wneumann vs Jolly Pillager- the Allied perspective

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/14/42

Central Pacific: Japanese sub I-24 approaching Oahu detected and attacked by a PBY naval search plane just west of Pearl Harbor. No hits reported.

U.S. sub contacts with Jap carrier air patrols - Kwajalein (SS Grayback reporting Val DB), Canton Is (SS Cuttlefish reporting Kate TB). No hits or damage scored against either sub.

Japanese minesweeper ops continue to be reported at Kwajalein. Fear not, the Argonaut will be returning with a fresh load of "droppings". Would be nice seeing Pillager sortie the KB from Kwajalein and see one of his CV's have an encounter with a mine. Makes my day...


South Pacific: No change in the situation at Noumea. French BICNM Infantry Battalion is holding out - at least until Jap reinforcements arrive.

Australia: Situation quiet. No ground combat action or Japanese air attacks reported.

DEI: Japanese ground reinforcements continue landing at Pontianek. No Jap air or ground attacks reported.

Philippines: Another update to the list of "free" Japanese LCU's I posted for NY59giants a short time back - Sigint on 6/14 reports 38th Infantry Division is located in Manila. 38th Division was previously reported "at large".

Indian Ocean: Naval air strikes from Jap carrier TF(s) attack and sink Dutch AP Mijer near Addu Atoll. This action somewhat confirms movement of Jap carriers around the southern tip of India into the area around Bombay and/or Karachi. Allied shipping now moving through this area should be able to get out of harms' way before arrival of the Jap carriers.

Burma: Sigint on 6/14 reports Jap 18th Aviation Rgt now in Rangoon. Allied night bombing attacks continue against Japanese air base at Magwe - little damage reported but good practice runs for RAF bomber pilots.


China: Blenheim IF night fighters still operating over Kweiyang - Jap night bombing raid once again intercepted. No damage or losses reported.

Ground combats in China continue. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at 47,32 (SW of Honan)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37246 troops, 134 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 900
13th Infantry Division, 11 & 14 Independent Brigades
Defending force 19994 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 645
18th, 67th & 85th Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2062 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 674
104th Infantry Division, 19 Mixed Brigade, 20 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn,
2 & 5 RF Gun Bns
Defending force 11116 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 357
64th Chinese Corps

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/15/42

Central Pacific: Japanese minesweeping ops continue at Kwajalein. U.S. submarine Grayback at Kwajalein reports attack by Val DB air patrol. Grayback was hit receiving moderate damage and is returning to Pearl Harbor - submarine Flying Fish is also in the area and will replace the Grayback at Kwajalein to monitor Jap naval and air activity there.

Submarine sighting (probably the I-24) by numerous patrol aircraft from Pearl Harbor. No air attacks were made on the sub.


South Pacific: No change in the situation at Noumea. Japanese AP Uchide Maru reported sinking west of Efate after hitting a mine during amphibious landing operations at Noumea on 6/11.

Australia: Japanese air raid (ground attack) on 4 Australian Division at Daly Waters - light casualties reported. Otherwise, all other sectors quiet.


DEI: Pontianek falls to Japanese forces after an air raid and ground assault. AAR follows. Japanese LCU landing as reinforcement at Pontianek on 6/13-14 now identified as 8 Tank Regiment.

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Ground combat at Pontianak

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4848 troops, 19 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 133
Kure 2 SNLF, 1 Parachute Rgt, 8 Tank Rgt
Defending force 1646 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26
W Borneo Garrison Bn, 108 RN Base Force (both units surrendered)

Japanese max assault: 128 - adjusted assault: 116
Allied max defense: 21 - adjusted defense: 7
Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Pontianak base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1916 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Burma: Japanese air bombing (airfield attack) on Myitkyina - moderate damage to airfield facilities. No Allied aircraft are based in Myitkyina, Allied ground units holding Myitkyina include one British infantry brigade and three Chinese divisions. Oddly enough, the Burma Road remains open.


Indian Ocean: Situation map of area as of 6/14/42 follows.

[wneumann]

A few more Operations from 6/15/42

China: Japanese ground forces capture Wuchow. AAR follows. The 64th Chinese Corps that had been defending Wuchow was a static unit - it became mobile after its retreat.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33483 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 675
104th Infantry Division, 19 Mixed Brigade, 20 Engineer Rgt, 21 Mortar Bn,
2 & 5 RF Gun Bns
Defending force 11063 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 354
64th Chinese Corps

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese max assault: 650 - adjusted assault: 720
Allied max defense: 185 - adjusted defense: 113
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wuchow base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

[wneumann]

One last Ops Report from 6/15/42
 
Dateline...India: Jap submarine I-122 spotted and attacked by British ASW TF along the Indian coastline SE of Bombay. Three hits reported on the I-122 with minor damage.  
 

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/16/42

Central Pacific: U.S. minesweeping activity at Christmas Is. Japanese minefield detected at Lanai just outside Pearl Harbor - no U.S. ships hit or damaged. Otherwise, lots of submarine activity on both sides.

U.S. sub Flying Fish reports sighting Japanese TF containing BB Hiei and 5 DD's just east of Kwajalein. Escorting Jap DD's in this TF executed a depth charge attack on the Flying Fish - two hits scored, moderate damage. Flying Fish also reports several Val DB air patrols operating around Kwajalein.

U.S. submarine Cuttlefish at Canton Is reports Kate TB air patrols. Cuttlefish also torpedoes a Jap AP (Michiyu Maru) - ship reported on fire, light casualties from a Jap LCU aboard the AP.

U.S. submarine Salmon damaged by one hit in a Jap ASW attack at Baker Is. Salmon is returning to Pearl Harbor.

Japanese submarines detected at Palmyra and Fanning Is in the Line Islands.


South Pacific: No change in situation at Noumea - French garrison (BICNM Infantry Bn) still holding.

Australia: No Japanese ground activity reported. Japanese air raids on Daly Waters - light casualties to 4 Australian Division. Movements of Allied ground units redeploying into and around interior areas of northern Australia continue with no enemy interference.

Indian Ocean: Japanese carrier TF's passed through Maldive Islands and are now beyond (west of) the southern tip of India. Reports of Jap submarines detected at Aden and Bombay - ASW TF's are being formed at both locations to hunt and attack these subs.

Burma: Sigint on 6/16 reports Japanese 55th Division at Mandalay. This confirms my earlier report of this division still being in Burma.

China: All sectors relatively quiet.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/17/42

BB North Carolina arrived in Panama City as reinforcement.

Central Pacific: U.S. minesweeping operations underway at Lanai - DD Jarvis hit a mine with heavy damage. Minesweeping ops also in progress at Fanning Is.

Numerous Val DB air patrols reported at Kwajalein, also patrols by other Jap aircraft. Reports of Kate TB air patrols also received from U.S. submarines at Canton Is and Pago Pago.


South Pacific: No change in the situation at Noumea.

Australia: Still no significant Japanese ground activity observed - doesn't mean that nothing is happening, just means I'm not getting to see it. Jap air bombing raids on airfield and against 4 Australian Division at Daly Waters - light Allied casualties and damage reported.

Indian Ocean: Jap carrier TF's attack Allied transport ships SW of Maldive Islands. Three ships sunk by air attacks - AK's Van der Bosch & Kota Gedeh, also TK Genota. The two AK's were empty and leaving Australia bound for Aden. Unfortunately, TK Genota was bound for Australia with a cargo of 8340 Oil Points. Guess we'll have to load another TK up with oil and send it Down Under.

Japanese carrier(s) participating in the Indian Ocean ops have used a substantial quantity of their air operations in attacks on individual Allied ships. This cannot leave a whole lot left for a big attack on a major Allied base (Colombo, Bombay, Karachi, Aden). All British and Dutch submarines based at Colombo have sortied and moving to cover exit routes for the Jap carrier TF's on their return trip back around the southern tip of India. At this time, none of the Jap carrier(s) involved in these operations have been identified.

Jap submarine I-11 has been spotted in the Aden shipping channel - the I-11 torpedoed TK Empire Gold (struck by two torpedoes). Empire Gold is still afloat but reported on fire.


Burma: Jap air bombing raids (airfield attack) reported at Myitkyina. Significant damage to airbase facilities, no Allied casualties were reported.

Jap naval bombing strikes (Ki-21 Sally bombers based at Rangoon) attacked a small Allied TK (A.A. Penning) at Chittagong. A.A. Penning is one of several Allied transports shuttling excess Fuel and Resource point stocks out of Chittagong to other locations in India. Three bomb hits were scored on the A.A. Penning - ship reported on fire but still afloat. The ship is in Chittagong undergoing emergency repair and will leave there for a safer port as soon as possible to do so.


China: All sectors mostly quiet - no major activity to report.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/18/42: Oddly enough, my narration in this post (and the next two) will be longer than the WitP AAR that came out from the replay for this game turn. A first for this PBEM.

Central Pacific: Minesweeping ops completed at Fanning Island. Unidentified Japanese submarines have been detected at Palmyra and Johnston Is.

Mission of the minesweeping TF (6 MSW's) at Fanning Is has been changed from Mine Warfare to ASW - this TF is now enroute to Palmyra to locate and attack the Jap sub there, then sweep for mines.

A TF ( 1 PC, 11 DMS) has been formed at Pearl Harbor and heading for Johnston Is to engage the Japanese sub there and then sweep mines if needed.



South Pacific: No change in situation at Noumea. However, Jap ground unit reinforcements are moving overland on New Caledonia - Jap LCU's landing at Koumac (north end of the island) and marching southward to Noumea. Map follows.

[wneumann]

Operations Summary for 6/18/42, part deux...

Australia: Japanese air raid (ground attack) against 4 Australian Division at Daly Waters - light casualties. Current status of 3 Australian Division is still recovering disabled elements from combat at Darwin. Current assault strength of 3 Div is 149, vs Australian 4 Div's current assault strength of 322 (4 Div is virtually intact other than minor casualties from Jap air attacks).

All other sectors in Australia/NZ quiet.


DEI: Sigint on 6/18 reports current location of Japanese Guards Division at Sabang (NW end of Sumatra). With this report there is now a full up-to-date accounting of free Jap division sized formations outside China and the Japanese Home Islands. Based on assessment of the current state of this information, it may be concluded that additional Japanese divisions arriving in NW Australia (beyond the 2, 4, 5, and 18 Divs already there) is not likely in the short term. This does not exclude the possiblity of Pillager sending smaller Jap LCU's to Australia.


China: No major activity reported. Most sectors fairly quiet at this time.

India: HQ U.S. 10th Air Force and its support LCU's are all on the Indian mainland - these units currently in the process of assembling in Delhi pending further orders.

No contacts with Japanese sub I-11 in the Aden shipping channel . An ASW TF from Aden is sweeping through the shipping channel to find and engage the I-11.


Indian Ocean: No further attacks or other action with Jap carrier TF(s). Situation map follows.

[wneumann]

Report on current Allied carrier status:

CV Lexington and Saratoga are completing upgrades for both 3/42 and 6/42.

CV Wasp arrived in San Francisco from Panama City (as reinforcement). The Wasp is set to go into front line service replacing the Yorktown.

CV Yorktown - this is the only U.S. CV at this time without any upgrade (still in its 12/41 configuration). The Yorktown (with its TF) is now enroute to San Francisco. On arrival in San Francisco, the Yorktown will be replaced by CV Wasp in its TF. The Yorktown will then go in for both 4/42 and 7/42 upgrades.

CV Enterprise has completed 4/42 upgrade and is now in front line service (TF located in Hawaii). When Lexington or Saratoga completes its upgrade, one of these ships will relieve the Enterprise in front line service. Enterprise will then go in for its 7/42 upgrade.

CV Hornet now in front line service (TF located in Hawaii). Hornet will be relieved in front line service by either Lexington or Saratoga and then go in for 7/42 upgrade.


Replacement of TBD torpedo bombers with TBF's - three CV's (Yorktown, Lexington & Saratoga) are now equipped with TBF torpedo bombers. Air groups on Enterprise, Hornet, Wasp still have TBD's. Replacement is proceeding as quickly as TBF bombers become available.

British carriers Illustrious and Hermes both at Aden - these are likely to remain there as "fleet in being" until either substantially reinforced (will not happen for a long time, or the overall strategic situation allows their use without being at a substantial disadvantage vs the KB or it's "baby brother".

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/19/42. Once again, today's report is longer than the AAR from the replay.

Central Pacific: Unidentified Japanese submarine on eastbound course approaching Fanning Is - there is (conveniently) a little ASW welcoming committee also enroute to Fanning to conduct a "depth charge drill".

Numerous Val DB air patrols reported by U.S. submarine Flying Fish at Kwajalein.

After what turned out to be a one-way trip on a patrol to Pago Pago, Dutch coastal sub (K-VIII) arrived at Pearl Harbor and welcomed to the U.S. submarine fleet. The K-VIII refuelled at Noumea on the outward leg of its patrol from Cooktown - with the situation as it is in Noumea, it was more prudent to send the K-VIII to Christmas Is to refuel than risk it running out of fuel on a return leg to Australia.


South Pacific: Little change in the situation in Noumea. Japanese ground units that were reported moving overland from Koumac expected to reach Noumea shortly. Don't think the K-VIII will get back there again to refuel.


Australia: Situation quiet as far as ground action is concerned. Two Japanese air raids (one airfield strike, one ground attack) at Daly Waters. Light casualties to 4 Australian Div, light damage to airfield facilities in Daly Waters.

2 Australian Cavalry Div now in Alice Springs and continuing its march northward. Two artillery regiments also moving northward and will soon reach the front lines in NW Australia. 3 Australian Div is still gradually recovering from its action at Darwin.


Burma: Japanese air raids at Myitkyina (airfield strike) and Chittagong. Light or no damage from either raid. No detectable movement or activity of Japanese ground forces in Burma.

China: Relatively quiet on all sectors.


India: Appears we might be having a carrier raid on Colombo. Situation map follows. Fighter aircraft in Colombo set to 80-90% CAP. Main objective of the defense is to inflict maximum Japanese aircraft and pilot losses in an attack. Secondary objective (if possible) is to damage or sink one or more Jap carriers with land based air. Having submarines also available and in the area could be of help with the second objective.

BTW - for those of you following the "Adventures of the Hibiki", the Hibiki has been identified in one of the TF's among the Jap carrier escorts (it engaged Dutch submarine K-XV near Attu Atoll).

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/20/42

Update on Allied carrier status: CV Saratoga completed both 3/42 & 6/42 upgrades. Air group on CV Wasp converts from TBD to TBF torpedo bombers.


Central Pacific: Jap submarine (unidentified) still patrolling at Johnston Is. Contact lost with Jap sub reported approaching Fanning Is on 5/19 - U.S. ASW TF arrived at Fanning Is.

Continued reports of contacts between U.S. subs and Jap carrier aircraft patrols - Val DB (Kwajalein), Kate TB (Canton Is & Pago Pago).


South Pacific: Japanese ground forces on New Caledonia capture hex at La Foa - continue overland advance south towards Noumea. Situation map follows.

[wneumann]

Operations Report for 5/20/42, part deux

Other developments: Jap ML Ento torpedoed and sunk at Kwajalein by U.S. sub Flying Fish. Dutch air recon squadron VkAfdeling-2 arrived by transport ship in Los Angeles - this air unit will convert its 12 aircraft to F-5A's before redeploying again from the U.S. west coast.

Australia: Two Jap air bombing raids on Daly Waters - one (ground attack) against 4 Australian Division inflicting moderate personnel casualties, the second air attack on airfield facilities at Daly Waters with light damage reported. No activity by Japanese ground forces in NW Australia reported or detected.

China: Most sectors remain quiet at this time. Movement of Japanese ground forces indicate they may be targeting Red Chinese forces (all statiic units) holding Honan base in northern China.


Burma and India: Japanese air bombing (airfield attack) at Myitkyina. No reported Jap ground activity on the front in Burma.

Japanese carrier TF's in the Indian Ocean passed by Colombo without attacking, no action occurred from either side. Current situation map follows. Appears that Jap TF's may be patrolling the area SE of Ceylon in search of Allied ship traffic from Australia - Allied transports shown on the map below are all moving to the N or NW and should evade Jap detection.

[wneumann]

Report of current Allied BB status as of 6/20/42

Old U.S. battleships in Pearl Harbor in various stages of repair and upgrade - priority on these ships relatively low as these ships are in reserve with no plans to deploy them from the West Coast or use them in combat operations.

BB Maryland & Tennessee fully repaired and completed 4/42 upgrades.
Main repair effort is on BB's Arizona and California - both at Los Angeles completing repair, then to begin 4/42 upgrade.

BB's West Virginia (only one remaining at Pearl) & Pennsylvania - secondary repair priority at present for both these ships, repair effort will be accelerated once repair and upgrade done on Arizona & California.

BB Colorado completed 4/42 upgrade.
BB's Idaho, New Mexico & Mississippi at anchor in San Diego
BB North Carolina enroute to the U.S. west coast - North Carolina will eventally be deployed as escort BB with a carrier TF.


British BB Status:

Warspite is returning from Panama City to the U.S. west coast. Considered unsafe to deploy to Australia considering current situation. Will be placed in reserve on the U.S. west coast along with old U.S. battleships.

Prince of Wales & Repulse in Australian waters as part of surface combat TF - this TF now enroute to Melbourne.

BB's Resolution & Revenge in Aden - at anchor in reserve status until further notice.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/21/42

Central Pacific: Submarines report Kate TB air patrols over Canton Is, Val DB aircraft patrolling at Kwajalein. ASW/Mine Warfare task force is still enroute to Johnston Is. All other sectors in the Central Pacific theatre reporting quiet.


South Pacific: No change in the situation at Noumea. Movement of single-ship transport TF's moving both east and west-bound across the "Antarctic Circle" route between Wellington (NZ) and Panama City proceeding normally without Japanese interference.

Plans are underway to move HQ Asiatic Fleet from Australia to the U.S. via Wellington & Panama City to rebuild its support elements to full strength in the U.S. and then redeploy back to South Pacific. Current strength of HQ Asiatic Fleet is 60-70 support squads - at this time the unit does not have a significant role to play in the Australia/NZ area. Supply required to rebuild HQ Asiatic Fleet from replacements is better taken from supply points in the U.S. rather than supply point stocks on hand in Australia which are more urgently needed for combat units and operations.


Australia: Two Japanese air raids on Daly Waters - one a ground attack on U.S. 4 Marine Rgt, the second strike an airfield attack. Light casualties and damage reported. No detected movement of Japanese land forces southward from Katherine. All other sectors in Australia & New Zealand reporting quiet.

Indian Ocean: Japanese carrier force is now east of Ceylon - aircraft from this force attacked and torpedoed a lone TK. AAR and situation map follow. Appears that the Jap carrier force is running out of air ops - might be a nice tactical opportunity for a counterattack if only a couple U.S. CV's in the vicinity of this right now.

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Day Air attack on TF at 8,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
D3A2 Val x 1
B5N2 Kate x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Empire Celt, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet

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[wneumann]

More Operations from 6/21/42

India: Japanese night air bombing raid on Calcutta - no significant damage reported but half their bombers hit by flak. Five AA regiments are currently on station in Calcutta. AAR follows.

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Night Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23

Japanese aircraft
G5N Liz x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G5N Liz: 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G5N Liz bombing at 23765 feet

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Burma: Jap air bombing continues at Myitkyina, targets seem to vary day-by-day. This bombing strike a ground attack on Chinese 200 Division - no casualties reported. Chinese and RAF bomber squadrons continue night bombing attacks against Japanese bases in Burma.


China: Japanese ground offensive begins against Communist Chinese positions at Yenan. AAR follows. Red Chinese LCU's in Yenan are all static - the bad news may be the Japs take Yenan, the good news is the Red Chinese LCU's could become mobile in the process.

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Ground combat at Yenan

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15874 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 489
115th, 120th & 129th Communist Divisions
Defending force 52189 troops, 210 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1183
35th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 13 Independent Brigade

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/22/42

A report of Japanese AP Heiwa Maru sinking near Marcus Is was picked up by Allied intelligence.

Central Pacific: U.S. submarines report Jap carrier aircraft patrols continue over Canton Is and Kwajalein.

Operations report indicates Japanese have information that the U.S. 111 RCT is stationed at Midway. Actual U.S. ground combat forces currently at Midway include two RCT's (one of them being the 111th) and two U.S. Marine CD units.

U.S. ASW/Minesweeping TF arrived at Johnston Is, spotted and engaged Japanese sub I-4. AAR follows. It does not appear the sub I-4 had been minelaying at Johnston. However, the TF will proceed with minesweeping operations at Johnston Is before returning to Pearl as a precaution.

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ASW attack near Johnston Island at 104,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 9, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PC Reliance
DMS Perry
DMS Dorsey
DMS Lamberton
DMS Boggs
DMS Trevor
DMS Zane
DMS Hopkins
DMS Long
DMS Hovey
DMS Southard

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


South Pacific: No report.

Australia: Japanese air raid at Daly Waters (ground attack) against U.S. 31 RCT - moderate casualties reported. Sigint report received indicating the Jap 3rd Mortar Bn has moved from Wyndham and is now in Katherine. Still no detected movement of Japanese ground forces southward from Katherine.

Indian Ocean: Japanese carrier TF's east of Ceylon and reported moving eastward by a Sunderland on naval air patrol. Aircraft from these TF attacked TK Empire Celt again - no hits. AAR follows. Looks like the Jap carriers are definately out of air ops.

Burma: Japanese air attack on Myitkyina airfield - light damage reported.

China: Japanese ground offensive continues at Yenan, also ground attacks against forward Chinese positions between Ichang and Changsha. AAR's and situation map follows.

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Ground combat at Yenan (all Jap LCU's participating in this attack moved northward from Sian to attack Yenan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52242 troops, 207 guns, 83 vehicles, Assault Value = 1237
35th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 13 Independent Brigade, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts
Defending force 20603 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 488
115th, 120th & 129th Communist Divisions

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 6
Japanese max assault: 1093 - adjusted assault: 413
Allied max defense: 529 - adjusted defense: 434
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)

Japanese ground losses:
720 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
645 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

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Ground combat at 46,35 (Jap 116th Division moved SE from Ichang to execute this attack)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22038 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 499
116th Infantry Division
Defending force 3655 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 99
75th Chinese Corps, 8th Chinese Guerrilla Corps/A


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Ground combat at 46,36 (Jap 60th Division had not been detected by previous Allied intel before this attack)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15472 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 343
60th Infantry Division
Defending force 184 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
50th Chinese Guerilla Corps/A

Japanese max assault: 313 - adjusted assault: 618
Allied max defense: 8 - adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 154 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at Yenan

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15294 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 469
115th, 120th & 129th Communist Divisions
Defending force 56200 troops, 192 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 1179
35th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 13 Independent Brigade, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts

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[wneumann]

Overview of upgrade status for other U.S. ship types as of 6/22/42:
 
Available upgrades for Allied non-capital warships (CA, CL, DD, SS, etc) are being done as quickly as possible with the primary goal of adding radar and increased anti-aircraft armament. For CA, CL & DD, the main goal of these upgrades is increasing utility of these ships as escorts in Air Combat TF's, both to detect incoming Japanese air strikes and as flak cover for carriers. Other capabilities gained through these upgrades are useful but of secondary importance at the current time.    
 
Upgrades have been completed or now in progress for nearly all U.S. cruisers (both CA & CL) and destroyers - these ships are being rotated into ports to do upgrades as follows
 
1) After completing repair for minor system damage (refit).
2) After completing repair for combat damage.
3) Ships currently inactive (at anchor) are being sent to U.S. West Coast bases for upgrade as they can be spared from front line service.
 
All U.S. submarines except Argonaut have been upgraded to their current level. Primary goal for submarine upgrades is acquisition of radar - hopefully increase capability of subs to detect targets. Even if most U.S. subs cannot effectively attack targets (due to high torpedo dud rate), improved target detection by these subs still provide intelligence on Jap naval and transport movements.     
 
Upgrades of U.S. submarines are being done per the same process as being followed for surface warships. No upgrades are planned for the Argonaut (its upgrade set to 'No') in order to retain the Argonaut's minelaying capability.
 
It has been noticed that upgrades are being done to some transports and auxiliary type ships. These upgrades are being allowed as they automatically occur and as these ships become inactive and are at anchor in a port.  
 
 
 
The overall goal of Allied ship upgrade policies is to have the maximum capability for as many ships as possible at the point of time in this PBEM when major Allied offensive operations begin. The method to be followed in applying ship upgrades is to
 
1) Upgrade most critical warships first (CV's and their escorting warships). Priority levels after critical warships - other surface warships and submarines, then auxiliary ships, followed by transports and other non-combat ships. CV upgrade includes upgrade of aircraft types in air groups aboard a CV for purposes of this policy.  
 
2) Keeping the maximum number of ships in active service as possible.
 
3) Timing ship upgrades to coincide with repair of combat damage or a ship refit (repair minor system damage) as much as possible.
 
4) When a ship has two or more upgrades available within a short period of time, get these ships into port to perform both (or all) of these upgrades at the same time.
 
5) Upgrade individual ships when they are inactive - ship is not assigned to a TF, or it is not expected that the ship will be needed in a TF for the time period required to complete the upgrade. 
 
 
 
           

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/23/42

803 Engineer Aviation Bn has rebuilt to full TOE strength - elements of this unit had been evacuated from Bataan by submarine transport before its fall to Japanese forces. 803 EAB is in San Francisco and currently attached to HQ Southwest Pacific. Future deployment of 803 EAB from San Francisco has not be determined at this time.

Other LCU's evacuated to the U.S. West Coast and rebuilding from elements to full TOE strength include

7 Marine Defense Bn (evac from Pago Pago)
2 Philippine Rgt & 120 USN Base Force (both evac from the Philippines)


Central Pacific: No major activity reported. Reports of Jap carrier aircraft patrols sighted by U.S. submarines at Kwajalein and Pago Pago.


South Pacific: No change in the situation at Noumea. Sigint reports movement of Japanese 25 Engineer Rgt from Port Moresby to Koumac (New Caledonia). Otherwise, all other sectors in South Pacific reporting quiet - no significant Japanese activity observed.


Australia: Two Japanese air attacks reported at Daly Waters - one airfield attack and a ground attack against 4 Australian Division - light casualties and damage from both attacks. Sigint reports movement of Jap 14 Tank Rgt from Darwin to Katherine. All other sectors in Australia reporting quiet with no major Japanese activity observed.


Indian Ocean: Jap carriers remain SE of Ceylon - separate naval air strikes on three transports. AAR's and situation map follow.

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Day Air attack on TF at 10,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A2 Val x 1
B5N2 Kate x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Empire Celt, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 5000 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet

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Day Air attack on TF at 15,27

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A2 Val x 1
B5N2 Kate x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Both

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet


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Day Air attack on TF at 15,27

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A2 Val x 17
B5N2 Kate x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Empire Steel, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet

[wneumann]

6/23/42 Operations Report - part deux

India: Minesweeping operations continue at Bombay, shipping diverted to Karachi until sweeping ops completed.

Burma: Japanese air attack on Myitkyina airfield - light damage reported. All other sectors in Burma remain quiet.

China: Japanese 37th Division reported arriving at Yenan to reinforce forces attacking there (37 Division was previously at Sian). Jap ground attack also reported W of Ichang. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at 46,35

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22072 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 501
116th Infantry Division
Defending force 3668 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 102
75th Chinese Corps, 8th Chinese Guerrilla Corps/A

Japanese max assault: 471 - adjusted assault: 336
Allied max defense: 97 - adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 33 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at Yenan

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15404 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 475
115th, 120th & 129th Communist Divisions
Defending force 75922 troops, 286 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 1613
35th, 37th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 13 Independent Brigade, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/24/42

Central Pacific: U.S. subs report Japanese carrier air patrols at the usual venues - Kwajalein, Canton Is, Pago Pago. All sectors in Central Pacific otherwise reporting quiet.


South Pacific: Kure 7 SNLF arrived at Noumea reinforcing Japanese ground forces attacking there. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Noumea

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1949 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 114
86 Naval Guard, Kure 7 SNLF
Defending force 1760 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37
BICNM Infantry Bn

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

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Australia: Jap air raid reported at Daly Waters - no reports of losses or damage on either side. All other sectors in Australia and NZ reporting quiet.

Indian Ocean: TK Empire Steel sinks from damage taken in Jap carrier strikes on 6/23. Japanese carrier TF's moving east heading towards Malacca Straits.


Burma: Jap bombing raid (airfield attack) on Myitkyina. Also two fighter sweeps by Japanese aircraft over Imphal - only one RAF fighter squadron was activated on CAP at the time of the attacks. Five Hurricane II fighters shot down (four other RAF & AVG fighter squadrons were at Imphal but on "stand down"). AAR's follow.

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed

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China: Japanese ground bombardment attacks at Yenan and hex 46,33 (west of Ichang). AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at Yenan

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 68205 troops, 291 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 1620
35th, 37th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 13 Independent Brigade, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts
Defending force 19956 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 479
115th, 120th & 129th Communist Divisions

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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Ground combat at 46,33

Japanese Bombardment attack (note: Jap 58 Division moved into this hex from Ichang)

Attacking force 15432 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 343
58th Infantry Division
Defending force 8395 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 250
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps, 8th Chinese Guerilla Corps/C

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Yenan

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15418 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 477
115th, 120th & 129th Communist Divisions
Defending force 76111 troops, 291 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 1620
35th, 37th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 13 Tank Rgt, 13 Independent Brigade, 2 & 8 Engineer Rgts

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1