Thailand
His armour is now "flowing" around us, we are hitting the troops with small numbers of Helens causing light damage that should build up over time. We are also doing a random sweep in case he LRCAP's the troops.
Mergui falls, the last base on the coast.
Ground combat at Mergui (53,62)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11325 troops, 207 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 512
Defending force 5276 troops, 36 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 153
Assaulting units:
Guides Cavalry Regiment
2nd British Division
I US Corps
Defending units:
74th Infantry Regiment
77th Infantry Regiment
2nd Air Div /1
13th RF Gun (Pack) Battalion
201st JAAF AF Bn
15th JAAF Base Force
8th Armored Car Co
11th Shipping Engineer Regiment
1st JAAF Base Force
94th JAAF AF Bn
36th Field AA Battalion
28th JNAF AF Unit /1
Sumatra / Malaya
Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
A6M5b Zero x 22
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18
Ki-84r Frank x 49
Japanese ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
East DEI
OZ
Pacific
More troops are pulled from the SWPAC.
China
We are still pulling fuel and oil from Sumatra, our fighter losses are heavy but so far it is keeping him afraid to attack the shipping. Fighters we have plenty of, fuel we don't.
28 Apr 1944
Massive CV based attacks on Palembang and oosthaven. We claim 200 aircraft for 20 of our own.
Indicators and Warnings
Subs
Sub attack near Singkawang at 53,88
Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuzan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage [Full of fuel, Sank]
PB Chiyo Maru #4
Allied Ships
SS Flier
Thailand
He is continuing to move around our flank and has now cut the NE rail line from Bangkok.
He launches heavy airstrikes on Nakhon Ratchasima which is defended by a Thai Div and some BF units. It is in the open so casulties are moderate. Next turn will put up a big CAP...
Sumatra / Malaya
None of Andrews ground based air flew this turn, so the CV forces met a recently reinforced CAP, maybe Andrew though he had beaten ours down. We loose a lot of small tankers, more are on the way... need the fuel!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M5b Zero x 54
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 47
Ki-84r Frank x 11
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 40
Hellcat I x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22
SBD-5 Dauntless x 71
TBM-1C Avenger x 17
Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
TK Fukko Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Kurogane Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Sansho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PB Hakkaisan Maru
TK Kinmo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Fukoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 48,96
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 18
Ki-84r Frank x 56
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 38
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 34
SBD-5 Dauntless x 22
TBF-1 Avenger x 18
TBM-1C Avenger x 18
Japanese Ships TK Kaijo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Saiho Maru
TK Fujisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Toen Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
TK Amatsu Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Junpo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Kikuryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Zuiyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Misaki Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 48,96
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 16
Ki-84r Frank x 49
Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 26
TBM-1C Avenger x 18
The oil fields are about 2/3 destroyed, but still producing 15-20k a day at least, willing to risk more small ships, such as xAKL to get this out. Mainly focussing on pulling it from Oosthaven, may start using barges as well.
The rebuilding units at Singapore have sucked up more supply than I expected, having to send more quickly while we can.
ORIGINAL: ny59giants
How much oil and fuel do you still have left in southern Sumatra??
China
We come close to taking Hami in the far north on the first attack, need to rest a few days to let supply build up again:
Ground combat at Hami (81,17)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4687 troops, 12 guns, 292 vehicles, Assault Value = 251
Defending force 3406 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123
Assaulting units:
27th Division
37th Division
11th Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
56th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
8th War Area
9th Separate Brigade
6th Chinese Base Force
40th Group Army
5th Chinese Base Force
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
With over 120 aircraft lost this turn, more against him (the B-25 and Dauntlesses account for around 50) not sure how long we can continue... Defending Ayuthia from the air is difficult and nesesscary, being an open hex casulties are high, well over 1,000. However as he is focusing on bombing the troops we reach level 5 forts.
Air battles continue at Palembang, the B-29 reappear.
Indicators and Warnings
Subs
Thailand
We defend Ayuthia next to Bangkok for another day, but this is it, can't afford the losses. We don't get into the bomber stream and they put a fair bit of hurt onto our troops although the forts going up a level has dropped the losses a lot, or maybe bad rolls...
Morning Air attack on Ayuthia , at 56,61
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
N1K1-J George x 12
N1K2-J George x 12
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 20
Ki-84a Frank x 16
Ki-84r Frank x 12
We are really hurting this USMC unit, which is the lead unit (see image below). Next turn our fighters will sweep incase he LRCAPs the unit, then we may be able to finish it off...
Morning Air attack on 1st USMC Tank Battalion, at 59,61 , near Nakhon Ratchasima
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 24
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 52
01 May 1944
Mostly quiet in the air as I don't fight his bombers over Ayuthia, he doesn't LRCAP his USMC Tk Bn which is hit hard again, and he sends in his 4E over Palembang, getting another 100 oil hits. The aircraft looses below says it all.
He captures the last base in North sumatra cutting our troops off. about 5o% of an armoured div is here and will be lost.
Ground combat at Tandjoengbalai (47,78)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 45145 troops, 768 guns, 1976 vehicles, Assault Value = 2072
Defending force 9165 troops, 160 guns, 538 vehicles, Assault Value = 275
Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
50th Tank Brigade
7th Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
150th RAC Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
4th Armoured Brigade
754th Tank Battalion
5th Indian Division
30th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
31st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
III US Amphib Corps
33rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Defending units:
1st Tank Division
33rd Infantry Regiment
28th Ind.Mixed Brigade
91st Naval Guard Unit
18th Garrison Unit
18th JNAF AF Unit /1
He has sent an AO TF south of Sumatra, will try a small tentative TB strike against it...
Hami will be attacked next turn.
Attachments
194400501_airlosses.jpg (57.1 KiB) Viewed 251 times
We continue to make enough HI to cover costs for the month by a couple of thousand points.
No oil in the home islands, some on the way but with the bombing of Palembang and Miri their isn't much spare. Oil from Borneo is collecting now in Manila. Oil in China continues to be repaired.
Fuel is up to 107 Days, due to turning off HI in the Home Islands, and sucking in small tactical stock piles. Still pulling fuel from the DEI, but probably only enough to meet demands and not grow the stock pile.
Over 200 days of resources now, and still growing. Only shipping from Korea (via Fusan) and Hokkaido, plus what returning convoys happen to bring back.
Supplies around 700k, although shipping another 70k to Singapore at the moment.
We are starting to run low on Naval fighters in part because of the mistakes and upgrading of George to a non producing model. This has then impacted on the use of the Zero.
Armaments and vehicles are slowly growing even with the losses we are suffering.
One day I'm despondant we haven't done enough, the next confident we will see 1946
Attachments
194400501_Industry.jpg (118.81 KiB) Viewed 251 times
You will need to micro-manage your transport fleet. Set them to "Do Not Refuel" when they go to Japan and disband them without re-fueling. Use the "Minimal Refuel" option so they get just enough fuel plus 10% to complete their mission. No since in have lots of large transports in Japan with full fuel tanks while your industry and warships are almost out of fuel.
Thailand
Bad weather stops our strikes on the USMC Tk Bn which is retreating north.
His air hits Ayuthia, another 500-800 casulties.
Sumatra / Malaya
The B-29 suffer no losses and get 80 oil hits. Have added two more Frank units at a lower altitude.
These strike aircraft were tasked to try to get the damaged CVE, instead they find the transport TF the sub hit without any air cover. It would have been worse if I had of taked a 24 strong Jill unit off "Stand down"!
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nias at 42,78
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 1 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied Ships
DE Engstrom, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LST-86
DD Healy
DE Elden LST-84, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
AM Revenge, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 4 damaged
Allied Ships LST-83, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AM Heed, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DE Engstrom, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Healy
LST-86, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DE Elden, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
Next turn we are going after the CVE's off southern Sumatra, see the image. Plans have been bought forward to the base next to Palembang, about 100 DG and 30 TB escorted by about 100 fighters. KB will also move up to join in...
East DEI
The Rufe at Ambon are badly treated by P-38 and are slaughtered.
OZ
Pacific
Darwin is hit by Bomerangs, have moved in a Zero unit to try to get them.
China
Hami falls!
Ground combat at Hami (81,17)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 4258 troops, 11 guns, 292 vehicles, Assault Value = 204
Defending force 2964 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
3 May 1944
Well the plan came off almost perfectly, except our ground based fighters didn't escort resulting in high losses, but helping to wear down the CAP for our concentrated CV strike!
By plan or through reacting his CVE forces came right up to Oosthaven. He put up a moderate CAP, and his strike aircraft launched with no escorts, either a mistake or he was expecting just transport ships to be in the area... we slaughter his strike while ours does good damage!
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 47,97
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 9
D4Y3 Judy x 22
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 17
Seafire IIC x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40
Allied Ships
CVE Battler, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AE Mauna Loa, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CV Wasp II, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB California, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2 CVE Prince William, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage AO Niobrara, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Begum, Bomb hits 2 CVE Chenango, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CVL Unicorn AO Cossatot, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Jenkins
DD Trathen
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 47,97
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 11
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 6
Seafire IIC x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25
Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed
No Allied losses
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 47,97
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 21
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 6
Seafire IIC x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 23
Japanese aircraft losses D4Y3 Judy: 6 destroyed
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
BB Richelieu
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 47,97
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 6
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 5
Seafire IIC x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18
Japanese aircraft losses D4Y3 Judy: 4 destroyed
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
DD Gillespie
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 47,97
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B6N2a Jill x 12
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 5
Seafire IIC x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
Japanese aircraft losses B6N2a Jill: 2 destroyed
B6N2a Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CVL Bataan
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 47,97
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B6N2a Jill x 9
Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 5
Seafire IIC x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14
Japanese aircraft losses B6N2a Jill: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B6N2a Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
He takes the base behind Uttradit in central Thailand. heavy air attacks and the fact we had flow out a lot of the troops helped hime here... a very close thing!
Ground combat at Pisanuloke (58,57)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1201 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 83
Defending force 556 troops, 5 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 3