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

[JocMeister]

Looks like that naval bombardment didn´t do much harm! [:)]

[witpqs]

No, not really. [:)] I'm hoping those were some of the best Betty pilots waiting to sto pan invasion of the DEI!

The size of the airfield has been the limiting factor so far, which is why the torpedo-armed Beauforts were stood down. They are on alert now, with the P-38 group to escort them.

[witpqs]

1943 July 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Taung Gyi

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Lots of action and pending action today. In China, Imperial troops have crossed the river near Tsuyung before we could get troops in their way. They are off the road, but now threaten to cut the road and we have hardly any forces available to interfere. We'll make do.

In Burma the air war was tough, with the Tojos doing better today against the P-40K units and also slipping through to get a few 2EB. Our own air attacks continued pummelling the Empire's troops at Prome. Our three ground attacks went well overall. NW Toungoo we achieved 2 to 1 odds but failed to dislodge the enemy. Our troops have only moderate disruption and will attack again tomorrow. NE Toungoo the odds were worse but the casualties almost all disablements. So that attack, too, served its purpose of grinding the Imperials, eating their supply. Taung Gyi was taken quite handily from a much weaker enemy that was also on the move. One division from that task force will move east and fortify a blocking position at the road junction.

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Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 48863 troops, 730 guns, 434 vehicles, Assault Value = 1225

Defending force 7463 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Allied adjusted assault: 596

Japanese adjusted defense: 273

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1123 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (16 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1011 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
17th Indian Division
14th Indian Division
6th Australian Division
9th Australian Division
77th Heavy AA Regiment
21st Light AA Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
14th Army
2/1st Med Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
56th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment


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Ground combat at 57,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17576 troops, 194 guns, 193 vehicles, Assault Value = 597

Defending force 5824 troops, 45 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Allied adjusted assault: 280

Japanese adjusted defense: 363

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 17 (12 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
760 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
20th Indian/A Division
13th Indian Brigade
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
20th Indian/B Division
20th Indian/C Division

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


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Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28544 troops, 540 guns, 325 vehicles, Assault Value = 1010

Defending force 5460 troops, 81 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1201

Japanese adjusted defense: 91

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Taung Gyi !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1419 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 70 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 43 (28 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (26 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
451 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Burma Brigade
2nd British Division
19th Indian Division
29th British Brigade
IV Indian Corps
48th Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
11th Garrison Unit
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th AA Regiment

Combat on Tulagi is turning a corner. Perhaps some additional air units attacking has helped. The combat engineer regiment has taken it on the chin, but overall disruption is light so the attack will continue tomorrow.

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

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14718 troops, 265 guns, 280 vehicles, Assault Value = 427

Defending force 9897 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 184

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 388

Japanese adjusted defense: 328

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
509 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
439 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
37th Infantry Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps
4th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
83rd Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
Bandasan SNLF
61st Naval Guard Unit
10th Special Base Force
7th Naval Construction Battalion
A/50th JNAF Coy
1st JNAF Coy
Maizuru 3rd SNLF /1


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There was fierce action at sea 2 hexes NE Darwin as Allied air units from Gove made numerous low level cannon and bomb runs at IJN cruisers and a battleship. Strikes from Darwin were thwarted by severe weather, those that took off failing to find the target (the airfield is still damaged which might have made things worse). And there is a second Imperial battleship TF 2 hexes ESE Saumlaki. A supply convoy just made Darwin and hasn't even begun unloading. A mixed Allied TF of CA Australia, CA Canberra, DD Fletcher, DD Benham, and DD Sterett is 5 hexes to the SE of the first IJN TF and is ordered to Darwin at full speed. Commanded by the hyper-aggressive Swales, they are likely to find combat. But with what results? The saving grace might be that the IJN TF attacked by air today is the same one that bombarded Darwin yesterday. That means they can not have rearmed and must be low on main gun ammo. Today's combat sightings of that TF.

Code: Select all

 Battle Date       Location         Hex     Near                 Type Unit               Damage Noted                                               Action                    
 019587 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      BB   Haruna             No Damage Noted                                            Morning Air attack        
 019588 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      BB   Haruna             No Damage Noted                                            Morning Air attack        
 019602 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      BB   Haruna             No Damage Noted                                            Morning Air attack        
 019605 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      BB   Haruna             No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019587 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      CA   Chikuma            Shell hits 8                                               Morning Air attack        
 019605 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      CA   Chikuma            No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019604 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      CA   Tone               Shell hits 2                                               Afternoon Air attack      
 019587 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      DD   Ayanami            No Damage Noted                                            Morning Air attack        
 019604 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      DD   Ayanami            Shell hits 3                                               Afternoon Air attack      
 019604 1943-07-17 77,122           77,122  Bathurst Island      DD   Nenohi             Shell hits 2                                               Afternoon Air attack      
 

We also had a sub take it on the chin near Rangoon, and one of ours got a tanker near Babo. BB Colorado will be in the yard more than 4 months, plus upgrade time. CVL Princeton has arrived, and both CVLs plus CA Baltimore are setting sail for the Central Pacific. CVL Ryuho is now believed to have been falsely reported sunk. I am having trouble getting enough supply to feed to the front lines at the India/Burma border. Here are today's air losses.

[witpqs]

1943 July 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Kokoda

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


China was the disaster it is. Today just air attacks and the hideous, ugly, nasty, Imperial formations moving to cut the road near Tsuyung.

In Burma things went better. NW Toungoo our attacks finally bore fruit.

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Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 48149 troops, 730 guns, 433 vehicles, Assault Value = 1131

Defending force 6082 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Allied adjusted assault: 767

Japanese adjusted defense: 33

Allied assault odds: 23 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3292 casualties reported
Squads: 136 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (10 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
250 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th Indian Division
6th Australian Division
14th Indian Division
9th Australian Division
2/9th Field Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
2/11th Field Regiment
21st Light AA Regiment
14th Army
77th Heavy AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
56th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment


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At Tulagi we continued making progress, and likely the next attack (tomorrow) will seize the base.

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Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14475 troops, 265 guns, 281 vehicles, Assault Value = 411

Defending force 9105 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Allied adjusted assault: 722

Japanese adjusted defense: 205

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
795 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
37th Infantry Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps
97th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
Bandasan SNLF
87th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Naval Guard Unit
61st Naval Guard Unit
1st JNAF Coy
10th Special Base Force
7th Naval Construction Battalion
A/50th JNAF Coy
Maizuru 3rd SNLF /1


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Our boys at Darwin sacrificed Canberra to screen the supply convoy. the supply convoy pulled up anchor before beginning to unload and left a big wake aimed toward Normanton. But they shall return!

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Tone
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 1
CA Canberra, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fletcher
DD Benham
DD Sterett, Shell hits 1

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 7,000 yards
CA Canberra launches Torpedoes at CA Chikuma at 7,000 yards
CA Australia launches Torpedoes at CA Chikuma at 7,000 yards
DD Sterett launches Torpedoes at CA Chikuma at 7,000 yards
DD Sterett launches Torpedoes at DD Ayanami at 7,000 yards
DD Fletcher launches Torpedoes at DD Ayanami at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Canberra at 2,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Australia at 2,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Tone at 2,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Ayanami at 2,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Nenohi at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Nenohi at 5,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Benham at 5,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Fletcher at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Australia engages BB Haruna at 6,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Canberra at 6,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Nenohi at 6,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages DD Benham at 6,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Ayanami at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Tone at 8,000 yards
DD Ayanami engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Sterett at 11,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Ayanami at 11,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Nenohi at 11,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...


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There were numerous followup air attacks from the runways at Darwin, plus some on tankers at Babo from both Darwin and Gove. Here is a compilation of enemy combat sightings.

Code: Select all

 Battle Date       Location         Hex     Near                 Type Unit               Damage Noted                                               Action                    
 019615 1943-07-18 52,89            52,89   Muntok               PB   Yokae Maru         No Damage Noted                                            Sub attack                
 019615 1943-07-18 52,89            52,89   Muntok               xAK  Daifuku Maru       Torpedo hits 1                                             Sub attack                
 019615 1943-07-18 52,89            52,89   Muntok               xAKL Kaishi Maru        No Damage Noted                                            Sub attack                
 019616 1943-07-18 76,124           76,124  Darwin               BB   Haruna             No Damage Noted                                            Night Time Surface Combat 
 019616 1943-07-18 76,124           76,124  Darwin               CA   Chikuma            Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1                               Night Time Surface Combat 
 019616 1943-07-18 76,124           76,124  Darwin               CA   Tone               No Damage Noted                                            Night Time Surface Combat 
 019616 1943-07-18 76,124           76,124  Darwin               DD   Ayanami            Shell hits 4,  on fire                                     Night Time Surface Combat 
 019616 1943-07-18 76,124           76,124  Darwin               DD   Nenohi             Shell hits 2,  on fire                                     Night Time Surface Combat 
 019617 1943-07-18 80,110           80,110  Boela                E    Hachijo            No Damage Noted                                            ASW attack                
 019618 1943-07-18 49,65            49,65   Victoria Point       E    Hato               No Damage Noted                                            ASW attack                
 019618 1943-07-18 49,65            49,65   Victoria Point       E    Yomogi             No Damage Noted                                            ASW attack                
 019640 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 DD   Takanami           No Damage Noted                                            Morning Air attack        
 019640 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 TK   Arita Maru         No Damage Noted                                            Morning Air attack        
 019640 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 TK   Kyokuho Maru       No Damage Noted                                            Morning Air attack        
 

Code: Select all

 019644 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 DD   Takanami           Shell hits 9, Bomb hits 1                                  Morning Air attack        
 019644 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 TK   Arita Maru         Shell hits 9                                               Morning Air attack        
 019644 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 TK   Kyokuho Maru       Bomb hits 1,  on fire                                      Morning Air attack        
 019648 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 DD   Takanami           Shell hits 13, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage    Morning Air attack        
 019648 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 TK   Arita Maru         Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires                    Morning Air attack        
 019648 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 TK   Kyokuho Maru       Shell hits 6, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage     Morning Air attack        
 019656 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                CA   Suzuya             No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019656 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                CL   Jintsu             No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019656 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                CL   Oyodo              No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019657 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                CA   Suzuya             No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019657 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                CL   Jintsu             No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019659 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                CL   Jintsu             No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019659 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                CL   Oyodo              No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019659 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                DD   Natsushio          Shell hits 4                                               Afternoon Air attack      
 019659 1943-07-18 74,119           74,119  Babar                DD   Susuzuki           No Damage Noted                                            Afternoon Air attack      
 019660 1943-07-18 83,111           83,111  Babo                 TK   Arita Maru         Torpedo hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage                Sub attack                
 019661 1943-07-18 120,113          120,113 Ponape               SS   I-31               No Damage Noted                                            Sub attack                
 
 
 

Victorious and Hermes, with POW in escort, are going to try and intercept some (I believe due to SigInt) troops moving from Rangoon to Sabang.

[witpqs]

1943 July 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got two tankers today. Numerous air attacks on that second IJN BB TF menacing Darwin resulted in many cannon/MG hits on ships and a total of 6 bomb hits on Kirishima. Flak is tough on low altitude attackers. That supply convoy is about to pull into Darwin, and will be well protected by the arrival today of the Dutch Navy. There is a troop convoy farther behind that is now fully spotted by enemy search planes, and they will withdraw for a day or two.

In the seas off Burma, Victorious' fliers got in some licks, but on the wrong convoy. Another attack was thwarted by weather. Drat!

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Victoria Point at 49,63

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 14
Martlet IV x 8
TBF-1 Avenger x 17

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokusima Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Sinsei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Ume Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



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No doubt the Imperial air forces are rearming with torpedoes as we speak, so the RN must withdraw.

On land there was a modest set back, as the force NE Toungoo achieved nearly 2 to 1 odds but took massive casualties.

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Ground combat at 57,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17211 troops, 193 guns, 193 vehicles, Assault Value = 546

Defending force 5497 troops, 39 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 174

Allied adjusted assault: 216

Japanese adjusted defense: 121

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
337 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 9 (6 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2050 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 193 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Guns lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
20th Indian/B Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
13th Indian Brigade
20th Indian/A Division
20th Indian/C Division

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


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A stunning result against an RTA division. I did not tend to the leadership of some of those units as PP is limited. NW of Toungoo our troops are splitting up, some moving down the road to Prome and others against Toungoo. The troops NW and NE of Prome are beginning their coordinated movement to cross the river into Prome. With all the recent combat, supply is tight in Burma.

Defenders at Tulagi continue their stubborn refusal, but the base is now on the knife's edge of falling.

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Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14339 troops, 264 guns, 281 vehicles, Assault Value = 401

Defending force 8290 troops, 61 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Allied adjusted assault: 394

Japanese adjusted defense: 136

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
336 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
37th Infantry Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps
1st Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
87th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Naval Guard Unit
61st Naval Guard Unit
7th Naval Construction Battalion
Bandasan SNLF
1st JNAF Coy
A/50th JNAF Coy
10th Special Base Force
Maizuru 3rd SNLF /1


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Here is the Intel screen. We are finally doing some damage to the Japanese Army.

[witpqs]

1943 July 20

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Tulagi

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The reduction of Chengtu has begun. The IJA has been moving in more troops and preparing for some time, but we still got the better of them today.

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Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 54562 troops, 425 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 1826

Defending force 32695 troops, 161 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 646

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 681

Allied adjusted defense: 2129

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
5043 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 381 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 41 (1 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1271 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 98 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 25 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
58th Infantry Regiment
41st/C Division
3rd Infantry Regiment
41st/B Division
34th/B Division
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th/A Division
31st Mountain Gun Regiment

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


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On the other hand, we cut off and waited out two IJA units that long ago encroached on the road east of Paoshan. Today we bagged one of them.

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Ground combat at 66,44 (near Paoshan)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21001 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 742

Defending force 647 troops, 34 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Allied adjusted assault: 411

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 102 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
380 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (9 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
54th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps

Defending units:
1st Tank Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion

Tulagi is ours. The secret of the Imperial defence there has been discovered - after accounting for the supply that our units had on hand (which immediately dumps into the base upon capture), the defenders still had between 10,000 and 20,000 tons on hand! There are still >12,000 enemy there, but without access to replacement supply they should be easier to wear down.

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Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14533 troops, 269 guns, 283 vehicles, Assault Value = 415

Defending force 7538 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Allied adjusted assault: 382

Japanese adjusted defense: 64

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
787 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (26 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
37th Infantry Division
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps
4th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
87th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Naval Guard Unit
61st Naval Guard Unit
A/50th JNAF Coy
10th Special Base Force
1st JNAF Coy
7th Naval Construction Battalion
Bandasan SNLF
Maizuru 3rd SNLF /1


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

In Burma there was no land combat today, but the skies were busy over the IJA formations leaving Prome. Flak was very, very tough. Imperial air made attacks against the troops NW Prome in the jungle, but those attacks were largely unsuccessful. The Allied attacks on Prome continued degrading the troops moving through there. And, significantly, I am definitely having problems with having enough supply at the front in Burma and in the front line Indian bases. on many turns the air groups at Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Akyab, and Ramree Island do not have enough supply to provide replacement air frames. Chittagong was so unable to sustain needed supply for convoys loading to bring it further forward that convoys no longer even attempt to load there.

[witpqs]

Bonus post and pic for the day. Here are the forces prepped for Truk. Attack transports are making there way to these locations now and the invasion of Truk will proceed just as fast as we can get units loaded. One of the USMC divisions will have to load on slow AK and xAP ships as there simply are not enough APA and AKA available. The USA division along with one USMC division plus all the supporting units will constitute the first wave. The other two USMC divisions will rotate ashore as spent divisions are pulled off. Hopefully that will be enough to do the job. There is another division's worth of xAP which will be brought along empty for the express purpose of pulling off a spent division if that division's own transports are still tied up unloading supply. In addition, there will be a number of AK and LST available loaded only with supply to keep the troops in beans and bullets. If the bullets don't do the job on the enemy then I figure maybe the beans will.

The battle fleet for the invasion will consist of 12x CVE, 1x CVL, 5x CV, 5x fast BB, 2x BB, and numerous CA, CL, CLAA, DD, DMS, and AM. Another BB in on the way and might arrive in time. CV Nanumea is farther away, as are 2x CVL, and CV Enterprise is estimated to finish repairs at Sydney in 5 days (probably also too far away).

I would like to follow up with the invasion of Saipan right after, but troop preparation probably needs another 1-1/2 months. Within a day or two the 22nd USMC Regiment will leave Munda to invade Gasmata. The NZ 2nd Fiji Commando Bn will leave Ndeni in three days to invade Talasea, which I believe is ungarrisoned. I am hoping that this will give the impression that Rabaul is next and I am cutting off retreat paths.

[witpqs]

1943 July 21

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Victory in China! Intel predicts that all Imperial armoured units will run away in terror!

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

Ground combat at 66,44 (near Paoshan)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20952 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 734

Defending force 156 troops, 0 guns, 53 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 70

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 70 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 77 (77 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
54th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps

Defending units:
1st Tank Regiment

The reduction of the holdouts on Tulagi is proceeding. They are disrupted, fatigued, inexperienced, and low on supply.

Near Phuket one of our subs got a merchant but no troops were seen in the water. In return, though, another sub was sunk by heavy ASW escort farther south. On land in Burma, there is only 1 unit in Toungoo, but still 2 units NE Toungoo which are withdrawing through that city. 9 units appear in Prome with at least one moving SE. The units which must cross the river need at least 3 more days to do so, but the 2 divisions (plus 2x AA and 1x HQ) which have come down the road to the east will be there in 2 days.

Here is a look at Burma with the Allied forces bearing down on Prome, and the part of China where we are trying to hold the line. Note the combat hex near Paoshan where that dastardly Imperial walker formation was destroyed by Ewoks.

[witpqs]

1943 July 22

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Tulagi has been secured, a little earlier than I thought.

It looks like tomorrow the various convoys will be in place to begin loading the assault troops for Truk. Gasmata will also be invaded tomorrow, and the troops will load for Talasea. By the time they arrive the armada should be on its way to Truk, hopefully good timing for a minor diversion. Logistics is continuing to rear its head. The June upgrade of so many tankers is being felt and the tanker/oiler fleet is racing to catch up with forward demand. Supply in India and beyond is in a crunch and will be for some time. Several US Liberty ship convoys are either carrying supply to Aden from the US and en route to carry supply from Cape Town or Aden to India. The planners are screaming for additional forward bases with large stacking limits to house units preparing for objectives, lest the units have to prepare too far back and incur undue disruption and fatigue at sea en route to invasion points.

It was tough in the skies over Burma, with an Oscar sweep taking a bit out of a P-40K squadron that was also on sweep without losing any of their own number. At least one 4EB was lost to flak, and in reprisal various 2EB mercilessly pounded the flak unit. Our fighters took a bunch of Imperial bombers and Tojos, so it worked out in our favor overall. 3 aces were KIA and 2 more WIA, all flying out of Akyab. I have a feeling that Oscar unit might be made up of ringers.

[Richard III]

Always thought Burma/China were the most interesting parts of  this mid Game.  "He  can`t be strong everywhere" as they say, sorry if I missed it above, and you may not want to talk about it, but  are you thinking of a push South and/or open the Burma Road to start a 2nd. Front in N. China ? 

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Richard III

Always thought Burma/China were the most interesting parts of  this mid Game.  "He  can`t be strong everywhere" as they say, sorry if I missed it above, and you may not want to talk about it, but  are you thinking of a push South and/or open the Burma Road to start a 2nd. Front in N. China ? 

That's an interesting question. You might have seen earlier in the AAR where my plan was not to waste any resources on trying to open the Burma Road, instead heading south. He managed to slow me up substantially to where he has or will have very strong defenses farther south. So, I am thinking about whether it will be worthwhile to clear out those units that he has dedicated to staying behind as blockers. The only advantage I see in doing that is that it will allow some supply to flow into the Chinese forces that have retreated into the mountains. That will make them stronger and possibly able to resist the Imperial efforts to destroy them.

But as far as opening up another front, I feel it won't work. The Chinese units will not be strong enough, even with supply, to go on the offensive. All the offensive firepower would have to come from the other Allies, and that would mean pushing troops in there from Burma. If I did that, I think they would still have a very hard time pushing back the IJA through the mountains and forests. The really bad news is that in addition to achieving nothing, the best offensive units would be locked up far inland.

Instead I am thinking about pulling the 2 USA and 3 Australian divisions out of Burma by sea (either Ramree Island or Rangoon when I have it) and using them to assault Sumatra or Java more directly. Soon I should finally be able to get the squads in those 3 Australian divisions upgraded, too. Not having enough supply in Burma to trigger that for those units has definitely had a negative impact on the combat outcomes so far. I have one Indian division prepping for Sinabang, the USMC 4th Division to arrive at Aden in 10 or 12 days, and those 5 divisions. All in all that should be a very potent force able to either make headway or at least stand fast and hold the attention of the Empire while the net closes in from the east (the Pacific).

So I think opening up or renewing the front in China is impossible, but I am still thinking about how much force to allocate to opening up the supply route to those beleaguered Chinese units in the mountains.

What do you think?

[Richard III]

Well, I`m flattered you ask, I`m not that experienced, so I have no good answers to that without seeing the Ship losses screen, even then it`s hard to get a "feel" for the game even through a good AAR like this.

As Grand Strategy, doing Burma/Malaya as the anvil and the USN and Marines are the hammer seems to be working for you. If you have enough quality Air for LRCAP and 2E Bombers, and Amphibian shipping for LCU`s and Base Forces, I like Port Blair and Victoria Point instead of going deep. Force him into a air battle of attrition near your big bases in India and Ceylon which you should win, maybe ???

Just all IMHO.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Richard III

Well, I`m flattered you ask, I`m not that experienced, so I have no good answers to that without seeing the Ship losses screen, even then it`s hard to get a "feel" for the game even through a good AAR like this.

As Grand Strategy, doing Burma/Malaya as the anvil and the USN and Marines are the hammer seems to be working for you. If you have enough quality Air for LRCAP and 2E Bombers, and Amphibian shipping for LCU`s and Base Forces, I like Port Blair and Victoria Point instead of going deep. Force him into a air battle of attrition near your big bases in India and Ceylon which you should win, maybe ???

Just all IMHO.

Here you go. Click on the attachment, then click on the file name, then double-click on the top bar to maximize the window. Or download the file if you prefer, but looking at it maximized will make it wide enough to line up the columns correctly.

Edit to add: Obviously the results are subject to FOW.

[Quixote]

Fog of War notwithstanding, based on those losses you're in a very favorable position. You have the resources to be a bit more aggressive at this point, especially if that's the way you're already leaning. You certainly don't have to push things yet, but you are getting to the point where it might be a good idea to do so. My 2 cents...

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Quixote

Fog of War notwithstanding, based on those losses you're in a very favorable position. You have the resources to be a bit more aggressive at this point, especially if that's the way you're already leaning. You certainly don't have to push things yet, but you are getting to the point where it might be a good idea to do so. My 2 cents...

I agree. the next turn I get the Truk invasion forces will start loading. As soon as Truk is secure and shipping is back to the pick up points, the Saipan invasion forces will load up and head out. They might be a tad less than 100% when they get there, but should be close. By the time Saipan is taken, the Guam forces should be prepped. The group that just captured Tulagi is now prepping for Babledoab (or however the heck that's spelled). Other forces were already preparing for Biak. A bunch of SWPac forces have been preparing for targets along the southern side of New Guinea (including some of the islands in the Arafura Sea) and into the Moluccas.

So next up is the push into the Marianas, then along both sides of New Guinea.

On the other side of the world, I think I can manage the Sinabang invasion with just the RN carriers (before Victorious withdraws). The other adventures I spoke of recently (more on Sumatra or Java with the 6 divisions mentioned - 2 USA, 3 Aus, 1 USMC - are a little farther off).

It's not that I intend to slow down after the Marianas, it's just that I want to capture them (at least the two) before he gets substantial carrier reinforcements and damaged carriers back on line.

I pushed along pretty quickly, but then logistics (and ship arrivals and refits) had to catch up. I've been feeling like I need to push so as not to give up the early tempo I had established, so I know what you mean.

Is the plan I have as aggressive as you are suggesting?

[Richard III]

From the admitted FOW`ed ship losses I would agree with Alex. Does Truk build to Lv. 5 forts ?

ORIGINAL: Quixote

Fog of War notwithstanding, based on those losses you're in a very favorable position. You have the resources to be a bit more aggressive at this point, especially if that's the way you're already leaning. You certainly don't have to push things yet, but you are getting to the point where it might be a good idea to do so. My 2 cents...

[witpqs]

1943 July 23

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Tabar Island

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Gasmata

The Chinese in the mountains held back the red tide, but Chengtu is nearing disaster.

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

Ground combat at 71,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14929 troops, 109 guns, 467 vehicles, Assault Value = 685

Defending force 137843 troops, 270 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3238

Japanese adjusted assault: 114

Allied adjusted defense: 862

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 7

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

Japanese ground losses:
2399 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 178 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 22 (4 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 92 (12 destroyed, 80 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1979 casualties reported
Squads: 98 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd/A Division
10th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
66th Infantry Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
116th/B Division

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
73rd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
99th Chinese Corps
1st Artillery Regiment
19th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
9th Group Army
21st Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army
9th War Area
20th Group Army
Lusu War Area
3rd War Area
16th Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 55600 troops, 457 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 1500

Defending force 30795 troops, 161 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 532

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 900

Allied adjusted defense: 783

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
3523 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 182 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3152 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 123 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 48 disabled
Guns lost 21 (3 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Assaulting units:
41st/C Division
58th Infantry Regiment
41st/B Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
34th/B Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Infantry Regiment
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th/A Division
31st Mountain Gun Regiment

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

The RN carrier raid in the Andaman Sea has had an impact. There is a large tanker convoy on its way into Rangoon. In addition to the usual escorts and ASW groups along the track, there is a TF of small combatants far into the Bay of Bengal, 8 hexes north of Port Blair. Just SE of Trinkat is a TF believed to contain 1x CS and 3x CVE with 13 fighters and 23 bombers.

An Oscar sweep again killed two aces, these flying from Ramree Island, but they lost 1 or 2 for the 4 Allied planes that they took. Alas, they failed to adequately blast a hole for their bombers as you will see in the air losses tally at the end. The bombers did enough over the last few days to spoil what might have been perfect coordination of the march on Prome.

The initial units have made it to that base and will deliberate attack tomorrow. All units from the plain will cross the river tomorrow in combat array (in theory heavy air attacks could delay one division). All units from the NW coming down the road through the jungle will likewise assault, but one division and two brigades will still be in marching order to keep up (having been slowed by repeated although otherwise ineffective air strikes).

A mine field turned up at Darwin. There are no mine sweepers present (doh!) but the destroyers that found it swept several without getting hurt.

Three of the four divisions plus all of the other units for Truk have begun loading. The remaining division will begin loading tomorrow and will be one of the follow-on divisions, so will not delay things. Gasmata is now unoccupied and will be seized tomorrow. The unit for Talasea is now on the way but will take several days to get there, and recon commences today.

Here are the day's air losses.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Richard III

From the admitted FOW`ed ship losses I would agree with Alex. Does Truk build to Lv. 5 forts ?

ORIGINAL: Quixote

Fog of War notwithstanding, based on those losses you're in a very favorable position. You have the resources to be a bit more aggressive at this point, especially if that's the way you're already leaning. You certainly don't have to push things yet, but you are getting to the point where it might be a good idea to do so. My 2 cents...

Eh - I know that some/many islands/atolls are limited to fortification level 6 (I didn't know they could be limited to lesser). I presume that Truk can reach 6 and will be at that level. That's why I'm bringing the hammer and tongs.

[Quixote]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Quixote

Fog of War notwithstanding, based on those losses you're in a very favorable position. You have the resources to be a bit more aggressive at this point, especially if that's the way you're already leaning. You certainly don't have to push things yet, but you are getting to the point where it might be a good idea to do so. My 2 cents...

I agree. the next turn I get the Truk invasion forces will start loading. As soon as Truk is secure and shipping is back to the pick up points, the Saipan invasion forces will load up and head out. They might be a tad less than 100% when they get there, but should be close. By the time Saipan is taken, the Guam forces should be prepped. The group that just captured Tulagi is now prepping for Babledoab (or however the heck that's spelled). Other forces were already preparing for Biak. A bunch of SWPac forces have been preparing for targets along the southern side of New Guinea (including some of the islands in the Arafura Sea) and into the Moluccas.

So next up is the push into the Marianas, then along both sides of New Guinea.

On the other side of the world, I think I can manage the Sinabang invasion with just the RN carriers (before Victorious withdraws). The other adventures I spoke of recently (more on Sumatra or Java with the 6 divisions mentioned - 2 USA, 3 Aus, 1 USMC - are a little farther off).

It's not that I intend to slow down after the Marianas, it's just that I want to capture them (at least the two) before he gets substantial carrier reinforcements and damaged carriers back on line.

I pushed along pretty quickly, but then logistics (and ship arrivals and refits) had to catch up. I've been feeling like I need to push so as not to give up the early tempo I had established, so I know what you mean.

Is the plan I have as aggressive as you are suggesting?

Yes, General Guderian - I'd say so.[:'(]

When you asked the question originally, it sounded like you wanted to get a little more aggressive, and I agreed. I wasn't expecting the full scale blitz that appears to be in the works...

If you hit him with all of those ops one after another, he'll be feeling the pressure in a big way unless he comes up with an effective counter for at least one or two of them.

[witpqs]

I thought maybe I was holding back too much. [:D]

---

1943 July 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Gasmata
Prome

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Imperial retreat was carried out in good order so minimal forces were caught at Prome. But, still, the 19th Tank Regiment was destroyed.

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

Ground combat at Prome (55,50)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 40880 troops, 705 guns, 611 vehicles, Assault Value = 3972

Defending force 6532 troops, 46 guns, 138 vehicles, Assault Value = 193

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 2033

Japanese adjusted defense: 103

Allied assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Prome !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2055 casualties reported
Squads: 77 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 127 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (20 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 112 (112 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
431 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
1st Army Tank Regiment
Gardner's Horse Regiment
18th British Division
111th LRP Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
6th Australian Division
754th Tank Battalion
7th Australian Division
254th Armoured Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
46th Indian Brigade
7th Indian Division
150th RAC Regiment
77th LRP Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
5th Indian Division
50th Tank Brigade
27th Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
XV Indian Corps
14th Army
77th Heavy AA Regiment
21st Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
19th Tank Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
16th Garrison Unit


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

And in one stroke, Prome is now over stacked 152,400 to 115,000! All of the armor and a host of infantry will move SE at once to alleviate the situation and keep up the pressure on the withdrawing Imperials. About 22,000 stacking value of armor should vacate the base by tomorrow, with the remaining overage unburdened by the infantry departing a day later.

We lost an empty xAP to that stupid mine field at Darwin. Loading for the Truk invasion goes well.

Here are the air losses. That Oscar group (supposing it is the same one) is starting to get attrited.