Japan 1st

[Alpha77]

This game is now at 23. Aug. 42 I can tell you that it heats up, it looks like August switched the US to "berserk" mode LOL [;)]

But I said above that in ca. the before above date some events with suspense factor happened. Both the US and UK involved. I know not many read AI AARs so I copy the combat reports here, it may also help myself to keep track of these events I try to delete anything from the save folder which is older and not relevant anymore because I will get confused otherwise. So recording some of these reports here also help myself I think. I made 2 - 3 stupid mistakes the last 3-4 days before (means ca. 12. - 21. Aug.) and then try to keep events on time here online too. [>:]

So 2 main actions, 1 more stronger CV sortie by the US (they bombed before the Noumea area where they had some mostly bomber losses, their fighters did quite ok). This "raid" or "home run" or whatever it was, saw their fleet coming up the "slot" where Australian island "HORN ISLAND" is located then it went right near Java to finally disappear in the direction if the UK lands.

I can only assume it is an AI script to either damage and destroy cargo/supply/fuel/oil shipping in this important area for the IJ or that these 3 CV were send to the British area to help them out. Anyway also the British send CV(s) (not sure if 1 or 2) plus surface ships to bomb and/or blockade the IJ overtaken harbor of VIZ (using the shorter word I read in other AARs) on the Indian southern cost. They did this earlier already and I was ending a CV fleet which went to far and got 2 CVs damaged (see Hiryu pic above). My error going to near land based air - see above.

Anyway the following post(s) will show these actions which also had SF fleets catching the US 3 CV fleet, but their escorts shielded the carriers and for some reason LR heavier gunfire on both heavy US CVs missed totally. Only the smaller CV Wasp was hit by some mostly 12,7 cm shells. And later by a DD torpedo the report said. But it was the smaller one, not the "Long Lance"....

[Alpha77]

Strange sighting out of nowhere. I have Bettys with air HQ at Townsville to intercept supply for their (should be) cut off troops. I suspect this CL in reality is a DD as nothing bigger was seen there before. The name can be wrong it might also be another C class ? Caradoc is normally withdrawn but the AI does not need to worry about PPs, withdrawals and restricted units.

I also noted meanwhile that even my OWN combat reports make mistakes. Eg. it says an US CL sunk by 61cm torpedo. In reality it was an airborne one (45cm). And other such strangeness [;)] It also says the reason for another victim was "unknown" but in the replay it clearly shows shell hits as reason mh !

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,140

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
KV Timmins
CL Caradoc, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Thanet
DD Thracian

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 22000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg

(Only 2 hits for so many bombers??)

----------
orning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,140

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Thanet, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
KV Timmins, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
-------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,140

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Thracian
xAP Kota Gede, Bomb hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (7 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

( reinforcements or evacuations?)
-----
orning Air attack on 2nd Bengal Base Force, at 65,38 (Ledo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 21

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 100 feet *
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb


( I dont even have an idea was the idea behind this was [;)] - maybe an experiment for super low height to avoid fighters, which failed miserably - or simply a mistake?)

---------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Madras at 35,43

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N1 Kate x 7

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Durban
DD Inconstant

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

(these are only 2 CVLs - it looks like AGAIN either me or the commander got near land airfields)
-------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Madras at 35,42

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
TK British Architect, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Bittern, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

( they sunk these instead attacking the Brit CV(s) )

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

ay Time Surface Combat, near Madras at 35,40, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono
DD Mutsuki

Allied Ships
TK British Architect, Shell hits 29, and is sunk

(Detached several smaller SF fleets to maybe catch the CV(s))

-----------
fternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,140

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Thanet, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DD Thracian, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Timmins, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

----------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Madras at 35,43

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
B5N1 Kate x 19

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Durban, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Inconstant, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Nes, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
( out of torps )

-----------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Madras at 36,42

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
B5N1 Kate x 18
B5N2 Kate x 7

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 13
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 4 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 12, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CV finally attacked, but I know the UK CVs are not vulnerable to bombs of this size)

--------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
Swordfish I x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose
CVL Ryujo

(their counter with LB air)
-----------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 5
Martlet II x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
CVL Ryujo

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

---------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Madras at 36,42

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N1 Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13
Swordfish I x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 9
Martlet II x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
3 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
-----------

Brits sent a lot of raids also with trainer aircraft (Audax etc.) after my fleets and 2 CVLs. But none of these hit, so I do not copy them here.....

[Alpha77]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 15, 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Madras at 37,42, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 2
DD Ushio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 3
CA Devonshire, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Danae
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
--------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,107, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1
CA Maya
CL Tama, Shell hits 1
DD Kamikaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Hornet, Shell hits 1
CV Wasp
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 3
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Sterett
---------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Trincomalee at 34,46, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono
DD Mutsuki

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Shell hits 4
CA Dorsetshire, Shell hits 2
CL Birmingham
CLAA Van Heemskerck
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
--------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 64,107, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CA Maya, Shell hits 3
CL Tama, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Kamikaze
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, Shell hits 2
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Minneapolis
CA Canberra, Shell hits 5
DD Sterett

--------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Madras at 37,44, Range 15,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
BB Ise, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Teruzuki
DD Ikazuchi
DD Fubuki
DD Shirakumo
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Danae, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
--------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 64,106, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 2
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CL Tama, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Kamikaze
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kuretake, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sterett, Shell hits 1, on fire
--------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 63,106, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
DD Kamikaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, on fire
CA Salt Lake City, heavy fires
CA Minneapolis, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Canberra, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sterett, on fire

--------

fternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 63,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 4

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1

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

-----

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 63,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Tama, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

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

[Alpha77]

Submarine attack near Makassar at 63,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-32

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

CA Salt Lake City is sighted by SS I-32
SS I-32 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Salt Lake City
----------

Sub attack near Makassar at 64,104

Japanese Ships
SS I-20

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-20 launches 2 torpedoes

----------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Jaffna at 34,45, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri

Allied Ships
DD Whipple, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Bittern, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
TK India, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Marina, Shell hits 45, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
---------

orning Air attack on TF, near Bandjermasin at 58,99

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G3M2 Nell x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 26
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp
CV Lexington

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

(Tojos on escort failed, Nells no hit but their CAP is heavy)

----------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Bandjermasin at 58,99

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 27

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed
--------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Oosthaven ! at 47,97, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Shell hits 1
CV Hornet, Shell hits 1
CV Wasp, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Sterett

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

Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 4
I-15-III x 3
Hawk 75M x 1
P-43A-1 Lancer x 11
P-66 Vanguard x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-15-III: 1 destroyed
P-43A-1 Lancer: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 19000 feet
----------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 21

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nokaze
DD Numakaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yukaze

----------

orning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Numakaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage(sunk)
DD Nokaze

-------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Satawal at 107,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Jeff Davis, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
985 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 51 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x H6K4 Mavis launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

(seems a troop transport in the middle of nowhere, note Mavis are not trained for torp attack, so surprising good)

---------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 98,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Karuah
xAKL Jalatarang, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Admiral Day, Torpedo hits 1
xAKL Atlantic, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

(they are good vs. slow merchants vs. warships only once in while if they have a very good day)

------

fternoon Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
P-43 Lancer x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-43 Lancer: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed

(only 1 example of the daily attacks there, as it can be seen their bomber strength suffered seriously - but this was perhaps deception as later they launched the heaviest 4E bomber attacks on Luganville I have seen so far [X(] )

-------

Afternoon Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 1
I-15-III x 1
Hawk 75M x 1
P-43A-1 Lancer x 1
P-66 Vanguard x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-16-III: 1 destroyed
I-15-III: 1 destroyed
Hawk 75M: 1 destroyed
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

(seems Chinese AF is hurt badly now)

----------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,135

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G3M2 Nell x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Karuah, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Mortlake Bank, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Kindur, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Koonda, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

(another re-supply attempt for the cut off troops near Cairns?)

-----------

Ground combat at Howrah (52,36)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17698 troops, 385 guns, 355 vehicles, Assault Value = 256

Defending force 16050 troops, 241 guns, 169 vehicles, Assault Value = 174

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

(Example we lose the siege warfare at Howrah, we have steadily higher losses, so gave up there)

---------

[Alpha77]

Morning Air attack on 66th Chinese Corps, at 75,46 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 21
Ki-27b Nate x 21
Ki-30 Ann x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 7

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

( so many bombers for 1 hurt squad LOL )

----

Ground combat at La Foa (114,159)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10869 troops, 262 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 262

Defending force 10221 troops, 133 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 216

Allied adjusted assault: 120

Japanese adjusted defense: 361

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
237 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled

(another attempt from the US on La Foa, as can be seen they have more guns and vehicles some of them tanks, we have only light forces)
------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Maryborough at 96,157

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Karii, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

(our CAP failed to protect small DD force, Karii later sunk[:(])

-----------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 50

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Caradoc, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Thanet, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Thracian, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Timmins, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Kota Gede, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

(we finally assembled a CV force which found this fleet near Darwin - remember Caradoc (?) was supposed to be sunk earlier already LOL. Also not the best results of such a massive strike)
-------

ight Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 113,156, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AKE Kuretake Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Warspite
CA Quincy
CL Concord
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
DD Voyager
DD Nizam

(Argh, the US now means business in this area judging from their fleets - there is also another BB fleet with 3-4 of the older ones!)

----------

Sub attack near Noumea at 115,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
CVE Long Island, Torpedo hits 1

SS I-7 launches 6 torpedoes
----------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B4Y1 Jean x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PC Pulaski, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Vendetta
xAK Lavington Court, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B4Y1 Jean bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B4Y1 Jean bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

(Example of the weak forces which have decent results, we only have small bombers, Jeans and Jakes in this area so far. Of course at New Caledonia meanwhile a decent fighter force. Luganville only has a 12 plane Zero unit. So far they sometimes could harass the 4E bombers quite good. But still some of the hits prevent us from building up the forts. Remember we have only 1 support there and any damage needs to be repaired before one can build forts)

-------

fternoon Air attack on TF, near Efate at 119,155

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B4Y1 Jean x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B4Y1 Jean: 3 damaged
B4Y1 Jean: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B4Y1 Jean bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

( we also send Anns on low naval as cruel commander, but half of their number were shot down or damaged to ship Flak, 12 or so totally lost without any hit [:(] )

---------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 113,155, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Uji, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Yuri Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Sikisan Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Warspite
CA Quincy
CL Concord
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
DD Voyager
DD Nizam

( OH NO, stupid me forgot to divert this resupply fleet for Koumac/La Foa [>:][:(])

---------

fternoon Air attack on Buna , at 99,129

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 4
Vengeance I x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed

( PM got supply sneaked in it seems and their planes fly again)

---------

Ground combat at Wyndham (70,127)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3484 troops, 31 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Defending force 55 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 63

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 63 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
43rd Naval Guard Unit
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Maizuru 3rd SNLF
80th Garrison Battalion

Defending units:
2/2nd Ind Coy

(Either they dropped this coy per air or landed it "under my nose" - no idea it appeared suddenly - they also took back Normanton per landing I noted... lets see if they march inland to reach/free their comrades near Cairns.)

---------

Ground combat at 75,46 (near Chungking)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25812 troops, 203 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3146

Defending force 110526 troops, 955 guns, 843 vehicles, Assault Value = 3415

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

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

Assaulting units:
63rd Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
65th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
66th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps

Defending units:
32nd Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
38th Division
104th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Division
60th Division
40th Division
13th Tank Regiment
39th Division
11th Tank Regiment
23rd Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
China Expeditionary Army
22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment


(Looks like the biggest troop numbers in a hex so far - we can not beat them of course. So need to get out there somehow)

----

Ground combat at 75,46 (near Chungking)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 178034 troops, 809 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6891

Defending force 111046 troops, 955 guns, 716 vehicles, Assault Value = 3482

Allied adjusted assault: 1688

Japanese adjusted defense: 14221

Allied assault odds: 1 to 8

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

Japanese ground losses:
2067 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 348 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 62 (2 destroyed, 60 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
45211 casualties reported
Squads: 408 destroyed, 4968 disabled
Non Combat: 239 destroyed, 464 disabled
Engineers: 52 destroyed, 112 disabled
Guns lost 276 (66 destroyed, 210 disabled)

Assaulting units:
92nd Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
83rd Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
69th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
66th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
39th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
60th Division
104th Division
3rd Division
40th Division
32nd Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
11th Tank Regiment
22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
China Expeditionary Army
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
23rd Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment


(this was their river crossing 2 days earlier ! )

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 120,154, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Akigumo
DD Makinami
DD Sazanami

Allied Ships
DD Caldwell, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
SC-517, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Barwon, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK William M. Stewart, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
678 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled

(we send this fast SF fleet in with the object to clear Luganville coastal hex of landing ships as we also prepared a fast transport with supply and one small inf unit for it. Remember the huge Allied SF fleets in the area. So we routed it more to the east and setting it at full speed. I read in another AAR players would do this the same way to sneak in out per fast speed. But they ran out of fuel on their way back. I also clicked the option return per waypoint. So they would not divert to much west where the US fleets hunt. It worked so far but are now stranded ca. 10 hexes to the north with the CL totally out of fuel and the DDs only 2-3 hexes left. Never use full speed it seems)

-----

ight Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 120,154, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari
DD Akigumo
DD Makinami
DD Sazanami

Allied Ships
DD Hughes, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Alchiba, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Masula, Shell hits 42, and is sunk
xAK Oakbank, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

(they found these 2 fleets loading at Efate, where to they were diverted because the original target ships at Luganville retired. Ran out of fuel later see above)

-------
Submarine attack near Canton Island at 153,143

Japanese Ships
SS RO-66

Allied Ships
xAP Queen Mary

xAP Queen Mary is sighted by SS RO-66
SS RO-66 launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Queen Mary

(OOOPS)
--------

Sub attack near Kuria at 133,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-176

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CLAA San Diego
DD Wilson


SS I-176 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Enterprise
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

(OOPS 2)

--------

Sub attack near Colombo at 27,48

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Stronghold

Ammo storage explosion on CV Illustrious
SS I-159 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Illustrious
DD Stronghold fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stronghold fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stronghold fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stronghold fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stronghold fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

(OOPS 3 this time positive - all on the same day)

-----------

Morning Air attack on Hyderabad , at 39,32

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 15
Mohawk IV x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 27000 feet

(this time we send in massive sweeps to down some Allies before they get all the better fighters. However we lost a big number of Zeros which are depleted now. Until the M5 comes in 11/42 it seems)

--------

Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 31,940 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 1
P-43 Lancer x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 29940 feet

----

Morning Air attack on Hyderabad , at 39,32

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 9
Mohawk IV x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

---------

Morning Air attack on Hyderabad , at 39,32

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
Mohawk IV x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 27000 feet *

-----------

Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 3
P-66 Vanguard x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

---------

orning Air attack on Bundaberg , at 96,155

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
---------

Ground combat at 56,35 (near Rangpur)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11425 troops, 112 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 365

Defending force 12492 troops, 183 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 537

Japanese adjusted assault: 100

Allied adjusted defense: 375

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2783 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 221 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Guns lost 23 (2 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
261 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
56th Division

Defending units:
23rd British Brigade
14th British Brigade
16th British Brigade
17th Indian Division

(OOPs, I assumed these were out of supply and weakened troops)


We also sweeped Noumea, Howrah and PM but no enemy or only 2-3 wanted to show up.

In conclusion we lost to many Zeros plus pilots in these sweeps. Better had only used obsolete Oscars with the best pilots in reserve and Tojos from we can produce high numbers now...or as the sweeps were only tactical in nature to do them not at all...

[Alpha77]

BTW: The CL TAMA was saved from the heavy damage it got from all these actions around Makassar. It went to the nearest harbour was disbanded and we send some nav sup per air and aux ships to help it recover in the small port. This is of course an advantage that you have ports near if the AI raids deeply in your waters. It causes some concerns for shipping but in general is pretty ineffectice and risky I would say.

BTW2: If anyone cares for vic points I believe the rate is 1:3 - I do not because I only care about having fun and destroying the enemy not for some "points"

BTW3: I wrote above the Zero M5 comes in 11/42 but it may be even 10/42. Along with the Tojo 40mm it seems. We also have researched the HelenII with armor and 3 factories could produce it. We have already 50 or so in stock. But strangely only swapped 1 bomber unit to it. The reason is as stupid it sounds, it is not really needed now. We learned that bomber attacks on cities with heavy Flak are quite costly in this version/mod. You need them set higher but then the hit rates suffer. Consequently we do not use these bombings much (the losses from eg. Singapore bombing were quite high). I switched the HelenII facs off for a while to safe engines for the research bonus. Of course if the need arises they can be produced and the older bombers upgraded. The only target I see for now would be Chungking or Hyderabad or Maryborough. The latter one has many fighters as has Hyderabad, but as can be seen above some of these were shot down. Still the question is, is it worth it to bomb these cities? Chungking has heavy forts and also lots of troops. Their airforce is quite down. Their supply should be endless in that city, as I learned from other bases too which were stocked highly be the AI. Also the airfields are to small in the areas I am talking off. I will start to bomb Howrah however - a portion of the strong brits sortied out of the city when we broke off the siege. We have free troops from Calcutta and elsewhere. And 3 bigger air fields which can support 2E bombers in easy range (mainly Calcutta itself and Chittagong)... for these reason we train army bombers also for nav attack and many for asw. I assume that "normal" nav attack is ineffective only low nav is worth it. Even at 2000 they would not hit much. But at 1000 army bombers can only use half of their bomb load on shipping targets I believe or in general ?

BTW4: How to safe the good CL/DD fleet which ran out of fuel. I found a "dot" base which is nearest. I have no AO at Rabaul they just left for Babeldaob to haul fuel back. Stupid. Can I use just other ships to re-fuel them? Another concern is another CV was sighted nearing that area. But our 3 CVs are also on the way.

[Alpha77]

Is this interesting for comparison with your own game(s) ?
If yes, post your stats maybe too ? [:)]

These are the losses last turn with all the "sweeps":

[Alpha77]

This is total air losses (the top ones, 2 pics):

[Alpha77]

2 nd row:

[Alpha77]

Last day of Aug. 42 has arrived-

North: Finally Attu taken, 1 US big AA unit surrendered.

China: Chinese had blocked us as you read above so south of "plain" we need to march through heave terrain, takes maybe a week until movements completed. However we entered also from the east and meanwhile took Kienko and Chenshu (sp?). Which means they have only 2 major cities in the plain left. In the north we took another city which also has oil Their airforce made a comeback and suddenly we met 20-30 "new" (?) fighter all Lancer/Vanguard. Oscar has problems, but Tojo shoots em down...

India: Again a small CV TF tried interfered with some battle over VIT (we bombed the troops there with 1E bombers and Martlets from CV(s) contested them. Luckily we had an escort and shot most of them down, we lost 1 fighter. Otherwise Brits took back 3-4 smaller cities in the north and west. We left them without defense as not so important. Instead we need to deal with Howrah and the quite strong troops that sortied from it. We will get a nice battle with them on clear terrain it seems. Also Ledo taken and some planes destroyed while storming the airfield there.

Australia: In the north we are still marching to Katherine / Darwin - they still bomb the troops. They also bomb with 4Es some other bases north sometimes they meet some fighters. They lose some planes to damage and ops the damage they do their is not dangerous. East after we took Brisbane we march back north - they wiped out a small inf unit with air in the desert. They still have lots of stuff flying incl. the new Spitfires.

Noumea/Luganville: Heavy fighting sea, ground, air. We lost a lot of bombers (Jean, Ann) cause our Oscar escort and Cap is not as good as their F4 (they have a lot of them). They hit heavily with all types of 4Es also now B17Fs which seem to be quite immune. Luganville was heavily hit and has now 30-40% damage. So no forts building. We send a Zero M3 unit, but they are hardly any better than the M2 vs. 4Es. Also CV battles and surface combat. Reports later. Our fleet out of fuel was saved it seems. The US will not give up in this area, as they again landed more stuff at La Foa. One of their attacks als this time reduced our forts from 3 to 2. Looks dangerous.

[Alpha77]

9 Sept. 42

North: Not much - but we have a Tojo unit there which swept Adak twice and found (Canadian?) Kittihawks, loss rate 1:2 in our favor.

China: Still closing in and marching. Chinese AF seems to have good supply of fighters and again they fly.

India: Mostly marching, but we got the battle on better terrain (looks like fields) and beat the Indian and British 70th divs that held Howrah before. We then march to Howrah which garrison is no logical only 30-35% as strong as before. Took some other city in the west, but do not plan to keep it (needs a whole div as garrison and is to far away). Allies took back Ranchi vs. no one. Pulled small garrison out as I saw them were stronger. Perhaps mistake, city itself is not important, but I saw some Chinese there a lot. So perhaps this is a base where "reborn" Chinese arrive ? [8|]

OZ: Not much, we left Brisbane to the minimum garrison and some support and marched back north to siege Maryborough. No important place but has 3-4 of their divs (plus support plus tanks) incl. an US inf div and one of the really good Aussie divs. Doubt it can be taken, but blockaded at least. Thinking of withdrawing further north, as it now turns out we are spread a bit thin with the Americans becoming agressive. Up further north reached suburbs of Katherine.

Noumea area: Well they got the upper hand again in the air. Our units to small but good (exp wise). But are tired some airfields damaged by B17s etc. Some ships in Koumac port also damaged. So send in some CVs. Guess they had 2 or 3 CVs of their own. Or 2 plus one CVE (which one of our sub captains said was torpedoed before which I now doubt). Their CV bombers force a bit weakened meanwhile, still a lot of F4. Seems we hit both CVs, one "most" probably sunk (but you cannot trust this with FOW). The other damaged only by bombs tho. Torpedoes ran out fast and the last ones were spend by the Kates on some amphib/cargo ships instead on the still afloat CVs or CAs of the Allies [>:] One CV of their had so many bomb hits I doubt it survived also some ground losses of carrier planes. We lost many planes, but only 1 hit on a CV. Which was not even by their carrier planes, but by B17s! They blasted through ca. 40-50 Zeros on CAP and indeed hit with one bomb (only light sys damage). Meanwhile had to retire as all torps gone, missions still ok, but fuel low.

The buggers from PM sank a cargo ship (Vengeance which hit). Also in the same area one CA of ours got 1 fish from some US sub[:@] They still deliver stuff to or from Milne and PM. So as Netties not wanna fly send a surface fleet (in my haste not enough DDs so the torp hit was due to bad ASW protection of the CA fleet)...

Combat reports maybe later...


We got the Zero M5 now and need to convert the whole M2 factory to them. No upgrade path so will take a while and cost a lot of supplies [:(] Only the small Rufe fac can upgrade to the M5 with no cost. And the 1 research fac (30) that went to production. Not single Frank or George fac repaired therefore Judy looks better.

Made mistake with eng research facs and let Ha45 all go to production (only 3 eng research facs left now, but this is also a "positive mistake" so our decision NOT to build any jet or rocket planes is confirmed now, as the engs could not be researched anymore anyway LOL)

[Alpha77]

Btw: Quite content with the CV battles there, cause this time we stayed out of range of their LBA (except the 4Es ofc). They have LOTS of stuff at Noumea, Suva and Nadi. We avoided those otherwise it could have been a bad day. Therefore the one or other Tojo from Koumac would support our naval air. So better than before for sure.

Even if the hit rate of torp planes was bad. The bomb hit rate better, but as you know torps much better for CVs and BBs. We also bombed 2 or 3 CA/CLs at least 2 I believe sunk. One by sub which put the final torp in Chicago (?) which was burning from all the bombs already.[:)] Guess the bomb damage will improve with the better dive bomber which actually has a 500kg bomb compared to the 250kg of Val (Judy its name I think?)

[Alpha77]

Played some turns quite fast cause tbh the AI has right now a passive phase. It is Jan. 1st of 1943 now and the game said I have won already. But chose to play on of course.

Short overview of state of war, still besieging Chungking and Maryborough. Still fighting in India, Brits took back Howrah oncve again, and they are now in turn besieged again LOL. But seems we are to strong now that they can keep any city I have the feeling because we tried already a deliberate attack and the Indian divs are quite worn down, only the Brit 2nd div is still strong. They also try to right now march on the area over Burma (where Dimapur, Ledo etc.) are located. Not the best idea to spread their troops out so much. But it is AI maybe a human would do better if he is experienced as commander.

However teh US/NZ threw us out from both La Foa and Koumac, we lost 7-8 units destroyed as well 2 air units which I forgot to move away. But I pulled out the top 5 or so pilots before as I anticipated that the area can not be hold. I mean it could be but only with big effort and the bases are not worth the effort imo. We saved 2 units which were transported over to Luganville. NZ&US also landed on Munda (or Lunga) at Guadalcanal with stronger forces but their ships where mostly detected and ran into our defenses. So a lot of their stuff sunk. We lost 2 DDs however at Lunga to a BB/CA force of them - the BB was later sunk it is believed (was one of the older ones)...

We have now the Tojo 2c in service - it seems to be by far the best CAP plane with armor and 4 HMG will also shoot down B24s and P38s The b version is bad cause looks like the 40mm guns do not hit at all (maybe at 100 ft vs. ships??) Also Zero M5 is quite ok. The Judy divebomber just arrived for production.

Btw: we also took Darwin & PM to weak resistance and Katherine too.