July 1st
Imperial forces take Sabang, at the northern tip of Sumatra. The Allied forces there (Dutch and indigenous troops) only put up a brief, token resistance. Over 5,600 prisoners were taken. Six battered Dakota Is were also captured at the airbase.
All of Luzon is now secured except for the Bataan garrison and Manila. Each day, dozens of our bombers pound the trapped (but very large) Allied army on Manila. The supply situation can’t be looking very pretty at this point.
Elsewhere, resources and oil flow largely unimpeded from the Southern Resource Area to the Home Islands. Allied submarine activity is almost non-existent.
The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
Love the efforts to improve the AAR with screenies and art. well done
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
...Norm3, cantona2, thanks for the comments.
July 1, 1942
Chimaera-san has taken Sabang, and Portland Roads with minor forces. These were easy bases for him to invade with second-rate, small units, the extent of what the Japanese have free at the moment. All large, elite IJA forces are in Manilla trying to take the City. Last I checked there were at least 6,000 AV points there. It is July and Manilla still holds with level 9 forts! Fortunately the Allies have a lot of supply left, despite the bombardment and air attacks. The Japanese didn't even touch Luzon until April, allowing ample time to march around and pull supply stockpiles into the City. This will delay the Japanese siege for some time to come!
Beyond Manilla, the hottest spot on the map has been Burma. However, Japanese troops have withdrawn from Mandalay, sitting across the river defending the road to Rangoon. Allied air happily pulverizes them from nearby, unmolested. Some of the troops participating in the siege of Mandalay now appear to be getting shipped toward Singapore, and we suppose, Manilla. This is great news if Chimaera-san must pull troops out of Burma to send to Luzon. The ripple affect of the heroic resistance in the Phillipines is being felt all over the map!
July 1, 1942
Chimaera-san has taken Sabang, and Portland Roads with minor forces. These were easy bases for him to invade with second-rate, small units, the extent of what the Japanese have free at the moment. All large, elite IJA forces are in Manilla trying to take the City. Last I checked there were at least 6,000 AV points there. It is July and Manilla still holds with level 9 forts! Fortunately the Allies have a lot of supply left, despite the bombardment and air attacks. The Japanese didn't even touch Luzon until April, allowing ample time to march around and pull supply stockpiles into the City. This will delay the Japanese siege for some time to come!
Beyond Manilla, the hottest spot on the map has been Burma. However, Japanese troops have withdrawn from Mandalay, sitting across the river defending the road to Rangoon. Allied air happily pulverizes them from nearby, unmolested. Some of the troops participating in the siege of Mandalay now appear to be getting shipped toward Singapore, and we suppose, Manilla. This is great news if Chimaera-san must pull troops out of Burma to send to Luzon. The ripple affect of the heroic resistance in the Phillipines is being felt all over the map!
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
The Allied war correspondents are in error. The Empire actually possesses very substantial strategic reserves. If any forces are temporarily leaving the Burma theater, it is merely for them to train in quieter, healthier environs and to allow greener troops to be rotated in.
To build "Fortress Manila", the Allies foraged Luzon quite mercilessly, and our troops are actually helping the indigenous peoples rebuild their homes and farms. Nasty typhoons only made matters worse. A lot of our supplies have gone into repairing the damage. Meanwhile, Helen and Sally bombers plaster Manila with bombs and leaflets urging honorable capitulation but the Allies are being surprisingly recalcitrant.
To build "Fortress Manila", the Allies foraged Luzon quite mercilessly, and our troops are actually helping the indigenous peoples rebuild their homes and farms. Nasty typhoons only made matters worse. A lot of our supplies have gone into repairing the damage. Meanwhile, Helen and Sally bombers plaster Manila with bombs and leaflets urging honorable capitulation but the Allies are being surprisingly recalcitrant.
RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
July 6, 1942
Update Phillipines:
Bombardment continues in Manilla, but the Japanese remain fearful of direct ground assault.
Update Burma:
Naval movement is afoot for the Japanese and Allies in the Indian Ocean. The Japanese send a large Betty strike against transports unloading a base force in Akyab and successfully torpedo 4 transports sinking one. The cost was 20+ Zekes and a couple other aircraft. Some new airframes are beginning to join the fray, notably the P-38 and the Ki-44 Tojo. Tojos manage most of the Japanse air-to-air kills in this round, a fairly impressive go considering there were only 4.
Update Phillipines:
Bombardment continues in Manilla, but the Japanese remain fearful of direct ground assault.
Update Burma:
Naval movement is afoot for the Japanese and Allies in the Indian Ocean. The Japanese send a large Betty strike against transports unloading a base force in Akyab and successfully torpedo 4 transports sinking one. The cost was 20+ Zekes and a couple other aircraft. Some new airframes are beginning to join the fray, notably the P-38 and the Ki-44 Tojo. Tojos manage most of the Japanse air-to-air kills in this round, a fairly impressive go considering there were only 4.
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HMS Resolution
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
Holy heck, if Manilla holds out long enough, the allies could conceivably reach the Phillipines in time to relieve it.
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Rob Brennan UK
- Posts: 3685
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 8:36 pm
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
Interesting stuff. I am enjoying the read.
Thank you both for sharing [&o]
Thank you both for sharing [&o]
sorry for the spelling . English is my main language , I just can't type . and i'm too lazy to edit 
RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
July 14th
HMS Resolution, you have a point. In fact, Allied honor demands that the USN sally forth to the aid of the defenders in Manila! [;)]
Thanks Rob and welcome to the AAR!
A brief but interesting clash of arms in the Andaman Sea, at/off Port Blair to be precise. My air reconnaissance reported no sign of any Allied naval presence near Port Blair, so I sent a very lightly protected transport TF (only patrol craft and minesweepers) to take the place. The invasion would be covered by land-based fighters and Bettys from our bases in Burma.
The enemy actually had several TFs that managed to escape our notice. A night surface battle (fortunately only three British destroyers engaged us) sank a MSW and one AK. Thankfully the prudent transport TF commander quickly withdrew, preventing a potential massacre.
Our first, main air strike was met by a surprisingly strong CAP of Sea Hurricanes and P-40Es at Port Blair. The Allies fought well but were only able to down 5 Zekes for the loss of 3 Sea Hurricanes and 13 P-40Es. This cleared the path for our Bettys to enter the fray. Five torpedoes struck the light cruiser Birmingham. She sank immediately.
Unfortunately, the weather soon closed in, saving the Allied ships at Port Blair from further Betty attack, but 3 nosey PC boats were sunk in a second strike.
Will the Royal Navy stay for more, or call it a day?
HMS Resolution, you have a point. In fact, Allied honor demands that the USN sally forth to the aid of the defenders in Manila! [;)]
Thanks Rob and welcome to the AAR!
A brief but interesting clash of arms in the Andaman Sea, at/off Port Blair to be precise. My air reconnaissance reported no sign of any Allied naval presence near Port Blair, so I sent a very lightly protected transport TF (only patrol craft and minesweepers) to take the place. The invasion would be covered by land-based fighters and Bettys from our bases in Burma.
The enemy actually had several TFs that managed to escape our notice. A night surface battle (fortunately only three British destroyers engaged us) sank a MSW and one AK. Thankfully the prudent transport TF commander quickly withdrew, preventing a potential massacre.
Our first, main air strike was met by a surprisingly strong CAP of Sea Hurricanes and P-40Es at Port Blair. The Allies fought well but were only able to down 5 Zekes for the loss of 3 Sea Hurricanes and 13 P-40Es. This cleared the path for our Bettys to enter the fray. Five torpedoes struck the light cruiser Birmingham. She sank immediately.
Unfortunately, the weather soon closed in, saving the Allied ships at Port Blair from further Betty attack, but 3 nosey PC boats were sunk in a second strike.
Will the Royal Navy stay for more, or call it a day?
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
An elaborate naval rendezvous rarely work out when trying to key in and intercept a large task force. This is the second time I've been burned on this. I've learned it's best to make this work with one large TF as opposed to converging several small ones. The upside was that the smaller TFs were not spotted. At any rate, a lesson in tactics that cost me one British CL.
July 15, 1942
Update Manilla:
Manilla still holds, and there has not been a single ground attack since June 17. However, my troops are getting pounded daily by over 200 Ki-49 Helens and 60 [X(] enemy units bombarding me from the same hex.
Update Port Blair:
A wild ride as I lose the HMS Birmingham in a relatively botched naval maneuver that merely deflects his transport TF from landing. Because the weather is so bad in this theater, I had little confidence that a naval attack from Akyab would happen. On July 14 my Blenheims did not fly from Akyab, but they sure did come through on July 15, making multiple hits against Chimaera-san's transports (see map). God Bless the Blenheims! I consider this wildly lucky, and some retribution for the loss of the HMS Birmingham, which I now realize, did not perish in vain.
July 15, 1942
Update Manilla:
Manilla still holds, and there has not been a single ground attack since June 17. However, my troops are getting pounded daily by over 200 Ki-49 Helens and 60 [X(] enemy units bombarding me from the same hex.
Update Port Blair:
A wild ride as I lose the HMS Birmingham in a relatively botched naval maneuver that merely deflects his transport TF from landing. Because the weather is so bad in this theater, I had little confidence that a naval attack from Akyab would happen. On July 14 my Blenheims did not fly from Akyab, but they sure did come through on July 15, making multiple hits against Chimaera-san's transports (see map). God Bless the Blenheims! I consider this wildly lucky, and some retribution for the loss of the HMS Birmingham, which I now realize, did not perish in vain.
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
July 20th updates
Philippines
On July 18th, Imperial forces launched a concerted attack against Fortress Manila with over 350,000 troops, 1760 guns and 539 tanks. The Allied defenders (estimated at 102,000 before the offensive), subject to air and artillery bombardment for weeks, put up a stiff fight but we were able to bring fort levels down to 8.
Casualties on the Allied side exceeded 5,600 troops, 165 guns captured or destroyed (out of an original 742 guns) and 15 tanks. Our own casualties were also heavy but tolerable under the circumstances.
Burma
After the Blenheim strike of July 15th, the more seriously damaged transport ships disbanded at Rangoon port, but the Allies persisted. Several attacks against Rangoon developed over the next few days.
July 16th – Allied heavy bombers hit the airbase, losing 5 B-24D and 8 B-17E. 2 Zekes and 3 Tojos were lost, and the airbase suffered light-moderate damage, with other aircraft damaged on the ground.
July 19th – Allied P-38Fs managed to ambush some of our greener Zeke units, shooting down fifteen for the loss of only one P-38! A black day for the Imperial air arm. [:@]
July 20th – Allied heavies/pirates raided Rangoon port, causing heavy damage to defenseless transports and civilian ships but suffered 16 B-17E and 11 B-24D lost in air-air combat. Our own losses were a mere 3 A6M2s and 2 Tojos.
Philippines
On July 18th, Imperial forces launched a concerted attack against Fortress Manila with over 350,000 troops, 1760 guns and 539 tanks. The Allied defenders (estimated at 102,000 before the offensive), subject to air and artillery bombardment for weeks, put up a stiff fight but we were able to bring fort levels down to 8.
Casualties on the Allied side exceeded 5,600 troops, 165 guns captured or destroyed (out of an original 742 guns) and 15 tanks. Our own casualties were also heavy but tolerable under the circumstances.
Burma
After the Blenheim strike of July 15th, the more seriously damaged transport ships disbanded at Rangoon port, but the Allies persisted. Several attacks against Rangoon developed over the next few days.
July 16th – Allied heavy bombers hit the airbase, losing 5 B-24D and 8 B-17E. 2 Zekes and 3 Tojos were lost, and the airbase suffered light-moderate damage, with other aircraft damaged on the ground.
July 19th – Allied P-38Fs managed to ambush some of our greener Zeke units, shooting down fifteen for the loss of only one P-38! A black day for the Imperial air arm. [:@]
July 20th – Allied heavies/pirates raided Rangoon port, causing heavy damage to defenseless transports and civilian ships but suffered 16 B-17E and 11 B-24D lost in air-air combat. Our own losses were a mere 3 A6M2s and 2 Tojos.
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
July 29th updates
Philippines
Supported by continuous air and artillery attacks, Imperial troops are gradually collapsing the defense at Manila. Fortification levels have been brought down to level 6 (from an initial 9), and unconfirmed intelligence has it that General MacArthur and his staff officers have been evacuated by submarine. Enemy losses are extremely heavy, and our estimates have their strength at 77,000 men, 282 guns and 262 tanks (out of an initial strength of about 102,000).
Dutch East Indies
Bali was secured on Jul 23rd, with 2962 Allied casualties.
Pontianak was taken on July 27th (1544 enemy casualties).
Burma
A fighter sweep against Mandalay on July 28th resulted in 27 Hurricane IIBs and 6 Kittyhawk Is shot down for the loss of two dozen Zekes.
War at sea
Submarine I-154 sank AK Empire Ranger in the Indian Ocean on July 28th.
Bettys sank two AKs at Akyab on July 29th.
Philippines
Supported by continuous air and artillery attacks, Imperial troops are gradually collapsing the defense at Manila. Fortification levels have been brought down to level 6 (from an initial 9), and unconfirmed intelligence has it that General MacArthur and his staff officers have been evacuated by submarine. Enemy losses are extremely heavy, and our estimates have their strength at 77,000 men, 282 guns and 262 tanks (out of an initial strength of about 102,000).
Dutch East Indies
Bali was secured on Jul 23rd, with 2962 Allied casualties.
Pontianak was taken on July 27th (1544 enemy casualties).
Burma
A fighter sweep against Mandalay on July 28th resulted in 27 Hurricane IIBs and 6 Kittyhawk Is shot down for the loss of two dozen Zekes.
War at sea
Submarine I-154 sank AK Empire Ranger in the Indian Ocean on July 28th.
Bettys sank two AKs at Akyab on July 29th.
RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
August 13, 1942
The Thrilla in Manila has ended. Manila finally succumbed after a massive Japanese siege that included about 300 Japanese bombers (mostly Helens), and some 300,000 + troops, and over 2,000 guns. There were about a dozen direct assaults including 2 shock attacks. Manila forts began at level 9 with about 35,000 supplies.
Total Japanese losses from June through August '42 were:
146,308 casualties
1198 guns
309 vehicles
Total Allied force in Manila before the siege began was:
112,612 troops
834 guns
349 vehicles
In the final battle 99,702 Allied troops, 186 guns, and 153 vehicles surrendered.
The Thrilla in Manila has ended. Manila finally succumbed after a massive Japanese siege that included about 300 Japanese bombers (mostly Helens), and some 300,000 + troops, and over 2,000 guns. There were about a dozen direct assaults including 2 shock attacks. Manila forts began at level 9 with about 35,000 supplies.
Total Japanese losses from June through August '42 were:
146,308 casualties
1198 guns
309 vehicles
Total Allied force in Manila before the siege began was:
112,612 troops
834 guns
349 vehicles
In the final battle 99,702 Allied troops, 186 guns, and 153 vehicles surrendered.
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
August 16th updates
Philippines
Imperial troops finally took Fortress Manila on August 13th. The Allied journalists’ figures for their own losses are correct, but they have severely inflated Japanese losses. Imperial casualties, while certainly not as low as we would like, are mostly walking wounded, and most of the artillery and tanks are completely operational after a brief spell of repairs.
On August 16th, Prime Minister Tojo arrived in Manila for a brief tour and to congratulate the victorious troops.
Andaman area
Our troops secured Nicobar Island on August 7th – there was no opposition. On August 14th however, a British cruiser force (with destroyer escorts) made a dastardly but well executed night sortie against our transports there and sank two AK ships.
Burma
On August 8th, an overly aggressive RAF commander decided to test our air defenses at Rangoon. The Allied bomber crews bravely pressed home their attacks, but were unable to prevent our Zeke and Ki-44 fighters from downing 26 Wellington IIIs.
Philippines
Imperial troops finally took Fortress Manila on August 13th. The Allied journalists’ figures for their own losses are correct, but they have severely inflated Japanese losses. Imperial casualties, while certainly not as low as we would like, are mostly walking wounded, and most of the artillery and tanks are completely operational after a brief spell of repairs.
On August 16th, Prime Minister Tojo arrived in Manila for a brief tour and to congratulate the victorious troops.
Andaman area
Our troops secured Nicobar Island on August 7th – there was no opposition. On August 14th however, a British cruiser force (with destroyer escorts) made a dastardly but well executed night sortie against our transports there and sank two AK ships.
Burma
On August 8th, an overly aggressive RAF commander decided to test our air defenses at Rangoon. The Allied bomber crews bravely pressed home their attacks, but were unable to prevent our Zeke and Ki-44 fighters from downing 26 Wellington IIIs.
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
August 20th
Philippines
Bataan fell to Imperial forces on August 17th. 1261 Allied prisoners and 8 guns were taken there. All of Luzon is now secure.
Naval war
USS S-36 managed to ambush a resource convoy in the South China Sea, hitting the cargo ship Bushu Maru with two torpedoes. Our escorting destroyers retaliated with depth charges, and several direct hits were scored, putting an end to S-36. Bushu Maru is badly damaged but will try to make port at Brunei.
SS-36 at San Francisco, pre-war
Philippines
Bataan fell to Imperial forces on August 17th. 1261 Allied prisoners and 8 guns were taken there. All of Luzon is now secure.
Naval war
USS S-36 managed to ambush a resource convoy in the South China Sea, hitting the cargo ship Bushu Maru with two torpedoes. Our escorting destroyers retaliated with depth charges, and several direct hits were scored, putting an end to S-36. Bushu Maru is badly damaged but will try to make port at Brunei.
SS-36 at San Francisco, pre-war
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
August 27, 1942
Nothing significant to report. Chimaera-san is mopping up, albeit slowly, in the PI after the fall of Manila. He is probably consolidating and healing his ground forces, and cogitating on where and when to strike next.
Will he strike for a major objective, or will he go on the defensive, holding large forces for a counterattack? This is the $64 question.
KB and the entire Japanese Navy are intact. US Naval assets are also wholly intact. The RN has suffered some loss of CLs and a couple CAs, but no BBs or CVs. So far, almost all the fighting has been on the ground and in the air.
Further, there's been very little sub action, and what little there has been is on the Allied side. IJN subs might be out there, but they are too timid to engage. There has been but one AK lost due to IJN sub action since January 1942. I suspect that my opponent is holding most of his subs back for other reasons.
I've noticed that when Chimaera applies his naval assets, he uses them all. There's no in between whether it's surface or CVs. At this point in the war any IJN CVs that show up, will be collectively massed with 200+ fighter cap. Capital ships will be completely massed in one or two groups.
Current map overview. Yellow circles denote principal areas of air strikes:
Nothing significant to report. Chimaera-san is mopping up, albeit slowly, in the PI after the fall of Manila. He is probably consolidating and healing his ground forces, and cogitating on where and when to strike next.
Will he strike for a major objective, or will he go on the defensive, holding large forces for a counterattack? This is the $64 question.
KB and the entire Japanese Navy are intact. US Naval assets are also wholly intact. The RN has suffered some loss of CLs and a couple CAs, but no BBs or CVs. So far, almost all the fighting has been on the ground and in the air.
Further, there's been very little sub action, and what little there has been is on the Allied side. IJN subs might be out there, but they are too timid to engage. There has been but one AK lost due to IJN sub action since January 1942. I suspect that my opponent is holding most of his subs back for other reasons.
I've noticed that when Chimaera applies his naval assets, he uses them all. There's no in between whether it's surface or CVs. At this point in the war any IJN CVs that show up, will be collectively massed with 200+ fighter cap. Capital ships will be completely massed in one or two groups.
Current map overview. Yellow circles denote principal areas of air strikes:
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
August 29th
Air war
US air units are starting to field comparably large numbers of the P-38F Lightning. The P-38 is a good, robust design, capable of withstanding a lot of punishment, and is a dangerous aerial opponent when piloted by competent airmen.
On August 28th, the enemy sent a large number of P-38Fs on a fighter sweep against Hanoi. These were part of their elite “American Volunteer Group” (AVG) units that are helping the Chinese Nationalist bandits. A dozen P-38s were shot down, for the loss of 16 Tojos. However, most of our pilots managed to parachute to safety.
South Pacific
Shortlands fell to our troops on August 25th. Makin was taken on August 29th.
Andaman area
Bettys sank the fast minelayers HMS Manxman and Abdiel at Nicobar Island on August 25th.
Air war
US air units are starting to field comparably large numbers of the P-38F Lightning. The P-38 is a good, robust design, capable of withstanding a lot of punishment, and is a dangerous aerial opponent when piloted by competent airmen.
On August 28th, the enemy sent a large number of P-38Fs on a fighter sweep against Hanoi. These were part of their elite “American Volunteer Group” (AVG) units that are helping the Chinese Nationalist bandits. A dozen P-38s were shot down, for the loss of 16 Tojos. However, most of our pilots managed to parachute to safety.
South Pacific
Shortlands fell to our troops on August 25th. Makin was taken on August 29th.
Andaman area
Bettys sank the fast minelayers HMS Manxman and Abdiel at Nicobar Island on August 25th.
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BigBadWolf
- Posts: 584
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:01 am
- Location: Serbia
RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
Something should be done about those American mercenaries... [:)] Tigers shouldn't be a match for Samurai Eagles.
RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
September 2nd
Air war
The Ki-61 fighter made its combat debut on September 2nd. A strong fighter sweep from Rangoon against Akyab downed 12 Hurricane IIBs for the loss of only 2 Ki-61s. Warrant Officer R. Okajima of the 24th Fighter Sentai (flying the new Ki-61s) got his fifth kill, becoming Japan’s latest ace.
Andaman area
On August 30th, our paratroops conducted an airborne assault against Port Blair. The port is quite weakly defended (by support units) and poorly supplied. Port Blair was taken a day later. The total prisoner haul was 3022 Allied troops.
A spectacular view of the Andaman Sea from Port Blair after the Allied surrender
Air war
The Ki-61 fighter made its combat debut on September 2nd. A strong fighter sweep from Rangoon against Akyab downed 12 Hurricane IIBs for the loss of only 2 Ki-61s. Warrant Officer R. Okajima of the 24th Fighter Sentai (flying the new Ki-61s) got his fifth kill, becoming Japan’s latest ace.
Andaman area
On August 30th, our paratroops conducted an airborne assault against Port Blair. The port is quite weakly defended (by support units) and poorly supplied. Port Blair was taken a day later. The total prisoner haul was 3022 Allied troops.
A spectacular view of the Andaman Sea from Port Blair after the Allied surrender
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
September 14, 1942
Central Pacific
Some interesting action around Wake where a number of IJN subs moved in to lay mines. Several were hit by ASW and one was hit by a mine at Wake, but none were sunk. Fortunately a couple of MSWs were around to clean things up. An Allied DM was hit by a mine at Wake and barely holds on. I'm wondering if Chimaera-san is thinking about attacking here--doing some sub/minelaying recon. Wake is fairly exposed. I think Japan avoided taking it earlier because of its overwhelming commitment in the DEI/PI/Burma earlier in the war.
Meanwhile, nearby, a few Allied CV task forces were stealthily cruising toward Marcus Island in the hopes of surprising the small airfield there. Instead they found a small Japanese transport TF and managed to sink a few APs and PGs. Based on intel, some 6 ships were sunk. Lucky timing. I had no idea ships would be there.
This remains a risky raid for me, as I have no indication where any Japanese carriers are. In fact I haven't seen or detected a single IJN CV in about 6 weeks. I imagine some repair and refit are going on, but it's been a while. It may be a bit of a ride trying to get my CVs into safer waters. Stay tuned.
Central Pacific
Some interesting action around Wake where a number of IJN subs moved in to lay mines. Several were hit by ASW and one was hit by a mine at Wake, but none were sunk. Fortunately a couple of MSWs were around to clean things up. An Allied DM was hit by a mine at Wake and barely holds on. I'm wondering if Chimaera-san is thinking about attacking here--doing some sub/minelaying recon. Wake is fairly exposed. I think Japan avoided taking it earlier because of its overwhelming commitment in the DEI/PI/Burma earlier in the war.
Meanwhile, nearby, a few Allied CV task forces were stealthily cruising toward Marcus Island in the hopes of surprising the small airfield there. Instead they found a small Japanese transport TF and managed to sink a few APs and PGs. Based on intel, some 6 ships were sunk. Lucky timing. I had no idea ships would be there.
This remains a risky raid for me, as I have no indication where any Japanese carriers are. In fact I haven't seen or detected a single IJN CV in about 6 weeks. I imagine some repair and refit are going on, but it's been a while. It may be a bit of a ride trying to get my CVs into safer waters. Stay tuned.
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RE: The Plunder, the Blunder, and the Agony
October 5th
Relative quiet in the Pacific as both sides train their air units and build up their bases. Interestingly, there has been little sign of the P-38 fighters since the last combat over Hanoi in late August.
There were however two significant air engagements over Port Moresby and Taung Gyi.
The Allies launched a large heavy bomber raid against Port Moresby on September 29th. 36 B-17Es and 95 B-24Ds struck the airbase from Australia. Just over thirty A6M2s rose to defend Moresby, shooting down 13 B-24s and 3 B-17s for the loss of 5 Zekes in the air. The base suffered moderate damage but remained operational. Several more Zekes and 2 Emily searchplanes were badly damaged on the ground.
On October 5th, 70 Blenheim IVs hit Taung Gyi. Unfortunately for the enemy, Ki-61s and A6M2s were waiting to pounce. Forty Blenheims were destroyed for the loss of just 1 Ki-61 and 1 A6M2. Banzai!
Relative quiet in the Pacific as both sides train their air units and build up their bases. Interestingly, there has been little sign of the P-38 fighters since the last combat over Hanoi in late August.
There were however two significant air engagements over Port Moresby and Taung Gyi.
The Allies launched a large heavy bomber raid against Port Moresby on September 29th. 36 B-17Es and 95 B-24Ds struck the airbase from Australia. Just over thirty A6M2s rose to defend Moresby, shooting down 13 B-24s and 3 B-17s for the loss of 5 Zekes in the air. The base suffered moderate damage but remained operational. Several more Zekes and 2 Emily searchplanes were badly damaged on the ground.
On October 5th, 70 Blenheim IVs hit Taung Gyi. Unfortunately for the enemy, Ki-61s and A6M2s were waiting to pounce. Forty Blenheims were destroyed for the loss of just 1 Ki-61 and 1 A6M2. Banzai!
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