43 - The Mouse bites back. Rob vs Littlejoe 43+

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/22/44

The war continues apace , most action centered on new guinea and around Rabaul.

SW PAC .. OK Allies are consolidating (still) but im hatchin a new plan here too , utterly bypassing most of the japanese held
bases in the solomons . admiralty island looks empty and i have paras 80% prepped anyway) also green island looks to be a nice target
too, the 4E liberatrors have levelled the runways here as well as rabaul so only Truk as an airbase left here now.

We will launch invasions shortly.

meanwhile what appeared to be a 'rescue' TF heading to rabaul was spotted last turn the the liberators went Anti-shipping
for 2 days

Day Air attack on TF at 60,87


Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 39
B-24J Liberator x 69


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Heito Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakozake Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Teiyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AP Keiyo Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikade Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Rakuto Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF at 60,87


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
F4U-1D Corsair x 10
Vengeance I x 15
P-38J Lightning x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hakozake Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Teiyo Maru

Vengences based out of GAsmata gave the warning yesterday hitting one AP , the rest came under sustained assault not many
reached rabaul by the looks of it.

Bulla in the banda sea ( North new guinea area) fell easily and no japanese involvement spotted , we have a LOT of engineers
awaiting lift to here next turn)


Ground combat at Bulla

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4129 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 107

Defending force 1515 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Allied max assault: 99 - adjusted assault: 128

Japanese max defense: 18 - adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 42 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Bulla base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Palembang gets its usual visitors , unfortunately the 4E heavies cant reach here from sabang so i'll have to move them to a size
4 field in mid sumatra this turn.


Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 1

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
Thunderbolt II x 7
F-5A Lightning x 2
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43

A few more sucide betties and it appears Emilys were shot down over IWO today and no allied ships threatened.

More sinkings/scuttleings see the allies lose 2 more DE's 3 LST's and another SC.

The large AK's with the remaining 1 2/3ds divs are meking great speed to IWO and a second supply convoy awaits under CV
unbrella along with the base and engineers forces for after subdual (the oilers have almost caught up with the fleets now)

heres the situation near IWO JIMA, the small japanese TF to the NW is transports (confirmed when a sub sank one [;)])

[Rob Brennan UK]

Sub attack near Eniwetok at 76,74

Japanese Ships
AP Koan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Picuda

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Catanduanes at 45,55

Japanese Ships
TK Zuiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Natsugumo
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
TK Nissho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Haddo

Subs again did a nice job (one TK sunk one damaged ) the AP sank later.

Allied B25's from s.sumatra switched to resource attack (the only way to starve the enemy at palambag ) 4E bombers join in tomorrow now they are in range.

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 31
Thunderbolt II x 26
F-5A Lightning x 2
B-25J Mitchell x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed


Resources hits 16


That last of the 'rescue" convoy to Rabaul was sunk at rabaul harbour .

Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88


Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 29
B-24J Liberator x 40


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Heito Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Teiyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Green island gets flattened while the LAE bombers hit shipping ( think i might have too many liberators in the SW pacific )
unfortunately the Air fields elsewhere arent upto snuff for heavy units )

Day Air attack on Green Island , at 63,89

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 78
B-24J Liberator x 119

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 186

Speaking of Liberators, Truk had no CAP oddly enough , it's wee out of escort range a datai of tonys might have hurt me.
howevere i hurt the enemy instead .. CL had a magazine explosion and sank quickly.

Day Air attack on TF, near Truk at 63,78


Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 38


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Katori, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PC Sonan Maru #5, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PG Chitose Maru

last of the 35th Japanese brigade surrendered very quickly at bulla (maybe a sign of things to come )

Ground combat at Bulla

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4107 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 104

Defending force 918 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Allied max assault: 93 - adjusted assault: 162

Japanese max defense: 7 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 162 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
3782 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

american Para drop captured Sag Sag enemy seems out of supply and v v battered .

Ground combat at Sag Sag

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 670 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied max assault: 26 - adjusted assault: 28

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 28 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Sag Sag base !!!



Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!


admiralty is. still looks empty after 6 days of lightning recon . time for a second para unit to grab this useful base .
OOPS the dakotas upgraded to commando's and nowt left for a drop next turn. c'est la guerre . Lae is also packed so i cant send in more transports w/out pulling bombers ( with a tad of thought thats exactly what i'll do )


SW Pac piccie .. not much else to show really

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/26/44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 47,56

Japanese Ships
DD Otori, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage hunter becomes hunted (is this CV escorts ?)
DD Yuzuki
DD Ariake
DD Arare
DD Isokaze
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
SS Raton

another tanker damaged and an AR thats raining down any miles away [:D]

Sub attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
AR Akashi, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage BOOM !

Allied Ships
SS Haddo

Sub attack near Hiroshima/Kure at 60,41 EVEN THE HI IS UNDER BLOCKADE

Japanese Ships
AK Italy Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 37,60

Japanese Ships
TK Nanei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Seahorse

SS angler 180 miles off Tokyo bay way hit by patrol Sallies , the only enemy ASW Palanes i even worry about. Back to midway for
repair 25/25/0.

The 2nd wave hit IWO beach today and i was rather worried by the losses, seems his suppy isn't as bad as i thought. One CV Group
and the CVE's will hit the front line troops tomorrow while the US artillery start shelling and the 6th inf dividion gets over the
hideous disablements and disruption caused by this landing.

since Day 1 of the landings allied fighters have intercepted emily/mavis and tabby transports supplying IWO, he can't be bringing in much with them and 2 bombardment TF's tomorrow should go some way in destroying even more supply tomorrow.

I'm risking a CV group (one out of 3) by placing all bombers on ground attack (precluding naval strike) so lets hope the japanese
carriers stay well away.



Coastal Guns at Iwo Jima, 63,53, firing at TF 1121
TF 1121 troops unloading over beach at Iwo Jima, 63,53


4378 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Haraldsvang, Shell hits 24, on fire, heavy damage
DD Harrison, Shell hits 10, on fire
AK Empire Trust, Shell hits 18, on fire
DD Hazelwood, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Hawk, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Prairie, Shell hits 35, on fire, heavy damage
AK Island Mail, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Clark, Shell hits 17, on fire
DD Phelps, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
AK Charles McCormick, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK President Quezon, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 15, on fire
AK Maine, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK San Rafael, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK San Lucas, Shell hits 2
AK Peter Kerr, Shell hits 2, on fire
DMS Elliot, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Mormacmar, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Dorsey, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage SUNK
AK Mormachawk, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Long, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Onomea, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Hamakua, Shell hits 3
AK Mathew Luckenbach, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alkaid, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
6409 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 5

OUCH , 2nd day landing wasnt a lot better either --

Coastal Guns at Iwo Jima, 63,53, firing at TF 1121
TF 1121 troops unloading over beach at Iwo Jima, 63,53


2148 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LSD Lindenwald, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Island Mail, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Williams, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Harrison, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK San Rafael, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LSD Epping Forest, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
AK San Lucas, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK San Angelo, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Mormacrio, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Rhesus, Shell hits 11, on fire
AK Mormachawk, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mana, Shell hits 1
DD Clark, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
AK Aquarius, Shell hits 1
AK Alkaid, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1866 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2

Palembang is now under liberator attack and the few zeros get clobbered as a bonus.

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 30
Thunderbolt II x 26
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt II: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed

Resources hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55


Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 4
B-24J Liberator x 57


Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

Resources hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet

according to recon Palembang is down to 2/3'ds of its 900 Resources. so we will continue apace.

In the SW Pacific I've let the local commander of the heavy allied bombers in lunga have free reign over target selection, seems
like a sound move as Rabaul gets hurt badly again. Japanese a/c shouldn't bother the upcoming invasion of shortlands much.
Just awaiting a few more troop ships to get to Lunga before we bypass munda (heavily garissoned ) and vella la vella (unknown).
With just a small (2) fighter base on shortlands we can aim for Green island while when the Central pacific CV's become free
its time to hurt Eniwetok then up north to the kuriles. (it's taking longer than i imagined and the fuel usage in cent pac
has been a nasty suprise. never quite run out but it's been a knife egde to say the least.

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 67
B-24J Liberator x 79

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
H8K Emily: 3 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 109

Liberators from Darwin sink a jap DD at kendari seemingy allowing the dutch Sub O23 room to manouvre and damage 2 more japanese ships for no loss.

Sub attack near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese Ships
AK Tokyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonan Maru #6
PG Hong Kong Maru
PG Saga

Allied Ships
SS O23

Sub attack near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese Ships
AK Tokusima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O23

So whats happening in China i hear you ask (well probably not ) .. this is whats going on :- twice daily

Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36


Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 19
F-5A Lightning x 2
B-25J Mitchell x 31


No Allied losses

Resources hits 13 down to 137 from 600 heavy industry down to 43 from 90 too.

China's building up a nice supply level and distributing it where needed with 80 odd dakotas swarming from chungking to the front
lines. while 200 commando transports lift even more from mandalay and ledo.

Meanwhile in SEAC theatre, 1/2 million supplies land in rangoon (much needed) and a transport convoy arrives unmolested
in south sumatra.

Sorry no piccie today, had to re-install the O/S and lost everything [:@], oh well thats Pc's for you. I'll explain more
about the plans for the DEI when i can do some screen shots to illustrate the points.

So Allied plans to attack on EVERY front now either in place or shortly to be sent out, no rest for Japan if i can help it.

[pauk]

Hi Rob. Nasty landing(s) at Iwo... can you provide more info on disembarked units - i'm especially interested in losses (how many troops you lost (KIA) and how many troops are just disabled)?

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: pauk


Hi Rob. Nasty landing(s) at Iwo... can you provide more info on disembarked units - i'm especially interested in losses (how many troops you lost (KIA) and how many troops are just disabled)?

no problem, I looked at the units during my turn and the 6th division (the only full div landing) was about 1/3 disabled iirc 66/98 so not many losses. However the numbers are a bit skewed as the entire support for the 40th division wasn't originally loaded and unloaded this turn. In addition the AGC decided to go home to marcus so no HQ support proably made a large differance. Being on AK's probably didn't help much either.

The BIG question is will the disablements repair while in a contested hex (and not owning the base) ?. Allied CV is about 1500 comared to 1000 japanese according to the shelling
results. On paper it looks a LOT better however. Allies i think need to reduce the
japanese 30th division through air attacks and keep up the pressure on support
and supply (heavy raids and Bombardments).

I'll give you the exact inf numbers next turn(hopefully today as Joe wants to do a turn).

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: pauk


Hi Rob. Nasty landing(s) at Iwo... can you provide more info on disembarked units - i'm especially interested in losses (how many troops you lost (KIA) and how many troops are just disabled)?

Here you go Pauk ..

all units
Combat rdy/full TOE %'s Disruption/Fatigue
6th Division 57/96 28/25
24th Division 87/100 13/26
25th Division 83/100 9/22
40th Division 68/90 15/30
43rd Division 64/101 4/14
144th Artillery 86/100 5/16
193 tank batallion 54/89 66/20 (heavy loss of combat vehicles)

Given that it was the 6th Div (full) and 40th Divisions support units that got hurt last turn i'm not suprised with the
disablement figures. I am however a bit suprised that so few squads have been lost completely.

Picture is the 6th Divison and the most hurt of the large formations. No more landings planned and supply levels are
well into the green with some divs having 15,000 tons available (seems a bit too large imo). I'm going to turn that
dratted AGC round ASAP and get the 'wandering' CVE's back on station ASAP.

Also bear in mind for disruption and fatigue all units went into shelling mode (for no great gain ) for the last 2 days.
I'll just keep the 144th Artillery firing for now, rest can stand down for a few days. No great rush here as Japan
has no where near enough men to push me off but I do need to wear down the japanese 30th Division (see next post
screen shot). Incidentally NO ground attack missions flew for 2 days ! [:@]. thats upward of 100 Dive bombers and 60
Odd torpedo bombers and 120 heavy bombers from marcus is. Must have been AWFUL weather. Bit like Teweksbury 3 weeks ago [;)].






Humm , that table looked a lot better when the spaces were left in. hope your all able to understand it. PM me if you have any probs (or post here, i don't care re hit rate(just as well [:D]))

[aztez]

Great move Rob! [:)]
 
What is the amount of enemy troops at Iwo Jima??? Can you grab it quickly and thus make it an operational airfield?
 
This ought hurt Joe a lot.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/28/44

The last of the tank unit unlaods (almost) but the Shermans don't float all that well. 6 lost 4 disabled.



Coastal Guns at Iwo Jima, 63,53, firing at TF 1121
TF 1121 troops unloading over beach at Iwo Jima, 63,53


322 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Empire Lapwing, Shell hits 21
AK Murzim, Shell hits 1


Allied ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

With Great (max ?) Recon this was a pathetic Bombardment attempt, no supply hits at all.

Naval bombardment of Iwo Jima, at 63,53

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Chicago
BB North Carolina

Japanese ground losses:
789 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Runway hits 1
Port hits 1

SS Bashaw has had 4 good days patrolling Hiroshima/Kure port , time to leg it before japanese ASW Wakes up[;)]


Sub attack near Hiroshima/Kure at 60,41

Japanese Ships
AO Ashizuri, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Iwo Jima, 63,53, firing at TF 1121
TF 1121 troops unloading over beach at Iwo Jima, 63,53


420 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Empire Lapwing, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AK Maine, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
AK Henry Bergh, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Kendari is a submarines happy killing ground , bar the odd sally attack the (mainly Dutch) subs have been doing v v well
keeping this place closed down or minimally supplied at least.


Sub attack near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese Ships
AK Tokusima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O23

Allied heavy/medium bombers(Rangoon) have been set to 'local commanders discretion' as no targets of note are left in range.
Looks like they hit japanese supply levels rather hard. With the campaign to hammer local resources in the SE Asia
region Japan must be forced into shipping some here, although neither the chinese air force or allied patrol
submarines have seen much activity in the South China sea for quite a while now.


Day Air attack on Tavoy , at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 2
Liberator VI x 72
B-25J Mitchell x 64


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 11 [8D]
Runway hits 80

Keeping the japanese honest over Palembang recently, however the results have been poor for the last 2 days.

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 34
Thunderbolt II x 24
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed


Resources hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
15 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55


Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 22
P-38J Lightning x 24


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 1 damaged

Resources hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
7 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet

Here I'm training up the Torpedo bombers as they were a real mix of elites and noobs , also bagging the odd emily
is well worth the effort.

Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Barracuda x 12
Avenger II x 8
Spitfire VIII x 8
Thunderbolt II x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed


Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Avenger II bombing at 11000 feet
7 x Barracuda bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Barracuda bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Avenger II bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Barracuda bombing at 11000 feet

Just increasing the pressure in the SW Pacific, time to switch to the real target soon.

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 44
B-24J Liberator x 75

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 63

Interesting , didnt think Japan had enough DD's for pure ASW work, maybe escorts ?, as an ASW force goes its a tad
pathetic anyway. Haddo ain't moving yet.

ASW attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Haddo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Iwo Jima, at 63,53 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

41 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 14
CA Quincy
CA Minneapolis
CA Pensacola
CA Louisville
CA Chester
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 5

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported Does F-ing useless count as profanity ?
Guns lost 5

Another allied sub sneaks in close to the home islands and finds juicy Prey

Sub attack near Sasebo at 58,41

Japanese Ships
AK Hohuku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Golet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1280 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5931

Defending force 184611 troops, 1119 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 5347



Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported [>:]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29488 troops, 533 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 1018

Defending force 60284 troops, 742 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1560



Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Palembang

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2494 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1208

Defending force 72987 troops, 611 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 1211


Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 58889 troops, 732 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 1559

Defending force 73926 troops, 640 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 1018


Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported Nothing to write home about, Wonder what the actual fort levels are ?


US 1st Para batallion (60% Prepped) capture the admiralties for no losses , time to fly in a base unit and make 100% sure
Rabaul never sees another saki delivery.


Ground combat at Admiralty Islands

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 470 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied max assault: 34 - adjusted assault: 10

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Admiralty Islands base !!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/29/44


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Iwo Jima, 63,53, firing at TF 1121
TF 1121 troops unloading over beach at Iwo Jima, 63,53


326 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. THIS is still high despite 2 BB Bombardments
Allied Ships
AK West Cape, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sterope
AK Murzim, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hiroshima/Kure at 60,41

Japanese Ships
AP Amakusa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw Finishing off the cripple (now almost torpedo-less)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Iwo Jima, 63,53, firing at TF 1121
TF 1121 troops unloading over beach at Iwo Jima, 63,53


186 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Murzim, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
AK Forbes Hauptmann, Shell hits 9, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hiroshima/Kure at 60,41

Japanese Ships
AP Amakusa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 37,60

Japanese Ships
TK Zuiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage SUNK . SE Borneo

Allied Ships
SS Seahorse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36


Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 10
B-25J Mitchell x 27


No Allied losses

Resources hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35


Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 2
Spitfire VIII x 14
Liberator VI x 77
Mosquito PR.IX x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 40


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 6 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
378 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 14 [:D]
Runway hits 172


Now this is another example of stupid Kamikazi attacks, RE PzB's experience these dived right into the ground after
my spits got some free target practise (bar one idiot who cant' fly, Darwin in motion).

Must be most frustrating for all Japanese players when this happens [:@]

Day Air attack on Medan , at 20,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 22 8 broke through just to damage a few palm trees

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 22 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 5

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 33
Thunderbolt II x 27
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed


Resources hits 13 Better

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
20 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55


Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 19
P-38J Lightning x 23


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 1 damaged

Resources hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
5 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Liberator VI bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55


Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 4
B-24J Liberator x 40


Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Resources hits 19 MUCH BETTER

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
15 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet

Usual japanese training regime

Day Air attack on Makale , at 32,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6
B6N Jill x 9

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B6N Jill bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B6N Jill bombing at 6000 feet


Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Barracuda x 12
Avenger II x 7
Spitfire VIII x 8
Thunderbolt II x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Avenger II bombing at 11000 feet
7 x Barracuda bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Barracuda bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Avenger II bombing at 11000 feet
2 x Barracuda bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 49
B-24J Liberator x 45


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 89

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
6 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
6 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
13 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
7 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
5 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 87

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 87

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 3 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,54

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 101

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1280 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5926

Defending force 184691 troops, 1120 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 5350



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29606 troops, 537 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 1021

Defending force 60764 troops, 755 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 1573



Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Palembang

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2506 troops, 91 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1212

Defending force 73299 troops, 613 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 1218


Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 59318 troops, 746 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 1569

Defending force 74537 troops, 653 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 1021


Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported

Looks Like i need more armour on IWO, so despite what i said earlier, 10 LCT's are loading up the 1st Marine Amphibious armoured
batallion (hopefully the landing losses will be lower using amphib vehicles ). ACG heading back too.

As an aside I made a rather large Boo Boo ,, and IF japanese Cv's had shown up at IWO the Saratoga CV group would have been
another man made reef. The CV Group with Saratoga/Franklyn and CVL Bellau Wood and CVL Langley. Saratoga was out of sorties [:-]
Leaving Franklyn with just 80 but both CVL's with loads (200+). Fair enough the CAP is unaffected but no decent counter
punch in CV duel. Also they were in the coastal hex (deliberately as the CVE's pissed off back to Marcus) so even worse
for CV operations. Unfortunately can only be rectified in port, so back to Marcus.

Allied SigInt came up with a couple of gems (tongue firmly in cheek here).

Radio transmissions detected at San Francisco. [8|]
Radio transmissions detected at Vancouver. [8|]

[aztez]

Ouch! 80 000 men behind level 9 forfications (I guess) is bad bad news.
 
IF he can fly in troops via his transport aircraft you are in deep trouble. Hopefully Joe doesn't have any such bright ideas! [8|]

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: aztez

Great move Rob! [:)]

What is the amount of enemy troops at Iwo Jima??? Can you grab it quickly and thus make it an operational airfield?

This ought hurt Joe a lot.

See above piccie

Ask and you shall recieve [;)]. To be honest i'd taken the overall piccie before you asked [:D]. 4 hour turn ! .. even went dark outside and I hadn't noticed. Can't read any AAR's tonight, the front of my head's bleeding.[:D]

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: aztez

Ouch! 80 000 men behind level 9 forfications (I guess) is bad bad news.

IF he can fly in troops via his transport aircraft you are in deep trouble. Hopefully Joe doesn't have any such bright ideas! [8|]

LOL .. posts passing each other in the night.

Joe is using Emily/Mavis and tabby a/c ferrying in supply (no troops). every turn i intercept a few , can't stop them though. I guess his supply is awful. Hopefully

[VSWG]

Hi Rob,

just caught up on your AAR, you're quite ahead of time! Excellent sub campaign, as always... [8D]

Several days ago you posted a screenie of the 6th Div at Iwo, at the bottom I saw no HQ unit present at Iwo?

Would love to hear more about your plans for the DEI - on the other hand, why not go directly for Okinawa/Formosa after Iwo is secured?

[Rob Brennan UK]

Hi VSWG, nice to see you back here.

IWO and HQ. I was using an amphibious HQ on an AGC to provide HQ for the landing and was under the impression i could unload
it once the men were ashore (mistakenly). The AGC and all the CVE's wandered back to marcus after the landing TF was empty.
I'd left them on follow orders (my mistake). AGC is heading back however i think you might have been right and maybe i should
have loaded it up on regular transports to unload over the beach. Japanese CD fire is still murderous.

Regarding future plans, time seems right to let the cat out of the bag for the DEI. Basically with Sumatra under allied control.
OK i dont own palembang or a few other small bases but they are neutralised so no threat. Imagine the map (no screenie), the base
to the west of batavia has become allied due to no japanese presence and adjacent ish to Telobatong <sp> in Sumatra. this will
allow me to unload men wth no opposition and therefore no loss of readyness or disruption. one division is already heading that way
under cover from 2 brit CV's and 2 US CVL's. I have moved quite a lot of force from Rangoon to Ceylon for redeployment to the
DEI, do not have a list in my head right now but its a goodly amount. RN transport shipping is barely able to cope with it all.
So in essence unload freely in java (one more div to go to palembang) the rest will try to drive south and clear
out Java. I'm keeping batavia under small but constant air attack to prevent its use as a bomber base, so only Soerbaja to worry
about and once the ships are near java they are well within CAP range from Toklebatong (sp) and also will not be sent in without
carrier cover. This pre-supposes Joe does not see the danger and i can't control that.

RE the pacific. I do have a loose timetable , well more like a wish-list with no fixed dates.

IWO i can reduce at will (almost) and am in no rush to ruin my men in futile assaults untill its been thoroughly hammered from sea
and air and is out of supply (at best guess).

Eniwetok is next on the list for the allied CV's to cover invasion of the 4th Marine divison + others (all prepping at 70% and increasing). Thsi is to hopefully be simultaneous with and assault on green island in the SW Pacific under v weak CVL
cover , hence i'm planning on invading shortlands (looks weak) v soon. 2 aussie divisions are refitting back in townsville
for hollandia while the troops in lae and gili gili are prepping for Wewak ? (i'll have to check that). again i'd like this to be close to the time for eniwetok and green island to stretch japanese air cover. Joe hasn't built up many places for hit
bombers to operate from as i guess he did not want me to gain fre airfields. however i think thats a mistake as its easy
for the allies to close down just the few large fields ie rabaul and nibble at the smaller undefended but strategically
placed islands (ie Admiralty which fell to paras and sag sag again by para attack).

Plans are afoot for the kuriles too (100% prepped) just need some CV's to cover as it appears japan has again failed to build up
and of the other islands bar paramushira jima , which is in range of B24's from kiska and attu. Thsi will wait till spring at the
earliest due to the winter rules in the arctic (4x losses).

Hope that helps a bit.

The 30th and 31st were quiet and a bit dull .

naval bombardment of iwo was woeful again

Naval bombardment of Iwo Jima, at 63,53 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

104 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA Quincy
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 17
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Louisville
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
BB Alabama, Shell hits 9
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 6

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

I just noticed that my Detection levels at IWO are awful ! so a swarm of float planes from the CV's escorting cruisers swamped
the place for the last 2 days and the non-flying F5's at marcus have been given a better commander. Thankfully PP's have
just made it into the green (for a long time ). i hope winston stays off the damn phone come february, he's a greedy bugger.

Palembang gets a much better strike now the weather is a bit better.

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 3

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 29
Thunderbolt II x 15
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed


Resources hits 32

Once thats all KO'd time to hit the supply dumps.

The allied ground attack missions finally flew too, although the dive bombers take a bit of a beating. Fortunately the
replenishment CVE's have spares so no loss of numbers and damanged planes do not have far to get back home again.



Day Air attack on 30th Division, at 63,53


Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 1
F6F Hellcat x 20
SB2C Helldiver x 31
TBM Avenger x 18


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
18 x TBM Avenger bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 30th Division, at 63,53


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 39
B-24D Liberator x 30


Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

the japanese in china have embarked on a training program too. 1st time i've seen Jacks

Day Air attack on 99th Chinese Corps, at 50,26

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 43

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
43 x J2M Jack bombing at 2000 feet

Allied planes again try and hit the supplies on IWO, as it seems japan won't be comitting any CV's here.

Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 30
SB2C Helldiver x 163
TBM Avenger x 36
SOC-3 Seagull x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 3 destroyed, 41 damaged [X(]
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged
SOC-3 Seagull: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Nasty Flak !

Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 11
SB2C Helldiver x 66
TBM Avenger x 54
SOC-3 Seagull x 1


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 16 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16

much better ! although only 6 supply hits in 2 days is a bit pathetic.

Wewak gets hammered as part of the softening up process.

Day Air attack on Wewak , at 52,81

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 34

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 6
F-5C Lightning x 1
P-47D Thunderbolt x 64
B-24J Liberator x 124

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 11 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 27 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 10 [:D]
Runway hits 70

SS Haddo bags another tanker, this is one good sub !

Sub attack near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese Ships
TK Nanei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Haddo

Thats it really for now. I'll get some more screenies from each theatre next turn and show whats planned in a more graphical way.

Instead heres a Piccie of USS Haddo taken in 1945, lets hope that bodes well for her in game survival.

[VSWG]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

IWO and HQ. I was using an amphibious HQ on an AGC to provide HQ for the landing and was under the impression i could unload
it once the men were ashore (mistakenly). The AGC and all the CVE's wandered back to marcus after the landing TF was empty.
I'd left them on follow orders (my mistake). AGC is heading back however i think you might have been right and maybe i should
have loaded it up on regular transports to unload over the beach. Japanese CD fire is still murderous.

That's a negative. Amphibious Force HQs don't give combat bonuses. Read this thread:

tm.asp?m=1545871

I agree, there's no hurry at Iwo, so I suggest you refrain from attacking until you've brought a Corps HQ to Iwo. Maybe you can fly it in?

Regarding Java: that sounds like a plan, though I cannot imagine that Joe won't try to recapture that base - it's empty after all. How many days have passed since it 'flipped'? But since you're invading with overwhelming force it shouldn't matter.

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: VSWG

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

IWO and HQ. I was using an amphibious HQ on an AGC to provide HQ for the landing and was under the impression i could unload
it once the men were ashore (mistakenly). The AGC and all the CVE's wandered back to marcus after the landing TF was empty.
I'd left them on follow orders (my mistake). AGC is heading back however i think you might have been right and maybe i should
have loaded it up on regular transports to unload over the beach. Japanese CD fire is still murderous.

That's a negative. Amphibious Force HQs don't give combat bonuses. Read this thread:

tm.asp?m=1545871

I agree, there's no hurry at Iwo, so I suggest you refrain from attacking until you've brought a Corps HQ to Iwo. Maybe you can fly it in?

Regarding Java: that sounds like a plan, though I cannot imagine that Joe won't try to recapture that base - it's empty after all. How many days have passed since it 'flipped'? But since you're invading with overwhelming force it shouldn't matter.

Thanks for the amphib HQ info. As for Java the base has been allied for 12 days now , so i'm running in one full div , followed
by a LOT of engineers/AV support and a few bdes and artillery so it 'looks' like a lot anyway.

I'll have to scrounge up a decent HQ , only Air HQ on marcus and fleet and air on wake/midway.

Anyway next 2 days very quiet, i did lose a Sub though to 2 salyy hits off kendari. SS Sealion will be missed [:(]

Did a speculative attack on Iwo, and got the forts down from 6 to 5 . v v pleased with that considering no dedicated engineers.

Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 61857 troops, 760 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 1604

Defending force 74424 troops, 640 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 1041

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied max assault: 1493 - adjusted assault: 1040

Japanese max defense: 887 - adjusted defense: 3586

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5)


Japanese ground losses:
789 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

Allied ground losses:
841 casualties reported
Guns lost 52
Vehicles lost 4


Piccies . 1st up Java.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Amphibious operation , preceeded with a LOT of heavy air attack and BB's bombarding. Shortlands will be mine <evil laugh>.

With 150 Mitchells now operationg from Gasmata, Rabaul and green island can be kept closed as the majority of allied 4E bombers are
in the SW Pacific (Lae and Lunga) no airfield is safe in this theater. Now the admiraties have been taken Truk will be
heavily threatened once i get some sngineers in (fast DD Transport on the way).

[Rob Brennan UK]

A much neglected theater in the AAR so far, North autralia command is oozing forward with nothing bigger than a DD within 1000 miles of here. Amboina next on the list.

I do have some australian home units prepped for Timor so IF i want to attack it i just need PP's to release them and auto 100% Prepped div comes into allied control [:D]

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/03/44

2 More samey days, SS Snook and Seahorse get medals and a immediate return to port order to celebrate.

Snook especially as she's in tokyo Bay [;)]


Sub attack near Tokyo at 66,43

Japanese Ships
AP La Plata Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage SUNK

Allied Ships
SS Snook

ASW attack near Tokyo at 66,43

Japanese Ships
MSW W.21

Allied Ships
SS Snook

Sub attack near Tokyo at 66,43

Japanese Ships
AP Batavia Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage SUNK

Allied Ships
SS Snook

Sub attack at 38,58

Japanese Ships
TK Ceram Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tosho Maru
PG Uji

Allied Ships
SS Seahorse

Sub attack near Tokyo at 66,43

Japanese Ships
AP Hokuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Snook

Sub attack at 38,58

Japanese Ships
TK Shimotsu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tosho Maru
PG Uji

Allied Ships
SS Seahorse

Sub attack near Tokyo at 66,43

Japanese Ships
DD Takanami
DD Yugure
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
SS Snook ALL ASW MISSED

The 1st american amphibious armour had a rather warm welcome at Iwo, I was hopeing that amphib armour would be less prone to CD
fire, and a LOT of LST's went down. Thats a real shame as i love LST's for amphibious landings.

Coastal Guns at Iwo Jima, 63,53, firing at TF 1103
TF 1103 troops unloading over beach at Iwo Jima, 63,53


2138 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LST LST-344, Shell hits 31, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-343, Shell hits 35, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-342, Shell hits 34, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-338, Shell hits 86, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-335, Shell hits 24, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-123, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-121, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-120, Shell hits 5, on fire
LST LST-42, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-41, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
811 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 19

OUCH ! .. Armour at 16/82 ! [:-]

That bodes badly for any HQ coming ashore later on. even heavy paounding from ships and air e.g (a small summary)

Day Air attack on 30th Division, at 63,53


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20
SB2C Helldiver x 31
TBM Avenger x 18


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 30
SB2C Helldiver x 169
TBM Avenger x 90
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 1
SOC-3 Seagull x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 damaged
SOC-3 Seagull: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 8 When will japan run out ! . [&:]
Runway hits 43

In all 11 helldivers and 2 sea planes were lost to flak over Iwo. Still we have spares on the CVE's (just).

Japan tried to run some merchants a bit too close to china and the 'beaufughter' trap was sprung [:D]

Day Air attack on TF at 39,45


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 68
P-40N Warhawk x 44
B-25J Mitchell x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Higari Maru, Shell hits 60, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tatsufuku Maru, Shell hits 60, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kasii Maru, Shell hits 64, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
TK Arita Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kamogawa Maru, Shell hits 52, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage


All japanese ships sank.


During the night of the 3rd/4th February the allied plans for shortlands were abundantly clear. the day brought heavy air raids
while mitchells kept Rabaul closed (green island escaped due to bad weather).

Naval bombardment of Shortlands, at 63,93 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CA Indianapolis
CA Portland
BB Idaho
BB Nevada
BB Colorado

Japanese ground losses:
359 casualties reported

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 4

Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 5
B-24J Liberator x 109


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Port hits 9
Port supply hits 14 [:D]

Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
B-24J Liberator x 99


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
170 casualties reported

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 10

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
F4U-1D Corsair x 12
P-38J Lightning x 8
B-25J Mitchell x 139

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 140

No japanese major bases left in the SW Pacific and as far as i know shortlands must be low on supply as no japanese ships seen
near here in ages.

even Wewak gets clobbered just for good measure.

Day Air attack on Wewak , at 52,81

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 12
P-38J Lightning x 38
F-5C Lightning x 1
P-47D Thunderbolt x 51
B-24J Liberator x 118

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 105

The landings have begun :-

TF 1003 troops unloading over beach at Shortlands, 63,93



Allied ground losses:
857 casualties reported

An escorted troop ship (with men ) and the last APD escort vessel was attacked by submarine on a possible run to Iwo.
only one torp hit and the escort was inefffective. lost contact on day 2.

The sea's around Kendari are now v dangerous due to sallies on excellent ASW duties. 2 dutch and one american sub damaged
(the KX very heavily) and sent back to darwin. Incidentally found 5 more allied subs with no refits at darwin too. even one
yankee boat due the 10/42 refit ! wish there was an easier way of identifying this.

[Rob Brennan UK]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/05/44

The landings at shortlands went unmolested and the lack of CD guns is very noticeable compared to landing at IWO.
Decision taken to not send unescorted (by BB and CA) transports to iwo, the losses in ships has been appalling.
American artillery ordered to begin the shelling of shortlands naval base tomorrow while patrols will give the
commander on the ground more intel.

the american air forces has been sending in 100's of heavy and medium bombers to close Rabaul/GReen island and merak
(in new guinea). I think ive deployed too many 4E bombers in the SW Pac[;)]. However with stacking rules i cant use them
very effectively in the pacific.

Both Tankers damaged by SS Snook yesterday were finished off by SS Pogy (and a lucky guess to his destination). SS Guavina
lurking off Legaspi point (south philipines) torpedoed 2 ships today , both loaded with men (the 1st Mixed Brigade) now as
which way they are going is another matter (in or our of the PI ?) anyones guess.

Sub attack near Legaspi at 44,55

Japanese Ships
AP Kogyo Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Guavina

Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Instead of a longwinded cut and paste i did a manual tally of hits/losses on iwo jima

Japanese troops hit (dead / disabled) 1040 (his AP has dropped to 1000)
Japanese guns lost 23
American men hit 30 [;)]
supply hits 17 (i want more )

We'll be doing another deliberate attack on IWO tonorrow now the men are back in good shape. lets see if we can strip another
level of fortifications. (no Land HQ in the pacific . slight oversight on my part , whoops )

Joe did notice the allied base on Java and has retaken it with a paltry NLF unit , this will not discourage the allied landings.

Also Japan made a succesful air attack from Singapore on an empty supply convoy heading back from Sumatra.

Day Air attack on TF at 17,55

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Samois, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Quilliam

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

The Carriers around IWO are all sent back for resupply and refuelling to marcus. a fresh CV TF consisting of CV Franklin
CV Saratoga 2 and CVL's Langley and bellau wood is leaving marcus to keep station and deterr any japanese supply ships.
3CVE are on station already to provide LRCAP to try and intercept the enemy transport planes (emilys flying daily).
So we will have a 'weak' moment here for a few days , no sign whatsoever of KB interfering however.

Down in the SW Pacific, Admiralty island is now a catalina base and this forward recon will be very very useful for future ops
in the theater.

thats it today , pretty quiet.

[aztez]

Hmmmm....
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"Allied max assault: 1493 - adjusted assault: 1040

Japanese max defense: 887 - adjusted defense: 3586

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5) "

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That is a strong garrison to deal with. I mean 3500 assault value is high and you really need to keep his reinforcements and supplies out or this will turn ugly.
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I think that It was a wise move to go againts Iwo Jima now than later.
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As always good luck! [:)]