Scott1964 vs stldiver The War of the Samurai

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: stldiver


One of the dreaded Nells attacking the convoy

Er... isn't that a Betty? [&:]

[stldiver]

Sept 9th

An old house with bullet holes in the door serves as the new HQ for Koumac.

Huddled around an old wooden table stands the various officers representing the allied command on the island, included are Dutch, Americans, French and Australians.

CIC Koumac "Gentleman we just booted 700 Japs down the road towards Noumea, as soon as the transports finish unloading tommorrow we will begin heading towards Noumea. We need an airfield built here as soon as possible whats the status?"

Dutch officer "Currently this area can only support float planes sir, but probably in a week we should be able to operate fighters. I understand it took about that long at Lunga and they are flying in fighters and Recon planes as we speak"

French officer "What about the Lexington is it coming back to provide cover?"

American officer "Well the Lex just didn't leave out of fear, it appears coastwatchers spotted some transports moving down the slot towards our new base at Lunga, the Lex hightailed it back to Lunga and today sank several ships at Tulagi. It looks like they are trying to pick up their troops at Tulagi possibly to move them to Lunga and another group is coming to land at Lunga. The Lex was needed to try and stop this effort, tommorrow will tell more."

Australian officer "To put it in short we are on our own, but as long as Lunga holds the Japanese are cutoff down here and once this field gets operational we will begin starving them out"

CIC Koumac "Very well gentleman, lets get back to business, I understand today we had cloud cover but tommorrow its reported to be clear so our transports will be under attack again"

Meanwhile at the future sight of the Koumac airstrip a gruff looking soldier overhears two other soldiers argueing

Frank " I told you that was a Nell"

Charlie "Nell, betty, frances, mary it don't really matter the name they was blasting the crap outa us"

The Gruff soldier interrupts the two
"It was betty you was pointing at not a Nell, for gods sakes your part of a US base force you should be able to recognize airplanes"

Frank and Charlie stare at each other dumbfounded

Frank finally stirs "Well whats your name?"

Gruff soldier "RT for short, seems those betties and nells didn't play with us today but I heard over the the HQ that the dutch CL Sumatra and 4 destroyers made a night bombardment of Noumea last night, shot up a couple of planes. The betties and Nells took after them today and put 4 torpedoe's into the Sumatra, she probably will be seeing her last sunset"

Charlie "Damm, well we better get back to work right quick. I'll be wanting some fighter cover soon"

The two soldiers head over to the supply truck to get their equipment while the Gruff soldier heads over to a tree to sit down"

Picture of the gruff soldier

[scott64]

Propaganda [:'(] 

[stldiver]

Early afternoon Sept 13th, 1942.

Lcdr Scott smashes his face deep into the sand and the whistle of bullets is heard overhead.

It had been a god awful ride in, this was his first landing and he understood why MGen Mullins decided to land with the unit on the second day.
Motor and gun fire had been tremendous. Must have been over 400 guns blinking as they approached. Many transports had been seen burning.

They were ashore know and had managed despite over 10,000 enemy troops to make even odds and push over one of their defenses. From the reports they appeared to be going against 3 Japanese base force units and a construction unit. Fortunatly these were not main combat troops. It should only be a couple of days and the island will be secure. The 25th division and the 25th US base force had enough steam to bully thru this opposisiton.

Scott lifted his head to gaze across the battlefield, yes there was the next objective the base, soon Marcus would be theirs.

[stldiver]

Its evening in the mess hall at Dacca, all is quiet except the sounds of forks hitting tin. The day had been a disaster, for over two weeks 100 to 130 hurricanes had been sweeping over Meiktila begging the Japanese to come out and fight, most days 4 to 6 zeros would appear and one or two would go down. Today was different, 103 hurricanes took off and engaged 44 enemy fighters and 70 did not return.

The remaining planes were ordered out that evening, suddenly they hear trucks pull up and the excited talk from new airman jumping off.
Two pilots, Gifford a vet with 4 kills and Edge the ranking British pilot with 7 kills get up and walk over to the door. One of the mechanics is just coming in.

Edge "Cranker, these new pilots look green, do we have enough Hurries to replace 70 losses?"

Mechanic "Yea, but you better not go tangling like you did today, You best let them come to you"

Gifford "I'm getting tired of getting our asses kicked when we getting some spits?"

Edge "I was told not till January 43"

both stare at the new meat running to check out their planes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Meiktila , at 32,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-27 Nate x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 103

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 11 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 70 destroyed

Marcus Island
MGen Mullins walks with Lcdr Scott "Excellant job capturing the airbase, soon we will be able to scout for the next operation"

Scott "Sir what is the next operation"

Mullin "I can tell you know as the next invasion will happen in 2 days. Taking Marcus was a way to get a forward base for Recon, our main invasion for is now 240 miles from the Marianas!"

Scott looks at Mullins' in astonishment "Which island are we taking?"

Mullins smiles and claps scott on the back "Why all 3 myboy, Saipan, Tinan and Guam. The Japs won't know what hit them. They know we are coming as they found the fleet today and launched Nells, only 1 tanker was hit and over 29 Nells went down. The carriers spotted some transports at Saipan and damaged 6 ships, Tommorrow the ships move to within 60 miles then all hell will break loose!"

Suddenly they hear the roar of aircraft engines as they see a formation of 12 PBY's begin to make an approach landing

Mullins "Tommorrow we will have eyes!"

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Ground combat at Marcus Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14512 troops, 166 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 299

Defending force 10074 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 106

Allied max assault: 604 - adjusted assault: 190

Japanese max defense: 62 - adjusted defense: 29

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Marcus Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
256 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
255 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

[stldiver]

Sept 18th 1942

Cpt Murray paces the bridge of the CV Enterprise. He ponders his predicament.

Two days ago the CV's Enterprise, Wasp and Saratoga had escorted and covered the invasion force. Various groups of Japanese bombers and torpedo planes from Saipan had flown out piecemeal to battle. The Japanese once again had been surprised by the speed of the Allied advance, most of their forces had been drawn south due to the battles at Noumea, Lunga.

Yesterday the allied transports split into 3 groups and each group headed for thier target. The largest 2 divisions, tank unit, combat engineers, aviation unit headed for Saipan where recon spotted 4 units. The first day the allied BB's bombarded the shore defenses and received about 300 guns reply. The transports were not so lucky when over 3000 guns fired at the main body.

Coastal Guns at Saipan, 64,64, firing at TF 1097
TF 1097 troops unloading over beach at Saipan, 64,64

3330 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. [X(]
Allied Ships
CL Trenton, Shell hits 38, on fire
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Loa Koeloe, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dale, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Latouche, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kwangtung, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Hirondelle, Shell hits 2, on fire
PC Navajo, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Peri, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Compagnia Filipinas, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Argus, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Concord, Shell hits 42, on fire
AK Manini, Shell hits 4, on fire
PC Genesee, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Robin, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Admiral Nulton, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Laws, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW Vireo, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Halstead, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Day, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Rail, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK William R. Gibson, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Aylwin, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK West Cape, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Sidney Hauptmann, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taroona, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Canberra, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Chateau Thierry, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Henderson, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP McCawley, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP George F. Elliot, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP President Madison, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
AP Zeilin, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
6854 casualties reported
Guns lost 33
Vehicles lost 10

The carriers did not try to support the transports as their mission was to interdict any surface ships trying to interfere with the operation and preserve the CV's.

For Tinian on Cav Rgt was landed and encountered light resistance from a base force.

Guam the southernmost island recieved the attention of another division and support units, recon had shown Guam as unoccupied.

The Japanese had flown in 22 kates to Palau north of Saipan and they also attacked shipping, torpedoing and sinking several damaged ships. Once again the CV's were concerned with preservation and deterance some Wildcats did extend out to cover Saipan but most stayed over the fleet.

Now Murray was looking out at the setting sun, news had reached them of the aftermath of the 2nd day of landings. Guam was secured and during the evening P-38F's and PBY's had flown in to the single airfield, finally army air could provide cover for the transports.

Tinian had also been secured with the Japanese pushed off the base with 3 to 1 advantage. No base forces were available with the landing.

Saipan was not assaulted as most of the troops had heavy disruption and staggered supply after the 1st day. They were ordered to rest one day while additional troops landed, once again to fierce shore guns. They had been ordered on day 3 to attack and there is little doubt the island will be secured as only 2 coastal gun units, a base unit and the 5th NLF stand against the 2 divisions, tank unit and combat engineers.

Murrays was waiting for commands next decision, they were to stray north near Palau and replenish fuel from a large tanker, most of the transports had unloaded and with Saipan secure tommorrow the damaged ones could seek shelter in its harbor. Some cruisers had been spotted at Rabaul two days ago, but they did not pose a threat.

His carriers were due to upgrade in Oct with more defensive armament, but the opportunity was ripe. Should he go raiding shipping lanes and cutoff all supply to truk and the southern areas? Strike at Tokyo? or cover the damaged transports as they included the majority of allied shipping?

Reports had come in several days ago that a large transport unit had arrived at Kwaleign and unloaded, probably the units that had been chased away from Lunga, well today they were surprised to find the CV Lexington had sailed north at fullspeed and blocked their retreat towards truk, while the CVE Nassau had just arrived to attack from the east.

The Japanese high command definatly was facing a major catastrophe, be he knew more was to be unveild tommorrow as the british had not been silent.

Below is Guam harbor in background is the main airfield soon to be more.

[stldiver]

Sept 19th.

The party at Saipan is put on hold as the allied troops suffer a 0-1 shock!
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Ground combat at Saipan

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 26823 troops, 229 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 699

Defending force 13596 troops, 87 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Allied max assault: 1140 - adjusted assault: 260

Japanese max defense: 81 - adjusted defense: 367

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5) [X(]

Japanese ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
685 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
Vehicles lost 2

I guess Saipan will take a week or more to crack now, had some ships withdraw before dropping the rest of the troops but dissapointed in the low adjusted assault. I know what to do to rememdy. Meanwhile the island is Pagan I believe to the north of Saipan that he had Kates at and Vals have shown up with the Kates, more ships sunk and damaged as P-38Fs had island cap'd but no ships there.

The CV's travel within 200 miles of Iwo Jima and sink 4 ML there. There are several units spotted at Iwo and Chici has an aircraft sympol and level 2 field. I am moving next to Iwo tommorrow to see if I can catch anymore ships.

At Kwaleign he moves his shipping SW and is covered by clouds, the Lex and CVE Nassau have been ordered to chase. I intend for none to make it home. Meanwhile 2 BB will begin to pound Kwaleign. It has approx 8 units and 20k troops at least a division. I intend to isolate and starve these units.

At Noumea he continues to launch 28 Zeros and close to 50 Nells and Betties at Koumac but I repair and rebuild stronger every day. It may take a month to finish this island or 2 but I have time.

The big surprise was not unveiled today but will be tommorrow, The british are invading Pagan on the west coast of Sumatra!!!! [:D]
They land tommorrow!

[stldiver]

Sept 20th 1942

The British unveiled their big surprise today and landed at Padang [:)]
I did not recon and lucky for the british there are no Japanese at this port. The 1st day went without a hitch. The british carriers are providing cover but there was no recon. Unfortunatly at the end of the day both Singapore and Palembang get dark red. I imagine tommorrow will bring a lot of betties and nells down on the british. I have ordered the CV's to pull back 60 miles and put cap at 100%. We will see what happens.

This landing will be successful and when built up this base will bring Palembang and singapore within bomber range!!!



Central Pacific
The 3 US CV's drift next to Iwo Jima a lvl 0 airfield with 3 or 4 units there, its chichi jima thats level 2, of which over 50 Nates escort a couple of lillies to attack the CV's. 49 Nates perish for 1 wildcat. One lilly does make a run at the Yorktown but is to shaken to even come close.

The island north of Saipan continues to launch Kates and Vals although P-38Fs begin to interfere they are to exhausted to do much. I am sending the carriers back south to pound this island back to the stoneage.

I continue to unload at Saipan and let disruption drop on my troops.

Betties and Nells from Truk sink damaged shipping withdrawing from Marianas.

The Lexinton and Nassau both launch vs the retreating transports from Kwajalen, that will be the last convoy that ever visits that group of islands. 6 to 7 ships are damaged.

2 BB's pound Kwajalen and pull back.

[stldiver]

The butcher bill in transports will be very high for my operations as it has been all war.

I have played the allied to late war victory before and know I have plenty more transports coming. The speed of the operations has allowed me to capture these islands and bases with relatively little defence.

The British capture Padang but the betties, sallies and so forth damage between 10 to 15 transports, unfortunatly one that sinks was carrying 16 hurricanes [:(]. The pm strike from singapore consisted of some fighters going against the british CV's with only sally's lucky for me.
as the betties and Nells went after the transports. I have ordered the CV's to pull back a little. The CV's were clouded in the AM so did not recieve the alpha strike nor did they cap the base. In the PM some martlets capped over the transports but did minor damage to the jap planes.

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Day Air attack on TF at 17,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Ki-21-II Sally x 9

Allied aircraft
Martlet x 71

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
Ki-27 Nate: 16 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 7 destroyed [:)]

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious


Around Marianas more betties from Truk and vals, Kates hit my transports. One more day and I will assault Saipan again. The CV's came back and one hit the island airfield doing 20% damage. It appears the kates and vals flew out. Tommorrow the base will be completely shut down north of Saipan. I should have done that several days ago. Had hope of catching some surface ships sneaking in to hit my transports.

The betties sink the CL trenton east of marianas on its way back.

Here is a picture of Padang area.
Over 30k troops are ashore and the base is captured.

[stldiver]

The Japanese are finally pushed into the bush at Saipan, I probably could have done this two days ago but wanted to be sure.

I have invaded Pagan with an RCT and in two days will clear the base, it appears only a base unit occupies the island. The CV's have shut this airfield down finally.

Forgot to mention several days ago I invaded and captured Entinwok, sp? there were no defenders and no planes in the area to contest the freebee.

The british march east 60 miles and will capture the next base. I am losing 5 to 6 transports a day but its well worth it.

Below is a picture of Saipan area. Pagan should fall soon. Iwo Jima had 4 units I believe and my subs seen more loading up at Tokyo, he is preparing his next line.

The ships east of the marianas are mostly withdrawing, a lot are damaged.

[scott64]

Tokyo HQ



High level cabinet meeting:
"The war is not yet lost."
"We must strike back"
"That special Task Force is standing by."
"Operation Saki Revenge?" asked thegreatwent.
"Yes." exclaimed Feurer Krieg.
"Banzai."


[X(][X(][X(]

[stldiver]

The last couple of days have seen heavy raids on Padang, over 30 plus Japanese fighters and 100 bombers of various types.
Usually 12 to 20 Hurricanes and P-38F's will fly up and do even exchanges, he damages the airfield but it gets repaired.
The best that can be said is it definatly slows any buildup, but I will take the attrition.

In Marianas, I am consolidating the islands, mostly bombarding with occasional deliberate but it will take a while, they are stubborn in the jungle.

Down south at Noumea my division and french unit are 60 miles from Koumac, there are 5 units there, one was kicked all the way there so we will see what sort of defense he has soon.

Kwaliegn area gets air raids but most everything else is quiet.

We have heard rumors of his fleet, all they can muster is about 6 BB's, Junyo probably and a bunch of CA's definatly a strong punch, but nothing to stop are consolidation of conquests.

[stldiver]

Sept 30th 1942 was a tough day for the allied command.

The day before I had moved the CV's Enterprise, Wasp and Yorktown next to Iwo and hit some ML near Chi Chi, Scott loaded up Chi Chi to dark red. I had transports within 120 miles of Iwo Jima. Not wanting to sacrifice more transports to raids I decided to only move within 60 miles of Iwo and pull the CV's into the same hex to draw fire and wipe out whatever Chi Chi sent. Unfortunatly for me there were a lot of quality fighters which allowed the 26 or so Kates to break thru. Two CV's took torpedo's as can be seen one in AM strike one in PM

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Day Air attack on TF at 64,54 1st strike from Chi CHi, all is good [:)]

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 3
B5N2 Kate x 5
Ki-27 Nate x 2
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 98

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 2 destroyed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,54 2nd AM strike his fighters brook all the Kates thru, I have to commend him [:(]

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23
D3A2 Val x 3
B5N2 Kate x 26
Ki-27 Nate x 28
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 27
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 98

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 16 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 14 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 8 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 57 destroyed [:(]

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [:@]

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Day Air attack on TF at 64,54 The PM strike lost steam and most Kates went after BB lucky for me

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A2 Val x 2
B5N2 Kate x 17
Ki-27 Nate x 16
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 13
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16 [X(]

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 11 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [:(]
CA Quincy

I had the choice of sending transports in and landing vs 3 units approx 10k troops 35 guns, probably aviation or repair but instead will retire as I have lost enough transports the last two months in unprotected landings. I have been fortunate to advance so far so fast and Iwo though an excellant prize is to exposed to Tokyo for me to protect. I must consolidate my holdings.

At Padang he sends his planes from Singapore and Palembang daily, my fighters go up, its usually an even exchange though my forces are beginning to wear down. Here is todays attack.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Padang , at 18,50

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
G3M Nell x 36
G4M1 Betty x 38
Ki-27 Nate x 7
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 7
Ki-21-II Sally x 43
Ki-49 Helen x 19
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 11
Hurricane IID/IV x 7
P-38F Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Hurricane IID/IV: 4 destroyed
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Catalina I: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 14

On the land front the 3rd Marine Para paradrops on Ulithi and captures it vs no enemy troops, once again my quick advance has not allowed Scott to reposition, He is quickly reinforcing Chi Chi (7 units already) and soon will reinforce Iwo with my CV's damaged. He honestly made the right choice as I wanted Iwo Jima real bad but will have to wait and take it the hard way.

Down south my units finally enter Noumea and will bombard tommorrow to see what units are there. There are 5 but one unit was kicked all the way back from Koumac and has only about 100 troops. He still fly's zeros, betties and nells from the base and sank 2 AK's at Koumac unloading a tank unit. Most of the unit made it ashore. I have Kittyhawks flying cap at Koumac but they are no match for the zeros.

Below you can see the score at the end of Sept 30th, its been about 3 months since the last score, as you can see we both have sunk a lot of ships, but my advantage is that all his major CV's have been sunk vs one of mine. Thus I have more points due to capital ships.

I will try in the next day to post quantities and types of ships as well as an overall map and situation report.

We asked the Japanese High command if they wanted to accept surrendar terms some of which included the emporer being spanked in public by the phillipines but the response was they deny being in a tough situation and they will never surrendar!

[stldiver]

Oct 2nd brought the 3rd Para capturing Satawal a very little atoll south of Guam, they had nothing better to do then jump out of airplanes.

Several Ak's sink every day from previous landings and an occasional jap SS helps one along.

Below is a crude map of the current state of affairs.

In the North Pacific Scott has over 10 units on two of the Aluetians and one or two on the middle. He fly's Tonys over Attu and I see supply convoys showing up occasionally. These are tough nuts to crack.

In the central pacific, he still has troops on marcus, pagan, saipan and tinian but I wittle away each day.

Ulitihi has been captured which is my farthest expansion west, Basically I own the air over the marianas but not very many other places, Zero's are still a potent force, P-38G's have started producing.

No sign of Japanese fleet elements although I see several ships pass by Lunga heading towards noumea.

In the southern theatre, Lunga is still building and he has left me alone, vice versa.

Noumea is where the major action has occured and he has flown betties and nells vs any shipping coming close. The 6th AIF division and the french unit finally bombarded Noumea he has about 14k troops, of which 4NLF (maybee 100 troops), 1st base force, 8th NLF, 24th NLF as well as elemenets of the 21st division. I will take my time and bombard these to death.

At Luganville it appears he has 7 units? I know there were 2 divisions but apparently he snuck in reinforcements, this is unreconned so I will have to check it out more.

I hold Efate, but have no air units there yet.

DEI is quiet with no actions except occasional bombing runs at luatum.


Padang is slowly and I mean slowling building up with his daily runs. This will be a drain on both sides but in a couple of months I should control the skies.

China is a deadlock with very little movement or action.

Below is crude picture, bright green are major bases inside or next to Japanese territory.

[stldiver]

Oct 5th thru 8th 1942

The last 4 days have brought new wonders that would not have been guessed at by either side a few days before.

Sumatra Area

On Oct 5th the British CV’s show up on the west side of Sumatra and send in forces against shipping at palambang, unfortunately the transports had left leaving 4 DD of which the Fubuki was sunk and another was damaged.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
Martlet x 27
Swordfish x 24
Albacore x 35

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 5 damaged
Albacore: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri
DD Oshio
DD Murakumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fubuki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Sinks

After this attack no more raids on Padang, as I am sure his bombers are set to naval attack to prevent this type of raid.

Marianas
The last few days have brought closure and surprise. The closure comes in both Tinian and Saipan have been completely cleared of Imperialist forces. It took a brute force of 60 B-24 to pound the jungle bound troops and deliberate attacks to eliminate the last defenders. Pagan will be next.

The surprise came at Ulithi that had been captured by paradrop of 3rd Marine para, well only 70 troops were still on the island when on the 6th the Japanese landed the 4th SNLF and captured back the island.
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Ground combat at Ulithi

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1523 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 70 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Japanese max assault: 92 - adjusted assault: 110

Allied max defense: 7 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 110 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ulithi base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported [:(]

Unfortunatly for the Japanese their pleasure would be short lived, as I had moved the CV’s to this area that same day and they eliminated the PG and 3 AP’s that had brought the troops in.

In addition the 7th US division that was scheduled to land at Iwo Jima had turned south and that very evening taken up position to land also at ulithi to provide a garrison as well as base force.

Thus on the 7th, the 7th (just had to type that) landed and retook Ulithi
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Ground combat at Ulithi

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 15539 troops, 129 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 389

Defending force 1144 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Allied max assault: 850 - adjusted assault: 724

Japanese max defense: 15 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 724 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ulithi base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1838 casualties reported [:D]

Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Meanwhile the CV’s moves west to Palau and pummeled the airfield on the 7th and on the 8th hit the port where 46 ships are reported. The airfield is now 50% damaged and has only 2 bombers left, while the shipping should be devastated in the coming days with no protection. Here is the port strike on the 8th.

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Day Air attack on Palau , at 51,68


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
SBD-3 Dauntless x 66
TBF Avenger x 31


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 24 damaged
TBF Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Naniwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Seizan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Nittai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
ML Ikitsushima, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Kyokuei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Junjo Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Katsurahama Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Toyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 1
AK Shiraha Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Koshin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ML Yaeyama, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Macassar Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Hitora Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Yamamiya Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Syozin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Konei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kyuma Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4

South Pacific

A few days before Scott had sent some CL’s and DD on a run from Rabaul to Noumea, Lunga is only a level one airfield so the only interference was my A-24’s divebombers at Koumac that managed to hit on CL for little damage.

I spotted some ships moving south again and not being able to interfere but having the CVE Long Island in the area I had sent it west in case Scott tried this again. Sure enough they made another run and the A-24’s hit the ships sinking the CL Kuma and heavily damaging the CL Nagara, it probably will not make it home.

Meanwhile the DD’s had separated and the CVE Long Island managed to get a strike in on the 7th damaging more, but guessed wrong on the direction the 8th. This occurred just south of Lunga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 67,106

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Satsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire

The Japanese war machine is facing pressure on many fronts, and it remains to be seen what response they will bring. As for allied shipping Scott has exacted a high toll on my transports, and while I have plenty I am starting to get tight. Most operations have been completed but restock missions are needed. But as usual CIC demands an early end to the war so pressure must continue to be applied.

[stldiver]

3 CV's the Wasp, Enterprise (yes recovered from torpedo attack still functional though not great) and Lexington (came up from Noumea, Lunga area, plus 1 CVE swarm around Palau hitting the AK's and a couple MLs in harbor.

After further reconn there appeared to be 26 ships in harbor not the reported 40, or maybe some escaped, they would have had to head to Truk, regardless the last 3 days the island has been encircled and the ships continuously pounded from the CV's today Oct 10th, 1942 6 went under, the next couple of days should see more to follow. Yap is the only island with planes and those are reconn.

The rest of the pacific is quiet with damaged ships headed to the west coast and transports going to and from the west bringing supplies and troops.

I tried a deliberate at Noumea and came of at 0-1 with fort level 2, the daily pounding will eventually wear this base down and I am in no rush.

In Sumatra area all raids have stopped from Scotts side, its quiet with recon flights from both sides.

The pace of the advance has outrun the logistic train (scott also sank a lot of the train [:(]) but we are not starving.

This is October 1942 so the great upgrade to the US fleet occurs to any ship entering port, My CV's are to useful at the front to withdraw for this but eventually they will. Not sure when (or not telling [:-]). But I need them in the marianas for the moment finalize the security of the area.

[scott64]

<--------------taking notes&nbsp;[:D][:'(][X(]

[stldiver]

We are up to Oct 17th, the last few days have seen intermittant raids.

I was hitting his ground troops in Burma when Scotts fighters swarmed out from Rangoon, end of day 68 allied aircraft approx 28 Japanese no longer flying, most of mine heavy bombers with no escorts. I have tucked tail in the north again.

P-38s range over Palembang and take out 4 tony's.

My CV's dissapeared from Palau and today appeared with BB support to suppress Wolei, an RCT landed and achieved 1 to 1 vs a Japanese base force, tommorrow the island should fall.

Many ships upgrading while the CV's hold the front.

At Noumea his airforce dissapears as he has been flying out troops to Nandi. I bombard daily but have not deliberated in a while, soon it will be time.

[stldiver]

We are up to Oct 22nd 1942.

In the last couple of days both Wolei and today Noumea are recaptured by the allied forces. All resistance at Wolei has dissapeared and the 9k Japanese troops at Noumea are hugging the beaches. Japanese transports still fly in and pick some troops up and fly them back to Nandi.

The rest of the Pacific and Indian Ocean are quiet. The 3 active allied CV's begin pounding the transports again at Palau and more go down, I think there are 9 left.

Scott should have the Junyo repaired or close to it. I am alert to my shipping channels as with only one CV (possibly 2 not sure when he gets another) that is the ony area he can raid.

Several days ago Betties and Nells from Truk and Rabaul tried to attack the transports at Wolei and close to 30 were shot down by F4F wildcats and P-38's flying cap. They have not been seen since.

[scott64]