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

[obvert]

The night of the 3rd turned into another slugfest. This game has had so many intense surface and naval air battles my nerves instantly trigger when I spot the engagement screen pop up and ships lined up against each other.

The first battle of the night was a mismatch on paper, but the RN CAs held their own and slugged it out with the IJN heavies, leaving with only slight damage. This may have been important to the outcome of the next battle, getting the IJN a bit lower on ammo.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Hyuga
DD Arashi
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yuzuki
DD Yunagi
DD Okikaze
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
CA Exeter, Shell hits 3
CL Concord
CL Detroit
DD Aaron Ward
DD Russell
DD Bagley, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arunta, Shell hits 2, on fire

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 11,000 yards

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[obvert]

The next was the big boys. This is the TF that should have engaged Yamato when it snuck in and sank Lex a few weeks ago. It was in the same hex and obviously is big, quick and nasty.

This engagement was fun to watch. [;)]

Nagato and Hyuga landed a few quick punches to South Dakota, but the USN fought back hard.

[obvert]

The IJN got off more shots, but the Allies made them pay more often. The battle got down to 3k and at 6k Washington sank Nagato outright. Only South Dakota and Washington took any damage on the Allied side. The DDs for both went almost untouched.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Arashi
DD Kawakaze
DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi
DD Okikaze
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 1
BB Washington, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 12, heavy fires
BB Prince of Wales
DD Fletcher
DD Chevalier, Shell hits 1
DD Waller, Shell hits 1
DD Maury
DD Smith
DD Preston
DD Perkins, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Flusser
DD Cassin, Shell hits 2

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Yano, Hideo* crosses the 'T'
BB Nagato engages BB South Dakota at 11,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB Washington at 11,000 yards
BB Washington engages DD Okikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Okikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Yuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Cassin at 11,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Preston at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Fletcher at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages BB Nagato at 6,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB South Dakota at 6,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Preston at 6,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB North Carolina at 6,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Cassin at 6,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Yuzuki at 6,000 yards
DD Perkins engages DD Shiokaze at 6,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Preston at 6,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Maury at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Chevalier at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB South Dakota at 5,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB South Dakota at 5,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB North Carolina at 5,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Shiokaze at 5,000 yards
DD Preston engages DD Yuzuki at 5,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Kawakaze at 5,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Preston at 5,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Maury at 5,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Waller at 5,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Chevalier at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Preston collides with DD Flusser at 89 , 65
BB Nagato engages BB Prince of Wales at 3,000 yards
BB South Dakota engages BB Nagato at 3,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Fletcher at 3,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB North Carolina at 3,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Cassin at 3,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Waller at 3,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Chevalier at 3,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Okikaze at 3,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Waller at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB South Dakota at 6,000 yards
BB Nagato sunk by BB Washington at 6,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Okikaze at 6,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Flusser at 6,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Preston at 6,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Maury at 6,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Chevalier at 6,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Arashi at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB South Dakota at 10,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Cassin at 10,000 yards
BB Washington engages BB Hyuga at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB North Carolina at 10,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Perkins at 10,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Flusser at 10,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Perkins at 10,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Preston at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Fletcher at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB South Dakota at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB South Dakota at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Washington at 10,000 yards
DD Waller engages DD Yunagi at 10,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Flusser at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Flusser at 10,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Perkins at 10,000 yards
DD Preston engages DD Kawakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Yunagi at 10,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Waller at 10,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DD Okikaze at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB South Dakota at 8,000 yards
DD Chevalier engages DD Shiokaze at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Washington at 8,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages BB Hyuga at 8,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Okikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Flusser engages DD Yuzuki at 8,000 yards
DD Preston engages DD Okikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Arashi at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB South Dakota at 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Washington at 11,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Smith at 11,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Yuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Flusser engages DD Arashi at 11,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Perkins at 11,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Chevalier at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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[obvert]

Next up the Allied second Heavy cruiser Tf took on the BBs. This time it was very one sided and at 2k yards in zero moonlight, the Allied gunnery and torpedoes proved much more effective. Three DDs were sunk with TT hits, and the Hyuga was left a flaming wreck after the battle, most likely doomed.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 26, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 1
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Shiokaze, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 2
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 5
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Arrow
DD Electra, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Express, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Foxhound

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Arashi at 3,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Arashi at 3,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Arashi at 3,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Foxhound at 3,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Arashi at 3,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Foxhound at 3,000 yards
Ishizaki, Noburu orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Shiokaze at 2,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Yunagi at 2,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Express at 2,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Electra at 2,000 yards
DD Arashi sunk by DD Arrow at 2,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Kawakaze at 4,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Kawakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Express at 4,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Yunagi at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Foxhound at 4,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Arrow at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arrow at 4,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Isaac Sweers at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 3,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Shiokaze at 3,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Okikaze at 3,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Yunagi at 3,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Electra at 3,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Electra at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Hawkins at 2,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Isaac Sweers at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Yunagi at 2,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Isaac Sweers at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages BB Hyuga at 2,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Shiokaze at 2,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Arrow at 2,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yunagi at 2,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Express at 2,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Electra at 2,000 yards
Ishizaki, Noburu orders Japanese TF to disengage
CA Frobisher engages BB Hyuga at 2,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Foxhound at 2,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Yunagi at 2,000 yards
DD Kawakaze sunk by DD Foxhound at 2,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Shiokaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 3,000 yards
DD Shiokaze sunk by CA Devonshire at 3,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Foxhound at 3,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Express at 3,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Okikaze at 3,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arrow at 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 3,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Hawkins at 3,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yuzuki at 3,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Express at 3,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Electra at 3,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Isaac Sweers at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Hawkins at 4,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Yunagi at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Electra at 4,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Okikaze at 4,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Okikaze at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 4,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Okikaze at 4,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yunagi at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Foxhound at 4,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yunagi at 4,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Electra at 4,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Okikaze at 4,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Isaac Sweers at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Hawkins at 4,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yunagi at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Express at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Express at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Electra at 4,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Arrow at 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Isaac Sweers at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Hawkins at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Devonshire at 6,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arrow at 6,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Express at 6,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yunagi at 6,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Okikaze at 6,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Okikaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Hawkins at 7,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yunagi at 7,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yunagi at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Electra at 7,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Okikaze at 7,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Electra at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yunagi at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Hawkins at 7,000 yards
DD Yunagi engages DD Foxhound at 7,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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[obvert]

All ships retired after that, and unfortuntely there are a lot of dings to fix up. This will reduce my available BBs to only Prince of Wales and cut my CA fleet in half around Formosa. I'll still have a strong defensive force with 3-4 TFs ready, but offensively I'll now have to wait for repairs and upgrades.

My strike planes in the day phase were all one hex too short except the Beauforts, but they were out of torpedo range and only dropped two 500lb bombs on Hyuga.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ishigaki at 90,66

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 13
Beaufort VIII x 7

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

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[obvert]

Some night strikes hit Hiroshima/Kure during the night phase to start about 6k fires. Not bad.

Also, Manado fell to a Dutch force. I've got a few ABDA Dutch forces that will begin to invade up through the SRA to Northern New Guinea, the Carolines and Palau. I'll leave Rabaul and True alone to starve, but will aim for the Marianas and the Bonins. It would be fun to see Dutch and even some Chinese flags up here in the Pacific. [;)]

Another rough one near Yinkow. This will be a grind.
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Ground combat at Manado (75,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2128 troops, 7 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Defending force 2003 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Allied adjusted assault: 79

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Manado !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (8 destroyed, 4 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
Lijfwacht Cav Sqdn
6th Cav Sqdn
Groep Zud
4th Cav Sqdn
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
HQ I KNIL Division

Defending units:
Sasebo 3rd SNLF /2
44th Field AA Battalion
32nd Special Base Force

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Ground combat at 102,42 (near Yingkow)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 53815 troops, 774 guns, 1803 vehicles, Assault Value = 2100

Defending force 34961 troops, 354 guns, 543 vehicles, Assault Value = 1098

Allied adjusted assault: 1170

Japanese adjusted defense: 1605

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2266 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 107 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 41 (8 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1862 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 216 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 115 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 94 (8 destroyed, 86 disabled)
Vehicles lost 400 (130 destroyed, 270 disabled)

Assaulting units:
205th Tank Brigade
206th Tank Brigade
77th Tank Brigade
258th Rifle Brigade
218th Tank Brigade
21st Rifle Brigade
95th Rifle Brigade
41st Rifle Brigade
61st Tank Division
187th Rifle Division
227th Rifle Brigade
1st Ussurii Tank Brigade
8th/A Cavalry Division
263rd Howitzer Regiment
629th Cannon Regiment
624th Cannon Regiment
1120th Cannon Regiment
46th/302nd AA Battalion
1128th Howitzer Regiment
390th Cannon Regiment

Defending units:
58th/A Division
58th/C Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Tank/A Division
58th/B Division
29th Ind Engineer Regiment
2nd Tank/B Division
8th Manchukuo Inf Brigade
77th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank/C Division
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
14th JNAF AF Unit
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
51st JAAF AF Bn

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 4, 1943[/font]

---

A very good follow-up day as the Allied CAs surge in to clean up the area around Naha and Nago. They sink a few more IJN DDs, a gaggle of mercies, and then hitting both bases with decent bombardments.

So close to a 1:1 at Hong Kong. A few more weeks here.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 4, 1943
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Nago at 95,65, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Quincy
CA Exeter
CL Concord
CL Detroit
DD Aaron Ward
DD Russell
DD Bagley
DD Arunta

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 10,000 yards

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Naha at 95,66, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 19, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Cornwall
DD Lansdowne
DD Woodworth
DD Caldwell
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Van Galen
DD Isis

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 10,000 yards

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TF 197 encounters mine field at Naha (95,66)

Allied Ships
DD Lansdowne, Mine hits 1

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Sub attack near Nago at 95,65

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-6, hits 8, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Aaron Ward
CA Quincy
CL Concord
DD Arunta
DD Bagley

SSX Ha-6 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Aaron Ward
Ha-6 bottoming out ....

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Night Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
DB-3M x 5
DB-3T x 5

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 2
Fires 2758

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x DB-3T bombing from 5000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 5
Fires 4708

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Nago at 95,65, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Ayatosan Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Yamaura Maru, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
xAK Zenyo Maru, Shell hits 33, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Nozima Maru, Shell hits 48, and is sunk
xAK Nitisan Maru, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
xAK Shinanogawa Maru, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
PB Kiko Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAP Montevideo Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Teibi Maru, Shell hits 33, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Quincy
CA Exeter
CL Concord
CL Detroit
DD Aaron Ward
DD Russell
DD Bagley, Shell hits 1
DD Arunta, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Arunta engages xAP Teibi Maru at 11,000 yards

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Nago at 95,65, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Zenyo Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Quincy
CA Exeter
CL Concord
CL Detroit
DD Aaron Ward
DD Russell
DD Bagley
DD Arunta, on fire

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 6,000 yards

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Night Naval bombardment of Nago at 95,65

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 21 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-30 Ann: 2 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed on ground
E7K2 Alf: 1 damaged
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 4 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Quincy
CL Detroit
CL Concord

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 19

Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Exeter

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Night Naval bombardment of Naha at 95,66 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 2 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 17 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 2 damaged

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Canberra

Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Manpower hits 1
Fires 335
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6
Port hits 2

CA Cornwall firing at Naha
Seagull V acting as spotter for CA Canberra

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Nago at 95,65, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Shell hits 4
CA Exeter
CL Concord
CL Detroit, Shell hits 1
DD Aaron Ward
DD Russell
DD Bagley
DD Arunta

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 29,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 29,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CL Concord engages DD Okikaze at 20,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on Liaoyuan , at 105,40

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
MiG-3 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
MiG-3: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

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Afternoon Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 36,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
J2M2 Jack x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 34500 feet

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Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 110653 troops, 924 guns, 378 vehicles, Assault Value = 2607

Defending force 28086 troops, 235 guns, 292 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

Allied adjusted assault: 2564

Japanese adjusted defense: 2705

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
1895 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 32 (3 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (10 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2389 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 383 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
7th Cav Recce Regiment
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
268th Motorised Brigade
18th Chinese Corps
37th Infantry Division
2/5th Armoured Regiment
6th Chinese Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
22nd Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
7th Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
4th Tank Regiment
74th Infantry Regiment
17th/B Division
17th/A Division
12th Tank Regiment
Hong Kong Def Force
41st Guard Battalion
17th/C Division
12th Port Unit
304th Ship Eng Coy
3rd Air Army
Hong Kong Special Base Force
52nd Field AA Battalion
26th Air Flotilla
51st Recon Regiment
24th Port Unit
6th Air Defense AA Regiment
2nd Army
18th JAAF AF Bn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

Damage to BBs is low, but it should take a bit of time to patch up. I really need Hong Kong yard as Shanghai is still a bit too vulnerable to send these there.

[BBfanboy]

Congrats on your naval victories! Pretty sure Hyuga went down with all the hits she took after reaching the Heavy Fires/Heavy Damage point. Even minor actions delay the crew's efforts to save her and the System Damage increases accordingly. Very bad for ships with poor damage control.

Probably as important as the BBs is the number of DDs you sank. Japan has had very high attrition of DDs - the ones in that SCTF were not fleet DDs, but smaller ones intended for ASW and escort of troop convoys, not major fleet units. I don't know if Japan has the capacity to build replacement DDs, and if she does, I bet Kagero class DDs are not on the menu. The torpedo threat is surely diminishing! [:)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Congrats on your naval victories! Pretty sure Hyuga went down with all the hits she took after reaching the Heavy Fires/Heavy Damage point. Even minor actions delay the crew's efforts to save her and the System Damage increases accordingly. Very bad for ships with poor damage control.

Probably as important as the BBs is the number of DDs you sank. Japan has had very high attrition of DDs - the ones in that SCTF were not fleet DDs, but smaller ones intended for ASW and escort of troop convoys, not major fleet units. I don't know if Japan has the capacity to build replacement DDs, and if she does, I bet Kagero class DDs are not on the menu. The torpedo threat is surely diminishing! [:)]

Feels good to eliminate some BBs for the time being, and yes, I do think his DDs are running short. I've noticed odd configurations for a while with the types of DDs present. Some of the ones sunk during these battles were good ones though.

Arashi was a Kagero. Kawakaze was a Shiratsuya class. Both good surface ships. The rest were smaller early types, which is probably how Shiokaze went down so quickly after one TT hit.

Every time a battle like this occurs it makes the surface fleet weaker for the duration. The KB in particular will be more and more constricted without good escorts.

They do get some DDs still but not many. They're good ones though, the best. Yugumo and Akizuki class.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 5, 1943[/font]

---

True to form, the Japanese push hard right back and nail a supply and support convoy heading to Shanghai. They send in Kirishima and 4DD.

A lot fo bombing on the IJA IDs trying to block the supply path for my forward tank units near Tunghua. Might just catch them.

Some small sweeps. MiGs are running out slowly. I'll keep using them hard though as this is the critical time in game. Soon the other Allies can take over with nearby bases.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 5, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Shanghai at 92,55, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
DD Arare
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
TB Hato

Allied Ships
AD Markab, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AVD McFarland, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-740, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC-744, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
CM Willem v d Zaan, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
xAK Titan, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK William S. Colley, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Shanghai at 92,55, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
DD Arare
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
TB Hato

Allied Ships
PC Perseus, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
CM Prins van Oranje, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK E Sang, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
xAK Egra, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Karoa, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
xAK Masula, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Defiance, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 22
J2M2 Jack x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 13
Fires 3054

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 71st Division, at 105,41 , near Changchun

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 18

Allied aircraft
I-153 x 5
IL-2 x 62
MiG-3 x 19
SB-2 x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-153: 1 destroyed
IL-2: 4 damaged
MiG-3: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
496 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB-2 bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shanghai , at 92,55

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 11
P-43A-1 Lancer x 12
P-43A-1 Lancer x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 2 destroyed
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x A6M3 Zero sweeping at 32000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Liaoyuan , at 105,40

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
MiG-3 x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
MiG-3: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Liaoyuan , at 105,40

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
MiG-3 x 31

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
MiG-3: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 6, 1943[/font]

---

The IJN continues to be aggressive, with Hiei and a small TF heading to Iriomote. The RN CL TF danced with them for a bit without either side landing much. The old BBs then got a shot and were mauled. Not good at night, period, this early. The RN CAs then surprised the Japanese with a devastating salvo from 9k and crippled Hiei while sinking one and wrecking another IJN DD.

Then Yamato arrived. I would not use Yamato with such small forces around it, but Lowpe is blessed with great timing and a bit of good fortune, as the pride of the IJN manages to find the worn out 'R' class BBs with only two DDs escorting. [8|] Predictable results. Two BBs and DD Napier sunk. Luckily Yamato hit a mine just after this, a good USN mine. Fingers crossed there.

RN cruisers to the rescue. The CAs grind it out and get the better of the Yamato TF, sending Yugumo to an early ending, but also putting some more damage on Yamato.

Along with a few big caliber shots this damage and the mine might actually send Yamato to the years for a bit. Lets hope anyway!

Air strikes are mauled during the day. It would have been a really frustrating day if not for the good result at Hong Kong. Should get it with the next attack. Good timing for getting that repair yard.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 6, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 90,65, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CL Abukuma
DD Akizuki
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Ceres, Shell hits 4
CL Caradoc
DD Aylwin
DD Dewey
DD Allen

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 8, on fire
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 1
DD Akizuki, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 30, on fire
BB Revenge, Shell hits 4
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
BB Ramillies
DD Nepal
DD Nestor, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Napier
DD Nizam, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB West Virginia at 7,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 30, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 3
DD Akizuki, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 23, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 1
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 3
DD Warramunga
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Arrow
DD Foxhound

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 9,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 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...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 4
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kazegumo
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
BB Ramillies, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Nepal, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Napier, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Scott, Norman crosses the 'T'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 109 encounters mine field at Iriomote (89,65)

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Mine hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iriomote at 89,65, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 7
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kazegumo
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 6
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 16, on fire
DD Warramunga, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 2
DD Arrow
DD Foxhound

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 7% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Liaoyuan , at 105,40

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
MiG-3 x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
MiG-3: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 30,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2
A6M3a Zero x 2
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 24500 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Miyako-jima at 91,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
A6M3a Zero x 13
J2M2 Jack x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x F2A-3 Buffalo sweeping at 15000 feet
1 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 22000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Miyako-jima at 91,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 9
J2M2 Jack x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 15
Beaufort VIII x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed by flak
Beaufort VIII: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Miyako-jima at 91,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2
A6M3a Zero x 4
J2M2 Jack x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A1 Havoc: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
DD Kazegumo

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing and strafing from low level *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Miyako-jima at 91,66

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
J2M2 Jack x 12

Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A1 Havoc: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 5
DD Kazegumo

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing and strafing from low level *

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

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 108349 troops, 923 guns, 377 vehicles, Assault Value = 2325

Defending force 26290 troops, 227 guns, 279 vehicles, Assault Value = 405

Allied adjusted assault: 5296

Japanese adjusted defense: 1373

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
777 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 36 (10 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3680 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 512 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 29 (4 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (1 destroyed, 39 disabled)

Assaulting units:
25th Chinese Corps
2/5th Armoured Regiment
4th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
37th Infantry Division
18th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
7th Cav Recce Regiment
28th Chinese Corps
268th Motorised Brigade
50th Chinese Corps
6th Chinese Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
22nd Artillery Regiment
7th Artillery Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
17th/A Division
17th/B Division
74th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
41st Guard Battalion
12th Tank Regiment
Hong Kong Def Force
17th/C Division
26th Air Flotilla
6th Air Defense AA Regiment
52nd Field AA Battalion
304th Ship Eng Coy
Hong Kong Special Base Force
24th Port Unit
12th Port Unit
51st Recon Regiment
3rd Air Army
2nd Army
18th JAAF AF Bn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[Bif1961]

The slug fest continues I think the magnetic readings over all those sunken vessel will affect compasses for centuries.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 7 - 8, 1943[/font]

---

A lot of air action. The Japanese set a large CAP trap in Manchuria. Finally got to the Il-2 groups unfortunately.

P-38s got some back.

Hong Kong falls just in time to send the damaged there. Wenchow also is taken.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 7, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 25,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
J2M2 Jack x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 24500 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Peiping , at 95,39

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
A6M3a Zero x 44

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 4
B-25C Mitchell x 30
SB-2 x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
SB-2: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
City Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ishigaki , at 90,66

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 26,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 8
J2M2 Jack x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4951 troops, 37 guns, 408 vehicles, Assault Value = 287

Defending force 3203 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Allied adjusted assault: 212

Japanese adjusted defense: 79

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Wenchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1112 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units pursuing 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Battalion
6th Cav Recce Regiment
10th LH Cav Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
60th/B Division

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 8, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air attack on Shimonoseki , at 104,57

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Manpower hits 8
Fires 2537

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 71st Division, at 105,41 , near Changchun

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 20

Allied aircraft
IL-2 x 96
MiG-3 x 48
SB-2 x 74

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
IL-2: 12 damaged
MiG-3: 3 destroyed
SB-2: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
897 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x SB-2 bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 71st Division, at 105,41 , near Changchun

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
IL-2 x 35
MiG-3 x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
IL-2: 9 destroyed, 12 damaged
MiG-3: 4 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x IL-2 bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 26,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 34
J2M2 Jack x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 12
A6M3a Zero x 8
J2M2 Jack x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 105123 troops, 920 guns, 382 vehicles, Assault Value = 1942

Defending force 23374 troops, 213 guns, 272 vehicles, Assault Value = 293

Allied adjusted assault: 3683

Japanese adjusted defense: 357

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
3331 casualties reported
Squads: 89 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 179 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 86 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 94 (81 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 221 (221 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2261 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 258 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (6 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
28th Chinese Corps
7th Cav Recce Regiment
63rd Chinese Corps
268th Motorised Brigade
50th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
37th Infantry Division
2/5th Armoured Regiment
25th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
6th Chinese Corps
1st Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
7th Artillery Regiment
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
22nd Artillery Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
17th/A Division
4th Tank Regiment
17th/B Division
Hong Kong Def Force
12th Tank Regiment
41st Guard Battalion
17th/C Division
52nd Field AA Battalion
6th Air Defense AA Regiment
74th Infantry Regiment
3rd Air Army
12th Port Unit
304th Ship Eng Coy
26th Air Flotilla
Hong Kong Special Base Force
51st Recon Regiment
2nd Army
24th Port Unit
18th JAAF AF Bn

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

Ground combat at Ishigaki (90,66)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3123 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 189

Defending force 1362 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Allied adjusted assault: 120

Japanese adjusted defense: 21

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ishigaki !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
111th LRP Bde /5
77th LRP Bde /1

Defending units:
Funauke Fortress

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

[BBfanboy]

Great to see HK fall into your hands! Let us know the condition of the SY and other industries.
Destroying 221 vehicles is awesome - I am surprised there were no destroyed IJA units. I hope you have the remnants trapped - no extraction by air or FT TF or subs.

[CaptBeefheart]

Some real interesting surface fights there. Too bad about the R-Classes.

Last year I looked into doing a family trip to Ishigaki -- a nice, quiet place with good beaches. ANA even flies 777s there from Haneda (Tokyo). I looked into Jesselton (now known as Khota Kinabalu, with direct flights from Korea) and Guam as well. We ended up going to the east coast of Korea instead.

Cheers,
CB

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Great to see HK fall into your hands! Let us know the condition of the SY and other industries.
Destroying 221 vehicles is awesome - I am surprised there were no destroyed IJA units. I hope you have the remnants trapped - no extraction by air or FT TF or subs.

Its great timing and also frees up some good units for other jobs, plus a big contingent of bombers.

I'm pretty much letting him extract pieces if he wants. I'm sure he has already if he was going to do it, it's been a long time coming. The units have stayed in hex as I think they don't recognize a retreat path now. The units from Canton are still being slowly worn down near Kukong.

Once I'm up to current I'll post more info about the state of things and the map. The shipyards, the main focus of Hong Kong for me, are damaged at 27 (23) I think right now. So almost a month before I can use them fully, but most ships need a lot of pier time anyway. I have the big Naval Command from Pearl moving over there now from Saigon with it's 400+ naval support. With such a short front line compared to historical I'm finding it very easy to allocate HQs and other necessary support into the bigger bases like Shanghai, Takao/Taihoku and Hong Kong. I really want Tsingtao for a Yellow Sea base but it's fairly heavily garrisoned, and I'm also moving on Chefoo, so might just build that up to use. Just annoying it's not on rail, but a lot of Allied units can Strat on the roads too.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

Some real interesting surface fights there. Too bad about the R-Classes.

Last year I looked into doing a family trip to Ishigaki -- a nice, quiet place with good beaches. ANA even flies 777s there from Haneda (Tokyo). I looked into Jesselton (now known as Khota Kinabalu, with direct flights from Korea) and Guam as well. We ended up going to the east coast of Korea instead.

Cheers,
CB

Yeah. The 'R' class are behaving like 25-30 year old ships no longer fit for front line duty. Certainly not against the most powerful battleship ever built, at least. [;)]

How is the Korean coastline? I imagine it being beautiful with tree lined headlands and lots of small isolated coves.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 9 -10, 1943[/font]

---

Corsairs are here!! The gull Wongs make their debut against the J2M2 and do very well, downing 5-7 without a loss. [8D] Their range is decent at 6/8, but I'll try to conserve them at normal range and that means they'll only have limited opportunities right now. As a psychological tool they're fantastic though.

Suffered another shocked defeat near Yinkow, so I need some more heavy troops there. The Eastern IJA positions are indeed falling back and I'v been able to feast on some of the rear guards while slowly breaking down some of the border forts. Near Tunghua things have definitely stalled, but the arty thee will do well until the Japanese build forts. I'll probe with tanks ahead for now.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 9, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Amami Oshima at 98,65

Japanese Ships
CM Itsukushima, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CM Aotaka
CM Ishizaki
CM Kyosai
CM Nasami
PB Myoken Maru

Allied Ships
SS O16

SS O16 launches 4 torpedoes at CM Itsukushima
O16 diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Amami Oshima at 99,64

Japanese Ships
PB Ichiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Zuikai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback launches 2 torpedoes at PB Ichiyo Maru
Grayback diving deep ....

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

Ground combat at 102,42 (near Yingkow)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 57382 troops, 835 guns, 2107 vehicles, Assault Value = 2241

Defending force 27701 troops, 304 guns, 531 vehicles, Assault Value = 893

Allied adjusted assault: 1942

Japanese adjusted defense: 1357

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3221 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 209 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 49 (3 destroyed, 46 disabled)
Vehicles lost 33 (1 destroyed, 32 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2226 casualties reported
Squads: 163 destroyed, 400 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 117 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 140 (17 destroyed, 123 disabled)
Vehicles lost 229 (20 destroyed, 209 disabled)

Assaulting units:
5th Mongolian Cavalry Division
41st Rifle Brigade
206th Tank Brigade
187th Rifle Division
218th Tank Brigade
258th Rifle Brigade
77th Tank Brigade
21st Rifle Brigade
227th Rifle Brigade
95th Rifle Brigade
1st Ussurii Tank Brigade
9th Armored Car Brigade
171st Tank Brigade
61st Tank Division
8th/A Cavalry Division
46th/302nd AA Battalion
624th Cannon Regiment
1120th Cannon Regiment
1128th Howitzer Regiment
263rd Howitzer Regiment
629th Cannon Regiment
390th Cannon Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Tank/A Division
58th/B Division
77th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank/B Division
58th/C Division
8th Manchukuo Inf Brigade
2nd Tank/C Division
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion


[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 10, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7
B-24D Liberator x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 21

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at 112,42 (near Mutankiang)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 43457 troops, 645 guns, 468 vehicles, Assault Value = 1472

Defending force 5937 troops, 142 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 76

Allied adjusted assault: 1284

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 67 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1754 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 60 (46 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (18 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
627 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Rifle Division
39th Rifle Division
59th Rifle Division
3rd NKVD Division
45th Howitzer Regiment
215th Cannon Brigade
227th Cannon Brigade
1125th Cannon Regiment
28th/70th AA Battalion
1138th Cannon Regiment
181st Hvy Howitzer Regiment

Defending units:
23rd/A Division
27th Fld AA Gun Co
23rd Fld AA Gun Co
7th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Border Defense Fortress
50th Field AA Battalion
2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 106,43 (near Tunghua)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1632 troops, 120 guns, 155 vehicles, Assault Value = 980

Defending force 12560 troops, 286 guns, 294 vehicles, Assault Value = 510

Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (6 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
75th Tank Brigade
46th Engr-Sapper Bde
74th Tank Brigade
72nd Tank Brigade
36th Motor Rifle Division
2nd Rifle Corps
424th Hvy Howitzer Regiment
10th/132nd PVO AA Battalion
372nd Hvy Howitzer Regiment
114th Hvy Howitzer Regiment
1192nd BM Howitzer Regiment
1194th BM Howitzer Regiment
100th OM Howitzer Battalion
1131st Hvy Howitzer Regiment
262nd/264th PVO AA Battalion

Defending units:
1st Tank Division
2nd Division
13th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
Manchukuo Guards Brigade
3rd Recon Battalion
3rd RF Gun Battalion
49th Field AA Battalion
32nd Field AA Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Feb 11-12, 1943[/font]

---

On the 11th I tried a limited 4E strike on Nago preceded by a P-38 sweep. The Japanese had moved in heavily in spite of existing damage to the base. If I went all in here I could probably close it, but it would mean a few days of attritional battles, and I don't have the pools of the critical airframes to get this done and keep the bases closed right now, especially with so many damaged ships and no ability to bombard by sea for a few weeks.

I'm not in a hurry here and will do this soon. It also might give him the chance to get comfy and move in a lot of airframes. Overstacked fields on islands are a nice target.

The Central Pacific operation is loading now and about to move out toward Marcus, Pagan and the "A" islands of the Marianas chain; Anatahan, Agrihan and Amalgan. Getting these combined with Babeldaob would effectively close transport paths to all areas South. I'm not so concerned about that though, and it's much more about getting supplies, units and most importantly more surface ships and the CVEs into the fight near Okinawa and Kyushu. Also easier to move air units as they arrive.

Landed at Babeldaob but no defensive bombardment, so I'm guessing not much there. I'll attack on the 13th and see. I've got 300+ AV ashore with a bit more to unload, so should have plenty here.

Interesting to run into TFs now with a CA, 4 CL and only 2 DD. [:)]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 12, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63

Japanese Ships
DD Matsukaze
CA Myoko
CL Kitakami
CL Yura
CL Jintsu
CL Agano
DD Teruzuki

Allied Ships
SS ShCh-135

SS ShCh-135 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Matsukaze
ShCh-135 diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Nago , at 95,65

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Cuba Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKE Sangetsu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 32,550 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
A6M3a Zero x 29
J2M2 Jack x 36
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 38

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13
A6M3a Zero x 22
J2M2 Jack x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 3 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
A6M3a Zero x 21
J2M2 Jack x 26
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 8 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 12 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 12 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
A6M3a Zero x 20
J2M2 Jack x 26
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 11 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 10 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 11 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed on ground
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 32,550 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
A6M3a Zero x 13
J2M2 Jack x 26
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Ground combat at Tsingtao (95,47)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35974 troops, 179 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 863

Defending force 20793 troops, 114 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 513

Allied adjusted assault: 392

Japanese adjusted defense: 1523

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
434 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3299 casualties reported
Squads: 84 destroyed, 101 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Guns lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Assaulting units:
55th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade

Defending units:
14th RGC Temp. Division
15th Division
5th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st NCPC Route Brigade
Ching Tao Special Base Force
23rd JNAF AF Unit

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 13, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pre-Invasion action off Babeldaob (90,97)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AK Alcyon
PC Haida
AK Bellatrix
AK Fomalhaut, Shell hits 1
AMC Cornwallis

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

12.7cm/50 T03 DP Battery engaging AK Alcyon at 15,000 yards
12.7cm/50 T03 DP Battery engaging AK Bellatrix at 15,000 yards
12.7cm/50 T03 DP Battery engaging AK Fomalhaut at 15,000 yards
PC Haida 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 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Babeldaob (90,97)

TF 144 troops unloading over beach at Babeldaob, 90,97

Allied ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of Prajoeda Cdo
3" Mortar lost in surf during unload of 16th Australian Bde /2
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 16th Australian Bde /3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Naha , at 95,66

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 30,550 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 1
J2M2 Jack x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Babeldaob (90,97)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAKL Larut
xAKL Masayas, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL William McArthur
xAK Manoeran
xAP Kajang

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

12.7cm/50 T03 DP Battery engaging xAKL Masayas at 13,000 yards
xAKL Larut fired at enemy guns

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

A pretty good day in the air in spite of losing a dozen or so 4Es. The B-24D-1 is now producing, which will seriously increase capabilities, but I want to hold onto as many B-17E s possible for Strat bombing tough targets.

Sadly, during the sweep I lost GS Welch after he got his 39th kill. [:(]

[obvert]

Here is the location of the KB right now. He's been dangling it out in sight but out of range for quite a while now. I know it can swoop in if needed, and is probably set to strike at anything getting in range of Korea especially.