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

[jrcar]

13 August 1942 Great intel!


Indicators and Warnings
Well we have found the enemies amphib fleet... This looks big enough for the anticipated 4 divisions that they can put into an amphib assault...

ASW attack near Brisbane at 96,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-7, hits 1

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun
DMS Hovey
APD Rathburne
APD Sands
APD Gilmer
APD Little
APD Chew
APD Fox
APD Barker
AP Crescent City
AP Thomas Jefferson
AP President Hayes
AP President Jackson
AP U.S. Grant
AP Heywood
AP Hunter Liggett
AP W.A. Holbrook
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Zeilin
AK Castor
AK Procyon
AK Arcturus
AK Almaack
AK Algorab
AK Alchiba
AK Fomalhaut
AK Bellatrix
xAP Matua
xAP Maori
xAP Rangatira
xAP Mataroa
xAP Rangitiki
xAP Tjisadane
xAP Poelau Laut
xAP Noordam
xAP Klipfontein
xAP Sarpedonia
xAP Maui
xAP Santa Paula
xAP Monterey
xAK Mariso
xAK Modjekerto
xAK Exhibitor
xAK Exchange
xAK Mount McKinley
xAK Harpoon
xAK Red Jacket
xAK Sea Hound
xAK Sea Fox
xAK Peter Kerr
xAK Henry S Grove
KV Quesnel
DMS Wasmuth
DMS Long
DMS Dorsey


Subs

Burma

Lashaio is hit again.

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 148 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19


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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 29

DEI

OZ

Pacific

PM is trashed... is this the objective, or meerly the flank screen for a movement into the DEI?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 44
B-17F Fortress x 3


No Allied losses



Airbase hits 32
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 220

Regardless more troops are flown into PM via large float transport, lmost 300AV and level 3 forts means it is a tough, but not impossible, nut to crack...

China

[jrcar]

14 Aug 1942, more great intel!

Indicators and Warnings
This TF is picked up, it end up a hex East of Cairns, a direct line for a run in to PM.

ASW attack near Palm Island at 94,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Colorado
CA Minneapolis
CL Honolulu
CL Concord
DD Ellet
DD Gridley
DD Mugford
DD Cushing
DD Sterett
DD Stack
DD Lang

Subs

Burma
Everythings comes at Lashio, not much is at home and it is a nuisence, but due to the long range 3 medium bombers are ops losses. Our fighters down two more transports from their new base.

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 115 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 11
B-26 Marauder x 27


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15-II Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 126

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15-II Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 122 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 29


No Allied losses



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 91

DEI
Over 100 naval strike aircraft and 50 fighters depart the DEI heading to the coming confrontation in the SWPAC...

OZ
Darin continues to be trashed.


Pacific
PM is left alone this turn.

China
We trash some more coprs around Ichang, then hold out in rough terrain nicely, our troops vow to not let them pass. Our counterattack force is on the way. Hold on chaps!

Ground combat at 82,47 (near Ichang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 78777 troops, 756 guns, 565 vehicles, Assault Value = 2763

Defending force 15654 troops, 150 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 320

Japanese adjusted assault: 3777

Allied adjusted defense: 190

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1316 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 25 (2 destroyed, 23 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
6675 casualties reported
Squads: 266 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 463 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Division
41st Division
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
11th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
36th Division
116th Division
13th Division
13th RGC Temp. Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
China Expeditionary Army
North China Area Army
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
8th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
20th Group Army


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

Ground combat at 86,42 (near Loyang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30752 troops, 238 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1303

Defending force 4719 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 169

Allied adjusted assault: 501

Japanese adjusted defense: 442

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
540 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
61st Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade

[jrcar]

Thoughts

Well the battle lines are now draw, it looks like all the pieces on both sides are coming together at a single point in space and time.

We have reviewed our strategy and are satisfied. We have created the position that they enemy has no capacity for simultaneous multi divisional amphib operations. We have forced them to commit to a single climatic battle. Our ISR plan has worked very well, we know where, we know rougly when and we are confident that they aren't hitting anywhare else... or if they do we don't really care.

Our immediate objective is to sink the invasion fleet, hopefully before they can land enough force to take PM.

The secondary objective is their CV force, which should end up spent defending the amphib fleet (well that is the plan....).

We have concentrated almost all available assets, fighters, bombers, CV and fleet units. We maintain small reaction forces in the Indian ocean and DEI... but that is about it.

PM has enough troops that it will tae 3 solid divisions to take it. Anything less and we should be able to create at least a drawn out battle well within the reach of our bases...

How many days to go...


On another note turning off some armament production has had a dramatic effect on creating a positive HI balance. Armaments are still going up, but much more slowly now.

[jrcar]

Sorry for the OPSEC. Loose lips sink ships you know

[ny59giants]

IMO, its too early to try to take PM back. Even if he is able to recapture PM, how will he get in any follow up forces and supplies there?? They are smart in building up Portland Roads to be able to use P-38s and 2 engine bombers to suppress PM.

Looking forward to some more information as this battle unfolds.
BANZAI!!

[Cribtop]

IMHO a classic case of letting the enemy appear to have the initiative while preparing to use it against them Judo style. Good luck.

[jrcar]

Gents thanks for the comments

15 August 1942 CVL/CVE raid paysoff nicely.

Indicators and Warnings
Enemy shipping appears to have returned to Townsville and is concentrating there. They are conducting heavy ASW ops off Townsville.

Subs

More intel
ASW attack near Sydney at 90,167

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 5

Allied Ships
DD Clark
CA Portland
CL Helena
DD Dale
DD Hull

Burma

We hit Akyab, they hit Lashio. Our aircraft at Lashio need to move. We intercept their transports flying to China but not appear to kill anything.

Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 12



DEI
The counterinvasion force for PM is now loaded in assault shipping and moving to position...

OZ
They are falling back from Nooknbah. For several months we have been daily boming a Cav Bde that has sat across the river from our reinforced company in Nookanbah. This unit appears to be pulling out, we will continue to bomb.

Nth Australia is basically ours. We have light forces here, but they are backed up be heavier ones. We continue to pull resources and slowly dig in.

I hope to move some paras this way to start raiding deep into Australia....

Pacific
A CVL/CVE raiding forces runs across some tankers. We have now sunk around 25 enemy tankers, of which half are "big" ones, and really important.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rimatara at 162,184

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 24



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DM Pruitt, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Osthav
TK Gulfbreeze, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Aristophanes, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DM Tracy
DM Montgomery

China

We loose the second round to overwhelming numbers, I think we ran out of bullets!

Ground combat at 86,42 (near Loyang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30289 troops, 238 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1258

Defending force 4327 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134

Allied adjusted assault: 472

Japanese adjusted defense: 193

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1445 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
652 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
61st Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade



We have around 700 CV based aircraft, 400 land based fighters and around 300 and growing naval strike aircraft readying for them to make a move in the SWPAC.

[jrcar]

Received an interesting post from our opponant last night

Can you please explain to me why I have the feeling I am having my chain jerked. That I am being channelled into doing exactly what it is you are wanting me to do. What's causing that sense of foreboding?  Then again should I really care? Should I do the Ulysses S Grant thing, embrace the pain and take on the evil empire in a grinding game of brutal attrition knowing numbers will overcome brains in the end. Help me fight the overwhelming urge to do something completely left field just to rebel against the puppet masters.

For the record Mark you are currently doing what we considered was the most likely approach. If you then go into the DEI that is probably the most dangerous. Either way the first essential step, taking PM,  is the same.

We are being intel led though, using our subs as ISR assets. You are quiet everywhere else, except the NORPAC, so this has been shaping up to the main effort... and we have prepared accordingly!

Still going to be quiet close though...

Cheers

Rob

[ny59giants]

As an Allied player, I us any dual capacity xAKs (cargo and liquid) as tankers. If they have lost that many TK/AO already, then any kind of operation will be limited to one that will not eat up lots of fuel. Even though I am months behind, I can easily move enough supplies. The Allies Achilles heel is fuel. I would look to impose stronger interdiction methods to make this situation even worse.  

[jrcar]

Thanks for the feedback, we agree about fuel. The Allies have significant capacity, but have to ship it a long way... hence the benefit of a Central Pacific strategy (disadvantage is nasty defended islands...)

We have deliberately "blockaded" Perth, to force transports from Arabia having to go further... we haven't detected a Convoy at Perth in moths, so this has been succesful.

We have recently moved Emilys to Christmas Island in an attempt to detect any long range convoys (however we haven't noted any convoys to/past Ceylon using our ISR assets). We have a TF ready to intercept... however it looks like they aren't shipping fuel that way to Oz.

Instead it looks like they have moved all the large long distance TK to a westcoat/Oz route... hence the CVL raid... however this is much more dangerous for us than raiding in the Indian Ocean.

Regardless we have forced all convoys to take the long route around. While we can't stop them this is causing 2-3 weeks extra transit time per convoy, which effects their ability to build up forces in a compounding manner. In this way we have probably caused about a months delay so far.

Considering their is still no recon on our bases at Pago Pago, Fiji, New Caledonia this delay effect will continue for some time. Meanwhile we are drawing those garrisons down now, alhough Fiji will be held as a base to raid from a while longer.

Killing tankers was something we wanted to achieve, they are high value targets, however it is something that to effectively prosecute would have taken our attention off other things. So they are more a target we attempt to prosecute in amongst other activities... so far fairly succesfully!

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

16 Aug 1942

Indicators and Warnings
All has gone quiet shipping wise off OZ. ASW Tf are detected, but the rest of the ships appear to be tucked up in bed.

Subs
The hunter becomes the hunter... she sinks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Prome at 52,50

Japanese Ships
PB Muroran Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Ogashima

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bassein at 51,52

Japanese Ships
PB Konei Maru
PB Ogashima

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish, hits 1

Burma
We hit Akyab. They trash Myitkyina causing over 250 hits on the base, killing two Dinah in the process. Our fighters had moved though. Another day where more important bases dig in/expand.

Our air strength is gaining, but we need more fighters.. we have the air units.

DEI
Merauke is swpet by P-38E against a light Zero CAP over a TF unloading supply. We loose a zero. No strikes follow up and supply is almost fully unloaded. This base is in a good state for a while now.

Strike aircraft continue to congregate in the East DEI... moving East for the winter?


OZ

Pacific
Tony continues to sink TK's

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rimatara at 166,182

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 12



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Belita, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DM Tracy, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Osthav, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rimatara at 166,182

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 8



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Osthav, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK Marpessa, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires



Thats another 3 TK's sunk.

China


Economy
Supply in the home island continues to be critical. Heavy Industry points are now increasing nicely, plus Sorebaya HI is now fully repaired, and Singapore is getting closer.

We have sucked Sakhalin dry of resource, now moving to maintence mode.

We are striping Hokkaido of resources well, and also shipping out supply to Honshu.

Oil reserves in the HI continue to grow, and fuel (which is still dropping) is about to get a big lift as about 200,000 units are inbound over the next few weeks. We did the right thing focusing on fuel to the Pacific, and switched at about the right time to the home islands.

Our resource levels in the HI are stable, but I think we will need the resources we are stripping from Oz (Port Hedland) and the Pacific (Nauru)to generate a surplus.

We are drawing resources down very well everywhere, but there isn't any easy targets now, need to continue to adjust and optimise.

Cheers
Rob

[jrcar]

17 Aug 1942 Very Quiet.

Indicators and Warnings

Subs
One of our big TK's manages to survive a sub attack in the DEI... not looking forward to their torps working...


Burma
We hit Akyab, starting to close the airfield down. A BB Tf slips port.

They trash Myitkyina.

DEI

OZ

Pacific

We miss the remenants of the TK Tf we hit over the previous two days.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Maiao at 170,179

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 16



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DM Montgomery

China

[jrcar]

Placeholder to describe 17-26 August at a later date.

[jrcar]

26 August

Indicators and Warnings

The move to Horn Island supports a push to relieve Darwin or conduct ops in the DEI.

Subs

Burma
We try puuting up a big fighter CAP as they are sweeping with only 1 or 2 units, then sending in 2E bombers... the theory worked... except our aircraft got blown away

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 53



Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
70th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 27 on standby, 0 scrambling)
27 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 45



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
68th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
22 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

A BB Tf hits Coxs Bazaar. Otherwise Burma remains quiet, more BF have recently arrived and frts and airfields continue to grow.

DEI
Forces head East to the SWPAC area.

OZ
Lots of shiping at Townsville.

Pacific
See image below.

A large and well protected (BB's) TF has moved to Horn Island, and appears to have landed troops (now showing 5 units), supplies and are clearing the airfields... fighters are now operating there.

Behind them their CV forces appear to be LRCAPing this force.

Two other DD Tf are conducting ASW ops.

We are swinging KB down the back of PNG with the aim of swinging around the bottom of PNG and try to strike their TF from long range. We couldn't sit out the back of PNG as they were at range 8, and then our Kates couldn't fly with torps.

All our air is now concentrated... however after this turn, where almost half of our torps were used to sink 3 DD... we aren't so confindent.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 96,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
B5N2 Kate x 14



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Isis
APD Stewart

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 96,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 126
B5N2 Kate x 106



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
APD Stewart
DD Sims, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Cummings, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Mahan, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Isis
DD Nizam



China
We are reorienting, and trying to take a city in the far north... both sides are getting around 1:1 odds, we are bombing to help our cause.

Ground combat at Kiuchuan (82,26)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1758 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Defending force 330 troops, 0 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Allied adjusted assault: 24

Japanese adjusted defense: 15

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)


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


Assaulting units:
259th Brigade

Defending units:
15th Tank Regiment

[jrcar]

Intelligence Assessment
The bulk of the enemy combat fleet is located vicinity Nth Oz - Deduction - Main effort

Forces have landed at Horn Island and have re-established air cover - This is unexpected, and indicates a possible Nth OZ-DEI strategy.

The rest of the area is quiet.

It looks like the enemy is attempting to bypass the "killing ground" we had set up at Port Moresby... bugger!

We deduce the enemy is trying to free up the passage to Darwin, and advance through our weaker area of the DEI (Bastard has read about our game with Nik and Joe!)


Outline Plan
Rather than engage the enemy fleet under their air umbrella, and with the support of a large number of Naval attack aircraft KB will retire to the DEI.

We will invade Darwin, then retire back with the bulk of our fleet.

If they do then turn back to the SWPAC we will sail KB up, trash Nth Oz and attempte to penetrate their rear (no snickers.... or Mars Bars).

If they were trying to go to the DEI this will blunt them.

We are flying in an extra regiment to Merauke.

Port Moresby is now about 450AV.


We have a niggling worry about them advancing via sea to Sumatra. We have a picket line of subs out, and still count over 70 units on the India/Burma border... so we don't belive it is likely at the moment.

[ny59giants]

You can land and build up the dot base just to the NE of Darwin rather than invade if they have huge number of troops there. They cannot supply Darwin except by sea. It can go to a very large size. Where are your Air HQ in that area of the SRA??

[jrcar]

Thanks NY59

Darwin has been cut off and bombed daily for the last 8 months or so. Only the original troops are there, we have 3 full strength Divs.

What we aim to do is demoralise and delay, we own the rest of the Nth Oz coast west of Wyndham.

We have two airHQ inbound, but our defences are quite thin... apart from the strategic reserve of 4 + divs we had at Sorebaya.

We can then counter back to close the entrance to the DEI, we intend to hold Merauke now.


Basically we expected him to go to PM, but were concerned he would go this way as we are the most vulnerable. We want to head that off and try to convince him to fight up through the SWPAC, where we are nicely dug in.

[jrcar]

27 Aug 1942

Indicators and Warnings
Transports are detected off Ceylon, but they will make poor assault shipping. We think they have been moved out from Ceylon... but could be moving forward...

A CV is also deteced in the Bay Of bengal, maybe trying to hit our BB TF... or maybe just damaged and heading out of the Bay of Bengal...

Subs

This TF could be an invasion force...

ASW attack near Trivandrum at 26,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-155, hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
KV Cyclamen
AP Leonard Wood
xAP Dunedin Star
xAP Dilwara
xAP Moreton Bay
xAP Mount Vernon
xAP West Point
xAK Gard
xAK Steaua Romania
xAK City of Lille
xAK Loch Ranza
xAK Karoa
xAK Elysia
xAK Clan Mactavish
xAK Caithness
DD Van Ghent

Burma
Lots of fighter sweeps. Overall our losses are similar, but slightly in their advantage. No bombers follow up. Most of these fighters come from Chittagong.

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 54
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 4 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 32



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16


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

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Afternoon Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 45



Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 2 destroyed

Afternoon Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 43



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed


DEI

OZ

Pacific
KB moves back towards Lae and refuses battle with their CV's. We hoped to bag some more DD's. Instead we were attacked at very long range by B17, we get around 10 of them and dodge the bombs.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 99,127

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 132
A6M2-N Rufe x 12



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi

Morning Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 99,127

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 105
A6M2-N Rufe x 12



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 99,127

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 129
A6M2-N Rufe x 12



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu


China




The Tojo IIb moves up another month, that is two months early so far.

The Tojo IIa start arriving in a few days.


Supply, fuel, Oil and resources are all improving in the Home Islands. We have turned the corner of the "tight" situation and things should improve from now on.

[ny59giants]

P38s are great on sweeps, not so good on CAP. Find where he is basing them and bomb the base. With their high service rating, they cannot fly for too many days in a row.

If you have your four sub minelayers left, mine Horn Island and the hex to the NE of it.

It helps me now that I have played enough of both sides to plan for what i would do to my opponent. I set up my defense for multiple approaches to the SRA. [;)]

[jrcar]

28 Aug 1942

Indicators and Warnings
Their TF's at Horn Island are pulling back down the coast, looks like they dropped off two units and supply.

We have lost contact with their CV's.

Subs
We loose a heavily damaged sub, I think this is the third time we have had a sub sunk like this.

Sub vs Sub: SS Tautog attacking SS I-7 at 98,135 - near Milne Bay

Japanese Ships
SS I-7, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tautog

Our TK's get away again. A mix of a lot of air and sea ASW is supressing the subs... but they have been a bit unlucky as well..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Fukue-jima at 99,57

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami
TK Teiyo Maru
TK San Ramon Maru
TK Nitiei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Albacore

Sub attack near Phuket at 48,68

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 23
TK Nihon Maru
PB Saiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish

Burma
Their fighters sweep against nothing over Mandalay. We have pulled back and will counter attack next turn.

We detect a CV TF in the Bay of Bengal. More aircraft are put up on search, maybe we will get a lucky hit.

DEI
SAmulaki reached a level 1 airfield and more engineers are flown in. Our invasion forces for Darwin are assembling.


OZ
We get a good hit on Darwin troops.

Afternoon Air attack on Emery Point Fortress, at 76,124 (Darwin)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 31



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


We aill hit Horn Island with all our Betties next turn.

Pacific

KB has pulled back to rearm/refuel prior to redeployment.

China
We capture a city in the far north!

Ground combat at Kiuchuan (82,26)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 330 troops, 0 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Defending force 1720 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Japanese adjusted assault: 50

Allied adjusted defense: 11

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kiuchuan !!!

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


Allied ground losses:
285 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
15th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
259th Brigade