Getting Bottlenecked: SierraJuliet (J) vs Mundy (A)

[Mundy]

14 April 1942

Surcouf departed Midway for her patrol. She'll sit off the SW coast of Kyushu. Hopefully opportunity for gunnery here.

A cargo amphib force reached Milne Bay, but I'm pulling them right back out as I'm guessing his carriers will fly back down. I badly beat up an IJN sub which was going to harass them. Betties did sink on xAKL.

Argonaut leaves a present at Marcus.

TF 320 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85)

Japanese Ships
PB Kosin Maru #3, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Fukui Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Troops land at Langsa (46,74).

My invasion's getting ready to kick off in a few days. Targets: Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Roi-Namur. I have 15 battleships available. One is Price of Wales which is not completely healed with 8 major flt damage. I'm tempted to bring her anyway despite her 26 kt speed to keep with the carriers. I'm packing 7 carriers. 5 USN and 2 RN. The US carriers all are packing an extra VMF squadron on board. The idea that after the landings and the base forces arrive right after to dump them off on the islands before leaving. One RN carrier has two VMF while the other has a VMF and a VMSB. I ran out of fighters. This will be a fully scripted affair. A minesweeping group and an ASW group will accompany each landing site. My carriers will be divided into two groups, co-existing in a single hex. Battleships will be embedded with the amphibs, where I've seen them to deal out plenty of damage when they land. 2 days behind these guys will be all the base forces and more planes for the bases, so I can get thing up quickly. I've gotten all my AKVs at Pearl to help with this. A group of AOs will also be along.

[Mundy]

24 April 1942

Yeah, been awhile...

My Marshalls invasion incurred a delay, as I was a bit short of people moving ships. I wanted other stuff at Pearl to get repaired as well. As of this turn, everyone's loading up. I'll have four battleships accompanying each of the three landing sites: Kwajalein, Roi-Namur and Eniwetok. I would have liked to include Wotje, but I was a bit short. Maybe I can run that as a secondary after the main landings, despite the prep hit. Two carrier groups will accompany them. CV Group 1 is Lexington, Saratoga and the two Royal Navy carriers. The three Yorktown class carriers will comprise Carrier Group 2. I'm not sure I'll see a reaction to my move or not, as his carriers have been hanging around Rabaul, chasing any supply force I'm sending to Milne Bay. I've lost enough transports down there as it is. Seven carriers with all the US ones double loaded with fighters should be able to hold them off. This force will only move as fast as my slowest ships, which mean the 11 knot AOs in my replenishment group. A group of minesweepers will also be with each landing site. Usually, I'd have an ASW group for each as well, but I'm short of destroyers. All my DMSs will be out of the yard next turn, so maybe they can fill that role. Hopefully they'll still sweep mines as part of an ASW group.

Elsewhere, my subs have encountered his transports. If it weren't for my crap torpedoes, I'd have sunk 6 ships in the last two turns.

Steve swept Rangoon with Zekes, and I got nice results from that one.

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 9
75A-7 Hawk x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn' with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF~ with Hurricane IIb Trop (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 23000.
Raid is overhead
51st PG/16th PS' with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 26000.
Raid is overhead

The last of my forces on Mindanao are holed up at Malaybalay. They're getting bombed daily, but they're still a bit strong for him.

Being nearly through April 1942, it seems weird that he hasn't taken Palambang or Balikpapan yet. I think he's throwing dice with his fuel situation as it is, despite North Borneo having some available.

I have lots of troops and civilians holed up at Sabang. Yes, LST, I know I should get those civilians out, but he's attacked every ship I've sent that way, so they're on their own. [;)]

As it is, I'm no longer sending troops to Burma. I'm wary of an Indian invasion per Steve's previous AAR and KenchiSulla spanked me bad there too last time. I've been moving troops to all the lesser obvious landing sites in the country. I chased a unit of troops he had a few hexes north of Pegu away, and I'm pursuing them into Thailand. Hopefully I can then sweep south, taking any of his far north bases.

Supply to India has slowed a bit, as Cape Town is low on supply. India's in halfway decent shape overall. The tight fuel situation in Australia is now relaxed also, as convoys have reached Perth as well as two big ones from the US to Sydney. The second is currently there unloading now. I'll need to move supplies in also, but it is stable right now as long as I don't push things. I'm sending single xAKLs to Milne bay to see if I can sneak in supply that way. If his carriers want to chase a single ship, fine with me. They may not even get spotted. I have about 4,000 there now, which is a bit light.

[Mundy]

25 April 1942

Invasion is launching. Didn't take long to load, despite not being docked at port. I pulled the two 11 kt AOs out of the replenishment TF to keep the speed a little up. I still have 24,000 in fuel with the faster ships. I'll send the slow ones as a follow-on group. Also, my DMSs are out of the yard, so I build some ASW groups with them to follow the invaders. Atlanta just arrived, so she joined the Lex/Sara force. A day or two out, I'll set all the CV aircraft to do their jobs. Once Kwajalein is taken, I'll be re-locating my sub operations to there, which will massively cut down transit time.

Good ol' Trusty lands a hit near Singapore.

ASW attack near Singapore at 49,83

Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
SS Trusty

SS Trusty launches 2 torpedoes at DD Yugiri
Trusty bottoming out ....
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

His troops reach Soerabaja and attack.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14388 troops, 123 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 491

Defending force 11573 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 247

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 343

Allied adjusted defense: 517

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
430 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 111 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
14th Division
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
16th Army

Defending units:
4th KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Soerabaja KM Base Force
KNI Leger
ML-KNIL~
NI-MLD~
Soerabaja Defenses
Madoeng Defenses

The entire Dutch Air Force respawned at Tjilatjap, where I'm already facing down the Japanese. I withdrew them again. They'll be more useful in the India/Burma Theatre. Most of them are pretty full on numbers.

A Japanese carrier force and what appears to be two cruiser forces are making their way towards Milne Bay. Hopefully they'll get within range of my Port Moresby air force. I'm guessing this may be a bombardment mission. My troops there have been in bombardment mode, claiming about a squad per turn.

[Mundy]

26 April 1942

Japanese ships get to Milne Bay. Out of all my aircraft one group of A-24s attack unescorted and get smacked.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Normanby Island at 103,133

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 118

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

I'll stand down next turn. There appear to be APDs involved, so I'm guessing he's going to withdraw his troops. We'll see... If so, I'll let him go -- especially if he's got carriers escorting them.

My invaders are underway. I'm guessing 7 days until landfall. Planes are all up and ready for action. Another group at Pearl with xAPs and AKVs are loading up USAAF and some USMC aircraft to ship over to these island when I take them.

Coastal minesweepers I had at Madras have found a bunch of mines which suddenly appeared. I'm glad many of my bases have these ships around. Not like I'm shipping anything to/from there anyway.

Pollack, right off Tokyo, hits a transport.

Sub attack near Shimizu at 112,62

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryujo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yuzan Maru
xAK Tatsuho Maru
xAK Kiyozumi Maru
xAK Ayato Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS Pollack~

SS Pollack~ launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Ryujo Maru
Pollack~ diving deep ....
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Radio intercept indicating he's finally looking at taking Palembang.

[Mundy]

Question...

Will putting BB floatplanes on recon aid the landing bombardment like they would a standard bombardment?

[BBfanboy]

It should raise the DL of the enemy, but probably not in time to help with the ships bombarding initially. During a true bombardment mission is the only time I have seen the text about a FP "spotting" for a bombarding ship. But the increase of DL in one phase can help increase the level the DL in the next phase if recon is maintained, so I say try it with one (or more) FP reconning at night and others during the day.
The only other use for a FP during the landing period would be watching for subs/mini-subs.

[Mundy]

Thanks. I'll give it a try and see what messages show. Normally, I always dedicate my floatplanes to ASW.

[Mundy]

27 April 1942.

It's good to say that my Marshalls invasion is going to be little more than a milk run. I had a beat up transport leaving Sabang off Sumatra and they ran into a force...

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 42,69, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
CS Chitose
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
DD Shiranui
DD Nowaki
DD Minegumo
DD Kasumi
DD Harusame
DD Kawakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
xAP Indora

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

So KB is looking to snoop the Indian Ocean. I've moved several squadrons of Blenheims to Rangoon from Calcutta to put up some kind of a fight if he comes near. Safe to say, they probably won't be racing east when I start my landings.

More carriers are just off Milne Bay, but this is probably a mini-KB type force and if they challenge, I'll most likely clobber them good. Three surface groups are hovering near Rabaul, but what they have is sketchy right now. It's tempting to send my carriers to the New Guinea area to clobber his navy there.

Intel Baboon is reporting this:

1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Trincomalee.

Might be something to watch for if KB is in the area. I may have to consider shipping troops to Ceylon.

[LargeSlowTarget]

ORIGINAL: Mundy

Yes, LST, I know I should get those civilians out, but he's attacked every ship I've sent that way, so they're on their own.

[:D] Yes, it can be a challenge to get them out, and losses are unavoidable (and historical). Dorniers and Catalinas may help out.

[Mundy]

[:)]

28 April 1942

I've had to re-estimate my invasion date, due to some of the slow ships in my convoy. I'm only going about 5 hexes per day, so I'm looking at about another 9 days before landfall.

Iloilo falls, so Panay is now his. Survivors on Mindanao are still holding out.

Ground combat at Malaybalay (80,90)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3639 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 178

Defending force 13168 troops, 155 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

Japanese adjusted assault: 97

Allied adjusted defense: 184

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
334 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
15th Naval Guard Unit
32SBF 32nd Naval Guard Unit
III/66th Naval Guard Unit
1st Raiding Regiment
II/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
101st PA Infantry Division
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
43rd PS Inf Battalion
102nd PA Infantry Division
Agusan Constabulary Battalion
Del Monte AAF Base Force
III Philippine Corps
5th Base Group Base Force
Civilians

Intel now showing 3/2TD 7th Tank Regiment prepping for Trincomalee. I should probably act on this. Last time I got an invasion notice it was practically on the eve of the event.

No sign of KB, though some cruisers killed that one transport fleeing Sabang.

[Mundy]

01 May 1942

My invaders are plodding along. They're about 1/3 the way from Johnston to the Marshalls. Nobody sighted yet. A floating drydock and other support ships are departing for Kwajalein now, for after I've taken the island. My subs will transfer to there, once they arrive.

An IJN cruiser force caught a convoy of tankers I had enroute from Abadan to Perth. This was about 12 hexes west of Sinabang island off Sumatra.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sinabang at 30,76, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Kawakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
TK Egero, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
TK Norfold, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
TK Solor, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Saidja, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
TK Athelduke, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Inge Maersk, Shell hits 37, and is sunk
TK British Architect, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
TK British Commodore, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
TK British Destiny, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK British Energy, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 20,000 yards
CA Nachi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at TK Inge Maersk at 20,000 yards
CA Nachi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at TK British Destiny at 20,000 yards
DD Yugure launches Long Lance Torpedoes at TK Inge Maersk at 20,000 yards
DD Yugure launches Long Lance Torpedoes at TK British Architect at 20,000 yards
CA Nachi launches Long Lance Torpedoes at TK Inge Maersk at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Inge Maersk at 19,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK British Destiny at 19,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 19,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Solor at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK British Destiny at 16,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Inge Maersk at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Inge Maersk at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Solor at 16,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Norfold at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Inge Maersk at 13,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK British Destiny at 13,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 13,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK British Architect at 13,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Saidja at 13,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Solor at 13,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Egero at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK British Energy at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK Inge Maersk at 9,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK British Architect at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Athelduke at 9,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Saidja at 9,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Solor at 9,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Norfold at 9,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Egero at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK Inge Maersk at 10,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK British Architect at 10,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Athelduke at 10,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Saidja at 10,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Norfold at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Saidja at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK Inge Maersk at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK British Architect at 8,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Athelduke at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Solor at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK British Energy at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK British Destiny at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 7,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK British Architect at 7,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Athelduke at 7,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Saidja at 7,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Solor at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Egero at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Inge Maersk at 7,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK Inge Maersk at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK British Architect at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Solor at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Norfold at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK British Energy at 6,000 yards
TK British Destiny sunk by CA Haguro at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Inge Maersk at 6,000 yards
TK Solor sunk by CA Haguro at 6,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK Egero at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK British Energy at 6,000 yards
DD Yugure engages TK Inge Maersk at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Athelduke at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Saidja at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Norfold at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Egero at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Inge Maersk at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK British Commodore at 6,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK British Architect at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Inge Maersk at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Athelduke at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Saidja at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Norfold at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Egero at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
TK Inge Maersk sunk by CA Nachi at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Saidja at 7,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK Norfold at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Egero at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK British Energy at 6,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK British Commodore at 6,000 yards
TK British Architect sunk by CA Nachi at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages TK Athelduke at 6,000 yards
TK Egero sunk by CA Haguro at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK British Commodore at 5,000 yards
TK British Commodore sunk by CA Haguro at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK British Energy at 4,000 yards
CA Haguro engages TK British Energy at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK British Energy at 9,000 yards
CA Nachi engages TK Norfold at 9,000 yards
Kiyota, Takahiko orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
TK British Energy sunk by CA Nachi at 13,000 yards
TK Norfold sunk by CA Nachi at 13,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

I've formed up a big surface group of 2 CAs, 10 CLs and a bunch of destroyers to search this area for him. Hopefully, KB doesn't get involved.

Being May, the TBF production line is starting up. It'll be two weeks at least before I start flipping torpedo squadrons over.

More troops landing at Milne Bay. I'm not going to be able to hold at this point. The cruiser bombardment I received did all sorts of havoc to my non-combat forces. It'll be a long trip overland to PM.

Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Chikuma
CA Tone

Allied ground losses:
687 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 25 (3 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 28
Port hits 16
Port supply hits 3

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for CA Kumano
CA Kumano firing at Milne Bay
CA Chikuma firing at Milne Bay
CA Tone firing at Milne Bay

Ground combat at Milne Bay (101,133)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14874 troops, 188 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 813

Defending force 8683 troops, 144 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 198

Japanese adjusted assault: 292

Allied adjusted defense: 304

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
576 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
941 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 26 (7 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Assaulting units:
63rd Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
38th Division
Maizuru 1st SNLF
8ID 17th Infantry Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit
17th Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
15th Australian Brigade
11th Australian Brigade
6th RAAF Base Sqdn
10th RAAF Base Sqdn
2nd RAAF Base Sqdn
4th RAAF Base Sqdn
12th RAAF Base Sqdn
16th RAAF Base Sqdn
102nd AT Gun Regiment
3rd RAAF Base Sqdn
1st RAA Medium~ Regiment
2nd Marine Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing
1st RAAF Construction Battalion


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


Ground combat at Milne Bay (101,133)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4969 troops, 105 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Defending force 14997 troops, 188 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 737

Assaulting units:
15th Australian Brigade
11th Australian Brigade
2nd Marine Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing
6th RAAF Base Sqdn
10th RAAF Base Sqdn
2nd RAAF Base Sqdn
12th RAAF Base Sqdn
16th RAAF Base Sqdn
102nd AT Gun Regiment
1st RAA Medium~ Regiment
3rd RAAF Base Sqdn
4th RAAF Base Sqdn
1st RAAF Construction Battalion

Defending units:
46th Naval Guard Unit
38th Division
65th Naval Guard Unit
8ID 17th Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
67th Naval Guard Unit
17th Naval Construction Battalion

Japanese troops are one hex SW of Palembang. Looks like 9 units. Intel indicating more troops enroute to Sumatra.

3/56th Division is loaded on a Japanese CM moving to Oosthaven.

In India, I'm dispersing airpower along the south coast, as well as at Trincomalee. I have a VP squadron at Trincomalee, plus some Wellingtons at Madras are also searching, so I should have warning if/when he decides to attack. I'm surprised he's making noise out this way, as South Borneo is still mine.

[Mundy]

03 May 1942

Looks like the jig is up. Searchers from the Marshalls located my incoming task forces. Some Nells came out to play, but got roughed up by my massive CAP. Looks like what's sighted are two of my invasion groups plus some of the ASW groups. The carriers themselves haven't been spotted yet. We'll see if he even reacts to this. KB is probably around the Indian Ocean yet, while a mini-KB is just off Milne Bay. I don't think he can do squat about this, unless subs come in or something.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ailuk at 141,112

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell-Chukou x 6

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Martlet II x 9
F2A-3 Buffalo x 15
F4F-3A Wildcat x 23
F4F-3 Wildcat x 51
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell-Chukou: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-3A Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
No.880 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VMF-111 with F2A-3 Buffalo (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VMF-221 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes

Other than that, the usual bombings in China and a few ground actions. Soerabaja still holds.

Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14239 troops, 123 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 469

Defending force 12487 troops, 165 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 272

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 355

Allied adjusted defense: 475

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
537 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
435 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
14th Division
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
16th Army

Defending units:
4th KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap Cdo
Tjepoe Cdo
ML-KNIL~
Soerabaja KM Base Force
NI-MLD~
Soerabaja Defenses
KNI Leger
Madoeng Defenses

Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43318 troops, 529 guns, 356 vehicles, Assault Value = 1575

Defending force 39101 troops, 272 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1428

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1079

Allied adjusted defense: 1259

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1925 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 286 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Vehicles lost 37 (1 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1113 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 180 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
36th Division
15th Tank Regiment
41st Division
12th Tank Regiment
63rd Division
26th Division
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
129th Red Chin Div*
120th Red Chin Div*
115th Red Chin Div*
Red Chin Guerillas
Red Chinese Army*
8th Route Army
Red Chinese Construction Regiment

I'm still flummoxed about what to do about Ceylon. I'd like to move troops in, but I don't want to weaken India herself doing this. I have troops at Cocanada, Vizagapatnam, Diamond Harbor and the next base west of Madras. I'm also worried KB would sweep in and intercept any transports heading over.

[BBfanboy]

He may not have directly spotted your carriers but the aircraft mix that intercepted his Nells tells all!

You can't really defend Ceylon for a few more months, so evacuate what you must and let it rest with Lady Luck until about September. Once you have more LCUs and some more modern aircraft and ships for your fleet, you can settle in to Ceylon again. Of course you should not put important ships in Columbo SY for more than a day or two, and have good search/sub coverage to the east and south.

[Mundy]

I'm pretty well covered search-wise in Ceylon, with one USN PBY squadron there. I'm wiling to lose there, as long as India itself remains unmolested. In my last game, I pounded Colombo with heavy bombers, sinking Fuso and Yamashiro with 60+ bomb hits each. I may have to transfer USAAF heavies over.

I'll start migrating ships out, taking what I can with me.

Yeah... My CAP gives that away.

[Mundy]

04 May 1942

D -2

Bases trading hands this turn -- at my expense.

I've cut all my invasion TFs loose. They were all following the main Roi-Namur landing force before. I want the ASW groups and minesweepers in position. They're 5 hexes away from Kwaj/Roi, but the route around the north still adds an extra day. Carriers will take up position immediately to the SW. My floatplanes have already detected 5 IJN subs in the area. Hopefully the escorts do their jobs. I had to remember to set everyone's routing to "direct" or they'd come in on a more roundabout route.

Planes at Port Moresby are still stood down, as his carriers are escorting his ships near Milne Bay. He attacked and immediately took that base. It'll take weeks for my surviving troops to make it back to PM.

Ground combat at Milne Bay (101,133)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14711 troops, 188 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 781

Defending force 8505 troops, 152 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 353

Allied adjusted defense: 115

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Milne Bay !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
578 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1429 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 241 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 53 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 128 (113 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 92 (91 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 12
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
38th Division
8ID 17th Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
46th Naval Guard Unit
65th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit
17th Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
15th Australian Brigade
11th Australian Brigade
3rd RAAF Base Sqdn
1st RAAF Base Wing
12th RAAF Base Sqdn
6th RAAF Base Sqdn
2nd Marine Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAA Medium~ Regiment
102nd AT Gun Regiment
4th RAAF Base Sqdn
10th RAAF Base Sqdn
16th RAAF Base Sqdn
2nd RAAF Base Sqdn
1st RAAF Construction Battalion

In China, he takes his lumps with an attack at Yenan. Overall, we're pretty stalemated there.

Ground combat at Yenan (88,37)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6568 troops, 154 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 1563

Defending force 37946 troops, 271 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1294

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 1161

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2141 casualties reported
Squads: 89 destroyed, 161 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
36th Division
41st/B Division
41st/A Division
15th Tank Regiment
26th Division
63rd Division
41st/C Division
10th Mortar Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Army
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
115th Red Chin Div*
129th Red Chin Div*
120th Red Chin Div*
Red Chin Guerillas
8th Route Army
Red Chinese Army*
Red Chinese Construction Regiment

Another at Dongxiang

Ground combat at Dongxiang (85,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43838 troops, 491 guns, 200 vehicles, Assault Value = 1622

Defending force 52837 troops, 315 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2008

Japanese adjusted assault: 1618

Allied adjusted defense: 729

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
5378 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 686 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1371 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 110 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
15th Division
39th Division
22nd Division
17th Division
60ID 56th Infantry Brigade
13th Army
RGC Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
26th Chinese Army Corps
86th Chinese Army~ Corps
2nd Guerilla
50th Chinese Army~ Corps
21st Chinese Army Corps
4th Guerilla
25th Chinese Army Corps
88th Chinese Army Corps
100th Chinese Army- Corps
23rd Group Army
3rd War Area
25th Group Army
#Administration
14th Chinese Base Force

Malaybalay finally falls, giving him all of Mindanao

Ground combat at Malaybalay (80,90)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13215 troops, 165 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 638

Defending force 12812 troops, 152 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 413

Japanese adjusted assault: 449

Allied adjusted defense: 160

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malaybalay !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
16052 casualties reported
Squads: 662 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1106 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 125 (125 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 9

Assaulting units:
III/66th Naval Guard Unit
16th Division
32SBF 32nd Naval Guard Unit
15th Naval Guard Unit
1st Raiding Regiment
II/81st Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
43rd PS Inf Battalion
101st PA Infantry Division
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
III Philippine Corps
Del Monte AAF Base Force
5th Base Group Base Force
Agusan Constabulary Battalion
Civilians

.

Pretty much all that's left in the PI are holdouts at Leyte and Cebu.

Intel:

4th RF Gun Battalion is planning for an attack on Dutch Harbor.

Yeah... try it. I'm packed with troops there.

[Mundy]

05 May 1942

Explosions everywhere...

Stuff's coming to a head all over the place. As usual, my intel warning about Ceylon is a day late and a dollar short. KB showed up. an ASuW group accompanying them smashed a tanker convoy enroute to Colombo. KB then proceeded to hit the convoy loading up my evacuation of the island. Overall, a mess, but at least they're not in the Marshalls.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 28,51, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Chokai
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
TK Thorshavn, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Vivi, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
TK Clydefield, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
TK British Aviator, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
TK British Colonel, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
TK British Merchant, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
TK British Unity, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK British Sergeant, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Goldmouth, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
TK Spondilus, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Saroena, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 6,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
BB Haruna fires at TK British Unity at 6,000 yards
BB Kongo fires at TK British Unity at 6,000 yards
TK British Unity sunk by CA Chokai at 6,000 yards
BB Kongo fires at TK Vivi at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Haruna engages TK Goldmouth at 5,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK British Sergeant at 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Goldmouth at 5,000 yards
TK Vivi sunk by DD Shinonome at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
Massive explosion on TK Spondilus
DD Shinonome engages TK Spondilus at 4,000 yards
CA Chokai engages TK British Sergeant at 4,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK British Sergeant at 4,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Saroena at 4,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK Thorshavn at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Saroena at 5,000 yards
BB Kongo engages TK British Sergeant at 5,000 yards
TK Goldmouth sunk by BB Kongo at 5,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK Saroena at 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Saroena at 5,000 yards
TK Spondilus sunk by DD Fubuki at 5,000 yards
BB Kongo engages TK British Aviator at 5,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK Thorshavn at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Haruna engages TK Saroena at 6,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK British Sergeant at 6,000 yards
TK British Merchant sunk by BB Haruna at 6,000 yards
BB Haruna engages TK British Colonel at 6,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Saroena at 6,000 yards
TK British Sergeant sunk by DD Fubuki at 6,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Thorshavn at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Saroena at 5,000 yards
TK British Colonel sunk by BB Haruna at 5,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK British Aviator at 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Thorshavn at 5,000 yards
TK Saroena sunk by DD Fubuki at 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK British Aviator at 5,000 yards
BB Haruna engages TK Clydefield at 5,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages TK British Aviator at 5,000 yards
TK British Aviator sunk by BB Haruna at 5,000 yards
TK Thorshavn sunk by DD Shinonome at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Haruna engages TK Clydefield at 2,000 yards
CA Chokai engages TK Clydefield at 2,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages TK Clydefield at 2,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages TK Clydefield at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
TK Clydefield sunk by BB Haruna at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 18
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 84
D3A1 Val-Kanbaku x 59

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val-Kanbaku: 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Isis~
xAK Hupeh, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Arrow
CM Abdiel~, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Aster
xAP Malda
xAKL Nordhval, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
ML Cambay Prince, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Verbana~
DD Griffin~
xAK Marion Moller, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Kota Tjandi~
xAKL Memphis City, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Jaladurga
KV Marguerite~
xAK Shinkuang, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Illinoian
xAK Nord, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG Shengking, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hotspur~
xAKL Sarpen, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Oklahoman, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Decoy, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Jalapalaka
xAP Kota Radja, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Van Cloon, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Washingtonian, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate-Kankoh launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
17 x B5N2 Kate-Kankoh launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate-Kankoh launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate-Kankoh launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
No.258 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CLAA Van Heemskerck
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Sarpen
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Oklahoman
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Van Cloon

****************************************

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 26,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 18
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 2
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 5 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire~
DD Inconstant~

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

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
No.258 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

****************************************

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 31,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val-Kanbaku x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val-Kanbaku: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AMc Poona, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x D3A1 Val-Kanbaku releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

At least my Hurricanes put up a decent fight.

In the Marshalls, I run the sub gauntlet without taking any hits. I did beat up an SSX along the way. My troopships reach Kwajalein a day earlier than expected. He has good coastal artillery there and my battleships took their hits, but nothing too serious -- mostly some sys damage.

Pre-Invasion action off Kwajalein Island (132,115) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

107 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Resolution~, Shell hits 20
BB Ramillies~, Shell hits 7
BB Royal Sovereign~, Shell hits 8
BB Revenge~
CA Cornwall
CL Newcastle~
DD Hull
DD Dewey
AMC Prince David~
DD Panther~

Japanese ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (4 destroyed, 16 disabled)

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

BB Resolution~ firing at Nimur Naval Fortress
Nimur Naval Fortress firing at BB Resolution~
BB Ramillies~ firing at Nimur Naval Fortress
Nimur Naval Fortress firing at BB Ramillies~
Nimur Naval Fortress firing at BB Royal Sovereign~
BB Royal Sovereign~ firing at Nimur Naval Fortress
BB Revenge~ firing at Nimur Naval Fortress
Nimur Naval Fortress firing at BB Revenge~
CA Cornwall firing at 6th Fleet
CL Newcastle~ firing at 24th Air Flotilla
DD Hull firing at 6th Fleet
DD Dewey firing at 6th Fleet
DD Hull fired at enemy troops
DD Dewey 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 Kwajalein Island (132,115)

TF 188 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein Island, 132,115

Allied ground losses:
694 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 100 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (0 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)

12 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 41 lost in surf during unload of 53rd (Sep) Inf.~ Rgt
12 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 41 lost from landing craft during unload of 25th Infantry Div /2
12 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 41 lost overboard during unload of 25th Infantry Div /4
12 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 41 lost overboard during unload of 25th Infantry Div /7

Ground combat wasn't that great either. Most of the division involved needs to land yet, so there's hope. Hopefully I don't lose too much more on the way in.

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4616 troops, 65 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 216

Defending force 5312 troops, 40 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Allied adjusted assault: 29

Japanese adjusted defense: 55

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
449 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1500 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 31 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
53rd (Sep) Inf.~ Rgt /1
193rd Tank Bn /2
2nd Marine Para~ Battalion
25th Infantry Div /8
2MD 2nd Marine Engineer Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Marine AmphTrac Engr Bn /2

Defending units:
53rd Nav Gd /5
Nimur Naval Fortress
24th Air Flotilla
6th Fleet
Kwajalein Base Force

Troops are standing down until the rest lands. I've detached the battleships into a bombardment group, with spotters to hit them again. In addition, one carrier group is bombing troops there, while the other hits Roi-Namur. The second group will start landing there next turn. Eniwetok is probably a couple days away yet.

Elsewhere, Tjilatjap falls, with all the troops there dying. Only Soerabaja is left

Interesting times...

[Mundy]

06 May 1942

Things are smoothing out a little in the Marshalls. Roi-Namur falls quickly to me. Planes and support forces will be landing there next turn. It's a nice level 4 airfield, so I can pack them in a bit.

Pre-Invasion action off Roi-Namur (132,114)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB Pennsylvania
BB Colorado
BB Maryland
CA San Francisco
CL Phoenix
DD Mustin
DD Grayson
AP Ernest Hinds~+

Japanese ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

BB Tennessee firing at 6th Base Force
BB Pennsylvania firing at 6th Base Force
BB Colorado firing at 6th Base Force
BB Maryland firing at 6th Base Force
CA San Francisco firing at 6th Base Force
CL Phoenix firing at 6th Base Force
DD Mustin firing at 6th Base Force
DD Grayson firing at 6th Base Force
DD Grayson 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 Roi-Namur (132,114)

TF 186 troops unloading over beach at Roi-Namur, 132,114

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

12 troops of a USMC Raider Sq 41 lost overboard during unload of 1st USMC Raider Bn~
12 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 41 lost in surf during unload of 24th Infantry Div /4
****************************************

Ground combat at Roi-Namur (132,114)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6067 troops, 41 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 332

Defending force 1872 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Allied adjusted assault: 269

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 269 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Roi-Namur !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2003 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 206 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
641st Towed~ TD Bn /1
24th Infantry Div /8
1st USMC Raider Bn~
3rd USMC Raider Bn~
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
2nd USMC Raider Bn~
1st Marine Para~ Bn /1
205th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
7th JNAF Coy
6th Base Force

Odds are getting better at Kwaj, though losses are still heavy. I'm guessing a day or two tops before it's mine.

Bombardment did diddly

Night Naval bombardment of Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Allied Ships
BB Resolution~
BB Ramillies~
BB Royal Sovereign~
BB Revenge~
CA Cornwall

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

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10
Port hits 1

Walrus II acting as spotter for BB Resolution~
BB Resolution~ firing at Kwajalein Island
Walrus II acting as spotter for BB Ramillies~
BB Ramillies~ firing at Kwajalein Base Force
BB Royal Sovereign~ firing at Kwajalein Island
BB Revenge~ firing at Kwajalein Island
Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Cornwall
CA Cornwall firing at Nimur Naval Fortress

Invasion Support action off Kwajalein Island (132,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Newcastle~
DD Panther~
DD Hull
DD Dewey
AMC Prince David~

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Newcastle~ firing at Kwajalein Base Force
DD Panther~ firing at 6th Fleet
DD Dewey firing at Kwajalein Base Force
AMC Prince David~ firing at Kwajalein Base Force
DD Hull fired at enemy troops
DD Dewey fired at enemy troops
AMC Prince David~ fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


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

Invasion Support action off Kwajalein Island (132,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AMC Prince David~
CL Newcastle~
DD Panther~

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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

Invasion Support action off Kwajalein Island (132,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AMC Prince David~
DD Panther~

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

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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

Invasion Support action off Kwajalein Island (132,115)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AMC Prince David~
DD Panther~

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6953 troops, 120 guns, 89 vehicles, Assault Value = 264

Defending force 4886 troops, 37 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 45

Japanese adjusted defense: 15

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1217 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 37 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (4 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (9 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
53rd (Sep) Inf.~ Regiment
2nd Marine Para~ Battalion
193rd Tank Bn /2
25th Infantry Div /8
198th Field Artillery Battalion
2MD 2nd Marine Engineer Battalion
1st Marine AmphTrac Engr Bn /2

Defending units:
Kwajalein Base Force
24th Air Flotilla
6th Fleet
Nimur Naval Fortress
53rd Nav Gd /5

If things really go south, I'll move the troops at Roi-Namur over to help, but I doubt it'll come to that. After my last game, I've learned how to deal with the Marshalls. [;)]

Landings at Eniwetok will start early next turn. Once taken, I can move support forces into these bases. Three more Convoys with supply are about 5-8 hexes to the east yet, moving on slow xAKLs.

Over at Colombo, KB up and vanished, despite moving my air search arc over to cover more of the west. My ships were left alone this time, so maybe it was just a raid.

[BBfanboy]

Your assault at Kwaj reduced forts from 4 to 1 - that should help considerably on the next assault. He seems to only have the BF engineers to try and rebuild forts, so that should take at least three days to get to level 2. You can rest your troops a little.

[Mundy]

Wow. Never seen forts drop by more than 1 before. I brought combat engineers to all these sites, which is good. They're doing a standard attack next turn. I'll rest after, if needed. AKVs are bringing some of the planes to Roi-Namur, so I'll have extra help soon.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Ouch, those tanker losses will hurt.

Gutsy move into the Marshall, considering the few real amphib shipping available to the Allies at this point. A few more NavGuards on the islands would have made things more interesting. Alas, SierraJuliet has used them to help with the what I consider less-than-optimal-conducted expansion into the SRA. Interesting game with the different focal areas of each side.