It's been three turns since I've updated so here we go.
Feb. 24/43:
Sub Ops:
SS
Silversides is spotted by DD
Sagiri near Babeldoab. DD
Sagiri is on the way to Manilla for repairs and launches no ASW attack.
China:
The "Horde" is bombed for 2(28) infantry, 1(45) non-combat, 0(3) engineer squads and 1(2) guns lost totalling 691 casualties.
The "Other Horde" is bombed for 0(5) infantry and 0(4) non-combat squads lost totalling 81 casualties. That makes another 750k or so to go. [:D]
The Solomons:
Sally's (23) bomb Lunga for
1 runway Hit. [8|]
Naval bombardment of Lunga was SNAFU'd today as the BB's ended up hitting the base during the day phase, and remained exposed at the base the entire day. Results were poor, amounting to only 0(9) infantry, 0(11) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 107 casualties. No Pete's spotted as they were set to night time operations.
Miscellaneous:
Japan:
Tulagi expands fortifications to size 1
DD
Mikazuki beginning refit in shipyard at Soerabaja
Ryujo-1 converting to A6M3a Zero
TK
Otowasan Maru arrives at Fukuoka
TK
Asashio Maru arrives at Fukuoka
63rd Sentai arrives at Kagoshima (Nate Sentai, will immediately upgrade to Ki-43-IIa Oscar's)
Allied:
Nothing:
Feb. 25/43:
Burma:
Allied air power made a special guest appearance today in force. Magwe was swept by five waves of fighters consisting of P-40K Warhawk's (123) with roughly 25 aircraft in each sweep. There was no Japanese CAP [8D]. I'll pick my battles. Allied bombers followed (Blenheim's, Mitchell's and Wellington's) and hit the 94th JAAF AF Bn. hard. Losses are 6(10) infantry, 6(68) non-combat and 0(3) engineer squads lost for 651 casualties. Oucho and a glimpse of things to come. [:(]
China:
Chinese troops near Kienko are bombed for 1(35) infantry, 0(23) non-combat and 0(2) engineer squads losses totalling 432 casualties.
The "Other Horde" near Kweiyang was bombed and suffered 0(8) infantry, 0(8) non-combat squads lost totalling 122 casualties.
The "Horde" near Chungking was spared today as weather grounded the bombers.
The Solomons:
Lunga was bombed with better results today as another bomber Sentai has arrived from China. Ki-21-IIb Sally's (35) damaged the base with 2 AB and 23 Runway hits. Much better.
Another bombardment of Lunga was conducted by the same bombardment TF as yesterday. I figured since they were still there they might as well empty the magazines. Damage was negligible at 0(2) engineer squads disrupted for 7 casualites. I even ordered the two DD's escorts to shell the base, but to little effect. Both Pete's spotted though. [:D]
In other news, two Allied DD's moved near Ontong-Java and within 9 hexes of Kate's based at Vella Lavella. Unfortunately, due to range the Kate's (20) were reduced to carrying bombs and scored no hits.
Miscellaneous:
Japan:
Etorofu expands airfield to size 1
Shortlands expands fortifications to size 4
Allied:
Nothing
Feb. 26/43:
Sub Ops:
SS
Shad is located by E
Shimushu near Ponape. No ASW attack.
Burma:
No enemy sweeps or bombers appear today, but Bhamo is bombarded by ground troops today. AAR follows:
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Ground combat at Bhamo (63,44)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 27015 troops, 572 guns, 652 vehicles, Assault Value = 963
Defending force 27694 troops, 279 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 934
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
2nd British Division
Defending units:
19th Division
5th Division
21st Fld AA Gun Co
53rd Const Co
9th RF Gun Battalion
China:
The "Other Horde" near Kunming is bombed for 0(1) infantry and 0(2) non-combat squad losses totalling 23 casualties.
Once again weather impacts my bombing operations. No enemy troops are bombed in Central China. That's two days in a row the "Horde" has been spared.
The Solomons:
Lunga is again bombed by Sally's (28) and the base suffers 2 AB and 2 Runway hits. [8|]
The big boys are called in again and Lunga is hit by another night time naval bombardment. AAR follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138
Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
Allied Ships
AK Alcyon, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
299 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
BB Musashi firing at Lunga
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at 27th Infantry Division
Much better. Support squads are consistently suffering high loss when the bombardments get good results.
Allied DD's snooping around Ontong-Java last turn are not spotted today. I ordered a few small SCTF's to try for an intercept, but the Allied ships slipped away.
Miscellaneous:
Japan:
Sabang expands fortifications to size 4
Madjene expands fortifications to size 3
Rambutyo expands airfield to size 3
Allied:
Nothing
Thoughts:
I've moved additional fighters forward in Burma and will contest the skies if the Allies appear tomorrow. If so, the Ki-61-Ia Tony will makes its combat debut. I've layered my CAP from 12k (Nick's) to 25k (Tojo's) let's see what happens, if anything.
In China, I'm still advancing and waiting on troops to move up. I will split off the Japanese 1st Army to march on Chungking, the 11th, 13th and 23rd Armies will march on Kunming and area. Armour is ordered to Central China where I hope to catch the Chinese in clear terrain. Paratroops will assault Neikiang. A Shock Attack is ordered against a small Chinese LCU S.W. of Chungking by a Division and Mixed Ind. Bde. Hopefully all bombers will fly today.
I'm not sure what the Allies are up to in the Solomons, but these small SCTF's are either probing for a weakness or testing my naval search capability. Bart has mentioned before about how often he's spotted now. With that in mind, I showed KB today east of Shortlands. If the Allies are thinking of doing something, then KB is ready and willing and I want the Allies to know it's there for a reason. Japanese bombardment missions will cease for a few days and once the
Yamato and
Musashi are rearmed and refueled, all SCTF's will rendezvous at Shortlands. The amphibious TF's will mass and escorts will be assigned. Ground troops are 12 miles from Lunga and it's almost time. The plan is one massive naval bombardment before they reach Lunga and then start landing another division and the supporting LCU's. The first assault will occur when all troops reach Lunga overland and are unloaded from the transports. In a matter of days, I should be able to mount another naval bombardment and the first assault will go ahead. If the Allies do try to interfere, they'll be facing most of the Combined Fleet. All Japanese naval air is now set to naval strike missions and more Betty's will be deployed instead of the army bombers.
Go hard or go home.
Stay tuned...
I'll post some screenshots if I get chance to later. Burma and perhaps China.
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