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

[witpqs]

Could be misdirection. Part of getting to the Marianas as soon as possible was the state of the IJN carrier fleet, it having been battered. A bunch sunk, a bunch more sent to the yards with significant damage. Now I've got two bases in the Marianas plus almost all the USN carriers. I figure that he figures (correctly) that he can't contest the Marianas at this point.

Iwo Jima is beyond much or all LBA help for the Allies, so that land grab might be a different story.

BTW, I didn't mention that the TF almost due (map) north of the IJN carriers is carrying a BDE from Africa. They're now heading for a run along the coast to seek fighter cover.

[witpqs]

1944 January 25

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got two xAK and a TK.

Heavy air attacks on Chungking. 3,020 AV there now.

The IJN carriers are deep in the Bay of Bengal but they came within range of no targets. See the map below. From Intel gained during the replay, apparently there are two TFs at that location. The third TF, near Andaman Island (>100 mi NE of Port Blair), appears to be made up of smaller combatants. One DD there was attacked by Allied FB but no damage resulted to either side. The Bde convoy at sea will put in to Diamond Harbour and wait there until the crisis passes. The convoys just west of Diamond Harbour are empty and waiting to return to Madras.

BC Renown has finished upgrade at Aden and will make for Colombo in company with CVL Unicorn and DD Rocket. Prince of Wales has finally made it to the East Coast US, and is estimated to need 105 days in the shipyard. It's possible that the 2/44 upgrade will change that one way or the other.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan

There is still an Imperial convoy at Iwo Jima. The Saipan invasion lands tomorrow, all except the one division which will follow ASAP from Rota. An IJN sub is on station at Saipan, but considering escorts, two ASW TF, and the many aircraft searching overhead it is hoped that sub will be ineffective.

The two CVE that collided at sea have both now finished repairs at Pearl Harbor and will make their way forward, although it might be safer to send them in opposite directions.

Kalao is at 98% and 99% toward size 1 for port and airfield. Hopefully both with make size 1 tomorrow. Transport subs are standing by with supply, and a Spitfire VIII squadron is standing by to transfer in.

Here is the snapshot of the Bay if Bengal.

[witpqs]

1944 January 26

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Saipan

Our subs got two TK and one xAK.

Heavy bombing of Chungking, with 2,934 AV left there now.

Carrier raids! Three ships have been lost but others have serious damage; one will sink and two more might sink. The troop convoy was not hit and will move to Calcutta this turn. The empty convoys, which were the ones hit, will move into Diamond Harbour tomorrow, where two P47 squadrons will add to the battered CAP.

They got separated from their P-38 escorts!

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diamond Harbour at 48,43

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 9 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33220.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes



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

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan

The invasion of Saipan went in and the hotly contested landing reveals a strong defense. That remaining division will definitely be needed. And so will the replacement destroyers that are already on station! Ships sunk at Saipan this turn include 3x DD, 2x AK, and 1x LST. Many more are damaged, mostly destroyers. They did their job. Ships seriously damaged, meaning any stat in red, include 12x DD, 1x AP, 1x AK, 1x LSD, 1x LST, 1x APA, 1x AKA. A few have serious fires. All troops unloaded but much more supply remains to unload, most of all in the supply only convoys. All unloading has ceased. Transports will unload their supply back at Rota, where a large TF will load the 2nd Marine Division and the balance of capacity of supply. All available LST will be used and the convoy filled out with escorts and APA. That should get the division ashore with very little fuss and then a lot more supply too. The supply only convoys will stand off Saipan and unload the same turn as that remaining division. The first attack will follow, although I am toying with the idea of attacking once before then. Any division trashed would be pulled out to alleviate over stacking, which is already at 80,859/35,000, and the USMC division will add 15,520 to that; 231% now, 275 with the USMC Div. The most damaged ships are heading to Guam, a size 5 port (vs 3 for Rota) that has more than 500 naval support (vs >200 for Rota).

It looks like it's a good thing we were able to upgrade to '44 standard USA and USMC squads before the assault.

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

Ground combat at Saipan (108,93)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21875 troops, 190 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 728

Defending force 66723 troops, 1056 guns, 1306 vehicles, Assault Value = 2182

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
4th Division
49th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
33rd JNAF AF Unit
51st Air Division
Saipan Naval Fortress
5th Base Force
64th Field AA Battalion
63rd Field AA Battalion
18th Army
6th Port Unit
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
115th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
6th Infantry Division
767th Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
25th Infantry Div /9
40th Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry Div /10
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion


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

Kalao has made size 1 port and airfield. Maybe, with all the excitement elsewhere, DAW HQ even missed the event? We'll see. Unfortunately, even with the port completed I am getting a message "unable to unload there due to coastal conditions". Maybe trouble. The Spitfires have transferred in.

Attached is the complete combat report, for those interested.

[witpqs]

Today's ship losses.

[witpqs]

Today's air losses.

[witpqs]

The Bay of Bengal.

[witpqs]

1944 January 27

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs came up empty. Miraculously, no Allied ships sank from prior damage.

An even 2,900 AV at Chungking.

The IJN carriers chose to withdraw, but B-24 attacks showed that this is indeed their main carrier force. Only a little convoy movement will recommence at once, the rest will wait until they are too far to double back quickly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 44,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu
CV Zuikaku

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

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 44,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku

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

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 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 26 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 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 12 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 44,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Soryu

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

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 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 to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 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 14 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 44,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 2000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (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 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



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

The fliers at Bassein even pushed through this attack at Tavoy.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 54,60

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 19

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 18
A-36 Mustang x 17
P-40N5 Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Hokutai Maru
xAK Senyo Maru, Bomb hits 2
xAK Daiya Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
6 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 plane(s) with no ordnance {Ever see this before?!}
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



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Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap

On land, the two USMC artillery units were much over matched by the defending artillery on Saipan and will not bombard again except to support an assault. The 2nd Marine Division is loading now on 59 ships including more than 30 LST. The straggling support elements of the 41st ID will arrive at Rota tomorrow and will follow in a separate convoy. Most of the significantly damaged ships are heading for Truk, where some will repair and others will move on to other facilities.

Here is the overview map.

[castor troy]

during the replay you should see "bomber jettisons ordnance" or the like, that's when you see "x plane(s) with no ordnance" in the combat report. Only works for fighters and fighter bombers.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

during the replay you should see "bomber jettisons ordnance" or the like, that's when you see "x plane(s) with no ordnance" in the combat report. Only works for fighters and fighter bombers.

Sure, but they attacked anyway! Very cool. [8D]

[witpqs]

1944 January 28

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got an xAK.

Damaging air attacks at Chungking, 2,825 AV there now.

A boring day in Burma and IO by comparison to recent events. The IJN carriers are now 5 hexes west of Car Nicobar. Supply convoys are running, and will have time to seek shelter should those carriers reverse course.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap

The 2nd USMC Div and much additional supply will land tomorrow at Saipan. There are 70k supply in the troop convoy, and 72k, 52k, and 6k in three other convoys. We'll see how much gets ashore.

Transports for the Yap and Marcus invasions are being dispatched from Rota to pick up the troops for rendezvous.

Courtesy of the secret underground lair at Kalao, we now have search over most of the Java Sea, as far as Cheribon, and of the Makassar Strait just past Samarinda. So far there is no indication that DAW HQ has discovered the gallants at this outpost. We're just waiting for the next tanker convoy to pass through.

Here is the position of the IJN carriers in the Indian Ocean.

[witpqs]

1944 January 29

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Saipan

Our subs got two xAK and an xAKL.

The usual damaging air attacks on Chungking. 2,785 AV there now.

Just the (our) air attacks in Burma as we upgrade and reposition (more on that later) forces.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap

Our bombardments at Saipan were almost universally ineffective last night, although they must still contribute to disrupting Imperial forces. Tonight all assigned TFs will again bombard, and the the two fast battleship TFs will join in also. Tomorrow the troops attack! Here is the line up.

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Ground combat at Saipan (108,93)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21831 troops, 190 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 723

Defending force 80527 troops, 1257 guns, 1429 vehicles, Assault Value = 2596

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
49th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
148th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
33rd JNAF AF Unit
Saipan Naval Fortress
5th Base Force
18th Army
6th Port Unit
51st Air Division
64th Field AA Battalion
63rd Field AA Battalion
115th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
25th Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
40th Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
6th Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
43rd Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
767th Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion


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

Stacking for our side is at 96,321 out of 35,000. The amphibious tractor Bn will not attack as it is more important that their squads be functional to speed unloading of supply.

No sign of enemy activity against our brave lads on forward Kalao. Meanwhile, naval search from there have spotted a convoy leaving Balikpapan and another at Soerabaja. A convoy of APD will land most of the 503rd Para Rgt at unoccupied Boela tomorrow.

Naval and air bombardment forces continue to reduce the Imperial Garrison at Maloelap so that our three Bn can seize the atoll.

More traffic into Iwo Jima, and that's how one of the IJN xAK was sunk.

Here are today's air losses. It's tough to fly at even 5,000 ft over Saipan.

[witpqs]

Here is the position of the IJN carriers as they continue their withdrawal.

[BBfanboy]

Little results for lots of heavy caliber bombardment is an indicator of high level forts.
Hope your forces include lots of combat engineers! Luck!

[witpqs]

Got the replay earlier, had to go out, and still awaiting the full turn. Fortifications were presumably level 7, because they were 'reduced' to 6! Isn't that the same as Guam? Anyway, we got 3 to 1 odds and seemed to do OK. Need to see the troops to determine if there is another attack right away versus rest.

That IJN carrier TF moving up and duking it out with the fly boys from Colombo is another story.

[witpqs]

Still waiting for the turn, but here is an appetizer. It looks like the IJN carriers pulled up 9 hexes away from Colombo and so could not launch their own raids against TFs there. Our LBA raids did not do any damage.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 31,55

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 35

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 3
Wildcat V x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 2 destroyed
Wildcat V: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 31,55

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 2
Martlet IV x 16
Wildcat V x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak
Martlet IV: 4 destroyed
Wildcat V: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Albacore I bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 33220.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 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
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers

It's anybody's guess what might happen tomorrow. There is ample air support at Colombo, so we can fly in some P-47 groups. A torpedo armed DB group, fresh from upgrading, is just coming on line at Koggala and can add to attacks from Colombo and the carriers (a CVE and CVL) present there. Another group of Corsairs and two groups of torpedo armed DB could be brought in from Madras, or could remain there to sting the KB should it venture north in range of the convoy lanes again.

Will the KB stick around, go north to the convoys again, or withdraw?

[princep01]

Hummmm, I wonder what the purpose of this KB (half KB?) meandering about is all about? Is this some precursor to a late war invasion of Ceylon by the daring Japanese admiral? Is it just a sustained raid to disrupt shipping in the Bay of Bengal? Is it just a measuring of what the Allies can bring to bear in southeast Indian? Unless some invasion is afoot, it is hard to discern any meaningful purpose to offset the risk of losing a major fleet unit(s).

Meanwhile you action in the Mariannas is intensifying. That constitutes a near term, major threat to the integrity of the Home Island industry. The big bad beasts are going to be available soon and Saipan makes a nice base from which to use them. While it looks like he is building Iwo into a base, it has surprised me that he continues to be so passive in the Mariannas. Oh well, we all have our way of playing this out. We'll see what the Devious One does.

[witpqs]

1944 January 30

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Ruteng

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Boela

Our subs got a TK and an xAK.

Air attacks on Chungking were of the more damaging nature today. 2,700 AV there.

The same in Burma, on land at least. At sea the IJN carriers darted back to SE of Ceylon and repelled air attacks thrown against them. Curiously they made none of their own on the TFs at Colombo. See map below for their exact position. So are they making their way back into the Bay of Bengal or was/is this an effort to strike the RN at Colombo? Perhaps is was to catch damaged ships making their way past Ceylon (they missed them already!).

Some clarifications from the preliminary post earlier. First, the IJN carriers are 7 hexes from Colombo so they must have set their groups to torpedo range only. Second, the Albacores which attacked them were from our carriers, not LBA. Also, our P-47 groups do not have the range to transfer directly to Colombo. But Corsairs, P-51, and P-38 all do have the range. So, we are moving a squadron of P-51 to Colombo, USMC Corsair to Colombo, P-38 to Trincomalee, and two (6-plane) squadrons of Barracuda II to Trincomalee (to augment the 12-plane squadron at Koggala). We should have stout CAP and good escort for strikes.

There is more IJN combat and convoy traffic moving up the coast, passing Victoria Point.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap
Allied Ships Bombarding Maloelap

The attack at Saipan went pretty well.

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Ground combat at Saipan (108,93)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 21648 troops, 189 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 715

Defending force 80638 troops, 1259 guns, 1432 vehicles, Assault Value = 2601

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

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
49th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
64th Field AA Battalion
Saipan Naval Fortress
5th Base Force
6th Port Unit
63rd Field AA Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
51st Air Division
33rd JNAF AF Unit
18th Army
115th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Division
6th Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
25th Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
767th Tank Battalion
XIV US Corps
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion


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Ground combat at Saipan (108,93)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 77184 troops, 1258 guns, 1378 vehicles, Assault Value = 2601

Defending force 30058 troops, 270 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 706

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 6

Allied adjusted assault: 3050

Japanese adjusted defense: 807

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 6

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

Japanese ground losses:
2046 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 110 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 67 (6 destroyed, 61 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2794 casualties reported
Squads: 147 destroyed, 89 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 39 (17 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 77 (55 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
6th Infantry Division
43rd Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Division
767th Tank Battalion
XIV US Corps
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
49th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
148th Infantry Regiment
Saipan Naval Fortress
33rd JNAF AF Unit
51st Air Division
63rd Field AA Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
5th Base Force
64th Field AA Battalion
6th Port Unit
18th Army
115th JAAF AF Bn


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The bombardments were better than the day before but not stellar. The fact that fortifications were 'reduced' to level 6 is a clue to why naval and air bombardments usually have mild effect. The additional 54x 16 inch guns hurling projectiles at the defenders also helped. Disruption is high, as you can see below (subsequent post). Four of the divisions and two of the armored units are being put into reserve to recover more quickly. The battleships will stand down as well to preserve their hard-to-repair guns tubes. Perhaps with the large amount of supply we will be able to attack after only one day of rest. The remaining support elements of the USA 41st ID are still at Rota as there are no assault ships free to ferry them. The troop convoy at Saipan still has 35k supply to unload.

The air and naval bombardments against Maloelap must have been finishing off fragments of units because (again this turn) several air groups lost target assignment and four raids went against Kwajalein instead. Maloelap now scouts as i unit, 1,360 troops, 0 guns, 0 AFV. The 88th Naval Guard Unit might be all that remains.

The landing at Boela was made with zero preparation by the troops and it showed, with many squads disabled upon landing. The only saving grace is that there is no opposition.

The jig is up at Kalao; detection is now 2/3 and nearby Ruteng auto-captured!

Tomorrow two Australian Cdo Coy will para-assault Namlea, which recon has shown as undefended for a long time. As soon as it can be arranged, two other units will board subs to assault Salajar.

You can see by today's air losses that flying against Saipan in a stout 2EB is just as dangerous as flying against the KB.

[witpqs]

Here is the position of the IJN carriers in the IO.

[witpqs]

The status of the troops on Saipan.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Hummmm, I wonder what the purpose of this KB (half KB?) meandering about is all about? Is this some precursor to a late war invasion of Ceylon by the daring Japanese admiral? Is it just a sustained raid to disrupt shipping in the Bay of Bengal? Is it just a measuring of what the Allies can bring to bear in southeast Indian? Unless some invasion is afoot, it is hard to discern any meaningful purpose to offset the risk of losing a major fleet unit(s).

Meanwhile you action in the Mariannas is intensifying. That constitutes a near term, major threat to the integrity of the Home Island industry. The big bad beasts are going to be available soon and Saipan makes a nice base from which to use them. While it looks like he is building Iwo into a base, it has surprised me that he continues to be so passive in the Mariannas. Oh well, we all have our way of playing this out. We'll see what the Devious One does.

I think he has no choice in the Marianas right now. I simply have too much there for him to challenge with any hope of doing serious damage to Allied forces.

The Indian Ocean thing is more interesting. I've been watchful for the possibility of a Ceylon operation. No troops have been pulled off of that island, plenty of AA and fighters stay on station to protect the RN and other ships there. I think it is partly an opportunistic raid and partly to protect Imperial convoy activity along the coast of Burma. Prior to an active IJN presence I was able to interdict Imperials convoys pretty successfully, so it's really been a long term response.

As for the small size of the KB, my guess is that those are the fast carriers that were available when the group was dispatched.