Aussies vs Amis - World Defence(no Joe or Nik)

[jrcar]

Thanks Alfred.

Fenton (the dot base) is lightly defended at the moment, but that will change as the first of the southern reinforcements are at Katherine. I will move a BF to Fenton, and a cbt unit and it will statrt building. I agree with your assessment, with Darin, Fenton and Katherine decent airbase it gives us a lot of options... but only if all are defendable.

At the moment we are using Katherine to act as a stockpile (which was done historically), and as a staging base to rotate fighters.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

2-3 Feb 1942

Well it had to happen, Palembang finally falls!

Burma
No change

Malaya
No change. The number of Sally flying has dropped from around 13-140 down to about 80.

Sumatra
During the night CA Takao and 2 DD's hit the defenders hard causing 350 Casualties. During the day more paras are flown in and many Topsy are hit by Flak. Finally the assault goes in:

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8908 troops, 83 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 305

Defending force 3331 troops, 49 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Japanese adjusted assault: 655

Allied adjusted defense: 28

Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1303 casualties reported
Squads: 74 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 72 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (23 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8


Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Regiment
124th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
Sasebo 3rd SNLF

Defending units:
Zuid KNIL Battalion
So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion
Pontianak Base Force
Djambi Base Force
Sambas Base Force
Singkawang Base Force
Palembang Base Force
22nd Indian Mtn Gun Rgt /2

The only good news (well apart from lasting so long!) is that SS KXV puts a torp into the very damaged CL Jintsu.

It will be interesting to see how they try to exploit this...

Java
Malang is now a lvl 2 airfield and 3 forts and will make a good final bastion.

Borneo
A lot of Japanese ships are detected around Kuching on the nth coast. Otherwise quiet

Philippines
Our troops that forayed into Lingayen have now been cut off as troops have been moved from Cabantuan behind them. We are moving to Iba to try and relieve them but it will be too late. By pulling forces out of Cabuatuan we have a chance to move forces from Clark to maybe achieve a breakthrough... it is a risk though... will have to think about it.

My southern foray at Atimonan comes up short... but I now have a second Division there so will probably attack again next turn...

Ground combat at Atimonan (80,79)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2615 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 237

Defending force 3081 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Allied adjusted assault: 77

Japanese adjusted defense: 88

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Assaulting units:
51st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division

Defending units:
Kimura Det

We hit an xAK near Davao carrying fuel with a sub.

East DEI
At Kendari our subs launch lots of attacks, lots of hits but few "bangs". We get one bang on xAK Nisso Maru, and no bangs on 3 more and an AG.

An invasion TF arrives off Koepang with:
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Nagato
CA Myoko

Our air flies and gets a hit on Hyuga.

We will try and do something about this, suspect Mini KB is in the area in support so need to be careful...

SWPAC
A FT Tf of 4 DD's run into Lae and are engaged by the SS S-28 to no effect. Over the days Lae is hit hard from Port Moresby, including B-26 Marauder's.

China
We do well in Hankow!

Ground combat at Hankow (85,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33715 troops, 266 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 942

Defending force 33605 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 918

Japanese adjusted assault: 606

Allied adjusted defense: 1337

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2168 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 159 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 131 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1227 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)


And our Chinese air hits an enemy tank unit.

Things look to have stabilised for the moment... but probably not for long.



Analysis
We were surprised a lot by Palembang. Reviewing this we could have done better by reinforcing, but had already evacuated forces that were needed, apart from that I think we played this area really well. But now the tide gates are open and things will happen rapidly for the Japanese.

The buildup at Kuching could be in preparation for the attack on Java. Now that Singapore is neutralised, and they have Palembang as a forward base, they will effectively control the area around Java and Sumatra once Netties are based there. not much we can do now except fight hard with what we have.

Some action in the SWPAC finally! We will soon be flying in elements of the 8th Marines to help with the defence of Port Moresby.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

I have been in hospital the last few days, hence no reporting. In my absance Tony has been running the free world, and doing a pretty good job (well I HAD set him up well....) So I will now try to catch up with the action!

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

4-5 Feb 1942

Burma
The 33rd Div and 143rd Regt capture Rangoon (which the Dacoits have trashed).

Malaya
Bombardment from the air as usual. Damage is largely being repaired but supplies are dropping

Sumatra
Japanese forces now begin to capture the rest of the island.

Java
The CV planes from the Enterprise we dismounted are now going to remount. The Enterprise will RV at Perth with Lexington and Indomitable. They will hang around hoping to tray and catch Mini KB, or raid if we can. Fuel is coming into Perth and we soon should have around 70K available.

East DEI
Large Japanese force continue to unload at Koepang. we have identified:
16th Infantry Regiment
I./4th Infantry Battalion
4th Engineer Co
2nd Engineer Regiment
24th Infantry Rgt /1
1st Engineer Co
4th/B Division
III./4th Infantry Battalion
4th/C Div /1

In an interesting move both KB and Mini KB hit Koepang for two days... at least now we know where they both are!

This force will take Koepang once ashore, we don't do much damage to the attacking troops so It will probably fall easily.

Philippines
We continue to do well here. At Clark and Cabanatuan our bombardments are hurting the Japanese force, while at Ligayen our surrounded troops fight very well considering and refuse to surrender... we are sending reinforcements via Iba.

In addition over two days we recapture Atimonan (which has resources that we need for Manila:
Ground combat at Atimonan (80,79)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6287 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 220

Defending force 2991 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Allied adjusted assault: 100

Japanese adjusted defense: 70

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6171 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Defending force 2795 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Allied adjusted assault: 164

Japanese adjusted defense: 31

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Atimonan !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1031 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
51st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division

Defending units:
Kimura Det

So a really good outcome! We will follow-up with one Div in an attempt to destroy the Japanese detachment.

Pacific
We continue to hit Lae and Buna to reasonable continuous effect. OUr pilots are getting great experience.

Elsewhere now we know where the Japanese CV's are once we refuel the Yorktown Tf thwy will raid nth of Marcus into the Japanese underbelly....

NorPac
We will move quickly now to secure Adak.

China
At Hankow the Japanese keep butting their heads... and do badly. Next turn we will try an attack back...

Ground combat at Hankow (85,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34671 troops, 302 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 842

Defending force 58781 troops, 307 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1423

Japanese adjusted assault: 19

Allied adjusted defense: 2693

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 141

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2720 casualties reported
Squads: 52 destroyed, 126 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 109 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
13th RGC Temp. Division
13th Division
34th Division
58th Infantry Regiment
12th RGC Temp. Division
14th RGC Temp. Division
22nd AA Regiment
8th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Hankow Special Base Force
54th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
33rd Group Army


Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

6-7 Feb 1942

Burma
No Change

Malaya
On the second day (7th Feb) the Japanese cross the straits...

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 18807 troops, 367 guns, 137 vehicles, Assault Value = 2320

Defending force 48281 troops, 360 guns, 296 vehicles, Assault Value = 803

Japanese adjusted assault: 77

Allied adjusted defense: 2121

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 27 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2363 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 130 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 132 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (0 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
788 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Assaulting units:
5th Division
14th Tank Regiment
21st Division
1st Tank Regiment
56th Engineer Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
18th Division
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
1st Mortar Regiment
Southern Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
20th AA Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn

That should slow them for a few turns. Our defence will hold for a number of days, maybe to the historic date...

East DEI
At Koepang the first attack takes the base and destroys the defenders... With that our ability to delay in the DEI is now gone... But it should have forced them to prep for Koepang, and now will have to re-prep for somewhere else... the question is will they go to Australia before or after Java...

Pacific
No change. Air units arrive at Suva and Australia, with more on the way.

Norpac

No change.

China
We fail to make a dint with our counterattack at Hankow... at least they have had to use a lot of supply to reach a level 5 fort.

Aircraft sortie several times against a convoy going into Haiphong and manage to hit an xAK.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

In responce to the following comment via email we have sent an official reply:


Co-Prosperity for all .....except Aussies


Thank you for your invitation to the Greater East Asian co-prosperity scheme.

Due to a lack of fighter aircraft, warships and troops we cannot give you the full answer you deserve.

We feel confident that by Christmas we can give you the full answer.

In addition we feel that Australia is part of the Pacific, rather than Asia, and feel it would be inappropriate to join your scheme.

Out Dutch colleges feel that the Indies do not fit well into what you are trying to accomplish and request that you stop carrying out military manoeuvres in our waters...

We are hoping that the accidental loss of several of your TK's on uncharted reefs in the area will help to convince you to look elsewhere for members.

Cheers

ABDA Command.

[jrcar]

8-9 Feb 1942

Burma
No change. We are out of contact with enemy forces in the area.

Malaya
Some big attacks at Singapore, in the end we hold on (just) while taking massive casualties....

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 64461 troops, 646 guns, 523 vehicles, Assault Value = 2262
Defending force 47676 troops, 360 guns, 296 vehicles, Assault Value = 778

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 2398

Allied adjusted defense: 617

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers

Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)

Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1675 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 111 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 114 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4078 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 224 disabled
Non Combat: 98 destroyed, 292 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 40 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 76 (24 destroyed, 52 disabled)


Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 62363 troops, 646 guns, 517 vehicles, Assault Value = 2153
Defending force 43374 troops, 359 guns, 275 vehicles, Assault Value = 600

Japanese adjusted assault: 479

Allied adjusted defense: 879

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1531 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 84 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 70 (5 destroyed, 65 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4061 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 330 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 17 disabled
Vehicles lost 76 (20 destroyed, 56 disabled)


However we also return fire to good effect:


Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22721 troops, 275 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 583

Defending force 88011 troops, 802 guns, 776 vehicles, Assault Value = 2156

Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (6 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20359 troops, 275 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Defending force 86161 troops, 802 guns, 767 vehicles, Assault Value = 2062

Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (0 destroyed, 13 disabled)



Sumatra
No change

Java
No Change

East DEI
Invasion TF heading for Tarakan.

Otherwise they appear to be reorganising.


Philippines
No change. Our fighters encounter opposition thoughand we start loosing aircraft against Oscar and Zero. In the south of Luzon they are running away fast, and we are following up fast.

Lots of shipping around Davao. Have subs in the area.


China
We keep getting pushed back

Over Hankow the AVG is commited but doesn't do well against an experianced Oscar unit.

Wuhu is lost.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

10-11 Feb 1942

Subs
We get lots of sub attacks this turn, in particular around Davao where a large TK convoy comes in. We get 2 torp hits (in 2 seperate attacks) on TK Akebono Maru. That should put here under.

Davao looks to be one of the key transit points in the area so we will keep plenty of subs there.

Burma
No Change

Malaya

We exchange bombardments, loosing a 1000 casulties a day. However it is another two days delay... we may make the historical date yet...

Sumatra
Japanses force have begun to advance sth.

Java
Mini KB and KB are off Den Passar. Expect a raid on Sorebaya soon.

East DEI
Invasion of Tarakan comences. The invasion force isn't well defended and the CD guns do good...

Invasion Support action off Tarakan

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Montreal Maru, Shell hits 4
DD Yugao

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Invasion Support action off Tarakan

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Montreal Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Yugao

Invasion Support action off Tarakan

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Taian Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Yugao
xAK Montreal Maru, heavy fires
xAK Brasil Maru
xAK Erie Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Yamayuri Maru

Invasion Support action off Tarakan

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokati Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Yugao

When invading Tarakan you need at least come CL's to help surpress the 120mm guns... otherwise you loose...

We will send in some PT boats.


Elsewhere they invade Samuluki, a island 7 hex nth of Darwin which has some Dutch and US forces on and search aircraft. They hit it with BB's and CA"s plus aircraft from Kendari...

This is excellent, we have forced them to be cautious, and while they spend several days here they areen't preping for more important locations.

The rest of the map is quiet, except we loose more ground in China.

I will now post some screen shots.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

Burma Map

We intend to try and hold Myitkina... based on the game Tony and I are playing this is likely.

We will delay at Shwebo.

Then probably counter attack down the coast to trap his forces in North Burma... well that is the plan.

The Aussie corps reinforced with a US Division (41st) will be the counter attack force.

Expect to initiate the attack in Jul/August timeframe.

[jrcar]

In the Malaya/Sumatra area
Singapore holds... just!

Japanese moving south on Sumatra.

Remenants of our forces fleeing to the coast and possible evacuation....

The long submarine approach into Palembang! We want to bag some more TK's if possible!

[jrcar]

Borneo.

Invasion of Tarakan underway.

Will move PT's from Balikpapan to try and get the ships at Tarakan.

We are striking with aircraft to little effect.

Will be moving more subs into area near Davao.

[jrcar]

I've just done my part of the latest turn.

Taking Atimonan has given has a few thousand in resources for the factories in Manila, which is nice as we were living hand to mouth.

Our forces north of Manila are getting good experiance, but are not drawing much supply.

Our CV raid is now positioned between Marcus and Iwo Jima... I hav added a cV capable marine unit as well to give us about 60 Divebombers. The CV has good fuel levels, and I'm moving up a AO TF to fuel them up. With both KB and mini KB detected near Den Pasar (Bali, near Sorebaya) we have no threat... now all we need is a juicy convoy or three!

In Norpac I've air transported some infantry to Adak, with the BF from Sitka, and more infantry on the way.

At Perth we now have 2 US CV's and the Brit CV is on the way.

Fuel is arriving in Australia. and reinforcements are heading into the Pacific.

Cheers
Rob

[Alfred]

jrcar,
 
1.  Nice work around Singapore.  I wouldn't be surprised if the crossing of the Johore Strait, combined with your artillery attacks, may keep the enemy sufficiently disorganised to prevent them from launching a successful shock attack much before the end of February.
 
2.  I assume the Dutch stack one hex west of Palembang is heading for Benkolen.  Are there any units there worth/able to be saved by evacuation (probably by subs after expending their torpedoes at Palembang).
 
3.  Have you been following Aztez's AAR.  There it has been recently argued that the Allies should strike and capture the Bonins.  Copycats to your Doolittle raid.  Personally I think it is much wiser, and efficient, to launch a CV raid into the enemy SLOC rather than land a sacrifical amphibious force.
 
Alfred

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: jrcar

In responce to the following comment via email we have sent an official reply:


Co-Prosperity for all .....except Aussies


Thank you for your invitation to the Greater East Asian co-prosperity scheme.

Due to a lack of fighter aircraft, warships and troops we cannot give you the full answer you deserve.

We feel confident that by Christmas we can give you the full answer.

In addition we feel that Australia is part of the Pacific, rather than Asia, and feel it would be inappropriate to join your scheme.

Out Dutch colleges feel that the Indies do not fit well into what you are trying to accomplish and request that you stop carrying out military manoeuvres in our waters...

We are hoping that the accidental loss of several of your TK's on uncharted reefs in the area will help to convince you to look elsewhere for members.

Cheers

ABDA Command.

[erstad]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

jrcar,

1.  Nice work around Singapore.  I wouldn't be surprised if the crossing of the Johore Strait, combined with your artillery attacks, may keep the enemy sufficiently disorganised to prevent them from launching a successful shock attack much before the end of February.

The AE river crossing is quite a bit different than the Witp-classic river crossing. In Witp-classic, all units crossed the river and shock attacked. So they all got high disruption and were affected, but you also might get good odds and do well. In AE, only the lead couple of units shock attack. So those units are typically attacking at very poor odds and get quite trashed, both disruption and lost/disabled squads, but the rest of the units are happy as clams. For example, I just crossed from Mandalay to Schwebo and two units took the brunt, the rest have virtually no disruption. Those units are trashed, however.

[jrcar]

12-13 Feb 1942

Burma
No Change

Malaya
More air attacks.
On the first day they get 2:1 and drop the forts to 2.

On the second day they get 5:1 Singapore Falls. [:(]

Java
KB continues to hang around between Sorebaya and Makassar. They sight a lot of the PT boats we have in the area, and loose a lot of search aircraft to FLAK and CAP. No strikes are launched.

An invasion TF appears a couple of hexes out from Makassar. Yesterday I thought they would go for a Den Pasar landing, but it looks like Makassar is the objective.

Borneo
At Tarakan the invasion continues and we hit the Cl Oi (belt armour) and an already damaged xAK with CD Guns. The two units (Recon Regt and Tk Regt) then shock attack and loose badly. Tarakan holds and it looks like they will have to bring in more forces.

Philippines
No Change.

A sub outside Davao hits but no explosion on an xAK.


East DEI
A strong bombardment TF hits Samuluki. This has some Dutch and a USA BF fragment on it! real overkill... they must be worried!

Naval bombardment of Saumlaki at 78,117

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami


Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Port hits 12


They also a attack with Betty's. We counter with Marauders from Darwin hitting the ground troops to good effect.

Over Darwin an unescorted Betty raid is shot down almost to a plane by P40's! Someone hit ground attack but not the destination methinks...

I expect the entire Daitai is combat ineffective...

Pacific
Our CV's don't find anything, and don't get detected.

China
Still a mess for us

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

Analysis
All they combat indications are there that our actions in the DEI have now caused Joe and Nik to change to a very cautious approach...

Now that Singapore has fallen where do those forces go...

a. Philippines to resume the stalled ofensive? Unlikely as this isn't causing them any hassle... maybe we should mve the B-17 back in

b. Burma/India/Ceylon. Sigint indicates the 19th Div is preping for an attack on Port Blair (which is empty).

c. Java. Indications are that they will take the south eastern approach on Java.

d. Also where are the SNLF (one is now on Samulaki off Darwin being hammered by air).


I expect that the bulk of the forces will now deploy to Burma/Ceylon/India area of operations. He has Rangoon, and it is trashed. He knows we have retreated inland and have built up strong lines... he may think we have committed extra forces to Burma (which we haven't). I think they would like to achieve a "Milestone" in the game... which all leads me to think they will try an Attack on Ceylon.

Our Defence of Ceylon consists of largely not being their, and defending the Mainland instead, where we can move forces around. We are putting Dutch troops in to Garrison cities freeing up a large Indian Army around Madras.

The intent to to turn Ceylon into a Japanese POW camp.

Our CV's will stay in the IO so that he has to heavily escort every convoy to get it through...



The main combat indicator is KB.

They still have a problem in the SWPAC. They haven't progressed much at all here, are on the defensive and have a CV in their rear areas...


Once they get a foothold on Java KB and Mini KB are free... do they do SWPAC then India, or India.

If the former they risk too much for any India attack, and then have to focus on Burma.

If the later it gives us an opportunity in the Pacific...


We I get the main turn back I may have some other thoughts

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

14-15 Feb 1942

In an unexpected move the force that took Koepang transited around the south western tip of the Celbes near Makassar and landed at Balikpapan.

On the way they ran into PT's twice and may loose a DD (Shiratsuyu, but she will probably make it to Kendari) and did looses a DWS.

Here is a pic. I will cover the main battle later:

[jrcar]

14-15 Feb 1942
During the invasion of Balikpapan the CD guns had a good day

Invasion Support action off Balikpapan

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Nichiyu Maru, Shell hits 2
CA Ashigara
PB Uruboko Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Tonon Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Showa Maru #3, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Nichi Maru #1
PB Kyo Maru #7, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kyo Maru #6, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Gamitsu Maru #1
PB Fumi Maru #3, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

[jrcar]

14-15 Feb 1942

Burma
No Change

Malaya
All Japanese.

Sumatra
Will try to pull out some more forces.

Java
Preparing for the assault, not long to go now....

East DEI
After another two days of battles, bombing from Betties from Kendari and planes from KB the defence finally crumbles. It was KB that did the dead, virtually destroying the coastal gun unit.

Balikpapan is invaded with the TF from Koepang. The escorting PB's get hammered (see post above). At the same time forces land against light opposition at Samarinda. Both bases should fall fairly quickly as they have bought more than enough force.

The battle for Saumlaki (7 hex nth of Darwin) finally ends. Our planes sortie against the transports and the BB covering force but don't hit anything

Philippines
We recapture Naga in the south of Luzon.

SWPAC
We continue to bomb the troops at Lae and Buna... I feel sorry for the poor pixels...

Pacific
One of our TF near Suva is intercepted by a Japanese sub, which misses.

Our CV TF is still undetected I think, but I think we may have detected a Convoy... We may move closer to the Philippines as i saw a convoy heading to Legapasi, KB must be low on Fuel and air ops so risk is low.


China
The Japanese attack at Loyang Dropping the forts one, but still getting 1:5 and loose 1400 Casualties to our 3500, on the second day a unit crossing? Sets off a shock attack at 0-99 odss and they loose 3600 Casualties to our 600.

At Wuchang we had been sieging the place, but they attack and get 2:1 so all our guys retreat and we loose 16000 casualties for our efforts



Analysis
The East DEI is now almost cleaned up, soon they will move to Java... The question is will KB remain or will it support the initial landings... we expect the later, which gives us some breathing space else where.

Our CV raid in the Pacific has been disappointing so far

The minor victories in the Philippines are good for Morale... but in the end don't mean much. I am tempted to move some bombers there... maybe the Marine Dauntless sqn off the CV.... A token gesture but could be fun

China as always hurts as allies against a competent player. Arty units are too cheap, too effective and bombardments not expensive enough supply wise... that was one area in AE beta testing that we spent some time with but in the end couldn't get any significant improvements without a fundamental rethink.. in a project that was already well overdue... ah well, it will work in the Allies advantage later!

Cheers

Rob