Play up, play up and play the game.... Flashman returns

[RogerJNeilson]

The situation is current so I have no more recent intel. The amalgam of three TFs still in the target hex shows what is still 'afloat'. Bihoro which had no planes now has some which I interpret as the 'lucky' ones who were in flight and not downed and had the fuel to fly there. Its not a very healthy airfield and some of my forces are about to make it a lot less healthy. I guess some of the crews might end up in a trench as opposed to in the sea.....

The Tfs still in that hex will likely get a little bit more attention this current 24 hours.

[RogerJNeilson]

18 June 1945

Flashman kept his thoughts to himself as he was driven back from the border crossing near Yenki. An interesting meeting with Valentina, and a while since one had been arranged. It was unusual the way her driver had been incapacitated so she had had to drive him alone to the border crossing from NKVD HQ at Yenki. She said he had come down with a sudden stomach problem and there had been no time to arrange another driver. Her driving was, as with all things calm and calculated. It had been an interesting conversation though.

What had he learned about the Soviets intentions, what could he tell the General?

Well the Soviets seems to have grabbed Ulleungdo and are making an attempt to take Sadogashima. The official reason is the need to protect people who have a Soviet indigenous fishing claim on the areas…. in reality as Valentina said, ‘The Boss wants to show that not just the Imperialist lackeys can conduct Amphibious operations. She also said that there would rapidly be naval and air bases established on them to ‘keep an eye on us’ once the war was over…… A good thing that there were just the two of us in the Gaz for that drive. She also said that the commanders had discovered that perhaps they were not as good at Amphibious landings as they thought, having suffered some significant damage to the navy and also taken far longer to take Ulleungdo than expected. He was not sure quite how committed to the Soviet side Valentina actually was, for all she is in the NKVD.

As for the land war, apparently in the far reaches of the continent Wasu will shortly be stormed by the Soviet forces, the biggest issue is the logistics of keeping a large force supplied over those vast and inhospitable wastelands.
Our troops who initially invested Port Arthur have entrained and are now moving into Korea, a combined force of Chinese (Red) and Soviets are planning the taking of this port, I suspect its a prize they want. The only remaining Japanese holdouts are the cheeky capture of Yugodzyr by the wandering and somewhat threadbare forces - currently being totally surrounded before elimination, and the final battle at Kirin where once the victorious Mukden units arrive will, I am reliably informed, be the biggest battle ever seen in the world. We shall see, but the Russkies estimate 37 units of around 120K in total are trapped there awaiting their fate.

Flashman wondered what had been happening while he had been away, it would be interesting to discover if any progress had been made.

He did wonder if the General would be somewhat annoyed by the fact the Soviets seems to be island grabbing in the Sea of Japan, and that he had been told ‘on the quiet’ that Oki Shoto was next on their list….. He had always regarded them as a sullen bunch, but these moves were not the behaviour of an ally…… what would the future hold?

And what was this secret bomber unit that he was supposed to detect and report upon to Valentina? The 509th/393rdBS… why is this of so great an interest to the Soviets?

[RogerJNeilson]

Rashin 26 June 1945

So Flashman, the next snippets you are to feed to your Soviet source……

Operation Reaper has begun. The invasion and occupation of Hokkaido. Units from Etorufu embarked and landed at Kushiro. Spear-headed by the 1st Cavalry with support units the enemy was rapidly ejected and pursuit/ expansion has been occurring. Units are now approaching Bihoro, Asahikawa and Muroran. Kushiro port and airbase have already been repaired and rapid expansion of facilities are underway.

The initial combatants were:

Sixth US Army
671th Tank Destroyer Battalion
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
164th Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
670th Tank Destroyer Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
201st USAAF Base Force
165th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
XXIV CorpsArtillery
544th FA Bn

The opposition was:

77th/C Division
73rd Field AA Battalion
178th JAAF AF Bn

It is estimated that the remaining Japanese defenders on the island number around 40 units which are badly supplied and judging from the poor defences of Kushiro, likely to be in badly constructed fortifications. It is merely a matter of time before the island is fully under our control. Historians will look back at this operation as having been engendered and developed from our experiences of Sicily…….

You can also let them know that a revisit to Tokyo harbour now that the smoke has cleared allowed us to achieve the following….

AD Koshu Maru #2, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Wakatu Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 68, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Daigen Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
AD Gyoko Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
CMc Kurokami, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Kosin Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
AKV Tyoko Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
CMc Ninoshima, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Yoneyama Maru, Bomb hits 15, and is sunk
CMc Enoshima, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Shikano Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Kinkasan Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
CMc Ento, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CM Katsuriki, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Nagisan Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
AKV Syunko Maru, Bomb hits 13, and is sunk
xAK Igasa Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Gotake Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Aki Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
DD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Daihachikyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Tensin Maru, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
xAK Kotohira Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Nansin Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Madras Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Cheribon Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Taizin Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Nitimei Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
CMc Washizaki, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Gosei Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
CMc Kurosaki, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Izumo Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Misaki Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Nitiren Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Asaka Maru #3, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Koyo Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
E No.15, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Enju Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAKL Biyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AD Choko Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Oridono Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Sugiyama Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Shinnan Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Daisin Maru, Bomb hits 11, and is sunk
xAKL Gozan Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Nichibi Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AD Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Penang Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
E No.13, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Unyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Nihonka Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Shirashika Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Miyadono Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Syokyu Maru, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
SC Ch 28, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Shofuku Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Oridono Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Daijukyo Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Nichizui Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
MGB G-236, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

an accompanying raid on the airbases yielded…..

Ki-51 Sonia: 6 destroyed on ground
A6M2-K Zero: 6 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 24 destroyed on ground
Ki-9 Spruce: 6 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed on ground
P1Y1 Frances: 4 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 5 destroyed on ground
K11W1 Shiragiku: 5 destroyed on ground
F1M2 Pete: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-36 Ida: 10 destroyed on ground
Ki-79a Nate: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-27b Nate: 11 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-67-Ia Peggy: 1 destroyed on ground
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

[RogerJNeilson]

27th June Yenki

Flashman lay and tried to work out what was going on. he had dutifully travelled across the border, he had dutifully delivered the information to Valentina, she had become very grateful indeed…. so grateful that he had been asked to stay at her quarters rather than travel back that evening. Valentina despite getting very friendly indeed had been most eager that he kept his tunic on….. and then suddenly the bedroom door had crashed open, some guy had rushed in and flash bulbs all round, then off again……. and she had rushed out, and now he was wondering what was up?????

Shortly she returned, again in her full uniform….

Valentina, what was that all about? A fella cannot do with such interruptions……

Ah Flashman, I must apologise, but I was told we needed some photographs of you and me in a ‘delicate’ position, just in case you ever decide to go back on our deal……

So that was, what is it the intel people call it, a ‘honey trap”?

Indeed Flashman, we have pictures that would prove beyond any doubt that a Colonel in the British Army is involved in intimate relations with a Colonel in the NKVD…. it was only orders……
well almost only orders……. Anyway, now the pictures have been taken it is time you return to Rashin…….

This rapidly? But….. but we have unfinished business…..

Not now Flashman, another time maybe - now you must get back….

Why the urgency? Can it not wait until tomorrow, my ardour is undiminished by the interruption?

Flashman…. our submarines and our planes from recently captured Sadogashima have detected a large invasion force that has set out from Rashin and its predicted course is either the Western side of Hokkaido, or Honshu itself….. You need to find out what is going on and then tell us. Now get dressed, and I will await you downstairs.

[Bif1961]

This happened to a married French Diplomat sometime in the heat of the cold war. the honey trap was with a younger man and not a woman as they had discovered his interests in the bedroom. They showed him photos and said he was now working for them, he said no thanks for their kind offer to have him spy for them but thanked them for the photos as he took them with him, he said he had to show his wife how well they came out.

[RogerJNeilson]

Indeed, but dear reader you will just have to wait to see how tangled the relationship with the delectable but deadly Valentina is to become.......



Roger

[RogerJNeilson]

29 June 1945

Flashman, welcome back from your jaunt to see the Ivans. Was concerned you might have missed all the fun.

Sir?

Operation Chico and Zeppo have begun, landings on Honshu itself. You job is to watch these develop and at a suitable time go back to see your source and show them the might of the Allied forces so that Stalin thinks very seriously about any more adventurism. We are already witnessing very shoddy behaviour in Europe and frankly it is time the Russians were shown that they need to stop messing about. You are a key player in that. Plonk yourself on a desk next door and start to digest these two files…….

May I be permitted a question Sir?

Of course….

Why the names of the Operations?

Ah Flashman, despite the commonly held, and justifiable view that the American sense of humour is pretty dreadful, in this case they have been quite, how shall we say, ironic. Be sure to report the naming of the Operations to them.

[Bif1961]

Can't wait for the follow on operations Groucho, Harpo and the less well known Gummo.

[RogerJNeilson]

ah you spotted the possibilities.......


Roger

[Alfred]

I thought it was all just Monkey Business.
 
Alfred

[RogerJNeilson]

Operation Chicco 3rd July 1945

Flashman eased his chair back and thought. The reports he had were impressive. Initial landings at Akita and Hosrosaki expected furious counterattacks which did not come. Sure there had been the occasional kamikaze attempt, and one or two had got through to cause damage, but they were only the odd plane reported signifying that the Japanese air arm was decimated. By the 2nd the beachheads were consolidated and it was time for the forces to test the Japanese defenders. At Hirosaki the key was to take the port and airstrips as these were well developed and if not completely wrecked would be useful to land more troops under air CAP. So the attack there was launched from dawn on the 3rd…..

At Hirosaki the Allied forces were:

763rd Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
25th Marine Regiment
3rd Commando Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
19th Infantry Regiment
I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment
9th Marine Rgt elements of
5th Indian Division
3rd Australian Division
111th Chindit Brigade
762nd Tank Battalion
23rd Chindit Brigade
2nd Marine Rgt elements of
21st Infantry Regiment
19th Motorised Division
21st Marine Rgt elements of
223 Group RAF
134th Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
III Indian Corps
V US Amphib Corps
IV Indian Corps
13th USN Naval Construction Battalion

Identified enemy forces were:

222nd Division
95th Ind.Mixed Brigade
40th Ind.Garrison Battalion
28th Ind.Mixed Brigade
308th Division
96th Ind.Mixed Brigade
57th Depot Division
50th Army
15th Special Base Force
12th RF Gun Battalion
1st Air Defense AA Regiment
19th JNAF AF Unit
26th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Ind. Engineer Regiment
165th JAAF AF Bn

Whilst they had been doing some digging in the Japanese defenders were obviously only recently tasked with this and their fortifications were of low quality. Indications were that they had been severely degraded by daily intensive air attack by medium bombers and fighter bombers. The defences were stormed and it is estimated that on the attack the Allies had achieved at least an 8:1 odds advantage. Estimates were that over 15K enemy troops were casualties. The defeated forces were seen to retreat towards Ominato - a dead end - swelling the enemy there to 29 units identified and around 70K troops. Initial reports are of minor damage to the airfields and port structures. Already troops are disembarking and 200 plus planes are based there. Land units are reported to be in good condition to move out and link up with other beachheads.

The landing at Akita was initially only as a demonstration and to slow down any major troop movements from central Honshu. Initially a landing solely of 268th Mot Bde was supported with air strikes and massive naval bombardment - little port or air facilities here to worry about. Again the lack of any immediate counter-attack encouraged the landing of follow on troops and by the 3rd it was agreed that a simultaneous attack here would be made.

The assaulting forces were:

9th Australian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
26th Indian Div elements of as the whole division was being landed in stages

Opposing them were:


43rd Division
65th Division
157th Division
5th Shipping Engineer Regiment
Masuda JAAF Base Force

Again the rudimentary defences, poor supply and fatigue of the enemy proved decisive and the assault achieved 12 to 1 odds, ejecting the defenders with an estimated cost of around 4K. These retreated towards Yamagata where a force of some 200K Japanese have been detected. Follow on was authorised and troops sent towards Yamagata, Sendai and Hachinoche.

Flashman was impressed, provided they did not get bogged down as in Italy he could see the end of the war - but at the same time his mind was working on the way he could wriggle out of the espionage lark….. it was likely to be decidedly dangerous.

[RogerJNeilson]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

I thought it was all just Monkey Business.

Alfred

The three wise monkeys don't feature at all here of course, there is a great deal of 'Monkey Business' going on, and the very wise comment of 'Oook' was heard from an Orangutan.....


Roger

[RogerJNeilson]

Operation Zeppo July 5th 1945

Flashman had sense that this landing at Hachinoche was a more opportunistic landing. The troops had been earmarked for landings on Hokkaido but that had become a sideshow that could be dealt with by the troops already there - the enemy were reported to be numerous but pretty impotent. So another location with not grand facilities and proximity to Kushiro meant a carousel of naval bombardments were possible. The taking of the main Chicco objectives so easily encouraged an assault on the 4th July.

Assaulting units were:

194th Tank Battalion
33rd Infantry Division
96th Infantry Division
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
29th Marine Regiment
XI Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
5th Marine Division
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
225th Field Artillery Battalion
VII US Amphib Force
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
204th USAAF Base Force
III US Amphib Corps
206th USAAF Base Force
257th USAAF Base Force
B Det USN Port Svc
V US Amphib Force
238th USN Base Force
227th USN Base Force elements still landing

The defenders, slightly better dug in were:

63rd Naval Guard Unit
47th Division
16th Naval Guard Unit
47th JAAF AF Bn
36th Field AA Battalion
32nd Special Base Force
43rd Const Co
18th JNAF AF Unit
1st Ind.Mixed Regiment
170th JAAF AF Bn

Massive disruption and a significant force of combat engineers broke the defences rapidly and overwhelming odds of over 100 to 1 were achieved. Enemy casualties were thought to be approaching 50%. The routed enemy retreated to Ominato and effectively are out of the war. Looking at the map Flashman reflected upon the fact that if Yamagata, Sendai and Iwaki are taken then the main Tokyo area was ripe for attack……

[Bif1961]

These operations are nothing but a bunch of horse feathers.

[RogerJNeilson]

Kirin 16 July 1945

Colonel Valentina Teresvina stood and watched as over 4000 guns evaporated another block or two of Kirin. The Red Army was being totally unsubtle in its removal of the vestiges of the Manchukuo Japanese forces, What had been a large obstacle was now estimated as less than 70K of starving and penned up enemy. The Soviets were not bothering to offer terms, and they frankly didn’t care about the removal of this place from the map. However, what next? Her thoughts, which she hoped no-one could read or even suspect were not great. She gathered that Oki Shoto would soon have the last Japanese eliminated and that in Outer Mongolia it was merely mop up operations. That left one prize still to be taken by the Soviet forces - Port Arthur, so much a prize as well. She suspected that it was very deliberate that this was being kept for a final ‘Hoorah’ and a fitting ending to the Great Patriotic War. As soon as Kirin was ‘pacified’ she was sure the vast majority of the troops would be entraining for Port Arthur…..

So what then? Well she had failed so far in her mission to find out about this new wonder weapon the Americans had, Flashman was useless on this. The results of failure with Comrade Stalin were terminal….. So she needed a plan B… what was it to be? Also where the hell was Flashman, why had he disappeared? She needed to see him, and urgently.....

[RogerJNeilson]

20th July 1945

Flashman was very pleased to have landed back in Rashin, it was a dump but essentially it was a dump with people who didn’t mulch care what happened to you. Mind you, a few years ago in his wildest dreams he would not have imagined actually setting foot in Japan himself - in those dark days after Singapore…..

The General had insisted he make the trip, he was told it was necessary so she he was questioned by his Soviet masters he could give an honest account of the might of the Allied war machine as it stomped over Honshu. So he had had days of being driven round - under heavy escort - because you never knew when one of the population would decide it was a good day to die for the Emperor.

It did look like the final act of the play though. Operation Gummo had been a great success to go alongside Operations Chicco and Zeppo. Forces from the landings on both coasts had moved into contact with what appeared to be almost quarter of a million Japanese round units including several Guards divisions at Yamagata. These proved to be very motivated to die for the emperor and threw back initial Allied probes, So the Allies had begun to entrench around the area, especially at Sendai which had recently been taken. Meanwhile forces moved through the defences and took Iwaki and along the northern coast bypassing Yamagata with armoured forces which linked up and sealed off the Yamagata enclave. At the same time Gummo was launched, forces embarked from Kanko landed at Niigata and took the base meaning that the Eastern third of Honshu (ignoring Yamagata) was now all flying the Allied flags. As Flashman was leaving reports that the lead forces of the three Amphib Corps landed at Niigata had reached Nagaoka were just coming in…..

The occasional plane was in the air briefly from the enemy side, though it must be no fun to be met by 30 plus highly trained fighters when its your first (and last) flight…..

The Japanese navy seems to have nothin left apart from an elusive Cl and the odd MTB…

So the endgame is exclusively a ground stomp…. with assistance from regular seaborne bombardments and pulverising from the air.

Flashman gave it maybe a month at the outside, then hopefully he would be heading homeward with a nice story or two to tell and the status of a Colonel….. Peace soon, perfect peace…….

[RangerJoe]

It sounds like the Japanese pilots forgot something very important. While takeoffs are optional, good landings are mandatory!

[RogerJNeilson]

I don't think they get a say in the matter........


Roger


Samples......

000022 Morning Air attack 1945-07-19 114,57 Niigata

Morning Air attack on TF, near Niigata at 114,57

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 3

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 40
Hellcat I x 6
Hellcat F.II x 9
Seafire IIC x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 97
F4U-1D Corsair x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VMF-218 with F4U-1D Corsair (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
No.807 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
No.884 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
No.885 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (1 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.899 Sqn FAA with Hellcat F.II (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
No.1831 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (2 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
No.1846 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
No.1850 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
No.1851 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (2 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VC(F)-39 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VC(F)-42 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VC(F)-66 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VC(F)-68 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VC(F)-80 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VC(F)-81 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VC(F)-82 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VC(F)-83 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VC(F)-87 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VC(F)-92 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes



000023 Morning Air attack 1945-07-19 114,57 Niigata

Morning Air attack on TF, near Niigata at 114,57

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 40
Hellcat I x 6
Hellcat F.II x 9
Seafire IIC x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 97
F4U-1D Corsair x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.807 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.884 Sqn FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
No.885 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.899 Sqn FAA with Hellcat F.II (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
No.1831 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
No.1846 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
No.1850 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
No.1851 Sqn FAA with Corsair IV (2 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VC(F)-39 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VC(F)-42 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VC(F)-66 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VC(F)-68 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VC(F)-80 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VC(F)-81 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VC(F)-82 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VC(F)-83 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VC(F)-87 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VC(F)-92 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VC(F)-3 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

[RogerJNeilson]

Allied intel on the occupants of Yamagata, currently making a threatening move towards Sendai......

43rd Division
44th Division
316th Division
144th Division
72nd Division
153rd Division
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
3rd Guards Division
1st Guards Division
52nd Division
140th Division
53rd Naval Guard Unit
53rd Division
123rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
202nd Division
Guards Depot Division
225th Division
73rd Division
42nd Division
4th Depot Division
31st Air Defense AA Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
190th JAAF AF Bn /3
5th Shipping Engineer Regiment
1st JNAF AF Unit
157th Division
45th Ind. AA Battalion
2nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
45th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Ind. AA Battalion
143rd JAAF AF Bn /3
42nd JAAF AF Bn
18th Field AF Construction Battalion
121st AA Regiment
96th Field AA Battalion
103rd AA Regiment
26th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Area Army
34th Ind. AA Battalion
78th Field AA Battalion
25th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
53rd Air Flotilla
11th Machine Canno AA Battalion
89th Field AA Battalion
22nd Ind. AA Battalion
189th JAAF AF Bn /4

[RogerJNeilson]

30 July Soviet Allies Border near Rashin

So Flashman, what has been happening? Where have you been, what information do you have for me?

Not so fast dear Valentina, first some news from you I think?

You are not in a position to demand Flashman, but what is it you wish to know?

Well our boys have detected a lessening of troops on the border and indeed have lost track of much of your land forces…. all seems very quiet….

It is simple, our ‘Glorious’ Leader had sent as many troops as he can towards Port Arthur. He wants a final victory there to wipe out the emory of our defeat at the turn of the Century. The Japanese there will be outnumbered by a factor of thousands to one, they have had no supplies for months, and it will be a swift and very uneven fight.

And then what?

There will be a victory parade, and I will require you to be there Flashman, I have plans for that parade,,,,,, But now what of your news?

Operation Groucho you mean?

You and your absurd names, we gather this is an attempt to deride our wonderful Marxist system….

I could not possibly explain the logic of our high command Valentina

So, what of it Flashman, you tease me….. that is dangerous


Very well - a few days ago a massive landing was attempted at Matsue - it was preceded by bombardments by every seagoing capital ship in our naval forces, and by significant aerial bombardment. Instead of taking a day or so to organise on the beachhead there was an immediate assault and the base was taken. The defenders reeled back in total confusion. Forces have now broken out and within days will completely cut off Kyushu and Shikoku from the main forces in the East of Honshu. The landing has cut into the soft defences behind the Tokyo line. It is simply matter of time now before the war is concluded.

So even more reason Flashman to find out about this new weapon, Comrade Stalin will reward you handsomely. And do not forget the history parade in Port Arthur.