RHSEBO Test 11C vs Panzerjaeger: exploitation and Russian crisis

[el cid again]

The day turn began with 17 Nells and 12 Ju-88s - escorted by 12 Zeros - out of Bangkok - raiding Rangoon. They met 3 Buffalos on CAP - and shot one down before the other 2 bugged out. 30 hits on ground targets.

5 Whirraways came in on Singora with 3 Buffalos and 11 Blenheim night fighters in company - found 4 Petes and 12 Ki-41s on CAP - penetrated the CAP and destroyed 2 light bombers on the ground, caused 10 casualties, 1 vehicle lost and 5 other hits. 2 Allied aircraft shot down and 5 damaged by fighter and AAA defenses

21 Ki-41s swept Georgetown - met 3 Buffalos - but amazingly everyone went home OK - mainly because the Buffalos bugged out on the first pass.

43 Zeros swept Manila - met no CAP - and accomplished nothing.

2 JAAF strikes on the Red 47th Guerilla Regiment caused 12 and 51 casualties respectively. 2 more on the ROC 50th Guerilla Regiment caused 13 casualties and 1 gun lost (first) and no damage (2nd). 2 more on the 50th Guerilla Regiment caused 24 casualties and 2 guns lost (1st) and 16 casualties and 2 guns lost (2nd).

A JNAF attack out of Saipan caused 13 casualties and 1 gun lost to the Guam Insular Force

9 Ki-51s attacked the RAF 2nd Forward Air Station on the RR West of Bangkok - but failed to hit anything in the jungle terrain.

3 IL-4s from Chunking raided Bako - met 15 fighters of 2 types (Army and Navy) - and bugged out. Later 6 more tried again - met 31 fighters this time - and 4 were damaged before they gave up and bugged out. 1 Ki-27 also was damaged by defensive fire.

3 B-17s and 2 P-40s out of Manila missed IJN Yamato in the Visayas.

4 Swordfish - boldly forward based at Victoria Point - put a bomb into AP Ryugi Maru in the Gulf of Siam. Later 3 more put 2 bombs into AP Jinsan Maru in the same area.

3 Nells out of Lahaina missed AVD Avocet NE of Hawaii. Later 10 more put 3 large 250 kg bombs into AO Neosho in the same area.

11 Ki-21s in their first raid of the Central Pacific campaign, also out of Lahaina, raided PH - unescorted (bad idea) - met no less than 38 Allied fighters of 3 types - which proceeded to chew them up. AAA chewed up more. 6 were lost. In spite of this - they put 2 small 50 kg bombs into ML Oglala. 6 more put 4 bombs into AO Sapulga NE of Hawaii.

Two divisions of RN PT boats made it all the way to Wenchow China - a rare Allied base. But - after the long transit from HK unharmed - there they were attacked by a dozen Claudes out of Formosa - each taking 8 gun hits - from the 20 mm armed version of Claude we use here -
and one also took a small bomb hit.

3 Ki-48s out of the new base at Legaspi put 3 bombs into AO Pecos at Manila. They missed another AO entirely. Later 6 more put 3 more bombs into the same target.

15 Betty's out of Indochina torpedoed and sank ML Somenop in the South China Sea. 4 more missed an AP.

13 SOVIET Lagg-3 out of Suchen missed AK Shinju Maru offshore. We have protested - but the ship was too close to Soviet territory.

One wing of the KB sent 25 Vals and 41 Zeros after BB California - which seemed undamaged. She took 13 hits - and later sank. Next it sent 24 Vals and 22 Kates against CA Minneapolis and 2 DDs. They missed the DDs but put 5 bombs and 3 torpedoes into the cruiser. 22 Zeros flew escort. Next 23 Vals and 22 Kates - covered by 4 Zeros - put 9 more bombs into her - missed a DD - and put 2 bombs into DMS Lamberton. The cruiser sank by the end of the day.

The other wing of the KB sent 16 Vals and 20 Kates against BB Maryland - putting 5 bombs and 3 torpedoes into her - but while she seemed to sink ("target not found") - she is not listed as sunk. Regardless - she is doomed - too slow to escape the too near KB. The same force sent 7 Vals to attack, hit and sink DMS Tracy.

[el cid again]

BB Yamato - with 7 DD in company - ran into AS Canopus at sea - and sank her with 3 heavy shell hits at long range.

I-171 put 2 fish into ML Oglala near PH. She already was burning from 2 bomb hits earlier in the day.

Ground assault achieved 3:1 odds and captured Brunei from the static defense force there - demoralized by air strikes.

Ground assault achieved 5:1 odds and captured Guam from the static Guam Insular Force - also demoralized by air strikes.

Ground assault achieved 17:1 odds vs a ROC Guerilla Regiment in East China - forcing it to retreat.

Ground assault achieved 2:1 odds at Hong Kong - reduced it 2 fortification levels - and for the first time caused more Allied than Japanese casualties (244, 8 guns, 1 vehicle for Japan, 404, 10 guns, 4 vehicles for the Allies - a bloody fight) - but the island will hold another day at least.

Ground assault by an unreinforced reserve (Yobeiki) regiment near the Incochina border achieved only 2:1 odds - but forced the enemy to retreat anyway.

Ground assault vs the Hopei Militia Regiment - whose retreat was cut off by an earlier battle above - caused it to retreat anyway (don't ask me how - or even where it went? - but I like the guerilla units behaviors)

Here is another mistery - and compound disaster. Yesterday 2 Japanese divisions on the rail line West of Shanghai were stopped cold when they attacked - usually they force a retreat. Today a force of 19000 Chinese - in 3 Field Armies - shock attacked over 39000 Japanese -
and forced both divisions to retreat! Lacking any supply source - I assume they are eating their supplies - and I sent 3 fresh divisions into the hex. Stilll - it is a spectacular event.

[el cid again]

11 Dec 1941 (Hawaii) 12 Dec (Tokyo/Manila/Vladivostok)

To be premature - the turn included a land based air strike on the same AK that was attacked the day before - but this time she was hit by a bomb - and is not likely to survive. This caused the matter - previously handled by diplomats - to be handed over to Kwangtung Army - which will conduct a strong (but strictly limited) reprisal air raid on the offending air base (Suchen). A military note was sent to make it clear that the withdrawall of forces from border areas - and from theater - is continuing for another 24 hours. But if there is ANY Soviet attack in that period - the whole concept will be reviewed.

The night turn began with CA Pensacola - and old "paper thin" armored ship considered for conversion to a CVL because she is unsuitable for cruiser use - hitting a sub laid mine at Canton Island. Recon - and a sub - report this location has many ships - mostly the more healthy refugees from Hawaii. Three more subs are en route to exploit. Minefields should be defended to be effective.

I-12 at PM finally torpedoed CL Adelaide. Why she is still there is difficult to explain - but Panzerjaeger pulls his start of game punches. He does not permit anything to move or change on the first day except the carriers. He does not permit Aussie or Indian based units to get new orders for the first four days. It is his way of simulating political and military command paralysis and surprise.

I-154 spotted AP President Johnson at Jolo - where 4 ships seem to be either landing or loading troops - and where PT boats defend them - but our torpedoes missed. Nevertheless - this report probably set up air strikes later in the day turn.

4 Fujimoto class BB bombarded Molokai. 640 casualties, 9 guns lost, 6 vvehicles lost, 46 other hits. No damage inflicted by CD guns - which hopefully are less dangerous now. There are two units on Molokai - the defense force of Lahaina having withdrawn there - and the start of game defense force. These are composite units - but essentially they are CD units with some air support and ground security elements attached. They are carefully modeled on the real forces there - in CHS and stock there were no local defense units - but since we came to invade in EOS - we decided they should be present.

I-15 at Palmyra foolished attacked an ASW group - it is a problem with WITP that subs reveal them selves to AS groups. Her torpedoes failed, her shells missed - but fortunately so did enemy DC - from half a dozen DD.

I-7 - in her first action of the war - missed CL Glasgow at Columbo. At least we know this modern ship has arrived in theater.

A Japanese landing force hit Molokai. It has a demi brigade - that is half of the Imperial Guards Brigade - on board. It encountered a defensive minefield and AK Kyokko hit a mine - while two escorts destroyed four mines.

[el cid again]

The day turn began with more troops landing at Molokai - and with another mine attack - this time without hits on the landing ships.

USN sub S-37 was detected, localized, attacked and missed by CL Kiso and 7 DD at Cagayan. This process was repeated later in the day.

I-24 was similarly missed by 2 ASW units at sea in the Central Pacific - probably near Canton Island.

5 Blenheim night fighters, 6 Whiraways and 3 Buffalos hit the airfield at Singora - causing 11 casualties and 6 runway hits.
4 Petes and 12 Ki-41s on CAP. 3 Allied aircraft destroyed and 6 damaged by CAP and AAA - the AA in this hex now getting pretty strong.
These attacks were made at 2000 feet - meaning almost no chance of fighter intercept and bombing too accurate - I consider it unfair and wrong to do this before 1943 - but other players don't agree I guess. 6 Hudsons followed up immediately - 1 was lost to CAP - 6 casualties, 1 gun lost, 3 other hits.

20 Ki-48s hit Alor Star (with 2 Zeros escorting) - no CAP - 5000 feet altitude = no damage from MMG or HMG. 24 casualties,
1 gun lost, 41 other hits. 2 Blenheims destroyed on the ground. This raid out of Kampong Soam.

19 Kates and 22 Ki-41s out of Singora hit Georgetown. 3 Buffalos on CAP - 2 were shot down - as was one Kate. AK Makassar took a 250 kg bomb hit. 6 casualties, 1 port hit.

43 Zeros swept Manila - but no CAP = no action.

A JAAF attack on the 47th Guerilla Regiment in China caused 91 casualties and 1 gun lost. Another on the 48th Guerilla Regiment caused 12 casualties and 1 gun lost. A third on the 52nd caused 20 casualties.

Enemy forces sent the First Burma Brigade to Ye. A JAAF strike on it failed to do any damage. Ye is occupied by a small naval landing party - which relieved the airborne company that took the place when it was undefended.

11 Nells missed an AO and a MSW unit in the South China Sea. 10 Claudes missed 2 PT boat divisions at Wenchow. Neither seems badly hurt from the previous days strafings.

7 Ki-48s out of Legaspi put a small bomb (= 3 15 kg bombs) into TK Gertrude Kelly at Manila. 6 more missed AP Adrianne Muller later.

5 Bettys out of Cagayan put two fish into AP President Madison - and missed AP Basilan - at Jolo. This attack was probably set up because a sub spotted them there the night before.

2 Vildebeeste out of HK raided Bako. 1 shot down by 20 Zeros and 10 Ki-27 on CAP. One penetrated but missed an AK.

19 SOVIET Sturmoviks escorted by 22 fighters of 2 types out of Suchan put a bomb into AK Shinju Maru in the Sea of Japan. She is badly burning and flooding - but might make port. She will be covered by 12 Claudes out of Muroran. She will be avenged by a strong raid on Suchan - which should hit ships in port - including transports - damage the airfield significantly - and destroy enemy aircraft in the air and on the ground. It is the ONLY response - and will stand down in one day IF no more Soviet attacks occur. If they do occur - we are in general war - not merely a technical state of war. This was made clear by a staff officer of Kwangtung Army - who pointed out the WITHDRAWALL of IJA forces from forward areas will continue for one more day - subject to review if any more attacks occur.

3 Chinese SB-2s missed an AK at Canton.

KB sank AVD Avocet with 28 Vals NE of Hawaii - 8 bomb hits. 16 more Vals and an equal number of Kates sank AO Neosho in the same area -
5 bomb and 3 torpedo hits. 13 Vals and 17 Kates sank AO Sapulga - 12 bomb hits left nothing for the torpedo bombers to hit. 18 Vals sank DM Prebel - 8 bomb hits. KB met at sea and reformed into a 6 CV force. It will continue to move NE - two subs with air spotters are tracking ships out of range just now. All targets in range were sunk.

I-12 - which hit Adelaide during the night - missed here in a follow up attack.

I-15 missed CL Detroit near Palmyra. 2 DD missed her in reply - but did attack her. Next I-15 torpedoed DD Cassin - but was missed by 4 DDs in counterattacks - which went on for a long time. Most of these early DD have patterns of only 2.

[el cid again]

42 000 Japanese troops attacked 13 000 Allies at HK - achieved 6:1 odds - and captured the hex. 18,259 casualties, 121 guns lost, 826 vehicles lost. The presence of a supply sink organic to this medium size composit unit - it has many infantry, AA and CD elements - as well as some engineer and aviation support elements - did not prolong the siege - which did not last long enough to bring up reinforcements.

Lead elements of 33rd Division - waiting more troops to land - took Korat Thailand by ground assault - so more local supplies and resources will feed units in Thailand - this being both a source hex and a rail junction with another hex already friendly. Thailand is substantially not friendly to Japan until its undefended cities are occupied - same for much of Indochina. Thailand does not join the Axis for a few more days = as IRL - this was cleverly done - making it appear Thailand was reluctant - so it could switch sides later. In fact- Thailand was a classic Axis power - and it was very deliberate about this - its national leader was tried as a war criminal - convicted - exhonerated by the Thai Supreme Court based on AMERICAN law - and returned to power. Very clever these Thai.

[el cid again]

12 December (Hawaii) 13 December (Tokyo/Manila)

The night turn began with landing forces at Molokai encountering a minefield - and AK Asuka Maru hitting one of them.

I-21 missed CL Adelaide at sea - she is running from PM at last - a torpedo already in her belly from another submarine.

I-14 torpedoed AK Pyro near Fanning in the Line Islands - two DMS missed in counterattacks.

Ro-26 torpedoed AK Muntok at Batavia. She repeated this in the day turn, and Muntok sank.

CL Kiso and 6 DD ran in on Jolo (from Cagayan) - and encountered and sank AK Hai Lea with torpedoes. They ran into 3 divisions of US and Philippine PT boats - and took one .50 cal hit from them. Then then fought with AP President Madison and AP Basilan - who had troops on board - they were either landing troops or evacuating them. Both were sunk with massive shellfire - and Basilan also took a torpedo. Then this force bombarded Jolo - destroyed a B-17 on the ground (meaning they have been flying from a field too small to permit effective bomb loads and which would result in operational damage more than should be the case) - hit AK Bicol docked there - caused 125 casualties, 2 guns lost, 1 vehicle lost, and 12 other hits.

BB Tennessee - in damaged state - seems to have run in on Molokai. But she may have been trying to return to PH to lick her wounds - she didn't do very well in battle. Her force - with 4 DMS - ran into 4 transports, 2 DD and 1 DE. Four hits were scored on 3 Japanese ships - none of them heavy - while 10 hits were scored on 3 USN ships. Two Japanese transports ended up with heavy damage - while so did Tennessee - which is impossible from 4.7 inch and 3 inch hits - indicating she was already in a bad way. DMS Elliot was set on fire.

If that was not bad enough - I-170 then put 2 fish into Tennessee. Escorts did manage to hit her in return however - and she had to retire to Lahaina for repairs.

[el cid again]

The day turn began with an Allied air strike on Singora: 6 Blenheim night fighters, 2 Buffalos and 3 Whiraways - which met 3 Petes and 12 Ki-43s on CAP. No Japanese losses. 4 Blenheims and 1 Buffalo shot down. 5 Runway hits scored.

19 Kates, 22 Ki-41s and 3 Petes made a simultaneous run on Georgetown out of Singora. 2 Buffalo on CAP - both destroyed. 8 casualties, 2 other hits. Singora is too small an airfield to permit effective loadings.

64 Ki-21s and 28 Zeros raided Singapore - met 19 Buffalos on CAP - and shot down 7. 4 Vildebeeste destroyed on the ground.
22 hits by 50 kg bombs on 10 ships. 18 casualties, 60 other hits. This raid out of Soc Trang, Indochina.

45 Zeros swept Manila - but met no CAP.

49 Ki-21s, 27 Ki-30s, 5 Ki-48s (on recon), 22 Ki-51s escorted by 90 Ki-27s raides Suchen, next to Vladivostok in a reprisal raid. No CAP met in the sky. 2 bombers lost. 4 LaGG-3 destroyed on the ground. 13 hits on 6 ships in port. 49 airbase related hits. The Russians were told this raid was coming - and also were told that the force would disperse tomorrow. Regretfully - Soviet recon planes put another bomb into the AK at the heart of the crisis - I told him not to run recon - and the damage to Russian ships is much more than the damage by 2 bombs to one AK - so the crisis may not end after all - time will tell. The AK will probably flood out - but we are giving it a chance to make port - because if it survives we can stand down. His ships are already in port and none will sink. But all six were set on fire and two were heavily damaged - it may have made the point that getting bombed is not nice.

JAAF ineffectively attacked ROC 90th Field Army. Another attack caused 33 casualties and 2 guns lost to 100th Field Army. Yet another caused 80 casualties and 4 guns lost to the same unit. Two more caused 0 and 56 casualties to the 52nd Guerilla Regiment.

10 Ju-88s (in the only operational unit with this type new to JAAF) and 13 Nells caused 39 casualties and 1 gun lost to the First Burma Brigade at Ye. This position has only a tiny naval landing party defending it.

10 Ki-21s and 12 Ki-49s (a squadron of 9 bombers and an element of 3 recon planes) - attacked a base force on Molokai ineffectively.

3 P-35s attacked CA Haguro at Legaspi - met 5 Petes and 20 Me-109s on CAP - and were all destroyed (1 to a Pete, 1 to a Me and 1 to AA fire from the cruiser).

KB - well NE of Hawaii - could only reach an MSW unit - this it sank - of course. His other TFs headed for the USA put on all speed and sprinted out of range - indication no serous damage - and we only move at cruising speed (being far from port). Also we have few air units able to attack and need time to recover from days of air strikes.

5 Vals out of Japan ran in on a DM at Suchan - and one was lost - for no hits.

31 P-40s - out of Manila - ran in on Aparri - hitting AK Matsukawa with one small bomb. 8 Claudes on CAP. 3 P-40s damaged, none lost.
3 B-17s followed up - but missed - and also were missed and undamaged.

16 Nells (and 53 Zeros) put 24 shell hits, 7 torpedoes and 9 bombs into two tankers at Manila - both were sunk.

I-157 torpedoed ML Rigel in the South China Sea.

3 old USN 4 pipers scored 3 hits on Ro-49 at Tarakan.

2 RN divisions of PT boats attacked at Bako - met 4 AK and 2 MSW units - but nobody got hit by anything.

[el cid again]

Two ROC Field Armies had invaded the Nanchang hex - a salient - in China. 68 000 Japanese attacked them - achieved 53 : 1 odds - and they fled the hex after a single attack.

Two reinforced IJA divisions and an artillery regiment took undefended Naga near Legaspi.

An attack on a ROC Guerilla Regiment achieved 310 : 1 odds - and it retreated.

2763 Japanese in a demi brigade attacked only 322 men on Molokai - he must have evacuated most of the 2 units there -
and captured the hex. Since it is mountains - it could have been very hard to take.