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

[witpqs]

No - a 2 to 1 gets the base if forts (forts remaining after being knocked down in that combat) are 0. To take a base you have to get odds great enough that make odds minus forts equal 2 or greater: (odds - forts) >= 2.

So for example, on that first attack where I knocked forts down to 2, a 4 to 1 odds result would have seized the base.

[JocMeister]

Thats really good to know! [:)]

[Quixote]

witpqs,
1. I'm with JocMeister - those are very solid results!
2. I'm with you on the shock attack. One additional benefit to shock along with what you've already mentioned is that in this situation the force compositions will likely help you out. Smaller units seem to do much worse against shock than division-sized units do, often getting overwhelmed and not contributing much to the defense. 450 AV in one division does not equal 450 AV spread over 9 SNLFs in some cases. His defense here looks to be made up a lots of small units, fragments, base forces, etc - not many of his guys have a lot of staying power. The Allies on the other hand have a couple of divisions and tank regiments - units that hold up very well under shock conditions. I think you might still win with deliberate attack, but rested and with forts down to 1, you'll probably wipe the floor with him in the shock. (Hope I didn't jinx anything there[:'(], and good luck!)

[witpqs]

With the next combat results we will see if it worked! That USA infantry division was in the teens disruption while all other combat forces were in single digits. Supplies were good, so the shock attack was ordered.

---

1943 August 03

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Southeast Asia HQ arrived today and has been immediately assigned to aid in opening the Burma Road. There is a possible tanker convoy heading toward Rangoon, and we have two small groups of biplane torpedo bombers at Prome.

The IJN is coming out to play! See the map below, the two TFs to WSW of Woleai are 4 ships, 1x BB, and 3 ships 2x TK and both TFs are moving SE. Our troops on Truk will shock attack tomorrow, preceded by a 5x CA bombardment (@20,000 yards!), the 4EB from Manus and Kavieng bombing, and the 2EB from Ponape bombing at low altitude. The fleet will pull back to a point about halfway between Kavieng and Truk and a little east of that direct line. CV Nanumea will join up there. Many ships are now at Kavieng back from Truk, including a number that have to unload supplies not dropped at Truk. Those, some of which are damaged and many of which have damaged escorts, will remain at Kavieng under CAP. There is an oiler (AO) TF at Manus and at Kavieng, and they will both remain in place. Another convoy is east of New Ireland with a large load of engineers for Hollandia. They will pull back a bit and wait. About 3 supply convoys for various destinations will do likewise.

[witpqs]

1943 August 04

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Two tankers in port at Rangoon. The Albacore units are given the go-ahead with heavy escort, and additional squadrons tasked to sweep Rangoon. There are small IJN carriers about 120 nm S Port Blair.

At Truk, the bombardment went well but weather confounded all aerial bombing efforts. The attack succeeded in doing just about everything except seizing the base. The Q Alexandra's (Mtd) Regiment armoured unit was lost in the attempt. The troops are still in good supply but all very disrupted and must rest for at least 2 days.

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Night Naval bombardment of Truk at 112,108 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 damaged

97 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
CA Quincy
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria, Shell hits 4
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 10
Port hits 5

Truk Naval Fortress firing at CA Wichita
CA Wichita firing at Truk Naval Fortress
CA Quincy firing at Truk
CA Minneapolis firing at Truk
CA Astoria firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CA Astoria
CA Portland firing at Truk


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Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 28053 troops, 401 guns, 743 vehicles, Assault Value = 1008

Defending force 18369 troops, 217 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Allied adjusted assault: 1075

Japanese adjusted defense: 484

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1525 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 24 (3 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1847 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 58 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 31 (6 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 162 (93 destroyed, 69 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Q Alexandra's (Mtd) Regiment
3rd Marine Division
763rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
Auckland (Mtd) Rifl Regiment
24th Infantry Division
Otago (Mtd) Rifles Regiment
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
3rd Pioneer Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
46th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
1st Ind.Tank Co
48th Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
41st Infantry Rgt /2
4th Port Unit
4th Base Force
11th Air Fleet
10th JNAF AF Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
5th JNAF Coy
Truk Naval Fortress
24th Air Flotilla
5th RF Gun Bn /2

It looks to me like Nimitz or somebody (or somebodies) missed a die roll. At sea there is no sign of the IJN units sighted heading to intervene yesterday. There was, however, action out of Darwin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Damar at 75,116

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1
CA Tone

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Damar at 75,116

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Damar at 75,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 11

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 7 damaged
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Fuso
CA Tone

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



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

Here is a look at the Allied troops investing Truk.

[traskott]

A pity the loss of the Q Alexandra's (Mtd) Regiment. The two inf divisions looks good. In just two days Truk will be yours.

[witpqs]

Bought them back. When they arrive at Auckland we'll see how long it takes to reconstitute the unit. [:)]

[witpqs]

Walter has dubbed you all "AAR Monkeys"! I like it. What say you?

---

1943 August 05

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A day of the 'usual stuff' - bombing in China, bombing of Truk (with a couple or three IJN fighters present!), bombing of Boela port (which has been going on for a couple of weeks), bombing in Burma, and troops moving. The TBs at Prome could not be induced to fly against Rangoon. Two new CVL will refuel at Nauru tomorrow and proceed onward to join the fleet. No sign of the IJN battle groups that were spotted over the last couple of days.

Here are the forces at Truk. As you can see they are recovering nicely, having good supply, good HQ support, and at least 100% of the support squads needed. One more day should be good enough to get disruption down, although fatigue might still be high in one division. One BB will bombard tonight just to keep the defenders from resting as much as otherwise. For the following night there will be another BB and a CA available to bombard. The Intel monkeys claim that maybe three IJN subs were sunk near Truk today. Hard to tell, but there were a number of hits. A fresh 4x DD ASW group will arrive on station tomorrow, while two 2x DD groups head to Kavieng to rearm, and another two 2x DD groups are already on station. Escorts have been seeing plenty of ASW action in addition to the dedicated ASW groups.

[JocMeister]

Ha, I´m no monkey. I´m more like a Frost Giant or something! [:D]

[witpqs]

I'll amend that to "AAR Monkeys and Yetis"! [:D]

[JocMeister]

That sounds much better! [:D]

[witpqs]

1943 August 06

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Feni Islands

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Torpedoed in the night, Enterprise is in deep doo doo: 41-36(25)-20(12)-0. The only saving grace is that the fires are out. She can cruise at 8 knots and will make for Pearl.

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Sub attack near Truk at 112,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-31, hits 30, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Montpelier
CLAA San Juan
CLAA Juneau
DD McCalla
DD Doyle
DD Carmick
DD Bancroft

Fuel storage explosion on CV Enterprise
SS I-31 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Enterprise
DD Doyle fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Carmick fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bancroft attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-31 forced to surface!
DD Bancroft firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Doyle firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Carmick firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bancroft firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Doyle firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


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

The troops at Truk will attack, disruption in the two divisions being in the teens.

These air losses are a bit of a mystery as the Tojos reported lost in combat were far fewer. The Tojos wrecked the P-40K that swept Rangoon, and the P-47s tor through the Tojos. We did upgrade software this turn, so perhaps a slight sync bug?

[princep01]

I swing from branch to branch and drop disgusting matter on the heads of Wa's soldiers as they tramp thru the paradise wherein I reside.  I make obnoxious noises in his general direction and loose coconuts on his HQ.  I sneak into camp and night and steal all the shiny things I can grasp.  A pox upon his house and my paradise contains more than a few his beleaguered troops have already experienced. 

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

I swing from branch to branch and drop disgusting matter on the heads of Wa's soldiers as they tramp thru the paradise wherein I reside.  I make obnoxious noises in his general direction and loose coconuts on his HQ.  I sneak into camp and night and steal all the shiny things I can grasp.  A pox upon his house and my paradise contains more than a few his beleaguered troops have already experienced. 

[:D]

Sounds like ASL tournaments are do-not-miss affairs!

[witpqs]

1943 August 07

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Dobadura

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Finschhafen

Our forces west of Prome attack tomorrow with 1,198 AV attack against a single unit of unknown strength. If a seemingly poor quality air recon can be believed it might be a weak unit and therefore be smashed tomorrow.

We've been very lucky with aircraft carriers in this game. With the old USN battleships, not so much.

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Night Naval bombardment of Truk at 112,108 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

53 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Shell hits 4

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

Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Idaho
BB Idaho firing at Truk Naval Fortress


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Sub attack near Truk at 112,108

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-37, hits 7, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stack

SSX Ha-37 launches 2 torpedoes at BB Idaho
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack attacking submerged sub ....
Large oil slick appears over area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub


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

The attack on land at Truk had the benefit of two naval bombardments and numerous air strikes, but the attack still went less well than it really should have. Progress was made, however.

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

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26420 troops, 395 guns, 655 vehicles, Assault Value = 833

Defending force 17679 troops, 213 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 343

Allied adjusted assault: 786

Japanese adjusted defense: 787

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
542 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
701 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 69 (23 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Auckland (Mtd) Rifl Regiment
3rd Marine Division
24th Infantry Division
763rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
Otago (Mtd) Rifles Regiment
3rd Pioneer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
1st Ind.Tank Co
Sasebo 5th SNLF
42nd Naval Guard Unit
48th Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
46th Naval Guard Unit
41st Infantry Rgt /2
Truk Naval Fortress
5th JNAF Coy
15th Naval Construction Battalion
24th Air Flotilla
4th Port Unit
11th Air Fleet
4th Base Force
10th JNAF AF Unit
5th RF Gun Bn /2

We are going to lift off the 3rd USMC Div and land the 2nd USMC Div. The present forces can take the base, but I want to speed up things. 1st USMC Div will remain at sea in case another rotation is required. Tomorrow the Evac convoy will take up station at Truk. Following that it will receive orders to load up the departing division, while another convoy simultaneously lands the arriving division. The landing division convoy will have multiple CA transferred to it.

Here is a look at the approaches to Darwin, where it appears that the IJN is again becoming active.

[witpqs]

1943 August 08

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Finschhafen

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


That unit west of Prome was small and it was destroyed.

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

Ground combat at 54,50 (near Prome)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33018 troops, 320 guns, 348 vehicles, Assault Value = 1207

Defending force 773 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 750

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 750 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1028 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
14th LRP Brigade
72nd British Brigade
45th Indian Brigade
16th LRP Brigade
Americal Infantry Division
Gardner's Horse Regiment
44th Indian Brigade
23rd LRP Brigade
III Indian Corps

Defending units:
79th Garrison Battalion


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

These troops will now advance on Bassein. In the skies 14 Tojos fell for 2 P-40.

The aforementioned rotation of divisions at Truk will take place tonight/tomorrow. The two new CVLs have made it to Truk, but rather than traverse around the atoll through the sub infested waters to join the other carriers (1 hex NW Truk) right away they will stay with some other TFs/convoys waiting 2 hexes SE Truk.

Knowing where the great bulk of the USN battle fleet is located, the IJN is making a move on Darwin! We've pulled out air groups not skilled at naval attack, and recon groups (save planes under repair). CAP is elevated and a USA DB group has moved in. All B-24 groups within range are ordered on naval attack, even though unskilled. Even blind squirrels find nuts once in a while.

[witpqs]

1943 August 09

The Empire captured:
Neikiang

The Allies captured:
Emirau Island

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Truk

The Empire gained some ground point-wise by continuing to crush China.

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

Ground combat at Neikiang (75,44)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 60566 troops, 478 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 1866

Defending force 28858 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 710

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 1291

Allied adjusted defense: 167

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Neikiang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
3164 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 206 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled

Allied ground losses:
42132 casualties reported
Squads: 1445 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 981 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 50 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 153 (153 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 11

Assaulting units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
17th/A Division
39th Division
31st Engineer Regiment
13th/A Division
110th/C Division
31st Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
8th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/C Corps
18th Group Army
39th Group Army

The swap has been effected at Truk. I hope it was worth it because the CD guns were ferocious in spite of a battleship bombardment, a heavy cruiser bombardment, and 2x CA within the landing convoy. The troops will deliberate attack tomorrow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

673 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 8
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
DD Nicholas, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Chevalier, Shell hits 4, on fire
APA President Adams
APA President Polk
APA Doyen

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Truk Naval Fortress firing at CA Minneapolis
CA Minneapolis firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CA Astoria
DD Nicholas firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Nicholas
DD Chevalier firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Chevalier
CA Minneapolis firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
CA Minneapolis firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA President Polk at 19,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA President Polk at 19,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 19,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA President Adams at 19,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)

TF 267 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108

Allied ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

14 troops of a USMC 43 Rifle Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 2nd Marine Div /1
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 2nd Marine Div /11


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Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

359 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 14
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 8, on fire
APA President Polk, Shell hits 9, heavy fires
CA Astoria
APA President Adams, Shell hits 8
APA Crescent City, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Chevalier, on fire
APA Doyen
DD Nicholas, on fire, heavy damage

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

Allied ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Truk Naval Fortress firing at CA Minneapolis
CA Minneapolis firing at Truk Naval Fortress
DD Jenkins firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Jenkins
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging APA President Polk at 11,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 11,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging APA President Adams at 11,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 11,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA President Polk at 11,000 yards
CA Minneapolis firing to suppress enemy battery at 11,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA President Adams at 11,000 yards
CA Astoria firing to suppress enemy battery at 11,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA Crescent City at 11,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


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Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

56 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Crescent City
APA President Adams
APA Doyen, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis

12cm/45 10YT DP Gun battery firing at APA Doyen


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Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12510 troops, 183 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 319

Defending force 28489 troops, 397 guns, 674 vehicles, Assault Value = 925

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
Guards Mixed Brigade
48th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
41st Infantry Rgt /2
24th Air Flotilla
11th Air Fleet
4th Port Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
4th Base Force
Truk Naval Fortress
5th JNAF Coy
5th RF Gun Battalion
10th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
24th Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
Auckland (Mtd) Rifl Regiment
2nd Marine Division
763rd Tank Battalion
Otago (Mtd) Rifles Regiment
3rd Pioneer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
3rd NZ Division


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

But all of this paled in comparison to the battles that raged in the air over the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea, and above the port of Darwin.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Selaroe at 79,121

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 86

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6
P-38G Lightning x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 4 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 75,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 13
B-24D1 Liberator x 7
P-38G Lightning x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 2 damaged
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2
CL Jintsu

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
7 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Babar at 77,118

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Selaroe at 79,121

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 82

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
49th FG/9th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
475th FG/431st FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 75,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1
CL Oyodo

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 75,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Selaroe at 79,121

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 61

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

Nakajima W. in a A6M5 Zero makes head on attack ... forces B-24D1 Liberator out of formation


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 75,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 4
DD Susuzuki, Shell hits 4
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 5
CA Tone, Shell hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Selaroe at 79,121

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 89

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 11 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers

Tokuda I. in a A6M5 Zero makes head on attack ... forces B-24D1 Liberator out of formation


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Selaroe at 79,121

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 85

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (8 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (6 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes


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

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 36

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 7 destroyed, 6 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Java, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Kortenaer

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
49th FG/9th FS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
475th FG/431st FS with P-38G Lightning (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Java


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 75,123

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



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

Java is in good shape and has left the TF for the shelter of the harbor to lick her wounds. Overall in these battles flak and CAP had their way. I anticipate a bloody battle in the waters near Darwin tonight. BTW, the B-25D1 group that got the first hit on Fuso flew out of Merauke.

Today's air losses.

[witpqs]

1943 August 10

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


We are repositioning the Allied 4EB and (longer range) 2EB bombers in India so that they can reach into China. Within a couple of days they will begin lending a hand to the beleaguered defenders. In less than a week Allied ground forces will be in place to attack west of Lashio and then into the Lashio itself, with the final objective of pushing right through all of the Imperial units blocking LOC to China.

Truk is now a grind. We are going to land a large amount of additional supply, and probably take off the USA div (which dropped to 207 AV after today's attack) and land the remaining USMC div. That will take a few days as it requires sending another evac convoy. Perhaps another attack in the meantime if the troops are in good shape. The general plan will be to make a shock attack to seize the base after the other fresh division is landed. The the port will be open and the remaining defenders can be dealt with more easily.

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

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26932 troops, 401 guns, 616 vehicles, Assault Value = 946

Defending force 17243 troops, 202 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 338

Allied adjusted assault: 1007

Japanese adjusted defense: 802

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1068 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 25 (13 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2128 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 191 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 26 (2 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (6 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Division
763rd Tank Battalion
Auckland (Mtd) Rifl Regiment
2nd Marine Division
762nd Tank Battalion
Otago (Mtd) Rifles Regiment
3rd Pioneer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
46th Naval Guard Unit
48th Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
41st Infantry Rgt /2
4th Base Force
5th JNAF Coy
11th Air Fleet
Truk Naval Fortress
24th Air Flotilla
4th Port Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
10th JNAF AF Unit
5th RF Gun Bn /2

The KB has moved west and is now 5 hexes NW of Darwin. De Ruyter took two bomb hits but is in good shape, disbanded into Darwin port to join Java. Surprisingly there were no surface actions at Darwin. The heavy IJN surface units appear to be just west of Damar and heading NW. There is a TF, 2x CL sighted, 1 hex NW Darwin so the IJN has not withdrawn.

We've been getting a nice stream of USN destroyers lately, and that production will continue. In a bit less than a month arrivals of destroyer escorts will also turn into a stream. CV Essex is due to finish repairs in 6 days and will then speed to re-join the fleet. Doubtless she will pass Enterprise heading in the opposite direction.

As you can see, the Tojos did better in Burma in light combat, and our CAP over Darwin acquitted itself well.

[witpqs]

I guess that I got lucky by only being able to get in one turn yesterday, and that my post was only ready after the forums servers were already down. So, no lost of posts here! [:)]

---

1943 August 11

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


More and more Imperial units are piling on against our meager defences in the mountains of China. Beginning tomorrow most of the 4EB and long range 2EB in Indian will begin striking their positions.

In Burma, our forces should be in place west of Lashio in 3 days to begin attacking thereafter. The 4th USMC Division has unloaded at Bombay and is boarding trains for Calcutta.

In two days the evac convoy will arrive at Truk, so the rotation is planned for the day after. Meanwhile the CVE fleet is protecting the remaining division and supply ships at sea. The fleet carriers are moving toward New Guinea to cover the landing of many troops at the Hollandia, Vanimo, and Dagua. Putting support troops at those bases is necessary to build them and operate them. Putting combat troops there is necessary due to stacking limits. We have to spread troops out to various staging areas near the front or else their time at sea before combat landings will be too great.

The KB slid further to the west and launched an unsuccessful attack on the combat ships at Darwin. USA A-24 Banshees responded with a raid on the KB and what might be escorting battleships in task force but all were lost along with 3 x P-38. So far Darwin can fight them off but not hurt Imperial ships when the KB is around. Two P-38H squadrons have been moved in and so has the Spitfire Vc squadron from Gove. They join a P-40E and P-38G squadrons, which presently have only 18 planes ready between them. If KB sends in another strike tomorrow they will likely get a nasty surprise.

Japanese points have taken a jump either today or yesterday, and we are now behind by a bit over 4,000. I am not sure what accounts for that. Here is the dire situation in China.

---

Edit to Add: I've attempted to embed the picture in the post as usual but it isn't working. I'll check later to see if that corrects itself when the forum is back on track or if I need to edit the post or something.

[witpqs]

1943 August 12

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Due to supply movements/limitations in that corner of India, the 4EB moved and assigned to strike in China did not fly although the 2EB did. But it was the 4EB assigned to strike these attackers.

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

Ground combat at 70,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11975 troops, 66 guns, 699 vehicles, Assault Value = 691

Defending force 110175 troops, 87 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2237

Japanese adjusted assault: 162

Allied adjusted defense: 289

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
415 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 132 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 268 (20 destroyed, 248 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1062 casualties reported
Squads: 138 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
36th/B Division
11th Tank Regiment
17th Tank Regiment
31st Tankette Co
3rd Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
104th/C Division

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

The good news is that we knocked out more than 1/3 of their vehicles, and doubtless those tanks did most of the damage.

The KB is swinging around Roti toward Koepang. We have a sub on station there...

A large batch of subs finished August '43 upgrades at Pearl harbor today, with many more coming. This entire batch is being sent forward to Kavieng to patrol from there. In less than a month their torpedoes go to maximum functioning!

Here is an overview map.