A Good Place to Start - Matthew (A) v Fokko (J) - Bottlenecks Mod

[JanSako]

I cannot remember if all, but some/most models of SBD can do up to 8 hex on reduced load. There is not that many ships which can only be hurt by a 1k bomb but resist the 500 lb one so it is helpful in many cases to extend the attack range if no fighters are expected. A horde of Dauntlesses will ruin anyone's day.

I do not use longer range search than attack range, unless they are out there to be seen/as a tripwire. A good player will avoid or take advantage if they can spot your CV's by their search hits. Carrier plane spotted by shipXXX - this gives your opponent a DL automatically.

This is just a general note, but I never rely on the carriers to spot the targets if I can help it at all. LBA is for finding the opponent, CV's are for smashing them

[M Peaston]

I'm glad I'm finding these things out now, rather than in the middle of a carrier v carrier engagement.



The situation in Northern China.

Lanchow.png (1.49 MiB) Viewed 1704 times

[M Peaston]

Southern China

Southern China.png (1.31 MiB) Viewed 1694 times

[RangerJoe]

I like to have at least one DB unit on search so there is an inherent search from the carriers, just in case the land base search does not quite get the message to the CV TF. But it is important to do night search if you are expecting enemy carriers so it is much more likely for your carriers to have a morning attack. So having two American carriers operate together is a good idea even if they are in separate task forces.

I would not call the Enterprise partial attack a debacle but rather a cheap learning experience. Cheap in the sense that you did not lose a carrier. Now that one has been seen in that area, the enemy might expect more there and not elsewhere.

[M Peaston]

Thanks guys!

Perhaps "debacle" is a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe "dog's breakfast" is more apt.

Dog's Breakfast.png (1.41 MiB) Viewed 1655 times

[RangerJoe]

Even 500 pound bombs from the Devastators can be devastating. Have 40 of those exploding on an IJN battleship and the fires can quickly get out of control. At normal range, those Devastators carry four of them and at extended range they carry two of them. Those can be quite nasty, especially to ships that don't have armour that is not that thick. Against thin skinned transports and cargo vessels, that can be worse than when they carry torpedoes. With bombs, they are also much more likely to hit smaller vessels such as destroyers.

[M Peaston]

Good points about the search aircraft. I’ve got several flights of Catalinas/Dorniers amongst the scattered islands northeast of Kendari/Ambon. There’s two Australian flights of Catalinas at Rabaul - both are radar equipped so one was on night search. I didn’t have assisting with carrier strikes in mind, I just like to keep an eye on what my opponent is up to. I don’t like surprises - I have a nasty allergic reaction to them.

However, my inadvertent following of JanSako's and Ranger Joe's search advice may have contributed to a successful engagement in the Bismarcks…


12th January 1942


CHINA

The Japanese have been bombing the port at Wenchow so I think Fokko has seen that I’ve a ship of some sort docked there. Thankfully no hits were scored on SS Sailfish, and I started bringing her out of pier side repair a couple of days ago so if she avoids any hits tomorrow she should make it out ok. (System damage is 29, Floatation 31). It looks like using Wenchow as a secret refuelling base is a bit of a non-starter though. I’ve got a couple of subs heading there; I’ll divert them directly to their patrols.

I’ve moved the JU 52s from Chungking to Changsha to resupply 84th Army at Tuanfeng, and I’ve still got a squadron of AVG at Changsha to disrupt Japanese bombing of the 84th Army.



INDIA/Burma

Blenheims and Hudsons from Malaya are regrouping in Calcutta, having flown in via Medan-Rangoon. I haven’t fully decided to what extent I’ll use them in Burma, but given the fragile replacement rate the decision is likely to be “not much”.

7th Hussars of the 7th Armoured Bde has unloaded at Chittagong. I’d like to try and hold Akyab so I’m planning to send them there, but I need to get some supply in by sea first.

I’m starting to concentrate the river barges at Rangoon and I’m looking to send them to Calcutta, and use them to supply the coast of East Bengal and Akyab from there. There's little point leaving them in Burma much longer to be eventually overrun by the Japanese.



MALAYA

There’s no assault at Kuantan today, the 2nd Recon Rgt must be awaiting reinforcements. This gave the opportunity for the very last Buffalo stuck at Kuantan to repair and fly out. Of the 28 damaged aircraft that were stuck there a month ago I didn’t think I’d get many out, if any. I never for a moment imagine I’d get them all out. A small victory perhaps, but at this stage I’ll take what I can get.

The Japanese advance has reached Kluang. I was too slow in moving out the ISF Bn there; I can’t imagine it will survive for long.

I think I may also have been too slow with my withdrawals from Singapore. I knew from day one that the Japanese would be reaching Singapore sooner rather than later, but I didn’t start making any decisions on this until after my defence line in central Malaya crumbled.

Dutch bombers over Taiping took heavy losses. The Japanese have lowered their CAP (from 15,000 down to 12,000 ft) and seems more effective against low-level attacks.



PHILIPPINES

The usual air attacks against Manila, Clark Field and San Fernando. There was no ground assault on San Fernando. Two very battered Philippine Divisions and an even more battered tank battalion (which has two combat-ready tank devices - two more than yesterday) are still holding out against 3 tank regiments, 2 infantry regiments, an engineer regiment and almost daily air attacks.


DEI

The Japanese capture Sidate on Celebes, near Manado.

Mini-KB appears not to have reacted to Enterprise and remains on station east of Talaud-eilanden. On this account, and the absence of any obvious targets on the western side of the Celebes Sea, Force Z is retiring to Salajar after refuelling at Balikpapan.

After a few days of training on naval bombing the USAAF decide to show the USN how it’s done. Banshees from Kendari attack a Japanese landing at Gorontalo, leaving CM Hoko and three xAKLs burning, although there were no reports of any sinking.

Dutch bombers attempted to attack Japanese shipping at Miri, but the CAP has now dropped to 7,000ft. The results were not good for the Dutch.



SOPAC/SWPAC

A busy day here.

The Japanese captured Kavieng, forcing the Australian Company there to surrender.

Lexington’s dive-bombers were not about to be outdone by the Banshees. The Japanese cruiser group at Kavieng thoughtfully moved close enough to allow Lexington both a morning and afternoon strike.

CA Iwate - 5 hits, heavy fires
CA Nachi - 6 hits, heavy fires
CA Yakumo -2 hits
CL Nagara - 2 hits
DD Ariake - 2 hits, heavy fires.

S-34 added to Nachi’s misery by putting two torpedoes into her.

Judging by the damage and sinking sounds heard I’m pretty sure both Nachi and Ariake were sunk.

Lexington wasn’t going to hang around anyway (as much as I would love to pursue the stricken cruiser group, I don’t know KB’s whereabouts), but with reports of Japanese heavy warships (mouseover indicates 3 x BB and a CA) spotted southeast of Ocean Island, Lexington is heading south towards Tulagi rather than back to Australia - and leaving a DB squadron behind at Rabaul in the hope of another bite. What is the purpose of the new Japanese TF? Covering an invasion force? A raid? Possible targets Tulagi, Santa Cruz Islands? Suva possibly? An attempt to interdict my communications? A decoy/trap? Yorktown and Saratoga had just reached Pearl Harbor (Saratoga was about to upgrade her Buffalos). I’ve ordered them to the Line Islands to be nearer the scene of any action. It may be nothing but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for any threats/opportunities that may arise. For the moment I’m assuming the Japanese TF near Ocean Island is operating with some form of air cover.

I’ve had a look at my convoys at sea, I don’t think I need to re-route any at present.

I’ve lost sight of the presumed German Blockade Runner. Achilles has been recalled to Suva and Leander is low on fuel, so the Blockade Runner will probably get away - for now.

SS Catchalot encountered an AV and two DDs at Nauru Island. It looks like the Japanese are setting up a patrol base there. I’ve made a note to pay it a visit sometime. Catchalot took two hits but is ok to continue her patrol.

[JanSako]

Nice job on the cruisers (& also to the Banshees; mine are tormenting LST as well, but it is almost time for them to head out of theatre).

That should teach him not to stray from air cover, & he cannot have air cover everywhere (not enough airgroups) which means risks, as in opportunities for you, or delays - good for you again!

[RangerJoe]

Remember also that the float planes from the cruisers and battleships can also fly at night, weather permitting. With night searches from the carrier TF finding enemy ships, it is much more likely that a morning strike as well as an afternoon strike will be launched. The float planes can also fly CAP which can interfere with IJN float planes on search missions from AMCs and submarines.

Congratulations on sinking an enemy CA and DD this early. Doing that along with the damaged ships can really slow the enemy down as well as make it easier this early. I do believe that you are correct in falling back if you do not know where the enemy carriers are as well as other enemy surface combat task forces that may appear. But I would not leave any carrier DBs out for too long if the enemy can bombard the base and especially if the enemy can invade the base.

[M Peaston]

Apologies for the late reply; it’s been a busy week and a busy turn. The fine weather and light evenings aren’t exactly conducive to getting the turn done either

JanSako, you’ve summarised nicely what I’m trying to achieve.

Some good tips on the Floatplanes Ranger Joe, I hadn’t thought about that. The DB at Rabaul is only there for the extra day to hopefully get another swipe at the retreating surface TF whilst is its still within range.



13th January 1942


CHINA

1st Squadron AVG tangles with Japanese fighters over Hankow again, claiming 5 Nates shot down without loss. I’m pulling the AVG back to Kunming now - the number of aircraft under maintenance/repair is creeping up and I suspect some form of Japanese retaliation is not too far away.


INDIA

Radio transmissions indicate at least one Japanese submarine may be operating in the Bay of Bengal now.


MALAYA

The Japanese take Kuantan, forcing the surrender of the FMSV brigade. Japan also takes Kluang, forcing the 1st Mysore Bn (now all that remains between the Japanese and Singapore) to retreat. B17Ds at Batavia have been ordered to bomb the airfield at Kluang; it wouldn’t hurt to put a few craters in the runway before the Japanese have a chance to get the airbase up and running.

Sigint indicates that the 5th and 55th Engineer Rgts have been at Kuala Lumpur for some days now. This might mean that Fokko intends to build up Kuala Lumpur as a major airbase for the assault on Singapore. I’ll have to see what I can do to hinder this. I’m thinking of getting some B17s operating from Palembang, and reinforcing the Dutch bombers at Medan.

Some 32 unescorted Nells attacked a small convoy at Tandjoengpinang just south of Singapore. CL Mauritius escaped unharmed but xAP Dunera was badly damaged by a torpedo. She should make Singapore but even if she survives she will be out of action during this crucial period - she was on her way to help with the Singapore evacuations. You may ask how unescorted Nells could strike so close to Singapore when I’ve got several full-strength fighter squadrons based there. Good question. Somehow I’d left all the fighters on range 0 (a hangover from the mess I got into with the fighter ranges farther up Malaya). I really need to learn to pay more attention to details like this. Dunera being out of action could be the difference between a unit being pulled out to fight elsewhere, or being trapped in Singapore.


PHILIPPINES

The Japanese bombard at Clark Field, and launch deliberate attacks at San Fernando and Manila reducing forts to 0 and 1 respectively. There were the usual air attacks at San Fernando, but I don’t recall any at Manila or Clark (I’ll need to double-check the combat reports on this). If San Fernando is soaking up a fair amount of the Japanese air effort then that’s good.


DEI

The Banshees again attacked Japanese shipping around Gorontalo, but Fokko had moved mini-KB in to support. Six Banshees were lost for no hits - I’ve reduced their range now. With Mini-KB there it looks like pulling Force Z back from entering the Celebes Sea was the correct decision. It also creates an opening for Enterprise to strike at Japanese shipping east of the Moluccas; she’s been ordered to thread her way into the Ceram Sea. Let’s see if I can keep the Japanese Carriers pinging this way and that.

In hindsight though, sending Enterprise back into the fray may have been a bit too risky. Fokko knows (or ought to know) that I have at least one carrier operating in the area and I have no idea now where KB is……


SOPAC/SWPAC

The Divebombers at Rabaul didn’t get a chance to strike due to poor weather - they’ve rejoined Lexington which is heading to southwest of Guadalcanal. However, my submarines did get a second bite; S-18 torpedoed and sank the wounded CA Iwate at Kavieng.

I got lucky here over the past couple of days. Fokko said he saw reports that I had carrier aircraft in the area, but forgot to re-route his Surface TF. I’m glad it’s not just me making silly errors. I’m also glad I had five ’S’ Class Subs on patrol in the Solomons/Bismarcks. It was quite likely the Japanese would be up to something in this area sooner rather than later.

The probable blockade runner has been sighted again - this time southeast of the Ellice Islands. Two DDs returning to Suva might just be able to intercept and have been given orders accordingly.


USA

A small reinforcement convoy has been dispatched from San Francisco heading for Sydney carrying:

1st Rgt, 1st USMC Div
24th BF
30th BF
1 x Marauder squadron
1 x Lighting squadron

Final decisions on deployment will be made when they reach theatre, but I’m thinking at the moment:

The marine Rgt and 1 BF to New Caledonia
The lightning and 1 BF to Australia
Not decided yet on the Marauder.

If Luganville is still up for grabs when the Marines reach Sydney they might be sent there instead.


NORPAC

I’ve got plans to develop Adak. A Port Services unit earmarked for Adak is en route to Prince Rupert; I need to allocate some construction engineers and some protection against air attack/invasion at Adak. At the moment I’ve got just an infantry bn there. I should pay more attention to this theatre than I actually do.


SUBMARINE WARFARE

KXVI torpedoed and sank xAK Rokko Maru-3 south of Mindanao.

[M Peaston]

The fighting on Luzon.....

MANILA

Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18837 troops, 203 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 744

Defending force 15343 troops, 218 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 497

Japanese adjusted assault: 407

Allied adjusted defense: 405

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
221 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
65th Brigade
48ID 1st Formosa Regiment
48ID 47th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
1st PA Infantry Division
71st PA Infantry Division
91st PA Infantry Division
192nd Tank Battalion
2nd PA Constabulary Regiment
Asiatic Fleet'~
16th Naval Dist.~
II Philippine Corps
Far East USAAF'
1st Marine AA Battalion
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment


SAN FERNANDO

Ground combat at San Fernando (80,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5840 troops, 18 guns, 250 vehicles, Assault Value = 222

Defending force 7540 troops, 136 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Japanese adjusted assault: 109

Allied adjusted defense: 61

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
316 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
48ID Kanno
48ID 48th Recon Regiment
2ITB 2nd Tank Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
2TD 7th Tank Regiment
48ID 47th Infantry Rgt /1
56th Const Co

Defending units:
51st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry(-) Division
194th Tank Battalion


CLARK FIELD

Ground combat at Clark Field (79,76)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 648 troops, 32 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 413

Defending force 13333 troops, 173 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 504

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

Assaulting units:
38th Division
48ID 48th Engineer Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Prov. USAAC Regiment
Prov. Naval Rifle Battalion
21st PA Infantry Division
3rd/12th PA Inf Battalion
4th Marine~ Regiment
1st PA Constabulary Regiment
*USAFFE
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
I Philippine Corps
Provisional AT Grp

[M Peaston]

DUPLICATED POST.

[M Peaston]

The advance on Singapore:

Advance on Singapore.png (978.54 KiB) Viewed 1499 times

Also known or believed to be in Malaya:

Imperial Guards Div
14th Tank Rgt
11th, 21st, 24th, 41st, 42nd and 56th Infantry Rgts
55th Cav Rgt
15th Ind. Engineer Rgt.

[M Peaston]

I’m sorry for the lack of an update recently - blame the unseasonably fine weather



14th to 16th January 1942



CHINA

There’s continued fighting at Changsha and Shouzhou near Chengting, but so far the Japanese do not appear to be making progress.


INDIA

DDs Thracian and Stronghold, converted from DMs at Colombo, are now available - helping to ease my escort shortage in the Indian Ocean. DD Vendetta is upgrading at Colombo but won’t be available for about five months.


MALAYA

The Malayan Campaign is reaching the end phase as Japan occupies Johore Bahru. B17Ds from Batavia bomb the airfield at Kluang causing some minor damage. I’m moving the B17Ds to Palembang, and may bring up a squadron of B17Es from Australia, in order to hit the airfield at Kuala Lumpur. I”m working on the assumption that the Japanese are:
a) going to heavily bomb Singapore prior to and during the assault
b) are going to want to establish air superiority beforehand.
I hope to hinder Japan’s preparations and try and tie down as many fighters as possible defending Japan’s airfields rather than sweeping Singapore.


PHILIPPINES

San Fernando falls to the Japanese (on the 16th), freeing up three tank, two infantry, one engineer and one recon reg to join the attack on Clark Field.


DEI

The Japanese land at Sorong. AVP Reiger managed to slip away but was bombed by Jakes operating out of Manakwari. She made it as far as Boela, but sunk in the harbour. Enterprise was in a good position to ambush the invasion, being only two hexes away with good flying weather, but chose not to launch any strikes. Apparently the pilots were sunbathing on the flight deck and the Captain thought it bad for morale to interrupt them for a target that he deemed “Banshee Fodder.” With mini-KB prowling around the area Enterprise is withdrawing to Port Hedland to refuel. At Port Hedland Enterprise can keep out of the action for a while, but be on hand if needed.

Meanwhile BBs Ise and Yamashiro paid a surprise visit to Kendari, heavily damaging the airfield where a squadron of Banshees and Stringbags were based. More planes were damaged than destroyed, the squadrons have withdrawn to Koepang to rebuild.

On Sumatra the Japanese bomb Medan, targeting the ground forces rather than the airbase - I wonder if Fokko intends to move an invasion force across by barge.

On Borneo the Japanese land at Jesselton, with only a Constabulary unit and the remnants of the Miri detachment to oppose them.


SOPAC/SWPAC

A tanker makes it through to Rabaul with fuel for the PT boats there, although the escort, AM Kingfisher, was sunk by RO-60 just south of Rabaul.

CL Adelaide bombards Kavieng inflicting some minor damage, and does well to avoid KB which shows up east of the Bismarcks. There’s no sign of any invasion force so I suspect KB is chasing away or looking to hunt down Lexington. Lexington was near Luganville, but is now heading farther south and will rendezvous with a replenishment TF to refuel.

DDs Dunlap and Preston finally catch up with the German Blockade Runner KM Rio Grande and send her to the bottom. After checking out a false sighting of Japanese ships near Canton Island the two destroyers are returning to Suva to rearm.

The first major convoy from the US safely arrives in Australia with 112,000 fuel.


CENTRAL PACIFIC

161st Rgt is unloading at Christmas Island.


SUBMARINE WARFARE

S-41 sinks xAK Hakubasan Maru at Subic Bay

KXVIII sinks xAKL Shinshui Maru off Shanghai

I-22 goes on the rampage off Sydney, sinking xAK Phrontis, xAK Theofano Livanos and xAK Iron Knight. xAK Steel Age had a luck escape when the torpedo failed to explode.

I-16 sinks the refugee ship xAPc Don Isidro off Suva.

[CaptBeefheart]

Welcome back and good luck!

Cheers,
CB

[M Peaston]

Thanks CB, much appreciated!

[M Peaston]

17th January 1942



You know it’s been a very quiet turn when the highlight is a Thai sub getting stonked by a motor launch near Singapore - and the sub was only there because it was mis-ordered.




CHINA

The Japanese advance guard reaches Ningsia on the Lanchow Road. On the other side of the river the Chinese have got 3 Cavalry Corps waiting, with 82nd Army just three miles away.



INDIA/BURMA

Aquitania has been ordered to end her pleasure cruise of the Indian Ocean, return to Aden and head back out with some passengers!

7th Hussars has unloaded at Chittagong and is on its way to Akyab. The other Regiment in 7th Armoured Bde, 2nd RTR ,is a few days off Chittagong. The plan is to use 7th Armoured Bde and 7th AIF Division to hold Akyab, but I’m thinking now I may have been better off to keep 7th Armoured Bde in India as a mobile reserve, but I’ll stick with what I’ve got now. The plan for Burma is to abandon Rangoon and fight a delaying action at Toungoo with 17th Indian Div and 13th Indian Bde, and perhaps again at Swebo.

Sigint indicates the Japanese are preparing a forward air base at Chiang Mai. I had withdrawn my Blenheims to Calcutta to regroup, but I’m going to redeploy some to Rangoon to harass any Japanese buildup in northern Thailand.



MALAYA

Just waiting now for the Japanese to strike at Singapore. A squadron of B17Ds at Palembang has been ordered to bomb the airfield at Kuala Lumpur, as have also a squadron of Dutch 139WH-3 bombers from Medan. I’m looking to tie down some Japanese fighters to defending their airfields; any damage is a bonus.



PHILIPPINES

Again, just waiting for the Japanese to finish the job now. I hope to be able to hold out both here and in Singapore until February.



DEI

The Japanese capture Jesselton. Japanese Battleships are spotted northeast of Manado, but there are no sightings of Mini-KB. Again, it appears the Japanese are pausing to consolidate rather than push on.



SOPAC/SWPAC

KB is now north of Kavieng and appears to be heading back towards Truk or wherever it is based - apparently content with chasing Lexington away.

Supplies and reinforcements are arriving in the Society Islands. Bora Bora will be the main base here, and is almost at Port level 2.


CENTRAL PACIFIC

161st Rgt is now established at Christmas Island. As Japanese heavy cruisers were spotted at sea in the Marshalls recently, Saratoga and Yorktown are hanging around the Line Islands until the next reinforcements, an AA Rgt and BF, arrive at Christmas Island in a few days.

[BBfanboy]

I noted that you were "unloading 7th Hussars" at Chittagong. January 1942 is about the time IJN subs start appearing in the Indian Ocean in numbers, stalking near obvious origin and target ports. It would have been much safer to unload 7th Hussars at Karachi (assuming Aden arrival) and have it rail to Chittagong on the good Indian rail system. Speed of passage would be similar and no chance of subs ruining your day during that period. Of course Karachi and nearby should be one of the first ports well patrolled by air and sea against subs.

[M Peaston]

Good attention to detail there BB Fanboy! In this mod (or at least the version we’re playing) East Bengal isn’t attached to the rest of the Indian rail network. Thinking it through though, that doesn’t invalidate your point. Certainly overland is safer, as you point out. Also the Aden to Karachi run allows for a much quicker turnaround time for convoys, freeing up transports and escorts for other things. There may be another unit or so heading by sea to Chittagong already , but in future I’ll use the Karachi route.

[M Peaston]

18th January 1942



CHINA

I’m pulling back from my attack on Huaishang; it’s proving to be a tougher nut to crack than I thought, and I’m after some easy targets rather than to get involved in a slogging match. Instead I’m going to assault the units garrisoning the railway at Suzhou and Yongcheng near Suchow - more out of vindictiveness than with the idea of any real strategic gain



INDIA/BURMA

My plans to interdict the Japanese buildup in northern Thailand are already coming unstuck. At Rangoon 221 Group HQ is loading up for Chittagong, and the AVG ground echelon has been sent to China, leaving only enough Aviation Support at Rangoon for the AVG fighter squadron there. What I’m learning is that moving air squadrons around, changing my mind and moving them back or elsewhere is very easy to do - they are very easily moved indeed. Moving the necessary infrastructure and support units around to be able to sustain any air action…well, that’s not so easy.



MALAYA

B17s and 139WH-3s attack the airbase at Kuala Lumpur. I lose three Dutch bombers but all the B17s return safely. No damage to the airbase was reported.



PHILIPPINES

Japanese armoured units from San Fernando start arriving at Clark Field.



DEI

KXVII encounters what looks like a small invasion force in the South China Sea. Miri to Jesselton is already occupied, and the TF doesn’t look large enough to be heading for Sumatra, so I think Kuching or Singkawang the most likely targets (if it is an invasion force). I’ve a small cruiser squadron (CLs Enterprise, Dragon and Durban plus four destroyers) at Billiton heading for Kuching; Hermes will stand off Singkawang in support. The garrison at Kuching had already been reinforced by the 2nd Gordons and 22nd Indian mountain gun rgt. I want to deny Kuching to the Japanese to keep the sea lanes to Singapore open until I’ve completed the evacuations.

Elements of 55th Brigade are unloading at Dili; the remainder of the Bde is loading up at Perth. 54th Bde is in the Indian Ocean en route to Perth. When 18th Division is established in Timor I’ll look at pulling back the Australian battalions from Kendari and Ambon.



SWPAC/SOPAC

KB is still hovering north of Kavieng; waiting to cover an invasion of Rabaul perhaps? Lexington is keeping well out of the way by heading for the Tonga Islands. I’ll make a decision over the next couple of turns on whether to keep Lexington in the Sopac/Swpac area or send her to join Saratoga/Yorktown.



SUBMARINE WARFARE

Gudgeon sinks a sloop south of Japan
Sturgeon sinks TK Moji Maru off Formosa
KVII is hit by an ASW group near Soc Trang but is able to continue.
SS41 torpedoes and damages an xAK at Subic Bay.