Re: "We want the big ones!" DBB-C vs IdahoNYer (J): Darwin recaptured [closed]

[LargeSlowTarget]

Yes, I have put all Buffalos on LRCAP over Force Z - for naught. I could not get AVG to Singers by Dec 10th - we are playing two-day-turns, doubles the time needed for hopping down via Tavoy anmd Georgetown. Plus I have spent the PPs for other things than unlocking the two restricted AVG units - they are training units for the time being.

I have opted instead to pull all good pilots from all US fighter groups on the map - AVG included - and teleported them to the PI (a bit unrealistic but the Japanese can do the same thing so what the heck). Also put the best air leaders in the PI fighter squadrons and have sent them and all AV support to Manila. All airframes repaired by now and CAP set to 40% at 15k - but Ed has not made any daylight attacks on Manila yet. Hope he will get a surprise.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Dec 12-13, 1941

Summary:
Aussies at Mersing hold first ground attack. KB bombing Wake, two Mini-KBs and SAGs and subs hunting fleeing merchantships.
Enemy night air attacks against Manila and Singers, daylight bombings of HongKong and various ground targets in Malaya and China.

Ground:
- Surprisingly weak ground attack for the forces involved at Mersing repulsed by the Australians - apparently the enemy units are not at full strength or have only participated in part?

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4294 troops, 54 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 517

Defending force 6417 troops, 95 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 167

Japanese adjusted assault: 126

Allied adjusted defense: 215

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Assaulting units:
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
34th Field AA Battalion
84th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
113th RAF Adv Base Force

- Japanese paratroopers at Kuala Lumpur and Port Dickson hold against counter-attacks while the brigades from Northern Malaya de-train and march to the sound of the guns.
- ground attack at Guam by elements of the II/66th Nav Gd - too weak to impress the defending base force personnel.
- Chinese forces in full retreat from the central plains to more defensible terrain.

Bases lost:
Davao is occupied by the Japanese
Vigan is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Digos !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Balabac !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Jesselton !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Victoria Point !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ternate !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sorong !!!

Bases invaded:
Amphibious Assault at Morotai
Amphibious Assault at Naga


Sea:

Ship losses:
Loss of TK Havfru on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted > by SS I-154 near Palembang
Loss of TK Francol on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted > by SS I-166 near Batavia
Loss of AO Trinity on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted > by CruDes-TF near Catbalogan
Loss of xAP Don Esteban on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted > fleeing from Manila for the US, sunk by carrier air near Iwo-jima - apparently Zuiho and Hosho heading south.
Loss of xAP Candesa on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted > sunky by carrier air near Davao, apparently Ryujo operating between Mindanao and Kendari.
Loss of xAKL Anakan on Dec 12, 1941 is admitted > by DDs near Peleliu
Loss of TK Paula on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted > by SS I-162 near Bandjermasin
Loss of xAKL Bintoehan on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted > by carrier air near Morotai - Ryujo again.
Loss of xAKL Luzon on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted > by carrier air near Morotai - Ryujo once more.

- AMC Cap des Palmes heavily damaged by sub RO-68 near Funafuti, survival in doubt. The ship was heading to pick-up troops at Nauru.
- numerous TFs containing the larger, long-ranged merchant ships are fleeing the PI in direction of the US via the Bonins - Marianas gap. One TF got mauled by carrier air and another ran into some PBs but managed to escape. The Japanese will surely assign more assets to the area - I hope the important ships - Langley, sub-tenders, tankers - can get away.
- US subs with poor commanders are being pressed into transporting supplies from Tarakan to Manila, pending PPs to change commanders and better torpedoes.
- KB has uncloaked off Wake Island, bombing the ground forces - invasion pending I guess.
- CA Louisville and CA Pensacola have been recalled to Pago-Pago from their ambush positions in the Gilberts.
- The base force on exposed Canton Is. has been evacuated by one of the APs from the Louisville convoy, it will redeploy to a new "stepping stone" further south.
- Fewer submarines spotted around PH, Lexington and Enterprise called back from waiting area SE of Hilo to PH in order to refuel and collect their air-groups which had flown-off to reinforce PH on Day 1. They will continue training for the time being.


Air:
- B-17s operating from Cagayan bombed ground forces at Cotabato unopposed last turn but ran into Zeros this turn, losing 3 - surprised Ed is using precious Zeros for some local action instead of sweeping Singers and/or Manila.
- night bombing of Khota Baru by Hudsons from Singers, one Nell destroyed on ground > ships operating around Singers and Palembang will be at the mercy of Netties!


Intel:
3/9th Infantry Regiment is planning for an attack on Lingayen.
5/20th Infantry Regiment is loaded on a Gozan Cargo class xAK moving to Naga.
55th Cavalry Regiment is planning for an attack on Moulmein.
144th Infantry Regiment is loaded on a Std-C Cargo class xAK moving to Truk.
2/56th Infantry Regiment is loaded on a Takasago Maru class xAP moving to Kota Bharu.

No surprises - more forces heading for Luzon and Malaya, preparing moves in direction of Burma and Rabaul - and beyond?


General:
- The loss of Force Z has sent shockwaves throughout the Pacific. Orders to implement "Operation Sir Robin" have been given to assets in Malaya, the DEI and places as far as Rabaul, Burma and even Ceylon.
- numerous convoys of oilers, tankers, freighters and transports have left San Diego carrying fuel, supplies and troops to reinforce the South Pacific area and Australia. Priority is given to secure and set-up a refueling depot in the deep South Pacific and to secure Pago-Pago. When more forces become available, I will secure the Fijis next and then New Caledonia - but I fear I will bump into the Japanese at one place or another.

[BBfanboy]

It appears operation Sir Robin is aptly named - everything is going south for the winter...[8D]

[LargeSlowTarget]

Dec 14-15, 1941

Summary:

Wake, Guam, HongKong lost - all expected. Mersing falls as well - this is a problem!


Land war:

Bases invaded:
Amphibious Assault at Manus
Amphibious TF 49 unloading at Butuan
Fast Transport TF 128 unloading at Manokwari

Bases lost:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Naga !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Morotai !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!
Itbayat Island is occupied by the Japanese
Kwangchowan is occupied by the Japanese


The valiant Aussies at Mersing - bombed, bombarded and outnumbered - could not hold and have been pushed back with heavy losses.

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12753 troops, 110 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 509

Defending force 6152 troops, 95 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 146

Japanese adjusted assault: 382

Allied adjusted defense: 79

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mersing !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units pursuing 2

Allied ground losses:
2425 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 76 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 49 (46 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
34th Field AA Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
84th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
22nd Australian Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
113th RAF Adv Base Force

Enemy units are advancing from Mersing to Kluang and Johore Baru, I have ordered the available forces at those bases - the Aussie remnants and a few Infantry Batallions of the local garrisons - to counterattack in the direction of Mersing. Maybe this sacfrifical move can buy enough time for the units further north to reach Kluong in time to avoid being cut-off.

The Japanes Paras at Kuala Lumpur and Port Dickson have been destroyed or wiped out by attrition:

Ground combat at Port Dickson (49,80)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1837 troops, 14 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Defending force 244 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied adjusted assault: 41

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 41 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Cavalry Regiment
2/17 Dogra Battalion
5/2nd Punjab Battalion
2/215th Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /2


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

Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur (49,79)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3980 troops, 43 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 244

Defending force 231 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 184

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 184 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
293 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
6th Indian Brigade
1st Malay Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
28th Gurkha Brigade
109th RAF Adv Base Force
110th RAF Adv Base Force
137/155th Field Regiment

Defending units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /2

All Allied units in Central Malaya have been ordered to move south as fast as possible. Some will board trains, others will march and drive. The Royal Air Force will continue ground attack missions next turn trying to slow the Mersing breakout and has requested help from the Dutch and the Americans. Even the only remaining surface naval asset at Singers- gunboat Herald - is being sent to bombard Mersing. The issue is very much in doubt.


At sea:

SS O19 lays minefield at Mersing ( 51 , 82) and sets course for Singapore

SS Sturgeon launches 4 torpedoes at CA Suzuya near Cam Ranh Bay and misses...

TK Djirak sunk by SS I-162 near Balikpapan
xAKL Pahang sunk by SS I-153 near Palembang
TK Gulfdawn sunk by SS RO-65 near Canton Island
xAK Bantam sunk by SS I-153 near Palembang
xAK American Leader sinks....
AO Ramapo sunk by SS I-26 near San Francisco

SC Ch 18 is reported to have been sunk by SS S-40 near Laoag on Dec 14, 1941
xAK Kizan Maru is reported to have been sunk by torpedo-totting PBYs near Naga on Dec 14, 1941
xAKL Fukkai Maru is reported to have been sunk by SS S-39 near Naga on Dec 14, 1941

The Dutch Navy, the US Asiatic Fleet and what remains of the Royal Navy have gone hiding. A few more British and Commonwealth ships are heading towards the DEI to join them. Maybe we can gather enough striking power to spring a surprise against one of the invasions that must come sooner or later at Menando, Ambon, Kendari, Koepang.

The US Pacific Fleet is licking its wounds, ships scheduled to upgrade in January have left PH for the West Coast, the rest is repairing sys and engine damage from the high-speed getaway runs in case KB had elected to stay near PH. After the fall of Wake, no idea where KB will go next. What I know for sure is that I am not going to look for it with Buffalos and Devastators on mmy carriers!

Air war:

Heavy bombing of my ground forces at HongKong and Mersing and lighter attacks at other places in Malaya and China.

The entire Royal Air Force at Singers had been switched to ground attack missions in support of the Australians at Mersing - in vain, enemy CAP prevents effective attacks:

Morning Air attack on 114th Infantry Regiment, at 51,82 (Mersing)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 20
Blenheim IV x 6
Buffalo I x 39
Vildebeest III x 18
Hudson I x 17
Wirraway x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed by flak
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 3 damaged

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

Manila has also been hit hard. I would like to know what Ed is feeding his pilots - when I played the Japanese, my pilots couldn't hit targets the size of a city at night...

Night Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
O-47A: 5 damaged
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-4 Catalina: 15 damaged
PBY-4 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
P-35A: 2 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 7 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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

Night Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 13 damaged
P-26A: 3 damaged
PBY-4 Catalina: 3 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

With several fighters damaged or destroyed and pilots deprived of sleep, the enemy sweep next morning faced desultory opposition - I expected more from the best pilots and leaders the US Army Air Force has to offer.

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 4
P-35A x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

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

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-35A x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

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

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

[RangerJoe]

Remember, the navy can bombard and even invade at Jahore Baru. [;)]

Even a small fragment at Mersing could slow down his attackers. [X(]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

looks like your aircraft counter-attacking the landing at Mersing went in unescorted and therefore suffered heavily losses for little return. It would have been interested if you could war game the Mersing landing with and admiral for TF-Z other than Tom Thumb at the helm.

I did that in a stock game - not against a Mersing landing but further up the peninsula, where they nearly had a battle IRL. It did not go well - the Kongos scored hit after hit while the PoW and Repulse struggled to get any hits back on them. Then the cruisers came in and spewed a flock of long lances - end of battle. I don't recall a single Force Z ship escaping. I concluded that the IJN edge in experience (and probably a better DL on Force Z) was just too much to overcome with a good leader.

[LargeSlowTarget]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Remember, the navy can bombard and even invade at Jahore Baru. [;)]

Even a small fragment at Mersing could slow down his attackers. [X(]

A counter-landing at Mersing would be nice, but I don't have the necessary forces for a meaningful counterlanding, and just sending a fragment for a sacrifical spoiling attack would be taking advantage of the game engine - too gamey for my taste.

Concerning the bombardment option - Netties are operating from Kota Bharu and can reach far to the south of Singers - after the disaster with ineffective LRCAP over Force Z I'm hesitant to risk my remaining naval assets within Netty range again.

@BBfanboy - That a different leader probably wouldn't have made a difference provides a small dose of comfort and consolation [:)]

[LargeSlowTarget]

Dec 16-17, 1941

Summary:
The Japanese continue to expand in Malaya, the Philippines and both ends of New Guinea. Chinese forces suffer multiple setbacks.

Bases lost:

Japanese forces CAPTURE San Fernando !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Butuan !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cagayan !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Georgetown !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manokwari !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manus !!!
Calayan is occupied by the Japanese
Legaspi is occupied by the Japanese


Bases invaded:

Amphibious Assault at Puerto Princesa
Amphibious Assault at Talaud-eilanden
Amphibious Assault at Kuantan


Ships lost:

xAKL Bidelia sunk by SS RO-67 near Port Moresby
xAKL Lepus sunk by CL Nagara near Roxas
TK La Estrella Caltex sunk by DD Tokitsukaze near Cebu
YO-41 sunk by DD Tokitsukaze near Cebu
YO-42 sunk by CL Nagara near Cebu
AO Patoka sunk by SS I-1 near San Diego
xAKL Pacific sunk by SS I-5 near Cold Bay
xAK Johanne Justesen sunk by SS RO-67 near Port Moresby > the ship carried part of the Rabaul Base Force, the last unit to be evacuated from Rabaul


Naval actions:

The remnants of the Royal Navy and the Dutch subs do everything possible to give the Army a chance to win the race to Singers:

DM Thracian lays minefield at Mersing ( 51 , 82) and sets course for Singapore
SS O19 lays minefield at Mersing ( 51 , 82) and sets course for Singapore
SS O20 lays minefield at Mersing ( 51 , 82) and sets course for Singapore
Night Naval bombardment of Mersing at 51,82 - PG Herald firing at 3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Japanese submarines are active off San Francisco and San Diego. They are successful despite PBYs on naval search and four ASW task forces, two on patrol at sea and two with reaction orders at port. To add injury to insult, the subs are picking off the most valuable targets - one AO each off SF and SD. Some LBA is training ASW but it will be a loong time before pilots will be able to tell subs from whales. Number of available airframes is also pretty limited for the moment.


Air actions:

The "low CAP against high sweep" doesn't seem to work, I have changed the altitude of the Manila CAP from 5k-8k to 20k-22k and get much better results:

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-35A x 3
P-40B Warhawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

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

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-35A x 3
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

MAJ Boyington, G. of 24th PG/3rd PS is credited with kill number 2 - only 26 to go...

The Royal Airforce, the Dutch bombers and a handful of B-17Ds - which have migrated from Cagayan to Batavia just in time - continue to fly ground attack missions against Mersing in the hope of slowing down the breakout. Losses are heavy, esp. among the Dutch. It is difficult to justify the losses with the results reported - one squad, two non-combat devices and one engineer disabled. The Japanese are also ground bombing my troops at Port Dickson, Kluong and Malacca and cause disablements by the dozens - but have not forced any of my units out of move mode yet. So I doubt that my less effective attacks have any impact on the speed of advance of the Japanes troops.



Ground war:

In Malaya the race is still on, but I have little hope my troops will make it. The Japanese have one hex to march over a secondary road, my troops have a main road but need to cover four hexes. A glimmer of hope is the advance of two battalions - the 1st Manchester and the 2nd Argylls - from Johore Bahru to Mersing which are a few miles short of Mersing and may throw a wrench into the works - if the Japanese force marching from Mersing to Johore doesn't get there first.

In China, the Japanese are advancing in the direction of Changsha, Nanyang and Sian. Two divisions have routed an entire Army defending the route between Wuchang and Changsha.

Ground combat at 83,52 (near Changsha)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23961 troops, 204 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 694

Defending force 22865 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 474

Japanese adjusted assault: 445

Allied adjusted defense: 177

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
651 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
10354 casualties reported
Squads: 344 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 363 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 11 (9 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
40th Division

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
27th Group Army

In the north, a Corps retreating through the mountains has been convinced to expedite movement as well:

Ground combat at 91,39 (near Chengting)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6371 troops, 38 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 198

Defending force 1439 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Japanese adjusted assault: 199

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 28 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
785 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Armored Car Co

Defending units:
83rd Chinese Corps

An attempt to counter-attack an exposed enemy unit has failed miserably - how many Chinese Corps does it take to match one Japanese division? It looks I don't have enough Corps to fight the 20-odd divisions the Japanese have in China...

Ground combat at 82,47 (near Ichang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40315 troops, 188 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1428

Defending force 12831 troops, 104 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 399

Allied adjusted assault: 551

Japanese adjusted defense: 1483

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1397 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 174 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled

Assaulting units:
68th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army

Defending units:
34th Division

Finally, an attempt in maneuver warfare has failed miserable as well. I wanted to slip a roadblock behind the advance elements south of Yenan - the yellow "X" in the screenshot. The hex seemed empty but an enemy division appeared just as the maneuver element made the river crossing...

Ground combat at 90,40 (near Taiyuan)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 494 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Defending force 11344 troops, 98 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 345

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

Allied ground losses:
267 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
23rd Chinese/C Corps

Defending units:
37th Division

There are also attempts at guerilla warfare in the Kaifeng-Suchow-Tsinan area but it looks like Ed has forces available to deal with this as well.

Finally, my inept attempt to withdraw forces through Sinyang - I just can't seem to master the hex side control rules - has led to the creation of a pocket at that base. A maneuver element is trying to open an escape route, but enemy units already threaten the planned escape corridor...

[BBfanboy]

The Chinese units can be effective against the Japanese if:

1. They are in very good defensive terrain - wooded rough or mountains.
2. They get their experience level up in the high 40s, lower 50s. You may have to turn off replacements to do this because newbies dilute the experience level. If you are playing the map with stacking limits it is better to have fewer experienced troops than a massive overstack of recruits.
3. They get a good leader with 50+ Ground skill and the best Inspiration skill you can get.
4. They are augmented by an anti-tank gun unit, and maybe an AA unit. Those can both be flown in from India.
5. Enough supply for occasional combat.

[RangerJoe]

The only replacements early on that the Chinese units can really use are the support troops.

[Sardaukar]

Also, don't change preparation target of Chinese unit if you can avoid it. When it is 100, they start to train to national maximum (45 for Chinese).

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

Also, don't change preparation target of Chinese unit if you can avoid it. When it is 100, they start to train to national maximum (45 for Chinese).

A very good point that I missed - thanks for adding that.[:)]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The only replacements early on that the Chinese units can really use are the support troops.

True, and this can be managed by stockpiling the Chinese combat squads while allowing replacement of other devices in the unit TOE. A few engineers can help with fort or field fort construction. The support troops help with recovery of disablements and reduction of fatigue.

[Q-Ball]

Another idea on China: Buy out an Indian Tank unit, and send it to Rangoon. At this point they are worthless, but by the time they march all the way to Chungking, it should be trained up a bit. 254th is a possibility, though you won't have Valentines for it until mid-'42. But Valentine IIIs will neutralize Japanese tanks.

Also, I would buy out all the Chinese units you can, and start marching them to India. You should be able to get 5th Chinese Corps there at least. With plenty of supplies, those units will be large by mid-1942.

[RangerJoe]

You can also air lift 37mm and 2 pounder AT guns as well.

I would also send some of those British base forces into the mountains of China to include Kunming - they at least have some AAA as well. There may also be a small AAA unit in Burma as well.

Don't through away those Burmese squad units, eventually those turn into Indian '44 squads I do believe.

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 18/19, 1941

Air attacks in Malaya continue in order to slow the respective enemy ground forces racing or more precisely crawling to Kluong. The Japanese are way more succesful in this business, while Allied losses continue to be heavy and further attacks will have to be called off.
The 1st Manchester and the 2nd Argylls have reached Mersing, cancelling the Japanese move to Johore. But this sacrifical countermove did not cancel the movement indicators of the Japanese units marching from Mersing to Kluong. Therefore, the Allied units north of Kluong stand little chance to reach Kluong before the Japanese main force does. I am assembling a fleet of small xAPs and xAKL at Singers to try to evacuate the Indian 11th Div by sea via Port Dickson Dunkirk-style - they will probably get massacred by Netties. The 8th Bde of the 9th Indian Division and the other units retreating from Kota Bharu have just reached Temuloh and probably will get crushed by the Japanese units advancing south from Georgetown.


Japanese forces CAPTURE Kudat !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Talaud-eilanden !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sambas !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Puerto Princesa !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuantan !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiteh !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!
Tuguegarao is occupied by the Japanese
Hwaiyin is occupied by the Japanese

Kwangchowan is occupied by the Allies


xAKL Kanlaon II sunk by SS I-158 near Balikpapan
AO Pecos sunk by DD Shiratsuyu near Chichi-jima
TK Gertrude Kellogg sunk by DD Shiratsuyu near Chichi-jima
TK Mindanao sunk by DD Shiratsuyu near Chichi-jima
xAK Yu Sang sunk by DD Shiratsuyu near Chichi-jima
xAK Ethel Edwards sunk by Betties near Chichi-jima
xAK Si Kiang sunk by Betties near Chichi-jima
xAP Mataroa sunk by SS I-16 near Suva
xAP Klang sunk by Nells near Malacca
xAK Fatshan sunk by Nells near Malacca
xAK Taiyuan sunk by Type 88 Mine at 49,90

[LargeSlowTarget]

Dec 20/21, 1941

Manila survivors arrive at Midway, including PG Isabel, AV Langley and AS Otus plus a handful of assorted xAPs and xAKs. The AOs and TKs unfortunately did not make it. The small xAKLs has been left in the PI, they will be sacrificed to shuttle supplies from Borneo to Luzon for as long as possible. One Manila TF is still at sea a few hexes east of Luzon in the Philippine Sea and far from being safe - it is the floating drydock "Dewey" which is being towed (and refueled) by three xAKs and heading due East.

My "spoiling attack" against Mersing has been pushed back to Johore, with Japanese troops in hot pursuit. And as feared, the Dunkirk evac of the Indian 11th Div (to Palembang, not Singers which is doomed) has to run a gauntlet of air attacks, subs and mines.

Enemy TFs are being spotted West and East of Ternate, looks like a move against Ambon.


Japanese forces CAPTURE Taiping !!!
Masbate is occupied by the Japanese
Cabanatuan is occupied by the Japanese
Kaoping is occupied by the Allies

Amphibious Assault at Rabaul
Amphibious Assault at Hollandia


xAP Rooseboom sinks, torpedoed by SS I-155 near Malacca
xAP Van Imhoff sinks, torpedoed by SS I-155 near Malacca
CMc Bangkalen sinks, torpedoed by SS I-123 near Merak
xAKL Loyaute sinks, torpedoed by SS I-20 near Noumea
xAP Wahine sinks, torpedoed by SS I-10 near Waipapakauri
xAKL Cebu sinks in port
xAK Tantalus sinks at sea, Air attack near Marcus Island
xAKL Parigi sinks at sea, shelled by SS I-124 near Singapore
xAP Camphuys sinks at sea, Air attack near Malacca
CM Krakatau sinks at sea, Type 88 Mine at 49 , 90
xAKL Soerabaja sinks at sea, Type 88 Mine at 49 , 90
xAP Hong Siang, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk, Air attack near Malacca
Loss of PG Herald on Dec 20, 1941 is admitted, sunk by CL Naka while trying to bombard Mersing
xAP Hong Peng hits Type 88 Mine at 49 , 90, on fire, heavy damage a surely a goner as well


Bad luck for my subs:

SS Pompano launches 4 torpedoes at CL Yubari near Kwajalein Island and misses
SS Pompano launches 4 torpedoes at DD Akebono near Kwajalein Island and misses
SS Cachalot launches 4 torpedoes at CL Yubari near Ailinglaplap and misses
SS Cachalot launches 4 torpedoes at CL Katori near Ailinglaplap and misses


Better luck with mines and bombs:

TF 8 encounters mine field at Mersing (51,82) - DD Harusame, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Catalina I from No.205 Sqn RAF has spotted DD Asagao at 51,82
DD Asagao is reported HIT
Hudson I from No.8 Sqn RAAF has spotted DD Asagao at 51,82
DD Asagao is reported HIT

Intel says "5/21st Division is loaded on a Husimi Cargo class xAK moving to Cam Ranh Bay" > Intel reports lots of troops moving to Cam Ranh Bay, must be misinformation trough clever routing instructions

Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6998 troops, 96 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 602

Defending force 1416 troops, 4 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Japanese adjusted assault: 203

Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
267 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Units pursuing 4

Allied ground losses:
710 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
33rd Div /5
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
34th Field AA Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
84th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
1st Manchester Battalion
2nd Argylls Battalion

1st Manchester Battalion RETREATING towards Johore Bahru
2nd Argylls Battalion RETREATING towards Johore Bahru
55th Infantry Regiment IN PURSUIT
114th Infantry Regiment IN PURSUIT
18th Mountain Gun Regiment IN PURSUIT
15th Ind Engineer Regiment IN PURSUIT

Dec 22/23, 1941

The Japanese keep spreading over the map, undefended Rabaul and undefended Canton Island switch ownership.

The enemy TFs spotted near Ternate are actually heading for Kendari instead of Ambon, Hudsons and Dutch flying boats impale themselves on Mini-KB CAP - Zeros from Zuiho reported. Mini-KB also caught Allied cruisers sent from the "secret base" at Wetar on a fruitless full-speed night dash to Ambon. Finally, Mini-KB sank the AO which just arrived at Wetar to refuel the short-legged Dutch ships. A second AO is on the way, fingers crossed. Other Allied cruisers hidding at Wetar are raising steam for a sortie against Kendari, where Dutch PT boats managed to torpedo a loaded transport.

CAP traps over Manila and Malaya bagged a couple of enemy planes.


Japanese forces CAPTURE Pucheng !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Dadjangas !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hollandia !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lolobato !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Canton Island !!!
Langkawi is occupied by the Japanese
Utan Melintang is occupied by the Japanese

Amphibious Assault at Kendari


HDML P 7 hits Type 88 Mine at 49 , 90 - HDML P 7 sinks at sea
Loss of MTB 10 on Dec 22, 1941 is admitted, Night Time Surface Combat near Mersing
Loss of MTB 27 on Dec 22, 1941 is admitted, Night Time Surface Combat near Mersing
Loss of TK Hai Kwang on Dec 22, 1941 is admitted, sunk by SS I-158 near Balikpapan
Loss of AO Victoria on Dec 22, 1941 is admitted - sunk by Mini-KB near Wetar
Loss of TM-7 on Dec 23, 1941 is admitted - Night Time Surface Combat near Kendari
Loss of TM-9 on Dec 23, 1941 is admitted - Night Time Surface Combat near Kendari
Loss of TM-11 on Dec 23, 1941 is admitted - Night Time Surface Combat near Kendari
Loss of xAP Elcano on Dec 23, 1941 is admitted, sunk by Kates near Kolaka

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

MAJ Lynch, T.J. of 24th PG/3rd PS is credited with kill number 4


Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP traps over the "Dunkirk beaches" at Port Dickson and Malacca have caught some bombers:

Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

FLT Vigors, T.A. of No.453 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WO Seagoe, G.E.G. of No.453 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WO Harrison, G. of No.21 Sqn RAAF is credited with kill number 2
FLT Vigors, T.A. of No.453 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 3

If this continues we may get a Buffalo ace.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein
CL Java, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Banckert
CL De Ruyter


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wetar at 72,114

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Jupiter

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kendari at 70,106, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso
DD Sanae
DD Yugao
DMS W-8
AK Hirokawa Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Haruna Maru
xAP Horai Maru
CM Yaeyama

Allied Ships
TM-8
TM-9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-10, Shell hits 1
TM-11, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
446 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 25% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 25% moonlight: 2,000 yards

6/33rd Division is loaded on a Shanghai Maru class xAP moving to Mersing.
5/33rd Division is loaded on a Keihuku Maru class xAP moving to Mersing.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Dec 24/25, 1941

No xmas truce in the Pacific.

A Japanese shock attack at Johore Baru has been stopped cold - lucky dice it seems. It looks like the remnants of four brigades - the Aussies and two brigades of the 9th Indian Division plus assorted III Corps troops may make it to Singers. Of course they have no chance to hold the city against the forces arrayed against them. I will try to get as many units out of the doomed city, the infantry battalions are useful to garrison India as most of the current garrison units will withdraw later in the war, and air support and engineers are always welcome. Alas, PPs are at premium because so many really baaaad leaders have to be changed at the start of the war.

The better part of the 11th Indian Division has been "dunkirked" from Port Dickson by small transports and merchantmen to Palembang, with acceptable losses - I was afraid that Netties, cruisers ands subs would really wreak havoc with the largely unescorted evacuation TFs.
Assorted elements cut-off north of Kluong will retreat to the jungles of Central Malaya in order to force the Japanese to hunt them down or to risk having their LOCs blocked.

ABDA cruisers bombard Kendari for minimum effect. At least they did not run into much opposition - a single PC - and escaped retaliation by Mini-KB. However, DD Alden was sunk by a sub one hex short of Soerabaja. The ABDA crusiers will dock for some quick repairs caused by two days of full speed running. At Kendari, Dutch flying boats have been busy from Day 1 to concentrate forces to defend this vital location. Now it is time to rebase and to evacuate the precious air support.

Mines and subs everywhere - the crew of I-8 earned their pay!


Japanese forces CAPTURE Atimonan !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Chuhsien !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Gardner Island !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Baker Island !!!
Oroquieta is occupied by the Japanese
Baler is occupied by the Japanese

Amphibious Assault at Wewak
Amphibious Assault at Kavieng

xAK Koomilya sinks, SS I-8 launches 2 torpedoes near Coffs Harbour
xAP Koolama sinks, SS I-24 launches 2 torpedoes near Darwin
DD Sims sinks.... - strange, DD Sims is alive and well
xAP Ipoh sinks at sea
PC Tydeman sinks in port
AM Eland Dubois hits Type 88 Mine at 49 , 90 - AM Eland Dubois sinks at sea
Loss of DD Alden on Dec 25, 1941 is admitted, suk by SS I-165 near Soerabaja
Loss of xAKL Yat Shing on Dec 25, 1941 is admitted, sunk by SS I-157 near Singapore
Loss of xAKL Sipirok on Dec 25, 1941 is admitted, sunk by SS I-154 near Palembang
Loss of xAP Van Outhoorn on Dec 25, 1941 is admitted, sunk by SS I-8 near Coffs Harbour
Loss of xAKL Wollongbar on Dec 25, 1941 is admitted, sunk by SS I-8 near Coffs Harbour
xAKL Palawan tries to sneak supplies into Luzon but is sunk by Mini-KB near Morotai

PC Nire sunk by CA Canberra at Kendari

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Johore Bahru at 50,83

Allied Ships
PG Soerabaja

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

PG Soerabaja firing at 114th Infantry Regiment

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

Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8416 troops, 79 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 281

Defending force 10316 troops, 107 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 200

Japanese adjusted assault: 130

Allied adjusted defense: 141

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2353 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 136 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled

Allied ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd Recon Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2/17 Dogra Battalion
SSVF Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2nd Loyal Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
2nd Argylls Battalion
3/16th Punjab Battalion
III Indian Corps
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
109th RAF Adv Base Force
1st ISF Base Force
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
113th RAF Adv Base Force
1st Manchester Battalion
5th Field Regiment

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

Next day more units arrive from Kluong and the Japanese wisely content themselves to bombard :

Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 322 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 628

Defending force 17277 troops, 187 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 363

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

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

Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
33rd Division
18th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
5/14th Punjab Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
2/17 Dogra Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Argylls Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
SSVF Brigade
3/16th Punjab Battalion
109th RAF Adv Base Force
1st ISF Base Force
1st Manchester Battalion
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
113th RAF Adv Base Force
5th Field Regiment


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Kendari at 70,106

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CA Houston
DD Pope
DD Whipple
DD Paul Jones
DD Stewart
DD John D. Ford
DD John D. Edwards

Japanese ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

CA Exeter firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
CA Cornwall firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
CA Canberra firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
CA Australia firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Houston
CA Houston firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Pope firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
DD Whipple firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
DD Paul Jones firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Stewart firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD John D. Ford firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD John D. Edwards firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Kendari at 70,106

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL Glasgow
CL Mauritius
CL Enterprise
CL Perth
CL Achilles
CL Leander
DD Pillsbury
DD Peary
DD Parrott
DD Edsall
DD Bulmer
DD Barker
DD Alden

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Marblehead
CL Marblehead firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
CL Glasgow firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
CL Mauritius firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
CL Enterprise firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
CL Perth firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
CL Achilles firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
CL Leander firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Pillsbury firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Peary firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
DD Parrott firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Edsall firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
DD Bulmer firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
DD Barker firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF
DD Alden firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Kendari at 70,106

Allied Ships
CL Caledon
CL Ceres
CL Dragon
DD Le Triomphant
DD Jupiter
DD Stuart

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

CL Caledon firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
CL Ceres firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
CL Dragon firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Le Triomphant firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Jupiter firing at Kure 2nd SNLF
DD Stuart firing at Sasebo 2nd SNLF

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2806 troops, 31 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Defending force 3444 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 102

Assaulting units:
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
Manado Garrison Battalion
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Dili Detachment
Kendari Base Force
12th Avn Sup Afd

Defending units:
Kure 2nd SNLF
Sasebo 2nd SNLF



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

Sturgeon no longer virgin ?

Sub attack near Cam Ranh Bay at 65,72

Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Teikyo Maru
PB Tonon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes at AMC Saigon Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Situation in Malaya:

[LargeSlowTarget]

Situation in China:

Focus of the action is around Nanyang, a race is on to escape encirclement in the open plains and to establish defenses in the woods and hills.

Two Japanese divisions have advanced from Wuchang in the direction of Changhsa and have routed three Corps defending the road hex, but now seem to have stopped. By precaution, most of 9th War Area units which had been deployed South and SE of Changsha to defend the river near Nanchang have been pulled back into Changsha.

3rd War Area units are retreating to Kanshien, where a Japanese Inf Rgt has been stopped just short of the city and is in the process of being surrounded. Wenchow is being defended by detachments of three different Corps, they will do or more likely die.

At 4th War Area, Wenchow is being invested by the Japanese, there is only one weak Corps defending the city, another weak Corps is defending the road to the East to prevent encirclement. I'm afraid I will have to evacuate Wenchow and the 60 points of light industry and their precious supplies. Central Reserve units are still marching south from Chungking to reinforce this War Area.

I have bought-out one of the "temp restricted" Chinese Corps to NCAC and will try to march it via Paoshan and Ledo to the flesh-pots of India to become a 800+ squads Godzilla.

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 26/27, 1941

Japan continues to expand into the Central Pacific and Solomons areas - nothing serious yet. The first Transport TFs carrying ground reinforcements for the South Pacific - 1 Army Regiment and 2 Marine Regiments - have refueled at the secret refueling depot in the deep South Pacific and continue on to NZ for reloading into amphib TFs.

In Malaya, the Dunkirk-style evac of the 11th Indian Div from Port Dickson to Palembang continues with little interference. Two deliberate ground attacks at Johore Baru defeated again - amazing! Remaining naval assets - two MTBs - continue to harass enemy ships off Mersing.

In China, rear-guard action at Chengchow while main forces have left to hide in the woods to defend the road to Sian. The retreat of the Chinese units from the Central Plains to Nanyang and beyond is still proceeding well despite enemy air attacks and artillery bombardments - apparently the enemy ground forces are not concentrated enough to risk attacks.

Bases lost:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kluong !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wewak !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kavieng !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Funafuti !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Jolo !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengchow !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Vaitupu !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sydney !!! Er, I mean Sydney Island.
Howland Island is occupied by the Japanese
Nukufetau is occupied by the Japanese

Ships lost:
MTB 9 is sunk by DD Michishio near Mersing
xAKL Raub is sunk by SS I-154 near Palembang
xAKL Pulganbar is sunk by SS I-171 near Port Moresby
xAKL Princessa is sunk by SS I-162 near Balikpapan
xAP Hong Kheng sinks - when and where not recorded
xAKL Princess of Negros sinks - when and where not recorded

Intel:
SSX Ha-5 is reported to have been sunk near Noumea on Dec 20, 1941
Coastwatcher Report: AKE Tatuno Maru reported in port at Rabaul > AKE are rare assets for the IJN, this may indicate that Ed has elected to put the "Schwerpunkt" in the South Pac / Australia area
Previous report of sinking of DD Susuki incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

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

Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24506 troops, 243 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 661

Defending force 18277 troops, 198 guns, 209 vehicles, Assault Value = 393

Japanese adjusted assault: 394

Allied adjusted defense: 195

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
2563 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 178 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled

Allied ground losses:
856 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
33rd Division
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Malay Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
1st Mysore Battalion
2nd Argylls Battalion
2nd Loyal Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
27th Australian Brigade
2/17 Dogra Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
SSVF Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
5/14th Punjab Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
3/16th Punjab Battalion
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
113th RAF Adv Base Force
III Indian Corps
1st ISF Base Force
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
109th RAF Adv Base Force
5th Field Regiment

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

Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22588 troops, 243 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 502

Defending force 17613 troops, 195 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 349

Japanese adjusted assault: 251

Allied adjusted defense: 147

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1929 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 92 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
945 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2/17 Dogra Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2nd Loyal Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
2nd Argylls Battalion
SSVF Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Gordons Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
1st Mysore Battalion
3/16th Punjab Battalion
1st Manchester Battalion
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st ISF Base Force
109th RAF Adv Base Force
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
2nd Malay Battalion
III Indian Corps
113th RAF Adv Base Force
5th Field Regiment

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Ground combat at Chengchow (88,44)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3965 troops, 34 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 111

Defending force 5826 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 171

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 80

Allied adjusted defense: 28

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
251 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1641 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 48 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
35th/A Division

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps