17 & 18 Dec 42
Not a good day to be aboard Allied Cruisers. [:(]
Naval:
Landings at: Kuching (17), Menado (17), Shortland (17), Brunei (18), Wada (18), Ambonia (18), Buin (18), Admirality Island (18).
Dutch KXVIII sinks an AK at Menado (18). Japanese ASW attacks, but miss my sub there. [:D]
17th - CV Kaga finds CL Marblehead (bomb x 4, torpedo x 4)
sunk, CL DeRuyter (torpedo x 1), and CA Houston (bomb x 1, torpedo x 2) half way between Koepang and Broome. They had gone to Koepang to try to engage the small SC TF that had been there. Ended up being a day too late. Later, I look to see what Boise and Marblehead come back as (re-spawn) and find out they don't in RHS. [X(] Post on Design section and find out there is no re-spawn for the Allies. That will change my strategy to some degree. Hosho is found protecting transports at Ambonia.
18th - CV Kaga is attacked by 3 Hudson out of Koepang, but the Zeros keep them and my CAP of P40 and Brewsters away. Kaga sinks an AK. I had sent some small coastal AK's as bait to allow my 2 damaged cruisers a chance to escape and other shipping in the area. The 2 cruisers doubled back and are close to Darwin (P40s for CAP and a small repair shipyard).
Reloaded and ready to fire again. [&o]
Coastal Guns at Amboina [Ambon], 40,74, firing at TF 138
TF 138 troops unloading over beach at Amboina [Ambon], 40,74
675 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Tsurugisan Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Tokiwasan Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Katsurahama Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 11, on fire
AK Tarushima Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Shoko Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Koshin Maru
AK Kimishima Maru, Shell hits 1
AK Asakaze Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Nozima Maru
AK Ehime Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
1183 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Air:
17th - the early war surprise LBA is the Vildebeest. They have a range of 5/7. Torpedoes at 5 and 500lb bombs at 7. They have been doing well considering there are only 2 squadrons at Singapore. Them, plus B-17s hit 4 APs and an AK at Kuching.
18th - The Vilde hit a DD and AP at Kuching (once each). B-17s hit CA Maya and an AK once each.
Ground:
17th - Shock attack at Hong Kong fails with 116 causalties, 2 gun, 1 vehicle. Shortland is captured by a Construction Bn. Ambonia shock attacks fails (56th Bde, BF). [:D] Taiping falls to 18 Division, 3 Tank Rgt, 3 x Eng. Shock attacks at Brunei fails. Weda falls to 2 x SNGF
18th - Manado falls to 2 x SNLF. Kuching hold against 41st Mixed Rgt, EAB. Tavoy falls to the 55th Division. Chinese untis attack and force Japanese unit to retreat back into Nangchang.
Below is a screen shot of China. I had grown accustom to Andrew's map (stock map looks foreign to me now [:D]). Now, I have to adjust to RHS map. Please note that there are many ports on the inland river system. You have barges to move LCU, Fuel, and Supplies. I'm still trying to get a better handle on this new option.
