Defending the empire 1943, the allies attack - a Jap AAR

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

My attack on Dacca is completely wasted. Not a single aircraft damaged on the ground. Very annoying.


Oh, and one more thing. That last strike on Kendari convinced me that I cant fight for Timor/Kendari/Ambiona with airpower anymore. His B17s are untouchable for my fighters, and he will just cycle through my bases and destroy anything on the ground.

Im pulling back the airforce from this area, and Im going to swamp the bases with flak instead. I will try to build all bases on Timor up to at least 3, and then I will do hit and run moves where I might send in fighters from time to time to do a local counterattack.

Regarding Dacca - the bulk - if not all - of his bombers were probably in the air hitting you. Shutting down Allied airbases at this stage - is still probably possible but it takes a sustained effort - not a one shot deal. Rotating your bombers to rest up will also be necessary and piling them all up at one base gives him a good target. I think you should be able to hurt Dacca at this stage if that is your priority, but it might take an attack from multiple bases and a fair amount of time. When I've tried to attack Port Moresby in similar situations, I've found I can hurt it for a while - but distance and morale/fatigue do not allow me to shut it down for long sustained periods.

Regarding the Eastern DEI - hum - this sounds serious. Decent Japanese fighters (zeros, tonys, tojos) massed up towards 50-70 can hurt or even shred unescorted 4EB .. this might be your only defense. But don't concentrate them at one base - makes too good a target. You might get lucky with a BB bombardment at Darwin but it is risky and might need KB support to help protect your criples - but then is it worth risky KB in the face of massed 4EB? I'd generally say no - hence this is tough problem and one reason I started out my last game by taking Darwin.

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/16/42

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

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 141

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 53 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
1302 casualties reported
Guns lost 23

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 65

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
31 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
26 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet

Koepang has 4 or 5 flak units. This is what an airattack on a flak-heavy base looks like. I doubt he will return here anytime soon with airpower.

Incidentally, Akyab also has 4 flak units, so his air attack should have cost him dearly, however, his surface bombardment on the same turn disabled almost all flak at the base. I dont think he know how lucky he was that turn. First he disabled all my flak, then poor weather prevented my defensive CAP to fly from Rangoon and Tavoy. All those effects combined allowed him to close down Akyab completely.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on No. 112 RAN Base Force, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 33,63

Japanese Ships
AK Hokuzyu Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
SS KXIV

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Amboina at 39,73

Japanese Ships
DD Ayanami
DD Shinonome
DD Harusame
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
SS S-27, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco at 139,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
AK Empire Hartebeeste, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson
Regarding Dacca - the bulk - if not all - of his bombers were probably in the air hitting you. Shutting down Allied airbases at this stage - is still probably possible but it takes a sustained effort - not a one shot deal. Rotating your bombers to rest up will also be necessary and piling them all up at one base gives him a good target. I think you should be able to hurt Dacca at this stage if that is your priority, but it might take an attack from multiple bases and a fair amount of time. When I've tried to attack Port Moresby in similar situations, I've found I can hurt it for a while - but distance and morale/fatigue do not allow me to shut it down for long sustained periods.

Well, Im not trying to close down Dacca. That would be pointless since he has so many bases in the area. What Ive been trying to do is catch some of his airunits on the ground. I have realized the stupidity of this tactic of mine however, and I will shift completely to defensive fighter operations in this area now. All my bombers are moving out to return to ASW duty.

I havent done the AAR for the past turn yet, but you will see why when I post it.

Regarding the Eastern DEI - hum - this sounds serious. Decent Japanese fighters (zeros, tonys, tojos) massed up towards 50-70 can hurt or even shred unescorted 4EB .. this might be your only defense. But don't concentrate them at one base - makes too good a target. You might get lucky with a BB bombardment at Darwin but it is risky and might need KB support to help protect your criples - but then is it worth risky KB in the face of massed 4EB? I'd generally say no - hence this is tough problem and one reason I started out my last game by taking Darwin.

Well, right now all I have is Zeros and Oscars. I might return and try to contest this airspace when I get the Tonys and Tojos, but right now it feels like a complete waste. Im shipping in more AA to make every base very flak heavy, and hopefully this should force him to slow down on his bombing pace somewhat.

The KB wont go near this area. It is too sub-infested and there are too many allied bombers here. The KB will be on frontier-protection duty in the south and central pacific.

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/17/42


Mark this day in the annals of history, for it was today that the Imperial Airforce gave up the struggle for Burma.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 116 encounters mine field at Palmyra (106,85)

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 117 encounters mine field at Victoria Point (25,39)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.17
MSW W.18
AP Kumagawa Maru, Mine hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 136,45

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
PG Vancouver
PG Moncton
MSW Caraquet
MSW Guysborough

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 37,60

Japanese Ships
AK Muroran Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 6 encounters mine field at Balikpapan (31,64)

Japanese Ships
AK Kuwayama Maru, Mine hits 1

Allied Ships
AK Empire Hartebeeste, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rangoon at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AG AG-114, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
G3M Nell x 26
G4M1 Betty x 92
Ki-46-II Dinah x 7

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 42
P-40E Warhawk x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed, 8 damaged
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 20 destroyed, 46 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 18 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 11000 feet

Im not sure where to start with this.

First, bad weather at Mandalay prevented my other strike to fly. That means that this strike went in alone. At Mandalay I had 200 Sallys/Helens and 60 Zeros to escort them.

But that is rather irrelevant. This strike went in. Here I had 30 Zeros and 120 Bettys/Nells. As you can see, the RAF rose to defend the base for once with 90 fighters. The result...

I really dont understand how this happened. In all the previous airbattles, my airunits have had the ability to at least fight the enemy to 1-1 losses, regardless of how outnumbered we have been. This has also happened in may...after the Zero bonus vanishes. But not today. We were, simply put, massacred.

Apparently I cannot fight the RAF if I am at a disadvantage anymore, and I will be at a disadvantage here for the forseeable future due to the fact that I have less units and less aircraft than him here. His bases are built up and he is cycling 200 bombers and 200 fighters around these bases. I lack the same flexibilty because Akyab is closed right now, and when one of my other two bases are clouded in, we can see here what happens.

My bombers are moving out. Im leaving all my fighters, but this will be a defensive battle from now on.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 32,64

Japanese Ships
AK Hokuzyu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXIV

[Hortlund]

Here is a look at where Im planning to have my major defensive areas. Yellow marks the Army-areas where I intend to fight. Green are fortified bases where I will have at least a brigade defending the island.

[Hortlund]

My fighter forces in the theater:

1st Fighter wing (Oscar) 36 pilots, 72 experience, 7 kills, 21 operational aircraft
59th Fighter wing (Oscar) 36 pilots, 70 experience, 11 kills, 27 operational aircraft
24th Fighter wing (Oscar) 36 pilots, 74 experience, 5 kills, 23 operational aircraft
50th Fighter wing (Oscar) 31 pilots, 78 experience, 38 kills, 18 operational aircraft

64th Fighter wing (Oscar) 39 pilots, 73 experience, 50 kills, 30 operational aircraft
77th Fighter wing (Oscar) 35 pilots, 76 experience, 0 kills, 35 operational aircraft
65th Fighter wing (Oscar) 30 pilots, 64 experience, 30 kills, 16 operational aircraft

F1 Tainan wing (A6M3) 28 pilots, 76 experience, 41 kills, 6 operational aircraft
F1 Yamada wing (A6M2) 27 pilots, 73 experience, 8 kills, 27 operational aircraft
F2/3rd wing (A6M2) 27 pilots, 74 experience, 26 kills, 6 operational aircraft
F1 Ominato wing (A6M2) 27 pilots, 78 experience, 4 kills, 6 operational aircraft
F2 Kanoya wing (A6M2) 26 pilots, 73 experience, 13 kills, 17 operational aircraft

F3/3rd wing (A6M2) 9 pilots, 77 experience, 3 kills, 9 operational aircraft
F1 Tainan wing (A6M3) 9 pilots, 80 experience, 0 kills, 9 operational aircraft

Lets look at how my fighter force has changed since this post.

1st Fighter wing (Oscar) 36 pilots, 72 experience, 7 kills, 21 operational aircraft
59th Fighter wing (Oscar) 36 pilots, 66 experience, 11 kills, 27 operational aircraft
24th Fighter wing (Oscar) 36 pilots, 74 experience, 5 kills, 11 operational aircraft
50th Fighter wing (Oscar) 31 pilots, 78 experience, 38 kills, 15 operational aircraft

64th Fighter wing (Oscar) 39 pilots, 73 experience, 50 kills, 24 operational aircraft
77th Fighter wing (Oscar) 35 pilots, 76 experience, 0 kills, 29 operational aircraft
65th Fighter wing (Oscar) 28 pilots, 64 experience, 30 kills, 14 operational aircraft
54th Fighter wing (Oscar) 16 pilots, 80 experience, 0 kills, 15 operational aircraft

F1 Tainan wing (A6M3) 28 pilots, 76 experience, 41 kills, 20 operational aircraft
F1 Yamada wing (A6M2) 26 pilots, 73 experience, 8 kills, 18 operational aircraft
F2/3rd wing (A6M2) 27 pilots, 73 experience, 27 kills, 12 operational aircraft
F1 Ominato wing (A6M2) 27 pilots, 78 experience, 4 kills, 6 operational aircraft
F2 Kanoya wing (A6M2) 26 pilots, 73 experience, 13 kills, 17 operational aircraft
F1 Ominato wing (A6M2) 24 pilots, 80 experience, 6 kills, 14 operational aircraft
F3/3rd wing (A6M2) 9 pilots, 77 experience, 3 kills, 9 operational aircraft
F3 Tainan wing (A6M2) 9 pilots, 80 experience, 0 kills, 9 operational aircraft
F2 Kanoya wing (A6M2) 28 pilots, 73 experience, 13 kills, 22 operational aircraft

REINFORCEMENTS
F3 Yokosuka wing (A6M2) 26 pilots, 77 experience, 2 kills, 20 operational aircraft
F1/3rd (A6M2) 27 pilots, 77 experience, 14 kills, 25 operational aircraft
11th Fighter wing (Oscar) 39 pilots, 79 experience, 42 kills, 27 operational aircraft

AKYAB
204th Fighter wing 28 pilots, 60 experience, 0 kills, 0 operational aircraft
F2 Yamada wing 26 pilots, 70 experience, 26 kills, 4 operational aircraft

[Hortlund]

A quick and dirty analysis of the fighter war so far would indicate that my operational fighters have increased from 250 to 268 and that is before I count the reinforcements that have arrived. With the reinforcements come another 87 aircraft, making my total number of avaliable fighters in the Burma theater 355.

I had 396 pilots with an average squadron experience of 74,14. Before counting reinforcements, I have 382 pilots with an average squadron experience of 74,12. Meaning that Ive lost 14 pilots during these battles. However, counting with the reinforcements, my average squadron pilot experience in the theater has risen to 74,95.

[Hortlund]

Production figures. As you can see, the losses Ive sustained in Burma are far worse than I can afford at this time.

[Hortlund]

And a look at my best pilots. Hardly an impressive tally by anyone. Two aces, both with Oscars.

What I do find interesting however, is the number of really good pilots I have in the two Oscar wings. The 11th and the 64th.




Im going to track these gentlemen now and see how they fare in the desperate struggle for control over the Burma skies. Im also going to track the fighter wings, to see who is the best of my fighter units. The winner will be rewarded with the first upgrade to the Tojo when it arrives in something like 5 months.

[jwilkerson]

Burma:
I too pulled out of Burma for a while - but had to go back in later to prevent my LCUs from being pulped. When I went back in I tried to spread my fighters out. For a while I had one fighter unit at each base. I think initially there were zeros and a few Oscars - laters of course Tojos and Tonys. But occupying pretty much every base and having many of them be within 2 hexes of at least one other base helped me use the "leaky CAP" for reinforcement. Once the fighters were back in then Moses had choice of either ignoring them and continuing to pound the LCU - and taking losses - or hitting the air bases and killing my planes. I felt have the planes torn up was better than having the LCUs torn up. And for over a year this tactic as worked. By now however Moses has so many planes that he can do both - and eventually we will get kicked out of Akyab and then probably Burma. But holding for as long as we can is the goal. Oh and if your house rules allow it - get your fighter training program in gear!

Timor:
Here you need a long term plan. I still think a couple of zero units at the bases that need 'em would hurt his 4EB more than enough to keep them away. That has been my experience in multiple games. And I've gotten a few "slaughters" when 100 4EB came in against 50-70 or more fighters in the air. A "slaughter" looks like 50-100 4EB shot down for a fraction as many defending fighters. But, of course you can't have zeros everywhere.
But another aspect might be building up airbases all over this area - with the first most important one being Lautern - this is where is has to make the longest jump. Every level-4 is a potential Betty base and every level-2 is a potential fighter base. Even level-1s allow transport aircraft to fly in supplies and troops and pull out troops. Maximum delay in this area may be at least as important as Burma. In the Pacific you front is so far out as to not be a concern. In my Moses game I was yielding SOPAC territory - because that was far less threatening to the SRA and the Home Islands than Burma, China or the Aluetians.

Just my 2 farthings ...

[Hortlund]

Burma
What really disrupted my defence of Burma was that shore bombardment of Akyab that closed the field down at a critical moment. Ive been struggling to get back on my feet there since then. I brought in all the bombers, but that proved to be a misstake. In the future, I will defend Burma in the air, not by trying to bomb him on the ground. I already have 5-6 flak units here, and Im shipping in 5 more from Tokyo. The idea is to have at least 5 flak units at Rangoon and Mandalay, and 2-3 at the smaller bases. I want to make it a costly proposal to attack my fields.

I havent got any fighter training in place right now. We have a truce in China until June 1st 1943, so I dont have anything to practice on.

Timor
Here Im going to try to ambush him like you suggest. Im emptying my bases at Ambonia and Kendari, and instead Im using fighters based at either Macassar or Menado to LRCAP the bases. This is to minimize losses on the ground, and at the same time try to ambush him.

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/18/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 40,67

Japanese Ships
PG Kozan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Dolphin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,59

Japanese Ships
PG Kanko Maru
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Kaiun Maru
PG Busho Maru
APD APD-31

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,59

Japanese Ships
PG Kanko Maru
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Kaiun Maru
PG Busho Maru
APD APD-31

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 29,30

Japanese Ships
PG Nishho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Hayakafuku Maru

Allied Ships
SS KVII

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x A6M3 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dutch Harbor at 103,36


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Kashii Maru
AK Suruga Maru
AK Renzan Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 30,29

Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-38, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,59

Japanese Ships
PG Kanko Maru
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Kaiun Maru
PG Busho Maru
APD APD-31

Allied Ships
SS KXVII, hits 2

Not much action today. I still had 8 ops losses however. Really annoying as I lost another Tojo, which brings down my avaliable number to 6. Lots of recon today, but no attacks. I saw that he has CAP up over Diamond Harbor, but I wont venture a sweep there. I need to finish rebuilding my airforce in Burma before I can think of offensive operations.

I moved all Bettys to Truk, and all Sallys/Helens are now at Saigon. Ive got one supply convoy coming into Akyab tomorrow, so something tells me there is the risk of an air attack on Akyab. Ive ordered something like 200 fighters on CAP over Akyab tomorrow, and the remaining 150 on CAP over Mandalay.

In the lower NEI Im putting up all my fighters over Ambonia tomorrow. In todays recon, he saw that Im defending Kendari with 40-something Zeros and only 10 Oscars at Ambonia. I hope he will take the bait and attack Ambonia.

In other news, these two caught my eye in the operations report.

Walrus sighting report: 1 Japanese ship at 28,78 , Speed 7 , Moving Northeast

Apparently a surface ship is approaching Timor again. The sighting is of a Jap ship off Koepang. Im moving my units away from Koepang, but Im expecting a double-strike tomorrow (shore bomb + air attack). I have over 1000 mines at Kopeang, as well as shore batteries and lots of flak. Should be interesting to see how my defenses fare against this attack. It will give a good indication on what I should prepare my defenses for.

PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Norfolk Island

This is the first time he has sent recon to Norfolk Island and surely there is some reason for that. Ive ordered a surface action force of 1 BB and 3 CAs from Truk to Guadalcanal to have some sort of defensive reply in case he tries something.

Norfolk Island is a lvl 1 airbase, and Im not going to build it anymore. I want it as a recon outpost, not an airfield. It is fortified to fort lvl 5, and Ive got something like 5 construction engineers, an AA-unit, a Nav guard and a base force there. Im also moving another infantry force from Noumea to Thursday Island. The same ships will take the AA unit back with it to Noumea.

If I see more air recon here in the next couple of days, I will order one the Akagi-TF to Guadalcanal aswell.

Perhaps this would be a good time to go over some of my larger naval units. I have two CVTFs right now.

The Akagi-TF consists of
CV Akagi
CV Kaga
CV Junyo
CVL Ruyo
CVL Shoho
All in all, 280 aircraft. This TF is currently on station at Tarawa to counter any move into the central pacific by the yankees.

The Zuikaku-TF consists of
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku
CV Hiruy
CV Soryu
CV Hiyo
All in all, 328 aircraft. This TF is currently in transit on route to Tokyo for some port-time. Zuikaku has 11 sys damage and needs some docktime.

3 BBs and 3 CAs are on route to Rangoon. Im not sure if Im going to use them or not, but I want them close by in case something happens here.

I have 1 BB and 3 CAs on route to Guadalcanal as I said earlier.

3 BBs are undergoing repairs at Singapore, they are now at 11, 11 and 18 sys damage. I have 2 BBs and 1 CVL at the home islands also undergoing repairs, but they can be put back into action if need be, they are at 10 and 8 sys. Another CA is at Shanghai finishing up her repairs, she is now at 1 sys. CVEs Hosho and Taihyo are undergoing repairs at Singapore aswell, they will be here for a while longer with 18 and 22 sys. And last, but not least, I have 2 CAs in the Ambonia-area to defend against nuiscance raids by the brits.

[Hortlund]

This is the area of responsibility for the 17th Army, located at Noumea.

17th Army currently consists of:
16th Division
23rd Mixed Brigade
6th SNLF
24th NLF
8th NLF
Maizuru 4th SNLF
86th Naval Guards
66th Naval Guards
2nd Coastal Gun Regiment
4th Coastal Gun Regiment
3rd Heavy Field Artillery
17th Heavy Field Artillery
47th Heavy AA Regiment
48th Heavy AA Regiment
45th Heavy AA Regiment
Truk AA Battalion

And various support elements. All in all I can muster over 900 AVs in this area. The main defensive forces are located at Espiritu Santu and Noumea. If I see more recon activity here, I will reinforce the 17th army with one brigade from Rabaul.

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/19/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 27,33

Japanese Ships
ML Kuroshima
ML Ishizaki
ML Katoku

Allied Ships
SS KXII

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 33,64

Japanese Ships
AP Kashiwa Maru

Allied Ships
SS O16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Amboina, at 39,73

Japanese aircraft
no flights

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

Allied Ships
CL Boise
CL Enterprise
BB Royal Sovereign

Japanese ground losses:
2706 casualties reported
Guns lost 31

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 5

Good thing I decided to keep my front bases empty. I lose some support troops, but thats it. My CAs are going to Kuching now, in case he tries to disrupt my AA there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 30 encounters mine field at Rangoon (29,34)

Japanese Ships
PG Eifuku Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 85


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 59 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Sanfuku Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kimishima Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
AK Gosyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Izumo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Akatsuki, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sekko Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fumishima Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Wales Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Montreal Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Mikage Maru #20, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
14 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
13 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

This is what happens when you try to bombard a fully defended AA-base. I have 5 AA units at Kuching, and the B17s will be limping home from this strike. Intel shows that I only shot down 4 B-17s, but there should be alot of damaged buffs at Darwin now, together with some pretty demoralized crews.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M3 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing at 2000 feet


In other news, two Op reports caught my eye.

Walrus has spotted Toba Maru at 30,29
This is off Akyab, and it tells me the Tommies are coming in for another shore bombardment run. Im rushing all my surface forces to Akyab, I hope they make it in time. Two Surface combat TFs consisting of BB+2CA+CL and 2BB+2CA are rushing in.


PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Norfolk Island
And with that, the Akagi TF is ordered to depart Tarawa and move to Guadalcanal. Something is happening in the deep southern pacific.

No changes in my fighter dispositions today, Im still setting ambushes at Akyab and Ambonia. Im just waiting for him to walk into them.

[Hortlund]

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I was soo close to catching him today.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/20/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,47

Japanese Ships
ML Hoko

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1045 encounters mine field at Akyab (30,29)

Allied Ships
DD Tenedos, Mine hits 1
CL Birmingham, Mine hits 1

Perhaps this will convince him to leave my bases alone?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 30,29

Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 1
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CA Exeter
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 2
CL Newcastle
DD Stronghold
DD Tenedos
DD Arrow
DD Decoy
DD Norman

DD Harukaze (means Spring Breeze) performs her duty honorably and in the tradition of the Imperial navy. Alone and against hopeless odds, she stands her ground, damaging several enemy cruisers before going down.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 30,29

Japanese Ships
PG Hayakafuku Maru
AK Toba Maru, Shell hits 50, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
CL Birmingham
CL Newcastle
DD Stronghold
DD Tenedos
DD Arrow
DD Decoy
DD Norman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Akyab, at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A Val: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Newcastle
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
CA Devonshire

Japanese ground losses:
584 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Runway hits 13
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 10

The damage done is light

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 29,29

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
CL Birmingham

And this is how luck helps the cowardly brits once again.

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


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 55
B-25C Mitchell x 118


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
872 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
7 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
6 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
9 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
6 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
20 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
20 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 21000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet

I see my flak has scared him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M3 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on No. 112 RAN Base Force, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing at 2000 feet



Today was enormously frustrating. My BBs entered the waters off Akyab the very second the Royal Navy ships slipped out. They were so close I could almost touch them. So...enormously...frustrating...


I have decided to try a daring attack into India tomorrow. I have set 260 fighters to CAP over Chandpur tomorrow, and I have ordered my BBs to move to the hex and remain there. I hope to catch any stragglers from Akyab. With a little luck, Ill catch one of the retreating cruisers.

Im planning to hover in the hex with my surface TFs and then the day after Im going to attack Diamond Harbor.

I should be able to catch alot of bombers over Chandpur since I suspect he has alot of bombers on naval attack today. They will attack my Surface TFs at Chandpur, and there they will be met by 140 Zeros and 120 Oscars. Today could be a big day for the Empire...or it could be a very very costly day.

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/21/42

Unfortunately not too much action today. I guess his airforce was not prepared for this, not a single bomber was on naval attack.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M3 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Chandpur, at 30,25


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 5 destroyed
Catalina I: 2 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Maya
CA Haguro
BB Hyuga


Allied ground losses:
400 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 52

Our Battleships catch the RAF with their pants down. The bombardment is successful, and we catch 10-15 bombers on the ground. Unfortunately we are unable to catch any RN ships.


Tomorrow we are ordering a bold strike at the heart of the British India forces.

The two surface combat TFs currently at Chandpur will move to Diamond Harbor to seek out the enemy and engage him. One TF is set to bombard, the other is set to surface combat.



Bombing mission in red, CAP-mission in blue. all my A6M3s are moved to Akyab, and my A6M2s went to Tavoy. Bombers and Oscars at Mandalay.

To support this move, we have put 150 Zeros to CAP over Diamond Harbor. Roughly 100 A6M2 from Tavoy and 50 A6M3 from Akyab. Meanwhile, while the RAF is busy with these battles over Diamond Harbor, the bombers will make one final effort. I have moved 150 Sallys and Helens back to Mandalay, and they will hit Chandpur tomorrow, escorted by 100 Oscars. The bombardment caught 10-15 bombers on the ground today, and I should have disabled most of the AA units, so the bombers will be going in at 6000.




Duty is heavy as a mountain.
Death is light as a feather.

[Hortlund]

Waiting on the turn is wreaking havoc on my nerves.
 
Some considerations here.
I sent one BB TF on surface combat because I didnt want to waste all main armament ammo in case I meet a large surface combat TF. The BBs who bombarded Chandpur have 5 ammo left for their big guns. This TF is set to surface combat. The other TF is set to bombard, but it only consists of one BB and two CA. The idea is that these two TFs will patrol at Diamond Harbor, so I can protect them with my CAP. The next day they will sprint away and hopefully be outside torpedo bomber range.
 
A million things can go wrong tomorrow however. This plan rests on the idea that my Zeros can disrupt the attacking bombers. I will be facing Swordfish and Wellingtons and probably some other bombers aswell. They will be escorted by 100 fighters at least. I have over 150 fighter set to CAP this hex, but not all of these will fly (despite the fact that I have an air-hq at Pagan). The fighters will be coming from two bases, Akyab, which has 60 runway damage, and Pagan. If either one of these fields is clouded in, my strength over Diamond Harbor will be halved or quartered. if both fields are clouded in...
 
Only the torpedo bombers are leathal though. My BBs will act as bomb-magnets, and the 500 pounders cant hurt them. I dont know how many Swordfish he has here, but I suspect its something around 50. My bombardment should disrupt some of the aircraft based at Diamond Harbor, but maybe he has moved his units to Calcutta instead.
 
Like I said, tomorrow, a million things can go wrong... And I am reminded of that Japanese saying...
Duty is heavy as a mountain,
death is light as a feather.
 
At the same time, I think the strike at Chandpur will go in pretty much unopposed. I dont think he will remember to put a CAP up here. And either way, I have enough Oscars to fight my way through here. Here my bombers and fighters come from the same base (Mandalay) so either we all fly, or no one flies.   

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/22/42

A good turn. Not excellent, but good.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Diamond Harbor, at 28,23 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CA Nachi, Shell hits 5
CA Chikuma
BB Haruna


Allied ground losses:
352 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11

My bombardment is largely ineffective. I kill some troops, but not a single aircraft.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chandpur , at 30,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 51
Ki-21 Sally x 75
Ki-49 Helen x 87

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 22 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston: 5 destroyed
Catalina I: 6 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 144

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

The attack on Chandpur goes in unopposed. We take out 20-something aircraft on the ground today. Almost all his Catalina and A-20 losses are from the two attacks on Chandpur, so in two days we have taken out something like 40 aircraft. That should be considered a good result.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Diamond Harbor , at 28,23

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,28

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
ML Rigel, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

I really dont understand what he is doing with a ML out here, three hexes off Akyab..NOW..when I have 3 confirmed BBs and 3 CAs in the area? Suicide.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Diamond Harbor , at 28,23

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-15 Babs: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese Ships
DD Ayanami
DD Shinonome
DD Harusame
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
SS S-36

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Diamond Harbor at 28,23

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
CA Maya
CA Haguro
DD Hibiki
DD Hato

Allied Ships
ML Pro Patria, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

And what is this?
I expected to find some part of the Royal Navy here at Diamond Harbor. What I didnt expect to find was a Dutch minelayer.

Well, I suppose I should be happy, Ive sunk two of his MLs, and if I remember correctly, he only has three.

My BBs are now ordered to head to sea at full speed. If I manage to sneak away, then this little adventure worked. No losses for me, and some aircraft torched on the ground for him...that and two MLs lost. I was expecting a large dogfight today, but I suppose Im content with these results.

Most of my airforce will rest now. Im quite sure he will have his entire airforce on naval attack/escort tomorrow, so Im quite happy with staying on the ground. Im just going to order one attack, bombers from Mandalay, to hit an airfield of his to keep him off guard. I expect the strike to go in unopposed, since his airforce will probably be making Diamond Harbor a hornets nest of fighters and bombers.

[jwilkerson]

Boy you sure have some guts - going back for a second "dip" with the BBs on the Indian coast! I'd expect you to take some torps - but hope not!

Weren't you gonna try to put some Zeros at Kendari and try to attack his 4EB? I guess you're "sucquing him in" eh?
[:D]

[Hortlund]

Hehe, well, fortune favours the bold. All my surface ships escaped unscratched.

I cant put up a CAP in the Kendari area, all my fighters have too low morale, so Im resting them for a day or two.