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Operation Horeselfy is a success - now can I hold my ill gotten gains? Herb on the other hand has advanced to Ndini in the Santa Cruz group and taken the island. I try to resist by sending in some PT boats - but Herb has bought the kitchen sink and the PT boys end up being an awful sacrifice for little gains.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/05/42

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Sub attack at 77,68

Japanese Ships
AK Kennichi Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Haddock

I have a line of subs on an E-W line about 6 hexes N of Kwajalein - today one hits paydirt sinking the Kennichi Maru.
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Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 148
Ki-46-II Dinah x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Resources hits 31

Herbie-san goes back on the aerial offensive in China hurting the already devastated resource centres of Wuchow. He has 12 Tojos in his sqd here. Obviously a slight change to the OOB of the main scenario.
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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16
Blenheim IV x 22


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

Manadalay continues to be surpressed. These medium bomber pilots are starting to get very experienced.
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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 12


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11

Day Air attack on 124th IJNAF Base Force, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
Wellington III x 6
B-24D Liberator x 26


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Preparation before the tanks go into battle at Akyab in opertion "Horsefly".
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Day Air attack on TF, near Ndini at 72,101

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
CA Myoko

Hudsons out of Luganville can do nothing against the vast armada at Ndini.
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Day Air attack on TF at 69,101


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 7


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara

They have as much luck on a surface group heading south towards Luganville at a rate of knots.
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Ndini at 72,101

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
CA Chikuma
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Kinugasa
DD Akizuki
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Asashio, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Uranami
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
PT PT-121
PT PT-122
PT PT-123
PT PT-126, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

A large number of attacks by the late arriving PT boats. 7 attacks go in and the Japanese forces get surprise in 4 of them. I loose 8 PT boats and put torpedoes into 2 DDs and a CA. The two DDs are reported as heavily damaged but the Heavy Cruiser should be fine.

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Ground combat at Ndini

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 871 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ndini base !!!

Herb takes Ndini with a small NLF unit.

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Ground combat at Akyab

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 8914 troops, 35 guns, 467 vehicles

Defending force 742 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 962 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Akyab base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

I repay the favour by taking Akyab - a much better deal for me I think. The continued supression of the base unit here has meant it is almost unable to bear arms when attacked.
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Now that Akyab is taken I have to build it up. It's proximity to Rangoon means it is likely to feel some wrath from the air. If I can get some base units there and fighters I can then look to use the RN to pound Rangoon until it is no longer viable to put air units there. Without air superiority it will be increasingly difficult for him to use Rangoon properly. I have two groups of P-40s (both the B and E variant). They will have alot of work to do LRCAPing the RN as they are the only fighters with range enough to reach out to sea.

A Fast transport unit is put together at Diamond harbour to ferry in a base unit.

China continues to be a mess. His destruction of my supply producing capacity is starting to bite. I can counterattack his off-road moves, like I am doing in the NE with some units moving forward to contest a barricade he has, but these efforts are all being done at low levels of supply. The liberation of Myitkina is becoming more and more important. In a way, operation Horsefly has hopefully pulled his attention to the coast rather than the interior.

At Darwin a Kittyhawk sqd with experience of 72 is moved back to Townsville and is replaced by a sqd of beauforts with experience of 55. Darwin is proving very useful. I have a group of P-40Es there now with experience of 71! Units like this will be crucial to any advance I make in this area.

All around Ndini TFs scatter. I have unloaded half of two seabee units at Luganville, but it looks like Herb intends to send surface attack forces there and I therefore don't think it is prudent to hang around to unload the rest. This can happen when he moves away. A point of interest is that many CVs have been sighted in the invasion forces. This should mean I don't have to put up with them in Burma.

At Pearl the newly arrived Hornet and Saratoga both upgrade their AAA suites. It is not the impressive array you get with the October upgrades but it is better than a kick in the face. I will put together an escort TF around the CV Wasp to watch over the reinforcement of Attu Island. Most of the units for this operation have now been loaded.

Action apleny as Herb reinforces his attack on Ndini. Luganville tries in vain to rebute the assault and in Akyab the Japanese AF comes calling.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/06/42
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Naval bombardment of Luganville, at 72,107 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Amatsukaze
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
CL Yura
CL Natori
CL Isuzu
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi, Shell hits 3


Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 32

THe choice to retire the unloading seebee units is the right one as a bombardment TF comes to town.
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Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 149
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged

Resources hits 15

Herb continues to hit Wuchow - but despite many resource hits he doesn't seem to have damged any more resource centres - probably kill already abandoned ones.
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Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16
Wellington III x 39
B-24D Liberator x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 23

Heavy bombers out of Calcutta hit Pagan to make sure he needs to come from range against Akyab.
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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
Ki-49 Helen x 70

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 12 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 6 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed, 19 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30

And Akyab is the next target with a heavy bomber raid. The defending tomhawks plunder the escorting oscars but a few are lost by the combined defensive guns of the bombers. All damage is repaired by the next turn.

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Day Air attack on TF at 74,103

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 8
Kittyhawk I x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

Herb moves the smaller of his CV TFs within range of Luganville and the naval bombers take off. It is very costly on the escorts but all but one of the dauntlesses sneak through. Despite an open target no bombs find their mark.
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Ground combat at 45,35

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 58848 troops, 627 guns, 150 vehicles

Defending force 40965 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Herb tries to repulse some Chinese units I have blocking him - not a conclusive result for either side.
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IN Akyab my FT mission drops off half an Indian base force which allows to sqds of spitfires to help defend the place.

I appeared to set the RN up to retire to diamond harbour so the carriers and BBs are their this turn - oh well - an opportunity to fill the fuel tanks.

IN China I am putting in a shock attack against a Jap unit that has got in behind my spearhead through his line below Homan. ONly 3 Chinese corp against a large Jap Division. He has just crossed a river and taken heavy damage - will that be enough?

A nasty turn of events for the units on the trail across the Owen Stanleys. It appears Herb has followed my troops on their attempt to retire to Dobadura. He has supplies so has moved much faster. Earlier in the game Dobadura changed to his hands by Osmosis. If he gets enough troops to my retiring units and attacks them I am likely to loose them all. A mission is put together, of the subs in Townsville, to take som emen and retake Dobadura so I have a retreat hex. I imagine I don't have much time.

Around Ndini everyone runs. As expected herb moved his carriers forward but his directions are slightly off and he will have to push the carriers for a sprint to cath up with any quarry.

It is all happening again in the Pacific War. Herbie-san has taken Ndini Island but is now threatening Luganville in a most aggressive fashion. The troops in the Owen Stanleys decide to magically teleport back to where they started trekking. More manouevers in China - one to him, one to me - and the building of Burma continues.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/07/42

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Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16
Wellington III x 43
B-24D Liberator x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 69

I send the heavies further afield this turn. I want to keep the small bases about Akyab under duress so that Herb thinks twice about loading them up with planes. I do loose 3 Liberators in this effort though.
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Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

The Chinese have been helping in Burma for some time now. I have decided to move the IL-4s back to Chungking though - too much Japanese movement there that requires attention.
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Day Air attack on Tenimbar , at 36,81


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 71
B-25C Mitchell x 16


No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

I generally cut these training missions out of the report but today marked the graduation of the P-40E group and some A-20s. They are both moved back to Townsville while their places are taken by a P-39 group and some wirraways (trainers after all...)
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Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 22

Forts out of Townsville make life difficult in GiliGili. A Rufe rises to meet them and actually knocks one down! It is in turn blown out of the sky by the defensive armaments of the Forts.
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Day Air attack on 30th Australian Brigade, at 54,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 27

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported

herb continues to hit the troops out of PM. I am surprised the bombers found their mark considering they all teleported this turn. I have to wait for the sub transported troops to arrive to give me Dobadura. Hopefully then the troops will move again. Unfortunately it wont take much for Herb to capture Dobadura back from me. Thanks to WitPqs' information about resupplying I now have the dakotas, Forts and Liberators out of Cooktown aerially dropping supplies to the beleagured troops - they may survive a little longer with this assistance.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Vanikolo at 72,103


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 7


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1

Luganville still has teeth and this turn the marine dauntlesses find one of the Cruisers now circling the wagons. The bomb destroys a 5" mount but does little else.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Vanikolo at 72,103


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 3
Kittyhawk I x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro

3 more try in the afternoon but are ineffectual.
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Ground combat at 45,35

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58655 troops, 628 guns, 142 vehicles

Defending force 40787 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
421 casualties reported
Guns lost 35
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

5 Chinese units, across the river between Hengchow and Chunghow, are forced to retreat. They have been holding this line well since the beginning of the game. Lack of supplies the main contributer I think.
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Ground combat at 49,31

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 31383 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 20525 troops, 194 guns, 14 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
436 casualties reported
Guns lost 47
Vehicles lost 6

Allied ground losses:
336 casualties reported
Guns lost 8


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

I had moved 8 Chinese combat units down to the intersection below Homan. They cleared a Jap unit there. Herbie-san then had his in place untis try to cut this advanced guard off by moving to the rail hex in behind these 8 units. I moved 3 Chinese Corp back up the road and shock attacked the blocking force. As you can see they lost a stack of guns and are again forced off the road.
So, he is attacking me in the centre. I am attacking him in the Centre North and I am about to start another gentle nudge in the North. Meanwhile most of my units are in the South around Wuchow. He outguns and out-qualities my troops but I do have an awful lot of them. They are also a bit more experienced than their conemporaries in the Dec 7 campaign. The very long range plan here is to slowly draw his forces North while I get supply to the South and then make an attempt on Canton and maybe even Hong Kong! It is all very hard to be certain as to which way it will turn. All of this action however does stem from the hope that the British and Western Chinese can take Myitkina and open the Burma road.
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In the Burma theatre the fast transport mission returns to Diamond Harbour and picks up another load of the 7th Indian Base force for Akyab. An AK is currently loading supplies to transport there. The RN is loitering off the coast. I have the BBs on react in case he tries a little disruption. If the number of warships down by Luganville is anything to go by there wont be too much available for him to use.

The main location of interest is obviously around Luganville where Herb has again commited more than just the KB - he appears to have bought the majority of the combined fleet. I don't know what Herb is up to here as he doesn't appear to have bought transports with him. Is this a recon in force with some disruption built in? Anyway, if it is an invasion the obvious targets are Luganville and Efate. Efate is by far the easier mark with only a resident RCT. Luganville is populated with: a NZ Cavalry Brigade, the US 37th Division, the 2nd Marine CD unit, the 1st MAW, an early engineering unit and 2 half seabee units (recently delivered). It is a 4 port, 4 AF base with level 3 forts. I have cancelled the expansion of the port to concentrate on forts - of which there is 4% left to an upgrade.
Since Herb has heavily invested in this exercise and I don't have the assets in play - let alone in reach - to affect the outcome, I order shipping to get out of dodge.
Most of the ships in Noumea Harbour head SW, the Yorktown diverts to a southerly direction and the seabees units - still aboard their transports to the SE of Noumea - will continue south. There is an AD, AK and 2 ASs in Luganville harbour. An AS and the AD combine and head due West at full speed. The other AS is heading in the same direction - only alone. The AK is doing something a little more dangerous: it has loaded up the remnants of the Wildcat sqd: VMF-111, that were unable to fly and is heading North West at full speed. I am hoping a singular AK will not entice air out of Lunga and will be too far north for any Carriers that move to the gap between Noumea and Luganville - weather is thunderstorms so that may help me too.

I don't know Herb's intention here but I am pretty certain I am going to wear a bombardment or two tonight. If he is coming to invade he is welcome. I think the defence I have in position is adequate to make the excercise very expensive. The US 37th Division is not very experienced though so it could be touch and go. Another oversight is that I don't have any Dakotas in Noumea so I can't air transport more troops in if required. I shall look to remedy this.

As expected - heavy bombardments of Luganville and Efate.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/08/42

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Naval bombardment of Luganville, at 72,107 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed

50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Akebono
DD Uranami
DD Arashio, Shell hits 13, on fire
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Tanikaze
DD Akizuki
CA Kinugasa
CA Haguro
CA Chokai, Shell hits 7
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
BB Yamato
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
398 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 7

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 20

They do hurt the ground forces but are definately not critical. One DD: Arashio appears to have copped a few scratches into the bargain - don't think he expected a CD unit. All potholes filled by morning and work continues on the forts - they are at level 4 (up a grade) by end of day.
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Naval bombardment of Efate, at 73,109


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Oboro
DD Yugiri
DD Murakumo
DD Shirakumo
CL Nagara
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 25
Port hits 1

Almost wasn't worth bothering with this one.
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Ground combat at 45,35

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 57602 troops, 594 guns, 137 vehicles

Defending force 4300 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 89 to 1



Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

In China an HQ unit that did not retreat last turn is forced to do so this turn. Herb had his units on follow after a shock attack and a tank unit manages to catch up with my fleeing ground units. I decide against attacking them as my guys have just been forced to retreat themselves and are completely out of supplies.

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China is still a hodge podge. I don't know whether I am coming or going there really.

In Karachi 3 Chindit Battalions are loaded aboard ship for a quick transfer to Diamond Harbour. I will move these guys to Kohima as quick reaction air transported units if I actually manage to take Myitkina.

Around Noumea I give the KB even more room as it travels down to the SW of Efate. If this was a hit and run attack it so far hasn't netted him many easy kills. He has slaughtered some of my PTs but they get their revenge today as one of the DDs they hurt seccumbs to it's wounds.

A sqd of Hurricanes in Brisbane convert to Spitfires. My forces are slowly becoming a viable weapon of war.

herb is invoking jihad upon me in China - a red wave is about to break there. What I can see is many of his Southern units streaming North. This is what I wanted to achieve but I don't know my ability to actually hold it off whne it comes!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/09/42
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Day Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 33,32

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 50
B-24D Liberator x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
C5M Babs: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18

The Heavies change target again and hit Taung Gyi. It isn't a very beneficial raid but I do want to flatten his air bases. I have been using these guys a bit too intensely lately and the morale has dropped below 50 on a few. A couple of days off should cure this.
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Day Air attack on 13th Tank Regiment, at 44,35


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 14
SB-2c x 24


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 6

The Chinese really are getting useful with their more experienced bombers now. Herb just does nothing to stop me hitting his men!
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Day Air attack on 60th Chinese Corps, at 50,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

He's back to bombing groud troops with fighters. I move the AVG remnant within range to be able to LRCAP the groudn pounders.
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Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
B5N Kate x 139

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 6 destroyed, 32 damaged

Allied Ships
PT PT-38, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-36, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-122, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 4

Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet

In a very interesting move Herb releases his naval airmen to bomb the port at Luganville. Some of the units based there have impressive AAA ratings and he comes in at 5000 ft. I loose the last remnant of PT power I have in the South Pacific but he losses 13 priceless kates (more fall in operational accidemts). Hopefully this includes the pilots!
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As expected, when Herb can't find anything at sea to sink, her comes after the port based ships. While I don't want to loose PT boats it is better them than my AS or AD units!
All retreating ships have more than a days sprint between them and the KB.

Since Herb is on the move from Canton North I have started moving units I have in Wuchow out to make this difficult - I want him to fear being cut off. About 12 units are moving onto the rail line South of Wuchow. We will see what this provokes. I have also moved one of the 16 plane Dakota sqds to Chungking to help supply Weilin. Weilin has about 30 units in it but no supplies. I may have to retreat some of these guys to try and fix this problem.

herb retires the KB. I am not moving anything back though as he has a habit of moving away and then rushing back hoping to find easy targets. Lets wait a turn or so.
LArge attack by the Japs on the rail trail below Homan - they are repulsed most bloodily.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/10/42

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Day Air attack on 13th Tank Regiment, at 44,35


Allied aircraft
SB-2c x 23


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

I am still hitting the tanks that managed to catch up with my retreating units that recently were routed. Hopefully it is reducing their capability.
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Day Air attack on 64th Chinese Corps, at 44,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

No Japanese losses

A bit of trianing elsewhere in China as Herb gets some Tonys. He is switching them arround to try and hit locations without fighters. I will not move against these for some time. Hopefully I can bring a mighty effort to bear at some point and put him on his guard everywhere else in China.

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Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 49873 troops, 516 guns, 144 vehicles

Defending force 90927 troops, 534 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
4243 casualties reported
Guns lost 108
Vehicles lost 13

Allied ground losses:
410 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

A very bloody defeat for the sons of Nippon. I not only outnumber him two to one but have level 3 forts with each of these guys. This is the location I was most worried about, on this attack going in I thought I was going to be repulsed - he has 12 units to my 8. I think he is rapidly using the rail lines to get more troops up from the south to handle my block which is why 12 infantry corp are on the move towards Canton from Wuchow - to threaten his holdings behind him.
These kind of battles are great for Chinese experience.
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There is little else to add. I can see a transport force on its way to Rangoon and the RN is within strike distance. I moved the P-40Es to Akyab for aerial cover but their range is inadequate. I will move P-40Bs there next turn and then try and send in a surface attack group built around fast CAs, CLs and DDs. The big boys are hopeless in this kind of handbag throwing contest.
Attu Island now has a base force but no planes and is waitin gon the rest of it's defenders. Wasp is slowly making her way north to provide some air cover.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/11/42
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Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 41
B-24D Liberator x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet

I attempt a strike on Buna from Cooktown with unescorted heavies. Strangely Herb is LRCAPing - or the large number of 14 zeros reacted from PM. In either case they carve strips out of my Heavies. Upon writing this I realise that I have not stood these guys down - hope the weather turns foul.

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Day Air attack on 111th Base Force, at 54,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A Val x 48
B5N Kate x 35

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
204 casualties reported

Lae airbase is a monster - loaded with aircraft and making life for the troops stuck in the Owen Stanleys pure hell. As an aside I haven't been able to resupply them from the air. I had told the heavies to take part in resupply but it appears they wont take part unless it is an airbase and the Dakotas are obviously just out of range (the red range line intersects these troops).

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Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 140925 troops, 1583 guns, 11 vehicles

Defending force 90484 troops, 535 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
272 casualties reported

Ouch! This is a problem. Things have gone from rosy to ugly in one turn at the intersection below Homan. From outnumbering him two to one the odds have switched completely back the other way! Arggghhh this is bad. If he forces these troops to retreat they will be stuffed and unable to compete further down the road. I gave him a bloody nose last turn although he claims he forgot about shock attacks sfter a river crossing... Anyway, I order the chinese troops to retreat back to Homan. There are size 8 forts there with the 37% to the 9th level. Even with my shortfall in numbers this should be enough to hold him. Hopefully the units I spanked when he shock attacked are still resting up and I can get away in time. I am on a railway so it might yet be OK.
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China is where it is all happening. Next report I will add a screenshot - maybe some of the more expert players can look at the jigsaw puzzle we have and provide a bit of insight into the way things should be done. I am shock attacking up by Ichang (is that the place up in Northern China?) Hopefully I have bought enough troops but this may not be the case. A question: if I am retreating from a hex do I still benefit from the forts within it? Nothing I can do about it but my vague remembrance is yes I do. My forces down South in Wuchow are making good speed towards threatening his Southern holdings.

In Burma there are two points of interest to note. One: herb has moved a fast transport unit in up the trail from Akyab. I don't quite understand the reason for this other than he wants me to use shipping to get supplies to the base. OooooKaaay will do. Not alot of skin off my nose. I am moving the 1st Burma rifles down to give these guys a nudge but I don't know if this will be enough presuasive force. The SEAC Air forces will hammer this blocking force for a bit I think.
The second thing is my RN fast surface combat TF moves to a striking distance of Rangoon harbour. This attack\ is now in doubt though as the fast transport TF he delivered his blocking force with (mentioned earlier) has a likely homebase of Rangoon. If this is the case I am heading towards a bit of hurt. I think it is time I based some Catalinas out of Akyab.

In the South Pacific Herb berates me for running away from his jaunt to Luganville (although he says Noumea - Fraudian slip?). This doesn't feel right and I can still see all the KB - granted moving North, off the Eastern coast of Ndini - so my shipping will not return to homebase for a turn or two. This is causing a few hassles with return shipping to Pearl and San Fran but otherwise is not a big issue.

Despite being at 4 Sys damage neither the Enterprise or Lexington will upgrade in Sydney Harbour.... they other two carriers upgraded fine in Pearl?

Despite being at 4 Sys damage neither the Enterprise or Lexington will upgrade in Sydney Harbour.... they other two carriers upgraded fine in Pearl?

They have to be down to sysdam of 3 to upgrade. That holds for all shipyard ports. Clear out everything else that has any damage. (That's true for reducing damage on any big ship.)

BTW - welcome to the wonderful new fantasy world of Japanese fighters vs Allied 4 engine bombers. What is particularly ironic is that when Mike made this change, he also made Japanese 2-engine bombers more effective against fighters...

There's nothing to be done about this but adjust your strategy...[8|]

Good luck -

Dave Baranyi

Hi dave

Thanks for the response. Strange then as the ships in Pearl upgraded at 5 and 6 Sys damage???

Yeah - I suppose the thing with the heavies is that even if they take losses the amount of damage they can do can often close the base anyway. Reading other people's AARs it appears they just send the Heavies in without escort and then complain when they take losses. While historically the heavies did venture in against targets alone they usually took some damage. I sent in 85 ACs - he turned back about 20 and I lost 6. So I lost about 7% of my force. That isn't too far off norm.
I think where I was a little surprised was that he was CAPing the place. It was only when I wrote up my AAR that I figured it was planes from PM.
In my opinion the enhancement of Jap fighters against the Heavies allows the game to be contested for a little longer. With allied players able to convert almost all bombing fomations to heavy bombers they can be putting together 300+ plane raids in early 43! That is game over bar the shouting.
As a jap player when even the strongest base you have is flattened by a raid that size coming in - and you have 120 modern fighters on defence netting you 4 heavies destroyed, 44 damaged to the loss of 16 of your own fighters (in the air) - why would you want to continue for another year of the same?

This may be a little ahistorical but this is a game after all.

As you say though - it is adjust the strategy.

Thanks for the response. Strange then as the ships in Pearl upgraded at 5 and 6 Sys damage???

The larger bases, with Naval HQs, and particularly if they have ARs too, will reduce damage by more than 1 point at a time, therefore your ships can go from 5 or 6 to 3, then get upgraded and bounce back up. That's why it's important to build up your shipyard ports to level 9 if they aren't already there, as well to spread around your naval HQs to your shipyard ports and some ARs.

Good luck -

Dave Baranyi

As a jap player when even the strongest base you have is flattened by a raid that size coming in - and you have 120 modern fighters on defence netting you 4 heavies destroyed, 44 damaged to the loss of 16 of your own fighters (in the air) - why would you want to continue for another year of the same?

Because that's exactly what the Japanese player gets to do to the Allies for the first 18 months of the game? [:D][;)]

Cheers -

Dave Baranyi

Surely you are happy with the way things are proceeding in this game? It appears you are handling things really very well despite the Jap offensive handicaps? I have tried to change my outlook towards the allied game by lauding the small victories. Despite UV training and RL history I thought I could do better when I tried my first PBEM. Most players now know they can trade space for time and which places they can safetly trade. As in most things in life I've had to learn by making the mistake myself. I took teh hit from the uber Jap bombers and unbeatable zeros on the chin - it should have just been part of my strategy - much like the strategy you are using so well.

So what does this rant actually have to do with our discussion. Well it comes back to the psychology of the two sides. You can consol yourself that there is light at the end of the tunnel as an allied player (well unless you are me and you're play PzB - John, I'm permanently scarred [:D] ). As a Jap player there is no light.

As a Jap player there is no light.

I'm still not convinced of that. PzB-John came very, very close to winning the game against the two of us. And if he had spent a little more effort at grabbing "cheap" bases and building he would have won. The same thing goes for WitP_Dude - but for a few minor errors that componded and some problems with the early versions of the game he could have won too. And Admiral Laurent's current strategy looks to be a winner.

Look at the recent results in WitP-Dude's game with the "what if" Japanese fighters. I still firmly believe that as the game has moved away from historical reality the chances for Japanese victory have improved dramatically. That's not a bad thing in a game, but it does mean that a serious Allied player has to do some very odd things in order to avoid an early loss.

It also means that an Allied player has to play a lot more like the Allies really played, but avoid the stupid things they did during the first six months of the War. It takes away the fun of being able to mount serious Allied offenses in Spring 1942, or threaten invasions of Japan in the Summer of 1943. That certainly makes it more interesting for a Japanese player in a campaign game, but does it also mean that the Allied player can't win an end game? I guess we will find out.

Have fun -

Dave Baranyi

Hehe, if we have another go one day it'll probably be called 'The Grudge' [;)]
A little worried that Murphy may have jinxed you after our last WaW experiences though!-)

Dave played very well after he took over our old game, think both of you would have enjoyed the period that
Ken and I are venturing into now. I'm certainly feeling the pressure. Despite of all previous losses the US alone
will be able to swamp Japan by 1944.

I'm almost feeling 'guilty' when I inflict too heavy casualties on Japan in 1942. It's the feeling of uncertainty and
doom that really makes it interesting to play this game.

Btw...today a 13 year old kiddo beat me in chess [:o] Was trying to be 'kind' to him and didn't exploit
his mistakes to begin with and suddenly I found that I couldn't win <G> Most embarrassing... As soon as you get
too cocky the writing is on the wall!

Btw: you don't have any of the Decisive Battles Series Al? Much fun to play the pbem campaigns.

Decisive series? Is that Korsun Pocket - I hqave that one although I never played it PBEM

The action in China just keeps getting hotter. In Burma strange happenings abound and in the south it is all on hold.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/12/42

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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 92
Ki-21 Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 49

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 39

No fighters are available over Akyab - they are all looking after the fast attack surface fleet heading to Rangoon. He doesn't manage to scout them but a walrus does scout some of his ships still on Fast Transport duty. All the damage is repaired in Akyab but not before the Tomahawks return from their duty. 4 are lost on landing and 15 more damaged. Nice move Herb.
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Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 37
B-24D Liberator x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 41

Well Dave - here is the other side of the coin. This time the zeros suffer - in fact 5 are lost. I give the crews a break - morale says they aren't very happy with me!
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Day Air attack on 43rd Construction Battalion, at 30,28


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 19


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported

So these Beauforts are based at Chandpur and this turn I decide to turn them to ground attack...
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Day Air attack on 43rd Construction Battalion, at 30,28


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 16
Wellington III x 46
B-24D Liberator x 35


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
213 casualties reported

The Heavies join them on the offensive. THis is the unit Herb is using to block Akyab from their supplies. I don't think I would want to put a construction engineering unit in such harms way??
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Day Air attack on 79th Chinese Corps, at 46,33

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 8
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 157
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet

THis is the most impressive of the many many attacks made by the Jap airforces in China today (I have cut these others out). He really has started hitting anyone I have on the ground. I change my tactics too and start randomly LRCAPing different units.
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Day Air attack on TF at 30,27


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Manazuru
DD Hatsukari
DD Hasu

Remember the Beauforts from earlier? Well these ones came from Diamond harbour with a load of bombs. These 3 DDs are delivering Herbs blocking force. It would've been nice if not only my Beauforts attacked them but that the carrier swordfish - just off the coast and easily within Torpedo range also joined in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,35

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37053 troops, 387 guns, 129 vehicles

Defending force 3140 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 331 to 1



Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Again herb catches my HQ unit on te trail between Kweiyang and the intersaection above Changsha. He smashes them and they retreat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 140998 troops, 1585 guns, 11 vehicles

Defending force 90132 troops, 543 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
728 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Oh the pain. The massive artillery power of the units Herb has bought to bare against my blocking force on the Intersection below Homan is felt this turn. THe good news is despite this they have made good time towards the Homan on their retirement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 50,27

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 52351 troops, 341 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 22903 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 22 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
630 casualties reported
Guns lost 20


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

The attack up North is also a succes forcing Herb back across the river towards Chengting. I will follow even though this will cause a shock attack. I am banking that the forced retreat will make his units unable to resist me a second time - then it is on to Chengting to see what we face there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More in China as my forces from Wuchow appear behind Herb on the rail line to Canton. He has left it well defended however and I don't think I have half the numbers required to remove him. What I am thinking is that I leave a blocking force here and turn these troops to the East and go after Nanning - which is ofter weakly held.

What do the learned minds of the forum think about the lay of the land?

Well Dave - here is the other side of the coin. This time the zeros suffer - in fact 5 are lost. I give the crews a break - morale says they aren't very happy with me!

Wait until he sets Tojos and Tonys against your Forts...[;)]

Cheers -

Dave Baranyi

Dave - I have seen some ugly results against those vermin - bring on the Corsairs!

The RN surface combat force gets in and out of Rangoon harbour. THe Chinese in the death intersection manage to retire and japanese planes are thick over China.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/13/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AK Aden Maru, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Asuka Maru, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CL Emerald
DD Nestor
DD Nizam
DD Norman
DD Pakenham
DD Paladin

Steaming into Rangoon harbour spotters notice these two Aks and put them to the sword. There is no other sport though so they retire at full speed. Pity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 27,31

Japanese Ships
DD Chidori

Allied Ships
SS KVIII

Herb has dropped yet another fragment one more hex North of Akyab. The 1st Burmese Rifles are nearly on top of them and should be strong enough to despatch them. The DDs doing the dropping off notice a Dutch Periscope on the way home.
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TF 1020 troops unloading over beach at Dobodura, 55,91

My Sub transport Aussies make it to Dobadura and Herb is mighty surprised - I think he sees Allied invasion. This is not really the response I want as he will be more likely to take it back off me and that will again reduce me to no retirement locations for the stranded troops on the Owen Stanley trail.

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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 132
Ki-21 Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 78

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 29

Well I am sick of this one. 71 P-40Es and a sqd of spitfires are on duty here now. I doubt he will venture here again and even if he has these orders the weather is not good for bombing - thunderstorms. Supplies and more troops are on their way from Diamond Harbour. The surface portion of the RN retire to Diamond Harbour which is therefore bolstered with fighter AC - 1 spitfire and 2 Hurricane sqds
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Day Air attack on Tenimbar , at 36,81


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 11
Hudson I x 24
Beaufort V-IX x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 42


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39

The new occupants of Darwin training are airworthy and begin their work.
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Day Air attack on 32nd Division, at 50,31


Allied aircraft
SB-2c x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

These Chinese are getting good I tell you! With 140,000 troop to target though it is hard to miss.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN the South Pacific I tentatively start moving some of the less important shipping back to Noumea. There are subs galore all over the place so the ASW TFs move in. He has targeted these guys in previous games and once already in this one so the PBYs will have to be extra vigilant. I also moved the RNZAF Hudsons back to Luganville on Naval attack as some transports are in Ndini harbour - bad weather so again: unlikely.

IN Sydney teh Saratoga upgrades - Yah! Only Enterprise to go now.

Another reversal for Chinese forces.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/15/42

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ASW attack at 23,24

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Napier
DD Foxhound
DD Express
DD Decoy
DD Arrow
DD Tjerk Hiddes

A sub, scouted by Catalinas, is hit by the DD Decoy. No doubt Herb will have moved the sub after this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 51,28

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 51843 troops, 326 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 33007 troops, 424 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
407 casualties reported
Guns lost 28

Allied ground losses:
1119 casualties reported
Guns lost 36

The Chinese troops in the North are forced to shock attack across a river and meet teh two units they retired earlier. No such luck this time. I may try resting them for a while and bombing the Japs so they gain disruption and then try again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many more of what appears random air attacks against chinese units by Herb's air assets. They do some damage but I think are all still about getting his pilots experience. Still don't know what the hell I am reallyup to in China - weeeeeeeee.

Burma
The Heavy metal puts to sea again. Recon over Rangoon harbour has a ship party going on and 70 oscars defending it. I don't have the range to sweep the place with both P-40Bs and Es. So while I wait for Akyab to build up - and it is doing that now that the place is being defended and Rangoon air is leaving it alone - I may as well keep trying to harrass Rangoon from the sea.

My Carriers are still stationed off the coast of Akyab. I would like Herb to try another FT mission up to the units above Akyab so the swordfish can have some fun.

Back in the South Pacific things start to return to normal as the KB does appear to have left the area. Shipping is ordered back to Noumea and ASW units are built to hunt down the number of the irritants that are now plagueing this water.

On the West Coast two very large transport TF put to sea. One is targeted on Noumea and the other is going further west to Townsville. 2 new HQs - one an air HQ - many engineers and base units, some arty and a few infantry brigades.

Wow - conflict from Burma to Noumea!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/16/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 30,29

Japanese Ships
DD Kuri
DD Tsuga
DD Hasu
DD Chidori
DD Manazuru
DD Hatsukari

Allied Ships
MSW Agra
AK Empire Tana, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

It appears Herb does not want me to be able to resupply Akyab and is willing to send DDs in to clear out my shipping. Just one AK there at this time and it has been there for 3 days so delivery of some supplies has occured. The Empire Tana is toast but it has tried to return to Diamond harbour. I point it back to Akyab to get anything onboard off before sinking. A more substantial effort is put together at Diamond Harbour. I had 20 AKs delivering 200K supplies there and 5 of these are split off and supplies with 4 DDs a MSW and the light Cruiser Emerald as escort. Off the coast of Akyab the heavy metal is in position on react.
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Sub attack at 56,91

Japanese Ships
PG Eifuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 12
PC Ch 10
PG Chiyo Maru
PG Tamo Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Albacore

Herb has noticed the gaggle of subs I have around Dobadura and sends an ASW force against them. This time the sub gets into better position and - wonder of wonders - the torpedoes fire.
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Naval bombardment of Akyab, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari
DD Manazuru
DD Chidori
DD Hasu
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 25

There are too many planes on the groud for the size of the airfield. I loose 10! P-40Es and 2 spitfires on the ground.
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Day Air attack on Ichang , at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 8
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 7 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Runway hits 2

Herb decides to escort a raid on Ichang. The I-16c take a whipping but do bring down 2 oscars.
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Day Air attack on 85th Naval Guard Unit, at 54,91


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 35
B-24D Liberator x 36


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 18000 feet
35 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 18000 feet

I send the Heavies out of Cooktown against the ground unit holding up my retirees from PM. They are the 85th naval guard unit. Unfortuantley they are probably strong enough to stop me from forcing them back off the trail with the weakend state of my troops. From 18000 ft this is not a bad effort.
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Day Air attack on TF at 27,33


Allied aircraft
Seafire x 6
Swordfish x 15


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Manazuru
DD Hasu

Day Air attack on TF at 27,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 5
Swordfish x 15

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

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Chidori
DD Kuri
DD Hatsukari, on fire

The weather clears over the retreating enemy DDs and the Brit Carriers. 2 strikes of Swordfish are sent out at long range managing a single hit on one of the offending DDs. This hit was struck by the first wave of planes and I thought this might be a red letter day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 28,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 90
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 56

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 29 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1
CLAA Van Heemskerck
CV Formidable
CL Mauritius
CL Birmingham

When I can reach his ships he can most definately hit my ships. A very large strike against my Carriers off Akyab. The escorting oscars loose 3 to 1 against the seafires. The bombers were set to 11,000 ft so are not very accurate. One hit on Illustrious and she shrugs it off as if it wasn't there. I do love those armoured deck RN Carriers!
So Herb looses 33 more oscars this turn. It does appear he has a great number of them so this wont unduly worry him, it would have been a very good day if the bombardment of Akyab hadn't been so effective.
The RN Carriers retire to Diamond Harbour to replace lost planes. As stated before the BBs are going to stay on station - within react distance - in case of more bombardment attempts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 68,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-2, hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Litchfield
DD John D. Ford

This may not look like much but these DDs are guarding the Yorktown - about to make port in Noumea! Phew!
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Ground combat at 43,35

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37414 troops, 392 guns, 136 vehicles

Defending force 2340 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 399 to 1



Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

The poor HQ, trying to retire from the crossroads above Hengchow, is again forced to retire.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 51,28

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 32403 troops, 386 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 50008 troops, 278 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Herb brings up another Division to the Northern Chinese excursion and we are now likely at deadlock - this is a sizable bombardment. Bombers at Homan have targeted the Jap blocking force for some attention.
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Ground combat at 49,29

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15815 troops, 183 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10406 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

He's also trying to cut of Homan by going to the North this time. His first Deliberate attack is smashed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft losses are 45 Jap 35 Allied. I'll take this, anything leaning towards my side at this time of the game is a success.

Burma is hotting up nicely. My moves on Myitkina appear to have no opposition at present. The Chindits are making progress onboard ship. The plan is to airlift them to Myitkina once we take the place. I think, despite the attack on my carriers today, that I am still reasonably safe here. A few long range naval bombers would make life more difficult but Herb definately has a fight on his hands.

A move by the KB back to Noumea now would net some serious returns for Herb. All the shipping is returning and Yorktown will be there tonight. The good thing about his is that I will be able to use the air groups on board to build up Noumea. It is seriously under defended at the moment.