Last Stand at San Diego (no Richard please)

[ADB123]

December 4, 1942 -

The Night Phase brought no action...

Now, that isn't unusual in this match, but I had three subs sitting in the Torres Straight “choke point” hexes.

So much for “choke points”; the only “choking” was done by my sub skippers who couldn't find the KB as it sailed past without a care in the world. The KB is now sitting a couple of hexes due south of Port Moresby and continuing its leisurely voyage towards New Caledonia.

Daylight brought the Royal Air Force 2E Bombers out of hibernation, along with assorted USAAF 2Es that have been spending the war on ASW patrol. There was no Enemy CAP over northern Burma, so my Bombers had a clear approach to hitting the Japanese Infantry Units in the jungle near Akyab.

First in were 28 Wellingtons and 43 Blenheims, escorted by 11 Hurricanes. All of the bombers found the Mark and caused a good number of Japanese casualties. Next 12 Mitchells and 12 more Wellingtons flew in and hit the Japanese troops again. Sure, I'm not going to wipe out a couple of Japanese Infantry Regiments this way, but this kind of attack will keep my opponent thinking, particularly since I didn't send out the 4Es or the P-38s.

The 4Es did go out in Australia and hit the Air Base at Katherine again. Once more there were no Japanese Fighters on CAP, so the USAAF Heavies got some good target practice. The first run was done by 12 B-17Fs and 18 B-17Es. They hammered the Runways hard and scored hits on the other Air Base facilities too. Then 12 more B-17Es flew in and hit the runways, followed by 12 more B17Es that also hit the target.

So I'm resting everyone except for the Recon Squadrons next turn. Its time to find more targets.

[ADB123]

December 5, 1942 -

There was no Night Action again. The Allied subs sailed slowly home from Torres Straight in quiet ignominy.

Daylight brought the IJAAF back into action in Burma. First off 9 Tojos Swept over Ledo and faced 16 Hurricane IIcs. The British pilots shot up the Tojos nicely, sending one down and the rest home.

Then the Main Event flew in all the way from Rangoon; 70 Helens and 5 Lilies escorted by 40 Oscars. The Japanese onslaught was faced by 8 Hurricanes. Two Oscars were shot down by the British pilots and a Helen was shot down by the recently installed AA unit. The Japanese bombers scored some minor Air Base hits.

The 9 Nicks, 10 Lilies and 11 Tojos flew in and faced 2 Hurricanes. The Japanese planes got past the British Fighters and the Flak, but they still only scored a few hits on the Air Base and facilities.

Finally, a Sweep by 27 Tojos came in and found the skies empty.

The End-of-the-Day results were as follows:

5 Oscars lost – 3 A-to-A, 2 Ops
4 Tojos lost – 1 A-to-A and 3 Ops
3 Helens lost – 1 Flak and 2 Ops

1 Hurricane IIc lost to Ops

I still haven't figured out why my opponent keeps on going after Ledo, but I guess that it is better than if he were going after an important Air Base. In any event, I ordered another Engineering unit to Take the Train to Ledo to help out the repair efforts.

Once again I have ordered the P-38s and the 4Es to go after Mandalay next turn. It would be nice if the Weather cooperated and let my planes fly while my opponent still has his planes at the Air Base there. [8|]

In other news, the KB was spotted at Tagula Island this turn. The TF is still heading southeast towards New Caledonia, but it is staying well away from my forces in Australia.

I've ordered the 4Es in Australia to fly out next turn too. I may as well have their pilots get more practice.

[ADB123]

December 6, 1942 -

The Night Phase saw Dutch sub KXVIII hit and sink a PB in a Japanese TF at Koumac. Another PB in the same TF then found KXVIII and hit it several times with depth charges. So KXVIII is on its way back to Port.

Daylight brought the USAAF attacks on Mandalay, and of course, my opponent had already pulled out his planes. Never-the-less, the attacks were quite satisfying. First came the Fighter Sweeps: 24 P-38Es, followed by 24 P-38Gs, followed by 25 P-38Fs. Then the 4Es came in: 16 B-17Fs and 12 B24Ds, followed by 16 B-17Es, followed by 12 B-24Ds. The Bombers all hit the Air Base, Air Base Supply and Runways well.

This won't stop my opponent from “popping up” again some other turn, but it will cause him to burn some supply and time. In any event, I am trying for a Repeat Performance next turn at Myitkyina. We'll see if I get lucky.

Meanwhile in Australia Katherine received 4E Attention as 31 B-17Es and 12 B-17Fs, followed by 8 more B-17Es hit the Runways again. This is a Long Run for my 4Es so I sat them out to rest and repair again.

And Broome received a Visitation from B-24Ds again; first from 23 of the big bombers, and then by 6 Stragglers. The Runways at Broome are halfway to being closed, but I sat down my B-24s for next turn, other than a few that I sent off to fly Recon over the base.

In other news, the first Allied LCU reached Cox's Bazar this turn. A large number more will join it soon. I don't know if my opponent is aware of my moves in this area yet.

Back in Oz, my Recon reported a drop in the number of troops in Katherine. I don't know if the Japanese Armoured Division that was there has moved back to Darwin or is moving forward in the desert.

And the main KB vanished into Stealth Mode this turn. Since my Naval Search planes spotted the Mini-KB withdrawing away from New Caledonia I'm betting that the main KB is taking its place.

[ADB123]

December 7, 1942 –

There was no Night Action again this turn.

Daylight brought an attack on a new Allied 4E Target – Port Blair. The Air Base there was attacked by 23 British Liberator II bombers. The Brits were met by 9 Zeros on CAP. The Rookie Brit pilots did well for themselves and hit the Air Fields nicely. Two bombers had to be written off when they got home but no pilots were lost.

Then the USAAF Attack on Myitkyina went in “backwards” as the 4Es preceded the Fighters, but there was no Japanese CAP so things worked out okay. Once again the Bad Weather split up the US attacks. The bombers came in three waves – 12 B24Ds and 14 B-17Es first, followed by 13 B-17Fs, and finally 12 more B-24Ds. All of the bombers hit their target well, but since there were no enemy combat planes on the ground the overall attack was still a bit disappointing.

Afterwards the P-38s flew in one squadron at a time. At least they are getting regular practice without losses.

At the end of the day Dutch sub KXIV attempted to sneak in on a Japanese Transport TF at Koumac, but the sub was chased away by DDs in the Japanese TF. The sub received no damage, so I sent it a little ways away to see if it can get some TF in passing.

The whole situation in the South Pacific is very odd. It doesn’t appear that my opponent is actually landing any troops at Koumac. I get the feeling that the entire operation is an attempt to get me to send my CVs into a trap. The Region has absolutely no strategic value as far as my plans go at this time, so I have no intention of spending any time, effort or Forces on attempts to stop the Japanese from spreading out so thin, so far from home. My focus for the next six months will be Northern Australia, Burma, and the North and I have no good reason to divert any attention from those Theaters.

Speaking of Northern Oz, it appears that my opponent is pulling troops out of Katherine, likely in response to my 4E campaign. To “help” him with that decision I ordered the 4Es to hit Katherine again next turn.

[ADB123]

December 8, 1942 -

The Night Phase saw a Japanese 3-SC ASW TF attempt to chase off the S-boat that I've had sitting at Paramushiro-jima for the past couple of weeks. The SCs couldn't find the sub, but I decided that it was low enough on fuel to send back to the Aleutians for a fill-up. I'll send another S-boat back in a couple of days.

Daylight saw impossibly heavy rain most everywhere on the map. Many of my Recon flights didn't fly, but my 4Es in India did fly and attack the Air Base at Magwe. There was no CAP but there was some Flak, so a few bombers received minor damage. I'm sitting them all out for the next turn.

In northern Australia a group of Oscars buzzed Daly Waters, but with the lousy weather the bombers that are back in Darwin didn't fly. I toyed with the idea of sending some B-24Ds to hit the Air Base at Darwin, but the flight would be at their Limit and I don't like to fly 4Es into heavy Fighter cover at extreme range. So the Japanese will likely bomb Daly Waters again next turn, but I've got more units there now, so the Japanese planes ought to run into some Flak.

Otherwise, things are pretty quiet, particularly in China where we've settled down into what appears to be an undeclared armistice. Meanwhile, in the South Pacific, the Japanese activity around Koumac continues, and continues to be an enigma. I'm just happy that my opponent is putting units way down there and not in the Kuriles or Sakalin.

And more LCUs moved into Cox's Bazar this turn. I've moved a Hurricane IIc squadron to Chittagong in order to discourage Japanese Air Interest in the vacinity. I'm going to build up the facilities at Cox's Bazar before I move on Akyab.

[ADB123]

December 9, 1942 -

There was no Night Action again. However, my Fleet subs will be finishing with their upgrades soon, so by early January they will be back on Patrol, and with improved torpedoes too.

Daylight saw slightly better weather and more Recon Flights from both sides. But in addition to Recon Flights the Australian 4Es took off to hit the Japanese.

First off a couple of new B-24D squadrons flew out of one of my many big Air Bases to hit the Air Base at Katherine again. The 22 Bombers hit the Air Base good, particularly considering that they haven't had that much live Bombing practice. There was no Japanese CAP.

Later on the more experienced B-17 pilots took off to hit the Air Base at Katherine some more. This attack consisted of 33 B-17Es and 9 B-17Fs. Again the Air Base was hit hard.

Then the Rookies in Western Oz hit the Air Base at Broome again. The first wave consisted of 15 B24Ds, followed by 15 more. This was another good Bombing Run and the Air Base and Runways were hit hard again.

Afterwards INTEL reported that there was one Japanese LCU at Broome, signs of some unidentified Aircraft, and two APDs in Port. I sent RN Trusty over to check things out in the hopes of getting a clearer picture.

BTW – the Japanese Bombers pulled out of Darwin again without attempting an attack.

I sat down my Australian 4Es, except for a couple of squadrons that I set to Long Range Recon, and set my Indian 4Es to attack the Air Base at Myitkyina again next turn.

I expect most of the rest of December 1942 to continue this way, barring some unexpected moves on the part of the Japanese.

[ADB123]

December 10, 1942 -

The Night Phase saw RN Trusty unsuccessfully attempt to sneak by the Escorts in the Japanese TF at Broome. Trusty was spotted and hit several times with depth charges. So Trusty is now on the slow trip back to Port and Repairs.

Daylight saw Recon Flights in great numbers over the two active Fronts – Northern Australia and the Indo-Burma region. After lots of “looking”, US 4Es in India got into action over Myitkyina. The Bombers came in three waves, first 11 B-24Ds and 15 B-17Fs, then 15 B-17Es, followed by 12 B-24Ds. There was no CAP and the Flak was negliable. All bombers hit their target well.

Afterwards, INTEL reported that the 2 IJA Infantry units that have been sitting in the jungle at the end of the trail just to the east of Akyab are starting to move southwards. If they continue going, this will make my eventual move into Akyab even easier.

And next turn, Weather Permitting, B-24Ds will open up a Third Front, some 3 or so weeks earlier than originally planned.

[ADB123]

December 11, 1942 -

Japanese troops showed up at the empty base at Waingapoe during the Night and started to land. My opponent must have prepared the invading troops for the base because there were none of the usual reports of troops and equipment being lost during the landing.

Daylight brought out hordes of Recon Planes from both sides, and also brought out Allied Air Attacks.

The initial set of attacks came at Lashio as Fighter Sweeps and Bomber runs all flew. First in were 17 P-38Es which found 12 Tojos on CAP and a half dozen Nicks that were on Training but attempted to join the Air Battle. The Lightnings had no trouble with the Tojos and shot down 1 while damaging others.

Next 25 P-38Gs flew in and faced 7 Tojos and again a half dozen Nicks trying to join from Training flights. This time the US pilots shot down 3 of the Tojos.

Then 25 P-38Fs flew in but there were no more Japanese Fighters in the sky.

The 4Es came in next, with the first wave containing 23 B-24Ds and 14 B-17Fs. This time the half dozen Nicks that flew out of Training Flights were able to engage the Heavies, damaging a couple but not shooting any done.

Finally 15 B-17Es flew in and faced a lone Nick. All-in-all, the 4Es had reasonably good runs and they hit the Air Base at Lashio well.

The action then switched to a new Front, as 24 B-17Ds flew in to hit the Air Fields at Paramushiro-jima. The Japanese CAP consisted of 9 Oscars. The Oscars attacked the Liberators, but didn't stop the 4Es from hitting their target.

At the End-of-the-Day the results were as follows:

8 Tojos lost – 6 A-to-A, 2 Ops
1 Oscar lost to Ops

2 B-24Ds lost to Ops

I will increase the pressure on the Eastern Kuriles over the next few weeks.

[ADB123]

December 12, 1942 -

The Night Phase saw the Japanese invaders of Waingapoe continue to land unmolested. However, a great number of US Fleet subs finished upgrades this turn and have been ordered back onto Combat Patrols, so the Night situation ought to start to change soon.

My opponent has been commenting upon the repetitiveness of our turns recently, and promised to change things. This turn he attempted his change, and he received a nasty surprise instead as Japanese planes attacked Chungking.

Ah, its just the Chinese, you might think to yourself, and so did my opponent as he planned this attack, but my pilots in Chungking have been training for a year and have upgraded to the very best planes that China can muster, so the surprise was on my opponent.

First in was a Sweep of 27 Oscars. They were met by 28 P-43A1 Lancers, 7 H81-A3s, and 36 P-66 Vanguards. The Japanese were swarmed by the Chinese fighters and 6 Oscars were lost at the cost of 2 P-66s.

Then the main Japanese attack flew in – 33 Ki-IIa Sallys, 21 Ki-Ic Sallys, 28 Ki-IIa Lilys and 24 Oscars on Escort. They were met by 24 P43-A1s, 5 H81-A3s, and 28 P-66s. The Chinese fighters blasted past the Escorts and slugged it out with the Bombers. The Japanese lost 1 Ic Sally, 2 IIa Sallys, 4 Oscars and 4 Lilys. The bombers did get to bomb the Air Base, causing some damage and destroying 1 H81-A3 and 1 A-29A Hudson on the ground.

Finally 3 more Oscars flew in and faced 3 H81s, 14 P-43As and 15 P-66s. An Oscar was shot down and 1 P-66 lost.

At the End-of-the-Day the results were as follows:

27 Oscars lost – 26 A-to-A and 1 Ops
5 Ki48-IIa Lilys lost – 4 A-to-A and 1 Ops
5 Ki-21-IIa Sallys lost – 4 A-to-A and 1 Ops
2 Ki-21-Ic Sallys lost – both A-to-A

6 P-66 Vanguards lost – 4 A-to-A and 2 to Ops
1 H81-A3 lost – on the ground
1 A-29A Hudson lost – on the ground.

I only lost 2 pilots in the fight.

Facing that Defeat, my opponent then got to watch my 4Es in Australia do their rounds again. First off the canyon where the Air Base at Katherine used to be got bigger as 11 B-17Fs and 30 B-17Es, followed by 12 more B-17Es hammered the target again with no CAP in sight.

Then 30 B-24Ds hit Broome again and increased the damage there. I'm not certain that there are any more Japanese troops in Broome.

At the end of the day Japanese troops captured Waingapoe. That's fine, I don't mind having more targets. [:D]

[ADB123]

December 13, 1942 -

Not too unexpectedly, after the action last turn things went fairly quiet this turn.

The Night Phase saw Dutch sub KXIV fire off some torpedoes at an APD in a big Transport TF that was leaving Koumac, but the torpedoes missed. The Escorts in the TF didn't miss and KXIV is now limping back to Port for repairs.

Daylight saw plenty of Recon Flights, but no Combat Flights, except for some B-24Ds that hit the Air base at Broome again. I didn't intend for those planes to fly a bombing mission, but along the way I forgot to switch them over to a Recon Flight.

The Allies received a number of new LCUs this turn, including more Engineering units. This group of Engineers will be sent to the Far East.

And for some reason there are several Tfs full of small Japanese Patrol ships in Paramushiro-jima and the next island to the west. I'm not sure why they are there unless my opponent is hoping to deter some of my subs, or else interfere with any potential US Combat TF showing up.

[ADB123]

December 14, 1942 –

The Night Phase saw Dutch sub O21 caught by the Escorts in a Transport TF near Espirito Santa and chased away. Fortunately, O21 suffered minor damage and can remain on station.

The situation in the region remains “strange” in many ways. There are still various Japanese TFs sailing around and some Japanese troops on the ground at Koumac, but the base hasn’t been expanded, nor have any Air Units been brought to the base. This looks more and more like it was planned as a trap rather than a significant advance. My SIGINT has been reporting that the Japanese have troops spread out all over their Empire, so maybe my opponent is just too spread out to do much more in New Caledonia. In any event, it remains irrelevant to my strategy so I’ll keep Patrol AC and subs in the region, but nothing else.

Daylight brought 4Es over Mandalay again. There was no Japanese CAP, and Flak was light, so the US bombers hit the Air Base well, and even destroyed a Dinah on the ground. There were two waves of bombers – 11 B-24Ds and 16 B-17Es in the first wave and 12 B-24Ds and 15 B-17Fs in the second wave. A few bombers took minor damage but none were lost.

More importantly, Paramushiro-jima was hit again by B-24Ds from the Aleutians. Despite Winter Weather 23 B-24Ds attacked the Air Base and were met by 18 Oscars. The Bomber crews mirrored the work of their colleagues in Oz and the Far East by shooting down on Oscar and hitting the Air Base and environs. I left the Liberators set to fly again next turn, because in 2 more turns a major change in the US War Ops should occur in the region.

At the end of the day USN S-34 was chased by the Escorts in a sizable Transport TF at Paramushiro-jima. The Escorts didn’t catch the US sub so it is staying in place for now.

Finally, a number of Allied reinforcements arrived at various locations around the map, including the first 3 Combat CVEs for the USN. They will sail up to San Diego from the Panama Canal and prepare for introduction into the War in the New Year.

[ADB123]

December 15, 1942 -

It was a busy night in the Eastern Kuriles. The Escorts in the big Japanese Transport TF at Paramushiro-jima started out by chasing off S-34 again. Then over at Onnekotan-jima S-45 put a torpedo into an SC in an ASW TF. Later on the Escorts back at Paramushiro-jima roughed up S-46 and sent it back to Port, but I've got plenty of S-Boats in the area so more are coming in to take the place of S-46.

Daylight brought lots of Recon everywhere, but the 4Es in the Aleutians didn't fly this time. I've left them set to fly and we'll see what happens next turn.

The Northern Strike Force escaped detection again this turn may be in range to attack next turn – we'll see what the weather brings.

Next turn I'm also dropping Paratroops into Corunna Downs. The Japanese never captured that base so my opponent may not be alerted by that move.

Otherwise, Bases keep on Growing, and Forces keep on Moving into Position.

[ADB123]

December 16, 1942 -

My opponent got back from a weekend camping, so we are back at the match again.

Night Time saw the empty island of Belop occuppied by the Japanese. It sits just north of Koumac. Speaking of New Caledonia – it appears that my opponent intends to march some troops down to Noumea instead of invading.

The other Night action was way up north as S-45 shot some torpedoes and missed a PB at Onnekotan-jima. S-45 will now go back for more torpedoes and another couple of subs will take its place.

Daylight brought multiple 4E raids on Katherine. The bombers went in scattered groups, but there was no CAP and all of the bombers hit the Air Base nicely. It appears that my opponent is sending more troops down to Katherine, so he obviously wants to fight it out there.

B-24s flew over Paramushiro-jima again this turn. The 23 Liberators were met by 15 Oscars, but the 4Es got by the Japanese Fighters easily and hit the Air Base. The Main Event didn't get into action this turn, but it ought to next turn, and I believe that it is still undetected by the Japanese. But it is also likely that the Japanese Transport TF has left Paramushiro-jima.

A squadron of B-24s also hit the Japanese Infantry Regiment that is just east of Akyab. At first I couldn't figure out why no other 4Es flew, but afterwards I checked and found out that I had forgotten to set them to attack.

And back in New Caledonia, the lone, little xAKL that I had sent to re-supply Noumea was caught by the Mini-KB and sunk by bombs from some Vals. But the ship had unloaded most of its supplies before it went down.

BTW – all of my planned units have reached Cox's Harbor and will rest up a bit before I more on Akyab.

[ADB123]

December 17, 1942 -

There was no Night Action this turn.

Daylight brought about the beginning of the serious part of the Allied Northern Campaign as the Pride of the US Navy got into action against the Enemy for the first time in nearly a year. Planes from the USS Enterprise and USS Saratoga flew off into the skies over Paramushiro-jima in search of the Enemy on the Seas, on the Land, and in the Air.

My opponent commented that this was the first time that his Search Planes had spotted any US CVs in a very long time.

After how things went, it will be the last time he sees US CVs in another very long time. [8|]

The first attack saw 18 F4F-4 Wildcats from the Enterprise Sweep in over Paramushiro-jima at maximum altitude. The Crack USN Fighter Pilots were met by 18 Ki-43-IIa Oscars. I've grown accustomed to seeing USAAF Fighters clear the skies of Enemy Fighters, and I was expecting my USN Pilots to do the same.

Instead, the IJAAF Fighter Pilots beat the daylights out of the USN Fighter Pilots, shooting down 3 Wildcats for the loss of 1 Oscar II. [X(]

Next 5 Straggler Wildcats Swept in and faced 2 Oscar IIs. The Oscar Pilots once again jumped all over their USN opponents, although no planes were shot down during the battle.

Then the Main Event flew in as 25 Wildcats escorted in 22 SBD-3s, 11 SBD-2s and 9 Avengers. (Given that it is Winter, and the Weather was lousy, this wasn't too bad an attack for two US CVs in one TF.) The attack was met by 15 Oscar IIs. Once again the Oscar Pilots jumped all over the Wildcats, shooting down 3 more for the loss of 1 Oscar II. But the Wildcats filled their Escort rolls well and the USN bombers were able to attack the Air Base and Port (because all of the Japanese TFs in the region had already Gotten Out of Dodge). The USN bombers caused minor damage to the Air Base and Port and surprisingly, all returned to their CVs safely. [&o]

At the End-of-the-Day, the results came in, and they could only be described as Pathetic:

14 F4F-4 Wildcats lost – 11 A-to-A, 3 Ops

6 Ki-43-IIa Oscars lost – 5 A-to-A, 1 Ops

Some post-attack thoughts:

1 – I am very glad that the US Attack wasn't supporting an invasion

2 – I can now well understand how many Allied players in pbem matches get their heads handed to them on a plate during 1942 CV to CV battles

3 – I'm not going to bother sending the US CVs out on any more offensive missions until they are equiped with Hellcats

4 – Thus, it's up to the USAAF to shoulder the load in the Air for the next 6 months

[ADB123]

December 18, 1942 -

The Night Phase saw Japanese sub I-3 get USS Enterprise in its sights while the US CV TF sailed dejectedly away from the Kuriles. The sub fired off a volley of torpedoes, but surprisingly the torpedoes missed. In a way' a hit or two would have been an appropriate epilogue to this sorry adventure.

BTW – my opponent is razzing me about his Oscar IIs. I guess that he is pleased to finally have some Fighters that outclass the Allies again.

Otherwise, things were quiet with the exception of multiple Recon Flights on both sides. However, next turn, Weather Permitting, I will challenge the Japanese Fighters again with the best weapons the Allies currently have at their disposal – 4Es and P-38s.

[ADB123]

December 19, 1942 –

I will be traveling without my game pc for most of the next 10 days or so, so I’ve alerted my pbem opponents to be ready for an extended break from our matches. My opponent in this match replied that I “went out with a bang” this turn. And so I did, although it wasn’t quite as big a bang as it could have been.

The Night Phase was quiet, and then the USAAF got into action in all three Fronts.

First off, 27 B-17Es, 9 B-17Fs, and 33 B-24Ds went into the throat of the Enemy Air Defense at Darwin. The 4Es were met by 45 A6M3s, 13 Ki-43-Ic Oscars, and 11 Ki-45-KAIa Nicks. The 4Es blasted through the Japanese CAP, shooting down several fighters, and then hit the Air Base hard, destroying a number of planes on the ground and almost closing the Runways.

Next, a Straggler flight of 7 more B-17Es flew in and faced 39 A6M3s, 7 Oscar Ics and 7 Nicks. The Forts blasted through the CAP again, shooting down one Zero and hitting the Runways again.

But there was something missing – two squadrons of P-38s had been set to Sweep Darwin, but they didn’t fly.

The Action shifted up North as 23 B-24Ds hit the Airfields at Paramushiro-jima. The Liberators were met by 14 A6M2 Zeros. The 4Es shot down two Zeros and hit the Airbase and Runways hard. But the question remains – where did the Oscar IIs go, and why did my opponent put A6M2s in their place?

Finally, the Burmese Front saw the USAAF in Action over Toungoo as 25 P-38Gs Swept in. They were met by 51 Tojos, 13 Oscar Is and 7 Nicks. The Lightnings shot down 3 Tojos and 1 Oscar.

Then 25 P-38Fs Swept in and were met by 43 Tojos, 11 Oscar Is and 6 Nicks. This time the Lightnings shot down 4 Tojos and 1 Oscar.

But then, as with the Darwin raid, the rest of the Attack didn’t fly. Another P-38 squadron had orders to Sweep Toungoo, and the Indian 4Es were supposed to bomb the Air Fields. But none of them flew.

Never-the-less it was a good day in the Air as the USAAF continued to demonstrate its mastery over the Japanese. Below I’ve pasted the Air Losses screen to show the end-of-day summary.

[ADB123]

December 20, 1942 -

The Night Phase saw the dot base Memboro get automatically occupied by the Japanese.

Daylight saw lots of Recon flying everywhere, and then late in the afternoon the Allied Air Force in India got into action over the two Japanese Infantry Regiments that sit in the jungle near Akyab.

First in were some RAF Hurricanes that found no CAP. Then 12 B-24s flew in, followed by 16 B-17Es, and hit the Japanese troops to the East of Akyab.

Next, 12 B-24Ds and 16 B-17Fs flew in together to hit the Japanese troops to the Southeast of Akyab. All of the bombers hit their targets nicely and flew home safely.

My opponent is starting to fly Recon over Cox's Bazaar regularly, so he must know by now that I've got a large contingent of troops sitting there. They are busy building up the Base and preparing for Akyab, so it won't be long before they get on the march into Enemy-controlled territory.

So that's it for me for this week, as I take off again and won't be back for another week. I should then be around without interruption for a couple of months.

[ADB123]

December 21, 1942 –

A return to play saw action only in the South Pacific.

During the Night Phase USS Halibut was chased away from a large transport TF near the Belep Islands. Halibut didn't get a chance to fire at any targets, and the Japanese Escorts didn't find Halibut with their depth charges.

The Day Phase saw Lots and Lots of Aerial Recon, but no Air Attacks.

But then at the end of the Day, a Japanese Raider Regiment paradropped onto empty La Foa, next to Noumea. So my opponent continues to edge southwards, bit-by-bit, in an attempt to draw some sort of reaction from me.

Well, sorry, but my "reactions" are too busy sailing to Oz, the Burmese border, and the western Aleutians to bother with the Far South Pacific.

[ADB123]

December 22, 1942 –

There was no Night Action, and other than Recon Flights, no Day Action either until the end of the day when USS Searaven fired a couple of torpedoes at an E-class at Koumac and missed. The E-class couldn’t find Searaven either, so it wasn’t so bad in the end.

My opponent appears to be doing some major maneuvering in Burma; with troops apparently being pulled back a bit while a Really Big Air buildup is occurring at Toungoo. If my Air Recon is correct there are something like 176 Fighters at Toungoo, and 159 “aux” planes – likely bombers on Training or Resting there too.

So it looks as if my opponent is planning to try to overwhelm my Air Defenses again somewhere along the Front in Burma. I’ve decided to ignore this for now and instead ordered my 4-Es out on various Long Range Recon missions, and also to hit the Japanese Infantry troops in the jungle near Akyab again.

I’m having the usual “fun” with the Game’s “mis”-application of supplies in India, so it will be a couple of weeks before I get enough supplies in Cox’s Bazaar to start to move forward. Thus it will be January before my Ground forces get on the move.

In the meanwhile, I’ve got a large number of new units arriving in Australia during the next couple of weeks, so I should be on the move again there in January too.

Finally, my opponent continues to present minimal Forces in the eastern Kuriles, so my raids will also become more persistent in January as I also get more forces and supplies to the Front there.

January 1943 ought to be a bit more interesting.

[ADB123]

December 23, 1942 –

The Night Phase saw the Skipper of the USS Searaven get good marks for persistence, but bad marks for luck and skill. The sub spotted a DMS at Koumac and fired a couple of duds at it. The DMS crew couldn’t find the sub, so Searaven came back a little while later to try again. Once more the DMS was hit by a dud, but this time the Japanese ASW crew found the US ship, and now Searaven is limping back to Port for repairs.

The Day Phase started out with a number of wash-outs as far as Air Action went, then in the afternoon the 4Es in India set out after the Japanese Infantry Regiment that is sitting to the East of Akyab. The 4Es came in two attacks, the first consisting of 12 B-24Ds and 16 B-17Es, and the second substituting 16 B-17Fs for the B-17Es. All of the US Heavies found their target and hit the Japanese troops hard.

Finally, at the end of the day S-28 was chased by a PB at Paramushiro-jima. The sub then came back and took at shot at an SC, but missed. The sub got away without being found, but it is heading back to Port anyway in order to re-load torpedoes and fuel.

Otherwise, it continues to be a matter of waiting for Ships to arrive at Port, and Trains to arrive at Stations.