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

[racndoc]

1/13-1/14/43


Colonel Sanders of the 23rdFG/74th FS became an ace this turn. In other news....R. McDonald also reached ace status and was promptly rewarded with a happy meal.



SWPAC


Colonel Chesty Puller's 7th Marine Regiment finally clears the last Japanese from Saidor:

Ground combat at Saidor (99,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4034 troops, 94 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Defending force 1086 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Allied adjusted assault: 113

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 28 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
377 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3


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


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment

Defending units:
13th Garrison Unit /2
42nd Nav Gd /2
43rd Nav Gd /1


The army will take over garrison duty here at Saidor as the 7th Marines will move back to Lae for redeployment to CENTPAC with the rest of the 1st Marine Division. The 1st Marine Division has spent several months in the jungles of New Guinea as they slogged their way from Port Moresby to Buna, Salamaua, Lae and beyond.

VMSB squadrons based at Nadzab hammer an IJN troop convoy off the New Guinea coast near Dagua:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Dagua at 95,119

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 20
SBD-2 Dauntless x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 8 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Huso Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Teiko Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Teikyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Teiritsu Maru

Japanese ground losses:
355 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Teiko Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Huso Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Teikyo Maru


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dagua at 95,119

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD-2 Dauntless x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Teiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Teiritsu Maru
xAP Huso Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Sagi

Japanese ground losses:
3648 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 60 (56 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (37 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (20 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Teiko Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Huso Maru



Japan loses over 4000 troops....nearly a regiment....at sea. I was surprised to see the F4F-4s handled so roughly by the A6M2s...this was an elite VF squadron from CV Enterprise and the pilots average mid 70s exp and mid 70s fighter skill.

The VF squadron from CV Wasp was also decimated by Tojos in an air battle over the Bismarcks:


Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged



Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (24 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(24 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
24 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak



Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 120 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers


Add to these costly attacks a few DB raids that went in without escorts and were slaughtered and I lost another 30 SBDs this turn and have exhausted my SBD-3 pool. I will need to be more careful about their use now.

An USN ASW TF sinks an IJN sub near Umboi Is.:


Submarine attack near Umboi Island at 100,125

Japanese Ships
SS RO-100, hits 16, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bailey
DD Selfridge
DD Russell, Shell hits 1
DD Anderson



SS RO-100 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Bailey
RO-100 bottoming out ....
DD Selfridge attacking submerged sub ....
SS RO-100 forced to surface!
DD Selfridge firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Russell firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Anderson firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Selfridge firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Russell firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Anderson firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Selfridge firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Russell firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Anderson firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Russell firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves




CBI


Indian armor from IV Indian Corps retake Ramree Is. off the Burma coast.

The 1800 AV Chinese army being pursued by a 7000 AV Japanese army outside of Nanyang got away as Allied medium and heavy bombers continued to pin the 17 IJA divisions at Nanyang. Dave didnt bomb the withdrawing Chinese this turn as he focused on a massive counterair strike on my airfield at Sian...50 Allied planes were destroyed on the ground at Sian. Altogether the Allies lose 170 AC this turn vs Japanese losses of only 23 AC. This was probably the worst Allied turn of the war as far as AC losses go but at least the Chinese army got away to fight another day. The 1800 AV Chinese army will continue to march to Loyang will it will meet up with another 4000 Av Chinese army....then we will have about 6000 AV total to face the pursuing 7000 AV Japanese army.

[racndoc]

1/15-1/16/43


CBI


Dave has given up the pursuit of the Chinese army retreating from Nanyang to Loyang. Instead...it looks as if the 17 IJA divisions have reversed course and are now marching on Sian.I have nothing available to stop this advance. The heavy bombers of Tenth Air Force are flying out of Chungking and are hitting his 17 divisions stack every turn to slow them down and keep them in combat mode.


SOPAC


The buildup continues at Gasmata but with a level 1 port it is a slow process. I have seabees working on enlarging the port and we are 50% of the way to level 2.

The 2nd Marine Raiders landed at Cape Gloucester a few turns ago and after after a heavy aerial bombardment there last turn the Raiders will assault next turn.

An Allied surface TF on patrol sinks SS I-20 near Rabaul. Im not sure if Dave is sending in supplies to Rabaul on 1 ship TFs. Ive laid mines at Rabaul and I have a small surface TF and some PT boats that routinely patrol Rabaul every turn but Im not sure if Dave is sneaking any supply ships through.


SWPAC


Allied armor sweeps away some Japanese defenders on the path to Madang:


Ground combat at 98,124 (near Madang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 757 troops, 3 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Defending force 744 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 24

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1



Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion

Defending units:
13th Garrison Unit /2
43rd Nav Gd /1
42nd Nav Gd /2


Im reinforcing SWPAC with the 43rd Division now .....but just like for SOPAC at Gasmata....the going is slow as Lae is only a level 2 port. I dont want to risk my fast APs or AKs at either port as they are quite exposed....but Im using some slow AKs and some of the new LSTs on amphib mode to back up the xAKs and xAPs on transport mode. Once the troops land at Lae....its a long slow march through the jungle to Madang. I think that I will take Madang pretty easily but it will be February before SWPAC arrives there in force. Meanwhile...Dave used the delay from my having to pause to root out the Japanese at Finschafen and Saidor and he now has over 20,000 troops at Hansa Bay.

[racndoc]

1/17-1/18/43



SUBS


SS Grenadier sinks xAK Tamahagi Maru off Tanegashima.




SOPAC


After a tremendous aerial bombardment the 3rd Marine Raiders are able to capture Cape Gloucester:


Ground combat at Cape Gloucester (101,125)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 520 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 59 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 72

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 72 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Cape Gloucester !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1



Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
89th Nav Gd /1
1st Naval Const Bn /2



The remaining Japanese at Cape Gloucester launch a banzai attack and are killed to the last man:



Ground combat at Cape Gloucester (101,125)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 33 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Defending force 520 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 214

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Assaulting units:
89th Nav Gd /2

Defending units:
3rd Marine Raider Battalion


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

Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Cape Gloucester by attrition!!!



USN APDs on fast transport missions will begin to bring seabees to Cape Gloucester to build a new AF on the north shore of New Britain.


VMSB squadrons hammer another IJN TF near Mussau Is.:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 105,120

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Gyokurei Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Suez Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
SC CHa-24



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (33 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
33 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Gyokurei Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Suez Maru



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mussau Island at 105,120

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-24, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (27 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
27 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead



After SC CHa-24 was hit by a 1000 lb bomb I got the message that it was obliterated.....very cool.



SWPAC


Dave sweeps Nadzab with Tojos and the new F4U-1 Corsairs go into combat for the 1st time:


Morning Air attack on Nadzab , at 98,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 169 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VMF-211 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (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 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes



Morning Air attack on Nadzab , at 98,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 27
F4U-1 Corsair x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 36000 feet

CAP engaged:
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VMF-211 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes



Right now I only have an operational detachment of F4U-1s with 6 planes. I hope to convert over an 18 plane VMF suqadron here in another week and then we will be able to do some real damage to the dreaded Tojos.



CBI


Dave has 2 IJA tank divisions heading towards Sian with another 15 infantry divisions behind them in Nanyang. I have a Chinese Army with 2800 AV marching on Sian from the east and a 6000 AV Chinese army at Loyang marching on Sian from the SE. I am also assembling another 6000 AV Chinese army at Ichang by pulling forces out of southern China. Dave will beat me to Sian with his panzer divisions but then he will have to hold Sian against nearly 9000 AV while the 6000 AV Chinese army that will mass at Ichang will threaten his line of supply from Nanyang to Sian. This perhaps will be the pivotal battle of the entire war in China.

I railed 3 anti-tank regiments from the front line in Burma to Myitkina. Last turn transport AC airlifted them to Chengtu and next turn transport AC will again airlift them to Sian. So the 3 anti-tank regiments make it from Rangoon to Sian in about a week.

[racndoc]

1/19-1/20/43



DEADLIEST MINEFIELD IN THE PACIFIC


I had a Dutch sub lay a minefield on the river exit hex from Palembang and it looks like Japanese shipping ran into each and every mine:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 19, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 122 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
PB Menado Maru
PB Hokuyo Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL Shingetsu Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Dori Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Shinrei Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



2 mines cleared


TF 55 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
PB Yodozo Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Kinsyo Maru #4, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Naruto Maru #3, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



3 mines cleared


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 20, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 10 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-32



1 mine cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 102 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
PB Heimei Maru
PB Kyo Maru #5, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Banshu Maru #56



4 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 97 encounters mine field at 49,90

Japanese Ships
PB Shinko Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
PB Eiko Maru #2, Mine hits 1, heavy damage




SUBS


SS Grampus sinks xAK Panama Maru off Daito Shoto.

SS O16 sinks AMC Tatiban Maru near Miri.


SHIP REPAIR


CV Enterprise completes repair of her minor damage at Sydney and is immediately sent to the shipyard to repair her major damage....the current estimate for her to complete repairs is 94 days....its much shorter than I expected and it looks like Enterprise will be able to rejoin the fleet by the end of April. I may hold off the Gilbert Islands offensive until she is available.

Meanwhile....CV Wasp is pulled out of the shipyard at Sydney to make room for Enterprise. CV Wasp has a repair estimate of 56 days and she will be sent to Auckland to complete repairs.


CBI


Two IJA tank divisions and a tank regiment fight their way through the jungle N of Nanyang as they advance on Sian.

I wasnt able to airlift my anti-tank regiments from Chengtu to Sian last turn...perhaps because the AF at Sian is heavily damaged. I will try to airlift them to Sian again next turn and if unsuccessful I will need to send them to a base farther north.

Dave launched an all out aerial assault on Chungking last turn but the Allies were waiting for them.
Japan loses 131 AC last turn vs 35 Allied AC. In A2A.....Japan loses 104 AC vs 14 Allied AC. Individual losses include 80 Oscars, 21 Tojos, 20 Sallys and 11 Helens.

[racndoc]

1/21-1/24/43



SWPAC


Allied xAKs and xAPs continue to drop off 43rd Division at Lae.

Air skirmishes over Nadzab and Lae as Japan is sweeping daily with Tojos. We seem to be getting the worse of the exchange rates with the Tojos but I hope to have a full strength VMF squadron filled out with F4U-1 Corsairs by the end of the week to even up the odds.

SWPAC's next target on New Guinea.....Madang...appears to be lightly defended with maybe 6000 IJA troops. SWPAC and I Corps are prepping for following objective on New Guinea.....Hansa Bay....where it appears that Japan has massed over 20,000 troops. I will need both 43rd and 32nd Divisions on the front line before we assault Hansa Bay.



CBI


Dave continues his advance on Sian but his northward thrust from Nanyang seems to be watered down now. Dave originally had 21 LCUs with 17 divisions in the thrust on Sian but now there are only 12 LCUs with a max of 11 divisions continuing the advance.

Dave has spotted my buildup around Ichang as 6000 AV of Chinese troops continue to mass. Perhaps he has moved out part of his army from Nanyang to threaten Chinese positions in the south.

SIGINT has given me 4 reports over the last 2 turns of elements of the IJA 18th Division loaded on transports heading to Pakhoi. Ive also received 1 report of elements of 8th Division loaded on transports heading to Pakhoi. I also got reports of heavy radio transmissions at Pakhoi so Im starting to believe the SIGINT here. I dont see what advantage Japan has from dropping a division or 2 at Pakhoi....it would allow Japan to threaten Nanning and possibly Wuchow but thats not a gamebreaker for China..... Im much more concerned about possibly losing Sian. I have 2000 AV loaded in the railyards at Changsha that can be rapidly redeployed to Liuchow in case Japan does land in force at Pakhoi.

[racndoc]

1/25-1/26/43



SUBS


SS Wahoo sinks SC Ch26 near Hakodate.

SS I-168 sinks xAK Time off Horn Is.

SS Grampus sinks PB Nishimi Maru by Fukue-jima.

SS Albacore sinks xAK Yoneyama Maru near Keijo.


SWPAC


The last of the 43rd Division is loaded up at Luganville and heads out to Lae. After the remainder of the 43rd Division is unloaded at Lae we will begin to withdraw the 1st Marine Division from Lae.

Japan's amazing air transport arm is evident again this turn as Dave airlifts over 1000 AV into Madang. Now there is over 7800 IJA AV at Madang and we will have to massively LRCAP the hex to prevent additional Japanese reinforcement. The Aussie 6th Division is still a 2 week march away from reaching Madang.


SOPOC

The massive SOPAC buildup at Gasmata continues as slow 12 knot AKs assist the xAKs and xAPs unloading there. We will eventually unload the equivalent of 3 1/2 divisions at Gasmata for an overland march through the coastal jungles of New Britain for an eventual assault on Rabaul.

Damaged CV Wasp has sailed nearly halfway from Sydney to the shipyards of Auckland and so far has avoided detection.


CENTPAC

CENTPAC has so far been a command in name only as it represents the garrisons of Canton, Palmyra, Johnston, Midway and the Hawaiian Is. CENTPAC will now grow in size as the 1st Marine Division will be added as it is withdrawn from New Guinea and the 2nd Marine Division will be added as it is withdrawn from the Solomons.

Ive used Luganville so far as the main hub for the Allied convoys that contribute to the SWPAC buildup in New Guinea and the SOPAC buildup on New Britain. Dave still has Luganville in range of his long legged recon and naval search AC and virtually all Allied shipping that traverses the port is spotted. So for the upcoming CENTPAC invasion of the Gilberts we will use Noumea as the hub as it appears to be far enough south to be out of range of Japanese recon.



CBI


The tides of war have turned favorable for the Allies in North Africa as the Germans are pushed back to Tunisia. The 9th Australian Division was released and after initial shipment to Aden it has finally arrived in India. The 9th Australian Division is prepping for Pegu...as is the rest of eastern Army...and as soon as they arrive on the scene an assaut will be launched on the 77 IJA LCUs at Pegu.

Disaster in China as Japanese panzer divisions cut through the rear area formations that desperately attempt to form a roadblock on the Nanyang/Sian highway:



Ground combat at 84,42 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16096 troops, 256 guns, 1214 vehicles, Assault Value = 711

Defending force 1225 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 464

Allied adjusted defense: 28

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Units pursuing 1


Allied ground losses:
375 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
3rd Tank Division
15th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
7th Group Army
34th Group Army


With the pursuit after the attack Japanese armor has now invested a defenseless Sian. Ive lost the race to Sian to Japan. Now...I will have 6000 AV of Chinese troops advance on Sian from the E and SE while another 3000 AV of Chinese troops will cut the Nanyang/Sian highway to cut the supply of the Japanese spearhead. Another 6000 AV of Chinese mass around Ichang and eventually they will try to retake Nanyang.

Meanwhile....3 British anti-tank regiments that were airlifted from Burma to Kunchang approach Sian from the north.

[racndoc]

1/27-2/1/43


SUBS


SS Amberjack sinks TK Mirii Maru near Miri.

SS Amberjack sinks TK Kanze Maru near Miri.

SS Amberjack sinks TK Chuko Maru off Taytag to score a hat trick.

SS Finback sinks PB Kinsyo Maru by Wakkanai.

SS Pompano sinks xAK Asakasan Maru near Daito Shoto.

SS Seal puts a torp in TK Marei Maru near Tawau.



SWPAC

Dave has developed a new tactic...he send out one or 2 small xAKLs with an escort within range of Allied SBDs and then he LRCAPs the small TF with 100 fighters including 60 Tojos....in effect its a LRCAP trap at sea. A VMSB squadron is virtually wiped out and its escorts...a crack VF squadron from a USN CV....is decimated. Im going to pull in all the DB squadrons to really close range to their bases. As more F4U-1s become available I am going to turn over more and more of the day to day land based aerial combat to the VMF squadrons exclusively....I cannot afford the current losses of crack Navy fighter pilots. In one turn of aerial combat over New Guinea the Allies lose 25 SBD-3s, 15 F4F-4s, 10 P-30Ds and 10 TBF-1s while Japan loses 78 A6M2s and 3 Tojos.

SWPAC forces continue the slow slog through the New Guinea jungles towards Madang. It appears as if Dave has moved most of his troops at Hansa Bay forward to Madang so we will now probably have the major battle for this portion of New Guinea at Madang. We finally completed the unloading of the 43rd Division at Lae and it will now begin the long march to Madang.



SOPAC


The massive buildup continues for SOPAC on New Britain as Gasmata is enlarged to a level 3 port.

Allied fighters are staged into the new level 1 AF at Cape Gloucester.

A fast transport TF and 12 knot AP William Ward Burroughs load Marine Raiders at Milne Bay for an amphib assault on Long Island in 2 turns.


CV Enterprise continues its around the clock repairs at Sydney shipyard and the repair estimate is now down to 82 days. CV Wasp reaches the Auckland shipyards and its repair estimate iks now at 76 days. Both carriers should return to the fleet by mid-April.


BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA

I really blew it here a couple weeks ago by leaving a major defensive Chinese army in the relatively clear terrain of Nanyang as opposed to the forests just N of there. A Chinese army with 3600 AV seems like a lot until Dave steals a march....undetected by me....with 17 divisions and 7000 AV of IJA troops. Chinese troops dont attempt to withdraw until its too late and now all of northern China appears to be collapsing. Sian fell 2 turns ago and last turn Japan also captured Loyang and Yenan.

Now the entire Kaifeng/Chengchow/Tsiaotso complex will be lost. I have about 15,000 AV of Chinese troops converging on Sian from the 4 points of the compass and Im trying to cut the Nanyang/Sian highway in 3 places but Im not sure if the situation here is retrievable.

Dave also landed some troops in southern coastal China...as indicated by SIGINT....and they are moving on Nanning. Chinese troops in reserve at Changsha are being railed to Liuchow this turn to deal with this latest Japanese incursion.

[racndoc]

2/2-2/3/43



SUBS

SS Runner sinks PB Kensin Maru near Nagasaki.

Dave has been massing ASW air and naval assets over his convoy routes near the Home Islands. The Japanese ASW AC are scoring a fair number of hits on USN subs but they usually make it back to port for repairs. Its nice to see the subs start taking out some of IJN ASW assets and hopefully the recent TK sinkings off Borneo force Dave to spread his ASW assets a bit more thinly.



SWPAC

The 6th Australian Division reaches Madang. There are 5 SWPAC armor battalions and 5 artillery battalions back in the Markham River Valley that wont reach Madang for another week or 2. The 32nd and 43rd Divisions wont make it for another month or so. The aerial bombardment of the IJA ground forces at Madang will be stepped up dramatically now as the 6th Austrlian bombards away and an assault will be launched on the 10,000 defenders as soon as the armor arrives.



SOPAC


The 2nd and 4th Marine Raiders will amphib assault Long Island next turn.

SOPAC completes a level 2 Af at Cape Gloucester.

The heavy bombers of 5th Air Force continue to neutralize Japanese airfields at Rabaul. Kavieng and Manus.



NORTHERN AUSTRALIA/ II AUSTRALIAN CORPS

Im just starting to buildup Bathurst Is. as a prelude to a new command.....II AUSTRALIAN CORPS... beginning a new axis of advance northward from Darwin towards the soft underbelly of the DEI.

Dave has sent in BB Ise and friends to bombard the port at Darwin and sink Allied shipping in the area twice in the last 2 weeks. Im slowly shifting more assets up here.... a RAF HQ with torpedoes will reach Darwin within a couple of weeks and then we will have at least a threat for the IJN BBs on bombardment. I ordered up some barges at Darwin a few days ago to begin moving troops and supplies to Bathurst and some PT boats to slow down the IJN BBs but this turn the Tokyo Express sank all my barges and roughed up the PT boats.

Its going to be a slow start here but I really want a 4th axis of advance to go north from Darwin(besides SWPAC/SOPAC/CENTPAC) in case SWPAC starts to bog down in New Guinea.



BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA


Dave apparently got spooked when 2800 AV of Chinese troops cut the Sian/Nanyang highway just SE of Sian while another 3000 AV of Chinese troops closed in on Sian from 4 directions so he withdrew from Sian back into the protectice cover of the forests.

I have another 1000 AV of Chinese troops stiffened up with 3 British anti-tank regiments approaching Sian from the north.

Another 3200 AV of Chinese troops threaten to cut the Sian/Nanyang highway just NW Of Nanyang while another 5000 AV of Chinese troops march on Sian from Ichang.

If Im going stop the Japanese offensive in the north it will again have to be done with manuever.

Just in case Dave changes his mind and decides to reoccupy Sian...Im again staging in the bulk of Tenth Air Force from India to China to try to fix the IJA troops outside of Sian in place. A I lost a lot of AC at Sian the last time I tried this but at this point I willing to sacrifice whatever Allied air forces are present in the far east to save the situation in China.

As predicted by SIGINT....2 IJA LCUs landed on the southern coast of China and are now just outside of Nanning. Additional Allied medium bombers are staged in from India to fix these Japanese troops in place while the Chinese reserve that was railed to Liuchow last turn marches overland into Nanning.

[racndoc]

2/4-2/5/43


SUBS


SS KXIII attacks SS I-160 near rangoon but misses with 2 torpedoes.



BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA


Large air battle over the 4 IJA divisions just SW of Sian. Japan mauls the medium bombers but the 4Es get through and hammer the Japanese troops in place. Overall the Allies lose 47 AC vs 43 Japanese AC but 15 B-25Cs are lost.

Most importantly....Sian remains open and over 4000 AV of Chinese troops will cross the river into Sian next turn....the Chinese will ALL be in "move" mode so hopefully the IJA troops to the SW stay in place with the 2800 AV of Chinese troops that are babysitting them.

Japanese troops retake lightly defended Kaifeng but that is a mere afterthought compared to the struggle for Sian.

Recent SIGINT was absolutely correct about Japan shipping the 8th and 18th Divisions to the south China coast. The old SIGINT about 8th Division being shipped to Babeldaob was obviously misinformation.

The IJA 8th and 18th Divisions marched overland to Nanning and were hit hard by Vengeance DBs this turn:


Morning Air attack on 8th Division, at 72,56 , near Nanning

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 30


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 18th Division ...
Also attacking 8th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Division ...
Also attacking 8th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Division ...
Also attacking 8th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Division ...


Afternoon Air attack on 18th Division, at 72,56 , near Nanning

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 13


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
11 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 18th Division, at 72,56 , near Nanning

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 13


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb


The two IJA divisions shock attack across a river into Nanning:



Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 21864 troops, 153 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 737

Defending force 11278 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 309

Japanese adjusted assault: 184

Allied adjusted defense: 161

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
804 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
790 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Assaulting units:
8th Division
18th Division

Defending units:
52nd Chinese/A Corps
64th Chinese/C Corps
52nd Chinese/B Corps
35th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force


Chinese reinforcements should arrive at Nanning next turn and Id be surprised if Dave immediately attacked again due to the high disruption levels. I dont understand the redeployment of IJA divisions here from Luzon...even if Japan captures Nanning 2 divisions arent enough to accomplish anything important in China. These 2 divisions would be much more valuable if deployed on New Guinea or at Rangoon.

In Burma....the Australia 9th Division and the 4th British Brigades continue their march through the jungles towards Mandalay. When these 2 formations reach the front we will resume Eastern Command's 2 pronged offensive towards Pegu and Rangoon.


SOPAC


Two Marine Raider battalions invade Long Island via the Staten Island Ferry and will shock attack the Japanese there next turn after a massive aerial bombardment:

Ground combat at Long Island (100,124)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 453 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Defending force 1382 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 79



Assaulting units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF

Defending units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
4th Marine Raider Battalion



SWPAC


The 6th Australian Division bombards Madang both to draw additional supplies and recon how many IJA troops they are facing:


Ground combat at Madang (97,123)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14127 troops, 250 guns, 360 vehicles, Assault Value = 482

Defending force 6739 troops, 130 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 307



Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division

Defending units:
13th Garrison Unit /2
43rd Nav Gd /1
64th Naval Guard Unit
28th Div /4
4th Div /1
4th Tank Regiment
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2
39th Road Const Co
3rd JNAF Coy


I think that I can take Madang with just the armor and artillery that will be arriving in a little over a week and I wont need to wait until the 32nd and 43rd Divisions at Nadzab arrive.

[Anonymous]

[Deleted by Admins]

[racndoc]

2/6-2/7/43


SWPAC


SWPAC troops continue their march up the Markham River valley to reinforce the 6th Australian Division at Madang.

A level 1 AF is built at Saidor.

Im having trouble drawing supplies from Lae-Nadzab-Madang so Im going to need to unload a lot more supply at Lae before SWPAC can assault Madang.



SOPAC


Dave sends in transport AC through the Allied LRCAP to reinforce Long Is. by air but the marines take the island anyway after a massive aerial bombardment:


Ground combat at Long Island (100,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1402 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Defending force 446 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied adjusted assault: 45

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
4th Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF
14th Garrison Unit /1





Ground combat at Long Island (100,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1361 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Defending force 255 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 49

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 49 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Long Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
300 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
4th Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
14th Garrison Unit /1
Sasebo 5th SNLF



USN subs patrolling in the vicinity of Yap and Woleia are spotted repeatedly by both Vals and Kates so KB may be just to the north of New Guinea.



CHINA


Two weeks ago 17 IJA divisions virtually annihilated a 3600 AV Chinese army at Nanyang. There was nothing to stop over 7000 AV of Japanese troops from taking Sian except for a couple of Chinese HQ units. Now..... without firing a shot.....the Japanese have abandoned Sian and are in full retreat back to Nanyang as the Chinese have cut the Sian/Nanyang highway in 2 places and have a 3rd army with 5000 AV marching on Nanyang.

I think that Dave's mistake here was splitting his massive stack so he could also retake the Loyang/Chengchow/Kaifeng complex. Japan did capture Chengchow this turn and it hurts to lose this Chinese industrial area but the loss here pales by comparison with the possible loss of Sian. Now the Chinese will retake Sian next turn and pursue the Japanese back through the forests towards Nanyang.

The situation in the north has stabilized.

In the south....Dave has reinforcements on the march to Nanning but the Chinese are also reinforcing
by railing in additional reserves from Changsha. I dont see Japan making a breaktrhough of any significance here.

[racndoc]

2/8-2/9/43



SUBS

SS S-35 sinks xAKL Arisan Maru near Hollandia.


CHINA


Chinese troops retake Sian.

The Japanese army continues its headlong retreat from Sian to Nanyang and Dave even left behind a rear guard to slow down the onrushing Chinese hordes.

Dave now has his armor and infantry divisions 1 hex out of Nanyang and he bombards away to determine the size of the opposing Chinese blocking force:

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

Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 57133 troops, 434 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value = 4387

Defending force 44195 troops, 230 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1603

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



Assaulting units:
22nd Division
59th Division
6th Division
63rd Division
3rd Tank Division
17th Division
1st Tank Division
27th Division
35th Division
15th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
30th Chinese/A Corps
1st Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry/B Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry/C Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry/A Corps
16th Chinese/A Corps
16th Chinese/B Corps
29th Chinese/A Corps
55th Chinese/C Corps
29th Chinese/B Corps
29th Chinese/C Corps
30th Chinese/B Corps
55th Chinese/B Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry/B Corps
1st Chinese/C Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry/A Corps
55th Chinese/A Corps
30th Chinese/C Corps
1st Chinese/B Corps
16th Chinese/C Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry/C Corps


The Japanese will attack this hex next turn. I have another 1600 AV on the march into this hex from a forest hex....the Japanese aerial bombing has slowed them down.....but Im halfway tempted to leave the reinforcements where they are at on the Sian/Loyang highway and just let the Japanese retreat and halve the Chinese blocking force.....I lose another 800 AV but Sian has been retrieved and its time for me to get another defensive perimeter established to the east and SE of Sian.

With Japanese armor poised to exit the forest into the clear terrain arounf Nanyang in a couple turns.....Im turning back the 5000 AV Chinese army that had been marching from Ichang to Nanyang and they will go back to the forests outside of Ichang.



SOPAC


Dave keeps sending in reinforcements to Long Island by aerial transport and they launch multiple bonzai attacks:

Ground combat at Long Island (100,124)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 37 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Defending force 1341 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

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



Assaulting units:
14th Garrison Unit /3

Defending units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
4th Marine Raider Battalion


Ground combat at Long Island (100,124)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 37 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Defending force 1346 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1



Assaulting units:
14th Garrison Unit /1

Defending units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
4th Marine Raider Battalion






VMSB pilots hammer another IJN convoy in the Admiralties but the escorts dont fly and 27 of the 28 DBs are lost:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rambutyo at 102,120

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M2-N Rufe x 3



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 25


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kensho Maru
xAKL Taiyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Aoi Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Kanaiyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Taiyo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kanaiyama Maru



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rambutyo at 102,120

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes



Thats about 1 month of SBD-3 replacements lost in 1 attack on worthless xAKLs. I will need to shut down the DBs if this keeps up.


Im now seeing Tojos in large numbers over New Guinea, Burma and China. They are getting the best of the A2A duels with all of my various airframes with the possible exception of the F4U-1. At one point in 1942 I had inflicted about 20% more A2A and overall AC losses on Japan than those suffered by the Allies but each turn now Japan creeps closer to overall parity with the Allies in terms of AC losses. Even the P-38Gs sweeping at max altitude are not gaining an advantage vis a vis the Tojos.

Ive attached a screenshot of the future objectives of SOPAC and their respective Japanese garrisons.
XIV US Corps is marching on Rabaul from Gasmata with nearly 4 divisions to face off against 43,000 IJA there. It will take over 2 months for XIV Corps to reach its objective.

SOPAC will first create rings around Rabaul and isolate it by capturing Kavieng, Mussau and Manus but that will have to wait until CV Wasp and CV Enterprise rejoin the fleet. CV Wasp now has a repair estimate of 66 days while CV Emnterprise has a repair estimate of 72 days.

[racndoc]

2/10-2/11/43


SUBS


SS Seal sinks PB Zosen Maru near Donggala.

Allied subs seem to be knocking off a lot of IJN ASW ships now. The combination of a continually increasing Allied submarine fleet and increased IJN escort losses mean that Japan's ASW escorts will be spread thinner and thinner.



SWPAC


SWPAC armor and artillery reinforcements begin to reach Madang. We will be ready to launch our 1st assault here in a couple of turns.

The medium and tactical bombers of 5th Air Force continue to pound the Japanese at Madang.



CHINA


Dave tries to break through the Chinese roadblock just NW of Nanyang but is repulsed with heavy casualties:


Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 117537 troops, 1044 guns, 1457 vehicles, Assault Value = 4418

Defending force 44228 troops, 230 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1593

Japanese adjusted assault: 2345

Allied adjusted defense: 3964

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
10048 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 937 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 84 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 120 disabled
Vehicles lost 62 (7 destroyed, 55 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3272 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 402 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 61 (4 destroyed, 57 disabled)


Assaulting units:
22nd Division
6th Division
3rd Tank Division
27th Division
35th Division
17th Division
63rd Division
1st Tank Division
15th Division
59th Division
15th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
29th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps


'
Japan loses the equivalent of 2 divisions in casualties. The Japanese troops here are most certainly out of supply now and its very difficult to attack in AE without a lot of supply.

The Chinese will reinforce this hex with some 800 AV from the NE while another Chinese army with 1800 AV to the NW marches full speed down the highway to reinforce.

Meanwhile....the Chinese continue to rebuild their defensive lines to the E and SE of Sian.

[racndoc]

2/12-2/13/43



SUBS


SS Sargo engages in a surface gunnery battle with xAKL Biyo Maru only to submerge and finish her off with a torpedo:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
xAKL Biyo Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Sargo, hits 2



SS Sargo attacking on the surface
SS Sargo low on gun ammo, Jacobs, T.D. breaks off surface engagement and submerges


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Donggala at 69,96

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

Allied Ships
SS Sargo



xAKL Biyo Maru is sighted by SS Sargo
SS Sargo launches 2 torpedoes




CBI


Still quiet in Burma as the 9th Aussie Division and the 4th British Brigade march through the Indian jungles towards Burma.

Meanwhile....nearly all of Eastern Army is prepping for Pegu while all of IV Indian Corps preps for Rangoon.


In China...we reinforce the roadblock just NW of Nanyang and now have a Chinese army there with over 2600 AV. It will be virtually impossible now for the Japanese to dislodge us from this defensive position plus there are another 4000 AV of Chinese hordes in the next hex that are on the march to reinforce.

Dave launches another assault at Nanning only to get thrown back with heavy losses:




Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22578 troops, 153 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 785

Defending force 26818 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 917

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 287

Allied adjusted defense: 617

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2679 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 204 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled


Allied ground losses:
639 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
18th Division
8th Division
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
100th Chinese/B Corps
65th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese/A Corps
52nd Chinese/A Corps
64th Chinese/C Corps
59th Chinese/A Corps
52nd Chinese/B Corps
31st Chinese/B Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment



I still dont understand why the IJA 8th and 18th Divisions were committed here....if they had been committed to New Guinea instead..... SWPAC would be stopped cold in their tracks for at least 6 months. Redeploying these 2 divisions to the vastness of China is like taking sand to the beach.



SWPAC


The Australian 6th Division at Madang is reinforced with 5 artillery Bn, 4 tank Bn and a combat engineer Bn.

A deliberate attack will be ordered for next turn against the 9600 Japanese dug in at Madang.

Not only will Fifth Air Force commit nearly 200 medium and tactical bombers to the attack but all the 4Es will carpet bomb the defenders just prior to the assault.

The 32nd and 43rd Divisions are still back at Nadzab slowly marching up the Markham River valley towards Madang.

Im having a problem here in drawing supplies up to my front line.....similar to Burma....and this is slowing down the New Guinea offensive just as we have been slowed down in Burma.

[racndoc]

2/14-2/15/43



SWPAC


SWPAC finally unleashes its long awaited assault on Madang:


Ground combat at Madang (97,123)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18874 troops, 349 guns, 871 vehicles, Assault Value = 794

Defending force 7305 troops, 159 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 340

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1106

Japanese adjusted defense: 532

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1064 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 29 (13 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 36 (8 destroyed, 28 disabled)


Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
154th FA Bn
205th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
13th Garrison Unit /2
28th Div /4
64th Naval Guard Unit
43rd Nav Gd /1
4th Tank Regiment
4th Div /1
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2
39th Road Const Co
3rd JNAF Coy





Ground combat at Madang (97,123)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18694 troops, 349 guns, 865 vehicles, Assault Value = 756

Defending force 7093 troops, 144 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 279

Allied adjusted assault: 391

Japanese adjusted defense: 382

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
743 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 27 (13 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 33 (6 destroyed, 27 disabled)


Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
148th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
4th Div /1
64th Naval Guard Unit
28th Div /4
4th Tank Regiment
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2
43rd Nav Gd /1
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
3rd JNAF Coy
39th Road Const Co
13th Garrison Unit /2



Japan suffers substantial casualties here and the fortifications are reduced to level 1. Allied LRCAP over Madang turns back wave after wave of Japanese transport AC yet by the end of the turn the number of IJA troops at Madang has increased from 9600 to over 11,000.

I will rest the 6th Australian Division next turn while the SWPAC armor and artillery continue to attack. Supplies now seem to be flowing from Lae-Nadzab-Madang.



CBI


The main Japanese manuver army in China completes its withdrawal to nanyang with a 6000 AV Chinese army hot on its heels.

A Japanese assault at Tsiaotso is repulsed:


Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 19587 troops, 152 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 721

Defending force 9605 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 351

Japanese adjusted assault: 653

Allied adjusted defense: 820

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
904 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 125 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
534 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
15th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
90th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps


I would like to hold on here and retain Tsiaotso as a supply source but I cannot bring reinforcements here anytime soon while Japan can reinforce at will.

In south central China....Dave attempts another breakthrough near Anking:

Ground combat at 88,54 (near Anking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20844 troops, 152 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 758

Defending force 5754 troops, 145 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 220

Japanese adjusted assault: 584

Allied adjusted defense: 376

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

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


Allied ground losses:
374 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 26 (4 destroyed, 22 disabled)


Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
95th Chinese Corps
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment


Chinese reinforcements arrive mid battle and turn the Japanese back with heavy losses...even though they are still in "move" mode:



Ground combat at 88,54 (near Anking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20340 troops, 152 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 704

Defending force 17108 troops, 219 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 678

Japanese adjusted assault: 404

Allied adjusted defense: 931

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2198 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 159 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled


Allied ground losses:
489 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
78th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese/A Corps
95th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese/B Corps
75th Chinese/C Corps
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment



The Chinese defensive line is now holding along the entire length of the front.

[racndoc]

2/16-2/17/43



SUBS

IJN ASW attacks SS O23 near Lingga:



ASW attack near Lingga at 51,88

Japanese Ships
AO Kokuyo Maru
TK Toa Maru
TK Tatekawa Maru
E Hatsukari

Allied Ships
SS O23, hits 6



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


Bloodied but unbowed....SS O23 fights back by sinking one of the escorts:



ASW attack near Lingga at 51,88

Japanese Ships
E Kunashiri, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
TK Toa Maru
TK Tatekawa Maru
E Hatsukari

Allied Ships
SS O23



SS O23 launches 4 torpedoes at E Kunashiri
O23 bottoming out ....
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Im not sure if this is one of the "dreaded" late war E class escorts but anytime you sink an E boat its a good day.

A Dutch sub lays a new minefield off Balikpappan and it claims yet another IJN escort:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 282 encounters mine field at 64,98

Japanese Ships
E W-3
PB Shonon Maru #10
PB Senyu Maru #2
PB Bisan Maru #3
E W-18, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


A USN ASW TF sinks SS I-31 near Rabaul:


ASW attack near Rabaul at 107,126

Japanese Ships
SS I-31, hits 5, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Kane
DD King



SS I-31 is sighted by escort
DD Kane fails to find sub and abandons search
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD King attacking submerged sub ....
DD King fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub






ADVENTURES OF DD STUART


A small Allied ASW TF......consisting of DD Stuart, DD Monaghan and DD Vendetta....pursues SS I-19 from the Solomon Sea all the way up to Madang.

SIGINT reported that PB Ronan Maru was transporting a portion of the IJA 28th Division to Madang. DD Stuart was detached from the ASW TF to intercept PB Ronan Maru:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Hansa Bay at 99,122, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Ronsan Maru, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Stuart

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 31 (4 destroyed, 27 disabled)



Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% 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
Levy, K.M. crosses the 'T'
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 9,000 yards
Levy, K.M. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Stuart engages PB Ronsan Maru at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...



Meanwhile.....Dave had spotted our ASW TF the previous turn and sent a small surface TF to deal with it:



Night Time Surface Combat, near Saidor at 99,124, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Monaghan
DD Vendetta



Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 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
CL Sendai engages DD Vendetta at 11,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Inazuma at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages CL Sendai at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Monaghan at 2,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Monaghan at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Vendetta at 6,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Monaghan at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Vendetta at 13,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Monaghan at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


The IJN surface TF then engages DD Stuart:



Day Time Surface Combat, near Hansa Bay at 99,122, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Stuart, Shell hits 1



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Stuart at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Stuart at 18,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Stuart at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Inazuma at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Stuart at 12,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Stuart at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Stuart at 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Inazuma at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Stuart at 14,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Inazuma at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Stuart at 18,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Stuart at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DD Stuart at 21,000 yards
Task forces break off...


DD Stuart finishes off the turn by sinking SS I-19 near Madang:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 17, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Saidor at 99,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 16

Allied Ships
DD Stuart



SS I-19 launches 2 torpedoes
I-19 bottoming out ....
DD Stuart fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stuart attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stuart fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stuart fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stuart attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stuart loses contact with SS I-19
DD Stuart cannot reach attack position over SS I-19
DD Stuart cannot establish contact with SS I-19
Escort abandons search for sub



Out of depth charges and and gunnery ammo.....DD Stuart will head back to port next turn.





SOPAC



SOPAC completes the unloading of XIV US Corps at Gasmata. Nearly 4 divisions have been unloaded at Gasmata and they are all marching through the jungles of New Britain towards Rabaul.

CV Wasp now has a repair estimate of 62 days while CV Enterprise now has a repair estimate of 68 days.



SWPAC


I rested the 6th Australian Division this turn and sent the armor and artillery to assault Madang:



Ground combat at Madang (97,123)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4596 troops, 117 guns, 577 vehicles, Assault Value = 733

Defending force 6835 troops, 130 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 250

Allied adjusted assault: 223

Japanese adjusted defense: 184

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
595 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (11 destroyed, 13 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 78 (4 destroyed, 74 disabled)


Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
205th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
198th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
4th Tank Regiment
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF /1
64th Naval Guard Unit
28th Div /6
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2
43rd Nav Gd /1
3rd JNAF Coy
4th Div /1
39th Road Const Co
13th Garrison Unit /2



Ground combat at Madang (97,123)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4445 troops, 115 guns, 574 vehicles, Assault Value = 711

Defending force 6480 troops, 126 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 207

Allied adjusted assault: 87

Japanese adjusted defense: 160

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 12 (6 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 22 (8 destroyed, 14 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (9 destroyed, 26 disabled)


Assaulting units:
763rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
6th Australian Division
198th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
225th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
64th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
28th Div /6
4th Tank Regiment
13th Garrison Unit /2
4th Div /1
3rd JNAF Coy
39th Road Const Co
43rd Nav Gd /1
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2



I was really surprised to see the armor get a 1:1 attack on Madang and inflict over 1000 casualties(nearly 100 squads)on the Japanese defenders. When I get the file back from Dave I may launch an all shock attack at Madang next turn depeding on how rested the 6th Australian Division looks.


Saidor and Cape Gloucester both complete level 2 AFs while both Lae and Nadzab enlarge to level 5 AFs.

[racndoc]

2/18-2/19/43



CBI


Quiet in Burma as additional Allied formations march to the front....and as the Allied troops continue to prep for Pegu and Rangoon.


In northern China...the Japanese are repulsed with heavy casualties at Tsiaotso:


Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18683 troops, 152 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 662

Defending force 9232 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 302

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 407

Allied adjusted defense: 676

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1341 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 98 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled


Allied ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th/C Division
34th/A Division
34th/B Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
3rd Construction Regiment
15th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps



In southern China....the Japanese are thrown back with heavy losses at nanning:



Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21417 troops, 153 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 677

Defending force 26248 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 862

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 469

Allied adjusted defense: 497

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1873 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 146 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
590 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Assaulting units:
8th Division
18th Division

Defending units:
64th Chinese/C Corps
65th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese/A Corps
52nd Chinese/B Corps
46th Chinese/A Corps
100th Chinese/B Corps
52nd Chinese/A Corps
31st Chinese/B Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment




SWPAC


SWPAC captures Madang with an all out shock attack:


Ground combat at Madang (97,123)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 19125 troops, 365 guns, 941 vehicles, Assault Value = 708

Defending force 6469 troops, 130 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 202

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 473

Japanese adjusted defense: 169

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Madang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2290 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 32 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 80 (77 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (55 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 12
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 50 (3 destroyed, 47 disabled)


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Australian Division
154th FA Bn
225th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /2
28th Div /6
Kure 3rd SNLF /1
14th Garrison Unit /1
13th Garrison Unit /2
4th Div /1
39th Road Const Co
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
3rd JNAF Coy
43rd Nav Gd /1
64th Naval Guard Unit
4th Tank Regiment
Maizuru 2nd SNLF /2


True to form....the Japanese remnants all die in a suicidal banzai attack on the following day:



Ground combat at Madang (97,123)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 187 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Defending force 19427 troops, 367 guns, 962 vehicles, Assault Value = 674

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

Japanese ground losses:
203 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2



Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /2
Kure 3rd SNLF /1

Defending units:
762nd Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Australian Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
3rd NZ Division



Recon shows only 1 IJA LCU at Hansa Bay. With the 32nd and 43rd Divisions less than a 40 mile march from Madang....it looks like there is no stopping the Allies for quite some time as they advance westward along the northern coast of New Guinea towards their ultimate objective........Mindanao.

Im going to ground bomb the retreating Japanese troops to keep them in "combat" mode while the pursuing SWPAC troops will be LRCAPed to keep them in "move" mode so we can hit the Japanese again before they reach the fortifications of Hansa Bay.

Supplies are being drawn nicely now from Lae to Nadzab to Madang. In fact...the Australian 6th Division that is currently spearheading the SWPAC offensive is carrying nearly 3000 supplies onboard.

Dave tried to bomb the SWPAC troops at Madang and we had a nice little air battle over the base....the Japanese lost 54 AC vs 27 Allied AC.

Looking at the attached screenshot....theres a lot of IJN shipping off the New Guinea coast...its time for the Allies to bring up some surface raiders here.

[racndoc]

2/20-2/21/43



CBI


Quiet across the CBI. Dave has pulled out of Nanyang.....leaving but a single LCU there to face off against the 6000 AV Chinese army in the forest to the NW of the city.

Japan has maybe 1500 AV mopping up the Chengchow/Loyang/Tsiaotso salient but the other 5500 AV Japanese manuever force has disappeared. Im guessing that they have marched to the railhead at Sinyang where they will be railed to Hangchow on the coast. Then I think that they will reinforce the Japanese army on the Hangchow/Nanchang highway....drive on Nanchang and threaten Changsha from the SE.

Dave knows that I stripped the Chinese defenses in the south to mass enough forces to retake Sian...so now he will test the Chinese defenses in the south. I had pulled some 5500 AV from the south....and that army is currently just outside of Ichang. I will send about 4000 AV of that Ichang army back to the south now.



SWPAC


SWPAC troops pursue the retreating Japanese from Madang towards Hansa Bay.



SOPAC


XIV US Corps continues its march across New Britain from Gasmata to Rabaul.


CENTPAC GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE.......GILBERTS CAMPAIGN


CENTPAC will launch its 1st offensive next turn into the Gilberts. The objective of this 1st phase of the Gilberts Campaign will be to secure an airbase in the southern Gilberts at Tabiteuea. Admiral Hill's amphibious TF has currently embarked the 21st Marine Regiment to invade at Tabiteuea. The invasion will be covered by 7 CVEs and CVL Hermes.....I can put up over 200 fighters with these flat tops and not risk the precious fleet carriers. This will be a quick hitting operation to get in.... and then get out as quickly as possible. The amphib and surface TFs will rendezvous at Tabiteuea next turn under carrier air cover and then everything will land on the following turn.

After taking Tabiteuea we will construct a level 6 AF there that will then cover the 2nd Phase of the Gilberts Campaign....the capture of the level 4 AF at Tarawa and the level 3 AF at Makin. Tarawa and Makin both have over 5000 entrenched defenders so we will wait to assault them in the 2nd Phase in late April......after most of the APs have upgraded to APAs and after CV Wasp and CV Enterprise complete their repairs.

CENTPAC's Gilberts Campaign is a prelude to an invasion of the Marshall Islands in summer 1943.

The US Navy just received their own 4E bomber....the PBY-1 Liberator....and it will go into action for the 1st time next turn to bomb the Japanese troops on Tabiteuea.

[racndoc]

2/22-2/23/43



SUBS


SS Amberjack puts a torpedo in loaded TK San Diego Maru and she lights up like a torch off Balabac. On her last patrol SS Amberjack sank 3 TKs.

SS S-40 sinks Kitahuku Maru near Aitape.

SS Shad sinks xAK Kusuyama Maru near Wakkanai.

SS S-40 surfaces to sink xAKL Jinsan Maru off Wewak but is seriously damaged by naval gunfire in return.



CBI


IJA troops are thrown back with heavy losses in an attack on Nanning:



Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20775 troops, 153 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 610

Defending force 25047 troops, 152 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 757

Japanese adjusted assault: 420

Allied adjusted defense: 845

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1659 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 169 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled


Allied ground losses:
588 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Assaulting units:
8th Division
18th Division

Defending units:
52nd Chinese/A Corps
65th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese/A Corps
100th Chinese/B Corps
59th Chinese/A Corps
52nd Chinese/B Corps
64th Chinese/C Corps
31st Chinese/B Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment



The Japanese attack near Anking is repulsed with heavy casualties:


Ground combat at 88,54 (near Anking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 43910 troops, 350 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 1490

Defending force 16987 troops, 221 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 658

Japanese adjusted assault: 1349

Allied adjusted defense: 1351

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
3166 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 456 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 48 (1 destroyed, 47 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1489 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 164 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 31 (2 destroyed, 29 disabled)


Assaulting units:
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
78th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese/A Corps
75th Chinese/B Corps
95th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese/C Corps
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment



Japan captures Tsiaotso:



Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27226 troops, 284 guns, 668 vehicles, Assault Value = 997

Defending force 8967 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 274

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 862

Allied adjusted defense: 619

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
492 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (4 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
605 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled


Assaulting units:
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
34th Division
1st Tank Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
15th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
90th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps



Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26881 troops, 282 guns, 668 vehicles, Assault Value = 997

Defending force 8486 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 224

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 756

Allied adjusted defense: 190

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2822 casualties reported
Squads: 127 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 90 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 48 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Tank Division
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
14th RGC Temp./A Division
14th RGC Temp./B Division
16th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
15th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
90th Chinese/A Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Cavalry/A Corps




CENTPAC: INVASION TABITEUEA


Admiral Hill's amphib TF stands by offshore of Tabiteuea ready to unload the 21st Marine Regiment. Multiple bombardment TFs will hit the atoll first and then the Marines will storm ashore at dawn.

[TRAINZ]

Just wanted to say I have been following Your AAR for awhile now and I purchased this game because of it. I have enjoyed the reading and look forward to more. [&o]