Troops Landing:
Troops come ashore at Beaufort as I begin to clean up the little bases on Borneo.
Air Attacks:
Sallies & Lillies bomb the Singapore Airfields suffering mostly damaged aircraft but putting a good number of hole in the airfield.
Ground Combat:
More infantry arrived at Tsiaotso and we attacked again but were repulsed but we did lower the enemy defenses to 2.
The Balikpapan invasion force is almost in position to invade and the last batch of troops will arrive at Truk tomorrow for the invasion of the Rabaul and New Guinea. Car Div 1 is almost to Truk as well. Once they arrive, they will refuel, rearm and repair any damage and then we will load up our invasion force and head for Rabaul. Kavieng has been built to a level 1 airfield and zeros are already based there. Once Rabaul falls, the whole area should collapse as quick as I can ship troops in and out.
Xargun
More Variants - The End of Western Imperialism - No Nomad please (Feb 1944)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
Feb 5th, 1942
Air Attacks:
My bombers are taking losses and a lot of damaged aircraft, but they are managing to keep the airfield damaged thus preventing the building of any new forts at Singapore.
Ground Combat:
My tanks arrived at Malaybalay so we attacked this turn and got repulsed again. I took more than double the allied losses. They have around 300 Assault Strength in these mountains behind level 2 forts. I may just wait them out.
IJA Troops capture Beaufort and wipe out the RN Base Force there.
My tanks in Sumatra finally wipe out the two fleeing allied units northeast of Benkoelen.
Another allied unit has moved into Palembang and I spotted another one moving down the road from Djambi. Sallies from Johore Bahru will be bombing the one on the road to ID it and my combat units at Palembang are bombarding as well as getting support from the cruisers in port. I have nearly 200 AS in Palembang now so I am not worried about him taking it back.
Reinforcements for Tarakan are about 3 days away while the invasion force for Balikpapan is moving into sprinting position this turn. We will be landing at Samarinda to avoid the CD guns and minefields at Balikpapan and then marching down the trail to Balikpapan.
Troops are offloading at Truk and Car Div 1 will arrive this next turn. Then we will begin Operation Hamstring - the taking of Rabaul and the surrounding area.
Xargun
My bombers are taking losses and a lot of damaged aircraft, but they are managing to keep the airfield damaged thus preventing the building of any new forts at Singapore.
Ground Combat:
My tanks arrived at Malaybalay so we attacked this turn and got repulsed again. I took more than double the allied losses. They have around 300 Assault Strength in these mountains behind level 2 forts. I may just wait them out.
IJA Troops capture Beaufort and wipe out the RN Base Force there.
My tanks in Sumatra finally wipe out the two fleeing allied units northeast of Benkoelen.
Another allied unit has moved into Palembang and I spotted another one moving down the road from Djambi. Sallies from Johore Bahru will be bombing the one on the road to ID it and my combat units at Palembang are bombarding as well as getting support from the cruisers in port. I have nearly 200 AS in Palembang now so I am not worried about him taking it back.
Reinforcements for Tarakan are about 3 days away while the invasion force for Balikpapan is moving into sprinting position this turn. We will be landing at Samarinda to avoid the CD guns and minefields at Balikpapan and then marching down the trail to Balikpapan.
Troops are offloading at Truk and Car Div 1 will arrive this next turn. Then we will begin Operation Hamstring - the taking of Rabaul and the surrounding area.
Xargun
Feb 6th, 1942
Surface Action:
My Cruisers bombard the enemy troops appearing in Palembang disabling a lot of combat squads and identifying it as the Korps Marechausee Battalion - just another battalion coming down from the north.
Troops Landing:
Troops come ashore at Pontianak.
Air Attacks:
Air attacks continue against Chinese troops in Wenchow, as well as bombing of the airfields at Singapore.
A Sentai of Sallies bombed the spotted enemy unit moving down the road to Palembang and identified them as the NS KNIL Territory Regiment - looks like a bunch of the small battalions formed up into an actual regiment.
Ground Combat:
Both sides at Palembang committed to an artillery bombardment so shells flew both ways... No casualties were reported on either side.
Operation Hamstring:
The troops have all unloaded at Truk and Car Div 1 arrives, rearms, refuels and disbands to take advantage of the size 30 repair yard we built at Truk. Only problem I see is the Akagi has 2 major engine damage which will take a week to repair. Not sure I want to postpone another week.
Xargun
My Cruisers bombard the enemy troops appearing in Palembang disabling a lot of combat squads and identifying it as the Korps Marechausee Battalion - just another battalion coming down from the north.
Troops Landing:
Troops come ashore at Pontianak.
Air Attacks:
Air attacks continue against Chinese troops in Wenchow, as well as bombing of the airfields at Singapore.
A Sentai of Sallies bombed the spotted enemy unit moving down the road to Palembang and identified them as the NS KNIL Territory Regiment - looks like a bunch of the small battalions formed up into an actual regiment.
Ground Combat:
Both sides at Palembang committed to an artillery bombardment so shells flew both ways... No casualties were reported on either side.
Operation Hamstring:
The troops have all unloaded at Truk and Car Div 1 arrives, rearms, refuels and disbands to take advantage of the size 30 repair yard we built at Truk. Only problem I see is the Akagi has 2 major engine damage which will take a week to repair. Not sure I want to postpone another week.
Xargun
Feb 7th, 1942
Air Attacks:
And the B-17s are back
I had wondered where they went or what they were doing, but they are back to bombing Palembang at night. My Nates and Oscars met them and only engaged once out of four attacks (total of 21 B-17Es). A few B-17s were damaged.
My Sallies and Lillies from Johore struck at the Regiment heading for Palemang. The unit was in the open NW of Palembang and an easy target. Two hundred bombers attacked doing good damage.
Oil Concerns:
My biggest concern right now is Nomad bombing the oil bases with those damn B-17s flying from Soerabaja. He has roughly 25 B-17s there (maybe more) and they can reach all the oil fields in Borneo (Miri, Tarakan and Balikpapan as well as Palembang and Djambi. Djambi won't have any fighters over it which means the 250 oil there are prime targets. I can try to not take Djambi but it might flip anyways. Tarakan and Balik will have some fighters, but I don't have enough fighters to cover every oil base (day & night) as well as support front line operations.
What should I do about this? Not sure I can strike Soerabaja without bringing in carriers and they are all occupied with Operation Hamstring at the moment.
Naval Air Strikes:
An enemy TF of PT boats sits at Balikpapan and I sent some Claudes after them from Car Div 3. That was funny to watch as 50 Claudes attacked the 5 PT boats and didn't land a single hit, but one of them was shot down.
Troops Landing:
Troops came ashore at Samarinda today. As the rest of the men unload they will attack and most likely push the base force there out and capture it. Then fighters will fly in from Miri.
Ground Combat:
My troops at Palembang smacked that little battalion right back out of the base inflicting nearly 800 casualties. There can't be much left of that battalion.
My troops at Pontianak captured the base as expected and the fleeing enemy unit fled to the south. I was hoping they would flee north so I could easily finish them off.
Operation Hamstring:
So Operation Hamstring is a simple operation, but a big one for me. It involves taking and securing the entire Solomon Sea area, including New Britain, the Solomon Islands, Port Moresby and the islands to the south. I have all 6 CVs and escorts commited, as well as 2 full Inf Divisions and a Brigade, plus numerous Naval Guard units and base forces.
The operation will start of slow, with a Naval Guard unit landing at both Tulagi and Ontong Java next turn. This unit came from the Marshalls. Both of those bases are empty so we will take them easily.
Next will be the invasion of Rabaul itself. A full Division, plus base forces, engineers will be involved and have full KB support along with minesweepers (just in case) and a large surface combat TF. Once Rabaul falls, the next step will be Port Moresby. As KB supports this, smaller TFs will be dropping troops off at Shortlands, Milne Bay and Woodlark Island. All of these three will receive engineers and/or base forces to begin building airfields and forts..
I would love to hold this area as long as I can as it will really impede his actions in Australia - which I have a few plans for as well - but not for a couple months.
Once Rabaul and Port Moresby fall, I can clean up the other bases - Gasmata, Lae, Buna, Salamauna, Wau, Finsch, etc...
Xargun
And the B-17s are back
I had wondered where they went or what they were doing, but they are back to bombing Palembang at night. My Nates and Oscars met them and only engaged once out of four attacks (total of 21 B-17Es). A few B-17s were damaged.My Sallies and Lillies from Johore struck at the Regiment heading for Palemang. The unit was in the open NW of Palembang and an easy target. Two hundred bombers attacked doing good damage.
Oil Concerns:
My biggest concern right now is Nomad bombing the oil bases with those damn B-17s flying from Soerabaja. He has roughly 25 B-17s there (maybe more) and they can reach all the oil fields in Borneo (Miri, Tarakan and Balikpapan as well as Palembang and Djambi. Djambi won't have any fighters over it which means the 250 oil there are prime targets. I can try to not take Djambi but it might flip anyways. Tarakan and Balik will have some fighters, but I don't have enough fighters to cover every oil base (day & night) as well as support front line operations.
What should I do about this? Not sure I can strike Soerabaja without bringing in carriers and they are all occupied with Operation Hamstring at the moment.
Naval Air Strikes:
An enemy TF of PT boats sits at Balikpapan and I sent some Claudes after them from Car Div 3. That was funny to watch as 50 Claudes attacked the 5 PT boats and didn't land a single hit, but one of them was shot down.
Troops Landing:
Troops came ashore at Samarinda today. As the rest of the men unload they will attack and most likely push the base force there out and capture it. Then fighters will fly in from Miri.
Ground Combat:
My troops at Palembang smacked that little battalion right back out of the base inflicting nearly 800 casualties. There can't be much left of that battalion.
My troops at Pontianak captured the base as expected and the fleeing enemy unit fled to the south. I was hoping they would flee north so I could easily finish them off.
Operation Hamstring:
So Operation Hamstring is a simple operation, but a big one for me. It involves taking and securing the entire Solomon Sea area, including New Britain, the Solomon Islands, Port Moresby and the islands to the south. I have all 6 CVs and escorts commited, as well as 2 full Inf Divisions and a Brigade, plus numerous Naval Guard units and base forces.
The operation will start of slow, with a Naval Guard unit landing at both Tulagi and Ontong Java next turn. This unit came from the Marshalls. Both of those bases are empty so we will take them easily.
Next will be the invasion of Rabaul itself. A full Division, plus base forces, engineers will be involved and have full KB support along with minesweepers (just in case) and a large surface combat TF. Once Rabaul falls, the next step will be Port Moresby. As KB supports this, smaller TFs will be dropping troops off at Shortlands, Milne Bay and Woodlark Island. All of these three will receive engineers and/or base forces to begin building airfields and forts..
I would love to hold this area as long as I can as it will really impede his actions in Australia - which I have a few plans for as well - but not for a couple months.
Once Rabaul and Port Moresby fall, I can clean up the other bases - Gasmata, Lae, Buna, Salamauna, Wau, Finsch, etc...
Xargun
Feb 8th, 1942
Troops Landing:
Another SNLF unit comes ashore at Tarakan to help take the base.
Half a Naval Guard unit lands at Tulagi.
Half a Naval Guard unit lands at Ontong Java capturing the base.
Air Attacks:
B-17s bomb Palembang but inflict no damage.
Sallies & Lilles bomb the NS KNIL Territory Regiment NW of Palembang and destroy 39 squads !!!
Ground Combat:
At Tsiaotso my troops bombard to make sure more Chinese units have not arrived - lots of Chinese movement in the bases to the south.
My troops attack at Samrinda and capture the base. All 100 oil is intact. The Enemy base force is destroyed. Zeros and Oscars land at the base and begin flying CAP. Tomorrow the Oscars will switch to night CAP.
Xargun
Another SNLF unit comes ashore at Tarakan to help take the base.
Half a Naval Guard unit lands at Tulagi.
Half a Naval Guard unit lands at Ontong Java capturing the base.
Air Attacks:
B-17s bomb Palembang but inflict no damage.
Sallies & Lilles bomb the NS KNIL Territory Regiment NW of Palembang and destroy 39 squads !!!
Ground Combat:
At Tsiaotso my troops bombard to make sure more Chinese units have not arrived - lots of Chinese movement in the bases to the south.
My troops attack at Samrinda and capture the base. All 100 oil is intact. The Enemy base force is destroyed. Zeros and Oscars land at the base and begin flying CAP. Tomorrow the Oscars will switch to night CAP.
Xargun
Feb 9th, 1942
Surface Combat:
My cruisers at Palembang deal a double bombardment on the enemy troops at Palembang dealing some good damage.
Air Attacks:
B-17s visit Palembang again but score no hits on the Oil.
Ground Combat:
My attack at Singapore reduces the forts to level 2 and wipe out an enemy unit.
At Palembang my troops demolish the enemy units pushing them back to the north.
At Pontianak my troops maul the enemy units there causing two to flee to the east.
At Tarakan the enemy troops repel my assault, though the forts are brought to 0.
Xargun
My cruisers at Palembang deal a double bombardment on the enemy troops at Palembang dealing some good damage.
Air Attacks:
B-17s visit Palembang again but score no hits on the Oil.
Ground Combat:
My attack at Singapore reduces the forts to level 2 and wipe out an enemy unit.
At Palembang my troops demolish the enemy units pushing them back to the north.
At Pontianak my troops maul the enemy units there causing two to flee to the east.
At Tarakan the enemy troops repel my assault, though the forts are brought to 0.
Xargun
Feb 10th, 1942
Air Attacks:
As a considered possibility, Nomad switched his night B-17 raids from Palembang to Samarinda and my Oscars were waiting. They didn't really do any damage, but bombs fell and no oil was damaged - so a win for me.
My Sallies & Lilles pummeled the Dutch Regiment fleeing Palembang destroying dozens of combat and non-combat squads.
Sub Warfare:
Allied sub found my reinforcement convoy and put 3 torpedoes into an xAK carrying a portion of the 2nd Base Force.
Ground Combat:
My troops at Tsiaoto brought the forts down to level 1 and inflicted over 4,000 casualties on the Chinese defenders.
IJA forces captured Mandalay and Magwe without a fight. Fighters were moved into Magwe immediately for cap.
With reinforcements my men captured Tarakan without issue. Fighters from Miri have been brought in to protect the oil here.
Oil Increases:
In the past couple turns I have gained new oil as follows:
Samarinda: 100 oil captured (all intact)
Magwe: 300 oil captured (all intact)
Tarakan: 100 oil captured (29 damaged)
Xargun
As a considered possibility, Nomad switched his night B-17 raids from Palembang to Samarinda and my Oscars were waiting. They didn't really do any damage, but bombs fell and no oil was damaged - so a win for me.
My Sallies & Lilles pummeled the Dutch Regiment fleeing Palembang destroying dozens of combat and non-combat squads.
Sub Warfare:
Allied sub found my reinforcement convoy and put 3 torpedoes into an xAK carrying a portion of the 2nd Base Force.
Ground Combat:
My troops at Tsiaoto brought the forts down to level 1 and inflicted over 4,000 casualties on the Chinese defenders.
IJA forces captured Mandalay and Magwe without a fight. Fighters were moved into Magwe immediately for cap.
With reinforcements my men captured Tarakan without issue. Fighters from Miri have been brought in to protect the oil here.
Oil Increases:
In the past couple turns I have gained new oil as follows:
Samarinda: 100 oil captured (all intact)
Magwe: 300 oil captured (all intact)
Tarakan: 100 oil captured (29 damaged)
Xargun
Feb 11th, 1942
Air Attacks:
My Sallies & Lillies really laid into the enemy regiment destroying over 60 squads - there can't be much left of the unit. In fact when I did a mouse over it only shows 1 unit there. So unless one of them moved on we have destroyed the Regiment. I have a regiment of my own moving into the hex to clear up this situation.
This was a very slow turn and the couple air attacks were all that happened.
Operation Hamstring:
The troops for the Shortland invasion have loaded and are away. The combat troops for Rabaul are loaded and the base force loads this turn and we will leave Truk tomorrow with a full escort as more troops load for the followup invasions.
Xargun
My Sallies & Lillies really laid into the enemy regiment destroying over 60 squads - there can't be much left of the unit. In fact when I did a mouse over it only shows 1 unit there. So unless one of them moved on we have destroyed the Regiment. I have a regiment of my own moving into the hex to clear up this situation.
This was a very slow turn and the couple air attacks were all that happened.
Operation Hamstring:
The troops for the Shortland invasion have loaded and are away. The combat troops for Rabaul are loaded and the base force loads this turn and we will leave Truk tomorrow with a full escort as more troops load for the followup invasions.
Xargun
Feb 12th, 1942
Surface Combat:
Horrible pathing leads the death and destruction of 3 Imperial DMS. I ordered my fleet of mine sweepers to their destination - heading into the Strait of Malacca on their way to clear mines at Rangoon - when they decide to take a shortcut through Singapore
Naval Gun Fire at Singapore - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DMS W-3, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-2, Shell hits 4, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-1, Shell hits 2, Mine hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TF 255 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)
Japanese Ships
DMS W-3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-2, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-1, heavy fires, heavy damage
3 mines cleared
Nothing like this incident to really get the blood pumping.
Air Attacks:
B-17s return to Samarinda during the night and are met by Oscars. Luckily no damage is caused.
Well the enemy Regiment is still there and my bombers laid into it some more destroying another 50 squads. When my regiment arrived in the hex no enemy units are spotted in or around the hex - so not sure if they were destroyed or not.
Troops Landing:
Troops come ashore at Jesselton.
Ground Combat:
My troops attacked at Tsiaotso but the Chinese troops have fled to Loyang.
Xargun
Horrible pathing leads the death and destruction of 3 Imperial DMS. I ordered my fleet of mine sweepers to their destination - heading into the Strait of Malacca on their way to clear mines at Rangoon - when they decide to take a shortcut through Singapore
Naval Gun Fire at Singapore - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DMS W-3, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-2, Shell hits 4, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-1, Shell hits 2, Mine hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TF 255 encounters mine field at Singapore (50,84)
Japanese Ships
DMS W-3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-2, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-1, heavy fires, heavy damage
3 mines cleared
Nothing like this incident to really get the blood pumping.
Air Attacks:
B-17s return to Samarinda during the night and are met by Oscars. Luckily no damage is caused.
Well the enemy Regiment is still there and my bombers laid into it some more destroying another 50 squads. When my regiment arrived in the hex no enemy units are spotted in or around the hex - so not sure if they were destroyed or not.
Troops Landing:
Troops come ashore at Jesselton.
Ground Combat:
My troops attacked at Tsiaotso but the Chinese troops have fled to Loyang.
Xargun
Feb 13th, 1942
Air Attacks:
I forgot to reset my bombers and they turned on Singapore causing minimal damage to enemy units and taking over a dozen losses.
Ground Combat:
My attack at Singapore inflicts 1200 losses and lowers the forts to level 2 as well as destroying another enemy unit.
Xargun
I forgot to reset my bombers and they turned on Singapore causing minimal damage to enemy units and taking over a dozen losses.
Ground Combat:
My attack at Singapore inflicts 1200 losses and lowers the forts to level 2 as well as destroying another enemy unit.
Xargun
Feb 14th, 1942
Surface Combat:
Cruiser led TF bombarded Wenchow during the night inflicting minor losses on the enemy troops and catching several P-40Bs on the ground.
Ground Combat:
My assault at Chengchow was successful destroying the 15th Chinese Corp defending the city.
My attack at Singapore suffered heavy losses (3825 casualties), but lowered the forts to 1 and inflicted 1477 losses on the enemy troops.
Two IJN SNLF units crossed the river into Balikpapan devastating the defenders and capturing the base - the defenders fled into the jungle to the west.
The oil at Balikpapan was captured 100% intact, bringing another 300 oil production under my control !!
Xargun
Cruiser led TF bombarded Wenchow during the night inflicting minor losses on the enemy troops and catching several P-40Bs on the ground.
Ground Combat:
My assault at Chengchow was successful destroying the 15th Chinese Corp defending the city.
My attack at Singapore suffered heavy losses (3825 casualties), but lowered the forts to 1 and inflicted 1477 losses on the enemy troops.
Two IJN SNLF units crossed the river into Balikpapan devastating the defenders and capturing the base - the defenders fled into the jungle to the west.
The oil at Balikpapan was captured 100% intact, bringing another 300 oil production under my control !!
Xargun
Feb 15th, 1942
Troop Landings:
IJA Troops storm ashore at Rabaul finding no one home
IJN Troops come ashore at Shortlands.
Ground Combat:
IJN Troops finally capture Jesselton - the British troops fleeing to the east.
MY Para-assault at Lashio capture the empty base - troops will begin to rail in now.
It is a surprise that Rabaul is undefended. Perhaps he gathered all the pieces and is rebuilding the Port Moresby Brigade - if so all the bases on the east cost - Lau, Wau, etc... will be empty as well. Guess we will see.
Xargun
IJA Troops storm ashore at Rabaul finding no one home
IJN Troops come ashore at Shortlands.
Ground Combat:
IJN Troops finally capture Jesselton - the British troops fleeing to the east.
MY Para-assault at Lashio capture the empty base - troops will begin to rail in now.
It is a surprise that Rabaul is undefended. Perhaps he gathered all the pieces and is rebuilding the Port Moresby Brigade - if so all the bases on the east cost - Lau, Wau, etc... will be empty as well. Guess we will see.
Xargun
Feb 16th, 1942
Troops Landing:
IJN troops wade ashore at Rennell island.
Ground Combat:
My troops attacked at Nanyang as no one was there last turn and no one around but suddenly there is the 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps in the base and my men attacked right into it. The Chinese suffered no losses, but we took 120.
At Rabaul my troops capture the undefended base and zeros from Kavieng fly in as the 10th Special Base Force sets up shop in their new home.
At Sawahloento, dot base in the middle of china, my troops captured it without a fight.
Cox Bazar falls to a para-assault by members of the 1st Raiding Regiment.
That was the turn - the allies have disappeared - no air attacks for a few days. Not sure what he is up to but Rabaul being empty was a surprise. I wonder if he is buffing Port Moresby or evacuating there too? I have spotted several TFs at the base but sub-planes are not the best for in depth intel.
Operation Hamstring:
The first phase is complete - Rabaul is mine. Shortlands and Tulagi are as well. Rennell Island will fall tomorrow and troops for Milne Bay and Woodlark are 2 days out. KB Is leaving Rabaul and meeting up with those troop ships to escort them in. The troops slated for Port Moresby are loading at Truk right now.
Xargun
IJN troops wade ashore at Rennell island.
Ground Combat:
My troops attacked at Nanyang as no one was there last turn and no one around but suddenly there is the 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps in the base and my men attacked right into it. The Chinese suffered no losses, but we took 120.
At Rabaul my troops capture the undefended base and zeros from Kavieng fly in as the 10th Special Base Force sets up shop in their new home.
At Sawahloento, dot base in the middle of china, my troops captured it without a fight.
Cox Bazar falls to a para-assault by members of the 1st Raiding Regiment.
That was the turn - the allies have disappeared - no air attacks for a few days. Not sure what he is up to but Rabaul being empty was a surprise. I wonder if he is buffing Port Moresby or evacuating there too? I have spotted several TFs at the base but sub-planes are not the best for in depth intel.
Operation Hamstring:
The first phase is complete - Rabaul is mine. Shortlands and Tulagi are as well. Rennell Island will fall tomorrow and troops for Milne Bay and Woodlark are 2 days out. KB Is leaving Rabaul and meeting up with those troop ships to escort them in. The troops slated for Port Moresby are loading at Truk right now.
Xargun
Feb 17th, 1942
Troop Landings:
Troops come ashore at Ketapang
Ground Combat:
IJA troops attack at Wenchow reducing forts to level 1 and inflicting nearly even losses on the Chinese defenders.
Paratroopers land and capture the undefended base Akyab.
Overall a slow turn.
Xargun
Troops come ashore at Ketapang
Ground Combat:
IJA troops attack at Wenchow reducing forts to level 1 and inflicting nearly even losses on the Chinese defenders.
Paratroopers land and capture the undefended base Akyab.
Overall a slow turn.
Xargun
Feb 18th, 1942
Two IJN DMS arrive at Balikpapan and begin clearing the mines.
Ground Combat:
IJA troops attack at Loyang destroying the lone Chinese defending unit - the Jingcha War Area HQ is destroyed.
IJA troops attack at Singapore again reducing the forts to level 2 - how many engineers does he have there to build two levels of forts in 4-5 days? Another defending unit is destroyed in the fighting.
Xargun
Ground Combat:
IJA troops attack at Loyang destroying the lone Chinese defending unit - the Jingcha War Area HQ is destroyed.
IJA troops attack at Singapore again reducing the forts to level 2 - how many engineers does he have there to build two levels of forts in 4-5 days? Another defending unit is destroyed in the fighting.
Xargun
Feb 19th, 1942
My DMS finish clearing the mines from Balikpapan opening up the port for oil / fuel exports.
Troop Landings:
IJN Troops come ashore on the undefended Woodlark Island.
Operation Hamstring is preceding along nicely. Woodlark will fall this next turn and troops will be unloading at Milne Bay. The Port Moresby invasion force is meeting up with the surface combat TF from Rabaul this turn and they will join up with the KB the next turn on their way to PM. I am hoping a full division is enough to take PM, but I will be loading a Brigade at Truk just in case disaster strikes.
Xargun
Troop Landings:
IJN Troops come ashore on the undefended Woodlark Island.
Operation Hamstring is preceding along nicely. Woodlark will fall this next turn and troops will be unloading at Milne Bay. The Port Moresby invasion force is meeting up with the surface combat TF from Rabaul this turn and they will join up with the KB the next turn on their way to PM. I am hoping a full division is enough to take PM, but I will be loading a Brigade at Truk just in case disaster strikes.
Xargun
Feb 20th, 1942
Air Attacks:
B-17s are back - this time stiking Balikpapan and hitting the oil hard. Severe Storms prevented my fighters from flying cap but the bombers were able to see fine enough to hit their targets damaging 36 oil in one night. Moonlight is like 30% so I'm guessing B-17s have radar or some other hard coded extra accuracy.
Troop Landings:
IJN troops come ashore at Milne Bay.
Ground Combat:
My troops capture the undefended Kanhsien.
My troops capture Woodlark island - the beefed up Naval Construction unit is ordered to land next turn to begin building up the airfield / forts.
IJN troops capture Kudat.
Xargun
B-17s are back - this time stiking Balikpapan and hitting the oil hard. Severe Storms prevented my fighters from flying cap but the bombers were able to see fine enough to hit their targets damaging 36 oil in one night. Moonlight is like 30% so I'm guessing B-17s have radar or some other hard coded extra accuracy.
Troop Landings:
IJN troops come ashore at Milne Bay.
Ground Combat:
My troops capture the undefended Kanhsien.
My troops capture Woodlark island - the beefed up Naval Construction unit is ordered to land next turn to begin building up the airfield / forts.
IJN troops capture Kudat.
Xargun
Feb 21st, 1942
Trying a new format - let me know if you like this more than the previous...
Burma:
So far no fighting in Burma at all. Every base has been empty. I have captured the normal bases and am sending troops into the mountains east of Lashio to close the Chinese escape route - not sure he is planning on retreating from China or not this time around, but I want to at leas try to close it off.
Malaya:
I have just dropped off the 6th Guards Division at Kuantan and they are all loaded on rail cars for the trip to Johore Bahru. So figure 7 days before they join the fight at Singapore. I am hoping the additional of a fresh division will tip the scales in my favor there.
My attempts to damage the airfield have not been successful - I'm bombing at 13k to lessen flak losses but not sure its very effective.
Sumatra:
Not a whole lot going on here. My tank regiment is chasing down an enemy unit east of Padang that was spotted heading south.
Borneo:
Got 5 bases left to mop up here, with two of them being on the southwest coast - within air range of Soerabaja - those will probably wait until I assault Java.
B-17s have visited Balikpapan two nights in a row now and no night cap showed up. He has now damaged 85 out of the 300 oil there. I made some changes but if they don't fly tonight I might as well abandon the base.
South Pacific:
Milne Bay falls and my engineers are moving in. Engineers are unloading at Woodlark Island as well. KB, a surface TF and the invasion TF for PM just moved through the islands southeast of PM and my kates on asw detected 10 enemy subs rushing to block off the route - too late. I am trying to weed my path through the subs and should end up 1 or 2 hexes away from PM this turn for a nice invasion next turn. Unless he has majorly reinforced PM my division should take it without much trouble.
Once PM falls I can concentrate on taking the rest of the SRA while hauling supplies out to the oil bases to repair all the oil -> Palembang and Miri still need tens of thousand to repair all the oil.
Xargun
Burma:
So far no fighting in Burma at all. Every base has been empty. I have captured the normal bases and am sending troops into the mountains east of Lashio to close the Chinese escape route - not sure he is planning on retreating from China or not this time around, but I want to at leas try to close it off.
Malaya:
I have just dropped off the 6th Guards Division at Kuantan and they are all loaded on rail cars for the trip to Johore Bahru. So figure 7 days before they join the fight at Singapore. I am hoping the additional of a fresh division will tip the scales in my favor there.
My attempts to damage the airfield have not been successful - I'm bombing at 13k to lessen flak losses but not sure its very effective.
Sumatra:
Not a whole lot going on here. My tank regiment is chasing down an enemy unit east of Padang that was spotted heading south.
Borneo:
Got 5 bases left to mop up here, with two of them being on the southwest coast - within air range of Soerabaja - those will probably wait until I assault Java.
B-17s have visited Balikpapan two nights in a row now and no night cap showed up. He has now damaged 85 out of the 300 oil there. I made some changes but if they don't fly tonight I might as well abandon the base.
South Pacific:
Milne Bay falls and my engineers are moving in. Engineers are unloading at Woodlark Island as well. KB, a surface TF and the invasion TF for PM just moved through the islands southeast of PM and my kates on asw detected 10 enemy subs rushing to block off the route - too late. I am trying to weed my path through the subs and should end up 1 or 2 hexes away from PM this turn for a nice invasion next turn. Unless he has majorly reinforced PM my division should take it without much trouble.
Once PM falls I can concentrate on taking the rest of the SRA while hauling supplies out to the oil bases to repair all the oil -> Palembang and Miri still need tens of thousand to repair all the oil.
Xargun
Feb 22nd, 1942
Malaya:
The 6th Guards Division is 1 day from Johore Bahru and then probably 3 days to unpack and 2-3 days to march to Singapore.
Borneo:
B-17s bombed Balikpapan during the night and finally my fighters intercepted. No B-17s were shot down, but as expected they missed their targets.
South Pacific:
IJA troops wade ashore at Madang - the base seems empty.
Near Nadi (Suva) I-10 attacked an enemy TF twice, missing CLs with 4 torpedoes both times
Near Panama Canal:
I-26, who has been providing some intel of ships exiting the Panama Canal, found the CL Nashville all by its lonesome and attacked twice, hitting with 3 torpedoes each time !!! After the second attack the CL sunk.
Operation Hamstring:
My ships navigated the sub-laden waters and are two hexes from PM. To the West an enemy combat TF is spotted and bombers fly. In two attacks, 36 Vals and 34 Kates attack the enemy cruiser TF scoring three torpedo hits only. CA Canberra, CL Achilles and CL Leander are all hit by a single torpedo.
While the surface combat TF and invasion TF head for PM, KB breaks away from the rest and moves a couple hexes closer to try to finish off some of these high-value targets next turn.
Xargun
The 6th Guards Division is 1 day from Johore Bahru and then probably 3 days to unpack and 2-3 days to march to Singapore.
Borneo:
B-17s bombed Balikpapan during the night and finally my fighters intercepted. No B-17s were shot down, but as expected they missed their targets.
South Pacific:
IJA troops wade ashore at Madang - the base seems empty.
Near Nadi (Suva) I-10 attacked an enemy TF twice, missing CLs with 4 torpedoes both times
Near Panama Canal:
I-26, who has been providing some intel of ships exiting the Panama Canal, found the CL Nashville all by its lonesome and attacked twice, hitting with 3 torpedoes each time !!! After the second attack the CL sunk.
Operation Hamstring:
My ships navigated the sub-laden waters and are two hexes from PM. To the West an enemy combat TF is spotted and bombers fly. In two attacks, 36 Vals and 34 Kates attack the enemy cruiser TF scoring three torpedo hits only. CA Canberra, CL Achilles and CL Leander are all hit by a single torpedo.
While the surface combat TF and invasion TF head for PM, KB breaks away from the rest and moves a couple hexes closer to try to finish off some of these high-value targets next turn.
Xargun
Feb 23rd, 1942
Burma:
Troops are about to enter the foothills of the mountains to the east of Lashio. Their destination is Paoshan.
Malaya:
Another attack at Singapore destroys another defending unit as the 6th Guards Division arrives in Johore Bahru.
Borneo:
B-17s come again during the night but score no oil hits. Several Oscars were lost, but they are doing their job.
IJN Troops land at Puerto Princessa.
Sumatra:
Troops come ashore at Bengkalis - the base is empty and we should be adding its oil to our collection next turn.
China:
A deliberate attack at Wenchow lowers the forts but we suffer 3 times the losses.
Operation Hamstring:
Interesting bit, during the night the KB ran into an allied combat TF consisting of 1 CL and 1 DD. Both sides evaded combat. I wish the BBs with KB would have charged in and sunk them, but oh well. Better off not taking damage on the CVs.
During the day phase nothing was within range of KB - everything is running and hiding.
Men of the 53rd Infantry Division storm the beaches at Port Moresby and during the combat phase the defenders did the normal artillery bombardment, but only the allies took damage !! According to the combat it looks like there is less than 200 AS at PM. Depending on the forts I may take it in one turn. We will find out, as an attack is scheduled for tomorrow supported by dual BB bombardment.
Xargun
Troops are about to enter the foothills of the mountains to the east of Lashio. Their destination is Paoshan.
Malaya:
Another attack at Singapore destroys another defending unit as the 6th Guards Division arrives in Johore Bahru.
Borneo:
B-17s come again during the night but score no oil hits. Several Oscars were lost, but they are doing their job.
IJN Troops land at Puerto Princessa.
Sumatra:
Troops come ashore at Bengkalis - the base is empty and we should be adding its oil to our collection next turn.
China:
A deliberate attack at Wenchow lowers the forts but we suffer 3 times the losses.
Operation Hamstring:
Interesting bit, during the night the KB ran into an allied combat TF consisting of 1 CL and 1 DD. Both sides evaded combat. I wish the BBs with KB would have charged in and sunk them, but oh well. Better off not taking damage on the CVs.
During the day phase nothing was within range of KB - everything is running and hiding.
Men of the 53rd Infantry Division storm the beaches at Port Moresby and during the combat phase the defenders did the normal artillery bombardment, but only the allies took damage !! According to the combat it looks like there is less than 200 AS at PM. Depending on the forts I may take it in one turn. We will find out, as an attack is scheduled for tomorrow supported by dual BB bombardment.
Xargun