Shall we play a DBB-C game? - CT Grognard vs Arnhem (no CTG pls)

[Arnhem44]

30 June - 11 July 1942
Was a relatively quiet series of turns till about 2 days ago game time, just going to do a little housekeeping before we dive into the latest happenings.

Sub War
Trigger sinks a small TK north of Truk and confirmation of S-38's kill of Kano Maru during the earlier part of the war.

Allied Sub killboard
S-38 - xAK Tamon Maru (6,400t), xAK Kano Maru (5,935t), xAK Gyoun Maru (1,900t), xAK Kikuryu Maru (1,900t)
Seadragon - xAP Rakuyo Maru (7,470t), xAKL Kanjo Maru (1,650t), xAKL Tamaki Maru (1,650t)
O 20 - xAP Taizan Maru (3,380t), PB Hirota Maru (2,780t), PB Teshio Maru (830t), PB Tatsumi Maru (830t)
K XIV - AK Sakura Maru (6,840t)
Truat - AS Nagoya Maru (6,400t)
K XI - xAK Kinugasa Maru (5,935t)
O 23 - xAP Manzyu Maru (5,830t)
S-34 - xAKL Kanaiyama Maru (1,650t), xAK Kotobuki Maru #5 (2,375t)
K XV - xAK Nojima Maru (3,425t)
Sargo - xAK Gosei Maru (3,425t)
Swordfish - xAKL Yamatsuru Maru (1,650t), xAKL Muko Maru (1,650t)
Snapper - DD Hatsuyuki (2,090t), APD Hagi (935t)
O 21 - DD Urakaze (2,553t)
K XVII - CM Itsukushima (2,400t)
S-35 - xAK Daifuku Maru (2,375t)
Perch - DD Sazanami (2,090t)
Shark - TK Arima Maru #4 (1,120t)
Trigger - TK Nissan Maru (1,120t)
Drum - PB Ichiyo Maru (830t)
Tarpon - TB Manazuru (775t)

Probable
xAK Kogyo Maru (torp hits 2, hvy fires/dmg, 07/12/41-Kota Bahru 53,74) - K XI
xAK Azuma Maru (torp hit 1, hvy fires, 11/02/42-Pontianak 54,90) - K X


On to a little of what both sides have been up to...

up till 10 July
CENPAC
Activity in this part of the Pacific has been centred around Tabi, CTG is reinforcing and building it up and I'm doing the same for the islands to the east and south, namely Howland/Baker and Vaitupu/Funafuti with Canton Island acting as the nearest base of significance at this time. I unthinkingly sent in a pair of xAPs to offload a CB bn on Vaitupu and paid the price when Betties laid waste to one of them. At this point I'm keeping my options open as to whether to make a serious attempt on Tabi in the future or just bypassing it for easier pickings further up the Gilberts/Marshalls. Apart from the Betties no IJN shipping has ventured beyond Tabi for a while now, I've got a cordon of subs around the area but they don't get much business.

SOPAC
A opportunity to hurt the IJN has come up around Guadalcanal, which along with Tulagi is in IJN hands. Japanese assets are pretty bare at the southern tip of the Solomons with what seems to be the Shortlands as the next significant base northwards. Lunga has seen shipping activity the past couple of turns and its port just turned size 1, recon indicates some heavy hitters riding shotgun for what I assume to be some sort of troop/supply convoy and I figured might as well send Lexington and Wasp up from around Suva to take a look which I did starting about 2 turns ago.

Just this turn, unescorted Betties out of Lunga (I think) attacked a quintet of DDs I had parked at Luganville, thankfully the DDs were wide awake and managed to get out of it unscathed. At the same time unescorted B-25s out of Luganville tried to reciprocate the courtesy calll at Lunga but were basically slaughtered by the resident A6Ms and Petes flying off Kongo and Kirishima. Ok, so intel was right then.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,139
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
F1M2 Pete x 5

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (42 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
42 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
Kirishima-1 with F1M2 Pete (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

11 July 2012
The turn starts with Betties visiting Luganville again, this time with their little friends from Tainan-Ku. However, this time I have an Airacobra squadron sent up from Noumea and the CVs are close enough to provide assistance, it doesn't stop the Betties from getting through and bombing the port, which really messes up the auxillaries parked there but loss reports are showing that the escorting A6Ms paid a heavy price, with Tracker showing 22 downed for the loss of 2 Wildcats and a P-39. This result plays a part in my decision to commit the CVs into action for the next turn, I can only hope CTG doesn't have a spare sentai of A6Ms he can send down from Rabaul that quickly to replace his losses.

So that's the story till now, just got the turn back, going to see if I've covered myself in glory or poo.

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Afternoon Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 101 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 24
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AG Steel Navigator, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Steel Exporter, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
AG Aldebaran, Bomb hits 5, on fire
AG Sirius, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AKE Horace Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
8th FG/36th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes


Elsewhere, in general.

DEI
The Dutch defenders of Bandeong prevail, probably much to the annoyance of CTG. Here's a snapshot of their latest exploits.

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Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 44700 troops, 510 guns, 357 vehicles, Assault Value = 1107
Defending force 24782 troops, 310 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 430
Japanese adjusted assault: 701
Allied adjusted defense: 688
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3309 casualties reported
Squads: 63 destroyed, 75 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 30 (8 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 79 (39 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
292 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
5th Division
2nd Division
18th Division
113th Infantry Regiment
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
146th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
16th Army
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Marinier Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Andir ML Base Force
KNI Leger
1st KNIL AA Battalion
6th Avn Sup Afd
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
7th Avn Sup Afd
NI-MLD
24th NZ Pioneer Coy

China
The screws are being turned slowly but surely in China, Liuchow comes under attack this turn, the defenders will shock attack the next turn in an attempt to eject the invaders.

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Ground combat at Liuchow (74,55)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 6924 troops, 221 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 795
Defending force 154349 troops, 912 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4471
Japanese adjusted assault: 0
Allied adjusted defense: 3009
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 5)

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

Japanese ground losses:
3061 casualties reported
Squads: 151 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 93 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 100 (45 destroyed, 55 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (5 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
52nd Infantry Brigade
15th Division
58th Infantry Brigade
56th Infantry Brigade
104th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
23rd Army
13th Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
55th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
16th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
31st Group Army
4th War Area
56th AT Gun Regiment
9th Group Army
2nd Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force

Burma
Things may also be starting to move in Burma as well, the Imperial Guards are at Lashio and although I outnumber him locally, they have friends coming up from up the road. I am tempted to try and bloody the nose of the Guards but I suspect the hodgepodge of troops at Lashio would be shooting themselves in the foot if I were to try and take the fight to them, better to conserve my strength and let him try and break himself against my defences.

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Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 13326 troops, 104 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 424
Defending force 31399 troops, 227 guns, 312 vehicles, Assault Value = 1053

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

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division

Defending units:
7th Armoured Brigade
BFF Brigade
1st Burma Division
10th Burma Rifles Battalion
5th Chinese Corps
107th RAF Base Force
106th RAF Base Force
Burma Corps
102nd RAF Base Force
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
100th RAF Base Force

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Ground combat at 60,46 (near Mandalay)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 12942 troops, 143 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 462
Defending force 1539 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

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

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
55th Cavalry Regiment
55th Engineer Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Army
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
Mandalay BMP Battalion
13th Burma Rifles Battalion
9th Burma Rifles Battalion

[Arnhem44]

12 July 1942
The USN has a reasonably good day, now to exit without tripping over ourselves.

SOPAC
The day starts off with a sweep of Ndeni by A6Ms, given that the 2 CV VFs were unmasked in the defence of Luganville in the previous turn I would have thought CTG would be a little more circumspect in the immediate few turns after but I guess strategic surprise was achieved because the only opposition the USN had were the floatplanes flying off the IJN heavies.

Marine airmen out of Ndeni are the first to visit the IJN at Lunga, both sides manage to annoy each other but little much else.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 8 damaged
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CL Katori
BB Kongo
BB Fuso
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Isuzu-1 with E13A1 Jake (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Yura-1 with E13A1 Jake (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Kiso-1 with E13A1 Jake (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

The USN CVs carry out 1 strike apiece in the morning and afternoon, perfectly coordinated strike packages are a thing of beauty although the results of getting the ballet to the theatre is another thing. A lot of sound and fury but apart from the Katori I don't think the rest are in immediate danger.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
SBD-3 Dauntless x 57
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
DD Isonami
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 1
CL Katori, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Katori
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Tatsuta


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
SBD-3 Dauntless x 56
TBF-1 Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 9, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 4
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 6, on fire
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1
CL Katori, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CA Atago

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kirishima-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Isuzu-1 with E13A1 Jake (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Yura-1 with E13A1 Jake (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Kiso-1 with E13A1 Jake (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Katori

Burma
Sallies pay Lashio a visit but so far the RAF isn't going to come out to play just yet. Also am bound by monsoon rules so that puts a damper on how many frames I can put in the air anyways.

China
Even the Chinese get in on the act and acquit themselves well by ejecting the IJA out of Liuchow

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Ground combat at Liuchow (74,55)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 107928 troops, 758 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4455
Defending force 41460 troops, 455 guns, 278 vehicles, Assault Value = 701
Allied adjusted assault: 602
Japanese adjusted defense: 274
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
13623 casualties reported
Squads: 209 destroyed, 214 disabled
Non Combat: 506 destroyed, 195 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 214 (95 destroyed, 119 disabled)
Vehicles lost 106 (54 destroyed, 52 disabled)
Units retreated 17

Allied ground losses:
8385 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 945 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 83 (8 destroyed, 75 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
30th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
9th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
31st Group Army
16th Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment
2nd Group Army
4th War Area
7th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
15th Division
52nd Infantry Brigade
104th Division
58th Infantry Brigade
56th Infantry Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
23rd Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
13th Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Sub War
To round off the day, Sealion bags another small TK north of Truk.

Allied Sub killboard
S-38 - xAK Tamon Maru (6,400t), xAK Kano Maru (5,935t), xAK Gyoun Maru (1,900t), xAK Kikuryu Maru (1,900t)
Seadragon - xAP Rakuyo Maru (7,470t), xAKL Kanjo Maru (1,650t), xAKL Tamaki Maru (1,650t)
O 20 - xAP Taizan Maru (3,380t), PB Hirota Maru (2,780t), PB Teshio Maru (830t), PB Tatsumi Maru (830t)
K XIV - AK Sakura Maru (6,840t)
Truant - AS Nagoya Maru (6,400t)
K XI - xAK Kinugasa Maru (5,935t)
O 23 - xAP Manzyu Maru (5,830t)
S-34 - xAKL Kanaiyama Maru (1,650t), xAK Kotobuki Maru #5 (2,375t)
K XV - xAK Nojima Maru (3,425t)
Sargo - xAK Gosei Maru (3,425t)
Swordfish - xAKL Yamatsuru Maru (1,650t), xAKL Muko Maru (1,650t)
Snapper - DD Hatsuyuki (2,090t), APD Hagi (935t)
O 21 - DD Urakaze (2,553t)
K XVII - CM Itsukushima (2,400t)
S-35 - xAK Daifuku Maru (2,375t)
Perch - DD Sazanami (2,090t)
Shark - TK Arima Maru #4 (1,120t)
Trigger - TK Nissan Maru (1,120t)
Sealion - TK Moji Maru (1,120t)
Drum - PB Ichiyo Maru (830t)
Tarpon - TB Manazuru (775t)

Probable
xAK Kogyo Maru (torp hits 2, hvy fires/dmg, 07/12/41-Kota Bahru 53,74) - K XI
xAK Azuma Maru (torp hit 1, hvy fires, 11/02/42-Pontianak 54,90) - K X

So that's the way the field looks like at the moment, going to chew on it while at work to see if I should stick around and twist the knife in a little deeper or make a run for it.

[Arnhem44]

13-14 July 1942

CBI
Past 2 days of game time has seen CTG increase activity on this front with recon by fire at locations marked on the map below. Air attacks on Lashio and Chungking have also continued, Sallies are dropping incendiaries over Chungking and fires have been blazing the past few turns. Most of my strength is concentrated on the Changsha-Nanning line and I've been pulling some of the healthier corps out of the line and moving them up towards Chungking. There is basically nothing standing between that IJA army in the north and Chungking, best I can do is to threaten his supply line with the roughly 1k AV I have to the top right of this portion of the map and hopefully slow his advance down by making him secure and/or eradicate the threat to his rear before he drives on Chungking, hopefully that will buy me enough time to get the reinforcements I need into Chungking.

Anyone have any bright ideas on how to slow CTG down in China?

SOPAC
The plucky 5 DDs at Luganville tempt fate once more as Betties visit them. The P-39s have just been all over the A6M escorts, I neglected to record the loss ratios over the past couple of days of action but the numbers are definitely skewed in favour of the P-39s, testimony to the vulnerability of fighters on escort missions which have the bombers coming in at relatively low levels to boot (Betties came in at 9k, slaughterhouse much?)

Lexington and Wasp are out of immediate danger for now, Lex will head for Pearl for much needed repair and refit while Wasp and her escorts will pull into Sydney for light repairs and then join her Yorktown sisters. Let me also remind you the RN is also present in strength, with 2 CVs and PoW and Repulse in Australian waters, house rules have them basically leashed to ANZAC waters so unless the IJN come out to play the best I can do is to maybe use the RN CVs as decoys to fake out CTG.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Arnhem

Anyone have any bright ideas on how to slow CTG down in China?

Actually, for July 42 I'd say you are looking good in China. Most of your LI production is still intact. I don't see a single '!' indicating low supply so I'd say your opponent isn't doing enough to reduce your supply production capability. If you can strengthen your position at Lashio and prevent the secondary road to Paoshan being cut, you should be able to get more supply into China. Do you still control Lanchow?

Looks like the drive on Kienko is the most troublesome, if he forces you into clear terrain you know what will happen. I'd concentrate on stopping that five division force from a breaking out. Can you bomb with 4E's (B-24's) from Ledo or do the Monsoon restrictions prevent you from doing so?

His LOC from Nanyang-Sian and Kukong-Pingsiang look open. You could always try to slip a few small LCU's through to block those main roads. Anything to divert his attention and reduce his supply flow would help.

[FeurerKrieg]

With so much of the IJA north of Wuchang, he is definitely going to be thin in the south. Since most of your units in the south will take a while to get to Chungking anyways, I'd suggest a drive on Nanchang and then beyond to Shanghai, or Wuchow towards Hong Kong. Either move will force CTG to not reinforce his northern push (those IJA units to wear down after a bit) and if you are really lucky, you might take some bases in the south that will help your supply efforts a few months from now.

[Arnhem44]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: Arnhem

Anyone have any bright ideas on how to slow CTG down in China?

Actually, for July 42 I'd say you are looking good in China. Most of your LI production is still intact. I don't see a single '!' indicating low supply so I'd say your opponent isn't doing enough to reduce your supply production capability. If you can strengthen your position at Lashio and prevent the secondary road to Paoshan being cut, you should be able to get more supply into China. Do you still control Lanchow?

Looks like the drive on Kienko is the most troublesome, if he forces you into clear terrain you know what will happen. I'd concentrate on stopping that five division force from a breaking out. Can you bomb with 4E's (B-24's) from Ledo or do the Monsoon restrictions prevent you from doing so?

His LOC from Nanyang-Sian and Kukong-Pingsiang look open. You could always try to slip a few small LCU's through to block those main roads. Anything to divert his attention and reduce his supply flow would help.

Your comment about the lack of exclamation marks over my cities made me look, I don't know why they're not displaying but there are a couple of cities in the red although Chungking and Changsha, for the moment anyways. I'm not sure what CTG is bringing to the party on the Burmese side of the border but I'll try my darnedest to hold Lashio.

He's dropped paras at Tsuyung (NW of Kunming) so he's cut the Burma road but I have a corps moving on it and expect to eject the pesky paras in a couple of turns. I still hold Lanchow with around 1k AV worth of troops so that's something he'll have to see to unless he likes his rear being threatened. I don't have any 4Es in India yet, haven't checked the reinforcement dates so don't know how far away they are.

He is overstacked at Kienko, 70+k troops in a 40k limit hex, should louse up his supply situation at the very least.

[Arnhem44]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

With so much of the IJA north of Wuchang, he is definitely going to be thin in the south. Since most of your units in the south will take a while to get to Chungking anyways, I'd suggest a drive on Nanchang and then beyond to Shanghai, or Wuchow towards Hong Kong. Either move will force CTG to not reinforce his northern push (those IJA units to wear down after a bit) and if you are really lucky, you might take some bases in the south that will help your supply efforts a few months from now.

I'm always tempted to be a little more offensive minded in China but the Chinese are really fragile and I don't know what spoiling attacks are going to do for me in the long run versus conserving my strength for the defence of Chungking and it's environs, that said I am taking your suggestion about moving on Wuchow seriously enough to see what I can scrap up to head in that direction.

[Arnhem44]

SOPAC
Betties, presumably from Lunga, come in over Ndeni without their escorts on the 15th and get slaughtered for it, conservative estimate is at least 30 Betties went into the drink, Zeroes come in over the next 2 days to wear down the defenders, the 8th FG is about half strength but has maintained a near 1 to 1 kill/loss ratio. Having trouble finding replacement fighter squadrons to rotate into Ndeni, an FG watching over north Oz is making it's way over but will take some time to complete the hops.

Lunga itself is crowded, recon shows a crowded port with 70 odd ships and around 300 fighters and bombers, numbers are probably a little overblown as it's Catalinas doing the reporting and not dedicated recon assets, Still, a crowded airfield and port is too good a target to pass up, 3 BGs have flown in from Charters Towers where the SWPAC heavies have been training and will take a look once they're rested up and a couple of birds are patched up from making the transit.

China
Paratroopers drop into Tsuyung (NW of Kunming) and cut the Burma Road. A corps is on its way up from Kunming to eject the IJA before heavier reinforcements can be flown in. 2 IJA units have moved into Changsha, probably mech units that went too far ahead of the main body, which is currently due east of Changsha, a shock attack by the defenders has been planned for the next turn.

[Arnhem44]

Quiet turn with the only highlight being the ejection of the IJA from Changsha, wish it hadn't been a Pyrrhic victory.

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 82013 troops, 385 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2530
Defending force 29112 troops, 204 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 841
Allied adjusted assault: 3690
Japanese adjusted defense: 1559
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
9039 casualties reported
Squads: 160 destroyed, 222 disabled
Non Combat: 206 destroyed, 85 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 42 (22 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (12 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
8969 casualties reported
Squads: 188 destroyed, 882 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 104 disabled
Engineers: 25 destroyed, 61 disabled
Guns lost 60 (6 destroyed, 54 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
72nd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
20th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
14th Construction Regiment
49th AA Regiment
27th Group Army
30th Group Army
29th Group Army
9th War Area
41st AA Regiment
19th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
6th Division
40th Division
11th Army

[Arnhem44]

20 July 1942

China
That Kienko stack (let's call it the IJA 1st Army after the HQ) makes its first move, attacking the 2 corps I have sitting astride the road to Kienko, I'm hoping it's the overstacking that's causing the lopsided result. Am moving some units from Lanchow in the north to see if I can surround this stack and bleed it.

Ground combat at 80,40 (near Kienko)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 55810 troops, 566 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 1213
Defending force 18512 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 521
Japanese adjusted assault: 760
Allied adjusted defense: 1339

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
3013 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 179 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 28 (3 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
513 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
36th Division
116th Division
37th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
41st Division
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps

CTG has been methodically firebombing my cities in a bid to cut supply production and I've been a little lacklustre in my response, the CAF went into action today over Changsha and managed to give a good account of itself.

Afternoon Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 52
Ki-51 Sonia x 6

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 7
I-15-III x 12
P-43A-1 Lancer x 21
P-66 Vanguard x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

My industry, while not in a shambles (eg. CK has 196/360 HI and 72/180 LI intact) isn't exactly in good shape, I guess the good thing is I don't have the oil or resources in meaningful numbers to take advantage of the industry there in the first place right? Still, the CAF will do a bit of jabbing here and there to keep CTG off balance, I can't go toe to toe with the IJAAF over the long run so the most meaningful opposition I can render would be to conserve the limited airframes I have and keep him honest in the long run.

SOPAC
A fast convoy making a supply run into Ndeni attracts the unwelcome attentions of Betties from Lunga, it's a good day for the USAAF though, Tracker reports 16 Betties and 9 Zeroes downed for the loss of 5 P-39s and 2 P-40s

Sub War
Confirmation of K X kill of Azuma Maru.

Allied Sub killboard
S-38 - xAK Tamon Maru (6,400t), xAK Kano Maru (5,935t), xAK Gyoun Maru (1,900t), xAK Kikuryu Maru (1,900t)
Seadragon - xAP Rakuyo Maru (7,470t), xAKL Kanjo Maru (1,650t), xAKL Tamaki Maru (1,650t)
O 20 - xAP Taizan Maru (3,380t), PB Hirota Maru (2,780t), PB Teshio Maru (830t), PB Tatsumi Maru (830t)
K XIV - AK Sakura Maru (6,840t)
Truant - AS Nagoya Maru (6,400t)
K XI - xAK Kinugasa Maru (5,935t)
K X - xAK Azuma Maru (5,935t)
O 23 - xAP Manzyu Maru (5,830t)
S-34 - xAKL Kanaiyama Maru (1,650t), xAK Kotobuki Maru #5 (2,375t)
K XV - xAK Nojima Maru (3,425t)
Sargo - xAK Gosei Maru (3,425t)
Swordfish - xAKL Yamatsuru Maru (1,650t), xAKL Muko Maru (1,650t)
Snapper - DD Hatsuyuki (2,090t), APD Hagi (935t)
O 21 - DD Urakaze (2,553t)
K XVII - CM Itsukushima (2,400t)
S-35 - xAK Daifuku Maru (2,375t)
Perch - DD Sazanami (2,090t)
Shark - TK Arima Maru #4 (1,120t)
Trigger - TK Nissan Maru (1,120t)
Sealion - TK Moji Maru (1,120t)
Drum - PB Ichiyo Maru (830t)
Tarpon - TB Manazuru (775t)

Probable
xAK Kogyo Maru (torp hits 2, hvy fires/dmg, 07/12/41-Kota Bahru 53,74) - K XI

Mod Corner
One of the little pains/pleasures of playing DBB is having to handle the multitude of small craft that were added to the DB. Right from the start of the game I had 3 of these beauties shown below, at first they didn't seem like much, xAKLs don't do much for me, short legged, can't carry much, I usually park 'em in an out of the way port and forget about them but these were a different story. Check out the top speed. Oh yes, merchies on steroids. Turns out they were converted Clemsons that were decommissioned and converted into fast commercial fruit carriers sometime in the early 30s. When war came, they were pressed into service with the intention to use them as blockade runners to resupply the Philippines, they were too late to influence anything by the time they were made ready and spent the war running supplies in the SWPAC area, much as I can figure out anyways. The fact they were deregistered makes for some ambiguity with regards to their exact fate as sources can't even decide which ship had what name when they were struck from the Navy List and reregistered as merchies.

[KenchiSulla]

Those Teapa class ships are nice. I intend to use them in my game vs Dennis.

About the China situation, did you consider moving one or two P40 squadrons into China? That might help you defending your industry...

[Arnhem44]

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder

Those Teapa class ships are nice. I intend to use them in my game vs Dennis.

About the China situation, did you consider moving one or two P40 squadrons into China? That might help you defending your industry...

The 2 FGs assigned to the Tenth AF are in Calcutta training, they're still very raw, exp in the mid 40s, I don't want to throw airframes away needlessly so here's hoping I still have something to defend when I'm ready to send them over the border into China.

[Arnhem44]

21 July 1942

SOPAC
Some oddness this turn on this front, an STF is sighted just 1 hex off Ndeni, don't know what CTG was trying to do but either he miscounted hexes or his AI captains decided anchoring 1 hex off a hostile base in broad daylight was a smart thing to do. To add to the curiousness of the situation messges of "so and so dead in the water...." accompanied all the combat reports, wonder if speed settings (and consequently empty fuel bunkers) are to blame for them being caught out in the open like that.

Sadly for the Allies, the 2 VMSBs out of Ndeni had a shitty day at the office and over the course of the day only managed to badly hurt just 1 DD. Consolidated damage reports below.

DD Yukaze, bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Harukaze
DD Okikaze
DD Asanagi
CA Tone, bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Yunagi
DD Hatakaze, bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy fires, heavy damage

In the skies over Ndeni, sweeping Zeroes take out 10 Allied fighters (7 P-39s, 3 P-40s) for the reported loss of 7.

Go you crazy Dutchmen
7 months after commencement of hostilities, a bunch of crazy Dutchmen continue to stick it to the Sons of Nippon.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 55631 troops, 605 guns, 372 vehicles, Assault Value = 1521
Defending force 25112 troops, 310 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 1494
Allied adjusted defense: 1084
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5033 casualties reported
Squads: 86 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 38 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 17 (5 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (9 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
663 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
2nd Division
18th Division
38th Division
8th Tank Regiment
146th Infantry Regiment
5th Division
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
16th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Marinier Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Andir ML Base Force
NI-MLD
KNI Leger
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
1st KNIL AA Battalion
7th Avn Sup Afd
6th Avn Sup Afd
24th NZ Pioneer Coy

China
The understrength corps reaches Tsuyung expecting to sweep aside the para unit that landed there a couple of turns ago but finds that a couple more Japanese have joined their friends, more substantial reinforcements are on the way from the Burmese border but they'll take a while to get there, the race to get thar fastest with the mostest is on.

Ground combat at Tsuyung (68,46)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 4694 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 160
Defending force 4455 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 166
Allied adjusted assault: 33
Japanese adjusted defense: 208
Allied assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 0)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
48th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
1st Raiding Regiment
41st Infantry Rgt /1
15th JAAF AF Bn

[Arnhem44]

22 July 1942

Crazy Dutchmen
A bad die roll for CTG this turn on this front.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 52153 troops, 597 guns, 364 vehicles, Assault Value = 1326
Defending force 24362 troops, 309 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 389
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 265
Allied adjusted defense: 1753
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4959 casualties reported
Squads: 99 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 26 (14 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (7 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
518 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Division
38th Division
8th Tank Regiment
18th Division
146th Infantry Regiment
5th Division
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
16th Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
7th Avn Sup Afd
Andir ML Base Force
Marinier Battalion
NI-MLD
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
6th Avn Sup Afd
1st KNIL AA Battalion
KNI Leger
24th NZ Pioneer Coy

SOPAC
Unescorted Betties visit a resupply convoy dropping off stuff at Luganville and sink an xAK, my bad on this one, don't have enough fighters to go around. Will fix it the next turn.

Looks like that STF from the previous turn has run it's fuel bunkers dry and is trying to limp back into safer waters, it moves just 1 hex during the night. Unfortunately, Zeroes are up LRCAPing the STF this turn at the same time that the Army fighters decide it would be a good time to not fly escort for their Marine brethren, 21 Vindicators and 15 SBDs are splashed and I lose close to 30 pilots KIA/MIA.

Thing about combat reports is they sometimes let on more than they should, this is the CAP that was flying over the crippled STF.

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 65 minutes

Those carrier airgroups correspond to the 4 surviving CVs of KB, only question is are they flying off Lunga or are the CVs lurking?

This kind of throws a spanner into the works of a little op I was just about to pull the next turn. The plan was for the Forts to bomb Lunga airfield while the Allied CVs paid the area another visit. Between the Forts and the CVs the hope was that the Zeroes would be stretched just that little bit more. The crippled IJN STF actually plays to my favour as if CTG carries on committing Zeroes to defend the lame ducks that means less defenders for Lunga airfield and port.

The presence of the CV airgroups are the question mark, if they're flying off Lunga airfield it doesn't change things much, but if the CVs are lurking just north of Lunga I don't want to be within the dreaded 7-8 hex deadzone that gives CTG a free shot at my decks. Also, where the Zeroes are the Kates and Vals won't be far behind and while I probably can handle Betties alone, the addition of the offensive arm of the KB adds to the risk of exposing the Allied CVs.

What am I exposing? I have Yorktown, Hornet, Wasp, Illustrious and Formidable and their attendant escorts. Flying off their decks are 224 fighters, 137 DBs and 97 TBs. An Army FG fresh from Oz will attempt to LRCAP the CVs as they stand off Lunga. Will set CAP for the CVs at 50% so that's about 100 Wildcats over my precious decks.

Recon shows BBs covering Lunga, the port is occupied and the airfield is lousy with planes, add to that the crippled STF off Ndeni and the hope is the experienced USN aviators will do more damage than their Marine counterparts have done so far while the B-17s will louse up the airfield some. So it's basically a bid to attrit the enemy's assets, no strategic objective behind this, just seeing an opportunity to sink some hulls and destroy some airframes, you guys reckon it's worth exposing the CVs for this?

[BBfanboy]

If he is sending a lot of his CV fighters to LRCAP the STF, he has that much less to escort his strikes and to CAP his CVs. Now is the time to sprint NE of Guadalcanal on Naval Strike. Come back later for the STF and Lunga if KB is not around.
If you are not sure you want to go that deep into injun country, just go 4 hexes from the STF and kill those extremely valuable CAs. I doubt KB will be within 8 hexes of Ndeni.

[Arnhem44]

23 July 1942

@BBfanboy
I settled on having my CVs strike at Lunga from the south, I don't know what's out there beyond Guadalcanal and Betties from Rabaul and Tabi would join in the fun if I go too far north, I have inordinate fear of Betties and Long Lances, turns out I was extremely lucky on that front as events turned out. In the end, whatever was at Lunga was the main target, the crippled STF just a bonus.

China
CAF in action over CK today, I lose 9 fighters of all types for claims of 4 Oscars.

The IJA 13th Army (about 4 divisions worth of troops plus lots of artillery) cuts the road between Nanning and Liuchow.

The blocking force facing the IJA 1st Army is attacked again today, don't know if he's low on supplies cos of the overstacking or if overstacking itself incurs combat penalties but that's the second time the numbers are decidedly in my favour.

Ground combat at 80,40 (near Kienko)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 53902 troops, 563 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 1061
Defending force 18225 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 481
Japanese adjusted assault: 656
Allied adjusted defense: 784

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
4677 casualties reported
Squads: 88 destroyed, 149 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 39 (5 destroyed, 34 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
552 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th Division
36th Division
116th Division
35th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps

SOPAC
Before we go on I had asked CTG what was up with the STF at Ndeni, he replied it probably reacted to the supply convoy I had up at Ndeni a couple of turns back and it was set to Max Speed which promptly drained their bunkers dry leaving them sitting ducks deep in Indian country.

TLDR version
It turns out that recon was spot on about IJN heavies anchoring off Lunga. It's a brutal and busy day in the air for both sides. Moderate damage was inflicted on the IJN and IJAAF in exchange for moderate losses in the Allied carrier airgroups.

Air losses: (Op losses make up the balance)
Japan
64 Betties (45 A2A, 17 ground) - Tracker reports 64 lost to A2A and 16 ground
15 Zeroes (3 A2A, 11 ground)
11 Jakes (10 A2A)
5 Petes (5 A2A)

Allies
20 Avengers (18 A2A, 1 Flak)
13 Swordfish (13 A2A)
13 SBDs (11 A2A, 1 Flak)
6 Albacores (6 A2A)
6 B-17s (4 A2A)
8 Wildcats (all variants including Martlets) (2 A2A, 1 Flak)
Pilot loss: 22 KIA/19 MIA

Consolidated list of hits on IJN ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 6
xAP Brazil Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 7
CA Tone, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAP Naminoue Maru
BB Ise, Bomb hits 4
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
xAP Koan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAP Shanghai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1
DD Hatakaze, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Tenryu, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CS Nisshin, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Detailed version

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 117,144
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 70 (47 manage to get through my CAP, there's a part of me that's screaming "NO WAY, I had 60 fighters on CAP, they were detected 80 miles out, they were unescorted and all I got was 1 out 3?" but there's another part of me that reasons 32% of a raid looks realistic. For the record, I hate that second part of me)

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 21 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious
CA Devonshire
CA Exeter
CV Formidable

Aircraft Attacking: (CTG reports he didn't keep tabs on the torpedo stock of his air HQ which goes some way to explaining why I still have 5 carriers operational)
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(18 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
49th FG/9th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

Betty elements numbering between 6-9 planes come in again throughout the day. None get through CAP.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
F1M2 Pete x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6
B-17E Fortress x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 21

This is the only coordinated strike on Lunga by the Forts for the day, like the Betties, smaller raids come in after this but do little to no damage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 6
Martlet II x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 60
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2
xAP Brazil Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1
CA Tone, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAP Naminoue Maru
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 2
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
xAP Koan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Nagato

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 29

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Koan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAP Shanghai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,142
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
E13A1 Jake x 2

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 7 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Tenryu, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Sawakaze
CA Tone, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 18
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
SBD-3 Dauntless x 55
TBF-1 Avenger x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 5
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2
CS Nisshin, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
xAP Shanghai Maru, heavy fires
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 4
xAP Kongo Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 3 destroyed

For rather relatively light loss (with the exception of the Brit TB squadrons which were gutted) the Allies have managed to significantly dent the Betty inventory, probably sink Mutsu, a DD, an xAP and with luck maybe a couple more others. The majority of the IJN battle line will probably have to visit the docks soon depending on just how badly I've dinged them and the Forts did well catching a couple of planes on the ground at Lunga.

As mentioned, CTG didn't have enough torps to go around for his Betties so you can be sure he's fixed that oversight, mouseover shows there is a BB disbanded in port together with 83 other ships. Enemy air strength is estimated at 30 fighters and 55 bombers. I'm not sure if that number reflects any reinforcements he might have flown in.

My airgroups are relatively intact and I'm pondering whether I should stay for a followup strike on the port. The more badly damaged ships are bound to be tied up till it gets safer to move them. However, the thought of tangling with torpedo armed Betties is a frightening one, albeit tempered by the knowledge I've hurt his Betty squadrons bad. The key would be if he has reinforcements within easy reach of Lunga so he starts this next turn with a fresh set of planes. The thing is I can just as easily set the Forts to port attack and put less assets at risk. Just wouldn't be as fun though.

[BBfanboy]

You made one tough decision and it paid off, now you have another tough decision. Doesn't seem fair!
Now might be the time to back up and take that out-of-fuel TF and let the B-17s and sweeps attrit his air and work over his damaged ships [unless you have a gentleman's agreement to leave the out-of-fuel TF alone].

[Arnhem44]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

You made one tough decision and it paid off, now you have another tough decision. Doesn't seem fair!
Now might be the time to back up and take that out-of-fuel TF and let the B-17s and sweeps attrit his air and work over his damaged ships [unless you have a gentleman's agreement to leave the out-of-fuel TF alone].

Not going after the TF, mostly DDs now, think the heavies managed to sprint back to Lunga the previous turn. I stayed for another turn, airgroups got battered, shouldn't have given into buck fever. Details coming up.

[Arnhem44]

24 July 1942

SOPAC
The day starts with the Empire of Japan paying a visit to Her Majesty's ships, Illustrious takes a fish but shrugs it off thank goodness.

Things then starts to go downhill from there as the Allied CVs strike at a CL/DD TF anchored at Lunga. The first strike is by 50 unescorted SBDs, replay was painful to watch. Long story short, strikes are mounted throughout the day, some escorted, others went in alone. Worst coordination I've had yet after playing all this while. All I have to show for is 4 bomb hits on CL Tenryu by of all things, Avengers level bombing

In total, I lose 40 SBDs to A2A this turn, with the airgroups from Yorktown and Hornet bearing the brunt of the losses. I have enough pilots in reserve to bring everyone up to full strength immediately but will have to wait for the hardware to catch up. Estimated losses for CTG include 21 Zeroes, 15 Betties in A2A action with another dozen or so planes caught on the ground at Lunga when the forts back back for a visit. Small consolation.

The CVs are retiring south to refuel and refit, Formidable will be withdrawn once the Brit TF gets into Sydney leaving Illustrious alone with her consorts. The 3 American CVs will probably hang around the area in case the IJN gets frisky, rotating back to Sydney one TF at a time for repairs. Lexington will pull into PH next turn, that TF will be out for about a month while they do some repair and reffiting of the old girl.

[Arnhem44]

26 July 1942
Skipping 25 July cos nothing significant happened.

China
We turn our attention back to China as South Pacific quietens down a bit.

The IJA gets busy around Patung as it tries to break through the crust of the Chinese units there for a straight shot down onto Chungking.

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Ground combat at 80,45 (near Patung)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 14442 troops, 122 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 390
Defending force 11014 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 219
Japanese adjusted assault: 196
Allied adjusted defense: 436
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

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

Allied ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Division

Defending units:
35th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Patung (81,46)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24306 troops, 204 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 606
Defending force 41283 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1180
Japanese adjusted assault: 354
Allied adjusted defense: 3598
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 10

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

Japanese ground losses:
2608 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 269 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled

Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Division
110th Division
54th JAAF AF Bn
56th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 81,47 (near Patung)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 39106 troops, 308 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 1253
Defending force 26437 troops, 146 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 575
Japanese adjusted assault: 1540
Allied adjusted defense: 1087
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2566 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 269 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled

Allied ground losses:
430 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
34th Division
39th Division
32nd Division

Defending units:
67th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps

Figured a screenshot would put the picture across better. Am actually feeling pretty good about things overall, the lack of supply will kill me in the end in this theatre but CTG is going to have to work for it if he wants China.