The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[ny59giants]

Find what naval air units that can be re-sized, even if withdrawn in April 42, and rotate them on your CVs before they get repaired. I just has Taiyo stop at a port to replenishment and took an extra day to re-size a Val to 27 planes. It will take time to train up, but those Vals are good against those nimble DDs. I'm on the same date as you, but thankfully, with different results. [;)]

[obvert]

I will get some resized, for sure. The trouble is finding planes right now! Factories are repairing slowly, and there just aren't many around yet. I just sent the mini KB off to the South with 15 Zeros on Zuiho, 4 (!) on Ryujo, and 2 (!!) on Hosho. They'll get more at Cam Ran Bay, but it is tight for a while.

[Hortlund]

1) Great results in that naval battle. Prince of Wales gone and Repulse back to re-arm at Soerebaja probably. = No Capital ships around for a couple of days.

2) You have 5 days left to get to Palembang. Get on it. You have Singkawang now. So use it. Zeros should be sweeping Palembang first thing in the morning. Also send over a Sally unit to hit the airfield at Palembang. Not that it will do much damage, but it will give you an impression of what sort of defences you are facing there. One 36Zero-wing, one 27bomber Sally-wing and one 9recon unit at Singkawang to recon, sweep and hit the airfield.

3) Where are the Palembang invasion forces right now? If you are to land in 5 days they should be just north of Kuching right now.

Oh, do I seem obsessed with Palembang?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

1) Great results in that naval battle. Prince of Wales gone and Repulse back to re-arm at Soerebaja probably. = No Capital ships around for a couple of days.

Yes, I was amazed nothing of mine went down in that one. But the British CLs, about 6 of them, are rearming at Singapore, so there is still something around. Many IJN ships have taken enough damage to warrant a short sit in Saigon. I'm giving them 3 days to fix what they can.

2) You have 5 days left to get to Palembang. Get on it. You have Singkawang now. So use it. Zeros should be sweeping Palembang first thing in the morning. Also send over a Sally unit to hit the airfield at Palembang. Not that it will do much damage, but it will give you an impression of what sort of defences you are facing there. One 36Zero-wing, one 27bomber Sally-wing and one 9recon unit at Singkawang to recon, sweep and hit the airfield.

Got the recon there day one, but they didn't fly as the base got slammed by 3 naval bombardments. No planes lost though, only 20 damage to the fields. I have to fly in more engineers.

I'm allocating an 18 zero group, a 9 zero group, some Nates possibly just to annoy bombers if they come, a 3 Mavis group plus the recon and I haven't decided about the boomers yet. The Tojos will go to Miri to protect oil. Torsten is already bombing Taihoku, and seems adamant that if I didn't take out the 4Es in the PI, they should take out any and all oil/industry he can get to. They'll most likely hit all airfields here soon too.

I will bring big zero groups when I can, but part of what I'm trying to do in the PI is take out the fighters so I can get to the bombers. At least for now he is still basing them in Clark! Sweeps have not flown due to weather for two days now, which is killing me.

3) Where are the Palembang invasion forces right now? If you are to land in 5 days they should be just north of Kuching right now.

Near Samah. I won't send them without first a feint to draw the armada again. Too many ships there. He's very good at flooding an area. But it's a 1-2 shot tactic. If I can get them out, use up their ammo, damage or sink a few, then I go in with the real forces. A 4 BB TF is on the way as well, but has to rearm.

Oh, do I seem obsessed with Palembang?

Yes! For good reason I think.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]16 December 1941[/font]
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subs: Something is happening at Wake. Wish I-25 would have aimed for the AP traveling with these two!

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Sub attack near Wake Island at 138,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
PC Tiger, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Reliance

SS I-25 launches 4 torpedoes at PC Tiger
PC Reliance fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Reliance fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Reliance fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Reliance fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Reliance fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Pacific: Kaveing, Shortlands and Finschafen are in our hands. At Wake 4 subs form our entire defensive array. The SCTF that carries one of the SNLFs intended for Wake, now near Marcus, will move closer to prepare an attack run.

The remnants of the KB are about a week from the HI. I'm fighting the urge to use Akagi, which is undamaged. So far I'm at least winning that battle.

DEI: Lots going on here. Singkawang gets pummeled. Now that we own it, it's not much use yet. I need a lot more engineers here, but at least he's wearing down those ships running them back and forth hitting the base. If he keeps it up I can also put some obstacles in his way. No Babs were destroyed, but some damaged, and none flew to Palembang. More recon will move to Kuching, and this unit will go there also.

One thing I just realized though, is that I don't think the BBs can resupply main guns at Cam Ran Bay. So where do I go for that? Would Hong Kong do it at size 8? Without an AKE? I'm creating a few AKEs at Saigon, but they'll be a while.

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Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15-II Babs: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Java

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

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Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Allied Ships
CL Durban
CL Dragon
CL Danae
DD Van Ghent

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

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 13
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

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Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15-II Babs: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CL Caledon
CL Glasgow
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1
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Kuching falls. Jolo is invaded. This should give a little air control of this area soon. Jesselton and Miri are also invaded.

China: Wenchow and both the Corps on the way and the one in the base are hit by multiple air strikes. All divisions are landed.

If this works I think I'm going to name it 'SqzMyWenchow!' in honor of it's originator. If it goes wrong I'll call it's 'obvert's folly,' but I could use that for a few things already in this game. [;)]

I'm getting a bit nervous about Sinyang. Many Chinese units are moving in, and I have only one Brigade and two small Chinese units there. All have level 4 forts and its good terrain, but you never know. A division is moving in.

Mines are being cleared from Hong Kong. Although, as usual, one of the AMc cleared one mine the hard way.

We also found the AVG the hard way. Luckily it was just Lilys and Sonias. Recon also gave us some insight about the bases and positioning. I'll post a map after this. Now all bombing nearby will stop. I'll only bomb troops away from bases that can support fighters. Once the PI is liquidated, those zeros will move in to see what they can do. In the meantime I'll keep upgrading to Oscars and sweep where I can to try to surprise him.

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Afternoon Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 76,57 (Wuchow)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 21
Ki-51 Sonia x 15

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
11 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/2nd Sqn with H81-A3 (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

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Near Wuchang, here is what we're facing. One more division is on the way. I think when it arrives, we'll have this in hand.

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Ground combat at 85,52 (near Wuchang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24141 troops, 224 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 874

Defending force 11718 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 371

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

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
13th Tank Regiment
6th Division

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps

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Here is what we're facing in the North. Another two Brigades are moving in. The attack will come in a few days. This should turn into a rout and destroy these units for further use.

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Ground combat at Kweisui (92,35)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13881 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 517

Defending force 9470 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 307

Assaulting units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
Mongol Garrison Army

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
17th Group Army

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Malaya: Taiping is taken.

PI: Davao is invaded. Still, weather not letting us sweep Manila. Really getting on my nerves, as this also lets his groups heal after his recent sweeps.

PTs come again for Vigan. The two SCTFs there hold them off but can't sink any so far. All troops coming in through Aparri.

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PC Tiger. Wouldn't want to be on this when it got hit by a torpedo!

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Air Groups[/font]
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Here is a pic of the reinforcement queue. The soonest group comes in 63 days. The next after that in 83. I'll wait a bit to buy the Kates and Vals. I need tanks in China, apparently, right away.

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[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

One thing I just realized though, is that I don't think the BBs can resupply main guns at Cam Ran Bay. So where do I go for that? Would Hong Kong do it at size 8? Without an AKE? I'm creating a few AKEs at Saigon, but they'll be a while.

What port size is CRB? I would send the Fleet HQ currently at Takao to CRB. Increasing the amount of naval support will offset the smaller port size and allow rearming. Just check the manual to see how much you need, or I can provide that info when I get home. If you do decide to rearm the BB's at Hong Kong, I'd divert them to whack Wenchow. [8D]

If this works I think I'm going to name it 'SqzMyWenchow!' in honor of it's originator. If it goes wrong I'll call it's 'obvert's folly,' but I could use that for a few things already in this game.

Oh man, that is just so wrong [:-]. Depending on your AV at the base I think you'll take it, but the key here is speed and without trashing your LCU's. So if you can, I really recommend a few naval bombardments to soften up the defenders first. You may not have time though before those two Chinese Corps arrive.

Thanks for the laugh! Now the pressure is on for Wenchow to be a success, otherwise my credibility is shot! [:D]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]17 December 1941[/font]
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Joseph, you can breathe easy! SqzMyWenchow works like a charm!

China: Three divisions and the elements of a fourth take Wenchow easily in one DA today. Since this was such a success, they will also stay around for one more week to trash the other big corps two hexes away. This will shore up the whole area and let the existing units here concentrate on next objectives. All TFs are still in the area and will bring in supplies as they return to pick up troops.

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Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45079 troops, 409 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 1603

Defending force 12234 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 428

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1447

Allied adjusted defense: 157

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wenchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1103 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
5332 casualties reported
Squads: 84 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 190 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 33 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (5 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
56th Recon Regiment
56th Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
21st Division
113th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
56th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
100th Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force

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The troops at Sinyang are holding by a thread. The division is taking forever to get there. The hex sides are at least open so if the base falls, troops can retreat. I didn't think this much was here, so the attack was a surprise. Shocked it didn't fall today.

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Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52079 troops, 276 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1839

Defending force 8054 troops, 74 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 279

Allied adjusted assault: 630

Japanese adjusted defense: 271

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
570 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled


Allied ground losses:
2462 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 303 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Assaulting units:
85th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army
3rd Group Army
31st Group Army

Defending units:
12th RGC Temp. Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
67th JAAF AF Coy
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subs: Wake is surely being reinforced. The I-25 gets an escort again, but the big prize sails right through.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wake Island at 138,98

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
AM Bobolink, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AM Turkey
xAP St. Mihel
AM Vireo
AM Grebe

SS I-25 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Bobolink
I-25 diving deep ....
AM Vireo fails to find sub and abandons search

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Pacific: The SCTF is heading to Wake. I think the CV is gone now, and it's worth a shot to take out ships and possibly troops, although it's probably too late for that.

DEI: The Allies go wild on bombardments of Singkawang, including one by Repulse, which effectively closes the base. Kuching is up and running though. Tomorrow I'll send a SCTF to patrol the approaches to it, so at least there is one base functional over here.

Miri is also ours now. The HQ does not yet have torp ability. Tomorrow it should. Jolo also is taken.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
DD Thracian

CL Adelaide firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
DD Thracian firing at Singkawang

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Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Dragon

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 3
Port hits 1

CL Dauntless firing at Singkawang
CL Dragon firing at Singkawang

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Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15-II Babs: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Repulse
DD Tenedos
DD Parrott
DD John D. Edwards

Japanese ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Walrus II acting as spotter for BC Repulse
BC Repulse firing at Singkawang
DD Tenedos firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
DD Parrott firing at Singkawang
DD John D. Edwards firing at Singkawang

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Night Naval bombardment of Singkawang at 56,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15-II Babs: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CL Caledon
CL Glasgow
CL Ceres
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Java
DD Van Ghent
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
DD Edsall

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

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 32
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 4

Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Cornwall
CA Cornwall firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
CL Caledon firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
CL Glasgow firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
CL Ceres firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
CL Tromp firing at Singkawang
CL De Ruyter firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF
CL Java firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
DD Van Ghent firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
DD Piet Hein firing at Singkawang
DD Kortenaer firing at Singkawang
DD Evertsen firing at Singkawang
DD Witte de With firing at Singkawang
DD Van Nes firing at Singkawang
DD Banckert firing at Singkawang
DD Edsall firing at Singkawang

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Malaya: I think he's using Singapore's port to heal ships, and there are still no fighters there. Bases will be ready to fly IJAAF bombers tomorrow, so we'll see.

PI: Sweeps at last flew over Manila. The results were decent, but not overwhelming. They lost 22 and we lost 8 for the day.

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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 7
P-35A x 11
P-40B Warhawk x 18
P-40E Warhawk x 39


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed


Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 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 between 14000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
35th PG/21st PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
6th PS PAAC with P-26A (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
24th PG/HqS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3


Allied aircraft
P-26A x 1
P-35A x 5
P-40B Warhawk x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


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Got great results against PTs near Laong during the night. Odd we did so well, considering it was 0% moonlight. I'll take it though.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,72, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8, Shell hits 1
MTB 9
MTB 10, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
MTB 11
MTB 12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 80,72, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 9
MTB 11


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
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Laoag at 81,72, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
PT-31, Shell hits 2, on fire
PT-32, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-33
PT-35, Shell hits 1, and is sunk


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Simmons U. gains tactical advantage
CL Natori engages PT-35 at 15,000 yards
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[Uncivil Engineer]

Nice job at Wenchow.

As for Cam Ranh Bay - I think 2nd Fleet starts at Samah, which can be moved to CRB for additional naval support to rearm those BB. They will reload at Hong Kong, but it may take 2 days (not including the additional time to get there). I think you only have one AKE; not sure if it starts in Takao or Babeldaob, or maybe Hiroshima, but get it down to the action.

Good luck.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]China[/font]
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Here is the state of things now in China.

Torsten is pushing hard in several area.

Nanchang:

In the Sounth center around Nanchang he has about 12-14 units moving to all sides of the base. This area I feel solid about as the forts are at level 4, the two Brigades in the base are getting stronger, and there is division in Kiukiang that can move to shore up the defense if the base is seriously threatened. Also, with the units in the Wenchow area being routed, the IJA divisions starting around the river can move to take out the remaining resistance in this area and begin to move this way.

Wenchow:

Here the big 400 AV Chinese Corps that was in the city was diminished by at least 30%. Since that base was taken, supply might become an issue sooner rather than later for the units in the area. The other Corps will be attacked and hopefully reduced as well. Divisions from Anking, Soochow and Hangchow will move on Chuhsien and try to push these units back, further weakening them.

Wuchang:

This base is being threatened from two sides. Only a Brigade is in the city, but the 3 divisions will attack tomorrow and aim to push back the interloping 2 Corps on the road toward Kiukiang. If that goes to plan, at least two will move back into the city while one holds the road. There is one tank regiment here, and I haven't decided which way it will go.

Hankow:

West of Hankow is also a stack of Chinese troops from Ichang. This base is very secure with a division supported by two brigades and a host of small Chinese units and arty. All behind good level 4 forts. If he moves in, great. Supply is moving to come up river here as well.

Sinyang:

Sinyang is the major concern. The first attack there reduced the forts to 3 and slightly weakened the IJA troops while taking 300 disablements for the Chinese. If the division can make it in in time I feel this base will stand. In this terrain defense has the advantage, especially if the troops are more hearty. If the Chinese get a 1:2 in any attacks, it could really hurt.

Even if it falls, the troops will recover and more are on the way from the North. Three divisions, a regiment and an 80 AV tank unit are in the area and moving out across the plains.

Kaoping:

In the North center, the Chinese appear to be also moving on Kaoping. This is being reinforced by 2 divisions and a brigade. That should do it.

North:

In the far North, troops are piling into Kwesui. No panic here, just getting overwhelming numbers and then the push back will begin.

Paotow, which was threatened, is now safe after one Corps was kicked out and an engineer unit is building bigger forts quickly.

Bombing is increasing. The AVG is in China in force .At least two of the sections. This could bode well for closing the Burma road soon. I'll try to weaken these AVG elements quickly. Oscars are filling groups fast. It'll be cat and mouse for a while, but I'll not bomb anything close to a base that has a field for a while.

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[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

Nice job at Wenchow.

As for Cam Ranh Bay - I think 2nd Fleet starts at Samah, which can be moved to CRB for additional naval support to rearm those BB. They will reload at Hong Kong, but it may take 2 days (not including the additional time to get there). I think you only have one AKE; not sure if it starts in Takao or Babeldaob, or maybe Hiroshima, but get it down to the action.

Good luck.

Thanks. I'll try both moving the HQ and heading to Hong Kong. Both will help various ships if they do work.

I have an AKE at Babeldaob. It is needed there as well, so I'll leave it for now.

[JocMeister]

I think he is burning too much supply in China. He should have focused on defense instead. But Torsten in certainly hell of alot better player then me so I might be wrong! But moving out of his forts and defensive bonuses can´t be bad news for you. If you can stop his offensive I think this will speed up the collapse of China. The sooner you can close the burma road the better. With it closed the small stockpiles of supply will start to dwindle fast. But you need to start bombing ASAP to start burning the supply!

Regarding the AVG, Supply will work against him here aswell as he needs 20k supply to draw new airframes. Its hard to find bases in China which have that much and pretty soon I think he might have to fly them out to India to reinforce. He also only have a few fields to fly from that are above size 1. If you can close them you have effectivly stopped him. The range of the P40 variants are...lacking! [:)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I think he is burning too much supply in China. He should have focused on defense instead. But Torsten in certainly hell of alot better player then me so I might be wrong! But moving out of his forts and defensive bonuses can´t be bad news for you. If you can stop his offensive I think this will speed up the collapse of China. The sooner you can close the burma road the better. With it closed the small stockpiles of supply will start to dwindle fast. But you need to start bombing ASAP to start burning the supply!

Regarding the AVG, Supply will work against him here aswell as he needs 20k supply to draw new airframes. Its hard to find bases in China which have that much and pretty soon I think he might have to fly them out to India to reinforce. He also only have a few fields to fly from that are above size 1. If you can close them you have effectivly stopped him. The range of the P40 variants are...lacking! [:)]

Thanks Jocke. I was assuming similar things but I haven't played that side in so long its hard to remember exactly what the possibilities are.

With the P-40 (and other airframes) is the LR CAP ability only out to normal range, not max range? So I believe to 5 hexes, not 6, right?

[koniu]

Obvert,
LCAP is only passable on normal range but to fly LCAP or CAP AF lvl 1 is enough so watch those small AF.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I think he is burning too much supply in China. He should have focused on defense instead. But Torsten in certainly hell of alot better player then me so I might be wrong! But moving out of his forts and defensive bonuses can´t be bad news for you. If you can stop his offensive I think this will speed up the collapse of China. The sooner you can close the burma road the better. With it closed the small stockpiles of supply will start to dwindle fast. But you need to start bombing ASAP to start burning the supply!

Regarding the AVG, Supply will work against him here aswell as he needs 20k supply to draw new airframes. Its hard to find bases in China which have that much and pretty soon I think he might have to fly them out to India to reinforce. He also only have a few fields to fly from that are above size 1. If you can close them you have effectivly stopped him. The range of the P40 variants are...lacking! [:)]

Thanks Jocke. I was assuming similar things but I haven't played that side in so long its hard to remember exactly what the possibilities are.

With the P-40 (and other airframes) is the LR CAP ability only out to normal range, not max range? So I believe to 5 hexes, not 6, right?

Yepp, Both the H81 and P40E are 5 hexes. [:)]

Btw, Did you get my email? I think your computer failed to upload the files to dropbox!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: koniu

Obvert,
LCAP is only passable on normal range but to fly LCAP or CAP AF lvl 1 is enough so watch those small AF.

Thanks, that's what I thought! So much info I feel I have to go over things several times before I really get it.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I think he is burning too much supply in China. He should have focused on defense instead. But Torsten in certainly hell of alot better player then me so I might be wrong! But moving out of his forts and defensive bonuses can´t be bad news for you. If you can stop his offensive I think this will speed up the collapse of China. The sooner you can close the burma road the better. With it closed the small stockpiles of supply will start to dwindle fast. But you need to start bombing ASAP to start burning the supply!

Regarding the AVG, Supply will work against him here aswell as he needs 20k supply to draw new airframes. Its hard to find bases in China which have that much and pretty soon I think he might have to fly them out to India to reinforce. He also only have a few fields to fly from that are above size 1. If you can close them you have effectivly stopped him. The range of the P40 variants are...lacking! [:)]

Thanks Jocke. I was assuming similar things but I haven't played that side in so long its hard to remember exactly what the possibilities are.

With the P-40 (and other airframes) is the LR CAP ability only out to normal range, not max range? So I believe to 5 hexes, not 6, right?

Yepp, Both the H81 and P40E are 5 hexes. [:)]

Btw, Did you get my email? I think your computer failed to upload the files to dropbox!

They should be up! Sorry for the wait. Fell asleep after setting them to load and didn't check this morning until at work.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]18 December 1941[/font]
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Thanks to all who advocated and gave great advice for landing at Palembang by December 15th. You were correct, (PH)! The Palembang Gambit is on.

subs: I-20 misses CA Portland with 6 at Wake. Anger.

DEI: What every Japanese player fears is realized. There are 1180 troops and 12 units at Palembang. Worse, several APs are in the port, obviously unloading more higher quality troops.

It's ironic that while I've espoused elsewhere that this is a gambit, and does have possible counters, I now get to test my theories. I like the challenge. It will be tougher without the KB, but as Q-Ball pointed out, there may be a period in the spring of 42 when the KB will again be strong enough to take on US CVs.

To land by the 15th would have been hazardous to say the least with the amount of naval forces in the area. He has committed the entire British fleet here, plus all of the US and Dutch as well. Nothing is in the E DEI. It's wide open, currently. To land now will require more troops than I can protect without first challenging surface forces in the area. Feints will be required, but the process will not be quick.

Currently I am sending a SCTF to just outside Kuching to protect that base and try to interdict further runs at Singkawang. Several fast DD TFs will be sent out to raid at Palembang. The Nells now at Miri and Kuching, plus the few Mavis I could scrape up should give a much better idea of the movement of forces during the coming days, and hopefully will also help the subs find targets. The HQ here should be torpedo capable in a few days, which may provide a surprise or two.

The vacancy of the E DEI also makes us gear up there and I'd like to get to the Celebes, Tarakan and possibly Balikpapan soon.

Repulse visits Singkawang again. This must be putting some accumulative damage on all of these ships, coming in fast every other day.

He looks to be using Singapore port to dock some of these ships. I will make an attempt with the IJAAF Sallys, just now in position, to hit the port tomorrow. The air force seems to be all at Kuala Lumpur and at Palembang.

Today Jesselton was taken. Also, there was one small combat near Jolo in the night. Nice to get rid of this small yet surprising old battlewagon.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 72,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
CL Kuma
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
AM Abraham Crijnssen, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AM Eland Dubois, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
PG Soerabaja, Shell hits 54, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 2,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
CA Ashigara launches Long Lance Torpedoes at AM Abraham Crijnssen at 2,000 yards

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China: Troops between Wuchang and Kuikiang were cleared away easily. One division will stay here to support Kiukiang and Nanchang while the others move back to Wuchang.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 85,52 (near Wuchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36278 troops, 328 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 1266

Defending force 11696 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 367

Japanese adjusted assault: 835

Allied adjusted defense: 89

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
5917 casualties reported
Squads: 83 destroyed, 138 disabled
Non Combat: 84 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
3rd Division
6th Division
40th Division

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps


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[/font]

At Kweiteh the 35th division took the base and will now move to support Sinyang.

At that base today the troops held on! A DA lowered forts to 2, but the attack only got a 1:1. Tomorrow for sure our division should reach the base, although the Chinese have one unit reinforcing as well. The next to move there is a regiment about a week away, then tanks shortly after.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 50167 troops, 275 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1600

Defending force 7707 troops, 74 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 236

Allied adjusted assault: 702

Japanese adjusted defense: 429

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
682 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled


Allied ground losses:
666 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
90th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
2nd Group Army
31st Group Army

Defending units:
12th RGC Temp. Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
67th JAAF AF Coy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [/font]

PI: Surigao was invaded and Cagayan bombarded. No planes using it, but still good to put a hit on to reduce the possibility.

Sweeps found no planes in the air over Manila. That was expected, but our bombers didn't fly, which is frustrating. They are in a base with an HQ as well. Maybe tomorrow. I give the zeros another week here, then they are needed elsewhere.

Pacific: Nells went for ships at Wake to no avail. The SCTF is heading in.

At Guam forts were lowered to 1 in a 1:1 attack. A Shock Attack will go tomorrow. If that doesn't work, an SNLF will be moved in.

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]China[/font]
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Here is the situation in China. I need more planes and tanks, quickly!

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Wake[/font]
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Sending in the only forces I have in the area. Looks like it's too late to stop anything landing though.

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