Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walker (J) DBB-B Scen 28

[Lowpe]

Normal looking attack at Clark, your doing it right, rest the troops, bombard with ART and bomb. Attack in a couple of days again. You can break down the divisions into thirds although if you have great leaders I wouldn't do it here.

[Walker84]

Thanks Lowpe, it's good to get a second opinion. I will report on the next attack shortly.

[Walker84]

Mar 14, 1942

Another night, another Dutch boat TM-8 sunk by the cover force near Pamekasan.

The air and land bombardment at Clark continues.

Japanese forces capture Tandjoengbalai and will probe up the coast towards Medan.

A Malaysian straggler ground unit breaks cover north of Mersing and will receive a bombing run tomorrow before being chased down by an armoured regiment - hopefully before it can straddle the rail line.

The KB is sent north from Singapore. No TF planes are set to search so I hope that the redeployment will not be picked up immediately. Of course if they run over a sub in the strait that's another matter.

[Walker84]

Mar 15, 1942

Three Dutch patrol craft are sunk by cruisers in separate actions: my opponent's attempts to bypass the covering forces and attack my shipping have come to naught so far.

Zeros sweep Soerabaja and bag a good total of B-339Ds and CW21Bs. The Dutch fighter force is surely broken, and there is no indication that either Hurris or P40s were drafted in to help in the DEI. In a day or two I will be transferring more fighters to the Burma campaign. Incidental note: after Kaga took the torpedo I flew her Zeros off to Denpasar and they have since increased their tally of kills to 49 for 1 A2A loss.

Here is the current position in Java. It appears that my opponent plans to stand and fight at Malang south of Soerabaja as this mountain hex now holds 16 units. I'd be tempted to drop the 4th division straight into Soerabaja as a result of this if it wasn't for the mines and nest of PT boats.

[Walker84]

Mar 15 part 2

Ground combat at Pucheng in S China drops the fort level to 1. The town will fall in a few days time, isolating 4 units sitting in Chuhsien. The next defendable base is at Kanhsien, 5 hexes to the west. Each time the Chinese are kicked out of a base, the damage in squads and devices destroyed can be considerable (which in addition to territory gained is the whole point).

Oosthaven at the tip of Sumatra falls to a flying tank unit (not in the literal sense!) and we go in with another DA at Clark. Not that bad a result:

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30089 troops, 388 guns, 329 vehicles, Assault Value = 907

Defending force 18471 troops, 286 guns, 162 vehicles, Assault Value = 519

Japanese adjusted assault: 856

Allied adjusted defense: 622

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1631 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 165 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 38 (3 destroyed, 35 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
509 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 29 (4 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Division
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
48th Division
4th Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
192nd Tank Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
1st Constabulary Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
2nd Constabulary Regiment
I Corps
I/Prov'nl SPM Grp
II Corps
24th PS FA Regiment
Far East USAAF
II/Prov'nl SPM Grp
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
!/23rd PS FA Battalion
86th PS Field Artillery Battalion
III/Prov'nl SPM Grp

[Walker84]

The Big India Conundrum

I still want to make one more big splash before Japan's amphibious bonus runs out. I have ruled out landing at Ceylon as it seems to me that you end up with a base that can be neutralised over time by superior Allied LBA unless you commit a lot of resources there.

So I want to land somewhere on the coast north of Akyab and have been reccing the bases running north as far as Diamond Harbour. To try and cover my tracks a little bit I have also been reccing inland bases such as Dacca. The map shows what I have found out so far. I'm also itching to find out what the defences of Diamond Harbour look like.

The plan will be to go in hard with 4 - 5 divisions, plus support. The KB will be on hand to deal with any LBA interference. I don't think that the Allied carriers will be around although this cannot be guaranteed.

If I hit Diamond Harbour, the prize will be Calcutta with its heavy industry, plus the ability to disrupt supply to China by building up a strong position here and pushing the Allies well back from the Burmese frontier.

Landing at Chittagong will clearly be less ambitious as it involves quite a slog to get nearer to Calcutta and, by the look of it, won't bag all that many Allied units down the coast. It will however enfilade the Allied defence of the Burmese frontier pretty effectively. Before making my mind up I need to get some better intel of Diamond Harbour.

I'm continuing to push on Akyab, Katha and Bhamo to make it look like I intend to enter India by land. Hopefully this will draw even more Allied units forward to be enveloped (although as my opponent is very canny I think he will have ensured that his defence has sufficient depth).

[Walker84]

Mar 16, 1942

SS O21 trips an ASW attack as the KB sails up the Strait of Malacca. BB Kongo is the only capital ship identified in the Combat report, so here's hoping...

Unescorted 139WH-3s hit the 8th Tank Regiment at Probolinggo and manage to destroy a vehicle, although 4 are shot down by LRCAP.

Another Japanese assault at Puching reduces the fortifications to 0. I will rest my forces for one turn before (hopefully) taking the city.

The bombardment attack at Clark goes my way for now. The fatigued divisions rest out the turn.

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1959 troops, 153 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 754

Defending force 18040 troops, 286 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 459

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

Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

At Singapore, infantry divisions start loading...

Here's the situation in S China. Puching is the dot hex where the battle has just taken place. It appears that my opponent has just vacated Chuhsien to the northeast, so a full scale withdrawal is underway.

[Walker84]

Mar 17, 1942

ASW attack near Colombo. SS I-123 is hit 6 times by PG Herald escorting a small TF of AKLs, providing further testimony to the ASW capability of some of the Commonwealth escort vessels. The sub will limp back to Singapore and spend time in the yard.

I should have known better than to brag about containing the Dutch PT boats based at Soerabaja. During the night four of them slip into Probolinggo and torpedo and sink xAK Akagisan Maru at a range of 2,000 yards without loss. To achieve this feat they have to evade three covering cruiser TFs in the same hex, as well as the amphibious convoy escort which comprises 2x CL, 2xDD, 2xDMS and 2xSC. To be fair to the escorts, they managed to screen a few of the juicier APs from attack.

Pucheng takes heavy air attacks followed by a bombardment attack this turn. A deliberate attack should succeed next turn.

Continued bombing and bombardment at Clark also shows rather promising results:

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1951 troops, 154 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 810

Defending force 20200 troops, 298 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 536

Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
56th Engineer Regiment
21st Division
48th Division
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
45th PS Infantry Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st Constabulary Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
21st PA Infantry Division
2nd Constabulary Regiment
86th PS Field Artillery Battalion
24th PS FA Regiment
I Corps
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
II/Prov'nl SPM Grp
!/23rd PS FA Battalion
II Corps
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
I/Prov'nl SPM Grp
Far East USAAF
III/Prov'nl SPM Grp

Recon of Diamond Harbour achieves a DL of 4/5, spotting Troops-8040; Guns-45; AFVs-12. This may not be the final picture but looks promising enough should I decide to land there in a few day's time...

[Walker84]

Mar 18, 1942

Sub attack near Phuket as SS Greenling puts a torpedo into AO Kokuyo Maru, part of the main refuelling fleet supporting the current Top Secret operation, codenamed Open Door. With so much fuel on board the oiler sinks rapidly. The only good news is still no DL on the KB as it de-materialises into a convenient port while waiting for the troop transports to arrive.

A flight of 6 x Blenheim IFs strafes the 55th Cavalry Regt near Akyab, bombing with 40 lb bombs from 100 feet but failing to inflict any casualties. The JAAF replies with further attacks at Clark Field and Pucheng.

On Java, the 8th Tank and 2nd Recon Regiments capture the airfield at Loemadjang.

Then, an odd combat result at Pucheng:

Ground combat at Pucheng (86,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1053 troops, 48 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 840

Defending force 17769 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 347

Japanese adjusted assault: 21

Allied adjusted defense: 245

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 11 (fort level 1)

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

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

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
6th Division
15th Division
4th Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
23rd Group Army
25th Group Army

Must check if I failed to set all units to attack.


The subsequent bombardment attack at Clark Field is more satisfactory, destroying 7 Allied squads for no loss.

[Walker84]

Mar 19, 1942

SS I-162 runs into KVs Nigella, Hollyhock and Aster near Koggala, Ceylon and rashly decides to launch two torpedoes. Fortunately none of the highly-rated Allied escorts can find a suitable attack position.

The 1st Tank Regiment shock attacks the remains of the 8th Indian Brigade which stumbled out of the jungle near Kuala Lumpur recently. The shattered Indian unit promptly surrenders.

I was so perturbed by the result at Pucheng last turn that I went for a bombardment attack, with inconsequential results. No combat at Clark today as I inadvertently exceeded the stacking limit while rotating fresh units in.

Further north, Yokosuka 1st SNLF ejects the 13th Burma Rifles Battalion from the dot base of Bhamo, a few hexes south of Myitkyina.

In a few turns, the bulk of the shipping associated with Operation Open Door will have negotiated the bottleneck that is the Strait of Malacca. Hopefully without too much further mishap - I am using waypoints to try and steer a course away from the submarine patrols but given the nature of the channel this can only be so effective.

The map shows the build-up in Java. Oscars are already operational at Loemadjang, and our troops are now on the peninsula in force. Rather than making a stand at Soerabaja, the Dutch are massing to defend the mountain hex at Malang.

[Walker84]

Mar 20, 1942

The Dutch TM boats sally out of Soerabaja again and score more successes. Kind of annoying that my in-hex SCTFs completely miss the incursion again, and the escorts are pretty ineffective this time round. At least the unloading is virtually done now and I can start withdrawing the transports.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Probolinggo at 56,105, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Shimakaze
DD Sanae
DD Asagao
AMC Akagi Maru
AMC Kiyosumi Maru
xAK Hitati Maru, Shell hits 2
AMC Nosiro Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Sinsyu Maru
xAK Hankow Maru
xAK Terukawa Maru
PB Ronsan Maru
PB Sensan Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru
xAP Mizuho Maru
xAP Kamo Maru, Shell hits 4
xAP Baikal Maru
xAP Tango Maru

Allied Ships
TM-7
TM-11
TM-12
TM-13

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
DD Sanae engages TM-13 at 2,000 yards
PB Sensan Maru engages TM-7 at 2,000 yards
TM-7 engages APD Shimakaze at 2,000 yards
TM-7 engages AMC Nosiro Maru at 2,000 yards
xAP Tango Maru , xAP Baikal Maru , xAP Kamo Maru ,
xAP Mizuho Maru , xAP Rakuyo Maru screened from combat
DD Sanae engages TM-13 at 2,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-7 at 2,000 yards
AMC Kiyosumi Maru engages TM-13 at 2,000 yards
TM-11 engages xAK Sinsyu Maru at 2,000 yards
TM-7 engages xAK Hitati Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Sanae engages TM-7 at 2,000 yards
PB Sensan Maru engages TM-11 at 2,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-7 at 2,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-13 at 2,000 yards
TM-7 engages xAP Kamo Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
xAK Sinsyu Maru collides with APD Shimakaze at 56 , 105
xAP Tango Maru , xAP Baikal Maru , xAP Kamo Maru ,
xAP Mizuho Maru , xAP Rakuyo Maru , xAK Terukawa Maru ,
xAK Hankow Maru , xAK Sinsyu Maru , xAK Hitati Maru screened from combat
- escorted by DD Asagao , PB Sensan Maru , PB Ronsan Maru
DD Sanae engages TM-13 at 4,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-12 at 4,000 yards
DD Sanae engages TM-7 at 4,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-11 at 4,000 yards
Wanamaker R. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 2,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-13 at 2,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-12 at 2,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-11 at 2,000 yards
TM-7 engages xAP Kamo Maru at 2,000 yards
TM-7 engages xAK Hitati Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
APD Shimakaze engages TM-13 at 6,000 yards
DD Sanae engages TM-13 at 6,000 yards
TM-11 engages PB Sensan Maru at 6,000 yards
TM-7 engages xAP Baikal Maru at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Next, the Allied subs get in on the act and although there are several ASW hits AMC Nosiro Maru takes a torpedo and is set on fire.

In S China, Pucheng is proving a tough nut to crack as another DA goes off without decisive result. Somehow the Chinese are still in supply which is a pain. I can probably get a unit round to cut off the base but that will take more time.

Ground combat at Pucheng (86,57)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28790 troops, 273 guns, 162 vehicles, Assault Value = 852

Defending force 17572 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 329

Japanese adjusted assault: 735

Allied adjusted defense: 489

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
676 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
912 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 97 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Division
13th Tank Regiment
15th Division
4th Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
23rd Group Army
25th Group Army

A bombardment attack at Malang SW of Soerabaja reveals the strength of the opposing line-ups:

Japanese: 13767 troops, 153 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 592

Dutch: 13993 troops, 169 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

I still have a few units to deploy in the hex but achieving 2:1 odds looks doubtful at present. I can afford to wait a little longer however, as Operation Open Door takes precedence for now.

[Walker84]

Mar 21, 1942

More sub shenanigans in the Strait of Malacca.

SS Seal takes a hit after straying into the path of a SCTF near Mergui. BB Hyuga, plus some CAs are identified. Wonder what my opponent will make of that.

Then SS Truant attacks another replenishment TF near Phuket, torpedoing AO Tsurumi which later sinks. At least it was only one of the slower AOs, but that makes it the second AO loss of this operation so far. SS KXIV sights the same TF later on but fortunately can't get into a firing position.
Last turn some Allied ships were spotted near Sabang so I detailed a CL and 2 DDs to investigate and they bagged AMc Smeroe, sunk by a single shell hit.

Zeroes sweep Batavia but there is no CAP in the air. Apart from what is carried on the KB and mini-KB, I am moving most available Zeroes either to Burma (to support Operation Open Door) or to the SW Pacific theatre (to defend against any Allied CV incursions).

Pucheng finally falls and the final combat results are wholly satisfactory:

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pucheng !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
425 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6951 casualties reported
Squads: 237 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 215 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (16 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Bombardments resume at Clark and the Allies continue to suffer the heavier losses...

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

Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

[Walker84]

Mar 22-23, 1942

Dutch PT boats sally out again but there are no transports for them to target.

Allied SS S-23 spots two DDs near Port Blair but miraculously the various TFs steaming into the Bay of Bengal still bear no DL markers. Can my opponent see more than it appears from this - and how long can we maintain some level of surprise? He must have some sigint on this by now.

More sub action. SS I-122 meets two Allied DDs NW of Ceylon and takes 7 hits for its pains. Then SS I-165 torpedoes CM Kung Wo twice near Diego Garcia and probably sinks her. I wonder if the mines went down with the ship?

Several good bombing runs on the Chinese retreating from Pucheng near Nanchang.

Netties based at Rangoon bomb the 108th RAF Base Force at Akyab in preparation for the coming offensive.

The Dutch Air Force attacks shipping near Palembang but encounters Oscars on CAP and at least 3 fighters and 8 bombers are shot down by the JAAF.


Operation Open Door - TFs steaming into the Bay of Bengal

[Walker84]

Mar 24, 1942

Mines are laid in a coastal hex near Balikpapan. Fortunately they are discovered by DDs which sweep a few and now AMcs are en route.

Sallies are now in position and start to bomb Malang which I will need to reduce a little before launching any attacks into the mountain hex.

Operation Open Door commences with the 2nd Raiding Rgt paradropping on Akyab. Defending units are the 6th Burma Rifles Battalion and 108th RAF Base Force. The shock attack reduces the forts to 1. The attack is a diversion and I expect heavy ground attack next turn from Allied bombers based at Calcutta so will LRCAP the paras with Oscars based at Mandalay.

The situation is getting tense as my TFs sail deeper into the Bay of Bengal with still no detection as far as I can tell. The biggest concern for the landing force are the 60-odd fighters now based at Calcutta, plus the possibility of Allied torpedo and/or dive bombers in theatre that they will be ready to protect.

I had set 45 Zeroes to sweep the base this turn hoping that there was some CAP that I could overwhelm but bad weather led to the sweep being cancelled. I'm pretty sure that next turn my opponent will be able to see some movement even if he's not sure where the landings will take place.

Bay of Bengal - Mar 24, 1942: Operation Open Door TFs inch closer to the target

[Walker84]

Pic attached

[Walker84]

Mar 25, 1942

The waters around Ceylon are becoming deadly for Japanese subs. SS I-162 is attacked by three Allied KVs near Colombo and suffers 2 hits. Later on DD Express finishes the job, making flotsam out of the sub. I already have another sub limping back to base so will avoid these waters for now and look for easier picking elsewhere.

Night naval bombardment of Diamond Harbour - 28 Coastal gun shots fire back in defence and - it appears that there may be no mines in the harbour!

BBs Hyuga, Yamashiro, and Fuso emerge almost unscathed from the action with 5 superficial hits between them. Allied reported losses are 662 casualties, 5 squads destroyed plus numerous disablements. The only targets hit are 17th Australian Brigade and Diamond Harbour Fortress itself. Travelling at full speed the TF reaches a position due west of Akyab later in the day.

At first light, thirty-five Zeroes take off with reserve tanks to sweep the skies over Calcutta where they are met by 27x H81-A3 and 8x Buffalo Is. Thirteen Allied fighters are shot down and two are written off for the loss of four Zeroes. The Allied planes belong to the AVG's 1st Sqn and No.67 Sqn RAF.

Recon now reports 32 fighters, 33 bombers and 14 auxiliaries at Calcutta. No Allied bombers were set to naval attack so my invasion TF has somehow sailed to within three hexes of Diamond Harbour without being spotted or attacked. Although tempted, I decided not to launch a carrier strike on Calcutta airfield as I need to conserve my carrier air to defend the transports, plus I could not certain that the land-based fighter sweep would be able to coordinate properly).


In other news today...

- At Akyab, a second assault reduces the fortifications to 0.

- Three B17s attack 2nd Tank Regiment in open terrain near Wyndham proving that Alice Springs is now operational.

- SS Plunger gets all feisty near Cape Gloucester, firing off two salvos at a passing convoy without hitting anything.

- Clark is bombed. The retreating Chinese are bombed near Nanchang.

Operation Open Door - current intel and dispositions

[Walker84]

I forgot to note on the map that 45 A6M2s are based at Magwe and 45 Ki-43-1cs at Mandalay.

[Walker84]

Mar 26, 1942

Night Time Surface Combat near Diamond Harbour. PC Haideri blunders into the path of the invasion fleet, causes several transports to collide and is sent on its way with one shell hit. So although the surprise part is over, the TF is already unloading at Diamond Harbour and I am left wondering how Allied naval air failed to spot my multiple TFs for so long.

A force of cruisers sinks the Haideri shortly afterwards. SS S-23 launches two torpedoes at CA Kumano but misses and is then on the receiving end, hits 2.

Defensive guns engage the approaching landing force. The invasion force is supported by three CAs and CL Kashii, plus multiple DDs and PBs. The ensuing four rounds of naval gunfire lead to approximately 600 Japanese ground casualties, plus hits on a number of vessels. The Allies also take quite a few casualties, and the invasion forces are ashore!

SS I-155 torpedoes a fleeing AK near Cuttack and an ASW attack near Diamond Harbour keeps the head of Allied sub O16 down.

A wave of Swordfish torpedo bombers escorted by Buffalo Is attacks the invasion force but runs into the KB CAP and most are shot down.

A group of P-39D Airacobras attacking at low level with 500lb bombs are more successful, hitting three transports although six planes are shot down by the CAP. Vals set to short range then bomb and sink xAK Marion Moller.

The Allied bombardment attack at Diamond harbour reveals the following line-up:

Allies: 10688 troops, 127 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 365

Japan: 41275 troops, 385 guns, 188 vehicles, Assault Value = 1352

Allied units in the hex are:
17th Australian Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
21st Australian Brigade
Diamond Harbour Fortress
1st Bengal Construction Battalion

The action elsewhere today was confined to bombardment attacks and bombing runs so, for the most part, the commander's eyes remained fixed on the drama unfolding at Diamond Harbour.

[Walker84]

Mar 27, 1942

A cruiser TF sinks two more Allied HDMLs near Probolinggo.

The Allied guns at Diamond Harbour are still firing. There are more ground casualties and several transports that were set on fire sink.

Then the assault troops go in and Diamond Harbour falls at the first attack.

Ground combat at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 45003 troops, 388 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 1351

Defending force 15291 troops, 203 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 363

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1241

Allied adjusted defense: 94

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Diamond Harbour !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
718 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
11182 casualties reported
Squads: 279 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 404 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 102 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 123 (114 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 134 (134 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
5th Division
14th Division
4th Ind Engineer Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
22nd Special Base Force
39th Field Const Co
3rd Mortar Battalion
91st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
44th Indian Brigade
21st Australian Brigade
17th Australian Brigade
Diamond Harbour Fortress
1st Bengal Construction Battalion

I wasn't entirely expecting that on the first assault but I'm not going to complain!

Elsewhere, the process of reducing the defenders of Clark Field and Malang continues, and Yokosuka 4th SNLF captures the oilfield at Djambi, north of Palembang.

Diamond Harbour has a new owner, Calcutta threatened...

[Walker84]

Mar 28, 1942

The day after the assault is a lot less eventful, not least because no Allied fighters are in the air locally, and no bombers arrive to take on my own CAP over Diamond Harbour. I decide to rest my divisions for one turn before marching on Calcutta as they are partially disrupted. The preponderance of engineers in the port mends all of the damage that was caused during the assault. The airfield is set to build, although I expect Calcutta to be operational in a matter of days. I had forgotten to send the 25th Army HQ in with the original assault. Fortunately it was not required and will arrive by Fast Transport tomorrow.

A task force comprising 3x DMS clears the mine field at Diamond Harbour. Fortunately no shipping hit the mines but several transports which were not sunk outright by CD guns are lying damaged in the port.
The KB sights SS O23 near Chittagong and fortunately the sub is prevented from launching an attack.

Ki-21-IIa Sallies bomb the Dutch at Malang but unfortunately the escorts fail to fly and about 6 bombers encounter CAP and are shot down.

Medan and Clark Field are the other bombing targets today.