Beans, Bullets and Black Oil :: obvert (A) vs Lowpe (J)

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 16, 1942[/font]

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The big news on the 16th is a massive LR CAP of Heiho. I had MiGs on LR CAP, luckily, but they still managed to get through to the bomers and create havoc. The MiGs did well though, downing a large number of Oscar and protecting the strikes as much as possible considering numbers. In the reports below they don't always appear, which is interesting. I lost only one MiGin A to A and one to ops. [:)]

In the DEI the 4Es made one last attempt at Singkawang before the Malaya campaign takes their focus completely. They got a few good hits on the fields, but couldn't damage the ships in port, which I was after. Want to take out the xAKE here. Oh, well.

On the other side, the amphibs get into search range in the IO but are still undetected. They should race into Sabang tomorrow. That base is heavily reconned daily, and I want them to be seen there, in the hope he thinks they are unloading there. I'll have 3-4 SCTF travelling with them and the RN CVs just beyond Sumatra in the hope of hitting the IJN cruisers if they react in. An Indian division is now loading on transports at completely repaired Palembang, also undetected, and will move out to reach Malaya shortly after these units.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 16, 1942
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Morning Air attack on Heiho , at 113,33

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 33,190 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 81

Allied aircraft
I-16m24 x 18
MiG-3 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16m24: 4 destroyed
MiG-3: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
85th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 15 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 11 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Heiho , at 113,33

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 58

Allied aircraft
I-15bis x 30
SB-2 x 49

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-15bis: 2 destroyed
SB-2: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SB-2 bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Heiho , at 113,33

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 43

Allied aircraft
SB-2 x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SB-2 bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Heiho , at 113,33

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
MiG-3 x 16
SB-2 x 11

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

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SB-2 bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Heiho , at 113,33

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
I-15bis x 19
MiG-3 x 34
SB-2 x 14

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

Allied aircraft losses
I-15bis: 1 destroyed
SB-2: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SB-2 bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Singkawang , at 56,88

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Singkawang , at 56,88

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 16, 1942[/font]

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The Soviet situation.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 17, 1942[/font]

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On the 17th cruisers make it to Medan without incident. The Japanese sent Bettys at night, but no hits. No strikes during the day, thankfully.

They did send an Oscar sweep and hit by Lilys to Sabang, but no hits on the base were landed and fighters moved in there today to cover the arriving amphibs tomorrow.

The only other action was a Wnchow where it looks like the defenders will finally capitulate. It's been a long campaign, but a 1:1 with heavier losses to the Chinese means the rest is downhill. the deciding factor has been BB bombardment over the past few days.

I'm interested to see if anything else will develop in china after this base is taken. Will the IJA make a push there? currently Chinese units are well dug in just about everywhere, and many are nearing fully operational after repairing lots of disabled squads. There are some big units!
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 17, 1942
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Night Air attack on TF, near Medan at 46,76

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Portland

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,77

Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 5

Allied Ships
DD Alden
CL Colombo
CL Capetown
CL Ceres
DD Stuart
DD Banckert
DD Kortenaer

SS I-121 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Alden
DD Banckert attacking submerged sub ....

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Afternoon Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

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Afternoon Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 17

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 15000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33639 troops, 359 guns, 128 vehicles, Assault Value = 638

Defending force 18073 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 305

Japanese adjusted assault: 665

Allied adjusted defense: 493

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
811 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
615 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 15 (13 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
17th Division
32nd Division
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
25th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force
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Boise, fully repaired and with a new dark blue paint job, will renter the DEI soon! I hope she fares better than her sisters, lost around Singers a few months before.

[ny59giants]

Soviets: I know it's a long way to 1/43, but the next version of the Soviet rifle squads are vastly improved!! Do you get any armored upgrades in the next year?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Boise, fully repaired and with a new dark blue paint job, will renter the DEI soon! I hope she fares better than her sisters, lost around Singers a few months before.

You have sunk or heavily damaged so many IJN combat ships that Boise should have much less formidable opposition in naval combats. And with the war in Manchuria, the Japanese air force must be diluted considerably in the Singapore area. I think Lowpe should be fearing Boise!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Soviets: I know it's a long way to 1/43, but the next version of the Soviet rifle squads are vastly improved!! Do you get any armored upgrades in the next year?

Nothing until the T-34. It's a loooong wait. Mid-44. [:(]

I've taken the attitude that I have to do what I can now until about mid-summer 42. By that point the Japanese will control Soviet airspace. I'll dig in and see what happens.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: obvert

Boise, fully repaired and with a new dark blue paint job, will renter the DEI soon! I hope she fares better than her sisters, lost around Singers a few months before.

You have sunk or heavily damaged so many IJN combat ships that Boise should have much less formidable opposition in naval combats. And with the war in Manchuria, the Japanese air force must be diluted considerably in the Singapore area. I think Lowpe should be fearing Boise!

She also has very good experience now, something like 76/68

[Rafid]

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]April 16, 1942[/font]

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The Soviet situation.

Looks pretty good for digging in. Can't you dislodge the Troops at Tungho (Japanese Base across the river at the northern end of the southern line) or is there any other reason you're settling for the base across the river in whorse terrain?

An alternative approach for Lowpe would be amphibious assault at a weakly defended spot. He'll soon rule the sea as well as the air. I've never fought there, but by looking at the map two places stand out to me:

- Komsomolsk has open terrain, perfect access to the soviet back country and is at the end of navigable river
- Sovetskaya Gavan looks pretty far away but has decent access to the soviet back country via roads.

The Vladivostok area is perhaps to heavily defended to land there (Vladivostok itself would just be succide). Olga at the eastern end of it could serve as a landing spot, but fighting out of there would be difficult.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Rafid

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]April 16, 1942[/font]

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The Soviet situation.

Looks pretty good for digging in. Can't you dislodge the Troops at Tungho (Japanese Base across the river at the northern end of the southern line) or is there any other reason you're settling for the base across the river in whorse terrain?

For now it's not an option because I won't do well shocking across, the slow movement from Kiamuze would just allow him to reinforce, and the blockade to the South is strong enough to cause me trouble. Stacking limits help the defender a lot in this area once if the defensive modifier is good.

If I eventually get Heiho, then a move toward Harbin would have to be answered, and I could swing back around for that base, or others just beyond the line.

An alternative approach for Lowpe would be amphibious assault at a weakly defended spot. He'll soon rule the sea as well as the air. I've never fought there, but by looking at the map two places stand out to me:

- Komsomolsk has open terrain, perfect access to the soviet back country and is at the end of navigable river
- Sovetskaya Gavan looks pretty far away but has decent access to the soviet back country via roads.

The Vladivostok area is perhaps to heavily defended to land there (Vladivostok itself would just be succide). Olga at the eastern end of it could serve as a landing spot, but fighting out of there would be difficult.

Vlad is an absolute beast. The CD guns there are insane. A few other bases have pretty good protection, including Olga. Sovetskaya Gavan is vulnerable. I'll eventually send a brigade down there to reinforce, but the CD guns there are decent too.

In another game I've seen someone try to head down the river past the CD guns to Komsomolsk. I think the IJN lost several BBs and a lot of other ships, including most of the amphibs. Those aren't the strongest guns, but somehow I think moving past them gives them all kinds of time to wreak havoc.

Komsomolsk will have decent forts soon and of course is on the rail, which s a plus. I've got a lot of brigades arriving soon, and some of those will move back here to reinforce.

There are a lot of options for the Japanese, but as they consider them, they also have to deal with the DEI. The PI hasn't been taken yet either, and grows just a bit stronger by the day. He's been struggling to get bases like Medan, and doesn't have Ambon, Makassar or Kendari, just begging me to reinforce them. I also have a strong bunch of troops still sitting on Mindanao holed up in the mountains that still have some supply. It would be amazing to resupply Manila/Clark/Bataan, but that is a long way down the road from today! [;)]

He is vey stretched, and is taking the Soviets very seriously. If it had been me I would have played a very defensive war there until late 43 when the air could be controlled, the DEI was conquered and the IJN was in a good state to take on anything coming close. The Soviets are not strong enough yet to beat the Japanese up here unless they overextend and open possibilities for creating pockets, which has happened a few times now. Japan could have caused me a lot of problems by trading land for time, as the Soviets are so familiar with. I understand how my move on Sakhalin would have caused some panic, but he dealt with that easily, and same for my move on Tsitsahar. He just hasn't condensed Japanese troops often enough to make me overextend and hit a wall. That time will come though, but I'll hopefully see it before getting a chunk of the Soviet Army crushed.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 18, 1942[/font]

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On the 18th the RN BBs bombard a few targets, poorly. Not sure why these guys just haven’t performed well in a bombardment role. It should be all they’re really good for! 😉

The 4Es do much better, crushing a tank regiment at Malacca, which seems to be the only unit there. A nice place to get a second foothold on Malaya I think, since these tanks won’t be any good for much for a while.

Wenchow does finally fall after nearly five months of siege. Not bad. The ejected Chinese units retreat into a poor position and probably can’t be saved, but I’ll try to get them back behind the lines near Changsha.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 18, 1942
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Night Naval bombardment of Singkep at 49,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Revenge

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 1

BB Royal Sovereign firing at Singkep
BB Revenge firing at I/124th Infantry Battalion

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Morning Air attack on 18th JNAF AF Unit , at 48,93 , near Praboemoelih

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 14

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x 139WH-3 bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 300 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 4th Tank Regiment, at 49,81 (Malacca)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-26 Marauder x 9
P-38E Lightning x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-400 Airacobra x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 38 (3 destroyed, 35 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 4th Tank Regiment, at 49,81 (Malacca)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33037 troops, 359 guns, 128 vehicles, Assault Value = 574

Defending force 17266 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 263

Japanese adjusted assault: 1022

Allied adjusted defense: 394

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wenchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6840 casualties reported
Squads: 130 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 252 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 45 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th Division
22nd Division
32nd Division
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
3rd War Area
14th Chinese Base Force


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Ground combat at Djambi (48,88)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3172 troops, 41 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Defending force 6011 troops, 59 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Assaulting units:
13th Australian Brigade
45th Indian Brigade

Defending units:
4th/A Division
4th/B Division
36th Field AA Battalion
35th Field AA Battalion
35th JAAF AF Bn
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All of the stuff that's going to Medan tomorrow. Tempting fate here, but doing my best to cover with all bases maxed out with fighters, and all surface forces available moving with them. The CVs will not go into the strait, but will stay out on the edge of Sumatra.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 19, 1942[/font]

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On the 19th the IJN gets perilously close to our amphibs on their way to bombard Medan. It would have been really useful to catch them after the bombardment with the three cruiser TFs running shotgun here, but they scooted through.

The RN strikes out at the cruisers during the day, getting some clear runs, but not able to land a fish here. Damn!

The Skipjack got to see a good shot of Hiryu in it's scope between Kuching and Saigon. I have to watch out here, as these guys are in range of the amphis coming in. All prep is in place though, with bases maxed out near Utan Melintang.

Some more good work by the 4Es on Malaya ground troops.

Up North both air forces strike at troops. Nothing too major, and ours will be CAPed tomorrow as they attack the refugees from Arshaan.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 19, 1942
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Night Naval bombardment of Medan at 46,76

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CL Abukuma

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Ashigara
CA Ashigara firing at Medan
CL Abukuma firing at Medan

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Morning Air attack on 1st Ussurii Tank Brigade, at 105,32 , near Tamsag

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 8000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 1st Ussurii Tank Brigade, at 105,32 , near Tamsag

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (4 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 7th Manchukuo Cav Brigade, at 101,32 (Yugodzyr)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 21

Allied aircraft losses
DB-3M: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x DB-3M bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 5th Mongol Cavalry Division, at 99,31 (Oboto)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 18
DB-3T x 23

Allied aircraft losses
DB-3M: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
263 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x DB-3M bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 4th Tank Regiment, at 49,81 (Malacca)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-26 Marauder x 17
P-38E Lightning x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-400 Airacobra x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Georgetown at 49,74

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 22
Martlet II x 12

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

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 2 damaged
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak
Martlet II: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CL Abukuma
DD Shinonome
DD Karukaya

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

obvert: On the 18th the RN BBs bombard a few targets, poorly. Not sure why these guys just haven’t performed well in a bombardment role. It should be all they’re really good for! ��

I have been using all four of the R's together and have dealt some devastating bombardments, even in wooded terrain. In addition to flying spotter aircraft during the bombardment I try to raise the D/L of the enemy troops by both day and night recon at least the day before the bombardment, sometimes two consecutive days.

The other thing that seems to improve troop bombardments is to click directly on the centre of the enemy troop icon, rather than just on the hex or base. I haven't seen anything from Alfred or other experts about this being in the program, but witpqs put me on to it and it seems to make a difference.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

obvert: On the 18th the RN BBs bombard a few targets, poorly. Not sure why these guys just haven’t performed well in a bombardment role. It should be all they’re really good for! ��

I have been using all four of the R's together and have dealt some devastating bombardments, even in wooded terrain. In addition to flying spotter aircraft during the bombardment I try to raise the D/L of the enemy troops by both day and night recon at least the day before the bombardment, sometimes two consecutive days.

I've got the spotters, and usually a day recon in the hex, or a bombing run. It could also be that there just isn't a lot in these hexes. I am aiming at very small units here. [:)]

[BBfanboy]

Yeah small units could make the difference. Note my edit above - I was working on it when you posted.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Yeah small units could make the difference. Note my edit above - I was working on it when you posted.

I'll try that! Thanks!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 20, 1942[/font]

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Well, this last turn my TFs got a bit slammed by the KB portion that's here in the DEI. I had a ton of CAP cover including 50 fighters in the base where everything was, another 75 fighters 3 hexes away at Medan, but only small bits of them seemed to come out to play.

Doesn't look as bad as it could have been, and judging from the troops listed lost, I think a lot was unloaded in the night phase. i don't have the turn yet though so I can't see the real damage yet.

One old RN CL Durban looks to be a goner, but the others might be saved. Two xAP are goners.

Tomorrow I'll try to get everything out to Singers. The CAP there should be able to handle this mini-KB.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 20, 1942
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Utan Melintang at 48,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 74
B5N1 Kate x 24
B5N2 Kate x 25
D3A1 Val x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 11
P-400 Airacobra x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Hobart
CA Portland
KV Genista, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Durban, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Emerald, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Blue, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Mildura, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Ima, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Patterson

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

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

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Utan Melintang at 48,77

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 59
B5N1 Kate x 9
B5N2 Kate x 8
D3A1 Val x 29

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 7
P-400 Airacobra x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CL Capetown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAP Limerick, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Durban, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Mildura, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Dauntless, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CL Hobart
xAP Aorangi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Caledon
xAP Macedon

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (3 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 20, 1942[/font]

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So the postmortem is one CL, the Durban, burning up and likely sinking tomorrow, one DD, the Blue, sunk, and an xAK and an xAP sunk. Another is badly beat up but will try to unload the rest of a base force before disbanding. I expect she'll be sunk by the IJN tomorrow.

Altogether, a very lucky result. I'll try to scoot back to Singers now and hopefully avoid any chasing cruisers and the KB. I don't think he'll risk a strike near Singers though.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 21, 1942[/font]

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Sorry for the lack of updates. Trying to get ready for xmas here at the house. Tree now up, lights on, some garlands hanging. Not bad.

On the 21st I went for the KB with a small amount of LBA from Singers. One group of SBD and one of Albacore. I set a good escort though, and it as it turned out I didn't need it, but I didn't hit the intended target.

The KB moved away, and as I'd hoped, sent most of it's zeros sweeping. It was out of range though, so my guys found a new target; BB Mutsu! It had moved in to support Sinkep and intercept the bombardments I'd been running, which I didn't run this turn. Instead, it took 3 x 1000lb and 4 torpedoes!!

I'm thinking it's in bad shape but Lowpe has a history of getting these ships to port safely. I could run a few SCTFs out to intercept, but I know the mini-KB will move in to support, and it could pick of anything damaged in a knife fight night battle. I decided to call this a good day and send as many subs as possible to intercept. Sinkawang is the closest port, 6 hexes away, and I can get 10-12 subs into the path in the next two days. Hopefully I'll score another hit and that'll be it. How much can she take? [:D]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 21, 1942
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Morning Air attack on Utan Melintang , at 48,77

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-400 Airacobra x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Singkep , at 49,87

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-39D Airacobra sweeping at 15000 feet

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singkep at 49,87

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 3
CL Jintsu

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singkep at 49,87

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yura
CL Jintsu

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

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 22, 1942[/font]

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Ashigara and Abukuma are a menace. They sink the xAP Limerick, and then bombard Utan Melintang. I'll be able to deal with them soon, but also right now have to both track Mutsu and prepare from some landings on Malaya. I have 4 CAs coming into theatre and out of the repair yards, so a bit more to play with in a few days.

Happily, later in the day Dorniers put 2 x 300kg bombs into Ashigara and 1 x 300kg into Abukuma!! That's gotta slow them down.

Subs found the KB but couldn't get a look at the CVs.

The big news of the day s the S-27 manages to get another fish into the side of Mutsu. That has to be it, right? Five torpedoes? No sinking heard yet though. We'll keep hunting.

Sinkep finally falls back to the Allies. [:)]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR April 22, 1942
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Night Naval bombardment of Utan Melintang at 48,77

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CL Abukuma

Allied ground losses:
252 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 34

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Ashigara
CA Ashigara firing at Utan Melintang
CL Abukuma firing at Utan Melintang

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Sub attack near Lingga at 52,87

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Wakatake

Allied Ships
SS S-27, hits 1

SS S-27 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Mutsu
S-27 bottoming out ....

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Georgetown at 49,74

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Do-24K-1: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 2
CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg SAP Bomb
2 x Do-24K-1 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 300 kg GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Singkep (49,87)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 784 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Defending force 465 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 18

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Singkep !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Riouw Cdo

Defending units:
I/124th Infantry Battalion
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[obvert]

We've had a bit of a hiatus in the past few days. The family here was getting over jet lag and I had to get antibiotics for a chest infection. Not so fun.

In addition, now, once I got back into it all and was running the latest turn, my laptop crashed. I lost that and to top it off it looks like it’s toast. No sign of life.

So … I need to figure out what to do next. I’ll try to get bootcamp and Windows going on my Mac finally and play on there if possible. If that doesn’t work I’ll need to get another game laptop. It might a day or two before I can get this going again.

That machine is the only one I’ve played WITP and WITP:AE on, so it was due a retirement!! It served me well! [&o]

I just wish I’d put it out to pasture in a planned way instead of unexpectedly seeing it topple over and die.

I do have a few updates still to make here, and some interesting action going on. I'll catch up and try to get this back on track soon.