ITALIAN SAMURAI (CHS 160; Hoepner(J) vs. Cantona2(A))

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi All.
The game keeps on going on, i just had no time to update this AAR.
We're at 30/12/1941 and Japan is getting really huge losses.
His subs have sunk more than 30 of my cargo ships so far...i'm simply unable to stop them violating my major ports![:@]
We've sieged Manila and Bataan and conquered Clark Field in the PI.
In Malaya we're down to Jhore Baru.
Balikapan, Tarakan, Bejarmais and the whole southern Borneo is still in ducth hands so along with Palembang and the whole Java and Sumatra.
Our baby KB is stuck with no fuel at ambonia...i've just miscalculated the fuel and supplies needed to keep the pace of my advance and now i'm stuck waiting for some Fuel/supplies-TFs.
In CentPac he keeps on bombing with 40 4Es Johnston Isl. which is already unoperable and without any supply...
The KB is wondering with no real targets in CentPac...

The overall situation is really bad. We've already lost the "momentum" and inflicted no real damage to the allied fleets.
Seems that my abilities with Japan are gone after so many months without playing on the "evil-side"...

I'll try to post some more reports with the upcoming 1942...

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/29/41
 
Ok, let's try to update this game a bit...
As december finishes, the Japanese Army has divided the PI army into 2 big pockets, Manila and Bataan. I'm planning to solve the whole Philippinian problem within the next 2 weeks.
In China things are getting hot. His fighters are making me pay a heavy price, also because i'm trying not to overstack air units on bases, just to be as historical as possible.
At Johnston i finally managed to place 27 zeros there and my guys managed to shot down some 4Es today, but i cannot hold for too long under these conditions (the base is very ruined and the supplies are really a problem in centpac at the moment).
In Malaya we're still trying to get to Johre Baru...for mid Jan i hope to start the siege on Singapore....
 
 
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Sub attack near Koepang  at 29,77
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-122
 
Allied Ships
AK Sloet van de Beele, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
My subs are doing a good job
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 127,64
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-175
 
Allied Ships
AK Dorothy Luckenbach, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
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Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 27
Ki-15 Babs x 2
 
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
 
 
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 20
Ki-21-II Sally x 50
Ki-48-I Lily x 22
Ki-15 Babs x 8
 
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 2
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 3 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
 
 
Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 9
 

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Day Air attack on Johnston Island , at 104,78
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
 
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 20
B-17E Fortress x 36
LB-30 Liberator x 18
F-4 Lightning x 5
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 8 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
 
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 9
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 64th Chinese Corps, at 42,39
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 11
Ki-15 Babs x 1
Ki-36 Ida x 36
 
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed
 
 
 
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G3M Nell x 17
 
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 4
Brewster 339D x 3
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
AK Khoen Hola
AK Hermion, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 120469 troops, 718 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 2845
 
Defending force 47165 troops, 310 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 948
 
 
 
Allied ground losses:
308 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bataan
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 7264 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 487
 
Defending force 21234 troops, 77 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 432
 
Allied max assault: 106 - adjusted assault: 4
 
Japanese max defense: 436 - adjusted defense: 355
 
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1
 
 
Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
 
Allied ground losses:
455 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
 
 
This is a HUGE mistake imho...

 

[trollelite]

If you are still so chivalrous with airfield problem, the war would probably end in one year, obviously not with your victory...

[Gen.Hoepner]

I'm trying to keep the first months of war as balanced as possible. This doesn't mean that Japan will lose sooner than historical, at least it's not a written destiny imho.
But i'm having fun actually, and the game is well balanced, so i think my HRs are ok for the moment[;)]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/30/41

What a turn!!
My 8 Mavis at Johnston spotted last turn a BB TF moving from PH towards Johnston island. My goal here is to keep the base operative, so i decided to sacrifice the unity of my KB and deprived it of the BBs and CAs. These ships, along with some DDs formed a SCTF and moved at max speed towards Johnston Island, in order to stop the enemy bombardment run. The CVs moved northwards, in order to cut the retreat route of the allied ships.
During nighttime one of my subs run into a TF and spotted CV Saratoga moving away from Johston's area...he didn't manage to hit the CV, but sunk a DD...grgrgrrgrg[:@]
Then my newly formed SCTF ran into a minefields at Johnstons...Urakaze DD got badly hit by an american sub-laid mine...not a good start...
Then the allies came as predicted...a fierce surface battle!! He only had 1 CA, escorted by a bunch of DDs. The latters prooved to be very brave. Despite my ships, commanded by Yamagichi tried 3 times to charge the enemy's TF and to hit the CA, the DDs managed to make a usefull screen, sacrifying themself in order to save the flag-ship! They even managed to score some hits on one of my DDs, damaging it...which means sinking it because the nearest port is Kwalajein which is quite far away...
However the goal was achieved: Johston Isl. wasn't bombed and when the sun raised up my CVs attacked the fleeing enemy ships. I just forgot to place the Kates on naval attack so only my Vals took off...[:@][:@]....i was quite lucky the Saratoga went away cause only with Vals i could have risked a lot!
Anyway, what remain of the allied BBTF was savaged and this can be considered a tactical victory for Japan, at the cost of 2 DDs.

In China, Rangoon and Malaya some very tough A2A fights...the Nates were shot dowwn in droves and the allies did a very good job today with their planes. 9 japanese planes shot down against only 6 for the allies!

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TF 82 encounters mine field at Johnston Island (104,78)

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi
DD Akigumo
DD Urakaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Isokaze

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Sub attack at 109,75

Japanese Ships
SS I-8, hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Drayton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kilty
DD Crane
DD Porter
DD Flusser
DD Lamson
DD Mahan
CV Saratoga[:@][:@][:@]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Johnston Island at 104,78

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Urakaze, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
DD Bagley
DD Shaw
DD Tucker
DD Cassin
DD Downes
DD Farragut, Shell hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Johnston Island at 104,78

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CA Chikuma
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
DD Bagley, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shaw
DD Tucker
DD Cassin, Shell hits 1
DD Downes, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Farragut, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Johnston Island at 104,78

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo
DD Kagero, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Urakaze, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
DD Bagley, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Shaw
DD Tucker
DD Cassin
DD Downes, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Honan , at 49,31

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 29
Ki-21-II Sally x 21
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-27 Nate x 3
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Ki-21-II Sally x 77
Ki-48-I Lily x 27
Ki-15 Babs x 10

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 4 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 7 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 34

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Ki-21-II Sally x 77
Ki-48-I Lily x 27
Ki-15 Babs x 10

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 4 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 7 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 108,75

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
D3A2 Val x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 23, on fire, heavy damage

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Day Air attack on TF at 108,75

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
D3A2 Val x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 19, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 109,76

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Chew, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aylwin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 109,76

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ward, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Chew, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Litchfield, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 108,75

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A2 Val x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 109,76

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Litchfield, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 109,76

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monaghan, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Allen, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

[Gen.Hoepner]

Now we're advancing towards Timor, with the baby-KB and 2 SCTFs covering the invasion of the big island. The operational goal is as usual to isolate Java from Northern Oz, placing betties and nells in the triangle Koepang, Kendari, Ambonia.
Now i have to fear the "Java-Fortress" strategy. He can send his Brit CVs to Java, along with some land units. I have to be more carefull from now on with the baby KB wandering in the Mollucches waters....
I don't think there will be any real problem in Java, even if he brings his Indian units. The PI campaign is ending very quickly and the situation in Malaya looks ok so far, with quite a lot of british units trapped at Mersing and Malacca, while our 15th and 25th Armies are already at Johre Baru.
With all these units free to move to Java by Feb 42 i think we'll be ok.
Problem now is in the pacific, where i have to give a boost to my advance. But where to go? Suva-Lunga for sure...then we'll have to decide if It's a good idea to invade NZ....let's see...

[Gen.Hoepner]

Here's the screen shot for Japanese sunk ships...you have to add two more DDs that will sink surely after last battle at Johnston Isl....[:(]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/31/41

The Year ends with some good news.
CA Minneapolis finally sunk, even if my sub I-23 managed to miss the target of an agonizing big ship moving at 0knots[:@]
Some DDs were torpedoes between Darwin and Timor by my Nells based at Kendari.
In China we managed to repulse 2 enemy corps that tried to lay a siege on Nanchang, while in several other part of the chinese theatre we held our ground against those yellow bastards that are trying to advance. The perimeter is holding!...i'm just waiting to assemble a decent army in my backlines and be ready to roll over them!
At Malacca the first 8000 british POW were captured and now the way to Singapore is almost empty.
The Manila Air-Force is no longer existing...only 5 fighters are reported by my recon. Soon Manila will fall.
At Johnstons we're unloading, under the umbrella of the KB a CD unit, an heavy AA unit and more engeneers, just to be sure...
Same for Palmyra and Christmas Isl. and Wake
The composition of the advanced strongholds will be: A SNFL unit plus a Naval Garrison (more or less 100 AVs), a CD unit, 1 AA unit, a Base force with Radar in it and a pair of Constr. BNs each. Nells, Mavis and Oscar/zeros are already in place. This composition should free my hands in order to be able to move the KB southwards...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 122,67 *from Frisco to PH*
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-169
 
Allied Ships
AK Potter, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 110,74
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-23
 
Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis,  on fire,  heavy damage[:@] *she will sink later in the day*
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Honan , at 49,31
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26
Ki-21-II Sally x 17
Ki-15 Babs x 2
 
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 6
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
 

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Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Ki-21-II Sally x 70
Ki-48-I Lily x 24
Ki-15 Babs x 9
 
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-40B Tomahawk x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 6 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
PC Genesee, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP President Madison, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
 
 
Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12
 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 33,82 *south of Timor*
 
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 14
 
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 5 damaged
 
Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford
AP Westralia, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
AP Zealandia, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
 


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Ground combat at Malacca
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 16201 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 302
 
Defending force 4330 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
 
Japanese max assault: 299 - adjusted assault: 104
 
Allied max defense: 75 - adjusted defense: 31
 
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca base !!!
 
 
Japanese ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
 
Allied ground losses:
8193 casualties reported[:D][:D][:D]
Guns lost 6
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanchang
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 44130 troops, 206 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 949
 
Defending force 18260 troops, 87 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 454
 
Japanese max assault: 1032 - adjusted assault: 909
 
Allied max defense: 474 - adjusted defense: 80
 
Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1
 
 
Japanese ground losses:
661 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
 
Allied ground losses:
435 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating![:D][;)]
 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,33 *north of Syniang*
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 16794 troops, 99 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 526
 
Defending force 9970 troops, 20 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 276
 
Allied max assault: 535 - adjusted assault: 217
 
Japanese max defense: 286 - adjusted defense: 895
 
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1
 
 
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
 
Allied ground losses:
372 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
 
 

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/01/42
 
With the new year his sub-minelaying campaign grows on.... Every single base of mine is being sub-mined...it's a pain, also because these damned mines are really effective!!!
My subs scored 2 more hits today. We're doing a fair job in the sub-warfare. The point is that his escorts are becoming every day stronger and my subs are lready risking a lot...
The usual air war in China, where we're exchanging blows. His P-40s are holding their ground against my Nates. The kill ration for this theatre is almost 1-1.
At Manila we're keeping on pounding them. The USAFE air force has gone away and now the whole space above Luzon is a Japanese esclusive .
The Fall of Singapore is getting closer. Jhaore Barhu fell today and 5 more units are trapped between Mersing and Kuantan.
Now we'll move our IJAAF down to Johre Baru and within a week we'll start to bomb the hell out of Singapore. No mercy for Percival and his cowards!![:D]
 
Then the final note of the day. My baby-KB was chasing down few transports escorted by 2 DDs that were moving from Timor to Aus. We managed to sink some of them, repulse another air attack from Darwin and....suddenly in the afternoon a SF TF was spotted moving from Exmouth towards my position(NE of Whyallla) at max speed. Cruisers and destroyers.... Mostly Ducth ones. The TF has been attacked from 5 hexes of distance and we damaged the 2 leading CLs...[8D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 95 encounters mine field at Wake Island (85,72)
 
Japanese Ships
AK Malta Maru, Mine hits 1,  on fire
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 11,23 *near Colombo*
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-155, hits 1
 
Allied Ships
MSW Cromer, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Cromarty
SC Hollyhock
SC Aster
SC Nigella
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 122,67 *somewhere between PH and S.Frisco*
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-169
 
Allied Ships
AP Henry T. Allen, Torpedo hits 1
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 32,82 *baby-KB south of Timor*
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
 
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4
B-17E Fortress x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
AV Sagara Maru
AV Sanyo Maru
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 32,82
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
 
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 2
B-17D Fortress x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
 
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 30,85
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N2 Kate x 21
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
AVD Reiger, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage *sinks*
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
D3A2 Val x 26
B5N2 Kate x 45
 
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 4
Brewster 339D x 2
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 8,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Ballarat
MSW Ipswitch, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,81
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
D3A2 Val x 21
B5N2 Kate x 56
 
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
 
Allied Ships
CL Java, Bomb hits 7,  on fire,  heavy damage
CL De Ruyter, Bomb hits 12,  on fire,  heavy damage
CL Tromp, Bomb hits 2,  on fire
DD Kortenaer
DD Witte de With
DD Piet Hein
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 99764 troops, 525 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 2175
 
Defending force 11210 troops, 79 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 185
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
 
Japanese max assault: 1994 - adjusted assault: 1751
 
Allied max defense: 181 - adjusted defense: 413
 
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru base !!!
 
 
Japanese ground losses:
1244 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
 
Allied ground losses:
1180 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Now i need to rest a bit my units before crossing the water and shock attack Singa

[Gen.Hoepner]

After 3 weeks of war the overall situation is looking a bit better than last week.
The small victory at Johnston Isl. will surely slow down a bit his willing to bomb my advanced bases in CentPac.
He has made some mistakes Imho both in Luzon and Malaya.
At Luzon he didn't go for a Manila defence, letting me split and divide his units at Bataan and Manila. In piecemail it will be easier and quicker to destroy the USAFE. In Manila, with the arrival of the 21th Division within the next week, there will be more than 3000 AV points. With some hammering from my IJAAF Manila should fall pretty quickly.
In Malaya he let me first create a pocket with 4 units of his own at Malacca, then, not defending Johre Baru with considerable forces, he let 5 more units be trapped at Mersing, without any chance of getting to Singa and reinforce the base.
After Manila and Singa will be conquered, we'll have to divert our attention to the production facilities. Southern Borneo (with Tarakan and Balikapan) must be conquered intact! Same for Palembang and Java.
The idea is to get rid of the whole DEI-SRA-PI by the end of Feb.42.
At the same time, during the next 2 months i'll be looking for a decisive carrier battle in CentPac...let's see if the allies get too confident again...[;)]

[Gen.Hoepner]

here's the plan for China'42

[Gen.Hoepner]

Something important noticed but forgot to tell in the previous post.
At Darwin there are 11 units spotted. Considering that in CHS there are, if i remember well 5 units at the beginning of the war, there must be 6 more units moved there. I bet those aren't any Aus units. Just fragments of units brought there from PI-DEI-SRA theatres.
I already know Darwin is going to be a problem in the future. I can foresee his bombers carpetting (kind of neologism) the whole southern DEI, from Timor to Ambonia passing through Kendari. Gotta think if it will be worth an invasion of Darwin in the nearby future...we have an houserule that say that Oz cannot be invaded before the whole SRA-DEI is conquered......
i have to consider what to do, where to go when the SRA-DEI will be over...Northern Oz is surely a possible target...

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/02/42

A bad day for the Empire of the Rising Sun.
At Johnston again the 4Es come en masse! more than 50 air- monsters came at daylight and smashed the base, destroying 2 zeros. More 36 Oscars are coming but i'm starting to fear that the capture of Johnston was a kind of boomerang for Japan...i feel idiot[:(]

The only good news of the day is the sinking of two crippled ducth CLs near Timor, already pounded by my Baby-KB yesterday...however i do not care much about those CLs...they are useless for the allies, while my zeros lost at Johnston are so precious....

In China he managed to cross the river south of Changsha and pushed my little garrison back towards Canton...

At Manila and Bataan the constant land and air bombings continue in the hope to dry up their supplies...the AVs of the defenders are still a bit too high....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 21
Ki-21-II Sally x 69
Ki-48-I Lily x 27
Ki-15 Babs x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-48-I Lily: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Palawan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Asheville, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Johnston Island , at 104,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 17
B-17E Fortress x 37
LB-30 Liberator x 24
F-4 Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 28,79

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Java, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
CL De Ruyter, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8588 troops, 186 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2906

Defending force 46229 troops, 301 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 944



Allied ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bataan

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 924 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 439

Defending force 24006 troops, 167 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 448



Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[Mistmatz]

There is only one way to stop the raids on Johnston...

I know it wasn't your intention, but it's either that, suffer or retreat. [;)][8D]

[trollelite]

I suppose suffer is better....[;)]

Retreat simply invite suffer elsewhere.[:D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/03/42
 
His subs started again to attack my transports everywhere on the map. It's simply un-impossible to stop them all, even when bringing strong ASW assets...
For every sub i sink i've lost an average of 3 vassells...[:(]
His 4Es came back today over Johston. Today more zeros took off and we managed to inflict some losses to the attackers....however 2 zeros are lost in the process...
Heavy air combat over Singapore today...the brits fought fiercely but numbers and quality were on japan's side. Soon the skies above singapore will be emptied from the british presence...
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Takao  at 47,45
 
Japanese Ships
AK Keisho Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island  at 104,78
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Seki Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Allied Ships
SS S-18
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singapore , at 22,51
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 29
Ki-15 Babs x 1
 
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 10 destroyed
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Johnston Island , at 104,78
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
 
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 13
B-17E Fortress x 28
LB-30 Liberator x 12
F-4 Lightning x 2
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
Runway hits 4
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Brunei  at 33,56
 
Japanese Ships
PC Shonan Maru #6, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
PG Sozan Maru
PG Eifuku Maru
PG Hashidate
DD Nagatsuki
DD Sagiri
DD Ayanami
DD Shirakumo
DD Usugumo
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
 
Allied Ships
SS O19
 

 

[Gen.Hoepner]

His subs are driving me crazy....never seen allied subs doing these things so early!!!!
Take a look at the number of attacks....
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kendari  at 33,71
 
Japanese Ships
PG Saiko Maru, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
PG Edo Maru
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Wa 19
MSW Wa 14
MSW Wa 10
 
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tarawa  at 84,95 *nearly miss*
 
Japanese Ships
AP Kinryu Maru
PG Nagata Maru
PG Kaikei Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
 
Allied Ships
SS Pompano
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 81,85
 
Japanese Ships
TK Ayazono Maru
MSW Shanan Maru #16
 
Allied Ships
SS Trout
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 68,54
 
Japanese Ships
TK Nissho Maru, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
SS Searaven
 

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/10/42
 
The situation for the Empire grows worse every day. The allied sub-hunters are really killing Japan's abilities to deliver supplies and men to the front lines. Those bastards lay mines in every single base i have and despite i'm placing MSWs everywhere they're simply not enough...even worse: as soon as my MSWs arrive into a base to clear the mines just laid, another sub is hunting for them....
My ASW TFs are doing something, but never enough...the rate now is 5 ships lost for every enemy sub put out of action!!... Yesterday also a DD was torpedoed at Brunei will probably sink...
At Johston Isl. his 4Es are fighting daily with my fighters...problem is that every day more 4Es come and i cannot add more fighters in defence of the little island...
This war is going to be lost very soon-..[:o]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 34,75
 
My best ASW ships are unable to score a single hit...[:(]

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 39
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
APD Patrol Boat No. 37
APD Patrol Boat No. 36
DD Yamakaze
DD Yukikaze
 
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island  at 104,78
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru #5, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage[:@] *sinks*
MSW Tama Maru #3
MSW Shonan Maru #8
MSW Shonan Maru #7
MSW Fumi Maru #2
 
Allied Ships
SS S-18
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island  at 104,78
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Shonan Maru #8, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage *sinks*[:@]
MSW Tama Maru #3
MSW Shonan Maru #7
MSW Fumi Maru #2
 
Allied Ships
SS S-18
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Johnston Island , at 104,78
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2
 
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 15
B-17E Fortress x 48[X(]
LB-30 Liberator x 24
F-4 Lightning x 4
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 17 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
 

[Gen.Hoepner]

Anyway, i'll stay there at Johnston and try to hold that position as long as i can...but i already know that in few more weeks it will be simply impossible to maintain a stiff defence there...
 
However this week we'll launch the final assault at Manila and Singapore, so the situation in the DEI-SRA should become fluid again.
 
Then i think i'll go for India if timing will be favourable.

[okami]

I believe the last combat report shows that you are indeed winning the fight over Johnson Island. Keep it supplied and bring it another A6M2 unit and you will win. Unescorted bombers against Zero's in numbers will win the day. Keep up the fight. Also all those 4E bombers here means they are not where they are needed.