Clear-Cutting AE (No Treespider)

[witpqs]

Port Blair Falls

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1942-05-26

Port Blair fell today. BB Fuso and friends showed up at Umnak, unseen before hand, and did moderate damage to the port and light damage to the airfield.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Umnak Island at 169,51, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CL Naka
CL Jintsu

Allied Ships
AM Bellechasse, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AM Bayfield, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
AM Bayfield sunk by BB Fuso at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
AM Bellechasse sunk by BB Fuso at 15,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Umnak Island at 169,51 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CL Jintsu
CL Naka

Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 2

BB Fuso firing at Umnak Island
CA Kako firing at Umnak Island
CA Kinugasa firing at Umnak Island
CA Aoba firing at 1/30th Coastal Artillery Battalion
1/30th Coastal Artillery Battalion firing at CA Aoba
CL Jintsu firing at 1/30th Coastal Artillery Battalion
CL Naka firing at 1/30th Coastal Artillery Battalion

[witpqs]

xAKL Beats SS

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1942-05-27

No bases fell today. The captain of SS O24 is returning to port for repairs with his tail between his legs. Enough said.

It seems the IJN bombardment force that hit Umnak Island came in far north around search coverage. All damage to the base has been repaired, and the Imperial fuel burned was worth more than the two aircraft destroyed, all in all a successful rope-a-dope.

Among the defenders at Clark Field only 8 units have any supplies on hand at all. Here is an overview map.

[witpqs]

Clark Field Falls

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1942-05-28

Clark Field and Panggoe fell today. Yen-cheng was liberated.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 55539 troops, 683 guns, 351 vehicles, Assault Value = 1499

Defending force 38306 troops, 644 guns, 207 vehicles, Assault Value = 711

Japanese adjusted assault: 1321

Allied adjusted defense: 388

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Clark Field !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Allied losses

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

Japanese ground losses:
1342 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 90 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
13132 casualties reported
Squads: 628 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1010 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 136 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 269 (269 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 173 (173 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 35
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
48th Division
38th Division
21st Division
16th Division
4th Division
4th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
1st/45th PS Inf Battalion
51st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
71st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st PA Infantry Division
3rd/45th PS Inf Battalion
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
31st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
2nd/45th PS Inf Battalion
4th Marine Regiment
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
Clark Field AAF Base Force
USAFFE
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
201st PA Construction Battalion
I Philippine Corps
Cavite USN Base Force
Provisional GMC Grp
1st USMC AA Battalion
803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
Nichols Field AAF Base Force
14th PS Engineer Regiment
II Philippine Corps
Far East USAAF
1st PI Base Force
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

2 units were destroyed and 35 units retreated to Bataan. They will last just about as long as it takes the Imperial troops to march there. Their unadjusted AV is 401, no supplies at the base, and all of the units put together have a total of 1 supply. Fortifications are at level 2, but even still the first attack should bring a mass surrender.

[witpqs]

Distant Stirrings

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1942-05-29

No Bases fell today. The last few days have seen a load of maintenance - pilot training, movement of squadrons, movement of LCUs, etc. June 1st will bring a ton of squadron withdrawals. Many are in Australia, so some effort has gone into making certain that possible para-drop targets are protected.

At least one Imperial unit was seen moving down Burma in the direction of Rangoon. Perhaps troops will reinforce Akyab by ship? Several Allied squadrons will be arriving in range of the Burma border over the next few days, including three full P-40E units. Just a few days later the P-38E squadron currently at Bombay will be filled out and ready to begin sweep duties after deploying forward. Together they should allow the bombing of Akyab to resume with better effect. If the IJN shows up to bring troops into Akyab, the newly increased numbers of Allied fighters might also enable the Vildebeests to get a few torpedoes on target.

An IJN xAP was also seen at Attu Island, although it's unclear if they bring troops or remove them. Regiments that have been preparing for the liberation of the Aleutians are being brought forward to Dutch Harbor and Umnak Island to stiffen their defense while they finish their preparation. Additional air groups have been brought north, and while fully trained in ground attack they are training in naval attack. A second PBY group was also brought up and will deploy to Cold Bay as soon as a pair of AVDs makes port. An additional base will be prepared behind Dutch Harbor as a contingency airfield should Umnak be invaded. The USN battleship force is at Bremerton awaiting June upgrades, while its destroyers are finishing their April upgrades. The DDs will escort the aforementioned troops deploying forward while the BBs upgrade. A force of CLs and DDs is nearing Dutch harbor, but would likely be pulled back if the heavy Imperial force makes another sortie.

[witpqs]

Stirrings and Arrivals

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1942-05-30

No Bases fell today. O19 and O20 laid mines at Port Blair, but O19 was attacked and damaged. There is no indication that O20 was spotted, so the event might be interpreted as a sub attack (which did occur) rather than a mine laying run. Many units arrived, including some nice Australian base forces for NE Australia. Tomorrow many air units will withdraw. SigInt says the 54th Division is loaded aboard a ship at Saipan. But are they embarking or disembarking?

The Chinese force at Ichang continues to be maneuvered against, and now a force of unknown composition is moving on Changsha.

[witpqs]

Departures

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1942-05-31

Yen-cheng fell today. The operation to liberate it even temporarily freed a pathway for perhaps 1,000 tons of supply to flow from the four producing towns which had been cut off. 19 air groups withdraw for the coming day (this orders phase).

Scouting reports show the Imperial army moving toward the woods outside Changsha is a substantial force.

[witpqs]

The Quiet

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1942-06-01

No bases fell today. The Imperial army has arrived at GR:83,52 just outside Changsha, and one more IJA unit is on the way. We have 1,779 AV there with another 315 arriving tomorrow. This might simply be a fixing force, with the main thrust coming at Ichang to isolate and destroy that army, or even penetrate through to Patung and points beyond.

The Aleutians
+ One regiment and one combat engineer unit are loaded at Seattle and will rendezvous with the destroyers from Bremerton and proceed to Umnak. An I-boat has been sighted about 80nm W of Victoria, so an evasive route will be used.
+ A USMC Para Bn is already at sea on APDs and will forward deploy to Atka Island just 80nm E of Adak. Their job will be to hold the base - a potential level 5 airfield - until engineers and additional troops can arrive. If Atka Island begins operating as a tactical airbase then Adak Island will be untenable for the Empire. The convoy will refuel at Kodiak and then proceed to a point ESE Atka, making a high-speed run from there.
+ An engineer unit is a few days out from Akutan Island, a potential level 4 airfield 20nm NE of Dutch Harbor. They will construct fortifications and then commence building the airfield as a contingency in case the Empire mounts a major offensive against Umnak Island.
+ A defensive minefield will be laid tomorrow at Umnak Island.
+ Offensive minefields are being laid by submarines at Adak Island and Attu Island.
+ Further units will be brought forward as mention previously, as escorts are available (the same destroyers guarding the present Umnak convoy).

[witpqs]

Maneuvers in China

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1942-06-02

No bases fell today. The minefields have been placed at Adak and Attu. Let's see what they catch. The minefield at Port Blair was discovered yesterday so probably will do no damage to Imperial shipping.

B-17s hit Adak to day and found the enemy fighters present to be Rufes. They managed to leave the airfield with 10% damage, and after today's raid the two squadrons will alternate one each day to keep up the pressure.

The Imperial host at GR:83,52 is five solid divisions, 1,924 AV versus our 2,101 AV. The terrain is x2, and most of the Chinese units have fortifications built. Still, that balance is dangerously close and the Empire might break through, especially as they have another unit on the way. In spite of that, the Imperial troops are withdrawing, including the unit that was still approaching. Three of the "police units" that had reconstituted at Chungking began today making their way NE from Changsha to threaten encirclement of the Imperial army, albeit a very weal encirclement. Did this threat dissuade the Empire? They might have had little Intel on exactly what is on the move.

Ground combat at 83,52 (near Changsha)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9849 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1924

Defending force 67257 troops, 411 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2101

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

Assaulting units:
35th Division
68th Division
3rd Division
6th Division
63rd Division

Defending units:
86th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
50th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
10th Group Army
23rd Group Army
30th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

The map highlights the Imperial units on the move or recently seen on the move.

[witpqs]

Mysterious Maneuvers

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1942-06-03

No bases fell today. The minefield at Port Blair is either gone or mostly so due to the Empire sweeping efforts. No victims known, but perhaps it slowed them down a bit. The minefields at Adak and Attu remain undiscovered so far as the Intel monkeys can tell.

The Imperial maneuvers continue apace in China. The only thing really clear is the increasing pressure on the forces at Ichang. The constant bombing is hell on supplies all over China, too. Getting one AVG squadron to take replacements and the other to upgrade to a new plane type (the H81-A3 pool being exhausted) has proved impossible. Moving them to India for upgrade would requite paying PP, something I am loath to do with their withdrawal date of July 4. Now that there are several USA squadrons deployed on the Burma India frontier, the third AVG squadron will redeploy to China. Perhaps in two days all three AVG squadrons can pull off an ambush on some unescorted Imperial bombers. The good news is that those Chinese troops being bombarded constantly by the Empire's artillery have gained nicely in experience, far beyond what they could gain in more than two years of training. The Chinese army at Ichang, for example:

[witpqs]

Musings

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1942-06-04

No bases fell today. In China there have been several changes in Imperial actions and dispositions. Forces near Changsha were only bomber lightly. Perhaps weather was an issue, but bombing in China was light overall compared to recent experience. Imperial AV dropped in Ichang, from well over 1,600 to 1,200+. No artillery bombardment at GR:83,53, which had been a fixture for months. Combined with the recent movements noted, there is clearly some major redeployment of Imperial assets underway. Just what that is we must determine before the critical time. They do seem to be driving on Kanshien, which has been lightly defended and will remain so.

The Aleutians.

[witpqs]

Aleutians Again

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1942-06-05

Ramree Island fell today. A weird little happening in the Aleutians - an Imperial force has stopped short of Umnak Island. But it appears small, too small to be an invasion force, and is unaccompanied.

[Capt. Harlock]

A weird little happening in the Aleutians - an Imperial force has stopped short of Umnak Island. But it appears small, too small to be an invasion force, and is unaccompanied.

That is rather odd. Maybe it was meant to be a raiding force, and was slowed by weather or some other random factor?

[witpqs]

Yeah, a slightly better scouting report on it this turn showed at least one heavy cruiser. Can't be certain why it came up short.

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Bengal Fury

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1942-06-06

Subic Bay and Babar fell today. IJN CAs Mikuma and Mogami bombarded Chittagong today, probably just to make clear that they can. Damage was very light and scouting Intel was modest.

Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami

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

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for CA Mikuma
CA Mikuma firing at 23rd Indian Division
CA Mogami firing at 23rd Indian Division

That IJN TF that had parked 40nm away from Umnak retreated 360nm (9 hexes) to the west. Were they there to spook the Allied build up, or was that a bombardment mission gone awry? Hudsons attacked and lost three, one to flak and two to the float fighters out of Adak.

The Allies - all American, actually - swept and bombed Akyab, doing an estimated 23% runway damage and running into no fighter opposition. A repeat planned for tomorrow.

A picket/patrol sub engaged a convoy that rounded Eastern New Guinea and headed toward Port Moresby. Those dud torpedoes are a drag.

[witpqs]

Sweeps Over Chungking

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1942-06-07

No bases fell today. Numerous Imperial Oscar sweeps appeared over Chungking, taking roughly 10 P-40Es for a like number of Oscars. Only 2 Allied pilots were lost on the day. The second day's attack on Akyab went as well as the first. Tomorrow's recon should give an accurate picture of the damage. The Imperial host has arrived at Bataan. Intel says the minefield at Attu has claimed a victim:

TF 411 encounters mine field at Attu Island (153,49)

Japanese Ships
APD Nadakaze, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

2 mines cleared

[witpqs]

The Fall of Bataan

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1942-06-08

Bataan fell today. Taberfane was invaded. Oscar sweeps again over Chungking were effective enough in that they took down P-39s in roughly the same numbers as the two Oscar models lost (about a dozen). The surprise was the continued effectiveness of the Rufes at Adak against the B-17Es. Overall only 4 Allied pilots were lost today, although 9 were wounded and 1 is MIA. The fall of Bataan puts almost 36,000 more Allied troops in the bag for the Empire.

The good news is that the army from Burma is now streaming out of the jungle into Ledo, although the base forces will take a good deal longer. There have been no harassing Imperial air attacks. Akyab airfield scouts as 51% damaged and will like get another dose in two days.

Troops and supplies will begin unloading tomorrow at Umnak and Akutan. There are no pending interruptions seen by naval search.

[witpqs]

IJN Turns to LSD

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1942-06-09

Taberfane fell today. CV Wasp, BB North Carolina and escorts arrived at the Panama Canal. A few hundred miles north of Truk, USN SS Trout took shots at Imperial LSD Akitsu Maru and scored with dud torpedoes. Meanwhile, I-20 used 2 working torpedoes on AO Guadalupe just off Christmas Island. She had just offload here cargo of fuel to make Pearl Harbor for upgrades. Now she will attempt to make port at Christmas Island and remain afloat.

Heavy bombing of Darwin resumed. The two units remaining there have been fully supplied by submarines from both east and west Australian coasts, and fighters at Katherine and points beyond refuse to respond to sweeps.

This combat was very small but still somehow interesting:

Ground combat at 84,56 (near Fuchow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1071 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 261 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 17

Allied adjusted defense: 16

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

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

Assaulting units:
13th RGC Temp./C Division

Defending units:
HKCC Pol. Sect.

The whereabouts of the IJN LSD.

[witpqs]

Chungking Bombed

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1942-06-10

No bases fell today. Chungking saw the sweeps joined by bombers. The base sustained minor damage and about 4 planes were destroyed on the ground. The fighters were still all stood down both to avoid the sweeps and to make ready. Yesterday there were finally enough supplies in Chungking to upgrade one AVG squadron and take replacements in the two others, although one is still at half strength. The hope is to get them all in the air at once. The attacks on Darwin continue, as do ours on Myitkyina. A run on Akyab is planned for tomorrow.

The Empire is slowly but surely spotting more of our ships in the Aleutians, but troops and engineers finished unloading at Umnak and engineers at Akutan. Combat engineers and troops are on the way to Akutan and troops to Dutch harbor. In two days USMC paras will set up a forward base to worry Adak, and tonight should see heavy cruisers bombard Adak itself.

[Capt. Harlock]

tonight should see heavy cruisers bombard Adak itself.

Good shooting!

[witpqs]

Pretty fair shooting, but the base was hit more lightly than the invaders themselves!

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Aleutians Warming Up

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1942-06-11

No bases fell today. The bombing raid on Akyab was grounded by weather, but the sweeps went in and found empty skies. The skies over Chungking were crowded with fighters, but the Imperial bombers stayed home. The Chinese fighters were on duty, and while they took a number of attackers down with them they still got the worst of it.

The bombardment of Adak hit the target, loosing most of its fury on the ground troops.

Night Naval bombardment of Adak Island at 162,52

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 26

CA Vincennes firing at Adak Island
CA San Francisco firing at Adak Island
CA Minneapolis firing at Adak Island

[Capt. Harlock]

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 26

CA Vincennes firing at Adak Island
CA San Francisco firing at Adak Island
CA Minneapolis firing at Adak Island

Excellent work! I've always had a fondness for those Astoria-class CA's. They were the only decently armored heavy cruisers still within the 10,000 ton treaty limit.