Bloody Pacific: Undercovergeek (Japan) vs. Yank (Allies)

[vlcz]

Don´t need to search for secret plans, Moresby´s utility is quite clear, as it outflanks all Salomons from Rabaul to Lunga, keeping the B-17 threath over all airbases over there and making a long way easier an allied possible 42-43 ofensive over there.

IMHO it is so clear that the only valid excuse as allied for not to try retain is that given enough japanese commitment PM is undefendable and in that situation all defenders are history…

[Q-Ball]

Very Interesting AAR!

I would have stuck with Pearl and not abandoned it. Once you commit that many forces to that ambitious an objective, you have to go all-in. Not doing so is a dispersion of effort. You needed more engineers, but over time, I think you could have done it. The loss of all those ground units at Pearl would be almost as bad a loss as the port itself for the Allies.

But if you must move on, the only thing you can do is to try and create a killing zone situation; sooner or later the Allies will have to get some ships in there, be ready to make some kills.

But I predict that the Allies can do this using CV support, if they are willing to sacrifice some transports, which they should be. It will take a long time, but once he gets supplies and fresh air units to Pearl, he can pummell all your bases into submission and take them all back. Having the Allies expend effort in Hawaii isn't a bad thing, but on the flip side you sacrificed progress in other areas for the sake of Hawaii.

[undercovergeek]

Ok - the battle for the Hawaiian Islands takes a serious turn and i think i won..... i would like your thoughts on the outcome.

The TF seen floating around 6/7 hexes North East of Pearl reappears this turn - 30 Nells and Bettys immediately set off without their escort and meet 21 Wildcats - 11 being F4F-3A, 7 bombers are lost to the CAP and the bombers drop their load - CLs Honolulu and Helena take 2 torps each, DD Shaw is missed.

9 Nells and Bettys, 33 Sallys, and 12 Lilys then try and make their way through the ever decreasing CAP in seperate sorties - but nothing comes of these raids other than a single bomb hit on an xAK, and 14 bombers are destroyed - this TF is made up of a number of destroyers, CLs and transports - the CAP is provided by a flat top 5 hexes east but the bombers wisely ignore this - i want the transports dead not the CV.

Then its Yanks turn - 17 Dauntless escorted by 13 Wildcats attack the SCTF DDs sent to intercept this TF the turn before last and fortunately now has a 56 Zero CAP over it - 3 Allied fighters and 6 Allied bombers are destroyed for no loss and they return to the CV.

Then the hole in my defense plan - 51 unescorted (if only id capped the base!!) Dauntless attack Lahaina itself where a number of empty AKs, AOs and TKs have just topped up the supplies and fuel here - 5 xAKs are hit and sunk and 3 AOs but these do not sink and should be saved. Fortunately the first wave of the 7th Division got off their boats in the night.

Round 2 in the afternoon - 24 Nells and Bettys again head out without their escort, 12 are hit by the 14 strong fighter CAP but the rest put another 2 torps into Honolulu and sink 2 xAKs. In the next attack 50 Sallys take off together, meet no CAP and manage to bomb and sink 2 more xAKs. 3 Nells and 10 Sallys miss everything next and then 20 Sallys hit another xAK and she bursts into flames - the different sighting reports lead me to believe there are 2 CLs (now crippled or sunk) 4 DDs and about 6-8 xAKs. 17 unescorted Dauntless come back to Lahaina again but a CAP of Zeros, presumably just lazing around in the morning destroys 7 for no loss - then everyone breaks for tea.

The SCTF DDs are pointed straight at the heart of the now cruiser-less transport TFs and CAP is provided by over 70 Zeros. Lahaina is capped and 40 Zeros are put aside to escort anything else that takes off on an attack run.

The TF park at Molokai scatters to Johnston Is in case the CV closes the gap and all subs are put on an immediate intercept course. Luckily 2 decent sized TFs left Lahaina last turn heading SW these will be the first 2 strikes against the southern SoPac beyond Canton and Christmas and will head for Fiji/Pago Pago.

Christmas Is invasion forces are 1 hex short of Palmyra and will meet up with the DDs of the raiding force and will then set sail for Christmas - the Allied SCTF is still there - the KB is 4 turns away - hopefully this will all happen together.

At Suva the famous I-17 sinks the AD Black Hawk and while on the surface admiring her handiwork, sinks a passing xAK with 23 shells fired into the transport.

Elsewhere the Semerang invasion force is attacked from Soerbaja but the CAP from Balikpapan of Oscars destroys 5 bombers for no loss and the TF will arrive next turn.

Alor, Babar and Lomblen are all invaded by IJA troops and will fall next turn - the Dutch presence in the Timor/Java area dwindling by the day.

[CapAndGown]

My thoughts? I don't think you have accomplished much yet. Unless, of course, he turns back. Actually, I have to wonder if it would be better if he pressed on so you could sink even more of his ships and in particular, his supplies and troops. Too bad the KB ain't around.

[undercovergeek]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Very Interesting AAR!

I would have stuck with Pearl and not abandoned it. Once you commit that many forces to that ambitious an objective, you have to go all-in. Not doing so is a dispersion of effort. You needed more engineers, but over time, I think you could have done it. The loss of all those ground units at Pearl would be almost as bad a loss as the port itself for the Allies.

But if you must move on, the only thing you can do is to try and create a killing zone situation; sooner or later the Allies will have to get some ships in there, be ready to make some kills.

But I predict that the Allies can do this using CV support, if they are willing to sacrifice some transports, which they should be. It will take a long time, but once he gets supplies and fresh air units to Pearl, he can pummell all your bases into submission and take them all back. Having the Allies expend effort in Hawaii isn't a bad thing, but on the flip side you sacrificed progress in other areas for the sake of Hawaii.

Hey Q-Ball glad youre still here!

I wanted Pearl to be a smash and grab - i think it has to be. Unload overwhelming numbers, take the place, garrison and leave - the SoPac 'schedule' is so busy i havent got the time for a war of attrition here, it would have been weeks more to get more combat engineers and im still terrified of the fearsome AV adjustments i suffered - 2500 down to 950 while Yanks went from 750 to 4000!!! What were combat engineers going to do with this?

[undercovergeek]

The DDs are on their way, CAPped from Lahaina - we'll see

And the KB has a date with destiny at Christmas Island - there is still a decent sized SCTF and a number of transports here

[undercovergeek]

During the night the leading picket sub North East of Pearl hits and sinks one of the damaged xAKs from yesterday before the rest retire into the night. The SCTF DDs arrive and find noone here - the whole TF, transports and all appears to have gone back north.

The Christmas Island Invasion forces arrive at Palmyra and meet up with the DD raiders - they were initially given a destination of Christmas but the SCTF is still there and the KB is only 3 turns away - im concerned that even if the DDs do manage to screen the invasion forces the SCTF will come back the next day and attack the unloading ships - i would prefer the KBs help here - a rendevous point is chosen and they will sail in together.

The 2 invasion forces from Lahaina set for Savaii and Hoorne Island are just passing Johnston - they will meet at Canton Is first to refuel and will then set off their destinations - the force composition will be detailed later.

I have found approx 35 Bettys hanging around the HI - these are sent to Lahaina via Wake - there is only one group left i cannot purchase this is fixed to the HI - the others are at Koepang guarding the southern waters around Darwin.

The 115th Regiment lands at undefended Shortlands.

The Semerang Inv force lands - it is attacked by 42 bombers from Soerbaja - all miss but one small bomb hit on an xAK that survives and unloads in the harbour - 1 bomber is lost to AA and 12 damaged - the BBs and Cruisers are still here.

The islands of Alor, Lomblen and Babar are all taken - troops reboard the ships and head further west to Maumere, Flores and the larger island groups south of Java.

Undefended Larantoeka is occupied - it will fall next turn - this then will be the last of all the small islands from New Guinea west to Maumere as Pantar will also be occupied next turn.

The Johore Bharu force is now, finally ready to march to Singapore - the AV is 3000, they set off under combat orders as i dont want them to cross the river and shock in movement mode - then there will be a few turns of bombarding and the deliberate attacks will commence.

A few groups of 3-5 units are soon to be encircled near Singyang and then the way is clear to completely advance south or west - i dont know yet.

And for reasons known only to the powers that be the russians activated this turn - Yank and I have agreed to do nothing, the forum collective has advised it changes no rules, no nothing - the only implication here might be russia supplying Chinese forces, in which case the whole Burma road thing becomes pointless and there is no need for a Burma campaign and the China campaign takes a twist as they are now more supplied than normal - we'll see how this plays out.

[undercovergeek]

The SCTF DDs go back to Pearl in case the transport TF tries to come through again. There is still no sign of the CV - hes either gone East to the US or is coming round in a Southerly circle to Christmas which will be interesting.

Ive missed my chance with the Christmas Is Allied TF - it leaves the area this turn - the invasion force i had heading south west to meet the KB and then east to take the island now heads straight for Christmas again with the KB a turn behind in support - the base is also reconned this turn to see the forces that are now present on the island.

The 2 Fijian TFs steam further towards Canton and transports head back to Lahaina to start loading the 1st and 2nd Formosa regiments and engineer support for more island capturing.

The second wave of the 7th Div should land at Lahaina next turn or the turn after.

The 5th regiment sails past Rabaul and should land at Lunga shortly - over half of the companys and engineers heading for Rabaul will be sent here to build up the airfield.

Samerang falls without loss, recon is flown immediately in to inspect Batavia, the next base up the coast and Soerbaja - i would like the next base up the coast so that the rail network can start to operate - the 90th and 66th regiments will land here in 2 turns if its empty - the 124th regiment immediately heads south to the base between the IJA and Soerbaja.

9 bombers are lost trying to attack the unloading forces at Samerang.

Waingapu, and Pantar are occupied and will fall next turn

Larantoeka and Shortlands both undefended fall.

[undercovergeek]

SS Plunger and SS Trigger try their hand at sinking transports but both fail - both under the watchful gaze of ASW fleets who fail to find them - i will make DDs part of the TF instead of having them out front.

Another TF loaded with infantry and engineers leaves Pearl heading for Canton, and 3 more are loaded today, the second wave of the 7th lands next turn.

The Christmas Is invasion troops will land next turn, there are 4 divisions on board, i was worried about the garrison here, but lets face it its not Pearl - there'll be no forts and no divisions.

The KB is ordered to cover the invasion force whilst standing off Jarvis Is which it will round and head to Fiji after the landings have landed - theres just too much shipping to be seen around Suva and Pago Pago - this is where we will head.

Aitape - the last Allied base on the east of New Guinea is occupied and will fall next turn.

Pantar falls - the troops are reloaded and will head further east.

A swarm of bombers attacks the landing ships at Semerang - the airfield, although now at 39% is still level 1 and good for recon only. Zeros are landed at Bandjermasin to LRCAP the base - Oscars cant reach. In the face of the bombers the transport elements of the invasion force withdraw, now empty, to Balikpapan -

139WH-3 x 42
B-339D x 31
CW-21B Demon x 5
75A-7 Hawk x 2
L-212 x 9

bomb the fleet - 1 is sunk and 3 are damaged - the BBs throwing up masses of AA fire and damaging 22.

The SCTF element of the invasion force escorts the other 2 regiments to the base north of soerbaja, and the 124th has made 27 miles progress out of 92 to the base to the south. Recon shows Soerbaja has 17 units and Batavia has 18 - there are TFs in each harbour that imagine are mine layers - mine away Yank, im coming over the land!!

22 out of 46 miles marched to Singapore.

The 14 beaten up Allied forces from around Kuantan finally all meet up and presumably prepare to attack the base - we'll see what happens here.

And in China the steamroller attacks 4 army corps and a regiment - suffering 700 casualties but destroying 4 million guns!!! dont know whats happened here but at least theyve retreated. The path is clear to surround Nanyang now which should trap 10 units - after that i will have destroyed 32 units in China, then the forces will move to Sinyang and Wuchang, then Ichang and then further south to clear everything east of Canton and Hong Kong.

Further south a Division routs a Corps in an effort to push everything towards Nanyang which will fall before the mass attack when it arrives - the encirclement of the base is almost done.

[undercovergeek]

Sub Combat:

At Truk the SS Spearfish catches an engineer transport ship on its way to Rabaul - shell make it - flt damage is only 12.

At Nadi the IJN replies with a torpedo attack on DD Scout but she misses.

SS Gato the Unsinkable hits an xAK passing en route to Christmas Is with elements of the 1st Formosa Regiment on board - shell return to Kona and swap out for a new ship.

Air Combat:

The Lillys burst into life at Makassar and bomb the port of Den Passar - they were on port attack, commanders discretion - they were originally pointing at Soerbaja - if theyre spoiling for a fight ill send them on airfield attack at Soerbaja next turn.

Yank goes for the fleets at Kilidjati again, just north of Semerang - withthe presence of the BBs here though the amount of AA fire is withering - 20 bombers are damaged for no hits on the SCTF or the escorted transports. The airfield at Semerang is at 70% the next turn or the turn after Oscars will be flown in to provide CAP over the Emporers new property.

The usual Oscar/B17 duel occurs over Lautem - 6 Oscars meet 3 bombers and 2 bombers go home damaged, no IJAA losses.

Speaking of aircraft - i have realised in my initial set up and planes i paid no heed to air HQs and command radii - i didnt even know they had command radii until yesterday! I need to do a bit of airgroup organising and reassigning over the next turn or two.

Landings & Combat:

Maumere is occupied by the IJA - it will fall next turn

Unoccupied Vigan is retaken by the Allies

Aitape is taken by the IJA - the troops will be reloaded and moved to the Lae area.

In the Pacific the Christmas Island invaders arrive and unload on the beaches - 2 PBs and 2SCs take a terrible pounding from the coastal guns here and will sink next turn. 700 troops are disabled climbing up the beaches, and 450 are lost to the Allied bombardment - however an unexpected shock attack happens - i thought the island was too big to trigger the attack but no matter, the IJA divisions suffer 2091 casualties and the Allies lose 10000 troops and surrender, all in all 12 units are destroyed including a tank battallion, the 1st Marine Raiders, 2 USMC parachute battallion, and various engineers - the airbase is at 85% to level 3 and the port is 47% to level 3 - the 1st Formosa Inf Regiment, the 47th Inf Regiment, engineers and the 1st Kure SNLF - all en route, will garrison here as the front line SoPac island. The transports are halted from unloading anymore troops - next turn the task of reloading the divisions will start and they will head to Canton as 4 seperate Divs before being tasked with further island capture - my only fear now is the return of the cruisers that just left as the KB has departed and headed for Pago, with a waypoint set to approach immediately from the east as i expect any transport TFs to be heading in the exact opposite direction.

In a number of days there will be masses of troops stationed at Canton Island and then the rest of the Pacific plan will be drawn up - the Divisions here will never cross to the west they are stationed in this are permanantly the furthest west they will go is either Noumea or Port Moresby.

Allied forces have reappeared in Davao - if it falls i will return to the island surround Davao and retake this area.

22 more miles of marching to Singapore

[undercovergeek]

Sub Combat:

RO-61 is spied by a DD and a PG heading north towards Lunga, just off Rennell Island - no attack occurs but this TF is on a head on collision course with thr 5th Regiment coming south to Lunga - the 2 TFs meet and the 5th retreats back towards Shortlands with out a shot been fired - DDs/PBs and SCs are sent from Rabaul to escort the transport ships next turn.

Air Combat:

Bombers attack the unloading ships at Kilidjati again, and again the BBs and CAs provide excellent AA cover until the airfield at Semerang comes on line - currently at 98%. 19 139WH-3s, 3 Falcons and 4 L-212s are all damaged or destroyed for not a single bomb dropped.

The Lautem duel for the skies above Timor continues and the compulsory 6 B-17s attack, 5 Oscars meet them and 3 bombers go home smoking, no bombs dropped.

Landings & Combat

Kalidjati is occupied and will fall next turn.

Ruteng near Java is occupied and will fall next turn.

Undefended Maumere falls - there are now only 4 more bases to take before these naval guards have reached Southern Java itself - 1 or 2 will land at bases to help seal the trap at Soerbaja - the rest will be sent to the Solomons.

In the Pacific Christmas' facilities are coming on nicely and the KB is approaching Pago Pago - she hasnt turned into the straight west run yet to intercept shipping but will next turn - the mini KB on replenishment duties is 8 hexes behind. The SoPac invasion fleets are also approaching the pre attack destinations - the Savaii force will reach Canton force and will then head south to take the base.

Finally at Singapore the troops will arrive next turn - i expect some crazy intermidiary shock attack that will be triggered and hopefully without too much disruption the full shock attack can go in the turn after - that will give me some idea of the forces here (22 units), the forts and the resistance - hopefully occupying Johore Bharu since early on has cut the supply situation at Singapore and it wont be a hard slog - after that the troops there will rest, literally, for about a week and will then be sent to Java where Batavia and Soerbaja are clear strongholds and contain 35 units between them - then Sumatra then possibly North Eastern Australia seeing what the time line will be - i hope to do a PzB and land on the whole north eastern shoulder or maybe the forces will be needed for SoPac - lets wait and see.

[CapAndGown]

Time is running by. Aren't you concerned that when you went for PH that your opponent diverted a bunch of forces to the south seas instead? The incident at Lunga seems to indicate he may already have forces deployed in the Solomons. Is Canton yours now? Have you been able to do any recon of Pago-Pago? Fiji may also be held in force. Were you planning to go there as well?

Personally, I view Somoa/Fiji/New Cal/Tonga as a unit. You want to hold all of those in order to hold any. The reason is because if you hold all of those, this will make it extremely difficult for allies to operate 4E bombers against your south seas holding. But if you don't hold all of these, then he can operate the bombers from any of the islands you don't hold. This is why in my game I went for all of them as a unit.

[undercovergeek]

there has been a lot of traffic around Pago Pago and Suva so i suspect these are the most fortified of the islands - in a turn or two i should take Savaii that very very long range recon shows empty - if this is empty i will plant a small detail of Bettys here and recon the main targets properly - but yes i intend to take all of this

[undercovergeek]

Air Combat:

6 Oscars duel 3 B17s over Lautem again - 2 bombers return home damaged, again with a full compliment of bombs still on board

At Kalidjati 8 139WH-3s, 1 Falcon and 1 L-212 suffer at the hands of the Haruna and Kongo again - no bombs are dropped and the vastly depleted bombers return home - the airbase at Semerang is now operational - 32 Oscars are flown in and are tasked with CAP over Kalidjati.

5 B17s, and 7 Liberators escorted by 1 P39 attack the SCTF DD force near Lahaina - a CAP of 17 Zeros intercepts damaging 6 bombers for no loss.

5 B17s also attack shipping at Kona but miss an xAKL loading troops to send to the SoPac islands.

Landings & Combat:

Southern Java - Waingapu is occupied by the rest of the Naval Guards and they remembered to bring the ones with an assault value this time! It will fall next turn

Southern Java - Endeh is occupied and will fall next turn

Southern Java - Undefended Ruteng falls

Northern Java - Kalidjati falls to the 66th and 90th regiments - the 90th heads to the western coast

Malaya - The trip wire of Singapore triggers a shock attack - fortunately its the 91st Naval Guards and some Tank regiments that get it in the neck - my AV shows as 2972 which is the total of all the forces present but this unit stands out front and takes the fire as the attacking numbers only show 4844 - there are about 80k troops in the Singapore Invasion force. The defenders AV is 500 and interestingly there are no forts - the Naval Guards unit is gutted and has fatigue and disuption of 80 and 90 - this unit is put on rest and the entire force is ordered to shock attack next turn - PLEASE dont be a Pearl!!

[Smeulders]

500 AV only ? Remind me, have there been significant battles in Malaya already ? Otherwise there has been a massive evacuation of Indian unrestricted troops.

[undercovergeek]

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

500 AV only ? Remind me, have there been significant battles in Malaya already ? Otherwise there has been a massive evacuation of Indian unrestricted troops.

i landed at Mersing very early and then took Johore Bharu - the 22 units in Singapore are the ones that start there and the defeated troops from Mersing and JB - everyone else - 14 units have been battered this way and that and are still milling around near Kuantan - but they cant have any supplies - the last time Yank attacked with any of this stack it showed up and then disappeared due to attrition.

in the actual fall of Singapore battle - (to be reported!) the starting AVs are 2982 and 587 adjusted to 3087 and 358 and there were no forts

[undercovergeek]

Sub Combat:

SS Grampus fires 6 torps at a big AO leaving Lahaina - they all miss [:'(]

SS Finback fires 6 torps at another big AO leaving Lahaina - they all miss [:'(][:'(]

SS Silversides fires 6 torps at another big AO leaving Lahaina - they all miss [:'(][:'(][:'(]

Thats a lucky set of very expensive ships heading back to Japan - the DD escort never moved.

Air Combat:

The CAP takes off for the first time at Semerang to defend the fleets at Kalidjati - 20 139WH-3s, 2 B339ds, 4 Falcons and 2 L-212 are destroyed or damaged for no Oscar loss and no damage to the fleets - this has been very costly to out dated dutch bombers.

At Rabaul 17 B26 Marauders attack shipping in the harbour - 1 is destroyed and 1 damaged for no damage to the ports - 15 Zeros are heading back here from Lahaina to defend.

At Lautem 6 Oscars beat off 3 B17s - all the bombers are damaged for no loss to the fighters.

Just off Pearl an uncapped TF of cripples heading back to Japan is found by 6 B17s - 1 is destroyed and 1 is damaged, the expensive AO survives unscathed but an already damaged xAP sinks.

In the SoPac off the islands of Pukapuka (great name) the KB finds a returning transport TF - i love it when a plan comes together - 7 xAKs are found and 7 xAKs are sunk for 1 damaged Kate. She will steam to 4 hexes short of Pago Pago and hunt for any other transports - NavSearch has brought up 2 TFs containing TKs heading to the island and 1 TF of DDs at Pago Pago itself.

Landings & Combat:

Southern Java island chain

- Raba is occupied and will fall next turn
- Landings occur at Mataram it is defended by 500 troops.
- Undefended Kragan falls
- Undefended Endeh falls
- Undefended Waingapu falls

Malaya - hardly defended Singapore falls after one full shock attack! [:)]I expected another Pearl or at least a month of lengthy bombarding here - but after speaking to Yank it appears the landings at Mersing and the taking of Johore Bharu early on stopped any further reinforcement by land and he didnt build forts in order to preserve the dwindling supplies - 1103 casualties are suffered by the IJA, 54688 enemy troops fall into the Emporers hands.

With that the entire invasion force is put on rest - there are 5 divisions here that will be sent to take Java - 2 and support for Batavia and 3 and support for Soerbaja - or a hammer blow of 5 divisions at either end of the island. With Java finished they will mop up Sumatra and then 2 will be sent to garrison Timor and the airfield and forts will be built up here. The other 3 will be tasked with helping the SoPac divisions and move to Port Moresby and the shoulder of Oz

[undercovergeek]

Air Combat:

The bombers from Batavia and Soerbaja still go after the TFs at Kalidjati despite the CAP - 7 139WH-3s, 2 L-212s and 4 Falcons are damaged or destroyed by the Oscars here for 1 loss - more Oscars will be flown in here to protect the mass of shipping leaving Balikpapan to collect the Divs at Singapore.

21 Marauders attack Rabaul - no damage is done and 5 return home damaged - the Zeros are still on their way

42 Zeros intercept 8 bombers and a fighter escort at Pearl - 4 B17s are damaged or destroyed, 4 Liberators also and the P39 escort is destroyed - the Zeros return home without a scratch. In the afternoon 3 more B17s are damaged and 2 Liberators are splashed.

Immediately after 2 Zeros lost on a sweep mission intercept 5 B17s at Lahaina trying to bomb the last wave of the 7th Div landing here - 2 bombers are damaged.

The KB makes another unknown island famous - at Ta'u 3 more xAKs are found and sunk and as the search planes ramp up their work more and more TFs are seen heading west with AKs and TKs going about their business unescorted - this is rich hunting ground and the KB is here alone - she is set on a course to finish in the middle of all of the TFs - hopefully next turn will be carnage.

6 Oscars v 2 B17s at Lautem - 2 damaged bombers and no damaged fighters

Landings & Combat:

More troops land at Mataram - a deliberate attack is ordered for the 2 Naval Guards units there now

Undefended Djokjakarta falls - The Javan mainland is now cut in half

Undefended Raba falls

The resting troops at Singapore are recovering very well and will shortly start prepping for Java - Allied units are starting to move around Java now and i need more troops here to take the area.

China is moving very slowly - a big encirclement of 22 units is coming up and only one hex needs occupying to close the trap but its taking so long!!!

Savaai should be occupied the turn after next and all other invasion troops are heading to Canton - the invasion Divs from Christmas also leave for Canton - the SoPac wont know whats hit it...... i hope

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: undercovergeek

The KB makes another unknown island famous - at Ta'u 3 more xAKs are found and sunk and as the search planes ramp up their work more and more TFs are seen heading west with AKs and TKs going about their business unescorted - this is rich hunting ground and the KB is here alone - she is set on a course to finish in the middle of all of the TFs - hopefully next turn will be carnage.

Be sure to post a screen shot.

[undercovergeek]

Sorry for delay, played this turn on my other laptop and then didnt have access to the combat report until today!

Sub Combat & Naval Combat:

I-17 racks up another kill and sinks an xAK at Pago Pago

I-8 joins in the rampage at Pago Pago and sinks another xAK

I-156 spies a CV or 2 at Noumea

The mighty KB enters the fray and gets tangled up in the shipping lanes - escorted by 2 BBs, 5 CA/CL, and 11 DDs she comes across 1 xAK and desperately tries to evade the combat!! [:@] She then wanders into the path of a burning xAK and at 22000 yards the commander thinks better of it and retires again!! [:@] Only to blunder into a massed group of xAKs leaving the area - 11 transport ships sit ready to be crushed, through his binoculars Nagumo sighs at the fearsome vessels and does one over the horizon!! [:@]

[:@] Fear not IJN fans revenge will be sweet next turn!

Air Combat:

The Oscars are called on again at Kalidjati, 17 destroy 2 139WH-3s and 1 B-339 for no loss. 6 Oscars then destroy/damage 4 Falcons determined to break through the CAP. In the afternoon 3 Falcons try again but 2 are destroyed for no loss.

55 transport ships are heading North between Java and Borneo to transport the Divs from Singapore - off Bandjermasin 1 is hit by a bomb from 9 Falcons and 2 139WH3s - i havent enough planes here to CAP everything - the 15 JAAF base force is due to arrive in Kalidjati and 32 Oscars will be placed here to provide extra cover. 9 more falcons try again in the afternoon but all miss.

B17s at Pearl go after the approaching 3rd and final wave of the 7th Div to garrison Lahaina but they all miss - this TF is now CAPped on its final approaches.

Landings & Combat:

At Bandoeng a battallion here defends stoutly in the mountains against the 90th inf reg - at odds of 2:1 the forts come down - i will order a shock attack next turn.

Mataram - the penultimate island South of the Javan mainland falls - 2k allied troops surrender and the 82nd and 62nd Naval Guards share the honours.

Summary

The KBs actions were a bit disappointing, she has been manouvered a hex or 2 further south to avoid any interceptions but stay in range of Pago Pago to smash the shipping there. Savaii should be in IJA hands in 2 turns, i will station recon there to get a better picture of Pagos defenses and then take the island. I would imagine 1 division and support - we'll see. It wont be Pearl again and i will take the island.

Tfs are also heading for Hoorne Island and more to Savaai - the Divisions from Christmas are now all nearly at Canton Is where they will amalgamate and head for Pago. I imagine Yank thinks Lahaina is now empty and may well try an attack here soon but the 7th Div is almost complete here and the 51st Div lands at Hilo in about a week.

At Singapore the Divs are well rested and are simply waiting for their escorts and shipping - i will land the 41st Reg at Marak at the very top of Java to cut off all retreat routes for the Batvia garrison and then land 3 Divs at Semerang that will head north to smash Batavia - when this is done 2 more Divs will land at Semerang and all 5 will head to Soerbaja where the troops here will be isolated by the 65th brigade, 124th regiment and Naval Guards coming up from the islands. At this point all invasion regiments will be rested and sent to Sumatra - i dont think any Divs are needed here - the Divs will head for Darwin, the north coast and the shoulder of North Oz.

Recon shows 15 units at Port Moresby