Act III - DBB-C Uncivil Engineer (J) vs. christopher 1963 (A)

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 1, 1942

Bases captured today: Djailolo and Obi

Three CVs and 3 CVLs depart Yokohama for Tulagi (by way of the Aleutians). Three battleships are a day behind. The was no Allied naval activity around Dutch Harbor and Umnak today, and no ground attack at Dutch Harbor, even though the unsupplied Japanese 24 Rgt still clings on at Dutch. The Allied CINC made a comment about the difficulty resupplying the big guns, so I'm wondering if they departed? Could he be content with recapturing Dutch Harbor, and ignore the rest of the island chain? I think I would want to go at least as far west as Adak. We'll see.

A small CV TF is sighted near Milne Bay. Along with Port Moresby-based SBDs, they attacked a small Japanese reinforcement TF at Buna. Oscars shot down a total of 6 land-based and 7 carrier-based SBDs! No Japanese ships were damaged.

At Chungking, the escorting Zeroes shot down a Hawk and 2 P-40s, but lost 6 Betties. The night-bombing Sallies, having been a total failure at Chungking, will turn their attention to Changsha.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 2, 1942

Sallies at Hankow switch from night bombing Chungking to Changsha, and start some fires -

Night Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9

No Japanese losses

Manpower hits 1
Fires 298

Meanwhile, Japanese ground reinforcements at Changsha evened the AV (both sides now ~2400); the Chinese forts are still 1 as continuous bombing has kept the airfield damaged.

On Java a partial retreat before Tjilatjap -

Ground combat at 50,101 (near Tjilatjap)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19522 troops, 234 guns, 207 vehicles, Assault Value = 594

Defending force 3821 troops, 30 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Japanese adjusted assault: 451

Allied adjusted defense: 76

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
975 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 59 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 18 (4 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
56th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards/A Division
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
I Marechausse Cdo
XI KNIL Battalion
XV KNIL Battalion
IV Landstorm Cdo
X KNIL Battalion
I Landstorm Cdo
Batavia KM Base Force
Andir ML Base Force

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 3, 1942

The only significant action was fighter dogfights over Buna. Warhawks from Port Moresby swept Buna and lost 4 planes to the Oscar CAP, followed by a sweep by Aircobras, which downed 7 Oscars for 1 loss.

Apr 4, 1942

CV Indomitable was sighted west of Rangoon, but the 4 sub torpedoes missed.

Bombing of Changsha started more fires.

After a several day pause, the Allied attack at Dutch Harbor destroyed the last Japanese defender -

Ground combat at Dutch Harbor (171,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9607 troops, 155 guns, 147 vehicles, Assault Value = 290

Defending force 1892 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Allied adjusted assault: 142

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 142 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2440 casualties reported
Squads: 104 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 136 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
151st Cmbt Engineer Battalion
87th Mountain Regiment
1/297th Infantry Battalion
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
42nd Construction Regiment
206th Coast AA Regiment
2/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
203rd Coast AA Regiment
Dutch Harbor USN Base Force
802nd Aviation Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
24th Infantry Regiment

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 5, 1942

B-17s from Chungking bombed Shanghai, reducing the Merchant Shipyard to 14(16). Edit to add: This bombing also reduced the Repair Shipyard at Shanghai to 25(25); that didn't show in the combat summary.

Nells from Bangkok attacked BC Repulse near Moulmein, scoring 1 torpedo hit, but losing several planes to CAP and flak.

5 Recon Rgt and artillery unloaded at Port Blair, reinforcing the weak garrison. The amphib TF had a low DL on it and I was concerned about interference with the unloading.

A few words on logistics -

Adequate resources from Hokkaido are flowing to Honshu; not so from Sakhalin, due to the slow rate of port improvement at Toyohara. I've started loading resources at Shikuka to reduce the backlog (should have started much earlier) and am sending another engineer unit to Toyohara. Resource flow from China and Manchukuo has been adequate, if not quite the amount available.

Fuel and oil are coming out of Palembang at a steady rate; the fuel being split between the home islands and Babeldaob/Truk, the oil to the home islands, but at a lower rate than fuel.

Edit to add: An attack at Changsha reduced forts to zero, but at considerable cost.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 6, 1942

Ha-45 engine research advanced from Jul to Jun '43; Kawasaki Ha-60 engine research advanced from Feb to Jan '43.

BB Revenge bombarded Port Blair and a Brit? CV TF was sighted east of Trinkat, but its attack on transports returning from Port Blair didn't hit anything.

Three P-38s swept Wuchang from Chungking.

Nells from Bangkok attacked a TF at Moulmein without escort and lost 5 planes without doing any damage to Allied shipping.


Apr 7, 1942

Bases assaulted today: Waigeo

Bases captured today: Tjilatjap

A shock attack at Changsha failed utterly (I didn't really expect to capture the base, but I also didn't expect this level of loss, especially when the Allies have a supply malus) -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 103233 troops, 883 guns, 605 vehicles, Assault Value = 2951

Defending force 112954 troops, 651 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2174

Japanese adjusted assault: 2436

Allied adjusted defense: 2693

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
12178 casualties reported
Squads: 118 destroyed, 904 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 135 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 66 disabled
Guns lost 56 (4 destroyed, 52 disabled)
Vehicles lost 247 (156 destroyed, 91 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
5053 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 197 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 120 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment destroyed
5th Tank Regiment
40th Division
10th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
39th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Tank Regiment
4th RGC Division
21st Division
68th Division
15th Division
70th Division
3rd Division
58th/A Division
55th Infantry Brigade
5th Ind Engineer Regiment destroyed
51st Recon Regiment
6th Division
58th/B Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
13th Army
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
100th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
58th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
27th Group Army
23rd Group Army
19th Group Army
29th Group Army
30th Group Army

Japanese CVs have arrived in the Aleutians. No Allied shipping is seen?!

Umnak airfield has finally reached level 1.

A6M5 research has advanced from Jan '43 to Dec '42.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 8, 1942

Bases captured today: Waigeo

A sub sinks an Allied xAP at Moulmein.

The fragment of 2 Raiding Rgt that jumped into Lashio some days ago is wiped out.

Our carrier TF in the Aleutians strikes Cold Bay -

Afternoon Air attack on Cold Bay , at 174,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 89
B5N1 Kate x 10
B5N2 Kate x 51
D3A1 Val x 50

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
PBY-5A Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 9, 1942

A CL is sighted in port at Cold Bay, so another carrier attack goes in, but does NOT get the CL -

Afternoon Air attack on Cold Bay , at 174,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 81
B5N1 Kate x 10
B5N2 Kate x 50
D3A1 Val x 45

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 14 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

The Warhawks are standing up to the Zeroes very well, as the intercepts over the past 2 days have shown.

A big empty AO returning to Japan from the Aleutians takes 2 sub torpedoes. It's probably 50-50 whether it makes it home.

On Java, 2 Tank Regiment takes on the remnants of the Dutch army retreated from Tjilatjap -

Ground combat at 51,103 (near Tjilatjap) on Apr 8

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Defending force 2722 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Japanese adjusted assault: 33

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
1054 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
Tjilitjap Cdo
Tjiitjap KM Base Force
IV Landstorm Cdo
XV KNIL Battalion did not retreat
XI KNIL Battalion
Andir ML Base Force
I Landstorm Cdo
Tjilitjap Defenses

Ground combat at 51,103 (near Tjilatjap) on Apr 9

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 265 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 37

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 37 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
376 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment

Defending units:
XV KNIL Battalion surrendered

Across the Java Sea, after weeks of wandering through the jungle, Allied troops reach the sea -

Ground combat at Bandjermasin (60,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4488 troops, 43 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Defending force 1944 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 29

Japanese adjusted assault: 110

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
445 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
38th/A Division
14th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
Balikpapan Defenses
I Samarinda Cdo
Balikpapan MLD Base Force
II Samarinda Cdo

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 10, 1942

After the combat at Bandjermasin yesterday, 3 of the Allied units were wiped out by attrition, leaving a sole battalion, which promptly surrendered -

Ground combat at Bandjermasin (60,99)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4480 troops, 43 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 142

Defending force 999 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Japanese adjusted assault: 60

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 60 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
1228 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 55 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units surrendered 1

Assaulting units:
38th/A Division
14th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion

Two of our battleships bombarded Dutch Harbor (for no reason other than they could), causing some damage (but not worth showing).

CVs Formidable and Indomitable were sighted (in the same TF) between Rangoon and Port Blair. Both had 4 torpedoes fired at them; all 8 missed (same sub).

Shanghai's airfield reached level 7.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 11, 1942

Bases captured today: Gebe

CL Boise and TF bombarded Ambon, then engaged an inbound amphib TF carrying aviation support and a construction battalion, sinking all hands.

Sapporo port reached level 6.

Ha-43 engine research advanced from Aug to Jul '45.
Ha-44 engine research advanced from Apr to Mar '43.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 12. 1942

Bases assaulted today: Kendari


Apr 13, 1942

Ki-45 KAIa Nick aircraft production began at 60 per month.

Ki-44-IIa Tojo research at Tokyo reached 30(0). This is the third of 5 at 30(0) and research is currently at 30%. Production start should advance at least twice in the next 2 months, moving start from Sep to Jul '42.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 14, 1942

Zeroes and Nells bombed Chungking -

Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M2 Nell x 19

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

An attack at Changsha again reduced forts -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 116875 troops, 1061 guns, 452 vehicles, Assault Value = 2677

Defending force 110266 troops, 648 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1910

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 2830

Allied adjusted defense: 3139

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
5195 casualties reported
Squads: 72 destroyed, 458 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 26 disabled
Vehicles lost 99 (19 destroyed, 80 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2094 casualties reported
Squads: 189 destroyed, 234 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 57 (2 destroyed, 55 disabled)

Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
58th/A Division
3rd Division
40th Division
15th Division
68th Division
13th Tank Regiment
39th Division
21st Division
11th Tank Regiment
60th Division
70th Division
6th Division
58th/B Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
73rd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
74th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
29th Group Army
19th Group Army
27th Group Army
23rd Group Army
30th Group Army

Paratroopers reinforce Kendari -

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1115 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Defending force 998 troops, 13 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Japanese adjusted assault: 10

Allied adjusted defense: 19

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
169 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1

Defending units:
Kendari KNIL Cdo
Kendari ML Base Force

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 15, 1942

We follow the fort reduction attack at Changsha with a desperate shock attack -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 112560 troops, 1061 guns, 439 vehicles, Assault Value = 2279

Defending force 106720 troops, 646 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1678

Japanese adjusted assault: 1837

Allied adjusted defense: 1761

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
9295 casualties reported
Squads: 342 destroyed, 398 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 110 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 35 disabled
Guns lost 71 (5 destroyed, 66 disabled)
Vehicles lost 84 (16 destroyed, 68 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3509 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 293 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 96 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 56 (3 destroyed, 53 disabled)

Assaulting units:
70th Division
6th Tank Regiment
39th Division
21st Division
58th/A Division
9th Tank Regiment
68th Division
13th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
3rd Division
60th Division
6th Division
40th Division
10th Tank Regiment
58th/B Division
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
14th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
27th Group Army
23rd Group Army
19th Group Army
29th Group Army
30th Group Army

Another Tojo research site (at Osaka) reached 30(0); the 4th of 5. Now production will advance one month every 25 days.


Apr 16, 1942

Bases captured today: Semarang (RES 20(0), LI 20(0))

Ground combat at Semarang (53,102)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5480 troops, 122 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 290

Defending force 2508 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 60

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Semarang !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
755 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards/A Division
Imperial Guards/B Division
3rd Mortar Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
XII KNIL Battalion
V KNIL Battalion
HQ II KNIL Division
Samarang Defenses surrendered

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 17, 1942

BB Ramilles is sighted near Moulmein; torpedoes missed.

CVs Shokaku and Zuikaku refueled at Singapore (a waypoint) and still show Dutch Harbor as their destination and Yokohama as home port. Their next waypoint is Tavoy. Trying to get into Andaman Sea without Allies getting intel on whereabouts.

A6M5 Zero production start advanced from Dec to Nov '42.


Apr 18, 1942

Bases captured today: Kendari

After several days to recover disruption and fatigue, more paratroopers jumped in -

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1376 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Defending force 952 troops, 13 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Japanese adjusted assault: 23

Allied adjusted defense: 7

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kendari !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
990 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 71 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units surrendered 2

Assaulting units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1

Defending units:
Kendari KNIL Cdo
Kendari ML Base Force

A British CL TF bombarded Tavoy -

Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Colombo
CL Capetown
CL Glasgow
CL Mauritius
CL Dauntless
CL Dragon
CL Emerald
CL Enterprise

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Apr 19, 1942

The 5th Tojo research site reached 30(0); production start will now advance one month every 20 days.

Bases captured today: Wau - after weeks of artillery bombardment, while 65 Brigade moved through the jungle from Salamaua

Ground combat at Wau (98,126)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10468 troops, 83 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 320

Defending force 2451 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Japanese adjusted assault: 203

Allied adjusted defense: 91

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wau !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
531 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1287 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 10

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
Maizuru 1st SNLF
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
32nd JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
C Coy/NG Rifles
A Coy/NG Rifles
2/2nd Ind Coy /1
D Coy/NG Rifles
2/3rd Ind Coy
2/4th Ind Coy
2/1st Ind Coy /1
2/6th Ind Coy
2nd USMC Parachute Bn /1
Aus II Corps /1

BBs Revenge and Prince of Wales are sighted near Ceylon (moving east); torpedoes missed.

I've been trying to limit this AAR to what happened, not intentions, but here's an exception. Two Japanese CVs have entered the Andaman Sea undetected, while British CV(s) are retiring (they were down where the KV and PT are shown) and a BB TF is moving east. Our CVs will advance as shown hoping to nail something. The British bases nearby have plenty fighters, but not many bombers.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 20, 1942

4/20 - I should have known!

The 2 stoned CV TF commanders started the day off by running into each other -

Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Blair at 49,56, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CA Ashigara
DD Akigumo
DD Naganami
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hatsuharu
DD Wakaba
DD Nagatsuki
DD Hayate
DD Sanae

Allied Ships
CV Indomitable
CV Formidable
CA Exeter
DD Napier
DD Scout
DD Electra
DD Express
DD Paladin
DD Panther

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 3,000 yards
... (the task forces never got closer than 25,000 yards)
Both Task Forces evade combat

Both CV TF retired one hex from the meeting "engagement" into weather. The Japanese spotted and attacked a Brit oiler -



resulting in a bomb hit on the oiler and 2 hits on an escorting PC.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Then a Brit CL TF was spotted and attacked -

[Uncivil Engineer]

Then the Japanese carrier air attacked the British CVs, scoring 4 bomb hits -

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 49,56

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
B5N2 Kate x 44
D3A1 Val x 49

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 4
Sea Hurricane Ib x 5
Martlet II x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 17 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Martlet II: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Bomb hits 1
DD Paladin
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 3
CA Exeter

The Brits counterattacked, and came up empty -



A pretty feeble counter, but perhaps the 3 bomb hits have rendered the Indomitable incapable of flight ops. I'm not going to assume so.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 21, 1942

Bases assaulted today: Culion

Madioen flipped to Japan, even though it's somewhat behind Allied lines. This will greatly impede the Allied retreat to Soerabaja. Salamaua flipped to the Allies after being abandoned by 65 Bde when it advanced to Wau.

Aichi Ha-60 engines advanced from Aug to Jul '42.

Through email intel we have learned that the oiler attacked on the 20th has sunk and the armored decks on the Brit CVs served them well.


Apr 22, 1942

Bases captured today: Culion, Tjepoe (REF 30(0), OIL 35(0))

Ground combat at Tjepoe (54,103)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5012 troops, 83 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 286

Defending force 391 troops, 0 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Japanese adjusted assault: 138

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 138 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tjepoe !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
427 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards/A Division
38th/A Division
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
4th Cav Sqdn
Tjepoe Cdo

And nearby we continue to bang away at Djokjakarta -

Ground combat at Djokjakarta (52,103)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5982 troops, 151 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 171

Defending force 5742 troops, 42 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Japanese adjusted assault: 55

Allied adjusted defense: 43

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
321 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards/B Division
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
V KNIL Battalion
V Landstorm Cdo
XII KNIL Battalion
I Landstorm Cdo
IV Landstorm Cdo
II KNIL Battalion
VI Landstorm Cdo
Tjilitjap Cdo
XI KNIL Battalion
Tjiitjap KM Base Force
HQ II KNIL Division
Andir ML Base Force
Tjilitjap Defenses

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 23, 1942

Bases captured today: Djokjakarta (RES 13(7), LI 13(7))

Ground combat at Djokjakarta (52,103)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5927 troops, 151 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 164

Defending force 5229 troops, 38 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Japanese adjusted assault: 115

Allied adjusted defense: 33

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Djokjakarta !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
2422 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 114 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 12 SE to a minor road
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
Imperial Guards/B Division
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
V Landstorm Cdo
V KNIL Battalion
II KNIL Battalion
XII KNIL Battalion surrendered
VI Landstorm Cdo
Tjilitjap Cdo
Andir ML Base Force
I Landstorm Cdo
Tjiitjap KM Base Force
XI KNIL Battalion
IV Landstorm Cdo
HQ II KNIL Division
Tjilitjap Defenses

Carrier Division 3, having surprised the Brits on the 20th, moved west on the 22nd from the vicinity of Victoria Point, then northwest on the 23rd to the point shown on the chart below. A lone troop-laden xAP was attacked by Vals, but not reported sunk. This transport, after being detected by a sub nearer Ceylon, moved southeast with what destination? Had it been going to Moulmein it would have moved straight to the east.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 24, 1942

Email intel informs me that the xAP discussed in the previous post has, in fact, sunk. No details on destination, lol.

The only significant action to report on this date is - a CL trying to fast transport a small SNLF company into Salamaua, got mauled by SBDs flying from Port Moresby. Yes, I should have had CAP over it, but all fighters at Lae and Buna have been withdrawn to Rabaul as they were getting chewed up by Warhawks and Aircobras flying sweeps. When all the Claudes have upgraded to Zeroes, and both the Zero squadron and Oscar squadron at Rabaul are at full strength, then both will move back to either Lae or Buna, not both, to try to kill some Allied fighters.

The 2 CVs in the Andaman Sea have refueled, but are headed back to Singapore for some repairs before heading to the eastern part of the DEI. The others (3 CV/3 CVL) will stop at Truk for repairs. Kaga has another month at Kobe to finish its repair. Six (+/-) battleships are finishing repair at Yokohama (including Kongo, which has been there 2 months) and are heading south in pairs. Yamato is due soon.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Apr 25, 1942 Changsha FALLS

Bases captured today: Changsha (RES 1(79), LI (1/159), HI 1(29)), Soerakarta (RES 20(0), LI 20(0))

Helen 2E bombers saw their first action over Changsha today, aiding in the multi-week bombing effort to keep the airfield damaged and thwarting Chinese efforts to re-entrench -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 125238 troops, 1129 guns, 527 vehicles, Assault Value = 2998

Defending force 104854 troops, 642 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1660

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 (not really, the forts have been at 0 since Apr 15)

Japanese adjusted assault: 3574

Allied adjusted defense: 1573

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Changsha !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
13195 casualties reported
Squads: 201 destroyed, 669 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 114 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 105 disabled
Guns lost 32 (2 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 105 (5 destroyed, 100 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
32232 casualties reported
Squads: 537 destroyed, 154 disabled
Non Combat: 669 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 408 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 173 (110 destroyed, 63 disabled)
Units retreated 20

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
13th Tank Regiment
22nd Division
40th Division
68th Division
15th Division
5th Tank Regiment
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
6th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
39th Division
51st Recon Regiment
21st Division
58th Division
60th Division
24th NCPC Route Brigade
13th Army
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
3rd New Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
21st Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
10th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
29th Group Army
23rd Group Army
19th Group Army
27th Group Army
30th Group Army

Prior to this attack the nominal AV was 2974:1660 Japanese:Chinese. On Apr 15, the date of the last shock attack here, the nominal AV was 2217:1678. So, the Japanese AV increased by 700 by bringing in a few reinforcements (net 3 units) and repairing disablements, while the Chinese brought in no reinforcements (although many units sit at the two bases behind Changsha). With ~300 engineers at Changsha, it shouldn't take long to fix the airfield and dig in. I'm thinking this base may be the exception to the rule to NOT repair light industry.

Meanwhile, in the DEI, CL Boise and other CLs bombarded Ambon. He tipped his hand this time, as this TF stopped 3 or 4 hexes south of Ambon on the previous day. The Japanese PBs resupplying Ambon departed with some supply still onboard, and the Oscars at Ambon flew to Kendari, so as not to be caught on the ground during a night bombardment.

And over on Java, Soerakarta fell to an attack by a reinforced 56 Division -

Ground combat at Soerakarta (53,103)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18219 troops, 161 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 602

Defending force 6048 troops, 24 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Japanese adjusted assault: 387

Allied adjusted defense: 169

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Soerakarta !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4755 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 367 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (12 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
56th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
38th/B Division
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
IX KNIL Battalion
Groep Zud
KNI Leger surrendered

Also, on Java, Malang (adjacent to Soerabaja) flipped to the Japanese, with a lot of supply, and easy occupation by rail!

Today saw the first deliberate Allied attack at Port Moresby. The base is controlled by the Allies, but has been jointly occupied since March 29. Superior Allied artillery has caused Japanese disablements daily, and some kills -

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12714 troops, 270 guns, 301 vehicles, Assault Value = 537

Defending force 15721 troops, 166 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 382

Allied adjusted assault: 370

Japanese adjusted defense: 401

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
823 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
655 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 14 (7 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 42 (2 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Cav Recce Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
39th Australian Battalion
2nd Cav Recce Regiment
6th Cav Recce Regiment
19th Australian Brigade
49th Australian Battalion
53rd Australian Battalion
Lark Force
2nd USMC Parachute Bn /1
New Guinea Force
13th Fld RAA Regiment
810th Aviation Engineer Battalion
2nd RAA Med Arty Regiment
147th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd RAAF Base Sqdn
1st Marine Air Wing
Moresby RAN Stn Base Force
21/22 Field Arty Regiment
II US Fighter Cmnd
Papuan Inf Battalion
4th Aus Lt AA Regiment
Aus II Corps
2/3rd Light AA Regiment
94th Coast AA Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
260th Field Artillery Battalion
B Coy/NG Rifles /1

Defending units:
Kure 3rd SNLF
16th/A Division
16th/B Division
16th/C Division
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Army
12th Naval Construction Battalion

Some of the Japanese units are withdrawing in combat mode, and have been for several days.