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

[racndoc]

4/7-4/8/43



SUBS


SS S-47 sinks xAKL ganges Maru off Aitape.

SS Perch puts a torpedo in TK Okuni Maru near Beaufort.



CENTPAC


Big air battle over Tabiteuea as the Allies try to keep the base open. F4F-3s, F2A-3s and P-40Ks decimate the Oscars and Helens trying to close the AF and interdict Allied shipping. AV Abemarle runs the gauntlet and begins to unload her precious cargo of supplies but in the afternoon another wave of Helens shows up and sinks her:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 2
F2A-3 Buffalo x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AV Albemarle, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 37500
Raid is overhead
VMF-214 with F2A-3 Buffalo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 33200
Raid is overhead
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000



When the smoke clears Japan has lost 39 AC in A2A combat vs Allies loses of 11 AC. Individual plane losses include 33 Oscars, 8 Tojos, 13 Helens, 5 F2a-3s, 3 F4F-3s, 3 F4F-4s and 3 P-40Ks.

Only 22 supplies are left at Tabiteuea as the turn ends but transport subs are unloading and transport AC are flying in supplies next turn.

An IJN bombardment TF could easily show up next turn and put Tabiteuea out of its misery but the last time the IJN visited these waters CV Junyo took 2 torpedo hits.....and Dave has spotted most of the dozen or so USN subs in the Gilberts and Marshalls so we will see.



SOPAC


After 2 months of slogging it through the jungles.....XIV US Corps invests Rabaul with its 1900 AV. The artillery will bombard next turn so we can get an idea of exactly what we are facing.

Fifth Air Force levels the level 4 Japanese AF at Manus. With Kavieng and Rabaul airfields closed....we now have complete air superiority over New Britain, the Bismarcks and the Admiralties. The heavy bombers will hit Manus again next turn to close it while the medium bombers will begin to bomb Japanese defensive positions at Rabaul.

Ive brought some CAs and CLs up to Milne Bay to escort the LSTs as we will now begin to unload supplies directly on the beach at mighty Rabaul.

VF-2....based in the Solomons.....becomes the 1st squadron to upgrade to the brand new Hellcats. This is the qualitative superiority Ive been waiting for before we resume the amphibious advances. Not only does the US Navy now field a superior fighter......but F4F-4s should now flood into the replacement pool to fill out our depleted VMF squadrons. The tide of the Air War is about to turn in a major way.

CV Wasp has a repair estimate of 13 days and CV Enterprise has a repair estimate of 17 days. The "Calm before the storm" wont last too much longer......the US carrier force is about to come out of mothballs.

[racndoc]

4/9-4/10/43



SUBS


SS Hoe sinks LB-134 off Vanimo.

SS Pompano sinks SC CHa-42 near Hakodate.



SOPAC


Allied landing craft unload supplies on the beach at rabaul:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

127 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
SC-699
LST-457
LST-464



CL Trenton firing at 15th Base Force
SC-699 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Rabaul (106,125)

TF 378 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 106,125



Japanese and SOPAC troops at Rabaul bombard each other:


Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16886 troops, 148 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 716

Defending force 54571 troops, 925 guns, 1212 vehicles, Assault Value = 1936

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Assaulting units:
19th Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
86th Naval Guard Unit
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
87th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
63rd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
15th Base Force
35th Fld AA Gun Co
6th JNAF Coy
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
5th Base Force /3
44th Field AA Battalion
50th Field AA Battalion
55th Field AA Battalion
35th Field AA Battalion
30th Fld AA Gun Co
16th AA Regiment
1st Fleet
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Air Div /1

Defending units:
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
112th Cavalry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
34th Infantry Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
25th Infantry Division
8th NZ Brigade
4th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment



Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1710 troops, 129 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 1922

Defending force 25807 troops, 354 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 704



Assaulting units:
145th Infantry Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
34th Infantry Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
22nd Marine Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
132nd Infantry Regiment
112th Cavalry Regiment
8th NZ Brigade
98th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
86th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
18th Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
65th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
6th JNAF Coy
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
15th Base Force
35th Fld AA Gun Co
44th Field AA Battalion
50th Field AA Battalion
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
5th Base Force /3
1st Fleet
55th Field AA Battalion
16th AA Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Air Div /1



Looks like Dave has about the same size garrison here as he did at Hansa Bay. I was expecting 2 1/2 divisions but as it turns out there are only naval guards and SNLF here....not one regular IJA division. Rabaul should be a much easier nut to crack than Hansa Bay was.

Fifth Air force sends its medium bombers to ground attack the Rabaul garrison while the heavy bombers completely close the AF at Manus....and one of the 4Es shoots down a Tojo.

P-38s sweep Manus and kill a few more Tojos.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS....NORTHERN AUSTRALIA


The B-25D1s at Darwin hit an IJN convoy trying to bring in supplies to Merauke:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dobo at 85,120

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tatsuha Maru, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
PB Kure Maru #5, Shell hits 9



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



The sooner I take Merauke the better off we will be.



CENTPAC


Another big air battle over Tabiteuea as Dave sends in A6M2s to sweep. Overall Japan loses 26 AC in A2A combat vs 6 Allied AC. Individual losses include 30 A6M2s, 8 Tojos, 4 P-40Ks, 3 F4F-3s and 3 P-38Gs.

I staged in a fresh VMF squadron with F4F-4s to Tabiteuea this turn to cover a couple fast transport TFs that will be arriving with supplies. Hopefully one of these TFs makes it through the Japanese bombers.

[racndoc]

4/11-4/12/43


CENTPAC


Another big air battle over Tabiteuea as fast transport TFs bring in badly needed supplies.

Now that we have over 1000 supplies on the ground I staged in a fresh F4U-1 squadron with legendary Joe Foss.

Dave has been mostly avoiding the Allied air forces over the Admiralties, Bismarcks and New Guinea but Im definitely getting the aerial attrition battle I had been seeking here in the central Pacific. Japan has lost 250-300 AC over Tabiteuea during the last month. Japan has now lost 900 more AC than the Allies.

CV Wasp now has a repair estimate of less than 10 days while CV Enterprise has a repair estimate just under 2 weeks.


SOPAC


LSTs continue to drop supplies on the beach at Rabaul.

All of XIV Corps artillery has now arrived at Rabaul so a deliberate attack is ordered for next turn.



CBI


Eastern Army advances to the Salween River:


Ground combat at 56,54 (near Moulmein)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 138260 troops, 2047 guns, 1983 vehicles, Assault Value = 5357

Defending force 690 troops, 0 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Allied adjusted assault: 2947

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 2947 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 92 (92 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
22nd (East African) Brigade
13th Indian Brigade
2nd Burma Brigade
12th Indian Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
17th Indian Division
111th Chindit Brigade
18th British Division
46th Indian Division
16th Canadian Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment
88th Chinese Division
22nd Indian Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
6th Indian Brigade
7th Australian Division
16th British Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
36th Chinese Division
45th Indian Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
6th British Brigade
27th Infantry Division
BFF Brigade
14th British Brigade
29th British Brigade
5th British Brigade
23rd British Brigade
4th British Brigade
9th Australian Division
2/9th Field Regiment
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
2/11th Field Regiment
XV Indian Corps
8th Medium Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Tank Regiment


There is a telephone pole of 76 Japanese LCUs staring at me on the other side of the Salweeen in Moulmein.

I will probably call for a complete halt of the Allied advance here as I have achieved my primary objective.....opening the Burma Road....and I am now in very good defensive terrain.

I will pull all of I Australian Corps out of the CBI now and send it back to Oz to join up with II Australian Corps in the advance north from Darwin through the DEI.

The Chinese Red Army in Burma will also be withdrawn....take on replacements until maxed out....and then be sent back to China. The Red Chinese Army will number almost 1500 AV when fully built out.


Large air battle over Rangoon as Japan tries to regain air superiority in this theatre. Between Rangoon and Tabiteuea Japan loses 24 Tojos, 13 Oscars and 5 A6M2s vs Allied losses of 14 P-40Ks,10 Hurricane IIcs, and 5 F4F-4s.

In China....Dave has somehow marched 1800 AV of troops onto Nanning...they must have marched in from Indochina as I didnt see them coming. I only have 600 AV of Chinese at Nanning but more troops are marching in from the railhead at Liuchow.

[racndoc]

4/13-4/14/43


SOPAC


USN landing craft continue to drop supplies on the beach at Rabaul:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 13, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

119 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Leander
SC-522
LST-18
LST-24
LST-19



CL Leander firing at 15th Base Force
SC-522 fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Rabaul (106,125)

TF 62 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 106,125



The Tokyo Express shows up at Rabaul and annihilates the Allied amphib TF during a night battle:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
SC-522, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LST-18, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
LST-19, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
LST-24, Shell hits 21, and is sunk




Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 60% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CL Leander engages CA Chikuma at 7,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages LST-24 at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Leander engages CA Chikuma at 5,000 yards
CA Tone engages CL Leander at 5,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages LST-24 at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CL Leander at 2,000 yards
SC-522 sunk by CA Chikuma at 2,000 yards
CL Leander engages DD Yugumo at 2,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CL Leander at 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CL Leander
CL Leander sunk by CA Tone at 2,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages LST-19 at 2,000 yards
LST-19 sunk by DD Yugumo at 2,000 yards
LST-24 sunk by DD Yugumo at 2,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages LST-18 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages LST-18 at 3,000 yards
CA Tone engages LST-18 at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages LST-18 at 2,000 yards
LST-18 sunk by CA Chikuma at 2,000 yards
LST-18 sunk by CA Chikuma at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


When daylight arrives the B-25D1s get a measure of revenge on the marauding IJN CAs:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13
P-40K Warhawk x 5


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 9, Bomb hits 1
CA Tone, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 14
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 7



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb





Another IJN surface TF wipes out some xAKLs unloading at Lihir:

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

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Kiso
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
AM Deloraine, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAKL Kahuku, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAKL Manini, Shell hits 20, and is sunk




Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 60% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
CL Abukuma engages AM Deloraine at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages AM Deloraine at 9,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages xAKL Kahuku at 9,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages xAKL Kahuku at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
AM Deloraine sunk by CL Abukuma at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages xAKL Kahuku at 2,000 yards
xAKL Kahuku sunk by DD Tanikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages xAKL Manini at 2,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages xAKL Manini at 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages xAKL Manini at 2,000 yards
xAKL Manini sunk by CL Abukuma at 2,000 yards
xAKL Manini sunk by CL Abukuma at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...




XIV Corps launches a pair of attacks at Rabaul:


Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52844 troops, 960 guns, 1239 vehicles, Assault Value = 1892

Defending force 25394 troops, 352 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 665

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 2379

Japanese adjusted defense: 455

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
2345 casualties reported
Squads: 73 destroyed, 121 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 98 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 60 (26 destroyed, 34 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3309 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 373 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 73 disabled
Guns lost 75 (2 destroyed, 73 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)


Assaulting units:
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
112th Cavalry Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
19th Infantry Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
25th Infantry Division
8th NZ Brigade
209th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
165th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
86th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
65th Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
19th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
16th AA Regiment
55th Field AA Battalion
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
44th Field AA Battalion
35th Fld AA Gun Co
30th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Fleet
15th Base Force
6th JNAF Coy
35th Field AA Battalion
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
50th Field AA Battalion
5th Base Force /3
4th Air Div /1




Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 50437 troops, 959 guns, 1240 vehicles, Assault Value = 1539

Defending force 22812 troops, 331 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 475

Allied adjusted assault: 1379

Japanese adjusted defense: 261

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
2190 casualties reported
Squads: 73 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 47 (19 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1567 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 173 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 52 disabled
Guns lost 43 (4 destroyed, 39 disabled)


Assaulting units:
19th Infantry Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
145th Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
34th Infantry Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
112th Cavalry Regiment
8th NZ Brigade
209th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
63rd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
41st Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
5th Base Force /3
55th Field AA Battalion
6th JNAF Coy
30th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Fleet
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
15th Base Force
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
16th AA Regiment
35th Fld AA Gun Co
50th Field AA Battalion



The good news is that we were able to get 5:1 odds on the Japanese. The bad news is that SOPAC took disproportionately higher casualties than the Japanese.

I'll rest the infantry next turn and let the artillery bombard away.



CENTPAC


Major air battle over Tabiteuea this turn as Allied fast transport TFs drop off supplies. The Japanese score 4 bomb hits on AV Tangier and she was disbanded in port with heavy damage.

The F4U-1s are dominant in the skiies as Japan loses another 51 Oscars, 40 A6M2s and 7 Helens in air attacks this turn.

Additional fast transport TFs will arrive at Tabiteuea next and it appears as if we might be able to survive the supply crisis here.

Dave is rapidly building up his defenses on Tarawa and Makin however....there are now over 6000 troops on Tarawa and over 4000 troops on Makin.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS....NORTHERN AUSTRALIA


Dave laid a trap for the B-25D1s last turn. He sailed BB Ise into range of Darwin.....knowing that 500 lb bombs would bounce off of her....and then LRCAPed her with 30 Oscars and A6M2s:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Babar at 75,117

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Babar at 76,118

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 9 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (25 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
25 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead





14 of the 16 B-25D1s were lost and the squadron will now be withdrawn to rest and rebuild.



CBI


Bettys unsuccessfully attack Allied shipping near Rangoon:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 51,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9



Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Orna
xAK Tornus
xAK Dagfred



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMD-254 with F4U-1 Corsair (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36800
Raid is overhead
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 34000
Raid is overhead
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000
Raid is overhead




Japan captures Nanning in a surprising 6:1 assault:



Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47604 troops, 444 guns, 379 vehicles, Assault Value = 1789

Defending force 20202 troops, 101 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 607

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1294

Allied adjusted defense: 215

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nanning !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SB-III: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 11 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
1328 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled


Allied ground losses:
9257 casualties reported
Squads: 256 destroyed, 110 disabled
Non Combat: 356 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 39 (33 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 10


Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
8th Division
12th Division
38th Division
18th Division
10th Tank Regiment

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


A squadron of P-40Ks that was based at Nanning to provide CAP was lost.


Im sure now that this Japanese army crossed the border from Indochina. This previously quiet backwater was the soft underbelly of my China defenses...the road is now open to Liuchow and Japan will be able cut the Chinese railroad that runs from Tuyun to Changsha.

Im railing troops in from all over China as there is virtually nothing in the area that can stand up to the 1800 AV Japanese army. Im flying in an anti-tank gun regiment from Burma and another from Sian to help slow down the IJA armor regiments.

[racndoc]

4/15-4/16/43


SUBS


SS I-34 sinks AVD Ballard near Tabiteuea.

SS Snapper puts a torpedo in xAK Montreal Maru by Hengchun.

SS Hoe sinks LB-132 near Aitape.

SS I-176 sinks xAK Yenangyaung off Rangoon.

SS I-160 sinks xAK Pardo off Rangoon.

SS RO-106 sinks xAK Testbank off Rangoon.



CENTPAC


No aerial attacks on Tabiteuea last turn for the 1st time in several weeks due to the drubbing the Japanese air force has received here.

AVD Ballard was on a fast transport mission but was sunk by an IJN before it reached Tabiteuea.

CL Kuma struck 2 mines off Makin.



SOPAC


XIV Corps bombards the Japanese defenders at Rabaul:

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2130 troops, 168 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 1435

Defending force 20780 troops, 312 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 330



Assaulting units:
25th Infantry/B Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
112th Cavalry Regiment
25th Infantry/A Division
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
145th Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
8th NZ Brigade
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment
25th Infantry/C Division
165th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
98th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
209th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
18th Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
63rd Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
50th Field AA Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Maizuru 1st SNLF
42nd Naval Guard Unit
35th Fld AA Gun Co
16th AA Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
44th Field AA Battalion
86th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force
35th Field AA Battalion
55th Field AA Battalion
1st Fleet
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
5th Base Force /3
6th JNAF Coy
4th Air Div /1



LSTs continue to unload supplies on the beach at Rabaul.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS......NORTHERN AUSTRALIA


BB Ise tries to engage Allied shipping near Darwin in a night action:

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

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
DD Uzuki
DD Minazuki

Allied Ships
AM Rail
xAK Steel Seafarer



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 82% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat




After Dave used BB Ise for bait 2 turns ago to wipe out a B-25D1 squadron I staged in a squadron of TBFs to Bathhurst. As daylight breaks....BB Ise is hovering near the northern coast of Australia and is hit hard by Marine TBs:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Babar at 75,119

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 24
TBF-1 Avenger x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 6 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
25 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 25 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes


Im not sure if Bb Ise will sink from this damage so every Allied sub in the area will be vectored to intercept the IJN battleship on its way back to port.



CBI


The Chinese reinforcements to Nanning arrive a day too late to stop the big Japanese assault but just in time to get creamed by the Japanese army there:


Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37852 troops, 371 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 1678

Defending force 2647 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113

Japanese adjusted assault: 665

Allied adjusted defense: 15

Japanese assault odds: 44 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
900 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 109 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
18th Division
9th Tank Regiment
12th Division
38th Division
8th Division
10th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
46th Chinese/B Corps



Japan launches another attack just outside of Kanhsien:


Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6543 troops, 44 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 274

Defending force 11614 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 371

Japanese adjusted assault: 79

Allied adjusted defense: 257

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
457 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 98 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled


Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
71st Chinese/A Corps
14th Chinese/C Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps


A 1:3 attack in good defensive terrain but the Chinese suffer extreme casualties from the IJA armor. With this attack and the previous loss of Nanning the Chinese are in dangaer of Losing Kukong and Wuchow as well as Liuchow....our entire defensive position is southern China could collapse. Im thinking of sending some SEAC troops to China to deal with the menace of Japanese armor.


Dave intercepts an Allied convoy carrying supplies to Rangoon:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,54, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
xAK Nurani, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Orna, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Pardo
xAK Testbank, Shell hits 2
xAK Tornus, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yenangyaung
xAK Dagfred, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Ima, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
YMS BYMS-2005, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS BYMS-2006, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Low visibility due to Rain with 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 82% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
YMS BYMS-2006 sunk by BB Musashi at 4,000 yards
YMS BYMS-2005 sunk by BB Yamato at 4,000 yards
BB Yamato engages xAK Ima at 4,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages xAK Ima at 4,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages xAK Orna at 4,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages xAK Nurani at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
xAK Ima sunk by BB Yamato at 6,000 yards
BB Yamato engages xAK Testbank at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Musashi engages xAK Dagfred at 4,000 yards
BB Yamato engages xAK Tornus at 4,000 yards
DD Ushio engages xAK Tornus at 4,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages xAK Testbank at 4,000 yards
xAK Orna sunk by BB Yamato at 4,000 yards
xAK Nurani sunk by BB Musashi at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
xAK Dagfred sunk by BB Yamato at 3,000 yards
BB Musashi engages xAK Tornus at 3,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages xAK Testbank at 3,000 yards
xAK Tornus sunk by BB Musashi at 3,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...



As posted above the 3 IJN subs in the area finish off 3 of the survivors from this TF.

I almost think this loss of ships and materiel was worth it for the intel it provides. Dave has already lost 6 BBs and now BB Ise has been seriously damaged. That leaves 5 BBs total for Japan....and her 2 most powerful BBs are in the Andaman Sea. That means that my upcoming CENTPAC and SOPAC offensives can only be countered by a max of 3 IJN BBs.

[racndoc]

4/17-4/18/43



SUBS


SS S-46 sinks LB-125 off Vanimo.

SS Shad sinks xAK Nitiai Maru near Ailinglaplap.

SS I-37 sinks xAKL Santa Ana by Rangoon.



CENTPAC


Quiet in the Gilberts and Marshalls. No air battles over Tabiteuea for a few turns....Dave is probably tired of being on the wrong end of the aerial attrition. We now have over 2000 supplies at Tabiteuea.

SIGINT reports that CL Kuma sank near Makin from striking the 2 mines.

I staged in a VMSB squadron with SBD-3s to Tabiteuea in case Japanese surface TFs come back.

The Japanese are building up rapidly now at Tarawa....there are over 8000 troops there now....virtually all brought in by transport AC.



CBI


With the halt of Eastern Army on the Salween River.....its not so critical to mass supplies in Rangoon. Dave has commited a huge force to stop Allied resupply by sea....BB Yamato and BB Musashi and a half dozen subs.....but we seem to be able to draw supplies down the coast road from Chittagong-Cox's Bazaar-Akyab-Prome so I will suspend the naval resupply operations.

Instead...Ive changed the arrows to draw most of the supply in Burma to Mandalay and from there I hope to draw it into China.

Dave continues the push on Kanhsien. He uses most of the IJAAF in China to bomb Chinese defensive positions in front of Kansien and launched another assault this turn:


Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6361 troops, 44 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 248

Defending force 11070 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 277

Japanese adjusted assault: 182

Allied adjusted defense: 187

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
657 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 75 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
448 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
14th Chinese/C Corps
71st Chinese/A Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment


I had just managed to reinforce the position with an anti-tank regiment but they didnt seem to knock out any tanks last turn. As usual....I have reinforcements on the way but its a question if I can hold out until the calvary arrives. Im going to LRCAP this defensive position next turn with nearly 100 fighters so we should see a pretty big air battle next turn. If Dave wins this ground battle near Kanhsien I will have to withdraw from Wuchow and face the prospect of a Japanese advance on Kukong from 3 directions.

All the heavy bombers of Tenth Air Force are now based in China and they will target the Japanese outside of Kanhsien next turn.



SOPAC RESUMES THE OFFENSIVE


Dave sent his CLs down to Rabaul to hammer an Allied landing craft TF unloading on the beach there:



Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Kinu
E Hayabusa

Allied Ships
DM Gamble, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-454, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
LST-456, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-458, Shell hits 24, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 29,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Okuma, Masakichi crosses the 'T'
CL Yura engages DM Gamble at 19,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-454 at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 17,000 yards
E Hayabusa engages LST-454 at 17,000 yards
Massive explosion on LST-454
CL Yura engages LST-454 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 15,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-454 at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 11,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-456 at 11,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-454 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 7,000 yards
CL Yura engages DM Gamble at 7,000 yards
CL Kinu engages LST-454 at 7,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 7,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-458 at 7,000 yards
DM Gamble engages E Hayabusa at 7,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-454 at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages LST-458 at 6,000 yards
E Hayabusa engages DM Gamble at 6,000 yards
E Hayabusa engages LST-454 at 6,000 yards
Massive explosion on DM Gamble
CL Yura engages DM Gamble at 6,000 yards
CL Yura engages DM Gamble at 6,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-456 at 6,000 yards
E Hayabusa engages LST-454 at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 5,000 yards
CL Kinu engages LST-456 at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Kinu engages LST-458 at 3,000 yards
CL Yura engages DM Gamble at 3,000 yards
DM Gamble engages E Hayabusa at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 2,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-458 at 2,000 yards
E Hayabusa engages LST-456 at 2,000 yards
CL Kinu engages LST-458 at 2,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-458 at 2,000 yards
DM Gamble engages E Hayabusa at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 4,000 yards
LST-458 sunk by CL Yura at 4,000 yards
E Hayabusa engages DM Gamble at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Kinu engages LST-456 at 9,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-456 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL Kinu engages LST-456 at 15,000 yards
CL Yura engages DM Gamble at 15,000 yards
DM Gamble engages E Hayabusa at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DM Gamble at 19,000 yards
CL Yura engages LST-456 at 19,000 yards
Okuma, Masakichi orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 24,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...



This was a daylight surface battle but none of the 60 SBD-3s stationed next door at Feni Is. attempted to intercept the IJN surface TF.

Ive been sending the landing craft TFs to Rabaul for the last couple of weeks to get Dave used to seeing landing craft TFs in the area. I had 2 landing craft TFs waiting just south of Rabaul that were blending in with the Rabaul resupply TFs...but these landing craft TFs were loaded with the US Army 108th Regiment instead of supplies....and this turn they assaulted Kavieng:



Pre-Invasion action off Kavieng (106,122)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC PC-1077
APA President Polk


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


SC PC-1077 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kavieng (106,122)

TF 352 troops unloading over beach at Kavieng, 106,122


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kavieng (106,122)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
LST-21
LST-23
DD Abbot



CL De Ruyter firing at 20th JNAF AF Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kavieng (106,122)

TF 397 troops unloading over beach at Kavieng, 106,122


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




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Kavieng (106,122)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Ceres
LST-459
LST-465
DD Conway


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


CL Ceres firing at 20th JNAF AF Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Kavieng (106,122)

TF 399 troops unloading over beach at Kavieng, 106,122


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



Surprise was complete and absolute here. USN carriers stayed in port and the entire amphibious operation was LRCAPed by over 100 Hellcats, F4F-4s and F4U-1s based at Lihir.

The 108th Regiment will assault the Japanese on Kavieng next turn.

XIV Corps at Rabaul bombarded again:


Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2130 troops, 169 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 1523

Defending force 20666 troops, 308 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 324

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



Assaulting units:
22nd Marine Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry/A Division
132nd Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry/B Division
112th Cavalry Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
145th Infantry Regiment
8th NZ Brigade
25th Infantry/C Division
4th Field Artillery Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
209th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
97th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
46th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
86th Naval Guard Unit
44th Field AA Battalion
50th Field AA Battalion
35th Fld AA Gun Co
6th JNAF Coy
55th Field AA Battalion
35th Field AA Battalion
5th Base Force /3
Maizuru 1st SNLF
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
1st Fleet
15th Base Force
16th AA Regiment
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment




A deliberate assault will be ordered next turn.

CV Wasp has 3 days remaining to complete repairs at Auckland. CV Enterprise has 7 days remaining to complete her repairs at Sydney. Another VF squadron converts over to Hellcats.

The calm before the storm is almost over.

[racndoc]

4/19/43.......THE AIR WAR


Its been quite some time since I posted on the Air War but Dave is on vacation this week so the turns are slow.

Japan has now lost 8600 AC to 7655 Allied AC or about 12% more AC. In A2A combat....Japan has lost 3966 AC vs Allied losses of 3317 AC or about 18% more.

Here is a screeenshot of Japanese plane losses by type. Notice that the Tojo has jumped in front of the Nate and now has the 3rd most losses of any Japanese plane type.

[racndoc]

4/19/43....THE AIR WAR



Here is a screenshot of Allied aircraft losses by plane type. The F4F-4 has moved up into 3rd place as VF and VMF squadrons have been carrying on the bulk of the fighting in SWPAC and SOPAC due to the current shortage of US Army fighters. The P-40E and P-39D losses should be nearly frozen in place as both are now out of production.

The C-47 has moved up into 4th place with nearly all their losses due to ops. I expect the C-47 to be at the top of the list by mid 1944.

[racndoc]

4/19/43......THE AIR WAR



I've attached a screenshot of the top Allied pilots to date. I was a bit surprised that 19 of the top 23 pilots were USAAF but maybe that helps to explain why I have severe shortages of all USAAF fighter plane types. I was also surprised to see a half dozen Chinese aces on page 2 and 3 of the roster. There are also some VMF and VF pilots that are rising stars and it will only be a matter of time until they reach the 1st page of the roster.

One squadron really stands out for "Top Gun" status...the USAAF 18thFG/78thFS that has done the bulk of the fighting over Tabiteuea. There are 20 pilots left in that squadron....7 are double aces and 5 are aces. I can't wait to upgrade these boys to P-47D2s.

[racndoc]

45/19-4/20/43



SUBS


SS S-27 sinks LB-501 near Aitape.

SS Amberjack puts a torpedo in TK Kaijo Maru off Taytay.





SWPAC



The B-25D1s hammer a small IJN convoy off Aitape:



Morning Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 95,118

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 33



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tensyo Maru, Shell hits 10, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Meiko Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (33 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
33 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (36 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
36 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead


There still seems to be a lot of Japanese naval activity off the coast of New Guinea by Aitape.

Ive sent in several seabee units to Madang by xAPs and now they are furiously building up the airfields and ports at Madang and Hansa Bay.







CENTPAC


Dave resumes the aerial assault on Tabiteuea with Helens escorted by Oscars.

The airfield at Tabiteuea remains open as Japan loses 52 AC in A2A combat vs 21 Allied AC. Individual plane losses this turn include 49 Oscars, 12 Helens, 5 Tojos, 5 Nicks, 17 P-40Ks, 8 F4F-4s and 5 B-25D1s.


The 18thFG/78thFS fighter squadron on Tabiteuea lost 3 P-40Ks in the air battle but all 20 pilots survived. Of those 20 pilots....there is now 1 triple ace, 6 double aces and 7 aces. Of the 6 remaining pilots....3 are one kill short of being an ace.




SOPAC


Big turn for SOPAC. First...the US Army 108th Regiment captures Kavieng with a pair of shock attacks:


Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3596 troops, 76 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Defending force 1281 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Allied adjusted assault: 214

Japanese adjusted defense: 25

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kavieng !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
108th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
18th Garrison Unit /2
20th JNAF AF Unit
36th Const Co
C./50th JNAF Coy



Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3582 troops, 76 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Defending force 1073 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied adjusted assault: 95

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 95 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
108th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
18th Garrison Unit /2
C./50th JNAF Coy
20th JNAF AF Unit
36th Const Co /1


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

C./50th JNAF Coy Wiped Out at Kavieng by attrition!!!


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





Then.....XIV Corps captures Rabaul in final massive assault:



Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 49063 troops, 960 guns, 1229 vehicles, Assault Value = 1555

Defending force 20291 troops, 305 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 289

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1618

Japanese adjusted defense: 207

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
5819 casualties reported
Squads: 254 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 336 destroyed, 80 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 147 (140 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 121 (121 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 28
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
1296 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 117 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 34 (1 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Units pursuing 1


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
19th Infantry Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
112th Cavalry Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
22nd Marine Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
8th NZ Brigade
4th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
209th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
46th Naval Guard Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
55th Field AA Battalion
86th Naval Guard Unit
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
5th Base Force /3
35th Fld AA Gun Co
16th AA Regiment
8th Indpt SNLF Coy
50th Field AA Battalion
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Base Force
35th Field AA Battalion
44th Field AA Battalion
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Fleet
Maizuru 1st SNLF
6th JNAF Coy
4th Air Div /1


The surviving Japanese troops from Rabaul....28 LCUs with over 250 AV...are retreated into the jungles of New Guinea. Im going to try to trap and kill the remaining Japanese troops here before XIV Corps moves on to its next objective.

This brings the SOPAC campaign for New Britain to a close. XIV Corps landed at Gasmata in January 1943 and it has taken over 3 months to march on Rabaul and secure it. Rabaul is perhaps my favorite anchorage in the Pacific for the Allies west of Pearl Harbor. Although it can only be enlarged to a level 8 AF and a level 7 port....it is easy to defend against a Japanese carrier strike as it is surrounded by the island barrier of the Bismarcks, Admiralties and the northern Solomons.

Fifth Air Force had been very busy the last 6 months trying to neutralize the large(size 4 or larger) Japanese airfields at Rabaul, Kavieng and Manus. Now in one turn.....SOPAC captures 2 of those AFs. Now only the level 4 AF at Manus and the level 1 AF at Mussau remain. There are no more Japanese airfields in range to the north or east of Rabaul so Fifth Air Force can now turn its attention to the chain of Japanese airfields on the north coast of New Guinea.

Rabaul will be our main forward base in the Pacific now until Babeldaob is captured. Allied xAPs and xAKs now will be extremely busy as we move all the troops, base forces, engineers, supplies and fuel from the rear area SOPAC bases at Noumea and Luganville to Rabaul. As XIV Corps mops up the Japanese stragglers on New Britain the troops will begin preparing for their next objectives in the Carolines and Paulaus. We can now pretty much strip most of our rear area bases in the Solomons, the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea to provide engineers and base forces for our next round of advances.

CV Wasp will complete repairs this next turn and CV Enterprise will complete her repairs in 5 days.

[racndoc]

4/21-4/22/43


CBI


Quiet in Burma as I have halted Eastern Army north of the Salween River.

I have 2000 AV of Eastern Army forces....mostly armor and mechanized....plus over 1000 AV of the Red Chinese Army on the march from Lashio into China to help restore the situation there.

Ive shut off the supply draw arrows in Rangoon and all the bases on the Indo-Burmese border....and turned on the supply draw arrows around Mandalay and central Burma....and now supply at Rangoon is down to 25,000 while the Mandalay/Shwebo/Meiktila complex in central Burma now has over 60,000 supplies. Next turn Im shutting down the supply draw arrows in central Burma and turning them on in western China and we will see how much supply I can suck into China.

Dave has momentarily halted his offensives at Nanning and Kanhsien....it looks like he has pulled troops out of Nanning and is bringing in reinforcements to Kanhsien before he resumes his advance on Kukong from the east. Another IJA force has left Canton and is advancing on Kukong from the south.

Heavy bombers from Tenth Air Force.....now mostly based at Chungking....pound Japanese positions to the east and SE of Kukong.

Quiet in central and northern China.



SOPAC


SOPAC launches a couple more 100:1 attacks at Kavieng in an attempt to clear out the remaining IJA defenders there.

Construction engineers and base forces stream into both kavieng and Rabaul. Kavieng AF becomes operational this turn and Allied fighters are staged in. The AF and port at Rabaul are still repairing damage and Im using amphibious lift to bring in more seabees.

SOPAC captures the last remaining Japanese base on New Britain with an armored attack on Talasea:


Ground combat at Talasea (103,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 765 troops, 3 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Defending force 577 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 60

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Talasea !!!

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

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



Assaulting units:
766th Tank Battalion

Defending units:
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
25th Air Flotilla /1




GILBERTS TUREKEY SHOOT


Dave goes _all in_ this turn in an attempt to shut down the CENTPAC AF at Tabiteuea. I staged in a 2nd VMF squadron with F4U-1s this last turn and they were faced with an immediate onslaught of Japanese land based and carrier based AC.

First.....Japan hits Tabiteuea with fighters and bombers based in the Gilberts and marshalls:


Morning Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 2 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 6 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 6 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes



Morning Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 4 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 4



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 29


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Tai Yin, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34000 , scrambling fighters to 32270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 10



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 34000
Raid is overhead
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 4



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers




Then Dave sends in the KB in an attempt to overwhelm the exhausted Allied fighter squadrons:



Afternoon Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 132
B5N2 Kate x 24
D3A1 Val x 45



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 27


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
DD Kilty, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


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


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 34000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes

Also attacking Tabiteuea ...
Also attacking Tabiteuea ...
Also attacking Tabiteuea ...
Also attacking Tabiteuea ...
Also attacking Tabiteuea ...
Also attacking Tabiteuea ...


Afternoon Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A1 Val x 23



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed


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


Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tabiteuea , at 137,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A1 Val x 18



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged



Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4U-1 Corsair (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 36800 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-441 with F4U-1 Corsair (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 36800 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/78th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers




When the smoke has cleared Japan has lost an astounding 142 AC in A2A combat vs 14 Allied AC. Overall this turn....Japan loses 176 AC vs 36 Allied AC. Individual plane losses include 105 A6M2s, 29 Vals, 21 Oscars, 14 Helens, 9 Sallys, 5 Tojos, 9 F4U-1s, 6 F4F-4s, 6 P-40Ks and 3 SBD-3s destoyed on the ground.

Nine of the 36 pilots of VMF-122 and VMF-441 reach ace status this turn and 3 more pilots of 18thFG/78thFS become aces. VMF-441 now has 15 aces out of 18 pilots on its roster while VMF-122 has 7 aces out of 17 pilots on its roster and 18thFG/78thFS has 14 aces out of 17 pilots on its roster.


I didnt think that Dave would sortie KB to protect Makin and Tarawa in the Gilberts but here he has commited KB to just to help reduce the CENTPAC base at Tabiteuea. I have over a dozen subs currently patrolling the Marshalls and Gilberts and this turn I will send another dozen subs to the area. Dave lost CV Junyo to a USN sub when KB last sailed these waters in March 1943 so I am very surprised to see KB return now.

Japan has at least carrier equality at this point in the war and usually has a slight carrier superiority. The biggest deterrent to an Allied amphibious advance at this stage of the war is Japan's ability to hide KB in its interior lines only to suddenly appear when the Allies begin an offensive. Here.... Japan has exposed KB for little gain just as the Allies were about to launch their next amphibious advance.

CV Wasp completes her repairs this turn at Auckland and leaves port for the south Pacific. CV Enterprise has a repair estimate of 3 days. I was just getting ready to load USMC assault forces for Makin and Tarawa but I am now reconsidering. Even though CV Junyo has been sunk and Dave lost the equivalent of another CV deckload of A6M2s and Vals last turn...recon shows that his carriers still carry over 260 fighters and 320 bombers. The level 4 AF at Tarawa and the level 3 AF at Makin hold another 200 fighters and bombers and of course Nells and Bettys could be staged in at a moments notice.

To borrow an old football cliche I think in a situation like this you have to "take what the defense gives you" or to borrow a Civil War cliche...."hit 'em where they aint". The resumption of the CENTPAC offensive into the Gilberts may need to be put on hold for just a bit.

[House Stark]

*bump*

This AAR is far too good to languish on the second/third page. Hope it gets resumed soon.

[racndoc]

Thanx House Stark....Dave was on vacation last week and I just received my 1st turn back in a week.



4/23-4/24/43



SUBS


SS S-42 sinks LB-102 near Aitape.

SS Seal sinks PB Tokihima Maru near balikpappan.



CBI


Quiet in Burma.

The supply draw from Burma into China is working very well. Two weeks ago I had maybe 13,000 supplies in Chungking and 5000 supplies at Changsha but now there are over 33,000 supplies at Chungking and 12,000 supplies at Changsha.

Dave really likes to make use of his ports on the Chinese coast to move troops around. His thrust on Nanning has suddenly halted and now there is a force of 7 LCUs marching from Canton to Wuchow. I wouldnt be surprised if the 7 LCUs are 7 divisions that Dave shipped in by sea to Canton.

Im evacuating Wuchow now under the cover of Tenth Air Force as massed heasvy bombers and 3 squadrons of Vengeance DBs will hit the IJA forces advancing in clear terrain on Wuchow.


P-38s based at Rangoon sweep Bangkok. Ive received numerous reports over the last few turns of AA gun units being shipped to Bangkok so Dave is expecting me to eventually unleash a massive aerial bombardment here.



SOPAC

Allied armor at Talasea launch a 27:1 attack on the remaining Japanese troops in the hex.

Seabees and BFs continue to flow into Kavieng and Rabaul. The port and AF at Rabaul are still being repaired. Im in the process of shipping 2 USN base forces to Rabaul as I will need their naval support to unload all the troops and supplies there for future operations.



CENTPAC


With 4 IJN air combat TFs in the Gilberts last turn I was expecting a naval bombardment of Tabiteuea this turn so I evacuated the 2 F4U-1 squadrons back to Lunga. However...all was quiet last turn as KB was last seen withdrawing to the NW.....a probable destination of Truk. KB should reach Truk this next turn and rebuild her decimated carrier groups. No aerial bombardment of Tabiteuea this turn as Japanese land based bombers lick their wounds.


Allied BBs and carriers continue to mass in the south Pacific as plans go forward for an amphibious assault in the Gilberts. CV Enterprise will complete repairs at Sydney next turn and then she will rejoin the fleet.

Ive posted a screenshot of Japanese bases in the Gilberts and Marshalls. The operational plan for the CENTPAC invasion of the Gilberts calls for neutralization of the Japanese AFs at Tarawa and Makin on D-Day minus one. That still leaves 2 level 4 AFs and 2 level 3 AFs in the Marshalls that Dave can use for naval bombers. Dave can stage in land based Vals and Kates to Mili and Wotje and Netties to Maloelap and Roi-Namur.


When I began planning for the resumption of the Gilberts offensive 3 months ago I didnt think that Dave would commit the Combined Fleet here to defend such a peripheral target. Now Im starting to have some reservations about this entire operation. Im going to proceed with the offensive preparations for the moment but I need to get some long range recon over the Marshalls before I completely commit to going forward.

[Wirraway_Ace]

I cannot understand why the continued Japanese attempts to suppress Tibiteuea. While it is an important base for beginning an Allied offensive in the Gilberts, with Lae and Rabual in MacArthur's hands, the Gilberts are now only a side show.

[racndoc]

Wirrayway_Ace...I completely agree with you in regards to Japan's efforts to neutralize Tabiteuea while the Allies buildup at Rabaul, Lae, Madang, Hansa Bay and Kavieng.

Besides the latter 4 bases being more of a threat to Japan than any possible Allied actions in the Gilberts.....the CENTPAC move into both the Gilberts and the Marshalls is strictly diversionary.....I guess that Ive created a pretty good diversion.





4/25-4/28/43



CBI



Dave naval bombards Rangoon with CAs that sail up the Irrawaddy River and then naval bombards Pegu with BB Yamato and BB Musashi:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 25, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Rangoon at 54,53

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 23 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Vildebeest III: 11 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Ushio
DD Kawakaze


Allied ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Light Industry hits 1
Airbase hits 10
Runway hits 39
Port hits 3

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Haguro
CA Haguro firing at Rangoon
DD Ushio firing at Rangoon
DD Kawakaze firing at Rangoon



Night Naval bombardment of Pegu at 55,53

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hatsuzuki


Allied ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 50 (30 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 17
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 5

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Musashi
BB Musashi firing at Pegu
BB Yamato firing at Pegu
DD Shiratsuyu firing at Pegu
DD Hatsuzuki firing at 111th Chindit Brigade


The Allies lose a few planes on the ground at Rangoon. I have 2 squadrons of PBYs at Rangoon plus a squadron of Vildebeest TBs but not only dont the TBs launch a strike on the IJN bombardment TFs but the PBYs dont spot either TF.

Thats ok though as I have confirmation of Japan's 2 most powerful BBs in the Andaman Sea. I have upcoming amphibious assaults for CENTPAc, SOPAC and II Australian Corps and its nice to know that the IJN's most powerful ships are haplessly sailing around in B.F. Egypt.

On the other side of the coin...SIGINT reports that BB Ise was not sunk when it was hit by 3 torpedoes from Avengers. That means Japan still has 6 BBs but I dont expext to see Bb Ise back at sea until 1944.



In China....IJA troops invest Wuchow. Im still trying to evacuate the hex and I have the heavy bombers of Tenth Air Force plus RAF DBs bombing the IJA units at Wuchow.



SOPAC

Rabaul has completed repairs of its AF and port facilities and we have landed 2 USN BFs and a USN Port Service engineer unit so there is now 230 naval support there for future unloading.

XIV Corps LCUs close in on the remaining Japanese stragglers in the jungle outside of Rabaul. Fifth Air Force medium bombers hit the IJA troops on New Britain every turn while the heavy bombers have been suppressing Japanese level 4 AFs at both Wewak and Aitape.

SOPAC armor clears out the remaining IJA troops at Talasea.



CENTPAC

The largest concentration of Allied capital ships in the war....7 CVs, 8 CVEs, 1 CVL, 14 BBs and over a score of CAs mass and refuel about 400 miles to the NE of Espirutu Santo in preparation for the upcoming Gilberts offensive.

Ive attached a csreenshot of Japanese bases in the Marshalls and Gilberts after doing a lot of long range recon and it appears as if Dave has turned Maloelap into a large Netty nest....and thats all before staging additional AC in once Dave discovers my TFs.

I dont want to expose my fleet carriers to both KB and the Netties so I will need to figure out a way to both cover my amphibious TFs in the Gilberts _AND_ intercept any IJN carriers that may arrive from Truk.

I consider the USN CVEs to be expendable but the CVs are very precious.

I staged in the 2 VMF F4U-1 squadrons and a P-40k squadron back to Tabiteuea to cover a massive resupply effort next turn with both xAKs and LSTs. Ive turned the base building back on at Tabiteuea as I want a level 5 4E base here before I invade in the Gilberts. The operational plan now is to neutralize both Tarawa and Makin with naval bombardments on D-Day minus one while heavy bombers based at Tabiteuea will try to suppress Maloelap.

[racndoc]

4/29-4/30-43



SUBS


SS Haddock sinks SC CHa-4 off Hakodate.



CBI


Despite a heavy aerial bombardment by Tenth Air Force heavy bombers and RAF DBs.....IJA troops capture Wuchow.

Dave is now rolling up my line in eastern China all the way from Wuchow to Hangchow. Kukong will now be threatened from 3 directions and Nanchang may eventually need to be evacuated.

Most Chinese LCUs are now taking on replacements as supplies continue to flow from central Burma into China.




CENTPAC


Japanese naval search spots 2 USN BBs in the massive amphibious armada that is formimg up near Santa Cruz Island. Dave's closest operational airfield is 18 hexes away so his naval search is spotting me at extreme range. Surprise has now been lost with USN amphibious assault transports still 21 hexes away from their target at Makin atoll(3 days sail).


Japan has pretty close to carrier parity with the Allies at this point of the war so risking an opposed amphibious assault deep in enemy waters is risky enough....but facing IJN carriers and also land based AC from the six level 3 and level 4 Japanese AFs in range of Makin is borderline suicidal. I havent seemn any Nells or Bettys for at least 6 months so I know that Dave has been hoarding them for a special occasion.

Im going to postpone the opposed assault on Makin and instead capture another small, undefended atoll that can be built up into a large AF that can soften up Japanese defensive positions in the Gilberts and Marshalls(in conjunction with the AF at Tabiteuea) before Allied carriers are committed so deeply into hostile waters.

The problem with invading the Gilberts or the Marshalls is their relative isolation....Allied TFs can be spotted well before they can engage Japanese forces in those archipelagos.

On the other hand....there is so much Allied shipping in the Solomon Sea bringing troops and supplies to New Guinea, New Britain and the Bismarcks that Allied amphib TFs can "blend in" with all the other "background noise" and not be seen for what they really are until its too late.

To use another tired football cliche here Im going to now "stretch the defense"....II Australian Corps will conduct amphib ops on the southern coast of New Guinea and also in the Banda Sea while SOPAC will continue amphib ops in the Bismarcks and Admiralties so that Dave is not quite so focused on the Gilberts.

I will have 2 new Essex Class CVs plus a CVL and 2 more CVEs by late July so I may push back the assaults on Tarawa and Makin until then.

[racndoc]

5/1-5/2/43



SUBS


SS Grayling torpedoes xAP Kashima Maru near Jesselton.

SS Perch sinks SS I-162 off Denpaser.....I believe this is the 3rd IJN sub that Allied subs have sunk in the war.



CBI


Japan continues its advance on Kukong and Nanchang in south central China.

Tenth Air Force P-38s based at Rangoon continue high altitude sweeps over Bangkok.



CENTPAC


A small USN amphib TF captures Vaitupu south of the Gilberts. I dont like allowing Dave to hold small bases deep behind Allied lines that can be used for float plane naval search. Baker Is. is another one of these small bases on my "to do" list to pacify.


Additional long ranged Japanese naval search AC spot Allied invasion forces SW of the Gilberts. I sent most of the invasion forces earmarked for Makin back to base at Noumea last turn after being spotted. Next turn we will invade and capture Abemama and that will give us a 2nd base in the southern Gilberts that in conjunction with Tabiteuea can help neutralize Japanese bases farther to the north.

A massive resupply op lands at Tabiteuea this turn and now we have 13,000 supplies at this important forward base.



SIGINT


I received SIGINT this turn that CV Junyo was not sunk as previously reported. Its unfortunate that BB Ise survived 3 torpedoes and CV Junyo survived 2 torpedoes as both ships were pretty far away from a friendly port when they were hit.

At least CV Junyo will be out for the war until late 1943.



SOPAC


The massive buildup continues at Rabaul as construction engineers and BFs pour into the base.

The 28,000 survivors from the former Japanese garrison at Rabaul have been cornered in the jungles west of Rabaul and elements of XIV US Corps are closing in on them.



II AUSTRALIAN CORPS GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE


Ive attached a screenshot of eastern New Guinea showing Japanese bases across the region. While SWPAC has been advancing along the northern coast of New Guinea and Fifth Air Force has been neutralizing Japanese AFs at Manus and on the north coast of New Guinea ....Dave has quietly flown in construction troops and BFs at both Merauke and Terapo on the southern coast of New Guinea. Merauke has even been enlarged to a level 2 AF allowing Dave to pursue offensive air ops here if he chooses.

Next turn II Australian Corps will go on the offensive for the 1st time in the war to invade at both Merauke and Terapo. Unlike in the Gilberts....i have so much shipping in this area that Dave has not ID'ed my amphib TFs and they should land unmolested next turn. LRCAP will be flown over the invasion beaches from both Horn Is. and Port Moresby.

Once these 2 Japanese AFs have been taken the SLOC from eastern Australian to Darwin will be secured and II Australian Corps will be free to begin conducting amphib ops in the Banda Sea north of Darwin.

[racndoc]

5/3-5/4/43



NEW GUINEA


II Australian Corps invades at Merauke and Terapo on the southern coast of New Guinea:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 03, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Merauke (89,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APD Humphreys
APA President Polk


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


APD Humphreys fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Merauke (89,124)

TF 27 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 89,124


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




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Merauke (89,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APD Humphreys
APA President Polk



APD Humphreys fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards



Pre-Invasion action off Terapo (96,127)

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
LSI(L) Empire Battleaxe
APA La Salle
DD Whipple



AP McCawley firing at 4th Base Force
AP McCawley fired at enemy troops
LSI(L) Empire Battleaxe fired at enemy troops
APA La Salle fired at enemy troops
AP McCawley fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Terapo (96,127)

TF 437 troops unloading over beach at Terapo, 96,127


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


6pdr AT Gun lost in surf during unload of 11th Australian Bde


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Terapo (96,127)

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
LSI(L) Empire Battleaxe
APA La Salle
DD Whipple



AP McCawley fired at enemy troops
LSI(L) Empire Battleaxe fired at enemy troops
APA La Salle fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards



Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 906 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Defending force 3041 troops, 42 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 115



Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
11th JAAF AF Bn /1
36th Const Co /1

Defending units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment




Surprise was complete at both invasion beaches. Terapo is only guarded by a weak Japanese BF but Merauke will be a bit tougher nut to crack. P-39Ds based at Horn Island LRCAP the amphib transports at Merauke and hopefully next turn will repel the inevitable IJA air transported reinforcements. Tactical and medium bombers of Fifth Air Force repeatedly pound the IJA nforces at Merauke and a shock attack will be ordered next turn.

Meanwhile....the heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force continue to suppress Japanese level 4 AFs at Wewak and Aitape on the northern coast of New Guinea.



CBI

Dave moves up a tank division and an armor regiment in an attempt to break through into Kanhsien but Chinese AT guns are waiting for them:

Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14561 troops, 178 guns, 810 vehicles, Assault Value = 588

Defending force 15241 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 440

Japanese adjusted assault: 385

Allied adjusted defense: 399

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
833 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 58 (1 destroyed, 57 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
797 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
71st Chinese/A Corps
14th Chinese/C Corps
93rd Chinese Division
49th Chinese/C Corps
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment


Dave is hitting the Chinese here with over 100 bombers/turn so evidently this is a critical advance for him as he tries to isolate Kukong. Im sending infantry and more AT guns from Kukong to reinforce here but its doubtful that they will arrive in time. Next turn Im sending in all the heavy bombers from Tenth Air Force plus RAF DBs here to disrupt the Japanese at their own game.



CENTPAC: INVASION ABEMAMA



Covered by 8 CVEs with 190 fighters and 6 surface TFs with 12 BBs.....Admiral Hill's amphibious TF lands a portion of the 2nd Marine Regiment at Tabiteuea:


Amphibious Assault at Abemama (136,130)

TF 389 troops unloading over beach at Abemama, 136,130


Allied ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (0 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)


5 troops of a US MMG Section lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Rgt /1



Amphibious Assault at Abemama (136,130)

TF 439 troops unloading over beach at Abemama, 136,130


Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 155 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 70 (0 destroyed, 70 disabled)


8 Aviation Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 37th Aviation Base Force



Ground combat at Abemama (136,130)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 784 troops, 58 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

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

Allied adjusted assault: 10

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Abemama !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+)



Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Rgt /2
36th Aviation Base Force /1
27th USN Naval Construction Battalion
180th USAAF Base Force
37th USN Naval Construction Battalion
14th USN Naval Construction Battalion
37th Aviation Base Force /1



The Marines suffer relatively high disablements here as they were 80% prepped for a Makin invasion that was cancelled at the last minute. Still....the 2nd Marines should be back to normal by the time they are 100% prepped for Makin. Seabees and BFs are also landed and they immediately go to work on construction of an airstrip.


Meanwhile.....the 7 CVs and 1 CVL of Task Group 58 take up a blocking position about 250 miles due west of Abemama just in case KB decided to sortie from Truk.

A half dozen ASW TFs patrol the waters of the southern Gilberts and SS I-34 is sunk off Tabiteuea.

The Allied TFs at Abemama fight off Japanese airstrikes all day from their bases in the northern Gilberts and Marshalls:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Abemama at 136,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 6



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kuria at 135,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
D3A1 Val x 16



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 55


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 1
DD Gridley
CL Boise



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes


The Bettys fly from Maloelap while the Vals are based on Makin.



Meanwhile.....Helens based on Tarawa get in their licks:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Abemama at 136,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 6



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers



I had staged in 3 squadrons of the new US Navy PB4Y-1 Liberators to Tabiteuea and they work over the Betty base at Maloelap:


Morning Air attack on Maloelap , at 136,117

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 35


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb



finally on the next day.....the Bettys on Maloelap coodinate to form a massive strike and they break through Allied CAP over the invasion forces:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Abemama at 136,130

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 63
G4M1 Betty x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 31



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 130


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 14 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Chenango, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Copahee
CVE Long Island



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes



CVE Chenango now has 24 SYS 60 FLT 5 ENG as she will try to limp back to port at Tabiteuea where she will be disbanded to effect emergency repairs. Most of her VF group lands on Tabiteuea and will join up with the "Top Gun" VMF F4U-1 and USAAF P-40K squadrons already there to put up a CAP of nearly 100 fighters over the base.


CVE Barnes just arrives in theatre from the US west coast and will take the place of CVE Chenango on the line.



The CVEs get a measure of revenge by destroying a small IJN TF near Makin:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makin at 137,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
TBF-1 Avenger x 9


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kuramasan Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
PB Sonan Maru #5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo





When the smoke clears Japan loses 75 AC in A2A combat vs 6 Allied AC. Overall....Japan loses 126 AC this turn vs 20 Allied AC. Individual plane losses include 49 A6M2s, 46 Bettys, 16 Oscars, 6 Helens, 4 Tojos and 7 F4F-4s.


I had moved most of the recon squadrons out of Tabiteuea last turn so that I could base the Liberators there and now my PBY recon of Maloelap has failed me at a critical time.....I have no idea of how damaged the AF is there nor do I know how many AC are currently based there. Dave still has 100 AC at Tarawa and Makin and this turn just staged in 80 fighters to Mili. Im pretty sure that the 80 fighters on Mili will sweep Abemama next turn.


So its time to get the heck out of Dodge at Abemama. The fast carriers of TG 58 will take up positions just 100 miles to the west of Tabiteuea. all of the amphib TFs at Abemama....with the exception of 4 LSTs....will immediately cease offloading ops and will withdraw to Tabiteuea. The CVEs will withdraw to Tabiteuea and have their 190 fighter CAP augmented by the 100 land based fighters there. The PB4Y-1 Liberators at Tabiteuea will again hit the Betty base at Maloelap.

And 6 naval bombardment TFs with 10 BBs and over a score of cruisers will give both Makin and Tarawa a "Spruance haircut".

I feel very fortunate now that I cancelled the Makin assault and stayed farther to the south....I wasnt nearly as exposed by invading Abemama and Dave roughed me up with just his "garrison AF". Who knows how many land based AC Dave staged in this last turn but Im not going to stick around to find out.

I dont know if Dave will seek a major carrier engagement next turn. If I was the Japanese commander Im not sure if I would engage. If KB engages TG 58 and wins a victory it could put the Allies back a year. If KB engages and loses the Allies could run wild in 1943. Still...to paraphrase Javier Bardem from "No Country for Old Men"...."this is the best deal your gonna get". Right now I only have 7 carriers with only 2 1/2 squadrons converted to Hellcats. By the end of July I will have 10 CVs and another CVL....all stocked with Hellcats.

[racndoc]

5/5-5/6/43


CBI


Japanese assault outside of Wuchow is turned back with heavy casualties:

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26994 troops, 287 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 1003

Defending force 14002 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 507

Japanese adjusted assault: 727

Allied adjusted defense: 865

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2205 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 100 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
336 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
51st Division
6th Tank Regiment
104th Division
20th RGC/A Division
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mobile Infantry Rgt /6

Defending units:
60th Chinese/C Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
49th Chinese/B Corps
52nd Chinese/C Corps
12th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment



Japan launches a 1:5 attack outside of Kanhsien into Chinese AT guns that is repulsed with heavy tank losses:


Ground combat at 82,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1470 troops, 9 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 498

Defending force 13914 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 294

Japanese adjusted assault: 57

Allied adjusted defense: 301

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 50 (3 destroyed, 47 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Tank Division
2nd Recon Battalion

Defending units:
71st Chinese/A Corps
93rd Chinese Division
14th Chinese/C Corps
49th Chinese/C Corps
NCAC
57th AT Gun Regiment



Maybe Chinese reinforcements will arrive here in time.




II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


11TH Australian Brigadfe captures Terapo.

II Australian Corps troops assault Merauke after a heavy aerial bombardment by Fifth Air Force:


Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 867 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Defending force 3048 troops, 42 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 116


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


Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
11th JAAF AF Bn /1
36th Const Co /1

Defending units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment


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

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3041 troops, 42 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Defending force 1019 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Allied adjusted assault: 23

Japanese adjusted defense: 57

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
238 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
11th JAAF AF Bn /1
36th Const Co /1



I will rest the 138th Regiment fore a couple of turns as Fifth Air Force bombs the bejesus out of the defenders.



SOPAC


Rabaul enlarges to a level 6 port. Allied troops/supplies/fuel continue to pour into Rabaul.


Fifth Air Force continues to pound level 4 Japanese AFs at Wewak and Aitape.



CENTPAC


According to the original CENTPAC operational plan.....multiple Allied bombardment TFs give both Makin and Tarawa a "Spruance haircut":



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 26 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 28 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 31 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB West Virginia
CL Detroit
DD John D. Ford
DD Doyle
DD Carmick

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled



Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 5

BB Arizona firing at Tarawa
BB West Virginia firing at Tarawa
CL Detroit firing at Tarawa
DD John D. Ford firing at Tarawa
DD Doyle firing at Tarawa
DD Carmick firing at Tarawa


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 44 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 54 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 27 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Colorado
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CL Achilles
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Arunta
DD Stuart

Japanese ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled



Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 38
Port hits 10
Port supply hits 1

BB Idaho firing at Tarawa
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Colorado
BB Colorado firing at Tarawa
CA Northampton firing at Tarawa
CA Indianapolis firing at Tarawa
CL Achilles firing at Tarawa
DD Isaac Sweers firing at Tarawa
DD Arunta firing at Tarawa
DD Stuart firing at Tarawa


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Makin at 136,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 21 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed on ground
D3A1 Val: 10 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2-N Rufe: 8 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
CA Australia
CA Houston
CL Nashville
DD Van Galen
DD Parrott
DD Tucker
DD Cushing

Japanese ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 12 (7 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 53
Port hits 17
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 8

BB Mississippi firing at Makin
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB New Mexico
BB New Mexico firing at Makin
CA Australia firing at Makin
CA Houston firing at Makin
CL Nashville firing at Makin
DD Van Galen firing at Makin
DD Parrott firing at Makin
DD Tucker firing at Makin
DD Cushing firing at Makin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Makin at 136,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 25 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M2-N Rufe: 4 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 4 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 14 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed on ground
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
CA Canberra
CL Honolulu
CL Boise
CL St. Louis
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Jarvis
DD Henley
DD Mugford
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
261 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)



Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 41
Port hits 23
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3

BB Indiana firing at Makin
BB South Dakota firing at Makin
CA Canberra firing at Makin
CL Honolulu firing at Makin
CL Boise firing at Makin
CL St. Louis firing at Makin
DD Gridley firing at Makin
DD Craven firing at Makin
DD Jarvis firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Henley firing at Makin
DD Mugford firing at Makin
DD Bagley firing at Makin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Makin at 136,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 8 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies
BB Royal Sovereign
CA Frobisher
CA Dorsetshire
CL Caradoc
CL Helena
CL Danae
DD Nizam
DD Thracian
DD Thanet
DD Scout

Japanese ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 30
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 4

BB Ramillies firing at Makin
BB Royal Sovereign firing at Makin
CA Frobisher firing at Makin
CA Dorsetshire firing at Makin
CL Caradoc firing at Makin
CL Helena firing at Makin
CL Danae firing at Makin
DD Nizam firing at Makin
DD Thracian firing at Makin
DD Thanet firing at Makin
DD Scout firing at Makin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 29 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 15 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 20 damaged
E7K2 Alf: 1 damaged
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Louisville
CL Perth
DD Flusser
DD Preston
DD Helm
DD Walke
DD Anderson
DD Bailey

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled



Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 24
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

CA New Orleans firing at Tarawa
CA Louisville firing at Tarawa
CL Perth firing at Tarawa
DD Flusser firing at Tarawa
DD Preston firing at Tarawa
DD Helm firing at Tarawa
DD Walke firing at Tarawa
DD Anderson firing at Tarawa
DD Bailey firing at Tarawa




Japan loses over 100 AC on the ground. Overall....Japan loses 120 AC vs 27 Allied AC. Individual plane losses include 30 A6M2s, 19 Osacrs, 14 Rufes, 14 Helens, 8 Bettys, 8 Vals, 7 Kates and 7 PB4Y-1P Liberators.


Japan has now lost 9276 AC during the war vs Allied losses of 7644 AC......about 21% more AC.



USN PB44Y-1P Liberators again hit the level 4 AF at Maloelap. Without long ranged fighters....the Liberators operational tempo is greatly reduced after Maloelap AF is 32% suppressed and the Liberators must be shut down. Makin AF is now 75% suppressed and Tarawa AF is now 90% suppressed. I disbanded AE/AKE/AD/AR in port at Tabiteuea so all the bombardment TFs will both refuel and re-arm and CVE Chenango will gain the assistance of an AR for repairs.

[racndoc]

5/7-5/8/43



SUBS


SS Grayback sinks xAK Toa Maru off Donggala.

SS I-177 is sunk by an Alled ASW TF off Tarawa.

SS I-180 is sunk by an Allied ASW TF near Abemama.




SOPAC


The buildup continues at Rabaul as both the AF and port are enlarged to level 6.




II AUSTRALIAN CORPS


Tactical. medium and heavy bombers of Fifth Air Force bomb the bejesus out of the Japanese garrison at Merauke. A shock attack is ordered for next turn.



CENTPAC


A level 1 airstrip is completed at Abemama and F4F-4s are immediately flown in.

Allied bombardment TFs continue to work over Tarawa and Makin:


Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 15 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 17 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB West Virginia
CL Detroit
DD John D. Ford
DD Doyle
DD Carmick

Japanese ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
Port hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Arizona
BB Arizona firing at Tarawa
BB West Virginia firing at Tarawa
CL Detroit firing at Tarawa
DD John D. Ford firing at Tarawa
DD Doyle firing at Tarawa
DD Carmick firing at Tarawa


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 58 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 19 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 21 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Colorado
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CL Achilles
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Arunta
DD Stuart

Japanese ground losses:
277 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 30
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 3

BB Idaho firing at Tarawa
BB Colorado firing at Tarawa
CA Northampton firing at Tarawa
CA Indianapolis firing at Tarawa
CL Achilles firing at Tarawa
DD Isaac Sweers firing at Tarawa
DD Arunta firing at Tarawa
DD Stuart firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Makin at 136,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Louisville
CL Perth
DD Flusser
DD Preston
DD Helm
DD Walke
DD Anderson
DD Bailey

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 13
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA New Orleans firing at Makin
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Louisville
CA Louisville firing at Makin
CL Perth firing at Makin
DD Flusser firing at Makin
DD Preston firing at Makin
DD Helm firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Walke firing at Makin
DD Anderson firing at Makin
DD Bailey firing at Makin



PB4Y-1 Liberators work over the Japanese AF at Maloelap....its now 43% damaged.


The Allied operational plan for the Gilberts has worked out nicely and I now regret cancelling the Makin invasion. I generally set up a set piece attack for operational planning and I cancelled the Makin invasion when the situation did not unfold as I had envisioned. But now after 3 turns of combat in the Gilberts Japan has lost over 300 AC and and if I would have been more flexible and allowed the situation to develop I could be invading Makin now.

Live and learn I guess.