cap_and_gown(j) v witpqs(a) - no witpqs

[CapAndGown]

Feb. 13, 1942

Singapore fell today, two days ahead of the historical date. 52,000 allied soldiers surrendered.

Now that I have Koepang and Singapore 2/3's of my phase I objectives have been reached. The only hold out is Pago-Pago. On that front, the siege continues while another regiment from Suva along with supporting forces, including, most importantly, a recon battalion begin its voyage to the island.

Now that the initial thrusts in the DEI are finished, the next target is Java. I have begun operations to prepare for the invasion of this critical objective. Because all of my carrier support is down at Somoa, this invasion will have to be supported by LBA. For that, I will need to capture and build airstrips within range of the island from which fighters can fly LRCAP over the invasion fleets.

The first of these preparatory invasions is underway at Bandjermasin where 2 SNLF units have gone ashore and will capture the base tomorrow. This invasion is supported by LRCAP out of Makassar and a surface fleet of CAs.

As soon as that is done, paratroops will land on Denpasar. For both Denpassar and Bandjermasan, small aviation support units will be flown in by air transport and fighter squadrons will move in. Recon units will also fly in so that I can get a better picture of the disposition of witpqs's forces on Java. Right now it appears as if they are massed at Batavia and Soerebaja, but that may just be appearances since I have not had bases from which to recon the rest of the island.

(My plans for the western thrust towards Java will follow in the next post.)

[CapAndGown]

Continued from last post.

On the western side of Java, I will also establish a couple of fighter strips to provide LRCAP support for the invasion fleets. Meanwhile, the airfield at Palembang will be neutralized by large numbers of Sallies flying airfield attack missions out of Singapore.

[CapAndGown]

Feb. 14, 1942

Witpqs does not seem to be escorting his ships between Pearl and ConUS. This may be because there was no need up until now since my subs had been involved in screening the islands in the South Pacific. That has changed now and I have several high endurance subs based at Kwajalein operating northeast of Hawaii and southwest of San Fran/LA. The xAK Olopana pays for the lack of escorts.

Bandjermasin was captured today.

Feb. 15, 1942

A couple of xAKLs were torpedoed and sunk near Tjilatjap. Not sure if they were coming or going.

My bombardments of Pago-Pago do not seem to be accomplishing much despite the large amount of firepower:
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Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

41 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
CA Atago
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
CL Kiso
CL Tama
CL Jintsu

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Denpasar was captured via aerial assault.

Feb. 16, 1942

The bombardment at Pago-Pago was a little more productive today, but nothing to write home about. Doesn't seem to have done much to suppress the CD guns, which is unfortunate since my reinforcements will be landing in about 3 days. I can only hope that some of the vehicles reported lost were his tanks, since these seem to be a serious problem.
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Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

84 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Atago
CA Takao, Shell hits 3
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CL Oi, Shell hits 1
CL Kiso, Shell hits 2
CL Tama
CL Jintsu

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 9
Port hits 3

The first airfield attack on Palembang went in today. The AAA was light, so the bombers are going to drop down to 6000 feet.
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Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 91
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 19

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

[CapAndGown]

Feb. 17 was boring, so let's move right on to:

Feb. 18, 1942

The battlewagons are back at Pago-Pago but still not accomplishing much. The reinforcement group lands tomorrow. I will probably lose all my PBs and several xAKs. Se la guerre. Allied subs are in the area, but there is not much I can do about that.

My amphib force heading for Billton ran across a Dutch sub and got torped. Fortunately, the xAK is right next to Singkwang and since this was in shallow water, the escort was able to get a couple of hits on the sub.
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Sub attack near Singkawang at 55,88

Japanese Ships
xAK Atago Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PB Toshi Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS KXIII, hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[CapAndGown]

Feb. 19, 1942

Our landing at Billiton attracted considerable attention from Batavia based bombers. None, however, scored and several Dutch bombers and fighters were shot down by LRCAP flying out of Singkawang.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Billiton at 52,93
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 18
B-339D x 10
L-212 x 7

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

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-339D: 2 destroyed
L-212: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo
CA Kako
DD Murasame
CL Natori

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Billiton at 52,93
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6
B-339D x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Murasame

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Billiton at 52,93
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 7
B-339D x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 damaged
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Mikasa Maru

I wonder where the Brits have gotten to? They left Singapore quite a while back. I don't think they went up to Burma since I captured Victoria Point and Port Blair fairly early on. I thought perhaps they had gone to Java. But obviously none were part of today's effort. At any rate, Billiton will be captured tomorrow. Next up is Tiboli. Then I need to get some engineers and aviation units down there so I can base fighters to cover the coming invasion of Java.

Burma

Both Mandalay and Magwe were captured today. Schwebo is about all that is left besides Lashio and Myintaka.

Samoa

My bombardment didn't seem to help out the landing forces much
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Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

97 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise, Shell hits 2
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 2
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
CA Atago
CA Takao
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CL Oi
CL Kiso, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Tama
CL Jintsu

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

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Pre-Invasion action off Pago Pago

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Tamon Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
PB Takunan Maru #5
xAK Tateisi Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Shonon Maru #15
PB Seki Maru #2, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Tamon Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Takunan Maru #5
PB Shonon Maru #15, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

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Amphibious Assault at Pago Pago

TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Pago Pago, 148,161

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Hirota Maru, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Takunan Maru #5
xAK Toba Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Altogether, I lost 2xPBs and 2x xAKs outright. I also scuttled one xAK that was on the verge of sinking and would have scuttled another (74 fire) if it had let me.

The reinforcements are now on the island and when their disruption comes down in a couple of days, we will try another deliberate attack. The BBs, meanwhile, are going back to Savii to rearm. (AKEs!! Don't leave home without them.)

[CapAndGown]

Feb. 19 & 20, 1942

Nothing much happening aside from the every day bombing runs against Clark and Palembang, as well as some assorted raids which did not turn out well for witpqs.

Instead of an AAR, this post will be about my upcoming actions.

At Pago-Pago I have scheduled a deliberate attack. Unadjusted, I have 1170 AV vs 268 AV for the allies. That doesn't mean much, since I can count on him being doubled while my AV will be halved. Maybe enough for 1-1? Looking at the trend in forces, I was surprised to see how far down the allied forces have dropped:

First allied bombardment: Attacking force 7577 troops, 318 guns, 82 vehicles, Assault Value = 323
Latest allied bombardment: Attacking force 6412 troops, 286 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 268

A drop of over 1,000 troops. Only about 30 guns gone, however, and less than 10 vehicles lost. It is those damn tanks who have an AV of 57 that are causing the problem.

The battlewagons are back to help out, though I don't expect much from them. KBs 1 & 2 will also contribute: all the Kates are set to bomb from 9000 feet. I am hoping this will cause them to level bomb rather than glide bomb. I am tired of losing them to the flak. I was even tempted to throw in the Vals, but decided against it. Maybe next attack. If I can get 1-1 this time out, I will continue to attack hoping that his disruption matches my own.

This is becoming very frustrating. I have almost 3 divisions worth of stuff there versus his to heavy regiment equivalents, yet I cannot make any headway. I also don't understand how he could have gotten so much supply down there. The port is only size two.

In looking over the situation at Java, I see two possible invasion sites (indicated on the map below). I am interested in these sites because they are already built up to level 4 airfields. By securing one of these right away I can base bombers and and fighters on Java directly on the heels of the invasion. Both are also close to existing or soon to be fighter bases from which I can fly LRCAP over the invasion fleets. I am leaning towards the western site because it is closer to Singapore from whence the invasion forces will sail. To get the eastern site, the invasion force would need to sail around Borneo and Clebes, taking considerable time.

[CapAndGown]

Feb. 22, 1942

The battle for dominance of the island is reaching its climax, and WE HAVE THE CONCH!

Between the bombardment:
81 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 12 (0 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)

And the air assault:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
B5N1 Kate x 41
B5N2 Kate x 122

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

We managed to raise the disruption level of the defenders quite nicely. As a result, we are now facing 0 forts, almost 1000 less defenders, 1-1 odds (at least), and surprisingly little disruption. In fact, our losses were less than the allied losses:

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Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34662 troops, 314 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 1183
Defending force 8236 troops, 294 guns, 232 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 739
Allied adjusted defense: 393

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
774 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
896 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 141 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 61 (3 destroyed, 58 disabled)

One enemy unit - the Somoa Detachment - simply evaporated during the firing phase. This will allow the next attack to concentrate on more important units. I also was please to see that the Kates did not glide bomb. Instead, they released from 9000 feet. I don't remember who suggested this, but thank you! Only one Kate was lost to flak. (Another was lost operationally, but the pilot is OK.)

So tomorrow, we do it all again. It may be that the battle for the island will end tomorrow!

[CapAndGown]

Feb. 23, 1942

Phase One Operations are now completed with the capture of Pago-Pago. 13,500 U.S. soldiers were led into captivity after a month long siege.

Total cost in ships to the Japanese empire:
9 xAK
2 xAKL
1 AMC
3 DMS
5 PB
1 CL (Kashima)

I now need to think about garrisoning my possessions and future operational plans (besides the obvious stuff in the DEI). As far as the South Seas are concerned, however, I have reached my goals. I could probably take everything else down there, such as the Cook and Society Islands, but I see no point. Those forces would just be cut off and wither on the vine. The Tonga Islands are the knife aimed at the LOC between ConUS and Australia, and that was the point of the whole operation.

[Grotius]

Nicely done! So what's next?

[CapAndGown]

ORIGINAL: Grotius

Nicely done! So what's next?

First off, the game is now up to March 1. There has not been a lot going on. I am just about to capture Toaboli and I am building an airstrip at Billiton. Once these two airstrips are built to size 1 the invasion of Java can commence. Until Java is taken there is not much to do. I have no further goals in the SoPac area except to build my bases and interdict allied shipping between the Society Islands and New Zealand.

Once Java is taken, our troops will need to secure Sumatra and Balikpapan. That won't take very many troops, so while we are taking care of these final objectives in the DEI, our planning will turn to Australia. Not sure what I am going to do there yet. The goal, however, is clear: prevent Australia from being reinforced by U.S. and British forces.

I will also need to secure the rest of the Philippines and finish the conquest of Luzon. Not sure when this will occur. Probably in conjunction with Sumatra and Balikpapan operations.

[CapAndGown]

From last report to March 7, 1942

The airstrip at Billiton was completed so the invasion of Java was launched with 3 divisions and one Base Force with the initial goal of securing the airfield at Kalidjati (size 4). The invasion force made a stopover at Billiton in order to mask its intentions. This worked as witpqs was taken completely offguard when my ships showed up off the coast of Java.

On March 6 the enemy launched a series of air raids. I was lucky in that his planes are totally useless in an anti-shipping role. If I had known, however, that the opposition would have been so intense, I would have waited for the airfield at Toboali to finish before launching the invasion. Also, my LRCAP setting was too low: only 60%.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 24
L-212 x 7

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
L-212: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Hagi
CA Kako
DD Shirayuki
AMC Kongo Maru
AK Tosan Maru
xAK Asosan Maru
AK Kinka Maru
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kashii
AK Sasako Maru
APD Hagi
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9
B-339D x 1

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Asosan Maru
AK Kaga Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 29
L-212 x 6

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
L-212: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Tade
CA Kako
APD Aoi
AK Ayatosan Maru
AK Kaga Maru
AK Awazisan Maru
AK Sado Maru
AK Sakura Maru

(also on the 6th, our forces in Burma captured Shwebo. Lashio should fall in a couple of days.)

On March 7 witpqs tried to intercept our invasion fleet with PT boats. Both forces took a look at each other, backed off, and then did nothing. My invasion proceeded as if nothing had happened.

In the air, opposition was just as intense as the day before. Unfortunately, I believe I have uncovered a bug where fighters on LRCAP will lose their target. I had the fighters at Billiton which had provided LRCAP yesterday up their percentage to 80% but did not change the target. Nevertheless, they failed to show up today. When I examined them, their fatigue had gone to an average of 69, but as far as I could tell, they had not done a thing. (This reminds me, I need to file a bug report pointing out that there is no such thing as commander discretion in this game, only indiscretion.) Fortunately, witpqs's level bombers were worthless. At least today they did manage to score one hit.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 26
B-339D x 7
L-212 x 5

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Tosan Maru
AK Sagami Maru
BB Mutsu
BB Fuso
AK Awata Maru
AMC Kongo Maru
AK Akagi Maru
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 18
75A-7 Hawk x 7

Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo
AK Arima Maru
CL Natori
xAK Asosan Maru
DD Ayanami
AK Sakito Maru
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 20
75A-7 Hawk x 7
L-212 x 5

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Kinryu Maru
BB Nagato
DD Asagumo
xAP Ukishima Maru
AMC Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Mutsu
LSD Shinshu Maru
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 6
CW-22 Falcon x 5

Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sakura Maru
AK Hirokawa Maru
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 7
CW-22 Falcon x 9

Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Arima Maru
AK Sakura Maru
AK Ayatosan Maru

After all of that, my troops on the ground were finally able to launch their assault. Kalidjati was easily taken and a squadron of Oscars was immediately rebased there to provide CAP. No more reliance on this LRCAP foolery. Meanwhile, the invasion forces were ordered to withdraw to Singapore where they will pick up reinforcements, rearm, and return with another 3 divisions and some more aviation support.

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Ground combat at Kalidjati (50,99)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37818 troops, 332 guns, 115 vehicles, Assault Value = 1361
Defending force 489 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 645
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 645 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kalidjati !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
660 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Div /3
18th Div /3
21st Div /1
7th JAAF Base Force

Defending units:
Kalidjati Base Force

These division are now spreading out. One heads south to Bandoeng to split the island in two. One divsion is heading east towards Semarang. The other division is heading west towards Batavia. Another 3 divisions are waiting at Singapore to be dropped on the island as well, along with engineers and artillery. I believe we can make very quick work of this. Witpqs has his force divided between Batavia and Soerebaja with no possibility of uniting them now. There are 13 units at Batavia and 11 at Soerebaja, plus assorted forces elsewhere which will all, no doubt, start making a head-long retreat to one of these two bases.

[CapAndGown]

March 8-11, 1942

March 9: Lashio captured. First attack at Wenchow results in 1-2 odds, reduces fort to level 2

March 10: Second attack at Wenchow results in 1-2 odds, reduces forts to level 1. I will wait for reinforcements to arrive before attacking again

The Imperial Guards division is opposed by a Dutch regiment at Bandoeng. I will need more troops to beat the opposition here. Reinforcements will be landing on the 13th.
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Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12603 troops, 106 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 456
Defending force 3881 troops, 75 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 144

Japanese adjusted assault: 182
Allied adjusted defense: 487

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

March 11

Even as reinforcements arrive at Kalidjati, witpqs throws all his bombers not at the landing craft, but at the Imperial Guards division. This results a slaughter of the Dutch air force. 22 Dutch planes are shot down in exchange for 2 Oscars.
First Attack
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 30
L-212 x 9

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
L-212: 5 damaged
Second Attack
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 9

Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Third Attack
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 9
75A-7 Hawk x 12

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

Allied aircraft losses
CW-22 Falcon: 6 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 4 destroyed
Fourth Attack
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 12

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

This CAP was spillover from Kalidjati. Right now, 2 more divisions and some more support troops have just arrived at Kalidjati and are starting to unload. I expect PT boats to try to interfere. I also do not expect my surface TF there to protect the invasion group. It is becoming increasingly apparent that something was changed in the code such that surface combat groups no longer protect amphibious groups like they used to. Probably some logic got flipped by accident.

[CapAndGown]

March 12, 1942

As I predicted, my SCTF did not protect my amphibious force from witpqs's marauding PTs. Since no hits were scored, this is not a big deal. But it is becoming more apparent that the code here is borked as several posters to the forum have claimed.

Witpqs came at the Imperial Guards division again. I am not sure why he is so intent on attacking this division. The island of Java is split in two and there is nothing he can do about it at this point. All he is doing is burning up his airforce.

first attack
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

second attack
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
L-212 x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
L-212: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

third attack
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 19

Allied aircraft
75A-7 Hawk x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 2 destroyed

[CapAndGown]

March 13, 1942

Today I was not as lucky at avoiding torpedos. Again, my surface force failed to intercept the bloody PTs. For tomorrow I have told them to "patrol" the hex. Maybe that will get them to do their job. For today, however, I managed to lose one of Japan's precious AKs (precious at this stage, anyway, since we can't get anymore until June.) I also had a cruiser torped. This is ridiculous.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kalidjati at 50,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Katori, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Kashii
CL Kinu
DD Sawakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Hokaze
DD Yugao
APD Aoi
APD Hagi
APD Tade
DMS W-3
DMS W-7, Shell hits 2
AK Hirokawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Sado Maru
AK Sagami Maru
AK Sakito Maru
AK Sakura Maru
AK Sasako Maru
AK Kaga Maru
AK Kinka Maru
AMC Kinryu Maru
AK Kyushu Maru
AK Tosan Maru
AK Akagi Maru
AK Arima Maru
AK Awata Maru
AK Awazisan Maru
AK Ayatosan Maru
AK Yamasimo Maru
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
xAK Asosan Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru

Allied Ships
PT TM-4
PT TM-6
PT TM-7
PT TM-8

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Who needs battleships and aircraft carriers when you have PT boats? I think both sides wasted an awful lot of money. They could have just have had a bunch of JFKs running around the Pacific and it would have accomplished a lot more.
[8|]

[PzB74]

Good thing your opponent doesn't read my AAR, then he had moved all his troops to Bandoeng and you would need 2500 AV to kick him out!-)

[CapAndGown]

My opponent does read your AAR and just left a comment on it. I think I was able to take him by surprise. Maybe he was expecting me to go after Palembang first. It is too late for him now; his forces are split between Batavia and Soerebaja with no possibility of uniting them.

[PzB74]

Yees, witpqs posts in my AAR - so he should have had a big party for you at Bandoeng! [:)]

[CapAndGown]

March 14, 1942

Those annoying PT boats continue to evade my covering force and slam straight into the transport group.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kalidjati at 50,99, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kashii
CL Kinu
DD Sawakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Hokaze
DD Yugao
APD Aoi
APD Hagi
APD Tade
DMS W-3
DMS W-7
AK Sado Maru
AK Sagami Maru
AK Sakito Maru
AK Sakura Maru
AK Sasako Maru
AK Kaga Maru
AK Kinka Maru
AMC Kinryu Maru
AK Kyushu Maru
AK Tosan Maru
AK Akagi Maru
AK Arima Maru
AK Awata Maru
AK Awazisan Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ayatosan Maru
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
xAK Asosan Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAP Ukishima Maru

Allied Ships
PT TM-10
PT TM-11
PT TM-12
PT TM-13
PT TM-14
PT TM-15, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

At least I can console myself that if Matrix does not fix this, then I don't have to worry about a Surigoa Strait later on. I will be able to hit witpqs's invasion fleets without having to worry about fighting through his warships screening the invasion. In the end, this failure of cover forces to do their job will benefit Japan.

Finally, witpqs decided to attack the transports instead of mostly useless ground bombing of the Imp Guards division. It still didn't work out for him: he lost a bunch of planes and didn't score any decisive hits on my ships.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 33

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6
B-339D x 14
75A-7 Hawk x 7
T.IVa x 3

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-339D: 5 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed
T.IVa: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Asosan Maru
APD Hagi
-----------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 11
CW-21B Demon x 10
CW-22 Falcon x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 2 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
CW-22 Falcon: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
TB Otori

My troops have now reached Tijatlap. There are 3 enemy units and 6000 troops there. I have two regiments. I will launch a shock attack to see if I can't throw him out of there in a coup de main.

Over in China:

Even after reinforcement, I was not able to get 1-1 odds at Wenchow. Nevertheless, I have ordered a shock attack for tomorrow. Casualties were about even and the fort level has dropped one. We'll see.
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Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 44166 troops, 337 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 1554
Defending force 23329 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 737

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 820
Allied adjusted defense: 1264

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2103 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 166 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 151 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2126 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 123 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 186 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

[CapAndGown]

March 15, 1942

Julius Ceasar died on this date 2000 years ago. Today, the Dutch Air Force continued its inexorable suicide. But more on that in a minute. First, lets start out with a little sub on sub action:
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Sub vs Sub: SS I-155 attacking SS S-36 at 49,129 - near Exmouth
Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
SS S-36, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

The I-155 has become quite the sub killer. I believe this is the second S-boat it has sunk.

The PTs were back at Kiladjati. They didn't hit anything today and one of them was sunk. Rather than having my cover force try to stop them, which has proven to be futile, I sent the TBs to look for the PTs in Batavia.
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 50,98, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Otori
TB Kasasagi
TB Hiyodori
TB Hayabusa
TB Kari

Allied Ships
MTB 8, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

In addition to the PTs, witpqs also sent two S-boats to attack the invasion fleet. Neither of them scored.

Meanwhile, AMc's that were at Tjilatjap made a run for it before that base fell. They ran smack into one of my subs. One of them was sunk:
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Sub attack near Tjilatjap at 49,103

Japanese Ships
SS I-123

Allied Ships
AMc Tjerimai, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AMc Slamat
AMc Gedeh
AMc Merapi
AMc Smeroe

I am sending two surface groups to go hunt them down. They appear to be heading in the direction of Australia. Hopefully airsearch will find them and my SCTFs can then run an intercept.

Although they may all die, fleeing Tjilatjap proved to be a smart move since that base fell to my shock attack. I captured a good deal of fuel there, so I may be able to base a SCTF there soon.

Witpqs continued to send futile attacks against my ships at Kalidjati. His airforce is impaling itself on my Oscars which are becoming the heroes of the Java campaign.

The following graphic shows how these two Sentai have become efficient killers since the start of the Java campaign. The 24th Sentai started at Singkwang providing LRCAP for the invasion of Billiton. Once the airbase there was built, it relocated there to provide LRCAP for the invasion of Kalidjati. Once that was captured, both it and the 50th Sentai were rebased there to provide local CAP. As you can see, they have been very good at their jobs.

[CapAndGown]

March 18, 1942 (I am skipping a couple of uneventful days here)

Subs are killing each other left and right in this game. Today, I lose a sub to a Dutch U-boat:
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Sub vs Sub: SS O21 attacking SS I-123 at 63,107 - near Makassar

Japanese Ships
SS I-123, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O21

In return, one of my subs sinks one of a pair of ASW ships:
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Sub attack near Albany at 49,152
Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 1

Allied Ships
AM Warrnambool, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AM Toowoomba

The most noteworthy result today was the capture of Bandoeng. It is amazing how easy it is do accomplish your goals if you bring a big enough hammer. I am loading up another hammer at Singapore right now to bring down to Java. That will give me 6 divisions to finish the job quite quickly. This will be made much easier since witpqs's forces on Java are split evenly between Batavia and Soerebaja. After using 5 divisions to take Batavia, all 6 divisions will turn to the conquest of Sorebaja. Once that is done, SNLF units in the region will take on Balikpapan while one or two division will head for Palembang. Another set of divisions will be needed to finish the job in the Philippines where his forces have been mostly left unmolested by me as I concentrate on perimeter objectives.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41082 troops, 348 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 1409
Defending force 7063 troops, 113 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 248

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 958
Allied adjusted defense: 265

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandoeng !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
416 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2908 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 103 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 40 (40 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 49 (49 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
24th Division
Imperial Guards Division
4th Division
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
25th Army

Defending units:
4th KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
Afdeling Ritman
Kalidjati Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force

Over in Burma, the only two bases left in his hands are Katha (a dot base) and Myintaka (sp?) Should I go for Myintaka? What do I need to close the Burma road? Is Lashio enough?
Help?!