The Battle Under: Japan looks to the South

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: flaggelant

hey,

heavy fighting around Medan sounds interesting [8D] im expecting a stand around there somwhere to, not sure what to bring there,
do you remember how many forces you landed there and if it was adequate? (of course we'll learn it by just waiting for the AAR to tell, but whats the fun in that ?? [:D])


i was scanning trough the last page for the location of KB, when i saw the TF in front of OZ something caught my eye!!
you were running KB as a single TF (or at least the map only showed 1 TF). I believe that the strikes from CVTF get disorganised (bombers flying without escorts etc)
when the TF is to big (i believe 200 planes? not entirely sure on that point).

Do you still run KB as a single force? and did this show at some point?

Hey there flaggelant

I'll have to go back through my posts from Todd and see if I can locate the turn dealing with the Medan landings. I think from memory I had a brigade and some other supporting units. In a few turns time there will be a development at Medan (that should give you a clue regarding the adequacy of the landing force) but in the mean time I can tell you what units I found at Medan... they were 1st NS Garrison Battalion, 2nd NS Garrison Battalion, Medan Coastal Gun Battalion, 6th Dutch Naval Base Froce and 15th DAF Base Froce. A reasonable concentration of Dutch force and fits with Todd's policy of withdrawing to build a line in the sand in depth. These units have been left to their fate. I suspect Todd expected me to be upon them a lot sooner, however, still being new to this game my expansion has been deliberatley slow of late.

As for KB.... this is another reason my expansion has slowed. I think it was around this time that I decided to send the bulk of KB (Akagi, Soryu, Zuikaku and Shokaku) back to the HI for their upgrades. Hiryu has either finished, or is about to finish, her repairs and she will proceed to Singapore to join Kaga and the mini KB to make up the carrier force to shield the DEI operations and operations beyond. As you may know Todd and I are now progressing through October '42 in the game and I am plesed to say that Todd has been spending a good deal of time wondering where KB is and what it is planning... the truth is not much apart from some well deserved R&R back in the HI.

As for KB as a single force... given that I am in October and still have all the main players I expect I will have 2 KB on the go for my next operation but I think that is still a little way off.

As for my prior operations with KB (there have only been 2 - the Enterprise ambush and the destroyed convoy off Norfolk Island). These have been the full KB but due to her slow speed Kaga had to be detached for both so it was a 5 carrier KB that Nagumo was deploying.

Just went back and had a look at that map. KB did start out off Oz as a single unit but once the convoy had scattered KB split and went hunting. Something of a risk as Todd could well have had a carrier force covering the convoy and splitting KB would have exposed KB to destruction by overwhelming force. As it was Todd was not expecting KB to pop up anywhere near so far south in his shipping lanes and at the time he wasn't covering the convoy... I'm fairly sure his convoys now enjoy some very strong capital ship protection.[:D]

[flaggelant]

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet
As you may know Todd and I are now progressing through October '42 in the game and I am plesed to say that Todd has been spending a good deal of time wondering where KB is and what it is planning...

sounds like one of its most powerfull weapons is working as best as it can! intimidation [8D]

[SierraJuliet]

15 June 1942

China
Air: At Homan 8 Ann and 7 Kate bomb the airfield. The escort of 17 A6M3, 20 A6M2 and 6 Oscar tangle with a CAP of 14 Warhawk. At the end of the action 2 A6M2, 2 Oscar and 1 Ann are reported destroyed in exchange for 6 Warhawk reported destroyed. The airbase sustains 2 hits, the airbase supply takes 2 hits and the runway receives 5 hits.
Ground: At Homan Japanese bombardment causes 53 Chinse casualties.
East of Homan Japanese bombardment causes 4 Chinse casualties.
South of Homan Chinese bombardment causes 3 Japanese casualties and 1 vehicle lost.

DEI
Sea: Near Lautem 10 Hudson locate a Japanese troop convoy. AP Jusan Maru takes 1 bomb hit and reports damage of 50 29 27.
Ground: At Lautem Japanese forces launch a deliberate attack and achieve assault odds of 14 to 1 (fort level 3) and the base is captured. The Japanese report no loses and A-II-ld AA Battalion and 7th DAF Base Force surrender 670 men along with 7 guns lost. 8 Brewster 339D are reported destroyed on the ground.
Air: At the crossroads north of Lashio 9th Chinese Corps is bombed by 36 Betty and 19 Helen with 54 casualties reported.
At Medan 1st NS Garrison Battalion is bombed by 13 Sally and 11 Helen with losses of 4 casualties reported.

South East Pacific
Ground: Japanese troops are ashore at Irau.

Subs
Southeast of Guadalcanal a Japanese ASW task force of 6 destroyers locates SS O19 and report 2 hits.
East of Bonin SS Haddock locates at tanker task force but fails to score.

Naval Losses for the Day
MSW Asahi Maru which had been mauled by coastal guns at Amboina on 22 May sinks.

Comments
PO2 Fujimatsu O. of F1/6th Daitai flying out of Ichang is awarded the rare distinction of becoming an ace in a day as a result of his endeavours in the skies above Homan.

[SierraJuliet]

16 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the T-Junction north of Lashio 33 Betty and 19 Helen bomb 83rd Chinese Corps causing 68 casualties and 2 guns lost.

China
Ground: At Homan Japanese forces launch a shock attack and achieve assault odds of 2-1. The fort level is reduced to level 7. Japanese forces report 3415 casualties, 152 guns and 2 vehicles lost. Chinese casualties are reported as 1562 casualties a 16 guns lost.
East of Homan Japanese bombardment causes 6 Chinese casualties.
South of Homan Chinese bombardment causes 15 Japanese casualties and 2 guns lost.

DEI
Ground: Japanese troops are ashore at Noemfoor.

Australia
Air: At Cooktown 4th Dutch Naval Base Force is bombed by 15 Betty. 6 Warhawk are on CAP but only 1 Betty is reported as suffering damage. 15 casualties are reported on the ground unit.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
The first full scale attack on Homan takes place.

[SierraJuliet]

17 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the T-junction north of Lashio 15 Betty and 7 Helen bomb 9th Chinese Corps causing 6 Chinese casualties. Later in the day 24 Betty and 7 Helen bomb 83rd Chinese Corps at the same location this time causing 44 Chinese casualties and 1 gun lost.

China
Ground: Japanese bombardment at Homan causes 110 Chinese casualties and 2 guns lost.
South of Homan Chinese bombardment causes 19 Japanese casualties and 1 gun lost.

DEI
Ground: At Koepang Japanese forces are ashore.
At Medan Japanese shock attack achieves assault odds of 10 to 1 (fort level 4) and the base is captured. Japanese forces lose 19 casualties and 1 gun lost whilst 1775 Allied personnel from 1st NS Garrison Battalion, 2nd NS Garrison Battalion, Medan Coastal Gun Battalion, 6th Dutch Naval Base Force and 15th DAF Base Force are surrendered. 3 F.K.51 are destroyed on the ground.
Japanese forces capture the undefended base at Noemfoor.

Australia
Air: At Cooktown 14 Betty escorted by 8 A6M2 bomb 4th Dutch Naval Base Force. 1 A6M2 is destroyed whilst the land unit takes 34 casualties and 1 vehicle lost.

Subs
Near Tulagi a couple of MSW locate SS Pollack without reporting any hits.
Some 300 miles east of Tinian SS Sculpin locates a Japanese convoy but fails to register any hits.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
The forces used in the assault on Medan were 81st Naval Guard (experience 64 with morale of 39 and AS of 40) and 56th Brigade (experience 83 with morale of 69 and AS of 73). The blocking force which came up south of Medan was comprised of 4th AF Construction Battalion, 35th Brigade and 1st NLF. The western blocking force was comprised of 7th Aviation Regiment (AS of 13). The attached screen print shows the lines of advance.

[SierraJuliet]

18 June 1942

Burma
Ground: Japanese shock attack at the cross roads east of Myitkyina achieves assault odds of 0 to 1 and results in 53 Japanese casualties and 5 guns lost to 54 Allied casualties and 2 guns lost.

China
Ground: Japanese bombardment attack at Homan causes 80Allied casualties.
East of Homan Japanese bombardment causes 9 Allied casualties.
Allied deliberate attack south of Homan achieves 6 to 1 odds against the Japanese division there and causes 437 Japanese casualties and 17 guns lost to 461 Allied casualties and 25 guns lost.

Subs
East of Lunga SS KXVII is attacked by an ASW task force with no reported hits.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Steady as she goes day with softening up attacks still going on.

[SierraJuliet]

19 June 1942

Burma
Ground: Japanese forces ford the Salween River north of Lashio and commence a shock attack against Allied forces guarding the T-Junction. Japanese forces attack at 0-1 odds and suffer losses of 53 casualties and 5 guns lost. Allied forces are believed to have suffered 54 casualties and 2 guns lost.

China
Ground: At Homan Japanese bombardment causes 80 casualties.
East of Homan Japanese bombardment attack causes 9 Allied casualties.
Allied forces coming to the relief of their fellow units under siege at Homan launch a deliberate attack on the Japanese blocking forces south of the city. The Allied forces manage to muster sufficient force to create assault odds of 6 to 1. Although suffering 461 casualties and 25 guns lost the Allies force the Japanese unit to retreat after suffering 437 casualties and 17 guns lost.

Subs
East of Lunga SS KXVII is located by a ASW TF but she eludes the hunters.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
My blocking force at Homan was never kept up to speed with enough supplies and suffered the result and has been forced off the road system and back into less accommodating terrain. Homan has the supply road open again. My attempt to surround the city and cut off the troops here looks destined to fail.

[SierraJuliet]

20 June 1942

Burma
Ground: At the T-Junction north of Lashio 33rd/C Division is attacked by 8 SB-2c but the bombs fall wide.

China
Ground: At Homan a shock attack by the Japanese forces achieves assault odds of 3 to 1 and reduces the fort level from 6 to 4. Japanese losses are reported as 5566 casualties, 79 guns and 1 vehicle lost to 1668 Allied casualties and 26 guns lost.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Homan is a step closer to falling.

[SierraJuliet]

21 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the T-Junction north of Lashio 33rd/C Division is attacked by 3SB-2c and 3 casualties are reported. 9 A6M2 are on CAP but only report a couple of the intruders as damaged.

China
Ground: In what was an unplanned attack (and a surprise to local commanders) some Japanese troops at Homan launch another shock attack. Assault odds of 0 – 1 are achieved with the Japanese reporting 239 casualties and 17 guns lost whilst reports are circulating of the Chinese forces loosing 316 casualties and 7 guns lost.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Hot heads at it again!

[SierraJuliet]

22 June 1942

Burma
Air: The 9th Chinese Corps is bombed at the junction north of Lashio by 30 Betty and 14 Helen causing 66 casualties and 1 gun lost.

China
Ground: Japanese bombardment at Homan causes 98 Chinese casualties.

DEI
Ground: Japanese troops are ashore at Sabang.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Something of a quiet day.

[SierraJuliet]

23 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the junction north of Lashio 28 Betty and 6 Helen bomb 83rd Chinese Corps causing 98 casualties and 1 gun lost.

China
Air: At Homan the 72nd Chinese Corps is bombed by 8 Kate, 12 Ann, 15 Sonia and 15 Sally for reported losses of 74 casualties.
Ground: Japanese bombardment attack at Homan causes 401 Chinese casualties and 3 guns lost.

DEI
Ground: Japanese troops are ashore at Babo.
Japanese deliberate attack at the undefended base at Sabang and the bases is secured.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
The bombardment at Homan looks to be making inroads.

[Capt. Harlock]

Nice to see you back. But be aware the Allied AAR is already up to January '43.

[SierraJuliet]

Why tnank you Capt. I have been sadly neglectful of my updates. I thought Todd would be some way in advance of myself. I shall have to try for some catch up and in the process paint the picture of what has gone on from the Japanese perspective.

We are curretnly gonig hard at it with the game about to enter May of 1943.

Steve

[SierraJuliet]

24 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the junction north of Lashio 14 Betty and 4 Helen bomb 9th Chinese Corps and 34 casualties are reported. In a further raid by 18 Betty and 13 Helen 83rd Chinese Corps is reported as having taken 33 casualties.

China
Air: At Homan 9 Kate, 11 Ann, 15 Sonia and 14 Sally bomb 87th Chinese Corps with 65 casualties reported.
Ground: Japanese bombardment at Homan results in Japanese loses of 5 casualties and 1 gun lost and reported Allied loses of 1188 casualties and 43 guns lost.

DEI
Ground: The undefended base at Babo is captured by Japanese forces.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Results from Homan are looking very good.

[SierraJuliet]

25 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the junction north of Lashio 83rd Chinese Corps is bombed by 26 Betty and 13 Helen with reported losses of 29 casualties.

China
Ground: At Homan Japanese shock attack achieves assault odds of 4 to 1. The fortifications are reduced to 0. Japanese losses are reported at 3086 casualties, 79 guns and 1 vehicle lost against Allied losses of 2084 casualties and 46 guns lost.

DEI
Ground: At Koepang Japanese deliberate attack achieves assault odds of 10 to 1 and the base is captured. Japanese losses are 92 casualties and 2 guns lost against Allied losses of 554 casualties.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Homan is tittering on the edge. Koepang will give a good base to work from for my planned occupation of NW Australia.

[SierraJuliet]

26 June 1942

Burma
Air: North of Lashio 2 SB-2c bomb 1st Tank Regiment causing 12 casualties and 1 vehicle lost.
Further north at the junction 9th Chinese Corps is bombed by 12 Betty and 7 Helen for a reported 52 casualties and 2 guns lost. A second raid by 23 Betty and 6 Helen causes 41 casualties and 1 gun lost on 83rd Chinese Corps.

China
Ground: Japanese bombardment at Homan causes 4 Japanese casualties and Allied casualties of 1254 and 21 guns lost.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Seems like quiet days apart from the anticipated fall of Homan.

[SierraJuliet]

27 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the junction north of Lashio 9th Chinese Corps is bombed by 45 Betty and 21 Helen and loses of 94 casualties and 4 guns lost are reported.

China
Ground: Japanese bombardment at Homan results in 906 Allied casualties and 29 guns lost.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Another low activity day.

[SierraJuliet]

27 June 1942

DEI
Ground: East of Amboina Japanese bombardment attack causes 4 casualties to the Allied force.

China
Ground: At Homan Japanese deliberate attack achieves assault odds of 9 to 1. Japanese forces report 1067 casualties and 31 guns lost to Chinese loses of 3928 casualties and 28 guns lost. The 3rd New Chinese Corps, 60th, 87th, 20th and 72nd Chinese Corps are forced to retreat towards Sian and Homan is captured by Japanese forces.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
Rejoicing in Tokyo as Japanese forces in China celebrate the capture of Homan. The remnants of the Allied forces near Amboina are again in contact with Japanese forces and it is only a matter of time before this rag tag force is eliminated.

I believe I may have skipped a day datewise somewhere which explains why this post makes a second reference to 27 June 1942.

[SierraJuliet]

28 June 1942

Burma
Air: At the junction north of Lashio 20 Helen bomb 9th Chinese Corps and cause 17 casualties.

China
Air: East of Homan 13 Ann and 3 Sonia bomb 58th Chinese Corps and cause 36 casualties.

Subs
No action reported.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
After the excitement of capturing Homan things have slowed down again.

[SierraJuliet]

29 June 1942

China
Ground: South of Homan 54th Chinese Corps is bombed by 11 Ann for reported losses of 32 casualties. In a second attack by 8 Kate, 14 Sonia and 14 Sally 72nd Chinese Corps is reported has having lost 90 casualties and 2 guns.

Subs
South of Kwajalein SS Sailfish locates at troop convoy but is unable to get a firing position.

Naval Losses for the Day
Nil

Comments
USN subs are still prowling. Retreating Chinese forces out of Homan are being harried by air attack.