[font="Times New Roman"]13 - 14 January 1944[/font]
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SUBS: [/font]The Flasher, another new US sub, takes out an xAK.
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SOUTH PACIFIC:[/font] More bombing of Buna. Our troops are still hanging in there, hovering around 400AV. Against his 6ooAV and Marine division this won't hold once supply runs out, but for now it is. If I can keep a hold for another months until the refugee army from Milne Bay arrive, this could be a problem for him and require more amphib ops. Not that hard for his LSTs but it could take time if he's not prepped more.
Nearly all troops below Shortlands and a line across to Ontong Java have been flown out. A lost of motorized support is left behind, but in a way this is good as I wan him to still have to take these bases with solid units. He'll realize after one or two that there is no opposition, and may know already that most things have been taken to Rabaul. I'm adding a regimental size force to Finschafen, Gasmata, Umboi, and the bases around Rabaul including Green Island and Buka.I'll keep units in Shortlands and that area until the bitter end to possibly buy more time. Large amphib TFs are converging on Rabaul to pull troops out. This could be dicey though as I have only one big SCTF there to protect them. The naval support is massive though, so maybe we can get in and out quickly. MTBs, barges and mini-subs also fill the port and surrounding areas.
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NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Adak is the last base with multiple units here and I'll begin removing all but a base force and a naval guard soon. Jocke is doing some recon so might be aware now of what's been happening. Spring is coming.
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WEST OZ: [/font] The troops are moving forward. He may have an armor contingent out ahead of the main force, which could push the schedule for retreat forward. I'll be reconning during the next few days.
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BURMA: [/font] Nicks had their first successful strike against an armor target, two brigades moving from Magwe to the stack in the woods. I didn't send them low for fear of an AA unit, but maybe i could have here.
Some troops look to also be moving in two other spots. One, and the most interesting, is the US division across from Magwe moving with a few other smaller units toward Bassein. I'll reinforce that base with a garrison unit, a brigade and an engineer unit, totaling about 400 AV. It has level 5 forts, in the clear, but next to Rangoon so CAP is possible. I've started moving a tank division to cover the river crossing onto the road to Prome and I'll move back another division from Taung Gyi to cover the other river crossing hex and provide reserve in case he's got more than I think he does. There is a final division moving back out of Lashio that should make Taung Gyi in time to make up the difference if this base is threatened. If he does move into Bassein he'd have to river-cross. Not a good option with only one division. If he does go in I will also try to move behind and cut a retreat path, then fill units and destroy what he brought.
Troops are also moving toward Meiktila, so could be heading to the stack in front of Toungoo (1k AV) or to Taung Gyi. Either is well defended and would take beating for a while before I'd have to bring in reserve. The next units moving to the area will be reinforcements arriving in about 25 days in the HI, so what's here will have to hold for a bit. Once he commits, I can shift force to fill in and close off hex-sides.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 13, 44
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Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 57,48 , near Magwe
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 66
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
42 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
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Morning Air attack on 22nd Division, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 18
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 14
B-24D1 Liberator x 107
B-24J Liberator x 56
B-25C Mitchell x 48
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 34
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 91st Infantry Regiment, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 17
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-25D1 Mitchell x 111
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 33rd Division, at 56,49 , near Toungoo
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 15
Wellington B.X x 16
B-17F Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 57
B-24J Liberator x 47
B-25C Mitchell x 45
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 3 damaged
Wellington B.X: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D1 Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Wellington B.X bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on 55th Division, at 56,49 , near Toungoo
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 12
Wellington Ic x 16
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
Wellington Ic: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 14, 44
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Sub attack near Siquijor at 77,87
Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami
E Chidori
E W-25
Allied Ships
SS Parche, hits 3
SS Parche launches 2 torpedoes at DD Shikinami
Parche diving deep ....
E W-25 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-25 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Sub attack near Satawal at 107,110
Japanese Ships
xAK Syoto Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Kusuyama Maru
xAK Himalaya Maru
E Awaji
Allied Ships
SS Flasher
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
SS Flasher launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Syoto Maru
E Awaji fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Morning Air attack on 2nd Guards Division, at 56,49 , near Toungoo
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 14
Liberator B.III x 14
Liberator GR.III x 12
Wellington Ic x 3
Wellington B.X x 15
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 49
B-24J Liberator x 60
B-25C Mitchell x 51
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 damaged
Liberator II: 1 destroyed by flak
Liberator GR.III: 5 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 destroyed by flak
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 8 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington B.X bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Afternoon Air attack on 22nd Division, at 99,129 (Buna)
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 35
B-25C Mitchell x 56
B-25D1 Mitchell x 111
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Reinforcements: Some great things to add to the defenses. One Air HQ will go to Malaya, two to the Marianas. The small troop units will go to the dot bases in the SE DEI. I have about 7 to fill in to stop para-ops or snap invasions. The AA are destroyed and bought units. As I get these most will go to the Marianas and Kuriles.
I've gotten a bunch of new IJN fighter units in the past month (including this new one at Kanoya), and all are congregating to Hiroshma/Kure as training units first to bump numbers for IJN Fighter pilots. It's a good time to do this as there is a lull in fighting (and losing) these pilots. They will then convert to N1K2 (ready next month) and J2M3 and move to the DEI. I should have around 400 IJN and 150 IJAAF fighters in the SE DEI alone within two months. That should coincide with the timing for losing Darwin.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]LST T-102 arrives at Maizuru
61st Air Flotilla arrives at Tokyo
62nd Air Flotilla arrives at Tokyo
72nd Air Flotilla arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
1st Raiding Force arrives at Tokyo
71st Field AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
54th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
55th Naval Guard Unit arrives at Tokyo
30th Special Base Force arrives at Babeldaob
E W-30 arrives at Tokyo
AO Sunosaki arrives at Maizuru
MTB G-541 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
221 Ku S-1 arrives at Kanoya
71st I.F.Chutai arrives at Medan
1st Ind.AA Gun Co arrives at Tokyo
Aircraft Ki-102b Randy advances R&D
Aircraft A6M5b Zero advances R&D (3/44)[/font]
Losses: None.
Ships Sunk: The Arizona has come off and on and now back off the sunk ships list. For a time it was listed sunk off of San Fran, so I wondered if it might have made it almost back and then went down due to pump failure or something.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of BB Arizona incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Tuna incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The three versions of the Randy are all moving ahead now, but I have no idea if any of them will be useful. I see the FB as an upgrade for the Nick, but of course I'll probably invest little and only build a few to try them out. [/font]
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
[&:] Every unit here is very experienced and has been through multiple campaigns. This is definitely not true of the Allied forces, so this confuses me (not unusual). 
