Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Pillager) Allies only

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/27/42

Central Pacific: Sigint report entry for 2/27 indicates Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Roi-Namur. Jap aircraft were detected based at Roi-Namur (numbers and type undetermined), no other detected Jap forces or activity in Roi-Namur.

Several US fleet subs are now operating in patrol zones to the north and south of Kwajalein. Patrols are mainly for scouting and intelligence purposes, though I would not turn down a good hit from a “dud” torpedo.


DEI: Japanese ground forces entering eastern Java, capturing several bases. One detected Jap LCU is now in the adjacent hex W of Soerabaja, other Jap units approaching Soerabaja from the south. AAR’s and current situation map of Java follow.

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Ground combat at Probolinggo (56,105) – (southeastern Java)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3700 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 153
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 43
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 43 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Probolinggo !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade

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Ground combat at Malang (55,105) – (southeastern Java)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3792 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 71
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 71 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malang !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
33rd Infantry Regiment

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Ground combat at Soerakarta (53,103) – (dot base SE of Semarang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 645 troops, 0 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 58
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 32
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 32 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerakarta !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
6th Tank Regiment (transferred to Java from Singapore)

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Japanese ground advance towards Soerabaja has trapped one Dutch Base Force LCU at Djokjakarta. This LCU had been attempting to retreat to Soerabaja from Tjilatjap.

No reported Jap air activity this game turn over Soerabaja. Last Allied ships (3 small Dutch AMc) departing Soerabaja on a desperate run for Darwin.

Dutch LBA bombers (6 CW-22 Falcons, 4 139-WH) continue uncontested ground attack strikes the Japanese 4 Division advancing on Soerabaja. Minor disruption of Japanese LCU elements resulted from this attack.

Light Jap ground attack air strikes continue on Dutch LCU’s in Palembang. Minor Dutch casualties reported

Japanese ground assault on Medan continues. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Medan (46,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8459 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 276
Defending force 3994 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 136
Japanese adjusted assault: 61
Allied adjusted defense: 34
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
398 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
143rd Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Medan Garrison Battalion
Korps Marechausee Battalion
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
Medan Coastal Gun Battalion
2nd Garrison Battalion
Langsa Base Force
Sabang Base Force
Medan Base Force

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/27/42 (continued)

Malaya: One or more Jap TF(s) detected in Singapore base. Current status of Jap base in Singapore – 171 ships in port, 19 Jap LCU’s, 127 aircraft (52 fighters, 19 bombers).


Burma: Japanese capture Toungoo (south central Burma). AAR and current situation map of Burma follows.

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Ground combat at Toungoo (57,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 913 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 23
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Toungoo !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Regiment

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/27/42 (continued)

China: Japanese ground attacks W of Wuchow. Chinese ground forces withdrawing from Pakhoi and the China-Vietnam border area are moving into Nanking. AAR and current situation map of central and southern China follow.

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Ground combat at 74,54 (W of Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13528 troops, 124 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 451
Defending force 13513 troops, 137 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 345
Japanese adjusted assault: 330
Allied adjusted defense: 204
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
533 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Allied ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
38th Division

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
4th War Area
35th Group Army
9th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force

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[johnjohn]

Just a logistical update. (March 8, 1942) I have separated my four West Coast bases to support Pacific areas. Seattle=NORPAC; San Francisco=CENTPAC and PACFLT; Los Angeles=SWPAC; and San Diego=SOPAC. Have sorted out troops and air units, moving those to be transported somewhere to the base or departure airbase. Otherwise the air units are all training, all spread out all over the place wherever there is space.

Intelligence reports that CVL Ryuho sunk by bombs (but it really was two torps that were not duds). CVE Hosho hit today by SBDs off Canton Island and set on fire. Things are looking up, although the ant farm took Milne Bay and several Islands nearby. Because Bettys are providing strike cover, I have not tried to intervene. 23rd on Noumea, French unit now at Koumac, and Marine battalions at Noumea are preparing for Efate and Tanna. Engr units are building Noumea up into a major base (7 AB, 7 Port). Then they will build bases at La Foa and Efate. 1 Engr enroute to Koumac. Fleet patrols still in place protecting approaches to all these bases. Hornet nearly to Pearl. Some refitting of the airgroups and they (Enterprise and Hornet) will replace Sara and York which both need some yard time and air group refits.

The supply pipeline is starting to take effect. Better planes in sufficient quantities are finally hitting the replacement pipeline. Also got all the PI P40 units stateside. I can't use them except as training units (because they are Permanent Restricted). But the pilots are safe and ready to be transferred to front line units. The trained and experienced guys will help strengthen some units and put some experience into the training pipeline as well.

My Burma looks nearly identical to yours. I hope I can hold at Mandalay, but experience tells me Imphal is really the place. I am building forts all over Burma and plan to use the jungle to slow them down. Meanwhile, reinforcements are arriving from Aden and RR from Karachi. Soon there will some air assets which will help make the Japanese advance more difficult. And everyone not actually fighting is training. Some of the Indian units are really undertrained. I have moved those units back. I hope I dont have to use them, they are essentially worthless right now.

Colombo has turned into a significant base. With UK BBs and CVs, the AI has decided not to contest the waters. Yesterday one CV, perhaps two, were spotted (actually the airgroups were spotted) attacking my miserable jungle bunnies trying to get off the island south of Gasmata. So far three squads of the Lark have been airlifted off the coast. The enemy CV(s) are operating near the Admiralties. I have sent Hermes and Force Z back to Trincomolee via Perth. With another UK CV due to arrive, this will give the defenders enough force to control the waters off Trimcomolee and Calcutta.

Now, if I only had enough shipping!!

Actually I have enough, it is just that I have formed too many large supply convoys moving 50k to 100k of supplies or fuel from off map or west coast to Pearl, Sydney, Perth, Colombo, Karachi, and Calcutta. Colombo and Pearl are then further distibuting to forward bases. I will need to pare those down abit so I can move troops and planes. (ie...get the APs out of the convoys). As of now I am able to lift one division and some other light stuff. Then there are no ships. Since all my Pacific assets are in or around Noumea, a lot of stuff is just sitting on the wharf until these ships return except for 80k supplies and fuel on the way to Suva. I did a much better job in the east, and have three AP convoys moving troops and planes from Aden to Karachi or Colombo. Thus far, no bottlenecks out east. Also I have deliberately ignored the NORPAC area. Nothing has left Seattle to reinforce the area other than basic supplies to keep the garrisons from starving.

Like we used to say in the Army, 'Nothing moves 'til the paperwork is done.' I feel like John Wayne in Harm's Way. "What do you do, Captain Torrey?" he is asked. "Routing and convoys," he replies. Yep, routing and convoys, that is what it is all about. Johnjohn

[wneumann]

Just a logistical update. (March 8, 1942) I have separated my four West Coast bases to support Pacific areas. Seattle=NORPAC; San Francisco=CENTPAC and PACFLT; Los Angeles=SWPAC; and San Diego=SOPAC.

My current allocation of US West Coast bases does differ somewhat from yours, though it may or may not make a whole lot of difference.

At this point, nearly all significant departures of transport shipping from the US West Coast to locations in the Central and South Pacific are being routed from a single port (San Francisco) with Los Angeles used as a secondary departure site. For destinations in Alaska and the North Pacific, Seattle is being used. No transport activity is being run from San Diego. This distribution applies only to transport shipping, all US West Coast bases still being used to handle basing and movement of naval ships and TF's.

Concentration of transport ships became possible (and in many instances desirable) once I had established and began running a transport convoy system from the US West Coast. At this time, virtually all significant departures of transport ships from the US West Coast are in a convoy, these convoys invariably large and heavily escorted. While it does give Pillager an opportunity (he has yet to take) for him to concentrate Jap submarines operating along the US West Coast, it also allows me to concentrate US ASW ships and resources.

Some of the advantages I've seen of concentrating US West Coast transport shipping include -

(1) Since I'm loading nearly all my ship cargoes at one port, I can also keep nearly all my available transport ships in the same port. No need to distribute or re-distribute transport ships between different ports on the US West Coast according to what cargo I'm trying to load and where I'm loading it.

(2) Not having to move ships between different ports along the US West Coast reduces the volume of coastal transport ship movement to virtually zero. Fewer ASW escorts needed, fewer targets for Jap submarines.

(3) Fewer and larger convoys are leaving the West Coast. Still fewer targets for Jap submarines, and I can more heavily concentrate ASW escorts in these convoys.

The sea transport system I'm establishing is still a work in progress and will be for some time. As you found out, the number and types of transport ships you have available (and where they happen to be) has great bearing on how big and how good a transport system you can have. I'm running up against the same restraints.

What I'm also finding is that may "legs" of the transport system you'd like to operate by 1944 do not need to be set up and running in 1942.

The two main arteries I have running at present are (1) the US West Coast to Pearl Harbor run (with some smaller branches from Pearl to destinations in the Central & South Pacific) and (2) the off-map convoy route between the US East Coast and Australia. Development of a transport convoy system in the Indian Ocean with British shipping is well underway, these routes going mainly between off-map bases (Aden, Abadan, Capetown) and ports in India and Colombo. In several locations I've established small "local" transport shipping routes for specialized purposes as needed or useful, the "local" routes not connecting into any kind of network at least for the moment. For now, there are many locations where I do not have transport shipping at all or have a need to run any - these routes will come into play later but they're being disregarded for now.

Now, if I only had enough shipping!!

I'll second you on that one. At this time I actually do have a minor (though not insurmountable) shortage of transport ships along the US West Coast, this largely due to ships being diverted for the US East Coast - Australia convoys. As I now have an adequate number of ships for movement from the Eastern US to Australia, transport ships arriving as reinforcements in Panama are being added to US West Coast shipping capacity.

Another issue I'm beginning to sort out is distributing and using all the various sizes and types of transport ships. Right now I have most of the longer range, large capacity ships running on the US West Coast to Pearl Harbor and the Eastern US to Australia routes. I'm also employing both US and British transport ships along the route between the Eastern US and Australia, taking advantage of at least a short-term surplus of large, long-range British transport ships.

Also consider smaller transport ships will be considerably more useful operating on-map rather than across an off-map route (even if a smaller ship has the range to move off-map). In the case of smaller transports, many of the islands you will be transporting cargoes to have a small port size and a docking capacity that can handle fewer or smaller ships. The xAKL along with the smallest AK's lends itself nicely to moving cargo into these locations as they can dock in bases with small port sizes to load and unload, probably doing this operation more quickly than larger transports. I actually have a surplus of small transports at the moment, and proceeded to "mothball" numbers of these (especially xAKL's) out of harms' way for later use. Some smaller AK's do have a long movement range and are now being used for a variety of other purposes, though I plan to eventually employ these along with xAKL's for "local" transport shipping into small ports.

Some of the major transport shipping routes I'm employing now (especially the Eastern US to Australia off-map route) are probably temporary and will no doubt be scaled down later in the war. My primary purpose behind the Eastern US to Australia route is to push as much as possible to Australia and as quickly as possible without regard to (practically) anything Pillager is doing on-map. Once we get into 1943-44 and thereafter, long range Allied transport shipping can be conducted on-map with a much greater degree of impunity than in 1942 and early '43, this eventually making long off-map shipping routes unnecessary.

Colombo has turned into a significant base.

Absolutely is... Colombo is vital to cover transport shipping routes to Perth from India and the Middle East.

You'll also have to defend it. While the AI will probably disregard Colombo, a human Japanese opponent will not. Also keeping in mind any Japanese invasion of India by a human player will likely be at least partially amphibious in nature (rather than marching through the jungle from Burma, though he might do that too). I found myself creating a sort of "Atlantic Wall" along the coast of India from Calcutta to Colombo to cover this possibility. Pillager didn't bother much with India last time, though that's not much of a guarantee for the present.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 2/28/42

Central Pacific: Sigint report entry for 2/28 indicates heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk. Multiple unidentified Jap TF(s) were detected in Truk base, also ships in port.


DEI: Japanese capture Medan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Medan (46,76)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8207 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 259
Defending force 3605 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 110
Japanese adjusted assault: 180
Allied adjusted defense: 28
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Medan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
621 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1553 casualties reported
Squads: 62 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 92 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
143rd Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
Medan Coastal Gun Battalion (eliminated in action)
Medan Garrison Battalion
Korps Marechausee Battalion
2nd Garrison Battalion
Langsa Base Force
Sabang Base Force
Medan Base Force (eliminated in action)

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Dutch LBA bombers (6 CW-22 Falcons, 4 139-WH) continue uncontested ground attack strikes the Japanese 4 Division now in hex 55,103 adjacent to Soerabaja.

Light Japanese air activity over Soerabaja. Latest AAR’s follow.

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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 11
CW-21B Demon x 7
75A-7 Hawk x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 3 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9

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

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Light Jap ground attack air strikes continue on Dutch LCU’s in Palembang. Minor Dutch casualties reported


Philippines: Japanese capture Laoag. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Laoag (81,72)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13137 troops, 124 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 452
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 255
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 255 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Laoag !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units:
19th Division (marched overland from Aparri, no amphibious landing)

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China: Japanese ground attacks W of Wuchow, forces Chinese retreat now cutting main line of communication with Chinese ground forces withdrawing from Pakhoi and the China-Vietnam border area. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 74,54 (W of Wuchow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13159 troops, 124 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 427
Defending force 12206 troops, 137 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 305
Japanese adjusted assault: 454
Allied adjusted defense: 181
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3288 casualties reported
Squads: 157 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 165 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
38th Division

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Chinese Base Force

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/01/42

Central Pacific: Contract reported between Jap surface ASW and US fleet sub Sealion. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Ponape at 120,114

Japanese Ships
PB Mikitade Maru
PB Takuna Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

SS Sealion is sighted by escort

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Approximately 80% of the US fleet submarines I have in the game are operating at sea in assigned patrol zones scattered across a wide area of the Pacific, extending from sea approaches off the Japanese Home Islands southward to cover likely sea communication routes extending from Japan to forward areas in the Central, South and Southwest Pacific theatres, as well as possible movement paths that could be used by the KB or Jap surface naval forces for sorties into active Allied operating areas farther in the South Pacific.

The remaining 20% of available US fleet subs include subs undergoing port repairs or replenishment, subs departing or returning to/from patrol areas, several subs allocated to mine laying missions, and a small number of subs retained in reserve for special or emergency tasks.

Primary objective of US fleet sub patrols is scouting and detection of Jap transport and naval movements, with on-going crew training (experience) a secondary though equally important function. At some point, the number of US sub patrols and the area over which they’re being conducted will eventually require Pillager to disperse Japanese surface and air ASW resources to cover more areas.

Plus… anything my dud torpedoes manage to hit is all good.


DEI: Detected status of Medan base so far indicates little or no demolitions of oil production and refinery facilities occurred in Medan during its capture by Jap forces on 2/28.

Dutch LBA bombers (6 CW-22 Falcons, 4 139-WH) continue uncontested ground attack strikes the Japanese 4 Division now in hex 55,103 adjacent to Soerabaja.

No reported Japanese air activity over Soerabaja this game turn.

Jap surface ASW or mine sweeper activity reported near the sea entrance to Palembang base. Dutch sub O-16 is one of the last two Allied subs operating in the DEI (both subs patrolling the approaches to Palembang). AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Muntok at 50,89

Japanese Ships
DMS W-5
DMS W-1
DMS W-6

Allied Ships
SS O16

SS O16 is located by DMS W-5

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Light Jap ground attack air strikes continue on Dutch LCU’s in Palembang. Minor Dutch casualties reported


Philippines: Two unidentified Jap LCU’s detected adjacent to Cabanatuan base hex, probably units advancing southward from Aparri via Tuguegarao. Current situation map of Luzon follows.



Except for a landing and capture of Jolo on 12/20/41 and the recent activity on Luzon, all other bases in the Philippines remain in US hands. No detected Jap movements in the central and southern Philippines.


Malaya: British submarine Trusty detects an unidentified Jap task force (10 ships, including one LB) moving NW through the Straits of Malacca.


Burma/India: British RAF and RN base force LCU’s evacuating overland from Rangoon via Akyab have reached or will be shortly reaching the railhead at Chittagong. These base force LCU’s are arriving in Akyab mostly at 30-40% of TOE strength. Plans are to move these base force units to locations in the interior of India where they will draw replacement elements and rebuild to full TOE strength. Base force LCU’s evacuating through Akyab also includes the AVG Ground Echelon at full TOE strength.


Colombo: Six Dutch submarines have arrived at Colombo from the DEI, three additional Dutch subs (one heavily damaged) are still enroute.


China: Japanese capture Liuchow. AAR follows. Liuchow had been abandoned by the Chinese after an advance by Japanese forces coming from Kweilin cut the rail line between Liuchow and Tuyun.

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Ground combat at Liuchow (74,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15162 troops, 296 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 473
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 447
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 447 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Liuchow !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
104th Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

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Japanese ground attacks at Changteh, also near Shaoyang. AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35412 troops, 375 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1217
Defending force 56075 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1807
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 521
Allied adjusted defense: 1843
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
5402 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 265 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 316 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled

Allied ground losses:
579 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Division
39th Division
17th Division
11th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
8th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

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Ground combat at 79,52 (SW of Shaoyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 23232 troops, 214 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 814
Defending force 19755 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 716
Japanese adjusted assault: 682
Allied adjusted defense: 331
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
957 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
8626 casualties reported
Squads: 297 destroyed, 145 disabled
Non Combat: 300 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th Division
116th Division

Defending units:
50th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/02/42

Pacific Theatres: No detected or reported Japanese activity this game turn in any of the Pacific theatres.


DEI: Japanese capture Madioen (eastern Java). AAR follows. The fall of Madioen gives the Japanese control of nearly all bases on Java outside Soerabaja except for Djokjakarta (occupied by a Dutch base force LCU that had been cut off from withdrawal into Soerabaja).

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Ground combat at Madioen (54,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 660 troops, 0 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 57
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 9
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Madioen !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-), fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
6th Tank Regiment (transferred to Java from Singapore)

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Dutch LBA bombers (6 CW-22 Falcons, 4 139-WH) continue uncontested ground attack strikes the Japanese 4 Division now in hex 55,103 adjacent to Soerabaja.

No reported Japanese air activity over Soerabaja again this game turn.

Several unidentified Jap task forces detected in Medan base hex. At least one unidentified Japanese LCU in pursuit of Dutch ground units withdrawing from Medan to the west towards Langsa and Sabang.


China: Japanese ground attack continues at Changteh. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 515 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 929
Defending force 55579 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1770

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

Assaulting units:
6th Division
39th Division
17th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
87th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/03/42

Central Pacific: Japanese minesweeping operations reported at Kwajalein. A small submarine-laid minefield had been placed in Kwajalein several weeks earlier.

Sigint report entry for 3/03 indicates heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea. Detected status of Tabiteuea base indicates an undetermined number of Japanese ship(s) at anchor, also that airfield facilities at Tabiteuea base have been expanded to its maximum size of 3.


South Pacific: Sigint report entry for 3/03 indicates BB Mutsu is heading for Ndeni. Possible that Ndeni could the site for the next Japanese amphibious assault in the South Pacific theatre.

Force N has remained near Noumea, though I have no immediate plans to move it to Ndeni as (1) there's little question it’s substantially outgunned by BB Mutsu and friends, also (2) I would not discount the possiblilty of Pillager already having or about to have KB in the area to cover the “festivities”.

US submarine S-35 is operating in a patrol zone to the east of Espiritu Santo, this sub is now being dispatched to Ndeni for a possible pot-shot at BB Mutsu or one of its companions. Estimated arrival of S-35 at Ndeni is in about two days.


DEI: Light Jap air activity reported over Palembang.

Dutch LBA bombers (6 CW-22 Falcons, 4 139-WH) continue uncontested ground attack strikes against Japanese 4th Division now in hex 55,103 adjacent to Soerabaja. While these attacks are mere pinpricks, there is the rather faint hope these small gestures might somehow do something (however small) to "gum up the works".

Dutch air units are concentrated in Soerabaja and Palembang, many units are now down to their last operational planes. While a number of spare planes for Dutch aircraft types are present in the replacement pools, I have not sent new planes into Dutch air units as these planes would either be quickly destroyed in combat or (somewhat more likely) lost on the ground when Soerabaja and Palembang fall to Japanese ground attacks. All Dutch air units have been combed out to remove pilots in excess of the number of planes remaining in each unit, excess pilots transferred to the general reserve pilot pool.

Plans are to execute a withdrawal or disband of Dutch air units in Soerabaja and Palembang as soon as Japanese LCU’s enter the base hexes. Current combat values of Dutch air units are negligible and will do nothing to substantially affect the outcome of battles for Soerabaja and Palembang. The best apparent course with Dutch air units at this point is to voluntarily break them up immediately ahead of a Japanese assault on Soerabaja or Palembang to deprive Pillager of VP (however small that number of VP might be).


Philippines: Japanese capture dot base at Bayombong (adjacent hex north of Cabanatuan). The two Jap units shown entering Bayombong are most likely advancing southward towards Manila.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bayombong (80,75)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16136 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 566
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 156
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 156 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bayombong !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units: (advancing south from Aparri)
24th Division
9th Garrison Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Burma: Japanese capture Meiktila. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Meiktila (58,47)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12785 troops, 120 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 441
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 400
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 400 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Meiktila !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
33rd Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As British LCU’s are gradually pushed out of bases in central Burma by the Japanese advance, these units are being pulled back to Myitkyina as quickly as possible and then set to march overland to Ledo. This action is underway for all British LCU remaining in Burma that are in excess of the minimum needed to maintain the rear-guard action. The current Allied front-line position for the rear-guard action in Burma is now Mandalay, with the Japanese now in control of both Myitkyina and Magwe.


China: Japanese ground attack continues at Changteh. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 515 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 929
Defending force 55579 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1770

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

Assaulting units:
6th Division
39th Division
17th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
87th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/04/42

Central Pacific: Sigint report entries for 3/04 indicating heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea and Truk.

Detected status of Truk base indicates an undetermined number of Japanese ship(s) at anchor, also one or more unidentified Jap TF(s) in Truk base hex.

No detected Japanese forces or activity shown at Tabiteuea.

Another Sigint report entry for 3/04 indicates the intercepted radio call sign of a Japanese ship identified as ACM Yoshino Maru at hex 212,125 (SE of Panama in a remote open sea area). The location of this radio contact is not at or anywhere near an Allied base or shipping route and the hex is also in an out-of-the-way area where Pillager is not likely to send the KB or a Jap surface TF for any reason. Possibly a sub? Or FOW? In any event, no Allied transport shipping or naval forces are moving or operating anywhere near the hex location of this report.


South Pacific: Sigint report entry for 3/04 indicating heavy intercepted Jap radio transmissions intercepted from Babeldaob. Other than ship(s) at anchor and a number of Jap aircraft based on Babeldaob, there is no detected Japanese activity.

Scout plane from Force N near Noumea reporting an unidentified Japanese ship contact WSW of Noumea moving on a NW heading. My current estimate of this contact is that it’s a Jap submarine patrol Pillager has sent to try picking up any Allied ship movements at or near Noumea, maybe in conjunction with last game turn’s reported possible Japanese move on Ndeni. If this contact had been the KB, most if not all the ships of Force N would by now be at the bottom.


Australia: Convoy MX-1 (six TK, 63000 fuel cargo) from Abadan arrived at Perth this game turn.

Jap naval air strike in Darwin against British ML’s evacuating from the DEI. AAR follows. Jap planes in this raid are believed to be based at Koepang.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships (TF actually contains two ML)
ML No. 423

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DEI: Japanese capture Djokjakarta. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Djokjakarta (52,103)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 690 troops, 0 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 58
Defending force 591 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 92
Allied adjusted defense: 5
Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Djokjakarta !!!

Combat modifiers

Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), leaders(-)
preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)

Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment

Defending units:
Tjilitap Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Light Jap air activity reported over Palembang.

Dutch LBA bombers (6 CW-22 Falcons, 4 139-WH) continue uncontested ground attack strikes the Japanese 4 Division now in hex 55,103 adjacent to Soerabaja.


China: Japanese ground attack continues at Changteh. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 520 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 980
Defending force 55709 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1783

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

Assaulting units:
6th Division
39th Division
17th Division
11th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/05/42

Central Pacific: US sub Grenadier in running engagement with Jap xAKL east of Iwo Jima. Several AAR’s but no hits or damage on either ship.

US sub Pompano east of the Marianas reports contact with unidentified Jap TF (3 ships) moving on a SW heading. No combat resulted from this contact.

Sigint report entries for 3/05 indicate intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Canton Is and Jaluit. No detected Japanese forces or activity at either base.


Tahiti: The two US LCU’s that entered the game as reinforcements in the dot hex base at Bora Bora (2/102 Infantry Bn and 2/198 Coast AA Bn) were picked up from Bora Bora by nearby transport ships re-organized as Amphibious TF’s and moved to Tahiti. Both units are now unloaded in Tahiti. A few elements from each LCU were lost at Bora Bora during the amphibious loading process, otherwise the units are fully operational. This move had been done to transfer the LCU’s to a base (in theatre) where they could be properly supplied and supported.


South Pacific: US submarine S-35 arrived in Ndeni base hex, no Japanese ships or activity spotted. S-35 is remaining on patrol at Ndeni.

Japanese troops (unidentified LCU) reported landing this game turn at Tulagi. Force N is moving northward from its current position near Noumea in an attempt to sneak into Tulagi and attack Jap transport ship(s) that are now unloading there.

A Sigint report entry for 3/05 reported intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Shortlands. Except for an undetermined number of Jap planes that were shown based at Shortlands, no detected Japanese forces or activity was found there.


DEI: Four unidentified Japanese LCU’s entered Soerabaja base hex with at least two additional unidentified Jap LCU’s in hexes adjacent to Soerabaja. Another unidentified Jap LCU is detected in Tjepoe (2 hexes west of Soerabaja). Orders were issued this game turn to execute withdrawal of all Dutch air units based in Soerabaja. A current base status display of Soerabaja follows.



Dutch LBA bombers (6 CW-22 Falcons, 4 139-WH) make one last ground attack strikes on the Japanese 4 Division.

Japanese amphibious landing is now underway at Oosthaven (eastern Sumatra). AAR follows. Pillager could likely be using this landing as the entry point for Jap ground forces into eastern Sumatra for an eventual assault on Palembang from the landward side rather than a direct amphibious operation against Palembang itself.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Oosthaven

TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Oosthaven, 48,96

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

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 113th Infantry Rgt /1
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 113th Infantry Rgt /1
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 113th Infantry Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Light Jap air activity reported over Palembang.


Philippines: Light Japanese ground attack air strike reported against Bataan, otherwise quiet.


China: Japanese ground attack continues at Changteh. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 535 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 999
Defending force 55741 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1785

Assaulting units:
39th Division
6th Division
17th Division
11th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
8th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pillager has a Japanese ground force of at least 8 LCU’s advancing towards Chihkiang from Shaoyang. This movement could threaten the primary line of communication along the Changteh to Chihkiang road which could result in forcing an eventual Chinese withdrawal from Changteh.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/06/42

Mainland US: A general status report on the home front…

(1) Shipyard activity is fairly quiet. All 2/42 ship upgrades are completed. 3/42 upgrades are underway to CV’s Lexington and Saratoga, these should be complete in approx 3 weeks. Some planning to allocate shipyard capacity is being looked at for the larger 4/42 ship upgrades.

Most surviving BB’s from Battleship Row are now fully repaired and available for active operations, several of these BB’s also completing scheduled upgrades. BB Nevada remains under shipyard repair in San Francisco, completion of its repairs is expected in approx 60 days. BB’s West Virginia and California remain under shipyard repair at Pearl Harbor – both ships too heavily damaged to move to the West Coast. Plans are to transfer BB West Virginia and California to complete repairs in US West Coast shipyards as soon as repairs underway at Pearl Harbor reach a point where the ships are sufficiently mobile and can reach the West Coast without danger of sinking.

(2) Virtually all US LBA air units starting the game or entering as reinforcements in Hawaii or the US West Coast have remained “at home”. These air units have all received a full complement of pilots and operating on almost continuous (100% level) training missions with pilot training concentrated on specific assigned mission skill(s). Standard procedure for training missions have been to run squadrons at 100% training level until average pilot fatigue level in a squadron reaches 30. Training squadrons reaching a fatigue level of 30 are stood down, then put back on training at 100% level once their fatigue level resets to zero.

US pilots that began active training on 12/8/41 have upgraded experience levels somewhat (mostly 40’s and 50’s) with skill levels in their assigned training specialties in many cases now in the 60-70 range. It’s beginning to appear that skill levels for pilots in training missions will reach a maximum of about 65-70, with further upgrades in skill level requiring the pilots to actively fly in front-line operations. If this observation is true, then plans will need to be drawn up and implemented for rotating “fully” trained pilots into the general reserve pool from training squadrons and new replacement pilots brought in their place.

For the most part, I have left planes in the replacement pools. Given the supply and production rates of replacement planes, best practice is to keep planes in the replacement pools until needed in a specific place (squadron) for a specific reason.

(3) For US ground units, general practice has been established to retain LCU’s in the mainland US until a LCU is at full TOE strength and all elements in the LCU are completely functional. This practice takes advantage of the better availability of supply and command support in the mainland US where LCU’s can be more effectively rested and draw needed squads/elements from the replacement pools. Also, following this practice allows supply and command support located at forward bases to be devoted entirely to forward operations rather than used for getting newly-arrived LCU’s from the US “in shape”. I may decide to change this practice later on but it seems to work for now given the current overall situation.


Eastern US: Off-map Convoy EX-6 is departing the mainland US for Australia via Capetown. This convoy includes one AS and 47 transports – loaded cargo includes one LCU (641 Towed TD Bn), three fighter squadrons (69 P-39’s total, all squadrons assigned to II Fighter Command), 183000 supply and 39500 fuel.

HQ Asiatic Fleet has been rebuilt to full TOE strength after being destroyed while attempting to evacuate it by sea from the Philippines in 12/41 (transports carrying Asiatic Fleet HQ had been sunk by Japanese naval action). Oddly enough, Adm Hart survived the 12/41 “sinking” of the HQ and remains at the helm. Asiatic Fleet HQ is now in the Eastern US and is loading aboard AP Queen Elizabeth for transport to Australia. Plans are to employ HQ Asiatic Fleet in Australia as a “sub-headquarters” for the South Pacific theatre (probably operating in Sydney or Melbourne).


Central Pacific: Sigint report entry for 3/06 indicates intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maleolap. No detected Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Japanese capture Lunga. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1538 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 53
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 53 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lunga !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF (transferred from Indochina)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Australia: Air transport operations from Cooktown have started to pick up elements of Allied LCU’s remaining in eastern New Guinea from hexes along the southern coast and evacuate them to Australia. Initial transport ops are picking up elements of Port Moresby (INF) Brigade.

Other LCU’s remaining in eastern New Guinea include parts of 15 RAAF Base Force (some of this LCU already reached Australia before the Japanese capture of Port Moresby) and C Coy/NG Rifles. Due to the limited number of available Catalina and PBY aircraft in NE Australia, this evacuation operation is expected to occur rather “gradually”.


DEI: Initial Japanese ground assault on Soerabaja. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20452 troops, 187 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 805
Defending force 22840 troops, 190 guns, 121 vehicles, Assault Value = 740

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

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

Assaulting units:
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
4th Division
33rd Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
Barisan KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Roodenburg Battalion
Van Altena Battalion
Manado Garrison Battalion
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Makassar Garrison Bn /1
Commandement Marine
Malang Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
MLD
Madion Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
Soerabaja Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
Kalidjati Base Force /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Japanese capture Oosthaven (eastern Sumatra). AAR and current situation map follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Oosthaven (48,96)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3322 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 125
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 59
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 59 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Oosthaven !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
113th Infantry Regiment (brought in from Singapore)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Light Jap air activity continues over Palembang. Air transport to transfer Dutch LCU engineer elements from Soerabaja to Palembang is underway – 100 engineer squads are now in Soerabaja vs 86 squads at Palembang, air transfer is to increase the engineer squad contingent in Palembang.

Three unidentified Jap LCU’s now in Langsa base hex (western Sumatra).

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/06/42 (continued)

Philippines: Japanese capture Vigan and Cabanatuan. US ground forces are evacuating Lingayan and Manila.

A relatively small rear-guard action at Clark Field is planned but the majority of US ground forces on Luzon will be moving directly into Bataan. My original intent had been to stage a “two-hex” defense of Bataan (Clark Field and Bataan itself) similar to what had been done at Johore Bahru and Singapore. I did not particularly like the end result of the “two hex” solution at Singapore, therefore I altered my strategy to adopt a “one hex” defence of Bataan proper with a brief rear-guard action at Clark to delay a Japanese advance into Bataan.

AAR’s and current situation map of Luzon follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cabanatuan (80,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3071 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 565
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 67
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 67 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cabanatuan !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-)

Assaulting units: (I’m expecting this group of Jap LCU's to advance on Manila)
24th Division
9th Garrison Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Vigan (80,73)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13190 troops, 124 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 454
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 259
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 259 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Vigan !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(+)

Assaulting units
19th Division (I’m expecting this division to advance on Clark Field via San Fernando and Lingayen)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Bay of Bengal: Crippled Dutch submarine K-XIV sank this game turn S of Akyab while attempting to reach Calcutta. K-XIV had been heavily damaged by Japanese ASW air attack near Singapore.


China: Japanese ground attacks at Changteh and E of Chihkiang along rail line between Chihkiang and Hengyang. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 545 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1016
Defending force 55747 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1782

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

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

Assaulting units:
39th Division
6th Division
17th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 78,51 (E of Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23585 troops, 326 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1245
Defending force 13559 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 413
Japanese adjusted assault: 469
Allied adjusted defense: 535
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
525 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
813 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
34th Division
15th Division
116th Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[johnjohn]

It is April 5 and just an update. March proved difficult for the allies. Burma fell in less than three weeks and over 100,000 troops (three divisions identified) are now marching up the RR to Myitkyina. They are on the outskirts of Katha. I have decided to abandon Myitkyina and am rushing all but one infantry and engineer base force out of the area. Imphal is well defended, but everything else lacks troops. Intel indicates future assault against the coast, which now is beefing up to meet it. Three UK CVs in area as are Force Z, and 5 other Battleships to disuade IJN intentions.

Akagi spotted off Canton Island five days ago. Fletcher with Sara and Yorktown attacked and sunk Nagato and Yamashiro and some escorts off Jarvis. They then headed for Pearl to refit. Halsey arrived, Akagi split, and Halsey now enroute to Pearl to refit. The south pacific remains in allied hands with 23rd Inf Div on Noumea and 40th Inf Div at Suva. (2nd USMC Div forming at Pago-pago.) 6 US battleships operating around Pearl and Canton. So far so good. Still need shipping, but it is getting better.

Mandalay, Manila, and Bataan all fell on same day. DEI getting rolled up, but big bases still in allied hands (but not for much longer I suspect).

I am worried about India. 100,000 troops running around is problematic and supply seems not to be an issue for the enemy. The seaborne assault has halted with the arrival of the British Fleet. My Indian forces are both badly trained, have poor morale, and seem insufficient in quanity, much less quality, to handle this many of the enemy. I have routed two British Divisions into the area, the 18th at Imphal and the 7th on the coast. I have more available, but am nervous of committing all my aussie reinforcements in India, especially if AI goes for Australia. Would be interested in what your thoughts on India may be.

Australia is not under assault or planned assault at this time. Am rushing reinforcements (Engr and Squadrons) along with 100K in fuel and supply to Aussie defense, mainly to build up the East coast air bases. Both Sydney and Perth have significant supplies and fuel, but there is never enough. Port Morseby is hanging on and the Cats got the Lark Bn out of danger. Now trying to get the Rabaul base force out. Am willing to abandon Pt. Darwin and all of NE Aussie if need be.

So far I am trying to hold on, knowing that I have a carrrier advantage at the moment. (4 to 3). I am tempted to go CV hunting, but so far have resisted the urge. So I am reinforcing and building up my bases. Then, when sufficiently ready to go on the offensive, will start assaulting the enemy positions.[:D]

I am planning to go on the offensive in late 43 when I have more carriers to support the effort. Right now I am one ambush away from total disaster (or complete victory). Wisdom suggests holding what I have is the best available strategy for now. Johnjohn

[wneumann]

I am planning to go on the offensive in late 43 when I have more carriers to support the effort. Right now I am one ambush away from total disaster (or complete victory).

True. Quite true...

I am worried about India. 100,000 troops running around is problematic and supply seems not to be an issue for the enemy. The seaborne assault has halted with the arrival of the British Fleet. My Indian forces are both badly trained, have poor morale, and seem insufficient in quanity, much less quality, to handle this many of the enemy. I have routed two British Divisions into the area, the 18th at Imphal and the 7th on the coast. I have more available, but am nervous of committing all my aussie reinforcements in India, especially if AI goes for Australia. Would be interested in what your thoughts on India may be.

Supply is never an issue until you run out of it.

All you've said about the Indian Army is true, plus one more thing (which it sounds like you're either consciously or unconsciously doing)... having to maintain sufficient LCU assault strengths at half the bases/cities in India as these bases have required garrisons. In general, all one can do with the Indian Army is "cobble it together" and deploy as best you can.

Having a large Japanese army running through Burma will eventually create a supply problem for any Japanese player, AI or human. This becomes even more true if the Japanese attempt a march through the jungle out of Burma towards Imphal and Dacca. Note there is no continuous (road or rail) line of communication going westward out of Burma and across the border into India - while the lack of a continuous road or rail line does not entirely prevent an overland line of supply from Burma into adjacent areas of India, it doesn't help matters either. Not to mention a march through jungle terrain eats up a lot of time as well. BTW, this fact also applies in 1944-45 (or so) when you're marching Allied ground forces from India back into Burma as much as it does for your Japanese opponent invading India overland from the opposite direction.

Not sure how inclined the Japanese AI would be to do this (though a human Japanese player would at least consider the idea)... launch an amphibious invasion of India. Against a human Japanese player this possiblity would certainly have to be considered in an Allied strategy for India through at least 1942-43.

In that case, defending coastal locations in eastern India would be as least as important as defending the land border between India and Burma, especially coastal bases having a port size or can be expanded to have port facilities. What I did vs Pillager in our last game (and to some extent doing this time) is an "Atlantic Wall" defence covering coastal bases from Chittagong to Colombo.

Speaking of Colombo, this is a very important location to hang onto. Colombo is needed to control the western half of the Indian Ocean including sea areas essential for moving anything to India from off-map bases at Capetown, Aden and Abadan. Colombo also overlooks the line of communications for shipping to Australia (Perth) from India and off-map bases in the Middle East. Having said all that, the last thing an Allied player needs in this theatre is a fully operational Japanese-controlled port of call for the KB just off the southern tip of India regardless of whether or not the Japanese actually invade mainland India.

Routing the British 18th Division to India was certainly a good move, also diverting to India any other British or Allied reinforcements that are destined to go to Burma (these too are more useful in India). As for the two Australian divisions (6th & 7th), I've placed one of those at Colombo, the other probably going to Australia unless events require otherwise. I did this in my last game vs Pillager in CHS, and will most likely do the same this time in AE. The Australian division I send to Colombo will likely stay there until it is certain the division is no longer needed to defend Colombo (in our last game this was sometime in mid to late-1943) - then I will move that division on to Australia.

I've also sent at least part of the Dutch submarine fleet (especially the shorter range subs) to India after the DEI falls - it's a useful reinforcement for the British fleet which doesn't have that many subs of its own. Did that in both matches vs Pillager (CHS and this time). You can go either way (India or Australia) with the Dutch surface fleet, whatever is more useful or necessary for you.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/07/42

US West Coast: Naval air search spotted possible Jap submarine WSW of Victoria, contact may be attempting to patrol sea approaches off Seattle and Vancouver. Surface ASW TF is being dispatched to find and engage the contact.


Eastern US: HQ Asiatic Fleet plus 5300 supply aboard AP Queen Elizabeth departing Eastern US this game turn for Capetown.


Australia: A group of six Allied subs (2 US fleet, 2 US S-Class, 2 Dutch O-class) arrived in Melbourne from operations in the DEI. Plans are for these subs to begin active operations from Australia/New Zealand after completion of shipyard repairs in Melbourne for minor (wear and tear) damage.

Two other more heavily damaged Allied subs from the DEI (US fleet SS Seal, Dutch sub K-IX) are now in shipyard repair at Perth. These two subs will also operate from Australia/New Zealand after shipyard repairs are completed.


DEI: Second day of Japanese assault on Soerabaja. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22677 troops, 219 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 805
Defending force 22979 troops, 186 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value = 752
Japanese adjusted assault: 387
Allied adjusted defense: 368
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1429 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 82 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2338 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
33rd Infantry Regiment
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
4th Division
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment (joined attack this game turn)

Defending units:
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
Manado Garrison Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Van Altena Battalion
Afdeling Ritman
Makassar Garrison Battalion
Malang Base Force
MLD
Djojakarta Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
Madion Base Force
Soerabaja Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
Commandement Marine
Loemafjang Base Force
Kalidjati Base Force /1

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Given the outcome of this game turn’s ground combat in Soerabaja, my current estimate is that Dutch forces in Soerabaja can hold out for two, perhaps three, more Japanese ground attacks. It should also be noted that Pillager has as many as four additional Japanese divisions (Imperial Guards, 5, 18, 48) plus another tank regiment known to be on Java. What cannot accurately be determined is the Japanese supply situation on Java, though Pillager no doubt acquired some supply point stocks on Java with the capture of Batavia and Tjilatjap. There is some possibility that Pillager has a sufficient stock of captured Allied supply on hand to complete the job at Soerabaja in a reasonably short amount of time without having to transport additional supply to Java from the outside.

Japanese forces advancing on Sabang capture Langsa (eastern Sumatra). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Langsa (46,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8551 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 286
Defending force 2196 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68
Japanese adjusted assault: 116
Allied adjusted defense: 7
Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Langsa !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1034 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 61 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 5
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
16th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Korps Marechausee Battalion
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
Medan Garrison Battalion
2nd Garrison Battalion
Sabang Base Force
Langsa Base Force

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Light Jap air activity reported over Palembang and Soerabaja.


Philippines: US forces evacuate Manila. Only a minimum amount of supply (100 points) remain in Manila, the base at Bataan had been set to draw maximum supply and has basically “sucked dry” supply points from all the other bases on Luzon.

The practice of emptying supply points from all but one or two selected bases (that will be defended) by setting the selected bases to draw maximum supply has been employed elsewhere (with at least a small degree of success) as a form of “scorched earth” policy. The intent of this practice being to require the Japanese to transport their own supply point stocks into an area where they are advancing in order to maintain any substantial level of Japanese ground or air offensive operations within that area - as little or no stocks of captured Allied supply in the area would be available for the advancing Jap LCU’s and air units to draw from.


China: Japanese continue bombardment attacks at Changteh. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 535 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1034
Defending force 55744 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1780

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

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

Assaulting units:
6th Division
39th Division
17th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
53rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
6th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
20th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[johnjohn]

May 19, 1942 update.

INDIA--A division hit the coast and halted at Cox's Bazaar. Supply has been non existent for enemy, all attemptes interdicted and sunk by UK surface and naval air task groups. All UK/India/Burma forces extracted to Chittalong. 7th Aus Div, 23rd Indian Div, and other forces dug in at Chittalong. Calcutta becoming another major base. UK and India air assets now arrived and in position. Supply line (air) established between Calcutta, Ledo, Kumming, and inland China. A second air route is being considered from Ledo straight accross the mountains, which is at max range for my transports. Bad news, HMS Indomitable (CV) torpedoed and sunk.

BURMA--There is no Burma for me. All bases secured by IJA with 160,000 (16 units) sitting on boarder with China. Good news for India, troubling for China. Am considering advancing the Central Reserve to meet the threat, but for now am sitting tight. China is basically a stand off. The IJA is not advancing and mostly it is a series of bombardment attacks. Wenchow is killing zone for IJA, incurring 2500 casualties monthly to essentially none for China.

DEI--Enemy mopping up the undefended outposts. Batavia and Soerabaja are still in Dutch hands. Over 40,000 enemy casualties thus far attempting to take Batavia. Over 56,000 enemy currently at Batavia. The issue is not in doubt, only when. Same for Soerabaja, which is only now under serious attack.

AUSSIE--enemy advancing along NG and just completed a six week campaign to take Port Morseby. Now studying Caen and Rockport, and likely Horn Island. I am positioning Mac and Blamey (SWPAC and AUSTRALIA respectively) at Townsville. Ist Aussie Army is at Cairns. Am bringing lots of ENG and Infantry to area. Virtually all Aussie armor is around Townsville. Good ground for Armor. The 32nd will arrive in a few days from LA and the 41st is preparing to follow on ETA--a month or more. The good news, Capt Howard Good (New Orleans) put another 20 plus AKs and escorts to the bottom during the campaign. And Spruance (replacing Halsey), trapped Akagi off Rossel Island and sank her with Yorktown and Hornet. Intel has Kaga and Shokaku operating off DEI. It is now 4 to 2 advantage for USN CVs.

SOPAC/CENPAC--Luganville is now the main objective. Efate is being developed, and as soon as the Air support group arrives (in two days) an F4F squadron and an SBD squadron will transfer in. Then the daily bombing of Luganville will begin. Marauders are transferring in from Brisbane to hit Luganville from Noumea. Fighters and SBDs are at Koumac as well. So is Fletcher with Saratoga and Enterprise. Actually all four CVs are here for now, but once some ship swapping is done, one group is heading back toward Pearl. Probably Spruance since Hornet is still flying biplane DBs, which helped sink Akagi and Hosho. The count is 4 CVs, (Hiyru, Soryu, Akagi and Zuikaku), one 30 capacity CVL, and one CVE sunk. Also Nagato was sunk and Yamashiro seriously damaged (I thought sunk but that is not confirmed) off Jarvis on a raid, all since late January. Prospects are looking up.

Future planning for Allies is to hold India, hold China, keep bringing supplies and troops and planes into Australia, and to begin the assault against Japan with Luganville. Since I am learning how to conduct offensive operations, I like Luganville as a target. One, it is under allied land based air cover. Two, it is a long way from help. Three, the garrison, although regimental in size, is managable. I am assigning the invasion to 1 USMC Div which is forming and training in Maui. 23rd Inf is dug in at Noumea. 40th is dug in at Suva and the 2 USMC is forming at Pago-Pago, with the final pieces enroute from SD next month. Various defense battalions, Marine Raiders and Paras are holding Efate Tanna and Koumac. So far, the build up is going well. The only thing still missing is more shipping. Alas, there is never enough shipping! Johnjohn.

PS--Am learning how to use the land based squadrons to haul supplies (transports/patrol), to bomb airfields, interdict troops, and so on. My only difficulty has been with upgrades, especially on the carriers. All the F4F-4s have been going to land based squadrons (replacing Buffalos). Same for SBDs. Sara did get the first batch of TBDs, but mostly not managing these upgrades well. Not having a problem with the AB7 and 20K supply rule. Is maddening when San Diego hogs the new planes for squadrons in US when I need them on the carriers. Next time I will turn off the upgrades until the carriers upgrade. I read about that somewhere in one of the other posts, but did not realize how important that was.

[wneumann]

Am learning how to use the land based squadrons to haul supplies (transports/patrol), to bomb airfields, interdict troops, and so on. My only difficulty has been with upgrades, especially on the carriers. All the F4F-4s have been going to land based squadrons (replacing Buffalos). Same for SBDs. Sara did get the first batch of TBDs, but mostly not managing these upgrades well. Not having a problem with the AB7 and 20K supply rule. Is maddening when San Diego hogs the new planes for squadrons in US when I need them on the carriers. Next time I will turn off the upgrades until the carriers upgrade. I read about that somewhere in one of the other posts, but did not realize how important that was.

Turning off automatic replacements and upgrade on all squadrons (both LBA and carrier, regardless of plane type) is important. This had been true in WitP but it's especially true in AE where the numbers of planes in your replacement pools along with the production rates of these planes are considerably lower.

With the number of replacement planes you do have available, it's even more important to have complete (manual) control over the replacement planes you have available in the pools and the distribution of planes from the pools to your air units. I've been holding all planes in the replacement pools until I can determine the specific squadron (or squadrons) that need the planes and a specific purpose for issuing planes to them.

The only way to effectively hold replacement planes in the pools until you know where you need or want them is to turn off replacements and upgrades for all squadrons at the start of the game (can also be done at any time thereafter if you initially forget). Easiest method to do this is through the two displays for all land-based air units and all naval air units through the buttons along the top bar of the game screen - there are toggles at the bottom of each display to turn on and off the automatic plane replacements and upgrades simultaneously for all air units and all nationalities. Even if you do turn off automatic replacements or upgrades (as a default) for all squadrons, you can go to a particular squadron and turn it back on to override.

Another area you did not mention was pilots. Pilot selection should also be set to manual (rather than automatic) for all air units. This can also be done in the displays for land-based and naval air units. Like replacement planes, you can have pilots going out of the replacement pools into squadrons where you don't need or want them. This also helps in other areas like holding and distributing trained pilots between training squadrons, the pilot reserve pools and front-line squadrons where you want these pilots assigned (rather than the AE game program sending them to where it would like them to go).

I've had a situation during my last match in CHS vs Pillager where I had to completely pull all USAAF and RAF fighter squadrons out of combat for a period of several months due to a shortage of British replacement pilots and at the same time shortages of replacement Hurricane and P-40 fighter planes. Much of that problem was due to not turning off automatic upgrades in air units, along with generally not keeping sufficiently close track of the available replacement planes and pilots in my pools. In that situation I had a lot of P-40 planes (as many as several hundred) quietly going out of the replacement pools to automatically upgrade training squadrons on the US West Coast while leaving no P-40 planes available to replace combat losses in front-line squadrons. I spent several months worth of game turns watching the Jap air force freely roam the skies while my front-line squadrons were pulled to the rear and sat on the ground due to lack of replacements.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/08/42

The Christmas truce is over...

South Pacific: Jap amphibious landing underway at Ndeni. AAR of landing operations follow.

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Amphibious Assault at Ndeni

TF 191 troops unloading over beach at Ndeni, 120,143

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

7.7mm T99 AAMG lost in surf during unload of 12th Naval Const Bn
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of 15th Nav Gd /2
8 Engineers lost from landing craft during unload of 12th Naval Const Bn /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several coastwatcher reports indicating between 20-35 unidentified Japanese ships are now located in Rabaul. One US sub is currently on patrol in the sea approaches off Rabaul.


Australia: The first US LCU to reach Australia from the Eastern US (134 USAAF Base Force) arrived this game turn in Melbourne aboard transport Convoy CX-1 from Capetown. A second transport convoy from the Eastern US with additional US LCU’s, supply and fuel is due to arrive in Melbourne within 2-3 days.


DEI: Japanese assault on Soerabaja continues. The outcome of this attack may indicate a prolonged Allied defense of Soerabaja could be possible. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21562 troops, 219 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 1216
Defending force 21000 troops, 186 guns, 153 vehicles, Assault Value = 641
Japanese adjusted assault: 97
Allied adjusted defense: 233
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1682 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 104 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1552 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 47 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (10 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Division (arrived this game turn to reinforce attack)
33rd Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
6th Tank Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Van Altena Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
Manado Garrison Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Afdeling Ritman
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
MLD
Madion Base Force
Commandement Marine
Banjoewangi Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Malang Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
Soerabaja Base Force
Kalidjati Base Force /1

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Light Jap air activity reported over Palembang and Soerabaja.

A series of night and daylight naval surface combat actions between a Japanese surface combat TF and the last remaining Dutch PT boats occurred at Makassar. All but one of the Dutch PT’s were sunk in these actions, no hits scored against Jap ships. The Dutch PT flotilla had been stranded in Makassar due to lack of fuel at Makassar and other nearby bases within movement range that were still under Allied control. AAR of the first surface action follows, the end result of subsequent surface combats in this series of actions well within the imagination of the reader.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,106, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Ashigara
CL Sendai
CL Kuma
DD Hayashio
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
TB Kiji

Allied Ships (all PT’s except TM-11 were eventually sunk)
PT TM-10
PT TM-11
PT TM-12
PT TM-13
PT TM-14
PT TM-15

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A task force of three small Dutch AMc’s departing Soerabaja for Darwin were attacked and sunk along the north coast of Timor in a series of naval air strikes. The AMc’s had exhausted their fuel and were attempting to reach Dili to refuel when they were attacked. AAR of the first air strike follows.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Alor at 69,115

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AMc Endeh, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Djampea, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AMc Digoel (sunk in a later air attack)

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

Endeh dead in the water ...
Djampea dead in the water ...
Digoel dead in the water ...

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Singapore: Detected status of Jap base in Singapore – 168 ships anchored in port, 11 Jap LCU’s, 204 aircraft (62 fighters, 53 bombers). It also appears Pillager has begun repairs on shipyard and industrial facilities in Singapore.


Burma: Jap minesweeping operations reported at Rangoon. AAR follows.

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TF 47 encounters mine field at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6
DMS W-5
DMS W-3
DMS W-1

26 mines cleared

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Two Allied submarines are currently operating on patrol off Rangoon.

One unidentified Japanese LCU detected entering Mandalay base hex this game turn. A Jap ground attack to capture Mandalay should come shortly.


India: AVG Ground Echelon LCU arrived in Calcutta this game turn and reunited with AVG fighter squadrons now based there.


China: Jap ground advance along Henyang to Chihkiang road continues. AAR follows. Jap forces are now outside Chihkiang.

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Ground combat at 78,51 (E of Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36084 troops, 430 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1226
Defending force 13001 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 358
Japanese adjusted assault: 930
Allied adjusted defense: 457
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
508 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4412 casualties reported
Squads: 187 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 188 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Division
15th Division
116th Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese continue attack against Chinese rear-guard forces still in Changteh. Most of the Chinese ground forces previously in Changteh are withdrawing to the SW towards Chihkiang to avoid outflanking by the Japanese ground advance on Chihkiang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 545 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052
Defending force 43689 troops, 271 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1422

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
39th Division
6th Division
17th Division
11th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
8th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 3/09/42

Japanese Home Islands: US sub reports contact with Japanese transport TF off Honshu. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Hamamatsu at 110,63 (S of Nagoya)

Japanese Ships
xAK Nikki Maru
xAK Enzyu Maru
xAK Nagato Maru
SC Ch 10

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

SS Grayling launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Nikki Maru

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South Pacific: Japanese capture Ndeni. Luganville bombarded by Jap surface task force. AAR’s of both actions follow.

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Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1451 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 23
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ndeni !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
15th Naval Guard Unit (brought in from Samah)
12th Naval Construction Battalion (entered game as reinforcement, new LCU in known Japanese OOB)

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Naval bombardment of Luganville at 120,150

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Takao
CL Jintsu
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Asashio

Port hits 31
Port supply hits 8

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Coastwatcher reports continue to indicate 30+ Japanese ships located in Rabaul.


DEI: Japanese amphibious landing underway at Boela in the eastern DEI. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Boela

TF 113 troops unloading over beach at Boela, 80,110

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

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 41st Infantry Rgt /2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Light Jap air activity continues over Palembang and Soerabaja.


Philippines: Unidentified Jap LCU’s entering base hexes at San Fernando and Manila this game turn.


China: AAR of latest Jap ground attack against Changteh follows. Last LCU’s of Chinese rear-guard force vacated Changteh this game turn.

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Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 535 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1061
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Assaulting units:
39th Division
6th Division
17th Division
11th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------