IN HARM'S WAY: Tophat(J) vs Spruance(A)

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 3-17-42


After 3 months of near continuous bombardment and assaults by 100 level bombers and 150,000 IJA troops, the 55,000 remaining American and Philippino defenders of Manila...emaciated and out of ammo....surrendered today under the authority of General MacArthur:

Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 124594 troops, 1008 guns, 206 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2343

Defending force 26772 troops, 46 guns, 65 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 577

Japanese max assault: 4178 - adjusted assault: 3597

Allied max defense: 526 - adjusted defense: 1413

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
2756 casualties reported
Guns lost 34
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
55312 casualties reported
Guns lost 186
Vehicles lost 43


This time there was no out of synch report. The surviving Allied troops were marched north to POW camps in central Luzon in what will be known as "The Bataan Death March".

The only remainingt pockets of resistance in the entire PI are 6 beaten up Allied units at Bataan and some aviation engineers at Cebu and Iloile.

The beaten up resupply AKs at Manila now have to make their way through Jap infested waters to safety on Borneo.

The gallant P-40Es were withdrawn from Bataan today and the Allied airforces redeploy for the defense of Java.

So where will the 150,000 strong Japanese army on Luzon move next?


MALAYA:

The Japanese launch a massive shock attack at Singapore only to suffer massive casualties:

Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 136834 troops, 823 guns, 104 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2342

Defending force 67926 troops, 514 guns, 12 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1060

Japanese max assault: 3468 - adjusted assault: 1016

Allied max defense: 1157 - adjusted defense: 1716

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


Japanese ground losses:
6647 casualties reported
Guns lost 162
Vehicles lost 10

Allied ground losses:
2317 casualties reported
Guns lost 55
Vehicles lost 1

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 3-22-42

The CD guns at Bataan fire one last time before the Japanese launch their final assault:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/22/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval Gun Fire at Bataan (42,51) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

34 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Ryuko Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Kiso Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Isin Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

A massive attack by 85,000 IJA troops completely overwhelms the remaining defenders:

Ground combat at Bataan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83165 troops, 603 guns, 254 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1802

Defending force 5523 troops, 43 guns, 4 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 65

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 1403 - adjusted assault: 1303

Allied max defense: 49 - adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 434 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bataan base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
7731 casualties reported
Guns lost 36
Vehicles lost 3

Another 7000 American and Philippino prisoners join the Bataan Death March.

Japan has now completely secured Luzon.


SINGAPORE:

The last Japanese assault at Singapore 5 days ago reduced the Allied Assault Value(AV) to a little over 900. The defenders regain about 25 AV per day and now are at AV 1050.

Supply is good at 47,000 points and the 16,000 oil and resource points should power the HI here for another 50 days.

Allied bombardment by LCUs and heavy bombers on a daily basis are taking a heavy toll on the besieging Japanese troops:

Ground combat at Singapore

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 41782 troops, 392 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1052

Defending force 127916 troops, 596 guns, 97 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1933


Japanese ground losses:
423 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 23,50


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Day Air attack on 18th Division, at 23,50


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 23,50


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 27
A-20B Boston x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 12


Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 23,50


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 3-22-42


MALAYA:

In an amazing turn of events, General Yamashita, the "Tiger of Malaya", withdrew his 160,000 strong Army of Malaya out of Singapore and back across the causeway to Johore Bharu. Evidently the daily artillery and air bombardment of his troops had caused excessive disruption and supply shortages.

The defenders of Singapore will use this respite to rebuild their formations and enlarge their fortifications.

But where will Yamashita's troops head....back into Singapore after regrouping or a large scale thrust into Burma or Java?

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 4-20-42


After a month long Sitzkrieg with no offensive actions by Japan Tophat turns up the heat across the SRA.


MALAYA:

Over 160,000 IJA troops have been languishing in the malarial jungles of Johore Bharu while across the causeway 70,000 SEAC troops have been fat and happy while taking R&R at the Sheraton Singapore.

Allied recon has shown that at least 2 more IJA divisions are marching down the Malay peninsula to reinforce their army in Johore Bharu.

Japan had also been bombing the airbases at Singapore about every other day to keep the Allied engineers from increasing their level of fortification.

Allied fighters staged into Singapore to protect the bases there and a small airbattle ensued:

Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
Hurricane II x 43
P-40B Tomahawk x 22
P-40E Warhawk x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Hurricane II: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japan will be back with far heavier forces in the next day or 2.


DEI:

Japan invades at Kendari and Brunei.

KB sits offshore to the NE of Kebari to cover the invasion there as Japanese bombardment TFs work over Allied airfields in the area:

Naval bombardment of Brunei, at 32,57


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Chokai
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Haruna

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 55
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 88 encounters mine field at Brunei (32,57)

TF 88 troops unloading over beach at Brunei, 32,57


Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported

Here is a screenshot of the current situation as an IJN bombadrment TF waits in the Celebes Sea to bombard and Alled base on the Strait of Makassar:

[1275psi]

GAWD, from a japanese players view -man I am so glad i am not fighting you[8|]

This game is as good as won by the allies already -4th month, and no oil fields yet siezed, gazillions of pilots shot down, ect, ect.

Well done.[:'(][&o][&o][&o]

[racndoc]

1257 PSI....

Thanks for your comments. There is still a way to go before the Allies reach CV parity but yes it looks as if the Japanese timetable of conquest is behind schedule.


SITUATION REPORT: 4-21-42 THE AIR WAR OVER SINGAPORE

Japan went all out today in attempt to establish air superiority over Singapore and the Malay peninsula.

First there was a sweep by 47 A6M2s:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
Hurricane II x 48
P-40E Warhawk x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 47 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 25 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Then there was a massive strike by over 100 A6M2s and Bettys:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 105
G4M1 Betty x 32

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
Hurricane II x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 51 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 10 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 11 destroyed
Hurricane II: 18 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

106 Japanese planes are destroyed in A2A combat today vs 84 Allied. Individual plane losses include 100 A6M2s, 10 Bettys, 43 Hurricanes, 14 P-40Es, 14 F4F-3s and 13 F4F-4s.

So far in the war Japan has lost 1951 AC vs 1352 Allied AC with an astounding total of 587 A6M2s destroyed.

Early in the war Japan was producing 200+ A6M2s per month but after suffering heavy losses in March Tophat told me he was increasing A6M2 production to "ridiculous" levels. Fortunately the pool of trained pilots must be running dry.

I was pretty happy with the results...the Allies lost only 14 of the irreplaceable P-40Es, and the F4Fs as well as the Marine pilot pool are virtually inexhaustable. As far as the Hurricanes, I had over 70 in the pool and I think I will be able to swap them for Spitfires next month so the losses are acceptable.


DEI:

Japan captures Kendari:

Ground combat at Kendari

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4831 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 129

Defending force 979 troops, 3 guns, 2 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 81 - adjusted assault: 74

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Ive evacuated virtually all the Dutch battalions to Java so the outlying bases in the DEI should be easy pickings.

Japanese troops continue to land at Brunei.

As G-2 predicted, the IJN bombardment TF hit Balikpappan yesterday but the Allied AC had been evacuated:

Naval bombardment of Balikpapan, at 31,64

Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
421 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 3

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

There was a reception committee of torpedo bombers and level bombers in the area but poor weather grounded everything.


Here is a screenshot of the situation around Malaya. There are 2 IJN transport TFs apparently heading for Mersing. I think that the biggest problem for the IJA 15th Army in Malaya has been the lack of supply and these convoys could reverse the situation. Thunderstorms cover the convoys today but maybe the weather will improve for Allied bombers tomorrow.

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 4-28-42


MALAYA:

General Yamashita moves back to Singapore with 237,000 troops....this must be virtually the entire Southern Army. Japan really means business at Singapore this time.


DEI:

Japan captures Brunei and Tarakan and invades at Miri and Balikpappan. KB is supporting amphiboius operations off Balikpappan.

Allied medium bombers continue to take a toll on Japanese shipping in the waters surrounding Borneo:

Day Air attack on TF at 35,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
B-26B Marauder x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Horai Maru
DD Hokaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shinonome, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Day Air attack on TF at 35,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-26B Marauder x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed


Japanese Ships
AP Kakyu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Horai Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Hokaze, on fire
AP Kasuga Maru #2
DD Shinonome, on fire

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 5-1-42


We finally reach May and the Zero bonus is gone. The British air units may now also be upgraded. First air group to update will be the Sea Gladiator biplane fighters on the RN CVs.


DEI:

Japanese launch a deliberate attack at Balikpappan and continue to reduce the fortifications there:

Ground combat at Balikpapan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17612 troops, 132 guns, 5 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 347

Defending force 3033 troops, 16 guns, 3 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 54

Japanese max assault: 343 - adjusted assault: 137

Allied max defense: 53 - adjusted defense: 47

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported

Allied bombers continue to work over the assault transports off the coast of Balikpappan:

Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5
T.IVa x 6
Martin 139 x 13


Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame
AP Tohuku Maru

Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Martin 139 x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 1
AP Tenyo Maru, Bomb hits 1


Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame
CL Naka, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PC Takunan Maru #5
DD Natsugumo
AP Taimei Maru, Bomb hits 1

Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5
Martin 139 x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, on fire
CL Naka, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Amphibious operations without adequate CAP is becoming very expensive for Japan in the Makassar Strait.

Allied heavy bombers based at Batavia continue to pound the Japanese airstrip at Kuching:

Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 35
LB-30 Liberator x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 52

Another 18 A6M2s are destroyed on the ground here. Japan has lost 660 A6M2s in less than 5 months...over 135 per month. Here is a screenshot of aircraft losses:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 5-12-52



MALAYA:

The handwriting is on the wall as General Yamashita launches yet another massive attack at Singapore:

Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 197566 troops, 1131 guns, 8 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3203

Defending force 72550 troops, 426 guns, 11 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 995

Japanese max assault: 2709 - adjusted assault: 2113

Allied max defense: 996 - adjusted defense: 2329

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


Japanese ground losses:
2539 casualties reported
Guns lost 45
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
3445 casualties reported
Guns lost 111

At this rate Singapore will fall by the end of the month.


CHINA:

Largest air battle of the war over China occurs today over Yenen:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/12/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Yenen , at 50,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 48

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 13
Hurricane II x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 12 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 17 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 8 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

This was the first use of the brand new A6M3 airframe by Japan and the first 18 were unceremoniously shot down today.

Japan seems to be making their major effort in China in the north...an outflanking manuever on Yenen is currently in progress.


DEI;

Japan captures Samarinda and Balikpappan and is now in total control of the southern Borneo coast.

The Allies are unable to stop the Japanese tide here so resort to strategic bombing of oil at Balikpappan:

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 39
LB-30 Liberator x 63


No Allied losses

Oil hits 67

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 5-18-42


DEI:

Japan launches a 100 plane A6M2 strike from Johore Bharu to sweep Allied fighters over Palembang:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/18/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 107

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 4
CW-21B Demon x 15
P-40B Tomahawk x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 40 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 4 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 13 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

The Dutch fighters hold their own remarkably well....obviously the quality of Japanese pilots has declined dramatically. Japan loses another 42 A6M2s today for a total of 741 in the war. Overall, Japanese AC loses are 2391 vs 1651 Allied AC.

Allied heavy and medium bombers continue to work over the oil production facilities on Borneo:

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Martin 139 x 2
Beaufort V-IX x 18
A-20B Boston x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 53


No Allied losses

Oil hits 17

Oil production has been completely destroyed at Balikpappan and Miri and is only operating at 50% capacity at Brunei and Tarakan.


MALAYA:

General Yamashita orders another assault on Singapore but is nowhere close to achieving 1:1 odds:

Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 198414 troops, 1104 guns, 10 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3245

Defending force 69378 troops, 352 guns, 9 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 898

Japanese max assault: 3114 - adjusted assault: 1372

Allied max defense: 955 - adjusted defense: 1817

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
3468 casualties reported
Guns lost 98
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
1634 casualties reported
Guns lost 66
Vehicles lost 2


SOMEWHERE OFF THE NORTH SHORE OF AUSTRALIA:

CINCPAC has ordered the 5 USN CVs to sortie to the north coast of Australia to help repel the pending Japanese invasion of Java. The RN has also committed 2 CVs and a CVL to support ABDA command. All USN and RN CVs are to rendezvous tomorrow just south of Amboina to attack an IJN bombardment TF replenishing there. Over 100 heavy bombers based at Darwin have been pounding Amboina for the last 4-5 days to destroy the Nell bombers and Mavis patrol planes based there so Japan is unaware of the onrushing CVs. KB is currently reported to be off the south coast of Mindanao. Here is a screenshot of the action:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 5-18-42 BANDA SEA CARRIER STRIKE

With the Japanese airbase at Amboina completely neutralized by B-17s the USN CVs are able to make their final run in undetected. Unfortunately there were no BBs in the IJN bombardment TF at Amboina but the CAs are hit hard:


Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD Dauntless x 83
TBD Devastator x 30


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged
TBD Devastator: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oboro
CA Kako
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22
LB-30 Liberator x 23


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 3
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
SBD Dauntless x 90
TBD Devastator x 16


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBD Devastator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako
DD Kikuzuki, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD Dauntless x 68


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 39,73


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15
LB-30 Liberator x 14


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro, on fire

CA Myoko, CA Kinugasa, CA Kako and a DD sink immediately. The USN and RN CVs are ordered to pursue the damaged IJN ships northward....hopefully KB comes out to cover their retreating surface ships.


DEI:

The Japanese attempt another sweep over Amboina with their vaunted A6M2s:

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 66
C5M Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 3
CW-21B Demon x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 32 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 1 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Another 30+ A6M2s are killed and the Dutch fighters again rise to the challemge.

Here is a screenshot of the carrier actions:

[racndoc]

SITUATION REPORT: 5-21-42 DEI


The Allied CVs pursue the IJN surface TF into the southern DEI and run right into the IJN CVs. The Allies get the first strikes off:

Day Air attack on TF at 42,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 84

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 23
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
SBD Dauntless x 139
Swordfish x 24
TBD Devastator x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 23 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 11 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 16 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 25 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 18 destroyed, 24 damaged
Swordfish: 6 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBD Devastator: 10 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma

Day Air attack on TF at 42,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 53
Swordfish x 20
TBD Devastator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 7 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged
Swordfish: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBD Devastator: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ise, on fire
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Then the IJN CVs launch their counterstrike:

Day Air attack on TF at 40,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 92
D3A Val x 90
B5N Kate x 142

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 97

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 59 destroyed
D3A Val: 12 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N Kate: 22 destroyed, 49 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 9 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 65 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Glasgow
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ramilles, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Columbo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Java

Day Air attack on TF at 40,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A Val: 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Ramilles, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Houston
BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

CV Hiryu, CVE Hosho, CVE Taiyo, CV Formidable and CVL Hermes sink immediately. As anticipated, the Allied Air Combat TF with the most CVs/BBs took the brunt of the Japanese onslaught. Although Allied AC losses were very heavy, 6 of the original 7 Allied CVs are unscathed and so a pursuit of the Japanese CVs has been ordered.


MALAYA:

Japan launches a large deliberate assault and gains 1:1 odds on Singapore:

Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 197384 troops, 1035 guns, 7 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3202

Defending force 67636 troops, 321 guns, 9 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 865

Japanese max assault: 2724 - adjusted assault: 3033

Allied max defense: 869 - adjusted defense: 1828

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
1271 casualties reported
Guns lost 47
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
4035 casualties reported
Guns lost 79
Vehicles lost 2

The end game is fast appoaching for the Allies in Singapore.

[aztez]

That was a nice CV engament you managed to pull through. Looks like 2 IJN fleet carriers were sunk or at least the 2nd CV was very badly mauled.

[racndoc]

Aztez...thanks for your comments. Our house rule limiting CAP to 60% allowed both sides strike aircraft to get through....although at great cost.


SITUATION REPORT: 5-22-42 DEI


The carrier battle continues for a second day with unbelieveable carnage for the naval aircraft on both sides.

First Tophat detaches a BB TF in an attempt to engage the Allied carriers in surface combat:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/22/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 41,71

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 5, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 3
BB Ise, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 3
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kasumi
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 33, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 2
CA Portland
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 2
DD Meredith, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Gwin
DD Grayson, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Monssen, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson
DD Monaghan


The Allies again land the first strike of the day:

Day Air attack on TF at 43,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD Dauntless x 28
Swordfish x 17
TBD Devastator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 8 damaged
Swordfish: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBD Devastator: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga
BB Kirishima
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Day Air attack on TF at 43,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 29

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 21 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Akagi
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Day Air attack on TF at 43,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 37
TBD Devastator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 18 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBD Devastator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1

Day Air attack on TF at 43,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 29
TBD Devastator x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 16 damaged
TBD Devastator: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CV Zuikaku
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 43,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 33
TBD Devastator x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 27 damaged
TBD Devastator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Day Air attack on TF at 42,71


Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

The Japanese counterstrike again targets the Royal Navy:

Day Air attack on TF at 41,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 49
D3A Val x 38
B5N Kate x 60

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 17 destroyed
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged
B5N Kate: 12 destroyed, 30 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 19 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire, Bomb hits 1
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Van Heemskerck
BB Revenge, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4
CL Birmingham, Bomb hits 1
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 1

Day Air attack on TF at 41,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 12 destroyed
B5N Kate: 7 destroyed, 6 damaged


Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 41,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

The afternoon brings another round of airstrikes:

Day Air attack on TF at 43,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 24
TBD Devastator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 12 damaged
TBD Devastator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Akagi
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 43,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga

Day Air attack on TF at 42,70


Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 14


Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 41,71

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 21
B5N Kate x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged


Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 1
CA Northampton
CL Nashville
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2

Day Air attack on TF at 41,71

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
D3A Val x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A Val: 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Bomb hits 2
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1

CV Indomitable and CV Soryu sink. The Allies dont have enough serviceable aircraft left to launch another day of strikes so a general withdrawal of the CVs is ordered. A group of BBs is detached to attempt to engage IJN CVs tomorrow. The screenshot below shows the number of operational aircraft on a typical Allied CV.


MALAYA:

Japan gets a 2:1 attack on Singapore:

Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 195421 troops, 1001 guns, 6 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3096

Defending force 64433 troops, 266 guns, 8 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 785

Japanese max assault: 2429 - adjusted assault: 2265

Allied max defense: 758 - adjusted defense: 989

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
1311 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
3359 casualties reported
Guns lost 43
Vehicles lost 2

Singapore could fall tomorrow.