"Bakayaro!" DBB-C vs LST(A) Jpn AAR: Feb 43 Summary

[IdahoNYer]

23-26 May 42

Highlights – Allies win naval battle off Carnarvon.

Jpn ships sunk:
CA: 1 (Nachi)
DD: 3 (Yamakaze, Shiranui, Ariake)
xAK: 1

Allied ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Java – old)
SS: 1 (Plunger)

Allied ships un-sunk:
SS: 1 (KXIV)

Air loss:
Jpn: 09
Allied:10

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK sunk)

Jpn Amph Inv:
Cebu (PI)

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized:
Gove (Southwest Pacific)

SIGINT/Intel: No contact with the damaged Lady Lex; assume she’s made port. Looks like most, if not all, of the Royal Navy cruisers are operating out of Perth. With the R Class BBs used to bombard Norfolk Is, not much is left in the Indian Ocean.

Japan/Industry: A6M3a Zero R&D accelerated to 08/42 and the Ki-43-IIb Oscar R&D accelerated to 1/43. Nakajima Ha-45 engine R&D accelerated to 5/43.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: No sign of Lady Lex, or any of the US Carrier force. Hopefully they won’t venture north to trouble the build up of Noumea’s defenses….I really want the KB (now with Junyo and Hiyo, but less Shokaku) to rest in port for a bit until fuel reserves can be brought up at Truk. Allies look like they’re pressing at Portland Roads – a two Bde attack was repulsed, but forts were dropped to level 1. CA TF (3CA, DDs) will depart Rabaul to bombard.

DEI/SW Pacific: IJN comes off very poorly in the Naval Battle of Carnarvon, losing CA Nachi and 3 DDs (two scuttled) for ZERO Allied ships sunk! Terrible. IJN CA TF (2CA, CL, 5DDs) on a bombardment run to Carnarvon is in intercepted first by a Brit CL TF (2CL, 2DD) in daylight and is seemingly overmatched. CL Mauritius by its lonesome lands hit after hit on IJN ships and carries the fight. Then the IJN TF runs into another Brit TF (2CA, 2CL, 7DD) and again, although low ammo probably contributed here, the IJN was again mauled with CA Nachi taking the brunt of damage and the IJN failing to do much at all. Nachi and DD Yamakaze sink enroute Broome, while DDs Shiranui and Ariake are scuttled. If that mauling wasn’t enough, on Java, the attack on Bandoeng is repulsed with heavy loss – 2100 Jpn casualties to only 300 Allied, which proves that this is a futile endeavor until Allied supplies are expended – which appears won’t be for a while. So, will back off two divisions to reduce stacking and put at least one to other use and siege them out for a while…long while.

PI: I finally get around to landing troops on Cebu – an Infantry Regiment comes ashore to find Cebu defended by a PI Infantry Division. Will need some more troops to take the base, but at least the light industry isn’t producing any supply now.

Burma/IO: NSTR.

China: NSTR.

[RangerJoe]

The refineries, LI, and HI will produce but the resources and oil don't produce.

[IdahoNYer]

27-30 May 42

Highlights – B-17s hit Noumea hard, and then are followed up by effective naval bombardments.

Jpn ships sunk:
APD: 1 (Shimakaze)

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 2 (S-45, O-21)

Allied ships un-sunk:
BB: 1 (Warspite)
DD: 1 (Maury)
SS: 2 (Tuna, S-39)

Air loss:
Jpn: 78
Allied: 19

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 10 Attacks, 2 ship hit (APD sunk, DD dam)

Jpn Amph Inv:
Wessel Is (Southwest Pacific)

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized:
Wessel Is (Southwest Pacific)

SIGINT/Intel: Thought the air bombardment against Noumea was just a good sized raid, but following it up with naval bombardments and CV TF at sea may be the first step to invasion.

Japan/Industry: Ki-43-IIa Oscar R&D factory reaches 30 and is shifted to the Ki-43-IIb.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: B-17s out of Suva hit Noumea at low level, coming in well under the Zero CAP which was totally ineffective. 4 Mavis, 2 Bettys and a Zero destroyed on the ground, and the AF damage level at 30. More Zeros are flown in, and CAP stacked, with the majority at low level just before the next turn’s naval bombardment(s) show up. CL TF (5 CL, DDs) and BB TF (6BB, CA, CL, DDs) level the level 3 defenses. 39 more a/c destroyed on the ground, AF and port shuttered, supplies zeroed. I’m able to fly out the half dozen flyable Zeros to Luganvile, but the Mavis and Betty elements have zero flyable a/c at this point. The Nicks are enroute, and reach Luganville. The convoy carrying the first Bde of the 14th ID was approaching New Caledonia from the NW, and I diverted that to Luganville, while having three transports with an SNLF and construction troops come ashore at Koumac. That’s a risk as if Allied CVs remain close at hand to support a landing, those transports at Koumac are low hanging fruit. I reluctantly sortie the KB – now in two TFs (Nagumo: 4CV, 2BB, CA, CS, DDs and Yamaguchi: 3CV, 2CVL, 2BB, CA, CS, DDs) from Truk to head south. I’m not ready to lose New Caledonia yet, but I’m not ready to defend it either – especially with the first Bde of the 14th Div now going to Luganville. Hopefully this is just a raid, but if it is a landing the KB will likely arrive too late to do anything other than burn fuel and perhaps prohibit expanding the Allied offensive to the New Hebrides. Critical is fuel right now – I just don’t have the stocks built up in either Rabaul or Truk for a sustained venture without diverting tankers from bringing fuel/oil to the Home Islands.

DEI/SW Pacific: NSTR.

PI: NSTR.

Burma/IO: NSTR.

China: NSTR.

[IdahoNYer]

May 42 Summary

Well, it looks like the Empire has achieved the high-water mark! At least territorially speaking. Moresby was taken and the perimeter established – and I said “established”, not well defended…yet. The perimeter has also seen the Allies nibbling at the denial areas, with Carnarvon and Norfolk Island lost to the first Allied limited offensives. Allied stay behind forces continue to bedevil the IJA by tying down forces. At sea, the IJN was defeated by an inferior force off Carnarvon, and the US CVs finally showed themselves in the South Pacific. In the air, the B-17s have started to influence actions, but so far limited to the South Pacific, while the British have begun nuisance raids into Burma out of Indian bases. in For the month, IJN naval losses were mostly about the Carnarvon fight: the IJN losing a CA and 3 DD for the month. Allied losses were fairly light in surface forces: 1CA, DD, 8SS lost. In the air, Allied air activity is picking up: the loss ratio 196 for Jpn to 156 Allied planes.

INTEL: Good to know where the Allied CVs are – and most, if not all, appear to be in the South Pacific. CVE Hermes was sighted off Perth, and I’m assuming she’s being used to safeguard shipping lanes to Africa/India from Raiders. The Allies seem to be focused on the South Pacific, hence the carriers, but that could change now that Norfolk is taken back. I’m thinking New Caledonia will now become the focus, but will follow the carriers.

SUBWAR: Increased Japanese ASW efforts, especially in the air, have had solid results against the Allied subs. Still, Allied subs continue to be a threat in all corners, but the Sally has evolved into a very lethal ASW platform, especially off the Home Islands. Lackluster IJN I-Boat performance was somewhat redeemed by the damaging of Lady Lex, but Allied warships continue to magically avoid IJN sub concentrations in combat zones.

Japan/Industry. The Nick reached production and was deployed, while the first Tojo equipped Sentai has yet to fit out and deploy. June will see the A6M3 Zero come into production and perhaps the A6M3a as well, with the A6M5 not far off as the Zero R&D hits full stride. The Oscar line R&D effort is slowly gathering momentum, and should have the Ki-43-IIa Oscar come on line in late June to convert the Ki-43-Ic production effort to, and then roll over to the Ki-43-IIb in July (hopefully). Sustaining the Ha-35 engine bonus continues to be the challenge. Two big Oil/Fuel/Resource convoys are moving from the DEI to Japan regularly, but tankers are in short supply, and fuel shortages are limiting operations out of Truk/Rabaul – plenty of fuel in the DEI of course. On the naval side, CVs Junyo and Hiyo have joined the Fleet, and June will see BB Yamato finally completed. Pilot training has finally provided some pilot reserves for both Army and Naval fighter and bomber pilots, and TRACOM is still being filled with most every pilot over 80.

[IdahoNYer]

Northern Pacific/5th Fleet. Still quiet as Paramushiro-jima and other Kurile bases are reinforced, but no sign of Allied activity other than sub patrols.

Central Pacific/4th Fleet. Has been quiet since CA Chicago and a DD hit a mine at Canton. Continue to build up atoll defenses, but resources are in short supply and still need to garrison the minor atolls with a token force to prevent an easy grab.

South Pacific/Southeast Fleet. While Moresby was successfully taken, the Allied garrison managed to withdraw successfully to the SE, and the 18th ID has been unable to complete the task of bringing them to decisive combat and eliminating the threat – that will continue throughout Jun if not into July. Allied pressure has threatened Portland Roads, but that is still holding, and want to keep that Japanese as long as possible to keep Moresby out of Allied fighter range. Norfolk Is was lost, but I didn’t expect to hold it long – was just a denial base to prevent Allied use to transit aircraft from New Zealand to Aus. Now the focus shifts to New Caledonia which isn’t ready for defense, and B-17s and effective naval bombardment apply demonstrated that weakness at the end of the month. Building up defenses there will be the focus in June, likely with the KB needed in support – exacerbating the fuel situation of course, but may also be able to bushwhack an Allied raid.

DEI/SW Pacific. The attack on Bandoeng found that Allied supply was still plentiful, and was bloodily repulsed, so that will be sieged with a division and support for another month or so. While Carnarvon was re-taken by the Allies with a naval victory in support, the current perimeter in Australia extends from Exmouth to Daly Waters. Will look to hold that as best as possible with forces at hand, not much in the way of sizeable reinforcements for Jun. Will see what the Allies bring to bear before committing any major IJA force. Will look to send CVE Taiyo on a raid off SW Australia – goal to interdict the British cruiser force known to be operating out of Perth, and perhaps raiding shipping.

PI. Troops were landed at Cebu and found a division, so they’ll hold on to the beachhead until they can be reinforced. The Manila bombardments are starting to show increased Allied losses, so I figure supplies are dwindling, and will look to make a ground assault in June.

Burma/IO. Pretty quiet on the ground, but Allied air activity has picked up, with India based Brit bombers and fighters hitting random bases – and avoiding the Japanese defenses at Magwe, except for some night raiders. The first Nick Chutai has been operating out of Magwe, and has yet to down one of the night raiders. Will look to bring in Tojos shortly, but other Nick Sentais are slated for the South Pacific to counter the B-17s. On the ground, the IJA’s 55th ID (-) has been reinforced by the 33rd ID, and will have the Imperial Guard Div as well as the 1st Tank Division moving to Burma in Jun. Goal is to hold on to Magwe’s production as long as possible.

China. 13th Army continues to redeploy towards the Canton area, China remains largely quiet.

[IdahoNYer]

31 May – 3 Jun 42

Highlights – US CVs return to hit Noumea with little effect.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Hobart – old)
PG: 1 (Soerabaja)
xAKL: 1

Allied ships un-sunk:
CA: 1 (Chicago)

Air loss:
Jpn: 25
Allied: 22

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 2 ships hit (xAKL sunk, xAP dam)
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

Japan/Industry: A6M5 Zero R&D accelerated to 10/42. With the calendar moving to Jun, I swap my size 75 A6M2 Zero factory to produce the A6M3 – reduced to size 52 in the process. This leaves a size 25 factory producing the A6M2, which will increase to 30. The A6M3 production will be a short run, only until the A6M3a comes on line in a few weeks. The H6K4 Mavis production switches to the newer H6K5 model, still producing 10 a month. Last on aircraft production, I increased Ki-44-IIa Tojo by 5 to a total of 45 a month; the first Nate squadron will convert to the Tojo in a few days. On the engine side, the Kawasaki Ha-60 R&D is accelerated to 12/42. On the naval side, CV Shokaku begins her Jun refit to get radar at Yokohama.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: The Allied Fleet had pulled off of New Caledonian waters, then the CVs came back up just to the south of Koumac, probably looking for the IJN transports that were unloading. The first Bde of the 14th Div has had no interference offloading at Luganville and neither had the SNLF and engineers coming ashore at Koumac, but were spotted, and then departed for safer waters before the CVs came trolling back. Minelayers broke off from Luganville and headed to mine Noumea without issue. KB has departed Truk, and arrived at the forward base of Nauru to take on more fuel and await developments. The second Bde of the 14th ID began loading at Port Moresby, and that Bde will head to Noumea – with the KB in support in the next few days.

DEI/SW Pacific: Exmouth is reinforced with SNLF, but so far there is no indication the Aussies are moving north of Carnarvon for the time being.

PI: NSTR.

Burma/IO: Catch some luck for a change as Bettys hit a slow moving bombardment run against Akyab. PG Soerabaja is seen to sink while PB Erebus is hit with three torps, two of which worked. Also, the Imperial Guard Division completes loading at Batavia and will begin its voyage to Rangoon.

China: NSTR.

[IdahoNYer]

4-7 Jun 42

Highlights – Pretty quiet….Reinforcement run to New Caledonia underway with KB in support.

Jpn ships sunk:
xAK: 1

Allied ships sunk:
BB: 1 (Warspite…..back on the list, but for how long?

Allied ships un-sunk:
DD: 1 (Pillsbury)
SS: 1 (O21)

Air loss:
Jpn: 12
Allied: 15

Subwar:
Jpn: 4 Attacks, 2 ships hit (xAKL sunk, xAP dam)
Allies: 7 Attacks, 1 ships hit (xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

Japan/Industry: Ki-43-IIb Oscar R&D accelerated to 12/42. Also, trying to keep ahead of the curve, I increase a number of the Ha-33 and Ha-34 engine factories by 10, and the Ha-35 by 20.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: The second Bde of the 14th ID completes loading at Moresby and starts heading toward New Caledonia with a Cruiser TF departing Rabaul for escort. KB completes topping off with fuel and will head south next turn from Nauru Is. I-25 fails to hit CL Nashville off New Zealand, and I figure this is the US TF(s) returning to Auckland, so I think the Bde can land without too much interference. On New Guinea, the Aussie Moresby defenders keep one step ahead of the IJA’s 18th Div as they pull back into the mountain hex west of Milne Bay where I’m assuming they’ll make their final stand.

DEI/SW Pacific: An Allied cruiser force was sighted off Carnarvon, so the offloading at Exmouth is suspended, and the two PBs brining in supply and some AT guns headed out to sea and await developments. A convoy bringing in a Naval Guards unit to garrison Port Hedland is re-routed NE a bit just in case as well. A Betty Sentai is brought into Broome to reinforce the Nells there, so was hoping with a bit of luck they can make some runs against the cruisers. Further air search shows the cruiser TF went back towards Geraldton, so the reinforcements will head to offload next turn.

PI: NSTR.

Burma/IO: NSTR.

China: NSTR.

[IdahoNYer]

8-11 Jun 42

Highlights – Zeros mauled over Portland Roads by P-40s and Allied BBs bombard.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Maury – old)

Air loss:
Jpn: 24
Allied: 17

Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 2 ships hit (2xAK dam)
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ships hit (xAP dam) Also, sub laid mines damage a PB at Luganville.

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

Japan/Industry: A6M3a Zero R&D accelerated to 7/42; will take two (30) A6M3a R&D factories to A6M5 research for a total of 7 researching the A6M5. Not worth advancing perhaps a few days for the two A6M3a factories; good with A6M3a arriving in July. The one remaining A6M3a factory will remain and go into production. A6M5 Zero R&D accelerated to 9/42; with the two factory boost, the A6M5 should also be avail next month. K-44-IIb Tojo R&D accelerated to 6/43 – all too slow progress on R&D airframes without the engine bonus!

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: The second Bde of the 14th ID arrives and begins offloading at Koumac, where weather has kept it masked from Allied air search so far. The KB has continued SSW from Nauru and crossed into the Coral Sea just west of Ndeni, avoiding a number of Allied subs drawn up to intercept. KB will keep north of New Caledonia, out of sight of prying eyes for a bit. Over Portland Roads, Zeros are mauled by P-40s – 10 Zeros lost to a single P-40, and the Zeros had the altitude. Pilots were fair, but their morale was low, perhaps that was reason for the lopsided loss ratio? BBs then bombard defenses there, but achieve little in support of an Allied attack which is defeated, but IJA ground losses exceeded Allied; 677 to only 110. That’s not good, and it will be tough to maintain Portland Roads through the end of the month. To assist that, another CA bombardment run will go in as another transport TF will arrive at Port Moresby to take off the remaining 14th ID Bde to New Caledonia. And of course, an Allied sub hits one of the three transports in that convoy off Milne Bay. She should make Moresby, but she won’t be loading up any troops, so another TF will depart Rabaul to augment the lift capability.

DEI/SW Pacific: A tanker arrives at Darwin bringing badly needed fuel, and a second is enroute.

PI: Getting close to launching the ground attack in a few days!

Burma/IO: Imperial Guard Division begins offloading at Rangoon, the third IJA division to arrive in Burma. The IG division will take over the right flank (Lashio to Myitkyina) from the 55th ID which will consolidate and reform into Bdes with the soon to arrive 144 In Reg (currently at Singers). Still need more troops in Burma!

China: NSTR.

[IdahoNYer]

12-13 Jun 42

Highlights – Allies retake Portland Roads.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (Grenadier)

Allied ships un-sunk:
CL: 1 (Nashville)
SS: 1 (Tarpon)

Air loss:
Jpn: 16
Allied: 06

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 6 Attacks, 1 ship hit (DD dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost:
Portland Roads (South Pacific)

Bases seized: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

Japan/Industry: BB Yamato is finally completed! She’ll sail to Yokohama and wait for Shokaku’s refit to complete in about a week before heading to join the Fleet. On a surprising note, the battered CL Yubari (torpedoed and mined back in Feb with dam at (31/79(43)/34)) has finally made it to the repair yards at Yokohama – quite the journey with stops at Gasmata and Rabaul to repair as much as possible without yards.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: 8th Garrison Unit begins offloading at Paramushiro Jima; will provide the cornerstone of the Kurile defenses.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: The CA TF (2CA, CL, DDs) bombardment run to Portland Roads is derailed by a successful sub attack which cripples DD Tanikaze (yet ANOTHER DD finds a torp!!), but at least torps missed CA Maya. Tanikaze is broken off to an escort TF, and sets course for Port Moresby – barring another sub encounter, she’ll likely make port. The kicker is the AI decided to have CA Maya as her escort!!! So, the bombardment was extremely lackluster, inflicting only about 30 casualties which did nothing to curtail the next Allied assault. It took two assaults to take the base, inflicting over 900 Japanese casualties to only about 100 Allied. The two SNLF remnants left are stranded, and as I failed to remove any fragments, will be eliminated next turn or so. Not good. Losing Portland Roads makes Moresby a front line position, and its not ready for that role yet. The last Bde of the 14th ID is just now loading up for New Caledonia, and a number of supporting units still need to be delivered from Rabaul to both Moresby and Terapo. AND the 18th ID is still slogging to finish off the Moresby defenders in the jungle rough terrain to the SE, just west of Milne Bay. Lastly, I-25 is hit by a depth charge off Auckland, and is heavily damaged (30/40(40)/0). She’ll attempt to make her way back to Rabaul.

DEI/SW Pacific: The G3M2 Nell Sentai at Broome transfers to Singers to re-equip with the G3M3 version. Once operational, this Sentai will break down and deploy in a number of locations along the DEI, using its excellent range to search for targets in the Indian Ocean.

PI: The ground attack to take Manila goes in next turn….fingers crossed!

Burma/IO: The first operational Ki-44-IIa Tojo Sentai arrives in Rangoon for duty in Burma. Allied bombers continue to conduct random nuisance raids on outlying positions while their fighters fly sweeps over Akyab.

China: NSTR.

[RangerJoe]

Check the Maya, it might have Depth Charges.

[Q-Ball]

Question: Why so quiet in China? Sounds like you are not making much of an effort there. Why not?

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Question: Why so quiet in China? Sounds like you are not making much of an effort there. Why not?

Well, the easy answer is I hate the ground game....because I'm terrible at it. I hated the China Theater when I played the Allies, and I figured it was going to be easier as the IJA. Well, L_S_T taught me that wasn't the case in the first month of this PBEM - I messed up pretty good, failing to encircle many of his exposed units, which were able to fall back in good order.

The few attacks I did were probably ill-conceived and costly.

So six months in, I'm looking at pretty much a "quiet China" - take the remaining port areas, and perhaps push in from the coast a bit, but to do any more I think would be counter productive at this point - too expensive in supply and manpower. No?

Learning the hard way, by doing, as Japan in this PBEM.

[Q-Ball]

I am with you on terrible ground game, I have never "won" the war in China. I think though you need to make a push at least on the rail line from Changsha to Tuyun. There are several cities behind Changsha in clear terrain that produce supplies; at a minimum you can and should clear those, isolate Changsha, and take that as well. You can and should also take Sian and either take or cut-off Loyang from the rest of China (as the only OIL source, that will effectively shut down all HI in China when the fuel runs out).

If you want a quiet China, I think you have to at least roll them back to cut supply production

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

I am with you on terrible ground game, I have never "won" the war in China. I think though you need to make a push at least on the rail line from Changsha to Tuyun. There are several cities behind Changsha in clear terrain that produce supplies; at a minimum you can and should clear those, isolate Changsha, and take that as well. You can and should also take Sian and either take or cut-off Loyang from the rest of China (as the only OIL source, that will effectively shut down all HI in China when the fuel runs out).

If you want a quiet China, I think you have to at least roll them back to cut supply production

That is not the only oil source but it is the main one and cuts of Urumchi (sp?) that is farther out in the desert.

[IdahoNYer]

I'll try and "roll back" the front a bit - starting in the south near Wuchow, but mainly to ensure the Allies don't have bases near the coast to launch any airstrikes on the oil convoys.

For anything major, I think the time has passed. I could be wrong here, but after 6 months, the Chinese defenses have formed up and seem to be pretty robust. And I really don't want to commit other ground forces to China.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Check the Maya, it might have Depth Charges.

Yes, it does....but to pull a gun cruiser from a bombardment run instead of one of the half dozen DDs avail is not the optimal solution to the problem!

[IdahoNYer]

14-15 Jun 42

Highlights – Akagi takes a torp!

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk:
xAP: 1 (old)

Allied ships un-sunk:
CL: 1 (Nashville)
SS: 1 (Tarpon)

Air loss:
Jpn: 42
Allied: 20

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK dam)
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (CV dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

Japan/Industry: Ki-49-IIa Helen R&D accelerated to 8/42. Since the Ki-21-IIb is required for all but one Sally Sentai to upgrade to the Ki-49-IIa, and that isn’t going to be avail until 12/42, I’m shifting research from the IIa Helen to the IIb Helen to advance it a few months earlier than 9/43. Will make due with the Sally until then.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: CV Akagi takes a torp from SS Sailfish about 160m north of Koumac. Moderate damage (8/20(13)/10(6)) which will require yard time, but barring another sub encounter, should make it to Japan for repairs. Thought the KB had passes the majority of the subs deployed…..apparently not, subs remain thick. KB will move to the NE to pass east of the New Hebrides, hopefully to disengage from sub infested waters. With the last Bde of the 14th ID still enroute to New Caledonia, the KB’s support is still needed, but will be a tad more distant with the sub threat. So far, no indication the Allies will sortie to interfere with the 14th ID movements. In any case, CV Akagi will need to be detached for Japan – she’ll head for both repairs and her July refit. On the Moresby front, I managed to forget to reduce the range of the Betty Sentai at Lae after I pulled fighters off the LRCAP at Portland Roads, and they managed to fly into heavy CAP over…Portland Roads of course, losing 23 planes in the raid.

DEI/SW Pacific: NSTR.

PI: The first attack on Manila is held, 2600 IJA loss to 1100 Allied, but forts are reduced to two and most IJA losses were disabled squads in the two Garrison units I had there to “soak off” losses. Will continue the attack next turn.

Burma/IO: With Tojos now in Theater, will try and disrupt the Allied nuisance bombing raids by sending Oscars and some Tojos on LRCAP to cover Kagi and Lashio – now whether the Allies fly against these targets is anyone’s guess.

China: NSTR.

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

I'll try and "roll back" the front a bit - starting in the south near Wuchow, but mainly to ensure the Allies don't have bases near the coast to launch any airstrikes on the oil convoys.

For anything major, I think the time has passed. I could be wrong here, but after 6 months, the Chinese defenses have formed up and seem to be pretty robust. And I really don't want to commit other ground forces to China.

Yes, with 6 months gone all Chinese formations are going to be 50 exp now, so you won't be able to just roll them. But you should be able to at least take all the clear and x2 terrain and force them back into the hills...that should be the objective. Your objective should be to limit supply production (and capture some for yourself)

[IdahoNYer]

16-17 Jun 42

Highlights – Fighting ends at Portland Roads; an “R Class” BB takes a torp.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Allied ships un-sunk:
SS: 2 (Stingray, S-44)

Air loss:
Jpn: 11
Allied: 08

Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (BB dam)
Allies: 5 Attacks, 1 ship hit (AMC dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized: None

SIGINT/Intel: Allied old BBs continue to operate off Australia; can expect Moresby to be the next target?

Japan/Industry: Ki-43-IIb Oscar R&D accelerated to 11/42. Starting to see fuel shortages for HI in Manchuria. Fuel avail at port cities, but apparently not enough to move inland. Will need to start tanker runs from Japan.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: KB moves east of the New Hebrides, and CV Akagi will detach with 3 DDs. She’ll head north, avoiding Truk, to Yokohama. Additional DDs will head out from Truk and Japan, so the three cut from the KB TF(s) can return to their ASW duties. KB will head a bit south as reinforcements will begin landing at Noumea next turn. Allied BB TF (4BB, DDs) bombard remaining defenders at Portland Roads, but in a bit of revenge for Akagi’s troubles, BB Royal Sovereign takes a torp from RO-68 enroute back to port. The remaining troops at Portland Roads probably didn’t need the bombardment, their defenses collapsed after two attacks; 1400 troops lost to less than 250 Allied. Two SNLF, a construction Bn and an AT gun Bn were destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. In the Solomons, AMC Kongo Maru takes a torp from SS Spearfish off Munda enroute to Tulagi with engineers. She’s lightly damaged and will continue mission. Subs are numerous in every corner! One bit of positive news, a Nick Sentai arrived, deploying at Moresby and Lae. The B-17 raids aren’t too far off.

DEI/SW Pacific: Two medium tankers deliver fuel to Darwin alleviating the fuel shortage. They’ll head to Boela to pick up oil for their return leg.

PI: Two more attacks go in against Manila. Forts are reduced to zero, but casualties are not light; 8000 IJA loss to 5000 Allied. While casualties are still mostly disabled, at least in the Infantry divisions, troops are now heavily fatigued and will need some rest before continuing the attacks.

Burma/IO: LRCAP find nothing over Kagi and Lashio, but it’s a good bet that a few Tojos lost to operations has told L_S_T that they are in Theater.

China: 13th Army troops advancing to encircle Kukong from the north and SW has started the Chinese pullout to the west. Troops will also launch an attack to take Kwangchowan next turn.

[IdahoNYer]

18-21 Jun 42

Highlights – Reinforcement effort to New Caledonia winds down.

Jpn ships sunk:
CM: 1 (Tsumbame)

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 3 (Sturgeon, Tambor, Grayback)
PC: 1
AM: 1

Allied ships un-sunk:
SS: 1 (Grenadier)

Air loss:
Jpn: 014
Allied: 09

Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (SC sunk)
Allies: 4 Attacks, 1 ship hit (CM sunk)
I-160 heavily damaged by AMs off Norfolk and I-10 heavily damaged by DDs off Perth; both should make it to port, but Allied ASW is already starting to be much more deadly as escorts become more plentiful with better DC capability.

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph: None

Bases lost: None

Bases seized:
Kwangchowan (China)
Kukong (China)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

Japan/Industry: A6M5 Zero R&D accelerated to 8/42. Nakajima Ha-44 Engine R&D advances to 4/43 for the Jill – not expending any energy for the Jill other than what was set at start; will carry on with the Kate.

Kuriles/Aleutians/North Pacific: NSTR.

Central Pacific: NSTR.

South Pacific: The last Bde of the 14th ID finishes landing at Noumea, and remaining elements came ashore at Koumac. So far, no Allied response as the KB was spotted and continues to slowly move south east of the New Hebrides chain. The KB will begin heading back north next turn. Allied B-17s out of Suva have targeted an unfortified Naval Guard unit at Funafuti and have pounded it to dust with just 24 aircraft. Will need to air evac the remaining troops to rebuild. On New Guinea, the 18th ID finally catches up with the last of the Moresby defenders west of Milne Bay and begins reducing the pocket inflicting about 600 casualties to 80 IJA.

DEI/SW Pacific: NSTR.

PI: IJA artillery bombardments continue to do well against defenders as the infantry continues to rest; will resume the attack next turn.

Burma/IO: NSTR.

China: 13th Army troops take Kwangchowan losing 470 men to only 1300 Chinese. Troops also take an abandoned Kukong as the Chinese troops continue to withdraw ahead of the advancing IJA.