THE WAR COLLEGE-Rio Bravo (A) v. El Lobo (J)

[CaptHaggard]

Gentlemen,

If all goes as planned, the Invasion Armada will finish this turn one hex NE of Wake. Given the persistent detections by enemy search of friendly vessels in this area, there is an extremely high probability the armada will be sighted today.

Of the 108 submarines currently dispatched to deployment areas and subsequent patrol zones, many of them transiting the Marcus - Wake area have been sighted by Judys and Jills. ASW patrols as close as 4 hexes north of Wake have incurred similar sightings.

Here we go, boys...

Hag

[Lovejoy]

Good luck! Guam shall be liberated!

[Wolfhunter107]

Those SCTFs look a lot better now-I want to say that I hope they find some suitable prey, but that might be tempting things a bit to much, so I'll just wish them the best of luck instead.


I've got a couple of questions, too. What are you planning to do with those tankers at Wake, and what's the ETA for the invasion fleet arriving off of Rota?

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 14, 1943[/center]


Opening Comments


1.) I think I know why the Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet didn't travel the full 240 miles the other day. I refueled all the Task Forces from the Fuel Replenishment Task Force. Today, I refueled all the Task Forces again and noticed that on several Task Forces the Task Force speed reduced from 3/3 to, in some cases, 1/0. Accordingly, I expect that the Invasion Fleet will only move 40 miles on this date, June 14, 1943.

2.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Force is presently 240 miles from Wake Island and 1,400 miles from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota near the Marianas Islands.

3.) One Task Force within the Invasion Fleet has been detected at a level of 3/3.

4.) The troops upon the Amphibious Task Forces are doing well. None of the troops have any Fatigue and only a few troops are at a Disruption Level of 9.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) El Lobo bombs Chengtu, Chungking, and near Chihkiang (hex 77,49).

2.) El Lobo deliberately attacks and forces my brave Chinese to retreat near Kienko (hex 79,41).

3.) The Allies deliberately attacks Ramree Island.

Something strange happened. Yesterday's Combat Report declared that the Allies had captured Ramree Island. However, when I opened the turn, the Japanese still held Ramree Island. A glitch or FOW or El Lobo Ghost Platoons? *chuckling*


Japanese Bomb Chengtu


Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

3 hits (Airbase)
4 hits (Airbase Supply)
13 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking


Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
3 damaged (Ki-49-IIa Helen)
2 damaged (Ki-49-IIb Helen)

Allied Losses

198 casualties
1 squad destroyed
31 squads disabled
1 hit (Airbase)
13 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Near Chihkiang (hex 77,49)


No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

19 casualties
3 squads disabled


Japanese Deliberately Attack Near Kienko


Ground combat at 79,41 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1024 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Defending force 875 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 28

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 28 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
293 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th NCPC Infantry Brigade

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps


Allies Deliberately Attack Ramree Island


Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12560 troops, 365 guns, 298 vehicles, Assault Value = 411

Defending force 7120 troops, 98 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Allied adjusted assault: 68

Japanese adjusted defense: 99

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
504 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (7 destroyed, 3 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
2nd British Division
2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
24th Indian Engineer Battalion
12th Indian Engineer Battalion
54th Coastal Artillery Regiment
112th RN Base Force
1st NW Frontier Base Force
101st RAF Base Force
175 Wing
Rabaul Det. Base Force
107th RAF Base Force
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
18th USN Naval Construction Battalion
173 Wing
23rd Indian Engineer Battalion
823rd Engineer Aviation Battalion

Defending units:
55th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
2nd Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th JAAF Base Force


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Lovejoy

Good luck! Guam shall be liberated!

Lovejoy-

Welcome aboard The War College!

Thank you for wishing Captain Haggard an I good luck.

If it doesn't fall, along with Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, I'm looking for a day job.

*laughing*

Best Regards,

-Terry

[CaptBeefheart]

Good luck with the invasion. I wonder if that 3/3 detection has set off a klaxon somewhere.

Cheers,
CC

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Wolfhunter107

Those SCTFs look a lot better now-I want to say that I hope they find some suitable prey, but that might be tempting things a bit to much, so I'll just wish them the best of luck instead.


I've got a couple of questions, too. What are you planning to do with those tankers at Wake, and what's the ETA for the invasion fleet arriving off of Rota?

Wolfhunter-

Yes, I agree, and though the Bombardment Task Forces aren't quite as powerful, my mind rests easier having three strong Surface Combat Task Forces to battle El Lobo's BBs and CAs should they want a fight.

In preparation for Operation Sea Shark, Wake Island was built-up. As a part of this preparation, maximum supply and fuel were transported to Wake. Captain Haggard's submarines, PT Boats, Support Boats, and Minesweepers (i.e., The Haggard Group) used some fuel. The AOs were sent to Wake to replenish the fuel at Wake to continue to accommodate the fuel needs of The Haggard Group. After the AOs have unloaded all their fuel, the AOs will head back to Pearl.

IF the Invasion Fleet moved 240 miles per day, it would arrive one hex due east of Rota on June 19th and the Amphibious Assault would occur on June 20th. However, tomorrow, I believe the Invasion Fleet will only move 40 miles as I replenished the Invasion Fleet at sea and I noticed that some of the Invasion Fleet Task Forces speed has substantially reduced to 1/0. Accordingly, hopefully, if nothing goes wrong like El Lobo intercepting the Invasion Fleet with the KB, the troops will hit the beaches on June 21.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

Good luck with the invasion. I wonder if that 3/3 detection has set off a klaxon somewhere.

Cheers,
CC

Commander Cody-

My best guess is that El Lobo isn't fully aware of what's coming; not yet. Only one Task Force has been detected. A Saipan Amphibious Task Force.

For a couple months now Captain Haggard and I have increased activity in the vicinity of Rabaul and Wake.

I sure could be wrong, but right now, I believe El Lobo has not detected the entire Invasion Fleet.

The 15th, perhaps the 16th, and I believe that El Lobo will have enough detection to know the Allies are coming.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 15, 1943[/center]


Opening Comments


1.) If the Operations Report lends itself to being credible, in reference to the Allied surprise invasion of the four southern Marianas islands, the gig is up. 8 of the 46 Invasion Fleet Task Forces have been sighted by Japanese Jake or Mavis aircraft.

2.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Task Force is 120 miles east of Wake Island and 1,280 miles from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota near the Marianas Islands.

3.) Troop Disruption Levels are at 9 and 10 whereas none of the troops are suffering from any fatigue.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today

1.) Captain Haggard's AM sinks an El Lobo submarine near Wake Island (hex 128,101).

2.) El Lobo bombs Chungking and near Chihkiang (hex 77,50).

3.) El Lobo deliberately attacks near Kienko (hex 79,39).

The Operations Reports over the past few days indicate that Allied Corsairs flying CAP have destroyed 6 or 7 Japanese Jakes and Mavis above Wake Island.


Allied AM 1; Japanese Submarine 0


Japanese Losses

AM Strive hits SS I-34 9 times, sets it ablaze with heavy damage, and sinks near Wake island (hex 128,101).

No Allied losses.


Japanese Bomb Chungking


Japanese Losses

3 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
4 damaged (Ki-49-IIa Helen)

Allied Losses

297 casualties
2 squads destroyed
49 squads disabled


Japanese Bomb Near Chihkiang (hex 77,50)


No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

8 casualties
1 squad disabled


Japanese Deliberately Attack Near Kienko (hex 79,39)


Ground combat at 79,39 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1019 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Defending force 1520 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 24

Allied adjusted defense: 31

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
101st NCPC Route Brigade

Defending units:
Red Chinese Army
15th Chinese Base Force


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 16, 1943[/center]


Opening Comments


1.) Allied Corsairs above Wake Island continue to destroy snooping Japanese Jakes and one Mavis.

2.) Japanese Betty shadows Allied CV Saratoga near Wake Island (hex 131,98).

3.) Japanese Carrier Aircraft and Submarine Float Aircraft have detected six Task Forces of the Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet and three Task Forces of Captain Haggard's Minesweepers and Sub Chasers. Some Detection Levels are quite high.

4.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet is 80 miles due west of Wake Island and 1,080 miles from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota near the Marianas Islands. Troop Disruption levels are at 9 and 10 without any Fatigue; Engineer, Artillery, and Anti-Aircraft units Disruption Levels are much higher with most being around 25.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Captain Haggard's submarines light-up an El Lobo xAK near Iwo Jima and a TK near Agrihan.

2.) El Lobo bombs Chengtu.


Captain Haggard 2; Japanese 0


Japanese Losses

SS Porpoise puts a torpedo into xAK Koki Maru setting it ablaze near Iwo Jima.

SS Sunfish puts a torpedo into TK Ose Maru setting it ablaze with heavy damage and the Ose Maru sinks near Agrihan.

Captain Haggard didn't suffer any losses.


Japanese Bomb Chengtu


Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

12 hits (Airbase)
4 hits (Airbase Supply)
35 hits (Runway)


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 17, 1943[/center]


Opening Comments


1.) The Allies capture Magwe.

2.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet is 200 miles due west of Wake Island and 960 miles from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota near the Marianas Islands.


Synopsis of Combat Events for today


1.) Captain Haggard's Submarines strike again, drilling an El Lobo TK near Marcus Island (hex 120,87) and an xAK near Pagan (hex 106,86).

2.) El Lobo bombs Chungking.

3.) El Lobo deliberately attacks near Kienko (hex 79,39).

4.) The British capture a Magwe (El Lobo had completely deserted the city).

5.) The Allies deliberately attack Ramree Island.


Allied Submarine Sinks Japanese TK Near Marcus Island (hex 120,87)

Japanese Losses

TK Ryuie takes a torpedo suffering heavy fires, heavy damage, and sinks.

Allied Losses

SS Whale takes two hits.


Allied Submarine Sinks Japanese xAK Near Pagan (hex 106,86


Japanese Losses

xAK Koki Maru takes two torpedoes suffering heavy fires, heavy damage, and sinks.

No Allied losses.


Japanese Bomb Chungking


Japanese Losses

3 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
3 damaged (Ki-49-IIa Helen)

Allied Losses

389 Casualties
1 squad destroyed
59 squads disabled
1 gun lost
1 gun destroyed
1 hit (Airbase)
2 hits (Airbase Supply)
24 hits (Runway)


Japanese Deliberately Attack Near Kienko (hex 79,39)


Ground combat at 79,39 (near Kienko)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1018 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Defending force 1490 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 23

Allied adjusted defense: 31

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
101st NCPC Route Brigade

Defending units:
Red Chinese Army
15th Chinese Base Force


Allies Deliberately Attack Magwe


Ground combat at Magwe (57,47)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25637 troops, 488 guns, 216 vehicles, Assault Value = 1149

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

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied adjusted assault: 684

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 684 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Magwe !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
29th British Brigade
3rd Motor Brigade
16th British Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
14th British Brigade
23rd British Brigade
95th Heavy AA Regiment
RAF 223 Group Base Force
6th Heavy AA Regiment
8th Belfast Heavy AA Regiment
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
1st RAF Advanced Base Force


Allies Deliberately Attack Ramree Island


Ground combat at Ramree Island (54,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12231 troops, 324 guns, 281 vehicles, Assault Value = 416

Defending force 6984 troops, 95 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Allied adjusted assault: 143

Japanese adjusted defense: 83

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
369 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
2nd British Division
107th RAF Base Force
175 Wing
173 Wing
23rd Indian Engineer Battalion
18th USN Naval Construction Battalion
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
24th Indian Engineer Battalion
1st NW Frontier Base Force
2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
12th Indian Engineer Battalion
Rabaul Det. Base Force
112th RN Base Force
823rd Engineer Aviation Battalion

Defending units:
55th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
2nd Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th JAAF Base Force


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 18, 1943[/center]


Opening Comments


1.) The Operations Report indicates that 13 Japanese Aircraft were destroyed by Allied CAP; a few near Wake Island and the rest in the sky above the Invasion Fleet.

2.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet is 840 miles away from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota near the Marianas Islands.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


El Lobo bombs Chengtu, Chungking, and near Chihkiang (hex 79,50).


Japanese Bomb Chengtu


Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

2 hits (Airbase)
1 hit (Airbase Supply)
24 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking


Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
4 damaged (Ki-49-IIa Helen)

Allied Losses

520 casualties
2 squads destroyed
89 squads disabled
1 hit (Airbase)
17 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Near Chihkiang (hex 79,50)


No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

7 casualties
1 squad disabled


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 19, 1943[/center]


Opening Comments


1.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet is 600 miles from its destination 40 miles east of Rota near the Marianas Islands.

2.) Invasion Fleet CAP continues to destroy Japanese Search Aircraft; seven were destroyed today.

3.) Japanese ASW Aircraft are aggressively going after Captain Haggard's submarines near the Marianas Islands.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today

1.) El Lobo's destroyers hit one of Captain Haggard's submarines near Guam (104,91).

2.) El Lobo bombs Chungking and near Chihkiang (hex 77,50).

3.) El Lobo deliberately attacks near Chihkiang (hex 77,50).

4.) The Allies deliberately attack Meiktila.


Japanese Destroyers hit Allied Submarine Near Guam (hex 104,91)


No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

Japanese Destroyers Uruyuke and Myojinami hit SS Grouper once.


Japanese Bomb Chungking


Japanese Losses

3 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
2 damaged (Ki-49-IIa Helen)

Allied Losses

478 casualties
1 squad destroyed
76 squads disabled
1 hit (Airbase)
11 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Near Chihkiang (hex 77,50)


No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

12 casualties
2 squads disabled


Japanese Deliberately Attack Near Chihkiang (hex 77.50)


Ground combat at 77,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12166 troops, 84 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 497

Defending force 7280 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 314

Japanese adjusted assault: 319

Allied adjusted defense: 604

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
530 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 70 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
407 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
70th Infantry Brigade
72nd Infantry Brigade
63rd Infantry Brigade
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
38th Chinese Corps
129th Red Chinese Division


Allies Deliberately Attack Meiktila


Ground combat at Meiktila (58,47)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 86222 troops, 1583 guns, 2045 vehicles, Assault Value = 3090

Defending force 61880 troops, 598 guns, 277 vehicles, Assault Value = 1971

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 2133

Japanese adjusted defense: 1592

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), op mode(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5330 casualties reported
Squads: 52 destroyed, 231 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 89 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 76 disabled
Guns lost 72 (15 destroyed, 57 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (4 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4035 casualties reported
Squads: 88 destroyed, 404 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 193 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 147 disabled
Guns lost 112 (12 destroyed, 100 disabled)
Vehicles lost 177 (16 destroyed, 161 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Motor Brigade
6th Australian Division
763rd Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Motor Brigade
7th Australian Division
24th Infantry Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
762nd Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
9th Australian Division
30th Field Artillery Regiment
206th Coast AA Regiment
147th Field Artillery Regiment
249th Field Artillery Battalion
188th Field Artillery Regiment
168th Field Artillery Regiment
138th USA Base Force
134th Field Artillery Battalion
40th Field Artillery Regiment
226th Field Artillery Battalion
216th Coast AA Regiment
214th Coast AA Regiment
183rd Field Artillery Regiment
97th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
Southwest Pacific
251st Coast AA Regiment
64th Coast AA Regiment
181st Field Artillery Regiment
110th USA Base Force
2/1st Heavy AA Regiment

Defending units:
23rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Recon Regiment
48th Division
17th Division
2nd Division
5th Guards Division
55th Const Co
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
82nd JAAF AF Bn
1st Air Army
10th RF Gun Battalion
209th JAAF AF Bn


Best Regards,

-Terry

[CaptHaggard]

Gentlemen,

Regarding El Lobo's aggressive ASW against my SS in the vicinity of Marianas, I haven't received the turn yet to assess results. But the attacks were not only relentless—I think I saw Sculpin and Rasher endure a sequence of over a half-dozen each—the attacks were directionally concentrated, vectored in a relatively narrow band W & NW of Agrihan. He ignored other points of the compass.

He also had groups of surface ships in the same vector—Snook missed CA Mogami[:(]—many destroyers now scour those same waters.

It's almost as if he's trying to clear a path through the thickets of my SS... but clearing a path for what?

Stay tuned...

*Salute*

Hag

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 20, 1943[/center]


Opening Comment


1.) If there was any doubt that El Lobo had not detected the magnitude of the Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet bearing down upon the Marianas Islands, that doubt was eliminated today as 140 Wildcats and 141 Hellcats engaged 42 Zeros in the sky above the Invasion Fleet near Saipan (hex 117,93).

2.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet CAP destroyed the following fifteen Japanese Search Aircraft:

3 (G4Mi Betty)
1 (Ki-46 II Dinah)
2 (D4Y1-C Judy)
2 (D4Y3 Judy)
2 (B5N1 Kate)
1 (B5N2 Kate)
4 (G3M3 Nell)

3.) The Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet is 360 miles from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota near the Marianas Islands.

4.) It appears that Operation Sea Shark ground forces will Amphibious Assault Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam on June 23, 1943.


Synopsis of Combat Events Today


1.) El Lobo bombs and sinks two of Captain Haggard's YMS near Calcutta (hex 52,37).

2.) Captain Haggard's submarine puts a torpedo into El Lobo's CV Junyo near Pagan (hex 106,87).

3.) El Lobo's Kates hit an Allied xAK carrying ground forces near Saipan (hex 117,93).

4.) The Allies substantially win the dogfight above the Invasion Fleet near Saipan (hex 112,95).

5.) El Lobo bombs Chungking.

6.) The Allies deliberately attack Ramree Island for like the eleventh time.


Japanese Bomb and Sink Two Allied YMS' Near Calcutta (hex 52,37)


Japanese Losses

1 damaged (G3M3 Nell)

Allied Losses

YMS BYMS-2055 takes two torpedoes and sinks.
YMS BYMS-2006 takes one torpedo and sinks.


Allied Submarine Puts a Torpedo into Japanese Carrier Near Pagan (hex 106,87)


Japanese Losses

SS Sealion puts a torpedo into CV Junyo setting it on fire with ammunition exploding.

No Allied losses.


Japanese Bomb Allied xAK Near Saipan (hex 117,93)


No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

xAK Salamaua takes a hit and erupts in fire.

3 vehicles lost
2 vehicles destroyed
1 vehicle disabled


Allies Substantially Win Dogfight Near Saipan (hex 112,95)


Japanese Losses

10 destroyed (A6M5 Zero)

Allied Losses

1 destroyed (F6F-3 Hellcat)


El Lobo Bombs Chungking


Japanese Losses

1 damaged (ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

63 casualties
1 squad destroyed
9 squads disabled
3 hits (Airbase)
5 hits (Runway)


Allies Deliberately Attack Ramree Island


Ground combat at Ramree Island (54,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12251 troops, 324 guns, 281 vehicles, Assault Value = 422

Defending force 6890 troops, 98 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 41

Allied adjusted assault: 74

Japanese adjusted defense: 113

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
460 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
2nd British Division
Rabaul Det. Base Force
173 Wing
175 Wing
23rd Indian Engineer Battalion
2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
112th RN Base Force
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
1st NW Frontier Base Force
18th USN Naval Construction Battalion
24th Indian Engineer Battalion
12th Indian Engineer Battalion
107th RAF Base Force
823rd Engineer Aviation Battalion

Defending units:
55th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Army
5th Field Artillery Regiment
17th JAAF Base Force


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 20, 1943[/center]

Captain Haggard's Submarine Operations in Support of Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet 360 miles from destination.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 20,1943

China[/center]


Considering the dedicated effort made by El Lobo to capture all of China, I am surprised that my brave Chinese continue to hurl rocks at El Lobo's low-down, dirty rotten, invading Japanese war mongers.

The most Evil Emperor has been bombing Chengtu and Chungking consistently everyday for well over a year. Until recently, the Japanese bombing runs had not hurt the Chinese too badly. Recently, El Lobo's bombing runs are taking a heavy toll on the Chinese ducking at Chungking. Nine out of ten days the Chinese are suffering close to 500 casualties, 3 or 4 squads destroyed, and 80 squads disabled per day. I figured that the Chinese could not take such punishment forever and that El Lobo's deliberate attacks of Chungking would soon capture the city.

Accordingly, about three weeks ago the Chinese noticed an opening and eight Chinese Corps headed south in an effort to interdict Japanese supply to Chungking.

The Chinese have captured Chihkiang and all the Chinese Corps' are moving into position to occupy significant road hexes. It is hoped, that at a minimum, Japanese supply to Chungking will be slowed down preventing El Lobo's 55 units at Chungking from deliberately attacking Chungking too often.

The supply at Chungking is 400, the Fort Level is 5, and the Assault Value is 5,076.

To the west, the Allies have blocked El Lobo's evil intent to reinforce Burma with Japanese troops from China. The Japanese are stalled one hex west of Paoshan.

[Rio Bravo]

[center]June 20, 1943

Burma[/center]


El Lobo is retreating south toward Rangoon.

The Allies are attempting to slow down El Lobos retreat in an effort to surround and destroy as many Japanese ground forces as possible. Burma would fall to the Allies sooner if the Allies let run. However, the Allies do not want to fight these Japanese troops down the road and prefer to attempt to destroy them in Burma.

The Allies are moving a big CD into the jungle due west of Rangoon. The Allies hope to sink Japanese transports attempting to evacuate Japanese ground forces from Burma.

El Lobo has substantial ground forces in Burma and retains the ability to put up a good fight.

[Rio Bravo]

[center]Brief Break[/center]


Gentlemen of The War College-

El Lobo sent an email stating that he felt that we were at a critical junction of the war and that he needed time to work on Turn 562. Accordingly, I suggested that he take until Monday to complete and return Turn 562.

I believe that the Allies did in fact manage to surprise El Lobo until June 20, 1943 (Turn 561) regarding Operation Sea Shark and the Allied invasion of the four southern Marianas Islands. Otherwise, he would have had time to decide how he wants to proceed to bring the wrath of Japan upon the Allies. I am hoping, that as of June 20, 1943, that this equates to the four southern Marianas Islands not being too heavily defended.

Below is the Strategic Map for June 20, 1943. It illustrates Captain Haggard's efforts to engulf the Marianas Islands with his submarines and it shows the Operation Sea Shark Invasion Fleet just 360 miles from its destination 40 miles due east of Rota.

The next War College AAR report will probably occur after the weekend, on Monday.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Wolfhunter107]

I'm on the edge of my metaphorical seat right now--its going to get very real in a couple of turns here.