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Feb 23, 1942

One of the Rufe research sites at Tsu reached 30(0) and was converted to 30(0) A6M5 Zero.

Japanese CVs attacked Moulmein -

Afternoon Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
B5N2 Kate x 42
D3A1 Val x 31

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 3 destroyed

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 41

And Allied CVs attacked Buna -

Afternoon Air attack on Buna , at 99,129

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 70

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Port hits 1

Feb 24, 1942

One of our subs sank an xAK off Ramree Is.

A Japanese BB TF pounded Moulmein -

Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
CA Suzuya
CA Ashigara
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Chikuma
CL Yura
DD Fuyo
DD Asagao
DD Satsuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Isonami
DD Oshio
DD Nowaki

Allied ground losses:
403 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Manpower hits 2
Fires 2217
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 18
Port hits 9
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 2

BB Hyuga firing at Moulmein
BB Fuso firing at Moulmein
CA Suzuya firing at 53rd British Brigade

This was followed by a carrier air attack -

Afternoon Air attack on Moulmein , at 55,55

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50
B5N2 Kate x 55
D3A1 Val x 29

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 3 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 10

On the other side of the world US cruisers bombarded Umnak Is. -

Night Naval bombardment of Umnak Island at 169,51

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

The Japanese move back in to Changsha disclosed a weak defense (apparently units were moved out of Changsha to defend the 2 hexes south of that base) -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15100 troops, 180 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 656

Defending force 40955 troops, 201 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 296

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Division
40th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
20th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
18th Artillery Regiment
19th Group Army
29th Group Army
23rd Group Army
Central Reserve !! ?
27th Group Army
9th War Area
17th Chinese Base Force

Feb 25, 1942

US cruisers again bombarded the Japanese troops at Dutch Harbor -

Night Naval bombardment of Dutch Harbor at 171,50

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Japanese carrier air attacked TFs at Rangoon in the AM and the base in the PM -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 9
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Halizones, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Autolycus
xAK Baroda, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Hupeh

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
B5N2 Kate x 39
D3A1 Val x 46

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 8
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed, 19 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hudson IIIa: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
xAK Marion Moller, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 30

Shock attacks at Changsha and Pingsiang accomplished nothing -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 27413 troops, 284 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 984

Defending force 46200 troops, 233 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 479

Japanese adjusted assault: 812

Allied adjusted defense: 1185

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2323 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 193 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled

Allied ground losses:
455 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
3rd Division
39th Division
40th Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
20th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division (just arrived)
27th Group Army
Central Reserve
19th Group Army
9th War Area
29th Group Army
23rd Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
17th Chinese Base Force

Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 38443 troops, 361 guns, 222 vehicles, Assault Value = 1006

Defending force 44377 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1060

Japanese adjusted assault: 882

Allied adjusted defense: 1213

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
3540 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 281 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 32 (1 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 42 (1 destroyed, 41 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1563 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 165 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
15th Division
9th Tank Regiment
21st Division
10th Tank Regiment
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
9th Prov Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
10th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment

Feb 26, 1942

Bases assaulted today: Milne Bay

Japanese carrier air again attacked Rangoon -

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
B5N2 Kate x 39
D3A1 Val x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Autolycus, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Hupeh, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 7

After reinforcing Dutch Harbor, the Allies tried an attack -

Ground combat at Dutch Harbor (171,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8329 troops, 118 guns, 109 vehicles, Assault Value = 244

Defending force 7288 troops, 36 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 208

Allied adjusted assault: 72

Japanese adjusted defense: 269

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
926 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled

Allied ground losses:
629 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Raider Battalion
87th Mountain Regiment
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
2/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
Dutch Harbor USN Base Force
203rd Coast AA Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Engineer Regiment
II./4th Infantry Battalion
III./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Recon Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
1st Raiding Rgt /1

In China, an isolated Chinese corps was retreated into clear terrain -

Ground combat at 87,50 (near Hankow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8884 troops, 115 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 257

Defending force 5613 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Japanese adjusted assault: 398

Allied adjusted defense: 70

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2171 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
51st Infantry Brigade
14th RGC Temp. Division
1st Mortar Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army

Feb 27, 1942

Bases captured today: Milne Bay

Bases assaulted today: Ketapang

Ominato's port reached level 6.

BB Mutsu arrived at Hakodate with 14 system damage and will require 21 days for pierside repair.

The Rufe research facility at Nagoya reached 30(0) and was converted to A6M5.

Buna was reinforced with tanks and aviation support, although some transports sustained heavy damage.

Nells flying from Rabaul sank 2 xAKL 3 hexes WEST of Port Moresby.

Feb 28, 1942

Bases captured today: Ketapang

Bases assaulted today: Sibolga and Tandjoen... (the one near Singapore)

Japanese cruisers bombarded Rangoon, and had a brief naval battle inbound -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Atago
DD Shiranui
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
KV Nigella, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 96% moonlight

Night Naval bombardment of Rangoon at 54,53

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 2 damaged
Vildebeest III: 2 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 4 damaged
Blenheim I: 8 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 2 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chikuma

Allied ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Meanwhile, US cruisers bombarded Dutch Harbor -

Night Naval bombardment of Dutch Harbor at 171,50

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CA Portland
CL Concord

Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

A Japanese BB TF bombarded Moulmein -

Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
CL Yura
DD Asagao
DD Satsuki
DD Murakumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Isonami
DD Ikazuchi
DD Nowaki

Allied ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 14
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Carrier-based Zeroes shot down 2 Banshees flying from Port Moresby against transports at Buna (none got through) and land-based Zeroes shot down a Marauder over Umnak Is. in the Aleutians.

Mar 1, 1942

Bases captured today: Sibolga and Tandjoengpinang (RES 79(1)); the defenders at both bases surrendered.

Three US destroyers intercepted a Japanese supply PB at Unmak Is., forced the PB to retire, but did not sink it.

A Japanese sub put 3 torpedoes in an AO at Akutan Is. and it sank.

A Japanese sub put a torpedo in CA Astoria at Dutch Harbor; US CAs, CLs, and BBs bombarded the Japanese troops at Dutch Harbor in three separate attacks.

A British CA TF is sighted and attacked south of Rangoon; BC Repulse is sighted 1 hex south of Rangoon.

Carrier-based Zeroes shot down 4 Warhawks and a Banshee over Buna, without loss.

Manila's port reached level 6.

Ki-27 Nate production (35(0)) at Maebashi was converted to A6M2 Zero (0(24)). Topsy I production changed to Topsy II.

An isolated Chinese corps and HQ near Hwainan was retreated again and is apparently without supply. The 9 Armored Car Company will pursue -

Ground combat at 88,50 (near Hwainan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1570 troops, 12 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Defending force 3792 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Japanese adjusted assault: 65

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
612 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Armored Car Co
1st RGC Division

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army

Mar 2, 1942

US cruisers bombarded the Japanese troops at Dutch Harbor. The Americans have been attacking at Dutch Harbor every few days, with little success (although killing off Japanese troops and supply) -

Ground combat at Dutch Harbor (171,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7124 troops, 118 guns, 109 vehicles, Assault Value = 193

Defending force 6309 troops, 35 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Allied adjusted assault: 46

Japanese adjusted defense: 145

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
309 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
495 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Raider Battalion
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
87th Mountain Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
2/250th Coastal Artillery Battalion
Dutch Harbor USN Base Force
203rd Coast AA Regiment

Defending units:
III./4th Infantry Battalion
II./4th Infantry Battalion
2nd Recon Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
1st Raiding Rgt /1

That's all of significance for today. 4th Division is on transports heading up the peninsula toward Tavoy/Moulmein. I'd like to land them at Moulmein, but that's not possible with British combatants lurking in the area. Our battleships at Mergui are not fully armed (AKEs are enroute) and our carriers at Singapore have another 2 days of repair. Once these ships are ready we'll try to clear out the Brits for a landing. Imperial Guard and 56th Div are at Singapore ready to invade Java, but have insufficient transports.

You can load CAs and DDs in a fast transport then include them in the invasion TF. The same with PBs. Even if they are only loaded with supplies, every bit helps.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

You can load CAs and DDs in a fast transport then include them in the invasion TF. The same with PBs. Even if they are only loaded with supplies, every bit helps.

Yeah, I use the 1000 supply PBs almost exclusively as fast transport. My problem is my naval forces are not concentrated enough for an overwhelming strike. Akagi and 3 CVLs are operating around Rabaul supporting transports into Buna and Lae. Kaga is in repair for ~3 months; the others are at Singapore. BBs are spread out, too, with 2 at Mergui, several at or near Rabaul, and 2 in Japan for longer term fixes. I need to get all this over to support the invasion of Java.

Mar 3, 1942

Bases captured today: Sintang (inland base south of Kuching on Borneo)

I tried to sneak the fragment of 1st Raiding Rgt into Dutch Harbor (rather than airdrop, which would cause a shock attack), but since the Allies have basically all the battleships of Pacific Fleet operating in the Aleutians, that move was blocked -

Day Time Surface Combat, near Umnak Island at 169,52, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kinsyo Maru #4, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAK Mikage Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
xAK Madras Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
xAK Ryuyo Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Maryland
BB Oklahoma
BB Pennsylvania
BB Idaho
CL Helena
DD Sims
DD Jarvis
DD Lamson
DD Shaw
DD Porter

Japanese ground losses:
1243 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 59 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 9 disabled

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards

Brit cruisers bombarded Tavoy -

Night Naval bombardment of Tavoy at 54,60

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 5 damaged
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Caledon
CL Glasgow
CL Mauritius
CL Dauntless
CL Emerald
CL Enterprise

Japanese ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 69
Port hits 19
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 2

Mar 4, 1942

Bases assaulted today: Madjene

Ha-45 engines advanced research from Aug to Jul '43. Rufe research at Gifu reached 30(0) and was converted to A6M5.

American heavy cruisers bombarded Dutch Harbor; British light cruisers bombarded Tavoy; the Prince of Wales was sighted off Moulmein.

Carrier-based Zeroes downed 2 Banshees over Buna.

If you own Dutch Harbor, you can airlift troops in and they will not attack.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you own Dutch Harbor, you can airlift troops in and they will not attack.

I don't own it.

Mar 5, 1942

Bases captured today: Madjene

Bases assaulted today: Pare Pare

US cruisers bombarded Umnak; US battleships bombarded Adak (first time) and Dutch Harbor -

Night Naval bombardment of Adak Island at 162,52

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 13 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
H6K4 Mavis: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
AV Kimikawa Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Pennsylvania
BB Oklahoma
BB Maryland
CL Helena

Japanese ground losses:
666 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 50
Port hits 3

In China, it appeared to me that the Chinese defenses at Ichang had been reduced, but I was wrong -

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 31067 troops, 239 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 1001

Defending force 70628 troops, 402 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1898

Japanese adjusted assault: 553

Allied adjusted defense: 1807

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
6602 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 474 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 41 disabled
Guns lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
1307 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment (destroyed)
34th Division
11th RGC Temp. Division
59th Division
13th RGC Temp. Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
45th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
26th Group Army
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

I expected a Chinese counterattack to follow on Mar 6, but it didn't happen.

Also, at Changsha -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 64378 troops, 561 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 1538

Defending force 65983 troops, 344 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 769

Japanese adjusted assault: 1905

Allied adjusted defense: 1519

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
4558 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 535 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1210 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Tank Regiment
68th Division
40th Division
3rd Division
39th Division
70th Division
5th NCPC Infantry Brigade
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
74th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
55th Prov Chinese Division
4th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
27th Group Army
Central Reserve
18th Artillery Regiment
23rd Group Army
29th Group Army
19th Group Army
9th War Area
17th Chinese Base Force

Aichi Ha-60 engines advanced research from Sep to Aug '42.

Mar 6, 1942

Bases captured today: Pare Pare, Nadzab, and Medan (REF 198(2), OIL 208(2))

The Rufe research facility at Maebashi reached 30(0) and was converted to A6M5.

Our BB Fuso/Hyuga TF having rearmed from 2 recently arrived AKEs at Mergui, escorted the 4th Division amphib TF to Tavoy to unload. British Albacore aircraft from Rangoon bombed (not torpedoed) both battleships, but the hits didn't appear to do any damage.

Prince of Wales and Repulse are still loitering off Moulmein. Carrier divisions 2 and 3 (Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiryu, and Soryu), under Nagumo, sortie from Singapore and hope to surprise the Brits. The TF is light on Vals, but has a full complement of Zeroes and Kates.

Mar 7, 1942

A US cruiser TF sank a supply PB at Adak.

BB Prince of Wales (and other BBs) were detected moving south from Moulmein, and were attacked by Nells from Bangkok and Victoria Point, with little success and high losses -

ASW attack near Tavoy at 53,57

Japanese Ships
SS I-164

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse
CA Exeter
CL Caledon
CL Mauritius
DD Express
DD Tenedos
DD Isis
DD Encounter
DD Thracian
DD Thanet

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 52,59

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 9 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 5 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign
CL Dauntless
BC Repulse
CA Cornwall

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tavoy at 52,59

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 1
BB Prince of Wales

The Japanese carriers are undetected; the Japanese BB TF at Tavoy is 10/10. If the Brits attack our BBs at Tavoy using fast movement they can probably retire north out of range of the carriers, except any ships that are heavily damaged. If they venture further south the carriers will be in range to attack. All Japanese subs in the area will converge on the Brit TF. With the Royal Sovereign taking a torpedo on the 7th, I suspect that the Brits may retire north. Or that BB could be detached to retire while the other proceed (to where)?

Mar 8, 1942

Tarakan oil has been fully repaired (to 90). Ha-35 engine inventory has reached 500. Rufe research at Hamamatsu and Osaka has reached 30(0) and has been converted to A6M5. The last Rufe facility at Tsu will build 30 Rufes per month starting April 1.

More to come when the turn comes back.

Edit to add:

The Allies are either getting exceptional intel about Japanese TF movements/locations, or they are exceptionally lucky. An Allied cruiser TF attacked transports at Buna attempting to evacuate 7 Tk Rgt (future part of 1 Tank Div). Then, 2 CVs (based on aircraft numbers involved) moved to within a hex of Gasmata and attacked multiple Japanese TFs at Rabaul, Kavieng, and surrounding waters. Many, many transports were sunk, all empty at the time. A Japanese CV TF had been operating in this area until 2 days ago; could that have been his objective? And even though the US TF is only 5 hexes from Rabaul, the Nells and Betties there, loaded with torpedoes, and given a naval attack mission DID NOT FLY!

As small consolation, a sub put a second torpedo in BB Royal Sovereign near Ramree Is. The hoped for ambush in the Andaman Sea shown in post #116 did not happen as the Brits cleared out. The BB is shown as sunk, but IMO that's doubtful.

Japanese troops arrived at Merak to unload. The base is Japanese controlled as it flipped some time ago and was never recaptured by the Dutch.

Mar 9, 1942

Bases captured today: Kukong (RES 40(0))

Bases assaulted today: Bandjermasin

Mar 10, 1942

Bases captured today: Bandjermasin (RES 60(0)), and Buitenzorg (flipped)

A Japanese BB TF bombarded Moulmein and wasted the ammunition -

Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
CA Suzuya
CA Ashigara
CL Yura
DD Asagao
DD Murakumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Isonami
DD Ikazuchi
DD Michishio
DD Nowaki
DD Shiranui

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Runway hits 2

An artillery bombardment revealed the extent of the British defense -

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17121 troops, 167 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 585

Defending force 26492 troops, 461 guns, 482 vehicles, Assault Value = 792

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment
55th Engineer Regiment
33rd Division
55th Cavalry Regiment
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
9/11th Sikh Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
18th British Division
25th Australian Brigade
63rd Indian Brigade
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment
108th RAF Base Force
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
101st RAF Base Force
85th British AT Gun Regiment
1st Bombay Construction Battalion

4th Division is marching north from Tavoy to reinforce.

On Sumatra, the Dutch defenders north of Medan were swept aside -

Ground combat at 45,75 (near Medan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13367 troops, 121 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 439

Defending force 738 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Japanese adjusted assault: 202

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 202 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
959 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 72 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
11th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
33rd JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
Van Aarsen Cdo
HQ TC Sumatra
Medan Defenses

In China, a shock attack at Changsha, after a few days of rest and bombardment, reduced the Chinese forts to 2, but at the cost of heavy casualties -

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 74494 troops, 668 guns, 263 vehicles, Assault Value = 1575

Defending force 73523 troops, 403 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 973

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2151

Allied adjusted defense: 1845

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
6623 casualties reported
Squads: 114 destroyed, 398 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 72 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 40 (3 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (3 destroyed, 41 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1892 casualties reported
Squads: 84 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 30 (1 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Tank Regiment
6th Division
39th Division
13th Tank Regiment
70th Division
40th Division
68th Division
3rd Division
5th NCPC Infantry Brigade
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
74th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
4th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
3rd New Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
28th New Chinese Division
Central Reserve
23rd Group Army
27th Group Army
29th Group Army
19th Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
9th War Area
17th Chinese Base Force

On the secondary road to Sian -

Ground combat at 86,42 (near Loyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29621 troops, 226 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 907

Defending force 18099 troops, 112 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

Japanese adjusted assault: 761

Allied adjusted defense: 394

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
364 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
631 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
41st Division
30th Infantry Regiment
28th Cavalry Regiment

Defending units:
13th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
8th Group Army

Our game is on pause for 2 weeks as the Allied commander tours Europe. We plan to resume on or about June 19.