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

[jrcar]

21 Apr 1942 First attack at Savaii fairly good.

Subs

Burma
We call off the LRCAP. their bombers don't fly. Plenty of supply at Akyab, around 270AV and lvl 3 forts two engineer bn and an AA bn.

DEI
Sorebaya is cleared of mines.

Malang should fall next turn as another regiment moves in.

Ground combat at Malang (55,105)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4027 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 436

Defending force 4173 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 106



Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
25th Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
6th KNIL Regiment
Loemafjang Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
Malang Base Force

Pacific
We bombard Pago Pago. Bad weather stops KB flying,

Night Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed on ground

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CL Abukuma
CL Yura
CL Nagara


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


Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Their aircraft still fly, the two AP's will live.

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

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
SBD-1 Dauntless x 30


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Rakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Ise
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 3
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
SBD-1 Dauntless x 14


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 9 destroyed

Over Wellingto though we loose badly when part of KB launches at the port. Plane losses are high, with most units having only 1/3rd of their planes, but 2/3 of their crews... It wasn't worth it and they will retire...

Afternoon Air attack on Wellington , at 112,191

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 113 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 59



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 31


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed, 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 24 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1
DD Talbot, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 2

Savaii will fall to a shock attack next turn (a good thing as we are almost out of supply!).

Ground combat at Savaii (146,159)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7996 troops, 112 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 305

Defending force 3520 troops, 44 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 88

Japanese adjusted assault: 329

Allied adjusted defense: 112

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Formosa Inf. Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
Kimura Det
14th Army
48th Field Artillery Regiment

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

The Pago Pago invasion force is gathering... but need to soften the place up. They have re-oriented their subs to around Pago Pago... this is good for our shipping at Suva as we start to plan the withdrawel.



China
In the far south one of their units moves off the road an intp the forest, we will try to take the other unit ASAP.

[jrcar]

22 Apr 1942 Savaii Falls, Malang Doesn't Fall

Subs

Burma
Finally happy with the supply and troop position in Burma. Need another two div eventually but we have dug in largely unmolested. On the Border with China troops are moving... need to stop that.

Airforce is reasonable, aircrew are fairly good, Oscar nubers are low in the pool so we will continue to hold back from capping Akyab.

Their bombers hit the paras between Akyab and Cox's Bazaar. Akyab is repairing... temporary only.

Pulling resources oil and fuel nicely from Rangoon. Have a moderatly strong SCTF in the area, that will be reinforced by 2 CV's a CVE and 2-3 BB's in about a month.

Port Blair is a level 3 airfield and climbing.

DEI
Despite predictions Malang doesn't fall... next turn...

Ground combat at Malang (55,105)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12446 troops, 130 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 558

Defending force 4160 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 105

Japanese adjusted assault: 233

Allied adjusted defense: 184

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
601 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
361 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
25th Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
6th KNIL Regiment
Loemafjang Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
Malang Base Force

Pacific
Savaii falls to the shock attack, this is good as we are almost out of supply!

Ground combat at Savaii (146,159)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7805 troops, 112 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 287

Defending force 3159 troops, 44 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Japanese adjusted assault: 430

Allied adjusted defense: 70

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Savaii !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
313 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3759 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 324 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 55 (55 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 5


Assaulting units:
48th Engineer Regiment
2nd Formosa Inf. Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
Kimura Det
14th Army
48th Field Artillery Regiment

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

Pagp Pago force is manouvering, but need to bombard the defenders from the sea and air first.

Starting to withdraw from Suva.

Mini KB is about to rearm/refuel. The two parts of KB are joining up. These forces will cover the withdrawal.


China

The attack in the south fails, more force is on the way.

Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3985 troops, 65 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Defending force 8606 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 222

Japanese adjusted assault: 103

Allied adjusted defense: 121

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
1st Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps

[jrcar]

23 Apr 1942 Bad weather has an impact.

Subs

Burma
Due to cloud over their primary target, Akyab, the allied bombers move on to m=Mandaly, which is protected by 3 AA Bns and fighters...

Morning Air attack on 4th Ind. Engineer Regiment, at 59,46 (Mandalay)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17



Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 28
Wellington Ic x 15
B-17E Fortress x 15


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Wellington Ic: 8 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed by flak

We thank the wether gods for this diversion and opportunity to kill Allied bombers

More supply and troops are arriving.

DEI
Some bad die rolls see the attack at Malang fail,wether stops the 100 bombers flying in support as well...

Ground combat at Malang (55,105)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15623 troops, 156 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 531

Defending force 3905 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 94

Japanese adjusted assault: 368

Allied adjusted defense: 496

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
451 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 84 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
25th Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
6th KNIL Regiment
Banjoewangi Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Malang Base Force

Sorebaya is now open for operations and damaged ships and tankers for the SWPAC move in.

Pacific
Bad wetaher grounds our CV aircrew. An escaping TF of damaged xAP's from Savaii are detected and hit by serach aircraft but not engaged. Their bombers fly against an incoming BB bombardment TF.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Niue at 147,165

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4



Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 3
SBD-1 Dauntless x 7


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-1 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-1 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Niue at 147,165

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-1 Dauntless x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-1 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima

The invasion force is waiting to see the damage assessment before going in.

Mini KB rearms and refuels at Norfold Island from AKE and AO's.

Moving fuel forward to Tulagi.

China
We try an attack in the south but fail, more forces arrive during the turn so will try again next turn.

Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3818 troops, 65 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 498

Defending force 8533 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 219

Japanese adjusted assault: 83

Allied adjusted defense: 157

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
433 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
20th Engineer Regiment
74th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps

[jrcar]

The question is where are their CV's?

A dive bomber is detected off Wake, and so is a SCTF... they could be going in their...


NZ is full of troops, but Wake is only relatively lightly defended, so they probably could get the troops to go for it.

It would be a good move on their behalf... except they are sticking their neck out again...

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

24 Apr 1942 Invasion of Wake! Para drop succesful in China...

Subs

Burma
Bad weather stops the enemy bombers from flying.

DEI
Resting at Malang. Better weather next turn so with probably air support we will attack.

Moving engineers to Padang to did in a guard unit. Will build airfields at the base behind Padang.

Pacific
They invade Wake while we bombard in prep for a landing at Pago Pago.

At Wake they land 3 bns of Marine raiders... which are thrown back into the sea...

Night Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
BB Colorado

Japanese ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 21
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 5

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

64 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CL Hobart
APD Chew
APD Barker
APD Fox
APD Rathburne

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


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

Amphibious Assault at Wake Island

TF 168 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 136,98


Allied ground losses:
242 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


10 troops of a US Raider Squad lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Raider Bn /3

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

26 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Shell hits 2
CL Hobart
APD Rathburne

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1837 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 86

Defending force 1864 troops, 47 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 48

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

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


Allied ground losses:
664 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Bn /1
1st Marine Raider Bn /1
3rd Marine Raider Bn /1

Defending units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
50th JNAF Coy


At Pago Pago we bombard and finally get a coordinated strike with covering Zeros from Vava'u, and the two CV tf in the area. The rest of KB is 2 days sail away.

Night Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed on ground

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Kako
CL Tenryu
CL Kiso


Allied ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 70

BB Kirishima firing at Pago Pago
BB Hiei firing at Pago Pago
CA Kako firing at Pago Pago
CL Tenryu firing at 7th Marine Defense Battalion
7th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Tenryu
CL Kiso firing at 161st Infantry Regiment

Afternoon Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
B5N2 Kate x 49
D3A1 Val x 72



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
ACM Picket, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 35
Port hits 5

We land at Pago Pago next turn... should be interesting...


China
In China they had been building forces up on the border with Burma... these had to be coming from somewhere so after a week of reconing bases the paras are launched on a daring raid to seize the airfields and supply dumps of a apparently undefended base....

Ground combat at Tsuyung (68,46)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 193 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 7

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsuyung !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /1

Almost 20k in supply is captured! Will move in some troops via air... they wil eventually be lost but their aim is to eat as much as they can while they can. This cuts off resupply to China by air, and the loss of so many supplies will really hurt....

Overall a fantastic turn, Wake is succesfully held, Pago Pago is suitably prepped and we launch an effective strike in China...

We are worried about Pago Pago, 16 units are detected there, the initial landing is 3 Divs, with a 4th in floating reserve, and another 2 div preping on Fiji, but 5-6 days sail away... Fuel is now very low, but more will soon be on the way. Have enough suitable AKE to maintain the bombardments if we can get the fuel in... talk about a shoe string and just in time logistics!

Cheers

Rob

[Cribtop]

BANZAI [&o]. Daring raid in China. Loss of the use of 20K supply in starving China will HURT. Even if you fail to eat it, deny the enemy the supply link and the ability for access that much supply for say two months and ouch. Pago does sound like a tough nut. Anywhere with 16 LCUs is bound to have at least one full division if not two. OTOH perhaps an opportunity to bag a whole army of valuable Ami troops.

[jrcar]

25 Apr 1942

Subs
Sub attack near Perth at 48,147

Japanese Ships
SS I-124, hits 3

Allied Ships
PG Clive

Burma
The bombers come back to Akyab, trashing the airfield again.

DEI

Attack on Malang with air support makes progress.

Ground combat at Malang (55,105)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15708 troops, 156 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 539

Defending force 3480 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 79

Japanese adjusted assault: 350

Allied adjusted defense: 133

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
631 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
42nd Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
25th Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
6th KNIL Regiment
Banjoewangi Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Malang Base Force

Pacific
We land on Pago Pago. about a third of the force is unloaded. The enemy numbers are a bit highre than I thiought (was expecting only 1 regiment, not 2) so the reserve is comitted and more troops, armour and heavy guns, are loaded at Suva.

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

559 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CL Abukuma
CL Yura
CL Nagara
DD Minazuki
DD Urakaze
xAP Brazil Maru, Shell hits 4
AK Tosan Maru
DD Hamakaze
DD Yakaze

Japanese ground losses:
615 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


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

Amphibious Assault at Pago Pago

TF 94 troops unloading over beach at Pago Pago, 148,161

Japanese ground losses:
240 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10054 troops, 244 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 406

Defending force 8530 troops, 81 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 444

Japanese ground losses:
182 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Assaulting units:
754th Tank Bn /1
34th Infantry Regiment
Samoan Marine Battalion
161st Infantry Regiment
193rd Tank Bn /1
276th Cst Art Bn /1
7th Marine Defense Battalion
210th Coast AA Regiment
II US Fighter Cmnd
104th USN Base Force
1st USMC Air Wing Base Force
8th Marine Defense Battalion
70th Coast AA Regiment
31st Aviation Base Force
46th Const Rgt /2

Defending units:
19th Div /5
4th Div /1
53rd Div /2
16th Army /2

China
Our aircraft flying in to the city we captured are intercepted. The force that was looking at crossing into Burma from China has now turned around, this is good.

Cheers

Rob

[Cribtop]

So much for my theory. 16 LCUs with only about four stout combat units will eventually equal a stunning victory for Japan. Well done.

[jrcar]

Well we did recon by fire some time ago... I thought there was only one regiment then... I think they bought another in.

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

So much for my theory. 16 LCUs with only about four stout combat units will eventually equal a stunning victory for Japan. Well done.

[jrcar]

26 Apr 1942

Subs

Burma
The bombers come again this turn. Akyab is still open... so having rested most of the fighters the last couple of days I'm putting up a 80% LRCAP from 120 Oscars and about 30 Zeros to see how it goes getting bombers. We have lots of 7- trained pilots in reserve, generous numbers of airframes, so it is worth trying to give them a bloody nose...

Port Blair now has 36 Betty and 27 Zero and is soon to be a level 4 airfield (2-3 days).

More troops are arriving, a regt 100% preped for Akyab...

Thinking out shipping from Rangoon, loading lots of fuel, oil and resources.


DEI
Malang Falls, some troops will chase down the stragglers while about half head for Bandoeng immediately. The first assualt there should be in a bout a week.

Engineers arrive at Padang.


Pacific
We continue to land at Pago Pago suffering light casulties overall, but it looks like we will losse 2-3 xAP's to the enemeies guns (there are 2 Marines Defence Bns and the Cst Gun unit). At the end of the day our AV is 1000 to about 400.

The floating reserve will join with two tank regiments next turn, then land the turn after to bing it up to 4 Divs and 2 Tk regts. The BB TF should hit about the same time. All of KB is now in location, and Mini KB is 2 days away. More fuel is on the way.

The enemy shipping retires from Wake. A convoy of a BF and another Naval guard for Wake begin loading. A BF Bn is on the way to Marcus, and more forces are heading into the theatre as well... Time to really start putting the ground units in place.

Will free up some engineers from Korea to move to the Centpac to help dig in quicker... also need more supplies there.

Port Moresby airfield is fully open now, port is starting to reduce from 100% damaged.

China

Production
Kates and Vals are halted, 200 Val and 120 Kate are in the pools. So will save engines for a few days.

Helen production is going well, several uits have converted, keeping the Sally units as are and changing over the Sonia/Ann type units to Helen. Also producing Lily IIa, so Sally, Helen and Lily all in production, want to fully get rid of Ida/Sonia/Ann.

Accelerating TK's and DD's as well as the closer CV types.

Oil and fuel gathering going well, oil now sucked out of Sumatra to Singapore, and under 100k of fuel in Palembang and dropping. Have switched on 8k TK group to pulling oik from Rangoon. 350k of Fuel in Singapore now. Pulling resources and oil back to Kendari from Babo and Boela nicely as well. Fuel from Balikpapan and Tarakan going to Rabaul, Koepang and Kendari, building up tactical reserves in the later. Fuel from Brunei mostly going to Manila and Davao.

Converting many of the xAK-t ships back to full cargo types and slowly reorganising and rationalising convoys.

Resources really good, oil and fuel marginal, need to get more tankers in operation back to the home islands, but need to get fuel to the fleet in the SWPAC first.

[Cribtop]

Never enough TKs or DDs, eh?

[jrcar]

Cribtop certainly not, however considering we have lost only 3 DD's, and they have lost 26, I suspect they have more of a problem. We have lost one 8k and one 1.25k TK's, they have lost 2 9.7k, 6 7k and 7 smaller ones. But we are now operating on very extended lines in the SOPAC.

27 Apr 1942

Subs

Burma
They don't fly, so our CAP trap doesn't execute. Will try another day and rest.

A large stack, including Australians! Is moving on Akyab from Cox's Bazaar. We being to move in a third regiment 100% prepped. If we can keep the AV up I'm hoping we can hold the base and the forts.

DEI
Closing on the remnants of the Dutch on Java... a bit of hard fighting to go, but we can now free up Sallys for Burma if we wish.

Pacific
Continued landings at Pago Pago see 2 xAP sink, and a third become damaged to the CD guns. The escorts are out of ammo. The CV's fly at Pago Pago hitting the port, airfield and troops. Enemy aircraft put up only a token resistance, but FLAK causes a fair bit of damage. The BB's will hit next turn, then the second wave will land. We have 1200AV in good shape ashore but supplies are only marginal. Another 500AV will land in the second wave. A third is preparing but need the escorts due to the number of enemy sobs in the area.

China
We are pulling back and consolidating in the North, but preparing to advance in the south.

Rearanging forces and moving more troops in position in the CENTPAC. This looks like where they may push... however I think they have comitted a lot of free force in NZ, and they can't advance in the CENTPAC yet.

The movement in Burma is obvious, we want to hold them up on Akyab so we can get more troops (Supplies are now good) into theatre. They have ceased sending shipping past Ceylon since Port Blair was taken. A CV TF will depart Japan for the IO in 6 days once a second BB comes out of dry dock.

Starting to send ships into dock for upgrades. Manila is very busy doing this in particular. Have increased the repair yard at Sorebaya but supplies are very low, 30k is on the way.

Detecting the Aussies in Burma was good, takes a little presure off the defence of the DEI. Just need to keep them pined at Akyab... and cause ground casulties to the UK formations in the process. Soon medium bombers will congregate... some epic battles coming up!

The movement of the combat focus to Burma is welcome, plenty of fuel and our fleet can operate at full effectiveness from places like Rangoon.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

28 Apr 1942

Subs
This TF was carying troops from Savaii. The CA is at 27 Float and should get home OK.

ASW attack near Savaii at 146,160

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Torpedo hits 1
CL Kuma
AMC Bankok Maru
CM Okinoshima
DD Asanagi

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Burma
Their aircraft again don't fly, so our aircraft are set to minimum to rest for a turn or two. Akyab is recovering again.

DEI
No change.

Pacific
Last turn B-17 hit Rabaul, they lost at least one to the CAP over Rabaul. We decided to stay, and the enemy doesn't fly this turn, and the airfield recovers a little.

We have a CA Tf heading to an east coast target...

Around Pago Pago the two parts of KB kook up. Mini KB is a day away. This frees up CV Junyo and CVE Unyo to head towards the Indian Ocean.

The sea bombardment of Pago Pago doesn't do a lot, nor does the air bombardment. Next trun the second wave will run in to Pago Pago while the ships from the first wave head back.

Night Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

42 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Kako
CL Tenryu
CL Kiso
DD Kuretake
DD Amatsukaze
DD Isokaze


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

Afternoon Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5N2 Kate x 68
D3A1 Val x 65



Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 16 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Port hits 1

Also attacking 161st Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 31st Aviation Base Force ...
Also attacking 1st USMC Air Wing Base Force ...
Also attacking 8th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking II US Fighter Cmnd ...
Also attacking 8th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 8th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 7th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 34th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 46th Const Rgt /2 ...
Also attacking 7th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Samoan Marine Battalion ...
Also attacking 34th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 34th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 7th Marine Defense Battalion ...
Also attacking 34th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...
Also attacking 161st Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 70th Coast AA Regiment ...
Also attacking Pago Pago ...

We now have plenty of supply, and 2 of the 3 divs are in great shape. The third needs another day or two, may wait for the 4th dive to start landing.

An enemy TF is detected at Christmass Island, it has a BB... They may be waiting for KB to run low or sorties... She will rearm/refuel shortly though.

China
Quiet.

[jrcar]

Here is southern China. After probing in a few locations we are trying for Nanning with forces freed up from Korea, and eventually bound for Burma...

[jrcar]

In the north we have advanced and withdrawn back. We don't have the combat power at the moment. Trying to starve the Chinese to make sure they don't grow out of control...

May need to with draw back further in an effort to entice them out. If they don't follow then we can break contact and concentrate somewhere else...

Otherwsie will be content to get small "wins" of trashing units here and there where we can until we can create a combat advantage.

[jrcar]

29 Apr 1942
subs

Burma
Lots of Blenheims try to attack a FT TF off Akyab grining in a third regiment... they fail. I dodn't have any LRCAP over it sod it, would have bagged a lot of 'em!

We sweep the unit nth of Akyab, get a Buffalo for our troubles and identify the 46th Indian Brigade. Helens will bomb next turn.



DEI

We capture the second last base in Java, only Bandong to go.


Ground combat at Loemadjang (56,106)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3493 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 121

Defending force 1404 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Japanese adjusted assault: 59

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 59 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Loemadjang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), fatigue(-)


Allied ground losses:
1937 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 172 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 44 (44 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4


Assaulting units:
42nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
6th KNIL Regiment
Banjoewangi Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Malang Base Force


Pacific
They trash Port Moresby, time to pull the oscars out. But we get 1-2 B-17.

KB has little impact at Pago Pago.

Afternoon Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 128 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
B5N2 Kate x 63
D3A1 Val x 64



Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 13 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 21 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak



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

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Air squadrons are rotated off the CV's to Suva to fill up with planes and highly trained pilots. The CV's have plenty of sorties, but low on Torps, so they need to rearm in a few days.

Next turn a 4th Div, 2 tk regts and a medium gun regt will land at Pago Pago.

[jrcar]

30 Apr 1942 Second wave lands on Pago Pago

Subs
ASW attack near Samah at 68,61

Japanese Ships
xAK Seattle Maru
xAK Canberra Maru
DD Tachikaze

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish, hits 2

Burma
Escorted Helens attack the 46th Indian Bde 1 hex nth of Akyab, a CAPing Buffalo is lost, and light damage caused to the Indians. We will continue to harass, it looks like they may try to move out into the jungle...

Akyab is swept and hit by bombers trashing the airfield.

A CA Bombardment TF slips out from Rangoon to hit Cox's Bazaar.


DEI
I thought that enough force has arrived at Bandoeng to "give it a go" ... I was wrong:

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24317 troops, 267 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 849

Defending force 21317 troops, 321 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 638

Japanese adjusted assault: 467

Allied adjusted defense: 2548

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
3253 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 220 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
148th Infantry Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
22nd Recon Rgt /3
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
1st Regt Cavalerie
Afdeling Ritman
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
KNIL Army Command
Merak Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Kalidjati Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force


Pacific
The second wave lands at Pago Pago taking light casulties in the process. The TF incuded DMS that swept mines, but were engaged by the CD guns, and a DD hit a mine. Several tpts were moderately hit, however at the end of the day another 300AV was ashore brining the total to around 1700.

B-17 Resume the air offinsive over Port Moresby. Rufe and LRCAP Oscar harass them and may have shot 1-2 down. PM is basically closed again as an airfield.

A CA bombardment TF begins the run in to Brisbane...

Lord Howe Island is taken.

China
Pulling back to see if we can entice them out.

[jrcar]

01 May 1942 First attack at Pago Pago

Subs
They do good this turn, luckily the TKs are empty and while one is badly (64 flt) damaged at worst we should only loos one of them... and we got their sub...

Sub attack near Tandjoengselor at 69,93

Japanese Ships
TK Hoyo Maru
DD Sagiri
E Ishigaki
TK Toa Maru, Torpedo hits 1
TK Kaizyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS O24, hits 11, on fire, heavy damage (forced to the surface and sunk)

Sub attack near Tandjoengselor at 69,94

Japanese Ships
TK Kaizyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
SS O19


We got our own back... sort of..

Submarine attack near Palm Island at 93,143

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64

Allied Ships
xAKL Coolana, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Burma
We again attack the Indian Bde, they hit Akyab. Damage as per yesterday They use 80 aircraft sweeping...

DEI
We lick our wounds and think...

Pacific
Pago Pago almost falls on the first attack. A shock attack tomorrow should seal the deal.

Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42476 troops, 458 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 1754

Defending force 15826 troops, 405 guns, 379 vehicles, Assault Value = 404

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2879

Allied adjusted defense: 765

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2812 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 151 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 124 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 32 (9 destroyed, 23 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
780 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 102 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (2 destroyed, 42 disabled)


Assaulting units:
19th Division
53rd Division
38th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
4th Division
7th Tank Regiment
16th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Samoan Marine Battalion
161st Infantry Regiment
754th Tank Bn /1
193rd Tank Bn /1
34th Infantry Regiment
276th Cst Art Bn /1
7th Marine Defense Battalion
70th Coast AA Regiment
II US Fighter Cmnd
104th USN Base Force
8th Marine Defense Battalion
31st Aviation Base Force
210th Coast AA Regiment
1st USMC Air Wing Base Force
46th Const Rgt /2

Tha bombardment TF hits Brisbane. It stayed around (I thought I'd turn off do not retire... but I didn't). Their aircraft weren't on Naval attack, but we didn't get any of the ships in the potrt that we had detected.

Naval bombardment of Brisbane at 96,160 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CA Myoko


Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 76
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA Mikuma firing at 21/22 Field Regiment
CA Ashigara firing at Brisbane
CA Haguro firing at 2nd Australian Division
CA Myoko firing at Brisbane Fortress
Brisbane Fortress firing at CA Myoko

China
No Change

[jrcar]

Tony and I had a planning meeting.

We are getting concerned about forces in Burma,and now that Pago Pago is about to wrap up we will do some major troop movements.

On Java 4 Regts and lots of Arty will seige Bandoeng while 2-3 Daitai of Sally will work it over. The Imperial Guards Division will move to Batavia then head to Burma.

In the South Pacific once Pago Pago falls we will set up Fiji, Tulagi/Lunga and Rabaul with a div each, and have Naval Guard-regt out posts on key islands, with smaller forces in between as a decepytion measure.

We would like to get another unit into Port Moresby.

In the Centpac we will continue to deploy the Naval guard units out onto islands, with key concentrations at Tarawa, Nauru, Kusaie and Roi Namur/Kwaljelon. More engineers are on the way from Korea, and some will move from the SOPAC operations.

Aleutions will remain a low priority, although forces are prepping for the central islands.

KB is taking aircraft and pilot replacements, mini KB and KB are currently co-located and will escort the divisions out of the SOPAC.

2-3 of these Divisions will head to Burma, 1 to Sumatra, 1 to Java.

A new miniKB- is forming of 2 CV and a CVE with suitable esorts to operate in the Indian Ocean.

We will continue to feight against the Australian coast, may even start "prepping" units...


We think we have gained 3-6 months of relatively low activity in the Pacific, we have already dug in to at least level 3 forts on our main bases, and intend to hold "outposts" so they can't follow on our shirt tails as we depart the theatre.

We will then plan to deep raid with all of KB to get behind likely form up locations and sink convoys. Our ISR plan will bein to realign from the current early warning defensive one to a more offensive orientation to detect these locations and conduct pattern analysis.

Cheers

Rob

[SuluSea]

It's very easy to follow this AAR and I'm sure it will help ease the pain of learning this side, great job.