Sand in the Vaseline - Wobbly vs PzB

[madflava13]

I wonder how those poor bastards on the tripwire ships would feel if they knew about your plans... [:'(]

[wobbly]

Achilles found and sunk by a third Carrier TF! Malang comes under heavy aerial bombardment.


Madflava: they hate my guts!! I've tried to commission extra lifeboats for all ships - it's taking time to get organised though - poor buggers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/19/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 26 troops unloading over beach at Zamboanga, 39,59


Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported

THis is the location I only very recently took back off him in Mindanao. I don't think he like that very much.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 16

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 10
CW-21B Demon x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 damaged

Runway hits 2

Well this time I have night fighters up - they get more damage done to themselves than they met out but they do put the Jap bombers aim off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
G4M1 Betty x 26
Ki-21 Sally x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 15
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

The usual smashing of Rangoon today> the weather for burma has been thunderstorms for the last 3 days, yet Rangoon is constantly open for attack. It is like it is in a different location for weather. Good news is a P-40E still gets repaired and flown out to Calcutta - 1 to go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 26


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Oil hits 6

Well if he wont defend them I will hit them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 40th Division, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 2
SB-2c x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

He is getting more serious about defending his troops at Sian. The Tojos still don't manage to down any aircraft but the fact they are there signals intent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th DAF Base Force, at 22,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 27
G3M Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 21
Ki-48 Lily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 5 damaged
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported

A huge aerial attack on Malang. This massively inflates teh disruption level of the base unit they hit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,99

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
D3A Val x 43
B5N Kate x 48

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Achilles take a 250lb bomb to the magazine and explodes. A painful way to find out PzB has yet another Carrier Tf in the South Pacific. This one is made up of the Zuikaku and the Shokaku. They are west of the Solomons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 59,89

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4335 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 910 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 52 to 1



Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported

I thought the base unit, now without its supporting infantry, would surrender this turn - not on your life!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the North I get another tank unit at Karachi - this moves towards Calcutta.

There is nothing at Andaman Island. However, my surface group decides to refuel from the meagre stocks at the island this turn. Because I now have fuel I move these units further south to hav a crack at a small enemy transport fleet in the North of Sumatra.

Batavai did not get hit this turn so suddenly I have 1 Blenheim and 3!!! SBDs repaired. The SBDs head to Parkasan and the Blenheim stays where it is - it cannot rejoin its unit.

Further south my FT mission is lining up on Malang. Unfortunately it looks like PzB has the same idea, only with a Bombardment unit. I think he may be about to hit Lombok, below Bali, with his next invasion. I set up my fast transport guys to move to Lombok instead.

In China my bombers rest - thunderstorms. This lark is increasing the experience of the Blenheim crews though.

In Darwin the B-17s rest. There attacks really do drain the supply of a base. The night cap does seem to stop the bombers from hitting too much. I don't want to discourage him too much from night bombing though. If he is doing that he is not naval bombing (while my fast transport Tf is about).

In Melbourne my retired SBD unit takes on 17 new planes and readies itself for the arrival of the carriers - they are about 2 days out. Unfortunately most of the ships are sporting SYS damage fom all their galavanting around. The final sqd will not take on bombers while some remain in Batavia - well I'll still take what I have managed to pull off.

OK - to the meat and drink of the turn. PzB (as you will all probably know) has 3 (at least) carrier TFs causing a hell of alot of disruption in the South Pacific.

His southern TF - which by elimination is likely to have Kaga and Akagi in it - are 6 hexes due south of Noumea. This turn he did not bomb the transports that he DID scout there so I don't know what to make of that. I disband the ships into port. I don't need supplies here that much and can wait 'til later to get them offloaded.

The Northern TF of Shokaku and Zuikaku are heading West. they are located Norht East of Nevea and West of Lunga (about 10 hexes)

The Eastern Tf of Hiryu and Soryu are in between Pago Pago and Christmas Island.

Stuck in between, in a giant triangle are about 35 transport ships and assorted escorts, 4 heavy cruisers, 3 light and about 10 DDs. In cargo holds are the Americal Division, the 808 Engineering, a large aviation base unit, 1 fighter group, 2 fighter sqds, 1 bomber group, 3 bomber sqds and a sqd of medium range patrol planes. That's a hell of alot I stand to loose. In most cases I tended to trend South out of the US and then travel West. This means most of the TFs are close to the southern edge of this triangle. Therefore they head further south. Some are slap bang in the middle of the triangle and it will depend on how good my scouting info is as to how I move.

On the positive side of the ledger I do have Berbinger's Air Combat group. They are about 12 hexes north of the Soryo and Hiryu group. They will continue south at full speed, this may mean I have combat in the next turn, but is more likely to occur during the following day. This means the battle will be close ot Pago Pago and may mean damaged carriers become victims of follow ups from the other rapidly approaching TFs.

Fun fun fun!

[wobbly]

FLASH FLASH FLASH

Massive Carrier battle in the South Pacific!

The Battle of Pago Pago Island is a resounding success for the allies. Two Japanese carriers hit for NO damage to the allied Flat-tops! One Jap Carrier confirmed sunk.

At last - the wheel of fortune has turned and I have managed to pull off a major victory.

As yet I do not know all the information - PzB's email is sitting in my inbox waiting for me to run the turn.

All I can say is that the constant defeats I have endured make a victory feel that much more satisfying.

I will write up the AAR after I see the turn - it will be very interesting to see how this changes the dynamic in the South Pacific!

[tabpub]

I can't help but say that I am all a tingle....

RAH RAH WOBBLY!

[wobbly]

The battle of Sydney Island. THe Japs loose Soryu, and Hiryu is very badly damaged to boot. Malang is smashed by a BB bombardment TF.

Tadpub - Oh it is sweet - SWEET I tells ya!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/20/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Malang, at 22,66 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hamakaze
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Atago
CA Kumano
DD Urakaze
DD Fubuki
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami
DD Yakaze


Allied ground losses:
1001 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 16

Ouch Ouch Ouch. Damn those things hurt. However, I am eternally grateful to those Dornier flying boats again. Without them my Fast transport mission would have been there to get slapped about on top of the pasting they hand out to the ground troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G4M1 Betty x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 18

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 16

More hurt for Rangoon but the last of my aircraft are made airworthy and fly out to Calcutta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Dutch Regiment, at 22,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 22
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 14
Ki-48 Lily x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Hurt upon hurt. More pain for little Malang - I think the big attack will continue next turn. Only the fortresses can hold the place - disruption is now severe.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
SBD Dauntless x 68

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

At a range of 4 hexes SBDs set to scouting find the Hiryu and Soryu. A long range attack is launched and despite the fact they are only carrying 500lb bombs they make an almighty mess of the Soryu. Damage on the Hiryu is hard to ascertain. Flying the SBDs in high means the zeros don't get too rabunctious against them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Soryu in mighty trouble.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

An ammo explosion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,96

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 42 destroyed
B5N Kate: 16 destroyed

So now the much vaunted jap counter attack and for some uncanny reason the zeros don't come along. I had my F4Fs set to 16,000 ft and 7,000 feet (the other sqd was on 20 Cap at 12,000 ft). So his Vals were at the perfect height for the higher fighers and the kates for the lower: they are smashed and evetually turn for home without releasing against targets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,96

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 33 destroyed, 3 damaged

Same treatment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,96

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 28 destroyed, 12 damaged


Allied Ships
CV Saratoga
CV Hornet
CL St. Louis

For some reason about 17 Kates got through the fighter screen. In one attack 3 Kates were splashed by AAA and in another all four fell into the sea - no carriers suffer damage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,100


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD Dauntless x 58


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

then it is the afternoon and the Soryu, now nearly dead in the water is hammereed again - this time with 1000lbers as Barbinger closes the range. Unfortunately the 2 bombs that hit Hiryu either bounce or don't detonate. However Soryu is reported sunk along with a PG and a DD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 103,97


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 11
TBD Devastator x 30


Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Nagata Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Kantori Maru
TK Toei Maru
TK Toho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

To the north task force replenishment group is found by the shorter legged Devastators. They et many hits but about 70% of the torps fail to detonate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 103,97


Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 15


Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Kantori Maru
TK Toei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Nagata Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

More carnage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 59,89

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4434 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 860 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 54 to 1



Allied ground losses:
1776 casualties reported

At long last the remnants of Rabauls defenders loose hope. With no food or ammo they were down to holding off the japs with bayonets. They surrender.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the north my surface attack group traveling to Sumatra were set to retire. They got to the jump off position and did exactly as they were ordered and I find them miles back towards Trimcommalee - I needed to have set them to Patrol. They line up again - am I pulling the tail of fate?

No more SBDs repair this turn at Batavia - o well.

My surface attack to Lombok (previously a fast transport mission to Malang) find no trade. But they have not retreated very far and are instead going to try an attack on Bali - where Dorniers tell me there is shipping.

More subs move into Batavia and Malang picking up troops and heading south. I have noticed that PzB has mistakenly set allied subs on - well I have since then! This does explain their trepidatiousness.

Sigint informs me that an AP is on its was to Lae with an engineering unit. I put all of PM airforce on naval attack bar the Catalinas (still have to find them) a useless sub also lurks, so it can not shoot at anything.

Back to the South Pacific. Well with the resounding success of the first round I split the air combat Tf into 3 and head the ships in different directions - mainly West. Sigint has also informed that there are signals about 18 hexes away. This could be the northern group of Shokaku and Zuikaku. He may be flying towards me with both units or he may try and reindevous the two. If he does this his new manoeuvers could take him straight through my milling transports. I try to move them out of harms way but it will be difficult.

I hope to find the hurting Hiryu and commend her to the depths but I wouldn't mind finding a few more surface ships and maybe his refueling TF. I really want to put the slipper in, my god I've earnt it!

[Smiffus64]

Congratz, you deserved a break. Don't let it get to your head though

[tabpub]

Well, you were the victor here, so can name it how you will, but the battle of Sydney Island sounds so....blah.

In Pzb's thread, I annointed it with the title "The Battle of the Phoenix Islands"....where Wobbly rose from the ashes.

Canton and Sydney Islands are part of the Phoenix Group of islands, FWIW.

Oh, and always remember the line that every conquering Roman had to hear, and all that jazz.....

[wobbly]

More attacks against the remnants of his Eastern Carrier force. A surface attack in Bali. Malang never recovers from its bombardment and falls this turn.

I had a nice pic of the situation in the south pacific - sent it to work and it turned red and purple! The censors refuse to allow it through.

Smiffus64 - very good point and well taken - read on.

tadpub - like it alot!! [&o] As victor, I take advice from my loyal staff and name it "The battle of Phoenix Islands".

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/21/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bali at 24,68

Japanese Ships
PC Kyo Maru #13, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PC Toshi Maru #3
PC Shonon Maru #15
AP Kimishima Maru, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Kuretake Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Mizuho Maru

Allied Ships
CL Raleigh
DD Helm
DD Mugford
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Patterson
DD Case
DD Reid

Japanese ground losses:
817 casualties reported

A very beneficial surface attack. It appears I caught PzB just after he uploaded the South Seas Detachment (I seem to be at them all the time) and just as he was unloading a base force. They are going to have to make up a short fall of 817 men.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Batavia, at 19,59 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Numakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Oite
DD Hatakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Shigure
CL Natori
BB Haruna
BB Nagato
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
CA Takao
CA Haguro


Allied ground losses:
1160 casualties reported
Guns lost 16
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 37
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 2

Another massive massive strike by his BBs. There is nothing for it but to take your medicine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Malang, at 22,66

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hamakaze
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Atago
CA Kumano
DD Urakaze
DD Fubuki
DD Shirayuki
DD Uranami
DD Yakaze


Allied ground losses:
144 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 53
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 31

Malang is hit again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 72nd Chinese Corps, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 23
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-51 Sonia x 18
Ki-49 Helen x 20

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 10 destroyed, 7 damaged


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Well my chinese fighters may not be able to escort but they are able to CAP and despite taking heavy losses they manage to stop the bombers from doing too much extra damage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
G3M Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Mildura, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Voyager
AP President Coolidge, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hugh L. Scott, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

I am a bloody fool.. The P-40Es have been staving off an anti-naval strike while the APs unloaded. Getting info from Sigint meant the P-40s were set to anti-naval. Scott sinks but the others should survive. They go straight into port.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 103,100


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 28


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage

SBDs hit Hiryu hard again, this time with 1000lb bombs. She still has not sunk but I cannot see her surviving back to Japanese waters - thunderstorms tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,98


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 12


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2

Yorktown, which had moved North West, finds the cruiser force previously excorting the carriers. More damage is done to the bombers than the ships. Both SBD squads are under half strength. All the bombs were 500lbers and bounce although 2 gun batteries are stripped off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,98


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 14


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2, on fire

More for Furutaka.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 98,99

Japanese Ships
PG Kantori Maru, Shell hits 37, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 1
CL Concord
DD Conyngham
DD Smith
DD Preston
DD Cassin
DD Downes
DD Selfridge

the surface unit I had with the carriers I had moved to where I thought the Hiryu would be. I was wrong. However, a PG was retreating via canton island and causes the surface group to react. It is a 'no contest'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Zamboanga

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1081 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 983 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Zamboanga base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1507 casualties reported

Well that is the last of the PI units. There are still 2 base units north of Zamboanga. I will try to use submarines to pick them up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batavia

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35117 troops, 453 guns, 139 vehicles

Defending force 13318 troops, 98 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 4


Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
395 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

The writing is once again on the wall. With two large BB groups and a stack of aircraft he will take the place in about 2-3 days. The only thing holding it together is the forts and they aren't remaining up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Malang

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21801 troops, 222 guns, 17 vehicles

Defending force 6914 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malang base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
8451 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

The southern bastion of democracy falls. A very small amount of men were removed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

India continues to reinforce. The AVG is up to 50 ACs but half of them are damaged.

My surface combat group moves into the North of Sumatra this turn. I don't know if there is still anything there but we shall see.

China is status quo really. I am moving about 7 corp to Sian to continue the defense there.

In Java only Batavia remains and that wont be for long.

The surface combat unit that attacked Bali is retreating. I don't know where his light carriers are so them showing up now would be unappreciated.

In PM I disband the damaged ships and move the rest of the TF out to the south. I haven't quite got 20K supplies in PM yet. But I don't want to have to CAP the transports as the Lae invasion has now been found by my Catalinas. Everything is set to naval attack.

There is stacks of shipping moving up and down the Oz coast. Many ships damaged in the DEI are returning here to get some repair.

Spruance's Carriers make port in Melbourne. They are all sporting SYS damage and will be out of commission for a couple of weeks (unless conditions dictate a foray). Only the final SBD unit remains requiring replenishment.

A large transport Tf unloads in Wellington and Auckland bringing fuel and supplies.

The Southern enemy Carrier unit is east of Fiji. At the speed they are going this puts them in very close proximity to my shipbourne airbase unit. I desperately don't want these guys found and hit. I am taking a gamble that he will move south of Fiji in his headlong rush to the East, and move these guys almost due north.

PBYs from Canton Island find the Shokaku group steaming at full speed to the West and into the current battle area. They are about 9 hexes from the northerly Yorktown group.

Discretion is the better part of valour. We have succeeded in what we set out to do - sink a carrier (possibly two). My pilots and aircrafty are showing the wear and tear associated with the battle. I decide to retreat.

Yorktown is heading due west at full speed. Hornet and Saratoga, which are further from the new threat, also head west and will reindevous about 12 hexes E.S.E of Canton Island.

The surface force that attacked the PG at Canton Island took the opportunity to refuel. They now have no ops points - grrr. I send them South West - really into the path of the approaching carriers. I am taking a punt that he will expect me to run the direction I am intending to go and rush straight past the surface group. With no Ops points they may not have moved very far.

[rogueusmc]

Maybe I can do the same to you....wait....you done got Yorktown and Enterprise.....[:(]

[wobbly]

pzB hits back and I loose the lion share of teh 51st aviation regiment. batavia on a knife edge. PM strikes his Lae reinforcement.

Roguemc - maybe, but you get yours back - and suped up too!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/22/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Batavia, at 19,59


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Numakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Oite
DD Hatakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Shigure
CL Natori
BB Haruna
BB Nagato
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
CA Takao
CA Haguro


Allied ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

It is becoming a ritual - bombardment by night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Division, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 2
SB-2c x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

My bombers are back to start hitting the invasion forces at Sian.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 54th Chinese Corps, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 19
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-51 Sonia x 18
Ki-49 Helen x 14

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged

His bombers are somewhat better in capability than mine but the stubby little chinese fighters manage to down a few planes - including one of the Tojos! The trouble is I don't have enough supplies anywhere to replace losses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 84,107

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 43
B5N Kate x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Dakotan, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Casco, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Atlanta City, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Atlantic, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Puerto Rican, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Georgian
AK Iowan, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kohala, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD King, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
262 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 84,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
D3A Val x 35
B5N Kate x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD King, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arizonan, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Andrea Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Puerto Rican, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Dakotan, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
321 casualties reported

The morning and afternoon attacks against my reinforcement TF flatten it. One ship is still capable of travel and all hopes rest on it. It is going to move straight through where the enemy carriers are currently sitting and I can only hope it survives. If it does reinforcements will slowly make up the numbers. There are other survivors but most of them are in such a bad way that they will sink even if he doesn't give them another lick tomorrow.
I took a punt and come up brown. No real choice, the speed discrepancy was too great.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 12
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 34

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Naryu, Shell hits 12
AP Kotobuki Maru #3, Shell hits 8
AP Daaban Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tenryu
AP Shirashika Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1
AP Hokumyo Maru, Shell hits 4

Japanese ground losses:
535 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

This offsets the hurt somewhat - PM manages to lay some hurt on the Lae group. The beuforts have made an impressive debut.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 83 troops unloading over beach at Lombok, 24,69


Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported

this landing sounds the end of the Dornier scurge. All of the large flying bats are retired to Lautern on Timor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batavia

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35695 troops, 450 guns, 138 vehicles

Defending force 12172 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
408 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

We get another replay discrepancy here. I got the ground attack going his way with a reduciton in the forts. I am pleased to say that the actual attack is repulsed with very few allied casualties and the fort stays up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK in the north. I am seriously contemplating a strike against the airbases on the cost with my BBs. the problem with this is he is mainly targeting my airbases in Rangoon which means he probably has his bombers also targeting navy as first option. My RN BBs are soooo slow they would get lambasted.

My small surface Tf that has tried to hit and transport TFs he had in the area about Northern Sumatra have failed. They are still in range of Victoria point so will bombard and hope to knock out a few planes. This could back fire if I am scouted - he does appear to have his eyes set on Rangoon at the moment though.

Batavia may get a reprieve for a day or so. Apparently his troops are knackered. No doubt my troops will still get bombed and bombarded though.

Lombok will likely fall this turn. I had a sub on hand and it picks up the remnants of the base unit to return to Oz.

The B-17s are after Sorong again this turn - he still has no fighters there. Maybe he has given it up as undefendable.

PM will try to interdict his naval landings again - he has aircraft there this time though so no doubt they are zeros and I will take some losses. His modus opernadi has been to attack trouble spot airbases at night - I therefore put my wirriways on night duty.

I will loose the rest of the avaition unit this turn no doubt - bugger.

My Carriers continue to head East - closing the distance. I want to put in a wide berth before returning to either Pearl or South then West to Auckland.

[denisonh]

Well done Wob!

Humility is rarely served in small slices[:D]

[wobbly]

More retribution in Lae. Lombok lost.

Denisonh: thanks - a small ray of sunshine in a bleak environment.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/23/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Victoria Point, at 25,39

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Express
CL Danae
CL Dauntless
CL Dragon

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported

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

Well I get in and bombard but it is prety ineffectual - nothing like the fires of hell he rains upon me. Then again he has got decidedly more warships in the TFs doing it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 20

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 4 destroyed

Airbase hits 1

I think he is winding up to take on Burma. Many recon flights today, and of back bases. My recon of Reteing shows many auxillary aircraft there - I think he is planning paratroops drops behind my lines. The Chinese units are nearly through to Mandalay, so some of them will have to go to these rear areas. Mandalay is nearly a size 3 field. I think a bit of night bombing from there could be on the cards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 32


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Very unimpressive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 37

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Shirashika Maru
AP Katsura Maru
AP Tsuyama Maru, Shell hits 4
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taimei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokumyo Maru, Shell hits 4
ML Naryu

The warhwaks are pretty ineffectual but the Beuforts have another great day. The highlight is a maazine explosion onboard the Tenryu, another AP also looks doomed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 32

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Tempei Maru
ML Naryu, Shell hits 8
AP Komeyama Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kinjosan Maru
AP Tsuyama Maru
AP Hokumyo Maru, Shell hits 8
CL Tenryu, on fire, heavy damage

A different transport gets a torpeka and this little jaunt to Lae is starting to cost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lombok

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3424 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1356 troops, 4 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lombok base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
2510 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Lombok, another small base that served me well, from here many Dornier flights travelled looking for APs do give skylights to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After all the excitement things have calmed down a little. I have very little planned anywhere actually.

Rangoon looks like it is getting ready to be assaulted - I imagine he is getting ready to move the large BB units up. For this reason i want to leave teh Lex and Enterprise in the barn in Melbourne for a while. Better he thinks they may strike his invasions than knows they are in the South Pacific. I am about 2 weeks to a month away from having adequate defence here.

port Moresby is still conducting air operations against eh naval force at Lae. i have changed altitude to 16K for the beauforts and 19 for the P-40s. I have had two days in a row with planes at low level - lets see if he moves to my tune for once and lowers the altitude of his CAP.

it appears his carriers have more important things to do than chase errant transports holding aviation regiments! He really didn't need to as 3 more ships require scuttling today. I may manage to salvage 2 of the ships and their importnatn cargo thous

[wobbly]

Batavia may fall next turn. Hurricanes at Akyab take a pounding.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/24/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 14 destroyed

Runway hits 1

I actually loose 6 but they are gunned down with almost savage disdane - 2 Sallies are lost to AAA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 40th Division, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 16
SB-2c x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
SB-2c: 3 damaged

I have to break the bombing regime in China. My figter escort has very bad morale.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 20th Chinese Corps, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 24
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-48 Lily x 19
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Opposed to this is the defensive airforce in Sian itself - they are acquiting themselves handsomely. I send in a few Hurricane units to try their hands. They are a long way from getting there though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
AP Tempei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Taimei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

I officially love these Beuforts - they don't even have very good experience - started at 59 and are now at 63 average. I have lost 1 so far and they are almost completely responsible for the sinking of 1 CL, a PG, 3 APs and the injury of other APs: Lae has been an expensive excercise. Unfortunately I also loose 4 of my priceless P-40Es.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Pamakasan, at 24,66

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hamakaze
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Atago
CA Kumano
DD Urakaze
DD Fubuki
DD Shirayuki
DD Yakaze


Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 5

This is the last little island bastion in Java - I expect a landing any day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batavia

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 48085 troops, 545 guns, 140 vehicles

Defending force 10870 troops, 72 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
204 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
952 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

No-one yet knows the full extent of Japanese brutality. A fight ot the death is the only answer, unfortunately I don't expect any furhter fighting after tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Very little happening in the North. I move some Blenheims to Mandalay and they will bomb Reheing.

Submarines still pile in and out of Batavia picking up a squad here and there of the beleagured troops.

The glorious Beauforts in PM retire to Cairns for a break. The P-40s reduce to CAP 30% - they need a rest.

I may yet manage to get 3 of the ships with the 51st Aviation group to land. One more did sink today though.

Tomorrow my carrier group will reindevous with each other and possibly a tanker unit - they are in dire need of fuel after dashin about the ocena at full speed.

I San Francisco the AP TF that delilvered the 2nd Marines to Noumea return. They are bolstered and made ready to take an incredibly important cargo. 1 full 64 plane Mitchell group, a 24 plane tomahawk group and another group which I can't remember now. Plus an air HQ, another aviation regiment and two engineering units. I am in a mind to escort these guys with the Carriers!

[wobbly]

Batavia falls - java and teh DEI are now japanese, European hegemony over teh southern asian states is smashed.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/25/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48

No Japanese losses

I am moving my aircraft around more than I have in the past. His fighter sweeps get him nothing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 25,24

Japanese Ships
SS I-5, hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
PG Isabel
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Alden
DD Paul Jones
DD Dunlap
DD Ellet

I intercepted this sub along the coast of India - west from Diamond harbour. It may be the sub that was off the coast of diamond harbour, I don't know. Either way it is listed as heavy damage so I dont' know if it will survive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Batavia

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 47990 troops, 542 guns, 140 vehicles

Defending force 9464 troops, 53 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batavia base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 20 destroyed
Hurricane II: 10 destroyed
Blenheim I: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
371 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
23255 casualties reported
Guns lost 79

A tremendous haul for him in Batavia. The only good that comes from it is the sqds that got out (including my SBDs replenish themselves with aircraft almost straight away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,40

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6767 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4444 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 34 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

This is a unit that was left in the interior of China - inside the railways. they are forced to retreat onto another railway as it happens.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So the end of PzBs phase 1 comes to an end on the 25th of Feb. Well ahead of the historical timeline. I wrote all the stats down to give to you and then promptly forgot them. here is what memory serves to give me - obviously a bit of grey area - call it fog of war.



AlliedPoints
5400AC
lost 1350
Ships lost - 169
94 AP/AK/TK/AO
4 SS
8 MSW
1 ML
12 PT
6 PG
6 AV
1 AS
11 DD
1 CLAA
4 CL
2 CA
1 BC
2 BB

Japanese (with FoW)
Points 13,500AC

lost 645Ships lost – 69
26 AP/AK/TK/AO
11 MSW
8 PG
2 PT
11 SS
1 AV
8 DD
2 CL
2 CV

[wobbly]

Very little in the way of combat to report. Looks like the attack into Burma is underway.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/26/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Again expecting fighters he tries a sweep - I have moved on - don't stand still too long.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Oil hits 2

Still not that good an attempt. The experience is starting to climb though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Barisan Regiment, at 24,66

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 23
G4M1 Betty x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 17
Ki-48 Lily x 31

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

PzB prepares to take the last island stronghold in Java. The troops there already have no supplies. I do manage to get a single subs worth of a base unit off the island

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 120814 troops, 1255 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 102868 troops, 525 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported

Some serious Japanese firepower is on its way to Sian - I can see them moving along the rail line. I think it may be time to reconnoiter in force across the rail line elsewhere if he continues to move most of his forces up to Sian. I hav another 12 Divisions on their way to Sian. I want to rotate them in and out getting experience as they hold the place. Forts have increased another level. My bombers attack this turn and they are excorted by Buffalos - hardly a step up (if at all) but the pilots have better experience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I tried to set up a bombardment of Tavoy but the RN ships are just too slow to get in and out. I toyed with getting a base unit on to Andaman to fly the AVG from but they can't hope to defend the ships from an aerial juggernaut at that close a range.

6 jap units have moved into the hex north of Moulmein. I tried to retreat the unit of burmese infantry I had snooping there but the computer wont let me. This pissed me off no end as there are no other enemy units adjacent to this one and friendly units for them to retreat to directly behind - grrrr. I don't want my base units cut off in Rangoon:

A question: if I defend in the hex north of Rangoon (positioned nicely behind a river), and I am forced to reteat, will I retreat to Rangoon?

In PM (as I say not much happening) I move in some hudsons and some more Beuforts - they are going to bomb the airstrip at Lae from very high altitude with P-40 escort.

My last SBD unit gets extremely good pilots and moves from Brisbane to Melbourne where their carriers are holed up. They forlorn air groups - masacred on Java are now back up to strength. I paid heavily in points for that little escapade but at least I still have the good pilots.

The victorius Carriers of Bellingers TF refuel with a tanker fleet and return to Pearl.

Many transport ships made it back to San Francisco today. they refuel and I will contemplate what to start moving across the oceans next.

[tsimmonds]

I tried to retreat the unit of burmese infantry I had snooping there but the computer wont let me. This pissed me off no end as there are no other enemy units adjacent to this one and friendly units for them to retreat to directly behind - grrrr. I don't want my base units cut off in Rangoon:

Set a friendly base as your DH. The unit will accept that order and move to where you want it to (if the Japanese don't get there first[;)])

A question: if I defend in the hex north of Rangoon (positioned nicely behind a river), and I am forced to reteat, will I retreat to Rangoon?

Probably. There's no way to be sure though.

[wobbly]

Mainly bombing in Burma and at Sian in China.

irrelevant: thanks mate - after being very grumpy with this, that is exactly what I tried (and as I comment later) that is exactly what happens. I don't think I will retire the units behind the river immediately, but if I think they will capitulate I will run for the hills.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/27/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 8
Beaufort V-IX x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged


Runway hits 1

This was a handy little strike against the zero squad at Lae. This wont have killed pilots but he wont have supplies enough to replace the planes there either.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 39th Division, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 12
Blenheim I x 3
IL-4c x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Blenheim I: 3 damaged
IL-4c: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported

Well my experiment with the buffalos is not a good one. His fighters knock 4 of them out of the sky and 2 of the rare IL-4c's in later strikes. Hurricanes are on the way but I don't think they will be much better versus the nates (let alone the small sqd of Tojos he is using).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 27th Australian Brigade, at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 56

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd Burma Brigade, at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 33

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet

Two very large strikes on the units he has now found north of Rangoon. He will be aware now that the bombing offensive he has mounted has not been against my combat troops. Notice he does not have any fighters escorting the bombers! Now this is a typical PzB trick. No fighters today and then a swag tomorrow. I am hoping that my movement of fighters from location to location has him thinking there are none in theatre (I have run away).
So 30 fighters of the AVG move to one of the small forward bases and fly LRCAP over the troops. If this works it will only work once.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pamakasan

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2956 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1961 troops, 2 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)


Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Surprisingly parkamasan holds out. There are no supplies there so it wont be for long - is it worth trying to traipse supplies up there??? Probably better to just try and evac the troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There were alot more little attacks in the combat replay (dleted_)including the remnants of the defenders of Balikpapan that have traipsed all the way through the jungle to the little base in the bottom left of Borneo. PzB has noticed them and dropped a small infantry unit on them. They held after the first attack but they have nothing to continue the fight with.
The remnants of Sumatra's defence are also moving into the base on the top of Sumatra. There are so few troops in this lot that an attack by the resident jap will probably cause them to surrender. If the japs don't have enough firepower then I will commission an FT mission from Trimcommalee.

After my grumpiness about the Burmese rifles not being able to retreat - when I gave them a target of Rangoon the retreated to where I wanted them to go anyway. Rangoon is now only garrisoned by the CD unit that originally starts there.

Recon is telling me there are simply masses of 'auxillary' aircraft at Raheing. They can't all be search planes so they must be transport. The australians are running back up the rail line to Mandalay and a chinese unit that is just made it to the rail line will try and cover another base. Can't have him landing behind me!

Small parts of DAF units pour into Darwin via subs - this has been one beneficial use of the other wise useless ships. I don't have nearly enough dutch riflemen to bring them up to strength but the air support, which I am most interested in, is available in abundance.

Damn it! Half of my expensively cargoed supply to Port Moersby has suddenly moved across to Buna! Why the hell would it do that! There is nothing there for the supplies to use!??? PzB just needs to FT a unit in there and it is in beer and vitals for ages.

The single boatload of the 51st avaiation regiment unhurt by PzB's carrier attack make it to Noumea (and suva) and unload. I will have to try and get the remnants together. They are set to accept replacements.

[wobbly]

Damn Paras!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/01/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 40 troops unloading over beach at Andaman Island, 23,34


Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported

This could caue a problem - there will be no bombardment of Burma with these guys here. he has either fast transported the troops in or it is an invasion in force. I can't see any ships there so I am thinking fast transport. I will want to bombard the place into the stone age, but I have to know there are no carriers around
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2
Ki-51 Sonia x 18
Ki-48 Lily x 15
Ki-49 Helen x 15

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 6
I-16c x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 2 damaged
I-16c: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

My Hurricanes actually manage to knock down another Tojo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pagan

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1019 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 825 troops, 4 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pagan base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 25 destroyed
Hurricane II: 14 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

And then there was this one... Not only did I not move my warhawks last turn but instead of running away I reinforced by moving in some hurricanes to knock down transport planes carrying in paras. Well they don't even manage to shoot down a single transport and all the airborne hurricanes and Warhawks come back to their field and crash rather than flying somewhere else.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
His main Burma assault force is now on top of my men north of Rangoon. I can now not provide aircover over my troops and he will be able to bomb me with impunity. he appears to have moved some transport planes to Pagan. I think he will remove the paras back behind the lines - he was only after the aircraft.

I have to stop letting him smash my ACs on the ground - it is killing my chances in this game!

[wobbly]

First attack against the Rangoon defenders in the jungle is repulsed well. He will now roll out the bombers. Pamakasan falls

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/02/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 4
Blenheim IV x 15


No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Trying to capture a few transports on the ground does not work. The airfield there is empty now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Andaman Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1298 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Andaman Island base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed

I don't think I will let him hang on to Andaman. Some surface units are gearing up to Fast transport some troops there to take it back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pamakasan

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3108 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1569 troops, 0 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pamakasan base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
2829 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

He has everything in Java now. Only Timor is still allied. I only have one base unit there so it wont be very long until that is his as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 29,33

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 60330 troops, 612 guns, 24 vehicles

Defending force 32885 troops, 251 guns, 6 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1109 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

His units that crossed the river put in their first attack. Not a good result of for the foces of evil. His numbers are impressive enough though. These guys must hang on for a week or so until some of the Chinese units get into position. 6 Chinese divisions and 1 HQ are earmarked for this arena.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sian

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 96272 troops, 592 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 189097 troops, 1876 guns, 304 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

His troop and gun tube numbers in the battle for Sian increase. He has to get 2-1 so I don't have to pour in quite a much as he is but they are much better troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The AVG appears to be broken. The remnant that was still in Calcutta has not been allocated the 'main unit' statis, so it wont get any replacements.

In pagan the Aussies (having arrived a day too late) are going to shock attack. If he has not retreated this could be painful - I think he has though.

My victorious carriers will make port in Pearl tomorrow. They have incurred quite a bit of sys damage racing around at full speed.

Not much else to report really - all the fun is in Burma

[wobbly]

Aussies eject pagan invaders - the end of the AVG for 330 turns.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/03/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 47,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 27
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 25
Ki-51 Sonia x 18
Ki-48 Lily x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 11

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 6
I-16c x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
I-16c: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

A quite furious air battle above Sian. My fighters - depite being Chinese and Hurricanes don't do too badly. I loose 2 hurricanes and 2 I-16s to his 2 nates and 1 oscar. Because I have my fighters higher than his bombers, and because they aren't very fast, I don't catch the bombers at all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Pagan

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2914 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4968 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Pagan base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

The first actual Japanese land reversal. My shock attack with the Aussies goes ahead and restores Pagan to its rightful owners. This is all too late for teh AVG which seems to be deemed to have dies in the para attack. i have a 16 plane remnant but the main unit is slated for a return in 300 or so days - a bitter blow. In truth though I have squandered my main fighter force and have no-one else to blame.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Trimcommalee a large naval bombardment force build around the Heavy cruiser Norfolk is heading, via a very northern approach, the airbase of tavoy. He is going to hammer my defenders north of Rangoon with aircraft and I want to see if i can whittle the numbers down - Tavoy seems the main threat. I have not seen hide nor hair of his little carriers so if they turn up there will be masses of egg on face. No real heavy hitters in this force (BBs) they are too slow. I have seen some little ships hand out a decent bombardment though so I am hoping for some of that. First they have to run the gauntlet of their ultimate target so we shall see.

The Aussies at Pagan head south to be replaced by a lesser unit and a Chinese unit in front of them will try and get in the way of the retreating Paras. I want them to have to get off the trail and eat malaria for a bit.

In Darwin another large B-17 raid is after Amboina. He still has no fighters here.

In China I rotate the battle weary I-16 unit out and a fresh and recuperated unit in. He is using teh Oscars against me now so things will still be grim but I don't need the sustained whipping his airpower can hand out every day without fighting for it. His numbers have crossed over the 200K mark - I have another 30K about 10 days out. Forts are at level 4.

Not much happening in the South Pacific. The carrier force makes it to Pearl and disbands for some RnR.

In San Fransisco a large transport force is made to bolster Dutch harbour. If things are not going well in the south and alternative may be required.