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

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

A shredded counterstrike!

We had 45 Zero's and 45 Nell's at Christmas Island with 9 reserve ac and pilots for each group.
Despite loosing 27 Nell's today we still have another 27 left and the island has enough supplies and an Air HQ to enable it to receive replacement ac.
I moved 9 Val's, 3 Kate's, 9 Bettiesand 9 Zero's from Palmyra as well, boosting Christmas Island ac strength close to 120 which is its max capacity.

only 17 Wildcats and then 28 on Cap? Where are all his fighters? Or is that just what was in the air at the very beginning of the engagement?

[PzB74]

Yes I can do so, the 33rd Div is routed but it's still in relatively ok shape.
It's being loaded on multiple transports and fast transports to get out of dodge within 2 days.

The way CAP works now is that a certain number of fighters is on patrol with more standing by and more on ready state.
Given 48 minute to intercept a strike the fighters on patrol will be joined by stand by fighters and eventually ready state fighters as the battle progress.
- So when Andy had 50 fighters on CAP he only had 17 airborne when the battle began.

The problem from my point of view is that our escort fighters don't manage to engage the enemy fighters that scramble late, so despite of fighting of 20+ Wildcats
the last 30 would just slip past completely and massacre our fragile Nells.

[PzB74]

Line Islands

If this is a full scale invasion of the Line Islands and not only a strike things will get interesting.
As I told Andy, I had to provide carrier and fleet support to cover my evacuation of Zone 3 and I remember Andy's outburst when he found out
the KB was in place. He also said he had been preparing for months for this.

Today was actually the day the full KB joined hands again for the first time in 50 days after repairing and upgrading in the Home Islands.
Only the Junyo is still in Tokyo, finishing her repairs tomorrow. She will then head out with the Kongo and 6 destroyers.

I did a calculation and the KB including 6 fleet and 2 light carriers can reach the Line Islands in ca 10 days including 2 refuelings.
There are already fleet oilers taking up position to meet the carriers. The heavy fleet units will take a bit longer as they need to go via Rabaul and Kwajalein.

Still, Andy has 10 days to secure his objectives before we're over him; the clock is ticking [8D]
Shortly we will go over our defensive postures in the Line Islands.

[PzB74]

Line Islands Defensive Dispositions

Most defensive units in the islands are prepped 100% for their respective bases.
Fanning island between Palmyra and Christmas is building an airfield, should be ready in a few days.
There's a 1500 man naval guard unit and some engineers on this atoll. Plan was to have a seaplane base here.

Canton and Baker Island serves as backup bases within air transfer range of Kwajalein and Line Islands.
There is also a crack inf regiment at Canton; I'm moving 30 long range transports to the base together with 27 Nells and 27 Zero's.
- Also loading up a para unit at Kwajalein and the Amph Bde is preparing at Rabaul.

Let's hope Andy also screws up a few things that will allow us to get back at him.
Question is how many divisions he has prepped for an invasion and how well they fare against our men.

[PzB74]

Zone 3

Soon both Zone 3 and 2 will be more or less abandoned.
Falling back from Zone 3 means Alice Springs has to be abandoned. How long we will stay at Tennant Creek before falling back upon Darwin and Katherine remains to be
seen. The goal is to keep a presence in Oz throughout 1942 if possible.

The good thing is that lots of troops and resources now become available for other purposes and the Solomons and New Guinea can be fully manned and the defenses in SRA are also filling out.

As soon as a stalemate can be achieved in Burma I hope to strike decisively against Andy both in offensive and reactive actions throughout 43.
A large convoy with a crack division and a motorized infantry regiment are being shipped to Burma as we speak.
- I also notice that Andy's plan in Burma is to slowly expand the basea and airfields in order to overwhelm us in the air and then explode superior ground forces against exposed troops. To counter this we need lots and lots of Tojo's and 3-4 major sized airfields. I'm working on both...

The bug that troops in non base hexes don't suffer malaria effects is unfortunate for us; large formations can camp in the open and bide their time and opportunity to launch an attack.

[PzB74]

Loaded 3/4 of the troops in T'ville today and making an effort to complete loading by tomorrow.
Cairn's is following suit, leaving only one Air HQ.

The Junyo has completed repairs and is heading south with the Kongo and destroyers.
Accelerated the last Katsuragi today and Taiho today, will run low on yard points but there is a CL that will be completed in 18 days
and the Musashi is 2 months away. Need to accelerate the Shinano too, in Scen 2 she's been changed to a Taiho class carrier.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 03, 42

Sub - ASW Attacks

An invasion force is confirmed near Palmyra!

ASW attack near Palmyra at 172,130
Japanese Ships
SS RO-67, hits 3

Allied Ships
APD Little
BB Resolution
DD Schley
DD Chew
DD John D. Edwards
KV Genista
PC Vigilant
PC Kimball
SC-638
SC-519
AMC Hector
AM Matai
AM Bellechasse
APD Manley
AP William Ward Burrows
AP Thomas Jefferson
AP President Hayes
AP President Jackson
AP Henderson
AP Barnett
AP American Legion
AP Hugh L. Scott
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Tasker H. Bliss
AP Zeilin
AK Procyon
AK Arcturus
AK Electra
AK Algorab
AK Betelgeuse
AK Libra
xAP Devonshire
DD Thanet
DD Scout
DD Arunta
DD Voyager

SS RO-67 launches 4 torpedoes at APD Little
DD Thanet fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Scout fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arunta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Voyager attacking submerged sub ....
DD Arunta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arunta attacking submerged sub ....
DD Arunta cannot establish contact with SS RO-67
DD Voyager fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arunta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arunta fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Tillamook at 210,59
Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
xAK Rodman Coleman, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

xAK Rodman Coleman is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Rodman Coleman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

We loose some Nicks as they are ambushed in Burma.

Morning Air attack on 66th Chinese/B Corps, at 61,45
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 66th Chinese/C Corps ...
Also attacking 66th Chinese/B Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 85,143
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

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

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 16 (0 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A small strike on Fanning Island. Recon?

Morning Air attack on Fanning Island , at 172,137
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Allied losses

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 114th Infantry Regiment, at 92,144 (Townsville)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
F1M2 Pete x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 7
P-38E Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 7 damaged
P-38E Lightning: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
10 planes vectored on to bombers
Myoko-2 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Nachi-2 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
7 planes vectored on to bombers
5th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 754th Tank Battalion, at 91,144
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

We attack Liuchow and it's only a matter of time before the base will fall.
A huge army occupies Bowen; 3845 AV alone and there's another couple of thousand around Charters.

Ground combat at Liuchow (74,55)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24367 troops, 182 guns, 226 vehicles, Assault Value = 928
Defending force 9176 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Japanese adjusted assault: 580
Allied adjusted defense: 191

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
362 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1722 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 161 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 118 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled

Assaulting units:
51st Recon Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
104th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th/A Division

Defending units:
6th Chinese Corps
9th Group Army
4th War Area
7th Chinese Base Force
16th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bowen (93,147)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 103294 troops, 1907 guns, 2121 vehicles, Assault Value = 3845

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 5064
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 5064 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Bowen !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+)

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Regiment
4th Australian Division
5th Australian Division
8th Australian Division
41st Infantry Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
27th Infantry Division
1st Australian Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
2nd Australian Division
40th Infantry Division
13th Australian Brigade
6th Aus Cav Brigade
2/16th Field Regiment
4th Australian Lt AA Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
226th Field Artillery Battalion
2/9th Field Regiment
108th Tank Attack Regiment
I US Amphib Corps
I Australian Corps
21/22 Field Regiment
30th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Australian Army
II Australian Corps
249th Field Artillery Battalion
2/3rd Light AA Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
8th Medium Regiment
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A quick look at China

[PzB74]

The impending invasion of the Line Islands

[aprezto]

You will not be able to sweep Palmyra. It is your own base.

Believe me I tried to do this many times against you in Malaya and Burma. It wont happen until the base changes sides.

[PzB74]

Dang, that explains it.
- Sweeping your own base when infested with enemies is essential.

When I do tomorrow's AAR update we'lll see that Andy's invasion force met a wall of steel and a poor odds! [8D]

[aprezto]

Maybe other's can explain why this is a beneficial feature? (disallowing sweep of own bases)

[PzB74]

No idea Al, you should be able to sweep all hexes if you ask me.
If there is any beneficial results house rules should cover it.

NEWSFLASH: US INVADES PALMYRA - FIRST INVASION WAVE SUFFERS EXTREME CASUALTIES AND IS STALLED!

2 marine regiments and an engineer regiment landed at Palmyra today after extensive air and sea bombardments.
Despite heavy disruption and casualties the invaders were stuck on the beaches and suffered heavily.
US troops, initially numbering around 10000 have already suffered ca 3000 casualties.

- If Andy wants Palmyra he will need to re-embark his first wave and send in a second.
After bombarding with all remaining US and British capital ships ammo is probably low and a replenishment run to PH may
become necessary.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 04, 42

Sub Attacks

A couple of mighty fine sub successes; a large tanker and a large merchant are torpedoed and sunk.

Submarine attack near Coos Bay at 211,60

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
TK Montebello, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

TK Montebello is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 attacking on the surface
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Suva at 132,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
PT-23
PT-21

SS I-175 cannot acquire firing solution on enemy PT
Sub escapes detection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near San Francisco at 205,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
xAK Malancha, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Malancha is sighted by SS I-172
SS I-172 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Malancha
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco at 205,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
xAK Malancha, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-172 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Palmyra at 171,132

Japanese Ships
SS RO-60, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Arunta
CA Devonshire
CA Dorsetshire
DD Thanet
DD Scout

SS RO-60 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Arunta
RO-60 diving deep ....
DD Thanet fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Scout fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Scout attacking submerged sub ....
DD Scout fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Scout fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Scout fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Our brave destroyer disrupts the enemy bombardment groups and get away with it, landing a shell
in the Captein's cabin on the Mississippi! [&o]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 170,133, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Karii

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
BB Idaho
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 1
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
CL Concord
CL Honolulu
DD Monssen
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley
DD Patterson

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 28% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
DD Karii engages BB Mississippi at 7,000 yards
DD Karii engages CA Vincennes at 7,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Anderson at 7,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages DD Karii at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages DD Karii at 9,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Karii at 9,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Sims at 9,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Karii at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages DD Karii at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages DD Karii at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

The bombardments were ugly!
As you can see relatively few combat troops are killed, the support guys takes the heat and disruption went up sky high.

Naval bombardment of Palmyra at 170,133

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB Resolution
BB Revenge
BB Warspite
CA Devonshire
CA Dorsetshire
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CL Newcastle
CL Enterprise

Japanese ground losses:
476 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 57
Port hits 27
Port supply hits 6

BB Resolution firing at Palmyra
BB Revenge firing at Sasebo 6th SNLF
BB Warspite firing at Palmyra
CA Devonshire firing at Palmyra
CA Dorsetshire firing at Palmyra
CA Canberra firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CA Australia firing at Palmyra
CL Newcastle firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CL Enterprise firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Palmyra at 170,133

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
BB Colorado
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
CL Honolulu
CL Concord
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh

Japanese ground losses:
641 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 84
Port hits 23
Port supply hits 6

BB Mississippi firing at Palmyra
BB Idaho firing at Palmyra
BB Colorado firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Vincennes firing at Palmyra
CA San Francisco firing at Palmyra
CA Minneapolis firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Astoria firing at Palmyra
CL Honolulu firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CL Concord firing at Palmyra
CL Detroit firing at Palmyra
CL Raleigh firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

Pre-Invasion action off Palmyra
68 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies
CA Portland
DD Schley
DD Chew
DD John D. Edwards
AMC Hector
PC Jackson
PC Vigilant
PC Kimball
SC-638
SC-519
AM Bellechasse

Japanese ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


BB Ramillies firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CA Portland firing at 1st JNAF AF Unit
DD Schley firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Chew firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD John D. Edwards firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
57th JNAF AF Unit firing at AMC Hector
PC Jackson firing at enemy troops
PC Vigilant firing at enemy troops
PC Kimball firing at enemy troops
SC-638 firing at enemy troops
SC-519 firing at enemy troops
AMC Hector firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Palmyra
TF 10 troops unloading over beach at Palmyra, 170,133

Allied ground losses:
523 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 107 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 42 (0 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Vehicles lost 22 (0 destroyed, 22 disabled)

10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 21st Marine Rgt /235
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Palmyra
27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies
CA Portland
DD Schley
DD Chew
DD John D. Edwards
AMC Hector
PC Jackson
PC Vigilant
PC Kimball
SC-638
SC-519
AM Bellechasse

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

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


BB Ramillies firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CA Portland firing at Sasebo 6th SNLF
DD Schley firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
DD Chew firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
DD John D. Edwards firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
56th Infantry Regiment firing at AMC Hector
PC Jackson firing at enemy troops
PC Vigilant firing at enemy troops
PC Kimball firing at enemy troops
SC-638 firing at enemy troops
SC-519 firing at enemy troops
DD Schley firing at enemy troops
DD Chew firing at enemy troops
AMC Hector firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

-Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 85,143
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 9 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chinese take a horrific pounding from the air. Probably 5000 casualties from air bombardment over
the last week or so. The attack below was the most effective last turn.

Morning Air attack on 13th Chinese Corps, at 80,54

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 9
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 12 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
436 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 88th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 25th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 72nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 25th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 13th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 88th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 25th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 13th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 88th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 72nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 13th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 88th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 25th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 13th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 88th Chinese Corps ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A heavy air attack; not fun vacating on Palmyra.

Morning Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 11
Martlet II x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD-3 Dauntless x 103
TBF-1 Avenger x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Runway hits 14
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Albacore I bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x Albacore I bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Albacore I bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF /231 ...
Also attacking 17th Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF /231 ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF /231 ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF /231 ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF /231 ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF /231 ...
Also attacking Palmyra ...
Also attacking 1st JNAF AF Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 114th Infantry Regiment, at 92,144 (Townsville)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
F1M2 Pete x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6
P-38E Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 27000 feet

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 91,144
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.30 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 21500
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 754th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Armoured Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

I notice that Andy has landed 2 marine and one engineer regiment - close to 10k troops,
this is 40% than the permitted stacking limit on Palmyra.
Maybe this is one of the reasons for the poor results?

Japs on the other hand were reduced to ca the allowed stacking limit by the time combat was initiated!
Still, Allied adjusted combat value was ...2!?

Ground combat at Palmyra (170,133)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4257 troops, 50 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 157
Defending force 8469 troops, 191 guns, 118 vehicles, Assault Value = 273

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

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

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF /231
17th Naval Construction Battalion
1st JNAF AF Unit
57th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
34th Combat Engr Rgt /240
9th Marine Rgt /241
21st Marine Rgt /240
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Palmyra (170,133)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7149 troops, 188 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 272
Defending force 6365 troops, 74 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Allied adjusted assault: 2
Japanese adjusted defense: 67

Allied assault odds: 1 to 33 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
444 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2541 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 90 destroyed, 137 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 25 (16 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
34th Combat Engr Rgt /240
9th Marine Rgt /241
21st Marine Rgt /240

Defending units:
56th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF /231
1st JNAF AF Unit
17th Naval Construction Battalion
57th JNAF AF Unit
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operation Drum Beat Pacific

Our long range subs are starting to score significant successes on the West Coast!

[PzB74]

I did _not_ expect the Kari to return from her trip to Palmyra [8|]

[PzB74]

Review of Palmyra

Our assault value is down from ca 190 to 130, not so bad taken in consideration.
Disruption is around 80+, but the same would be the case with US troops.
- I noticed that not all US troops were landed, will there be a follow up landing of remaining support troops today?
Wouldn't do so if I were Andy as this would trigger another shock attack.

Next turn will be very interesting!

[PzB74]

Line Islands Strat Overview

Ideally Andy should have the capacity to invade both Palmyra and Christmas Island at once.
Now he has to be careful to avoid the angry samurais on Christmas as he supports the Palmyra invasion.

On a side note: I concluded loading of troops from Townsville today.
- A few thousand troops, mostly casualties, remain. Will try to take as many I can to Cairns by barge.
All ships are racing north to cover under the CVE / LBA umbrella just NNE of Cairns.

In Cairns loading of all but one base force unit has completed or is in process.
One unit of Tojo's remain on CAP for protection. Just a few days more and we should have evacuated Zone 3.

[janh]

Now the Line Island invasion explains his comment about the Zone 3 diversion.  But what division do his two Marine Regiments belong to, where is the rest?  I think he either must have them in the second wave, or he might have them scheduled for an attack on another target, nearby or distant?

How long would it take for Andy to evacuate the landed troops in case his second wave fails?  Could you bring your quick reaction forces from Rabaul and use them to drive the invaders into the sea?  After hitting his navy?
Can KB make it in time, and bring enough heavies?  You could create havoc in the ranks of his CV and BB, if you are lucky and bold now.  He brought some the slow british R-class battlewagons besides the british carriers, so maybe even if he pulls his CV back, you might be able to hunt down the BB and transport forces?  Could you detach mini KB already?

[PzB74]

It certainly does; especially in regard to were Allied naval assets are.
- Andy got plenty enough ground troops to both fight in Burma, Oz and perform landings in the Line Islands.
However, he only got enough naval assets to support one major operation.

I now see that he has moved almost all British capital ships to the Central Pacific.
Any operations in the Indian Ocean and all the way to the Solomons would therefore meet very little opposition.

The 9th and 21st Regiments belong to the 3rd Marine Division.
The Third Marine Division was first assembled in September 43 and the regiments fought independently until then.
- So Andy has the entire First Marine Division at disposal, most likely prepped for Christmas Island.
Not sure which other Marine regiments he also may have at his disposal.

Since not all troops have been unloaded at Palmyra Andy first has to complete unloading; this will take 1 day.
- Then he has to consider whether he will perform another attack with his ground troops already on Palmyra.
If he attacks again tomorrow not much will be achieved with the disrupted troops.

So let's assume he attacks again in 2 days after prolonged air and sea bombardments.
- Reloading of the troops on Palmyra will take 2 days, he don't want to overcrowd the island by landing more troops first.
So on day 5 he can land the second wave. This will most likely be more successful than the first wave. Let's assume they achieve
a 1-1 odds on the first day and reduce forts to level 3. Then another 2-3 attacks will be required to lower the remaining forts.
The question is then whether the second wave can capture Palmyra without wearing itself out.

If we assume that the second wave will manage to capture Palmyra after 3 attacks this will most likely require 1 or 2 days or rest in
between the attacks. In this equation it will take another 8-9 days to capture Palmyra, and then the island will be a wreck requiring fresh
engineers to clean up the rubble before aircraft can start using the fields.

My estimate is therefore that the KB should be able to intervene before Andy got an operational air base in the Line Islands.
- Even a size 2 airfield would be insufficient to be a threat to the KB and allow him to make a stand.

The only way Andy can win the battle for the Line Islands is to occupy Christmas Island as well before the KB arrives.
This does not seem very likely and my conclusion for now is that Andy has a few difficult choices to make [;)]

The Mini KB doesn't officially exist anymore. 4 slow CVE's and a CS support the evacuation of Zone 3.
- The Junyo is heading for Kwajalein and will need 3-4 days longer than the KB to reach the Line Islands.
Maybe it can play a role finishing of cripples then?

As I said; the KB consists of 6 fleet carriers and 2 light carriers.
This force should be sufficient to stand and fight the Allied carrier force if Andy doesn't retreat.
I will not split it up before a decisive victory can be won though.

[Mynok]

8 CV/L in one TF? Yikes!

[PzB74]

By not splitting up I mean not operating independently.
I may well divide the carriers into divisions when we approach the Line Islands.
- Problem is that I don't have more than one appointed admiral with good air ratings right now.

[janh]

Sounds like we are up to follow some interesting battles in this AAR.  Hopefully KB arrives in time to take a chunk out of his capital ships.  If Andy manages to capture Palmyra just before KB arrives, will you consider a counter-landing to capture his disrupted marine division on the spot, i.e. before it can fortify?

[PzB74]

If Andy captures Palmyra and then has to leave his troops will be toast... [;)]
A few shuttle bombardments and then we'll land a force to recapture the island.
- Need to start prepping units for this eventuality. Got plenty as we just have evacuated Zone 3!