Spanish AAR: Kaiman (Jp) vs Fletcher & brother (Allied) Scen 158 CHS 2.0d

[Fletcher]

Ending May 1942.

CHINA THEATRE:

At Changsha the Schzwan Armies have launched a limited offensive to throw out enemy units. After two days with bombardments attack that provoking near 5.000 enemy casualties, the chinese launch a deliberate attack losing 8.500 men vs. 4.500 japanese with the enemy withdrawing to Nanyang.

BURMA THEATRE:

The XIV British Army continue the offensive to Salween with the forward elements at 60 milles of Rangoon and 2nd UK Division with armoured elements and heavy arty support, in the left side of Salween crashing with 55th IJA Division and 14th Tank Regiment. Lack of range to escort bombers with fighters avoid Ground air support to CW troops. I ´m trying to get ready near airfields upgrading facilities and sending air support. At Mandalay, 80 4-e bombers (B-17, LB-30, Wellington and Blenheims) have launched a night bombing campaing against Rangoon air facilities.

SOUTHWEST PAC

After naval battle at New Hebrides, only naval activities have been register off Lae with several enemy AP-AK attacked by allied medium and light bombers from Port Moresby (near 25.000 tonns of supplies, Airfield lvl 5, and 200 Aircrafts). Lae and Thursday Island enemy airfields are closed. At South, 5th Air Force have launched a night bombing campaing against enemy air facilities at Guadalcanal to avoid lvl 4 there (now lvl 3).

[Fletcher]

Addu Atoll Landing Planned

OOB -

TF ILLUSTRIOUS with CV Illustrious, CL Birmingham, CL Newcastle, DD Active, DD Anthony, DD Inconstant and DD Lightning with 881 FFA Sqdn (18 Fairey Fulmar) and 829 FAA Sqdn (with 18 Swordifh).

Yesterday two waves of Swordfish from 829 FAA SQDN attack over enemy AK´s getting 4 torpedoes hits over 2 enemy freighters.

Z FORCE with BB Prince of Wales, BC Repulse, CA Devonshire, CA Frobisher, DD Vampire, and DD Tjerk Hiddes.

HMS Capetown will support in the Addu Blockade.

Several SS will patrol like picket and a minesweeper squadron will sweep Addu Atoll before landings.

From Calcutta, 44th Indian Brigade will be transported to Addu.

At Colombo 250 allied planes will be ready for action with 21 B-17E bombing Addu in morning missions against airfield and enemy troops.

INTELIGENCE: At Addu, the 4th Mixed Regiment probably with a B.Force. (2 units spotted).

In the picture next RN movements around objetive.

[Fletcher]

China SitRep, May 29th 1942

[Fletcher]

The landing Force have departured from Diamond Harbor with 44th Indian Brigade aboard. ETA Addu Atoll: June 01st, 1942.
The Carrier Strike Force with HMS Illustrious will rendezvous with Force Z (flag HMS Prince of Wales) before beginning naval bombardment missions over Addu.
For the other hand, HMS Capetown will running fast to SE trying to chase enemy fleeing AKs. Three submarines will screen naval operations off Addu.
Inteligence refers 2 enemy LCU at Addu with 16940 men, 6 aircrafts (spotted 1 Dinah II flying naval search mission over RN ships).
Airfield damage 1 and Port damage 1.
2 AK at Addu (must be damaged ships two days ago from FAA Swordfish).
An enemy patrol aircraft (H8K) has flew an recon mission over Vizagatapam in the East coast of India. The 23rd Indian Division (Rear Area -Bombay- ) have been sent to this undefended area.This unit was assembly at Bombay with only 46/46 over TOE

[Fletcher]

BURMA FRONT, Sit Rep XIV British Army, May 28th 1942

A
British XIV Army BGEN Gardner, K (63/62) .... 60 miles E Rangoon
III Indian Corps Majundar, K.K. (50/55)

2nd UK Division, MGEN Glover, J.M.L. (52/66) As274-Ex74-Mor72
1st UK FA Regiment with 11 x 4´5 Hw and 9 x 18 Pdrs Hw.
15th UK FA Regiment with 7 x 4´5 Hw and 6 x 18 Pdrs Hw.
6th UK FA Med. Arty Regiment with 8 x 6in Hw and 8 x 60 Pdr Gun
21st Indian Mnt. Art Regiment with 16 x 3´7 in Hw
24th Indian Mnt. Art Regiment with 16 x 3´7 in Hw
25th Indian Mnt. Art Regiment with 15 x 3´7 in Hw
19 KVGO Tank Regiment with 55 valentine III
15 Corps engineer

b
Rear Elements XIV Army
1st Assam Rifles - Assault 30

c
Right Wing, XIV British Army, 60 nm NE Rangoon
45 Indian Brigade - 110 Assault
3rd Carabiniers Regiment with 28 Stuart light tanks.

d
Rear Elements, Right Wing.
99th Indian Brigade - 111 Assault.

e
SouthEast Asia Command HQ, LGEN Pownall H.R 40/40
Planning Rangoon (40)
48th Gurkha Brigade (109 Assault)

f
Reinforcements to XIV Army
7th Armoured Tank Bde with 106 Stuarts light tanks marching to Meiktila (33/60 nm) from Taung Gyi. Will march south to join XIV Army forward elements.
Indian XV Corps HQ marching to Mandalay from Calcutta.

g
Mandalay and nearby area
HQ India Command (planning Mandalay 100)
20th Indian Division (125 Assault)
16th Indian Brigade (105 Assault)
13rd Indian Brigade (89 Assault)
Burma Frontier Force Bde (98 Assault)
2nd Burma Rifle Brigade (80 Assault)
1st Burma Rifle Brigade (80 Assault)
2nd Burma Brigade (81 Assault)
1st Burma Brigade (80 Assault)
254th Indian Tank Brigade with 27 Grant and 80 Stuarts (153 Ass)
255th Indian Tank Brigade with 20 Grant and 33 Stuarts (105 Ass)
10 Engineers Corps
Three AA Regiments with 53 x 40mm Bofors and 39 x 3´7 AA Guns.

LOGISTIC

Meiktila 10.473 tonns of supplies
Taung Gyi 1.941 tonns of supplies
Mandalay 43.348 tonns of supplies
Magwe 871 tonns of supplies

At Calcutta a C-47 Dakota Sqdn (12 AC) flying dialy to Mandalay with supplies cargo.

AIR SUPPORT

Mandalay, Airfield 6, Air Support 201, 129 Hurricane, 25 Wellington, 5 LB-30, 15 B-17E, 19 A20B and 76 Blenheim IV

Magwe, Airfield 3+34%, Air Support 102, 24 Hurricane and 12 Wellington.

Meiktila, Airfield lvl 1+26%, 87 air support, 20 P-40E and 11 Kittyhawks I

[Fletcher]

Allied Carriers Status, May 29th 1942

USN Carriers:

USS Yorktown refitting at Sydney
USS Enterprise refitting at San Francisco
USS Hornet steaming Pearl from New Caledonia
USS Long Island steaming Pearl from New Caledonia

RN Carriers:

HMS Illustrious with Eastern Royal Fleet supporting Addu Island Ops
HMS Indomitable refitting at Noumea
HMS Formidable refitting at Noumea
HMS Hermes refitting at Noumea

Carriers activities planned:

After complete refits USS Enterprise will join USS Hornet and USS Long Island at Pearl, and all them will steam south to Noumea where both will gather with USS Yorktown. If ready USS Wasp will running fast to join Carrier Force for naval operations at Salomons. 1st and 2nd UMSC division with 6th and 7th AIF Divisions will launch amphibious assaults against enemy bases at Salomon with the support of Carrier Force.

Royal Navy Carrier will await for the outcome of XIV British Army offensive at Burma.

[Fletcher]

At Burma, IJA have launched a counterstrike against XIV British Army positions near Rangoon. 55th Infantry Division have been withdraw, and 31st and 33rd Division join to 14th Tank Regiment to begin a counterattack. In first assault, May 31 1942, 920 japanese casualties was the prize vs. 480 CW troops lost. No one step backward !.
New reinforcements will be sent urgently to Front from Mandalay.
Rangoon have been bombed by night with Wellingtons and Blenheim IV.

In the South, Addu Attoll have been bombed by HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse...Troops will land soon !

Thanks to Roger Nielson II for this practical spreadsheet !

[Fletcher]

Burma Theatre, May 31 1942

a
Nights bombing attack over Rangoon air facilities.

b
LRCAP over XIV British Army to get air supperiority (P-40 / Kittyhawks) from Meitkila

c
May 30th, Rahaeng airfield facilities attacked by 4-e bombers.

d
Luamprabang will be attacked tomorrow at morning by 4-e bombers.
I am trying to get air supperiority over Burma skies to support XIV Army offensive to Rangoon.

a
46th and 99 Indian Brigades with tank support (3rd Carabiniers Regiment) will advance to Rangoon from NE to fix enemy units there.

b
1st Assam Rifles will reinforce the XIV Army positions. This unit will be releaved by 48th Gurkha Brigades marching from Meiktila.

c
A Chinese Division (Southeast Asia Command) will try a diversionary advance to Indochina frontier

1.-
A Indian Field Artillery Regiment marching to gather with Right Wing elements.

2.-
In the road to Mandalay strong reinforcements for XIV Army (245th and 245 Indian Tank Brigades, 63rd Indian Brigade and 28 British F.A.Regiment).

3.-
More reinforcements from Dacca. After assembly, 14th Indian Division will gather with Mandalay rear forces.

[Fletcher]

Sub War Report, Jun 01st 1942:

Enemy ship lost by submarine action:

PC Sonan Maru #3 by Mk.10 Torpedo
PC Sonan maru #6 by Mk.10 Torpedo
PC Ch.17 by W1 Torpedo
AP Kiyosumi Maru by W1 Torpedo
DD Harusame by Mk.14 Torpedo (!)
AK Hiyoshi Maru by Mk.14 Torpedo (!)

Allied submarine Lost Dec 1941-May 1942

Units with more than 20 system damage: 2
Units between 11-20 system damage: 22
Units between 06-10 system damage: 48
Units between 00-05 system damage: 20

Total available submarines ........... 92

Now at Sea (at patrol mission) .... 35
Now at Sea (at minelaying mission). 05
Refits and Rest units ............. 52

Allied Sub lost, Dec 1941-May 1942:

USN Fleet (4) :USS Nautilus, USS Salmon, SS Spearfish, USS Sailfish
USN S-boats (2): S-27, S-39
Dutch Kolonien : K-IX, K-XI, KXVIII

All boats lost by Demo Charge except K-XI sunk by Type 91 Torpedo at Soerabaja.

Main Sub Bases and Forward Bases:

Brisbane : 8 SS, 1 AS
Melbourne: 21 SS, 1 AS (Main refiting Base)
Noumea: 8 SS, 2 AS (Forward base and MLE base)
Pearl Harbor: 3 SS
Palmyra: 1 SS, 1 AS
Trinconmalee: 4 SS, 2 AS
Aden: 2 AS (Pending to departure at Indian Ocean)
Suva: 1 AS (At soon 1 MLE for minelaying Ops at Marshalls)
Dutch Harbor: 1 AS

[Fletcher]

Naval Battle at Addu Atoll

Enemy Baby KB with CVL Ryujo, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho and CVE Taiyo, CS Mizuho, CS Nisshin, CS Chitose and CS Chiyoda escorted with CA Takao, CL Sendai and 5 Destroyers have been spotted June 2nd 1942 at 180 nm SE of Addu Attoll. Royal Navy carrier HMS Illustrious launched a first attack with 18 Swordfish escorted with several Fulmars. 3 Fulmar and 8 Swordfish were shot down by enemy CAP (48 Zeros). Attack over carriers was unsuccesfull. The enemy retaliation came with several waves: the first one with 12 Kates and 20 Jakes escorted with 30 Zeros. 4 enemy aircraft were shot down with 5 Fairey Fulmar lost in close combat. No hits on HMS Illustrious or HMS Birmingham. The second wave with 24 Jakes unescorted was unsuccesufully too losing 4 Jakes (1 against CAP, and 4 more from Flak). But the 3rd wave got 6 torpedoes hit on HMS Illustrious (with only 1 Kate and 1 Zero shot down) after been attacked by 31 Kates escorted with 4 Zeros only.
The Royal Navy Force Z only 60 nm E of enemy carrier receive order to night engagement with orders to steaming fast forward enemy last position, but british ships have not luck !. The day after enemy carriers steaming NorthWest off Addu but a heavy rain avoid air operations.
HMS Illustrious will sinks tomorrow probably (95 floating damage). Force Z have received orders to steaming to Ceylon as fast as possible to get air umbrella from RAF Fighters.

BURMA OFFENSIVE

Tomorrow a artillery barrier will be launched by XIV Army artillery units with 48 x 4,5 in Hw, 60 x 18pdrs, 44 x 3,7in, 8 x 6in and 8 x 60 pdrs guns (total 168 medium and heavy guns) against enemy lines.

Yesterday RAF / USAAF 4-e and 2-e bombers launched a massive attack against Luhampraheng airfield at Sian. The enemy was crashed with 100 runaway hits, 3 airbase supply and 17 airbase hits with 4 Ki-21 Sally destroyed at ground. (picture)

[Yava]

Good Show.
HMS Illustrious had no chances thou... anyways let's hope that Force Z will manage to get the Air Cover before Baby KB manages to get out from the rainfalls.[:)]

[Fletcher]

Thanks for comments Yava !.

Yes, today (Jun 3rd) HMS Illustrious sank. Force Z withdraw to Trinconmalee under the CAP umbrella. Today two surface TF have been spotted about 500 nm West of Ceylan. USAAF B-17 and RAF Wellingtons fly an naval attack mission over enemy BB (B-17 flying at 10.000 with Wellington at 2.000) getting two 1.000lbs hits on BB Hyuga (she is on fire).

At Burma Front, XIV Army began a artillery attack over enemy positions (407 japanese casualties with 11 guns and 1 vehicle. Here 31st and 33rd Jap Div with 14th Tank Regiment = 806 Assault). At Rangoon enemy units: 55 Infantry division, 51 Hvy AA Bn, 4 Engineers Reg, 18 Aviation Regiment. Rain persist.

At China Front, the Chinese armies advance pursuing enemy troops from Changsha.

[Fletcher]

Points status, Jun 3rd 1942

[Fletcher]

SitMap Report, June 1942

A : Port Moresby bastion. 30.687 Supplies, Fort 4, Airfield 5+96%. Defensive Mines: 548.
AC: 94 F, 16 FB, 16 DB, 64 LB, 12 RE, 12 PA.
Assault: 465 (3rd Aussie Div, 30th Aussie Bde, 2 Infantry bns, 1 AA Regiment, 3 BF´s)
At Rear (Caims)-AIRLIFT TO PM-: 68.623 supplies. Airfield 7 +26%.
AC: 165 TR, 16 PA, 99 LB.

B: Luganville (Forward Assault Base): 51.942 supplies, Fort 1+78%, Airfield 5+61%, Port 4+75%, Defensive Mines: 1363.
AC: 126 F, 108 LB, 12 RE, 36 PA
Ships: 1 CA (HMS Cornwall, damaged with 76 system), 1 AK, 1 AR, 3 MSW, 4 LCM, 4 LCVP.
Assault: 1.002 (IX Corps HQ, 6th and 7th AIF Divisions, Americal US Division, 3 x EAB, 1 Eng Reg, 1 Tank Bn, 51st Aviation Reg, 2nd Parachute Bn.)

C: Noumea (Rear Assault Base):103.873 tonns of supplies, Port 5+43%, airfield 5, Fort 1, Defensive Mines. 749.
AC: 62 LB
Assault: 409 (III Corps HQ, 2nd USMC Division, 2nd USMC Raider, 1st USMC Air Wing, 3 x FA Regiment).
Ships: 2 CV (Formidable with 12 system and Indomitable), 1 CVL (Hermes), 1 BB (Colorado with 85/11/0), 1 CA (Vincennes with 66 system), 5 CL, 7 DD (2 heavy damaged), 10 SS, 8 AO (with 60.000 tons of fuel), 5 TK (with 20.000 tons of fuel), 8 MSW, 57 AK, 23 AP, 7 DM, 7 DMS, 2 AS, 2 AD, 1 AGP, 2 AE, 1 MLE.

D: South Australia (Sydney, Melboune and Brisbane) Rear Bases
Brisbane: 2 DD, 2 AP, 62 AK, 1 AO, 20 TK, 9 SS, 1 AS, 1 AGP, 1 AD, 1 ML, 1 MSW, 1 PG.
Sydney: 70.312 tonns of supplies, USS Yorktown (with 12 system damage), 4 CA (HMAS Australia with 24 system damage, USS Chicago with 13 system damaged), 7 DD (2 lightly damaged), 7 AK, 3 TK, 1 AR, 1 AE, 1 MSW.
Melbourne: 90.163 tonns of supplies, BB New Mexico (with 39 system damaged), 1 DD, 21 AK, 1 TK, 21 SS, 1 AS, 3 MSW, 1 PC.

E: Pearlthe following forces will arrive to Pearl,
CV Hornet (41 system) with 4 CA, 1 CL, 7 DD ... ETA Jun 16th 1942
CVE Long Island (31 system) with 2 CL, 5 DD ... ETA Jun 07th 1942
BB Idaho, 2 CL, 6 DD ... ETA Jun 9th 1942
3 CA, 2 CL, 4 DD .... ETA Jun 8th 1942.
At Pearl : 76.225 supplies, 924.523 tonns of fuel.

F: West Coast Repair facilities:

Seattle with BB Oklahoma (51 system damaged)
San Francisco with CV Enterprise (29 system damaged)
L.A. with BB Tennessee with 4 system, BB Pennsylvania with 8 system and BB Maryland with 5 system damaged (need to upgraded)
San Diego with BB Arizona with 18 system damaged.

G Burma Theatre

British XIV Army with X USAAF Air Force launched ground and air offensive to capture Rangoon.

H: Ceylan RN Bastion
Force Z with HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Repulse, several cruisers and destroyers.
Colombo with 162.132 tonns of supplies, 85.484 tonns of fuel.
AC: 101 F, 36 DB, 68 LB, 12 PA, 12 FB, 37 TP. Airfield 5+19%

[Fletcher]

In the picture, Chinese counterstrike planned at south. From Changsha advancing and victorious troops from 3rd War Area with 4 Group Armies, 10 corps and 3 independent artillery regiments (1.937 assault points) will march until crossroad, then will advance to SW heading Keanhsien like eastern wing in a pincer maneuver. From Wuchow NCAC elements under Stilwell will advance to East with 1085 assault points (1 Group Army, 3 Corps and 4th USMC Regiments)trying to take hands with 3rd War Area strike elements.

[Fletcher]

Enemy BBs have bombardment the Addu Atoll allied positions, while light carrier (Baby KB) were steaming east heading Ceylan !... Force Z have been docked at Trinconmalee (BB PoW, BC Repulse, 2 CA, 2 DD).
DM Stronghold will running fast to minelay nearby route of enemy carriers.
44th Indian Brigade at Addu Atoll is out of supply, and all is ready when enemy will back to resupply and send reinforcement to throw out enemy to sea.

[Fletcher]

USS Hallibut (under LCDR Ross P.H 65/63) has get credit for the first hit on a enemy Carrier.
IJN Hiryu has ate an Mk.14 torpedo when steaming to NE from Rabaul, probably heading to Truk.

[Fletcher]

IJA 21st Mixed Brigade have landing at Vizagapatam. Force Z with HMS Prince of Wales (flag) and HMS Repulse with several cruisers and destroyer have departured from Trinconmale Naval Station to intercept enemy transports at beaches. For the other hand, several torpedo and bombers squadrons have been detached to air bases in the east coast of India (12 Swordfish at Vizagapatam and 12 Beauforts with 12 Wellingtons at Madras).

Errata: in the picture 23th Indian Bde = 23 Indian Division (-)

[Yava]

A jolly nice hit on the Hiryu![:)]

[Fletcher]

Yava thank you for comments !. Yes it is a lucky hit !.
I am following your play too, thanks !

Z Force have surprised enemy amphibious forces after landings off Vizagatapam. Many hits on enemy ships but no sinks. Only one lucky jap hit on Type 271 Radar Antenna on PoW (9 system damage.
Royal Navy ships have received orders to general chase. Several RAF Sqdns have been deployed in the near area to launch air attacks over damaged ships.
Asasol (India) have been taken by 120 enemy parachute troops. One Indian Brigade have been dispatched from Calcutta to destroy japs.
In the picture the final engagement between Z Force and enemy transport TF.