A War to be Won - DesertWolf101 (A) vs Wirraway_Ace (J)

[DesertWolf101]

Central Pacific

The evacuation of the Wake invasion force has failed. I tried to leverage my numerous APDs to get the Marines and Engineers out of there but the KB finally showed up and dished out some punches:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Majuro at 150,119

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N2 Kate x 54
D3A1 Val x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Gregory, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD King, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
APD Lawrence, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Alden
APD Talbot, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Kane
APD Schley, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Gilmer
APD Sands
APD Fox, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Rathburne, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Stewart, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Brooks, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Whipple, Bomb hits 1
APD Humphreys
APD Pillsbury
APD McKean
APD Dent


In total I lose a dozen APDs in the above strike as well as a smaller one at Wake itself. No regrets however, I had to at least try to get them out. Overall, the Wake invasion has been a clear defeat with Wirraway having performed very well in this battle. I learnt much from the experience however given I have conducted very few real invasions against well defended atolls in the past. Furthermore, with both New Caledonia and Tabi taken and the Japanese drawing major forces away from China, Operation Pegasus can still be considered a strategic success.

Burma

I baited the Japanese into attempting to LRCAP their retreating forces in northern Burma by sending unescorted bomber strikes for two consecutive days against them. I figured that the Japanese will come out to play on the third day and sure enough my sweeps encountered almost a 100 Japanese fighters. The overall result was an Allied victory with almost a 2:1 ratio in terms of air kills for the day.

Air Losses.jpg (105.56 KiB) Viewed 1750 times

[witpqs]

Ouch!

[DesertWolf101]

Central Pacific

The Japanese have heavily reinforced their Wake garrison and have launched a determined effort to eliminate the American forces still present on the island. It's proving to be tough going for the Imperial forces however.

Ground combat at Wake Island (136,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3253 troops, 111 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 174

Defending force 3426 troops, 94 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Japanese adjusted assault: 18

Allied adjusted defense: 18

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Kure 5th SNLF
88th Naval Guard Unit
63rd Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit
7th JNAF Coy
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
38th Const Co /1
5th Mortar Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
28th Field AA MC Co /1

Defending units:
7th Marine Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment

Burma

Successful Allied offensives have driven back the enemy both from the north (where two Thai divisions plus supporting forces were completely destroyed) and all the way down the Arakan coastal road (where another Thai division plus support were driven back with heavy losses). I am sorely tempted to cross over into Prome and push further but I keep reminding myself it is still only July 1942 and I really need to wait for my slow moving anti-aircraft artillery to make it down before venturing into the open. Last turn a Japanese unit popped up at Ramree Island. I presume it's probably a para unit and will be moving to destroy it while attempting to capture the base.

Speaking of Ramree - it strikes me as a rather disadvantaged base. It has no port facilities to speak of so disembarking supply there is basically a fools errand without waiting for landing craft (none available right now). I could see its potential as a forward fighter strip but that is also easily shut down by enemy bombers/naval bombardments.

Burma.jpg (435.58 KiB) Viewed 1689 times

[DesertWolf101]

Not much to update on as the Allies prepare their next moves and the Japanese rush reinforcements to both actual and potential hotspots around the map.

Central Pacific

The KB was spotted hanging around the Marshall Islands so I flooded the place with submarines. Couldn't find the KB anymore but I did sink an xAK and forced a Japanese reaction with significant ASW assets.

SRA

The Allied garrisons on both Java and Luzon are still standing strong. I've beaten back at least a dozen attacks on the Bandoeng fortress thus far and could probably last another month or so there. The Japanese have invested a lot of supply and firepower in this mission, so I consider the whole defense a significant success.

My Dutch subs have also been leveraging Luzon as a forward operating base to strike at Japanese shipping. I haven't mentioned it in the AAR but half a dozen Japanese ships were either sunk or damaged over the past couple of months in the SRA, including a destroyer and some valuable AOs.

Burma

Just a waiting game here as I bring reinforcements down the Arakan coastal road. I lured Wirraway into putting up LRCAP over Ramree island to guard his rearguard there and swept the Japanese fighters. Results were decent with 22 Allied fighters lost for 32 Japanese. Warhawks continue to do good work for me!

[DesertWolf101]

Central Pacific

S-18 engages an enemy xAKL on the surface in the longest sub on ship fight I have ever seen. S-18's captain adamantly refused to waste a torpedo on the Japanese ship and kept trading blows with it with the deck gun and machine guns for an eternity. xAKL Kaito Maru eventually goes down.

Submarine attack near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kaito Maru, Shell hits 54, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-18, hits 3, on fire

xAKL Kaito Maru is sighted by SS S-18
SS S-18 attacking on the surface
SS S-18 low on gun ammo, Berg T. breaks off surface engagement and submerges

The Japanese also lashed out this turn, sending Betty bombers to sink a small Dutch sub and a few AVP/AVs disbanded at Arorae which I am using as a seaplane base.

Burma

The Japanese kept up their LRCAP over Ramree in the hopes of catching my bombers but I rotated in new fighter squadrons to keep up the sweeps (this time with Aerocobras). The result was very good for the Allies, shooting down approximately 3 Japanese for ever lost friendly plane.

Air Losses.jpg (113.03 KiB) Viewed 1620 times

[DesertWolf101]

A relatively quiet two turns as both sides reposition their forces and plan next moves. I am terrible at sitting back and doing nothing, and find myself constantly searching for ways I can keep the pressure on the Japanese. Unfortunately sometimes plans need to take their time to develop as ships upgrade/repair, forces go through their prep cycle, etc.

Central Pacific

S-31 hits CA Kinugasa with a torpedo on the 13th... but the torpedo is a dud.... I've picked off as many enemy ships as I am likely to do so in the Marshalls for now so I will order the submarines back to base to replenish. I am amazed that Japanese air ASW has failed to score any hits on the dozens of subs I have sent in. This is unlikely to last however given how much Wirraway has brought in to the theatre in response to my submarine surge.

Burma

I am leaning towards continuing on the offensive in this theatre despite the risks. As soon as my anti-aircraft artillery units make their way down the Arakan I plan to move forward and take Prome and gradually work towards isolating Rangoon. The Japanese air forces are fully invested in this theatre now so I will have to be careful.

[DesertWolf101]

Central Pacific

The overall plan for the Central Pacific is to force the Japanese into an early and costly fight over the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. Seizing Tabiteuea is a critical first step in this plan as it provides a great base from which to steadily pressure the Japanese holdings in the area. First however I will need to build up both Tabi and nearby Arorae to both handle potential Japanese counter invasions and to expand their airfield capacity for my level bombers. Both are progressing nicely with Tabi and Arorae at level 3 fortifications (which is enough for now) and approaching level 5 airfields for Tabi and 3 for Arorae. I intend to max out the airfields at 6 for Tabi and 5 for Arorae.

Logistics

Logistics wise the overall situation for the Allies is excellent. I am unfortunately running very low on supplies for my garrisons on Java and Luzon, but that is to be expected at this stage. China is also barely hanging on with 20,000 supplies (not counting supplies distributed to troops). In the rest of map though I have:

Cape Town: 1 million supplies / 250,000 fuel
Pearl Harbour: 700,000 supplies / 600,000 fuel
Australia: 2 million supplies / 200,000 fuel
India: 600,000 supplies / 2.5 million fuel

I am working to bring more fuel to Australia and more supplies/fuel to island bases in the south and central Pacific.

[DesertWolf101]

SRA

Wirraway has brought additional reinforcements, including a lot of armor and air power, to Java. As a result, and with supply running out, the long beleaguered Bandoeng garrison is unlikely to make it to the end of the month.

China

The Japanese are also being incredibly persistent in China despite being rebuffed dozens of times over the past couple of months. Not necessarily a bad strategy, as it depletes supplies and over time could lead to a breakthrough. For now though the Chinese continue to inflict considerable pain on the enemy. Displayed below is the latest battle:

Ground combat at 82,36 (near Kungchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26621 troops, 342 guns, 305 vehicles, Assault Value = 1076

Defending force 22406 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 799

Japanese adjusted assault: 212

Allied adjusted defense: 1357

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 6

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

Japanese ground losses:
3851 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 374 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 61 disabled
Guns lost 42 (4 destroyed, 38 disabled)
Vehicles lost 29 (2 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
586 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Division
35th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
98th Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
31st Group Army

[Capt. Harlock]

"The Japanese are also being incredibly persistent in China despite being rebuffed dozens of times over the past couple of months. Not necessarily a bad strategy, as it depletes supplies and over time could lead to a breakthrough."

On the other hand, doesn't it also lead to considerable numbers of experienced Chinese troops?

[jdsrae]

China
Ground combat at 82,36 (near Kungchang)

Just checked and that is a Mountain hex.
Unless he can flank you those defenders could hold out for a good while, especially if you still hold Lanchow.

[DesertWolf101]

"The Japanese are also being incredibly persistent in China despite being rebuffed dozens of times over the past couple of months. Not necessarily a bad strategy, as it depletes supplies and over time could lead to a breakthrough."

On the other hand, doesn't it also lead to considerable numbers of experienced Chinese troops?

It certainly does, the Chinese stack in question now has experience in the mid 50s and a median morale averaging 95 or so.

[DesertWolf101]

China
Ground combat at 82,36 (near Kungchang)

Just checked and that is a Mountain hex.
Unless he can flank you those defenders could hold out for a good while, especially if you still hold Lanchow.

It is indeed a mountain hex. I doubt he will be able to easily flank me here. My biggest weakness in China remains (to the surprise of no one) supply. Here is a map of the northern front where the main action is.

China.jpg (384.08 KiB) Viewed 1465 times

[DesertWolf101]

South Pacific

A small tanker convoy was attacked by RO-63 on the 21st of July near Fiji. The Japanese sub sinks the tiny AO TAN 1 oiler but pays the ultimate price when DD Worden responds effectively and strikes it with three direct depth charge hits.

Sub attack near Nadi at 127,161

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63, hits 3, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AO TAN 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Talang Akar
TK Angelina
DD Worden

SS RO-63 launches 4 torpedoes at AO TAN 1
RO-63 diving deep ....
DD Worden attacking submerged sub ....
Debris floats to surface in area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub

SRA

Yup, the end is near.....

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34916 troops, 412 guns, 760 vehicles, Assault Value = 1255

Defending force 20828 troops, 235 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 439

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1650

Allied adjusted defense: 1423

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1731 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 213 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 43 (4 destroyed, 39 disabled)
Vehicles lost 72 (7 destroyed, 65 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
393 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
21st Division
48th Division
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Marinier Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
6th KNIL Regiment
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
ML-KNIL
ABDA
Tjilitap Base Force
KNIL Army Command
North Java Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Bandoeng Base Force

[DesertWolf101]

North Pacific

The Japanese attempt to strike at an Allied convoy bringing reinforcements to Umnak Island in the Aleutians but the 25 Nell bombers sent to strike encountered a CAP of 10 P-38s who tore into them and prevented them from scoring any hits.

Air Losses.jpg (111.47 KiB) Viewed 1404 times

SRA

After stalwart resistance over more than six months, the out of supply Dutch garrison on Java finally falls. Some six Japanese divisions have been involved in the siege, including what amounts to two tank divisions towards the end. The question now is where does Wirraway send all of these forces next? One possibility is to Luzon to crack the Allied garrison there, but other options include back to China, over to Burma, or perhaps even a new direction entirely.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35693 troops, 398 guns, 917 vehicles, Assault Value = 1315

Defending force 20441 troops, 229 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 430

Japanese adjusted assault: 2174

Allied adjusted defense: 814

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandoeng !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2136 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 24 (5 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 78 (15 destroyed, 63 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
27065 casualties reported
Squads: 767 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1850 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 98 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 327 (327 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 66 (66 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 16

Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
48th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
6th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
7th Division
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Mobile Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Regt Cavalerie
2nd KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Marinier Battalion
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
KNIL Army Command
1st KNIL AA Battalion
ABDA
North Java Base Force
ML-KNIL
Tjilitap Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force

China

The Japanese mount another failed attack in an attempt to break through to Lanchow:

Ground combat at 82,36 (near Kungchang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30098 troops, 420 guns, 506 vehicles, Assault Value = 1136

Defending force 22051 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 768

Japanese adjusted assault: 777

Allied adjusted defense: 2863

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1433 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 117 (6 destroyed, 111 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
586 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
110th Division
14th Division
11th Tank Regiment
22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
7th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
19th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
303rd Brigade
17th Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
31st Group Army

[DesertWolf101]

Central Pacific

I sent a destroyer to intercept a Japanese coastal convoy that was resupplying the Gilbert/Marshall Islands. Beyond destroying some small shipping, the tactic here is to force the IJN to come out and provide stronger escorts for Japanese convoys and defenses which would both 1) lead to greater consumption of fuel and 2) provide opportunities for attrition.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 122,130, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Yamafuku Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kanaiyama Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Sento Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Dale, Shell hits 1

[DesertWolf101]

Not much happened on the 26th, but the 27th was a very interesting day (or rather night).

Night Strikes

We had 100% moonlight on the 27th and both Wirraway and I decided to set significant night strikes to take advantage. My strikes essentially missed but the Japanese ones hit packed Chittagong and caused considerable damage due to 1) coming in at 4000 feet and 2) getting perfect weather. Nevertheless, the Japanese paid a very high price for their strike as Allied flak/balloons took a very heavy toll at that low altitude. There were also secondary Japanese night strikes against Tabi were a few Allied aircraft were lost but here I had set day strikes on Tarawa and those destroyed a dozen Kates and a Mavis floatplane.

On the whole, I would assess the turn's result as a draw. The Allies lost 64 aircraft, slightly more than the 55 aircraft the Japanese lost. However, no Allied pilots were lost while I imagine a substantial number of Japanese pilots were killed.

Night Strikes.jpg (113.05 KiB) Viewed 1341 times

[DesertWolf101]

Central Pacific

I set up another series of strikes on Tarawa for the 28th but was befuddled by coordination, ramp space, and weather problems. Given the range, my fighter sweeps were going to sweep ahead from Tabi but the airfields at Tabi were not yet large enough to accommodate both fighters and bombers so the bombers were ordered to strike from Arorae. Weather however grounded my fighters but not my bombers, and when the sun came out in the afternoon only one fighter squadron swept from Tabi against nearly 100 Japanese fighters and badly suffered as a result.

War in the Pacific - Admiral Edition (1.8.11.26b) 21_08_2022 9_35_52 AM (2).png (418.66 KiB) Viewed 1301 times

Indian Ocean

The Cocos Islands are desperately in need of a resupply top off, so I am sending ten tiny xAKLs to run to the island next turn with supply. They will almost certainly be destroyed by the Japanese but they only cost 1 VP point each and as long as the supply arrives it would be well worth it. Cocos Island has recently reached level 6 fortifications, and once I get enough supply in I will then start building up the airfields.

Pilot Training

Allied pilot training overall is going pretty well. Right now I have nearly 1,200 USAAF fighter pilots altogether in the active squadrons and in the reserve pool. These are broken down as follows:

- 100 are still rookies and are working on increasing their Air Skill to 70.
- 100 are in finishing school where they are working to get Defense Skill to 70
- 600 are active squadron pilots that have both Air Skill and Defense Skill at 70, and are working on increasing their experience levels to at least 70
- 400 are fully qualified frontline pilots with Air, Defense, and Experience levels at at least 70.

As long as I am not too hard pressed, I can continue this demanding training as I soon take on a new wave of green pilots. However, I am also considering lowering Defense Skill requirements to 65 instead of 70 for the new batch to speed things along.

USN fighter pilot training on the other is severely hampered by a lack of squadrons so I am mostly focusing on making sure I have enough excellent fighter pilots to fully man my carriers.

[witpqs]

Central Pacific

I sent a destroyer to intercept a Japanese coastal convoy that was resupplying the Gilbert/Marshall Islands. Beyond destroying some small shipping, the tactic here is to force the IJN to come out and provide stronger escorts for Japanese convoys and defenses which would both 1) lead to greater consumption of fuel and 2) provide opportunities for attrition.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 122,130, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Yamafuku Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kanaiyama Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Sento Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Dale, Shell hits 1

Bravo on the raid!

Great strategy.

[DesertWolf101]

Central Pacific

I sent a destroyer to intercept a Japanese coastal convoy that was resupplying the Gilbert/Marshall Islands. Beyond destroying some small shipping, the tactic here is to force the IJN to come out and provide stronger escorts for Japanese convoys and defenses which would both 1) lead to greater consumption of fuel and 2) provide opportunities for attrition.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 122,130, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Yamafuku Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kanaiyama Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Sento Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Dale, Shell hits 1

Bravo on the raid!

Great strategy.

Thanks, we'll see if he bites. At the very start of this game I decided to choose depriving Japan of oil as the centre of gravity of all my efforts, so any significant action I take I try to tie it back to that overall strategy.

[DesertWolf101]

A pretty quiet couple of turns, but much preparation continues in the background.

Indian Ocean

No surprise, my supply force of xAKLs is sighted, hunted down, and destroyed by enemy destroyers and torpedo boats. They succeeded in their mission however and dumped 8000 supply on the Cocos Islands. This is a relief, as that should keep the garrison in good supply for a long while.