Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Pillager) Allies only
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
wneumann, can you provide more detail on how you organize your convoys (or provide a link to where you've done that previously)? I have a feeling it'll be very informative.
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wneumann
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RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Richlove,
The next post is an updated reprint of an earlier post in this thread I made during the first weeks of this game.
The next post is an updated reprint of an earlier post in this thread I made during the first weeks of this game.
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wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
The Big Picture #15 – Conduct of Sea Transport Operations (update)
The following is a an updated “reprint” of an earlier post in this thread on transport operations by sea done in 12/41 (Big Picture #3). I’ve added comments reflecting differences in how sea transport was implemented since the original post was written plus updates on actual events in the campaign vs what was originally anticipated. Text from the original post is in black, red text is updates and additions based on how things actually occurred or other items I worked out since doing the 12/41 post.
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Overall, the conduct and movement of Allied transport by sea is expected to be a much more complex task in AE than my previous CHS game vs Pillager. Several factors impacting Allied sea transport operations are mentioned here.
As implemented, the (convoy) system I’ve put into place for Allied long-distance sea transport is more closely managed than what I had done in my previous game vs Pillager. Much of the added complexity is actually the degree to which Allied sea transport is managed, not so much in what is being done or how. An additional aspect I omitted in the original post and also omitting in this reprint is scheduling of cargoes - what gets loaded, what it's loaded aboard, when it's loaded and where the cargo is going. Scheduling cargoes is unique to each player's campaign and tailored specifically to a player's overall campaign strategy (what a player is doing, where and when). All this appears and is a considerable body of work, but 80-90% of the effort is in planning and the set-up process, once started the system largely runs itself.
My thought on logistics in AE has evolved to where it's a “game within the game”. Logistics done right is the first step in accomplishing your strategy. Logistics done wrong and you go nowhere.
Jap Submarine forces: It is my view that Jap submarines can be used more effectively and at much less risk against Allied transports in AE than CHS or stock WitP. I see this as mainly due to two factors – first, what appears to be a slight increase in effectiveness in AE for Jap submarine torpedoes, and second, the reduced effectiveness of Allied surface (naval) ASW in AE.
It’s only a question of time before Pillager “connects the dots” and begins to go aggressively against Allied transports. My conclusion is based on observing performance of the Japanese AI in AE when playing the Allies against it and I have absolutely no reason to believe that Pillager can’t do at least as well if not better with Japanese subs against Allied transport shipping.
For the most part, Pillager’s Japanese sub campaign has proved less effective than I initially estimated in 12/41. A combination of factors probably explains this – some of which include actions I’ve done on the Allied side, others known only to my opponent (Pillager) that await the “post-game analysis”.
Probably the one factor on the Allied side with the greatest impact on reducing Japanese sub effectiveness is establishment of a transport convoy system. Historically it worked (twice) in the Atlantic, if done right it would work here too. Implementation of a transport convoy system had a number of effects.
Fewer transport TF’s at sea. This immediately and drastically reduces the number and frequency of available targets for Jap submarines.
The reduced number of transport TF’s allows more concentrated employment of Allied ASW forces at any given location or time. This not only improved protection of Allied sea transport but also provided an increase in opportunities for Allied ASW forces to detect and engage Jap submarines.
More utilization of available off-map sea movement routes also contributed to decreased opportunities for Jap submarines, surface naval forces and carriers to interdict Allied sea transport activity.
Allied surface ASW operations and protection of transport shipping: The diminished effectiveness of Allied surface naval ASW in AE compared to CHS has a significant impact on the conduct of sea transport operations for the Allies. Effects of this reduction in effectiveness for Allied ASW on Allied sea transport is being felt in these areas.
• In general, early-war Allied surface naval and air ASW operational capabilities in AE will make it more difficult to intercept and attack Japanese subs before they find and attack Allied transport shipping.
• To minimize exposure of Allied transports to Japanese submarines and maximize the value of Allied ASW resources available to protect transports, a system of transport convoys for Allied shipping will need to be implemented.
• Inclusion of DD’s and specialized ASW ships (DE, KV, etc) in Allied transport convoys as escorts will be required to maximize effect of the limited numbers of DD’s and specialized ASW ship types available for escorting transport ships, this being especially true during the early war period.
To date in this campaign there has been little change in AE as to ability of surface ASW forces to detect opposing submarines, but it has appeared more difficult to effectively attack them (i.e. sink or heavily damage the sub). My opinion from experience with Allied sub warfare in this game vs Pillager is that it’s more or less equally true for both sides. There’s been few sinkings of both Allied and Japanese submarines from surface ASW attacks during this campaign so far – it’s simply harder to score a fatal hit on a sub. We’ve yet to see 1944-45 in this game, the observation I stated could change with the arrival of 1944-45 US ASW forces. How accurate my estimate of this actually is also awaits the "post-game analysis".
The second and third items above both proved correct.
Some Additional Notes on Allied ASW Doctrine:
I'll add a few notes not in the original post related to ASW operations for transport convoy protection. This is much of how I ended up doing it.
Selection of ship types and classes used in surface ASW ops include KV, SC, PC (those ships equipped with ASW weapons, not all of them are). Only a relatively small number of DD are permanently dedicated to surface ASW operations - these include the older US DD classes (four-stackers) plus the short-range Dutch and British DD. While I occasionally use modern US destroyers in small numbers for convoy escort and surface ASW actions, my first priority for employing the newer US destroyers is escorts in carrier TF's rather than protection of transport shipping. I'll also add that many mine warfare ships (AM, DM, DMS) carry ASW weapons on-board and are also quite suitable for ASW escort duty when needed and available.
Note that most ships included in my selection are short range - this is because transport convoys rarely have ASW escorts for the entire length of their movement route. Surface ASW escorts are with convoys only in the sea approaches to their departure and destination ports, not while the convoy is in open on-map sea areas or during any off-map movement. Effects of this practice include (1) long range ASW escort ships are unnecessary, (2) shorter range ASW ships normally used for escort are distributed in "packets" mainly at convoy departure and destination bases with surface ASW ships on permanent station at each base and dedicated to ASW operations in their immediate area, (3) improved availablity of ASW ships for required tasks.
Surface ASW forces located in each convoy depature or destination port serve three functions - (1) attached escorts in arriving convoy TF as they approach their port, (2) attached escorts in departing convoy TF until they clear the immediate sea area near the port, (3) forming ASW TF to pursue and engage known Jap submarines nearby. Numbers of surface ASW ships have been allocated to each theatre where required. ASW ships assigned to each theatre remain in the theatre area, though often transferred between bases within that theatre as needed.
Transport convoys departing a port will have a 3-4 ship attached ASW escort contingent as they leave the port. Attached ASW escort ships will remain with the convoy until the convoy has moved approx 8-10 hexes from the departure port. At that time the ASW ships are detached from the convoy (as a separate ASW TF) and return to the departure port. It's also useful to set "Max React" distance of the returning ASW TF to 1 hex - what this does is allow the ASW TF to make a "sweep" of sea hexes for Jap submarines along its movement route back to base.
As a transport convoy approaches its destination port, a 3-4 ship ASW TF is formed at the destination base and dispatched to meet the incoming convoy at approx 8-10 hexes out from the destination port. Set the ASW task force to meet the incoming convoy TF and merge with it. This action attaches ships in the ASW TF to the convoy as an escort for its remaining movement into the destination port. As in the case of departing convoys (above), it's also useful to set "Max React" distance of this ASW TF to 1 hex - what it does is allow the ASW TF to make a "sweep" of sea hexes for Jap submarines while going out to meet the incoming convoy.
This applying to both departure and destination ports... If known Japanese submarines are operating in sea areas near the port, additional surface ASW TF may be formed to engage the Jap sub if extra ASW ships are available. However, do not dispatch ASW TF from a departure or destination base to attack the Jap sub without providing an ASW TF from the base for direct escort of the convoy into or out of port. Protecting the convoy is first.
Also, while a convoy is departing or arriving at a base, naval air search should be flown to detect Japanese subs or other activity in sea areas near the base and the convoy's arrival/departure movement path. In this context, detecting a Jap submarine is very often as effective as attacking it. It's a simple matter to route a convoy TF around a detected Jap sub.
Port security is especially important, particularly at destination bases in forward theatres where Jap submarines, aircraft or other forces can potentially be present. Three aspects of port security are important - (1) ASW, (2) mines, (3) enemy aircraft. All three actions are needed as an arriving transport convoy is approaching the port and while the convoy is unloading ships in the port. Forming an surface ASW TF which remains on-station in the base hex provides opposition to any Jap submarine entering the base hex to perform a "Scapa Flow" attack. Pillager actually executed one of these attacks successfully in Auckland earlier in this PBEM - a Jap submarine entered Auckland base hex, torpedoed and sank 3 ships in one game turn, damaged a fourth and got away. Likewise, your Japanese opponent can send a minelaying sub into your destination port - 10 mines or 100, it takes only one mine to take out a ship (and its cargo). My practice is to form a local minesweeping TF and have that operate on-station in the base hex. What I often do if the ships remain available is keeping a surface ASW TF and a local minesweeping TF on continuous patrol in the destination base hex.
If fighter squadron(s) are based at your destination port, put them up on CAP.
Security of on-map Allied transport shipping: Providing secure movement of Allied transport shipping without significant interruption from Japanese action across each of the six primary movement routes will be an important part of Allied strategy in the early war period. Securing routes for transport shipping will be a significant factor in many decisions including what locations to defend (or not defend) against Japanese attack, sites where principal Allied bases are to be developed, among others.
Security of on-map transport shipping routes requires protection of Allied transport ships moving at sea (either individually or in convoy) from each of the following forms of Japanese attack.
• Submarines
• Surface naval raiders.
• Carrier forces (including KB, also CVL and floatplane tender TF’s)
I included floatplane tenders (large, longer-range Jap CS & AV) above as Pillager had employed these in our previous PBEM as surface raiders against Allied transport shipping. It should be noted here that many Japanese CS and AV can operate planes while at sea.
The threat of attack from Japanese LBA was not included here as the scope of this discussion covers rear-area transport shipping routes rather than movement of transport ships into forward bases or front-line areas normally within reach of enemy LBA.
A variety of Allied resources and tools will be used as needed in securing movement of transport shipping across on-map routes, and include the following.
• DD’s and specialized ASW ships attached to convoys for close escort.
• Dedicated ASW task forces to independently attack detected Jap submarines.
• LBA air units performing naval search and ASW missions from bases near or along the shipping routes.
• Surface naval and/or Carrier TF’s operating in a screening role along transport shipping routes.
• Implementation and use of a transport convoy system.
Of the five Allied resources and tools listed above, all except the fourth item (surface naval forces and carriers) have been employed in our current PBEM to cover the Allied transport convoy system. To date, I have been able to successfully employ other measures that made use of surface naval forces and carriers unnecessary.
In practice, I’ve found diverting and re-routing convoys an effective and cheap defense against Jap submarines, surface naval and KB sorties - this possible having an effective “early warning” network operating from Suva, Tahiti and Christmas Is. The need to divert or re-route convoys has so far occurred less than originally expected.
A sixth item that could have been added originally is timing and routing of transport convoys. Use of off-map sea movement combined with inaccessible sea areas (inaccessable to the Japanese anyway) place large parts of convoy routes or entire convoy routes (in some cases) beyond the effective operating or detection range of any Japanese forces.
Transport Convoy System: Plans are to establish and implement a convoy system for the majority of Allied transport shipping similar to what was historically done in the Atlantic. The convoy system will be used and followed to the greatest extent possible, though I expect making many exceptions to this rule on a case-to-case basis as situations dictate.
Size and composition of transport convoys: The following practices will be used in the formation and operation of Allied transport convoys to the greatest extent possible.
• A convoy may be formed of ships proceeding to a single destination, or can include ships going to a cluster of multiple destinations within a short distance of each other or located at different points along a common path of travel.
Pretty much implemented as written.
An added note here is that I’ve assigned one or more base(s) within each theatre as primary destinations for transport convoys bound to a given theatre. In all cases, port sizes at assigned base(s) in each theatre are increased to their maximum allowable size. Bases with port size 7 or above and/or bases with ports expandable to that size are preferred convoy destinations. Smaller ports may also be used, but only for individual ships or small groups of ships detached from larger convoys, not for entire convoys or the “main body” of a convoy.
• Size and number of ships in a convoy going to the same destination should not exceed the destination base’s port capacity to unload the ship(s) within a relatively quick period of time, usually 3-5 days maximum. This practice will ensure quickest turn-around time of transport ships at the destination port and also minimize exposure of transport ships to enemy air or naval attack while stopped at the destination base.
The idea behind maximum port sizes is fastest possible turn-around for the largest possible arriving convoy. Larger port sizes allowing more ships to be unloaded at the same time and easier handling of large ships. A stationary convoy (even in a friendly base) is a vulnerable convoy. There’s little question Pillager can detect Allied transport convoys arriving in Auckland or Suva, however, they’re nearly always unloaded and gone before any effective Japanese response can be initiated.
Depending on size of ships in a given convoy, an entire 20-30 ship convoy is often completely unloaded at Auckland (port size 9) in 2 days maximum with adequate planning of the unloading process, all but the largest ships in the convoy fully unloaded on the first day in port. Convoys up to 40-45 ships often unloaded in two days, three days for the largest convoys.
• Port capacity of the assigned destination base or bases for a convoy will be the main factor in determining the number and size of ships to be included in that convoy. If possible, the port size of a destination base should be sufficient to allow simultaneous docking of all ships from a convoy that being sent to that destination.
Accomplishing this does require some planning when forming the convoy before its departure, specifically how many ships in the convoy and cargo capacities of each ship in the convoy. Also some planning in the process of unloading the convoy at its destination – which ships need to be docked to unload (TK & AO with fuel cargo, other ships carrying LCU elements or air units first priority for available dock space), which ships in the convoy take longest to unload (usually the larger ones). In many instances smaller ships can unload without docking (though they unload slower when not docked). Also, ships in excess of a destination port’s dock capacity can unload without docking while waiting for available dock space. It’s not an exact science but one that can be done effectively with practice.
I’m noting here some items I omitted in my original post.
Convoy sizes – virtually all transport convoys 10 ships or more excluding escort, smaller convoys (< 10 ships) except in emergencies generally defeat the purpose. Average convoy size is typically 25-40 ships. I’ve sent out several 60-ship convoys that made the unloading process somewhat long and sloppy at destination, convoys this large since been avoided.
Timing of convoys – another thing learned from experience. For multiple convoys going to the same destination, minimum 3-5 game turns spacing between convoys preferred. The main object behind convoy timing is at the destination port – allow enough time for one convoy to arrive and complete unloading before arrival of the next convoy. Security is a lesser but still important consideration in timing.
Convoy refueling at destination ports– If you have a convoy delivering 50K fuel to a destination port, you’d likely prefer for the convoy to consume as little of that fuel as possible when refueling its ships for the return trip. Several steps are important to do this…
• First, the convoy’s TF must be set to “Do Not Refuel” before it arrives at the destination base. This will prevent ships the convoy TF from automatically doing a full (100%) refuel immediately on arrival in the destination base. More likely than not, most ships in a convoy will not have to fully refuel in order to safely make it home on the return trip. Some ships in a convoy may have enough fuel left for the return trip and not need to refuel at all. Proper selection of individual ships and ship types to be used in convoy operations is key to this.
• Refuelling of a convoy at the destination base should not occur until (1) after the convoy is completely unloaded and ready to depart, and (2) after setting the convoy’s movement path for the return trip.
• The first step for departure of a convoy from the destination base for its return trip is setting the TF’s exact and complete movement path for the entire return trip – this includes the TF’s destination, home point, plus any waypoint(s) that are set if these are used.
• The second step for departure of a convoy on its return trip from a destination base is setting the convoy TF to “Minimal Refuel”. This step together with the first step above establishes the required quantity of fuel needed by each individual ship in the convoy to travel the distance covered in the convoy TF’s set movement path.
• Now you replenish the convoy TF from the destination port’s fuel stock. Each ship in the convoy is refueled individually up to the needed quantity of fuel determined in the previous two steps above. Only those ship(s) in the convoy needing fuel will receive fuel up to the quantity required for the return trip from the destination port’s stocks. Those ships in the convoy already having sufficient fuel on-board to cover the trip home do not receive fuel.
Convoy naming – Naming convoys (using TF name in the TF display to do this) proved useful in quickly sorting out and tracking convoys moving both on- and off-map. Touch the mouse to the convoy icon and you’ve identified the convoy. As you may have noticed, a system of naming convoys by their route and direction of travel (outbound or returning home) was implemented along with a (sequential) number to identify individual convoys. Letters in the convoy indicate route and direction.
• WP/PW – “WP” used for outbound convoys from the US West Coast to either Central or South Pacific (both routes #1 and #4 below), reversed to “PW” (no change in sequential number) for the same convoys on return from Central or South Pacific to the US West Coast.
• WA/AW – used with convoys between Canada/US West Coast and North Pacific (route #3 below).
• EX/XE – “EX” used for outbound convoys from Eastern US via Capetown to Australia (route #7 below), reversed to “XE” for the return trip.
• MX/XM – used with a small number of fuel transport convoys to Australia from Abadan via Capetown.
• CD/DC – “CD” used for outbound convoys from Capetown to India and Colombo, reversed to “DC” on the return trip from India/Abadan/Colombo to Capetown (route #5 below).
None of this an exact science, something to be done effectively with practice and done to your individual “taste”.
Movement of transport convoys with multiple destinations: Transport convoys composed of ships going to multiple destinations will detach individual ships or groups of ships going to each destination (with or without escorts) as the convoy approaches that destination. These ships proceed to the destination base, load and/or unload, then depart from the destination base to merge again with the convoy for the return trip.
As implemented, convoys with ships bound to multiple destinations have all its destinations within the same theatre (destinations for all ships in a convoy bound to the South Pacific in the South Pacific, etc). Multiple ship destinations for the same convoy also as tightly clustered as possible.
I’ve been somewhat variable on recombining detachments of transport ship(s) from a convoy with the convoy’s main body for the return trip. It’s situational. If recombining a convoy can be done without stopping or significantly slowing down any part of the convoy, then it’s done. If not, the different parts of the convoy are sent home separately. The cardinal thing is that ships in transport convoys are kept in constant movement as much as possible for both efficiency and security reasons.
Risks of a transport convoy system:
• Use of a transport convoy system will impose delays in many departures of individual ships as a result of collecting and holding loaded transport ships in port while transport convoys are being formed. In turn, ship departure delays will slow down the rate of deployment of materiel (supply, fuel), land and air forces by sea, especially movement of US forces from the western US by sea to Australia, New Zealand and forward bases in the Pacific theatres.
Delays have not really been an issue in practice. If anything, the rate of deployment for US forces and resources from the mainland US is drastically increased.
• Each transport convoy that’s formed and sails is to some degree “putting a number of eggs in the same basket”. While the risk of a convoy’s detection by Japanese forces (especially carrier or surface naval) is somewhat less than for the same number of transport ships sailing independently (one target to detect vs many), the possibility of heavy losses is considerably increased for a transport convoy that is detected and attacked by Japanese forces.
This issue is true and remains so. In practice so far, the results of the convoy system has greatly exceeded its risks.
Collection & Allocation of Allied transport ships: A process was begun immediately effective 12/8/41 to collect and allocate on-map Allied transport ships. The process will (1) concentrate Allied transport ships in central locations from where they can be allocated or used, and (2) allocate and dispatch individual transport ships according to their future employment.
Transport ships in Hawaii, Alaska, and the mainland US & Canada as of 12/8/41 are being collected and retained in this general area to service on-map shipping routes leaving US and Canadian west coast ports for Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific theatres. These ships are exempted from the collection and allocation process for transport ships that will occur elsewhere.
In all other on-map areas, the process of collecting and allocating transport ships will take place. Transport ships from forward areas in the immediate path of the Japanese initial advance (Philippines, DEI, Hong Kong, Malaya, etc) are being evacuated to rear-area bases along with whatever cargo can be loaded aboard them. Once transport ships arriving from forward areas are unloaded, they will go into the allocation process.
Allocation of transport ships will be done according to the type of operation each individual ship will be used for – long range vs short range or local transport, on-map vs off-map movement, etc. Several criteria including size, movement range, ship type and nationality will factor into how and where a given transport ship will be used.
Longer range ships (8,000 to 10,000 mi and greater) and ships with larger cargo capacities are generally being dispatched to off-map locations. Several roles for these ships are anticipated and include.
• Transporting reinforcements and materiel (supply, fuel, oil, resource) entering the game in off-map locations to on-map bases.
• Long range transport operations both on- and off-map. I’m anticipating extensive use of these ships in moving cargoes between the US and Australia from the Eastern US via Capetown to ports in southern Australia.
This was for the most part done as described. All Allied transport ships allocated to convoy operations have been ships with > 8000 mi range. In practice, a ship’s movement range is more important than cargo capacity when determining suitability of a given ship for long-distance convoy use. The rationale behind movement range is for a convoy once formed to travel non-stop from its origin to destination without refueling at any point along its route. In practice, transport ships as they were allocated for convoy operations were dispatched to the US West Coast or off-map to Capetown or the Eastern US (via Capetown).
Smaller and shorter range ships (< 8,000 mi) were retained on-map for use in short-range and local transport operations along routes that in most cases are entirely within the same theatre area. Distribution of smaller and short-range transport ships among major theatre commands were done according to operational needs in each theatre. Ships in this category are generally on permanent assignment to each theatre command subject to change as needed.
Most ships in thie second category above are small xAP and xAK along with a number of small Dutch AO and TK, plus all xAKL. These ships were dispatched to assigned theatre areas, many kept at anchor in rear-area bases within a forward theatre area unless or until actually needed for use in forward operations. Primary functions of these ships includes (1) local transport of cargo between bases within a theatre area, and (2) future employment in or in support of amphibious operations.
A major factor behind value of small ships for these operations is their small cargo capacity allowing quick unloading of cargo at bases with small port size, in forward bases within striking range of Japanese forces or during amphibious operations. Movement range of these small ships is less important for their intended activities.
Utilization of off-map bases and shipping routes: Where possible, Allied transport convoys will make use of off-map bases and shipping routes, especially in non-critical situations where neither the convoy’s cargo nor the time in which it has to arrive at its destination are crucial factors. Collection of longer-range transport ships and their movement to off-map bases early in the game will be done to begin implementing an off-map transport system.
Pretty much implemented as written.
Allied transport convoy routes: Conduct of Allied transport convoy operations throughout the war will inevitably focus on a number of primary shipping routes, each primary route controlling strategic communication into or between one or more major theatres. Flow of transport ships and cargoes across these routes has an important strategic effect on the course of the war.
Primary on-map shipping routes (as originally planned)
• #1 – Western US & Canada to Hawaii and the Central Pacific theatre.
• #2 – Western US and Panama to eastern areas of the South Pacific theatre.
• #3 – Western US & Canada to Alaska and the North Pacific theatre.
• #4 – Western US and Panama via route #2 to central and western areas of the South Pacific theatre, Australia/New Zealand and the SW Pacific theatre. Route #4 includes route #2 above and extends it across central and western areas of the South Pacific theatre to New Zealand and Australia
• #5 – Western Indian Ocean. This route actually represents a network of shipping lanes, including on-map shipping movement through the western Indian Ocean between points in mainland India and Ceylon, and also movement to India and Ceylon from off-map bases at Aden, Abadan and Capetown.
• #6 – Eastern Indian Ocean route between Colombo and Western Australia.
Primary off-map shipping routes (as originally planned)
• #7 – Eastern US to Australia via Capetown.
• #8 – Eastern US to India via Mediterranean.
Primary on-map shipping routes (as implemented)
• #1 – US West Coast (San Francisco, Los Angeles) to Hawaii and Central Pacific theatre. Implemented as originally planned. Primary convoy destination of this route currently Pearl Harbor, other destinations including Midway and the Line Islands.
• #2 – This route was consolidated into #1 or #4 depending on exact destination in the eastern South Pacific area, never implemented as a distinct convoy route. Destinations in the Line Islands area were combined into Central Pacific theatre (route #1), destinations further south and west of Christmas Is (Tahiti, etc) combined into South Pacific theatre (route #4).
• #3 – US West Coast (Seattle) & Canada to Alaska and Aleutians. Base facilities at Prince Rupert (Canada) were expanded by late 1942 to its maximum port size 9. Prince Rupert has a major rail connection via Vancouver with the mainland US and now replaced Seattle as the main departure point for convoys on this route.
• #4 – US West Coast (San Francisco, Los Angeles) to New Zealand and South Pacific theatre. Implemented as originally planned and expanded to include Tahiti and nearby islands. Primary convoy destination on this route is Auckland, secondary destinations include Suva, Wellington and Tahiti. Movement of all cargo bound for the South Pacific theatre is along this convoy route. It should be noted that route #4 does not include Australia or SW Pacific. Movement path of route #4 convoys is variable and mostly well east of Christmas Is and south of Tahiti. Variable timing and movement paths of these convoys have so far ensured Japanese subs, surface raiders and the KB find mainly vast stretches of empty water on sorties into these sea areas.
• #5 – Western Indian Ocean between India, Colombo, Capetown and Aden/Abadan. Implemented mostly as originally planned. Most convoys in this area were modified to travel a route with three parts: Capetown to Bombay with supply and LCU cargo, Bombay to Abadan (empty), Abadan to Capetown via Socotra with fuel cargo. I began this practice when Capetown literally ran out of fuel stocks in 1942.
• #6 – Eastern Indian Ocean between Colombo and Western Australia (Perth). This route not in use. In practice, eastern sea areas of the Indian Ocean south of the DEI have largely become a mostly empty no-mans’ land. The only Allied ships I’ve sent into this area were the US carrier force raid on Palembang. Pillager occasionally sends a Japanese patrol sub off Perth, when spotted I send out a small Allied surface TF to chase it, otherwise ignore it.
Primary off-map shipping routes (as implemented)
• #7 - Eastern US to Australia via Capetown. Implemented as planned. This route is used for movement of all cargo bound for Australia and SW Pacific theatre. Primary convoy destination of this route is Melbourne, secondary destinations Sydney and Adelaide.
• #8 – Eastern US to India via Capetown. Not implemented. Little movement of cargo done between the Eastern US and India. In practice, any cargo moving along this route would actually travel from Eastern US to Capetown off-map, then unloaded and transferred at Capetown to a convoy moving along route #5 above to India or Colombo.
I should note that sea transport between Australia (SW Pacific theatre) and New Zealand (South Pacific theatre) is being handled as short-range local traffic.
The following is a an updated “reprint” of an earlier post in this thread on transport operations by sea done in 12/41 (Big Picture #3). I’ve added comments reflecting differences in how sea transport was implemented since the original post was written plus updates on actual events in the campaign vs what was originally anticipated. Text from the original post is in black, red text is updates and additions based on how things actually occurred or other items I worked out since doing the 12/41 post.
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Overall, the conduct and movement of Allied transport by sea is expected to be a much more complex task in AE than my previous CHS game vs Pillager. Several factors impacting Allied sea transport operations are mentioned here.
As implemented, the (convoy) system I’ve put into place for Allied long-distance sea transport is more closely managed than what I had done in my previous game vs Pillager. Much of the added complexity is actually the degree to which Allied sea transport is managed, not so much in what is being done or how. An additional aspect I omitted in the original post and also omitting in this reprint is scheduling of cargoes - what gets loaded, what it's loaded aboard, when it's loaded and where the cargo is going. Scheduling cargoes is unique to each player's campaign and tailored specifically to a player's overall campaign strategy (what a player is doing, where and when). All this appears and is a considerable body of work, but 80-90% of the effort is in planning and the set-up process, once started the system largely runs itself.
My thought on logistics in AE has evolved to where it's a “game within the game”. Logistics done right is the first step in accomplishing your strategy. Logistics done wrong and you go nowhere.
Jap Submarine forces: It is my view that Jap submarines can be used more effectively and at much less risk against Allied transports in AE than CHS or stock WitP. I see this as mainly due to two factors – first, what appears to be a slight increase in effectiveness in AE for Jap submarine torpedoes, and second, the reduced effectiveness of Allied surface (naval) ASW in AE.
It’s only a question of time before Pillager “connects the dots” and begins to go aggressively against Allied transports. My conclusion is based on observing performance of the Japanese AI in AE when playing the Allies against it and I have absolutely no reason to believe that Pillager can’t do at least as well if not better with Japanese subs against Allied transport shipping.
For the most part, Pillager’s Japanese sub campaign has proved less effective than I initially estimated in 12/41. A combination of factors probably explains this – some of which include actions I’ve done on the Allied side, others known only to my opponent (Pillager) that await the “post-game analysis”.
Probably the one factor on the Allied side with the greatest impact on reducing Japanese sub effectiveness is establishment of a transport convoy system. Historically it worked (twice) in the Atlantic, if done right it would work here too. Implementation of a transport convoy system had a number of effects.
Fewer transport TF’s at sea. This immediately and drastically reduces the number and frequency of available targets for Jap submarines.
The reduced number of transport TF’s allows more concentrated employment of Allied ASW forces at any given location or time. This not only improved protection of Allied sea transport but also provided an increase in opportunities for Allied ASW forces to detect and engage Jap submarines.
More utilization of available off-map sea movement routes also contributed to decreased opportunities for Jap submarines, surface naval forces and carriers to interdict Allied sea transport activity.
Allied surface ASW operations and protection of transport shipping: The diminished effectiveness of Allied surface naval ASW in AE compared to CHS has a significant impact on the conduct of sea transport operations for the Allies. Effects of this reduction in effectiveness for Allied ASW on Allied sea transport is being felt in these areas.
• In general, early-war Allied surface naval and air ASW operational capabilities in AE will make it more difficult to intercept and attack Japanese subs before they find and attack Allied transport shipping.
• To minimize exposure of Allied transports to Japanese submarines and maximize the value of Allied ASW resources available to protect transports, a system of transport convoys for Allied shipping will need to be implemented.
• Inclusion of DD’s and specialized ASW ships (DE, KV, etc) in Allied transport convoys as escorts will be required to maximize effect of the limited numbers of DD’s and specialized ASW ship types available for escorting transport ships, this being especially true during the early war period.
To date in this campaign there has been little change in AE as to ability of surface ASW forces to detect opposing submarines, but it has appeared more difficult to effectively attack them (i.e. sink or heavily damage the sub). My opinion from experience with Allied sub warfare in this game vs Pillager is that it’s more or less equally true for both sides. There’s been few sinkings of both Allied and Japanese submarines from surface ASW attacks during this campaign so far – it’s simply harder to score a fatal hit on a sub. We’ve yet to see 1944-45 in this game, the observation I stated could change with the arrival of 1944-45 US ASW forces. How accurate my estimate of this actually is also awaits the "post-game analysis".
The second and third items above both proved correct.
Some Additional Notes on Allied ASW Doctrine:
I'll add a few notes not in the original post related to ASW operations for transport convoy protection. This is much of how I ended up doing it.
Selection of ship types and classes used in surface ASW ops include KV, SC, PC (those ships equipped with ASW weapons, not all of them are). Only a relatively small number of DD are permanently dedicated to surface ASW operations - these include the older US DD classes (four-stackers) plus the short-range Dutch and British DD. While I occasionally use modern US destroyers in small numbers for convoy escort and surface ASW actions, my first priority for employing the newer US destroyers is escorts in carrier TF's rather than protection of transport shipping. I'll also add that many mine warfare ships (AM, DM, DMS) carry ASW weapons on-board and are also quite suitable for ASW escort duty when needed and available.
Note that most ships included in my selection are short range - this is because transport convoys rarely have ASW escorts for the entire length of their movement route. Surface ASW escorts are with convoys only in the sea approaches to their departure and destination ports, not while the convoy is in open on-map sea areas or during any off-map movement. Effects of this practice include (1) long range ASW escort ships are unnecessary, (2) shorter range ASW ships normally used for escort are distributed in "packets" mainly at convoy departure and destination bases with surface ASW ships on permanent station at each base and dedicated to ASW operations in their immediate area, (3) improved availablity of ASW ships for required tasks.
Surface ASW forces located in each convoy depature or destination port serve three functions - (1) attached escorts in arriving convoy TF as they approach their port, (2) attached escorts in departing convoy TF until they clear the immediate sea area near the port, (3) forming ASW TF to pursue and engage known Jap submarines nearby. Numbers of surface ASW ships have been allocated to each theatre where required. ASW ships assigned to each theatre remain in the theatre area, though often transferred between bases within that theatre as needed.
Transport convoys departing a port will have a 3-4 ship attached ASW escort contingent as they leave the port. Attached ASW escort ships will remain with the convoy until the convoy has moved approx 8-10 hexes from the departure port. At that time the ASW ships are detached from the convoy (as a separate ASW TF) and return to the departure port. It's also useful to set "Max React" distance of the returning ASW TF to 1 hex - what this does is allow the ASW TF to make a "sweep" of sea hexes for Jap submarines along its movement route back to base.
As a transport convoy approaches its destination port, a 3-4 ship ASW TF is formed at the destination base and dispatched to meet the incoming convoy at approx 8-10 hexes out from the destination port. Set the ASW task force to meet the incoming convoy TF and merge with it. This action attaches ships in the ASW TF to the convoy as an escort for its remaining movement into the destination port. As in the case of departing convoys (above), it's also useful to set "Max React" distance of this ASW TF to 1 hex - what it does is allow the ASW TF to make a "sweep" of sea hexes for Jap submarines while going out to meet the incoming convoy.
This applying to both departure and destination ports... If known Japanese submarines are operating in sea areas near the port, additional surface ASW TF may be formed to engage the Jap sub if extra ASW ships are available. However, do not dispatch ASW TF from a departure or destination base to attack the Jap sub without providing an ASW TF from the base for direct escort of the convoy into or out of port. Protecting the convoy is first.
Also, while a convoy is departing or arriving at a base, naval air search should be flown to detect Japanese subs or other activity in sea areas near the base and the convoy's arrival/departure movement path. In this context, detecting a Jap submarine is very often as effective as attacking it. It's a simple matter to route a convoy TF around a detected Jap sub.
Port security is especially important, particularly at destination bases in forward theatres where Jap submarines, aircraft or other forces can potentially be present. Three aspects of port security are important - (1) ASW, (2) mines, (3) enemy aircraft. All three actions are needed as an arriving transport convoy is approaching the port and while the convoy is unloading ships in the port. Forming an surface ASW TF which remains on-station in the base hex provides opposition to any Jap submarine entering the base hex to perform a "Scapa Flow" attack. Pillager actually executed one of these attacks successfully in Auckland earlier in this PBEM - a Jap submarine entered Auckland base hex, torpedoed and sank 3 ships in one game turn, damaged a fourth and got away. Likewise, your Japanese opponent can send a minelaying sub into your destination port - 10 mines or 100, it takes only one mine to take out a ship (and its cargo). My practice is to form a local minesweeping TF and have that operate on-station in the base hex. What I often do if the ships remain available is keeping a surface ASW TF and a local minesweeping TF on continuous patrol in the destination base hex.
If fighter squadron(s) are based at your destination port, put them up on CAP.
Security of on-map Allied transport shipping: Providing secure movement of Allied transport shipping without significant interruption from Japanese action across each of the six primary movement routes will be an important part of Allied strategy in the early war period. Securing routes for transport shipping will be a significant factor in many decisions including what locations to defend (or not defend) against Japanese attack, sites where principal Allied bases are to be developed, among others.
Security of on-map transport shipping routes requires protection of Allied transport ships moving at sea (either individually or in convoy) from each of the following forms of Japanese attack.
• Submarines
• Surface naval raiders.
• Carrier forces (including KB, also CVL and floatplane tender TF’s)
I included floatplane tenders (large, longer-range Jap CS & AV) above as Pillager had employed these in our previous PBEM as surface raiders against Allied transport shipping. It should be noted here that many Japanese CS and AV can operate planes while at sea.
The threat of attack from Japanese LBA was not included here as the scope of this discussion covers rear-area transport shipping routes rather than movement of transport ships into forward bases or front-line areas normally within reach of enemy LBA.
A variety of Allied resources and tools will be used as needed in securing movement of transport shipping across on-map routes, and include the following.
• DD’s and specialized ASW ships attached to convoys for close escort.
• Dedicated ASW task forces to independently attack detected Jap submarines.
• LBA air units performing naval search and ASW missions from bases near or along the shipping routes.
• Surface naval and/or Carrier TF’s operating in a screening role along transport shipping routes.
• Implementation and use of a transport convoy system.
Of the five Allied resources and tools listed above, all except the fourth item (surface naval forces and carriers) have been employed in our current PBEM to cover the Allied transport convoy system. To date, I have been able to successfully employ other measures that made use of surface naval forces and carriers unnecessary.
In practice, I’ve found diverting and re-routing convoys an effective and cheap defense against Jap submarines, surface naval and KB sorties - this possible having an effective “early warning” network operating from Suva, Tahiti and Christmas Is. The need to divert or re-route convoys has so far occurred less than originally expected.
A sixth item that could have been added originally is timing and routing of transport convoys. Use of off-map sea movement combined with inaccessible sea areas (inaccessable to the Japanese anyway) place large parts of convoy routes or entire convoy routes (in some cases) beyond the effective operating or detection range of any Japanese forces.
Transport Convoy System: Plans are to establish and implement a convoy system for the majority of Allied transport shipping similar to what was historically done in the Atlantic. The convoy system will be used and followed to the greatest extent possible, though I expect making many exceptions to this rule on a case-to-case basis as situations dictate.
Size and composition of transport convoys: The following practices will be used in the formation and operation of Allied transport convoys to the greatest extent possible.
• A convoy may be formed of ships proceeding to a single destination, or can include ships going to a cluster of multiple destinations within a short distance of each other or located at different points along a common path of travel.
Pretty much implemented as written.
An added note here is that I’ve assigned one or more base(s) within each theatre as primary destinations for transport convoys bound to a given theatre. In all cases, port sizes at assigned base(s) in each theatre are increased to their maximum allowable size. Bases with port size 7 or above and/or bases with ports expandable to that size are preferred convoy destinations. Smaller ports may also be used, but only for individual ships or small groups of ships detached from larger convoys, not for entire convoys or the “main body” of a convoy.
• Size and number of ships in a convoy going to the same destination should not exceed the destination base’s port capacity to unload the ship(s) within a relatively quick period of time, usually 3-5 days maximum. This practice will ensure quickest turn-around time of transport ships at the destination port and also minimize exposure of transport ships to enemy air or naval attack while stopped at the destination base.
The idea behind maximum port sizes is fastest possible turn-around for the largest possible arriving convoy. Larger port sizes allowing more ships to be unloaded at the same time and easier handling of large ships. A stationary convoy (even in a friendly base) is a vulnerable convoy. There’s little question Pillager can detect Allied transport convoys arriving in Auckland or Suva, however, they’re nearly always unloaded and gone before any effective Japanese response can be initiated.
Depending on size of ships in a given convoy, an entire 20-30 ship convoy is often completely unloaded at Auckland (port size 9) in 2 days maximum with adequate planning of the unloading process, all but the largest ships in the convoy fully unloaded on the first day in port. Convoys up to 40-45 ships often unloaded in two days, three days for the largest convoys.
• Port capacity of the assigned destination base or bases for a convoy will be the main factor in determining the number and size of ships to be included in that convoy. If possible, the port size of a destination base should be sufficient to allow simultaneous docking of all ships from a convoy that being sent to that destination.
Accomplishing this does require some planning when forming the convoy before its departure, specifically how many ships in the convoy and cargo capacities of each ship in the convoy. Also some planning in the process of unloading the convoy at its destination – which ships need to be docked to unload (TK & AO with fuel cargo, other ships carrying LCU elements or air units first priority for available dock space), which ships in the convoy take longest to unload (usually the larger ones). In many instances smaller ships can unload without docking (though they unload slower when not docked). Also, ships in excess of a destination port’s dock capacity can unload without docking while waiting for available dock space. It’s not an exact science but one that can be done effectively with practice.
I’m noting here some items I omitted in my original post.
Convoy sizes – virtually all transport convoys 10 ships or more excluding escort, smaller convoys (< 10 ships) except in emergencies generally defeat the purpose. Average convoy size is typically 25-40 ships. I’ve sent out several 60-ship convoys that made the unloading process somewhat long and sloppy at destination, convoys this large since been avoided.
Timing of convoys – another thing learned from experience. For multiple convoys going to the same destination, minimum 3-5 game turns spacing between convoys preferred. The main object behind convoy timing is at the destination port – allow enough time for one convoy to arrive and complete unloading before arrival of the next convoy. Security is a lesser but still important consideration in timing.
Convoy refueling at destination ports– If you have a convoy delivering 50K fuel to a destination port, you’d likely prefer for the convoy to consume as little of that fuel as possible when refueling its ships for the return trip. Several steps are important to do this…
• First, the convoy’s TF must be set to “Do Not Refuel” before it arrives at the destination base. This will prevent ships the convoy TF from automatically doing a full (100%) refuel immediately on arrival in the destination base. More likely than not, most ships in a convoy will not have to fully refuel in order to safely make it home on the return trip. Some ships in a convoy may have enough fuel left for the return trip and not need to refuel at all. Proper selection of individual ships and ship types to be used in convoy operations is key to this.
• Refuelling of a convoy at the destination base should not occur until (1) after the convoy is completely unloaded and ready to depart, and (2) after setting the convoy’s movement path for the return trip.
• The first step for departure of a convoy from the destination base for its return trip is setting the TF’s exact and complete movement path for the entire return trip – this includes the TF’s destination, home point, plus any waypoint(s) that are set if these are used.
• The second step for departure of a convoy on its return trip from a destination base is setting the convoy TF to “Minimal Refuel”. This step together with the first step above establishes the required quantity of fuel needed by each individual ship in the convoy to travel the distance covered in the convoy TF’s set movement path.
• Now you replenish the convoy TF from the destination port’s fuel stock. Each ship in the convoy is refueled individually up to the needed quantity of fuel determined in the previous two steps above. Only those ship(s) in the convoy needing fuel will receive fuel up to the quantity required for the return trip from the destination port’s stocks. Those ships in the convoy already having sufficient fuel on-board to cover the trip home do not receive fuel.
Convoy naming – Naming convoys (using TF name in the TF display to do this) proved useful in quickly sorting out and tracking convoys moving both on- and off-map. Touch the mouse to the convoy icon and you’ve identified the convoy. As you may have noticed, a system of naming convoys by their route and direction of travel (outbound or returning home) was implemented along with a (sequential) number to identify individual convoys. Letters in the convoy indicate route and direction.
• WP/PW – “WP” used for outbound convoys from the US West Coast to either Central or South Pacific (both routes #1 and #4 below), reversed to “PW” (no change in sequential number) for the same convoys on return from Central or South Pacific to the US West Coast.
• WA/AW – used with convoys between Canada/US West Coast and North Pacific (route #3 below).
• EX/XE – “EX” used for outbound convoys from Eastern US via Capetown to Australia (route #7 below), reversed to “XE” for the return trip.
• MX/XM – used with a small number of fuel transport convoys to Australia from Abadan via Capetown.
• CD/DC – “CD” used for outbound convoys from Capetown to India and Colombo, reversed to “DC” on the return trip from India/Abadan/Colombo to Capetown (route #5 below).
None of this an exact science, something to be done effectively with practice and done to your individual “taste”.
Movement of transport convoys with multiple destinations: Transport convoys composed of ships going to multiple destinations will detach individual ships or groups of ships going to each destination (with or without escorts) as the convoy approaches that destination. These ships proceed to the destination base, load and/or unload, then depart from the destination base to merge again with the convoy for the return trip.
As implemented, convoys with ships bound to multiple destinations have all its destinations within the same theatre (destinations for all ships in a convoy bound to the South Pacific in the South Pacific, etc). Multiple ship destinations for the same convoy also as tightly clustered as possible.
I’ve been somewhat variable on recombining detachments of transport ship(s) from a convoy with the convoy’s main body for the return trip. It’s situational. If recombining a convoy can be done without stopping or significantly slowing down any part of the convoy, then it’s done. If not, the different parts of the convoy are sent home separately. The cardinal thing is that ships in transport convoys are kept in constant movement as much as possible for both efficiency and security reasons.
Risks of a transport convoy system:
• Use of a transport convoy system will impose delays in many departures of individual ships as a result of collecting and holding loaded transport ships in port while transport convoys are being formed. In turn, ship departure delays will slow down the rate of deployment of materiel (supply, fuel), land and air forces by sea, especially movement of US forces from the western US by sea to Australia, New Zealand and forward bases in the Pacific theatres.
Delays have not really been an issue in practice. If anything, the rate of deployment for US forces and resources from the mainland US is drastically increased.
• Each transport convoy that’s formed and sails is to some degree “putting a number of eggs in the same basket”. While the risk of a convoy’s detection by Japanese forces (especially carrier or surface naval) is somewhat less than for the same number of transport ships sailing independently (one target to detect vs many), the possibility of heavy losses is considerably increased for a transport convoy that is detected and attacked by Japanese forces.
This issue is true and remains so. In practice so far, the results of the convoy system has greatly exceeded its risks.
Collection & Allocation of Allied transport ships: A process was begun immediately effective 12/8/41 to collect and allocate on-map Allied transport ships. The process will (1) concentrate Allied transport ships in central locations from where they can be allocated or used, and (2) allocate and dispatch individual transport ships according to their future employment.
Transport ships in Hawaii, Alaska, and the mainland US & Canada as of 12/8/41 are being collected and retained in this general area to service on-map shipping routes leaving US and Canadian west coast ports for Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific theatres. These ships are exempted from the collection and allocation process for transport ships that will occur elsewhere.
In all other on-map areas, the process of collecting and allocating transport ships will take place. Transport ships from forward areas in the immediate path of the Japanese initial advance (Philippines, DEI, Hong Kong, Malaya, etc) are being evacuated to rear-area bases along with whatever cargo can be loaded aboard them. Once transport ships arriving from forward areas are unloaded, they will go into the allocation process.
Allocation of transport ships will be done according to the type of operation each individual ship will be used for – long range vs short range or local transport, on-map vs off-map movement, etc. Several criteria including size, movement range, ship type and nationality will factor into how and where a given transport ship will be used.
Longer range ships (8,000 to 10,000 mi and greater) and ships with larger cargo capacities are generally being dispatched to off-map locations. Several roles for these ships are anticipated and include.
• Transporting reinforcements and materiel (supply, fuel, oil, resource) entering the game in off-map locations to on-map bases.
• Long range transport operations both on- and off-map. I’m anticipating extensive use of these ships in moving cargoes between the US and Australia from the Eastern US via Capetown to ports in southern Australia.
This was for the most part done as described. All Allied transport ships allocated to convoy operations have been ships with > 8000 mi range. In practice, a ship’s movement range is more important than cargo capacity when determining suitability of a given ship for long-distance convoy use. The rationale behind movement range is for a convoy once formed to travel non-stop from its origin to destination without refueling at any point along its route. In practice, transport ships as they were allocated for convoy operations were dispatched to the US West Coast or off-map to Capetown or the Eastern US (via Capetown).
Smaller and shorter range ships (< 8,000 mi) were retained on-map for use in short-range and local transport operations along routes that in most cases are entirely within the same theatre area. Distribution of smaller and short-range transport ships among major theatre commands were done according to operational needs in each theatre. Ships in this category are generally on permanent assignment to each theatre command subject to change as needed.
Most ships in thie second category above are small xAP and xAK along with a number of small Dutch AO and TK, plus all xAKL. These ships were dispatched to assigned theatre areas, many kept at anchor in rear-area bases within a forward theatre area unless or until actually needed for use in forward operations. Primary functions of these ships includes (1) local transport of cargo between bases within a theatre area, and (2) future employment in or in support of amphibious operations.
A major factor behind value of small ships for these operations is their small cargo capacity allowing quick unloading of cargo at bases with small port size, in forward bases within striking range of Japanese forces or during amphibious operations. Movement range of these small ships is less important for their intended activities.
Utilization of off-map bases and shipping routes: Where possible, Allied transport convoys will make use of off-map bases and shipping routes, especially in non-critical situations where neither the convoy’s cargo nor the time in which it has to arrive at its destination are crucial factors. Collection of longer-range transport ships and their movement to off-map bases early in the game will be done to begin implementing an off-map transport system.
Pretty much implemented as written.
Allied transport convoy routes: Conduct of Allied transport convoy operations throughout the war will inevitably focus on a number of primary shipping routes, each primary route controlling strategic communication into or between one or more major theatres. Flow of transport ships and cargoes across these routes has an important strategic effect on the course of the war.
Primary on-map shipping routes (as originally planned)
• #1 – Western US & Canada to Hawaii and the Central Pacific theatre.
• #2 – Western US and Panama to eastern areas of the South Pacific theatre.
• #3 – Western US & Canada to Alaska and the North Pacific theatre.
• #4 – Western US and Panama via route #2 to central and western areas of the South Pacific theatre, Australia/New Zealand and the SW Pacific theatre. Route #4 includes route #2 above and extends it across central and western areas of the South Pacific theatre to New Zealand and Australia
• #5 – Western Indian Ocean. This route actually represents a network of shipping lanes, including on-map shipping movement through the western Indian Ocean between points in mainland India and Ceylon, and also movement to India and Ceylon from off-map bases at Aden, Abadan and Capetown.
• #6 – Eastern Indian Ocean route between Colombo and Western Australia.
Primary off-map shipping routes (as originally planned)
• #7 – Eastern US to Australia via Capetown.
• #8 – Eastern US to India via Mediterranean.
Primary on-map shipping routes (as implemented)
• #1 – US West Coast (San Francisco, Los Angeles) to Hawaii and Central Pacific theatre. Implemented as originally planned. Primary convoy destination of this route currently Pearl Harbor, other destinations including Midway and the Line Islands.
• #2 – This route was consolidated into #1 or #4 depending on exact destination in the eastern South Pacific area, never implemented as a distinct convoy route. Destinations in the Line Islands area were combined into Central Pacific theatre (route #1), destinations further south and west of Christmas Is (Tahiti, etc) combined into South Pacific theatre (route #4).
• #3 – US West Coast (Seattle) & Canada to Alaska and Aleutians. Base facilities at Prince Rupert (Canada) were expanded by late 1942 to its maximum port size 9. Prince Rupert has a major rail connection via Vancouver with the mainland US and now replaced Seattle as the main departure point for convoys on this route.
• #4 – US West Coast (San Francisco, Los Angeles) to New Zealand and South Pacific theatre. Implemented as originally planned and expanded to include Tahiti and nearby islands. Primary convoy destination on this route is Auckland, secondary destinations include Suva, Wellington and Tahiti. Movement of all cargo bound for the South Pacific theatre is along this convoy route. It should be noted that route #4 does not include Australia or SW Pacific. Movement path of route #4 convoys is variable and mostly well east of Christmas Is and south of Tahiti. Variable timing and movement paths of these convoys have so far ensured Japanese subs, surface raiders and the KB find mainly vast stretches of empty water on sorties into these sea areas.
• #5 – Western Indian Ocean between India, Colombo, Capetown and Aden/Abadan. Implemented mostly as originally planned. Most convoys in this area were modified to travel a route with three parts: Capetown to Bombay with supply and LCU cargo, Bombay to Abadan (empty), Abadan to Capetown via Socotra with fuel cargo. I began this practice when Capetown literally ran out of fuel stocks in 1942.
• #6 – Eastern Indian Ocean between Colombo and Western Australia (Perth). This route not in use. In practice, eastern sea areas of the Indian Ocean south of the DEI have largely become a mostly empty no-mans’ land. The only Allied ships I’ve sent into this area were the US carrier force raid on Palembang. Pillager occasionally sends a Japanese patrol sub off Perth, when spotted I send out a small Allied surface TF to chase it, otherwise ignore it.
Primary off-map shipping routes (as implemented)
• #7 - Eastern US to Australia via Capetown. Implemented as planned. This route is used for movement of all cargo bound for Australia and SW Pacific theatre. Primary convoy destination of this route is Melbourne, secondary destinations Sydney and Adelaide.
• #8 – Eastern US to India via Capetown. Not implemented. Little movement of cargo done between the Eastern US and India. In practice, any cargo moving along this route would actually travel from Eastern US to Capetown off-map, then unloaded and transferred at Capetown to a convoy moving along route #5 above to India or Colombo.
I should note that sea transport between Australia (SW Pacific theatre) and New Zealand (South Pacific theatre) is being handled as short-range local traffic.
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wneumann
- Posts: 3768
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RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/10/43
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub in action with Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Saishu To at 99,56 (adjacent hex S of Saishu To)
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-36
PB Banshu Maru #8
Allied Ships
SS Silversides
SS Silversides launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-36
PB Banshu Maru #8 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
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US West Coast: Unidentified Jap submarine spotted by naval air search off San Francisco, also E14Y1 Glen floatplane from this sub reported flying over San Francisco base hex. Departure of transport convoy WP-50A forming in San Francisco is briefly delayed while US surface ASW is dispatched to engage the sub.
South Pacific: One or more unidentified Jap TF(s) visible on-map at hex location 116, 126 (due E of Rabaul, N of the Solomons). No information available as to number of TF, composition or movement. The interesting part of this sighting is no Allied subs at the position of this contact; also no entries in the 4/09 AAR, Sigint, Operations or Combat Events reports indicating any Jap TF was detected or engaged at this location.
Dutch sub O-24 on patrol near Milne Bay was dispatched to Woodlark Is in response to a 4/08 coastwatcher report on the chance Japanese ship(s) could be found and engaged. Be careful what you wish for… My experience with sending in subs to check out coastwatcher reports has been less than profitable – three Jap barges sunk vs two damaged Allied subs. AAR follows.
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Sub attack at Woodlark Island 104,133
Japanese Ships (2 ships in the spotted Jap TF, TF includes W-15 below)
E W-15
Allied Ships
SS O24, hits 7 (system damage 18, float 13, returning to base at 17 kts)
SS O24 launches 2 torpedoes at E W-15
O24 bottoming out ....
E W-15 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
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Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/09 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 10 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Akasisan Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
DEI: US patrol sub attacked and hit by Ki-21 Sally air patrol near Balikpapan. SS Pickerel heavily damaged in the air attack (system damage 44, float 27, engine 11), still moving at 12 kts speed and bound to Australia for repairs.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 116 aircraft (88 fighters, 28 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No significant reported combat activity at Chungking.
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub in action with Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Saishu To at 99,56 (adjacent hex S of Saishu To)
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-36
PB Banshu Maru #8
Allied Ships
SS Silversides
SS Silversides launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-36
PB Banshu Maru #8 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
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US West Coast: Unidentified Jap submarine spotted by naval air search off San Francisco, also E14Y1 Glen floatplane from this sub reported flying over San Francisco base hex. Departure of transport convoy WP-50A forming in San Francisco is briefly delayed while US surface ASW is dispatched to engage the sub.
South Pacific: One or more unidentified Jap TF(s) visible on-map at hex location 116, 126 (due E of Rabaul, N of the Solomons). No information available as to number of TF, composition or movement. The interesting part of this sighting is no Allied subs at the position of this contact; also no entries in the 4/09 AAR, Sigint, Operations or Combat Events reports indicating any Jap TF was detected or engaged at this location.
Dutch sub O-24 on patrol near Milne Bay was dispatched to Woodlark Is in response to a 4/08 coastwatcher report on the chance Japanese ship(s) could be found and engaged. Be careful what you wish for… My experience with sending in subs to check out coastwatcher reports has been less than profitable – three Jap barges sunk vs two damaged Allied subs. AAR follows.
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Sub attack at Woodlark Island 104,133
Japanese Ships (2 ships in the spotted Jap TF, TF includes W-15 below)
E W-15
Allied Ships
SS O24, hits 7 (system damage 18, float 13, returning to base at 17 kts)
SS O24 launches 2 torpedoes at E W-15
O24 bottoming out ....
E W-15 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/09 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 10 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Akasisan Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
DEI: US patrol sub attacked and hit by Ki-21 Sally air patrol near Balikpapan. SS Pickerel heavily damaged in the air attack (system damage 44, float 27, engine 11), still moving at 12 kts speed and bound to Australia for repairs.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 116 aircraft (88 fighters, 28 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No significant reported combat activity at Chungking.
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
wneumann, thanks for the detail, much appreciated. There's a lot there that merits deep reading.
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Richlove,
Hopefully this will be of some value.
As lengthy the description of it is, it really comes down to three components -
(1) Major sources for most of the Allied supply, fuel, LCU's, air units, etc that's produced or enter the game (the vast majority of this coming from mainland US, Middle East, Capetown).
(2) Major destinations to where most of these items are going (i.e. Australia/New Zealand, India, front line theatres in the Pacific).
(3) A set of "conveyor belts" developed to connect major sources and major destinations. The "conveyor belts" include all transport ships assigned to long-range movement of cargoes, the convoy system, plus specific bases designated as departure and destination ports.
If you're going to be sending 80-100 or more transports a month from the US to wherever... forming and sending out those 80-100 ships in 5-6 convoys is easier to organize and track than sending the same number of ships out in a much larger number of small transport TF's over a month's worth of game turns. Not to mention protection, loading, unloading and tracking of only 5-6 convoys a month vs 20-25 (possibly) more small transport TF.
If you have any specific questions, feel free.
Hopefully this will be of some value.
As lengthy the description of it is, it really comes down to three components -
(1) Major sources for most of the Allied supply, fuel, LCU's, air units, etc that's produced or enter the game (the vast majority of this coming from mainland US, Middle East, Capetown).
(2) Major destinations to where most of these items are going (i.e. Australia/New Zealand, India, front line theatres in the Pacific).
(3) A set of "conveyor belts" developed to connect major sources and major destinations. The "conveyor belts" include all transport ships assigned to long-range movement of cargoes, the convoy system, plus specific bases designated as departure and destination ports.
If you're going to be sending 80-100 or more transports a month from the US to wherever... forming and sending out those 80-100 ships in 5-6 convoys is easier to organize and track than sending the same number of ships out in a much larger number of small transport TF's over a month's worth of game turns. Not to mention protection, loading, unloading and tracking of only 5-6 convoys a month vs 20-25 (possibly) more small transport TF.
If you have any specific questions, feel free.
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/12/43
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub intercepts and torpedoes Jap transport in northern exit of straits between Formosa and mainland China. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Taihoku at 87,61 (NW of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
xAK Yamagiku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
xAK Yamagiku Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Yamagiku Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
East China Sea: US patrol sub in several actions with Jap surface ASW before attempting a west-to-east passage through Tsushima Straits. SS Silversides then hit a mine in Tsushima base hex while passing through the straits and severely damaged. AAR’s follow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Saishu To at 100,56 (adjacent hex SE of Saishu To)
Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze
Allied Ships
SS Silversides
SS Silversides is sighted by escort
Silversides diving deep ....
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tsushima at 102,56 (adjacent hex W of Tsushima)
Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami
DD Harukaze
Allied Ships
SS Silversides
SS Silversides launches 2 torpedoes at DD Sazanami
Silversides diving deep ....
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 331 encounters mine field at Tsushima (103,56)
Allied Ships
SS Silversides, Mine hits 1, on fire (system damage 70, float 90, engine 48)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/11 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Australia: Transport convoy EX-30 (33 transports, one AD) arrives in Australia from Eastern US via Capetown. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes 128K supply – no fuel, LCU or air units. The AD arriving with the convoy is being detached and will remain in Australia for future operations with either SW Pacific or South Pacific theatre.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 100 aircraft (73 fighters, 27 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: Japanese resume ground bombardment on Chungking. AAR follows.
8 detected Japanese LCU in hexes adjacent to Chungking. At least some of these Jap LCU are likely reinforcements for ground assault on Chungking. It appears Pillager is scraping together more Jap LCU to throw on the pile in Chungking.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (two new Jap ground units appeared in this game turn’s attack)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 280195 troops, 2705 guns, 1363 vehicles, Assault Value = 9645
Defending force 501242 troops, 2498 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14303
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
515 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division
116th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Armored Car Co
15th Division
104th Division
36th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
41st Division
37th Division
6th Division **
32nd Division
70th Division
35th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
110th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
40th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
39th Division
3rd Tank Division
58th Division
22nd Division
34th Division
38th Division
1st Army **
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
North China Area Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Army
21st Mortar Battalion
12th Army
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
23rd Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
61st Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
72nd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
36th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
97th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
90th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
67th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force
51st Chinese Corps
9th Group Army
69th Chinese Corps
19th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
18th Chinese Base Force
36th Group Army
22nd Group Army
10th Construction Regiment
Jingcha War Area
16th Group Army
13th Group Army
17th Construction Regiment
48th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
31st Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
20th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
1st Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
China Command
8th Construction Regiment
12th Group Army
38th Group Army
2nd War Area
6th War Area
6th Construction Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
17th Group Army
14th Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force
5th Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
4th War Area
26th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
Central Reserve
24th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
32nd Group Army
1st War Area
7th Artillery Regiment
7th War Area
17th Chinese Base Force
7th Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
5th War Area
20th Group Army
8th Group Army
3rd Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
8th War Area
2nd Group Army
303rd Brigade
13th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Base Force
40th Chinese Corps
39th Group Army
3rd War Area
9th War Area
CAF HQ
1st Group Army
15th Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
30th Group Army
29th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
10th Chinese Base Force
33rd Group Army
21st Group Army
23rd Group Army
1st Construction Regiment
3rd Group Army
11th Construction Regiment
37th Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
27th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force
49th AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub intercepts and torpedoes Jap transport in northern exit of straits between Formosa and mainland China. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Taihoku at 87,61 (NW of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
xAK Yamagiku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
xAK Yamagiku Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Yamagiku Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
East China Sea: US patrol sub in several actions with Jap surface ASW before attempting a west-to-east passage through Tsushima Straits. SS Silversides then hit a mine in Tsushima base hex while passing through the straits and severely damaged. AAR’s follow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Saishu To at 100,56 (adjacent hex SE of Saishu To)
Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze
Allied Ships
SS Silversides
SS Silversides is sighted by escort
Silversides diving deep ....
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tsushima at 102,56 (adjacent hex W of Tsushima)
Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami
DD Harukaze
Allied Ships
SS Silversides
SS Silversides launches 2 torpedoes at DD Sazanami
Silversides diving deep ....
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 331 encounters mine field at Tsushima (103,56)
Allied Ships
SS Silversides, Mine hits 1, on fire (system damage 70, float 90, engine 48)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/11 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Australia: Transport convoy EX-30 (33 transports, one AD) arrives in Australia from Eastern US via Capetown. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes 128K supply – no fuel, LCU or air units. The AD arriving with the convoy is being detached and will remain in Australia for future operations with either SW Pacific or South Pacific theatre.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 100 aircraft (73 fighters, 27 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: Japanese resume ground bombardment on Chungking. AAR follows.
8 detected Japanese LCU in hexes adjacent to Chungking. At least some of these Jap LCU are likely reinforcements for ground assault on Chungking. It appears Pillager is scraping together more Jap LCU to throw on the pile in Chungking.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (two new Jap ground units appeared in this game turn’s attack)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 280195 troops, 2705 guns, 1363 vehicles, Assault Value = 9645
Defending force 501242 troops, 2498 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14303
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
515 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Division
116th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Armored Car Co
15th Division
104th Division
36th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
41st Division
37th Division
6th Division **
32nd Division
70th Division
35th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
110th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
40th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
39th Division
3rd Tank Division
58th Division
22nd Division
34th Division
38th Division
1st Army **
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
North China Area Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Army
21st Mortar Battalion
12th Army
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
23rd Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
61st Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
72nd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
36th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
97th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
90th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
67th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force
51st Chinese Corps
9th Group Army
69th Chinese Corps
19th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
18th Chinese Base Force
36th Group Army
22nd Group Army
10th Construction Regiment
Jingcha War Area
16th Group Army
13th Group Army
17th Construction Regiment
48th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
31st Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
20th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
1st Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
China Command
8th Construction Regiment
12th Group Army
38th Group Army
2nd War Area
6th War Area
6th Construction Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
17th Group Army
14th Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force
5th Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
4th War Area
26th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
Central Reserve
24th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
32nd Group Army
1st War Area
7th Artillery Regiment
7th War Area
17th Chinese Base Force
7th Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
5th War Area
20th Group Army
8th Group Army
3rd Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
8th War Area
2nd Group Army
303rd Brigade
13th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Base Force
40th Chinese Corps
39th Group Army
3rd War Area
9th War Area
CAF HQ
1st Group Army
15th Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
30th Group Army
29th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
10th Chinese Base Force
33rd Group Army
21st Group Army
23rd Group Army
1st Construction Regiment
3rd Group Army
11th Construction Regiment
37th Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
27th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force
49th AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/13/43
Sea of Japan: US sub Silversides sinks from damage after striking mine at Tsushima last game turn. Position of Silverside’s sinking was NW of Matsue (hex location 106, 55).
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub engages Jap surface ASW. Jap TF spotted at this hex position contains two ships, reported moving on W heading. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Taihoku at 88,62 (adjacent hex N of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
PB Tatsumi Maru
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes at PB Tatsumi Maru
Greenling diving deep ....
PB Tatsumi Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-35 (47 ships) departing Eastern US this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes 2 Engineer Amphibious Brigade, one USAAF recon squadron (4 F-10 Mitchell), 137K supply and 51K fuel.
North Pacific: Port facilities at Adak Is now fully expanded to its maximum port size 8(5), airfield construction now underway. A USN Base Force LCU is already located on Adak along with adequate stocks of fuel and supply on hand. With arrival of a sub tender (AS) now enroute to Adak from the US West Coast, development of Adak Is as a forward US submarine base will be completed. Plans are to use Adak as a replenishment base for US patrol submarines operating off the Japanese Home Islands and in the East China Sea.
With development of Adak now completed, plans are to occupy Amchitka and begin construction of base facilities there. Amchitka will likely be developed as a forward air base. Overall strategy in the Aleutians is a step-by-step westward push of fully expanded bases. At this time, there are no plans under consideration for Allied offensive operations from the North Pacific, though a network of fully built Aleutian bases would be in place to support an Allied offensive from the North Pacific if a decision to do this is made later.
South Pacific: US patrol sub intercepts Jap transport TF in the sea area between Ndeni and Luganville. Intercepted radio transmissions from a nearby unidentified Jap TF at sea in hex location 120, 148 (N or Luganville) were reported in a 4/12 Sigint entry. My estimate is the same Jap TF shown in the AAR below is also reported in the Sigint entry – if true, the probable destination of this Jap TF is Luganville. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Utupua at 120,145 (S of Ndeni)
Japanese Ships
xAK Taito Maru
PB Wa 8
xAK Asuka Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
Allied Ships
SS S-40
SS S-40 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Taito Maru
S-40 diving deep ....
PB Tamo Maru #6 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigint entry for 4/12 reports intercepted radio transmissions from an unidentified Jap submarine at hex location 123, 185 (S of Raoul Is, E of Auckland). Jap sub does not impact any current Allied ship operations near Auckland/Suva. Three Allied transport TF which passed through the area all missed the Jap sub - Convoy PW-46 (departing Auckland on return to the US West Coast), Convoy WP-47 arriving in Auckland this game turn (below), plus a local transport TF (5 small xAK, 1 APD) bound from Auckland to Suva. Recent weather conditions in the South Pacific theatre area have been mostly unfavorable for many at-sea detections.
Transport convoy WP-47 (29 transport ships, 3 LST, one AG) arrived in Auckland this game turn from the mainland US. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes 9 USN Naval Construction Rgt, one VMF fighter squadron (18 F4F Wildcats), 171K supply and 12K fuel. LST and AG arriving with the convoy will remain in South Pacific theatre for employment in future operations. With the arrival of WP-47, a total of 17 LST are now based in the South Pacific theatre area.
US sub engaged by Japanese surface ASW in open sea north of the Solomons near Tulagi. Cannot determine whether this Jap surface ASW is operating as escort in a transport TF or moving independently. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Auki at 117,136 (ENE of Tulagi)
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-22
SC CHa-41
Allied Ships
SS Seal
SS Seal is sighted by escort
Seal diving deep ....
SC CHa-41 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigint entry for 4/12 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Noumea. Detected status of Noumea shows unidentified Jap planes based there - current airfield size 2(5), port size 5(4). No other visible Japanese forces or activity.
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/12 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: PB Sansei Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Australia: Transport convoy EX-31 (7 transports, one large LSI) arrives in Australia from Eastern US via Capetown. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes 24K supply and 58K fuel – no LCU or air units. The LSI arriving with the convoy is being detached and will remain in Australia for future amphibious ops with either SW Pacific or South Pacific theatre.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 108 aircraft (83 fighters, 25 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
Aden: Conversion of some Pacific L Cargo class xAK (3900 cargo capacity) to Pacific Troop class xAP (capacity 1000 troop, 1200 cargo) has started. Approximately 60-65 Pacific L class ships are currently in service, nearly all of them operating in transport convoys between the Eastern US and Australia, also convoy routes between Capetown and India. Intent of this ship conversion is creation of additional smaller xAP for use in amphibious operations.
An exact number of Pacific L class ships to be converted has not been set, current plans include leaving some Pacific L class transports in their present xAK configuration for continued use in long-range transport convoys. Conversions will depend on the number of Pacific L class xAK needed or desired for convoy operations. Five Pacific L class xAK are being converted in the initial group, additional ships will enter conversion as they can be and are removed from transport convoy service. Ship conversions will likely occur across a number of different shipyards according to where the ships entering conversion are located.
China: No reported Japanese ground attacks at Chungking. Number of detected Jap LCU in Chungking base hex increased from 48 to 52 – several Jap LCU previously detected in adjacent hexes to Chungking moved into the Chungking base hex.
Sea of Japan: US sub Silversides sinks from damage after striking mine at Tsushima last game turn. Position of Silverside’s sinking was NW of Matsue (hex location 106, 55).
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub engages Jap surface ASW. Jap TF spotted at this hex position contains two ships, reported moving on W heading. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Taihoku at 88,62 (adjacent hex N of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
PB Tatsumi Maru
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes at PB Tatsumi Maru
Greenling diving deep ....
PB Tatsumi Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-35 (47 ships) departing Eastern US this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes 2 Engineer Amphibious Brigade, one USAAF recon squadron (4 F-10 Mitchell), 137K supply and 51K fuel.
North Pacific: Port facilities at Adak Is now fully expanded to its maximum port size 8(5), airfield construction now underway. A USN Base Force LCU is already located on Adak along with adequate stocks of fuel and supply on hand. With arrival of a sub tender (AS) now enroute to Adak from the US West Coast, development of Adak Is as a forward US submarine base will be completed. Plans are to use Adak as a replenishment base for US patrol submarines operating off the Japanese Home Islands and in the East China Sea.
With development of Adak now completed, plans are to occupy Amchitka and begin construction of base facilities there. Amchitka will likely be developed as a forward air base. Overall strategy in the Aleutians is a step-by-step westward push of fully expanded bases. At this time, there are no plans under consideration for Allied offensive operations from the North Pacific, though a network of fully built Aleutian bases would be in place to support an Allied offensive from the North Pacific if a decision to do this is made later.
South Pacific: US patrol sub intercepts Jap transport TF in the sea area between Ndeni and Luganville. Intercepted radio transmissions from a nearby unidentified Jap TF at sea in hex location 120, 148 (N or Luganville) were reported in a 4/12 Sigint entry. My estimate is the same Jap TF shown in the AAR below is also reported in the Sigint entry – if true, the probable destination of this Jap TF is Luganville. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Utupua at 120,145 (S of Ndeni)
Japanese Ships
xAK Taito Maru
PB Wa 8
xAK Asuka Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
Allied Ships
SS S-40
SS S-40 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Taito Maru
S-40 diving deep ....
PB Tamo Maru #6 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigint entry for 4/12 reports intercepted radio transmissions from an unidentified Jap submarine at hex location 123, 185 (S of Raoul Is, E of Auckland). Jap sub does not impact any current Allied ship operations near Auckland/Suva. Three Allied transport TF which passed through the area all missed the Jap sub - Convoy PW-46 (departing Auckland on return to the US West Coast), Convoy WP-47 arriving in Auckland this game turn (below), plus a local transport TF (5 small xAK, 1 APD) bound from Auckland to Suva. Recent weather conditions in the South Pacific theatre area have been mostly unfavorable for many at-sea detections.
Transport convoy WP-47 (29 transport ships, 3 LST, one AG) arrived in Auckland this game turn from the mainland US. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes 9 USN Naval Construction Rgt, one VMF fighter squadron (18 F4F Wildcats), 171K supply and 12K fuel. LST and AG arriving with the convoy will remain in South Pacific theatre for employment in future operations. With the arrival of WP-47, a total of 17 LST are now based in the South Pacific theatre area.
US sub engaged by Japanese surface ASW in open sea north of the Solomons near Tulagi. Cannot determine whether this Jap surface ASW is operating as escort in a transport TF or moving independently. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Auki at 117,136 (ENE of Tulagi)
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-22
SC CHa-41
Allied Ships
SS Seal
SS Seal is sighted by escort
Seal diving deep ....
SC CHa-41 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigint entry for 4/12 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Noumea. Detected status of Noumea shows unidentified Jap planes based there - current airfield size 2(5), port size 5(4). No other visible Japanese forces or activity.
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/12 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: PB Sansei Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Australia: Transport convoy EX-31 (7 transports, one large LSI) arrives in Australia from Eastern US via Capetown. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes 24K supply and 58K fuel – no LCU or air units. The LSI arriving with the convoy is being detached and will remain in Australia for future amphibious ops with either SW Pacific or South Pacific theatre.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 108 aircraft (83 fighters, 25 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
Aden: Conversion of some Pacific L Cargo class xAK (3900 cargo capacity) to Pacific Troop class xAP (capacity 1000 troop, 1200 cargo) has started. Approximately 60-65 Pacific L class ships are currently in service, nearly all of them operating in transport convoys between the Eastern US and Australia, also convoy routes between Capetown and India. Intent of this ship conversion is creation of additional smaller xAP for use in amphibious operations.
An exact number of Pacific L class ships to be converted has not been set, current plans include leaving some Pacific L class transports in their present xAK configuration for continued use in long-range transport convoys. Conversions will depend on the number of Pacific L class xAK needed or desired for convoy operations. Five Pacific L class xAK are being converted in the initial group, additional ships will enter conversion as they can be and are removed from transport convoy service. Ship conversions will likely occur across a number of different shipyards according to where the ships entering conversion are located.
China: No reported Japanese ground attacks at Chungking. Number of detected Jap LCU in Chungking base hex increased from 48 to 52 – several Jap LCU previously detected in adjacent hexes to Chungking moved into the Chungking base hex.
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/14/43
South Pacific: US patrol sub in sea passage between Ndeni and the southern Solomons reports contact with Jap surface ASW. The two SC in the AAR below were encountered last game turn by US sub Seal operating on patrol near Tulagi (to the NW of this contact) – my estimate is the two SC are possibly escorts with an otherwise undetected Jap transport TF moving southbound to either Ndeni or Luganville. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kirakira at 117,141 (NE of Ndeni)
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-22
SC CHa-41
Allied Ships
SS Tambor
SS Tambor is sighted by escort
SC CHa-41 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/13 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: AR Canberra Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed 9, Moving Southwest
Andaman Sea: US patrol sub intercepts small Jap transport TF. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Victoria Point at 48,65 (W of Victoria Point)
Japanese Ships
TK Kyoie Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 3
DD Numakaze
Allied Ships
SS Jack
SS Jack launches 2 torpedoes at TK Kyoie Maru
DD Numakaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 3 Japanese ships anchored in port (all identified as minesweepers, +3 from last report), no Jap TF in harbor, 109 aircraft (87 fighters, 22 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
Indian Ocean: A risk of the convoy system I omitted from the discussion in an earlier post… increased probability of ship collisions in transport TF’s that contain a large number of ships. Two large xAK from transport convoy CD-21 (24 ships) collided off the Indian coast near Karachi, this convoy enroute from Bombay to Abadan with empty ships to pick up fuel cargo for its return trip to Capetown. Both colliding ships were significantly damaged – the more heavily damaged ship with 40 float damage, 38 engine. The two colliding ships were detached from the convoy and now proceeding independently to shipyards at Aden and Bombay for repair.
While collisions are not a major risk in the convoy system, they do happen. So far in this campaign, I’ve experienced 5-6 significant collisions at sea between ships operating in long distance transport convoys – no ships involved in the collisions were sunk, but all had at least moderate damage requiring time in shipyard for repair. My view on collisions is they are a cost of doing business with operating a transport convoy system.
China: Japanese deliberate ground assault on Chungking. AAR follows.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (five new Jap LCU appeared in this game turn’s attack, all artillery units transferred to Chungking from Kwantung Army)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 222481 troops, 2292 guns, 1377 vehicles, Assault Value = 9859
Defending force 502949 troops, 2477 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14461
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 3860
Allied adjusted defense: 7741
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
18011 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 1648 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 129 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 217 disabled
Guns lost 162 (5 destroyed, 157 disabled)
Vehicles lost 65 (3 destroyed, 62 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
30985 casualties reported
Squads: 168 destroyed, 2101 disabled
Non Combat: 385 destroyed, 1286 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 47 disabled
Guns lost 198 (29 destroyed, 169 disabled)
Units destroyed 10
Assaulting units:
70th Division
40th Division
41st Division
37th Division
8th Armored Car Co
26th Division
32nd Division
58th Division
6th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Division
104th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
15th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
13th Division
36th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
116th Division
3rd Tank Division
22nd Division
35th Division
110th Division
38th Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
12th Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment ** (reported by Sigint at Kienko on 4/07)
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion ** (transferred from Kwantung Army)
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
North China Area Army
23rd Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion ** (reported by Sigint at Kienko on 4/07)
21st Mortar Battalion
11th Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment ** (transferred from Kwantung Army)
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion ** (transferred from Kwantung Army)
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
77th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
47th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
8th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
89th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
31st Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
72nd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
71st Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
303rd Brigade
24th Group Army
31st Group Army
5th Group Army
4th War Area
12th Construction Regiment
32nd Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
51st Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
8th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
20th Group Army
23rd Group Army
Red Chinese Army
Central Reserve
Jingcha War Area
6th Chinese Base Force
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
12th Group Army
19th Group Army
China Command
13th Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force
10th Construction Regiment
11th Construction Regiment
11th Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
33rd Group Army
35th Group Army
6th Construction Regiment
69th Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
48th Chinese Corps
17th Group Army
15th Group Army
1st Construction Regiment
21st Group Army
6th War Area
30th Group Army
CAF HQ
7th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
5th War Area
14th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force
26th Group Army
16th Group Army
9th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
3rd War Area
38th Group Army
1st Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
25th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
17th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
18th Chinese Base Force
1st War Area
10th Chinese Base Force
83rd Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Base Force
22nd Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
37th Group Army
36th Group Army
6th Group Army
8th War Area
2nd Group Army
3rd Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
7th War Area
17th Construction Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
27th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
2nd War Area
3rd Group Army
8th Construction Regiment
17th Chinese Base Force
1st Chinese Base Force
29th Group Army
7th New Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
7th Artillery Regiment
9th War Area
39th Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
49th AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Pacific: US patrol sub in sea passage between Ndeni and the southern Solomons reports contact with Jap surface ASW. The two SC in the AAR below were encountered last game turn by US sub Seal operating on patrol near Tulagi (to the NW of this contact) – my estimate is the two SC are possibly escorts with an otherwise undetected Jap transport TF moving southbound to either Ndeni or Luganville. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kirakira at 117,141 (NE of Ndeni)
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-22
SC CHa-41
Allied Ships
SS Tambor
SS Tambor is sighted by escort
SC CHa-41 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/13 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: AR Canberra Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed 9, Moving Southwest
Andaman Sea: US patrol sub intercepts small Jap transport TF. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Victoria Point at 48,65 (W of Victoria Point)
Japanese Ships
TK Kyoie Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 3
DD Numakaze
Allied Ships
SS Jack
SS Jack launches 2 torpedoes at TK Kyoie Maru
DD Numakaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 3 Japanese ships anchored in port (all identified as minesweepers, +3 from last report), no Jap TF in harbor, 109 aircraft (87 fighters, 22 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
Indian Ocean: A risk of the convoy system I omitted from the discussion in an earlier post… increased probability of ship collisions in transport TF’s that contain a large number of ships. Two large xAK from transport convoy CD-21 (24 ships) collided off the Indian coast near Karachi, this convoy enroute from Bombay to Abadan with empty ships to pick up fuel cargo for its return trip to Capetown. Both colliding ships were significantly damaged – the more heavily damaged ship with 40 float damage, 38 engine. The two colliding ships were detached from the convoy and now proceeding independently to shipyards at Aden and Bombay for repair.
While collisions are not a major risk in the convoy system, they do happen. So far in this campaign, I’ve experienced 5-6 significant collisions at sea between ships operating in long distance transport convoys – no ships involved in the collisions were sunk, but all had at least moderate damage requiring time in shipyard for repair. My view on collisions is they are a cost of doing business with operating a transport convoy system.
China: Japanese deliberate ground assault on Chungking. AAR follows.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (five new Jap LCU appeared in this game turn’s attack, all artillery units transferred to Chungking from Kwantung Army)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 222481 troops, 2292 guns, 1377 vehicles, Assault Value = 9859
Defending force 502949 troops, 2477 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14461
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 3860
Allied adjusted defense: 7741
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
18011 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 1648 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 129 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 217 disabled
Guns lost 162 (5 destroyed, 157 disabled)
Vehicles lost 65 (3 destroyed, 62 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
30985 casualties reported
Squads: 168 destroyed, 2101 disabled
Non Combat: 385 destroyed, 1286 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 47 disabled
Guns lost 198 (29 destroyed, 169 disabled)
Units destroyed 10
Assaulting units:
70th Division
40th Division
41st Division
37th Division
8th Armored Car Co
26th Division
32nd Division
58th Division
6th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Division
104th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
15th Tank Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Division
13th Division
36th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
116th Division
3rd Tank Division
22nd Division
35th Division
110th Division
38th Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
12th Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment ** (reported by Sigint at Kienko on 4/07)
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion ** (transferred from Kwantung Army)
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
North China Area Army
23rd Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion ** (reported by Sigint at Kienko on 4/07)
21st Mortar Battalion
11th Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment ** (transferred from Kwantung Army)
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion ** (transferred from Kwantung Army)
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
77th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
47th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
8th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
89th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
31st Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
72nd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
71st Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
303rd Brigade
24th Group Army
31st Group Army
5th Group Army
4th War Area
12th Construction Regiment
32nd Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
51st Chinese Corps
11th Group Army
8th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
20th Group Army
23rd Group Army
Red Chinese Army
Central Reserve
Jingcha War Area
6th Chinese Base Force
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
12th Group Army
19th Group Army
China Command
13th Group Army
16th Chinese Base Force
10th Construction Regiment
11th Construction Regiment
11th Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
33rd Group Army
35th Group Army
6th Construction Regiment
69th Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
48th Chinese Corps
17th Group Army
15th Group Army
1st Construction Regiment
21st Group Army
6th War Area
30th Group Army
CAF HQ
7th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
5th War Area
14th Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force
26th Group Army
16th Group Army
9th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
3rd War Area
38th Group Army
1st Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
25th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
17th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
18th Chinese Base Force
1st War Area
10th Chinese Base Force
83rd Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Base Force
22nd Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
37th Group Army
36th Group Army
6th Group Army
8th War Area
2nd Group Army
3rd Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
7th War Area
17th Construction Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
27th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
2nd War Area
3rd Group Army
8th Construction Regiment
17th Chinese Base Force
1st Chinese Base Force
29th Group Army
7th New Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
7th Artillery Regiment
9th War Area
39th Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
49th AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/15/43
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub engages Jap transport TF in a night surface action near northern exit of passage between Formosa and mainland China. SS Greenling reports contact with Jap TF (five ships including two AM) moving NE. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Taihoku at 88,62 (NW of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
xAKL Heiku Maru, Shell hits 8
Allied Ships
SS Greenling, hits 2 (system damage 5, remains on patrol)
xAKL Heiku Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling attacking xAKL Heiku Maru on the surface
Coe, J.W. decides to submerge SS Greenling due to damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmission from Wake Is. Detected status of Lunga shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, airfield size 3(0), port size 1(0). No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Wake Is.
South Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmission from Lunga. Detected status of Lunga shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/14 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 8 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 104,133 near Woodlark Island, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Andaman Sea: US patrol sub attacked and damaged by Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.
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ASW attack near Victoria Point at 48,63 (WNW of Victoria Point)
Japanese Ships
DD Mutsuki
E Hachijo
DD Isonami
Allied Ships
SS Jack, hits 2 (system 6, float 23, engine 3 – returning to base at 15 kts for repair)
SS Jack is located by DD Mutsuki
DD Mutsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Isonami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isonami is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 2 Japanese ships anchored in port (-1 from last report), 2 Jap TF in harbor (+2 from last report), 112 aircraft (84 fighters, 28 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub engages Jap transport TF in a night surface action near northern exit of passage between Formosa and mainland China. SS Greenling reports contact with Jap TF (five ships including two AM) moving NE. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Taihoku at 88,62 (NW of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
xAKL Heiku Maru, Shell hits 8
Allied Ships
SS Greenling, hits 2 (system damage 5, remains on patrol)
xAKL Heiku Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling attacking xAKL Heiku Maru on the surface
Coe, J.W. decides to submerge SS Greenling due to damage
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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmission from Wake Is. Detected status of Lunga shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, airfield size 3(0), port size 1(0). No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Wake Is.
South Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/14 reports intercepted Jap radio transmission from Lunga. Detected status of Lunga shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/14 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 8 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 104,133 near Woodlark Island, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Andaman Sea: US patrol sub attacked and damaged by Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.
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ASW attack near Victoria Point at 48,63 (WNW of Victoria Point)
Japanese Ships
DD Mutsuki
E Hachijo
DD Isonami
Allied Ships
SS Jack, hits 2 (system 6, float 23, engine 3 – returning to base at 15 kts for repair)
SS Jack is located by DD Mutsuki
DD Mutsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Isonami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isonami is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 2 Japanese ships anchored in port (-1 from last report), 2 Jap TF in harbor (+2 from last report), 112 aircraft (84 fighters, 28 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
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wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Aftermath of an at-sea ship collision
In experience with previous ship collisions at-sea, my practice had been to detach a heavily damaged ship from a transport convoy TF in situations where damage to the ship resulted in severe loss of speed and reduced speed of the damaged ship significantly slowed down movement of the entire convoy. The procedure creates a new TF at sea (from the transport convoy’s TF display) and transfers the heavily damaged ship into the new TF. The damaged ship would move independently as a straggler while the main body of the convoy TF continued movement at normal speed. In all cases to date, the damaged ship safely reached port somewhat later than the rest of the convoy, unloaded its cargo, then disbanded and placed into shipyard for repair. This process had been done quite successfully on the 4-5 previous ship collision incidents where it was necessary to detach a heavily damaged ship for this reason. It should be noted that not all ship collisions leave one or both ships severely damaged to a point where this procedure is necessary – I’ve had ship collisions where both ships involved remained with the convoy and the convoy continued normal movement without further incident.
The collision incident described here occurred this game turn (4/15/43) between two ships in outbound Convoy WP-49 (40 ships) bound for the South Pacific from the mainland US. The collision took place between a LST and an APA - the LST heavily damaged in the collision and its speed reduced to 4 kts, also slowing the entire convoy TF to this rate of movement. The APA in the collision (not shown below) was lightly damaged with only a small reduction in speed not impacting the convoy's overall speed.
A TF display of Convoy WP-49 showing the LST damaged in the collision (LST-459) follows – disregard destination and home port settings for the TF shown on the display as both settings have since been changed.
In experience with previous ship collisions at-sea, my practice had been to detach a heavily damaged ship from a transport convoy TF in situations where damage to the ship resulted in severe loss of speed and reduced speed of the damaged ship significantly slowed down movement of the entire convoy. The procedure creates a new TF at sea (from the transport convoy’s TF display) and transfers the heavily damaged ship into the new TF. The damaged ship would move independently as a straggler while the main body of the convoy TF continued movement at normal speed. In all cases to date, the damaged ship safely reached port somewhat later than the rest of the convoy, unloaded its cargo, then disbanded and placed into shipyard for repair. This process had been done quite successfully on the 4-5 previous ship collision incidents where it was necessary to detach a heavily damaged ship for this reason. It should be noted that not all ship collisions leave one or both ships severely damaged to a point where this procedure is necessary – I’ve had ship collisions where both ships involved remained with the convoy and the convoy continued normal movement without further incident.
The collision incident described here occurred this game turn (4/15/43) between two ships in outbound Convoy WP-49 (40 ships) bound for the South Pacific from the mainland US. The collision took place between a LST and an APA - the LST heavily damaged in the collision and its speed reduced to 4 kts, also slowing the entire convoy TF to this rate of movement. The APA in the collision (not shown below) was lightly damaged with only a small reduction in speed not impacting the convoy's overall speed.
A TF display of Convoy WP-49 showing the LST damaged in the collision (LST-459) follows – disregard destination and home port settings for the TF shown on the display as both settings have since been changed.
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wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Aftermath of an at-sea ship collision (continued)
My initial plan of action following this collision was detaching LST-459 (the more heavily damaged ship in the collision) from Convoy WP-49, allowing the remainder of the convoy to proceed to its planned destination. The damaged LST would move separately.
So much for plans… At this time I have no certain idea of what is causing this, though my first guess is the AE game is having some kind of anomaly or bug with this particular TF. This problem is not occurring with any other Allied TF in play, everything else appears to be running normally. Below I’ll describe the visible symptoms of this bug, anomaly or whatever it is along with actions I examined or currently taking in the game to resolve the problem. If any readers are also experiencing this problem in the game, or have any comments/suggestions to add concerning my response to this situation, you’re certainly welcome to chime in.
The “oh-oh” moment occurred when I selected “Form New TF” from the convoy TF’s display (shown in last post) to detach the damaged LST. What I got is the display shown below – a Select TF mission display for the new TF with no TF missions to select. What was shown below pretty much ended any attempt to create a new TF from the convoy to detach the damaged LST. Moving to the next screen, the Ship Selection display (next screen from the display below in the Form New TF sequence) did not show any of the expected list of ships from the Convoy WP-49 TF for selection, making it impossible to select the damaged LST and move it into the new TF.
So what to do with the convoy? It’s apparent for now the damaged LST cannot be separated into its own TF from the rest of Convoy WP-49’s transport TF. At this point the entire convoy is moving at 4 kts speed as long as the damaged LST remains in the convoy TF.
It appears at this point the surest available method of separating the damaged LST from Convoy WP-49 is first get the convoy to a port where the convoy TF can be disbanded. Once the convoy is disbanded, it can be re-formed as a new transport TF and the next appropriate action(s) taken.
However (slightly adding to the problem), there is one LCU is loaded as cargo aboard 3 APA in the convoy (not shown in the convoy’s TF display in my previous post). With an LCU aboard the convoy, the convoy must first be unloaded at least to the point where all LCU elements are disembarked from the 3 APA before Convoy WP-49’s TF can be disbanded. Once the 3 APA carrying the LCU are unloaded, it should then be possible to disband the convoy TF regardless of cargo (supply only) remaining aboard its ships.
Once the current transport TF of Convoy WP-49 is disbanded, plans are to re-form the convoy as a new transport TF without the damaged LST and continue. A separate TF with the damaged LST will be formed at the base where the original convoy TF is disbanded and the LST dispatched to shipyard for eventual repair.
A decision was made to divert Convoy WP-49 to the nearest available port (Tahiti) where the convoy will begin unloading (all ships) until LCU elements are completely unloaded from the three APA and the convoy TF can then be disbanded. Tahiti’s port capacity is size 5 - well below that required to dock all ships in the convoy TF. Unloading process for WP-49 in Tahiti will be done with the convoy TF undocked.
Estimated time of movement of WP-49 from its current position to Tahiti is approximately 7-8 days at the present 4 kts speed. There is the possibility with good damage control results aboard the LST, movement speed of the convoy may increase. Plans include salvage of damaged LST-459 if possible.
My initial plan of action following this collision was detaching LST-459 (the more heavily damaged ship in the collision) from Convoy WP-49, allowing the remainder of the convoy to proceed to its planned destination. The damaged LST would move separately.
So much for plans… At this time I have no certain idea of what is causing this, though my first guess is the AE game is having some kind of anomaly or bug with this particular TF. This problem is not occurring with any other Allied TF in play, everything else appears to be running normally. Below I’ll describe the visible symptoms of this bug, anomaly or whatever it is along with actions I examined or currently taking in the game to resolve the problem. If any readers are also experiencing this problem in the game, or have any comments/suggestions to add concerning my response to this situation, you’re certainly welcome to chime in.
The “oh-oh” moment occurred when I selected “Form New TF” from the convoy TF’s display (shown in last post) to detach the damaged LST. What I got is the display shown below – a Select TF mission display for the new TF with no TF missions to select. What was shown below pretty much ended any attempt to create a new TF from the convoy to detach the damaged LST. Moving to the next screen, the Ship Selection display (next screen from the display below in the Form New TF sequence) did not show any of the expected list of ships from the Convoy WP-49 TF for selection, making it impossible to select the damaged LST and move it into the new TF.
So what to do with the convoy? It’s apparent for now the damaged LST cannot be separated into its own TF from the rest of Convoy WP-49’s transport TF. At this point the entire convoy is moving at 4 kts speed as long as the damaged LST remains in the convoy TF.
It appears at this point the surest available method of separating the damaged LST from Convoy WP-49 is first get the convoy to a port where the convoy TF can be disbanded. Once the convoy is disbanded, it can be re-formed as a new transport TF and the next appropriate action(s) taken.
However (slightly adding to the problem), there is one LCU is loaded as cargo aboard 3 APA in the convoy (not shown in the convoy’s TF display in my previous post). With an LCU aboard the convoy, the convoy must first be unloaded at least to the point where all LCU elements are disembarked from the 3 APA before Convoy WP-49’s TF can be disbanded. Once the 3 APA carrying the LCU are unloaded, it should then be possible to disband the convoy TF regardless of cargo (supply only) remaining aboard its ships.
Once the current transport TF of Convoy WP-49 is disbanded, plans are to re-form the convoy as a new transport TF without the damaged LST and continue. A separate TF with the damaged LST will be formed at the base where the original convoy TF is disbanded and the LST dispatched to shipyard for eventual repair.
A decision was made to divert Convoy WP-49 to the nearest available port (Tahiti) where the convoy will begin unloading (all ships) until LCU elements are completely unloaded from the three APA and the convoy TF can then be disbanded. Tahiti’s port capacity is size 5 - well below that required to dock all ships in the convoy TF. Unloading process for WP-49 in Tahiti will be done with the convoy TF undocked.
Estimated time of movement of WP-49 from its current position to Tahiti is approximately 7-8 days at the present 4 kts speed. There is the possibility with good damage control results aboard the LST, movement speed of the convoy may increase. Plans include salvage of damaged LST-459 if possible.
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guytipton41
- Posts: 351
- Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:01 am
- Location: Houston, TX
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
ORIGINAL: wneumann
Aftermath of an at-sea ship collision (continued)
My initial plan of action following this collision was detaching LST-459 (the more heavily damaged ship in the collision) from Convoy WP-49, allowing the remainder of the convoy to proceed to its planned destination. The damaged LST would move separately.
So much for plans… At this time I have no certain idea of what is causing this, though my first guess is the AE game is having some kind of anomaly or bug with this particular TF. This problem is not occurring with any other Allied TF in play, everything else appears to be running normally. Below I’ll describe the visible symptoms of this bug, anomaly or whatever it is along with actions I examined or currently taking in the game to resolve the problem. If any readers are also experiencing this problem in the game, or have any comments/suggestions to add concerning my response to this situation, you’re certainly welcome to chime in.
The “oh-oh” moment occurred when I selected “Form New TF” from the convoy TF’s display (shown in last post) to detach the damaged LST. What I got is the display shown below – a Select TF mission display for the new TF with no TF missions to select. What was shown below pretty much ended any attempt to create a new TF from the convoy to detach the damaged LST. Moving to the next screen, the Ship Selection display (next screen from the display below in the Form New TF sequence) did not show any of the expected list of ships from the Convoy WP-49 TF for selection, making it impossible to select the damaged LST and move it into the new TF.
Hi wneumann,
Interesting problem. I have also be using a convoy system and have had a couple of significant collisions! The most memorable is when 2 xAKs on the Cape Town to Bombay return run ran into each other and then proceeded into the off-map area. I couldn't do anything with the convoy until it got to Cape Town... at 4 knots.
I was going to ask if the LST had any troops on it but a look at the prior posting negated that possibility. If it doesn't clear up in a couple of day you might post something in the Tech Support forum.
Cheers,
Guy
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wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Update on the WP-49 Ship Collision (4/16/43 game turn)
The convoy is moving at 4 kts speed with the damaged LST in tow. Ship display of damaged LST-459 follows. Damage control aboard the LST has repaired a small amount of float damage - indicating the LST is probably salvageable. However, given most of LST-459's float and engine damage is major, the LST is not expected to undergo a miracle at sea where all its damage goes away. Repair of the LST will certainly involve shipyard time and it has to reach a shipyard first.
I attempted the Form New TF process again from WP-49's task force display, it continues doing the same thing as reported earlier. It's becoming more certain my best option to split the damaged LST from the rest of Convoy WP-49 is disbanding the convoy TF in a port after unloading the convoy to where I can disband it. At this time, I'm continuing with the plan as posted earlier.
Another option to resolve the problem is appearing that might be possible in the next 5-6 game turns. Another transport convoy (Convoy PW-46 with empty ships returning to the US) is expected to pass near WP-49 in about 5 days. This plan would involve detaching one empty transport ship from Convoy PW-46 as a separate transport TF as the two convoys are approaching each other. The detached transport TF from PW-46 would then be sent to meet Convoy WP-49 (but not merge with WP-49). Once the detached transport from PW-46 and Convoy WP-49 are in the same hex, the Transfer Ship process will be attempted from PW-46's detached transport TF display to remove the damaged LST from PW-49 and attach it with the detached transport ship from WP-46.
If successful, this would eliminate the need to divert, unload and disband Convoy WP-49 - allowing the convoy to continue its original planned movement. The damaged LST would then be in a small 2-ship TF which is considerably simpler to handle.
guy,
Thanks for posting.
The convoy is moving at 4 kts speed with the damaged LST in tow. Ship display of damaged LST-459 follows. Damage control aboard the LST has repaired a small amount of float damage - indicating the LST is probably salvageable. However, given most of LST-459's float and engine damage is major, the LST is not expected to undergo a miracle at sea where all its damage goes away. Repair of the LST will certainly involve shipyard time and it has to reach a shipyard first.
I attempted the Form New TF process again from WP-49's task force display, it continues doing the same thing as reported earlier. It's becoming more certain my best option to split the damaged LST from the rest of Convoy WP-49 is disbanding the convoy TF in a port after unloading the convoy to where I can disband it. At this time, I'm continuing with the plan as posted earlier.
Another option to resolve the problem is appearing that might be possible in the next 5-6 game turns. Another transport convoy (Convoy PW-46 with empty ships returning to the US) is expected to pass near WP-49 in about 5 days. This plan would involve detaching one empty transport ship from Convoy PW-46 as a separate transport TF as the two convoys are approaching each other. The detached transport TF from PW-46 would then be sent to meet Convoy WP-49 (but not merge with WP-49). Once the detached transport from PW-46 and Convoy WP-49 are in the same hex, the Transfer Ship process will be attempted from PW-46's detached transport TF display to remove the damaged LST from PW-49 and attach it with the detached transport ship from WP-46.
If successful, this would eliminate the need to divert, unload and disband Convoy WP-49 - allowing the convoy to continue its original planned movement. The damaged LST would then be in a small 2-ship TF which is considerably simpler to handle.
guy,
Thanks for posting.
You're correct. The LST is carrying a supply cargo. Convoy WP-49 contains 10 LST (including the damaged one) to be transferred to South Pacific on arrival.was going to ask if the LST had any troops on it but a look at the prior posting negated that possibility.
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wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/16/43
Japanese Home Islands: Unidentified Jap TF(s) detected off the NE coast of Honshu, between Sendai and Ominato. No entry reporting this Jap TF appears in the 4/15 Sigint, Operations, Combat Events or AAR reports. No information available as to the number of Jap TF off Honshu, their composition or movement.
Central Pacific: US patrol sub intercepts Jap transport TF southwest of the Marshalls. The Jap TF appears to be in a movement path between Kwajalein and either Nauru or Ocean Is. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Ebon at 129,123 (SW of Kwajalein)
Japanese Ships
xAK Kuretake Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Yasuteru Maru
xAK Tsuyama Maru
PB Sinko Maru
Allied Ships
SS Albacore
SS Albacore launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Kuretake Maru
Albacore diving deep ....
PB Sinko Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
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US sub Seadragon spots a small Jap transport TF near Kwajalein at hex location 131, 118. The detected Jap TF is reported to contain 4 ships including one SC, one AP. Reported movement of the Jap TF is on a NE heading, probable destination Kwajalein. It’s possible the Jap TF spotted by SS Seadragon could be the same TF attacked by SS Albacore (see AAR above) to the SW of SS Seadragon’s contact – though available information neither proves nor disproves the possibility.
Sigint entries for 4/15 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Nauru and Canton Is. Unidentified Jap aircraft are shown based at both Nauru and Canton, ship(s) in port at Nauru. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at the two bases.
Unidentified Jap TF(s) detected at Majuro. A 4/15 Sigint entry reports a Jap AK moving to Majuro - no other available information as to number of Jap TF at Majuro, their composition or movement.
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/15 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 2 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 2 Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-2 from last report), 83 aircraft (56 fighters, 27 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
Japanese Home Islands: Unidentified Jap TF(s) detected off the NE coast of Honshu, between Sendai and Ominato. No entry reporting this Jap TF appears in the 4/15 Sigint, Operations, Combat Events or AAR reports. No information available as to the number of Jap TF off Honshu, their composition or movement.
Central Pacific: US patrol sub intercepts Jap transport TF southwest of the Marshalls. The Jap TF appears to be in a movement path between Kwajalein and either Nauru or Ocean Is. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Ebon at 129,123 (SW of Kwajalein)
Japanese Ships
xAK Kuretake Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Yasuteru Maru
xAK Tsuyama Maru
PB Sinko Maru
Allied Ships
SS Albacore
SS Albacore launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Kuretake Maru
Albacore diving deep ....
PB Sinko Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
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US sub Seadragon spots a small Jap transport TF near Kwajalein at hex location 131, 118. The detected Jap TF is reported to contain 4 ships including one SC, one AP. Reported movement of the Jap TF is on a NE heading, probable destination Kwajalein. It’s possible the Jap TF spotted by SS Seadragon could be the same TF attacked by SS Albacore (see AAR above) to the SW of SS Seadragon’s contact – though available information neither proves nor disproves the possibility.
Sigint entries for 4/15 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Nauru and Canton Is. Unidentified Jap aircraft are shown based at both Nauru and Canton, ship(s) in port at Nauru. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at the two bases.
Unidentified Jap TF(s) detected at Majuro. A 4/15 Sigint entry reports a Jap AK moving to Majuro - no other available information as to number of Jap TF at Majuro, their composition or movement.
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/15 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 2 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 2 Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-2 from last report), 83 aircraft (56 fighters, 27 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
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wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/17/43
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub intercepts Jap transport at northern exit of sea passage between Formosa and mainland China. AAR follows.
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Submarine attack near Taihoku at 87,61 (NE of Foochow)
Japanese Ships
xAK Yamagata Maru (dud torpedo hit)
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
xAK Yamagata Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes
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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/16 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Majuro. Detected status at Majuro shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/16 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Sumiyoshi Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,154 near Efate, Speed 3, Moving Southeast
Andaman Sea: US patrol sub intercepts small Jap transport TF, torpedoes TK carrying oil cargo. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Phuket at 47,69 (adjacent hex SW of Phuket)
Japanese Ships
TK Kyokuzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC CHa-10
PB Shanan Maru #16
Allied Ships
SS Peto
SS Peto launches 2 torpedoes at TK Kyokuzan Maru
Peto diving deep ....
PB Shanan Maru #16 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Shanan Maru #16 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
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Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 1 Japanese ship anchored in port (-1 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 76 aircraft (57 fighters, 19 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub intercepts Jap transport at northern exit of sea passage between Formosa and mainland China. AAR follows.
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Submarine attack near Taihoku at 87,61 (NE of Foochow)
Japanese Ships
xAK Yamagata Maru (dud torpedo hit)
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
xAK Yamagata Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/16 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Majuro. Detected status at Majuro shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/16 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Sumiyoshi Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,154 near Efate, Speed 3, Moving Southeast
Andaman Sea: US patrol sub intercepts small Jap transport TF, torpedoes TK carrying oil cargo. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Phuket at 47,69 (adjacent hex SW of Phuket)
Japanese Ships
TK Kyokuzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC CHa-10
PB Shanan Maru #16
Allied Ships
SS Peto
SS Peto launches 2 torpedoes at TK Kyokuzan Maru
Peto diving deep ....
PB Shanan Maru #16 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Shanan Maru #16 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 1 Japanese ship anchored in port (-1 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 76 aircraft (57 fighters, 19 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/18/43
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub at northern exit of sea passage between Formosa and mainland China again intercepts a Jap transport. AAR follows.
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Submarine attack near Taihoku at 88,62 (adjacent hex NW of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
xAK Tokusima Maru
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
xAK Tokusima Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Pacific: US sub Seadragon reports multiple contacts with Jap aircraft including D3A1 Val and an E7K2 Alf float plane at hex 131, 118 (SW of Kwajalein). No visible Jap TF in the immediate vicinity of SS Seadragon. E7K2 Alf are known to operate as ship-borne planes from Jap CL and some CA, D3A1 Vals pretty much speak for themselves. This situation near Kwajalein justifies monitoring for further developments. While it cannot be concluded from the report Jap carriers are definitely located at or near Kwajalein, the combination of planes (D3A1 Val & E7K2 Alf) identified by SS Seadragon is of interest and does not eliminate the possibility.
US patrol sub intercepts and sinks Japanese transport, the xAKL sunk in this attack had possibly been moving between Nauru and Kwajalein. AAR follows.
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Submarine attack near Ebon at 129,123 (NW of Nauru)
Japanese Ships
xAKL Ryua Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Albacore
xAKL Ryua Maru is sighted by SS Albacore
SS Albacore launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Ryua Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigint entry for 4/17 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is. Detected status at Baker Is shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, no other visible Japanese forces or activity.
Heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions reported at Truk in another Sigint entry for 4/17. Detected status of Truk shows the expected unidentified Jap aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Truk.
Update on Convoy WP-49: Still chugging along at 4 kts with the damaged LST, expected arrival of the convoy at Tahiti in 4 days. Damage control aboard the LST is still removing non-major float and engine damage. The original plan to remove the damaged LST from the convoy by moving the convoy to Tahiti then unloading and disbanding the convoy TF continues for the moment. I'm continuing to explore alternative solutions that are feasible for this specific situation.
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/17 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 3 Japanese ship anchored in port (+2 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor, 96 aircraft (70 fighters, 26 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
Formosa Straits: US patrol sub at northern exit of sea passage between Formosa and mainland China again intercepts a Jap transport. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Taihoku at 88,62 (adjacent hex NW of Taihoku)
Japanese Ships
xAK Tokusima Maru
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
xAK Tokusima Maru is sighted by SS Greenling
SS Greenling launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Pacific: US sub Seadragon reports multiple contacts with Jap aircraft including D3A1 Val and an E7K2 Alf float plane at hex 131, 118 (SW of Kwajalein). No visible Jap TF in the immediate vicinity of SS Seadragon. E7K2 Alf are known to operate as ship-borne planes from Jap CL and some CA, D3A1 Vals pretty much speak for themselves. This situation near Kwajalein justifies monitoring for further developments. While it cannot be concluded from the report Jap carriers are definitely located at or near Kwajalein, the combination of planes (D3A1 Val & E7K2 Alf) identified by SS Seadragon is of interest and does not eliminate the possibility.
US patrol sub intercepts and sinks Japanese transport, the xAKL sunk in this attack had possibly been moving between Nauru and Kwajalein. AAR follows.
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Submarine attack near Ebon at 129,123 (NW of Nauru)
Japanese Ships
xAKL Ryua Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Albacore
xAKL Ryua Maru is sighted by SS Albacore
SS Albacore launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Ryua Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigint entry for 4/17 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is. Detected status at Baker Is shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, no other visible Japanese forces or activity.
Heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions reported at Truk in another Sigint entry for 4/17. Detected status of Truk shows the expected unidentified Jap aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Truk.
Update on Convoy WP-49: Still chugging along at 4 kts with the damaged LST, expected arrival of the convoy at Tahiti in 4 days. Damage control aboard the LST is still removing non-major float and engine damage. The original plan to remove the damaged LST from the convoy by moving the convoy to Tahiti then unloading and disbanding the convoy TF continues for the moment. I'm continuing to explore alternative solutions that are feasible for this specific situation.
South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/17 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 3 Japanese ship anchored in port (+2 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor, 96 aircraft (70 fighters, 26 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/19/43
Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-36 (39 ships) departs this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo loaded aboard the convoy includes one USAAF squadron (16 B-25 Mitchell), 106K supply and 48K fuel.
US West Coast: Multiple reports of contacts between various US ships and an E14Y1 Glen floatplane at San Francisco. No Jap submarine visible on-map in the sea area near San Francisco.
Another ship collision… this time between two xAP in outbound transport convoy WP-50A to Hawaii, one xAP with heavy damage and slowed to 4 kts speed. Both ships involved in this collision are carrying elements of 31 US Infantry Rgt (this unit rebuilt from destroyed LCU after its earlier elimination in Bataan). Unlike the recent incident with Convoy WP-49, the more heavily damaged xAP with an escort was successfully detached into a separate TF from the main body of the convoy - the detached xAP appears to be in no danger of sinking and proceeding to Hawaii at its best possible movement speed.
Central Pacific: No further contacts with Jap planes or ships near Kwajalein reported this game turn. It’s likely the D3A1 Val and E7K2 Alf float plane contacts reported on 4/18 by SS Seadragon near Kwajalein were ship-borne aircraft – the Japanese ships these planes were operating from have either departed from the sea area near Kwajalein or the ships are now dormant in Kwajalein base.
Update on Convoy WP-49: No change from last game turn. Convoy now expected to reach Tahiti in 3 days.
South Pacific: US S-class sub patrol enters Luganville base hex, finds and attacks Jap transports reported at Luganville in a 4/17 Operations Report coastwatcher entry. AAR follows.
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Sub attack at Luganville 120,150
Japanese Ships (8 Jap ships spotted in Luganville by S-35)
xAK Atlas Maru
xAK Hakubasan Maru
xAK Taito Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
Allied Ships
SS S-35
SS S-35 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Atlas Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/18 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,154 near Efate, Speed unknown
Andaman Sea: US submarine Peto on patrol at northern entry of Malacca Straits has contact with Jap transport TF moving southbound, no reported combat. Composition of Jap TF reported to be 4 ships including one AK, one APD, one DD.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 4 Japanese ship anchored in port (+1 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor, 111 aircraft (88 fighters, 23 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-36 (39 ships) departs this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo loaded aboard the convoy includes one USAAF squadron (16 B-25 Mitchell), 106K supply and 48K fuel.
US West Coast: Multiple reports of contacts between various US ships and an E14Y1 Glen floatplane at San Francisco. No Jap submarine visible on-map in the sea area near San Francisco.
Another ship collision… this time between two xAP in outbound transport convoy WP-50A to Hawaii, one xAP with heavy damage and slowed to 4 kts speed. Both ships involved in this collision are carrying elements of 31 US Infantry Rgt (this unit rebuilt from destroyed LCU after its earlier elimination in Bataan). Unlike the recent incident with Convoy WP-49, the more heavily damaged xAP with an escort was successfully detached into a separate TF from the main body of the convoy - the detached xAP appears to be in no danger of sinking and proceeding to Hawaii at its best possible movement speed.
Central Pacific: No further contacts with Jap planes or ships near Kwajalein reported this game turn. It’s likely the D3A1 Val and E7K2 Alf float plane contacts reported on 4/18 by SS Seadragon near Kwajalein were ship-borne aircraft – the Japanese ships these planes were operating from have either departed from the sea area near Kwajalein or the ships are now dormant in Kwajalein base.
Update on Convoy WP-49: No change from last game turn. Convoy now expected to reach Tahiti in 3 days.
South Pacific: US S-class sub patrol enters Luganville base hex, finds and attacks Jap transports reported at Luganville in a 4/17 Operations Report coastwatcher entry. AAR follows.
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Sub attack at Luganville 120,150
Japanese Ships (8 Jap ships spotted in Luganville by S-35)
xAK Atlas Maru
xAK Hakubasan Maru
xAK Taito Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
Allied Ships
SS S-35
SS S-35 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Atlas Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/18 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,154 near Efate, Speed unknown
Andaman Sea: US submarine Peto on patrol at northern entry of Malacca Straits has contact with Jap transport TF moving southbound, no reported combat. Composition of Jap TF reported to be 4 ships including one AK, one APD, one DD.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 4 Japanese ship anchored in port (+1 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor, 111 aircraft (88 fighters, 23 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s.
China: No reported ground combat at Chungking.
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/20/43
Formosa Straits: US fleet sub Greenling on patrol NW of Taihoku spots a southbound Jap transport TF (5 ships including 2 TK) entering the straits. No reported combat.
Central Pacific: An outbound task force of US fleet subs from Pearl Harbor enroute to assigned patrol zones intercepted by a Jap sub patrol. AAR follows.
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Sub vs Sub: SS I-29 attacking SS Grayback at 175,111 (E of Johnston Is)
Japanese Ships
SS I-29
Allied Ships (US sub TF includes SS Grayback + 3 other fleet subs)
SS Grayback
SS I-29 launches 2 torpedoes at 2,000 yards
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Sigint entry for 4/19 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. Detected status of Jaluit shows Jap LCU(s) located on the island – a second 4/19 Sigint entry reported Jaluit Naval Fortress is located on Jaluit (this LCU already known to be there). No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Jaluit.
Intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea were reported in another 4/19 Sigint entry. Detected status of Tabiteuea shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Tabiteuea.
South Pacific: US patrol sub S-35 remains in Luganville base hex. Five Japanese ships spotted by S-35 at Luganville, this report confirmed in several 4/19 coastwatcher entries listed below. No reported combat.
A Sigint entry for 4/19 is reporting elements of Jap 10th Infantry Division have been loaded for transfer by sea from Noumea to Lunga. 10 Division has been located at Noumea for some time (transferred here from Kwantung Army) and presumed to be stationed in Noumea as its permanent garrison. It’s very unlikely Pillager is moving all of 10th Division out of Noumea – the reported move to Lunga more probably transfer of a detachment from the division with most of 10 Division remaining in Noumea.
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/19 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,152 near Ambrym, Speed 9, Moving Northwest
SW Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/19 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Port Moresby. Detected status of Port Moresby shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there – no previous report of Japanese air activity in or from Port Moresby. No other visible Jap forces or activity observed in Port Moresby.
DEI: US sub patrol enters Java Sea via Darwin, attacks Jap transport off Soerabaja. AAR follows.
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Sub attack near Soerabaja at 56,103 (adjacent hex N of Soerabaja)
Japanese Ships
xAK Tamashima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Perch
SS Perch launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pillager has created some obstacles for Allied subs attempting to infiltrate the Java Sea from the south (Indian Ocean) and west (via Malacca Straits) in order to attack Jap transport shipping from Palembang, Soerabaja and other major oil/resource ports in interior sea areas of the DEI . Jap mine fields are known to be in place at several entry points to the Java Sea from the south, notably the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java. Malacca Straits is being watched and patrolled closely by Japanese air and surface ASW forces – creating a “gauntlet” for Allied subs attempting passage through the straits. Original plans for Allied submarine infiltration of the Java Sea had been to move subs from Colombo into the Java Sea mainly via Sunda and Malacca Straits – Pillager’s Japanese ASW measures making this plan considerably less feasible though not entirely impossible.
However… other entry points to the Java Sea are being explored. These include a northern route via the Celebes Sea (passing to the S of Mindanao) into the Macassar Strait – this passage also useful against Tarakan and Balikpapan. A number of other entry points into the Java Sea from the east are available through and near Darwin. SS Perch in the AAR above reached Soerabaja via this approach route. All these alternatives involve longer movement routes (somewhat of an inconvenience), hopefully results of US and Allied subs in the Java Sea outweigh this.
Plans are to use Darwin as a staging and refueling port for US/Allied subs entering the Java Sea area via northern or eastern routes. Full replenishment of subs would be done at Perth or bases on the Australian east coast. Pillager would easily sink any Allied AS sent to Darwin using Jap LBA from Timor, also Darwin has relatively low supply on-hand – both these factors limiting Darwin’s value as a support base for sub operations beyond its use as a refuelling point.
Current plans do not anticipate a large number of US/Allied subs operating in interior sea areas of the DEI or having them operate there continuously, though I definitely intend to establish a presence. US and Allied patrol subs have (by now) entered and operated in virtually every Japanese controlled sea area on at least a part-time basis. While the total number of available Allied subs is not enough to continuously patrol every Japanese controlled sea area, I have been able to turn large areas of the Pacific into a “carpet” of US sub patrol areas. The objective is creating a situation where any given Japanese TF can encounter at least one (if not several) Allied subs during its sea movement – regardless of the Jap TF’s port of origin, destination or current whereabouts. The objective is not intercepting every Japanese TF, but making Pillager’s job of dispatching/protecting Japanese naval and sea transport a bit more interesting. Another result of this strategy could also force dispersal of Jap air and surface ASW forces over a much wider area.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ship anchored in port (+5 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor, 107 aircraft (82 fighters, 25 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s. Most of the Japanese ships anchored in Rangoon port identified as minesweepers or light surface ASW ships (PB, SC).
China: Japanese ground bombardment at Chungking. AAR follows.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)
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Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 280192 troops, 2799 guns, 1453 vehicles, Assault Value = 9561
Defending force 492432 troops, 2361 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13495
Allied ground losses:
438 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
58th Division
104th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
3rd Tank Division
34th Division
13th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
36th Division
22nd Division
70th Division
26th Division
15th Tank Regiment
40th Division
32nd Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
17th Division
39th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
41st Division
6th Division
8th Armored Car Co
110th Division
38th Division
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
North China Area Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
11th Army
23rd Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
12th Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Army
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
14th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
94th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
55th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
32nd Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
39th Group Army
CAF HQ
1st Construction Regiment
2nd Group Army
2nd War Area
41st AA Regiment
7th New Chinese Corps
1st Group Army
12th Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
13th Group Army
20th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
16th Construction Regiment
15th Group Army
3rd War Area
9th War Area
10th Chinese Base Force
6th Construction Regiment
2nd Chinese Base Force
25th Group Army
36th Chinese Corps
Red Chinese Army
26th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
7th War Area
36th Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
4th War Area
6th Chinese Base Force
17th Construction Regiment
13th Construction Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
69th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Base Force
27th Group Army
China Command
11th Construction Regiment
38th Group Army
18th Group Army
8th Construction Regiment
7th Group Army
16th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
20th Chinese Base Force
1st Chinese Base Force
22nd Group Army
5th Group Army
6th War Area
23rd Group Army
10th Construction Regiment
17th Chinese Base Force
18th Chinese Base Force
24th Group Army
8th War Area
9th Group Army
19th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
15th Chinese Base Force
22nd Chinese Corps
5th War Area
31st Group Army
11th Group Army
21st Group Army
3rd Group Army
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
14th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
8th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
Central Reserve
1st War Area
33rd Group Army
37th Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
49th AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Formosa Straits: US fleet sub Greenling on patrol NW of Taihoku spots a southbound Jap transport TF (5 ships including 2 TK) entering the straits. No reported combat.
Central Pacific: An outbound task force of US fleet subs from Pearl Harbor enroute to assigned patrol zones intercepted by a Jap sub patrol. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub vs Sub: SS I-29 attacking SS Grayback at 175,111 (E of Johnston Is)
Japanese Ships
SS I-29
Allied Ships (US sub TF includes SS Grayback + 3 other fleet subs)
SS Grayback
SS I-29 launches 2 torpedoes at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigint entry for 4/19 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit. Detected status of Jaluit shows Jap LCU(s) located on the island – a second 4/19 Sigint entry reported Jaluit Naval Fortress is located on Jaluit (this LCU already known to be there). No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Jaluit.
Intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Tabiteuea were reported in another 4/19 Sigint entry. Detected status of Tabiteuea shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, also ship(s) anchored in port. No other visible Japanese forces or activity observed at Tabiteuea.
South Pacific: US patrol sub S-35 remains in Luganville base hex. Five Japanese ships spotted by S-35 at Luganville, this report confirmed in several 4/19 coastwatcher entries listed below. No reported combat.
A Sigint entry for 4/19 is reporting elements of Jap 10th Infantry Division have been loaded for transfer by sea from Noumea to Lunga. 10 Division has been located at Noumea for some time (transferred here from Kwantung Army) and presumed to be stationed in Noumea as its permanent garrison. It’s very unlikely Pillager is moving all of 10th Division out of Noumea – the reported move to Lunga more probably transfer of a detachment from the division with most of 10 Division remaining in Noumea.
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/19 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 120,152 near Ambrym, Speed 9, Moving Northwest
SW Pacific: Sigint entry for 4/19 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Port Moresby. Detected status of Port Moresby shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there – no previous report of Japanese air activity in or from Port Moresby. No other visible Jap forces or activity observed in Port Moresby.
DEI: US sub patrol enters Java Sea via Darwin, attacks Jap transport off Soerabaja. AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Soerabaja at 56,103 (adjacent hex N of Soerabaja)
Japanese Ships
xAK Tamashima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Perch
SS Perch launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pillager has created some obstacles for Allied subs attempting to infiltrate the Java Sea from the south (Indian Ocean) and west (via Malacca Straits) in order to attack Jap transport shipping from Palembang, Soerabaja and other major oil/resource ports in interior sea areas of the DEI . Jap mine fields are known to be in place at several entry points to the Java Sea from the south, notably the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java. Malacca Straits is being watched and patrolled closely by Japanese air and surface ASW forces – creating a “gauntlet” for Allied subs attempting passage through the straits. Original plans for Allied submarine infiltration of the Java Sea had been to move subs from Colombo into the Java Sea mainly via Sunda and Malacca Straits – Pillager’s Japanese ASW measures making this plan considerably less feasible though not entirely impossible.
However… other entry points to the Java Sea are being explored. These include a northern route via the Celebes Sea (passing to the S of Mindanao) into the Macassar Strait – this passage also useful against Tarakan and Balikpapan. A number of other entry points into the Java Sea from the east are available through and near Darwin. SS Perch in the AAR above reached Soerabaja via this approach route. All these alternatives involve longer movement routes (somewhat of an inconvenience), hopefully results of US and Allied subs in the Java Sea outweigh this.
Plans are to use Darwin as a staging and refueling port for US/Allied subs entering the Java Sea area via northern or eastern routes. Full replenishment of subs would be done at Perth or bases on the Australian east coast. Pillager would easily sink any Allied AS sent to Darwin using Jap LBA from Timor, also Darwin has relatively low supply on-hand – both these factors limiting Darwin’s value as a support base for sub operations beyond its use as a refuelling point.
Current plans do not anticipate a large number of US/Allied subs operating in interior sea areas of the DEI or having them operate there continuously, though I definitely intend to establish a presence. US and Allied patrol subs have (by now) entered and operated in virtually every Japanese controlled sea area on at least a part-time basis. While the total number of available Allied subs is not enough to continuously patrol every Japanese controlled sea area, I have been able to turn large areas of the Pacific into a “carpet” of US sub patrol areas. The objective is creating a situation where any given Japanese TF can encounter at least one (if not several) Allied subs during its sea movement – regardless of the Jap TF’s port of origin, destination or current whereabouts. The objective is not intercepting every Japanese TF, but making Pillager’s job of dispatching/protecting Japanese naval and sea transport a bit more interesting. Another result of this strategy could also force dispersal of Jap air and surface ASW forces over a much wider area.
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ship anchored in port (+5 from last report), 1 Jap TF in harbor, 107 aircraft (82 fighters, 25 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s. Most of the Japanese ships anchored in Rangoon port identified as minesweepers or light surface ASW ships (PB, SC).
China: Japanese ground bombardment at Chungking. AAR follows.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 280192 troops, 2799 guns, 1453 vehicles, Assault Value = 9561
Defending force 492432 troops, 2361 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13495
Allied ground losses:
438 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
58th Division
104th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
3rd Tank Division
34th Division
13th Division
59th Infantry Brigade
36th Division
22nd Division
70th Division
26th Division
15th Tank Regiment
40th Division
32nd Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
17th Division
39th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
116th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
41st Division
6th Division
8th Armored Car Co
110th Division
38th Division
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
North China Area Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
11th Army
23rd Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
12th Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Army
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
14th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
94th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
55th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
32nd Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
39th Group Army
CAF HQ
1st Construction Regiment
2nd Group Army
2nd War Area
41st AA Regiment
7th New Chinese Corps
1st Group Army
12th Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
13th Group Army
20th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
16th Construction Regiment
15th Group Army
3rd War Area
9th War Area
10th Chinese Base Force
6th Construction Regiment
2nd Chinese Base Force
25th Group Army
36th Chinese Corps
Red Chinese Army
26th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
7th War Area
36th Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
4th War Area
6th Chinese Base Force
17th Construction Regiment
13th Construction Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
69th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Base Force
27th Group Army
China Command
11th Construction Regiment
38th Group Army
18th Group Army
8th Construction Regiment
7th Group Army
16th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
20th Chinese Base Force
1st Chinese Base Force
22nd Group Army
5th Group Army
6th War Area
23rd Group Army
10th Construction Regiment
17th Chinese Base Force
18th Chinese Base Force
24th Group Army
8th War Area
9th Group Army
19th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
15th Chinese Base Force
22nd Chinese Corps
5th War Area
31st Group Army
11th Group Army
21st Group Army
3rd Group Army
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
14th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
8th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
Central Reserve
1st War Area
33rd Group Army
37th Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
49th AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
wneumann
- Posts: 3768
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:47 am
- Location: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville
RE: Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Jolly Pillager)
Summary of Operations 4/21/43
East China Sea: US patrol sub intercepts small Jap transport TF off Shanghai. Jap TF is reported moving on an E heading, contains four ships (2 xAKL, 2 light ASW escorts). AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shanghai at 94,56 (E of Shanghai)
Japanese Ships
xAKL Zuiho Maru
SC CHa-46
Allied Ships
SS Lapon
SS Lapon launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Zuiho Maru
SC CHa-46 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 4/20 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit and Roi-Namur. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Japanese forces or activity. Unidentified Jap aircraft are shown at Roi-Namur, also ship(s) anchored in port, no other visible Jap forces or activity observed.
Convoy WP-49 Update: The convoy arrived in Tahiti this game turn. With the convoy TF in Tahiti base hex, the damaged LST was easily separated from the convoy using “Form New TF” (from the base display) without need to unload cargo or disband the convoy. Simply getting the convoy TF to a friendly base proved to be the solution (for this particular situation, anyway) – I don’t think port size mattered. The main body of Convoy WP-49 is now continuing from Tahiti to New Zealand at its normal movement speed.
The damaged LST is unloading its cargo (1750 supply) in Tahiti then will proceed independently to Pearl Harbor for shipyard repair. Tahiti base does not have facilities to repair major ship damage. While distance from Tahiti to Auckland is shorter than the trip to Pearl Harbor, the movement path to Hawaii has a much lower probability of the damaged LST being intercepted by the Japanese (most likely from a sub attack). Estimated transit time of the damaged LST from Tahiti to Pearl Harbor at 4 kts speed is approximately 40+ days. The damaged LST still appears salvageable at this time and can reach Pearl Harbor (however slowly) provided its damage levels do not increase at sea. In this PBEM I’ve already succeeded in moving a severely damaged xAP (sub torpedo hit) from Tahiti to Pearl Harbor. The xAP had heavier damage than the LST in this scenario, the xAP eventually repaired and returned to full operation.
South Pacific: US patrol sub S-35 remained in Luganville base hex, attacks and sinks small Jap ASW escort. S-35 is still spotting a Jap transport TF (5 ships) in Luganville – this may or may not be the same Jap transport TF seen here last game turn. This observation confirmed in several 4/20 Sigint coastwatcher entries (below). AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at Luganville 120,150
Japanese Ships
PB Wa 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)
xAK Atlas Maru
xAK Taito Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
Allied Ships
SS S-35
SS S-35 launches 2 torpedoes at PB Wa 8
S-35 bottoming out ....
PB Tamo Maru #6 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/20 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: E Niizaki reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 121,148 near Vanua Lava, Speed 12, Moving Northeast
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ship anchored in port, 2 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 103 aircraft (76 fighters, 27 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s. The new Japanese TF spotted in Rangoon reported to have 4 ships including 3 AM.
An attempted night strategic bombing raid against Magwe oil production facilities by RAF and USAAF bombers proved to be abortive – none of the bombers reaching target. No planes damaged or lost due to operational causes. A second attempt to launch this strike is underway. Combat event log entries follow.
Mission cancelled for 7 x Liberator II from No.160 Sqn RAF !!!
Mission cancelled for 12 x B-24D Liberator from 7th BG/492nd BS !!!
5 x No.159 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
7 x No.160 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
7 x No.215 Sqn RAF Wellington Ic stray due to night
6 x 7th BG/9th BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
5 x 7th BG/492nd BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
7 x No.159 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
China: Japanese continue ground bombardment at Chungking. Latest AAR follows.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 282063 troops, 2799 guns, 1454 vehicles, Assault Value = 9750
Defending force 492981 troops, 2354 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13538
Allied ground losses:
371 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Assaulting units:
116th Division
36th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Division
6th Division
40th Division
104th Division
26th Division
15th Division
39th Division
37th Division
70th Division
13th Division
22nd Division
58th Division
34th Division
8th Armored Car Co
32nd Division
59th Infantry Brigade
35th Division
15th Tank Regiment
110th Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
17th Division
38th Division
12th Army
North China Area Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Army
1st Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
26th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
56th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
100th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
46th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
50th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
57th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
98th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
19th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
CAF HQ
6th War Area
6th Chinese Base Force
2nd Group Army
22nd Group Army
8th War Area
18th Group Army
36th Chinese Corps
23rd Group Army
1st Group Army
Red Chinese Army
11th Construction Regiment
8th Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
12th Construction Regiment
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
7th Artillery Regiment
27th Group Army
1st Chinese Base Force
10th Construction Regiment
5th War Area
21st Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
69th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
38th Group Army
39th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
13th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
32nd Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
12th Group Army
9th Group Army
33rd Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
37th Group Army
4th War Area
14th Group Army
16th Group Army
8th Construction Regiment
2nd Chinese Base Force
25th Group Army
Central Reserve
17th Construction Regiment
15th Group Army
6th Construction Regiment
9th War Area
1st Construction Regiment
6th Group Army
20th Group Army
7th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
10th Chinese Base Force
20th Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
83rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
22nd Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
15th Chinese Base Force
7th War Area
3rd War Area
24th Group Army
31st Group Army
36th Group Army
26th Group Army
11th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
5th Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
Jingcha War Area
35th Group Army
China Command
1st War Area
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
2nd War Area
49th AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
East China Sea: US patrol sub intercepts small Jap transport TF off Shanghai. Jap TF is reported moving on an E heading, contains four ships (2 xAKL, 2 light ASW escorts). AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shanghai at 94,56 (E of Shanghai)
Japanese Ships
xAKL Zuiho Maru
SC CHa-46
Allied Ships
SS Lapon
SS Lapon launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Zuiho Maru
SC CHa-46 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 4/20 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit and Roi-Namur. Detected status of Jaluit shows no visible Japanese forces or activity. Unidentified Jap aircraft are shown at Roi-Namur, also ship(s) anchored in port, no other visible Jap forces or activity observed.
Convoy WP-49 Update: The convoy arrived in Tahiti this game turn. With the convoy TF in Tahiti base hex, the damaged LST was easily separated from the convoy using “Form New TF” (from the base display) without need to unload cargo or disband the convoy. Simply getting the convoy TF to a friendly base proved to be the solution (for this particular situation, anyway) – I don’t think port size mattered. The main body of Convoy WP-49 is now continuing from Tahiti to New Zealand at its normal movement speed.
The damaged LST is unloading its cargo (1750 supply) in Tahiti then will proceed independently to Pearl Harbor for shipyard repair. Tahiti base does not have facilities to repair major ship damage. While distance from Tahiti to Auckland is shorter than the trip to Pearl Harbor, the movement path to Hawaii has a much lower probability of the damaged LST being intercepted by the Japanese (most likely from a sub attack). Estimated transit time of the damaged LST from Tahiti to Pearl Harbor at 4 kts speed is approximately 40+ days. The damaged LST still appears salvageable at this time and can reach Pearl Harbor (however slowly) provided its damage levels do not increase at sea. In this PBEM I’ve already succeeded in moving a severely damaged xAP (sub torpedo hit) from Tahiti to Pearl Harbor. The xAP had heavier damage than the LST in this scenario, the xAP eventually repaired and returned to full operation.
South Pacific: US patrol sub S-35 remained in Luganville base hex, attacks and sinks small Jap ASW escort. S-35 is still spotting a Jap transport TF (5 ships) in Luganville – this may or may not be the same Jap transport TF seen here last game turn. This observation confirmed in several 4/20 Sigint coastwatcher entries (below). AAR follows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at Luganville 120,150
Japanese Ships
PB Wa 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)
xAK Atlas Maru
xAK Taito Maru
PB Tamo Maru #6
Allied Ships
SS S-35
SS S-35 launches 2 torpedoes at PB Wa 8
S-35 bottoming out ....
PB Tamo Maru #6 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily coastwatcher entries from 4/20 Operations report follow.
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: E Niizaki reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 120,150 near Luganville, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 121,148 near Vanua Lava, Speed 12, Moving Northeast
Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from British aerial recon – 9 Japanese ship anchored in port, 2 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 103 aircraft (76 fighters, 27 bombers), 7 Jap LCU’s. The new Japanese TF spotted in Rangoon reported to have 4 ships including 3 AM.
An attempted night strategic bombing raid against Magwe oil production facilities by RAF and USAAF bombers proved to be abortive – none of the bombers reaching target. No planes damaged or lost due to operational causes. A second attempt to launch this strike is underway. Combat event log entries follow.
Mission cancelled for 7 x Liberator II from No.160 Sqn RAF !!!
Mission cancelled for 12 x B-24D Liberator from 7th BG/492nd BS !!!
5 x No.159 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
7 x No.160 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
7 x No.215 Sqn RAF Wellington Ic stray due to night
6 x 7th BG/9th BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
5 x 7th BG/492nd BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
7 x No.159 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
China: Japanese continue ground bombardment at Chungking. Latest AAR follows.
** below indicates Japanese LCU reinforcements arriving this game turn. (no new arrivals)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 282063 troops, 2799 guns, 1454 vehicles, Assault Value = 9750
Defending force 492981 troops, 2354 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13538
Allied ground losses:
371 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Assaulting units:
116th Division
36th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Tank Division
6th Division
40th Division
104th Division
26th Division
15th Division
39th Division
37th Division
70th Division
13th Division
22nd Division
58th Division
34th Division
8th Armored Car Co
32nd Division
59th Infantry Brigade
35th Division
15th Tank Regiment
110th Division
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
17th Division
38th Division
12th Army
North China Area Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Army
1st Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
26th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
56th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
100th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
46th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
50th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
57th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
98th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
7th Chinese Base Force
19th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
CAF HQ
6th War Area
6th Chinese Base Force
2nd Group Army
22nd Group Army
8th War Area
18th Group Army
36th Chinese Corps
23rd Group Army
1st Group Army
Red Chinese Army
11th Construction Regiment
8th Group Army
11th Chinese Base Force
12th Construction Regiment
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
7th Artillery Regiment
27th Group Army
1st Chinese Base Force
10th Construction Regiment
5th War Area
21st Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
69th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
38th Group Army
39th Group Army
65th Chinese Corps
13th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
32nd Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
12th Group Army
9th Group Army
33rd Group Army
13th Construction Regiment
37th Group Army
4th War Area
14th Group Army
16th Group Army
8th Construction Regiment
2nd Chinese Base Force
25th Group Army
Central Reserve
17th Construction Regiment
15th Group Army
6th Construction Regiment
9th War Area
1st Construction Regiment
6th Group Army
20th Group Army
7th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
10th Chinese Base Force
20th Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
83rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
22nd Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
15th Chinese Base Force
7th War Area
3rd War Area
24th Group Army
31st Group Army
36th Group Army
26th Group Army
11th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
5th Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
Jingcha War Area
35th Group Army
China Command
1st War Area
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
2nd War Area
49th AA Regiment
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