Riposte! Cruft scores this turn. 3 torpedoes into the BB Pennsylvania - she's heading for safety, but who knows if she'll make it or not. I underestimated the speed with which he brought in aircraft (Betties and Zeroes) and overestimated the effectiveness of a small Dutch bombardment. He has Mavises at Biak (northern New Guinea) now, so the Banda Sea is effectively off-limits. I'm worried about having aircraft and ships cut off in the DEI.
The Betties also tried at Darwin harbor, where the two CVs were. He got a torpedo hit on a DD, but lost thirteen escorting Zeroes. Intercepted enemy transmissions lament their inadequate training. I'm going to have to move some good aircraft to Darwin - Wirraways just don't cut it (come to think of it, do they cut anything?).
Betties from Kuching hit a convoy in Tarakan harbor, as well. (A congregation of Ships I Should've Evacuated Earlier.) A few transports are torpedoed - the rest scatter for safer waters. Concurrently, the usual B-17 raid on Kuching. They seem to be giving the Zeroes equal losses - even unescorted - and at this point in the war, I'm willing to accept that. Even if they never hit anything at all. [:'(]
Fighting continues in China. The biggest news is that the Japs have taken Yenen. I just didn't have enough troops there to hold out. I'm redirecting some troops to that area of China for defence - I've become a bit too focused on Changsha and the battles in the south.
The Japanese also reach Rangoon. The 33rd and 55th divisions bombard the little force left. Apparently, the 16th Indian Brigade never received their marching orders (I could've sworn I sent them to Mandalay) and so I'm taking losses in merchants trying to pull them out. Even if I only get a shattered remnant out, I can reconstitute the unit in India, so that's all right.
The good news this turn is: SS Spearfish puts a 21 inch torpedo into a loaded AP. I love hitting loaded APs, because I hate it when it happens to me. [:D] Little bites at the edges..
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/16/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 45,56
Japanese Ships
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Kyo Maru #12
PC Kyo Maru #2
PG Myoken Maru
PG Kiso Maru
PG Chohakusan Maru
PG Chiyo Maru
Allied Ships
SS S-39, hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 21,60
Japanese Ships
SS I-158, hits 1
Allied Ships
MSW Eland Dubois
MSW Abraham Crijnssen
MSW Pieter de Bitter
MSW Jan van Amstel
DD Bulmer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 1
B-17E Fortress x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
1 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 17
Ki-48 Lily x 29
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Ki-15 Babs x 4
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
1 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 10
Ki-51 Sonia x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied Ships
AP Empire Tamar, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Edgar Luckenbach, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Edward Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1
AK Coquina, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
235 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
G4M1 Betty x 16
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
TK Manatawny
AK Taurus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Escalante R, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Si Kiang, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sinkep Island , at 22,53
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 9
Martin 139 x 12
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
7 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 36,84
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
G4M1 Betty x 9
Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 11
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
Wirraway x 3
Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
DD Gridley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Edward Luckenbach, Bomb hits 4, on fire
Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 damaged
Allied Ships
AP Empire Tamar, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kalani, Bomb hits 7, on fire
Allied ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,33
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 17
Ki-51 Sonia x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK F.J.Luckenbach, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Escalante R, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
G4M1 Betty x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Sarangami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Elcano
AK Dos Hermanos
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 46,57
Japanese Ships
AP Oigawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Kyo Maru #13
PC Kyo Maru #12
PC Kyo Maru #2
PG Myoken Maru
PG Kiso Maru
PG Chohakusan Maru
PG Chiyo Maru
Allied Ships
SS Spearfish
Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 104288 troops, 1341 guns, 21 vehicles
Defending force 58570 troops, 371 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
464 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Yenen
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 109737 troops, 1332 guns, 20 vehicles
Defending force 26384 troops, 139 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Yenen base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
640 casualties reported
Guns lost 27
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
976 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rangoon
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 45160 troops, 509 guns, 34 vehicles
Defending force 5859 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 24298 troops, 291 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 31573 troops, 283 guns, 11 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,29
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 17194 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 13994 troops, 181 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1219 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 6095 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Miri
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3549 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 770 troops, 10 guns, 2 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/17/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 47,48
Japanese Ships
PC Takunan Maru #5
PC Shonan Maru #17
PC Shonan Maru #2
PC Shonan Maru #1
PC Kyo Maru #11
PG Unkai Maru #1
PG Tosho Maru
PG Taiko Maru
PG Shosei Maru
PG Shinko Maru #1
PG Okuyo Maru
PG Nishho Maru
PG Nanpo Maru
PG Hayakafuku Maru
Allied Ships
SS Perch, hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 27,32
Japanese Ships
SS I-157
Allied Ships
AK F.J.Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 35 troops unloading over beach at San Jose, 41,53
Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 123
TF 123 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88
38 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze
DD Arare
Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuching , at 28,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Allied aircraft
B-17C Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17C Fortress: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17C Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Clark Field , at 43,51
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 14
Ki-48 Lily x 29
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Ki-15 Babs x 4
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
1 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 47,35
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 25
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 47,35
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,76
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
G4M1 Betty x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 25 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Achilles
BB Colorado
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AP Empire Tamar, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 104427 troops, 1343 guns, 21 vehicles
Defending force 58486 troops, 372 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
455 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rangoon
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 45179 troops, 509 guns, 34 vehicles
Defending force 3306 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Johore Bahru
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 24335 troops, 291 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 24129 troops, 217 guns, 9 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,29
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 17174 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 13991 troops, 181 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2206 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 8334 troops, 91 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Miri
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3606 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 800 troops, 11 guns, 2 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Miri base !!!
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Riposte! Cruft scores this turn. 3 torpedoes into the BB Pennsylvania - she's heading for safety, but who knows if she'll make it or not. I underestimated the speed with which he brought in aircraft (Betties and Zeroes) and overestimated the effectiveness of a small Dutch bombardment. He has Mavises at Biak (northern New Guinea) now, so the Banda Sea is effectively off-limits. I'm worried about having aircraft and ships cut off in the DEI.
The Betties also tried at Darwin harbor, where the two CVs were. He got a torpedo hit on a DD, but lost thirteen escorting Zeroes. Intercepted enemy transmissions lament their inadequate training. I'm going to have to move some good aircraft to Darwin - Wirraways just don't cut it (come to think of it, do they cut anything?).
Just FYI, the afore-mentioned Betties (Takao) and Zeroes (3rd) are flying out of Amboina. The base was a mess when I captured it but I figured it was important to get planes there ASAP due to the Lexington and Enterprise being in the area ...
---
News
I have decided to go ahead with Operation Flagellate, an important part of my strategy which I had so far put off due to inappropriate initial dispositions and insufficient intel. This won't happen for a while though.
Rangoon and Rabaul fall, as expected for a while now. Forces in Burma are ready to face the Japanese onslaught. Some developments on the China front, but nothing earth-shattering. I'm starting to suspect that an invasion (Operation Flagellate?) will be directed against the Canton/Fiji/Palmyra area.
Malaya: Everyone's in Singapore itself, and the planes have been evacced. The final battle is coming up.
Phillipines: I've divided my force on Luzon between Clark, Manila, and Bataan, with most of my force at Clark. Small Japanese units are landing on Leyte and other islands, and control something like 50-60 percent of the bases. The squadrons that haven't been totally mauled have been flown south to participate in the defence of the DEI.
DEI: I feel fairly secure around Java - him only having taken Kuching at this point. I have lots of planes salvaged from Malaya and the PI, though they won't stand up long. My greatest fear is a bombardment run against Batavia or Soerbaja (I saw what happened to Wobbly. Ack). Still, when he does come along, I might at least be able to smack around his BBs a bit. However, his capture of Amboina (northwest of New Guinea) has given him a base in range of Northern Australia, and a small carrier force (Ryujo and Zuiho?) is lurking in that area.
China: Big mess. I neglected this theater in the early war and my troops are still trying to get into position. I'll be heavily outnumbered until I can get troops in the right places. (I've already lost Yenen, and I think I overcommited in the south).
Burma: Rangoon fell without much of a fight - the place is way too exposed for me to risk ground troops there. And he did try to encircle, it turns out. 16th Indian Brigade "forgot" to leave Rangoon with the other units and had to be half-assedly evacuated. (A chunk of it is still wandering around in the jungle, but most of the convoy carrying it should make it to Diamond Harbor. If I-157 doesn't torpedo every single ship. Damn you I-157! [:-] ) In any case, I have strong land forces ready to react to whatever moves he makes towards Mandalay, Aykab, &c.
India: I have enough troops in the area to staunch the bleeding if he tries a landing on the coast, but there isn't much going on, other than the building of airbases and shuttling around of aircraft.
CENTPAC: Not too much going on right now - building building. Pearl is a glorified pit stop on the way to SOPAC. Also trying out Sub Minelaying.
North: Strengthening my position here (moved a couple Canadian brigades to useful places).
SOPAC/SWPAC: Rabaul has fallen, along with Shortlands. I'm feeling pretty exposed in Australia right now. Where are my RAAF P-40s? I'm also hurriedly trying to garrison the US-Oz convoy route, primarily with USMC defence batallions and New Zealander brigades. Canton has been especially reinforced.
West Coast (US): Lots of units here that need to be moved into position. Convoys all over the place.
Pretty cool turn. Small victories like sub sinkings, and a couple big surface battles off Sumatra. Although it is all ephermeal at this stage. In any case,
1/22/42-1/23/42
DEI: First things first. Liberators out of Darwin bomb the airfield at Amboina. Too effective - my bomber gunners are waaay too good. I'm switching them to hit Oil targets. Secondly, the main event. The stinky Nips try to sneak in a bombardment TF, closely followed by an invasion TF for Singkawang - the base across the Java Sea and a bit north from Batavia. I spotted it last turn and gave the ABDA surface forces there orders to move off Tarakan and react. I also set all the bombers in the area (Martins, mostly) to naval attack.
The Martins hit first, escorted by Buffalos. Unfortunately, no hits are scored, and the 11 Zero CAP decimates the Dutch aircraft. Was worth a try!
First battles were between the bombardment TF and a British surface combat group. (Brits used to be escort of CVL Hermes, before that ship dropped off its fighters and returned to Karachi.) The Japanese TF is composed of BBs Fuso and Yamashiro, a couple CLs and 6 DDs. I take more damage - I believe the Japanese got surprise on the second battle - but I do manage to put a few shells into most of the enemy ships. In any case, the bombardment is stopped.
The second battle occurs early the morning of the next day (a night fight.) A mixed American/Dutch TF engages the invasion TF. Allies: 3 CLs, 6 DDs. Nips: 2 CLs, 4 DDs, and a whole mess o' transports. Even with the 3:2 advantage, the Japs excel in night fighting, and we have about equal losses. (One aspect of WitP I have no problem with is the surface combat routine. Seems realistic.) In any case, the CL Sendai is hammered into the water by CL Boise, sinking almost immediately, while I lose DD John D. Ford immediately. CL De Ruyter doesn't even engage.
Also, a Japanese sub is sunk by 3 dutch DDs in the vicinity, and one of the transports from the invasion TF is torpedoed by O21. Sweet! So, overall, goodish turn in the DEI. Even though Singkawang did get invaded.
China: Continuing incessent air attacks, and the Japanese cleaning up in Central China. Still suffering inferiority in numbers. Changsha and Hsinyang are the two more critical points here.
Phillipines: Japanese bombardment attack at Clark. The defenders still outnumber the attackers there, so we can probably expect a nice, long, drawn-out series of battles before the Phillipines fall.
SOPAC: Shortlands captured.
All other theaters: Nothing significant to report.
===
It suddenly occurs to me that I haven't seen a single Val used in any of his carrier actions. Why?
===
I'll cut down the report to what's important.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/22/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kuching at 28,56
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
5 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 25,57
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 3
CL Isuzu
CL Kuma, Shell hits 3
DD Arashi, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 1
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asagiri
Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Shell hits 3
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 4, on fire
CLAA Ceres, Shell hits 1
CL Glasgow, Shell hits 3
CLAA Columbo
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Shell hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 25,57
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
DD Arashi, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo, on fire
DD Asagiri
Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
CL Enterprise, on fire
CLAA Ceres, Shell hits 1
CL Glasgow, Shell hits 4
CLAA Columbo
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 62987 troops, 817 guns, 13 vehicles
Defending force 56640 troops, 304 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
404 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hsinyang
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 51931 troops, 702 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 26579 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 38712 troops, 495 guns, 16 vehicles
Defending force 43493 troops, 511 guns, 140 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/23/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 25,57
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Shell hits 41, and is sunk
CL Naka, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
DD Fubuki
DD Ayanami
AP Giyu Maru
AP Gosei Maru
AP Hakutetsu Maru #13
AP Hokuhi Maru
AP Hokusho Maru
AP Iwaki Maru
AP Kaihei Maru
AP Kaika Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Tamatsu Maru
Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Barker
DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Parrott
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope, Shell hits 2
DD Van Nes, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 21,60
Japanese Ships
SS I-156, hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
a whole lotta sallies around 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th New Chinese Corps, at 45,37
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7
Ki-15 Babs x 2
Allied aircraft
I-16c x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 25,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Naka, on fire
AP Hokusho Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 24,57
Japanese Ships
SS I-153
Allied Ships
MSW Tanager, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bittern
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 63124 troops, 820 guns, 13 vehicles
Defending force 56554 troops, 299 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Hsinyang
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 51974 troops, 701 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 26471 troops, 159 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Clark Field
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 38715 troops, 496 guns, 16 vehicles
Defending force 43574 troops, 510 guns, 143 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
======================
This space to be filled more thoroughly later. Important events:
Two minesweepers Betty-torped in the Java Sea. Oops.
Singkawang falls, already. Planes I didnt fly out yet die. Double oops.
Heavy fighting in Changsha - deliberate attacks commence. He brings down a fort level.
Hsingyang still looks bad.
The Japs reach Singapore! Bombardment attack.
The Chinese begin bombarding Nanning. Advantage: China.
Nates completely destroy an I-16 squadron over Hengchow, then 100+ Sallies, Lillies, et all follow it up and turn the airbase into one massive crater. Ow. Can't compete with that.
The Liberators take heavy damage at Amboina this turn. Calling off the oil attacks for now.
A big 21-Martin attack on Fuso and Yamashiro (anchored at Singkawang). No hits!
Heh, yeah. I'm a bit nervous pulling the Chinese Air Force into combat with the knowledge that you can instantly flatten the airbase I use. Train, train, train.. [:'(]
Not a great turn for the Allies. Once again, action centers around the Dutch East Indies.
The Japanese kick off the 26th of January with a night bombardment of Pontianak, on the western coast of Sumatra. As the bombardment task force retreats towards Sinkep Island (south of Singapore, off of Sumatra), they hit a couble of subs with depth charges. Assorted ABDA bombers - mostly Martins, with a smattering of Blenheims, Swordfish, &c - attack said TF over the next few days. One lucky Martin gets a hit on one of Yamashiro's 5 inch guns (I think), but other than that no hits are scored. Still - pretty good for 15000 feet, eh? I'm building up experience while hopefully conserving enough of them for when the sh*t really hits the fan.
Meanwhile, Betties out of Kuching hit the ABDA fleet, hanging around in Batavia harbor. DDs John D. Edwards and Evertsen take a torpedo each, and CL Java takes two - Java sinks. Poo. My Dutch ships are going down rather quickly. Better pull back a bit out of LBA range. I can't let Java be the anvil and the IJN be the hammer. The last thing I want to do is concede Batavia, though. Hmmmm...
Two other things - one, Liberators suicidally attempt to attack Amboina against the 27 Zero CAP. No luck, obviously, only scoring one oil hit. I thought I'd called off the raids earlier. In any case, they're off now. Also, the small CV task force is still hammering away at Kendari. No targets for them there, so I'm happy with them hanging around.
I'm afraid I might start getting tunnel vision around the DEI. Paying very close attention to the Burma theaters now - Japanese units have moved forward, and one has reached one of my garrisoned bases (forget the name. Aykab?) Anyways, I'm going to take a bit of a gamble and hope that the one unit recon identified was an accident, and not a division - if I'm really lucky, it'll be a tank brigade or somesuch that outpaced the rest of the army. If I'm unlucky and it turns out to be the Gem Division (worst case!), well, the base was untenable anyways. British and Indian forces are mostly in position to concentrate against any Japanese move north of Mandalay, and I will say that the Chinese have a hand here as well.
And now, the depressing theatres: Malaya and the Phillipines. In Malaya, Johore Bahru - held by a single Australian brigade - holds off greatly superior forces (for now), while the defenders of Singapore are besieged themselves. Supplies are running extremely low - all forces are on half rations. Who knows how long they'll last..
The situation is a bit more optimistic in the PI, but it's the same story - American and Filipino forces are besieged and running low on supplies. MacArthur's ground forces are basically intact at this point, although stripped of air cover. Artillery duels rage in the vicinity of Clark Field.
The largest strategic question I ask myself now is just how much am I willing to sacrifice to delay the conquest of the DEI? Because I can't do any more than delay it. I've toyed with the idea of holding on to Timor - and I do like that idea. But Java is doomed. There just aren't enough ground troops to hold it and the air force isn't strong enough to hold off a concerted attack. Ah so, the point emerges. Do I evacuate and save as much as I can, or die standing and leave as little for the Nips as possible?
This will be the last post in this thread. Captain Cruft and I are transitioning to PzB and Wobbly's two-thread format so we can be more open and flexible in our AARs. Thanks for following this so far, all you readers who haven't said a thing (shame!).[:)]
The new thread - an overview of the situation from my POV, and the last few turns - will appear tomorrow. Hope to see you there, and in Cruft's thread. [:)]
This is the last update and this thread. Captain Cruft and I are moving to PzB and Wobbly's two thread style, so we can be more open about our strategy - should be a more entertaining read for you guys. Because I KNOW someone's reading this. [:'(] Shame!
My new thread will be up by tomorrow, along with a short synopsis of the war so far, strategic overview, &c, &c. Captain Cruft will be posting one too.
