[font="Times New Roman"]19 - 20 May 1945[/font]
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SUBS: [/font] The whole lot of Allied subs are still hanging around Moppo. It'll be tough to break through those if I ever want to bombard the place. I'm sure it's mined to the gills too. I have a few ideas to try to get to a few of the subs at least.
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KOREA: [/font] The Allied tanks attack!!! Amazing that without knowing our strength here and the day after getting plastered by our 2E flying from Honshu the collection of armored units give it a go, losing 27 tanks and 343 disabled. That's after losing another 25+ destroyed and 300+ tanks disabled on the 19th to the bombings. It likely would have been worse for them though if about half of our units weren't coming out of rail cars and unpacking equipment. Still I'll take it. The forts didn't budge and any losses to tanks are great. Only a few of the arty units had walked in though. About 15 more arrive tomorrow.
So it looks agin like the Allies are a bit impatient, indifferent to losses, or simply have developed such faith in late war equipment that they'll try virtually anything. This makes them dangerous, but as seen with the invasion of Moppo, it can also lead to opportunities. Whichever the reason it is an opportunity, and I have to really work to try to take advantage of this attitude. Several plans are developing to do so. First is the scurry to get units in place in Korea. Not only will I send all free troops here, but I'll also strip other areas of some shore defenses and try to prevent a landing behind the current lines that are developing. The smart move would be to draw everything forward, then land behind it again.
So several of the clear hexes North of Keijo will get base forces with CD guns, and a number of brigades and other smaller units will be flown and shipped over as reserve and garrison for coastal protection. I'll have to ship a bit of supply in as well, since some bases here have little fortification, and in the clear that's trouble. Most are already building up past level 1 now. Some do have 4-6 forts, but mostly those in good terrain. Another division landed safely at Fusan and two more are in transit.
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STRAT BOMBING:[/font] Well, just about when the mines are getting cleared at Fukuoka 258 B-29s lay another crop at Fusan. I have one AMc which will begin work right away, another couple on the way to Fusan, and I'm now converting all of the rest to the ships that can convert to AMc. Should be another 15 or so before we run out altogether. Does anyone know how many a month the Allies get at this stage?
This is getting tedious, but I can't complain too much. A big B-29 drop usually results in 3-5 sinkings of AMc. I've not lost any other ships though, which probably means the AMc get a good channel going and keep the DL up on the fields as they clear. This is key as the port at Fusan needs to be used, and I can count on using it without too much fear after a few days of clearing.
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HOME ISLANDS: [/font] I've made the decision that if the Allies want the war decided in Korea, I'm game. We'll send everything. Fly everything. get the navy and see if we can't knock a few holes in the quickly in creasing runway at Moppo. One thing about building em big is that they're harder to fix quickly too. If I can close it he'll need to bring the Navy. The KB will be ready. It needs another 3-4 days to fill out completely. It won't be all experts this time though. At least 1/3 of the pilots are going to be rookies, but a core of golden boys will still lead the charge. There can't be too many more of these battles left for the IJN, so I've got to make them count. The LBA will hopefully be the blunting tool that will let the KB have an effect.
All stricken groups fro the last strikes rate healing up, but a good number, maybe 1,000 planes in all, weren't even involved, and are ready to go.
Another bunch of mines removed from Fukuoka. All told in these two turns it looks to be 297 removed plus the first 80 scooped up from Fusan harbor.
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CHINA: [/font] The strategy here is taking on a global relevance. I will try to give the Allies what they want. A target.
The main IJA army will move West from Kahnsien. This looks dangerous, and it is. It is still in range of the air forces, instead of moving North out of range. Also, the tanks that rushed ahead are still out there. About 1000AV of them. I'll move on the road toward Pingsiang, which was taken by the Allies. I'll try though to send in 4 divisions from Changsha to get to that base. They may have flown in a big force there, and I'll have to recon to see, but Jocke might also be wary after the last force was obliterated by the main army after doing just that. I should still be able to hold long enough to get the Allied army to either move in behind or to get a battle against only the armor. See map below.
The goal though is not about China, it's about keeping the Allied air force out of Korea. If they continue to get big gains here, hopefully he'll keep them here. So far only a small portion of the 4E have been used in Korea. I'm not keen to see 600 a day there. So far 'it's working!' Meaning the troops are getting pummeled. Fingers crossed. [;)]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 19, 45
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TF 303 encounters mine field at Fukuoka (103,57)
Japanese Ships
AMc Seikai Maru
AMc Wa 3
74 mines cleared
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Night Air attack on Fusan , at 103,55
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 18
B-29-25 Superfort x 51
B-29B Superfort x 26
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-29-25 Superfort laying Mk 13 Mine from 9000 feet
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TF 303 encounters mine field at Fukuoka (103,57)
Japanese Ships
AMc Seikai Maru
AMc Wa 3
69 mines cleared
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Morning Air attack on Chinhae , at 103,54
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 41
J2M5 Jack x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 18
Ki-84r Frank x 69
Ki-100-I Tony x 28
Ki-102b Randy x 13
Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 31
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 5 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Chinhae , at 103,54
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 32
J2M5 Jack x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 17
Ki-84r Frank x 60
Ki-100-I Tony x 24
Ki-102b Randy x 9
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 5 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 4 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 32000 feet
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Morning Air attack on Chinhae , at 103,54
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 30
J2M5 Jack x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 11
Ki-84r Frank x 50
Ki-100-I Tony x 24
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 3 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Chinhae , at 103,54
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 17
J2M5 Jack x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 8
Ki-84r Frank x 42
Ki-100-I Tony x 16
Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 2 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on 710th Tank Battalion, at 101,54 , near Moppo
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 14
P1Y2 Frances x 60
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 82
Ki-100-I Tony x 36
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 56 (3 destroyed, 53 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x P1Y2 Frances bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 762nd Tank Battalion, at 101,54 , near Moppo
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 114
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 29
Ki-100-I Tony x 74
Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 95 (2 destroyed, 93 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
29 x P1Y2 Frances bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 101,54 , near Moppo
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 36
Ki-67-Ib Peggy x 11
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 109
Ki-84a Frank x 10
Ki-100-I Tony x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 5 damaged
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 114 (14 destroyed, 100 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 766th Tank Battalion, at 101,54 , near Moppo
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ib Peggy x 16
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 33
Ki-84a Frank x 30
Ki-100-I Tony x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 38 (5 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-67-Ib Peggy bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 250 kg GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 110th Division, at 81,57 (Kanhsien)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.VI x 3
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 15
B-24J Liberator x 82
B-25D1 Mitchell x 21
B-25G Mitchell x 3
P-38L Lightning x 18
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6
PBJ-1D Mitchell x 13
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.VI: 1 destroyed by flak
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 38 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 8 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 3 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
PBJ-1D Mitchell: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
1242 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 95 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x PBJ-1D Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 34th Army, at 103,54 (Chinhae)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 8
J2M5 Jack x 28
Ki-84a Frank x 5
Ki-84r Frank x 32
Ki-100-I Tony x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 41
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 34th Army, at 103,54 (Chinhae)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 8
J2M5 Jack x 28
Ki-84a Frank x 4
Ki-84r Frank x 21
Ki-100-I Tony x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 20, 45
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TF 11 encounters mine field at Fusan (103,55)
Japanese Ships
AMc Shonon Maru #11
40 mines cleared
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TF 303 encounters mine field at Fukuoka (103,57)
Japanese Ships
AMc Seikai Maru
AMc Wa 3
65 mines cleared
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TF 303 encounters mine field at Fukuoka (103,57)
Japanese Ships
AMc Seikai Maru
2 mines cleared
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TF 11 encounters mine field at Fusan (103,55)
Japanese Ships
AMc Shonon Maru #11
40 mines cleared
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TF 303 encounters mine field at Fukuoka (103,57)
Japanese Ships
AMc Seikai Maru
AMc Wa 3
31 mines cleared
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TF 303 encounters mine field at Fukuoka (103,57)
Japanese Ships
AMc Seikai Maru
AMc Wa 3
6 mines cleared
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Morning Air attack on 69th Division, at 81,57 (Kanhsien)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 9
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 86
B-25G Mitchell x 10
PBJ-1D Mitchell x 12
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 30 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 3 damaged
PBJ-1D Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
1371 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 279 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 102 (14 destroyed, 88 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (6 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PBJ-1D Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 11th Division, at 102,54 (Masan)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 22
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 18
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Ground combat at Masan (102,54)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13143 troops, 64 guns, 2066 vehicles, Assault Value = 1450
Defending force 108190 troops, 1165 guns, 209 vehicles, Assault Value = 3782
Allied adjusted assault: 214
Japanese adjusted defense: 3713
Allied assault odds: 1 to 17 (fort level 4)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1585 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 47 (16 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 370 (27 destroyed, 343 disabled)
Assaulting units:
706th Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
767th Tank Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
716th Tank Battalion
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st USMC Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
710th Tank Battalion
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
711th Tank Battalion
713th Flame Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
Defending units:
120th Division
14th Division
57th Division
19th Division
160th Division
140th Infantry Regiment
150th Division
112th Division
30th Infantry Regiment
123rd Division
11th Division
77th Infantry Regiment
96th Division
111th Division
Yosu Fortress
121st Division
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
26th Field Artillery Regiment
29th RF Gun Battalion
76th JAAF AF Bn
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Reinforcements:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]87th Sentai arrives at Chinhae
801 Ku U-1 arrives at Kagoshima
1021 Ku U-2 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
2nd Hikotai IMAF arrives at Fusan
114th Shinbu-tai arrives at Changchun
E No.87 arrives at Tokyo
ML G-625 arrives at Hiroshima/Kure[/font]
Losses: none.
Ships Sunk:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of DD De Haven II incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Moray incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
TK Dannedaike is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on Oct 08, 1944[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Even though this is a risk in China, it'll take a while to get to this large army to wear it down. The 3k AV next to Kahnsien won't be able to break though, even with the addition of the armor, should they link up. The forces taking HK will have to get involved. That is a long way off, so maybe this can draw out to keep some of the focus here while the real battles rage in Korea. [/font]
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
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