Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]11 September 1942[/font]
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Not much happening today. These are some short replays. There was no combat at all, so I'll relate some small detail stuff here.

subs: A few more new subs coming soon. I have turned off most new subs to get my shipbuilding in order and prioritize the CV accelerations. I've lost only about 5-6 subs so far, but I know this number will begin to go up quickly soon.

A few have been sent back toward the west coast. I-25 is there patrolling about 10 hexes offshore from around the mouth to the Puget Sound down to SF. Another Glen sub is near San Diego, and a few are patrolling quite a way offshore between SD and SF. Not catching much though. Just thought at some point he might get lazy. Not yet.

So Pac: The lodgement at Anatom is building. I see evidence of flying more troops in. Bettys will attempt bombing for recon mostly.

JPC: Most Chinese units have made it within the reserve. There are two struggling through the mountains near Kunming. It'll take forever for them to get to safety, which also means I can't set up my units on one road until they move down it. Annoying.

Burma: The army units headed over here are already starting to chew into supplies. I will need to make a big supply dump here soon. This is even more reason to keep the Andamans strong and well patrolled. Bettys will move to Car Nicobar soon where an HQ will be stationed.

One interesting note. I thought within a few months most ships actually sunk would appear on the sunk ships list. It seems not. Today this appeared!

[font="Trebuchet MS"]xAKL Bisayas is reported to have been sunk near Manila on Dec 07, 1941[/font]

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[font="Times New Roman"]12 September 1942[/font]
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subs: Greenling attacks a TK convoy leaving the HI to return to Babeldaob. Four torps are launched and at least one duds. I'm not going to like this much once the US torps start working. ASW air is now moving into some of the dot bases near the HI supported by AVs

I-171 is hit near Newcastle by US DDs. Two hits. She'll have to head back to Tulagi, but nothing serious.

So Pac: This Anatom place is really getting a lot of Allied attention lately. APDs there are attacked today by Jakes from Koumac. No hits, but this undoubtedly means more troops have arrived. I'm going to post two SCTFs to the area on patrol. Both a CL and several DDs. Quick and hopefully able to dodge the big boys but hit any weaker craft hard.

A 4 DD SCTF is patrolling near Norfolk Island where 4 ships of unknown type were spotted yesterday.

There are nearly enough Nicks to upgrade one 30 plane Oscar group to a bomber killer unit. Once done this will go to New Caledonia to see what it's made of.

From Lunga 33 Bettys hit Anatom and destroy 1 non-combat squad. [8|] But at least I know now that there is a Marine Defense Battalion there, just as I'd feared.

Cent Pac: A 10 ship TF of unknown type appeared near Canton Island with a reported heading of NE. There are 6 Mavis here and 8 mini-subs on patrol, plus 65 mines at the port. I'm thinking it could be a bombardment group, but also might possibly be the forefront of an invasion. A Rufe group is at Roi Namur. Zeros are stationed at Tabiteuea and a SCTF headed by two CA will move to patrol near Baker Island to be near just in case. All Pacific based Netty groups are stationed in the Solomons and Coral Sea area, but can obviously fly in within a day. Abemama is torp enabled, but that's well out of range. I'll attempt to get some Vals or Kates into the area should it be something serious.

There is a small 30 AV SNLF is landing at Baker island just now as well. No forts have been built there, but a small construction unit will follow. Just a speed bump, really. Canton has two SNLFs plus level 4 going on 5 forts. Any concerted Allied effort would take the place, but not without some pain most likely. I'd love to get another unit on here in the next month, but we'll see what is available.

Burma: There are almost enough Helen IIa now being upgraded into bomber units to form an offensive strike force in Burma. I'd like to have at least 3 groups go for any field attack here. I'm just about to upgrade another big Oscar group to Tojos as well.

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[font="Times New Roman"]13 September 1942[/font]
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subs: Near Dadjangas Tuna shows up. So there is a growing presence in the SRA again. Luckily there is still a lot of ASW going on and the CS TFs are well escorted. It missed with two torps today.

Sliversides goes after a supply convoy near Mussau Island. Misses an xAK with two.

West Australia: There is still a healthy presence of troops at Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Perth, as well as 60 fighters at Perth and also at Kalgoorlie. No attempt to march toward Carnarvon has yet been made.

So Pac: All the Bettys accomplish today is disabling a non-combat squad at Anatom.

No more contacts with ships in spite of trying to chase down the APDs from yesterday. They got in and out quick.

Burma: Nothing.

No Pac: Shoho, Kitakami and Fuso along with 5 slightly damaged destroyers are pulling anchor and heading to Yokohama. I'll send them by Attu to see how they're gong before attempting the long crossing toward Hokkaido. The next station for rest would be Urrupa if something is looking iffy on the journey. Fingers crossed. Shoho is at 1 (54) (4) now. Kitakami is a 29 (20) (12). Fuso at 14 (9) (3).

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[font="Times New Roman"]14 September 1942[/font]
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subs: I'm sending some troop ships to Hong Kong and Shanghai to get parts of the Southern Army out of there. Pickerel end for 4 AK near Jesselton, but luckily missed with 4 torpedoes. The 3rd different sub in the SRA in 3 days.

So Pac: During the night something very interesting happened. I had put 4 of my best DDs with aggressive captains into a SCTF scouting around Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. During the night they met up with an Allied SCTF, and they did very well. [:)]

The TF consisted of BB New Mexico and 4 DDs. The IJN TF got within 4,000 yds at the start of combat and surprised the Allies, throwing a torpedo into New Mexico before any return shots were fired. Once the Allies were slowed even further, several more Long Lance tore into the ship. That felt great, and very lucky, but maybe not the best placement of the BB by the Allies. If there was more moonlight I'm sure this would have been a different battle, but at 17% it had to favor the IJN. Banzai!

During the day the DDs from both sides met again and the Allies put some good damage on two of ours. They should make it back if no battle occurs tomorrow. One has 55 system damage, but only 12 float and 4 engine damage. We left two of theirs with heavy fires and another SCTF will try to intercept from the North tomorrow.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lord Howe Island at 105,170, Range 4,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kasumi, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Monssen
DD Laffey, Shell hits 2
DD Woodworth, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot



Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 17% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 4,000 yards
DD Kasumi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at BB New Mexico at 4,000 yards
DD Kasumi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Woodworth at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio launches Long Lance Torpedoes at DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages BB New Mexico at 2,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 2,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Kasumi at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages DD Natsushio at 5,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Woodworth at 5,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Woodworth at 5,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Woodworth at 5,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 5,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 5,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Natsushio at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Woodworth at 6,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 6,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Natsushio at 6,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Laffey at 6,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Monssen at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages BB New Mexico at 7,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Asagumo at 7,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Yamagumo at 7,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Natsushio at 7,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Monssen at 7,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages DD Kasumi at 7,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 7,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Woodworth at 7,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Natsushio at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages DD Asagumo at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Asagumo at 9,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Woodworth at 9,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Woodworth at 9,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages DD Natsushio at 11,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Monssen at 11,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Woodworth at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 8,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Asagumo at 8,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Yamagumo at 8,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Natsushio at 8,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Monssen at 8,000 yards
BB New Mexico engages DD Natsushio at 8,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Asagumo at 8,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Yamagumo at 8,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Kasumi at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Woodworth at 9,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Yamagumo at 9,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Woodworth at 9,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Monssen at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Woodworth at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Kasumi at 12,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Asagumo at 12,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Laffey at 12,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Monssen at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Norfolk Island at 113,170, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio
DD Yamagumo
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kasumi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Monssen, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Laffey, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Woodworth
DD Ralph Talbot



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Ralph Talbot at 20,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Laffey at 20,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Monssen at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Kasumi at 15,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Monssen at 15,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Asagumo at 15,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Kasumi at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Monssen at 12,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Ralph Talbot at 12,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Kasumi at 12,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Monssen at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Kasumi at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Ralph Talbot at 10,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Yamagumo at 10,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Monssen at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Ralph Talbot at 6,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Kasumi at 6,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Yamagumo at 6,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Yamagumo at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Kasumi at 8,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Woodworth at 8,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Monssen at 8,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Monssen at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Monssen at 13,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Asagumo at 13,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Laffey at 13,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Natsushio at 13,000 yards
Holmes, R.S. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Asagumo at 16,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Laffey at 16,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Laffey at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Woodworth engages DD Natsushio at 18,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Laffey at 18,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Monssen at 18,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Woodworth at 18,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Laffey at 18,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Monssen at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Woodworth at 19,000 yards
DD Monssen engages DD Yamagumo at 19,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Ralph Talbot at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Burma: Nothing.

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[Historiker]

nice!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]15 September 1942[/font]
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No combat today.

subs: More hits reported by air ASW in the Coral Sea, especially on S-boats. Either there are more of them here or they seem more prone to air attack. Or it's just false reports!

West Australia: There are almost 8k troops at Tennant Creek made up of 3 units. I'm thinking a base force and two brigades, or one brigade and a tank unit. Anyway, doesn't look like there is any build-up in that area yet. We're fortifying Katherine and Daly Waters. Need a bit more force on the West coast bases, but I think there are a few months before anything will happen here.

So Pac: No sight of any of the ships involved in yesterday's battles South of Noumea. Our DDs are steaming North to Rabaul, and their damage actually went down a few points during the night. I guess that's a good sign.

No Pac: The Shoho gave me a scare with one of those 'float repairs failing' messages today. I checked the ship after the replay and nothing appears different except that system damage is now at 2 instead of the 1 it started the journey with. Nothing I can do really but keep going. I might be an agonizing week until she makes the HI.

Burma: The Ominato fighter group upgraded to A6M3a today.

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Kasumi took a few hits in this one but should make it back to Rabaul. She is the hero though after her successful Long Lance attack on the New Mexico yesterday.
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]16 September 1942[/font]
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Another quiet one. At least I'm getting other stuff in order.

subs: Another YMS goes down at the hands of I-159 this time. Near Coal Harbor again.

Ship Production: I've turned off nearly everything in an effort to get ahead in building. I've dipped down to only 1425 points necessary for naval shipping and my factories produce 1600. So for a while I'll only build CVs, CLs and DDs plus small craft. No subs. No Musashi for now. My pool is already over 2k points and I want to get a good buffer before I begin turning things on again. This makes the production so much easier. I can just decide exactly what I want and more or less when from now on.

For Merchants I switched off the CVEs and a lot of xAKs. This brought me below my factory level of 700. But just barely. I'll build the stuff that's due within the month and all TKs. Then I'll decide as I go what I want to start. I feel I suddenly have much more control.

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[font="Times New Roman"]17 September 1942[/font]
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subs: Today Truant shows up near Phuket again. There is ASW air here at Victoria Point and nearby at Sabang, but it never picks up this sub. Today the British sub picks off a fuel laden xAKL bound for Singapore from Rangoon.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Phuket at 48,67

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kofuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Matsutan Maru
xAKL Kasui Maru
xAKL Kashi Maru
xAKL Tainichi Maru
xAKL Ganges Maru
PB Ichiyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Truant


SS Truant launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Kofuku Maru
Truant diving deep ....
PB Ichiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ichiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ichiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ichiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Ichiyo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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A number of my subs had been stuck for several days at Tulagi after coming there to replenish and finding no fuel on hand. Two TK TFs have since arrived and now these have been sent out for patrols along the OZ coast and North of NZ. I haven't been hitting much or seeing much with the subs all around OZ, so it's a mystery what routes he's using to get stuff there. All major port areas are patrolled, but to no avail.

The one good thing about this is that my sub losses have been very light. Only 5 lost so far during the war (not counting the minis. This means I have the luxury to turn a few off in production and accelerate other ships.

No Pac: The Shoho picks up another point of flood damage. Nerve-wracking. They're being sent as close to the Kuriles as possible while maintaining a direct route.

Burma: Nothing. Troops are beginning to flood one the passes from China. The elements of both the 1st and 2nd Tank Divisions are now here other than the artillery units that still need to be bought from Manchuria. I'd like to get that done soon, but there is so much else I want to buy!

So Pac: The only action is from Kates based at Noumea bombing a DD TF to the South. I'm expecting a massive 4E strike tomorrow after this.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Norfolk Island at 119,169

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Rathburne, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Preston


Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb


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DD Rathburne. I'm sure she'll make it, but a SCTF will run down to see if she is stricken badly enough to be still in range.

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[font="Times New Roman"]18 September 1942[/font]
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Again not much happening. No combat to report.

subs: Several of these continue to show up every day. From a test I did a while back it looked like about 20% of them were actual hits in the early part of the campaign, January 42. I've got a lot of these crews up to 60-70 skill now, so hopefully more are actual hits.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]B5N2 Kate from Kaga-3 attacking SS S-35 at 103,132[/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]SS S-35 is reported HIT[/font]

So Pac: No sign of any ships today. The SCTF South of Noumea will return to Koumac to refuel. Anatom holding steady at 5 units and 8,400 troops today. The originally intended invasion troops of tow para-units and an SNLF are in place, but now will only serve as components of a possible invasion. The division in Koumac is prepping for Anatom as is a brigade heading to Tulagi from Canton.

If this does end up happening it will need KB support now with all of these troops ships moving, as well as bombardment groups to deal with the CD guns from the Marine Defense unit.

This could be good practice, and I'm happy to do this down here instead of in the Solomons at this stage.

No Pac: This makes me more nervous each day. Nothing I can do but hope for the best until these ships traverse the ocean toward Hokkaido.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard CVL Shoho

Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard CL Kitakami[/font]

Burma: There are serious numbers of Allied planes here. Over 100 bombers plus 80 something fighters in Dimapur. About 40-50 fighters in Imphal, Chittagong and Ledo. Calcutta shows 85 fighters and 92 bombers. Still upgrading units to Tojos and A6M3a. All pilots are well rested. More AA is moving in as well.

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[PaxMondo]

Do you have them at Cruise speed?  I rarely see this message if they are at cruise.  Mission speed will generate it almost every turn.

[obvert]

They are on cruise. Shoho is just so far along I think it'll mess with me the whole way. And it is Japanese. She could just spontaneously keel over two hexes SE of Yokohama.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]19 September 1942[/font]
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subs: Skipjack. Near Truk. Fires two at an xAKL CS convoy from Nauru. One dud, one miss.

O19 appears near Donggala. Fires two at a resource convoy heading up the strait to the HI. Both miss, happily. It does seem the quiet time in the SRA is over. The subs have returned. I'll post some shots of the search arcs soon. We have it pretty well covered around here with both air and surface ASW.

So Pac: The only thing moving is an ASW TF near Nadi.

JPC: Kunming, Tsuyung and Mengtze will be set up as airbases, taking advantage of the rail between them. A few of the base forces that are under Chinese HQs will move up here along with some AA units. They will be good places for bombers hitting Imphal, Ledo and other bases in this area, and are farther from the fighter cover and big 4E bases in India. If wiped out, planes can be railed to Mengtze quickly to get out of escort range at least. These should help later when Burma is falling apart as well.

Paoshan will be an absolute fortress, as will the other mountain bases. Solid airbases up here will help grind away at the attacking forces.

Burma: Lashio and Bhamo will also have stout forts built and be given priority for defense. If needed later, we can always fall back through the mountains, a luxury most defenders of Burma don't have available. For this reason a stout secondary line in Southern Burma will be essential, from Prome to Toungou, to Taung Gi and up to Lashio. When the first line in the northern forests appears about to crumble troops can/will fall back to strong points here.

Once the rains let up (does the monsoon include October?) Myitkyina, Katha, and Warazup will get additional troops and engineers units to build up forts quickly, (assuming the Allied bombing raids don't crush us too badly, as no planes will be stationed at bases up here other than Katha). One shipment of 30k supply is loading in the HI and another bigger shipment will start forming next week.

Thai bases will begin to get troops and engineers units as well to get a 3rd line of airbases ready and to guard against any overzealous Chindit moves in the rear. The Thai coast in extremely vulnerable now, but should be garrisoned within 1-2 weeks. Thai divisions will move back to Thailand as regular IJA troops flood in.

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Thai Army moving artillery through Burma.
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[font="Times New Roman"]20 September 1942[/font]
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subs: O19 again misses, this time TKs near Donggala.

RO-64 goes for a few SCs near Nadi. Misses with two torps. (I have DDs in the area and I might just go for these if they stray this far out again, just for fun).

Grenadier goes for a fast transport made up of DDs and CA/CL and gets 4 hits, one penetrating. It doesn't show critical damage and will most likely just need a repair.

Seal appears near Hong Kong and goes for a big fuel TF that is heavily escorted. It misses DD Takanami with 4 torpedoes.

So Pac: I experienced my first real 4E sweep today, which blew right through the Soryu zeros at Noumea and trashed the fields there. Several decent pilots were killed. This group will be pulled back immediately and they can bomb to their heart's content. I do worry about getting divisions out later and I'm trying to find another group to convert to Nicks for the So Pac area.

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Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 57
B-24D Liberator x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 43

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

Ohara T. in a A6M2 Zero makes head on attack ... forces B-17E Fortress out of formation


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Burma: Hurri IIc sweep Katha. I was expected a series of raids but this one was it on the day. The Oscars and small Tojo group did well again here. About a 2 to 1 kill ration on the day with 13 Hurris lost total, seven in the air, to 6 Oscars lost. We lost 5 pilots in this one.

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Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 4 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 27 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
10th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes


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[font="Times New Roman"]21 September 1942[/font]
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subs: Gar duds on a resource convoy from Singapore to Osaka.

Seadragon hits PB Yamabato Maru in a rare US torpedo explosion near Truk. Not many of those lately. This PB has 80 float damage and will sink very soon.

So Pac: Another big 4E attack at Noumea. 5 A6M2s destroyed, but the pilots were sent to reserve already. An xAK will attempt to pick up any left (3 there now) and bring them out of harm's way as the field looks to be shut for a while.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 56
B-24D Liberator x 32


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

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


Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 74

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb


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Burma: All quiet today.

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[font="Times New Roman"]22 September 1942[/font]
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subs: I-20 finds a straggler from the recent surface battles, DD Monsen, just North of NZ. It can't hit the DD in spite of a heavy damage listing. Maybe tomorrow. Another DD i nthe area will attempt to intercept as well.

S-42 attempts an attack on a supply convoy to Cold Bay and is repulsed rudely by DMS-6, taking 6 hits during two separate attacks with one penetrating and causing an internal explosion. The sub did not show damage in the report, and no noises followed the attack, but it is listed as sunk. I'm sure it will come off the list soon.

Grouper is near the HI and launches two which dud on a supply convoy to Babeldaob.

So Pac: For some fun and excitement during the quiet days I sent 4 small old DDs to have a go at the ASW TF out of Fiji. They made an intercept and got one down, but couldn't sink the rest. Not sure why the result isn't a bit better. At least this should give them some experience gain and keep Jocke on his toes.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nadi at 130,161, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kuri
DD Hishu
DD Susuki
DD Tsuta

Allied Ships
SC-518
SC-519, Shell hits 1
SC-520
SC-521, Shell hits 1, and is sunk


Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 92% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Tsuta engages SC-521 at 11,000 yards

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Again 4E hit Noumea, this time focusing on the troops, getting only about 10 squads disabled.

Burma: Nothing happening.

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[font="Times New Roman"]23 September 1942[/font]
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No combat today. Here are some notes from the ops report.

subs: Many subs seen South of the HI in deep water. The little islands (Torishima, Diato Shoto, Iwo Jima and Ishigaki) now have AVs and portioned Jake groups. Just to raise the DL for subs operating in the area. There are several attacks most days, with a lot of duds.

So Pac: A new Air Division HQ is heading to So Pac. It will be set on Buka I think. An image of HQ coverage is below. Is this normal, or overkill, or does it look well designed?

No Pac: The Shoho makes it to Yokohama! (I still have the entire KB in this game! [;)] ). The Soryu is finished upgrading and will return to So Pac as well. Once it arrives another CV will head North to upgrade if possible at that time.

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After the Allies push to Port Moresby, Milne Bay, or other points in SE New Guinea, the Woodlark Island HQ would be moved back, somewhere like Long Island.

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[font="Times New Roman"]24 September 1942[/font]
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subs: Snapper and O19 are both hanging out near Balikpapan. O19 hit a Kiso class PB today and cut her in half.

RO-64 is chased away from Fiji by two SCs.

Trusty shows up near Moulmein and attacks a supply convoy, but no hits today. This is good shallow water for DCs. A quick ASW TF is sent out from Singapore consisting of 3 newly converted E class with a 4 ASW rating each.

West Australia: The Air HQ at Broome is moved back to Java. Not sure yet to which base it will go.

So Pac: Nothing sighted today.

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[font="Times New Roman"]25 September 1942[/font]
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No real combat today to report.

subs: Nothing.

So Pac: Starting to clean up So Pac dot bases. Rambutyo is landed today. Only a few North of Rabaul to acquire.

Ndeni is turning into a bit of a surprise. It should be one of the first locations the Allies try to invade. I've moved CD guns in plus a brigade, and a tank rgt will be placed here as well. Obviously if they bring a lot of force this will not hold, but it could stall and give reaction time to IJN forces as well as possible reinforcements.

HI: Shoho will need 40 days in the yard in Tokohama. Fuso will need 67 days, and Kitakami will be there for 34 days. Several of the DDs will need less than a week and will move to locations to escort the large number of garrison units that just arrived to various locations.

A few will be sent to the Andamans. A few to the Marshalls/Gilberts. A few to So Pac.

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[Historiker]

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How did you create that map?

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It's just one of the planning maps that I then added layers to with the circles in Photoshop.