Wait... What! (NO Chris)

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The Oscar Ic factory could have automatically started producing the IIa version with no extra cost.

Yes, I know that, but we're not there yet (still a couple months [actually 4] to go). For some reason I decided way back when to set 2 factories to research the Oscar IIa. I probably should have researched the IIb to get armor. At this point it doesn't appear that the IIa will come in sooner than November '42, which is it's programmed arrival date, so the research has been a waste of supply. Next time (if there is one) those 2 factories will research something else.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The Oscar Ic factory could have automatically started producing the IIa version with no extra cost.

Yes, I know that, but we're not there yet (still a couple months [actually 4] to go). For some reason I decided way back when to set 2 factories to research the Oscar IIa. I probably should have researched the IIb to get armor. At this point it doesn't appear that the IIa will come in sooner than November '42, which is it's programmed arrival date, so the research has been a waste of supply. Next time (if there is one) those 2 factories will research something else.

Once the IIa research factory is finished building, then switch it through the upgrade line to the model that you want. Therefore, you get the factory finished sooner and the research started on the model that you want much sooner.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jun 30 - Jul 2

Jun 30 - CVL Zuiho took a torpedo south of Truk (11 system, 28 flotation, 16 engine damage), so will head to Manila for repairs. The report during the sub attack said it was the CV Junyo that took the hit - wonder if my opponent saw the same thing. Oscars begin sweeping Chungking. IJA units are now north of Kweiyang, on the road to Chungking. I'll try to get a map posted, as China is where most of the action is currently. Port Arthur airfield reached level 7.

Jul 1 - Betties from Koepang sank a DMS at Bathurst Is. IJA troops landed at Boela.

Jul 2 - CVs Akagi and Shokaku arrived at Toyko for their scheduled June and July upgrades. CV Kaga, at Yokohama, with 20 days repair left was able to switch to pierside from shipyard, allowing CV Junyo to enter the shipyard (26 days). CVs Hiryu, Soryu, and CVL Ryujo arrived at Singapore, but will not upgrade until later in July. After reconfiguring their aircraft complement they will proceed into the Bay of Bengal to mess with the Brits around Akyab and Ramree Is.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 2 China



The logjam just north of Chihkiang has been cleared and IJA is in pursuit. The river north of Kweiyang has been crossed, and again IJA is pursuing northward. There are several isolated pockets of Chinese well south of the front which will not be destroyed. Two tank regiments have departed Tsuyung to the northeast to threaten Chengtu. Recon of bases north of Chungking begins tomorrow. The front around Sian has been relatively quiet, with neither side having enough strength to successfully attack.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 3 Ship Repair Status



Agaki and Shokaku are in scheduled upgrades; all the others are fixing battle damage. CV Zuikaku and BB Kirishima have been sunk; all other CVs, CVLs, and BBs are operational.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 2 - 5

Jul 2 - Boela was captured. Netties bombed Chungking airfield.

Jul 4 - BB Arizona bombarded Milne Bay. I expected more fireworks for the 4th of July, but this is all there was. An Allied xAP was sunk by submarine torpedo at Addu; a TK was hit there, also, but didn't sink.

Jul 5 - Oscars from Magwe swept Ramree Is, losing 6 planes to 3 Allied. Nicks from Magwe swept, downing 3 Allied planes. Oscars from Rangoon swept, but no Allied fighters were left for CAP. CarDiv 2 (Hiryu, Soryu, Ryujo) attacked the British battleships at Ramree and got one Val bomb hit on Royal Sovereign, Revenge, Resolution, and Ramilles, but likely did little damage. An xAK there was sunk. There was no afternoon attack.

Oscars from Chihkiang swept Chungking, losing 1 plane to 3 Chinese. Nicks from Kweiyang swept, losing 1 to 1. Sallys bombed the city causing 677 fires.

A 1250 TK was sunk by submarine torpedo between Medan and Georgetown. Later an IJN ASW TF got 4 hits on SS Truant near Victoria Point.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 6 - 9

Jul 6 - After a fighter sweep by Oscars and Nicks (1 lost for 3 Chinese), Sallies bombed Chungking manpower causing 1254 fires and some manpower hits.

Jul 7 - Helens bombed Chungking airfield at night causing no damage. Oscars and Nicks again swept Chungking, but were meet this time by ~40 Warhawks (lost 6 to 5 Allied).

Jul 8 - Night bombing of Chungking airfield continued, but little damage was inflicted.

Jul 9 - Ha-45 engines advanced research to Oct 42. CVL Zuiho arrived at Manila with 13 system, 24 flotation, and 13 engine damage; 31 days in shipyard repair is needed.

The map of China below shows a meeting engagement of land forces may occur one hex west of Chungking when the Jul 9 turn is played. The IJA stack of 736 AV is in move mode crossing the river, while it appears some Chinese force is moving out of Chungking to intercept. It's hoped the IJA force moves first, thus not resulting in a shock attack. The size of the Chinese force is unknown, but cannot be too large as there has not been a large force at Chungking due to a small number of respawned units. The red "stars" show where additional deliberate attacks will happen on Jul 9.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 9 - 11

Jul 9 - Helens bombed Chungking at night to little effect; Sallys bombed Sian at night, again with no damage. The stack crossing the river west of Chungking did so without resulting in a shock attack. Only one Chinese corps moved out of Chungking to oppose the crossing.

Jul 10 - BB Colorado took 2 sub torpedoes from RO-63 west of Milne Bay, then another 2 from I-24 after separating from BB Arizona. Sinking sounds were heard. My opponent confirmed by email that Colorado sank. BB Arizona went on to bombard Milne Bay. The Allies also bombed Milne Bay by air at night, neither bombardment caused significant damage. An Allied xAK was sunk by sub between Suva and Noumea.

West of Chungking the 84 Chinese Corp was easily swept aside, and retreated back into Chungking -

Ground combat at 75,45 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24443 troops, 234 guns, 333 vehicles, Assault Value = 757

Defending force 5748 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 257

Japanese adjusted assault: 355

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 27 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
3695 casualties reported
Squads: 164 destroyed, 149 disabled
Non Combat: 55 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
12th Tank Regiment
22nd Division
36th Division
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
84th Chinese Corps

These 5 units will be in Chungking on Jul 12. The 15 Div, close behind, will turn northwest to Niekiang (sp?).

Jul 11 - CVs Hiryu, Soryu, and CVL Ryujo began their scheduled July upgrades at Singapore. Night bombing of Chungking continued (no damage) targeting the airfield and light industry. A sub sank an Allied DD at Darwin, while another put a torpedo in a tanker at Perth.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 12 - 14

Jul 12 - IJA troops entered Chungking.

Jul 13 - A bombardment attack at Chungking discloses a weak defense -

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23359 troops, 234 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 767

Defending force 34232 troops, 211 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 435

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

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
12th Tank Regiment
22nd Division
36th Division
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
16th Construction Regiment
6th Construction Regiment
93rd Chinese Division
22nd Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
39th New Chinese Division
65th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
8th Construction Regiment
12th Construction Regiment
9th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
CAF HQ
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
China Command
14th Chinese Base Force
1st Chinese Base Force
16th Group Army
41st AA Regiment
20th Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
7th Artillery Regiment
39th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
1st Artillery Regiment
25th Group Army
Central Reserve
18th Artillery Regiment
49th AA Regiment

Jul 14 - BB Mutsu was able to change from shipyard to pierside repair and reduce the repair time from 48 to 39 days! 12 Tank Rgt moved west out of Chungking to ensure that that hexside remains in Japanese control. If a Chinese unit follows me into Chungking by that side I can't retreat out (if I have to). And, a Chinese unit moved into that hex from across the river on this date, as well, and will be attacked. Night aerial bombardments continue to no effect. Sweeps at Chungking cost 8 planes per side, Oscars for Japan and Warhawks for the Allies. CVL Shoho went on a solo mini raid toward Arorae and found a CVE(?). Seven SBDs were shot down by CAP, three got through, but didn't hit anything. We lost 5 Kates to the CVE(-71) CAP and hit nothing.

A deliberate attack at Neikiang reduced the forts to zero -

Ground combat at Neikiang (75,44)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10473 troops, 112 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 315

Defending force 6460 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 99

Japanese adjusted assault: 272

Allied adjusted defense: 93

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
305 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
15th Division

Defending units:
26th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
14th Construction Regiment
46th Chinese Corps
29th Group Army
19th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 15 - 19

Jul 15 - Neikiang was captured, along with 5000 supply. Batavia airfield reached level 7.

Jul 16 - Allied cruisers bombarded Terapo, and he continues to dribble in parts of more defenders; AV is about 1 to 1, but with high disruption due to bombardment there's no prospect of a successful attack. A6M5 Zeros advanced research to Nov 42 arrival.

Jul 17 - Brit BBs were sighted at Ramree; sending in subs as there's too much fighter cover for bombers. Sweeps have not been effective enough, with losses around 1 for 1. CL Yura is sunk by a sub near Victoria Point.

Jul 18 - BB Yamashiro switched from shipyard to pierside repair and reduced repair time by 6 days (38 to 33). I switched from night to day aerial bombardment of Chungking; the bombers went in before the fighter sweep and got mauled (still flying unarmored Helens and Sallies). The situation on the ground around Chungking is deteriorating, even though the Japanese have plenty of supply and the Chinese don't. Withdrawal from both Chungking and Neikiang is required to prevent encirclement. Part of 15 Div moved SE from Neikiang to block the river crossing, but got there in move mode and lost the battle. It will move there again, along with the 2 divisions in Chungking, to try to open a withdrawal route. Reinforcements are coming from the Tuyun/Kweiyang area, and from the east, but may not arrive in time.



Jul 19 - Tojo IIa fighters begin production at 120 per month. First priority is some Oscar squadrons in 3 Air HQ flying in Burma and China.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Jul 19

The Allies switched to night aerial bombardment at Buna, Lae, and Milne Bay, all ineffective.

A major naval battle occurred west of Milne Bay. On the 18th an IJN TF of 2 fast BBs and some destroyers advanced toward Port Moresby, but targeting 1 hex SW of PM where several 1 ship TFs had been sighted. Several indecisive battles occurred, with both sides taking some damage to destroyers. On the 19th our battleships retired to Milne Bay, and 2 damaged destroyers retired at cruise speed. The Allies pursued with a TF consisting of BBs Maryland and Arizona. An IJN sub intercepted and put 2 torpedoes into Maryland.

Sub attack near Milne Bay at 99,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Arizona
DD Blue
DD Humphreys
DD MacDonough
DD Hull
DD Clark

SS I-19 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Maryland

The Allied BB TF overtook the damaged IJN DDs and damaged them further.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 99,134, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Shell hits 1
DD Gwin
DD Grayson
DD Mustin
DD Blue
DD Patterson
DD Reid
DD Phelps
DD Clark
DD Hull
DD MacDonough
DD Humphreys

This additional damage took Maryland out of the fight, but a pursuing cruiser TF sank the IJN DDs.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 99,134, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CL St. Louis
DD Morris, heavy damage
DD Gridley

But, unbeknownst to the Allies, BB Yamato and 3 other IJN BBs sat at Milne Bay and reacted to the advancing Allied naval force

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 99,134, Range 26,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 3 destroyed
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
BB Yamato, Shell hits 4
BB Fuso, Shell hits 12, on fire
BB Ise, Shell hits 6
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Ariake, Shell hits 1
DD Oite, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hayate, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Sawakaze
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 4

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
CA Chicago, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Gwin, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Grayson, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Mustin
DD Blue, Shell hits 1
DD Patterson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Gridley, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Reid, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Phelps, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Clark
DD Hull, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD MacDonough

Then sub I-19 put another 3 torpedoes into Maryland, and she sank (although the combat report doesn't show that)

Sub attack near Milne Bay at 99,134

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Humphreys

It was reported that 4 of the Allied DDs also sank. As BB Yamato retired from this fight an Allied sub fired several torpedoes, but missed. The 3 BBs with Yamato will require yard time to fix damage, but Yamato is fine, as are the 2 fast BBs. All need ammo. But, 2 more US BBs are out of the fight for good.

[Uncivil Engineer]

China Update

It appears the Chinese have resorted to guerilla tactics - he's started sending units overland to interdict roads. I'm working on opening the main road into Chungking from the southwest, since my 2 divisions in Chungking aren't getting much supply currently. My 2 recent attacks to clear Chinese from the major road 2 hexes south of Chungking resulted in his units retreating into the woods/rough hex SE of CK. These should attempt to move directly into CK, but that will take some time. His major stack of 25 units is in the hex SW of CK; I have about 1600 AV moving into that hex from the SE soon, and a dribble more coming from the SW. His CK defenders, although numerous, are only slightly over 500 AV, but probably with level 6 forts.

[RangerJoe]

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[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you were to press "W" then hexside control would appear on the map and that would be more informative.

The map immediately above your comment shows hexside control.

[Uncivil Engineer]

I recently found out that my opponent has been using PP to reassign Chinese corps, thinking they would get no leadership bonus if assigned to an Army different from the one stacked with. He's also had CV Indomitable stuck at Colombo when it should have withdrawn, suffering 65 PP per day. The casualty count is 1 IJN CV (Zuikaku) and 1 IJN BB (Kirishima) to at least 3 US CVs and 4 US and Brit BBs, without a Pearl Harbor strike on Dec 7. For these reasons and others, I've offered to restart the game, and he readily accepted. I'm undecided whether to do an AAR for the new game, but if I do it will be in a different format.

Thanks for watching. OUT.

[Bif1961]

I hate when a withdrawing vessel is too damaged to repair in time to withdraw and not damaged enough to scuttle. It turns into a PP drain. I try to run them at high speed to increase their damage enough to scuttle if possible.