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

[ctangus]

Operation Slinky

I had wanted to lunge against Lunga, but I'd need CV cover for a few days, which I can't provide now. Instead I'm going to proceed with Operation Slinky, a gradual advance towards Lae. I'll be able to provide LBA cover throughout:

[ctangus]

Operation Sullivan

At the same time, or as close as I can coordinate it, I'll garrison the Ellice Islands with the ultimate goal of investing the Gilberts:

[ctangus]

6/13 - 6/14/42

A lots been happening but I'll only focus on the DEI.

My subs have been tracking the Jap transports retreating from So Pac for several days. I haven't mentioned it, but they've scored 4 hits on troop-laden transports in the last 4 days. In return SS Porpoise received some near misses & will be out of action for a few months.

The big news is those TFs have left Palau and are heading towards the Makassar Strait - probably on their way to Java.

About 3-4 days ago I figured this would be the next major battle area & started sending major naval & air reinforcements. I sortied a few more today.

I'm not as ready as I'd like to be for this battle. There are some displaced Dutch from the far tip of Sumatra that I wanted to send to Java. Plus 1 Aussie Brigade in Tasmania (I need 3 more days to have enough PPs to free it.) 4 slow US BBs are on their way, but probably 2 weeks away.

Still, I think I'm fairly well prepared.

Here's the enemy:

[ctangus]

The good guys

A quick look at what I have on Java, in total:

1300 AV
142K supply & more on the way
7700+ mines

Most of this is concentrated in the Soerabaja-Madioen-Malang triangle.

Most fort levels are at 3 or so, but Soerabaja's at 9, Madioen is 8 +16% and Batavia 6 +78%.

I also have almost 400 planes on Java:

Bombers - About 200 - a mix of B-25s, B-26s, Martins, Beaforts & 1 newly arrived group of B-17s. All but the B-17s have decent experience (mid-60s +).

Fighters - 130 or so - Mixed in both quality & experience.

Also a mixture of transports/recon/patrol planes.

About 190 carrier-based planes will be in close support. I'm moving some other units to the Darwin area, as well, to swap with any units that might get worn out.

The last news on the ground is that I'm flying a brigade from Derby to Koepang to strengthen its defences. It will leave Derby weak, but I can't believe that's a short-term target of the Japanese. Once the Americal Div unloads at Koepang I'll fly that brigade on to Kendari to block the Jap offensive there.

A large percent of my naval forces are headed to the area:





I've cried wolf a time or two before, but I think we're going to see a large battle soon.

[niceguy2005]

Ctangus, nicely done on Java. I had hoped for the same in my game but slowly was overwhelmed by Japan. Looks like you still hold part of Sumatra. Do you still have Palembang?

[ctangus]

Thanks!

I've got Teleok.... & a couple bases on the other tip of Sumatra but I'm currently bugging out. Mostly I'm reinforcing Java more, but two beat up batallions will get some R&R on Ceylon, if I can extract them safely. As a sidenote: those will be the first Dutch LCUs outside of the DEI. Unless you count the ones that have made it through the Pearly Gates.

I recently lost Palembang - it fell May 31st. 2 battalions & 3 base forces held for 55 days. The Japs eventually brought in over two divs of troops to take it. Resources & oil were each damaged 100%

On the other side of the island, Bankha fell on June 11th. There's not many there but the oil & resources were also damaged 100% each.

I also recently noticed that 220 working oil (80 damaged) are at Balikpapan, in normal range of my heavies at Soer. (Just turned level 5 AF.) I haven't had the heart to target them yet, though.

[ctangus]

6/15 - 6/18/42

Four days of relative quiet.

SW Pac

At Lae, a sub-laid mine sinks 1 barge, and Wirraways on naval attack sink 2 more.

DEI

Despite an increasing number of subs in the area, I've lost track of the Jap invasion TFs that were leaving Palau.

I've had Sigint indicating preparations towards Batavia for a while. I'm starting to get Sigint showing designs against Soerabaja as well.

I'm not sure where the invasion convoys went. Still heading into the Makassar strait? Swinging north of Borneo? Retreating? (I doubt the last.)

Evacs from Sumatra are going well. All the survivors from the Palembang battle are now on Java. On the other end of the island I've now picked up two battalions of infantry. One more battalion & 3 base forces remain to be evacuated, but transports are near.

Phil

I almost forgot - SS Silversides sunk an oil-laden transport near Laoag.

China

I haven't updated China in a while. Not much has happened in truth. My 1st Chinese Uber-Shock Army is in place, ready to invade Indochina - I could probably take Hanoi within a week. I'm going to wait until my opponent commits to his next attack in the SRA before I issue orders for the advance, however. My idea is to strike when my opponent's resources are stretched. Plus I have one river-crossing, so some additional prep points won't hurt. See the map:

[ctangus]

6/19/42

One day update 'cause I'm bored. [:)]

DEI

Still no sign of the missing Jap transports. I think they're heading around the north of Borneo now, as the Makassar strait is fairly well covered with patrol planes & subs & I should have spotted them by now.

The Americal Div has made it through the Torres Strait & is currently at Darwin, continuing on to Koepang. 4 slow US BBs are transitting the Torres Strait now.

More Japanese are landing at Kendari. I was hoping to fly some reinforcements there but don't think I'll have the time.

And ouch! The Japs hit my evacuation transports at Sabang. In hindsight I should have seen that coming. Here's one example of 3 or 4 combats:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 19,41
Japanese Ships
DD Asashio
DD Arashio
DD Shirakumo
DD Yayoi
DD Fumizuki
Allied Ships
AK Empire Barracuda, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Empire Brook, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Antelope
AK Nora Moller, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Loch Ranza
PG Freesia, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Romney, Shell hits 1

In addition to the ships sunk above I scuttled 1 transport & 1 PG.

In a last ditch evacuation effort I'm trying to fly out one base force. However, I'll lose 1 batallion & 2 base forces in full. So be it.

[ctangus]

6/20/42

The first sparring near Java begins...

DEI

The Japanese start their attempt to close Batavia:

Day Air attack on Batavia , at 20,60
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 42
Ki-21 Sally x 52
Ki-49 Helen x 86
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 5 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 24

The fighter losses aren't good, but the airfield's barely scratched. Some more Hurri's & Kittyhawks flying LRCAP will help with the defense tomorrow. As a sidenote, my fighter resources are stretched very thin despite having 120 or so on Java & more nearby. A half-strength P-40 group is being transferred from the Port Moresby area.

Also near Java, it looks like a Jap convoy slipped through my search efforts and is closing in on Bali. I plan to crush it. See the pic.

A jap TK hits a sub-laid mine at Palembang.

Also in the theater, the Japanese, freshly reinforced, attack at Kendari for the first time in over a month:

Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 9373 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 217
Defending force 4180 troops, 11 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Japanese max assault: 168 - adjusted assault: 84
Allied max defense: 57 - adjusted defense: 79
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0 Bummer
Japanese ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Allied ground losses:
261 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

With the Americal Div 1 day away from Koepang, I'm flying an Aussie brigade in to reinforce. Hopefully that will prove a surprise.




Edit - some last minute orders - I'm flying a Dutch battalion into Bali as well.

[ctangus]

Elsewhere

Not much going on elsewhere to tell the truth. Couple routine air raids. SS Drum severely damages an AK (carrying fuel) near Tokyo.

Here's a pic that shows reinforcements heading towards the DEI.

[ctangus]

6/21/42

Neither my heavies or my carrier air fly, but it's still a successful day.

DEI

The seas off Bali see a one-sided engagement where the Royal Navy kicks some b---:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bali at 24,69
Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 4, and is sunk Magazine explosion
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AP Hakutetsu Maru #13, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Hokumyo Maru
AP Midori Maru
Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire
CL Glasgow
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Pakenham
DD Paladin
DD Panther
Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported

The survivors retreat to within 120 miles of my CVs, but no carrier planes take off. Beauforts do a number on them, however:

Day Air attack on TF at 23,69
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 13
Brewster 339D x 14
Beaufort V-IX x 11
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Midori Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokumyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

The RN cruisers are going back in tonight. I expect the Japanese transports to try to ground themselves on the shores of Bali to save any survivors they can.

The air battle over Batavia continues:

Day Air attack on Batavia , at 20,60
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 37
Ki-21 Sally x 48
Ki-49 Helen x 72
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 12
Kittyhawk I x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged Nice
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 6 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 49 35% damage now

Losses for the day were 28 to 17 in my favor (17 to 12 A2A). I don't know if I can keep it up, though - reinforcing squadrons are still at best several days away.

Looks like the Aussie reinforcements are arriving just in time at Kendari:

Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8995 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 279
Defending force 5175 troops, 18 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 130
Japanese max assault: 150 - adjusted assault: 59
Allied max defense: 114 - adjusted defense: 57 Almost got a 0 to 1
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Finally, Jap transports hit mines at Palembang, Kendari and Tarakan. O-19 & O-20 have been staying busy. Argonaut's now on her way to Soerabaja, too.

[ctangus]

6/22/42

3 turns already today. It's getting late in Switzerland but maybe we'll have time for another. [:)]

SW PAC

4 DMs on a minelaying mission to PM run over SS RO-67. 5 hits - 1 direct.

Wirraways on naval attack sink a barge at Lae. Both Wirrways & A-20s also put 4 bombs into an AP near there.

DEI

Well, I finish off the transports that were headed to Bali:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bali at 24,69
Japanese Ships
AP Hokumyo Maru, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Midori Maru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire
CL Glasgow
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Pakenham
DD Paladin
DD Panther
Japanese ground losses:
1746 casualties reported [:)]
Guns lost 2

For the moment the Japs have won control of the skies over Batavia:

Day Air attack on Batavia , at 20,60
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 38
Ki-21 Sally x 46
Ki-49 Helen x 63
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 7
Hurricane IIb x 7
Kittyhawk I x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 4 destroyed
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 47

I can't put up fighters in any numbers right now. In about 5 days I should be back, stronger than before. Aircraft losses today were 19 to 6 in favor of the bad guys. 14 to 2 A2A.

The CAP over Palembang is now light - I'll try a counter-strike.

An air raid by heavies against Amboina is ineffective.

And some final bad news -

Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 9354 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 258
Defending force 5875 troops, 28 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 170
Japanese max assault: 148 - adjusted assault: 92 More troops have landed
Allied max defense: 120 - adjusted defense: 47 Japs bombed my reinforcing Aussie brigade
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0) Just missed taking the base!
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported

B-26s are ordered onto ground attack tomorrow. Reinforcements continue to fly in. The Boise TF is also headed there (I can give it LRCAP now), but is 2 days out.

Elsewhere

Quiet.

[ctangus]

6/23/42

Another active day, again mostly in the DEI.

SW Pac

An AK bringing supplies to PM gets torpedoed by a RO-boat. It should live.

DEI

Another active day here, despite a break in the daily air raids against Batavia. (Resting? Weather?)

I tried a counter-strike against Palembang. Bad idea:

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 15
Brewster 339D x 15
Martin 139 x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged Horrible experience, but I hoped to get the bombers through
Brewster 339D: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged Ditto
Martin 139: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1 Doesn't look like I was succesful. [:'(]

Total aircraft losses were 24 to 11, again in the bad guys' favor. A2A was 15 to 2!

There was, however, some good news. A Jap re-supply convoy was attacked at Kai Island. (I need to increase my naval search near here - I had no warning.) I savaged the escorts, though:

Day Air attack on TF, near Kai Island at 43,80
Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 16
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage All 1000 lb. bombs. She's still afloat, but probably not for long.
DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage Magazine explosion - sinks

I didn't hit the transports, though, so another (resupplied) Jap attack is sure to come soon. There's a full Jap div here, plus 2 other units. The last Jap attack here got 0:1, but barely. I do have a better supply situation than I did before, but he probably will as well. I'd like to keep this base for future offensives towards northern New Guinea, but if I lose it, I've at least kept a Jap Div + tied down for about two months.

The best news was at Kendari:

Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 9013 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 236
Defending force 6675 troops, 51 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 196
Japanese max assault: 126 - adjusted assault: 51
Allied max defense: 120 - adjusted defense: 149
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) Yippee!
Japanese ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Allied ground losses:
257 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

I was hanging on by a toenail there for a while, but I think I've bought a few weeks now.

There was some sub action, too. SS Haddock, in the Malacca Strait, put a torp into an AP but received some damage in return. Near Brunei SS Seal hit CA Furutaki with a torp. Dud! [:(] I think it located the main Japanese invasion fleet, however. See pic.

An Aussie brigade has been released from garrison duty on Tasmania and is heading to Java. That's probably the last infantry unit I'll send there, but I could still use a little more AV support & arty.

Japan

Chinese bombers (IL-4s) attack the port of Nagasaki & damage an AS.

[ctangus]

6/24 - 6/25/42

DEI is still where most the action is.

Cent Pac/So Pac

In preparation for Operation Pinafore (the new name for Ellice Islands-Gilberts move) I did a large reorganization here, freeing up some units on garrison duty & moving a bunch of troops & ships around.

I also failed to mention that both Enterprise & Hornet have long since reached 0 Flt damage. Even repaired some sys damage - Hornet's down to 98 & Enterprise 97! [:'(] I just started towing them to SF. Each has a destroyer div in close escort & a third div is providing distant ASW cover.

I left their CAGs at Noumea & at least one is headed to the DEI. (Long Island's nearby & is helping with that.)

SW Pac

I've issued the orders to start Operation Slinky.

DEI - Timor Sea Area

A-24 Banshees sink another Jap destroyer near Kai Island. No transports were spotted today - I'm not sure what was going on here. Supply convoy & I just missed the transports? Fast transport mission gone bad?

I've also decided I want to launch Operation Sea Turtle here, but don't know where I can spare the forces from yet. More in a bit.

Central DEI - Java, Borneo

Batavia had two days of respite from Japanese air attack, but got toasted again on the 25th:

06/25/42
Day Air attack on Batavia , at 20,60
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 42
Ki-21 Sally x 49
Ki-49 Helen x 75
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 59 Ouch!

Airfield & service damage are both over 50. I need to contest this - it's the only Level 4 airfield near that tip of Java - but I won't have enough ready fighters for at least 2-3 more days. By then I should be able to send 70+ decently-experienced fighters vs. his 45.

Also B-17s attacked the oilfields at Balikpapan. They only destroyed 8 or 10 oil points but hopefully it will spread out his fighter resources some.

I've lost sight of the Jap TFs north of Borneo, which I think are coming towards the Batavia area.

I have more reinforcements (mainly aviation support) & supply on the way. Supply on Java is currently about 200K with more nearby. More troop reinforcements are at least two weeks off.

Final note: I also have a lot of Sigint showing preparations for Batavia. About half as much showing preparations for Soerabaja. My fleet units near Java are re-organizing with the stronger forces headed towards the Batavia area: The Royal Navy & the Sara TF will stand guard near Batavia. A Dutch cruiser TF will be closer to Soerabaja, to be joined by 3 US BBs in about a week. (I have a fourth - Arizona - but she needs some port time.)

DEI - Sumatra

Sabang hasn't fallen as quickly as I expected & I've accomplished a fairly successful Dunkirk operation. I've now pulled out the entirety of 2 infantry battalions & the majority of 2 base forces. 1 base force will most likely be lost in entirety.

I perhaps should have tried to hold for a while, though it's too late now. Check out these reports. The 23rd Mixed Bde. & large elements of the 56th Division are attacking 3 base forces. Those Japanese infantry units must be wasted:

06/23/42
Ground combat at Sabang
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11002 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 231
Defending force 3507 troops, 15 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 27
Japanese max assault: 207 - adjusted assault: 61
Allied max defense: 23 - adjusted defense: 31
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
=============================================
06/24/42
Ground combat at Sabang
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11167 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 236
Defending force 2981 troops, 3 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 18
Japanese max assault: 213 - adjusted assault: 32
Allied max defense: 14 - adjusted defense: 17
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Indochina

I haven't ordered the advance here yet simply because I've yet to come up with a good operational name for it. The best I've thought of so far is Operation Ho-Ho-Ho. Better suggestions are welcomed. [;)]

In truth, I want to ensure his major forces aboard ship are fully committed to Java or elsewhere before I launch that offensive.

[ctangus]

6/26 - 6/28/42

Mostly quiet, but I'll give a quick update. Tomorrow might be intersting, however.

SW Pac

Escorts of a supply convoy damage a RO-boat near Port Moresby.

Some supplies are starting to unload at Gili-Gili, both un-noticed and unharmed. Troops are a few days behind.

DEI

For the last 3 turns I've lost sight of the Japanese transports north of Borneo, which I thought were headed to Java. If they were headed directly to Java I should have spotted them by now. I currently suspect they diverted to somwhere in the Singapore - Saigon - Camranh Bay area to regroup.

Significant air reinforcements are arriving on Java.

Several actions are ordered for tomorrow. 80+ fighters will LRCAP Batavia where the Japanese have been bombing daily. B-17s will port attack Balikpapan (recon reports 2 cruisers there). B-26s will ground attack the Japs at Kendari. The Aussie brigade reinforcing there is holding the line, but it's closer than I'd like:

06/28/42
Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 10813 troops, 46 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 257
Defending force 9182 troops, 48 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 174
Japanese max assault: 207 - adjusted assault: 117
Allied max defense: 127 - adjusted defense: 75
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
322 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Allied ground losses:
197 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Burma

The weather report is good, and so tomorrow will also see a large attack against Rangoon's airfields.

[comander]

HI ctnagus i just frishing reading your AAR up to this point i think the JPs transorts are a buff i do not think there loaded but i think make you think there loaded and his land some where if its a buff and there no suport for the TS you may be abal to trape hin to losseing ships

[ctangus]

Hi comander - thanks for reading.

Interesting thought, but after the last torpedo hit by a sub, S-41 reported the bodies of 11 Japanese troops floating in the water. Of course that was two weeks ago, and the last time I spotted those transports was a week ago.

[ctangus]

6/29/42

Eventful day.

So Pac

Near Norfolk Island SS I-153 received a direct hit by a mixed Aussie/US ASW TF.

Operation Pinafore is proceeding & the first troops start disembarking at Funafuti tomorrow.

SW Pac

Wirraways sink a barge trying to unloading at Lae.

Similarly Operation Slinky is going ahead and a Seabee unit will start unloading tomorrow at Milne Bay. A base force & an infantry brigade aren't far behind.

DEI

The early morning hours see a successful port attack against Balikpapan:

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 2
B-17E Fortress x 35
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Taibun Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Koshu Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ryoka Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Matsukaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tsunushima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kuroshio Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Asagiri, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Haisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW W.7, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Port hits 1

The heavies will rest a day, though the Hudsons will continue to fly recon. If the Japanese CAP isn't increased I may return.

The daily raid against Batavia shifted to the next-door base of Bandoeng. Admiral Patamoto must have spotted my fighter buildup there. Most were flying LRCAP over Batavia, but 4 P-39s were destroyed on the ground.

Yesterday I flew Enterprise's 2 SBD squadrons to Bali. I forgot that the base force I'm sending there is still at Port Blair. DOH!

Finally, Kendari holds again. It's been too close for comfort, however, so I may fly in more troops. I started prepping an Aussie Cavalry brigade:

Ground combat at Kendari
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 10315 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 234
Defending force 9237 troops, 42 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 163
Japanese max assault: 186 - adjusted assault: 83
Allied max defense: 94 - adjusted defense: 137
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) That should buy a few more days
Japanese ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Allied ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Indian Ocean

Jap carriers appear here. Planes from Hiryu & Soryu are identified by their wing markings. They send two unescorted strikes against shipping at Port Blair and a total of 13 Vals & 6 Kates are shot down with no losses to the 2 defending Hurricane squadrons. 1 AK is sunk. Another AK & a MSW are damaged.

I'm not sure if this is just a raid or if there's an invasion of Port Blair pending. It's 91% of the way to a level 2 AF & I have some torpedo bombers anxious to strike from there. My CVs are too far away to respond. I am shuffling LBA in the theater around & sortieing a surface TF from Colombo. (1 CA, 2 CLs, 3 DDs).



China

Near Hong Kong both SS Haddock & Chinese IL-4s attack a Japanese tanker, but with no effect.

[comander]

Have you any think to renforce port Blari two to three land units he may try to take it to safe guard Rangoon but if you got no divs or brgs you may have to pull out .

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: comander

Have you any think to renforce port Blari two to three land units he may try to take it to safe guard Rangoon but if you got no divs or brgs you may have to pull out .

Yep. First priority is to send some engineers - the airfield's almost (92%) to level 2, but is only growing 1% per day. Torpedo bombers could make a landing there quite costly. For combat troops I could spare the 1st Burma Brigade (currently garrisoning Diamond Harbour.)

I'm going to wait a day or three, though, since I'm not sure about my opponent's intentions yet. My transport pilots could use the rest. I currently have about 90 AV behind level 3 forts, here.

6/30/42

Large air battle over western Java.

So Pac

SS I-17 hits the empty AK Liberty Glo near Suva. She's only 60 miles from Suva but with 80+ flt damage I'm not sure she'll make it.

DEI

3 AKs bringing supplies to Soerabaja were heavily damaged by Balikpapan-based Nells. Japanese land at Toboali.

The main news was a large air battle over Bandoeng:

Day Air attack on Bandoeng , at 19,61
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 38
Ki-21 Sally x 39
Ki-49 Helen x 57
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 15
Kittyhawk I x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 18
P-40E Warhawk x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 8 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 6 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 14

I have a bunch of damaged planes, but I can also send in a fresh, well-experienced, P-40 squadron. I think I can win this battle, but honestly I'm not sure.

Indian Ocean

The Jap carriers sink another AK. A Dutch patrol plane identifies CV Shokaku. My best guess is that carrier divs 2 & 5 are both here in full.

China

The Japanese TK that I missed yesterday took 2 bomb hits from IL-4s. They reported burning oil slicks on the water afterwards.