Zuluhour vs Zigurat666: 1943

[zuluhour]

January 3, 1943
 
China: I have been out maneuvered. A Chinese Army, taking heavy casualties from the air is surrounded and absorbing tremendous punishment 50mi NW of Chihkiang. The army stands on its last legs. IJAF recon searches out our positions to the north and northwest. The western or right flank of the Yangtze is stabilized. The IJA continues to push on Sian in the north and have entered a Himalayan town further to the northwest.
 
Burma: Two naval bombardments have hit Akyab since the recapture of Midway. There is no movement detected on the ground.
 
SwPac: Gen MacArthur along with MGEN Kenney have moved their HQs to the New Guinea sector. The 27th division has arrived as well. The Americal is five days away and armor and artillery right behind them. 
 
SoPac: I continue to sneak in personnel to Ndeni and Luganville.
 
United States: In the next three weeks the pulse of US industry will finally be felt in the Pacific.  

[zuluhour]

January 5, 1943

China: The humiliation is almost complete:

Ground combat at 77,49 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 102059 troops, 841 guns, 402 vehicles, Assault Value = 2104

Defending force 19169 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 133

Japanese adjusted assault: 1735

Allied adjusted defense: 17 


Japanese ground losses:
     453 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
     Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
     10864 casualties reported
        Squads: 143 destroyed, 87 disabled
        Non Combat: 788 destroyed, 6 disabled
        Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
     Guns lost 56 (56 destroyed, 0 disabled)
     Units destroyed 4

Solomon Islands: Recon from Ndeni reveals empty IJAF AF at Shortland Island. It's a level 6. What is he up to? Paul also flies recon over Ndeni.

[zuluhour]

January 6, 1942

China: Death of an army, the last act.

Ground combat at 77,49 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Shock attack

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

Allied ground losses:
     7624 casualties reported
        Squads: 304 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Non Combat: 303 destroyed, 24 disabled
        Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
     Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
     Units destroyed 1

Burma: A squadron of Mitchells is left "on orders" accidently and runs into a buzz saw over Prome. fortunately the rest of the group was stood down. An IJN BB TF is sighted off the tip of Burma. I know where its going. RADM Palliser is ordered to intercept. The Brits will have to move at flank to arrive in time.

SoPac: Only destroyers and patrol craft sighted as yet. They loiter off Tulagi. The Detroit and Lexington will have all system damage cleared in 12 days. The Hornet is entering the south Pacific. RADM Lee "Ching" departs Noumea for Luganville.

 

[zuluhour]

January 7, 1943

China: Death of an army.
Ground combat at 77,49 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 102733 troops, 842 guns, 402 vehicles, Assault Value = 2175

Defending force 5925 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1390 



Japanese ground losses:
     70 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
     6339 casualties reported
        Squads: 233 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Non Combat: 477 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
     Guns lost 23 (23 destroyed, 0 disabled)
     Units destroyed 1

[DOCUP]

I like the new format.  nice ASW work.

[zuluhour]

Thanks Joe.

[font=calibri]December 9, 1943[/font]

[font=calibri]SoPac: Several large IJN task forces are spotted.  They include carrier TFs and large surface TFs.  Their positions are perfect for a counter invasion at Ndeni.  I now have to think he has known about the landing force there for some time and I missed it.  The last recon was only a final check on the defenses. [/font]

[font=calibri]China: The IJA is on the march to the western mountain approaches to Burma and the left flank of Chungking. The bombardments have been brutal again as the Chinese air force is decimated and only two USAF squadrons are operating in theater. Both of the US squadrons protect the road to Kunming. [/font]

[font=calibri]Burma: RADM Palliser patrols the Burma coast from Calcutta to Akyab. Another cruiser detachment is ordered out from Ceylon to bolster his force.[/font]

[font=calibri]December 10, 1943[/font]

[font=calibri]SoPac: The IJN closes on the Santa Cruz Islands. The morning sees IJN naval air raids, although light, and severe shore bombardments led by the Yamato. The two raider battalions are ok in the evening and no IJA icons are visible at Ndeni. Last spotting reports indicate the carriers and other TFs have withdrawn to the 320nm magic line. SBDs escorted by P38s from New Caledonia pierce a light IJN CAP but do very little. Some armor hits and one direct hit on a destroyer. They come am and pm but the results are miserable. The loss in escorting P38s stings; I wish they had gone after the transports.[/font]

[font=calibri]Burma: The IJN has vanished off the tip of Burma except for a light cruiser and a couple of destroyers. RADM Palliser cruises 80nm off Akyab waiting for additional assets.  B17s and B24s hit the IJA in the gut in western China in the foothills approaching Kunming. They report 600+ casualties. It’s rare the Chinese are not on the losing end by the end of the day. I am very grateful thus far that the IJAF has not made Kunming a target. It has been easy to shuttle squadrons in and out through it.[/font]

[font=calibri]NorPac: The 9th PRS confirms IJN activity at Attu. The buildup of Anchorage and Dutch Harbor continue.[/font]

[font=calibri]Orders: [/font]
[font=calibri]United States:I spend some PPs today and transfer the 220th USN BF and 7th Seabees to Pacific command.  I also buy back the 4th Aussie division and the rest of the carrier groups lost at Tabiteuea. It is an expensive day. PPs are around 1600 now. Pompon, Harder, and Scamp are ordered to the Pacific. Five more Seabee outfits are loaded for SoPac.[/font]

[font=calibri]SoPac: RADM Lee “Ching” is ordered to interdict shipping at Ndeni. I want to see the USN in a night engagement. I also feel I have to challenge this attempt to recapture Ndeni. Luganville is stripped of unnecessary squadrons and filled with more DBs. The P38s are much fewer and fatigued, but I hope they fly one more day. Just off shore in the Fiji’s I divert the 2nd USMC Air Wing to Luganville. There is only 150 air support pts there on a level 5 field. They are 880nm from their destination and I order them to go to flank. RADM Scott, flag on the Washington breaks port with Nassau and Altamaha in trail. I want them to take station 120nm due east of Aoba and maybe get a strike in. The 145th Inf load for Luganville. There is only a minimal defense there (80+av). [/font]

Burma: RADM Palliser is under cover of thunderstorms and holds position in case the meager CAT patrol misses the IJN approaching again.





Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8
E13A1 Jake x 5
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 25
SBD-3 Dauntless x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Kongo
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1
CA Kako
BB Ise

[zuluhour]

It gets worse...

[zuluhour]

January 11, 1943

Battle of Ndeni: The "Indy" under RADM Lee survives the action and retires rapidly to the southwest. I had hoped for a night action in pea soup.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 120,143, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
     BB Kongo
     BB Kirishima
     BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
     CA Nachi
     DD Harusame
     DD Hatsushima
     DD Asakaze
     DD Oite
     DD Hokaze, Shell hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     DD Suresushio
     DD Yamanagiri

Allied Ships
     CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 5,  on fire
     CL Perth, Shell hits 1
     DD Meredith
     DD Duncan, Shell hits 3,  heavy fires
     DD Barton, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
     DD Gillespie, Shell hits 1

The DBs do not fair well either....

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
E13A1 Jake x 1
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Ise

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
E13A1 Jake x 1
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1

This is only significant in that it is the first "strategic target" hit during the war.

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 32

No Allied losses

Oil hits 7

The IJN was ready for my little foray and reacts accordingly.....

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,144

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 10
D3A1 Val x 15
D4Y1 Judy x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 14 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, on fire
CL Perth
DD Duncan, heavy fires

I'm glad the day is over!!

[zuluhour]

January 12, 1943
 
The Fall:
 
Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 7986 troops, 118 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 350
 
Defending force 3080 troops, 0 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 83
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 368
 
Allied adjusted defense: 59
 
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ndeni !!!
 
Allied aircraft
      no flights
 
Allied aircraft losses
      OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
 fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      341 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
      Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      3670 casualties reported
         Squads: 104 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 172 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 47 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units destroyed 4
 
Assaulting units:
    85th Nav Gd /1
    33rd Division
    Yokosuka 6th SNLF
    19th Nav Gd /1
    25th Special Base Force /1
 
Defending units:
    1st Marine Raider Battalion
    2nd Marine Raider Battalion
    1st USMC Air Wing Base Force
    19th USN Naval Construction Battalion

[zuluhour]

January 13, 1943

While the Chinese situation for the 26th Army Group disintegrates....The IJN send a small cruiser force to Luganville.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
     CL Tenryu
     CL Yubari
     DD Yugumo
     DD Naganami
     DD Kuroshio
     DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
     SC-632, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
     SC-645, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Yubari
DD Yugumo
DD Naganami
DD Kuroshio
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
PT-74
PT-75
PT-76
PT-77
PT-78
PT-79

The Japanese cruisers wade through the defenses..

Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Yubari
DD Yugumo
DD Naganami
DD Kuroshio
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
PT-151
PT-152
PT-153
PT-154
PT-155
PT-156, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

An American PT boat strikes back! The hit is devastating and leaves the cruiser dead in the water.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Yubari, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yugumo
DD Naganami
DD Kuroshio
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
PT-44, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-45
PT-46
PT-47, Shell hits 1, on fire
PT-48

It aint over yet..A layered defense is best.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 119,149

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 26

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yugumo
CL Yubari, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Yubari dead in the water ...

[zuluhour]

January 14, 1943
 
Small retribution for yesterday. The real story today is losses in China over the past several days, shock attacks, bombardments, and ceaseless aerial attack. But I am going to dwell on this small episode.
 
Morning Air attack on TF, near Santa Maria at 120,148
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      P-39D Airacobra x 17
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 26
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese Ships
      CL Yubari, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
       4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
      12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
 
Yubari dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Kuma class CL
Magazine explodes on CL Yubari

[zuluhour]

January 15, 1943

This is a true knee jerk Zuluhour TWIT high command move. It's about getting some pay back where I can. Corsairs make their appearance.

Morning Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M3a Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
     P-38F Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed
Morning Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M3a Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
     F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

We go 29 and 0 in A2A today. .....booby prize.

[zuluhour]

Bettys penetrate Cairns and cripple some auxiliaries. Not these Bettys!

[zuluhour]

or these...

[zuluhour]

January 16, 1942

The Lexington and Detroit put to sea. They should put 200+nm behind them over night.

[DOCUP]

I like those Bettys.  Nice job in the air.  Slowly but surely sink those cruisers.

[zuluhour]

January 16,1943

SoPac: Bettys come in at 100' at Luganville. The raid is effective for its size.

China: Chinese fighting a rear guard action repel IJA efforts to force their way to Sian. The air action is over Sian as well where the IJAF roughs up Chinese recruits forced to gain experience early.

Paul and I are trying a HR. there is now a 32,ooo'ft ceiling on air missions. Koniu Obvert and Joc may be on to something, we are going to experiment with it.

[zuluhour]

I'm thinking these are veteran pilots..

[zuluhour]

January 17, 1943

Paul and I are now using an altitude CAP of 32,ooo' for all aircraft. I will post sweep results for comment from here on in. Tomorrow I am sending a very small echelon of F4Us over Ndeni at the 32,ooo' ceiling to test the defenses. P38s flying out of Cairns will do likewise over Port Moresby. As I asked to try this new HR, I hope I remembered to set the P38s down to the prescribed altitude. DOH!

China: I will post maps soon. It is looking very dark again. The IJAF flies 217 bomber sorties over Sian. A B17 group is roughed up by a mixed CAP west of Kweiyang trying to break up the large IJA formation there.

[zuluhour]

January 18, 1943

SwPac: The USAF forms a long bomber stream to New Guinea. The results are what I expected and may be gross lack of respect for the supply chain. Numerous AF and base hits on a base already shut down (100/98) and only a little over 100 casualties reported. The weather was bad so I will go back again, but it looks like its time for naval rifles.

China: The Chinese repulse a large assault on the road to Kunming. 6000+ IJA litter the mountain passes. Sian hit again very hard.

Burma: Small bands of RAF squadrons hit IJA outposts to no opposition. RADM Palliser remains hidden in foul weather off the coast.