Olorin (J) vs Sdhundt (A) --- GC (No Sdhundt please)

[Olorin]

Early July

The most significant development is that the enemy redeployed his heavy bomber force from Nth Australia to Numea/Kumac. Lunga is bombarded a few times, but my ground troops are well entrenched and losses are almost zero.
Large air battles in Burma, Ceylon and southern India.

Night bombing:
The enemy launched several night attacks on Trincomalee, my night CAP is useless. I asked for a rule to end this night bombing nonsense, but Sdhundt refused. I used the following argument to convince him:
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Night Air attack on Tanjore , at 32,42
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 23

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 4 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
Sea Hurricane Ib: 3 damaged
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 4 damaged
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26
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Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 45
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 13

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 11 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 30 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 33
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So we have an agreement. No more night attacks from now on.

Ceylon:
I launch several sweeps against Tanjore and Madras. Losses are 2:1 in my favor. Some typical results:
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Morning Air attack on Tanjore , at 32,42
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 15
Hurricane I Trop x 11
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
Mohawk IV x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Tanjore , at 32,42
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 38

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 10
Hurricane I Trop x 4
Hurricane IIb Trop x 9
Mohawk IV x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
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I also attack his airfields in the area on a daily basis. AVG main bases are in Tanjore, Madras and Cochin. No enemy aircraft in Ceylon.

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Morning Air attack on Madras , at 35,40
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G3M3 Nell x 22
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 33 damaged
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 29 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 4 destroyed on ground
Hudson IIIa: 4 damaged
DC-2: 6 damaged
DC-3: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 53
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Afternoon Air attack on Madras , at 35,40
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
G3M3 Nell x 19

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 27 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 2 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane I Trop: 1 damaged
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14
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Afternoon Air attack on Madras , at 35,40
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 29

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 7 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 22 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 2 destroyed on ground
DC-3: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 4 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
DC-2: 3 damaged

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

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
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Burma:
Chittagong's airfield is closed and 100 P-40E’s which were based there are destroyed or damaged.
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Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 110 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 14 destroyed on ground

79 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Mogami
CA Haguro
CL Jintsu
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Uranami
DD Usugumo
DD Fubuki
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Ikazuchi

Allied Ships
AMc Patna, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (6 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 116
Port fuel hits 1
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Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 10
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 9 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 32 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 27
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Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 16 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 27 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
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Afternoon Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 8 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 13 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
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Calcutta and Diamond Harbor are also attacked and the few Dauntlesses and Blenheimms that were based there are either destroyed or damaged. After Jul 7, no allied aircraft remains east of Calcutta.

Australia:
Enemy level bombers hit Groyte Island:
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Morning Air attack on Groote Eylandt , at 82,130
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
Hudson III (LR) x 6
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 34
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B-17’s also hit Lunga and Ndeni without achieving much.

The enemy pushes 1 Australian brigade into Exmouth. I bomb it with 3.BatDiv (Fuso+Yamashiro) and 20 Lillies based at Port Hedland. I have a SNFL unit there and a regiment is coming in a few days. No chance of him taking Exmouth unless he reinforces.
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Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2608 troops, 26 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 135
Defending force 2248 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 75

Allied adjusted assault: 15
Japanese adjusted defense: 73

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
10th Light Horse Battalion
13th Australian Brigade
44th Australian Battalion

Defending units:
Kure 2nd SNLF
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
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China:
I have 2 mop up operations going on: one near Yenan, where I have nearly 600 AV occupied against 40.000 Chinese strugglers, the other west of Nanning.
I am also pulling 11th Army off the line to form a “spearhead” towards Chunging. Currently gathering forces at Ichang. The forests NE of Changteh are empty. I intent to exploit this gap with 11th Army.

The Chinese test my weakened MLR in Tuyun and south of Sian. They have numerical superiority but are beaten easily. I feel confident to proceed with my plan.
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Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52454 troops, 260 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2167
Defending force 6200 troops, 84 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Allied adjusted assault: 284
Japanese adjusted defense: 694
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1003 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 19 (2 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1534 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 128 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
74th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
55th Prov Chinese Division
60th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
38th New Chinese Division

Defending units:
66th Infantry Regiment
51st Recon Regiment
51st Engineer Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
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Kido Buttai:
Still in hiding. Hasn't been sighted for a few months now, which creates uncertainty to my opponent, judging by our email interactions. Zuikaku and Shokaku are almost done upgrading in Singapore. I will send them to Rabaul ASAP.

[Olorin]

Mid July

The redeployment of IJA is in process. 5 divisions are in position (Rangoon & Port Blair), while 4 are still at sea near Singapore. 3 CVs are out of action for upgrades.

SE Fleet
I sent 5 APD’s to Vanua Lava on a Fast Transport mission, to transport an aviation support company (I already had a naval guard there). What they did was move 8 hexes instead of 16, did not unload a single squad and happily remained at Vanua Lava in the morning:
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Vanua Lava at 121,148
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 18
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
SBD-1 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
APD Sawakaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Tachikaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Yakaze, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
APD Numakaze, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
APD Nokaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
331 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
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In the end I lost all 6. Operations in the Solomons will become more difficult. Perhaps I should convert the Wakataze class DDs to APDs.

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Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 25
LB-30 Liberator x 8

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 42
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My engineers are able to reduce damage to almost zero.

In the next turn, the enemy sends two small amphibious TFs to Milne Bay and Port Moresby. 45 Betties in Rabaul remain on the ground, but 8. BatDiv (Ise, Hyuga) catch the Milne Bay TF. It was empty. The other one withdraws to Cairns:
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 100,135, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Hyuga
CA Ashigara
CL Naka
CL Isuzu
DD Isokaze
DD Urakaze
DD Asagumo
DD Wakaba
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
xAK Sea Fox, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
xAP Kota Agoeng, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Tjikandi, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Most curious… a diversion? Maybe. I got one lesson from this: my defense of the region needs to improve. I change the betty group commander (aggression 23 lol) and move a cruiser TF to Port Moresby (4 CAs, 4 DDs). The BBs move to Munda to react to a possible invasion of Tulagi or Lunga.

Speaking of Lunga, B-17s launch a port attack this time. I lose an ACM, which means the minefield there will slowly evaporate. Ndeni is hit too by heavy bombers.

Ceylon
I bomb his airfields again:
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Morning Air attack on Cochin , at 28,40
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 59
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 30

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 6 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 26 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
Fulmar II: 8 damaged
C-33: 7 damaged
C-33: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23
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He tries to bomb a CL led destroyer division near Trincomalee, fails miserably:
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 31,47
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed
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A typical sweep of Madras:
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Morning Air attack on Madras , at 35,40
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 9
Hurricane IIc Trop x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 6 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The attrition of AVG in July is going well:


Burma
The enemy forces at Akyab begin to move to the north. I ordered most units of the 16th Army’s to prepare for Chittagong, while still having some units preparing for Madras and Calcutta. Perhaps he is beginning to feel too exposed.
Anyway, I launch daily ground attacks on Akyab to delay him:
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Morning Air attack on 75th Indian Brigade, at 54,45 (Akyab)
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 57
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 40
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 11
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 23rd Indian Division ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Division ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Division ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Division ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Division ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 23rd Indian Division ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This gives him time to repair his airfields in the area, but it can’t be helped. Chittagong is still attacked though.

Aleutians
I reinforce and resupply Adak Isl. and invade an empty Amchitka with two battalions under the cover of a CL led destroyer division. They spotted my transport TF but not the DDs, so they sent a DD and a PG to Adak. They were both sunk in a night engagement. CVE Unyo is lurking undetected between the Kurilles and the Alleutians.

N.Australia
I sweep Darwin with 50 Zeros and 40 Oscars from Saumlaki. The sweeps are successful except this one:
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Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
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In the next turn, I sent 3.BatDiv to bombard Darwin, they destroy 10 P-40E’s and damage 80 (or so they claim).


DEI
He sent at least two CVs near Exmouth 10 days ago, just one turn after my BBs bombarded the place. Luckily the BBs escaped, but he caught 3-4 small xAKs.
I sent CVE Hosho to Perth as bait, with 1.CarDiv (Shokaku+Zuikaku) lurking behind. All I achieved was to sink a DD. A totally unnecessary operation that achieved nothing and revealed the presence of two IJN CVs. I should have sent them to Rabaul as soon as they finished upgrading.
Akagi, Kaga and Soryu are in the dry dock for their upgrades.

[Olorin]

I will report events daily from now on, as things are heating up and the AAR is now only a few turns behind the game.

July 18

SE Fleet
Ndeni is invaded! Naval search failed to spot the approaching TF, but there were signs: recon planes above Luganville reported 5000 less troops than previously, the empty APs near Milne Bay, heavy bombers softening up Ndeni for a week. Anyway, he managed to land half an infantry regiment and a combat engineer unit, but he is likely to continue unloading tomorrow.
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Amphibious Assault at Ndeni (120,143)
TF 232 troops unloading over beach at Ndeni, 120,143

Allied ground losses:
662 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (0 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (0 destroyed, 28 disabled)

5 troops of a US HMG Section lost from landing craft during unload of 145th Infantry Rgt /2
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Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2895 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 129
Defending force 2778 troops, 42 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 103

Assaulting units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
88th Naval Guard Unit
17th Naval Construction Battalion
47th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
102nd Combat Engr Rgt /1
145th Infantry Rgt /4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BatDiv8 (Munda) is ordered to bombard Ndedni, hopefully it will trash the enemy APs before the bombardment. I bought a LB group (27 Helens) from the 2nd Aid Div in Manchuria. Also bringing a Sally group from Koepang and 100 Zeros from Saumlaki. The 3rd Yokosuka SNFL is airdropped on Ndeni.

Burma
I bomb Akyab as usual. He is moving the 26th Indian Div north to Chittagong. It is bombed as well.

[Olorin]

July 19

SE Fleet
A second enemy TF is unloading. Other than that pretty quiet. My BBs will bombard Ndeni in the next turn.
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Invasion Support action off Ndeni (120,143)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AK Arcturus
AP George F. Elliot
AP Fuller
AP Henderson
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[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

Shikuka - Nigata: 3x TK Type 1 TS
Toyohara - Toyama: 12x AKL Kasu-D
Toyohara - Toyama: 7x AKL Ehime Cargo
Toyohara - Toyama: 6x AKL Akasi Cargo
Toyohara - Toyama: 3x AKL Akasi Cargo
Toyohara - Toyama: 12x AKL Kasu-D
Hakodate - Onimato 12x xAK Aden Cargo
Sapporo - Hirosaki: 16x xAK Akasi Cargo
Kushiro - Sendai: 11x xAKL Miyati Cargo
Kushiro - Sendai: 11x xAKL Miyati Cargo
Kushiro - Sendai: 11x xAKL Miyati Cargo
Matsuyama - Tokuyama 10x AK Gozan Cargo
Takamatsu - Kobe: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Nagasaki - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Fukuoka - Simonoseki: 33x AKL Daigen Cargo
Port Arthur -Simonoseki:12x xAK Aden Cargo
Fusan - Simonoseki: 4x AK Gozan Cargo
Keijo - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Chinnampo - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Tsingtao - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Haichow - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Shangai - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo


- 1st and 2nd Air Divisions are ordered to start intensive training programs for their pilots. The best pilots are transfer to TRACOM or crack frontline formations.

- Reshuffling IJN. I will present a detailed OOB if I am asked.

- Setting up a/c production:
IJNAF:
100 A6M2 Zeros
30 B5N2 Kate
25 D3A1 Val
30 G3M2 Nell
35 G4M1 Betty
10 H6K4 Mavis
27 E13A1 Jake
10 L3Y2 Tina

IJAAF:
45 Ki-27b Nate ( to be switched off, when enough Oscars are produced to upgrade my units)
50 Ki-43-Ic Oscars
25 Ki-21-IIa Sally
34 Ki-48-Ib Lilly (to be switched off when enough Sallys are produced to upgrade my units)
10 Ki-57-I Topsy
15 Ki-46- II Dinah

396 aircraft in total. Too few but I will increase my production gradually, on a need to have basis.

Ho Olorin. I've begun reading your AAR (a bit late, but better late than never, right)? A couple comments. Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but if so, just disregard.

First, your merchant shipping. Looks a bit familiar. [:D] That was way back when AE first came out. Since then we've learned that much of that shipping is not needed.

Eliminate the shipping from Kyushu to Honshu. It'll flow there on it's own.

Same with the shipping from Shikoku to Honshu.

The shipping from Sakhalin should flow to Hokkaido. Wakkani and/or Sapporo are good. Then, ship all the resources and oil from Hakodate to Ominato.

China - I'm considering just resource convoys from Pt. Arthur and Shanghai.

That's basically about it.

IJAAF production. The only comment is about the fighters. I wouldn't produce any Nates. As you upgrade Nate sentai to Oscars, you keep replenishing the pool. I wouldn't waste resources on them. As for Oscars, they will be your primary fighter through most of 1942. I plan on producing about 128 of them for a couple of reasons. First, I want to replace all my frontline Nate units as quickly as possible and secondly, fighter use will only increase over time. The production will be needed. If you get a large pool of the Ic models, you can always turn production off for a time.

Good luck! I look forward to catching up. [:)]

[Olorin]

July 20

SE Fleet
My BBs catch an enemy transport TF, but instead of bombarding Ndedni they return home:
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Pre-Invasion action off Ndeni (120,143)
53 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Hunter Liggett
AP American Legion
AP President Jackson

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Ndeni (120,143)
TF 350 troops unloading over beach at Ndeni, 120,143

Allied ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 27 (0 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 49 (1 destroyed, 48 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 120,143, Range 10,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Ashigara
CL Naka
CL Isuzu
DD Isokaze
DD Urakaze
DD Asagumo
DD Wakaba
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
AP Wharton, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP J. Franklin Bell, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Hunter Liggett, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AP American Legion, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
AP President Jackson, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
397 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 58 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 40 (38 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (15 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 46% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages AP President Jackson at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages AP American Legion at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages AP American Legion at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages AP Wharton at 10,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages AP Wharton at 10,000 yards
AP Wharton sunk by DD Asagumo at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
AP President Jackson sunk by BB Ise at 7,000 yards
AP American Legion sunk by BB Ise at 7,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages AP J. Franklin Bell at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages AP Hunter Liggett at 6,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages AP J. Franklin Bell at 6,000 yards
CL Naka engages AP Hunter Liggett at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages AP Hunter Liggett at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages AP J. Franklin Bell at 5,000 yards
AP Hunter Liggett sunk by BB Ise at 5,000 yards
AP J. Franklin Bell sunk by DD Wakaba at 5,000 yards
AP J. Franklin Bell sunk by DD Wakaba at 5,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His troops must be pretty disrupted, but so are mine (10 disruption, 25 fatigue)

I totally forgot about this TF. It was ordered to move an aviation support unit to Ndeni before the invasion begun:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Africa Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Rakuto Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Terushima Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Konsan Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
635 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2926 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 131
Defending force 6081 troops, 116 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 181

Assaulting units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
88th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
17th Naval Construction Battalion
47th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
145th Infantry Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the end, they managed to land another regiment today.

N.Australia
BatDiv3 bombarded Darwin today. No more sweeps, as my Oscars were LRCAPing the BBs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 83 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 18 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 3 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground

54 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
DD Ushio
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Yamagumo

Allied Ships
DD Porter, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
480 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 65 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled

Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 80

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at BB Yamashiro
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Fuso
Emery Point Fortress firing at BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at Emery Point Fortress
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Kumano
CA Kumano firing at Darwin
Massive explosion on DD Porter
CA Suzuya firing at Emery Point Fortress
Emery Point Fortress firing at CA Suzuya
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CL Sendai
CL Sendai firing at 2nd RAA Coastal Artillery Regiment
2nd RAA Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at CL Sendai
DD Ushio firing at Darwin
DD Hatsuyuki firing at Darwin
DD Yamagumo firing at 2nd RAN Base Force
2nd RAN Base Force firing at DD Yamagumo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Olorin]

July 21

SE Fleet
More than 50 enemy heavy bombers are attacking my Ndeni garrison. Terrain favours me, but still disruption and fatigue slowly accumulate.
He tried a deliberate attack which failed, but it doesn't look good:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6191 troops, 116 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 198
Defending force 4749 troops, 45 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 135

Allied adjusted assault: 61
Japanese adjusted defense: 597
Allied assault odds: 1 to 9 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
145th Infantry Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
88th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
37th JNAF AF Unit
17th Naval Construction Battalion
47th JNAF AF Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma
As usual, I bomb Akyab and the 26th Ind Div just one hex north of it. Chittagong airfield is trashed again.
IJA redeployment is still in process. Probably one more week before all my troops are in position.

[Olorin]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: Olorin

Shikuka - Nigata: 3x TK Type 1 TS
Toyohara - Toyama: 12x AKL Kasu-D
Toyohara - Toyama: 7x AKL Ehime Cargo
Toyohara - Toyama: 6x AKL Akasi Cargo
Toyohara - Toyama: 3x AKL Akasi Cargo
Toyohara - Toyama: 12x AKL Kasu-D
Hakodate - Onimato 12x xAK Aden Cargo
Sapporo - Hirosaki: 16x xAK Akasi Cargo
Kushiro - Sendai: 11x xAKL Miyati Cargo
Kushiro - Sendai: 11x xAKL Miyati Cargo
Kushiro - Sendai: 11x xAKL Miyati Cargo
Matsuyama - Tokuyama 10x AK Gozan Cargo
Takamatsu - Kobe: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Nagasaki - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Fukuoka - Simonoseki: 33x AKL Daigen Cargo
Port Arthur -Simonoseki:12x xAK Aden Cargo
Fusan - Simonoseki: 4x AK Gozan Cargo
Keijo - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Chinnampo - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Tsingtao - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Haichow - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo
Shangai - Simonoseki: 9x xAK Aden Cargo


- 1st and 2nd Air Divisions are ordered to start intensive training programs for their pilots. The best pilots are transfer to TRACOM or crack frontline formations.

- Reshuffling IJN. I will present a detailed OOB if I am asked.

- Setting up a/c production:
IJNAF:
100 A6M2 Zeros
30 B5N2 Kate
25 D3A1 Val
30 G3M2 Nell
35 G4M1 Betty
10 H6K4 Mavis
27 E13A1 Jake
10 L3Y2 Tina

IJAAF:
45 Ki-27b Nate ( to be switched off, when enough Oscars are produced to upgrade my units)
50 Ki-43-Ic Oscars
25 Ki-21-IIa Sally
34 Ki-48-Ib Lilly (to be switched off when enough Sallys are produced to upgrade my units)
10 Ki-57-I Topsy
15 Ki-46- II Dinah

396 aircraft in total. Too few but I will increase my production gradually, on a need to have basis.

Ho Olorin. I've begun reading your AAR (a bit late, but better late than never, right)? A couple comments. Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but if so, just disregard.

First, your merchant shipping. Looks a bit familiar. [:D] That was way back when AE first came out. Since then we've learned that much of that shipping is not needed.

Eliminate the shipping from Kyushu to Honshu. It'll flow there on it's own.

Same with the shipping from Shikoku to Honshu.

The shipping from Sakhalin should flow to Hokkaido. Wakkani and/or Sapporo are good. Then, ship all the resources and oil from Hakodate to Ominato.

China - I'm considering just resource convoys from Pt. Arthur and Shanghai.

That's basically about it.

IJAAF production. The only comment is about the fighters. I wouldn't produce any Nates. As you upgrade Nate sentai to Oscars, you keep replenishing the pool. I wouldn't waste resources on them. As for Oscars, they will be your primary fighter through most of 1942. I plan on producing about 128 of them for a couple of reasons. First, I want to replace all my frontline Nate units as quickly as possible and secondly, fighter use will only increase over time. The production will be needed. If you get a large pool of the Ic models, you can always turn production off for a time.

Good luck! I look forward to catching up. [:)]

Welcome aboard, Mike! Hopefully you are here to stay. Your expertise in the Japanese production is much needed.

About my merchant shipping: I just copied your system [:D].
I have already disbanded the Kyushu and Shikoku convoys, following advice given in this thread. Also, the Sakhalin convoys are now unloading at Wakkanai instead of Nigata/Hirosaki/Toyama. After tha last beta patch, I find that resources flow to Fusan and not Port Arthur, which is convenient.

About Oscars/Nates: I stopped producing Nates shortly after the war begun. I am producing 210 Oscars now and managed to upgrade all Nate groups only in July 42 (actually a few tuns ago).
I botched my engine production. Too many changes back and forth. I must have wasted more than 200k in supplies because of this. [:(] Anyway, I think my production is finally stabilized now.

[Olorin]

July 22

SE Fleet
An enemy BB is spotted SW of Luganville heading NE, obviously towards Ndeni. 5 subs are moving into position to hopefully intercept it.

A Sally group attacked Luganville and revealed the presence of one American division there (40th InfDiv). Nic to know.

I am stil unable to offer Ndeni useful fighter cover. I moved every airplane to Tulagi and Lunga, so my fighters have to use drop tanks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4996 troops, 113 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 189
Defending force 4624 troops, 47 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 122

Assaulting units:
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
17th Naval Construction Battalion
37th JNAF AF Unit
47th JNAF AF Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Olorin]

July 23

SE Fleet
The enemy SCTF heading to Ndeni is intercepted! In the subsequent bombardmend, BB Oklahoma is missing. It's listed in the sunk ships list:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ndeni at 120,144
Japanese Ships
SS I-20, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Torpedo hits 1
DD Clark

SS I-20 launches 8 torpedoes at BB Oklahoma
I-20 diving deep ....
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark attacking submerged sub ....
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ndeni at 120,143
Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Nevada
CA Vincennes

Japanese ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 22
Port hits 19
Port supply hits 2

BB Idaho firing at Ndeni
BB Nevada firing at Ndeni
CA Vincennes firing at Ndeni
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 5008 troops, 113 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 200
Defending force 4638 troops, 50 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 129

Assaulting units:
145th Infantry Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
88th Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
17th Naval Construction Battalion
37th JNAF AF Unit
47th JNAF AF Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Olorin]

July 24

SE Fleet
Another TF spotted at Ndeni. It's attacked by Betties, but no hits are scored. It unloaded a marine regiment...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G4M1 Betty x 9

No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
DD Benham
AP President Monroe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Ndeni (120,143)
51 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP President Monroe
AP President Polk
AP Thomas Jefferson
DD Benham

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Ndeni (120,143)
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Ndeni, 120,143

Allied ground losses:
277 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (0 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (0 destroyed, 12 disabled)

13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad lost in surf during unload of 22nd Marine Rgt /5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 5023 troops, 113 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 280
Defending force 4760 troops, 50 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 133

Assaulting units:
148th Infantry Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
22nd Marine Rgt /1

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
17th Naval Construction Battalion
37th JNAF AF Unit
47th JNAF AF Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This goes on on a daily basis:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 120,143 (Ndeni)
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-26 Marauder x 14
B-26B Marauder x 24

No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 2000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 2000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 2000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1 ...
Also attacking 17th Naval Construction Battalion ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 47th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 88th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1 ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 88th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1 ...
Also attacking 82nd Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Olorin]

July 25

SE Fleet
BatDiv8 resupplied in Rabaul and returned to Ndeni. This time it intercepted the enemy amphibious TF and bombarded Ndedni too:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 120,143, Range 11,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Ashigara
CL Naka
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
DD Isokaze
DD Urakaze
DD Asagumo
DD Wakaba
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
DD Benham, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 31, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AP President Monroe, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AP President Polk, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Thomas Jefferson, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Idomeneus, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
792 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 61 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 92% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Benham at 11,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages AP President Polk at 11,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages DD Benham at 11,000 yards
BB Ise engages xAP Idomeneus at 11,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages AP President Polk at 11,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages AP President Polk at 11,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages AP Thomas Jefferson at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Urakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Benham engages BB Ise at 10,000 yards
DD Benham engages CL Isuzu at 10,000 yards
AP Thomas Jefferson sunk by CL Naka at 10,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Benham at 10,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Wakaba at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Benham at 10,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Urakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Benham at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Benham at 8,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages AP President Polk at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages AP President Monroe at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAP Idomeneus at 8,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Benham at 8,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Benham at 8,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Benham at 8,000 yards
AP President Polk sunk by DD Urakaze at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Benham at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Benham at 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages AP President Hayes at 4,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages AP President Hayes at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Benham at 2,000 yards
AP President Monroe sunk by BB Ise at 2,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages AP President Hayes at 2,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Benham at 2,000 yards
DD Benham engages BB Hyuga at 2,000 yards
AP President Hayes sunk by DD Wakaba at 2,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages DD Benham at 2,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DD Benham at 2,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Isokaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Benham sunk by BB Ise at 3,000 yards
DD Benham sunk by BB Ise at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ndeni at 120,143
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Naka
DD Shirakumo
DD Wakaba
DD Asagumo
DD Urakaze
DD Isokaze

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

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Hyuga
BB Hyuga firing at 145th Infantry Regiment
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at 22nd Marine Regiment
CA Ashigara firing at 145th Infantry Regiment
CL Isuzu firing at 22nd Marine Regiment
CL Naka firing at 145th Infantry Regiment
DD Shirakumo firing at 145th Infantry Regiment
DD Wakaba firing at 22nd Marine Regiment
DD Asagumo firing at 148th Infantry Regiment
DD Urakaze firing at 22nd Marine Regiment
DD Isokaze firing at 148th Infantry Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last turn a TF with CVs and 1 BB was reported SW of Luganville, heading SW towards Numea. I figured this was the main enemy base in the area and moved SubDiv3 here (6 subs with 3 Jakes). One of my subs found the TF and put a fish into BB Idaho!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ouv'ea at 116,155
Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Clark

SS I-7 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Idaho
I-7 diving deep ....
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark attacking submerged sub ....
DD Clark cannot reach attack position over SS I-7
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was overjoyed, but then he launched a deliberate attack which doesn't look good:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 9249 troops, 210 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 290
Defending force 4881 troops, 50 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 131

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 70
Japanese adjusted defense: 119
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Assaulting units:
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
17th Naval Construction Battalion
37th JNAF AF Unit
47th JNAF AF Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplies in Ndedni are very low, several small TFs are loading at Tulagi and Lunga. If Ndeni is not lost in the next turn, then perhaps I can hold it. I have Guards Brigade in Rabaul ready to load, but I am reluctant to commit it yet.
KB is heaving trouble refueling at Sorebaya, as all the fuel has suddenly migrated to Batavia for no reason!

China
11th Army is moving through the forests unopposed with 6 divisions. 2 divisions have already penetrated 4 hexes deep, but the other 4 are still lagging behind. When all 6 are concentrated, I will decided whether or not to send them north, south or east.

[Olorin]

A few statistics:

Sunk ships:
CV/CVL: Enterprise, Indomitable, Hermes
Hiryu

BB: West Virginia, Pensylvania, Idaho, Oklahoma

CA/CL: Canbera, Exeter, Mauritius
Nachi, Tama, Kuma, Natori

SS: 24 Allied, 7 Japanese
DD: 50 Allied, 15 Japanese
APD: 9 Japanese
AP: 44 Allied, 30 Japanese
AO: 6 Allied, 1 Japanese
TK: 11 Allied, 4 Japanese
AK/AKL: 200 Allied, 140 Japanese

Total ships sunk:
483 Allied, 287 Japanese

Aircraft losses:
3700 Allied, 3800 Japanese.
Fighter losses 1:1
120 B-17’s destroyed



Oil centers at Sorebaja and Miri still repairing. 120k tons of supplies are needed to fully repair them.



The Sallies will be turned off very soon. I faced a critical LB shortage around April/May. The arrival of Helen messed things up, but now everything looks ok.

The supply situation has improved as well. 1.900k and rising.

CV Hiyo is about to arrive. Then I will be able to accelerate all 7 CVs in the que at the cost of 13 subs (K6 and KD7 class).

[Mike Solli]

I'd shut off the Kate and Val factories for a while.

[Olorin]

Done! No more Val or Kate for a while. I also broke up with Sally, she caught me fooling around with Helen.

[Mike Solli]

Are you aware that the A6M3 upgrades to the A6M3a/A6M5 and the A6M2 does not?

[Olorin]

Yes, that's why I converted one factory to A6M3. You think I should convert all 3 of them and start producing the A6M3?

[Mike Solli]

Not sure. When do you get the A6M3a? That model is carrier capable but the A6M3 isn't.

[Olorin]

It comes in December, 4 months from now...
I think it's better to keep A6M2 for a couple of months more and increase pool number, before I convert to A6M3.

[Mike Solli]

How many daitai do you plan on converting to the A6M3? Keep in mind that as you convert, their A6M2s go into the pool. It's a balancing act. Gotta keep a close eye on what you have in units and the pool vs. your future needs.