BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[PzB74]

Ok thanx guys, that sounds like a fairly high number of pilots!
- and I'm going to need it! What silly sod of an AFB trumphed through the idea that allowed P-38 Lightnings to be deployed in NG in January 1942? [:@]

Andy sent more than 20 to PM today and we lost 7 Zero's and 4 Betty's to this surprise. Only the valiant escort prevented a slaughter of our crack naval bombers.

Early P-38's should be kept restricted stateside!
You can hereby quote me on it; "I'm pi$$ed" and it's time to put on the iron gloves! [:-]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 29, 42

Sub Attacks

This turn I turned off ALL bases with auto convoys; here's another victim of the unescorted madness policy!

Submarine attack near Groot Natoena at 57,84

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kuwayama Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-37

xAKL Kuwayama Maru is sighted by SS S-37
SS S-37 launches 4 torpedoes at xAKL Kuwayama Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G3M2 Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 29

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
A-24 Banshee x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 47858 troops, 785 guns, 314 vehicles, Assault Value = 2027
Defending force 57193 troops, 1008 guns, 649 vehicles, Assault Value = 1749

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

Allied ground losses:
367 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (7 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Tank Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
20th Recon Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
65th Brigade
2nd Tank Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
38th Division
9th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
1st Recon Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Shipping Engineer Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
16th Army
2nd Mortar Battalion
14th Army
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
91st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
Manila Bay Defenses
194th Tank Battalion
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
93rd PA Infantry Regiment
71st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
14th PS Engineer Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
192nd Tank Battalion
1st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
61st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
Kowloon Bde /3
Bataan USN Base Force
Far East USAAF
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
PAF Aviation
Manila USAAF Base Force
1st PI Base Force
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
Asiatic Fleet
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
201st PA Construction Battalion
II Philippine Corps
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
I Philippine Corps
Provisional GMC Gp
Cavite USN Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
USAFFE
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 248 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 4
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Buna !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
5th Indpt SNLF Coy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lightnings over Port Moresby

[PzB74]

I usually draw pilots from the general reserve (those newly assigned to the pool with ca 40ish exp?)
Then I request the odd veteran to keep the units striking power.

Yep, try to have a list of crack pilots in training command to help speed up general pilot training and to save them for a rainy day. Most concerned about my navy pilots. Need high exp to score bomb and torp hits on ships.

The Sazanami reached Lae today, was bombed again but not hurt.
I've disbandoned her into a size 2 port with 85 flood damage (42 major) and stood her down and marked her as "critical" priority.
Do have a feeling that she will sink but this was the best I could do - had to move her on full speed to reach Lae at all...

[aprezto]

Yep, you can downgrade P-38 units in the states (that are restricted) and then reclaim the planes from the pools. He's getting no replacemetns yet, so a finite number, but certainly he can pull a surprise trick on you (he, me - 'tis all one happy family).

[PzB74]

As I said to Andy, I consider the P-38s scrounged from the British when the war began as prototypes.
They should only be allowed to operational units from the date the P-38 was considered fully operational.
- The recon version entered the fray in 03/42 and I would say that April or May 42 is the date that should have been used.

Andy offered to withdraw them, but the party has already started and I told him to keep em exactly were they are [;)]
He also told me that there are exactly 38 P-38's available (prototypes) before production begins in earnest.

PDU my a$$, this is something the foul AFB's on the air thread has come up with!!! [:-]
The best way to get rid of annoyance is to blow something up and so we did! [8D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 30, 42

Sub Attacks

Another loner bought it;

Submarine attack near Djemadja at 53,84

Japanese Ships
xAKL Shoan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O24

xAKL Shoan Maru is sighted by SS O24
SS O24 launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Shoan Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Our raider west of Darwin found prey - an unescorted convoy!
After engaging 3 of the ships the raider disengaged, it spent its ammor for 1 gun and half its torpedoes.
- This is nutters, a raider would have thousands of shells with it as well as reserve torpedoes. In AE a raider
has only ammo to engage 3-4 ships at most. This is something I will address on the forum!

Still, a nice litte party! [8D]

Day Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 47,125, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kongo Maru

Allied Ships
TK Manatawny, Shell hits 1
AO TAN 3
AO TAN 4, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
AO TAN 5
AO TAN 6, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
TK Angelina, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air Combat

To each rotten tooth there is a remedy; Our crack naval bombers do just fine fine bombing PM at night
and the first P-38 was destroyed [:)]

Night Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 25

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air Combat

Night bombing followed by sweeps, sweeps and more sweeps is the cure for the P-38 pests in PM.
4 P-38's shot down and one torched on the ground. 38 - 5 = 33 to go.


Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
3rd PS (P) with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
3rd PS (P) with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet

CAP engaged:
3rd PS (P) with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was one destructive raid...

Morning Air attack on Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion, at 46,76 (Medan)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 74
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
447 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Air bombardment and more troops did the trick, Medan falls.

Ground combat at Medan (46,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2535 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 101
Defending force 1892 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Japanese adjusted assault: 26
Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Medan !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2081 casualties reported
Squads: 122 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 111 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
II./143rd Infantry Battalion
91st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Medan Garrison Battalion
Medan Coastal Gun Battalion
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion
Medan Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Blair has been secured; a fraction of an Indian Division was there.
Dropped paras from Bangkok and it was sufficient.

Ground combat at Port Blair (46,58)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 407 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31
Defending force 182 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 13
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Blair !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (16 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
11th Indian Div /1
Port Blair RN Det
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raider attack!!

[PzB74]

Andy informed that he put all his crack pilots into his P-38's - thus creating an uber weapon.
24 Zero's manned by crack pilots sweeping PM managed to shoot down 4 while loosing 4 of their own.

[Mynok]

I think it's time for the big guns to visit PM.

[PzB74]

Well, before invading PM that's a challenge; there are 2 PT boat squadrons there and 20 deadly SBD's with 1000lb bombs.
If I want to bombard I must sweep with 2-3 destroyer units before sending the heavies in. To do this the KB must support the effort and flatten the airfields first and protect the fleets.

Since we're ready to move in PM soon I will therefore wait until the full party is ready to go in.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 31, 42

Night Air Combat

I read in Joe W's AAR that they have abolished night bombing - still too efficient?
So for now I've halted my own attacks as we have not discussed this matter.
- The problem by bringing in Uber P-38's in the early game and thus claiming air superiority at a period
of time when Japan should be in the drivers seat is that tactics like night bombing is taken out of the tool box
as an ad hot solution to a very annoying problem.

Night Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 23

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No CAP over PM today!

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23

No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lookie here, Andy has moved naval dive bombers to Kendari - an ugly surprise but with an escort
we chopped em up! - Brought 2 escort carriers to the show and that payed off.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sagami Maru
CL Kinu
xAK Awazisan Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
13th Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All P40's and bomber in PM were sent to hit the port with our damaged destroyer.
A hit was scored and she went straight down but flotation had already increased to 86 so
I'm 95% certain that she was finished anyway.

- But have a look at our little fighter unit that was moved to Lae early to protect the destroyer;
shot down 10 fighters without taking losses [&o]

Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 14000 feet

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Slowly we grind our way forward in China;

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24133 troops, 202 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 841
Defending force 7470 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 133

Japanese adjusted assault: 379
Allied adjusted defense: 94

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2926 casualties reported
Squads: 172 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 100 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
35th Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
16th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Engineer Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
27th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 86,44

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8916 troops, 64 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 464

Defending force 4504 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168
Japanese adjusted assault: 227

Allied adjusted defense: 57
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1717 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 56 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th/A Division

Defending units:
38th Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinforcements arriving on Luzon today; 1 division, 2 regimentd and 2 arty units.
When Mindanao and the other PI islands are cleared these troops will also support the assault on Bataan.

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 47832 troops, 786 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 2028
Defending force 57023 troops, 1008 guns, 643 vehicles, Assault Value = 1729

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

Allied ground losses:
261 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
65th Brigade
16th Infantry Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
1st Recon Regiment
20th Recon Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
38th Division
22nd Recon Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Shipping Engineer Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
16th Army
3rd Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
14th Army
5th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
4th Marine Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
91st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
41st PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
194th Tank Battalion
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Manila Bay Defenses
71st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
93rd PA Infantry Regiment
14th PS Engineer Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
1st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
Kowloon Bde /3
Far East USAAF
Manila USAAF Base Force
Provisional GMC Gp
1st PI Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion
201st PA Construction Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
USAFFE
II Philippine Corps
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force
I Philippine Corps
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Asiatic Fleet
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
202nd PA Construction Battalion
PAF Aviation
Bataan USN Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you see we brought heavy guns to Kendari; the crack 56th Inf Regiment will spearhead the attack here and on Ambon.

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 591 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 29
Defending force 5546 troops, 48 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 183

Assaulting units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Kendari Base Force

Defending units:
4th Ind. Engr Rgt /1
56th Infantry Rgt /2
II./4th Infantry Bn /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shredder

With no escort the SBDs were shredded by CAP and flak!
13 P-40's and 13 Dauntlesses were destroyed today - and we lost ZERO of our own ac in A2A combat [8D]

[PzB74]

The Shredder of Lae

Not only did we shoot down a lot of enemy fighters; we were outnumbered 3-1 when doing it!
Buna and Lae will now hold small detachments of Zero fighters with short range to PM.

Pilot PO1 Kamihira, K. (Tainan Ku S-1 Det B) Pilot becomes Ace 5 kills; stationed at Lae

[castor troy]

PDU is on and I guess as long as the Japanese can upgrade everything to their best ac available (which they can still produce a couple of times more than the Allied get as replacements) it´s no surprise that the Allied uses the two or three dozen good fighters he has. And this version of the Lightning is in production for one or two months in early 42.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Andy informed that he put all his crack pilots into his P-38's - thus creating an uber weapon.
24 Zero's manned by crack pilots sweeping PM managed to shoot down 4 while loosing 4 of their own.

doesn´t sound Uber at all to me, a 1:1 vs Zeroes. What´s uber then? How many Zeroes and Oscars will you produce in, let´s say April? 250? Probably more? This pretty much puts the three dozen Lightnings in a whole different light I guess, especially when you trade Zeroes 1:1 with them.

While being a JFB myselve, what the Allied get in AE until mid 44 is far from what could be called an AFB´s dream at all, the opposite is true. The Japanese will outproduce them especially with fighters that are at least as good or better than what the Allied can field until really late in the war. And when you see Zeroes taking down P-40 at a 7:0 rate and this being not that unusual then I guess there´s nothing to complain that any AFB managed to get his oppinion through during the development. I don´t even start talking about the screwed CD routine that makes it even easier for the IJN to invade whereever they want. With the amphib bonus the screwed invasion routines are more an advantage to the IJN than to the USN as the USN doesn´t have the amphib bonus later on.

Two dozen enemy first line aircraft shot down for no loss, sounds quite UBER when talking about a fighter, which is the Zero, not the P-38 anyway.

[PzB74]

What I say is that the P-38 did not enter operational combat units until later in the war and don't feel that it should be possible to introduce them in 01/42. If you compare it with the Tojo; "The first prototype flew in August 1940, and after modifications to reduce drag, nine service prototypes were deployed to 47 Squadron in China for field testing just before war broke out in the Pacific."

So it was decided to deploy these 9 prototypes for get combat experience. In AE you are not allowed to get your hands on more of these prototypes and be allowed to deploye them - same should go for P-38s. 05/42 should be the deployment date for P-38's!

Ok no big deal you say, maybe not - but I was annoyed when suddenly running into them in PM in 01/42.
1-1 odds may not sound like a big deal, but this is what we managed when sweeping P-38s on CAP - when we encountered them head to head on an escort mission 10 ac fell out of the skies, all Japanese manned by crack pilots.
- Well, now I know about this little "surprise" and know that I cannot win air superiority over PM until I've dealt with them.

The deal with the P-40's over Lae was kinda exceptional - over Rangoon the Flying Tigers have minced many of my best Zero's.
Maybe the Lae P-40's were fatigued and manned by poorly experienced pilots? The total A2A tally thus far is 2-1, quite historical (236 - 484 after todays 19 kills).

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

What I say is that the P-38 did not enter operational combat units until later in the war and don't feel that it should be possible to introduce them in 01/42. If you compare it with the Tojo; "The first prototype flew in August 1940, and after modifications to reduce drag, nine service prototypes were deployed to 47 Squadron in China for field testing just before war broke out in the Pacific."

So it was decided to deploy these 9 prototypes for get combat experience. In AE you are not allowed to get your hands on more of these prototypes and be allowed to deploye them - same should go for P-38s. 05/42 should be the deployment date for P-38's!

Ok no big deal you say, maybe not - but I was annoyed when suddenly running into them in PM in 01/42.
1-1 odds may not sound like a big deal, but this is what we managed when sweeping P-38s on CAP - when we encountered them head to head on an escort mission 10 ac fell out of the skies, all Japanese manned by crack pilots.
- Well, now I know about this little "surprise" and know that I cannot win air superiority over PM until I've dealt with them.

The deal with the P-40's over Lae was kinda exceptional - over Rangoon the Flying Tigers have minced many of my best Zero's.
Maybe the Lae P-40's were fatigued and manned by poorly experienced pilots? The total A2A tally thus far is 2-1, quite historical (236 - 484 after todays 19 kills).

have you turned realistic R&D on or off? If it´s off, do you have any hr on it? Otherwise your opponent could meet hundreds if not thousands of advanced IJA/IJN aircraft many months before the first COUPLE of those ac entered service in real life. I guess you get what I mean, we´re talking about three dozen P-38 three months "too early" and on the other side leave aside that the Japanese can field hundreds or thousands (over the course of the war) advanced aircraft many months earlier than they were seen in real life. And to make that worse (for the Allied) you face those ac in numbers a couple of times higher than what was produced in real life. IMO the inparity between what the Japanese can produce and what the Allied get as replacements has become even worse than in WITP.

[PzB74]

Justifying one wrong by refering to "mitigating" circumstances? [:)]

We could have played Scenario 1 and turned on realistic R&D if we wanted to see how quickly Japan could be defeated.
Actually we haven't discussed advanced R&D and I have still not made any changes in this regard and I'm considering not to do so either.

My expectation is that the production model will make it difficult for Japan to produce extreme amounts of ac in AE - and if this is done the number of available pilots will be the restricting factor combined with the loss of much needed resources.
- Asked Andy if the Allies would be able to invade Japan in 1945 in AE and he said he thought so....guess we'll be doing much of the betatesting ourselves again.

What I do expect is that Japan is able to run wild for the first 4-5-6 months of the war and be the de facto leading power in the air and at sea. Personally I feel that the 01/42 P-38's is a violation of this and actually works as bucket of icy water - like when the Germans encountered the T-34.

We should of course be allowed to disagree on this matter, but this is my 2c!

[PzB74]

P-38D aircraft reached USAAF squadrons in August, 1941, but the military did not consider them ready for combat; as such they were re-designated RP-38D,"R" for "Restricted to non-combat roles," and only used for training. By December, 1941, 69 of these early P-38's were on active duty. In 1940, the British and French had ordered several hundred P-38's. Between the fall of France and British dissatisfaction with the Lightnings' performance, very few were delivered. Most of these airframes (ordered by the European allies) were kept by Lockheed as training/experimental models or were eventually completed as models P-38F or P-38G.

Ref. Ace Pilots; http://www.acepilots.com/planes/p38_lightning.html

[LoBaron]

Wow PzB the clash of titans is increasing in op tempo! [:D]
Will be really interesting to see how the P38 situation turns out. Basically its probably only a minor annoyance than
a real showstopper because you can throw more against him than he can return. Hurts to lose this many veteran pilots though.

Theres something that caugh my eye when reading your combat reports:

ORIGINAL: PzB
Ground combat at Tandjoengpinang (50,85)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 487 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 21
Defending force 46 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 10
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tandjoengpinang !!!


Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)


Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
I/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Bintan Det. Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any idea why the leaders combat modifiers can be positive and negative at the same time?
I would have an explanation if more units were involved but with 1 against 1 it seems off.

[Rainer79]

I think one is tied to land rating and the other to aggression.

[seille]

PzB, can you give us some details for your production (any changes ?) and how you organized the transport
of oil and resources ?
What do you have in the pools now ?

[PzB74]

Temp is increasing indeed [:)]
Andy is pulling out of Moulmein again and I expect the road towards Rangoon to be open.
The Guards Division is on the move....

In a week we will load up for the invasion of Java while we continue mopping up on Sumatra.
Will wait with Ambon and Timor until Java has been taken.

Bataan will be assaulted in a week or so when our reinforcements arrive. Not sure we have enough, but there is a
reserve in Mindanao - need to take Cagayen and that will free up 2 regiments.

More reserves are heading for Truk / Rabail and I hope to gather 30000 troops for the PM invasion within a week.
Recon reports 25000 defenders already...but these can't all be combat troops.

The good news is that I have (90%) decided on the major objective after we finish all these operations.
The deadline is set to April 1st (15 at the latest) and will remain an operational secret until then.

It's possible that Andy will get info from his intel though.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 01, 42

Some interesting surface combat today!

Surface Combat

Our raiders caught some fish again - a lengthy purchase took place;
PS! If you look closely your will see that a raider nr 2 engaged the first TF later in the day and that a 3rd raider
attacked a lone cargo ship on the western coast of Oz after that!



Night Time Surface Combat, near Pukapuka at 156,155, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AVD Williamson
AP U.S. Grant
xAP Etolin
AG Spica, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Pukapuka at 157,154, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
AVD Williamson
AP U.S. Grant
xAP Etolin, Shell hits 1
AG Spica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Pukapuka at 157,154, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Akagi Maru, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
AVD Williamson
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAP Etolin
AG Spica, Shell hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Esperance at 55,155, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kinryu Maru

Allied Ships
xAK Talthibius, Shell hits 5, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Me think Andy has withdrawn his P-38s (at least from PM).
I've stopped my night bombing runs, these are usually last resorts.


Ground Combat

Wonder if 2700 assault points will be enough to suppress Bataan...in a week we should be ready for the first attempt.
My deadline is mid March to complete mop up!


Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 47850 troops, 786 guns, 316 vehicles, Assault Value = 2028
Defending force 56822 troops, 1007 guns, 641 vehicles, Assault Value = 1720

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (18 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
48th Recon Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
38th Division
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
20th Recon Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
1st Recon Regiment
65th Brigade
20th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Shipping Engineer Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
16th Army
14th Army
5th Mortar Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd PA Constabulary Division
41st PA Infantry Division
93rd PA Infantry Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Regiment
1st PA Infantry Division
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
194th Tank Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
21st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
11th PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry Division
Manila Bay Defenses
14th PS Engineer Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
Kowloon Bde /3
I Philippine Corps
Asiatic Fleet
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
Provisional GMC Gp
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
USAFFE
201st PA Construction Battalion
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Far East USAAF
1st PI Base Force
II Philippine Corps
Cavite USN Base Force
1st USMC AA Battalion
Manila USAAF Base Force
PAF Aviation
Bataan USN Base Force
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kendari is occupied;

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5929 troops, 48 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 181

Defending force 884 troops, 10 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 28
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 81
Allied adjusted defense: 11

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

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

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

Allied ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Assaulting units:
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
II./4th Infantry Battalion
56th Infantry Rgt /2

Defending units:
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Kendari Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 02, 42

Our raiders made renewed contact; the Talthibius was left burning while the fast troop convoy was
hammered hard! [8D]

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Esperance at 54,155, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kinryu Maru

Allied Ships
xAK Talthibius, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Jarvis Island at 164,147, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
AVD Williamson
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
xAP Etolin, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Spica, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

P-40's over PM now - they didn't stand a chance against our elite Zero's that performed a major sweep;

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
13rd PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twice today Port Moresby based Wirraways tried to bomb our supply ship at Lae.
First attempt they missed and later in the afternoon two lone bombers were shot down.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kanaiyama Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Wirraway bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

Kanaiyama Maru caught transferring cargo ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVG back over Rangoon; our Oscars took a beating, just can't compete with P-40's.
Lost 6 for 2.

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 32
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 34

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
8 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy has moved more SBD's into Java! Nice to know...unfortunately they found the AMC (that insisted on breaking of combat
with 65% ammo remaining) and sank her.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 60,108

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Kongo Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Tulagi is secured; for now the southernmost outpost of the Empire.

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 13
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tulagi !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: disruption(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Industry and resources 02/42

Seille,

I have concentrated on moving oil and resources from Port Arthur (overdid it a bit and had to move some oil back)
and Hokkaido. In Hokkaido there are still 1.5mill resources and I can hardly manage to move enough. Also moving oil and resources from Sakhalin and Formosa. Still not started to move resources from DEI / PI - want to secure Java, Sumatra, Ambon and Timor first.

All industries are reporting a healthy increase each turn.
Resources / fuel / oil / supplies; no longer in decline.

[PzB74]

A few busy work days ahead, not sure how many turns there will be time for!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 03, 42

Sub and Surface Combat

Last raider action with the retreating convoy; 2 of the ships are struggling to stay afloat!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Jarvis Island at 164,147, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru

Allied Ships
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
xAP Etolin, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Spica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Jarvis Island at 165,145, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru

Allied Ships
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 3, heavy damage
AG Spica, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then our raider of western Australia finds a nice coastal convoy...only to receive 2 rock solid 4.7" shell hits
from the PG Swan. Now we need to rtb with 30 sys dmg!!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 48,145, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
xAKL Argus
xAKL Morazan
xAKL Prusa
xAKL Surigao
xAK Charon
PG Swan
AM Chevreuil
xAKL Bidelia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another loner buys it...how many of these did the suicidal AI send out before I stopped it??

Submarine attack near San Fernando at 78,73

Japanese Ships
xAKL Taisoku Maru, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Porpoise
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

No CAP over PM today - Andy was dissappointed with his P-40's!

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tigers were airborne over Rangoon and had a shootout with the Zeros!


Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52 level bombers and 4?? runway hits???

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 52
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More action over Soerabaja - dive bombers must be based here!

Afternoon Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G3M2 Nell x 26

Allied aircraft
75A-7 Hawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
139WH-3: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, can we close down PM?

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
G3M2 Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 24

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

This was a decent trashing!

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 47896 troops, 786 guns, 318 vehicles, Assault Value = 2027
Defending force 56550 troops, 1005 guns, 621 vehicles, Assault Value = 1712

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
418 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (18 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Tank Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
1st Recon Regiment
20th Recon Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
38th Division
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
6th Shipping Engineer Regiment
14th Army
5th Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
16th Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
31st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
61st PA Infantry Division
Manila Bay Defenses
51st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
91st PA Infantry Division
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
192nd Tank Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd PA Constabulary Division
41st PA Infantry Division
93rd PA Infantry Regiment
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
Kowloon Bde /3
Provisional GMC Gp
1st PI Base Force
202nd PA Construction Battalion
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
USAFFE
Far East USAAF
1st USMC AA Battalion
Bataan USN Base Force
Manila USAAF Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force
II Philippine Corps
301st Construction Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
I Philippine Corps
Asiatic Fleet
201st PA Construction Battalion
PAF Aviation
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in Moulmein!

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1354 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 49

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 46
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 46 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Moulmein !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
55th Engineer Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southernmost base on Sumatra;

Ground combat at Oosthaven (48,96)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1506 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Defending force 359 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 52
Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Oosthaven !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF

Defending units:
Teloekbetoeng Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[TheElf]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52 level bombers and 4?? runway hits???

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 52
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 4

Note the Weather. You might have had better than expected results, considering what Heavy Rain COULD mean...