Thanks for the enjoyable AAR. I wonder why Jim doesn't update his anymore?
As an Allied player in a parallel CHS game, 15K does seem a bit resrtictive for 4E bombers, and may be why they are not a significant threat.. so far.
Pathos in the Pacific - Yubari`s Humiliation
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
30th and 31st May.
Ahoy Cathartes,
I am almost tempted to suggest that the 4E house rule be rewritten to allow attacks over 10000 feet. That would of course make the game somewhat harder for me. Nearly all of our house rules, including this one were written by Jim.
As I understand, Jim stopped updating his AAR in about October 1942 after the turns became increasingly quiet. With the allied offensives just about to start, some people should bump his AAR demanding that he continues it[;)]
Northern Australia.
The start of the battle of Port Moresby.
On the 30th May, 30 Zeroes escorting Bettys and Sallys meet Lightning LRCAP over the tank units at Portland Roads. 5 Japanese planes and 4 Lightnings are downed.
The 31st May sees a large number of B-24s attack Port Moresby.
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 37
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 12
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 131
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 31 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 86 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 31
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
The final results see 33 Japanese planes destroyed on the ground, and the airfield at 24 airbase, 35 runway damage. Only 50 operational fighters remain at Port Moresby. For the next day, three Zero squadrons, plus a small Rex squadron currently at Lae will provide LRCAP for Port Moresby. Hopefully around 90 fighters should be able to rise to meet any attacks the next day. 5 of the B-24s are shot down. From now on, the Japanese bombers will operate from Lae. I think that I can keep Port Moresby open for at least another few weeks, until Portland Roads airfield becomes operational.
Burma.
The Royal Navy makes a second appearance, with 45 torpedo bombers attacking the port at Sabang. One AK that I had disbanded there months ago is crippled by the strike. Aside from that, almost no damage is done. For the moment, I shall ignore the Royal Navy carriers.
Aleutians.
The supply that was delivered to Adak Island at great cost in terms of shipping has already almost run out, less than 3000 points remain.
China.
The Chinese airforce has withdrawn from its exposed position at Changsha, and is now presumably at Chungking. In a couple of weeks time, I will receive a massive reinforcement for the Chinese expeditionary force. I shall be trying an offensive in about September 1943, but I expect it to fail.
Solomons.
All quiet for the moment. Small allied ports in the Santa Cruz to New Caledonia area are popping up like mushrooms.
In the next few days, Glenn carrying subs will arrive at the US West Coast to recon. As far as I know, the Japanese carriers havent been spotted for the last month or so, and this may cause the allies a few worries.
I am almost tempted to suggest that the 4E house rule be rewritten to allow attacks over 10000 feet. That would of course make the game somewhat harder for me. Nearly all of our house rules, including this one were written by Jim.
As I understand, Jim stopped updating his AAR in about October 1942 after the turns became increasingly quiet. With the allied offensives just about to start, some people should bump his AAR demanding that he continues it[;)]
Northern Australia.
The start of the battle of Port Moresby.
On the 30th May, 30 Zeroes escorting Bettys and Sallys meet Lightning LRCAP over the tank units at Portland Roads. 5 Japanese planes and 4 Lightnings are downed.
The 31st May sees a large number of B-24s attack Port Moresby.
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 37
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 12
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 131
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 31 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 86 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 31
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
The final results see 33 Japanese planes destroyed on the ground, and the airfield at 24 airbase, 35 runway damage. Only 50 operational fighters remain at Port Moresby. For the next day, three Zero squadrons, plus a small Rex squadron currently at Lae will provide LRCAP for Port Moresby. Hopefully around 90 fighters should be able to rise to meet any attacks the next day. 5 of the B-24s are shot down. From now on, the Japanese bombers will operate from Lae. I think that I can keep Port Moresby open for at least another few weeks, until Portland Roads airfield becomes operational.
Burma.
The Royal Navy makes a second appearance, with 45 torpedo bombers attacking the port at Sabang. One AK that I had disbanded there months ago is crippled by the strike. Aside from that, almost no damage is done. For the moment, I shall ignore the Royal Navy carriers.
Aleutians.
The supply that was delivered to Adak Island at great cost in terms of shipping has already almost run out, less than 3000 points remain.
China.
The Chinese airforce has withdrawn from its exposed position at Changsha, and is now presumably at Chungking. In a couple of weeks time, I will receive a massive reinforcement for the Chinese expeditionary force. I shall be trying an offensive in about September 1943, but I expect it to fail.
Solomons.
All quiet for the moment. Small allied ports in the Santa Cruz to New Caledonia area are popping up like mushrooms.
In the next few days, Glenn carrying subs will arrive at the US West Coast to recon. As far as I know, the Japanese carriers havent been spotted for the last month or so, and this may cause the allies a few worries.
1st to 7th June
Northern Australia.
There are no further attacks against Port Moresby, and the airfield has been fully repaired. Construction continues on the fortifications, now at level 7. The allied troops are continuing their advance towards Portland Roads. On the 5th, the first two units progress to the hex next to Portland Roads. This indicates that they will probably arrive around the 14th June, and I expect Portland Roads to be attacked and fall within a couple of days after that.
The fall of that city will mean the allies posses a base within fighter range of Port Moresby, and so inevitably that bases airfield will be destroyed. For that reason, support troops are now being evacuated from Port Moresby. A high speed transport group will evacuate the engineer unit, and the base force will be evacuated by Topsys. The units will go to Lae and Wewak repectively. After the engineers have been evacuated, the fighters will then be withdrawn, and head to Wewak and Lae. Port Moresby has served its purpose well, but its fall is now inevitable.
China.
The allied heavy bomber force in China, now numbering 48 4Es attacks the resources at Hong Kong doing tremendous damage. 55 resource points are destroyed on the 2nd, and 47 heavy industry points are destroyed on the 7th. These kind of attacks are of course severely damaging to the Japanese industry.
Marshalls
There have been a huge number of enemy submarines in the area recently, and they are hitting vital ships. The large ML Tsugaru was torpedoed on the 5th, and is very heavily damaged. The Okinoshima was also torpedoed on the 7th, but only suffered moderate damage. Both are out of the war for months, and severely affect my minelaying capacities.
Aleutians.
The allies continue their bombing of Adak, the coastal defence guns are now 70 percent damaged. With the island being mountainous terrain, I am increasingly thinking about leaving the troops there until the end of February 1944, even if supplying them is proving increasingly difficult.
Burma.
Very little going on, save for the building of fortifications. I am moving more troops towards Tavoy, as a major enemy landing there would outflank the majority of the Burma army.
Solomons.
In a very rare attack, two minesweepers and a fuel carrying AK were torpedoed and sunk at Ndeni by Nell bombers from Lunga. A rare allied ship sinking at this stage of the war. The allies certainly take good care of their naval assets.
There are no further attacks against Port Moresby, and the airfield has been fully repaired. Construction continues on the fortifications, now at level 7. The allied troops are continuing their advance towards Portland Roads. On the 5th, the first two units progress to the hex next to Portland Roads. This indicates that they will probably arrive around the 14th June, and I expect Portland Roads to be attacked and fall within a couple of days after that.
The fall of that city will mean the allies posses a base within fighter range of Port Moresby, and so inevitably that bases airfield will be destroyed. For that reason, support troops are now being evacuated from Port Moresby. A high speed transport group will evacuate the engineer unit, and the base force will be evacuated by Topsys. The units will go to Lae and Wewak repectively. After the engineers have been evacuated, the fighters will then be withdrawn, and head to Wewak and Lae. Port Moresby has served its purpose well, but its fall is now inevitable.
China.
The allied heavy bomber force in China, now numbering 48 4Es attacks the resources at Hong Kong doing tremendous damage. 55 resource points are destroyed on the 2nd, and 47 heavy industry points are destroyed on the 7th. These kind of attacks are of course severely damaging to the Japanese industry.
Marshalls
There have been a huge number of enemy submarines in the area recently, and they are hitting vital ships. The large ML Tsugaru was torpedoed on the 5th, and is very heavily damaged. The Okinoshima was also torpedoed on the 7th, but only suffered moderate damage. Both are out of the war for months, and severely affect my minelaying capacities.
Aleutians.
The allies continue their bombing of Adak, the coastal defence guns are now 70 percent damaged. With the island being mountainous terrain, I am increasingly thinking about leaving the troops there until the end of February 1944, even if supplying them is proving increasingly difficult.
Burma.
Very little going on, save for the building of fortifications. I am moving more troops towards Tavoy, as a major enemy landing there would outflank the majority of the Burma army.
Solomons.
In a very rare attack, two minesweepers and a fuel carrying AK were torpedoed and sunk at Ndeni by Nell bombers from Lunga. A rare allied ship sinking at this stage of the war. The allies certainly take good care of their naval assets.
8th to 15th June
An exciting week of war, as the allies begin to push against the areas I will defend strongly.
Northern Australia.
The 12th saw a huge battle at Daly Waters, as, in the morning, more than 150 allied fighters escorting 100 allied bombers meet a CAP of around 120 Japanese fighters. The fight also marks the first appearance of the P-47C Thunderbolt which proves to be awesomely destructive. It achieves a kill ratio of some 25 to 1. In the afternoon, a second attack goes in. Hudsons and B-17s from Alice Springs are again escorted by the Lightnings and Thunderbolts, and further heavy damage is done to Daly Waters airfield. Overall, the Japanese lose 71 planes shot down, and 42 destroyed on the field. 47 IJA pilots are killed, and a further 10 are wounded. The allies lose a total of 47 fighters (33 of them Lightnings) and 10 bombers.
I concede this airfield immediately, transferring all of the fighters and engineers towards Katherine. With the arrival of the P-47, keeping airfields open within a range of 5 hexes of a major allied base becomes a difficult task, and there is no point in destroying the IJAAF fighter force in trying to do so. By the 15th, the first allied tank unit is 1 hex south of Daly Waters. 3 divisions behind level 9 fortifications await the allies. 350 engineers will be able to increase the fortifications at Katherine, currently at level 5 to level 9 hopefully within 2 months.
At Port Moresby, the evacuation operation has gone very well. All of the fighters have been transferred out, and about 80 percent of the engineers and base forces have been evacuated. This has been performed entirely by transport planes; there was no need to send a naval transport group along the increasingly dangerous route to Port Moresby.
China.
The 13th of June saw a massive number of reinforcements, some four divisions have arrived in the last week. I will be launching an offensive in the area around Ichang probably to start some time in early August.
Burma.
The allies are still bombing Meiktila airfield very heavily. There is currently a large supply transport fleet at Rangoon harbour unloading. Rangoon appears to need a large (50000+) supply convoy every couple of months. Supplying it will prove increasingly difficult as the allied control of the air increases
Aleutians.
The allies have been conducting repeated port attacks against the units at Adak Island, and on the 15th two allied battleships, the Pennsylvania and Arizona, and two light cruisers bombard Adak. What remains of the coastal guns unit scores a few non-penetrating hits on one of the battleships and one of the light cruisers. During the day, 29 Bettys escorted by 36 Zeroes attack the Battleships. The Pennsylvania takes two torpedoes but doesnt appear to be heavily damaged. 5 Zeroes and 5 Bettys are lost, and 5 Lightnings, which had been doing LRCAP over the battleships are also shot down. The Japanese carriers, based at Tokyo immediately head towards the area.
Solomons.
No action, but there seem to be a lot of transport ships heading towards the small bases in the Santa Cruz Islands.
On the 12th, a submarine spots a fleet containing what recon shows to be a CV and 3CAs heading south from San Francisco towards Pearl Harbour or Noumea. Is it the long-missing US carrier fleet? Is it moving to start a drive in the South Pacific? Is it a ruse, designed to catch my attention? On the 13th, it has disappeared.
Northern Australia.
The 12th saw a huge battle at Daly Waters, as, in the morning, more than 150 allied fighters escorting 100 allied bombers meet a CAP of around 120 Japanese fighters. The fight also marks the first appearance of the P-47C Thunderbolt which proves to be awesomely destructive. It achieves a kill ratio of some 25 to 1. In the afternoon, a second attack goes in. Hudsons and B-17s from Alice Springs are again escorted by the Lightnings and Thunderbolts, and further heavy damage is done to Daly Waters airfield. Overall, the Japanese lose 71 planes shot down, and 42 destroyed on the field. 47 IJA pilots are killed, and a further 10 are wounded. The allies lose a total of 47 fighters (33 of them Lightnings) and 10 bombers.
I concede this airfield immediately, transferring all of the fighters and engineers towards Katherine. With the arrival of the P-47, keeping airfields open within a range of 5 hexes of a major allied base becomes a difficult task, and there is no point in destroying the IJAAF fighter force in trying to do so. By the 15th, the first allied tank unit is 1 hex south of Daly Waters. 3 divisions behind level 9 fortifications await the allies. 350 engineers will be able to increase the fortifications at Katherine, currently at level 5 to level 9 hopefully within 2 months.
At Port Moresby, the evacuation operation has gone very well. All of the fighters have been transferred out, and about 80 percent of the engineers and base forces have been evacuated. This has been performed entirely by transport planes; there was no need to send a naval transport group along the increasingly dangerous route to Port Moresby.
China.
The 13th of June saw a massive number of reinforcements, some four divisions have arrived in the last week. I will be launching an offensive in the area around Ichang probably to start some time in early August.
Burma.
The allies are still bombing Meiktila airfield very heavily. There is currently a large supply transport fleet at Rangoon harbour unloading. Rangoon appears to need a large (50000+) supply convoy every couple of months. Supplying it will prove increasingly difficult as the allied control of the air increases
Aleutians.
The allies have been conducting repeated port attacks against the units at Adak Island, and on the 15th two allied battleships, the Pennsylvania and Arizona, and two light cruisers bombard Adak. What remains of the coastal guns unit scores a few non-penetrating hits on one of the battleships and one of the light cruisers. During the day, 29 Bettys escorted by 36 Zeroes attack the Battleships. The Pennsylvania takes two torpedoes but doesnt appear to be heavily damaged. 5 Zeroes and 5 Bettys are lost, and 5 Lightnings, which had been doing LRCAP over the battleships are also shot down. The Japanese carriers, based at Tokyo immediately head towards the area.
Solomons.
No action, but there seem to be a lot of transport ships heading towards the small bases in the Santa Cruz Islands.
On the 12th, a submarine spots a fleet containing what recon shows to be a CV and 3CAs heading south from San Francisco towards Pearl Harbour or Noumea. Is it the long-missing US carrier fleet? Is it moving to start a drive in the South Pacific? Is it a ruse, designed to catch my attention? On the 13th, it has disappeared.
16th and 17th June
Northern Australia.
After suffering so badly at the hands of the allied flak guns over Singapore and Manila earlier in the war, it is nice to see that the Japanese flak is also reasonably potent. With the allied 2E bombers attacking the ground troops over Daly Waters at 6000 feet, the Japanese flak manages to shoot down 5 enemy bombers in one day on the 17th.
The Japanese fighter force, devastated after the battle of the 12th June is continuing to be repaired. In a week or so, it will be ready to return to action, escorting bombers to hit the allied units south of Daly Waters.
At Portland Roads, there are now 10 allied units, at least 5 of which are tank units. The allies will presumably take the base as soon as an adequate number of engineers and base force units are present. After witnessing the incredible speed of building at Coen, I wont even make a token effort to try and attack Portland Roads.
Burma.
An allied SNAFU occurred, as Liberators based at Chungking attacked ships in Rangoon harbour. 17 of the 4Es attacked in two separate waves. The 140 plane strong CAP shot down 15 of them, the lack of armour in the LB-30 being the cause of the high casualty rate.
China.
Preparations are ongoing for the attack at Ichang. I will have some twelve divisions, and 500 tanks for the attack.
Aleutians.
The allied battleships escape with no further attacks. Supply at Adak is again at critical levels.
Solomons.
The Port Moresby evacuation continues, the airfield is now completely empty. The logical next target for the allies is for naval invasions of Thursday Island and Merauke, followed by a landing at Port Moresby sometime in August or September. I need to keep the New Guinea airfields open to be able to contest this landing; there will likely be a colossal allied fleet supporting it.
After suffering so badly at the hands of the allied flak guns over Singapore and Manila earlier in the war, it is nice to see that the Japanese flak is also reasonably potent. With the allied 2E bombers attacking the ground troops over Daly Waters at 6000 feet, the Japanese flak manages to shoot down 5 enemy bombers in one day on the 17th.
The Japanese fighter force, devastated after the battle of the 12th June is continuing to be repaired. In a week or so, it will be ready to return to action, escorting bombers to hit the allied units south of Daly Waters.
At Portland Roads, there are now 10 allied units, at least 5 of which are tank units. The allies will presumably take the base as soon as an adequate number of engineers and base force units are present. After witnessing the incredible speed of building at Coen, I wont even make a token effort to try and attack Portland Roads.
Burma.
An allied SNAFU occurred, as Liberators based at Chungking attacked ships in Rangoon harbour. 17 of the 4Es attacked in two separate waves. The 140 plane strong CAP shot down 15 of them, the lack of armour in the LB-30 being the cause of the high casualty rate.
China.
Preparations are ongoing for the attack at Ichang. I will have some twelve divisions, and 500 tanks for the attack.
Aleutians.
The allied battleships escape with no further attacks. Supply at Adak is again at critical levels.
Solomons.
The Port Moresby evacuation continues, the airfield is now completely empty. The logical next target for the allies is for naval invasions of Thursday Island and Merauke, followed by a landing at Port Moresby sometime in August or September. I need to keep the New Guinea airfields open to be able to contest this landing; there will likely be a colossal allied fleet supporting it.
RE: 16th and 17th June
A strategically interesting few days, as the allies continue to probe the outskirts of the Japanese Empire.
Northern Australia.
Allied tanks move northwards in an attempt to surround Daly Waters. I have one division and one small tank unit on the railway hex to the north of the town, and another Brigade will be arriving within a couple of days. Japanese bombers at Darwin and Katherine are continuing to fly ground attack missions against the tanks, and are destroying roughly ten a day from the 600 strong force.
On the 20th, the allies take control of the weakly held base at Portland Roads. The airfield, currently a size 5 will surely be operational any time now. Port Moresby engineers and base forces have been completely evacuated, save for the sound detector devices which are too large for the transport planes. They will be evacuated by ship from Buna.
China.
There is a huge Chinese army on the move in Northern China. Some 20 units are on the move. Japanese units are moving into a defensive position. The attack against Ichang will be postponed. With the recent arrival of four full divisions, the Chinese offensive should be stoppable. The next post will contain a map.
Burma.
The Royal Navy carriers show up in an attempt to attack the now empty supply convoy which is heading from Rangoon to Singapore. Fortunately for me, on the 23rd they arrive six hexes away from any of my shipping. The Royal Navy has become increasingly adventurous in the last couple of months, and, with their being no sign of a land offensive in Burma, it is beginning to look like the allies will try a naval invasion in the area in the near future. Port Blair would be the obvious target, but is within range of the major Japanese base at Rangoon. Could Sabang be the target?
The following picture shows how weakly defended Malaya and Sumatra are. Major reinforcements (four Indian IJA Brigades, plus six other brigades) are scheduled to arrive around November 1943.
Aleutians.
Allied submarines catch sight of Japanese float planes and dive bombers in the area between the Aleutians and Hokkaido. With that, the Japanese carriers are ordered to return to Tokyo.
Solomons.
Japanese Glenn carrying submarines spot and follow two apparent troop convoys heading from the West coast in the direction of Noumea. With around 60 hexes still to move, this is hinting at a major campaign in August. Additionally, a level 1 airfield is completed at Ndeni in the Santa Cruz Islands.
Northern Australia.
Allied tanks move northwards in an attempt to surround Daly Waters. I have one division and one small tank unit on the railway hex to the north of the town, and another Brigade will be arriving within a couple of days. Japanese bombers at Darwin and Katherine are continuing to fly ground attack missions against the tanks, and are destroying roughly ten a day from the 600 strong force.
On the 20th, the allies take control of the weakly held base at Portland Roads. The airfield, currently a size 5 will surely be operational any time now. Port Moresby engineers and base forces have been completely evacuated, save for the sound detector devices which are too large for the transport planes. They will be evacuated by ship from Buna.
China.
There is a huge Chinese army on the move in Northern China. Some 20 units are on the move. Japanese units are moving into a defensive position. The attack against Ichang will be postponed. With the recent arrival of four full divisions, the Chinese offensive should be stoppable. The next post will contain a map.
Burma.
The Royal Navy carriers show up in an attempt to attack the now empty supply convoy which is heading from Rangoon to Singapore. Fortunately for me, on the 23rd they arrive six hexes away from any of my shipping. The Royal Navy has become increasingly adventurous in the last couple of months, and, with their being no sign of a land offensive in Burma, it is beginning to look like the allies will try a naval invasion in the area in the near future. Port Blair would be the obvious target, but is within range of the major Japanese base at Rangoon. Could Sabang be the target?
The following picture shows how weakly defended Malaya and Sumatra are. Major reinforcements (four Indian IJA Brigades, plus six other brigades) are scheduled to arrive around November 1943.
Aleutians.
Allied submarines catch sight of Japanese float planes and dive bombers in the area between the Aleutians and Hokkaido. With that, the Japanese carriers are ordered to return to Tokyo.
Solomons.
Japanese Glenn carrying submarines spot and follow two apparent troop convoys heading from the West coast in the direction of Noumea. With around 60 hexes still to move, this is hinting at a major campaign in August. Additionally, a level 1 airfield is completed at Ndeni in the Santa Cruz Islands.
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- BurmaJune1943.jpg (178.8 KiB) Viewed 143 times
25th June to 1st July
Northern Australia.
The Australian army approaches Daly Waters. The IJAAF Australia branch based at Darwin and Katherine and numbering some 260 fighters and 200 bombers continues its attacks against them. Some 10 tanks are being destroyed a day, according to the combat reports.
On the 1st July, the tanks arrive at Daly Waters, and the defending Japanese force launches a bombardment attack. Some 1600 men, and 53 tanks are destroyed.
At Portland Roads, the last defending defending Japanese unit, some 8000 men from the 65th Brigade are killed. About 40 percent of the unit had been evacuated to Port Moresby by submarine.
China.
There now seem to be two major Chinese advances. The first is coming from Sian and Honan, and consists of about 25 units. Whether the target is Kaifeng or Sinyang is as yet unknown.
The second advance is around 30 units coming from the direction of Changsha, again the ultimate location is as yet unknown, but will surely be one of the two jointly occupied forest hexes east of Changsha. The Japanese army has a large force in reserve, and so I am fairly confident of being able to stop both of these advances.
Burma.
Quiet. Rangoon is close to becoming a level nine airfield.
Aleutians.
With two dedicated Topsy groups flying in supplies, a large group of barges making runs every three days or so, and the number of allied attacks gradually decreasing, the supply levels at Adak are beginning to increase, but remain at critical levels. All units are at the moment fully supplied, and 1400 remain at the base. The number is increasing by about 30 a day.
Solomons.
The Japanese carrier fleet is now heading towards the Solomons, at least two major convoys have been spotted heading in this direction, along with the battleship Indiana, and what appeared to be the US carrier fleet. They should arrive at Truk on about the 5th July.
With it turning the 1st of July, the American navy starts to receive Hellcats. This marks a new phase in the game as, for the first time, the US Carrier fleet can take on the Japanese on equal terms.
On a similar note, does anyone know when the Japanese carrier groups upgrade to a larger percentage of fighters and dive bombers, and a lower percentage of torpedo bombers in CHS? The manual states July 1942 for stock, but of course we all know not to trust that.
The Australian army approaches Daly Waters. The IJAAF Australia branch based at Darwin and Katherine and numbering some 260 fighters and 200 bombers continues its attacks against them. Some 10 tanks are being destroyed a day, according to the combat reports.
On the 1st July, the tanks arrive at Daly Waters, and the defending Japanese force launches a bombardment attack. Some 1600 men, and 53 tanks are destroyed.
At Portland Roads, the last defending defending Japanese unit, some 8000 men from the 65th Brigade are killed. About 40 percent of the unit had been evacuated to Port Moresby by submarine.
China.
There now seem to be two major Chinese advances. The first is coming from Sian and Honan, and consists of about 25 units. Whether the target is Kaifeng or Sinyang is as yet unknown.
The second advance is around 30 units coming from the direction of Changsha, again the ultimate location is as yet unknown, but will surely be one of the two jointly occupied forest hexes east of Changsha. The Japanese army has a large force in reserve, and so I am fairly confident of being able to stop both of these advances.
Burma.
Quiet. Rangoon is close to becoming a level nine airfield.
Aleutians.
With two dedicated Topsy groups flying in supplies, a large group of barges making runs every three days or so, and the number of allied attacks gradually decreasing, the supply levels at Adak are beginning to increase, but remain at critical levels. All units are at the moment fully supplied, and 1400 remain at the base. The number is increasing by about 30 a day.
Solomons.
The Japanese carrier fleet is now heading towards the Solomons, at least two major convoys have been spotted heading in this direction, along with the battleship Indiana, and what appeared to be the US carrier fleet. They should arrive at Truk on about the 5th July.
With it turning the 1st of July, the American navy starts to receive Hellcats. This marks a new phase in the game as, for the first time, the US Carrier fleet can take on the Japanese on equal terms.
On a similar note, does anyone know when the Japanese carrier groups upgrade to a larger percentage of fighters and dive bombers, and a lower percentage of torpedo bombers in CHS? The manual states July 1942 for stock, but of course we all know not to trust that.
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- ChinaJuly1943.jpg (272.38 KiB) Viewed 143 times
2nd July to 9th July
Northern Australia.
Portland Roads, at the moment a level 5 airfield is now firmly under Allied control, and holds at least 120 aircraft. Coen has by now been expanded up to a level 7 airfield, and also contains a large number of aircraft. The allies are beginning to launch bombing attacks against Thursday Island utilising the large number of B-25s in the area. The enemy 4E bombers havent been seen for over a month now, since the attack on Port Moresby at the end of May. Both Thursday Island and Merauke have been all but evacuated, each containing a small infantry unit to guard against paradrops.
In the Northern Territories theatre, the Japanese currently firmly hold the upper hand, behind their level 9 fortifications at Daly Waters. Here is the result of the bombardment from the 9th July turn.
Ground combat at Daly Waters
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84796 troops, 474 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 1808
Defending force 82592 troops, 560 guns, 400 vehicles, Assault Value = 1903
Allied ground losses:
953 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 5
The allies are currently not bombarding back, maybe they are having supply issues. I expect to be able to keep this front secure at least until 1944. Notice on the map below that there are some units south of Daly Waters, these are tank units trying to surround my garrison. I also have a tank unit to the east of Daly Waters.
Aleutians.
The allies are intensifying their aerial bombardment of Adak, and supply is falling again. The coastal defence unit is by now almost completely out of order. Just three guns, and 12 percent of the unit is undamaged. Nevertheless, I want to try and keep them there as long as possible.
China.
The Chinese advances first observed some two weeks ago have made little progress. Indeed, the units that I observed moving have since seemingly disappeared.
Burma.
All quiet on the Western front.
Solomons and New Guinea.
The Japanese carrier fleet has arrived at Truk, and is so far I believe undetected. No signs of allied offensives have been observed. Lae has reached a level 6 airfield and is now approaching level 9 fortifications. Once they have been completed, I will withdraw some of the engineers to Wewak to build the airfield and fortifications there. I want both of these airfields to be operational should an allied naval invasion of Thursday Island come any time soon.
Portland Roads, at the moment a level 5 airfield is now firmly under Allied control, and holds at least 120 aircraft. Coen has by now been expanded up to a level 7 airfield, and also contains a large number of aircraft. The allies are beginning to launch bombing attacks against Thursday Island utilising the large number of B-25s in the area. The enemy 4E bombers havent been seen for over a month now, since the attack on Port Moresby at the end of May. Both Thursday Island and Merauke have been all but evacuated, each containing a small infantry unit to guard against paradrops.
In the Northern Territories theatre, the Japanese currently firmly hold the upper hand, behind their level 9 fortifications at Daly Waters. Here is the result of the bombardment from the 9th July turn.
Ground combat at Daly Waters
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 84796 troops, 474 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 1808
Defending force 82592 troops, 560 guns, 400 vehicles, Assault Value = 1903
Allied ground losses:
953 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 5
The allies are currently not bombarding back, maybe they are having supply issues. I expect to be able to keep this front secure at least until 1944. Notice on the map below that there are some units south of Daly Waters, these are tank units trying to surround my garrison. I also have a tank unit to the east of Daly Waters.
Aleutians.
The allies are intensifying their aerial bombardment of Adak, and supply is falling again. The coastal defence unit is by now almost completely out of order. Just three guns, and 12 percent of the unit is undamaged. Nevertheless, I want to try and keep them there as long as possible.
China.
The Chinese advances first observed some two weeks ago have made little progress. Indeed, the units that I observed moving have since seemingly disappeared.
Burma.
All quiet on the Western front.
Solomons and New Guinea.
The Japanese carrier fleet has arrived at Truk, and is so far I believe undetected. No signs of allied offensives have been observed. Lae has reached a level 6 airfield and is now approaching level 9 fortifications. Once they have been completed, I will withdraw some of the engineers to Wewak to build the airfield and fortifications there. I want both of these airfields to be operational should an allied naval invasion of Thursday Island come any time soon.
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- NorthernA..uly1943.jpg (197.68 KiB) Viewed 143 times
10th to 15th July
10th to 15th July
Northern Australia.
After taking heavy casualties from Japanese bombardment attacks, the Australian troops start to retreat from Daly Waters on the 12th of July. This is a tremendous victory for the Japanese.
On the North East coast, as can be seen in the picture, allied transport fleets are gathering together at Cooktown and Portland Roads. The invasion of Thursday Island is seemingly just about to get under way, the island being hit by some 300 allied bombers on the 14th July. At Lae are some 125 Zeroes, and 100 Bettys. Hollandia holds a couple of squadrons of Bettys and a squadron of Zeroes. The KB has been split up again, and four fleet carriers, the Akagi, Kaga, Hiyo and Junyo are heading from Truk towards Kai Island north of Darwin. The Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu and Soryu will remain at Truk.
Solomons and New Guinea.
All quiet. Fortifications at my major bases are being built up to quite nice levels. Lunga is very close to level 9, as is Lae. Milne Bay and the Shortland Islands are both close to level 8. Port Moresby is currently at level 7, and on the 10th of July was hit by 168 Liberators who completely destroyed the airfield.
Burma.
All quiet.
China.
All quiet.
Aleutians.
The battle to supply Adak continues. Barges operating are having to deal with frequent PT boat raids, and recently, P-47s launching strafing attacks. Supply remains in the orange at 1500 points or so.
It seems as though the allies will launch major attacks any day now. I am expecting to be hit from at least three directions. The first offensive will surely be against Thursday Island, which will be supported by airpower based at Portland Roads and Coen. I expect a second attack to be backed by the US Navy, and this may well be against Lunga or Adak Island. Aditionally, I think that the Chinese will launch an offensive. I havent discounted the possibilty of a British offensive, possibly a naval landing directly on Sumatra. The Burma and Southern area army have major reinforcements due in October and November, and until then, the area remains weakly defended.
Northern Australia.
After taking heavy casualties from Japanese bombardment attacks, the Australian troops start to retreat from Daly Waters on the 12th of July. This is a tremendous victory for the Japanese.
On the North East coast, as can be seen in the picture, allied transport fleets are gathering together at Cooktown and Portland Roads. The invasion of Thursday Island is seemingly just about to get under way, the island being hit by some 300 allied bombers on the 14th July. At Lae are some 125 Zeroes, and 100 Bettys. Hollandia holds a couple of squadrons of Bettys and a squadron of Zeroes. The KB has been split up again, and four fleet carriers, the Akagi, Kaga, Hiyo and Junyo are heading from Truk towards Kai Island north of Darwin. The Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu and Soryu will remain at Truk.
Solomons and New Guinea.
All quiet. Fortifications at my major bases are being built up to quite nice levels. Lunga is very close to level 9, as is Lae. Milne Bay and the Shortland Islands are both close to level 8. Port Moresby is currently at level 7, and on the 10th of July was hit by 168 Liberators who completely destroyed the airfield.
Burma.
All quiet.
China.
All quiet.
Aleutians.
The battle to supply Adak continues. Barges operating are having to deal with frequent PT boat raids, and recently, P-47s launching strafing attacks. Supply remains in the orange at 1500 points or so.
It seems as though the allies will launch major attacks any day now. I am expecting to be hit from at least three directions. The first offensive will surely be against Thursday Island, which will be supported by airpower based at Portland Roads and Coen. I expect a second attack to be backed by the US Navy, and this may well be against Lunga or Adak Island. Aditionally, I think that the Chinese will launch an offensive. I havent discounted the possibilty of a British offensive, possibly a naval landing directly on Sumatra. The Burma and Southern area army have major reinforcements due in October and November, and until then, the area remains weakly defended.
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- NorthEast..uly1943.jpg (153.2 KiB) Viewed 143 times
16th to 24th July.
The war is moving on very quickly, we are averaging about four turns a day, and finally the great allied offensive is starting.
Northern Australia.
There are now 28 allied units at Portland Roads, and a further 15 in the Cooktown and Cairns region. I assume that the allies are very close to launching a massive offensive in the area. The three most likely targets are Thursday Island, Merauke and Port Moresby, possible all simultaneously. Thursday Island and Merauke are continuing to be heavily bombed and are both almost defenceless, with only 20 to 30 AV. Port Moresby however has around 500 AV behind level 7 fortifications.
Daly Waters remains strong.
Burma and Sumatra.
Three times, the Royal Navy has raided in the area of Sumatra, and three times it has failed to achieve much, only sinking a small AK. This time however, it apears to be supporting an invasion force. The screen shot shows what looks to be an invasion force heading straight for Sabang. It will likely arrive in three days. At Singapore are the Nagato and Mutsu plus five cruisers which are heading towards the area. The Akagi, Kaga, Hiyo and Junyo are at Kai Island, and will likely arrive in about three days. For the moment I suspect this is just a feint, but it is a risk I cannot take.
China.
Ladies and Gentleman, I have been fooled. The offensive I thought had been heading towards Kaifeng and/or Sinyang is actually heading towards Yangku. I will almost certainly lose the city, and 320 tasty resource points. Good play by my opponent. Reserve forces are rushing north to garrison Chengting and Tatung. I expect a second Chinese offensive in the south of the country.
Solomons and New Guinea.
Lunga has now reached level 9 fortifications, and has about 400 AV. Lae is also level 9. Milne Bay and Shortlands are both at level 8. If the allies want to advance in the area, they will have to fight for it.
Marshalls.
There are no allied bases in the region, but allied subs are patrolling all of the base hexes in the Marshalls. Maybe an invasion here will come completely out of the blue.
Aleutians.
Supply level is still very low at Adak. Fortifications are now at level 9 in the other major bases in the area.
With 230 Hellcats a month now being produced, I expect a major allied offensive to begin in the next couple of weeks. It seems as though my opponent wants to launch four offensives at the same time. Half the KB is at Truk, and half is now heading at high speed to Singapore. The CVL Ryujo is patrolling the area between the Kuriles and the Aleutians, trying to get its Jill torpedo bombers spotted by submarines.
Northern Australia.
There are now 28 allied units at Portland Roads, and a further 15 in the Cooktown and Cairns region. I assume that the allies are very close to launching a massive offensive in the area. The three most likely targets are Thursday Island, Merauke and Port Moresby, possible all simultaneously. Thursday Island and Merauke are continuing to be heavily bombed and are both almost defenceless, with only 20 to 30 AV. Port Moresby however has around 500 AV behind level 7 fortifications.
Daly Waters remains strong.
Burma and Sumatra.
Three times, the Royal Navy has raided in the area of Sumatra, and three times it has failed to achieve much, only sinking a small AK. This time however, it apears to be supporting an invasion force. The screen shot shows what looks to be an invasion force heading straight for Sabang. It will likely arrive in three days. At Singapore are the Nagato and Mutsu plus five cruisers which are heading towards the area. The Akagi, Kaga, Hiyo and Junyo are at Kai Island, and will likely arrive in about three days. For the moment I suspect this is just a feint, but it is a risk I cannot take.
China.
Ladies and Gentleman, I have been fooled. The offensive I thought had been heading towards Kaifeng and/or Sinyang is actually heading towards Yangku. I will almost certainly lose the city, and 320 tasty resource points. Good play by my opponent. Reserve forces are rushing north to garrison Chengting and Tatung. I expect a second Chinese offensive in the south of the country.
Solomons and New Guinea.
Lunga has now reached level 9 fortifications, and has about 400 AV. Lae is also level 9. Milne Bay and Shortlands are both at level 8. If the allies want to advance in the area, they will have to fight for it.
Marshalls.
There are no allied bases in the region, but allied subs are patrolling all of the base hexes in the Marshalls. Maybe an invasion here will come completely out of the blue.
Aleutians.
Supply level is still very low at Adak. Fortifications are now at level 9 in the other major bases in the area.
With 230 Hellcats a month now being produced, I expect a major allied offensive to begin in the next couple of weeks. It seems as though my opponent wants to launch four offensives at the same time. Half the KB is at Truk, and half is now heading at high speed to Singapore. The CVL Ryujo is patrolling the area between the Kuriles and the Aleutians, trying to get its Jill torpedo bombers spotted by submarines.
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- SumatraJuly1943.jpg (152.84 KiB) Viewed 143 times
25th and 26th July. Invasion of Sumatra.
The first major allied invasion of the war is imminent. What I had taken to be a feint was in fact a full scale British invasion fleet with a presumed destination of Sabang. On the 26th, the first elements of the fleet were spotted three hexes from Sabang. This appears to be a supply convoy. Four hexes away is what appears to be a cruiser surface group. The full allied fleet is 5 hexes from Sabang, moving at 4 hexes a day, and contains at least ten task forces.
On the 26th, sub I-160 found itself in the same hex as the main allied fleet. Overnight, it took a shot at a cargo ship, missed and then suffered four near misses from the large allied escort. Next it attacked AK Empire Southey, scoring three torpedo hits and sinking it instantly. 61 casualties were also reported. Later on in the day, it was again attacked by enemy ASW ships but was undamaged. Nells operating from Sabang then attacked the enemy CVs. 8 attacked in 2 waves but all were shot down.
At the same time, the British launch a large strike against against Rangoon.
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 52
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 37
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 16
Buffalo I x 15
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington III x 15
Hudson I x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 103
P-40N Warhawk x 24
B-25C Mitchell x 61
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 21 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 6 destroyed, 25 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 6 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 5 damaged
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Hudson I: 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 40 destroyed, 23 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 71
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
Overall casualties for the Japanese were 23 fighters in A2A, plus 12 destroyed on the ground. 12 bombers were also destroyed on the ground. The allies suffered 62 fighters shot down, plus 4 bombers lost. 15 Japanese pilots were killed, and damage at the base is not so severe. 17 airbase, and 35 runway damage. I expect the 4Es to come next turn, but equally expect to be able to keep Rangoon open.
Finally, the British CVs launched a strike of 52 torpedo bombers against Sabang airfield, destroying three planes on the ground. Ideally, I would like the British to bombard this airfield heavily making it unoperational for a crucial couple of days.
For tomorrow, 75 bombers are at Singora, with 70 fighter escorts. A further 50 bombers are at Kota Bharu with 25 fighter escorts. The task force of Nagato and Mutsu will go to the hex 1 east of the word Medan, seeking to engage the British fleet near Sabang. Sabang itself has level 9 fortifications but at the moment is occupied by only about 100 AV of troops. A Mixed Brigade is in the next hex, along with other smaller units for a total of 250 AV. With the allies surely bringing at least 2500 AV of troops. Sabang will inevitably fall. What is crucial is whether the allies can get the airfield there operational. The majority of the Japanese fleet will be in the theatre in around a weeks time. If it is not operational by then, then I think that I can win this battle. I can get at least 2000AV to the area in around 3 weeks.
Strategically, Jim took me by surprise with this attack; some of the bases on Sumatra don`t even have aviation support. It is a bold and potentially very successful offensive. Elsewhere, I expect the first major US operation in a couple of weeks or so. After around 8 months of relative calm, the war is about to get very violent.
On the 26th, sub I-160 found itself in the same hex as the main allied fleet. Overnight, it took a shot at a cargo ship, missed and then suffered four near misses from the large allied escort. Next it attacked AK Empire Southey, scoring three torpedo hits and sinking it instantly. 61 casualties were also reported. Later on in the day, it was again attacked by enemy ASW ships but was undamaged. Nells operating from Sabang then attacked the enemy CVs. 8 attacked in 2 waves but all were shot down.
At the same time, the British launch a large strike against against Rangoon.
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 52
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 37
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 16
Buffalo I x 15
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington III x 15
Hudson I x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 103
P-40N Warhawk x 24
B-25C Mitchell x 61
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 21 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 6 destroyed, 25 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 6 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 5 damaged
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Hudson I: 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 40 destroyed, 23 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 71
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
Overall casualties for the Japanese were 23 fighters in A2A, plus 12 destroyed on the ground. 12 bombers were also destroyed on the ground. The allies suffered 62 fighters shot down, plus 4 bombers lost. 15 Japanese pilots were killed, and damage at the base is not so severe. 17 airbase, and 35 runway damage. I expect the 4Es to come next turn, but equally expect to be able to keep Rangoon open.
Finally, the British CVs launched a strike of 52 torpedo bombers against Sabang airfield, destroying three planes on the ground. Ideally, I would like the British to bombard this airfield heavily making it unoperational for a crucial couple of days.
For tomorrow, 75 bombers are at Singora, with 70 fighter escorts. A further 50 bombers are at Kota Bharu with 25 fighter escorts. The task force of Nagato and Mutsu will go to the hex 1 east of the word Medan, seeking to engage the British fleet near Sabang. Sabang itself has level 9 fortifications but at the moment is occupied by only about 100 AV of troops. A Mixed Brigade is in the next hex, along with other smaller units for a total of 250 AV. With the allies surely bringing at least 2500 AV of troops. Sabang will inevitably fall. What is crucial is whether the allies can get the airfield there operational. The majority of the Japanese fleet will be in the theatre in around a weeks time. If it is not operational by then, then I think that I can win this battle. I can get at least 2000AV to the area in around 3 weeks.
Strategically, Jim took me by surprise with this attack; some of the bases on Sumatra don`t even have aviation support. It is a bold and potentially very successful offensive. Elsewhere, I expect the first major US operation in a couple of weeks or so. After around 8 months of relative calm, the war is about to get very violent.
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- RangoonJuly1943.jpg (169.01 KiB) Viewed 143 times
27th July
The night opens with the BBs Resolution and Valiant, plus the CAs Exeter and Devonshire bombarding Sabang. 334 casualties and 8 guns are reported. Also overnight, I-28 torpedoes AK Dunedin Star.
In the morning, the allied 4Es launch a large attack on Rangoon. 175 of the 4Es meet 147 Japanese fighters on CAP. The 4Es are shot down in large numbers, 28 of them are lost overall, by far the highest total of any day of the war. For the Japanese, 38 fighters are destroyed on the ground, along with 8 bombers. Rangoon is by now heavily damaged, at 48 airbase, and 80 runway damage. Another strong attack by the allies tomorrow could close it permanently.
The British ships are protected by rain in the morning, but in the afternoon planes from Kota Bharu attack the British bombardment fleet at Sabang. The BB Resolution takes a torpedo, seeming to suffer medium damage. 12 of the attacking planes are destroyed.
The first of the allied troops lands in the afternoon, and 1300 casualties are reported in the combat report. Total AV values on the ground are 135 for the Japanese, and 333 for the British. The Japanese have a further 250AV or so to arrive in the next day.
This operation hangs on a knife edge. Everything depends on how long it takes the Japanese fleet to arrive. The Akagi, Kaga, Hiyo, Junyo will likely arrive in four or five days. The Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu and Soryu are still in the environs of Truk. They will likely be around 10 days away, along with the majority of the battleships. For tomorrow, the Nagato and Mutsu will attack the British fleet at Sabang. They have been spotted so I expect the Royal Navy to give them a warm welcome.
In the morning, the allied 4Es launch a large attack on Rangoon. 175 of the 4Es meet 147 Japanese fighters on CAP. The 4Es are shot down in large numbers, 28 of them are lost overall, by far the highest total of any day of the war. For the Japanese, 38 fighters are destroyed on the ground, along with 8 bombers. Rangoon is by now heavily damaged, at 48 airbase, and 80 runway damage. Another strong attack by the allies tomorrow could close it permanently.
The British ships are protected by rain in the morning, but in the afternoon planes from Kota Bharu attack the British bombardment fleet at Sabang. The BB Resolution takes a torpedo, seeming to suffer medium damage. 12 of the attacking planes are destroyed.
The first of the allied troops lands in the afternoon, and 1300 casualties are reported in the combat report. Total AV values on the ground are 135 for the Japanese, and 333 for the British. The Japanese have a further 250AV or so to arrive in the next day.
This operation hangs on a knife edge. Everything depends on how long it takes the Japanese fleet to arrive. The Akagi, Kaga, Hiyo, Junyo will likely arrive in four or five days. The Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu and Soryu are still in the environs of Truk. They will likely be around 10 days away, along with the majority of the battleships. For tomorrow, the Nagato and Mutsu will attack the British fleet at Sabang. They have been spotted so I expect the Royal Navy to give them a warm welcome.
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- Sabang27thJuly.jpg (184.57 KiB) Viewed 143 times
28th July
A great victory for Japan![:)]
The British spotted the task force of the Nagato and Mutsu, four hexes from Sabang, which was being trailed by a small ASW group and apparently assumed it to be the full KB, prevented from launching strikes by inclement weather. With most of the British 18th Division unloaded at Sabang, the Allied fleet turned tail and ran. The Nagato and Mutsu arrived overnight at Sabang and found nothing save an old allied submarine.
This now leaves around 15000 allied troops surrounded and trapped at Sabang. Within two weeks, the best part of 1000 AV of Japanese troops will be at the base and able to eliminate them.
At Rangoon, there seems to be a bug; despite there being hundreds of engineers, and with nearly 60000 points of supply, the airfield wasnt repaired even 1 percent, it remains at 48, 80 damage as it was yesterday.
In China, the first Chinese troops arrive at Yangku in the North. With only 1 level of fortifcations, the Japanese are trying to evacuate the city, but this is taking a lot of time.
The British spotted the task force of the Nagato and Mutsu, four hexes from Sabang, which was being trailed by a small ASW group and apparently assumed it to be the full KB, prevented from launching strikes by inclement weather. With most of the British 18th Division unloaded at Sabang, the Allied fleet turned tail and ran. The Nagato and Mutsu arrived overnight at Sabang and found nothing save an old allied submarine.
This now leaves around 15000 allied troops surrounded and trapped at Sabang. Within two weeks, the best part of 1000 AV of Japanese troops will be at the base and able to eliminate them.
At Rangoon, there seems to be a bug; despite there being hundreds of engineers, and with nearly 60000 points of supply, the airfield wasnt repaired even 1 percent, it remains at 48, 80 damage as it was yesterday.
In China, the first Chinese troops arrive at Yangku in the North. With only 1 level of fortifcations, the Japanese are trying to evacuate the city, but this is taking a lot of time.
29th and 30th July
Burma and Sumatra.
The allied fleets quickly retreat from Sabang, leaving the majority of the British 18th Division there stranded. Japanese submarines take potshots at retreating enemy ships. RO-34 hits DD Lightning, but misses DD Paladin, and I-154 torpedoes the big AP Empress of Australia.
Strangely, the Dutch cruiser force shows up with no aircover within 1 hex of Sabang on the 30th and is attacked by 59 bombers based in Malaya. Heavy flak and poor bombing by the mostly army bombers means that only 2 hits are scored. The CL Java takes a bomb, and the CL Sumatra takes a torpedo. Neither seem heavily damaged, maybe a month or two in the repair yards.
The heavy battle over Rangoon continues. After a break on the 28th and 29th, another massive strike, of more than 150 planes occurs on the 30th. For the allies, 35 fighters and 17 bombers are lost. The Japanese lose three fighters in the air, and a further 29 on the ground. Rangoon is now very heavily damaged, and a large attack tomorrow will surely close it for good.
Northern Australia.
The allies continue to launch heavy bombing attacks against Daly Waters, destroying supplies there. Katherine reaches a level 8 airfield, and is now busy working on its level 5 fortifications. No signs of moves towards Thursday Island yet.
Solomons and New Guinea.
On the 29th, 177 Liberators escorted by P-38s blast Milne Bay airfield. The three squadrons of Zeroes there put up a sterling defence, shooting down 8 Lightnings and 5 Liberators for no losses of their own. The 36 Nicks do less, 2 of them are shot down. Milne Bay is at 32 airfield and 40 runway damage, and has probably been closed down for good.
Aleutians.
Japanese supply transport subs are beginning to arrive in theatre to supply Adak, and a large supply convoy has reached Amchitka under the protection of bad weather. Amchitka has about 50000 supplies, and a further 55000 is on the convoy, but supply usage is over 500 a day.
China.
I have hit a problem in Northern China. Allied zones of control, which I think were created very early in the game to facilitate a Chinese retreat are blocking the Japanese retreat from Yangku. The Chinese offensive up here is very strong, I will lose a lot of ground here in the next month.
Total losses for the 30th are 71 planes for the allies, and 58 for the Japanese. Although I am still able to shoot down large numbers of allied planes, particularly the British, in the last six weeks the allied heavy bombers have become able to close airfields. Daly Waters, although heavily defended was abandoned in Mid-June, as was Port Moresby, which I judged to be indefensible. In the last week, both Milne Bay and Rangoon which had been heavily defended have been severely damaged, and could be closed permanently in the next day or two.
The allied fleets quickly retreat from Sabang, leaving the majority of the British 18th Division there stranded. Japanese submarines take potshots at retreating enemy ships. RO-34 hits DD Lightning, but misses DD Paladin, and I-154 torpedoes the big AP Empress of Australia.
Strangely, the Dutch cruiser force shows up with no aircover within 1 hex of Sabang on the 30th and is attacked by 59 bombers based in Malaya. Heavy flak and poor bombing by the mostly army bombers means that only 2 hits are scored. The CL Java takes a bomb, and the CL Sumatra takes a torpedo. Neither seem heavily damaged, maybe a month or two in the repair yards.
The heavy battle over Rangoon continues. After a break on the 28th and 29th, another massive strike, of more than 150 planes occurs on the 30th. For the allies, 35 fighters and 17 bombers are lost. The Japanese lose three fighters in the air, and a further 29 on the ground. Rangoon is now very heavily damaged, and a large attack tomorrow will surely close it for good.
Northern Australia.
The allies continue to launch heavy bombing attacks against Daly Waters, destroying supplies there. Katherine reaches a level 8 airfield, and is now busy working on its level 5 fortifications. No signs of moves towards Thursday Island yet.
Solomons and New Guinea.
On the 29th, 177 Liberators escorted by P-38s blast Milne Bay airfield. The three squadrons of Zeroes there put up a sterling defence, shooting down 8 Lightnings and 5 Liberators for no losses of their own. The 36 Nicks do less, 2 of them are shot down. Milne Bay is at 32 airfield and 40 runway damage, and has probably been closed down for good.
Aleutians.
Japanese supply transport subs are beginning to arrive in theatre to supply Adak, and a large supply convoy has reached Amchitka under the protection of bad weather. Amchitka has about 50000 supplies, and a further 55000 is on the convoy, but supply usage is over 500 a day.
China.
I have hit a problem in Northern China. Allied zones of control, which I think were created very early in the game to facilitate a Chinese retreat are blocking the Japanese retreat from Yangku. The Chinese offensive up here is very strong, I will lose a lot of ground here in the next month.
Total losses for the 30th are 71 planes for the allies, and 58 for the Japanese. Although I am still able to shoot down large numbers of allied planes, particularly the British, in the last six weeks the allied heavy bombers have become able to close airfields. Daly Waters, although heavily defended was abandoned in Mid-June, as was Port Moresby, which I judged to be indefensible. In the last week, both Milne Bay and Rangoon which had been heavily defended have been severely damaged, and could be closed permanently in the next day or two.
1st August to 7th August
Burma and Sumatra.
The allied operation in Sumatra is fast becoming a debacle. The British carriers returned and carried out an airfield strike against Sabang on the 6th. On the 7th, a large force of British cruisers apparently escorting a fleet of AKs is spotted and attacked by Japanese bombers operating from Kota Bharu. 48 aircraft attack in the morning, and a further 26 in the afternoon. Multiple British ships are hit; the CL Emerald is sunk, and the CA Exeter is hit by two torpedoes DD Redoubt also takes a torpedo. CL Newcastle and CL Dragon also both take bombs which do little damage. After the air attacks, I-158 puts a further torpedo into the side of CA Exeter, sinking it. It is at the moment unclear whether the allied force is an evacuation fleet, a supply convoy or an invasion fleet, but I guess at it being the former.
Aditionally, 38th Division has reached the battlefield at Sabang, and the Japanese now have around 800 AV at Sabang, compared to the British total of 300. A deliberate attack on the 7th gave adjusted odds of 75 to 1 in the Japanese favour but somehow the British troops didnt surrender. A second deliberate attack will go in on the 8th, providing the British have not been evacuated before then.
I was desperately lucky in this battle. Had I spotted the invasion fleet just one turn later, then Sabang and probably Kuala would now be British held, and Singapore and Palembang would be in range of the allied heavy bombers.
China.
The Chinese take Yangku on the 1st, and quickly begin building up the airfield there. It reaches level 2 on the 5th August, despite around 50 IJA dive bombers attacking the airfield almost daily. I need to stop this base from expanding as it would threaten bases in Kyushu; it is only 14 hexes away, close enough for B-24s to be in range.
Solomons and New Guinea.
Having been battered on the 29th July, On the 5th August, a large Japanese troop convoy arrived at Milne Bay and evacuated the majority of the engineers and base forces. Most of the fighters at the base have been withdrawn to Lae, and will be sent further north along New Guinea to Hollandia and Wewak. The allies respond by sending 138 Liberators to close Milne Bay on the 7th August.
Northern Australia.
Fortifications are being built up at Katherine, and are now at level 6. Level 9 should be reached within two or three months.
Aleutians.
A large number of supplies have been dropped off at Amchitka Island, and there are now roughly 95000 supply points at the island. Hopefully, this should be enough for the island until the winter of 1943, and the harsh cold weather penalties.
Marshalls.
Construction of fortifications continues. Tarawa is now at level 9 and Kwajalein is fast approaching the same. Most of the other small islands in the area have level 6 fortifications. The allies appear slowly to be approaching the area. Gardner Island, a small atoll around 6 hexes from Baker Island recently built a small airfield.
The allied operation in Sumatra is fast becoming a debacle. The British carriers returned and carried out an airfield strike against Sabang on the 6th. On the 7th, a large force of British cruisers apparently escorting a fleet of AKs is spotted and attacked by Japanese bombers operating from Kota Bharu. 48 aircraft attack in the morning, and a further 26 in the afternoon. Multiple British ships are hit; the CL Emerald is sunk, and the CA Exeter is hit by two torpedoes DD Redoubt also takes a torpedo. CL Newcastle and CL Dragon also both take bombs which do little damage. After the air attacks, I-158 puts a further torpedo into the side of CA Exeter, sinking it. It is at the moment unclear whether the allied force is an evacuation fleet, a supply convoy or an invasion fleet, but I guess at it being the former.
Aditionally, 38th Division has reached the battlefield at Sabang, and the Japanese now have around 800 AV at Sabang, compared to the British total of 300. A deliberate attack on the 7th gave adjusted odds of 75 to 1 in the Japanese favour but somehow the British troops didnt surrender. A second deliberate attack will go in on the 8th, providing the British have not been evacuated before then.
I was desperately lucky in this battle. Had I spotted the invasion fleet just one turn later, then Sabang and probably Kuala would now be British held, and Singapore and Palembang would be in range of the allied heavy bombers.
China.
The Chinese take Yangku on the 1st, and quickly begin building up the airfield there. It reaches level 2 on the 5th August, despite around 50 IJA dive bombers attacking the airfield almost daily. I need to stop this base from expanding as it would threaten bases in Kyushu; it is only 14 hexes away, close enough for B-24s to be in range.
Solomons and New Guinea.
Having been battered on the 29th July, On the 5th August, a large Japanese troop convoy arrived at Milne Bay and evacuated the majority of the engineers and base forces. Most of the fighters at the base have been withdrawn to Lae, and will be sent further north along New Guinea to Hollandia and Wewak. The allies respond by sending 138 Liberators to close Milne Bay on the 7th August.
Northern Australia.
Fortifications are being built up at Katherine, and are now at level 6. Level 9 should be reached within two or three months.
Aleutians.
A large number of supplies have been dropped off at Amchitka Island, and there are now roughly 95000 supply points at the island. Hopefully, this should be enough for the island until the winter of 1943, and the harsh cold weather penalties.
Marshalls.
Construction of fortifications continues. Tarawa is now at level 9 and Kwajalein is fast approaching the same. Most of the other small islands in the area have level 6 fortifications. The allies appear slowly to be approaching the area. Gardner Island, a small atoll around 6 hexes from Baker Island recently built a small airfield.
8th to 12th August
Burma and Sumatra.
The British troops were completely evacuated on the night of the 7th August, and the British fleet had left the area by the morning of the 8th. 4 Nells attacked the retreating transport fleet, but they all abandoned the mission after being attacked by Wildcats on LRCAP from the British carrier fleet. No further British ships were damaged. This was an excellent evacuation mission by the allies, they have saved a full division worth of troops from destruction.
The last Japanese airfield in Burma, Moulmein is gradually building up strength. One major problem with the base is that it only has around 12000 supplies, not enough to draw replacement planes. This will make it far more difficult to withstand the allied onslaughts that are sure to follow soon. If and when Moulmein is closed, the next line of airbases to be defended are Hanoi, Rahaeng and Tavoy
Northern Australia.
The fortifications at Katherine are building up at high speed. I hope to reach level 7 in a couple of days time. Construction at Darwin is also going well, level 6 airfield should be reached in the next day or two.
Solomons and New Guinea.
The evacuation of Milne Bay has been mostly successful, only a couple of planes were lost on the ground, and no ships were damaged. Lae is now the major fighter base in the region, containing over 180 Zeroes, plus assorted other fighters, and over 300 engineers. While Port Moresby is Japanese held, I expect to be able to keep the airfield at Lae open, and while Lae is kept open, any invasion of Port Moresby will likely prove costly to the Americans.
Aleutians.
The allies are gradually sinking the barge force that is attempting to supply Adak.
China.
For the past few days, the Japanese have been bombing the Chinese airbase at Yangku. It is still only at level 2, and appears to have no flak defences whatsoever. On the 10th August, Chinese P-40Ns are flying LRCAP over the base, and manage to shoot down 4 Japanese planes for the loss of four of their own.
The allied offensive in Northern China seems to have ground to a halt. Nevertheless, they have gained a base which could become very useful for strategic bombing of Japan, and have also taken 300 resource points from Japan.
Resources are going to become the main roadblock for the Japanese economy as we get to 1944 and later. I have managed to keep a fairly steady on map total of 1250000 points for the last year or so, and have kept the allied bombers well away from most of the resource points, aside from those in Burma. The Japanese heavy industry pool is also beginning to fall, currently only by about 300 points a day although this is certain to increase as the Toyoda engines begin to produce in September, and a large number of new aircraft start production in early 1944. Starting a couple of weeks ago, I ceased constructing any new merchant ships, and hope to start switching off some more of the merchants shipyards fairly soon. What is on map at the start of 1944 will have to suffice for the Japanese; building merchant ships too late on the war is merely gifting points to the allies. All new APs aside from the types that can make 16 knots or more were stopped a long time ago. There is simply no need for them.
The British troops were completely evacuated on the night of the 7th August, and the British fleet had left the area by the morning of the 8th. 4 Nells attacked the retreating transport fleet, but they all abandoned the mission after being attacked by Wildcats on LRCAP from the British carrier fleet. No further British ships were damaged. This was an excellent evacuation mission by the allies, they have saved a full division worth of troops from destruction.
The last Japanese airfield in Burma, Moulmein is gradually building up strength. One major problem with the base is that it only has around 12000 supplies, not enough to draw replacement planes. This will make it far more difficult to withstand the allied onslaughts that are sure to follow soon. If and when Moulmein is closed, the next line of airbases to be defended are Hanoi, Rahaeng and Tavoy
Northern Australia.
The fortifications at Katherine are building up at high speed. I hope to reach level 7 in a couple of days time. Construction at Darwin is also going well, level 6 airfield should be reached in the next day or two.
Solomons and New Guinea.
The evacuation of Milne Bay has been mostly successful, only a couple of planes were lost on the ground, and no ships were damaged. Lae is now the major fighter base in the region, containing over 180 Zeroes, plus assorted other fighters, and over 300 engineers. While Port Moresby is Japanese held, I expect to be able to keep the airfield at Lae open, and while Lae is kept open, any invasion of Port Moresby will likely prove costly to the Americans.
Aleutians.
The allies are gradually sinking the barge force that is attempting to supply Adak.
China.
For the past few days, the Japanese have been bombing the Chinese airbase at Yangku. It is still only at level 2, and appears to have no flak defences whatsoever. On the 10th August, Chinese P-40Ns are flying LRCAP over the base, and manage to shoot down 4 Japanese planes for the loss of four of their own.
The allied offensive in Northern China seems to have ground to a halt. Nevertheless, they have gained a base which could become very useful for strategic bombing of Japan, and have also taken 300 resource points from Japan.
Resources are going to become the main roadblock for the Japanese economy as we get to 1944 and later. I have managed to keep a fairly steady on map total of 1250000 points for the last year or so, and have kept the allied bombers well away from most of the resource points, aside from those in Burma. The Japanese heavy industry pool is also beginning to fall, currently only by about 300 points a day although this is certain to increase as the Toyoda engines begin to produce in September, and a large number of new aircraft start production in early 1944. Starting a couple of weeks ago, I ceased constructing any new merchant ships, and hope to start switching off some more of the merchants shipyards fairly soon. What is on map at the start of 1944 will have to suffice for the Japanese; building merchant ships too late on the war is merely gifting points to the allies. All new APs aside from the types that can make 16 knots or more were stopped a long time ago. There is simply no need for them.
13th to 18th August
Solomons and New Guinea.
The US has begun its first major invasion of the war. On the 18th, a large number of fleets were spotted south of Lunga. It looks like there will be a great Solomons campaign in the game. Lunga airfield, which contained two squadrons of Zeroes, one of Rexes, the floatplane version of the George, and two squadrons of Nells was hit by three major aerial attacks on the 18th, causing severe damage. The first attack, in the morning was by 92 4E bombers, operating I think from Koumac on New Caledonia. 11 of the bombers were destroyed, 6 of them in air to air combat, and around 45 were damaged. The other two attacks were in the afternoon. Around 200 carrier planes from what seems like a minimum of 4 enemy CVs attack. In what is the first battle between Zeroes and Hellcats, 1 Hellcat is shot down for 2 Zeroes. The defending CAP also manages to shoot down 4 Dauntless Dive bombers and 2 Avenger torpedo bombers. The final attack is from 120 Hudsons operating from Luganville. 4 of them are destroyed.
Lunga airfield is left heavily damaged at the end of the day, and all undamaged planes are withdrawn up to Munda, Shortlands and Rabaul. Lunga has 400 AV points of troops behind level 9 fortifications. 440 carrier based planes will probably be in range to attack on the 22nd August, but by that time, maybe the allied force will have unloaded and already be retiring. The surface forces I have in the area are a cruiser force which is based at Rabaul. They will head toward the danger area.
Northern Australia and New Guinea.
With the Lunga invasion ongoing, I expect a simultaneous invasion at Thursday Island and Merauke. Planes will remain at Lae and Wewak and the 4 other carriers will remain at Kai Island.
Burma and Sumatra.
The theatre is very quiet after the excitement of late July and early August.
China.
The past couple of days have seen significant battles over Yangku, as the Japanese try to stop construction of the allied airfield. The 16th saw the Japanese lose 10 planes compared to the allies 7. On the 17th, 17 allied planes are lost for 3 Japanese, and on the 18th, 24 allied planes are shot down for the loss of 4 Japanese planes. The unfortunate P-43 and P-66 planes in action on the 17th and 18th just aren`t up to fighting against the Japanese Oscar fighters, especially when outnumbered.
Aleutians.
The allies continue to launch small attacks against Adak, and the Japanese Topsys and submarines continue to try and supply it. I have a task force of 2 battleships constantly based at Ominato ready to fight in theatre.
The US has begun its first major invasion of the war. On the 18th, a large number of fleets were spotted south of Lunga. It looks like there will be a great Solomons campaign in the game. Lunga airfield, which contained two squadrons of Zeroes, one of Rexes, the floatplane version of the George, and two squadrons of Nells was hit by three major aerial attacks on the 18th, causing severe damage. The first attack, in the morning was by 92 4E bombers, operating I think from Koumac on New Caledonia. 11 of the bombers were destroyed, 6 of them in air to air combat, and around 45 were damaged. The other two attacks were in the afternoon. Around 200 carrier planes from what seems like a minimum of 4 enemy CVs attack. In what is the first battle between Zeroes and Hellcats, 1 Hellcat is shot down for 2 Zeroes. The defending CAP also manages to shoot down 4 Dauntless Dive bombers and 2 Avenger torpedo bombers. The final attack is from 120 Hudsons operating from Luganville. 4 of them are destroyed.
Lunga airfield is left heavily damaged at the end of the day, and all undamaged planes are withdrawn up to Munda, Shortlands and Rabaul. Lunga has 400 AV points of troops behind level 9 fortifications. 440 carrier based planes will probably be in range to attack on the 22nd August, but by that time, maybe the allied force will have unloaded and already be retiring. The surface forces I have in the area are a cruiser force which is based at Rabaul. They will head toward the danger area.
Northern Australia and New Guinea.
With the Lunga invasion ongoing, I expect a simultaneous invasion at Thursday Island and Merauke. Planes will remain at Lae and Wewak and the 4 other carriers will remain at Kai Island.
Burma and Sumatra.
The theatre is very quiet after the excitement of late July and early August.
China.
The past couple of days have seen significant battles over Yangku, as the Japanese try to stop construction of the allied airfield. The 16th saw the Japanese lose 10 planes compared to the allies 7. On the 17th, 17 allied planes are lost for 3 Japanese, and on the 18th, 24 allied planes are shot down for the loss of 4 Japanese planes. The unfortunate P-43 and P-66 planes in action on the 17th and 18th just aren`t up to fighting against the Japanese Oscar fighters, especially when outnumbered.
Aleutians.
The allies continue to launch small attacks against Adak, and the Japanese Topsys and submarines continue to try and supply it. I have a task force of 2 battleships constantly based at Ominato ready to fight in theatre.
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19th and 20th August.
Invasion of Guadalcanal.
The 19th was a mostly quiet day, save for an American carrier attack on the battered airfield at Lunga, which I have named Sakai field. 14 fighters are destroyed on the ground, and 4 allied planes are lost to the flak there.
The 20th is when the real action starts, and is a very good day for the Japanese. Overnight, Allied minesweepers head to Lunga harbour to clear the minefield there, and are hit heavily by the coastal gun regiment stationed there. 10 of them are sunk by the undamaged coastal guns unit based there, and the Japanese submarine RO-103 torpedeos and sinks another one.
In the morning, the Japanese planes based at Munda and Shortlands islands attack. The first attack sees 17 Vals escorted by 13 float fighters attack the Allied CVEs. The Japanese planes suffer heavily, and fail to score a hit. The second attack is however much more successful. 39 Zeroes escorting 21 Jills and 9 Bettys attack the allied CVEs which have a CAP of just 15 Hellcats. The Zeroes breeze through the Hellcats, shooting down 9 for no loss, and the the Jills pound the allied CVEs. Chenango takes 7 bombs, and Sangamon takes a bomb and three torpedoes. Both are heavily damaged and will probably sink.
The afternoon sees more attacks. 2 APs and a DD are damaged, but a large number of raids made against the allied main invasion force are all unsuccessful, the allied CLs and CLAAs can put up a huge amount of flak.
Surprisingly, the allies are landing at Tassafaronga, and so our Guadalcanal campaign will seemingly be a reverse of the real Guadalcanal campaign, with the Japanese desperately trying to keep the airfield open, and the allies trying to sneak supplies in. I am surprised that the allies havent tried to build up Rennell Island as a base for LRCAP beforehand.
For tomorrow, the Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu, Soryu group will move to a position 5 hexes away from Tassafaronga to launch an attack, and the cruiser task force will move to the same position. They will attack tomorrow night if no battleships have been seen by then.
Elsewhere, two transport TFs are spotted at Portland Roads, and so I expect the invasion of Thursday Island in the next day or two.
The 19th was a mostly quiet day, save for an American carrier attack on the battered airfield at Lunga, which I have named Sakai field. 14 fighters are destroyed on the ground, and 4 allied planes are lost to the flak there.
The 20th is when the real action starts, and is a very good day for the Japanese. Overnight, Allied minesweepers head to Lunga harbour to clear the minefield there, and are hit heavily by the coastal gun regiment stationed there. 10 of them are sunk by the undamaged coastal guns unit based there, and the Japanese submarine RO-103 torpedeos and sinks another one.
In the morning, the Japanese planes based at Munda and Shortlands islands attack. The first attack sees 17 Vals escorted by 13 float fighters attack the Allied CVEs. The Japanese planes suffer heavily, and fail to score a hit. The second attack is however much more successful. 39 Zeroes escorting 21 Jills and 9 Bettys attack the allied CVEs which have a CAP of just 15 Hellcats. The Zeroes breeze through the Hellcats, shooting down 9 for no loss, and the the Jills pound the allied CVEs. Chenango takes 7 bombs, and Sangamon takes a bomb and three torpedoes. Both are heavily damaged and will probably sink.
The afternoon sees more attacks. 2 APs and a DD are damaged, but a large number of raids made against the allied main invasion force are all unsuccessful, the allied CLs and CLAAs can put up a huge amount of flak.
Surprisingly, the allies are landing at Tassafaronga, and so our Guadalcanal campaign will seemingly be a reverse of the real Guadalcanal campaign, with the Japanese desperately trying to keep the airfield open, and the allies trying to sneak supplies in. I am surprised that the allies havent tried to build up Rennell Island as a base for LRCAP beforehand.
For tomorrow, the Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu, Soryu group will move to a position 5 hexes away from Tassafaronga to launch an attack, and the cruiser task force will move to the same position. They will attack tomorrow night if no battleships have been seen by then.
Elsewhere, two transport TFs are spotted at Portland Roads, and so I expect the invasion of Thursday Island in the next day or two.
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21st August. Guadalcanal.
Guadalcanal.
The Americans send a large group of mineswepers under the coastal gun exmplacement and again the losses are horrific. By my counts, some 20 MSWs are sunk, and another is left crippled. The minesweepers are however making a good job of clearing the mines there. Now only around 300 remain of the 1000 or so that had been laid there. The Americans then send three heavy bombardment groups against the shore defences at Lunga. 7 battleships, 5 heavy cruisers and 2 light cruisers bombard the base causing more damage. Lunga airfield is by now well and truly closed.
Overnight, three Japanese subs are hit by depth charges, and during the morning another Japanese sub, as well as a US sub are hit by search planes.
Allied troops overload all through the night, and into the morning as well. The allied ships are very fortunate in the morning, as the lead Japanese squadron somehow fails to spot the massive enemy landing, even in good weather and none of the KB planes attack. A total of 43 attacking planes manage to score 1 hit against an AP, and also put two torpedoes into the CVE Suwannee. One of them is however a dud, and the other seems to do very little damage.
In the afternoon, a major KB strike is launched; 77 dive bombers and 113 torpedo bombers, escorted by 78 figthers. The allied force of Hellcats, some 20 fighters is shot down almost to the plane for the loss of a similar number of Zeroes, and nearly all of the bombers get through to attack. However, the massive flak means that the bombing is inaccurate and a comparatively meagre 19 bombs and 13 torpedo hits are scored. The enemy CLs and CLAAs embedded in the transport TF come away almost completely unscathed, the only damage being a bomb into CL Columbia. The dreaded CL Boise is among this task force.
The allies have landed a large number of troops, 720 AV worth, including 2 divisions and 5 forces of seabees, so I expect to see an enemy airbase soon at Tassafaronga. It will be the job of the IJN to keep this closed as long as possible.
China.
The air battle continues over Yangku. For the day, 7 Japanese fighters and 4 dive bombers are shot down for the loss of 24 Chinese planes. The attrition rate against the Chinese pilots pool is being kept up.
The Americans send a large group of mineswepers under the coastal gun exmplacement and again the losses are horrific. By my counts, some 20 MSWs are sunk, and another is left crippled. The minesweepers are however making a good job of clearing the mines there. Now only around 300 remain of the 1000 or so that had been laid there. The Americans then send three heavy bombardment groups against the shore defences at Lunga. 7 battleships, 5 heavy cruisers and 2 light cruisers bombard the base causing more damage. Lunga airfield is by now well and truly closed.
Overnight, three Japanese subs are hit by depth charges, and during the morning another Japanese sub, as well as a US sub are hit by search planes.
Allied troops overload all through the night, and into the morning as well. The allied ships are very fortunate in the morning, as the lead Japanese squadron somehow fails to spot the massive enemy landing, even in good weather and none of the KB planes attack. A total of 43 attacking planes manage to score 1 hit against an AP, and also put two torpedoes into the CVE Suwannee. One of them is however a dud, and the other seems to do very little damage.
In the afternoon, a major KB strike is launched; 77 dive bombers and 113 torpedo bombers, escorted by 78 figthers. The allied force of Hellcats, some 20 fighters is shot down almost to the plane for the loss of a similar number of Zeroes, and nearly all of the bombers get through to attack. However, the massive flak means that the bombing is inaccurate and a comparatively meagre 19 bombs and 13 torpedo hits are scored. The enemy CLs and CLAAs embedded in the transport TF come away almost completely unscathed, the only damage being a bomb into CL Columbia. The dreaded CL Boise is among this task force.
The allies have landed a large number of troops, 720 AV worth, including 2 divisions and 5 forces of seabees, so I expect to see an enemy airbase soon at Tassafaronga. It will be the job of the IJN to keep this closed as long as possible.
China.
The air battle continues over Yangku. For the day, 7 Japanese fighters and 4 dive bombers are shot down for the loss of 24 Chinese planes. The attrition rate against the Chinese pilots pool is being kept up.
22nd August.
Guadalcanal.
The two carrier fleets remain in their position. The Japanese are 300 miles to the northwest of the crucial landing zone at Tassafaronga, and the Allies some 240 miles to the south east, providing LRCAP over the area. We are at a strange point, neither side seems to want to engage the other, as this would entail moving away from LRCAP from friendly bases, and closer towards the enemy bombers. I am happy for the situation to remain this way.
Overnight, the Japanese light cruiser group attacks a transport group apparently unloading at Tassafaronga. There are 4DDs escorting 8APs and 39 AKs. The Japanese fleet is undetected, and quickly manages to sink one of the escorting DDs, and damage two of the others and then starts to attack the transports. One AP and one AK are sunk, and a further 6 ships are damaged. The Japanese ships take a couple of small calibre shells but are not damaged. The Fleet manages to escape to Shortlands by the morning.
The first combat report that pops up in the morning is one of the strangest that I have ever seen.
TF 112 encounters mine field at Attu Island (91,35)
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 4 destroyed
Japanese Ships
MSW Misago Maru #11
MSW Keinan Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Fukeui Maru #7
Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Presumably, it is reporting the sinking of the CVE Sangamon from earlier damage, taking down 11 planes with it, a Japanese mineweeper sinking in the Aleutians, and the earlier troop casualties from the battle of Tassafaronga.
The American transport fleet remains at Tassafaronga during the day, and the enemy battlefleet also arrives, somewhat too late to stop my cruiser group, but in time to be attacked by planes from the KB. Of the big ships, BB West Virginia takes three torpedoes and is left on fire. BB Tennessee takes the same. CA Vincennes takes two torpedoes, and CL Honolulu takes one. In the transport groups, CL Boise and CLAA Oakland are sunk, and huge numbers of allied merchant ships are damaged.
Elsewhere, Japanese subs sink an AP and a minesweeper, and the SS S-28 misses BB Kongo, which is escorting the Shokaku and Zuikaku. Allied Hudson bombers also attack the Shortland Islands, sinking a minesweeper, but missing the cruiser force. The allies are continuing to land troops but are taking incredible losses while so doing.
The two carrier fleets remain in their position. The Japanese are 300 miles to the northwest of the crucial landing zone at Tassafaronga, and the Allies some 240 miles to the south east, providing LRCAP over the area. We are at a strange point, neither side seems to want to engage the other, as this would entail moving away from LRCAP from friendly bases, and closer towards the enemy bombers. I am happy for the situation to remain this way.
Overnight, the Japanese light cruiser group attacks a transport group apparently unloading at Tassafaronga. There are 4DDs escorting 8APs and 39 AKs. The Japanese fleet is undetected, and quickly manages to sink one of the escorting DDs, and damage two of the others and then starts to attack the transports. One AP and one AK are sunk, and a further 6 ships are damaged. The Japanese ships take a couple of small calibre shells but are not damaged. The Fleet manages to escape to Shortlands by the morning.
The first combat report that pops up in the morning is one of the strangest that I have ever seen.
TF 112 encounters mine field at Attu Island (91,35)
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 4 destroyed
Japanese Ships
MSW Misago Maru #11
MSW Keinan Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Fukeui Maru #7
Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Presumably, it is reporting the sinking of the CVE Sangamon from earlier damage, taking down 11 planes with it, a Japanese mineweeper sinking in the Aleutians, and the earlier troop casualties from the battle of Tassafaronga.
The American transport fleet remains at Tassafaronga during the day, and the enemy battlefleet also arrives, somewhat too late to stop my cruiser group, but in time to be attacked by planes from the KB. Of the big ships, BB West Virginia takes three torpedoes and is left on fire. BB Tennessee takes the same. CA Vincennes takes two torpedoes, and CL Honolulu takes one. In the transport groups, CL Boise and CLAA Oakland are sunk, and huge numbers of allied merchant ships are damaged.
Elsewhere, Japanese subs sink an AP and a minesweeper, and the SS S-28 misses BB Kongo, which is escorting the Shokaku and Zuikaku. Allied Hudson bombers also attack the Shortland Islands, sinking a minesweeper, but missing the cruiser force. The allies are continuing to land troops but are taking incredible losses while so doing.