Variants - Empire Side - Game over

[Xargun]

Wow - time sure goes by fast when you are busy. We have been churning out turns but I am falling behind on this AAR again. A month has passed in game in the past ten days or so. We are now in September, 1943 and it seems the war is heating up on 3 fronts now.

The night starts off with more naval bombardment at Jaluit by a multi-cruiser fleet.
Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
DD Jarvis
DD Morris
DD Gwin
DD Ammen

Japanese ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 16
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 1

Not sure when he will be landing but there won't be many troops in fighting shape when he does.


The morning starts off with an allied sweep over Mandalay. For the first time in weeks they meet a little resistance.
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 36

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed
===
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed
===
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed



Then the air action moved to the South Pacific with allied fighters sweeping Truk. Nomad has been doing this for a couple days and all my fighters have been on the ground repairing. I finally put them all in the air a couple thousand feet above the normal sweep height and the results were impressive. The fighter sweep was followed by heavy bombers. It looks like I guessed right for once.

Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 27
N1K5-J George x 18
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 65

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 75

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 12 destroyed
===
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 23
N1K5-J George x 16
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 48

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 damaged
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 11 destroyed, 15 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 11
===
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 13
N1K5-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 29

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
P-38E Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 6 damaged
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 10 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22
===
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 9
N1K5-J George x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 2
===
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 4
N1K5-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



The fighting on Java is pushing towards the northern half of the island with most of my forces in constant retreat - trying to get to Batavia. I am attempting to evacuate some troops out of Merak with a Fast Transport and remembered this time to put some LR CAP over the TF. My Franks burst into the low-flying Mitchells and downed way more than the report show.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 30

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 destroyed
===
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Merak at 48,97

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 30

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed




Currently we have limited action (just fighter sweeps and bombers hitting Mandalay) in Burma. A steady ground push in Java with several tank units supported by fighters and heavy bombers. And recently the action in the South Pacific is picking up around the Marshall Islands - with the US CV deathstar spotted in the area.

Today was probably the best air day in the war since the surprise raid on Pearl Harbor. The air losses were heavy (218 total) with Japan coming out on top.




Xargun

[Xargun]

With the massive air battle last turn I wasn't sure if he would push it again this turn or not, and normally I would be standing down my fighters. But with minimal morale loss and fatigue, I left the fighters up over Truk just to be safe. And once again it paid off again. Another tough day in the air for the allies. Not sure if Nomad forgot to stand down his bombers or perhaps he was playing the odds that I would stand down my fighters as normal. Either way in the early morning a bunch of lightly escorted heavy bombers showed up.

Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 14
N1K5-J George x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 34

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 22
P-38E Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 9 damaged
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K5-J George: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 12 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
P-38E Lightning: 9 destroyed

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Nikaido L. in a N1K5-J George makes head on attack ... forces B-24D1 Liberator out of formation
(Never saw anything like this before)


This was the only real action for the day, other than some minor bombing at Jaluit.

The day saw another 59 aircraft lost between both sides, with a large advantage to the Japanese.



Xargun

[Xargun]

A minor turn with very little action. Some naval and air action at Jaluit island with my forces there taking their daily abuse.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

45 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
DD Jarvis
DD Morris
DD Gwin
DD Ammen

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 14
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 2
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

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



The only other action this turn was some ground combat in Java with the allied tank assault forcing my defeated troops to retreat. Unfortunately they retreated the wrong way and are now high up in the Mountains at Bandoeng. I am trying to evac them north to Batavia and Merak.

Ground combat at Kalidjati (50,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13266 troops, 118 guns, 465 vehicles, Assault Value = 507

Defending force 4484 troops, 54 guns, 98 vehicles, Assault Value = 129

Allied adjusted assault: 167

Japanese adjusted defense: 18

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kalidjati !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1334 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 81 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 31 (28 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 96 (86 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units pursuing 2

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/8th Armoured Regiment
2nd Australian Division
97th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
14th Tank Regiment
39th Division
48th Naval Guard Unit


The two allied units pursuing were both the Artillery Battalions.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn started off with the nightly bombardment at Jaluit. He must have a lot of supply nearby to be rearming these cruisers every turn.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
DD Jarvis
DD Morris
DD Gwin
DD Ammen

Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 32
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3





As the morning air phase came my Helens hit the Chinese unit at Pauk in Burma. They are out in the open and took some good damage. They are paired with a West African unit (AA I believe) but I have hammered them as well so now the Chinese are protecting them.

Morning Air attack on 86th Chinese Corps, at 57,46 (Pauk)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 85

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
252 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 86th Chinese Corps, at 57,46 (Pauk)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 86th Chinese Corps, at 57,46 (Pauk)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 5 damaged

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



My Judys at Sorong caught a lone xAKL trying to sneak into Boela harbor and sunk it with a nicely placed 800kg bomb.

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

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y4 Judy x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Nebraskan, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk


That was all the action for the day. Not sure what is going on in Burma - I didn't inflict many losses to his bomber force there, but I did hit his fighter unit pretty hard. He must not be willing to risk the bombers without fighter support.

Xargun

[Xargun]

Once more the cruisers arrive at Jaluit during the night to hammer away at its defenders. With my CD unit would score some hits against them.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
DD Jarvis
DD Morris
DD Gwin
DD Ammen

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10
Port hits 9
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1


I have been trying to move a sub into the path of this cruiser force to get some shots at those CAs. Looks like I managed to, but they found me first.

ASW attack near Jaluit at 134,121

Japanese Ships
SS I-170, hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CA New Orleans
DD Gwin
DD Jarvis
DD Morris


The damage was light enough I-170 turned the tables and attacked them back. The sub took some more hits in return but she will make it back to Truk for some repairs. The New Orleans will hopefully have to travel a bit farther for her repairs.

Sub attack near Jaluit at 134,121

Japanese Ships
SS I-170, hits 5

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1
CA Astoria
DD Gwin
DD Jarvis
DD Morris


Allied aircraft continued their bombings at Jaluit as well.

Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

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



And once more that was the entire turn. Lots of scouting on both sides, but very limited combat.

Xargun

[Xargun]

We are all caught back up now. I just posted the two turns from last evening and this is from this morning.

Not much action at all - the heavy cruisers did NOT show back up at Jaluit this turn which is a plus though the bombings by those Ventura continued. I took a look at the troops at Jaluit to see how bad off they were and I was shockingly surprised. The 52nd Naval Guard was at about 80% strength but overall in good shape. The Naval Fortress was in a bit worse shape - around 50% strength, but several CD guns still exist.

Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on Jaluit Naval Fortress, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

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


Xargun

[Xargun]

I promised an Economy Update last weekend I believe - sorry its late - but here it is.

Overall I think I am doing well. My stockpiles of HI, Armaments, Manpower and Vehicles look good. Even Naval Shipyard and Merchant Shipyard pools look good. I am slowly turning off Merchant Shipyards as my losses so far have not been very high. I am allowing ships to be built, but stopping them a day or two before completion - this way if I need that ship it is only 1 day away and while its in the build queue it is unable to be attacked.

I have lost a lot of resource production, as well as oil and fuel production with the loses in Java and the surrounding islands. Magwe has been bombed into near worthlessness - its Oil production is around 35 now. I am still very positive on Resources but probably lost a million or so at bases I no longer control (didn't realize some of the bases had so much stockpiled). I am worried about Palembang. Nomad is only 1 hex from Batavia and despite planning to fight for that base, once it falls, Palembang is in easy air range - which will mean hauling out of there will be dangerous. I am trying to haul as much as I can from there, but there is still over a million fuel sitting there and I can't seem to make a dent on it. I have also noticed for some unknown reason I have stockpiled 400k supplies there as well So I am stopping hauling resources out of there and when not hauling fuel/oil I am hauling supplies back to Singapore. Leaving that many supplies for Nomad would be an early Christmas present.

I am emptying Singapore harbor and am no longer putting anything into her repair yards - unless its only a couple days. Unfortunately that means my 2 damaged CAs must make a slow and dangerous trek to Hong Kong to continue their repairs. Singapore is down to below 600k fuel but still has around a million resources - but I am running a good dozen or more TFs out of there hauling everything back to Japan.

I am hauling resources from Luzon - though that stockpile is below 100k now. I am hauling from Hokkaido as well as Port Aurthur, Shanghai, Taihoku and Hong Kong. Each of those locations have around a million resources and it is all better served in the Home Islands.

My stockpiles in Japan are good - well except for oil. Oil is down to a month's supply, but fuel is up to 290 days (but once the oil runs out that will change as I use more fuel than oil). Resources in Japan are still increasing with a currently supply of 170 days. If Nomad cut off all resources being delivered to Japan now I would have 170 days of production and then around another 150 days of save HI - so nearly a year of full production.


Heavy Industry Pool: 1,421,766 (Increasing around 700 points per day still)
Man Power Pool: 1,966,194 (Currently increasing around 4000 on two out of every 3 days - the third day I draw a bunch of replacements and only manage around a 500 point increase)
Armament Pool: 496,947 (Increasing around 700-800 per day except every 3rd day)
Vehicle Pool: 15,881 (Increasing around 100 each day except during replenishment day)
Naval Ship Pool: 1,131 (Decreasing around 40 a day - letting it get down around 900 before balancing it out)
Merchant Ship Pool: 852 (I just turned off a size 40 shipyard so I should be down to around increasing 15 per day)

Japan Oil Stockpile: 244,312 (Estimated 31 days worth)
Japan Fuel Stockpile: 3,496,491 (Estimated 288 days worth but that change once the oil runs out)
Japan Resource Stockpile: 13,653,710 (Estimated 170 days worth)


My stockpiles of aircraft and engines are going good.


I am not sure if I should continue the production of Tojos as I have a good stockpile and am replacing them with Franks. I like the Tojo though as it a good fighter and is SR 1 which means repairing them is quick. I will probably continue producing A6M5c Zeros until the Sam comes online, but that is still several months away. I should get them end of Oct 43 or early Nov 43. Then I will need to build out the factories and mass produce them.

Let me know if you have any questions or just simple comments. Be glad to answer any.

Xargun

[deaniks]

Well, what's the plan when you run out of oil in the HI just turn refineries off and let a stockpile build up?

[Xargun]

Well, what's the plan when you run out of oil in the HI just turn refineries off and let a stockpile build up?

Not sure what letting a stockpile build up would do - in the end its the same amount of oil converted to fuel. I am still pulling oil from Sakhalin (100 oil a day) plus 15 oil from Hakkaido per day so I won't go completely dry. Plus I am still pulling oil from other places just in smaller amounts once Palembang is gone.

Is there an advantage to stockpiling oil for later conversion?

Xargun

[Xargun]

Allied sub SS Lapon caught one of my empty xAKs on its way to haul some resources and sunk her. My ASW response was pathetic.

Sub attack near Tandjoengpinang at 52,86

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyokusei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC CHa-27

Allied Ships
SS Lapon


More air attacks on Jaluit causing minor losses. Seems that sub hit on Nomad's CA has fended off his naval bombardments - at least for now.

Morning Air attack on Jaluit Naval Fortress, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on Jaluit Naval Fortress, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

No Allied losses

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


Some B-17s from Burma bombed one of my Regiments deep in the jungle. I think he just wanted to know what size unit was there.

Morning Air attack on 15th Guards Regiment, at 60,46 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

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


And now the sad news. The bulk of the 39th Inf Division was wiped out 1 hex south of Batavia. Their long retreat from Soerabaja has ended. I was able to air lift a portion of the division out when it was at Semarang so I don't have to wait for it to be come back in the queue. That is 2 Divisions I have lost on Java. Both will take months to rebuild.

Ground combat at 49,99 (near Batavia)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13946 troops, 118 guns, 571 vehicles, Assault Value = 963

Defending force 1834 troops, 29 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Allied adjusted assault: 209

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 209 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), disruption(-), morale(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1784 casualties reported
Squads: 84 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 70 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
1st Australian Division
2/8th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2nd Australian Division
97th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
39th Division


Xargun

[Xargun]

Allied B-24s laid some mines at Palembang during the night - unfortunately my George's were unable to catch any of them. Can you even intercept bombers on mine laying missions?

Night Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K5-J George x 29

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 5

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 8000 feet *



I took a gamble and bombed the massive troop buildup at Shwebo. All bombers within range participated. There was no CAP over the troops but they have a lot of Anti-Air. My losses were heavy.

Morning Air attack on 26th Indian Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 113
Ki-84r Frank x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 70 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 9 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 103rd RAF Base Force ...
Also attacking 25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 50th Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 26th Indian Division ...
===
Morning Air attack on 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 89 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 30 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 5 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 108th RAF Base Force ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment ...
===
Morning Air attack on 23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27
Ki-84r Frank x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 27 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 destroyed by flak

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


Jaluit was bombed again today inflicting minor losses. But the good news is no naval bombardments again. If I had any fighters left in the Marshalls I would try some LR CAP to bag some bombers, but alas I have none in the area.


Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

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


I am still evacuating troops from Merak via both airlift and Fast Transports. So far he has not seemed interested in Merak at all - no recon flights or anything yet. A unit of Franks flies CAP protecting the evacuation.


Xargun

[deaniks]

Well, what's the plan when you run out of oil in the HI just turn refineries off and let a stockpile build up?

Not sure what letting a stockpile build up would do - in the end its the same amount of oil converted to fuel. I am still pulling oil from Sakhalin (100 oil a day) plus 15 oil from Hakkaido per day so I won't go completely dry. Plus I am still pulling oil from other places just in smaller amounts once Palembang is gone.

Is there an advantage to stockpiling oil for later conversion?

Xargun

Could not tell you lol was just simply asking.

[Xargun]

Well, what's the plan when you run out of oil in the HI just turn refineries off and let a stockpile build up?

Not sure what letting a stockpile build up would do - in the end its the same amount of oil converted to fuel. I am still pulling oil from Sakhalin (100 oil a day) plus 15 oil from Hakkaido per day so I won't go completely dry. Plus I am still pulling oil from other places just in smaller amounts once Palembang is gone.

Is there an advantage to stockpiling oil for later conversion?

Xargun

Could not tell you lol was just simply asking.

Gotcha. I have never finished a game so I have no idea what the end game would be like. I wonder if Oil stockpiles are destroyed via strat bombing? I know supplies and fuel can be lost from attacks, but not sure about oil. Pretty sure Resources cannot be destroyed either.

Xargun

[Xargun]

Well I thought Nomad was ignoring Merak, but looks like he was not. A SC TF showed up during the night phase and luckily only caught a single DD there. Unfortunately the DD had just finished loading a bunch of men and gear for evac.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Merak at 48,97, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Montpelier
CL Denver
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Anthony
DD Bennett
DD LaVallette
DD O'Bannon
DD Pringle

Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



The nightly bombardments at Jaluit have started again, this time with a much smaller TF.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
DD Dashiell
DD Converse
DD Claxton
DD Bush

Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 2


More air attacks at Jaluit as well.

Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



I was moving another AMc to help clear mines at Palembang but an allied sub caught her and sunk her. I should not have converted all the DMS to Es.

Sub attack near Muntok at 50,89

Japanese Ships
AMc Awa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin


Xargun

[Xargun]

My lone AMc at Palembang cleared more mines out of the harbor while my ships fill up with Fuel and Supplies for transport to Singapore. I am going to wait until I am sure the mines are gone before moving any more ships into or out of Palembang.

TF 213 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Ships
AMc Kozan Maru

3 mines cleared


Speaking of Mines, B-24s laid a small minefield at Truk in the night phase.

Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K5-J George x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 29

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 10

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-24D1 Liberator laying Mk 13 Mine from 8000 feet


Allied TF bombarded Jaluit again as well.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
DD Dashiell
DD Converse
DD Claxton
DD Bush

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

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 12
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1


Then come daylight bombers attacked.

Morning Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 12
===
Morning Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 9
===
Morning Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 9
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Xargun

[Xargun]

The nightly bombardment at Jaluit does some more minor damage. I am starting to airlift some of the 52nd Naval Guard off the island and noticed that the base is getting low on supplies. These constant bombardments are killing supplies. I am considering trying to run some in, but not sure its worth the risk of even a single ship.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
DD Dashiell
DD Converse
DD Claxton
DD Bush

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 14
Port hits 10



The large troop mass in Burma was moved out of Shwebo and into the open so I decided to bomb Shwebo. Recon shows 1/4 of the amount of guns at Shwebo as compared with the 40+ stack of British, Indian and Chinese units. Still a lot of flak there and many Helens were lost.

Morning Air attack on 103rd RAF Base Force, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 83
Ki-84r Frank x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 7 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Also attacking 2nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking Sikh Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 1st Madras Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 108th RAF Base Force ...
Also attacking 103rd RAF Base Force ...
===
Morning Air attack on 103rd RAF Base Force, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 91 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 20
Ki-84r Frank x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 4 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

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



Allied troops made their first attack at Batavia and we held !!!! We lost more than they did, but we actually held for once. My Division there was broken into 3 parts for faster recovery so I rebuilt the actual Division as they fight better as one unit than 3 separate.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25588 troops, 230 guns, 809 vehicles, Assault Value = 981

Defending force 25272 troops, 281 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 948

Allied adjusted assault: 255

Japanese adjusted defense: 3011

Allied assault odds: 1 to 11 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
624 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
274 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 105 (8 destroyed, 97 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/8th Armoured Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Australian Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2nd Australian Division
134th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
6th Division
124th Infantry Regiment
6th Guards/B Division
6th Guards/A Division
6th Guards/C Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion


Unfortunately the Militia Regimate at Buitenzorg got caught trying to flee and forced to retreat.

Ground combat at Buitenzorg (48,99)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6284 troops, 22 guns, 786 vehicles, Assault Value = 464

Defending force 1941 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Allied adjusted assault: 234

Japanese adjusted defense: 40

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Buitenzorg !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1126 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/7th Armoured Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
1st Army Tank Regiment
4th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
6th Java Militia Regiment


They retreated north (not to Batavia) leaving me with control of only 3 hexes left on Java. It will be maybe 2-3 turns before the tanks follow the Militia unit and finish it off and them probably storm into Merak cutting off any evacuations. With the Division rebuilt at Batavia, I am airlifting a piece of it out so I can reconstitute it faster. I will attempt to airlife a piece of all units out if I have time.


Xargun

[Xargun]

A few more losses at Jaluit via Naval bombardment.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
DD Dashiell
DD Converse
DD Claxton
DD Bush

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

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 2
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1


My Helens are taking advantage of the smaller AA at Shwebo to try to inflict some losses on the troops there.

Morning Air attack on 108th RAF Base Force, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 18 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Also attacking 103rd RAF Base Force ...
Also attacking 2nd Chinese Corps ...
===
Morning Air attack on 103rd RAF Base Force, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 10 damaged

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on Sikh Construction Battalion, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 9 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

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

Also attacking 1st Madras Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking Sikh Construction Battalion ...
===
Morning Air attack on Sikh Construction Battalion, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 13 damaged

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



More air attacks at Jaluit - they are wearing my troops down. And without moving supplies in it is only a matter of time before they become combat ineffective.

Afternoon Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Allies try an artillery bombardment with no success at Batavia.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 622 troops, 51 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 889

Defending force 24305 troops, 271 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 854

Assaulting units:
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/8th Armoured Regiment
1st Australian Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2nd Australian Division
134th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
124th Infantry Regiment
48th Naval Guard Unit
6th Division
6th Guards Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion



Xargun

[Xargun]

Nomad tried to sneak some ships into Kwajelein to interfere with the minor evacs I am doing there. None of my ships were there but an allied DD found a mine !! There weren't any sinking noises, but hopefully she will sink on her way home.

TF 434 encounters mine field at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Ships
DD Braine, Mine hits 1, heavy damage


The nightly bombardment showed up again, but this time with friends. Unfortunately the double bombardment was enough to finish off the CD unit there.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
DD Maury
DD McCall
DD Gridley
DD Patterson
DD Chevalier
DD Bradford
DD Boyd

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

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 31
Port hits 24
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 7
===
Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
DD Dashiell
DD Converse
DD Claxton
DD Bush

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 5



Some Anns attack some Chinese troops moving in the Burmese jungle. The Chinese tend to have little to no AA support so they are nice targets to inflict some minor damage on and train up bombing pilots. But on the other hand, the Ann doesn't carry much of a payload to inflict damage - especially in the jungle.

Morning Air attack on 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 64,43 , near Myitkyina

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Morning Air attack on 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 64,43 , near Myitkyina

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 6

No Japanese losses



The air strikes at Jaluit seem to concentrate on the port this time around - might be why the CD unit was destroyed. I am guessing he is getting ready to invade.

Morning Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

No Allied losses

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3
===
Morning Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 3
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Afternoon Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30

No Allied losses

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



My Judys at Sorong found another undefended allied xAKL near Boela and landed a 800 kg bomb on her. She seemed to survive but I doubt she'll make port. The Judy unit has been sent back to Babeldaob for replacements and will be back in a day or two.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Boela at 80,111

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y4 Judy x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Vincent, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires


This turn I tried an artillery bombardment at Batavia, but took worse than I gave. So its back to defend for me.

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24255 troops, 266 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 865

Defending force 27482 troops, 230 guns, 801 vehicles, Assault Value = 918

Japanese ground losses:
167 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
124th Infantry Regiment
6th Division
6th Guards Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Australian Division
2/8th Armoured Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2nd Australian Division
134th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
97th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
===
Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 606 troops, 51 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 911

Defending force 24100 troops, 266 guns, 122 vehicles, Assault Value = 849

Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/8th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
1st Australian Division
2nd Australian Division
I US Corps
97th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
6th Division
124th Infantry Regiment
6th Guards Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion


The Militia Regiment west of Batavia got kicked in the head and retreats back to Merak - opening the door to Nomad encircling and cutting off escape from Batavia.

Ground combat at 48,98 (near Batavia)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6308 troops, 22 guns, 786 vehicles, Assault Value = 471

Defending force 1235 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 484

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 484 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1161 casualties reported
Squads: 82 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/7th Armoured Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
1st Army Tank Regiment
4th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
6th Java Militia Regiment



In good news a lone British Armored Brigade crossed the river and shock attacked into Myingyan. I am sure it was a mistiming by Nomad as that Brigade got butchered in its river crossing. The unit survived, but its combat effectiveness cannot be more than 5-10 points now. I am ordering a heavy Helen attack on the unit to try to finish it off.

Ground combat at Myingyan (58,46)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2918 troops, 18 guns, 282 vehicles, Assault Value = 207

Defending force 22788 troops, 250 guns, 923 vehicles, Assault Value = 991

Allied adjusted assault: 2

Japanese adjusted defense: 917

Allied assault odds: 1 to 458 (fort level 4)

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

Allied ground losses:
699 casualties reported
Squads: 58 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 268 (50 destroyed, 218 disabled)

Assaulting units:
254th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
3rd Tank Division
9th Tank Regiment
40th Division
15th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment


Xargun

[Xargun]

Allied cruisers returned to Merak during the night catching my 2 APDs loaded with evacuated tanks. Unfortunately the APDs were easily overwhelmed and sunk.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Merak at 48,97, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Aoi, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
APD Hagi, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Montpelier
CL Denver
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Anthony
DD Bennett
DD LaVallette
DD O'Bannon
DD Pringle

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 26 (14 destroyed, 12 disabled)



Bombardment task forces return to Jaluit to deliver some damage.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
DD Maury
DD McCall
DD Gridley
DD Patterson
DD Chevalier
DD Bradford
DD Boyd

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 16
Port hits 23
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4
===
Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
DD Dashiell
DD Converse
DD Claxton
DD Bush

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 23
Port hits 26
Port fuel hits 8
Port supply hits 3


Betties from Singapore attacked some more allied troops approaching Batavia in an attempt to do some damage and slow them down while they are in the open.

Morning Air attack on 5th Australian Division, at 49,99 , near Batavia

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

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



Only some of my Helens took to the air to hit the British armor brigade at Myingyan. They did not do the amount of damage I was hoping to inflict but I'll take whatever I can get. Unfortunately the horde of allied troops crossed the river into Myingyan with overwhelming firepower.

Morning Air attack on 254th Armoured Brigade, at 58,46 (Myingyan)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 50
Ki-84r Frank x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 22 damaged

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 30 (9 destroyed, 21 disabled)
===
Ground combat at Myingyan (58,46)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 249000 troops, 2532 guns, 1827 vehicles, Assault Value = 9299

Defending force 22791 troops, 250 guns, 923 vehicles, Assault Value = 993

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 7468

Japanese adjusted defense: 360

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Myingyan !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
9462 casualties reported
Squads: 268 destroyed, 313 disabled
Non Combat: 302 destroyed, 92 disabled
Engineers: 65 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 209 (192 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 480 (431 destroyed, 49 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Allied ground losses:
3927 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 408 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 78 disabled
Guns lost 88 (4 destroyed, 84 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Indian Division
26th Indian Division
20th Indian Division
39th Indian Division
9th Chinese Corps
50th Tank Brigade
19th Indian Division
150th RAC Regiment
5th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
2nd British Division
14th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
Gardner's Horse Regiment
XV Corps Engineer Battalion
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
23rd Indian Division
1st Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
254th Armoured Brigade
5th Indian Division
3rd West African AA Regiment
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
8th Belfast Heavy AA Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Indian Engineer Battalion
4th War Area
8th Medium Regiment
III Indian Corps
78th Light AA Regiment
11th Group Army
20th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
X' Force
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Central Reserve
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
29th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
16th Group Army

Defending units:
40th Division
15th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Division
11th Tank Regiment



Air strikes at Jaluit killed more of my troops.

Afternoon Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Afternoon Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 6
===
Afternoon Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4



With the allied horde across the river in Burma I am not sure whether to completely retreat from the bases in the open back into the jungle or try to fight in the open.

I am being pressed hard on two sides with the fighting in the South Pacific getting ready to jump off. I expect the invasion of the Marshalls any turn now. It could be slow or be over in a week. I don't have much naval assets in the area and am trying to evac as much as I can with a handful of xAKs and half a dozen large PBs.


Xargun

[Xargun]

The allied TF - on its way to Merak - ran over one of my subs. It tried to hit a CL but missed with all 6 torpedoes In return the allied TF hammered the sub -- she is limping back to Singers for repairs.

Sub attack near Batavia at 49,97

Japanese Ships
SS I-153, hits 10

Allied Ships
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Bennett
DD O'Bannon
DD LaVallette

SS I-153 launches 6 torpedoes at CL Montpelier



One good thing happened next - I managed to sneak a SC TF out of Singers and down to Merak without it being noticed -- not easy with the amount of Recon flying in this area (on both sides). The allied CL TF came steaming into Merak expecting another cake run and ran right into my SC TF

Night Time Surface Combat, near Merak at 48,97, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 11
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Arashi, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shigure
DD Yamakaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 1
CL Denver, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 1
DD Anthony
DD Bennett
DD LaVallette, Shell hits 1
DD O'Bannon


The engagement wasn't as decisive as I hoped, but I got another chance as both TFs moved to Batavia next

Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 12,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 8
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shigure, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 4
CL Denver, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 4
DD Anthony, Shell hits 2
DD Bennett, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
DD LaVallette
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 2


The Arashi had broken off with another DD as escort but sunk before making port. But I did not lose any other ships and they will be arriving in Singers for some quick repairs before being available again. The allied TF took a decent beating - I would have liked to sink them all but the lack of radar is really hampering my night time surface fights. I will be happy with a DD and CL kill with another CL needing yard time as well.


Allied TFs bombarded Jaluit again - when will they invade already. Is he really that afraid of my CD guns or more likely his units are not ready to go yet. Jaluit is down to the 52nd Naval Guard unit for defense and its slowly dying under the steady air and naval attacks.

Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
DD Maury
DD McCall
DD Gridley
DD Patterson
DD Chevalier
DD Bradford
DD Boyd

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 52
Port hits 35
Port fuel hits 6
Port supply hits 6
===
Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB California
DD Ringgold
DD Philip
DD McKee
DD Jenkins
DD Hutchins
DD Halford

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

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 35
Port hits 21
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3
===
Night Naval bombardment of Jaluit at 134,120

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
DD Dashiell
DD Converse
DD Claxton
DD Bush

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 24
Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 5


Morning Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 24

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28
===
Morning Air attack on Jaluit , at 134,120

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5
===
Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Afternoon Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
===
Afternoon Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 134,120 (Jaluit)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

No Allied losses

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


Some Nells from Singers attacked the armored column moving into Merak inflicting minor losses.

Morning Air attack on 4th Armoured Brigade, at 48,98 , near Batavia

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

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


Chinese troops in Burma fired off some artillery shells at Tenchung to see what I have there.

Ground combat at Tenchung (63,43)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12023 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 448

Defending force 9243 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 336

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

Assaulting units:
55th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps

Defending units:
68th Division


Xargun