I know this is WiTP and not real life, but where is he getting all this transport to do this?
Japan actually has 420 APs and another 430 AKs at game start. They also produce about 3 of each a month. That's a LOT of sea-lift capacity. Also considering that even with 50 sys dmg, an IJN transport can still make 6 kts (still moves 1-1), that's not that much slower than with 0 damage (at 11 kts 2-1). So using damaged transports just means slower, but otherwise not a problem.
I am currently engaged in putting down an invasion by one of my opponents, where I have managed to confirmed sunk about 30 transports thus far. Invasion is about 3 Divisions worth of LCUs (including 2nd and 7th). My guess is, there about 120 transports in the area, I expect to sink about 70 before we're thru. But at this point, I'm litterally running out of ammunition.
It will hurt Japan certainly both in vps, and more so in the loss or -almost- destruction of 3 divisions (I expcet that -some- fragments will escape). But if a total war tally of 100 APs sunk by 06-42 seems like a lot, consider the fact that it's less than 25% of his total APs, and only about 10% of his total sea-lift.
There are LOTs of transport in WitP.
-F-
"It is obvious that you have greatly over-estimated my regard for your opinion." - Me
Well done .........now if you could get some reinforcements to Trimcomalee......you could kill his trapped forces there.....he must either reinforce or withdraw...or he risks losing some good units......
Agreed and I actually have the 251st UK Bde 1 day away. But I don't have the force right now to put into killing his units at Trimcom. Plus with his CVs roaming around in the Indian Ocean it is very risky to sea lift units directly to Trimcom. Once I have eliminated the units at Yanam I will have to decide, Trimcom or drive to Dimapur. China is in real bad shape right now and it could use a life line even if it is only by air.
Trim can and should be bypassed, for now, unless he reinforces it. Use it for training your LBA's like he is probably doing in China. Make it costly to reinforce except by him using KB as a covering force. Secure India proper and then start the slow push into Burma.
Just a quick update. The Japanese pounded Hengchow with 200+ bombers in retaliation for the attack on Wuhan. The airfield is closed until further notice.
The KB showed up to attack ships unloading troops and supplies at Wallis Is. Two weeks ago the Allies occupied the island and began a build up of the base as a buffer zone in the South Pacific. 3 construction units are already ashore, but carriers caught a base force unloading. The amount of damage to the BF is unkown. The attack sunk 1 DD and 1 AVD...foolishly the commander of the operation did not move seaplanes forward to detect an approaching enemy. A courtmarshal will follow. [:-]
An invasion is underway, but the objective is top secret. Once troops hit the beach I will release details.
Update China Theater
2 days ago Chinese forces were pushed back from the cross roads from the Sian and Ichang roads. The enemy is massing and recon shows 14 units including at least 8 Div. Chunking is currently defended by 10 respawned corp which are only at about 60% strength. Fortunately, they are behind level 8 forts. Another 8 Corp are in the mountains just east of Chunking and the Japanese will have to move them first. To reach Chungking. However supply for the units in the mountains is very low.
100 figthers from the AVG (30 P-40-B), 24th FG (60 P-40E) and one Aus figher squadron (16 Kittyhawks) just arrived in Chengtu. Assuming Chunking does not get pounded tomorrow, the fighters will fly to Chunking and establish a permanent CAP over the base. They will be supported by a 72 plane FG arriving in Karachi in 3 days.
50 Level bombers will continue to harrass the Japanese airfields for as long as possible. Keeping the enemy focused on them, not on bombing Chungking.
Chinese forces are moving now to take up position around the mountains near Chungking. The plan is to threaten Japanese supply lines and maintain control of the rail lines to Changsa and Wuchow. Chengtu must also be defended.
My strategy for winning this theater is to repeat my success in Calcutta at Chingking. I will hold out by winning the air war and do so by concentrating in an urban hex that is well supplied and has an air HQ. I will also try to use the fact that Japans supply line is so long against him.
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Day Air attack on Sian , at 47,29 Allies strafe the airbase at Sian. The goal is to force Japan to deploy a cap over the airfield dispersing his fighter support.
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Beaufighter VIF attacking at 100 feet
2 x Beaufighter VIF attacking at 100 feet
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Day Air attack on Thursday Island , at 49,90 Put this in because I thought others would be intersted. It's 7/42 and I still have one squadron of P-35s deployed. They did ok in their only action so far which was to intercept a large flight of Bettys and Zeros. They only got shot down at 2:1
Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
P-35A x 5
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
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Day Air attack on TF, near Yanam at 22,21 Either supply or evacuation TF. Probably supplies
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Tairyu Maru, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
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Ground combat at Trimcomalee Clearly Jap troops at Trimcom are low on supply.
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 20361 troops, 41 guns, 8 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 410
Defending force 9768 troops, 87 guns, 4 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 69
Japanese max assault: 696 - adjusted assault: 107
Allied max defense: 74 - adjusted defense: 114
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)
Japanese ground losses:
1535 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
235 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1
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Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 980 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 64
Defending force 18445 troops, 11 guns, 6 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 305
China: I may not have enough force defending Chunking. I have 4 more corp on the way there, but they are probably a couple weeks away. What will make the defence a challenge is that almost half the chinese army surrendered at Sian and even though they have reformed at Chunking they are only about half strength. I am probably gaining about about 8 AV a day so keeping Japan away from Chunking right now is important. I will fight a delaying action in the mountains.
NG: Things are going well here. My invasion of Thursday Is has not faced a counter attack and Kai Island fell easily. This is part of my strategy to not give Japan a break. Now that it appears most of Japan's offensive ability is spent I must not allow much space for her to take up defensive positions. I want to stay in constant close proximity to the enemy.
The Fleet: All my CV are in port upgrading and repairing The RN is upgrading its Fulmars to Seafires and the USN can now begin to upgrade its Devastators to Avengers. Allied CV will then be a force to be reckoned with. Wasp arrives in 8 days. Once it joins Enterprise and Yorktown the CENPAC fleet will deploy to Christmas IS and start hunting.
One unusual characteristic of my game is that I managed to loose a LOT of battleships in the opening 2 months of the war. Also, because of my aggresive defence of DEI and SouthPac I have lost a number of cruisers. As a result, it looks like the allies will lean even more heavily on their carriers to win the naval war. At the moment I must avoid a large surface fight at all cost.
Today's action
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/04/42
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Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36 The aerial KB has focused on Changsa for now.
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22
Ki-49 Helen x 102
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 8000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35
Ki-30 Ann x 87
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
29 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3 Zero x 13 Big raid on the PM airfield. Lots of B-17s damaged but few destroyed. Even with half my heavies damaged I will fly again tomorrow. This should keep him busy and away from Thursday Island.
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Another raid on PM
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M3 Zero x 8
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on 33rd Road Construction Battalion, at 39,78
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
Hudson I x 9
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
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Day Air attack on 2nd Coastal Gun Regiment, at 28,77 Recon shows lost of coastal defence guns and infantry at Koepang, but the AF is closed.
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
B-25C Mitchell x 31
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Aircraft Attacking:
31 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 12000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Kai Island at 39,78 The first of many attacks on my small invasion force. His Nell's score a 25% hit ratio, but my forces are already ashore.
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
MSW Warrnambool
AK Katong, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Kai Island at 39,78
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
AP Van Diemen, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Orungal, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Crosby
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Kai Island at 39,78
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AP Van Diemen, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Ground combat at Wuchow
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 33469 troops, 430 guns, 5 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1406
Defending force 61444 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1596
Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Ground combat at Kai Island The Allies take Kai Island and eliminate their second Japanese Unit, even if it was only a construction battalion. Hip-hip-hooray.
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2211 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 70
Defending force 394 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3
Allied max assault: 146 - adjusted assault: 37
Japanese max defense: 2 - adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 37 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Kai Island base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
398 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 992 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 178
Defending force 18431 troops, 15 guns, 6 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 308
The map is from yesterday (7/2/42) and shows Kai Island still in Japans hands, not any longer. The focus now will be on building up Kai as a medium bomber base so my B-25s and B-26s can lay waste to the resources of Dutch NG. 2 squadrons of fighters are now flying cap from Kai (P-40B and Hurris). I hope to catch some Nells tomorrow.
Just from the map, China & Chungking don't seem as bad off as I thought they might be from your posts in the war room. If you have the time, can you also post a screenshot of the bases in China & their supply?
Couple thoughts/suggestions on China (follow them at your own risk! [;)]):
1. I don't think Chungking is in grave danger. With your forts & the urban bonus you can probably hold with what you have, but certainly with another 4 corps there.
2. You can send those units west of Sian south to cut your opponent's supply lines. That should buy you at least a few weeks, if not months, depending on your strength there. You might even consider sending one or two of the corps defending the mountains near Chungking to the north. Then close the door behind him once he's moved further.
3. What's the relative strength in the Changsha-Kiukiang-Nanchang area? If you could take Nanchang it could buy you some resources. An offensive towards Kiukiang (or however it's spelled) would start to threaten his supply lines. Even a feint in either direction might force your opponent to divert forces.
4. Have you considered an early offensive to re-open the Burma Road? With what the Japs have committed to India I'd suspect he's weak in Burma. Just leave enough in India to contain him (mop up later) and go for opening the Burma Road. I have a somewhat similiar game. I stopped a Japanese attack against India in July 42 and had the Burma Road re-opened by 27 December.
Nice move in the Banda Sea. That seems like a good place to fight a Guadalcanal-style battle.
ctangus: I am considering an attack in the Changsa area. I'm still a little uncertain though that I have the manpower to do it effectively and every unsuccesful offensive operation is a huge loss of supplies. I am still concerned about Chunking, but we shall see how that goes so I think...I will try and post some base updates when I have a chance.
The Allies today awoke to find that the airware over Calcutta was once again underway. UK pilots scrambled to meet a massive incoming wave of bombers with heavy fighter escort. Although heavily outclassed the UK and Dutch pilots skillfully piloted their Buff, Hurricane and Brewster fighters. Although Japanese losses were heavy 130 bombers reached their target damaging many allied bombers on the ground.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/05/42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Yanam at 22,21 The gunboat Cyclamen engaged a loan Japanese frieghter trying to supply the forces at Yanam. Although she failed to score a hit the freighter was chased out to see.
Japanese Ships
AK Tairyu Maru
Allied Ships
PG Cyclamen
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Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 35
Ki-30 Ann x 107
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
27 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
24 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
22 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23 There were actually over 80 zeros escorting as there were already 40 zeros sweeping the base. The new Spitfire squadron got torn up pretty bad (exp only 55), but the Hurris and even the Buffs flew very well and scored many kills. The Bresters did not fair so well. All in all, the UK did well.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3 Zero x 26
Ki-21 Sally x 166
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 13
Buffalo I x 28
Hurricane II x 31
Spitfire Vb x 16
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
16 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 AF damage level at PM is reported to be 43%
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4
B-17E Fortress x 48
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Thursday Island , at 49,90 Although taking heavy losses the CAP managed to break up the bombing attack nicely. Very little actual damage occured.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G4M1 Betty x 68
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 13
P-35A x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 12
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 15000 feet
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Lots of action today and little of it good for the Allies.
China - Changsa got pounded again by dive bombers.
India - Transport TFs showed up off Trimcon
Austalia - A cargo TF was intercepted by a loan Japanese light cruiser
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/06/42
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ASW attack at 10,86 The Jap sub had been shadowing the TF for 3 days until it got too close. Yara dropped several depth charge rounds. Only minor damage to the sub though.
Night Time Surface Combat at 10,86 The TF commander soon learned that the sub that had been shadowing them was vectoring in a Japanese light cruiser, the Abukuma. She sank the Yara with a torpedo straight away and then quickly disabled the Isabel. Abukuma then turned her guns on the Empire Audacity, who lived up to her name by returning fire. The audacious crew of the cargo ship landed 8 4" shell hits on Abukuma before breaking off. Isabel will sink overnight, but the other ships should make port.
Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 10
Allied Ships
PG Yarra, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PG Isabel, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Delawarean
AK Steel Traveler
AK Empire Audacity, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Empire Steelhead
AK Empire Ocean
TK Augustina
TK Talang Akar, Shell hits 4, on fire
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91 Day 3 of the drive to close the PM airfield.
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
Day Air attack on TF at 16,27 A squadron of Hudsons spot and attack a transport TF approaching PM.
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Kinkai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamagata Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
What is this?? Some type of a teaser...[:D]
You say a TF appeared off Trimcon and then nothing else in your combat report.
How large??
What kind of ships are there??
AK/AP
DD/CL/CA
Any CV/CVE
THus far I have spotted 2 TFs. One is at Trimcom and is reported to be 3 Heavy Cruisers. The other TF is about 240 miles out and reported to be 1 AK, and 1 AP, both were hit in attacks by a Hudson squadron. Intelligence is a bit spotty so far. I don't trust the info I have yet.
However, all AC at Colombo have been put on high alert.
1. Japanese forces seem to be interested in advancing across the river that parallels the road between Chunking and Changsa (Yangzee???) I have about 2 corps in each of the hexes along the way. Top priority is to keep the road open.
2. The transports spotted nearing Trimcom appear to be an evacuation effort. My bombers damaged two more transports and a small Dutch sub torpedoed another. Sensing weakness the defenders at Trimcom will shock attack tomorrow, too bad the RN is at Karachi repairing.
3. Otherwise quiet. Bombers resting after days of attacking PM. THey will attack Buna tomorrow.
4. Banda Sea operation going brilliantly. It seems that the Japs are not terribly interested in this area...could be a weakness.
5. 1st USMC arrived at Suva.
6. Wasp arrives in 5 days as does the first of at least 4 USMC Wildcat squadrons.
Another lull settles in over the pacific. No action yesterday, little today.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/10/42
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Sub attack at 21,23 KXIV is running out of room on the small sub to notch its victims as the crew scores another hit on a Japanese frieghter.
Japanese Ships
AK Kinkai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXIV
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Sub attack at 16,85 Empire Audacity was limping to Broome after her encounter with a Japanese CL when a Jap sub finished her off with two torpedos. A moment of silence for her brave crew.
Graycompany told me after the engagmenet that one of Audacity's 8 shell hits on his CL took out the main gun battery and that was what ended the engagment. That lucky shot by the frieghters crew is probably what saved the TF from certain destruction.
Japanese Ships
SS I-28
Allied Ships
AK Empire Audacity, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
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Day Air attack on Lanchow , at 45,25 The allies are opening up a short term bombing campaign of resources in China. The real aim, beyond damaging what I can, is to force the enemy to dispurse his cap over other bases.
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 30
No Allied losses
Oil hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
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Day Air attack on Yanam , at 22,21 Harrasment and reconaissance attack
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
No Allied losses
Airbase supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
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Ground combat at 45,33 More troops attack across the river in China. I must push all my reserves in the area into the breach.
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 34249 troops, 330 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 800
Defending force 11941 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 391
Japanese max assault: 586 - adjusted assault: 356
Allied max defense: 355 - adjusted defense: 253
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Guns lost 15
Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Excerpt from the journal of General Bludengutz, Supreme Allied Commander, Pacific Theater...
"July 10th, 1942,
I find myself unusually indecisive. The enemy, after months of pressing hard, has shown little aggression of late. Further, the enemies attacks appear to have a randomness to them, defying logic. After weeks of aerial attacks in China the enemy has withdrawn, just prior to the arrival of allied reinforcements. With the supply situation there at its most desperate it is hard to imagine that the enemy won't continue the attack. What is most troubling is the disappearance of the hundreds of bombers in the Chinese theater. Are they simply avioding the new fighter patrols, or has the enemy moved its resources to another theater in preparation for a lager assault?
The enemies attack on Ceylon was...unimpressive. The IJN should have bee able to quickly overwhelm the meager air defences. Instead the enemy allowed our bombers to fly, almost unopposed, against his invading transports. The results were predictable. Now, the enemy is withdrawing from Ceylon all together.
The allies are endevouring to establish forward airbases in all theaters, in the South Pacific at Wallis Is., in New Guinea at Thursday Is., and in the Banda Sea at Kai Is. These bases will allow our air forces to fly offensive operations with short and medium ranged bombers.
The airfield at Port Morseby is almost completely closed now...the job was too easily accomplished by our strategic bomber forces. Three bomber groups flying daily strikes closed the field with little opposition.
Opposition to our advances have been so weakly defended that I can not escape the conclusion that the enemy is preparing for a major push, the likes of which we have yet to see. It is my judgement that the bomber forces in China have finished their training and are now being redeployed. The enemies attack on Ceylon used a fraction of the force that was available to him. I believe now that the attack was a decoy to divert resources away from other theaters.
Worse still, the fleets at Pearl, Sydney and Karachi are not battle ready. Repairs and upgrades continue to move along at frustrating slow speeds. Nimitz has got to get the fleets back at sea and be prepared to meet the enmey with force.
I am ordering all subs to immediately sortie and locate the Japanese combined fleet. The enemies concentration must be discovered
Well, bad day for the Allies. I lost a sub and two more destroyers, plus the Chinese lost a critical battle.
On the plus side the sub that was sunk did manage to torpedo a gun boat. [8|]
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Sub attack near Lunga at 67,97 SS Tautog, on a recon mission at Lunga spots an ASW squadron and torpedos the lead ship before slipping away.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kai Island at 39,78 The IJN on a bombardment mission spots an Allied troop transport TF at Kai island. The escorting DDs screen the transports, but all pay a heavy price.
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Yamashiro
CA Ashigara
CA Kumano
CL Natori
DD Maikaze
Allied Ships
DD Stewart, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Van Nes, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DD Van Ghent, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Esperance Bay, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Wanganella
AP Van Rees
AP Van Riebeek
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Naval bombardment of Kai Island, at 39,78 Heavy casualties from the bombardment, but the 2 squadrons of fighters on the island are curiously unaffected.
Japanese Ships
DD Maikaze
CL Natori
CA Kumano
CA Ashigara
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
377 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 2
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Naval bombardment of Kiska Island, at 92,35 Allies probe Japanese defences and conduct harrasment operations in the Aelutians
Allied Ships
DD Humphreys
DD Allen
CL Helena
CL Raleigh
Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Runway hits 8
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 5
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ASW attack at 49,100 Jap sub is spotted by an Australian anti-submarine force of Cairn. The sub is heavily damaged with at least 1 direct hit
Japanese Ships
SS I-175, hits 9, on fire
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Day Air attack on Lanchow , at 45,25 Another Allied raid on the oil fields in N China. The previous raids have drawn fighter coverage. The raids will continue until resistance stiffens.
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Oil hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
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Day Air attack on Thursday Island , at 49,90 Bombers flying from Lae attach the airfield at Thursday Is. again.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 47
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 19
P-39D Airacobra x 27
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
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Sub attack near Lunga at 67,97 Again spotting an ASW squadron coming out of Lunga the skipper of SS Tautog manuevers for a shot at Yuzuki but misses. This time the Japanese zeroed in on the sub and sink her.
Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
PC Ch 30
PC Ch 29
PC Ch 24
PC Takunan Maru #10
Allied Ships
SS Tautog, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Sunk
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Ground combat at 45,33 Japanese forces having crossed the river yesterday launch a full scale assault on the 2 corp of Chinese forces defending the hex. With the victory Japan is one hex away from cutting the road from Chunkging to Changsa. The Allies have only a week or two at the most to engage the Japanese force and pin it down. If the Japanese gain the road, Chinese forces do not have the supplies to counter-attack.
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 92375 troops, 946 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1758
Defending force 11778 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 390
Japanese max assault: 1898 - adjusted assault: 1747
Allied max defense: 346 - adjusted defense: 117
Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
296 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
415 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
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Ground combat at 44,30 The main Japanese force is only 120 miles from Chunking, but has yet to attack. The supply situation is critical for China, so it is unlikely the defenders can hold off this force despite the mountain terrain.
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 75989 troops, 741 guns, 8 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3625
Defending force 72386 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2068
Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Another not so great day for the Allies. I will be very happy to see July 42 end. I lost two more transports at Kai island today, both empty.
Weather everywhere was rain so nothing flew except CAP.
Subs spent the day dodging depth charges.
My carriers at Sydney won't finish repairing so I dispatched another repair ship from Noumea.
CV Wasp arrived today, she will join Big E and Yorktown at PH and sortie to defend the South Pacific. Also, the Pennsylvania finished her repairs from the PH attack. She will rejoin the fleet at Pearl.
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ASW attack near Thursday Island at 49,90
Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami
DD Oboro
Allied Ships
SS Plunger
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kai Island at 39,78 Raiders catch my ships unloading at Kai Is.
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Harusame
Allied Ships
AP Wanganella, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
AP Van Rees
AP Van Riebeek, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
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Day Air attack on Thursday Island , at 49,90 A second air attack on Thursday Is. This time with double the escorts.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
A6M3 Zero x 27
G4M1 Betty x 35
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 23
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 9000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
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