East Wind Gives Me the Chills - Chuck vs. Pat - Allied Side

[ctangus]

3/13/42

So Pac

A B-25 group is uncrating & cleaning the cosmoline off their guns at Auckland.

KB has disappeared again.

SW Pac

I finally gathered enough PPs and am now flying the 1st Aussie Cav Div into Port Moresby.

DEI

DD Amatsukaze, damaged a couple days ago, sinks. That's 5 Jap DDs lost in the battle for Amboina.

I launch a strategic raid against Balikpapan's oilfields:

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 37
No Allied losses
Oil hits 12

The 12 hits destroy about 50 oil points, but I lost 1 B-17 as an Ops loss & due to AA I now have 18 damaged planes on the ground. That was at 15,000 feet.

A few other airraids (both Allied & Japanese) occur in the theater. In short, I'm needing to retire further & further from Singapore. Also, Kendari has been targetted several days in a row so I suspect that's the next Japanese target.

Malaya

Another deliberate attack reduces the forts at Singapore again:

03/13/42
Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 121396 troops, 1087 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 2104
Defending force 47641 troops, 224 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 772
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4
Japanese max assault: 1863 - adjusted assault: 713
Allied max defense: 725 - adjusted defense: 881
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4) Hopefully those odds will keep his engineers out of action for a few days
Japanese ground losses:
1085 casualties reported
Guns lost 43
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
1925 casualties reported
Guns lost 49

China

The forces for Operation Rice Bowl are now assembled at Changsha, but they seem to be refusing any movement orders. [&:][:(] Hopefully it's a temporary bug that will resolve by itself in a turn or two.

Phil

The supply situation at Manila is horrible (see pic) but the Japanese haven't attacked yet. A lone AK is attempting a last minute re-supply effort.

[ctangus]

3/14/42

So Pac

I forgot to mention that Japanese naval infantry occupied the northenmost of the Ellice Islands (Nanumea?) 2 or 3 days ago. KB is still invisible, but likely around here guarding transports.

My air strength is still weak in this area, though the ground strength is building well.

DEI

SS KX torpedoes a Jap AP. SS KXI, hit by depth charges a few days ago, continues to limp towards Batavia.

Most of the 7th Aussie Div plus an AT Regiment is on its way to Java. Given a little more time, I've decided on reinforcing Palembang with an Indian Brigade and Java with the above plus (hopefully) the 2nd UK Div. There's no APs near Karachi, so I'm marching 2nd UK to Madras (where it could also serve as a garrison). If it still seems safe to ship troops to Java then, she'll go. In the meantime I'll start assembling transports.

Malaya

Recon is showing what looks like tank regiments at both Johore Bahru & Mersing, but Kuala Lumpur is garrisoned by only 400 troops. Construction battalion? Some recon-by-bombing tomorrow. If so I'll paradrop here & hope for the best. Holding those resources might buy Singapore a few more weeks.

An Indian Brigade is unloading at Sabang to follow the paras, but it had a scare today:

03/14/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 19,41
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 33
Ki-21 Sally x 10
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged I didn't watch the whole replay - I was scared - but the 2 killed & at least most of the damaged were due to AA
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
CLAA Van Heemskerck
DD Tjerk Hiddes
AP Empire Attendant
DD Scout

Two more days to fully unload. I put 2 more fighter squadrons on LRCAP to hopefully deter more unescorted raids.

Phil

First Japanese attack of Manila:

03/14/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 88150 troops, 840 guns, 187 vehicles, Assault Value = 2572
Defending force 69877 troops, 588 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 1395
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese max assault: 1692 - adjusted assault: 615 I'm not sure why so low, but I'll take it
Allied max defense: 1327 - adjusted defense: 1785 My low supply level is showing
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
2244 casualties reported
Guns lost 117
Vehicles lost 15
Allied ground losses:
1160 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1

Could be both better & worse. MacArthur might even hold through the end of the month. Maybe even more if my last blockade runner gets through. (4 days away.)

China

I think I've figured out my movement problems & Operation Rice Bowl is on.

[ctangus]

3/15 - 3/16/42

Well, I started this game wanting to hold at both Singapore & Manila until at least March 15th. That's been accomplished. The new goal is April 1st for Manila (unlikely) and April 15th for Singapore (slightly more possible).

West Coast

Two PH victims - Arizona & Oklahoma - are now down to 0 & 3 sys respectively. Considering the date I'll keep them in San Francisco to receive their April upgrades before I send them on.

So Pac

KB appears near Samoa but fortunately I spotted it in time to keep a couple convoys out of harm's way (unlike the earlier ambush near Fiji). See pic.

With KB's location known I've ordered an ANZAC cruiser TF to bombard Lunga just for the heck of it.

DEI

We've been having some fierce air battles such as this:

03/16/42
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
G4M1 Betty x 11
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2

The valiant allies lost a transport unloading supplies at Kai Island, but a TF unloading a CD unit at Tenimbar escaped unscathed. A Japanese AK sank near Manado - I forget how it got damaged.

In a surface attack, SS Sealion put 10 shells into another Jap AK.

Malaya

The Indian brigade unloading at Sabang disembarked without further attacks against it.

I'm now just about ready to launch Operation Rubber Biscuit - paradrop against Kuala Lumpur - but am waiting for some more definite intel. I'll probably order it for the 18th.

Burma

Rangoon falls uncontested. I may need to re-arrange my defenses here (more later).

Phil

The Japanese attack at Manila again:

03/16/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 130601 troops, 1121 guns, 179 vehicles, Assault Value = 2388
Defending force 68024 troops, 546 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 1355
Japanese max assault: 1804 - adjusted assault: 508 I'm not sure why such a reduction, but I'll take it!
Allied max defense: 1291 - adjusted defense: 1669
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
2342 casualties reported
Guns lost 87
Vehicles lost 15
Allied ground losses:
1635 casualties reported
Guns lost 48
Vehicles lost 5

Unfortunately the Japanese sank a transport that was carrying medicine & Easter toys to the starving children of Manila. While I won't send any more shipping to the Phillipines I will try to fly some supply in from Tarakan (Coranados just have the range.)

SS KXII was hit by a Jap divebomber near Lingayen & likely won't make it.

Japan

SS Greenling attacks a convoy 240 miles south of Osaka. All the torpedos miss, but I'm still pleased. I want to force my opponent to spread out his assets & this is a step in that direction.

[VSWG]

ORIGINAL: ctangus

I hadn't even thought of reinforcing Kendari more - but that's not a bad idea. (It's received 1 extra Dutch batallion & 1 base force so far.) Maybe 1 full Div (7th AIF) to Soerabaja, 2 brigades of 2nd UK to Palembang & 1 to Kendari? I'll have a few days to think on it since my opponent is going out of town for a day or two. The sea lanes around Kendari are dangerous but I could fly most of the brigade in from Koepang or somewhere like that & only send the heavy equipment by sea.

I could also send both Divs to Java. That would make Java a really tough nut to crack, but I haven't reinforced Timor so the lines of communication would be in peril. With my base at Kai Island I could even try an early attack against NW New Guinea. At least I have some options open.

I meant Koepang, but hey, if it gave you an idea... [;)]

Is Timor really vital for your defense of Java? IMO you can supply it from India via Tijitjap just fine. The only problem will be the final evacuation of short-legged fighters to Oz.

Goold luck for Operation Biscuit. Your timing is definately better than during my cancelled Malaya counter-invasion, as all Japanese Inf LCU's should be at Singapre by now.

[ctangus]

3/17 - 3/18/42

Cent Pac

A Jap PG hits a sub-laid mine at Kwaj.

So Pac

KB is circling around Samoa - like it did earlier at Johnston & Palmyra. All my shipping should be safely out of range. No signs of an invasion convoy.

DEI

PG Kiso Maru hits 4 mines at Balikpapan & sinks. Dutch Martins plant a bomb on AK Katuragi Maru. There's at least two convoys there so I'm sending in some more planes.

Off Sabang Nells sink one of my AKs but it had unloaded most if its supply.

Malaya

Another Japanese assault against Singapore:

03/17/42
Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 120689 troops, 1073 guns, 156 vehicles, Assault Value = 2065
Defending force 46694 troops, 241 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 777
Japanese max assault: 2043 - adjusted assault: 677
Allied max defense: 769 - adjusted defense: 1186
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4) Forts don't go down - his engineers must be hurting
Japanese ground losses:
1333 casualties reported
Guns lost 34
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
2374 casualties reported
Guns lost 63
Vehicles lost 1

Supplies are currently at 24K+. I should be able to hold here for a while still. I'd love to hold until May. That will certainly be possible if Operation Rubber Biscuit succeeds - it's ordered for tomorrow. The target is Johore Bahru - from recon it looks like Pat moved the tanks that were there to Kuala Lumpur. The 2nd Marine Paras should be only facing a construction battalion & I've also ordered several squadrons on ground attack to help increase the Japanese disruption. Wish me luck.

Burma

The Japanese 33rd division captured Meiktila about a week ago but is now back at Taung Gyi. That makes me think that my opponent is going to try to cut the Burma Road via Lashio, which is weak right now.

I have a weak Indian div at Delhi, garrisoning & helping to build up forts. If I release it I could fly another 175 AV into Lashio. I have a few days to decide since I currently need all my transport aircraft to support Operation Rubber Biscuit, but input would be appreciated.

Pic attached:

[ctangus]

More of an update when I have time, but I just have to show this: [8D]

[VSWG]

[8D]

Your opponents panic-o-meter just spiked! [:D]

You might be able to move a base force from Singapore to JB during the next days. The aviation support squads would allow you to fly CAP.

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: VSWG

[8D]

Your opponents panic-o-meter just spiked! [:D]

I hope so! [:)]

You might be able to move a base force from Singapore to JB during the next days. The aviation support squads would allow you to fly CAP.

Good idea - thanks! I was ordering one Indian brigade from Singers to JB, but I'll add a base force. He has tanks nearby so I might not make it in time but I could also fly one in.

[ctangus]

3/19 - 3/20/42

So Pac

KB raids Pago-Pago:

03/20/42
Day Air attack on Pago Pago , at 96,113
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
D3A Val x 39
B5N Kate x 45
E13A1 Jake x 1
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 8 destroyed, 23 damaged All due to flak. I have one AA Regt here
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 13 destroyed All air-to-air
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 18

If Admiral Patamoto acts as before I expect KB will retire for about a week or more before I see it again. I'm going to try to rush in more reinforcements to Samoa (both Pago-Pago & Savaii) in the meantime.

SW Pac

The 1st Aussie Calvary Div has been fully flown into Port Moresby. I expect PM can now hold against a divisional-size attack, but not much more.

The 6th AIF Div arrives in about 25 days & will go here as well. Then I should be able to hold against a Corps-size attack.

DEI

A couple allied raids fly against Japanese shipping at Balikpapan, but no hits.

Malaya

Operation Rubber Biscuit has been great so far (only because it's been successful). [:'(]

The initial paradrop against JB was ordered for the 19th. The results were mediocre:

Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 750 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24
Defending force 1274 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
Allied max assault: 34 - adjusted assault: 16
Japanese max defense: 2 - adjusted defense: 11
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

None of 2 ground-support missions flew.

With disruption less than 20 I ordered a 2nd shock-attack. Also, 1 of 3 ground-support missions flew & I got this:

Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 770 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24
Defending force 1254 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
Allied max assault: 44 - adjusted assault: 40
Japanese max defense: 2 - adjusted defense: 5
Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Yippee!!! [:)] An Indian brigade is flying in from Sumatra & another is marching from Singapore. I don't want to be over-confident but I think I've bought another month or two for Singapore. That could help me a lot in other theaters.

China

My Chinese Uber-Stack of Death is slowly closing in on Nanchang.

[ctangus]

3/21/42

Not a whole lot to report, but I have WitP time & no turns.

So Pac

KB is about 300 miles N of Samoa now, retiring to the northwest.

Otherwise my troops are working on their tans and being served cocktails with umbrellas in them by scantily-clad native girls.

SW Pac

I forgot to mention an S-boat that had an unsuccessful attack on an AP near Wewak a couple days ago.

The first Kittyhawk squadron arrives tomorrow! [:)]

I'm planning an air offensive against Lae starting early next month. Daily recon reports 18-19 zeros on CAP each day. I almost ordered it now, but figure I have only 10 days until the zero bonus goes from 2 to 1. Also, it would be nice to have Port Moresby's AF at size 5. It's 4 + 40% right now.

DEI

A devastating air raid by my heavies:

Day Air attack on Singkawang , at 25,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 1
CW-21B Demon x 13
B-17C Fortress x 15
B-17E Fortress x 28
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet

1 B-17E was an ops loss. I now have a total of 22 damaged 4Es on the ground. Damn Nik mod - why can't I fly them every day at 6000 feet? [;)]

Dutch Martins fly against shipping at Balikpapan but score no hits.

Phil

Manila supply is now down to less than 200. [:(]

Malaya

Both sides get reinforcements into JB. About 1/3 of the Indian brigade in Sumatra flew in. Another Indian brigade marched in from Singers, as well as a RAF base force (thanks again VSWG).

Also I somehow, against my wishes, ordered the FMSV brigade to simultaneously march to JB & conduct a bombardment attack. I guess they're anxious to liberate their homes, but the Sultanate of Johore was never part of the Federated Malay States. Maybe I'll have to expand my counter-offensive...

A Jap tank regiment from Mersing arrived also. Here's the result of the bombardment attack:

Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3109 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 221
Defending force 2396 troops, 0 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 97

With those odds, a deliberate attack is ordered for tomorrow.

I've weakened the Singapore garrison more than I wanted but I still have 728 AV and level 4 forts. I've gotten to know my opponent enough that I expect an attack tomorrow while he still has some supplies. I should hold but I'm a little nervous.

Any requests for info or screenshots? (Still no turn. [:'(])

[VSWG]

You unhinged your opponent in Malaya, but he won't collapse - unless...

Got any reserves at India? A second landing in northern Malaya (Alor Star / Georgetown) could take out the airfields in northern Malaya, and cut his supply lines (I assume he uses Kota Bharu as supply dump?). Some tanks could wreak havoc among those base forces.

Even in a worst case scenario (they are all defeated and surrender) they will buy you so much time that India will be unassailable by the time your opponent has taken Singapore / Java.

[ctangus]

Hmmm... Not a bad idea.

Pat's been using both Kota Bharu & Kuantan as supply bases (at least from what I've seen of where his shipping is going.)

I've just started to plan to fly one Indian Div into Burma. But I could still pull out the 18th UK Div, 7th Armoured Brigade, and 1 of the 2 Indian tank brigades & some supporting forces without too much worry at this point. (I'd like to keep some armor in reserve, even though it's probably no longer necessary.)

Sigint currently reports 2 units at Georgetown & none at Alor Star.

On the negative-side, I'm short of shipping in this theater since I've sent a whole lot to the US West Coast from here.

Also Manila should fall in a week or two which frees up 4 Jap divisions + supporting forces. It might be smart to wait until I know where those forces are going before I plan a major counter-attack.

Thanks for the input! It's got me thinking... [:)]

[.AdmYamaguchi.]

very interesting AAR !. i´ll be a faithfull reader !. Good luck ! [:)]

[ctangus]

Hi! It's nice to hear of another reader. Thanks for the good luck wishes - I think I'm going to need it over the next turn or two!

3/22/42

DEI

I damage some more Jap shipping - Martins place a bomb in an AK at Balikpapan, SS KXVIII puts a torpedo into a troopship south of Tarakan & 2 PT boats torpedo an AK at Singkawang.

China

The Japanese have been ruthlessly bombing the 325,000 innocent Chinese rice farmers on their sightseeing trip to Nanchang. I contest it & we have a couple air battles:

Day Air attack on 30th Chinese Corps, at 47,38
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 3
Ki-51 Sonia x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 11
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40B Tomahawk x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 damaged
Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
=============================================
03/22/42
Day Air attack on 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 47,38
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 25
Ki-51 Sonia x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 8
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40B Tomahawk x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed, 14 damaged
Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

A2A losses for the day were 7 allied & 9 Japanese.

In the north a Japanese tank regiment is trying to outflank my salient at Yangku. I've ordered a withdrawal.

Malaya

Operation Rubber Biscuit might bounce back in my face. (Bad joke, I know.)

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 121257 troops, 1074 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 2100
Defending force 38488 troops, 217 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 670
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2 [X(]
Japanese max assault: 4162 - adjusted assault: 2418
Allied max defense: 682 - adjusted defense: 816
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2) [X(][X(]
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
2126 casualties reported
Guns lost 40
Vehicles lost 4
Allied ground losses:
1694 casualties reported
Guns lost 60

I can only hope that the Japanese used up most of their supply in that attack. In desparation I'm flying everything I can on ground attack orders to increase Japanese disruption. The AV at Singapore is down to 544, though what troops remain are in fairly good shape still.

At JB:

Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8931 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 258
Defending force 2326 troops, 0 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 98
Allied max assault: 237 - adjusted assault: 163 Bah - 3 points away from 2 to 1
Japanese max defense: 93 - adjusted defense: 83
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Shock attack ordered for tomorrow.

[ctangus]

3/23/42

I'm hanging onto Singapore by my toenails...

North Pac

Pat's been steadily investing the bases that he's bypassed. I believe/hope that Junyo is gone from the theater and am going to try a day intercept tomorrow with my cruisers.

South Pac/SW Pac

SS Permit puts a dud fish into a Jap DD at Lunga. My ANZAC cruiser TF goes in tomorrow night.

Lae-based Betties put two fish into an AK unloading supplies at Port Moresby. She'll live for now.

DEI

Martins put a bomb into a minesweeper at Balikpapan. There's a bunch of Japanese shipping either here or headed here, but there's not much I can do about it as most of my bombers are fighting for Singapore. My guess is that a base force is on the way & that I'll soon see planes based here.

Phil

SS KXVII puts 3 torps into a Jap AK which sinks immedidately. This was near Bataan. She later attacks a DD, but misses.

China

Trading bombardments at Canton.

2 more air battles over my 325,000 innocent Chinese farmers near Nanchang. A2A losses for the day were 4 allied vs 11 Japanese. (All were here.) I suspect there's now a lot of damaged Japanese planes at Nanchang and will try to bomb the AF there in 2-3 days.

The last Japanese bombardment at Yenan resulted in 0 allied casualties & several Japanese. My troops are fully in supply so they'll attempt a deliberate attack despite being outnumbered. The last time I tried this (a month or more ago) I got 1:1 odds.

Burma/India

The air battle in this theater has begun.

Before now I've had a free reign to kill Japanese on the ground & train my pilots. Yesterday Betties put a torp into an AK unloading at Akyab. Today air raids were launched against both Imphal and Calcutta. No damage was caused but to be safe I've put 2 Hurricane squadrons on CAP at each Mandalay, Imphal & Calcutta.

Malaya

It's not looking good I have to say. But it's been fun at least. [:'(]

During the day my bombers launch against two Japanese divisions. I expect Japanese LRCAP tomorrow so a squadron of P-40s flew into JB & will sweep Singapore. The bombers will continue on their mission.

As expected, the Japanese attack again:

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 118956 troops, 1017 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 1983
Defending force 36426 troops, 148 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 590
Japanese max assault: 2916 - adjusted assault: 1763 Down by about 650
Allied max defense: 561 - adjusted defense: 639 Down by almost 200
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0 Yikes!
Japanese ground losses:
2345 casualties reported
Guns lost 40
Vehicles lost 5
Allied ground losses:
1289 casualties reported
Guns lost 19

I've got to say I'm very worried about tomorrow. I'm continuing to order as many ground attack missions as possible. I'm hoping my opponent is just about completely out of supply now - his adjusted AV did decrease a lot. Plus some allied reinforcements are on the way.

A tiny bit of good news at Johore Bahru:

Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 10066 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 240
Defending force 2336 troops, 0 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 97
Allied max assault: 432 - adjusted assault: 193
Japanese max defense: 98 - adjusted defense: 91
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
320 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Not only do I cause a few casualties, but I can now send 2 brigades back to Singapore. Hopefully at least 1 will make it in time. It also gives me an open retreat path should Singers fall tomorrow. If it does, I'll commence Operation Bug Out.

[ctangus]

3/24/42

Singapore still holds & 3 more Jap destroyers go glug, glug...

No Pac

I screwed up my orders for a daytime intercept so my cruisers will go in tonight.

So Pac

Additional elements of the 25th Inf Div arrive at Pago Pago. Maybe 60% of the Div is there now with the rest 3-4 days away. A Marine Defense battalion also unloads tomorrow.

My southern fleet has arrived at Auckland - 2 CVs, 2 BBs, 4 CAs, 1 CL & 23 DDs. They'll stay in Auckland for a while re-painting their decks.

Good news near Lunga:

03/24/42
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
DD Oite
DD Hayate, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Sinks
AP Aikoku Maru
AP Batavia Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Leander
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Perth
CL Hobart, Shell hits 1
DD Stuart
DD Voyager
DD Le Triomphant
=============================================
03/24/42
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Hie Maru, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Leander
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Perth
CL Hobart
DD Stuart
DD Voyager
DD Le Triomphant
Japanese ground losses:
1187 casualties reported [:)]
Guns lost 49

SW Pac

For the 2nd day in a row Betties make it by my CAP of Hurricanes and torpedo an AK at Port Moresby.

Wirraways attack a barge convoy approaching Buna & sink 1 of 3 barges that were spotted.

DEI

Spies (the little airfield symbol on the map) tell me Japanese planes have staged into Balikpapan so I'm evacing most of the shipping in Soerabaja. That includes Force Z. Repulse's sys damage is down to 4 from a max of 9.

Also a convoy is spotted heading into the Java Sea near Kuching.

Japanese air raids against my Sumatra bases destroy 16 planes on the ground. 9 of those were Dutch transports, 7 combat planes.

Phil

The gallant defenders of Manila are still holding on, but it won't be long:

Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 143595 troops, 1146 guns, 172 vehicles, Assault Value = 2536
Defending force 60362 troops, 466 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 1268
Japanese max assault: 5014 - adjusted assault: 1248
Allied max defense: 1210 - adjusted defense: 1093
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
3645 casualties reported
Guns lost 99
Vehicles lost 5
Allied ground losses:
2038 casualties reported
Guns lost 43
Vehicles lost 3

Supplies are now less than 100, and most of the units are down to eating their shoes. Maybe I can still hold into next month - I would be extremely pleased with that.

China

The now daily air battle near Nanchang scores 8 to 1 in my favor.

My probing attack at Yenan yields 0:1, though not by much. I may try to reinforce here, but I'm not sure yet.

Malaya

No ground assault against Singapore. A spy (Pat's e-mail) reports that General Yamashita stated: "Another attack? No, my men are very very tired. They need absolutely to
rest." I hope it's true, but it could be disinformation.

Two brigades did make it back into Singapore just before an unknown enemy unit entered JB.

I'm going to keep the Brit bombers attacking the Japanese in Singapore, but the Dutch are being ordered on anti-shipping duties and the US 4Es will try to counter-strike against enemy airfields on Borneo.

[ctangus]

3/25/42

Bah! Well, it wasn't all bad news, but all in all a bad day for the allies.

SW Pac

Fighter-bombers, this time Hurricanes, sink another barge at Buna.

DEI

SS KXVIII puts a torp into a Jap destroyer entering the Makassar straight. She needs to head back to Soerabaja to reload.

There was a lot of air action not only in this theater, but all over the map. One of the bloodiest days I've seen so far in Nik Mod (though only deserving a yawn with stock air combat). Total losses were 35 Japanese vs. 28 allied. A2A were 21 Japanese vs. 15 allied. Here's an example:

03/25/42
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 38
Ki-21 Sally x 15
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 6 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22

China

The A2A combat over my innocent Chinese rice farmers scores 9:1 in my favor.

There seems to be a movement bug up north. The 3 Chinese Corps I'd ordered to withdraw to the west of Yangku wound up east of it! They're almost completely surrounded so I've decided to send them to take Chengting in a do-or-die attempt. Pic attached.



India

An AK damaged earlier by Betties sank today.

An air raid against Calcutta saw 3 Hurricanes lost vs. 1 Zero, but negligible damage on the ground.

Singapore

I had hoped to gain 3-4 weeks here, but I think I lost 3-4 weeks. [:(]

Ground combat at Singapore
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 116837 troops, 977 guns, 154 vehicles, Assault Value = 1873
Defending force 41902 troops, 147 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 663
Japanese max assault: 2660 - adjusted assault: 1474
Allied max defense: 678 - adjusted defense: 682
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
4030 casualties reported
Guns lost 96
Vehicles lost 11
Allied ground losses:
70128 casualties reported
Guns lost 139

The Japanese VP score now outnumbers the allied for the first time. About the only good thing I can say about this fiasco is that I had fun with it! [:'(]

[ctangus]

3/26 - 3/27/42

It's quieted down the last few days.

So Pac/SW Pac

Mainly I'm just getting more reinforcements in place:

At Noumea, an Air HQ unloaded, an EAB is unloading & a tank regiment is about 5 days out. Forts 5 + 55%. Marines & soldiers of the Americal Div are working on their tans.

At Pago Pago, KB has disappeared and the final elements of the 25th Inf Div are unloading. AF is almost to size 2. Long Island (who arrives in 4 days) will make her maiden voyage in the Pacific War by shuttling some SBDs from Hawaii to here.

An AK damaged by Betties sinks at PM.

DEI

A Jap MSW sinks from earlier damage. A Jap AP hits a mine at Balikpapan. 7th AIF Div is now north of Perth on its way to Java. A couple sub attacks with no hits.

A large air raid against Palembang destroyed 5 planes on the ground. A counter-strike against Kuching by B-17s achieved nothing.

Malaya

Some Sumatra-based Martins attack a BB TF which bombarded JB on the 27th. No luck.

I also flew some torpedo bombers into JB:

03/26/42
Day Air attack on TF at 21,51
Allied aircraft
Vildebeest IV x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 8
Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 8 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 1
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
CA Myoko

Certainly not fatal but maybe that will force Nagato out of action for a little while.

A Jap brigade crossed the causeway from Singapore to JB & got 0:1 odds. In the meantime I have 7 transport squadrons & 1 patrol squadron trying to pull out what they can of my remaining troops in Malaya.

India

The AK hit a few days ago at Akyab sank today. Rangoon-based Betties port-attacked Diamond Harbor but scored no hits. I don't have a lot of shipping there, but I'm evac'ing all that's left.

China

One brigade of the Hopei Div is routed at Tabun-Nur. That's not necessarily bad news: my opponent sent 3 Mongolian Cav divs to take care of it. I'd much rather have them in the wilderness near Mongolia than elsewhere.

The daily air battle over my troops near Nanchang scores 5 Japanese planes downed for none of mine.

It should get more exciting in this theater within a week or so.

[ctangus]

3/28 - 3/29/42

Cent Pac/West Coast

Sigint provided the location of a jap sub about 840 miles E of Palmyra. An ASW TF closed in, but the sub was feisty and put a torp into DMS Lamberton (Fld 46 & 1200 miles from Pearl). In return, 8 near misses were reported against the sub (I-17 per radio intercepts).

Supplies at Pearl are now over 500,000. Fuel 800,000+. I'm now gradually trying to fill up all Cent Pac bases to their spoilage limits.

A Div, a RCT & an Arty unit arrive at SF tomorrow.

So Pac/SW Pac

APDs drop off a Marine Raider Bn at Savaii.

Near Port Moresby another supply AK is sunk by Lae-based Betties. I flew in the I Aus Corps to here to help plan the defense. I've also been spotting 1-3 subs near here every day.

I suspect a Jap offensive within the next month or less, particularly with what's a relatively large sub concentration. As soon as April comes around I'll start fighting in the air to try to close Lae.

Also, the 6th Aussie Div arrives in 15 days & I'll send it here. I'll probably fly as much as I can in then try to send the heavy equipment in by sea.

Malaya

Well, the Japanese have now fully conquered Malaya by capturing JB on the 29th. 42 days after the historical conquest, but with the situation I had, I'm still disappointed with my premature capitulation.

I did manage to pull out by air large chunks of the 3 units that were remaining at JB.

China

My Chinese Uber Stack of Death wasn't attacked on the 28th but was on the 29th. 2 P-40Es lost to 1 Oscar. Before the 29th only Nates were flying escort. Only a handful of casualties were reported but my AV is going down much quicker than I'd like. Still, I'm fairly confident here. Currently I'm 1 day away from Nanchang.

Up north I have 3 Chinese Corps 2-3 days away from Chengting. Due to supply issues I'm not as confident (I'm trying to fly some supply to them) but I still think I can take the city by coup-de-main. Only 2 units are defending - per Sigint the 7th Ind. Brigade & probably some sort of base force.

Phil

The end is coming soon:

03/28/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 140013 troops, 1067 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 2293
Defending force 56510 troops, 377 guns, 154 vehicles, Assault Value = 1161
Japanese max assault: 4488 - adjusted assault: 1147
Allied max defense: 1101 - adjusted defense: 813
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
5168 casualties reported
Guns lost 91
Vehicles lost 7
Allied ground losses:
2403 casualties reported
Guns lost 61
Vehicles lost 6

PBYs based in China & Coronadaos based at Kendari are trying to fly more supply in, but check out my supply situation! [X(]

[ctangus]

3/30 - 3/31/42

Cent Pac

I thought I was clever tracking down another Jab sub through Sigint (I've sunk 2 or 3 this way before), but SS I-17 hits & sinks a Canadian MSW I sent in the ASW TF against her. The DMS hit by I-17 few days ago is now up to 68 Flt damage and is still about 68 years away from Pearl.

So Pac

Lexington finally made it to Sydney via Perth. Sys damage went up to 41 (from 40) but is now down to 39. I'll at least wait until she can cruise at 10 knots before I send her to the west coast, but if she keeps repairing quickly here I'll leave her in Sydney.

SW Pac

The battle for New Guinea begins in earnest tomorrow over Lae. A large sweep followed with an airfield attack by 3 squadrons of 2E bombers.

DEI

SS Searaven & SS Swordfish both attack Japanese ships (an AP & TK) but both miss.

Also, a Japanese TF appeared 60 miles away from Kendari. It looks small plus I've reinforced there a little so I'm not very concerned. Nonetheless I plan to bomb the heck out of it tomorrow.

Palembang has been being plastered from the air daily and I'm expecting the next Japanese move in the DEI in this area. There's also a lot of Jap transports heading towards Malaya (I'm trying to interdict them with subs, but no luck so far.)

Burma

Recon reports Japanese fighters over central Burma (Taung Gyi). I'm standing down my attacks for a day or two until a little more recon is flown.

China

Bombardment attack at Nanchang:

03/31/42
Ground combat at Nanchang
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 250516 troops, 1874 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 7936
Defending force 104613 troops, 1299 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 2035
Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Looking good. I'll order a deliberate attack as soon as more ammo is brought to the front.

Phil

Manila holds! [:)]

03/31/42
Ground combat at Manila
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 134423 troops, 952 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 2076
Defending force 52598 troops, 288 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 1089
Japanese max assault: 3722 - adjusted assault: 727 last attack: 1147
Allied max defense: 1022 - adjusted defense: 597 last attack: 813
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
5016 casualties reported
Guns lost 72
Vehicles lost 15
Allied ground losses:
1992 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Vehicles lost 8

Well done boys! I'm flying in supply. Although I'm not sure it's making a difference I think it is so I'll continue. A month ago I thought I'd be lucky to hold here until mid-March.