Eyebrow on the Money witpqs (A) vs vicberg (J) {No vicberg}

[witpqs]

1942 May 26

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The air attacks and bombardments in China were per the norm. An assault at Ichang and a river-crossing out of the swamp below Ichang highlighted the day.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13296 troops, 102 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 17127 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 401

Japanese adjusted assault: 176

Allied adjusted defense: 503

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
631 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
110th Division

Defending units:
75th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 82,49 (near Ichang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2628 troops, 40 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 86

Defending force 6423 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 227

Japanese adjusted assault: 58

Allied adjusted defense: 193

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
464 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
416 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry Brigade
4th Cavalry Brigade

Defending units:
44th Chinese Corps

The air attacks are taking a toll on the defenders at Ichang. That plus the Imperial reinforcements on the way mean that we still need to rush reinforcements forward. The blocking force that came out of the swamp is much weaker than our forces but, likewise, the air attacks are taking their toll on our troops. Reinforcements will be in place tomorrow, perhaps enough to then push the IJA cavalry back into the swamp.

Milne Bay will be an early target.

[witpqs]

1942 May 27

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Air and ground bombardments, but no further assaults. Two reinforcements have arrive on the road opposite the swamp. One unit is continuing on to Ichang. The original plus the other reinforcement unit will wait for two more reinforcement units before making a substantial attack on the IJA blocking force. Here is a look at the best of the Chinese infantry.

[witpqs]

1942 May 28

The Empire captured:
Bhamo

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A surprising series of attacks by the Empire in China, and the attack at Ichang almost succeeded.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12812 troops, 102 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 411

Defending force 16621 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 360

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 303

Allied adjusted defense: 85

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
110th Division

Defending units:
75th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58522 troops, 524 guns, 223 vehicles, Assault Value = 2060

Defending force 91640 troops, 406 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2320

Japanese adjusted assault: 1608

Allied adjusted defense: 7423

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
12398 casualties reported
Squads: 212 destroyed, 252 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 94 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 62 disabled
Guns lost 75 (5 destroyed, 70 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
668 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
36th Division
70th Division
32nd Division
27th Division
13th Tank Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Division
58th Infantry Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
37th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
27th Group Army
29th Group Army
19th Group Army
9th War Area
17th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 87287 troops, 1053 guns, 235 vehicles, Assault Value = 2207

Defending force 101828 troops, 612 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2296

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 789

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
4380 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 456 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled


Allied ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
3rd Division
60th Division
39th Division
40th Division
6th Division
104th Division
22nd Division
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Army
2nd Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
93rd Chinese Division
79th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
14th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
71st Chinese/B Corps
56th AT Gun Regiment
7th War Area
25th Group Army
32nd Group Army
33rd Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
7th Artillery Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
23rd Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
12th Group Army
30th Group Army
3rd War Area
18th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at 84,48 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39093 troops, 339 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 718

Defending force 35731 troops, 150 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 585

Japanese adjusted assault: 323

Allied adjusted defense: 765

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1373 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 153 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1688 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 182 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled


Assaulting units:
13th Division
58th Division
41st Division
69th Division
12th Army

Defending units:
59th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
6th War Area

We are moving a stronger unit from Ichang to the positions across the river, but then Ichang itself might fall any day. A strong unit is one or maybe two days from arriving at Ichang. The attacks at Hengyang and Changsha were the big surprises. I must assume that the Imperial troops had recovered significant strength from earlier battles and SVC wanted to probe the defenses.

Weather allowing, the 45th Indian Bde will begin air transport to Ramree Island. Here is the Intel screen.

[witpqs]

1942 May 29

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


There were the usual air and ground bombardments, and a few significant ground assaults. First, at Bandoeng the Dutch stubbornly refuse to go quietly into the night.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45630 troops, 416 guns, 294 vehicles, Assault Value = 1081

Defending force 26133 troops, 350 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 620

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 903

Allied adjusted defense: 1243

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
5442 casualties reported
Squads: 169 destroyed, 232 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 42 (15 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (7 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
4th Division
18th Division
56th Division
8th Tank Regiment
38th Division
6th Tank Regiment
25th Army

Defending units:
1st Regt Cavalerie
1st KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
ML-KNIL
1st KNIL AA Battalion
KNI Leger
ABDA
Andir ML Base Force

Next came Ichang and across the river from Ichang. The city held rather well, and tomorrow that reinforcement unit mentioned before will arrive in fighting trim (and deployment) after only 1 more mile of travel. The combat today included one unit from across the river that moved back in movement mode, and just in time.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12951 troops, 102 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 386

Defending force 20312 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 220

Japanese adjusted assault: 175

Allied adjusted defense: 110

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

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


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


Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
110th Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps

Across the river the news was better, actually being 'good' as opposed to 'not horrible' as it might have been at Ichang.

Ground combat at 84,48 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38037 troops, 339 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 609

Defending force 30313 troops, 137 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 537

Japanese adjusted assault: 329

Allied adjusted defense: 963

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2654 casualties reported
Squads: 158 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
627 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
58th Division
13th Division
41st Division
69th Division
12th Army

Defending units:
59th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
6th War Area

At Kweilin an assault was also smartly handled.

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 60964 troops, 526 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 1564

Defending force 48918 troops, 253 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1282

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1092

Allied adjusted defense: 1489

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
4903 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 482 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 30 (1 destroyed, 29 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2113 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 274 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 17 (5 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Assaulting units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
9th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
21st Division
48th Division
23rd Army

Defending units:
60th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
25th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
4th War Area
16th Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
9th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force

The other development in China is the IJA's appearance in the open between Changsha and Hengyang, probably moving toward Siangtan.

The 45th has begun arriving at Ramree Island, with a token force so far. Here is a look at the situation in China.

[witpqs]

I was pretty tired when I produced the turn yesterday, and instead of the turn file I sent Vic the screen shot you see in the previous post! [X(]

He won't look at it. It's essential to have that kind of an opponent when you're an idiot, either from being tired or otherwise! [&o]

[witpqs]

1942 May 30

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The bombardment at Hengyang was one of the bad ones, but the real news is from Ichang. Relief arrived and the city held.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12826 troops, 102 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 371

Defending force 35824 troops, 153 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 518

Japanese adjusted assault: 233

Allied adjusted defense: 773

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1035 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
110th Division

Defending units:
39th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps

I would have loved to see even more damage to the attacker given the final odds, but the Chinese forces are just light on firepower. There are two more IJA units in the forest on the way, but now we have a unit threatening to come in their wake and cut off their supply.

[witpqs]

1942 May 31

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Just air attacks and a couple of bombardments today. Another Imperial unit has made Ichang, strength unknown. In two days another Chinese unit will make the position of the would-be IJA blocking force outside of Ichang, at which time all four Chinese units will attack together to expel the two regiments. The air attacks on Ichang are taking a great toll, as is the lack of supply. The defenders are struggling to get the fortifications back up to level 2 before the next assault.

Massive numbers of Allied air units just withdrew, and many ships will go in for June '42 upgrades as the sun goes down.

The Indian 45th has a noticeable 25 AV plus 14 engineers at Ramree Island. Feverish fort building is the order of the day. Transports and B-17s are flying in supplies.

[aprezto]

Can B-17s fly in supplies without an airfield? I know the c-47s can airdrop, just didn't think the heavy bombers could do it without runways.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: aprezto

Can B-17s fly in supplies without an airfield? I know the c-47s can airdrop, just didn't think the heavy bombers could do it without runways.

I'm getting ops report messages that they are. I believe they could & did IRL. Of course there are no details about how much, so there might be some penalty reducing it below their maximum load.

[witpqs]

1942 June 01

The Empire captured:
Ichang

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our garrison at Ramree Island has been discovered.

Morning Air attack on 45th Indian Brigade, at 54,48 (Ramree Island)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 11
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 38
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 14



No Japanese losses


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


Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
11 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
11 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Ichang has fallen.

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26760 troops, 225 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value = 756

Defending force 46929 troops, 227 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 497

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 419

Allied adjusted defense: 142

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ichang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1178 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled


Allied ground losses:
12784 casualties reported
Squads: 606 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 660 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 95 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 38 (37 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
110th Division
12th Tank Regiment
26th Division

Defending units:
59th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at 84,48 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20063 troops, 170 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 519

Defending force 18008 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 496

Japanese adjusted assault: 261

Allied adjusted defense: 569

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1315 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 177 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
312 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
58th Division
13th Division
41st Division
69th Division
12th Army

Defending units:
94th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
6th War Area

One unit is in good shape and will stand guard (46mi W Ichang) while the others withdraw to recover. The units across the river are now out on a limb that has been sawed off. They will make for the open plain and head for Ankang. There were also the usual bombardments in China, and this on Java.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42065 troops, 406 guns, 290 vehicles, Assault Value = 841

Defending force 25917 troops, 349 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 604

Japanese adjusted assault: 511

Allied adjusted defense: 1123

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
4104 casualties reported
Squads: 181 destroyed, 182 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 35 disabled
Guns lost 37 (13 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 71 (19 destroyed, 52 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
503 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Assaulting units:
56th Division
4th Division
8th Tank Regiment
18th Division
38th Division
6th Tank Regiment
25th Army

Defending units:
1st Regt Cavalerie
4th KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
1st KNIL AA Battalion
KNI Leger
ML-KNIL
ABDA
Andir ML Base Force

Many ships entered the yards today. On the border of China and Burma two things have happened. First, the trapped Imperials have moved back to where they can engage the RM Viper force. The terrain allows a small force to cut the road but they will certainly be overwhelmed. Second, another IJ unit has been spotted coming up the road to assist. In return, a Bn is almost to Bhamo from Myitkyina. And, a reinforcement Chinese unit, making its way around Paoshan to avoid over crowding that packed small town, is about 40% of the way across the last mountain hex to reinforce the advanced defensive position.

A little treat for today. Sometimes it's the small victories that make you smile.