wneumann vs Jolly Pillager- the Allied perspective

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/9/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 8 days.

Central Pacific: Light Japanese air patrols reported near Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago. No detected Jap air activity near the Japanese home islands.

US sub Bonita attacked by Jap ASW TF northwest of Jaluit. AAR follows.

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ASW attack at 80,87

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami
DD Samidare
DD Shigure
DD Arare
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Bonita, hits 1 (no damage reported)

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South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Penhryn Is and Auckland, Jap sub remains at Bora Bora. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No reported ground or air combat.

Allied recon flights over Darwin and Port Moresby both report fighters on CAP, no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


DEI: US sub Halibut reports light Jap air patrols (Ki-51 Sonia) in the Macassar Straits, also engages Jap TF. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Tarakan at 34,60

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 10
PC Ch 12
PC Ch 7
DD Chidori
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
SS Halibut

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India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Asansol, Dacca, Calcutta.

Chinese and RAF planes again attack Myitkyina. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16
P-66 Vanguard x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 4 damaged
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-66 Vanguard bombing at 2000 feet
11 x P-66 Vanguard bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet

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F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 1 Jap TF (-2 from last report), 319 aircraft (124 fighters, 85 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 9(184).


China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi, Tuyun. Light ground attack raids by both Chinese and Jap air forces.

Japanese ground forces launch bombardment attacks at Kweilin and along the Changsha-Kweiyang rail line (hex 44,35). AAR's and situation map follow. Jap 110th Division arrives at Kweilin to reinforce attackers.

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1052 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 502
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 17935 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 568
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2499
6th, 22nd, 34th, 40th & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division, 13 & 15 Tank Rgts,
27 Engineer Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 41481 troops, 137 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1155
37th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/10/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 7 days.

Sigint report entry for 5/10 indicates Jap 61st Division is now in Tokyo - this unit a new LCU in the Japanese OOB. I am expecting that Pillager will send 61 Division from Japan to garrison a Central or South Pacific base.

US carrier TF's remain on the U.S. west coast for 4/43 ship upgrades and refits, about 70% completed at this time. Carrier TF's will be reformed once all ships have finished repairs - CV Essex and 4 CVL's will be added to the six US fleet CV's now in service.


Central Pacific: Jap air patrols reported quiet at all locations (Kwajalein, Canton Is, Pago Pago, off Japanese home islands). No reported contacts between US subs and Japanese surface ships.

Unidentified Jap submarine detected off (W of) Johnston Is.


South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Auckland and Penhryn Is.

Operational report entries for 5/10 indicate that Pillager is probably now aware of US transport ship traffic at Penhryn. Several transport TF's arrived at Penhryn from the U.S. west coast and now unloading 43rd Division along with approx 20K supply - additional transport TF's from the U.S. are due to arrive at Penhryn with more LCU's and supply. My estimate on the situation at Penhryn anticipates at least a Japanese bombardment or surface combat TF being sent to Penhryn in a matter of days, also cannot exclude the possibility of a visit to Penhryn from the KB.

U.S. carrier forces are expected to remain unavailable for an estimated 30 days as they complete 4/43 ship upgrades, refit and re-organization. I am not planning to send heavy US surface naval forces to this area with the possiblity of the KB being sent southwards as most US bases in this area of the South Pacific theater do not have sufficient aircraft to adequately cover either transports or surface naval TF's against Jap carrier planes. Therefore, US countermeasures will mostly be of the "duck and run" variety - getting as many transports out of the area as quickly as possible at the first sign of approaching Jap naval forces (assuming there are any signs). Transports from the U.S. approaching or passing through the Penhryn area are now being delayed or rerouted until Jap naval forces have struck and departed, or it is confirmed that Jap naval forces are not coming.

Otherwise it's quiet.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No reported ground or air combat.

Most air reinforcements to Australia from the U.S. have by now arrived and disembarked in Sydney - these air units now repairing their planes back to operational status. Several transports from the U.S. with more air units are still enroute and expected to arrive in Australia shortly.

Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin, and Exmouth all report no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Dacca, Calcutta, Asansol.

RAF and Chinese air forces strike Jap base at Myitkyina. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16
P-66 Vanguard x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
P-66 Vanguard: 16 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-66 Vanguard bombing at 2000 feet
12 x P-66 Vanguard bombing at 2000 feet
15 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
2 x P-66 Vanguard bombing at 2000 feet

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Hudson I recon over Mandalay reporting fighters on CAP, 33 aircraft (19 fighters), 4 Jap LCU's.
F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 1 Jap TF, 306 aircraft (108 fighters, 53 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 10(183).


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Tuyun, Kweilin, Sining.

Light ground attack raids by both Chinese and Jap air forces continue. One Chinese ground attack strike hit and identified the Japanese 41st Division in hex 43,37 - previous location of 41 Division was Hankow, this LCU is believed to be moving into the front lines at Kweilin.

Japanese ground forces continue bombardments at Kweilin and hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line). No report of casualties from either action.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/11/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 6 days.

Central Pacific: Light Jap air patrols reported near Kwajalein. No Jap air activity detected at Canton Is, Pago Pago, or off Japanese home islands.

US sub Hake engages Jap TF at Canton Is. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Canton Island at 100,100

Japanese Ships
AP Hakusan Maru
PC Fumi Maru
PG Yachiyo Maru
PG Oi Maru
DD Hokaze
DD Yukaze
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
SS Hake

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South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Penhryn Is and Auckland. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Jap recon flights over Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. No reported air or ground combat.

Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin, and Exmouth again reporting no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


DEI: US submarine Halibut at Balkpapan heavily damaged (system damage 20, float 63) from unknown causes. SS Halibut returning to base (Perth) for repairs.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Asansol, Calcutta, Dacca.

RAF Beaufighters launch strafing attack on Jap airfield at Magwe. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 16

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 2 destroyed, 36 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet
12 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet

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Hudson I recon over Magwe reporting 4 Jap LCU's.

USAAF and RAF Liberators launch first bombing attack against Jap resource production facilities in Rangoon. Attacks against heavy industry and resources in Rangoon are intended to eliminate all supply point production at Rangoon. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 13
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 35
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 24

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 70
B-24D Liberator x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 15 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 8 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 35 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses (no Allied aircraft actually destroyed)
Liberator III: 2 destroyed, 66 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 7 destroyed, 64 damaged

Resources hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 10000 feet

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F-5A recon over Rangoon reporting 3 Jap TF's (+2 from last report), 216 aircraft (64 fighters, 61 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 11(182), resource production 43(58).


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Pakhoi, Liuchow, Chengtu, Tuyun. Many light ground attack missions by both Chinese and Jap air forces.

Jap ground forces at hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line) launch bombardment attack. Japanese 41st Division appears in the front lines at Kweilin - reinforces assault on Chinese defenders. AAR's of both actions follow.

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Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7352 troops, 24 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 3018
6th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division, 13 & 15 Tank Rgts,
27 Engineer Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 41497 troops, 141 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1159
37th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

Japanese max assault: 131 - adjusted assault: 68
Allied max defense: 1229 - adjusted defense: 7181
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 8

Allied ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1052 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 503
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18012 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 575
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

[reapagan]

So, what time frame are you looking at for invading the Japanese home islands?

Mrea

[wneumann]

Tomorrow!

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/12/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 6 days.

Central Pacific: US subs reporting light Jap air patrols near Kwajalein (G4M Betty, D4Y Judy, E13A1 Jake), the Canton Is area (G4M), at Pago Pago (G3M Nell, F1M2 Pete) and off the Japanese home islands (G5N Liz, E13A1) . No contacts with Japanese surface ships in any of these locations.

Five unidentified Japanese sub contacts detected north of Pearl Harbor, reports show all 5 Jap subs moving on a W or SW heading as if returning home from patrol. But where were they patrolling? Up to now, none of these subs had contacts with US ships, TF's or planes, no minefields have been detected. No matter... shortly there will be 10 or more ASW ships chasing each Jap sub, and swarms of planes as well. Situation map follows.

[Feinder]

Wow, I can't believe he's running that close to Hawaii.  As Japan, I patrolled the CA-HI lanes, but coming within 10 hex of Hawaii is usually a pretty bad idea.
 
-F-

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/12/43 part deux.

South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Penhryn Is and Auckland. Otherwise quiet.

Penhryn Is remains on alert for a possible Japanese surface naval or carrier attack. US transports continue unloading ops at Penhryn but ready to depart immediately on the first sign of any Japanese approach.

A task force with USN 58th Seabees and 8-9K supply arrived at Aitutaki Is (north of Rarotonga). Landing operations are now underway with base construction to start as quickly as possible. Aitutaki Island is a beach hex but a very suitable location for construction of medium size base facilities.

Sigint report for 5/12 indicates Jap Hankow SNLF was transferred from China and now located on Tinian. Hankow SNLF was previously located at Ichang as of 8/17/42.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No reported air or ground combat.

The last transports bringing USAAF air units to Australia are now arriving in or approaching Sydney. Most USAAF air units already disembarked and presently repairing damaged aircraft to operational status.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting fighters on CAP (A6M3a & Ki-45), 7 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Darwin reports Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports 5 Jap LCU's.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Dacca, Asansol, Calcutta.

RAF fighter squadrons again active over western Burma - fighter sweep on Myitkyina. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 73
Spitfire Vb x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 2 damaged

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Hudson I recon over Magwe reporting 4 Jap LCU's.

Sigint report entry for 5/12 indicating HQ Jap 15th Army moved southward from Myitkyina to Mandalay.

F-5A recon over Darwin reporting 4 Jap TF's (+1 from last report), 249 aircraft (84 fighters, 60 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 12(181), resource production 42(59).


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Pakhoi, Tuyun. Light ground attack strikes by Japanese and Chinese air forces continue.

Japanese 19 Engineer Rgt was detected and attacked by a Chinese ground attack strike while moving just behind the Jap front lines. Probable destination of 19 Engineer Rgt appears to be Kweilin.

Japanese ground forces launch bombardment attacks at Kweilin and hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line). The Jap 13th Division arrived in the front lines at Kweilin to reinforce the enemy attack. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 140127 troops, 597 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 3542
6th, 13th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, 27 Engineer Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 41523 troops, 146 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1157
37th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1024 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 504
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18074 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 577
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

[wneumann]

Feinder... Didn't realize you live just up the road from me. I'm Carrollwood area.

Pillager's subs off Hawaii were a surprise to me. There's no lack of US naval search planes flying about, it's amazing they didn't run into any of my transports or other ships, if they laid a minefield somewhere I would have found it by now. So what are or were these subs doing? There has to be some logic behind this, but what?

[Feinder]

Margaritaville - I figured you live in Key West.
 
Yeah, Land o' Lakes is nice (move here from Town-n-Country in 2002).  Wife and I said we were going to drive north until we saw cows again, and buy a house (ended up being Land o Lakes).  Unfortunately, there aren't any more cows here anymore; and other than the expense of gas (I work across from International Mall), it's a nice area.
 
There are actually a few of us in Tampa area, I think about 6 from the boards.  One of these days, we'll have to meet for beer to watch a Bucs game or something.
 
-F-

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/13/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 5 days.

Central Pacific: Three of the Japanese subs detected near Hawaii were engaged by U.S. ASW forces. Two sightings of E14Y1 Glen planes from the Jap subs were reported by U.S. ASW TF's leaving Pearl Harbor.

Jap sub I-10 was found and attacked off Lihue by an ASW TF from Pearl Harbor. AAR follows.

A PB4Y Liberator attacked a second Jap sub (I-175) just off Pearl Harbor - no hits reported. I-175 was also found by an ASW TF. AAR follows.

Jap sub I-171 is confirmed sunk after air attack by a B-17E Fortress south of Lihue.

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ASW attack at 112,70 (off Lihue)

Japanese Ships
SS I-10

Allied Ships
DMS Dorsey
DMS Lamberton
DMS Boggs
DMS Trevor
DMS Zane
DMS Hopkins
DMS Long
DMS Hovey
DMS Southard
DMS Elliot
PG Charleston

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Sub attack at 113,71 (off Pearl Harbor)

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
PC Tiger
AVD Swan
SC SC-751
SC SC-750
SC SC-749
PC Reliance

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U.S. subs reporting light Jap air patrols near Kwajalein, the Canton Is area, Pago Pago. Quiet off the Japanese home islands. No reported contacts between U.S. subs and Japanese surface ships.


South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Penhryn Is and Auckland. Still quiet for now.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Alice Springs. No reported ground or air combat.

Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin, and Exmouth all report no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights continue over Asansol, Dacca, Calcutta.

AVG and RAF fighters launch a sweep against the Jap air base in Magwe. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 31
Spitfire Vb x 64
P-40E Warhawk x 24
P-40N Warhawk x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 14 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 17 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 26 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged (nearly all destroyed planes actually returned damaged)
P-40N Warhawk: 31 damaged

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F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 4 Jap TF's, 181 aircraft (58 fighters, 50 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 13(180), resource production 43(58). Pillager is repairing HI and Resource facilities in Rangoon.


China: Jap recon flights over Kweilin, Tuyun, Chungking. Light ground attack strikes by Japanese and Chinese air forces continue.

Jap ground forces again bombard in Kweilin and hex 44,35. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 956 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 503
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18043 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 576
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1104 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3570
6th, 13th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, 27 Engineer Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 41461 troops, 145 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1155
37th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

[wneumann]

Readers,

Keep my opponent (Pillager) in your thoughts... He's in the direct path of Hurricane Ike which is expected to make landfall in or near Galveston (TX) within the next few hours.

I'm four game turns behind in posting my AAR's in here (Pillager and I now playing the 5/18/43 game turn). Once the 5/17 AAR is posted, it is very likely this PBEM will go on "intermission" until such time Pillager can return to action.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/14/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 4 days.

Central Pacific: U.S. subs reporting light Japanese air patrols near Kwajalein, Canton Is area. and Pago Pago. Aircraft types include G3M Nell & G4M Betty bombers, E13A1 Jake floatplanes. No reported air activity off Japanese home islands.

US sub Blackfish torpedoed AK Sagami Maru south of the Jap home islands, no confirmation of damage or sinking. AAR follows.

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Sub attack at 66,47

Japanese Ships
AK Sagami Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Hakkaisan Maru
PG Daido Maru
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Keinan Maru
MSW Atsu Maru
MSW Aoi Maru
MSW Wa 13
MSW Wa 7

Allied Ships
SS Blackfish

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Jap submarines detected near Hawaii on 5/12 continue moving on separate W or SW headings - subs now located west and southwest of Pearl Harbor after passing through the Hawaiian Is chain from Molokai northward. U.S. aircraft and ASW TF's continue to pursue contacts.


South Pacific: Report of a Jap E13A1 Jake floatplane flying over Penhryn Is. An unidentified Japanese TF detected 6-7 hexes due west of Penhryn - this TF moving on an E heading. With the Jake floatplane sighting, it is highly probable the detected Jap TF is a surface combat or bombardment TF closing on Penhryn to attack Allied shipping and/or targets ashore. US transport shipping at Penhryn have stopped unloading operations and put out to sea. Two PT boat TF's (12 boats each) now formed at Penhryn and both are set to engage the Jap TF when it reaches Penhryn.

Sigint report entry for 5/14 indicates HQ Jap 13th Air Fleet now located at Lunga. 13 Air Fleet HQ is a new LCU in the Jap OOB.

Jap recon flights over Penhryn Is, Auckland, and Norfolk Is. Except for Penhryn Is, all other sectors in the South Pacific are quiet.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No reported ground or air combat.

Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin, Exmouth all report no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Asansol, Chittagong, Dacca.

Small RAF night bombing raid on Magwe, no reported losses or damage on either side. Otherwise quiet.

F-5A recon on Rangoon reporting 2 Jap TF's (-2 from last report), 200 aircraft (58 fighters, 51 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 14(179), resource production 44(57).


China: Jap recon flights over Pakhoi and Chengtu. Continued light ground attack strikes by both Japanese and Chinese air forces.

Japanese ground forces continue bombardment attacks at Kweilin and hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line). A new attack by Japanese ground forces across the China-Vietnam border north of Hanoi. AAR's of all actions follow.

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Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1004 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 504
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18127 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 580
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1084 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3597
6th, 13th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, 27 Engineer Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 41699 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1165
37th, 52nd, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

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Ground combat at 38,37 (China-Vietnam border N of Hanoi)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17140 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 334
1 & 2 Yobi Eki Regiments
Defending force 10903 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 358
31st Chinese Corps

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/15/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 3 days.

From what the news and weather reports are saying... Pillager probably has quite a situation on his hands, especially if he's anywhere near the shore. He'll be doing very well if he gets out of this with only a power outage.

Meantime, back to "pre-hurricane" war coverage...

Central Pacific: Light Jap air patrols continuing near Kwajalein, at Pago Pago, and the Canton Is area. Quiet off the Japanese home islands. No reported contacts between U.S. subs and Jap surface ships.

Jap submarines near Hawaii continue moving on W or SW headings - some heading towards Johnston Is, others will pass Johnston Is to the north. These subs are definately trying to get out of the area. A U.S. ASW task force catches Jap submarine I-10. AAR follows.

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ASW attack at 104,75

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage (confirmed sunk)

Allied Ships
DD King
DD Edsall
DD Le Triomphant
DD Balch
DD Phelps
DD McDougal
DD Selfridge
DD Warrington
DD Sampson

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South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Auckland.

Japanese surface TF reaches Penhryn Is, engaged in combat by both U.S. PT-boat TF's. AAR's follow. The Jap TF withdrew from Penhryn after combat with the PT-boats, no bombardment of shore facilities on Penhryn.

Jap surface TF is now detected west of Penhryn, moving on a W heading and split into two TF. Damage inflicted on Jap DD's and aborting the Jap TF's mission worth the cost of six sunk PT-boats.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Penhryn Island at 111,114

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CL Agano
CL Isuzu
DD Murasame, Shell hits 1
DD Harusame, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 4
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
PT PT-62
PT PT-63
PT PT-64
PT PT-65
PT PT-103, Shell hits 45, and is sunk
PT PT-104, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT PT-105
PT PT-106
PT PT-107
PT PT-108
PT PT-109 (JFK fanboys rejoice! He's entered the war).
PT PT-110

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Penhryn Island at 111,114

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CL Agano
CL Isuzu
DD Murasame
DD Harusame, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsuharu
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
PT PT-111
PT PT-112
PT PT-113
PT PT-114
PT PT-124, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
PT PT-125
PT PT-126
PT PT-127, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT PT-128, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PT PT-142, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
PT PT-143
PT PT-144

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Other than action at Penhryn, all other South Pacific sectors reporting quiet.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. Otherwise quiet.

Allied recon flights over Port Moresby, Darwin, Exmouth all reporting no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Chittagong and Asansol. No reported ground or air combat.

Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - No Jap TF's, 297 aircraft (97 fighters, 50 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 15(178), resource production 45(56).

Hudson I recon over Moulmein reports 2 Jap TF's, 2 Jap LCU's. Detected status of Moulmein also indicating this base has 100 resource production, existence of resource production facilities in Moulmein placing this location high on the short list of targets in the "War on Supply" for RAF and USAAF 4E bombers in this theatre.

Jap surface TF detected off Burma coast (situation map follows).

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/15/43 continued

China: Jap recon flights over Chengtu, Tuyun, Kweilin, Sining. Continued light ground attack strikes by both Japanese and Chinese air forces.

Japanese ground forces continue bombardment attacks at Kweilin, hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line), and along the China-Vietnam border. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1004 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 502
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18118 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 581
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1124 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3621
6th, 13th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, 27 Engineer Rgt, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 50381 troops, 201 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1432
37th, 52nd, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 38,37 (China-Vietnam border)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17161 troops, 143 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 335
1 & 2 Yobi Eki Regiments
Defending force 10883 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 358
31st Chinese Corps

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/16/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 2 days.

Central Pacific: Jap air patrols spotted by US subs operating near Kwajalein, the Canton Is area, and Pago Pago. Most Jap aircraft encountered near Kwajalein & Canton Is were G4M Bettys (some E13A1 Jake floatplanes). G3M Nell and land-based Kates at Pago Pago. No detected Jap air patrols near Japanese home islands.

No reported contacts between US subs and Japanese surface ships in any of these locations.

U.S. ASW task force catches Jap sub I-24 north of Johnston Is. AAR follows.

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Sub attack at 103,75

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 9, on fire (no confirmation of sinking)

Allied Ships
APD Kilty
APD Gregory
APD Kane
APD Hatfield
APD Gilmer
APD Humphreys
APD Brooks

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South Pacific: Jap surface combat TF continues moving westward away from Penhryn Is, probable destination Pago Pago. US transport shipping off Penhryn is now returning to resume unloading ops.

Jap recon flights over Penrhyn Is and Auckland. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No reported air or ground combat.

Two sigint report entries for 5/16 indicating Jap LCU activity in NW Australia. HQ Jap 2nd Area Army has moved from Katherine to Daly Waters (sigint entry showing this LCU now in Daly Waters). A second sigint entry places 142 IJA Base Force in Daly Waters. 142 Base Force is a new LCU in the Japanese OOB.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports fighters on CAP, 107 aircraft (33 fighters, 15 bombers), 7 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Darwin reporting Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap LCU's.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting 30 aircraft (12 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's. US sub Snapper enroute from Perth to patrol in the DEI spotted a G4M Betty flying off Exmouth.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Asansol, Dacca, Chittagong.

Chinese fighters based in Ledo attack Jap base at Myitkyina. No report of plane losses or damage to the target.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reports 4 Jap TF's, 335 aircraft (100 fighters, 73 bombers), 17 LCU's, heavy industry 16(177), resource production 46(55).

An unidentified Jap TF detected in Moulmein base.

Contact has been lost with the Jap surface TF detected moving NE off the Burma coast.


China: Jap recon flights over Chungking, Tuyun, Sining, Kweilin. Continued light ground attack strikes by both Japanese and Chinese air forces.

Japanese ground forces continue bombardment attacks at Kweilin, hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line), and along the China-Vietnam border. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 976 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 501
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18236 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 579
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3663
6th, 13th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, 19 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 50405 troops, 202 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1432
37th, 52nd, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 38,37

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17186 troops, 146 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 334
1 & 2 Yobi Eki Regiments
Defending force 10863 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 358
31st Chinese Corps

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/17/43 - the final Pre-Hurricane Ike Edition

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: 1 day.

Central Pacific: Jap air patrols continue near Kwajalein, Canton Is, and Pago Pago. Light air activity reported off Japanese home islands. No reported contacts between US subs and Japanese surface ships.

Jap submarine I-31 attacked and hit by an LB-30 Liberator north of Johnston Is. Game turn combat replay indicates the I-31 was sunk - no confirmation it actually did sink.

Of the five Japanese subs spotted north of Hawaii on 5/12 - two (I-10, I-171) are confirmed sunk, two other subs (I-24, I-31) are damaged to some extent, only the I-175 escaped the gauntlet intact. With the confirmed destruction of I-158 and RO-61 earlier this month, May '43 has been quite productive for U.S. ASW forces in the Central Pacific.


South Pacific: Jap recon flights over Penhryn Is and Auckland.

US transport shipping returned to Penhryn and resumed unloading ops. Contact has been lost with the Jap surface TF, likely continued its westward movement towards Pago Pago and now beyond detection range.


Australia: Jap recon flight over Tennant Creek. No reported ground or air combat.

Hudson I recon over Exmouth reports 30 aircraft (17 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Darwin reporting Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap LCU's.
Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reporting A6M3a & Ki-45 fighters on CAP, 103 aircraft (28 fighters, 8 bombers), 7 Jap LCU's.


DEI: Sigint report entry for 5/17 indicates 121 IJN Base Force now located at Toboali. 121 Base Force is a new LCU in the Japanese OOB.

No Allied subs currently operating in the DEI. US sub Snapper is now enroute from Perth to patrol in the DEI.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Asansol and Dacca. No reported air or ground combat.

Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon - 2 Jap TF's, 1 disbanded ship in port, 364 aircraft (120 fighters, 57 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 17(176), resource production 47(54).

An unplanned Jap minesweeping operation.... AAR follows. Mines courtesy of Dutch submarine O-21.

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TF 105 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,33)

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Mine hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: Jap recon flights over Sining, Liuchow, Pakhoi, Chengtu. Light ground attack air strikes by both Chinese and Japanese air forces continue.

Japanese ground forces continue bombardment attacks at Kweilin, hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line), and along the China-Vietnam border. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1032 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 501
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18136 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 579
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3683
6th, 13th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, 19 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 50368 troops, 202 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1429
37th, 52nd, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported


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Ground combat at 38,37 (China-Vietnam border)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17201 troops, 145 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 335
1 & 2 Yobi Eki Regiments
Defending force 10782 troops, 46 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 355
31st Chinese Corps

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[wneumann]

With this report, our PBEM is now going on Intermission due to the hurricane.

Hopefully, Pillager made it through Ike without taking too much damage.

Quite apparent at this time (and to no surprise), at the very least he is among the several million residents of Texas that are without power and likely to remain that way for some time. Not to mention whatever else in the way of storm damage he may now be dealing with.

On this side... we hope for the best, wait out events, and resume the war when he comes back.

[wneumann]

I just received a move from Pillager tonight. Didn't say anything about what happened with him during Hurricane Ike and the aftermath, though the past week or so couldn't have been one of the most pleasant for him.

Let the war go on....

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 5/18/43

Countdown to CV Essex arrival: It's now in the game. I've used this date as a point of reference to mark the time in our PBEM where USN and IJN carrier forces would become equal at least in quantitative terms (numbers of carriers and aircraft).

As of this time, the IJN continues to retain a qualitative advantage in several areas - mainly fighter aircraft and overall pilot training levels.

Most KB fighter squadrons have probably by now upgraded from the A6M2 Zero. USN VF squadrons are still equipped with F4F Wildcats at this time (F6F production in CHS starts in 7/43, and these planes not expected to reach widespread front-line service in VF squadrons for another month or two after 7/43). While USN VF squadrons performed quite well in combat flying F4F's vs KB fighters during the Kwajalein action on 1/16/43, having the F6F Hellcat in front-line service would be a considerable boost.

USN and IJN carrier dive bomber and torpedo squadrons at this point are approximately equal.

A second issue is USN vs IJN pilots. Except for a number of KB pilots that might have been lost in action over US carrier TF's during the 1/43 Kwajalein action (78 Japanese planes destroyed, 48 planes damaged, mostly fighters), the KB has suffered very few pilot losses. Pillager has had considerable opportunity to train KB replacement pilots through 1942 and up to this point in '43 - I'm anticipating he's taken good advantage of this opportunity and expecting him to have a pool of replacement KB pilots at least sufficient in numbers (if not experience rating) to replace all the pilots that are currently flying in the KB's front-line squadrons. In short, I expect Pillager to now have two full "waves" of trained Jap carrier pilots available for combat ops.


Central Pacific: U.S. subs reporting light to moderate Jap air patrol activity in most areas (Kwajalein, Pago Pago, Canton Is). No contacts reported between US subs and Jap surface ships.

Only one U.S. sub remaining on patrol south of the Japanese home islands.

Surviving Japanese subs that were being engaged near Hawaii and Johnston Is have all moved to the west of Johnston Is and are continuing to retire. US ASW task forces are being called off and now returning to base.

Combat replay of the 5/18 game turn again reports Jap sub I-31 has sunk - no confirmation (I-31 has not appeared on the sunken ships listing in the Intelligence Display).


South Pacific: Jap recon flight over Penhryn Is. Otherwise quiet.


Australia: Jap recon flights over Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. No reported ground or air combat.

Catalina I recon over Port Moresby reports A6M3a & Ki-45 fighters on CAP, one Jap TF (+1 from last report), 7 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Darwin reports Ki-61 fighters on CAP, 2 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Exmouth reporting 40 aircraft (20 bombers), 5 Jap LCU's.


India/Burma: Jap recon flights over Asansol, Dacca, Chittagong. No reported combat.

F-5A recon over Rangoon reported 2 Jap TF's, 400 aircraft (130 fighters, 69 bombers), 17 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 18(175), resource production 48(53).


China: Jap recon flights over Tuyun, Chungking. Continued light ground attack air strikes by both Chinese and Japanese air forces.

Japanese ground forces continue bombardment attacks at Kweilin, hex 44,35 (Changsha-Kweiyang rail line), and along the China-Vietnam border. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1032 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 501
39th Infantry Division, 15 FA Rgt
Defending force 18118 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 581
28th, 29th & 42nd Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1144 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3709
6th, 13th, 22nd, 34th, 40th, 41st & 110th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Tank Division,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, 19 & 27 Engineer Rgts, 2 Mountain Gun Rgt
Defending force 50381 troops, 198 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1436
37th, 52nd, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps, HQ 20 Group Army

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 38,37 (along China-Vietnam border)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17281 troops, 145 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 335
1 & 2 Yobi Eki Regiments
Defending force 10746 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 355
31st Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Guns lost 1