Beer made me do it.

[Nikademus]

tough choice between falling back on the urban defenses and trying to conduct a holding action in order to buy time for the forts to be built up more. Hope it's worth it....forced retreats are costly but then again 7000+ casualties for the attackers, even if mostly disablements will take it's toll too

[tabpub]

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

tough choice between falling back on the urban defenses and trying to conduct a holding action in order to buy time for the forts to be built up more. Hope it's worth it....forced retreats are costly but then again 7000+ casualties for the attackers, even if mostly disablements will take it's toll too

Bah. I have so many USMC replacements..should have the 2nd Marine back up to snuff in 2 weeks, 3 at the outside. Replacing losses should be a snap for me compared to Mog. I am drawing on 6-7 bases when replacing; he has one.
Plus, I don't really want to let him have access to the Great Northern Railway; knowing him, he would send a column that way just to "widen" the war and wreak havoc...

Have to admit that this large scale fight up there is interesting, to say the very least. And refreshing compared to mucking about in China...blech.

Too late here too post results from yesterday..not much happening air combat over the front and some British got lost and recaptured Tavoy in Siam.

[tabpub]

March 13, 1942

As the Japanese move south, the struggle for air superiority over the front continues; the Japanese are using carrier air to cover their frontline units at the moment.

IX and I Corps report 75% ready to meet the enemy’s spearhead; it appears that his main body is heading to the NE of Vancouver, toward the Kamloops section of the line.

The 2nd Marine and Americal Division report back to Vancouver for replacements and re-equipping. They are planning to be ready for combat in the next week or two.

When the Japs reach the next position, there should be a bit of fireworks.

03/12/42
Day Air attack on 32nd USA Division, at 134,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 59
G4M1 Betty x 42
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M Nell: 14 destroyed, 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 15 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Here he hits one of the new divisions of the 1st Corps; The Wildcats make the bombers pay to reach the targets.

03/13/42
Day Air attack on 18th USA Engineer Regiment, at 134,37
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G3M Nell x 31
G4M1 Betty x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
148 casualties reported

The next day he hits an Engineer Regiment that was retreating to Vancouver. It looks worse than it was.

03/13/42
Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 133,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 15
Wellington III x 4
B-18A Bolo x 27
A-20B Boston x 3
B-26B Marauder x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington III: 4 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
=============================================
03/13/42
Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 133,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
03/13/42
Day Air attack on 18th Division, at 133,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 15
Wellington III x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 65
B-18A Bolo x 33
A-20B Boston x 12
B-26B Marauder x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wellington III: 6 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
A-20B Boston: 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
=============================================
These attacks suffer a bit trying to blunt the lead divisions of the Jap advance.

[tabpub]

March 16, 1942

The skies clear a bit over the front….all the way to overcast!
The Nipponese don’t seem to send up much of any defensive cover for their troops during this period, probably husbanding them for later.
Most of the Japanese have moved up to Kamloops now; this position is about 1/3 stronger than the last. The prior lines troops are now recovering fairly well in the public houses in Vancouver.
In Burma, Victoria Point is recovered and recon reports scads of Nates over Bangkok.

03/16/42
Day Air attack on 56th Division, at 133,36
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 29
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
=============================================
03/16/42
Day Air attack on 14th Mortar Battalion, at 133,36
Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 15
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 30000 feet
=============================================
03/15/42
Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 133,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
A-20B Boston x 56
B-25C Mitchell x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Aircraft Attacking:
54 x A-20B Boston bombing at 7000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
03/14/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 133,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
03/14/42
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 133,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
A-20B Boston x 45
B-25C Mitchell x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Aircraft Attacking:
45 x A-20B Boston bombing at 7000 feet
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet



03/16/42
Day Air attack on 5th Division, at 134,36
Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 52
A-20B Boston x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 4
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 3 damaged
A-20B Boston: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
=============================================
03/16/42
Day Air attack on 5th Division, at 134,36
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 27
B-17E Fortress x 33
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Aircraft Attacking:
33 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
27 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
03/16/42
Day Air attack on 18th Division, at 134,36
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 15
A-20B Boston x 18
B-26B Marauder x 99
Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
206 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 1
=============================================
03/16/42
Ground combat at 134,36
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 8433 troops, 298 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 104613 troops, 1033 guns, 236 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
=============================================
03/16/42
Ground combat at 134,36
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 81601 troops, 1005 guns, 18 vehicles
Defending force 309726 troops, 2984 guns, 687 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

After being on this mission for several nights, a sub has moved into the hex to give better targeting solutions for the planes. They strike out tonight, but there is always another cloudy night.


03/16/42
Night Air attack on TF at 129,36
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 12
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 12 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CVL Zuiho
=============================================
03/16/42
Night Air attack on TF at 129,36
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 12
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 12 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima

Up north in the Aleutians, I make a grievous error. I not only overshoot an intercept of a transport group, but I stray into air strike distance from Kiska. HELENA pays the price, she barely makes it to Dutch Harbor to let off the wounded and dead, along with two of the accompanying DD’s.

03/15/42
Day Air attack on TF at 103,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N Kate x 12
Ki-30 Ann x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 5 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Russell, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena, Bomb hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ward
DD Kane, Bomb hits 2
DD Anderson, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Sands, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


03/16/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Dutch Harbor at 103,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-21 Sally x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
CL Helena, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
03/16/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Dutch Harbor at 103,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-21 Sally x 14
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
CL Helena, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage


4 DD’s that were still combat worthy stay on station to pickup the transports the next night and then also retire to the south.

03/16/42
Night Time Surface Combat at 103,34
Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #8
MSW Yoshino Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
PG Nishho Maru
PG Zuiko Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yamafuji Maru
AK Tekkai Maru
AK Tsurugisan Maru
AK Renzan Maru
AK Sensan Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mie Maru
AK Teikin Maru
AK Ryuzan Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Shogen Maru
AK Yoko Maru
Allied Ships
DD Mustin
DD Morris
DD Schley, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Ward, Shell hits 1
=============================================

Finally, here is a short summary of the Dutch actions around Menado; they have now landed about 2 regiments there and are preparing to try to push out the 2 SNLF there.
The Dutch fighters are flying out of Morotai, while Martins try to hit the ground forces from Kendari.

03/16/42
Coastal Guns at Menado, 39,67, firing at TF 1012
TF 1012 troops unloading over beach at Menado, 39,67
2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein
Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
=============================================
03/16/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Menado at 39,67
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 4
Buffalo I x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Bisayas, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
03/16/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Menado at 39,67
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 9
Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 4
Buffalo I x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 damaged
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
AP Van Overstraten, Torpedo hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
03/16/42
Ground combat at Menado
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4443 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 5395 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
03/15/42
Coastal Guns at Menado, 39,67, firing at TF 1112
TF 1112 troops unloading over beach at Menado, 39,67
Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
=============================================
03/15/42
Coastal Guns at Menado, 39,67, firing at TF 1112
TF 1112 troops unloading over beach at Menado, 39,67
Allied ground losses:
1 casualties reported
=============================================

03/15/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Menado at 39,67
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 6
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Buffalo I x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed

03/15/42
Day Air attack on TF at 39,69
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Java, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================

[Capt. Harlock]

Up north in the Aleutians, I make a grievous error. I not only overshoot an intercept of a transport group, but I stray into air strike distance from Kiska. HELENA pays the price, she barely makes it to Dutch Harbor to let off the wounded and dead, along with two of the accompanying DD’s.

Curses! I was really hoping for good things from Helena; 15 six-inchers would have worked over a supply convoy nicely.

Congratulations to Mogami for landing 300K+ men along with over 600 vehicles. If there were a championship for herding cats, he'd win it. BTW, does the combat engine give a bonus to the P-39 and its 37mm cannon against ground targets?

[tabpub]

The heavy divisions were unable to gain sufficient fortification levels in time....perhaps additional engineering units would have helped them dig in faster.
The RCT's do not retreat and keep the battle from being a total rout.

Looks like the battle will be fought in the suburbs of Vancouver now; the weather has worsened back to rain, so Chennault orders a maximum effort against the spearhead for tomorrow. The IJ carriers appear to be moving northwest again, probably to Sitka to refuel. Or they were scared of the night flying PBY's....ok, they probably needed the gas.[:'(].
Now for the midgame.

03/17/42
Day Air attack on 14th Army, at 134,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
=============================================
03/17/42
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 134,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 15
A-20B Boston x 14
B-26B Marauder x 80
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Aircraft Attacking:
36 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 4000 feet
7 x A-20B Boston bombing at 7000 feet
6 x A-20B Boston bombing at 7000 feet
42 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
03/17/42
Ground combat at 134,36
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 302446 troops, 2941 guns, 703 vehicles
Defending force 102151 troops, 1031 guns, 97 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
11082 casualties reported
Guns lost 272
Vehicles lost 31
Allied ground losses:
1826 casualties reported
Guns lost 60
Vehicles lost 3
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
=============================================
03/17/42
Ground combat at 134,36
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 28711 troops, 357 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 293011 troops, 2588 guns, 639 vehicles
=============================================

[Capt. Harlock]

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 302446 troops, 2941 guns, 703 vehicles
Defending force 102151 troops, 1031 guns, 97 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
11082 casualties reported
Guns lost 272
Vehicles lost 31
Allied ground losses:
1826 casualties reported
Guns lost 60
Vehicles lost 3
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

One bit of solace for Tabpub: although the Japanese had three times as many troops, they took six times as many casualties. That kind of math will not get Mogami to the Golden Gate. Also, an observation. There was no report of the fortification level in the combat results. Does that mean tabpub's lads failed to dig in at all?

[tabpub]

March 19, 1942

Here is a synopsis of the air attacks over the last 2 days or so.
In the first example, the Boston BG suffers failure of command and breaks off the attack run; I send that group back to SF for some time off and to look for a new CO.

03/19/42
Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 134,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 16
Blenheim I x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 65
A-20B Boston x 57
B-25C Mitchell x 89
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed
Blenheim I: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 10 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
=============================================
03/19/42
Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 134,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
Hurricane II x 19
Kittyhawk I x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 45
B-18A Bolo x 12
A-20B Boston x 22
B-26B Marauder x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
=============================================
03/18/42
Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 134,36
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12
B-26B Marauder x 6
B-17E Fortress x 35
LB-30 Liberator x 15
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1
=============================================
03/18/42
Day Air attack on 5th Division, at 134,36
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
Blenheim I x 28
P-39D Airacobra x 59
A-20B Boston x 27
B-25C Mitchell x 80
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
=============================================
03/18/42
Day Air attack on 18th Division, at 134,36
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 50
B-26B Marauder x 20
B-17E Fortress x 48
LB-30 Liberator x 18
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


03/18/42
Day Air attack on TF at 110,33
Allied aircraft
B-18A Bolo x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Renzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-18A Bolo bombing at 7000 feet
The Bolos out of Anchorage show that they haven’t lost their teeth yet, with a couple of thousand pound calling cards.

To answer Harlock:

The units were at varying levels of entrenchments; the RCT’s being smaller entrenched faster and more. They were at 3-4 as I recall, and did not retreat with the rest; they were at 1-2 and retreated with the 2-1 result. In retrospect, I might have been better off splitting the heavy divisions up into their sub units; they might have dug in faster. Or, had more independent engineers present; I believe that they give some degree of assistance in the non-base hex.

So, it’s back to Vancouver. I will print a sit map on the next posting.

Tabpub

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

One bit of solace for Tabpub: although the Japanese had three times as many troops, they took six times as many casualties. That kind of math will not get Mogami to the Golden Gate. Also, an observation. There was no report of the fortification level in the combat results. Does that mean tabpub's lads failed to dig in at all?

You might be right. Tab has a point when he mentioned that his units can replace their losses. Normally a forced retreat is a bad thing for the defender because they lose a % of their assets destroyed vs. disabled. However in this case....with Mogami far from home and with little chance for ground reinforcement....and with Tab's forces close to huge supply dumps and with ample land forces.....he can probably afford to lose the material. The exp levels of his LCU's affected will drop...but meanwhile Mogami's forces are suffering massive casualties that wont repair at anything but a slow rate. Certainly Tab cant afford to let Mog's forces reach the US border unbloodied. Soften em up and then let the urban combat begin.

lol....seattle will be on the front lines.

[Speedysteve]

Cool. Mog and Tabpub please make sure you target Nik's home. Will save me a lot of hassle over the rest of the Pacific [:D]

[tabpub]

March 20, 1942

Not much new to report:

More bombing of the spearhead with decent success; though slightly disappointed with the fact that we aren’t getting total maximum effort here. Most of the crews are above 75 in ‘morale’; am thinking about sending Kenney up there to see if his addition will increase the sortie rate. It might be the weather also; rain is considered clear here right now.

03/20/42
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 134,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 29
B-26B Marauder x 19
B-17E Fortress x 62
LB-30 Liberator x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 13 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Vehicles lost 1
=============================================
03/20/42
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards Division, at 134,36
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6
B-26B Marauder x 33
B-17E Fortress x 37
LB-30 Liberator x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

A mission over Bangkok recently revealed a slew of Nates there; the 23rd FG under Col. Scott stages up to Raehang and attempts to clear the skies of these pesty buggars.
They have reasonable success:

03/20/42
Day Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 47
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 57
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 26 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

In the Dutch sector, aircraft out of Kendari continue to keep the Jap Marines busy at Menado; however, we lose a previously damaged freighter to air attack.

03/20/42
Day Air attack on Sasebo 1st SNLF, at 39,67
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 12
Martin 139 x 23
Hudson I x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported

03/20/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 33,71
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Bisayas, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sinks)
MSW Deloraine

The only other news is the sighting of Jap carriers off Kodiak Island. Believe that he is going there to refuel/replenish. This would be to keep from using supplies/fuel at the front line bases. Or, it is in response to the activity against his supply lines. Further information is required.

Here is the map of the Northern Front with some notations. The spearhead seems to have stalled for now. Either waiting for supply, recovering disabled, thinking about what to do next, or slowed by the air strikes. Probably a combination of all these.
120 miles SE of Portland, you can see another division moving to the front.

[Nikademus]

Doesn't look like Mog is protecting his supply line. uh oh.... [:D]

[mogami]

Hi, It's a trap

[Tom Hunter]

Hi I am working on traps too, send the turn back.

[:D]

[mogami]

HI, i sent back your turn. I only post or read forums when I am caught up which is almost never. When I wake up at 6am I have turns waiting that keep me busy till past noon by which time other turns have arrived. Most days I do turns for 12 to 16 hours without break. This is one of the few times I am completly caught up.

[tabpub]

<takes Nik to the highest building in Seattle and sees if he can fly.....nope, he can't>

March 22, 1942

The Japanese spearhead has moved to within 60 miles of Vancouver; this move and heightened recon efforts by smaller bomb groups intensifies the attacks. Most of the planes in the NW USA fly today through gaps in the horrid weather to punish the Jap Divisions. Morale is generally high in the air groups and the ones that are having problems are rotated south and replaced with fresh groups.

The 3 northern AF are at capacity now; 400 in Vancouver, 450 in Portland and 500 in Seattle. Reserve bases have about another 500-600 planes in various states of repair and morale conditions.

Here are the results of the last two days of strikes against the Jap 14th and 16th Armies:

03/22/42
Day Air attack on 14th Army, at 134,37
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 46
A-20B Boston x 1
No Allied losses
TWO SQUADRON SWEEP FINDS NO JAP AIR COVER OVER FRONTLINE
=============================================
03/22/42
Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 134,37
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 25
PBY Catalina x 2
Blenheim I x 2
P-36A Mohawk x 36
P-39D Airacobra x 57
B-25C Mitchell x 75
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
358 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 2
=============================================
03/22/42
Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 134,37
Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 51
P-39D Airacobra x 72
P-40E Warhawk x 52
B-26B Marauder x 26
B-17E Fortress x 99
LB-30 Liberator x 29
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
434 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 1
=============================================
03/22/42
Day Air attack on 18th Division, at 134,37
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 14
Hurricane II x 29
Kittyhawk I x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 61
B-18A Bolo x 12
A-20B Boston x 14
B-26B Marauder x 42
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 13 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
294 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
AIRACOBRAS WERE STRAFING ON THIS RUN; LOT OF DAMAGES AND THE UNIT WAS NOT HAPPY. TRANSFERRED SOUTH TO SD TO RECOVER (and to clear all the damaged a/c out of the way for the new group)

Meanwhile, 10000 miles away, the British Commonwealth forces are starting to make their presence felt on the enemy in Thailand (Siam). In addition to the reports below, the 13th Indian Brigade has captured Krung Thep, 60 miles NE of Bangkok. Additionally, British ground forces are at the doorstep of Bangkok to the west:

03/21/42
Day Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 54
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 12 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
=============================================
03/21/42
Day Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Allied aircraft
Vildebeest IV x 11
Blenheim I x 15
Blenheim IV x 55
P-40B Tomahawk x 13
F-5A Lightning x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Blenheim I: 3 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 33
=============================================
03/21/42
Day Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 5
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Buffalo I x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 7 damaged


03/22/42
Day Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 43
No Allied losses
THE NATES APPEAR TO HAVE LEFT THE BANGKOK AREA FOR THE MOMENT.
=============================================
03/22/42
Day Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
Hudson I x 25
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
=============================================

In the Celebes, outstanding news from the Dutch; their 5 battalions have been able to wrest control of the airstrip at Menado from the Jap SNLF battalions that were holding it.
The ground commander attributes it mainly to prodigous supply for his troops and the relative effectivness of the DAF in the ground support role.
03/21/42
Ground combat at Menado
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5569 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 3922 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Menado base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
256 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
=============================================
03/21/42
Day Air attack on Sasebo 1st SNLF, at 39,67
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 10
Martin 139 x 26
Hudson I x 1
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 2000 feet

April approaches, bringing new hope to the Alliance. New AAA mounts are moving by rail to the west coast repair yards; more new air groups are forming in the east every day (note, was worried about some of the groups that were scheduled as B24D earlier; worry has been reduced, as they fit out with LB30 instead, due to the unavailability of the 24D model). No new ground forces though; the German offensive in the North African desert has the Combined Chiefs worried and ground forces are slated to ship to Europe to forestall the collapse of the British position there. West Coast HQ is confident that they have sufficient forces to blunt the Jap advance now, though.

Here is a picture of the USS Atlanta, moving to join the Fleet.

[Capt. Harlock]

West Coast HQ is confident that they have sufficient forces to blunt the Jap advance now, though.

Hmmm. I wouldn't be too confident: Mogami must have a good idea what troops are available, and he still decided to do this. The absence of Japanese air cover over the front lines can't be a good thing for him, though. He either needs to bring the KB back and fly long-range CAP, or seize the Vancouver airfields.

Speaking of airfields, I'm a little surprised the map shows no bases on the coast between Portland and SF. What about Crescent City?

[Nikademus]

ORIGINAL: tabpub

<takes Nik to the highest building in Seattle and sees if he can fly.....nope, he can't>

Pity my old horse couldn't figure that fact out.....

[Nikademus]

Has Mogami-san surrendered? [&:] [:o]

[tabpub]

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

Has Mogami-san surrendered? [&:] [:o]

Affirmative. The note:

I think we can stop now. The herd has less assault points now then I usally
send to Manila. (It should be around 12k but it is down to 4k and the units
are moving 1 mile per day on RR)

evidently the combats and air bombardments messed him up a lot.

I proved my point... 'nuff said; now to watch the other Lunacy boys in action.
Though, I do have to say this; I was starting to get worried enough there for a bit, the 24th Division in Pearl was practicing loading on my fastest AP's just in case....
I have to say that operating the anti commerce warfare against his supply lines was quite interesting there for quite some time.

Pearl Harbor and the Hawaiian Islands are a viable target for the early push, but not the US continent.