Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

1942 July 15

The Empire captured:
Liuchow

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Some of our forces made Hengyang today and more (fresher) forces will make it tomorrow, greatly exacerbating the now slight over stacking. The Imperial forces freed up from contact today are wasting no time, and are now moving directly on Changsha.

Between Liuchow and Kweilin we saw the limit of armor alone.

Ground combat at 75,54 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1086 troops, 0 guns, 232 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Defending force 71895 troops, 357 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2112

Japanese adjusted assault: 7

Allied adjusted defense: 1803

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 257

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 154 (34 destroyed, 120 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
90th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division
16th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
41st AA Regiment
49th AA Regiment
9th Group Army
35th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
4th War Area
13th Chinese Base Force

B-17 raids on Akyab cost 3 x B-17s to ops losses and 1 air to air and seemed to do little damage. However scouting puts Akyab air base damage now at 48%, closed to offensive operations.

Here is another look at Australia. The highlighted unit was just discovered this turn and I have no idea what it is. The Imperial unit to the ESE of it is the tank regiment that has been fleeing fierce air attacks. It will be visited by 2 squadrons of B-26s from Cloncurry tomorrow.

[witpqs]

1942 July 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Carriers west of Ceylon! There are raids afoot in multiple oceans by the IJN. One, a probable surface group, has been identified by good search coverage west of Fiji. The other, beyond the range of available search coverage, surprised only a pair xAKL that were delivering food, medicine, and reading material (OK, OK, ammo too) to Addu Atoll in the Indian Ocean.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Addu at 16,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N1 Kate x 12



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Agnes, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Ardent, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Scouting says "BB CV" and "fighters 24 bombers 7 auxiliary 6" and they are 120nm WNW of Addu. Only the 2 ships are sighted. A few subs have been in reserve for such an occasion, and they will put to sea tonight to lay in the path (& path of withdrawal) of the pirates. We have two CVs and a CVL at Bombay and Force Z arrives there from Cape Town in two days, but true strength of the enemy is unknown. Search assets have been re-tasked and perhaps the new day will bring more information. Of course there is a steady stream of merchants running Cape Town <--> Bombay that might get caught. The IJN carrier(s) could in theory be in strike position of that shipping lane in 2 days. Beyond that line are a few tankers, and will be a troop/aircraft convoy from Aden for Karachi that arrives on map in 3 days.

The possible surface group has just crossed the line between Nadi and Noumea and is 280nm from Nadi. Scouting says they are heading east with 3 ships including a CL, but that seems that it must be incomplete. Again here search assets' assignments have been tuned to track the privateers. There is a merchant unloading at Suva known to be spotted by Imperial vultures, so that might be the intended target. Wasp just this day upgraded her Devastator TBs to Avengers and will sortie after sundown.

Still no further attack at Hengyang, but a big & nasty surprise as the forest hex to the west - on the rail line - is now occupied by an unidentified Imperial unit. No indication that any of the Empire's troops were moving that way and it clearly took a long time for them to get there. Our own troops were already on the way but obviously too late!

A mild rebuff, or more accurately a lack of outright success, for the Empire at Warazup.

Ground combat at Warazup (63,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24745 troops, 202 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 1083

Defending force 33066 troops, 322 guns, 294 vehicles, Assault Value = 599

Japanese adjusted assault: 132

Allied adjusted defense: 307

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
755 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 133 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 17 (4 destroyed, 13 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1093 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)


Assaulting units:
38th Division
14th Division
1st Tank Regiment
33rd Division

Defending units:
18th British Division
9th Burma Rifles Battalion
16th Indian Brigade
Railway BAF Battalion
2nd King Own YLI Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
1st Burma Brigade
Upper Burma BAF Battalion
Mandalay BMP Battalion
Rangoon BAF Battalion
63rd Indian Brigade
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
13th Indian Brigade
BFF Brigade
48th Gurkha Brigade
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
221 Group RAF
106th RAF Base Force
107th RAF Base Force
308th Base Group
46th Indian Brigade
100th RAF Base Force
Burma Corps
103rd RN Base Force
101st RAF Base Force
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
224 Group Base Force

The odds only grow in their favor and that will get worse as more and more units escape.

In Australia our tank destroyer Bn was bombed and lost a light armored car. Their being discovered will slow their progress in trying to cut off the Imperial tank regiment (BTW weather prevented attacks on that unit from Cloncurry). Our tank units, but not the infantry brigades, have caught up to 3 enemy units NW of Tennant Creek that certainly include the 2 beleaguered infantry regiments. They will attack tomorrow with strong air support.

Here is the overview map. In addition to the raiders note the submarine making for the West Coast.

[princep01]

A bad case of the measles, but very expected at this point in the summer of "42.&nbsp; Persevere!
And bash those upstart IJA regiments north of Tennant Creek in good Aussie style!

[aprezto]

almost adventurous from Wa, you sure Jay hasn't stolen the keys?

[witpqs]

1942 July 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In China the air attacks are truly murderous, and could themselves lead to the abandonment of the Changsha area. Intel indicates that DAW already has units prepping for Kweiyang.

In Australia, our tank destroyer unit made good time today as P-38 angels intercepted a raid of Betties and probably shot down all of them. 5 were counted in the raid, 3 claimed, and 6 tallied by the Intel Monkeys in the day's losses. Our own tactical bombers made unmolested runs on the fleeing tank regiment and did damage. The unit still moved to the intercept hex ahead of our tank destroyers, who will arrive there tomorrow.

To their west our armored forces took a toll of the retreating infantry regiments.

Ground combat at 76,134 (near Tennant Creek)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2262 troops, 6 guns, 149 vehicles, Assault Value = 93

Defending force 6371 troops, 40 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 60

Allied adjusted assault: 64

Japanese adjusted defense: 37

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
657 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
36th Infantry Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
16th Army

The following infantry have not arrived but should tomorrow, too late to attack. So, the armor will attack with only air support again tomorrow. One unit will be in pursuit mode.

The carriers in the Indian Ocean have been lost to search. That almost certainly means they are not moving up the coast, but they could still be moving forward closer to the edge of the map.

There is a group newly seen in the Bay of Bengal within striking distance of Chittagong that scouts as 6 x BB, 1 x CL, and 2 x DD. Some fighters are being moved from Chittagong

Meanwhile there is more action in the Pacific. There are destroyers at least, moving SE far to the NNW of Fiji, and the "CL" to the west of Fiji is now scouted as 8 ships including 3 battleships. They are 7 hexes from Suva, but USMC dive bombers there did not launch on them (max range = 7). The dive bombers will go back to Pago Pago rather than risk being destroyed on the ground in a nighttime bombardment.

Here is a look at the scouting of the area.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: aprezto

almost adventurous from Wa, you sure Jay hasn't stolen the keys?

Hmmm, maybe! I think the appearance of the raid past India and the BBs or whatever they are showing up near Fiji must have been coordinated. I wonder if they are distraction to slip raiders in north of Hawaii? Yhe last (meaning "other of the two") surviving BBs from Pearl Harbor is currently slow transiting that route to Bremerton. Maybe the carriers will stand watch when their troop convoy is close enough to Hawaii.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

A bad case of the measles, but very expected at this point in the summer of "42.  Persevere!
And bash those upstart IJA regiments north of Tennant Creek in good Aussie style!

Working on it!

[witpqs]

1942 July 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The night began with the IJN force in the Bay of Bengal bombarding Cox's Bazar.

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Mutsu
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
DD Mikazuki
DD Yugiri
DD Asagiri
DD Shirayuki
DD Shirakumo
DD Ariake
DD Nenohi
DD Michishio
DD Asashio


Allied ground losses:
371 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 4

E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at Cox's Bazar
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Mutsu
BB Mutsu firing at 70th British Division
CA Maya firing at 70th British Division
CL Tatsuta firing at 70th British Division
CL Oi firing at 7th Australian Division
CL Kitakami firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Mikazuki firing at 70th British Division
DD Yugiri firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Asagiri firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Shirayuki firing at 70th British Division
DD Shirakumo firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Ariake firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Nenohi firing at 70th British Division
DD Michishio firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Asashio firing at Cox's Bazar

There were the usual unopposed raids over China and raids of all descriptions by both sides over Burma. This battering of a superior-on-paper Imperial force was notable.

Morning Air attack on Warazup , at 63,41

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 91 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet

CAP engaged:
51st FG/25th FS with P-400 Airacobra (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

The Allies seem finally to have closed Akyab air base as there are only 3 fighters seen based there at the end of the day.

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 47


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

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



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 11 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

There were two additional raids by squadrons that became separated from the main body. And while the crews are exhausted, all made it home. Akyab air base scouts as 59% damaged.

In Australia the Empire's Airedales accomplished little, but Allied air forces had effect. The tank destroyers are now in position and will attack tomorrow. The armored attack with one unit in reserve against the two fleeing regiments did damage but without retreating the enemy. Now the infantry is in place. They will attack tomorrow with all three armored units are ordered to pursue.

Ground combat at 76,134 (near Tennant Creek)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1309 troops, 5 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 352

Defending force 5842 troops, 47 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 12

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
282 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
3rd Army Tank Brigade
192nd Tank Battalion
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
27th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
36th Infantry Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
16th Army

Another of the Empire's units crossed into Hengyang, and I must confess that I have not kept track of which unit arrived when and got damaged how much. This unspecified unit seemed to smash itself.

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5040 troops, 117 guns, 59 vehicles, Assault Value = 460

Defending force 116214 troops, 654 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2931

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 686

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
4132 casualties reported
Squads: 152 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 112 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (24 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
187 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Assaulting units:
22nd/A Division
39th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
54th Infantry Brigade
15th/A Division
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
49th Chinese Division
14th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
10th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
10th Group Army
7th War Area
12th Group Army

If only our own troops were in any shape to attack! Disruption is high among many units and supplies are low.

There is no word on either of the IJN raiding forces. In particular the surface force that was nearing Fiji has now vanished as has the DD force to the north, although weather in the area is poor. Wasp herself, NE of the Line Islands, got a scare when an SBD crew reported ships of their own task force as enemy contacts. Doh!

Here is a look at China. Aside from the bloodied status of the IJ forces at Hengyang, there is another possible sign of fatigue among the Imperial Army. The open terrain hex bordering Changsha, Siangtan, and Hengyang has been abandoned in favor of moving those troops into Changsha. Perhaps DAW sees an opportunity to concentrate forces and blow out Changsha - possible - or perhaps the Empire has wearied of costly river crossings.

[witpqs]

1942 July 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


I wonder if this means anything? Probably just dropping off.

Coastwatcher Report: LSD Akitsu Maru reported in port at Efate

The Empire has less gathered at Changsha than I thought.

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1012 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1969

Defending force 89722 troops, 367 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2316

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
53rd Infantry Brigade
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
37th Division
57th Infantry Brigade
9th Armored Car Co
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st/A Division
55th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
36th/B Division
41st/B Division
15th/B Division
41st/C Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
9th War Area
27th Group Army
19th Group Army
29th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force

A good day in Australia! After several effective air attacks came these ground actions.

Ground combat at 78,133 (near Daly Waters)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 528 troops, 3 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 132 troops, 0 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied adjusted assault: 42

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

Allied assault odds: 21 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1



Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion

Defending units:
7th Tank Regiment


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

Ground combat at 76,134 (near Tennant Creek)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7459 troops, 91 guns, 109 vehicles, Assault Value = 346

Defending force 5518 troops, 45 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Allied adjusted assault: 53

Japanese adjusted defense: 8

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1573 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 128 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3


Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units pursuing 3


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
3rd Army Tank Brigade
2/5th Armoured Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
27th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
36th Infantry Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
16th Army

In the nice open tank country the armored units pursued swiftly and will attack tomorrow. The infantry will move along the road to join our recon unit, which blocked retreat that would have kept the infantry regiments following their companions. The tank destroyers will not pursue but instead will withdraw. While Daly Waters looks vulnerable there are additional, fresh, enemy forces moving from Katherine and we are getting deeper into air range of Darwin.

At sea, there is no sign of the pirate carriers in the Indian Ocean or of the battleship pirates near Fiji. There is, however, a new contact 360nm WSW of Johnston Island moving east. 1 ship only was sighted, and a float plane overflew Johnston Island. Wasp is to the south of this track and Hornet to the north (NE Hawaii escorting a troop convoy). Enterprise and Yorktown are escorting Oklahoma north in case raiders are trying to slip in via that route with all the obvious contacts elsewhere. We'll see what develops with refined contact information.

Here is wide view of the pirates latest foray. The contact at Fiji is a submarine.

[witpqs]

1942 July 20

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The night brought good tidings as USN SS Pickerel both torpedoed and shelled xAK Kizan Maru near Bathurst Island, leaving her a flaming wreck. A reversal was had when the inevitable finally happened and 15 Blenheims were lost over northern Burma. In Australia our air forces continued pounding the Imperial invaders. Finally Allied armor dealt its final blow of the current campaign.

Ground combat at 75,133 (near Daly Waters)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2215 troops, 6 guns, 147 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Defending force 3964 troops, 36 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Allied adjusted assault: 41

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1111 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3



Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
144th Infantry Regiment
16th Army
36th Infantry Regiment

B-17s hit Akyab in waves, losing two of their own but claiming several enemy in the skies and on the ground. The air base scouts as 52% damaged.

There is no sign of either the carrier pirates in the Indian Ocean or the surface pirates near Fiji. The single ship near Johnston Island has become 2, but the weather was too awful to get any further usable information. They are still about 8 hexes distant having only drifted SE a bit.

There is a sighting 120nm south of Nauru Island that is more definite.

[witpqs]

1942 July 21

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Locals have spied the IJN clearing the mines our subs just laid at Akyab. Mostly air attacks in the expected areas today. The exceptions were, first, another river crossing at Hengyang.

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 37348 troops, 377 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 1522

Defending force 115908 troops, 653 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2906

Japanese adjusted assault: 956

Allied adjusted defense: 880

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
10214 casualties reported
Squads: 222 destroyed, 157 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 200 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 67 (29 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 30 (12 destroyed, 18 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2187 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 435 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 100 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled


Assaulting units:
3rd/B Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
39th Division
15th/A Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th/C Division
22nd/A Division
5th Armored Car Co
54th Infantry Brigade
32nd/A Division
6th Division
116th/C Division
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
84th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
28th New Chinese Division
10th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
7th War Area
10th Group Army
12th Group Army

The good news is that we destroyed a bunch of IJ combat squads. The bad news is that they disabled a whole mess of ours. Looking deeper, our adjusted AV reflects the supply deprivation and the pounding from air raids that our troops are enduring. It looks as though the forces the Empire has in place can, with patience, take the city.

The other development was also bad. The 45th Indian Brigade, trapped in the jungle in Burma, is now on the brink of collapse.

Ground combat at 62,43 (near Bhamo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5136 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Defending force 1562 troops, 6 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Japanese adjusted assault: 137

Allied adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
374 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
47th Infantry Regiment
I./143rd Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
45th Indian Brigade

In a bit of good news further scouting puts Akyab airfield at 70% damage, fully closed to operations. Half the B-17s will hit the port tomorrow. The other half will rest another day to continue working on the airfield the day after. There are strong ground forces both in Akyab and on the road between Akyab and Cox's Bazar. If we are forced to fight a slug fest there then let's make the most of it and give them a good battering.

All pirates have now disappeared from search. Presumably none slipped through to rear areas, but they could always get there by other routes anyway. All of our carriers at sea remain unspotted so far as we know. The large troop convoy will make Pearl Harbor late tomorrow. After unloading some ships will stay there while others make a quick trip back to San Francisco to load up for another run.

Here is an Intel screen. The ground losses keep mounting.

[witpqs]

1942 July 22

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Hornet has been discovered by (I think) sub-based aircraft south of the island of Hawaii (Hilo & Kona). The TF is changing course just to avoid giving away tomorrow's position in case of an ambush. The detection is 10/10 which I don't recall ever seeing before for a sub-based aircraft contact. The aircraft was reported by spotters as a float fighter, so maybe they just got a particularly good look? I plan to leave those subs alone for the time being, figuring that I can leave them to search an area that my ships will now avoid. The solid carrier contact should convince DAW that it's a good place to post subs.

Meanwhile there is a single ship sighted 240nm (slightly N)NW Howland Island heading SW. That might be the pirates seen recently near Johnston Island.

Today was mostly air action, the highlight being when about half a dozen Betties and a Nell were brought down by P-38s LRCAPing our recon unit 92mi from Daly Waters. Katherine was also hit by a concentrated B-17 raid but only scouts at 16% damage. There were 5 supply hits which is productive. The B-17s did not fly against Akyab and now there are fighters back there. Tomorrow all B-17s are ordered to fly, half against the airfield and half against the port.

The only ground action was the reduction of the 45th Indian Brigade to 1 AV remaining enabled.

Ground combat at 62,43 (near Bhamo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5083 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Defending force 1236 troops, 6 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Japanese adjusted assault: 157

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1

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

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


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


Assaulting units:
47th Infantry Regiment
I./143rd Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
45th Indian Brigade

When the Empire's forces at Hengyang are ready for battle I expect they will make short work of the defenders, and then the whole region.

Here is a look at the position of that pirate force.

[BBfanboy]

Does the enemy have any AMCs left? In my own game against the AI it liked to put them in the area between Suva and PH. They started out there but were quickly spotted by CA float plane and taken care of. [:)]

[witpqs]

I don't know, but we did smack down several in the early going. [&:]

---

1942 July 23

The Empire captured:
Warazup

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Yikes!

Sub attack near Hilo at 182,118

Japanese Ships
SS I-3, hits 4

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CA New Orleans
DD Meredith
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann



SS I-3 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Hornet
DD Russell fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mustin attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hammann fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

So there were even more subs in the area than we had seen. I think the concentration of these subs is evidence that the recent pirate sightings are a coordinated campaign. IJN subs are also more active across the board.

Sub attack near Channel Islands at 222,78

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
TK War Sirdar, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC Cyane



SS I-6 launches 4 torpedoes at TK War Sirdar
I-6 diving deep ....
PC Cyane fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Cyane fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Cyane fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Cyane fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Cyane fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

There was nothing left of War Sirdar.

8 Beauforts with trained torpedo pilots attacked an IJN cruiser force parked off of Cox's Bazar without escort. The cruisers did have escort, and all Beauforts were lost. Then:

Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Mikuma
CL Tama
CL Kuma
CL Abukuma
DD Yudachi
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kazegumo


Allied ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Port hits 15
Port supply hits 6

CA Furutaka firing at Cox's Bazar
CA Mikuma firing at 70th British Division
CL Tama firing at Cox's Bazar
CL Kuma firing at 7th Australian Division
CL Abukuma firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Yudachi firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Shiratsuyu firing at 70th British Division
DD Kazegumo firing at 7th Australian Division

This only hinders building as the support personnel take the worst of it as usual. The IJA also delivered a blow by finally striking again at Warazup.

Ground combat at Warazup (63,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37156 troops, 300 guns, 162 vehicles, Assault Value = 1119

Defending force 7414 troops, 35 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Japanese adjusted assault: 812

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 62 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Warazup !!!

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

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


Allied ground losses:
3240 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 211 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 42 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 94 (94 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
14th Division
1st Tank Regiment
38th Division
33rd Division

Defending units:
308th Base Group
103rd RN Base Force
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
100th RAF Base Force
106th RAF Base Force
107th RAF Base Force
101st RAF Base Force
224 Group Base Force

They are pursuing into the jungle as well! The 45th Indian Brigade lives another day, but nobody knows how. The B-17s did their work and lost one. The airfield is now at 67% and the port at 5%. The groups that hit the port are good to go for tomorrow as well.

It seems that weather precluded most strikes in Australia. Here is a look at the current situation.

[witpqs]

1942 July 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The nighttime naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar did little outright damage but soiled many britches. The B-17 raid on Akyab's port did some damage and shot down at least two Imperial fighters. The 45th Indian Brigade has been wiped out and must be reconstituted with new electrons.

Look at what the Catalinas have picked up heading toward Fiji.

[witpqs]

1942 July 25

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


We caught many Sallies without escort over Burma and took down 15. The Intel Monkeys also report that 3 Jakes were reported lost for operational reasons. The only ground combat was a bombardment at Kweilin. However, there are now 9 IJA units heading up the road toward Tuyun. Our first line of defense, just inside the forest, is falling back to the join other forces and create a stronger line of resistance in the rough+forest just outside Tuyun. Additional forces have been rushing to the front but are still a long way off.

Tuyun should still hold long enough to be reinforced in time. The real problem in China is the imminent turning of the Changsha position. At that point troops will have to run under the hammer blows of IJA air attacks.

The new day reveals more Imperial ships. Carriers to the west, cruisers to the east. Funafuti has been reconnoitered by the air and is now known as a seaplane base. The AVDs are pulling back while the Cats have just flown out to a pre-supplied, pre-staffed secondary position.

Wasp and Hornet are both on the way but are separated by more than a day. Wasp will fly off her air groups to Pago Pago rather than risk taking on the IJN carriers alone.

[witpqs]

1942 July 26

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Japanese subs are now active past Ceylon again, with as ASW attack near Colombo and a sighting of a float plane by a TF at Bombay. Our raid on Akyab went OK but 2 x B-17s were lost for operational reasons.

Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 53


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead

The IJN TF that scouted as 4 x CA is not spotted this day (there is much extreme overcast in the area), but the carrier TF raided our (abandoned) seaplane base at Funafuti.

Afternoon Air attack on Funafuti , at 138,147

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
D3A1 Val x 25



No Japanese losses



Port hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Funafuti , at 138,147

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 25



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

So the on-map scouting is an underestimate; instead of 20 bombers a minimum of 50. The Wasp air group has just flown ashore at Pago Pago (only 23 hexes distant from the enemy carriers) and Wasp will move back to rendezvous with Hornet.

Here is a look.

[witpqs]

1942 July 27

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


There was no further incursion by the IJN carriers, so it appears they were after a pesky search base. Our guys hit Katherine pretty good, but we'll have to wait for new scouting reports to see how the base is looking.

Morning Air attack on Katherine , at 76,128

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 26


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 44

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

A near thing at Hengyang:

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 56146 troops, 591 guns, 173 vehicles, Assault Value = 1256

Defending force 111849 troops, 648 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2513

Japanese adjusted assault: 685

Allied adjusted defense: 474

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
6350 casualties reported
Squads: 113 destroyed, 330 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 119 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 57 (18 destroyed, 39 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
4536 casualties reported
Squads: 78 destroyed, 299 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 60 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 56 (9 destroyed, 47 disabled)


Assaulting units:
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
15th/C Division
3rd/B Division
39th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th/A Division
54th Infantry Brigade
6th Division
32nd/A Division
5th Armored Car Co
22nd/A Division
116th/C Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
50th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
49th Chinese Division
14th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
10th Group Army
7th War Area
12th Group Army

I hope that the loss ratio means we have a slight bit of breathing room, but I know things can get worse in a hurry. Fortifications did not make level 1 before the attack, and have been knocked back from 50% to 20%. Hengyang will fall fairly soon.

Here is a look at the Intel screen for those keeping tabs on IJA bloodshed.

[witpqs]

1942 July 28

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


This attack on Akyab cost us 4 x B-17 accounted for as 2 A2A, 1 Flak, 1 Ops.

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 61


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak



Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 9 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead

The was uneventful otherwise concerning combat. In China some troops continue to rush at full speed while others wait for the other shoe to drop.

In the Coral Sea there is an odd sighting. Either it is an error in TF orders or bait consistent with recent sightings elsewhere.

[witpqs]

1942 July 29

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Quiet combat-wise. The usual air attacks, and the P-400s from Ledo managed to take down maybe half a dozen or more bombers despite their escort. The TF seen in the Coral Sea is probably at Milne Bay and might have been taking a circuitous route to avoid submarines.

Even though our heavies got roughed up on the mission against Akyab yesterday, today Akyab scouts as 69% airfield damage and 7% port damage. That means the airfield is shut down to CAP operations, yet there are 25 fighters present. They're a bit tired with only one day of rest, but all the B-17 squadrons have been given orders to hit Akyab tomorrow.

Here in China (see below), the break should come at Hengyang (highlighted). At least one IJA unit is moving into the forest south of Hengyang. As a defensive move this would be confusing, so I'll presume it is a flanking maneuver. That will take time, which might mean that DAW HQ lacks confidence in taking Hengyang as quickly as I think it might fall. Giving his battered spearhead time to recover, perhaps? That might give us the time we need to get the next lines of defense in place and make certain that the fall of the Changsha area does not result in the fall of China.