Tabpub vs. Herb TAKE TWO..and call me in the morning

[tabpub]

November 18, 1942

SEAC struggles to gain air superiority over Rangoon over the 16th through the 18th with some success:

11/16/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 32
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged
=============================================
11/16/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Eli Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
=============================================
11/16/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 11
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
11/16/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 6 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1
=============================================
11/16/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 22
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 39
B-24D Liberator x 45
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 8 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 69
Aircraft Attacking:
=============================================
11/17/42
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 10
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 2 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
11/17/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 29,34
Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Eli Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufort I bombing at 5000 feet
=============================================
11/17/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 31
Beaufort I x 11
Beaufort V-IX x 28
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 5 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 5 damaged
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17
=============================================
11/18/42
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 12
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 4 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
11/18/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 24
Beaufort I x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 17
=============================================
11/18/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25

In the Tenimbar fighting, the Jap fleet has withdrawn, leaving some units ashore there, which the Darwin Defense Brigade is working on reducing; since the 8th, we have not seen any attempts to reinforce or withdraw these troops:

11/11/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3677 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1551 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
=============================================
11/12/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3656 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1526 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

11/13/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3623 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1562 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
=============================================
11/14/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3615 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1523 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
11/15/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3626 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1526 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
11/16/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3622 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1460 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
11/17/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3622 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1411 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
11/18/42
Day Air attack on Sasebo 2nd SNLF, at 36,81
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2
A-20B Boston x 19
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 5000 feet
9 x A-20B Boston bombing at 5000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 5000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston bombing at 5000 feet

A Jap BB was spotted up north of the Aleutians yesterday; it was bombed ineffectually. Radio intercepts think that it has pulled back for now. North Pacific command is on a heightened state of awareness for the near future.

SWPac and SoPac continue to work on their organization and planning. Luganville airdrome is ready to accept heavy bombers now; just waiting for the supplies to get shipped up to the base.

[tabpub]

November 20, 1942

He mousetraps me over Rangoon and the mediums pay the price for my laziness; the RAF has filed a request with the 10th AF for support from the longer ranged 38’s and 40’s. The heavies make it through though and damage the airfield some more; I cannot wait for the Brits to start receiving their own Liberators soon. The Wellingtons are just not up the Tonies and Tojos.

11/20/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 33
Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 17
Beaufort I x 12
Beaufort V-IX x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 11 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Beaufort I: 7 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 18
Aircraft Attacking:
Beaufort I bombing at 5000 feet
=============================================
11/20/42
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 33
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-24D Liberator x 41
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 11 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 64
Aircraft Attacking:
B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet

Sub is spotted in Tenimbar area; looks like he is evacuating the force there; Darwin air hits the troops and the Brigade prepares to try to finish them off.


11/20/42
Day Air attack on 2nd Parachute Regiment, at 36,81
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 13
Hudson I x 2
A-20B Boston x 28
B-26B Marauder x 40
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
197 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:

A-20B Boston bombing at 5000 feet
B-26B Marauder bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
11/19/42
Ground combat at Tenimbar
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3638 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 964 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Finally, a flight of Dutch Hudsons flying out of Townsville pick up a large surface group nearing the Torres Straits from the NW. Sure looks like the Combined Fleet’s carrier divisions. I think the survivor crashed upon landing at home; but the contact report was made.

11/20/42
Day Air attack on TF at 47,88
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 184
A6M3 Zero x 49
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 6 destroyed

So, with this new information, several things occur.
1. Transports on the East Coast of AUS move to safer anchorages. Basically, south…duh.
2. SoPac fleet units sortie to support SWPac units.
3. Heavy air units are stood down to prepare to transfer to bases nearer the action.

Here are some tables to peruse. The Allied Command is trying to fight a controlled campaign, while maintaining reserves of planes and pilots. The only problem is the British pilots; we are considering disbanding units to maintain the level of competence. Hopefully, the pressure will slacken on them in the near future.

[tabpub]

November 22, 1942

Not a whole lot going on today; lost the CL Enterprise to a Betty torpedo 300 miles west of Sabang after a bombardment of that position. Continue to track the Jap Carriers near NG. Seem to be heading North for the moment. The only big action has been in China recently. There were some airstrikes that happened first:

11/20/42
Day Air attack on 1st New Chinese Corps, at 43,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 35
Ki-51 Sonia x 12
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
11/21/42
Day Air attack on 25th Chinese Corps, at 43,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 29
Ki-51 Sonia x 27
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
11/21/42
Day Air attack on 44th Chinese Corps, at 43,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 32
Ki-51 Sonia x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet

These attacks were merely annoying, but I don’t like to let him do what he wants all the time. AVG reported ready in Chunking, transferred up to Kweiyang and flew cover over the front at Canton:
11/22/42
Day Air attack on 25th Chinese Corps, at 43,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-51 Sonia x 66
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 26 destroyed, 9 damaged
Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
17 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
11/22/42
Day Air attack on 7th Chinese Corps, at 43,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 32
Ki-51 Sonia x 12
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 18 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
Very satisfying….that will get that aircraft loss table down to even quicker…
So, the campaign is afoot again in Southern China. Looks like about 6 divisions or so, with plenty of support, maybe 9..I didn’t write it down…yeah, 9 looks about right.

11/22/42
Ground combat at 43,40
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 194866 troops, 2340 guns, 41 vehicles
Defending force 109996 troops, 634 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
=============================================

Here goes the first squadron into action! "Bandits! 12 o'clock low!"

[tabpub]

November 27, 1942

The threat to the Coral Sea is abated; scouting planes have the Jap carriers moving to the northwest just south of the Amboina/Sorong area. Fleet subs are shadowing the IJN, and were successful in one attack putting a torpedo into an AO; another attack suffered from duds…Normal shipping is starting to resume in the Australian coastal waters.

Some of the action over the last 4-5 days:

Across the river from Mandalay, the combined Anglo-American tactical bombers start to hit a buildup of IJA units just “east” of Pagan. This is not only aiding in ID’ing the ground units there, but will hope to keep them pinned in place there. The NCAC Chinese with some support from the Indian Army will be attacking east of this area in the near future. 2 divisions and 2 brigades with armor support have been noticed to this point.

11/27/42
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 9
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
11/26/42
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 9
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
11/25/42
Day Air attack on 7th Tank Regiment, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 18
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
=============================================
11/25/42
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 14
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 10
Allied aircraft losses
Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
=============================================
11/25/42
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 20
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
11/24/42
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 22 (bombing)
Spitfire Vb x 6 (escort)
Vengeance I x 10
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

=============================================
11/24/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 48
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
=============================================
11/23/42
Day Air attack on 23rd Mixed Brigade, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 23(bombing)
Spitfire Vb x 6(escort)
Vengeance I x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Between Wuchow and Canton, the Chinese Expeditionary Army launches its long awaited offensive; it is repulsed fairly easily.

11/23/42
Ground combat at 43,40
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 213959 troops, 2371 guns, 185 vehicles
Defending force 109633 troops, 636 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
10753 casualties reported
Guns lost 311
Vehicles lost 18
Allied ground losses:
988 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

The next day, the Southern Kuomintang Army thinks that it sees an opening and counter-attacks; they lose ALMOST as much as the IJA the prior day. Chiang has a random Major General taken out and shot….
[:(]
11/24/42
Ground combat at 43,40
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 93708 troops, 626 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 205400 troops, 1889 guns, 148 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
491 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Allied ground losses:
9310 casualties reported
Guns lost 212
=============================================

Up north, one of Mao’s corps has better success against 2 Mongolian Cavalry Divisions and pushes it back toward the Peking suburbs. Other than that, it is a holding action up here, as Chengting is assimilated into the Chinese Peoples’ Army sphere. Recruits are being rounded up as you read this.

11/25/42
Ground combat at 52,27
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 10449 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 6861 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 5 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Finally, a small bombing campaign is started against Lautem. There are no enemy a/c there, but the NORAUS command wishes to keep this field from expanding while we attempt to build up Tenimbar Isl. as a fighter base. So far, NORAUS is VERY disappointed with the results; they know the field is small and the Marauders don’t have full loads at this distance, but the hits are not good. The lead bombardiers are being checked out in test flights to see their competence levels.

11/25/42
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 52
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
B-26B Marauder bombing at 8000 feet

11/26/42
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 40
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged
Runway hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
Marauder bombing at 5000 feet

11/27/42
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 10
A-20B Boston x 29
No Allied losses
Runway hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
Boston bombing at 5000 feet

A picture from the Wuchow/Canton front, showing the valiant defenders in action:

[tabpub]

December 15, 1942

Today’s summary will concentrate mainly on the Burma front; focusing on the air campaign to date in the central region. The purpose of the campaign is twofold:
One- to eliminate the use of the airfield at Pagan by the IJAAF; thereby forcing them to operate at longer ranges from their Rangoon/Moulmein bases. Additionally, the attacks will cause them to lose supply to the front line units.
Two- to identify and pin down combat units that are on the front line immediately south of Mandalay. This will assist the “NCAC” in it’s attack against the end of the Jap line which is SW of Lashio.

First, we will look at the air campaign over Pagan. This is not a daily mission, or even every other day; the weather often precludes any flying and rest is necessary, though the rest option is becoming less used, as the ground forces are moving into position in the north.

First mission of note – a high level strike by the 2 American heavy groups from Dacca.
11/28/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 44
B-24D Liberator x 33
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28

One week later, both groups again with fighter escort this time. Similar results to the previous mission.
12/06/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 48
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 27

And, an additional medium group at low level from Akyab; results not good from this effort.
12/06/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 29
Spitfire Vb x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 62
Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9

Two days later, the heavies try again, with disappointing results. Believe the weather is bad that day.
12/08/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 43
B-24D Liberator x 44
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19

The Akyab mediums score better the following day.
12/09/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 12
Spitfire Vb x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 54
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 27

Herbie-san notices the pattern to the raids and sets up a small trap; his Tojos do well, but are outnumbered and the bombers do better, even with the opposition.
12/11/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 35
Spitfire Vb x 21
Beaufort V-IX x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 40
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 14 destroyed, 4 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 4 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 35

After a 4 day rest, the heavies return, concentrating on the facilities this time. The P38 squadron comes to prevent any trouble, but no CAP is present.
12/12/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 24
B-17E Fortress x 34
B-24D Liberator x 44
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

With the weather holding, the heavies come again, and do better this time. Still no opposition to the strikes. I think that he is holding his planes in reserve by Rangoon.
12/13/42
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 19
B-17E Fortress x 46
B-24D Liberator x 41
Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 41

So, after this, the damage assessment has the field at 59% damaged. The bombing will continue here for about another week; and, it will start to attack the 50 remaining resources here to deny them to the enemy. Another large medium US bombardment group is just unloading in Ceylon; that, and another Wellington squadron has arrived in India. These, plus the existing mediums, will continue to hit the airfield as necessary. They will also play a part in the ongoing campaign against the ground forces in the area.

The ground attack campaign has been limited to the area directly ‘east’ of Pagan, across the river from Mandalay. Intel has reported the presence of the following units there:
33rd Division
55th Division
8th Tank Regiment

3 months ago, the 23rd Mixed Brigade was believed to be in the area also, but has not been heard from since.

The airstrikes against these troops are mainly from Mandalay across the river, though the mediums from Akyab joined in before the operations against Pagan started.
Note, this is an EXTREMELY long list of strikes; you might want to jump to the end from here:

11/28/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 48
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

11/30/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 7
Vengeance I x 23
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

12/01/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 27
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Another new unit that Intel didn’t report here:
12/01/42
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 9
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
12/02/42
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 25
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
=============================================
A Naval Guard unit makes an appearance:
12/02/42
Day Air attack on 41st Naval Guard Unit, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 48
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

After almost 2 weeks of bombing, the IJAAF shows up; the attackers slip the CAP
12/03/42
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 32,31
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 13
Spitfire Vb x 5
Vengeance I x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

The P38s head in expecting Oscar, but get the Tony and give better than they receive:
12/04/42
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 32,31
Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 12
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
=============================================
But the surviving Tonies avoid the escort Spits and roust the bombers a bit:
12/04/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 32,31
Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 14
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 24
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Vengeance I: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
12/05/42

Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
Spitfire Vb x 7
Vengeance I x 27
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

12/06/42
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 13
Spitfire Vb x 4
Vengeance I x 30
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

12/07/42
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 29
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

12/08/42
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 5
Vengeance I x 30
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

12/09/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 5
Vengeance I x 24
Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The escort fighters don’t do the job here and the Vengeances get walloped again:
12/10/42
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 32,31
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 6
Vengeance I x 24
P-40E Warhawk x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed
Vengeance I: 7 destroyed, 10 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Some Tojos get into it an blast some unescorted Hurries
12/11/42
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 32,31
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 34
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

12/13/42
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 32,31
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 31
Spitfire Vb x 11
Vengeance I x 13
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

So, in the end, what is the result? Over the course of 20 some days of bombing, basically by 20-40 planes per raid, the IJA has suffered about 800-1200 casualties and hopefully some disruption. And we know that elements of 3 divisions and 2 brigades are present here. So, when the Chinese move down upon the right flank of this line, next to these units, they can expect a counterattack from here in most likelihood and should prepare for this. This is a large commitment of ground troops to the area by the IJA; a probe will have to be launched from Akyab to determine the amount of troops in the south on the river line.

The campaign in the Pacific will be covered in the next article.