Bloody Pacific: Pomphat (Allied) vs Amiral Laurent (Japan)

[AmiralLaurent]

And here is the current score. The scuttled Allied ships now count around 200 points. The 3000 points for PH really boosted the Japanese score.

[ADavidB]

And here is the current score. The scuttled Allied ships now count around 200 points. The 3000 points for PH really boosted the Japanese score.

"Omedetou gozaimasu!" (Congratulations!) That was an impressive campaign.

It was good to see the final troop picture. So you were able to invade before your opponent increased the quantity of troops in Pearl. One more Allied division might have forced you into stalemate.

It is also interesting to see all of those CD units. My personal feeling is that "ordinary" Allied CD units (those with 6" or 155mm guns) are pretty much useless if a Japanese player uses battleships for continuous bombardment.

I'm also astounded at the number of planes that you've caught on the field so far in your game. That's good, quick attacking on your part.

Thanks for this fascinating AAR - I certainly am modifying my Allied strategies thanks to it. [:D]

Dave Baranyi

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

A new deliberate attack was launched in Pearl Harbor. To support it, the KB launched 78 Kates and 80 Vals against the 24th US division, hitting 138 men and 1 gun, while losing 3 Vals (2 to AA, 1 operationnaly). At the same time 23 level bombers, 6 Kates and 15 Vals coming from Lahaina attacked the 25th US Div and disabled 24 men and 2 guns. The bombardment TF (still 7 BBs, 1 CA and 4 CL) also supported the attack and destroyed 4 PBY and 1 P-40B, disabled 1110 casualties and 25 guns and scored 4 hits on the now empty port (last AK has been scuttled) and 135 on the airfield. Then 90 000 Japanese attacked and the defences crumbled. At 3 to 1 vs fort level 1 the base was taken and only 572 Japanese were lost in the final assault. 57 808 Allied were killed or captured. Tens of wrecks littered the harbor and hundreds of shattered aircraft the airfields. Four SBD and 1 F4F-4 were stil intact on a Marine airfield and were quickly dispatched by Japanese soldiers as “souvenir”. The base is totally wrecked: port damage 69, airfield damage 100, runway damage 80. It has no more fuel and was probably out of supply. According to POWs, 210 mines are still of the base.

BANZAI!

Congratulations!!!


Leo "Apollo11"

[AmiralLaurent]

5-6 March 1942

Turns are far more quiet now. Hot action will probably take place in DEI in the next days.

Central Pacific

Troops of the 16th Div were landed on the 5 by FT TFs in Lihu and Niihau anc occupied the empty islands the next day. All Hawaii Islands are now Japanese.
13 MSW were sent in 3 Tfs to PH but their crews are learning surf and don't sweep any mines in two days. [:@] I have never fully understood how to sweep enemy mines in UV or WITP [&:]. Orders that work once don't work after.

Palmyra and Christmas continued their little private war. 7 B-25C attacked and were intercepted by 3 Zeroes each day, damaging a Zero on the 5 but missing twice their target. The FT TF unloaded 450 supplies at dawn on the 5 and sailed back to Hawaii. Tinas started on the 6 to carry a Const Bn to the island.

Also on the 6 (a clear day), the IJAAF air units started to leave Hawaii towards PI and China via Midway and Wake. One Sentai of Ki-49 and one of Ki-21, a Chutai of Ki-15 leave the area. A Ki-46 Chutai is coming the other way as its longer range may be usuful in the Pacific. For example if I had Dinah in the area I may recon Palmyra from Christmas. But Babs can’t. And I have only Babs.
So I will attack Palmyra “on the blind”. 54 Betties and 23 Zeroes flew from Lahaina to Johnson Island and will join the 22 local Zeroes to attack Palmyra airfield in two days.

Southern Pacific

Saidor, New Guinea, surrendered to nearby Japanese forces in Madang on the 6.

Philippines

At least this theater receives reinforcement. The 17th Div finished to land in Vigan on the 5 and started to march (with a NLF) to Lingayen. A Ki-30 Sentai arrived from Borneo in Appari and will bomb tomorrow the troops in Naga (mainly to learn what they are).

An AP convoy is off Batan Island and loading the Air HQ and Special Base Force occupying it, to bring them to Laoag. In Pakhoi, China, the 16th Naval Guard Unit also boarded transports and will sail to Naga but orders may change later.

Dutch East Indies

On the 5 11 Ki-21 from Singapore bombed the Dutch Bn that attacked Singkawang and hit 10 men. This unit didn’t attack again.
At the same time, 14 Nells and 6 Betties from Balikpapan bombed a British BF in Pontanial and disabled 71 men and 2 guns. More paratroops were then dropped here by Topsies and Tabbies and 700 Japanese took the base, chasing the 108 RN BF and 11th DAF BF) in the jungle E of Pontaniak.

Preparations for the Amboina-Bulla-Sorong continued. The troop convoy will arrive tomorrow in Menado and the surface TF refuelled in Davao today and will also sail to Menado.
Naval search was increased. 9 Mavis are now in the new base of Raba, 16 Betties in Kendari and 9 Nells in Hollandia. On the 6 they reported 4 CAs off Darwin.

A late DD returning without fuel from Waingapu just arrived on the 6 in Balikpapan and refueled there. It will load some naval troops.

Sumatra-Malaya

The waters between Singapore and Palembang are full of Allied (Dutch, American, British) submarines. No Japanese ship cruised in these waters but Japanese airmen were active chasing them and the SS KXVIII was hit twice on the 5 and the SS S-41 once on the 6 by IJAAF airmen.

Other than that there was very little action. On the 6 a patrolling Martin 139 was shot down by a Zero over Singapore and 6 Nells from Johore Bharu bombed the Zuid Garrison Bn in Benkolen, Sumatra, hitting 22 men.

Recons showed on the 6 328 Allied aircraft in Batavia (96/116/116) and a new raid will be launched by the 76 Nell and 67 Zeroes based in Singapore.

Troops in Singapore are still resting while more and more transports ships arrived in the port, that Japanese engineers (850 squads are in the city) expanded to level 9 on the 6. All divisions have recovered disabled squads (3-6 % of their squad total).

Burma

In the morning of the 5 19 Oscars and 25 Zeroes were flying CAP over Mandalay when the excepted big Allied raid arrived. What was not excepted given the previous days was that AVG was part of it. 24 Blenheim I, 42 Blenheim IV and 12 Il-4c arrived under escort by 22 Buffaloes and 19 P-40B. The Buffaloes were hit first and lost half of their number (11 losses) to Zeroes without hitting anything. The inexperienced pilots of the 65th Sentai participated in this action but were unable to shot down one, only damage some. And then they were bounced by the AVG and 9 Oscars fell without hitting any American fighter. The remainder fled while Zeroes attack the AVG. Score was more even but still in AVG favor, 2 Zeroes falling for one P-40B. But the Allied fighters were too few to cover all bombers and the Zeroes then shot down 5 Blenheim IV, 4 Blenheim I and 2 Il-4c. 19 other bombers turned back but 48 pressed on and hit the airfield hard, destroying 5 Oscars and 1 Zero on the ground. Shortly later 9 Blenheim IV from Dacca attacked and met 11 Zeroes, that shot down only one. The other also bombed and hit the airfield. Both hit 57 men and scored 4 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 10 on runways. Two more Blenheim IV were lost to operationnal losses.
The 65th Sentai lost 14 Oscars but only 6 pilots in the battle but has proven his inability to defend the frontline in Burma and left the same evening for China. Both Zero units were flown back to Rangoon in the evening of the 5. This day saw 28 Allied and 20 Japanese aircraft losses, mostly over Burma.

Pagan airfield was bombed on the 5 by 17 Hurricanes from Akyab and on the 6 by 18. 6 bombs hit the runways and 11 men were hit. Both raids were escorted by 9 P-40B.

On the 6 Lashio airfield was also bombed by 35 Hurricanes from Mitkyina and 11 Blenheim IV, escorted by 13 Buffaloes, from Dacca. 12 bombs hit the airfield and 2 the supplies.

I have no plan to wreck my airforce over Burma and will let my opponent bomb almost at will. Only Rangoon will be defended by Zeroes, except an occasionnal LRCAP over Central Burma. Two Ki-21 Sentais based in Moulmein will bomb tomorrow the isolated Allied Bde E of Taung Gyi. So the Burmese skies won’t be totally Allied.

The 15th Army troops are now in Mandalay, except the 21st Bde that will garrison Lashio. A new unit, the 8th Tk Rgt, that was until recently in Formosa, will arrive in Mandalay tomorrow and then the whole army will advance to Mitkyina.

China

A new deliberate attack in Yenen failed again at 0 to 1 with 2617 Japanese and 522 Allied casualties. The fort level was not reduced and both Eng Rgts sent there had no more able combat engineer squads. Both were ordered to Chengting to rest. The town won’t be attacked again before it is fully surrounded. The 3rd regiment of the 59th Rgt and Mongol cavalrymen will be used to surround Yenen on the north but this will take another two months.
The western roadblock was reinforced by the arrival of the 15th Tk Rgt on the 5. Two more days of bombing by Chinese guns hit nothing while 66 Chinese were hit by Japanese shells in Yenen on the 6.

On the 5 26 Ki-49s and 27 Betties from Wuhan bombed the oilfields of Chungking, disabling 23 of the 75 here with 7 hits. AA shot down one bomber of each type. No strategic raid was launched on the 6. Raids on Wuchow and Changsha ressources are planned tomorrow.

Japan

Two US submarines (S-27 and S-35) arrived in Japanese waters and are now 60 and 120 miles SE of Tokyo. This base is full of ASW aircraft but some organization of the Japanese shipping had to be done. Until now I used no convoy system and almost all ships sailed without escort in the area.
Six heavily damaged ships (a DD, an APD and 4 Aps, all with SYS > 50) arrived in Tokyo on the 6 and were disbanded. They should have gone to other repair yards but will wait for ASW escorts now that Allied submarines are in the area.

The first Japanese operationnal training unit was created (or rather recreated after being disbanded very soon in the game) in Japan today. It is the F1/Sasebo that received 27 brand new A6M2 Zero and 27 brand-new pilost (exp from 42 to 27). They will start their training with orders as training 0%.

[AmiralLaurent]

7-8 March 1942

The main actions in these two days were in the air. 50 Allied aircraft and 15 Japanese were lost.

Central Pacific

On the afternoon of the 7 10 B-25C from Palmyra bombed again Christmas Island. Six Zeroes tried to intercept but the only result was a Zero damaged. All bombs missed. The Zeros left Christmas this evening and returned to Johnson, being replaced by 8 Mavis.
The next day, 38 Zeroes and 44 Betties took off from Johnson and bombed Palmyra. One B-26B and one B-25C were destroyed on the ground. 5 bombs hit the runways and 5 men were hit. The Japanese airmen suffered no loss and reported 96 aircraft (32/14/47) in Palmyra. There were no Allied raid in the afternoon against Christmas. Nine Zeroes will sweep Palmyra tomorrow.

For two days Japanese MSW swept mines off Lihu (389 are still remaining) but they are still unable to sweep those off Pearl Harbor. One of the scuttled ships in Pearl Harbor was identified as the AK Dorothy Philips.

The CA Ashigara is still cruising far SE of Hawaii but no Allied ship had been seen. On the 8 a contact was made S of California by a Glen but it was only an Allied submarine.

The IJAAF air units returning from Hawaii are now in Wake or Pagan.

Southern Pacific

Allied engineers expanded the airfield of Noumea to size 4.

On the 8 a RO submarine S of Rabaul saw an AP but didn’t attack. The Nell Daitai of Truk received orders to fly naval attack with naval search 50%.

3 barges arrived on the 8 in Tarawa, refueled and loaded a company to bring it to Baker Island.

Philippines

The Ki-30 Sentai now based in Aparri is busy with bombing Allied troops to identify them. It hit on the 7th the 101st USAAF BF in Naga (13 cas) and on the 8th the 71st PA Div in San Marcelino (11 cas).

The 17th Div is still marching from Vigan to Lingayen.

Dutch East Indies

During the early hours of the 8, a DD unloaded 200 Japanese infantrymen in Sampit, Borneo. The town is empty and will be occupied tomorrow.

The convoy carrying the 35th and 4th Bde left Menado in the evening of the 7 and was seen the next day by Do-24s. It will reach Amboina tomorrow. It is escorted by a surface TF (2 CA, 7 DD) commanded by RADM Hosagaya and by an ASW group. 21 Zeroes and 11 Nells arrived in Menado on the 7 from Balikpapan and will assist. The Zeroes will LRCAP the convoy tomorrow.

Allied engineers expanded the airfield of Wyndham to size 4.

Sumatra-Malaya

Batavia was heavily attacked both days. On the 7 58 Nells (escorted by 67 Zeroes that had nothing to do as there was no CAP; one was lostt o engine failure) bombed the overcrowded airfield at 7000 feet. AA shot down 6 of them but they destroyed 38 aircraft, including 14 torpedo bombers (6 Hurricane II, 6 Wirraway, 4 Brewster 339D, 4 Swordish, 4 T.Iva, 3 Beaufort, 3 CW-21B, 3 Vildebeest IV, 1 Hawk 75A). They disabled 23 men and 2 guns and scored 10 hits on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 54 on runways. A good part of the Allied aircraft evacuated the base this evening and the raid of the 8 by 47 Nells and 61 Zeroes. The bombers flew higher, at 12000 feet, and suffered no loss but fewer hits (28 including one on supplies). They destroyed on the ground 3 Wirraway, 3 Sworfish, 1 Beaufort and 1 Brewster 339D.
At the same time recon reported for the first time this week CAP over Soerabaja (20-25 Brewster 339D and some Hurricane). They counted on the 8 182 aircraft here (37/74/71) and 124 remaining in Batavia (56/11/57).

I once again forgot to change the orders of the Nell Chutai based in Johore Bharu and it bombed again on the 7 the Dutch Bn holding Benkolen, hitting 9 men. The next day it resumed its usual activity; long-range naval search, while 12 Ki-21s from Singapore bombed the airfield of Bankha and scored 4 hits on the runway.

North of Sumatra, barges unloaded part of the BF in Sabang on the 7 and then loaded a SNLF to bring it back to Malaya. 3 barges split and sailed to Nicobar Islands, where a SNLF company was landed on the 8, taking the atoll without any resistance.

The Palembang operation started officially in the evening of the 7. 36 Nates flew to Jambi, where the Japanese main body of troops will land. A great convoy (78 APs and 7 AKs escorted by 1 CA, 2 CL, 6 DD, 6 PC/PG) is loading the HQ 25th Army, 4 Div (Imperial, 5th, 21st and 38th), 2 Tk Rgt, the 15th Eng Rgt and 6 ART units in Singapore and will sail to Jambi escorted by two surface TF led by Tanaka (3 CA, 2 CL, 8 DD) and Nishimura (2 BB, 2 CA, 1 CL, 6 DD). 10 3500-ton AK and 5 escorts formed another convoy to carry supplies to Jambi.
After the troops will have landed in Jambi, the fleet will go to Burma to support the landing of the 55th Div in Akyab. All available Zeroes will be engaged over Burma at the same time.
Starting from the 7 12 Tabbies began to transport the 5th Eng Rgt (that is 100% prepared for Palembang) from Balikpapan to Jambi.

Singapore Nells and Zeroes will rest tomorrow. 63 Ki-21 and 36 Ki-43 will attack Palembang AF to prevent the Allied AC to return here.

Burma

Two quiet days, only Pagan was bombed on the 7 by 18 Hurricanes from Akyab (27 casualties, 4 runway hits). Moulmein Ki-21s bombed twice (42 bombers on the 7 and 51 on the 8) the 1st Burma Rifle Bde east of Taung Gyi and hit 60 men but lost two bombers in crashes.

Allied engineers expanded the size of the airfields of Asansol to 6 and Trincomalee to 4.

The 15th Army (33rd Div, 4th Rgt, 4 Tk Rgts) left Mandalay in the evening of the 7 towards Mitkyina.
Recons showed a weak CAP over Mitkyina on the 8 (15-18 Hurricanes and some P-40B) and 36 Zeros from Rangoon will sweep it.

China

On the 7, 26 Betties, 25 Ki-49s and 8 Ki-51s from Wuhan bombed Changsha. The level bombers hit the ressources, scoring 20 hits and disabling 14 more centers (now 340 of 600 out). The divebombers hit the airfield and scored 3 hits on the runway.
The next day only 7 Ki-51s flew over Changsha and they scored 3 more hits on the runway. 45 Ki-51s from Canton bombed Wuchow and scored 8 ressource hits, disabling 14 more centers (85 of the 300 are now out) but lost one of their number to AA fire.
On 7th December 1941, China had 225 oil, 1005 HI and 2220 ressources. It produced every turn 2220 (ressource centers) + 1005 (HI) = 3205 supplies (+ Burma road and Soviet support). Now only 163 oil, 1582 ressources and 825 HI are running (not couting those of Yenen that are intact but don’t produce anything). The local supply production is of 2407 points, a 25% drop. I will bomb more oil centers to stop Chinese HI.

The northern front saw Japanese artilley fire at Yenen, hitting 129 Chinese, and the Chinese guns fire west of it, hitting 6 Japanese. Three Chinese Corps were bombed near Yenen on the 8 by a total of 44 Ki-48s and 23 Ki-51s but lost only 12 men while their AA shot down 1 Ki-48 and 1 Ki-51. Another Ki-48 was lost operationnaly.

Chinese engineers expanded the size of the airfields of Homan to 2.

I decided to form a China artillery division. All units with guns of 150mm (not in Canton) will be gathered in Yenen and pound the city. They will then remain together to be used in Japanese offensives

Japan

The SS S-27 is now patroling SE of Tokyo and no more moving. The SS S-35 was last seen on the afternoon of the 7 south of Nagoya and will probably cover the approaches of Osaka. Tens of Japanese aircraft are flying naval search and ASW but with little effect. A convoy was redirected and no ships left Japanese ports.

Two new ARs were launched on the 8 in Osaka.

[AmiralLaurent]

9-10 March 1942

The air losses these two days were 35 Allied and 16 Japanese. Japanese recon units suffered a lot, with 2 Ki-15 shot down by Allied fighters and 3 Ki-15 and 1 Ki-36 shot down by AA.

Northern Pacific

On the 9, the Glen patrolling SE of Anchorage saw 2 transports sailing W towards Kodiak Island.

Central Pacific

On both days, a Zero Chutai from Johnson Island swept the sky above Palmyra and reported no CAP. Betties will bomb again the airfield tomorrow.

SE of Hawai, a Glen saw 3 ships, including a CA, on the 9. According to the plan the 3 Glen-carrying submarines sailed towards this TF while the CA Ashigara sailed NE in case this is a CV TF, waiting for identification. The TF was lost the 10 but chase by submarines will continue while the CA is sailing to a spot enabling her to intercept the TF if it is a convoy.
Two other convoys were reported by the patrol line off California but both of them were returning to the West Coast.

Allied engineers expanded the port of Canton Island to size 3.

In Hawaii, transports are carrying troops (3 base forces, 3 AA Bns, 3 Const Bn, ½ Eng Rgt), fuel and supplies from Lahaina to Pearl Harbor. The AS Pelias had been identified as one of the ships scuttled in Pearl Harbor and is the 6th AS lost by the Allied.

Southern Pacific

In the early hours of the 9 the submarine RO-61 attacked south of Rabaul the Dutch ML Gouden Leeuw and hit her with one torpedo. The Allied ship was sailing alone and survived, just being reported on fire. In the afternoon of the same day, 2 Allied TF (2 DD in one, 1 AP and 1 unknown ship in another) were seen by Glens off Rabaul. The Ro-61 was lacking fuel and sailed back to Truk. The next day Glens of Truk saw no ship at sea but one was docked in Rabaul. Tomorrow a Nell from Hollandia will recon the base and if there is no CAP Nells from Truk will attack the next day.

A Daitai of Zero left Hawaii towards Truk on the 10 but will arrive in several days.

Philippines

On the 10, 27 Ki-30s from Aparri bombed the 11st PA Div in Lingayen, hitting 63 men, and in the evening the 17th Japanese division reached the base. Only the above division is holding it and the Japanese will launch a shock attack tomorrow supported by the Aparri divebombers.

Dutch East Indies

Sawu Island, SE of Waingapu, surrendered to nearby Japanese forces on the 9. The 91st Naval Guard Unit occupied Sampit, Borneo, the same day.

The troop convoy from Menado arrived off Amboina during the day phase of the 9th and unloaded men of the 35th and 4th Bde (807 casualties). The next night two DD brought two companies of the 4th to Bulla, that was found empty and will be taken tomorrow, before Amboina is attacked. In this last base, Japanese troops bombarded on the 10 Allied lines and identified 3 Allied units (Molukken Gn Bn, 4th Cst Gun Bn (that didn’t fire at all, may have been in part evacuated) and 22nd DAF BF). The convoy had still orders to ‘not unload’ and so no more troops landed on the 10 (troops land always on the first phase when they arrive in an enemy base, even with ‘not unload’ orders). Enough troops are ashore to take the base anyway and the convoy and two covering TFs will sail at sea NE of the island tomorrow to evade a possible sweep by Allied warships from Darwin (3 CAs were seen there on the 9 and lost of view on the 10).

Sumatra-Malaya

On the 9 51 Ki-48s from Johore Bharu bombed Medan airfield, scoring only one hit but reporting 6 Allied units here, while 59 Ki-21 and 58 Ki-43 from Singapore raided Palembang, scoring 44 hits on the airfield and hitting 78 men but losing two bombers to AA fire.

This day the supply convoy to Jambi sailing alone from Singapore but was recalled, as the troops convoy was still loading.

On the 10 66 Zeroes and 44 Nells from Singapore raided Batavia, that was defended by 8 Hawk 75, 11 CW-21B Demon and 1 Brewster. Demons shot down 2 Zeroes and damaged a Nell but these were the only successes of the Dutch pilots, that lost 7 Hawks, 6 Demons and the only Brewster in the air. 7 more aircraft (4 Martin 139, 2 Wirraway, 1 Hurricane) were destroyed on the ground, 6 men and 2 guns disabled and 11 hits scored on the airfield.

Both convoys and their escort left Singapore on the 10 towards Jambi. In the afternoon 3 Martin 139 from Batavia attacked the CA Nachi, one of the escorts, south of Singapore but missed. Two Allied subs are on the way of the convoy. Tomorrow it will be LRCAP by an Oscar Sentai while Singapore bombers will fly naval search to chase submarines.

Burma

On the 9 18 Hurricane from Akyab escorted by 9 P-40B bombed Pagan airfield, scoring 3 hits but losing one of their number to AA fire. The same day 36 Zeroes flew from Rangoon to Mitkyina and engaged 21 Hurricanes flying CAP. Three Zeroes and 4 Hurricanes were shot down, a bad result for Japanese pilots, and the sweep was not repeated.

On the 10 24 Hurricanes from Mitkyina bombed Lashio, scoring 3 hits on the airfield. In the afternoon, 51 Blenheim IV, 25 Blenheim I and 14 Il-4c from Dacca escorted by 26 Buffalo I raided Mandlay and bombed the airfield at 9000 feet with poor results (7 hits, 47 men and 2 guns hit). AA shot down two Blenheim I, while two Buffaloes were lost in accidents.

The 15th Army continued its march towards Mitkyina. Almost all troops are now just west of the town, that is still held by 10 Allied units, and the other will arrive tomorrow. Then all troops will advance together to the town.

China

Two quiet days around Yenen. Japanese shells hit 77 Chinese in the town, Chinese arillery hit 2 men west of it. The Japanese troops there are not supplied, even if a valid supply path is existing if I understand correctly the game. There is only one hex of wood between them and Chengting. It seems to me that one of the Chinese units left the hex W of Yenen westwards to return to Kungchang.

46 Ki-51 from Canton bombed Wuchow on the 9, disabling 9 more ressource centers (now 94 out) with 17 hits.

Recons showed a lot of aircraft in Chunking on the 9 (22/26/61) but most were gone the next day. It is fairly possible that RAF reinforcements, or a part of the AVG, arrived in China.

Tomorrow Japanese bombers will target Changsha ressources and Yenen airfield.

Japan

The SS S-27 was attacked several times by ASW aircraft SE of Tokyo on the 9 but wasn’t hit. It nevertheless sailed west along the Japanese coast the next day, and was seen S of Nagoya, while the S-35 was found again SW of Osaka. Two ASW groups were formed in the evening of the 10 in Osaka (3 PG, 3 MSW) and Tokyo (2 APD, 4 PG) with escorts of convoys just having returned to Japan and they will chase these submarines.

Japanese repair yards are filling up with ships returning from Hawaii. The DD Mochizuki and Namikaze are repaired in Shangai and will be upgraded here too.

I will try to post a map with each of the next posts, to show the overall situation of the Japanese Empire.

Here is the first, showing Burma and China. The red arrows show current advance of Japanese forces (Mitkyina and surrounding Yenen), the pink ones planned offensives (Ichang will be taken once Yenen will fall, by using most of the troops used before in Yenen, and Akyab will be invaded by the sea by the 55th Division) and the yellow ones a project I have to take Kunming and Kweiyang “by surprise”.

[AmiralLaurent]

11-12 March 1942

The 11 was a bad day in the air (36 Allied losses and 25 Japanese (18 Zeroes)), the 12 was better (12 Allied and 1 Japanese losses)

Northern Pacific

Allied engineers expanded Adak airfield to size 3.

Central Pacific

A “routine raid” took off on the 11 from Johnson with 18 Betties to bomb Palmyra airfield. 33 Zeroes were escorting it and were excepting little action. But 53 P-39D and 19 P-40E were waiting in the air and a bloody battle started. 18 Zeroes, 3 Betties and 25 P-39D were shot down. The P-40E, veterans of Pearl Harbor and the former battles around Palmyra, were especially successful, shooting down 7 Zeroes and 1 Betty without loss. The bombers reached the atoll and scored 2 hits on the runway, destroying a P-40E on the ground. Headquarters sent a enquiry commission about the high losses of DI-1 Daitai, that faced only P-39Ds and suffered 9 losses for only 4 victories. It was discovered that this unit has accepted a lot of green pilots (35 exp) and most of them died on this raid. Airmen of Johnson will now remain on the defensive.
In the afternoon 14 B-25 from Palmyra bombed Christmas Island, hitting a supply dump and one runway. 12 more B-25 attacked the next day but missed.

SW of Hawaii, the Allied TF was found again by Glens on the 11 and found to be too fast to be a convoy, so the CA Ashigara sailed back towards Hawaii to keep out of the way. The Allied TF now sailed towards Christmas and a FT TF (1 CL, 4 DD) planend to bring more supplies here was cancelled.

Minesweeping continued off Lihu both days, and submarine(s) laid a minefield off Lahaina on the 11 but it was swept in 24 hours without loss. All Japanese CVs, BBs and cruisers are now docked in Pearl Harbor. I think I will expand the repair yard when I will have enough supplies. More than 60 000 fuel and 100 000 supplies will be unloaded in PH in the next days from Lahaina. A big ML TF (13 ML) is alos loading mines in PH and will sail tomorrow to Lahaina to lay them. This base is allready protected by 1372 mines, but they have been unable to stop Allied submarines.

Southern Pacific

Nell recons over Rabaul reported no CAP and 1 AP unloading but bad weather and the Truk bombers didn’t attack the base. Truk has no warships to raid Rabaul or FT troops south and 5 DDs were sent from Kwajalain on the 11 to reinforce Truk.

Hollandia is still growing. The port is now size 2.

Philippines

The first major battle opposed on the 11 the 17th Japanese division and the 11th PA Div at Lingayen. The Japanese shock attack, supported by 24 Ki-30 from Aparri that hit 32 men, succeeded at 9 to 1 (fort 0) and repulsed the Philipinos to Clark Field. 162 Japanese and 75 Allied men fell. Only one of the 125 ressources of the base was damaged during the battle.

The next day the Ki-30s bombed the 71st PA Div in San Marcelino, hitting 27 men. Troops in Lingayen started to expand the airfield and will be reinforced by a Special BF, 2 Const Bn and an Air HQ coming from Laoag and Appari.

Dutch East Indies

On the 11th, 400 men of the 4th Bde took Bulla intact. The next day the part of the 35th and 4th Bde that landed at Amboina launched a deliberate attack that achieved a 1 to 1 ratio and reduced forts to level 2. 56 Japanese and 239 Dutch fell in the battle and a new attack had been ordered for tomorrow, with support by the CA TF and Menado Nells. The troop convoy will return to Amboina and unload more troops in daylight tomorrow.

Allied engineers built the airfield of Darwin to size 7. The threat to DEI ressources is growing. Japanese AK and TK are allready busy in Balikpapan, Brunei and Tarakan loading oil and ressources for Japan and 6 7000-ton AK will reach Kendari in some days.

Sumatra-Malaya

The Jambi convoy met opposition during these two days. During the early hours of the 11 the first attack was launched by the Dutch submarine KXVI 60 miles east of Jambi. She missed a DD but then escaped 7 DD searching her. Shortly after dawn she was sailing south when she was hit by an Alf off Muntok. The supply convoy was late and had no CAP when 10 Vildebeest attacked in the morning from Palembang. One AK was hit by a torpedo. At the same time 10 Martin 139 from Batatvia attacked the main fleet NW of Jambi and met 13 Oscars from the Singapore-based 59 Sentai flying CAP. They shot down 3 Martins and damaged several others, 2 crashing later. All Dutch bombs missed.

In the afternoon, 10 Nates of the 1st Sentai flying from Jambi covered the supply convoy. It was attacked by 6 Vildebeest from Palembang and 2 Martins from Batavia. CAP shot down 2 Vildebeest but the other hit another AK with a torpedo. 2 other Martin attacked the main convoy, evaded the Oscar CAP and hit with a bomb an AP (5 casualties).
During these operation one Oscar, a Vildebeest and a Martin 139 were lost in accidents.

The next night both Japanese convoys reached Jambi while the 2 damaged AK sailed back alone to Singapore. The British SS Trusty tried to chase one but ran aground and only managed to free herself too late to resume the chase.
In the morning of the 12 Palembang airfield was raided first by 42 Nells and 20 Oscars from Singapore and then by 26 Ki-48s from Johore Bharu. AA shot down one of the latter. 28 bombs scored hit (6 on supplies) and disabled 10 men.
There were no Allied raid in the morning but in the afternoon 3 Martin 139 were sent from Batavia with 7 Demons flying escort to attack ships off Jambi. They were intercepted by 21 Nates and 7 Oscars that shot down 6 CW-21B and 2 Martins but not before a bomb hit another Japanese AP.

43 Ki-48s from Johore Bharu bombed Medan airfield on the 11 but scored only 3 runway hits and lost one to AA fire.

To neutralize the Allied aircraft, 2 BB, 2 CA, 1 CL and 6 DD coming from Jambi will bombard tonight Palembang, that will then by bombed by Ki-21 & Ki-48 from Malaya while the Nells and Zeroes from Singapore will raid again Batavia.

Burma

On the 11th, Pagan airfield was missed by 9 Hurricane from Akyab while Lashio airfield was hit 9 nine by 28 Hurricanne from Mitkyina, hitting 10 men. 8 other Hurricane bombed the 33rd Div west of Mitkyina but missed and AA shot down one. The big raid of the day targetted Mandalay, 22 B-17E, 9 B-17C and 15 Il-4c from Asansol bombed the airfield and oilfields. 22 of the 29 remaining oil centers were disabled. 112 men were hit by the 13 bombs that hit the airbase and runways and the 2 that hit supplies. Recon met no AVG P-40B this day and it was suspected it went to China.

Despite the arrival of B-17 over Burma (I thought these units were in Australia) Japanese air units kept the same orders: protect Rangoon only and wait for reinforcements before trying to lay ambushes over Central Burma. On the 12th, Pagan was again missed by 9 Hurricanes and Mandalay was bombed in the morning by 12 B-17E, 6 B-17C and 13 Il-4c from Asansol and in the afternoon by 87 Blenheim from Dacca, escorted by 26 Buffaloes and 32 AVG P-40B. I guess they were waiting Zeroes over Mandalay… Given the results of the raids, it was a wise decision not to defend Mandalay. 4 bombs hit the oilfields but did no new damage. 2 bombs hit the airbase, 3 supplies and 12 the runways and 70 men were hit. Allied losses were 1 Il-4c shot down by AA and 3 Blenheims (two IV and one I) lost in accidents.

The 15th Army is now W of Mitkyina and will march to it in formation tomorrow or the day after. The twon is held by 10 units but most of them should be BF and weak Chinese divisions.

China

At Yenen and west of it, only routine artillery fire took place these two days, 97 Chinese and 11 Japanese were hit. On the 11th, 57 Ki-48s bombed the airfield of Yenen, scoring 1 hit on supplies and 10 on runways.

The Chinese 1st Tk Rgt coming from Lanchow by the northern route reached the crossroads 180 miles north of Yenen that was held by a 1/3 of a Mongol Div allready marching back to Tatung to then march to Yenen. This Chinese unit was bombed on the 12 by 36 Ki-48s from Chengting, losing 38 men and 1 vehicle, and then launched a deliberate attack. The cavalrymen resisted at 1 to 1. 42 Mongol and 14 Chinese fell. The cavalrymen should march S tomorrow.

More reinforcements were sent to N China: the last third of 27th Div, now no more needed in Tientsin for garrison duty (as a Bde recovered enough to have enough points for the base) and a Tk Rgt from Wuhan.

The strategic bombing campain continued. On the 11th an effective raid by 24 Betties and 22 Ki-49s from Wuhan (with 28 Nates as escort) bombed Changsha and disabled 37 ressource centers with 20 hits. Now only 223 of the 600 ressource centers of the town are still working. Another effective raid was launched the next day against Wuchow by 49 Ki-51 from Canton, that disabled 15 ressource centers (now 109 out). The same day 27 Betties and 24 Ki-49s from Wuhan raided Chungking, still reported undefended by recons, but only disabled 2 of the 52 reamining oilfields.

Japanese engineers expanded Hanoi airfield to size 3 and the bomber base will soon be opened here. But Allied engineers also also working and expanded Homan airfield too to size 3. This airfield will be bombed by Betties and Helens from Wuhan and Ki-51s from Kaifeng.

Japan

The American submarines S-35 and S-37 sailed south on the 11 and NE on the 12 and are now back in Tokyo area.

The CVE Unyo and the DD Akizuki were commissioned in Tokyo in the next day. The DD Nokaze, under repair with SYS 34 in Tokyo, received the approval for upgrading.

Two Zero training units are in Osaka with 36 Zeroes and 36 pilots with exp ranging from 42 to 28...

[AmiralLaurent]

13-14 March 1942

29 Allied air losses and 14 Japanese were reported in two days. Two notable losses on the 13, a C-47 Dakota and a Dakota I lost in accidents, there is an airbridge somewhere.

Central Pacific

Christmas Island was bombed unsuccessfully by 11 B-25 on the 13 and 3 on the 14. The FT TF that was ordered to bring supplies there and then cancelled never received the cancellation order and was recalled on the evening of the 13 two days out of PH.

The last Allied mines off Lihu were swept on the 14. The same day the 13 ML now based in PH laid a new huge minefield off Lahaina that is now covered by 2900 mines. Lahaina port was expanded to size 5 on the 13. Now engineers will build fortifications to level 9.

Two Ki-46 arrived in Christmas Island on the evening of the 14 and will fly daily recon over Palmyra.

Southern Pacific

On the 13 a company of the 6th SNLF brought from Tarawa by 3 barges landed on Baker Island and occupied the empty island. They found a good amount of supplies anf uel and some transport Mavis began at once to fly air support personnel to the atoll, that will be used to fly recon and patrol towards Canton Island.

The same day a recon Nell from Hollandia managed to fly over Rabaul and guide 21 Nells from Truk. They bombed the port but missed and the recon Glen was shot down by AA fire. The damaged Allied ship docked in Rabaul was no more seen there the next day.

On the 14 Hansa surrendered to nearby Japanese forces in Madang, New Guinea.

Philippines

27 Aparri-based Ki-30 bombed on the 14 the 71st PA Div in San Marcelino, hitting 21 men.

Japanese engineers expanded the port of Palau to size 4.

Dutch East Indies

Amboina was bombed on the 13 by 2 CA and 7 DD (roughly all IJN warships in the area), that hit 194 men. Then the 4th and 35th Bde launched another deliberate attack and took the base (at 5 to 1, fort 2). They counted 2800 POWs (Molukken Garrison Bn, 4th Cst Gun Bn and 22nd DAF Base Force) but only 2 guns. The base was damaged (26/6/22) but the ressources were almost intact (only 3 of the 50 oil and none of the 10 ressources were damaged) and Zeroes from Menado flew LRCAP the next day but no Allied bomber attacked.

Sumatra-Malaya

On the 13 Palembang airfield was attacked by 20 Ki-21 from Singapore (with an escort if 43 Oscars). They flew at 5000 feet, having not changed altitude while they were chasing submarines the day before, and AA shot down 2 of them while they scored 25 hits, wounding 12 men.
At the same time 51 Nells and 27 Zeroes arrived over Batavia and met 20 Hawk 75A and 11 CW-21B Demon. The F1/3rd Daitai bounced them and shot down without loss 6 Hawk and 7 Demons, a pilot scoring his 11th kill. But some Hawk reached the Nells and shot down two. The bombers then flew over the target at 11 000 feet and strong AA fire shot down 3 while they scored only 3 runway hits.

The BB TF (2 BB, 2 CA, 1 CL, 6 DD) sent to bombard Palembang was late and continued to its target by day. So in the morning it was attacked by 8 Vildebeest from Palembang and the 5 Zeroes flying LRCAP were unable to intercept them. All Allied pilots attacked the BB Haruna (a scary moment) but missed and one was shot down AA fire. Then 9 Martin 139 and 7 bomb-carrying Wirraways arrived from Batavia under escort by 3 Demons. Three Zeroes were on CAP and shot down one aircraft of each type. The other bombed both BB (Haruna and Kongo) and a Martin destroyed a 5in gun aboard Haruna with the only hit scored. No raid targetted the TF in the afternoon and it bombarded the airfield, destroying 4 Vildebeest on the ground, hitting 1396 men, 44 guns and 9 vehicles, and scoring 150 hits on the airfield (6/11/133) and 25 on the port (13/7/5).
Another Martin 139 was shot down on the day, probably by the Japanese CAP over Jambi while patrolling here.

On the 14, Palembang was bombed by 16 Ki-21s and 50 Ki-48s from Johore Bharu and Singapore. 39 more hits were scored on the airfield but AA shot down 2 Ki-48s and a Ki-21s was lost to engine failure.

Allied submarines continued to patrol heavily the area but launched no new attack and the KXV was hit one the 13 by a Ki-48 and the KXVII and HMS Trusty (twice) the next day by Nells. A more important threat is a PT TF that was seen in Batavia on the 13 and sailed north the next day. It will arrive on the 15 in Palembang and will probably raid Jambi.

Japanese engineers expanded the Singapore airfield to size 7. From there Nells will again raid Batavia tomorrow.

Troops in Jambi have almost finished unloading and will start tomorrow towards Palembang. The naval troops allready NW of this town will march to the SW to surround the town. A paradrop in Beteloekeng (sp? The southernmost base of Sumatra) and then an airbridge will finish to surround the 18 000 Allied men holding Palembang.

Burma

Pagan airfield was bombed both days by 9 Hurricanes from Akyab, that scored 3 hits and disbaled 16 men.
Manadalay was bombed in the afternoon of the 13 by 78 Blenheim (and 10 Buffaloes) from Dacca and in the morning of the 14 by 30 B-17 and 9 Il-4c from Asansol. Bombs hit 124 men and scored 14 hits on the airfield and 15 on the oilfields (real damage here not reported). One Blenheim IV and 1 Buffalo were lost in accidents.

In northern Burma, 39 Hurricane from Mitkyina attacked on the 13 the 4th Mixed Rgt west of Mitkyina (32 casualties). But in the evening of the 14 almost all troops of the 15th Army arrived near Mitkyina (only one Tk Rgt is late). The base will be bombed tomorrow to see its garrison.

China

North of Yenen, the 1st Chinese Tk Rgt was bombed by Ki-48s from Chengting on the 13 (38 AC, 12 cas) and the 14 (48 AC, 12 men and 1 tank hit) and didn’t launch another attack. The Mongol cavalrymen marched south as planned on the 14.
Artillery fire in Yenen area hit 21 Chinese and 44 Japanese. For the first time on a while Chinese guns fired on the 13 in Yenen but this was not repeated the next day.

On the 13 20 Ki-49s and 25 Betties from Wuhan bombed the airfield of Homan, scoring 5 hits. But on the 14 Chinese engineers expanded Changsha airfield to size 4 and it became the number one priority target in the area.

Japan

The Japanese forces received numerous reinforcements. A ML and a MSW were commissioned in Tokyo. A Sentai of Ki-21, another of Nates and a Chutai of Betties were formed in Japan and 6 Naval Guard Units, 4 SNLF and a Special Base Force were created in Tokyo.
The aircraft will go to China, with the units returning from Hawaii (now mostly in Shangai), and bomb all China for one month before they will be needed in PI.
The primary targets of Japan are allready targetted by troops and the new units received other targets: Adak, Kiska, Attu, Efate, Luganville, Lunga and Shortlands.

The map of the day



It is showing Sumatra (the main target right now). The red arrows show the moves against Palembang. The main body of troops (4 Div, 2 Eng Rgt, 2 Tk Rgt...) will march from Jambi. A naval unit will march W of the town in the jungle and para will be dropped in Teloekbetoeng and then march with air-carried troops towards Palembang to surround it.

The orange arrow show the planned operation of the 23rd Bde againts Bankha and Medan.

The yellow arrow shows the path of the invasion fleet of Java. A diversion landing will be done on Merak, W of Batavia but the main landing will be at Tjilitjap.

On the other side of the map the blue circles are Japanese AK and TK collecting the bounty of Borneo and bringing it to Japan.

[AmiralLaurent]

15 March 1942

Another heavy day at work yesterday and so only one turn (done today at noon).

Siberia

Soviet engineers expanded the airfield of Blagoveschenk to size 5. Fortifications are probably allready level 9 here.

Central Pacific

The Ki-46 Dinahs now based in Christmas Island flew recon over Palmyra and reported there 2 units (12 000 men, 40 guns, 7 vehicles) and 117 aircraft (44/24/49). 14 B-25C came the other way in the afternoon and scored one hit on the Japanese airbase.

A Glen reported a new TF S of California with an AP and 3 SS ????

Japanese intelligence had identified in PH port the scuttled wrecks of the AK Lahaina and the DD Conyngham and Gridley, and also confirmed that the AK Nebraskan, bombed by the KB E of Christmas Island in mid-February, was scuttled.

Philippines

24 Ki-30s from Aparri bombed the 71st PA Div in San Marcelino, hitting 17 men and 1 gun.

The 16th Nav Gd unit will land tomorrow in Naga, and will be supported by the Ki-30s of Appari and the 3 DD of Lamon Bay. Only a BF is defending the base, and as no Allied aircraft remains in the area my opponent doesn’t know I am coming. The troops in Lamon Bay will be able to report Allied counter-moves.

On the other side of Luzon, Bataan is only held by one unit, the static CD one probably. This unit is powerful but I plan to land both 1st and 2nd Para Rgt on it and then land more troops. Once Bataan is gone, the Japanese ships will be able to bombard Manila.

Dutch East Indies

The Dutch police officers of Memboro (NW of Waingapu) fled some days ago when Japanese troops arrived in the nearby islands and the island was occupied today by a Japanese patrol aboard a sailboat.

Topsies were sent to Brunei and will carry air support personnel to Banjarmasin This airfield will then be used as a fighter base against Soerabaja (still protected by 20-25 Brewster and Hurricane)

Sumatra-Malaya

A new raid was launched from Singapore against Batavia. 66 Zeroes escorted 33 Nells and met 11 Hawk 75A and 7 CW-21B. For one loss, two Zero Daitais shot down 7 Hawks and 4 Demons. The 3rd Daitai had no more opposition (and departed the same evening for Burma, where it will be useful). Then the bombers destroyed 9 more aircraft (3 Demons, 3 Wirraways, 2 Hawks and 1 Martin 139) and scored 23 hits on the airfield, doing 17 casualties.

A Ki-48 bombed and hit the SS KXII NE of Jambi.

All troops are now ashore at Jambi with 40 000 supplies, and are marching south. All ships (the two convoys and two surface TF) will sail back to Singapore tomorrow. The Singapore bombers will rest and recover morale.

Burma

30 Hurricanes took off from Mitkyina to bomb the 4th Mixed Rgt that was approaching the town and hit 31 men and 1 gun. And then the Allied troops here (5 Chinese Div, 2 ART units and 3 RAF Base Force, 26 000 men) launched a deliberate attack agains the 15th Army (HQ, 33rd Div, 4th Rgt, four Tk Rgt and 2 ART units, 39 000 men) but were repulsed at 0 to 1. 40 Japanese and 1076 Allied fell. The 15th Army will reply tomorrow by launching its own deliberate attack.

13 Zeroes arrived from Malaya and reinforced the F1/Yamada Daitai in Rangoon. Bad weather is still forecast for tomorrow and the Japanese airmen will keep defensive only duties.

China

Artillery fire hit 37 Chinese and 4 Japanese in Yenen area.

Japan

The government had decided to expand the repair yards of Nagoya (from size 10 to 20) and Osaka (from size 34 to 68).
The fourth AR of the war emergency plan was launched today. Two will sail to Kwajalein and two to DEI. More are under conversion.

The map of the day: Amboina & Timor

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

Long time no update - possible problems?


Leo "Apollo11"

[AmiralLaurent]

Yes, my Internet connexion at home is dead since last week and my provider is "repairing it as fast as possible".

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

Yes, my Internet connexion at home is dead since last week and my provider is "repairing it as fast as possible".

Darn... [:(]


Leo "Apollo11"

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Apollo11

Hi all,

Long time no update - possible problems?


Leo "Apollo11"

Adm. Laurent is reported to be having comm problems.

EDIT: Yikes! Apparently i hadn't finished loading the page so didn't originally see Adm. Laurent's reply!! Sorry for the repeat!

[AmiralLaurent]

Here is an update for this AAR. It's the last turn I did before my provider crumbled [:@]. I then forgot to post it. I also found a map on my PC at work [8|] that is showing the last turn in PI.

16 March 1942

Central Pacific

During the night, the ML force returned to Lahaina and laid another big minefield. Now 4300 mines are protecting the island.

In the afternoon 10 B-25C from Palmyra bombed and missed Christmas Island.

SE of Hawaii, Glens have reported an AP and Ashigara will try to intercept her tomorrow.

Some reorganization was done in PH to prepare the next operation, the invasion of Palmyra:
_ the new KB will be formed by 4 CV, 2 CVL, 1 BB, 1 CA, 2 CL, 6 DD and will carry 152 Zeroes, 103 Vals and 56 Kates. The air groups have been choosen to fight LBA: provide heavy CAP and close the airfield.
_ two slow BBs (Ise and Hyuga) and 4 DD (needing upgrades) leave PH for PI via Saipan and will be used to support the Bataan operation, and then pound Manila.
_ the CV Kaga, BB Hiei and CA Tone will all repair in PH yard. They all have SYS damage between 18 (Kaga) and 12 (Hiei).
_ the remaining surface ships (3 BB, 4 CA, 6 CL and 12 DD) will cover the invasion convoy and bombard the island.
_ the transport will start to load troops tomorrow evening. The idea is to load in one phase, to be able to unload quickly on the beach.

Philippines

During the night and the day, more Japanese troops of the 16th Naval Guard unit landed in Naga (67 casualties) while the 3 supporting DD bombarded again the Allied position all night and day long, hitting 40 men. Japanese troops will launch a shock attack tomorrow, with the same support as today.

Dutch East Indies

A quiet day. A submarine saw a ship SE of Soerabaja and this port is now empty. It should be the last damaged ship fleeing this port. The Betties of Kendari will try to chase it while the submarine will follow it too.

One Allied AP has been seen by patrols off Kai Island. My first idea was to send DDs to attack her and orders were given… and then cancelled. I just realized that Kai Island is just 6 hexes away from Darwin, the probable base of most of the Allied cruisers and destroyers in the area, and this AP may be a trap for my weak surface forces in the area.

27 Zeroes flew from Menado to Amboina in the evening. There is still no base Force there but it will land tomorrow.

Sumatra-Malaya

49 Ki-48s and 7 Nells bombed Palembang airfield but scored only 6 hits and one Ki-48 crashed.

In the afternoon 5 Martin 139 from Batavia attacked east of Jambi a convoy returning to Singapore. 13 Nates intercepted and shot down two, anotehr being badly hit and crashing later. Wohoooo, Nates scoring victories in March 42 ! The bombers nevertheless reached the convoy and scored one bomb hit on an empty AP and missed a DD.

The bulk of Japanese troops has now landed in Jambi and is marching south.

As I said in the last report, Bataan will be taken by a paradrop and I need to gather together my para units. So 2 cruisers and 5 DD leave Singapore with some infantry to relieve the paratroops in Singkawang (still under threat by an Allied batallion).

Burma

No raid was launched by either side during the day. A check of Mandalay oilfields showed that still 7 centers are running there, the same than before the last heavy raid.

The 15th Army launched a deliberate attack in Myitkyina and achieved a 2 to 1 ratio, reducing forts from level 3 to 2. 384 Japanese and 868 Allied (mainly untrained Chinese) fell during the day. The attack will be repeated tomorrow, but this time will be a shock attack to take the base.

China

North of Yenen, the 1st Chinese Tk Rgt was bombed by 35 Ki-43 from the Sentai returning from Burma for more training (two Oscars crashed) and 44 Ki-48s. At Yenen Japanese shells hit 136 Chinese while Chinese guns missed W of the town.

Changsha airfield was bombed by 24 Betties, 23 Ki-49 and 17 Ki-51 that scored 2 hits on the base, 1 on supply and 21 on runways. Chinese lost 9 men. 9 other Ki-51 bombed Homan airfield and scored 6 hits.

More heavy bombers arrived in Wuhan from Japan and Hawaii. Now 54 Ki-49s, 51 Ki-21s and 27 Betties are gathered here. They will raid Chungking tomorrow, targetting oil (25 of the 75 are allready damaged) and ressources (all the 300 are undamaged). Ki-51s will continue to bomb Changsha airfield.

The map of the day

Many a little bit overloaded but you can see the Naga operation, the Allied troops positions and the convoys coming back and forth between Borneo (my number one economic conquest) and Japan.

[jay102]

Where is the update? All heil the Glorious conquerer of Pearl Harbour[&o], we are waiting for your update.

[AmiralLaurent]

Hi, I'm back on the Net. After my provider told me twice my connexion was repaired and it wasn't, the third time was the good one.

So my opponents will receive their turns shortly and this AAR will come back to life.

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

Hi, I'm back on the Net. After my provider told me twice my connexion was repaired and it wasn't, the third time was the good one.

Leo "Apollo11"

[AmiralLaurent]

17-20 March 1942

I'm glad to have so much supporters. Thanks.

Northern Pacific

Glens reported a convoy SE of Anchorage, sailing E, on the 19, and another W of Vancouver, sailing NW, the next day. Only Glen-carrying submarines are in the area and I am reluctant to use them to attack convoys, so I-173 left PH on the evening of the 20 to attack reported sightings in the area.

Central Pacific

During these four days, Palmyra-based B-25s bombed daily Christmas Island for a total 29 of sorties but all missed. Ki-46 flew the other way and reported on the 17th 244 Allied AC (73/43/128) on Palmyra.

The 56th and 48th Div and 1st Eng Rgt boarded tranports in PH on the 17. The next day, all ships loaded supplies and then sailed south towards Palmyra, where landing is scheduled around the 26. At the same time the KB (4 CV, 2 CVL, 1 BB, 2 CL, 6 DD, 312 AC) sailed also south with a bombardment TF (3 BB, 4 CA, 2 CL, 6 DD) but faster, planning to engage the island’s defence before the convoy’s arrival.
To prepare the operation, 45 Betties and 70 Zeroes were gathered on Johnston Island and they flew to Palmyra on the 20. Most get lost and only 3 Betties and 21 Zeroes reached the target. There was no CAP but no hits were scored.

South of California, submarines, Glens and even SIGINT signalled at least one US convoy and probably two. The CA Ashigara was still patrolling south with 3 Glen-carrying submarines. The Glens reported 2 PTs (?) on the 18 but they were not seen. On the afternoon of the 20 the Ashigara finally met an Allied ship, the troop-laden AP Meigs, which was sailing alone. She was sunk with guns and torpedoes. Ashigara wasted 3 torpedo salvoes before hitting and will SYS rising returned immediately to Hawaii.

In Hawaii Islands, the big Japanese ML TF is now busy laying mines off PH. It allready laid one minefield (1500 mines) and will lay another tomorrow. Lahaina is surrounded by 3000-4000 Japanese mines but that was not enough to stop an Allied submarine that laid a minefield here in the early hours of the 20. MSW will quickly sweep this new field.
In PH, two Japanese destroyers were upgraped while a new wreck was identified by Japanese intelligence, the AK Iowan.

Tomorrow the 2nd battle of Palmyra Island will start. The first cost me a CVE but this time it is not a raid but a full-scale invasion. The KB and the BB TF will sail 240 mines N of Plamyra and the 150 Zeroes on CAP will have to repulse the Allied aircraft. The next night and day BBs and CV aircraft will bombard the island while Zeroes from Johnston will sweep the skies.

Southern Pacific

This area will probably be the most active in the next months as Japanese ships will advance southwards from Hawaii. The theater is preparing for more action and a convoy carrying a big BF and 2 SNLF arrived on the 17 in Tarawa to turn it into an active base. 27 Zeroes arrived the same day to cover the unloading. Still on the same day a Chutai of Emily arrived in Baker Island to fly naval search mission. On the 19 Japenese engineers expanded Kwajalein port to size 5 and now have only forts to build. They will be dispatched to other islands soon.

On the 19 one of the two RO submarines patrolling south of the still Allied-held Rabaul reported a DD and an AP sailing NW, probably to this base. The DD squadron (5 modern DDs) sent to Truk precisely for such an occurrence sailed at once southwards to attack these ships off Rabaul in the night of the 20-21. They were seen the next day by a Catalina but will nevertheless proceed and try to engage this convoy.

Philippines

On the 17, the 16th Naval Guard Unit continued to land at Naga (22 casualties) under naval support by 3 DD (11 Allied casualties) and took the base in the evening in a shock attack (44 Japanese and 24 Allied casualties). The 101st USAAF Base Force retreated to Legaspi ! A wrong move, and the 16th pursued her, while the DDs were sent there to continue to pound Allied troops. Their fire hit nothing in the next 3 days but the 16th Naval Guard had now reached Legaspi and will launch a shock attack tomorrow. A Ki-21 Sentai arrived in Appari on the 19 from China to support this operation.

Naga is damaged at 41/9/38 but 92 of its 100 ressource are intact. Some Japanese AK are allready off Lamon Bay and Lingayen loading ressources for Japan.

Also two Nate Sentai (68th and 78th) will arrive shortly in PI for operationnal training. And I paid PPs to take away one more Eng Rgt from Kwantung Army. This regiment was training for Manila (allready at 40%) and was assigned to 4th Fleet command as it will then sail to SW Pacific.

Dutch East Indies

The only action was on the 18 when ten Darwin-based LB-30s of the 7th BG attacked Amboina. 15 Zeroes intercepted and shot down 3 but they got through and destroyed 2 Zeroes on the ground. After this action it was decided to upgrade Amboina to a major base and a big BF and an air HQ started to board Aps in Davao to be brought here.

The Allied AP off Kai Island is still there. A Japanese submarine is also here but didn’t attack, and Betties and Nells from Kendari and Menado also ignored it. A Ki-30 Sentai arrived in Amboina on the 20 and will maybe be more aggressive. I still suspected this ship to be a bait for my surface ships so I won’t send them here.

SE of Java lonely Allied ships were also reported each day by submarines and aircraft but no attack took place.

Japanese conquest here began to pay back and two convoys sailed for Japan from Kendari (29000 ressources) and Brunei (110000 oil). Other TK are loading in Balikpapan.

Sumatra-Malaya

Palembang was bombed on the 17 by 50 Ki-48s and 6 Nells, that hit 11 men and scored 12 runways hits. AA shot down 1 Ki-48. The same day a Catalina I flying patrol flew too close of Singapore and was shot down by a Japanese fighter.

The next day, the British SS Trusty was hit by a Ki-48 W of Georgetown. Troops boarded ships in Singapore port, one convoy leaving the same day for Kuching with 23rd Bde aboard, another loading the 55th Div and supplies to invade Akyab.

In the morning of the 19, a patrolling Ki-30 divebombed and sank the Dutch PT TM-10 off Palembang. Probably all reamining Dutch PTs are patrolling here. 49 Ki-48 and 7 Nells bombed the airfield of this base at 20000 feet but only scored 3 runway hits. In the afternoon 3 Martin 139 from Batavia attacked the surface TF covering the 23rd Bde convoys 120 SE of Singapore. 7 Oscars of 59 Sentai intercepted but only damaged one. The bombers scored one hit on a CA but it bounced and AA shot down one Martin.

On the 20 a FT TF dropped 2000 men of the Imperial Guard Div in Singkawang and then transport aircraft arrived to pick up the paratroops here (still preparing for the Bataan operation). A raid on Batavia from Singapore was cancelled by bad weather. And the first Japanese troops marching from Jambi reached Palembang (38th Div and an ART Rgt). They will bombard it tomorrow to identify the defending units before the main body of troops arrived.
In the evening the convoy of 55th Div left Singapore northwards, escorted by a BB TF (Kongo, Haruna and 5 DD).

The raid on Batavia from Singapore (67 Nells and 54 Zeroes here) will be attempted again tomorrow.

Burma

The 17th saw the successful end of the invasion of Central Burma when 35000 Japanese defeated the 22000 Allied defenders of Myitkyina and repulsed them (at 6 to 1, fort 3) towards Ledo. Both side lost about 1000 men in the final battle.

At this time the Allied forces in the area are still far more numerous than the Japanese 15th Army but are too scattered to be more than a nuisance (see the map attached below). Aerial recons on the 19 showed that only one Burmese Bde was defending the river crossing SE of Myitkyina and the 33rd Div was ordered to march there and repulse it. Troops from Myitkyina and Mandalay will surround the Allied troops (4 Chinese Div and 2 RAF BF) SW of Myitkyina, while the 21st Bde will march from Lashio to engage them. They are the main target of the 15th Army in the next two months (Chinese are excepted to last some time before surrendering), other than Akyab that will be invaded from sea by the 55th Div coming from Singapore.

The “only” danger in the are is the Allied air force. Allied engineers expanded Dacca airfield to size 5 on the 17 and 6 on the 19! Hurricanes from Akyab hit Pagan on the 18 and 19, losing 1 to AA fire and another to bad weather and scoring only one runway hit. A raid on the 19 against Mandalay airfield by 13 Blenheim IV, 13 Il-4c and 6 B-17C was more efficient, hitting 80 mens and scoring 5 hits on the base, 4 on supplies and 10 on runways. AA shot down a Chinese bomber and another was lost in a crash.
At this time the AVG was tought to have gone to China and on the 20 57 Ki-21s and 28 Zeroes from Rangoon attacked Akyab. 9 Hurricanes of 2 RAF Sqns were airborne and 6 were shot down by Zeroes for the loss of one of their number. Then bombers dropped their load and 6 more Hurricanes were destroyed, 21 men disabled and 13 hits scored on the base, 5 on supplies and 33 on runways. In the evening the Ki-21 returned to Bangkok and the Zeroes were set again to 90% CAP over Rangoon.

Activity is also rising in the Indian Ocean. The first Glen-carrying submarine (I-27) arrived there and as soon as he reached Ceylon waters reported an Allied convoy. On the 20 a Mavis from Sabang flew a recon flight over Colombo and was chased by 6 Sea Gladiators.



In green the retreat by Allied troops from Myitkyina. In red the future moves of Japanese troops.

China

On the 17, Changsha and Homan airfields were bombed respectively by 16 and 8 Ki-51, that scored 10 and 4 hits. One was shot down by AA fire over Changsha and another lost in an accident. But the main raid of the day saw 50 Ki-21, 53 Ki-49 and 26 Betties fly from Wuhan to Chungking. The raid was a failure. Ressources weren’t hit at all and only 8 hits were scored on oils. This was enough to disable 16 oil centers, leaving only 34 running. China has now not enough oil for its HI. AA fire shot down a Ki-49.
Nevertheless Chinese engineers continued to work and expanded Homan airfield to size 4 on the 17 and Changsha to size 5 on the 20. And Allied fighters finally appeared over Chungking on the 18 (9 P-40B and 40 Chinese fighters). The next day, 20 P-40B were over Changsha and shot down a Ki-15. The AVG probably went to China. Most Japanese raids were so cancelled. Only the Betty group has orders to bomb ressources in Chengtu and Canton’s Ki-51 to bomb Wuchow ressources, both are undefended. But bad weather is grounding them.

The battle of Yenen continued. Japanese artillery hit 744 men and 10 guns in 4 days, while Chinese guns disabled 9 Japanese west of the town in the same time. Two Sentai of Ki-48s and another of Ki-43 (training) bombed Chinese troops in the area on the 18, 19 and 20, hitting 52 men but losing 2 Ki-48s to AA fire and 1 Ki-48 and 1 Ki-43 in accidents.
North of Yenen the Chinese Tk Rgt moved towards the besieged city and is now just N of it. From Tatung, a Mongolian Cav Div and 2/3 of Inf Div are moving NE to take back the crossroads and then march south to Yenen.

Japan

Two US submarines of the S-class are still patrolling around Tokyo but did no attack. On the other hand they were repeatly attacked by Japanese airmen but not hit.

[AmiralLaurent]

21-24 March 1942

Northern Pacific

The convoy seen on the 20th has been followed all four days by Glens of various submarines. On the 23 this convoy turned and its destination now seemed to be Dutch Harbor. Japanese officers calculated that a fast cruiser force starting at one from PH may intercept this convoy without being too close of Anchorage and Dutch Harbor airfields and the same evening the CA Tone and 3 CL (Abukuma, Tatsuta and Tenryu) left PH at full speed northwards. The intercept will take place in the day hours of the 26. Submarines saw again the convoy on the 24 and it kept the scheduled course.

Central Pacific

Recon flown over Palmyra in the morning of the 21st showed a fully active base, with 47 P-39D and 30 P-40E flying CAP. But the KB, which was cruising 240 miles north of the island, was not sheduled to launch any raid but was only waiting American raids. The first came in the morning, 9 B-25C escorted by 20 P-39D and 26 P-40E. They faced a CAP of 98 Zeroes, but the battle was so one-sided that half the Japanese units didn't engage. 6 Zeroes were shot down (3 by P-40E, 2 by P-39 and 1 by a B-25) but they repulsed the attack and shot down 26 P-40E, 16 P-39D and 4 B-25C. Another smaller raid was launched in the afternoon with 18 P-40E, 9 P-39D and 4 B-25C. 89 Zeroes raced to intercept and again not all found targets. 3 P-39D, all 18 P-40E and one B-25C were shot down before the surviving American turned back. The only losses were 2 Zeroes shot down by P-39s. So the total score was 68 Japanese victories for 8 losses. Two Japanese pilots scored their 11th victory in this battle. But recon syill reported 156 American aircraft (56/12/84) so 2 BB, 4 CA, 3 CL and 6 DD were ordered to bombard the airfield during the night, while the KB will reamin at the same place to wait the troop convoy and the resplenishment TF.

But orders were garbled and the planend bombardment didn't take place, the ships either sailing NW towards Japan. As no air raid was planned against Palmyra and that Americans launched no raid either, the 22 was very quiet. The 23 was much the same with all Japanese TF gathering 180 miles NE of Palmyra, that launched again no raid. 51 Zeroes flew a sweep from Johnson and reported no CAP over Palmyra.

The next day the Japanese hammer fall on the poor Palmyra defenders. During the night, 4 BB, 4 CA, 3 CL and 6 DD pounded the airfield and destoryed on the ground 47 P-39D, 15 P-40E and 7 PBY, hitting 2334 men, 41 guns and 5 vehicles. 312 shells hit the base, the supply dumps or the runways. It was no wonder that a new sweep from Johson in the morning with 41 Zeroes (4 Zero units were in Johnson, two flew each of the two sweeps over Palmyra) found no opposition. In the afternoon, 91 Vals and 56 Kates from the KB bombed the attol. 9 more planes (6 P-39D, 2 PBY, 1 P-40E) were destroyed, 5 men hit and 50 more hits scored on the airfield and port. All Japanese aircraft returned to the carriers. And then the Japanese transports arrived off the atoll and the landing started. The whole island was burning and no return fire was experienced but an AP hit a Mk 16 mine (she was not heavily damaged and should made it to Pearl) while 1324 men were lost or disabled during the landing due to heavy surf. The 48th and 56th Div and the 1st Eng Rgt stormed the island and met very little resistance. Only the 102nd USN and 115th USAAF BF were holding the atoll and they surrendered quickly. Only 12 Japanese were hit by American bullets and they rounded 5700 prisonners. On the airfield were captured 19 P-39D, 3 PBY and 1 P-40E (total ground losses here this day: 101 AC). The base was totally wecked (damage 62/95/86). It seems that for once recon overestimated the strenght of the garrison, that was reported to be of 12-15000 men.

The easy victory leaves both Japanese divisions in a good state. The 56th Div will be brought back to Pearl as planned, while the 48th Div will remain on Palmyra, help the 1st Eng Rgt to repair the base and occupy the tiny atolls around (Washington, Fanning and ?) with small detachments carried by TF TF of 2 DD each. The 48th Div and the 1st Eng Rgt received orders to prepare for Suva.
Four transports with 5000 supplies were detached from the convoy and sailed to Christmas, where a Emily Chutai arrived in the evening. This atoll should become an active patrol base.
The KB airforce is in good shape and has been given a new target. A convoy of at least 4 APs has been sighted by a patrol plane 400 miles S of Christmas and the KB and a surface TF will chase it, before retuning to Palmyra and wait for the troops for the next atoll invasion (Pago-Pago) in April (the delay is due to the lack of APs in the area, the APs that will be used for Pago-Pago are the same than those that are currently off Palmyra). The BBs will remain in Palmyra.
The four Zero Daitai of Johnson Island will rest and then scatter. Two will go to PH and two fly westwards to DEI.

Farther east the CA Ashigara was returning from her raider cruise when an Hawai-based Emily reported an Allied convoy 1000 miles ENE of Christmas Island. The Ashigara and 2 submarines were diverted to chase it and the CA intercepted it at sea in the afternoon of the 24. The place was exactly 1260 miles of Lahaina and Nells based here were given naval attack orders but they didn't fly.... as excepted. The convoy was composed of 12 unsecorted TKs. The Ashigara engaged at 22000 yards and fired her last torpedo load (missing) and all 8in shells of her forward turrets, then closing at 15000 yards to fire with her 5in guns. She heavily damaged 2 TKs, put 2 others on fire and hit more slighty 2 others. Two 3in shells fired by the TK bounced on her. Then the convoy escaped. Ahsigara and the submarines will try to hit it again tonight and then return to PH for repairs and refuelling.

Another convoy was seen and followed by Glens for 2 days 2500 miles S of California but won't be chased. On the 21 two of the Japanese submarines patrolling off California were seen by Allied aircraft and changed of patrol area.

In Hawaii, ML continued to lay mines off PH (now 4700 mines) while Japanese MSW were busy, but rather inefficient, off Hilo and Lahaina. On the 23, a TF of 7 subs laid mines off Hilo and was attacked by some planes but escaped without damage. Two new wrecks, the AK Atltantic and Argus, were identified in PH port.
In the evening of the 24 a convoy was created in PH to bring supplies, a Const Bn and an IJN Base Force to Palmyra. Also 4 TK returning to Japan were recalled and will be used to carry fuel between Hawaii and the atolls.

Southern Pacific

The 5 DDs sent to Rabaul swept the waters near the port on the night of the 20-21 but found nothing and returned to Truk. The next day the I-174 reported a CA 180 miles south of Rabaul. The Nell Daitai based in Truk received naval attack orders but didn't fly the next day, even if the CA was reported off Rabaul.

An Emily flew recon over Canton from Baker Island on the 22 and reported a CAP of 22 P-40E, 2 units (5500 men), 38 AC (10/15/13), 1 BB and 2 other ships in the port and a convoy (3 AP, 2 unidentified) off the atoll.

Pago-Pago Allied airfield rose to size 3 on the 23. Emilies should have reconed the place but didn't fly the 23 and 24 due to bad weather.

On the Japanese side, the troop convoy finished to unload a BF and 2 SNLF in Tarawa and sailed north. A 10000-supply convoy is now unloading. 9 Emiles arrived in Tarawa in the evening of the 24 from Johnston Island.

Philipinnes

During the night of the 20-21, the 3 DD off Legaspi once again bombarded the base and once again missed. Later in the day 21 Ki-21 from Aparri bombed the 101st USAAF Base Force here and hit 40 men. But the attack order had not reached the 16th Naval Gd Unit and it didn't attack this day. The next day the 101st USAAF BF was again bombarded by 15 Ki-21 (41 casualties) and then attacked by the Japanese troops and surrendered, adding 1000 POWs to the Japanese growing camps. The 16th Naval Gd then marched north for garrison duties at Naga while the 3 DDs were sent south to DEI.

More north Japanese engineers are expanding Lingayen airfield, that became size 2 on the 21st. The plan is to have a size 4 airfield here to support the final battles on Luzon. Aparri is becoming a training center for Nates, that bombed almost daily the 71st PA Div in San Marcelino starting from the 22. On the 24th 17 Ki-21s from Aparri bombed Bataan, just to check still only one unit was there, but AA shot down one.

DEI

Recon aircraft flew over Kai Island on the 21st and reported that the AP was gone but that 5000 men held the island ! Maybe it was not a trap after all...The Ki-30 sent to Amboina to attack this elusive AP were sent to Banjarmasin to fly ASW.
On the 22nd, a Japanese patrol boarded a local sailboat and occupied the tiny island of Labao, SE of Maumere. And 9 LB-30 from Darwin flew to Amboina to attack ships but were attacked by 18 Zeroes that shot down 2. The other bombed and missed 2 CAs. This day Japanese engineers expanded Menado airfield to size 5 (I should have stopped them before).
In the afternoon of the 23 7 LB-30 again tried to attack Amboina but were repulsed by 17 Zeroes and one of the damaged bombers fell during the return leg.
The 24 was uneventful.

During all this period, 3 Ki-15 Babs were shot down by fighters. They probably all fell over Soerabaja that is protected by about 30 Brewster 339 and a dozen of Hurricanes. I have not enough Zeroes to sweep this place but I'm waiting the reinforcements coming from Johnston Island.

No operations is planned right now except a submarine still chasing damaged ships from Java north of the Australian port of Derby and two warships bringing some SNLF troops to Morotai to occupy the island.

Sumatra - Malaya

The 23rd Bde landed in Kuching on the 21st. Coastal defences fired 334 shells and hit 10 ships, damaging 4 APs and 2 PGs (but all should make it to Singapore). 1119 Japanese and 243 Allied were hit during the landing. The place was held by the Sarawak Force and the 107th RN Base Force). It was bombed the next night by 4 CA and 2 CL, that hit 200 men, and then taken by the 23rd Bde. 3300 British surrendered, 79 Japanese were hit in the final assault. The 23rd Bde then at once boarded ships to return to Singapore. The target it is preparing since a month is Medan (and its oilfields).
Also on Borneo the Imperial Guard troops landed in Singkawang tried to eliminate the Dutch Bn threatening the base but renounced after two days, that saw 9 Japanese and 41 Dutch casualties. Both units are of equal strength.

More Japanese troops continued to arrive from Jambi in Palembang and the Allied garrison was identified: 2 Dutch infantry batallions and 6 Dutch and British BF, 15 000 men. The 25th Army had here 4 Div, 1 Eng Rgt and 2 Tk Rgt and will pound and surround the place before actualling attacking it. The surrounding started on the 22 when 11 Tabbies dropped paratroops from SIngwakang over Teloekbetoeng, the most southern Sumatra base, that was undefended. The plan was then to have the Tk Rgt in Palembang march south to this base, so surorunding Palembang on the south, but they didn't move, probably because the hex is an Allied ZOC, so the para of Teloekbetoeng were ordered to march north. The hex W of Palembang will be occupied by a SNLF that is marching in the jungle since 2 weeks allready and will arrive in 2 days. It is hoped that tanks may arrive here faster via the trail starting from the hex S of Palembang.
Medium bombers were ordered to bombard troops in Palembang since the evening of the 21 but flew no missions. On the 22 the only raid to this area was launched by 36 Oscars that strafed the PT boats off the port but missed. The PT then retreated to Batavia. Palembang airfield was bombed on the 23 and 24 by SIngapore-based KI-21 but for low results and at the cost of two bombers shot down by AA.
The 22 was a clear weather day, a rare occurence those last weeks, and Batavia was hit by two raid of Singapore Nells with Zero escort (27 Zeroes and 20 Nells in the morning, 52 and 22 in the afternoon). There was no CAP but AA shot down 5 Nells. Bombs destroyed on the ground 2 Martin 139, 1 Do24, 1 Demon and 1 Catalina. Nells and Zeroes rested the other day (one of the 2 Zero Daitais flew north to Burma). One Zero shot down over Singapore a Catalina I from Batavia on the 24.

Allied submarines continued to be attacked around Singapore. The damaged SS HMS Trusty sank on the 21 east of Nicobar Islands after being hit the days before in Malacca Straits. The Dutch SS KXVI was hit once by a Ki-30 on the 23 and twice by a Ki-48 and a Ki-30 W of Jambi.

The convoy carrying a new Eng Rgt to Palembang wasn't attacked and will arrive tomorrow. The surface TF that supported Kuching landings (4 CA, 2 CL, 8 DD) is escorting it and will pound Palembang and intercept attacking PT boats. Also Nates from Jambi and Zeroes from Singapore will LRCAP it tomorrow.

On the 23 a Glen reported 3 CA and 1 DD SW of Ceylon, sailing SE. It may be a sortie of the Royal Navy to take part in the DEI campain, perhaps even with British CVs. Naval patrols have been increased.

Burma

Nothing happened on the 21 but the next days were sunny and a lot of activity took place in the air and on the ground.

The 22nd opened with a sweep of 22 P-40B from Dacca to Mandalaya that met nothing. The Japanese planes (28 Ki-21 and 32 Zeroes) were at the same time flying to Akyab, which was defended by 12 Hurricanes. The Japanese fighters shot down 9 for 2 losses. Bombers were undisturbed and scored 11 hits on the airfield. At the same time 69 Blenheim IV from Dacca (escorted by 30 Buffaloes) bombed Mandalay, hitting 19 men, 1 gun and 12 times the airfield.
This day the 33rd Div crossed the river SE of Myitkyina and defeated the BBF Bde, repulsing it towards Yunan. 191 Japanese and 24 Allied fell during the assault. The BFF retreated behind another river and joined a group of four other Allied units, mainly Chinese. 2/3 of the 33rd Div will hold the Burmese frontier against these, 1/3 will return to Myitkyina.
But the main news of the day were that a British unit was seen on the railway W of Myitkyina ! One Tk Rgt was also moving westwards from this town to patrol the rail, the 3 other there were ordered to follow it to clean the rail line.
The same day recons reported that 2 of the 3 units chased from Pagan weeks ago finally managed to cross the jungle and reach Akyab. The 55th cDiv convoy is still moving north towards this base and will land on the 29th..
In the evening 36 Nates (arriving from Menado) and 27 Sallies (from Bangkok) reinforced Rangoon.

The 23 began as the day before with an uneventful sweep of 22 P-40B over Mandalay. 27 Ki-21 and 9 Zeroes again attacked Akyab and met no CAP, destroying a Hurricane on the ground and scoring 8 hits. 61 Allied bombers (13 Il-4c, 8 B-17C, 10 Blenheim IV and 30 B-17E) from Asansol bombed Myitkyina, scoring 13 hits on the airfield and disabling 21 men and 1 gun.
This day Allied engineers expanded the size of Dacca airfield to 7... And 3 Allied units were reported W of Myitkyina, where Japanese tanks have not yet arrived. The lost Bde E of Taung Gyi marched north towards Lashio and the SNLF defending Taung Gyi was sent to Mandalay while the Naval Gd Unit in Mandalay was ordered to move north along the railway to find any Allied units.
In the evening 27 Zeroes were sent from SIngapore to reinforce Rangoon but one pilot was killed in a crash during the flight.

On the 24th the daily raid against Akyab (32 Ki-21 and 26 Zeroes) met again no CAP but was more efficient than before, destroying 7 Hurricanes on the ground, hitting 6 men and scoring 38 hits on the airfield. Myitkyina was again bombed by 53 Allied bombers (12 Blenheim IV, 15 Il-4c, 6 B-17C, 20 B-17E) that scored 44 hits, disabling 145 men and 1 gun.
Japanese recon identified the 45th Indian Bde W of Myitkyina and the 38th Chinese Corps SE of the town. One British unit W of the town marched W during the day, the 2 other were joined in the hex by 3 Japanese Tk Rgt. These will wait for reinforcements.
In the evening 36 Nates and 54 Zeroes flew from Rangoon to Mandalay. The Nates will fly ground attack, the Zeroes CAP over Mandalay. 15 Zeroes remained in Rangoon to cover the city and were joined by 36 Oscars from Malaya. The Sallies will raid Akyab without escort tomorrow.

China

In China, the routine around Yenen (Japanese artilley pounding the twon, Chinese artillery firing at troops W of it and Oscars of 65th Sentai attacking troops north of it) was broken on the 23 when the defenders of Yenen (52 000 men) launched a deliberate attack against the Japanese besiegers (143 000 men) due to bad orders given. 5500 Chinese fell in this attack against only 245 Japanese. The Japanese jumped on this opportunity and attacked the next day, while the two ENg Rgt resting in Chengting at once marched back to Yenen and that medium bombers were orderd to support the attack. None flew but the attack was nevertheless a success (at 5 to 1, reducing forts to level 4). 1160 Japanese and 500 Chinese fell on this day. The attack will continue and it is excepted that Yenen will fall in the next week.

Bad weather and the fear of the AVG slowed down the bombing campain. Homan and Ichange airfields were bombed on the 22 by Ki-49 and Ki-51 from Wuhan and slightly hit. On the 23 35 Ki-51 and 7 Kates from Canton bombed Wuchow ressources, claiming 12 hits (real results not known). 11 Zeroes from an oeprationnal training unit arrived on the 23 in China and will be used to escort raids.

Japanese engineers expanded Nanchang airfield to size 4.

Japan

The SS USS S-35, sitting 120 miles SE of Tokyo, was engaged twice on the 23 and the 24 by an ASW group made of 2 APD and 4 PG but wasn't hit or even depth charged.

Two convoys were formed on the 24 to carry 2 IJN BF, 5 Naval Gd Units, supplies and fuel to Hawaii, and then to atolls more south. The CVE Unyo joined one of this convoy with 36 Ki-51 (for ASW in Hawaii) aboard.

[AmiralLaurent]

I continue with my serie of maps showing the current situation. Today subject is the Pacific and the only usable map is the strategic situatin. Sorry for the blurry effect but the JPEG conversion is bad for red for some reason… This map shows the situation at 11 p.m. on the 24th.



In white the current actions:

(1) Tarawa is slowly busing as an active base.
(2) The Allied convoy that will be hit on the 26 by the KB and the surface fleet. On this map both Japanese TF are off Palmyra or just north of it
(3) The tanker convoy that was attacked on the 24 by the Ashigara. The subamrines that then chased it are in the same hex
(4) the Glen-carrying submarine line off West Coast.
(5) the Allied convoy sailing to Dutch Harbor and the target of the cruiser TF sent from PH. Near the convoy are two Glen submarines (just north of its planned course) and you will notice a red point north of Hawaii: this is the cruiser TF sailing northwards at full speed for a raid of 2000 miles.
(6) Japanese shipping lines. Until now no attack has been registered there.
The circle is showing the approximate patrol radius from Emilies now based on Christmas Island.

In red the future operations in chronological order:
(1) Pago-Pago invasion by 2 divisions, supported by KB and BB. Both TF will sail to Kwajalein after the operation. Around 20 April
(2) Occupation by naval forces of Funafuti islands. They are probably empty. End of April
(3) Invasion of Canton Island by one reinforced division. Around 10 May
(4) Invasion of Tonga by naval forces and eventually part of troops in Pago-Pago. Around 20 May
(5) Invasion of Suva by one reinforced division. Around 10 June

25 March 1942

Northern Pacific

The Allied convoy was still screened by Glens and the course was as scheduled. The four Japanese cruisers sent to chase it will attack it tomorrow in the daylight hours. The weather will be bad tomorrow and it will reduce the aerial attacks that may come from Anchorage (size 7 AF).

Central Pacific

The SS I-19 attacked during the night one of the TK damaged the day before and hit her with one torpedo but she still wasn’t heavily damaged or burning. She will continue to chase these TKs with two other submarines.

SE of Christmas Island Japanese planes continued to report an Allied convoy, confirming it as 5 AP (but identifying by name a British AK…). It didn’t change course and will be intercepted tomorrow both by the KB and a surface TF.

In the Line Islands, DDs landed on Washington and Fanning Island troops of the 48th Div that occupied the undefended atolls. The invasion convoy has now unloaded 30000 supplies on Palmyra and is now loading the 56th Div to bring it back to PH.

In Hawaii Japanese MSW continued to sweep mines off Lahaina. Auxiliary ships not very useful in PH (an AR, an AE, an AV and an AD) left the port for Palmyra (that is a size 3 port). Also two now-useless air units (the Tina Daitai and a Babs Chutai) left Hawaii westwards via Midway.

Southern Pacific

Tarawa now has troops and supplies. 4 Ak are loading fuel in Kwajalein to bring it to this base too.

Philippines

Japanese engineers expanded the Lingayen airfield to size 3. One more level and the aircraft of Aparri will move here.

Dutch East Indies

This quiet day saw two brand-new Glen-carrying submarines arrive in Tarakan from Japan. Here they refueled, received new skillfull and careful captains and then sailed to the Indian Ocean.

Tomorrow a Betty from Kendari will fly recon over Darwin.

Sumatra-Malaya

24 Ki-21 from Singapore bombed Palembang airfield, disabling 52 men, 1 gun and 1 vehicle and scoring 17 hits (1 base, 16 runways) and 15 Ki-48s from Johore Bharu bombed one of the two Dutch infantry battalions defending the town but too low (at 5000 feet): all bombers missed and 3 were badly hit by AA and ditched on the return leg. Japanese artillery then pounded the base, hitting 90 more men.

The convoy carrying the 9th Eng Rgt will arrive tomorrow in Palembang. The cruiser TF escorting it detacsh a CL and a DD to reinforce its escort and do counter-battery fire during the landing.

Burma

27 Ki-21s and 2 Zeroes attacked Akyab airfield, scoring 37 hits (3 base, 4 supplies, 30 runways) and destroying a Hurricane II on the ground. Another Allied raid from Asansol hit Myitkyina with 25 B-17E, 9 B-17C and 14 Il-4c, disabling 218 men and 5 guns and scoring 37 hits (5 base, 2 supplies, 30 runways). 97 Blenheim I and IV escorted by 15 Buffalo I coming from Dacca bombed the 81st Naval Gd Unit N of Mandalay and hit 24 men and 1 gun.

W of Myitkyina, the 44th Indian Bde and the HQ III Indian Corps launched a deliberate attack but four Tk Rgts were facing them and crushed the assault. The Indians lost 259 men and 24 guns, while the tanks suffered no loss. Recons showed the 45th Ind Bde in the hex more W (where the railway turns) and the 18th UK Div on the trail to Imphal on the hex north of it! At the same time aerial recons and patrol that yesterday reported 4000 Allied men on the Salween front (Burmese-Chinese border) now corrected the total to 25000, including a Chinese Corps.

It seems to me that I’m facing a full counter-offensive in Burma. Adding to these forces the 11 units NE of Myitkyina, 6 SW of it and the Bde SW of Lashio, that all have been beaten and thrown in the jungle, and Japanese forces are probably facing 3 times their number. The good question is who is surrounding who in Central Burma…
Due to the situation the former plans for Burma are scrapped. Both SNLF in Pagan and Taung Gyi will march to Mandalay. The Ki-21s of Rangoon will bomb the Allied unit still NE of Pagan. N of Mandalay the 81st Naval Gd unit will return to Mandalay (allready fort 2 and this unit is 100% prepared for the town). The two Daitais of Zeroes of Mandalay will LRCAP to catch another Blenheim raid. All troops along the Salween will go back to Lashio (6th Tk Rgt) and Myitkyina (33rd Div). The 4 Tk Rgts W of Myitkyina will launch a shock attack tomorrow as the Indian troops facing them are probably in a bad shape. The HQ 15th Army will leave Myitkyina to support them. In the south a Const Bn will leave Rangoon and go to Mandalay.
More important the Akyab landing was cancelled. The 55th Div will land in Rangoon and march to Mandalay to repulse the Allied offensive. The BB TF will still bombard Akyab (in 2 nights), LRCAPed by Oscars from Rangoon.

China

The AVG sent 24 P-40B in a sweep from Changsha to Wuhan. The date couldn’t have been worse as the two dozens of Zeroes and Oscars based here were all excepted to escort a raid to Sian (that was cancelled by weather) and didn’t fly. The raid was opposed by 54 Nates (2 Sentais and 2 Chutais) with predictible results. 17 Nates were shot down against only 2 P-40B. After this defeat Nates were grounded and will be now used as fighter-bombers. Oscars and Zeroes will CAP Wuhan.

More south 40 Ki-51 and 7 Kates bombed again Wuchow ressources, scoring 15 hits. This raid and the last one on the 23 disabled 19 ressources centers. Now only 172 of the 300 of the town are still running.

In the north, 20 Ki-49 bombed one of the Chinese Corps defending Yenen, hitting 13 men but losing 2 of their number (one to AA fire and one in a crash). Then the Japanese forces launched another deliberate attack. It achieved a 3 to 1 ratio and reduced the fort level to 3. 1427 Japanese and 914 Chinese fell. If the Japanese troops initially planned to take Yenen have low disruption and fatigue, both reinforcements divisions coming from south (and having 100% planning for Ichang) have high level in both. All troops were ordered to rest two days. This will let time for the 2 Eng Rgt from Chengting to arrive.

The building of the Japanese frontline is advancing. Hsinyang is the second town (after Wuhan) to have fort level 9. The 3 Const Bn working there all will go to Kaifeng. Canton and Nanchang have both fort 8 and will reach 9 shortly.

Japan

The first Japanese MLE was commissioned in Osaka.