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

[RangerJoe]

Bill flew a flight of SBD-3 at Sorong port. They spanked a couple of PB that I think will live to tell the tale. If fire teams can put out the blazes…

A Japanese BBQ does not usually have a happy ending.

[durnedwolf]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Bill flew a flight of SBD-3 at Sorong port. They spanked a couple of PB that I think will live to tell the tale. If fire teams can put out the blazes…

A Japanese BBQ does not usually have a happy ending.

You are not far off in your assessment. They're still afloat but wow - those fires are scaling up fast!

[durnedwolf]

Notes on China
I have 11 divisions plus support just west of Ankang that are making their way to the road @ 80,43. I have 19 divisions @ Ankang plus support that are moving along the north route and well move in to Kienko.

I'm filling the garrison requirements with garrison troops. Lord knows I have enough of them. I want bases with good sized air fields and air support that can support each other later in the war.

So in Burma…

The 9th JAAF AF Coy is now @ Toungoo and in route to Meiktila.

Over the skies of Magwe things got hot and heavy. Bill split his sweeps and bombing runs between Magwe and Mandalay but in the end he was able to drop Magwe's air support by about 50%. Losses for me are brutal - 49 Oscar-Id lost in the skies over Magwe & Mandalay VS 8 P-38E, and 5 Mitchell bombers.

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 70

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Id Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (3 airborne, 14 on standby, 9 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 16180.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (1 airborne, 19 on standby, 12 scrambling)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 26180.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
10th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 60

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Id Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
23 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
21 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
10th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 25845.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 37

Allied aircraft
B-25B Mitchell x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25B Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

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

CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters between 23845 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
10th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (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 15000 , scrambling fighters to 22690.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 35

Allied aircraft
B-25B Mitchell x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25B Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25B Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Raid is overhead
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
10th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13225.
Raid is overhead



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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
B-25B Mitchell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25B Mitchell: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

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

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 21585.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 73 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 85 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 29
P-50 Skyrocket x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Id Oscar: 8 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet
14 x P-50 Skyrocket sweeping at 39000 feet *
16 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet
2 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13170.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes



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

Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Id Oscar: 5 damaged
Ki-43-Id Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 12 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 12 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
10th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes

Seino, E. in a Ki-43-Ic Oscar makes head on attack ... forces B-17E Fortress out of formation


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

Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Id Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
P-40B Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Id Oscar: 3 damaged
Ki-43-Id Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 12 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 16180 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Id Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 26180 , scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

[durnedwolf]

Management
- 12APR42
§ I brought back 5 small air units from ships that I've lost - FP and FF units. This will let me fill out a few Cruisers that, while they have aircraft capacity, they've never been assigned aircraft groups. I think they come in somewhere between 30-180 days.

Burma
- Notes
§ 12APR42
® Bill shut down Magwe with another heavy bombardment attack from his bomber wings. What's left of the 59th & 64th Sentai at Magwe are transferring to Rangoon - they will rebuild there. I lost a lot of fighters today also. But if I can keep a 3 or better to 1 ratio of fighters in the air I'm knocking down enemy fighters. I've yet to get a good ratio of fighters VS his bombers. I'm hoping to see what a 3:1 fighter VS bomber ratio will look like in the next turn or two.
- Sub Operations, Rangoon Home Port
§ I-155 will patrol from Calcutta to Chittagong to Akyab.
§ I-120 will patrol from Calcutta to Chittagong to Trivandrum.
§ TF283 from Singora (with AS Nagoya Maru) is loading supplies after which it will go to Rangoon and auto-disband. Do not Unload is set. This will give me basic sub repairs @ Rangoon. If I need heavy repairs I can send subs to Georgetown.
§ TF286 @ Takao is loading the 3rd Naval Fleet for transport to Rangoon.
- Bases
§ Build/Maintain Magwe Base AF and oil production
® 80/96 Service/Runway damage
® Ground
} 43rd Construction Engineer Rgt.
} 29th Base Force
} 36th Base Force
} 96th JAAF AF Bn
} 4th RTA /B Div. (Base defense/garrison)
} 12APR42: I'm sending the 51st Road Const Co from Rangoon to Magwe by rail. ETA 4 days.
§ Build/Maintain Mandalay Base AF
® 100/95 Service/Runway damage
® Ground
} 30th Base Force
} 94th JAAF AF Bn
} 3rd RTA/b Div. (Base defense/garrison)
} 12APR42: I'm sending the 102nd POW Const Co from Rangoon to Mandalay by rail. ETA 5 days.
§ Build/Maintain Meiktila Base AF Airfield 1(7) Exp 48%
® Ground
} 28th Base Force
} 9th JAAF AF Coy
} 4th RTA/A Div. (Base defense/garrison)
® Air units
} 16th Ku S-1
} 23rd Ku S-1
} 77th Sentai
- Plug hole between China and India
§ 12APR42: The 104th, 300th, & 301st divisions arrive at Chiang Mai and are unpacking from their rail trip, after which they will move to Pegu before using the rail system for deployment in Burma.
- Move/Transport troops & supplies to Burma
§ 12APR42: TF185 from Medan, is unloading supplies at Rangoon, after which it will return to Medan.
§ 12APR42: TF52, loaded with the 9th Base Force from Cam Ranh Bay, is 1 hex south-west of Rangoon. It will unload the engineer unit before returning to Cam Ranh Bay.
§ 12APR42: TF338 from Hong Kong, loaded with a little over 31 thousand tons of supplies, is SW of Mergui and in route to Rangoon.
§ 12APR42: TF34 from Takao, loaded with 5 air-support engineer units, is just SW of Georgetown and in route to Rangoon.

Sumatra
- 12APR42
§ Assault enemy LCU @ 43,72
® 12APR42: The 91st Naval Guard and the Yokosuka Assault SNLF have caught up to the previous defenders of Sabang at hex 43,72 and will shock attack this turn.
® 12APR42: The 81st Naval Guard Unit @ Sabang is moving to 43,72.
§ Capture Padang
® 12APR42: The 41st Infantry Rgt. @ 45,84 is moving to Padang. 28/46m.
® 12APR42: 4th Division @ Medan is moving to Padang. 0/414m.
® 12APR42: 41st JNAF AF Unit @ 45,82 is moving to Padang. 3/138m.
® 12APR42: 38th Divisions and the 42nd JNAF AF Unit @ 44,81 are moving to Padang. 39/184m.
® 12APR42: 5th Guards Division @ 45,80 is moving to Padang. 24/230m.
§ Capture Bengkalis
® III/81st SNLF @ 47,81 is moving to Bengkalis. 13/46m.
® Yokosuka 2nd SNLF @ 46,81 is moving to Bengkalis. 36/92m.
® 43rd JNAF AF Unit @ 46,80 is moving to Bengkalis. 32/138m.

Of Note:
Night Naval bombardment of Bataan at 78,77 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BC Kanto
BC Yokosuka
BC Mikasa

Allied ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 17
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

BC Kanto firing at Bataan
BC Yokosuka firing at Bataan
BC Mikasa firing at Manila Bay Defenses
Manila Bay Defenses firing at BC Mikasa


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Newcastle at 92,167

Japanese Ships
SS I-8

Allied Ships
xAKL Pulganbar, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAKL Pulganbar is sighted by SS I-8
SS I-8 attacking on the surface

[durnedwolf]

In Burma
• In Burma Bill struck at Magwe again with sweeps and a strong attack of the airfield. The fighter groups I pulled from Magwe on the 12th arrived at Rangoon on the 13th. They are rebuilding as I've added airframes and a few pilots. The good news - if there's anything of positive note from the air combat over Burma - is that I'm losing very few pilots. But still - lotsa A6M2 and Oscar-Id have been shot down. I'm probably losing fighters 5:1 right now. I also noted an allied recon of Rangoon on the 12th. I have four air groups of Oscar-Id and two air groups of A6M3 fighters - the A6M3 are fresh off of the production line. I don't think the new airframe will fare any better than the A6M2…

Subs that will call Rangoon their Home Port.
• I-155 has been assigned a patrol area in the region of Calcutta, Chitagogong, and Akyab.
• I-120 has been assigned to patrol from Trivandrum to Calcutta and Akyab.
• TF283(Support) is loading supplies before transferring the AS Nagoya Maru to Rangoon to support sub operations.

In Malaya
• TF71(Amphib) is loading the 2nd Division/C for an assault of Tandjoengpinang.

In Sumatra
• The 41st Infantry Rgt has found Padang abandoned and will do a deliberate attack so I can raise the flag of Imperial Japan.
• The Yokosuka Assault SNLF and the 91st Naval Guards performed a successful Shock attack against the allied Sabang Base Force unit they encountered at hex 43,72. Having destroyed the enemy engineer unit, the two Imperial Japanese ground units are now marching south, their orders to participate in the capture of Djambi.

Oh - BTW - remember those two PB (The Japanese BBQ) that were on fire at Sorong? The fires are finally out. They sank... lol.

[durnedwolf]

My invasion force at Manokwari arrives and begins unloading troops.

Sub action has been picking up lately. The RO-34 gets in some surface action VS the xALK Compagnia Filipinas - scoring 17 shell hits and slapping a torpedo into her flank.

I'm pounding Bataan from Takao, trying to keep the suppression up as my troops drive towards the hex.

Joe attacks Magwe with flights of 16 and then 8 B-17E bombers. I have about twenty fighters flying CAP but the Fortresses just kinda shrug off my fighters.

At Ambon I get in a good sweep of A6M2 VS F2A-3 Buffalo fighters. Joe had about a 2:1 advantage in fighters but my Zeroes still did well. Afterwards, I got in an airfield attack with G4M1 bombers that got in a few runway hits.

In Sumatra Padang fell to the mighty Imperial Armed Forces.

Additional Japanesee forces arrived on thetable this turn:

13th Air Flotilla arrives at Hamamatsu
26th Air Flotilla arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
13th Mortar Battalion arrives at Mishan
18th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
85th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
86th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
87th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
88th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
89th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
I/19th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
II/19th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
III/19th Nav Gsn arrives at Tokyo
3rd Indpt SNLF Coy arrives at Tokyo
6th Indpt SNLF Coy arrives at Tokyo
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion arrives at Fushun
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion arrives at Fushun

[durnedwolf]

I bombard Bataan this turn but there's not much damage reported.

The 2nd Div.\C has unloaded @ Tandjoengpinang and will attack this turn.

Near Ketapang my 5th Amphibious Brigade engages the fleeing North Borneo Base Force. I've ordered a shock attack.

I've landed at Manokwari with the 83rd Naval Guard Unit and have found the remains of the Sorong Detachment Base Force. I've ordered a shock attack.

New units arrive on the board:
LCI LB-519 arrives at Tokyo
LCI LB-520 arrives at Tokyo
LCI LB-521 arrives at Tokyo
LCI LB-5004 arrives at Tokyo
LCI LB-5005 arrives at Tokyo
LCI LB-5006 arrives at Tokyo
SC CHa-32 arrives at Kumamoto
5th Ku S-1 arrives at Takao
38th Sentai arrives at Sapporo
94th Sentai arrives at Tokyo
203rd Sentai arrives at Ominato
171st Cavalry Division arrives at Changchun
71st Mountain Gun Regiment arrives at Changchun
71st Engineer Regiment arrives at Changchun
25th Base Force arrives at Tokyo
49th JNAF AF Unit arrives at Tokyo

Magwe and Mandalay are still trashed but repairs are being made. I hope to get the airfields up in another 4-5 turns. It's been quite as far as air combat. I'm not sure if Bill was just testing out his P-38s and bombers to see what I can do against them? I know I didn't do much to hurt him.

Other than that - just another bloody day in the neighborhood.

[durnedwolf]

Invasion support at Manokwari continues. A Shock attack destroys the remains of the Sorong Detachment Base Force.

Ground combat at Manokwari (85,109)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1584 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Defending force 78 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 98

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 98 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manokwari !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
83rd Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Sorong Det. Base Force

At Bataan I continue to damage the ports to keep forts suppressed (they are probably still around 5-7) while my troops move in for the assault.

At Tandjoengpinang my deliberate attack nets 1:1 odds and drops forts down to level 3. I've given orders for another deliberate attack.

Ground combat at Tandjoengpinang (50,85)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4109 troops, 44 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Defending force 4784 troops, 20 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 65

Allied adjusted defense: 47

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd/C Division

Defending units:
Bintan Base Force
Tandjo Aviation Base Force

Near Ketapang, Borneo, my 5th Amphibious Bde destroys the North Borneo Base Force. Units continue to march for Ketapang.

Ground combat at 56,92 (near Ketapang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4950 troops, 51 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Defending force 852 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 33

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 33 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1243 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 162 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
5th Amphibious Brigade

Defending units:
North Borneo Base Force

In other news today:
Calapan is occupied by the Japanese
Allied Recon sighted over Rangoon
Allied Aircraft sighted over Shwebo
Allied Aircraft sighted over Rangoon
Allied Aircraft sighted over Shwebo
Allied Light Bomber sighted over Magwe
Allied Medium Bomber sighted over Meiktila
Allied Aircraft sighted over Rangoon
Allied Aircraft sighted over Shwebo
Allied Light Bomber sighted over Magwe
Allied Aircraft sighted over Meiktila
Allied Fighter sighted over Rangoon
Allied Aircraft sighted over Shwebo
Japanese forces CAPTURE Manokwari !!!
Sapporo expands port to size 7
Annette Island expands airfield to size 4
Suva expands port to size 4
Christmas Island expands port to size 3
Emirau Island expands fortifications to size 1
Sorong expands airfield to size 7
Birobidzhan expands airfield to size 6
Kuibyshevka expands airfield to size 7
Ankang expands airfield to size 2
K-2 Hikotai /B converting to D3A2 Val
xAK Teikin Maru arrives at Saigon
21st Ind.Mixed Regiment arrives at Tokyo

I increased Ha-32 Engine production by 90
I increased my H6K4 patrol aircraft production by 15
Mandalay AF Service/Runway = 100/5
Magwe AF Service/Runway = 100/62
Rangoon supplies are above 40,000 tons now so getting additional aircraft to fill out my air units is much easier.

[durnedwolf]

Dutch Harbor (Hex 171,50) is a deep-water harbor and a natural port that protects ships from the heavy waves and currents of the Bearing Sea in the Aleutian chain of islands of Alaska, but more precisely, is located on Amaknak Isle in the Fox Islands. On our map it has a port capacity of 3(4) and an air capacity of 0(0).

For several weeks now, bombers under escort from Adak Isle had been attacking the defenses of Dutch Harbor but bombs dropped from rickety G4M1 bombers braving the chill air and winds over the enemy base were at best a poor second to the mighty guns guns of task Force 59.

The ship's clock in the Musashi's bridge struck 0100 as the pre-invasion bombardment group prepared to drive into the deep waters of Dutch Harbor to pave the wave for the upcoming invasion fleet that was currently just north of Kiska Isle. Float planes were launched from the battleships and cruisers to serve as spotters for the bombardment.

Captain Hagiri, commanding TF59 from the bridge of the battleship Musashi, gave orders as the ships approached their firing plan. Finally his sailors would get a chance to use their weapons in combat!

Battleships and cruisers dropped speed and prepared to fire. Dutch Harbor seemed to be caught unawares when the darkness of night was shattered by an explosion from within his own task force. The destroyer Akigumo had struck a mine! The stricken destroyer peeled away from his task force to deal with the damage and frigidly cold waters rushing in through its ruptured hull.

[font="Courier New"]TF 59 encounters mine field at Dutch Harbor (171,50)

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo, Mine hits 1, heavy damage


On the 17th of April in the year of 1942 at 0133, the guns of Task Force 59 were used against the enemies of the empire.

Night Naval bombardment of Dutch Harbor at 171,50 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Musashi
BB Nagato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Yashima
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
CL Nagara

Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 19 (3 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (3 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Port hits 25
Port fuel hits 14
Port supply hits 8

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Hyuga
BB Hyuga firing at 2/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
2/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion firing at BB Hyuga
BB Ise firing at Dutch Harbor
BB Fuso firing at Dutch Harbor
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Musashi
BB Musashi firing at 108th USN Base Force
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Nagato
BB Nagato firing at Dutch Harbor
BB Kirishima firing at Dutch Harbor
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Hiei
BB Hiei firing at 103rd USN Base Force
BB Yashima firing at 108th USN Base Force
CA Haguro firing at Dutch Harbor
CA Myoko firing at 103rd USN Base Force
CA Chikuma firing at 103rd USN Base Force
103rd USN Base Force firing at CA Chikuma
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Tone
CA Tone firing at 154th FA Bn
CL Nagara firing at 103rd USN Base Force
103rd USN Base Force firing at CL Nagara[/font]

Afterwards:
Captain Hagiri's task force was well NW of Dutch Harbor and returning to Truk. The campaign around the Solomon Islands was about to start off and the mighty guns of Japan's battleships were sure to be in need. He had received another report from Captain Sooma of the stricken destroyer Akigumo. The repair teams of the Yugumo Class destroyer had managed contain the flooding and, though severely damaged, were under their own power, albeit at a greatly reduced speed. Hagiri had ordered the light cruiser Itsukushima to escort the the Akigumo to Adak Island to make what repairs they could. The light cruiser's 15cm guns should provide good defense for the two ships plus the Itsukushima carried a float plane to help spot against any enemy response or lurking submarines.

Finally, for the first time since the war had begun, Captain Hagiri felt the part of a warrior.





Aleutian Islands

The bombardment goes off well. One of my destroyers eats a mine but I expect it to make Adak Isle for repairs. The invasion TF94, just east of Attu Island had been reinforced with battleships and is making way for Dutch Harbor. I wish I'd brought mine sweepers with me…

At Adak Isle I've taken the 21st Ku T-1 Detachment off of recon flights over Dutch Harbor and have them back on Naval Search to a maximum range of 15 hexes.


Malaya

At Tandjoengpinang, yesterday's deliberate attack drops the forts down to 1. Although the combat modifiers show the allies to still have a terrain advantage, they are showing negatives for morale, experience, and supply. Japan as the attacker, on the other hand, shows a mixed bag, with both a positive and a negative for leaders. Things that make me go hmmmm.

I've ordered a shock attack for the morrow.


Burma

At Magwe the airfields are 67/0 Service/Runway damage. And at Mandalay the airfields are at 52/0 Service/Runway damage. The 46th JNAF AF Unit at Rangoon is moving to Pegu and the 44th JNAF Unit is moving to Bassein so I can start building up the air fields. I also continue to build up my airfields at Rangoon, and Meiktila.

I've assigned several subs to use Rangoon as their home port. To that end I'm sending the AS Nagoya Maru, ala TF283, to Rangoon. TF283 is currently in the Strait of Malacca near Georgetown.


Philippines

At Bataan I ordered a bombardment but the results show that the enemy units are still well supplied. I'm moving in a few more infantry divisions as I'm loath to attack a well defended base with high forts unless I have overwhelming forces. I'll continue bombardments from land, air, and sea for a while as I await reinforcements.


Pacific

I'm sending additional supplies and fuel to all of my island chains from the Bonin Islands out to the Marshalls along with additional engineer units to build up the base infrastructures.


China

The 34th Division is moving on Chihkiang and now only one hex away. The enemy base appears to be undefended. I'm also driving three divisions plus support from Tuyun up to Kweiyang.

Further north, multiple divisions and support units are driving from Ankang towards Chungking.


DEI

I'm sending engineers to Waigo to build up the infrastructure of that base. I'm also moving a SCTF to Rangoon as I prepare to build up operations in that region.

[durnedwolf]

A bit of a quiet turn, the 18th of April.

Malaya
At Tandjoengpinyang my Shock attack failed. 1:2 odds. I guess I need to drop the forts from 1 to zero... Or I ran afoul of the dice-gods.

Solomon See/Islands area
At Rabaul the AS Yasukuri Maru arrives and is disbanded. I have subs in the area that can now reasonably port at Rabaul for rice, torpedoes, and fuel.

Fiji Islands
My I-28 tangles with a pair of destroyers near Moala in the Fiji Islands at hex 134,163. There's a lot of enemy ship activity down here…

China
The 17th Indian Mixed Bde arrives in an empty Hengyang. I order a deliberate attack so the base flips to Japan.

I've also started the 1st JAAF AF Coy towards Liuchow from Wuchow. My WAG is that Kweiyang is also empty. It has a level 3 AF; all the better to chase the Chinese troops out of my soon-to-be newly conquered lands.

At Kagoshima is the 2nd Raiding Rgt. (66AV). It is now planning for Kweiyang. At Nagasaki is my Amphibious TF218, that has just received orders to pick up the 2nd Raiders @ Kagoshima and port them over to Canton. And I just moved 12 transport air groups to Canton and insured that they are at full strength when it comes to aircraft and pilots.

Burma
The 51st Division made it to Lang Son and is packing to use the rail system to Saigon.

Magwe has 17 points of service damage while Mandalay has 27 points of service damage.

At Meiktila I have three air groups with a total of 85 fighters flying CAP at a Range of three, which allows me to reasonably cover Magwe and Mandalay.

Rangoon fighter groups are rapidly filling out to full strength. I have six fighter groups at Rangoon. I have three more fighter groups at Bangkok that I'll be moving up to Burma soon.

Philippines
TF112 at Wake is loading the 61st Naval Guard Unit for transport to Atimonan in the Philippines. TF112 will then move to Babeldaob and auto-disband.

Line Islands
I noted in the last turn that Christmas Island now has a level 5 airfield. I've ordered a pair of subs to poke around up there near the Line Islands and see what they can see.

And for further exciting news:
Bangkok expands airfield to size 5
Mojave expands airfield to size 7
Portland expands airfield to size 8
Pondicherri expands airfield to size 8
Device Toko Rocket advances R&D
Inaba, Michimune now available for reassignment

Attached is the CombatReport, for those with inquisitive minds.

[RangerJoe]

The Toko Rocket? Why?

[durnedwolf]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The Toko Rocket? Why?

Sorry - it tripped my sense of humor and I failed to explain. R&D at Tsu is producing 2 per month and it's April of 1942... I remember a few months back trying to figure out what I wanted to convert them too and then promptly forgot about them.

What - you don't like their top speed of 559 mph, max altitude of 39,370 feet, and climb rate of 9370? I mean, their two 30mm Type 5 cannons have an accuracy rating of 15 - what's not to love about the Tokyo Rocket?

I'll say this - they can at least get up to the maximum altitude ceiling of the B-17 and B-29 bombers...

Wouldn't you love to strap yourself into one of these and go for a joy-ride?

[RangerJoe]

Nope. The German version killed more of their own pilots than the Allies did if I recalled correctly.

Although it does bring the song "Rocket Man" to mind!

[durnedwolf]

China
Henyang flips. I've got units proceeding to Chengtah, Siangtan, & Sahaoyang. The 34th Division arrives at Chikiang and will do a deliberate attack. All of these bases look to be empty.

The 4th Manchukuo Distribution Division arrives @ Paotow and will make the long march up to Urumchi. They might need new boots when they are done - the distance is over 1100 miles… <grin>

At Yenan my bombers consistently pound the enemy defenders doing good damage. That's usually a sign that the enemy are low on supplies. The problem is most of my troops in that hex are in the same boat. I've ordered a bombardment at Yenan - hoping that it will trigger a resupply push.

I've ordered about 15 AA units from Manchukuo to transport to Shanghai by rail. I'll redeploy my AA units into the DEI and Burma.

Burma
Meiktila AF makes level 2. Magwe and Mandalay are now w/o damage and have fighter groups flying CAP.

3 divisions are marching from Chiang Mai to Pegu. Bill now has 20 LCU at Lashio. I have 4 divisions in a wooded hex on the road just west of Lashio as a blocking force. My goal is to get a strong force to Shwebo and then push up to Myitkyina.

Solomon Sea\Islands Area
I'm sending a Support TF from Japan with a pair of AKE, an AG, an AD, and an AR to Rabaul.

I built this SCTF consisting of 1 CA, 5CL and 5DD. I've named it the "Red Lance" SCTF. The 5 CL are Torpedo Cruisers. Each can fire a 20 torpedo broadside… I'm so anxious to try this task force out. I have this dream of firing 100 torpedoes against the Boise. It's a beautiful dream. Much Sake. Much happiness in Japan. Many bragging rights. And all of the Kitikami Class light cruisers of the "Red Lance" would be claiming it was their fish that sank the most dreaded of allied ships in the American fleet.

Task Force "Red Lance" just arrived at Rabaul.

[durnedwolf]

Aleutian Islands
TF94 deploys the 61st Regiment (266AV) at Dutch Harbor. During the landing DD Fuji and AMC Asaka Maru both eat a mine. Fuji looks rough as she has 82 flood damage. The 61st will do a deliberate attack on the 21st. Fighters from Adak will LRCAP TF94 and bombers from Adak will strike at the enemy forces of Dutch Harbor.

I have that fear that I didn't bring enough troops to the party. To that end I'm sending additional AMC ships from Japan plus five DMS. At Adak is the 63rd Infantry Group (288AV); I'll try to deploy that unit to Dutch Harbor pronto.

Borneo
I'm unloading the 11th Air Fleet HQ at Singkawang.

China
I capture Chihkiang.

The bombardment at Yenan pulled in the supplies I was wanting. I've ordered a deliberate attack. Air units at Chengting will continue to soften up the base infrastructure and work on demoralizing the enemy troops.

Amphibious TF218 has finished loading the 2nd Raiders and once supplies are topped off they will make way for Canton.

DEI
Fast Transport TF243 is loading 6,000 tons of supplies at Babeldaob for transport to Sorong.

Malaya
I capture Tandjoengpinang

Amphibious TF25 is loading the 5th JAAF AF Coy for transport to Tandjoengpinang. Afterwards I'll pick up the 2nd Division\C and return it to Singapore.

Mindanao
The 137th Bde plus the 140th and 150th Indian Mixed Bde and the 1st Independent SNLF Coy finally arrive at Malaybalay. There are two units there. I've ordered a deliberate attack.

Philippines
The 7th Division (411AV) arrived at Clark Field and is now in route to Bataan.

Solomon Area
Vella Lavella is occupied by Japan.

TF237 @ Singora is loading the 2nd Fleet Naval HQ at Singora for transport to Rabaul.

TF7 @ Tokyo is loading the 18th Naval Guards and the 48th JNAF AF Unit for transport to Manus.





And in other exciting news for the day:
[font="Courier New"]Paramushiro-jima expands port to size 4
Colombo expands airfield to size 6
Hong Kong expands airfield to size 5
Geelong expands port to size 2
Krasnoyarsk expands airfield to size 6
TK Eisho Maru arrives at Tokyo[/font]

[durnedwolf]

Aleutian Islands
TF94 finished unloading troops but this turn I'm sending it back to Adak to pick up the 63rd Infantry Group. TF114 is unloading the Pontianak Engineer Bn. The TF has plenty of supplies so I think things will be kosher for my troops while I work to fetch more friends for the party. For this turn the two units are set to defend while we complete the landing operations for the engineer unit.

Dutch Harbor has forts at level 3 so I need to start whacking that down. Here's the combat report from the 21st:

[font="Courier New"]Ground combat at Dutch Harbor (171,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8156 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 312

Defending force 7190 troops, 94 guns, 385 vehicles, Assault Value = 190

Japanese adjusted assault: 106

Allied adjusted defense: 167

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
676 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
61st Infantry Division
Pontianak Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
87th Mountain Regiment
756th Tank Battalion
108th USN Base Force
103rd USN Base Force
154th FA Bn
2/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
---------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Dutch Harbor (171,50)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2474 troops, 63 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 177

Defending force 10435 troops, 98 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 267

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

Assaulting units:
87th Mountain Regiment
756th Tank Battalion
154th FA Bn
108th USN Base Force
103rd USN Base Force
2/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
61st Infantry Division
Pontianak Engr Bn /1[/font]

I added another sub to patrol Between Dutch Harbor and Kodiak - that should take a few days to get into the patrol zone.

Burma
Two engineer regiments and a pair of artillery units arrive at Phnom Penh from Saigon and are packing to use the rail system to Chiang Mai.

China
Moving to Kienko
This is interesting to me. I had this huge glob of units at Sian and set them to march to Kienko. They all show orders to follow the North Chinese Army HQ. All of the infantry seem to be taking a short-cut through the woods and are currently in hex 80,42. All of my artillery units, an armored unit, and two construction units are taking the road/path to Kienko and are currently at hex 81,41. I guess I always thought that when I used the follow command that all units would blindly follow my orders but the computer movement algorithm seems to be smart enough to figure out the most efficient manner of travel. It's good to have little electronic army men in little electronic units make decisions that make sense. God knows my electronic admirals, captains, and sailors in the navy and merchant marines can frustrate me to high heaven with some of the wonky things they do while navigating out at sea…

Philippines
At Bataan I get in a naval, land, and air bombardment. And the 7th Division arrives in Bataan.

[durnedwolf]

Philippines
At Bataan I reduce the forts to level 5. This might take a while. I switched to a bombardment of Bataan for the 23rd.

[font="Courier New"]Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 104390 troops, 889 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 3196

Defending force 52288 troops, 886 guns, 1264 vehicles, Assault Value = 909

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 1447

Allied adjusted defense: 1065

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
5760 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 437 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 68 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 148 disabled
Guns lost 34 (3 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1723 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 131 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 83 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 42 disabled
Guns lost 40 (3 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 40 (2 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
54th Division
16th Division
65th Division
90th Guards Brigade
52nd Division
48th Division
44th Infantry Division
138th Brigade
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
7th Division
14th Army
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
45th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Manila Bay Defenses
192nd Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regimental Combat Team
21st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
2nd PA Constabulary Division
Subic Bay Defenses
8th PA Infantry Division
USAFFE
Bataan USN Base Force
I Philippine Corps
202nd PA Construction Battalion
301st Construction Battalion
Clark Field Coast AA Regiment
201st Coast AA Regiment
Clark Field USAAF Base Force
Bataan Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
803rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
201st PA Construction Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
1st USMC AA Battalion
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
14th PS Engineer Regiment
86th PS Coastal Artillery Battalion
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
Asiatic Fleet
Provisional GMC Grp
1st USAFFE Aviation[/font]

Enemy ships sighted at Singkap - 49,87
SCTF99(2CL 5DD) formed for a quick response to go after the enemy ships.

Sumatra
The III/81st SNLF arrives at Bengkalis and will bombard on the 23rd.

The 38th Division and the 41st Infantry Regiment at Padang are moving south for Benkoelen.

[durnedwolf]

Sumatra

Enemy ships sighted near Singkep
These are small single-ship TFs of xAKL or maybe xAK most likely trying to supply Singkep from Palembang. SCTF99 sweeps in for a night attack with close to a half-moon in the evening sky. Maximum visibility in clear conditions. I just wish they'd found more than one target…

[font="Courier New"]Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkep at 49,87, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tsugaru
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki

Allied Ships
xAKL Anakan, Shell hits 21, and is sunk


Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 53% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 11,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages xAKL Anakan at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Tsugaru engages xAKL Anakan at 9,000 yards
DD Michishio engages xAKL Anakan at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages xAKL Anakan at 7,000 yards
DD Arashio engages xAKL Anakan at 7,000 yards
DD Asashio engages xAKL Anakan at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages xAKL Anakan at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
xAKL Anakan sunk by CL Jintsu at 2,000 yards
xAKL Anakan sunk by CL Jintsu at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...[/font]

Bengkalis
III/81st SNLG does a bombardment and quickly learns the base is held by a small base force. A unit patch from an enemy body shows the unit to be the North Sumatra Base Force. The bombardment ate up supplies. I'll defend for the 24th and then bombard on the 25th, hoping that will pull supplies for a future deliberate attack on the 26th. The Yokosuka 2nd SNLF is 29/46 miles to the north; hopefully by the 26th I'll have two units to attack with and a combined 120-ish AV.

China
The 13th RGC Temporary Division has arrived at an empty Changteh and will do a deliberate attack on the 24th.

Kweiyang already flipped; it was empty. The nice thing about that is the rails now available from Changsha and Kukong up to Tuyun or over to Liuchow.

Borneo
The 5th Amphibious Bde has arrived at an empty Ketapang and will do a deliberate attack to flip the base.

[durnedwolf]

I received the following email today:

[font="Courier New"]I am Robert,

Last Tuesday morning Bill suffered a heart attack and passed away. He left an instruction letter
and one item is to send this email to all on his contact list for this account.

I will be deleting this account soon, another instruction was to wipe this computer clean and
donate it to a worthy cause.

Sadly, Robert[/font]

I will miss Bill. I know he grew up around San Diego and that in his youth his family would come up to the Eastern Sierras for fishing and outdoor excursions.

I wish Bill fair winds and following seas.

[Bif1961]

Sad to hear of his passing my thoughts and prayers will be for his family during this time of loss and grief.