Gensui jdsrae (J) vs SolInvictus (A). IJ War Council room

[jdsrae]

Here's the current state of the IJAAF Fighter force.
I need Oscars to replace the Nates and plan to use them, but need to balance their use against the rate that I can train replacement pilots. The rookies in Japan and Manchukuo are about 3-4 months from being of any use...
The only "depth" I have in fighter pilots are the couple of units flying in China that have pilots with experience in the 50s and 60s.

[jdsrae]

I'm on leave this week so getting a turn done per day. I just sent the orders for 13 Dec 41.

I was feeling disorganised in SEAF and 4th Fleet areas, especially in relation to all of the gaps in the current naval search arcs. I feel like the USN CVs could be anywhere from Sydney to the Aleutians by now.

This image shows my Plan A for covering the perimeter of the empire with overlapping naval search arcs.
I've based the size of the circles on the 15 hex normal combat radius of the G3M2 Nell, so any planes that fly further than that will be a bonus.
I've started moving these groups into position and will move more over the next few days. I want to try and spot any forward moves by the USN plus to get some eyes further south into the DEI.
CL Boise has probably joined CL Marblehead and DDs somewhere near Tarakan/Balikpapan or Ternate.
It wouldn't surprise me if the allies try to combine all of ABDA Flot now, seeing as they have taken some losses in smaller CA/CL led task forces against my 3-4xCA + DD task forces.
IJN BBs are moving south to help counter a massed ABDA Flot.
Kido Butai has rearmed and reorganised escorts (all 4xBB Kongo plus about 10xDD) and will conduct a clearing patrol over the next 5-7 days hunting for anything that floats around the DEI.

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTIONS REPORTS FOR 12 DEC 41 – just a selection
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Zamboanga at 75,88, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Oboro
DD Uzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Yuzuki
Allied Ships
xAKL Sagoland, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Tongatapu at 134,167, Range 18,000 Yards - Some action deep in the South Pacific
Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru – I just noticed that the Captain and crew of this ship are very inexperienced. Daytime experience jumped to 50+ after this action. If they can make it home I’ll replace the skipper.
Allied Ships
xAP Rangitiki, Shell hits 2
xAP Rangitata, Shell hits 1
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitata at 7,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitiki at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitata at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitata at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitata at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitata at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitata at 20,000 yards
AMC Aikoku Maru engages xAP Rangitiki at 20,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 15,000 Yards – blockading Bataan/Manila escape attempts with 0 reaction to avoid the Bataan minefields.
Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
DD Asakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Hatakaze
Allied Ships
xAKL Anakan, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 5,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
DD Asakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Hatakaze
Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32
PT-33, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-34, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-35, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-41, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 4
P-35A x 2
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 2 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 23000 feet
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Pakhoi at 72,58
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5M1 Mabel x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships – target practice
xAK Hanyang, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 4th RTA/C Division, at 58,53 (Chiang Mai)
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Allied aircraft – once Chiang Mai has an airfield I will ambush these sorts of flights with massed Oscars.
H81-A3 x 11
Blenheim I x 9
Buffalo I x 7
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim I bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pakhoi at 72,58
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5M1 Mabel x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Hanyang, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Hanyang

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Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
Japanese Bombardment attack – another deliberate attack ordered for tomorrow to try and drop forts. Independent Bns will watch from the sidelines.
Attacking force 2380 troops, 192 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 647
Defending force 6222 troops, 131 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 178
Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
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Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 40 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Defending force 1506 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Assaulting units:
Lark Battalion
Rabaul Det. Base Force
Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF – safely ashore despite what is showing as a CA+4 others allied ships in the hex. My old CL led amphib task force might run into trouble tomorrow.
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Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3884 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 463
Defending force 7984 troops, 72 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 276 – behind 3xForts so should be good. An IJA Division arrives tomorrow but in move mode.
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
12th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
Defending units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th RGC Temp. Division
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
67th JAAF AF Coy

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Dec 12, 41 - the main bits
Kwangchowan is occupied by the Japanese - this was a surprise. The nearest troops I have are 2 x IJAAF Coys a few hexes away on Hainan.
Nachi-1 on CA Nachi converting to size 3 from 1
Haguro-1 on CA Haguro converting to size 3 from 1
Myoko-1 on CA Myoko converting to size 3 from 1
PO2 Morita, M. of 3rd Ku S-1 attains ace status!! First ace of the war.
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tuguegarao !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hwaiyin !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hollandia !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manus !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wewak !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Aitape !!!
Fusan expands port to size 5
Mersing expands airfield to size 2
Kiyokawa Maru-1 on AV Kiyokawa Maru converting to size 9 from 6
Komatsushima Ku T-2 on CS Chiyoda converting to size 24 from 6
Sasebo Ku S-1 on CVE Taiyo converting to size 27 from 12
Chokai-1 on CA Chokai converting to size 3 from 1
PT-33 is reported to have been sunk near Lubang on Dec 12, 1941
PT-34 is reported to have been sunk near Lubang on Dec 12, 1941
PT-35 is reported to have been sunk near Lubang on Dec 12, 1941
PT-41 is reported to have been sunk near Lubang on Dec 12, 1941
xAKL Sagoland is reported to have been sunk near Zamboanga on Dec 12, 1941
xAKL Anakan is reported to have been sunk near Lubang on Dec 12, 1941
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas is reported to have been sunk near Zamboanga on Dec 12, 1941

[rustysi]

This image shows my Plan A for covering the perimeter of the empire with overlapping naval search arcs.
I've based the size of the circles on the 15 hex normal combat radius of the G3M2 Nell, so any planes that fly further than that will be a bonus.

First off, 'normal' search ranges are 12. It has been stated here by very knowledgeable sources that searches beyond that will not often turn anything up.

Second, you have very few air groups that may even cover that distance. You don't have enough Netties, and even if you did they're much needed for other duties. About the only plane you can eventually get in large enough numbers to put up 'effective' NS is the Jake. Its normal range is 8, and you have to resize lots of groups to get enough coverage. Also means you need to up its production. I've run it up to 90/month and its the single plane that has not deviated from that level for my entire game. I'm currently at the end of Jun '43, and have roughly 35 spares in the Jake pool.

You have a naval search LBA called the Irving. Its range is good and it'll help. I generally convert them to Judy search initially for CV search groups. Later to be resized and back to land. You could also train up some army search A/C. The last model (forget the name) is a good aircraft for this use.

I see you're mentioning drop tanks for search elements. Doubt that's a good idea, due to fatigue and op losses. TBH I haven't tried it, so have at it, just keep a close eye on said units.

[rustysi]

BTW. Noticed the 'hole' in the middle of your search map. Right where all your inputs will flow to your factories. Right where all his subs will be stationed.[:D]

May need to close this up a bit.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

This image shows my Plan A for covering the perimeter of the empire with overlapping naval search arcs.
I've based the size of the circles on the 15 hex normal combat radius of the G3M2 Nell, so any planes that fly further than that will be a bonus.

First off, 'normal' search ranges are 12. It has been stated here by very knowledgeable sources that searches beyond that will not often turn anything up.

The 12 hex limit is simple geometry; given that each plane covers 10 degrees, and the distance increases the search area does so by the square … after 12 hexes the search area is so large that a single plane cannot cover it adequately.

You will also note that planes on longer than 18 hex will incur really high rates of damage.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: rustysi

BTW. Noticed the 'hole' in the middle of your search map. Right where all your inputs will flow to your factories. Right where all his subs will be stationed.[:D]

May need to close this up a bit.

Just showing the perimeter and long range patrol groups.
I’m training up about 50 size 24 Jake groups to cover “the hole”.
It’ll take about 6 months to build enough Jakes and train up the pilots though.
Thanks for the feedback on range, I’ll come up with a Plan Beer.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

The 12 hex limit is simple geometry; given that each plane covers 10 degrees, and the distance increases the search area does so by the square … after 12 hexes the search area is so large that a single plane cannot cover it adequately.

You will also note that planes on longer than 18 hex will incur really high rates of damage.

Thanks Pax. I will see what the coverage looks like with 12 hex circles.
If that helps keep more planes flying rather than in the hangar that’s good.

I think I will still start with patrols set at longer ranges than 12 to at least have a chance to spot big enemy task forces, especially CVs.
If I restrict range to 12 for all groups, I’m guaranteeing not to see anything beyond that range.
I’ll see what the damage and ops losses are for 15 hex patrol ranges but if I can’t keep the planes flying I will cut it back to 12.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: rustysi
I see you're mentioning drop tanks for search elements. Doubt that's a good idea, due to fatigue and op losses. TBH I haven't tried it, so have at it, just keep a close eye on said units.

Someone mentioned the idea a few months ago so I put it on here to remind myself to have a closer look at it.
The main issue I see with it is that drop tanks burn supplies, and Japan doesn’t have an excess of supply.
Plus with the geometry factor, I don’t think the cost in supply is worth it.

[jdsrae]

This Mavis patrol contact was on 11 Dec flying out of Babeldoab.

H6K4 Mavis has spotted a Coastal Cargo class xAKL at 81,113 :::::::: an Allied xAKL is reported HIT

That’s a 17 hex range spotting a task force of 3 ships, one xAKL hit and another reported as a TK.
Current settings are 20 hex search radius, 18 plane group with 16 available, 50% flying at 6000 ft.
Extreme overcast weather reported. Average experience and search skill about 70. Morale 99.

Good luck and good pilots?

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

This Mavis patrol contact was on 11 Dec flying out of Babeldoab.

H6K4 Mavis has spotted a Coastal Cargo class xAKL at 81,113 :::::::: an Allied xAKL is reported HIT

That’s a 17 hex range spotting a task force of 3 ships, one xAKL hit and another reported as a TK.
Current settings are 20 hex search radius, 18 plane group with 16 available, 50% flying at 6000 ft.
Extreme overcast weather reported. Average experience and search skill about 70. Morale 99.

Good luck and good pilots?

Remember, it isn't that you can't, it lowers the probability. So, beyond 12, you must have overlapping arcs on interior paths. Outbound paths, just remember that you can easily miss things …. this time you didn't, but it don't count on it ...

[Bif1961]

I don't know if this is a factor but large search planes have more eyes out looking compared to a two seater flaotplane searching.

[jdsrae]

I’ve just spent a few days on a recon mission of southern NSW beaches. Surf was a bit rough for small landing craft!
Safely back at Imperial General HQ and will post the 13-14 Dec action here later.

The main news, Maizuru SNLF lands in the face of 2x RAN cruisers and captures Rabaul, but CL Kashima and most of the invasion task force is sunk...
That’s about a 60 point haul for the allies but it was a day late to stop the base from falling. CA Canberra and CL Perth were reported with no escorts spotted. As they are here, ABDAFLOT is smaller than it could be. My SEAF operations will now pause until reinforcements arrive at Truk.

A few more contacts from the long range Mavis patrols, but the fatigue of the planes is increasing and for that reason the 20 hex range doesn’t look sustainable... I will cut them back to 15 range 50% flying and see what happens over about the next week.

COMBAT REPORTS FOR 13 DEC 41 – just a selection
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,124, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed – was bought back for 5 Political Points and will become a size 24 Jake group to add to the ASW force.
Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PB Chiyo Maru #4, Shell hits 6, heavy fires – sank later
PB Choko Maru #2, Shell hits 1
PB Keijo Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage – sank later
xAK Ryunan Maru, Shell hits 2
Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CL Perth – a great uncle of mine was on HMAS Perth when she was sunk in the Sunda Strait with USS Houston. He survived four years in POW camps and returned home.
Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 28% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Getting, F.E. crosses the 'T'
CL Kashima sunk by CA Canberra at 5,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
CrackSabbath emailed to say he is pleased to finally score a tactical victory. His commitment of 2 x RAN cruisers with no DD escort is telling. I was expecting HMAS Adelaide which CL Kashima may have been able to hold her own against, but I was not expecting these two. He knows where Kido Butai is, knows that a lot of my subs are still around Pearl Harbour, and hasn’t seen me do much in SEAF or 4th Fleet yet. It was a calculated risk for him that paid off. I am moving 2 x Air HQ and Nells/Bettys to SEAF now, have grabbed the first round of bases with small SNLF units, so will pause for a few days in this area.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 1,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 1 – cheeky little PT! Lucky for me it wasn’t a torpedo.
CA Ashigara
DD Asakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Hatakaze
Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32
Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Lubang at 78,78, Range 4,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
DD Asakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32, Shell hits 1 – now we’re even!
Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 28% moonlight: 4,000 yards
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Night Naval bombardment of Cagayan at 79,89
Japanese Ships – on their way to Cam Ranh Bay to rearm before moving to support operations in SWAF.
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
DD Sanae
DD Kuretake
DD Wakatake
DD Mikazuki
Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Manpower hits 1
Fires 112
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 13
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 4
BB Fuso firing at 3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,124, Range 20,000 Yards
Japanese Ships – I’d split these two ships off to keep unloading supply and act as bait to try and let the Kashima task force escape, but it didn’t work. The supply that this task force put ashore did help capture Rabaul.
PB Nikkai Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAK Kazan Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CL Perth
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 20,000 yards
CA Canberra fires at PB Nikkai Maru at 20,000 yards
CA Canberra fires at xAK Kazan Maru at 20,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Nikkai Maru at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Perth engages PB Nikkai Maru at 8,000 yards
CL Perth engages xAK Kazan Maru at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...
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ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,107
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-18, hits 4, heavy damage – my SSX didn’t have any BB to shoot at in Pearl Harbour so have been sitting around annoying CrackSabbath since 7 Dec. They’ve been launching torpedos at ASW task forces without success and are probably out of ammo by now.
Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins
DMS Elliot
DMS Long
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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Allied aircraft – limited resistance left from USAAF over Luzon and morale must be low as they don’t want to stay and fight. I feel I’ve done enough here to leave on Zero group flying sweeps and move the other one forward. Some Oscars here would be useful…
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Wenchow , at 89,58
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 24
Ki-51 Sonia x 3
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11 – the purpose of this is to stop fort building in Wenchow. Chinese forces are forming a defensive line in the complex terrain from Wenchow to Chuhsien(?) a few hexes NW.
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Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10 – Clark Field, Manila and Bataan have about equal defenders each, which is a good sign for me. Clark Field shouldn’t have been able to build any forts but I haven’t been able to keep Manila damaged so it may have 1-2 forts. I haven’t been able to bomb Bataan yet but I’m not going to rush this. Once Manila and Clark Field are taken Bataan’s turn will come.
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Afternoon Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 15
Allied aircraft – Allies have largely given up on flying from Clark Field, with Manila now their main fighter airfield.
P-26A x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3
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Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 21563 troops, 360 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 665
Defending force 6315 troops, 131 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 182
Japanese adjusted assault: 429
Allied adjusted defense: 281
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1 – not long until Hong Kong falls.
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
662 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Allied ground losses:
369 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
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Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1511 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Defending force 286 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2 – methinks he has flown out most of Lark Force, to Port Moresby?
Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
Defending units:
Lark Battalion
Rabaul Det. Base Force
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Ground combat at Shortlands (109,131)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 385 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese forces CAPTURE Shortlands !!!
Assaulting units:
II/66th Naval Guard Unit
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Ground combat at Madang (97,123)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese forces CAPTURE Madang !!!
Assaulting units:
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy
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Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 13088 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 461
Defending force 19057 troops, 176 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 652
Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported – I have more and bigger guns, so I assume counter battery fire is doing this. I was thinking about putting in a deliberate attack before more Chinese units arrive (about 3 more are moving in from the SE) but I must have decided against it, or forgot!
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
12th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
Defending units: This force may just be ordered to sit tight until the cavalry arrives from 20th and 12th Armies to the north.
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
12th RGC Temp. Division
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co


OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 13 DEC 41
Alor Star is occupied by the Japanese
Task Force 202 lays defensive minefield at Iki-shima ( 102 , 57) and sets course for Nagasaki/Sasebo
Escort TF 335 (2 ships) formed from TF 72 and routed to Truk
Cargo TF 72 aborts mission and returns to Babeldaob
Task Force 193 lays defensive minefield at Tsushima ( 103 , 56) and sets course for Nagasaki/Sasebo
B5N2 Kate from Hiryu-3 attacking an Allied DD at 55,81 an Allied SS is reported HIT
PB Keijo Maru sinks at sea
Major flooding aboard SSX Ha-18
Submarine TF 242 ordered to return to Kwajalein Island due to damage
H6K4 Mavis reports submarine wake at 99, 69 near Daito Shoto
D3A1 Val from Zuikaku-2 attacking a Barracuda class SS at 55,81 a KV Class class SS is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Zuikaku-3 has spotted an Allied ML at 50,85 an Allied ML is reported HIT
22 x L3Y2 Tina dropping Yokosuka 1st SNLF at Bayombong
9 x Ki-56 Thalia transporting 27th JAAF AF Bn to Kota Bharu
10 x MC-21 Sally transporting 35th JAAF AF Bn to Kota Bharu
Japanese forces CAPTURE Shortlands !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Madang !!!
Tateyama Ku T-1 on CVE Taiyo converting to size 27 from 9
Kimikawa Maru-1 on CS Chiyoda converting to size 24 from 9
Loss of CL Kashima on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted
Loss of PB Nikkai Maru on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted
Loss of xAK Kazan Maru on Dec 13, 1941 is admitted
CM Kung Wo is reported to have been sunk near Billiton on Dec 10, 1941

[jdsrae]

COMBAT REPORTS FOR 14 DEC 41 – just a selection
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Sub attack near San Fernando at 79,73
Japanese Ships - I’m starting to get my ASW Divisions organised. There was a “hit-no explosion” on one of these SC, good shooting at such a small target, must be annoying not to see the bang! Probably as annoying as the “depth charges explode above target” messages I am seeing in response…
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 11
SC Ch 12
Allied Ships
SS Porpoise
SS Porpoise launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 10
Porpoise diving deep ....
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Sub vs Sub: SS I-25 attacking SS S-28 at 185,98 – these are always fun to watch, but another miss!
Japanese Ships
SS I-25
Allied Ships
SS S-28
SS I-25 launches 2 torpedoes at 3,000 yards
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Submarine attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,107
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-19, hits 12, and is sunk
Allied Ships – at least I’ve been keeping these DMS from doing something else for the last week.
DMS Elliot
DMS Long
DMS Dorsey
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Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 7
No Japanese losses – good to see
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 85th Chinese Corps, at 86,48 (Sinyang) – good target practice for my Advanced Training groups in China.
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 14
Ki-30 Ann x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 12th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 85th Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 87,56 , near Chuhsien – more “Advanced Training”
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 6
Ki-51 Sonia x 12
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
Japanese Bombardment attack – looks good for another deliberate attack tomorrow
Attacking force 19056 troops, 354 guns, 202 vehicles, Assault Value = 625
Defending force 5976 troops, 130 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 159
Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Paotow (92,34)
Japanese Bombardment attack – Recon by fire, looks good enough to try a deliberate attack tomorrow. I noticed that one of the Cav Bdes has a very good LGEN in command which doesn’t sit right with me. It’s not a high priority, but I will swap him out for a MGEN at some points and give him a Division.
Attacking force 5410 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 265
Defending force 4565 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168
Assaulting units:
4th Cavalry Brigade
1st Cavalry Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 51,76 (near Kota Bharu)
Japanese Bombardment attack – Deliberate attack to go in tomorrow to keep pushing these units back into central Malaya.
Attacking force 3467 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 120
Defending force 2000 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46
Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
Defending units:
FMSV Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
3rd ISF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4142 troops, 76 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 221
Defending force 390 troops, 35 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units: Johore Bahru all but abandoned. I will attack at dawn. More troops are already moving from Mersing, including JAAF Base Forces to make use of the AF4.
29 Battery/3 HAA
30 Battery/3 HAA
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment

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

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1511 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Defending force 40 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 29
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 29 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
S.23 Empire: 1 destroyed
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported – Lark Force was bigger than this, so the combat squads have been flown out to somewhere.
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2
Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
Defending units:
Lark Battalion
Rabaul Det. Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bayombong (80,75)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 934 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58
Defending force 527 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
Defending units: Only a Bn, so the Paras will be let off the leash with a deliberate attack ordered for tomorrow.
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion

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

Ground combat at Lubang (78,78)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 12
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lubang !!!
Assaulting units:
2nd Sasebo SNLF Coy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)
Allied Bombardment attack – no damage inflicted, keep wasting that supply please!
Attacking force 13047 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
Defending force 19102 troops, 178 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 654
Assaulting units:
12th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army
Defending units:
13th Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th RGC Temp. Division
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 14 DEC 41
Langkawi is occupied by the Japanese
Extensive flooding aboard PB Chiyo Maru #4
B5N2 Kate from Shokaku-3 has spotted a Admiralty HDML class HDML at 50,84 an Allied HDML is reported HIT
H6K4 Mavis reports periscope wake at 109, 63 near Nagoya – US subs were spotted moving NE from Manila so I have to assume some are around my Home Island ports by now. None of my convoys are moving without at least 1xPB escort.
B5N2 Kate from Akagi-3 has spotted a P9 Mot. Launch class ML at 50,85 a P9 Mot. Launch class ML is reported HIT – I wonder how much damage is being done with these hits…
B5N2 Kate from Soryu-3 has spotted an Allied HDML at 50,84 a S1 Mot. Launch class HDML is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Hiryu-3 attacking an Allied SS at 52,84 an Allied SS is reported HIT
20 x L3Y2 Tina dropping Yokosuka 1st SNLF at Bayombong
Pumps fail aboard PB Chiyo Maru #4, flooding increases...
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard PB Chiyo Maru #4
Pumps fail aboard PB Chiyo Maru #4, flooding increases...
Major flooding aboard PB Chiyo Maru #4
Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lubang !!!
Ominato Ku T-1 on CVE Taiyo converting to size 27 from 6
Tone-2 on CS Chiyoda converting to size 24 from 3
Loss of SSX Ha-19 on Dec 14, 1941 is admitted

[jdsrae]

This is the plan for 6th Area Army (Southern China).
11th Army to push to Changsha and hold, deliberate attacks at fairly lengthy intervals to keep the defenders honest. Changsha is showing about 100k defenders so despite seeing some movement west out of it a few days ago it looks like CrackSabbath will make me fight for it.
13th Army will focus on Wenchow first, then Chuhsien, then eventually push W/NW to threaten Changsha's rear. 13xChinese units are spotted in this sector so this is a forward defence in complex terrain. Units from Korea Army are moving to reinforce this operation.
23rd Army will capture Hong Kong in a few days, then push into the Kukong/Wuchow area.
Indochina flank. I'm withdrawing 4th IMR one hex into the jungle, and moving 21IMB around to the NW of Nanning. If the Chinese advance on Indochina I may be able to take Nanning with 21IMB from that direction.

[jdsrae]

SUMMARY FOR 15 DEC 41

The sub war is heating up as I push a bit further into the DEI.
A Dutch sub puts a good hit on CA Myoko near Zamboanga as it was covering the Cagayan landing. Myoko is a fair way from a safe port.
On the other side of Borneo, KB has started on a fighting patrol through the Java Sea to sink whatever it can find.
Hong Kong is captured with about 50% damage to industry.

COMBAT REPORTS FOR 15 DEC 41 – just a selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Billiton at 53,92
Japanese Ships – These ships are about half of the KB task force embedded escort
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Ariake
DD Yugure
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushima
Allied Ships
SS KVIII, hits 1
SS KVIII is sighted by escort
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Zamboanga at 75,88
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 1 – this one will bruise. I thought I saw the first hit as a dud but then a second hit exploded… If both had of exploded it may have been lights out for Myoko.
DD Murakumo
DD Usugumo
DD Kagero
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranui

Allied Ships
SS KXVI
SS KXVI launches 4 torpedoes at CA Myoko
KXVI diving deep ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Soc Trang at 56,77
Japanese Ships
CA Tone
DD Kuroshio
DD Hayashio
DD Natsushio
Allied Ships
SS Seawolf, hits 1
SS Seawolf is sighted by escort – I need the escorts to keep doing this
Seawolf bottoming out ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
Allied aircraft
P-35A x 1
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 56,104
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
B5N2 Kate x 22
D3A1 Val x 22
Allied aircraft
75A-7 Hawk x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
xAK George Livanos, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Taurus, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Sarangami, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Jan van Amstel, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Kooringa, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Elcano, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Escalante R
AM Abraham Crijnssen, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Dos Hermanos, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AM Pieter de Bitter, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,98
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 9
Allied aircraft
B-339D x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CM Willem v d Zaan
TK Iris, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Oosthaven at 48,96
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 9
Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
TK Augustina, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,98
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
D3A1 Val x 13
Allied aircraft
B-339D x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
CM Willem v d Zaan, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 56,104
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 19
D3A1 Val x 50
Allied aircraft
75A-7 Hawk x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
TK Marpessa, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk – this was a big tanker. Nearly all of the TK and xAK hit this turn showed “fuel cargo burning” messages.
xAK Kooringa, and is sunk
AMc Merbabo, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Rindjani, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Tarifa, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AMc Merapi, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Smeroe, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tjilatjap at 51,102
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 22
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Siantar, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru (50,83)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5842 troops, 80 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 262
Defending force 390 troops, 35 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
Japanese adjusted assault: 163
Allied adjusted defense: 3
Japanese assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 51 (51 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (38 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3
Assaulting units:
22nd Recon Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
30 Battery/3 HAA
29 Battery/3 HAA
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 16854 troops, 154 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 656
Defending force 13831 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 461
Japanese adjusted assault: 182
Allied adjusted defense: 127
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
337 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
12th RGC Temp. Division
13th Division – the experience of this Division is about 45, so they need to go back on the defence. More Chinese units are moving in from the SE so they need to save their energy for an attack that is probably coming from those troops when they arrive.
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
Defending units:
12th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
3rd Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 21239 troops, 360 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 641
Defending force 6020 troops, 130 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 157
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 468
Allied adjusted defense: 157
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 5 destroyed
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
788 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Allied ground losses:
6614 casualties reported
Squads: 222 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 429 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 162 (162 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 92 (92 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6
Assaulting units:
68th Ind.Infantry Battalion
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
38th Division – is in pretty good shape so will move directly to Luzon as soon as I can clear the allied minefield and load them up.
67th Ind.Infantry Battalion
66th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
Defending units:
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
1st Middlesex Battalion
Hong Kong Fortress

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Paotow (92,34)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8268 troops, 78 guns, 100 vehicles, Assault Value = 265
Defending force 4588 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 170
Japanese adjusted assault: 162
Allied adjusted defense: 64
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), preparation(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1805 casualties reported
Squads: 108 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry Brigade
4th Cavalry Brigade
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade – only this unit attacked. Chinese units are shown moving in from the east so they won’t pursue for now.
Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 51,76 (near Kota Bharu)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3482 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 122
Defending force 2011 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47
Japanese adjusted assault: 89
Allied adjusted defense: 73
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported – not good, they can have a rest for a few days.
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
Defending units:
FMSV Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
3rd ISF Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bayombong (80,75)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1119 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58
Defending force 527 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25
Japanese adjusted assault: 34
Allied adjusted defense: 7
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 – but didn’t push them backwards. No problem, 65th Bde is two days away.
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
Defending units:
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Vanimo (93,117)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 614 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 12
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Vanimo !!!
Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)
Assaulting units:
II/81st Naval Guard Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,47 (near Kweiteh) – this is in the open terrain in 12th Army sector, NCAA. I want to clear this area fairly quickly to join up with the Sinyang defenders. I plan to put in a deliberate attack every 3 days or so.
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3768 troops, 30 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 131
Defending force 4537 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 167
Japanese adjusted assault: 58
Allied adjusted defense: 50
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Allied ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
32nd/B Division
Defending units:
48th Chinese Corps

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 15 DEC 41
Boac is occupied by the Japanese
CS Convoy TF 42 will load Oil at Hakodate for return to Ominato
SS I-121 lays minefield at Merak ( 48 , 97) and sets course for Saigon
Escort TF 322 (1 ship) formed from TF 175 and routed to Brunei
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard CA Myoko - at the end of the turn damage sits at about 30 sys, 40 float. She's able to move 4 hexes a day and is 5 from Puerto Princessa.
xAK Maebasi Maru collides with xAK Tatuno Maru at 103 , 55
B5N2 Kate from Kaga-3 has spotted an Allied CA at 48,96 an Allied TK is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Kaga-3 has spotted a ETC Type-M class TK at 49,98 an Allied AV is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Zuikaku-3 has spotted a Union Coastal TK class TK at 48,96 an Allied TK is reported HIT
PO2 Honda, T. of Tainan Ku S-1 attains ace status!!
B5N2 Kate from Akagi-3 has spotted a Pacific S Cargo class xAKL at 56,104 an Allied xAKL is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Kaga-3 has spotted xAK Siantar at 51,102 xAK Siantar is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Kaga-3 has spotted a Coastal Cargo class xAKL at 56,104 a Lake Cargo class xAKL is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Soryu-3 has spotted an Allied PC at 56,104 an Allied PC is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Shokaku-3 has spotted xAK Kooringa at 56,104 xAK Kooringa is reported HIT
B5N2 Kate from Zuikaku-3 has spotted a Pacific S Cargo class xAKL at 56,104 a Pacific S Cargo class xAKL is reported HIT
2 damaged ship(s) detached from CS Convoy TF 120 at Fusan, 4 cargo ship(s) and 1 escort ship(s) remain in TF – This resources convoy has only been running for a few days and they’re already crashing into each other!
CS Convoy TF 120 begins loading Resources at Fusan for delivery to Shimonoseki
Japanese forces CAPTURE Johore Bahru !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Vanimo !!!
Yokosuka Ku T-2 on CS Chiyoda converting to size 24 from 9
xAKL Dos Hermanos is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
xAKL Elcano is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
xAKL Sarangami is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
xAKL Taurus is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
xAK Siantar is reported to have been sunk near Tjilatjap on Dec 15, 1941
xAK Tarifa is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
CM Willem v d Zaan is reported to have been sunk near Batavia on Dec 15, 1941
AMc Merbabo is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
AMc Rindjani is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
AMc Smeroe is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
AMc Merapi is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
AM Jan van Amstel is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
AM Abraham Crijnssen is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
xAK Kooringa is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941
TK Augustina is reported to have been sunk near Oosthaven on Dec 15, 1941
TK Marpessa is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 15, 1941

[jdsrae]

SUMMARY FOR 16 DEC 41
CA Myoko made it to Puerto Princessa and is disbanded in port with damage Sys 39/Float 46 (25Major) / Eng 4. The FP has been offloaded but there is no CAP here. 2 x CVLs are covering the Cagayan landings where there are a lot more CAs and troops that need the CAP over them. One AR was already heading south towards Cagayan to setup a forward support base somewhere on Mindanao, so it has been diverted to assist. This is in range of B17s flying from Balikpapan so not sure I should leave Myoko here for long.
COMBAT REPORTS FOR 16 DEC 41 – just a selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 46 encounters mine field at Batavia (49,98)
Japanese Ships
SS I-122, Mine hits 1, heavy damage – I knew Batavia had mines so this was a failed gamble.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Muntok at 49,89
Japanese Ships
SS I-162 – There will be a Board of Inquiry into this incident. Such a juicy target and only fires two torps!
Allied Ships
xAP Dominion Monarch – on the way to/from Palembang or Singapore, or somewhere else? KB is reversing course and a Nell group has moved to Johore Bahru with a Naval Search mission tomorrow to try and get eyes on who else this ship is travelling with. I don’t want reinforcements landing at either place.
xAP Dominion Monarch is sighted by SS I-162
SS I-162 launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Hong Kong at 77,61, Range 6,000 Yards
Japanese Ships – this was a tense little knife fight to watch as I need these DMS to clear the mines from Hong Kong. I also need them as escorts for upcoming amphibious task forces.
DMS W-16
DMS W-17
DMS W-18
Allied Ships
MTB 7
MTB 8
MTB 9
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 12
MTB 26, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 27, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Harpole L. gains tactical advantage
Range closes to 5,000 yards
Harpole L. orders Allied TF to disengage
MTB 27 sunk by DMS W-16 at 9,000 yards
orders Allied TF to disengage – I am guessing that the [blank] means that Mr Harpole was on MTB 27
Massive explosion on MTB 26, MTB 26 sunk by DMS W-17 at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Allied aircraft
P-35A x 1
P-40B Warhawk x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses – they aren’t sticking around long enough to be shot down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses – more of the same
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
B5N2 Kate x 39
D3A1 Val x 13
Allied aircraft
75A-7 Hawk x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
L-212: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied Ships
SS KVII, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk – fair trade, one Val for one K boat
Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 20
Port supply hits 1
CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Madioen , at 54,104
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft – I didn’t specify which ports or airfields to attack, leaving it up to tactical commanders to go hunting targets wherever they were spotted or they think best.
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 15
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 15
D3A1 Val x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bandjermasin , at 60,99
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 20
No Japanese losses
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 18689 troops, 177 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 634
Defending force 39471 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1168 – the Chinese arrive from the NW but about another 20-30k are moving in from the SE. I plan to sit and bombard as long as I get results like this, and let them try an attack against the level 4 forts.
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
12th RGC Temp. Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army
3rd Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 93,34 (near Kweisui)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11773 troops, 112 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 401
Defending force 4775 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 121
Japanese adjusted assault: 40
Allied adjusted defense: 64
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-), fatigue(-): Even though this hex is Mountain terrain, LGEN Izeki has been relieved of this command. His land skill was 54 and inspiration <50 which is a poor combination compared to many other worthy Div Commander candidates. LGEN Komoda was selected as his replacement with land skill of 68 and leadership/inspiration in the 60/70ish range. Fatigue is <20 so they will try again tomorrow.
Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Allied ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
36th Division
Defending units: Movement is showing west towards
11th Chinese Corps
17th Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 88,41 (near Kaoping)
Japanese Bombardment attack – Based on this information, a Deliberate attack will go in tomorrow.
Attacking force 22888 troops, 243 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 778
Defending force 13673 troops, 136 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 346
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units: 2 of the 4 Chinese Corps were pushed back here so are close to being combat ineffective. This is Mountain terrain though so it could still be close.
43rd Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
8th Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batangas (79,78) – at the gates of Manila.
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13579 troops, 115 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 457
Defending force 3263 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 137
Japanese adjusted assault: 208
Allied adjusted defense: 18
Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Batangas !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), fatigue(-). The 16th Div will pause here for a day or two to try and let some fatigue recover and also let 65th Bde (+) advance one hex closer to Manila from the north.
Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1099 casualties reported
Squads: 100 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (30 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
16th Division
Defending units:
41st PA Infantry Division
PAF Aviation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lingayen (79,75)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 14985 troops, 166 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 572
Defending force 2193 troops, 49 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 84
Japanese adjusted assault: 484
Allied adjusted defense: 3
Japanese assault odds: 161 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (7 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
738 casualties reported
Squads: 153 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 42 (32 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment – the light tanks are pretty fragile, being most of the casualties today. This unit will be kept back to avoid further losses at Clark Field where heavier US tanks will probably be waiting. I might use them to clear Iba on the right flank, but they need some infantry to go with them.
48th Division
7th Tank Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
14th Army
47th Field AA Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field AA Battalion
40th JAAF AF Bn
Defending units:
11th PA Infantry Division
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1454 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60 – follow up forces are only a few days away.
Defending force 2625 troops, 4 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 73
Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Kure 1st SNLF
1st Naval Construction Battalion
Defending units:
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
Mindanao Force Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bayombong (80,75)
Japanese Bombardment attack – 65th Bde hadn’t arrived in time to join a deliberate attack. Tomorrow they will clear this hex.
Attacking force 2024 troops, 71 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 334
Defending force 462 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Const Co
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
Defending units:
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Butuan (80,89)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 921 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37
Defending force 2148 troops, 25 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 62 – deliberate attack ordered for tomorrow.
Assaulting units:
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
Defending units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
4th Naval Construction Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)
Allied Bombardment attack – caused zero damage with this ratio of guns but I don’t think this includes the artillery from the newly arrived units yet. Wait and see what happens tomorrow.
Attacking force 12854 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1167
Defending force 18949 troops, 177 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 634
Assaulting units:
29th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army
3rd Group Army
Defending units:
12th RGC Temp. Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th Division
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,47 (near Kweiteh)
Japanese Bombardment attack – will shift back to defence tomorrow.
Attacking force 3609 troops, 30 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 117
Defending force 4295 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 135
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
32nd/B Division
Defending units:
48th Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,46 (near Kweiteh)
Japanese Bombardment attack – based on this information, a deliberate attack is ordered for tomorrow.
Attacking force 3789 troops, 30 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 135
Defending force 1298 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
32nd/C Division
Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 16 DEC 41
Wuchow is occupied by the Japanese – this was unexpected. I was immediately penalised 1 victory point for not having the 20 AV garrison in place… I tried to fly something there but that’s not possible with restricted units. I have 1 x RGC unit earmarked for Wuchow and prepping for it, but that unit has to move on foot from somewhere near Shanghai, at least a few weeks away. Scrounging around for something else, I spy the I/33rd Infantry Bn sitting unutilised at Amami Oshima. It doesn’t withdraw for 133 more days so I will send a few small xAKL to move it to Wuchow. They will restore law and order until the RGC unit arrives and they are disbanded.
Submarine TF 46 ordered to return to Saigon due to damage, SS I-122 sinks at sea.
Repairs completed on DD Akebono at Saigon, ship returned to service – received minor damage during the battle with CA Houston.
Repairs completed on DD Sazanami at Saigon, ship returned to service
AK Kinka Maru runs aground while attempting to unload at Butuan. Damage is only 5/4/4.
Japanese forces CAPTURE Batangas !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen !!!
Mauban expands airfield to size 1
Ominato Ku S-1 on CVE Taiyo converting to size 27 from 12 – F pilot training group will move back to Ominato.
Mizuho-2 on CS Chiyoda converting to size 24 from 3 – FP pilot training group then to ASW Force
Ashigara-1 on CA Ashigara converting to size 3 from 1
Low garrison leads to damage and 1 VP loss from partisan attack at Wuchow (76, 57)!
SS KVII is reported to have been sunk near Soerabaja on Dec 16, 1941
MTB 26 is reported to have been sunk near Hong Kong on Dec 16, 1941
MTB 27 is reported to have been sunk near Hong Kong on Dec 16, 1941

[jdsrae]

COMBAT REPORTS FOR 17 DEC 41 – just a selection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Oosthaven at 49,96
Japanese Ships
SS I-164
Allied Ships
xAP Dominion Monarch, Torpedo hits 1, on fire. Reported sunk but I feel that is optimistic for such a big ship. Last spotted yesterday near Palembang so I'm guessing she's empty.
xAP Dominion Monarch is sighted by SS I-164
SS I-164 launches 2 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iba at 78,75, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
Allied Ships
PG Tulsa, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards – visibility improved after PG Tulsa started burning.
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Knight V. orders Allied TF to disengage
CL Naka engages PG Tulsa at 3,000 yards
PG Tulsa sunk by CL Naka at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 77 encounters mine field at Hong Kong (77,61)
Japanese Ships
DMS W-18
DMS W-17
DMS W-16
64 mines cleared
38 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 12 – Oscars join the party but it’s almost over in the air over Malaya anyway
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,98
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A1 Val x 9
Allied aircraft
B-339D x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
xAP Poelau Bras, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kota Tjandi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6 – my leaflet drops to USAFFE pilots to give up the fight don’t seem to be working!
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft – no escort so a few easy kills, so this will just encourage them to keep fighting…
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24
Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 2
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kuantan at 53,80
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 8
Allied aircraft – Some 1930s retro here. Nates v Stringbags and the Nates win. Heart stopper though as this is a big reinforcement convoy with a Division earmarked for the Singapore crossing.
Swordfish I x 3
Vildebeest III x 2
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 2 destroyed
CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 93,34 (near Kweisui)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11449 troops, 112 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 368
Defending force 4641 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 106
Japanese adjusted assault: 72
Allied adjusted defense: 64
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(-), fatigue(-). Still got the leader (-) but minimal losses. The Chinese are moving west so I will keep up the daily attacks to try and break them before they escape.
Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
182 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
36th Division
Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
17th Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 88,41 (near Kaoping)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 22971 troops, 243 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 782
Defending force 13694 troops, 136 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 347
Japanese adjusted assault: 497
Allied adjusted defense: 385
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses: This is a supporting attack in a Mountain hex to the north of the main effort to take Chengchow / Loyang that is a few days from beginning. This force will bombard for a few days before trying another DA.
683 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1205 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 10 disabled – the destroyed are likely from the two Corps already busted and retreated into this hex, so minimal damage to the two fresh Corps.
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
43rd Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
7th Group Army
8th Group Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bayombong (80,75)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8736 troops, 104 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 336
Defending force 462 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15
Japanese adjusted assault: 144
Allied adjusted defense: 4
Japanese assault odds: 36 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), preparation(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
466 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units: Oevrkill, and the allies now know what is advancing on this axis.
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Field AF Construction Battalion
56th Const Co
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Engineer Construction Battalion
Defending units:
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 51,76 (near Kota Bharu)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3412 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 115
Defending force 2030 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
55th Infantry Regiment
Defending units:
FMSV Brigade – combat ineffective with 0 AV
8th Indian Brigade
3rd ISF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Victoria Point (51,66)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3900 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 165
Defending force 279 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6
Japanese adjusted assault: 67
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 67 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Victoria Point !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Allied ground losses:
340 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
124th Infantry Regiment – this Regt will now move back and rail north to Chiang Mai to cover Northern Thailand until 33rd Division and other reinforcements can arrive.
RTA/A Cavalry Division
Defending units:
108th/2 Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)
Japanese Deliberate attack – just a probing attack. Reinforcements will land tonight.
Attacking force 1454 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 60
Defending force 2624 troops, 4 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 72
Japanese adjusted assault: 25
Allied adjusted defense: 25
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Kure 1st SNLF
1st Naval Construction Battalion
Defending units:
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
Mindanao Force Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Butuan (80,89)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1515 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Defending force 909 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35
Japanese adjusted assault: 26
Allied adjusted defense: 3
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Butuan !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
468 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
4th Naval Construction Battalion
Defending units:
103rd PA Infantry Regiment – retreated NE. I will mop up that hex later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Groot Natoena (57,83)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 23
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Groot Natoena !!!
Combat modifiers
Attacker:
Assaulting units:
I/81st Naval Guard Unit – will reload immediately and move to SEAF. One AV moved in with this task force and will be used as a Jake ASW base to cover this critical corner of the South China Sea with some naval search FPs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 38018 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1174
Defending force 19044 troops, 178 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 642
Allied adjusted assault: 486
Japanese adjusted defense: 1197
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
321 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
1218 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 175 disabled – one Chinese Corps went to 0 AV. Three more units are still moving in from the SE. Chinese units are moving into the hex NW of Sinyang, so they may all escape across that hex side. If that happens I will let them go, as they will just move themselves in front of the tank heavy 20th Army bulldozer.
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Assaulting units:
12th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army
3rd Group Army
Defending units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th RGC Temp. Division
13th Division
18th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,47 (near Kweiteh)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3649 troops, 30 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 120
Defending force 5380 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 162
Japanese adjusted assault: 47
Allied adjusted defense: 80
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Assaulting units:
32nd/B Division
Defending units: One of these Corps just moved in overnight. The IJ Brigade Combat Teams aren’t doing very well in combat, but the front line is moving in the right direction. I’ll recombine this Division when I get more troops up near it.
48th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 89,46 (near Kweiteh)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3808 troops, 30 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 136
Defending force 517 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Japanese adjusted assault: 67
Allied adjusted defense: 2
Japanese assault odds: 33 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Allied ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
32nd/C Division
Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 17 DEC 41
Calapan is occupied by the Japanese
Repairs completed on DD Arashio at Saigon, ship returned to service
CS Convoy TF 95 begins loading Resources at Hakodate for delivery to Ominato
ASW Combat TF 152 resumes patrol, enroute to 112 , 63 near Miyake-jima
Submarine TF 244 ordered to return to Kwajalein Island due to damage
CS Convoy TF 42 begins loading Fuel at Ominato for delivery to Hakodate
Japanese forces CAPTURE Victoria Point !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Butuan !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Groot Natoena !!!
Fusan expands port to size 6 – numbers of ships in each Resources convoy will increase to suit the new docking space.
Mersing expands airfield to size 3 – that might do for this airfield now that I have Johore Bahru’s AF4 next door.
Tone-1 at CA Tone takes E13A1 Jake replacements – the Jake pool was drained this turn after I upgraded all BB-1 and nearly all CA-1 air groups to fly it. CLs are mostly flying Alfs but they will get Jakes next. SS groups will keep flying Glens even though this is a “no house rules” game. All other FP groups that can are being resized to 24 and filling out with pilots who will train NS and ASW. They will all fill out with Jakes as they become available. Two of them that can will then upgrade to Rufes in about April/May 1942.
Takao-1 at CA Takao takes E13A1 Jake replacements
Chokai-1 at CA Chokai takes E13A1 Jake replacements
Device(s) upgraded in 38th Division supplied from Hong Kong – tanks were upgraded
Bako NGD Det T-1 on CVE Taiyo converting to size 27 from 3
Kiyokawa Maru-2 on CS Chiyoda converting to size 24 from 3
PG Tulsa is reported to have been sunk near Iba on Dec 17, 1941
36th JNAF AF Unit arrives at Tokyo – will move to SWAF

[RADM.Yamaguchi]

Two of them that can will then upgrade to Rufes in about April/May 1942.

Jdsrae you seem to be doing an awesome job so far.

i'm really looking forward to my Rufes too. I can't remember how many RD you have going on them. It's 2/12 in my game and i have 1 RD factory fully 30 repaired and several more close.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: RADM.Yamaguchi

Two of them that can will then upgrade to Rufes in about April/May 1942.

Jdsrae you seem to be doing an awesome job so far.

i'm really looking forward to my Rufes too. I can't remember how many RD you have going on them. It's 2/12 in my game and i have 1 RD factory fully 30 repaired and several more close.

So far so good, but it is early days yet.
It feels like nothing much has happened the last few days as I wait for Army reinforcements to arrive at both Malaya and Luzon. Some are landing now with more to follow, which will let me move forward again in both areas. I'm also organising the Palembang invasion which will launch soon. My IJN combat task forces are about 50% reorganised now, but I still have lots of DDs in the "wrong" task forces that I want to shuffle about.

I don't think I've shared my aircraft research or production yet. I'll try to post that soon.