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

[witpqs]

1943 January 05

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


One xAK lost near Bombay, many ASW attacks scaring the fish. An aerial hit on a sub near Ndeni. If even half of those are true then the concentration of subs near that forward base must be keeping the Empire's repair guys busy.

The raids on Milne Bay went well but the Beaufighters did not fly.

A little more of the same activity in the IO.

[witpqs]

1943 January 06

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A pretty quiet day from a combat standpoint. Some inconclusive ASW action near Bombay. The merchants have been rerouted to Surat, so until DAW HQ figures out that Bombay is a dry well the action will all be hunter on hunter. One aerial hit reported near Ndeni.

That TF is still at Tabiteuea (now listing as 2 x AM and 2 x PB), and our Battle Fleet is still (AFAIK) undetected. We are not on a raid, only moving up to cover our own convoys. DAW HQ must be certain that some of our carriers are in the yards, so that TF could be bait. When we are ready to move on the Gilberts we will have the additional 4 x CVE in tow (Copahee is leaving Noumea to rendezvous with the 3 new CVE and take on a fighter group) and possibly Wasp as well.

Ndeni airfield is 3.51% while Vanua Lava is 2.31%. Both just received some engineer reinforcements and are building nicely. Luganville is being reconnoitered from the air, seemingly by submarine air. The large convoy that just left with the 41st ID and the large one that just finished unloading such a bounty of support units are surely giving the impression of activity that might be interpreted as an impending move on the Solomons. And so there shall be, but not just yet!

With 405 Engineers and 108 Engineer Vehicles, Luganville will be maxed out before too long.

[witpqs]

1943 January 07

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The road to the north is now blocked in two places in China, and the Empire's sights are on Lanchow.

Ground combat at 79,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32669 troops, 274 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 764

Defending force 24032 troops, 146 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 551

Japanese adjusted assault: 536

Allied adjusted defense: 826

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1925 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 156 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
705 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Division
35th Division
104th/A Division

Defending units:
13th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 88 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 566

Defending force 50851 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1436

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

Assaulting units:
8th Recon Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
104th/C Division
4th Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
3rd War Area
57th AT Gun Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at 87,30 (near Ningsia)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 672 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Defending force 1473 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Japanese adjusted assault: 23

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
607 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade

Defending units:
34th Separate Brigade

See the graphic below.

The forces of good and light scored a number of hits on three Imperial subs near Bombay, leaving I-10 with heavy damage. A convoy has been spotted on course for Surat, so the sharks might be about to reengage.

Our Battle Fleet will be next to Nanumea tomorrow. Very likely that Imperial search will find them.

[witpqs]

1943 January 08

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


One of our hunter MLs was destroyed near Bombay. Some hits were had against subs in the area and, most importantly, all of the combat was between hunters. Near Ndeni three aerial hits on subs were reported.

The TF at Tabiteuea has moved northwestward, dodging torpedoes from one of our subs. It appears that it was an evacuation. Of our Battle Fleet, only the battleships are known to be sighted. The fleet will now pull back in hopes of leaving the sighting somewhat mysterious.

The refit of Washington is beset with problems. North Carolina is expected to be finished in 4 days, but Washington's refit completion has been pushed back yet again and is scheduled for 9 more days.

Meanwhile construction of the various bases in the Santa Cruz, New Hebrides, and on New Caledonia proceeds rapidly. Current base sizes:
1(1)-4(5) Ndeni
1(1)-2(4) Vanua Lava
3(3)-6(5) Luganville
2(2)-1(5) Efate
1(1)-5(5) Tanna
7(4)-6(5) Noumea
1(1)-3(5) La Foa
1(1)-7(7) Koumac
Work is not yet underway on The Belep Islands, but a construction unit will move there after work on New Caledonia is completed.
1(0)-0(3) Belep Islands

The situation in China continues worsening. Kungchang, south of Lanchow, is now invested by an Imperial unit of unknown strength. Currently that city, astride the vital road through the mountains, is defended by two base forces each with a full complement of infantry. Reinforcements are at least a couple of days away. The infantry unit that had been there was rushed to Lanchow.

In addition, Yenan is about to be overwhelmed after the arrival of a third Imperial unit.

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 88 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 566

Defending force 50874 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1437

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

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
22nd/A Division
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
21st Group Army
3rd War Area
20th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4356 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 266

Defending force 11862 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 169

Assaulting units:
3rd Mobile Infantry Regiment
3rd Recon Battalion
102nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
23rd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
2nd War Area
12th Chinese Base Force

[princep01]

All those aerial hits on subs near Ndeni cannot all be FOW,  Given the large number of them every turn, the IJN is going to have to seriously consider withdrawing those units soon.  Keep up the good pressure on them!
 
Once the refit is completed on the BBs and other units currently in port, where to next?  You are going to have to get into the Solomons in order to create opportunities to use the substantial Army air assets.  Building large bases in the New Herbides and New Caledonia is nice, but it really doesn't do much offensively.  Ndeni is a really good base from which to bomb the lower Solomons, but fighters just don't have the range to be of great usefulness from there.
 
Is a strike on Moresby feasible?  That is another swell place from which to engage his AF with your Army air assets.
 
Your situation in China is interesting.  Admiral Wa's soldiers are not putting much direct pressure on Sian, but have move in a very deep "flanking" attack.  Personally, I would be glad to see him do that.  He moves and moves and has little to show for it.  However, Lanchow home to your Chinese A/C and oil industry if memory serves me, so it is a strategically important place to not only hold, but also keep from getting isolated from the rest of China.  Bad things happen in China if they lose that oil or the ability to move it to industrial centers.
 
Have you retaken N. Oz yet?  If so, any plans to take and jump into the DEI?
 
Beating about in th eGilberts and Marshals can be productive, though I sort of doubt the strategic value of it.  However, the aggressive Admiral Wa might make a play to stop you and that can lead to negative results for him should he sally KB into the area.
 
Looking forward to the next couple of months of play.  This is when it starts getting really dicey for the IJ.  They have not gone purely defensive yet, but exposing KB or elements thereof can be very dangerous for him now.
 
Good luck!! and keep popping those evil subs.

[witpqs]

Comments/answers in this color.

ORIGINAL: princep01

All those aerial hits on subs near Ndeni cannot all be FOW,  Given the large number of them every turn, the IJN is going to have to seriously consider withdrawing those units soon.  Keep up the good pressure on them!
I'm pretty sure there is the odd FOW hit here and there, but I am convinced the Imperial subs around Ndeni are taking a beating. I wish I could spare better surface ASW assets to drive the point home, but the boys on the job are getting some hits and keeping their heads down.

Once the refit is completed on the BBs and other units currently in port, where to next?  You are going to have to get into the Solomons in order to create opportunities to use the substantial Army air assets.  Building large bases in the New Herbides and New Caledonia is nice, but it really doesn't do much offensively.  Ndeni is a really good base from which to bomb the lower Solomons, but fighters just don't have the range to be of great usefulness from there.
Ndeni, Vanua Lava, and Luganville are all within offensive bomber range to help get us bases in the lower Solomons. The rest of the bases will help serve as our infrastructure. They will be able to hold a lot of planes, be damned dangerous to Imperial intruders, hold more supply without spoilage, produce fewer aircraft ops losses, and look really good on the marketing brochures.

Next up is a little activity in the Gilberts (especially with DAW HQ ordering withdrawal from the area - must remain in contact with pressure) and building of bases there.

After the Gilberts will be the seizing of the two small islands at the extreme southern end of the Solomons. This is not expected to be significant in and of itself, merely to keep up the pressure. It might even present opportunities to do some damage to Imperial forces that respond to it.

There is not a pause desired but there is one required. I would like to hit the southern Solomons ASAP, but those fleet carriers must get in for refit and by the time they are done the APs and AKs will be near ready for conversion to APAs and AKAs. Maybe I will be able to hit the Solomons before the assault ships convert, maybe not. I'm not sure yet. I do know that I will want all the carriers on line. That means that I will probably send the remaining three fleet carriers heading for Pearl after the actions in the Gilberts.

Is a strike on Moresby feasible?  That is another swell place from which to engage his AF with your Army air assets.
I have troops prepared for both Milne Bay and Port Moresby. I think after the Solomons are invested, to add pressure from another front.

Your situation in China is interesting.  Admiral Wa's soldiers are not putting much direct pressure on Sian, but have move in a very deep "flanking" attack.  Personally, I would be glad to see him do that.  He moves and moves and has little to show for it.  However, Lanchow home to your Chinese A/C and oil industry if memory serves me, so it is a strategically important place to not only hold, but also keep from getting isolated from the rest of China.  Bad things happen in China if they lose that oil or the ability to move it to industrial centers.
Lanchow is certainly cut off, with only a minor road open to the north. relief is on the way, but with no air force flying and no supplies, assaulting through a (hopefully not) Japanese held Kungchang would be unlikely.

Have you retaken N. Oz yet?  If so, any plans to take and jump into the DEI?
After Port Moresby and Milne Bay a movement around the northern shore of Australia. I have paratroopers prepared for Gove, which is under Imperial administration but unoccupied. They will assault from the three USN transports subs, which are shortly to enter port for their late '42 refit.

Beating about in th eGilberts and Marshals can be productive, though I sort of doubt the strategic value of it.  However, the aggressive Admiral Wa might make a play to stop you and that can lead to negative results for him should he sally KB into the area.
The Gilberts/Marshalls are useful as part of the approach to the Marianas. Otherwise it will keep contact with the Imperial forces so that he has to defend the next line rather than be able to relax because the buffer he just jettisoned has not yet been touched. And as you say, DAW might commit forces there. Bases in the Gilberts can also bomb the Marshalls, providing combat experience for air units and burning supplies of the Empire (especially if they try to resupply).

In any case search is an absolutely essential element. Taking bases in the Gilberts to put search over the Marshalls, taking the Marshalls to put search toward Truk, and so on serves to contract the area within which Imperial forces are likely to be without being spotted.

Looking forward to the next couple of months of play.  This is when it starts getting really dicey for the IJ.  They have not gone purely defensive yet, but exposing KB or elements thereof can be very dangerous for him now.
DAW HQ certainly knows about the major late '42 refits for the carriers. By delaying things I tried to take advantage of any presumptions Walter would make about when they got done. Some of the moves outlined above are an effort to continue that and at least provide some doubt as to when Allied carriers are off line.

Good luck!! and keep popping those evil subs.

Thanks!

[witpqs]

1943 January 09

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


In China, only a bombardment near Tuyun. No attack on Kungchang means we get our reinforcements another day closer. DAW HQ must think we have more Kungchang than we actually do. A stiff breeze could take the place.

A total of 3 reported aerial hits on IJN subs. Two were near Ndeni, and one near Christmas Island. BTW that second ASW TF will arrive there tomorrow and then take up patrols.

AP Electra is down to 30(28) flotation damage and will now proceed to Noumea under care of 3 x DD. We're having good success navigating the sub infestation around Ndeni so I only anticipate possible problems with flooding as she has 47 system damage (and 5 engine damage).

The 4th Marine Raider Bn, slated for Aurora, is loading now at Pearl Harbor for transport to Pago Pago. At Hilo they will pick up the 112th Cavalry Rgt & 102nd Combat Eng Rgt, slated for Abemama, the 110th Combat Eng Bn slated for Tabiteuea, and the 134 Combat Eng Bn now prepping for Tarawa. The 3rd Marine Raider Bn at Suva is now prepping for Tabiteuea. That island appears empty after the departure of the IJN TF mentioned previously.

It looks like Wasp will be ready in 8 days at Sydney. Some APDs to escort her back to the front will be ready in 9 days at Brisbane.

With no attacks and no submarine sightings near Bombay today, I'm hoping the latest wave of subs is headed home. One is reported sunk a few days ago, but that might be wishful reporting. We have lots of escort types in refit, KVs upgrading ASW capability, DDs converting to DEs with deadly ASW arrays, and smaller boats both repairing and upgrading guns that will help in surface fights with subs. By February Imperial subs will have a much harder go of it.

Here is the overview map.

[witpqs]

1943 January 10

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Around the map movements, upgrades, repairs, and training continue. Except that repairs on Washington are moving backward. Electra made it through the hornet's nest around Ndeni. Milne Bay port has been pounded for two days, wreaking 30% damage and numerous supply hits. The big news is in China.

Kungchang has now been dis-invested, the Imperial troops moving one hex NE!

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 88 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 565

Defending force 50890 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1437

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

Assaulting units:
22nd/A Division
114th Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
1st Artillery Regiment
3rd War Area
21st Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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Ground combat at 86,29 (near Ningsia)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 654 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 823 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 48

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 48 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade

Defending units:
34th Separate Brigade

[princep01]

About the Gilberts:
From recent posts, it seems Wa (the unmentionable) is either leaving or never arrived to stay on those islands.  I'd be surprised if he didn't leave a fair sized force on at least one (Tarawa, usually) just to slow you down.  However, maybe he didn't and that enables you to move quickly (with some KB induced caution) with minimal forces to occupy absically the lot.  In a current game, I grabbed Ocean Island with a 60 man Raider detachment in July 42 and will continue to use a multidude of such small detachments to grab the empty ones I desire.
 
Of course, knowing the empty ones requires eyes on the target.  If you are too far for Cat recons, do you ever just run a cruiser/DD force in and then use the scout planes to recon multiple islands at once?  That works well. The CR/DD TF is generally too fast to get caught up by superior forces.
 
Typically I have a house rule to prevent subs from landing small, invasion detachments on dot and base islands, but it would be historically fair to allow it.  That is a pretty safe way to grab empty islands.  As you know, Carlson's Raiders even tried that in the Gilberts (a dismal failure that got some men's heads chopped off). 

[princep01]

Oh, I forgot to ask.  I see the red dot(s) over by Christmas Is. (Pacific), and wonder why Wa is so intent on keeping that base reconned (I assume he is flying those infernal PEST Glens around there).  Any intel estimate regarding what he is up to?  That seems sort of unproductive at this point in the game.

[ctangus]

Did you post the combat reports you wanted to in your last update? Tuyun's quite a way away from Kungchang. Good job on routing the aggressors though, in 3X terrain no less.

First time I've chimed in here but I've been lurking for at least 2-3 weeks. Love intel monkey too BTW... [&o]

[witpqs]

Welcome and thanks! I need to dive back into IM and get some improvements going.

There were only the two ground combats in China, so I posted them. Kungchang was a very lucky no-combat!

DAW has divined - correctly - that Christmas Island is a major fuel depot. I am using it to refuel oilers which then dispense fuel to warships and large convoys in need. The oilers float around well behind search arcs and land bases. There has also been a near continuous presence of oilers at Flint Island (I think it is) topping off tankers bound for Australia, New Zealand, or the recent battle area to they can make a round trip without poaching fuel from those areas. It was near Christmas Island that a sub nailed AO Neosho (just finished repairs and now loading fuel at San Diego, BTW), and probably sank a tanker there too. Good hunting grounds but it has protection.

Ocean Island is within search and has seen some TF activity lately. I suspect troops just pulled from Tabiteuea have been placed there. We have units prepping for both Ocean Island and Nauru. A cavalry regiment will be used to assault Abemama because we have not had a look at the place. Tabiteuea is certainly empty now. Tarawa, I'm not sure but I plan to leave it for a bit later unless it's vacant. My guess is that there are troops on Tarawa as a speed bump because the base is developed enough to be immediately useful (2-2 IIRC).

I'm going to use transport subs to land a small paratrooper commando unit (Aussie) at Gove, but that's off a ways. The game doesn't have a commando unit type so they made paratroop capable troops the only ones that can be carried in combat mode by subs. I'm cool with that.

I like that idea for cruiser recon! I'll have to try it some time.

[witpqs]

1943 January 11

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Yenan is about to fall; some of the ex-defenders of Patung are caught; other bad stuff.

Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7889 troops, 67 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 267

Defending force 11871 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Japanese adjusted assault: 230

Allied adjusted defense: 75

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
499 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Mobile Infantry Regiment
3rd Recon Battalion
102nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
23rd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
2nd War Area
18th Group Army
12th Chinese Base Force


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Ground combat at 80,46 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27517 troops, 191 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 801

Defending force 12967 troops, 100 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 116

Japanese adjusted assault: 623

Allied adjusted defense: 121

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2098 casualties reported
Squads: 131 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 178 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 16 (13 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
60th Infantry Brigade
41st Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th/C Division

Defending units:
45th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps


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Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 88 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 566

Defending force 50867 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1437

Assaulting units:
22nd/A Division
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
4th Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
3rd War Area
21st Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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Ground combat at 89,38 (near Yenan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3882 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 5546 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 126

Japanese adjusted assault: 109

Allied adjusted defense: 190

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
19th Chinese Corps
6th Group Army

I'm proved wrong as Tabiteuea this day scouts as having 1 unit present. 1 aerial hit reported on an Imperial sub near Ndeni. Repairs on Washington and North Carolina both made no progress today. Very frustrating and feels realistic. I love it.

I tended to think this contact (see map graphic below) was just two submarines, but there is this corroboration.

PBY-5A Catalina has spotted CL Naka at 121,142
:::::::: CL Naka is reported HIT

Given that transports with SoPac are inbound, care is required! Halsey and staff are being rerouted to hold at sea. The tanker unloading and the landing craft present have all been ordered to the safety of the harbor. The PT boats are standing to. The Dutch fleet, the closest surface forces, will speed to the scene from Luganville. 221 defensive mines are floating just below the surface of various approaches to Ndeni's anchorage.

[witpqs]

1943 January 12

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The finger nails are near scraping off from holding on in China. And Kungchang is now invested by Imperial troops again!?!?

Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7740 troops, 67 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 253

Defending force 11399 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 138

Japanese adjusted assault: 33

Allied adjusted defense: 69

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
318 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Recon Battalion
3rd Mobile Infantry Regiment
102nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
23rd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
18th Group Army
2nd War Area
12th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 88 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 566

Defending force 50823 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1434

Assaulting units:
114th Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
22nd/A Division
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
4th Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
3rd War Area
1st Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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Ground combat at 89,38 (near Yenan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3822 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Defending force 5431 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 109

Japanese adjusted assault: 38

Allied adjusted defense: 100

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
19th Chinese Corps
6th Group Army

It turns out that the ASW ships to the east of Ndeni were the target.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Utupua at 122,144, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
CL Naka, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
PC Warrego, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AM Romney, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
AM Cairns, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Castlemaine, Shell hits 3, and is sunk


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 35% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 9,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
CL Naka launches Long Lance Torpedoes at AM Cairns at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Sendai engages AM Castlemaine at 6,000 yards
CL Naka engages AM Romney at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
AM Castlemaine sunk by CL Naka at 4,000 yards
AM Cairns sunk by CL Naka at 4,000 yards
CL Naka engages AM Romney at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Naka engages PC Warrego at 2,000 yards
CL Naka engages AM Romney at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Sendai engages PC Warrego at 3,000 yards
CL Sendai engages AM Romney at 3,000 yards
CL Naka engages PC Warrego at 3,000 yards
PC Warrego sunk by CL Sendai at 3,000 yards
CL Naka engages AM Romney at 3,000 yards
CL Sendai engages AM Romney at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
AM Romney sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

Four new Adroit class AMs are on the way from Pearl Harbor to take up the duty. Meanwhile the air coverage is already giving the subs hell. CA Quincy is back on line at Auckland. Several more will go back into service at Pearl Harbor tomorrow, perhaps opening up resources for Enterprise to repair faster?

[witpqs]

1943 January 13

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A small positive development in China. The question is, do we now counter-attack in Kungchang?

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 88 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 566

Defending force 50847 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1435

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

Assaulting units:
22nd/A Division
114th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
91st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
3rd War Area
21st Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at 86,28 (near Ningsia)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 660 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Defending force 575 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 13

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ching An Tui Brigade

Defending units:
34th Separate Brigade


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

Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3882 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 30175 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 927

Japanese adjusted assault: 78

Allied adjusted defense: 1252

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 16 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
414 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
6th Chinese Base Force

One aerial hit on a sub near Ndeni. Milne Bay's port was already damaged, but today we kicked it up a notch!

Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Australia

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Port hits 9
Port supply hits 2

CA Canberra firing at Milne Bay
CA Australia firing at Milne Bay


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 18

No Allied losses

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

Port hits 12
Port supply hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 14
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

The cruisers are ordered to go back for another bite this evening. Near Fiji there have been a couple of submarine contacts hanging out east of the Yasawa Islands. During a short lull in their amphibious convoy escort duties 4 x stout DDs were assigned a couple days ago to hunt them down.

Submarine attack near Yasawa Islands at 130,158

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Meredith
DD Lardner
DD Lansdowne

SS I-10 is located by DD Meredith
I-10 diving deep ....
DD Lardner fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lansdowne attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-10 forced to surface!
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

There is one more contact to be found. Going by Tracker, no experience gain for any of the four destroyers involved in that TF.

We didn't get any CAs back in service at Pearl Harbor today, but now 5 are scheduled to come back on line there tomorrow. Here is a look at the area surrounding Milne Bay.

[witpqs]

1943 January 14

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Empire's attacks in China are worrying, and more units must be shifted to (hopefully) avert or delay disaster. Our counter-attack at Kungchang went fair, but we hoped for better. They will try again tomorrow.

Ground combat at 79,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33349 troops, 274 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 824

Defending force 23317 troops, 144 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 487

Japanese adjusted assault: 612

Allied adjusted defense: 475

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1438 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 150 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
616 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Division
13th Tank Regiment
35th Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th Tank Regiment
104th/A Division

Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 80,47 (near Patung)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 210 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1043

Defending force 26989 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 587

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

Assaulting units:
110th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th/B Division
15th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
13th Group Army


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

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1146 troops, 88 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 566

Defending force 50818 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1432

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

Assaulting units:
8th Recon Regiment
22nd/A Division
114th Infantry Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
1st Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd War Area
21st Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at 89,38 (near Yenan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3602 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Defending force 4523 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 100

Japanese adjusted assault: 30

Allied adjusted defense: 94

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
19th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30042 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 911

Defending force 3510 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Allied adjusted assault: 72

Japanese adjusted defense: 118

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
381 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Base Force
6th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

One aerial hit against an Imperial sub near Christmas Island and another near Ndeni. The second day bombardment of Milne Bay seemed to miss the mark, causing minimal casualties among the troops there as shells tried to find the 89th and 84th Naval Guard units. Getting those five heavy cruisers out of Pearl Harbor's shipyard (refit finished) has dropped the time remaining estimate on Enterprise to 27 days.

[princep01]

Nice job nailing the I-10.  Was she a Glen carrier?  If so, even better!
 
I hope you can sustain a counter attack somewhere in China w/ fvaorable odds.  As you know, it is by retreating the enemy that you really inflict major squad losses.  Anytime the Chinese can do that to the IJA is such a bonus!  Exchanging IJA squads for Chinese squads, even if just an even exchange, is something I always strive to do.
 
Nice to see those CAs coming out of the shipyard bristling with new weapons and technology.  I'm sure that in the next month or so they will be put to great use.
 
In my current game (mid July, 42) I am clinging to Java and often use Seorabaja to repair the light units of the Dutch and US navies.  I have repaired some of the DDs and subs so often that they probably resemble a chess board of quilted blanket! 

[witpqs]

The troops at Kungchang are in good shape so I ordered them to attack again. If the battle goes like yesterday it will be closer to a 1 to 1, but would take several such attacks to finally bust the odds open and retreat them. Maybe the IJA unit is not in such good shape, though? Their supply is indirect, so maybe they will get a supply(-) this time or next and the odds will turn sooner. Of course, then there is currently that IJA air supremacy over China... [:(]

I've got a bunch of units in India strat moving to their departure line for an offensive aimed at breaking the defensive barrier currently held by the Empire across from Akyab. I haven't named it yet. I'll have details to share within a few turns.

I don't know if she was a Glen carrier, but in any event there is still one sub just sitting in that same hex. The DDs still have some time so they are still on task.

Those CAs will meet up with the fleet for the Gilberts invasion. The fast BBs probably won't get there in time. One question is: should I follow up with Nauru before pausing to refit the other 3 fleet carriers and remaining ships? It's a more forward base and therefore more of a potential thorn. Certainly a target for the Empire to spend some energy on. The USA infantry division prepping for it is loading now at San Francisco for the trip to Pearl Harbor. I could have transports meet it there and take it direct instead of trans-shipping it forward. I doubt they'll be ready for a whole division. Definitely carrier battle country, if the Empire chooses it. The fighter pilots on the new CVEs are training up well.

Turns might be sparse over the weekend.

[princep01]

Oh, if the I-10 was a Glen carrier, it would be easy to tell.  You'd find a Glen loss under the "ground" column on the intel point chart.  That might not be the chart's name, but it is the chart that shows the daily summary of losses and points.  Find a Glen there that turn...and presto! you killed a hated Glen carrier!
 
Nauru Is. ??  Well, if you have reconned it enough to know it is occupied, I'd be a bit conservative about trying to grab it on the go.  However, if empty, and I rather think it would be given the evacs that seem to be going on in the area, I'd grab it on the go with a unit fragment carried by APD. Certainly, I'd commit no more than a battalion.  Remember, if you go in with a Div, it will take awhile to move it OFF Nauru, as I doubt there is much of a port there.  Unless he has a substantial force known to be there, I'd send in a fragment.  If you get it, great...if you lose the fragment, so what...you'll know what is there in detail.

[witpqs]

I didn't notice about the Glen loss (or not) that turn...

A fragment would be a no-go for Nauru IMO, because even if it took it Walter could just as easily para-drop or counter-land on it to mess me up. The Ellice Islands come to mind! Besides, it really is a good base for an advance through that area (without having - at least yet - taken the Marshalls) as it flanks the Solomons So if I take it I must defend it to build it up.

Anyway, even though I have no scouting of the island, SigInt shows that on 1942-09-04 the Kure 5th SNLF was moving there aboard LSD Akitsu Maru.