Feinder(A) v Bilbow(J) CHS - The winds of war are constantly changing

[Feinder]

Hmmm. Intel indicates a few CVLs + (very likely Soryu & Hiryu as I cannot account for them at Rangoon) + invasion force moving towards Port Moresby.

Altho it's "only" March, it's a very tempting target...

We'll see. Usually I'm pretty gun-shy about engaging enemy CVs this early. But it's such a tempting target, and I confirmed Kaga, Akagi, Shok, and Zui are moving off from Rangoon invasion just 4 days ago (so they won't storm the party).

Such temptation...

I think I cannot resist.

Bilbow has the turn now. I think we're get gonna to get our first CV battle...

Wish me luck!
-F-

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Hmmm. Intel indicates a few CVLs + (very likely Soryu & Hiryu as I cannot account for them at Rangoon) + invasion force moving towards Port Moresby.

Altho it's "only" March, it's a very tempting target...

We'll see. Usually I'm pretty gun-shy about engaging enemy CVs this early. But it's such a tempting target, and I confirmed Kaga, Akagi, Shok, and Zui are moving off from Rangoon invasion just 4 days ago (so they won't storm the party).

Such temptation...

I think I cannot resist.

Bilbow has the turn now. I think we're get gonna to get our first CV battle...

Wish me luck!
-F-

Definately worth a shot... good luck indeed! [:)]

[Feinder]

02-03-1942 thru 03-19-1942 (comprehensive)

A - The mobility of the Japanese forces finally close the noose closes around Chiang's 13th and 14th Armies at Pucheng. Numerous attempts to break out are thwartd more by the harsh jungle than by the encircling Japanese Army. An attempt to air-lift troops out is proven unworkable, as the there is simply no suitable landing sites for even the lightest of the Dutch transports. The British and Dutch air-transports resort to para-dropping supplies to the islolated pocked of nearly 85,000 Chinese. Meanwhile, the 3rd, 12th, and 18th Armies marshall at Changsha, in preparation to fighting their way to the beleaged troops at Pucheng.
-F-

[Feinder]

02-03-1942 thru 03-19-1942 (comprehensive)

A - Japanese forces begin an aggressive several weeks of capturing the many islands of the Solomons and capturing the small bases along New Guinea's northern coast. US Army A-24 dive bombers harass the transports as they land at Buna and Milne Bay and several are damaged, but the plucky dive-bombers are too few to jeopardize the Japanese plans of expansion. Along with the marines, the Japanese land several engineer regiments, which are able to quickly carve airfields from the Jungles of Lae, Buna, Shortlands, and Lunga.

The rapid expasion of the airfield at Lae, and continuous raids from Rabaul have greatly increased the number and lethality of the air-raids on Port Moresby. Despite a tenacious defense by the USAAF 14th Fighter Squadron, the small airstrip is pummelled constantly, and soon unable to sustain flight operations. The remaining fighters and dive-bombers are flown out piecemail, back to Australia.

Isolated but not forgotten, the valiant garrison at Rabaul is slowly evacuated from the jungle by clandestine rendesvous with Allied submarines. Dozens of submarines make the dangerous transit thru Woodlark Passage; quietly slipping past the many Japanese patrols to rescue the emaciated defenders. The misison to save islolated Allied units proves quite hazardous, as several submarines are damaged by patrolling ASW aircraft. Soon however, almost the entire 108th RAN Base Force will have been plucked from the jaws of captivity and starvation. The rescue of isolated units is recognized as an objective of the highest priority, and across the battle torn theater, scores of submarines brave patroling hunter-killer groups, enemy aircraft, and uncharted reefs to rescue as many troops as possible.

B - The rapid construction af major Airfields at Lae and Buna is cause great concern of Gen. Britt, theater commander, Southwest Pacific area of operations. At greater than division strenght, the garrison at Port Moresby represents one of the largest concentrations of forces under his command. Britt dispatches a memo to AnZAC command that 1st Provisional NG Div(+), like the defenders of Manila, would be easily cut off. If action is not taken soon, no action -can- be taken on their behalf. Furthermore, given that Japanese troops occupy the Northern Territories, the reluctant decision is made to withdraw most of the garrison at Port Moresby, in favor of bolstering the continental defenses of eastern Australia. The Japanese are caught off-guard when a large convoy, shephered by the USS Lexington evacuates the majority of the garrison at Port Moresby. The following day, the convoy is attacked by Nell medium bombers from Lae, but the Wildcats of VF-3 are ale to drive off most of the torpedo bombers. The Nells manage to damage 3 transports, but the convoy is able to safely return the 1st Prov NG Div to Australia.

-F-

[Feinder]

-F-

[Mistmatz]

Great update Feinder, I like that style of an AAR very much. [:)]

Just one question regarding the sub evacuation of the Rabaul remnants. I was in a similar situation and tried to evacuate the base force of Victoria Point which got dislodged and was sitting in the jungle starving. I tried to get at least some remnants out to regroup some other day but was unable to do so with a submarine on transport mission.

Are there any prerequisites that need to be fulfilled, like mission needs to be defined while being docked or something? I tried it with a sub on patrol mission in that area. Sent it to the hex, set it to transport mission and to load the BF, but somehow it didn't work out. After some unsuccssesful tries I came to the conclusion that sub evac needs to be performed from an at least dot base. But reading your AAR it seems I did something wrong... [&:]

[Feinder]

Your subs were probably too small.
 
Aviation Support has a load cost of 20.
(Regular) Support has a load cost of 20.
Infantry has a load cost of 10.
Most MGs have a load cost of  5 – 10.
 
All of the RN subs, and the RDN subs have a load capacity of 18 or less.  You can see the cargo capacity of a sub by pulling up the ship’s detail screen.
Of he US subs, there is some variety…
Barracuda class (CHS) = 18 capacity
Dolphin class = 18 capacity
Old S-class = 22(?) capacity
Salmon class = 42 capacity
Tambor class = 22(?) capacity
Gato class = 40ish capacity
 
So the RN and RDN subs cannot load support or av-support squads.  If you unit is only comprised of support (which is all that remains at the very end), they will not load anything.  The RN/RDN subs –can- load squads.  So if your base force or isolated Btn has infantry squads in it, they –will- load those.  The Barracudas are also low in capacity.  The Salmon class are good early war for transports, as they can load 2 support per sub.

I put a LOT off effort in sub-evacs.  (small essay to follow)…
 
Most of the time when you unit initially retreats, it’s NOT in that bad a shape over-all.  Maybe you have a 150 squads/support to start.  After losing the battle and retreating, you probably will have around 80 elements disabled, 50 still active, and 20 destroyed.  You still have 130/150 elements, but if you don’t get them out, they’ll likely all die because your probably retreated into the middle of nowhere with no supplies.
 
Chances are, Japan will –not- have pursued you.  Your retreated unit likely in the middle of nowhere, and Japan is probably not sitting on you.  But your guy is out of supplies and –will- die unless you march them somewhere that is in supply (or evac them).  Your formation is still at about 85% strength, -if- you can get him out.  So spend the effort to save him.  It takes a while to evac a whole unit, you’re not going to save everybody as they will be slowing dying off as you evac them.  But even if you can salvage 50% of the unit, that’s still “significant”.  Note that I am, and am –not- talking about evac-ing cadres here.  I am talking about pulling guys off the beach with subs (evac-ing cadres).  But I’m –not- talking about just pulling just 2 or 3 guys off the beach.  I’m talking about producing maximum effort to save 100 squads.  It –can- be done.  And when it’s all said and done, I won’t have a handful of Dutch cadres with 2 squads.  In another PBEM game (08-42), the 1st and 2nd Provisional Dutch Divisions (about 2 Rgts + 3 Btns at full strength - each) recaptured Port Moresby.  If you only pull out 2 squads, it doesn’t amount to crap.  If that all you –can- pull out, sure.  But if over the course of a month you can save 50% of the unit, then by all means, do so.  You can never have enough troops!
 
I realize there’s a lot of ballyhoo about points (to play or not to play, for them).  But whether you’re in for points or not, everybody –does- keep an eye on them.  Troop losses are the single greatest liability to the Allied player.  Every 6 squads you save, saves you a point.  Every 48 you save, is the same vp cost as a destroyer.  If you save 48 squads (8 points), you’ve just –raised- the Japanese requirement for auto-victory by 32 points (now Japan has to sink an extra CL because you were diligent in rescuing your fragments).
 
My subs are my work-horses for the first six months.  I use the RN/RDN subs, and the old S-class on patrols to start.  Their’s are the only ones with good torpedoes, so I try to get my mileage out of them.  For the other USN subs (crappy torps), I load up with some mines if they can, drop the mines off somewhere, then “patrol” at full speed to a pick-up point, and switch to “transport”.  They pick up survivors, full speed back to drop them off at an appropriate recoup location.  Then full-speed “patrol” back to their next pick-up site.  The RN/RDN/S-class subs patrol until they run up about 15 sys dmg.  After 15 sys dmg, subs have a hard time getting into position to take a shot before they get hit by ASW.  So after the RN/RDN/S-class top 15 sys, I revert them rescue duty.  While strictly not as useful as the USN fleet boats (smaller capacity), there are still plenty of Infantry squads (load =10) to be picked up. 
 
You can have a sub with 40 sys dmg out picking up guys, it doesn’t reduce their capacity.  Higher sys –does- make your sub easier to spot, esp by LBA.  Your subs –will- get plinked as they go about picking up survivors.  After a sub has 50ish sys dmg, I –believe- it’s very detrimental.  Just as a CV with 50+ dmg cannot conduct flight ops, I believe I read somewhere that subs with 50+ sys cannot submerge.  Over 50 sys, your subs will get plinked a lot by enemy LBA, which seems to bear out the “cannot submerge” hypothesis.
 
Bilbow’s attack on Manila (sinking about 20 subs), was –very- annoying.&nbsp; I obviously have big plans for my subs, but I’ve had to make due with less.&nbsp; Just zooming around at full-speed, and an occasional plink by LBA (which really hurts by the way, but is usually not fatal), puts most of subs with sys dmg in the 30s.&nbsp; Many of them have never even been attacked by DCs.&nbsp; The evac efforts will (likely) continue thru about June (that’s about how long it takes to “clean up” all the fragments from SRA).&nbsp; Subs with <15 sys (and working torps) go on patrol.&nbsp; Subs with 15 – 49 sys run evacs.&nbsp; Subs with 50+ sys get rotated back to port.&nbsp; Newly arriving subs plug the gaps.&nbsp; By July, my subs will be in sorry shape (although normally few are actually SUNK during the patrol-evac cycle).&nbsp; They’ll end up having to port for about 4 months, which handily coincides with the radar upgrade, and eventually working torpedos.
&nbsp;
-F-
&nbsp;

[Mistmatz]

Wow, thats what I call a comprehensive summary. [&o]

Checking the game status right now it seems very likely that the problem was indeed a british Rainbow Class sub (capacity 18) and the dislodged remnants consiting only of aviation and regular support (both require capacity 20).

Thanks to your excellent food for thought I may have to do some modifications to my sub warfare doctrine with the next turn.

Although I can't complain about the US torpedo efficiency (sure some are duds) rescueing some ground units is a very good alternative especially if my evac plan with transport planes doesn't work.

Thanks again Feinder, for that excellent input.

[Feinder]

Capt Willington stands atop the open bridge of the USS Barracuda.  Altho only 31 years old, his sunken eyes and gaunt appearance make him look as tho he were in his 50s.  He vacantly stares into the inky blackness and absently reaches for a cigarette.  Including Capt Willington, 4 others have crowded onto the cramped bridge.  A young seaman from Biloxi, Mississippi lowers his binoculars to rub his eyes, and notices Willington absently tapping the cigarette against the rail to compact the tobacco, before lighting it.  “Beggin your pawdon suh, but you shouldn’t be smokin’.”

Broken from is daze, Capt Willington turns to he young sailor, “Excuse me?”
“Well suh, nobody smokes up here, leastways not til we shoot da Passage.”
“My wife tells me I shouldn’t smoke, but…”
Lt. Commander Grey is the ship’s executive officer, and is commanding Barracuda on this moonless 3rd watch.  Lcmdr Grey cuts in, “Capt Willington sir.  Seaman Johnson is correct, there is no smoking on the bridge.  That little candle can be seen for about four miles out here.”

Capt Willington is no submariner, and neither is he a sailor. He’s a Captain of the Royal Australian Marines, and the CO of Dingo Company – the combat marine contingent of No. 108 Royal Australian Naval Base Force, previously assigned to defend the Australian outpost at Rabaul.  His gaunt features and vacant expression are the product of weeks of combat, disease, and starvation.  His calm demeanor has been an inspiration to his soldiers in these last hellish weeks.  But while Capt Willington is indeed a brave leader, he has merely shared those experiences of the rest of his company.  The difference being - he can’t remember.  Not much at least.  He can remember names.  But he cannot remember many specific events from day to day.  It is the “not remembering” that his mind holds to, in order to keep his sanity. 

Willington closes his eyes.  The passing weeks have been a struggle for survival, at the most basic animal level. 

He remembers the shelling.  “Was that January?  What month is it now?  We could see their boats as the started to stream in.  Our batteries hit several transports, and sank something that looked like a frigate.  But they kept pounding with their guns.  Big ships with big guns.  We never stood a chance.  There was a flash… 

Awake now.  How many days was it?  A day?  Maybe 3?  “We never found Major Green sir.  Sir, Lt. Hammon is on the perimeter, you’re in command I think.”  The airfield is cratered.  Where or who is airfield commander?  Get him for me.  Gather what rations and meds you can, my men will provide rear-guard.  We’ll rally at the native village about 12-clicks to the SW…

Whatever happened to Hammen?  He was a good man.  Did he make it out?  I can’t remember.

There were probably 300 of us at the village.  Had to keep moving south tho.

The food ran out after about 3 weeks.  We sent patrols to hunt monkeys.  All of us have disentary, many of the men with fevers, and they still carry on.

Just over 200 now…?  We need to send men towards the Japanese at Rabaul.  They’ve forgotten about us.  We can get food that way.  Take 12 men, find some ammo.  Go light tho, you’ll need to carry supplies back.

Cramps.  Pain.  Vision is filled with stars, and stomach burns as if were inside out.  On litter again.  How can I lead on my back?  Bring me a cane.  No, I won’t take that corpsman.  Give it to him, he needs it more. 

Who are you?  Ensign Wilks?  US Navy?  You have boats?  Get the doc, get a list of the sickest men from him.  Did you bring meds with you?

Another submarine.  More men out of this hell. Hope.

No, doc and I go last.  Get my men out, then we’ll go.

Pain.  Wretching…. More blackness.

“Suh – sun’s commin up soon.  We’ll be heading back down.”  Only a few minutes have passed for Seaman Johnson, but Willington has lived another 3 months. 

“It hurts when I close my eyes.”

“Suh – it’s the salt.”

Startled, Wilington didn’t realize his remark was aloud.  “No my eyes are fine.  I’ll be fine.”

A naïve Seaman Johnson nods, and heads below. 

Lt Cmdr Grey watches Capt Willington.  He’s lying.  It does hurt when he closes his eyes.  But it’s not his eyes that hurt, and he knows that Capt Willington will -not- be fine.  He knows.  He understands.  It hurts when he closes his eyes too.  He can’t remember the last time he slept.

(to be continued)

-F-

[Cuttlefish]

This does such a nice job of evoking feelings of fatigue and hopelessness that I felt weary myself after reading it. Good stuff.

[Feinder]

Coming from you Cuttlefish, that's a real compliment.
&nbsp;
Many thanks!
&nbsp;
Time to go home, and maybe a turn in my inbox.
-F-

[erstad]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Time to go home, and maybe a turn in my inbox.
-F-

Should have been there Tuesday. Lost in the ether?

[Feinder]

Got shuffled into the wife's inbox.

File sent!
-F-

[Alfred]

Feinder,
&nbsp;
Fully agree with your post of 30 August.&nbsp; Just one possible clarification, and I may be wrong.&nbsp; IIRC Japan earns 1 VP per 3 American/Australian items lost not the 6 you quoted which applies to Chinese and Russian items.
&nbsp;
Alfred

[Feinder]

Fully agree with your post of 30 August.&nbsp; Just one possible clarification, and I may be wrong.&nbsp; IIRC Japan earns 1 VP per 3 American/Australian items lost not the 6 you quoted which applies to Chinese and Russian items.

&nbsp;
Per section #16 of the manual, I stand corrected.&nbsp; Thanks!
Phillipine, Chinese = 1:12
Soviet = 1:6
USA, UK, Dutch = 1:3
Japan = 1:6
&nbsp;
All the more reason to rescue survivors!
&nbsp;
-F-

[ny59giants]

How are you using your American A-29 Hudsons??
I saw on your last screen shot that you have units at Portland Roads?? Do you intend to build that dot base up??
Is there or has there been any activity in the North or Central Pacific??
&nbsp;
Other Allied players want to know. [;)]

[Feinder]

How are you using your American A-29 Hudsons??

I haven’t deployed them yet. I’ve got 2 – 3 squadrons, and like to have about 50% aircraft in the pool as replacements before deployment (and that took a while to build them up). So these guys are just now about ready to go. I probably won’t send them to Daly Waters, given the mauling that the RNZAF Hudsons have taken. I could maybe pick a path into Burma, but with NoOz in Japanese hands, I don’t know if I have any bases in range. Most likely, they’ll get sent to SoPac, where there range is most useful. However, my bases in SoPac are just now coming on-line (they start very small), I’ve got a few AF(3), and Noumea just made it to an AF(4).

I saw on your last screen shot that you have units at Portland Roads?? Do you intend to build that dot base up??

As this is an open AAR to Bilbow, I have been known to doctor screen shots so as to deny/skew any information that he might discern from reading the AAR. I will neither confirm nor deny the existence of troops at Portland Roads. But yes, I do intend to build it up tho.

Is there or has there been any activity in the North or Central Pacific??

Beyond fleet transfers of my accord, no there has been no activity in NoPac or CentPac. It is a reasonable expectation that I have been busy throughout, but again given the open nature of this AAR, I am not at liberty to discuss events until Bilbow sets off the land-mine first… :^)

[Feinder]

Commissioned in 1922, the USS Barracuda was already an old boat at war’s start, relegated mostly to training duties.&nbsp; When Japan launched her surprise attack against Manila on December 7th, Barracuda was west of Panama playing the bait to train a destroyer squadron for ASW duty in the hazardous Atlantic.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;She was hastily routed to Pearl Harbor, loaded with a salvo of mines, and sent into the South Pacific.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Upon delivering her mines, Barracuda has been sent into the Solomon Sea, where she and several other boats are tasked with rescuing the scattered remnants of the Australian garrison from Rabaul and returning them to Australia.
&nbsp;
On her second circuit to New Britain, Barracuda was attacked by an IJN hunter-killer task force about 120 miles south of her rendezvous.&nbsp; None of her crew had ever endured depth-charge attack before, and what followed was 35 minutes of pure hell.&nbsp; Surviving the attack was not without cost.&nbsp; The doors to port torpedo tubes buckled, rendering the tubes useless.&nbsp; On completion of safely delivering her second group of Rabaul survivors, Capt. Stokes expected to be sent back to Pearl Harbor for repairs.&nbsp; The US Navy had other ideas.&nbsp; Barracuda was quickly refueled, and sent out the next morning.
&nbsp;
This has been the third run of Barracuda to New Britain.&nbsp; The aged boat has been on constant patrol for over 4 months, and including the damage to her torpedo tubes, is also badly in need of over-haul.&nbsp; In trials, her top speed should be 18 knots, but weary engines and constant wear combine to allow her only 12kts on the surface.&nbsp; Her batteries also need replacement, as they are unable to sustain a full charge.&nbsp; Thus, she must spend more time on the surface, exposing her for longer to the ever-present threat of patrolling Japanese Emily flying boats.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Since her last circuit, the Japanese have established a small airfield on the southern tip of New Guinea at Milne Bay.&nbsp; The hazardous transit of “Shooting the Passage” is run at best speed between Wari and Imbert Islands, about 80 miles east of the Japanese base at Milne Bay.&nbsp; Enemy seaplanes aside, Shooting the Passage is made on the surface in daylight, for the waters are shallow and numerous coral reefs, which are “mostly” charted, zig-zag thru the area.&nbsp; Barracuda’s 12kts leave her exposed for an agonizing 2 hours, but she has almost finished the run.
&nbsp;
The wet bridge is crammed with extra look-outs during the dangerous transit through The Passage, looking all manner of threats - flying boats above, an enemy hunter group on the horizon, or reefs that lurk just below the surface.&nbsp; Low and scattered clouds may well help to hide Barracuda from airborne patrols, but it also means less time to react if an aircraft were to emerge from one.
&nbsp;
Capt Stokes’ attention is focused into the haze to the west.&nbsp; “Mutert.&nbsp; Check bearing 255.&nbsp; Do you see that…?”
&nbsp;
“Yes captain.&nbsp; Sure seems to be a lot of ‘em.&nbsp; And they’re in front of us.”
&nbsp;
“And with two flat tops…”&nbsp; Stokes calls down thru the open hatch, “Radio Townville, enemy CVs and transports heading west towards Port Moresby, speed 10kts.&nbsp; Two carriers spotted.”
&nbsp;
“Dive-bomber!”&nbsp;&nbsp; The low clouds at 3000’ have hidden Barracuda for most of the transit thru The Passage.&nbsp; But an enemy Val dive-bomber, presumably from one of the carriers, has spotted her.&nbsp; The dive bomber releases a pair of bombs, and an two immense geysers of water are instantly followed by a loud bang as the shock-wave of a near miss about 15 yards away, is carried thru the water &nbsp;&nbsp;The men on the bridge are knocked off their feet and land on top of each other in a tumble.&nbsp; Altho not a direct hit, the immense shock is felt thru the hull, and further damages the weary submarine.
&nbsp;
The submariners clear the bridge quickly, and by the time the bomber has circled around for another pass, Barracuda has already blown her ballast tanks and slipping beneath the Coral Sea.&nbsp; The sound of hail striking a tin roof echoes into the boat.
&nbsp;
Capt Wilkinson has somehow managed to find an out-of-the-way spot in the crowed combat bridge below the submarine’s sail.&nbsp; “What’s that?”
&nbsp;
Capt Stokes - “Set your depth 80 feet.&nbsp; Course 180.&nbsp; That bomber just strafed us.&nbsp; He’ll stay up there for a while, and shoot up the water to mark where we were, for when their destroyers get here.&nbsp; Hopefully, we’ll have put enough distance between between us and him, by the time their hunters get here.&nbsp; My guess, we’ve got about 9 minutes.
&nbsp;
“That first bang was a bomb?&nbsp; Down here, I thought we got hit.”
&nbsp;
“If his bomb had hit us, you’d be dead already.&nbsp; As to what it broke…?”&nbsp; With a rare and wry smile, Capt Stokes replies, “Going down is easy.&nbsp; It’s the getting back up part, when you find out what’s broken.”
&nbsp;
-F-

[Feinder]

03-20-1942 thru 03-31-1942

A - Fierce air battles rage for supremency in Burma.

Japan concentrates her attacks on the airfields at Tavoy and Moulmein. Tavoy is quickly closed to air operations, but several squadrons of Hurricanes stationed at Moulmein drive off the Japanese for several days, inflicting heavy losses on the bombers and there escorts. Still, many of the massed bombers get thru, and India Command makes preparations to withdraw from the airbase before it is permanently closed.

The combined air strength with all Allies represented - the RAF, RIAF, RAAF, RDAF, CAF, and USAAF concentrate their attacks on closing the airfield at Ragoon. Indeed the airfield suffers considerable damage, and many of the feared Japanese type-Zero fighters are destroyed on the ground. Rangoon however is heavily garrisoned by many engineers who work feverishly to keep the airfield open. Several AAA Rgts have also been deployed to defend Japan's beach-head in Burma, and losses to the bombers are heavy.

After 6 days of heavy air assaults, a merciful storm front covers the region, and calls a stop to the slaughter. In the the week that came to define "Bloody March", over 250 aircraft are destroyed, with roughly equal losses on both sides.

While while the battle for the air rages over-head, Japanese forces move into the interior of Burma. The Allies have established a heavily fortified line south of Meiktila. Intitial probing attacks by both sides prove inconclusive but portend and equally bloody battle for the ground.

-F-

[Feinder]

03-20-1942 thru 03-31-1942

A - The Japanese have pushed the Dutch defenders to the southern tip of Java. The Dutch have retreated their main force to the mountains of Malang, and have heavily fortified approximately 2 Divisions of troops, along with ample supplies for an extended siege. A rear guard and several regiments of engineers are left to demolish the resource and oil facilities at Soerbaja. Before being forced to retreat, they do indeed accomplish their objective - the strategic facilities are heavily damaged, and will provide only token quanties of materiael towards the Japanese war effort. In the mountainous stronghold, the Dutch colonial defenders hold a faint hope of eventual relief or rescue.

-F-