Variants - Empire Side - Game over

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: JanSako

Is it just me or do Allied ships tend to land way more hits than IJN ships in general? (this time 27 vs 17) Is it the overall better tech (radar, fire control, guns)? Cause mid-war the CL & up combatants tend to have gained plenty of XP.

I am surprised Dorsetshire sunk only after 4 hits though, even BB main guns. Must have all been side hits w/significant secondary damage.

My guess is the British ships have radar and none of mine did.

As for the Doretshire I believe all the hits were 14 or 16 inch BB guns. A heavy cruiser can't repel that sort of firepower.

Xargun

[Xargun]

Well my invasion of Ceylon has certainly got Nomad's attention. Feels like he has diverted all of the medium/heavy bombers that were in Eastern India / North Burma to this front and he bombed the hell out of my airborne invaded bases - preceeded by sweeps with P-38Fs & Gs.

Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
P-38E Lightning x 25
P-40K Warhawk x 18

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
===
Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 8
===
Morning Air attack on Jaffna , at 31,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-17F Fortress x 24

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 26
===
Morning Air attack on Yokosuka 3rd SNLF, at 30,47 (Dambulla)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 36

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 29
===
Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16
===
Morning Air attack on Jaffna , at 31,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16


I currently have no plans for those two bases so he can destroy the bases for all I care. The 6th ID performed another Shock Attack at Koggala finally capturing the port.

Ground combat at Koggala (29,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6453 troops, 46 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 362

Defending force 1407 troops, 15 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 284

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Koggala !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
460 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division

Defending units:
Ceylon Base Force


The enemy base force fled NW towards Columbo. I am giving the troops a day of rest at Koggala and hopefully owning the port will speed up the unloading of the rest of the division.

I am airlifting in some AV support and have landed 2 sentais of fighters from some CVEs to provide cap to the base, while the carriers pull back and give their pilots some rest -- been working them hard and they are all in the mid to high 20s in fatigue. Figure a day of rest and they should be ready to go.

Looks like he has dropped some sub mines at Koggala as well, so the DMSs are heading back up - it will take them 2 days to get to the port. They were back with the replenishment TF.

The sub count is now up to over 10 in the immediate area - didn't think he had this many subs up here. I have been evading them so far with no encounters for several days now.


Xargun

[Xargun]

A few slow turns. For the past several days medium and heavy bombers have been plastering my invasion force at Koggala. Once the heavies plastered my airfield there and destroyed most of the planes on the ground the mediums came in strafing my invasion TF. The warships took the .50 cal rounds much better than the amphibs and I have lost several now.

The entire 6th Division is landed at Koggala but the allied air force is making it impossible to operate in this theater so I have called off the invasion. Nomad has built up the air fields in India nearby to level 9s and is staging his bombers from there easily -- apparently he has had opponents in the past invade Ceylon and does the Indian buildup all the time now. So just poor luck on my part -- I invaded where he was prepared.

My ships are all away from Ceylon and a piece of the 6th division was evacuated on a DD fast transport TF as well. I have my carriers sitting 10 hexes or so from Ceylon with the replen TF and I am planning on running Fast Transport TFs in and out of Koggala as much as I can. Figured haul in supply, haul out troops. I am also running two sentais of Emilies from Port Blair airlifting out troops as well.

Not sure how much of the division I will be able to rescue, but any is better than none.

In the south pacific the US is bombarding the hell out of Mili and the CD unit there is all but incapacitated. No troops on the ground yet though.

100 Nells at Truk are switching to night Naval attacks covering the Bismarck Sea - range 15. I also have a sentai of Emilies flying night naval search for them. With a little luck I might catch a few allied TFs and attack at night while their fighters are not around.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Nomad and I am back to 3+ turns a day and I am awaiting the May 20th turn from him. I thought I would give some updates for the past few turns.

May 16th

My Nav Search of the Indian ocean has spotted the same allied TF of at least two KVs patrolling off the coast of Akyab for a week or more. So I slipped a combat TF up from Singers and charged into them at night.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 51,45, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
DD Ikazuchi
DD Fubuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Uranami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
KV Freesia, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
KV Auricula, Shell hits 27, and is sunk

My DD Fast Transport TF arrived at Koggala and was meet by a bunch of naval air power on naval attacks. Luckily the experience of the allied pilots must be low and the DDs were nimble and evaded all the torpedoes.

They then picked up some 6th Division troops and headed for home.


May 17th

Allied troops landed at Wewak and took the base. Another allied amphibious landing at Lautem involving at least a Regiment of troops.

Amphibious Assault at Lautem (72,115)

TF 84 troops unloading over beach at Lautem, 72,115

Allied ground losses:
313 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (0 destroyed, 29 disabled)
Vehicles lost 23 (0 destroyed, 23 disabled)


May 18th

On its way back to Singers, the CV TF in the Indian Ocean ran into SS Trusty...

Sub attack near Car Nicobar at 34,61

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Torpedo hits 1
BB Yamato
CA Mikuma
DD Kuroyara
DD Amagiri
DD Aoumi
DD Shiroumi
DD Kuroumi
DD Haiiroyara

Allied Ships
SS Trusty, hits 9, heavy damage


Luckily the Hiyo only took one torpedo and the damage isn't as bad as it good be - 26 flt damage.


Allies are also landing at Saumlaki.

Pre-Invasion action off Saumlaki (78,117)

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC-739
LST-472
AM Moa
LST-473

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

SC-739 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saumlaki (78,117)

TF 243 troops unloading over beach at Saumlaki, 78,117

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 71 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 948 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 1368 troops, 14 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Assaulting units:
15th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
10th RAAF Base Force /1


Launtem was taken by the allies.

Ground combat at Lautem (72,115)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3373 troops, 71 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 97

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

Allied adjusted assault: 48

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 48 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Lautem !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry/A Division



Xargun

[Xargun]

So it looks like Nomad is opening up another front in the South West Pacific north of Oz. His landings at Lautem and Saumlaki are making me a little worried and paranoid. My defenses in that area are thin. I have troops in reserve at Soerbaja and Singers and a SC TF is moving to Kendari this turn. Not sure how to handle a 3rd front if he puts resources into it. Any one have any ideas or suggestions?

Xargun

[Xargun]

The bombing of the 6th Division at Koggala continues, while I use Emilies to evacuate as many troops as I can.

Some B-25Ds attacked my SC TF at Kendari. They must have been flying from Lautem.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Asashio, Shell hits 5
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1


Xargun

[Xargun]

Allied troops finally land on Mili after several weeks of daily bombardments and air attacks against the Naval Fortress there.

Pre-Invasion action off Mili (136,121) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Vincennes
LCI-83
LCI-216
DD Sims

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (7 destroyed, 1 disabled)

CA Australia firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Mili Naval Fortress firing at CA Australia
CA Vincennes firing at Mili Naval Fortress
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
===
Amphibious Assault at Mili (136,121)

TF 128 troops unloading over beach at Mili, 136,121

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Motorized Support lost from landing craft during unload of 2nd Marine/A Div /2


Allied ships bombard Saumlaki as well.

Night Naval bombardment of Saumlaki at 78,117

Allied Ships
CL Denver
CL Montpelier
CL Columbia
CL Cleveland

Port hits 27
Port supply hits 1

CL Denver firing at Saumlaki
CL Montpelier firing at Saumlaki
CL Columbia firing at Saumlaki
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Cleveland
CL Cleveland firing at Saumlaki


The day brings more air strikes at Koggala, Saumlaki, Aitape and Mili.

In an unexpected move, the allied CVs move north and catch several of my TFs in the area.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Sidate at 75,100

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 143
SBD-3 Dauntless x 97

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Oshio
DD Makigumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Maikaze
DD Asashio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
===
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 108
SBD-3 Dauntless x 97

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAP Kitano Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
xAP Takatiho Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
DD Kikuzuki, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Uzuki, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Mikazuki
===
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Loewoek at 73,102

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Kyokuho Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Chiyoda Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Eifuku Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
PB Kenkon Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk


I did not expect his CVs to move northward catching the SC TF and my Tankers. CA Myoko slipped beneath the naves as did both TKs - no surprise they were full of fuel originally heading to Kendari.


In the Land Attack phase he captured Mili. Apparently his air attacks earlier in the day wiped out the last few squads on the Naval Fortress. I have checked and unfortunately I cannot buy back the Naval Fortress [:(]

Ground combat at Mili (136,121)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4738 troops, 99 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 140

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

Allied adjusted assault: 82

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 82 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Mili !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine/A Div /13


In other bad news the last couple of my free CVs just began their 4/43 refits so they will be out for 21 days. Other than my naval warships and some aircraft I have nothing to counter attack his thrust north from Darwin. Nothing will be able to stand up to the allied Deathstar - though I do not believe this is his main CV force - intel only reading 300ish fighters and just over a 100 bombers in the TF. Perhaps he is using multiple TFs to disguise the intel.

I have a good month before all of my CVs are refitted - though Hiyo will need another 2 months for repairs and refit. Good news is in that time (approx 6 wks) I will receive 4 new CVs to add to my fleet. Once I get them fit and filled with aircraft they will head to the south pacific -- hopefully in time to thwart any huge invasions by the allies.

Also on the 1st of June I will begin building my first D4Y4 Judies to replace my aging Vals. Near the middle of June I expect the B6N2a Jills will come online as well. I have 5 factories of each researching them and they will begin turning out the new aircraft as soon as I can.

On the fighter front. The A7M2 Sam is still a year away (9/44 currently) and the Ki-84r Frank is a few months closer (4/44). Good news is I will be able to produce Ki-84a Franks by the end of June, but will most likely flip all the factories to the R variant which will speed up the delivery of that aircraft so that I get it in approximately Aug or Sept.

Odds are before the Frank R is being produced I will have the N1K5-J George online and building them for bomber defense. I am hoping the George will give me a chance against the allied heavy bombers without losing a lot of fighters in the fray.

So I need to survive a month without the allies making to many inroads into my perimeter. I am not to worried about the South Pacific - Truk / Marianas area, but I am worried about the area north of OZ - I did not expect much action here and the bases there are lightly defended and lack airfields and forts. And with his CVs running around I cannot risk trying to move units into the area.


Xargun

[Q-Ball]

Why not produce the D4Y1 while you're waiting for the D4Y4? And actually, same question on the Ki-84a vs r-model? I can see the benefit of pulling forward those advanced models, but you should produce lesser models in meantime.

Val to D4Y1 is a huge upgrade for the CVs, and one you should seek to make as soon as possible

[Xargun]

Why not produce the D4Y1 while you're waiting for the D4Y4? And actually, same question on the Ki-84a vs r-model? I can see the benefit of pulling forward those advanced models, but you should produce lesser models in meantime.

Val to D4Y1 is a huge upgrade for the CVs, and one you should seek to make as soon as possible

The engine for the first two Judy (Y1 and Y2) is the Aichi Ha-60 which I am not producing in any amounts. I consolidated my engine production line in the first few days of the war. The model 3 and 4 use the same engine (Ha-33) which I am producing and it is not much more of a wait for the model 4 as waiting for the model 3.

Xargun

[Xargun]

It has been a week and a half - work and life was keeping me from posting - and then I got sick last week and was down a bit from that too (luckily it was just a flu and not covid). But I am trying to get back into the swing or posting and since it is taking Nomad a bit longer on his side of the turns I should have the time.

If you have been following Nomad's AAR you will know we are in mid June and what has been going on mostly. I do not remember everything I have posted lately so I will do a recap.

Burma:
The invasion of Ceylon failed. I lost a couple transport ships and a good 40 fighters and a bunch of troops from the 6th Infantry Division. But I was able to save a lot of the damaged ships and about half of the 6th Division before he moved an allied division into Koggala and wiped my men out.

Other than that there has been no actions from the Allies in this theater - no night bombings, no daylight bombings, no nothing. Makes me a bit worried. I am pulling two divisions out of Rangoon to move into the southern DEI to thwart the allied push there. One of the divisions is the 6th, which will be dropped off in Singapore for a while to re[;ace losses - I have already moved one of the reserve divisions at Singapore to Soerbaja.


Southern DEI:
The USA is leading the invasion into my soft underbelly with two fleets of carriers - one deathstar with what seems like all of his main fleet CVs and one with half a dozen CVEs which he is using to provide local cap to invasion heads.

The allies have captured the following bases: Namlea, Boela, Koepang, Dili, Saumlaki, kai-eilanden, Babar, Lautem, Kendari, Waingapoe, Mataram, Endeh, Ruteng and Alor. Of these he has built up Lautem and Waingapoe to support his aircraft. Several of these invasions are simply by USA Base Forces and I am planning some counter attacks.


South Pacific:
Not much change here. He has taken Mili and Majuro in the Marshalls but thats it He hasn't done much here since all of his CVs went into the Southern DEI area.



I got a bunch of Base Forces and construction units and they are delivered or enroute to bases to continue the build up. I have also received several fleet CVs and with the majority of my 4/43 upgrades completed (big deal as that add air radar to my CVs) my carriers are headed back to sea and heading into the Southern DEI area to support the counter attacks. He has pulled his carriers back and they may be transitioning to the South Pacific area to continue the assaults there. I plan several counter invasions in the Southern DEI - I just hope they go better than the invasion of Ceylon went. I have to take a couple of these islands back - can't just sit back and let him nibble my edges. if I can destroy a couple of his USA Base Forces that may slow his advances everywhere.

I have one more CV coming in the immediate future (25 days) but then there will be a large gap before I get the last 4.

I am producing D4Y4 Judies now (5 per day) but it will be a while before I can replace all the Vals on my CVs. In a few days I will begin producing Jills as well - and will slowly replace Kates as well. The 84a Frank will become available 8/43 - so 6 weeks - and I am filling those factories out to size 30 now. The question is how many of them do I move to the 84r to speed up its arrival? Do I produce any 84a or put everything into the 84 r version to speed its delivery up (Right now its 2/44) ?

Xargun

[Xargun]

The invasion of Ambon is continuing. Troops were dropped off last turn and they attacked but got 1:2 odds and rebuked - surprisingly with the air / naval bombardments going on. I only have a SNLF unit there (aprox 60 AS at full strength) and I expected them to fail, but they have held on. No land attacks this turn, but air bombing by heavies has continued.

After two previous unsuccessful attacks, SS I-8 finally hits.

Sub attack near Wewak at 98,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-8, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Laffey, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monssen

DD Laffey sunk (heard sinking noises) and I have ordered I-8 home to Truk to repair the minor sys damage (8 pts) and rearm.

The allied air force strikes at Makassar.

Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
===
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 22

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
===
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
===
Afternoon Air attack on 18th JNAF AF Unit , at 65,106 (Makassar)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Overall I think my Tojos did a superb job against the faster allied fighters. In the Intel report I lost 15 Tojos to Air-to-Air and shot down a total of 13 allied fighters in air-to-air. Unfortunately I lost 6 pilots KIA - but overall a victory for me I feel. I have moved another Tojo Sentai to Makassar for the next day's actions.

Xargun

[Xargun]

More allied troops land on Ambon - I am guessing another regiment but could be a larger unit.

Amphibious Assault at Ambon (76,109)

TF 18 troops unloading over beach at Ambon, 76,109

Allied ground losses:
319 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 52 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 30 (0 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (0 destroyed, 37 disabled)


Other than some air attacks on Ambon and some of my troops in the jungle not much else happened this past turn. I am monitoring my production daily and am wondering what the Type 3 Mine is for? Type 93 and 4 are ship laid. Type 88 is sub laid, but what is a type 3? Aerial laid? When do I start getting aerial mining missions?

Xargun

[Xargun]

Troops continue to unload at Ambon thoughtout the night and day with the end of turn attack.

Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6154 troops, 141 guns, 138 vehicles, Assault Value = 161

Defending force 641 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied adjusted assault: 93

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 93 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ambon !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
74th Infantry/A Division
74th Infantry/B Division

Defending units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF


Allied P-40s sweep Makassar skies meeting my Tojos.
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 6 destroyed

The Tojos gave better than they got - and more allied planes / pilots are destroyed / captured.

Xargun

[Xargun]

During the night phase I-175 arrived on station at Mili and found some defenseless cargo ships.

Submarine attack near Mili at 136,121

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
xAK Langkoeas, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
===
Submarine attack near Mili at 136,121

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Macdonald, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Both ships were carrying fuel and both were sunk !

During the day another allied fighter sweep appear in the Makassar skies.

Afternoon Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 25
P-40K Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Another good day in the air above Makassar for the Japanese pilots. Final toll for the battle was 14 Warhawks destroyed in A2A and 3 op losses compared to 10 Tojo lost in A2A. On the pilot side I only had 2 pilots killed and 3 wounded.

The allies slaughtered the remnants of the SNLF at Ambon during the land phase.

Xargun

[Xargun]

A very slow turn. Very few allied ships are spotted on daily recon - most moving about the Southern Pacific. Allied fighters swept Makassar again.

Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed
===
Afternoon Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

My Tojos are still doing a great job on CAP. Intel screen shows a total of 9 Tojos lost - 8 in A2A and 1 in ops. While we didn't bag any P-38s this time around, we did bag quite a few Warhawks. 14 in A2A and 5 in ops. Unfortunately we lost 5 pilots killed and 4 wounded (though there were another 4-5 ops losses in other aircraft this turn). I am running out of planes here. Nearly 500 in my pool but can only get 12 per week per unit. I need move AV support down here (its on the way but it will take a while to arrive) and then I can move more fighter units into the area.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Another slow turn with some sub action off the coast of Mili. As usual, my sub gets plastered by the superior allied ASW.

Sub attack near Mili at 136,121

Japanese Ships
SS I-175, hits 9

Allied Ships
DE Talbot
DE Kennison


My valiant fighters but up their last real resistance in the air over Makassar.

Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet *


Other than some Helens bombing some allied paratroopers nothing else happened.

Morning Air attack on 503rd Parachute Regiment, at 59,109 (Mataram)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 29

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Xargun

[Xargun]

The turn starts off with some more sub action, this time near Kangean.

Sub attack near Kangean at 62,104

Japanese Ships
DD Yukaze
CM Okinoshima
CM Tokiwa
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS Saury, hits 1

A minor hit on the Saury, I'm sure she is still in the area.

Some more bombs hitting allied paratroopers...
Morning Air attack on 503rd Parachute Regiment, at 59,109 (Mataram)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 29

No Japanese losses

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


And the a surprised naval attack on my tankers at Balikpapan.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 12

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
TK Hoyo Maru
TK Huzisan Maru
E Kunashiri

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 2 plane(s) with no ordnance
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
===
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 64,97

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-38G Lightning x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
TK Hoyo Maru, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 3, on fire
TK Toa Maru, Shell hits 1
E Kunashiri, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Huzisan Maru, Shell hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


The escort Kunashiri was sunk, but all 3 tankers survived the air raids.

Then the allies catch some of my subs.
Submarine attack near Ambon at 76,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-173, hits 17, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Crane
===
ASW attack near Makin at 136,125

Japanese Ships
SS I-162, hits 11, heavy damage

Allied Ships
APD Dickerson
LST-480
LST-341
xAP Aloe
xAP Hirondelle
DD Mugford


Xargun

[Xargun]

The turn starts off with some sub on sub action. I think this is the third such combat in the war and every time its the allied subs attacking mine

Sub vs Sub: SS Tarpon attacking SS I-173 at 75,109 - near Ambon

Japanese Ships
SS I-173, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon


Some DDs were moving into range to attempt a bombardment run but allied air spotted them.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Banjoewangi at 57,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 damaged
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami, Shell hits 3
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 2
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
===
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Banjoewangi at 57,107

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 damaged
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Murakumo
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 7
DD Isonami, Shell hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb


The DDs survived with minor damage, and have been recalled back for repairs.

With fighters gone, the allies begin the process of flattening the airfield at Makassar unopposed.
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
===
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
===
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 46
===
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 9


Xargun

[Xargun]

The turn starts off with my Nells flying nighttime naval attack missions against allied transports. Despite skills in the 70's not a single torpedo scored.

Night Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 59,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 6 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AKA Virgo
AKA Alcyon
LST-477
===
Night Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 59,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Kaiping
AKA Thuban
===
Night Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 59,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Chaumont
xAP Malaita


Then my subs got a couple hits on defenseless transports sinking them both.
Submarine attack near Boela at 80,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
xAKL Corregidor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
===
Submarine attack near Boela at 80,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
xAKL Bust, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


My Judies at Sorong got into the action this turn. They only landed a single 800kg bomb, but that has to hurt.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Boela at 80,110

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 22
D4Y4 Judy x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Idomeneus, Bomb hits 1, on fire



The hammering of Makassar continues.

Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 23
B-24D1 Liberator x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 7 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 20
===
Morning Air attack on Makassar , at 65,106

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
===
Morning Air attack on 5th Amphibious Brigade, at 65,106 (Makassar)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 46

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
===
Morning Air attack on 5th Amphibious Brigade, at 65,106 (Makassar)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Xargun

[Xargun]

Spotting a bunch of ships at Mataram I moved my one CV TF into range so it could launch a strike, while supported by fighters from Soerbaja.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 59,109

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 51
B5N2 Kate x 10
D3A1 Val x 15

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 193

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 10 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
===
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 59,109

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 30
D3A1 Val x 17

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 191

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
BB Indiana


The attacks were very disappointing. I did not expect enemy CVs there, but looks like the CVE deathstar is in the hex. My zeroes are still performing poorly against the Hellcat and to be honest I'm not sure if they are simply out matched or its just bad luck again. But the strike aircraft were butchered with 100ish aircraft lost and 35 pilots killed with another 25 MIA. I really need to compare the Zero vs the Hellcat in Tracker and see if I am just wasting pilots or not. The A7M2 Sam is still a year away.

Xargun