Never Thought I'd Start Another One - tc464 (A) vs. Mike (J)

[Mike Solli]

Please note that I started with an "If" for my comment about the Zeroes.

You may also have Zeroes in training units that you could replace with Claudes. I only mentioned using the Claudes because they are better than nothing and if a player is expending their Zeroes, it does give the Claudes a job to do other than being used as training aircraft.

Got it. All my training units use Claudes. I will use them in a pinch, but prefer the Zero, of course.

[Mike Solli]

17 Jan 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

RO-33 is still paddling toward Paramushiro-jima and is 9 days out. There is some fuel there for her. Her damage is currently 37-0-1(1)-0. I check everything now to see the fuel status.

4 Fleet

I have a fast transport ship at Johnston Island dropping off supply, but it's pretty slow. The port damage is 50% with no engineers there. I have an engineer company headed there, but it's still 11 days out.

SE Fleet

KB is one day out from Truk, where it will replenish and get some pilots and planes. Then they head south to support the invasion of Pt. Moresby.

Rabaul and Gasmata are expanding their airfields nicely. Rabaul will expand its airfield to level 7 and Gasmata will expand to 2, just a fighter/recon airfield. I may station 1E IJAAF bombers there if needed. Remember, 5 Air Division and 23 Air Flotilla will be stationed in this AO.

One last thing. Hollandia's airfield is up to 1.31 and 2 Raiding Regiment is headed there. This base will be used to drop 2 Raiding Regiment on Merauke, which currently has no enemy troops.

SRA

Malaya

The last of 25 Army is railing down to Singapore. I anticipate the assault to begin within a week.

Philippines

The enemy continues to weaken under the bombing/barrages they are experiencing.

Borneo

I am liberating the undefended bases in the NE corner. Also, the Tarakan, Samarinda and Balikpapan assault forces are gathering at Jolo, along with their support forces including Zuiho and Hosho. These assaults will occur after the invasion of Southern Sumatra and Northern Java.

Other Places

The Sumatra/Java assault forces are moving toward their gathering point, a hex SE of Tobali. From there, the minesweepers and paratroopers will move in followed by the ground invasion forces.

Burma

15 Army is heading north toward Prome and points north.

I do now control all the coastal bases up to and including Rangoon.

China

Maneuvering but little chewing on the Chinese Army.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

18 Jan 42

Sub War

The I-26 sank an xAK off Los Angeles today. It was sobering when Ted told me he got 38 cargo ships today.

5 Fleet

RO-33 rowed 46 miles closer to Paramushiro-jima today.

4 Fleet

Nothing exciting to report.

SE Fleet

KB got refueled/rearmed and some pilot and plane replacements. Here's the current composition:

# Planes/Reserve planes (Pilots)

Akagi: Zero 18/2 (20), Val 15/0 (14), Kate 27/3 (30)
Kaga: Zero 18/1 (18), Val 22/0 (21), Kate 26/0 (25)
Soryu: Zero 18/1 (18), Val 16/0 (15), Kate 18/1 (18)
Hiryu: Zero 18/1 (20), Val 16/1 (16), Kate 18/1 (18)
Shokaku: Zero 18/1 (18), Val 27/1 (27), Kate 27/1 (27)
Zuikaku: Zero 18/1 (18), Val 26/1 (26), Kate 27/1 (27)

Total: Zero 108, Val 119, Kate 145

They start heading south tomorrow. They will head to a point between Gasmata and Lae where they will support the invasion of Pt. Moresby.

SRA

Malaya

The 25 Army assault force is in Johore Bahru. Two more days for the last of them to detrain and they will head as a group to Singapore. The 3 Air Division is bombing the heck out of the airfield there, losing planes every day. That's ok, my Sally, Ann and Mary production is keeping up with plane losses and my training program is keeping up with pilot losses. The training program is 3 tiered (mostly). Tier 3 is 3 and 5 Air Divisions, the real front line. They get their replacement pilots from Tier 2, China. The goal is 65 experience and 70 bombing. Tier 2 get their replacements from Tier 1, 1 and 2 Air Divisions in Japan and Manchuoko respectively. Those guys are available for Tier 2 once their training get to a minimum of about 55 experience and 60 bombing. Tier 1 get their replacements from the training pool, ie. raw recruits. That is for 1E bomber, recon and fighter pilots. Transport pilots go directly from Tier 1 to Tier 3, bypassing China altogether.

Right now, very few pilots go into the pool, but that will increase dramatically when Singapore is liberated. The bomber pilot losses will decrease quite a bit and China graduates will go to the pool. Then, replacements for the front line will come from there, which is much easier to do. Right now, I have to move pilots from China to the front line, then move pilots from Manchuoko/Japan to China, then fill up the pilots in Manchuoko/Japan from the pool.

When the pilots finally start going into the reserve pool, their stats will be higher, 70 experience and 70 main skill.

Philippines

Same ole thing. The AV of the Allies continues to decline and is down to 859 (to my 936).

Borneo

Still preparing for the assaults. The Miri and Brunei assault forces are gathered at CRB.

Sumatra

The Rowboat Corps liberated Bengkalis capturing the oil intact at 40(0)! This was unexpected. I don't think Ted will do any bombing because (I believe) his bombers are out of range, but I'm taking no chances. I have 3 air units stationed at Johore Bahru. The Zero is flying LRCAP over Bengkalis at 6k feet. The Oscar Ic is flying LRCAP over Bengkalis at 15k feet. The Nate is flying a sweep mission over Singapore.

Java

Most of the Java/Sumatra assault TFs will arrive 1 hex SE of Tobali tomorrow. Then it will begin.

Burma

15 Army is still crawling north.

China

Still herding cats.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[PaxMondo]

18 Jan 42

RO-33 rowed 46 miles closer to Paramushiro-jima today.

" ... gently down the stream. Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, life is but a dream!!!"

[RangerJoe]

18 Jan 42

RO-33 rowed 46 miles closer to Paramushiro-jima today.

" ... gently down the stream. Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, life is but a dream!!!"

Or "Here we go again, same ole shyte again!"

Johnston might get it supplies faster if they were unloaded from an amphibious TF.

[Mike Solli]

19 Jan 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

KB is 2 days from where it will support the Pt. Moresby invasion. The invasion force is composed of 40 Brigade/20 Division and 26 Artillery Regiment/20 Division, who are currently both loaded on their TF at Rabaul. It will take them 3 days to reach Pt. Moresby. KB has 6 fighter daitai and a different one will be assigned to LRCAP over the invasion fleet. There will be a CA TF assigned to escort it as well. I'm expecting subs and the Aussie fleet to interfere. I've never taken Pt. Moresby in a game, although I've tried several times. Here's to good fortune this time around.

Also note, that in the last game, I tried for Pt. Moresby and lost Hiryu to a sub in the area south of New Britain.

SRA

Malaya

Tomorrow, the Singapore assault force begins its movement.

Philippines

Few bombers flew today due to the weather, but the artillery still spoke.

Borneo

Assault TFs are beginning to gather at Jolo. Most are still a few days out. No matter, they're not going in yet anyway.

Sumatra

There was no interference at Bengkalis. Didn't think there would be, but I'm still taking no chances.

Java

Eight TFs have reached the hex just SE of Tobali with a few more almost there. The Dutch sent a small force of 6 bombers escorted by 3 fighters. Ryujo's fighters caught them, but the Dutch fighters did their job holding off Ryujo's fighters from the bombers. The bombers went after a few escorts of one of the invasion fleets, and two of the B339Ds were shot down with the third crashing on the way home, apparently.

Tomorrow, a DMS TF will go into Kaldjati looking for mines and most of the TFs (including Ryujo and a 4 BB TF) will go to a point 2 hexes east of Merak and 2 hexes north of Kalidjati. Also, Yokosuka 1 SNLF will make a paradrop on Merak, which is undefended.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Still herding and beating up on the cats south of Nanchang.

Other Stuff

Waiting for the next turn. Things are probably going to get a little bit exciting soon.

[Mike Solli]

18 Jan 42

RO-33 rowed 46 miles closer to Paramushiro-jima today.

" ... gently down the stream. Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, life is but a dream!!!"

Or "Here we go again, same ole shyte again!"

Johnston might get it supplies faster if they were unloaded from an amphibious TF.

Bringing back memories, Joe.

I'll have to give that a try. Fortunately, Ted is showing zero interest in it.

[Seacat54]

Good luck with MO!

[RangerJoe]

" ... gently down the stream. Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, life is but a dream!!!"

Or "Here we go again, same ole shyte again!"

Johnston might get it supplies faster if they were unloaded from an amphibious TF.

Bringing back memories, Joe.

Go watch the movie Stripes, part of that was filmed in the US State of Wisconsin while part of it was filmed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Think of that movie when you are driving your RV . . .

[PaxMondo]

Johnston might get it supplies faster if they were unloaded from an amphibious TF.

Bringing back memories, Joe.

I'll have to give that a try. Fortunately, Ted is showing zero interest in it.

I'm with RJ here, until I can dock my supply TF's at the receiving port, I send them as amphib TF's because of the unloading speed. Yes, can't carry as much, but I hate having the supply TF's sitting in a harbor all that time unloading. I want them in and out ASAP.

[Chickenboy]

Go watch the movie Stripes, part of that was filmed in the US State of Wisconsin while part of it was filmed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Think of that movie when you are driving your RV . . .

"The Russians? They're pussies!" Laughed my ass off...

[PaxMondo]

Go watch the movie Stripes, part of that was filmed in the US State of Wisconsin while part of it was filmed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Think of that movie when you are driving your RV . . .

"The Russians? They're pussies!" Laughed my ass off...

Ramis, Candy, Murray ... my sides still ache from laughing ...

[Bo Rearguard]

Go watch the movie Stripes, part of that was filmed in the US State of Wisconsin while part of it was filmed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Think of that movie when you are driving your RV . . .

Suddenly this line from Bill Murray just got a little funnier 44 years later...

“C'mon, it's Czechoslovakia. We zip in, we pick 'em up, we zip right out again. We're not going to Moscow. It's Czechoslovakia. It's like we're going into Wisconsin.”

[Mike Solli]

20 Jan 42 - The title for today is "So it Begins".

Sub War

My sub commanders are a bunch of slackers. Nothing happening and nothing sighted.

5 Fleet

No sign of the enemy.

RO-33 is 6 days out of Paramushiro-jima where there's fuel and an AS. Not sure I'll do any repairs there, Etorofu or the Home Islands. We'll see. Damage jumped and is 50-0-1(1)-0.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

KB is one day away from where it will support the Pt. Moresby invasion TF. The invasion TF is leaving Rabaul today and will take 3 days to reach Pt. Moresby. The 8 Base Force is currently at Truk and is loading to head to Pt. Moresby as the support unit there. In addition, an AS battalion will head there for additional support. My intent is to increase the airfield from 3 to 4, the port from 1 to 2, then the forts to 4.

SRA

Malaya

The Singapore Assault Force began movement from Johore Bahru to Singapore today. Here's its composition:

25 Army HQ
Imperial Guards Division
5 Division
18 Division
56 Division
3 Medium FA Regiment
18 Medium FA Regiment
3 Independent Mountain Gun Regiment
14 Independent Artillery Mortar Battalion
3 Mortar Battalion
5 Mortar Battalion
4 Independent Engineer Regiment
15 Independent Engineer Regiment
23 Independent Engineer Regiment

Bombardment of the airfield continues to prevent fort level increases.

There are 453 artillery/mortar pieces in 25 Army.

Philippines

Forgot to mention that yesterday Subic Bay was liberated. Now only Clark Field and Bataan are enemy controlled. The enemy AV in Clark Field is down to 839 to my 939.

Borneo

My forces are gathering at Jolo to take Tarakan, Samarinda and Balikpapan. I anticipate this beginning in a few days. Zuiho and Hosho are moving to take out the meager Dutch Air Force in the area, currently 3 fighters and 9 bombers at Samarinda.

The Miri and Brunei assault forces are gathered at CRB. I anticipate they will move in a few days as well.

Sumatra

The Oosthaven invasion force will land tomorrow. This force will move overland to liberate Palembang. Here's its composition:

21 Division
7 Tank Regiment
8 Tank Regiment
3 Independent Engineer Regiment
19 Independent Engineer Regiment
20 Independent Engineer Regiment
21 Independent Engineer Regiment
16 AA Regiment
44 Field AA Battalion

There are additional support units (BF, NS, AS, more AA) that will arrive after Palembang is liberated and be shipped directly to Palembang. On second thought, they may ship to Oosthaven and rail to Palembang to leave the port free to begin shipping oil. TKs are already waiting at CRB and Saigon.

Java

The Yokosuka 1 SNLF paradropped into Merak (undefended) and liberated that base. I see no mines there.

Almost all of the assault forces (Java and Sumatra) are together 2 hexes east of Merak. They are supported by Ryujo and a 4 BB TF. There is a CA TF enroute. The BBs will cover the west coast of Java while the CAs will cover the east coast. In addition, there are subs scattered around in critical locations.

A DMS TF moved into Kalidjati to find no mines there.

There were 4 enemy air attacks at various altitudes:

6k - 1 fighter, 3 bombers, no Japanese damage, one of each shot down
20k - 2 bombers, no Japanese damage, both bombers shot down
3k - 3 Do-24, DMS-14 sunk, no Dutch losses
7k - 12 bombers, no damage to either side

My mistake was to have Ryujo's fighters at 15k. I have changed that. The fighter daitai is now split into 3 chutai at 18k, 13k and 6k. Each is 60% CAP and 20% rest and has 10 pilots/planes. Their fatigue is pretty high at 57 right now. Just one more high intensity day and there will be 3 units of land based fighters at Kalidjati.

Tomorrow, two invasion will happen.

Merak - Not really an invasion since I control the base:

38 Division

Kalidjati:

4 Division
4 IR/2 Division
24 IR/2 Divison
17 Medium FA Regiment
3 FA Regiment/2 Division
2 Recon/2 Division
4 Tank Regiment
I/81 NG (Bandoeng garrison)
23 JAAF AF Bn
25 JNAF AF Unit

More forces are enroute including 16 Army HQ and 2 Tank Regiment)

Here are the air units that will fly in after Kalidjati is liberated:

Yamada Det S-1 (18 Zeros)
Yamada Det S-2 (9 Zeros)
77 Sentai (13 Oscar Ic)
Also some recon will fly in.

The final invasion is for Buitenzorg, which will happen in a few days:

16 IR/2 Division
2 Eng Regiment/2 Division
2 FA Regiment/2 Division

Finally, I see a couple of ships including a possible DD at Tjilatjap. They will be within Ryujo's Kates so maybe they will get some love tomorrow.

Like I told Ted: SO IT BEGINS.

Burma

I'm attacking Prome tomorrow.

China

Now I see 11 enemy "cats" south of Nanchang split in 4 groups. I'm beating on them as I catch them.

In the center, I want to clear the rail line heading NE out of Sinyang. Ted controls the hex SW of Chengchow and Chengchow itself. The hex to the SW has 2 units and will be cleared in a few days when the main body of 1 Army arrives. Chengchow has 10 units and ~30k troops. I have >1800 AV closing in on Chengchow. That should be able to clear the base. Then I'll have complete rail movement between Wuchang and all points north and east, the entire rail line.

In the north, I have a force moving on Lanchow and another 3 hexes east of Kiuchuan and then north to Urumchi.

Other Stuff

After days and days of moving ships and troops around, I am finally starting to take the Crown Jewels, the oil fields.

The Dutch Air Force is depleted, but still in existence. I haven't see the Hawk or Demon fighters, so that's a squadron of each but the B339s have less than a dozen remaining. There are still a lot of 139WH-3 bombers remaining ~43 plus 30 in the pool, but without fighter cover, they're doomed as long as I have fighters at multiple levels. I haven't seen the Falcon bombers, so almost 2 dozen are out there somewhere. The Do24s are a pain in the ass, but I estimate about a dozen left. Finally there are probably less than a dozen Catalinas. Then there's the Dutch fleet as well as PoW and Repulse out there somewhere. So, yeah, I have to be careful but I have some powerful assets to protect my fragile transports.

[RangerJoe]

Depending upon what he has at Palembang, a Fast Transport TF with a regiment might capture it. The fast transport ships will bombard the enemy land units only and not bombard the base facilities nor any industry there. The next turn, the units can attack but there is no forced shock attack. During the turn after the initial troop deployment there, you can have AAA units dropped off as well not to mention some Air Support plus engineers so if the attack is successful you can have defenses against enemy bombers. Remember that 5 or 6 Ansyu-C class PBs can drop off a tank regiment with a few supplies. The Ansyu-C class PBs are also great amphibious escorts when they are loaded with 1000 supplies. All of the escorts that can carry supplies should do so, if nothing else the invasion force will immediately have supplies.

If a tank regiment or even an armoured car company is dropped off on Java, depending upon the location, it can then cut Java in half. Do you have a rule about landing at only bases? Remember, your units won't be hindered by being dropped on at a non-base hex during the bonus phase nor will they be hindered by the blizzard conditions up north.

[Mike Solli]

Depending upon what he has at Palembang, a Fast Transport TF with a regiment might capture it. The fast transport ships will bombard the enemy land units only and not bombard the base facilities nor any industry there. The next turn, the units can attack but there is no forced shock attack. During the turn after the initial troop deployment there, you can have AAA units dropped off as well not to mention some Air Support plus engineers so if the attack is successful you can have defenses against enemy bombers. Remember that 5 or 6 Ansyu-C class PBs can drop off a tank regiment with a few supplies. The Ansyu-C class PBs are also great amphibious escorts when they are loaded with 1000 supplies. All of the escorts that can carry supplies should do so, if nothing else the invasion force will immediately have supplies.

If a tank regiment or even an armoured car company is dropped off on Java, depending upon the location, it can then cut Java in half. Do you have a rule about landing at only bases? Remember, your units won't be hindered by being dropped on at a non-base hex during the bonus phase nor will they be hindered by the blizzard conditions up north.

There are 4 units at Palembang, so he reinforced it with something, probably local. I've successfully landed at Oosthaven with 21 Division, some engineers and AA, and there are 2 tank regiments that will arrive later to move north to take most of the island. 21 Division and the engineers will take Palembang and Djambi. I'll also use some paratroopers here and there. Actually, I'm not in a hurry to take Palembang. I want to make sure the Dutch Air Force is gone. So, I won't use a Fast TF this time around. But it is good to know they don't bombard the infrastructure.

In Java, there's a huge force in Kalidjati now including a tank regiment and recon regiment. They will both head to Cheribon then split with one going down each coast ending at Semarang and Djokjakarta, splitting the island.

[Mike Solli]

21 Jan 42

Sub War

The S-36 launched a few torpedoes at I-168 a few hexes south of Milne Bay. They missed, but there are definitely subs down here. I have to be careful with KB. More below.

5 Fleet

Looks like RO-33 will make it. Her sys damage is up to 53 but she is 4 hexes from Paramushiro-jima.

Ted is building up the bases in the Aleutians. Adak's port and airfield are both at 2 already.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Well, there are at least 6 ships at Pt. Moresby. Reinforcements? *shrug* The invasion TF was two days from landing but I stopped it for at day. KB is moving south to 3 hexes from Pt. Moresby (north side of the peninsula). Let's see what they do tomorrow...

I'm working on the bases in the area to create a web of fighter bases and a couple of bomber bases.

SRA

Malaya

25 Army's Assault force moved 22 miles today in move mode. That surprised me. I switched them to combat mode. It'll take a little longer to reach Singapore but I don't want them shock attacking in move mode.

Philippines

The AV differential is now 940 Japanese to 810 US. Both of my divisions are at full strength with no disruptions. I may try another deliberate assault to hasten their departure in a couple of days.

Borneo

No assault TFs have sailed yet, but it's getting close. Zuiho and Hosho are sailing to the shallow hex 3 hexes south of Tarakan to induce the Dutch Air Force at Samarinda (2 fighters and 8 bombers) to attack them.

Sumatra

It all began with the 4 BB TF steaming through Merak to move west to block any Allied intervention from that direction. They ran into AG Canopus. Hyuga's port side 5" guns fired one broadside and blew her to pieces. It was that quick.

The force landing at Oosthaven landed without incident, at least until the sun rose. The Dutch Air Force focused on this force exclusively. There were 3 waves of attackers and they all came in low, which wasn't good for my fighters:

1. 2x Do24, 10x 139WH3 vs. 10 Zeros - 6 of the bombers were shot down and the Do24s fled. The remaining bombers put a bomb into xAP Hoten Maru, causing lightish damage: 19-11(4)-2-2. She'll get away.
2. 4x PBY5, 10x 139WH3 vs. 6 Zeros - Only 1 bomber was shot down. They put a bomb into two xAPs:
xAP Tatsuta Maru - she's doomed: 42-11(7)-27(4)-63. She has a few support squads from 21 Division.
xAP Kamo Maru - very light damage: 3-0-0-5
3. 9x Falcon, 10x B339 strafing, no Zeros :
AV Sagara Maru - 2 shells, 5 bombs (all from the B339s): She went down but her air unit landed at Merak.
xAP Terukuni Maru - she's doomed too: 61-7(1)-30(1)-87.

Other than the two doomed ships, everyone else has completely unloaded and are heading for CRB. The two torches are staying in harbor to act as bomb magnets, if they live that long.

I've decided to combine Ryujo's Zeros and set them at 6k feet.

Other than the fiasco offshore, the landing at Oosthaven went well and the town will be mine tomorrow. Then the troops will head north toward toward their goals of Palembang and Djambi. I'll drop a paratrooper unit at Proboemoelih to speed things along.

Java

This operation went much more smoothly, mainly because they watched the Dutch Air Force fly over them to hit Oosthaven. The landing at Kaldjati went without a hitch. Tomorrow, I'll take Kalidjati and then begin spreading north, west and south.

The Buitenzorg assault force will land tomorrow, escorted by the BB TF.

Intel says there are about 14k troops, which is fewer than I estimated. There are 19 units there, so that may be way off.

Ryujo's Kates found the DD Vendetta at Tjilatjap and sank her.

Burma

Heading north.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

The invasions of Sumatra and Java are going well so far. We'll see what the future holds. There still is a lot of stuff headed that way. Yes, I lost an AV and 2x xAPs, but that's well worth what I will gain.

[PaxMondo]

21 Jan 42
Yes, I lost an AV and 2x xAPs, but that's well worth what I will gain.

I know, and agree, but I still hate losing AV's. They are so useful ASW .... and hard to replace.

[Mike Solli]

21 Jan 42
Yes, I lost an AV and 2x xAPs, but that's well worth what I will gain.

I know, and agree, but I still hate losing AV's. They are so useful ASW .... and hard to replace.

Yeah, I agree, Pax. There are some xAK classes that convert. I'm going to convert some. I never have in the past. Another first for this game.

[Mike Solli]

22 Jan 42

Sub War

I-21 put a torpedo into an xAK NE of Pearl Harbor, then immediately caught her again with another torpedo. Down she went.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

No sign of anything in the Central Pacific other than ASW TFs around Hawaii.

SE Fleet

Ok, KB has over 380 planes and all they could bother to send to Pt. Moresby was 14 Vals escorted by 21 Zeros. Really? Worst of all, there were 13 P-40Es flying CAP and I lost 2 irreplaceable Zero pilots to them. I did shoot down 4 Warhawks though. The Vals did good work getting 4 and 2 hits on xAPs and putting another into DD Jupiter. At least one of the xAPs was carrying troops because some guns were destroyed. No report of any of them sinking.

I'm really nervous with KB in the Solomon Sea with an unknown number of Dutch and S subs lurking about. I've decided to land the Pt. Moresby assault force in Buna and march them overland. I'm keeping KB in the vicinity though, moving them to the shallow hex just NE of Lae. I'm going to sweep Pt. Moresby in the hope of killing off most of the US fighters. I know there's a shortage of P-40Es in the US inventory for a while. If I can wear them down, that'll make life easier for me later.

SRA

Malaya

The Singapore assault marched 11 miles today. They're still 13 miles from Singapore, so I suspect it'll take 2 more days to get there.

Philippines

I'm trying a deliberate assault tomorrow. The AV for both sides is 943 Japanese to 797 Allied. Let's see how much this reduces their AV.

Borneo

Nothing to report/

Sumatra

Oosthaven easily fell, destroying the small Dutch unit defending. The troops are heading north.

Tomorrow, I'm dropping paratroopers on Benkoelen and Praboemoelih. The paratroopers landing at Praboemoelih will then march next door to take Lahat as well.

There were 3 enemy air attacks at Oosthaven, but Ryujo's fighters (at 6k feet) were ready for them. The first was 10 B339s strafing and 3 L212s bombing. All of the bombers were shot down and 5 of the fighters were shot down with the remaining being damaged and driven off.

The second attack was 9 CW-22 Falcons. Five were shot down and the rest were ineffective.

The last attack was by 3 PBY-5s. Two were shot down and the third fled.

Java

It was a good day in Java too. Kalidjati was easily taken with the two small Dutch support units destroyed.

About half of 2 Division landed at Buitenzorg (west coast, a couple hexes south of Batavia). They'll attack tomorrow. There were 2 Allied bombing attacks that didn't go well for them. The first was 5x 139WH3s. Only one was shot down but the rest missed.

The second was 2x 139WH3s and both were shot down.

Ryujo's fighter complement did good work today. They're up to 38(!) kills and two of the pilots are aces.

Kalidjati has received 27 Zeros and 13 Oscar Ics. Ryujo will get some deserved help tomorrow.

The troops at Kalidjati are spreading out in all directions.

Burma

15 Army is still advancing north.

China

No combat today, but the armies are gathering strength.

Other Stuff

Today was a good day. The Dutch Air Force took another pounding. The B339Ds are just about gone but they still have a squadron each of Hawks and Demons somewhere, probably at Soerabaja. There are probably around 50+ 139WH3s available, but without fighter cover, they won't last long. The dozen or so Do-24s are a pain with big bombs and long range, so I have to worry about them. There's a smattering of other stuff, but Ryujo & Yamada's Zeros are killers with 90 kills among all 3 units and another 7 with the Oscar unit. Nice.