AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

[racndoc]

11/18-11/21/42



SWPAC


Colonel Chesty Puller's 7th Marine Regiment leads the 1st Marine Division in the march up the Markham River valley to Nadzab. This turn the 5th and 7th Marine Regiments will assault the Japanese at Nadzab.

No problem in sucking supplies thru the jungles of New Guinea....the Allies have accumulated over 35,000 supplies at Lae already.



SOPAC


Adm Hill's amphib TF completes loading of the assault forces for the 2nd phase of the SOPAC fall offensive and departs Luganville for its voyage north across the Coral Sea to the war zone.

Dave knows that Luganville is my main port for debarkation and he also knows that something is up...he has his extremely long ranged Mavis search planes on recon over Luganville and spotted CV saratoga before she was able to refuel and leave port.

CVE Prince William and BB Indiana reach Luganville this turn and refuel. Im reorganizing the Allied carriers now. Covering the invasions I will have an air combat TF led by CV Illustrious. She will be joined by CVL Hermes and 4 USN CVEs. CVL Hermes has been converted from a torpedo plane carrier to an air defense carrier and she now holds 20 Sea Hurricanes..... the Sea Hurricanes are strictly for point defense and will fly CAP up on top at 31,000'. The F4F-4s will be layered underneath them from 20,000' on down. Together this air combat TF will be able to put some 144 fighters over the assault trnasports. The six USN CVs will be placed in fast carrier Task Group 58. Task Group 58 will be able to muster nearly 200 fighters and will operate independent from the smaller carriers. Hopefully if the SOPAC invasion forces run into overwhelming Japanese land based air or all of KB the Japanese airstrikes will be split up between the 2 Allied carrier groups.

Meanwhile...the Allied air forces are doing their part to ensure that the invasion forces wont run into overwhelming Japanese land based air. The heavy bombers of 5th Air Force continue to pound the level 4 AF at Manus and even with continuously bad weather have left the AF there with 61% damage. B-25s have inflicted 100% damage at the level 4 AF at Kavieng and the remaining Alied medium bombers based at Shortlands and Woodlark have left Rabaul 75% damaged.


CBI

Dave sent the invicible IJA armor down the Hangchow/Nanchang highway and inflicted heavy casualties on a far superior Chinese force in a 1:2 attack. The Chinese then reinforced and dealt the IJA armor a crippling blow in a shock attack:


Ground combat at 87,54 (near Anking)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 24028 troops, 233 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1249

Defending force 2317 troops, 4 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Allied adjusted assault: 760

Japanese adjusted defense: 297

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
303 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 97 (40 destroyed, 57 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Allied ground losses:
1214 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
53rd Chinese/B Corps
75th Chinese/C Corps
32nd Chinese/A Corps
95th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese/B Corps
86th Chinese/A Corps
21st Chinese/A Corps
3rd New Chinese/B Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
75th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
28th Chinese/A Corps

Defending units:
12th Tank Regiment
51st Recon Regiment
9th Tank Rgt /2


If you can achieve decent odds a Chinese shock attack...while expensive....is the best way to deal with the evil Jap tankettes.


All quiet over the rest of the CBI. The monsoon season must be over now as supplies seem to be flowing into Burma. The Allies now have over 8000 supplies at Akyab and those supplies appear to be moving to Prome where we now have 5000 supplies for the 1000 AV of armor there. Supplies are flowing nicely to Imphal, Ledo and the rest of NE India. I have all medium and heavy bombers in theatre flying supplies from Impahl and Ledo into Mandalay and Meiktila.... but that doesnt explain how I now have nearly 15,000 supplies in central Burma and the amount is growing every turn. I will soon resume the offensive in southern Burma. Dave has 29 LCUs sitting at Toungoo so Ive begun to prep troops for that base.


THRILLA IN MANILA

The US Army armor retakes Atimonan from the IJA paratroops and we now have complete control of southern Luzon. I think that we are reaching the final chapter here as Dave has significantly reinforced his troops at Manila:


Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 31384 troops, 506 guns, 474 vehicles, Assault Value = 3100

Defending force 46603 troops, 576 guns, 312 vehicles, Assault Value = 1204

Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Assaulting units:
18th Division
14th Garrison Unit
4th Division
28th/B Division
18th Tank Regiment
5th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
48th Division
21st Div /1
5th Armored Car Co
28th/A Division
28th/C Division
16th Division
8th Division
33rd Division
12th Garrison Unit
4th Ind. Engr Rgt /3
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
17th Army
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
31st Fld AA Gun Co
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
91st PA Infantry Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
1st PA Infantry/B Division
71st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/C Division
11th PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
31st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
21st PA Infantry/B Division
61st PA Infantry/C Division
51st PA Infantry/C Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
61st PA Infantry/A Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
1st PA Infantry/C Division
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
201st PA Construction Battalion
Manila USAAF Base Force
II Philippine Corps
USAFFE
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
I Philippine Corps
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Far East USAAF
Asiatic Fleet
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp


The Allies have a mere 4000 supplies remaining at Manila. There are about 2000 supplies spread around the rest of southern Luzon so Im moving all the BFs spread around the south back to Manila and hopefully we can suck all remaining supplies in southern Luzon back to Manila.

[racndoc]

11/22-11/23/42



THRILLA IN MANILA


Dave launches a massive assault on Manila with his newly reinforced army:


Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 100454 troops, 1140 guns, 799 vehicles, Assault Value = 3130

Defending force 46534 troops, 574 guns, 311 vehicles, Assault Value = 1200

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1766

Allied adjusted defense: 2631

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
5640 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 849 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 70 disabled
Guns lost 97 (2 destroyed, 95 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (2 destroyed, 35 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3884 casualties reported
Squads: 62 destroyed, 363 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 163 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 83 (13 destroyed, 70 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Assaulting units:
28th Division
14th Garrison Unit
8th Division
33rd Division
5th Armored Car Co
18th Tank Regiment
48th Division
5th Division
16th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
18th Division
21st Div /1
12th Garrison Unit
4th Division
4th Ind. Engr Rgt /3
31st Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
17th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
51st PA Infantry/C Division
41st PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry/C Division
21st PA Infantry/C Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
61st PA Infantry/A Division
71st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
11th PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
91st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/B Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
21st PA Infantry/B Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
31st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
USAFFE
II Philippine Corps
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Manila USAAF Base Force
201st PA Construction Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
I Philippine Corps
Asiatic Fleet
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
Provisional GMC Grp


Even though Japan lost nearly 900 squads...the Allied losses are clearly unsustainable. The Allied armor is racing back to Manila but it wont be nearly enough to stem the tide. Supplies at Manila are down to about 2000. Dave will almost certainly continue his assault next turn and I think that the Allies have less than 2 weeks left at Manila.



SWPAC


The 1st Marine Division captures Nadzab:


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

Ground combat at Nadzab (98,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8236 troops, 188 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 287

Defending force 769 troops, 3 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 176

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 35 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nadzab !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (44 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 1



Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th Marine Regiment
7th Marine Regiment
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
44th Nav Gd /1
4th JAAF Base Force
6th Field AF Const Bn /1
16th JNAF AF Unit /1



Colonel Chesty Puller's 7th Marines will rest for a couple turns before it resumes its drive up the Markham River valley towards Madang.


CENTPAC


Dave stages some Bettys into Tarawa and they hit Allied convoys in the area at long range:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 149,130

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Benjamin Franklin, Bomb hits 1
xAK John Hart
xAK Thomas Nelson



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb




Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 149,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Benjamin Franklin
xAK George Taylor
xAK Edgar Allan Poe



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb








SOPAC



OK...I admit it. I abused the gamne engine and put nearly 300 carrier bombers on ASW(virtually all are highly cross trained at ASW by this point in the war) to prevent the IJN sub wolfpack from wreaking havoc on the Allied carriers like they did back in May and June 1942. For crissakes...I just got CV Saratoga back on the line last turn for the torpedo damage it suffered back in June. i thought that by withdrawing south into the Coral Sea and by having nearly a half dozen ASW TFs patrolling to the north that I would have a margin of safety with the IJN sub menace.

Unfortunately....the subs move _before_ the ASW AC fly:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rossel Island at 104,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
DD Bulmer
DD Aylwin
DD John D. Edwards



SS I-11 is located by DD Bulmer
DD John D. Edwards attacking submerged sub ....
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD Bulmer fails to find sub and abandons search
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD John D. Edwards attacking submerged sub ....
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
DD John D. Edwards is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rossel Island at 104,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
CL Honolulu
CL Nashville
CL Helena
CLAA San Juan
CLAA Atlanta
DD Lamson
DD Fanning
DD Reid
DD Perkins
DD Cushing



SS I-11 is sighted by escort
DD Reid fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Perkins fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Cushing fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Reid fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rossel Island at 104,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mississippi
CL Phoenix
CL St. Louis
CLAA San Diego
DD Laffey
DE Paul Jones
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Phelps
DD Downes
DD Hughes



SS I-11 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Wasp
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Phelps fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hughes fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Phelps fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


SS I-11 not only evades the USN ASW TF but puts a torpedo in the 1st CV she spots and then gets away scot free.

CV Wasp has her hull ripped open to the sea and green water begins to flood the aircraft carrier. Im trying to make the closest port with her but with 15 SYS 62 FLT and 23 ENG damage her prognosis is extremely guarded.

Of course after the naval move is over the AC fly and Allied ASW AC make quick work of SS I-11 and SS I-28:



SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-2 attacking a Type L4 class SS at 104,141
a Type L4 class SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-2 attacking a Type KS class SS at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-2 attacking a Type A1 class SS at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-3 attacking a Japanese SS at 104,141
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-5 attacking a Type J1 class SS at 104,141
a Japanese DD is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-5 attacking a Japanese SS at 104,141
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking a Japanese SS at 104,141
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-8 attacking a Japanese SS at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports possible submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports submarine wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports submarine wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SOC-1 Seagull from VCS-5/3 attacking a Type J3 class SS at 104,141
SOC-1 Seagull reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SOC-1 Seagull reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VMSB-151 attacking a Japanese SS at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-2 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SS I-11 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-2 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SS I-11 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 104,141 near Rossel Island, speed 12, Moving West
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-3 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SS I-11 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-5 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-6 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SS I-11 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-6 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SS I-11 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking SS I-11 at 104,141
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports oil slick at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports periscope at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports periscope wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 104, 141 near Rossel Island
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 104, 141 near Rossel Island


Fast carrier Task Group 58 is now down to 5 carriers....and CV Wasp will probably be out of action for at least the next 6 months....so Im going to stack every flattop I have in the same hex now and go back to Death Star tactics.

Kind of interesting how this game has followed RL WWII...BB Hiei gets heavily damaged by USN CAs and eventually sinks in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.... CV Saratoga gets torpedoed between Luganville and Guadalcanal.....and now CV Wasp gets torpedoed in the Coral Sea. Well lets hope we dont follow RL and CV Wasp makes it back to port to fight another day. IJN subs have also sank 2 R Class BBs and torpedoed CV Lexington...and put a near death experience into CVE Long Island with 2 torpedoes and 80 FLT damage.

The SOPAC fall offensive will still continue. There were 2 parameters for the initiation of the 2nd Phase of the offensive:

1) Capture of Shortlands and rebasing of Allied DBs, TBs, fighters and medium bombers to Shortlands AF and
2)Neutralization of the massive aerodrome at Rabaul and suppression of the level 4 AFs at Kavieng and Manus. This turn the heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force inflict 82% damage at Manus while the Allied medium bombers leave both Kavieng and Rabaul at 100% damage.

Now Phase II can commence. Adm Hill's amphib TF will reach its jumpoff point this turn for the invasion of Green Island. Allied carrier and surface TFs sail to the north to cover the assault.

[racndoc]

11/24-11/25/42


SOPAC


Adm Hill's amphib TF reaches its jumpoff position for the assault on Green Is. next turn. The Japanese AFs at Manus, Kavieng, Gasmata and Rabaul are completely shut down. Fighters based at Shortlands will cover the amphib assault on Green Island.


The computer redirected heavily damaged CV Wasp _NORTH_ to the level 5 port at Milne Bay. Dave knows that Cv Wasp is headed there and put 2 more kamikaze subs in position to finish her off:


SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-3 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-3 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger from VT-3 attacking a Type A1 class SS at 102,135
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-5 attacking a Type C1 class SS at 101,136
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-5 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-5 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SS I-9 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-5 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-5 attacking a Japanese PT at 101,136
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-6 attacking a Type KS class SS at 101,136
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-6 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SS I-9 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SS I-9 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-8 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-8 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SS I-9 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports object near surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VMSB-151 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SS I-9 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VMSB-151 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VMSB-151 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay

SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-2 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-2 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SS I-9 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-2 attacking a Type A1 class SS at 101,136
a Japanese DD is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-5 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SS I-9 is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-5 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-6 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-6 attacking a Japanese SS at 101,136
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object near surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shadow in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless from VB-8 attacking a Type C1 class SS at 101,136
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports suspected submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports object under water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
TBF-1 Avenger reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports turbulence in water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports radio transmissions at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports submarine wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SOC-1 Seagull reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SOC-1 Seagull reports conning tower at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SOC-1 Seagull reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports diving submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object under water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object under water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports shadow in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports diving submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SOC-1 Seagull reports conning tower at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SOC-1 Seagull reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SOC-1 Seagull reports possible submarine at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SOC-1 Seagull reports object under water at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SOC-1 Seagull reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SB2U-3 Vindicator reports turbulence in water at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports oil slick at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports periscope at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless reports possible submarine at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports submarine wake at 102, 135 near Deboyne Islands
SBD-3 Dauntless reports shape below surface at 101, 136 near Milne Bay
SBD-3 Dauntless from VMSB-151 attacking SS I-9 at 102,135




SS I-9 faces an untimely demise.


Adm Hill's amphib TF will land assault troops on Green Is. next turn.



THRILLA IN MANILA


As I anticipated...Dave launches a second consecutive bloody assault at Manila:


Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69879 troops, 833 guns, 696 vehicles, Assault Value = 2575

Defending force 43197 troops, 561 guns, 310 vehicles, Assault Value = 924

Japanese adjusted assault: 816

Allied adjusted defense: 1443

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
6190 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 469 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Vehicles lost 38 (4 destroyed, 34 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3014 casualties reported
Squads: 62 destroyed, 196 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 157 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 62 (20 destroyed, 42 disabled)


Assaulting units:
48th Division
33rd Division
2nd Recon Battalion
16th Division
8th/A Division
28th/A Division
14th Garrison Unit
28th/B Division
8th/B Division
18th Tank Regiment
4th Division
5th Division
8th/C Division
18th Division
12th Garrison Unit
21st Div /1
28th/C Division
4th Ind. Engr Rgt /3
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
31st Fld AA Gun Co
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
1st PA Infantry/B Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
91st PA Infantry Division
41st PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry/C Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
61st PA Infantry/A Division
71st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
21st PA Infantry/B Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/C Division
31st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Provisional GMC Grp
USAFFE
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
II Philippine Corps
Asiatic Fleet
Far East USAAF
I Philippine Corps
201st PA Construction Battalion
Manila USAAF Base Force
PAF Aviation
51st PA Infantry/C Division
Cebu USN Base Force /4


The situation is deteriorating rather quickly here now.



BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA


I knew that things would get ugly when Dave's large manuever army reappeared. Well...this turn nearly 18 Jap divisions materialized on the Hangchow/Nanchang highway:



Ground combat at 87,54 (near Anking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 192199 troops, 1490 guns, 370 vehicles, Assault Value = 7094

Defending force 55877 troops, 469 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2219

Japanese adjusted assault: 4148

Allied adjusted defense: 2061

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
25288 casualties reported
Squads: 649 destroyed, 1403 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 379 disabled
Engineers: 61 destroyed, 111 disabled
Guns lost 162 (25 destroyed, 137 disabled)
Vehicles lost 52 (8 destroyed, 44 disabled)
Units pursuing 1


Allied ground losses:
26480 casualties reported
Squads: 438 destroyed, 840 disabled
Non Combat: 596 destroyed, 317 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 59 disabled
Guns lost 152 (61 destroyed, 91 disabled)
Units retreated 15
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
68th Division
40th Division
55th Infantry Brigade
110th Division
56th Infantry Brigade
32nd Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
17th Division
22nd Division
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
34th Division
58th Division
59th Division
6th Division
15th Division
9th Tank Rgt /2

Defending units:
86th Chinese/A Corps
71st Chinese/B Corps
75th Chinese/B Corps
21st Chinese/A Corps
3rd New Chinese/B Corps
95th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese/A Corps
53rd Chinese/B Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese/C Corps
75th Chinese/A Corps
77th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese/A Corps


I'd certainly call this a pyrrhic victory...Japan has nearly 5 divisions disabled with one and one half divisions destroyed. Two more attacks like this and the Jap manuever force would be completely depleted. Still....the Chinese are defeated and the road is open to Nanchang and eventually Changsha. Chinese corps from all over southern China are being railed into Changsha. I cant stop 7000 AV but as before....I can attack them where they ain't. Im going on the offensive in the north with another drive to the sea from Kaifeng.

[paullus99]

Wow - 1:1 losses in that attack, that's extremely bloody (and probably very unanticipated on his part).

[racndoc]

paullus99...yeah.....Japan lost 2000 AV in the attack in China last turn but they still have another 5000 AV in the army...meanwhile...I need to build a new 4000 AV Chinese army real quick on the Nanchang/Changsha highway.



11/26-11/27/42


Didnt get a turn from Dave for nearly a week and when I did it wasnt pretty.


CBI


The 5000 AV left in the former 7000 AV Japanese army is pursuing the Chinese back to Nanchang. I cant stop them at Nanchang and will need to continue to withdraw the Chinese to the W to some rough terrain on the Changsha/Nanchang highway.

In Burma...some 4000 AV of Allied troops is marching to the south towards Rangoon.


SWPAC


The Aussie 6th Division reaches Nadzab. They will continue up the Markham River valley towards Madang. The 1st Marine Division will assault Saidor and Finschafen.



SOPAC DISASTER


Even with hundreds of highly trained pilots on ASW and naval search....even with over 200 ships in a hex with over a hundred of them DDs with the latest and greatest ASW weaponry and sonar... a solitary IJN sub gets through and torpedoes a USN CV for the 2nd time in a week:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 27, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Feni Islands at 107,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
CLAA San Juan
CLAA Atlanta
DD Lamson
DD Fanning
DD Reid
DD Perkins
DD Cushing



SS I-8 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Enterprise
I-8 diving deep ....
DD Reid fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Perkins fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing attacking submerged sub ....
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cushing fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Not only does the SS I-8 slip away undetected and unscathed...she immediately fires a spread of torpedoes at an Allied replenishment TF:


ASW attack near Feni Islands at 107,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
DD Witte de With
SC-705
AO Kanawha
SC-707



SS I-8 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Witte de With
I-8 diving deep ....
DD Witte de With fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-707 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-707 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-707 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-707 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-707 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-707 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


And then SS I-8 slips away undetected again.

CV Enterprise now has 46 SYS, 75 FLT, 4 ENG and 12 Fire. Im just hoping to move her 4 hexes to Woodlark Is. and disband her in port before she sinks. Now with both CV Wasp and CV Enterprise heavily damaged by IJN subs...the Allied focus is on saving the carriers at the expense of continuing the SOPAC offensive.

This turn Adm Hill's amphib TF captured Green Is:



Ground combat at Green Island (108,127)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2779 troops, 42 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 112

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 105

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 105 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Green Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment






I had launched a "Market Garden" style aerial drop this turn and dropped paratroops at Mussau, Feni and Lihir Islands. The Ist Amphib Corps was to follow up the paradrops with amphib landings on Mussau, Feni and Lihir but after the carrier debacle all further landings and amphib assaults are cancelled. The Allied paratroops captured Lihir but were repulsed at Mussau and Feni Is. I had the 160th Regiment loaded on an amphib TF to follow up the paratroops at Feni Is. but it accidently dropped the troops at Shortlands. I havent spotted KB for awhile but Im sure its nearby and the remaining operational 4 USN CVs, 1 RN CV, 1 RN CVL and 4 USN CVEs are heavily outnumbered. So all the Allied amphib transports will withdraw to the south as the Allied carriers withdraw to the south to cover the 2 damaged CVs.

Im sure that Dave will now heavily reinforce Mussau as its loss would be almost catastrophic to Japan. Green Is. is pretty secure for the moment with a full US Army regiment ashore but Lihir hangs by a thread and the outcome is still in doubt at Feni. I will send some APDs with supplies on fast transport to help the paratroops on Feni while additional paratroops are landed by transport AC and PBYs.

About half of the seabees, engineers and BFs loaded on the amphib transports for Green, Feni, Lihir and Mussau will be dropped at Shortlands. Two RN surface Tfs and 1 Dutch surface TF will cover them. About 100 fighters at Vella lavella will LRCAP the transports and surface TFs at Shortlands while another 100 fighters and 100 DBs are staged to Shrotlands in case Dave decides to pursue the retreating Allied carriers and surface TFs wih KB. Another 200 fighters are staged to Woodlark Is. to LRCAP CV Enterprise and about 150 medium and attack bombers are staged into Milne Bay is case the IJ Navy comes from that direction. The other heavy and medium bombers will continue to suppress the AFs at Rabaul, Gasmata,Kavieng and Manus.

With the cancellation of the remainder of the SOPAC fall offensive we will need to modify our strategy in the northern Solomons and the Bismarcks. I was going to bypass Torokina and use bases farther to N instead. Now...the 2nd Marine Regiment will assault Torokina and the BFs and seabees now landing at Shortlands will march overland on Bouganville to reach Torokina. The AFs at Shortlands and Torokina will be built up and will anchor SOPAC defensive positions in the northern Solomons. I will try to reinforce Green, Lihir and Feni by transport AC and PBYs and SSTs. Im pretty sure that SOPAC can hang onto Green Is. and eventually develop the AF there.....Feni and Lihir Im not so sure about. Mussau Is. is of course hopeless...if the SSTs worked like they did in RL Id evacuate the squads of the 503rd Para Regiment there but since they dont the troops will be left to their fate.

The main Allied concern here is of course getting battered CV Wasp and CV Enterprise back to a friendly port/shipyard. I have 3 ARs heading north to meet up with CV Enterprise. CV Wasp is slowly moving south acroos the Solomon Sea under her own power and I dont think she was spotted last turn.

Even worse...the lone RN CV....Illustrioius....will need to withdraw within a month. That will leave SOPAC with only 4 CVs for at least the next 6 months. Not only will SOPAC ops be postponed until the Essex Class CVs arrive...but the planned spring 1943 offensive by CENTPAC into the Gilberts will now need to be postponed until summer 1943.

At least SWPAC is ashore in New Guinea and can continue its advance.

And CVE Price William has just reached the war zone and will rendezvous with the Allied carriers off Woodlark next turn...her complement of 28 F4F-4s will nearly make up for CV Wasps VF squadron.

[racndoc]

11/28-11/29/42



SOPAC


CV Enterprise makes port at Woodlark with 75 FLT but at least now the fire is out.. Next turn Im sending her to disband in port at Rossel Is. A TF with 3 ARs will meet her there and I hope to repair the non major damage before sending her further south. The remaining Allied carriers....now joined by newly arrived CVE Prince William...stand by to cover the withdrawal of Enterprise. Dave doesnt pull a John Wayne or Bull Halsey by pursuing me with KB.... evidently the threat of the Allied land based air is enough to give him pause. I was able to pull off all of the air groups of CV Enterprise at Woodlark so now her highly trained air groups are part of the battle again.

Meanwhile....CV Wasp repairs much of her damage at sea...she is now down to 15 SYS, 53 FLT and 22 ENG and she is able to make 11 knots now. She is in the southern reaches of the Coral Sea and is hopefully out of harm's way but still a couple of turns from a friendly port.

I looked at the ship availabilty in the info screen and lo and behold I get 3 more CVEs in the next 30 days.... that will give me another 84 fighters for fleet defense so maybe I can still launch a limited offensive in the Gilberts in spring 1942.

When Dave sent me the turn he joked that at least I didnt have any CVs torpedoed this turn. That was true...but newly arriving CA Wichita took a beating from IJN subs:

Sub attack near Sydney Island at 154,150

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
CA Wichita, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nicholas



SS I-26 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Wichita
I-26 diving deep ....
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub attack near Sydney Island at 154,150

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Wichita, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nicholas



SS I-26 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Wichita
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nicholas attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-26 eludes DD Nicholas by diving deep
Escort abandons search for sub


I was amazed that CA Wichita stayed afloat long enough to absorb 5 torpedoes.

Meanwhile the Allies put in another typical useless turn with their subs and ASW:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 28, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rabaul at 107,126

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-7

Allied Ships
DD John D. Edwards
DD Aylwin
DD Bulmer



SSX Ha-7 is located by DD John D. Edwards
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bulmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bulmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bulmer attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-7 eludes ASW attack from DD Bulmer
DD Bulmer cannot establish contact with SSX Ha-7
DD Bulmer loses contact with SSX Ha-7
DD Bulmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bulmer fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rabaul at 107,126

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-10, hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
DD John D. Edwards
DD Bulmer



SSX Ha-10 is sighted by escort
Ha-10 bottoming out ....
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bulmer fails to find sub and abandons search
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD John D. Edwards attacking submerged sub ....
DD John D. Edwards loses contact with SSX Ha-10
DD John D. Edwards loses contact with SSX Ha-10
SSX Ha-10 eludes ASW attack from DD John D. Edwards
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD John D. Edwards fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Shikuka at 125,45

Japanese Ships
DD Ariake
xAK Hohuku Maru
xAK Gyoko Maru
xAK Taibun Maru
xAK Yamahuzi Maru
xAK Sumatra Maru
PB Sonobe Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish



SS Sunfish launches 2 torpedoes at DD Ariake
Sunfish diving deep ....
DD Ariake fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Yokohama/Yokosuka at 114,62

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-32
SC CHa-13
SC CHa-28

Allied Ships
SS Tunny



SS Tunny launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-32
Tunny bottoming out ....
SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-28 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-32 attacking submerged sub ....
SC CHa-32 is out of ASW ammo
SC CHa-28 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-32 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



Sub attack near Utsonomiya at 116,62

Japanese Ships
xAK Nankai Maru
xAK Hokuroku Maru
xAK Katuragi Maru
DMS W-22

Allied Ships
SS Tunny



SS Tunny launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Nankai Maru
DMS W-22 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-22 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-22 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-22 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-22 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Sub attack near Daito Shoto at 101,70

Japanese Ships
xAK Ishikari Maru
PB Bunzan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grunion



SS Grunion launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Ishikari Maru
Grunion diving deep ....
PB Bunzan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Bunzan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Bunzan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Bunzan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Bunzan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Toyohara at 125,47

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyokuzan Maru
xAK Kurogane Maru
xAK Nitimei Maru
xAKL Shinmei Maru
xAKL Taikei Maru
xAKL Kensyo Maru
xAKL Nitiyu Maru
xAKL Shinnan Maru
SC CHa-21

Allied Ships
SS Gurnard



SS Gurnard is sighted by escort
Gurnard diving deep ....
SC CHa-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Muntok at 49,89

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze
E Hatsukari
DD Susuki
DD Umikaze

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII



SS KXVIII launches 4 torpedoes at DD Isokaze
KXVIII bottoming out ....
DD Susuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Umikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Umikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Umikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Umikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Umikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



Color me skeptical about the modeling of sub/ASW combat in late 1942.


Meanwhile....the 2nd Marine Regiment captures Torokina:


Ground combat at Torokina (109,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4071 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Defending force 1195 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied adjusted assault: 111

Japanese adjusted defense: 21

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Torokina !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Regiment

Defending units:
87th Nav Gd /1
51st Const Co
35th JNAF AF Unit
11th JNAF AF Unit
22nd Ind. Engr Rgt /1


Seabees and BFs are now on the march across Bouganville so that we can develop a large airfield at Torokina.

USMC paratroops capture Buka so now at least we have 3 new bases at Torokina, Buka and Green that can be built up... and Green Is. is only 3 hexes from Rabaul so eventually we should be able to put Rabaul out of business once and for all.

Meanwhile...the battle rages on at Feni Is.


Ground combat at Feni Islands (108,126)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 480 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Defending force 266 troops, 2 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 4

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), op mode(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+), disruption(-)

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



Assaulting units:
503rd Parachute Rgt /1
3rd USMC Parachute Bn /1
118th USAAF Base Force /5

Defending units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /3
39th Road Const Co


Ground combat at Feni Islands (108,126)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 40 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 1261 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62



Assaulting units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /3
39th Road Const Co

Defending units:
3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
503rd Parachute Rgt /1
118th USAAF Base Force /5


Dave reinforced Feni with transport AC while I reinforced Feni both with a paradrop and with APDs on fast transport. Im not committing any additional paratroopers to the fray here but I will start sending the 100% prepped
160th Regiment in by APDs this turn from Shortlands.


Transport AC from throughout the Solomons will send in supplies to Buka and Green Is. while PBYs fly in seabees to begin base construction. I finally received my 1st 2 barges in the game at Shortlands and with their range of 4 hexes I will try to use them to send seabees to Buka. All APs and AKs are being pulled from the battle area and sent to the rear. As soon as I build level 1 ports at Buka and Green I can send in the SSTs to transport BFs, supplies and additional engineers.....the same way we built up Rossel Is. and Deboyne Is. under the nose of the Japanese in April 1942.



PHILIPPINES


Only a ground bombardment at manila this turn. Im now out of supplies and my AV is down to 632 so the end is near.


CBI


The Allies now have 1000 AV of armor at Prome that begins to advance on Rangoon while about 3300 AV of Eastern Army has advanced adjacent to toungoon. Dave has 29 LCUs at toungoo so we may have a pitched battle there.

In China....Dave's 7000 AV army that was about to recapture Nanchang has suddenly disappeared. I figured it was almost easier for me to restsrt my offensive in the north than assemble another army to stop him outside of Changsha...so now I have 3700 AV of Chinese in Kweiteh and will assault it next turn. The road to Suchow again appears to be open...and his 7000 AV army in the south is at a week long forced march away from the nearest railhead in Hangchow.

[racndoc]

11/30-12/1/42



CBI


Quiet in China. I blew the assault orders for Kweiteh but will overrun it next turn. I sent scouts down the Nanchang/Hangchow highway but the 7000 AV Japanese army is long gone. I lost a turn so Dave may be able to rail his army north from Hangchow to Suchow before we can take it.

In Burma....Allied troops continue to advance on Toungoo and Rangoon.



THRILLA IN MANILA


Dave assaults Manila once again and just misses a 1:1 attack:


Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69392 troops, 905 guns, 758 vehicles, Assault Value = 2229

Defending force 43638 troops, 529 guns, 606 vehicles, Assault Value = 653

Japanese adjusted assault: 1017

Allied adjusted defense: 1045

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3820 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 326 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 41 disabled
Guns lost 45 (2 destroyed, 43 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (3 destroyed, 41 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1983 casualties reported
Squads: 122 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 184 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 77 (12 destroyed, 65 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Assaulting units:
48th Division
33rd Division
5th Division
12th Garrison Unit
18th Division
8th/C Division
8th/B Division
8th/A Division
2nd Recon Battalion
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st Div /1
16th Division
4th Division
18th Tank Rgt /2
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
31st Fld AA Gun Co
17th Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/B Division
11th PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
192nd Tank Battalion
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
61st PA Infantry/C Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
61st PA Infantry/A Division
31st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
91st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
21st PA Infantry/C Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
USAFFE
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
201st PA Construction Battalion
Provisional GMC Grp
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
I Philippine Corps
Bataan USN Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
1st PA Infantry/B Division
II Philippine Corps
51st PA Infantry/C Division
Manila USAAF Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force /2
PAF Aviation
Far East USAAF
Cebu USN Base Force /4



The hexes to the SE of Manila reverted to Japanese control by osmosis so Im sending an armor unit SE to retake the hexes and hopefully open up a retreat route for the remaining Allied forces at Manila.



SOPAC


CV Enterprise makes it safely into port at Rossel Is. with 50 SYS, 76 FLT and 5 ENG. Three ARs arrived this turn at Rossel. The repair estimate for non major damage was something like 125 days for critical ready, 95 days for critical pierside and 62 days for critical repair ship. I selected critical repair ship and have 2 more ARs on the way to help. I also loaded SOPAC HQ with her 120 naval support on amphib transports at Lunga and they should arrive at Rossel in a couple of turns.

IJN subs are sniffing around Rossel so I had to withdraw my remaining carriers yet again to the S but I put some 200 DBs and TBs back on ASW patrol. I must have over a dozen ASW Tfs with handpicked commanders on patrol in the Coral Sea now to cover both CV Wasp and her withdrawal and also the remaining operational Allied carriers.

USN fast transport TFs with APDs land a large portion of the 100% prepped 160th Regiment on Feni Is.:


Ground combat at Feni Islands (108,126)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 48 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 2759 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 183



Assaulting units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /3
39th Road Const Co

Defending units:
3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
503rd Parachute Rgt /1
160th Infantry Rgt /1
118th USAAF Base Force /5


I now have overwhelming force at Feni and a shock attack will be ordered next turn.



The 2nd Marine Regiment finishes off the Japanese stragglers at Torokina:



Ground combat at Torokina (109,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3996 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Defending force 972 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 53

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Regiment

Defending units:
87th Nav Gd /1
51st Const Co
35th JNAF AF Unit
11th JNAF AF Unit
22nd Ind. Engr Rgt /1


51st Const Co Wiped Out at Torokina by attrition!!!

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

11th JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Torokina by attrition!!!

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

35th JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Torokina by attrition!!!


Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Torokina by attrition!!!



While we failed at Mussau Is....the SOPAC fall offensive is now virtually complete and has achieved all of its objectives save for one. Shortlands, Torokina, Buka, Green, Feni and Lihir Islands have been captured and the chains have been moved yet another 400 miles to the north. Japan has been kicked out of the Solomons save for a 100% damaged AF at Munda and it has become a Japanese POW camp until we decide to overrun it.

New Britain and its huge aerodrome at Rabaul have dominated the south Pacific since early 1942. Now a western pincer of SWPAC forces and an eastern pincer of SOPAC forces threaten to surround and isolate the massive Japanese bastion.

While SOPAC must now take a breather and consolidate its positions until CV Wasp and CV Enterprise are repaired... SWPAC is still on full advance mode and should overrun much of SE New Guinea before the Japanese forces currently fighting at Manila can intervene.....and Im creating a heck of a diversion in southern Burma so hopefully that sucks up as many IJA formations as possible.

Ive taken the Solomons and threatened New Britain mainly to cover the flank of the SWPAC drive up the northern coast of New Guinea. 1943 will be all about SWPAC overruning New Guinea to hopefully set up an assault on Mindanao by summer or fall 1943. When Mindanao is taken the SRA will be completely severed off from the home islands.

Meanwhile CENTPAC will be advancing into the Gilberts and Marshalls to both stage a diversion and shorten Allied convoy routes from the US west coast.

[racndoc]

12/2-12/3/42



SOPAC


SOPAC troops capture Feni Is.:



Ground combat at Feni Islands (108,126)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2843 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 187

Defending force 207 troops, 12 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 161

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 161 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Feni Islands !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
256 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2



Assaulting units:
3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
503rd Parachute Rgt /1
160th Infantry Rgt /1
118th USAAF Base Force /5

Defending units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /3
39th Road Const Co


Base building is proceeding very nicely at Buka and Green Is. Now the transport AC and PBYs will begin to fly in engineers and supplies to Feni and Lihir.

CV Enterprise repairs damage from 50 SYS 76 FLT 5 ENG last turn to 49 SYS 58 FLT 5 ENG. Its amazing that 18 FLT was repaired last turn....it reminds me that when CVE Long Island entered port with 80 FLT the next turn it had only 40 FLT....I think that FLT reduction must be from pumping water out of the hull. The remaining operational Allied carriers stand off from CV Enterprise's anchorage at Rossel Is. to cover her repairs. CV Enterprise's FLT damge has been reduced so much that I may move her south to Noumea sooner than later.

CV Wasp sits just outside Brisbane and will enter the port next turn. Ive set up a half dozen AC squadrons on naval search and ASW between Brisbane and Sydney and also have a half dozen ASW TFs patrolling between the same two bases. Next turn CV Wasp will put out back to sea from Brisbane to Sydney after all my ASW assets are in place.

Meanwhile....Allied xAKs and xAPs are busy as we stage assault troops, BFs and engineers from Luganville to Milne Bay for the next SOPAC offensive into New Britain.

The heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force and all the Allied medium bombers continue to suppress Japanese AFs at Kavieng, Manus, Rabaul, Gasmata and Munda.



AUSTRALIA


Dave sends in a bombardment TF with BBs to hit Darwin:



Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Ise
DD Naganami
DD Suzukaze
DD Uzuki
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
AM Katoomba, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Goulburn, Shell hits 4, and is sunk



Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 28% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
AM Katoomba sunk by BB Ise at 12,000 yards
xAK Goulburn sunk by BB Fuso at 12,000 yards
xAK Goulburn sunk by BB Fuso at 12,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 19 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 15 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Fuso


Allied ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 30

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at Darwin
BB Fuso firing at Darwin



This really surprised me that Dave risked 2 of his remaining 6 BBs(including BB Yamato and BB Musashi) but he knew that I would have nothing better than DBs to hit back at him. I looked all over OZ and found that I have no air HQs with torpedo capability so I will need to send in one from SOPAC.

Dave is concerned about Darwin as I have thousands of combat troops and support forces moving in on a daily basis....yet I have no offensive plans from Darwin until late 1943 at the earliest.... and then it will just be a diversion from the SWPAC advance across New Guinea to the Paulaus and Mindanao. But even now it appears as if Im inadvertantly creating a diversion.



THRILLA IN MANILA


Dave's attack at Manila this turn is only a 1:3:



Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45282 troops, 647 guns, 596 vehicles, Assault Value = 2058

Defending force 40067 troops, 514 guns, 526 vehicles, Assault Value = 485

Japanese adjusted assault: 388

Allied adjusted defense: 1279

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2400 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 252 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 51 (2 destroyed, 49 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (4 destroyed, 21 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1575 casualties reported
Squads: 124 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 49 (11 destroyed, 38 disabled)


Assaulting units:
48th/C Division
48th/B Division
16th Division
8th/B Division
8th/C Division
8th/A Division
4th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
5th Division
18th Division
33rd Division
48th/A Division
21st Div /1
12th Garrison Unit
18th Tank Rgt /2
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
31st Fld AA Gun Co
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
17th Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
31st PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
21st PA Infantry/B Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
192nd Tank Battalion
61st PA Infantry/C Division
21st PA Infantry/C Division
71st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
11th PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
61st PA Infantry/A Division
41st PA Infantry Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
USAFFE
Manila USAAF Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force /2
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Bataan USN Base Force
1st PA Infantry/B Division
PAF Aviation
51st PA Infantry/C Division
II Philippine Corps
Far East USAAF
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Provisional GMC Grp
201st PA Construction Battalion
Cebu USN Base Force /4



At this point in the struggle at Manila I dont care about the destroyed squads.....they will never recover anyway...so in regards to the disrupted squads Japan takes heavy loses yet again. The US Army armor unit recaptured Batangas so the Allied forces at Manila have a clear escapre route to southern Luzon and Japan will have to pursue me all the way to Naga and Legaspi after Manila falls.



CBI


My troops failed to attack at Kweiteh yet again. Ive never seen this before but I believe that I had one combat unit on bombrd orders and another combat unit on deliberate attack and the bombard order overrode the deliberate attack order. No matter...the 7000 AV Japanese army has totally disappeared from the radar screen in south central China and is about to reach Suchow by rail.....so my 4000 AV Chinese army will begin to withdraw towards Kaifeng.

Meanwhile...there is no longer a Japanese threat against gahngsha and we will even retain Nanchang...and begin to advance forward towards Hangchow.


In Burma...the 3400 AV of Eastern Army pause in rough terrain adjacent to Toungoo. Recon shows 31 IJA LCUs in Toungoo and another 29 LCUs adjacent to Toungoo,,,,,thats a lot of LCUs! There is a lot of armor there so Im pausing until I bring uo more anti-tank guns from Taung Gyi.

Meanwhile...some Japanese tankettes south of Taung Gyi make the mistake of attacking SWPAC tank destroyers. Im surprised I lost any tank destroyers at all as this is the equivalent of German Mark Is attacking Soviet KV-Is:

Ground combat at 58,50 (near Toungoo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2240 troops, 4 guns, 225 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Defending force 532 troops, 3 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 41

Japanese adjusted assault: 101

Allied adjusted defense: 163

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (5 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
26th Recon Regiment

Defending units:
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion


The heavy bombers of Tenth Air Force are ordered to neutralize the Japanese airfield at Toungoo next turn.

[racndoc]

SUBS/ASW


Dave has subs sniffing around the Solomon Sea looking for badly damaged CV Enterprise and CV Wasp. A wolfpack of IJN subs lays just to the W of Guadalcanl and it will receive a lot of attention from Allied ASW assets next turn.

Allied ASW had an unusually successful turn against IJN subs Solomon Sea last turn sinking both a SS and a SSX:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 04, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hirosaki/Aomori at 117,53

Japanese Ships
xAK Tensin Maru
PB Chitose Maru
xAK Hohuku Maru
xAK Gyoko Maru
xAK Taibun Maru
xAK Hiteru Maru
PB Sonobe Maru
PB Fukeui Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Gurnard



SS Gurnard launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Tensin Maru
Gurnard diving deep ....
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Sonobe Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Fukeui Maru #7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lunga at 113,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
DD Worden



SS I-7 launches 2 torpedoes
I-7 diving deep ....
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sepandjang at 59,107

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kyuei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL Higari Maru
xAKL Tamaki Maru
PB Kakyu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gato



SS Gato launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Kyuei Maru
Gato diving deep ....
PB Kakyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kakyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kakyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kakyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kakyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kiriwina Island at 103,130

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
DD Frazier
DD MacDonough
DD Cassin



SS I-169 is located by DD Frazier
I-169 diving deep ....
DD MacDonough fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cassin fails to find sub and abandons search
DD MacDonough fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD MacDonough fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD MacDonough fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD MacDonough fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD MacDonough fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Miri at 64,86

Japanese Ships
TK Zuiyo Maru
TK Terukawa Maru
TK Juko Maru
PB Tatsumi Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grayback



SS Grayback is sighted by escort
Grayback bottoming out ....
PB Tatsumi Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tatsumi Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tatsumi Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tatsumi Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tatsumi Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Miri at 64,86

Japanese Ships
TK Mirii Maru
TK Fujisan Maru
PB Tsukikawa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grayback



SS Grayback launches 2 torpedoes at TK Mirii Maru
PB Tsukikawa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tsukikawa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tsukikawa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tsukikawa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Tsukikawa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Gasmata at 104,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-169, hits 12, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD MacDonough
DD Cassin
DD Gillespie



SS I-169 is sighted by escort
I-169 diving deep ....
DD MacDonough fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cassin fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD MacDonough fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Cassin fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cassin attacking submerged sub ....
Massive explosion on SS I-169
DD Cassin attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-169 forced to surface!
DD Gillespie firing on surfaced sub ....
DD MacDonough firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Gillespie firing on surfaced sub ....
DD MacDonough firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Gillespie firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 05, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Muntok at 49,89

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 7
SC Ch 4
CM Shirakami
E Kasasagi

Allied Ships
SS O23, hits 1



SS O23 is sighted by escort
O23 bottoming out ....
E Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kasasagi attacking submerged sub ....
E Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lunga at 113,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
DD Bancroft
SC-517
SC-630



SS I-7 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Bancroft
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-630 fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


ASW attack near Rabaul at 107,126

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-8, hits 2, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD MacDonough



SSX Ha-8 is located by DD MacDonough
DD MacDonough attacking submerged sub ....
Debris floats to surface in area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub


ASW attack near Lunga at 113,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-7, hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Bancroft
SC-518
SC-517
SC-630



SS I-7 launches 6 torpedoes at DD Bancroft
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-630 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-630 cannot reach attack position over SS I-7
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-630 fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bancroft attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-7 eludes DD Bancroft by diving deep
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



PHILIPPINES


Japan bombards away at Manila.



CBI


Relatively quiet across the CBI as both sides continue to manuever and mass. The Eastern army continues to mass just outside of Toungoo.



SWPAC


Colonel Chesty Pullers enter Saidor and will assault it next turn.

Dave moved some guerillas....remnants of formations that were defeated and retreated into the jungle months ago....into Buna and the 1st Marine Armor will assault them next turn.



SOPAC

The SOPAC offensive is over and now we are in a period of consolidation as we try to both secure and build up newly acquired bases. Base building is going smoothly at Buka, Green and Feni but has been slow at our most forward and exposed base at Lihir. I have some 50 transport AC flying in supplies to Lihir but its not nearly enough. Next turn I will send a fast transport TF with 3 APDs to Lihir to bring in supplies but they will be very exposed if Japan brings any surface or air combat TFs into the area.

CV Wasp will make its final run now from Brisbane to the shipyards in Sydney....Allied air and naval ASW assets are in place to cover this short voyage.

SOPAC HQ is landed at Rossel Is. and its 120 naval support goes into action in the critical repair effort on heavily damaged CV Enterprise. A 4th and 5th AR also reach Rossel and the repair work on the wounded carrier seems to have ramped up. The 1st turn in port CV Enterrpise went from a repair estimate of 62 days to 60 days. The this last turn it went from 60 days to 50 days(repair of minor damage only) so it looks as if the repair process has been greatly accelerated and hopefully we can send her south to safety in less than a moth. The remaining Allied carriers are standing off just to the SW of Rossel Is. just out of the IJN sub patrol areas.

[racndoc]

12/6-12/7/42


SOPAC


The fast transport TF of APDs makes it to Lihir and back to Shortlands without incident and drops off 300 sorely needed supplies....now base building can begin in earnest there. Level 1 bases are now 75% complete at Buka and Green Is. Im using some of the slow AKs(12 knot) and AP William Burrows(12 knots) to drop of engineers, BFs and supplies at Buka, Green and Feni Is. I consider these 12 knot AKs and AP to be expendable....I will only be using the faster 15-17 knot APAs and AKAs for my upcoming 1943 atoll assaults.

CV Wasp lies 3 hexes from Sydney and will _finally_ make a shipyard next turn to begin repairing her flotation damamge. CV Enterprise remains in port at Rossel but only reduces the repair estimate from 50 days to 48 days this turn(minor damage only). Dave has subs milling around the Solomon and Coral Seas looking for the wounded USN CVs and last turn an Allied ASW TF sunk SS RO-34 near Deboyne Is.

Allied xAKs and xAPs are very busy now moving supplies, assault forces, seabees and BFs from Luganville and all around the backwater Solomon bases to our forward base at Milne Island. Milne Is. will be the hub for SOPAC's upcoming amphib assaults on New Britain.


SWPAC

The 1st Marine Tank Battalion routs IJA guerillas investing Buna:


Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1155 troops, 0 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Defending force 230 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 71

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 71 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1



Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
223 Group RAF
33rd Aviation Base Force
7th USN Naval Construction Battalion
73rd RAAF Wing

Defending units:
II/81st Naval Guard Unit





Colonel Chesty Puller's 7th Marine Regiment is hit hard by Japanese bombers and is repulsed at Saidor:


Ground combat at Saidor (99,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4096 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Defending force 1074 troops, 12 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Allied adjusted assault: 26

Japanese adjusted defense: 25

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF /3
38th JNAF AF Unit /2
1st Naval Const Bn /4
4th JAAF Base Force /2




Ground combat at Saidor (99,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4081 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 140

Defending force 1048 troops, 12 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Allied adjusted assault: 24

Japanese adjusted defense: 37

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

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

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


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


Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF /3
38th JNAF AF Unit /2
1st Naval Const Bn /4
4th JAAF Base Force /2



Thr 7th Marines are tired and disrupted by the air attacks and also out of supply. I will pause them for a couple turns to bombard and suck supplies from Lae and recover their morale and disruption.

Fifth Air Force will both LRCAP 7th Marines and pound the heck out of their opposition for a couple turns with both medium and tactical bombers. Meanwhile the heavy bombers will work over the new level 4 AF at Wewak where the Japanese bombers appear to be based.



PHILIPPINES


Japan continues to ground bombard at Manila. Dave now has 2376 AV there to oppose the remaining 455 AV of Allied troops.


CBI


Chinese troops continue to woithdraw from Suchow and Kweiteh towards Kaifeng as the Japanese army continues to rail into Suchow.

Meanwhile...the Chinese at Nanyang continue to advance E towards Hangchow as the Japanese in the area seem to have disappeared.

Ive paused the 3400 AV Eastern Army outside of Toungoo due to the presence of a large amount of Japanese armor at the base. im waiting for some extra AT gun units to move up before we invest Toungoo. Meanwhile a 1400 AV stack threatens to cut off Toungoo from the east while another 1000 AV of Indian armor threatens Toungoo from the west.

[racndoc]

12/8-12/9/42


MANILA FALLS


After a year of heroic resistance against the IJA 17th Army....the American/Philippino troops defending Manila are finally evicted from the fortified city:



Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83499 troops, 1071 guns, 821 vehicles, Assault Value = 2450

Defending force 39050 troops, 494 guns, 512 vehicles, Assault Value = 447

Japanese adjusted assault: 1539

Allied adjusted defense: 529

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1731 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 120 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 32 (1 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 47 (7 destroyed, 40 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
9201 casualties reported
Squads: 196 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 1085 destroyed, 132 disabled
Engineers: 49 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 293 (267 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 344 (331 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Units retreated 35


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
5th Division
48th Division
8th Division
12th Garrison Unit
33rd Division
18th Tank Rgt /2
18th Division
16th Division
21st Div /1
4th Ind. Engr Rgt /2
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
31st Fld AA Gun Co
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
17th Army
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
61st PA Infantry/A Division
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
91st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
192nd Tank Battalion
21st PA Infantry/A Division
41st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
11th PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
21st PA Infantry/B Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
71st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/C Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
61st PA Infantry/C Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
Bataan USN Base Force
51st PA Infantry/C Division
Far East USAAF
II Philippine Corps
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
USAFFE
PAF Aviation
201st PA Construction Battalion
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Cavite USN Base Force /2
Provisional GMC Grp
1st PA Infantry/B Division
Manila USAAF Base Force
Cebu USN Base Force /4



The remnants of the defeated forces retreat to Batangas. Im hopeful that the remaining Allied troopos on Luzon can retreat in good order towards Naga and Legaspi in order to prolong this campaign another week or so but we will see.



SWPAC


The 7th Marines rest for a turn at Saidor for a turn and by bombarding they are able to restock their supply levels. Supplies are flowing nicely from Lae into Wau....Im getting a lot of spoilage from it but its much more important to keep the front line units in supply.

Meanwhile...the 1st Marine Regiment reaches Finschafen this turn and a shock attack is ordered for next turn.

The Fifth Air Force bombing of the AF at Wewak was muted by inclement weather. Now all the heavy and medium bombers of Fifth Air Force will turn their attention to ground attacks on the Japanese defenders of Saidor and Finschafen.



SOPAC


SOPAC completes a level 1 port at Buka and now the tiny, expendable xAKLs can bring in supplies and equipment. Base building continues at a good pace at Green, Feni and Lihir Is.

I didnt get much from SIGINT over the last 6 months.....mainly stuff like "Hakodate Fortress Unit planning for Hakodate" or "XYZ Garrison unit planning for Auckland" type stuff. Now with the fall of Manila....I fully expect Dave to reinforce both in Burma and also in New Guinea and the Bismarcks. In fact...I will be checking SIGINT every turn to see if any of the IJA 17th Army divisions at manila are planning for a counterinvasion at Lihir or Feni Is....my two most forward and exposed bases in SOPAC. I figure even if Dave plans on a counterinvasion I have 3 months to prepare while he rests and preps his troops. I did get one tidbit of info that I think is not a plant....the Ichiki Detachment is planning for Ta'u...thats in Samoas and is wide open right now. Im send a small amphib TF to Pago Pago this turn to move some defensive troops over to Ta'u.

CV Wasp _finally_ reaches the shipyards at Sydney....only for me to place her in critical pierside repair to complete repair of her minor damage over the next 7 days. Then CV Wasp will see the shipyard for repair of her major damage.

CV Enterprise remains in port at Rossel but her estimated repair of minor damage only goes down from 48 days to 46 days. The extra ARs dont seem to be helping so I will send 2 of them back to Luganville to help with repairs of shipping there.

The IJN subs claim another victim this turn:



Sub attack near Shortlands at 109,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 6

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1
DD Nizam



SS I-24 launches 6 torpedoes at CL Hobart
I-24 bottoming out ....
DD Nizam fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nizam fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nizam fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nizam attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


Cl Hobart is immediately disbanded in port at Shortlands....at least we roughed up the IJN sub a bit.

The Rabaul AF shows 100% damage and recon indicates that Dave disbanded 2 damaged subs in the port there. Allied medium bombers will strike the Rabaul port next turn at high altitude...there are a _lot_ of AA guns at Rabaul.



CBI

Quiet in China.

Dave stuns the Allied armies in Burma by capturing Prome from right under our nose:


Japanese forces CAPTURE Prome !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
407 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
598 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
19th Tank Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
1st Raiding Rgt /1
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2/15 Punjab Battalion



It was a masterfull assault by Dave....2 paratroop formations were dropped just as his armor shock attacked across a river. I had the 11th Chindit Brigade on the march to Prome but Dave beat me by 1 day. I could've/should've reinforced Prome from IVth Indian Corps but I didnt and now I have a mess.


Now Japan has captured several thousand preciuos supplies that had sucked to Prome from Akyab. Im turning the 1000 AV of IVth Indian Corps around and they will try to take Prome back. Meanwhile the road from Prome to Magwe appears to be open and the IJA armor could race up this road and capture lightly held Magwe deep in the Allied rear. I had been marching 2 AT regiments up to Eastern army just outside of Toungoo.....now these 2 AT units will reverse course and head to Magwe along with additional reinforcements. Meanwhile....some 175 medium and heavy bombers from the RAF and Tenth Air Force covered by an additonal 150 fighters will pummel the IJA forces at Prome next turn and attempt to fix them in place. If history is any indicator....Dave will put up at least a 100 plane LRCAP over his troops at Prome next turn so we should see a pretty serious aerial battle.

SIGINT again helps in the CBI this turn....Southern Army HQ is reported to be at Toungoo. I think that Dave probably also has 15th Army there and everyone is prepped for Toungoo rather than Rangoon. The Eastern Army has been prepping for Toungoo but only has about 30% prep. I will leave the Allied troops in the jungle just outside of Toungoo until they are 100% prepped and if Dave wants a battle he will need to enter my position and terrain.

[racndoc]

12/10-12/11/42



CBI


Quiet in China.

The bulk of IVth Indian Corps' armor enters Prome while nearly 200 RAF and Tenth Air Force medium and heavy bombers absolutely pummel the IJA paras and tanks there. IVth Indian Corps will assault Prome next turn and it appears that the Japanese defenders are attempting to retreat to the south as quickly as possible....they have to re-cross the river so I may get a shot at them before they exit the hex.

IJA amphib forces capture Ramree Is. off the Burma Coast....and in our rear.



PHILIPPINES


The Allied forces retreating from Manila continue towards southern Luzon with the IJA 17th Army in hot pursuit.



SOPAC


Feni Is. completes a level 1 AF while Green Is. completes a level 1 port. Supplies, engineers and BFs continue to flow into Buka, Feni, Green and Lihir.


Two minelaying TFs lay over 200 mines at Shortlands. SS I-20 shows up to sink a barge off Shortlands but then I got a message that one of the newly laid mines mysteriously exploded....I hope that one of the IJN subs caused the explosion.


Allied TBs score hits on 2 IJN subs trying to repair their damage in port at Rabaul:

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes


Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 23


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-10, Bomb hits 1
SS I-24, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



CV Wasp and CV Enterprise continue to repair their torpedo damage in port.



SWPAC


The 1st Marine Regiment is repulsed at Finschafen:



Ground combat at Finschhafen (100,126)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4118 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Defending force 3033 troops, 55 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Allied adjusted assault: 64

Japanese adjusted defense: 403

Allied assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
493 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Marine Regiment

Defending units:
46th Nav Gd /1
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
83rd Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF /3
13th Garrison Unit /1
39th JNAF AF Unit


I was expecting to just be mopping up the defeated remnants of the former Lae garrison but Dave has scores of transport AC flying in reinforcements. He has also been trying to fly reinforcements into Saidor but I have been heavily LRCAPing Saidor and have been turning back the transports.

The SWPAC offensive in New Guinea is beginning to bog down for lack of troops. Im now sending the 5th Marine Regiment into Finschafen to reinforce the 1st Marines. The 32nd Division.....currently at Nadzab... had been advancing on Madang but now they are turned around and will help assault Finschafen. The 6th Australian Division will continue to advance on Madang....but who knows how many troops we will find there when they arrive. I dont think thay Dave wants to hold either saidor or Finschafen for any length of time.....he just wants to slow down the overall advance of SWPAC up the N coast of New Guinea....and his strategy is working as I siphon off troops from the point of the spear to deal with these secondary targets. Finschafen has a level 2 AF with a BF present and must be taken before we advance further into New Guinea.

The medium and heavy boombers of Fifth Air Force have been pounding the Japanese defenders at Saidor and Finschafen and next turn Colonel Chesty Puller's 7th Marines will again assault at Saidor.

Dave has built new airfields all the way up the N coast of New Guinea....a level 4 AF at Wewak than Fifth Air Force has left with 27% damage, a level 3 AF at Aitape, a level 4 AF at Vanimo and a level 3 AF at Sarmi. Its currently impossible for SWPAC and 5th Air Force to shut all these AFs down so the luxury of total air superiority has been lost for the moment.

[racndoc]

12/12-12/13/42



CBI


Quiet again in China.


In Burma.....Dave sent a lot of bombers against IVth Indian Corps at Prome. The RAF and Tenth Air Force returned the favor by bombing the bejesus out of the IJA tanks and paratroopers at Prome for the 2nd turn in a row. When IVth Indian Corps finally got around to launching an attack they absolutely crushed the demoralized and disrupted Japanese defenders:


Ground combat at Prome (55,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14782 troops, 121 guns, 1197 vehicles, Assault Value = 929

Defending force 3894 troops, 33 guns, 241 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Allied adjusted assault: 494

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 70 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Prome !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
734 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 82 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 166 (166 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
43rd Cavalry Regiment
44th Cavalry Regiment
150th RAC Regiment
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
254th Armoured Brigade
50th Tank Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
268th Motorised Brigade

Defending units:
19th Tank Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
1st Raiding Rgt /1
3rd Raiding Rgt /1
14th Naval Const Bn /1



Now IVth Indian Corps can return to its original mission of outflanking the IJA 15th Army at Toungoo.



SOPAC


Lihir Is. builds a level 1 port and SSTs immediately begin to land supplies and engineers there.

I staged a PBY squadron into the new SOPAC AF at Feni Is. and now for the 1st time in the war we are able to project recon into the great Japanese anchorage at Truk.



SWPAC


After a massive aerial bombardment.....Colonel Chesty Puller's 7th Marines assault Saidor again and knock down the forts a bit:


Ground combat at Saidor (99,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4115 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Defending force 2319 troops, 28 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Allied adjusted assault: 112

Japanese adjusted defense: 40

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
384 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
13th Garrison Unit /2
Sasebo 5th SNLF /3
42nd Nav Gd /2
38th JNAF AF Unit /2
1st Naval Const Bn /4
4th JAAF Base Force /2


Japan's long range airlift capability is absolutely amazing and again I have underestimated my opponent's ability to reinforce his positions on New Guinea at will. I will bombard with 7th Marines next turn so that they can restock their supply and then we will resume the assault. Hopefully my LRCAP over the base can prevent most of the Japanese transport AC from getting through.


I can feel the tides of war shifting now in the Pacific. From a geographical standpoint....SWPAC and SOPAC have advanced to the historical Feb. 1944 start line. From a manpower and materiel standpoint I need to keep reminding myself that it is still 1942. I basically have 2 divisions on the ground in the Pacific....the 32nd and the 6th Australian Divisions. The two Marine divisions are being deployed on the regimental level and in trying to capture multiple objectives I can feel everything beginning to bog down now.

And this is all before Dave redeploys his massive army on Luzon.....some 8-9 divisions. I not only am reaching a stalemate situation on the ground but I will probably get a black eye somewhere.

And its not just a shortage of ground forces. CV Illustrious must be withdrawn within 3 weeks and then the Allies will be down to 4 fleet carriers. I just placed CV Wasp on "high shipyard" repair at Sydney and it will take another 97 days to complete repair of her major damage. I dont dare move CV Enterprise until I get more of her SYS damage repaired but when and if she ever makes it back to a shipyard she will be out of action for at least 6 months. The remaining operational USN CVs dont dare confront the massed might of KB but must hide behind the cover of land based air in the Solomons and New Guinea.

I have 4 squadrons of P-38s....2 with Tenth Air Force in the CBI and 2 with Fifth Air Force on New Guinea and they are fortunate if they can maintain 70% TOE. The 4Es have been used non-stop in suppressing Japanese airfields in Burma and New Britain/Bismarcks and neither Tenth or Fifth Air Force can muster even 90 heavy bombers any longer. The air war in the Pacific is still being mostly fought with P-39s and P-40s while Japan has upgraded to 2nd generation Tojos, Tonys and Nicks.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel for the Allied air forces.....I begin receiving Corsairs in a little over 2 weeks and then it will be up to the VMF squadrons in Burma and the south Pacific to carry the war to the Japanese......what we lack in quantity will be made up for with quality.

One other important weapon system is starting to come into play.....Ive just received my first 3 LSTs at Portland and they are sailing to san Diego to join the massive convoys heading southwestward to thew south Pacific. These LSTs would be perfect for the base building that is currently going on at Buka, Green, Feni and Lihir....they can unload on a beach with no port facilities _very quickly_ and unlike the AKs or AKAs they are cheap and expendable.



THE ALAMO ON LUZON


The IJA 48th Division lands a crushing blow on American/Philippino troops at Batagas before they can withdraw:

Ground combat at Batangas (79,78)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13755 troops, 154 guns, 86 vehicles, Assault Value = 454

Defending force 24602 troops, 283 guns, 174 vehicles, Assault Value = 213

Japanese adjusted assault: 187

Allied adjusted defense: 94

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
549 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1234 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 88 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 43 (8 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)


Assaulting units:
48th Division
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
91st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/C Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
41st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
61st PA Infantry/C Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
21st PA Infantry/B Division
71st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
31st PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
Bataan USN Base Force
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
II Philippine Corps
51st PA Infantry/C Division
201st PA Construction Battalion
Manila USAAF Base Force
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Provisional GMC Grp
61st PA Infantry/A Division
1st PA Infantry/B Division
PAF Aviation
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
USAFFE
Cavite USN Base Force /2
Far East USAAF
Cebu USN Base Force /4


The defeated remnants of Allied forces on Luzon are retreated back to Lucena. In conjunction with this assault IJA paratroops are landed behind then at Atimonan.

There is no escape to the south any longer. General Wainwright will be fighting his "Alamo" at Lucena in about 3 days

T

[racndoc]

17TH ARMY....JAPAN'S PHASE II OFFENSIVE


Now that the long, bloody campaign by Japan's 17th Army against the American/Philippino Army on Luzon is drawing to a close.....where does Japan redeploy the 8-9 divisions and the 17 artillery LCUs to?

I admit to suffering from victory disease over the first 12 months of the war. After successfully stopping an overextended Japan in the Solomons and a rampaging IJA 15th Army at Myitkina Ive thought little of defense and have concentrated on finding the quickest way back to Tokyo and the fastest way to isolate the Japanese home islands from the SRA. For me....that path runs west up the northern coast of New Guinea to Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines. However....I'm beginning to feel that I am now overextended myself and I have an ominous feeling that something big is being planned.

Ive always thought that Dave would react defensively and send maybe 3 divisions to New Guinea to stop the SWPAC advance and the other divisions to Burma to stop the advance of Eastern Army. But what if Dave doesnt play defense? What if Dave goes on the offense with 8-9 divisions. SIGINT has suddenly become relevant again. In fact....SIGINT is probably more critical now than at any time since December 1941. Recent SIGINT reports that the IJA 29th Division is planning for Madras and the Ichiki Det. is planning for Ta'u in American Samoa. How accurate or relevant are these reports?

We dont know where Dave will commit those 8-9 divisions....yet. We can approximate the when however.


17th Army took horrific losses in the battle for Manila. Id estimate that 17th Army formations suffered 40-60% casualties. If Dave splits his divisions up that will leave subunits of about 110 squads...so 44-64 disabled squads per sub unit. They will need to rest some 45-65 days to completely recover their squads. That recovery period started about a week ago. So Dave should be ready to load his amphib assault in about 40-60 days..and then another 1-3 weeks at sea before they reach their destination. If Dave needs to prep any of these forces for an initial landing Im hopeful that SIGINT will pick it up.

SIGINT has picked up reports of LCUs prepping for Lihue and Lahaina. Im currently stripping Oahu's defenses of 26th and 27th Divisions as more troops are needed for SWPAC. I figure that I will tipped off on a Hawaii Invasion by a preliminary assault on Johnston Is. or Midway. Both atolls have been heavily reinforced since 12/41 and should give adequate warning of a threat in that direction.

I think its too late for Japan to invade Australia....I have over 1000 AV at Darwin and SWPAC and SOPAC are ready to reinforce Oz if need be.

I dont think that Japan will mount a major offensive in the south Pacific near Samoa or Fiji....it just doesnt cause enough of a threat to the Allies to change my offensive plans. I think that Dave could certainly land a small force on Ta'u and maybe develop an AF there as a diversion. Dave could send in KB en masse to cover an invasion and have a side benefit of possibly annihilating a handful of Allied convoys that run though that part of the ocean.


I dont think that Dave will send those divisions to China either....thats like taking sand to the beach.

I think that the mostly likely targets for a massive redeployment of 17th Army would be either a counteroffensive in New Guinea or an invasion of India. Ill cover the India scenario 1st and then the New Guinea scenario in the next post.


JAPANESE PHASE II....TARGET INDIA?


Im way overextended in India/Burma. Eastern Army sits outside Toungoo with 3700 AV. IV Indian Corps sits at Prome with its 1000 AV and Burma Corps is flanking Toungoo to the SE with 1300 AV. Dave has 60 LCUs with Southern Army HQ opposing this near Toungoo and another 47,000 troops at Rangoon. Dave senses that the Allies have been bogged down outside Toungoo with supply issues.

Dave also knows that by spending PPs to buy the 1000 AV of armor that comprises IVth Indian Corps Ive basically stripped Indian defenses. In India I currently have 650 AV at Madras, 1100 AV at Calcutta, 300 AV at Bombay, 200 AV at Chittagong, 200 AV at Akyab and perhaps another 1000 AV in garrisons scattered about the sub-continent.

The scary thing is....Japan has the Allies totally outclassed in carrier air power and this gap will not begin to close until June 1943 when CV Essex and CVL Intrepid come online and CV Enterprise is repaired. After CV Illustrious is withdrawn in 3 weeks the Allies will have 4 CVs, 5 CVEs and 1 CVL vs Japan's 8 CVs, 4 CVLs and 4-5 CVEs. So Japan has the ability to mount an amphib assault virtually anywhere she chooses for the next 6 months. An amphib invasion of NE India could come suddenly and without warning and would be devastating. Based on the recovery time for the Japanese divisions on Luzon...an invasion of NE India would not occur until late February 1943. Why did Japan invade at Ramree Is. in the Allied rear 2 turns ago?

The rational thing for the Allies would be to withdraw some of the Indian forces in Burma back to India....probably the armor of IVth Indian Corps along the very coastal road that Japanese held Ramree Is. now threatens. However if Dave surmises that a serious Allied offensive in Burma is no longer in the cards he would be free to launch an invasion with all 8-9 divisions somewhere else.....including an assault on New Guinea...the event that I find most probable.

For now...I need to keep maximum pressure on the IJA 15th Army in southern Burma to hopefully cause Dave to divert some of 17th Army here for defensive purposes.

[House Stark]

Well it seems that sending all those suicide AKLs early was a good choice and bought you a whole year. Now your opponent has the choice between stopping your offensives or trying to destroy one vector off attack entirely with a massive offensive of his own. But either way you seem to be in a pretty good position, especially since you haven't had any carriers sunk. Since your not going to be able to compete with KB anyways until mid 1943, does it really matter if Enterprise and Wasp are out of action for that long, so long as they make it home to be fully repaired?

[racndoc]

House Stark....you are correct about the carrier situation...if Im not going to challenge the Japanese carriers until June 1943 then it really doesnt matter if CV Wasp and CV Enterprise are out of action undergoing repairs. My only point was that Japan and KB can run wild for the next 6-7 months and the Allies really cant do much about it. The one advantage of keeping the USN carriers out of battle so long is that it gets them through the point of the war where they have minimal SBD replacements. In fact....now that I know that the carriers wont be committed for at least 6 months I can upgrade most of my VMSB squadrons with SBD-3s. Between the grounded VS and VB squadrons of Wasp and Enterprise and all the VMSB squadrons Im going to have a pretty massive ground based divebomber force in the Solomons and New Guinea.




12/14-12/15/42



CBI


Quiet in China.

In Burma.....Japanese armor attacks Allied troops outside of Toungoo:


Ground combat at 56,50 (near Toungoo)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 470 troops, 0 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Defending force 1364 troops, 18 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Japanese adjusted assault: 30

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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


Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2/15 Punjab Battalion



Even in poor odds attacks Japanese armor rarely takes losses.




PHILIPPINES


The IJA 48th Division closes in on the remaining Allied forces at Lucena.



AUSTRALIA


Japan bombards Darwin again with BBs:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 15, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 10 damaged
Hudson I: 11 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed on ground

26 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 3
BB Fuso
DD Fumizuki
DD Uzuki


Allied ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
Port hits 1

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Ise
Emery Point Fortress firing at BB Ise
BB Ise firing at Emery Point Fortress
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at Darwin
DD Fumizuki firing at 4th Australian Division
DD Uzuki firing at 6th RAA Coastal Artillery Regiment


Ive moved 3 CD units to Darwin but they dont have much of an effect on BBs. I really need to get an air HQ with torpedoes here at some point in the future. Ive heavily reinforce Darwin with restricted Australian troops and Dave seems to be paying more attention to Darwin that I am.....so at least it is serving as a diversion.




SOPAC


ASW TFs and AC continue to hunt down IJN subs in the area:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Belep Islands at 112,154

Japanese Ships
SS I-6, hits 11

Allied Ships
DD Blue
DD Electra
DD Craven



SS I-6 is sighted by escort
DD Electra fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Electra fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Electra attacking submerged sub ....
DD Electra attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-6 eludes ASW attack from DD Electra
DD Electra cannot establish contact with SS I-6
DD Electra loses contact with SS I-6
SS I-6 eludes DD Electra by hugging bottom
DD Electra fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Electra fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



Hudson III (LR) from No.8 Sqn RNZAF attacking a Japanese SS at 112,154
a Type J2 class SS is reported HIT
Hudson III (LR) from No.8 Sqn RNZAF attacking a Japanese SS at 112,154
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
Hudson III (LR) from No.8 Sqn RNZAF attacking a Type KD6A class SS at 112,154
a Japanese SS is reported HIT
Hudson III (LR) from No.8 Sqn RNZAF attacking a Japanese DD at 112,154
a Type KD6A class SS is reported HIT


Once Im pretty certain that IJN subs have been cleared from the Coral Sea I will attempt to move CV Enterprise from Rossel Is. to an Allied shipyard for repairs. Enterpise now has her SYS damage down to 42.




SWPAC....JAPANESE PHASE II OFFENSIVE?


After bombarding last turn....7th Marines will shock attack Saidor next turn. Dave has been trying to fly in reinforcements here but we have been LRCAPing the base pretty heavily so have been turning back the transports up to now.

At Finschafen.....I expected only to find the shattered remnants of the Lae garrison that was overrun a couple of weeks ago but instead Dave has flown in over 4000 troops. Ive got the 1st Marine Regiment at Lae on the move to reinforce but it wont be nearly enough.

I think that if I continued the SWPAC offensive up to Madang, Wewak and beyond the perfect spot for the IJA 17th Army to land would be at Finschafen. Japan has a level 2 AF at Finschafen with Base Forces and could stage in 100 fighters on the turn of an invasion. In addition....since Japan still owns the hex...... Japanese forces would not need to prep before landing and will suffer minimal disruption. If Japan invaded here they could easily retake Lae and cut off the rest of the SOPAC troops advancing across New Guinea.

The threat is too great. Im cancelling the advance on Madang. The 32nd and Australian 6th Divisions will be turned around and sent back to Lae. Three US Army armor battalions at Salamaua will march to Lae. The 25th and 26th Divisions....recently stripped from Oahu's garrison.....will be sent to Lae.

Finally...I bought the 43rd Division this turn on the US west coast and they will be sent to Lae. Lae is a 2(0) port so it really cant be enlarged....so I will probably need to risk some APs and AKs to send in reinforcements.

Finshafen is definitely a thorn in my rear and it needs to be dealt with ASAP.

[racndoc]

12/16-12/17/42



PHILIPPINES


The IJA 17th Army makes a preliminary assault on the American/Philippino forces trapped at Lucena:


Ground combat at Lucena (79,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4734 troops, 218 guns, 415 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Defending force 17297 troops, 198 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 136

Japanese adjusted assault: 31

Allied adjusted defense: 69

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

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


Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (8 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd Recon Battalion
18th Tank Rgt /2
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
192nd Tank Battalion
41st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
194th Tank Battalion
51st PA Infantry/B Division
91st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
21st PA Infantry/C Division
51st PA Infantry/A Division
102nd PA Infantry Division
201st PA Construction Battalion
21st PA Infantry/B Division
Cavite USN Base Force /2
USAFFE
61st PA Infantry/C Division
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Bataan USN Base Force
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
PAF Aviation
1st PA Infantry/A Division
1st PA Infantry/B Division
31st PA Infantry Division
61st PA Infantry/A Division
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
II Philippine Corps
Manila USAAF Base Force
Far East USAAF
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Cebu USN Base Force /4


Only a 1:2 attack this turn. The 48th Division should arrive next turn to apply the coup de grace.



SOPAC


CV Enterprise reduces its SYS damage to 38 and begins to exit pierside repair. We will probably make a run for Australia with her in 2 turns.

Meanwhile the Allied carriers have returned to the waters south Of Rossel and work over SS I-10.... SS I-10 is badly damaged but now Dave knows the approximate position of the Allied carriers.



SWPAC


The 7th Marine Regiment finally captures the base at Saidor:


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

Ground combat at Saidor (99,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4108 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Defending force 2702 troops, 41 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Allied adjusted assault: 194

Japanese adjusted defense: 49

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Saidor !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
256 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
43rd Nav Gd /1
13th Garrison Unit /2
14th Garrison Unit /1
Sasebo 5th SNLF
42nd Nav Gd /2
38th JNAF AF Unit /2
1st Naval Const Bn /4
4th JAAF Base Force /2




Ground combat at Saidor (99,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4018 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 128

Defending force 2629 troops, 46 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Allied adjusted assault: 152

Japanese adjusted defense: 25

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (9 destroyed, 2 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
14th Garrison Unit /1
43rd Nav Gd /1
13th Garrison Unit /2
42nd Nav Gd /2
1st Naval Const Bn /4
Sasebo 5th SNLF
38th JNAF AF Unit /2
4th JAAF Base Force /2


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

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Saidor

Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Saidor by attrition!!!



I will rest the 7th Marines one turn before finishing off the remainder of thew Japanese troops in the hex.


Reinforcements for New Guinea begin to arrive at Lae.

Milne Bay continues its buildup as the hub for the future assault on New Britain.


I picked up an interesting bit of SIGINT this turn.....at least a portion of the IJA 21st Division is loaded on an AK heading to Sarmi..... the Japanese reinforcement of New Guinea begins.

[racndoc]

12/18-12/19/42


PHILIPPINES


Japan again bombards the last remaining Allied troops in the Philippines at Lucena:

Ground combat at Lucena (79,79)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3501 troops, 209 guns, 285 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Defending force 16798 troops, 183 guns, 148 vehicles, Assault Value = 113


Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd Recon Battalion
18th Tank Rgt /2
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
192nd Tank Battalion
41st PA Infantry Division
2nd PA Constabulary Division
194th Tank Battalion
21st PA Infantry/A Division
91st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry/B Division
31st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry/C Division
61st PA Infantry/B Division
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
11th PA Infantry Division
Manila USAAF Base Force
21st PA Infantry/B Division
USAFFE
201st PA Construction Battalion
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
51st PA Infantry/A Division
61st PA Infantry/C Division
Far East USAAF
II Philippine Corps
1st PA Infantry/B Division
1st PA Infantry/A Division
PAF Aviation
102nd PA Infantry Division
Cavite USN Base Force /2
21st PA Infantry/C Division
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Bataan USN Base Force
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
61st PA Infantry/A Division
Cebu USN Base Force /4


Still no sign of the IJA 48th Division....makes me wonder if the divisions of 17th Army have already moved on.



SOPAC


USN ASW TFs work over SS I-20 off Shortlands. No IJN subs are spotted near Rossel Is. this turn so CV Enterprise will make its dash to a shipyard next turn.


VMSB-131 has been aboard CV Lexington since the early part of the war and these highly trained Marine pilots have just achieved "carrier trained" status.



SWPAC


The 7th Marine Regiment bombards the Japanese still left at Saidor.....an assault will be ordered for next turn.

Dave sends some small TFs to unload at Hansa Bay. Some Avengers gets hits but most of the Allied TBs and SBDs go in without fighter escort and get thrashewd:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17



Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 7


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai/C with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17



Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 26


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Matsukawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kanko Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
50th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
50th Sentai/C with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Matsukawa Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13



Allied aircraft
SBD-1 Dauntless x 15


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Momokawa Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-1 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-1 Dauntless releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
50th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
50th Sentai/C with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 79 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12



Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes
50th Sentai/C with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
50th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes




CBI


Quiet in China.

In Burma...I had sent the 14th Cdn Brigade in a feint across a river S of Toungoo. Our game was paused for several days over a 2 week period and I forgot about them until they shock attacked 2100 AV of IJA infantry and armor:




Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3255 troops, 66 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 124

Defending force 66608 troops, 753 guns, 1298 vehicles, Assault Value = 2125

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 8783

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

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

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


Allied ground losses:
2972 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 228 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 38 (38 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 50 (50 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Assaulting units:
14th Canadian Brigade

Defending units:
1st Recon Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
2nd Division
41st Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
56th Division
Imperial Guards Division
26th Recon Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
33rd Div /1
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
6th RF Gun Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
Southern Army
15th Army
25th Army
4th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
34th Field AA Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
23rd AA Regiment
21st Ind.AA Gun Co
9th RF Gun Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion


I think that 14th Cdn is down to a single device and will be eliminated in a Japanese counterattack next turn.

Farther north by Prome...IVth Indian Corps gets revenge by shock attacking an IJA tank regiment:



Ground combat at 56,50 (near Toungoo)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4431 troops, 54 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 196

Defending force 423 troops, 0 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Allied adjusted assault: 176

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2/15 Punjab Battalion
111th Chindit Brigade

Defending units:
23rd Tank Regiment




Ground combat at 56,50 (near Toungoo)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4299 troops, 54 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 176

Defending force 367 troops, 0 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Allied adjusted assault: 158

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 158 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 65 (65 destroyed, 0 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
2/15 Punjab Battalion
5/14th Punjab Battalion
111th Chindit Brigade

Defending units:
23rd Tank Regiment

[Wirraway_Ace]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

SWPAC....JAPANESE PHASE II OFFENSIVE?


After bombarding last turn....7th Marines will shock attack Saidor next turn. Dave has been trying to fly in reinforcements here but we have been LRCAPing the base pretty heavily so have been turning back the transports up to now.

At Finschafen.....I expected only to find the shattered remnants of the Lae garrison that was overrun a couple of weeks ago but instead Dave has flown in over 4000 troops. Ive got the 1st Marine Regiment at Lae on the move to reinforce but it wont be nearly enough.

I think that if I continued the SWPAC offensive up to Madang, Wewak and beyond the perfect spot for the IJA 17th Army to land would be at Finschafen. Japan has a level 2 AF at Finschafen with Base Forces and could stage in 100 fighters on the turn of an invasion. In addition....since Japan still owns the hex...... Japanese forces would not need to prep before landing and will suffer minimal disruption. If Japan invaded here they could easily retake Lae and cut off the rest of the SOPAC troops advancing across New Guinea.

The threat is too great. Im cancelling the advance on Madang. The 32nd and Australian 6th Divisions will be turned around and sent back to Lae. Three US Army armor battalions at Salamaua will march to Lae. The 25th and 26th Divisions....recently stripped from Oahu's garrison.....will be sent to Lae.

Finally...I bought the 43rd Division this turn on the US west coast and they will be sent to Lae. Lae is a 2(0) port so it really cant be enlarged....so I will probably need to risk some APs and AKs to send in reinforcements.

Finshafen is definitely a thorn in my rear and it needs to be dealt with ASAP.

AdmSpruance,

what submarine assets do you have around the PI to try and detect large shipping movements and their direction? Dave will probably not risk prepping his units to maintain OPSEC.

I appoligize but I don't recall if you hold Port Blair. If Dave holds Port Blair, he can retreat from Burma and hold the river line and reinforce Port Blair and Sumatra to stall you SEAC offensive while hammering your SWPAC/SOPAC axes of advance in New Guinea and the Solomons with the bulk of 9 divisions. The knowledge that many of your CVs are damaged makes a counteroffensive in the Solomons more attractive.

mike

[racndoc]

Wirraway_Ace.....good idea on the redeployment of subs to the Philippines. I have over a half dozen subs off Borneo that can be moved faily quickly towards the Philippines. Unfortunately 12/42 is a big upgrade for most USN fleet subs so a couple dozen are in port for another week or so. I agree that if Dave moves the bulk of 17th Army's 8-9 divisions to New Guinea/Bismarcks/Admiralties SOPAC and SWPAC will be stopped dead in their tracks until mid to late 1943. If that happens then I must apply as much pressure as possible in Burma.....and maybe changing the axis of advance for SWPAC to Darwin and the soft underbelly of the DEI. And Dave took Port Blair fairly early in the war.




12/20-12/21/42



PHILIPPINES


Dave launches a 1:2 attack at Lucena.....still no sign of 48th Division which makes me think that 17th Army may be redeploying sooner than later.



CBI


Dave attacks the Cdn 14th Brigade with over 2100 AV S of Toungoo but they retreat in good order to rejoin Burma Corps. Now 14th Cdn will be sent to Mandalay to rebuilt its shattered formations.

Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52807 troops, 671 guns, 621 vehicles, Assault Value = 2124

Defending force 0 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 139

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 139 to 1

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


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
9th Armored Car Co
7th Tank Regiment
2nd Division
26th Recon Regiment
56th Division
1st Recon Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
33rd Div /1
4th RF Gun Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
9th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
Southern Army
15th Army
1st RF Gun Battalion
23rd AA Regiment
25th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion
21st Ind.AA Gun Co
6th RF Gun Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
14th Canadian Brigade




The 11th Chindits annihilate the IJA 23rd Tank Regiment:


Ground combat at 56,50 (near Toungoo)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4343 troops, 54 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 178

Defending force 105 troops, 0 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 247

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 247 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 28 (28 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1



Assaulting units:
2/15 Punjab Battalion
5/14th Punjab Battalion
111th Chindit Brigade

Defending units:
23rd Tank Regiment


Looks like the end around flanking movement by Burma Corps has caused Dave to withdraw virtually the entire IJA 15th Army from Toungoo. Covered by heavy LRCAP....the 3800 AV of Eastern Army has been given orders to capture Toungoo ASAP.



SWPAC

Cant seem to draw supllies from Lae to Saidor now so the 7th Marines are still bombarding the hex. I changed all the supply arrows in the area so hopefully we can suck some supplies in with a bombardment next turn and then we will finish off the Japanese at Saidor.

SOPAC


Allied ASW TFs hunt SS I-19 S of Rennell Is. Japan has lost a lot of subs recently so I checked the info screen.....its now reported that Japan has lost 20 SS and 9 SSX.


No subs are detected to the S of Rossel Is. so CV Enterprise with her 38 SYS 53 FLT 5 ENG is ordered to make a run for it to the south. Dave knows that I have Enterprise(and maybe even Wasp) hunkered down not too far from his front line bases and has a _lot_ of naval search and recon over the Solomons and Coral Seas all the way to Luganville. CV Enterprise should be able to make 4-5 hexes per day so hopefully she can exit the area covered by IJN search by the end of her 2nd move. Over a half dozen ASW TFs are patroling around as she navigates threough dangerous waters.


Dave sends in a DD flotilla to hammer some hapless Allied xAKLs off Lihir:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 21, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lihir at 108,124, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
AM Jan van Amstel, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAKL Hetton Bank, Shell hits 36, and is sunk
xAKL Mortlake Bank, Shell hits 23, and is sunk



Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
DD Ayanami engages xAKL Mortlake Bank at 8,000 yards
DD Uranami engages xAKL Mortlake Bank at 8,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages xAKL Mortlake Bank at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages xAKL Mortlake Bank at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages xAKL Mortlake Bank at 2,000 yards
xAKL Mortlake Bank sunk by DD Ayanami at 2,000 yards
AM Jan van Amstel sunk by DD Shirayuki at 2,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages xAKL Hetton Bank at 2,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages xAKL Hetton Bank at 2,000 yards
DD Uranami engages xAKL Hetton Bank at 2,000 yards
Massive explosion on xAKL Hetton Bank
DD Shirayuki engages xAKL Hetton Bank at 2,000 yards
xAKL Hetton Bank sunk by DD Ayanami at 2,000 yards
xAKL Hetton Bank sunk by DD Ayanami at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Feni Is......just to the S of Lihir....reaches a level 2 AF this turn and a squadron each of F4F-4s, SBD-3s and TBFs are staged in. Hopefully we have a surprise for the IJN DDs if they come back.


I got a PBY report of an IJN CV spotted S of Woleai so KB may be close by.