Back and Better Than Ever Vettim 89(A) vs Greasylake(J)

[vettim89]

I-boat puts a torpedo into CVL Hermes off Bombay (she'll live)

Fighting continues in China.

Morning Air attack on 34th Regional Army Corps, at 87,41 , near Tsiaotso

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 6

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32 Mary: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

North of Loyang

Ground combat at 89,40 (near Taiyuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25115 troops, 243 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 925

Defending force 6594 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 256

Japanese adjusted assault: 359

Allied adjusted defense: 190

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2219 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 121 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Regional Army Corps
7th Group Army

In the DEI, CM are spotted at Denpasar I am assuming laying mines to inhibit the Dutch from bombarding. Working on a solution to that.

IJA has arrived with one unit at Toungoo.

Now for the main event. IJA continues to unload at PM. The CD did a number on some of the transports that are burning nicely. One CVT with CVE is parked in the PM hex. The other CVTF with another TF that says CS CS CS CS is now down near Townsville. Neither side made air attacks in this are. Suspect the weather was foul

Port Moresby.jpg (291.58 KiB) Viewed 311 times

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3995 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 214

Defending force 11941 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 430

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

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

Assaulting units:
30th Australian Brigade
Thurday Island Det. Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

Defending units:
20th Infantry Regiment
3rd Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit
77th Infantry Rgt /1

This is going to be close. Hopefully there is enough disruption to bar an immediately Shock Attack. I think Larry knows that if he pulls his CVs out the USAAF in Oz will pound his troops.

[vettim89]

Toungoo falls

Ground combat at Toungoo (57,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12815 troops, 120 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 444

Defending force 519 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 100

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 33 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Toungoo !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
33rd Division

Defending units:
4th Burma Rifles Battalion

Tandjoengpinang falls. (yeah, that one was a copy/paste)

Ground combat at Tandjoengpinang (50,85)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3536 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 123

Defending force 79 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 66

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 66 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tandjoengpinang !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
16th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
Bintan Det. Base Force

Air battles over central China continue and Larry is still trying to clear the mountainous hex north of Tsiaotso

Ground combat at 89,40 (near Taiyuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23505 troops, 242 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 761

Defending force 6454 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 240

Japanese adjusted assault: 610

Allied adjusted defense: 736

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1093 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled

Allied ground losses:
316 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
37th Division
41st Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Regional Army C

Morning Air attack on 34th Regional Army Corps, at 87,41 , near Tsiaotso

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 28
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 6
P-43A-1 Lancer x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32 Mary: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-32 Mary bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

The IJN CVT pulls back NE in the Coral Sea. No air attacks by either side this turn in entire theatre. CD guns continue to chew up the landing force at PM. At least one ship sank overnight.

Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAP Yoshino Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAP Teikyo Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAP Kanzyu Maru, Shell hits 2
AMC Akagi Maru

No new troops were landed this turn; so its what you see is what you get. Larry is in a pickle here in my opinion. He may have enough AV to take the base but I don't think in one Shock Attack. He has a lot of carrier strength supporting the landing but it can't stay there forever. Once he pulls out, his troops will be at the mercy of my A/C and SCTF. Even if he takes the base, he will then have to keep it supplied.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3983 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 212

Defending force 12031 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 434

Assaulting units:
Thurday Island Det. Battalion
30th Australian Brigade
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

Defending units:
77th Infantry Regiment
3rd Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit

[BBfanboy]

Not sure APDs can load an artillery piece bigger than a mortar. Did you try it yet?

[RangerJoe]

Not sure APDs can load an artillery piece bigger than a mortar. Did you try it yet?

He might have to try AVDs with their larger cargo capacity . . .

[vettim89]

After running in circles in the IO for a few days avoiding IJN CVs, the Dutch hit home

Danpasr SCTF.jpg (290.94 KiB) Viewed 279 times

Night Time Surface Combat, near Denpasar at 58,108, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Nagata Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAK Asakaze Maru, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Teikoku Maru, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
xAK Nichiyu Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Kozui Maru, Shell hits 47, and is sunk
PB Choko Maru #5, Shell hits 39, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 2
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp, Shell hits 1
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein

Unfortunately enemy CVTFs are spotted near Biliton again so Team Orange will retire east. Various RNAF units take shots in the Java sea but none hit. CV hits Palembang and sinks a HDML and a AMc

Air battles near Loyang continue

Morning Air attack on 43rd Regional Army Corps, at 87,41 , near Tsiaotso

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 22
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 13
P-43A-1 Lancer x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32 Mary: 9 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-32 Mary bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

IJA attacks north of Wenchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20525 troops, 206 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 509

Defending force 11034 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 192

Japanese adjusted assault: 418

Allied adjusted defense: 439

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
698 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Both sides bombard at PM for little effect.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12075 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 435

Defending force 6028 troops, 54 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 212

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

Assaulting units:
77th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
3rd Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
30th Australian Brigade
Thurday Island Det. Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3978 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 212

Defending force 12055 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 434

Assaulting units:
30th Australian Brigade
Thurday Island Det. Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

Defending units:
3rd Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
77th Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit

Appears all the ships with supplies are about empty. Expect the IJN to be pulling out soon. The facilities at PM are still trashed after the BB bombardment; so what help I can bring from the air will be from Oz

There are a mere fifteen days left in the AMPH bonus. I hold Tarakan, Palembang, Balikpapan and all of Java.

CV Lexington forms up a TF and will move the one hex to SF where she will pick up Enterprise and Hornet. They will head south after that. The CAs all have a week or more before the upgrades are complete. Instead I will send CAs from PH. Then I will send the CAs at Alameda to PH

[vettim89]

My play in this game is feckless at best. I knew a CVTF was north of Noumea but failed to pull out an AMPH TF. No troops were lost but I will lose both RNZN CLs, a DD and an AP. P-39s did some damage to the assaulting air units but not enough.

I had another stellar day of subs missing or firing dud torpedoes

The Japanese are in force at Semarang. Java will fall first it appears. The RNAF is impaling itself against this invasion

IJN CVTF: off Semarang, in the Macassar Strait, south of Rabaul, and North of Noumea. There are friggin everywhere and always in strength

Sorry for the lack of a detailed post but I am at the normal Allied Spring '42 low point

[vettim89]

Larry seems to be reinforcing PM. Not a lot I can do right now. Wondering if my ineptness in being able to respond to this may play in my favor. Wound hate to lose the troops they but if I had reinforced I could have lost more. I have always though PM for an early war option for the Japan player was a dead end. Sure you can get there but it is terribly exposed.

PM is doomed.jpg (218.81 KiB) Viewed 255 times

Semarang falls (no surprise there). Another AMPH TF is spotted in the Java Sea so reinforcements are inbound.

Ground combat at Semarang (53,102)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16588 troops, 159 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 641

Defending force 446 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 509

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 509 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Semarang !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
DB-7B: 2 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
584 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
14th Tank Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
11th Shipping Engineer Regiment
7th JAAF Base Force

Defending units:
Semarang Base Force

Larry has decided he wants the Chinese out of the mountains north of Loyang

Ground combat at 89,40 (near Taiyuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30552 troops, 339 guns, 393 vehicles, Assault Value = 982

Defending force 5838 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Japanese adjusted assault: 692

Allied adjusted defense: 364

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
700 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
587 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
37th Division
41st Division
12th Tank Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
1st Army
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
7th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
33rd Regional Army Corps
7th Group Army

Still pushing north of Wenchow

Ground combat at 88,57 (near Wenchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20246 troops, 206 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 481

Defending force 10966 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 191

Japanese adjusted assault: 307

Allied adjusted defense: 451

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
503 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
21st Division

Defending units:
Chinese Warlord Brigade
Chinese Warlord Brigade
100th Regional Army Corps
25th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force

I snuck some Hurricanes into Rangoon and had some fun

Morning Air attack on 108th RAF Base Force, at 55,53 (Pegu)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 11
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

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

32nd ID loads at SF for the long trip to Oz

[RangerJoe]

If you have carriers within range, you can force reinforcement convoys in. Amphibious TFs or Fast Transport TFs which will only unload for one turn and then make a high speed dash out. You can also try high level "sweeps" against his carriers with 4E B-17Es or B-24s but not the versions with weaker defensive armaments. I find those are better for ASW missions.

Hopefully you are building up Milne Bay so you can have PT Boats there with a decent CAP.

[vettim89]

If you have carriers within range, you can force reinforcement convoys in. Amphibious TFs or Fast Transport TFs which will only unload for one turn and then make a high speed dash out. You can also try high level "sweeps" against his carriers with 4E B-17Es or B-24s but not the versions with weaker defensive armaments. I find those are better for ASW missions.

Hopefully you are building up Milne Bay so you can have PT Boats there with a decent CAP.

Milne bay is weakly held but building. I may reinforce there instead of PM. Yes, I was thinking of the B-17E sweeps to eat away at the A6ms

[vettim89]

BBs hit PM again. All facility damage is in the 90s

Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 3 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 2 damaged
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CL Nagara
CL Jintsu
CL Sendai

Allied ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 2

A few more units are landed at PM.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12081 troops, 104 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 559

Defending force 5925 troops, 54 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 216

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

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Infantry Regiment
Kure 3rd SNLF /1
20th Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit
77th Infantry Regiment
64th Nav Gd /1
67th Nav Gd /1

Defending units:
30th Australian Brigade
Thurday Island Det. Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

A fleet boat fired and hit with work torpedoes off Samar!!. A RNN sub sank an AK near Kendari

IJA finally pushes the Chinese out of the mountain hex and they retreat into another mountain hex . I finally looked and my opponent only left one unit at Tsiaotso. I had pulled back fearing a flanking maneuver but am now sending units forward. We can fight here

[vettim89]

Oscars sweep Rangoon and find nothing. I anticipated this and pulled my fighters back to Akyab. We'll have a knock down drag down here eventually but not yet.
No action in China this turn. I think Larry doesn't want to waste his front line equipment here and the Nates can't hold up to even P-43s.

Had a fleet boat sink an xAKL in the Sulu Sea. All my subs are pulling back from this area anticipating Soerobaja's imminent demise. No new action on Java yet. A CW-22 does put a 50 KG bomb into an xAP off Semarang


Now for the real action. First S-46 puts a torpedo into Hosho. Probably not enough to sink her but she will have some yard time in her near future. At this point even a soft kill is a victory

Hosho.jpg (98.1 KiB) Viewed 191 times

Sub attack near Port Moresby at 97,131

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, Torpedo hits 1
CA Tone
CS Nisshin
DD Yukikaze
DD Asagiri
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
SS S-46

B-25 tries to penetrate the CAP at PM and fails but takes out an A6M.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed

First Deliberate attack at PM does not touch the fort level. I opt to reinforce. Moving the 1st Australian Division there in pieces. First by air and then by Fast Transport. I am reinforcing Milne Bay with three more independent Coys. Not a lot but have to make do. The 32nd ID is still loading at SF.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16193 troops, 147 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 601

Defending force 5945 troops, 54 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Japanese adjusted assault: 278

Allied adjusted defense: 343

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
906 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 121 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
988 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Assaulting units:
63rd Naval Guard Unit
77th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
Kure 3rd SNLF
3rd Infantry Regiment
64th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
30th Australian Brigade
Thurday Island Det. Battalion
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

I forgot to mention that CL Achilles survived and is in a highly damaged state at Noumea. The damaged DD is repairing at Auckland and the damaged AP is trying to make her way to the same

[vettim89]

Less action this turn

An I-boat sinks my only RN DE off Colombo

B-17s try to sweep the Zeros but the CVs left own.

Another Deliberate Attack at PM. IJA AV is not falling fast enough. Fear this is a lost cause

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15462 troops, 147 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 522

Defending force 5274 troops, 54 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 130

Japanese adjusted assault: 258

Allied adjusted defense: 395

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
950 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
603 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
20th Infantry Regiment
77th Infantry Regiment
63rd Naval Guard Unit
3rd Infantry Regiment
64th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF
67th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
Thurday Island Det. Battalion
30th Australian Brigade
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

[RangerJoe]

The P-43 evolved into the P-47 . . .

That is a good job on the Hosho. Any carrier damaged now helps.

Since the Japanese carriers left the area, your 4Es can either bomb the enemy on the beaches or airlift some supplies to PM. Right now, bombing the enemy ground forces might be the best option. If they are set for naval attack as the primary mission and the land option as a secondary mission which would then happen in the afternoon phase, then the enemy carriers would be attacked if they show up again. If your carriers are available, then you might be able to try and damage the enemy carriers but only if he has used his carrier aircraft to bomb the land units in the morning.

[vettim89]

The P-43 evolved into the P-47 . . .

That is a good job on the Hosho. Any carrier damaged now helps.

Since the Japanese carriers left the area, your 4Es can either bomb the enemy on the beaches or airlift some supplies to PM. Right now, bombing the enemy ground forces might be the best option. If they are set for naval attack as the primary mission and the land option as a secondary mission which would then happen in the afternoon phase, then the enemy carriers would be attacked if they show up again. If your carriers are available, then you might be able to try and damage the enemy carriers but only if he has used his carrier aircraft to bomb the land units in the morning.

We have a house rule for no 4E bombers on ground attack. Supplies at PM are in a good place.

Larry has not been using his CVTF for any land attack missions near PM. I suspect he is trying to preserve his sorties for anti--shipping strikes. Oddly enough, even the Netties from Rabaul are not participating. US CVTF about due eat of the big island. AOs and the cruisers are almost to Not-Bora Bora

[vettim89]

An I-boat kills a KV and an xAK off Bombay. Nothing seems to work to dive these subs off. Still, this multiple sub foray has netted a DE, a KV and two xAK. Have some many xAK sitting idle for lack of things to move right now that this is not even a paper cut

No action in the DEI this turn

IJA units in Burma seem to be sitting still.

For some reason the Aussie unit I bought out won't lift to PM. Runway damage is still 72 at PM so maybe that's the problem.

only a Bombardment Attack at PM

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10878 troops, 108 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 471

Defending force 4852 troops, 54 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

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

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

[RangerJoe]

Don't send ships to Bombay, send them to Karachi. It is farther for his submarines and it is a short hop off and on the map for your ships. You have enough ASW vessels to saturate the area along with short ranged aerial ASW flights. Let the railroads redistribute the largess to where it is needed.

It is a longer trip but send ships from Cape Town to Aden. Scootra can be built up to give some aerial ASW there as well.

Don't forget some CAP, even weak fighters can shoot down Glens.

[vettim89]

Sub O21 sinks a DD in the Java Sea. I'll take whatever small victories I can get

TF spotted exiting the Malacca Strait. Suspect bound for either Moulmein or the Andaman Islands

US CVTF approaching Not-Bora Bora. They will pick up CA support and refuel there before heading west

PM is going to fall. Not sure what cause my AV to fall so quickly there. Glad I didn't reinforce. Using air transport to pull out cadres of the units there now. Milne Bay will be the focus of my efforts for now. Also there is a base west of PM whose name eludes me. Considering possible build up there.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15085 troops, 146 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 482

Defending force 4928 troops, 54 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Japanese adjusted assault: 257

Allied adjusted defense: 199

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
494 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
77th Infantry Regiment
3rd Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
Kure 3rd SNLF
63rd Naval Guard Unit
64th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
30th Australian Brigade
Port Moresby Brigade
15th RAAF Base Force

[vettim89]

PM falls. But I still hold Buna. That means the retreated troops can still possibly walk to Milne Bay. Depends on if Larry pursues. Larry commented about owning a base with 90+ damage levels on all facilities. Hey buddy: you bought it now you own it. The B-17 raids on the air base start this turn. With lack of nearby supporting bases, he is just going to have to take it for a while. Cairns will go to a level 4 AB next turn which will allow me to operate 2E bombers unrestricted form it. Perhaps PM will become a large POW camp without guards.

Now reinforcing Milne Bay. Also going to move some of the small Independent COYs I have to Deboyne island and neighboring locales just to block easy pick ups by small Japanese units.

I forgot to mention that Djakarta fell last turn.

The damaged AP from the Noumea Raid will arrive at Auckland next turn. I brought over an AR from Oz to Noumea to help Achilles heal a little faster.

No sign of the TF spotted leaving the Straits of Malacca last turn.

One week left in April and I still hold Tarakan, Balikpapan, and Palembang.

[vettim89]

There are two IJN TF at PM that mouseover intel says are both SCTF. Wondering if my search pilots are misidentifying something here. An S-Boat took a swipe at a SCTF north of Milne Bay. Suspect that base is about to get the PM treatment.

USCVT arrive at Not-Bora Bora and head to NZ. Two CLAA have recently arrived and are both heading to the SoPac.

More air action over China that pretty much went the Allies way

But....

CVTF shows up south of Colombo. The give the port a pounding. I lost a CL but POW is fine. None of the other ships hit are severely damaged. I made up a SCTF with all the combatants and they are heading for Karachi at full speed

Afternoon Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
B5N2 Kate x 74
D3A1 Val x 44

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 24 damaged
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Caledon, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CL Danae, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Exeter, Bomb hits 1, on fire

CVas off Ceylon.jpg (90.33 KiB) Viewed 91 times

Not a bad day for the allies overall in the air.

AL 4 27 42.jpg (82.79 KiB) Viewed 91 times

[vettim89]

Japanese forces land at Port Blair. I had abandoned the base months ago. Should change hands in the next turn. AMPH units were seen unloading at Moulmein but when I opened the turn - no Japanese units - odd. I-124 topedoes CL Capetown off Goa - she'll live

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 524 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 50

Defending force 5406 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 242

Assaulting units:
11th Burma Rifles Battalion
6th Burma Rifles Battalion

Defending units:
16th Infantry Rgt /1
24th Infantry Rgt /1

Madioen falls on Java. Mataram is occupied

As expected Milne Bay is bombarded. Supplies are running a little low here now. Trying to airlift some in

Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Haguro
CA Maya
CA Takao
CA Chikuma

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 35
Port hits 18
Port supply hits 7