Matrix Games Forums

Feb 22, 1942

A day in which the specter of "sputnik sweeps" is raised. [:(]

Page 5! Banzai! [&o]

Subs

KXI misses DD Yudachi off Saigon - whew! S-36 does not miss xAK Igase Maru, which is running supplies to Kendari. The ship sinks, but at least PB Chitose Maru hounds the S-boat for the remaining two phases of the turn. We complete what is probably the last sub re-supply mission to Kuching before we bring reinforcements to finally take the place.

4th Fleet

Things are quiet here, although we will keep our guard up. Regular resource convoys are pulling resources out of Nauru and Ocean Islands. The resources are left at Kwaj and will be ferried to Tokyo by homebound re-supply convoys. Given that Nauru's resource was bat guano, I had images of Japanese merchant marine sailors up to their a##es in bat sh#t. I'm sure that Cuttlefish could have spun this image into an entertaining scene if the Hibiki had visited Nauru in "Small Ship, Big War." [&o][:D]

We begin unloading an SNLF insurance policy on Marcus Island. Just because DSwain has ignored the Pacific fronts so far doesn't mean he always will. In a similar vein, we are beginning to toy with seizure of Adak and Kiska in the 5th Fleet AO.

SE Fleet

Saidor invaded in our ongoing cleanup. Paratroops are unloading at Lae for seizure of Horn Is and Merauke. Engineers are loading at Laoag to move to the Solomons to build up our perimeter here. Emily recon shows Luganville is empty. Rabual and Port Moresby (as of tomorrow) have enough mines and ACM in place that we are comfortable enemy bombardment TFs will pay a high price to visit.

16th and 25th Armies

Lolobato occupied. I love getting bases for free. 4Es pound Kendari for 55 runway hits, but the base is still open. A6M2s are going to pay a visit here very soon, while an IJAAF bomber wing is about to move into Ambon. Timor will be quite a battle. Recon now shows 39 LCUs in Koepang, so DSwain is reinforcing. We have subs trying to catch this and soon will move in an IJNAF flotilla to make the waters around Timor more dangerous still.

Recon shows Semarang empty. Batavia has 10 LCUs. It appears likely that only Batavia and Soerabaja are garrisoned. Cribtop HQ is growing more confident that 2nd, 5th and 56th Divs, plus 3 armored regts, engineers, arty and support from Singapore, is more than sufficient to take Java. Our invasion timetables for Java are thus moved up considerably. We will load as soon as the 2nd and 5th divisions arrive in Saigon. Armor for the invasion is already at Cam Ranh Bay, and the third regiment of 56th Div ships out from Cagayan today or tomorrow at the latest.

MKB and the Indes fleet have re-fueled, re-armed and re-loaded aircraft. The fleet sorties for Kuching. We will not return to port until SW Borneo, Sumatra and possibly Java are invaded.

15th Army

We sweep Rangoon today with the kitchen sink. Unfortunately, weather causes staggered arrival of the attacking Sentai. Worse, DSwain has set his CAP at 24K, a few thousand feet above us, and the CAP gets the dreaded bounce for much of the engagements. Net losses are 6:9 against us, including a precious Tojo. We will sweep again tomorrow at 26K. However, the whole process has me feeling squeamish. We have no formal HR on altitudes, and both just agreed to avoid being gamey with the sputnik sweeps (thanks Castor Troy for that great addition to the lexicon). We began sweeping in December '41 at 20K, as this altitude was the highest in the bands in which IJAAF and IJNAF fighters perform well. Slowly, both players have ratcheted up the altitudes in search of the bounce. First 22K, now 24K is opened up for the first time. I set tomorrow's sweeps to 26K without thinking about it much, but I'm concerned that really anything over 22K is getting very unrealistic for this stage of the war. Not sure how to address it, but I'll see how tomorrow plays out and then broach the issue with DSwain. It's a shame that the bounce is so effective that even players who are operating in good faith in a very cordial game are inevitably pulled higher and higher. I think I'm officially on the side of those who believes "something should be done" about this. Not sure what that is, but John 3rd has a good HR for maximum altitudes over time.

China

We have begun the assault on southern China. If DSwan had chosen to mount an immediate offensive in the south, we would have been in trouble. Now 5 division equivalents are marching inexorably on Kukong. Interestingly, recon reveals the Kukong garrison down to 17 LCUs from a high of 22, while the enemy troop symbol has the arrow indicating further units are retreating towards Changsha. Recon also confirms that Wenchow has been abandoned outright. Cribtop HQ begins to contemplate how far we will pursue into the Chinese interior.

Other

Lots of DDs are starting to finish their January and February upgrades and return to action. Cam Ranh Bay makes lvl 7 port on the exact day that the Indes Fleet wants to re-load and sail for Kuching. Singapore makes airfield lvl 7 (she was already a 6 and 7 allows upgrades). Manado makes lvl 4 airfield. TB and Rahaeng make lvl 2 forts. Our engineers were busy. Banzai!

Ok, somehow this ended up in Cuttlefish's AAR, but I will put it in the appropriate spot now! [:o]

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

Why go above his altitude?

Why not just match it?

Going higher than the altitude he had his fighters set on will just further encourage him to ratchet up his own altitude, until you guys can agree on some kind of cap.

In Seydlitz's game against Traskott, he's kept his altitude in the best maneuver band his fighters have and has came out on top, despite Taskott's fighters being higher.

Actually a good point, LoneGunman. We are currently discussing a house rule on this. As to why I went higher, it was strictly tactical thinking at the time. Only after I sent the turn did I realize we were in a cycle that probably needs to be halted. I'm tempted to keep my planes in the best band, but they were getting popped at 20K, so I went up to 22. As you point out, that just made him go to 24 and me to 26. One thing to point out is that neither of us believes anything untoward or intentionally gamey was done - it's just a natural tendency given the bounce mechanic. DSwain is a stand up guy and a great opponent I'd recommend to anyone (except that he's really good, so maybe I wouldn't recommend him to someone wanting an easy game [:D]).

Feb 23, 1942

We have very quickly agreed on a house rule regarding max altitudes for CAP & Sweeps: 20k til Aug '42, then 25k til Aug '43, after that, anything goes. Probably as much a kludge as anything exactly based on history, but all sides are satisfied with no hard feelings whatsoever. On with the war!

Subs

I-19 takes an unscheduled break from reconning the empty coast of NW Oz to sink both xAK Exmoor and xAK Admiral Y. Williams near Broome. Out of torps, she will retire and re-load before reconning Port Hedland. DD Norman DCs I-23 near Trivandrum in the Indian Ocean, but only scratches the paint. I-27 arrives and sets sail for the SRA.

SE Fleet

Saidor falls. Townsville makes lvl 5 AF.

14th Army

BA Clark and the enemy's AV is FINALLY going down! Banzai! Now we simply bomb, bombard and continue to blockade until the boa constrictor is ready to finish the meal.

16th Army

So much to report today. The enemy SCTF based on CL Ceres and two of her sisters bombards Makassar for 156 runway hits. Must be FoW as the base is still open, but we just don't have enough mines or coastal guns this early in the war to do too much about these bombardments. We will post subs and midget subs, along with what mines we possess, in the harbors at Makassar, Kendari and Ambon. Bandjermasin is bombed again by Dutch and Aussie 2Es, while the 4Es rough up Kendari. Betties from Manado sink xAKL Foochow tied up to the docks at Balikpapan.

DA Balikpapan and the base falls. Banzai! 8:1 odds, casualties 1944(152) vs 235(2). Unfortunately, the shattered remnants of the Dutch defenders flee into the jungle rather than surrendering. Oil and refineries are captured with 195 each intact. A good haul as I believe they start the war damaged. Tawi Tawi falls to our clean up op. The fall of Balikpapan brings Operation Katana to a successful conclusion. Timor is next but will await capture of Sumatra and Java, which are barely defended.

25th Army

Effective immediately, all operations in Borneo, Sumatra and Java are transferred to the command of Gen. Yamashita's 25th Army. 16th Army is ordered to focus on Timor and NW Oz.

MKB planes on nav search sink xAKL Kanchow north of Miri (another "gun runner" headed for Luzon perhaps?). Now DSwain knows where we are. Bettys, launching from Singers for the first time, sink xAKL Magallanes at the dock at Kuching unloading supplies. LRCAP of Kuching downs a Dutch 339 from the daily raid but does little else. Tomorrow will be a different story once MKB shows up.

15th Army

Unescorted Nells from Bangkok find 2 Hurricanes and 5 HDMLs near Rangoon. We lose two Nells but all five HDMLs, dead in the water for lack of fuel, are torped out of existence. Meh, I'd rather keep two good pilots.

Feb 24, 1942

News of the Weird

Early in the turn, something hits a mine in the night phase. Who knows what it was, but she wasn't ours. Banzai! Cribtop Intel thinks the most likely candidates are sub minelaying or patrol missions near Kendari, Ambon, Singers, PM or Tshushima. All of these ports were recently mined. Tshushima closes the Sea of Japan to the enemy unless they sail all the way to Hokkaido.

25th Army

MKB's Zeros on LRCAP meet the usual Dutch bombers on a milk run and shoot down at least four L-212s and Falcons. At Sinkawang, two 339s are shot down trying in vain to defend CM Kung Wo - she is sunk by Vals. Port and ground attacks at Kuching (Port attacks by Car Div 1 and ground by Car Div 2) are designed to neuter resistance. Later in the turn, Kuching is invaded again as we seek to avenge our sole major defeat to date.

15th Army

Sweeps of Rangoon result in a loss ratio officially 2:3 against us, but we believe it was better than advertised as several enemy planes "spin away on fire." Next, our Sallys bomb the Rangoon airfield. The remnants of the CAP are dispatched with one enemy shot down, at least three enemy aircraft are destroyed on the ground (more per the intel screen). We score 47 runway hits.

Other

Rabaul makes lvl 7 airfield so we can upgrade units here. We will bump up to port lvl 4 and then DIG. 10th & 11th Garrison Units arrive in Japan. They will free up better troops holding down the natives, err, bringing services to our Co-Propserity Sphere partners, in Manila and Davao.

Feb 25, 1942

Subs

S-41 misses DD Yamakaze near the Moluccas. Subsequent DCs are ineffective. SigInt reveals an Allied convoy SE of Pago Pago. Our subs are vectored into the area.

16th Army

A disgusting spectacle at Kendari as Allied 4Es eviscerate 27 Zeros on CAP. The enemy damages 11 A6M2s (all with pilots over 70 Air & EXP) to 3 bombers. The raid itself achieves little, but it is very disheartening to put a whole Daitai on CAP only to see 4 planes at a time try and fail to penetrate the hail of defensive .50 cal lead. We will need to scrape together something with radar for this base. Out of fear of a bombardment, the Zeros slink back to Manado for a few days. Uggh. [:(]

25th Army

Dutch PTs somehow evade the whole Indes Fleet and the LCTF to reach the invasion fleet off Kuching (what a day!). All PTs launch torps, but all miss. TM-15 is sunk by return gunfire. As we unload much needed supplies to our starving troops here, coastal guns hit SC-6. She probably won't make it back to Miri. Other than that, all is well and Kuching should fall soon. xAKL Legazpi is sunk at Pontianak by searching Kates. A BA at Kuching shows raw AV of 167:65 in our favor. We DA tomorrow.

15th Army

A repeat of yesterday's sweeps and airfield attacks at Rangoon is scrubbed by storms. Our armor is close to Pegu.

China

DA in OP JK - 3:1 odds, casualties 341(1) vs 149(3). Our troops are in good shape and will press on tomorrow, but this is a continuing lesson in how much better the Chinese fight in rough terrain.

Recon reveals that Kukong has been abandoned! Our armor will dash ahead to seize Kanshien and Kukong before celebrating peasants can do too much damage to the industry. Cribtop HQ believes DSwain has picked up SigInt of multiple divisions prepping for Kukong and has decided he is better fighting in the hills than in the bases themselves. This is a good decision given the perverse nature of AE ground combat in non-base hexes. Still, he is giving us our next major set of objectives in this AO for free - we will take it.

Other

The reported sinking of the Warspite is revealed to be propaganda. Cribtop Intel believed all along she was merely damaged, whatever the papers say. SigInt of a "heavy volume of radio transmissions" at Pearl Harbor is interpreted as the crippled BB making port - we think. Noumea makes lvl 4 airfield.

Feb 26, 1942

Subs

I-165 finds the supposedly sunk xAK Legazpi off Sinkawang and guns her mercilessly. The little merchie must feel as though the entire IJN is after her - in a way, it's true. I-28 guns the xAKL Illinoian under the waves near Rangoon. S-41 sinks xAKL Yagi Maru near Morotai on her way to re-supply Kendari - the escorts fail to hit S-41. Several UK/Dutch DDs DC I-162 near Colombo and (maybe) get one real hit. It looked like fog of war in the combat report, and frankly I forgot to check on the sub. Oops.

SE Fleet

Long Island is invaded. The news sparks a panic in the Big Apple until the locals realize it's not that Long Island.

16th Army

Siquijor invaded. A rare quiet day in this AO.

25th Army

DA Kuching after ground attacks by LBA from both the IJAAF and IJNAF results in a disappointing 1:1. Forts are dropped to 1, casualties 219(0) vs 254(3). We will take the base in a few more attacks. MKB refuels the DDs at Brunei. The battle fleets sail for Singapore and the invasion of Sumatra in company with the Kuching invasion fleet, whose ships will be re-used for the new attack.

15th Army

Huge air battles rage over Rangoon. Except for a disastrous Zero sweep and the loss of another Tojo, we get the better of the enemy with sweeps and a very successful airfield attack that catches many enemy planes, including 2 precious P-40Es, on the ground. In a brave vignette, Pappy Boyington briefly flies alone against 19 Oscars. His P-40 is last seen spinning away on fire - is the great ace shot down? Total air losses for the day are 31:22 in our favor, but even this good result is deceptive as most of our numbers are from unrelated Ops losses in other theaters. How long can DSwain contest the skies here?

China

DA in the mountains results in 9:1 odds, casualties 322(1) vs 201(1). What a slog. In the south, the former defenders of Kukong retreat a second hex into the interior towards the cluster of cities near Changsha.

Other

Miri makes a lvl 4 airfield. CS Nisshin and I-29 arrive.

Feb 27, 1942

A VERY good day for the Empire's A6M2 pilots. [8D]

Subs

S-41, the terror of the Sulu Sea, misses DD Hatsuharu. We will try to put together an ASW TF to deal with this menace. RO-67 sinks the big xAP Lycaon near Christmas Island (Pacific). I-162 is limping for Port Blair, 50/50 chance she makes it, the weather is not helping.

4th Fleet

Enderbury Island is occupied. We are considering seizing Midway just to keep DSwain on his toes. On the other hand, Cribtop HQ is satisfied with this AO remaining a quiet sector - perhaps it is not a good idea to stir the pot until matters in the DEI are squared away. Resources are making the odd journey to Kwaj and thence back to Japan on re-supply convoys that visit Kwaj or Truk. Mike Solli would be proud that we are not sending empty hulls on the return trip. [;)]

SE Fleet

Long Island falls. Numerous construction LCUs are headed for this theater. Lae is 97% to lvl 2 airfield. We will launch airborne assaults on Meruake and Horn Is. when it is upgraded. Similar to our Midway musings, long range recon from Tulagi has now confirmed that the Hebrides are totally empty. Cribtop HQ directs SE Fleet staff to study a quick seizure of these bases. The main concerns are: 1) Noumea is known to be occupied by several LCUs and could support a quick counter-attack; 2) similar to 4th Fleet, we don't want to make waves here until we can come in strength. We don't necessarily need MKB for this, but don't want to arrive just to be bombed into irrelevance or, worse, evicted.

16th Army

Wow. Hell of a day. We have completed upgrading Yamada Det S-2 to a 24 plane unit at Babel. These fighters will join growing IJNAF strength opposing Timor. 4Es visit Ambon and run into 17 Zeros (we had a 34 plane unit on 70% CAP - not sure where the rest were lounging). Results are ok - 1 LB-30 shot down, numerous bombers damaged. However, there are no Ops losses per the daily Intel screen. Many attacking Zeros are reported damaged in the replay but the unit is still in pretty good shape. Only 5 runway hits from the raids themselves. Being higher than the enemy (13K vs 10K) seemed to help - originally we waited at the enemy's preferred bombing altitude of 10K.

And then, the Kendari Turkey Shoot, volume II. We had some construction units unloading at Kendari to assist in repairing the airfield. Whether it was chance or this convoy serving as a trap for units on Nav Attack, two enemy raids head in against 27 Zeros. First, 5 Hudsons are all easily shot down. Next, a full unit of 18 Vindicators, presumably flying from Koepang at 10 hex max range, bravely press home their attack and are simply murdered. One by one, the Marine aviators are finished by our fighters until all 18 are shot down! [X(][&o] I can only imagine the disgusting feeling DSwain must have had in the pit of his stomach - it was even hard for me to watch. [:(] The A6M2 pilots rack up the kills, and almost every one increases both experience and air skill. This is why I'm careful to keep my ranges one hex less than the nearest enemy base unless I want to go in. I suspect the Vindicators were an accident as DSwain knows we have fighters at Kendari. Because this is the only unit on the raid, Cribtop Intel discounts the possibility of CV involvement.

We agonize over whether to jump out the planes as the enemy's habitual bombardments in this AO are frightening. However, we must cover the continued unloading of our troops AND recon of Soerabaja spots what may be the SCTF that has been harassing us in port, out of position to attack on the 28th. In the end, we decide to stay put. The Intel screen shows daily air losses at 30:5 in our favor. This one day is enough to get within 28 points of even in VPs for air losses - an embarrasing deficit brought about in large part by the devastation of our Zero Hikotai at Kendari long ago. Banzai! [&o]

14th Army

Siquijor falls. BA at Clark shows enemy AV is dropping at a good clip now. Banzai!

25th Army

Retiring on Singapore from Kuching, our LCTF encounters and finishes the extremely unlucky xAKL Legazpi. The Indes Fleet begins a 24 hour period of terror for the garrison of Kuching with a massive bombardment resulting in 158 runway hits, 52 port hits and 428(35) casualties. Then IJAAF and IJNAF bombers from Singers and Saigon pound the enemy troops. We finish with a DA and 12:1 odds - Kuching (at last) falls. The Sarawak Force and 2/15 Punjab Battalion surrender, the remaining two units retreat with 1719(183) casualties versus 74(0). We will rest a few days and then march on the remaining Dutch bases in this corner of Borneo.

The fall of Kuching is a relief to Cribtop HQ rather than a cause for celebration. This place should have fallen long ago, instead DSwain played us like a fiddle. A newbie is entitled to at least one "learning experience," but we will remember the quality of our opponent in an effort to avoid future trips to the schoolhouse. [8|]

Our battle and invasion fleets end the day at or very near Singapore. We will soon launch a major op against Sumatra and Java from here. In support, the Hikotai of Nells still based at Saigon joins its sister unit in Singers - the western Java Sea is a dangerous place for enemy shipping. MKB retires on Cam Ranh Bay to refuel, re-arm and top off planes and pilots. This will also leave the CVs in a position to escort strong elements of the Java invasion that will depart from Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay. We are aware that the enemy still has bases in Borneo - LBA and MKB will visit them regularly over the next few days.

15th Army

Our armor has almost arrived at Moulmein. We are strongly considering pushing over the river into Pegu when they are ready as the Imperial Guards will take some time to get into position and the presence of massive Allied reinforcements at Timor lessens the odds we face more than the starting forces in Burma plus a few (probably starving) Chinese. This is a calculated risk, but we are weighing it. Sadly, bad weather again prevents massive air raids on Pegu and Rangoon.

China

DA in the mountains results in 13:1 odds, casualties of 378(12) vs 6(0). Enemy adjusted AV is down to 19. They will surrender soon. In the south, our armor is one hex east of Kanshien. The bulk of 13th Army is moving forward, but the enemy is retreating rapidly. We will have to decide what our final desired front line is in China. Current thinking at Cribtop HQ is that seizure of the six bases southwest of the Changsha group may be all we really want to bother with owning. Seven enemy units are spotted at Hengyang, where only 24 hours ago there was only one. This confirms that some units, probably HQs and base forces, fled Kukong by rail. 1 hex NW of Loyang a lone Chinese unit appears intent on marching to its death over the river and into the teeth of an entire division reinforced by an independent brigade. Odd.

Other

Saigon makes lvl 7 airfield. I-30 arrives. Numerous pilots trained up to 70 in key skills graduate from flight school today and their bunks are taken up by raw recruits.

Economic and Strategic Analyses

We're a day early for this, but since we have a break in the action due to DSwain's schedule, I thought we'd forge ahead.

On a point of personal privilege, GO TEAM USA in the World Cup vs Ghana today.

Economics

Things seem to be going very well, with most of the few factory expansions we have ordered just about finishing up. Zero and Oscar production is ramping up, although we still need more Oscars. About 50 Zeros are still in the pool with all Daitais increased in size and filled out. We wish we had expanded Oscars on day one, as this a/c is still in "oh, goody, some in the pool - ship 'em out then" mode. We still have at least 4 Sentai of front line IJAAF fighters flying Nates, although 3 of those 4 are in China or flying basically unopposed over Sumatra and Borneo from Singers. We also still have one Sentai flying the few remaining Oscar Ib. Cribtop HQ estimates 45-60 days before we have everyone upgraded.

The big news is that the neighborhood has become safe enough to begin hauling Oil out of Brunei, Miri, Tarakan and Balikpapan. Until Palembang and Batavia are taken, Singers is a little too hot for civilian traffic, so we are considering an unorthodox path running Oil to Babeldoab and thence back to Japan. The rationale is two-fold: 1) Avoid enemy subs, spotted in numbers near Formosa as is typical; and 2) Given the focus on 16th and 25th Army AOs at this stage of the war, we have a large TK convoy making runs from the Home Islands to Babel. Rather than returning empty they could haul lots of Oil on the return trip.

The shipyard at Singapore is still repairing. We will consider halting at 25 rather than going up to the full 50, but the location is just too key. Damn bad luck that all Singers facilities were 100% damaged.

Strategic Analysis


Friendly Situation

We have experienced the freeing up of numerous LCUs after the fall of Malaya. These troops are now ready to be employed in taking key remaining western map objectives, namely Burma, Sumatra, Java and Timor. NW Australia is also an option. The IJN is still in good condition, with most DDs upgraded or in the process. Major losses include a single CL and the BB Nagato, still laid up in Hong Kong for another 2 weeks or so. MKB is operating in the DEI and will remain here until the job is done. In fact, given DSwain's strategic overbalance to the UK side of the map (awfully patriotic of him, being a Brit), we wonder whether MKB will ever relocate to its more traditional home base at Truk. Troops are ready to assault the New Hebrides, but we will probably need at least a brigade, if not a full division, to take Noumea at present. IJNAF fighter strength is excellent and concentrated, like everything else, in the DEI for now.

Enemy Situation

No sign of the enemy CVs, although Cribtop Intel still believes they are most likely loitering at Perth. Even the large Allied SCTF formerly operating in the eastern DEI has made itself scarce of late - no surprise given the presence of MKB in the area. Currently only a small force of 3 CL and several DDs is making the odd bombardment run on Bandjermasin and Makassar. Cribtop Intel, armed with recent aerial recon, puts this force at Soerabaja. Obviously, the dramatic build up of enemy LCUs at Timor represents the challenge du jour and the pivot on which this war currently turns. Interestingly, extensive Glen recon of the bases in NW Oz reveals nothing other than the immobile base force at Darwin, and Sumatra and Java are relatively lightly defended as well. While we have yet to recon Port Hedland, this naked back line presents interesting opportunities. In Burma, the enemy is static and soon to be evicted from Rangoon. Whether the enemy has any suprises in Mandalay will not be known until we can get recon in range. We may send an aviation company Chiang Mai to begin this process. Finally, in China, the enemy is in wholesale retreat. With his armies in North China shattered, the KMT has concentrations at Ichang and near Kukong as their only serious field forces. Neither is believed to present an offensive threat, and the enemy is abandoning everything south of the Changsha region to the victorious IJA.

Enemy Intentions

DSwain's inactivity in the Pacific is both impressive in its thoroughness and indicative of a clear war plan to make the western side of the map the decisive theaters. Cribtop HQ believes the enemy is most likely aiming for an eventual pincers counterattack via both Burma and the NWOz/Timor axis aimed squarely at the DEI. A sensible plan from the Allied perspective as the resources in this region are mission critical to Japan's Southern Strategy. Frankly, this is exactly the war we hoped to avoid, but the success of numerous AFBs in the DEI seem to make it the obvious and shortest path to Allied victory. We are perversely looking forward to the rather unenvious challenge of trying to stop an experienced and quality Allied opponent from succeeding where so many of his compatriots have found good fortune. Thanks to numerous AARs, Cribtop HQ has gotten the message loud and clear that the avenue of approach via Darwin and Timor MUST be heavily defended. We hope that the recents patches have made it more difficult to draw supply overland to Darwin, but must assume the enemy will be able to mount a solid attack nonetheless. In Burma, we hope that the house rule against crossing national boundaries with restricted HQ units without paying political points will buy us some time, but intend to commit a large LCU contingent and the bulk of the IJAAF here.

We'll finish soon... but the match is about to start. Banzai Team USA! [&o] Alas, a gallant defeat. [:(] Team USA simply has too many defensive breakdowns. In those circumstances, sooner or later grit and determination will not be enough. On with the analysis...

Desired Endstate

We must complete Phase I by conquering Burma, Sumatra, Java and Timor.

Forces Employed

We have six divisions available from Malaya plus 30th Division en route to the DEI. As mentioned previously, Imperial Guards have shipped out for Burma, while 18th Division will be the primary weapon aimed at Sumatra. The remaining divisions will invade Java except for 38th, split up to defend key bases near Timor (and acting as a reserve) and 20th, which will be available for commitment to Sumatra or Java if needed. 30th Division, currently only three component regiments, will gather at Babel and be used as a second wave in Java to bottle up Dutch defenders if they retreat to a mountain fastness. This in turn will allow our Java force to quickly transition further East. Most troops are prepping for Koepang, anticipating a fight to the finish there. Virtually all major IJN assets, including MKB and Indes Fleet, along with our best transports, will be made available. The IJNAF have four Netty Daitai, and at least three Daitai of Zeros in play, while the IJAAF commits 3 fighter Sentai (2 Nates, however) and two full bomber wings. If absolutely necessary, we have another independent regiment at Keijo bought out as a final strategic reserve, but would prefer to commit this unit to SE Fleet.

Execution

Cribtop HQ is a bit embarrassed that its plan for Sumatra must be revised - we assumed Djambi was still a port but not so in AE. The light defense of Java, and the recent capture of Kuching, create an opportunity to be aggressive. Rather than landing at Palembang into the teeth of coastal guns and mines, Cribtop HQ orders a bold simultaneous assault on both Sumatra and Java. Landings will occur at Oosthaven and one of three ports on the Java coast near Batavia. In advance of the invasion, MKB and LBA will pound the small air units still at Sinkawang and/or Pontianak, following up with a hammer blow at Batavia's aerodrome. Our rationale is that once we choose not to land at Palembang, it is as easy to land at two beaches as one. This will also accelerate our overall strategic timetable. For now, we will begin to isolate Timor with a submarine and LBA offensive. Someday we want the Indes Fleet to bombard Koepang, but DSwain's guns and mines currently stand in the way. Burma will be taken by main force now that Imperial Guards are present.

Feb 28, 1942

We view the day with trepidation - time is running out on the Amphib bonus. However, we have developed a few workarounds for this we are itching to try out if necessary.

Subs

Off Carnarvon, I-3 hits pay dirt, cutting the xAK Mangola out of a big convoy and sinking her with three torps. Cribtop Intel appears to have been right that Perth is a hotbed of enemy activity. One of our ASW aircraft launches several attacks on a sub near Pescadores, claiming one hit.

SE Fleet

Our latest reinforcements have landed at Truk. We will invade the New Hebrides if we can confirm the location of the enemy CVs. As planned, we order a parachute assault on Merauke for March 1 out of Lae.

16th Army

There are few things more frustrating than anticipating a risk based on the enemy's somewhat predictable behavior, talking yourself into running the risk anyway, and getting burned by the very threat you feared. This happens at Ambon, as the aerial recon we thought pinpointed the enemy surface group at Soerabaja was fog of war or another force.

We had three xAPs loading a regiment of 20th Division here, covered by CL Kashii and 2 DDs, with one DD part of the amphib convoy itself. DSwain's CL group based on Ceres , Durban and three DDs (1 Brit, two Dutch) stop by to bombard Ambon, having previously hit Makassar. Thunderstorms in the hex cut visibility to 2,000 yards and the battle is joined. In the first round of combat, Kashii is badly damaged but the TFs break off. Bad luck that none of our Long Lances connect at 2,000 yards, but we are outgunned so no surprise. Next, I-2, waiting in the hex as insurance against just this eventuality, is spotted by the escorts (in a thunderstorm! [:@]) and driven off without firing. The CLs then use radar to locate the fleeing troopships and sink xAP Rakuyo Maru. Another xAP is damaged, but the valiant DD Karukaya holds off the enemy until the merchies escape. Finally, the enemy again locates the Kashii and finishes her, although in consolation the DD Hatsukaze, in a fantastic display of shooting, manages to damage DD Kortenaer to the point she is burning brightly. This last encounter is a daytime fight, and we hoped that numerous Netties out of Manado would exact revenge, but no joy.

Another lesson learned. Simple force protection really - the covering force was inferior to a known enemy SCTF in the area. Jeez, we look like the English soccer team today. Only the glorious bravery of our DD skippers prevents the loss of 2/3rds of a regiment. The remnants of our forces will rendezvous at Ternate tomorrow and unload while transports fly the rest of the regt to Ternate. We will then bring another convoy to take the troops to Babel. One final note, we had mines in the hex but the nimble British CLs dodge them.

In the air phase, 11 B-17s raid Kendari and face 13 Zeros. Despite the presence of radar, and good altitude matching, we only manage to damage 3 of the beasts. We have better luck at Ambon, where 5 LB-30 square off against 19 Zeros. 3 of the 4Es are damaged and at least one shot down. The air combat phase seems to end more quickly than normal and this saves the Liberators from further slaughter. Neither raid achieves much of anything as far as bomb hits, given the buzzing fighters throwing off the enemy's aim.

25th Army

We continue preparations to assault Sumatra and Java. Recon planes are moving to Kuching, where they will be able to photograph potential invasion beaches.

15th Army

Weather scraps bombing raids on Pegu, but not the sweeps. First, all of two Oscars take on about 11 enemy planes. Fortunately, some mechanic must have flunked engine maintenance school as one Hurricane after another withdraws with engine trouble. This allows us to obtain a 1:1 result. Next up, 16 Oscars arrive and do Yeoman's work, shooting down 5 enemy for 1 loss. Per the replay, we had two "spins away on fire results," so we peg losses for the battle at 6:4 in our favor between the two sweeps. Not bad, and surely the enemy is running low on P-40Es by now. Armor is moving out of Moulmein to join the army. We will assault as soon as they are in position.

China

The Southern Offensive has turned into a race to seize abandoned cities before looters trash the resources. Kanshien will fall tomorrow and Wuchow is soon behind. DA in the mountains up north nets 56:1 odds and casualties of 300(14) vs 50(2). Enemy adjusted AV is down to 4. Won't be long now...

Other

Lae and Nanyang make level 2 airfields.

March 1, 1942

30 days until the invasion bonus runs out. We should have invaded Sumatra, Java and a mystery target before then, however.

Subs

Nada.

SE Fleet

Merauke falls to airborne assault. After a few days' rest, we'll try our luck with Horn Island.

16th Army

We should have Zero elements defending Makassar, Kendari and Ambon in the next few days. Netties and an IJAAF bomber wing will move in soon to isolate and begin reducing Koepang. A base force ships out from Babel for Bandjermasin. xAP Hakozuki Maru sinks at the docks at Ternate, but not before she disgorges most of her passengers. Tagbilaran invaded by our "clean up" force.

25th Army

Recon begins to operate out of Kuching to scout Java invasion beaches while a DMS sweeps Allied mines in the harbor. Netties from Singapore, lacking better targets, sink 3 of 5 HDMLs defending the harbor at Pontianak. IJAAF bombers inflict 119 runway hits at Palembang. We will smash Sinkawang next. The Java invasion starts to load at Cam Ranh Bay and Saigon.

15th Army

We begin our contested crossing of the Salween River at Pegu. Burma will fall! Sweeps of Pegu net losses of 4:2 in our favor, followed by IJAAF bombers hitting at least two (and probably more) planes on the ground.

China

Kanshien falls. DA in the mountains - 221:1; Allied adjusted AV is 1; casualties 349(38) vs 39(1).

Other

TB makes lvl 3 forts; Darwin makes lvl 5 airfield.

Bump as I have new content in the last two posts but since technically they were edits they didn't move this AAR to the first page...

March 2, 1942

Subs

I-16 misses a DMS near Norfolk Island. This turns out to be a bad idea as the sub takes three real hits from DMS Southard. xAPs are present in the convoy - is DSwain finally reinforcing the Pacific or are these troops heading to Oz? I-16 somehow has a chance to make Tulagi (we expected her to sink outright). I-169 then misses DD Rathburn near Noumea escorting another convoy. Interesting. I-10 puts a single torp into xAK Gorgon near Sydney. No sinking sounds yet, but she is heavily damaged. Two APDs making for Manado unsuccessfully hunt 0-24.

16th Army

Cribtop HQ has ordered the commencement of Operation TR - the isolation of Timor. Numerous subs are moving into position off Perth and SW of Koepang. Air HQs and Netties will occupy Makassar and Ambon to choke off the sea approaches to the island from the air (this will have the ancillary benefit of isolating the eastern approches to Soerabaja). We will position ACMs and more mines at Makassar, Kendari and Ambon for force protection, and are transferring unneeded ships from Truk to Babel, with an emphasis on CMs with their pre-war load of mines intact. An IJAAF bomber wing will take up residence at Kendari to begin assaults on enemy held airfields at Dili and Koepang (although we will have to find some Oscars to help). Three units of Zeros are also available.

Tagbilaran falls to our clean up troops.

14th Army

Enemy AV at Clark continues to drop.

25th Army

Our troops for the Java invasion at Cam Ranh Bay have finished loading. We move the convoy to Saigon to load 2nd and 5th Divisions. ASW assets patrol the approaches to the port to chase off enemy subs that often haunt these waters. MKB sorties to begin some prep work on enemy airfields in Borneo. The IJAAF wing at Singers hits an empty Sinkawang airfield for minimal damage. The Army bombers will continue to work over Palembang, Sinkawang and Pontianak. All three fields are abandoned for now, but we don't want the enemy jumping in planes to resist our upcoming double invasion, dubbed Operation KO.

China

We continue to advance unopposed in the south. In the north, a shock attack finishes the cut off units in the mountains, bringing Operation JK to a successful conclusion. 11th Corps and 17th Group Army surrender and are annihilated, respectively. There are now no Chinese units behind our lines anywhere in China. Quite a feat, IMHO. The brigade from this op will move into defensive positions at Piaotow or however you spell it, while the armor regiment is bound for the DEI.

Other

Rabaul makes lvl 4 port. We will now fortify the place and then move the three construction units to Lae.

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

The shipyard at Singapore is still repairing. We will consider halting at 25 rather than going up to the full 50, but the location is just too key. Damn bad luck that all Singers facilities were 100% damaged.

Hi Cribtop, I'd recommend repairing the shipyard to it's full capacity. Depending how active you think you might be with surface raiders/fleet actions in the theatre, I find I use up the repair capacity at Singapore quite often in another PBEM contest. It would only take severe damage to a CA or two to tie up your repair capacity for a long time, not to mention not being able to put a BB or CV into the yard if you leave it at only 25,000 tons. The small repair jobs that may require yard time for submarines, transports and ancilliary escort vessels can add up quickly as well.

Thanks for the advice, Squeeze. I tend to agree. Our victories in China mean we have been able to suspend monthly supply runs of 50K to Shanghai and live off the land. It will only take half of one such convoy to fix the Singers dock all the way, so what the hey.

March 3, 1942

A quiet, calm before the storm turn.

Subs

Operation TR kicks off with numerous bangs. RO-66 sinks xAKL Sipora near Waingapoe while I-1 uses only seven shells to sink xAKL Chungking near Geraldton. Something Allied sinks in the turn (glug noises), most likely the xAK Gorgon, torpedoed last turn off SE Oz. Unfortunately, everyone's favorite sub I-155, having just arrived to patrol the area near Bali, is hit by a DC from DD Vendetta. The super sub is not in danger, but must retire to Singers.

25th Army

We are loading 2nd and 5th Divisions at Saigon. MKB moves into range to pound both Sinkawang and Pontianak airfields. We worry this will telegraph our invasion, but need to keep the enemy's aerial heads down. Further, Cribtop HQ reasons that DSwain may assume we are invading only Sumatra, not both Sumatra and Java. Enemy subs are very active in the South China Sea - we have an ASW TF following MKB and are doing what we can with course changes to dodge them.

15th Army

We sweep Rangoon, hoping an 18 plane Zero unit goes in after a 36 plane Oscar Sentai whittles down opposition. No such luck. The Zeros go in first and are savaged with 2:5 losses, with a few spins away on fire in our favor, though. I truly despise the "allied plane damaged, japanese plane shot down" result - it happens often enough that I almost hate to see the enemy planes get damaged for fear of the dreaded red letters. The Oscars go in next and get 4:2 results, but with at least 3 spins away on fire. A smaller Oscar unit then achieves a 2:1 result. Net/Net the score is 8:8 for the day. Ugh. We may just let the Army take the airfields rather than continue with these attritional battles. We order a big raid on Pegu for tomorrow, but if that doesn't go well we may reconsider our air attacks.

Other

Port Moresby makes lvl 3 forts - Banzai!

March 4, 1942

Subs

I-1 is chased away from a juicy TK convoy by escorting destroyers near Perth. K-IX (insert dog jokes here) misses DD Hasu near Tawau. Hasu's return DC attack is equally ineffective.

Off Soerabaja, I-153 puts a torpedo into CL Durban! This looked like a very real hit, complete with listing and "on fire, heavy damage" messages. Banzai! [&o] This helps de-fang the small bombardment SCTF that has been harassing us in the eastern DEI. I-153 is one of three I-boats that are absolutely blanketing the approaches to Soerabaja.

SE Fleet

Arawe falls to our clean up attack.

16th Army

2 DMS sweep away the enemy mines choking Balikpapan harbor. Siargao invaded by our clean up force. We continue to prepare the battlespace around Timor. Soon we will have an IJAAF bomber wing (2 Sally & 1 Lily Sentai) flying out of Kendari and 2 IJNAF wings (1 Zero Hikotai and 2 Netty Hikotai each) flying out of Ambon and Makassar, respectively. The Netties will close off access to both the east and west of Timor, thus making it too dangerous for enemy ships to approach Soerabaja or Koepang except through a narrow central corridor (left open to avoid tangling with the large Allied air force at Koepang). This gap will be covered by at least six IJN subs. The net is drawing closer indeed.

25th Army

CM Abdiel is hit by both search a/c and Vals from MKB. We only appear to score two real hits, however. MKB and LBA from Singers pound both Sinkawang and Pontianak airfields. Neither is quite shut down, but both are moderately damaged and confirmed abandoned. Our LBA will keep up the pressure over the next few days. MKB heads for Singapore. The Java invasion fleet will launch from Saigon tomorrow with 2nd and 5th Divisions and 3 armored regts on board. 56th Div will join this fleet out of Singers while 18th Div and supporting elements will load for Sumatra tomorrow. CV Junyo is two days' sail from Singapore and should be able to join up with MKB for the upcoming Op. We will need to leave CA Chikuma behind in the yard, however, as she somehow picked up 9 major engine damage (maybe a collision we missed in the Op report?).

15th Army

If hitting the Durban was the high point of the turn, the air action over Pegu is definitely the nadir. [:(] Weather ruins strike co-ordination so that Nates leave the bombers behind and go in on a sweep. They are slaughtered 0:5. Only 19 Sallys hit the airfield for 13 runway hits and 3 Blenheims damaged on the ground. THEN the Oscars sweep, but the CAP is long dispersed for the AM phase. In the PM phase, the Nates AGAIN "proceed to target" without the bombers and again are popped 0:2. Oscar sweeps score 1:1, while a later escorted bombing raid oddly nets 2:0 in the air plus 5 exciting runway hits. [8|]

To make matters worse, 9 B-17D, heavily escorted, hit Rahaeng when all our fighters are committed to the Pegu fiasco. Fortunately, we based 3 AA units here, and they damage half the bombers, so the raid does minimal damage.

On the whole, a devastating result. We understand it was weather related (report called for "rain" which is better than the often predicted "thunderstorms"), but we are forced to admit this is one battle of attrition not worth fighting. Our bombers will shift to night attacks with one Sentai aimed at Pegu and one at Rangoon while our fighters will defend Rahaeng en masse. The hammered 1st Sentai (Nates) withdraws to Saigon for R&R. The LCUs of 15th Army will cross the river into Pegu tomorrow and while we know it will take a week or so to take the place, Cribtop HQ bets that DSwain will be forced to evacuate his air force from southern Burma for fear Pegu and then Rangoon will be captured with squadrons still on the fields. We must improve our air combat operations, so far DSwain is winning the air war where he chooses to fight hard. [:@]

China

The once mighty enemy stronghold at Kukong, now abandoned with its defenders fleeing pell mell for the Changsha region, falls to our advance guard of 3 armored units. The bulk of 13th Army will enter Kanshien tomorrow. Wuchow, likewise abandoned, falls to a scratch force pulled out of the Canton garrison. Virtually all resources and industry are captured intact. More importantly, these vital supplies are denied to the KMT.

We will leave one division and 13th Army HQ at Kukong to guard the back door. 23rd Army will take the remaining troops (3 Divisions, 3 armored LCUs, 4 arty units) to clear Liuchow, Nanning, etc. Then we may be done with major offensives in China. The only remaining effort would be to assault the Ichang/Changsha salient - a tough and well defended nut to crack given the terrain and mutually supporting bases. The Emperor is very pleased indeed with progress in China. [&o]

Other

Manila makes level 7 port.

March 5, 1942

Last post until sometime after July 19th, I'm afraid. The wife and I are going on vacation for 10 days. My only regret is being away from AE!

This may have been the fastest turn I've ever processed in either WitP or AE. Only one sub combat, no surface combat, no amphib invasions and very little air action by either side caused it to zip along.

Subs

O-20 is DC'd by an FT TF in the Makassar Strait. We are glad she didn't get a shot off as this is the TF moving an Air HQ to Makassar to "torp enable" the base.

SE Fleet

Rabaul based Netties pound Horn Island. Then the sky fills with Japanese parachutes. Horn Island falls to the ensuing shock attack - 26:1 odds, casualties 167(21) vs 0(0). Banzai! Even though the place was mostly abandoned by the enemy, the fall of Merauke and then Horn Is. to cheap air assaults is a good "strategic position" victory. The Torres Strait is now well and truly closed, which has implications for the coming showdown on Timor.

16th Army

Siargao falls. We will soon have ACMs to maintain minefields at Makassar, Kendari and Ambon. Numerous CMs will drop there as soon as the ACMs are in position. We create midgets at Babeldoab to use as torpedo boats to assist with bombardment defense at these bases as well.

25th Army

The Sumatra invasion loads today at Singapore. Tomorrow the elements of the Java invasion from Singers will load. Criptop HQ estimates D-Day as either March 9th or 10th. LBA hit Pontianak airfield to good effect. In the PM phase, Bettys from Singapore attack 2 Dutch CMs and an xAKL at Pontianak but miss. The CMs (presumably dropping mines) and the large number of HDML and PT units at Pontianak and Sinkawang are interesting. Criptop Intel estimates that the enemy assumes we will invade these Borneo targets soon. Of course, we are hunting the much bigger game of Sumatra and Java.

15th Army

Both air forces rest from their exertions (or at least are prohibited from flying by horrific weather). The bulk of 15th Army (1 regt of 15th Div, 33rd Div, 15th Army HQ, 3 TK regts) cross the Salween River into Pegu. Imperial Guards will arrive here in approx 7 days. The results are surprisingly good, considering the enemy is well prepped and behind a river and lvl 3 forts. 1:2 odds, casualties 1048(30) vs 196(97). Remember, readers, we list the enemy casualties first! That's right, DSwain's pixeltruppen somehow suffer nearly 10:1 losses (admittedly 1:3 in kills) in this battle. Upon review, all our LCUs are 98 or 99 percent combat effective, except for 14th Tank Regt, which is absolutely wrecked at 0/37. Weird, but we'll take it. This means that Pegu and in turn Rangoon are doomed as soon as the Guards arrive. Southern Burma will be ours at last! We should have pushed over the river sooner, but were concerned that a bad shock attack before the fall of Malaya would leave Thailand vulnerable. Also, we weren't yet sure that DSWain's reinforcements all went to Koepang. Live and learn.

March 6, 1942

We're BAAACKK! I highly recommend NW Montana in the summer - hell of a vaction! On with the war.

Subs

I-9 elects not to shoot at xAKL Agnes near Calcutta - Cribtop HQ would rather she have tried her luck. I-158 duds [:@] CA Canberra off Soerabaja - more on what the big cruiser was doing here later in today's report. We sent out numerous ASW TFs to harass the large number of enemy subs reported near Singapore. One such TF hammers SS Trusty for 6 hits, of which 3 seemed real.

SE Fleet

Umboi Island invaded.

14th Army

BA at Clark shows enemy AV down to 1679 - dropping faster now.

16th Army

Lots of action here today at Makassar, which we recently reinforced with a crack Zero Daitai set to 70% CAP. This move was to cover the FT TF unloading of an Air HQ, which in turn will facilitate torp enabling the base and moving in Netties to constrict Java and Timor. Well, for some reason the FT TF sailed into port in broad daylight [:@]! This set off a firestorm. First, 4 139s and 10 of 16 Hudsons are shot down by the CAP. Just as we were chuckling, a medium size raid by UK CV aircraft moved in. While 9 of the enemy are shot down, including all of the Fulmar II escort, three APDs take torps, two of which sink with elements of 23rd Air Flotilla still on board. Ugh. Fortunately, losses to the unit are minimal as it was split between 7 ships. After thought, we decide to order the remaining ships to unload overnight. We need that air HQ in place even if it costs more ships. Mousing over the enemy reveals two TF just East of Soerabaja, with large numbers of BC, CL and AV! reported, along with one CV. The strike was small and strictly a British affair. The question is - what is this rather odd fleet doing? Covering bombardment of Makassar? A strategic feint to make us think the enemy CVs are in the area when they're not? Are the AVs providing a poor man's CAP with seaplanes? Hmmm... MKB was scheduled to sortie from Singers today anyway, we will bang the gong as we advance toward the western end of the Java Sea and see what happens. Hopefully the enemy will retire as we need to get Makassar's Netties in place.

Finally, Netties and Zeros out of Ambon attack enemy shipping in Koepang - we had intended to leave the range 1 short of the base, but screwed up. To our surprise, CAP is relatively weak and consists of older models. Perhaps Fortress Timor isn't quite as unassailable as Cribtop Intel feared. We shoot down at least 2 enemy fighters for the loss of 2 Bettys, but judging by "spins away on fire" messages, we did even better than that. The mighty AMcs Alor and Aroe are sunk by obliteration. We will pull the range back by 1 hex for tomorrow, but in the end this is a fortunate mistake. Gaining air superiority over Koepang may not take as long as we thought.

25th Army

While the enemy appears in strength to the east, Netties from Singapore sink CM Rigel, xAKL Ipoh, and xAKL Shoaten, while one xAKL gets away. IJAAF and IJNAF land-based bombers hammer the airfield at Sinkawang.

Tomorrow, CV Junyo will rendezvous with MKB just in time to sweep toward Batavia. The Sumatra invasion should be loaded by then, next the portion of the Java invasion that is at Singers can load. While this occurs, numerous ASW TFs comb the waters for enemy subs. So far, MKB is only authorized to move in the waters north of Biliton - we want to scare off the enemy naval forces east of Soerabaja, not fall into another of DSwain's traps. That said, barring a major reinforcement with LBA into the Batavia area, Cribtop HQ is pretty confident that nothing can threaten the combined might of every IJN CV and CVL, and we may move farther east if the enemy remains near Makassar.

15th Army

We launch small night raids at Rangoon and Pegu, supposedly destroying 1 fighter and damaging 8 bombers on the ground for the loss of 1 Sally to flak. Enemy planes launch ground attacks on our troops in the Salween bridgehead, but the British ground forces are seen to be in retreat toward Rangoon. Imperial Guards division will be in position soon for the capture of Pegu and Rangoon (at last). Our air force licks its wounds, with a Nate Chutai upgrading to Oscars (this is the last Nate-equipped unit on the Burma front to upgrade, other than the ill-fated 1st Sentai, drowning its sorrows and increasing morale for a while in the Saigon bar district).

China

Little to report - our troops move into position for the next offensives in the south while the enemy's meager forces are near Liuchow and appear to be falling back into the interior.

Other

TB makes lvl 3 airfield; Manado makes lvl 2 forts, Sydney makes a lvl 9 port.

It is notable that reported air losses today are 42:9 in our favor. Six separate pilots in the Makassar Daitai make ace today. Banzai! [&o]

March 7, 1942

Programming Note: Unfortunately, no sooner do I get back from vacation than DSwain is changing jobs and moving. The pace of the game will thus remain slow until approximately Aug 15, at which point we'll get back to one turn/day.

Subs

Salmon duds on an xAK near Nagasaki. Nearby ASW forces will vector to this nuisance. An IJN ASW TF chases KXIII away from the Java invasion TF in the approaches to Singapore. Numerous planes and ASW TFs comb these sub-infested waters. A searching Val from MKB reports a hit on an enemy sub in the same region.

4th Fleet

A small clean up TF approaches the Ellice Islands. These rocks will be seized solely to provide a buffer for TB and will not even be garrisoned. We are trying to delay build up of lvl 5 airfields everywhere.

SE Fleet

Umboi Island falls. We launch three AMC raider TFs to lurk in the deep convoy routes SE of Canton and near Tasmania. Mostly just to give DSwain something to think about but also in hopes we will discover his convoy routes so that subs can be routed into better position. This is due to the fact that our subs off Perth and in the Indian Ocean haven't found much after a month of looking. His convoys have to be somewhere. An SNLF unit cooling its heels at Truk will be used to clean up Dutch NG and the Moluccas. Emily recon reveals 7 LCUs and 10K troops at Noumea. Cribtop HQ is sitting on 6 more SNLF at Truk prepping for the New Hebrides and New Caledonia, but Noumea is looking too tough for a few SNLF to crack. We are seriously re-considering the thrust south from Tulagi. The original strategic purpose of re-directing the enemy from the DEI remains valid, but DSwain's moves to date indicate he is unlikely to take his eye off the western side of the map regardless of what we do. Hmmm. Perhaps invading Samoa or the Line Islands instead would have a similar effect.

16th Army

We took a big risk and kept the FT TF unloading the Air HQ at Makassar. Fortunately, it pays off as DSwain's AV/BC/CL/1 Brit CV fleet retires from the Bali region. We feared a bombardment run and a replay of the Ambon debacle, but nothing appears and the HQ is ashore without incident. This is a major step toward closing the approaches to Soerabaja and Koepang with Netties. We pulled out the Zeros from Makassar to protect them from naval bombardment, which proves to be an error as 29 B-17E and 12 LB-30 hit the base from the air unmolested. Fortunately, they do less damage than we fear, and the base is still operational. Tomorrow two Daitai of Zeros will be on CAP in case the enemy returns. If the base is still open after tomorrow's replay, the Netties will move in. In retrospect, we did not get the LBA umbrella up fast enough in this AO, but we are finally remedying this error. We will continue to make Makassar, Kendari and Ambon secure from air and sea attack by deploying mini-subs, ACMs, mines and AA units to the bases. Koepang will soon be in our aerial cross-hairs. A large percentage of our sub fleet is now watching the approaches to Timor and Soerabaja as well. Transport aircraft are moving an IJAAF base force into Banjermasin.

As for what the odd AV heavy TF was doing in the first place, Cribtop Intel guesses it was removing short legged fighters from Java.

14th Army

As AA units and 5th Air Division HQ move toward Laoag, bound for the 16th Army AO, the Manila garrison unit has disembarked and moves toward the rather pleasant duty of guarding the fleshpots of the city until 1944 or so. We have re-shuffled LCUs on Mindanao so that small SNLF companies will see to garrisoning Davao, Cotabato and Cagayan. This frees up a regiment and a large SNLF to reduce the occupied bases in the middle PI, starting with Zamboanga and working north all the way to Batan Island.

25th Army

The Sumatra invasion is loaded at Singers. The Singapore based elements of the Java invasion now begin loading, while the rest of the Java invasion TF, launched from Cam Ranh Bay and Saigon, will arrive tomorrow. The combined invasion force should sortie from Singers on the 9th. Today, 3 DDs sortie for a point south of Billiton just to see what, if any, LBA the enemy has on nav attack. Recon of invasion beaches in Java shows all clear. MKB fails to link up with Junyo as planned because the Junyo refueled her DDs. We should join up tomorrow instead. Cribtop HQ is nervous about the number of subs in the region and wants to get our CVs moving on asap. In the meantime, a/c on Nav Search report hits on enemy PTs and HDMLs at Sinkawang and Pontianak. LBA bomb both airfields, while Bettys catch CM Krakatau and xAKL Wear fleeing toward Java and sink them at the cost of 1 Betty. Tomorrow the Singapore Bettys will port attack Pontianak to finish a damaged ship disbanded there. Finally, we launch two AMCs from Cam Ranh Bay to probe for the enemy in the Indian Ocean.

15th Army

At long last, the Imperial Guards will pull into Moulmein tomorrow. Only a few more days until we are in position to seize Pegu and Rangoon. A large troop convoy is in Rangoon - evacuating LCUs, perhaps? If not, the enemy will be in the bag as the rail escape to Mandalay is already closed off by our forces at Pegu. Enemy planes bomb these troops. Tomorrow we will LRCAP from Rahaeng to try to eat away at DSwain's air force.

Other

Munda makes lvl 1 airfield. Rabaul makes lvl 3 forts. Large numbers of construction units will be building the perimeter or keeping key airfields open, operating in groups of three LCUs. Such groups are already at Kendari, TB, and Rabaul. Additional groups of three will soon deploy to Makassar, the Solomons and the Marshalls.