AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:28 am

5/9-5/10/43

SUBS

SS I-137 is sunk by an Allied ASW TF near Tarawa.

SS I-31 is sunk by an ASW TF off Makin.

CENTPAC

Abemama builds both a level 1 port and a level 1 AF.

Tabiteuea completes a level 5 AF.

The P4Y-1 Liberators at Tabiteuea have now caused 68% damage on the Japanese AF at Maloelap. Three squadrons of B-24D1s are staged into Tabiteuea to assist in neutralization of Maloelap.

The Japanese bases at Tarawa and Makin are smoking ruins after repeated naval bombardments. Im standing down the bombardment TFs this turn as the AEs/AKEs at Tabiteuea are low on supplies.

With Maloelap, Makin and Tarawa neutralized....Im reloading Marines at Noumea on APAs for an assault on Makin.

CVE Chenango is disbanded in port at Tabiteuea withb several ARs to begin repair of her torpedo damage.

II AUSTRALIAN CORPS

Merauke is captured in a shock attack this turn:

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3046 troops, 42 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Defending force 797 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Allied adjusted assault: 74

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 24 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Merauke !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 4th SNLF /2
11th JAAF AF Bn /1
36th Const Co /1

The SLOC are completely open now between eastern Australia and Darwin.

II Australian Corps can now start the buildup for its initial advance into the Banda Sea this summer.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:02 am

5/11-5/12/43

SUBS

SS Snook sinks xAK Nisso Maru off Toyohara.

SS Tunny sinks xAKL Awagi Maru near Nagasaki.

SS Tunny sinks SC CHa-48 near Nagasaki.

CENTPAC

Abemama AF is enlarged to level 2 and a squadron of SBD-3s is staged in.

P4Y-1 Liberators and B-24D1s pound the Japanese AF at Maloelap and the level 4 AF is now 78% damaged with no more AC present. I will hit Maloelap one more time next turn and then I will switch targets to the lone remaining Japanese level 4 AF at Roi-Namur.

Allied bombardment TFs at Tabiteuea stand down and refuel as Makin and Tarawa both have 100% AF and port damage.

Tabiteuea now has 3 F4U-1 squadrons on CAP. The 8 USN CVEs help CAP Tabiteuea and refuel. The 7 USN CVs and the RN CV retire 5 hexes to the SW of Tabiteuea to refuel and back off from the IJN subs for a bit.

Elements of the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions load at Noumea for the Makin assault and shove off. The 2nd wave of seabees and BFs for Makin begins to load at Noumea.

CBI

Quiet in Burma. Dave continue his 2 pronged advance on Kukong. A 2 division IJA force assaults Chinese troops just outside of Wuchow:

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26079 troops, 287 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 917

Defending force 14276 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 483

Japanese adjusted assault: 559

Allied adjusted defense: 640

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1424 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 156 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1091 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled

Assaulting units:
104th Division
51st Division
6th Tank Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Infantry Rgt /6

Defending units:
49th Chinese/B Corps
60th Chinese/C Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese/C Corps
12th Group Army
16th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

Chinese reinforcements are on the way but as always its a matter of timing. Tenth Air Force heavy bombers will target the IJA troops here next turn.

To the east of Kukong.....800 IJA AFVs and friends bombard a Chinese defensive position outside of Kanhsien only to find 2 waiting Allied AT regiments:

Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3953 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 514

Defending force 19495 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 532

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Recon Battalion
1st Tank/A Division
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank/B Division
1st Tank/C Division

Defending units:
71st Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
93rd Chinese Division
14th Chinese/C Corps
31st Chinese/A Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
NCAC
2/215th Bty 80th AT Rgt /1

Chinese troops and a British horse regiment overrun a Japanese roadblock outside of Kunming:

Ground combat at 71,48 (near Kunming)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7766 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 437

Defending force 1020 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Allied adjusted assault: 384

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 96 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
607 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Gardner's Horse Regiment
200th Chinese Division
7th New Chinese/A Corps
7th New Chinese/C Corps

Defending units:
41st Guard Battalion

SEAC armor is beginning to arrive at Tuyun and will soon make its presence felt.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 12:07 pm

5/13-5/14/43

SUBS

SS Scamp sinks xAK Yamayuri Maru off Toyohara.

CBI

Quiet in Burma but lots of action in China.

First Dave assaults Chinese troops between Nanning and Liuchow on China's extreme right flank:

Ground combat at 73,55 (near Liuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47307 troops, 457 guns, 312 vehicles, Assault Value = 1745

Defending force 24307 troops, 117 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 974

Japanese adjusted assault: 919

Allied adjusted defense: 1125

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5725 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 509 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 58 disabled
Guns lost 47 (1 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2319 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 105 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Assaulting units:
12th Division
18th Division
8th Division
38th Division
10th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
60th Chinese/B Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
14th Chinese/B Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
54th Chinese/A Corps
54th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army
27th Group Army

Dave has quickly brought up 3 divisions and a tank regiment as reinforcements here but is thrown back with heavy losses. Chinese reinforcements lie on the opposite side of the river in Liuchow so future Chinese reinforcement here will be problematic.

Dave continue his 2 pronged advance on Kukong.

From the west....the Japanese attack outside Wuchow is repulsed with heavy losses:

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25248 troops, 290 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 819

Defending force 13522 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 396

Japanese adjusted assault: 433

Allied adjusted defense: 901

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1564 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 125 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled

Allied ground losses:
529 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
51st Division
104th Division
6th Tank Regiment
20th RGC/B Division
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Infantry Rgt /6

Defending units:
49th Chinese/B Corps
60th Chinese/C Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese/C Corps
16th Group Army
12th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

Tenth Air Force heavy bombers hit the Japanese assault troops here. Chinese reinforcements should arrive in time.

From the east.....Japan probes outside of Kanhsien but by the end of the turn Japanese troops are reinforced with 2 additional divisions:

Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4021 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1495

Defending force 19803 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 551

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th Division
1st Tank/B Division
34th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank/A Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Tank/C Division

Defending units:
14th Chinese/C Corps
93rd Chinese Division
71st Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
31st Chinese/A Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
NCAC
2/215th Bty 80th AT Rgt /1

Im doubtful that Chinese reinforcements will arrive here in time next turn.

CENTPAC

P4Y-1 Liberators and B-24D1s hammer the level 4 Japanese AF at Maloelap and it is now out of business with over 90% damage. Next turn the 4Es will switch targets to hit the last remaining Japanese level 4 AF in the Marshalls at Roi-Namur.

Admiral Hill's amphibious TF with elements of 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions continues to sail from Noumea to Makin.

The new CENTPAC operational plan for the Gilberts calls for Allied naval bombardment TFs to hit the level 3 Japanese AF at Mili on D-Day at Makin while additional bombardment TFs work over both Makin and Tarawa. Until the AKs upgrade into AKAs in June 1943 I am really limited in initial lift for amphibious assaults. Ideally Id like to assault Tarawa right after taking Makin but will have to send APAs and AKs back to Noumea to grab the Tarawa assault troops.

SIGINT

I got 2 separate reports last turn of elements of the IJA 4th Division being loaded on xAKs heading to Truk. I dont see these troops heading to Manus but possibly they could eventually reinforce the Marshalls.

SOPAC

Kavieng has been enlarged to a level 5 AF while Rabaul now sports both a level 6 AF and port. Reinforcments and supplies continue to pour into Rabaul.

Rabaul will not be considered a "safe" anchorage until the remaining Japanese bases in the Admiralties and Bismarcks are taken at both Manus and Mussau Is.

About 750 AV of XIV US Corps closes in on the 28,000 stragglers from the former Japanese garrison of Rabaul. These isolated IJA troops are out of supply and have been bombed around the clock by the tactical, medium and heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force for over a week. A deliberate assault will be ordered for next turn.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:17 am

5/15-5/16/43

SUBS

SS Tinosa sinks xAP Palau Maru near Eniwetok.

CENTPAC

USN Bombardment TF with BBs hits Tarawa.

The P4Y-1 Liberators and the B-24D1s at Tabiteuea switch targets over to the level 4 Japanese AF at Roi-Namur and inflict 20% damage.

Maloelap remains with 100% AF damage.

Admiral Hill's amphib TF continues to sail across the south Pacific towards Makin and will refuel at sea this turn.

SOPAC

After a couple weeks of non-stop aerial bombardments by Fifth Air Force XIV Corps assaults the isolated 28,000 remnants of the former garrison at Rabaul:

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19752 troops, 334 guns, 365 vehicles, Assault Value = 697

Defending force 12708 troops, 123 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 225

Allied adjusted assault: 453

Japanese adjusted defense: 115

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
901 casualties reported
Squads: 48 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (11 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
65th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
63rd Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
86th Naval Guard Unit
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
16th AA Regiment
4th Air Div /1
55th Field AA Battalion
15th Base Force
5th Base Force /3
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
6th JNAF Coy
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
1st Fleet
35th Fld AA Bn /2

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19537 troops, 334 guns, 365 vehicles, Assault Value = 664

Defending force 11416 troops, 111 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 174

Allied adjusted assault: 438

Japanese adjusted defense: 40

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1005 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (14 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
46th Naval Guard Unit
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
1st Fleet
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
16th AA Regiment
5th Base Force /3
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
86th Naval Guard Unit
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
4th Air Div /1
15th Base Force
Maizuru 1st SNLF
6th JNAF Coy
65th Naval Guard Unit
55th Field AA Battalion
35th Fld AA Bn /2

The 28,000 IJA troops are out of supply and hope here but it will take awhile to finish them off in the unfavorable terrain.

CBI

Japan can only muster a 1:6 attack on their western drive into Kukong:

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24052 troops, 287 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 731

Defending force 28824 troops, 246 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 985

Japanese adjusted assault: 351

Allied adjusted defense: 2230

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
905 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 75 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 58 (7 destroyed, 51 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
815 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Tank Regiment
51st Division
104th Division
20th RGC/B Division
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Infantry Rgt /6

Defending units:
60th Chinese/C Corps
14th Chinese/A Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
59th Chinese/A Corps
64th Chinese/B Corps
49th Chinese/B Corps
52nd Chinese/C Corps
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
12th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
109th Tank Attack Rgt /1

Despite 3:1 odds Japan merely bombards with their eastern drive on Kukong just outside of Kanhsien:

Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4075 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1500

Defending force 19934 troops, 142 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 562

Assaulting units:
34th Division
1st Tank/B Division
2nd Recon Battalion
37th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank/A Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Tank/C Division

Defending units:
49th Chinese/C Corps
93rd Chinese Division
14th Chinese/C Corps
71st Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese/A Corps
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment
2/215th Bty 80th AT Rgt /1

Ive attached a screenshot of China. Dave has an armor regiment that has driven around our flank and it will overrun our Kanhsien garrison next turn. I have over 1000 AV just to the west of Kanhsien and hopefully at least one Chinese corps will shock attack across the river into Kanhsien next turn. With over 3:1 odds Dave will assault us just to the east of Kanhsien in the main Japanese offensive thrust.

Meanwhile up north....5500 AV of Chinese troops invests Sinyang while another 2300 AV of Chinese troops moves on Loyang and another 1000 AV of Chinese troops closes in on Tsiaotso.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 1:37 pm

5/17-5/18/43

SUBS AND MINEFIELDS

SS Silversides sinks TK Kozui Maru near Culion.

The newly laid minefeld on the river entry hex to Palembang takes a heavy toll on Japanese shipping:

TF 9 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
TK Yamamiya Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Santos Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
PB Keiko Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Sata, Mine hits 1

TF 34 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
PB Shinko Maru
PB Yamadori Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire

2 mines cleared

CBI

Lots of action in China.

Japanese armor captures Kanhsien before Chinese reinforcements can arrive:

Ground combat at Kanhsien (81,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 760 troops, 0 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 3

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kanhsien !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment

Then the Chinese reinforcements arrive the next turn and shock attack the Japanese armor to retake the town:

Ground combat at Kanhsien (81,57)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7229 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 286

Defending force 705 troops, 0 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Allied adjusted assault: 60

Japanese adjusted defense: 12

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kanhsien !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 121 (121 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
7th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese/B Corps

Defending units:
12th Tank Regiment

Meanwhile....Japan continue its offensive just to the east of Kanhsien but the Chinese are barely able to hang on:

Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39993 troops, 398 guns, 923 vehicles, Assault Value = 1506

Defending force 20085 troops, 138 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 571

Japanese adjusted assault: 1016

Allied adjusted defense: 999

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1882 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1104 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
34th Division
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
93rd Chinese Division
71st Chinese/A Corps
14th Chinese/C Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
31st Chinese/A Corps
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment
2/215th Bty 80th AT Rgt /1

Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38615 troops, 398 guns, 923 vehicles, Assault Value = 1813

Defending force 18727 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 434

Japanese adjusted assault: 779

Allied adjusted defense: 733

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
308 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 25 (3 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1390 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 118 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 42 (2 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
23rd Tank Regiment
34th Division
13th Division
37th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
14th Chinese/C Corps
71st Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
31st Chinese/A Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
93rd Chinese Division
NCAC
2/215th Bty 80th AT Rgt /1

Dave hit these guys pretty hard with his bombers last turn and knocked out a lot of the AT guns. Now he will almost certainly win the battle here before Allied reinforcements can arrive....at least we still hold Kanhsien next door. SEAC armor and Chinese reinforcements are arriving by the trainload at Kukong and will soon intervene here.

Meanwhile....in northern China we invest Sinyang and order a bombardment to recon the IJA forces present:

Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 410 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5369

Defending force 77086 troops, 600 guns, 172 vehicles, Assault Value = 2798

Allied ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (7 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
30th Chinese/C Corps
40th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese/A Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
45th Chinese/A Corps
34th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese/B Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
59th Chinese/B Corps
57th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese/B Corps
19th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese/C Corps
35th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese/C Corps
6th Group Army
7th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
22nd Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
8th Group Army
34th Group Army
37th Group Army
33rd Group Army
Lusu War Area
5th War Area
36th Group Army
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Rgt /1

Defending units:
17th Division
22nd Division
35th Division
27th Division
63rd Division
59th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
22nd AA Regiment
52nd Road Const Co
68th JAAF AF Coy

Looks like my recon bombardment cost ne a destroyed artillery unit. Hopefully it returns at Chungking sometime down the road. Dave has too much force here for the Chinese to attack but at least we can pin down 6 IJA divisions.

Farther north we press our advances on both Loyang and Tsiaotso.

SOPAC

XIV Corps launches additional attacks against the surrounded IJA stragglers from the former Rabaul garrison:

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19339 troops, 334 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 640

Defending force 10212 troops, 92 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Allied adjusted assault: 155

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), disruption(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1000 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 14 (10 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
19th Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
15th Base Force
86th Naval Guard Unit
16th AA Regiment
46th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
55th Field AA Battalion
4th Air Div /1
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
1st Fleet
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
5th Base Force /3
65th Naval Guard Unit
6th JNAF Coy
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
35th Fld AA Bn /2
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19227 troops, 333 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 622

Defending force 9153 troops, 76 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Allied adjusted assault: 149

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 11 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
905 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 18 (16 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
63rd Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
16th AA Regiment
86th Naval Guard Unit
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
55th Field AA Battalion
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
19th Naval Guard Unit
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Base Force /3
Maizuru 1st SNLF
46th Naval Guard Unit
1st Fleet
6th JNAF Coy
15th Base Force
35th Fld AA Bn /2
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
4th Air Div /1
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

Allied troops are exhausted and low on supplies from fighting in this difficult jungle terrain. We will bomard here next turn and then rest for a turn before we resume the offensive.

SIGINT

We received 2 notifications last turn that elements of the IJA 61st Division are loaded on xAKs heading to Truk....looks like Dave is really reinforcing Truk in preparation for a buildup in the Marshalls.

The CENTPAC diversionary drive into the Gilberts seems to be working as planned. Id rather see a Japanese buildup on Truk as opposed to a buildup on Babeldaob that could give us trouble with the main Allied axis of advance towards the Paulaus and NW New Guinea.

CENTPAC:INVASION MAKIN.....D-DAY MINUS ONE

P4Y-1 Liberators and B-24D1s hit Roi-Namur hard and now the level 4 AF there is 76% damaged. The other level 4 AF in the Marshalls at Maloelap still has 78% damage.

Admiral Hill's amphibious TF with elements of the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions refuels just off Tabiteuea. Next turn it will begin a high speed run to Makin and will begin the invasion of Makin on the 2nd day of next turn.

On D-Day minus one....four Allied bombardment TFs will give another "Spruance haircut" to both Tarawa and Makin. Additional B-24D1s are borrowed from Fifth Air Force on New Guinea and staged to Tabiteuea....the 4Es here will bomb both Maloelap and Roi-Namur AFs next turn to complete their neutralization. The only other untouched offensive Japanese AF in range of Makin in the Marshalls is the level 3 AF at Mili....and it will be hit by USN bombardment TFs on D-Day plus one.

CVE Santee arrives at Tabiteuea from the US west coast...we now have 9 CVEs present that can put up over 230 fighters. The CVEs will sail to Makin to cover the assaults. The new AF at Abemama is enlarged to level 3 and over 100 fighters are staged in....including 3 squadrons of F4U-1s...and these fighters will also LRCAP the invasion forces at Makin.

Meanwhile....the 7 fast carriers of Task group 58 will take up a covering posaition just off of Makin.

TRAINZ · Post by **TRAINZ** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:49 pm

Great AAR! Just enjoying the ride. Keep em coming. BTW can you post ship losses to date?[:)]

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:48 pm

CaptainConflict.....thanx for your comments.

Here is a quick tally of ship losses to date(excluding xAKLs/xAKs/minelayers/minesweepers and smaller craft that take to long to count.

ALLIES: 6 BB; 1 BC; 5 CA; 6 CL; 14 DD; 2 APD; 21 SS; 14 AP; 9 AO; 3 TK; 1 AD; 2 AS; 3 AV/AVD/ 2 AMC; 8 PG/PC/KV/SC

JAPAN: 7 BB; 1 CA; 4 CL; 22 DD; 7 APD/ 7 DMS; 34 SS; 18 SSX; 6 AP; 5 AO; 21 TK; 1 AS; 1AV; 7 AMC; 82 PB/SC/E

Overall.....the Allies have lost 462 ships worth 3647 points. Japan has lost 375 ships worth 3481 points. BB Ise was reported sunk and then was reported to be still afloat but its once again listed as sunk so I think that its actually at the bottom of the sea.

Besides the obvious BB losses....what really jumps out and catches my attention are the IJN sub losses and then the IJN escorts that have been sunk by Allied subs. Im wondering if Japan will have a shortage of escorts for its convoys later in the war if this keeps up.

TRAINZ · Post by **TRAINZ** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:44 am

I figured the sub total would be pretty favorable for the allies, especially with the recent success. Japan has lost 21 TK's also. I have this game but have yet to figure out how you guys manage to organize the supply and logistics part which in my opinion is way more in depth than any game out there that I have seen.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:41 am

Captain Conflict......Im not sure if sinking 21 TKs puts much of a dent yet in Japanese transport capabilities but on the other side of the coin..... the Allies have only lost 3 TKs.....small Dutch TKs at the start of the war.....so Im not having any trouble moving fuel around now. Earlier in the war I moved over 100 xAKs from SEAC over to the US west coast to help move fuel but now Im not short on fuel anywhere and am able to build massive stockpiles in the war zones. Im sure that I spend over 50% of my time writing orders for movement of troops, BFs, construction engineers, supplies and fuel by sea as opposed to moving troops around on land.

5/19-5/20/43

CBI

Japan finally overruns the Chinese defensive position outside of Kanhsien:

Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47235 troops, 467 guns, 922 vehicles, Assault Value = 1765

Defending force 17503 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 305

Japanese adjusted assault: 1037

Allied adjusted defense: 383

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
861 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Vehicles lost 48 (4 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
7156 casualties reported
Squads: 359 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 226 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 15 (13 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
34th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Tank Division
37th Division
13th Division
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
49th Chinese/C Corps
14th Chinese/C Corps
71st Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese/A Corps
NCAC
93rd Chinese Division
57th AT Gun Regiment

Allied reinforcements had made it to Kanhsien and were just short of reinforceing the defensive position. Now the Allies have over 2000 AV in Kanhsien with SEAC armor marching in from Kukong. Dave will probably be surprised in a couple turns by seeing the arrival of massed SEAC reinforcements from Burma here.

Farther north.....Chinese troops recapture loyang as Dave abandoned the base.

CENTPAC: INVASION MAKIN

Allied bombardment TFs work over Tarawa and Makin while the heavy bombers on tabiteuea suppress the level 4 Japanese AFs at Maloelap and Roi-Namur.

Admiral Hills amphib TF had a top speed of 16 knots but somehow it moved 10 hexes in one turn _and_ also dropped the Marines on the beach at Makin on D-Day minus one:

Pre-Invasion action off Makin (136,125)

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Richmond
DD Chew
DD Whipple
APA John Penn

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Trenton firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
CL Richmond firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Chew firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Whipple firing at Maloelap Base Force
DD Chew fired at enemy troops
DD Whipple fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Makin (136,125)

TF 339 troops unloading over beach at Makin, 136,125

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Motorized Support dropped into water during unload of 1st Marine Rgt /4
M3 Stuart Light Tank damaged beyond repair during unload of 2nd USMC Tank Bn /3

The invasion troops are only partly unloaded by the evening on D-day minus one......but the Japanese defenders on Makin are so shell shocked and demoralized from the round the clock naval and aerial bombardments that they are incapable of putting up a coherent defense:

Ground combat at Makin (136,125)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1345 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 64

Defending force 12711 troops, 224 guns, 347 vehicles, Assault Value = 467

Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
89th Naval Guard Unit
Maloelap Base Force

Defending units:
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
2nd Marine Rgt /3
8th Marine Rgt /4
1st Marine Rgt /3
2nd USMC Tank Bn /2

Ground combat at Makin (136,125)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10749 troops, 224 guns, 287 vehicles, Assault Value = 466

Defending force 1831 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Allied adjusted assault: 276

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 276 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Makin !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2618 casualties reported
Squads: 88 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 101 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Rgt /3
8th Marine Rgt /4
2nd Marine Rgt /3
2nd USMC Tank Bn /2

Defending units:
89th Naval Guard Unit
Maloelap Base Force

Makin is captured on D-Day minus one and the invasion forces complete their unloading on D-Day. Admiral Hill's amphib Tf heads back to Noumea to pick up the assault troops for Tarawa. Three IJN CAs are spotted off to the north in the Marshalls....eviently Dave was getting ready to raid somewhere....and the CAs were lucky to get away unscathed as they were 9 hexes from the Allied fast carriers and were also in 8 hex range of the CVE Avengers.....but no TBs were launched.

The CVEs and the fast carriers stand by off Makin to cover the unloading of the seabees and base forces. Bombardment TFs are ordered to hit Mili next turn to suppress its level 3 AF.

The strategic calculus in the Gilberts has now been reversed. Japan started with a level 4 and a level 3 AF in the Gilberts with a half doezen supporting AFs in the Marshalls while the Allies had no AFs. Now the Japanese have only a flattened and ruined Tarawa that serves only as a US Navy gunnery target and its surrounded by 3 CENTPAC AFs at Tabiteuea, Abemama and Makin. There are over 7000 IJA troops on Tarawa so it will be a tougher nut to crack than Makin but its days are certainly numbered.

Once Tarawa is captured CENTPAC will have 4 large AFs in the Gilberts allowing them to project medium and heavy bombers into the Marshalls.

House Stark · Post by **House Stark** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:03 pm

Makin is captured on D-Day minus one and the invasion forces complete their unloading on D-Day. Admiral Hill's amphib Tf heads back to Noumea to pick up the assault troops for Tarawa. Three IJN CAs are spotted off to the north in the Marshalls....eviently Dave was getting ready to raid somewhere....and the CAs were lucky to get away unscathed as they were 9 hexes from the Allied fast carriers and were also in 8 hex range of the CVE Avengers.....but no TBs were launched.

I'm pretty sure that only Japan can 8-hex strike. Make sure to keep your CVs and CVEs on the move so that your opponent can't pinpoint their location and launch a strike you can't respond to.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 4:01 pm

House Stark.....presently all the USN fighters, DBs and TBFs have a stated range of 8 hexes or greater.....why would they be limited to a strike distance of less than 8 hexes? Is that hard coded into the game? My CVEs have a tendency to be more stationary than I would like as they are covering the invasions(and I also consider them to be somewhat expendable) but the CVs are almost always on the move. Im not only worried about a counterstrike by KB but also need to keep the CVs away from the deadly IJN subs.

5/21-5/22/43

SUBS

SS Snook torpedoes and sinks xAK Seizen Maru near Toyohara

SS Snooki torpedoes Jersey Shore and gets the show cancelled.

SS Cisco sinks xAK Denmark Maru off Moppo.

CENTPAC

Allied bombardment TFs hit Mili but Mili hits back hard:

Night Naval bombardment of Mili at 136,121 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

496 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 4
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 16
CA Chicago, Shell hits 9, on fire
CA Houston
CL De Ruyter
DD Smith
DD Shaw
DD Conyngham
DD Helm
DD Walke, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
Port hits 4

Mili Naval Fortress firing at CA New Orleans
CA New Orleans firing at Mili Naval Fortress
CA Salt Lake City firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CA Salt Lake City
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Chicago
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CA Chicago
CA Chicago firing at Mili Naval Fortress
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Houston
CA Houston firing at Mili
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CL De Ruyter
CL De Ruyter firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at DD Smith
DD Smith firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at DD Shaw
DD Shaw firing at Mili Naval Fortress
DD Conyngham firing at Mili
DD Helm firing at Mili Naval Fortress
DD Walke firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at DD Walke

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Mili at 136,121 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

444 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Shell hits 14
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 5
CA Louisville
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 3
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 1
DD Henley
DD Mugford
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

BB Indiana firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at BB Indiana
Mili Naval Fortress firing at BB South Dakota
BB South Dakota firing at Mili Naval Fortress
CA Louisville firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CA Louisville
CL Honolulu firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CL Honolulu
CL Boise firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CL Boise
CL St. Louis firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CL St. Louis
DD Gridley firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at DD Gridley
DD Craven firing at Mili Naval Fortress
DD Jarvis firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at DD Jarvis
DD Henley firing at Mili Naval Fortress
DD Mugford firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at DD Mugford
DD Bagley firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at DD Bagley

I didnt know about the existence of the Mili Defense Fortress....its not as all powerful as the Saipan Defense Fortress(read the "Saipan defense Fortress vs the World" post in my "In Harm's Way" AAR. Ive got quite a few banged up ships now that will need to back to port. I will port bomb the atoll for a bit before I hit it with another naval bombardment.

The heavy bombers at Tabiteuea continue to work over Maloelap and Roi-Namur and even sink SS I-26 in port at Roi-Namur.

SIGINT

SIGINT reports that elements of the 11th Division are on xAKs heading to Babeldaob while elements of the 4th and 61st Divisions are being shipped to Ponanpe. PBYs are already spotting significant IJN activity off Ponape, Kusaiae and Roi-Namur so Japan is reinforcing everything in the area after losing control of the Gilberts. The CENTPAC diversionary attack into the Gilberts and Marshalls is now working as intended.

SOPAC

XIV US Corps rests this turn and gives the isolated Japanese troops remaining on New Britain a brief respite.

A deliberate attack is ordered for next turn.

The Allied buildup continues at rabaul.

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN CHINA

Ive got the situation in southern China pretty well under control now and we are even attacking Nanning this turn to take it back.

However....Ive been asleep at the wheel in northern and western China. Somehow an IJA tank division crossed the barren wastes of the Gobi Desert undetected and just captured a virtually undefended Lanchow:

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8626 troops, 135 guns, 626 vehicles, Assault Value = 374

Defending force 1866 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 568

Allied adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lanchow !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
I-16-III: 3 destroyed
I-15-III: 6 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
649 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (9 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Division

Defending units:
8th Chinese Base Force

Not sure what to say except that I blew it here. I used to have a pretty substantial Chinese army in western China but I pulled out and sent it to Sian in the desperate attempt to recapture that base a few months ago. Then I sort of forgot about these troops and then they were sent to the east of Sian to threaten Tsiaotso...and they are ordered to attack there next turn. Dave threatened Nanyang and drew my Sian garrison to the east so there are virtually no significant Allied ground forces from Kungchang all the way to Alma Alta in the USSR. And it will now take a few days for the Sian garrison to even make it back to Sian.

Im pulling the 5500 AV Chinese army at Sinyang back to Nanyang and Sian and troops from Chungking and all over China are now being marched to the west.

With one fell swoop Dave has captured our oil and refineries in the west and his troops will be able to rampage for a few weeks here before we can get significant forces into the region.

aztez · Post by **aztez** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 4:24 pm

That is one thing about Dave... you feel you are getting upper hand and than he just becomes octopussy and grabs something.

Well.. that is why I like to play againts him.. you never can be too sure until it is over.

On a brighter note.. you are doing fine in this campaign and really making steady progress.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:09 am

aztez....I agree with your observations. Leave Dave a crack open and he will drive an army through it.

5/23-5/24/43

SUBS

SS I-3 is hit by 9 DCs from an USN ASW TF near Nanumea.

SS Peto sinks SC CHa-30 off Hakodate.

CENTPAC

Tabiteuea completes a level 6 AF.

Makin completes a level 1 port.

USN surface Tfs and the CVEs pull back to the cover of Tabiteuea. Additional VMF and VMSB squadrons are flown into the Gilberts to make up for the departure of the Allied fast carriers.

Allied amphibious TFs head back to Noumea and Luganville to reload.

SOPAC

XIV US Corps launches 2 more attacks against the surrounded Japanese troops outside of Rabaul:

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19643 troops, 333 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 691

Defending force 8000 troops, 35 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Allied adjusted assault: 348

Japanese adjusted defense: 49

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1141 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
18th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
35th Fld AA Bn /2
16th AA Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
46th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF /2
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
15th Base Force
87th Naval Guard Unit
55th Field AA Battalion
86th Naval Guard Unit
1st Fleet
6th JNAF Coy /1
5th Base Force /3
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19633 troops, 333 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 688

Defending force 7106 troops, 27 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Allied adjusted assault: 284

Japanese adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
804 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 93 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
6th JNAF Coy /1
1st Fleet
87th Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
16th AA Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
55th Field AA Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
63rd Naval Guard Unit
86th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force
5th Base Force /3
Maizuru 1st SNLF /2
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

The former 40,000 strong Japanese garrison at Rabaul is at the end of its rope.

CBI

IJA armor exploits its breakout at Lanchow in all directions.

The former Chinese garrison army from western China is thrown back with heavy losses at Tsiaotso:

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 22464 troops, 61 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 999

Defending force 6302 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Allied adjusted assault: 678

Japanese adjusted defense: 412

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
646 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1720 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 194 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Separate Brigade
3rd Chinese/B Corps
3rd Chinese/A Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
259th Brigade
90th Chinese/A Corps
303rd Brigade
17th Chinese/A Corps
15th Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
90th Chinese/C Corps
17th Group Army
18th Group Army
2nd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps

Defending units:
14th RGC Temp./A Division
14th RGC Temp./B Division
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
12th RGC Temp. Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 21070 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 817

Defending force 5848 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 203

Allied adjusted assault: 266

Japanese adjusted defense: 553

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
573 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1453 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 192 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
17th Chinese/A Corps
90th Chinese/A Corps
9th Separate Brigade
303rd Brigade
259th Brigade
3rd Chinese/A Corps
34th Separate Brigade
3rd Chinese/B Corps
15th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/C Corps
17th Group Army
18th Group Army
2nd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps

Defending units:
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
12th RGC Temp. Division
14th RGC Temp./B Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
14th RGC Temp./A Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Chinese troops invest Chengchow and a recon bombardment is ordered for next turn.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 3:57 pm

5/25-5/28/43

CENTPAC

The buildup continues at Makin, Abemama and Tabiteuea.

Makin enlarges its port to level 2.

The CVEs and the surface TFs at Tabiteuea withdraw another 7-8 hexes to the south as the Allied fast carriers reach port in Luganville to rearm and refuel.....I dont want to be caught flat footed here in case Dave decides to sortie KB. The CVEs and surface TFs will return to Tabiteuea when the fast carriers get back in the neighborhood.

An Allied invasion force leaves port in Noumea heading for Japanese held Baker Is.

Nearly 2 divisions of Marines and US Army troops begin assault loading at Noumea for the invasion of Tarawa.

SOPAC

XIV US Corps lands 2 more attacks on the remaining isolated IJA troops near Rabaul:

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19675 troops, 333 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 693

Defending force 6524 troops, 20 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 359

Japanese adjusted defense: 22

Allied assault odds: 16 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1200 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 129 destroyed, 78 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 5

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
87th Naval Guard Unit
5th Base Force /3
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
55th Field AA Battalion
63rd Naval Guard Unit
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
1st Fleet
Maizuru 1st SNLF /2
19th Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force
16th AA Regiment
41st Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
18th Naval Guard Unit
86th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19691 troops, 334 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 693

Defending force 5247 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Allied adjusted assault: 262

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 37 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
981 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 175 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 4

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd Marine Regiment
25th Infantry Division
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
18th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF /2
65th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force
46th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
86th Naval Guard Unit
1st Fleet
87th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
55th Field AA Battalion
16th AA Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit
5th Base Force /3
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

Another 10 IJA units are destroyed.

Rabaul enlarges into a level 8 AF.

Allied fast carriers refuel and rearm at Luganville. The last time the USN CVs sortied to the Gilberts only 2 1/2 VF squadrons had been upgraded to Hellcats. Now 5 VF squadrons have upgraded to Hellcats. I may not yet have quantitative superiority over KB but now I have qualitative superiority for the first time in the war. VF-71 hasnt upgraded to Hellcats as Ive frozen its squadron size at 29 AC to avoid overstacking on CV Wasp. With 36 SBDs and 18 TBFs CV Wasp now has 83 AC aboard.

WAR IN CHINA

Id better get Allied troops moving again in CENTPAC/SOPAC/SWPAC because the game is once again devolving into War in China.

Dave enlarges hits breakout at Lanchow but RAF DBs and Tenth Air Force medium bombers are hammering IJA tanks here every turn.

Dave captures Tienshui with paratroops to further isolate western China.

An IJA stack with at least 6 divisions at Kaifeng closes in on 2200 AV of Chinese troops at Chengchow.....the heavy bombers of Tenth Air Force hit the IJA troops hard at Kaifeng to cover a Chinese withdrawal to Loyang.

To the east of Kukong....Dave launches a 1:2 attack with his tank formations that is cut up by 2 Allied AT regiments and 3 SEAC armor brigades:

Ground combat at Kanhsien (81,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72411 troops, 679 guns, 1001 vehicles, Assault Value = 2737

Defending force 67889 troops, 448 guns, 698 vehicles, Assault Value = 2796

Japanese adjusted assault: 853

Allied adjusted defense: 969

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
6171 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 378 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 91 disabled
Guns lost 69 (1 destroyed, 68 disabled)
Vehicles lost 161 (20 destroyed, 141 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4705 casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 315 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 128 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 39 disabled
Guns lost 60 (15 destroyed, 45 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
37th Division
13th Division
41st Division
32nd Division
34th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
97th Chinese/B Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
7th Chinese/A Corps
7th Chinese/B Corps
39th Chinese/B Corps
255th Armoured Brigade
31st Chinese/B Corps
254th Armoured Brigade
31st Chinese/A Corps
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
97th Chinese/C Corps
268th Motorised Brigade
7th Chinese/C Corps
97th Chinese/A Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
39th Chinese/C Corps
69th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese/C Corps
51st Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese/C Corps
Y' Force
7th War Area
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment

Dave loses over 20% of his AFVs in one assault while not a single Allied AFV is lost. The introduction of SEAC armor here has definitely slowed the red tide and has saved Kukong from double envelopment.

To the west of Kukong.....the arrival of Chinese reinforcements forces IJA troops to withdraw to Wuchow and the IJA armor rear guard is mauled:

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18920 troops, 180 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 805

Defending force 643 troops, 0 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Allied adjusted assault: 625

Japanese adjusted defense: 316

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
553 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
14th Chinese/A Corps
64th Chinese/B Corps
60th Chinese/C Corps
59th Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/B Corps
52nd Chinese/C Corps
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
9th Group Army
109th Tank Attack Rgt /1

Defending units:
6th Tank Regiment

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18519 troops, 179 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 755

Defending force 619 troops, 0 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Allied adjusted assault: 485

Japanese adjusted defense: 73

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 31 (15 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
241 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units pursuing 2

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
60th Chinese/C Corps
14th Chinese/A Corps
64th Chinese/B Corps
49th Chinese/B Corps
59th Chinese/A Corps
52nd Chinese/C Corps
9th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
109th Tank Attack Rgt /1

Defending units:
6th Tank Regiment

Im bringing up additional Chinese reinforcements here and then we will advance on Wuchow.

Farther south....the Chinese army that liberated Nanning chases the Japanese all the way back to Indochina.

Next we will try to liberate Paoshan and Kwangchowan.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:53 am

SUBS

SS Stingray sinks xAK Naples Maru near Saishu.

CBI

The Japanese army at Chengchow merely bombards the Chinese defenders last turn so it looks as if we will be able to withdraw to Loyang.

IJA armor launches 2 attacks at Kungchang....it will probably fall next turn.

SOPAC

XIV US Corps launches 2 more attacks near Rabaul:

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19683 troops, 334 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 693

Defending force 4291 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied adjusted assault: 205

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 51 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1627 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 282 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 5

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
22nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
5th Base Force /3
63rd Naval Guard Unit
55th Field AA Battalion
1st Fleet
65th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force
41st Naval Guard Unit
16th AA Regiment
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
87th Naval Guard Unit
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

Ground combat at 105,125 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19691 troops, 334 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 756

Defending force 2982 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 231

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 57 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
712 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 100 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
22nd Marine Regiment
25th Infantry Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
8th NZ Brigade

Defending units:
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /2
15th Base Force
41st Naval Guard Unit
1st Fleet
51st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

I think that we should be able to mop up this pocket of Japanese troops next turn.

CENTPAC

The 7 CVs of Task Group 58 approach the Gilberts with Admiral Hill's amphibious assault TF close behind. The CVE TF will take up station again at Tabiteuea next turn.

D Day for Tarawa will be in 4 days.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 5:58 pm

5/31-6/1/43

SUBS

SS Guardfish sinks xAK Toyama maru off Torishima.

CBI

Chinese base forces again repel IJA armor attacks at both Kungchang and Sining.

Dave gets in one final lick on the Chhinese at Chengchow before they can withdraw to Loyang:

Ground combat at Chengchow (88,44)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44639 troops, 334 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value = 1679

Defending force 49807 troops, 186 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2047

Japanese adjusted assault: 298

Allied adjusted defense: 615

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
3349 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 238 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3775 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 382 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Assaulting units:
24th NCPC Route Brigade
68th Division
RGC Capital Brigade
15th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
105th NCPC Route Brigade
69th JAAF AF Coy
39th Ind. Engineer Regiment
11th Div /15

Defending units:
80th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese/B Corps
27th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
76th Chinese/A Corps
45th Chinese/C Corps
76th Chinese/C Corps

I was a bit surprised at my heavy losses here considering that Dave didnt even have 1:2 odds and there was no armor. In addition, massed Japanese bombers are hitting these troops every turn. I just cant stay in clear terrain without CAP so Loyang will be evacuated and we will retire to the forests east of Sian.

In the south....SEAC armor invests Kwangchowan and we will take that base next turn. Additional Chinese forces move on Pakhoi.

SOPAC

The last Japanese pocket on New Britain outside of Rabaul is eliminated.....Japan lost over 40,000 troops here and now Japanese ground losses are 1/3 those of the Allies....its starting to add up.

June 1 1943 is huge for the uSN.....15 AKs can now upgrade to AKAs and will be completed in 2 weeks. Thisa will increase Allied amphibious lift enormously and our amphibious campaigns will move into high gear.

CENTPAC: INVASION TARAWA.....D DAY MINUS ONE

Admiral Hill's amphib force moves into position for the invasion of Tarawa in 2 days. This invasion will be preceeded by the heaviest Allied naval bombardment of the war to date. There are about 7500 IJA troops on Tarawa and we will hit them with nearly 2 divisions.

The fast carriers of Task Group 58 will take up a covering position 4 hexes to the west of Tarawa while the CVEs will provide direct cover for the amphib transports.

PB4Y-1 Liberators will pound the Japanese level 3 AF at Mili. The Japanese level 4 AFs at Roi-namur and Maloelap are still both smoking ruins.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:58 am

6/2-6/3/43]

CENTPAC: D-DAY AT TARAWA

Compared to the assault on Makin....the invasion of Tarawa quickly goes FUBAR. Only 1 bombardment TF out of 6 actually bombards the atoll:

Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB West Virginia
DD John D. Ford
DD Doyle
DD Carmick

Japanese ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 18

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Arizona
BB Arizona firing at Tarawa
BB West Virginia firing at Tarawa
DD John D. Ford firing at Tarawa
DD Doyle firing at Tarawa
DD Carmick firing at Tarawa

I will need to check the file when I get it back from Dave to see what happened here. Another 100+ SBDs on Abemama fail to ground bomb the IJA defenders on Tarawa. The heavy bombers on Tabiteuea pound both Mili and Tarawa and the TBFs from the CVEs hit Tarawa.

On D-Day....Admiral Hill droips 5 regiments and 2 tank battalions on the shell pocked atoll:

Pre-Invasion action off Tarawa (136,128)

81 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-338
DD Tjerk Hiddes
LST-469
LSI(L) Australia Star

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SC-983 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tarawa (136,128)

TF 297 troops unloading over beach at Tarawa, 136,128

Pre-Invasion action off Tarawa (136,128)

82 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Richmond
DD Whipple
DD Litchfield
APA Cambria

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Trenton firing at Ichiki Det.
CL Richmond firing at Ichiki Det.
DD Whipple firing at 4th Division
DD Litchfield firing at 4th Division
DD Whipple fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tarawa (136,128)

TF 425 troops unloading over beach at Tarawa, 136,128

Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)

10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 182nd Infantry Rgt /3
Motorized Support lost from landing craft during unload of 6th Marine Rgt /2
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 193rd Tank Bn /3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-469
DD Tjerk Hiddes
LSI(L) Australia Star
LST-338

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SC-983 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

42 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Richmond
APA Cambria
DD Whipple

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

CL Richmond firing at 4th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-338
LST-469

SC-983 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Cambria
DD Whipple

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

I brought a lot more to the party here than I did at Makin and my troops were just as prepped with a ridiculous amount of oversupply but I got some bad die rolls and only managed a 5:1 attack:

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 18371 troops, 397 guns, 482 vehicles, Assault Value = 741

Defending force 4261 troops, 55 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 160

Allied adjusted assault: 138

Japanese adjusted defense: 46

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1486 casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 24 (17 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1460 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 270 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 54 disabled
Guns lost 71 (6 destroyed, 65 disabled)
Vehicles lost 62 (1 destroyed, 61 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
7th Marine Regiment
185th Infantry Regiment
182nd Infantry Regiment
6th Marine Rgt /5

Defending units:
4th Div /4
Ichiki Det.
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
51st Naval Guard Unit
61st Nav Gd /3
7th Naval Construction Battalion

As darkness descends over the atoll the situation is still in doubt. Allied losses here are extraordinarily high as apparently we lose the equivalent of 2 regiments in 1 attack.

Other CENTPAC troops capture Baker Is. this turn.

B-25D1s based at Makin pound IJN shipping in the Marshalls:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Banshu Maru, Shell hits 9, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Etashima Maru, Shell hits 8
xAK Ryoyo Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yuzuki

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Shirashika Maru
xAKL Etashima Maru, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

SS Halibut gets an interesting interception on an IJN surface TF in the Marshalls:

Sub attack near Ebadon at 130,113

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Takao
CL Tama
CL Nagara
DD Samidare
DD Harusame
DD Kikuzuki
DD Nenohi

Allied Ships
SS Halibut

SS Halibut launches 4 torpedoes at CA Kako
Halibut diving deep ....
DD Kikuzuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nenohi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nenohi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nenohi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nenohi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nenohi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Evidently Dave was planning to intercept some Allied supply convoys in the Gilberts.

CBI

IJA armor finally captures Kungchang.

IJA troops are again repulsed at Sining.

SEAC armor captures Kwangchowan in southern China.

SOPAC

Kavieng enlarges its AF to level 6 and Rabaul enlarges its AF to the magic 9 level.

This theatre will again become active after CENTPAC has completed its operations in the Gilberts.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:44 pm

6/4-6/5/43

CBI

I tried to sneak an xAKL with supplies into Rangoon but the Kates were waiting for them:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 53,54

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10
Hurricane XIIb x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Chaksang, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
YMS BYMS-2043, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000
Raid is overhead
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35600
Raid is overhead
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35600
Raid is overhead
No.146 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35600
Raid is overhead

Im still moving BFs from India into Burma and willneed morer airpower around Rangoon before we can resume resupply by sea.

Lots of manuever in China.

Chinese troops just invested Wuchow this turn and will attempt to recapture the base in 2 turns. It looks like Dave is moving on Changsha via Pingsiang so Im railing nearly 2000 AV of SEAC troops to Hengyeng.

Up north....Chinese troops close in on the IJA paratroopers holding Tienshui.

IJA armor is again repelled at Sining and now long range transport AC will airlift SEAC troops from Tuyun into Sining. Im starting to think that I can actually hold on to Sining now until Chinese reinforcements arrive from the south.

CENTPAC: TARAWA IS CAPTURED

Im not sure why multiple Allied bombardment TFs didnt sail the previous turn and why Allied bombers were mostly grounded but this turn everything in the Allied arsenal hit Tarawa:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 04, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Cambria
DD Whipple

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

26 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-338
LST-469
LSI(L) Australia Star

SC-983 fired at enemy troops

Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB West Virginia
DD John D. Ford
DD Doyle
DD Carmick

Japanese ground losses:
302 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Arizona
BB Arizona firing at Ichiki Det.
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB West Virginia
BB West Virginia firing at Tarawa
DD John D. Ford firing at Tarawa
DD Doyle firing at Tarawa
DD Carmick firing at Tarawa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Colorado
CL Achilles
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Arunta
DD Stuart

Japanese ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 24
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

BB Idaho firing at Tarawa
BB Colorado firing at Tarawa
CL Achilles firing at Tarawa
DD Isaac Sweers firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit
DD Arunta firing at Tarawa
DD Stuart firing at Tarawa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
CL Nashville
DD Van Galen
DD Parrott
DD Tucker
DD Cushing

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

BB Mississippi firing at Tarawa
BB New Mexico firing at Tarawa
CL Nashville firing at Tarawa
DD Van Galen firing at Tarawa
DD Parrott firing at Tarawa
DD Tucker firing at Tarawa
DD Cushing firing at Tarawa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
CA Louisville
CL Honolulu
CL Boise
CL St. Louis
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Jarvis
DD Henley
DD Mugford
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 35
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 2

BB Indiana firing at Tarawa
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB South Dakota
BB South Dakota firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit
CA Louisville firing at Tarawa
CL Honolulu firing at Tarawa
CL Boise firing at Tarawa
CL St. Louis firing at Tarawa
DD Gridley firing at Ichiki Det.
DD Craven firing at Tarawa
DD Jarvis firing at Tarawa
DD Henley firing at Tarawa
DD Mugford firing at Tarawa
DD Bagley firing at Tarawa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CL Detroit
CL Perth
DD Flusser
DD Preston
DD Anderson
DD Bailey

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 21
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 3

CA Canberra firing at Tarawa
Seagull V acting as spotter for CA Australia
CA Australia firing at 4th Division
CA Northampton firing at Tarawa
CA Indianapolis firing at Tarawa
CL Detroit firing at Tarawa
CL Perth firing at Tarawa
DD Flusser firing at Tarawa
DD Preston firing at Tarawa
DD Anderson firing at Tarawa
DD Bailey firing at Ichiki Det.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

18 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LSI(L) Australia Star
LST-338
LST-469

SC-983 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Cambria
DD Whipple

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Cambria
DD Whipple

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-983
LST-338
LSI(L) Australia Star

SC-983 fired at enemy troops

Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 127
TBF-1 Avenger x 26

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking III/84th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking III/84th Naval Guard Unit ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 116
F4U-1 Corsair x 26
SBD-3 Dauntless x 59

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 133
TBF-1 Avenger x 41

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 19
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 109
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 30

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 113
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 103
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
PV-1 Ventura x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on III/84th Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 121
F4U-1 Corsair x 26
SBD-3 Dauntless x 25
SBD-5 Dauntless x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking III/84th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking III/84th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking III/84th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking III/84th Naval Guard Unit ...

By the end of the day the Japanese troops are too stunned to put up further resistance:

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2113 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34

Defending force 16637 troops, 408 guns, 486 vehicles, Assault Value = 471

Japanese ground losses:
670 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Ichiki Det.
51st Naval Guard Unit
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
61st Nav Gd /3

Defending units:
185th Infantry Regiment
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
7th Marine Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
182nd Infantry Regiment
5th Marine Regiment
6th Marine Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 16637 troops, 408 guns, 486 vehicles, Assault Value = 471

Defending force 1597 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Allied adjusted assault: 315

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 315 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tarawa !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1644 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 162 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
182nd Infantry Regiment
185th Infantry Regiment
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
7th Marine Regiment
6th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
Ichiki Det.
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
61st Nav Gd /3

This completes CENTPAC's Gilberts Campaign. Tabiteuea and Abemama will be used to base heavy bombers for attacks on the Marshalls while Tarawa and Makin will house the Allied tactical and medium bombers.

CENTPAC troops have been prepping for the southern Marshalls for nearly 50 days so CENTPAC should resume offensive operations in the Marshalls by late summer.

Its time to turn our attention to another theatre while CENTPAC builds up in the Gilberts for the Marshalls campaign.

The Allied fast carriers and bombardment TFs return to their bases this turn at Luganville and Noumea while the CVEs stay behind at Tarawa to cover unloading ops. The CVEs will head back to port after next turn.

nicwb · Post by **nicwb** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:22 am

Whew Adm Spruance looks like you didn't give Tarawa a "haircut" as much as a shave!

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:25 pm

nicwb.....Its "Spruance haircuts"in the Pacific and "Burma shaves" in the CBI...LOL. The haircuts are very important in atoll invasions as you only have 1-2 turns to capture the base before the supply limitations really start to take effect. Dave currently has nearly 9000 troops stacked on Roi-Namur which is a 6000 troops limit atoll. I will need to isolate Roi-Namur for some time to starve the defenders out from being overstacked and then that atoll will probably undergo the heaviest naval bombardment of the war as I will need to land 15,000- 20,000 troops to capture it and even if I land 50,000 supplies on D-day(thank goodness for the LSTs) I will very quickly exhaust my supplies.

6/6-6/9/43

CENTPAC

The AF and port on Tarawa are quickly repaired and F4F-4s and SBD-3s are staged in. Makin enlages to a level 4 AF.

PB4Y-1 Liberators on Tabiteuea pound the level 4 AF at Maloelap while SBDs and TBFs on Abemama, Makin and Tarawa hit the Japanese at Mili.

CVE Chenango completes minor repairs at her emergency berth at tabiteuea harbor and she will now be sent back to Sydney to complete repair of her 40 FLT damage.

Except for some ASW TFs and some small supply TFs....the Allies naval forces have now largely withdrawn from the waters around the Gilberts.

SOPAC

Amphib transports make it back to Noumea for repairs and maintenance while the fast carriers reach port at Luganville and take on fuel, armaments and AC replacements.

The CVEs will be back in port at Luganville next turn for replacements and maintenance.

Many of the BBs, CAs and CLs of the bombardment TFs now require repairs and maintenance from the Gilberts Campaign. Most of the combatant ships will rest and repair at Noumea but the more heavily damaged ones(from the Mili Naval fortress) will be sent to Sydney and Auckland and will miss out on the next SOPAC offensive.

CBI

The Allies retake Wuchow in southern China:

Ground combat at Wuchow (76,57)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35283 troops, 285 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 1392

Defending force 746 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Allied adjusted assault: 1233

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 1233 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wuchow !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
960 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
59th Chinese/A Corps
14th Chinese/A Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
100th Chinese/B Corps
60th Chinese/C Corps
56th Chinese/B Corps
64th Chinese/B Corps
Gardner's Horse Regiment
46th Chinese/A Corps
52nd Chinese/C Corps
14th Group Army
16th Group Army
9th Group Army
12th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
109th Tank Attack Rgt /1

Defending units:
20th RGC/A Division
20th RGC/B Division

The Japanese were stopped cold outside Kanhsien and have largely withdrawn towards the coast. The Japanese threat to Kukong has been eliminated. Chinese troops retake Pinsiang and IJA advance units in the area are withdrawn.

With the threat to Kukong removed.....the Allies have nearly 1400 AV in Wuchow and another 2000 AV east of Kukong that can both advance on Canton. Recon is showing only 1 IJA LCU in Canton but I suspect that the recon report is inaccurate. Also....Dave has shown a tendency to use naval transports to move troops by river into Canton. Still we will advance on Canton both from Wuchow and Kukong and see what develops.

Farther north.....the Chinese retake Nanyang as it exchanes hands for the umpteenth time ion the war:

Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26939 troops, 168 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1177

Defending force 372 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Allied adjusted assault: 914

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 914 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nanyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
442 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
19th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese/C Corps
1st War Area
8th Group Army

Defending units:
14th RGC Temp./C Division

The 2000 AV Chinese army in Loyang should successfully withdraw to the forests east of Sian before the onrushing Japanese.

In the desperate battle for western China.....the long ranged C-87 Liberators based at Tuyun continue to airlift SEAC troops into Sining and Japanese armor is thrown back once again. The Red Chinese Army....led by none other than General Mao Tse-teung.... prepares to assault the Japanese paratroops garrisoning Tienshui. I will be staging most of the medium bombers from the RAF and Tenth Air Force in India to central China to assist in the counterattacks in western China.

Meanwhile.....tens of thousands of SEAC and Chinese reinporcements march across central China to reinforce in the west.

AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

THE STORM ARRIVES

RE: THE STORM ARRIVES

RE: THE STORM ARRIVES

RE: THE STORM ARRIVES

INVASION MAKIN

RE: INVASION MAKIN

INVASION MAKIN

RE: INVASION MAKIN

INVASION MAKIN

RE: INVASION MAKIN

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN CHINA

RE: ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN CHINA

RE: ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN CHINA

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN CHINA

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL IN CHINA

INVASION TARAWA

INVASION TARAWA

RE: INVASION TARAWA

RE: INVASION TARAWA

RE: THE STORM ARRIVES