Aussies v Aussies - Clubbing baby seals (no AOFFEN or Mark)

[jrcar]

06 March 1942

Subs
A victory agains an ASW TF:

ASW attack near Christmas Island at 174,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
DD Walke, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Off the west coast they continue to send unescorted TF's

Submarine attack near Eureka at 208,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 1

Allied Ships
xAKL Malama, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage


Burma
They again return to Akyab, again cause light damage, which again isn't cleared fully... we now have 84 engineer suqads at Akyab.

Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CL Colombo
CL Marblehead
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
CL Durban

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



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 10
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Some more supplies are coming in next turn via a FT TF so I hope their SCTF buggers off!

We gain trash Chittagong against no opposition. We are building up nicely in Burma at the moment, but need more aviation support.

DEI
No change. Moving stuff into position, in particular at Koepang for a launch into Nth Australia.

Dili makes level 4 airbase. We bomb Darwin port.

We get the sub at Sorebaya:

Afternoon Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G3M2 Nell x 21



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SS KXV, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Pacific
We bombard Suva to little effect, more is on the way.

Night Naval bombardment of Suva at 132,160 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

131 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CL Kuma
CL Yura, Shell hits 1


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28
KB finally launches through the poor weather...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pukapuka at 155,159

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 25



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Kilty
DD Schley
xAP Matsonia, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cassin


China
We sweep Sian encountering no opposition, even though fighters are reported in the base.

I forgot to attack near Sian and it looks like two corpsthat I'd managed to seperate will get away

We are starting to concentrate forces to the push on Sian, they have stacks as well, but if we can get into the base and shut off production we may be able to starve them out...

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

I have recieved a PM posing the following:

First, thanks for the excellent AARs, which have taught me a lot.

In your Clubbing AAR you state that the Allied center of gravity is their ability to execute multi-divisional amphib assaults and thus you are targeting 4Es, LCUs and assault shipping. This has resulted in a decision to establish a standard perimeter and raid enemy merchant shipping, so far with good results.

The question is simply this - have you guys crunched the numbers to determine how much shipping you need to destroy in order to achieve your objective? If so, what does victory look like, so to speak, in terms of units destroyed per month?

Bloody good questions!

We haven't set a real goal or tally here (Tony and I both subscribe to the "set low standards then fail to achieve them" school of thought)... Actually its a qustion I'm grappling in my day job at the moment, what are the right metrics...

It largely depends on the point in the game. In 1942 the Allies lack good transport ships, and don't get the bonuses the Japanese enjoy. This make it harder to conduct effective landings. Every decent ship lost during this period is a blow.

By mid 1943 though the Allies have a lot more ships, and can convert a lot more ships, although they have a lot more stuff to move...

You would have to sink a shed load of ships to restrict the allies options in late 43/44 (witness the Andy Mac vs PZB game).

So far by Mar 42 we have sunk 14 "Decent" xAP/AMC. These are the ones needed to move large formations over a long distance... I don't think that is enough... I'd prefer around 20, and 40 would be really restricting them... We have also sunk 30+ xAK (10 points or bigger).

We have put a decent dint in the escorts, another key enabler in 1942 early 43. (sunk are 17 DD's, 10 PB/PC/KV, 12 AM).

But maybe someone with more time could do some actual analysis, while I have the interest I lack the time, and mention "analysis" to Tony and he starts looking for the back end of his horse...

So we need to sink more... we may have achieved that if the weather had been kinder to KB over the last 5 days... looks like it will fine up for the landings though... just what we need... not...

Cheers

Rob

[Andy Mac]

Losing the few good allied ships hurts in 42 no question but reality check is allies are unlikely to take the offensive in late 42 in AE in a major multi divional assault Its not impossible but if they are doing it the old use lots of xAK's works almost as well because the Japanese are unlikely to have high level forts, mines and CD guns

By mid 43 the allies dont have a bottleneck and the pipeline is well and open and you get more assault ships than you can sink so I wouldnt say they are an issue

Actually tankers are probably the biggest bottleneck especially if trying to operate out of Australia.

[jrcar]

Thanks Andy, that largely conforms with what we experianced in the game with Nik and Joe. By early 1943 we have shipping to conduct 3-4 multidivisional assaults (but then we lost relatively few ships), but we were challanged to synchronise them... looking at mid 43 the numbers look even better.

If the Allies CAN gather some momentum in 1942 before the Japanese dig in you can "bounce" them out of a series of positions before they can "set" (in reality the absolute steangths of Japan and the Allies at the start are similar, its just the Japanese are centralised at the start and can generate the combat odds to win against the disorganised defence). That is the danger to the Japanese, and our focus in this game. From mid 43 you have to sink a lot of shipping to stop or even really slow the allies down... The Centre of Gravity probably shifts to their ability to plan (gain "preperation points") and synchronise. Dislocate that and you cause delay, although nothing you can do as Japanese will defeat....

Interesting point about the TK's something we also looked at, and we experianced in our game with NIk and Joe. It really brings home the real world decisions that the USA made, I think the SWPAC route/DEI route is a better tactical manouvre approach, but the Central Pacific is easier logistically to support.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

been real busy with work again, getting turns done just, but not the reports. Lots interesting happening so I'll try to catch up!

07 March 1942

Subs
A couple of game weeks ago we conducted some movement analysis that indicated that the enemy were probably using Christmas Is (Pacific) as a refueling stop. We moved a sub there, and started getting increased contacts, so we moved more in and we are really getting results

Submarine attack near Christmas Island at 174,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
TK Pat Doheny, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage


Burma
We manage to get more supplies in, over 5k now and almost 90 engineers... but we aren't clearing the damage...

More troops are arriving, mostly engineers and base forces, and we are starting to build the web of airbases we need.

We again trash Chittagong, it is showing 100% damage so we are going to shift fires to Ledo to see what we can see

We continue the pursuit of Burma Corps, the HQ is destroyed in the retreat:

Ground combat at Katha (61,43)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 525 troops, 0 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 967 troops, 0 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Japanese adjusted assault: 42

Allied adjusted defense: 7

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Katha !!!

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


Allied ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
Mandalay BMP Battalion
Railway BAF Battalion
3rd Burma Rifles Battalion
Burma Corps

DEI
The Java invasion gets off to a bad start when I miss plot and they unload in an island halfway between Singapore and Batavia... bugger Will delay things for a week.

Sumatra continues to be cleaned up.

Forces are moving into Kendari. Army bombers move into Dili to begin hitting Darwin.


Pacific
KB finally flies in numbers and we get some important vessels.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manihiki at 162,159

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 147 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 1
AP Barnet

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manihiki at 162,159

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 7, on fire

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manihiki at 162,159

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Manihiki at 162,159

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 143 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 61 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N2 Kate x 92



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 24 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AP Henderson, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
DD Ralph Talbot, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
982 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 77 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (8 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)

CA Chester is reported sunk.

KB will now head back to cover in invasion of Fiji.


China
We are feighting and manouvering nicely. we are achiving our aims here, soon we will be outside the gates to Sian!

[jrcar]

08 March 1942
Subs
Stacks of action on both sides, fortuneately for us most of their toprs don't go bang, and ours mostly do.

Another tanker at Christmass Island. The lack of escorts for them is impacting their operations...

Submarine attack near Christmas Island at 174,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

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

Submarine attack near Christmas Island at 174,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

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


Sub attack near Victoria Point at 50,64

Japanese Ships
xAK Hukuyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage SUNK
PB Jokuja Maru

Allied Ships
SS Truant

ASW attack near Noumea at 115,159

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi
CL Kuma
CL Yura
DD Yuzuki
DD Uzuki
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
SS Perch, hits 1

Sub attack near Noumea at 115,160

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamazato Maru
DMS W-16
xAK Sikisan Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
PB Kaiun Maru

Allied Ships
SS Perch, hits 5

Submarine attack near Perth at 48,147

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
xAK Tai Sang, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Burma
They are starting to really hurt Akyab... the coordination of their fires is improving... the good news is we are forcing them to use their B-17 assets at long range and no escorts... so we are whittling them down.

Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Allied Ships
CL Colombo
CL Caledon
CL Marblehead
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
CL Durban
CL Sumatra

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



Manpower hits 1
Fires 156
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10



Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 12
B-17E Fortress x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 8 damaged



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8


In return we hit Ledo nicely... but not much is home.

Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 125 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 45
G4M1 Betty x 19



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Lysander II: 1 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 108
DEI
We hit Darwin nicely...

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 108 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 16
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 21



Allied aircraft
no flights

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
AM Colac, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk


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


Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 38
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1

We also do a trickle of damage to Bandoang in Java.

In Sumatra we capture Langsa, only Sabang to go in the north.

Ground combat at Langsa (46,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5078 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 187

Defending force 1513 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Japanese adjusted assault: 77

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Langsa !!!

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

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


Allied ground losses:
799 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Regiment
91st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Korps Marechausee Battalion
Medan Garrison Battalion
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
Padang Garrison Battalion
Langsa Base Force
Medan Base Force


Pacific

We move into position to attack at Nadi. We tanke the small island south of Suva to act as a backup for damaged ships.

Some enemy TF are identified to the north... could be their CV's trying to cut in h=behind us, so KB is rerouted north... the invasion of Fiji will have to rely on the cover from Mini KB...

Next turn will be interesting!

[jrcar]

09 March 1942 First round in the battle for Fiji goes our way.

Subs
ASW attack near Nadi at 129,161

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Kongo
CA Mikuma
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
CL Tenryu
CL Abukuma
CL Nagara
DD Nowaki
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Asagiri
DD Nenohi
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
SS Gato, hits 1

Burma
After this attack Akyab hits 50 availability on the airfield and the fighters are withdrawn, Akyab will have to rely on LRCAP now and around 100 fighters are assigned from 3 bases. We do get a couple of B17 though.

Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29



Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 9
B-17E Fortress x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 46

DEI
Starting to load at Koepang for Broome.

We hit Darwin again:

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 3
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 22



Allied aircraft
no flights

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

Pacific
The Mini KB Tf group heads in to 1 hex off Nadi and triggers a couple of air attacks, the invasion fleet will land next turn.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 130,161

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 214 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 140 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61



Allied aircraft
Vincent I x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 48
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Vincent I: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 11 destroyed
F2A-3 Buffalo: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVE Taiyo



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vincent I bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 130,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 87 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52



Allied aircraft
Vincent I x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 29
F2A-3 Buffalo x 5
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Vincent I: 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 8 destroyed
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed


We do good in the air... but it actually shows how weak the Mini KB CAP is, as each time only 6-10 aircraft are in the air when the attackers are inbound, although many more manage to scramble. One bomb hit on our light CV's will start to make things intersting, although we are covered with useful ports and airfields to our rear.

The enemy CV's are detected near Tabuitea, they are either trying to get in behind to find our support ships, hit Tulagi or cream a TF that we were sending to TB (which they would pick up on intel). KB is only around 15 hex SSE of them... we can actually cut in behind them nicely... could be a real interesting turn The hunter is about to become the hunted.


China
We cross the river one hex to the east of Sian, at about the same time that they are massively reinforced... result is not pretty and we may get thrown back next turn.

Ground combat at 84,41 (near Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11347 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 400

Defending force 35286 troops, 331 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1222

Japanese adjusted assault: 48

Allied adjusted defense: 544

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 11

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

Japanese ground losses:
3992 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 231 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 193 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled


Allied ground losses:
396 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Infantry Brigade

Defending units:
27th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps

We are closing on their rear from the NE nicely and they are going to have to shift forces to cover it.

Will try to post some pictures.

Elsewhere we are feighting to try and keep them off balance and to mask our weakness.

Cheers

[jrcar]

10 March 1942

Really screwed up in China this turn...

Subs
ASW attack near Nadi at 130,161

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio
CL Tatsuta
CS Mizuho
DD Yugumo
DD Ayanami
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsuharu
DD Umikaze

Allied Ships
SS Gato, hits 1

Sub attack near Victoria at 206,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
AM Bellechasse, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Kelowna

Gato attacked and missed a second time.

Burma
We switch the airforce back to Chittagong from Ledo, and run into a trap... the betty's in particular are hammered. This is despite the airfieldshowing 100% damaged... I guess they can fly in and rail out even though the airfield is trashed...

Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G3M2 Nell x 40
G4M1 Betty x 18



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 45


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26
Port hits 2

Akyab is not hit and is now nicely serviceable again... but still not fully repaired.

DEI
Recovering the forces back to Singapore from where we unloaded and then will reorganise

Moving in towards Broome.

More forces arrive at Kendari.

Darwin Hit:

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 97 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 16
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17



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


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


Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 44
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 2

We don't plan to take Darwin, but do want them to accept AIF squads into the Militia, rather than reforming the 8th Division.

Pacific
We run into Nadi next turn.

They continue to hit PM. This is good, while 48 B-17 are doing this they aren't hurting us elsewhere... but we may CAP trap it...

China
I make an ill advised attack in the forest near Sian, I thought they were moving out, were probably low and supply and had split units to Divisions not Corps... we paid for my arrogance

Ground combat at 84,42 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40685 troops, 370 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 1469

Defending force 103092 troops, 574 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3201

Japanese adjusted assault: 627

Allied adjusted defense: 4963

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 7

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

Japanese ground losses:
8095 casualties reported
Squads: 152 destroyed, 452 disabled
Non Combat: 74 destroyed, 490 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 39 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1795 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 119 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled


Assaulting units:
51st Infantry Brigade
34th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
13th Tank Regiment
138th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
4th Construction Regiment
24th Group Army
39th Group Army
8th Group Army
4th Group Army
7th Group Army
31st Group Army
36th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
Jingcha War Area
10th Chinese Base Force

They also counter attack our Brigades that shock attacked across the river last turn... not pretty, but they don't appear to be following up.

Ground combat at 84,41 (near Sian)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29296 troops, 278 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1180

Defending force 8169 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 151

Allied adjusted assault: 344

Japanese adjusted defense: 12

Allied assault odds: 28 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3102 casualties reported
Squads: 180 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 83 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Allied ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Infantry Brigade

It is a 50/50 call that we will hold if they attack back near Sian... it could wreck them, or wreck us... I won't sleep well tonight!

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

11 Mar 1942 The Landing on Fiji...

Subs
They did good, the CVL is at 30 float, 15 Sys...

Annoyingly this sub had been hit several times over the previous few days.

Sub attack near Suva at 131,161

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 1
CL Tatsuta
CS Mizuho
DD Yugumo
DD Ayanami
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsuharu
DD Umikaze

Allied Ships
SS Gato

Burma
No action, we swept but they had gone. Our bombers didn't fly due to weather. They didn't attack Akyab either, so it is increasingly serviceable (28 Service,18 Runway).

DEI/ Nth Australia
We land at Broome, it will fall.

Otherwise moving stuff around.

Pacific
The landings at Nadi go ahead as planned, almost 6 Div of combat powere are ashore, and this has suprised and confused them. It is obvious that Fiji will fall... so we expect them to flee.

KB is coming in from the north after searching but failing to find their CV TF's.

Night Naval bombardment of Nadi at 131,160 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Mikuma
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko
CL Tenryu
CL Kiso
CL Tama
CL Abukuma
CL Nagara
CL Kashima


Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Night Naval bombardment of Nadi at 131,160

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Ashigara
CL Yubari


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


Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

Pre-Invasion action off Nadi - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

203 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hiei
PB Toko Maru #4
PB Suyozai Maru
PB Yodozo Maru
PB Kosin Maru #3
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
xAP Montevideo Maru
xAK Tokai Maru

Japanese ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


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


BB Ise firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
BB Hiei firing at 3rd Marine Defense Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion firing at BB Hiei
PB Toko Maru #4 fired at enemy troops
PB Suyozai Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Yodozo Maru fired at enemy troops
PB Kosin Maru #3 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


Amphibious Assault at Nadi

TF 10 troops unloading over beach at Nadi, 131,160

Japanese ground losses:
1218 casualties reported
Squads: 74 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Invasion Support action off Nadi - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

107 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
AMC Akagi Maru
AMC Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Toko Maru #4
PB Suyozai Maru
PB Yodozo Maru
PB Kosin Maru #3
xAP Keihuku Maru

Japanese ground losses:
151 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Ground combat at Nadi (131,160)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3715 troops, 136 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 197

Defending force 57182 troops, 499 guns, 582 vehicles, Assault Value = 1945


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


Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
110th USA Base Force
Nandi Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Tank Rgt /1
38th Div /5
4th Tank Rgt /2
21st Ind. Engr Rgt /1
3rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1
19th Div /3
16th Recon Rgt /1
4th Div /4
19th Ind. Engr Rgt /1
21st Div /5
7th Tank Rgt /2
2nd Formosa Inf. Rgt /1
16th Army /1

China
They don't attack, and the risk has past as disruption quickly drops. More forces move up one hex away so it is all good.

We are well supplied.


Comments
The operations for Fiji were planned for from day 1 of the game. We anticipated that they would build up here, so we always planned for masive force... I think we have possibly comitted too much... but we know that we can't be stopped.

With Noumea now secure (it has 3 AF units and a Air HQ), limited surface units in Australia ('cause we trashed them earlier) we can focus on one front heading East... if we decide to...

Pago Pago will certainly be the next target... but we will then probably go back to our strategic plan...

A key consideration is that Burma is very lightly held (1.5 Div of inf, 3 units of Armour) and is vulnerable... An option is to turn the fleet around after Fiji and head to Ceylon... 6 Divs makes a big bang when employed... meerly that threat will probably keep them in place, this attack will have caused a great deal of shock... but they will recover quickly.

[Cribtop]

Well done at Fiji! More enemy for the bag I'm sure.

Bloody good luck in China. It's both fun and terrifying to watch a turn thinking "please, please, please..."

[jrcar]

Thanks Cribtop, that moment of lack of focus (casued by real world fatigue, it ha sbeen a very long week... month... 2 months!) potentially cost us the war here.

Here is the map of the area.

We initially advanced on Sian from the middle, finding our way blocked we began an indirect approach from the East, SE and the west.

The wetern action was very succesful, trashing several Chinese Corps, and about half of our forces have pulled back to reconcentrate for the push north.

They have subsequently moved the forces that they concetrated to take Ichang to the east... this suits our purposes nicely as they are the ones moving across country... we are slowly gathering strength to thrust back at Ichang to then cut those forces off in the wilderness..

North of Sian, (see next post) our forces are moving in. Our aim is to cripple the Chinese economy, and taking them away as a threat, so we can move forces to Burma/India.

[jrcar]

North of Sian we initially advanced along the good road. We established a block in the rough terrain, and turned back to thrust down the poor road. Supply is a bit problematic but adequate.

We expect to have to conduct an operational pause at the dot base, fly in supply and build a base, before again advancing. Total AV is around 600-700.

This thrust is mainly supporting the frontal attack on Sian, making them divert forces... or if they don't spliting their economic area in half.

The danger to us is this 600 AV could be better used in the centre... we won't know until later if they commit more forces to the north (including "wasting" supply digging in).

[ny59giants]

If you can afford to, I would send in 2 x 27 plane groups of Sally/Helen to Sian just to hit the AF and try to get Supply Hits to reduce his supply for his troops. Plus, you need to kill those Chinese pilots before they build up their experience high enough where they come out ahead of your Oscars. I'm in mid-June 42 as Allies and added in some P-40Es with my Chinese planes vs Oscars on sweeps and he loss over 3:1 against me while doing sweeps.

If your not using your Topsy for anything else, I would use them to drop in supplies for your northern most spearhead to keep them supplied rather than rely on it coming over those trail hexes.

[jrcar]

Thanks NY59, trying to do that when they aren't needed against the ground troops, until I have a few more units I want to disrupt the defenders. We are very short on Sally, but Helen start soon at around 60 a month so the medium bomber issues will get better then.

12 March 1942

Subs

Sub attack near Bima at 64,110

Japanese Ships
xAK Yosyu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Kanko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Saury

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

ASW attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-17

Allied Ships
DD Mugford
APD Brooks
APD Waters
AK Betelgeuse
AKV Kittyhawk
AKV Hammondsport
DD Tucker
DD Cummings

ASW attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-17, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Gridley
DMS Southard
AO Kaskaskia
AK Bellatrix
xAP Rangitiki
xAK Henry S Grove
DD Mahan
Burma
They bombard from the sea causing almost no damage. We hit back with sweeps and Bombers over Chittagong.


Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 129 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 36



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 17

Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 140 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G3M2 Nell x 13



No Japanese losses


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


Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20

DEI
No Change.

Broome falls. We begin to move towards Port Headland.

Pacific
Nadi Falls and the support airbases and troops start landing. We also unload a Air HQ and more forces and supplies in Noumea.

Ground combat at Nadi (131,160)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 55377 troops, 499 guns, 429 vehicles, Assault Value = 1962

Defending force 7269 troops, 148 guns, 86 vehicles, Assault Value = 196

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1076

Allied adjusted defense: 97

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nadi !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

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

Japanese ground losses:
1178 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 98 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 39 disabled
Vehicles lost 36 (1 destroyed, 35 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
4023 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 120 destroyed, 174 disabled
Engineers: 85 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 67 (67 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 83 (68 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Units retreated 6


Assaulting units:
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
19th Division
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
4th Division
21st Division
4th Tank Regiment
38th Division
2nd Formosa Inf. Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
14th Army
16th Army

Defending units:
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion
110th USA Base Force
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
Nandi Base Force

China
We are slowly attrriting their fighters and bombers piecemeal in several locations.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

This turn demonstrated the weakness of our deep thrust on Fiji. We picked up their CV's inbound to Truk a few turns agao, but missed them in bad weather. This turn they hit Truk, all the important stuff got away, and we were a bit fortunately in having an experienced 45 strong Zero unit in the process of transiting south, so they were on hand and extracted a useful piece.

But they completely surprised us at Noumea


13 March 1942
Subs


Burma
The ships return, and then the bombers come in. Our fighters are met by their CAP, about 1:1 exchange overall.

Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Colombo
CL Caledon
CL Marblehead
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
CL Durban
CL Sumatra



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 2


Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13



Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Runway hits 2

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5



Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
B-17E Fortress x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 14
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27



Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 44
P-400 Airacobra x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29



Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 37
P-400 Airacobra x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed


Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 38



Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 27
P-400 Airacobra x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 4 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Pacific
The turn starts well..

Morning Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 113,161

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 16



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged


Allied Ships
DD Dunlap
CL Concord, Torpedo hits 1
DD Fanning

But then a suprise

Morning Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 110 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 65 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 18
Fulmar II x 11
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

The afternoon starts good for us:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vanua Balavu at 136,160

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
D3A1 Val x 27



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Kingfisher
AV Langley, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Deloraine, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AM Warrnambool, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

But then goes bad:

Afternoon Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 98 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37



Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 19
F4F-3 Wildcat x 38
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 60
TBD-1 Devastator x 27


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 2 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamaura Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AMc Toyotsu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Kanaiyama Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Johore Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AMC Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK England Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Erie Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
ARD Dublon ARD, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
ACM Kaito Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Yamabiko Maru
xAKL Tientsin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Tenposan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Taiyu Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Heijo Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Zenyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

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



Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

[Cribtop]

Ouch, those baby seals have on several occasions shown a willingness to be aggressive! Losing Kinugasa hurts, but strategically speaking you will probably come out ahead, depending on what you bag in Suva. Problem is they conceivably could pound Truk for another couple of days. What's left in port?

[jrcar]

Cribtop, only bait really in port, the important stuff had left, but we wanted them to hang around, you will see below

14 March 1942

Subs
No hits here but interesting intel:

ASW attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
APD Litchfield
APD Fox
AP President Polk
AP President Monroe
AP President Jackson
xAP Kota Baroe
xAP Kota Agoeng
xAP St. Mihel
xAK Am. Leader
xAK Sidney Hauptmann
DD Dewey
DD Downes
DD Cummings
DD Mugford
Burma
No air combat over Burma, we hit Chittagong without opposition.

Damage at Akyab is back down to moderate, and we landed another 1500 of supply, so we are over 6k there now. 60 Fighters protect the base.

We capture Myitkyina and we find almost 4000 supply in the base.

DEI
The invasion force for Java loads again...

Fuel, oil and supplies are building nicely at Singapore, shipping fuel to the Pacific , but soon will be sending oil to the HI.

Pacific
Two major areas of engagement, Truk and east of Fiji.

At Truk they attack as expected, a second Zero unit was moved in and we manage to slaughter a lot of the attacking aircraft, although they still manage to sink some small ships.

Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 62



Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 252 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 87 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 59



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 28
SBD-3 Dauntless x 28
TBD-1 Devastator x 39


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 3 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamaura Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Johore Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Zenyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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

Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 1

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 124 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 29


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMc Toyotsu Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AMc Tama Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Our pilots claim 15 Wildcats, 45 Dauntlesses and 22 Devastators. We may be able to follow up next turn with a Nettie strike...


Near Suva they send TF's out to land at islands North and SW of Pago Pago. KB strikes these two TF's causing significant damage.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Vava'u at 141,165

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 171 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 63 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 56
D3A1 Val x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 11 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 6 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Iron Chieftan, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Pillsbury
DD Helm
AP Tasker H. Bliss
xAP Iron Prince, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Patterson
xAP Tambua, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Morning Air attack on TF, near Savaii at 146,159

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 102 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 30
D3A1 Val x 13



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged


Allied Ships
DD Kilty
DD Cassin, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Schley
xAP Iron Crown
DD Parrott
DD Peary

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Savaii at 146,159

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 149 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 17
D3A1 Val x 36



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Iron Crown, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Peary, Bomb hits 1
DD Kilty
DD Parrott
DD Schley, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP Henry T. Allen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Wharton


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vava'u at 141,165

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 143 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 61 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 56
D3A1 Val x 81



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 4
DD Pillsbury, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
DD Patterson

So overall a good haul, and they are sticking more units out on isolated islands to attack later...


China
Is quiet at the moment. We deliberate attack at Ankang, these troops are now cut off and we wish to attrit them a bit so they don't become a threat.

Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8470 troops, 74 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 314

Defending force 5448 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 195

Japanese adjusted assault: 222

Allied adjusted defense: 205

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
36th/B Division
36th/C Division

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps

[jrcar]

Here is the situation around Fiji.

KB is out of torps but has plenty of strikes.

AO's about to refuel, and AKE's heading into Nadi to allow the torps to be replenished. So many targets out there... buit they do have a lot of fighters at Pago Pago

[jrcar]

15 March 1942

Subs

Burma
No real action of note. They are tring to break out from the swaps sth of Rangoon, I'm moving a blocking force into position and slowing their aircraft useing light bombers.


DEI/Nth Oz
We continue to trash Darwin. We need to transfer these aircraft to Burma soon, but want to leave Darwin a shambles.



Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 21
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 22



Allied aircraft
no flights

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

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses


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


Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 62
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

And push in frome Broome:

Ground combat at 63,127 (near Broome)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1468 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Defending force 214 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 57

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1

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

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


Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Broome RAN Base Force


We take Port Hedland:

Ground combat at Port Hedland (57,129)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 230 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Defending force 285 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 10

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Hedland !!!

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


Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Pacific

East of Fiji we find this TF. The AP is probably dead, as is one of the DD's:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Savaii at 146,159

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 148 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N2 Kate x 46
D3A1 Val x 18



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 11
F2A-3 Buffalo x 3
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Henry T. Allen, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kilty
DD Peary, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Schley, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Parrott

This attack isn't so useful, the enemy LRCAP is from Pago Pago.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Savaii at 146,159

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 6



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8
F2A-3 Buffalo x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed

China
Their forces from the ICHANG thrust are now headed NE to cut my lines to Ankang. I have drawn extra supply to Ankang so we can be cut off for a while without any trouble.

We are having light air clashes and we are slowly attriting their aircraft. Ours are used on mass on targets to disrupt and slow their movement.

[jrcar]

16 March 1942

Subs

Sub attack near Emirau Island at 104,121

Japanese Ships
PB Shinko Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

Burma
Again no real action. Akyab is almost fully repaired, 70 fighters patrol the skies and sweep Chittagong. We have bought out two fighter units from Korea and they begin the transit across. We are very short of Oscars, so Zero's are reduced in numbers to free up engines for Oscars. We have over 100 Zero in the pools.


DEI
They launch small attacks agsint the shipping at Kalidjati, the light CAP of Oscar and Zero easily keep them away.

One unit of Zero are set to Naval attack as there are some light craft operating out of Batavia, we hit and sink a CMc.

Our troops land, supported by paras who shock attack and take the undefended base. The armour will immediately move out to secure the flanks. The Imperial Guards will be landing next.

The plan is to Isoland Bandoang, take Batavia, then clear the rest of the island. They are located at Batavia, Bandoang, Sorebaya and Malang.

Darwin is hit again:

Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 16
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 20
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14



No Japanese losses


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


Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 51
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3

Pacific
Bombers from Nadi launch against the isolated units SE of Fiji:

Afternoon Air attack on 135th USA Base Force, at 141,165 (Vava'u)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 12



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged


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

Supported by a KB that is retiring to rearm.

Afternoon Air attack on Vava'u , at 141,165

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 142 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 53 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 123
D3A1 Val x 135



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 13 damaged
D3A1 Val: 16 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak


Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Port hits 15
Port supply hits 5

There is the 135th USA Base Force, 1st/102nd Infantry Battalion and 43rd Construction Regiment located here.

We do a bombardment at Suva to check what is there...

Ground combat at Suva (132,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2723 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2317

Defending force 21929 troops, 373 guns, 345 vehicles, Assault Value = 425

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



Assaulting units:
47th Infantry Regiment
19th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
4th Division
21st Division
2nd Formosa Inf. Regiment
16th Engineer Regiment
38th Division
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
16th Army

Defending units:
8th Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
57th Coastal Artillery Regiment
2nd Marine Regiment
8th NZ Brigade
101st USN Base Force
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
111th USN Base Force
47th Construction Regiment
206th Coast AA Regiment
1st RNZAF Base Force
119th USAAF Base Force
205th Coast AA Regiment
110th USA Base Force
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion
Nandi Base Force

China

We try to clear the unit out of Ankang so we can start conducting a withdrawel. I've sent an armourd car unit on a deep strike/recce behind Sian... We may loose it but it should disrupt them.

Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8291 troops, 74 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 300

Defending force 5357 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 189

Japanese adjusted assault: 205

Allied adjusted defense: 88

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
36th/B Division
36th/C Division

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps


They have crossing in strength into my LOC from Ankang, I have blocking forces racing into posiotion but we are about to loose a battle