Cherry Poppin' Torpedoes, Scenario 1 - Turn 1200

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 14 - Dec 16, 1942 I complained about how quiet it is and the Japanese decide to invade Fiji. Initial forces are an infantry division, brigade and regiment supported by 3 engineer units and 3 artillery units. Defense is a brigade, 3 regiments, 2 combat engineers and 2 coastal AA units. Forces in Fiji have about 45k supply and a level 7 airfield. Five DB and TB units transfer in after the invasion and the patrol units transfer out.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa.

US CVs: Four CVs near Starbuck Is. and the Big 'E' headed to drydock in PH. The main CV TFs head toward Pukapuka. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three more CVEs show up at Balboa, after a shakedown cruise they will start convoying between PH and Tahiti. Maybe even Auckland.

AIR WAR: Nice sweep over Eua on 12/15.
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Morning Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR: Most US subs are headed back to port to get their 12/42 upgrades.

On 12/14 IJN SS I-26 turns the tables on a ASW TF and sinks the AM Igonish off Hilo.

On 12/15 SS Barb puts a fish into an AMC in the North Pacific. We'll head a CVE TF that direction and see if we can catch it.

On 12/16 IJN SS I-20 has five encounters with the eight ASW TF that are tag teaming her. Only takes 6 hits.

MALAYA:

CBI: On 12/14 there was a good strike on the IJA 38th ID. It was about this point the CBI commanders realized that their Hurri force was degrading at an unsustainable rate and canceled the 2E bombing raids. Three additional Hurricanes would be written off after the battle.
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Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 63,44 (Bhamo)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12
Wellington Ic x 29
B-25C Mitchell x 54

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Wellington Ic: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 11 damaged

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

On 12/16 the IJA 38th ID takes a swing at the Bhamo, defended by the Chinese 5th Corp. They achieve a 1:2 (154:238 adjusted, 608:310 raw, 901:188 casualties) but do not reduce the fort.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: On 12/16 some Japanese ships turn up at Nadi. Possibly a mistake in reading their charts?
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Pre-Invasion action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

521 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Yamato
CA Kako
CL Kiso
DD Shiokaze
DD Yunagi
DD Asakaze
DD Yudachi
APD Fuji
DD Arare
xAP Palau Maru

Japanese ground losses:
367 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Looks like the ships brought tourists!
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Amphibious Assault at Nadi (131,160)

TF 190 troops unloading over beach at Nadi, 131,160

Japanese ground losses:
868 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 152 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 55 (1 destroyed, 54 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (0 destroyed, 20 disabled)
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Invasion Support action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

567 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Yamato
CA Kako
CL Kiso
DD Sanae
DD Shiokaze
DD Yunagi
DD Yudachi
APD Fuji
AK Tosan Maru
DD Arare

Japanese ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
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Invasion Support action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

298 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
DD Arare
DD Shiokaze

Japanese ground losses:
178 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Oops! The so called tourists brought guns in clear contravention of Commonwealth regulations. A strongly worked diplomatic note will be sent.
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Ground combat at Nadi (131,160)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9658 troops, 213 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 599

Defending force 13760 troops, 173 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

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


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Marine Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
9th Marine Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
Fiji Brigade
Nandi Base Force
1st RNZAF Base Force
205th Coast AA Regiment
251st Coast AA Regiment
II US Fighter Cmnd

Defending units:
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
4th Div /4
65th Brigade
77th Infantry Rgt /2
2nd Engr Rgt /1
19th Ind. Engr Rgt /1
1st Medium FA Rgt /2
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Bn /2

AUSTRALIA: Biak falls on 12/16.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 17, 1942 I complained about how quiet it is and the Japanese decide to invade Fiji. Initial forces are an infantry division, brigade and regiment supported by 3 engineer units and 3 artillery units. Defense is a brigade, 3 regiments, 2 combat engineers and 2 coastal AA units.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Only the Akagi of the 'Big Six' have been spotted so a pretty big hammer is held back.

US CVs: Four CVs moving toward Canton Is. from Starbuck Is. and the Big 'E' headed to drydock in PH. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three more CVEs show up at Balboa, after a shakedown cruise they will start convoying between PH and Tahiti. Maybe even Auckland.

AIR WAR: I start up with about 80 fighters and 30 bombers in Suva and lose a few. I have 100 more fighters ready to rotate in but only about 70 bombers. I'll start staging the P-40Ks and SDB-3s from AUS to NZ where they can make the jump into Suva. More fighter and bombers will stage in thru Pago Pago and Canton Is. The big TBs can fly directly from AUS to Suva. The 64$ question is will I run out fighters before the Japanese do?

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: 1st strike on 12/17 gives me heart, but the rest of the strikes are less heartening... Japanese air units noted include Genzan Ku, 251 Ku, 202 Ku, Akagi, Junyo and Hiyo.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 21
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-400 Airacobra x 12
P-40B Warhawk x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Tango Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yayoi
xAP Palau Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Takao
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ushio
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 21
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-40B Warhawk x 5
TBF-1 Avenger x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Palau Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Takao, Bomb hits 1
BB Hyuga
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Maya

On the first day of the invasion I felt compelled to try a shock attack to try to throw the Japanese off the beach. Achieved a 1:2 (213:589 adjusted, 605:540 raw, 2737:537 casualties) so it might not have been total stupidity. The 9th Marine winds up pretty well wrecked.

AUSTRALIA: Every ARM unit in Australia (~12 battalions, regiments and brigades) heads for Cloncurry with ~5 ART units and ~4 AA units, some combat engineers and the AUS II Corp HQ. In about a month I'll try another swing at Normanton.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 18, 1942 I complained about how quiet it is and the Japanese decide to invade Fiji. Initial forces are an infantry division, brigade and regiment supported by 3 engineer units and 3 artillery units. Defense is a brigade, 3 regiments, 2 combat engineers and 2 coastal AA units.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Only the Akagi of the 'Big Six' have been spotted so a pretty big hammer is held back.

US CVs: Four CVs moving toward Canton Is. from Starbuck Is. and the Big 'E' headed to drydock in PH. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three more CVEs show up at Balboa, after a shakedown cruise they will start convoying between PH and Tahiti. Maybe even Auckland.

AIR WAR: On 10/18 a Japanese raider gets close to the Karachi-Abadan line and those 60kg bombs do a number on a loaded tanker. The tanker sinks later that day. We are reacting air and sea forces but the largest ship in the area is a CL.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Karachi at 38,6

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
TK British Chemist, Bomb hits 2, on fire

US 4E operating out of Pago Pago try to shut down the small airfield at Eua.
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Morning Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 28
B-17F Fortress x 5
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 20

SURFACE WAR: A Japanese mine sweeping TF tries to open the door at Suva. 1st they run into some coastal guns and then a some PT boats. The last time the IJA tried a DD sweep one of the DDs hit a mine, so they're being cautious.
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TF 236 encounters mine field at Suva (132,160) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-12, Shell hits 5
DMS W-8, Shell hits 1
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Suva at 132,160, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kisaragi
DMS W-8, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS W-12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT-26
PT-48
PT-59
PT-60
PT-61
PT-66
PT-67, Shell hits 1

SUB WAR:

MALAYA:

CBI: The Japanese bomb the Chinese Corp at Bhamo.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Note that I do not have a HQ with torpedoes at Suva. This is a major screw-up. At the end of this strike I will swap out the P-40E unit and the most beat up P-39D for a fresher F4F-4 and P-39D unit from Pago Pago. One SBD and TBF unit will swap out with units from NJ.

The morning strike doesn't fly (weather) and the first afternoon strike is expensive but gets some results.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 23
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-40B Warhawk x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 5
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu
xAK Kano Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

This one was a heart breaker to watch, poor SBD pilots. The Zero's made one pass with the escorts and got amongst the chickens.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Yoshino Maru
xAP Kokuryu Maru
BB Fuso
xAP Hie Maru

Kandavu Is falls 12/18.

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 19 - Dec 23, 1942 I complained about how quiet it is and the Japanese decide to invade Fiji. Initial forces are an infantry division, brigade and regiment supported by 3 engineer units and 3 artillery units and follow-up forces are pushing the AV up toward 2000. It looks like a big enough hammer has been brought. Defense is a brigade, 3 regiments, 2 combat engineers and 2 coastal AA units.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted. The mini-KB is operating between Tahiti and New Zealand to ensure the blockade is tight. On 12/19 the mKB decides to sink an ASW TF right outside of Auckland.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Auckland at 118,184

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AM Deloraine


US CVs: The Big 'E' headed to drydock in PH followed by Lex and Wasp who haven't done their late '42 refits yet. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three more CVEs show up at Pearl and head down toward Christmas Is. with no particular assignments. This might be good time to send a big reinforcement convoy to Auckland.

AIR WAR: The big bombers are at Pago Pago and will try to shut down Eua and Hoorn Is to force the KB to support the invasions without LBA support. The P-38s at Suva will sweep Hoorn Is to soften them up. It starts on 12/19.
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Morning Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-17F Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 13

And again on 12/20. The B-17F unit is down to 4 flying aircraft and get pulled from the starting rotation.
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Morning Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
H8K1 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 17

On 12/21 the weather turns foul and the 4Es don't fly. On 12/22 we have another decent strike.
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Morning Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 23

On 12/23 the Japanese don't fly and we have another good strike. Eua looks pretty shut down to me, time for Hoorn Is. We have something a little special planed for that base as three fast battleship have just left Pago Pago for live fire training.
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Afternoon Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 26
B-24D Liberator x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K1 Emily: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 33


SURFACE WAR: On 12/20 the raider that sunk the tanker on the Abadan-Karichi two days a ran into a Dutch lead SCTF as she fled west.
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Socotra at 18,17, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AV Sanyo Maru, Shell hits 43, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CLAA Van Heemskerck
DD Bulmer
DD Edsall
DD Peary
DD Scout
DD Stronghold
DD Tenedos
DD Thanet

SUB WAR:

On 12/20 a returning Transport TF beats up IJN SS I-19 off Hilo. They claim 5 hits.

On 12/21 SS Plunger puts a fish into CM Niizaki near Tanna.

MALAYA:

CBI: Bhamo gets bombed every other day but the effect in the jungle is manageable. On 12/20 the IJA makes another attack and gets a 1:1 reducing the fort level to 1. (466:451 adjusted, 652:294 raw, 484:419 casualties). The next day they hit the Chinese 5th corp again but seem to be a bit disrupted only getting a 1:2 but reducing the fort to zero. (216:451 adjusted, 626:276 raw, 804:248 casualties).

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The TBFs and P-39s bomb the invaders with little affect - I can hope for some disruption at best.

AUSTRALIA: The Aussie command decides to send every armor unit on the island to Normanton to try to kick the Japanese out. They will be supported with combat engineers, artillery and anti-aircraft units - all that we have that are field deployable.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 24, 1942 I complained about how quiet it is and the Japanese decide to invade Fiji. Initial forces are an infantry division, brigade and regiment supported by 3 engineer units and 3 artillery units and follow-up forces are pushing the AV up toward 2000. It looks like a big enough hammer has been brought. Defense is a brigade, 3 regiments, 2 combat engineers and 2 coastal AA units.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted. The mini-KB is operating between Tahiti and New Zealand to ensure the blockade is tight.

US CVs: The Big 'E' headed to drydock in PH followed by Lex and Wasp who haven't done their late '42 refits yet. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three more CVEs show up at Pearl and head down toward Christmas Is. with no particular assignments.

AIR WAR: The IJA caught the defenses at Townsville with their guard down and shellac the airfield after a very successful sweep by the Tojos.
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Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 54
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 8
Spitfire Vc Trop x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 2 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 70 (Ouch!)


SURFACE WAR: On Christmas eve the Japanese at Hoorn Is receive a special present. Note that the Japanese ships put up a heck of a fight. A Ki-45 unit showed up the day (night) of the bombardment - sweet.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 24, 42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Hoorn Islands at 138,157, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CM Tsugaru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington, Shell hits 1
BB Indiana, Shell hits 2
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 1
DD Chevalier
DD Nicholas
DD Barton, Shell hits 2
DD Frazier
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1
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Night Naval bombardment of Hoorn Islands at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 19 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 4 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB Washington
BB North Carolina

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 1

And then the sweep comes in just as planned.
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Morning Air attack on Hoorn Islands , at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 15
A6M3a Zero x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 20

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed

Followed by the heavy strike - just like clockwork. (doesn't happen often!)
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Morning Air attack on Hoorn Islands , at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M3a Zero x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27
B-24D Liberator x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 4 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 12 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24

We try to hit the invading forces at Nadi and Genzan Ku, Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Ryujo, Junyo, Hiyo, Zuiho and Shoho aircraft markings are noticed in the savage aerial fighting.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3a Zero x 46
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-400 Airacobra x 12
P-40B Warhawk x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1
DD Asakaze
xAP Teison Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Huzikawa Maru
CL Abukuma
xAP Manzyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Huso Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LSD Akitsu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Kamo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

The 2nd strike is not as well coordinated.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3a Zero x 46
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-400 Airacobra x 9
P-40B Warhawk x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 23
TBF-1 Avenger x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed by flak
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2
CL Abukuma
AK Sagami Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ushio
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 2
CA Maya

Are these aircraft loses sustainable??? Currently there are replacement fighter and bomber units queued up at Auckland and Pago Pago. I'm planning to strip the aircraft off my carriers if needed.

SUB WAR:

MALAYA:

CBI: On 12/24 the Japanese make another effort to push the Chinese 5th corp out of Bhamo, achieving a 1:1 and reducing the fort level to zero (again) (462:452 adjusted, 631:258 raw, 679:248 casualties).

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The Japanese navy and army come back to Nadi for another round.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

366 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Yamato
CA Kako
...

Japanese ground losses:
360 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 66 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

More tourists!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Nadi (131,160)

TF 204 troops unloading over beach at Nadi, 131,160

Japanese ground losses:
1629 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 248 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 119 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 90 (0 destroyed, 90 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (0 destroyed, 11 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

217 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Yamato
CA Kako
...

Japanese ground losses:
217 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

359 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
....

Japanese ground losses:
416 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Nadi (131,160)

TF 99 troops unloading over beach at Nadi, 131,160

Japanese ground losses:
292 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)

At the end of the day the correlation of forces doesn't look good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nadi (131,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17722 troops, 328 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 1212

Defending force 15416 troops, 391 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 417

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

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 25, 1942 Invasion of Fiji. Initial forces are an infantry division, brigade and regiment supported by 3 engineer units and 3 artillery units and follow-up forces are pushing the AV up toward 1500. It looks like a big enough hammer has been brought. Defense is a brigade, 3 regiments, 2 combat engineers and 2 coastal AA units.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted. The mini-KB is operating between Tahiti and New Zealand to ensure the blockade is tight.

US CVs: Not getting near the fight!

AIR WAR: I realize why my TBFs are not using torpedoes... I forgot to tell them to do so. Sigh. The P-400, a F4F-4 and P-40K unit are pretty well ruined after two days of combat and new units are rotated in after these attacks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3a Zero x 51
F1M2 Pete x 5

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 25
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 21
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Montevideo Maru
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 2
CL Sendai
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 2
xAP Hakone Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Teifu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
APD Fuji, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

The afternoon strike is not nearly as good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3a Zero x 51
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Arizona Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Ise
CL Sendai
xAP Haruna Maru
BB Mutsu
CL Abukuma

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 12/25 the SS S-42 puts a fish into the ACM Daido Maru and we'll claim a sinking.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: More tourists with their cameras clicking...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 25, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

219 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
DD Inazuma
DD Hatsuyuki
xAP Haruna Maru

Japanese ground losses:
306 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

208 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
DD Inazuma
DD Hatsuyuki
xAK Asakasan Maru

Japanese ground losses:
281 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

222 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
APD Fuji
DD Inazuma
DD Hatsuyuki
xAK Nagara Maru

Japanese ground losses:
399 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Nadi (131,160)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

208 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AK Sakura Maru
DD Inazuma
DD Hatsuyuki

Japanese ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Not liking the build up at all!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nadi (131,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17960 troops, 336 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 1385

Defending force 15498 troops, 391 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 423

Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disable

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

Here are the aircraft losses for Christmas Day. Not really looking that good to me. Only upside is most Japanese loses must be Naval Aviators.

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 26, 1942 The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji. Looks like the allies needed one more division here.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted. The mini-KB is operating between Tahiti and New Zealand to ensure the blockade of Australia is tight.

US CVs: The Big 'E', Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three CVEs show up at Pearl and head down toward Christmas Is. with no particular assignments.

AIR WAR: Trying to shutdown the axillary fields near Suva. This is taking more effort that I had anticipated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hoorn Islands , at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-24D Liberator x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hoorn Islands , at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
B-24D Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hoorn Islands , at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 12/26 SS Sturgeon puts a fish into a PB near Anatom.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: I am seeing carrier based fighter sweeps over Suva. On 12/26 some Zeros come a calling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 31000 feet

Attacking the invading ships off Nadi on 12/26.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3a Zero x 50
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatuharu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Hyuga
BB Yamato
xAK Yamaura Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 131,161

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 10
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Kikuzuki
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3a Zero x 37
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-400 Airacobra x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Johore Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M3a Zero x 50
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Zenyo Maru
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 2
xAP Mizuho Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3a Zero x 48

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 1
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 27 - Dev 29, 1942 The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji. Looks like the allies needed one more division here.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted. The mini-KB is operating between Tahiti and New Zealand to ensure the blockade is tight.

US CVs: The Big 'E', Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three more CVEs show up at Pearl and head down toward Christmas Is. with no particular assignments.

AIR WAR: Trying to shutdown one little airfield (12/27).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hoorn Islands , at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20
B-24D Liberator x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

The attack on 12/28 is a little better.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hoorn Islands , at 138,157

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 15

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 12/27 an ASW TF out near Portsea claims 9 hits on IJN SS I-5. SS Sealion then misses on AO Tsurumi and then, and then... SS Flying Fish gets a shot on the Shokaku and misses.

On 12/29 IJN SS I-11 sinks the Pansy near Makatea. She is part of a bringing reinforcements to Tahiti.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: More troops and supply are unload at Nadi in spite of the best efforts of of the USAAF and USN.

On 12/27 we hit some AKs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
A6M3a Zero x 25
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Sydney Maru, Bomb hits 1
CL Sendai
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1
CL Abukuma
xAK Yamaura Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

On 12/28 we something we had not seen before - Ground strikes by Emilys!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 29
H8K1 Emily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K1 Emily: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

The Japanese make an attack and come just a tad short. Nadi won't hold for long.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nadi (131,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 50590 troops, 608 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 1555

Defending force 15935 troops, 399 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1671

Allied adjusted defense: 575

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
4634 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 143 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 77 disabled
Guns lost 22 (5 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1263 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 67 disabled
Guns lost 86 (4 destroyed, 82 disabled)

Assaulting units:
20th Engineer Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
77th Infantry Regiment
1st Division
65th Brigade
79th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment
8th Engineer Regiment
Guards Mixed Brigade
4th Division
28th Engineer Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
34th Const Co
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
25th Army
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
9th Marine Regiment
7th Marine Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
Fiji Brigade
205th Coast AA Regiment
1st RNZAF Base Force
251st Coast AA Regiment
Nandi Base Force

On 12/29 the ships pull back and we start bombing the attacking troops. The Japanese make another ground attack but something is not right. OpFor says "Hope I brought enough guys with what happened this turn. Might be a bug so watch out. I set all guys in fiji to Bombard but for some reason all the engineer units decided to attack on their own! Not good!!! I'll be sure and check from now on that all units go along with the "set all" command."

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Dec 30, 1942 - Jan, 1, 1943 Nadi falls. The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted. The mini-KB is operating between Tahiti and New Zealand to ensure the blockade is tight.

US CVs: The Big 'E', Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. Three CVE are escorting big convoys between PH and SF. Three more CVEs show up at Pearl and head down toward Christmas Is. with no particular assignments.

AIR WAR: Recon says there is a ship in port at Eua and we go check it out (12/30).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
ACM Tama Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Then we decide to smack the airfield around on 12/31.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Eua , at 138,169

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 17
B-24D Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 14


SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 12/31 SS Tambor pops a PB near Tanna.

On 1/1 SS Flying Fish pops a PB off Anatom.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: On 12/20 there were more sweeps from those pesky carriers. This sweep kinda rings my new-years chimes. I had insufficient CAP fighters at 31k.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 138

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8
P-38G Lightning x 10
P-400 Airacobra x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 8 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 31000 feet
...
19 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 31000 feet

Then a ground strike comes in to almost no opposition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 30
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
P-400 Airacobra x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

On 12/31 a fast transport stays tied up a little to long and the SDBs slip in under the CAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3a Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Yura, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ikazuchi, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M3a Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2
TBF-1 Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Nadakaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
APD Shimakaze, heavy fires, heavy damage

On 1/1 we try to duplicate the good results of the previous day and lose a lot of bombers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3a Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 5
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
TBF-1 Avenger x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinko Maru
BB Fuso
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3a Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tama

And then the IJA assaults throwing the allies back to Suva. Would you look at all those ENG and ART units!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nadi (131,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47703 troops, 602 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 1370

Defending force 12701 troops, 313 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 307

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1434

Allied adjusted defense: 433

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nadi !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3635 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 252 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 75 disabled
Guns lost 20 (4 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4266 casualties reported
Squads: 112 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 240 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 90 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 182 (165 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 138 (136 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment
79th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
77th Infantry Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Division
8th Engineer Regiment
28th Engineer Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Division
Guards Mixed Brigade
2nd Engineer Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
20th Engineer Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
53rd JNAF AF Unit
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
25th Army
34th Const Co
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Fld AA Bn /1

Defending units:
21st Infantry Regiment
2nd USMC Engineer Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
7th Marine Regiment
Fiji Brigade
251st Coast AA Regiment
205th Coast AA Regiment
1st RNZAF Base Force
Nandi Base Force

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Jan 2, 1943 The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. The other CV/CVE are tailing their coats north and south of Suva - more than one day range of the KB of course.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 1/2 SS Plunger puts a fish into a xAK off Anatom.

MALAYA:

CBI: Looked into the air defenses at Magwe on 1/2. If they look breakable the refineries will be targeted. Not bad on the 1st day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 78

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
B-17F Fortress x 11
B-24D Liberator x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 5 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

As all to usual the sweep comes in 2nd.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 73

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed


DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The 2nd of Jan starts out with an air attack from Tanna. Could have gone better for the IJA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 21
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 9
P-38G Lightning x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 11
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 6 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 9 destroyed, 7 damaged

No Allied losses

The it's the allies turn as Avengers fall like leaves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 13 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Seia Maru
CL Tama
xAK Sinko Maru
xAK Naruto Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Then Dauntless' go through the grinder.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Husimi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Haruna Maru
CA Kako
xAP Kokuryu Maru


The the B-25s go in with good escort. Do Army fighters prefer to escort Army bombers?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15
P-38F Lightning x 8
P-38G Lightning x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10


Then some Vals off a CV north of Suva come down to the clear out the PT boats.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 5
P-38G Lightning x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

Then the B-17s from Pago Pago come to take a look at the Japanese shipping at Nadi. WOW! a hit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Zenyo Maru
AK Sado Maru
xAK Naruto Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Arimasan Maru
xAK Atlas Maru
xAK Huzikawa Maru
xAK Kamogawa Maru


AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Jan 3, 1943 The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji. The main action is going on at Nadi/Suva with a side show in Burma where neither side seems strong enough to attack.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. The other CV/CVE are tailing their coats north and south of Suva - more than one day range of the KB of course.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

MALAYA:

CBI: The 2nd day of operations over Magwe draw the expected response - I.e the Tojos are here. I need to get better on changing up my game plan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 46
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5


Then the sweep comes in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 37
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The day starts with a IJN sweep off the CVs north of Suva.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 10
P-38G Lightning x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 8
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

An then another sweep off the CVs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 9
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

And then a 3rd sweep.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 6
P-38G Lightning x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

After the sweeps the Dauntless' attack the shipping at Nadi.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 20

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 9
P-38G Lightning x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Hie Maru
xAK Nagara Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Nissyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Haruna Maru

The Forts from Pago Pago come in and get no love from the escorts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Runway hits 1


Then the Mitchell's take their shot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 14
P-39D Airacobra x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 6 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10

The Dauntless' make their 2nd strike for the day with no hits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

AUSTRALIA: An army is being assembled at Cloncurry to attempt to take Normanton. Lots of armor, arty and AAA.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Jan 4 - Jan 5, 1943 The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji. The main action is going on at Nadi/Suva with a side show in Burma where neither side seems strong enough to attack.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. The other CV/CVE are tailing their coats north and south of Suva - more than one day range of the KB of course.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: There is an interesting night combat north of Baker Is on 1/6. That is one lucky patrol boat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 156,128, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kaimyo Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon
CVE Chenango
CVE Suwannee
BB Idaho
BB New Mexico
DD Downes
DD Dale
DD Norman
DD Humphreys
DD Sands
DD King


SUB WAR:

On 1/5 IJN SS I-173 puts a fish into AK Mercury near Upola. Mercury was coming back from drop a load of fuel into Suva. She will coast into port at Pago Pago with 84 floatation damage.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: On 1/2 the Forts had 25 a/c attacking. On 1/5 only 10 are left operational.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 27

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Runway hits 2

(1/5) After the Forts from Pago Pago attack the B-25 at Suva come in. Honors are roughly even.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 26

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15
P-38F Lightning x 9
P-38G Lightning x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 4

(1/5) Then the rest of the Forts come in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Runway hits 2

On 1/6 the Mitchells have a pretty good day. The Forts are stood down recovering damaged aircraft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-38F Lightning x 7
P-38G Lightning x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 10 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12


Later on 1/6 we try to use the Beaufighters as fighter-bombers. They could have done better.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nadi , at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed


AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Jan 6 - Jan 11, 1943 The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji. The main action is going on at Nadi/Suva with a side show in Burma where neither side seems strong enough to attack.

KB: Operating in support invasions in Fiji and Samoa. Just about all the Japanese CVs have been spotted at one time or another. On 1/7 the KB disappears from the Fuji area toward the north-west.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. My carriers are wondering what to do until the Essex shows up.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: On 1/10 we try to slip a strong surface force into Suva to interdict the reinforcements. However the LRCAP assignments are missed and the well spotted force is attacked by naval bombers out of Hoorn Is. (I think). The SoDak winds up 31/29/1/0 and a speed of 19 knots and heads back to Pago Pago and then PH. The hit on Portland was a dud.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vava'u at 140,163

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 5
B5N2 Kate x 24
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 11 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Houston
DD Anderson
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 1

SUB WAR:

On 1/9 SS Whale puts two torps into xAP Teibi Maru. Looks like a pretty big ship.

On 1/10 SS Scamp gets a hit on AK Sasako Maru near Truk.

On 1/11 IJN SS I-17 gets worked over by a SCTF based on the BB Washington with 8 hits claimed. Then SS KVII gets worked over by two SC in shallow water near Victoria Point. She takes 14 hits and is over 50 floatation damage - sure hope she makes it back to Trincomalee.

MALAYA:

CBI: On 1/7 the IJA bombs the heck out of the Chinese 5th Corp at Bhamo. On 1/8 the Japanese try to evict the 5th again achieving a 1:1 (311:229 adjusted, 665:235 raw, 302:207 casualties). On 1/9 the attack is again a 1:1 (299:205 adjusted, 636:213 raw, 260:340 casualties). Looks like the IJA has turned the corner here and should take Bhamo within the week. On 1/10 the IJA attacks again with another 1:1 (451:304 adjusted, 617:187 raw, 252:153 casualties).

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The Mitchells from Suva bomb the Japanese forces at Nadi, and the P-38s sweep with minor success. About half the time the B-17s from Page Page attack as well. About 4-5 aircraft are lost every day on both sides.

AUSTRALIA: B-24s from Charter Towers start bombing the airfield at Normanton. A large AUS/US armored force lead by the 2nd AUS Corp is headed there from Cloncurry. On 1/11 the IJA starts reacting to the attacking force with Oscars tangling with Spits and Kittys above the leading elements.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Typhoon hits Fiji!

Jan 12 - Jan 16, 1943 The Japanese Empire seems determined to capture Fiji. The main action is going on at Nadi/Suva with a side show in Burma where neither side seems strong enough to attack.

KB: Operating north of Fiji? Part of the MiniKB sighted 1/15 between AUS and NZ.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. The rest of the carriers are occasionally showing themselves north of Canton Is, East of Pago Pago and near Tahiti - just trying to mess with the mind of the IJN. This is not without some risk if the KB comes roaring out of the back field and lands on one of my forces.

AIR WAR: On 1/14 we note a small IJN TF between AUS and NZ and SCTF of 3 CA and 4 DD sortie from Melbourne to check them out. On 1/15 the TF is attacked by 25 Zeros and 18 Vals. They put two bombs into the Minneapolis with thankfully minor damage. The SCTF runs back to Melbourne like a scalded pig.

SURFACE WAR: On 1/13 a strong allied SB TF from Pago Pago arrives at Hoorn Is and gets some good results. Unfortunately the resupply is back at Flint Is and everything will be fixed by the time they get back. The KB has taken made one attack on Pago Pago and might do it again if the reward is high enough.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Hoorn Islands at 138,157

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 19 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 12 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 22 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
J1N1-C Irving: 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Washington
BB North Carolina
CA Hawkins
CA Australia
CA Louisville
CA Houston
CA Indianapolis
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
502 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 44
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1


SUB WAR:

On 1/13 SS Whale gets a PB near Noumea. In return IJN SS I-33 kills a wounded xAK Elmdale near Pukapuka.

On 1/15 IJA SS I-123 gets mild working over off Portland, AUS. Then SS S-42 puts three torps into a xAK at Hoorn Is.

On 1/16 SS Albacore gets a SC off Tanna.

MALAYA:

CBI: On 1/15 the IJA attacks the 5th Chinese Corp at Bhamo again getting another 1:1 (335:274 adjusted, 640:170 raw, 313:412 casualties). On 1/16 the IJA finally pushes the Chinese out of Bhamo and back toward Myitkyina getting a 3:1 (505:166 adjusted, 630:145 raw: 310:2562 casualties). Myitkyina is strongly held and I'd love for the Japanese to sent a big enough army to push me out - because then the road to Shwebo would be open.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Fiji: B-17s from Pago Pago are trying to shutdown Eua so that I can slip small (1DD 1AK) supply transports into Suva. Most of the 4Es are supporting the advance on Normanton. Daily sweeps over Nadi with P-38s are achieving a decent loss ratio but it's so attritional. On 1/14 Vals out Eua put a couple of bombs into the AK Algorab as she was running a load of beans and ice cream into Suva, she coasts in with 28/15 damage.

Canton Is: The IJN is sending SB TF to Canton Is and making it uninhabitable by planes. Four bombardments by BB or CA over a five day period. In addition the units in the garrison took replacements putting them over the magic 6000 mark. An experiment on my part and I don't like the results.

AUSTRALIA: The occasional sweep or bombing raid over my troop advancing on Normanton. Nothing serious so far. The advancing troops have lot-o-antiaircraft. My B-24s and B-25 have shutdown the Normanton airfield and look to be doing good execution on the IJA garrison.

PH and points east:

[Disco Duck]

I just had to check out Leningrad cowboys. The video of them and the Russian army chorus mixing sweet home alabama and the volga river boat song is great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFRLrP014[&o]

Love the AAR

[guytipton41]

Overview: Based on some advice that I received over in the War Room (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3237948) I have created an overall plan of operations for the next three years. First an end state was identified. Based on knowledge that the allied commanders didn't posses I have set the goal posts somewhat short of what was achieved. This is based on my player knowledge that my opponent is not going to make very many unforced errors and will keep the KB intact as long as possible. A strong KB imposes a movement and time cost on all allied operations as the Japanese enjoy much shorter interior lines.

1943

In 1943 the allies will attack along three axis with a major feint in the north. Operation Baloo will follow the standard course of action in Burma with the intention of both engaging the IJA along a broad front for attrition and attempting to maneuver (or encircle) the IJA out of strong points where possible. A strong force will be left at Calcutta to avoid an end run counter attack. Operation Koala Bear will push the Japanese out of Australia and setup for exploitation into western DEI. Operation Brer Rabbit will attempt to use various forms of trickery and tactical deception to invade directly into the Marshalls without an allied Gotterdammerung. Operation Frigid Bear will take back the Aleutians and attempt to grab a toehold in the Kuriles. Overall the 1943 plan avoids attacking directly into the traditional SoPac and SWPac area of operations where the majority of Japanese strength currently resides. Various minor operations (sacrificial pawns) will occur in SoPac to pull the in the KB when other operations are getting ready to kick off.

1944

In the CBI Operation Bluebird should see the clearance of Burma completed with further advances into Thailand and Indochina. The goal is air and sub bases on the South China Sea. In west DEI Operation Concertina will thrust (from Perth) into the SRA bypassing strongholds and invading into Borneo if possible. Coupled with the advance from India this should cut the Japanese Empire in half and allow interdiction of traffic from the SRA to the HI. In the Pacific Operation Wasteland will advance will be from the Marshall directly to the Marianas. In late '44 the Philippines will be invaded from the south in Operation Return with support from the Pacific. These operations should be completed by early 1945.

1945

The Allies will reduce Japanese holding outside the HI and buildup B-29 bases in the normal places (sans China). Direct invasion is not planned at this point. The crystal ball is a bit foggy this far out.


The next step is to flesh out the operational plans for 1943... that's where the world of fantasy (above) meets the real world.

Cheers,
Guy

[guytipton41]

Typhoon veers off to Canton Is!

Jan 17 - Jan 20, 1943 Attacking Fiji isn't enough for the Japanese Empire, they want Canton Is as well. The Japanese tried to take Canton Is back in June 42 and lost the best part of a SNLF and a Naval Guard unit trying to pry a big chunk of the 35th Regiment out of a level 4 fort. The 35th is still there with a level 6 fort now.

KB: Operating north of Canton Is, circling around in a clockwise manner.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are doing their late '42 refits. The rest of the carriers are headed for PH to get normal repairs. The CVE flotilla is headed down to Tahiti to support some invasions down there.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: A PB is noticed operating between Eua and Aitutaki and small TF goes to check their papers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 21, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Aitutaki at 153,171, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Syozui Maru, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
DD Benham
DD Ellet, Shell hits 1, heavy fires


SUB WAR:

On 1/17 SS Albacore hits a PB with a torp near Yasawa Is, then HMS SS Trusty torps a SC near Denpasar.

On 1/18 SS S-46 puts a torp into a TK near Port Moresby, heavy damage but no fires. Don't know if the TK sank. SS Gurnard shells and puts a couple of torps into a xAK near Ominato. SS Wahoo pops a PB near Noumea.

On 1/20 S S-39 puts a torpedo into a TK near Terapo. Then the Silent Service shows up in the Philippine Sea for the 1st time since Dec '41 and SS Peto misses a TK off Naha and then hits a TK with fire and major damage. Allied sub had withdraw from offensive positions for a year to wait for the torpedoes to be fixed.

On 1/21 IJA SS I-9 is run over by a strong TF (2BB + 1CA) near Pukapuka and 9 hits with heavy damage are claimed on the sub.

MALAYA:

CBI: Akyab get bombed on 1/17 by 81 Sallys, I suppose the defenders might get a little experience from that and there are no casualties. Akyab has 25k supply and isn't operating planes at this point in time.

In the spirit of revenge the four squadrons of B-25s at Diamond Harbour move to Imphal and attack the IJA 5th ID at Bhamo on 1/20. No CAP is encountered and good damage is done (~100 casualties plus supply). On 1/21 the target changes to Lashio and light CAP is encountered but casualties are still claimed to be in the 100 range.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Canton Is: The Japanese have been bombarding Canton for four-five days now and the KB turns up just north of Canton. On 1/20 Bettys and Emilys come to visit in large numbers. On 1/21 it more of the same and visitors show up. Four BB are supporting the invasion forces! There is lots of naval bombardment and the KB sends in 187 D3A1 dive bombers in support.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Canton Island (153,143) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

166 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Kongo
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
DD Hatsushima
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Onami
AK Sakura Maru
AK Hirokawa Maru, Shell hits 2
AK Kyushu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
LSD Shinshu Maru
DD Hayashio

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Marine Defense Battalion, at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 23
A6M3a Zero x 187
D3A1 Val x 175

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

However when the shock attack comes in the firepower of the defenders pin the attackers on the beach and it's a massacre. The 2nd massacre on the these beaches in less than a year, bet the sharks around here are fat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5154 troops, 61 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 178

Defending force 4029 troops, 116 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 85

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
3612 casualties reported
Squads: 172 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 48 (25 destroyed, 23 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
80th Infantry Regiment
Kure 6th SNLF
Ichiki Det.

Defending units:
35th Infantry Regiment
4th Marine Defense Battalion
101st USN Base Force
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion

Suva: Sweep and counter-sweep over Nadi and Suva. The Lightnings and Corsairs have advantage over the Tojos, Nicks and Zeros. Not enough to make a difference in a couple of days.. but maybe over the loner run. On 1/17 the SBDs at Suva get off their ass and attack an convoy unloading next door.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tazima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tokiwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CM Nasami, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CM Sokuten
DD Yayoi
xAK Yamagata Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Tatuno Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mikazuki
xAK Teihoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Takaoka Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mochizuki


On 1/19 six PT boats at Suva sortie to Nadi and run into a DD TF. Everyone shoots off a lot of ammo and no one gets hurt.

On 1/21 the IJA shows up a Suva and bombards to get some detailed info. Depending on FOW it looks like the allies have a advantage in ART at least for a couple of days. 100,000 troops were in Nadi so this is the 1st wave.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Suva (132,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 51248 troops, 759 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 1762

Defending force 43131 troops, 1035 guns, 674 vehicles, Assault Value = 948

Japanese ground losses:
492 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 97 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 22 (4 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

AUSTRALIA:

Normanton: The allies and Japanese fly LRCAP over their respective forces in and around Normanton. Both bomb the opposing forces and the B-24s and B-25s have large advantage over the IJA bombers with respect to damage done and survivability. On 1/18 the SBDs at Cloncurry smack around a small convoy at Normanton.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Normanton at 86,138

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
SBD-2 Dauntless x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Nishimi Maru
xAK Natisan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kirikawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Shirataka, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

On 1/19 the II AUS corp bombards the defenders at Normanton to test their defenses. The immediate indicators are positive as casualties run 7:30 in the allies favor. The attacker don't have a large advantage in boots on the ground, but the tubes and tracks ratio looks good.

Attacking force 15345 troops, 346 guns, 873 vehicles, Assault Value = 897

Defending force 10691 troops, 77 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 378

On 1/21 the II AUS Corp decides to test the defenses and knock the forts down a level. This looks like it's going to work out. The major problem the allies have is supply. There is plenty in Cloncurry but I'm having a problem in getting it to flow up to Normanton.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Normanton (86,138)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24560 troops, 436 guns, 1214 vehicles, Assault Value = 896

Defending force 10509 troops, 77 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 370

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 865

Japanese adjusted defense: 1270

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1381 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (13 destroyed, 42 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
814 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 57 (7 destroyed, 50 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/7th Armoured Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
3rd Army Tank Brigade
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
2/9th Armoured Regiment
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
2/8th Armoured Regiment
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
3rd Motor Brigade
193rd Tank Battalion
1st Motor Brigade
2/3rd Light AA Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
46th Construction Regiment
2nd Australian Hvy AA Regiment
9 RAAF Base Force
209th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
108th Tank Attack Regiment
32nd Australian Lt AA Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
21/22 Field Regiment
II Australian
2/1st Heavy AA Regiment
34th Australian Lt AA Regiment

Defending units:
24th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
84th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 2nd SNLF
37th Const Co
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
4th JNAF AF Unit
8th JNAF Coy
42nd JNAF AF Unit



PH and points east:

[CaptBeefheart]

Guy: Just started reading your AAR based on your enquiry in the War Room. Very interesting. Your opponent seems fixated on taking Gaugin's stomping grounds, which IMHO is not too strategic in WITP-AE. Perhaps you can initiate a Japanese meatgrinder in the region, a la real-life Guadalcanal. It would help a lot if your boys in Suva can hold out. It wouldn't be a bad place to commit forces in early '43 until you had enough Hellcats, APAs, LSTs and additional carrier assets to allow you to go gallivanting in the Marshalls and Aleutians.

What is your feel for the situation in the Fiji area? Do you have plenty of supplies? Are you losing the aircraft attrition war? I would say you should figure out if that area is salvageable first and if it is, get the meatgrinder going while you prepare your other operations. If not, then you probably want to cut your losses in the region.

Cheers,
CC

[guytipton41]

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Jan 22 - Jan 24, 1943 The Japanese are back to attacking Fiji. The first assault is a bloody repulse that costs the defenders about 5k supply.

KB: Part is operating between Canton Is and Fiji.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are headed to Dutch Harbor to cover a major reinforcement convoy. The rest of the carriers are headed for PH to get normal repairs. The CVE flotilla is headed down to Tahiti to support some invasions down there.

AIR WAR: On 1/22 a bombardment TF out of Pago Pago draws the attention of some level bombers out of Hoorn Is. Damage to the Resolution is slight.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vava'u at 142,165

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 5 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Resolution, Bomb hits 2
BB Colorado

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 1/22 IJN SS I-177 sinks a YP in a ASW TF off San Luis Obispo. Then SS Seal puts a fish into a TK near Kangean. No heavy damage and no fires unfortunately.

On 1/23 SS S-42 torpedoes a xAK at Hoorn Is. The counter attack form the escorts puts 12 hits on the S-42 and she limps off to Brisbane. SS Shad hits a TK near Cotabato. The Shad is the first allied SS to operate in the Celebes since the restart of the anti-commerce campaign.

MALAYA:

CBI: Katha get hit with a major air raid on 1/22 and the single squadron of defenders are overwhelmed. The runway takes almost 30 hits. The allies have so many big airfields in this area that we just play a shell game moving the bombers around so they aren't hit during these raids.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

On 1/23 two bombardment TFs arrive at Eua (138,169) and try to mess it up. Overall damage is moderate - I suppose because there isn't that much there to destroy.

Night Naval bombardment of Eua at 138,169

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4-L Mavis: 2 damaged
H6K4-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Washington
CA Hawkins
CA Australia
CA Louisville
CA Houston
CA Indianapolis
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
243 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13
Port hits 16
Port supply hits 1

Night Naval bombardment of Eua at 138,169

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4-L Mavis: 3 damaged
H6K4-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Resolution
BB Colorado
CA Wichita
CL Adelaide
CL De Ruyter

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

Suva: On 1/23 the IJA makes an assault on Suva. The casualty numbers look pretty good for the defenders but the attack costs about 5k in supply. There is only 10k supply left and resupply becomes are very important issue.

Ground combat at Suva (132,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 54545 troops, 768 guns, 248 vehicles, Assault Value = 1714

Defending force 43068 troops, 1035 guns, 674 vehicles, Assault Value = 948

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 553

Allied adjusted defense: 3753

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
7302 casualties reported
Squads: 87 destroyed, 563 disabled
Non Combat: 49 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 64 destroyed, 75 disabled
Guns lost 50 (5 destroyed, 45 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (4 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
964 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 53 (8 destroyed, 45 disabled)

AUSTRALIA: The allies have the air advantage over Normanton, not actually getting more fighters over the point of contact but having fighter equality and twice as many (and better) bombers. Each side is losing around ten aircraft a day. The allied air forces are claiming 200 plus casualties per day and IJA is inflicting maybe 20 casualties.

On 1/23 and 1/24 II AUS Corp attacks the IJA defenders at Normanton. The next attack should see the Japanese running.

Ground combat at Normanton (86,138) on 1/23

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24022 troops, 434 guns, 1216 vehicles, Assault Value = 804

Defending force 8966 troops, 77 guns, 180 vehicles, Assault Value = 224

Allied adjusted assault: 712

Japanese adjusted defense: 421

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
566 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 16 (3 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 55 (19 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
359 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Vehicles lost 38 (8 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Ground combat at Normanton (86,138) on 1/24

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23644 troops, 434 guns, 1214 vehicles, Assault Value = 754

Defending force 7615 troops, 75 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 100

Allied adjusted assault: 293

Japanese adjusted defense: 175

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
229 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 40 (32 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
258 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 26 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (4 destroyed, 11 disabled)

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

Guy: Just started reading your AAR based on your enquiry in the War Room. Very interesting. Your opponent seems fixated on taking Gaugin's stomping grounds, which IMHO is not too strategic in WITP-AE. Perhaps you can initiate a Japanese meatgrinder in the region, a la real-life Guadalcanal. It would help a lot if your boys in Suva can hold out. It wouldn't be a bad place to commit forces in early '43 until you had enough Hellcats, APAs, LSTs and additional carrier assets to allow you to go gallivanting in the Marshalls and Aleutians.

What is your feel for the situation in the Fiji area? Do you have plenty of supplies? Are you losing the aircraft attrition war? I would say you should figure out if that area is salvageable first and if it is, get the meatgrinder going while you prepare your other operations. If not, then you probably want to cut your losses in the region.

Cheers,
CC

Hi CC,

Thanks for your comments.

I believe that the Japanese have committed 100k troops and 2000+ AV to the conquest of Fiji. I plan on defending with everything except the US fleet carriers. The 1st attack by the Japaneses gives me some courage, if I can keep the defenders in supply they will be very hard to kill. I am reorienting my posture towards resupply and my opponent seems to be trying to take that away by keeping the KB in contact somewhat north of Hoorn Is. I'll flood the area with SS and chase the KB away and keep sending blockade runners. A single large AK with 5k supply will stop one attack and gain me a week (I hope). There is a big minefield at Suva covered by CD guns and PT boats so the Tokyo Express hasn't been coming to town. The 1st IJA mine-sweeping mission lost two of three ships and they haven't returned.

The question in the back if my head is use B-24s for resupply from Pago Pago or keep them on the offense in Australia.

Cheers,
Guy