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

[wneumann]

I found the quick discussion regarding the 8th Aussie Infantry Division interesting. I have lost both the 22nd and the 27th brigades and only in late 42 was able to get the last of the remaining components out of NG and into Darwin. As of August 43 the Division has an assault value of 254 and continues to rebuild. ... It looks as though it will eventually reach full strength, even if that takes another year.

johnjohn,

If the sub-units of 8 Australian Division that you have (I'm assuming you have Sparrow, Gull, Lark Bns in the game) are now combined to form the divisional LCU of 8th Division, then purchasing either 22 or 27 Australian Brigades would not be worthwhile in your instance. What I'm assuming here is that you now have the 8 Division LCU created and the divisional unit is drawing replacement elements. If true, you do not need 22 & 27 Brigades to complete rebuilding of 8 Division under your scenario - Alfred's statement being completely true in your instance.

As for myself, I would not have required 22 Brigade (and purchasing it with PP would have been of no value) except for one thing.

With the four sub-units of 8th Division I have in the game (display shown below) all at or reaching full TOE strength, my process of rebuilding 8th Division was approaching a crossroads. To continue and complete rebuilding of 8 Division in my scenario, one of two things had to be done immediately.

1) Combine the four sub-units of 8th Division I have in the game and continue drawing replacement elements into the divisional LCU.

This would have been the only available option had 22 Brigade not been available for re-entry into the game. Before I could combine the sub-units I had and form 8th Division, there is first the matter of getting all four sub-units transferred into the same command (SW Pacific). Doing this requires an expenditure of approx 650 PP to transfer the three Bns from ABDA to SW Pacific - this not being possible at the moment as (a) I did not have the 650 PP, and (b) other existing priorities for PP expenditures in the "big picture" ahead of rebuilding 8 Australian Division had the 650 PP been available.

Without 22 Brigade, rebuilding of 8th Division from replacement elements would have come to a halt and remained at a stop until this "project" came up on its turn in my list of PP expenditure priorities (it's down the list a few notches) and the 650 PP became available to spend. Once the 650 PP was spent and 8th Division formed from my four sub-units, only then could rebuilding of the division to full TOE strength continue.

2) Purchase 22 Brigade. Rather than a delay in re-building 8th Division, the purchase of 22 Brigade allowed me to continue rebuilding the division without first spending the 650 PP and combining the sub-units. It should be noted the 26 PP to purchase 22 Brigade is not the full cost of exercising this option... there's also a small additional PP cost to transfer 22 Brigade to SW Pacific before the brigade starts drawing replacement elements. I estimate the full cost (purchase + transfer) to be approx 30-40 PP.

Taking this option does not eliminate the need to spend 650 PP later for transferring Sparrow, Gull and Lark Bns to SW Pacific before combining sub-units to form 8th Division - it only delays need of the 650 PP until such time as I'm ready to make the expenditure.

What purchasing 22 Brigade in my scenario does is trade PP in exchange for continuing 8th Division's rebuilding process without any delay. In short... I spent a little "money" and saved a little time.

[johnjohn]

Johnjohn--You are correct. I moved the Sparrow, Lark, and Gull battalions to Darwin, changed command, and reorganized the Division. I am now building it up to full strength. I have just now, August 43, started changing commands for the Burma units and the ABDA units that survived. PPs are no problem. I also discovered that a number of China units were moved and never switched back to combat once they reached their destinations. That, too, has been corrected. I still don't know how to buy back LCUs. At this point, I am not sure that makes any difference.

As for the next two months I am upgrading a few fighter squadrons out of F4Fs, moving supplies and fuel to forward bases as well as Brisbane, which is the SWPAC logistics hub, and refitting and repairing minor damage in order to hit the Marshalls in October. Still debating if Wotje or Roi-Namour needs to go first to provide a level 4 airbase. Have 7 divisions at PH reserved for this operation with 2 Marine divisions at Tarawa and Makin respectively (including a Tank BN, an ENGR, and a defense battalion, with airbase invasions also receiving a base force unit).

SWPAC is advancing on Lae, albeit slowly. SWPAC bombers, based in Solomons, have fully suppressed Rabaul and Gasmata bases.

India--moving Chindits and 5th Ind Div to Imphal. Plan to demonstrate in Burma. I am considering pushing the enemy out of Cox's Bazaar and Akyab. Probably will not do so since the status quo, the enemy is isolated and unable to move, is working well.

China--everything is holding although the enemy is racheting up attacks and taking significant losses. Supply airlift includes Kweilin and a mountain pass position that is the last line of defense to sweeping westward into the hinterlands. Still hauling significant supply to Chungking, mostly direct, but some still through Kunming.

Kweilin is the key position. If they break through there I am in trouble. I have 19 Commandos hauling supply in there every day. So far, I am holding and they are dying. But if they get reinforced, the city is doomed and a path to Chungking would open up. Thus far I have interupted the supply lines into the area and have stopped a relief force from getting in one hex to the east-northeast by digging into the jungle with a medium size LCU. I am looking for a reserve force I could move to the area, but one does not exist. So I hope what I have holds. So far they have.

Aussie, DEI, PI--all in defensive hold positions, nothing planned for DEI or PI at present. Aussie is setting up another airlift, this time from Perth, to get supplies up to Broome. Since Broome and all the bases near there are under attack from Bettys (although I am shooting down a lot of them), getting shipping in there is proving too costly. Lost another AK trying to ferry in supplies yesterday.

As for air attacks, not much is happening in a macro sense. My highest ace is Aussie with 13 kills (at Broome). I have about 20 level 80 pilots in TRACOM. The fact I am facing is that the Japanese air force is not attacking much, nor has it done so since late 42. Am having a difficult time developing 80+ pilots to move to TRACOM. TRACOM is turning out graduates with just over 24 exp. Am having to train these guys for months in training squadrons. Most are gambling in Vegas in their spare time (LOL). Actually they are spread out all over the US and rear areas in Pacific. Most of the planes in the Marshalls have left or been shot down by the carriers, so opportunities are fleeting at best. My frontline squadrons have aircrews with 70+ exp, proving quite deadly when they get the chance.

The Indian/British/American units in India/China have considerable experience and the most kills. Have not had any pilot issues as you described in an earlier campaign. The problem now is getting all the squadrons up to full TOE, especially the China units that arrived in Karachi. I have the same problem with the Commando units that came with 5 planes each. As crashes mount, I withdraw the squadron and set to training. Will be another year before C46s will be available in any number. Presently 3 planes a month are available for replacing losses. That is not enough.

I know the IJN is still out there and capable, but I have not seen any enemy warships in months. I am suspecting a severe fuel shortage, but who knows? Meanwhile I have 700 hulls lifting supply and fuel and repositioning same where it will do the most good.

John

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/19/42

South Pacific: Transport convoy WP-20 approaching Suva was attacked by Jap submarine, one ship torpedoed and sunk. Jap sub was attacked and damaged by the convoy’s ASW escort - the I-5 is visible in the hex and no doubt still afloat. The sunken Allied transport was loaded with 3200 supply points cargo. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Gau Island at 133,162 (SE of Suva)

Japanese Ships
SS I-5, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (two direct hits shown in the replay)

Allied Ships
xAK Sawokla, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
xAP Maori
DD Walke

SS I-5 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Sawokla
DD Walke attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sigint entry for 10/18 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Koumac (New Caledonia). Detected status of Koumac shows no visible Japanese forces or activity, no evidence of airfield or port construction. Known intelligence data indicates three Jap LCU’s are located in Koumac (87, 88 and 89 Naval Gd units).

Several reported actions by US submarine patrols near Rabaul. SS Salmon engaged by Jap surface ASW in southern approaches to Rabaul, SS Sailfish north of Rabaul intercepts a small Jap transport TF probably moving between Truk and Rabaul. AAR’s follow.

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ASW attack near Feni Islands at 107,127 (SE of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
PB Nanpo Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Myoken Maru

Allied Ships
SS Salmon

SS Salmon is located by PB Nanpo Maru
PB Myoken Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Emirau Island at 108,115 (N of Kavieng)

Japanese Ships
DMS W-14
xAP Kowa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish

SS Sailfish launches 4 torpedoes at DMS W-14
Sailfish diving deep ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/18 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAKL Buyo Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 7, Moving Southwest


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF’s in harbor (-1 from last report), 86 aircraft (56 fighters, 30 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: Jap air bombing raid on Ledo, no fighter sweeps. Allied fighters remain stood down. Pillager is starting to get a little complacent, almost time for Allied CAP to re-appear. AAR follows.

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Afternoon Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Dutch Air Force: With the exception of one 2E bomber squadron in Australia (the squadron is actually part of the RAAF), I had thought the Dutch AF became extinct with the fall of the DEI earlier in 1942. Guess I was wrong…

Over the last several game turns, Dutch air force squadrons have been automatically re-entering the game as reinforcements in Aden (not reactivated by any action on my part). Most of these squadrons returned to the game as “empty” units having no planes and one pilot. While new Allied squadrons are always welcome in the game (at least to me anyway), the resurrection of the Dutch AF is presenting me with an unanticipated “project” – rebuilding Dutch air squadrons. So much for the good news.

The not quite so good news is… There are no swarms of rookie Dutch replacement pilots coming through the pipeline, actually no rookie pilots at all. I do have 101 Dutch pilots in the Reserve pool – these apparently represent all the pilots available for the new Dutch squadrons plus the Dutch RAAF 2E squadron now in Australia. As for planes, only in small quantities and except for the PBY-5 Catalina, none of the Dutch plane types are in production.

I’m still looking over the Dutch AF situation as more of these squadrons are coming back into the game, actually holding off on any action until all of them return. Within the next game turn or so, I should have the entire roster of Dutch AF squadrons that started the game in the DEI in 12/41.

The conclusion I’m beginning to come to is that the “new” Dutch AF will enter the rebuilding process with only a select set of squadrons to be rebuilt. Exactly how many and which Dutch squadrons to be rebuilt has yet to be determined, though at least the following criteria will apply.

1) A very limited number of available Dutch pilots. As it appears the Dutch do not generate any new rookie pilots, those Dutch pilots now in a squadron and Dutch pilots currently in the Reserve pool represent the entire supply Dutch pilots in the game. Once this supply of pilots is exhausted, there is no more Dutch AF.

2) An equally limited supply of Dutch planes. Except for the PBY-5 Catalina, there are no Dutch plane types in production. The PBY-5 remains in production only until 12/42.

3) The supply of available Dutch pilots and planes will be the driving factor behind all policy regarding the rebuilding and future employment of the “new” Dutch AF, the key thing is conserving the available Dutch plane and pilot supply.

4) Types of Dutch air squadrons to be rebuilt will reflect the need to conserve, with squadrons built for the “new” Dutch AF primarily in non-combat roles.

5) The number of Dutch air squadrons rebuilt will reflect the numbers of planes and pilots that are available, this to be done so that the rebuilt squadrons are fully manned and equipped, with a small number of pilots and planes kept in reserve to replace losses (hopefully only operational losses).

6) The most likely priority will be given to rebuilding the Dutch patrol squadrons – these are small, numerous and the most useful non-combat squadrons. These squadrons can be equipped with PBY-5 Catalinas which is a “plus” at least for the short-term. There is a small number of Do-24K planes also available as a supplement or a fall-back.

7) Possibly one Dutch AF 2E bomber squadron will be on the roster, this equipped with B-25C Mitchells (as is the Dutch RAAF squadron). Given the very small number of Dutch B-25C planes in the replacement pool and no prospect of re-equipping the two Dutch B-25C squadrons with another plane type, the two squadrons will see front-line combat activity on a rather infrequent basis.

8) Note that there has been no mention of Dutch fighter squadrons – this being the first, only and last mention of them.

While I will save this for later discussion – I’m seeing many aspects of the situation described above being true with the Chinese AF “in exile” now being formed in India.


China: Japanese ground attacks continue along the southern approaches to Chungking, also in the far western area. Nothing significant as to the Japanese forces involved in these actions, nor in any of the combat results.

[johnjohn]

Johnjohn--Another interesting difference. In my campaign with the AI, I have not encountered the Dutch squadrons returning but for one that does not find a base to return too (it is always due to arrive at an enemy occupied base). Since I am considerably beyond you in time (Aug 43 vs. Oct 42) I have no explanation for what you are experiencing. Sounds like a useless exercise anyway since most will not be useable in any form. John

[wneumann]

In my campaign with the AI, I have not encountered the Dutch squadrons returning but for one that does not find a base to return too (it is always due to arrive at an enemy occupied base).

I'm not sure exactly (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but actually getting the Dutch air squadrons back in the game as reinforcements appears to be a result of upgrading to the recent new version of AE. Before upgrading my AE to the new version, I was seeing Dutch air squadrons on my Group Reinforcement Schedule display their entry base would be at a Japanese-controlled base in the DEI so they never actually entered the game. After the AE version upgrade, the Dutch squadrons appeared in the Group Reinforcement Schedule with an entry base at Aden and they actually came into the game there.

I'm also thinking that the point you're at in your game (8/43) vs mine (10/42) may also be a factor.

So that's my theory...

Sounds like a useless exercise anyway since most will not be useable in any form.

Except for the Dutch patrol squadrons, I'm in overall agreement with your statement. You can never have enough naval air search, even if it comes in small packets.

The number of available Dutch pilots and planes is small to begin with, and what I have on hand would have to last for the remainder of the game (1945). I can't possibly get all the Dutch squadrons operational. And that's even before taking into account the need to keep at least a small number of reserve pilots and planes to cover even operational losses. Given that... any Dutch air squadrons I do activate will certainly have to operate on non-combat missions (naval search always being useful). Which leaves me with the Dutch patrol squadrons. I'm going to end up with one or maybe two Dutch bomber squadrons, these too will be utilized for naval search and ASW missions.

For the moment, I'll keep all the Dutch squadrons in Aden - put together the ones I will be activating, then train the pilots. I currently have no idea as to where (what theatre) the Dutch squadrons will be employed once they're ready to go but in any event they will most likely have to be transferred out of ABDA to another command before I can ship them out of Aden. That will be somewhat down the list of priorities for Allied PP expenditures.


As stated in my last post, I'm also seeing a similar situation developing with the Chinese air force I'm forming "in exile". It hasn't happened yet, but I see a very good possibility of the Chinese squadrons I now have in India facing the same or similar restrictions on pilots and planes that I'm describing above with the Dutch.

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I currently have seven Chinese squadrons (6 fighter, one bomber) in India. I may evacuate 1-2 more bomber squadrons out of China but that's it. The remaining air squadrons in China will be cannibalized - any pilots from Chinese squadrons remaining in China that can be transferred to the Reserve pilot pool will be removed from the squadrons. The flow of replacement planes and pilots into Chinese AF squadrons still in China has been stopped for some time, the only Chinese squadrons receiving replacements as of now are those already evacuated to India. I'm working on having a many Chinese pilots and planes as possible either in the replacement pools or with a squadron that is now in India before Pillager gets done finishing off China. Any rookie Chinese replacement pilots entering the game will be grabbed from the rookie pool and moved to the Reserve pilot pool (probably "laundered" through an on-map air squadron).

What I think could likely happen with the Chinese AF after the fall of China will be similar to that of the Dutch AF - the only available Chinese planes and pilots will consist of those already in the game (with a surviving on-map squadron in India) plus those that are in the replacement pools at the time China falls. Once China has fallen... the supply of new Chinese rookie pilots will be permanently stopped and only the planes and pilots already in the replacement pool are available. Though unlike the Dutch, China does get newer types of planes entering future production which I still may or may not receive - potentially easing the limited supply of Chinese planes, though this does nothing to alleviate the limited number of Chinese AF pilots.


Between the Dutch and Chinese air forces, my plan is to scrape together whatever can be salvaged from the spare parts.

[johnjohn]

Johnjohn--Bad theory. I did not have the update loaded, which I now do. The Dutch guys are all coming in to Aden. I guess I am facing the same problem. John

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/20/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 10/19 report heavy volumes of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk and Kwajalein.

Detected status of Truk is showing undetermined Jap aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port – both these items as expected. Seven Jap LCU’s (plus the static naval fortress LCU) are known to be located in Truk from current intelligence data including HQ Southeast Area Fleet, 4 Base Force (IJN), 85 Naval Gd, 2 Independent SNLF Co, I & II/66 Naval Gd, 1 Independent Tank Co.

Detected status of Kwajalein shows 88 ships anchored in port including a significant number of subs. Planes detected in Truk include 9 aircraft (7 fighters, 1 bomber). A possible conclusion from this information is that Pillager is utilizing Kwajalein as a major submarine base for operations in the Central and Eastern Pacific areas. Jap LCU’s located in Kwajalein (in addition to the static naval fortress LCU there) includes HQ 4th Fleet, Kwajalein Base Force (IJN), 26 Shipping Engineer Rgt.

Sigint entry for 10/19 indicates Japanese 8th Infantry Division is now located at Guam. Jap 8 Division was transferred to Guam from the Kwantung Army.


South Pacific: Transport convoy WP-20 (4 ships remaining) arrives in Suva this game turn – xAK Sawolka (3200 supply cargo) from this convoy was torpedoed and sank by Jap sub I-5 on 10/19 outside of Suva. Cargo arriving aboard the remaining ships of convoy WP-20 includes 25 & 26 USN Seabee Bns plus 2400 supply. The two Seabee units are planned to reinforce construction activity for expanding airfield and port facilities on Fiji.

Jap submarine (probably the I-5) remains detected off Suva. Surface ASW escorts from convoy WP-20 are being dispatched from Suva to attack the sub.

Plans are to eventually station surface ASW either in Suva or at a nearby base to counter Jap submarine patrol activity in the sea approaches to Fiji. ASW ships to be stationed here will likely be taken from groups of US SC’s due to arrive in the South Pacific theatre with two transport convoys now enroute from the mainland US.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/19 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Bingo Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 12, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 10, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,137 near Tassafaronga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 10, Moving West


Southeast Asia: Dutch submarine K-XVIII on patrol in the western Straits of Malacca attacked and moderately damaged this game turn by Jap Ki-30 Ann air patrol. K-XVIII is returning to base for repairs.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF’s in harbor, 83 aircraft (52 fighters, 21 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.

A modest bombing raid launched against the Jap airfield at Mandalay, this raid intended more as a “reconnaissance in force” rather than a major bombing offensive. The bombing attack also intended to attract some of Pillager’s attention from the activity over Ledo. Detected status of Mandalay base shows three Jap LCU’s, these LCU identified from known intelligence data as the “C” sub-unit of 33rd Infantry Division, 3 Independent Mountain Gun Rgt and 97 JAAF AF Bn. AAR follows.

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Morning Air attack on Mandalay, at 59,46

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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India: No Jap air activity over Ledo, though a number of entries in the 10/19 game turn Operations report of Jap planes flying over Akyab.


China: Japanese ground attacks continue along the southern front of the Chungking sector, also Sining in the far western area. AAR’s follow

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Ground combat at 75,46 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 36609 troops, 324 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1116
Defending force 34959 troops, 219 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1222

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

Assaulting units:
34th Division
70th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
19th Group Army
1st Group Army
25th Group Army

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Ground combat at 75,47 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29275 troops, 284 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1099
Defending force 50861 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1957

Assaulting units:
110th Division
17th Tank Regiment
39th Division
138th Infantry Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
67th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
26th Group Army
3rd War Area
27th Group Army

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Ground combat at 71,43 (along Tsuyung-Chengtu road)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11917 troops, 94 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 444
Defending force 858 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19
Japanese adjusted assault: 208
Allied adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 52 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
395 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
35th Division

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Ground combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25389 troops, 241 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1195
Defending force 16570 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 572

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

Assaulting units:
17th Division
6th Division
37th Division
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion

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

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/21/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/20 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Majuro. Detected status of Majuro shows no visible Japanese forces or activity, also no evidence of port or airfield construction activity. Current intelligence data has no known Jap LCU's located on Majuro.


South Pacific: Jap submarine I-5 reported sunk this game turn off Suva following attack by surface ASW escorts from transport convoy WP-20 on 10/19 – this according to the Ships Sunk display in the Intelligence screens.

Ships of transport convoy WP-20 unloading in Suva reported as being spotted by a H8K1 Emily naval search flight. Pillager might be sending a Betty naval air strike over Suva next game turn – CAP (two F4F Wildcat squadrons) is up and waiting.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/20 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed 7, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,137 near Tassafaronga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,124 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,123 near Kavieng, Speed 16, Moving Northwest


Australia: Transport convoy EX-16 (36 transport ships, 6 SC) arrives in Australia from the Eastern US. Cargo arriving aboard convoy EX-16 includes six USAAF bomber squadrons, 97K supply and 57K fuel. Five of the air squadrons arriving with the convoy are the first contingent of 4E bombers to reach Australia from the mainland US. No LCU’s arrived on this convoy.

The six SC with convoy EX-16 are remaining in Australia for the time being, plans for these ships include possible transfer from Australia to New Zealand for ASW employment in the South Pacific theatre. The SC’s are now being scheduled for shipyard repair of minor system damage received during their transit from the eastern US.


DEI: Dutch submarine K-XVI on patrol near the southern exit of the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra in the western Straits attacks Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Oosthaven at 46,97 (S of Oosthaven)

Japanese Ships
PB Chitose Maru
PB Choyo Maru #2
PB Higashiyama Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

SS KXVI launches 2 torpedoes at PB Chitose Maru
KXVI diving deep ....
PB Higashiyama Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, four Jap TF’s in harbor (+2 from last report), 83 aircraft (59 fighters, 24 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.

RAF 2E bombers launch an airfield strike against Myitkyina, encounter Jap CAP fighters that had likely been operating fighter sweeps against Ledo. Seven of the 12 Hudson bombers attacking Myitkyina were lost in this action (6 air-to-air, 1 operational). AAR follows.

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Morning Air attack on Myitkyina, at 64,42

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kanoya Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

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


India: No Jap air activity over Ledo this game turn, though entries in the 10/20 game turn Operations report indicate Pillager is still flying Jap planes over Akyab.


China: Latest AAR’s of activity along the southern approaches to Chungking and at Sining in the far western area follow.

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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25431 troops, 241 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1203
Defending force 16612 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 578

Assaulting units:
17th Division
6th Division
37th Division
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,46 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 36755 troops, 324 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1130
Defending force 35032 troops, 219 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1228

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

Assaulting units:
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
70th Division
34th Division
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
15th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
19th Group Army
1st Group Army
25th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,47 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29333 troops, 284 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1105
Defending force 50890 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1959

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

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

Assaulting units:
39th Division
17th Tank Regiment
110th Division
138th Infantry Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
45th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
3rd War Area
26th Group Army
27th Group Army

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/22/42

Central Pacific: Two US fleet subs enroute to patrol areas report contact with Jap surface ASW near Tabiteuea.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Nonouti at 137,132 (NW of Tabiteuea)

Japanese Ships
PB Keiko Maru
PB Edo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

SS Stingray is sighted by escort
PB Keiko Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Edo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

US sub patrol reports contact with small Jap transport TF moving on a NW heading. AAR follows. Position of this TF and its current heading indicate the Jap TF is likely returning to base after unloading its cargo at an undetermined destination to the south or southeast (Gilbert or Ellice Islands area, possibly Ndeni, Luganville, Efate). AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ponape at 115,117 (SW of Ponape)

Japanese Ships
TK Nanrei Maru
xAKL Kayo Maru
xAKL Toshin Maru
PB Kosin Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Trigger

SS Trigger launches 2 torpedoes at TK Nanrei Maru
PB Kosin Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

US sub patrol intercepts small Jap transport TF north of Truk. Reported movement of the Jap TF is on a SW heading, probable destination Truk. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 113,101 (N of Truk – two separate daylight actions w/ identical AAR’s)

Japanese Ships
PB Tama Maru
xAK Bisan Maru
PB Tatibana Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish

SS Sunfish launches 2 torpedoes at PB Tama Maru
PB Tatibana Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


South Pacific: Two unidentified Jap TF’s detected north of Suva, moving on SW heading (no doubt incoming). Several 10/21 Operations report entries indicate Jap float planes spotted flying over Suva. It’s quite possible one or both of the spotted Jap TF’s are either surface combat or carrier. At this point, I’m operating under the premise that Pillager has one or more carrier(s) in this group, cannot discount the possibility Pillager has sorted part or all of the KB.

Appropriate alerts and precautions are being put into effect throughout the South Pacific theatre area. Transport convoy WP-18 (33 ships) is due to arrive in Auckland from the mainland US on 10/23, the convoy is instead being re-routed southward to a holding location until this situation is sorted out. No other incoming or departing Allied transport convoys are in or due to enter the immediate area. Current weather forecast for the area is Clear. All Allied aircraft based in Suva have been scrambled on appropriate air missions.

Ships of transport convoy WP-20 are currently in Suva, they completed unloading and the convoy had been due to depart this game turn. The convoy is now dispersed and ships are being scrambled individually out of Suva at flank speed on various headings. Situation map follows.



Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/21 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed 3, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown


US sub patrol attacks Jap surface ASW in southern approaches to Rabaul. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Feni Islands at 107,127 (SE of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
PB Magan Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Nanpo Maru
PB Myoken Maru

Allied Ships
SS Salmon

SS Salmon launches 2 torpedoes at PB Magan Maru
PB Myoken Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 3 Jap TF’s in harbor (-1 from last report), 74 aircraft (54 fighters, 20 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


China: Latest AAR’s of activity along the southern approaches to Chungking follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,46 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37039 troops, 324 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1160
Defending force 35040 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1234

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

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

Assaulting units:
70th Division
34th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
4th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
19th Group Army
1st Group Army
25th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,47 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29333 troops, 284 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1105
Defending force 50871 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1956

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

Assaulting units:
110th Division
17th Tank Regiment
39th Division
138th Infantry Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
46th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
3rd War Area
26th Group Army
27th Group Army

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


Japanese capture Hami in the far western area, continue bombardment at Sining. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hami (81,17)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13125 troops, 122 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 448
Defending force 0 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 217
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 217 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hami !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
I-15-III: 6 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
3rd Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps (eliminated)

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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25513 troops, 243 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1213
Defending force 16645 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 582

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

Assaulting units:
6th Division
17th Division
37th Division
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion

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

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

[johnjohn]

Egads! That sure looks challenging for Suva and your establishment in the area. A couple of thoughts and some questions. 1. This could be raid. If so, your previous actions may be enough. 2. A follow on invasion may be behind these two task forces. If so, what do you have on Suva to hold the base? I seem to recall that you have two F4F equipped squadrons there. Any bombers based there (SBDs would be nice)? Where are your carriers? Are they anywhere close where they could come in behind the enemy and take out any invasion forces? Do you have any subs nearby that could be rerouted to intercept this force? Any minelayers, or is it too late for that? Worse case senario, it is the KB (thinking you will fight for Suva so a good chance to pound your forces to pulp), and a significant follow on invasion force is a few days behind it. Can you hold against a determined push or do you have to retreat to hit back another day? Lastly, do you have any surface action units that could sweep behind the enemy (Like 12 squares behind but still out of range of Tarawa)? In my game a four cruiser six dd force intercepted six supply/assault task groups sinking every last one of ships there (29 ships total) and never got close to any enemy concentrated bases while operating totally behind enemy lines. I don't know how pillager defends his invasion forces, but there may be an opportunity there for you. Of course if he escorts them with BBs, what chance do you stand? Always a calculated risk.

On the Johnjohn front, the enemy tried to assault Buka, but lost the attack force, one CA, one BB, and a beat up CL and all invaders while a two carrier strike force hit bases in the Indian Ocean. I activated Vicky at Columbo, but have no desire to get into a lopsided fight with the enemy out there. Am giving thought to sending a couple of US Fleet carriers out there to even up the odds. The First Cav Div hit Finschalen (spelling?) next to Lae and routed the enemy. It is a 3/2 base (air/port). Promptly flew in 25 P-38s and 16 B-25s. Have control over all the air for 200 miles around. Gasmata and Rabaul are fully disabled as bases. The task force that brought in 1st Cav and support is returning to Brisbane to get the 3rd Aussie Inf Div and support to hit Lae. It is just clean up after that. Am almost ready to hit Wotje, Roi-Namur, Kwajalene, Molealap, and Anillinglaplap, with Eniwetok coming last. Should have the Marshalls under control by end of November, if not before. Planning to use the winter to refit and reequip to support a westward thrust (Truk/Marianas) and move along the north shore of PNG. Should be at Hollandia by March. There is not much assigned to NG by the enemy.

Am rushing in a 400AV Corps to Kweilin to assist in the defense. That will triple the AV in the city and give me 3:2 ratio in AV.

One thing I am encountering is moving too fast. I still don't have coordination advantage yet nor is the pipeline pouring out all the material I will have later. Things will be different in '44, but I am not there yet. I still have a number of important upgrades due for the fast carrier force in October.

Good Luck with Pillager in the next few days.

John

[wneumann]

A couple of thoughts and some questions. 1. This could be raid. If so, your previous actions may be enough. 2. A follow on invasion may be behind these two task forces.

My estimate is that this sortie of KB is probably a raid, not an invasion. This is Pillager's second KB excursion into the South Pacific area in this game and probably not the last. The KB for the most part is more of a nuisance than a threat. All that's required to deal with it is early warning - with my ships out of KB's way, Pillager can burn all the fuel he wants while finding and attacking nothing but empty sea. KB raids are an inconvience, a relatively small delay of the inevitable.

I also estimate by now that Pillager is aware Fiji and Samoa are both heavily garrisoned. I'm also of the opinion that Pillager has neither the LCU's nor the logistical capacity to launch a large-scale invasion in the South Pacific. Pillager may be able to drop an SNLF or two somewhere to make a quick grab, that's probably about all. Suva and Samoa aren't going to fall to a SNLF or even a division, with or without the KB.

My intelligence data does indicate Pillager has transferred several divisions from the Kwantung Army into the Pacific theatres, but these divisions appeared in the Marianas within the last 10 days, probably for employment as defensive garrisons. Could be wrong, but it's likely Pillager has gone on the strategic defensive in the Pacific.

Any bombers based there (SBDs would be nice)?

Not on Suva but lots of them at Auckland if the KB shows up there. If I didn't have the airfield in Auckland overstacked during Pillager's last KB raid, I would have had 90 opportunities for a SBD to drop a 1000 lb bomb through a KB flight deck. Complete with fighter escort, a few torpedo planes and three 2E bombing squadrons trained for skip-bombing. Not overstacked this time around.

If Pillager has the KB show up off Auckland, he will be launching air strikes on an empty port and airfield.

Where are your carriers?

Completing 10/42 ship upgrades on the US West Coast, along with many of their escorts.

As in the story... we (the Allies) are the tortiose, the Japanese are the hare. The more the hare runs, the sooner it gets tired.

[johnjohn]

Johnjohn--I am learning, learning, and taking lots of notes. If you read Pillager correctly, then this "KB Search/Raid" will prove more costly to him than to you. Fuel consumption must always be an issue for Japan, so letting him burn up his fuel makes sense. I am watching and waiting to see what develops. Like the tortise and hare comparison.

I am learning, through mistakes, how to better coordinate invasion forces, to include loads. In the past ten days formed four task groups (two each) to attack Moalaelap and Wotje. The attacks went badly at first given that the support forces landed first and took a terrible pounding. Then the infantry came in and took out the defenders in a couple of days (Moelealap) and never arrived (Wotje). The survivors on Wotje, and there were not many, promptly reembarked and evacuated. I recalled the infantry force as well and called off that invasion. I am reviewing what went wrong with the loads given that the infantry divisions were picked first to load and only on review once the task force loaded and left Pearl did I discover that the infantry never embarked. I quickly formed two more task forces and loaded up the infantry and took off after the support troops. In the case of Moelaelap (forgive the spelling) they nearly caught up, landing one day behind the support group which survived nicely only because an armor unit was with it. At Wotje the infantry was several days behind the support group. Disaster. I did not think to stop either of the support groups to reverse the order. I still don't know why the infantry did not load in either case when it was picked first for that purpose. I am guessing the invasion task forces were too small, even though both contained over 60 APA/APs and 15 or so AKs. I have plenty of shipping (240 or so APA/APs and lots of AKs) in these four task forces, so size is only limited by the 100 ship limit per task force. In other words, the infantry was loaded on task forces of the same composition from the significant reserve at PH, but left days later. I still had enough left over to build two more. (Sept 43) I still have 300 hulls hauling fuel and supplies daily to where they are needed.

Things could have been worse. An Infantry Division could have been destroyed instead of the support troops, which I can replace but hate to lose. I have four squadrons of mixed matched Navy Fighters, dive bombers and TBFs arriving today at Moelaelap. Transferred one SBD squadron up from Tarawa to provide some search, and have four fast carrier forces supporting the assault, which have sunk 12 IJN AKs trying to reach both Roi-Namur and Wotje. No enemy planes have been sighted operating in the area for the last ten days.

In the far east the enemy carrier force has retreated from its sortie and disappeared again. HMS Victorious was then withdrawn while Repulse, which had been refitting and upgrading in Capetown quietly slipped into Columbo to join her mates, including Prince of Wales. Still thinking about running two Essex class carriers out there to even the odds, but not sure if that is a good idea. The raid netted the Jap force nothing. With virtually all Capetown shipping going to Perth (much farther south shipping lane) and Columbo from Aden, which is now the premier off map support base, (Shipping lane along West India coast), hitting the little bases in the middle of nowhere did not hurt the Allied effort.

All I can say at this point is that AE is far more complicated and requires far more attention to detail, attention to detail that takes a while to grasp (like changing commanders on subs, squadron commanders, etc., checking pilot exp levels, setting planes at the right altitude, etc.) not too mention getting invasion groups loaded correctly and prioritized for hitting the beach, than I believed possible at first. I am getting there, and I am sure to learn even more along the way, but it can be frustrating at times.

John, rooting for the good guys.

[wneumann]

johnjohn,

Much of what you said about your operation against Maleolap and Wotje reminded me of my initial amphibious operation against Samoa in the last CHS game vs Pillager - too many landings going on simulataneously. If you land somewhere, make sure you bring along enough to get the job done.

I sent 7 US Divisions aboard three amphibious TF's into Samoa (one TF each to capture Pago Pago, Savaii and Upolu) - the initial landings occurring on 9/21/43. It turned out the forces I had in the three amphibious TF's were sufficient to capture only two of the objectives (Pago Pago and Savaii). The US forces landed on Upolu (originally two divisions, later five) failed to capture the base and remained pinned down on Upolu.

Pillager brought quantities of Japanese LBA into Upolu and began launching strikes against Allied ships in the original landing force and in subsequent US TF's bringing additional supply and engineers into Pago Pago, sinking or damaging dozens of US transports and landing craft and eventually 8 of the 10 US CVE's supporting the operation. When there were no US ships to attack, the Jap planes on Upolu worked on Pago Pago airfield to prevent it from coming into operation.

132 game turns later... our CHS game ended on 1/27/44 with the battle for Samoa still underway. The final summary of the Pago Pago action from my WitP forum follows, the gory day-by-day details of the action are posted there as well. "Verdun in the Pacific" would neatly describe it...

Samoa - Verdun in the Pacific

This invasion was my chosen site to break Pillager's Japanese outer perimeter line in the Pacific, this choice among a number of (for the most part) equally bad options for accomplishing this task. Pillager could not have planned and prepared the location of the Japanese perimeter better, from Wake to Port Moresby, no routes of approach where any type of Allied LBA could be used to support or cover an amphibious attack. A wide belt of open sea (12-15 hexes across, four to five sailing days by transports) in front of the entire length of Japanese defenses allowing ample warning of an Allied approach to any location.

Known intelligence showed that many bases along the Japanese perimeter were fully built up and garrisoned. Pillager had transferred most of the Japanese LCU strength that could be removed from the Kwantung Army to the south - these units reinforcing Jap bases all along the outer perimeter line as well as many key bases in interior areas (Truk, the Marianas and Marshalls, Canton Is, Rabaul, Marcus, etc). These Japanese troop dispositions were verified by numerous Sigint reports over a considerable period of time.

The initial Samoa invasion and subsequent naval/transport sorties to reinforce and supply Pago Pago have taken a toll on U.S. and Allied ships, particularly transports. A large proportion of the transports sunk were small AK's, many of these Allied ships that had successfully evacuated the Phillipines, DEI, Malaya, and other locations during the early Japanese advances of 12/41 to early 1942. These transports had been held in reserve and earmarked for use in amphibious and island hopping operations due to their size, quick loading/unloading capacity, and relative expendability. However, most of these small transports are now gone. Only a relatively small number of larger U.S. transports and landing craft were sunk in the Samoa operations, leaving the overall U.S. and Allied transport situation in good shape.

The U.S. escort carrier force lost heavily during the initial Samoa invasion, 7 of the 10 CVE's participating in this operation were sunk with an eighth CVE heavily damaged. This force has been gradually replenished with new CVE's arriving as reinforcements and its return to action is expected shortly.

Many BB's in the U.S. naval bombardment force also received substantial damage from Jap LBA naval strikes, mainly in the initial Samoa invasion. Several of the more lightly damaged BB's are repaired and back in service, a backlog of older BB's with heavier damage remain in U.S. west coast shipyards. Current operational level of U.S. naval shore bombardment forces is approx 50-60%.

Heavy employment of the U.S. Main Carrier Force in escorting the transport sorties to Samoa have also taken a toll. While no U.S. CV's or CVL's have been sunk and only one CV (Saratoga) and one CVL received heavy damage from Japanese air attack, many of the carriers and larger escorts (fast BB's and cruisers) in the Main Carrier Force now require or are in the process of undergoing repair (refits) for "wear and tear" damage during operations off Samoa. These ships also receiving upgrades as they are taken "off-line". U.S. ship reinforcements (carriers, fast BB, cruisers) are being dispatched to the South Pacific as they arrive in the game to relieve other ships in the Main Carrier Force so they can be taken "off-line" for refits and upgrades. Destroyers are somewhat less of a problem as their numbers are more than sufficient to establish a continuous rotation of fresh DD's into the Main Carrier Force.

All the above naval and transport activity off Samoa has resulted in a heavy workload for U.S. shipyards, to the point where some damaged ships with lower repair priority are being temporarily "mothballed" until sufficient shipyard capacity is available to handle their repair without slowing the turnover of ships having a higher repair priority. The actions off Samoa have resulted in the establishment of a "triage" system for damaged ships where emergency repair is handled in forward bases and damaged ships are being distributed between various shipyards according to ship type and each ship's level of damage. Emergency repair facilities at forward bases have saved a number of ships very heavily damaged off Samoa that might have sunk under other circumstances. The "triage" system is expected to continue its usefulness in subsequent U.S. Pacific operations.

Ten U.S. combat divisions, two Corps HQ, plus a number of other LCU remain on the three Samoan islands (Pago Pago, Savaii, Upolu). These units are in various levels of "repair". One primary objective of recent and continuing operations is freeing up U.S. LCU's in the Samoa area, restoring them to fully operational status, and getting them moving again. I will touch upon the status of LCU's on each island shortly.

The U.S. base (particularly the airfield) on Pago Pago is now intact and fully operational for the first time. The transport sortie to Pago Pago that is just concluding has left nearly 100K supply on hand in Pago Pago base with still more supply unloading. Approximately 200-300 planes are now operating from Pago Pago airfield, these almost entirely a mix of Corsairs and 4E bombers. U.S. fighter plane strength on Pago Pago is sufficient to repel Japanese LBA strikes against Pago Pago base or Allied ships at Pago Pago. 4E bombers now on Pago Pago are beginning airfield strikes against Jap bases on Upolu and Wallis Is - plans are to render Jap airfilelds at both locations inoperable and keeping them that way. This situation combined with the very heavy attrition inflicted on Japanese LBA is the main force shifting the tide at Samoa in the Allies' favor. An additional 500+ U.S. planes of all types are available at Penhryn Is and are easily transferrable to support air ops on Pago Pago.

The three U.S. combat divisions, one Corps HQ, and other LCU's on Pago Pago are at full TOE strength and fully operational.

With Pago Pago base fully operational (and likely to remain that way), the next Allied focus in the Samoa area is Savaii. My plans are to repeat at Savaii much the same process that was done for Pago Pago - transport sorties bringing in supply, engineers and base support LCU's. Gradually getting the base (especially airfield) on Savaii operational, then bringing in more LBA. Two U.S. combat divisions are on Savaii, both of them presently in poor supply and operational condition.

Once Savaii is brought up to operational status, then we deal with finishing the U.S. capture of Upolu... The necessity of this is mainly to free up the five U.S. combat divisions, one Corps HQ, and other combat units that are now stuck on Upolu. Plans are to continue keeping the Japanese airfield on Upolu fully suppressed and supplying the U.S. ground units on Upolu. Now that Pago Pago is fully operational with large stocks of supply points, plans are to begin moving supply from Pago Pago to Upolu using small landing craft (especially handy being that Pago Pago and Upolu are in adjacent hexes). Most of the U.S. LCU's on Upolu have a substantial number of disrupted elements and are below full TOE strength. Supply levels on Upolu also being quite low.

Recent intelligence is indicating the KB does not appear to be operating from Suva and has at least temporarily moved north (though it is not known where it has moved or why). The possibility of keeping the KB up north is a significant factor behind preserving Operation Bulldog as a decoy operation.

The air battles over Pago Pago have what is turning out to be a very significant result, the ongoing decimation of front-line Japanese LBA. I plan to continue using Samoa as a "meat grinder" for Japanese air strength, either LBA or carrier-based.

My estimates are moving toward a conclusion that the KB represents a substantial portion (if not most) of the remaining operational front-line Japanese air forces in the Pacific. If this trend is true, Pillager will eventually be forced to employ the KB in a role of providing air support for Japanese defensive operations (rather than as a naval attack force), and possibly in a unfavorable situation that can be strongly exploited by U.S. carriers. I expect at some point to get such an opening, only a question of when and where.

At this time I have no immediate strategic plans for advancing beyond Pago Pago, this in keeping with an overall Allied strategic idea of finding the most promising point of attack then exploiting this point of attack with the maximum force available. If the most promising point of attack is from the Samoa area, so be it. Right now I exclude nothing.

This is the rationale behind the "bridgehead" at Suva and Samoa. Eliminating the need for this...

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/24/42

South Pacific: No updated position report of the KB is available this game turn. Based on several contacts between KB aircraft and US subs near Suva, the KB’s likely position is estimated as remaining close to Suva – probably to the south or southeast. Naval search planes flying from Suva have not picked up any sign of other Japanese surface ships near or approaching Suva.

The possibility cannot be excluded that Pillager could send the KB southward towards New Zealand, though with two game turns of warning time, he might assume I’ve had ample time to evacuate or re-route Allied shipping near New Zealand beyond the reach of his operation (which I in fact have done). Pillager is also likely aware from his last KB raid on New Zealand that a considerable number of US submarines are operating in the South Pacific theatre sea area.

US submarine S-42 in the adjacent hex SE of Suva (hex 131, 161) was attacked and damaged by several KB carrier air patrols. KB patrol planes spotted but did not attack a second US submarine also in the same hex. No other Allied ships in this area were spotted or attacked by KB aircraft.

Weather forecast for the South Pacific theatre area remains Clear.

Sigint entry for 10/23 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Munda. Detected status of Munda shows no visible Japanese forces or activity, though there is some evidence of airfield construction. Current airfield size at Munda is 2(3).

Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/23 Operations report follow.

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 Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAKL Buyo Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 4 Jap TF’s in harbor (+4 from last report), 78 aircraft (55 fighters, 23 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: A repeat of last game turn… Jap fighter sweeps (A6M3 Zeroes & Ki-44-II-a Tojos) and one airfield bombing raid on Ledo. Allied fighters in Ledo had been stood down this game turn, no air-to-air combat. The Jap airfield strike again destroyed one C-47 on the ground, also no reported damage to airfield facilities in Ledo.


China: Japanese ground bombardment attacks continue along the southern approaches to Chungking, also at Sining in the far western area. AAR’s follow.

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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25612 troops, 243 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1234
Defending force 16645 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 582

Assaulting units:
17th Division
6th Division
37th Division
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,46 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37490 troops, 324 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1201
Defending force 35040 troops, 217 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1236

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

Assaulting units:
70th Division
34th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
72nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
19th Group Army
1st Group Army
25th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,47 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29323 troops, 284 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1244
Defending force 50876 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1955

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

Assaulting units:
17th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade (arrived this game turn to reinforce attack)
110th Division
39th Division
138th Infantry Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
46th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
26th Group Army
3rd War Area
27th Group Army

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/24/42

South Pacific: No updated position report of the KB is available this game turn. Based on several contacts between KB aircraft and US subs near Suva, the KB’s likely position is estimated as remaining close to Suva – probably to the south or southeast. Naval search planes flying from Suva have not picked up any sign of other Japanese surface ships near or approaching Suva.

The possibility cannot be excluded that Pillager could send the KB southward towards New Zealand, though with two game turns of warning time, he might assume I’ve had ample time to evacuate or re-route Allied shipping near New Zealand beyond the reach of his operation (which I in fact have done). Pillager is also likely aware from his last KB raid on New Zealand that a considerable number of US submarines are operating in the South Pacific theatre sea area.

US submarine S-42 in the adjacent hex SE of Suva (hex 131, 161) was attacked and damaged by several KB carrier air patrols. KB patrol planes spotted but did not attack a second US submarine also in the same hex. No other Allied ships in this area were spotted or attacked by KB aircraft.

Weather forecast for the South Pacific theatre area remains Clear.

Sigint entry for 10/23 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Munda. Detected status of Munda shows no visible Japanese forces or activity, though there is some evidence of airfield construction. Current airfield size at Munda is 2(3).

Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/23 Operations report follow.

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 Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAKL Buyo Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 4 Jap TF’s in harbor (+4 from last report), 78 aircraft (55 fighters, 23 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: A repeat of last game turn… Jap fighter sweeps (A6M3 Zeroes & Ki-44-II-a Tojos) and one airfield bombing raid on Ledo. Allied fighters in Ledo had been stood down this game turn, no air-to-air combat. The Jap airfield strike again destroyed one C-47 on the ground, also no reported damage to airfield facilities in Ledo.


China: Japanese ground bombardment attacks continue along the southern approaches to Chungking, also at Sining in the far western area. AAR’s follow.

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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25612 troops, 243 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1234
Defending force 16645 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 582

Assaulting units:
17th Division
6th Division
37th Division
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,46 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37490 troops, 324 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1201
Defending force 35040 troops, 217 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1236

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

Assaulting units:
70th Division
34th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
72nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
19th Group Army
1st Group Army
25th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,47 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29323 troops, 284 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1244
Defending force 50876 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1955

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

Assaulting units:
17th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade (arrived this game turn to reinforce attack)
110th Division
39th Division
138th Infantry Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
46th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
26th Group Army
3rd War Area
27th Group Army

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/25/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/24 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maleolap. Detected status of Maleolap shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: KB is retiring northward from Suva, appears to be returning to Truk. This was a somewhat unexpected development as my estimates had KB either moving south towards Auckland or eastward to patrol around Samoa.

Detected position of KB task forces is hex location 130, 149 (E of Luganville), reported moving on a N heading. US submarine S-39 in an adjacent hex north of KB’s detected position reported multiple attacks by D3A1 Val and B5N2 Kate air patrols. No hits or damage to S-39. An entry in the Ships Sunk display (Intelligence screens) reports that Japanese CA Suzuya sank in hex location 130, 149 on 10/24 due to a collision.

Most alerts and precautions in the South Pacific theatre from the KB’s sortie will remain effective for at least another game turn before returning to business as usual. Naval search planes operating from Suva are tracking the KB.

Weather forecast for the South Pacific theatre area remains Clear. Current situation map follows.



Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/24 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 10 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 22 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 4 Jap TF’s in harbor, 72 aircraft (46 fighters, 26 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


China: Continued Japanese ground bombardment attacks along the southern approaches to Chungking, also at Sining in the far western area. Latest AAR’s follow.

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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25612 troops, 243 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1238
Defending force 16662 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 583

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

Assaulting units:
17th Division
6th Division
37th Division
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,46 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37641 troops, 324 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1232
Defending force 35060 troops, 216 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1240

Assaulting units:
70th Division
8th Armored Car Co (arrived this game turn to reinforce attack)
34th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
8th New Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
1st Group Army
19th Group Army
25th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,47 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 33660 troops, 322 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1244
Defending force 50881 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1956

Assaulting units:
39th Division
17th Tank Regiment
110th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
32nd Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
3rd War Area
26th Group Army
27th Group Army

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

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 10/26/42

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/25 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wotje. Detected status of Wotje shows Japanese LCU(s), no other forces or activity. Current intelligence data shows three Jap LCU’s located on Wotje – an IJN base force (Wotje Base Force), 63 Naval Gd and a static fortress. Presence of 63 Naval Gd on Wotje was reported in a separate 10/25 Sigint entry – this entry is the first report of 63 Naval Gd in the game.

Sigint entry for 10/25 reports heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Truk. Detected status of Truk base shows unspecified Jap planes based on Truk, also ship(s) in port. No Japanese TF’s or other activity is visible at Truk.


South Pacific: KB continues retiring northward from Suva. Detected position of KB task forces is hex location 134, 140 (SW of Tabiteuea) and moving on a NE heading. This position and heading could indicate KB is returning to base at Kwajalein rather than Truk. If so, Pillager is positioning KB to allow its operation in either the Central or South Pacific theatre areas. This would also explain some recent reports of large numbers of Japanese ships in port at Kwajalein.

Under consideration are plans to increase US submarine patrols in the Marshalls and Gilbert Islands. Patrols in the Gilbert Islands would detect Jap naval movements going southwards from Kwajalein towards Suva/Samoa and the South Pacific. A picket line of US submarines is already operating W of the Marshalls between Kwajalein and Pearl Harbor. While for the moment there isn’t much to do about the KB (though that will change before too long), I will in the meantime deprive Pillager’s KB of a completely quiet and secluded haven – plant the seeds that “I know where you are and what you’re doing”.

Alerts and precautions in the South Pacific theatre created from the KB’s sortie are being discontinued effective immediately.

Airfield and port facilities at Tahiti are now fully expanded to maximum sizes.

US submarine patrol intercepts small Jap transport TF between Guadalcanal and Ndeni. Action between a second US submarine patrol and Japanese surface ASW in the southern sea approaches to Rabaul. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kirakira at 117,140 (SE of Stewart Is)

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #8
xAK Dainiti Maru

Allied Ships
SS Permit

SS Permit launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kyo Maru #8
Permit diving deep ....
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Feni Islands at 107,127 (SE of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Nanpo Maru
PB Myoken Maru

Allied Ships
SS Salmon

SS Salmon is sighted by escort
Salmon diving deep ....
PB Nanpo Maru attacking submerged sub ....
SS Salmon eludes PB Nanpo Maru by diving deep
PB Myoken Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Myoken Maru cannot establish contact with SS Salmon
SS Salmon eludes ASW attack from PB Myoken Maru
PB Myoken Maru loses contact with SS Salmon
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/25 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Noumea is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 2 Jap TF’s in harbor (-2 from last report), 84 aircraft (54 fighters, 30 bombers), 8 Jap LCU’s.


India: A series of Jap fighter sweeps and an airfield bombing strike on Ledo. Allied fighters were stood down, no air-to-air combat. No damage to airfield facilities in Ledo. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x A6M3 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 37

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
37 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M3 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo, at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses (no planes actually damaged)
P-40E Warhawk: 6 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 6 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 5 damaged

Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

What had been a problem in Ledo over the last few game turns was the inability of US and RAF fighter squadrons in Ledo to draw replacement planes for earlier combat and operational losses – this apparently due to a minimum 20K supply on hand being required in Ledo before replacement planes could be drawn by the squadrons that are based there. Compounding this situation was the fact that the game has Ledo set as drawing a maximum of 1400 supply per game turn into the base (via overland supply movement) from friendly supply stockpiles in other locations (this despite a rail line into Ledo). The required 20K supply in Ledo was attained as of last game turn and Allied fighter squadrons in Ledo have since drawn replacement planes to full strength. I had made the decision to ground the Allied fighters in Ledo until the 20K supply was there and replacement planes could be drawn as the number of operational planes that had been available in these squadrons would not have matched up well against Pillager’s Jap fighter sweeps. Plans are to continue with interception of Japanese air activity over Ledo once the new replacement planes become operational.

A size 1 (soon to be size 2) airfield is now constructed in what was the dot hex base at Tezpur. With an operational airfield in Tezpur, Allied fighter squadrons can now transfer by air between Ledo and Calcutta using Tezpur as a transit point.

Previously, fighter squadrons could only be transferred by rail between Calcutta and Ledo. While this mode is suitable for transfer to and from rear-area bases, rail transfer imposed a delay in getting fully-operational fighter squadrons into Ledo. Squadrons arrived in Ledo by rail with all their planes “damaged”, requiring recovery of the planes before the squadron could participate in air operations. An available transit airfield at Tezpur allows fighter squadrons to transfer between Ledo and Calcutta with considerably less delay.


China: Continued Japanese ground bombardment attacks along the southern approaches to Chungking, also at Sining in the far western area. Latest AAR’s follow.

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

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25634 troops, 243 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 1245
Defending force 16649 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 581

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

Assaulting units:
6th Division
17th Division
37th Division
12th Army
1st Mortar Battalion

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,46 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37830 troops, 327 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1246
Defending force 35060 troops, 216 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1241

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

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
34th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
70th Division
32nd Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
60th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
19th Group Army
1st Group Army
25th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,47 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 33660 troops, 322 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1243
Defending force 50871 troops, 274 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1956

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

Assaulting units:
17th Tank Regiment
39th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
138th Infantry Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
45th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
26th Group Army
3rd War Area
27th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 72,42 (S of Chengtu)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11917 troops, 94 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 444
Defending force 3145 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

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

Assaulting units:
35th Division

Defending units:
28th New Chinese Division
39th New Chinese Division

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

[RCHarmon]

This is a great AAR. I have been looking at this game for some time and after following this AAR I went ahead and bought the game. You provide a lot of good info here.

The tutorials are great, but I cannot find a Guadalcanal AAR. Has anyone done one that I could further learn from?

[johnjohn]

Johnjohn developments. September 29, 1943. Allies invade Wu and Lae, taking all enemy held bases in Lae area of PNG. 3rd Aussie Inf Div took Lae in one day. 43rd US Inf Div took Wu. Next on the agenda is Umboi Island, the last significant base in the area. Then it is accross PNG to Sorong. The US bailed out of the assault on Wotje as previously discussed. While reinforcing and building up Molaelap, the remnants of the KB (Akagi, Kaga, and Shokaku) snuck into Roi-Namur and launched strikes at the Island. The hellcats on 7 carriers and the FM1s on the escorting CVEs shot down 27 of the attackers (Jills) and 5 of the Zeros. The seven carriers immediately moved in, but the KB did a one turn hit and run and escaped to the Northwest. I have recalled the carriers to Pearl for Oct 43 upgrades. I have two Essex class carriers operating off Rabaul and based at Noumea. I must add that the floating dry dock stationed at Noumea is proving a real Godsend. Having a repair facility there that can work off floatation major damage is a blessing. Repair ships get the 5 and under stuff, and the rest goes to Sydney once floatation is repaired.

It looks like the carrier raid in the Indian Ocean involved smaller carrier types. That doesn't matter at the moment since I do not have any carriers operating in that Theatre (Hermes is at Aden training a new air group).

Future plans are to return to Wotje in force and then take Kwaj and Roi-N. I still have seven divisions set aside for this purpose. I will divide the invasions into several parts with the combat commands entering first, then the support units and lastly the aircraft. Although with Maloelap available, I may take the squadrons there and then fly them in later once the air bases are servicable. I have no intention of a repeat of support first, and then the combat units. Dumb mistake that I should have caught. Live and learn. MaA will regroup and then move on. Rabaul will most likely be bypassed. Truk, on the other hand, is still under serious consideration as the main CENPAC hub base in the Pacific. If so, the Marshall and Gilbert forces will move in that direction. If not, then on to the Marianas.

In China the GO offensive seems to be on. Thus far the enemy has not been able to punch through the main line of defense. The enemy loses nearly 3,000 troops daily. Eventually they will run out of troops, or at least undisrupted forces. My losses are insignificate thus far.

Allied sub operations are starting to produce results. No longer do I see, "fired 4 torpedos at target, none hit or exploaded" messages. Now I am getting hits and sinking ships. Finally.

I see that Pillager was just projecting to enable the invasions behind the raid to go forward. A lot of fuel to use for that purpose. I still wonder at the lack of aggression. In a few months you will have a significate force available with several Essex class carriers arriving. Me thinks Pillager is in for a very interesting 1943. John

[wneumann]

RCH,

Welcome aboard. I think you'll find the game quite enjoyable. There's a lot to AE and if you're someone who likes to get into and work with the intricate detail, AE is worth the "price of admission".

As you've no doubt noticed, there is a great deal of information throughout the forums, far beyond what I've covered in here. My forum includes only my direct experience with this particular PBEM match vs Pillager (this game being our second time). Many of the other AAR forums describe situations and experiences considerably different from my own and not only from the Allied side. Beyond that, there are many strings with "how to" information on specific aspects of the game and also about how different things in the game work.

I haven't seen an AAR of the Guadalcanal scenario.

Good luck, good hunting and come by again.