Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

1942 January 26

The Empire captured:
Normanby Island
Ouv'ea
Oro Bay

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Buka
Lifou
Kaimana
Tagbilaran

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


At sea there was mainly sub & anti-sub action. An Imperial sneaky boat torpedoed and sank the already damaged xAKL from yesterday, while an upstanding Allied stealth boat blasted xAK Tatukami Maru at Ambon. P-40s at Bandoeng were on CAP for the first day and the very first raid on Bandoeng came in! Too big to stop but the new guys gave a good accounting of themselves.

Morning Air attack on Bandoeng , at 50,100

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 13000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 13000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
20th PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 16 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
33rd PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 17 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

A big set back for the Empire at Cagayan. Alas those Allied forces are cut off and ultimately doomed anyway.

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9013 troops, 73 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 300

Defending force 11196 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 362

Japanese adjusted assault: 85

Allied adjusted defense: 349

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1800 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
III/66th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
146th Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF

Defending units:
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
1st /101st PA Battalion
2nd/101st PA Battalion
III Philippine Corps

The large aircraft convoy is 40nm outside Sydney and will make port tonight. There are 4 x Hurricane groups in Burma. Another Buffalo group is just upgrading and will join them ASAP. The AVG squadron at Rangoon will LRCAP the convoy now inbound (making port the day after tomorrow). The convoy carries the 17th Aus Bde and 63rd Ind Bde. Enemy activity allowing, the convoy will then make for Chittagong where two more Australian brigades and an armored unit await shipping. Here is an overview map.

[witpqs]

1942 January 27

The Empire captured:
Tagbilaran
Buka
Kaimana
Lifou

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Djailolo
Mussau Island
Buka
Kiriwina Island
Dumaguete

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


While the IJN was busy ganging up on MMS-93 in the NW Java Sea with both (small) surface and submarine forces to sink her, the Dutch sub SS O24 out did them by torpedoing xAK Akiura Maru and xAK Kazuura Maru at Ambon. The attack on the Thai invaders in Burma was a minor disaster.

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12902 troops, 160 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 414

Defending force 4209 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Allied adjusted assault: 63

Japanese adjusted defense: 160

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
321 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1077 casualties reported
Squads: 52 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
BFF Brigade
18th British Division

Defending units:
112th Infantry Regiment
55th Cavalry Regiment

The air attack on the Thai units earlier in the day seemed to make no difference. This time I am surprised by the supply (-). The invaders will simply have to wait for the two Australian brigades to arrive, rail to Toungoo, and march around on the road. As for supply, it is being brought into Burma daily by a stream of small merchants shuttling back and forth between Chittagong and Rangoon. At least the 18th is gaining experience!

Big engineering casualty on AP U.S. Grant bound for Christmas Island with the parent fragment of the 2nd marine Rgt aboard. She has damage 1-16(16)-46(46)-0 and is reduced in speed to 7kn max/6kn cruise (2 hexes/1 hex). The convoy is 360nm ESE Hilo so escorts are being dispatched from Pearl Harbor so she can break off from the convoy with weakening its ASW protection. CL Danae is almost pumped out at Darwin, but now there is an Imperial submarine loitering 40nm off waiting to feed. When ready Danae will have to slink along the coast - and be lucky.

[witpqs]

1942 January 28

The Empire captured:
Dumaguete
Singapore
Kiriwina Island
Mussau Island

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Banggi
Belep Islands
Tagula Island

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Several sub attacks in the DEI, but Dutch sub SS O20 had all the luck, both at Namlea.

xAK Kazuura Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CM Itsukushima, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Singapore falls, which means that both Burma and the DEI are likely to pretty quickly become a lot more dangerous for the Allies. Of course that includes the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Those additional units for Burma might have to walk to avoid being sunk at sea. 37,000 Allied troops lost.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83985 troops, 840 guns, 270 vehicles, Assault Value = 2181

Defending force 46311 troops, 417 guns, 245 vehicles, Assault Value = 651

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 2230

Allied adjusted defense: 669

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Singapore !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
6449 casualties reported
Squads: 112 destroyed, 364 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 83 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 38 (2 destroyed, 36 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
57043 casualties reported
Squads: 848 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3987 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 125 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 255 (255 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 286 (286 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 33

Assaulting units:
16th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
33rd/B Division
56th Engineer Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards/A Division
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
5th Engineer Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
33rd/C Division
11th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards/B Division
78th Infantry Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 8th SNLF
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
20th Engineer Regiment
33rd/A Division
4th Ind Engineer Regiment
20th Recon Regiment
40th Inf Group Brigade
21st Infantry Regiment
II./143rd Infantry Battalion
24th Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards/C Division
5th Mortar Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
3rd Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Gordons Battalion
1st Hyderabad Battalion
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2nd Loyal Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
11th Indian Division
SSVF Brigade
2nd Malay Battalion
9th Indian Division
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
112th RAF Adv Base Force
Singapore Fortress
1st Malay Battalion
109th RAF Adv Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
109th RN Base Force
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
Singapore Base Force
224 Group RAF
223 Group RAF
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
113th RAF Adv Base Force
Malaya Army
110th RAF Adv Base Force
2nd ISF Base Force
1st ISF Base Force
111th RAF Adv Base Force
AHQ Far East
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
27th Australian Bde /1

CL Danae is commencing to slink away from Darwin. Cross your fingers. Here is a look at the Empire's penetration into the Eastern DEI.

[witpqs]

1942 January 29

The Empire captured:
Banggi
Tagula Island
Djailolo
Belep Islands

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Baybay

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The reduction of Allied forces at Bataan has begun. The combat results somewhat favored the Allies, but not greatly so and our losses can not be replaced. At Wenchow is a similarly trapped Allied force but the combat results were good as significant Imperial squads were destroyed.

Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 46863 troops, 406 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 1243

Defending force 18381 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 390

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 607

Allied adjusted defense: 808

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
6950 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 224 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 28 (2 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
741 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
22nd/B Division
15th/B Division
39th/B Division
39th/A Division
116th Division
15th/C Division

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
25th Group Army

Three more USA P-40E squadrons just transferred to Broome and will transfer to Soerabaja tomorrow. But will they really be operational in time? KB - or a major portion of it - is in the Arafura Sea heading for the DEI. Of course it might traverse the Timor Sea instead and sweep through the back door. CL Danae is flooding again, can't move much faster than drifting, and might be seen by the KB.

[witpqs]

1942 January 30

The Empire captured:
Baybay
Pingsiang

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
New Hanover
Fergusson
Misool

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Two Allied subs scored in the DEI, Sturgeon at Singkawang ("xAK Awazisan Maru, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage") and KVII near Donggala ("xAK Seizan Maru, Torpedo hits 1"). The IJA have gathered a force of about 1,700 AV versus the less than 1,100 the Chinese have there. Perhaps time that city will change flags. The big news is that the KB vanished. It is possible - although doubtful - that they dashed across our search arcs out of Darwin and are leaving the Timor Sea and entering the Indian Ocean. It is also possible they are within our search patterns but have been missed (extreme overcast is noted at several bases, including Darwin). Or that they turned around and headed back through the Arafura Sea. There is a group(?) of smaller carriers heading into the Java Sea from the South China Sea, now 80nm WNW Pontianak.

Today's graphic - not the KB!

[witpqs]

1942 January 31

The Empire captured:
New Hanover
Misool
Deboyne Islands
Fergusson Island

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Torokina
Lakatoro

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


There were a variety of sub/ASW battles and air raids today. The only one of note is O29 putting 2 torpedoes into CM Ukishima near Balikpapan. The KB is still among the vanished as Allied search have seen nothing of the force that was in the Arafura Sea two days ago. Various SigInt hits today are so far stymieing the Intel Monkeys from correlating them with that sighting. There is a hit near the invasion sites in the South Pacific that sensibly should be KB, but what was that sighting two days ago?

Major forces are nearing and beginning to unload at the the Line Islands of Christmas Island and Palmyra. Note the convoy of the damaged AP lagging far behind.

[witpqs]

1942 February 01

The Empire captured:
Tabar Island
Sintang
Lakatoro

The Allies captured:
Pingsiang

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Torres Islands

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The reduction of Bataan continues apace. The 2nd Royal Tank Rgt begins unloading at Rangoon tonight. 2 x Inf Rgts and another tank Rgt have loaded at Chittagong and will set sail tonight when supplies are stuffed into every space on the ships that doesn't hold working machinery. CL Danae has made Wyndham but how much farther after again pumping out is any body's guess. Unloading proceeds at the Line Islands.

The small Imperial carrier force (52 fighters, 29 bombers) has sailed on into the Java Sea and is now 120nm SE Ketapang with heavy surface escort and a gaggle of likely invasion convoys 80nm behind. LBA made air attacks on Kalidjati while the carriers made attacks against shipping at Tjilatjap. Only an AM was sunk but an xAK was hit hard while unloading. Kalidjati airfield is badly damaged and could be the target of the invasion convoys. Alternatively the target could be another base, with Kalidjati the first airfield in range to get the closure treatment. B-17s unsuccessfully attacked the carriers but most could not find them in the weather. 2 were lost to Zeros. The sneaky buggers have laid a mine field at Tjilatjap, too.

Although I hate to do it, more than half the B-17s are being flown from Soerabaja to Perth to make room and free support. All combat aircraft on Java are given Naval Attack orders at the altitude they've been training at, which for most is 'Low'. Torpedo bombers are being restricted to torpedo range. Additional dive bombers are being moved in from bases to the east. Tankers are being moved from their secret refueling stations to other secret refueling stations.

[witpqs]

1942 February 02

The Empire captured:
Torokina
Torres Islands

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Mangole
Kolaka

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Battle of Groundhog Day. The Allies were taken by tactical surprise at the eastern end of the Java Sea as the full KB appeared at GR 60,105, 160nm NNE Denpasar. To their east an IJN cruiser/destroyer force went through an xAKL convoy bringing supplies to Kendari like a light-saber through a wookie. The KB itself, possibly expecting to find the hopefully irksome Allied warships in and around Soerabaja and the islands to the east of Java instead found some small tankers and too many small merchants in the waters near Denpasar, all thought to be far enough away from the Imperial surface threat to the north and the small Imperial carriers to the west.

Looking back, it was January 29th that Allied search/Intel thought the KB was sighted in the Arafura Sea, but contact was lost with a vengeance thereafter. Concern about the fall of Singapore allowing an Imperial naval move into the Andaman Sea had, just the day before on January 28th, prompted orders to begin the repositioning of Force Z to that area. Still en route (currently 520nm W Padang), Force Z might instead have been at Bima and caught by the KB's stealthy arrival. As the sKB moved down the Java Sea with its wards (the presumed invasion convoys) other Allied surface task forces were sent into the Indian Ocean, and at least one is within the KB's attack range as we speak but protected from Imperial eyes by weather.

sKB and its charges moved to GR 53,98, 160nm E Batavia, nearly a perfect target location for the fully prepared Allied aerial defenders on Java. The day began with mines being cleared at Tjilatjap and various submarine encounters on both sides. Then came the surprise - and unopposed - invasion of Kolaka by the Empire. Supplies will not reach Kendari for the foreseeable future.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Salajar at 66,107, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Hakaze
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
xAKL Regulus, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Dos Hermanos, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAKL Fortuna, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAKL Princess of Negros, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 17,000 yards
DD Hokaze fires at xAKL Dos Hermanos at 17,000 yards
DD Hokaze fires at xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 17,000 yards
DD Hokaze fires at xAKL Regulus at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAKL Fortuna
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Fortuna at 15,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Dos Hermanos at 15,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAKL Compagnia Filipinas
CL Kinu engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 15,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Regulus at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Kinu engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 13,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages xAKL Dos Hermanos at 13,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Kinu engages xAKL Princess of Negros at 10,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Fortuna at 10,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages xAKL Dos Hermanos at 10,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Compagnia Filipinas at 10,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Regulus at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAKL Regulus
CL Kinu engages xAKL Regulus at 7,000 yards
xAKL Dos Hermanos sunk by DD Hakaze at 7,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages xAKL Regulus at 7,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages xAKL Princess of Negros at 7,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Princess of Negros at 7,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages xAKL Fortuna at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
xAKL Fortuna sunk by CL Kinu at 6,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Regulus at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages xAKL Princess of Negros at 7,000 yards
xAKL Princess of Negros sunk by DD Hokaze at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages xAKL Regulus at 6,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAKL Regulus
xAKL Regulus sunk by DD Hokaze at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

Another air attack came in at Kalidjati and mostly served the purpose of distracting some Allied fighters, destroying a few. The attacks on sKB began. Here are all of them.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 16
CW-22 Falcon x 9
L-212 x 8
Wirraway x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 11 damaged
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged
L-212: 1 damaged
Wirraway: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 2
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1
CVE Taiyo

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
9 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 50 kg GP Bomb
8 x L-212 bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 15 kg GP Bomb
1 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
4 x Wirraway bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 100 lb GP Bomb
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 32150.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 11
139WH-3 x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
139WH-3: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Hosho

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 17
139WH-3 x 6
B-339D x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
139WH-3: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 83 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,98

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 1
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 5 damaged
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,98

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
139WH-3 x 18
B-339D x 10
CW-22 Falcon x 6
L-212 x 5
Wirraway x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
139WH-3: 5 damaged
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged
CW-22 Falcon: 1 destroyed by flak
L-212: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Zuiho
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
5 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
6 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
3 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
5 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 50 kg GP Bomb
5 x L-212 bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 15 kg GP Bomb
3 x Wirraway bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 100 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 53,98

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest III launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
Kawai Det with A5M4 Claude (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Hosho

More Imperial ships near Bandjermasin.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Bandjermasin at 58,99

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 4
CW-22 Falcon x 6

Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Ise

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 50 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bandjermasin at 58,99

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 5

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

The KB was also - successfully! - attacked.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kangean at 60,105

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged
A-24 Banshee: 2 destroyed by flak
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Shokaku
CV Soryu
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers

Interspersed with these attacks were the KB fliers slaughtering the merchants mentioned earlier and sKB fliers making attacks on merchants and warships at and near Tjilatjap. Merchants there were struck but no destroyers hurt.

The Intel screen shows no ground losses for Imperial aircraft, but Pontianak is only 8 hexes away from the location of sKB. CVE Hosho is the only IJ ship showing sunk today. Here is an amalgamation of the hits on Imperial vessels from the combat report.

CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 2
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVE Hosho, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1

Hosho is certainly gone, and whatever is left of sKB is a mess. Akagi was hit by a 1,000lb SAP bomb but is stout and might have shrugged it off. It seems likely that KB will move to cover the invasion convoys now that sKB should be mostly hors de combat (the caveat being some small bomb hits). Perhaps the convoys will withdraw for now? KB could then go hunting in the Indian Ocean. A side note, it does appear that all 6 KB carriers are present as scouting estimates of the TF aircraft are F:105, B:304, A:14. The B-17s have been pulled from Soerabaja lest KB kill them on the ground. There are stragglers repairing and they have been railed to Tjilatjap.

[witpqs]

And here is a map of the area.

[witpqs]

1942 February 03

The Empire captured:
Vella Lavella
Mangole
Rambutyo
Kolaka
Nanyang

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Culion
Kalidjati
Choiseul Bay

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


I think there was only one hit on an Imperial ship all night and day: "xAK Kosei Maru #4, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires". Probably a 1,000 SAP from a Banshee. The invasion is ashore at Kalidjati. Although several attacks were made against the KB, today was merely the day the Allied air forces on Java impaled themselves on the points of the KB's fighter shield. Weather probably hampered some attack efforts. Allied fighters fared batter on defense and claimed some of the KB's vaunted sons as victims, but overall the force was shattered. PG Soerabaja and her small escorts went down defending Batavia. Many small ships of various types were sent to the bottom, mostly by the KB's planes.

[witpqs]

1942 February 04

The Empire captured:
Culion
Kalidjati
Choiseul Bay
Aoba Island

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Kalidjati
Munda
Taliaboe

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The highlights of this day: A KB raid on the shipping anchored at Tjilatjap. It was left in port in a calculated risk to bring out the 3 large US base forces operating on Java. Now remnants will have to fly out. The Allies fought back today mainly under the sea. Cuttlefish devastated an xAKL near Truk. The rest of the action was in the Java Sea, where Searaven hit xAK Asakasan Maru with a - gasp! - working Mk14 torpedo for heavy fires and heavy damage, KXV set xAK Lisbon Maru on fire with a torpedo, and S-40 shattered xAK Kuritake Maru with 4 x torpedoes! All of those ships were either empty or carried supplies, as no casualties were noted. Allied air attacks against the Imperial armada were unsuccessful. The troops ashore at Kalidjati, too weak to handle the entire job, hint of a further landing elsewhere on Java.

30th Infantry Regiment
36th Infantry Regiment
51st Ind.AA Gun Co
4th Field Construction Battalion
1st Base Force
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
31st Field AA Battalion
5th Air Div /1

The Australian 16th and 19th Inf Bdes and the 7th Hussars Tank Rgt will unload at Rangoon beginning tonight and lasting about two days. The BFF Bde is at Toungoo, now up to 10 AV with 98 disabled Burma Rifle Squads to go and a few Vickers squads needed as replacements (they're in short supply throughout the map). The 18th British Div (itself recovering in the field) has been joined by the 63rd Indian Bde and the 17th Australian Bde. The 2nd Royal Tank Rgt is fast moving on the road through Pegu and will join them in about three days. The day following their arrival, the force will attack the Thai units and, with greater numbers and experience than before as well as the aid of tanks, deal a set back to the Empire's plans in the area.

Here is a view of Java showing the Empire's armada and the Allied flight into the vast Indian Ocean.

[witpqs]

1942 February 05

The Empire captured:
Munda
Taliaboe

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Pare Pare
Lihir
Epi

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In the DEI several Imperial SCTFs took out many small combatants around Batavia and elsewhere on the Java Sea side of Java. CL Tama was seen by locals to hit a mine at Batavia - let's hope that's accurate. Allied subs were active again in the Java Sea:

xAK Lisbon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Somedono Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
(a few squads went down with this one)

Allied air forces were on the attack too. Several times the KB's CAP was penetrated, although the bombers doing so were badly mauled, further attrited by flak, and missed on their attack runs. SCTFs were attacked without connecting, as with the troop ships. Allied air losses on the day were severe.
Imperial convoys are standing off Semarang but have yet to begin landing.

Force Fiji, sailing from Wellington with 2 x CL and 1 x DD, and Force Tasman, sailing from Sydney with 2 x CA, 1 x CL, and 1 x DD are both moving toward position to bombard Noumea. DD Stuart, the escort for Force Tasman, executed an ASW attack against I-17 near Newcastle and evaded 6 torpedoes. Her protectees were too far away to be spotted. Hopefully her presence is too little to betray the mission.

[witpqs]

1942 February 06

The Empire captured:
Guiuan
Lihir
Pare Pare
Epi

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Semarang
Pare Pare
Vangunu
Panggoe
Dagua
Loewoek

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Alert! Alert! The IJN is making use of an advanced ASW platform - the submarine! Luckily both such attacks this day failed. But then again, they are new at this so we shall have to be careful. Major invasion activity at Semarang. Several convoys unloading all night and day. Air attacks hit at least a couple of xAKs but no ground casualties were noted. Shore guns performed better in that department. BB Hyuga was hit with a 300kg SAP bomb but refused to display damage.

Imperial surface forces are working to clear out the last few Allied small surface combatants in the Java Sea, and their battleships are also now in the Indian Ocean 40nm SW Buitenzorg. BBs Fuso (1 x 300kg SAP), Ise (3 x 250kg SAP) got treatment similar to that given Hyuga. A raid of Nells arrived over Oosthaven sans escort and lost about 4 (2 x air to air and 2 x ops). The heavy Val raid against Tjilatjap by KB was well escorted and damaged the airfield but it remains open for offensive operations, albeit just barely. Here is a look at the area around Java.

[witpqs]

1942 February 07

The Empire captured:
Panggoe
Cheribon
Semarang
Loewoek
Vangunu
Melak
Bacolod

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Waigeo
Santa Maria

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Two xAKL were sunk by an I-boat near Rangoon so the free ride there is over. Those IJN battleships - and cruisers both heavy and light - bombarded Tjilatjap and while damage was modest, it was enough to close the airfield to offensive operations. The last of the B-17s got off of Java, from Leomjadjang. They were sent there from Tjilatjap when it became clear that base was low on air support and in the Empire's cross hairs. The Allies' fliers had a tough time again in the Java Sea attacking the Imperial invaders, but they drove some attacks home. These all appear to be 300kg SAP hits.

xAK Thames Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
---
xAP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
---
xAK Toba Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kansai Maru, Bomb hits 2

Five Imperial infantry regiments took Semarang. Force Tasman and Force Fiji are each 320nm away from Noumea although in different directions. They are both ordered to bombard tonight. Here is a look at Java.

[witpqs]

1942 February 08

The Empire captured:
Dagua
Waigeo
Santa Maria

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Dagua
Russell Islands
Gorontalo

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Imperial buggers were waiting! First, Force Fiji ran into trouble.

Sub attack near Isle of Pines at 116,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-18

Allied Ships
DD Le Triomphant, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-18 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Le Triomphant
I-18 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection

Then Force Tasman took a turn.

Sub attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-10

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Torpedo hits 1
DD Stuart

SS I-10 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Australia
I-10 diving deep ....
DD Stuart fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stuart fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stuart attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stuart cannot establish contact with SS I-10
DD Stuart cannot establish contact with SS I-10
SS I-10 eludes DD Stuart by diving deep
DD Stuart fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stuart fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Then...

Sub attack near Isle of Pines at 116,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-18

Allied Ships
DD Le Triomphant, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS I-18 launches 6 torpedoes

CA Australia has damage of 5-32(31)-0-0. Both groups managed to bring home the bombardment. Here are the combined results.

Night Naval bombardment of Noumea at 115,160

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CL Perth
DD Stuart

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

Airbase hits 2
Port supply hits 1

CA Canberra firing at Noumea
CL Perth firing at Guards Mixed Brigade
DD Stuart firing at Noumea

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Noumea at 115,160

Allied Ships
CL Achilles
CL Leander

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5
Port hits 2

CL Achilles firing at Noumea
CL Leander firing at Noumea

Allied air attacks against the Java invasion armada were fruitless, but Allied subs are working to swamp Imperial ASW defenses in the Java Sea.

xAK Zuiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Eiko Maru #2, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

The end is quite near at Bataan. 1 to 1 odds but our defenders took almost thrice the casualties.

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22160 troops, 199 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 585

Defending force 38690 troops, 371 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 509

Japanese adjusted assault: 256

Allied adjusted defense: 155

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1351 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3178 casualties reported
Squads: 174 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 81 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 19 (4 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
16th Engineer Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
65th Brigade
Tanaka
47th Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
4th PA Constabulary Regiment
51st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
11th PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
Manila Bay Defenses
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
71st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
2nd/45th PS Inf Battalion
2nd PA Constblry HW Regiment
803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
I Philippine Corps
91st PA Infantry Division
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
201st PA Construction Battalion
Clark Field AAF Base Force
Provisional GMC Grp
31st Infantry Regiment
II Philippine Corps
3rd/45th PS Inf Battalion
Bataan USN Base Force
1st/45th PS Inf Battalion
Asiatic Fleet
192nd Tank Battalion
Nichols Field AAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
PAF Aviation
41st PA Infantry Division
USAFFE
202nd PA Construction Battalion
1st PI Base Force
301st Construction Battalion
14th PS Engineer Regiment
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

In Burma the pieces are (again) in place to expel the Thai invaders. In the highlighted hex 3 x Bde, 1 x Div, and 1 x Tank Rgt will attack tomorrow accompanied by aerial bombing.

[witpqs]

1942 February 09

The Empire captured:
Russell Islands
Gorontalo
Ontong Java
Sampit

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Ambrym
Ontong Java

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Only one score by an Allied sub today.

ASW attack near Semarang at 53,102

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS KIX

SS KIX launches 4 torpedoes at BB Hyuga
KIX bottoming out ....
Sub escapes detection

But it was a good attack! There were also numerous air attacks against the invaders, including one well coordinated and escorted raid, but all missed. The Thai invaders are still near Toungoo.

Ground combat at 57,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22355 troops, 281 guns, 233 vehicles, Assault Value = 756

Defending force 4461 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 150

Allied adjusted assault: 171

Japanese adjusted defense: 280

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
617 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
683 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 13 (4 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
17th Australian Brigade
18th British Division
44th Indian Brigade
63rd Indian Brigade

Defending units:
112th Infantry Regiment
55th Cavalry Regiment

The troops will rest at least one day to reduce fatigue and disruption, then get back at it.

Here is a look at China.

[BBfanboy]

Hi witpqs! Started reading your AAR today - really enjoying what you are accomplishing with bold resistance in DEI and Burma. Looks like DAW is reaching down SOPAC to scoop a path toward SE Australia. I know the garrison is really weak initially so a direct landing near Sydney might just upset the whole apple cart! Any concerns?? [BTW I have not looked at DAW's AAR if he has one- just speculation on my part].

Re: that torp in Hyuga - ever try to chase down a damaged ship afterward with the sub that did the initial dirty deed? Given that Hyuga only has about 23 kts full speed undamaged and will likely make for the nearest large port with a shipyard over 30K, a chase might pay off. I have had some luck about once in 8 tries in this situation.

[witpqs]

Howdy and welcome to the AAR!

On Hyuga, the Java Sea has enough Allied subs racing around that it's pushing up the sea level! So, in this case I don't have to worry about trying to plot an intercept. But just FYI, in the past I have seen subs all on their own chase a convoy or damaged ship for two or even three days. I just use React=1 (the max for subs) and a good Patrol zone and let them do their thing. One other bit that other people recommended and I am finding to be very true is to replace any sub commander with a low Aggressiveness rating. What I've been doing is checking whenever I send out a sub, any commander with an Aggressiveness rating of less than 50 gets sacked and replaced.

I'm not really sure that he will try to go farther in the South Pacific. The "D" in DAW stands for "Devious", and I just got a SigInt hit about a unit preparing to attack Trivandrum, near the tip of India. This could be misinformation (he's famous for prepping a rear area unit for Nome, for example). On the other hand, he might have only done it since he has identified certain units in Burma. The British 18th Division and one of the Australian brigades have been spotted by his guys, so he might figure on visiting India on the theory that I have defended it less stoutly than I might have. He would be right about that.

Australia is in decent shape defensively. I don't recall the number of AV present, but Sydney and Melbourne are held quite firmly. Any place can be conquered of course but DAW's troops would be in the meat grinder for sure. I have been very careful about managing squad and tank upgrades, so even though there is still plenty of militia there is also plenty of much stronger infantry. Modern tanks are the rule in the armored units. The bottom line is that it would have to be a serious invasion to have any chance of succeeding. A snap invasion would get crushed. On the other hand up around the forward areas a smaller invasion could succeed and certainly capture various bases. That's the price of defending strongly in the most vital areas right now, there just aren't enough troops to keep the Imperial forces out everywhere!

Devious Admiral Wa does indeed have an AAR. Obviously we want to maintain opsec between the two, so it's your call if you read both and post little or read and post freely in one. Have you noticed that my AAR is now in living color? [:D]

[BBfanboy]

I did notice the color differntiation in the headings at the start of each day summary - very nice. I also appreciate the efforts you put into posting maps and summary reports to help the reader follow the situation - there are just too many islands and strange place names around to picture it from descriptions alone.

Someday I gotta learn how you guys do the map captures - I have tried doing it with Prt Scr to capture the screenshot but then it takes too much editing to cut out the parts you don't want. I tried to download and set up WITP Tracker but when I run the BAT file it tells me it will not run on a 64 bit AMD processor. I am running an Intel I7 rather than AMD but I believe it is also 64 bit. Also, all the documentation talks about earlier Windows versions and I am using Windows 7. Someday when I get more ambitious to tackle the technical stuff I will try to find a work-around... not having Tracker is one of the things that keeps me from trying a PBEM game.

[witpqs]

http://getgreenshot.org/

Greenshot is free and open source. By default it will configure to be activated by the "Print Screen" key. I have mine configured to save .jpg files and always ask me where to put them/what to name them (it remembers that last folder where you saved one). It has a bunch of other options but those are the only ones that I use.

There are others available for free, but a couple of cautions. Some contain adware, for example there is someone out there who takes Greenshot and added advertisements to it ! [8|] Then there are the various free software that have viruses or trojans to hack your system. Last there are some free versions of commercial products, they give you a basic product for free and hope you will like it/use it enough to pay for an upgrade. Those are fine but the one I tried only captured at partial resolution - something like 80% quality - unless you upgraded to the paid version. Greenshot does full resolution of whatever is on the screen, it's quick and easy to use. It just works.

The other is Paint.net (find it at http://www.getpaint.net/ ), which is a Windows only program that is free but not open source (the author does not release the code). This is a very easy to use program to put annotations on a screen capture. A tip is to use different layers for your annotations, then merge them all "down" to the first layer when you are done (jpg files can only have one layer so you won't be able to post it on the forum otherwise). Also be warned that bad people out there also hand out virus-ridden copies of Paint.net, and even charge for it. So like Greenshot make sure you get it from the right place.