IdahoNYer vs LST (J AAR): GAME OVER!

[adarbrauner]

Nagato Maru? What the ****?

[LargeSlowTarget]

May I guess the fate of the captain of PB Nagato Maru?

Orders were waiting for him upon his return to base to conduct a scouting mission to Pearl Harbour - in a rowboat!

However, he wisely has chosen to go down with his ship.

[jwolf]

In fairness, he did win the highest naval medal that could be awarded -- for the Allied side. [:D]

[LargeSlowTarget]

November 20th/21st, 1943

The ill-fated Nagato Maru has been part of an amphib TFs tasked to land reinforcements and supplies at Babar.

My forces on Babar outnumber the enemy, but not heavily enough yet :

Ground combat at Babar (76,117)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14226 troops, 256 guns, 86 vehicles, Assault Value = 428

Defending force 9806 troops, 124 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value = 209

Japanese adjusted assault: 230

Allied adjusted defense: 481

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1378 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (15 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
511 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
31st Engineer Regiment
138th Infantry Regiment
2nd Division
8th Armored Car Co
58th Infantry Rgt /3
31st Tankette Co
6th RF Gun Battalion
41st Ind.AA Gun Co
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
11th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.AA Gun Co
5th Air Div /6

Defending units:
503rd Parachute Regiment
2/6 Commando Battalion
40th Infantry/A Division
811th Aviation Engineer Battalion
2nd Air Advn Base Force
10th Marine Defense Battalion
42nd US Naval Construction Battalion

More reinforcements are inbound from Japan, but they must be split between Babar and the Biak - Sorong area which is now threatened - the Allies have taken lightly-defended Hollandia:

Ground combat at Hollandia (93,116)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16332 troops, 222 guns, 327 vehicles, Assault Value = 585

Defending force 3190 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Allied adjusted assault: 231

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 46 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Hollandia !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
1056 casualties reported
Squads: 147 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 56 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5

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

Assaulting units:
4th Marine Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
767th Tank Battalion
4th Pioneer Battalion
4th AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
10th Port Maint Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
84th Naval Guard Unit
51st Naval Guard Unit
85th Naval Guard Unit
71st Div /1
25th JNAF AF Unit

However, with KB operating in the Celebes Sea, any further Allied moves up the New Guinea coast faces the risk of intervention by KB, so I expect more caution and probably enemy carrier support for an eventual Allied move further up the coast. Two new Independent Mixed Brigades are staging at Babeldaop to garrison the level-5 base at Biak, another one will move to the level-4 base of Noemfoor.

KB will provide cover for this operation. I have pulled about half the dive and torpedo bombers from the carriers and filled them with fighters groups, a mix of land-based and reconstituted CAGs from the various CVLs which have been sunk so far. This augmented CAP has already served me well off Babar in the last few turns.

The A6M8 has advanced research to November 1943 and to my surprise entered production immediately - I thought that advancing R&D into the current month wasn't possible and that a switch to production would happen only at the beginning of a month. Great, 330 additional fighters per month! For the moment, I plan to use the M8 on the carriers and keep the longer-ranged and heavier-armed M5c in production for land-based groups. I am not researching the Sam - repairing R&D factories and another engine model are just too supply-demanding.

The second model of the George has entered production as well, now I can field three groups. However, AV support is very thin for Japan...

In Burma, the heroic defense of the 65th Bde blocking the Burma Road near Paoshan is coming to an end soon - there are only a few dozen damaged squads and no supplies left.

However, I may be able to capture Chungking before the Allied manage to revitalize the remaining Chinese forces outside Chungking via the Burma Road. Two deliberate non-overstacked attacks finally made good progress:

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 135200 troops, 1445 guns, 1696 vehicles, Assault Value = 4136

Defending force 123784 troops, 353 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2486

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 6137

Allied adjusted defense: 2647

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
16090 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 401 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 327 disabled
Engineers: 96 destroyed, 266 disabled
Guns lost 60 (4 destroyed, 56 disabled)
Vehicles lost 170 (14 destroyed, 156 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5446 casualties reported
Squads: 62 destroyed, 329 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 134 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 25 (4 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
7th Ind Engineer Regiment
26th Division
70th Division
35th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
15th Division
30th Ind Engineer Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
37th Division
12th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Division
38th Ind Engineer Regiment
29th Ind Engineer Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
33rd Ind Engineer Regiment
34th Ind Engineer Regiment
13th Division
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Division
116th Division
11th Tank Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
39th Ind Engineer Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Army
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
12th Army
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
1st Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
17th Group Army
12th Group Army
China Command
41st AA Regiment
12th Construction Regiment
89th Chinese Corps
Central Reserve
10th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
CAF HQ
51st Chinese Corps
39th Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
40th Group Army
16th Construction Regiment
49th AA Regiment
32nd Group Army
1st Artillery Regiment
31st Group Army
1st Chinese Base Force

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 124627 troops, 1443 guns, 1692 vehicles, Assault Value = 3307

Defending force 118956 troops, 349 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2113

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 3348

Allied adjusted defense: 3023

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
8752 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 388 disabled
Non Combat: 146 destroyed, 154 disabled
Engineers: 191 destroyed, 61 disabled
Guns lost 44 (5 destroyed, 39 disabled)
Vehicles lost 195 (74 destroyed, 121 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
4923 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 328 disabled
Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 95 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 25 (5 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
116th Division
34th Ind Engineer Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
9th Armored Car Co
33rd Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Division
11th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
35th Division
12th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
29th Ind Engineer Regiment
37th Division
15th Division
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
7th Ind Engineer Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Tank Division
19th Tank Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
26th Division
30th Ind Engineer Regiment
70th Division
13th Division
38th Ind Engineer Regiment
39th Ind Engineer Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
12th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
11th Army
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
59th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade
32nd Group Army
49th AA Regiment
China Command
89th Chinese Corps
17th Group Army
40th Group Army
51st Chinese Corps
Central Reserve
41st AA Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
10th Group Army
12th Group Army
39th Group Army
12th Construction Regiment
16th Construction Regiment
CAF HQ
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
1st Chinese Base Force

I have seven fresh divisions at the gates of Chungking - moved-up from the token siege of Changsha - to swap-out against the four divisions which have taken the brunt of the casualties in the attacks above. All Eng Regiments have been thrashed again, but I hope the embedded engineers in the reinforcements will be enough to take-down the remaining level-2 forts. Fingers crossed.

[PaxMondo]

If you manage CK at this date, it will be the latest date that I know of ... congrats!!!

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

I have seven fresh divisions at the gates of Chungking - moved-up from the token siege of Changsha - to swap-out against the four divisions which have taken the brunt of the casualties in the attacks above. All Eng Regiments have been thrashed again, but I hope the embedded engineers in the reinforcements will be enough to take-down the remaining level-2 forts. Fingers crossed.

You managed a 2:1 attack at lvl 3 forts ... that is very encouraging.

The discouraging part was that your losses were greater than 2:1 his ... either a really bad roll or you had a lot of damaged units ....

[LargeSlowTarget]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 22/23, 43

- Surprise raid by US carriers which managed to penetrate DEEP into the Philippine Sea undetected, sinking reinforcements bound for Babar
- South Pacific actions continue - Truk and Manus bombed, Sarmi invaded, Combined Fleet off Biak covering the landing of garrison troops attracts feeble air attacks
- renewed action in the IO - Victoria Point bombed, Sabang bombed and bombarded > smells like an invasion of Great Nicorbar, Sabang or elsewhere in the vicinity is pending
- Babar contest in balance with Allied bombing and Japanese bombarding
- Ledo road finally unlocked
- Chunking bombardment reveals Allied resistance is failing
- Mine warfare remains lively
- US subs getting feisty

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Sarmi at 91,114

Allied Ships
BB Washington
CA Minneapolis
CA Salt Lake City
CA Pensacola
CA Indianapolis
CL Nashville

Japanese ground losses:
613 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Port hits 25
Port supply hits 4

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Washington
BB Washington firing at Sarmi
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Minneapolis
CA Minneapolis firing at 24th JNAF AF Unit
CA Salt Lake City firing at Sarmi
CA Pensacola firing at Sarmi
CA Indianapolis firing at Sarmi
CL Nashville firing at Sarmi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Sabang at 44,70

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 33 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CA Cornwall
CA Suffolk
CL Newcastle
CL Ceylon

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 39
Port hits 26
Port fuel hits 7
Port supply hits 10

CA Frobisher firing at Sabang
CA Cornwall firing at Sabang
CA Suffolk firing at Sabang
CL Newcastle firing at Sabang
CL Ceylon firing at Sabang

Pretty good results, without a spotter plane...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Babar at 76,117 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CL Kiso
CL Tama
CL Kuma

Port hits 2

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Furutaka
CA Furutaka firing at 40th Infantry/A Division
CA Aoba firing at 40th Infantry/A Division
CL Kiso firing at 10th Marine Defense Battalion
10th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Kiso
CL Tama firing at Babar
CL Kuma firing at Babar

Pretty bad results - despite a spotter plane...

I'm cursed!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 26

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 14

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

If he keeps it up, I may try a CAP trap.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manus , at 101,119

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 36
FM-1 Wildcat x 5

No Allied losses

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 138th Infantry Regiment, at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 23
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 138th Infantry Regiment, at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 9
Kittyhawk IV x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 10
P-40K Warhawk x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 90,83

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 28

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Huzi Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Teibi Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAP Teiritsu Maru, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tachikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
638 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Huzi Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Teiritsu Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tachikaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 90,83

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Teiritsu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Huzi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Teibi Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
9340 casualties reported
Squads: 190 destroyed, 121 disabled
Non Combat: 220 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 31 (26 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 42 (42 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

The better part of the 1st Amphib Bde on its way to Babar has been wiped out - one DD escaped at full speed with a fragment saved, so at least I can reconstitute the unit without PP costs...

Damnit, the TF must have slipped through the gap between the Marianas and Iwo Jima, despite Betties and Emilies on naval search on Saipan and Marcus. Ballsy and lucky!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Sarmi (91,114)

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DE Kane
DE Edward C. Daly
LCI-445
LCI-219

DE Kane fired at enemy troops
DE Edward C. Daly fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Sarmi (91,114)

TF 428 troops unloading over beach at Sarmi, 91,114

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

The Allied advances are picking-up speed, Ed is not even waiting to build-up the recently captured Hollandia before moving on. However, he is moving into striking range of Combined Fleet concentrated at Ambon for the Babar operation.

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

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 63633 troops, 1032 guns, 940 vehicles, Assault Value = 2812

Defending force 115373 troops, 343 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1821

Allied ground losses:
450 casualties reported
Squads: 32 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
13th Division
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
26th Division
37th Division
19th Tank Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
70th Division
116th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
15th Division
15th Tank Regiment
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Division
3rd Tank Division
33rd Ind Engineer Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
35th Division
39th Ind Engineer Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
30th Ind Engineer Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
11th Army
29th Ind Engineer Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Army
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
7th Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Army
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
38th Ind Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
59th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
41st AA Regiment
17th Group Army
89th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
10th Group Army
Central Reserve
China Command
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
39th Group Army
12th Group Army
34th Separate Brigade
CAF HQ
40th Group Army
49th AA Regiment
1st Chinese Base Force

Lots of destroyed squads for a mere bombardment - good sign.

I'm swapping tired divisions against fresh ones waiting outside Chungking for another DA asap.

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

Ground combat at Babar (76,117)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12383 troops, 253 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 341

Defending force 9509 troops, 124 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 182

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

Allied ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Division
138th Infantry Regiment
8th Armored Car Co
58th Infantry Rgt /3
31st Engineer Regiment
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
11th RF Gun Battalion
31st Tankette Co
6th RF Gun Battalion
41st Ind.AA Gun Co
3rd Ind.AA Gun Co
5th Air Div /6

Defending units:
2/6 Commando Battalion
40th Infantry/A Division
503rd Parachute Regiment
1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
811th Aviation Engineer Battalion
2nd Air Advn Base Force
10th Marine Defense Battalion
42nd US Naval Construction Battalion

Without the two Amphib Brigades which got drowned in the Allied carrier raid, the issue is more and more in doubt...

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

Ground combat at 64,45 (near Paoshan)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18740 troops, 283 guns, 173 vehicles, Assault Value = 579

Defending force 2524 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 188

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 188 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3331 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 229 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
43rd Infantry Division
16th LRP Brigade
XV Indian Corps
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment

Defending units:
65th Brigade

Ledo Road finally open - too late for the rescue of Chungking I hope.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 380 encounters mine field at 54,54 - the approaches to Rangoon having been mined by one of my two remaining minelaying subs

Allied Ships
AM Kumaon
AM Kyber

6 mines cleared - but not enough
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 323 encounters mine field at 54,54

Allied Ships
PC Netravati, Mine hits 1, heavy damage
LST 8, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Matang, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 283 encounters mine field at Babar (76,117) - alas, it also works the other way round...

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Babar at 77,116 - mines are not the only dangers around Babar

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Trout

SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes at DD Usugumo
Sub escapes detection

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Waigeo at 82,105

Japanese Ships
DD Asanagi, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pogy

SS Pogy launches 4 torpedoes at DD Asanagi
Sub escapes detection

Damn subs, they are everywhere - except on the SRA convoy routes. Mixed blessing, I have more tankers than oil/fuel to transport, but I'm running short of DDs due to heavy losses to mines and subs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 35

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 86,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 64

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed

KB is covering convoy landing two Independent Brigades at Biak and another at Noemfoar.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Legaspi at 93,82

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 28
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2
xAP Teifu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Tatsuta Maru
xAP Argentina Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hakaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hakaze

This TF carries the 2nd Amphib Bde, also bound for Babar. Ise and a couple of 21knot APs managed to disengage and made Sasebo with about 50% of the unit saved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Biak at 87,110

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Atago

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

[LargeSlowTarget]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 24/25, 43

- KB and SAG leave Biak covering position to sweep Sarmi and Hollandia area, small convoys found and duly sunk but enemy SAG and CVE forces have retreated in time
- Sarmi falls nonetheless since only token defense in place - however, this is the last level-5 base in New Guinea without defense forces
- Japanese subs out of luck near Great Nicobar and Babar
- Chungking falls!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 91,114, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Mogami
CL Oyodo
CL Agano
DD Shimozuki
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Samidare
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
DE Edward C. Daly, Shell hits 1
DE Kane, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AKA Jupiter, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-219, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCI-443
LCI-445
LCI-447, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 7% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CA Mogami engages AKA Jupiter at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages LCI-447 at 10,000 yards
CA Takao engages AKA Jupiter at 10,000 yards
CL Agano engages AKA Jupiter at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Hiei engages AKA Jupiter at 6,000 yards
BB Haruna engages AKA Jupiter at 6,000 yards
CA Mogami engages AKA Jupiter at 6,000 yards
CA Atago engages AKA Jupiter at 6,000 yards
AKA Jupiter sunk by CA Takao at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DE Kane at 3,000 yards
DE Kane engages BB Haruna at 3,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DE Kane at 3,000 yards
LCI-219 sunk by CA Mogami at 3,000 yards
CL Oyodo engages DE Kane at 3,000 yards
DE Kane engages DD Shiranui at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DE Kane at 5,000 yards
LCI-447 sunk by CA Mogami at 5,000 yards
CA Atago engages DE Kane at 5,000 yards
DE Kane engages CA Takao at 5,000 yards
CL Agano engages DE Kane at 5,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DE Kane at 5,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DE Edward C. Daly at 5,000 yards
DE Kane engages DD Shimozuki at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DE Kane at 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DE Kane at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages LCI-445 at 8,000 yards
CL Agano engages DE Kane at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DE Kane at 10,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DE Kane at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages LCI-443 at 10,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DE Kane at 10,000 yards
DD Shimozuki engages DE Kane at 10,000 yards
DE Kane sunk by BB Hiei at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DE Edward C. Daly at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DE Edward C. Daly at 7,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 92,114, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Mogami
CL Oyodo
CL Agano
DD Shimozuki
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Samidare
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
DE Edward C. Daly, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
LCI-443, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-445, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 28,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DE Edward C. Daly at 28,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DE Edward C. Daly at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DE Edward C. Daly at 25,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DE Edward C. Daly at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DE Edward C. Daly at 22,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DE Edward C. Daly at 22,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DE Edward C. Daly at 22,000 yards
DE Edward C. Daly sunk by CA Atago at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
BB Haruna engages LCI-445 at 18,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages LCI-445 at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
LCI-445 sunk by BB Hiei at 16,000 yards
LCI-443 sunk by DD Urakaze at 16,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 93,116, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Mogami
CL Oyodo
CL Agano
DD Shimozuki
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Samidare
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
xAKL Burwah, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Coolana, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 28,000 yards
BB Hiei engages xAKL Burwah at 28,000 yards
CA Mogami engages xAKL Coolana at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards
BB Hiei engages xAKL Coolana at 27,000 yards
BB Hiei engages xAKL Burwah at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards
xAKL Coolana sunk by BB Hiei at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
xAKL Burwah sunk by BB Hiei at 23,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Great Nicobar at 39,67

Japanese Ships
SS I-162, hits 22, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Mugford
DD Bagley

SS I-162 is sighted by escort
DD Mugford attacking submerged sub ....
DD Mugford is out of ASW ammo
DD Mugford is out of ASW ammo
SS I-162 forced to surface!
DD Mugford firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bagley firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Mugford firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Bagley firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Mugford firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub vs Sub: SS Grunion attacking SS RO-105 at 77,118 - near Babar

Japanese Ships
SS RO-105, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage > 68 flt, may make it back to Ambon - tough little tub

Allied Ships
SS Grunion

SS Grunion launches 2 torpedoes at 2,000 yards

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

Ground combat at Sarmi (91,114)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3915 troops, 61 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Defending force 565 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 49

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 49 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Sarmi !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
197 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry/C Division
6th Air Advn Base Force
41st US Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
24th JNAF AF Unit


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

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 119080 troops, 1440 guns, 1504 vehicles, Assault Value = 3588

Defending force 114928 troops, 338 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1807

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 5756

Allied adjusted defense: 1599

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chungking !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
8857 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 608 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 92 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 56 disabled
Guns lost 36 (1 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Vehicles lost 72 (7 destroyed, 65 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
148257 casualties reported
Squads: 4883 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7230 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 179 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 354 (354 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 28

Assaulting units:
35th Division
39th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
3rd Division
13th Division
40th Division
15th Tank Regiment
22nd Division
37th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Division
12th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
34th Division
11th Tank Regiment
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
11th Army
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Army
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Army
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
14th Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
1st New Chinese Corps
17th Group Army
12th Group Army
39th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
Central Reserve
89th Chinese Corps
10th Group Army
49th AA Regiment
34th Separate Brigade
China Command
51st Chinese Corps
40th Group Army
CAF HQ
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
1st Chinese Base Force


Finally - Banzai!!!

Now what?

[adarbrauner]

Yooooo wow!

[jwolf]

Wow, that was a terrific recovery at Chungking! After the debacles of earlier attacks, I really didn't think you could take it! Congratulations, though as you said, now what?

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget
- Chungking falls!

Wow, now that is a development one would not expect if reading some older pages [:)]
Congratulations!

[Bif1961]

Now you have all these forces to do what you wish if you are allowed to push them into Burma/India without paying PPs.

[LargeSlowTarget]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 28/29, 43

Sumatra

The pause enforced by the carrier battle off Sabang has ended - the US carriers are back in action.

I was expecting a landing at Great Nicobar Is. - so far Ed has been quite systematical in moving down the Andaman / Nicobar island chain.

However, he elected to go straight for Sabang - and to bring along the cream of the Allied fighting forces.

I have long feared such a development, but have not been able to do much about it - not enough ground forces available to be strong everywhere, and what is available is heavily engaged in Burma and the Babar operation (or got sunk by the recent carrier raid in the Philippine Sea...). There is only one brigade at Sabang, and nothing behind it all the way down to Palembang. Some reinforcements have been dispatched from the Home Islands, but it is already obvious that it will be "too late and too few".

Same for the Navy - engaged in reinforcing the Biak area and Babar. The only naval defenses available for Sabang are mines - promptly swept by the Allies - and a bunch of submarines. The subs had no luck, and I lost seven of them in the past 14 days in the area between Trinkat and Sabang, and all others except one have been damaged and must RTB for repairs.

I do have some airpower on Sumatra and Malaya - however, as luck would have it, my sweepers waited for my bombers to impale themselves on the enemy's CAP before flying. So much for that.

My chances to counterattack or even to delay are nil. The only source for the necessary number of divisions would be China, but I don't have the PPs. I need KB at Babar, plus the CAGs are in the middle of switching from the various A6M5 models to the A6M8 - but this will take another month to finish. And I don't have the shipping and the supplies to support major operations at both Babar and Sumatra.

The four bases in northern Sumatra have all level-7 airbase potential and the southernmost is only 13 hexes from Palembang. With the quality of the Allied ground forces and their engineering wonders, I expect that the oil wells at Palembang will be bombed and destroyed before the end of the year. Good Lord! I will cut production of "luxury items" like submarines (they only get sunk anyway), merchant ships, recon planes, bombers etc. in order to save HI points.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sabang at 44,69

Japanese Ships
SS I-165, hits 10, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Cabana

SS I-165 is sighted by escort
DE Cabana attacking submerged sub ....
Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Great Nicobar at 41,68

Japanese Ships
SS I-182, hits 21, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor
CLAA Juneau
DD Charrette
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Aaron Ward
DD Monssen

SS I-182 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Corregidor
I-182 diving deep ....
DD Hammann fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Anderson fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Aaron Ward attacking submerged sub ....
DD Monssen fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Aaron Ward fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Monssen attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-182 forced to surface!
DD Monssen firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Hammann firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 44,70

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 36
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 16

Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 8
Wildcat V x 6
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 14 destroyed
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 11 destroyed
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 44,70

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 21
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 8
Wildcat V x 4
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
F4U-1A Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 16 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor
CVE Battler, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
4 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 24

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 28

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 20000 feet

No more CAP opposition - NOW the bombers should have come!

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

Ground combat at Sabang (44,70)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16023 troops, 300 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 1055

Defending force 8499 troops, 96 guns, 83 vehicles, Assault Value = 105

Allied adjusted assault: 1046

Japanese adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 116 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Sabang !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2594 casualties reported
Squads: 72 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 188 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 41 (31 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 84 (82 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 8

Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Units pursuing 3

Assaulting units:
192nd Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
18th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
9th Australian Division
30th Field Artillery Regiment
I Marine Amphib Corps
225th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd Pioneer Battalion
181st Field Artillery Battalion
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
30th USN Special Construction Battalion

Defending units:
15th Garrison Unit
13th RF Gun (Pack) Battalion
91st JAAF AF Bn
92nd JAAF AF Bn
25th Army
32nd Field AA Battalion
21st Air Defense AA Battalion
94th JAAF AF Bn

[LargeSlowTarget]

CBI:

With the fall of Chunking counterbalanced by the reopening of the Ledo Road, I will try to cut the road between Kunming and Kweiyang to keep the Allied supplies from reaching the remaining Chinese forces in the center of China.

In Burma, the doomed rear-guard at Bhamo puts up a good fight. But with the new development on Sumatra, I have decided to pull back my forces from the river defense line around Moulmein and Chiang Mai and to send them south.

Apart from Victoria Point, Malaya is wide open and from Sumatra the Allies may easily land around Georgetown and then rush to Bangkok to cut-off my Burma Army. Ed has the Marines and the Aussies on Sumatra, so this is clearly the main show - I fear he has many more ground forces in the theater. I will leave delaying forces in Burma and fight for Bangkok, but from there I don't know yet if I should try to hold Singapore and the Malayan airbases in order to delay the destruction of Palembang - risking to lose the entire Army - or whether I should fall back in the direction of China and try to delay the fall of Indochina.

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

Ground combat at Bhamo (63,44)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32529 troops, 486 guns, 374 vehicles, Assault Value = 1021

Defending force 10785 troops, 63 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 448

Allied adjusted assault: 549

Japanese adjusted defense: 1204

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
766 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 207 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 31 (2 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
14th Indian Division
762nd Tank Battalion
50th Indian Para Brigade
87th Mountain Regiment
22nd New Chinese Division

Defending units:
1st RTA Division
14th Tank Regiment
4th RTA Division

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

Ground combat at 57,51 (near Toungoo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42059 troops, 746 guns, 1175 vehicles, Assault Value = 1543

Defending force 25802 troops, 292 guns, 517 vehicles, Assault Value = 800

Allied adjusted assault: 847

Japanese adjusted defense: 1651

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
952 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 29 (2 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1575 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 236 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 32 disabled
Guns lost 37 (7 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 112 (17 destroyed, 95 disabled)

Assaulting units:
255th Armoured Brigade
28th Gurkha Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
2nd British Division
23rd LRP Brigade
5th Indian Division
6th Medium Regiment
137/155th Field Regiment

Defending units:
55th/A Division
1st Tank Division
55th/B Division
55th/C Division
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
15th Army
23rd Ind.AA Gun Co
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

[LargeSlowTarget]

Around New Guinea:

Reinforcements have been landed on Biak, Noemfoor and Manikwari under cover of Combined Fleet in order to establish a roadblock on MacArthur's road to Tokyo. The Allies have had easy going in central New Guinea, I expect them to build-up the numerous level-5 bases they have gained recently before tackling the "Bird's Head".

This may give me the time to recapture Babar - more reinforcements are poised to be landed there as soon as Combined Fleet returns from Biak.

In the meantime, the Allies send heavily escorted bombers - luckily they are largely ineffective due to terrain - and numerous parachute units as reinforcement. The issue remains in doubt.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 31st Mountain Gun Regiment, at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 9
Kittyhawk IV x 6
A-20G Havoc x 11
P-38H Lightning x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 16
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 16
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1A Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 31st Engineer Regiment, at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
P-38H Lightning x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 16
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 16
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
F4U-1A Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Division, at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 20
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1A Corsair x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 31st Tankette Co , at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 6
Spitfire VIII x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
P-38H Lightning x 11
F4U-1 Corsair x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Division, at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 9
Kittyhawk IV x 6
Spitfire VIII x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
F4U-1A Corsair x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Division, at 76,117 (Babar)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
P-38H Lightning x 11
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 16
F4U-1A Corsair x 7

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Babar (76,117)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12601 troops, 250 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 362

Defending force 10835 troops, 128 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 220

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
31st Tankette Co
31st Engineer Regiment
138th Infantry Regiment
2nd Division
8th Armored Car Co
58th Infantry Rgt /3
6th RF Gun Battalion
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.AA Gun Co
11th RF Gun Battalion
41st Ind.AA Gun Co
5th Air Div /6

Defending units:
2/8th Ind Coy
503rd Parachute Regiment
1st USMC Parachute Battalion
2/6 Commando Battalion
40th Infantry/A Division
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
811th Aviation Engineer Battalion
10th Marine Defense Battalion
2nd Air Advn Base Force
42nd US Naval Construction Battalion

[LargeSlowTarget]

Some stats on air production and losses (follow-on post).

Ed told me that judging from other ARRs, our air war seems to be bloodier than usual.

Might very well be - despite a robust expansion of the industries, the pools for the principal planes are low or empty. Only the Jack, the George and the Frank are looking better - because with PDU off I only have a handful of air-groups allowed to fly them.

It is my first AE PBEM and first time-ever I went past Summer 42 in that game - comments and advice from experienced players appreciated.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Air losses (less than 20 planes lost total not shown):

[LargeSlowTarget]

And finally, the industry overview:

[LargeSlowTarget]

Dec 1/2, 1943

Subs galore around Babar - and way too many heart-stopping moments in the combat replay.

I have been very lucky so far, but my luck will surely run out one day...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Damar at 76,115

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CA Chikuma
CLAA Tenryu
DD Takanami
DD Asashimo
DD Hamanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
SS Gato

SS Gato launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hiryu - one hit but no explosion
Gato diving deep ....
DD Asashimo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hamanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kiyonami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Damar at 76,115

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CA Chikuma
CLAA Tenryu
DD Fujinami
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Asashimo
DD Hamanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Hayanami

Allied Ships
SS Runner, hits 1

SS Runner launches 6 torpedoes at CV Shokaku and misses
Runner diving deep ....
DD Asashimo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hamanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kiyonami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Asashimo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hamanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hayanami is out of ASW ammo
DD Hayanami is out of ASW ammo
DD Hayanami is out of ASW ammo
DD Asashimo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hamanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Babar at 77,116

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Atago
DD Shimozuki
DD Wakaba
DD Samidare
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
SS Trout, hits 1

SS Trout launches 6 torpedoes at BB Hiei - and misses
Trout diving deep ....
DD Wakaba fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare attacking submerged sub ....
DD Samidare attacking submerged sub ....
DD Samidare is out of ASW ammo
DD Samidare attacking submerged sub ....
DD Samidare is out of ASW ammo
DD Samidare is out of ASW ammo
DD Samidare is out of ASW ammo
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


And an encore somewhere else :

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Biak at 86,109

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CL Kuma
DD Hayashio
DD Akigumo
DD Hayate
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead

SS Steelhead launches 4 torpedoes at CA Furutaka - a hit, but again no explosion
Steelhead diving deep ....
DD Hayate fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Harukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I should have played the lottery today!

[PaxMondo]

Lost a long post on your air postings. Gist was both your ops and flak losses are higher than I target. You may wish to review your tactics. you are running 20 - 30% losses, I target (not necessarily always achieve) 10% on both.

Good luck!

Great AAR. Keep it going!!!


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