Last Stand at San Diego (no Richard please)

[ADB123]

September 11, 1943 –

The Night Phase started out with Pentecost Island being occupied by the invading Allied troops. Then Dutch sub O19 hit and sank and xAKL with two torpedoes in the middle of the Bunda Sea. O19 escaped the escorts of the big Transport TF that contained a lot of bigger freighters.

Daylight started out with the skies over the South Pacific being crowded with Recon and Search planes again from both sides. The Marine Pilots at Tabiteuea shot down another Emily. The Japanese CVs disappeared into Stealth Mode, but a US sub near Rossel Island shot down a Pete, so I have a reasonable suspicion that the TFs are just south of their last reported position.

In any event, I am satisfied that my preparations are sufficient now so I ordered the Luganville Invasion TF to move towards its target. Much of the rest of the USN is moving that way too. And just to help things, a LOT of USAAF Fighters are ready to get into action nearby. My intention is to land 1 day’s worth of troops, pull out the Invasion Fleet, and dig in. We will see how it goes.

The tempo of the Air War in Burma increased a bit this turn as the Allied 2Es took a break from Naval Patrol to hit some Japanese troops who are on the road just to the east of Mandalay. This was followed by the 4Es hammering the Air Base at Moulmein again. There was no enemy CAP and the FLAK seems to have gotten a bit lighter.

A British Infantry Brigade reached Bassein this turn. The base is empty so the Brits will occupy it over night. I don’t have enough Supply in southern Burma right now to move forward against Japanese troops in the Jungle, but I will happily take any empty bases that are offered to me.

[ADB123]

September 12, 1943 –

The Night Phase started out with Bassein being occupied by the British Infantry Brigade that arrived last turn. The good thing about occupying bases nowadays is that the Fortifications are captured intact. The lesson here is to never abandon a base with the current version of the Game – leaving anything there will cause your opponent to destroy the Fortifications during capture.

Submarine Action came next as first off S-44 was chased by some SCs at Shimishiri-jima but got away safely. Then USS Finback hit an xAP with a torpedo near Taihoku. I don’t know if the xAP sank but Finback got away safely from the escorts in the Troop Transport TF.

Daylight brought swarms of Recon and Search planes all over the South Pacific again. The Allied Search planes found the Japanese CV TFs northeast of Tulagi and heading eastwards (see map below). Right now it appears that they are heading towards Tabiteuea, so I ordered the remaining Transport ships there to sail off even though they still haven’t unloaded a couple of large items.

It doesn’t appear that the Japanese spotted any of my TFs that are heading towards Luganville, so I am hoping that the Japanese CVs continue on towards Tabiteuea and thus open up a Window of Opportunity for an Allied landing at Luganville. Just to help this I have increased the USAAF CAP and LR CAP over the region in the hopes of discouraging Search Planes.

Off in Burma the Allied 2Es hit the Japanese troops at Lashio while the 4Es hammered the Japanese troops that are on the jungle road to the southwest of Toungoo. Recon reports that the Japanese troops on that road consist of an Infantry Regiment, an Engineering Regiment, and a Construction Company. Once again it appears that my opponent is just attempting to block the road with whatever troops he has, rather than move the Engineers back to bases and try to repair damage and build forts. That’s fine with me.

And one more observation in Burma – my opponent may be attempting to move troops into position for an attack on Mandalay. My Air Force Bomber Pilots are getting really excited at that thought.

[ADB123]

September 13, 1943 –

The Night Phase saw the skipper of USS Barb decide not to shot at an SC off of Sabang, and then get chased off by the many escorts in a Transport TF that apparently only had one xAKL in it. Barb did get away.

Daylight brought Lots and Lots of Japanese Recon and Search over Efate and Tabiteuea. The Japanese planes over Efate got to watch a DM drop off some mines and some DD TFs sail by. The Japanese planes also got to see that there are Lots of Allied Fighters at both bases. That will give my opponent something to consider.

The Japanese CVs moved slightly further to the north and east this turn, effectively creeping a little closer towards Tabiteuea and slightly further away from Luganville (see map below). That’s fine by me. My Luganville Invasion TF avoided Detection again this turn; however it is likely to be 2 days before it can make its assault, so I’m hoping that the Japanese CVs move a bit further to the north and east next turn.

Bad Weather cancelled most Air Missions elsewhere on the Map, with only the 2Es in Burma flying to hit the Japanese Troops that are just east of Mandalay.

BTW – the South Dakota made it to Brisbane today, but since I appear to be on something of a Roll with the ship I ordered it to continue down to Sydney instead of tying up in Brisbane.

[ADB123]

September 14, 1943 –

The Night Phase saw USS Pickerel hit a Japanese PB with a torpedo just southeast of Sabang. Pickerel got away from the other escorts in the TF, which appeared to be the same one as the day before, except this time Pickerel spotted a TK in the TF along with the xAKL and the dozen or so Escorts.

Daylight brought out heavy Japanese Air Patrols over Efate and Tanna. Allied Air Patrols showed that the Japanese CV TFs had reversed course and were now within striking range of Ndeni (see map below).

And out there by itself at Luganville was my Amphibious Invasion TF, sitting quietly and preparing to head home.

Yes, I had made a Really Stupid Rookie Move here – I had forgotten that I had the TF set to “Do Not Unload” while I was collecting and merging TFs, and I forgot to set the TF back to “Unload” before sending it off.

So I wasted the Night Unloading Phase and now I sure wasn’t going to try to unload with the Japanese CVs so close, therefore my TF is heading home in an attempt to evade the KB. To help with this the TF also has several good Fighter Squadrons on LR CAP over it in order to discourage Long Range Bombers.

Oh well, at least my opponent is using up fuel…

In Burma, 2Es hit Japanese Troops at Lashio, and 4Es hammered a Japanese Infantry Regiment that is a hex southwest of Toungoo. At least things are working out reasonably well in Burma.

[ADB123]

September 15, 1943 –

There was no Night Action.

Daylight brought out the usual flurry of Search and Recon Flights all over the South Pacific. USN Air Searches located the Japanese CV TFs just to the east of Duff Island (see map below). The information cost 3 Catalinas that were shot down by enemy CAP.

It looks like the entire KB is there. There are three TFs, with a total of something like 200 Fighters, 450 Bombers, and 100 Float Planes. My opponent enthusiastically uses Float Planes for Low Alt CAP, so that makes the force even tougher. Realistically, there is nothing afloat that can stand up to that force right now, particularly since I lost 2 CVs and I’ve got another CV in Repairs.

So unless my opponent makes a mistake and moves his CV TFs within range of my LBA there isn’t much I am going to do right now other than sit back and watch. Oh well, at least I know that I can operate with impunity everywhere else.

BTW – Japanese Paratroops grabbed yet another empty Allied Base in the Region – Kirakira. Oh well, eventually I’ll just bomb all of the eastern Solomons back into the Stone Age, so that doesn’t really matter in the long run.

Off in Burma the 2Es hit the Japanese troops that are just east of Mandalay while the 4Es hammered the Japanese troops that are southwest of Toungoo again. It is looking more and more like my opponent intends to try to move towards Mandalay with the forces that he has caught at Lashio and surroundings. That’s okay; it can’t be easy for him to get Supply to them. And I will be ready to move towards Pegu and Rangoon in another 2 days, so those trapped troops are becoming even less relevant.

[ADB123]

September 16, 1943 – Interim Report -

My opponent was only able to run and send the Combat Replay today, so this is an interim report based upon watching that.

The Night Phase saw USS Grayback chased off by PBs at Tulagi, and then USS Salmon put a torpedo into an xAK at Lunga.

Daylight brought more Recon and Search over the South Pacific, with continuous Japanese Flights over Tabiteuea and Efate. Those multiple PT TFs that I have at both locations just attract Search Planes like flies to dog droppings. Two Jakes were shot down over Efate while another Catalina and a B-25 were shot down over the KB.

The Japanese CVs moved moved further south and are now halfway between Ndeni and Luganville and a few hexes to the west of the north-south line connecting the two bases. If the CVs move much further south I am going to be very tempted to pull out the B-25s that I have in the bases there and replace them with Dive Bombers.

Off in Burma the 2Es hit the Japanese Troops at Lashio while the 4Es hammered the Japanese troops to the southwest of Toungoo again.

So with any luck tomorrow I will find out the rest of what is going on from the Turn and plan my next moves. In any event, it is nice to see the KB use up so much fuel so far from home.

[ADB123]

September 16, 1943 – Final Report –

The one obvious point that came out of analyzing the Turn itself is that both sides are engaged in some fairly heavy-duty Search Wars in the South Pacific. The Air Losses Report showed the following:

Shot down by the KB: 2 PBY-5As, 2 B-25D1s, 1 PB4Y-1P

Shot down by Allied CAP: 2 E13A1 Jakes, 1 G4M1 Betty

The map below shows the current position of the Japanese CV TFs. Once again my opponent is taking the Safe and Smart route and instead of sending his ships further into my killing zones he is heading away to the west. So the KB continues to use fuel while my forces continue to regroup and get ready for an eventual dash to their target once the KB moves far enough away.

Elsewhere, things continue to be quiet in Australia and Burma thanks to the Supply Movement Rules. Eventually I will be able to overcome the situation in Burma, but I don't know that I will ever be able to re-take north-eastern Oz thanks to the Supply Rules.

[ADB123]

September 17, 1943 –

The Night Phase saw USS Skate put two torpedoes into an AO just south of Truk. The escorts in the multi-AO TF then hit Skate with a number of depth charges, so Skate is limping home. The AO was not reported as having gone done, and since it was right next to Truk it might make it there and get repaired.

Daylight brought a continuation of Search Wars in the South Pacific. My opponent is attempting to get the KB back into Stealth Mode, but he will have to take the TFs north of the Solomons in order to be assured of that. Right now the KB is near Rennell Island and heading westwards (see map below).

All of my TFs made it quietly and safely back to Base and are waiting for the KB to travel a few days further away before setting out again.

In Burma the 4Es hammered the Air Base at Rangoon again, just to keep it closed and to help use up Japanese Supplies. The Allied 2Es hit the Japanese troops to the east of Mandalay again.

So there will be a few more wait-and-see turns while I move Supplies into Burma and while the KB sails off into the distance.

[ADB123]

September 18, 1943 –

The Night Phase saw USS Dorado, cruising west of Lunga, get chased off by some of the escorts in one of the KB TFs. Dorado got away and I got to see that the KB was continuing to head westwards.

Daylight brought even more Search and Recon than usual and saw Dutch Sub O23, patrolling to the west of Rabaul, get whacked by a Japanese Patrol plane. O23 is now limping home in very bad shape.

Otherwise, things were fairly quiet in the South Pacific. The map below shows the current likely position of the KB. In any event, it is far enough away for me to start up my Luganville invasion again.

Off in Burma the 2Es hit the Japanese troops to the east of Mandalay again, while the 4Es plastered the Air Base at Pegu. I’m going to start marching the Allied Troops in southern Burma soon, and I don’t want any nearby interference.

[ADB123]

September 19, 1943 –

There was no Night Action.

Daylight brought the usual heavy Air Recon and Search activity from both sides. Allied Search Planes located the Japanese CVs sitting at Ontong Java, which is where I expected that they might go.

Air Attacks were limited to Burma again. The Allied 2Es hit the Japanese troops that are east of Taung Gyi, while the 4Es pounded the Air Base at Moulmein again.

In something of a surprise, a big Japanese Infantry Division, along with a couple of artillery units, crossed the river over to Bassein and Shock Attacked the British Infantry Brigade that has been sitting there since it captured the empty base. The attack easily knocked down the Forts and kicked the Brits out to the crossroads to the northeast.

The "surprise" in this attack is that my opponent bothered to do it, and with such a large and good unit. All that will happen now is that I will bomb that Japanese Infantry Division back into the Stone Age with 4Es and otherwise ignore Bassein. And that is one less good Japanese unit to get in the way of my main attacks.

[ADB123]

September 20, 1943 – Interim Report

My opponent only had time to run the Combat Reply this evening, and he wasn’t too happy with what he saw.

The Night Phase started out fairly quietly, and then the Skipper of the USS Harder went down into Match History as at Ontong Java he first put a torpedo into IJN Kaga, and then came back to put a torpedo into IJN Soryu! Harder got away clean after hitting Kaga, but was hit a few times after hitting Soryu. Never-the-less, I suspect that Harder will be able to get back to Port for Repairs and some Big Celebrations!

Daylight brought the usual Sky-Darkening Air Recon and Search Missions all over the South Pacific and Burma, but the only Air Attacks were in Burma again. First off Allied 2Es hit Japanese Troops to the east of Mandalay, and also at Lashio. Then the 4Es really Hammered the Japanese 14th Infantry Division at Bassein. I wonder how long my opponent will let the 14th stay there and have the Living Daylights bombed out of it:

Morning Air attack on 14th Division, at 54,52 (Bassein)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 55
B-24J Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
1273 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 102 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 45 (3 destroyed, 42 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 5th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 14th Division ...
Also attacking 5th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 14th Division ...
Also attacking 5th Field Artillery Regiment ...

Then at the end of the turn the USN Subs returned to action. First USS Grayback was chased off by PBs at Tulagi. Then USS Haddock put a torpedo into an AMc at Madang.

After all this time it was very satisfying to see the USN Subs finally show some skill and muscle.

[DanielAnsell]

Give that captain a medal! Er...if he survives.

[ADB123]

ORIGINAL: Carny

Give that captain a medal! Er...if he survives.

Over the past few months I've become quite obsessive about choosing sub captains. Ask the Computer to select a captain for you and you will always get someone with near zero aggression. And when you look at the captain selection chart after doing so most of the captains available have lousy aggression too.

If you don't check the "auto select" box you have a much greater chance of getting a good, aggressive captain, and if you then look at the captain selection chart you will usually find many more aggressive captains than you ever will when you check the "select for me" box.

As with all of the auto-commander selections - the AI always goes for one particular characteristic. In the case of sub captains it is "Naval" skill. So the AI will give you someone with an 83 Naval skill and a 31 aggression level. That skipper will never attack anything.

So I spend political points every turn nowadays fine-tuning my captains since they are not linked to their subs.

BTW - the AI loves to propose Arleigh Burke for a sub captain. I thought that he was a surface captain, so I have no idea why the AI wants me to choose him.

[ADB123]

It turns out that USS Harder wasn't damaged badly at all, so the skipper and crew ought to make it back to Port easily and have their celebrations.

As you can see from the map below, the KB is splitting up with part heading north, perhaps to Truk. What's still at Ongong Java will have to deal with more subs, and is a couple of days away from Luganville. So everything is in place.

BTW - I've set the Troops into Motion in Burma too, so the next little while ought to be fairly busy for both sides.

[ADB123]

September 21, 1943 –

The night phase started out with a USN DD TF bombarding Luganville. The DDs hit the Base and Facilities hard but missed the SNLF that is there.

Daylight brought reports of Bad Weather all over the South Pacific, and the USN PB4Y-1s that were supposed to bomb the SNLF at Luganville didn't fly. However, the 4Es in NE Oz flew and hammered the Air Base at Rossel Island.

The Air War in Burma changed somewhat this turn as Japanese CAP showed up over Bassein to attempt to contest the 4E attack on the Japanese troops there:

Morning Air attack on 14th Division, at 54,52 (Bassein)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 10
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 56
B-24J Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
920 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 32 (10 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (7 destroyed, 19 disabled)


The End-of-Day Report upped the losses:

A6M3a – 3 A-to-A, 2 Ops
Ki-44-IIa Tojo – 2 A-to-A
N1K1-J George – 2 Ops

B-24D1 – 3 A-to-A, 2 Ops
B-24J – 1 A-to-A, 1 Ops

All that this means is that now I've ordered P-47s and P-38s to fly High Alt Sweeps over Bassein next turn, and the 4Es will go in again. I don't know where the Japanese CAP flew in from, but I'm betting that it was from some of the Inland Bases, so I am flying Recon over them next turn too.

Allied 2Es also flew and hit Japanese Troops to the east of Mandalay.

And there was a surprising amount of End-of-Turn action. First off USS Scorpion ran into a Big IJN TF southwest of Ponape and was chased off by DD Escorts, but not before identifying the TF as a CV TF. So it appears that at least some of the KB is sailing towards Truk. Allied Search and Recon couldn't find any other signs of the Japanese CVs in the South Pacific, so maybe it is all of the KB.

Which would be good, because the second End-of-Turn Action was the Invasion of Luganville. The Cruisers and Escorts of the Invasion TF started out by bombarding the Base and the SNLF, and then the US Troops started to go ashore. I had APAs and AKAs as the main transport ships, so all of the Combat Troops and most of the Support Troops got ashore in the first wave. There were also no Air Attacks, likely thanks to the heavy LR CAP that the Fighter Units on Efate and Tanna provided to the Invasion TF and over Luganville itself.

The Map below shows the Troops that landed. They arrived in good shape and will attempt a Deliberate Attack next turn. I ordered away all of the Transport Ships that had emptied their Troop Loads and only left behind the few that still had to drop off troops. I also upped the LR CAP over Luganville.

With any Luck Luganville will be mine next turn and the Eastern Solomons will be under Direct Threat in the Near Future.

[ADB123]

September 22, 1943 –

My opponent only had time to send the Combat Replay this evening, but it was well worth watching despite having to wait another day or so to get at the Turn itself.

The IJN suffered yet another Bad Day this turn as USS Sturgeon put a torpedo into IJN Akagi just south of Truk. But Sturgeon Paid the Price as it was caught by Japanese DD Escorts, driven to the Surface, and sunk, although Sturgeon’s crew did get off one hit on a DD with the Deck Gun. So now the IJN is short 3 Fleet CVs for the next while.

In the meanwhile the US Landing at Luganville continued uninterrupted. Fewer ships fired during the Troop unloading, and the other DD Bombardment TFs didn’t make it, but otherwise things continued to go like clockwork.

Daylight brought Bad Weather to much of the South Pacific for a second day, once more grounding the USN PB4Y-1s from their Bombing Runs. But for a second day the USAAF 4Es in NE Oz did fly and hammered the Air Base at Milne Bay.

Meanwhile, off in Burma the Weather was even Worse. The 2Es flew and hit the Japanese Troops on the road between Mandalay and Lashio, but the 4Es didn’t fly, and neither did most of the USAAF Fighter Sweeps. Those Sweeps that did fly didn’t find any Japanese CAP.

Then the Main Event occurred as the US Army Troops at Luganville attacked the Dug In SNLF unit. But first for some reason the SNLF first attempted an Artillery Attack – it was not a good idea for them:

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1337 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Defending force 16169 troops, 210 guns, 495 vehicles, Assault Value = 523

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

Assaulting units:
Kure 3rd SNLF

Defending units:
32nd Infantry Division
104th Combat Engineer Regiment
4th USMC Tank Battalion
XI US Corps
228th USN Base Force

Then the US Troops attacked:

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14609 troops, 210 guns, 495 vehicles, Assault Value = 523

Defending force 1305 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 480

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 160 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Luganville !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
724 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (15 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
104th Combat Engineer Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
XI US Corps
228th USN Base Force

Defending units:
Kure 3rd SNLF

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Luganville

So Luganville is mine. The first job is to repair the damage, then move in Planes. Ndeni will be next, but I’ll also build up the bases near Luganville too. I’ve already got Long Range Recon Planes flying over the Eastern Solomons.

[ADB123]

Things worked out fairly well with this turn. The Base at Luganville is fairly badly messed up but my Troops will fix it up soon enough. I'm leaving a couple of AKs behind to drop off supplies while the rest of the Transport ships sail off to ready themselves for more action.

As you can see from the map below the remaining 2 Japanese CV TFs are sailing towards the region between Tarawa and Tabiteuea. Tabiteuea seems to continually capture my opponent's attention. That's fine - I've got plenty of Fighter Pilots there who would love to get some Live Targets.

Off in Burma both of my Assault Columns have moved into position so I've ordered them to attack next turn. I've also ordered the 4Es and 2Es to support them, along with the Allied LR Fighters in the region. It will be interesting to see how things go. With any luck I will be knocking on the doors of Rangoon and Pegu within a couple of weeks.

[ADB123]

September 23, 1943 –

It was a busy night in the DEI as US subs tried their luck on the Tanker TFs that were sailing near Donggala. First off USS Steelhead was chased off by a PB. Then Steelhead came back and put a torpedo into a Tanker. Next USS Spearfish shot at and missed an E-class Escort in another Tanker TF. This time the escorts hit Spearfish a couple of times so that sub is heading back to port.

Daylight started out with the 2Es in Burma hitting the Japanese Troops that were southeast of Prome. That surprised me because I thought that I set them to hit the Japanese troops that were southwest of Toungoo. Then the 4Es came in and also hit the Japanese troops near Prome and I realized then that I had goofed up something with the Air Mission orders the previous turn. So the attack near Prome got double Air Support while the attack near Toungoo got none.

Off in the South Pacific my plans also went wrong as the 4E raid on Port Moresby ran into Barrage Balloons, causing lots of damage and Ops losses to my 4Es because I had them coming in at 6K feet instead of 8K feet. So that was the second Kick Myself move of the turn, albeit a much more costly one.

Then it was time for the Land Attacks in Burma. The attack near Prome went well:

Ground combat at 55,51 (near Prome)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12951 troops, 158 guns, 807 vehicles, Assault Value = 1858

Defending force 5069 troops, 81 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 189

Allied adjusted assault: 557

Japanese adjusted defense: 79

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1541 casualties reported
Squads: 76 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 39 (16 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
50th Tank Brigade
11th (East African) Division
254th Armoured Brigade
43rd Cavalry Regiment
20th Indian Division
77th Chindit Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
17th Indian Division
29th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
1st INA Subhas Regiment
20th/C Division
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

The attack near Toungoo didn’t go so well, thanks to a lack of Air Support and the presence of a Big Japanese Infantry Division:

Ground combat at 56,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27973 troops, 597 guns, 905 vehicles, Assault Value = 1413

Defending force 18633 troops, 153 guns, 194 vehicles, Assault Value = 674

Allied adjusted assault: 496

Japanese adjusted defense: 1081

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1653 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (3 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
505 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (3 destroyed, 35 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
2nd British Division
255th Armoured Brigade
26th Indian Division
5th Indian Division
85th British AT Gun Regiment
IV Indian Corps
8th Medium Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
19th Division
42nd Infantry Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
37th Const Co
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
53rd Const Co
55th Const Co

Oh well, you can figure out where the Burma Bombers are headed next turn…

[ADB123]

BTW - if you are wondering what the KB is doing - it is continuing to move closer to Tabiteuea. One has to wonder why...

[ADB123]

September 24, 1943 –

This was another of those "No Luck" turns where nothing worked out well. The first indication of this was right at the beginning of the Night Phase as USS Corvina fired off 6 torpedoes at 3K yards at an RO-class sub near Aoba Island but missed.

Next, the reason for the KB hanging around the Gilberts was revealed as a Huge Japanese Naval Bombardment TF showed up at Tabiteuea. I had three 4-ship PT TFs at Tabiteuea, all with hand-picked Captains and TF Commanders, so I was expecting some sort of skirmish at night. But even with a 14% moon one after another the PT TFs picked up the Japanese TF on Radar and then ran off without engaging.

So the Japanese Bombardment TF got a clear shot at Tabiteuea, despite the Mines and the CD guns, and despite the fact that even CLs took part in the Naval Bombardment but the CD guns couldn't hit anything.

Then, to add Insult to Injury (or in this case Injury to Insult), the Japanese Bombardment TF caught two of the PT TFs on the way out during the Daylight. At 30K yards the PTs had no chance and 2 PTs were sunk in each TF.

Just to finish off the Turn in the Same Spirit, the main Allied 2E and 4E Bombing Attacks in Burma didn't fly. Only a few secondary 2Es flew against the Japanese Troops that are to the east of Mandalay.

As you can well imagine, my opponent didn't grumble this turn…