War in the Pacific as Planned--Allied

[ADB123]

ORIGINAL: herwin

April 10/11 1942

Next turn.

Ah, come on Harry - put some effort into this! [;)]

[herwin]

I posted Apr 10/11 above when I didn't have it yet. Here's the turn.

April 10/11 1942

My opponent claims this is a Japanese victory:

Ground combat at 84,42 (near Sian)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 91193 troops, 860 guns, 712 vehicles, Assault Value = 3000
 
Defending force 76941 troops, 414 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2071
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 1685
 
Allied adjusted defense: 2746
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      5142 casualties reported
         Squads: 9 destroyed, 275 disabled
         Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 352 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
      Vehicles lost 136 (30 destroyed, 106 disabled)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      3075 casualties reported
         Squads: 14 destroyed, 351 disabled
         Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 229 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    36th Division
    23rd Tank Regiment
    12th Tank Regiment
    5th Tank Regiment
    5th Ind.Mixed Brigade
    8th Armored Car Co
    13th Tank Regiment
    1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
    35th Division
    15th Tank Regiment
    27th Division
    10th Tank Regiment
    6th Division
    110th Division
    5th Armored Car Co
    3rd Tank Regiment
    9th Tank Regiment
    41st Division
    11th Tank Regiment
    15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    1st Mortar Battalion
    51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
    2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    China Expeditionary Army
    14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
 
Defending units:
    3rd Chinese Corps
    9th Chinese Corps
    29th Chinese Corps
    2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
    7th Chinese Corps
    76th Chinese Corps
    16th Chinese Corps
    57th Chinese Corps
    66th Chinese Corps
    36th Group Army
    34th Group Army
    22nd Group Army
    14th Group Army
    31st Group Army
    39th Group Army
    3rd Group Army
    5th War Area
    57th AT Gun Regiment

Toungoo falls

Ground combat at Toungoo (57,50)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 11788 troops, 98 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 656
 
Defending force 6481 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 224
 
Allied adjusted defense: 45
 
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Toungoo !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      454 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Units pursuing 7
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      2106 casualties reported
         Squads: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 89 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 4
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    1st Tank Regiment
    14th Tank Regiment
    2nd Tank Regiment
    21st Division
    8th Tank Regiment
    4th Tank Regiment
    6th Tank Regiment
    7th Tank Regiment
 
Defending units:
    96th Chinese Division
    200th Chinese Division
    22nd New Chinese Division
    11th Group Army

[herwin]

April 11/12 1942

Invasion at Kavieng.

US carriers refitting at Pearl, while A UK carrier moves to Sydney.

Cheribon (Java) falls to Japan.

Japanese pure armour attack on Chinese retreating from Toungoo

Ground combat at 57,49 (near Toungoo)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 2406 troops, 0 guns, 519 vehicles, Assault Value = 301
 
Defending force 4652 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 332
 
Allied adjusted defense: 3
 
Japanese assault odds: 110 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), morale(-), experience(-)
 supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      3777 casualties reported
         Squads: 253 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 105 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Units retreated 4
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    8th Tank Regiment
    1st Tank Regiment
    2nd Tank Regiment
    14th Tank Regiment
    6th Tank Regiment
    4th Tank Regiment
    7th Tank Regiment
 
Defending units:
    96th Chinese Division
    200th Chinese Division
    22nd New Chinese Division
    11th Group Army

Japanese deliberate attack at Magwe

Ground combat at Magwe (57,47)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 43665 troops, 379 guns, 137 vehicles, Assault Value = 1357
 
Defending force 25100 troops, 200 guns, 188 vehicles, Assault Value = 682
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 1322
 
Allied adjusted defense: 483
 
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
 
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      909 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 75 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 69 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      1452 casualties reported
         Squads: 16 destroyed, 149 disabled
         Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 180 disabled
         Engineers: 3 destroyed, 17 disabled
      Vehicles lost 51 (2 destroyed, 49 disabled)
 
 
Assaulting units:
    5th Division
    Imperial Guards Division
    33rd Division
    55th Cavalry Regiment
    55th Engineer Regiment
    15th Army
    21st Fld AA Gun Co
    26th Fld AA Gun Co
    55th Mountain Gun Regiment
    21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
 
Defending units:
    44th Indian Brigade
    45th Indian Brigade
    17th Indian Division
    1st Burma Division
    36th Chinese Division
    Burma Corps
    103rd RN Base Force
    104th RAF Base Force

[herwin]

April 12/13 1942

Kavieng captured. Prisoners executed.

[herwin]

April 13 (Honolulu)/14 (Davao) 1942

Slow KB is operating off Shortlands.

Standard operating procedure--a shock attack

Ground combat at 91,33 (near Paotow)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 12960 troops, 98 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 424
 
Defending force 7016 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 233
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 424
 
Allied adjusted defense: 209
 
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      489 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 57 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      3258 casualties reported
         Squads: 74 destroyed, 66 disabled
         Non Combat: 71 destroyed, 38 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
      Units retreated 2
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
    11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
    4th Cavalry Brigade
    13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
 
Defending units:
    81st Chinese Corps
    17th Group Army

A deliberate attack at Batavia

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 56445 troops, 656 guns, 190 vehicles, Assault Value = 1660
 
Defending force 23400 troops, 259 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 495
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 844
 
Allied adjusted defense: 807
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
 
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      3525 casualties reported
         Squads: 11 destroyed, 216 disabled
         Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 122 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      2438 casualties reported
         Squads: 49 destroyed, 45 disabled
         Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 40 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
      Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
      Units destroyed 1
 
 
Assaulting units:
    113th Infantry Regiment
    41st Infantry Regiment
    4th Division
    18th Division
    148th Infantry Regiment
    2nd Division
    1st RF Gun Battalion
    56th Field Artillery Regiment
    3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    3rd Mortar Battalion
    18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    5th Mortar Battalion
    14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
 
Defending units:
    4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
    4th KNIL Regiment
    1st KNIL Regiment
    Roodenburg Battalion
    1st Regt Cavalerie
    Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
    2nd KNIL Regiment
    1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
    Batavia Defenses
    3rd KNIL AA Battalion
    ABDA
    1st KNIL AA Battalion
    ML-KNIL
    KNI Leger
    6th Avn Sup Afd
    Andir ML Base Force
    KNI Zeemacht
    Batavia KM Base Force
    7th Avn Sup Afd

Madioen surrenders.

I'm not sure why this was a deliberate attack. The Chinese were retreating out of the hex.

Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 39671 troops, 340 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 1164
 
Defending force 6945 troops, 151 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 656
 
Allied adjusted defense: 53
 
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Pingsiang !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), disruption(-), preparation(-)
 morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      250 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      3432 casualties reported
         Squads: 85 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Non Combat: 96 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Engineers: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 3
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    15th Division
    39th Division
    116th Division
 
Defending units:
    21st Chinese Corps
    49th Chinese Corps
    3rd New Chinese Corps

[herwin]

April 14/15 1942

Amphibious landing at Shortlands (3rd USMC Raider Bn).

[herwin]

April 15/16 1942

Corrected report:

Fast KB operating off Soerabaya.

Slow KB off Shortlands.

Deliberate attack at Soerabaya. Soerabaya captured.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47055 troops, 526 guns, 292 vehicles, Assault Value = 1342

Defending force 7289 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1154

Allied adjusted defense: 51

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerabaja !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
601 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3850 casualties reported
Squads: 76 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 133 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 76 (76 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
16th Division
38th Division
48th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Southern Army
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Marinier Battalion
Soerabaja Defenses
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Madoeng Defenses
NI-MLD
Soerabaja KM Base Force
4th Avn Sup Groep

Shortlands captured and the Marine Raider battalion retreats into the jungle.

[herwin]

April 16/17 1942

The two Japanese carrier groups continue to hang out in their current locations.

One UK CVTF is refitting in Bombay; the other is approaching Perth. The three US CVTFs are refitting in Pearl Harbor. Current plans are to combine four CVTFs near Noumea to see if they can chew on the Japanese slow KB.

Latest episode of the Sian saga. The Japanese general seems to be losing ground.

Ground combat at 84,42 (near Sian)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 88999 troops, 860 guns, 699 vehicles, Assault Value = 2879
 
Defending force 92563 troops, 615 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2449
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 1800
 
Allied adjusted defense: 4273
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      4638 casualties reported
         Squads: 16 destroyed, 134 disabled
         Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 160 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
      Vehicles lost 235 (110 destroyed, 125 disabled)
      Units destroyed 1
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6191 casualties reported
         Squads: 13 destroyed, 267 disabled
         Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 327 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    23rd Tank Regiment
    41st Division
    8th Armored Car Co
    3rd Tank Regiment
    13th Tank Regiment
    9th Tank Regiment
    27th Division
    6th Division
    10th Tank Regiment
    35th Division
    12th Tank Regiment
    5th Tank Regiment
    15th Tank Regiment
    5th Armored Car Co
    110th Division
    36th Division
    1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
    5th Ind.Mixed Brigade
    11th Tank Regiment
    15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    China Expeditionary Army
    1st Mortar Battalion
    51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
    2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
 
Defending units:
    14th Chinese Corps
    2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
    7th Chinese Corps
    47th Chinese Corps
    9th Chinese Corps
    76th Chinese Corps
    57th Chinese Corps
    16th Chinese Corps
    29th Chinese Corps
    3rd Chinese Corps
    96th Chinese Corps
    66th Chinese Corps
    14th Group Army
    34th Group Army
    3rd Group Army
    39th Group Army
    22nd Group Army
    5th War Area
    36th Group Army
    31st Group Army
    57th AT Gun Regiment

Shock attack at Meiktila

Ground combat at Meiktila (58,47)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 4082 troops, 26 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 423
 
Defending force 3667 troops, 15 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 40
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 208
 
Allied adjusted defense: 15
 
Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Meiktila !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      51 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      1264 casualties reported
         Squads: 79 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 91 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 31 (31 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 5
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    8th Tank Regiment
    6th Tank Regiment
    1st Tank Regiment
    143rd Infantry Regiment
    14th Tank Regiment
    2nd Tank Regiment
    4th Tank Regiment
    7th Tank Regiment
 
Defending units:
    96th Chinese Division
    200th Chinese Division
    44th Indian Brigade
    10th Burma Rifles Battalion
    22nd New Chinese Division

[herwin]

April 17/18

The fast KB supports a landing at Makassar (DEI), while the slow KB supports a landing at Munda (Solomons). There's a Japanese regiment/baseforce at Shortlands.

The USN CVTFs will deploy to the South Pacific with available cruiser escorts, while the Formidable crosses south of Australia to operate based on Sydney.

Ground activity in China.

Ground combat at 84,55 (near Nanchang)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 18446 troops, 144 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 571
 
Defending force 911 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 640
 
Allied adjusted defense: 5
 
Japanese assault odds: 128 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), morale(-), experience(-)
 supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      12 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      468 casualties reported
         Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 6 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 3
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    22nd Division
    17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
 
Defending units:
    88th Chinese Corps
    10th Group Army
    32nd Group Army

Ground combat at 85,52 (near Wuchang)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 13372 troops, 109 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 428
 
Defending force 4640 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 347
 
Allied adjusted defense: 55
 
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      601 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      1070 casualties reported
         Squads: 93 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Non Combat: 52 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
      Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 2
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    34th Division
 
Defending units:
    28th Chinese Corps
    48th Chinese/C Corps
 
Ground combat at 90,42 (near Anyang)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 13460 troops, 104 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 426
 
Defending force 4249 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 694
 
Allied adjusted defense: 76
 
Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
 experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      182 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      1638 casualties reported
         Squads: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
      Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 1
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    13th Division
 
Defending units:
    34th Chinese Corps

Sian front is quiet,

[herwin]

April 18/19 1942

Slow KB at Rabaul. Fast KB off Makassar.

Makassar falls.

[herwin]

April 19/20 1942

The fast KB encounters one of my AGs near Makassar

Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,107, Range 10,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CV Hiryu
      CV Soryu
      CV Shokaku
      CV Zuikaku
      CVL Ryujo
      CVL Shoho
      CVL Zuiho
      CS Chitose
      CS Chiyoda
      DD Yugumo
      DD Akigumo
      DD Makigumo
      DD Akatsuki
      DD Hibiki
      DD Shikinami
      DD Ayanami
      DD Asagiri
      DD Sagiri
      DD Yugiri
      DD Amagiri
      DD Oboro
      DD Akebono
      DD Sazanami
      DD Ushio
 
Allied Ships
      AG Gold Star
 
 
 
Reduced sighting due to 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 14% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

Twice

Night Time Surface Combat, near Salajar at 66,107, Range 12,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CV Hiryu
      CV Soryu
      CV Shokaku
      CV Zuikaku
      CVL Ryujo
      CVL Shoho
      CVL Zuiho
      CS Chitose
      CS Chiyoda
      DD Yugumo
      DD Akigumo
      DD Makigumo
      DD Akatsuki
      DD Hibiki
      DD Shikinami
      DD Ayanami
      DD Asagiri
      DD Sagiri
      DD Yugiri
      DD Amagiri
      DD Oboro
      DD Akebono
      DD Sazanami
      DD Ushio
 
Allied Ships
      AG Gold Star
 
 
 
Reduced sighting due to 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 14% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range increases to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

Magwe falls

Ground combat at Magwe (57,47)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 43396 troops, 379 guns, 137 vehicles, Assault Value = 1333
 
Defending force 18782 troops, 170 guns, 134 vehicles, Assault Value = 509
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 919
 
Allied adjusted defense: 158
 
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Magwe !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      725 casualties reported
         Squads: 5 destroyed, 45 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      8053 casualties reported
         Squads: 244 destroyed, 80 disabled
         Non Combat: 335 destroyed, 46 disabled
         Engineers: 50 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 30 (30 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 91 (86 destroyed, 5 disabled)
      Units retreated 5
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    55th Cavalry Regiment
    Imperial Guards Division
    33rd Division
    5th Division
    55th Engineer Regiment
    15th Army
    26th Fld AA Gun Co
    21st Fld AA Gun Co
    55th Mountain Gun Regiment
    21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
 
Defending units:
    45th Indian Brigade
    1st Burma Division
    17th Indian Division
    36th Chinese Division
    Burma Corps

[herwin]

April 20/21 1942

Invasion of Kendari.

Fast KB off Kendari, while the slow KB is at Rabaul.

[herwin]

April 21/22 1942

My opponent assumed I would retreat my battalions towards Mandalay, but I don't retreat unless there's something to be gained by breaking contact. I can easily replace infantry battalions, so I let them fight until they're wiped out. He counts survival of forces as something gained, but with the game engine as it is, anything smaller than a full regiment has no serious combat value. So he ends up having to keep his rear areas clear.

OT: I have a friend who's interested in playing War in the East against me. The comments on the Matrix forum suggest it has some of the same weaknesses as the original edition of WitP or WBtS. Apparently the German side has to plan things very carefully to survive the first winter, and there's a lot of supply officer micromanagement required. I'm still game to play it. Your recommendations?

Fast KB is off Kendari. Slow KB may be in Rabaul.

Tjilatjap garrison gives the Japanese a bloody nose.

Ground combat at Tjilatjap (51,102)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1935 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Defending force 4019 troops, 33 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 139



Assaulting units:
   Sasebo 8th SNLF

Defending units:
   Afdeling Ritman
   Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
   Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
   Van Altena Battalion
   Tjilitap KM Base Force


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


Ground combat at Tjilatjap (51,102)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2958 troops, 21 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 139

Defending force 1935 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Allied adjusted assault: 127

Japanese adjusted defense: 35

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
     360 casualties reported
        Squads: 17 destroyed, 11 disabled
        Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 10 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
     Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
     Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
     72 casualties reported
        Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
   Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
   Afdeling Ritman
   Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
   Van Altena Battalion
   Tjilitap KM Base Force

Defending units:
   Sasebo 8th SNLF

[witpqs]

I do not have it nor have I looked at it, but the comments that have been made to me disagree with what you were told. Cited to me are far less micromanagement (with comments that they did an amazing job having such detail while limiting the workload on the player), a very good ground system, an abstracted air base system that keeps the player's focus on the ground game while giving appropriate results, and other good things.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I do not have it nor have I looked at it, but the comments that have been made to me disagree with what you were told. Cited to me are far less micromanagement (with comments that they did an amazing job having such detail while limiting the workload on the player), a very good ground system, an abstracted air base system that keeps the player's focus on the ground game while giving appropriate results, and other good things.

That sounds good. Thanks!

[herwin]

April 22/23 1942

Fast KB off Kendari.

Deliberate attack at Batavia.

Encounter battle in China.

Ground combat at 84,52 (near Wuchang)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 27069 troops, 233 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 794
 
Defending force 13064 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 316
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 622
 
Allied adjusted defense: 571
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1047 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 50 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      834 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 38 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    3rd Division
    34th Division
 
Defending units:
    37th Chinese Corps
    58th Chinese Corps

This is a bit more typical

Ground combat at 89,41 (near Kaoping)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 13393 troops, 104 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 423
 
Defending force 7591 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 145
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 738
 
Allied adjusted defense: 37
 
Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      247 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      1273 casualties reported
         Squads: 111 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Non Combat: 105 destroyed, 14 disabled
         Engineers: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
      Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 2
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    13th Division
 
Defending units:
    33rd Chinese Corps
    34th Chinese Corps

Batavia holds out.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 88176 troops, 1060 guns, 442 vehicles, Assault Value = 2512
 
Defending force 21718 troops, 264 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 406
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 1381
 
Allied adjusted defense: 717
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      2126 casualties reported
         Squads: 6 destroyed, 103 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 139 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
      Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      2745 casualties reported
         Squads: 45 destroyed, 90 disabled
         Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 79 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
      Units destroyed 1
 
 
Assaulting units:
    21st Ind Engineer Regiment
    38th Division
    113th Infantry Regiment
    148th Infantry Regiment
    41st Infantry Regiment
    4th Division
    3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
    18th Division
    48th Division
    2nd Division
    3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
    3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    Southern Army
    5th Mortar Battalion
    9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
    15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    2nd Mortar Battalion
    18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    3rd Mortar Battalion
    3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    1st RF Gun Battalion
    56th Field Artillery Regiment
    2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
 
Defending units:
    Roodenburg Battalion
    1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
    4th KNIL Regiment
    2nd KNIL Regiment
    1st Regt Cavalerie
    1st KNIL Regiment
    Batavia Defenses
    ML-KNIL
    KNI Leger
    1st KNIL AA Battalion
    Batavia KM Base Force
    3rd KNIL AA Battalion
    ABDA
    6th Avn Sup Afd
    Andir ML Base Force
    KNI Zeemacht
    7th Avn Sup Afd

Meiktila, Toungoo, and Kendari fall to the Japanese, Meiktila and Toungoo for the second time.

[herwin]

April 23/24 1942

My opponent finally noticed my convoy route between the Philippines and Northern Australia. The Fast KB moves to shut it down.

Slow KB wakes up in Rabaul.

Batavia bombarded again.

[herwin]

April 24/25 1942

Fast KB operating near Celebes. Slow KB in Rabaul. TF noted headed south from Rabaul towards Buna.

More of the same in China.

Ground combat at 84,52 (near Wuchang)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 26462 troops, 233 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 757
 
Defending force 12402 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 272
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 624
 
Allied adjusted defense: 385
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      658 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      361 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    3rd Division
    34th Division
 
Defending units:
    37th Chinese Corps

[herwin]

April 25/26 1942

Batavia finally falls.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 87292 troops, 1060 guns, 441 vehicles, Assault Value = 2465
 
Defending force 19726 troops, 266 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 324
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 1845
 
Allied adjusted defense: 275
 
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Batavia !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1258 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 101 disabled
         Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 66 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      7459 casualties reported
         Squads: 134 destroyed, 117 disabled
         Non Combat: 268 destroyed, 172 disabled
         Engineers: 41 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Guns lost 134 (134 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 64 (64 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 15
      Units destroyed 1
 
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    4th Division
    113th Infantry Regiment
    18th Division
    21st Ind Engineer Regiment
    41st Infantry Regiment
    38th Division
    48th Division
    3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
    148th Infantry Regiment
    2nd Division
    10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    3rd Mortar Battalion
    1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
    2nd Mortar Battalion
    18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    1st RF Gun Battalion
    5th Mortar Battalion
    20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
    9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    Southern Army
    2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    56th Field Artillery Regiment
    14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
 
Defending units:
    2nd KNIL Regiment
    4th KNIL Regiment
    1st Regt Cavalerie
    1st KNIL Regiment
    1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
    Batavia Defenses
    Batavia KM Base Force
    1st KNIL AA Battalion
    Andir ML Base Force
    KNI Leger
    3rd KNIL AA Battalion
    ABDA
    6th Avn Sup Afd
    ML-KNIL
    KNI Zeemacht
    7th Avn Sup Afd

Slow KB goes after a merchie near Port Moresby, triggering a series of air battles.

Malang holds out.

Ground combat at Malang (55,105)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 3016 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 103
 
Defending force 4490 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 66
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 33
 
Allied adjusted defense: 109
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 1)
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      136 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      21 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    I./124th Infantry Battalion
    II./124th Infantry Battalion
 
Defending units:
    3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
    2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
    Marinier Battalion
    Soerabaja KM Base Force
    NI-MLD

Bombardment of Mandalay.

[herwin]

Note the number of Allied bases that remain under Allied control and the stay-behind forces. Mindanao was the scene of an Allied counteroffensive that recaptured Davao and the remainder of the island. There are about 20 aircraft operating from bases on the island. They had been receiving a trickle of supplies from Darwin, but the Japanese currently have the convoy route blocked. In the DEI, the Japanese hold most of Sumatra, Borneo, and Java, and have footholds at Makassar and Kendari. The fast Japanese carriers are currently operating near Celebes. In the Philippines, Japan controls Luzon. In China, they have not quite reached Sian. They hold Malaya and most of Burma. Burcorps is currently retreating to Akyab, while the Chinese are in Mandalay with some British units.

The slow Japanese carriers are operating near Rabaul. Japanese holdings in the area include Munda, Rabaul, Shortlands, and Kavieng. There is a massive Japanese air presence at Rabaul. Japan also holds Tarawa and Guam.

The Allies have four CVTFs near Noumea, where they will regroup and refuel before supporting some troop movements into Papua New Guinea.