Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[GreyJoy]

Truk to be invaded? Are u sure it's needed? Truk can be a real pain, imho. Think about to land on an atoll with plenty of CD guns, 6 forts, let's say a reinforced IJA regiment, a couple of heavy Arty units and a tank rgt.... are you really sure you want to land there? Truk can be isolated just like in RL. You can pound it to dust once you have Kavieng well built up (to level 9 AF) and you can keep it suppressed even with your CVs...
I've read a couple of AARs where the allies attempted a landing at Truk...and it never ended up well for the good guys....

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Truk to be invaded? Are u sure it's needed? Truk can be a real pain, imho. Think about to land on an atoll with plenty of CD guns, 6 forts, let's say a reinforced IJA regiment, a couple of heavy Arty units and a tank rgt.... are you really sure you want to land there? Truk can be isolated just like in RL. You can pound it to dust once you have Kavieng well built up (to level 9 AF) and you can keep it suppressed even with your CVs...
I've read a couple of AARs where the allies attempted a landing at Truk...and it never ended up well for the good guys....

No, not needed. Just maybe. Partly for the fun of it and partly as opportunity. I have units prepping for a while now since I saw the comparative lack of troops there. If the stars should happen to line up it would make a great naval base for invading the Marianas, dealing with damaged ships and all.

I've even toyed with the notion of an 'obvious' invasion move on Ponape sailing right past and hitting Truk. The idea being that Truk is in clear danger after Ponape falls, less obvious before. With the draw down of troops at Ponape and corresponding buildup at Truk I'm wondering if DAW HQ captured a drunken sailor and performed a Vulcan mind meld. Nah. The Devious One is just hard catch leaving an open door.

I'm quite willing to bypass it, regardless of troop preparation. Preparation is just part of planning, and multiple contingencies must be planned for. But it would be cool. [:)]

[BBfanboy]

About the P-47s to Burma theatre, can't you just strat move them like land units, first to the east coast and then directly to Capetown or Aden? Then you don't have the lag time of hauling them from SF to Panama and onward. I am not sure if this would be faster than what you are planning, given the advantage of full speed movement of ships between off-map points, but three days on a train to the EC has to be faster than ship to Panama.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

About the P-47s to Burma theatre, can't you just strat move them like land units, first to the east coast and then directly to Capetown or Aden? Then you don't have the lag time of hauling them from SF to Panama and onward. I am not sure if this would be faster than what you are planning, given the advantage of full speed movement of ships between off-map points, but three days on a train to the EC has to be faster than ship to Panama.

I already have one squadron on the train to SF, with the other two already there. I admit that I haven't done the math, but I am hoping that sending 17 knot xAK (what is their cruise speed, 13, 14 knots?) will be faster than the default slow off-map to off-map shipping time. You might be right!

Routinely I do move squadrons for Asia from the USA just the way you say.

[witpqs]

1943 May 14

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Panggoe

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Minor action in China, with one force of zombie skeletons being retreated.

A bit of a surprise in the bay of Bengal when Ramree Island is bombarded yet again (so soon). The decision to go very light on trying to push forces into Ramree Island is justified, as the Empire is paying it close attention while our effort is elsewhere!

Another development is that one of the IJN TFs is now about in the center of the Bay of Bengal and scouts as 1 x CL and 3 x BB.

Hurricanes newly operating out of Magwe accounted for 13 Sallies harassing our troops near Toungoo. The next two divisions were not bothered and will arrive tomorrow if that luck holds. Three of the smaller armoured units (total >190 AV) are on the plain 1 hex west of Magwe and moving rapidly to catch up.

Panggoe is two hexes from Rekata Bay, which has a brigade, and only 1 hex from Munda. And yet it flipped to the Allies, which tells me that Munda has little if any land combat power. We have a pair of convoys working to bring a base force to Kusaie Island, and there is the potential for a small IJN surface force to intercept them. A small USN surface force is patrolling to oppose that.

The Solomons invasion forces are beginning to load. BB Indiana is arriving in the area in time to participate after refueling.

Here is a look at that sighting in the Bay of Bengal.

[witpqs]

1943 May 15

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Imperials tried a shock attack on our lines when reinforcing across a river. Hopefully they were damaged enough that a full on shock attack will not work.

Ground combat at 77,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 35395 troops, 297 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 1383

Defending force 56518 troops, 223 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1275

Japanese adjusted assault: 376

Allied adjusted defense: 364

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3568 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 273 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 61 (8 destroyed, 53 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2695 casualties reported
Squads: 160 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 17 (6 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Tank Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
37th Division
14th Tank Regiment
15th/A Division
51st Engineer Regiment
67th Infantry Brigade
39th Division
17th Tank Regiment
104th/A Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
84th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division
44th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
13th Group Army

The USA fighters rejoined the air battles over Burma today. Most sweeps got results, but not all. Sometimes the hunters got the bear, sometimes the bear got the hunters. Overall a whole lotta Tojos were taken out of the skies. The Empire's bombers are still focusing on the front line just NW of Toungoo, where there are now 5 Allied divisions. Armour and dedicated anti-aircraft units will be begin arriving tomorrow. The 6th and 7th Australian Divisions will be at Magwe by the time the first assault is made NW of Toungoo, ready to move up and continue the assault.

Off the coast there are still IJN predators on the prowl. One CVL has been noted but that was expected. It seems efforts are directed toward controlling the coast at and south of Ramree Island rather than supporting an invasion to outflank the Allied advance.

A base force will begin unloading tonight at Kusaie Island. The convoys carrying the troops have been detected, but no hostile forces are close by. Cross your fingers. 4EB from Australia hit Port Moresby and made a dent. They go again tomorrow. Shortlands airfield now scouts as only 58% damaged, so 4EB will fly from Ndeni to re-close it. Corsairs will sweep a target for the first time, these flying from Russell Islands. There are no aircraft seen at Shortlands, but some raids have encountered what must have been LRCAP from Rabaul. After this raid the 4EB will begin transferring to both Lunga and Russell Islands for the upcoming strikes against Rabaul.

The troops continue to load for Torokina/Shortlands, and as soon as they finish the troops will load for Vangunu/Munda (delaying to reduce fatigue from unnecessary time on board ship). The Hellcats are making ready and all squadrons should be fully on line before nearing the combat zone.

Here are those air loss totals for the day. Notice that 2 x PB4Y-1P were lost to flak - both over Truk at 20,000 ft!! Mission altitude for that group has been increased to 25,000.

[witpqs]

And here is a bonus pic - the Great Race!

[Chickenboy]

I read somewhere that this AAR was still around and just thought I'd bop in here for a driveby.  Keep up the good work!  [:)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I read somewhere that this AAR was still around and just thought I'd bop in here for a driveby.  Keep up the good work!  [:)]

[:D] We're a little slow lately. The Devious one is off to RL for a couple of days so I'm camping on the turn, trying to squeeze the life out of it!

[Chickenboy]

No worries...[8D]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I read somewhere that this AAR was still around and just thought I'd bop in here for a driveby.  Keep up the good work!  [:)]

[:D] We're a little slow lately. The Devious one is off to RL for a couple of days so I'm camping on the turn, trying to squeeze the life out of it!

Camping is real life too, isn't it? That proves you have a RL![;)]

[witpqs]

Ironically, he's the one gone camping! [:D]

---

1943 May 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Just the usual beatings in China.

Our sweeps did well over Burma again, 24 x Tojo vs 9 x P-40K. The USA 16th fighter Squadron at Akyab has 324 kills, although clearly the present pilots don't have nearly that many. We lost a Hurricane FR.IIb to flak! On a better note we now have several fighter squadrons in central Burma, having already rotated out the first few for replacements and R&R. In the case of Taung Gyi and Meiktila Imperial and Allied fighters can take off and engage before even having enough time to climb to altitude!!

Ramree Island was bombarded again, this time by 2 x CA but also again to little effect. There is a stout enough defense on the road directly into Toungoo (on the NE side), but we have an infantry regiment on the way. I have a feeling that will make a huge difference, given the weakness of RTA divisions.

Ground combat at 57,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7956 troops, 54 guns, 846 vehicles, Assault Value = 695

Defending force 20477 troops, 156 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 679

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
50th Tank Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
Gardner's Horse Regiment

Defending units:
14th Division
4th RTA Division
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
13th Field Construction Battalion

Meanwhile at Taung Gyi there are now counted 30,280 enemy troops, with 246 guns and 155 AFV, possibly too much for the forces assigned to dislodge. 19th Indian Division will arrive on scene in two days, bolstering both the offense and potential defense against counter attack. I should note there are 62 fighters and 16 bombers counted at Taung Gyi, so DAW HQ considers the base safe from immediate capture. The stronger the better, because that is more Imperial units out of position. The 4EB continue their rehabilitation program. I suppose that getting in this maintenance will result in somewhat fewer ops losses for a time when they are called back into service in support of the next series of ground assaults.

The USA Americal Division has made it onto the plain 2 hexes NE Prome and is heading down that road, and will veer off across the river and into the jungle to cut behind the forces now just NW of Toungoo. So far, the hex just NW of Toungoo seems to have fewer Imperial troops than Taung Gyi.

The raids against Port Moresby and Shortlands both seemed to go well, as did a set of raids against Roi-Namur. Our troop convoys near Kusaie Island were not bothered today, but one of them needs more time.

The troops for Torokina/Shortlands are finished loading and their ships largely at the assembly areas. Some warships are doing a bit of refueling and rearming but all will begin moving toward the objective tomorrow.

Here is a look at the current operation in Burma. The objective is to force our way through the jungle in the region of Toungoo. Recently the Empire has moved significant forces (in numbers at least) to Taung Gyi. Does this signal that DAW HQ believes enough force is in place to hold the jungles around Toungoo? Or perhaps the amount of force that we have massed in that area is still shrouded in the fog of war?

[JocMeister]

Wow! [:)]

Nice map! What program did you use?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Wow! [:)]

Nice map! What program did you use?

That's paint.net (found at getpaint.net IIRC). I use Greenshot to take the screen pic, but any will do.

Open up the jpg file in Paint.net. Create two additional layers (each just a mouse-click on the correct tool in the bottom right tool box). By defaul a new layer goes above the current layer, so now you have the map on the bottom layer and two empty layers above it. Type the text in the top layer. Switch to the second layer and there create the boxes around the text, filling them in with the background color. Also use the second layer to put in the arrows. When totally finished, go the the top layer and "merge-down" the layer to the second layer. Then, merge-down that layer to the bottom layer. Save the file. Note that you can only save to a jpg (for forum posting) after you merge-down (aka combine) the layers into a single layer because jpg files only have one layer. You can save in a png format with multiple layers if you like.

The power of using multiple layers is that one layer does not affect another. So if you discover that you have a spelling error, or have put an arrow in the wrong place, you can fix that error without having to back up all the way through your changes. If you used only one layer, erasing an arrow would also erase what was under it, hence the need to 'back up' by undoing all of your changes to fix something if you use only one layer. If you use multiple layers you can erase things and move things on one layer without messing up the map that is on a lower layer. Only when you do the "merge-down" do things combine into one layer.

[witpqs]

1943 May 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The strangulation continues in China.

In Burma we will attack east of Mandalay (on the road to Lashio) tomorrow. Last time we tried to get 2EB to fly there it was useless. Rather than tempting a non-escorted slaughter, they will be used for the southern assault. With multiple sweeps ahead (hopefully ahead) of them, let's see if they fly. Speaking of which, I hope to have the full force in place tomorrow 1 hex NW of Toungoo, and will attack the day after even if a little artillery is still straggling. Tomorrow the 4EB will begin flying against the defenders, and a lot more of them are back on line. Also tomorrow the Taung Gyi force will be at full strength and will recon by bombardment. One Australian division has made Magwe and the other should do so tomorrow, although both are low on morale (they had a long spell in the jungle) and will rest for as long as practical.

Two Australian armoured tank regiments will attack the fleeing enemy at Daly Waters tomorrow. Infantry will arrive during the day but too late to participate, but all bomber squadrons in the operation will assist, including one just brought in.

CV Hiryu is reported at Kavieng, which is right where I figured the Imperial carriers to be positioned. Our invasion fleet will pull mostly level with Rennell Island tomorrow. They might pause a day there for most of the slow battleships to catch up (they had to detour to Noumea to top up main gun ammo). Many 4EB squadrons are in place in the Solomons and will spend the next day or two reducing fatigue from transferring to the smaller airfields.

CV Essex arrives tomorrow! But where are these guys going?

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Wow! [:)]

Nice map! What program did you use?

That's paint.net (found at getpaint.net IIRC). I use Greenshot to take the screen pic, but any will do.

Open up the jpg file in Paint.net. Create two additional layers (each just a mouse-click on the correct tool in the bottom right tool box). By defaul a new layer goes above the current layer, so now you have the map on the bottom layer and two empty layers above it. Type the text in the top layer. Switch to the second layer and there create the boxes around the text, filling them in with the background color. Also use the second layer to put in the arrows. When totally finished, go the the top layer and "merge-down" the layer to the second layer. Then, merge-down that layer to the bottom layer. Save the file. Note that you can only save to a jpg (for forum posting) after you merge-down (aka combine) the layers into a single layer because jpg files only have one layer. You can save in a png format with multiple layers if you like.

The power of using multiple layers is that one layer does not affect another. So if you discover that you have a spelling error, or have put an arrow in the wrong place, you can fix that error without having to back up all the way through your changes. If you used only one layer, erasing an arrow would also erase what was under it, hence the need to 'back up' by undoing all of your changes to fix something if you use only one layer. If you use multiple layers you can erase things and move things on one layer without messing up the map that is on a lower layer. Only when you do the "merge-down" do things combine into one layer.

Thanks for the explanation! I´ve played around a little with paint.net. I had to use layers to do my sig. I found it a bit fiddly to be honest. But I guess thats just being unused to it! [:)]

Perhaps I should give it another go. Looks really good! [:)]

[witpqs]

1943 May 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Daly Waters

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The night began with another bombardment of Ramree Island, affecting none of our plans. Through the day our bombers pounded the Imperial positions NW of Toungoo, including the 2EB! The P-39 group from Magwe was notably absent from escort duty, but their morale is still in the 70s. The attack is ordered for tomorrow, with these forces in place:
AA
77th Heavy AA Rgt
21st Light AA Rgt

ARM
754th Tank Bn
2/10th Armoured Rgt
3rd Carabiniers Rgt
150th RAC Rgt

ART
2/9th Field Rgt (25 pounder guns)
2/11th Field Rgt (25 pounder guns)
2/1st Med Rgt (60 pounder guns)
22nd Indian Mtn Gun Rgt

INF
USA 27th Infantry Div
23rd Indian Div
14th Indian Div
17th Indian Div
9th Australian Div

Opposing forces are scouted as 8 units comprised of 39,860 troops, 260 guns, and 80 AFV. Let's see what our combined arms attack yields. Today the attack near Mandalay still cam up short, but is on track to grind down the defenders.

Ground combat at 60,46 (near Mandalay)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12866 troops, 178 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 353

Defending force 5374 troops, 41 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Allied adjusted assault: 140

Japanese adjusted defense: 454

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
532 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1039 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 89 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd (East African) Brigade
Kowloon Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
21st/A Division

Meanwhile we learned that our forces at Taung Gyi, even without the 19th Indian Division which will arrive on scene tomorrow, are superior to the enemy forces.

Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17382 troops, 295 guns, 306 vehicles, Assault Value = 733

Defending force 25048 troops, 244 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 521

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

Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
2nd British Division
29th British Brigade
IV Indian Corps
48th Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
53rd Division
55th Engineer Regiment
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
21st Air Flotilla
25th Army
48th JNAF AF Unit
44th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
43rd Const Co
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Field Construction Battalion
33rd JAAF AF Coy

The first attack will be made the day after tomorrow when all forces are in place. I anticipate a stout defense.

Over in China there were several Imperial attacks, some seemed to be armor-only and yielded only Allied casualties despite severe negative odds.


The Empire is pulling troops (we think) out of Darwin. Gove is providing a base to interdict the evacuation. The first attack of the day delivered no hits, but the second did.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Tsingtao Maru
xAK Reiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Tango Maru
xAP Taizan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Atutasan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Dive bombers are being brought in to replace the fighter-bombers. Air support at Gove is limited, so they will only be able to make it to Darwin without escort. Our forces liberated Daly Waters, but as the attack was driven home one of the two Imperial units made its escape.

Ground combat at Daly Waters (76,131)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1152 troops, 0 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 394

Defending force 638 troops, 3 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Allied adjusted assault: 89

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 89 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Daly Waters !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
477 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
22nd Australian Brigade
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
27th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
48th Recon Regiment

The chase continues!

The mid-Solomons invasion forces are all on station west of Rennell Island, with the exception of those slow battleships which had to rearm at Noumea. They need at least one day to catch up, possibly two. As they are key to the bombardment plan for Rabaul, the rest of the fleet will wait for them. Meanwhile, the southern Solomons bases continue to build and 4EB continue to recover fatigue.

Here is a look at NW Australia.

[witpqs]

1943 May 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Again the night began with an Imperial cruiser bombardment of Ramree Island. Our attack NW of Toungoo went well enough, and will require repeat treatments.

Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62171 troops, 875 guns, 984 vehicles, Assault Value = 2040

Defending force 37251 troops, 292 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 1163

Allied adjusted assault: 856

Japanese adjusted defense: 2633

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
2268 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 165 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 39 (10 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 52 (16 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3636 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 483 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 62 disabled
Guns lost 77 (3 destroyed, 74 disabled)
Vehicles lost 97 (27 destroyed, 70 disabled)

Assaulting units:
27th Infantry Division
150th RAC Regiment
17th Indian Division
23rd Indian Division
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
2/10th Armoured Regiment
14th Indian Division
754th Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
2/9th Field Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
2/11th Field Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
21st Light AA Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
17th Infantry Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
16th Garrison Unit
56th Infantry Regiment
9th Division
114th Infantry Regiment
18th Garrison Unit
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

The USA 27th Infantry Division is gaining great experience at being battered and recovering. Their AV is down to 69 and the division is ordered to Magwe for recovery. The 150th RAC is also hors de combat and will recover at Magwe. I mistakenly left the troops at Taung Gyi on bombard, so DAW got free Intel about the additional division pulling in. The whole lot attacks tomorrow.

Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17349 troops, 295 guns, 306 vehicles, Assault Value = 1070

Defending force 25100 troops, 244 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 521

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
2nd British Division
19th Indian Division
29th British Brigade
IV Indian Corps
48th Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
53rd Division
55th Engineer Regiment
18th Field Construction Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th JNAF AF Unit
25th Army
44th Field AA Battalion
21st Air Flotilla
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
20th AA Regiment
43rd Const Co
33rd JAAF AF Coy

Torokina now recons as having 1,180 troops and 16 guns, so 3rd NZ Armour tanks might be required to seize the place. Australian 2/9 Commando Bn will still drop, but is 50% prep and likely too small anyway to win the base alone. One of our transport TFs had been slightly detected, DL = 1/2. They will reposition while the fleet gives one more days for the straggling battleships to close the distance.

Here are the day's air losses. Our dive bombers flew against shipping at Darwin but Imperial fighters ripped them up, shooting down every one. Most pilots were brought back by submarines. Were there fighters the day before that our fighter-bombers evaded by approaching at low altitude? Notice the Helen losses to flak - those were over the battle near Toungoo, where we also put up credible fighter opposition. Ground flak works! Before the air losses themselves, here is a sample Imperial air attack on our troops near Toungoo.

Afternoon Air attack on 150th RAC Regiment, at 56,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 19
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.11 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

[witpqs]

Again a naval force in this position. Seems to be there to ambush our naval forces.

[witpqs]

1943 May 20

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Bhamo

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Empire kicked about some small units in China, but also - quite worryingly - achieved a 1 to 1 in an attack on Kweiyang. I hope that bastion in the middle of the line holds out longer, so reinforcements will be moved in.

Our attack at Taung Gyi went poorly, although our engineers did reduce the fortifications. The 268th Motorised Brigade took the brunt of the punishment and will pull back to recover.

Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31866 troops, 595 guns, 483 vehicles, Assault Value = 1065

Defending force 29439 troops, 278 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 667

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 918

Japanese adjusted defense: 5224

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
492 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3609 casualties reported
Squads: 117 destroyed, 156 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 90 (10 destroyed, 80 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (3 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
2nd British Division
19th Indian Division
29th British Brigade
IV Indian Corps
48th Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
55th Engineer Regiment
53rd Division
146th Infantry Regiment
38th/C Division
48th JNAF AF Unit
43rd Const Co
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
18th Field Construction Battalion
21st Air Flotilla
39th Field AA Machinecannon Company
44th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
33rd JAAF AF Coy

There is an enemy cruiser force in the waters off Ramree Island, and another rounding the point west of Rangoon. The 29th Division is headed to Rangoon, perhaps even in a convoy that a Dutch sub unsuccessfully attacked this day.

The attack at Katherine went well, but needs one more go to punch through. Many Japanese tanks were knocked out on this day.

Ground combat at Katherine (76,128)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1152 troops, 0 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 118

Defending force 1692 troops, 0 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Allied adjusted assault: 54

Japanese adjusted defense: 24

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), op mode(-), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 51 (12 destroyed, 39 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/7th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
23rd Air Flotilla

The trouble is, our boys have no supplies for another attack as an Imperial unit has taken up position behind them. They must wait for relief. BTW, there are 21 fighters at Darwin covering the Imperial ships there.

In the Coral Sea one of our carrier groups has been sighted, and our recon now counts 1,560 troops and 25 guns at Torokina. Torokina will still be assaulted, but the Shortlands forces will land directly at Shortlands while the armor lands at Torokina. After the armor is ashore it will attack in concert with the air drop of the commandos. The old battleships have caught up enough that the whole fleet will proceed NW tomorrow. Rabaul has 121 fighters, 31 bombers, and 63 auxiliary type aircraft. is there a massive airlift going on?

Here is a look at the overview map.