Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider)

[witpqs]

Haruna & Friends Visit

---

1942-01-26

Tassafaronga and Lae fell today. Ambon held on today. The first of the Pearl Harbor battleships has completed repairs! BB Nevada is on line. Yesterday Imperial forces began their march across the strait into Singapore.

Haruna & Friends visited Koepang. If there was any lingering doubt about Koepang's viability as a combat outpost it has been dispelled.

[aprezto]

10 supply hits and no engineers (really) to fix 99 runway hits (plus extras), yup, its out of commission for a while. Are you doing anything about the rest of Timor?

[witpqs]

Yup. Pulling out cadres! One of the Bird Battalions is at Lautem, another at Koepang, and another in the jungles of New Guinea with the rest of the ex-Port Moresby defenders. Dili is empty. Not in the strategic plan to use PP's necessary to pull the amount of stuff that would be needed to make a harder stand on Timor. Saving to free the USA 40th Div.

[witpqs]

Imperial Progress

---

1942-01-27

Russell Islands, Moulmein, Ambon, Makassar, and Shun-an fell today. Tung-Yang was liberated. Moulmein was successfully evacuated and defensive lines established across the river. Kendari sustained only light damage from the B-17 raid, which cost one of the raiders, but several Imperial aircraft were destroyed on the ground and in the air. Imperial Light Cruiser Kuma was seeking the safety of Tarakan, when Searaven sent her four emergency flotation devices to steady the ship. Strangely, two of them exploded and she is again listed as sunk.

One ship of the large merchant convoy from Cape Town that is unloading at Oosthaven was torpedoed. We'll get in as much supply as we can with this one despite attacks as it will possibly be the last big chance. Fighters moved back to Oosthaven for the event.

A small Imperial surface force is at the south end of the Makassar strait, almost to the Java Sea. They tried to catch PG Soerabaja but failed. She is quite safely back at Soerabaja. Aircraft on Java have been reshuffled to allow for attack of the enemy force if they come close or even linger where they are now.

The Imperial battle fleet which bombarded Koepang yesterday is taking the southern route home, endangering supply convoys. A little farther east and they will be within dive bomber range of Darwin. If they attack some of the closer convoys they will be within torpedo bomber range. KB is still unscouted but USN PBYs have been watching the Arafura Sea all the way to the Torres Strait without a glimpse - so the force seen near Darwin is very likely something other than the KB.

[witpqs]

Percival - Argh!

---

1942-01-28

Auki and Singapore fell today. Upon Imperial troops crossing the strait, Percival surrendered Singapore. If I had known the fortress was going to fold like that I would have pulled out everybody except for Percival! The attacks against shipping at Oosthaven continue as one ship is claimed by submarine torpedo, another by submarine laid mine, and another by aerial torpedo.

Imperial forces crossing the river into Burma from Chiang Mai changed directions yesterday after the capture of Moulmein. They (wisely) abandoned their cross country trek through rough jungle and are moving back directly across the river. At any rate the sudden availability of hordes of Imperial troops that were set to besiege Singapore changes timing in the DEI and likely in Burma too.

Meanwhile, 4 x CL and 4 x DD led by USS Trenton are bringing the battle to the Empire's home waters.

[witpqs]

Empire Rising

---

1942-01-29

Hsin-Hsiang, Zamboanga, and Umboi Island fell today. There is Imperial naval activity all over the Eastern DEI and several Intel intercepts about units loaded on board ship or planning for attacks. The KB seems to be standing 40nm off of Port Moresby for at least two turns now, guarding shipping there. Without formal search in the area that can't be certain, but it's pretty solid. As the Empire phases for the next series of invasions the Allies phase for the next lines of defense.

The Trenton Express is still undetected. Let's hope suitable prey is passing through the shipping lane in the next two days when the hunters reach it.

Much Imperial shipping, and at least one battle fleet.

[witpqs]

Balikpapan Swan Song?

---

1942-01-30

Tzuyang, Fou-yang, and Tanjoengbalai fell today. Balikpapan without the river-crossing shock attack. Gasmata was invaded. Repositioning continues. The B-17s hit Singkawang and destroyed a couple of enemy airframes - the hated Betties - but only left minor damage on the airfield. They go again tomorrow.

The Trenton Express is hunting...

[Capt. Harlock]

Upon Imperial troops crossing the strait, Percival surrendered Singapore. If I had known the fortress was going to fold like that I would have pulled out everybody except for Percival!

Bad news -- but sometimes that's the way the dice roll.

[witpqs]

It surprised Treespider, in a good way of course.

---

Same Changes

---

1942-01-31

Gasmata and Thousand Ships Bay fell today. Saidor, Dumanquilas, and Woodlark Island were invaded. This turn was largely more of the same. One exception is the force bearing down on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. It looks like an invasion force with KB still sitting 40nm off of Port Moresby. But again, without direct search...

[witpqs]

Surface Raiders

---

1942-02-01

Dumanquilas, Saidor, Tung-Yang, and Woodlark Island fell today. Horn Island and Dobo were invaded.

Imperial surface raiders AMC Aikoku Maru and AMC Hokoku Maru slid out of the night at GR203,93 on the route from the West Coast to Hawaii.

Night Time Surface Combat, near San Francisco at 203,93, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru
AMC Hokoku Maru

Allied Ships
PG Charleston, Shell hits 1
TK Hadnot, Shell hits 9, heavy fires
xAK Minnesotan, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Charles H Cramp
xAK Santa Teresa
xAK Chickasaw City
xAK Steel Ranger, Shell hits 2
xAK Diamond head
xAK Admiral Y. Williams, Shell hits 3
xAK Liberty



Reduced visibility due to Rain with 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 100% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru launches Torpedoes at PG Charleston at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru launches Torpedoes at xAK Admiral Y. Williams at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru launches Torpedoes at xAK Minnesotan at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages TK Hadnot at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages TK Hadnot at 4,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages TK Hadnot at 4,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAK Steel Ranger at 4,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAK Minnesotan at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages PG Charleston at 2,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages TK Hadnot at 2,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAK Steel Ranger at 2,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAK Minnesotan at 2,000 yards
Unoike, M. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages PG Charleston at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages TK Hadnot at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages TK Hadnot at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

TK Hadnot and xAK Minnesotan sunk. Forces have been dispatched to catch the raiders. Meanwhile, my own raiders wait quietly.

[Andav]

I assume the blue arc in the bottom left is from Pearl and the ones from the top right are west coast of US. It sure will be nice to get to use search arcs in the near future. That is a big dead space.


Walter

[witpqs]

Yes, except the arc on the lower left is from Hilo which closes the gap just a bit. It's slightly reminiscent of the Greenland Gap without the level of ferocity.

---

Sweeps

---

1942-02-02

Emirau Island, Horn Island, Dobo, and Balikpapan fell today. Lomblen was invaded. It seems the elite Zero sweeper pilots have targeted Batavia, and they hit the bullseye. Losing 1 of their own they shot 10 x P-40E out of the air with 2 more ops losses. I hope those parachutes worked. The B-17s will strike tomorrow.

There was an operations message about BB Hyuga being sunk. Kongo is still on the sunk ships lists while Hyuga is not, so perhaps that will update next turn.

No further contact with the Imperial raiders, nor any contact with victims for ours. The Empire is seen wasting no time sending warships through the Strait of Malacca.

[witpqs]

Caught!

---

1942-02-03

Long Island, Lomblen, and Sibolga fell today. Oroquieta was invaded from the sea, Banjermasin was invaded from the air. A new minefield has been identified and is being swept at Oosthaven. The submarine resistance continues, with many attacks and some victories. This turn was Dutch sub KX tearing open xAK Ikushima Maru near Kolaka. One of several TFs dispatched to find and destroy the Imperial raiders intercepted them on the northern escape route. The raiders were no match for real warships.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lihue at 188,85, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
CL Helena
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson



Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 92% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages CA Portland at 8,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages CA Portland at 8,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DD Hughes at 8,000 yards
DD Hughes engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Hughes engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Hughes engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 8,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DD Sims at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages CA Portland at 6,000 yards
CL Helena engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 6,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DD Anderson at 6,000 yards
DD Hughes engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Helena engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 5,000 yards
CL St. Louis engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 5,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages DD Sims at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Aikoku Maru at 7,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru sunk by DD Sims at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Anderson at 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages CL St. Louis at 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Anderson at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 7,000 yards
CL St. Louis engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 7,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Hughes at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 11,000 yards
CL St. Louis engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Helena engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 13,000 yards
CL St. Louis engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 13,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Hughes at 13,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 13,000 yards
CL St. Louis engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 13,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Anderson at 13,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
Unoike, M. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lihue at 187,85, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CL St. Louis
CL Helena
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson



Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 92% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages CL Helena at 8,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Hughes at 8,000 yards
CL Helena engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 8,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Hughes at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Anderson at 5,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages CL St. Louis at 5,000 yards
DD Sims engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Sims engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 3,000 yards
CL St. Louis engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Hughes engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 4,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru engages DD Anderson at 4,000 yards
CA Portland engages AMC Hokoku Maru at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
AMC Hokoku Maru sunk by CA Portland at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

The defenders at Banjermasin will need help to repulse the invaders. That will be hard to come by as Imperial fighters began sweeping the skies all over Java just as they have been elsewhere.

Ground combat at Bandjermasin (60,99)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 695 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Defending force 1463 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Japanese adjusted assault: 26

Allied adjusted defense: 31

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1

Defending units:
SE Borneo KNIL Battalion
Bandjermasin Base Force
Samarinda Base Force

Our own raiders have made a contact via scout plane and will move to intercept. Due to fuel limitations this will likely be their only chance.

[witpqs]

Now to Escape!

---

1942-02-04

Oroquieta fell today and Munda was invaded. xAKL Isla Filipinas was sunk in the Indian Ocean near Java, underscoring the need for more care. The same consideration has arisen at EHQ.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Agrihan at 110,86, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Shimushu, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Manila Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tacoma Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Kagu Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Kozui Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Concord
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
CL Trenton
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley

Low visibility due to Rain with 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 85% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CL Detroit engages E Shimushu at 6,000 yards
CL Trenton engages xAK Kagu Maru at 6,000 yards
CL Trenton engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Manila Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Helm engages xAK Manila Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Bagley engages xAK Kagu Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Trenton engages E Shimushu at 7,000 yards
CL Trenton engages xAK Kozui Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Henley engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Kagu Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Bagley engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
E Shimushu sunk by CL Trenton at 5,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Henley engages xAK Kozui Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Helm engages xAK Kagu Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Bagley engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Detroit engages xAK Kozui Maru at 2,000 yards
CL Raleigh engages xAK Kozui Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Helm engages xAK Manila Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Bagley engages xAK Kozui Maru at 3,000 yards
CL Detroit engages xAK Kagu Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages xAK Kagu Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Manila Maru at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Kagu Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Raleigh engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Concord engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 4,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Agrihan at 110,85, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Tacoma Maru, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Concord
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
CL Trenton
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley

Poor visibility due to Rain with 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 85% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CL Trenton engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
CL Detroit engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
CL Raleigh engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Henley engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
CL Trenton engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Henley engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages xAK Tacoma Maru at 6,000 yards
xAK Tacoma Maru sunk by DD Helm at 6,000 yards
xAK Tacoma Maru sunk by DD Helm at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

When the sun came up the Imperial ships' distress calls were answered by 16 Betties. They attacked The Trenton Express but missed, losing one of their number to flak.

[witpqs]

Peril!

---

1942-02-05

Siquijor and Sabang fell today. Saumlaki was invaded. Hsu-chang was liberated. Hurricanes over Toungoo chewed up Oscars 15 to 1, and held Tojos to 1 to 1.

Near Marcus Island The Trenton Express was set upon by carrier planes.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 121,84

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 148 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
B5N1 Kate x 30
D3A1 Val x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Henley
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1
CL Trenton
CL Concord

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

At 22-43-1-0 Detroit will survive if she can escape. She has detached and will run SE on a direct course for Midway, while the rest of the Express continues NE. Both will run full speed for one day. Considering the recent KB presence in the Coral Sea, it looks like only limited Imperial carrier are present. The USN carriers will sortie in case they can intervene in a long chase. The Express doesn't have fuel for a long chase at high speed, so the whole undertaking is tenuous.

An Imperial fast transport mission landed troops that seized Saumlaki, but they were within range of the USA Banshees at Darwin.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki
DD Mikazuki
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Amatsukaze

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tokitsukaze

Here is the position of the Express.

[witpqs]

Hope

---

1942-02-06

Munda and Saumlaki fell today. Larantoeka, Manus, Arawe, and Attu Island were invaded. The Empire seems annoyed with our mine sweeping operations in the Sunda Strait, as an I-boat sank a mine sweeper there for the second turn in a row. Imperial fighter sweeps over Soerabaja and Batavia were effective, as was a raid on Batavia.

The Trenton Express has at least temporarily evaded its pursuers, aided by the weather. Tomorrow's forecast is "clear".

The Empire looks to be reinforcing the para troops at Banjermasin. Dutch 139WH-3 bombers made several attacks with 300kg SAP bombs, one of which drove home.

Japanese Ships
xAK Jinshu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Manko Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ehime Maru

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

Further attacks showed more losses, presumably from the sustained fire and or aerial machine guns.

Japanese ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Let's see if they press it home.

[Capt. Harlock]

When the sun came up the Imperial ships' distress calls were answered by 16 Betties. They attacked The Trenton Express but missed, losing one of their number to flak.

Bravo! Good to see both sides are not averse to surface raiding. (But you were lucky: those CL's don't have much in the way of AAA.)

[aprezto]

Looks like the AKs were on the homeward beat, so not full of supplies (and certainly not troops by the look of the combat replay), still, you'll be making him jumpy and that's the real benefit of such raiding.

[witpqs]

Thanks!

---

Escape?

---

1942-02-07

Manus, Larantoeka, Arawe, and Attu Island fell today. Merauke and Adak Island were invaded. Batavia was pounded again. Three provisional USA fighter squadrons are on Java but they are being held on "Escort, 0% CAP" so they don't take the bait dangled by sweeping Imperial fighters. Adak was invaded in severe storms. With winter conditions in effect that hopefully knocked out a few Imperial types.

The Trenton Express was unmolested today. Weather was bad, proving that meteorology only looks good because economics was invented. Detroit has fuel to make Midway, but half the ships in the Express main body are out and limping along. The carriers have expedited their progress to a rendezvous.

Graphic of the Aleutians.

[witpqs]

Creeping Under Heavy Weather

---

1942-02-08

Adak Island fell today. Air raids were a little lighter today, although they seem to be ramping up in Burma. Sweeps continued although over Soerabaja the Allies declined the offer. Trusty shattered xAKL Kaishi Maru with a working torpedo.

The Allies are essentially stalling in Burma simply to keep the Burma road open for as long as possible. Imperial troops, by moving substantial forces through the jungle from Chiang Mai in combination with strong forces that moved directly on Moulmein from Rahaeng, have essentially outmaneuvered the Allies. Lacking the seasoned forces to hold two fronts against strong aggressors, the Allies have moved back to the river crossing near Moulmein. If Imperial forces cross here they can likely be beaten. When Imperial forces finish their off-again on-again jungle and river crossing behind the Allied forces it will then be time to leave with all due speed. They are on a major road and so should be able to make good their escape. All bases behind them are hardened against para assault.

The Trenton Express is creeping toward safety, ships battered by the out of fuel condition. Detroit has fuel herself but is slower due to damage. Has the Empire given up pursuit to avoid a trap? Or is the Empire pursuing to spring its own trap? Yesterday there were very heavy radio transmissions monitored at Kwajalein - was the KB there refueling?