LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[IdahoNYer]

2-3 Mar 42

Highlights - “Scratch one Flattop!!” Enough said….

Jpn ships sunk:
CVL: 2 (Zuiho and Shoho come up as “sunk” from sub attacks in the DEI. I’m betting that Ryujo was in fact sunk and Shoho is damaged heavily. Zuiho planes hit targets, so I figure its still out there)

Allied ships sunk:
xAKL:2 (both bound for Bataan)

Air loss:
Jpn: 62 (includes 24Z and 24K to “ground loss” which I figure are from the Ryujo sinking)
Allied: 41

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 1 ship hit (small TK sunk off Perth)
Allies: 4 Attacks, 2 ships hit; CVL Sunk, CVL Dam (Ryujo hit twice w/2 torps each and Shoho once by 1 torp)

Amph Inv:
Benkoelen (DEI) - 22,000 men landed; apparently IJA is going to march overland to Palembang?
Buitenzorg (DEI)
Taberfane (SWPAC)
Tandjoengselor (DEI)

Bases lost:
Cebu (PI)
Lihir (SWPAC)
Benkoelen (DEI)
Mandioen (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: A/7th ID planning for Amchitka

West Coast. Slow convoy departs LA.

In NOPAC. Adm Brown’s Bmb TF (2BB,CL,6DD) bombards Attu with marginal success - not a target rich environment.

CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, the KB is sighted 240m NW of Suva, apparently heading NW out of the area. With that sighting, shipping is re-routed to original destinations and hoping we can resume normal reinforcing operations.

In SWPAC, Aus 19th Bde begins landing SLOWLY at Broome as IJN elements move out of the area from Derby. Zeros out of Koepang provide enough fighter cover to prevent remaining Banshees from hitting targets. Broome is now a busy port, and weakly protected - a small CL TF and a squadron of P-39s. With its low capacity, it will take a while to offload the half dozen ships with troops and cargo - we’re very vulnerable here, but most of the IJN activity seems to be in the DEI. Elsewhere, Darwin supply situation is becoming critical. A few ships have been dispatched to resupply, but the key will be opening up the land supply route which takes time - and engineers. Darwin port is also hit by a very effective night raid of a dozen Betties - which heavily damage the AS Platypus rendering the port unable to service subs.

In the Philippines, an AKL makes it to Bataan to be immediately sunk by air at first light - assume little or no supply was offloaded. PBYs attack an xAK off the coast without success, and lose 2 to Oscars - will withdraw the PBYs.

In China, a Chinese corps is pushed back NE of Wenchow which will likely lead to Wenchow being under siege again.

India/Burma, IJA troops continue to soften up Rangoon.

In the DEI, the big story for the entire Pacific Theater is the CVL Ryujo and CVL Shoho being torpedoed by the Dutch sub KXVI west of Merak in two engagements. Ryujo takes 2 torps and Shoho 1. And then it gets better, the Mini-KB move back into the Java Sea where Ryujo takes 2 torps from the Dutch sub O23 off Batavia! Shoho mean while is sighted on fire and bombed by Dutch a/c, scoring one hit with a small 50kg bomb. Figure she’ll try and limp into Soerabaja or perhaps Singapore. In any case, the Mini-KB just lost 2/3s of its flight decks - raids against Batavia only had small strikes from the Zuiho. Without a viable Mini-KB, I don’t see a LBA only supported invasion against Darwin or India - so does the KB or parts of it come west? Other activity in the DEI included a solid naval bombardment against Batavia and Singapore based LBA hitting Palembang - in both cases, closing the AF. This leaves only Bandoeng as a viable AF for Dutch/Brit bombers. The invasion of 22,000 troops on the south shore of Sumatra at Benkoelen probably means an overland attack to Palembang - which is fine by me as it will just take more time.

[BBfanboy]

Fantastic luck! The skipper of O-23 will get a case of scotch, but the skipper of K-XVI will never have to buy drinks in any mess! [&o]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

BONZAAAII !!! [&o]





Great news! excelent positioning of submarines, This will hurt a lot, specially in the long term.. carriers can't be replaced

Mini KB is now irrelevant as an offensive tool; It can still be deadly defensively, Zuiho + Hosho can carry 50 planes; if he goes all Zeros, then he can have a very credible CAP over any invasion; specially if within range of LBAs

I would say Darwin: yes .... India probably too risky

And of course, he just need to move a couple CVs west to cover, temporarily, both oceans

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
...
And of course, he just need to move a couple CVs west to cover, temporarily, both oceans

Oh Goody! More targets! [:D]

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
the skipper of K-XVI will never have to buy drinks in any mess! [&o]

Really amazed that K-XVI shot at, let alone hit, two ships in one naval pulse. I've seen it done rarely - and usually against unescorted merchies- but never, ever against an escorted task force.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
...
And of course, he just need to move a couple CVs west to cover, temporarily, both oceans

Oh Goody! More targets! [:D]

That's exactly what I'm hoping for - IJN pulling some CV assets out of SOPAC to support operations on the northwest coast of Australia. A 6 CV KB is pretty much untouchable, a KB with 4 CVs might see a raid get through its CAP.

[IdahoNYer]

4-5 Mar 42

Highlights - “Scratch Another Flattop!!” CVL Shoho is confirmed sunk. Rangoon falls.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD:1

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 2 (RO-33 and RO-61 are reported back in service)

Allied ships sunk:
xAK:1

Air loss:
Jpn: 50 (includes 20Z and 14K to “ground loss” which I figure are from the Shoho sinking)
Allied: 12

Subwar:
Jpn: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (small xAK sunk off Horn Is)
Allies: No Attacks, no ships hit

Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Rangoon (Burma)
Mussau Is (SWPAC)
Tandjoengselor (DEI)
Palopo (DEI)
Buitenzorg (DEI)

Bases Liberated:
Tjepoe (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. Convoys to PH and Auckland begin forming up at SF and LA respectively.

In NOPAC. BB bombardment TF returns to DH without incident.

CENPAC. NSTR

In SOPAC, the KB has apparently left the area to the north (fingers crossed here that it will be gone for a while) and shipping is routed back to destinations - 3 small convoys are headed for Noumea; one with a regiment of the Americal (which was loitering south of Suva), one with engineers (just departed Auckland) and one primarily with supplies (had departed Auckland when the KB came south, had re-routed SE out of range). US CVs move west to provide ASW cover for the convoys from the Tonga Islands where they sought refuge. Noumea AF reaches level 4, and SBDs out of Noumea claim hits on two subs.

In SWPAC, Aus 19th Bde lands just over 1300 infantry, but no heavy weapons when an IJN BB TF is sighted headed for Broome. All ships cease offloading, except on lone xAKL and an AM, weigh anchor and clear the area. USMC SBUs are flown into Broome. 4 subs are in position to intercept the BB TF headed for Broome - I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this won’t be a nuclear bombardment and the transports can head back and continue offloading. SNLF units are marching from Derby toward Broome - while 1300 infantry at level 2 forts may be able to hold against this force, having the whole Bde and additional supplies would be a whole lot better. Elsewhere, an IJN sub sinks a small xAK offloading at Horn Is - surprisingly no strike aircraft have been launched from Moresby yet.

In the Philippines, IJA does not bombard Bataan for a change, but IJA air forces continue to hit the AF. Supplies down to 16k.

In China, heavy IJA air attacks against Wenchow lead me to put a squadron of the AVG back at Wenchow which will come up on CAP next turn. With luck, he won’t sweep. In the north, a Chinese counterattack east of Lanchow is successful, pushing back IJA Mongol units with heavy loss - from Yenan north, the situation is best described as “confused” as who is encircling who. IJA forces appear stretched thin as his LOCs get longer, and he has for the time being pulled back from encircling Yenan. IJA push on Sian has slowed; supply difficulties perhaps?

India/Burma, Rangoon falls in the first assault - not unexpected. Remaining Commonwealth forces are in full retreat in Burma, so far staying one step ahead of the advancing IJA.

In the DEI, Dutch LBA attacks the CVL Shoho, and although not achieving a single hit, observe her sinking. Nice. Lead IJA troops advance to Palembang which is defended by 5 Infantry battalions scrapped up from all of Sumatra with 237AV and level 2 forts. The airfield remains closed. Palembang will fall, but hopefully the defenders remember to torch the oil wells and refineries. On Java, the IJA landing at Buitenzorg further complicates defenses of Java - which are fragmented between Batavia and Baedoeng in the west and Djokjakarta in the east. Although Batavia AF is closed due to damage, Baedoeng and Tjilatjap still have a number of strike a/c - and without the Mini-KB providing close air cover, IJN naval units sailing in the Java Sea are somewhat vulnerable - not that the Dutch LBA ever really hits anything.

[BBfanboy]

Nice to get such positive confirmation on Shoho's sinking! [:)]
When heavily damaged ships are attacked and not hit, the damage often increases anyway because the crew is at action stations and not as many are doing damage control. Fires and flooding are much more likely to increase. You can see proof of this when a ship carrying troops is on fire and an air attack misses but troop/equipment losses still show in the Combat Report for the attack. Great work on the part of the design team to add this feature to the game!

[Capt. Harlock]

Palembang will fall, but hopefully the defenders remember to torch the oil wells and refineries.

I think a big part of that is whether or not you have engineer units at the base. An interesting trade-off, since it involse sacrificing scarce engineers.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Palembang will fall, but hopefully the defenders remember to torch the oil wells and refineries.

I think a big part of that is whether or not you have engineer units at the base. An interesting trade-off, since it involse sacrificing scarce engineers.

Well, I've got engineers, but part of an infantry battalion and a base force. That count?

[IdahoNYer]

6-7 Mar 42

Highlights - Action heats up at Broome - and that’s not a good thing! AVG does well over Wenchow

Jpn ships sunk: None

Jpn ships unsunk:
DD: 2 (Arashi and Asagiri)

Allied ships sunk:
AM:2
AMC:1 (small - Cornwallis)
xAK:3
xAKL:3

Air loss:
Jpn: 35 (30 over Wenchow)
Allied: 24 (5 over Wenchow)

Subwar:
Jpn: 4 Attacks, 2 ship hit (small AMC and xAK sunk off Perth)
Allies: 2 Attacks, no ships hit

Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Dumaguete (PI)
Lahat (DEI)
Soerakarta (DEI)
Ramree Is (Burma)
Taberfane (SWPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. Convoys to PH and Auckland depart SF and LA respectively.

In NOPAC. NSTR

CENPAC. CVs Lex and Yorktown arrive at PH.

In SOPAC, with no sign of the KB, convoy operations continue. First convoy with an EN Bn arrives at Noumea, and two more should arrive in the next few days. Noumea will again be a busy port. Convoy bound for Suva forms up at Auckland, and will depart in the next day. IJN subs are active off both Noumea (4 sighted) and off Auckland (2 sighted) - Increasing LBA ASW patrols and surface ASW TFs will attempt to hunt them down.

In SWPAC, much activity in the Broome area. As expected, Broome is bombarded by a BB TF,but that TF was preceded by a CA TF (3CA,3DD) which sunk the xAKL and AM left at the port. Broome based SBUs hit the BB TF, scoring hits on 3xBB - but of course that is just scratching paint. The bombardment damages the port and AF significantly and also destroys ALL remaining supplies - which will be the Achilles heel of trying to hold Broome. The 19th Aus Bde transports, along with the small surface TF - loitering off Port Hedland isn’t attacked, but an IJN CL TF (3CL,5DD) as well as 2 AMCs (patrolling separately) manage to hunt down and sink an AM,AK and 2xAKL between Exmouth and Port Hedland. The remaining AM and damaged xAKL will attempt to deliver supplies to Port Hedland. With both the CL TF and the AMCs to the west, the 19th Bde TR TF will attempt to make Broome to offload what it can before it is most likely destroyed. Not much choice here, I want to make Broome as difficult as possible to take, and if I withdraw the TF to the west, they will most likely be lost anyway. But what Broome really needs now is supplies - those xAK/xAKLs were carrying the bulk of supplies and they are now on the bottom. Without supplies the SBUs aren’t going to fly, and without the SBUs, I don’t have enough naval forces to ward off even the CL TF. Until I can open up more supplies overland toward Darwin, this area of operations is going to be ugly.

In the Philippines, continued IJA air attacks - not doing a lot of damage as he’s keeping them at 12k. I still have a P-40B squadron - without planes - in Bataan, perhaps I need to free up some P-40Bs by upgrading a squadron in PH and provide some to Bataan - might be worth while…

In China, AVG CAP over Wenchow performs as advertised and decimates attacking Sonias -despite a robust escort of Oscars and Nates. I’ll pull the AVG out of Wenchow to keep him guessing. Elsewhere in the NE, his tank units are doing damage - and my lowly Chinese units despite outnumbering his tankers severely, can’t inflict damage. So it remains confused northeast of Sian.

India/Burma, lead IJA elements close on Meiktila as Commonwealth troops prepare to depart from Mandalay. A Chinese division arrives to defend Lashio.

In the DEI, Palembang’s days are numbered as the IJA close in for the kill over land routes from the south and the west. 3 subs take on supply at Palembang for a run to Bataan. Dutch LBA hits 2xAKs south of Malang - carrying troops, which I’m betting are headed toward Australia - Derby/Broome. No sign of the CVL Zuiho.

[IdahoNYer]

8-9 Mar 42

Highlights - Naval Battle at Broome goes surprisingly well, IJN subs become increasingly troublesome.

Jpn ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Tama reportedly from action off Broome)
DD: 1 (Suzukaze reportedly from collision off Broome)

Allied ships sunk:
DD:1
SS:1 (Sealion by sub)
AM:2
AP:1 (Wharton)
xAP:1
xAKL:1

Air loss:
Jpn: 33
Allied: 14

Subwar:
Jpn: 5 Attacks, 3 ship hit (AP Wharton sunk off LA by I-3, SS Sealion sunk off Brisbane by RO-60, APD crippled off Noumea by I-171)
Allies: 2 Attacks, no ships hit

Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Dinagat (PI)
Meitktila (Burma)
Djokjakarta (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. Convoy bound for Auckland out of LA is attacked by IJN sub I-3 which sinks AP Wharton in two separate attacks. Wharton was carrying a Port Maint Bn, some of which was rescued by other ships. This highlights the need for the 4-Stacker DD conversion to DEs beginning next month. While I’ve converted about half dozen to APDs, the rest will go to DEs.

In NOPAC. NSTR

CENPAC. CVs Lex begins refit at PH.

In SOPAC, IJN sub cripples APD Waters just off Noumea - she’ll most likely make Noumea, but she’s not going anywhere soon. One convoy has already cleared Noumea, another has just docked, and the third is just off the port. A large fast convoy docks in Auckland out of LA bringing Engineers, 2 AA Bns, Marine Raiders, In Bn and artillery - some will head to Australia. IJN subs are still plentiful, but no sign of any other IJN elements.

In SWPAC, action remains hot in the Broome area, but things actually go better than expected with lotsa luck involved here considering the size of the forces involved. Action starts off with a IJN CL TF (3CL DDs) bombarding Port Hedland with minimal effect. At Broome, an IJN CA TF (2CA,3CL,6DD) starts the excitement by damaging the DD John D. Ford, and sinking an AM and an xAP carrying part of the Aus 19th Bde and then bombarding. A second IJN CA (2CA,2CL,4DD) then comes in to sink the John D. Ford, but doesn’t bombard. Then the first CA TF engages the CL TF (CL,4DDs) which escorting the remaining 3 xAPs (which remained unengaged throughout). Despite being surprised, the CL Hobart saves the day, landing numerous hits on the CA Mikuma and apparently crippling the CL Tama which is reportedly sunk the next day. The only misque here is that instead of following their charges into Broome and remaining there, the CL Hobart TF begins to head back to Perth. Amazingly, the 3 remaining xAPs are left untouched by surface forces, as well as missed by a small raid of Betties - AND they actually are able to land some heavy equipment for the 19th Bde. Further west, the prowling AMCs engage, but fail to damage 2xAKs which take refuge at Carnavon. At Darwin, a lone xAKL with AVD escort arrives in port to offload supplies and draws two Betty raids, escorted by Zeros - presumably at long range as P-39 CAP shoots down 9 Betties and 8 Zeroes for the cost of a single P-39. Overall, I expected it to be much worse this turn - just getting any heavy equipment into Broome, let alone getting the best of a superior CA TF was just some very good luck. Lastly, the SS crippled Sealion is sunk by a sub just after setting out from Brisbane to Sydney - tough loss as the Sealion was crippled off Japan and had made it to within 240 miles of its destination.

In the Philippines, continued IJA raids continue and IJA ground bombardment resumes.

In China, Wenchow is subjected to 14 separate IJA fighter sweeps over two days. The AVG fortunately have redeployed out of the base.

In India/Burma, Meiktila falls.

In the DEI, IJA advance on Java takes Djokjakarta on the south coast and Semarang on the north coast.

[Bif1961]

I would say you were lucky as the Japanese detected your TF and launched long lances even before you spoted them. That is normally a bad situation for the Allies.

[IdahoNYer]

10-11 Mar 42

Highlights - IJN comes back to Broome and takes care of business.

Jpn ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Nagara is reported sunk…I have no idea)

Jpn ships unsunk:
DD:1 (Ushio)

Allied ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Caledon caught off Palembang)
DD:1
xAP:3 (at Broome)
AM:1
KV:1

Air loss:
Jpn: 8
Allied: 11

Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, no ships hit
Allies: 8 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP dam)

Amph Inv:
Saumlaki (SWPAC)

Bases lost:
Magwe (Burma)
Semarang (DEI)
Soerakarta (DEI)

Bases Liberated:
Buitenzorg (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel:NSTR

West Coast. NSTR

In NOPAC. NSTR

CENPAC. IJN supply run to Tarawa draws the attention of US subs - without much effect.

In SOPAC, 2nd convoy carrying mainly supplies clears Noumea as the third one docks and begins offloading the 164th Reg/Americal Div. Five IJN subs are now located around Noumea.

In SWPAC, IJN TFs return to Broome - starting with a CL TF (CL, DD) which sinks one of the xAPs. This is followed by a BB bombardment TF (3BB,2CL,6DD) which only bombards, and a CA bombardment TF (2CA,2CL,3DD) which both bombards and sinks another xAP. The port and airfield are wrecked by the bombardments, but the remaining xAP manages to offload some heavy equipment before being sunk by Mrs Betty. While the Aus 19th Bde should have the troops and equipment to hold Broome - a lack of supply is critical. To remedy that, 2 xAKs reach Port Hedland, but I’m not pushing them to either Broome or Darwin with clear weather - they wouldn’t stand a chance against Koepang based air. PBYs are pressed into service - all 18 I can muster in Australia - to fly supply. That’s the best I can do right now.

In the Philippines, a small AG is nearing Bataan…fingers crossed.

In China, NSTR

In India/Burma, NSTR

In the DEI, an IJN CA TF (2CA,2CL,3DD) enroute to bombard Palembang - which it does very effectively - runs into the crippled CL Caledon with the equally crippled DD as escort just off Bangka Is and puts them out of their misery. On the bright side, the IJA troops landed at Buitenzorg moved inland to Bandoeng, but did not leave a force behind …so a Dutch IN Bn re-took the base AND the IJA force is now isolated.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

For Brome:
Do you have AVDs or APDs close?

they are almost invulnerable to LBAs carrying torpedoes

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

For Brome:
Do you have AVDs or APDs close?

they are almost invulnerable to LBAs carrying torpedoes

That's a great idea! Closest APDs are in SOPAC, but I have some AVDs in Oz. In the meantime, subs and PBYs will have to do.

[BBfanboy]

Nagara could have hit a mine and foundered on the way home. Does the Intel listing say the cause of the sinking was a mine?

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Nagara could have hit a mine and foundered on the way home. Does the Intel listing say the cause of the sinking was a mine?

Went back through Combat Reporter and found that the Nagara was hit by a Swordfish dropped torp on 8 Mar off Merak - completely missed it!

[IdahoNYer]

12-13 Mar 42

Highlights - Fairly quiet turn as Darwin is subject to a fighter sweep; Jpn invasion preparations begin?

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 14
Allied: 15

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, no ships hit
Allies: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK dam)

Amph Inv:
Bacolod (PI)
Ketapang (DEI)

Bases lost:
Sibolga (DEI)
Pamekasan (DEI)
Saumiaki (DEI)
Tjepoe (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel:1st Tank Reg is planning to attack Darwin. This, along with the fighter sweep means there is no doubt invasion is imminent. No sign of the KB which is always worrisome!

West Coast. 6th Marine Regiment loads up for transport to SOPAC

In NOPAC. NSTR

CENPAC. Sub hits an xAK at Tarawa.

In SOPAC, 164th Reg finishes offloading at Noumea despite at least 4 subs in the harbor vicinity itself. Noumea based LBA finds sights many subs, but none are claimed hit. Convoy begins offloading at Suva - only one sub in the vicinity there.

In SWPAC, 30+ Zeros sweep Darwin and are met by P-39s and P-40s as the Battle for Darwin officially opens. 7 Zeros are lost for 14 US fighters. I’m bringing in more fighters to the Darwin area, but of course its mid March, so all the provisional squadrons are withdrawing! Supplies, or lack of, are the main issue at Darwin. Darwin’s defenses now at 469 AV at fort level 3.64, consisting of 3+ Bdes of infantry and support. It won’t fall easily if I can keep it supplied - A convoy of 4 small xAKs are approaching from the east and all avail fighters will provide LR Cap as it approaches. Broome is quiet for a turn, with SNLF units bombarding. The Aus Bde defending might hold if he doesn’t attack right away - lack of supply and 85 disruption due to naval bombardment are the main enemy at the moment.

In the Philippines, that small AG carrying 364 supply reached Bataan and offloaded - along with 3 subs. Bombardments continue.

In China, NSTR

In India/Burma, NSTR

In the DEI, a large ground force is closing on Palembang from the west and south - well over division level. In Java, an IJA Bde size force is isolated at Bandoeng - but not sure if the Dutch have enough troop strength to destroy it before relief arrives from the east. In anycase, western Java is still in Dutch hands, and Bandoeng still has strike aircraft available to be a nuisance to any IJN shipping in range.

[IdahoNYer]

14-15 Mar 42

Highlights - More sweeps over Darwin and IJN lands troops at Luganville and Efate

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-8 reportedly sunk by CV Sara TF escorts north of New Zealand)

Allied ships sunk:
APD: 1 (APD Waters scuttled in Noumea harbor as fires were uncontrolled)

Air loss:
Jpn: 14
Allied: 21

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, no ships hit
Allies: 1 Attacks, no ships hit

Amph Inv:
Efate (SOPAC)
Luganville (SOPAC)

Bases lost:
Bacolod (PI)
Ketapang (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: Elements of the 16th Div are reportedly moving to Derby.

West Coast. NSTR

In NOPAC. US CL TF (2CL, 5DD) depart DH to bombard Attu; after the bombardment they will retire to Seattle to refit.

CENPAC. CV Yorktown at PH exchanges its F4F-3s for F4F-4s.

In SOPAC, two small IJN TFs land small elements (likely battalion size) forces on Efate and Luganville - likely denial landings which beat me to the punch by a couple of weeks (US troops had just arrived in Auckland that were to be landed at Efate). Banshees transiting to Australia through Noumea launch strikes against the Efate TF and find only a single xAP which is hit by 3 500lb bombs - after the troops were put ashore. US CVs are too far south to interdict, and with the KB’s location unknown I’m hesitant to run them north of Noumea right now. So for now, the Jpn can have both these bases - will look to retake them in the next month or so if I’m not fighting to hold on to Noumea - which is still a strong possibility!

In SWPAC, on the bright side, the 4 xAKs arrive unscathed at Darwin and begin unloading. On the negative side, IJN fighter sweeps increase - my bet is 2x 45 plane groups are making the sweeps. US air providing the LR CAP of the xAKs don’t do terribly and it costs the IJN 10 Zeros (5 to ops) for 12 US fighters. I’ll try and maintain CAP over Darwin by changing out fresh fighter squadrons (P-40s and P-39s) which hopefully can tire out the Zeros. Will see. More distressing is a sighting of an IJN surface force (only 4 ships reported) heading to Darwin - my bet is a CL TF to destroy the xAKs - 2 of which I leave to unload and 2 which disband half unloaded. Broome is mostly quiet with a sub dropping off supply and the SNLF bombarding. Off Perth, an IJN AMC looking for easy pickings finds a tough opponent in 2 big xAPs carrying an Australian Bde - the xAPs Mount Vernon and Wakefield get the better of the AMC, landing 6 hits causing the AMC to disengage. The xAPs are lightly scratched with a hit apiece.

In the Philippines, NSTR

In China, NSTR

In India/Burma, NSTR

In the DEI, Palembang’s time is rapidly running out as IJA units bombard - the IJA force assembled is built around the 56th Div and it should have no problem taking the base.