Yees, 5+1! [:D]
Last turn I decided to set a trap for Allied 4Es over Moulmein; they've been raiding us with impunity lately.
I did observe a weakness though, 450 Allied fighters on CAP over Rangoon means fewer escorts elsewhere.
- The classic "can't be strong everywhere" problem for Andy.
So I gathered our best Franks and George fighters and placed the on LRCAP 80% normal range at 15k feet to optimize performance against bombers.
Woe to us if enemy fighters swept first.
The order was simple: KILL EM ALL!
Somehow our plan coincided with Andy's plan to hit our Army north of Moulmein with his medium bombers while his 4Es hit Moulmein proper.
Mediums went in first and attracted all our CAP fighters, leaving none at Moulmein.
This wouldn't be optimal since I wanted to kill 4Es - however, Andy is low on mediums and the ones he sent in now didn't have a strong escort and now
fighter sweeps went in ahead. The scene was set for bloody murder!
- The kill list was LONG and 177 Allied ac were claimed today.
There are 12 units and a reported 110k troops directly north of our Moulmein army.
Their advantage is the ability to cross the river without forcing a shock attack.
Would it be better for us to withdraw into Moulmein proper?
I have withdrawn the tank divisions and 2 replacement divisions are on the way to Moulmein but this takes time without a Burma railroad...
Currently we have 2000 AV north of Moulmein, 440 AV in Moulmein and 600 AV on the way.
Our army in central Burma still needs another month to march home through the jungle.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 30, 44
Sub Attacks
ASW attack near Horn Island at 91,128
Japanese Ships
SS RO-107, hits 19
Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
DD Philip
DD Nicholas
DD Bache
DE Hotspur
PG Charleston
PC Jackson
AMC Chitral
APA Callaway, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Sheridan
LSI(L) Glenapp
LSI(L) Empire Pride
AK Beltrami
AK Amador
AK Pavo
LST-484
LST-446
LST-41
LST-40
LCI-443
LCI-436
DD Stronghold
DD Cummings
DD McCall
DD Helm
SS RO-107 is sighted by escort
DD Stronghold attacking submerged sub ....
DD Cummings fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD McCall attacking submerged sub ....
DD Helm fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Combat
Morning Air attack on 4th Australian Division, at 89,124 (Merauke)
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 25
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 4 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 10 RAAF Base Force ...
Also attacking 4th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 10 RAAF Base Force ...
Also attacking 4th Australian Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Guards Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 98
Ki-84a Frank x 42
Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 13
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
PV-1 Ventura x 14
P-38G Lightning x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 7
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 9 destroyed
PV-1 Ventura: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 3 destroyed by flak
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed
PV-1 Ventura: 4 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 2 destroyed by flak
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Blenheim VD bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
S-301 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
381 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (20 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
77th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (22 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(22 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
22 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
282 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(21 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
286 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(21 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 33rd Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 96
Ki-84a Frank x 39
Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 33
P-38G Lightning x 7
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 7 destroyed, 8 damaged
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed by flak
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000' *
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12490.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
S-301 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
381 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 17 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 20 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 19 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
282 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 21 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
286 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 21 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Also attacking 9th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 9th Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 87
Ki-84a Frank x 39
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 8
Hurricane IId Trop x 7
Hurricane IV x 11
Boomerang C-12 x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 3 destroyed
Hurricane IId Trop: 4 destroyed
Hurricane IV: 6 destroyed
Boomerang C-12: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 84
Ki-84a Frank x 39
Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 6
DB-7B x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 3 destroyed
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed by flak
DB-7B: 2 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 28th Army, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 58
Ki-84a Frank x 38
Allied aircraft
Lysander II x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Lysander II: 6 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Naval Guard Unit, at 89,124 (Merauke)
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-25D1 Mitchell x 27
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 11
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking 4th South Seas Gsn ...
Also attacking 13th JAAF AF Coy ...
Also attacking 16th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Rgt /1 ...
Also attacking 16th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 4th South Seas Gsn ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 39
B-24J Liberator x 113
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 48
Ki-84a Frank x 33
Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 100
P-38H Lightning x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 11 destroyed, 6 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 4 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
S-301 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
381 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
11th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 15 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
77th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 18 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
282 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
286 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 19 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 9th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 9th Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 9th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 9th Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 9th Division ...
Also attacking 4th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 9th Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-17F Fortress x 13
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 33
Ki-84a Frank x 25
Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Guards Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 33
Ki-84a Frank x 24
Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Division, at 56,54 , near Moulmein
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 27
Ki-84a Frank x 23
Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground Combat
Despite overwhelming superiority (in numbers) the Allies struggle to capture Merauk!
3x Banzai [&o]
Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8570 troops, 76 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 339
Defending force 2563 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82
Allied adjusted assault: 233
Japanese adjusted defense: 117
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
301 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
4th Australian Division
10 RAAF Base Force
10th RAAF M/W Sqn
Defending units:
4th South Seas Gsn
16th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Raiding Rgt /1
13th JAAF AF Coy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The meat grinder
