PBEM Aztez (A) vs FDRLincoln(J) (Vorsteher and Hawker replaced)

[aztez]

Game date is 30th of July 1942


Operation Hawk has now commenced... I will give you all details about this offensive soon... all I can say for now that it is a small step to right direction and It should give Japanese something to think about.

Otherwise heavy air offensives in China continues and this time around Chinese fighters perform well... I have also embarked 1 squadron of Spitfires to Kweiyang and it is intresting to see what kind of an impact they will make.


China

No ground assaults againts Lanchow this turn.. the Japanese troops are propably resting and waiting reinforcements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 81
Ki-49 Helen x 7

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 20
I-16c x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
I-16c: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 56



South Pacific & Australia


Allied bombers hit Lautern, Sorong and Luganville again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
B-17E Fortress x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 5
Hudson I x 19
B-25C Mitchell x 13
B-17E Fortress x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
Hudson I x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 8
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Runway hits 2


Central Pacific

Baker island is targeted again... this operation was not as succesfull as one would thought.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Baker Island , at 94,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
B-17E Fortress x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Baker Island , at 94,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
B-17E Fortress x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 13 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1


I have now abandoned the air attacks agains Luganville and Baker Island... those bombers are given temporary rest.

Otherwise all eyes in Allied HQ are on operation Hawk.

[Rob Brennan UK]

good luck with the spits ! and i must say i prefer your new style of commenting by theatre ,, thumbs up.

Operation hawk sounds interesting, No idea what it is though. Baker would be nice but too tough maybe. flood luganville from noumea ? your punishing his fighters here quite nicely.

One thing i have noticed is that he has a lot of zeros around the place, and he's losing a fair few each day too. his pilots must be feeling the strain and if hes training in china the spits will slaughter nates/orcars and poorly piloted zeros. Glad u got them there , im using hurricanes in china for much the same purpose.

as always good luck , and forget about the 'chat' comment . your already doing it ! [:D]

[aztez]

Game date is 3rd of August 1942




China


It seems that those troops advancing towards Kweiyang have +100000 troops in strength. Also, the force that is advancing towards Chungking is +80000 infantry troops. These units will reach frontline very soon and heavy battles are to be expected.

Chinese airmen along with the Spitfire squadron performed againts those invading Japanese. Hopefully he will keep trying to bomb the airfields because I could use the target practise!

Airwar

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 66
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
I-153c x 10
I-16c x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged
I-153c: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 67
Ki-49 Helen x 7

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 8
I-153c x 11
I-16c x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
I-153c: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
I-16c: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-21 Sally x 76
Ki-49 Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 7
I-153c x 10
I-16c x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged
I-153c: 2 destroyed

Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-21 Sally x 77
Ki-49 Helen x 10

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 8
I-153c x 11
I-16c x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 5 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed
I-153c: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
I-16c: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged



Burma


Not much happening... I have been air bombarding the Akyab airfields and those Japanese troops stationed there. It is soon time to assault Mandalay airfields again. Also I have spotted some ground unit movement in Burma... 3 units have now left Rangoon and propably are making their way to Mandalay.


South Pacific & Australia


As previous turns indicate I have bombarded Sorong and Lautern. This pressure I have kept up again... also Luganville was hit and some of my ac's flew naval attack mission againts CL Jintsu near Luganville too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
B-17E Fortress x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 24
B-25C Mitchell x 2
B-17E Fortress x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Asanagi
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1


Otherwise it has been quiet in rest of the Pacific... just one sub attack was reported near Kendari base

AP Taganoura Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19


Operation Hawk


My opponent seems to have figured out what I'am planning through his intelligence... well the operation Hawk is the recapture of Wake Island!!!

I have no intelligence what kind of troop sthrengths are stationed there but I'am estimating that around +20000 Japanese infantry are to be expected. So, I have sent 3 US divisions + 2 Sea Bees and 1 Base Force unit towards Wake. First of these division are to be expected to land in couple of days.

This operation also includes 5 CV Fleet TF's... each consisting of 15 surface vessels. CMDR Nimitz is in charge of this operation with TF1001. There is also a naval bombarding TF which has 4 BB's and around 10 DD/DMS in it. This force is expected to start their bombing in upcoming turn.

This operation is well underway... so I have kept my fingers crossed and wishing for the best. There has been a enemy sighting obaut 6-8 hexes North West of Wake Island... the intelligence indicates that 3 CA's are within this enemy TF... Well, I will soon find out what this TF is all about...

[Rob Brennan UK]

WOW .. good luck vs wake [:D]..

The whole op seems like a deja vu of my invasion of canton that cost me 4 carriers , hope your luck is better. Also i made a huge blunder in allowing the carriers to 'follow' the transports all the way into the atoll hex, this limited flight ops and cost me the battle. park your carriers 1-2 hexes away and maybe use 1 sqdn as LR cap to stop unescorted bombing attacks.. I really dont want to see you have the same experience i did !


Also in China hooray for the spits .. just did a quick count up 1 destroyed and 3 damaged for 31 dead zeros ! .. now thats a good exchange rate. dont think he'll be coming back anytime soon for pilot training

Good luck !

[Sardaukar]

CVE Escort mission TFs are not penalized to be in base or coastal hex like Air Combat TFs, AFAIK. That's what the US CVEs are for, to provide CAP for invasion fleets anyway !! [:)] Of course, CVEs with combat squadrons (vs. VR replacement ones) are few in early war.

[aztez]

Game date is 5th of August 1942

Not much happening in last 2 days if you exclude the operation Hawk which is well underway. Only few air assaults were made againts Lautern, Koepang and Akyab.

South Pacific & Australia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
B-17E Fortress x 48

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
B-26B Marauder x 38

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
B-17E Fortress x 54

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 48



Burma


Akyab was targeted as usual and we did recieve fairly good results. I will also launch my bombers again soon since I will shutdown the airfield at Mandalay.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Blenheim IV x 24
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Blenheim IV x 25
B-24D Liberator x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11


China

Nothing happening in last turn... He is propably licking his wounds from past few turns. He did loose a lot of pilots here as Rob stated.


Operation Hawk


My Naval bombardment TF hit Wake Island last turn and they were welcomed by strong coastal artillerey fire as you can see:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

226 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Lang
DD Grayson, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gwin, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
DD Meredith, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Juan
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 26
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 5
BB Colorado, Shell hits 16
BB Maryland

Japanese ground losses:
444 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

Those DD's are badly hit but BB's recieved just some mild damage despite numerous shell hits. In order to soften opposition of the landings I have ordered this TF to hit Wake Island again in next turn... Hopefully they will do their job properly.

Also, I have ordered my SBD Dauntless squadron to hit Wake Island as their secondary target. Hopefully this will make forthcoming landings safer to execute.

Thanx for advice guys... and I have made 5 separate CV TF's and they are following the "flagship" CV... this means that they are in same hex but not in same TF... If what I read is correct than I guess this is the best way of using allied CV's.

My infantry men will start landings at Wake Island propably next turn... 2 US Divisions will hit the beaches first. Hopefully these units are able gain foothold and make the Japanese units surrender.

If this operation is succesfull than what???... I'am actually tempted to assault Marcus Island and Iwo Jima (If my intelligence is right this base has just 4000 Japanese stationed here)... these two bases would cause a lot of headache to shipping lanes. Well, have to capture Wake Island first though.

[aztez]

Game date is now 7th of August 1942


Things continue as planned...


China

It seems that he has given his ac's orders to bomb Kumming instead of Kweiyang. However this propably is a decoy so I have kept my Spitfires at Kweiyang at least for the moment being.

There is 90000 Japanese infantry men gathered just outside Kweiyang... they will propably start their offensive quite soon. I do have +150000 defending Kweiyang and they have level 9 fort bolstering defenses so this could be intresting. Only thing I do not have that much is suprise, suprise supply. The assault againts Lanchow was success for Japanese... those troops defending the city retreated towards North and from now on I will use them as guerilla warfare units. More on this later...

Airwar

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 90
Ki-49 Helen x 6
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 87
Ki-49 Helen x 8
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36


Ground War

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 42,35

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 89472 troops, 1068 guns, 10 vehicles

Defending force 9051 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 378 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
678 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lanchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 149481 troops, 1300 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 37219 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
1881 casualties reported
Guns lost 60
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
567 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lanchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 144831 troops, 1177 guns, 3 vehicles

Defending force 36381 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
1905 casualties reported
Guns lost 36

Allied ground losses:
614 casualties reported
Guns lost 12



Burma


Not much happening... as usual Akyab was bombed from air. I have decieded to go ahead with air operation that conducts heavy airfield bombardment of Mandalay base. There are a lot of allied bombers participating in this operation.


South Pacific & Australia


Koepang and Lautern were hit hard again from North Australia.

I also did an air raid againts Luganville... this caused some casualties to both sides.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
Hudson I x 31
B-25C Mitchell x 15
B-17E Fortress x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9


Operation Thunder


This is ongoing at full speed... first troops landed on the beaches and I was suprised that not more of them were killed. In couple of days I have flooded these beaches with infantry and I will soon hopefully have Wake Island recaptured. There are however 16000 IJN soldiers stationed here.

Those coastal guns and minefields inflicted some damage to my navy... couple of DMS ships were sunk and couple of AK ships damaged. Not much damage though.

My CV's are in area and did launch a strike againts Wake defenders... over 160 Dauntless participated with this offensive.

My BB TF is heading back to Pearl Harbour were they will recieve well earned rest and repair period.

More troops are landing in forthcoming turn... my CV's will remain in area just in case Japanese navy deciedes to show up... I doubt this but you never know for sure.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 162
TBF Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 21 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1049 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DMS Chandler, Shell hits 23, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Boggs
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hovey

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Lang
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 4
BB Tennessee
BB Pennsylvania
BB Colorado, Shell hits 3
BB Maryland

Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1065 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63)

TF 1065 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


Allied Ships
MSW Nipigon
MSW Bobolink
MSW Grebe
DMS Perry
DMS Dorsey
DMS Hopkins
PG Dawson
PG Charleston
AK Admiral Senn, Mine hits 1, on fire
AK Mapele, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5527 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 16504 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5)


Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
1032 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

[aztez]

Game date is 9th of August 1942

China


Not much happening last turn... both sides are licking their wounds and preparing for upcoming battles.

Only thing worth mentioning is that Japanese continue to bomb Kumming from Air... I have now dispatched the British Spitfires there in order to stop this operation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 79
Ki-49 Helen x 14
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 21


Burma


My raid againts Mandalay airfield was costly... I did loose quite a few planes and pilots. This operation however will serve it's purpose since I want to make my opponent guessing when and where I will strike. Now he knows that he can't remove fighter cover from Burma so that fact will relieve pressure from other areas. Oh, and Mandalay will be hit again next turn...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-27 Nate x 57
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 2
Brewster 339D x 9
Blenheim IV x 11
Wellington III x 12
P-40B Tomahawk x 15
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 7 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 7 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 6 destroyed
Wellington III: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 15 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-27 Nate x 30
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Blenheim IV x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 9 destroyed, 10 damaged


South Pacific & Australia


As usual my bombers visited Timor and bombed Lautern + Koepang bases. I have now spotted couple of AK vessels moving towards the island so I do not know whether he is trying to supply or evacuate the trapped troops.

Luganville raid also was an success... first time around my bombers managed to cause significant damage to airfields there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
Hudson I x 27
B-25C Mitchell x 14
B-17E Fortress x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 47


Operation Hawk

Well... This is getting costly for me and my infantry troops. Atoll invasions aren't the easiest tasks to complete.

There has been quite a few casualties reported to my troops... Japanese Land based bombers, coastal artillery and the infantry stationed in Wake Island are causing these problems.

Also, I made an mistake calculating the timings on the landings... 2 day turns played the trick.

However this doesn't mean that we do not capture this base... actually I'am confident that we do.. 2 US divisions continue their landings along with 1 Sea Bee and 1 Base Force unit... and 1 other US divisions will start their landings soon... propably they are 2 days off from the Wake Island.

These troops should be enough to retake this vital island... my CV fleets will continue their effort in order to support this operation.

Landings

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TF 1070 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 1070 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


98 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Tern, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Rail, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tanager, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Southard, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wharton, Mine hits 1, on fire
PG Sacramento


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1070
68 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DM Ramsay


Allied ground losses:
795 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1070 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 1070 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


62 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DMS Southard, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
PG Sacramento
AP Henderson, Mine hits 1


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1070
173 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
PG Sacramento, Shell hits 1
AP President Johnson, Shell hits 3, on fire
DM Ramsay, Shell hits 3


Allied ground losses:
896 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1070 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63)

TF 1070 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


Allied Ships
PG Sacramento

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1070
234 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
PG Sacramento, Shell hits 7
DM Ramsay, Shell hits 5, on fire
DM Montgomery
AP President Garfield, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tasker H. Bliss, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
401 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1070 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63)

TF 1070 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


Allied Ships
PG Sacramento

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1070
110 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AP Wharton, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DM Montgomery, Shell hits 2, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
464 casualties reported


Air battles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied Ships
DMS Dorsey, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 23
G4M1 Betty x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Nipigon
AK Absaroka
AK Charles McCormick
AK Mexican, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Chickasaw City
DMS Perry, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Charleston


Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported


Ground combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11790 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10781 troops, 121 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
407 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6178 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15853 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5)


Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
403 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8162 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15162 troops, 121 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
296 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10690 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15185 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5)


Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

[aztez]

Game date is now 11th of August 1942


China

Japanese troops are advancing in the Northern China... He will soon have complete control over every Chinese city there. In other news those Spitfires I sent to Kumming did not do a good job againts propably inexperinced Japanese pilots.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28
Ki-21 Sally x 91
Ki-49 Helen x 10
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 50


South Pacific & Australia


It seems that the airfield at Luganville will soon be shutdown completely... my bombers did another succesfull assault there.

Also I did manage to get succesfull bombardments againts Lautern, Koepang (seems that he is evacuating his troops from Timor)... Baker Island also was hit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
Hudson I x 26
B-25C Mitchell x 8
B-17E Fortress x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 56

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Baker Island , at 94,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
B-17E Fortress x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10


Burma

The air operation againts Mandalay was almost a disaster... I did manage to get minor hits againts the airfield and I did recieve way too many ac losses. This operation is on hold again for time being... He is also trying to cut off the Burma road ... at least 1 unit moving towards the road conjuction below Myithkina.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 16
Ki-27 Nate x 44
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
Beaufort I x 10
Beaufort V-IX x 41
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 9 destroyed, 18 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-27 Nate x 35
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
Beaufort I x 6
Beaufort V-IX x 37
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged
Beaufort I: 2 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 13 destroyed, 11 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3


Operation Hawk


This is going to be costly operation for me... He did manage to more coastal guns in place there and he has done a lot of damage to my transport ships. When I say a lot that is an under statement... Many MSW, DMS and AP/AK are damage and sunk.

Those two divisions already in place have suffered a lot of casualties as well and it will take time for them to recover from this operation. Here is just an example what kind of damage he has managed to do to my ships:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1065
TF 1065 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


886 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Hollywood, Shell hits 31, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mapele, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Knoxville City, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mexican, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AK Columbian, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Canadian, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
AK Aroostook, Shell hits 5, on fire


Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1065 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 1065 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


217 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Nipigon, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bobolink, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Grebe, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Perry, Shell hits 29, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Dorsey, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 2, on fire
PG Dawson, heavy damage
PG Charleston, Mine hits 1, on fire

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1065
994 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Hollywood, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK West Cape, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Charles McCormick, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Vermont, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK American, Shell hits 3
AK Mercury, Shell hits 12, on fire


Allied ground losses:
972 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

As you can see that is not looking good...!!!

On the brighter side my Wildcats managed to shot down quite a few Betty's that were trying to intercept these ships:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Charles H Cramp, Bomb hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Aroostook, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Senn


In the Wake Island my ground units met stiff resistance from Japanese troops... They however managed to reduce the fortifications to level 4... There is 1 more division that will start their landings next turn.. Hopefully they can dislodge the Japanese troops occupying the Island.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 18723 troops, 168 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15449 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4


Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
887 casualties reported
Guns lost 37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 18064 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 14847 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
656 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
380 casualties reported
Guns lost 18

This operation will be and is a blood bath to both sides.... I have spotted couple AK's moving towards Wake Island from Eniwetok. I do not whether these ships will be escorted by the Japanese navy.

He did manage to get few AP's on port before my SBD Dauntless ac's hit them...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Nichinan, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Toyokuni Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


This operation should finished off soon.... and I wohn't make same mistakes twice.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Looks like he had some decent coastal defence guns here . ouch , opposed landings can be very painful . Best keep and eye out for KB too, if that shows up your royally in the lavvy with no paper on the roll [:D]

Im a bit disaponted with the spits ? but numbers to tell in this game as im discovering the hard way in china.

Also as a quick question , im having huge problems with P40B+E pruduction. Ive even got 2 units in the states with no aircraft and replacements set to off , and the pools just wont grow to allow me to upgrade the AVG .. Wish i could change wirracoffin production (on map) to some thing more useful , like sopworth camels [:D]

As always good luck

[8D]

[LittleJoe]

40,000 soldiers and secondary troops at Wake. [X(]

Must be some bloody hand to hand fighting going on!

[aztez]

Game date is 13th of August 1942


First of all thanks for the comments guys... that's why I for one have kept this AAR live.

Absolutely right Little Joe... if you count Japanese too there is around 60000 troops fighting there.

Yeah... he had a lot coastal guns there and my troop transports were hit hard!!! ...and as that wasn't enough KB turned up!!! That brought a lot of horror around this tiny island.. more about this later.

Spitfires are propably the asset I got to defend Kumming and Kweiyang... however I wohn't over commit my fighter aircraft since I need them in India/Burma... there are plenty of quality Japanese pilots stationed nearby.

Eheh.. I having the same problem too... not as many P40B/E's in pool... this is not good since I would love to upgrade my out dated aircrafts.

Now into the situation raport:


China

Japanese are resting their infantry troops... He has now over 30 divisions stationed in this country. The main objective is not get my ground units trapped and maintain a retreating option towards Burma/India... this way he wohn't get overwhelming advantage in troop numbers.

As usual my Spitfires engaged the enemy fighters in Kumming.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 90
Ki-49 Helen x 14

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 6 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 46


Operation Hawk

Well... well... well... this is turning to be massacre!!!! I have lost +30 ships now and the count is not stopping there... also a lot of good infantry men are lost in sea and in the beaches.

KB showed up in force... the report indicated that CV Wasp and CV Yorktown were hit... this seems to be FOW in effect since these ships thank god seem to be false reports.

Here are details of events:

Landings

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1066 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 1066 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Quail
DMS Zane, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waters

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1066
168 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
PG Warrego
DD Waters, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Adams, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Coolidge, Shell hits 1
DD Helm, Shell hits 3
AP Hugh L. Scott


Allied ground losses:
869 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1066 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 1066 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


35 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Quail, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Zane, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waters, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm

Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 1066
298 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AP Thomas Jefferson, Shell hits 3
AP Republic, Shell hits 6, on fire
AP President Adams, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
891 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


KB enters battlefield...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
D3A Val x 47
B5N Kate x 123

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK West Notus, Bomb hits 1
AK Canadian, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Knoxville City, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Dawson, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mapele, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Aroostook, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Hollywood
AK Absaroka, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Trento
AK Corrales, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK West Cape
AK Sidney Hauptmann
AK Forbes Hauptmann, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PG Charleston, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vermont, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Nevadan, Bomb hits 1
AK Hawaiian, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hopkins, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mercury, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mexican
AK Chickasaw City, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Makena, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Charles H Cramp, Bomb hits 1
AK American

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 56
B5N Kate x 117

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Harris, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Republic, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waters, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm
DD Dunlap, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Thomas Jefferson, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP W.A. Holbrook
AP J. Franklin Bell, Torpedo hits 1
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP U.S. Grant
AP President Hayes, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Zane, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hugh L. Scott, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP President Madison, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Warrego, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


CV vs CV Battles

This is weird.. the combat screen reported that CV Yorktown was sunk but when I loaded the turn...CV Yorktown and CV Wasp were undamaged... huh.. FOW gives scary news... My CV's are heading towards Pearl Harbour now...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,65 (Where are my Wildcats)

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 134

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 66
TBF Avenger x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 63 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 29 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 73
D3A Val x 65
B5N Kate x 168

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 33 destroyed
D3A Val: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
B5N Kate: 12 destroyed, 44 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 27 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Diego
DD Perkins
CA Indianapolis, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Preston
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland
DD Smith, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Case

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 26
B5N Kate x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
D3A Val: 9 destroyed, 8 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CLAA Juneau
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 1
CA Vincennes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged


Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, on fire
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 2, on fire


Ground Combat

Fortification levels are down to 0... hopefully I can invade this enemy island next turn.. These shock attacks are consuming and fatiguing my infantry troops.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14739 troops, 127 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 14491 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1


Japanese ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
403 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 28318 troops, 252 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 13944 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
460 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
438 casualties reported
Guns lost 12


These events are what I'am looking for... action and more action... this operation is not success in operational stand of view. There were smaller strikes againts shipping too Betty's and KB.

Also I have cancelled my Bombardment TF orders to hit Wake Island... They are heading towards safe ports and havens.


Australia & South Pacific


I have kept the pressure againts Lautern, Koepang, Baker Island and Luganville.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
Hudson I x 28
B-25C Mitchell x 11
B-17E Fortress x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 4 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 33

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Baker Island , at 94,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 4
Hudson I x 27
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-17E Fortress x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2


India & Burma


Quiet turn... Akyab was bombed by Beauforts and made moderate damage. Also in good news 1 US Reaction force landed turned in Karachi.. in couple of days more reinforcements will arrive in order to bolster defences here.

It seems that KB is near Wake Island... well that leads to the question what to do with Royal Navy. I would launch attacks but I do not enough infantry men stationed here.

[Rob Brennan UK]

OUCH ! .. sorry to hear KB turned up but im not too suprised. very very glad your carriers escaped (mine didnt eh joe ? )

Looks like you might take wake ,, fingers crossed. at least it'll be a phyrric victory rather than a complete disaster.

hmm Brits .. maye bombbardment run to akyab or rangoon ? rangoon is a bit scary though. the brit cv's can escort the BB's part of the way then use LBA fighters out of dacca ? if your going for akyab. Overall id say give it a try , yout very close to good ports just in case ( diamond harbour/madras)

[aztez]

Well to put it short... I think I'am done with this PBEM.

The reason being that the game engine did two things:

1) I had my CV TF to stay in the same hex following each other... well that did not happen since before I know my CV's were going their own ways... That's a joke... oh, and this resulted CV Yorktown to be sunk and CV Wasp badly damaged... naturally so since I would not have been stupid enough do sail them as individual CV TF without proper CV support from other fleet carriers!!!

2) Ground Combat.....!!!!!! This ridicilous.. I captured Wake Island... when the Japanese launched counter attack with the support of KB and couple of BB TF's... well that is fine but when I see 9000 men getting 5-1 odds againts 3 well supported American Divisions with lots of supply than I must say wtf!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9416 troops, 70 guns, 1 vehicles

Defending force 23575 troops, 152 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
45499 casualties reported
Guns lost 372
Vehicles lost 4




Sorry to say but this is just too much... and as I'am feeling now this war is going to be stopped.

[Rob Brennan UK]

well im not sure what to say but i do feel i need to say something ..

Bad luck with the carriers , i had just the same thing happen in my game , but away from combat area so no real problem , just and eye opener. happened when i created a tf in mid ocean as i was thinking my cv's were too bunched up, gave it follow and it stayed put. follow again and on full speed to catch up .. fingers crossed it'll work but they are nowhere near the japs atm ..

As for ~Wake ,, well your troops must have had horrible disruption from landing and the shock attack atoll rule ( very nasty when u first try it ) . but to be fair you really had no recon of wake and it was a bit of a gamble .

Please dont give up ! . i know the feeling of loss ,, probably even worse after losing 4 us cvs .. it changes the game , time to tear up the old plans and start new ones .. longer defensive period is the net result ..

Wait a few days and mull it over .. e-mail me if u like ..

anyway ultimately the decision is yours and i wont judge either way .. if you dont enjoy playing then whats the point ?

[aztez]

After giving it hard thought I decieded to continue this adventure... needless to say that I'am still really pissed about CV tf screw up... that has put me on a severe handicap position... Also losing a lot of infantry like that has made me more cautious about the game engine because it seems that allied troops surrender much more easily than IJN infantry.

...and yes Wake wasn't scouted properly but I'am still somewhat dazzled to what happened... since the distrubtion levels of the troops when they surrendered were around 40-50.

Thank you for the encouragement Rob...


Game date is now 23rd of August 1942


Here is the situation report and then I will ponder future operations:


Central Pacific



Current situation


Operation Hawk ended up being a total disaster. It amounted to the loss of 3 US divisions, 1 Base force unit and 1 Sea Bee unit. In top of that I lost around 80 vessels... Including CV Yorktown... CV Wasp has 96 sys damage and 70 flooding so it might sink on his way to Pearl Harbour.


Future

I do not know whether I will get those ground units back as reinforcements in due time but this has severely affected my plans. First of all I will not use my CV's anymore as separate TF's... I will now 2-3 Carrier fleet CV's + couple of CVE's stacked together. That is how I will operate from now on.

Since I lost so many of ground units I lost the capability to launch any major offensive battles from time being... one thing for certain I will not be attacking any atolls before I have the Japanese navy silenced and sunken. When I have this accomplished I will move in for an attack propably through Gilberts and Marshalls.


China


Current situation:

Heavy air assaults againts Kumming continues... recon flights taken from Chunking and Kweiyang... no ground combat reported but it seems that enemy is preparing for final assault.

Future:

Hopefully I can stall his offensive plans... time is what I need here and I do want him to consume his supply levels. I have also dispatched couple of badly mauled Chinese corps in India in order to get them combat ready in future operations. Also, I will move my units towards Burma when I feel that the situation is hopeless. I do want these units to stay alive.


Burma & India

Current situation:

Just the usual bombings of Akyb happening. I'am still in process of strengthening my forces in this sector.

Future:

I would love to launch assault in this theatre as soon as possible. What I know Is that he has over 100 000 stationed in Mandalay.,, but I do not know what kind of strengths he has in Rangoon area.

What I would love to do... is to make double sworded assault... on offensive would come as frontal assault and one offensive would cut his supply lines from rear... that is what I would love to do. However this kind operation at the moment would be very risky but if succesfull It would collapse Japanese war efforts in this region.


South Pacific & Australia


Current situation:

Usual bombing runs continuing here too.... I have targeted... Sorong, Lauterm, Koepang and Luganville.

Future:

I have decieded to go on defense here too... In order to achieve maxium airbase balance I have decieded to occupy Fiji's airfields. When this is done I will start major air campaign from air in order to tire the Japanese troops out before anykind of a amphibious landings are ordered.

I have also been planning the details on how to capture DEI region from Australia... but this operation is just not yet accute.


North Pacific:

I have no intensions here... just to maintain somewhat of a sizeable garrison... in case the Japanese will start their offensive here.

[Sardaukar]

Argh !!

What's the situation in points now ? You may have to be careful to avoid auto-victory in 1943.

[Rob Brennan UK]

I have to agree with sadukar here , you really need to be defensive for a while ( and i dont mean a couple of weeks ) . yes wake was a disaster and im really happy you decided to continue <good for you ,, cheer > [&o]

It really is a time to not think of assaults and counterattacks, weigh every decision in what it might cost you in points and heartache if it goes wrong. Defend what you can and maybe re-define the boundaries that you consider crutial , the convoy route from us to Oz is still open .. get some med bombers to suva/pago/canton/noumea and keep it open .. maybe send the remaining us cvs round to india to join the brit ones ,, thats a nasty combination F4F and swordfish .. if your worried about india throw in the kitchen sink ,, guadalcanal is worthless and i think your opponent knows that.

you can afford to lose china just dont lose india .. and do not under any cirumstance give away points you dont have to. I'm not saying dont attack but only do so when you have decent recon and intelligence to his force disposition.

Hehe im trying to fight in march with one CV in the pac .. not easy by any measure, but i think its a real challenge, it is in the end only a game and treat it as such .. [:)]

and above all i (and i think your opponent ) is glad that you continued .. just think how much sweeter victory will seem in 44/45 now you have to challenge a bad situation.

as ever ood luck and i am very pleased you decided to continue /thumbs up

[:D][:D][:D]

[aztez]

Defense is the only to think now... only place were offensive could be thought is Burma... but that could be disaster for India so I think it is better to postpone those thoughts.

I will occupy and reinforce Suva and Pago Pago area... those along Canton, Palmyra and Noumea will be my bases where the eventual allied offensive will start.

China is not looking that good... there is not enough supply to sustain all of the chinese units and he has placed so many infantry divisions there that it is up hill battle all the way. If what my opponent states is correct the final major assault will begin in couple of turns time here. I have now +130 000 Chinese in Kweiyang (level 9 fort)... also +130000 in Chungking (level 9) and another +100000 North of Chungking. That are my major troop deployments. As we all know he has +400000 troops in the North and propably around 200000 in the South. With these odds it will be a miracle if I can hold on this assault. I have moved AVG to Kweiyang and ordered them to Sweep Hanoi... hopefully they can inflict enough damage to those ac's stationed there.

The score at moment is following:

Allied: 7924
Japan: 20689

Allied aircraft point loss: 2400
Japanese aircraft point loss: 2198

Allied Army loss points: 9715
Japanese Army loss points: 1347

Allied ships sunk: 234
Points for allied ships sunk: 2788

Japanese ships sunk: 123
Points for Japanese ships sunk: 1092

Allied bases controlled: 126
Allied base points: 3287

Japanese bases controlled: 323
Japanese base points: 5786

This is how things stand now... I don't know whether he has the potential to go for an autovictory but he has solid advantage in the points and my screw up with the Wake invasion did not help this cause.

[Sardaukar]

Definitely time to play defensively until some US carriers arrive.

If you have PPs, you could start sending some US LCUs to Karachi from West Coast by changing their HQ as SEAC. It'll be difficult to use them in Pacific because of the lack of carriers. And that'd help to defend India very much. Anyhow, as long as you hold Karachi in India, UK/Commonwealth reinforcements will arrive. Maybe moving some of the West Coast CD forts there against Bombardment TFs too...[8D].
I'd also consider sending British CVs to Pacific via Australia. They have limited use in Indian Ocean and you may need to try to repel some invasion TFs in Pacific.

You may run into PP trouble that way, though..especially if British CV withdrawal is requested.