Deja Vu All Over Again - apbarog(J) vs OPilot(A)

[apbarog]

21 Dec 41 - Northern China

[apbarog]

21 Dec 41 - Southern China

[apbarog]

22 Dec 41

S-36 hit xAK Bunzan Maru at Lingayen. Bunzan is SYS 12 and FLOT 17-9, and fortunately isn't burning.

I-17 hit AP Henderson with a torpedo at Christmas Island. There are troops aboard. Later in the day, I-17 attacked again at Christmas Island and hit AP Henry T. Allen with a torpedo. It too had troops loaded. Neither is reported to have sunk.

Bad day in the air for the Japanese. 38 Zeros swept Rangoon, finding 39 H81s and 13 Buffalos. The Zeros didn't do all that well.

At Singapore, 27 Sallys arrived and found 27 Buffalos and 6 Blen IFs. The Sallys were shot down in droves. 26 more Sallys, this time with 22 Oscar escorts, came next, and more bombers were lost. Almost no hits on Singapore. Forget keeping the base from building forts. I can't do it until the enemy fighters are cleared. That will take the big Zero group that just fought over Rangoon. In the afternoon, the fighter sweep that would have been nice in the morning arrived over Singapore. 16 Zeros swept and knocked down some Blen IFs and Buffaloes.

Enemy fighters mad a strafing/bombing attack on shipping at Lingayen. 7 P-26s and 11 P-40Es attacked, finding 14 Nates on CAP. The Nates damaged many enemy planes but shot down few. xAK Iwaki Maru and xAK Meisho Maru were both hit with a single bomb. The ships had unloaded all troops. Both have moderate damage but FIRE levels of 16 and 10.

Total air losses for the day were 14 Buffalos, 12 H81s, 5 P-26s and 2 P-40Es for the cost of 29 Sallys, 21 Zeros and 2 Oscars. 29 Sallys is more than a month's production.

Kavieng was not taken in the first attempt. A struggle of small units.

Ground combat at Kavieng (106,122)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 493 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Defending force 224 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Japanese adjusted assault: 5

Allied adjusted defense: 5

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
I/66th Naval Guard Unit
1st JNAF Coy

Defending units:
2/1st Ind Coy

I neglected to look at the shipping that left Kavieng and started down the island chain towards Guadalcanal. I had them rendezvous with the carriers and I'm pretty sure that I forgot to move them this turn. Troops have loaded at Wake and will move south to invade Rabaul. Troops at Truk are loading for an invasion of Port Moresby.

[apbarog]

23 Dec 41

I-17 struck again at Christmas Island, hitting xAK Julia Luckenbach with a torpedo. That's 3 ships hit in 2 days at Christmas, 2 of them of the Luckenbach family. I-17 was hit by a depth charge from destroyer Mahan, doing SYS 18 and FLOT 17. I-17 will go to Kwajalein while another I-boat moves into Christmas Island.

I-166 spotted light cruiser Dauntless and KV Thyme in the approach to Rangoon. Thyme hit I-166 with a depth charge after 2 torpedoes missed Dauntless. I-166 is SYS 19 and FLOT 29 and will move to Victoria Point for minor repairs, and then a long trip home.

Japanese troops moved into Clark. The enemy shows movement from Manila to Clark and Clark to Bataan, but Clark still appears to be near the stacking limit for the Allies, so I still think the enemy will defend here. Waiting on more troops to arrive at Clark before attacking.

Sargo had a dud hit earlier in the day, but it hit xAK Oigawa Maru with a torpedo near Laoag later in the day. It then got another dud hit on Oigawa Maru. The ship will probably sink before making it back to Laoag. It was empty, and heading to Takao.

I-156 sank AMc Holland in the shallows southwest of Balikpapan.

A Japanese attack pushed 2 Allied units west of Temuloh. This was more desirable than any other direction of retreat, but it does put them on the rail line that I'm wanting to open to the south. Armor from north is approaching and should clear the enemy out. Many Japanese units are far to the north, in strat mode, waiting for a fast move south instead of a slow walk all the way down.

Kavieng was taken. Search planes were flown in, and others went to Tulagi. Lunga shipping and carriers will move today, towards Lunga.

[apbarog]

24 Dec 41

Enemy subs now up north of Japan. Trout got a dud hit on a cargo ship hauling resources south.

Another Japanese sub success at Christmas Island. I-25 hit AO Neches with a torpedo and it had fuel loaded. It is burning and will probably sink if it hasn't already. I-25 will push its luck and stay another day, despite some D/L.

B-17Ds flying from Kendari hit Davao. 15 or so Zeros intercepted. The "D" model isn't armed as well as the later B-17s. A few Zeros were damaged in the fight. 8 P-40s then swept Davao from Cagayan, finding 10 Zeros. The Warhawks did better than the Zeros, sweeping very high, with the Zeros patrolling at 10000 feet.

I-121 sank AMc Endeh near Muntok. My sub-laying mines are not being used as minelayers, but I want them out and about, being spotted and looking like there are mines being dropped somewhere.

Clark will be a fight. Another Japanese division will land at Lingayen in a few days and reinforce, with some more artillery walking in from north of Clark.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 37027 troops, 432 guns, 274 vehicles, Assault Value = 1157

Defending force 36059 troops, 331 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 1184

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

Allied ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
38th Division
65th Brigade
48th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
51st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
1st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
21st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry Division
24th Avn Sup
57th PS Infantry Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st Constabulary Regiment
2nd Constabulary Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
86th PS Field Artillery Battalion
4th PAAC Avn Sup
Nichols Field AAF Base Force

Cabanatuan was captured. Manila is almost empty of enemy now. It would be nice to win the fight at Clark and have the enemy retreat to Manila instead of to Bataan, splitting the enemy strength. But I'll take Manila from the south if I can.

[apbarog]

25 Dec 41

RO-34 missed AM Ipswitch in the shallow approach to the northwest of Darwin. Ipswitch hit the sub with 2 depth charges. RO-34 is SYS 36/FLOT 62-37/ENG 0/FIRE 0 and will try to make it back to base.

I-175 spotted PC Tiger just east of Johnston Island. The sub will investigate the island today.

A-29s hit the Japanese 12th Tank Regiment in clear terrain near Chengchow. The armor is part of the flanking move on Chengchow. 8 tanks were hit. Not a position where I can get fighter protection to easily. And if I did, they'd only be Nates. I noticed that the number of enemy fighters at Chungking jumped to 54 today. Good bet that part of the Flying Tigers have arrived and are about to ambush me somewhere.

B-17Ds bombed Kuching's airfield and did little damage.

Lunga was invaded.

First attack at Clark didn't go so well.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37883 troops, 432 guns, 416 vehicles, Assault Value = 1168

Defending force 35580 troops, 328 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 1177

Japanese adjusted assault: 638

Allied adjusted defense: 700

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
3841 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 357 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Guns lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (7 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
624 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 117 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
48th Division
38th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Army
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
11th PA Infantry Division
57th PS Infantry Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
71st PA Infantry Division
51st PA Infantry Division
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st Constabulary Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
31st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
1st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
4th Marine Regiment
2nd Constabulary Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
86th PS Field Artillery Battalion
4th PAAC Avn Sup
Nichols Field AAF Base Force

The 65th Brigade was wrecked and will pull back north to recover. 2 fresh divisions will reinforce, one in a couple of days, another in about a week.

Mauban, south of Manila, was captured. An empty Tavoy was captured in Burma.

[apbarog]

26 Dec 41

Zeros swept Clark. No CAP.
Zeros swept Singapore. No CAP. Fighters based there though. The CAP may appear today. It has done so on a day after I sweep, hoping that I'd send in the bombers the next day. My bombers have gotten caught this way before. We'll see if the pattern holds.

2 Chinese corps had found themselves behind the lines near Nanyang. OPilot deftly moved them into my line while simultaneously moving 2 other corps into the hex from his side of the line, opening up an escape route. They were trying to move out when they got booted out today.

Ground combat at 86,45 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25839 troops, 213 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 801

Defending force 18332 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 545

Japanese adjusted assault: 609

Allied adjusted defense: 57

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
775 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6753 casualties reported
Squads: 271 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 102 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 37 (12 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
35th Division
6th Division
15th Tank Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
12th Chinese Corps
69th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps

In some ways, a depleted Chinese corps is better than a destroyed one that respawns.

A Japanese attack at Kuala Lumpur, hoping to capture the base to allow many units up north to Strat move in, fails, finding a much stronger defense than anticipated. OPilot hasn't rushed everything into Singapore. These guys are defending forward. He held today but reinforcements are on the way. The enemy is showing movement to the west, towards a base on the coast off of the rail line. Don't know why he wouldn't head towards Singapore if he was going to move out.

An empty Lunga is captured. xAKL Konsan Maru hit rocks at Lunga and sank.
An empty Beaufort in northern Borneo is captured.

Destroyer Yayoi had something happen to it. It is in a 4 destroyer task force at Kwajalein. It didn't see action and nothing was mentioned in any of the reports. It is now SYS 3/FLOT 73-73/ENG 3-3/FIRE 0.

Task forces are on the move for the delayed invasion of Wake. Different troops are being used, coming from Japan instead. The half of KB that isn't in the Solomons will cover the landing within a week.

[apbarog]

27 Dec 41

Tarpon missed CL Oi with 4 torpedoes at Lingayen. Oi is escorting a bunch of xAKs that are finishing unloading an infantry division. Oi has no ASW capability and there are no DDs in this task force. Not ideal. A nearby TB task force will move to Lingayen to look for Tarpon.

We did 2 turns on both Saturday and Sunday. We are generally very regular with doing one turn each a day. Turns can be so must faster in 1941 compared to 1944 as the Allies. Many fewer assets to move around. So the game moving along nicely.

[apbarog]

28 Dec 41

3 Japanese destroyers moved into Canton Island but found no ships. There were spotted and will head back to Kwajalein.

I-10 fired 2 torpedoes at DD Litchfield at Pago Pago but missed. I-159 missed AVP Bellatrix near Manado. No sign of the combat ships spotted near Manado yesterday. Enemy raid, probably to Davao, cancelled when the ships were spotted.

DMS Hovey hit I-175 with a depth charge at Johnston Island. Two enemy task forces here.

A couple of Chinese corps running around in the woods near Hankow. They escaped my first attempt at surrounding them. Now they appear to be headed out of the woods to the west. A Japanese HQ unit was moved to that hex to hold the hex, but it needs help before the enemy gets there. Weak units are on the way. It's a pain, but I have to corral the enemy, or have them sit on my supply routes.

I brought the big Zero unit that was attacking Rangoon down south to attack Singapore. Much better results here. 36 Zeros found 43 Buffalos and 5 Blen IFs. 22 Buffalos and 2 Blens were shot down, for the cost of 6 Zeros.

Japanese attack again fails at Kuala Lumpur. Need to kick these guys off the rail line. Help is on the way, so it's just a matter of time.

Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur (49,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9152 troops, 54 guns, 209 vehicles, Assault Value = 349

Defending force 13454 troops, 129 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 436

Japanese adjusted assault: 157

Allied adjusted defense: 223

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
662 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
313 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
11th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
25th Army

Defending units:
22nd Indian Brigade
11th Indian Division
12th Indian Brigade
5th Field Regiment

[apbarog]

29 Dec 41

Trout hit xAK France Maru with a torpedo near Toyohara. Damage isn't severe.

Talasea, west of Rabaul, is invaded. Rabaul will be invaded today. I will land at all of the dot bases west of Rabaul to prevent any retreat out of Rabaul.

An empty Chuhsien, in southern China, is captured. Wenchow, on the coast, has been evacuated also, after daily battleship bombardments.

The division that I want to form at Cam Ranh Bay cannot yet. A regiment that started at Babeldaob arrived. The rest of the division's parts started in Vietnam. But the Babeldaob regiment has a different HQ and I need more points to change it. So it'll be a few days for that. Then the division will load up for Luzon. It and another fresh division, already on Luzon, will support the next attack at Clark. Clark, by the way, is still well over-stacked with enemy. Over 55k enemy troops in a 40k stacking limit hex. Japanese artillery will continue to bombard. Japanese troops have entered Manila, which is defended by only about 9k enemy troops. When a second regiment arrives in a few days, we'll attack at Manila.

[apbarog]

30 Dec 41

Rabaul is invaded. The attack will wait for the other dot bases on the island to be captured, ensuring that the enemy will surrender and not retreat into the jungle. Gasmata invaded.

15 Zeros swept Bataan, finding 30 P-40s. 9 losses on both sides.

Zeros swept Singapore, finding no CAP. Still fighters there though, on the ground. 54 Sallys bombed the airfield, doing minor damage and damaging a few planes on the ground.

Unoccupied Mergui captured in Burma.

[apbarog]

31 Dec 41

Gasmata captured. Arawe invaded on New Britain. All dot bases west of Rabaul on New Britain should be captured today. Then Rabaul will be attacked.

Port Moresby will be invaded. Two enemy ships spotted southwest of Port Moresby. Japanese carriers, seven hexes away, didn't launch.

Sallys bombed Singapore again. Minimal damage. A few enemy planes hit.

Armor reloading in amphibious mode at Saipan to support the Wake invasion.

[apbarog]

1 Jan 42

Landing at Rabaul continued, mostly supply unloading.

A single Hudson tried to attack cruiser Kumano at Port Moresby. The Hudson evaded 3 Zeros and managed to drop 2 bombs but missed the cruiser. The Zeros then caught up to the bomber and shot it down. Carrier bombers hit xAKLs southwest of Port Moresby.

PC Wilcannia, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAKL Prusa, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Nevadan, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Kates hit shipping at Horn Island.

AM Townsville, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AM Wollongong, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Trout hit xAK Ceylon Maru near Toyohara. The ship is burning and probably won't make it the 3 hexes back to Toyohara. This is a tough place to avoid subs without trained air ASW. OPilot is getting some duds but he is getting a better than average number of good hits, so far.

Milne Bay is invaded. So is Port Moresby. I noticed that Port Moresby has at least parts of 3 Australian battalions. I don't remember what starts there, but I think the Aussies are reinforcements. I see he's been flying out part of Lark Force from Rabaul.

49th Australian Battalion
2/4th Ind Coy
2/1st Ind Coy /1
39th Australian Battalion
B Coy/NG Rifles /1
53rd Australian Battalion
Lark Force /1
Papuan Inf Battalion
13th Fld RAA Regiment
Moresby RAN Stn Base Force

Port Moresby will be attacked today by the Japanese 4th Division.

[apbarog]

2 Jan 42

Gudgeon hit xAK Ceylon Maru with another torpedo near Toyohara, but it was a dud. Didn't matter. Ceylon Maru burned up just short of safety at Toyohara.

Yamashiro and Mutsu bombarded Port Moresby. Minor damage and casualties. The battleships will rearm at Rabaul, after it is taken, and after an AKE arrives from Truk.

18 Zeros swept Singapore, finding 19 Buffalos. 12 Buffaloes were shot down and a Zero was lost. Few fighters left at Singapore now. Sallys will try to pick up the pace of bombing Singapore. Haven't been able to stop fort building so far.

First attack at Port Moresby is just short of a 2 to 1. The base will fall soon. Another attack is ordered.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12753 troops, 102 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 402

Defending force 4880 troops, 48 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 136

Japanese adjusted assault: 133

Allied adjusted defense: 71

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
178 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
21st Air Flotilla
2nd JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
49th Australian Battalion
B Coy/NG Rifles /1
39th Australian Battalion
2/4th Ind Coy
53rd Australian Battalion
2/1st Ind Coy /1
Lark Force /1
Papuan Inf Battalion
13th Fld RAA Regiment
Moresby RAN Stn Base Force

Similar news at Rabaul.

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4704 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 164

Defending force 1804 troops, 21 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Japanese adjusted assault: 58

Allied adjusted defense: 41

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment
15th Base Force
4th Port Unit

Defending units:
B Coy/NG Rifles
Lark Force
Rabaul Base Force

Manila was captured, with just an enemy base force remaining. The enemy is now well over-stacked at Clark, with 60,000 troops. Clark stacking limit is 40,000. There are also over 20,000 enemy at Bataan, so when Clark is taken, Bataan will be very over-stacked also. The reinforcing division at Cam Ranh Bay formed up. It will switch to combat mode, taking 2 days, then load for Lingayen Gulf. It will join another fresh division there for the move into Clark. I'm a bit over-stacked at Clark now, with 45,000 troops, but supply isn't a problem for me. It will be for the enemy. The more burned up now won't be at Bataan. I'll over-stack even more adding the two divisions for the next attack.

[apbarog]

3 Jan 42

Enemy ships appear at Lunga, just in time to intercept transports inbound with an airbase support unit. Perfect timing. There hasn't been any Japanese ships at Lunga for a week. Mavis search planes at Tulagi didn't see the enemy coming. That's how it is for OPilot. If you see his ships inbound on an ambush mission, he'll abort, i.e. recently near Manado. If he avoids being spotted, as in this case, that's when you have to worry. Of course, you don't see him coming, so you don't worry in time.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAP Keihuku Maru, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
xAP Ussuri Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Perth
DD Stuart
DD Voyager
DD Vendetta

Japanese ground losses:
2632 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 17 (14 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Kudos to OPilot. Good luck or good planning, either way, it was a nice raid for him. None of the airbase support unit unloaded. Japanese carriers are near Milne Bay and headed eastbound, but won't catch the enemy. The enemy task force is spotted today, southeast of Lunga, on an approximate course towards Suva.

The B-17Ds are now bombing Japanese troops at Kuala Lumpur. I believe the bombers are bases at Palembang.

RO-33 sank AMc Beryl in the shallow eastern approaches to Darwin.

Enemy troops at Kuala Lumpur are putting up a good fight, but Japanese reinforcements are arriving and starting to overwhelm the enemy.

Port Moresby was captured. Some enemy retreated inland to Kokoda.

The fight at Rabaul is tougher.

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4680 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 164

Defending force 1612 troops, 20 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 34

Japanese adjusted assault: 25

Allied adjusted defense: 37

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

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

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

Allied ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment
15th Base Force
4th Port Unit

Defending units:
Lark Force
B Coy/NG Rifles
Rabaul Base Force

[apbarog]

4 Jan 42

Kuala Lumpur was taken. The enemy retreated west to the coast, instead of south towards Singapore. We may be able to isolate them and keep them from retreating to Singapore. The enemy has better roads but we'll bomb them to slow them down. Taking Kuala Lumpur, a large number of units will now rail south to the town. The push to Singapore is gaining steam and won't be stopped.

Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur (49,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30997 troops, 210 guns, 358 vehicles, Assault Value = 1029

Defending force 12834 troops, 157 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 332

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 596

Allied adjusted defense: 179

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuala Lumpur !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
995 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (2 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3817 casualties reported
Squads: 176 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 256 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 61 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 76 (76 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 56 (56 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
42nd Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
25th Army

Defending units:
22nd Indian Brigade
11th Indian Division
12th Indian Brigade
272/273rd Bty 80th AT Gun Regiment
5th Field Regiment

My progress in Malaya is only average. Landing at Kuantan didn't speed up the progress much, like a Mersing landing would have.

2 Chinese corps are now isolated near Sinyang and are being eliminated. Japanese forces continue to maneuver in north-eastern China, moving west around Chengchow and Loyang. Some are moving into those towns. Both are heavily defended, but my maneuver is forcing at least some enemy to pull out and avoid an apparent attempt to encircle the cities. Really, I want the enemy to retreat or be forced to retreat to the north, into slow terrain, keeping them from helping the Sian defense for a longer period of time.

Wake invasion in a few days.

[apbarog]

5 Jan 42

Battleships Yamashiro and Mutsu bombarded Rabaul again, despite being very low on ammunition after the last bombardment. Damage was light with just 56 casualties and light base damage. The battleships retired to Kavieng where an AKE just arrived. Japanese carriers and invasion task forces for Luganville and Noumea are in the Solomons. A few tankers are coming south and will refuel the carriers before they head to Luganville.

Utan Melintang, northwest of Kuala Lumpur, was captured, destroying the 8th Indain Brigade.

Another attack at Rabaul gets closer to taking the base. It may fall today.

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4661 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Defending force 1497 troops, 20 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Japanese adjusted assault: 51

Allied adjusted defense: 39

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment
15th Base Force
4th Port Unit

Defending units:
Lark Force
B Coy/NG Rifles
Rabaul Base Force

[apbarog]

6 Jan 42

Wake is invaded. Cruisers supported in the amphibious task force. 3 carriers sent bombers to hit the troops. 12 Wildcats intercepted and every one was shot down, with no loss to the Japanese. Overwhelming force landed and captured Wake.

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4413 troops, 24 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 192

Defending force 1317 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Japanese adjusted assault: 114

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 114 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1396 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 83 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
Guards Mixed Bde /1

Defending units:
141st USN Stn Base Force
Wake (Det.) Defense Battalion

I'm thinking, let's just load up the invaders and go straight to Midway and take it also. Still have to unload the rest of the brigade before loading can begin.

B-17Ds tried to bomb Miri but Zeros were still there. 3 Fortresses shot down.

One of the two depleted and surrounded Chinese corps near Sinyang was eliminated. The other should be destroyed today, freeing up the attacking division and a few smaller units surrounding the Chinese.

Rabaul was captured, with all enemy destroyed.

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4605 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 1413 troops, 20 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Japanese adjusted assault: 50

Allied adjusted defense: 17

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rabaul !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1305 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 89 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
144th Infantry Regiment
15th Base Force
4th Port Unit

Defending units:
Lark Force
B Coy/NG Rifles
Rabaul Base Force

[apbarog]

7 Jan 42

Pompano missed destroyer Samidare with 4 torpedoes at Wake. Triton fired 6 torpedoes at Soryu just west of Wake. One hit, but it was a dud. Wow.

Battleships Haruna and Kongo and escorts bombarded Cagayan, on the way to reposition from Formosa to Truk. Nuclear bombardment. 1103 casualties and lots of base damage. Many O-47s damaged on the ground.

The 56th Division was moving from Cam Ranh Bay to Lingayen to join the fight at Clark. I screwed up the orders and gave it a destination of a non-base hex just to the west of Lingayen. The division completely unloaded, due to the amphibious bonus, and will now walk to Lingayen and on to Clark. I'm also fortunate that there is a good road there. I apologized to OPilot. I don't think there was any advantage gained by my error. It delayed my division by a few days.

Grayling hit small tanker Nissho Maru near Saipan. It was loaded with fuel, burned, and sank immediately. This is the first Japanese tanker lost in the war. Grayling did have a dud hit first, but with a loaded tanker, one out of two is all you need. Grayling attacked another tanker, Zuiyo Maru, later in the day, and got a dud hit.

Isolate Chinese corps near Sinyang eliminated.

Jesselton was captured on northern Borneo. Japanese troops had walked from Brunei. A fragment of the 108th RN Base Force was eliminated. A fragment means that the rest of the unit had been flown out. Good move by OPilot. I've done the same thing here as the Allies. Base forces early in the war are like gold for the Allies.

[apbarog]

8 Jan 42

I've done poorly trying to keep Clark, Bataan and Singapore from building fortifications. OPilot has made the most of his P-40s on Luzon and his Buffaloes in Singapore. His fighters are mostly gone now, but the Japanese bombers have not been able to do substantial damage to those bases. Flak is very heavy at Singapore, and moderately heavy at Clark. Weather hasn't helped. So the enemy forts have been building.

Port Swettenham, on the western coast of Malaya, was captured. The enemy got out of town before the attack. I will continue to try to slow the enemy retreat by bombing, but most, if not all, of the enemy will probably make it to Singapore for the final battle.