Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

[Captain Cruft]

Nice info dump, thanks

You are looking to make 80 Ki-201s a month and yet are only researching 10 NE Turbojets, which is enough for 5 planes. Is that right?

I think the Ki-84r is better than the b variant. Climb rate and maneuver ratings outweigh armament, at least against other fighters. Anything can shoot down bombers (OK not Nates ...), the thing you always need to be able to do is have a large and hard enough CAP that it doesn't get exhausted by Sweeps so that something is left in the air to attack the bombers.

Regarding the Ki-95, I do not believe it has greater range than the Ki-46 III. The only thing that does is the Ki-74, which though a bomber is very fast and has a camera and so can be useful for Recon.

Have you checked the experience level of all those reinforcement LCUs? I suspect it may not be good, and I wouldn't be relying on them to defend anywhere important.

I would imagine the Hiyo and Akagi airgroups will indeed arrive on their carriers. Where of course they will useless until you upgrade them back to Zeros.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Nice info dump, thanks

You are looking to make 80 Ki-201s a month and yet are only researching 10 NE Turbojets, which is enough for 5 planes. Is that right?

Yeah, as I get closer and don't need other factories I'll switch another over to it. Really it'll be so late I'l have to see how much investment I can put in it anyway. That and the rocket planes will just be a nice add if I have the supplies to build/convert the factories when the arrive.

I think the Ki-84r is better than the b variant. Climb rate and maneuver ratings outweigh armament, at least against other fighters. Anything can shoot down bombers (OK not Nates ...), the thing you always need to be able to do is have a large and hard enough CAP that it doesn't get exhausted by Sweeps so that something is left in the air to attack the bombers.

Good points. I'll probably build both to see how they do.

Regarding the Ki-95, I do not believe it has greater range than the Ki-46 III. The only thing that does is the Ki-74, which though a bomber is very fast and has a camera and so can be useful for Recon.

Just checked. I guess you're right. I had thought it carried drop-tanks in addition to the 15/19 range. Well, at least it goes 438mph and has a camera. Still pretty good.

I didn't realize the Patsy had a camera and could go 36 hexes. Crap. Not sure I could get any early enough now to make them useful, but I might throw one factory on just to see if they can move up 1-3 months with the engine bonus. I should have looked at this plane a bit more. In the beginning I think I was despairing it's poor bomb load. Now I'm drooling at 29/36 hex range. [:(]

Have you checked the experience level of all those reinforcement LCUs? I suspect it may not be good, and I wouldn't be relying on them to defend anywhere important.

Every one is at 54 exp. That's plenty good behind level 6 forts on an island, I'd think, once they get some prep. [:)]

I would imagine the Hiyo and Akagi airgroups will indeed arrive on their carriers. Where of course they will useless until you upgrade them back to Zeros.

As long as they show up I'm happy. I'll park the CVs if possible around that time and unload the other groups, then see what happens.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]INDUSTRY and RESOURCES[/font]
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As these figures show the economy is still doing alright, although I'm using a lot of fuel right now as the KB is active and many TFs are moving to relocate ships to the HI for transport duties soon. I would like the shipping fuel number to be about 10k, or half what it is now. Still, until he starts to bomb the oil, I feel like things are in a bit of equilibrium. Or at least dropping only slowly.[;)]

I'd like to aim for a full half year of resources and fuel in the HI. Oil to the HI is a day to day affair, but I've had two rotating convoys taking the excess from the DEI to the HI and getting 60k+ every few weeks back home.

For HI reserve it looks like based on current increase we should make the goal of 3 million reserve by 1/45. Averaged over the last 55 days we're putting away 2,935.5 a day, which should increase as ship production continues to wind down. If it were to remain at those levels though for the rat of the year we would get 766,165.5 more put away by 1/45, giving a total of 3,167,639.5 reserve. That should be a good number to keep the airframes coming after oil/fuel reduce and get cut off for at least a year, with the assumption that at least some HI will still be producing.
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]SHIP UPGRADES[/font]
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I have some questions about upcoming upgrades.

QUESTION 1; Is it worth it to upgrade the Type B1/B2 subs that carry Glens? In the upgrade they lose the ability to carry FP but gain radar. A good trade?

QUESTION 2; What the hell are DC racks doing on the upgrade list for CVL Ryuho?

Is it really going to chase down and DC subs? Really? [:D]

[Captain Cruft]

I would go for the radar on the subs. As the Empire compresses the need to project naval search becomes less.

As for DCs on a CVL why not? The ship can then escort itself, though it's probably not a good idea.

If you look at the very late IJA CVEs they all have depth charges. These ships are designed to fly the Ka-1 and Ki-76 Stella as ASW planes, though I dare say most people will put IJN airgroups on there. Which I don't think was even possible in reality.

[obvert]

I wonder what the range is on those radars? If they extend a few hexes it could have a similar effect to the Glen without the pilot training, ops losses or one way trips toward a Hellcat.

These subs are important to me to see what is coming and from where. I have about 5-6 in the IO looking constantly deep near the map edge for an invasion fleet. I also have some in So Pac and I'm considering that it's probably time for more than the few I have around the Central Pacific.

Good info about the Army CVEs. I thought they were just for transporting planes, and didn't realize they had an ASW role as well.

[Captain Cruft]

Ship-based radar only has an effect in combat, it doesn't do naval search. It sounds to me like you should keep the Glens.

The Ka-1 autogyro and Ki-76 Stella are both carrier-capable aircraft and are designated as having floats, so the game can load them on ships other than actual carriers. Apart from the CVEs there are a couple of army LSDs which have an air capacity.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]RECON-45[/font]
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Looks like I blew it on the Ki-74. I really should have had a few factories going for this. I don't think I knew what difference range would make until the G3M3 came into play, and by then I'd forgotten all about the Patsy.

Well ... I guess I might throw a factory on for it to see what happens, maybe taking away one of the D4Y4 Judy factories, as that's almost here (7/44 now) and I don't want them all producing anyway. It could give the range to at least poke a B-29 base in the very distant future assuming we get there.

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[Dora09]

Wow, lots of great information. This is really a great AAR you've put together obvert.

Interesting remarks on Jack vs George. It always seems that George out performs Jack in my games (well, N1K1 vs J2M2). I still build Jacks though. Actually in my current game I use Jacks mainly as escorts which I know is strange given that they were designed as interceptors but they have been good in this role. I use George for sweep and Jack as escort. I use A6M only for CVs, so now land based zeros only Jack and George for LB fighters. I am interested in what roles you find J2M superior to George so I can maybe expand their use.

As for the Ki84 B vs R, it always looked to me that the R would be far superior due to altitude and speed advantage (I think mnvr too??), but I am interested in seeing how they do in your game. Right now I have Ki84a but U have never had a game go long enough to ger B or R so here is to hoping I can hold on this long. Also, I love George but I have only ever had the N1K1, how much better is the N1K2? Is there a significant advantage or do you have to get to N1K5 to see serious advantage?

[Dora09]

sorry for all the odd type-Os. It is late for me.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Dora09

Wow, lots of great information. This is really a great AAR you've put together obvert.

Interesting remarks on Jack vs George. It always seems that George out performs Jack in my games (well, N1K1 vs J2M2). I still build Jacks though. Actually in my current game I use Jacks mainly as escorts which I know is strange given that they were designed as interceptors but they have been good in this role. I use George for sweep and Jack as escort. I use A6M only for CVs, so now land based zeros only Jack and George for LB fighters. I am interested in what roles you find J2M superior to George so I can maybe expand their use.

As for the Ki84 B vs R, it always looked to me that the R would be far superior due to altitude and speed advantage (I think mnvr too??), but I am interested in seeing how they do in your game. Right now I have Ki84a but U have never had a game go long enough to ger B or R so here is to hoping I can hold on this long. Also, I love George but I have only ever had the N1K1, how much better is the N1K2? Is there a significant advantage or do you have to get to N1K5 to see serious advantage?

The Jack proved itself by several times holding it's own in an interceptor role when Corsair sweeps came in, and it got 1:1. That doesn't happen all of the time mind you, but it climbs well so it can get up in strength quickly. I also use it as an escort, and especially that the service 2 J2M3 is around I can post them on islands without fear of the entire group getting damaged and stuck there forever, like service 3 planes.

The George has been better in sweeps and general purpose CAP. The N1K2 just operates better with service 2, and the smaller armament is most likely made up by slightly better speed. It seem to do well, anyway. By the time I can get any N1K5 I thin the Allies will be so much better it will mainly be a background bomber interceptor out of sweep range, but I have yet to see. I even stopped R n D on that plane and will just get it when it comes.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]7 - 8 April 1944[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The Steelhead takes out an AK near Sorong.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] A group of 4 good Es are nailed by US DDs about 250 miles north of New Guinea. Crap. Those were some good ships.

Kaveing and Mussau Island continue to be invested with more troops. Just holding on for the assault there with few troops left to fight.

In North New Guinea some LST and small ships look to be moving to toward Sarmi. I will bring some naval assets in to see what can be done. Not much hope, but two TFs led by two BBs and 2 CA are at Peleliu and could make a difference if they can get through the Fletcher wall.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Still no movements.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Nothing new here. No fighters in Darwin, but a few bombers and search planes are still there. I'll send in the BBs to see if we can retard growth and suck supplies.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Stasis continues as major bombing continues to hit troops near Lashio. I've got the third section of the division there moving in. The troops will hold anything for now I think, but over the long run I may need to keep shuffling units through here.

The follow-up to the air raids was costly for us but took out another ~20 P-47 and some Spit VIII which is a huge thing. Every one of those is important. On the day we lost about 80+ planes to his 50+ as late sweeps were massacred by LR CAP coming up fresh for the afternoon missions.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] Nothing happening except troop removals. An entire garrison unit has been air lifted from Tabiteuaea to Makin and is now getting on transports to head West. Useful units. Heading for West New Guinea and around Sorong.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 7, 44
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 94,108, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Kanju, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
E Kasado, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
E Kurahashi, Shell hits 39, and is sunk
E Aguni, Shell hits 33, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Brownson
DD Philip
DD Renshaw
DD Ringgold
DD Schroeder
DD Spence
DD Taylor
DD Trathen, Shell hits 1

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 100% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...

Sub attack near Sorong at 83,106

Japanese Ships
AK Nissyu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
SC Ch 29
SC Ch 27
SC Ch 21
xAK Imizu Maru
xAK Iburi Maru
xAK Heito Maru
PC Sumire
SC Ch 35

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead, hits 1

SS Steelhead launches 4 torpedoes at AK Nissyu Maru
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 24

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 45


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 40

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 41


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 31

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 43

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ic Tony: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-61-Ic Tony sweeping at 20000 feet *

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12


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

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed


Aircraft Attacking:
37 x Ki-44-IIc Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet *

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 36

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
34 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet


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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 9

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 28
G3M3 Nell x 29
G4M1 Betty x 28
G4M2 Betty x 24
N1K1-J George x 22

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N5 Warhawk: 11 damaged
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38H Lightning: 4 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
Spitfire VIII: 4 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 damaged
P-51B Mustang: 1 damaged
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 2 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Albacore I: 1 damaged
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 damaged


Airbase hits 10
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 193 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 18

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x N1K2-J George sweeping at 31000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 93
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 172
Ki-67-Ia Peggy x 25


Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 damaged
Ki-67-Ia Peggy: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 9 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 21 damaged
P-40N5 Warhawk: 5 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 1 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38H Lightning: 7 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
Spitfire PR.XI: 2 damaged
Spitfire PR.XI: 1 destroyed on ground
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 42

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 172 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet

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Morning Air attack on 11th Mortar Battalion, at 59,48 (Taung Gyi)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wellington GR.VIII x 12
Wellington B.X x 10

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington GR.VIII: 1 damaged
Wellington B.X: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Wellington B.X bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 11th Mortar Battalion, at 59,48 (Taung Gyi)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 12
Wellington GR.XIII x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 46
B-25D1 Mitchell x 14

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wellington GR.XIII bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 4th RTA Division, at 59,48 (Taung Gyi)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 27

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 32


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 11 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Afternoon Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 16



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 31


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 1, 44
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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 47

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed


Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-44-IIc Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet *

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Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 3
Liberator B.VI x 13
Liberator GR.III x 20
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 7
B-24D Liberator x 20
B-24D1 Liberator x 38
B-24J Liberator x 129
B-25C Mitchell x 59


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 1, 44
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 1, 44
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: The first Matsu class drives. Toy destroyers, but I'll take whatever I can get at this point. Wish they were faster though. At 27 knots that doesn't cut it.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]DD Matsu arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
E No.15 arrives at Tokyo
MGB G-231 arrives at Nagoya
33rd Sentai arrives at Rangoon
29th Field AA Machinecannon Company arrives at Tokyo
52nd Construction Battalion arrives at Tokyo[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of E Kanju on Apr 07, 1944 is admitted
Loss of E Kasado on Apr 07, 1944 is admitted
Loss of E Kurahashi on Apr 07, 1944 is admitted
Loss of E Aguni on Apr 07, 1944 is admitted
Loss of AK Nissyu Maru on Apr 07, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of SS Escolar incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Why did the Japanese build the Matsu class DDs to be mediocre in all roles they needed them for? ASW? A 4 rating. Speed and power for surface engagements? They have 3 12.7cm guns and go 27 knots. [:(] I'll find a use for them, surely, but they're about the worst DDs on the map.[/font]
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[Captain Cruft]

I would guess that the Matsu was a result of Japanese industry being severely constrained. They're perfectly adequate for unopposed Fast Transport missions.

-----
I did a quick test with the Ki-74. Flying out of Hankow 250 aircraft at 7,000ft totally destroyed Clark Field including 170 planes on the ground. This is using a Downfall sandbox. There was no CAP obviously.

Imagine having enough fighters at Takao to Sweep away the CAP on Luzon and then deliver the ordnance from somewhere deep in China. You are almost guaranteed to have the Sweep go in first, and he can only target your bombers using B-29s without escort.

This is a stupendously effective weapon if you have the numbers and the necessary real estate to back off sufficiently. I suspect they nerfed the bombload (which should be 1,000kg of bombs) precisely because of this.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 06, 45
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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-74-I Patsy x 165

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-74-I Patsy: 35 damaged
Ki-74-I Patsy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
A-26C Invader: 49 damaged
A-26C Invader: 9 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 148 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 24 destroyed on ground
P-38L Lightning: 68 damaged
P-38L Lightning: 16 destroyed on ground
B-29-25 Superfort: 72 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 7 destroyed on ground
B-25J11 Mitchell: 19 damaged
B-25J11 Mitchell: 3 destroyed on ground
P-61C Black Widow: 5 damaged
P-61C Black Widow: 2 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 17 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 7 destroyed on ground
F4U-1A Corsair: 3 damaged
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed on ground
F-7A Liberator: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Airbase hits 40
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 71

Aircraft Attacking:
44 x Ki-74-I Patsy bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
48 x Ki-74-I Patsy bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x Ki-74-I Patsy bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-74-I Patsy bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
48 x Ki-74-I Patsy bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-74-I Patsy x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-74-I Patsy: 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 67 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 8 destroyed on ground
B-29-25 Superfort: 17 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 2 destroyed on ground
A-26C Invader: 3 damaged
A-26C Invader: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25J11 Mitchell: 6 damaged
B-25J11 Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 1 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground
F-7A Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-74-I Patsy bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-74-I Patsy x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-74-I Patsy: 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 32 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed on ground
P-38L Lightning: 1 damaged
P-38L Lightning: 3 destroyed on ground
B-29-25 Superfort: 19 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 3 destroyed on ground
B-25J11 Mitchell: 19 damaged
B-25J11 Mitchell: 7 destroyed on ground
A-26C Invader: 7 damaged
A-26C Invader: 3 destroyed on ground
F-7A Liberator: 4 damaged
P-61C Black Widow: 2 damaged
P-61C Black Widow: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-74-I Patsy bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

I would guess that the Matsu was a result of Japanese industry being severely constrained. They're perfectly adequate for unopposed Fast Transport missions.

-----
I did a quick test with the Ki-74. Flying out of Hankow 250 aircraft at 7,000ft totally destroyed Clark Field including 170 planes on the ground. This is using a Downfall sandbox. There was no CAP obviously.

Imagine having enough fighters at Takao to Sweep away the CAP on Luzon and then deliver the ordnance from somewhere deep in China. You are almost guaranteed to have the Sweep go in first, and he can only target your bombers using B-29s without escort.

This is a stupendously effective weapon if you have the numbers and the necessary real estate to back off sufficiently. I suspect they nerfed the bombload (which should be 1,000kg of bombs) precisely because of this.

Yeah I was thinking that about industry shortages leading to the Matsu. I guess I'd want more DC racks at that stage, since all of the E are well stocked with them.

-----
I feel even worse now about the Ki-74! [:(]

Yeah, definitely an oversight. I added two factories, one set for 12 and the other for 30, hoping the small one would get repaired sooner an start researching, using the engine bonus to boost it's ability. Still this will be a very late war plane. Could be a nice surprise at that point though.

In the future I'll be putting a good amount of research into that plane.

Thanks for posting the test.

[Captain Cruft]

In my game I set the Patsy and the Mitsubishi Ha-43 researching very early on. The engine has now accelerated its arrival date from 09/45 to 11/43 but the Patsy is only about halfway repaired (3 x 30 factories). If I can get the plane in 1944 I'll be very happy.

The only other IJA level bomber I will be producing is the torpedo-carrying Peggy.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]9 - 10 April 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The bombardment run to Darwin almost turns disastrous when BB Ise shows up in the headlights of SS Herring. It launches 6 TT with no hits. Whew!

RO-62 is nailed near Hollandia.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] Kiwi paras try again at Furgussen and Kiriwina Islands. Furgussen has fallen already but the shell of a base force is still there. The remnants of the 8th Army on Kiriwina give one of the Allied units a 1:99 in spite of having no combat AV. Those are some fanatical support troops! [:D] This base also merits attention from the full hammer of Allied air power today, which makes me ecstatic. Pound away!

At Hollandia DDs sink all of our MTBs.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Naval bombardment does little again to the fields at Darwin. Not sure why we're getting good hits on troops and not on the fields. We did see that in addition to a few Aussie divisions the Americal is here. No mystery about where that is pointed.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Bombings again hit Taung Gyi in addition to troops near Lashio. So tantalizing when the bombers come in first, and then I realize there are 5-6 Corsair and Spit groups following to clean up.

In the ground phase Jocke tries a DA against the troops near Lashio. It gets a 1:2 and wipes off most of the anti-tank guns he brought up. The IJA toy tanks win this day in spite of taking heavy disablements. This should give time to bring in the next 1/3 division. The one regiment here is getting pretty messed up. I'll remove it to Taung Gyi once the new unit arrives.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 9, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CL Jintsu
CL Naka
CL Sendai

Allied ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Runway hits 3

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at 7th Australian Division
BB Yamashiro firing at Darwin
BB Fuso firing at 3rd Australian Division
CL Jintsu firing at Americal Infantry Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 59,48 (Taung Gyi)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 22


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Wellington B.X bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 9
Wellington GR.VIII x 14


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 11
Liberator B.VI x 13
Liberator GR.III x 22
Wellington GR.XIII x 3
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 21
B-24D1 Liberator x 29
B-24J Liberator x 108
B-25C Mitchell x 66

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2896 troops, 42 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Defending force 405 troops, 16 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Allied adjusted assault: 46

Japanese adjusted defense: 11

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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


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

Assaulting units:
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
31st Tankette Co
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
38th JNAF AF Unit /1

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

Ground combat at Kiriwina Island (102,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 305 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Defending force 1289 troops, 0 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 6) [8D]

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Fiji Commando Battalion

Defending units:
22nd Ind. Engr Rgt /1
8th Area Army /1
51st JNAF AF Unit /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 10, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Koepang at 69,119

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
CL Jintsu
DD Maikaze
DD Kishinami

Allied Ships
SS Herring, hits 3

SS Herring launches 6 torpedoes at BB Ise
DD Maikaze attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Hollandia at 94,116

Japanese Ships
SS RO-62, hits 13, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Capps
DD Halligan
DD Selfridge
DD Strong
DD Stanly
DD O'Bannon

SS RO-62 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Capps
DD Selfridge attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 93,115, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-544, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-545, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-548, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-549, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-551, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bullard
DD Capps
DD Gatling
DD Halligan
DD Marshall
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
DD Stanly
DD Strong
DD Selfridge


Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 92% moonlight: 11,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 12
Liberator B.VI x 12
Liberator GR.III x 15
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 19
B-24D1 Liberator x 33
B-24J Liberator x 113
B-25C Mitchell x 73


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 8th Area Army, at 102,131 (Kiriwina Island)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 18
Hudson III (LR) x 18
PV-1 Ventura x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-25D1 Mitchell x 96
B-25G Mitchell x 12
B-25H Mitchell x 44
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at 60,47 (near Mandalay)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36029 troops, 564 guns, 230 vehicles, Assault Value = 1367

Defending force 14101 troops, 152 guns, 264 vehicles, Assault Value = 452

Allied adjusted assault: 606

Japanese adjusted defense: 658 [Close call!]

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
719 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 128 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (7 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 84 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 74 (43 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
50th Indian Para Brigade
11th (East African) Division
3rd New Chinese Corps
85th British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2nd RTA Division
8th Tank Regiment
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
39th/A Division
2nd Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]47th I.F.Chutai arrives at Changchun
48th I.F.Chutai arrives at Changchun
60th JNAF AF Unit arrives at Tokyo
TK Shimotsu Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
MTB G-841 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
25th Tank Regiment arrives at Takao
43rd Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Sendai[/font]

Losses:
[font="Trebuchet MS"Loss of MTB G-544 on Apr 10, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-545 on Apr 10, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-548 on Apr 10, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-549 on Apr 10, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-550 on Apr 10, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-551 on Apr 10, 1944 is admitted][/font]

Ships Sunk: Valhalla was hit by two TT near Canton Island nd I didn't thin kit was gone. Now I'm pretty sure we'll see her again.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of SS Grunion incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Angler incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
SS Rock is reported to have been sunk near Wake Island on Feb 29, 1944
Previous report of sinking of CV Valhalla incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]A lot of DD upgrades are happening now, making me a bit short on escorts. I only have 80 DDs in game right now,and could really use the new ones fast. I'll accelerate all of the ones I can now. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Why did the Japanese build the Matsu class DDs to be mediocre in all roles they needed them for? ASW? A 4 rating. Speed and power for surface engagements? They have 3 12.7cm guns and go 27 knots. [:(] I'll find a use for them, surely, but they're about the worst DDs on the map.

My guess is that by this time they were so short of DD's and these were so fast to produce. Kagero's took them over a year to kick out ... they just couldn't afford to wait for them ...

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert

Why did the Japanese build the Matsu class DDs to be mediocre in all roles they needed them for? ASW? A 4 rating. Speed and power for surface engagements? They have 3 12.7cm guns and go 27 knots. [:(] I'll find a use for them, surely, but they're about the worst DDs on the map.

My guess is that by this time they were so short of DD's and these were so fast to produce. Kagero's took them over a year to kick out ... they just couldn't afford to wait for them ...

You'd think they'd pump up the ASW a bit more, and keep them fast even if under gunned. Oh, well. Soon I'll be happy to have them!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]11 - 12 April 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The Grouper gets a shot at our retreating surface groups, but luckily misses.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] Wow. Not even two successive combats using capital ships can break through the US DD flotillas right now. Nagato and Mutsu supported by 5 DD went in toward Sarmi first to get a shot at transports moving toward the base and not only did the IJN DDs get crushed but the BBs took significant damage, all for what looks like one US DD sunk and another badly damaged. That's it.

Neither commander got the crossed T, which I guess means they were about equal. If BBs can't win a fight with DDs in daylight at normal distances, even getting first engagements by the report, then I'm not sure what to do with naval forces except park them. I've shepherded the BBs into the late game thinking they were maybe the ships that could still make a difference, but that seems not to be the case.

Next up Mikuma and Suzuya came in and should have wiped the seas here against slightly damaged ships low on ammo, but again couldn't effectively hit the US ships. On top of that, the Arashio takes ONE 5 inch shell and goes under. I didn't see why, but I'm sure it was a magazine. Bad luck? Not sure. The radar controllers are great, the 5 inch/38 guns get shells out fast. I know these are superior ships. I can't help but feel something changes though in 44 with naval combat. The result are just night and day from before, and these are crews that have HIGH experience, all good DDs and with top commanders as captains and in the TF.

Am I still missing something?

Totals for the day;

IJN - 4 DD sunk, one severely damaged and struggling to make port. 40cm turret taken out on Mutsu, now back the Yokohama yards.

Allies - 2 DD sunk, one heavily damaged.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Nothing new.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] More bombing of the troops near Lashio. Same old. The next fresh troops should arrive tomorrow.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] Well, a picket NOrth of Wake is hit by US CV aircraft. Not sure what is going on there. Something is up though. The KB is getting ready to move. If it's Marshalls or Wake I'll stay put, If it looks like Marcus we go in. Could be big!

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 11, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 90,113, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 15, on fire
DD Hayashimo, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 5
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yugure, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Bullard, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Capps, Shell hits 1
DD Gatling, Shell hits 1
DD Halligan
DD Marshall, Shell hits 1
DD Nicholas, Shell hits 1
DD O'Bannon
DD Stanly, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Strong
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 3, and is sunk


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 18,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD O'Bannon at 18,000 yards
DD Hayashimo engages DD Bullard at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD Selfridge at 7,000 yards
BB Nagato engages DD Bullard at 25,000 yards
Fujisawa, Takamasa orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 3
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1, and is sunk [:(][&:] Really?
DD Arashio, Shell hits 2
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Bullard, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Capps, Shell hits 1
DD Gatling, Shell hits 2
DD Halligan
DD Marshall, Shell hits 3
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Stanly, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Strong, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Stanly at 24,000 yards
DD Bullard engages DD Yudachi at 10,000 yards
Burke, Arleigh A. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages DD Strong at 7,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Bullard at 16,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 18
Hudson III (LR) x 18
Kittyhawk IV x 5
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 60
B-24J Liberator x 93
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-25D1 Mitchell x 88
B-25G Mitchell x 28
B-25H Mitchell x 45
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12
PV-1 Ventura x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 104

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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


Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 11
Liberator B.VI x 11
Liberator GR.III x 9
Wellington GR.XIII x 12
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 29
B-24J Liberator x 106
B-25C Mitchell x 59


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 12, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Biak at 87,109

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
DD Tanikaze
DD Natsushio
DD Yudachi
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Grouper, hits 1

SS Grouper launches 2 torpedoes at DD Yukikaze
Grouper diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 93,115, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-19, Shell hits 1
MTB G-20, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Chauncey
DD Chevalier
DD Claxton
DD Foote
DD Waller

Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 78% moonlight: 11,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 18
Hudson III (LR) x 18
PV-1 Ventura x 18
B-17E Fortress x 23
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 66
B-24J Liberator x 103
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-25D1 Mitchell x 88
B-25G Mitchell x 29
B-25H Mitchell x 45
F4U-1A Corsair x 12
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 23
PV-1 Ventura x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged

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



Airbase hits 50
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 219

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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


Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 7
Liberator GR.III x 13
Wellington GR.XIII x 7
B-17F Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 14
B-24D1 Liberator x 20
B-24J Liberator x 71
B-25C Mitchell x 28


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

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



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 143,85

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80
SBD-5 Dauntless x 34


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMc Banshu Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
31 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]MGB G-232 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
E No.17 arrives at Tokyo

Aircraft D4Y4 Judy advances R&D[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of DD Asashio on Apr 11, 1944 is admitted[/font]
Loss of AMc Banshu Maru #8 on Apr 12, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-19 on Apr 12, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-20 on Apr 12, 1944 is admitted

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]DD Stanly is reported to have been sunk near Sarmi on Apr 11, 1944
DD Selfridge is reported to have been sunk near Sarmi on Apr 11, 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Mutsu is back to the yards, needing some new tubes and the dents knocked out. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]13 - 14 April 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Luckily no action from subs on our retreating surface ships. They are heading for Manila and the Mutsu will be going on to the HI from there after getting system damage down from 29.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] The LST TFs get in easily after yesterday's battles into Sarmi. Not much else I can do there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Interesting CAP results today. I set a number of groups to hit planes going at the troops near Lashio. They were from 6k to 15k and this seemed to avoid the worst of the first few sweeps that came in a t 31k. The fighters were then still around to hassle the bombers and hit some straggling B-25C pretty well. After this some Sptis came in and got the higher planes. We lost slightly more airframes on the day, but annoyed the bombers enough that the results were worse than usual on a critical day.

Allied troops hit hard again here with a DA and only just failed due to our 1/3 division moving into the hex during the turn. Just in time! The Allies lose 195 squads disabled and again their guns seem to fail in relation to our mini-armor. I'm aiming to get the 39th division rebuilt by the time another attack comes in. I have Thais coming to take over their spot on the main road to Lashio. That should make things more secure here. Until he brings more at least.

[EDIT] I forgot to mention that night strikes did go to Calcutta. Only destroying 1 B-25C. [:D] I also accidentally forgot to change the IJN 2E bombers to night strikes at Magwe. They got creamed by Spits and Corsairs for 55 lost. [:-][:(] My bad.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] The CVs are still around here. Looks like at least one TF of CV/CVL and one with CVE pus a surface group. Not sure where they are going yet. The KB is ready to move and about 3-4 days West of Marcus.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 1, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 2nd Army, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 33
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19
Ki-61-Id Tony x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 37



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
20th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(33 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 33 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 19 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
24th I.F.Chutai with Ki-61-Id Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
47th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 37 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



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Morning Air attack on 2nd Army, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 21
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14
Ki-61-Id Tony x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 36



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
20th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 237 minutes
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Raid is overhead
47th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
36 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 261 minutes
24th I.F.Chutai with Ki-61-Id Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 21
Ki-61-Id Tony x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 36



Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 10
Liberator B.VI x 10
Liberator GR.III x 13
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 13
B-24D1 Liberator x 27
B-24J Liberator x 102


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

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 destroyed
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 7
Ki-61-Id Tony x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 31

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1
Ki-61-Id Tony x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 5
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at 60,47 (near Mandalay)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35595 troops, 528 guns, 230 vehicles, Assault Value = 1308

Defending force 17325 troops, 186 guns, 274 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Allied adjusted assault: 492

Japanese adjusted defense: 937

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
503 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
506 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 195 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 34 (6 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (8 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Assaulting units:
11th (East African) Division
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
50th Indian Para Brigade
3rd New Chinese Corps
85th British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
39th/A Division
2nd RTA Division
39th/C Division
2nd Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 1, 44
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Night Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 82 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 21



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIf x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.176 Sqn RAF with Beaufighter VIf (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes

Some CAP have air radar

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Night Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ia Peggy x 6



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIf x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia Peggy: 1 damaged

No Allied losses


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-67-Ia Peggy bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.176 Sqn RAF with Beaufighter VIf (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes

Some CAP have air radar

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Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 29
P1Y1 Frances x 36



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 38
F4U-1A Corsair x 36


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 22 destroyed
OUCH![X(] Mad at myself on this one.
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: Um, a few new units arrived today. [X(][&o][X(] Some of these are going to China to fight the B-29.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]SS RO-113 arrives at Kobe
SS RO-114 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
SS RO-115 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
SS RO-116 arrives at Hiroshima/Kure
SS RO-117 arrives at Kobe
LST T-114 arrives at Hirosaki/Aomori
86th Division arrives at Nagaoka
93rd Division arrives at Kanazawa
2nd Air Defense AA Battalion arrives at Chiba
72nd Division arrives at Sendai
44th Field AA Machinecannon Company arrives at Fusan
79th Field AA Battalion arrives at Naha
80th Field AA Battalion arrives at Naha
81st Field AA Battalion arrives at Naha
75th Field AA Battalion arrives at Canton
74th Field AA Battalion arrives at Tientsin
61st Air Defense AA Regiment arrives at Changchun
77th Field AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
78th Field AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
101st AA Regiment arrives at Tokyo
102nd AA Regiment arrives at Tokyo
103rd AA Regiment arrives at Kumamoto
141st AA Regiment arrives at Sapporo
72nd Field AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
73rd Field AA Battalion arrives at Kushiro
3rd Ind. AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
4th Ind. AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
Okinawa Naval Base Force arrives at Naha
4th JAAF AF Coy arrives at Tokyo
SC CHa-80 arrives at Kumamoto
732 Ku K-1 arrives at Georgetown
47th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
TK Eiho Maru arrives at Maizuru

Aircraft Ki-84r Frank advances R&D (4/45)
[/font]

Losses: none.

Ships Sunk: none.

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Unfortunately most of these new AA units are 75m guns. The bigger radar equipped units do have the 88s which are far better. [/font]
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