The beginning of the end - Japan from Nov '42 (mc3744)

[mc3744]

29th November, 1942

An interesting turn. Action and some surprises.

BURMA

I sent recon planes to scout the terrain between the newly arrived enemy LCU and Imphal.

Bad news! [8|]
Two more enemy LCU just appeared. As you can see from the map, the first one is headed for Myitkyina, one more has appeared NE of Mandalay and one just beyond the river.
In Myitkyina I have forts at (5) and (46) AV. It should hold for a couple of days. But I’m not sure the reinforcements from Rangoon will arrive soon enough.

I’ll run one more day of recon over Imphal. If the base is still reported empty I’ll bring my paratroopers into action. I’ll try to cut off the supplies to the advancing units.
Dimapur seems to host one unit only, hence he shouldn’t be able to restore the supply line very quickly.
Depending on what will happen I might even try to airlift more troops to create a new front behind his advancing units.

He shouldn’t be too strong in India now.

Meanwhile Akyab forts have risen to (6).

Clearly I need more troops. He is committing heavily, opening up two separate fronts in Burma.

I’m sending the following units to beef up the defenders ( in addition to the 35th Bde already loading):
- 33rd Division from Soerabaja (I have two more divisions there and three more in Timor)
- 48th Road construction from China
- 16th Army HQ from Manila
- 91st Naval Garrison from Manila
- 5th Mortar Bn from Manila

All together they’ll increase the Burma AV value by approx. 1.000.
Hopefully they’ll be in Burma in time to join the fight.

It’d be good to finish the job in China ASAP. I need more troops on other fronts.
The sooner I’ll be able to switch to defense there, the better.

TIMOR

CL Kuma sank just before entering Koepang port!
I needless and painful loss. [:(]

Heavy air raids over Timor. The ADN (Air Defense Network) held pretty well.

While I lost (18) planes on the ground and (3) and in air-to-air, the Allied bombers suffered much heavier casualties: (32) lost in air-to-air and (1) to flak.

Not bad! [8D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 73

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 14 destroyed, 37 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,77

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 2
B-25C Mitchell x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 12 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

Miscellanea

The Betty stock has reached (302) planes. I’ve stopped Betty’s production.
I’ll resume it when the stock will fall below (250) planes.

I’ll be off line for a week. Don’t forget me to quickly!!

--------------------------------------------
Burma and China

[mc3744]

30th November, 1942

Here I am again! [:)]

BURMA

More bad news on the Burma front.
My recon planes are spotting more and more enemy troops (see map).
Imphal is garrisoned by (4) LCU – no para drop there will be possible -: some 25.000 troops. And the LCU that have crossed the Irrawaddy are now three. According to my recon planes two of them are the 18th UK Division and the 23rd Indian Division!
Mandalay and Myitkyina are not equipped to withstand a two divisions attack. Especially not against a UK Division, quite the heavyweight!
My hope is on the level (5) forts. Since there seem to be no ENG units he may find it difficult to bring the forts down.

Meanwhile the first reinforcements from Rangoon are getting closer, (180) miles to go.
I’ve mobilized some additional units in Rangoon: a third Tank Regiment, the Burma HQ, two AA, one ART and one ENG have been ordered to move for Mandalay ASAP.
Together with 2/3 of the Imperial Division (one segment will remain to garrison Rangoon)and two more Tank Regiments they should be able to hold the attackers till more troops arrive in Rangoon.

Akyab holds splendidly, especially now that the forts have reached level (6). [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62603 troops, 499 guns, 982 vehicles, Assault Value = 1392

Defending force 52654 troops, 404 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 990

Allied max assault: 1314 - adjusted assault: 1656

Japanese max defense: 959 - adjusted defense: 5333

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)

Japanese ground losses:
235 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
2326 casualties reported
Guns lost 77
Vehicles lost 5

CHINA

Looking good (see map).

Tuyun is almost cut off and I’ve ordered a deliberate attack at Hengchow.
The China offensive must end quickly. I need more troops in Burma and I’d love some more VPs to secure the 4:1 in a month time.

The Hengchow attack will be very important. Although Changsha will be the cornerstone of the offensive.
Below the situation so far.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hengchow

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17340 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1644

Defending force 271637 troops, 2960 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 5401

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

PACIFIC

Little mistake here. I forgot to set the course to a three AP convoy. The ships got to close to Canton and I lost two AP to the Allied LB.
The third ships is untouched and has been directed on a safer route.


No Allied bomber runs this turn, anywhere.
Probably a combination of bad weather and maintenance problems.

----------------------------------------------------
Burma and China … again!

[mc3744]

1st December, 1942

December has arrived. And with it an important victory for the Empire.
The Chinese Communists have been taught a lesson they won’t soon forget! [:D]

BURMA

Allied ground forces are moving on Myitkyina. This is good and bad news.
It’s good news if my reinforcements will be fast enough and able to encircle the CW troops before Myitkyina falls (unlikely).
Bad news if he captures the base. He’ll have a second supply source and it’ll be very difficult for me to cut him off. He’ll also be able to airlift reinforcements.

The variables will be the fatigue and disruption level of his troops and the resistance of my forts. I’ll need approximately a week to get to Mandalay, dislodge the unit NW of the city (surely a division) and move on to Myitkyina.

I should have been more careful with my border recon. I shouldn’t have allowed him to get so close without noticing. This might prove a very serious mistake on my part. With far reaching consequences for the entire Burma front.

CHINA

The difficult situation in Burma has been, at least for today, definitely overbalanced by a big victory at Hengchow.

The deliberate attack encountered mighty fortifications: level (9)! But forts notwithstanding the Chinese resistance has been broken with one single perfect strike. The pitiless enemies surrendered at once.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hengchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 263334 troops, 2964 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 5408

Defending force 59269 troops, 160 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1639

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 8

Japanese max assault: 5143 - adjusted assault: 3467

Allied max defense: 1319 - adjusted defense: 78

Japanese assault odds: 44 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hengchow base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
4192 casualties reported
Guns lost 116
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
87783 casualties reported
Guns lost 129

With Hengchow captured only Changsha remains. It won’t be as easy though. I expect high forts there too and the defenders are lots more.
The Hengchow attackers will rest for a couple of days and then move for Changsha.

I’m troubled by a doubt: the hex SW of the city is listed as Allied, which should mean that if I don’t send a unit there the defenders will be able to retreat.
If I encircle the city: a) I’ll get the VPs when they surrender, b) I won’t have to garrison the area for the Chinese stragglers, c) I’ll face all these units again in a few months. In (90) days they’ll be in Chungking and in a couple of months more they’ll be combat ready. Much more effective than if they were wondering through Japanese held territory.
If I let the units escape: a) I’ll lose the points, b) I’ll need to keep a garrison nearby , but c) I won’t have to face these units again for a long time.
I don’t know what to do.

Miscellanea

The sub war goes on. Several Allied subs have been lurking around Palmyra and South of Japan.
It’s getting harder and harder to get them.
Today however an ASW TF managed to sink a sub S of Tokyo. More subs remain in the area and are hunted down.

The Musashi is now available. She is in Tokyo with a strategic reserve, the BB Kongo and the CV Soryu.

All my BB and CV are upgraded and in perfect conditions.
The highest damage is a lvl (3) sys dmg to the BB Hyuga. [8D]

------------------------------------------------------------
The Battle for Hengchow

[Redd]

  Hey MC! Just wanted you to know somebody is still watching.
 As far as the situation in changsha, I would just surround and destroy them.
The units that you would have to babysit them with could be better used in burma. Keep up the good work![:)]

[mc3744]

Hey Redd [:)]

Thanks, I appreciate it [:)]
I was indeed wondering if there was any interest left [;)]

[mc3744]

Forgot to mention.

My opponent will be quite busy for a week, hence the posting will be variable.
Depending on his availability.

Stay tuned [:)]

Thanks again

[mc3744]

2nd December, 1942

Lots of action this turn!

BURMA

Heavy ground attacks by Allied bombers on the troops headed North. Losses haven’t been significant and – luckily – the main units (Imperial Guards sections and tank regiments) have not been targeted.
A relevant part of the rescue force has arrived in Mandalay, meanwhile one enemy division has joined the scout unit (ENG ?) in Myitkyina. Enemy recon flights have been spotted over the city.

I don’t think the defenders will be able to hold long enough. [:(] In the pic the base situation.

The troops in Mandalay have been directed towards the enemy division barring the way to Myiktyina.
Imperial Guards A and B, 14th Tank Regiment, 12th NFL, 3rd Hvy Field Artillery Rgt and 5th AF Construction Bn have been ordered to move to engage.
Additional units will follow shortly.

Two (27) Helen Sentai have been redeployed from China to Rangoon. Their mission to soften the enemy intruders. The F2/Ominato Daitai, equipped with the modern A6M3 Zero, has been assigned to protect the bombers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Heavy AA Battalion, at 31,31

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 9
Hudson I x 6
P-38G Lightning x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 36
B-17E Fortress x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th/C Division, at 31,31 (composed only by Tankette’s, the rest is in Akyab)

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 5
Hudson I x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-17E Fortress x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

TIMOR

Once again the Allies tried to break the ADN (Air Defense Network) and once again they’ve been sent back home with their tails between their legs.

The Allies launched two air raids over Koepang and Lautem. Tony and Tojo taught them a lesson!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 29,77

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 24

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 19 destroyed, 24 damaged [:D]

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,77

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

At the end of the day the Allies lost (40) aircrafts, (27) of which in air-to-air (24 Liberators), while I lost (11) only (2) of which in air-to-air and (0) on the ground! [8D]

SUB WAR

Three ASF TF keep hunting the subs South of Japan and West of Palmyra.
Today the Allied subs engaged two MSW and sank one! While I only managed to inflict heavy damage on the SS Haddock.

My ships are really not up to the task of submarine warfare. [:-]
So far I sank (49) enemy subs, but most of them in the first (6) months of the war.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Myiktyina

[mc3744]

3rd December, 1942

Quiet turn

BURMA

Luckily the enemy is afraid to attack. No attack yet on Myitkyina, not even bombardment.
He is not therefore aware of the puny force defending the base. I must have scared him enough in Akyab! [:D]

The Rescue Force has not reached the enemy division, they are still on the move. Meanwhile a couple more units have reached Mandalay and have been directed NE: 3rd Mountain Gun Regiment and 1st Tank Regiment.

Nor have the two Helen’s Sentai in Rangoon took off. They’ve been joined by an additional (27) Sally’s Sentai.

The 15th Engineer Regiment in Moulmein has also been ordered to move North. Forts in Moulmein are at (8) already and there are other troops working on them anyway. There should be plenty of time to get the fortification to (9).

CHINA

I think I agree with Redd. I’ll surround Changsha and try to wipe the defenders off.

I’m moving to encircle and the units in Hengchow have initiate the short march to Changsha.
I’ll be ready to attack in approximately a week from now.

Miscellanea

Allied LB have been quiet. Looks like my fighters are doing a good job! [8D]

------------------------------------------------
Air looses so far

[mc3744]

4th December, 1942

BURMA

The attack on Myiktyina has begun.
The “support” unit is unfortunately a second Indian Division.[:(]
It just occurred to me (how dumb am I ?!?![:@]) that I can airlift reinforcements as I did for Akyab.
I moved over a hundred transports in Rangoon and I’ll airlift the Imperial Guards/A and a paratrooper unit from Bangkok.
They may be able to bring the odds back to 1:1. I’m not sure.
The forts are falling.

It won’t be easy to dislodge the 18th UK Div.
For the 33rd Div to arrive I have to wait at least three more days.
I’m moving and additional Hvy Art Rgt to Rangoon from Manila.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Myitkyina

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18478 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 484

Defending force 4806 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Allied max assault: 409 - adjusted assault: 419

Japanese max defense: 51 - adjusted defense: 67

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Japanese ground losses:
242 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

[mc3744]

5th December, 1942

BURMA

Good news!
Airlifting reinforcements did the trick.
It looks like Myiktyina may hold after all. [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Myitkyina

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18486 troops, 166 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 483

Defending force 7854 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 111

Allied max assault: 408 - adjusted assault: 93

Japanese max defense: 97 - adjusted defense: 303

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

All quiet on the rest of the board.

----------------------------------------------------
Combat at Myiktyina

[TheElf]

great AAR Massimo...!

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: TheElf

great AAR Massimo...!

Thanks [:)]

Glad to see you on line[;)]
I'll call you soon as I'm back(I'm not yet).

[mc3744]

6th December, 1942

Very quiet day.

BURMA

The Indian divisions must be resting. No attack today. More troops have been transported by Tabby, Topsy and Tina.

All the available troops from Rangoon are now facing the 18th UK Division. I’ve ordered my generals to attack and repel the invaders.
Tomorrow they’ll learn there’s a price to pay to mess with the Imperial troops!

Soon the 33rd Division will arrive in Rangoon.

No flights today, the bad weather has grounded the Allied bombers. I won’t complain.

CHINA

The usual daily bombardments over Tuyun, Changsha and Chungking.

Miscellanea

All quiet on all the other fronts. The Allies are probably grouping their forces for a new attack.

The longer they remain quiet the happier I am. [:D]

Planes pool grow as well as engines and troops.

With the Burma situation now under control the situation looks as good as it gets to be December ’42. [8D]

[mc3744]

7th December, 1942

One year of war![X(]
It’s been hot and hard almost always. The Empire has fought well so far, but the enemy is growing steadily.

BURMA

Only yesterday I was happy about the overall situation. Today much less so![8|]

As ordered my troops attack the 18th UK Division, north of Mandalay.
I was under the - false - impression that they would be tired and under supplied. I was wrong.[:o]

The UK Divisions are always a tough beast to deal with. Not to mention the fact that they have almost double the men I have currently available to repel them.

My troops almost reached the 1:1 … almost.
Here’s the combat.

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Ground combat at 34,28

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27138 troops, 242 guns, 455 vehicles, Assault Value = 636

Defending force 14610 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 337

Japanese max assault: 629 - adjusted assault: 747

Allied max defense: 329 - adjusted defense: 857

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
296 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
282 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

I’ll have to wait for the 33rd Divisions and I’ve moved three Helen/Sally Sentai to Rangoon to try and soften up the 18th UK. I’m not hopeful on the effectiveness of air support. The weather is usually too bad in Burma for long range (7) ground attacks.

The Imperial Guards/A is now entirely in Myitkyina, but the Allied bombers are targeting the airfield (see pic) and my supply level is now badly in the red.

I’ll try to airlift relief supplies to the base.

I need reinforcements, badly. A week at least, before they can be brought on the front line.

-------------------------------------------------
Allied bombing

[mc3744]

8th December, 1942

Uneventful day. [>:]

A Dutch sub hit one of my mines at Rabaul. [;)]
Some bombings in Burma and China.

I’m still waiting for the reinforcements in Rangoon and Hengchow troops are slowly – very slowly [8|] – moving towards Changsha.

[mc3744]

9th December, 1942

Good news, bad news.

BURMA

A new enemy unit has been spotted NW of the Irrawaddy (see pic). Judging from the reported number of troops it is definitely an INF unit. Too early to say whether it’s a division or a brigade. Either way it’s a problem. [:o]

I have to get rid of the 18th UK before they are able to bring reinforcements in. Otherwise it may become impossible. Allied airpower would make the difference.
This turn the Allied LB flew a ground combat mission, mine didn’t. [:(]

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Day Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 34,28

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 44
Hudson I x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Wellington III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4

On the bright side, the 33rd Division and the 35th Bde have just docked at Rangoon harbor. [8D]
In a couple of days they should be ready to move to engage the 18th UK.
I expect they’ll provide the necessary extra punch.

CHINA

Damn it! [:@]
I forgot there’s a river between Hengchow and Changsha. Some on my units shock attacked joining the troops already in Changsha.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 118745 troops, 1382 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 6763

Defending force 119361 troops, 442 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3612

Japanese max assault: 2314 - adjusted assault: 776

Allied max defense: 3297 - adjusted defense: 1052

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese ground losses:
6268 casualties reported [:@] [:@]
Guns lost 108
Vehicles lost 8

Allied ground losses:
1328 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

I’ve stopped the rest of the force and reset their movement to “follow all”.
I will try to coordinate their crossing (probably in a week) with a general attack on the city.

On the bright side, despite the forts at (8) the adjusted defense of Changsha defenders is quite low.
I believe I’ll be able to capture the city in a few weeks.

---------------------------------------------
Burma

[mc3744]

10th December, 1942

BURMA

The 33rd is ready to move and already on its way north.
The 35th Bde is still unloading, while the 5th Mortar Bn and the 16th HQ have just docked.
Soon the 18th UK will be put to a serious test.

The weather was good enough for the bombers to fly their missions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 57th Heavy AA Battalion, at 34,28

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Wellington III x 10
Hudson I x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th NLF , at 34,28


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 41
Hudson I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th UK Division, at 34,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported

NEW GUINEA

Patrol planes in PM spotted a small Allied TF north of Townsville.
A few Betty (too few!) took off to engage the enemy.

A CAP of P-38G and P-40B was waiting for them. But the skilled Imperial Army pilots handling the excellent Tony managed to outmaneuver even the Lighting, bringing two down! [8D]
The enemy fighters that got through the escort shoot down one Betty.
It would have been a great battle with just one torpedo hit, no luck there.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Thursday Island at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed [:D]

Allied Ships
AK Castor
AK Coast Trader

---------------------------------------------------------
The air battle near Thursday Island

[mc3744]

11th December, 1942

Firestorm over Port Moresby!

BURMA

The whole Burma front is shaking. What just a few days ago seemed like a stable situation is now on the verge of a minor collapse.

My recon squadron gathered a crucial information: the LCU NW of the Irrawaddy is the 2nd UK Division!
They couldn’t bring worse news.
Like that wasn’t enough, Myiktyina forts are falling, despite the efforts of the Imperial Guards section and the paratrooper SNFL.
The two Indian divisions, supported by air attacks from heavy and medium bombers, achieved a 1:1, bringing the forts down to (3).

If the 33rd reaches the 18th UK before it’s joined by the 2nd UK I still have a chance, otherwise it’s looking grim.

I’m now faced with a difficult decision. The 35th Bde (over 300 AP) is ready to move from Rangoon. Together with the 33rd and the other units already engaged it should be enough to repel the British troops.
However if I don’t airlift additional reinforcements to Myitkyina immediately the base will surely fall in a couple of days and it will be almost impossible to recapture it. Not under the Allied air threat.

On top of that supplies in M. (too long to write it every time!) are almost down to zero.

What should I do? Clear the way to the north or try and keep the base? The time is running out … tic toc tic toc tic toc …

All the available Tabby, Mavis and Tina are ordered to Rangoon!
Their mission: to carry as fast as possible the 35th Bde to M. Alea iacta est!

The 16th HQ and 5th Mortar Bn are on their way NE of Mandalay.

I have to re-evaluate my force distribution.
I need more troops in Burma and the Chinese offensive won’t be soon enough.

Timor is defended by the 5th, 9th and 48th. In Java two more divisions (4th and 38th) are standing-by as strategic reserve.
Five divisions for the Southern DEI right now seem to be a luxury I cannot afford.
Besides, I don’t believe he has enough naval assets to mount a new Timor invasion for at least another 2/3 months. Most of his capital ships in the area have been sunk or badly maimed.

Hence the 38th is reassigned to the Burma front. Lucky them!
A transport TF in Soerabaja is now loading the troops.
Burma will then have four divisions: 5th (Akyab), Imperial Guards (Mandalay and M.), 33rd (M & M [:D]) and the 38th (to be decided). Hopefully it’ll be enough. I’ll have no more to spare till Changsha has fallen.

The combat in Burma
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 57th Heavy AA Battalion, at 34,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 13
Hudson I x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Day Air attack on 3rd Mountain Gun Regiment, at 34,28

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 18
Hudson I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th UK Division, at 34,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-49 Helen x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards/A Division, at 36,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 10
Hudson I x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-17E Fortress x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
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Ground combat at Myitkyina

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17980 troops, 157 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Defending force 13759 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 252

Allied max assault: 407 - adjusted assault: 435

Japanese max defense: 179 - adjusted defense: 275

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Japanese ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

NEW GUINEA

As the sun rose the first patrol planes took off from PM harbor.
The Alf were looking for the TF spotted yesterday at Thursday Island.
Diving out of the thin cloud layer the immediately spotted the enemy ships unloading troops at the still makeshift base.
Immediately they radioed the information to the control tower in PM. Not 5 minutes had elapsed since the new piece of intelligence had arrived that the Betty of the G1/Kisarazu Daitai were launched to sink the daring enemy ships. A few experienced Tony’s with them.

The base was eagerly awaiting for news from Thursday Island strike when the sky went darker and the air alarm sounded like crazy!
Frantically all the available fighters were scrambled to intercepted the swarm of Allied bombers. The Tojo and Tony on LRCAP from Buna and Lae were alerted and started their dive on the intruders.

(12) Tojo and (15) Tony were to face (14) P-38G and over (180) enemy bombers!
If they weren’t the skillful and mighty Imperial pilots the fight would have been impossible … but they were!
While losing “only” (3) Tojo and (2) Tony, they brought down (24) enemy fighters and bombers!

The still massive strike on PM found only a handful of planes on the ground and ended up destroying only (3) planes that were undergoing some repairs.

The battle was a big success, enhanced by the sinking of one enemy transports with its troops. But we have no illusions. PM airfield is no longer safe.
Allied airpower is close to overwhelming, I must increase the distance between my airfields and the bombers.
I’m relocating the Betty’s Sentai to Lae (7 hexes from Thursday) and a Zero’s (A6M3) Daitai is moving to Lae from Java. I still don’t have as many A6M3s as I wished. Production is now at (171).

The airfield is still operational, but barely. I kept all the fighters on CAP, if they come back they’ll find an even warmer welcome.

Combat in New Guinea

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 27
Wellington III x 28
Hudson I x 12
P-38G Lightning x 14
B-17E Fortress x 110

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wellington III: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hudson I: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 101
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Thursday Island at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 13
P-40B Tomahawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Nisqually, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Castor

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported [:D]
Guns lost 2


-------------------------------------------------------------------
Firestorm over Port Moresby!

[mc3744]

12th December, 1942

Burma under siege

BURMA

Allied attacks by air and on the ground continue.
M. is holding but it’s almost out of supplies.
All my Tabby and Mavis are busy airlifting the 35th Bde, I’ve moved several additional Sentai of Topsy to Moulmein to air transport supplies to the base. I’m partially exposed to airfield bombings. Rangoon has a very strong CAP, Moulmein a bit less so.
I have plenty of fighters in reserve, but I’m reluctant to commit them. I feel safer keeping a sizeable reserve.

The reinforcement injection by air to M. seems to have worked today.
But I expect that the two Indian divisions were heavily disrupted from yesterday’s attack. If he lets them rest a couple of days they could bring the forts further down.

I must push the 18th UK back behind the Irrawaddy!

Combat in Burma
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 57th Heavy AA Battalion, at 34,28

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7
Wellington III x 46
Hudson I x 10

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th UK Division, at 34,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13
A6M3a Zero x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 17
Ki-49 Helen x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Myitkyina

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17682 troops, 149 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 433

Defending force 14544 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 267

Allied max assault: 387 - adjusted assault: 120

Japanese max defense: 199 - adjusted defense: 241

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
305 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

NEW GUINEA

Once again PM has been hit by a heavy Allied raid. And once again they suffered.
My fighters shot down (24) enemy planes with no losses.
I did however lose a few aircrafts on the ground that were repairing after yesterday’s raids: (3) Tony and (9) Betty.

The airfield is in a very bad shape, but I’m keeping (24) Tony there. They are still operational (60%) and his losses are piling.
I would be surprised if he didn’t let his bombers rest.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 16

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 23
Wellington III x 23
Hudson I x 6
B-17E Fortress x 83

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 damaged (LRCAP from Buna)
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged (CAP in PM and LRCAP from Lae)
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington III: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 6 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 67


If there’s any request for a map pic, or any other screen please let me know. I’ll be happy to comply. [:)]

[mc3744]

15th December, 1942

In Burma I’m still waiting for the 33rd to reach its position.
M. is holding and the transport planes have provided a minimal relief to the besieged defenders.

P-38 on LRCAP have beaten my Zero quite badly over the 18th UK. [:(]
I’m now waiting to recover the bomber squadrons and I’ve moved a new A6M3a squadron in Rangoon. Maybe the added range will give them a small advantage.

Betty’s have attacked daily the transport ships in Thursday Island. The A6M3 is clearly not up to the escort task at (7) hexes away. [8|]
Despite a number advantage and 80+ exp my fighter looses ratio in air-to-air is around 1:1 (vs. a mix of Kitty I, Spit, P-40 and P-38) plus the LB lost.

Every day I score a couple of torpedo hits, but the tide is obviously changing.
I’ve now a new squadron of A6M3a in Lae too. Next turn we’ll see if they make any difference over the A6M3.

Just out of curiosity, is there anybody still following this? [:D]