The willing Admiral - RA 4.6 - Allies Dan Nichols(A) vs Cavalry(J)

[Dan Nichols]

February 27-28, 1942

Another quiet turn. If I would stop doing stupid things I would be happier. I forgot to restrict one of my A-24 squadrons to 5 hexes and they took off for a heavily LRCAPed TF at Bandjermasin with predictable results, 16 lost A-24s. [:@]

And then I also forgot to take the Chinese bombers off of their run, again A6M2s were LRCAPPING and more very unreplaceable bombers were lost. [:@]

The only good news was SS Gato launching a working torpedo and hitting xAK Toei Maru South of Truk.

[Dan Nichols]

March 1-2, 1942

Another pretty quiet day. I think I will be doing a 3 month status report. I don't think DivePac will be sending me a turn for another day or so and I just sent this turn back

It would appear that SS S-37 sank xAK Genoa Maru off of Balikpapan after putting 2 torpedoes into here.

He took Singkawang this turn.

He has entered Burma, crossing to the hex Northeast of Pegu.

He landed troops at Denpasar, and I had my A-24s on rest to regain morale and lessen fatigue.

I lost 17 to his reported 25 aircraft this turn. I shot down some D3As bombing in China.

This report from the sigint file could be interesting:
2nd Raiding Regiment is planning for an attack on Akyab.
I have the 46th Indian Brigade there with Buffalos on CAP.

I have been getting some coastwatcher reports that there are a lot of ships in Raboul. Next turn
I think I will send some B-17s on a night port attack. Moonlight is at 100% now and should help get
a good result.

[Dan Nichols]

North China situation:

1: A third of a small corps, moving to recon the area.
2: 4th Cavalry Brigade. It appears to have halted its movement.
3: 987 AV road block in good defensive terrain behind a river.
4: 1071 AV, same way.
6: 389 AV to hold the approach to Lanchow.

I don't feel there are any problems here.

[Dan Nichols]

Central China

1: 6 Corps and 3 HQs with 846 AV facing a single Inf Division in +3 terrain blocking the road to Sian.
2: 3 Corps and 2 HQs with 744 AV in +3 terrain.
3: 2 corps and 1 HQ with 620 Av in +3 terrain.
4: 4 corps and 3 HQs with 540 Av facing a single Inf division in +3 terrain.
5: 3 corps and 2 HQs with 852 Av in +3 terrain blocking the road to Sian.
6: 3 corps and 1 HQ with 576 AV in +3 terrain blocking the road to Ankang. Note that Ankang has a good garrison.
7: 3 corps and 1 HQ with 313 AV in +3 terrain and behind a river. Holding action North of Ichang.
8. 8 corps and 3 HQs with 1992 AV in clear terain. He has decided to hold Ichang and I do not want to force
the issue at this time. He did a bombardment attack a few turns ago with this combat report:
Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16044 troops, 184 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 631

Defending force 65236 troops, 350 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1920

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


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


Assaulting units:
34th Division
13th Tank Regiment
11th RGC Temp. Division
13th RGC Temp. Division
51st Road Const Co
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Army
22nd AA Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
8th Ind. Engineer Regiment
52nd Road Const Co

Defending units:
67th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
33rd Group Army

My troops have poor morale now and their experience is not too high. I am somewhat happy to tie up so many
of his troops there. He also has had to put troops in the hexes to the East and Northeast also.

9: Wenchow. I have evicted a few troops that have entered my city. I have 2 corps, 3 HQs, a construction regiment,
and a base force there. I have an AV of 647, with level 3 forts and +3 terrain. It will take quite a bit of force to get me out. I have at times put an AVG squadron there and shot down unescorted bombers.

[Dan Nichols]

West China

1: Nanning has a small garrison of 1 corps, 1 HQ and a Base Force of 161 AV with level 3 forts and +2 terrain.
I have 3 other corps moving to Nanning to help its defense. I will let him have the city if he insists.
2: Kweilin has a small garrison at this time of 1 corps, 1 HQ and 2 Base forces of 242 AV with level 3 forts and +2 terrain. I have 3 corps moving to there to bolster its defenses. The units in Liuchow and in the hex Southwest of Kweilin are also
to be used to defend the area. Again, I will give up this city if necessary.
3: Kukong has 4 corps, 3 HQs and a BF with level 3 forts and +2 terrain. I am prepared to retreat these units back to Hengyang if necessary.
4: This is a trapped corps. It will be destroyed in a turn or two. [:@]
5: Hengyang has 6 corps, 2 HQs and a Base Force with 1466 AV, clear terrain, and level 4 forts.
6: Siangtan has 4 corps, 1 HQ and a construct regiment with 1031 AV, clear terrain, and level 3 forts.
7: Changsha has 6 corps, 3 HQs and the AA regiment with 1749 AV, +2 terrain, and level 5 forts.
8: Chenteh has 2 corps, 1 HQ, 1 construction regiment, 1 Base Force and the AVG ground echelon with 681 AV, +2 terrain and level 3 forts.

If necessary, I would retreat all units 2 - 6 hexes North( map North ) to establish a complete defensive line in +3 terrain.

I do have at least 100 - 200 Av in all of the bases that are not on the front lines.

[Dan Nichols]

March 3-4, 1942

I had a 2xCL 2xDD TF get in a battle with a 4xDD TF Southeast of Kendari. That battle did not go well, I scored zero hits and one CL received one hit and a DD received 2 hits. Then the next morning miss Betty found the TF twice. I lost CL Enterprise and will surely lose CL Sumatra. Again, 100% moonlight, well experienced crews and they score no hits.

He was able to take Denpasar this turn. That give him a good airbase close to Soerabaja.
I have decided to move the A-24s and P-40s out of the DEI and into Australia. I think they can be better used there. He has too many large bases to launch strikes and things are too close and he can LRCAP most everywhere he goes. I am constantly short on aviation support in the DEI, and I have enough in OZ and NG.

CV Hornet arrived at EUSA today. That will give me 4 CVs operational in 3 weeks.

He has taken Pegu and I have now ordered all remaining troops to move to the wooded area in the North of Burma. Time to get into better terrain.

[Dan Nichols]

March 5-6, 1942

As expected CL Sumatra sank today.

He took Bima today.

He now has two divisions at Wenchow. He will need more. I have fort level of 3 in +3 terrain. I still have
a good amount of supply.
---------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16050 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 656

Defending force 25659 troops, 214 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 936

Assaulting units:
88th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
25th Group Army
3rd War Area
10th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force
-----------
In sweeps over Buna it appears I lost 18 P-40E to his 5 A6M2s. I need better aircraft. I know, wait until 7/43. [:'(]
I lost 7 pilots too, and the average experience went up! [X(] Kills went up from 5 to 14, 9 kills and only 5 losses for
IJN? A bit of FoW going on here.
----------------
3 B-17Es attacked the port of Rabaul in the night of the 5th. Shoot down one A6M2 but didn't hit anything on the ground.
The moonlight was high, but reported heavy thunderstorms probably why.
------
He is sweeping Singapore. Both days there was one 17xKi-43-Ib flight and a 2xKi-43-Ib and 3xTojo flight. All at 33,000
feet. I have 48 Hurricane IIbs at Palembang. ???
----------------
BC Repulse has finished repairs at Cape Town and is returning. I am a bit unsure where to send her. India or OZ?
--------

[BBfanboy]

I'd keep her around Ceylon because it and Cape Town have dockyards that can handle her. Not sure if Sydney's 30K dockyard can even take it.

[Dan Nichols]

March 7-8, 1942

Another quiet day.

Got a sub down near Esperance.
---------
Sub attack near Esperance at 57,154

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 35, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies
DD Norman

SS I-10 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Ramillies
I-10 bottoming out ....
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-10 forced to surface!
BB Ramillies firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

DD Norman hit it with two DCs and then when it surfaced BB Ramillies hit it with a lot of AA guns.
-----------------------
He tried a DA on my unit near Lon Son with bad results

Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8040 troops, 66 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 274

Defending force 9463 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Japanese adjusted assault: 39

Allied adjusted defense: 161

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
1009 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled


Allied ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
104th/B Division

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps
---------------------
He tried night port attacks against Pearl Harbor using Emilys, he lost 5 to Flak.
---------------------
I miscounted above, I will have 5 CVs operational in 3 weeks. CV Enterprise is down to 15 days of repairs needed after
taking 3 torpedoes near Wake. That was my Christmas present for 1941, seeing CV Enterprise take 3 torpedoes. I figured she was a goner, but she made it back to Seattle and is about done repairing.
------------------

[obvert]

Where is he flying Emilys from? Does he own Midway?

BTW, with the stacking limits your Chinese defense looks impressive. Is he reconning enough to know what you've set up for him? If so, and if the stacking allows it, the road near Yenan looks to be the best shot with about 3 IJA divisions and a few tank regiments.

[JocMeister]

You are certainly doing well all over the map!

Your defense in China looks very solid. How come you seem to have him stalemated here when everyone else looses China in a matter of months? Has he ignored China or is it some other factor?

I deeply understand your frustration with the worthless allied aircraft! I have developed a deep and sincere hatred for the P40 in all its useless forms![:@] Wirraway or P40? Same crap different names!

[Dan Nichols]

Hi Obvert, yes he did take Midway Island. If he comes across the river and shock attacks I think I can hold him there. Hopefully with multiple defense points I can hold him.

Hi JocMeister, I think you will find that the stacking limits greatly help the Chinese. He did not ignore it, but our house rules allowed me to start moving the Chinese units on 7 December, 1941. I started moving all units not in good defensive terrain on day 1. Getting the units there without them being retreated in combat is imperative. Given a couple of months their experience starts to climb and morale will move up some. I have tried to make sure that all units have enough support in their hex, this helps.

[Dan Nichols]

March 9-10, 1942

Another stupid mistake by me. I left a bunch of ships in port at Soerabaja, so he flew 62 Bettys/Nells on port attack
and sank them. [:@]Basically 6 SS lost, 3 Dutch, 1 S class, and 1 Fleet.

Other than that, quiet. He is bombing a lot, but that is expected.

[JocMeister]

Ouch,

Loosing the dutch subs really sucks [:(]

[Dan Nichols]

March 11-12, 1942

A thoroughly disgusting turn.

1. My search aircraft did not detect 2 SCTFs moving into Port Moseby. I lost 5 valuable APDs and a small xAP
with only 2 Motorized support aboard.

2. KB showed up North of Noumea completely undetected and sank a Transport TF. Luckily all but a few motorized support
had been unloaded. But I lost 3 AP, 4 xAP, 5 DDs, and 2 DMSs.

[Dan Nichols]

March 13-14, 1942

After 2 really bad turns, one that is not too bad.

He hit Port Moseby pretty hard with aircraft, but only used 9 A6M2s as escort. There is a TF, not a CV as far as I can tell,
2 hexes away from Port Moseby. I think he might be launching an invasion. See the screen shot below. I have put 4 US and 1 Australia Fighter unit there, and 2 A-24 units, all set to 1 hex max range. He still has the unload bonus in effect, but maybe I can sink some ships carrying some supply or support units. I have shown the Inf and Art units in Port Moseby. I hope it is enough to hold for a good while.



I had a TF with a single APD in it at Townsville and his CVL tried to hit it.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 92,144

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
D3A1 Val x 22



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 7
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
------------------------------
SS Trusty hit a xAP south of Cam Ranh Bay and there were reported LCU losses.
----------------------------

[Dan Nichols]

March 15-16, 1942

It was indeed an Amphibious TF planning on landing at Port Moseby.
My A-24s did not fly, probably too much runway damage for the level 4 airfield. But, the
CDs did a job.
-----
The pre-invasion:
Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

383 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
DD Hatsukaze
xAK Montreal Maru, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kosho Maru, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tokitsukaze
xAK Clyde Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
PB Kosin Maru #3
PB Yoshida Maru
PB Shinko Maru #2
PB Fukui Maru
PB Busho Maru
xAP Tango Maru

Japanese ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
-------
The invasion support:
#1
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

399 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
xAKL Kosho Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kosin Maru #3
xAK Nishimi Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAK Montreal Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Fukui Maru
xAK Havana Maru, Shell hits 2
PB Yoshida Maru
PB Shinko Maru #2
PB Busho Maru
xAP Tango Maru
DD Tokitsukaze

Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--
#2
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

201 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Nishimi Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kosin Maru #3
BB Nagato
xAK Clyde Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Yoshida Maru
PB Shinko Maru #2
PB Fukui Maru
PB Busho Maru
xAP Tango Maru
DD Tokitsukaze

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--
#3
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

215 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Havana Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nagato
xAK Nishimi Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Clyde Maru, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kosin Maru #3
PB Yoshida Maru
PB Shinko Maru #2
PB Fukui Maru
PB Busho Maru
xAP Tango Maru
DD Tokitsukaze

Japanese ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--
#4
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

392 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Nagato Maru, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Nagato
xAP Tango Maru
BB Mutsu
DD Tokitsukaze
xAK Daijukyo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--
#5
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

52 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Nikki Maru, Shell hits 1
BB Nagato
xAK Nagato Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ryunan Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAP Tango Maru
--
#6
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

64 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Nikki Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Nagato
xAK Ryunan Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Tango Maru
------
And the landing:
Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130)

TF 76 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130

Japanese ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)



12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 3rd Mortar Bn
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of 1st China Assault Div /1
17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 1st China Assault Div /1
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 1st China Assault Div /1
10 troops of a SNLF HMG Section lost overboard during unload of 1st China Assault Div /2
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 1st China Assault Div /2
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 1st China Assault Div /2
70mm T92 Howitzer lost in surf during unload of 24th Infantry Rgt
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div /1
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div /1
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div /1
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div /1
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div /2
12 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div /2
12 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div /2
17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost in surf during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div
81mm Mortar lost overboard during unload of 5th Mortar Bn
81mm Mortar damaged beyond repair during unload of 5th Mortar Bn
16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad accidentally lost during unload of 1st Engr Rgt
16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Engr Rgt
16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Engr Rgt
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 1st China Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 1st China Assault Div
75mm Infantry Gun lost overboard during unload of 1st China Assault Div
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 1st China Assault Div
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 28th Engr Rgt
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad accidentally lost during unload of 1st Maizuru Assault Div
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div /2
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div /2
10 troops of a SNLF HMG Section lost overboard during unload of 1st Sasebo Assault Div /2
12 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 24th Infantry Rgt
12 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 24th Infantry Rgt
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 24th Infantry Rgt
Motorized Support lost from landing craft during unload of 16th Army
Motorized Support dropped into water during unload of 16th Army
13.2mm T93 AAMG lost from landing craft during unload of 34th Fld AA Bn
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 16th Army /1
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 16th Army /1
16 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad accidentally lost during unload of 28th Engr Rgt
------
My guys did a bombardment attack:
Day 1:
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15156 troops, 221 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 600

Defending force 25723 troops, 464 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 822

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
--
day 2
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15185 troops, 221 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 601

Defending force 25837 troops, 464 guns, 109 vehicles, Assault Value = 809

Japanese ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
------
The list of units he landed:
Defending units:
24th Infantry Regiment
28th Engineer Regiment
20th Engineer Regiment
1st China Assault Division
1st Engineer Regiment
1st Maizuru Assault Division
1st Sasebo Assault Division
3rd Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
1st Air Defense AA Battalion
16th Army
5th Mortar Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion

Not sure why 3 AA units.
---------
His units will be in bad shape, but mine are not great either. I will not attack, but my A-24s should
launch this turn. In the air, he again tried to bomb PM with only 9 A6M2s for escort, not good for him.

Attack 1:
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G3M2 Nell x 22
G4M1 Betty x 38



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 11
P-400 Airacobra x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 41


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 7 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
----
attack 2
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
G4M1 Betty x 21



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 13
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
--
Attack 3
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G3M2 Nell x 13



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 11
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
----
SS S-38 got a PB at Banjoewangi
----
I found a unit to the Southeast of Kiuchuan in the desert. It is the 5th Mongol/B Cavalry Div. I was in the hex last turn
and did a bombardment attack. Unadjusted AV is 70:9 in my favor, so I will do a deliberate attack to see if I can get it to
retreat.
---
I have a single CV TF in the Aleutians that ran across a sub. I am moving it to be West of Midway and Layson Island to see if I can find something to sink.
--
One thing interesting about all the air combat over PM. I had 65 credited kills, but not one pilot made ace status.

[BBfanboy]

Wow - nice CD results at PM. Too bad they didn't target the xAP - likely the most valuable of the bunch. It looks like virtually all his xAKs will burn up, and likely most of his supplies too. His troops will have a slow recovery if supplies are lacking. You may be able to kick him off the beach before he is able to reinforce or resupply what is there. Lotsa luck DN!

[Dan Nichols]

March 17-18, 1942

It would seem that the adage that Japan can take about any base within reason at this time is true. I will
end up losing Port Moseby. Two Nuclear naval bombardments and the full weight of KB has really put the hurt on
the troops, the facilities and my aircraft. I will rescue what I can and the rest will have to die in place.
I must report that the A-24 did not do much for me in this game, but that is more to my ineptness than anything else.

The one thing this has done is diverted a lot of his resources to the taking of Port Moseby and he has lost or at
least should lose a number of freighters that were shot up by the CDs. He lost a number of squads are equipment, both
in the landings and on shore. He did a DA this turn and actually did better than I expected him to do.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22790 troops, 397 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 806

Defending force 24413 troops, 280 guns, 274 vehicles, Assault Value = 598

Japanese adjusted assault: 740

Allied adjusted defense: 1029

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2753 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 165 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 90 disabled
Guns lost 45 (1 destroyed, 44 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1044 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 140 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)
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I did two largely ineffective bombardment attacks. I think I have 3-4 more turns to do what I can before PM falls.
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He has landed at some of the bases on Java, it will slowly fall. The Dutch are not really capable of defending Java.
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I must have forgot to put my Chinese Corps on DA last turn, it bombarded instead. I'll try to do the order right this turn.

China is still mostly a stalemate, I have lost a few corps, but they come back as strong or stronger that they left. And
they take up his valuable time.
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Singapore still stands, and he has not reentered the hex. Supplies are gone, but I am generating a few and I have a
AMC moving supply from Palembang to Singapore and troops from Singapore to Palembang. Palembang will not go quietly.
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My forces at Pago Pago, Suva, Nadi, and Noumea are growing well. All are increasing forts, airfields and ports. I
received the 1st Naval Construction Battalion this turn. That is the first of many. I have supply and fuel moved and much
more on the way.
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[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Dan Nichols

I must report that the A-24 did not do much for me in this game, but that is more to my ineptness than anything else.

How would you have used them differently?