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

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 16, 43

Air Combat

Heavy air strikes on PM; I scattered the CAP fighters between surrounding bases this time.
We caused more losses to enemy bombers and again sweepers came last but PM is now closed.

Over Burma we hit enemy ground positions west of Kathia with full strength.
There were some A2A battles and a Lily unit that went in unescorted was shredded. This was a unit in training with
low exp pilots that was included in the attack. In total we lost 68 ac in the air and on the ground this turn but only 22 pilots were KIA.

Damage to enemy units in Burma wasn't great but it's important to cause disruption before a major ground assault.

Morning Air attack on 6th Medium Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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

Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Chinese Corps, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 9
Kittyhawk IA x 7
Hurricane XIIb x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 13 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 19

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 69
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Kittyhawk IA x 4
Hurricane XIIb x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 2
Hudson III (LR) x 12
Mitchell II x 4
Hudson III (LR) x 12
B-17E Fortress x 32
B-17F Fortress x 5
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-26 Marauder x 7
P-38F Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
L3Y2 Tina: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 74
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 2
B-17F Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 29
P-38F Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
L3Y2 Tina: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
ACM Tama Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 35
Port hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10
Beaufighter VIc x 1
B-26 Marauder x 2
P-38F Lightning x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed
P-38F Lightning: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 1
B-17E Fortress x 6
P-38F Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

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

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 1
B-25C Mitchell x 5
P-38F Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-38F Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
P-38F Lightning x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
P-38F Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
P-38F Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 11
P-38G Lightning x 17

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet
9 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 73rd Motorised Brigade, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 33
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Kittyhawk IA x 2
Hurricane XIIb x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 7000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 8000 feet

Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 73rd Motorised Brigade ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 73rd Motorised Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed, 26 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 32nd Infantry Division, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

A small unit has been left on a PI island for more than a year.
Sent a small LCU to finish it off...0 troops defending? Must be bugged.

Ground combat at 74,82
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 5
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
2nd PI Base Force
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here we go, the full assault of our Burma Army with 5000 AV!
Our AV was halved while the enemy AV was increased by 5%. Still, this is jungle and enemy losses were severe.
Notice that enemy losses in numbers are reported to be smaller than ours but the number of destroyed and damaged squads and hardware
is way higher, how can this be?

Also notice that the enemy is low on supplies. I don't think Andy can take many more of these hammer blows.
If we break through Kathia and Myit will be lost and he will have to decide whether to retreat or become encircled!

Ground combat at 60,43
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 134421 troops, 1424 guns, 1541 vehicles, Assault Value = 4968
Defending force 43572 troops, 737 guns, 555 vehicles, Assault Value = 1611

Japanese adjusted assault: 2439
Allied adjusted defense: 1789

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
4848 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 151 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 393 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 171 (9 destroyed, 162 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3376 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 287 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 589 disabled <----- Look at these casualties, is this FOW or real?
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 225 (39 destroyed, 186 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
4th Division
16th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
14th Guards Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
38th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
90th Infantry Regiment
11th Division
1st Recon Battalion
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
14th Division
112th Infantry Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
16th Guards Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Field Artillery Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
15th Army
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
21st Army

Defending units:
32nd Infantry Division
17th Indian Division
45th Recce Regiment
73rd Motorised Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
5th Chinese Corps
6th Medium Regiment
Burma Corps
RAF 222 Group Base Force
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Indian Light AA Regiment
------------------------------------------------------

New Years Offensive in Burma

It's time to break the enemy's neck in Burma!

[krupp_88mm]

wow half his vehicles are disabled and seems like almost half his army too, he will crack under pressure BANZAI!

[Djordje]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I have still not figured out how Andy can send dozens of sweeps over non-base hexes [&:]

I am not sure what you mean by this, are you unable to send sweep over non-base hex? If that is the case it is strange, it works fine for me. Below is report from my PBEM, Zero squadron was sweeping while Oscars were on LRCAP in the same hex. My opponent was also using LRCAP there.


Morning Air attack on 27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment, at 57,44

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21



Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
32 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.806 Sqn FAA with Fulmar II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

[Nemo121]

The combat model is such that vehicle disablements are very common but they repair very, very quickly, much more quickly than squads in my experience.

Those disablements aren't as decisive as one might, initially, think.

[PzB74]

True Nemo, but if you take these losses in the jungle with insufficient supplies they don't repair that easily! [:)]
Our Army now has 50% of required supply, hope to attack again within 1-2 days.

Djordje; the misunderstanding lay in the fact that it's not possible to sweep your own bases. So me and other mistakingly believed that it only was possible
to sweep enemy bases.

Andy said that Jap squads hold twice as many men as Commonwealth squads; thus the strange casualty / damaged /- destroyed unit comparison figures between Japan and Allies in Burma.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 17, 43

Invasions

Invading Ua Pou, a US navy construction unit is there and I want to destroy it.


Amphibious Assault at Ua Pou
TF 200 troops unloading over beach at Ua Pou, 191,168

Japanese ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Continued attacks on PM and also on Buna.
Need to build up an Army fighter force at Rabaul; Tojos, Oscar IIs, Tonys and Nicks are enroute.

Ground Combat

Gathering intel on enemy in the hex west of the contested hex in Burma; a full division here.


Ground combat at 59,43
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2734 troops, 27 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 272
Defending force 9694 troops, 128 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 389

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Recon Regiment
2nd Recon Battalion
2nd Tank Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
16th Field AA Machinecannon Company

Defending units:
20th Indian Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 74,82
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 8
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1

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

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
2nd PI Base Force
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I can seee you!

[PzB74]

I'm gathering the elements of a full armored division that is to be deployed on Java.
Need a few powerful LCU's here.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 18, 43

Air Combat

Our sweeps over Katha and nearby hex is a great success; the Oscar's over Jorhat suffer and loose 6 ac.
The Oscar is simply outdated and must be withdrawn from service ASAP. Will upgrade to Tojo's and Oscar IIs (long range escort).

Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
Kittyhawk IA x 6
Hurricane XIIb x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk IA: 2 destroyed
Hurricane XIIb: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Burma Corps , at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Jorhat , at 63,38
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heavy air attacks on PM, Milne Bay and Terapo.
- The 3 Dinah IIIb specials were put on CAP over Buna but leaked over to PM and hit by sweepers.

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet

CAP engaged:
Spc.Attck.Unit Det with Ki-46-IIIb Dinah (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 15000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,13
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 3
Beaufighter VIc x 5
Hudson III (LR) x 13
Mitchell II x 6
Hudson III (LR) x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 7
P-38G Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 destroyed
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo , at 96,127
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 28
B-17F Fortress x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo , at 96,127
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another auto convoy passes near Tarawa. Only got 3 Kates here, maybe I should move another base force unit
and expand our air presence...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 142,129
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Wind Rush

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spotted a convoy unloading at Espirito Santo, a size 0 airfield. No doubt Andy is starting his
build-up in the region. The Betties at Luganville only carries bombs and struggle to hit anything from 5k feet
despite having crack naval bombing pilots. Need to provide them with torpedoes.

We do score hits on one transport though!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Sims
DD Reid
xAK Cardross
xAK Bundaleer
xAK Kooringa
xAK Barossa

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Reid
xAK Bundaleer
xAK Barossa
xAK Kooringa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Sims
xAK Beltana

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Hope to wipe out this Sea Bee unit tomorrow!

Ground combat at Ua Pou (191,168)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1105 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36
Defending force 400 troops, 0 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 16
Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

Assaulting units:
86th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
10th USN Naval Construction Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enemy Dispositions

Enemy carriers at PH...!

[PzB74]

Another assault in Burma; another ~5000 AV attack. We miss a little to get a 2-1 odds but our casualties
are much higher this time; 8300 to 1300 enemy.

No lack of supply indicators for the enemy troops and even 200 army bombers can't inflict any serious disruption.

What do you think, should we abort the assaults in Burma or continue to try?
While our casualties are mounting only 10% of them can't be repaired and if we do manage to rout the enemy army Kathia and Myit should
fall.

I have 1 reserve division and a regiment to feed into the grinder on short notice.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 19, 43

Sub Attacks

Good results for our subs....

Submarine attack near Nadi at 130,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
xAK Matiana, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

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

xAK Matiana is sighted by SS I-175
SS I-175 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Matiana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
xAK Barossa, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Barossa is sighted by SS RO-68
SS RO-68 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Barossa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
xAK Kooringa, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAK Kooringa is sighted by SS RO-68
SS RO-68 launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Heavy air attacks on PM.
Our 2 Kates at Tarawa dispatch the 2 auto convoy ships.
Betties bomb enemy ships and score a single small bomb hit.
We give it our everything to bomb the enemy troops in Burma.

Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 35
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 73
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 139,135
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Timber Rush, Bomb hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Chinese Corps, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 26

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
Kittyhawk IA x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 73rd Motorised Brigade, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
Kittyhawk IA x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nikunau at 139,135
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Wind Rush, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 58
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 68

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
Kittyhawk IA x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Bundaleer
xAK Beltana, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Cardross

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


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

Ground Combat

The SeaBees are also holding out with their buldozers...give me a break!!

Ground combat at 60,43
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 131893 troops, 1424 guns, 1532 vehicles, Assault Value = 4815
Defending force 39117 troops, 737 guns, 530 vehicles, Assault Value = 1329

Japanese adjusted assault: 2163
Allied adjusted defense: 1357

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
8302 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 481 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 555 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Vehicles lost 112 (9 destroyed, 103 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1189 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 129 disabled
Non Combat: 83 destroyed, 288 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 31 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 121 (44 destroyed, 77 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
16th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
38th Division
17th Tank Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
1st Recon Battalion
9th Tank Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment
14th Guards Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
33rd Division
11th Division
55th Infantry Regiment
90th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
14th Division
4th Tank Regiment
16th Guards Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
51st Field AA Battalion
21st Army

Defending units:
45th Recce Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
17th Indian Division
73rd Motorised Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
5th Chinese Corps
6th Medium Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
RAF 222 Group Base Force
Burma Corps
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Indian Light AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ua Pou (191,168)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1137 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39
Defending force 370 troops, 0 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 15
Allied adjusted defense: 10

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
86th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
10th USN Naval Construction Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Hebrides

[janh]

Difficult decision in Burma.  There is points speaking against it, and points for it.

- not strategically decisive (unless you want to be crazy and go for India)
- very expensive losses last turn, enemy seems well entrenched and prepared.  Unless the next attack will far much better, or you will be able to bag their whole army, it may not be worth wasting manpower there.
- only if you bag his whole bunch, it will make a difference.  But what fraction of Andy's Burma force is this, will its loss really delay the next summer offensive by a significant amount of time?

+ a prestigious victory if you bag such a large force.  Beyond implications for sheer numerical losses, it might inflict a psychological victory.  Andy might be much more careful, and slower with his next advance.  Or even abandon offensives through Burma (for the next year+) entirely.
+ Might allow you to withdraw even more forces for use as raiders, or as theater counter-invasion reserves against to be expected operations in the other AOs
+ might open the way for additional exploits such as Kathia and Myitkyina.

My tendency is try once more to finish the Indians off, but it depends strongly on your impression on the overall situation in other theaters -- which you know better.  I think you will soon need LCU's in the area of PM or Solomons, or further north towards Line Islands.   Presently it is very hard to judge where Andy's main axis of approach will be.  NG and Solomons looks like a potential target after his strikes on PM.  However, I would be surprised if he wouldn't start nibbling away at the perimeter (Line Islands, Marquesas) first.   That must be strategic necessity to shorten his overstretched lines of supply to SE-PAC. I assume Java and the Javanese sea are at this point out of question.

Burma looked seriously contested for a while, but quickly bogged down to no further aggressions by the time he hit resistance around Schwebo.  Makes me doubt that he intends Burma for anything else but binding your major LCUs, and bomber practice.  Else, he surely would probably not have given up his gains as easily again?

Meanwhile, what do you read into the forces spotted at PH, and the activity around Espritu Santo (Luganville)?  Obviously the majority of his CV, BB, and CA, as well as quite a number of transport and support vessels are there.   Do you have any idea what LCU's Andy has at PH?  That would be crucial to know...  How about a forced recon of Luganville with a few CV while you know his CV are in PH?

I think you need a better picture of Andy's dispositions, to be able to effectively counterstrike his next operations, and disrupt them before they completely unfold (think of the benefits Lee for example harvested from knowing/mind-reading Hooker's, McClellan's, Grant's etc plans and dispositions).

[jrcar]

You should trash them while you can, reinforceemnts take a while, while you can replace yours. Note the number of squads of his you destroyed, rather than the total casulties. These were already disabled squads being killed.

Cheers

Rob

[Djordje]

I'm with jrcar - you are destroying lots of his squads which is indication that his forces are in bad shape. When unit gets more than 50% of its TOE disabled then destroyed squads begin to mount and you have at least some of his units in that state. As long as you get mostly disabled squads and very few destroyed you should keep pushing him.

[PzB74]

Ua Pou is captured and with that the Marquesas operation has been successfully concluded.
The plan is here to build some decent forts and leave a few planes and naval garrisons that will require some effort to remove.

That's a good analysis Janh; I'm pretty certain that the USMC and Army LCU's can be found at PH.
I'm keeping a close eye at what's coming and going.

Don't think Andy has the required bases and fuel for a major buildup at Suva and recon only indicates a moderate presence here.
Australia is probably starved of fuel. A major effort against New Guinea is most likely not imminent either.

Somehow I don't think the Line Islands or Marquesas is the target for Andy's next offensive either.
If I were Andy I would probably sit it out until mid 43; build fuel and supply stores, upgrade carriers and CAG groups and receive new ships.
- Time and again he has been buffed, bluffed and stalled in the Cent Pac.

3 more enemy LCU's have been spotted in Burma, don't know what kind of units this is.
If our next assault is seriously blunted I'm afraid we have to put the lid on further offensive operations.
Kathia is now a size 6 airfield and is probably drawing a fair amount of supplies, staving off the worst crisis in the Allied army.
- If we do continue to attack we may be able to overtax Allied supply capabilities. Also certain that Andy is using 500 transports to
feed his troops.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 20, 43

Sub Attacks

I'm launching numerous recon and attack missions against PH...comes at a price!

TF 235 encounters mine field at Pearl Harbor (180,107)

Japanese Ships
SS I-124, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
xAK Bundaleer, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

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

xAK Bundaleer is sighted by SS I-175
SS I-175 attacking xAK Bundaleer on the surface
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 10th USN Naval Construction Battalion, at 191,168 (Ua Pou)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
PC Vigilant
PC Tiger
xAK Aspasia Nomikos, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Warrego
xAK Theofano Livanos

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

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

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Ua Pou (191,168)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1149 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 41
Defending force 350 troops, 0 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 66
Allied adjusted defense: 10

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ua Pou !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
385 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
86th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
10th USN Naval Construction Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Next turn should be interesting;

1. Attack in Burma - odds will not get better and we are at 110% supplies.
2. Surface attack at Espiritu Santo
3. Bomardment of Cooktown

[CapAndGown]

How do you get in so close without being attacked? 7 hexes is practically right next door.&nbsp;[:)]

[inqistor]

I find Andys target choosing highly questionable. There are like 10 bases around Port Moresby, which could provide LRCAP, even with short-range army fighters. This could lead to war of attrition, but not now. With enough reserves Allies could begin thinking about it in 6 months, but, since they are now fighting in Burma, where they throw last reserves (Hurricanes I, and now I see Canadian XIIb), they have no reserves at all.
And, with only 6 fighters at Cooktown... isn't Cooktown in range of bombers from Port Moresby vicinity?


There is CV with ton of DDs, and no combat planes, at Pearl Harbor, so I am guessing it is damaged Enterprise.

Those planes above Pearl Harbor are probably mostly from CVs, so lets wait, until they depart.
You should consider seeking Carrier Battle, because in April Allies begin producing 130 Hellcats per month.
In the meantime, have you checked all those islands in Hawaii?
If some of them are empty... quick sub amphibious assault, then throw some mines from another sub, and park few midget-submarines in hex (the biggest challenge of game - finding use for midget-subs [8D]). That should be nasty surprise during retaking.
Or you could park KB in vicinity, but outside Pearl Harbor planes range.

In Burma, you could try to Shock Attack, as there is near 2:1, but considering both side loses, Japan should continue this meat grinder. Allies are losing more squads destroyed, and they have high fatigue, which should also destroying disabled squads. Terrain works for both sides, so even, when Allied reinforcements arrive, they need more, than triple current AV, to make anything useful. But it would be probably better to send tanks somewhere else, as Japan is short on Vehicle Replacements.

[PzB74]

KABOOM! [:)]

The Yamato and Musashi cream Cooktown; with spotter we cause 600+ casualties and torch almost a 100 ac on the ground [8D]
If you hear someone cursing it's probably Andy...!

I can't take credit for Andy letting me that close to shore.
- If he used 10% of his bomber in a naval search role he would scare me off.

I'm not overly afraid of showing my battle fleet to enemy LBA yet; they're so heavily armored
and with a CAP it would take 500 SBDs and TBDs to seriously hurt them. Hudson't don't do that.

The ground attack meets a reinforced enemy; 2 Brit brigades and enemy AV was at over 2000.
Again we suffer many casualties; mostly from regiment and tank support units. Our divisions are in fine fighting trim and encourage me to
continue attacking. A reserve division and regiment are ordered to move forward while I'm sending some tank units to the rear.

Agree, shock attack would be lethal...for Japan [;)]
Can absolutely recon the Hawaiian islands Inq, enemy LBA would most likely nuke anyhing we left there; ashore or afloat.

Enemy ground losses are horrendous in respect that 50% of the casualties are destroyed units and equipment:

Allied ground losses:
2791 casualties reported
Squads: 128 destroyed, 127 disabled
Non Combat: 154 destroyed, 209 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 129 (69 destroyed, 60 disabled)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 21, 43

Sub Attacks

Another midget attack; mothership is dc'ed and must RTB. Midget founders...

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-20, hits 8

Allied Ships
SC-703
SC-700
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Night Naval bombardment of Cooktown at 92,137 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 6 destroyed on ground
Beaufort V: 10 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed on ground
Beaufort VIII: 6 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 3 destroyed on ground
Mitchell II: 3 destroyed on ground
B-26 Marauder: 5 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed on ground
Beaufighter VIc: 2 destroyed on ground
Hudson III (LR): 5 destroyed on ground
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
BB Mutsu
BB Kirishima
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
DD Isokaze
DD Oyashio
DD Takanami
DD Makinami
DD Makigumo
DD Kazegumo

Allied ground losses:
663 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 190
Port hits 20
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 5

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Musashi
BB Musashi firing at Cooktown
BB Yamato firing at Cooktown
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Mutsu
BB Mutsu firing at 6th RAN Base Force
6th RAN Base Force firing at BB Mutsu
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Kirishima
BB Kirishima firing at 20th RAAF Base Force
CA Suzuya firing at Cooktown
CA Mikuma firing at Cooktown
DD Isokaze firing at Cooktown
6th RAN Base Force firing at DD Oyashio
DD Oyashio firing at 6th RAN Base Force
DD Takanami firing at Cooktown
DD Makinami firing at Cooktown
DD Makigumo firing at Cooktown
DD Kazegumo firing at Cooktown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Must have invoked the fear of God in the sailers to see the Jap battle fleet steam by lobbing
18.1" shells at them... The fleet moving out of LBA range would and could not spend time on them.

Tanaka didn't engage this turn either...strange.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 93,137, Range 27,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
DD Kazegumo
DD Makigumo
DD Makinami
DD Takanami
DD Oyashio
DD Isokaze

Allied Ships
AM Wagga
xAKL Vichy
xAK Vito
xAKL James Cook
AM Punjab
AM Bengal

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
BB Mutsu engages AM Bengal at 27,000 yards
BB Yamato engages xAK Vito at 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

We suppress enemy troops in Burma; 15k feet now to reduce flak efficiency.
Betties score a few hits again.

Heavy air strikes on PM!

I have now moved 70 Army fighters to Rabaul with another 110 on the way.
Also need to redistribute base force units to efficiently handle a prolonged air battle around PM.
- I also keep in mind that it's possible Andy will come from another direction and that this is simply a diversion.

Morning Air attack on 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 36
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 38
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 48

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 73rd Motorised Brigade ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking RAF 222 Group Base Force ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 32nd Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 73rd Motorised Brigade ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking RAF 222 Group Base Force ...
Also attacking 73rd Motorised Brigade ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking RAF 222 Group Base Force ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Chinese Corps, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 47
B-17F Fortress x 28
B-24D Liberator x 39

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 147
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PC Vigilant
PC Tiger
xAK Theofano Livanos
PG Warrego, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 58
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 45

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 2

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

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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

Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Moa, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Lowana, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
PG Warrego, on fire
PC Vigilant

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Lowana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 60,43
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 126487 troops, 1424 guns, 1524 vehicles, Assault Value = 4477
Defending force 44439 troops, 822 guns, 570 vehicles, Assault Value = 1565

Japanese adjusted assault: 2271
Allied adjusted defense: 2185

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
5567 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 477 disabled
Non Combat: 83 destroyed, 470 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Vehicles lost 313 (108 destroyed, 205 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2791 casualties reported
Squads: 128 destroyed, 127 disabled
Non Combat: 154 destroyed, 209 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 129 (69 destroyed, 60 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
14th Division
113th Infantry Regiment
11th Division
90th Infantry Regiment
14th Guards Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
38th Division
1st Tank Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
17th Tank Regiment
33rd Division
1st Recon Battalion
Imperial Guards Division
55th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
16th Guards Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Army

Defending units:
84th Indian Brigade
45th Recce Regiment
23rd British Brigade
73rd Motorised Brigade
32nd Infantry Division
16th British Brigade
111th Chindit Brigade
17th Indian Division
5th Chinese Corps
6th Medium Regiment
RAF 222 Group Base Force
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Burma Corps
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Indian Light AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 74,82
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 26
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 26 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
2nd PI Base Force
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Gunnery Training

[Nemo121]

It looks like you've turned the corner in Burma where the amount of disablements exceeds 50% of his smaller forces ( regiments, Bdes etc ) and so disablements in those units become destroyed.

A few more 1:1s and you should have it, time to throw everything in.


As to the Australian run.... His lack of naval search with the Hudson LRs is pretty negligent... Still, got to take advantage of whatever you can.

[PzB74]

Supplies are flowing surprisingly easy to our troops and we are again ready to attack in Burma.
I hope you're right Nemo; Andy will most likely reinforce with more troops. If we can't route the enemy then let's destroy as much of him as we can!

I would have liked to hit Townsville as well but I don't think we should push our luck.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 22, 43

Surface Combat

Tanaka finally engages and it's a wipeout!!
2 US destroyers were positioned west of Espiritu but they didn't react.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Kinugasa
CL Agano

Allied Ships
PC Tiger, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PC Vigilant, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AM Kiwi, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PG Warrego, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Cardross, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Lowana, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAKL Mulcra, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAK Aspasia Nomikos, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
xAK Theofano Livanos, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 217 (129 destroyed, 88 disabled)

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 96% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
CA Kinugasa engages PG Warrego at 11,000 yards
CA Kumano engages PG Warrego at 11,000 yards
CL Agano engages AM Kiwi at 11,000 yards
xAK Cardross sunk by CA Kinugasa at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
PG Warrego sunk by CA Kinugasa at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages xAK Theofano Livanos at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages AM Kiwi at 10,000 yards
CL Agano engages AM Kiwi at 10,000 yards
CA Kumano engages xAK Theofano Livanos at 10,000 yards
CA Kumano engages xAK Lowana at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
AM Kiwi sunk by CA Kinugasa at 6,000 yards
PC Tiger sunk by CA Kumano at 6,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages xAK Theofano Livanos at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
PC Vigilant sunk by CA Kumano at 2,000 yards
xAK Theofano Livanos sunk by CA Kinugasa at 2,000 yards
xAK Lowana sunk by CA Kumano at 2,000 yards
CA Kumano engages xAKL Mulcra at 2,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages xAK Aspasia Nomikos at 2,000 yards
xAKL Mulcra sunk by CA Kinugasa at 2,000 yards
CA Kumano engages xAK Aspasia Nomikos at 2,000 yards
xAK Aspasia Nomikos sunk by CA Kumano at 2,000 yards
xAK Aspasia Nomikos sunk by CA Kumano at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

PM is bombed heavily and we attack LCU's in Burma and sweep Kathia.
Skipping these numerous reports.

First battle test for the Judy and they place a 500kg bomb on a tin can!
Long range Betties attack transports as far south as Efate.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 119,150
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Sims, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Reid

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort
DD McCalla

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Kini

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 119,150
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
B5N2 Kate x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Reid, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intercept!

Andy probably wanted to keep the buildup quiet but it attracted a lot of attention.
The KB raced south but only mopping up work remained as Tanaka had all but cleaned the slate.
- Another 10 ship convoy has been spotted at Efate, maybe we can get at it too!

[witpqs]

You are out of the monsoon supply movement limitations (May 15 through Oct 15 IIRC), so supplies movement should be much easier.

[Djordje]

Really nice bombardment in Australia, well done!

Watch disruption and fatigue in your units in Burma, usually after one good attack (1:1) it takes 3-4 days for your units to recover to the level before the attack. Also check each unit individually as usually there would be some smaller ones that got hit really hard, retreat those to Rangoon or somewhere else safe with 20000 supplies and put them in rest mode.
If you keep up those odds (and if you watch your fatigue and disruption you should) soon you will begin to see allied individual units destroyed during the attacks, even without a breakthrough and he will be forced to start retreating. Watch for small arrows indicating troop movement and if he starts retreating hitting him with your whole air and shock attack should produce wonderful results.

[PzB74]

Yes, supplies flow easily now but they didn't in December...that was also outside of monsoon period.

Thx Djordje; disruption hasn't been to bad - especially not for our large division sized units.
Usually disruption is below 20 after resting for 1 day.

This turn was of mixed blessings;

Good news first - KB pursued the fleeing Efate convoy and the long range Judy and Kates flamed it!
We have thus delayed the Allied build up in this region.

- NB! As I've read in other threads KB ac never attacks beyond 8 hexes. This seems to be correct; the fleeing Efate destroyers were
10-11 hexes away from Judy's on Kaga and only the convoy 8 hexes away got any attention.

Japan loose a big advantage because of this...need to examine further!

In Burma our bombers had a truly horrible day; Andy sent in a large LRCAP over the battleground and of course 3 out of 4 bomber groups that took off got separated from
their escort. Only 1 out of 8-10 fighter units ordered to escort to the exact hex decided to tag along.

So we lost 20 Sally I's, 20 Sally IIs and 20 Helen's. That's a nasty butchers bill; majority of pilots were relatively inexperienced, I find that Jap bomber crews are extremely
exposed. Fighting over our own lines reduced pilot casualties; 80 lost ac and "only" 20 pilots killed. That's a comfort, we can replace the ac.

Our reaction CAP worked well and we did shoot down 17 enemy fighters but lost a similar number.
Need to withdraw 3 bomber units and retrain them; plan is to upgrade them all to Helen IIs with armor, they suffer somewhat less.

On the ground our next attack went in as planned and a further 2 Allied units had joined the defenders.
Our casualties were 5600 vs 2400 Allied but defenders did not suffer too many destroyed units this time, no doubt because of the reinforcements.

So it looks like our offensive actions in Burma are coming to an end; there's just no way to break through the jungle wall.
The inability to get more than 50% of possible AV for our Army in Burma is the decisive factor.

I sent this question to Andy:

"Question on land combat; I know that defenders AV is always adjusted with defensive modifiers but attackers AV is usually negatively adjusted accordingly.
E.g. in Burma Jap 4000 AV is reduced to 2200 in a non base hex while Allied AV is adjusted the other way from 1600 to 3000.

What is the reason for attackers AV to always be reduced so severly?
The way it works now combat has been turned into a grinding battle; to prolong battles maybe."

I have started to move tank units and regimental sized units back towards Mandalay and will prepare for a defensive battle along the Tojo line.
Need to place more focus on the SRA and Central Pacific regions.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 23, 43

Sub-ASW Attacks

Not a good sub day either; 1 is sunk and another damaged by a large convoy escort moving towards PH!

Sub attack near Lahaina at 201,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 32, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD DeHaven
SC-751
AM Swallow
DD Waller
DD Nicholas
DD Chevalier

SS I-23 launches 6 torpedoes at DD DeHaven
DD Waller fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD DeHaven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Chevalier attacking submerged sub ....
DD Waller fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nicholas attacking submerged sub ....
DD DeHaven attacking submerged sub ....
DD Chevalier fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nicholas attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nicholas cannot reach attack position over SS I-23
SS I-23 forced to surface!
DD DeHaven firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Chevalier firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Waller firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Waller firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nicholas firing on surfaced sub ....
DD DeHaven firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Chevalier firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Waller firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nicholas firing on surfaced sub ....
DD DeHaven firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Chevalier firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Waller firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nicholas firing on surfaced sub ....
DD DeHaven firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lahaina at 198,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-159, hits 5

Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
AM Strive
DD Waller
DD Nicholas
DD DeHaven
DD Chevalier

SS I-159 is sighted by escort
DD Waller fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD DeHaven attacking submerged sub ....
DD Chevalier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub and abandons search
DD DeHaven fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Chevalier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Chevalier attacking submerged sub ....
DD Chevalier loses contact with SS I-159
DD Chevalier cannot establish contact with SS I-159
DD Chevalier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Chevalier attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-159 eludes ASW attack from DD Chevalier
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 62

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
34 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Army, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 29
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
Kittyhawk III x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 20


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

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Spitfire Vc Trop sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 150th RAC Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 55
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 4
Hurricane IIa Trop x 5
Hurricane IIb Trop x 23
Kittyhawk III x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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

Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 4
Hurricane IIa Trop x 5
Hurricane IIb Trop x 23
Kittyhawk III x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 11 destroyed, 8 damaged


Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Chinese Corps, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 26

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 2
Hurricane IIa Trop x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Kittyhawk III x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-17F Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 38

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 140
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Carabiniers Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 35

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 2
Hurricane IIa Trop x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 13
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tanna at 124,157
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B5N2 Kate x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK George Livanos, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Illisos, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK George Livanos
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Illisos
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tanna at 124,157
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
D4Y1 Judy x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK John Page, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Stephen J. Field, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Thyme, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Illisos, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Illisos
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 11
Blenheim IV x 20
Hurricane IIa Trop x 8
Hurricane IIb Trop x 17
Bolingbroke IV x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Also attacking 1st Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 90th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Mobile Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking 90th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking 90th Infantry Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 90th Infantry Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
B-18A Bolo x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 5

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A Bolo: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 12000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 48th Field Artillery Regiment, at 60,43
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
A-29 Hudson x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 3

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

Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 1 damaged

Also attacking 4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking 14th Division ...
Also attacking 1st Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Tank Regiment ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 60,43
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 119983 troops, 1385 guns, 1254 vehicles, Assault Value = 4291
Defending force 45068 troops, 844 guns, 740 vehicles, Assault Value = 1601

Japanese adjusted assault: 1480
Allied adjusted defense: 3163

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5611 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 328 disabled
Non Combat: 71 destroyed, 408 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Vehicles lost 256 (104 destroyed, 152 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
2418 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 128 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 297 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 163 (13 destroyed, 150 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Tank Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
14th Division
20th Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment
38th Division
24th Infantry Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
1st Recon Battalion
1st Tank Regiment
90th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
4th Tank Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
14th Guards Regiment
33rd Division
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
16th Infantry Regiment
11th Division
4th Division
16th Guards Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Field Artillery Regiment
21st Army

Defending units:
32nd Infantry Division
16th British Brigade
17th Indian Division
23rd British Brigade
45th Recce Regiment
150th RAC Regiment
Kowloon Brigade
5th Chinese Corps
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
73rd Motorised Brigade
84th Indian Brigade
111th Chindit Bde /2
RAF 222 Group Base Force
6th Medium Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Burma Corps
14th Indian Light AA Regiment
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KB in action