Focus Pacific: Through the lens of Japan (No BillBrown please)

[durnedwolf]

There's nothing grounded in reality with this mod... I start with a nice-sized hammer but Once the Allies start churning out CVs and BBs it gunna be time to pay the fiddler.

[durnedwolf]

And here's the global view from the same day.

[durnedwolf]

Hi to those following the saga - lol.

I'm working on a long-term battle plan and I really want to achieve my goals prior to the end of 1943. My WAG is that by mid 1943 Bill's naval forces are just going to be too much for me to go deep without strong bases that can help provide LRCAP for my naval forces. In essence, Bill will be able to out-build me around 5-1 in carriers.

So Japan has the landing bonus for until May. The last time I did an amphibious landing with a division of troops without the bonus, my troops were pretty much slaughtered. I seem to remember Nemo121 using a lot of smaller xAKs for amphibious landings.

Is that the way to go? Do you do something different for the large-scale amphibious assaults? If you've got something down that works well would you do me the favor of posting your solution?

Thanx in advance!

[RangerJoe]

Land part of the unit first, then the rest are reinforcements and may not get the amount of disruption. As always, have a cargo ship or two with nothing but supplies to make sure that there are enough on the beach. Use AKs and especially LSDs for tanks. For tank units, strip out the soft devices by using air transport and/or APDs.

[durnedwolf]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Land part of the unit first, then the rest are reinforcements and may not get the amount of disruption. As always, have a cargo ship or two with nothing but supplies to make sure that there are enough on the beach. Use AKs and especially LSDs for tanks. For tank units, strip out the soft devices by using air transport and/or APDs.

I like the thought of adding a spare ship for supplies - I normally don't do that. Thanks for the thoughts.

[durnedwolf]

The Amphibious Assault of Guam begins on the 12th of December. Bill's coastal guns brutally savage the Matsue Maru. Five 155mm shells rip through her thin frame. Heavy fires and thick smoke obscure the damage done to her body as she lists ominously to port… Eventually the Matsue slips beneath the waves.

In the end though, the goal is accomplished. The 44th Infantry Division and the 15th Base Force, for the most part, have landed and dug in as they prepare to advance upon the besieged allied defenders.

Later a bombardment TF arrives to pave the way for the amphibious assault troops; four massive Battleships with escorts pound the airfield, port, and allied troops.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Near Bandjermasin the I-158 slaps a torpedo into the flank of the TK Gertrude Kellogg; she was already limping heavily from a previous engagement with the submarines of Imperial Japan prior to the attack of the I-158.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many miles to the West at Sorong, the amphibious assault continues without respite. Additional troops land upon the shore and scramble forward towards cover, beating hearts and cold sweat acknowledging their naked fear as they cross the open sands…
Later, in desperate and bloody fighting, Japan's warriors reduce the fortifications to level 0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And far to the North of Sorong at Puerto Princesa another Amphibious assault begins…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In open seas near Howland Isle, Captain Yakimi steps away from the periscope to rub the sweat from his eyes before stepping back to grab the periscope and peer through the eye piece. A Carrier - the Lexington? - accompanied by a pair of destroyers! The destroyers are already turning toward the I-17, lookouts having spotted the tell-tale wake of the periscope.
Yakami quickly reads off the numbers and a firing solution is quickly calculated. The I-17 fires six torpedoes just as fast as the crew can make them ready. There's no time to watch - the destroyers are nearly upon them! Dive! Dive! Dive! - and the bow pushes down as the I-17 dives deep beneath the waves. Above the DDs Flusser and Porter attack with their depth charges but they are way off target.
Yakimi clutches the stop watch as the hands tick away to the expected time of a successful solution. Nothing! It was apparent that the I-17 too was way off target…
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Bangkok with love, bombers with fighter escorts attacked the airfields of Port Blair in several waves. From 8 thousand feet Sallys and Bettys made their bombing runs, peppering the runway and airbase with 250 kg GP bombs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Hong Kong air strikes from Samah, Canton, and Takao pound the allied troops and the airfield as they try to soften up the enemy prior to another deliberate attack from the two divisions and support troops already engaged with the enemy troops.
Later, during the day, Japan attacks Hong Kong again, reducing the forts to level 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Near Iwo-jima the xAKL Elcano plies the seas in her desperate attempt to escape from the Japanese forces in and around the Philippines. It must have been a bitter pill to swallow for the good captain and crew as Bettys from the direction of the Marianas Islands make their attack runs. The Elcano is too old and too slow to dodge the attacking Bettys. The Bettys fly back home, the Elcano left listing and burning furiously from a pair of 250 kg SAP bombs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

War is not one-sided; there is ying with the yang. Vildebeests attack the DD Yugakaze near San Fernando. Three hits with 500 lb. GP bombs are too much for the plucky destroyer and her crew. Shortly after the attack the Yugakaze succumbs to the waves…




And in other exciting news:
Aparri is occupied by the Japanese
27th Sentai arrives at Kota Bharu
27th Sentai sub-groups COMBINING at Kota Bharu
64th Sentai Det arrives at Kota Bharu
64th Sentai Det sub-groups COMBINING at Kota Bharu
15th Base Force takes replacements
Kawakubo J. now available for reassignment

[RangerJoe]

Bomb and bombard first, then invade. From what I read, you bombarded after the invasion. Also, include heavy ships in your invasion fleet as the CD guns will engage them plus the heavy ships will engage the CD guns.

[durnedwolf]

At Puerto Princesa I bombard just to confirm what's there.

At Sorong we capture the base; the Sorong Detachment Base Force flees in terror from the might of the Imperial Japanese forces. Bwa-ha-ha-ha!

At Kweisui I get 1 to 1 odds but I ran into a stack about twice the size of mine. I guess that show the mettle of the Chinese forces there. I'm bringing a bigger stick; it should arrive in 3-4 turns.

Near Kaifeng I attack a pair of Chinese Corps with the 32nd Div. They retreat in disarray.

At Hong Kong the Forts are reduced to 1. A third division arrives so another deliberate attack is scheduled for the 14th.

Near Rangoon a unit of Lilys finds a couple of enemy merchant ships and drops an egg or two on them. One ship is on fire and the other has heavy fires and heavy damage. My Lilly used 100 kg SAP bombs.

I get in some more good sub action catching merchant shipping near Bandjermasin and Rabaul.

Near Sorong one of Bill's subs catches the AKL Higari Maru in some surface action. The Higari takes 11 shells and has raging fires…

In other exciting news:
Hwaiyin is occupied by Japan
xAKL Latouche is reported to have been sunk near Bandjermasin on Dec 13, 1941
xAKL Sarangami is reported to have been sunk near Agrihan on Dec 13, 1941
xAP Macdhui is reported to have been sunk near Rabaul on Dec 13, 1941

Of note in the turn:
Bill stacked about 5 subs in a row next to Babeldaob. I set three FP units to fly naval Search (Day/night). I have a DB unit flying naval attack. And I have a 3DD ASW TF that's patrol is right over those subs. They are in blue waters but I'm kinda curious to see how things go with all of the DL modifiers I expect to generate.

[RangerJoe]

Put some FP or other air ASW at 100 or 1000 feet and see what happens. They might not see the sub on the surface, but if they do the sub has almost no chance to dive.

[durnedwolf]

Anne was talking up the radio today. I love to hear the sweet sound of her voice.

Guam forts are reduced to 1 this turn.

Laoag should fall next turn as its undefended. Puerto Princesa should fall too.

Other than that, there's not too much news. I've getting my Search network up. There are a few enemy TF fleeing past Marcus isle that I see. I've routed a pair of SCTF into those waters.

In China, Burma, and Malaya I've got a lot of troops moving around the map in support of military objectives.

In Malaya I have 7 divisions that I'll be using for Singapore. The 3rd Air Div. Air HQ unit is almost at Kota Bharu. This is a cool air HQ as it has a radius of 4. Alor Star, Georgetown, and Taiping all have AFs in the level 3-4 range so I will be able to fly out of any of those base with torpedoes.

In Burma I'm using the Thai Army plus the 15th Army. Chiang Mai is almost at level 2 for the airfield. That makes a swell 4ward location for air ops VS Rangoon and the Burmese bases closer to their southern side.

I've got my initial airframes figured out but I'm still doing some hemming and hawwing on R&D.


Babuyan is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!
Rifles of Canada Battalion SURRENDERS !!!
Kowloon Brigade SURRENDERS !!!
2nd Royal Scots Battalion SURRENDERS !!!
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion SURRENDERS !!!
1st Middlesex Battalion SURRENDERS !!!
102nd RN Base Force SURRENDERS !!!
Hong Kong Fortress SURRENDERS !!!
65th Sentai sub-groups COMBINING at Chengting
63rd I.F.Chutai sub-groups COMBINING at Shanghai

[durnedwolf]

I'm hitting the ground units at Kwangchowan with light bombers from Canton while working to keep the AF of Kwangchowan suppressed with Sallys and Sonia from Samah.

At 71,56, just East of Lang Son, my bombardment identifies a single Chinese Corps VS my Division plus mixed Rgt. A DATK is ordered.





Trying for a trap using Puerto Princesa amphibious operations ships as bait.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Iba at 78,75

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PT-35, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-31
PT Q-113

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb


In other News:
Chengchow is occupied by the Japanese
Amphibious TF 121 unloading at Puerto Princesa
Japanese forces CAPTURE Laoag !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam !!!
Guam USN Base Force SURRENDERS !!!
Guam Defense Battalion SURRENDERS !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Puerto Princesa !!!
2nd PI Base Force RETREATING towards Taytay
Chiang Mai expands airfield to size 2
Beaufort expands fortifications to size 1
23 x L3Y2 Tina transporting supplies to 23rd
7 x MC-21 Sally transporting supplies to 23rd
9 x Ki-56 Thalia transporting supplies to 23rd
4 x Ki-57-I Topsy transporting supplies to 23rd
9 x Ki-57-I Topsy transporting supplies to 23rd
PT-35 is reported to have been sunk near Iba on Dec 15, 1941
TK Gertrude Kellogg is reported to have been sunk near Kangean on Dec 12, 1941

[durnedwolf]

Notes for the 16th:

I've got a pair of DMS that have started clearing mines @ Hong Kong. Almost 100 so far.

For some strange reason Bill moved the 62nd and 13th Chinese Corps from Wuchow and NE 1 hex. I'm obliged to bomb the snot out of them and am doing so. I'm also sending a couple of divisions. A pair of shell-shocked Chinese Corps outta be an easy win.

Over by Rangoon Bill is running little 1-2 ship TFs - small things like HDMLs and xAKL. I've been after them with Lillys and Sallys but all they do is miss. I empowered a fighter squadron of A6M2 to Fly NATK @ 3k out to their max range. They returned dividends immediately.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Bassein at 51,51

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Nam Yong, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
HDML Pennigat, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Nam Yong

Oh yes - I'm still hitting Port Blair's AF also.

@ Kweisui are the 3rd Prov Chinses Corps and the 11th Chinese Corps. I've got three INF Bn. There but I'm waiting for more muscle. Meanwhile I'm using the Chinese units as target practice for a flight of Sallys.

At Borneo I started softening up Jesselton. Not that it needs softening but it gives my bombers practice and Bill doesn't seem to be really defending anything. I'm trying to find a nerve but so far I have come up short.

So with Guam down I turn to Rabaul…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Centaur, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Bunbury

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (6 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Near Lang Son the 4th Ind. Mixed Rgt & the 254th Div. smash into the 52nd Chinese Corps. It sux to be in the Chinese army right now…

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

Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13911 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 457

Defending force 9130 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 166

Japanese adjusted assault: 263

Allied adjusted defense: 81

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
340 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4520 casualties reported
Squads: 139 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 98 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
254th Division

Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps

In other news:
Taiping is occupied by the Japanese
Task Force 253 has merged with TF 174 at 89 , 106 (CVE + 2 CVL and escorts)
Activation orders have been received by the 20th Army for operations in China.
52nd Chinese Corps RETREATING towards Nanning
15th Ku K-1 arrives at Kota Bharu
15th Ku K-1 sub-groups COMBINING at Kota Bharu
59th Sentai arrives at Chiang Mai
59th Sentai sub-groups COMBINING at Chiang Mai
24th Special Base Force takes replacements from Sorong
23rd JAAF AF Bn takes replacements from Bangkok
Araki E. now available for reassignment
xAK Centaur is reported to have been sunk near Rabaul on Dec 16, 1941
HDML Pennigat is reported to have been sunk near Bassein on Dec 16, 1941

[RangerJoe]

Kates at 1000 feet with bombs are very effective also.

[durnedwolf]

So far I've cleared about 200 mines @ Hong Kong.

Perorations are done.
- My push for Burma is on - I just need troops to march there…
- The same for the PI. I'm pushing troops across as the landing bases are now under my control. I've a good fighter cap plus several SCTF patrolling.
- With Guam down my TFs are in route for amphibious operations around Rabaul.
- And my preparations are in the prepping phase for the Aleutian Islands.
- In China the 20th Army and 6th Army are taking the high roads for Sian. I've got 4ward air support at bases to help cover my troops and aggress the Chinese Corps I encounter along the way. I'm trying to take out China ASAP.
- Below you can see my operations for Malaya. I'm moving 8 divisions to that theatre.






In other News:
Repairs completed on DD Namikaze at Cam Ranh Bay, ship returned to service
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao !!!
Aparri expands fortifications to size 2
64th Sentai arrives at Chiang Mai
36th JNAF AF Unit arrives at Tokyo
Langkawi is occupied by the Japanese

[RangerJoe]

Paradrop somewhere to keep the units in Malaya from retreating to Singapore. A plus if you can actually capture the base.

[durnedwolf]

Abemama is occupied by Japan.

Mine sweeping continues @ Hong Kong

I've several bombing strikes in China that catch troops out in the open for pretty good damage. I've also been chasing after his Chinese troops as they draw back to his defensive line. I've caught several Chinese Corps and mauled them. Squads equal points and I'll take the points any way I can get them. By air or through ground combat.

KB, near Wake, meets the allied xAKL Dos Hermanos. Nothing much - they both avoid each other - but Bill knows I've got KB up here…

I have a strong SCTF in the Celebes Sea that eats up an AVP. Other than that it looks like most of the merchies around the PI are gone.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Puerto Princesa at 73,86, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
AVP Heron, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 3,000 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...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 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
AVP Heron sunk by CA Mogami at 3,000 yards
AVP Heron sunk by CA Mogami at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk…

Near the West Coast of the US a Japanese sub slaps three fish into the TK Eidsvold. Catching allied tankers and AP is never a bad thing.

In China it looks like Bill is withdrawing troops into wooded areas to create a defensive line. That works for me. I plan to really push hard along the route from Sian to Chungking. Every Chinese division hugging trees is one less that I have to drive through.

[durnedwolf]

Maiana is occupied by the Japanese
Toko Ku T-1 Det sub-groups COMBINING at Babeldaob
21st Ku K-1 sub-groups COMBINING at Babeldaob
7th Sentai sub-groups COMBINING at Chengting
Kawai Det sub-groups COMBINING at Taiyo
AMC Kiyosumi Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto

At Patani in Malaya Bill tries to sneak in one of those Dutch subs; I give it a good thrashing in the shallow waters. Those Dutch subs are a pain in the caboose.

ASW attack near Patani at 51,73

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 22
AKL Bokuei Maru
xAK Holland Maru
xAKL Kaisho Maru
DD Arashikaru
SC Ch 23

Allied Ships
SS KXI, hits 7, heavy damage

SS KXI is sighted by escort
KXI bottoming out ....
DD Arashikaru fails to find sub and abandons search
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Near Wake Isle the Dos Hermanos runs out of fortune as KB's report is sent off to naval sub operation in the area.

Sub attack near Wake Island at 143,90

Japanese Ships
SS RO-62

Allied Ships
xAKL Dos Hermanos, Shell hits 18, heavy fires

xAKL Dos Hermanos is sighted by SS RO-62
SS RO-62 attacking on the surface
SS RO-62 low on gun ammo, Kusumoto G. breaks off surface engagement and submerges

Not too much else - troops a moving here and there. I'm landing at Kavieng this turn. Next turn I bombard Wake Isle in preparation of an assault. There are a couple of land battles that'll take place in China and Malaya. Fun-fun-fun. It's good to be Japan in 1941. The 23rd Air Flotilla arrives in Babeldaob. Bettys and torpedoes is a beautiful thing. I just need Bill to provide targets… lol.

[durnedwolf]

Alor Star is occupied by the Japanese
SS RO-62 leaving patrol zone to replenish at Truk
SS RO-64 leaving patrol zone to replenish at Truk
Previous report of sinking of SS KXI incorrect. Ship sighted and engaged at 52, 74
SS I-121 lays minefield at Pontianak ( 56 , 90) and sets course for Cam Ranh Bay
PO1 Hagiri V. of Yamada Det S-2/B is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Hirata R. of Yamada Det S-2/C is credited with kill number 3
PO2 Mikami T. of Yamada Det S-2/A is credited with kill number 3
LTJG Baba, M. of Yamada Det S-2/A is credited with kill number 2
LTJG Baba, M. of Yamada Det S-2/A is credited with kill number 3
PO2 Minowa S. of Yamada Det S-2/C is credited with kill number 3
PO2 Nakajima W. of Yamada Det S-2/B is credited with kill number 2
2LT Fuchida D. of 272nd Sentai/A is credited with kill number 2
2LT Chuzaburo A. of 272nd Sentai/A is credited with kill number 2
Allied Light Bomber sighted over 15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
PO1 Kumagaya T. of 17th Ku S-1 /C is credited with kill number 2
Japanese forces CAPTURE Pucheng !!!
Cam Ranh Bay expands airfield to size 5
SS KXI is reported to have been sunk near Kota Bharu on Dec 21, 1941
xAKL Nam Yong is reported to have been sunk near Akyab on Dec 18, 1941
7th Sentai arrives at Chengting

Slips beneath the waves…

ASW attack near Kota Bharu at 52,74

Japanese Ships
PB Tokotsu Maru
PB Naruto Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS KXI, hits 6, and is sunk

SS KXI is sighted by escort
PB Tokotsu Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Naruto Maru #3 firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tokotsu Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Naruto Maru #3 firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tokotsu Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Naruto Maru #3 firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tokotsu Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Naruto Maru #3 firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tokotsu Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Naruto Maru #3 firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tokotsu Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

Of course there's the Goose\Gander thing. Another Dutch sub plugs a light cruiser near Miri. 56 floation dmg so I've got it headed to Miri.

Sub attack near Miri at 63,85

Japanese Ships
CL Kumotori, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Soragumo
PB Seki Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS O20

SS O20 launches 4 torpedoes at CL Kumotori
DD Soragumo fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Seki Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Seki Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Seki Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Seki Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Seki Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Seki Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Bill goes after Miri by air. I spank his air groups handily. The Goose\Gander thing trikes again as I loose aircraft over Nanning, China to his Flying Tigers.

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 5 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2/A with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 32810.
Raid is overhead
17th Ku S-1 /A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/B with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 32810.
Raid is overhead
Yamada Det S-2/C with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32810.
Raid is overhead
17th Ku S-1 /B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
17th Ku S-1 /C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
17th Ku S-1 /A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
17th Ku S-1 /B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
17th Ku S-1 /C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
17th Ku S-1 /A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
17th Ku S-1 /B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
17th Ku S-1 /C with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 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 13 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x CW-21B Demon sweeping at 34000 feet

CAP engaged:
17th Ku S-1 /A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 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 between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/B with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/C with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
17th Ku S-1 /B with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
17th Ku S-1 /C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Yamada Det S-2/A with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Raid is overhead

Pucheng falls and in Malaya the 4th and 18th divisions push the FMSV, used as a road block, backwards towards my goal of Temuloh.

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

Ground combat at Pucheng (86,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1632 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 41

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pucheng !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
2nd RGC Route Brigade


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

Ground combat at 51,76 (near Kota Bharu)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13682 troops, 125 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 877

Defending force 300 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 212

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 212 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
267 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 55 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
4th Division
18th Division

Defending units:
FMSV Brigade

[durnedwolf]

Tavoy is occupied by the Japanese
PB Ikuta Maru sinks....
98th Sentai sub-groups COMBINING at Chiang Mai
11th Sentai/A sub-groups COMBINING at Kota Bharu
Ku T-18 sub-groups COMBINING at Kavieng
3rd Ku S-1 sub-groups COMBINING at Laoag
204 Ku S-1 sub-groups COMBINING at Takao
SS RO-61 leaving patrol zone to replenish at Truk
SS RO-66 leaving patrol zone to replenish at Truk
SS RO-68 leaving patrol zone to replenish at Truk
Katsuma A. now available for reassignment
xAKL Oklahoman is reported to have been sunk near Rangoon on Dec 13, 1941

Bill does a few night attacks @ Kota Bharu with his bog-boy bombers. @ 6k. 12x500 lbs. Still, he didn't do hardly anything. He's probably doing the same thing I am - attacking easy targets to build up his pilot experience.

I land on Wake but I've again mis-timed my bombardment TF… Sigh. My dive Bombers from KB got their strikes in. There is no air defense at Wake. I went at the AF this turn expecting a fight. The Shock attack hurt. The forts are at level 3. I need some reinforcements… Fortunately I have a pair of INF Regiments @ Truk. The higher fort levels are a "feature" of the Focus mod. I forgot.

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1629 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 60

Defending force 3796 troops, 42 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 32

Japanese adjusted assault: 8

Allied adjusted defense: 80

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 10 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
413 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF

Defending units:
Wake USN CPNAB
1st Marine Defense Battalion

Kavieng falls tho (undefended). I moved a carrier TF in for air support and I brought in a FP unit to fly naval search @ range 5. TR are transporting air support and I have a Fast Transport in route.

Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 864 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 32

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 20

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kavieng !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
I/66th Naval Guard Unit
II/66th Naval Guard Unit

[durnedwolf]

Wake Isle is stuck for a few turns while I bring in reinforcements. I'm trying to attrite the allied forces from the air while my landing force digs in to wait. Oh - my bombardment TF arrived - a day late and dollar short. I have to do better at my amphibious coordination.

Anyone wanna share their amphibious procedures? It sounds like I need to get schooled… <grin>

At Sorong Bill sorties a SCTF with a pair of BC. They sink a pair of my DD and send a cargo TF running. I had a pair of BB at Sorong until last turn when I sent them back to Truk for fuel… Bad timing or Bill somehow noticed I'd pulled the SCTF.

More night bombing at Kota Bharu. I have an AA unit there. It doesn't seem to do much…

Moulmein falls.

I para-dropped at Kuching and now have a foot hold there. I think I should have used more transport units. I used a pair and was able to drop about a third of the para-unit.

Loss of DD Yugure on Dec 23, 1941 is admitted
Loss of DD Ariake on Dec 23, 1941 is admitted
Loss of PB Showa Maru #5 on Dec 23, 1941 is admitted
18th Engineer Battalion arrives at Kota Bharu
Tarawa Engineer Battalion arrives at Tarawa