Australia: Japanese landing operations underway at Portland Roads. Jap LCU's are unidentified, though at least 2 LCU are detected. AAR follows. Situation map also follows.
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TF 269 troops unloading over beach at Portland Roads, 49,94
Japanese ground losses:
267 casualties reported
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TF 269 troops unloading over beach at Portland Roads, 49,94
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting 3 disbanded ships in port, 5 Jap LCU's. No detected change in Jap forces at Thursday Is.
No air or ground combat occurred in NW Australia. Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek.
F-5A recon over Darwin reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap TF's (+1 from last report), 3 disbanded ships in port (+1 from last report), 63 aircraft (25 fighters), 2 Jap LCU's (no change).
AK Crater arrived in Sydney from Panama City with U.S. 69th Bomb Squadron (12 B-26 Marauders). This transport is the first U.S. reinforcements arriving in Australia since 12/41.
Attachments
NEAustral..122942.jpg (282.93 KiB) Viewed 299 times
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
Small Jap bombing raids continue against a variety of locations in Burma and NE India. AAR's follow. Pillager appears to be maintaining some interest in Myitkyina. Damage from these raids is minimal (at least as far as impact on current Allied ops is concerned).
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Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 26
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8
Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 21
Ki-48-II Lily x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-II Lily: 4 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 16000 feet
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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 34,26
Japanese aircraft
G5N Liz x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
G5N Liz: 20 damaged
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 5 Jap TF's (-1 from last report), heavy industry 99(94), 195 aircraft (102 fighters, 3 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's (no change). Dutch submarine K-XI detected one Jap TF with 7 ships leaving Rangoon.
China: Jap recon flights over Chungking and Tuyun. Otherwise quiet.
Latest victory point report as of 12/29. As of now Pillager doesn't have a Jap auto-victory. Even though we're continuing the game anyway, it's still a moral victory for the Allied side... It will be a quiet three days if there's anything for me to say about it.
Attachments
VictoryPo..122942.jpg (193.29 KiB) Viewed 299 times
North Pacific: Sigint report for 12/30 includes entry indicating 62 Construction Bn now located at Paramushiro Jima - this unit was transferred to Paramushiro Jima from Singapore. 62 Construction Bn was known to be in Singapore as of 10/14/42.
Central Pacific: U.S. subs around Kwajalein reporting contacts with patrolling E13A1 Jake scout planes and a stray Ki-49 Helen.
Contact lost with the Japanese sub I-6 at Palmyra. U.S. MSW TF found and cleared a small minefield in Palmyra, probably laid by the I-6.
Jap recon flight again over Penhryn Is. Disembarkation of 27th Seabees and supply on Penrhyn continues.
South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Norfolk Is, otherwise quiet.
Australia: Several arrivals of Allied transports from both Aden and Panama City. AK Aridad arrived in Sydney from the U.S. carrying a second bomber squadron (70th Bomb Squadron with 16 B-26 Marauders), TK Empire Lytton arrived in Melbourne from Aden with 12K Oil.
Japanese forces capture Portland Roads. AAR's follow. Of the Japanese LCU's that landed at and captured Portland Roads, 8 NLF was brought in from Rabaul, the other three LCU's were all brought in from Milne Bay.
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TF 193 troops unloading over beach at Portland Roads, 49,94
Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
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TF 213 troops unloading over beach at Portland Roads, 49,94
Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
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TF 193 troops unloading over beach at Portland Roads, 49,94
Japanese ground losses:
115 casualties reported
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Sub attack near Portland Roads at 49,94
Japanese Ships
AP Bokuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Chitose Maru
MSW Choyo Maru #2
Allied Ships
SS S-27
Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
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Day Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 49,94
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 7
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Chowa Maru
AP Bokuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 3000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 29,24
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 49
Ki-21-II Sally x 4
Ki-49 Helen x 4
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
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Ground combat at Portland Roads
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1796 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 86
8 NLF, Yokosuka 5 SNLF, 37 Construction Bn, 7 Naval Construction Bn
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese max assault: 7 - adjusted assault: 4
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Portland Roads base !!!
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M3 fighters on CAP, no disbanded ships in port (-3 from last report), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).
Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek.
Detected status of Jap base in Darwin - no Jap TF's, 2 ships disbanded in port, 69 aircraft (29 fighters), 2 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting A6M2 fighters on CAP, 4 Jap LCU's (-1 from last report).
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Dimapur, Chittagong. Japanese bombing raid activity has stopped.
RAF Blenheims and U.S. B-25's hit Magwe airfield in a night bombing raid - no significant losses or damage reported.
Liberator III recon over Rangoon reports 2 Jap TF's (-3 from last report), heavy industry 100(93), 211 aircraft (99 fighters, 12 bombers), 9 Jap LCU's (no change).
China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi, Chungking, Tuyun, Sining. Otherwise no significant activity reported.
Central Pacific: Jap carrier aircraft at Kwajalein are active again. U.S. subs around Kwajalein reporting contacts with a small number of Jap carrier air patrols and the normal allotment of E13A1 Jake scout planes.
Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is.
South Pacific: Jap recon flight (H8K Emily) over Auckland. All sectors elsewhere reporting quiet.
Australia: Jap fighter sweep against Tennant Creek. Allied fighter squadrons in Tennant Creek had been stood down to rest pilots and service damaged aircraft. AAR follows.
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Day Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 34,95
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 20
A6M3a Zero x 22
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Portland Roads area is quiet. U.S. B-17 squadrons are redeployed to hit Jap LCU's in Portland Roads (as long as they're conveniently exposed in the open without fortifications of any kind).
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting A6M3 fighters on CAP, 68 aircraft (28 fighters), 2 disbanded ships in port (+2 from last report), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).
No Allied recon flight over Darwin.
Hudson I recon flight over Exmouth reporting A6M2 fighters on CAP, 5 Jap LCU's (+1 from last report).
Sigint report for 12/31 indicates Jap 3 Engineer Rgt now in Butuan (Mindanao). 3 Engineer Rgt was transferred out of NW Australia to the Philippines - previous known location was at Katherine on 6/11/42.
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Dimapur and Imphal. Night air bombing attacks against Magwe by RAF Blenheims and U.S. B-25's - no significant damage or losses reported.
Large Japanese bombing raid against Allied airfield facilities at Chittagong. AAR follows.
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Day Air attack on Chittagong , at 31,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 18
A6M3a Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 48
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 43
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 43
Ki-21-II Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 51
Ki-48-II Lily x 26
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 12
Hurricane IID/IV x 6
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 6000 feet
B-24D recon over Rangoon reporting 2 Jap TF's (no change, one TF with 3 BB's), 9 Jap LCU's (no change), heavy industry 101(92).
China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Chengtu, Tuyun.
Sigint for 12/31 reporting Jap 15 Road Construction Bn is now at Kavieng, this unit transferred there from the China Army. Previous known location of 15 Road Construction Bn was Tientsin on 10/24/42.
A few ships have begun 1/43 upgrades, most notably BB Arizona & Pennsylvania. Also a small number of DD, SC, SS, and other ships.
I haven't been paying as much attention to aircraft replacement pools as I should have... replacement pools of Hurricane II and P-40E aircraft have dwindled to almost zero. This a result of air-to-air combat over Burma and NW Australia. With nearly all my front-line fighter squadrons equipped with either Hurricane II or P-40E, lack of replacements for these two fighter types will restrict air-to-air combat for a yet to be determined period of time. While all fighter squadrons have a full complement of aircraft, use of these squadrons in combat will have to be watched very carefully as long as replacement aircraft shortages continue.
North Pacific: AS Sperry arrived at Adak Is base - this now provides Adak with capablilty of supporting submarine ops.
Central Pacific: A relatively small number of Jap carrier air patrols still detected by U.S. subs around Kwajalein - this along with a larger number of patrol flights by E13A1 Jake scout planes.
Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is.
South Pacific: Jap recon flight again over Auckland, otherwise quiet.
Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek.
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting A6M3 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap TF's (+2 from last report), 2 disbanded ships in port (no change), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, otherwise no detected change in Jap forces.
Southeast Asia: Reports indicate Japanese 18th Division transferred into this theater from NW Australia. Sigint report for 1/1 included entry indicating 18 Division now located at Bangkok. Previous location of 18 Division was Katherine on 6/2/42.
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong, Dimapur.
RAF Blenheim I and U.S. B-25's continue night bombing strikes against Jap base in Magwe. AAR's follow.
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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 12
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 3
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
A pretty quiet day in most areas. More ships observed starting 1/43 upgrade - many MSW's in Australia now upgrading.
North Pacific: PBY Catalina I on patrol reporting Jap submarine east of Attu Is and north of the Aleutian island chain. Jap sub is still operating an E14Y1 Glen float plane.
Central Pacific: U.S. submarines around Kwajalein continue reporting contacts with a number of Jap carrier aircraft, also E13A1 Jake scout planes.
Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. Landing operations continue on Penhryn Is, work on construction to expand port and airfield facilities on Penhryn has begun.
South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland, otherwise quiet.
Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No air or ground combat activity to report.
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting A6M3 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap TF's remain in Port Moresby, 12 ships disbanded in port (+10 from last report), 5 Jap LCU's (no change).
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting no activity or detected change in Jap forces.
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Dimapur, Chittagong.
Another night bombing attack on Magwe by RAF Blenheims. No report of significant losses or damage.
Detected status of Jap base at Magwe - 251 aircraft (76 fighters, 82 bombers).
Jap AK Akita Maru torpedoed and confirmed sunk off Rangoon by Dutch sub K-XI. K-XI was hit 7 times and very heavily damaged in several ASW attacks by Jap destroyers.
Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - heavy industry 103(90), 8 Jap LCU's (-1 from last report). One unidentified Jap LCU's detected outside Rangoon and appears to be moving overland towards the north.
China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Liuchow, Nanning, Sining, Pakhoi.
North Pacific: Jap submarine remains east of Attu Is and operating its E14Y1 Glen float plane. A small ASW task force was sent to the Jap sub's location but failed to make contact - ASW ops in northern waters understandably being a bit tough in January.
Central Pacific: U.S. submarines around Kwajalein reporting same contacts with Jap patrol aircraft - some carrier planes along with E13A1 Jakes.
U.S. landing operations continue at Penhryn.
South Pacific: A number of U.S. ships originally bound for Penhryn Is have been diverted to Papaete (Society Is) to occupy and begin base construction there. These ships are carrying a Seabee unit and approx 11K supply.
Jap recon flight over Auckland.
Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek.
U.S. B-17 bombers attacked disbanded Japanese ships in port at Port Moresby. AAR follows. These bombers were initially transferred to the Australian east coast (from Tennant Creek) for ground attacks on Jap LCU's landing at Portland Roads. Reports from Catalina I recon flights over Port Moresby indicating 12 Jap ships disbanded in Port Moresby provided a more tempting opportunity.
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 54,93
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 4
B-17D Fortress x 24
B-17E Fortress x 23
Japanese Ships
PG Keiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Toshi Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Port supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
Catalina I recon flight over Port Moresby reporting A6M3 fighters on CAP, 2 disbanded ships in port (-10 from last report), 201 aircraft (45 fighters, 61 bombers), 6 Jap LCU's (+1 from last report). Pillager managed to get his ships out of Port Moresby ahead of my bombing strike - appears he realizes the consquence of leaving ships at anchor within range of 4E bombers.
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting no detected Jap activity or change in forces.
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong, Dimapur.
Night bombing strike on Jap base in Magwe by RAF Blenheim I and U.S. B-25 bombers. RAF and U.S. Liberators bomb heavy industry in Rangoon. AAR's for both attacks follow.
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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 8
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 22
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 12
Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 61
B-24D Liberator x 35
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
7 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
7 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
Comments or ideas from readers welcomed... re: aircraft replacements
After noticing my replacement aircraft pools for P-40E's had completely disappeared, I browsed through USAAF fighter squadrons located at various bases on the U.S. west coast, Pearl Harbor, and Panama City and noticed a significant number of fighter squadrons were operating P-40E's.
I went back and started a new CHS scenario 158 vs Japanese AI to look at U.S. fighter squadrons as they existed on 12/7/41. What I found was that many USAAF fighter squadrons (a minimum of 15-20) have an upgrade path to P-40E's from P-36's, P-40B's, etc. In my PBEM with Pillager, all these squadrons are now operating P-40E's.
What I had done in my PBEM with Pillager (perhaps not knowing better) was leaving upgrade turned on for all Allied air units - they were not toggled to "Do not Upgrade". I may have toggled "Upgrade Now" on some of these squadrons to convert to P-40E's, but I wonder if some of these squadrons automatically upgraded to P-40E's as aircraft became available in the replacement pool.
Anyway... whether I did it manually or the game did it automatically, most of the missing P-40E's from my replacement pool were not battle casualties. They turned into upgraded fighter squadrons.
What I've done in my PBEM was toggle all Allied air units to "Do not Upgrade" - the premise behind this to ensure air units do not upgrade their aircraft until I select them for upgrade. My intention is having all new aircraft (production and replacements) go into the pool and remain there until needed to replace losses (battle or operational) or when I select an air squadron or group to upgrade its aircraft.
Also... would it be feasible to disband some of my P-40E fighter squadrons still on the U.S. west coast to put P-40E's back into the replacement pool? The fighter squadrons I'm proposing to disband would not be needed in the time they would take to return to the game as reinforcements.
Always turn automatic upgrades off, everywhere for this very reason! [:)] Also you will need to watch the new air units you receive as they will enter with upgrades turned on (depending on your game settings).
No need to disband, just upgrade your rear-area P-40E units in the opposite direction. You can "upgrade" them to P-40Bs, P-36s, P-43s, etc, to free up P-40Es. Make sure you turn the upgrade off again after you do so. Good luck!
North Pacific: Contact lost with unidentified Japanese sub last detected east of Attu Is.
Central Pacific: U.S. submarines around Kwajalein continue reporting same contacts with Jap patrol aircraft - some carrier planes along with E13A1 Jake & F1M2 Pete float planes, plus the stray Ki-49 Helen.
The "stray" Ki-49 Helen attacked and hit U.S. sub Searaven near Kwajalein. SS Searaven was moderately damaged and is returning to base.
Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is.
U.S. ships at Penhryn continue unloading supply and more Seabees.
South Pacific: All sectors reporting quiet.
Australia: Jap recon over Tennant Creek. No ground or air combat to report.
Another port of call in the voyages of U.S. sub Argonaut, and a freshly laid minefield in Darwin.
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting no Jap activity or change in Jap forces.
Several TK from Aden arriving at Perth - TK Longworth (cargo 12K fuel) and Empire Viscount (12 Oil).
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports 6 Jap TF's (+3 from last report), 186 aircraft (32 fighters, 52 bombers), 6 Jap LCU's (no change).
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Imphal, and Myitkyina. Pillager's still showing a possible interest in Myitkyina.
Japanese air bombing raid on airfield facilities in Dimapur. Night air attacks by RAF and USAAF bombers continue against Magwe. AAR's of both actions follow.
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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 17
B-25C Mitchell x 8
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
11 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Dimapur , at 35,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
Ki-21-II Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 53
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
18 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
Unidentified Jap submarine spotted off Ceylon (hex 12,28) by several Allied naval search patrols. An ASW TF was formed in Colombo and is now awaiting the Jap sub's arrival.
China: Jap recon flights over Chungking and Tuyun. Otherwise quiet.
Appreciate the feedback. I can see where I'll have to watch new air units entering as reinforcements.
I'll have to go back and look at individual air squadrons again, but appeared that you could only upgrade "forward" to a newer aircraft type. Didn't seem like you can "reverse" upgrade a squadron to an older aircraft type the squadron had before (i.e. P-40E's to P-36, P-40B, etc). Possibly CHS doesn't allow this?
It does. Just choose the aircraft model you want to upgrade too. err, this might be different if you have PDUs off. in which case you may be out of luck.
View of the Big Picture #8 - Some notes on Intel
What has turned out to be very effective (even if not 100.000% accurate) is maintaining records on the entire Japanese LCU order-of-battle. While this piece of bookkeeping does add an extra few minutes of "processing" to each game turn, it does have its dividends.
First - there's knowing where each Jap LCU is located (of the best information you have on them) and when they were last encountered there.
Second (and maybe even more importantly) - as new information on Jap LCU's come in, the new information can be compared to previous information collected on that LCU. Very handy for tracing movements, and patterns of movement. Basic "connecting the dots".
Could be said that LCU's are the "ground floor" of a player's strategy - the key to a lot of doors. Where an opponent is concentrating his effort, whether offensively or to defend a base or area. Where an opponent's bases are located, especially the major ones, and the approximate size and type of base it is (presence and number of air and/or naval support LCU's).
It doesn't tell everything but it tells enough. Locations and movement of an opponent's LCU indicate the basics of his overall strategy. You can't invade anything without LCU's. You can't defend anything without LCU's. You don't operate ships and planes without LCU's. You don't build base facilities without LCU's. You don't support anything (very well) without LCU's. If you know where they are, you have half an idea of what the enemy is doing.
Cathartes,
We're playing this scenario with PDU turned off, which appears to eliminate "reverse" upgrade of air units as an option. Looks as if the P-40E replacement pool has to be rebuilt the old fashioned way...save them up.
For now my front-line P-40E squadrons are staying out of combat as much as possible - rotating other fighter squadrons up in their place. There's still the option of disbanding one or two rear-area squadrons with P-40E's on the U.S. west coast as an emergency measure.
Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 132 days
Also a bit of intel today.
North Pacific: E14Y1 Glen float plane reported flying over Kiska. Our unidentified Jap sub remains in the area.
Central Pacific: U.S. subs near Kwajalein reporting Jap carrier aircraft (both Kates & Vals) , E13A1 Jake & F1M2 Pete float planes, and Ki-49 Helens flying patrol. SS Swordfish attacked and hit by F1M2 Pete. Swordfish moderately damage and returning to base.
U.S. sub Seal at Pago Pago spotted and attacked Japanese surface TF (CL Natori and 3 DD). Possible missions of Jap surface TF include an attack on Penhryn Is, if so within the next 2-3 days.
Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is.
Sigint report for 1/5 includes entry indicating Jap 43 Naval Guard is now at Canton Is. 43 Naval Guard is new to the Jap LCU order of battle and apparently entered the game as a reinforcement.
South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland.
Another Sigint report entry for 1/5 indicating the Mongol Cavalry Division now located in Rabaul. This division was transferred to Rabaul from the Kwantung Army (Manchuria).
Recent reports and information on Mongol Cavalry Div and other Jap LCU's are pointing towards Pillager transferring LCU's from China and the Kwantung Army and very possibly redeploying these units to garrison key bases in Central & South Pacific.
Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. TK Empire Nugget (cargo 12K Oil) arriving in Perth from Aden.
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports one Jap TF (-5 from last report), 3 disbanded ships in port (+1 from last report), 201 aircraft (46 fighters, 59 bombers), 6 Jap LCU's (no change).
Detected status of Jap base in Darwin - 3 disbanded ships in port, 2 Jap LCU's.
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong, Myitkyina, Imphal.
Several ground attack bombing raids by Jap planes against Chinese divisions in Myitkyina - light casualties reported. Pillager certainly has an interest in this place.
Night bombing raids against Magwe by RAF Blenheims and USAAF B-25's continue.
Catalina I recon over Rangoon reporting 3 Jap TF's (one with 2 BB), heavy industry 93(100), 8 Jap LCU's. A Hudson I flying naval patrol over Rangoon identified one BB as the Fuso.
Japanese submarine spotted prowling near Ceylon on 1/4 appeared in Colombo. The sub (identified as I-162) was attacked in Colombo by an ASW TF. The I-162 was confirmed sunk.
Sigint report for 1/5 included an entry indicating Japanese Burma Army HQ moved from Rangoon to Meiktila. HQ Burma Army was last detected in Rangoon on 11/23/42.
China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi, Chungking, Liuchow.
Yet another Sigint report entry for 1/5 indicates Jap 70th Division is now in Shanghai. Last known location of 70 Division was Changsha on 8/19/42. Will we see 70 Division again in the Pacific? And where?
North Pacific: E14Y1 Glen float plane spotted by U.S. transport convoy east of Kiska. Our unidentified Jap sub is still around.
Central Pacific: U.S. submarines around Kwajalein reporting contacts with patrolling E13A1 Jake & F1M2 Pete float planes, Ki-49 Helen bombers. No activity from Jap carrier aircraft.
SS Swordfish near Kwajalein attacked and hit again by an E13A1 Jake. Swordfish took a small amount of additional damage and still proceeding back to base.
SS Seal at Pago Pago reports G3M Nell patrol flights.
U.S. 26th Seabees and more supply continues disembarking at Penhryn. Jap recon flight (H8K Emily) over Penhryn. A Jap surface TF is possibly enroute to Penhryn (from Pago Pago). If so, estimated to reach Penhryn in 1-2 days. Unloading ops by U.S. ships in Penhryn will continue one more day then be suspended for expected arrival of the Jap TF.
South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland.
Two transport convoys arrived at Papaete (Society Is) with U.S. 20th Seabees and approx 11K supply - ships are now unloading in Papaete.
Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No air or ground combat to report.
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting Ki-61 Tony and A6M2 fighters on CAP, 5 Jap TF's (+4 from last report), 2 ships disbanded in port (-1 from last report), 219 aircraft (43 fighters, 56 bombers), 6 Jap LCU's (no change).
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M3 fighters on CAP, no detected activity or change in Jap forces.
Detected status of Jap base in Darwin - 2 disbanded ships in port, 2 Jap LCU's.
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Myitkyina, Chittagong, Imphal.
Night bombing attacks on Jap base in Magwe continue. Detected status of Jap base in Magwe - 230 aircraft (96 fighters, 43 bombers), 7 Jap LCU's.
Japanese ground forces detected moving northward from Mandalay towards Myitkyina. A total of 3 Jap LCU's were detected but are unidentified at this time. Several Allied bombing strikes have been ordered to attack Jap LCU's advancing on Myitkyina and (just as importantly) identify them. Allied forces defending Myitkyina include four of the Chinese "Southeast Asia" divisions (347 total assault strength). Myitkyina base currently has level 5 fortifications. Supply situation in Myitkyina is OK - airlift of supply by Allied transport planes is underway.
Unidentified Jap submarine detected at Chittagong.
A fairly large Jap bombing raid against Allied airfield in Asansol - AAR follows.
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Day Air attack on Asansol , at 30,22
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22
A6M3a Zero x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 38
Ki-21-II Sally x 23
Ki-49 Helen x 53
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21 (status of Asansol base - airfield service damage 11, runway damage 9)
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
North Pacific: E14Y1 Glen float plane spotted over Kiska, no sighting of the Jap sub.
Central Pacific: U.S. submarines around Kwajalein continue to report contacts with patrolling E13A1 Jake & F1M2 Pete float planes, Ki-49 Helen bombers. Still no activity from Jap carrier aircraft.
E13A1 Jake attacked and hit SS Shark near Kwajalein. SS Shark received moderate damage and returning to base.
Jap recon flight (H8K Emily) over Penhryn Is. Along with this.. U.S. submarines Snapper and Salmon on patrol at Penhryn reported contacts with E13A1 Jake float planes. Contacts with E13A1 Jakes indicate the likely approach of a Japanese surface TF - probably the one spotted by SS Seal on 1/5 at Pago Pago. Unloading ops by U.S. transports at Penhryn have been suspended effective immediately and all transport ships in Penhryn ordered to sea.
South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Norfolk Is and Auckland, otherwise quiet.
Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek.
U.S. A-20 bombers strike Jap airfield in Daly Waters. AAR follows.
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Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 14
A6M3a Zero x 14
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
1 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 10000 feet
Hudson I recon over Darwin reporting 4 disbanded ships in port (+2 from last report), 2 Jap LCU's (no change).
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports A6M2 fighters on CAP, no detected activity or change in Jap forces.
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting Ki-61 Tony and A6M2 fighters on CAP, 3 Jap TF's (-2 from last report), 3 ships disbanded in port (+1 from last report), 206 aircraft (44 fighters, 45 bombers), 6 Jap LCU's (no change).
India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Imphal, Chittagong, Myitkyina.
Ground attacks by Allied bombers have identified two of the three Jap LCU's detected advancing towards Myitkyina as HQ 15th Army and 1 Reserve Tank Rgt. Air strikes on Jap ground forces moving to Myitkyina will continue.
Catalina I recon over Rangoon reporting 4 Jap TF's (no change), 121 aircraft (56 fighters), heavy industry 95(98), 8 Jap LCU's (no change).
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000
