Speedy vs Fabertong - time to smack back the Penguin

[Speedysteve]

Operation Snowbell Phase 2:

Hi all,

Here's the details for Operation Snowbell Phase 2: the re-conquest of New Guinea.

I've attached a screenshot detailing the target bases (bases with the Blue outline) along with the recon estimates of enemy strength.

There's only a few recon planes located at Rabaul. Clearly Rabaul will have the capacity to house combat aircraft if flown in and PM will presumably have this capacity too. I'm not overly concerned with this (at least at present). Faber is heavily committed with fighter presence in Burma, Sumatra and Singapore. Logically there'll be a load of Betty Sqn's around but I'm counting on 4 x CV TF's to provide the necessary cover for the invasions.

Looking at known enemy troop strength, clearly, PM will be the toughest target but I have over 100 x B24's based at Portland Roads to supress PM's AF's and my CV's will attempt to bomb the enemy troops to dust. Note the word attempt[;)]

The other target bases should fall pretty comfortably within a matter of days if not hours.

The invasions will be staggered with PM going in first and then the rest following suit under cover by my CV's.

Here's my OOB for this Phase:

4 x CV TF (8 x CV's, 7 x CVL's).
2 x BB Divisions
350 x escorts, AP, AK and Auxiliaries.

If all goes to plan I'll base planes at PM, Buna, Milne Bay and Lae.

I have over 400 x fighters, 300 x LBA and 50 x DB to deploy in theatre. Some of these are to be used in Phase 3 as well.

Here's the Land OOB:

PM:

32nd USA Infantry Division
41st USA Infantry Division
1st Aus. Bde
637th TD Bn
2/4 Armoured Rgt
102nd Combat Engineer Rgt.

Milne Bay:

53rd (Sep) Infantry Rgt
102nd (Sep) Infantry Rgt

Buna:

503rd Para. Rgt
2nd Marine Rgt
632nd TD Bn
2/5th Armoured Rgt

Lae:

2/6th Armoured Rgt
2/11th Armoured Car Bn

Merauke:

2/9th Cavalry Cdo Bn

Terapo:

2/6th Cavalry Cdo Bn

[BBfanboy]

Do you need Milne Bay? It is not built up at all [except probable forts] and if you take PM and Buna, it is cut off. Let it rot.
And why Lae rather than Finschafen? The latter gives better access to the strait between NG and New Britain. Great for minesweeping and ASW patrols.

[Speedysteve]

Don't need either of them just figured they'll give me a supportable link/ring of bases around NG. Finschafen is empty so can easily be taken. Don't really want to leave Milne Bay alone as it potentially still gives Faber a link via Rabaul (which I don't plan to take).

[BBfanboy]

I can't think what kind of link MB would give him other than perhaps a recon seaplane base, which would require and AV/AVP/AVD you can just sink. He can't refuel ships or subs from a dot base, can he? Can't land aircraft except transiting seaplanes, and they could be stranded if they go unserviceable on landing there. With Buna/PM in your hands any seaborne attempt to reinforce or withdraw would be open to interdiction from air or sea, or undersea.
If you want to eliminate it to give some of your troops experience in amphib landings and combat, I can understand that. I am interested in what other ideas you might have as I know from many AARs that I can learn a lot from each player. [:)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi BBfanboy:

I just see no point in taking risks. In theory Faber could fly in supply via Rabaul (which won't be cut-off until the Mariana's and Palau's are taken) and then IF he constructed an AF he could fly offensive strikes until taken and he could also fly in additional troops. In comparison I can easily take it now and prevent any of that threat occurring. Just see no point in taking that risk.

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

Burma:

Usual air sweeps and AF bombing In Burma netting 35 enemy planes for the loss of 20 friendlies.

The first B29 Strategic Raid was a success. Bangkok's HI was reported over 95% damaged (39 out of 41). Recon confirmed this on the 11th and reported over 30 enemy fighters on AFs now. Not really surprising and I'm happy to see Faber disperse fighter assets. There's over 20 targets my B29#s can hit from Burma let alone if I move them to Sumatra.

They rested on the 11th and have been tasked to hit Pnomh Penh's LI on the 12th.

Troops have almost moved back to Prome and Toungoo. I'll then make a call whether to attack again in Burma or try elsewhere.

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

Sumatra:

The attack south of Djambi was fairly successful on the 11th. I lost more men overall but Faber lost more as a % of his total. Recon has identified further units moving up from Palembang. I'll aim to hit these with airpower. We'll rest again until re-supplied then try again:

Ground combat at 47,89 (near Djambi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 54684 troops, 1151 guns, 687 vehicles, Assault Value = 1756

Defending force 22221 troops, 308 guns, 655 vehicles, Assault Value = 738

Allied adjusted assault: 966

Japanese adjusted defense: 611

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2185 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 34 (1 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (6 destroyed, 30 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2762 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 281 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 64 disabled
Guns lost 86 (6 destroyed, 80 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

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

Cent/SoPac:

My CV TF at Wake is refuelled and is sent out again on a raid into Japanese territory.....

In Australia my CV TF's have reached Townsville and are awaiting the slower transports to arrive to begin loading up ground forces.

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

Submarine Warfare:

1 x dud/missed attack.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

Faber has no more than 20 reported fighters left at Rangoon, Pegu and Moulmein. If recon is to be believed the constant sweeps and frequent bombing runs are taking their toll. Over 100 planes were claimed destroyed over the 2 days for the loss of 40 friendlies.

The B29's were socked in on the 12th but attacked Pnomh Penh on the 13th. 30 enemy Zeroes and Oscars were on CAP. They affected their aim and shot down 4 of the Superforts. Only 7 of 21 enemy LI was damaged. Time to rest for a few days before launching again.

Ground Troops still moving around.

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

Sumatra:

Air attacks heavily hit 58th Infantry Rgt moving up from Palembang. Claiming about 1000 casualties over 2 days.

Supplies arrived on the 13th and my men attacked again on the 13th south of Djambi. A further Jap Bde had moved in from Djambi (which now makes that very vulnerable to direct attack with only 2/3 support units there I would presume) but more enemy men were lost again....can Faber continue to bring up enough troops to hold my men from breaking through.....eventually?

Ground combat at 47,89 (near Djambi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 53144 troops, 1147 guns, 688 vehicles, Assault Value = 1516

Defending force 20842 troops, 309 guns, 648 vehicles, Assault Value = 615

Allied adjusted assault: 889

Japanese adjusted defense: 1101

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1544 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 97 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 59 (7 destroyed, 52 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1389 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 136 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Guns lost 31 (2 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

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

Cent/SoPac:

My CentPac CV TF snuck towards it's target un-detected on the 13th and attacked Truk's port with success:

Afternoon Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 74
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 56
TBM-1C Avenger x 81


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 5 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 7 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CM Okinoshima, Bomb hits 11, and is sunk
CMc Ma 2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SST Yu-2, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
CMc Ma 1, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SST Yu-4, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
SST Yu-1, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AR Yamabiko Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CMc Kurosaki, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Nikki Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
ARD Dublon ARD, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
CM Tokiwa, Bomb hits 21, and is sunk
PB Hakata Maru #2, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
PB Okiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
PB Yahada Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Hagoromo Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PB Toshi Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ACM Toyotsu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Noshiro Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Those SST's are strange pointless things by the look of it!

Mission accomplished so heading back to Wake via the Marshall's for some sniping raids.

My transports reached Townsville on the 13th and have begun boarding men for the NG invasions.

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

Submarine Warfare:

No dud/missed attacks.

SS Swordfish sank AKL Shinki Maru south of Cam Ranh Bay on the 13th.

[BBfanboy]

You toasted an AR and ARD! Nice![&o]
In the sandbox game I am playing the Japanese can convert a few xAKs to ARs, but the time in drydock is 360 days!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi BBfanboy. Indeed. I'm at the stage where I don't care what I sink now. If it floats and has a Meatball insignia it's a target [;)]

Burma/Sumatra:

In Burma Rangoon, Pegu and Moulmein are closed and today's sweeps and raids found not 1 enemy plane in the sky! A welcome sight. A few more planes were destroyed on the ground. I aim to keep these bases closed. I suspect Faber has re-based and moved planes to the likes of Chiang Mai and maybe Tavoy. I'm reconning these bases to find out.

Aviation Support are moving to Taung Gyi as planes there can supress Chiang Mai and surrounding AF's.

Ground Troops have moved back to Prome and Toungoo. I'm now debating where to move them and whether to leave Burma.

In Sumatra heavy air raids smashed IJA 58th Infantry Rgt still marching up the road NW from Palembang. Over 1400 men were reported as casualties. My men are still awaiting the arrival of more supplies SW of Djambi before attacking again.

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

Cent/SoPac:

No action here as bad weather prevented my CentPac CV TF attacking.

Final men and equipment are loading up on transports at Townsville before we set off.

120 x B24's at Portland Roads have been given orders to bomb PM AF's tomorrow. The first sign of the upcoming invasion.

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

Submarine Warfare:

1 x dud/missed attack.

SS Hoe reported sinking the troop laden AK Nissei Maru south of Saigon.

On the other side SS Seadragon was sunk south of Mindanao by ASW vessels.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Recent discussions with Faber disclosed that he's close to 0 HI and very low fuel. This is apparently partly down to me closing off Palembang, my sinking of TK/AO (by subs) and he also admitted he relaxed a little and thought the economy was in good shape. I hope it's not as bad as it sounds as I'd like this to carry on longer!

Burma/Sumatra:

In Burma air raids have continued to keep Rangoon, Pegu and Moulmein closed and destroyed a few planes in the process. Recon of Chiang Mai indicates up to 40 bombers located there. Not much else seems to be around.

My B29's smashed Kwangchowan's LI on the 16th for no loss.

In Sumatra the usual air raids over Jap positions and against Djambi. Heavy fighting overall with me losing 44 planes to 68 Japs over the 2 days.

Faber seems to be flying in troops from Singapore as I decided to LRCAP the lace on the 16th. A pain.

To show the power of LBA the 58th IJA Rgt marching from Palembang towards the frontlines south of Djambi was decimated and reduced to 1 AV from 147! This was moved up in Combat mode Faber revealed!

My men attacked again on the 16th but were again rebuffed! Will I break through before enough Jap reinforcements arrive and my men bleed out?!?

Ground combat at 47,89 (near Djambi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52588 troops, 1144 guns, 687 vehicles, Assault Value = 1404

Defending force 20687 troops, 321 guns, 641 vehicles, Assault Value = 538

Allied adjusted assault: 658

Japanese adjusted defense: 1165

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1033 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 67 (15 destroyed, 52 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1295 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 163 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled

Men are marching towards Benkoelen in the SW of Sumatra and an Aussie Bde will land there in a few days to join them.

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

Cent/SoPac:

My CentPac CV TF swung by Eniwetok and Kwajalein on the way back to Wake and claimed an ACM sunk and an ACM and AS damaged. An air raids on Kwajalein's AF's lead to 7 x Hellcat's being lost on escorts to Zeroes on CAP.

Phase 2 of Operation Snowbell is on with transports and CV's leaving Townsville on the 15th. They'll head north towards PM before a smaller Transport TF heads west towards Merauke. Screenshot attached.

In the air B24's, from Portland Roads, have closed PM and damaged Rabaul's AF's (destroying a few Patrol and Transport planes in the process.)

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

Submarine Warfare:

1 x dud/missed attack.

SS Bashaw damaged the large AK Tachi Maru with a torpedo on the 15th east of Singapore.

SS Bang found the damaged freighter on the 16th and put her under with 2 more torpedoes.

SS Pintado heavily damaged TK Nittetsu Maru with 2 torpedoes north of Peliuliu on the 16th.

On the other side SS Hammerhead was sunk by ASW escorts near Daito Shoto.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma/Sumatra:

Status quo in Burma keeping the Jap AF's closed.

Troops are still re-organising and moving. I'd guess I'll be ready for another push over the next 10-14 days.

In Sumatra Faber continues to trickle in new elements into the Frontline south of Djambi and my attacks failed again on the 17th. I'm beginning to have a serious number of disabled elements and will have to stop this soon. Another stalled land offensive if so. GRRRR:

Ground combat at 47,89 (near Djambi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 51909 troops, 1145 guns, 688 vehicles, Assault Value = 1292

Defending force 23123 troops, 349 guns, 630 vehicles, Assault Value = 609

Allied adjusted assault: 685

Japanese adjusted defense: 1053

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1115 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 54 (11 destroyed, 43 disabled)
Vehicles lost 51 (5 destroyed, 46 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1832 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 208 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 29 disabled
Guns lost 49 (2 destroyed, 47 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Assaulting units:
81st (West African) Division
2nd British Division
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
29th British Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
82nd (West African) Division
28th (East African) Brigade
11th (East African) Division
23rd Chindit Brigade
76th Coast AA Regiment
608th Coast AA Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Tank Division
36th Infantry Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
34th Ind.Mixed Brigade
138th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Amphibious Brigade
32nd Ind.Mixed Bde /1
31st Tankette Co

Faber has very few planes around Djambi and Palembang now. There's still enough t cause casualties though.

In total I've lost 54 planes vs Faber's 120 over the past 2 days in Burma/Sumatra.

Further south in Sumatra Aussie troops have just landed at an empty Benkoelen. I aim to keep sending troops in to try and stretch Faber.

I've also moved a Brit CV TF down in the region to cover the Benkoelen invasion and to snipe at any enemy TF's that come in range.

I've 1 massive convoys that are a few days out of Sumatra which will bring over 550K tonnes of supply and oodles of Base Personnel and planes. Welcome additions to the party [:)]

I've attached a screenshot of the theatre.

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

SoPac:

Forces have neared PM now and the troops will go ashore tomorrow. There's at least 5 enemy subs in the region so I have to be careful.

On the 18th Carrier planes hit enemy troops at PM (114th IJA Rgt) but caused few casualties.

The invasion force for Merauke should be there in a couple of days as well.

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

Submarine Warfare:

No contacts [:(]

SS Clyde sank on the way back to Cocos Islands due to previous ASW damage.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A lot of action to report on today!

Burma:

Usual bombing runs in Burma to try and keep Faber's AF's closed. A few Jap fighters took to the skies though.

The B29 raid on Wuchow was a bit of a failure as most of the bombs failed to hit their targets. We'll try again tomorrow.

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

Sumatra:

Usual air raids and sweeps here too over Djambi, Palembang and enemy troops south of Djambi.

Aussie troops occupied Benkoelen today. We'll now await the arrival of engineers and support and we can build this up to close southern Sumatra and northern Java.

My Brit CV TF positioned off Benkoelen found an enemy freighter TF unlading at Oosthaven. 20 x Tonies were on CAP throughout the day. Attacks were launched in both and AM and PM. 11 x friendlies (Corsair II and Hellcat I) and 11 x Tonies were reported lost. 3 xAK were reported sunk and 4 more damaged. We'll stay on scene to hopefully continue the attack tomorrow.

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

SoPac:

Troop went ashore at PM under the protection of BB and CA guns. Recon estimates an enemy Rgt + support troops. Should be relatively easy to take the place but we'll see. Probe attacks are being launched tomorrow.

Enemy subs tried to interfere but 2 were reported sunk by ASW screens.

Faber did well in sneaking down a Jap CV or 2 NE of New Guinea. Just out of range from my CV's. They launched 2 attacks on the invasion area. They lost over 40 of their planes due to Hellcat patrols but managed to land 3 bombs on BB Arizona in the AM. The Jap attack in the PM was very effective with the 11 x Judy and Jill that got through the CAP landing 3 bombs and 2 x Torps into Arizona! She should survive though, provided she doesn't get hit again. Her damage stands at 41 SYS, 61(21) FLT, 8 ENG.

I'd love to get these last few Meatball CV's but I suspect Faber will withdraw.

Total air losses over the day were 44 x Allied vs 111 Japanese.

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

Submarine Warfare:

2 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Wahoo heavily damaged the oil filled TK Bokuei Maru south of Daito Shoto with a torpedo.

SS S-28 reported sinking SC CHa-74 off Ominato.

SS Spadefish damaged TK Ryusho Maru near Sapporo.

[castor troy]

Not sure how Faber's naval forces look like but I wouldn't use slow BB to cover my landings as they are nothing but torpedo and bomb magnets. And even when I am on the clear winner's side, I'd hate to lose capital ships. Is there a need to cover your amphib operations with BBs?

[Speedysteve]

Hi castor,

Faber doesn't have many CV's left and I wanted a BB in this invasion force as I wasn't sure if Faber had placed a CD unit there. As such I wanted the BB to soak up any punishment. It did but I was not expecting a CV to come to the party as he doesn't have many left [;)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

In response to the post's above I've attached a screenshot of the CV losses for both sides. As you can see only has a CV or 2 left that I can see.

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

Burma/Sumatra:

Usual bombing in Burma. Troops almost ready to move to attack again. 3 more days wait!

In Sumatra very few Jap fighters contest the air around Djambi/Palembang anymore.

There's definitely a build-up by Faber at Oosthaven though with 9 units and 18K men reported there. The freighter TF was hit again today by my Brit CV TF. Due to a lack of ordinance only 2 more AK;s were claimed sunk today. We'll return to Cocos to re-arm.

Faber still has potent LBA forces though as over 40 x Frances and 40 x Tojo flew over Benkoelen from Batavia. They decimated my small AP TF unloading the Aussie Bde there. 2 x AP and 1 x PG were sunk. Only 1 x AP remains.

Once my large US reinforcement convoys reach Sumatra in a week or so it will be a priority to get Aviation personnel to Benkoelen to close Oosthaven and begin to tackle Batavia.

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

So/CentPac:

As expected the Jap CV TF withdrew NW towards Palau's. I'm trying to intercept them with my CentPac CV TF which is steaming on full speed and will be past Truk tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

PM should fall as recon indicates only a Rgt to really deal with. We attack tomorrow:

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 19316 troops, 451 guns, 461 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052

Defending force 8030 troops, 79 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 167

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled



Assaulting units:
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Division
32nd Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Australian Brigade
4th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
144th Infantry Regiment
31st Special Base Force
7th Naval Construction Battalion
2nd JNAF AF Unit

Commando units landed at Merauke today. 500 enemy are reported there. My elite unit will attempt to attack tomorrow.

Para units will take an empty Terapo tomorrow.

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

Submarine Warfare:

1 x dud/missed attack.

[Speedysteve]

Will I catch the Jap CV TF? It's a slight chance and depends on the direction he takes and his speed!

Note the Jap CV TF is the one on the bottom edge of the shot and my CV TF is just out of shot to the NE.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The short answer is no I didn't catch the Jap CV TF. My boys ended up NW of Truk and with fuel low we'll head back to Wake. Intel reports the Japs have flown planes into Truk. We'll see how many if they attack my CV's tomorrow.

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

Burma/Sumatra:

Same old same old in Burma with 12 enemy planes destroyed on the ground.

My B29's have been tasked with bombing Saigon's HI tomorrow.

No real news in Sumatra other than the fact recon has now identified a Jap Air presence at Oosthaven now comprising 50 planes. The sooner I get planes at Benkoelen the better! Will be a while though.

My remaining at AP continued to unload heavy equipment at Oosthaven and no Jap planes were detected throughout the day.

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

SoPac:

Good news all round as the 1st wave attacks all went off well.

PM was easily taken and the enemy routed on to the Kokoda Trail:

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22986 troops, 470 guns, 630 vehicles, Assault Value = 1064

Defending force 7959 troops, 79 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 162

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied adjusted assault: 482

Japanese adjusted defense: 33

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
3650 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 75 disabled
Non Combat: 124 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 63 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 22 (16 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4


Allied ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Terapo fell to para's and the Commando unit at Merauke had fun mopping up 100 delirious defenders. They were delirious after 100 x B24's caused over 250 casualties right before my Commandoes attacked.

BB Arizona has docked at PM for now to prevent further flooding.

Soon we'll head onto Milne Bay.......

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

Submarine Warfare:

SS Swordfish heavily damaged AK Toyooka Maru south of Saigon with a torpedo.

On the other side my CV escorts claimed SS I-1 sunk off PM.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

Usual bombing to keep the Jap AF's supressed.

The B29 raid on Saigon was average. 10 of the 21 x HI were claimed damaged. Over 30 x Oscar IIb were on CAP. They didn't shoot any B29's down but maybe they affected their aim.

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

Sumatra:

Faber now has over 140 planes at Batavia and 70 at Oosthaven. Time for the 4E to target Oosthaven tomorrow I think.

PG Warrego was blown to pieces by 10 x bomb hits off Benkoelen by Vals from Oosthaven.

The ground war has again stymied me. It's frustrating to see once more that Faber is more easily able to fly in Rgt's and Bde's at a fast enough rate to make my attacks south of Djambi in jungle terrain non-viable. I now have 1200 AV (50% of my total operational strength there) vs 700 Jap as a Bde of 46th Division has been flown in via Djambi.

I've decided to try something different so I'm pulling my troops back westwards across the river. I'll then probably move south and then east to shock attack across the river into clear terrain. I'm fed up of fighting in jungles and modifying his AV!

The screenshot shows my current plan along with the 2 large US reinforcement convoys reaching the scene.

I'll likely route some of these to Benkoelen protected by over 100 x Corsair II on my Brit CV's.

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

Cent/SoPac:

SoPac = no news.

In CentPac my CV TF was attacked when moving away from Truk towards Wake. 35 x Zero escorted 18 x Betty. 74 x Hellcat were on CAP. They did ok but some Betties got through and hit CA Louisville with a torpedo (30 FLT). In total 2 x Hellcat were lost for 19 x Zero and 10 x Betty.

An ASW TF found and sank SS I-166 off Cooktown. Unfortunately DE Cabana was sunk in the process!
------------------

Submarine Warfare:

0 dud/missed attacks.

SS Scorpion finished off the damaged TK Bokuei Maru west of Iwo Jima with 3 more torpedo hits.

SS Sturdy claimed AK Syoto Maru heavily damaged east of Oosthaven with a torpedo.

SS Stonehenge sank the troop filled AK Kogane Maru SE of Cam Ranh Bay.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The 23rd was a pretty quiet day all round. The usual bomb runs in Burma and Sumatra met no Jap air resistance.

Sumatra (24th):

A nice day in the air!

My 4E at Siberoet targeted Oosthaven. There were 30 x Zero/Oscar on CAP but they only shot down 1 x B17. In return the AF was plastered and 20 x Val were claimed blasted on the ground. Good.

I also ordered a sweep over Singapore by over 100 x P47D2, P38J and P51B from Sawalohento. The result and claims were outstanding. For the loss of 3 fighters over 50 enemy were claimed out of 150 on CAP. Result.

On sea the reinforcement convoy carrying support troops and planes split in 2 with 1 section heading to Benkoelen. The other larger section is at Padang starting to unload on the 25th.

The Benkoelen section is about 2 days out and will rendezvous with the Brit CV TF tomorrow.

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

SoPac:

PM is up and running! Aviation personnel have cleared the runways whilst engineers repair building and the port.

The first P38J's arrived on 24th May. Mitchell, Beauforts and an SBD Sqn will arrive shortly.

My CV's will depart heading to the Milne Bay region tomorrow.

I've attached a screenshot of the area for your info.

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

Submarine Warfare:

2 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Perch II reported sinking AK Shirogane Maru near Okinawa on the 23rd.

SS Burrfish heavily damaged PB Choko Maru south of Mindanao on the 24th with a torpedo.

On the other side SS Perch was sank SW of Borneo and SS Hoe heavily damaged near Saigon.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma:

Usual AF runs by me. No Jap presence in the air to be found in central Burma. 10 x enemy planes were torched on the ground.

I'm beginning to issue orders to my troops to begin another move and assault soon.

Raid on Rangoon's refineries led them to 50 active.

10 x Hurri IV also swept low over Rangoon's harbour and planted 2 x 500lb bombs into the small DMS W-12.

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

Sumatra:

The large reinforcement convoy unloads most of it's planes and men at Padang. There's a lot of goodies here including:

50 x P40E
25 x P40K
32 x B25G Mitchell
16 x B26B Marauder
16 x B25D1 Mitchell
12 x F7A
48 x PV1 Ventura
32 x PBJ-1D Mitchell
72 x SBD
16 x TBM
90 x Corsair
36 x Patrol

A contingent of these will fly to Pakanbaroe (NE of Padang) once Av. support gets there. They'll be tasked with suppressing southern Sumatra.

Further south the Benkoelen convoy will arrive tomorrow. She's carrying fighters: 54 x Corsair and 36 x Hellcat.

4E from Siberoet targeted the enemy unit NW of Oosthaven. It's the 21st Division. Over 800 casualties were caused throughout the day. Faber continues to bring more and more force to Sumatra.....

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

SoPac:

The Milne Bay Rgt's will reach shore tomorrow. CV's covering.

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

Submarine Warfare:

0 x dud/missed attacks.

SS Bream scored the success of the day sinking E Hatsukari off Toyohara.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A big day in the air over Sumatra!

Burma:

I continue to keep the central Burmese AF's closed. Mitchells also attacked Rangoon's port and damaged 2 x AK's in harbour there.

My B29's hit and damaged 6 out of 8 HI Facs at Georgetown. I lost 2 x B29 due to Ops losses.

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

Sumatra:

I launched over 100 fighters to sweep over Singapore again. They claimed some impressive results again.

The other 'success' was over Benkoelen as my convoy started to unload men and material into the small port. Faber attacked, first, with 18 x G4M and 35 x Zero from Batavia. I had over 70 x Corsair, Seafire and Hellcat on CAP. 6 of the Betties got through the CAP but didn't achieve any hits. A follow up raid consisted of 36 x unescorted Kate's. My boys had a field day shooting down 23 of them.

In total over the day I lost 31 planes to 136 Jap.

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

SoPac:

Troops are ashore at Milne Bay. They'll launch recon and bombard tomorrow. There's at least 1 x Nav Gd unit out of the 2 Jap units there. I don't expect too much Jap resistance for my 2 x Rgt's.

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

Submarine Warfare:

2 x dud/missed attacks.

An enemy sub (RO-64) was claimed sunk by convoy escorts off Benkoelen.