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

[jrcar]

SOPAC
We largely own the SOPAC Theatre our last offensive, against Savaii and Pago Pago will begin soon, then we wil withdraw leaving garrisons on Fiji and New Caledonia.

We have destroyed around 2 divs of combat power at Fiji and on shippinng, and we estimate that Pago Pago can hold only a div at most and Savaii only a regiment at most.

Their CV's are probably concentrated now Vic of Hawaii and are now entering parity with us...


S We have a massive concentration of troops, ships, aircraft capable of tackling any base, including NZ or OZ.

W Fuel is our biggest weakness, it is a long way back to Rabaul for more.

O Raiding of the OZ or NZ coast is relatively easy. We can also land at will.

T CV raids into out LOC and submarines.



Key Information Requirements
Location of Allied CV's.

Location of Allied assault formations.

Location of invasion shipping.

[jrcar]

CENTPAC
We are very weak here and bases are lightly held, but are digging in nicely.

We are building Kusaie as the main back base, but Kwaljelon will remain for a while. More Naval Guard units are on the way.


S We own the ground to fight on, and we are prepositioning forces to ensure the enemy must attack with large forces.

W Troop density and aircraft.

O Raiding of the their islands.

T CV raids into out LOC and submarines.



Key Information Requirements
Location of Allied CV's.

Location of Allied assault formations.

Location of invasion shipping.

[jrcar]

11 Apr 1942

subs
We do good this turn:

Submarine attack near Colombo at 28,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
TK British Confidence, Torpedo hits 2, on fire,

Submarine attack near Bathurst Island at 77,123

Japanese Ships
SS I-123, hits 9

Allied Ships
xAKL Mauban, Shell hits 2, on fire

We also attack but miss another TK.

Burma
Akyab is trashed, but everything important is out. More supply is being FT in... but theseige has started in ernest. Our LRCAP is largely ineffective and we loose two pilots this turn... not prepared to give it up yet though...

DEI
All quiet.

OZ
Our SCTF near Perth is undetected and will now run in... lots of ships in port.

Our SCTF off the east coast gets another xAKL. They attack with Blenheims which are ineffective.

Pacific
One of our CS tf finds and attacks:
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mangaia at 149,187

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Theofano Livanos, Bomb hits 4, on fire

KB is now fully armed and fueled.

China
At Nanning they attack... a temporary setup, and may either encourage them to come forward or disregard the build up of our forces... or maybe wisheful thinking.

Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11662 troops, 98 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 483

Defending force 1014 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied adjusted assault: 289

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 57 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
586 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
15th Naval Guard Unit

Elsewhere we are making headway but at cost...

Ground combat at Wuchang (84,51)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11549 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 432

Defending force 11020 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 470

Japanese adjusted assault: 316

Allied adjusted defense: 185

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
771 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
330 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Brigade
6th/B Division
6th/C Division

Defending units:
58th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 82,34 (near Lanchow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9810 troops, 130 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 335

Defending force 4743 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Japanese adjusted assault: 272

Allied adjusted defense: 261

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
379 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry Brigade
4th Cavalry Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Corps

[jrcar]

12 Apr 1942 a good day.

Subs

Burma
Apart from trashing Akyab quiet. The two spareregiments from Port blair are now back in Rangoon and deploying. This brings our strenegth to around 3 divs.

DEI
Quiet. Will attack again atSorebaya next turn.

OZ
We bombard Perth, recieve light damage but the guns at the forts stop us from getting at the shipping

Night Naval bombardment of Perth at 49,147 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

151 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 3
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CA Atago
CA Takao


Allied ground losses:
187 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

North of Cooktown we have found another xAKLthat we will try to hunt down. It is good experiance for the crew, and nother day that PM doesn't get hit.

Mini KB has been lurking undetected about 7 hexes SE of Sydney...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 95,177

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 8
B5N2 Kate x 8



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Maetsuycker, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Am. Leader, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Anna Odland

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 95,177

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 8
B5N2 Kate x 8



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Forbes Hauptmann, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Anna Odland, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Am. Leader, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

More ships are detected, these had fled from Wellington I think... we will hunt them down.


Pacific
A CL led SCTF sweeps Pago Pago taking out 10 PT boats and an AMc. They need to rearm. We are taking another island in the chain south of Suva to act as a resupply point.

China
This is a good outcome, it trashes two corps in the centre and frees up some forces for use elsewhere.

Ground combat at Wuchang (84,51)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10987 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 385

Defending force 10669 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 441

Japanese adjusted assault: 551

Allied adjusted defense: 269

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
481 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
3683 casualties reported
Squads: 99 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 103 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 6 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th/B Division
56th Infantry Brigade
6th/C Division

Defending units:
58th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps

Soon the Pago Pago and Savii invasion forces will load for the final planned grand offensive. Soon we will be firmly on the defensive, on strong ground of our own choosing.

[Cribtop]

What are your plans for the perimeter? What ground is expendable and what will be the strongpoints? No need to reveal everything but a general outline would be interesting.

[jrcar]

Everywhere but the SWPAC/SOPAC we are in our first main line of resistance that we intend to hold until at least mid 1943.

Once we take Pago Pago we will withdraw back to Tulagi/lunga, but leave some forces forward to deny Fiji and New Caledonia.


By that stage I think we will have caused 6 months of delay.

Within a month we will have dug in the main perimeter, and will have begun digging in the next line. So by early 1943 we should have a minimum of 2 lines of depth and probably three.

Taking a point on any line will take a minimum of a two division assault. We will attempt to interupt and interdict through the use of spoiing attacks.

We will fight and loose units looking to create a day of delay when ever we can. Every day counts.



We need to reallocate forces to Sumatra. That is our biggest weak point. But they can't do it without their CV's which are basically all in the Pacific.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

Here is a map. Yellow circles are strong points. The red line we want to hold until at least mid 1943, preferably early 44. The blue line shows where we can afford to fall back to.

[Cribtop]

Do you plan to take the rest of NW Oz and Darwin in cleanup mode?

[Nemo121]

I'm curious about the Kuriles and Aleutians. I know your opponents are leaving it be quiescent but I am curious as to whether you've given any thought to a spoiling operation into the depth of the Aleutians position? E.g. Taking an island there, basing fighters and Netties and disrupting any buildup he might be planning/ allowing excelent recon of the entire Aleutians position in depth before his CVs etc arrive to force you back.

Obviously this might also allow a deep-ocean intercept of his CVs if managed right. I was surprised at the lack of even a single strongpoint in the Kuriles.

[jrcar]

No plan, happy to just seige it via air and sea. We want them to waste resourses (and ships) trying to keep it supplied with the constant threat that we MAY invade...

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Do you plan to take the rest of NW Oz and Darwin in cleanup mode?

[jrcar]

We are almost secure in the Kuriles. I'm in favour of stepping forward, probably to ADAK... but we shall see. They are building up Anchorage and Kodiak (we are watching with subs) and probably don't want to stick their heads out.... neither do we.

Having said that it is a logical place to now move their thrust line... our current plan is to to let them commit and counter invade in strength, rather than have the opposite happen to us... bt the temptation to "set" is very much there.

We think though they will be using their PP's to buy back the units we've destroyed, rather than releasing restricted units... In our game ith Nik and Joe we planned a northern adventure early... so far it looks like they planned to be on the defensive.

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

I'm curious about the Kuriles and Aleutians. I know your opponents are leaving it be quiescent but I am curious as to whether you've given any thought to a spoiling operation into the depth of the Aleutians position? E.g. Taking an island there, basing fighters and Netties and disrupting any buildup he might be planning/ allowing excelent recon of the entire Aleutians position in depth before his CVs etc arrive to force you back.

Obviously this might also allow a deep-ocean intercept of his CVs if managed right. I was surprised at the lack of even a single strongpoint in the Kuriles.

[jrcar]

13 Apr 1942 They make a nice raid. Sorebaya almost falls.

Subs
We get another xAKL off Darwin. The seige is in full swing at the moment.
They get an xAK carrying part of and AA Bn towards Rangoon.

Sub attack near Victoria Point at 49,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Azuma Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
SS Haddock

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

Central Rear Zone
In our central rear zone between the Marrianas and the Phillipines a Raiding force finds and sinks a convoy with a BF on it, destroying the lot Great play by them... By the CV Hiyo has just arrives and leaves with anescort to try to intercept.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Pagan at 108,85, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Tamon Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Teikoku Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
PB Toyotu Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
DD Patterson
DD Craven
DD Maury

Japanese ground losses:
745 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 58 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Burma
Akyab is trashed again. P-40E make an appearance we claim 2 for 1 but loose against the Hurricanes.

Another 1800 of supply gets in, and a FT TF leave Rangoon with alements of a reinforcing Regiment.

They also try some deep attacks against Rangoon and Moulmein...
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 116 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 32

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 26 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

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

DEI
Sorebaya almost falls...

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19187 troops, 259 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 631

Defending force 9978 troops, 64 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 153

Japanese adjusted assault: 491

Allied adjusted defense: 129

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
739 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1042 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 105 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
42nd Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Marinier Battalion
Semarang Base Force
MLD
Djojakarta Base Force
Commandement Marine
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
Madion Base Force
Soerabaja Base Force

OZ
We continue to chase down xAKL supplying Darwin.

Of Sydney towards NZ we continue to hunt down a convoy:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 100,180

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 8
B5N2 Kate x 7



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Humphreys, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Anglo Indian, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lord Howe Island at 100,180

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N1 Kate x 10



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Barwon, Bomb hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Anglo Indian, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Pacific
KB is nicely in position behind Pago Pago. The Savaii invasion force begins to load. It is a little light on (only a div equivelant) and may need to be shot in.



Their raid was nicely executed and shows a hole in our coverage, we have moved assets to try to fix that for the future. Need more patrol units

PM runway will be fully open. I'm moving a RUFE unit that way to LRCAP the SCTF operating off the coast to try to get some Blenheims. The SCTF is off Horn Is, but will move south again soon, sweeping the seasand threatening the East Coast bases, while taking presure off Port Moresby.

Behind PM Umboi Island is building nicely, it will soon be a level 3 afld.

Tulagi is half way to a level 3 Port, it is already a 3 afld and 3 forts. Soon units will move to Lunga (supply is already in place).


Port Blair hits a level 2 AF and Nells move in. There are 100 engineers so level 3 will be reached soon, then we will focus on forts for a bit. From there we can tag (and hit) TF's transiting to southern India. An airflotilla is in attendance.


Supply in the home islands is a real issue now, plenty of resources, and Oil is flowing OK... need to stop pulling supply out.

[jrcar]

14 Apr 1942
Subs

Burma
We get a P40E in their sweeps.

A BB Tf is detected heading in to Akyab, we had a FT TF about to go in, it is now halted, and we will se if the mines and subs do their work.

DEI
No change. Trying to cut in behind Sorebaya to cut the troops off so we don't have to fight them twice.

Pacific
Off NZ:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Waipapakauri at 107,180

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N1 Kate x 16



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Herstein, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk

We are almost out of sorties, but searches show a LOT of shipping around Wellington...

China
Our rampaging Armoured Car unit is now caught between a rock and a hard place...

North we finally through a unit back with high casulties... but they have now reinforced Lanchow, and more forces are on the way... we will probably have to dig in now

Ground combat at 82,34 (near Lanchow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8910 troops, 130 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 282

Defending force 4098 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92

Japanese adjusted assault: 185

Allied adjusted defense: 79

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (5 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1374 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 60 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Cavalry Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry Brigade
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Corps



Next turn could be interesting.

[jrcar]

15 Apr 1942

Subs

Burma
The anticipated Bombardment doesn't occur... baybe they saw the FT TF and thought it was a SCTF?

Their bombers do attack and Akyab is trashed again.

DEI
No change

Pacific
Some interesting targets at Auckland. I decide to turn these CV's around and blocaked NZ from the East, while half of KB turns around and comes back to NZ... far too many juicy targets!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auckland at 115,185

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6



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

Allied Ships
TK Manzanillo
DD Crosby

China
As expected our Armoured car unit is wiped out

Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 19946 troops, 187 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1061

Defending force 195 troops, 0 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Allied adjusted assault: 962

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 962 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
48th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
6th Chinese Base Force
56th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
5th Armored Car Co

These forces are now moving north, Lanchow is now no longer viable and so our forces start pulling back.

[jrcar]

16 Apr 1942

Subs

Burma
Our FT TF lands half of a regiment of troops at Akyab, total AV at Akyab is now 200 behind level 3 forts.

Over Akyab we get some more P-40E, but loose a pilot.


DEI
Mines at Batavia are cleared.

OZ
Using Oscar from Port Moresby we CAP trap some blenheims.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,135

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Mikuma

Pacific
Half of KB bombs Penrhyn Island whic was harbouring damaged ships from the convoy we hit several days ago.

Afternoon Air attack on Penrhyn Island , at 168,159

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 74



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Chandler, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DMS Perry, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage


Port hits 9
Port supply hits 4

Off Wellington we get these nice fat xAP's

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wellington at 112,191

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N1 Kate x 10



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Santa Maria, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Santa Barbara, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

China
Mostly quiet.

[jrcar]

17 Apr 1941

Subs

Sub attack near Noumea at 115,160

Japanese Ships
PB Nagata Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-36, hits 4

Burma

DEI

OZ
We hunt down another xAKL supply ship from Darwin

Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 92,132, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Ashigara
CA Mikuma
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Nowaki
DD Michishio
DD Nenohi
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
xAKL Patris, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Pacific
Off NZ we find more juicy targets, almost no sorties left but half of KB is only another turn away.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Auckland at 115,185

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N1 Kate x 17
B5N2 Kate x 4



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
TK Falkefjell, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK William H. Berg, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Crosby
TK Connecticut
DMS Elliot
TK Gulfking

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auckland at 115,185

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 10
B5N2 Kate x 5



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
TK Emidio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Connecticut, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK Manzanillo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Crosby, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS Elliot

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wellington at 112,191

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
B5N1 Kate x 6



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Santa Maria, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

The Savii invasion force is almost ready to run in. The Pago Pago invasion force starts loading.

A CV and CVE are in support. Vava'u is almsot level 2 afld and the Zero's can then provide cover.



China
Quiet

[jrcar]

Sometime ago we identifice our critical information requirements. We then developed an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance plan (primaily glen equipped subs for deep targets.

So far our results are:

Ceylon, lots of shiiping in Colombo, and more has been detected moving in and out (including BB's). Air search is detecting several combat ship formations in the Bay of Bengal.

Perth also has a fair bit of shipping, but mainly damaged subs?

NZ,Wellington and Auckland has a lot of shiiping in and out.

Rest of the pacific is quiet.

North Pacific is very quiet.


I'd like to see us get some CV's into the bay of Bengal...

I think they have given up on Pago Pago... and are now licking their wounds, and probably planning to hit elsewhere, the Marshalls are and obvious choice... but North Pacific has options for the next few months.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

18 Apr 1942

Subs

Burma
We swap aircraft over Akyab.

A Bombardment TF puts some holes into Cox's Bazaar. They were (accidentally) on do not retire, so will give more presents before departing.

Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CL Sendai
DD Asakaze
DD Fumizuki
DD Yugiri
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shirayuki
DD Akatsuki
DD Oyashio

Port hits 21
Port supply hits 7

They trash Akyab again.

DEI
Everything is now in position and the assault on Sorebaya goes in tomorrow.

Oz
We get some more Blenheims in a CAP trap over our SCTF operating off the east coast. Port Moresby is now reapiring serivability damage.

Pacific
The assault forces move into position. A CL Tf will sweep Savaii first, while the amphib force moves to the final jump off position, CAP'd by a CV and CVE, Vava'u will reach lvl 2 airfield and 48 Zero will also LRCAP the invasion. Paras will land at the intermediate (undefended) island to provide a base for damaged ships.

4 divs are almost loaded for Pago Pago, that should happen a few days after Savaii.

Half of KB is still behind Pago Pago, the other half will hit Wellington.

This is the culmination point. After this we go home... maybe via NZ though

China
starting to concentrate forces and upgrade aircraft for another push on Sian, have drawn their reserves North and west... but will have trouble massing the combat power we need I think.

[jrcar]

19 Apr 1942 Sorebaya falls, more TK sunk off NZ

Subs

Burma
Usual air attacks on Akyab. FT TF with more troops are inbound.

We brass up Cox's Bazaar with a SCTF before retiring.

DEI
Sorebaya falls, and all the troops surrender. Theinfrastructure is all undamaged, so the extra days of delay were worth it. There are a concentration of 4 units SE of Sorebaya at Malang, then the mani holdouts in Bandoeng.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20658 troops, 262 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 689

Defending force 8981 troops, 64 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 114

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 474

Allied adjusted defense: 86

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerabaja !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

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

Japanese ground losses:
345 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
13202 casualties reported
Squads: 260 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1056 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 98 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 51 (51 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 11


Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
25th Army
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Artilleriecommando Coastal Gun Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Marinier Battalion
Djojakarta Base Force
MLD
Semarang Base Force
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
Madion Base Force
Commandement Marine
Soerabaja Base Force

Pacific
We sweep Wellington loosing 2 Zero for several P-40E.

Despite bad wetaher which cancels over half the airstrikes these ones fly:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Gisborne at 120,189

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Elliot, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Falkefjell, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Gulfking

Morning Air attack on TF, near Wellington at 113,193

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Alfred Clegg, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DM Preble, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Pan Europa, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DMS Boggs
DM Pruitt
TK California Standard, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

This will put a short term dint in their ability to resupply NZ and Australia with fuel.

We sweep Savaii with a SCTF and fighters. No shipping is hit, and we loose a fighter or two to about the same of theirs. We take the island inbetween Pago Pago via air assualt. The Savaii invasion force will land next turn, then tha Pago Pago one in 3-4 days. We have a floating reserve of one division.

China
Quite as we lick wounds. We need to concentrate.

The dot base East of Lanchow makes level 1, an airbase will be flow in to support Oscars. We will fall back to here and dig in for the moment.


We have agreed future plans. Will start discussing soon.

[jrcar]

20 Apr 1942 We land on Savaii

Subs

Burma
We continue to loose in sweeps over Akyab, but every now and then we get a shot at the bombers... we can afford the airframes. This turn their bombers don't fly.


DEI
Moving to Malang.

Pacific
We land on Savaii, it is less lightly held than we expected...

Pre-Invasion action off Savaii
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

87 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
CA Aoba
DD Asanagi
DD Hayate
DD Arashio
AMC Awata Maru
DD Yunagi

Japanese ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Ground combat at Savaii (146,159)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 688 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Defending force 9516 troops, 111 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 305

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled



Assaulting units:
Samoa Det.
2nd/102nd Infantry Battalion
Bobcats USN Naval Construction Battalion
136th USA Base Force
4th Marine Defense Battalion
2/198th Coast AA Battalion

Defending units:
Kimura Det /1
48th Engr Rgt /1
2nd Formosa Inf. Rgt /1
8th Tank Rgt /1
14th Army /1
48th FA Rgt /1

They strike the fleet, one AMC sinks the other is badly damaged. The BB needs some more paint...

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

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 12
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
SBD-1 Dauntless x 20


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 6, on fire
AMC Awata Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Akagi Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



Despite CAP we get some more shipping:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Wellington at 112,191

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 148 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 63 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
B5N2 Kate x 31



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
DMS Boggs, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DM Pruitt, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Herborg, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wellington at 112,191

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
B5N2 Kate x 48



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Talbot
CA Chicago, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


China
Working on a new cunning plan...