This scenario is dedicated to the Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought to halt the Japanese advance in the dark days of 1942.
Contents:
1.
Installation
2.
Historical Background
3.
Hints & Tactics
4.
Units
5.
Credits
6.
Sources
7.
Copyright Information & Contact Details
1.
Installation
This
scenario is for Civ 2 Fantastic worlds.
Simply
unzip the file into a subdirectory of your Civ 2 scenarios directory and you’re
ready to go. If you have any problems please let me know.
This
scenario has no sounds, so I recommend that you turn off your speakers
PLEASE DON’T LOOK AT THE EVENTS FILE – DOING SO WILL SPOIL THE SCENARIO
2.
Historical Background
This
is a hypothetical scenario. Following the Japanese victories at the Battle of the Coral Sea and
Midway the United States Pacific Fleet withdrew to the US west coast to lick
its wounds and rebuild. This exposed Australia to invasion from Japanese forces
based in Midway.
In
Reality:
During 1942 the Australian people and government greatly feared a Japanese
invasion. In particular, the Japanese air raids on Darwin and mini-submarine
raid on Sydney Harbour were widely seen as the precursors to an invasion.
However, these attacks were nothing but raids and the Japanese never had any
real intention of ever invading Australia. This was because the Japanese high
command believed (probably correctly) that Australia was simply too tough a nut
to crack, as that Japanese forces would struggle in the vast distances of
Australia against the fairly large, well equipped and motivated Australian
Army.
(By
the Way, John Curtin did actually make the statement from the introduction to
this scenario.)
However,
the Japanese did make a concerted effort to cut Australia off from the outside
world, and thereby prevent it from becoming a base for Allied counter-attacks.
The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought to stop a Japanese convoy reaching Port
Moresby from where the Japanese hoped
to set up bases to bomb Northern Australia. The American invasion of
Guadalcanal was launched to capture a base the Japanese were building to
operate against convoys to Australia. And had the Japanese won the Battle of
Midway, they intended to expand into the South Pacific and capture New
Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa in order to isolate Australia.
3. Hints and Tactics
· Preserve the units you can’t build (eg tanks, AIF, US Infantry, etc)
· Be aware that Japans air and naval forces are vastly superior to your own.
· Don’t be afraid of trading space for time – It’s how the Australian military planned to fight an invasion force.
· The Japanese get rewarded for success.
· Don’t waste your powerful forces. Save them for a major counter-attack.
4.
Units
This
section is designed to explain how the various units in the scenario were
historically used. Please see the Civlopedia for their stats
AIF: Australian Imperial Force. These well equipped and led troops saw extensive combat in North Africa, Syria and Greece before being recalled home (over Winston Churchill’s resistance) to fight the Japanese. Both in the deserts of Africa and the Jungles of Asia, the AIF proved to be one of the finest fighting forces of World War Two.
Infantry: Local forces, not as well equipped or experienced as the AIF, the local forces nevertheless fought well throughout the war.
Milita: The Australian ‘Home Guard’. These units were poorly equipped and made up of old men and young boys.
Matilda II: This tank made up most of the strength of the Australian 1st Armoured Division in 1942. Whilst obsolete in the European Theatre, this tank was better armoured then anything the Japanese possessed. Whilst the Matilda proved useful in supporting Australian troops in New Guinea and Borneo, it’s short range and slow speed would have caused major problems had it ever had to fight in Australia.
M-3 Honey: This light tank was used for scouting purposes. While lightly only armed and armoured, it was fast and very reliable. Strangely two very different tanks were given the designation M-3.
M-3 Grant: A fairly good, if ungainly medium tank. These tanks proved successful against the Germans in North Africa in 1942, and historically equipped the Australian 1st Armoured Division from 1943 onwards.
AC1 Sentinel: The Sentinel was, and remains the only tank designed and built in Australia. While under gunned, the Sentinel boasted excellent armour and was fairly fast. In reality only 60 of these tanks were completed, and none saw combat.
AC4 Thunderbolt: This tank was an upgraded AC1 armed with a 17 pounder AT gun. At the time of its construction it was the most formidable tank in the western armoury. By mounting a 17 pounder in a relatively small turret, the Thunderbolt directly inspired the famous British Sherman Firefly. In reality, the Thunderbolt never got past the prototype stage.
Matilda II CS: This version of the Matilda was armed with a three inch howitzer, and was used as a close support and ‘bunker busting’ tank by the Australians.
2 Pounder AT Gun: Like the Matilda, these guns were obsolete in the European Theatre. However, the ‘2 pounder’ had no problem destroying the lightly armoured Japanese tanks.
Bofors Battery: These 40 mm guns formed the backbone of Australia’s weak air defences
3.7 Inch Battery: Only a few of these were present in 1942, and they were deployed around high value targets such as armaments factories in Sydney and Melbourne.
Air Units
Spitfire: Due to their short range Spitfires proved a disappointment in the Pacific Theatre. However, when used for local defence of important targets they were fairly successful.
P-40 Kittyhawk: This aircraft made up the bulk of the RAAF’s fighter force throughout the war. Whilst well armed, these aircraft proved inferior to the Japanese Zero.
CAC Wirraway: The Australian version of the T-6 Texan. These trainer aircraft were used as stop-gap fighters by the RAAF following the Japanese attack. Whilst the Wirraway proved to be completely unsuited for this role, it was fairly successful as a close air support aircraft.
CAC Boomerang: This Australian fighter aircraft was developed from the Wirraway as an emergency measure in mid 1942. The Boomerang was a poor fighter aircraft as it lacked the range, speed and armament needed to defeat Japanese aircraft. However, the Boomerang was manuverable and proved to be a successful close air support aircraft.
CA-4 Woomera: The Woomera was an Australian designed and built strike and reconnaissance bomber. It was designed to carry a formidable armament of cannon, machine guns, bombs and torpedos. Interestingly, the Woomera mounted two remote controlled machine guns at the rear of each engine nacelle. In reality, only two Woomeras were ever built, as the RAAF’s order for 105 aircraft was cancelled when sufficient American and British aircraft were made available. In the scenario, there are two types of Woomera: the CA-4 Woomera is the ground attack version, and the Torpedo Woomera is the anti-shipping version.
Beaufort: Seven hundred of these British light bombers were produced under licence in Australia. Whilst they were too slow to be effective, they were better then nothing.
Hudson: These aircraft served in the RAAF as light bombers and patrol aircraft. Like the Beaufort, they were too slow and poorly armed to be truly effective against the Japanese.
Beaufighter: Originally conceived as a heavy fighter, these aircraft went on to become very successful low level attack aircraft. Historically, these aircraft began to be produced in Australia from late 1942 onwards.
PBY Catalina: These seaplanes were mainly used by the Australian Air Force for scouting and anti-submarine patrols. In addition, some were used in an offensive role, with the famous ‘Black Cats’ suppling guerrilla forces and conducting mine laying operations across South East Asia.
DHA-G2 Glider: One of the more far-fetched weapons designed for the defence of Australia. Had an invasion ever occurred, these gliders were intended to be mass produced and be used to swiftly move troops around Australia. In reality only 3 were ever built.
Naval Units
Kent Class: With their 8 Inch guns, these two heavy cruisers were the most powerful ships in the Royal Australian Navy. Historically, the HMAS Canberra was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island, while the HMAS Australia survived the war, despite being hit by numerous kamikazes off Lyete and Okinawa.
Leander Class: By mid 1942 the HMAS Hobart was the sole survivor of this class of light cruisers, with the Sydney and Perth being sunk in 1941 and 42 respectively
Destroyer: This unit represents the several types of British designed destroyers operated by the Royal Australian Navy.
Bathurst Class: Small, lightly armed corvettes. Over 50 were built for the Australian and Allied navies.
Merchant Cruiser: The Royal Australian Navy pressed two large freighters into service for escort duties in 1939. These ships were lightly armed and armoured and couldn’t stand up to a heavy warship.
Britain
Ground Units:
British Infantry: Veterans of the 8th Armies campaign in North Africa. These troops were well equipped and led.
M-4 Sherman: Despite their shortcomings against German armour, Shermans completely outclassed all the tanks Japan deployed. Historically, these tanks were never deployed to Australia, but if Japan had invaded Australia it seems reasonable that some would have been diverted from British forces in North Africa.
Ammo Shipment: Disband these in Australian cites for a modest boost in production.
Air Units
Wellington: Whist never actually deployed to Australia, had Australia been invaded it seems likely that the Australian government would have recalled the Australian airmen stationed in Britain, and it’s possible (though not likely) that Britain would have let them take ‘their’ bombers home.
Hurricane: Again, this aircraft was never actually stationed in Australia, but if an invasion occurred it seems likely that some would have been transferred from the Middle East.
Naval Units
King George V Class: Large, modern battleships. These ships were very well armoured, but were underarmed.
New Zealand
NZ 2nd Division: The New Zealand 2nd Division was at least as good as the AIF, which it served alongside in North Africa and Greece. Historically, the 2nd Division was never recalled to the Pacific, and instead fought with great distinction in Tunisia and Italy. During the course of the war the NZ 2nd Division took 200% casualties, the highest percentage of any Allied division.
United States
Ground Units
Infantry: Two American divisions were rushed to Australia in early 1942 before they were fully trained and equipped. As a result in 1942 they were inferior to the AIF. After they completed their training, these units fought very well.
US Marines: The 1st Marine Division (which historically fought at Guadalcanal) was probably the finest American unit in mid 1942. In this scenario, the majority of the Division is protecting Hawaii, but one brigade is based in Australia after being pulled out of Samoa.
Air Units
P-38 Lighting: This fast, well armed and long ranged aircraft was the first Allied aircraft superior to the Japanese Zero
B-17 Flying Fortress: This heavy bomber would have been deployed to Australia had a Japanese invasion taken place.
Naval Units
Note: In this scenario, most of the US Pacific fleet is protecting Hawaii and the US west coast, or is lying on the bottom of the ocean.
Gato Class: Large, long ranged submarines. Many of these submarines were based in Brisbane and Perth.
Northampton Class: These US Heavy Cruisers were large and well armed.
Japanese
Land Units
SNLF: Special Naval Landing Force. The Imperial Japanese Navy’s amphibious shock troops. Extremely well trained and disciplined these troops were highly successful in spearheading Japanese amphibious operations
Guards: The Imperial Guards Division was the elite of the Japanese Army. It served with distinction in the Malaya campaign.
Infantry: Standard Japanese infantry. The Japanese army was well disciplined (in combat), but poorly equipped and led in comparison to regular Australian and American units
Reserves: Second line Japanese infantry. Used for defensive purposes
Machine Gun: Dug in Japanese troops
Model 95: Japan’s main light tank. Like the Model 97, this tank was fast and well armed, but was crippled by its thin armour.
Model 97: Japan’s main medium tank. This tank was fairly well armed with a 50mm gun, but suffered from very thin armour.
Air Units
A6M Zero: In the hands of skilled pilots the famous Zero fighter was probably the finest fighter in the Pacific Theatre in 1942. However, despite its superb manuverability, the Zero suffered from inadequate armament and armour.
Ki-43 Oscar: The Japanese Army Air Force’s best fighter in 1942. This aircraft was similar in characteristics to the Zero, but suffered from a slower top speed and even more inadequate armament and armour.
G4M Betty: Japan’s main medium bomber. These aircraft carried a respectable bombload and had an excellent range, but due to their poor structural strength and defensive armament were easy prey for Allied fighters
Naval Units
Kongo Class: These old battleships were upgraded shortly before WW2. They were well armed, but lacked armour.
Mogami Class: Modern, well armed and armoured heavy cruisers. These ships were originally built as light cruisers, but were upgraded shortly before the start of the war.
Kagero Class: A basic Destroyer. This class was lightly armed in comparison to Allied destroyers.
CJ Type Sub: Japanese submarines were blessed with excellent range and a good armament, but were generally too large, and were crippled by a lack of air conditioning and poor tactics.
5. Credits
Except where otherwise mentioned, all unit, terrain and city graphics were made by Captain Nemo.
The following units were made by Darthveda: Paratroopers, Betty amd Oscar. Darthveda also made the Japanese fleet Icon
The following units were made by Jimmywax: SNLF, Raiders, Machine Gun, reserves, M3 Honey and M3 Grant. Jimmywax also converted the title page into Gif format for me.
The Leander Class Unit was created by The Anzac.
The Model 97 Unit was created by Andrew Livings
Tecumseh created the PBY Catalina.
I created the following units by extensively modifying units created by Captain Nemo: AC1 Sentinel, AC4 Thunderbolt, Matilda II CS, Beaufort, Woomera, Northampton Class and Bathurst Class
I created the following units by modifying units created by Allard HS: Wirraway, Boomerang, Hudson.
The Japanese burning city graphics were created by Hobbes.
The map used in this scenario was made by Jorrit Vermeiren, and is available on Mercator’s webpage.
Thanks to everyone who playtested this scenario.
If I’ve missed anyone please let me know
6. Sources
Web Pages
http://www.iol.net.au/~conway/ww2/index.html
A good background site.
http://st.net.au/~dunn/ A good, if somewhat eccentric background site. Not all of the information is reliable though. (For example, I really doubt that the Japanese built airbases in Western Australia! [these were probably secret airfields built by the RAAF/USAAF])
www.raafmuseum.com.au This excellent site lists and describes all the aircraft ever operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. To see the scale of Australia’s wartime air force compare the number of aircraft operated in the period 1935-60 with the number operated from 1960-2000. Amazingly, Australia had the worlds 4th largest air force at the end of WW2!
www.awm.gov.au The Australian War Memorial is Australia’s equivalent to the British Imperial War Museum and is visited by over one million people each year. This site has an excellent on-line photo database, and brief accounts of Australia’s military history.
Books:
Touched by Fire – Eric Bergand
Fire in the Sky – Eric Bergand
Armed and Ready – AT Long
John Curtin – David Day
Reluctant Nation – David Day
7.
Copyright information & contact details
As long as you credit me and the creators of the graphics, feel free to modify and distribute this scenario in any way you want.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please contact me via email at: nick_dowling@hotmail.com , or leave a message for me on the Apolyton or Civfanatics message boards.
Version History:
Beta Test: Sent to play testers August 2001
Version 1.0: Distributed October 2001