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

[witpqs]

1943 August 13

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


We got more bombing strikes on target in China, including B-17E and F models hitting the main IJA armoured spearhead. We have to keep it up to blunt their next attack. Imperial units have begun concentrating at Chungking. While accurate recon is unavailable, the unit count was 3 for the longest time, then 4 for several turns, and is now 7.

Tomorrow the remaining forces for the push along the Burma Road will arrive at the front line west of Lashio, and attack the day after. That attack will be made by 2x armored units, 1x arty unit, 4x infantry Bdes (one motorized) and 2x Australian infantry divisions, about 1,353 AV total. Only a small number of squads are pre-43 standards. A third Australian division will be one hex behind in reserve.

They finally got their chance at Rangoon. Shinshu Maru is reported sunk.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 10
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
LSD Shinshu Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AK Tosan Maru
AK Sasako Maru, Torpedo hits 2
DD Michishio

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
5 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



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

Here is the line-up at Truk before the coming rotation. The USA 24th ID will be pulled out and the USMC 1st Division will land. A supply-only convoy has been merged with the troop convoy with the intent of landing copious supply.

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

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3867 troops, 127 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 327

Defending force 27500 troops, 399 guns, 676 vehicles, Assault Value = 804

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

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

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF
30th Infantry Rgt /1
48th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
42nd Naval Guard Unit
41st Infantry Rgt /2
4th Port Unit
5th JNAF Coy
4th Base Force
24th Air Flotilla
15th Naval Construction Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
Truk Naval Fortress
11th Air Fleet
10th JNAF AF Unit

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

Here is the Intel screen.

[witpqs]

1943 August 14

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Truk

Our air attacks into China continued. and a P-47 sweep over Tsuyung netted 5 Oscars.

The 1st USMC, being carried by xAP ships, has not completely unloaded so the convoy will see the brutality of the Truk CD guns for a second day. A DD, PG, and xAP were lost today with several other ships holed and/or fired. This, as before, in spite of two naval bombardments. Once fully ashore the division will need rest anyway, having been embarked so long on less than ideal ships while waiting for its turn.

CV Stewart Island has just passed Palmyra; next refueling stop: Nauru.

Here is the force ordered to attack the 2 units one hex west of Lashio.

[witpqs]

1943 August 15

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Truk

Our attack in Burma went swimmingly, with the concentration of force (hopefully) inflicting maximum casualties on the Imperial interlopers.

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

Ground combat at 61,46 (near Lashio)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44341 troops, 632 guns, 705 vehicles, Assault Value = 1369

Defending force 5013 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 164

Allied adjusted assault: 901

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 69 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3378 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (13 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
468 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (3 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
1st Army Tank Regiment
1st Garrison Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
754th Tank Battalion
7th Australian Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
9th Australian Division
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
III./143rd Infantry Battalion

There are still more support squads to come ashore for the 1st USMC Div, but it looks like all of the combat elements are ashore (casualties from CD guns excepted).

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

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13026 troops, 197 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 357

Defending force 26683 troops, 404 guns, 620 vehicles, Assault Value = 1012

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF
48th Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
30th Infantry Rgt /1
Guards Mixed Brigade
41st Infantry Rgt /2
11th Air Fleet
5th JNAF Coy
4th Base Force
24th Air Flotilla
4th Port Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
Truk Naval Fortress
10th JNAF AF Unit

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


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

The troops are all in good shape, but we will land more support and supply tomorrow. the day after that we will attack.

Here is the Burma-China border. Four more hexes to clear...

[witpqs]

1943 August 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Truk

A group of stragglers in the mountains of China was routed yet again and with heavy casualties.

This is awfully close to the Allied fleet at Truk for an AV to be operating without carriers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Woleai at 103,100

Japanese Ships
AV Kiyokawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Cabrilla

SS Cabrilla launches 6 torpedoes


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

The KB seen looping around Koepang should not be able to be in that area. Still, DAW HQ has seen the fleet carriers covering Hollandia and so presumably realize that there are only CVE near Truk at this time. They could be trying to get a fast surface combat TF in with the AV scouting for them. So, the fleet at Truk will pull back part way toward Kavieng and take that opportunity to meet up with oilers. The fleet carriers will see another oiler convoy arrive at their location tomorrow (they drained one already) and fuel while some additional supply is unloaded at Hollandia.

Meanwhile, the invasion force at Truk is all in single digits for fatigue and disruption and has plenty of supply. They will deliberate attack tomorrow. A single-CA TF will bombard and aerial bombings will intensify. Three xAP were lost at Truk today and another will be overnight, but all the troops are ashore and the convoy is pulling up anchor and heading to Kavieng.

CV Essex' repairs were completed at Pearl Harbor and she will head straight to the front. Perhaps this time her duty there will last longer!

Another shot of the Burma-China border, showing the one hex of progress. Just SE of Lashio we will perform a recon bombardment tomorrow.

[witpqs]

1943 August 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Empire made a recon bombardment of Chungking. They have less combat power there than I figured. Should we shock attack to try and devastate those units? Deliberate attack? Our forces are badly over stacked now, so supply is meager. On top of that we have many units with morale of 40 and experience of 40 as they have reconstituted in Chungking after being destroyed in the field. The Imperial units are not much of a catch, and we will probable do more damage on defense if/when Imperial forces do attack. So we won't.

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

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 360 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 455

Defending force 197173 troops, 489 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5570

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

Assaulting units:
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Mobile Infantry Regiment
13th/C Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
129th Red Chinese Division
89th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese
43rd Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
44th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
8th Prov Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
88th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
33rd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
20th Artillery Regiment
36th Group Army
3rd Group Army
12th Group Army
Central Reserve
CAF HQ
2nd War Area
8th Group Army
30th Group Army
7th Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
3rd Construction Regiment
24th Group Army
37th Group Army
49th AA Regiment
8th Construction Regiment
38th Group Army
7th Construction Regiment
10th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
13th Group Army
31st Group Army
China Command
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
1st War Area
34th Group Army
25th Group Army
7th Artillery Regiment
12th Chinese Base Force
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
Red Chinese Army
17th Group Army
19th Chinese Base Force


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

The enemy forces SW of Lashio are trivial so the 19th Indian Division will attack tomorrow. Armored forces

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

Ground combat at 61,47 (near Lashio)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10179 troops, 246 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 343

Defending force 1579 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Assaulting units:
19th Indian Division

Defending units:
49th JNAF AF Unit
33rd JAAF AF Coy

The Empire is committed to keeping the Burma road closed, as evidenced by this large air strike on the ground units bearing down on Lashio.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Australian Division, at 61,46 , near Lashio

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 25
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 5 damaged

No Allied losses

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

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

CAP engaged:
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 22000
Raid is overhead



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

Our attack at Truk went well, even though the defense was stoutly adjusted upward in final AV. The number of disabled squads should greatly reduce the defense for the next attack. The troops will get at least two days rest before that attack, as disruption in the infantry divisions is 21 and 31. We will aim for single numbers again. Meanwhile, bombings and bombardments will continue.

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

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26562 troops, 404 guns, 554 vehicles, Assault Value = 1028

Defending force 17079 troops, 223 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Allied adjusted assault: 1426

Japanese adjusted defense: 892

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1437 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 130 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 32 (2 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
562 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 43 (16 destroyed, 27 disabled)

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

Defending units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
30th Infantry Rgt /1
48th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
46th Naval Guard Unit
41st Infantry Rgt /2
24th Air Flotilla
5th JNAF Coy
Truk Naval Fortress
15th Naval Construction Battalion
4th Base Force
4th Port Unit


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

BB Alabama has arrived at Balboa and is on the way to the front. No sign of any IJN forces positioning to intervene at Truk.

[witpqs]

1943 August 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our attack SW of Lashio went as expected insofar as results, but there was an unexpected twist.

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

Ground combat at 61,47 (near Lashio)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10194 troops, 246 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 343

Defending force 1595 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Allied adjusted assault: 41

Japanese adjusted defense: 10

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
340 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 7 (6 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
19th Indian Division

Defending units:
49th JNAF AF Unit
33rd JAAF AF Coy

Even though only one unit attacked there were both a plus and a minus for leaders, presumably the HQ one hex away being one of them. But the supply minus is both a surprise and a concern. The division seemed to have plenty of supply and seems to now, after combat (although resupply comes after combat and could mask a problem). Hopefully we will have enough supply in the Lashio corridor to push out the Imperials.

We lost 15 B-24D1 A2A today, most or all of them over Biak to Imperial George fighters.

Our forces at Truk have recovered much more quickly than anticipated, and instead of resting one more day they will attack tomorrow.

It looks like about a week before Enterprise makes Pearl Harbor so she can begin repairs. CV Stewart Island will refuel at Nauru tomorrow and move on to join the other fleet carriers. Essex is about a week behind her.

Here are our troops at Truk, on the eve of another battle.

[princep01]

Well, a 2-1 w/no forts will give you Truk.  If those Allied troops on Truk were under my command, I'd spend less time between assaults.  He is tottering at the brink, but holding on to the base because you are not sustaining the attack.  I'd give him a deliberate and follow it immediately with a shock attack.  I would be very surprised if he were able to survive that.  I don't think he would.  You have the numbers and firepower and he has many disabled squads that should come back slower than yours.  Yours is a safe way of achieving the same end, but I go for the bold stroke and take the base.  That should quell the coastal gun menace completely, give you the base and harbor and hasten the end of his force on the island.

[witpqs]

Well the last shock attack was quite unsatisfying. I'm trying to not really wreck any of the divisions at this stage. Maybe that's part of the price for sending so many divisions to Burma - 2x USA IDs, 1x USMC (loading at Calcutta now), and 3x Australian. I want to get on to the next set of invasions with enough force intact to take Saipan, Guam, and the rest. I even plan to pull the last division out of Pearl Harbor in about a week when I have enough PP accumulated. They are almost 80% prepped for Saipan and will be able to rotate in there as needed.

Getting off on a tangent I know, but trying to explain why I am being a little gentle on the infantry. This next attack might do it. If it doesn't, I'm leery of shock attacking right after. For one thing, the two divisions were both high disruption after the last deliberate attack. Sending them into an extra round of heavy weapons (arty, etc.) fire in that condition seems like a bad idea when the following deliberate attack should do the trick.

[witpqs]

1943 August 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Bassein

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Empire is trying hard to reduce the main defensive point in the mountains of China. The 1 to 1 is alarming, but the casualties are comforting. The Allied relief column must hurry!

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

Ground combat at 70,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19868 troops, 132 guns, 536 vehicles, Assault Value = 796

Defending force 99702 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1909

Japanese adjusted assault: 304

Allied adjusted defense: 235

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3402 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 298 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 31 (1 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 75 (3 destroyed, 72 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1527 casualties reported
Squads: 218 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
17th Tank Regiment
22nd/B Division
9th Tank Regiment
36th/B Division
5th Tank Regiment
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Tank Regiment
104th/C Division

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


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

Speaking of which, the first units arrived at Lashio today and will recon/bombard, with two divisions arriving tomorrow and the main attack going in the day after. A third division will arrive in about three days if attacks need to be strengthened. A fourth division (the Australian 6th) is one hex west of Lashio to move up when needed.

Bassein is ours, and in grand style.

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

Ground combat at Bassein (54,52)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 20196 troops, 118 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 806

Defending force 4068 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 118

Allied adjusted assault: 859

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 859 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Bassein !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
5451 casualties reported
Squads: 149 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 159 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (35 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
16th LRP Brigade
14th LRP Brigade
45th Indian Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
72nd British Brigade
23rd LRP Brigade
III Indian Corps

Defending units:
17th Infantry Regiment

I assume that the op mode minus for the defending unit signaled their intention to start move out just ahead of the assault, which fortunately arrived before they did so.

At Truk the Allied radio network failed due to atmospheric conditions. Semaphore was too slow to order the attack today, so it will go in tomorrow. It's a shame too because the only old BB remaining in the theater bombarded over night.

Over Biak our P-38 sweep was defeated between 3/2 and 2/1 counting ops losses. Imperial heavy cruisers are seen at Ambon, not sure what to make of that if anything. None of our carriers have been sighted in two or three days.

Here is a look at Burma. There are a lot of units in Rangoon but not sure what their strength is.

[witpqs]

1943 August 20

The Empire captured:
Kienko

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Hansa Bay

Kienko fell to the dark forces.

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

Ground combat at Kienko (78,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39446 troops, 298 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 1257

Defending force 61860 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1330

Japanese adjusted assault: 1191

Allied adjusted defense: 209

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kienko !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
4998 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 295 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
55056 casualties reported
Squads: 2541 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3572 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 106 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 166 (166 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 15

Assaulting units:
35th/A Division
34th/A Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
15th RGC Temp. Division
104th/A Division
12th RGC Temp. Division
32nd/C Division
102nd Infantry Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th/C Division

Defending units:
77th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
Jingcha War Area
10th Chinese Base Force
15th Group Army
83rd Chinese Corps
4th Group Army
14th Group Army
33rd Group Army
15th Chinese Base Force


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

Lashio has a stout defensive corps in place. The first attack will be tomorrow, with strong air support. Our troops are also taking strikes from IJA bombers with strong Tojo escorts, so this will be no pushover. The forces in place now will rotate out as needed.

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

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13098 troops, 156 guns, 137 vehicles, Assault Value = 1116

Defending force 25176 troops, 169 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 716

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

Assaulting units:
26th Indian Brigade
1st Garrison Brigade
7th Australian Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
9th Australian Division
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
64th Inf Group Brigade
Tanaka
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
21st/A Division
49th JNAF AF Unit
33rd JAAF AF Coy

Progress at Truk. The troops will rest for either one or two days, one if possible.

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

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26330 troops, 402 guns, 552 vehicles, Assault Value = 1001

Defending force 17442 troops, 229 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 353

Allied adjusted assault: 1578

Japanese adjusted defense: 901

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
874 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 26 (5 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
532 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 121 (22 destroyed, 99 disabled)

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

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
30th Infantry Rgt /1
46th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
41st Infantry Rgt /2
Truk Naval Fortress
15th Naval Construction Battalion
5th JNAF Coy
4th Base Force
4th Port Unit


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

Here are the forces at Truk.

[witpqs]

1943 August 21

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Hansa Bay

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Ground combat at Lashio went as well as expected, with only a 1 to 2 odds result. I expected about that but feared worse!

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

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39457 troops, 570 guns, 313 vehicles, Assault Value = 1118

Defending force 25024 troops, 169 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 714

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 1128

Japanese adjusted defense: 2062

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
589 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2452 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 238 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 43 (2 destroyed, 41 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Australian Division
26th Indian Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
1st Garrison Brigade
9th Australian Division
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
113th Infantry Regiment
64th Inf Group Brigade
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
Tanaka
21st/A Division
49th JNAF AF Unit
33rd JAAF AF Coy

Tomorrow a fresh division will arrive, but the existing troops probably need more than 1 day of rest. We will see, depending on their status tomorrow. An arty unit arrived today. The fatigue modifier for the defenders was a small good sign. Our fighters did catch the marauding Helens without escort but only took down 5 of them and they still made their bombing runs.

The troops at Truk are down to about 10 disruption and will attack tomorrow. They will be doing it without the benefit of naval bombardment because everyone is too far away. One of our fleet carrier TFs was spotted near Hollandia.

Here is the Intel screen. VP deficit is up with the fall of so many Chinese last redoubts. And more to come, of course.

[witpqs]

1943 August 22

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The units at Lashio need another day before attacking again, so they will attack in 2 days instead of tomorrow. In three days another Australian division will arrive to relieve whatever units need it then, and so will an armoured Rgt and a motorized Rgt. The fresh Indian division arrived today. Southeast Asia HQ has been in range at Ledo since combat began at Lashio and 60% prepped. I've been doing a lot of rearranging of fighter coverage over Burma. There is a very strong LRCAP from several units over Lashio, including two P-47 groups and a Corsair unit.

P-38s are ordered to join the other P-47 group sweeping Tsuyung to strip the Imperial LRCAP (the P-47 group has not flown in a few days). No Allied bombers are hitting the enemy unit at Tsuyung as they have diverted to targets at Lashio, but fighter resistance to strikes at Tsuyung has been strong.

At Truk the Auckland (Mtd) Rifl Regiment threw itself on the enemy swords today. The attack went well, with more casualties on their side than ours, signaling a turning point. A minimum of 1 day of rest for our troops, and it's borderline whether that will be enough. This battle was especially tough on tanks, although the Shermans continue to hold up better than the light tanks. A couple of single-CA bombardments overnight will supplement the bombing to keep the defenders suppressed. A single-BB group and a 3x CA group will be available for the following day's attack.

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

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25967 troops, 400 guns, 544 vehicles, Assault Value = 928

Defending force 18350 troops, 227 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

Allied adjusted assault: 1324

Japanese adjusted defense: 814

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1005 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 20 (3 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
645 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 11 (5 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 129 (104 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Defending units:
30th Infantry Regiment
48th Naval Guard Unit
Guards Mixed Brigade
Sasebo 5th SNLF
46th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
41st Infantry Rgt /2
5th JNAF Coy
4th Base Force
Truk Naval Fortress
4th Port Unit

Our carriers are sighted 1 hex NE of Sarmi. Heavy volume of radio transmissions detected at both Guam and Babeldaob, radio transmissions detected at Ambon and Almagan. We've got lots of troops and supplies unloading at and on their way to the northern coast of New Guinea.

Here is an overview map.

[princep01]

Am I mistaken or is he flying in infantry reinforcements at Truk?  The 30th Reg went from a 30/1 to 30th Inf Reg over the last 2 turns.  If he is flying them in, I'm sure you know how to stop them.  Are they coming in on APDs (doubtful with your armada there) or a host of subs?  Or, maybe I'm imagining things, but getting that base will stop any of that nonsense and remove almost all his supply.  Push hard Admiral.  They can rest when they're dead. 

[witpqs]

Comparing those last two combat reports you are probably right. I have the fleet carriers over by Sarmi and the escort carriers, et al are back three hexes (south of Truk) both to dodge subs and to befuddle any surface or carrier raid he sends their way.

Definitely no surface craft have gotten near Truk. I'm also pretty sure no sub transport has since it was invaded. He was bringing guys back there from Rabaul by sub and air, which was fine with me because the troops got split from their heavy support.

I'm giving them a day even though I would prefer two. He can't fly in heavy equipment so I don't think it will make a big difference. If I had not been rotating divisions then maybe a different story. BTW the two divisions that have rotated out are still 100% prepped for Truk just in case they need to go back on the field. Any troops he sends to Truk won't be in the Marianas, so it can't be all bad.

Iwo Jima airfield went to level 2 this past turn so I think the Marianas and nearby has all been prioritized since the invasion of Truk.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Am I mistaken or is he flying in infantry reinforcements at Truk?  The 30th Reg went from a 30/1 to 30th Inf Reg over the last 2 turns.  If he is flying them in, I'm sure you know how to stop them.  Are they coming in on APDs (doubtful with your armada there) or a host of subs?  Or, maybe I'm imagining things, but getting that base will stop any of that nonsense and remove almost all his supply.  Push hard Admiral.  They can rest when they're dead. 

+1

[witpqs]

1943 August 23

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


We attack tomorrow at Lashio. I would like to give those troops another day but we have mode units arriving the day after that can take up the slack and stacking limits will prevent having too many on the front line together.

The troops at Truk are just too high in disruption, so tonight will be another cruiser bombardment but no attack tomorrow. The battleship bombardment along with whatever cruisers are available bombarding will come the following day. The CVE fleet will take up station at Truk, the first time they have done so and perhaps then unexpected (by submarines or inbound raiders). Let's see if that move bags any air transports.

Many ship movement items tomorrow. Enterprise arrives at Pearl harbor, and New Mexico at San Francisco. CV Stewart Island will rendezvous with the fleet CVs off of Hollandia. Essex will refuel at Nauru and move forward.

Here is a look at the situation in Burma and the desperate situation in the mountains of China.

[Quixote]

I've been waiting what seems like weeks to congratulate you on taking Truk, but can't do it yet. (With a few days off from work, I've had the time to check the AARs I follow every 4 minutes or so. In spectator years, this can make it seem like you've been attacking Truk for the past 8 months[:'(])

Yes, your opponent is flying in small reserves (Pricep and Joc are right), but I don't think you have to worry much about this.

Humble suggestion:
No naval bombardments (at all) for four straight turns.
Rest your troops for 4 straight turns.
Keep hitting the airfield to destroy supply and prevent a return to fort level 1.
On the day before you attack, have one of your LCUs bombard, preferably an artillery unit, but at least one unit.
Attack day - Naval bombardment, one TF only, the best one that you have (think BBs). Ground bombing, whatever you can send in. Shock attack.

Rationale:

Naval bombardments don't achieve nearly the same results when done turn after turn as when done sporadically. If you want high disruption before an attack, let the enemy troops get comfortable with no bombardments for several turns, then hit them.

The pre-attack artillery bombardment will raise the supply requirements of his units for the following turn. If he's short on supply, this will help your attack. In your case at Truk, I doubt this will have any effect at all, but it doesn't cost you anything to try.

Ground bombing - same as artillery bombardment above, plus the ability to cause real disruption to LCUs with no fort levels.

Shock attack - He has no forts. You have tanks. Just take your lumps and get it over with...

[witpqs]

1943 August 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Nadzab

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The attack at Lashio went in with results roughly comparable to the first assault. Our forces are now about 150% of stacking limit and that will increase when the third Australian division arrives tomorrow, plus the 2x tank units. The troops in place now need probably 3 days off, with one division having 72% disruption. Supplies are being poured into Burma as fast as possible to sustain the offensive. I will order the attack in less than 3 days if possible.

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

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44538 troops, 777 guns, 405 vehicles, Assault Value = 1392

Defending force 24379 troops, 164 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 674

Allied adjusted assault: 959

Japanese adjusted defense: 3313

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
908 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2057 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 129 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 45 (12 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (3 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
26th Indian Brigade
19th Indian Division
7th Australian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
1st Garrison Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
9th Australian Division
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
3rd (Special Force) Division

Defending units:
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
Tanaka
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
64th Inf Group Brigade
21st/A Division
49th JNAF AF Unit

At Darwin the skies were alive with numerous Betty raids against the surface force there. What were clearly fine pilots pressed home several attacks but scored no hits for 27x A2A losses, 2x flak losses, and a reported 1x ops loss; 30 in total. There were no escorts. I am presuming that the range of the attacking groups was increased to support at sea operations in the Pacific rather than near Darwin, and that the attacks there were not desired by DAW HQ. Range equivalent to the distance from Ambon to Darwin would show the strike groups (out of Ambon) ranging as far as 2 hexes NW of Sarmi.

I mistakenly told a minesweeping TF to accompany the CVE fleet to Truk and all 4x DMS were sunk. Doh! They did, however, eliminate the last known mine fields. Also in return for their loss our ASW practitioners declared sinking 4x SSX at Truk.

Enterprise would take 87 days to repair at Pearl Harbor so she is instead moving on to San Francisco. Even if repairs take as long, Pearl Harbor will continue to be busy repairing heavy cruisers and smaller ships in the near future.

Here are today's air losses. Notice the flying boat transports!

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Quixote

I've been waiting what seems like weeks to congratulate you on taking Truk, but can't do it yet. (With a few days off from work, I've had the time to check the AARs I follow every 4 minutes or so. In spectator years, this can make it seem like you've been attacking Truk for the past 8 months[:'(])

Yes, your opponent is flying in small reserves (Pricep and Joc are right), but I don't think you have to worry much about this.

Humble suggestion:
No naval bombardments (at all) for four straight turns.
Rest your troops for 4 straight turns.
Keep hitting the airfield to destroy supply and prevent a return to fort level 1.
On the day before you attack, have one of your LCUs bombard, preferably an artillery unit, but at least one unit.
Attack day - Naval bombardment, one TF only, the best one that you have (think BBs). Ground bombing, whatever you can send in. Shock attack.

Rationale:

Naval bombardments don't achieve nearly the same results when done turn after turn as when done sporadically. If you want high disruption before an attack, let the enemy troops get comfortable with no bombardments for several turns, then hit them.

The pre-attack artillery bombardment will raise the supply requirements of his units for the following turn. If he's short on supply, this will help your attack. In your case at Truk, I doubt this will have any effect at all, but it doesn't cost you anything to try.

Ground bombing - same as artillery bombardment above, plus the ability to cause real disruption to LCUs with no fort levels.

Shock attack - He has no forts. You have tanks. Just take your lumps and get it over with...

Interesting thoughts, some of which are directly opposed to others' advice. That's one thing that makes this game so interesting!!

Some things in no particular order:
- The naval bombardments are keeping the base damaged to prevent fort building while the bombers concentrate on the troops.
- I am really skeptical about the idea that letting enemy troops recover and then hitting them will result in more disruption. If it allowed my planes, etc. to recover, then I agree, but if I stand down my 4EB they will begin doing maintenance on the air frame fatigue. That will move the groups from ~60% readiness to 10 or 20% readiness, giving me fewer planes to strike on the critical ground attack turn.
- My intention of keeping up aerial and naval bombardments between ground attacks is to keep the defenders from recovering disruption while my guys do recover.
- I'm trying to be careful about shock attacks. The shock attack at Truk went poorly. If I smash my own two divisions without seizing the base then Truk might take longer still.
- In probably 2 days I will have 3x AK on site to land more supplies. they will probably be savaged by the CD guns, but they should land a decent amount.
- The tank units on Truk are the only one prepped for Truk. Two of them have evaporated so far. Got to keep the others capable of attacking.
- If the attack just ordered does not go well enough, I might go with the 4 days of rest (or at least until single digits on both disruption and fatigue for all combat units).
-I neglected to bring any arty units. [:(] I am concerned that if I bombard my own units' supply req. will rise!
- I would have to look, but I think Truk has been invested for close to 3 weeks now!
- I only have one (old) BB available. I am keeping the fast BBs for surface combat for now (they are with the fleet carriers).
- Because they have been coming in from different directions, the CA TFs bombarding have been starting from different places or were at different points of the way back from Kavieng (rearming). I will consolidate them if I have a break. I do prefer to keep the BBs and CAs separate for bombardments. I'm not sure about this but I think the main gun range on the ships being coordinated makes a difference.

Keep your fingers crossed for this turn!

[witpqs]

OK, got some more time, was rushed earlier.

Here are the units at Truk. All are 100% prepped.