with the support of the CA Aoba and its escorts.

The US Central Pacific HQ expends 2 Operations points and conducts a strategic naval move from Oahu to Dutch Harbor. The CV Enterprise is the most notable ship involved in the move.

The Philippines surrenders to the Japanese forces. Both the Panay Division and the Samur/Leyte Divisions have surrendered. This drops the US Political Will back down to 8 Points. Additionally, Malaya formally surrenders to the Japanese South HQ. This also lowers the US National Will to 7 Points. The Japanese also have captured the Australian Mandates. [via Guadalcanal and Rabaul]. No political benefit for this but certainly there is a military profit.

Both the Dutch 1st and 2nd Regiments are lost to attrition, in Medan and Palembang [Sumatra]. In Australia [Townsville], the 2nd Corps is out of supply and is reduce by attrition along with the Australian Air Force.



Turn 3 May 1942 through August 1942

The Marine Special Forces Brigade is deployed at Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. The Marine Brigade is unloaded in Oahu. The US 11th Corps deploys in New Caledonia at Noumea. The Mississippi and its escorts are docked in Oahu at Pearl. The 1st Marine Air Wing is stationed at Espiritu Santo. The USAF 10th long range bomber group is deployed in Dacca, India. The 5th Air Force [both sections] are stationed at the airbase in Efate, with the CA North Hampton. The Southwest Pacific HQ is re-deployed to Townsville, Australia. The HMS Indomitable, Hermes and Warspite arrive at the Maldives Islands in the Indian Ocean. The SEAC Air Force is stationed at Calcutta. The ANZAC HQ is deployed at Port Moresby. A number of reinforcements are delayed, but due to the effective efforts in the war in Europe, none of the forces are diverted.

The Japanese 31st Army is deployed at the base on Saipan. The CV Junyo is based at the Japanese mainland at Shikoku. The 6th Air Fleet is based on the Admiralty Islands. The 26th Air Flotilla is stationed at the airbase on Truk.

The Chinese 66th Army is brought up to full strength by replacements. The Australian 2nd Corps and Air Force are both brought up to full strength with replacements. The Japanese forces in China are reduced by one [10] and the 17th Army is brought up to full strength. The Yamato and its escort force are brought up to full strength with the Japanese naval replacement. The Allies also gain one ASP, bringing the total to 2 ASP’s.

The Japanese now control 6 Resource areas. The Submarine warfare goes well for the Allies and they permanently reduce the Japanese Amphibious Shipping by one 6 ASP’s]. Additionally, the Japanese hand is reduced to 6.

Japanese Plans:

1. Complete the conquest of the Dutch East Indies
2. Complete the conquest of New Guinea
3. Complete the Conquest of Burma
4. Re-deploy.

Allied Plans:

1. Solidify a base of operations in New Guinea and New Caledonia
2. Retain control of the CBI

The Allies take the initiative by employing a future operation, to activate the SEAC HQ in Calcutta. The Chinese 66th Army and the 6th Army move from Kunming toward the border with Burma. The American Volunteer Group and the Far East Air Force launch a series of raids against the Japanese 38th Army, which is poised outside of Rangoon. The Japanese South HQ intercepts and moves the 22nd Air Division to Bangkok. The BB Kongo and the CA Mogami maneuver with their escorts to the coast of Burma. In the ensuing air and naval battles, the 22nd Air Division is reduced, but the AVG and FE air units both take heavy losses and are reduced. However, the Allies achieved a critical hit and the Kongo takes substantial damage. The Japanese ships return to their base in Indo-China, and the 22nd Air Division re-bases to Singapore.

The Japanese Commander of the South HQ expends 2 Operations Points to conduct operations in Sumatra. The Japanese 25th Army attempts an amphibious landing at Medan with support from the BB Kongo and CA Mogami. The Allied forces fail their intelligence and the 25th lands without incident, capturing Medan. The Japanese fleets move to the port on Borneo [Miri].

The Allies use the China Airlift and change the Burma Road Status as the Allies begin flying the Hump. Also, the American Volunteer Group receives replacements and returns to its full strength side.

The Japanese South HQ expends 2 Operations Points and makes amphibious landings in Java and Borneo. The ADBA HQ changes the intel to intercept. The BB Kongo supports the 25th Army which captured Palembang without incident. The CA Nachi supports the 19th Army’s assault on Balikpapan. The second attack fails to dislodge the Dutch and the 19th Army returns to Tarakan. The Kongo returns to Singapore.

The SEAC HQ begins operation Tarzan. The Indian 1st Corps advances along the railroad into positions in the southern jungle of Burma. The Chinese 66th Army moves into Lashio. The US 10th Air Force and the AVG fighter group perform a series of sir attacks against the Japanese 38th Army in Burma. The Japanese South HQ changes the intel to intercept. The Air Strike have little effect.

The Japanese South HQ expends 3 Operations Points to attack the Dutch position at Tjilatjap. Japanese cruisers and a battleship join the 22nd Air Flotilla in the naval attack. The Allies fail their attempt to change the intelligence. The Dutch Air Force and the cruisers are both heavily damaged. The Japanese ships return to port in Singapore.

The Central Pacific HQ expends 3 Operations Points and moves the Marine Brigade to Dutch Harbor. The Americans launch a naval attack against the Japanese at Guadalcanal. The Hampton is joined by the 1st Marine Air Wing and the 5th Air Force. The Japanese fail to change the intel. The Japanese CA Aoba is heavily damaged while the US forces return to their bases in the New Hebrides.

The Japanese conduct further operations in Burma. Colonel Tsugi Unit 82 is used. The Japanese 38th Army launches an attack against Rangoon, which is defended by the Indian Burma Division. (the 28th advances through Siam. The Japanese maintain surprise and completely eliminate the Indian division. Rangoon falls to the 38th Army. The American Volunteers Group uses emergency movement to the airbase at Akyab.

The Allies invest a 3 Operation into the Future Operations Queue.

The Japanese Army deploys the Tainan Air unit on Palau.

The Allies receive good news of a minor victory in Europe. The War in Europe is advanced to the +2 space. No units will be diverted.

The Axis counters by gaining a minor victory in Europe, which pushes the War in Europe marker back to the 0 box.

The Allies Southwestern Pacific HQ expends 3 Operations points to launch another series of air raids against the Japanese forces at Guadalcanal. The USAF 5th Air Force and the Marines join in the attacks. The South Seas HQ manages to change the intel to intercept, but there is no reaction movement. As a result, the CA Aoba and its escort are permanently knocked out of action.

Both sides use their passes.



Turn 4 September 1942-December 1942

The Allies receive reinforcements. The USS North Caroline and its escorts are deployed in New Caledonia with the CV Wasp. The US Army 1st Infantry Corps is deployed in Gili Gili. The US 14th Corps is deployed in New Caledonia. The 13th Air Force is based in the New Hebrides as well. The US 11th Air Force is placed in Dutch Harbor. The US 1st Marine Division is stationed in Australia [Cairns]. The Australian 3rd Corps is placed at Port Moresby. The 3rd New Zealand Division is stationed in New Caledonia. The British 15th Corps is sent to Dacca and the 33rd Corps is deployed to Imphal. None of the delayed reinforcements are sent to Europe. The Allies receive an additional amphibious shipping point raising their capacity to 3 ASP’s.

The Japanese also receive reinforcements. The 37th Army is deployed in Tarakan in Borneo. The 27th Air Flotilla is stationed in Singapore.

The Allies receive replacements. The US 1st Corps in Gili Gili returns to full-strength. The 14th Corps in New Caledonia also returns to full-strength. The Japanese retrieve replacements from China to bring the 37rth Army up to full strength.

The Allied submarine warfare does not produce any significant results. The Japanese now control 10 Resource Areas. Their cards are 7 this time.

The Japanese maintain the initiative. The objective remain the same.

1. Complete the conquest of the Dutch East Indies
2. Complete the conquest of New Guinea
3. Complete the Conquest of Burma
4. Re-deploy.

The South HQ expends 2 Operations Points to open a naval attack against the Dutch forces at Tjilatjap. This series of attacks are led by the CA’s Mogami and Nachi as well as the 22nd Air Flotilla. The ABDA HQ changes the intel to intercept. Although the battle doesn’t go flawlessly for the Japanese, the Dutch CA goes to the bottom. The Japanese naval force return to Singapore.

The Southwest Pacific HQ uses an Invasion to attack Guadalcanal. The naval force is led by the BB North Caroline, CA Hampton and the CV Wasp. Additionally, the 5th Air Force provides air support, and the US Marines and 11th Corps is assigned as the invasion force. The Japanese South Seas HQ intercepts and the navy and air units react. The Tenyru and Kamikaze and the 24th and 26th Air Flotilla join the battle. Also the army’s 6 Air Division flies its mission. The Kamikaze and its entourage take heavy losses. Both the North Carolina and the Hampton take heavy losses. The Japanese submarines also make an appearance, but these have no effect. Then the Special Forces Marines and the US 11th Army Corps make an amphibious attack against the South Seas naval ground brigade. The Japanese SS brigade is eliminated after inflicting heavy losses on the US Marines. Nevertheless, Guadalcanal falls back to American control. The US naval units return to New Caledonia, while the Japanese ships return to ports in the Central Pacific.

The Japanese Combined Fleet HQ expended 3 Operations points to conduct a strategic redeployment. The BB Yamato and the carriers Soryu and Akagi re-based from Japan to Rabaul. The 1st Air Division also transferred to Rabaul along with the 27th Army. The 16th Army in New Guinea moved to Bougainville.

In the CBI the SEAC HQ expends 2 Operations to perform an operation in Burma. The British 33rd Corps advances along the railroad from Imphal into the jungle north of Rangoon. The Chinese 66th Army is moved into the jungle along Burma’s border with French Indo-China. The Chinese 6th Army also moves into the same position.

The Japanese play 2 Operations into their Future Operations Queue.

The Allies receive news of a minor victory in Europe. The War in Europe track moves to the +1 Box.

The Japanese South HQ expends 2 Operations points to move the 27th Army to the right flank of the 38th Army in Rangoon. Meanwhile, the 25th Army captures Bangka in Sumatra, unopposed.

The US Southwest HQ expends 2 Operations Points. The Special Forces Marines use strategic movement to return to the New Hebrides. The 5th Air Force re-deploys to Guadalcanal.

The Japanese South HQ expends 2 Operations points to assault the Dutch at Balikpapan, in Borneo. The 37th Army assaults with the support of the BB Kongo. The CA Mogami and its escort move to Tjilatjap to take out the Dutch Air Force. The ABDA HQ changes the Intel to intercept. There is no Allied reaction and the Dutch 5th Regiment is eliminated as the 37th Army captured the port. The Japanese ships return to French Indo-China. At Tjilatjap, the Japanese navy eliminates the remnant of the Allied air force and then returns to Singapore.

The South Pacific HQ expends 3 Operations Points to move the US 13th Air Force to Gili Gili. There are no battles.

The South HQ expends 2 Operations Points to attack Tjilatjap. The CA Mogami and Nachi move in along with the 15th Army. The Allies are unable to change the Intel. In a remarkable defense, the Dutch Java Corps manages to drive the 15th Army back. After taking losses, the army returns to the mainland and the ships return to Singapore.

The Central Pacific HQ uses 2 Operations Points to move the carrier Enterprise to Oahu. No other actions are performed.

The South Seas HQ expends 1 Operations Point to capture the resource area in Western New Guinea. The BB Nagato and the CVL Junyo re-deploy to Saipan.

The Allies expend 2 Operations to move the carriers Lexington and Enterprise from Pearl to the base at Funafuti.



Turn 5 January 1943 through April 1943

The Royal Navy receives the CA group London in the Maldives, while the BB Washington joins USN forces in Noumea. The 14th Air Force LR bomber group is deployed in China. The 4th Indian Division is deployed at Dacca. The 2nd Marine Division is placed at Guadalcanal and the 2nd Marine Air unit is placed at Espiritu Santo. The BB Massachusetts is placed at Pearl Harbor. The CVL San Jacinto is also deployed at Pearl. The US 24th Corps is placed in Hawaii. The SEAC LR bomber group is stationed at Calcutta.

The Japanese 33rd Army is deployed at Bangkok. The 28th Air Division is stationed at Leyte. The 8th Air Flotilla is placed at Manila. The Allies also receive replacements for the Chinese army.

The Strategic warfare submarine activity causes the Japanese to lose a card and drop their ASP down to 5 Points. The Allies receive 7 Cards and the Japanese 5. The Allies increase to 4 ASP’s.

The Allies decide to focus initially on the Solomon Islands to collect their Progress of War requisites. The target are is Bougainville, which is held by the Japanese 16th Army. The Japanese use a reaction card to change the intel to intercept. A large naval battle ensues. The Allies have 69 factors versus the Japanese 60 factors. [Allies inflict 35 casualties and the Japanese inflict 30] . The BB Washington and the CV Wasp are severely damaged. The Japanese CV’s Akagi and Soryu and the 1st Air Division are also damaged. The US Naval forces win the battle. The US 2nd Marine division takes a step loss while eliminating the Japanese 16th Army.

The Japanese commanders use a 2 Operation card to move a fleet into Saipan and the 4th Air Division to Iwo Jima and the 3rd Air Division to Marcus. Two ASP’s are used to move an army to Iwo Jima.

The US uses the Heroic Repairs event to bring the Wasp and the Washington back to full strength.

The Japanese commanders decide to use one of their passes.

The commanders at South West HQ use 2 Operations points to invade Woodlark in the Solomons. The BB’s Washington and North Carolina are supported by the 5th Air Force. The 1st Marine Division uses an ASP. The Intel is surprise and the landing is virtually unopposed. The 1st Marine Division captures the airbase.

The Japanese commanders keep the Allies guessing by taking another pass. A naval engagement is sought at the Japanese stronghold in Rabaul. The Navy manages to get 102 Combat factors in the battle. The South Seas HQ intercepts and sends a fleet with battleships and the 6th Air Division and 24th Air Flotilla to the battle. The Japanese have 98 combat factors. The CV’s Akagi and Soryu go to the bottom and the rest of the Japanese navy and air forces take heavy losses. The US CA North Hampton is sunk and the CV’s Lexington and Enterprise are damaged with the BB North Carolina. The Japanese definitely lost that battle.

The Japanese side uses a War In Europe event to drop the WiE box to 0, Level 1.

The US South West HQ uses 2 Operations to invade Baka in the Solomons. The US 1st Marine uses an ASP and the BB Washington and CV Enterprise are supported by the 5th Air Force. The Japanese South Seas HQ changes the Intel to intercept. The navy is still licking its wounds and no reaction force is sent. Baka and its air field are subsequently captured by the US Marines.

Due to an India Workers strike, the India Box is moved to unrest.

The US South West HQ uses Operation King II to launch an air attack against the Japanese forces in Rabaul and to invade the Isle of New Georgia. The Japanese South Seas HQ changes the Intel to intercept. The Naval battle is 42 Allies, 18 Japan. As a result, the 24th Air Flotilla, the APD Kamikaze and the BB Yamato are eliminated. The US 13th Air Force group is reduced. Meanwhile, the 1st Marines capture the Island of New Georgia, which meets the Progress of War requirement.

The Japanese uses the Gandhi Independence Campaign to move the India status to Unrest.

The SEAC HQ in Calcutta uses 2 Operations to launch an attack against Rangoon. The British 33rd Corps and the Indian 1st Division are supported by the SEAC Air Group and the US AVG and 10th Air Force. Rangoon is defended by the Japanese 38th Army. The SEAC maintains surprise. The Allied air units manage to inflict a loss on the 38th Army. Then in the ground combat, the Commonwealth forces eliminate all resistance and the 38th Army is destroyed. Rangoon is captured by the British. The SEAC Air unit moves to Rangoon and the US 10th Air Force to Akyab.

Both sides then play to their future operations.

The India Status is in its first turn of unrest. There are no other effects during the National Status or Political Will Segments. India will exit the war at the end of August, so the Commonwealth needs to come up with a plan to save the CBI theater.



Turn 6 May 1943 through August 1943

The Allies receive a number of reinforcements. The US 3rd Marine Division is deployed in Bougainville. The two CVL’s, Cowpens and Belleau Woods are place in port in the New Hebrides. The CV’s Essex and Bunker Hill are placed in the port at New Caledonia. The CVE Sangamon is delayed.

The Japanese 9th Air Division is deployed in Palembang, and the 51st Air Flotilla is stationed in Japan. The 50th Air Flotilla is placed in Biak, New Guinea.

The US 2nd Marine Division receives replacements in the Solomons. The US 13th Air Force also takes replacements. The BB Washington and CV Lexington both receive replacements. The Allies receive an additional ASP bring their cap up to 5 ASP’s.

Japan has 12 resource hexes. Due to successful submarine warfare, the Japanese ASP cap is reduced to 4 ASP’s. They also lose a card this time.

The Japanese side uses the FO to take the first turn. As a result of the War in Europe event, the WiE is reduced to –1.

The US replaces Ghormley with Halsey, at the South Pacific HQ in New Caledonia.

The Japanese command uses a pass.

The Allies use a Minor Victory in the War in Europe to move the track back to the +0 box. This is still level one.

The Japanese command uses its second pass.

The Allies plan a 3 Operation offensive which is canceled by a Weather reaction card.

The Japanese South HQ in Saigon uses a level 3 Operation to capture the resource area on Java. A ground operation is also launched against Teloekbetoeng with its valuable port and airbase. The Japanese 25th Army easily captures the port and airbase on the southern end of Sumatra. The 15th Army lands unopposed in Java.

The US South Pacific HQ expends 2 Operations to attack Rabaul. The Japanese fail to change the intel. The Japanese 27th Army is eliminated in the battle. Both of the US marine units take step losses, but Rabaul falls to the Americans.

The Japanese South HQ expends 2 Operations points to move the 9th Air Division to Soerabaja, the 22nd Air Flotilla to the base on the southern tip of Sumatra, and the 8th Air Division to Daveo.

The SEAC HQ in the CBI uses 3 Operations points to attack the Japanese 28th Army in Burma as well as to move units out of the increasingly unstable India. The British 15th Army moves into Akyab. The SEAC LRB unit moves to Mandalay. The British 33rd Corps and the Indian 1st Division attack the Japanese army to the south. The Japanese South HQ uses an intercept card to alter the Intel. Soon, a Japanese fleet appears off the shores of Burma. The Allies have 14 factors in the naval battle while the Japanese have 39. In the ensuing battle, the Kongo is sunk. This is not without cost to SEAC as both air units are reduced. In the ground battle, the Commonwealth brings 32 factors against the Japanese 9 combat factors. The 28th Army is subsequently eliminated with little effect on the Commonwealth troops. The area falls to the Allies.

South HQ expends 3 Operations points to attack Java. The Allies fail to change the intel and the Japanese 25th Army lands unopposed and captures Batavia with its port and airbase.

The South West Pacific HQ uses 2 Operations points to continue the conquest of the Solomons. The Marines make landings while the Japanese fail to react. Three locations are captured.

The Central Pacific HQ uses a Raid event card to reduce the Japanese 3rd Air Division on Marcus Isle. Then the Allies play to the Future Operations queue.

India Surrenders. The US Political Will Drops to +5. The Australian Mandates revert back to the Allied Control. As a result, the Japanese 6th Air Division uses an emergency air move to the base on Truk. The SEAC HQ is relocated to Ceylon. The Dutch Java Division in Tjilatjap is reduced due to attrition.