Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Pillager) Allies only

[johnjohn]

COMMENT and OBSERVATION. I just realized the danger of my position in the mountains around Paotow. I may need to strat move a couple of corps the long way around to ensure the cutting of the transportation routes. Otherwise, the enemy could really just blitz into the rear and the interior of China. The object would be to fight a delaying action by keeping the enemy from using the roads. Obviously, I would not be able to stop them, but I think I could slow them down.

So far the units in the mountains have repulsed every attack. But you only have to lose the battle once. I think someone said something like that about any ship can be a minesweeper--once.

Hope the lift ideas are helpful. I am not sure that it will make any difference at this point, but it could. It doesn't take much supply to increase the effectiveness of defenders. And that is just what you need. Johnjohn--watching Tim Tebow do the impossible--win.

[wneumann]

Still more of The Big Picture #11 – China’s Last Gasp

johnjohn,

China is a part of the game I never really mastered (obviously!), even in the old WitP. Pillager pretty much had few difficulties in China during either PBEM vs me though his advance through China in our previous CHS match did not occur this quickly or to the extent that it has gone here. What has probably not helped the situation is that China tends to be low on my scale of priorities in any given game turn.

Taking a quick inventory of what I currently have on hand in India... There are six air transport squadrons available (113 planes total), five of these recently disembarked in Bombay from Aden. The five squadrons in Bombay are all equipped with DC-3 and C-47 planes and near or at full TOE plane and pilot strength. The one other air transport squadron (18 DC-2's) is at Ledo and already flying what is probably a rather small quantity of supply directly into Chungking from Ledo. The DC-2 has a relatively small cargo capacity (2400) compared to 6000 for the C-47 and DC-3. I'm estimating the trickle of supply being flown into Chungking each game turn on the eighteen DC-2's is sufficient only to maintain the current level of supply on hand in Chungking (approx 26K) from one game turn to the next.

Steps I'm looking at now include:

1) Increasing the quantity of supply points on hand in Ledo. At this time I'm thinking this is possible by increasing the "Supplies Required" amount (Base Information screen) to draw additional supply points directly into Ledo - there is a minor rail line running into Ledo and supply being drawn into Ledo by this method would travel overland across this rail line. Use of this rail line would reduce if not completely eliminate the need to move supply for China through Calcutta.

2) Currently Ledo has a size 3 airfield, this expandable to at least a size 6. Engineers would be required in Ledo for this expansion and are obtainable from elsewhere withiin India.

3) Transferring the available air transport squadrons now at Bombay to Ledo. These squadrons are not employed on any missions at this time and current plans do not see them being needed for employment elsewhere at least for the short-term.

4) Transfer one or more air Base Force LCU's to Ledo for support. These are available.

5) At some point, upgrade the DC-2 air transport squadron to DC-3 planes as soon as I can afford to take this squadron "off-line".

Supply and fuel point stocks in India are ample and now sufficient to support an airlift to China - this between domestic production inside India plus arrival of supply and fuel aboard transport convoys running to India from Capetown and the Middle East.

Getting this supply route up and running may not save China, but it could at least prolong the agony (which in itself is a benefit from the Allied view). With enough supply in Chungking, this will at least allow depleted Chinese LCU's to draw elements from the replacement pools.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 8/13/42

Hawaii: Jap submarine detected NE of Pearl Harbor.


Central Pacific: US fleet sub Stingray attacks small Jap transport TF. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 115,102 (NE of Truk)

Japanese Ships (Jap TF reported moving eastward)
PB Chiyo Maru #4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Koho Maru
DD Akikaze

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

SS Stingray launches 2 torpedoes at PB Chiyo Maru #4
DD Akikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 8/12 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 120,157 near Tanna, Speed unknown **
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty

** US submarine S-30 is in Tanna base hex (120,157) and remains in contact with this Jap TF confirmed to have 6 ships, appears to be a transport or amphibious TF.


Australia: Jap bombing raid on Portland Roads continues. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Torres Strait Battalion, at 91,132 (Portland Roads)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 15

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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

Japs continue fighter sweep on Darwin, no bombing raid. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin, at 76,124

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x A6M3 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

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Philippines: Reported amphibious operation is landing additional Japanese troops at Cebu, also a Japanese ground assault against Cebu. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Cebu

54 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Kibi Maru
AK Yamazato Maru
DD Minazuki

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

PB Kibi Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Cebu

TF 116 troops unloading over beach at Cebu, 80,86

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

8 Aviation Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 56th JNAF AF Unit /3
(this AAR the first report of 56 JNAF AF Unit in the known Japanese OOB)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10358 troops, 126 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 303
Defending force 3819 troops, 49 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 131
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 259
Allied adjusted defense: 201
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

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

Allied ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
19th Division
56th JNAF AF Unit /1

Defending units:
81st PA Infantry Division
Cebu USN Base Force

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, one Jap TF in harbor (four ships), 62 aircraft (16 fighters, 27 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese capture Yenan. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3246 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
Defending force 1570 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81
Japanese adjusted assault: 196
Allied adjusted defense: 27
Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Yenan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
538 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
54th Infantry Brigade

Defending units:
120th Red Chinese Division

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

Japanese continue ground bombardment at Sining. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 140 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 734
Defending force 18675 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 624

Assaulting units:
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
259th Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Base Force
8th War Area
5th Chinese Base Force
12th Chinese Base Force

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

[johnjohn]

On China--I found that the load, if you fly direct to Chungking from Ledo is actually less than full because you are flying extended range. That is why I go through Kunming with the 3's et al. Those that can make the distance within effective range go direct. Second, I continued to fly the 2s until only a few were left. Then I flew them to Calcutta, upgraded, and returned them. I mainly kept them in China flying what is available to the most critical need. Third, and you know this already, I took C-47s from USA that were not needed now and shipped them to India and put them on the route. Four squadrons doubles the airlift you could have now. I just checked, and I have four squadrons each at each part of the leg, six in Ledo counting the 2 very small C-87s, hauling stuff. In a month I get 150 Commandos. They carry 10000 each. They also fly farther.

Because replacement of C-47s and 3s is so low, I only fly normal range missions (except from Calcutta to Ledo) to keep down the losses. I also keep one of the P40 squadrons in Kunming and another at Ledo, adding more to Ledo as fighters become available. However, the enemy is attacking along the India coast with aircraft, so most of my fighters are over there. I further developed airbases at Ledo, Jahort, Lashiro, and Chittalong. Later I upgraded Diamond Harbor and Dacca. I also ran several Aussie divisions into this part of India to dissuade the enemy from attacking. Once all the HQs are on board, you can support significant numbers at all these bases. I put the 221 at Calcutta, the 222 at Chittalong, and so forth, also bringing up "their" ENGR and AV support units. Madras is the only other base I have developed intentionally in India. Trincololee and Columbo and the airbase between also were further developed once it became clear that the ant farm was not coming.

I never thought to up the supply need at Ledo. I think that is a very good idea. I am going to look into it. Johnjohn

[johnjohn]

An Addendum--I intentionally evacuated/retreated the support units at Lashio. Ran it into China, taking over four months to get it to safety. I misspoke on Lashio in the previous post. I meant Imphal instead. Johnjohn.

[wneumann]

johnjohn,

Fuel on the Aussie east coast is a severe issue at present, but have 400K fuel on the way, about 200k each for Sydney and Brisbane.

Fuel in Australia has been an issue for me as well.

A large share of fuel points in Australia are consumed to refuel ships in transport convoys arriving in Australia for their return voyage to either Capetown or the Middle East (a similar situation existing on a smaller scale in Auckland for ships in transport convoys arriving there from the US West Coast). The fuel quantities involved can be considerable as each convoy can include from 20 up to 50+ transport ships.

I have been making a practice of having the cargo loaded aboard each transport convoy to Australia from either the Eastern US or Middle East include at least enough fuel points to cover the amount needed for refuelling all the ships in the convoy for their return voyage. Even so, much of the fuel point cargo loaded aboard a given transport convoy is often consumed to refuel the convoy's ships rather than increasing the fuel point stockpiles in Australia. A long-term increase in the overall fuel point stockpiles in Australia is proving to be a "two steps forward, one step back" proposition.

As described earlier, the "two steps forward, one step back" proposition is also true for New Zealand and the South Pacific theatre, the only differences being (1) less fuel is required to support the New Zealand economy compared to Australia and (2) the transport convoys in question arriving in New Zealand are from the US West Coast.

My long-term objective for stockpiling fuel in both Australia and New Zealand is providing fuel points in sufficient quantity to support US naval operations (both carrier and surface forces) as well as TF's for amphibious and other operations. The fuel points needed to do this have to be in addition to any quantities of fuel needed to run the Australian and New Zealand economies. At this point in my game, I have a 12-18 month time frame to ship all the needed fuel into Australia and New Zealand from the Middle East and mainland US.

[wneumann]

Even more of The Big Picture #11 – Notes on the China Supply Airlift

johnjohn,

I completely see your point on flying extended range from Ledo directly into Chungking and its effect on reducing the amount of supply transported on each plane... I also see a trade-off between having all the available transport planes in Ledo and flying them directly to Chungking compared to a "relay system" where supply is flown from Ledo to Chungking through a chain of one or more intermediate stops (airfields) where each airfield is within normal flight range of the next one.

Keeping in mind the "relay system" requires evenly distributing the number of available transport planes between Ledo and each of the intermediate airfields along the path from Ledo to Chungking - distributing my 110 available transport planes across a "relay system" consisting of Ledo and (for example) two intermediate stops would require 35-40 transport planes to be based at Ledo and also the airfields at each of the two intermediate stops. Assuming all 110 transport planes are of equal load capacity, the planes are equally distributed across the three airfields (Ledo & the two intermediate stops), and all three airfields are operating normally, a volume of supply points equivalent to the full load capacity of 35-40 transport planes will move between Ledo and Chungking across the airlift route each game turn.

The current strategic situation inside China makes the "relay system" not feasible in at least one respect... The "relay system" requires one and probably several safe airfields inside southern China. My estimate of the current strategic situation in China includes a relatively high probablilty that Pillager can march a Japanese army southward from the Kweiyang area via Kunming toward the China-Burmese border and linking up a direct line of communication between Burma and the main Japanese front in China. I can see this move possibly coming even before a Japanese assault to capture Chungking. If my estimate is true, there will eventually be no airfields in southern China for operating a supply airlift from Ledo to Chungking using a "relay system".

The second option for airlifting supply from Ledo to Chungking is by direct flights from Ledo to Chungking. With the 110 available transport planes and assuming they are carrying supply at 1/2 load capacity due to flying at extended range, the planes will still carry a volume of supply points equivalent to the full capacity of 55 transport planes each turn. More efficient at least "on paper" anyway, though there could be other pitfalls involved that reduce the volume of supply moved from my hypothetical figure. The direct flight option does have the disadvantage of placing all my transport planes in "one basket" - flying from Ledo. And once Pillager is aware an airlift is operating from Ledo, Ledo will be attacked.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 8/14/42

Japanese Home Islands: US submarine intercepts Jap transport TF southeast of Iwo Jima. TF is reported moving on a NE heading. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Iwo Jima at 111,81 (SE of Iwo Jima)

Japanese Ships
xAK Kosei Maru
PB Teibo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Trout

SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kosei Maru
PB Teibo Maru #2 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Hawaii: Detected Jap submarine remains NE of Pearl Harbor.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 8/13 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Roi-Namur. Detected status of Roi-Namur shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there, otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity.

US submarine intercepts Jap transport TF moving between Truk and Rabaul. AAR follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Mussau Island at 106,114 (N of Kavieng)

Japanese Ships
AK Arizona Maru
DD Isonami

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish

SS Sailfish launches 2 torpedoes at AK Arizona Maru
DD Isonami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 8/13 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 10 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed unknown


Australia: Jap bombing raids on Portland Roads continue. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 811th Engineer Aviation Battalion, at 91,132 (Portland Roads)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 15

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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

No reported Japanese air activity over Darwin this game turn.


DEI: Japanese air bombing raid on Ternate (Maluccas) for a second consecutive day (last game turn’s air raid was not reported in the 8/13 Summary of Operations above). Pillager appears to be resuming Japanese mop-up operations against the handful of bases in the Eastern DEI still under Allied control.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ternate Det. Base Force, at 78,102 (Ternate)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft (these aircraft were previously bombing Darwin)
G3M2 Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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


Philippines: Japanese capture Butuan on Mindanao. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Butuan (80,89)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13685 troops, 124 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 481
Defending force 5187 troops, 55 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 164
Japanese adjusted assault: 412
Allied adjusted defense: 10
Japanese assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Butuan !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
932 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 135 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th Division

Defending units:
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
3rd/101st PA Battalion
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
Cagayan USAAF Base Force (eliminated)
III Philippine Corps

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

Japanese amphibious landing operation and ground assault against Cebu continues. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Cebu
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Minazuki
PB Kibi Maru
AK Yamazato Maru

DD Minazuki firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
PB Kibi Maru fired at enemy troops
2.95in PackHowitzer battery firing at AK Yamazato Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Cebu
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Kibi Maru
AK Yamazato Maru

PB Kibi Maru fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Cebu
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Kibi Maru
AK Yamazato Maru

PB Kibi Maru fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Cebu
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Teika Maru
AK Yamakaze Maru
AK Yamazato Maru

xAP Teika Maru fired at enemy troops
AK Yamakaze Maru fired at enemy troops
AK Yamazato Maru fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10272 troops, 126 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 296
Defending force 3579 troops, 49 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 117
Japanese adjusted assault: 257
Allied adjusted defense: 89
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
468 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
19th Division
56th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
81st PA Infantry Division
Cebu USN Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1772 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80
Defending force 10803 troops, 136 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 290

Assaulting units:
81st PA Infantry Division
Cebu USN Base Force

Defending units:
19th Division
56th JNAF AF Unit

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


Southeast Asia: Japanese naval shore bombardments (two separate attacks from two different Jap surface TF’s) and an air bombing raid against Port Blair (Andamans). Current status of Port Blair base shows 20 port damage, airfield service damage 28, airfield runway damage 48. AAR’s of the three attacks follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CL Natori
DD Nagatsuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki
DD Natsugumo

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2

CA Ashigara firing at Port Blair
CL Natori firing at Port Blair RN Det
DD Nagatsuki firing at Port Blair RN Det
DD Kisaragi firing at Port Blair
DD Mutsuki firing at Port Blair
DD Natsugumo firing at Port Blair

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Blair at 46,58

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CL Tama
CL Sendai
DD Uranami
DD Shirayuki
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashio

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 39
Port hits 23
Port supply hits 6

CA Chokai firing at Port Blair
CL Tama firing at Port Blair
CL Sendai firing at Port Blair
DD Uranami firing at Port Blair
DD Shirayuki firing at Port Blair
DD Suzukaze firing at Port Blair
DD Umikaze firing at Port Blair
DD Tokitsukaze firing at Port Blair
DD Amatsukaze firing at Port Blair
DD Hayashio firing at Port Blair RN Det

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 8

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

Dutch submarine K-XVIII on patrol in the Andaman Sea reports spotting a Japanese TF (four ships) off Mergui, moving on a SW heading. No reported combat occurred.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, one Jap TF in harbor, 54 aircraft (18 fighters, 19 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.


India: Actions to establish a supply airlift from Ledo to Chungking are underway. An Air HQ (China Air Task Force) and one air base force LCU is already at Ledo. 101 RAF Base Force also arrived in Ledo this game turn and is now unpacking from strategic land movement. Ledo currently has 9700 supply points on hand. The required supply point amount in Ledo had already been increased by 6000, this now increased by a further 4000 to a total value of 10000. Further increases in required supply to Ledo may be done later on as necessary.

One additional RAF Base Force LCU from Delhi and two Indian engineer bns from Madras are prepping for strategic land movement to Ledo. Current airfield size at Ledo is 3, plans are to do some expansion of airfield size to facilitate the China supply airlift.


Indian Ocean: Construction activity to establish base facilities at Diego Garcia for use as an on-map anchorage for the Royal Navy has been underway following the arrival of flak, engineer and base force LCU’s from Capetown, Aden and the Indian mainland, along with establishment of supply and fuel point stocks. Plans are to expand both port and airfield facilities on Diego Garcia to their maximum sizes (port size 5, airfield size 6).


China: Continued Japanese ground bombardment at Sining. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 160 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 751
Defending force 18714 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 626

Assaulting units:
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
303rd Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
259th Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
82nd Chinese Corps
8th War Area
8th Chinese Base Force
5th Chinese Base Force
12th Chinese Base Force

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

[Alfred]

Transport planes flying at extended range do not fly less supply than if they were flying at normal range. Normal and extended range does not figure in the calculations. Unlike other plane types, transport planes operating between two owned bases factor their maximum distance into the range.

Alfred

[johnjohn]

Alfred is right on this. I did some research on the transports and they haul the max to max extended range. The difference is extended range ups the damage and possibility of loss. In your situation, I would dump the relay idea, since conserving the aircraft is not the first priority, and I would start looking at US Long Range Bombers and adding them to the mix. The general idea is to get as much to Chungking as quickly as possible. If the Chinese bombers have the range, I don't remember if they do, throw them in as well. I put about 200 plane support, several AA units and two fighter squadrons at Ledo so as to haul as much as possible. I also moved several British Brigades into the area and one division to hold the fort. I also run every AKL I have to Calcutta from Columbo with immediate turn arounds. Of course, the enemy is not operating in the area in my game so this is practical and mostly a safe move. This keeps the headend supplied. I suppose upping the supply request at Calcutta may help with that too, since alot of material is going to be moved this way via planes.

Something to consider is whether you can rail enough supply to Ledo directly. If so, forget the Calcutta leg and fly all planes from Ledo to Chungking. My guess is that you cannot sustain the supplies at Ledo, but if you can...go for it. Keep some planes available to evac the base forces in the south around Kunming if necessary. Combined, those guys can support 50 or more a/c. johnjohn

[johnjohn]

I have to say, that managing the logistical tails is proving the most challenging part of the game. It seems that in every discussion we have I learn something new about how to do this. What I am doing is working for me, but I see inefficiencies abound when you and Alfred point out obvious and not so obvious alternatives that achieve the same thing without wasting trips and using too many hulls. Don't know where I saw this but someone posted the obvious about all this: "Tactics win battles, logistics win wars." Johnjohn.

[Richard III]

Thought I`d un-lurk to say I just had a delightful morning reading through this AAR from T 1. For a returning AE player like me, It is well written and full of fine strategic and tactical detail and game play insights.

A few comments if I might.

Your opponent seems to have a _very_ leisurely rate of advance, and AFAIK, hasn`t employed ( together ) his three prime early war weapons. Six CV KB, the Elite Special Naval Landing Forces ( Marines ) and the long range high quality Anti Shipping Betty`s and Nells, supported by land based Zeros with high experienced pilots, with their range you can interdict most supply routes. That`s a Deadly weapons mix, but becomes less useful as the Allied war machine gets rolling about late `42.

Perhaps it was more a WitP game engine function, and not viable in AE ??, but most Japanese players with an eye on the clock, and looking for a stalemate would by this time frame have struck for the Indian Ocean-Columbo with a view to knock UK/India out of the war. Or South for Suva/New Zealand to cut the supply lanes to Oz. Or the central pacific Johnston Island/Midway gambit. IMO, experienced Japanese players ( in WitP ) found Australia would just be a big POW cage.

Also surprising is his not surfacing raiding your supply routes and using his Subs along your supply lanes and off the West Coast...in the AI game they are mini Death Stars.
Perhaps you have some House Rules in play ? [:)]

Hope you don`t mind my questions/comments.....

PS: Sorry about China[:(]

Rich

[johnjohn]

I have upped the supply needs for Ledo and Calcutta to see if that makes a difference. I am under no pressure here, so it is easy to test this. I also am playing couple of turns (1 day option) daily, so I can get some idea of the effect by Monday. I will let you know if it is making any appreciable difference. John

[wneumann]

Richard,

Welcome aboard.

Your opponent seems to have a _very_ leisurely rate of advance...

The current game is the second matchup between myself and Pillager, our previous PBEM being a CHS game in WitP that went until early 1944 (when we switched to AE). That being said... it's very hard (from my side) to make any comment on Pillager's rate of Japanese advance in our current game beyond the following.

I would not accuse Pillager in any way of being "leisurely" as a Japanese player. In our previous CHS game, he pushed the Japanese a lot harder overall than in this game, both in terms of how much ground the Japanese advance covered and in attacking Allied lines of communication. My personal opinion being that if Pillager could be aggressive as the Japanese in any given situation, he would do so. And it would be true in this game.

In our current AE game, the initial Japanese objectives fell quickly and pretty much on the schedule that I anticipated for the initial Japanese attacks. In fact he's done better in China this time in AE than he did in our CHS game. Somewhere in the Jan-Feb 1942 (or so) timeframe of this game, the Japanese could not sustain their effort and started "running out of gas".

The only theory I can offer is that Pillager is working through a major problem on the Japanese side (war economy?) and the problem is taking considerable time and effort to untangle. Pillager didn't put the brakes on himself, there is something going on with the Japanese side that's putting the brakes on Pillager. Whatever it is... it's keeping Japanese progress in nearly all areas painfully slow, it's keeping the KB and much of the IJN in harbor and most Japanese planes on the ground, it kept the US alive on Bataan until 6/42, the list goes on.

We have little in the way of house rules (the only one requiring PP expenditures for moving LCU's between theatres).

From the Allied point of view, the plan is running on schedule. At this point in 1942, it is for the most part sufficient.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 8/15/42

Eastern US: Three US subs entering the game in the Eastern US as reinforcements are being dispatched to Capetown via off-map movement for eventual deployment to Colombo for operations in the Indian Ocean. Plans are to deploy additional US subs entering the game as reinforcements in the Eastern US to the Indian Ocean theatre via Capetown. These subs are intended to replace the Dutch-British submarine force that was destroyed in Colombo by a KB air attack on 6/12/42.


Hawaii: New entry appearing in Sunk Ships screen (Intelligence display) reports that Japanese sub I-1 sank SW of Niihau on 8/11 from a 500 lb bomb hit (result of a previous ASW air attack ?).


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 8/14 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands, Speed 11 , Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville , Speed 22 , Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed 22, Moving Northeast


Australia: Continued Jap bombing raids on Portland Roads. Latest AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Torres Strait Battalion, at 91,132 (Portland Roads)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 14

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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DEI: Japanese continue air bombing raids on Ternate (Maluccas) for a third consecutive day.


Philippines: Japanese capture Cebu this game turn. AAR’s follow.

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Invasion Support action off Cebu
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Teika Maru
AK Yamakaze Maru
AK Yamazato Maru

xAP Teika Maru fired at enemy troops
AK Yamakaze Maru fired at enemy troops
AK Yamazato Maru fired at enemy troops

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Invasion Support action off Cebu
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Teika Maru
AK Yamakaze Maru
AK Yamazato Maru

xAP Teika Maru fired at enemy troops
AK Yamakaze Maru fired at enemy troops
AK Yamazato Maru fired at enemy troops

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Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10230 troops, 126 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 292
Defending force 3184 troops, 49 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 80
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 124
Allied adjusted defense: 43
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cebu !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
3612 casualties reported
Squads: 187 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 262 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 64 (64 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 74 (74 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
19th Division
56th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units: (both LCU eliminated)
81st PA Infantry Division
Cebu USN Base Force

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Japanese amphibious landing is now underway at Baybay (Leyte). Japanese 12th Infantry Division arrived in Leyte after previously capturing Catbalogan (Samar) on 7/31. AAR follows.

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Amphibious Assault at Baybay

TF 317 troops unloading over beach at Baybay, 81,86

Japanese ground losses:
1329 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 120 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 12th Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 12th Div /4
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 12th Div /8
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 12th Div /12

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Jap LCU detected in hex adjacent to Bacolod, believed to be 24th Division advancing on Bacolod from Dumaguete (captured on 8/08).

Japanese capture Dumanquilas (western Mindanao). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Dumanquilas (77,89)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1463 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 29
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 29 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Dumanquilas !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
14th Naval Guard Unit (first report of this LCU in the known Japanese OOB)

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Southeast Asia: Jap air bombing raid against Port Blair (Andamans). Status of Port Blair base shows 20 port damage, airfield service damage 32, airfield runway damage 54. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 14
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, two Jap TF’s in harbor (+1 from last report), 107 aircraft (42 fighters, 23 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s. One of the Jap TF’s at Rangoon is a possible surface combat TF containing 10 ships.


China: Japanese ground bombardment at Sining continues, no change.

Withdrawal of all Chinese forces holding the Chihkiang area towards Chungking is now completely underway. Movement orders were issued this game turn to the last Chinese rear-guard LCU’s remaining in Chihkiang and adjacent hexes to begin pulling back. A Japanese advance from Kweiyang toward Chungking would threaten if not break the one line of communication between Chungking and Chinese forces holding the Chihkiang area.

Chinese rear-guard forces on the northern flank of the Chungking "pocket" area will complete evacuation of Tienshui dot base hex (top right of situation map) this coming game turn.

Current situation map of Chungking pocket area follows.

[johnjohn]

Couple of matters previously discussed. The test of upping supply at Ledo indicates that increasing Ledo's needs by 5,000 indicates that the overall impact is plus 1,000 per day. I could not determine the impact of +20,000 at Calcutta, too much other supply coming in and planes still hauling supply out. On the transports, after rereading the manual again, we have been wrong on range for supply transport all along. A transport plane can haul max supply up to one-half max range as long as leg is from one controlled base to another. This is not true for air drops or moving troops by air, where the normal ranges come into play. But supplies can be lifted farther than we thought. John.

[wneumann]

redundant post deleted.

[wneumann]

johnjohn,

Points well taken, and I can add several other things onto them.

1) Counting the hexes, the airlift distance between Ledo and Chungking is 15 hexes, exactly 1/2 maximum range of all the available Allied transport plane types including DC-2, DC-3 and C-47. Chengtu is an airlift destination as well - the airlift distance from Ledo to Chengtu being 12 hexes, exactly at the extended range for all three Allied transport planes above and would be a suitable alternate airlift destination for airlift flights requiring planes to fly at or within their extended range.

2) I currently have the required supply points at Ledo set to 10000, this increasing the supply point stocks on hand in Ledo to about 10000 with 18 DC-2 planes that are now flying supply from Ledo into Chungking. Additional transport planes flying supply airlift from Ledo will (of course) draw more supply and could make adjustments to required supply points in Ledo necessary. The value for required supply points in Ledo needs to be set where (a) there is a sufficient number of supply points on hand in Ledo each game turn for loading aboard the airlift plus meet any other operational requirements in Ledo itself, without (b) accumulating an excess of supply in Ledo at the expense of other locations and activities in India. It's a balancing act but highly doable.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 8/16/42

Hawaii: PBY Catalina air patrol spots unidentified Jap submarine and oil slick near (due N) of Oahu. Jap sub reported moving on a W heading. Surface ASW TF’s have been dispatched from Pearl Harbor to locate and attack the sub contact.


Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 8/15 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein and Jaluit. Detected status of Kwajalein shows undetermined Jap aircraft based on Kwajalein, also ship(s) at anchor in port. Otherwise, no visible Japanese forces or activity at Kwajalein and Jaluit.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 8/15 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: AD Ayato Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Hohuku Maru reported in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands, Speed unknown


Australia: Jap bombing raids on Portland Roads continue. No change from previous attacks in the last few turns.


DEI: Japanese air bombing raids on Ternate (Maluccas) continue. Latest AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Ternate Det. Base Force, at 78,102 (Ternate)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Philippines: Japanese capture Baybay (Leyte). AAR’s follow.

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Ground combat at Baybay (81,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9773 troops, 124 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 219
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 194
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 194 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Baybay !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
12th Division

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Southeast Asia: Jap air bombing raids against Port Blair (Andamans) continue. Current status of Port Blair base shows 20 port damage, airfield service damage 42, airfield runway damage 59. Latest AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

No Japanese losses

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 16

No Japanese losses

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

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, two Jap TF’s in harbor. 92 aircraft (39 fighters, 31 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground bombardment at Sining continues, no change.

Japanese cut road communications between Chungking and southern areas of China (at hex 73,47).

Withdrawal of Chinese LCU’s in the northern front and the Chihkiang area of the Chungking “pocket” is progressing. Chinese forces successfully evacuated Tienshui dot hex base in the northernmost point of the “pocket” this game turn. Plans remain to get as many Chinese LCU’s from the northern and central sectors of the Chungking “pocket” into a position from where they can defend the capital.

Current situation map of the Chungking area and southern China follows.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 8/17/42

Hawaii: No detection or contact reported with the unidentified Jap submarine spotted last game turn N of Oahu.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 8/16 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. Detected status of Kwajalein continues to show undetermined Jap aircraft based on Kwajalein and ship(s) at anchor in port. One or more unidentified Jap TF(s) were detected this game turn in Kwajalein base.


South Pacific: Transport convoy WP-10 and detachments arriving in the South Pacific theatre area. Total size of the convoy was 18 ships (13 transports, one SC, one AV, one CM, one DMS, plus CVE Long Island). Main body of the convoy arrived in Auckland with three detachments from the convoy arriving at Pago Pago, Niue and Tongatupu.

Cargo loaded aboard the convoy includes three USN Seabee LCU’s, one USMC dive bomber squadron and 45K supply. USN Seabee units were disembarked in Auckland, Niue and Tongatapu to reinforce or start construction to expand fortifications and base facilities. CVE Long Island is being retained in the South Pacific for use in transferring LBA air units from Auckland to airfields on various islands in the Suva-Samoa area. The SC, AV, CM and DMS ships arriving with convoy WP-10 will also remain in the South Pacific.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 8/16 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Manzyu Maru reported in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown


Australia: Jap bombing raids on Portland Roads continue. Latest AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on 811th Engineer Aviation Battalion, at 91,132 (Portland Roads)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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


DEI: Japanese air bombing raids on Ternate (Maluccas) continue. No change from previous reports.


Southeast Asia: Jap air bombing raids against Port Blair (Andamans) continue. Current status of Port Blair base shows 20 port damage, airfield service damage 45, airfield runway damage 62.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, two Jap TF’s in harbor, 101 aircraft (37 fighters, 30 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.


China: Japanese ground bombardment at Sining continues. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23320 troops, 253 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 771
Defending force 18913 troops, 105 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 638

Assaulting units:
17th Division
37th Division
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
259th Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
9th Separate Brigade
82nd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Base Force
8th War Area
5th Chinese Base Force
12th Chinese Base Force

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