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

[princep01]

The great Wa missed the ASL tourney in Austin last weekend.  I wonder why?
 
Scene:  A sweltering, dark bamboo hut on Truk Atoll.  A small fire irregularly lights the room and a small wook simmers over it.  Around it lay many tea leaves.  A small, thin man stares solemnly at them.  He lets out a thin wail..."Oh Kaga, my dear sweet Kaga, wither thath thou gone?  Do you sleep with the ocean's fishes?  Come hither and find a place of solace and rest".  But, Kaga does not come and the airwaves give not respite to his lingering hopes.  "Damn he cries, "I missed the freaking ASL tourney.  What greater torments does the Allied admiral wish upon my house"? 

[witpqs]

[:D]

---

1943 June 15

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Wyndham

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The IJA is pressing to break through along the road to Burma.

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

Ground combat at 71,49 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7356 troops, 73 guns, 497 vehicles, Assault Value = 829

Defending force 58644 troops, 355 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1393

Japanese adjusted assault: 122

Allied adjusted defense: 232

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
468 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 199 (42 destroyed, 157 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2010 casualties reported
Squads: 89 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 27 (21 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
6th Division
4th Tank Regiment
104th/B Division
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
67th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
78th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

The Empire continued making air attacks on our troops in Burma, and while our 2EB took some rest the armada of 4EB savaged that bold regiment in the open south of Meiktila. By the time that regiment reaches the jungle it should be hors de combat.

Bettys found and attacked a slow convoy 17 hexes from Truk. P-40s caught up with them on the way out, but the damage was done and part of the 9th Port Maintenance Engineer Bn was lost.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kusaie Island at 123,120

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LST-460, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
LST-446, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
15th FG/45th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



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

A lone USN destroyer spooked away but did not find and engage an xAKL making a port call at Mili. In prior days a few xAKL have been destroyed by Allied air power over the Marshalls. Essex is spotted 9 hexes SW of Kusaie Island but is making good speed in her journey through Allied controlled seas toward Pearl Harbor and she will be out of Imperial search range tomorrow. Enterprise and Yorktown are unspotted and 2 hexes ahead of Essex on their way to Sydney. Our TF of Fletchers did not intercept the 2 IJ target ships and is fully spotted from the air themselves (but were not attacked). They will take one more shot at it tonight. A small CA/DD force will also take up a patrol in that area to try and catch those two ships. The Ponape invasion forces are 1 hex off that island and will move in tonight and begin landing troops. On station with them are 5x CVE, plus 3x CV 1 hex away.

[witpqs]

1943 June 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Ponape

The Empire continues the strangulation in China, sacrificing troops to close another hex side.

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Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4410 troops, 33 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 980

Defending force 33303 troops, 163 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 667

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 1671

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2091 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st/C Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Infantry Regiment
110th/B Division

Defending units:
13th Construction Regiment
7th Construction Regiment
60th Chinese Corps
11th Construction Regiment
5th Construction Regiment
81st Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
17th Construction Regiment
8th Construction Regiment
38th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
10th Construction Regiment
1st Chinese Base Force
Fourteenth USAAF
33rd Base Group
3rd Chinese Base Force

There are now seen >69,000 Imperial troops 1 hex NW Toungoo, near parity with our forces there. So, all of the armor in Burma is re-tasking from their various base prep assignments to Prome. Those forces coming along the coast will continue to make Prome their objective, but now a second salient will also. The armor and perhaps 3x infantry divisions (the two American and one Australian). Some of the units involved are already 100% prepped for Prome. The notion is that the armor units will begin on the western side of the rived from Magwe and move at full speed on Prome, and force a river crossing. The infantry will have to catch up. Prome is in open terrain, so our bombers will have far more effect than against targets in the jungle. So will theirs, but we now have a lot of very effective fighter units in and around Burma and I think we can hold the air for the time required. The 3x P-47 squadrons are now 10 days out from Aden on fast transports and will make India as rapidly as possible after that. The 2EB will be fully rested as well.

The 5x Fletcher DDs swept the Bismarck Sea clean.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rambutyo at 102,122, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 46, and is sunk
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 23, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Nicholas
DD Pringle
DD Walke, Shell hits 2
DD Morris
DD Lamson, Shell hits 2, on fire

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 96% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Minazuki at 11,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Lamson at 11,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Walke at 11,000 yards
DD Pringle engages DD Minazuki at 11,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Nicholas at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Nicholas engages DD Minazuki at 10,000 yards
DD Walke engages BB Hyuga at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Pringle at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Lamson at 7,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Walke at 7,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Pringle at 7,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Nicholas at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Lamson at 3,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Minazuki at 3,000 yards
DD Pringle engages DD Minazuki at 3,000 yards
DD Nicholas engages DD Minazuki at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Lamson at 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on DD Minazuki
DD Minazuki sunk by DD Nicholas at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Lamson at 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Lamson at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Walke at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Lamson engages BB Hyuga at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Morris at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Morris at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Walke at 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Lamson at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Walke at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Pringle at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 6,000 yards
DD Lamson engages BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Lamson engages BB Hyuga at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Pringle at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Lamson at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Lamson at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Walke at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Nicholas at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Rambutyo at 102,121, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Tama Maru #5, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Hokuyo Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Nicholas
DD Pringle
DD Walke
DD Morris
DD Lamson

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 29,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
DD Walke engages PB Hokuyo Maru at 14,000 yards
PB Tama Maru #5 sunk by DD Pringle at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Morris engages PB Hokuyo Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Pringle engages PB Hokuyo Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Nicholas engages PB Hokuyo Maru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Walke engages PB Hokuyo Maru at 5,000 yards
Massive explosion on PB Hokuyo Maru
DD Lamson engages PB Hokuyo Maru at 5,000 yards
PB Hokuyo Maru sunk by DD Morris at 5,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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

Given the now lack of targets, Callaghan's CA TF will bombard Manus then retire to rearm.

Opposition inshore at Ponape was heavy today. 3x DMS on mine sweeping duty were lost (one to an SSX), a number of destroyers savaged by the naval fortress' guns, 1x AP and 1x AKA with heavy damage and fires, and APA President Jackson with massive fires that she is unlikely to survive. Our troops at Ponape are all ashore in good order and well supplied. They are facing a regiment and the naval fortress. They attack tomorrow.

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Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4675 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Defending force 14217 troops, 208 guns, 429 vehicles, Assault Value = 511

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

Assaulting units:
49th Infantry Regiment
Ponape Naval Fortress

Defending units:
41st Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion


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

The attacks around Ponape were numerous and small. All told, including the Bismarck Sea and a small IJN raid on Torokina, the Allies lost 4 ships and the IJN 9 ships. The IJN losses include 3x SSX and, notably, Junyo, reported as sinking near Siargo. There are no corroborating ground losses for that one, but there might not be even if it's true. Here is the Intel Screen.

[princep01]

Hummmm, the point total would appear to be ominious for the imperials.  The Emperor is probably not pleased and the Army is tossing ridicule at Admiral Wa.  And, to make matters more dire, it is only going to get worse for our esteemed Wa.

[witpqs]

Yes - the points were stuck with a gap of about 3,000 points for the longest time. Finally starting to budge again. I'm hopeful that the Ponape ground battle will go well, with two Sherman Bns in support. With the recent sea battles going well troops will land at Kavieng and Manus just as fast as ships can get them there, so the point spread ought to continue moving. Of course things are going well for the Empire in China, so all is not roses.

[witpqs]

1943 June 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Ponape

A number of Chinese units pulled out of a massively over stacked hex where Imperial forces had attacked a few of days ago. The Imperials had not done too well and were seen to pull out units, but they were still strong and struck again.

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Ground combat at 71,49 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19904 troops, 175 guns, 473 vehicles, Assault Value = 712

Defending force 27008 troops, 154 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 409

Japanese adjusted assault: 494

Allied adjusted defense: 64

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (6 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
9275 casualties reported
Squads: 356 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 404 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 46 (44 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 11

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
6th Division
11th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
104th/B Division
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
78th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
70th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

There is now the danger that the Imperials could cut the road to Kunming before the various withdrawing Chinese units pass.

APA President Jackson did sink, and now so will the already damaged AKA Virgo. I pulled all other ships out of Ponape, and damaged Virgo and Warren were to head for Nauru with escort. But I neglected to cancel their unloading orders and Virgo was shot up badly today by that pesky naval fortress. Then, a midget sub put a torpedo into her in broad daylight. She's doomed.

In better news the CA bombarded Manus, destroying or damaging a large number of planes, most of them Nicks. DD Bennett bombarded Roi-Namur and then ran into - and dispatched - an xAKL at Kwajalein. The best news is the ground combat at Ponape went quite well. That island will certainly be in our hands tomorrow.

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Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4675 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134

Defending force 14273 troops, 208 guns, 430 vehicles, Assault Value = 517

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

Assaulting units:
49th Infantry Regiment
Ponape Naval Fortress

Defending units:
766th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
767th Tank Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion


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

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13573 troops, 208 guns, 379 vehicles, Assault Value = 517

Defending force 4645 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 254

Japanese adjusted defense: 183

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1079 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
766th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
767th Tank Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
49th Infantry Regiment
Ponape Naval Fortress

Here is an overview map.

[witpqs]

1943 June 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Ponape

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A Japanese deliberate attack on one of the China pockets went well for them odds-wise, but our boys took a serious bite out of them.

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Ground combat at 79,41 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29982 troops, 250 guns, 126 vehicles, Assault Value = 786

Defending force 28207 troops, 166 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 636

Japanese adjusted assault: 357

Allied adjusted defense: 352

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3786 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 358 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
633 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
60th Infantry Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment
3rd Mobile Infantry Regiment
64th Infantry Brigade
32nd/B Division
34th/A Division
34th/C Division
3rd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
55th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
33rd Group Army


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

An Imperial sub sank another LSI(L) but was itself sunk in return. Some (escorted) tankers are seen making their way SW from the area of Rangoon, but they are tantalizingly on the edge of Force R's full speed 24 hr range. That would be 11 hexes in almost a stern chase out of 16 hexes max for 2 phases. If they go then the entire force could very well be lost to reprisals from the air.

Ponape is both captured and secured, but the minefields in the harbor must still be cleared.

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Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3691 troops, 46 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Defending force 14310 troops, 208 guns, 430 vehicles, Assault Value = 513

Assaulting units:
49th Infantry Regiment
Ponape Naval Fortress

Defending units:
766th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
767th Tank Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion


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

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13572 troops, 208 guns, 379 vehicles, Assault Value = 513

Defending force 3691 troops, 46 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Allied adjusted assault: 218

Japanese adjusted defense: 23

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ponape !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
1337 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (19 destroyed, 2 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
766th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
767th Tank Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
49th Infantry Regiment
Ponape Naval Fortress


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

Ponape Naval Fortress Wiped Out at Ponape by attrition!!!


Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Ponape

Not sure if this next report is real. Maybe the Empire is trying for an ambush to raise morale.

[witpqs]

1943 June 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Today's Japanese attack on that pocket in China went better was still somewhat in our favor. Marching continues in Burma, as does the R&R for our 2EB crews. Ponape's harbor and approaches have been cleared of mines. We're hurrying to get that second division loaded for Kavieng, but they are awaiting more transports to get back from Ponape. The good news is that the Manus invasion force will be only a little behind the Kavieng Force.

The Empire is trying to push its way into the Burma Road from multiple angles.

[witpqs]

1943 June 20

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Merauke

The Empire strikes back! Deep in the night BB Mississippi was set up by a perfect submarine anvil attack.

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Sub attack near Kusaie Island at 119,120

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 1
DD Bailey
DD Meade

SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Mississippi
I-27 diving deep ....
DD Meade attacking submerged sub ....
DD Meade fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Meade fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Meade fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Meade attacking submerged sub ....
DD Meade is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Kusaie Island at 119,120

Japanese Ships
SS I-29

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

BB Mississippi is sighted by SS I-29
SS I-29 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Mississippi


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

She's gone. Here is a look at the danger zone.

[BBfanboy]

I think I see the problem - Mississippi's escorts were "Bailey's" and "Mead". They were seeing multiple subs and always went after the illusory one ...[:D]

[witpqs]

Doh! [:D]

And I admit that the escort for those bombardment BBs has been light. I've been skimping on it to free up DDs for convoys and so on. The recent outburst by the IJN Ponape Naval Fortress isn't helping matters any. I have a bunch of beat up destroyers needing some TLC.

It's pretty clear that some accurate divining has been going on at DAW HQ. Mississippi was attacked by two different subs, and only 1 hex away a CV TF was also attacked. I've got the bombardment BBs and the CVEs moving south a few hexes to better cover the troops while the CVs and fast BBs move NW to interdict the bit of shipping that is popping up in the Kavieng-Rabaul area.

I forgot to mention that I began loading that infantry division at Nauru even though there are not enough ships there yet. The rest will follow in a couple of turns. I just feel that the sooner we land troops at Kavieng the better, and I don't like leaving the other troops at sea so long waiting for that division. I figure that most of the division's combat power will be available, but a sizable complement of support squads will be in the second wave. The tank units and the other division will make sure there is no disaster in the first few days.

[witpqs]

1943 June 21

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Merauke

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Empire is getting aggressive in the Arafura Sea. Our boys are fighting back just fine!

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ASW attack near Gove at 81,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Java
DD Witte de With
DD Evertsen
DD Kortenaer
DD Van Ghent
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes

SS I-28 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Piet Hein
I-28 bottoming out ....
DD Van Ghent fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Banckert fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Gove at 81,125

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
CL Java
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein
DD Van Ghent
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes

SS I-23 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Evertsen
DD Van Ghent attacking submerged sub ....
DD Van Ghent loses contact with SS I-23
DD Banckert fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Ghent fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Van Nes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Boela at 78,113

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Jintsu
CL Oyodo
CS Chiyoda
DD Susuzuki
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Ryuho
DD Natsushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Natsushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Natsushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Natsushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Natsushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 83,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Boomerang C-12 x 16

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang C-12: 5 damaged
Boomerang C-12: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 1
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 1
CA Tone, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Boomerang C-12 bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 83,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 83,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 83,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Boomerang C-12 x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Boomerang C-12 bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



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

The hit on Ryuho has sightings of damage and so seems more reliable than the last report of torpedoing a carrier. Ground losses do not support its reported sinking.

It appears that Truk is no longer considered a safe naval base. This report of sinking I believe.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 113,103

Japanese Ships
ARD Dublon ARD, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pompon

ARD Dublon ARD is sighted by SS Pompon
SS Pompon attacking on the surface


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The warships and invasion forces danced well enough to evade submarine pursuit. Tomorrow they move again, some to refuel while others did so today. It looks like D-Day at Kavieng in 3 to 5 days. the Manus invasion forces are putting to sea and will move through the umbrella of protection provided by the combat forces at Kavieng. Rabaul, a level 9 airfield, is down to 56% damage so 4EB from the Southern Solomons will bit it tomorrow.

A bunch of AKA conversions finished today, as did 4x CVE upgrades (Wasp had already finished and was waiting for them). They are all heading from Australia back to the battle zone where they are needed for the upcoming Truk operation and others.

Here is a look at that IJN incursion into the Arafura Sea.

[witpqs]

1943 June 22

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


We have an amphibious TF of many small xAP unloading two combat engineer units at Ramree Island. They only about half unloaded today as there were numerous air attacks, but all were handled by LRCAP as they had little or no escort. 14 Betty and 13 Nell were destroyed overall for no hits on our ships. On land in Burma, we have continued bombing that regiment of the 38th Division (which sneaked onto the plain and roughed up our Australian Bn). Today it reconnoiters as 1,020 troops, 4 guns, and 7 AFV; a mere shadow of its former self.

In China the Empire continues to both squeeze and strike, but some of today's results were at least somewhat encouraging.

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

Ground combat at 76,46 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22803 troops, 117 guns, 355 vehicles, Assault Value = 786

Defending force 41878 troops, 191 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 905

Japanese adjusted assault: 244

Allied adjusted defense: 451

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2283 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 172 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Vehicles lost 46 (2 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1542 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 170 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 16 (4 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Assaulting units:
51st Engineer Regiment
57th Infantry Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
51st Infantry Brigade
17th Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
90th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
1st Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
35th Group Army
16th Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment


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

Ground combat at 71,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 465 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 640

Defending force 113191 troops, 461 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2978

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

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
6th Division
10th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
3rd New Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
75th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army
9th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
4th War Area
9th War Area
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at 74,48 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3873 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 267

Defending force 33275 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 662

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 351

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99

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

Japanese ground losses:
1826 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
27th/C Division

Defending units:
20th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
32nd Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Base Force
20th Chinese Base Force

The first battle was a little better than even for us. The bombardment at the key road junction where DAW has massed most of his armor in China shows that we have a chance of holding. Third is a small victory, but it looks like an IJA unit has blunted its own sword.

There was no further action in the Arafura Sea today. Yorktown and Enterprise will make Sydney tonight and then we'll see the repair estimate. All ships involved in the invasion of Kavieng that need to refuel have now done so. As no shock attack should be required I'll land the troops in waves (as different speed convoys arrive), with the old BBs bombarding for the first wave. In 3 days the mine sweepers will be on site, so that will be D-Day.

Here you can see that soon to be ex-regiment, just west of Taung Gyi.

[witpqs]

1943 June 23

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The IJA 38th/B Division (that regiment in the open) might have been destroyed from the air today. Or it made the jungle but is not scouted there yet.

That no-recon airborne assault on Namatanai ran into a garrison, with predictable results for such a small attack. The remainder of the unit (still at Torokina) will stand down and rebuild.

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

Ground combat at Namatanai (107,125)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 668 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 2613 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 83

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 778

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 2)

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

Allied ground losses:
358 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2/9 Commando Bn /1

Defending units:
1st Engineer Co
Yokosuka 5th SNLF
3rd Indpt SNLF Coy


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

Allied Unit(s) Wiped Out at Namatanai by attrition!!!!!!

19 days in Sydney shipyard for Yorktown, but 43 days for Enterprise to repair a bunch of major flotation damage.

Now that I have a good look at the various convoys' progress, this day was D-2 for Kavieng. Tomorrow most of two divisions (the USA 40th and 43rd IDs) plus an amphibious tractor unit will be 1 or 2 hexes away and will land the following day. The tank units and HQ might begin landing later the same day, but more likely the day after. Most of the support elements of the 43rd ID are lagging behind but are on APA and so will catch up quickly enough.

Here is a look at a new operation to un-stick things in Burma, Operation Left Hook. The objective is to seize Prome, allowing both for better flow and affording a more forward air base. Strong forces are moving down the coast road with the objective of expelling the IJA division that is entrenched in the jungle across the river from Prome. Simultaneously, infantry divisions and all of the armor/armour on the Burma plain are making their way out of Magwe to the northwest, then will race down the road toward Prome and force a river crossing. The 2EB are all well rested and the 4EB are commencing to rest now. Air power will be required to disrupt enemy attacks on the column forcing the river crossing, suppress the troops in Prome, and slow movement of IJA reinforcements to Prome.

[witpqs]

1943 June 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


By playing with repair priorities at Sydney, we now have an estimate of 11 days for Yorktown. When Yorktown is out of the yard, Enterprise will be placed on high priority and we will see where she falls then. Cleveland has been placed on low priority until the carriers are finished. Essex is now about 3 days out from making Pearl Harbor.

Our subs and dive bombers took out a number of merchants in the Kavieng/Rabaul area today (and the subs did elsewhere too). D-Day there is tomorrow, and as you can see the Empire is sending help. The two TFs toward Truk are both heading in the direction of Kavieng. The southern most scouts as 2 x PB while the other as 2 x CA. The fast battleships are taking up station just NE of the carriers, in position to intercept attacks on them and on the invasion ships at the beaches tomorrow. The carriers will remain just 1 hex E of Kavieng.

[witpqs]

1943 June 25

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Kavieng

A 4 ship TF headlined by CA Suzuya and CL Oyodo sank a sub chaser and 2 slow AK at Merauke after slipping through Allied search to catch the (otherwise) undefended supply convoy.

After a brutal pounding from the air on our massively overcrowded troops they still held off the Imperial armour, but the air stations for squads already disabled suffered.

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

Ground combat at 71,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22737 troops, 179 guns, 426 vehicles, Assault Value = 864

Defending force 130391 troops, 543 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3516

Japanese adjusted assault: 128

Allied adjusted defense: 1030

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 8

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

Japanese ground losses:
694 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 43 (2 destroyed, 41 disabled)
Vehicles lost 98 (3 destroyed, 95 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2076 casualties reported
Squads: 72 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (7 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Division
10th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
55th Infantry Brigade
11th Tank Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
99th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
97th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
9th Group Army
21st Group Army
4th War Area
9th War Area
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Here is what we are facing at Kavieng.

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Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3084 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 133

Defending force 19354 troops, 395 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 733

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

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

Assaulting units:
62nd Naval Guard Unit
84th Nav Gd /1
48th Naval Guard Unit
II/81st Nav Gd /1
11th Air Fleet
15th Naval Construction Battalion
57th JNAF AF Unit
10th JNAF AF Unit
5th JNAF Coy
5th RF Gun Bn /1

Defending units:
43rd Infantry Division
40th Infantry Div /9
2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Am I correct that 11th Air Fleet is an air HQ? It will be nice to (at least temporarily) take that unit out of play. Our armor should have begun coming ashore today, but for some reason the convoy turned around and headed home without unloading! They are told again and given firmer orders.

[BBfanboy]

If it says Air Fleet it is an HQ.

[witpqs]

Thanks.

---

1943 June 26

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Kavieng

Force R, the older cruisers and some destroyers operating in the Bay of Bengal, have been undetected within striking range of convoys leaving Rangoon for a couple of days now but the only convoy seen is still at Rangoon. Force R will move in tonight at full speed to see if they can force the river and surprise the Imperials.

3 IJN subs made attack runs at carriers and other ships with the carriers today, so the flattops are repositioning northward. The land units are almost totally ashore and are ordered to attack tomorrow. We'll see what the fortifications are and how solid are those defending formations.

The three P-47 squadrons' convoy has made it to Aden, taken on additional ASW escort and is now heading for Karachi. The 4EB in India have taken the stand down as a time to refit airframes. The 2EB are fully ready. We are waiting for ground forces along the coast to get close enough to their objective (the division across the river from Prome) before starting the ground units NW Magwe.

[JocMeister]

Finally had time to catch up with your game again! [&o]

[witpqs]

1943 June 27

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Kavieng

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Kavieng

Perhaps the tankers (that had been scouted) left in the night, but come daylight Force R found some prey.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E W-2, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PB Shoei Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAK Asama Maru #2, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Mitimei Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Yamabuki Maru, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
xAK Zuisyo Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kyokko Maru, Shell hits 25, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins
CA Frobisher
CL Ceres
CL Caradoc
DD Nestor

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Massive explosion on E W-2
CA Frobisher engages E W-2 at 13,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages E W-2 at 13,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages E W-2 at 13,000 yards
CL Ceres engages E W-2 at 13,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Mitimei Maru at 13,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages xAK Asama Maru #2 at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages E W-2 at 11,000 yards
CL Ceres engages PB Shoei Maru at 11,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Asama Maru #2 at 11,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 11,000 yards
xAK Mitimei Maru sunk by CL Ceres at 11,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages xAK Asama Maru #2 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages E W-2 at 7,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages xAK Asama Maru #2 at 7,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages xAK Kyokko Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 7,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages xAK Asama Maru #2 at 7,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages E W-2 at 7,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Kyokko Maru at 7,000 yards
xAK Asama Maru #2 sunk by DD Nestor at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages PB Shoei Maru at 5,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages xAK Kyokko Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Nestor engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Nestor engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages PB Shoei Maru at 4,000 yards
DD Nestor engages xAK Kyokko Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages xAK Zuisyo Maru at 4,000 yards
CL Ceres engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Nestor engages xAK Kyokko Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Nestor engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Nestor engages xAK Zuisyo Maru at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
xAK Zuisyo Maru sunk by CA Frobisher at 2,000 yards
xAK Kyokko Maru sunk by CA Hawkins at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages PB Shoei Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Nestor engages xAK Yamabuki Maru at 3,000 yards
PB Shoei Maru sunk by CL Ceres at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
xAK Yamabuki Maru sunk by CA Frobisher at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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

The beatings continued in China, but we delivered one of our own at Kavieng.

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Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25345 troops, 401 guns, 482 vehicles, Assault Value = 870

Defending force 7401 troops, 37 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Allied adjusted assault: 880

Japanese adjusted defense: 47

Allied assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kavieng !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-II KAI Helen: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed
Ki-56 Thalia: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
3851 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 95 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (16 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 23 (22 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 7
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
194th Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
XIV US Corps
2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
62nd Naval Guard Unit
48th Naval Guard Unit
II/81st Nav Gd /1
84th Nav Gd /1
5th JNAF Coy
11th Air Fleet
57th JNAF AF Unit
10th JNAF AF Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
5th RF Gun Bn /1

The combat forces (2x Div + 2x Tk Bn) will pursue to destroy those units plus the ones at Namatanai. Meanwhile, the invasion of Manus will proceed at once as the Manus convoys should be about 2 or 3 days out from that target.

An Allied CA force without fighter cover had a close call with torpedo armed Betty bombers on the other side of New Guinea.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 84,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
CA Canberra

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



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I have the replay but not the turn file, so this is a partial AAR installment.