At dawn we slept...in the cab on the way back from Olongapo

[Cap Mandrake]

Burma: Our lads at Shwebo are about to crack. Morale is in the crapper.

Ground combat at Shwebo (59,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1942 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Defending force 6077 troops, 9 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 149

Japanese adjusted assault: 13

Allied adjusted defense: 22

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd RTA/A Division
2nd RTA/B Division

Defending units:
BFF Brigade
Mandalay BMP Battalion
13th Burma Rifles Battalion
9th Burma Rifles Battalion
10th Burma Rifles Battalion
Upper Burma BAF Battalion
Railway BAF Battalion
1st Burma Brigade
Burma Corps
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment

[Simonsez]

Forget Leander. I wanna hear more about these metal pots and pans of which you speak and how they are going to help me cook human beads faster than a simple spit.

[anarchyintheuk]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

Somebody's not getting any invites to the Leander Survivors Assoc. reunions down the road.

Do you think a tearful apology would work?

https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/1dN2C ... aggart.jpg

Nah, a suitable amount of whatever New Zealanders drink should suffice.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Saigon Maru is wallowing about

Submarine attack near Belep Islands at 111,153

Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39

AMC Saigon Maru is sighted by SS S-39
SS S-39 launches 4 torpedoes

Surely this finishes her off? That's 4 torps counting the one from yesterday.

Sub attack near Belep Islands at 111,153

Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39

That was Bangkok Maru yesterday. Looks like you are on a tour of Indochina. When do you hit Hanoi Maru?

[Chickenboy]

BBfanboy: Everyone knows that one night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble. Not much between despair and ecstasy. One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble.

[desicat]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Saigon Maru is wallowing about

Submarine attack near Belep Islands at 111,153

Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39

AMC Saigon Maru is sighted by SS S-39
SS S-39 launches 4 torpedoes

Surely this finishes her off? That's 4 torps counting the one from yesterday.

Sub attack near Belep Islands at 111,153

Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-39

She is headed to an R&R port in China with a cargo hold full of ping pong balls. The more water she takes on the greater her flotation!

[Cap Mandrake]

Well, it looks like JJ has "brung it". Mouseover intel show a much more energetic carrier force NE of Koumac. They are not accidentally out of range of the SBD's at Tanna. Koumac only has 7%airfield damage but there are fewer fighters.

Not sure what to do here.

[Cap Mandrake]

****************FOB Gin & Tonic, bar at Suva Lawn Bowling Club*************


FAM: I don't know what to do. Our forces are split. We don't have enough fighters to cover Tanna and Noumea and we might be defeated in detail if those four Jap BB's still have ammo. What would Napolean do?

Foreign looking fellow in Hawaiian shirt: That-ah depend. Is this Austerritz or Waterroo?

FAM: Ummmmm?

Foreign looking fellow in Hawaiian shirt: Rook, firt-ah thing. It-ah not "Japs"..it-ah Japan-mens. Second thing, Naporean not-ah have airpranes so anarogy frankry pretty stupid.

FAM: Well, thanks Generoso, this has been very helpful. BARTENDER! More of that delicious mosquito medicine!

[Cap Mandrake]

Several interesting points:

1) KB-like entity did not attack the BB's at Noumea yesterday even though they were 7 hexes distant. Range reduced? Weather? Scared off by the 121 fighters?

2) SBD's at Tanna did not attack the BB's

OK, it's decided!

--Purposely withdraw from the high ground to incite an imprudent attack
--Absorb an attack on the right flank
--Counterattack at the enemy's middle when they are overextended
--If that doesn't work, blame it on the staff

[desicat]

You have a lot of DD's that could make a run at the KB like entity. They are somewhat nimble a can draw off some sorties while your BB's and the rest of the DD's either drive off his BB's or hit the AF.

Your losses will be replaced in the future, his not so much. I bet he blinks and withdraws. Your fighters can provide some cover no matter who you assign them to. The prize here is still N&I Caledonia. Keep feeding your fighters in and don't let his AF level any further.

He can't have any supply left on the island - it is a death trap for him.

[desicat]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

***********With Z Special Unit, aboard HMNZS Leander 10 m SE Erromango, 19:40, March 6**************

<he addresses a group of commandoes of Z Special Force, a combined Dutch, Australian and NZ special operations unit. He stands with his hands clasped behind his back, jaw set, a grim look on his face>

Men, I'm Cpt Bevan but you are to immediately forget that. Ostensibly, Leander is to bombard the taro field at Koumac, but our true mission is to put you lads ashore. I'm sure I don't need to say how dangerous this mission is or how important to the Allied effort. Your task is to ingratiated yourselves with the native population by pretending to be gods from afar bringing magical gifts of great value. <He pauses to examine the faces of the commandoes who look at each other nervously> Sure, I realize this may seem unorthodox but I have spent the last 4 month studying the novel religion which has taken hold on Tanna.
Men, the natives there worship a cross-eyed PBY pilot with 20/200 vision simply because he was the first white man they had ever seen and because of his fantastic gifts. <the commandoes begin to shift nervously from foot to foot> Right! Let me show you the inducement. <He pulls back a canvas cover on the life raft to
reveal a 20 qt sauce pan, a large cast iron skillet and a well polished copper pitcher>

Commando A: But sir, those are pots?

Cpt. Bevan, newly assigned CO of Leander: Not merely pots, Sergeant....CARGO!

Commando B: But sir, this is New and Improved Caledonia. Won't the French already have been there? It would seem that would undercut the wonder of our arrival.

Cpt. Bevan, newly assigned CO of Leander: Hmmm, good question, Lt,. I'll have to get back to you on that. Right, then! H Hour is 01:30. You had best all get some hot food and rest if you can. Any other questions?

Commando C: What did you say your name was sir?.....

One can watch the adventures of Attack Force Z here, led by Mel Gibson of all people.

[Cap Mandrake]

***********March 7, 1942(e)***********

N&IC: A new surface group is identified near Koumac

ASW attack near Koumac at 115,152

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CS Chiyoda
DD Arashio
DD Yunagi
DD Harukaze
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
SS S-35

[Cap Mandrake]

A 4 DD TF was sent to bombard Koumac. More AMC's.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 113,156, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru, Shell hits 9

Allied Ships
DD Shaw
DD Stuart
DD Dent
DD Kennison

[Cap Mandrake]

This is a surprise. They must be flying at extended range from Bundaberg or from Brisbane?

Night Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

[Cap Mandrake]

We do the same thing over Koumac

Night Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

[Cap Mandrake]

The DD's at Koumac have a good night for 5 inch guns

Night Naval bombardment of Koumac at 113,156

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Kennison
DD Dent
DD Stuart
DD Shaw

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 12
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

[Cap Mandrake]

Didn't we sink this thing already? No doubt at this point. The AMC's are being sacrificed as ammo-eaters.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 113,156, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Shaw
DD Stuart
DD Dent
DD Kennison

[Cap Mandrake]

No more CAP over La Foa. I think the Zeroes at Koumac are worn out or disabled. La Foa was at 43% AF damage yesterday

Morning Air attack on La Foa , at 114,159

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 7

[Cap Mandrake]

An A-24 group from Tanna impale themselves against a heavy CAP. We just move all the SBD's and most of the F4F's to Noumea. Too bad. 70-80 SBD's and 45 F4F's might have got through.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 115,155

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 63

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 9
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 6 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 5 destroyed

[Cap Mandrake]

A minesweeper on picket duty absorbs a torpedo attack.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Erromango at 119,156

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 10
B5N1 Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AM Vireo