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

[witpqs]

1942 February 23

The Empire captured:
Tassafaronga
Makassar
Palopo
Nikunau
Tockangbesi-eilanden

The Allies captured:
Cheribon

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Nikunau
Merak

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Dutch are simply not finished. Their ground forces liberated Cheribon. Their fly boys did this:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
T.IVa x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAP Yoshino Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x T.IVa bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
T.IVa x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x T.IVa bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

East of Changsha the expected Imperial attack was felt today.

Ground combat at 83,52 (near Changsha)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 75340 troops, 679 guns, 108 vehicles, Assault Value = 2136

Defending force 42240 troops, 152 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1237

Japanese adjusted assault: 973

Allied adjusted defense: 1713

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
8086 casualties reported
Squads: 72 destroyed, 591 disabled
Non Combat: 53 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 32 (4 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (10 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
1602 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 197 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
35th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Division
9th Armored Car Co
110th Division
32nd/B Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps

The Chinese troops are tired and inexperienced, but they are dug-in. An undetermined number of Imperial units are now seen pulling out. Certainly the degree of over stacking is burning their supplies.

KB was missed by search a/c but SigInt seems to have revealed its position. 14 hexes to Rangoon, which is filled with fighters. There are also fighters at Pegu and Moulmein, and 6 well-trained bi-plane torpedo bombers at Rangoon. It could happen...

[BBfanboy]

You have reason to hope - on more than one AAR I have seen those biplanes stick it to IJA carriers because their Admirals were to arrogant to recognize that slow speed brings accuracy. It also seems hard for fighters to stay in attack position behind the Stringbags as they fly too slow and the fighters would stall if they tried to stay on their "6". Ain't obsolescence wonderful!

[witpqs]

1942 February 24

The Empire captured:
Sibolga
Malang
Tabiteuea
Merak

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Merak
Tabiteuea
Sansapor

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


An IJN DMS hit a mine at Makassar and was seen sinking by a Dutch Dornier plane which tried to attack it later. The KB is near Port Blair with an invasion convoy and its Vals took out YMS MMS-94 there. More than 4,000 tons supply begins unloading at Rangoon under the hopeful protection of Allied fighters.

In China near Ichang the Empire was again held off, but the results were more even this time.

Ground combat at 84,48 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 54711 troops, 389 guns, 170 vehicles, Assault Value = 1698

Defending force 48217 troops, 236 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1274

Japanese adjusted assault: 1142

Allied adjusted defense: 1103

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3613 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 400 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2664 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 293 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Infantry Regiment
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
27th Division
15th Tank Regiment
57th Infantry Brigade
51st Infantry Brigade
40th Division
13th Tank Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
45th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army

Reinforcements are moving in while one unit and then another move out to Ichang for R&R.

A large convoy has unloaded aircraft and support troops at Sydney and is now unloading large quantities of fuel and supply. An ASW group out of Sydney repeatedly roughed up an I-boat in the vicinity. Damaged AP US Grant made San Francisco under close escort and is entering dry dock. Meanwhile stricken CL Danae has made Perth and is now making for Melbourne.

[BBfanboy]

Hope you have good ASW forces in the area between Tasmania and Melbourne. Japanese boats love to stake out that choke point and Danae has already been through enough punishment ...

[witpqs]

Gave her a good escort. While I've got enough escorts for most things if I am careful (downright stingy) about using them, there just are not enough to mount the type of ASW campaign that I would like.

---

1942 February 25

The Empire captured:
Tambelan-eilanden
Arorae
Djambi

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Sansapor
Arorae
Salajar
Damar

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The surrounded Chinese forces at Wenchow continue to defy the Empire.

Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39917 troops, 326 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 1068

Defending force 16844 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 322

Japanese adjusted assault: 645

Allied adjusted defense: 931

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2450 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 163 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
679 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
39th/B Division
22nd/B Division
116th/B Division
15th/C Division
15th/B Division
116th/A Division
39th/A Division
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th/C Division

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

KB and its protectees have literally vanished in the Andaman Sea amid heavy storms. Multiple search planes likely overflew their location, but...

[witpqs]

1942 February 26

The Empire captured:
Sansapor
Salajar
Damar

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Salajar
Damar

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A USN sub missed an IJN sub with 4 x torpedoes at the long range of 4,000 yards. An I-boat turned an xAKL near Darwin into shrapnel with shell fire. Allied air over Rangoon held its own against a second day oz Zero sweeps from Chiang Mai. Dutch flying boats, turned loose for attack duty at Koepang, wreaked havoc at Kendari.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Saiho Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Kosin Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAK Yamayuri Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Erie Maru, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Heian Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Nichiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Heian Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Asama Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Mantai Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

SigInt has intercepted another report of a unit planning for a target near the tip of India. Meanwhile, the KB and it's retinue have moved along the Burma coast. The carriers themselves are unspotted amid heavy overcast, but 2 x BB are seen 80nm W Akyab.

So, is this an invasion of Akyab, simply to undermine the Allied position in Burma? Or is it a move on Chittagong or Diamond Harbor? If the latter the intentions might be both an invasion and to draw Allied troops to that area, leaving the tip of India more vulnerable. Or are all the preparations meant as deception, knowing that some will be intercepted by SigInt, paralyzing Allied forces there while Calcutta is savaged?

[BBfanboy]

Nice job on the port naval attacks. I hope Brasil Maru goes down - it is a largish ship which can carry a lot of troops.

Re: India - at this stage [Feb 42] Indian units are inexperienced, poorly trained and often poorly lead - and there aren't nearly enough of them to cover garrison requirements plus get a stout line of defence. About all you could do is trade space for time and fight a few delaying actions. You can free up a few units by optimizing the garrison sizes - it's a pain but can yield about 200 AV.

The only area absolutely crucial is the corner around Karachi from whence come most of your Aden reinforcements. You must have somewhere to bring them and it must be secure from air/sea attack. It is also important to keep Diego Garcia and Addu Island if you want to bring supplies in from Cape Town.

As for his intentions, all I can suggest is that you count up his Divisions/Independent Regiments in his Order of Battle [start up the scenario and click on the units list button] and then begin compiling [over weeks or months] a list of known unit locations from combat, bombardments and Sigint. If there is a sizeable chunk missing it could be on ships and if some missing units have been reported as prepping for S. India ...

[witpqs]

Ever watch The Sopranos? Measures are being taken. [:D]

---

1942 February 27

The Empire captured:
Nias
Cheribon
Loemadjang

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Akyab

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Flying Dutchmen put 2 x 250kg SAP bombs on xAK Mexico Maru and left her afire at Makassar. Some Blenheims went into Chiang Mai without escort and without their sweepers. They paid a price losing several to stout CAP.

Akyab is invaded by 4 separate convoys with KB standing guard. The Imperial Guards Division and the 21st Division are ashore, far too much for Akyab alone. Measures are being taken.

This large convoy has been spotted. No doubt DAW has reprimanded his naval minions for their failure to locate our convoy routes. Arrangements are being made for additional protection as this convoy passes through the most dangerous area on its way to Australia.

[witpqs]

1942 February 28

The Empire captured:
Akyab
Beru

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Beru

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


We're losing naval search aircraft near Akyab, but I suppose it's important to keep tabs on the pirates. Soerabaja is about to fall, with near 5 x Imperial troops versus defenders. Chinese forces at Pingsiang barely held off another attack. Help will arrive tomorrow in combat formation, but it's unlikely to be enough. A pesky IJN sub continues to play cat and mouse with the ASW group out of Sydney. TF 259 is no longer spotted but surely their course was picked up yesterday? At least one of the units that captured Akyab is seen heading straight inland toward the Burma plain, so the back door to Burma it is.

Zeros have been sweeping Rangoon from Chiang Mai and taking a toll of the defenders. Some attackers have gone down too, but the exchange seemed generally in the attackers favor. Today was perhaps a turning in that, although we can not sustain the losses and perhaps the Empire can.

[witpqs]

1942 March 01

The Empire captured:
Lingga
Soerabaja
Onotoa

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Onotoa
Bandjermasin

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Flying Dutchmen score again, this time at Bandjermasin. "xAK Nankai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire" and "xAK Ayatosan Maru, Bomb hits 1". And...

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

While Soerabaja has fallen, other bastions remain. The last redoubt in the Philippines is doomed but undaunted.

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13566 troops, 108 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 457

Defending force 11320 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 369

Japanese adjusted assault: 141

Allied adjusted defense: 143

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2563 casualties reported
Squads: 58 destroyed, 129 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
538 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
Sasebo 2nd SNLF
Sasebo 1st SNLF
146th Infantry Regiment
II/124th Infantry Battalion
15th Naval Guard Unit

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

The shoot-downs of naval search in the Bay of Bengal continue. I reckon that the Imperial fleet is still near Akyab, out of surviving search coverage.

[witpqs]

1942 March 02

The Empire captured:
Pamekasan

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Banjoewangi

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Pingsiang nearly fell. If they can hold on one more day more help is on the way.

Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23701 troops, 146 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 709

Defending force 16227 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 349

Japanese adjusted assault: 562

Allied adjusted defense: 265

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
447 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 84 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1065 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Assaulting units:
53rd Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
54th Infantry Brigade
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
12th Tank Regiment
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
26th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps

Many small combatants were sunk around the DEI today, with the survivors being driven hither and yon. The KB is shepherding its flock back toward the Andaman Sea. A few of the Dutch subs made it in place but most will be late. If not for the fact that they had started re-basing a few days before this enemy move was noted then all of them would have been late. There is now an Imperial unit moving on Moulmein from the road to Thailand. I have a feeling that the IJN battleships will take gunnery practice on their way back to Singapore.

[witpqs]

1942 March 03

The Empire captured:
Banjoewangi

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Pingsiang
Probolinggo
Bandjermasin

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The flying Dutchmen at work:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 78,102

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
E Ishigaki, Bomb hits 1
xAK Saiho Maru, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x PBY-5 Catalina bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

As no fires were seen I hope the reports of hits are valid. There was no naval bombardment of Moulmein. But there was an attack on Rangoon by the KB's air wing.

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
D3A1 Val x 125

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16
Hurricane IIb Trop x 30
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.242 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
No.605 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 8 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
51st PG/16th PS 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 35 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers

SigInt reports an IJN AK currently moving to Port Blair. The Chinese force at Pinsiang were attacked again and could not hold out for more reinforcements.

Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23197 troops, 146 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 653

Defending force 15312 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 240

Japanese adjusted assault: 414

Allied adjusted defense: 183

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pingsiang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
527 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5717 casualties reported
Squads: 162 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 189 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (11 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
54th Infantry Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps

This view shows KB straight west of Rangoon.

[witpqs]

1942 March 04

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Soebi-besar

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


An Imperial force misstepped and crossed the river into Palembang instead of going around.

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5049 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 279

Defending force 5754 troops, 54 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 177

Japanese adjusted assault: 6

Allied adjusted defense: 154

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 25 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
738 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
78th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
56th Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
Tapanoeli Gsn Battalion
Zuid KNIL Battalion
Riouw KNIL Battalion
So.Sumatra Garrison Battalion
Padang Base Force
Palembang ML Base Force

There simply isn't enough force defending Palembang to take advantage of that error. Moulmein was bombarded - twice!

Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
BB Kongo
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Nachi

Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Manpower hits 4
Fires 2294
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 41
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 4

BB Fuso firing at Moulmein
BB Nagato firing at 16th Australian Brigade
BB Kongo firing at 16th Australian Brigade
CA Kumano firing at Moulmein
CA Suzuya firing at 19thAustralian Brigade
CA Nachi firing at Moulmein

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
CA Ashigara
CA Haguro
CA Maya

Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

BB Ise firing at 48th Gurkha Brigade
BB Yamashiro firing at 16th Australian Brigade
BB Mutsu firing at 16th Australian Brigade
CA Ashigara firing at 19thAustralian Brigade
CA Haguro firing at 19thAustralian Brigade
CA Maya firing at 19thAustralian Brigade

Moulmein is in tough shape, but all aircraft had been moved with the prior warning. Probably due to weather, all Imperial shipping in the area has vanished.

A large troop convoy dodges Imperial interdiction.

[BBfanboy]

I see you are using search arcs for you naval search. In other AARs I have read that the manual arc settings are borked and the aircraft do not necessarily fly the ordered pattern. Posters said you were better off to leave the arcs unspecified and have the computer weakly search 360º than have it sending ALL the aircraft the wrong way. However, some have also said they thought this was fixed in the recent Beta releases. Any chance this could explain the appearance/disappearance of IJN fleets?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I see you are using search arcs for you naval search. In other AARs I have read that the manual arc settings are borked and the aircraft do not necessarily fly the ordered pattern. Posters said you were better off to leave the arcs unspecified and have the computer weakly search 360º than have it sending ALL the aircraft the wrong way. However, some have also said they thought this was fixed in the recent Beta releases. Any chance this could explain the appearance/disappearance of IJN fleets?

No. Search arcs and ASW arcs were fixed a long, long time ago in the Betas. No doubt about it.

[witpqs]

1942 March 05

The Empire captured:
Soebi-besar
Nanumea

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:
Port Blair
Nanumea
Dili
Denpasar

There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Two subs scored today.

Sub attack near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese Ships
xAK Penang Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL Nichinan Maru
xAKL Hitora Maru
xAKL Karimo Maru
PB Toshi Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Permit

SS Permit launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Penang Maru
PB Toshi Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Toshi Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Akyab at 54,46

Japanese Ships
xAKL Chosen Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O16

xAKL Chosen Maru is sighted by SS O16
SS O16 launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Chosen Maru

A light cruiser TF bombarded Port Blair prior to the landings. There is only the small base force there so no real opposition will be offered. The IJN is clearing mines in both Soerabaja and Palembang, the latter under the helpless gaze of the defenders. DD Hatsuyuki hit one of them and was seen on fire with heavy damage. A second destroyer mocking the Palembang defenders was also punished, by the Flying Dutchmen.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Murakumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CV Formidable arrived at Cape Town. Here is a look at central China, with all the maneuvering going on.

[BBfanboy]

You have a green unit dot at the base south of Kweiyang [Tolun, IIR]. Who are these guys? Support troops for the AVG?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

You have a green unit dot at the base south of Kweiyang [Tolun, IIR]. Who are these guys? Support troops for the AVG?

Technically maybe. They are one of the USA base forces that arrives tasked for China. I forget if they arrived there or if I had to send them through Burma. I also don't recall if there is any unit name similarity with the AVG but that's basically what they are.

I believe that base if Tuyun, the head of the rail line, and I put them there for the time being to bolster fortification building. China is very different in this game (from the game with Vic) both because of the difference in opponents and also, significantly, because I still have the Burma Road open and I was able to ship in a nice little batch of supply on top of that, some of which made its way into China. How's that for a run-on sentence?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I believe that base if Tuyun, the head of the rail line, and I put them there for the time being to bolster fortification building. China is very different in this game (from the game with Vic) both because of the difference in opponents and also, significantly, because I still have the Burma Road open and I was able to ship in a nice little batch of supply on top of that, some of which made its way into China. How's that for a run-on sentence?

[:D] I tend to do that too - write first and try to fix up the grammar/syntax later [if I remember].

[witpqs]

Sister Mary Scream Alot would be proud of me! [:D]