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

[witpqs]

1942 August 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Exmouth

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


AVD McFarland dueled with I-23 at Midway. Although getting in the first shot, McFarland lost and was sunk.

Nothing new in China, the maneuvers just as before. One thing that should be recognized is that the optional stacking limits are helping to model the problems associated with chaotic retreats - they penalize over stacking regardless of how it occurs!

One B-17 was a write-off after today's raid on Meiktila, but it seemed well worth it. The Intel Monkeys claim 7 x Helens, 6 x Tojos, and various other aircraft destroyed.

Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 84
B-17F Fortress x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-15-II Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 29

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

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (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
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

We lost 4 x APDs in the Samoas on a supply run to set up another fall-back seaplane base.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Niuafo'ou at 142,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
B5N2 Kate x 18
D3A1 Val x 23



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
APD King, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
APD Hatfield, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Manley, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD Alden, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on APD King
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Manley
Massive explosion on APD Alden
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Alden


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Niuafo'ou at 142,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
D3A1 Val x 17



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Manley, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Manley

The KB, not sure exactly how large it is, is heading southeast. Will they press on?

Enterprise and Yorktown are now 440nm NE of Marcus Island and, so far as we can tell, are unspotted. There are heavy volumes of radio transmissions detected at Tokyo and at Kwajalein (x2).

Here is a look at that IJN carrier force pushing into the Samoas.

[witpqs]

1942 August 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In China most of the air attacks on troops shifted to the forces pulling out of Changteh. Then the ground assaults came.

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3135 troops, 39 guns, 497 vehicles, Assault Value = 403

Defending force 44514 troops, 367 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1206

Japanese adjusted assault: 169

Allied adjusted defense: 2902

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 17

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

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 100 (2 destroyed, 98 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
682 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
7th New Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
18th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
3rd War Area
57th AT Gun Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42462 troops, 346 guns, 193 vehicles, Assault Value = 1229

Defending force 45410 troops, 184 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1083

Japanese adjusted assault: 781

Allied adjusted defense: 1021

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
5279 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 511 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1357 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 167 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled


Assaulting units:
17th/A Division
13th/C Division
17th/B Division
41st/A Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th/A Division
41st/B Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
41st/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
19th Group Army

Taking so many casualties against what looked to be an armor-only attack in the woods+rough near Tuyun was annoying. We did get the better of them at Changteh, though.

SigInt indicates that the 53rd Division is planning to attack Fiji. I don't know if we will get our heavy reinforcements there in time, but we certainly plan to contest the matter.

The jig is up!

TF 246 detects G4M1 Betty at 120,74 near Chichi-jima
SBD-3 Dauntless sighting report: 2 Japanese ships at 123,80 near Marcus Island , Speed 10 , Moving Northwest
15 x VT-6 TBF-1 Avenger flight loses cohesion

In spite of bad weather and coordination problems in the morning, the eager fliers go in.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,80

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54
TBF-1 Avenger x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Meiten Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Ehime Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Tone Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Kuroshio Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kureha Maru #3, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ryujo Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Sanuki Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Ume Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yuzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Ayato Maru
DD Yayoi, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Meiten Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kureha Maru #3
Massive explosion on xAK Ryugi Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ryujo Maru
Massive explosion on xAK Sanuki Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ume Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ryugi Maru
Massive explosion on xAK Ume Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Sanuki Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Yuzan Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Tone Maru
Magazine explodes on DD Yayoi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Yayoi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ehime Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,80

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatsuho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yuzan Maru, heavy fires
xAK Ryugi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

Intel confirms 7 x xAK and 1 x DD as sunk. Looks like maybe 11 x xAK to me. The carrier TF will steam east tomorrow, and make a turn to the northeast during the following day to rendezvous with tankers near the Aleutian Islands.

[BBfanboy]

Nice job on that TF.
Too bad there were no troops aboard!

[witpqs]

Thanks!

---

1942 August 20

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Today was uneventful compared to yesterday. KB is no longer scouted - where are they going to? All B-17s made it back safely from a large raid on Akyab.

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 71
B-17F Fortress x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

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



Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 67

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 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 (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
11 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 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 143 minutes

Changteh is now abandoned, and the withdrawal continues.

Here is an overview map.

[aprezto]

Very nicely done. A bit of a favourite tactic of mine to go on a wee hunt in those waters. Very satisfying if you catch a troop convoy, or a tanker fleet, but a nice supply TF is also good. It might just make Wa pause a bit about having the KB so far forward.

[witpqs]

Yes - KB promptly disappeared without a trace!

---

1942 August 21

The Empire captured:
Changteh

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Things move along in China, with both troop and strategic bombing, the Chinese withdrawal and the Imperial repositioning. A few sub attacks without results on both sides. The IJN visited Exmouth to make its presence known.

Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CL Kinu
DD Tsuga
DD Hasu
DD Harusame


Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

CA Kumano firing at 10th Cav Recce Regiment
CA Suzuya firing at Exmouth
CL Kinu firing at 10th Cav Recce Regiment
DD Tsuga firing at Exmouth
DD Hasu firing at Exmouth
DD Harusame firing at Exmouth

Major ground forces are leaving Hawaii after combat loading in case things are hot when they make Fiji. A couple of large base forces are commencing loading for the same destination. The last of the large USA to Hawaii convoys is nearing Hawaiian waters, where Lexington and Saratoga will steam on and escort the troops to Fiji, where they will join up with Wasp and Hornet.

Here is the situation in Burma.

[witpqs]

1942 August 22

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Another bombardment of Exmouth:

Night Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CL Kinu
DD Tsuga
DD Hasu
DD Harusame


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


Port hits 15
Port supply hits 6

CA Kumano firing at Exmouth
CA Suzuya firing at Exmouth
CL Kinu firing at 10th Cav Recce Regiment
DD Tsuga firing at Exmouth
DD Hasu firing at Exmouth
DD Harusame firing at Exmouth

In China many air raids are directed against Chihkiang. Finally both there and in surrounding hexes over stacking has been relieved. But there are still just above zero supplies.

A B-17 raid against the Imperial troops east of Akyab (likely moving to relieve the two trapped regiments) did well but lost two ships to operations issues.

Here is the Intel screen.

[witpqs]

1942 August 23

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Chinese troops ex-Changteh are making an orderly withdrawal and have arrived at the river bank, which they will cross in the next few days. The aerial beatings in China continue.

In Burma there are more Imperial bombers flying against the Australians. I think they are coming from Mandalay but have no additional air recon units to check out the place. Meiktila and Akyab are both still closed. The B-17s are ordered to hit Mandalay tomorrow even without recon.

Here is an updated map of China.

[witpqs]

1942 August 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In China another armor-only attack, or perhaps something else as the combat stats look weird.

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3111 troops, 39 guns, 497 vehicles, Assault Value = 396

Defending force 43887 troops, 366 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1139

Japanese adjusted assault: 151

Allied adjusted defense: 2185

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 14

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

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 65 (7 destroyed, 58 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1161 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
7th New Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese
1st Artillery Regiment
3rd War Area
18th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

In Burma the air raid on Mandalay seemed to deliver a good punch, but we did lose 3 x B-17 in the bargain.

Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 53


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 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 (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 14000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (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
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (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 12000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-17F Fortress x 12


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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

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



Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 25

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

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai Det A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (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
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 14000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (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 12000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

Meiktila and Akyab, which we are scouting, look still out of action. In two days the USA Americal Division and the 754th Tank Bn will arrive a the Imperial positions 46mi outside of Akyab. That will trap the two IJA regiments across the river that have already engaged the Australians, and the Australian divisions will begin attacking. The USA 27th Division will arrive on the scene two days later, and then the Americans will begin attacking.

Imperial subs are popping up everywhere. Current and very recent sightings include US West Coast, Aleutians, Hawaii, Midway, Samoas, Australian East Coast, Indian West Coast, north of New Zealand, and probably other places. Since the raid by Enterprise and Yorktown, DAW HQ has kept KB out of sight. This of course means that they could be lurking anywhere just out of sight.

[witpqs]

1942 August 25

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Very little combat action today. IJA bombers are still flying over Burma but the numbers are quite small. There was even less bombing in China, so I am presuming that weather was a major factor there.

The Americal Division has reached its blocking/assault position, so the Australian divisions across the river will attack tomorrow.

The Enterprise/Yorktown TF has refueled from the tankers en route - a circuitous route - to Hawaii. The Lexington/Saratoga TF has refueled at Pearl Harbor and is moving to the South Pacific by a shorter route than the troop convoys are using. They will be there with Wasp and Hornet to ward the troop ships. Hopefully sub patrols will provide early warning of any KB arrival.

[witpqs]

1942 August 26

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


All the ex-Changteh veterans made it across the river together. Now they must dig in.

The critical convoys and carriers movements are all progressing without incident.

A good day in Burma, as the two trapped regiments were hit hard.

Ground combat at 56,44 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33765 troops, 444 guns, 575 vehicles, Assault Value = 828

Defending force 4285 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Allied adjusted assault: 773

Japanese adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 27 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
885 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
7th Australian Division

Defending units:
148th Infantry Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment

With luck the Australians will have time to finish them off.

[witpqs]

1942 August 27

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Empire has started going after the Chinese Air Force on the ground, catching us napping at Chungking. Losses were modest (4 x bombers and 2 x fighters) but damage was more. Most air units will have to pull back. We really don't have the supplies to fly CAP very much. they are also sending unit astride the river to avoid crossing at Chihkiang. It will be a slow motion movement and time will tell if the Chinese forces are strong enough - and well enough supplied - to withstand this next round of pressure.

Carriers and critical troop convoys all continue to move without being spotted and without incident. Aircraft will being unloading at Pago Pago in three days.

In Burma here are the results of the recon outside Akyab.

Ground combat at 55,44 (near Akyab)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12344 troops, 191 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 20305 troops, 156 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 617

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


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


Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion

Defending units:
78th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
146th Infantry Regiment

The USA 27th Division will arrive on scene tomorrow and should disrupt any attack plans the Empire has laid. And that they might have, as battleships are spotted SW of Akyab. They are in range of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, and the Americal Division. They real target... revealed tomorrow I suppose!

Across the river things went well for the Australians, as they destroyed the first of the two trapped IJA regiments.

Ground combat at 56,44 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33662 troops, 444 guns, 575 vehicles, Assault Value = 812

Defending force 3514 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 554

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 79 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2243 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 63 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


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


Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
7th Australian Division

Defending units:
148th Infantry Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment

[BBfanboy]

Well done Aussies! Not often you get to see IJA Regiments destroyed in a non-island hex in 1942!

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Well done Aussies! Not often you get to see IJA Regiments destroyed in a non-island hex in 1942!

Thanks! As you can see below, the Australian Divisions have a busy schedule to keep. After they destroy that second IJA regiment, they will block the retreat of Imperial forces now outside and in Akyab, allowing the American Divisions to destroy those forces. Then they will advance along the coast on both Ramree Island and Prome. The assault on Prome will probably require a good deal of reinforcement. And as you can see the terrain is hostile.

[princep01]

Nice job massing the B-17s and wacking the IJA with them in SE Asia and Oz.
 
However, here is a thouight on a successful use of massed heavies in CHINA.  The OLYBs seem in need of a breather.  Chungking was built to a 6 AF and 10th AF or some British Base Force (I forget) was transported in to give it good air support.  The B-17s departed Burma/Dacca and rested one day in Chungking under a good Allied CAP.  Then, over the course of three days, they flew missions against IJA units in clear hexes (only) and just kicked the snot out of them.  They then returned to their regularly scheduled programing in Burma and the Base Force eventually transported back as well.  But it scared the bejabbers out of the Japs and gave my Chinese at least a weeks rest.  You should have seen the IJA run for the trees, hills and cities and cower.
 
Seeing those already exhausted IJA divisions around Changsha and Hengyang (?) just made me salivate at the damage the B-17s could do and how it would slow the IJA attack and pressure on your beleaguered Chinese.  It might be too late for you as Chungking is already being raided, but their are still similar options open to your expanding Allied AF.
 
I did not do this in the game vs Admiral Wa and Jay, so I am not taking advantage of the good Admiral here.

[witpqs]

Wow, I would love to do that! But at the moment, as you say, it's too late. Chungking is hurting and the even bigger issue is supply. I have to improve the supply situation some first.

Of course, Al and I have this 2x2 going with the Admirals Two too (awful pun intended). That one is entering June '43 and supply in China is dramatically improving. I am somewhat lacking in 4 EBs in theater in that one, but very shortly that maneuver could come in handy for something special. [;)]

[witpqs]

1942 August 28

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


First the good news. The Australian Divisions have finished their first assignment.

Ground combat at 56,44 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33627 troops, 444 guns, 575 vehicles, Assault Value = 811

Defending force 1523 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 541

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 541 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
808 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 119 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


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


Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
7th Australian Division

Defending units:
148th Infantry Regiment

Still no sightings or incidents involving the carriers or critical troop convoys.

There is an Imperial TF (in heavy weather and poorly scouted) 160nm SW Koggala (on Ceylon).

Predictably, there were no bombers but lots of fighter sweeps over Chungking. 16 of ours lost to 3 of theirs.

Cox's Bazar was the target, and this time they did everything right and must have also worn their lucky underwear or something.

Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamato
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Kuma
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shiranui
DD Kagero
DD Makigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Yugumo


Allied ground losses:
743 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (9 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 25
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4

BB Ise firing at 70th British Division
BB Yamato firing at Cox's Bazar
CA Mogami firing at 70th British Division
CA Ashigara firing at Cox's Bazar
CA Maya firing at 70th British Division
CL Tatsuta firing at 70th British Division
CL Kuma firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Arashi firing at 70th British Division
DD Nowaki firing at 70th British Division
DD Amatsukaze firing at 70th British Division
DD Shiranui firing at XV Indian Corps
DD Kagero firing at 70th British Division
DD Makigumo firing at 70th British Division
DD Kazegumo firing at 2/1st Med Regiment
DD Yugumo firing at 70th British Division

Here is a look at the carnage. Everybody has disruption, although the combat troops are less worse off, and the armored troops least of all.

[witpqs]

OK, here is a bonus high-level view of Operation Southern Cross. The op is designed to:

1) Ensure that we have seen the Empire's high-water mark by seizing and building strong forward bases that push the menace back from the shipping lanes.

2) Provide bases for deeper naval search and reconnaissance.

3) Provide bases for the invasion of the Solomon Islands.

4) Provide bases for the invasion of the Marshall Islands. This presumes that the Gilbert Islands are not built up and that the seizure of Tabiteuea leads to the capture of all nearby bases.

[witpqs]

1942 August 29

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


BB Ise, CA Maya, and DD Yugumo bombarded Cox's Bazar again but targeted only the 70th British Division and III Indian Corps. Effect was minimal, and both base repairs and LCU recovery is underway.

The US Army attack went in between Cox's Bazar and Akyab and met stiff resistance.

Ground combat at 55,44 (near Akyab)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25071 troops, 382 guns, 336 vehicles, Assault Value = 792

Defending force 20265 troops, 156 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 614

Allied adjusted assault: 266

Japanese adjusted defense: 1455

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
685 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1408 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 133 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 39 (1 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)


Assaulting units:
27th Infantry Division
Americal Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
78th Infantry Regiment
146th Infantry Regiment

The odds were pretty short but the results were less severe. The bombers did not fly to assist, possibly due to weather. Clearly the advance on and clearing of Akyab will take some doing. There are also numerous Imperial units that have now entered the jungle from the plain.

In China, near Tuyun there was another vehicular assault.

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3069 troops, 39 guns, 497 vehicles, Assault Value = 404

Defending force 43115 troops, 364 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1073

Japanese adjusted assault: 158

Allied adjusted defense: 1441

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 9

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 69 (4 destroyed, 65 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1040 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese
18th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
3rd War Area
57th AT Gun Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

Again all of the carriers and troops convoys remain unspotted. The aircraft convoy has made Pago Pago and will begin unloading tonight. The convoy carrying two USMC divisions, two USA tank battalions, and two HQs is about 8 or 9 days out from Suva. Two large base forces are a few days behind them.

Here is a look at the horde rushing into the jungles of Burma.

[witpqs]

1942 August 30

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


An sKB has shown up off of Akyab, and their Vals made a ground attack on the Australians!

Afternoon Air attack on 6th Australian Division, at 56,44 , near Akyab

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 15



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

No Allied losses


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


Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40E 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 15000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 7th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 6th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 7th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 6th Australian Division ...

Other attacks were made on those divisions, as they have been every day recently.

In China the Empire has commenced an operation in the North.

Ground combat at 92,32 (near Paotow)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 666 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 595

Defending force 7172 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 213



Assaulting units:
19th Division
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
17th Group Army

Near Kweilin the troops saw another strange combat result.

Ground combat at 75,53 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1808 troops, 2 guns, 221 vehicles, Assault Value = 837

Defending force 21639 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 776

Japanese adjusted assault: 80

Allied adjusted defense: 1107

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13

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

Japanese ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
318 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
49th Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
9th Division
5th Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
32nd Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Cavalry Division
120th Red Chinese Division
115th Red Chinese Division
3rd Prov Chinese Corps

That lone IJN ship has drifted to the NW some. Possibly just an Intel-picket type ship? Dunno. But I do know where some small IJN carriers are located.