Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The intense action continues as we start to enter another phase of invasions.

In the SRA Japanese air space is contested again over Singapore, Batavia and Soerabaja:

Day Air attack on Singapore , at 23,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11
Ki-102a Randy x 3

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 6
B-29 Superfortress x 119

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 1 destroyed, 23 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 123

And:

Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

And:

Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 13 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

Initial Allied intel has indicated that the Japanese have withdrawn airpower from Singapore and Soerabaja. Potentially dispersing it to other parts of Java, Borneo and Indo China.

Also in the SRA the Allied second wave should start to land at Kuching either tomorrow or the day after.

CV Hancock and Bennington tracked the TK convoy further east and sunk:

PG Takunan Maru #10
TK Ryuei Maru
TK Choran Maru
AO Medan Maru

I am moving further to the NE deep into enemy territory. The furthest I have been here to attack further enemy shipping before moving back to support the Kuching invasion.

Screenshot attached.

Mossie LR strikes from Pontianak damaged 4 x AK at Brunei today.

---------------------

Tomorrow all CV TF's will be back at Saipan. From there we sail to Iwo Jima to surpress the area for the upcoming invasion.

A follow up B29 raid flew today from Saipan. The results were devastating. Due to the fact the airfields were so heavily damaged yesterday the enemy was unable to fly and they were smashed on the ground (110+ Zeke's for example!)

In total the enemy lost 245 planes to my 34 today.................

-----------------------

SS Grouper missed DD Fubuki 240 miles NW of Lingayen.

SS Lancetfish was attacked by an ASW TF 120 miles ESE of Saigon. 8 x DC near miss - 26/10/0. Back to Darwin.

SS Blenny was heavily damaged by 3 x DC hit, 1 x DC near miss 240 miles NE of Camranh Bay. I forgot to move her today[:@]

SS Halibut missed PC CH-18 east of Iwo Jima and is returning to Saipan.

Air sightings = 20
Air attacks = 4

--------------------------

An LCI(R), AK, MSW and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrw as does 82nd W. African Division (just one more Indian Division to arrive in 22 days time and we go for Victoria Point).

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A further day of action.

CV Hancock and Bennington failed to locate any further shipping in the South China Sea. As such I am moving them back towards Kuching to cover the landings there.

My CVE TF found and sank ML Shirakami near Singapore with 3 torpedoes.

The second wave forces will go ashore at Kuching tomorrow.

Singapore was bombed again by Rangoon's B29's. Heavy damage was done to the airfields and no enemy planes were present.

P38J fighter sweeps of Batavia and Malang resulted in the loss of 3 friendlies for 13 enemy fighters. I'm resting them all tomorrow before going again where the enemy is.

An AK sank at Tarakan and an AK sank off Davao. It is assumed both as a result of previous submarine attacks.

----------------------------

Iw Jima has been evacuated of enemy air units. They seem to be holed up in Bonin Islands. My B29's will keep Iwo Jima supressed while my CV's move nearer. They are all refuelling/re-arming today before moving out from Saipan tomorrow.

----------------------------

SS Spearfish evaded 5 x PG 120 miles ESE of Hong Kong.

SS Blackfin sank AP Tazan Maru with 2 torpedoes 240 miles SW of Hong Kong. Elements of 122nd IJN BF went down with the ship. Surprisngly/annoyingly my CV's didn't locate this TF during the day.

Air sightings = 26
Air attacks = 5

-----------------------------

An MSW will arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The unloading at Kuching was interupted by 4 x IJN DD's during the night. They were surprised to find an Allied SC TF composed of CA Hawkins, CL Danae + 4 x DD. A series of close confused combat occured over the next hour which led to DD Shimakaze, Niizuki and Kasasagi being sunk along with DD Suzunami beuing heavily damged. In return DD Thatcher was hit by 11 enemy shells and is limping back to Pontianak (90/54/28). Most of my other ships are fine although CA Hawkins and CL Danae have lost turrets and their radar. The rest iof the force will retire to southern Australia for repair. My CV's will protect the invasion now.

My CVE's are 180 miles NW of Kuching and my CV's are 300 miles NE of Kuching.

An enemy AK convoy is trapped at Miri and will be in range of Hancock and Bennington tomorrow. Mossie's managed to put a couple of bombs into thisconvoy today.

My CV's located the limping TK Ryuei Maru and blew her to bits whilst they also sank a patrolling MSW (Wa 107).

Soerabaja's airfields were hit hard destroying the bomber remnant left behind there (20 planes).

It seems from recon/intel that Faber has massed what planes he has in the region at Batavia along with smaller elements dispersed throughout (8 other bases). I will deal with this scum soon.

The unloading at Kuching should finish tomorrow.

------------------------

Things are starting to move again in CentPac. All transports bound for Iwo Jima are passing Wake Island on their way to Saipan.

As such 3 x CV Divisions will leave Saipan tomorrow to strike out at Iwo Jima and Bonin Island. Saipan's B29's have closed Iwo Jima and will keep it closed allowing my CV's to deal with Bonin and the troops at Iwo Jima.

To keep everything protected I still have 2 x CVE divisions at Saipan (400 planes), a BB Diovision..

5 x BB Divisions + 1 x CV Division have left PH today to catch up with and escort the Transports to Saipan. I will break down my forces when we leave Saipan for Iwo Jima.

Interestingly Faber has flown planes back into Marcus Island.............A storm of PB4Y's (Wake) and B29's (Midway) will hit the place tomorrow.

----------------------

SS Jallao evaded 3 x PC 120 miles SE of Okinawa.

Air sightings = 32
Air attacks = 8

-----------------------

An AK, 2 x MSW and an APD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Capt. Harlock]

Interestingly Faber has flown planes back into Marcus Island.............A storm of PB4Y's (Wake) and B29's (Midway) will hit the place tomorrow.

Apparently you're in a phase of the game where your intel is really good!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt. - the red airfield symbols offer quite good intel[;)]

---------------------

We were majorly out of sync today so I can't give accurate submarine statistics.

SS Balao damaged MLE Johore Maru with a torpedo 60 miles SE of Shanghai. In return she received 3 x DC near miss from the escorts - 11/0/0.

----------------------

The invasion of Kuching continued unmolested today. Bad weather across the SRA prevented any air raids from my CV's on enemy freighters at Brunei.

----------------------

CentPac was the main area of action today.

3 x CV Divisions had moved 120 miles north of Pagan towards Iwo Jima when SS I-179 missed DD Charles Badger and in return received 7 x DC near miss.

Faber pulled a very good move today and was in many ways unlucky. It seems the new enemy aircraft at Marcus Island were patrol planes since a CV TF appeared out of the blue and attacked the Iwo Jima supply freighters inbetween Wake and Saipan (screenshot attached).

There is no cover for these ships as my CV's are north of Pagan or protecting the troop ships further to the east near Wake Island.

Wither luck was with me, Faber's pilots are poor or my AA did it's job since only 4 x AK sustained damage. 1 of which may sink.

I pewrsonally feel Faber is in potential danager now though. From looking at the screenshot you can see I have ordered my 3 x CV Divisions to fan out to the NE. I'm assuming Faber will run to Japan now he's been spotted. He knows I have CV's near Pagan.

What he may not know is that I have a CV Division near Wake Island. If he runs to the east/stays to attack my convoy he will be taken down within 2-3 days by one of 4 x CV Divisions.

Let's hope I get him tomorrow if he trys to run back to Japan.

-----------------------

An LCI(G), AK and 2 x LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The suspense was once more on CentPac as the race for catching the IJN CV TF is on!

The enemy had moved to within 120 miles of Marcus Island by the end of today. I have 3 x CV TF closing from the west and one from the east just moving past Midway. I personally feel Faber has the next day to move at flank speed to the north of he has had it with that TF.

The screenshot below shows the situation.

Whilst this chase is on going my transports and SC TF's converge on Saipan for the invasion Iwo Jima.

---------------------

In SRA the unloading at Kuching is almost complete and we go on the attack tomorrow to test the enemy defences..

Clear weather allowed CV Hancock and Bennington to launch air raids against the enemy freighter TF at Brunei. No enemy CAP was present and by the end of the day 2 x AK and a DD were confirmed sunk with another 5 x AK damaged. We stay on station tomorrow with the CVE TF closing to attack the ships in Brunei's Harbour.

----------------------

SS Grouper was sunk today by a DD and 3 x PC 120 miles NW of Lingayen with 10 x DC[&o]

In many ways I can't wait until i've taken Iwo Jima and then i'll take most of my submarines off of patrol due to a limited target area.

Air sightings = 26
Air attacks =5

-----------------------

An LST, MSW, DD, DE and CVE Admiralty Island arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Capt. Harlock]

The suspense was once more on CentPac as the race for catching the IJN CV TF is on!

The enemy had moved to within 120 miles of Marcus Island by the end of today. I have 3 x CV TF closing from the west and one from the east just moving past Midway

Ever seen the old black-and-white classic movie "The General"? I'm visualizing Buster Keaton on the bridge of a Japanese CV . . .[:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt. - LOL. Never seen it. For some reason it has made me think of the Millenium Falcon trying to evade Imperial Star Destroyers[;)]

---------------------

A step closer to liberation was made today at Kuching. My concerted attack found a relatively weak enemy who should be repulsed and forced to withdraw within a matter of days:

Ground combat at Kuching

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 61412 troops, 540 guns, 431 vehicles, Assault Value = 1528

Defending force 24211 troops, 193 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 466

Allied max assault: 1356 - adjusted assault: 1110

Japanese max defense: 301 - adjusted defense: 229

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4


Japanese ground losses:
1751 casualties reported
Guns lost 48
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
555 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Vehicles lost 4

My CV's pounded Brunei throughout the day. 7 x AK were confirmed sunk today. Numerous other ships were hit in Brunei Harbour

-------------------------

I wonder if Faber is beginning to weaken in Burma since he's almost at 7000 AV NE of Moulmein:

Ground combat at 30,34

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 371306 troops, 2304 guns, 981 vehicles, Assault Value = 9850

Defending force 346177 troops, 1823 guns, 725 vehicles, Assault Value = 7180


Japanese ground losses:
382 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

I will try an attack here when I launch my next operation up here in 4-6 weeks time.

-----------------------

No joy so far in chasing the enemy CV's in CentPac. We continue to search past Marcus Island and towards Japan for them.

-----------------------

SS Steelhead missed MLE Toyohara Maru with 4 torpedoes 120 miles NE of Iwo Jima.

SS Ray was heavily damaged by 2 x DC hit and 5 x DC near miss 120 miles SW of Hong Kong - 48/74/0.

SS Icefish sank the troop laden AP Kiri Maru with 2 torpedoes 180 miles west of Nagasaki. Troops of 14th Air Fleet perished...........

Air sigthings = 31
Air attacks =6
Air hits = 1 - SS Muskallunge by a Judy 60 miles SE of Amami Island - 17/26/0. Back to Saipan.

SS Croaker returned to Darwin today receiving a hero's welcome after finishing off BB Kirishima[8D]

--------------------

An LCI, LSM, LST and an AO arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly quiet day with Kuching being nearer to fall:

Ground combat at Kuching

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 61334 troops, 524 guns, 428 vehicles, Assault Value = 1487

Defending force 21777 troops, 111 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 389

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied max assault: 1346 - adjusted assault: 825

Japanese max defense: 233 - adjusted defense: 453

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
1407 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
335 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 5

Brunei's port was heavily hit by TBM's from my CV/CVE's. Only MSW W.30 was confirmed sunk along with 6 other ships being hit (AO/TK/AK/DD).

-----------------------

Operation Puiffin will begin soon. This will be the capture of several occupied/empty bases in the Marshalls, Gilberts and Solomans. It will start at Tarawa with 13,000 starved Japanese. Should kick off in 4-5 days.

My CV's are still searching for the enemy CV's. If Faber escapes this net I would love to know how he did it in due course. Every TF in the screenshot is a CV Division............

An AK sank due to the damage sustained Faber's CV raid. Most of my transports and BB's will be at Saipan within a week.

--------------------------

SS Blenny evaded an ASW TF 180 miles NE of Camranh Bay.

SS I-52 was left heavily damaged 26 x DC from CVE escorts NW of Brunei.

Air sightings = 28
Air attacks = 8

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CV Shangri-La an AP and an APD areive in theatre tomorrow.

[Admiral DadMan]

I'd say he's still running North.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Dadman - you guessed right. TF 1105 steamed NNE all through the night to be within 240 miles of Etorofo Jima. During the early daylight hours there it was a magnificent sight! The chase was over as 3 x CV's were approaching the enemy harbour.

At once 93 x Helldiver, 45 x Avenger and 87 x Hellcat screamed northwards to attack the enemy.

The irony since Etorofo Jima was where the enemy KB set sail almost 3 years ago to attack PH. Now she would be subject to attack by the USN!

The CR can tell the rest of the story:

Day Air attack on TF, near Etorofo Jima at 76,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 22
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 87
SB2C Helldiver x 93
TBM Avenger x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 20 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 17 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
SB2C Helldiver: 5 destroyed, 35 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 19 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Unryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Inazuma

Later on in the day:

Day Air attack on TF, near Etorofo Jima at 76,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 55
SB2C Helldiver x 16
TBM Avenger x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 6 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Unryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Oyodo
CV Amagi, on fire, heavy damage
CV Katsuragi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Chikuma, on fire, heavy damage

CV Katsuragi was a wreck that quickly slipped beneath the waves. No other ships were confirmed sunk.

The enemy had sent a retalitory strike:

Day Air attack on TF at 74,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 47
D4Y Judy x 56
B7A Grace x 41
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 16

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 45 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 47 destroyed
B7A Grace: 34 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CLAA Atlanta
CVL Cowpens
CV Yorktown
CV Enterprise
CVL Belleau Wood

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet

No hits were achieved and by the end almost 200 enemy planes had been destroyed for the loss of 49 friendlies.

TF 1105 will move a further 120 miles to the NE and try to finish off the b*stards. It appears Faber has docked most of the damaged ships so i've ordered port attacks for tomorrow.

My other 3 x CV Division are to move to the Iwo Jima area to smash the place up in preparation for my invasion.

--------------------

More of the same in Burma with bombing of enemy LCU's and land bombardments NE of Moulmein.

--------------------

Kuching falls to the Allies today. The weak enemy forces offered little resistance and the 4 enemy units left outside of the base will hopefully be pushed back tomorrow.

A P47D FG has flown into the operational airfield to provide fighter cover.

2 x P51D FG's are operational at Banja and Singkawang now. They will conduct a sweep of Batavia in a weeks time if the enemy does not retreat from there.

Once the enemy has moved from Kuching I will prepare for and embark soon for Miri/Brunei and Jesselton. Brunei appears more heavily defended (6 units vs Miri's 2). As such I may bypass it for Miri and Jesselton.

Talking of Brunei. My CVE's put bombs into 4 ships docked in port.

------------------------

The only bad news of the day was the loss of 3 x submarines[:@]

All were sunk by ASW TF's:

SS Blackfin 180 miles SW of Hong Kong.

SS Sawfish 180 miles NW of Camranh Bay.

SS Trout 120 miles NW of San Marcelino.

This is the last straw here. Rather than waiting 2 more weeks for the invasion of Iwo Jima it's time to move out now.

There are virtually no oil centres left for Faber in SRA (that either he controls and those he does are non-operational) and the seas left to him are full of ASW vessels with no merchant shipping having any need to go anywhere!

All fleetboats near Okinawa/Formosa will move back to Darwin/Saipan where in due course they will be organised into ML's TF's for Japan/China.

I will still keep my picket line surrounding Iwo Jima and keep some boats around the Celebes, Borneo area etc.

--------------------------

An LST, LCI(R) and an LSM arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[DuckofTindalos]

Poor penguin. To come back from his trip to this pasting...[:(]

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
Good to see you back in action.  I had become afraid you had been seduced by the MTO and had lost interest in the PTO.  With all the advantages that Pauk has been given in the MTO, your more worthy adversary remains, IMHO, the penguin.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - No veering away from me. Faber was on vacation for 10 days which delayed things but we continue in ernest now as we approach the final section of this war.

--------------------

A disappointing day since my CV's did not attack Etorofo Jima for some reason! Weather was fine over my CV's. We stay on station and try again tomorrow.

Bonin Island wasattacked for the first time by CV Lexington TF. Few enemy planes were present (recon) but we stay on station to pound both Iwo Jima and Bonin Island. 2 more CV TF's will be on station within 3 days.

--------------------

DD Yukikaze sank today at her mooring in Brunei. A further 3 enemy ships were hit by TBM's.

The enemy fiorces outside of Kuching are fighting stubbornly:

Ground combat at Kuching

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 60873 troops, 480 guns, 417 vehicles, Assault Value = 1428

Defending force 18436 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 286

Allied max assault: 1340 - adjusted assault: 909

Japanese max defense: 165 - adjusted defense: 55

Allied assault odds: 16 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
958 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

Allied ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
Vehicles lost 4

---------------------

SS Spearfish evaded ASW vessels 180 miles ESE of Hong Kong.

SS Icefish missed AP Kaito Maru 60 miles NE of Okinawa.

SS Bream evaded 5 x ASW vessels 60 miles SE of Leyte.

---------------------

CV Shangri-La, 3 x LST, an LSM and a LCI(G) arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well the weather was good enough for my CV's to attack the enemy ships skulking at Etorofo Jima today. Only 4 x Tojo were on CAP and for the loss of a Hellcat they were shot down. 93 x SB2C and TBM pummelled the port hitting both CV Amagi and CV Unryu with 5 bombs each. Amagi settled to the sea bed..........

Bonin and Iwo Jima were attacked to keep them supressed also.

With Faber stationing bombers back at Pagan 3 x BB will shell the place tomorrow night.

-----------------------

In SRA AO Genyo Maru and TK Kokuyo Maru sank at Brunei Port today. My CV's are still on station bombing the port.

Rangoon's B29's hit Sabang again destroying 20 enemy planes on the ground. Faber is still massing planes at Batavia (last stronghold in western SRA for Japanese) and has smaller numbers at Palembang, Georgetown, Singapore, Toboali, Soerabaja, Macassar. Very soon Allied fighters will obliterate Batavia............

The Japanese continue to struggle fiercely at Kuching.

-------------------------

An LCI(G), LSM and 3 x LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Etorofo Jima wasattacked again by my CV's. Unfortunately most of the escorting Hellcats became detached from the raid due to bad weather. Only 1 x Hellcat arrived with the bombers and 12 enemy fighters (Zeke, Tojo) managed to shoot down 7 x SB2C and 5 x TBM.

CV Unryu was hit again by 5 more bombs and CA Chikuma with a bomb. Neither ship was confirmed sunk so we stay on station.

2 of 3 other CV TF's are around Iwo Jima now. Both attacked Bonin's airfields today but tomorrow the TBM's go for enemy ground units on Iwo Jima whilst Saipan's B29's pound the airfields/supply depots.

My BB's pounded Pagan good destroying 12 x Frances on the groudn and causing over 1600 casualties. The only damage sustained was by a mine hit on DD Richard Leary (30/30/15). Enemy planes have moved on now.

Within a week all Iwo Jima bound forces will be at Saipan.

The recapture of enemy possessions in the South Pacific will begin soon. Tarawa will be the first target. It has been starved and bombed relentlessly for over a year now so I don't expect much resistance from the estimated 15,000 enemy troops there. I will detail my forces involved tomorrow.

----------------------

Brunei was hit again but once more no ships were confirmed sunk[8|] AK Clyde Maru took a bomb and AO Tenshin Maru and TK Takekun Maru took 2 boms each.

The enemy launched a surprise late day raid again my CV's 120 miles NW of Brunei. 16 x George screamed in escorted by 9 x Tony. The fighters took on the Tony's but missed the George's. 1 of these Kamikazi's hit CV Hancock causing an ammo explosion. After a detailed examination though actual damage is very light. Just a few fires to put out - 7/1/19. We stay on station for now but will move back to Kuching to refuel and re-arm soon.

Talking of Kuching. Progress was made on the ground there today. The 16,000 enemy troops are still fighting hard but they have few heavy weapons (12 guns) and are out of supply. My 60,000 well armed and supplied men have managed to surround this pocket now causing 900 enemy casualties today.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Sabang was heavily hit again today by Rangoon's B29's. Along with Saipan's raid on Pagan 43 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground.

In 11 day time i'll receive my last LCU at Karachi. We then embark for Victoria Point. At the same time Moulmein's forces move down the coast to Tavoy and my forces NE of Moulmein attack. Here is their current state:

Ground combat at 30,34

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 373366 troops, 2312 guns, 980 vehicles, Assault Value = 9973

Defending force 343471 troops, 1727 guns, 716 vehicles, Assault Value = 7121


Japanese ground losses:
310 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

---------------------

Brunei was hit hard today. 4 ships were hit but only AO Sunosaki was confirmed sunk.

AO Taekon Maru was confirmed sunk at Amami Island today.

The Japanese hold on again at Kuching.

----------------------

Bad weather meant none of my CV TF's around Iwo Jima or Etorofo Jima attacked their targets.

The invasion of Tarawa will start in about 5-7 days time. It will compose of:

US 6th Army
US I Corps
96th USA Division
53rd USA RCT
138th USA RCT
147th USA RCT
Fuji Bde
775th USA ARM Bn
713th USA ARM Bn
138th USA ART
146th USA ART

For now LBA from Makin and Apamama will cover the invasion (and continue to smash the defenders as they have for the past year) but when we move to the Solomans an 6 x CVE TF will provide air cover.

----------------------

2 x LCI and 2 x LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

The invasion of Tarawa will start in about 5-7 days time. It will compose of:

US 6th Army
US I Corps
96th USA Division
53rd USA RCT
138th USA RCT
147th USA RCT
Fuji Bde
775th USA ARM Bn
713th USA ARM Bn
138th USA ART
146th USA ART

Japanese renegades? Mercenaries?[:'(]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi T - Pfffft. More like Patriots wanting to rid the world of tyranny.

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Bad weather hampered both air strikes near Brunei and Etorofo Jima[:@]

The enemy pocket outside of Kuching shrank further today by a few hundred metres at a section of the enemy defences was broken and they charged:

Ground combat at Kuching

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 59020 troops, 424 guns, 408 vehicles, Assault Value = 1252

Defending force 12528 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Allied max assault: 1181 - adjusted assault: 1168

Japanese max defense: 100 - adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 61 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1039 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
299 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 5

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SS Queenfish heavily damaged PC Ch 22 with a torpedo inbetween Camrnach Bay and Saigon.

I am not mentioning sub stats now unless action occurs due to the fact most of my subs are either near Saipan or Darwin awaiting repair and then Minelaying.............

---------------------------

Faber conducted a nice little shoot and scoot raid at Saipan. Very brave when thinking about it. There are about 500 Allied ships at Saipan amongst them 12-14 BB's alone[:-]

He snook 5 x DD and they surprised a BB TF. Durting the first 30 minutes both BB West Virginia and CA Pensacola took a torpedo. Both will be ok (Wee Vee 14/27/1) and (Pensy (21/34/0)).

After the intial surprise the enemy was understandably overwhelemed and all 5 DD's were sunk (including the famous Hibiki mauled by CL Sante Fe)[&o]

2 of my CV Divisions bombed enemy positions at Iwo Jima killing men but losing 7 x TBM due to AA.

A screenshot of the region is attached.

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An LCI(G), LST, SS, DE and an AK arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Capt. Harlock]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 373366 troops, 2312 guns, 980 vehicles, Assault Value = 9973

Defending force 343471 troops, 1727 guns, 716 vehicles, Assault Value = 7121

Holy overcrowding, Batman!